Now is not the time to change, now is time to stick with what’s not working!

@sharra1 (6340)
Australia
October 30, 2008 11:22pm CST
I watch the election debates here with extreme interest. Not just because what happens in America affects my country and others but because I have never seen such a bizarre fear campaign in my life. I have read heaps of discussions that say that we must not change as that will make things worse and that the only solution is to stick with what we have. But what you have is what got you to where you are now and more of the same will only make things worse. You cannot know if change will help or not but how can you want to continue doing something that has been so disastrous? I know people are saying that change will make things worse but the way I see it if you stay with what you have things will get worse and if you change there is a chance that things might get better. You don't know. What have you got to lose? Would you rather stick with what's not working than risk change that might make things better?
3 people like this
10 responses
• United States
31 Oct 08
Being an American, I can tell you that this election has brought out all the people living on the fringes of madness. I have never seen anything like it. Of course, I am speaking as a liberal Democrat. I thought the Kerry campaign brought worst out until this campaign. It's like the right is the right hand of God. So many want to go through life dragging their religion everywhere with them. The Christian right and most particularly the evangelicals have been trying for years to take over the Republican party. They may have actually succeeded now. If not, they sure are a loud lot. I voted for Obama today. I have had eight long years of George Bush's failed policies; I think the world would pretty much agree. With the narrow-minded leadership of McCain and Palin, I am sure we will be in for at least 4 more years of it. Australia is looking good! lol I'm hoping that Barack Obama is elected on November 4th so we can start moving in the right direction...or is that the left direction? lol I don't claim to understand what my fellow American's are thinking. I really have some doubts about a lot of them, though.
5 people like this
@sharra1 (6340)
• Australia
31 Oct 08
Well I have only seen bits of it but what I have seen is pretty scary. Knowing that you have had Democrats elected before I can only assume that this time the fear is because he is black. I wonder what fear they would have used if Hilary had won the nomination. I was really hoping she would get it. I am still concerned that the damage may already be done and it may be that the recession will get worse no matter who wins. It is scary but Australia is in better health than many other countries. lol the left direction sounds interesting. It does take time though. I voted for change in Australia last year and it can take a while for the policies to start to impact. Soon I hope.
2 people like this
@ZephyrSun (7381)
• United States
31 Oct 08
I am really ready for a change. I've been working hard to atleast do my part to help get the word out. I seen someone mention socialism, I guess they haven't seen the socialism candidate complaining about people calling Obama a socialist. I thought that it was funny, I can't remember his name but he said something like Obama is not for socialism he is for capitalism lol
3 people like this
@sharra1 (6340)
• Australia
31 Oct 08
Yes it is scary how people here think that any social justice is socialism. It isn't, these people have no idea of what socialism really is. The only real solution is social justice which is keeping greed in check and ensuring that everyone else is protected from exploitation. I suspect that many people here would view that differently as well. That is there problem. Just because someone does not realise the danger is no excuse to rip them off. That is a crime in any book.
2 people like this
@ZephyrSun (7381)
• United States
31 Oct 08
Yes we really do have a socialist candidate. Here's a clip of him on one of the comedy shows but he really is running. I didn't know about this guy until another member brought him up the other day. http://www.colbertnation.com/the-colbert-report-videos/189688/october-28-2008/socialist-candidate-for-president---brian-moore
3 people like this
@sharra1 (6340)
• Australia
1 Nov 08
Thanks for the clip. A bit of a worry when the elite consists of people like that interviewer. No wonder the world is in trouble.
1 person likes this
@anniepa (27955)
• United States
31 Oct 08
Thank you for putting it into words that show how ludicrous it really is! You['re exactly right, in my opinion those who support McCain and his policies are supporting the very policies that have gotten us into the trouble we're in. McCain and Palin both claim to be "mavericks" and nothing like Bush but when asked in what way they differ there's no clear answer. More tax cuts for the rich, more letting the oil, pharmaceutical and insurance industries continue to screw the middle class. I've never been one to resist change when it's needed and can make things better, or even when there's a good chance it will make things better. Right now, we Americans NEED change and I can't see how it could make it any worse! Annie
3 people like this
@sharra1 (6340)
• Australia
31 Oct 08
Thank you for saying that. What do they have to lose I wonder? Change may be worse but I doubt it can be worse than not changing which is a definite recipe for disaster. The way I see it change is the only path out. It may not be perfect but it cannot be worse than not changing.
2 people like this
@twoey68 (13627)
• United States
31 Oct 08
Since McCain and Bush are two seperate ppl, instead of one as some seem to think, things won't be the same. All of our problems cannot be laid at Bush's doorstep either...he didn't make all the decisions that have led to all of our problems. Ppl have to take some responsibility...ppl buying houses they couldn't afford is a good example. Bush didn't go out and force anyone to buy a house...in fact McCain and Bush pushed for stricter regulations but no one would listen. As for change...ppl need to realize that NOT ALL CHANGE IS GOOD. Just b/c Obama is yelling the word change doesn't mean spit...in fact if his track record is any indication of what's to come we'll be sold out to the first country that can grease his palm. [b]~~MY OWN PEACE WITHIN~~ **STAND STRONG AND BELIEVE IN YOURSELF** [/b]
2 people like this
@sharra1 (6340)
• Australia
1 Nov 08
I am not convinced that they are all that different. They support each other and their policies are the same. Since neither of them believe in regulation there will be more of the same as lack of regulation is what caused the crash. True not all change is good but sometimes we need to take a leap of faith and hope for the best because staying where you are is also dangerous.
1 person likes this
@Hatley (163781)
• Garden Grove, California
1 Nov 08
sharra1 yes we need change as the last eight years have been a diseaster, and obama is not a socialist and its not about socialism at all,its about helping the middle class and working class to at last have jobs and a future, we have not a thing to lose and much to gain.
2 people like this
@sharra1 (6340)
• Australia
1 Nov 08
I know he is not a socialist. He just wants to make the country a little fairer for the people who keep the country running, the middle class and the workers. Without them the country will fall apart.
1 person likes this
@Barbietre (1438)
• United States
1 Nov 08
Do you know what one of the definitions of insanity is? Doing the same thing over and over again and expecting differernt results.
2 people like this
@sharra1 (6340)
• Australia
1 Nov 08
Good point but we seem to do it a lot with politicians. We give them several chances hoping they will get better even when they do not.
1 person likes this
@laglen (19759)
• United States
31 Oct 08
I know what you are saying, but the change proposed will only hurt. The United States is not meant to be socialist. We have been gradually moving away from our Constitution which in my opinion is our biggest problem.
• Australia
31 Oct 08
I've become sick of trying to explain to right wing Americans that what Obama is doing is not socialism, So maybe I should change my tack, since obviously nobody listens. What do you define socialism as? Clearly you and those with your idea of socialism are talking about something entirely different to what I, and people with my idea of socialism are talking about. So please, define socialism for me as yo understand it. Lash
3 people like this
@sharra1 (6340)
• Australia
31 Oct 08
Hmmm so you would rather stay with a hurt that you know than risk policies that might hurt. Sounds to me like you can only see a world of pain. It may be possible that the change may not be what you fear and may actually work out.
3 people like this
• United States
31 Oct 08
http://cpusaelections.blogspot.com/2008/07/first-step-for-autoworkers-win-in.html
1 person likes this
• United States
1 Nov 08
It's not supposed to "mean anything It just shows that the Communist Party USA supports Obama and the democrats. That's all.
@sharra1 (6340)
• Australia
1 Nov 08
Is that supposed to mean something? Or are you suggesting that anyone who does not like the current disaster is a communist? That is the funniest and silliest thing I have heard in years. I hate the communists as much as I hate unbridled capitalism but you lot never get it. There is an alternative to both extremes. Both make the workers into slaves.
1 person likes this
• India
1 Nov 08
Who said that things are not working? Things are working but the only problem is that theyare workign too slow. if yo have a small shop and no funds to buy stock, things will be slow. improve teh fund flow and the shop will take off, but without effectign sales if youjust keep ovr stiocking and can't service the debt, youwill go bankrupt. The important things is to improve the cash flow by increased sales, improved stock and additional loans or capital. Confused? ha ha ha that is what the market is all about. Confuse the world.
@sharra1 (6340)
• Australia
1 Nov 08
Things are not working at the moment and the problem with the need to increase sales is that you cannot go on increasing them forever. That is the whole problem with capitalism. The markets are finite and once saturation is reached you have no way to continue to increase profits without sacking people. I know some companies have already started to do this and eventually you do not have enough staff to run your business and where do you go then? You have to find another way to function or the whole thing comes crashing down. There are lots of people who would argue that a world wide recession is things not working.
1 person likes this
• United States
2 Nov 08
I don't have a problem with change. I just have a very big problem with people talking about the election as if it is a war. I mean yes, we are voting for a new president and yes, that is very important. But, when did it go from hearing the good things about each candidate running for office. To mud slinging and joke hangings of Canidates on halloween, and SNL Comedy? Are we teaching are children that making fun of and fighting and name calling are the ways of the future? If it is, that really scares me! What do you think?
@sharra1 (6340)
• Australia
3 Nov 08
I agree. I think that fear campaigns and mud slinging are appalling and it always happens when the people are getting tired of the party and power and start to think about voting for change. It is the same in my country but the fear campaigns are never as bad as the one I have seen in the US.
1 person likes this