Nov 18 Democratic Debate

I haven't read much on Senator Edward's positions but listening to last night's debate, I find myself gravitating towards supporting his candidacy. He appears to espouse the idea that big money/ corporate America's political control is corrupting our government. Below are some quotes from the debate:

MR. EDWARDS: -- I think America's -- America's trade policy has been a complete disaster. I do believe that. NAFTA, CAFTA, Colombia, Korea, Peru -- which we're now considering -- has been a complete and total disaster.
And I think it's really important to pull what's been happening with trade into the bigger picture of what's happening with America because what I believe is that powerful interests -- particularly big corporate interests -- have literally taken over this government, and they've taken over it against the interests of ordinary Americans. (Applause.) And a living, breathing example of that is, in 1993, when we were in control of the White House, of the United States Senate and the United States House, we made an effort to pass universal health care.
The big drug companies, insurance companies and their lobbyists killed it. At the same time, NAFTA was put on the table.
MR. BLITZER: All right.
SEN. EDWARDS: The big corporations in America were for NAFTA.
So what did we get with a Democratic Congress, with a Democratic president? We didn't -- no, let me finish this. We didn't get something that America desperately needed, which is universal health care, but we got something America did not need, which is NAFTA, which has cost us millions of jobs. (Applause.) We will not change this country if we replace a crowd of corporate Republicans with corporate Democrats. (Cheers, applause.) We have to give the power in this democracy back to the American people. That's what's at stake in this election.
MR. EDWARDS: I think that every single candidate on this stage should be held to exactly the same standard.
I do believe, however, that the voters need to know that we have choices. There's nothing personal about this. I think there are very good people running in the Democratic Party for president, and we need to have a strong candidate in this presidential race.
But I think there are differences between us, and voters are entitled to know what those differences are without it being personal, without it being attack-oriented.
I spoke earlier about the difference between corporate Democrats and corporate Republicans and how critical it is for us to give the power in the democracy back to the American people so we can give a better life to our children, as 20 generations before us have done.
And my point is, some of us have taken a different approach to that. Senator Clinton defends the system, takes money from lobbyists, does all those things. And my point is simply that people have -- (chorus of boos) -- no, wait a minute. Voters have those choices. Voters have those choices. They deserve to know that they have those choices and that there are, in fact, differences between us. But I think every one of us should be held to the same standard.
MR. EDWARDS: Well, let me say, can I just say first, Christopher, thank you. God bless you for what you did for us and for America. Men and women like you have served this country so courageously. And I’m proud of both you and your mom being here to speak up, because I think this is such a crucial issue for the future of the country.
My own view is that it’s important for us to stop Bush, Cheney and the neocons at every single stage. And I think there was an important opportunity to do that on the vote on the Iranian Revolutionary Guard. Bush, Cheney and the neocons wanted the Iranian Revolutionary Guard declared a terrorist group, as Senator Biden just spoke about, because it’s part of their path to moving militarily on Iran.
And actually the fear a lot of us had about that was realized about a week ago, when Bush, Cheney and the administration declared the Iranian Revolutionary Guard a terrorist organization, and this is the part everyone’s going to love, a proliferator of weapons of mass destruction. (Jeers.) We’ve seen this movie. We know how it turns out. And I think it is absolutely crucial for Democrats on this issue to show real strength, real backbone, and stop this president from moving forward on Iran. (Cheers, applause.)
EDWARDS: Senator Clinton defends the system, takes money from lobbyists, does all those things (audience boos).
Senator Clinton says she will end the war. She also says she will continue to keep combat troops in Iraq and continue combat missions in Iraq. She says she will turn up the heat on George Bush and the Republicans. But when the crucial vote came on stopping Bush, Cheney and the neocons on Iran, she voted with Bush and Cheney. (Applause.)

I think it's silly to think that Edwards, or any other Democratic candidate wants to eliminate big governments hold on democracy.

If you look at the positions of the democratic candidates, universal health care, amnesty, etc, etc. They are all programs that will only create more government institutions and bureaucracy.

Edwards and the democrats don't want to cut down on government, they want to increase it. If they get their way, government will control every aspect of our lives.

Um, who is it that wants to regulate what you can do? Who is it that wants to have someone in every bed room to make sure you only do missionary with someone of the opposite sex after marrige? Who is it that wiretaps American citizens phones? Not the Democrats...

reply to post by nyk537


Both parties are going to spend our money. Just what do you want to spend it on? Certain corporations favored by Bush Chaney who are making tons of money off the war or the Democrats and their socialized health care? THe Republicans seem to be marching us off to war. I think now, unlike in the past, I prefer the Democrats. I wish there was a way to eliminate the influence over the government that bankers and corporate America have. Need to get back to government for the people.... I think the only way is for Americans to make informed voting decisions and for everyone to vote.

Originally posted by HHH Is King
Um, who is it that wants to regulate what you can do?

Um, the Democrats. [Well, you can do whatever you want as long as you agree with them. (i.e the "Fairness Doctrine")]

Who is it that wants to have someone in every bed room to make sure you only do missionary with someone of the opposite sex after marrige?

That would be nobody. If you are referring to the Republicans views on the sanctity of marriage then you are way off base.

Who is it that wiretaps American citizens phones? Not the Democrats...

Your blind hatred of Bush and this administration has blinded you. Do you really believe that? I guarantee you, if the American people vote in someone like Hillary, we will have all the problems we have now, plus a million new ones. (We just won't be able to afford them all)

Sanctity of marriage? Spear's or Rudy's? Still illegal to have gay sex in several red states. Have a republican in every bedroom to make sure there is only straight sex among adults, missinary position only. "Oh my Gods they are attempting doggy! Move in move in!" *Troops come in and shoot the couple. "How dare they try something other then missionary?

Also, Bush wiretaps phones. Every phone company admitted this but said they weren't to blame because the GOP told them it was legal when they wiretapped US Citizens phones.

Also, what do Dems regulate? Up to them weed would be legal, gay marrige, blacks being treated as human. About the only thing they'd make illegal is the raping of children that the GOP seems to be so happy to do. www.abovepolitics.com...

Originally posted by HHH Is King
Sanctity of marriage? Spear's or Rudy's? Still illegal to have gay sex in several red states.

Not sure what you're going on about here. It's legal to have all the gay sex you want. Gay marriage may not be allowed in some states but there is no regulation on sex. I think you're trying a little too hard to push this agenda.

Have a republican in every bedroom to make sure there is only straight sex among adults, missinary position only. "Oh my Gods they are attempting doggy! Move in move in!" *Troops come in and shoot the couple. "How dare they try something other then missionary?

Again, I'm not sure what your fascination with sexual position regulation is, but it's borderline creepy.

Also, Bush wiretaps phones. Every phone company admitted this but said they weren't to blame because the GOP told them it was legal when they wiretapped US Citizens phones.

Perhaps you forgot, but Bush is not running for President again. George Bush has nothing to do with this. And how can you honestly think someone like Hillary Clinton would be any better?

Also, what do Dems regulate? Up to them weed would be legal, gay marrige, blacks being treated as human.

Wow. I should have known the legalization of "weed" would be one of the strongest points of Democratic positions for you.

You would also have meaningless bills passed such as the Fairness Doctrine, and the Immigration Act which is nothing more than Amnesty. We would get to look forward to much higher taxes to foot the outrageous bill for all the "things we can't afford".

Sounds great huh?

Originally posted by nyk537

Originally posted by HHH Is King
Sanctity of marriage? Spear's or Rudy's? Still illegal to have gay sex in several red states.

Not sure what you're going on about here. It's legal to have all the gay sex you want. Gay marriage may not be allowed in some states but there is no regulation on sex. I think you're trying a little too hard to push this agenda.

Have a republican in every bedroom to make sure there is only straight sex among adults, missinary position only. "Oh my Gods they are attempting doggy! Move in move in!" *Troops come in and shoot the couple. "How dare they try something other then missionary?

Again, I'm not sure what your fascination with sexual position regulation is, but it's borderline creepy.

Also, Bush wiretaps phones. Every phone company admitted this but said they weren't to blame because the GOP told them it was legal when they wiretapped US Citizens phones.

Perhaps you forgot, but Bush is not running for President again. George Bush has nothing to do with this. And how can you honestly think someone like Hillary Clinton would be any better?

Also, what do Dems regulate? Up to them weed would be legal, gay marrige, blacks being treated as human.

Wow. I should have known the legalization of "weed" would be one of the strongest points of Democratic positions for you.

You would also have meaningless bills passed such as the Fairness Doctrine, and the Immigration Act which is nothing more than Amnesty. We would get to look forward to much higher taxes to foot the outrageous bill for all the "things we can't afford".

Sounds great huh?

Uh no. Sodomy is illegal in several states, red states.
2nd, marrige so sacred Rudy has what three wives, one a cousin, and Spears with her 24hour marrige, yes straight people know how to make things sacred...

Republicans want to regulate sex, that is why I point it out.

So since Bush isn't running again he can do anything? Who should care he illegally wiretapped people's phones, including domestic calls, because he isn't running again? So he can nuke Detroit and we aren't allowed to talk about it or worry about it because he isn't running for office again?

Also, I like how you think I smoke marijuana just because I point out the Dems don't regulate things. Also, the Immigration stuff isn't regulating private life it is taking care of a national problem. SO again keep drinking the kool aid, nothing wrong here, ALberto Gonzales did nothing wrong when covering up for the Texas pedophiles...

www.worldnetdaily.com...

Wait we can't talk about the government protecting a child sex ring in Texas because Bush isn't running for office again!

Originally posted by HHH Is King
Uh no. Sodomy is illegal in several states, red states.

Uhhgggg. It kills me when people don't do their research. Let's take a look at this...US Sodomy Laws in which we see that all sodomy laws have been invalidated by the 2003 U.S. Supreme Court decision Lawrence v. Texas. So no, there is no regulation on anything.

2nd, marrige so sacred Rudy has what three wives, one a cousin, and Spears with her 24hour marrige, yes straight people know how to make things sacred...

I'm sorry. What does Brittany Spears have to do with US politics or policy. Did I miss the announcement that the Republican party was naming Brittany Spears it's new spokesperson?

Republicans want to regulate sex, that is why I point it out.

Wrong again. While it is true that some of the "extreme" Christian conservatives may voice their opinions on this. It is hardly the stance of the Republican party.

So since Bush isn't running again he can do anything? Who should care he illegally wiretapped people's phones, including domestic calls, because he isn't running again? So he can nuke Detroit and we aren't allowed to talk about it or worry about it because he isn't running for office again?

Absolutely not, and that wasn't the point. You were drawing parallels to what Bush is doing to the rest of the Republican party and candidates. This is more than a stretch. Just because Bush has policy for wiretapping or other things, does not make it the position of the entire party or its current candidates. Do some research.

Also, I like how you think I smoke marijuana just because I point out the Dems don't regulate things.

I never said I thought you smoked marijuana. What I said was that I wasn't surprised that the legalization of drugs was one of the major concerns for you. In my opinion, the legalization of drugs is not even on the radar of important issues in this election; nor should it be.

Also, the Immigration stuff isn't regulating private life it is taking care of a national problem.

Sure, if you consider amnesty, "taking care of a problem".

Wait we can't talk about the government protecting a child sex ring in Texas because Bush isn't running for office again!

Get off of it buddy. Pick a new scapegoat.

You do know you said we can't talk about Bush wiretapping phones because he isn't running again, then said that's not what you said. Good double talk but it was already quoted.

Anyways, they want to regulate sex, that's why I bring it up. Conservatives want to regulate things, it wasn't liberals regulating alcohol for Prohibition...

You also said "Wow. I should have known the legalization of "weed" would be one of the strongest points of Democratic positions for you." suggesting I do drugs, which I don't. I don't even drink caffeine drinks. Again quoted already.

Wow, you have a memory problem don't you? You say something then ten minutes later "I never said that!"

Anyways, hope you don't say anything bad about Bush on the phone, they're wiretapping you which is illegal but to fight Terra! its ok...

Originally posted by HHH Is King
You do know you said we can't talk about Bush wiretapping phones because he isn't running again, then said that's not what you said. Good double talk but it was already quoted.

You do know if you go and look at the quote it ends with, "Bush has nothing to do with this" don't you? I only mentioned Bush because "you" brought him up. There is no double talk here, this is the second time I will have said, "Bush has nothing to do with this".

Anyways, they want to regulate sex, that's why I bring it up. Conservatives want to regulate things, it wasn't liberals regulating alcohol for Prohibition...

Did you not read my post? It's not Conservatives wanting to regulate sex, it's a small portion of Extreme Christian groups. Are you just completely ignoring the facts?

And if Prohibition is the strongest argument you have against the Republicans regulating things, you may need to re-evaluate your positions.

You also said "Wow. I should have known the legalization of "weed" would be one of the strongest points of Democratic positions for you." suggesting I do drugs, which I don't. I don't even drink caffeine drinks. Again quoted already.

Again...I don't think you are even reading my posts. Where in that sentence did I accuse you of doing drugs? I said it was one of the strongest points of politics for you, which it obviously is since it is on par with "blacks being treated as humans". Not a shred of accusation there my friend.

Wow, you have a memory problem don't you? You say something then ten minutes later "I never said that!"

Actually, my positions have never changed. You just continue to ignore them.

Anyways, hope you don't say anything bad about Bush on the phone, they're wiretapping you which is illegal but to fight Terra! its ok...

Fighting "terra" are we? Like terrabytes? Have we waged war on computer storage?

Ok if your arguement will be "Saying X" then ten minutes later saying "I never said X stop quoting me!" this is done.

Originally posted by HHH Is King
Ok if your arguement will be "Saying X" then ten minutes later saying "I never said X stop quoting me!" this is done.

This is done.

Are you old enough for the Political boards yet? Maybe you should stick to ATS and the reptilian hybrid threads.

? You keep saying stuff, I quote you, then you scream you never said it. You haven't discussed anything in this topic just keep saying things then say you didn't say it. I bet next post you will say "I never said you were a little kid!" even though you are clearly calling me young just because I won't sit around listening to you screaming about having me stop using the quote option.