Who won tonights debate?, page 4

I don't like to derail threads, but since this aspect of her speech has already been brought up by previous members in this thread, I'd like to add a bit of information. It is a subject important enough to warrant clarification.

I am more than a little perplexed by the claims being made here regarding the U.S. and its role regarding the environment. Statements have been posted to both extremes: either the U.S. is the greatest contributor to pollution or it is "the only country that actually gives a damn." Both are terrifically wrong. For those who are interested in data relating to this issue, the U.S. ranks number thirty-nine on the Environmental Performance Index of 2008 (sedac.ciesin.columbia.edu...). The goal is to be as close to position one as you can...unless you actually intend to damage the environment more than other countries.

Typically, Western European countries (Scandinavian countries in particular) have the best environmental ratings. The U.S. is never tops, and anyone who argues contrarily is either appallingly ignorant of the facts or intentionally lying. Really now--how on earth could you possibly think that the U.S. is an environmental force to emulate? We ain't China, but we sure as hell ain't a leader in sustainability.

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Originally posted by clearlight808
Pteridine:

I think thats totally true on many levels.
The GOP is all about CHristian Values as ling as it doesn't slow down the money train.
I think there's a lot of earnest values voters that must be getting sick of this.\

I remember hearing about a book that purportedly "exposed" the fact that the whole evangelical thing is just lip service for some "sure thing" votes and that the politicians (ie Bush etc...) are almost mocking the evangelicals on the inside.

[edit on 3-10-2008 by clearlight808]

I have a feeling that's true. The evangelical base is currently such a secure source of support for the GOP; any Republican politician would be foolish not to exploit it. I don't know that the evangelicals of America really mind if the GOP is using them or not, provided the GOP followed through and performed in accordance to Christian political views (whether they've ever done so is up for debate). Beyond this, it seems that the entirety of "small-town America", "rural America", call it what you will, is being pandered to in this election on an unprecedented level. The Republican party is, per the usual, the most aggressive on this front. The Democrats have followed in kind, but they just can't seem to be as believable as the GOP. I was listening to Palin speak tonight, and at one point she said something to the effect of "Those of us on Main Street, like me, will be hit hardest." I couldn't help but mentally applaud her, because we all know how willingly the self-identified "common Americans" have been swallowing this tripe. Biden isn't guiltless here, either, what with his allusion to a childhood in Scranton and understanding of the working class. It is an grand American embarrassment that we are so easily swayed by the personal relatability factor. What sort of logic dictates that a good politician is one who is "just like me"? It's absolutely ridiculous and more infuriating by the day.

[edit on 3/10/08 by paperplanes]