Obama/Democrats - Orson Scott Card article

I know Orson Scott Card as a writer of science fiction. Did not know that he was a columnist as well. This article first appeared in The Rhinoceros Times of Greensboro, NC, and is reprinted here in The Meridian, a Mormon publication. I'd give you my opinion but that would be a waste of words. Mr. Card says it all and better than I could. Remember as you read this that Mr. Card is a Democrat.

Meridian Magazine:: Ideas and Society: Would the Last Honest Reporter Please Turn On the Lights?

 

I know it is the common perception that the housing crisis is the problem; it is not. If it was just a housing crisis we would not have had even a one billion dollar bail out. The reason we are bailing out the financial system (and this is a world wide financial collapse) is because of ‘credit default swaps’, ‘collateralized debt obligations’ and derivative synthetics. I am not saying what Mr. Card said is wholly wrong I am saying it misses the greater point. Also please understand I am not a liberal and I am not speaking from a ‘partisan point of view’. The Credit default swaps where written against mortgages yes, and a lot of other financial instruments to the tune of $60,000,000,000,000.00 and that does not include other toxic derivative paper. This sixty trillion makes seven hundred billion look pretty small by comparison. I do understand that the housing situation is being used as a political issue and understand why but that is beside the point. Lehman Brothers was brought down over night by CDS and there is a great fear among economists that the toxins in the financial system might be out of our control, that we are in uncharted waters and the entire world wide financial system still night implode despite world wide intervention by central bankers. There is more that enough blame to go around, don’t be naive enough to be convinced it rests with one political party. The world of derivatives was completely unregulated which is the only way the lack of collateral coverage against astounding sums of CDS's and CDO's could ever occur, but it has and we will all live to regret it. JIM

 

WOW!!! Mr Card hit the nail right on the head!!!

 

Couldn't agree with you more -- this was not supposed to encompass the whole picture. The issue is that nothing makes me sicker than politicians who contribute to the mess we're in and then attack the other side to shift blame from them. Anyone who feels that the Democrats (or Obama, or McCain for that matter) are innocent of any of this and that a change of government is going to put us on the correct path misses the point that the Democrats are as much involved in this mess as the Republicans.

The other point is that in general there is no question that Obama is the darling of the press. I'm no Hillary Clinton fan (and can barely bring myself to vote for McCain), but I'm starting to understand that her complaint about his media coverage was not just sour grapes.

The Messiah is not coming this November, and the sins of the past will not simply be washed away by the enlightened few that will take the reigns.

 

Mike, I am sorry to say this problem is so big that it doesn’t matter who gets elected because the damage has already been done. I will make a prediction: whoever is elected will be a one term President simply because he will be blamed for the making the situation worse and it will get worse regardless of who sits in the White house.

 

While I'm sure the entire issue is more complex then I know, or the media reports, I'd say Mr. Card is "right on point" with the part of the issue he addressed.

 

I read Card's article last week. I was astounded that a Democrat could be so truthful and straight forward. Then I realized that there actually are some honest democrats, though few and far between, but there never will be any honest liberals.

I was a Democrat at one time (and I believe I was an honest one) before the party was highjacked by the lunatic fringe. The Democrat party that I once knew no longer exists. Unfortunately, the Republican party is alienating me more and more every day with their wimpy spineless behavior, their liberal spending policies, and their proposed and misguided social programs.

McCain isn't the right answer, but Obama is undeniably the wrong one. Just another election where many feel we have to select the lesser of two evils. There have been too many of these elections in my lifetime.

And stop picking on Sara. She's brighter and smarter (not necessarily more intelligent) than both of them put together. She has uncanny common sense, is totally unpretentious, and doesn't give a crap what anyone thinks of her. She's true to her own convictions. What's not to like? If she had a non-descript accent, was fat and ugly, had a sour disposition, and was a pathological liar, she'd be well liked by liberals. After all, it worked (to a point) for Hilliary! I'M KIDDING! I'M JUST KIDDING!! REALLY (I THINK)!!! :wink:

 

Knife very interesting post and I agree with except your comment about Palin being smarter that Obama. The guy was 1st in his class at Harverd Law.

 

Little baby Jesus, all cuddly in your blankets there in your little manger,please give brother Stuka his wish, and make these fine folks get in a circle and sing Kumbaya

 

:bs:

I agree, when the first political threads started I thought we could have intellectual debate between members and even defended their right to so, but I've since changed my mind after watching what it does to people, that said, I'm all for any Moderator having twitchy trigger fingers and shooting and asking questions later :rambo:

 

Political Hooey

The Richard Simmons threat scared the living hell out of me. Derstuka must be a very evil man, indeed. With that in mind, I offer the following for your consideration.

I'm all for a complete ban on political threads here at VFRWorld. When I see one, I have little control over my instinct to respond, and so I do. That "other" VFR site has a ban on this stuff, and for good reason. Perhaps this site should do the same?

I love this site. I don't want to take a chance of losing some potential friends over the insanity of politics. I think we should get back to what we have in common and brings us together, not what drives us apart.

This may be one suggestion that all sides can agree to. I'm in! Any other takers? :unsure: :smile:

 

Knife, I am the same way. JIM

 

Yeah, I think the political discussion has run it's course. We've driven it into the ground. It's going round and round in circles. To me, they are like a train wreck. You know it's going to be bad, but just can't look away. We all get one vote, use it.

 

Agreed. This is getting ridiculous and tedious. The author should have learned a lesson from previous posts. Who's the @#$% that started this thread anyway?

Crap -- must have been my evil twin. I'll take him outside and beat him.

 

Peace, brother. By the way, I lived in a suburb of Chicago (about 30 miles south of the loop) from 5th grade through age 20, then on the south side of Chicago for a year or two while married and finishing college, then I moved east. That was a long, long time ago. I still visit once or twice a year (my wife's mom and brother still live there). I still love and miss Chicago and, not to start things up again, hate Chicago politics.

 

I agree Ed. Knife my family is from eastern PA ...smalll world...don't give politics another thought. JIM

 

I think free speech is a great thing but I come to VFR world to read/talk about motorcycles. I get enough of the election stuff when I turn on the TV or radio.

BTW.., we had another great day to ride here in the Bay Area today

 

I am just all worked up in to tears of joy for all of you folks who have given each other a cyber-hug and buried the blue-red hatchet.:cheersaf:
Knife, did you get the message about Northern Chester County rides from a thread or seven ago?
I have to agree that these political threads are, although attractive in a car crash kind of way, a bit out of hand. I believe that at least one person has been banned because he got out of hand with his political crap. Too far.

I paraphrase EddieValleyTrailer: "Vote!"

It is your only true voice in this government.
Good luck to all on election day and with good fortune, the man elected will improved this country and things will get better for everyone.
But please, if you could all do me one personal favor.... Pray that Sarah Palin does not get anywhere near the White House. :bootyshake2:

 

This is what I don't understand.

Since i am not a yank and not bombarded by there media..
Why do people tolerate such ineptitude?

Reguardless of who you vote or what party you typically like, you can't deny the media has been very biased...

I can't even imagine such a thing here...the media is always slighty against the party in power but still nothing to out right lie's and intentional misleadings.

As odd as it sounds i wish the election would go on longer such that more people could be made to relize what obama is, and the media could attone.

I also agree with the poster whom said who ever gets ellected will be a one term guy as no matter what things will get worse and he will be blamed.