Can This Election Really Be About The Future?

[NativeTexan]

I keep hearing so many candidates, pols, pundits and others telling us that this election can't be about the past, it MUST be about the future. I think of the old saying that goes, "those who refuse to acknowledge the past, are condemned to repeat it".

With our most recent "past" completely "fubar", it is next to impossible to look at many issues into the future. Of course, Iraq is at the top of the list. It hangs over, not only the election, but the daily lives of Americans due to the increased level of distrust for the government that has been created by the an administration that has reinvented fascism so as to fit its idea of total governmental control.

But, we also have to deal with a deficit, again created in our most recent past, that will cripple our economy for eons to come, if something isn't done. We have to look at the damage done since 2003 on our military and its ability to protect us from REAL threats, not those made up for the sake of corporate profits. Not only are the services stretched too far to ably fight, besides Afghanistan, ANOTHER legitimate war, due to Bush's Folly in Iraq, but it has cost the all-volunteer military in its ability to recruit because of the lies and deceptions by the commander-in-chief and his minions.

The lack of detail in preparations for an actual war on terror, due to the Occupation of Iraq and the complete screw up there, has us in much more jeopardy to a terrorist attack than we have ever been.

The refusal by the last THREE administrations, (yes, I have to include Clinton, as much as it pains me), to see the problems caused by American forces being LEFT in Saudi Arabia and the Muslim Holy Land after the Gulf War, and how that issue alone was one of the main factors behind 9/11, the USS Cole, the Embassy bombings, and many more. And how that resentment has increased a thousand fold, due to the arrogance that sent our children to occupy even more Arab land by invading and occupying Iraq, not to mention how many more terrorists have been CREATED by this administration and their idiocy.

Obviously, I could go on (and many of you know I usually do), but you get my drift.

YES, the next president and congress have got mountains of future problems to deal with. But if we don't get plans NOW about dealing with this "past", left to us primarily by the "Grand Old Party", we can't MOVE INTO the future with any kind of confidence.

And as I have said before, its got to all start with Democrats, especially those in control NOW! Pussyfooting around with the politics of important matters, instead of meeting them head on, could easily allow an open door for eliminating elections completely. Nancy Pelosi and Harry Reid have GOT to RETURN THE BALANCE OF POWER, or everything else is meaningless.

[Curtis]

1. Of course it is

I've been saying this for so many months now. This election is about the future. Not in the way you mean it though. This election will decide the future of this county, period. If we elect another candidate who plays to the platitudes or gives long winded "political" answers, this country is going to quickly end up (within 10-15 years) as a second rate power, much like the European countires are shadows of their former selves.

Now, this in no way means we need to elect another Republican't. They, along with most Americans' don't give a crap attitude, are the reason we are at these cross roads.

Who do I mean then? Honestly, I am not sure. Get the elephant in the room out of the way first: I love Hillary, but fear she has fallen to the politicos and is just part of the problem. Most of the time I like Obama. I was troubled only slightly by things he's said and done. I love the fact that he is raw and tells it like it is. Yes, we do need to sit down with the leaders of countries we see as problems in an attempt to find common ground. I hated Hillary's answer to the same question. Then there is Edwards. Love him or hate him, you have to respect him for standing up and saying things that need to be said. He wants to be main stream so badly it hurts, but he cannot quite sell out his core principles to get there. I totally respect that. Kucinich. Yes. I like him a lot. I may even end up voting for him. I usually find myself voting for the underdog especially when they are as blunt and straight forward as he is. He isn't saying these things because they are popular. He believes them. That is GREAT. The others in this race . . . well, not much to say, IMO. The race really devolves into a race between these four in, IMO.

No matter who I vote for in the primary, a Democrat will receive my vote in Nov. '08. However, I honestly fear for the future if Hillary wins because I just cannot help think that she is only speaking platitudes while the other three are speaking from their heart. BUT, I will vote for her if she is the Dem because there is always the chance she will do good and be true to herself and us, the voters.

[spindoctor]

2. It can be, but it won't be with Clinton

I give the others the benefit of the doubt.
Kooch is the only one I _trust_ to make a difference.

[OrangeCountyDemocrat]

3. Not Unless Al Gore Is President

I pretty much am resigned to the fact Hillary will be "Given" the Presidency.