2008 Presidential election will be decided by FEAR.

It seems as a country that America is ruled by fear. We're afraid we might say the wrong thing, or do the wrong thing or wear the wrong thing, or be politically incorrect and someone might think of us as a racist. Most of the time fear translates into inactivity. People freeze up, even though they know what to do in a certain situation. Fear and distrust seems to be the biggest crisis in America right now.

To be honest, I think the issues are going to be one of the last things some ppl are going to look at. Fear, race, gender, VP's, religion, ect. will come first. I just want it to be over with...I'm about sick of the whole thing. [b]~~IN SEARCH OF PEACE WITHIN~~ **AGAINST THE STORMS, I WILL STAND STRONG** [/b]

You know, when I first read your discussion topic, I was afraid that I would have to disagree with you completely about it; however when I read your entire post, I found that I actually have to totally agree with you about this. It is really sad to think that an election as important as a Presidential election would be decided based on a "Fear Factor", but with the problems and issues facing our nation - and our two remaining "Big Ticket" choices for President - I can see why that would be the case. While I fully believe that a President should be chosen based on the issue and their character, if I stop to think about it I can see exactly why this will probably not be the case this time around. If McCain had made a different choice as his VP, possibly this would not be the case. If he had chosen someone who could help make up what he lacks in the economic area, then voters would not have to worry so much about an already failing economy should he become the next President. However, by choosing a VP that is neither strong in economics or foreign policy - and also really is not actually prepared to be the next President should something happen that would require her to step up, he actually increased the fear factor, rather than lessening it. There is also the fact that McCain does support and follow Bush quite a bit. Considering the shape our economy is currently in, and the troubles (both current and future) that our nation will be facing - this again increases the Fear Factor. After all, most of us ARE afraid of what 4 more years of failed Bush Policies could bring...(*SIGH*) On the other hand, Obama is "The New Kid on the Block" in so many ways, and actually is an unknown. We really don't know what he will and will not do or be able to do if elected. This increases fears as well. He is running on a platform of "Change" and yet he selected a Senator with a lot of Washington rhetoric experience, so many are forced to wonder if that is just an empty campaign promise rather than a reality. Then there is the fact that he has some (ok I have to say this - don't take it the wrong way) rather questionable associations - and yes this does bother a lot of voters. Especially considering that he is the unknown in this election in a lot of ways. So yes, upon further inspection of my feelings and concerns regarding this election, I have to agree with you that it will probably be decided based on fear of what will happen to our country should the "other guy" get elected. What a shame. (*SIGH*)

Yes, it's true. That's also how the campaigns have been portraying the opposition. But you have to really look behind why they are running their campaigns to instill fear. It's because they both really can't do much. They both don't understand economics, sometimes it seems not even the basics. But truth be told, even the brightest economist can't tell you right now how to get us out of this. It's new territory and whatever we do will not show overnight effects and everything will be good again. The next four years will be tough and the recovery process may even take longer than that. Both probably had their advisers tell them this. And both know whatever their programs and agendas are, the finances to implement them are not there. One way or another, something has to give. That's also why they keep pointing at each other and say, your plan won't work, there is not money there and it will increase taxes. You'll drag us deeper down into this mess, blah, blah, blah. Democrats and Republicans are responsible for this mess, it started under Clinton, but didn't blow up in our face until Bush took office. But some of the mechanisms were put in place long before Clinton took the office. Lots of blame is to go around. So they really shouldn't go there, although it's nice to blame Bush for everything as most people are unhappy with his performance anyway. That's why Obama gets away with blaming Bush for everything, lol. Anyhow, the only reason to make voters go to the polls and vote for you is to make them fear the opposition. The world is going under if the other one is elected president. We'll be worse off then ever... true, we will, under both, no doubt about it, lol. Personally, I think it's time to overhaul the voting system so a third person has a better chance. Right now, a third party may actually get a lot of votes and would be a balance check in the House and Senate.

Many years back on such an occasion somebody in the USA remarked 'One is mad, the other is crazy. I would go along with crazy'. Politicians do create situations wherein they try to instil fear (real or imagined) to attract votes. But once we know it then as learned and informed voters we have to decide in favour or against a candidate. Here lies the power of democracy which I think should rise above fears. Of course, you know the better about it but in such a situation I would prefer crazy to mad person.

I agree, thats why I don't support either, Americans need to send a message loud and clear that says we wont just choose whoever the heck you give us, and we stand UNITED. I support Ron Paul, the guy who was running on the republican ticket who will still get a lot of votes because a lot of people believe earnestly in him, he is the same Congressman who pushed a bill that said a congressman (or woman) must have read and understood a bill and have an idea of how to fund it BEFORE said congressman can vote on it, IF THAT ISNT A FRIEND OF THE PEOPLE SHOW ME WHAT IS. and instead of promising to cut taxes and give us more health care, he said he would get rid of many of the unnesasary departments of the U.S. Goverment,and that we would get tax deductables for things like health care and education, and we knew he could do that too, because first and formost he was promising to redo a lot of how the government ran, by completely cutting out several of the unnesasary departments. and he saw the economic failure decades ago before he even ran for congress, in fact that is why he ran for congress, but it takes more than one man to fix it, but he wanted to help, and he had our interests at heart...I believe it was the New york primaries ( If memory serves, I might have this one wrong), he was clearly running and wasnt even put on the ticket, he also did not get equal media time as the other candidates...

It is very true that both sides are making it a scary race for the white house and people are going to vote alot out of fear for one side or the other getting in but at least maybe people will turn out in high numbers to vote and we can all hope and pray that things start getting better as time goes by but fast if possible.Have a great day.