Who did you vote for and why?

I agree trouble, the third party simply won't get enough votes to win and they upset the chances of the one who has the closest principles of one or other of the parties. As for taxing the small business owner, I don't think Obama's plan will hurt your business. To start with, if something isn't done soon you won't have a business anyway. Secondly, as a former business owner I was only taxed on my net profit not the gross. If you are fortunate enough to have a net profit of over $250,000 you will be very well off. I never reached anything close to that figure and I had two stores and 11 employees. I wish you well in your business, and hope that you can continue without the recession draining your assets.

The problem is that our system is really designed in a way that it promotes a two party system. Although it is possible for a third party to replace one or the other parties, it is more likely that that they simply push the major parties to accomidate their views. They may actually win a couple of elections in odd cases, but usually what happens is if the third party is able to pull enough votes they simply cause the party that is closer to them to lose. This causes that party to shift its views closer to the third party that took all its votes. So I have made a statement by voting for third parties before it is only to allow another canditate to lose.

The problem is that the media is heavily vested in the 2 big parties and the 2 big parties are heavily vested in the media. It is going to take a HUGE groundswell of demand from the public to break that.

I find it funny how most peole say the President doesn't have much authority over war (when you bring up military experience and that office) but yet we will blame a President for creating a war and keeping us at war. I guess it depends on what side of the party's you are on and who you want to believe in that moment. Me, I believe anything is possible when you have someone who knows how to manipulate people with one thing while doing another. But I guess we'll see what the future holds.

I disagree with you that the President should have to have military experience. It obviously could go either way, the last two Presidents prove that; Clinton had no military experience and was a terrific President and Bush spent a couple of years absent from the Texas National Guard and he's going to go down in history as our worst ever. Never mind all that, if what said was true that would leave out an entire generation more or less since up until Bush's terms we hadn't had any wars to speak of so fewer people were compelled to enlist plus it leaves out almost all women. Annie

"sympathy vote"....I doubt it. He used a strategy in this campaign and he chose the woman (a woman who proved she could handle the pressure of running in a heated campaign). Plus if the press reported these things I honestly would not believe it. They were slighted and I lost all respect for them throughout the campaign. I think Obama received the sympathy votes. And I do not believe Hope lies within words alone. Actions speak louder than words and banners. I have said those words all my life and hope only springs from initiative, perseverance and experience. And consistency throughout it all. I never saw consistency with Obama other than making sure he looked okay according to the polls. But all is said and done and I am waiting for him to prove he is appropriate for that position. And I hope he does not continue to Change his actions based upon who he is speaking to. It takes a strong character to stand behind your words. And I am a realistic optimist. And I believe in America anything is possible. And race was never an issue to me because growing up I knew one day there would be a black president just like I know one day there will be a woman president....honestly I do not care I just want someone who has the experience and can get the job done the right way.

i do agree but their are people out their that voted against obama cuz the color of his skin, and vise versa. im glad we have change and i know i didnt vote for him but i hope he will do good for us!

I'm not sure if you mean do I agree he'll bring change or do I believe we NEED change, but I'll say "yes" to both. I've already said I don't expect him to accomplish 100% of what he's promised any more than anyone before him ever has but I believe he'll try and I have no doubt we're in desperate need of change from the past 8 years. Annie

I agree Annie, we do need a change and I think Obama is showing change right now by picking persons to serve on his cabinet from both parties, he's picking the person he feels will be right for the job and not just the "good ole boys". As a veteran of the Korean War I would have liked him to choose Colin Powell for a position in his cabinet concerning our nation's security. Powell "lost face" at the UN when he was tricked into backing the War in Iraq by Bush, Cheney, and Rumsfeld. They made him the "goat" and I know he is suffering for it. They destroyed a great Army General.

good! very interesting!! do you belive in this change he talks about? with him being my president and all i hope he does good buttheirs peope out their who think diffrent.. what do you think?

i gree and i definatley hate the fact that we have a 2 party government.. if they are running for president they should have that many parties.. not just 2 big ones