Effect of Presidential debates?

[Patler]

Re: Effect of Presidential debates?

I use the debates to help make my decision. I want to see the how the candidates handle the pressure of debate because I feel it is an overlooked quality when choosing a leader.

So you're the one the hold the debates for!!

Interesting. Why is their performance at a debate a quality that is important to you? Are you more concerned with how they perform at the debate than with what they say in situations outside of the debate?

[HowardRoark]

Effect of debate last night?

[HowardRoark]

That, and the fact I think I might now be in the Maxie the Taxi camp. McCain shoots from the hip with bizzaro programs that he can't even explain.

"Hey, how about we take over all the houses in the country? If you can't afford them we'll buy em."

I wish I would have bought a bigger house. Then I would be in trouble too.

[GoPackGo]

Re: Effect of Presidential debates?

I use the debates to help make my decision. I want to see the how the candidates handle the pressure of debate because I feel it is an overlooked quality when choosing a leader.

So you're the one the hold the debates for!!

Interesting. Why is their performance at a debate a quality that is important to you? Are you more concerned with how they perform at the debate than with what they say in situations outside of the debate?

I wouldn't say its more important to me under normal circumstances, but this presidential race is very close in my mind. The candidates' opinions and positions on issues are well documented. I like to see what happens when you get them in the same room and throw them into the fire of debate.

[LL2]

That, and the fact I think I might now be in the Maxie the Taxi camp. McCain shoots from the hip with bizzaro programs that he can't even explain.

"Hey, how about we take over all the houses in the country? If you can't afford them we'll buy em."

I wish I would have bought a bigger house. Then I would be in trouble too.

I might be joing the Maxi the Taxi camp too.

Maxi the Taxi for Prez!

[mraynrand]

That, and the fact I think I might now be in the Maxie the Taxi camp. McCain shoots from the hip with bizzaro programs that he can't even explain.

"Hey, how about we take over all the houses in the country? If you can't afford them we'll buy em."

I wish I would have bought a bigger house. Then I would be in trouble too.

You weren't alone. For about the last ten years, I've been harping on the consumer debt problem (credit cards, etc.). Had a relative who was over 30K in debt at age 24 - 24!!! I attributed a lot of this to the desire by kids just out f college and a bit older who want everything their parents had, right now Now, with the current environment, it seems as though when this credit debt hits (and it's estimated at about 2 trillion), everyone is going to be looking to the government to bail them out. That's the fall out from the government bail out - nanny state on steroids.

Question: Is health care a responsibility or a right? Your answer is the future of this country.

[Patler]

You weren't alone. For about the last ten years, I've been harping on the consumer debt problem (credit cards, etc.). Had a relative who was over 30K in debt at age 24 - 24!!! I attributed a lot of this to the desire by kids just out f college and a bit older who want everything their parents had, right now Now, with the current environment, it seems as though when this credit debt hits (and it's estimated at about 2 trillion), everyone is going to be looking to the government to bail them out. That's the fall out from the government bail out - nanny state on steroids.

Question: Is health care a responsibility or a right? Your answer is the future of this country.

I couldn't agree more, and we parents of those kids haven't helped matters by making so much available to them through out their growing years. They expect the same availability of "things" when they are on their own, and some do not realize it takes a while to become established financially. (On a personal note, two of my herd of kids who are in their mid and late twenties refuse to even have a credit card, let alone use it. I couldn't be more proud! )

But the availability of credit is (maybe "was") ridiculous. As soon as they were 18, my kids were deluged with weekly pre-approved offers. Can you imagine $15,000 credit lines to 19 year olds? One used a card for travel purposes, and soon was extended a limit of $30,000.00!!! I harped on them and harped on them about the dangers of overextending via credit cards, and only one made a few mistakes using cards while in college (unbeknown to me at the time). Not bad, he learned from it, and had it straightened away in a couple years. He's quite "cheap" now on himself, but generous with others including his siblings and parents. Again, I am proud!

[mraynrand]

Nice job, Patler. What could be more important than raising good kids?

[HowardRoark]

Question: Is health care a responsibility or a right? Your answer is the future of this country.

The silver lining of this financial implosion is hopefully that people will start realizing really bad things can happen. Houses made out of cards eventually crash down.

All of these Entitlements that our country has (with no money backing them up) are the next storm on the horizon. My answer to your question is that it is a responsibility. As well as virtually everything else; the more people are responsible, the more they have ownership, the sounder it will be.

California is a train wreck about to happen. The Entitlements they have on Local and State levels make Obama look like Ayn Rand.

[Oscar]

Interesting point on the credit card thing. I'm 41 and to this day have never owned a credit card. If I can't pay for it I don't need it..Though, I borrowed money to buy my home..Can't say I'm that well off..lol I have a few friends that went into bankruptcy because of credit card debt..

[mraynrand]

Question: Is health care a responsibility or a right? Your answer is the future of this country.

The silver lining of this financial implosion is hopefully that people will start realizing really bad things can happen. Houses made out of cards eventually crash down.

All of these Entitlements that our country has (with no money backing them up) are the next storm on the horizon. My answer to your question is that it is a responsibility. As well as virtually everything else; the more people are responsible, the more they have ownership, the sounder it will be.

California is a train wreck about to happen. The Entitlements they have on Local and State levels make Obama look like Ayn Rand.

I liked referring to it as responsibility because it covers all the bases. We have to be responsible for ourselves and for those who truly cannot afford to pay. Other than costs (which have a whole array of causes), a huge problem with insurance is that the fastest growing and largest groups of uninsured are those who can afford to pay for it, but choose not to do so. And that doesn't mean you have to get bargain basement coverage like from Billy Mays, where you have to set a broken bone with Mighty Putty.

[HowardRoark]

Had a relative who was over 30K in debt at age 24 - 24!!.

Three words:

[Harlan Huckleby]

Question: Is health care a responsibility or a right? Your answer is the future of this country.

The silver lining of this financial implosion is hopefully that people will start realizing really bad things can happen. Houses made out of cards eventually crash down.

All of these Entitlements that our country has (with no money backing them up) are the next storm on the horizon. My answer to your question is that it is a responsibility. As well as virtually everything else; the more people are responsible, the more they have ownership, the sounder it will be.

California is a train wreck about to happen. The Entitlements they have on Local and State levels make Obama look like Ayn Rand.

what "entitelments" are you referring to? Social Security? Medicare?

[HowardRoark]

Question: Is health care a responsibility or a right? Your answer is the future of this country.

The silver lining of this financial implosion is hopefully that people will start realizing really bad things can happen. Houses made out of cards eventually crash down.

All of these Entitlements that our country has (with no money backing them up) are the next storm on the horizon. My answer to your question is that it is a responsibility. As well as virtually everything else; the more people are responsible, the more they have ownership, the sounder it will be.

California is a train wreck about to happen. The Entitlements they have on Local and State levels make Obama look like Ayn Rand.

what "entitelments" are you referring to? Social Security? Medicare?

Yes….prescription drugs too.

In California, the spouse (gay lover…if not chopped up), is entitled to around 90% of the income their spouse received from Government upon retirement (when they die). There is cottage industry of “sugar daddies” going on. Hot, young gal hooks up with old Government employee. They are set for life.

[Patler]

I liked referring to it as responsibility because it covers all the bases. We have to be responsible for ourselves and for those who truly cannot afford to pay. Other than costs (which have a whole array of causes), a huge problem with insurance is that the fastest growing and largest groups of uninsured are those who can afford to pay for it, but choose not to do so. And that doesn't mean you have to get bargain basement coverage like from Billy Mays, where you have to set a broken bone with Mighty Putty.

That is a real problem. It's choices. They "have to" have the better house than they can afford, several new (financed) cars, grown-up toys, memberships for themselves and their kids, etc. They choose to pay for it with money that should go for other things. These same people would not insure their houses if the lenders didn't require it.

We complain about the cost of a gallon of milk, while willingly paying more for a six-pack of beer. We complain about the cost of groceries while spending more for fancy wardrobes and entertainment. Our priorities are screwed up in this country.