Im a bit surprised how many people here have their mind set and fixed in stone about who they are going to vote.

For me (and maybe others...any others out there?) its not all as clear-cut as these two sides make it look. On voting day it could go either way...

Could some people, knowledgable enough on the subject, give me reasons why I should vote for one candidate and not the other? And maybe without all the stereotypes, just with plain factual information...the issues.

Since there are plenty of pros and cons I could come up with for both candidates and both parties, deciding is tough.

If I pretend for a moment that it really matters who´ s President and I´ll also put aside my hardcore libertarian values for this thread..who should I vote for and why?

If you're a libertarian then you should look at the Bush administration's financial record.

The CATO Institute, the top Libertarian think tank, has described Bush's presidency as "more liberal" than the Clinton one, spending wise.

President Bush has expanded the size of the Federal government more than any President since FDR.

By increasing government spending (primarily in Iraq) and cutting taxes (mostly for the richest 10% of America) Bush has wracked up the largest national deficit ever.

Who supports the Bush tax cuts? McCain. Who supports staying in Iraq indefinitely? McCain. Who supports spending $12 billion a month in Iraq? McCain.

Bob Barr is the ideal candidate if you are a libertarian, but he has no chance of winning. The question you have to ask yourself is this - are you willing to let the policies of the Bush administration continue?

I would really encourage you to visit the websites for both candidates and read where they stand on the issues, what their specific plans are, and why.

If you are interested in learning more about Obama, what shaped him as a person, etc then I would read one or both of his books. I'm not sure if McCain has a book out, but I'm sure you can find speeches, etc linked on his site that provide good info about his background.

Personally, I am not a republican or democrat and try to vote for a candidate, not a party. I've found that Obama seems to have the better vision for this country. While I don't think his plans are flawless or perfect, I do think they represent the best ideas for the country. One plan I really like is the idea of providing young adults money for college in exchange for community service hours. I think it's a great way to get more young people involved in the community and help them afford college at the same time. It also teaches them not to expect handouts, but rather to work for the things that are important to you.

I am also concerned about our reliance on foreign oil and gas. I don't like the idea of drilling for more oil, but rather looking for renewable resources and innovative ways to convert them to energy and transport them aroudn the country. Obama is committed to an "out of the box" way of thinking about energy.

He is also committed to science, research, and innovation. This is important now, more than ever. We need a President who is forward thinking on these issues.

There are other reasons as well, but this is a good start.

There are going to be a lot of posts slamming both candidates on this thread, but I hope you focus on the positives of each candidate. Like I said, neither is perfect and they are both flawed, the greater question is who can offer our country the best path forward...

I would also like to hear what everyone has to say about who to vote for. I have tried to read up on them but something else always comes out. I dont know what is true or not about Obama. If he and his wife really are anti-american and all that. McCain i guess if we want another Bush.

I starred & flagged this because i'm interested in what people have to say.

It's very simple this time.

McCain if you like the current situation in military actions, the economy in general, and just about everything else.

As strange as this sounds, this is the safe choice for many people.

Obama if you want to delve into the unknown. Many of the changes he wants will not happen as Congress has the final say, but he will institute change in other areas.

There has been so very few elections were the direction of the country actually has two separate paths. This is one of those elections.

not being American im not going to advocate for one or the other, but i think you need to focus on the issues that matter to you, and which candidate is most likley to achieve those ends.

In Oz usually at least on a fedral level we will vote in the conservatives to get the econemy and budget under control, once things are going along nicely we vote in the labor party whom has a more socialist agenda to fix and build infrastructure and fix the areas the conservatives deliberatley neglected.

In the US your problem is the conservatives were spending like money was going out of fashion and the US econemy is for a lack of a better word crapped up. so i guess you would be looking for a leader that will cut the beauracratic fat, reduce government spending, pay back debts to the IMF and get the ol greenback, higher against the Euro.

The war in Iraq is costing the US taxpayer .. i think it was either 10 mill or 10 bill a day either way its alot of money to be burning that could be put to better use in your own country.

also you ned to listen to what both candidates have to say, its not enough for them to say we will do this or we will fix that they need to provide information on how they will fix it, where will they get the money to fix that particular problem, how will spending that money affect other areas of governance.

governments need to be accountable they need to account for every cent and their every action else you end up with corrupt officials.

Originally posted by hinky
It's very simple this time.

McCain if you like the current situation in military actions, the economy in general, and just about everything else.

As strange as this sounds, this is the safe choice for many people.

Obama if you want to delve into the unknown. Many of the changes he wants will not happen as Congress has the final say, but he will institute change in other areas.

There has been so very few elections were the direction of the country actually has two separate paths. This is one of those elections.

Both these Horses are Janitors from the Aipac Sewerage, so whichever one you back, you are still a Commodity to be enslaved !!!

I would say look at the issues in the US and world and see which candidates offers the best solution for them.Then do a little research on what other issues they bring to the table and other stuff they have to offer.I would say they both look bad at times through the media and us citizens.

Originally posted by alienstar
I would say look at the issues in the US and world and see which candidates offers the best solution for them.Then do a little research on what other issues they bring to the table and other stuff they have to offer.I would say they both look bad at times through the media and us citizens.

These two candidates, if you can possibly call them as such, are mortgaged commodities and already belong to another 'fifth-column' gang-bang mafia, so how on earth can they possibly be in a position to represent the people.

Don't ever be Duped again

Good point...I don't think one member should persuade one over the other to vote.Do a little research and follow ones instinct.You also have the choice not to work if you feel like it.Or vote for another one.

vote sure !
those that vote decide nothing, those e machines that count the vote decide everything
and should this fail safe system fail
the counting will be stopped and we the Junta will decide who will be President

Mcain will be President

Does anyone in America think this can not happen in America?