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Reader Comments on Presidential
Endorsement
Submitted by readers in
response to our invitation at:
www.seniorark.com
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Our collection of
reader opinions is now completed.
Below you will
find those submitted during the last 3 weeks of
September. |
-----most recent at bottom of page-----
cchastain
Why would you plan to endorse Obama before you
have an opinion poll? He has no energy plan with
substance and lacks the experience in general to
be president. He is out of touch with reality,
not realizing that we are shooting ourselves in
the foot by using our corn to produce ethanol
and causing food shortages with rising costs.
His media driven celebrity status is really
getting me down. While we are at war, he hasn't
got the good sense to recognize that the surge
worked in Iraq and will most likely work in
Afghanistan. The American people are at risk by
electing such a liberal person who thinks 143
days in a job qualifies them to run the country.
I don't want a celebrity, I want a president!
*******
CChapman
The question: Who to
support for President?
The answer: Quite simple.
Ask yourself a few questions:
When answering the following questions, it is
good to keep in mind the following:
“It is a recession when your neighbor is out of
work; but it is a depression when you or out
of work”.
1) Are you, and your
children and grand children, better off
today than you were 8 years ago?
2) If our present situation
does not change, how could that affect your
child or grand child’s future?
3) Should things stay as
they are, or would changes make our situation
better?
4) Do you truly believe
that the oil situation can be changed in the
next year or so?
5) Is the working
class of America better off today than 8 years
ago?
6) Do you believe
that we have a health care problem in America?
7) Are you (or someone you
are close to) retired, if yes – are you (they)
better off today?
8) In politics, is
experience always best or would new ideas be
better for all Americans?
I
believe each voter should answer the above (and
maybe other) questions. Honest answers will
produce the right vote for all Americans.
However, no questions are necessary for the
person who always votes only for the party
(Democrat, Republican or Other) , not for whom
they believe, is best for All Americans.
As we near
election time keep in mind a quote from Harry
Truman: "It’s not the hand that signs the laws
that holds the destiny of America. It’s the hand
that casts the ballot".
*******
Old timer in
Mid America I heard chatter on
the radio this morning about whether Obama is
really an American citizen. So I searched
online. Amazing. What I found was Obama's birth
certificate from the state of Hawaii from 1961,
two years after it became a state. No
certificate available for McCain---was NOT
born in the US. He was born in Panama. End
of discussion I think. (here
is the certificate) This chatter about
Obama's origins seems largely driven by a blog,
IsraelInsider, that seems less concerned about
the qualities of our next president, and more
concerned that the next president may not give
Israel the free-wheeling approval that Bush has.
*******
R Gilbertson
While it is human nature to support candidates
that promise benefits that will specifically
help our own needs or desires, it's what got our
country into the mess it's in. I'm retirement
age and I would like to have all I can get; but
let's face facts. America may be on the brink of
financial ruin already and it's about time the
American people face up to that fact. We all
need to have leaders that will do what is right
for the long term of the majority of this
country (not what we all might like right now).
Me, me, me is the attitude that got us where we
are lately and it needs to change. Barack is
pandering to the base desires of the "I want
now" crowd to get elected and that's not what we
need. I'm not real excited about McCain; but I
do believe he will have more backbone and take a
firmer stand on issues than Obama. Just remember
who put this inexperienced young man into power
in Illinois. Look at his voting record from the
Senate. This is no "Leader" of the people; but
an individual that will say and do anything to
get elected---not what may be the best long-term
strategy for the country.
*******
Ah Jim, aka
OldGoat You should not endorse any
candidate. Its unfair to intimidate people
with your power of the press. Let voters
decide which candidate to vote for on their own.
The real problem in today's world is caused by
poor influences from bad sources. Thank
You!
*******
Joan Harley
There is great confustion around Obama and his
belief system. To put someone in charge
of our country is a great responsibility.
We have had bad leaders for the past 40 years
except for Reagan. At this time, we need
someone who has a background that can be
trusted and is old enough to have some wisdom.
I hope and pray that God will bless us and
forgive the wrongs that have been done.
There is a big question about Obama's birth
certificate and other things that he has been
involved with, his friends and donations to
Kenya. Money given to a dictator that is
a African terrorist.
This info is
common knowledge and the birth certificate is
being looked into as i write this. The
truth will come out about this man but as of
right now its enough of a red flag to say
watch out, for me. Thanks for the chance
of some input.
*******
Georgia
Senior We seniors have been
losing ground for the past 8 years, and I have
had enough. Obama sys there will be no income
tax for seniors making $50,000 and less. He
says Medicare will negotiate with drug
companies for lower drug prices for us. He
will not privatize Social Security, thus
taking away the funds needed to pay Social
Security checks. Mt wife and I depend fully on
those checks to live. Enough whittling away of
our benefits for the benefit of the upper 1%.
I enthusiastically support the energetic,
young, but senior-minded Obama!
*******
AX243 Carolgg
I am an older Republican. For 8 years I
have watched my party fight a war we didn't
need, spend money we don't have, ruin an
international reputation we cherished, send
jobs overseas that we need here, destroy an
economy that was booming, and plot against my
Social Security and Medicare programs which
they seem to hate deep down. I have had
enough. I want to see what this young man,
Obama, can do to turn this MESS around. If he
does not, or cannot, I'll look at my party
again in four years, God willing. I don't envy
the task of our next president. He will need
to be extraordinary to get this thing turned
around. I am 71, and sometimes look for energy
to get out of bed. I think that McCain is not
up to it. If you are 71, you know exactly what
I mean. God bless America.
*******
mdegore1
Barack Obama is the obvious choice for
president. He's more in touch with the
problems of seniors than McCain. I
like the idea of seniors not paying any
taxes if they make under $50,000 a year.
Also like his stand on health care.
*******
del5677si Tonight I heard
Lieberman, the tumor on McCain's back,
questioning Obama's patriotism. How
pathetic. These people are now stooping as
low as the Bush crowd always did, sometimes
against even McCain; lying with innuendo for
their own ends. All the more reason we need
to sweep out these non-moral so-called
"family values" people. Today McCain rattled
his saber at Russia over this awful Georgia
affair. These Republicans have no answer but
to threaten bombs. I am so sick of hearing
about wars and bombs. Surely, there are
answers short of bombs. It is all
designed to convince the American people
that we need a military man to stand up to
these bad guys. We need the military,
indeed, but it doesn't need to be paraded
out every time there is some crisis. Surely
we don't always need to stand on the brink
of another boy-killing,
treasury-draining---war! I support Obama. He
is an honorable young man who wants to help
his country pull out of the mud the
Republicans have gotten us mired in. Seniors
need Obama. America needs Obama. If
Americans REALLY LISTEN, McCain cannot win
on the issues, only on fear and innuendo.
How sad.
*******
123starsstripesgo If Obama
is elected, his advisors will come from
Pakistan in turbins. We need an American in
the White House, not some ******* *******
****. If we can't elect some decent man like
McCain, I may go to Canada for 4 years.
And if McCain picks that *** Lieberman as
vice president, I know I'm going to Canada.
*******
Obama
Supporter I think these
people are on to something. This was in
today's paper. August 13, 2008 -
Jim Leach, a former Congressman who
represented Iowa for 30 years as a
Republican, and Lincoln Chafee, a former
Republican Senator from Rhode Island, joined
several other Republicans Tuesday, including
former Bush administration intelligence
adviser Rita Hauser, in formally endorsing
Senator Obama for President.
*******
bavonv
It is very saddening to read how so many
Americans are being led to believe so many
falsehoods about Sen. Obama. People should
use Factcheck.org, etc. to find the truth.
Sen. Obama is NOT a muslim, he did not take
his oath of office on a KORAN, etc. We need
to STICK TO THE FACTS. Why would many Rep.
congressman endorse him?? Sen. McCain is no
longer the straight talk express. He will
say whatever it takes to be President. He,
by no means, is middleclass Americans'
friend.
It is disappointing that our country has not
gotten past racism, anti-religion, etc. How
can we believe that an Obama presidency
means "turban" heads will run our country.
How sad.
He is the perfect model of what America
stands for - MELTING POT. Besides - I don't
think 'religious freedom" leaves out
Muslims. We are ALL Americans. Not all
Muslims ( of which Sen. Obama is NOT) are
terrorists. We are the most bigoted
industrialized nation there is. I say - Mr.
Obama has middle class roots, is
intelligent, gracious, and a fine orator -
something that has been missing for a LONG
time in our govt. We can see where an
"all-American COWBOY" has gotten us. As
someone who has been on a fixed income for
11 years, I sadly say I have had to
re-mortgage my home this year to survive.
Thanks, Mr. Bush and the Rep. Congress. Can
it get any worse?? I think not.
*******
johnpjrnelson
As a Republican, I will be voting for John
McCain for our President. Experience is a
must and the few short years Senator
Barrack Hussein Obama has is just not
enough. I am extremely interested in
security for our homeland and John McCain
the ONE to keep us safe. He will protect
our Social Security and he and his lovely
wife Cindy will be welcomed every where.
You can talk change, but if you want to
revert to the 60's, then vote for Barrack
Hussein Obama. Me, Canada sure looks good
right about now if HE wins. Vote
RIGHT people, vote for John McCain or hey,
you will probably be sorry as you wake up
in the 60's and the Beatles will not be
there!
*******
SeniorArk Editor
August 15
-
I must
contribute some of my own thoughts. I am a
born-again Christian. I walked down that
isle many years ago and accepted Jesus
Christ as my personal savior. Generously
seasoned with my own sins, I have lived a
life of this faith. I would call myself an
"evangelical" in the sense that it means
"good news". I believe that abortion and
the gay lifestyle are not part of the
world as God would have it, but morality
is much larger than these two knee-jerk
evangelical tripwires. I am also
dismayed by the immoral behavior of my
Christian brothers and sisters in many
ways. The "prosperity gospel" (God's will
that Christians should be rich) is an
abomination. War and killing in the name
of "Christian America" is not my
Christianity. Driving my Mercedes (I have
had 4 of them in a prior economic life)
past a poor man sleeping on a steam grate
is blasphemy to the cross of Christ. My
sin. Supporting the spending of a couple
trillion dollars on war adventures while
cutting childcare support for the working
poor is not what my Savior died for. Many
of our conservative "televangelists" live
on "compounds" purchased with millions of
dollars sent by the poor and vulnerable,
but could care less about the mentally ill
who have been put out on the streets
because we no longer can afford them. And
they talk about this earth like it is a
disposable wrapper, and look at
environmentalists like they are agents of
the devil. (Whatever happened to "This is
my Father's world..."?) Morality is a
many-faceted thing.
And now the
election. Conservative Christians fuel
false rumors about Obama's faith, origins,
intentions (isn't there something about
bearing false witness?). They hint that he
may be the "anti-Christ". It seems that
the anti-Christ has always been someone
they didn't like, or didn't agree
with. Don't like it?---Demonize it. Find
some scripture, somewhere, that seems to
back it up. They instruct their followers
to pray that God will make it rain on
Denver the night of the Obama speech in
the outdoor stadium. They will say
anything to destroy anybody they do not
agree with. All in the name of Christ. Not
my Christ. Theirs. What in the world has
happened to my "born-again" brothers and
sisters; those who were without hope, but
redeemed by the blood of Christ? How they
have perverted the whole meaning of the
Gospel, at least as I have experienced it.
They are an embarrassment ----no----much
worse than that.
I have
listened to McCain and Obama on the
religious issue. Obama has experienced a
Christian "awakening" not dissimilar to my
own. He was raised in middle America by a
Christian mother, and Christian
grandparents. His faith feels genuine to
me. I don't hear much about McCain's
faith. I'm not saying it isn't there. It
just doesn't present itself as very
important to him. He talks those two
"knee-jerk values" that some Christian
conservatives want to hear, but doesn't
talk about where those values come from.
So, from the perspective of my faith, I
lean toward supporting Obama. I am still
listening.
*******
G.J.
in Los Angeles
Did you know
that in 2007, John McCain voted 95% of the
time in lockstep with George Bush? Need I
say more? (Source--Congressional
Quarterly)
*******
c
corvin I support and
back Senator Obama for the following
reasons:
1. He will
not destroy Social Security as bush or
McSame-As-Bush, by establishing "Private
accounts".
2. He is a
young man and in good health--mentally
and Physical.
3. He will
not be looking to distract American
citizens by looking for a war to start.
4. He will
treat Democratic and Republican voters
the same after elected.
5.
He
has consistently supported military
retiree and Veteran issues from the
start of his time in the Senate--McSame-as-bush
has not!
6. He will
spend OUR dollars in America--not Iraq
and not on rebuilding a country with
$79,000,000,000.00 in oil profits.
7. Lastly,
I feel he will bring stability to our
currency, stop speculation in out
resources and re-affirm relations with
our allies.
*******
Ken D. Florida All
of us that have gone into a job
knowing that the more experience you
have the better prepared for the job
you are.. To put a Man like Obama in
the most important job in the world
with all the problems we will face we
cannot afford on the job training. We
are the employer and this the time to
own up to our responsibility to put
the person in the job that knows what
to do because he has the knowledge.
*******
wff in
Colorado My take
on the "being ready as
commander-in-chief" discussion. John
McCain was indeed an honored soldier
in the Vietnam War. His suffering in
the prisoner of war camp deserves the
respect of every American. I think he
is a proud American, and a good man.
But, "my friends", being locked up and
tortured for several years certainly
does not qualify anyone to be
commander-in-chief. John McCain never
commanded.
The last president who may have been
qualified to be commander-in-chief
when he walked into the presidency was
Dwight Eisenhower. He was a general
who commanded at the highest levels,
and at the most demanding of times.
John McCain
has had experience in the congress
legislating on matters of defense.
This also does not qualify him to be
commander-in-chief. Being
commander-in-chief requires judgment,
intelligence, energy, and willingness
to listen. McCain seems always ready
to roll out the tanks. Threaten the
enemy. Bully the world. This was the
Bush approach, and we all know where
that has gotten us. They say we are in
a "war on terror", and to some extent
that is so. But that war cannot be won
with bombs and tanks. It is a type of
war very different from that. George
Bush never understood, or admitted
that. I don't know how well Obama is
qualified to be commander-in-chief,
but I do believe that he is no less
qualified than McCain. Either must be
surrounded with the best advisors, and
both will have a learning curve.
*******
JLD - Florida I am a
senior citizen just north of Miami.
Rather than dribble on with my
opinion, I made a little video today.
Please show it.
JLD--Here
it is.
*******
BHsimcoe I am a
democrat and, prior to seeing both
of the nominees speak on "faith
based issues," had decided I could
not vote for either. After
watching both answer questions on a
variety of issues, I have decided
that, if I vote, it has to be for
McCain. I can only hope that
you and those who support you will
also reconsider. I am a female
senior citizen.
Thank goodness for your
endorsement of Obama!
*******
SCS
After listening extensively to
both candidates, I have no idea
how any senior would cast a vote
for Mc Cain, unless they have
wealth enough to have no need for
Social Security or any other
benefits. If these benefits
are not needed, perhaps they would
be kind enough to return the money
to the to system, in order help
others who rely on them.
I have been very concerned that
many polls show Mc Cain with a
significant lead in voters over
65. I don't know if these
people are uninformed or just
plain stupid. Hopefully they will
pay attention to the issues before
election day, and cast their vote
for the nominee who will protect
their benefits and add to their
quality of life.
SeniorArk responds: We look at
Senior issues---every day---all
day---and have come to the same
conclusion. I don't think people
are stupid, I just think some
politicians are clever enough to
know they could not possibly win
on the strength of their
positions, so they spread
misstatement, fear, doom, and
whatever else it takes to confuse
the voter. As we speak, we are
beginning our endorsement
presentation, clearly for Obama.
For Seniors, McCain could be a
Serious Mistake. Someone wrote and
told us we were being selfish. I
don't think so. Just looking out
for all of you retirees and
near-retirees. Bob
*******
c.
embry President's
Retirement...
A president's pension currently is
$191,300 per year, until the age
of 80.
Assuming the next president lives
to age 80. Sen. McCain would
receive ZERO pension as he would
reach 80 at the end of two terms
as president. Sen. Obama would be
retired for 26 years after two
terms and would receive $4,973,800
in pension. Therefore it would
certainly make economic sense to
elect McCain in November. How's
that for non partisan thinking?
SeniorArk responds: Now
we've heard it all. I think I am
willing to spend the money
*******
KC My answer - - -
Barack!!! Voted twice for Bush
and all he has done is set the country
back 70 years. McCain will be
worse unless you're rich. I have
learned my Lesson. Republicans care
about me only at election time. I am 62
and disabled.
*******
JFF - Pennsylvania I heard
a frightening thing this afternoon.
McCain is seriously considering John
Lieberman as his vice president. John
Lieberman is more of a war hawk than any
of those neo-cons who controlled George
Bush before the Iraq invasion.
Lieberman, has been relentless in
his hawkish support for Israel, and has
called for bombing Iran, an act
that would throw the entire world into
deep turmoil, and could be the kiss of
death for the US economy. If
McCain picks another sabre-rattling hawk
like Lieberman, this Republican will
join the "Republicans for Obama" group,
which is rapidly gaining in strength.
God help us. SeniorArk comment:
Indeed!
*******
ssheffield - TX I have
been a Republican for many years,
before that a Democrat. When
the Democratic party was overtaken
by the feminists and homosexuals,
I left them for good! How
anyone who believes in the
God-given right to life for an
unborn can vote for Obama is
completely asinine. No matter what
he “claims” he can do, we all know
it is the Congress that actually
does it. His words are
meaningless!
*******
segranville - VA Do
you hear the angry, slash and burn
campaign that McCain is running?
This is exactly what he has always
run against, but he has now
flip-flopped on his most basic
principles. He levels virulent
personal attacks on his opponent.
He misrepresents his opponents
positions. He promotes fear and
suspicion instead of hope and
light. In 2000 I was a McCain
supporter. No more. The straight
talk express has become the foul
mouth whatever. We were all hoping
this would be a different type of
race. Obama refuses to get into
McCain's cesspool, but he may have
no choice. Gutter talk seems to
work. Have you ever heard Obama
mention that McCain was running
around with his current wife,
while still living with his first
wife. It's true---why won't Obama
hit it? Did you know that McCain
applied for a marriage license to
marry Cindy while he was still
married to his first wife. It's
true. Do you know what McCain
exposed to his captors in Vietnam
that may have hurt our war effort?
I won't repeat it here, but it is
well-known. I refuse to swift-boat
him. That is a Republican tactic.
Obama must begin to expose McCain
just as McCain is attacking Obama
every day. Why have Republicans
become so mean, bitter, angry?
I read your last reader's opinion
before sending this in. For God's
sake people, we are electing a
president, not a priest or doctor.
Get real.
*******
BILL G If McCain
picks Lieberman as vice president,
it will be the oldest combined
ticket in history by the
inauguration. Between them, they
will have had over 138 years of
experience on earth. Granted, that
is a lot of experience, even if
they can't remember all of it.
Think of the movie possibilities:
"Grumpy old Men ticket", "Our
Memories of Lincoln", "I Remember
When there was no Social Security"
, "We will Chase that Terrorist to
the Gates of Hell in our
Wheelchairs", "U.S._, I Know there
Was a 3rd Letter in There", "Big
Deal, I Won't Remember it in the
Morning Anyway".
As a senior, I know many of us are
very able. But come on John, can't
you find some younger blood? Or
are you concerned that a younger
man would point out your 72 years.
*******
JK-Texas Please
notice that McCain reads everything from
a script. When he doesn't, he gets
confused, makes factual errors, and
someone needs to lean to his ear and
correct him. We just went through
8 years of this. How in hell can the
polls be so close? This is the ignorance
that gets us bogged down in war, drives
us into hopeless debt, keeps the
population on the edge of fear, and
neglects the infrastructure of our
country. Wake up people!
*******
asp254deli - Mass.
Another seriously bad choice as VP for
McCain would be Mitt Romney. He was a
disaster of a Governor here in Mass. He
started a health program that has become
a nightmare. He is stuck on himself, and
we joked that he carried a mirror around
just to look at himself from time to
time. He is non Christian, but not
honest about it. Mormons are not
considered Christians by the Christian
Churches. They have had a twisted
history of Jesus appearing in New York
to their leader or something, polygamy,
no blacks go to heaven, and a lot more.
We don't want that in the white house!
*******
ernesto1224
I vote for Mr Barak Obama.
The other canidate vote 95% for
Mr president Bush. The money
is in Iraq doing what? Mr
Mccain wants to keep sending
more money. Our economy? I
endorse Barak Obama.
*******
olderkid68
How can needy seniors relate to
guy like McCain? I heard him say
last week that the definition of
rich was "when you make $5
million/yr". Say what??
Yesterday McCain was asked how
many homes he had. His answer
was that he didn't know, and his
staff would have to answer. Say
what?? Do you ---seniors---know
how many homes YOU own? His
staff said the answer is 4, and
the Obama campaign says McCain
owns 7. Whichever it is--he
ain't like me. He and his wife
clutch to a $100 million fortune
made by selling beer to
alcoholics and the general
population. Is this what the
Christian "right" supports?
Adultery while still living with
his wife? Say what?? Applying
for a marriage license while
still married? Say what?? I hear
that he is awash in oil and drug
money, and we sure don't need
that again. He is talking like a
warmonger. And we sure don't
need that. The thinking senior
has no choice but Obama. He will
be a good choice for us, I
think. Does anyone really think
he will not surround himself
with the smartest foreign policy
people in the nation? Does
anyone really believe that he
does not love his country that
has given him so much, and that
he will not defend it with
everything available? We need
his domestic policies on Social
Security, Medicare, and the
economy. I personally have no
fear that he will not also give
us the best in defense. Thank
you.
*******
1938ssedwig I don't
know if McCain didn't want to
admit that he owns 7 homes, or
is so detached from life that he
really didn't know, or he had a
senior moment and couldn't
remember. I'm 70 later this
year, and sometimes I look for
my glasses, and they are on my
nose.
*******
nickpaulaweaver You've
GOT to be crazy to support a
socialist/ populist/ liberal/
government do it all canidate
in guise of helping seniors.
The only seniors it would help
would be the ones with no clue
of what it takes to live in a
free country where people are
responsible for themselves.
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