The Public Opinion Soapbox

.45chel · Joined: 26 Oct 2007 Posts: 3068 Location: Chambersburg

Gah. The primaries are frustrating aren't they? A little exciting, too. At least the Democratic primaries are. The Republican candidates are just, ya know, whatever (yawn) Even formally feisty McCain is starting to look forced.

I s'pose I understand where the letter writer is coming from. I'm trying to care, but it's a little hard. This is politics and politics ain't pretty. The media focus on the Clintons and Barack is irritating, but it's their (the media) job to report while drawing viewers in---so let's speculate and talk about how Hillary gave Obama the stinkeye and Bill tripped Edwards (he's okay tho, he landed on his beautiful hair.) I am not seeing anything out of the ordinary.
Obama's supporters hate Clinton, just like everybody else and if he doesn't get the nomination, by God, half of them are going to take their ball and go home. Thus leaving us with another religous nut in the White House who systematically kills off the troops everyone likes to pretend they support by trying to bring on the apocalypse.

Man! I love politics. I may hurt someone soon, but I still love politics.
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Nevermind.

Coppy · Joined: 28 Oct 2007 Posts: 2615 Location: Chambersburg

I realize that some of these topics are simply a normal trend rather than a result of presidential incompetence, but as a whole, the results are a bit... frightening...

AnonyMouse · Joined: 22 Oct 2007 Posts: 527

We all have the general feeling that things are much worse today than they were seven years ago. I remember Reagan asking, "Are you better off than four years ago." If Bush had the nerve to ask that question, I wonder how many Americans would be able to say yes.

I don't think I'll be able to force myself to watch the State of the Union - my tolerance for presidential lies and BS has been destroyed during the last 7 years. I think the best question when headed to the polls this years is: "Who is least likely to lie to me." I can handle screw-ups if a person can just have the integrity to own up to them...and there are few of that stripe in national politics. More and more, I think Obama is the only one out there who seems above the pettiness, manipulation, and politics as usual.

Here's the cartoonist's version of Coppy's chart.

.45chel · Joined: 26 Oct 2007 Posts: 3068 Location: Chambersburg

From 2001 to 2003 there were something like 935 lies, not including half-truths and omissions.
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Nevermind.

AnonyMouse · Joined: 22 Oct 2007 Posts: 527

.45chel · Joined: 26 Oct 2007 Posts: 3068 Location: Chambersburg

Okay.

Fine.

I'll admit, that one is cute.

I may use it in place of a unicorn chaser.
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Nevermind.

Coppy · Joined: 28 Oct 2007 Posts: 2615 Location: Chambersburg

.45chel · Joined: 26 Oct 2007 Posts: 3068 Location: Chambersburg

Nuuuuuuuuuuuuuuu!

My inner eye!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Barstard!!!

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Nevermind.

.45chel · Joined: 26 Oct 2007 Posts: 3068 Location: Chambersburg

Hey!

No fair changing your post after I curse you!!

You make me sound crazier
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Nevermind.

Coppy · Joined: 28 Oct 2007 Posts: 2615 Location: Chambersburg

I think that was a different thread...

.45chel · Joined: 26 Oct 2007 Posts: 3068 Location: Chambersburg

you didn't
say

Coppy · Joined: 28 Oct 2007 Posts: 2615 Location: Chambersburg

.45chel · Joined: 26 Oct 2007 Posts: 3068 Location: Chambersburg

Don't try to gaslight me darnit. Do that to everybody else. Very Happy

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Nevermind.

Coppy · Joined: 28 Oct 2007 Posts: 2615 Location: Chambersburg

I reconsidered the post; I didn't think the Soapbox community was ready for that. Razz

AnonyMouse · Joined: 22 Oct 2007 Posts: 527

To help put things in perspective...

Updated February 1, 2008
HISTORICAL COSTS OF U.S. WARS (In 2007 Dollars)

World War II............................................................$3.2 trillion
Iraq and Afghanistan To Date..............................$695.7 billion
Vietnam War............................................................$670 billion
World War I.............................................................$364 billion
Korean War.............................................................$295 billion
Persian Gulf War......................................................$94 billion
Civil War (both Union and Confederate costs).........$81 billion
Spanish-American War..............................................$7 billion
American Revolution..................................................$4 billion
Mexican War.............................................................$2 billion
War of 1812..............................................................$1 billion

Source: Congressional Research Service and Office of Management and Budget data.