Jay Bookman

By Lady Bootzee

November 4, 2008 7:09 AM | Link to this

Jonah Goldberg scares me. What a nut job.

By Taxpayer

November 4, 2008 7:15 AM | Link to this

Ha Ha Ha Ha Ha. I laughed so hard it hurt. So, quit that. Please. Anyway, this guy’s piece would be sad if it were not so funny or vice versa. I waited until today to cast my vote and it is still to be for Obama unless the voting machine says otherwise without my knowledge.

By Say What?

November 4, 2008 7:15 AM | Link to this

Hey, Jonah: I’ve been scared for most of the past 8 years. Time for you to learn to deal with it too.

By Ben

November 4, 2008 7:19 AM | Link to this

Not much different (and not nearly as inappropriate) than all the things people say about Palin. It always amazes me how you complain about bahavior on one side that you totally approve of on the other side.

By Stephanie

November 4, 2008 7:22 AM | Link to this

Does Obama scare him because he doesn’t look like him? Come on! Let’s be real about this? Obama is one the most intelligent canidates who has ever ran for a presidential office. He is not a radical. His biggest concerns are all American people. All these myths about Senator Obama are the Republicans way to persuade votes. It is not working. Senator Obama is going to win Georgia. The American people will show it tonight in the election. Go Obama!

By RW-(the original)

November 4, 2008 7:24 AM | Link to this

The alarm went off at 6:00, you listened to Barry for a while, turned off the radio and read Townhall then banged out this column and posted it at 6:17? That’s pretty impressive even if Jonah’s article is the first thing you read.

By AJC/DNC Management

November 4, 2008 7:25 AM | Link to this

Speaking of scary, I got to the polls at 6 a.m. and there were already a hundred Repugs in line.

Don’t be the only Conservative that doesn’t vote.

Let’s win one for the Gipper!

By Eleanor

November 4, 2008 7:26 AM | Link to this

What scares me is these right wing nuts who think they are always right and everyone else is wrong. Most of them have more money than they will ever spend in their lifetime and could care less about those who struggle on a daily basis but are doing everything they can to better themselves.

By Mrs.Godzilla

November 4, 2008 7:28 AM | Link to this

Jonah Goldberg: Putz

By hillbilly ragger

November 4, 2008 7:37 AM | Link to this

Speaking of WATBs in the morning, yesterday I tuned in to Bill “the Gambler” Bennett’s AM radio show.

He had on a caller from upstate new york who proudly proclaimed that he’d loudly disrupted his Catholic church service to rebuke his priest who, apparently, hadn’t spoken about “the unborn” enough for the caller’s liking.

How did the Republicans ever put together a winning coalition strung together with bailing wire, duct tape, and flaming @ssholes again? I guess that’ll be something for historians to suss out in the decades ahead. I’m just glad this friggin’ nightmare’s just about over.

By willilebkind

November 4, 2008 7:38 AM | Link to this

Sorry Jay! You are confusing scared with wise and reasonable mental picture of the future. Scaring people is like when the democrats screamed across the big 3 media that we were going to starve our children by cutting by the percentage of increase for school lunches. Remember that? Meanwhile. the last time I checked the score was 0 to 0. That is why we play the game. However, by strength of the big 3 media, local whacko newspapers like the ajc, and racist voting, Obama might win the election. You can turn this country into Europe copy and you will be very proud of yourselves. I say if Obama wins then we can rip down the constitution and rewrite it to the liberals standards that anything goes—no absolute truths, no traditions, no individual responsibilities, and no morals. As for me and my sons you will have to fight your own wars. I will not sacrifice my blood nor my childrens’ blood for socialism. Have a nice future!

By Goldie

November 4, 2008 7:39 AM | Link to this

Happy Election Day, everyone!

And no matter the end result of Nov. 4th’s ballots, let’s all pledge to work hard to seize control of the Washington insanity, and erase the hopelessness of some Americans and the scared-ness of the ignorant among us.

By Mike In Woodstock

November 4, 2008 7:39 AM | Link to this

Alahu Allah Akbar!!!!

WELCOME TO ISLAM!! May the peace of Allah be with you today as you cast your vote for Obama our Savior.

I can’t wait until America falls under sharia law and my wife finally gets her drivers license taken away. It will be a blessed day for America when women are no longer allowed to drive.

By Goldie

November 4, 2008 7:44 AM | Link to this

You can turn this country into Europe copy and you will be very proud of yourselves.

WillieB @ 7:38 — and what, you would prefer to turn this country back to 1860? Or even 1960? It’s a whole new century now and a whole new world — enjoy the present, or get outta the way!

By Russ

November 4, 2008 7:47 AM | Link to this

So tell me anything about that article that isn’t true. You Obama libs are so blind that you can’t see the truth. You may get what you want, but let’s see what you think in four years.

By reebok

November 4, 2008 7:48 AM | Link to this

Everybody get out there and VOTE if you haven’t already. Great commentary, Jay.

By Goldie

November 4, 2008 7:48 AM | Link to this

Mike in Woodstock @ 7:39 — you’d better get going to your Aryan Nation meeting there in Cherokee county… your ignorant brothers miss you this morning.

By Rickaroo

November 4, 2008 7:50 AM | Link to this

This country will be in turmoil soon as Osama Obama takes office…IF he is elected. We will experience a terrorist attack soon…on his watch…and you Obama sheep will wonder why. The rest of us will know why.

By Me Again

November 4, 2008 7:53 AM | Link to this

Jay-

Jonah has every right to be scared. Wouldn’t you be scared if you knew that you were going to be legally robbed of what you earned through hard work and good decisions. And what you were earning was going to be given to someone who didn’t earn it. I am scared as well. “Spread the wealth”. I call it enabling.

How will the Chosen One decide how much of my money I get to keep? And how much of it he will steal from me and give to the people making less than me?

I will tell you what really makes me sick, is that my vote counts the same as the urban outdoorsman who vote and list park benches as addresses.

I say weigh the votes based on who is footing the actual bill. Bring some real fairness to the process.

By CJ

November 4, 2008 7:54 AM | Link to this

Conservative Republicans scare me. They are quick to impose their moral and religious beliefs to all areas of politics.

I am grateful that as a 30-something year old, I will live long enough to see the last generation harboring intense hatred towards minorities, gays, and change pass on and leave America to Americans who believe in opportunity for everyone regardless of who they are.

By Goldie

November 4, 2008 7:54 AM | Link to this

Hillbilly @ 7:37 — it’s sad how the wingnuts get so righteous about “the unborn”, and yet don’t want to give more than 2 cents to “the already born.”

By williebkind

November 4, 2008 7:55 AM | Link to this

“WillieB @ 7:38 — and what, you would prefer to turn this country back to 1860? Or even 1960?” You just can not make a statement without inputting racism can you? No, I do not want to turn back the clock. There were dictators and kings ruling the world entirely except for the racist United States as you see it. Hey if Obama wins sobeit…he can be there only eight years! But by then you liberals will have trashed the constitution so who will care. I know the first ammendment people like Jay and these bloggers. “grinning” But what if he does not WIN?

By hillbilly ragger

November 4, 2008 7:57 AM | Link to this

“So tell me anything about that article that isn’t true.”

I had a look at the linked piece, and you’re missing the point. Jay didn’t say that Jonah wasn’t being honest about his terror. Jonah is probably genuinely scared that his stupid enterprise that he inherited, which was based on WIlliam Buckley’s racist brand of 1950s conservatism, will cease to have a real impact on the political discussions going forward, and that will translate into declining fortunes. Put another way; he can’t count on another “Liberal Fascism” larding the coffers in the future if Obama is successful.

But if you want something that’s not true, I’ll give you this: Jonah claims Obama has a “mysterious past.”

That’s a flat-out lie; you know it, Jonah knows it.

By Morningstar

November 4, 2008 8:01 AM | Link to this

By Rickaroo November 4, 2008 7:50 AM

Rickaroo, you are correct in that we will experience a terrorist attack at some point. This will occur regardless of the outcome today.

We can only HOPE that the winner of this election will not continue reading “My Pet Goat…..”

By Another White Voter

November 4, 2008 8:01 AM | Link to this

To: Mike In Woodstock

I hope you don’t mind a big mosque being built near your home so that you will be able to hear the daily calls to prayer.

Maybe “they” will take your drivers license away from you so that both you and your wife can sit at home and watch your 4 1/2 hours of daily TV.

Sad, really.

By Tyler Wilson

November 4, 2008 8:02 AM | Link to this

It is not Barack Obama the man that is “scary.” What is scary are Obama’s policy positions, and it should be scary for any American that understands the real world effects of these policies. Liberals are delusional, and support an ideology that has repeatedly failed. Jay and his pretense of manliness, telling conservatives to buck up, is comical. I have never observed such cowardly, sycophantic worship of a candidate by journalists. You better buck up, Bookman! You may not be able to afford your weekly manicure and pedicure or your $75 per bottle face lotion when Obama gets into power. Why don’t you hop on your Vespa and get on up to Chicago so that you can lick Obama’s Italian loafers, you weak-kneed, obsequious liberal.

By Middle Class Tax Payer

November 4, 2008 8:03 AM | Link to this

Mike in Woodstock @ 7:39,

Please let us know when you leave your compound in Woodstock so that we can get out of your way. Maybe you can get the skin heads to provde a permanent escort when you enter areas where people look different. Make sure that you go out and vote.

By Darlin little medodrama?

November 4, 2008 8:03 AM | Link to this

Oh get a grip Jay Bookman, you liberal media types have pushed the anti-christ Obama the whole way. No speaking of his relationship with Rev. Wright, no speaking of his books in which he clearly writes…”if the political winds change, I will stand with the muslims”

A darlin little melodrama? Who are you Dear Abby? You liberal media types makes me almost as sick as thinking of Obama as the leader of this great country.

By CommunistAJC

November 4, 2008 8:03 AM | Link to this

JAY BOOKMAN, What I find funny is the fact that more people will read his article than will read yours. Jonah Goldberg is more respected than you are. Just thought you should know that.

Anyway, Just got back from voting for Mccain/Palin and it felt great. My wife also voted for Mccain/Palin.

By Mike

November 4, 2008 8:04 AM | Link to this

LOL. Now Bookman knows what it is like to read a partisan pundit attack a President.

Trust us, Jay. We all were thinking that during the Bush administration you were the “boy who needed a pat on the head”. Your partisan whining has been no different than his, although you take it a step lower with your racial connotations.

Hypocrisy, thy name is Bookman.

By Wyld Byll Hyltnyr

November 4, 2008 8:04 AM | Link to this

Jay and the other liberal sheeple - Don’t count your chickens until they are hatched. Obama will win wide popular vote margins in CA, NY, IL, & NJ. But the center of pro-America will hold and counter act the forces of anti-America to deliver John and Sarah victories in FL, OH, NV, WV, NC, VA, MO, and, yes, both GA and PA. To paraphrase the great Howard Cosell at Frazier-Foreman: Down goes Obama, down goes Obama, down goes Obama, McCain wins. As Saxby would say, our people are out voting today. IO suspect you’ll find that a lot of the underclass and youth voters that “support” Obama never bothered to register.

By CommunistAJC

November 4, 2008 8:08 AM | Link to this

hillbilly ragger, I’d like to know how William Buckley was racist? I’m sick and tired of race baiters like you throwing around the word “racists.” I’m a registered Republican and I have never said or done anything racist. Your Democrat party has a former member of the KKK sitting in WV. Yet, you say NOTHING. George Wallace and Bull Conor were Democrats and were racists. Yet, you say nothing. Jesse Jackson and Al Sharpton say racist things about Jews all the time. Yet, you say nothing. Obama Hussein went to a racist church for 20 years. His pastor is on tape yelling racist remarks towards white people. Yet, you say nothing. So, please, tell us all how the GOP is racist. Go sell stupid somewhere else race baiter.

By AJC/DNC Management

November 4, 2008 8:09 AM | Link to this

Reported polling place waiting times-

Cobb County- 1 hour.

Acworth- 1 hour.

Norcross- 45 minutes.

Southwest Atlanta- 5 minutes.

Hehehehehe.

By Morningstar

November 4, 2008 8:09 AM | Link to this

By Mike In Woodstock November 4, 2008 7:39 A can’t wait until America falls under sharia law and my wife finally gets her drivers license taken away. It will be a blessed day for America when women are no longer allowed to dri

Oh! Oh! LOL!!!! You have made my day Mike! You poor pitiful mortal! If no other humor befalls “moi” today, this one was worth it!

By Taxpayer

November 4, 2008 8:10 AM | Link to this

What are some of you fear-mongering worry-worts going to do when your worlds do not come crashing down around you as a result of Obama’s term[s] in office. Will any of you look back and even notice or will you crash your own little world just so you can say “I told you so!” And, how many of you experienced such dramatic changes, for the better, in your lives as a result of the Bush presidency versus Clinton. Please, at least be factual with yourselves.

By Batchamamakoodles

November 4, 2008 8:11 AM | Link to this

And then he’s going to unilaterally replace all the Supreme Court Justices with Al Sharpton, Louis Farrakan, Jesse Jackson, Jeremiah Wright and Charles Barkley, who will then force all Republican women to become impregnated by Democratic men and then make them have mandatory abortions at knife point (no more guns) by the light of a mountain of burning Bibles.

By Tyler Wilson

November 4, 2008 8:13 AM | Link to this

I should add that Obama is going to lose. Bookman also takes great pleasure in distorting the FairTax in his columns, this is the result of myopic liberal thought and a mushy brain poisoned by years of liberalism which results in an inability to grasp new concepts that disprove the beliefs pounded into his head by know nothing liberal professors in journalism school.

By RW-(the original)

November 4, 2008 8:13 AM | Link to this

Dixville Notch, NH

Obama 15 McCain 6

So why is this relevant?

1960-Nixon 9 Kennedy 0

1976-Ford 11 Carter 6

1992-Bush 9 Clinton 3

Apparently Dixville Notch picks the loser every 16 years.

By AJC/DNC Management

November 4, 2008 8:14 AM | Link to this

GOP Election Board members have been have been tossed out of polling stations in more than half a dozen polling stations in Philadelphia because of their party status. A liberal judge previously ruled that court-appointed Republican poll watchers could be removed from their boards by an on-site election judge, citing their “minority” status as cause.

“Election board officials guard the legitimacy of the election process and the idea that Republicans are being intimidated and banned for partisan purposes does not allow for an honest and open election process,” said McCain-Palin spokesman Ben Porritt in a statement to Townhall.

Fraud and intimidation, that’s the democrat way.

By JR

November 4, 2008 8:14 AM | Link to this

AJC/DNC Management The reason that there are no lines in southwest Atalanta is that the people are worn out from spending day after day in line voting early, and often!

By hillbilly ragger

November 4, 2008 8:15 AM | Link to this

“I’d like to know how William Buckley was racist?”

No problemo. He made his bones pandering to frightened white folks who disapproved of the Brown v. Board decision. You can look it up.

By Ayn Rand

November 4, 2008 8:16 AM | Link to this

We got up early and we stood in line to cast our ballot for Barak Obama. We were proud that we voted to help our brothers. Our neighbor, they voted for Obama too. When we get back to the Streetsweepers Home, we will sing praises to Obama, for they are great.

By Al in Atlanta

November 4, 2008 8:19 AM | Link to this

THE FEAR IN THIS ELECTION IS ALL ABOUT SKIN COLOR. PERIOD.

Don’t believe me? Obama/Biden vs McCain/Palin, what if things were switched around?…..think about it.
Would the country’s collective point of view be different? Would the polls look differently? Could racism be the culprit? Ponder the following:

What if the Obamas had paraded five children across the stage, including a three month old infant and an unwed, pregnant teenage daughter?

What if John McCain was a former president of the Harvard Law Review?

What if Barack Obama finished fifth from the bottom of his graduating class?

What if McCain had only married once, and Obama was a divorcee?

What if Obama was the candidate who left his first wife after a severe disfiguring car accident, when she no longer measured up to his standards?

What if Obama had met his second wife in a bar and had a long affair while he was still married?

What if Michelle Obama was the wife who not only became addicted to pain killers but also acquired them illegally through her charitable organization?

What if Cindy McCain graduated from Harvard?

What if McCain was a charismatic, eloquent speaker?

What if Obama couldn’t read from a teleprompter?

What if Obama was the one who had military experience that included discipline problems and a record of crashing seven planes?

What if Obama was the one who was known to display publicly, on many occasions, a serious anger management problem?

What if Michelle Obama’s family had made their money from beer distribution?

What if the Obamas had adopted a white child?

You could easily add to this list. If these questions reflected reality, do you really believe the election numbers would be as close as they are?

This is what racism does. It covers up, rationalizes and minimizes positive qualities in one candidate and emphasizes negative qualities in another when there is a color difference.

Educational Background:

Barack Obama:

Columbia University - B.A. Political Science with a Specialization in International Relations. Harvard - Juris Doctor (J.D.) Magna Cum Laude

Joseph Biden: University of Delaware - B.A. in History and B.A. in Political Science. Syracuse University College of Law - Juris Doctor (J.D.)

vs.

John McCain: United States Naval Academy - Class rank: 894 of 899

Sarah Palin: Hawaii Pacific University - 1 semester North Idaho College - 2 semesters - general study University of Idaho - 2 semesters - journalism Matanuska-Susitna College - 1 semester University of Idaho - 3 semesters - B.A. in Journalism

Education isn’t everything, but this is about the two highest offices in the land as well as our standing in the world.

Just something to think about.

By Mike

November 4, 2008 8:19 AM | Link to this

Management -

I support McCain too, but don’t kid yourself. I live in Midtown and work in SW Atlanta and saw huge lines all the way of folks who ain’t voting for McCain. This thing is over. I’ll be happy to say I was wrong, but I doubt that I will have to.

We need to settle into loyal opposition mode. We’ll try to do a better job than Bookman and others have in focusing on the “loyal” part with as much passion as the “opposition” part :)

By AJC/DNC Management

November 4, 2008 8:19 AM | Link to this

“Because many counties in Virginia failed to mail absentee ballots in time to our men and women in uniform stationed overseas, service members are being disenfranchised because they are unable to return their ballots before the November 4 deadline,” campaign spokeswoman Gail Gitcho said in a written statement about the suit, which is scheduled to be heard in Williams’ courtroom at 1:30 p.m. today.

The same government that the liberals want to trust with your health care.

By metoo

November 4, 2008 8:20 AM | Link to this

it’s sad how the wingnuts get so righteous about “the unborn”, and yet don’t want to give more than 2 cents to “the already born.”

That’s because it is about control, not babies.

By CommunistAJC

November 4, 2008 8:20 AM | Link to this

Tyler Wilson, The reason Jay likes to distort anything Boortz says is because Boortz has four or five times the audience of Jay. Bookman and other liberals love to tout free speech but only when it is in agreement with their ideology. Jay is salivating over the prospect of Husein Obama bringing back the Fairness Doctrine. Libs can not survive in the free market. They have to be shoved in our face by networks like CBS, NBC, and ABC.

By Paul

November 4, 2008 8:21 AM | Link to this

Jay

If the liquor stores are closed in your area, they’re obviously open in Jonah Goldberg’s area!

Long trip, though.

People are scared, huh? Just for grins, you could go back a few years on this blog and could extract all the posts of people very, very, very scared predicting Bush as Fuehrer, FBI agents reading all our emails and tapping our phones without warrants, court-ordered quashing of political dissent, etc ad infinitum ad nauseum. Maybe not those exact phrases, but you get the idea.

Hysteria: what both ideological extremes have in common.

Stephanie 7:22

Didn’t Sen Obama’s advisors say his “doesn’t look like” comments really meant “have the same policies as’ and it had nothing to do with physical characteristics?

Eleanor 7:26

[[What scares me is these right wing nuts who think they are always right and everyone else is wrong. Most of them have more money than they will ever spend in their lifetime]]

Ummm, have you checked the contribution comparisons coming out of Wall Street? Obama leads McCain significantly…

And as far as right wing thinks they are always right and everyone else is wrong…. ever wandered over to MoveOn or DailyKos, which banned one of our long-time bloggers who supported Hillary, not Obama?

It’s an ideological mindset, not a party mindset.

Goldie 7:39

Right back atcha! It’d be nice if whoever’s on the losing side can feel just a smidgen (like that word?) of happiness that we go through this every four years and our country soldiers on.

Mike in Woodstock 7:39

(Jay, would it be too personal if I asked about residual effects from the hallucinogens at Woodstock back in ‘69?)

Russ 7:47

It might just be that the “Obama libs” aren’t expressing what Obama has said he wants to do, but what they want him to do, or think the results of his programs will be.

By Soixante huitard

November 4, 2008 8:21 AM | Link to this

Jay,

The only problem with having your posts pulled for personal attacks is you can’t look back and see where you crossed the line. (When you’ve posted multiple one.)

:-)

By jon

November 4, 2008 8:25 AM | Link to this

Jay,

Thought you’d be out at the polling place passing out the Kool-Aid this AM.

Can we assume Mr. Goldberg is Jewish? Maybe he has more basis for his fear. After all, those of us that aren’t Jewish can’t understand what it’s like to live in fear of annihilation by the Muslims. You know like how it scares black people so bad when they see a rope hanging somewhere, but the rest of us wouldn’t think twice about it. Or they fear words like “skinny” , and “uppity” because they are just racist code words.

By E

November 4, 2008 8:25 AM | Link to this

Jonah Goldberg (Doughy Pantload) is the personification of the word “ignoranus.” That’s someone who is ignorant and an @sshole at the same time.

Isn’t it remarkable how many of these neo-con losers (think Goldberg, Rove, Norquist, Perle, etc.) are fat, pasty-faced lumps with less muscle tone than a bowl of tapioca? Do you think any one of them has ever done enough physical work in his life to actually break a sweat?

Obama/Biden ‘08

By CommunistAJC

November 4, 2008 8:28 AM | Link to this

hillbilly ragger, No, I want you to provide the proof of your claim. When I make a statement I can back it up with my own facts. What you just wrote PROVES what a hack and race baiter you really are. David Duke is a racist. Rev. Jesse Jackson, Al Sharpton, Bull Conor, George Wallace, Jerimiah Wright and Robert Byrd are racists. They have openly said that they HATE black and white people. You obviously do not know what the definition of racism is. You’re a sick fool. Go sell stupid somewhere else, fool.

By the way, I think affirmative action is long overdue to be done away with. Does that make me a racist? I guess you should ask my black wife. The reason I think it should be abolished is because people of color have a much easier time getting far in life IF they work hard. Again, go sell stupid somewhere else.

By Soixante huitard

November 4, 2008 8:29 AM | Link to this

Hysteria: what both ideological extremes have in common.

True. To a point.

The Right is the only side where that hysteria is THE core motivating factor.

By hillbilly ragger

November 4, 2008 8:29 AM | Link to this

jon, “those of us who aren’t jewish” tend to forget that for all the whining and shouting and distortion by the Christianists who claim to be Zionists and support Israel 1000%, actual American Jews generally vote Democratic about 4:1.

Guess those Jews hate Israel. Or, maybe they just know a lie when they hear it.

By Morningstar

November 4, 2008 8:30 AM | Link to this

By Goldie November 4, 2008 7:54 AM it’s sad how the wingnuts get so righteous about “the unborn”, and yet don’t want to give more than 2 cents to “the already born.”

Sad but true. Goldie, we all know these folks think life ends at birth.

By Goldie

November 4, 2008 8:32 AM | Link to this

G’day, Uber Paul — I even heard a right-wing commentator this morning who said “America is great because it’s always willing to correct its mistakes and make changes”… and that sometimes happens every 4 or 8 years.

By Keeping It Real

November 4, 2008 8:33 AM | Link to this

AJC/DNC Management,

You are getting ahead of Fox News in reporting the time durations for waiting in line to vote. Can you tell us who is white, Latino, black, etc.?

By CommunistAJC

November 4, 2008 8:33 AM | Link to this

E, Oh boy, did your mommy let you on the computer this morning? Or are you on break at Starbucks? Since you don’t like Jonahs article I’m going to assume that you are an Anti-Semite. I mean, since everyone else seems to be playing the race card this morning. You obviously hate jews. Also, I’m gonna report you to the police for making fun of fat people. You hate jews and fat people.

By Bubba

November 4, 2008 8:34 AM | Link to this

Questions our unbiased media should ask itself after the election:

Maybe Jay can answer these questions since he’s a member of the media.

By CommunistAJC

November 4, 2008 8:36 AM | Link to this

THIS IS HOW BACKWARDS LIBERALS REALLY ARE.

Barack Obama described as prophet Moses by bishop.

Adulation of the Democratic nominee is building to a crescendo. Offering a prayer before a rally in Columbus, Ohio today, Cornal Garnett Henning, an AME bishop for parts of Ohio, West Virginia and Pennsylvania, compared him to Moses and Martin Luther King in the same breath.

Gallery Photo Video: Get a flavour of Bishop Cornal Garnett Henning

He thanked God for having “given us a Moses and a Martin called Barack Obama” and asked the Almighty to “grant that we together this nation under God may have the will to bring about the change we need” and ensure that “those who cast their sacred vote will not be deprived this right”. The McCain campaign, you might remember, mocked Obama as a Moses figure in an ad entitled “the One” in August.

The candidate’s wife didn’t quite compare him to a prophet or a civil rights icon but her praise was a far cry from the days when she used to complain publicly about his smelly feet and snoring, wishing she lived with “Barack Obama the phenomenon” because “the Barack Obama who lives in my house, that guy’s not as impressive”.

In Columbus, it was all sweetness and light. “There’s this beautiful thing about my husband,” she said. “He thinks he can really do everything, he does, with his own power and will.”

She continued: “Barack has built one of the most powerful political organisations, recruiting folks from all different kinds of backgrounds. In addition to that, he has built one of the most powerful political fundraising machines that has raised millions and broken records, not just with big donations but with folks writing $5 cheques, $10, $20, $30 cheques.

“Barack has selected a phenomenal running mate in Joe Biden. Barack has helped unify a party that some said could not be unified. He’s participated in three national debates and has been outstanding in every single one of them.

Gallery Photo The Messiah cometh: Barack Obama t-shirts for sale in Ohio

“And to top it off, he has done it, if I might just brag a bit, with a level of grace and poise and honesty and respect and consistency.”

As I left the rally, there was a man chatting into his cell phone while selling clothing that offered a modified version of the national motto of the United States, substituting the candidate’s name in place of that of the Almighty. “In Obama We Trust”, proclaimed his t-shirts.

By Taxpayer

November 4, 2008 8:37 AM | Link to this

Jay, you out there. Some of the natives are getting restless.

By Soixante huitard

November 4, 2008 8:37 AM | Link to this

Communist, you’re misguided

If you’ll stop for a moment and reflect, you’ll see that it’s you who is not comfortable with others having the freedom to disagree. The fact that we have an open system of free speech means I can vigorously attack what someone like Boortz says, while respecting his right to say it.

By David

November 4, 2008 8:37 AM | Link to this

Jay,

The irony is that Jonah reflects the fear I felt after the second term election of George Bush. I already knew about the damage from the first four years.

By Goldie

November 4, 2008 8:38 AM | Link to this

I guess it’s only appropriate that Jonah Goldfarb feels “scared” — that’s the only emotion that the Repug Party pushes out to America every 2 years. Just suck it in, Jonah — all that fright you’ve been foisting on 70% of America.

By Paul

November 4, 2008 8:40 AM | Link to this

Goldie

LOL!! Good to hear the title from the olden days!

I wonder if that commentator even realized the irony in what he was saying? LOL!

By James

November 4, 2008 8:41 AM | Link to this

You conservatives have some nerve to use the word “socialist” to describe Obama, at the very time that this administration is using taxpayer dollars to bail out the financial sector to the tune of a trillion plus dollars. How could any new administration be any more fiscally irresponsible than this one has been?

The progressive tax system has been “spreading the wealth” forever, and McCain himself has said the rich should be expected to pay a higher percentage than the middle class. How’s that any less socialist than what Obama said?

And I don’t see how any administration could “trash the constition” any worse than the present one has… wiretaps without warrants, torture, and holding people indefinitely without charges to name a few. I doubt an Obama administration will be much better, but I don’t think there’s any way it could be worse!

By Hugh Howard

November 4, 2008 8:41 AM | Link to this

I enjoy the way you liberals report. All conservatives are backward racist and bigotted. We don’t really have thoughts. We just fear change.Our views, since we don’t accept everything are unenlightened.

A better question is why reporters don’t report fairly. If I was running for office and had gone to a racist church. I would be attacked constantly. Obama can be racist. IF my friends were law breaking domestic terrortists, I could never get away with it. If my wife wrote a racist paper, she would never get relief from the media questions.

Obama gets a free ride. He is a racist and Marxist by his own actions and words. The media has not addressed this at all except to say those of us bothered by it are fear mongers or racist. No, we are people who appreciate our Democratic Republic and don’t want to see it destroyed. Please be assured, I would not vote for Barack “Barry” Obama no matter what color he might be.

Hugh Howard Lawrenceville GA

By ron

November 4, 2008 8:41 AM | Link to this

I’ve heard no real specifics on Obama’s plan to spread the wealth around.Extra taxes for people above some as yet unidentified threshold.How much?For whom?He’s supposedly going to give thes taxes to the lower income class.How much?To whom?What happens to business when he does this?What happens to employment?

I saw what happened when Dems put a luxury tax on yachts costing over $250.000. A complete collapse of the boat building industry with it’s large loss of jobs.Are we going to try this again folks?

I’m not scared of Obama,but I am worried for the working people in this country.All I’ve heard is rhetoric.The specifics behind the rhetoric is what worries me.

By RW-(the original)

November 4, 2008 8:41 AM | Link to this

Just in case anybody is still whining about Governor Palin’s medical records, here they are.

Obama style!

By Soixante huitard

November 4, 2008 8:43 AM | Link to this

Goldberg writes: It’s hardly surprising, then, that he has painted the bleakest picture of America instead of acknowledging, as a starting point, that we are still the greatest nation in the world.

Wow, defensiveness fused with grandiosity, a perfect crystallization of everything the Right has come to stand for in this country. Sheer delusional anxiety.

By Army Republican

November 4, 2008 8:46 AM | Link to this

Hmm. Conservatives are fat and pasty. Interesting assertion, no doubt based in a rigorous study researched and written by you, a political science wunderkind. Do you wonder why a majority of the military supports McCain? As stated before, ARE you brewing up the morning joe at the ole Statrucks in Midtown? I would put my money on you having never tested your intestinal fortitude in battle or athletics or any other physically demanding activity, you slack a** liberal tool.

By RW-(the original)

November 4, 2008 8:47 AM | Link to this

Is anybody watching Obama vote? He must be one of the undecided voters.

By ByteMe

November 4, 2008 8:47 AM | Link to this

RW: Which is to say “no medical records” unlike her promise to do so.

Wonder if she really did have that abortion that she’s rumored to have. What about her “mysterious background”?

TGIO! (Thank God it’s over!)

By hillbilly ragger

November 4, 2008 8:48 AM | Link to this

oh, stuff it, Commie. I don’t have to prove jack sh!t to you.

But in case anyone else wonders, yeah. William F. Buckley made his bones pandering to racists. “Superior mores”, my arse.

By Ric

November 4, 2008 8:49 AM | Link to this

Stalin & Mr. Rogers…lol…What about Trigger Happy Palin & A Grumpy Old Man…

By baseballdoc

November 4, 2008 8:51 AM | Link to this

the republicans have been using fear for years as their primary means to influence voters. finally, enough people are onto the ‘ooohhh, you can’t elect those Democrats; they’re too scary’ routine. Like voting for a Dem would ‘ruin’ things for real Americans. Guess what? As it turns out, the Dems are the real Americans.

By jayj

November 4, 2008 8:52 AM | Link to this

I am scared because we have to deal with Bush for nearly 3 more months.. Thank God we have such a good man waiting to take over. Barack Obama the next president of the USA

By Army Democrat

November 4, 2008 8:52 AM | Link to this

AR, being in the majority doesn’t mean much. Making an informed decision is more important than going with the crowd.

By Ray

November 4, 2008 8:55 AM | Link to this

Just in…….

Due to the long lines at the polls, Obama voters are being asked to put off voting until Wednesday when the lines will be shorter. This particularly applies to those voters in Harlem who do not know who is on the ballot.

By RW-(the original)

November 4, 2008 8:56 AM | Link to this

ByteMe,

If a letter from his doctor was good enough for Obama why isn’t it good enough for Palin?

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

It took Obama 20 minutes to fill out his ballot. If that’s an indication of his decision making prowess we’re in a world of hurt if he gets elected.

By Soixante huitard

November 4, 2008 8:57 AM | Link to this

Hugh Howard (I enjoy the way you liberals report. All conservatives are backward racist and bigotted. We don’t really have thoughts):

But Hugh, if you would stop playing victim for a moment and examine the facts, you would see that your repeating talking points that show that you’ve pre-selected what to believe (based on the fact that you’re simply repeating word-for-word right-wing talking points) and therefore you’re in no position to accuse your opponents for doing the same (which they’re not in this case).

To take just one of your assertions for example: that Obama attends a racist church. False. There’s nothing racist about Reverend Wright’s rants. He’s a social justice preacher. You might not like hearing it. It may offend the ears of some white people such as you, but that doesn’t make it racist. So you need to examine your positions instead of shutting yourself behind a wall of self-righteous victimization. That victim mentality never served the Left well, and it is not serving folks like you on the Right either, where it has now found a new home.

By Ric

November 4, 2008 9:00 AM | Link to this

Mr. Rogers & Stalin…wtf…God bless America, if we get trigger happy Palin & A Grumpy old man in office. This McCharacter, has no character. He lacks civility, that is clearly indicated by the Barbaric debauchment at his rallys. I embrace the words of congressman Lewis.

By ZEKE

November 4, 2008 9:01 AM | Link to this

MAYBE THE ANTI CHRIST OF A CONSERVATIVE COUNTRY! OBVIOUSLY SOCIALIST, MARXIST, MAYBE EVEN A COMMUNIST! IT SHOULD OPEN EVEN YOUR STAR STRUCK EYES WHEN THE AMERICAN COMMUNIST PARTY DECLARES, “NOW WE ARE WHERE WE WANT TO BE”! COMMUNITY ORGANIZERS ARE ANARCHIST THAT NEED TO BE BANNED BY LAW! UNIONS ARE SOCIALIST THUGS WHO ONLY WANT TO TAKE AWAY THE BUSINESSES AND PROFITS OF THE OWNERS OF THOSE BUSINESSES! WAKE UP JAY! IF YOUR FAVORED FAIRNESS DOCTRINE IS RAISED FROM THE DEAD, EVEN YOU AND THE ATLANTA URINAL & CONSTIPATION WILL HAVE TO GIVE EQUAL TIME TO CONSERVATIVE VALUES!

By Mr Snarky

November 4, 2008 9:02 AM | Link to this

People are afraid of that which they don’t understand. In this case, Jonah doesn’t understand that it is possible for a black man with a funny name may actually be an intelligent, responsible person. Jonah, in his ignorant embrace of racial and ideological stereotypes, thinks black people with funny names must be suspicious and have radical nefarious agendas. Poor Jonah. He needs to get out a little and open his mind.

By Taxpayer

November 4, 2008 9:02 AM | Link to this

What ever happened to those terrorists that were caught in Tennessee. Were they deemed worthy of a special cell in Guantanamo? Will they be tried as terrorists?

By Davo

November 4, 2008 9:02 AM | Link to this

Shoutout to Epworth voting district poll workers; arrived at 6:45 to 1/4 block line and was done by 8:05.

By BDAtlanta

November 4, 2008 9:02 AM | Link to this

MSNBC called the race for Obama at 8:58am EST!

chuckle chuckle chuckle

I’ll have to listen to Chief Wingnut Hannity as he melts down today. I bet he blows a gasket before 7pm.

By Goldie

November 4, 2008 9:07 AM | Link to this

Ric @ 8:49 — LOL… how about “the Geezer and the Dingbat”? Talk about frightening…

By Soixante huitard

November 4, 2008 9:07 AM | Link to this

Is anybody watching Obama vote? He must be one of the undecided voters.

Did you catch the Jon Stewart bit where he asks Obama personally about the “Bradley effect”, that is, whether when he goes into the booth if his white half will be stricken with fear of voting for a black man and be unable to pull the lever?

You should google it, it’s hilarious.

By hillbilly ragger

November 4, 2008 9:07 AM | Link to this

Goldie @ 7.54 and metoo @ 8.20, honestly, I wouldn’t go that far, not even nearly that far. I’ve encountered plenty of conservative-leaning individual swho genuinely believe in charity, and who are as humane as any liberals I know.

I just think their obession with embryonic life needs to be, at minimum, put in some perspective. If you choose to believe that ensoulment occurs the nanosecond that cells divide, fine, hold a church funeral every time a sexually active woman in your life gets her period; but don’t expect the government to back that belief system to the point where fertilized eggs are conferred citizenship.

And that’s what the strict “pro-life” folks really believe; all embryonic life is sacred, it’s recognized by God-with-a-capital-G and you go to hell for “murdering” it. Or for supporting any laws that might enable this “murder.” Oh, and it’s up to your church’s leadership to determine who’s supporting what laws.

I can’t think of any nice, gentle way to tell these folks that that is kinda crazy. I do try though, because I don’t think it’s healthy to have about a quarter of the population really, truly believing that Obama is a “baby killer.”

By Mr Snarky

November 4, 2008 9:08 AM | Link to this

Sounds like Goldberg drank a little too much of that Bush/Cheney koolaid. Poor poor Jonah, he got swallowed by the neocon/republican whale and doesn’t even know it. He’s in the belly of a whale thinks its Disneyland.

By Zach

November 4, 2008 9:09 AM | Link to this

Zeke, you’re not supposed to drink before 12pm.

By BDAtlanta

November 4, 2008 9:09 AM | Link to this

Hey, I think I attended one of Obama’s community organized orgies back in the 80’s!

I’ve read a few of Goldberg’s pieces and I wonder if his dad is like George W’s. He just shakes his head and wonders where he went wrong in raising his son.

By limited government

November 4, 2008 9:11 AM | Link to this

The country is relatively evenly divided.
The division is essentially about the role of government - some want government to do more, some want government to do less.

Those who want government to do more have essentially been winning for the last 100 years. The federal budget in 1908 was 2.5% of GDP. Now it is approximately 20%. As long as this continues, approximately 50% of the population will be living with a government that they believe has strayed outside the bounds of the Constitution.

If, on the other hand, those who believe in limited government are able to limit the federal government to its Constitutional role, the portion of the population that believe in more government will still be able to establish the type of government that they desire at the state level.

If we could unite around the idea of freedom, at least at the federal level, then there would be 50 experiments in democracy for us to choose from. As it currently stands, we essentially have a one size does not fit all government in DC that continues to divide the country.

By eric

November 4, 2008 9:11 AM | Link to this

As the Obamanation ascends to the throne.. He will be given 7 1/2 years of power, and his wrath will be great as he knows his time is short..

I pray for all of you that go today and take the Mark of the Obamanation.

By Ted Striker

November 4, 2008 9:13 AM | Link to this

Thank you to all the poll workers, who valiantly and honorably serve the American people, no matter who wins.

By honestly

November 4, 2008 9:14 AM | Link to this

I am very proud that my generation is the one that will be seriously considering the first black president (I am 37 years old). It speaks to our open-mindedness, our ability to disregard malevolent traditions and our desire to achieve balance within our country and our neighborhoods. That being said, I will be voting for McCain. I cannot in good conscience vote for Obama because of his pro-abortion stance, his anti-death penalty stance, and his anti-2nd amendment stance. He is indeed a charismatic figure and I applaud his efforts, just not his voting record or honestly, his moral stand. But I will be praying for whoever wins, and that includes Mr. Obama.

By BDAtlanta

November 4, 2008 9:15 AM | Link to this

Hey, I think I attended one of Obama’s community organized orgies back in the 80’s!

I’ve read a few of Goldberg’s pieces and I wonder if his dad is like George W’s. He just shakes his head and wonders where he went wrong in raising his son.

By AJC/DNC Management

November 4, 2008 9:15 AM | Link to this

Hahahaha:

CHICAGO, Ill. — Among the other voters who have shown up to vote at Shoesmith Elementary School this morning, where Sen. Barack Obama, D-Ill., will vote: Louis Farrakhan and William Ayers.

By tcoach

November 4, 2008 9:17 AM | Link to this

hillbilly have you ever witnessed an abortion?

By AmVet

November 4, 2008 9:18 AM | Link to this

Take a bravery pill.

Wise counsel, Mr. Bookman!

The handful of far right-wing, doom and gloom despair-merchants and their endless obsession over words such as scared, fear, frightened, etc, just use this schtick for their own sad benefit and to justify their whacked and often feckless mindset, I suppose.

I for one, foresee no seven plagues or four horseman coming because a Democratic president is elected. But perhaps I’m wrong and this is the “Great Tribulation” before their rapture.

If I could add onto Jay’s advice about taking a bravery pill, I would simply say to them. “Take the whole damn bottle.”

By Bubba

November 4, 2008 9:20 AM | Link to this

Goldie said: it’s sad how the wingnuts get so righteous about “the unborn”, and yet don’t want to give more than 2 cents to “the already born.” It’s one of the liberals’ favorite lines, and of course like all liberal arguments, it isn’t true. Research by Syracuse University professor Arthur Brooks shows that conservatives give about 30 percent more to charity than do liberals. But of course liberals never let the facts influence their arguments. It’s all about what they feel.

By mark

November 4, 2008 9:20 AM | Link to this

America will be weakened if Obama is elected. He is on the record for saying he wants to make your electric bills “sky-rocket” and to make the price of fuel stay high. He wants to bankrupt anyone that tries to open a coal plant.

I’m so tired of the class envy folks in here complaining about the evil rich repubs with “too much money to spend in a lifetime”. Get a job and get a life. Or vote for Obama and he will use the force of Gov-ment to take from us hard working business owners and giving to scum sucking welfare broods.

By CommunistAJC

November 4, 2008 9:20 AM | Link to this

hillbilly ragger, Yes, you do indeed have to prove that William Buckley was a racist. You said it. PROVE IT! By the way, you posted garbage FROM A LIBERAL RAG WEBSITE. It’s people like you who have made this country bad. By throwing out words at people and you can’t even back it up proves just how stupid and uneducated you really are. Go back to your trailer and sell stupid somewhere else, hack.

By Bosch

November 4, 2008 9:20 AM | Link to this

Happy Election Day Bloggers!

It’s been amazing the people I’ve seen on this blog who are actually SCARED of Obama, and write “Oh, he’s gonna do this” and “Oh, he’s gonna do that.” I wonder if people really listen to themselves and really think that if he raised our taxes like some people are just so convinced he’s gonna do, he’d be thrown out on his butt before his term is up. And we have those “challenged” folks ^^^^ who think their wives are gonna have to start wearing burkas. Come on people - do you really believe that? I don’t think you really do, but then again, there are people who walk around scared all the time. Too bad.

Today’s a good day, no matter the outcome, because it is an end to the nightmare of Bush/Cheney, and if McCain wins, he knows we’ll be watching him, like a hawk.

Like I said yesterday, you can never underestimate the people who vote out of fear or subtle rascism, so we’ll just have to wait a few more hours to see if Americans are what they say they are!

By Zach

November 4, 2008 9:22 AM | Link to this

I’ve witnessed an abortion. He’s going to leave the Oval Office shortly.

By Mr Snarky

November 4, 2008 9:22 AM | Link to this

Of course maybe little Jonah is just being a fearmonger, which is what the republicans are great at, in contrast to their ability to govern. Talk about the pot calling the kettle black! He knows that Obama won’t eliminate the military or other such radical things, but if he can scare a few people, his work is done and he can return to Lord Voldemorte having done the dark lord’s bidding.

By tcoach

November 4, 2008 9:23 AM | Link to this

Hillbilly, Why should men be forced to pay child support then.
Does the father not get a say in the life of his child.
I assume since you are for women having complete control of their bodies and decisions then you are also in favor of not paying materity leave. Why should she be rewarded for CHOOSING to have a baby.
Since abortion is not legal why should women expect to get paid for not working if they have the choice to abort the baby?

By BDAtlanta

November 4, 2008 9:25 AM | Link to this

2008 might not be a landslide for Obama but 2012 will be.

Sorry GOP, but people have seen through your scare tactics and constant lies and misdirection and self-preserving-at-the-expense-of-the-country choices (remember Brownie? at FEMA).

No one wants leaders that lie to them constantly and try to scare them into following them blindly. Those guys treated us like dumb children and some of us called them out on it. That some of you still follow those guys….well, no more name calling I guess…

Yes we called W every name in the book and if Obama does stuff you don’t approve of you need to get on here and let him have it just like we did to Bush. That’s why its called a Democracy.

I hope Limbaugh is self medicating today…he might implode on the air.

By Foracel

November 4, 2008 9:30 AM | Link to this

As a proud member of the I.F.C.V.of the U.S.A. I wonder whatever happened to the Contract With America.We need a change and very soon.God Bless The U.S.A

By jaybookmanisscary

November 4, 2008 9:30 AM | Link to this

Oh please, the Dems scare their people all the time…They behave as if the apocalypse will occur if McCain is elected president. Both sides are guilty of it and Jay Bookman is one of the worse offenders.

By ProLife???

November 4, 2008 9:31 AM | Link to this

My self-righteous ultra conservative “pro-life” friend has walked around for YEARS with an IUD in her body.

I’d like for some of my Conservative “pro-life” wingnuts to explain the absence of hypocrisy and logic in that.

I’ll be waiting with baited breath.

By AmVet

November 4, 2008 9:33 AM | Link to this

Take a bravery pill.

My only addition to that sage counsel is for the doom and gloom despair merchants here, obsessed with the words fear, scared, frightened, etc.., is to take the entire bottle…

By David

November 4, 2008 9:34 AM | Link to this

Jay - your blurb is a perfect example of the left trying to paint non-obama supporters as racist. I care about my country and my taxes, not the fact that a “tall black man” is happens to be the face of the socialist policy at issue.

I guess you have been hanging around shallow voters too much - ones that base their vote only on skin color (i.e. most of the newly registered democrat voters)

By tcoach

November 4, 2008 9:38 AM | Link to this

No Bd there have been many a lib on here telling us how un-american we are going to be if we bash and criticize the president as they have. It is no longer a democracy. Any who disagree with Obama have to contend with being labeled as a racist or un-american. These are things that some cannot be labeled as because of their career.
I would also discourage any from speaking out against Obama. He already black-balled television stations, and kicked reporters who did not agree with him off his plane.
These were all done before being elected president. What will happen once he has power?

And no I am not an un-american or a racist, only a realist.

By BDAtlanta

November 4, 2008 9:38 AM | Link to this

Dang, Big O’s grandma died today. That’s really sad. I’ve felt stressed about this election the past 6 months, but I can’t begin to imagine what stress that 86 year old lady must have been going through.

By Uhh...

November 4, 2008 9:38 AM | Link to this

We will experience a terrorist attack soon…on his watch…and you Obama sheep will wonder why. The rest of us will know why.

Uh Rickaroo, just like President Bush did? Just like President Clinton did?

If it happens on Obama’s watch it will be business as usual for the terrorists! Know your facts, doofus.

By JeremiahWright

November 4, 2008 9:39 AM | Link to this

After a few months in the Presidency, we’ll be a little scared of Obama. I don’t care what he says—he is very far left. And the combination of him, Pelosi, Frank, Dodd, the left wing media, and a Dem congress in general, along with a soon-to-change Supreme Court, should be enough to scare anyone.

By David-the Left

November 4, 2008 9:39 AM | Link to this

David,

You on the right complain more about being called racist, usually preemptively. To that, we respond, “a stuck pig squeals.”

By Voted_Republican

November 4, 2008 9:40 AM | Link to this

Jay, If Jonah is educated and earns more than minimum wage, he may have something to worry about. But no one who has posted a comment here in support of Obama need worry. They’re all uneducated low-wage earners who are leeches on society because they don’t pay taxes now. Obama WILL do good things for them.

By Jim

November 4, 2008 9:40 AM | Link to this

Why would we expect to read much of anything different than Bookman and Tucker, true Obamanites, in such a Liberal Rag as the AJC?

Obama is an Obamanation, a liar and a traitor…

Sadly Rev. Wrights GD America is on the threshold… so I pray again may God Bless America and cause millions of the deceived to come to their senses just as they mash the buttons and awake to McCain

By GayGrayGeek

November 4, 2008 9:42 AM | Link to this

By workingaineswville

November 4, 2008 9:43 AM | Link to this

Well, sorry folks but you better wise up. He scares me too and alot of others who work for a living and try hard to save for the future. Have you done your research or just going along for the new ride????

By Tony

November 4, 2008 9:44 AM | Link to this

The Republicans love to rail against the idea that a Democratic president and Congress will ruin this country when it was the first six years of Bush and a Republican majority that have led us down this path we are on. I’m still nervous about Obama pulling this out but if he does, I’ll feel more proud to be an American than I think I have ever been before in my 37 years.

By Voted_Democratic

November 4, 2008 9:45 AM | Link to this

VR, you’ve been reading too much Ayn Rand. I’m an IT Director, volunteer, parent, and Atlanta native who voted for Obama, because he’s exactly the kind of leader we need after the GOP has done all but destroy this country.

Democrats are the ones who are willing to work to put this “Country First.” Republicans, just want to say it without doing anything about it.

By Pat

November 4, 2008 9:48 AM | Link to this

You gleeful folks going for the mysterious man that is going to do to this country what no one else has ever done. He will make us a 3rd world country under socialism. You won’t be laughing then. Let us know what your tax return looks like a year after he is elected, if he is. I hope he doesn’t go any lower than $42,000 because that is what many of us live on. We were never in the hole with taxes until the bill clinton era.

By tcoach

November 4, 2008 9:50 AM | Link to this

Pro-life an iud is a device that goes through the cervix and into the uterus, to prevent pregnancy. The IUD works through changing the lining of the uterus and fallopian tube. This affects the movement of the sperm and egg thus not allowing fertilization. Therefore there is no pregnancy.

So what hypocrisy, who is being created or ended. Know your information. I know some catholics are opposed to any form of birth control, but you are basically comparing a condom to an abortion.

By Peter

November 4, 2008 9:50 AM | Link to this

Imagine America taking care of it’s OWN ?

Imagine Cost Plus contracts a thing of the past ?

Imagine America rebuilding it’s infrastructure ?

Imagine American’s actually caring about America, and Not polluting because it is good for business !

Wow thank God we will have CHANGE !

By BDAtlanta

November 4, 2008 9:53 AM | Link to this

Hey, I didn’t think about the 2nd Amendment. I hope he does take your guns.

Then I can feel safe while driving through conservative, middle and upper middle class neighborhoods.

Take their guns, Big O!

(Hey, I’m just trying to use some scare/fear tactics on you GOPers for a change. Turnabout is fairplay.)

By Zach

November 4, 2008 9:54 AM | Link to this

Pat,

Here’s something you can relate to: Freedom isn’t free

By limited government

November 4, 2008 9:54 AM | Link to this

An Obama quote: “I don’t know what’s next. By the end of the week, he’ll be accusing me of being a secret communist because I shared my toys in kindergarten. I shared my peanut butter and jelly sandwich.”

As a child, if he had taken someone else’s sandwich and toys and “shared” them with someone else, would we make an example out of that?

The difference between what Obama did as a child and what he wants to do now is simple. As a child, he made a choice to share what was his. As an adult, he wants to take what is not his and give it away. The two are simply not the same.

As an adult, he made $4,000,000 and only gave to charity 1% and his VP made $2,450,000 and gave 1/8% or $3,600.

By MAC

November 4, 2008 9:57 AM | Link to this

This whining blog is from a guy (Bookman) who wrote very similar things about being scared of electing Palin. Typical liberal hypocrite.

By Tigerfan_in_GA

November 4, 2008 9:58 AM | Link to this

I agree with him….an Obama win will drastically change our country to a socialist state and it will be hard to change back to normal. This guy has a trail of questionable associates, no experience in govt. and could be a closet muslim. Anyone who votes for him is a plain and simple a moron!

By Omar

November 4, 2008 9:59 AM | Link to this

After this is over, can we be Americans again? I guess that’s asking too much.

By Citizen of the World

November 4, 2008 10:02 AM | Link to this

Obama, baby!

I don’t want government to do more, I want government to do better. The Republicans have run us off into a ditch, and it’s time to let the Democrats show that they can do better.

If they win the day — and the next four years — they’ll face a monumental challenge to overcome a runaway deficit, restore our reputation in the international community, strengthen our decimated economy, clean up our dirty air and water, get us out of a misguided war, improve our education standards and opportunities, etc.

All this will need to be done no matter who wins, but I think Obama has the commitment, energy and intelligence to lead us back onto the right track.

He doesn’t scare me a bit. He inspires me.

By BDT

November 4, 2008 10:03 AM | Link to this

I pray for peace for all who read and post in this blog.This country and the next President will need it.

By Zach

November 4, 2008 10:03 AM | Link to this

I miss the days when only the educated had access to the internet.

By tcoach

November 4, 2008 10:04 AM | Link to this

Pro=life, was that post sufficient in answering your questions?

By Mr Snarky

November 4, 2008 10:06 AM | Link to this

So limited govt, when are you going to open your tax records with us so we can know how wonderful a person you are?

We live in a democracy and elected to have a progressive tax system. You may not understand why the rich should pay a larger proportion of their income than the poor, but many of us do. It’s kind of obvious, really, especially with the income disparity growing. But since the republican real mission is to look out for that top .1% they do their best to label such a system “socialist” “redistributionist” etc. Of course they don’t label Corporate tax breaks these things, but that goes without saying.

If you aren’t outraged, you haven’t been paying attention.

By sandra

November 4, 2008 10:06 AM | Link to this

It is unbelievable and unfathomable that the American voting public will elect a radical socialist with a simplistic message of Change over a true American hero who is real, not fabricated and scripted! Or is it? Many of you know far more about the biographies of Tupac and the latest Hollywood stars than you do about basic US history and economics. You have all blamed POTUS George Bush for EVERYTHING - Your stupid Jim Martin commercials about the bailout are absurd, yet appeal to all you out their suffering from class envy. Wake up morons, your boys, Frank, Dodd, and Baines along with ACORN are the reason we are bailing out those unqualified loans! I am a lowly public school teacher and I spend most of my time accommodating those kids whose parents do nothing but stand with a hand out waiting for the government to do more for them! The next for years will be more of the same, but at an exponential rate and fervor. Those kids walking around our school with those $25.00 “Obama” T-shirts large enough for a family of five are the same ones on free and reduced lunch, and living in $500K homes, that will be graced by the 90 moratorium proposed by their savior- Obama! My family, my children, and others like us- we’ll continue to work hard to make our house payments on time and hopefully send our children to college. Oh but, wait, 1/2 of our salary will go to help those who do nothing but stand around waiting for others to pay their way! The US is doomed with the election of Obama- but you stupid people, you will continue to be cows, herd mentality. You don’t bother to educate yourself , you are satisfied with government socialism! You’re DISGUSTING!!!!!

By BDAtlanta

November 4, 2008 10:06 AM | Link to this

Have you folks picked out a nice Muslim church yet? Yeah….we kinda lied about that too.

We will be handing out copies of the Koran at the place you will be sent to drop off your Bibles and guns.

(this is too much fun!!)

By Dr. R

November 4, 2008 10:07 AM | Link to this

I like Jonah Goldberg; he’s a good writer and really more of a forward-thinking conservative than this particular column would indicate. But I do think he’s being somewhat hysterical. The good news for conservatives … a) we have this wonderful Constitution that limits the power of the person in the Oval; b) we have a Supreme Court that, until a few more retire, remains solidly conservative; c) there still remains the chance of a Congressional split that will keep Obama from enacting 100 percent of his agenda; d) the lousy economy is probably going to put a limit on how much he can do; and e) he’s a bright guy and a seeming pragmatist who will want to run for re-election in four years so he’s likely to tack to the middle as needed. Anyway, it’s not like we’ve had the most competent administration for the past eight years, so there’s that.

By CJ

November 4, 2008 10:11 AM | Link to this

LG @9:54, “The difference between what Obama did as a child and what he wants to do now is simple. As a child, he made a choice to share what was his. As an adult, he wants to take what is not his and give it away.”

Ironically, the so-called conservative who provided this quote has been sending people to Washington who have been taking my children’s and my yet-to-be-conceived grandchildren’s money and giving it away to big oil, military contractors, millionaire farmers, pharmaceutical companies and other such Bush/Cheney “Rangers”. Mr. “limited government” wants lower taxes for himself, but he’s perfectly content to let future generations pay his bills.

Listen buddy—misbegotten wars, earmarks for Alaskans, agricultural subsidies, nuclear subsidies and Medicare Part D (all Republican initiatives) aren’t free. Stop being a freeloader and pay up.

By getalife

November 4, 2008 10:12 AM | Link to this

“Obama Wins Dixville Notch, NH, The First Place To Vote”.

They picked w over Kerry last election.

They will call this one for Obama around 8:00 pm or earlier.

By Soixante huitard

November 4, 2008 10:13 AM | Link to this

Jim says: Obama is an Obamanation, a liar and a traitor…

Oh boy, here we go again.

It’s going to be just like the mid-nineties all over again.

But it will be worth it.

By Eric

November 4, 2008 10:13 AM | Link to this

I don’t understand. How can an Islamic Socialist, with all of the power of the United States government, and a blank check to do what ever the hell it is he wants to do be scary?

He’s only scary if your work for a living, pay taxes, and are white. The rest of us will do just fine, thank you.

By Realisticus

November 4, 2008 10:13 AM | Link to this

Hey Eleanor:

What scares me is these left wing nuts who think they are always right and everyone else is wrong. Most of them have no ambition in their lifetime and couldn’t care less about those who work hard on a daily basis, doing everything they can to better themselves.

By BDAtlanta

November 4, 2008 10:13 AM | Link to this

Sandra, Please tell us what school system you teach in so I can make sure my son doesn’t go there. I prefer it when the teachers are smarter than the 9 year olds.

By Allison

November 4, 2008 10:13 AM | Link to this

Sandra,

Get a grip. I’m really enjoying your whining after all we’ve had to put up with from the worst President in US history. Get over it. You had your chance and ruined everything we had, respect, surplus, peace, living American soldiers.

I’m really looking forward to my share of your wealth. ha ha ha!

By Swami Dave

November 4, 2008 10:15 AM | Link to this

I cannot comment on people who are “scared”. Likewise, I cannot assume their motivation if they are (as claimed) “fearful” of the outcome if Senator Obama is elected.

I can state that I am a part of the electorate who are frustrated that there is a segment of our population who perceives no problem with supporting policy that legislates theft. It is difficult to believe and a sad occurrence that some percentage (likely to be a close minority or majority of votes cast) that see no problem with stealing the earnings of one group to fund transfer payments (aka welfare) to another group.

At the height of frustration is that the promoters of this philosophy fraudlently identify this scam as “tax cuts” when nearly 40% of the receipents already have no federal income tax liability. Combined with their willing accomplices in the media who abstain from their duty to challenge or even question the blatant lies, I would assess it more annoyance than fear.

Personally, I am still hopeful that American voters will again hold back the tide of redistributionist philosophy, if only by a continuing small margin.

-Swami Dave

By Zach

November 4, 2008 10:17 AM | Link to this

Looks like the KKK had a white sale, and they all showed up at the blog today to cry about losing to a black Muslim. Waaahhhh! Call the Waaambulance!

By Tall

November 4, 2008 10:18 AM | Link to this

Can any Obama supporters shed some light on his accomplishments as an elected official? As far as I know, the only thing he’s done successfully is run an effective campaign. I also understand he voted “Present” 149 times last year during senatorial sessions. Please post your reply below. I’m sure you will have plenty of room.

By Eric

November 4, 2008 10:18 AM | Link to this

I don’t understand. How can an Islamic Socialist, with all of the power of the United States government, and a blank check to do what ever the hell it is he wants to do be scary?

He’s only scary if your work for a living, pay taxes, and are white. The rest of us will do just fine, thank you.

By Mr Snarky

November 4, 2008 10:18 AM | Link to this

Hey Sandra, quite a little screed you got there.

Why is it that the blue states are the ones with the best educational systems and test scores where the software companies start up? Hmmmm? Must be all those uneducated socialists cheating on tests. Sorry you hate your students and their parents so much…didn’t McCain also advocate using the bailout money to stop foreclosures?

By Funny

November 4, 2008 10:19 AM | Link to this

Judging by the content of this blog, America would strongly benefit from a social program like having to apply for a breeder’s license. Most of you wouldn’t qualify. It would take about 50 years, but most of the intellectually challenged would be “weeded out”.

Maybe Oliver Wendell Holmes, Jr.’s philosophies on compulsory sterilization should be enacted at birth.

By Tigerfan_in_GA

November 4, 2008 10:20 AM | Link to this

GREAT POST SANDRA AND RIGHT ON THE MARK!!!

By James

November 4, 2008 10:21 AM | Link to this

Thanks Obama voters. Its time to get on SSI and Welfare. Jay , I’m glad you are going to help support me. All I need to do now is stand on an interstate exit to help my cash flow. The next four years are going to great.

By Soixante huitard

November 4, 2008 10:22 AM | Link to this

Sorry Realisticus, you’re wrong. (Most of them [left wing nuts] have no ambition in their lifetime.)

Take me for example. I’m a hard-core leftist and one thing you definitely can’t accuse me of is a lack of ambition or of working hard (I’m a bit of a workaholic).

What, are you thinking that all leftists are lower class and unemployed or something?

C’mon now, get out your history book. You should know that leftists come disproportionately from the affluent upper middle classes.

By BDAtlanta

November 4, 2008 10:22 AM | Link to this

Allison, Sorry, I already called dibs on Sandra’s money!

By James

November 4, 2008 10:22 AM | Link to this

Thanks Obama voters. Its time to get on SSI and Welfare. Jay , I’m glad you are going to help support me. All I need to do now is stand on an interstate exit to help my cash flow. The next four years are going to be great.

By jim d

November 4, 2008 10:23 AM | Link to this

The only thing I find frightening is that regardless of how this day turns out, I fear we are in for a long night.

By Realisticus

November 4, 2008 10:23 AM | Link to this

Obama doesn’t scare me. But what scares the living hell out of me is the cabal of Obama, Pelosi, and Reid with a super-majority in the Senate.

By AF

November 4, 2008 10:25 AM | Link to this

Al in Atlanta at 8:19 am That was REALLY good.

Are you sure McCain ranked 894 out of 899 in his graduating class at the Naval Academy? That is (let me do the math real quick) the bottom 1%. No wonder he can’t deal with complex subjects like the economy, health care, taxation, energy policy, picking a qualified vice-presidential running mate, or running a campaign.

The Republican Party knew this? I mean, I know they are anti-intellectual, but, come on. The bottom 1%? The BOTTOM 1%? Maybe digits got transposed and he really graduated 489 out of 899. Then the Republicans could say he graduated “near the middle of his class”; that doesn’t sound so bad.

Any of you McCain supporters out there, did McCain really graduate in the bottom 1%?

By Kyle

November 4, 2008 10:26 AM | Link to this

Jay,

You have NAILED it… And some of the comments below your post are, quite frankly, unbelievable. I cannot fathom how so many in this state are supporting McCain because they’ve bought into the irresponsible and SHADY “fear mongering” of the Republican party. Intelligent educated Americans know that Sarah Palin is a JOKE and McCain is a confused old war monger with a horrible temper. Obama is intelligent and steady and has the perfect temperament to restore our country’s reputation in the world. God help this uneducated “Walmart Base” that is supporting McCain and the ex-sports anchor. I’m praying that by the end of the day they will have a President -elect who actually cares about them.

By Tigerfan_in_GA

November 4, 2008 10:26 AM | Link to this

GREAT POST SANDRA AND RIGHT ON THE MARK!!!

By PinkoNeoConLibertarian

November 4, 2008 10:26 AM | Link to this

To: Rickaroo at November 4, 2008 7:50 AM

You mean like we did under Bush 43? Why is it claimed that one is Clinton’s fault, but if it happens on Obama’s watch it will be Obama’s fault?

Hmmm…

By Herring

November 4, 2008 10:27 AM | Link to this

Legislated theft, Swami Dave? Your God & Savior just took $700 billion dollars of our money and gave it to guys who took two vacations right after their bailout. He also falsified pretenses for a war, and his oil buddies got no-bid contracts in Iraq.

Eat the rich.

By More Realistic

November 4, 2008 10:28 AM | Link to this

Too bad for you, Realisticus. We’ve already had to endure a “supermajority” of crooks, liars, and thieves from the GOP for 6 long, irreparably damaged years.

By blue

November 4, 2008 10:31 AM | Link to this

Eleanor; “What scares me is these right wing nuts who think they are always right and everyone else is wrong. Most of them have more money than they will ever spend in their lifetime and could care less about those who struggle on a daily basis but are doing everything they can to better themselves.” Yes, we right wing nut jobs always think we are right, unlike the left who are always saying “I think I’m wrong and you may have a valid point”. The left is SO much mor tolerant. And you are spot on that most of us “repugs” have more money than we will ever spend. I’ve got news for you; some of us ‘rethuglicans’ who make very good money do a LOT of good things with it. We pay for the sports fees and equipment for some underpriviliged kids, we recently paid fees for a single black mom to be able to move out of her run-down house into something better for her family, we send anonymous gift cards for groceries to families who are struggling. You just hold on to your little vision of how all of us evil, rich republicans are. I will continue to live my life by the adage “God will allow a lot of money to pass through your hands as long as you don’t let it all stick to your fingers”. And I will continue to help others. I just may have less ability to do so with the impending ‘redistribution’ to those who refuse to produce.

By Paul

November 4, 2008 10:34 AM | Link to this

Hey Bosch

Yesterday I posted an hilarious video of Ben Affleck on SNL doing a Keith Olbermann parody.

Link: Affleck Olbermann

If anyone’s scared I think it’d be the Olbermanns of the world who’ve made a living out of “I hate Bush.” Now that that gig’s ending, what’s a one-hit wonder to do?

About to go grab a 300-page novel and get in a voting line.

On second thought, I’d better grab two.

By Realisticus

November 4, 2008 10:35 AM | Link to this

Soixante huitard:

Exclude the ambitionless vote and left wing nuts would win damn few elections.

By RED

November 4, 2008 10:39 AM | Link to this

Blue, how nice of you. I work one full time and one part time job and am barely able to get by because of the high cost of rent and higher costs of college for my daughter.

Facts are facts, and the facts are that my wages have gone down in eight years because of inflation and the housing “boom”. So forgive me if I have little pity for your blessed situation.

By Taxpayer

November 4, 2008 10:42 AM | Link to this

What is an ambitionless vote? A person with no ambition probably doesn’t even know that there’s an election. Anyway, my wife and I have voted for Obama and the lines were short — less than 30 minutes to vote. We had a first at our site today — an observer.

By NOway

November 4, 2008 10:43 AM | Link to this

To all of the so-called “I’m scared of Obama” bloggers. To the Great Pretenders, I do not believe you at all. Sounds like another lie you’re telling just like the other ones you have told over and over again to patronize yourselves. With all of the multiple issues this country has faced and continues to face under the current administration, you want me to believe that you are scared of Obama? Please…give me a break. The truth is you are in denial and it hurts to be a loser and feel like one when you are of the mentality that you are the chosen ones. (like Mr. I am a descendant of Abraham Goldberg) I’m sorry for you, but it’s time to get over yourselves and deal with it b/c life will go on with or without you and the reality is if Obama is the next President, and I believe I hear the fat lady humming, can he really do any worse than the hand we have been dealt over the past 8-12 years? I highly doubt it. Just remember, NOBODY is in charge of your happiness but you.

Happy Election Day All….

By AmVet

November 4, 2008 10:43 AM | Link to this

Exclude the ambitionless vote and left wing nuts would win damn few elections.

Agreed.

And exclude the white trash vote and the right wing nuts would win no elections.

Off to vote for real change…

By tcoach

November 4, 2008 10:45 AM | Link to this

Some of you attack us who choose to support McCain. That is understandable, McCain is a member to a party that many of us had questions about. However for those of you who are die hard Obama fans and just think he is swell. Can you do this for me. List what it is you like about Obama, and his policies. Only challenge to it is try and do it without blaming Bush or McCain.

Just tell me what it is you think Obama has to offer, not why he is the4 lesser of 2 evils.

If you do think he is the lesser of 2 evils then say it. But if you are only voting for him to show the gop you are upset then you are doing a disservice to voting and what it means and the people who had to fight for your right to vote.

By David

November 4, 2008 10:46 AM | Link to this

Jay, I see you’ve applied your usual powers of journalism and have gotten the author of the article wrong. It’s David Limbaugh, not Jonah Goldberg. I guess that leg tingling a la Chris Matthews has you excited this morning.

By Soixante huitard

November 4, 2008 10:46 AM | Link to this

Realisticus: Exclude the ambitionless vote and left wing nuts would win damn few elections.

Oh, not necessarily. Large ‘blue’ states like NY, CA, NJ and IL usually vote left (Bloomberg excepted) and I’m quite confident those voting publics consist of just as many affluent and highly educated voters as the rabble you’re alluding to.

And for another example, just look at what’s happening in VA and NC (and eventually, this state) with highly educated professionals moving in at a rapid rate. The Republicans are in serious trouble in those areas. So, I don’t buy your argument - at all.

By BDAtlanta

November 4, 2008 10:48 AM | Link to this

AF at 10:25, It get’s worse. Johnny Mac would never have even gotten into the Naval Academy if his dad and grandfather hadn’t gone there before him.

Sounds kinda like W and Yale. Daddies pulling strings for the brats.

Obama got an academic scholarship. He worked to get where he is today. I’m still paying off my grad school degree so I kinda like that quality in a President too.

By CJ

November 4, 2008 10:49 AM | Link to this

blue @10:31, “I will continue to help others. I just may have less ability to do so with the impending ‘redistribution’ to those who refuse to produce.”

It is the borrow-and-spend Republicans who have redistributed money from future generations to themselves. Our $10 trillion national debt is taxation without representation on steroids. We have the so-called conservatives to thank for that.

By Realisticus

November 4, 2008 10:50 AM | Link to this

It’s pretty damn funny how you can say the most outrageous things on these comment boards and someone will always take the bait.

All you hard core reds and blues lighten up and quit being so damn hateful.

Now get back to work before your boss catches you surfing. ;-)

By getalife

November 4, 2008 10:54 AM | Link to this

The debate and this cycle is over.

Give it a rest.

Paulson wants more equity in more companies. Taiwan and China are partners. Chavez wants talks with Obama.

Lets get back to world events and support our new President.

By tcoach

November 4, 2008 10:57 AM | Link to this

How about Obama’s speech writer has came out and said she is voting for McCain.

Funny how the person who has possibly helped Obama win the election, and the one who wrote all the words you all fell in love with, that she does not even believe what Obama is saying and she is the one who wrote them.

By Lord Help Us

November 4, 2008 10:57 AM | Link to this

tcoach,

I am voting for Obama because I believe he will administer all facets of our gov’t competently…that he will work hard to improve education, help improve access to healthcare for all americans and that he will work to improve the air we breathe and the water we drink.

I also believe he will surround himself with the likes of some of his unbelievably talented advisers and supporters (like Colin Powell, Warren Buffett, Bob Rubin and others). His ability to gain the endorsements of some of the best economic and foreign policy people in this country speak volumes about him (but not so much to those that haphazardly make charges of socialism, marxism, radical, etc.).

Obama will govern (as Bill Kristol says) conventionally. Even John McCain, when asked by Larry King if he really believes Obama is a socialist, said, ‘NO.’

There you go, dude…

By jim d

November 4, 2008 10:57 AM | Link to this

At the end of the day, let’s hope we are still one nation. That my friends is what has separated us from the rest of the world for well over 200 years.

By Soixante huitard

November 4, 2008 10:57 AM | Link to this

Realisticus: Now get back to work before your boss catches you surfing

I am my own boss, and I’ve been looking over my own shoulder for some time now, questioning my own investment of time in this questionable activity. :-)

By Voldemort

November 4, 2008 10:59 AM | Link to this

“Sorry, but Obama scares me”

AKA Jonah and the Wail!

But, oops! Town Hall incorrectly attributed the piece to Jonah Goldberg, when, in fact, it was penned by David Limbaugh. None other than Rush’s brother. (No conflicts of interest in that op-ed!)

By Parrot10

November 4, 2008 11:03 AM | Link to this

Too bad Bookman doesn’t pay more attention to his work. Jonah Goldberg doesn’t even write for Townhall but for National Review and did not write the article. Unfortunately, Bookman will continue to be a tool anyway.

By Swami Dave

November 4, 2008 11:04 AM | Link to this

Herring:

Legislated theft, Swami Dave? Your God & Savior just took $700 billion dollars of our money and gave it to guys who took two vacations right after their bailout. He also falsified pretenses for a war, and his oil buddies got no-bid contracts in Iraq.

Let me help you Herring with a published definition: The act of stealing; specifically, the taking and removing of personal property, with an intent to deprive the rightful owner of the same; larceny.

The taking is theft whether you do it with a gun, with a club, with fraud, or by legislation. The Obama “tax cut” plan is simply legislated theft from the tax-paying productive class largely to the dependent class who have not federal income tax liabilities.

To your other point, my Lord and Savior physically left this planet (by still debated means) around 2000 years ago. I, unlike the dependent class, do not look to government for support. Personally, I disagreed with the bailout, but recognize that some action probably had to be taken (even if I happen to disagree with what they did).

Thanks for trying, but I’ll patiently await an attempt to actually dispute the premise instead of responding with tired talking points and generalizing assumptions.

-Swami Dave

By Soixante huitard

November 4, 2008 11:04 AM | Link to this

jim d: At the end of the day, let’s hope we are still one nation. That my friends is what has separated us from the rest of the world for well over 200 years.

Well put, mon ami.

By AmVet

November 4, 2008 11:05 AM | Link to this

Exclude the ambitionless vote and left wing nuts would win damn few elections.

Agreed.

And exclude the white trash vote and the right wing nuts would win no elections.

Off to vote for real change…

By nobama08

November 4, 2008 11:07 AM | Link to this

JAckass, he didnt even write the article you fool, but that has never stopped you from acting like an idiot.

By Stoneburner

November 4, 2008 11:08 AM | Link to this

Goldberg didn’t write the column, you yard ape.

By Hillbilly Deluxe

November 4, 2008 11:08 AM | Link to this

I went and voted this morning; took about 5 minutes. Oh the joys of rural living.

By Phil

November 4, 2008 11:09 AM | Link to this

On the one hand, it isn’t your fault that the byline was in error.

But if you pretend to know something about Jonah, shouldn’t the fact that the article wasn’t in character register with you?

Maybe you don’t know him as well as you think.

By dw

November 4, 2008 11:10 AM | Link to this

Bookman,

“mission accomplished”!!! You have helped bring about a new nation (The Socialist States of America) as the old one was so terrible that we needed drastic “change”.

By Shawny

November 4, 2008 11:11 AM | Link to this

Ok, that Goldberg is a nut. But here is a better piece of how Obama is fooling the people regarding taxes.

“Wouldn’t it be the height of irony if Barack Obama wins this election as the Ronald Reagan tax-cutter? His tax plans are severely flawed and his campaign narrative to support them is all wrong. And yet a recent Rasmussen poll shows that 31 percent of voters believe Obama is the real tax cutter, while only 11 percent choose McCain. “

The lemmings just keep lining up for the ‘chosen one’.

and more…” And Obama wants folks to believe that tax cuts caused this downturn? Not the credit shock? Not the Obama-supported government mandate to sell unaffordable homes to low-income people and the pressure on Fannie and Freddie to securitize these loans? Not the oil shock? “

By Bosch

November 4, 2008 11:13 AM | Link to this

Hey Paul! Happy Election Day!

I saw that on SNL the other night. It was the last thing I saw before going to bed, so I had that vision in my head when I went to sleep. Affleck was pretty funny at the end when he goes completely bonkers. The other Bosch didn’t know who Olbermann was, so I had to explain to her that he’s like the liberal version of Sean Hannity.

By tcoach

November 4, 2008 11:14 AM | Link to this

Lord help us I was not trying to p**s you off. I have been trying to get answers to this for a while.

From your answers you said you believe Obama will do this and that. What from his record or his actions has led you to believe he will do these things. Is it his voting record? Is it his transparent and truthful campaign? Is it his demeanor and eloquent speech during debates?

You should not be angry at someone for questioning your beliefs, it should excite you as an opportunity to strengthen and confirm your beliefs.

By Mr Snarky

November 4, 2008 11:16 AM | Link to this

Town Hall originally had the piece as by Jonah Goldberg. I know. I read it earlier. They appear to have corrected it, with a note of correction. To know that it wasn’t in Goldberg’s style doesn’t seem feasible to me, since most of those cons have the same ranting irrational style of writing with lots of certainty and truthiness.

By CJ

November 4, 2008 11:17 AM | Link to this

tcoach @10:45, “List what it is you like about Obama, and his policies. Only challenge to it is try and do it without blaming Bush or McCain. Just tell me what it is you think Obama has to offer, not why he is the4 lesser of 2 evils.”

• Obama will invest in our deteriorating infrastructure (e.g. highways, levies, bridges), which will have the added benefit of creating well-paying jobs and growing the economy.

• Obama will provide a non-profit health care alternative to the private market for those of us that are fed up with being gouged by for-profit corporate health insurers and big pharma.

• Will Invest heavily in clean and renewable sources of energy that won’t continue to threaten our water supply and kill the links in our food chain…especially solar, wind and geothermal energy.

• Will give us an opportunity to pay for college with community service to avoid burdening college grads with debt that takes decade to pay back (to the benefit of the banking industry).

• Richard Armitage (Colin Powell’s Deputy Sec. of State) said that it’s as important, if not more important, to talk to our enemies as it is to talk to our friends. Obama understands this.

• Obama understands that the growth of our national debt is unsustainable and will work to balance the budget that has doubled in the last 8 years.

• Obama will work to grow the middle class which will reduce crime rates, reduce abortion rates, reduce infant mortality rates, reduce tax rates over time (since more people will be paying) plus all the other benefits that come with having a large and stable middle class.

• He’ll negotiate and re-negotiate trade agreements to include enforceable wage and environmental standards so that American manufacturers can compete on an equal playing field and emerging economies don’t exacerbate our global environmental problems while growing their economies.

• Obama will work to keep the minimum wage high enough so that full-time low-skill workers can pay their bills (this will have the added benefit of CREATING jobs since low-income workers necessarily spend a larger portion of the incomes than high-income workers).

• Obama will focus his efforts on Afghanistan where the Taliban and al Queda are based.

I could go on all day, but I’ll stop there for now.

By Tony

November 4, 2008 11:24 AM | Link to this

A study just concluded that 98% of Americans with Dumbo ears are voting for B. Hussien oBAMA, no reason was given.

By tcoach

November 4, 2008 11:29 AM | Link to this

CJ, Those are all honorable and things that need to be looked at.
Some I feel like raising minimum wage just goes to us in the form of price increases. But anyway.

I will ask you the same thing I asked an earlier post.

What in Obama’s past or his voting record would indicate that he intends or will do these things?

Is it his voting record that leads you to believe these things or is it his trasnparent history he has given us all?

I understand that this is what you think he will do, but what n his record has shown he will do any of this?

Some votes a piece of legislation.

Also I notice that all but 1 of your list is extra spending for our budget, where is this new money gonna come from?

What parts of teh budget is he going to cut? Obama has been asked that question specifically and has never answered it. Has he not already looked at teh budget to know what needs to be cut?

I mean you listed 10 items and 8 of tehm grow teh budget. Something has to give right?

By Observer In Chief

November 4, 2008 11:41 AM | Link to this

What I think is really pathetic is how all of the these Republican posts are print form of exactly the same stuff I hear on Bill Bennett, Mike Gallagher, Glenn Beck, Hannity etc shows. It’s amazing how on my commute or I go out on a break and tune into talk radio (and I listen to a lot of Conservative talk radio - even though I’m not a Conservative), and come to these blogs to witness how readily you transcribe the stuff you heard on the radio to these blogs; representing it as your own.

It’s no wonder you guys are in such dissarray. You have spent the past 8 years subsribing to an ideology that says every word you speak will be a repetition of what comes from the Conservtive talking head’s mouth. And that is TRULY sad.

By Copyleft

November 4, 2008 11:42 AM | Link to this

What a huge surprise… Mr. “I just have one question” TCoach turns out to have a dozen follow-up questions, mostly based on the assumption that everything Obama has said is a lie or an impossible dream.

By tcoach

November 4, 2008 11:46 AM | Link to this

Guess you all saw how Palin was cleared of wrong doing in troopergate.

Did not see all of her haters speaking up and saying they were wrong in their accusations of her.

But then I remembered that liberals ethics only go as far as their own candidate. They themselves have none.

By @@

November 4, 2008 11:47 AM | Link to this

Although Goldberg didn’t write the article, I’ve no doubt your enthusiasm to target a Jew sent a tingle up your left leg.

Even if Goldberg had written it…..what right do you have, jay to make lite of a jewish concern.

Bookman……..That’s an American name, is it not?

What real suffering have you experienced under the freedoms you take for granted?

Is anti-semite on the list of names you will not tolerate O BenevOlent One?

BOOkman: A double-ought shot of liberal Ostentatiousness.

By Dottie

November 4, 2008 11:47 AM | Link to this

my prediction? the AJC won’t exist in print form for the 2012 election:)

Oh, and the tall black boy doesn’t frighten me, Just time for a little tax avoidance and evasion.

By Lord Help Us

November 4, 2008 11:52 AM | Link to this

tcoach, you asked a question and I answered it civilly. How did you go about making the assumption from my answer that it po’d me?

I agree with Obama’s positions on most issues (the Iraq War, where the focus of the war on terror should be, the things that he would do differently than the Bush administration, the need to expand healthcar, the environment, education, etc.). As stated above, I greatly admire the advisers he has surrounded himself with and who endorse him enthusiastically.

Even John McCain (when put on the spot) cannot defend his campaigns’ smearing of Obama as a Marxist and socialist. He essentially admitted that the thrust of his campaign was a hoax. Don’t you get that?!?!

Obama is not a Muslim, he is not a Marxist, he is not ‘radical…’

Obama is a good man, a good father and I believe he will be a very good President.

By tcoach

November 4, 2008 11:56 AM | Link to this

Copyleft, No I am trying to have a dialog.

I actually do care what my fellow American thinks and why?

You could careless about any one’s thoughts if they are different from yours.

I notice you did not give a list, could it be you do not yourself know why you are voting for Obama.

Also copy, your illiteracy is not of my problem, never said one question. I politely asked for a favor.

See you are no different than the far right wing religious nuts. You are only tolerate until someone disagrees with you. It is either your way or it is wrong. How are you so smart? It must be all the time you spend on here, in intelligent conversation.

So you have proven yourself to be nothing more than a narrow minded control freak.

See it is people like you why folks are scared. They are afraid to ask a question, because of people like you searching google all day for that one piece of evidence in your support.

Me you do not scare me because I am solid in my beliefs and understand that yours change as the democratic party changes theirs.

THINK FOR YOURSELF!!!!!!

By tcoach

November 4, 2008 12:09 PM | Link to this

lORD HELP US, That was indeed a mistake. I assumed(you know what that does) by your last line it was meant in a disrespectful nature. Then after reading back over I feared that I may have been a slight presumptuous.

For that I appologize:

To your other points you would be hard pressed to find anywhere I have accused Obama of being a Muslim or a Marxist.

I do think he is a radical in his voting history. Tax increases and I am Pro-life. I know that means most of you think I am a closed minded freak, but it is my belief because I understand the rights of the woman, but who speaks up for the rights of the baby. The baby never even asked to be created.

Abortion is something Obama is not in agreeance with me on but I have never nor never plan to vote for a candidate on that alone.

I also state that I feel the republican party made vast errors this election season. They should have been more agressive in some attacks while they should have left other topics off the table.

I ask again though what actions or proof do you have that Obama is a good man. What has he done to make you think he would be a good president. What decisions has he had to make, remember there are no present votes as president.

By Lord Help Us

November 4, 2008 12:23 PM | Link to this

tcoach,

I read Obama’s biography and have watched him over the last two years during this campaign. I see lots of evidence that he is a good man, a good father and truly loves this country. To think otherwise, one would have to make the assumption (and you know how that works) that the book, the speeches, the life story, the policies he supports…everything, is a sham.

I noticed you left out the socialist accusation in your last post. tcoach, even John McCain doesn’t believe Obama is a socialist ( yet has established this line of smears as a cornerstone of his candidacy).

Now, over to you. Why do you think McCain would be a good President. He voted against the Bush tax cuts (why isn’t he accused of being a Socialist?), he voted to approve Ruth Bader Ginsburg, he supports efforts to combat global warming, sponsored McCain Feingold, etc.

I am not Anti-McCain. I actually think he would be a good President. I do think his selection of Palin was for PR and I am disappointed that he has centered on non-issues (Ayers) and lies (Socialism, Maxism, Radical charges) to bolster his fading chances. The man has lost some of his hard earned respect, unfortunately…

I think Obama is better, period.

By CJ

November 4, 2008 12:24 PM | Link to this

tcoach @12:00 “Abortion is something Obama is not in agreeance with me on…”

For the record, Obama is against abortion (as most Dems are). It’s just that we don’t take the anti-conservative view that passing a law against activities we don’t like is the necessarily the solution to reducing or eliminating such activities.

In addition, with regard to our right to privacy, Dems take the conservative view that the Ninth Amendment to our Constitution is not a mere “inkblot” as judicial activist Robert Bork asserts.

Dems wants to reduce abortions, but we want to do it through education and by growing the middle class (which will also increase the tax base, reduce crime, poverty,…). Anti-abortion laws prior to Roe v. Wade were no more effective at reducing abortion than prohibition was at eliminating drinking during the early 20th century.

By Dottie

November 4, 2008 12:31 PM | Link to this

Will obama’s secret service call name be “buckwheat” ?

“Buckwheat is IN the crib, i repeat, Buckwheat is In the crib!”

By gadem

November 4, 2008 12:36 PM | Link to this

CJ, no matter how much you type, they will never get it. What they fail to realize is that existing abortion laws will never change…Bush and Co. had six years and did not even attempt…it is just a bone that the Republicans throw the religious right to get them stirred into a frenzy…I can not choose what someone else chooses to do with their body…I don’t want a child born adding an unnecessary burden to the already overtaxed public assistance system that we already have. I would like one McCain supporter to answer me how do they expect to get the national debt down and fight two wars without raising taxes? You all are the war mongers, that get aroused at the thought of an innocent life being killed as long as it is not in the womb…hypocrites!

By Mary M

November 4, 2008 12:43 PM | Link to this

Joke’s on Bookman. Goldberg didn’t write the article. David Limbaugh did.

By Brendan

November 4, 2008 12:44 PM | Link to this

Can you post a correction since JG did not actually write the article?

By jim d

November 4, 2008 12:45 PM | Link to this

Today, dear friends, we write history regardless of how you vote. As long as you do vote.

Can we at least show a little respect? Or is that asking much of this blog?

By GreenJeans

November 4, 2008 12:54 PM | Link to this

Goldie @ 9:07:

Archie and Edith, baby.

It’s Archie and Edith.

By Me Again

November 4, 2008 12:59 PM | Link to this

For the record, we DO NOT live in a democracy. We live in a constitutional republic. If you don’t understand the difference then you shouldn’t be allowed to vote. And no, you do not have a constitutional right to vote. And yes, Obama will do the unthinkable and raise taxes during a recession, just like FDR. You know how that worked out for him. FDR didn’t pull us from the Great Depression, WWII did. Look it up.

By Me Again

November 4, 2008 1:02 PM | Link to this

For the record, we DO NOT live in a democracy. We live in a constitutional republic. If you don’t understand the difference then you shouldn’t be allowed to vote. And no, you do not have a constitutional right to vote. And yes, Obama will do the unthinkable and raise taxes during a recession, just like FDR. You know how that worked out for him. FDR didn’t pull us from the Great Depression, WWII did. Look it up.

By tcoach

November 4, 2008 1:04 PM | Link to this

Lord, I voted for McCain because of history, one not shown in the election, of being someone who is willing to anger and go against teh members of his own party. McCain is also a person who has dedicated his life to the service of our country. He has been in some capacity, helping to make America greater for over 35 years. I feel tehre is something to be said for experience. I have been able to believe that McCain has a plan and ambition to go into DC and reform the political system. This is something he has sucessfully done in the past.
I feel at this fragile time in our history it is not important to be focused on right and wrong sides. This is soemthing both sides are over guilty of. In this time we do not need people to out party above policy. That is something McCain has a proven track record of. He has been able to get both parties to sit down and talk about issues.

Those are the reasons that I voted for McCain.

I do not like either health plan. This is why. The government, as stated by liberals and pro-choice on this blog, does not have the right to tell anyone what to do with their body. Then why should they be responsible for paying for it. If government helps pay for your healthcare they also have a plausible interest into what they are paying for. I never want the government to tell me what doctor to see or what procedure will be paid for.

I am opposed to all government invasion of our lives, they are not there to disable or to enable in my opinion.

Since McCain is for less government invasion then he gets my nod.

Why do you think the same people who screwed up what ever we put before them are now suddenly capable of deciding much of our lives.

By limited government

November 4, 2008 1:12 PM | Link to this

Mr. Snarky, Actually, I am outraged. Neither of the major parties does a very good job of upholding the Constitution. My personal hope is that we will one day live up to the ideals of the Declaration of Independence. It is amazing to me how many people do not really cherish freedom and instead desire a guarantee from the government.

Do you realize we live in a republic and not a democracy? When did you vote to have a progressive tax system? Do you realize how much the federal government has changed in the last century? Do you realize that 100 years ago, the most interaction the typical American had with the federal government was sending and receiving mail? Do you think it is a good idea to trust putting 20% of GDP in the hands of 537 elected officials?

By limited government

November 4, 2008 1:26 PM | Link to this

CJ,

You called me a “so-called conservative,” made assumptions about my positions on the Bush administration, and called me a free loader.

Can you find anything substantively incorrect with what I posted about Obama?

By Lord Help Us

November 4, 2008 1:31 PM | Link to this

tcoach,

McCain has perpetuated some outrageous lies and smears to try and revive his campaign. I would hope that his admission that Obama is not really a Socialist would cause you to pause for a moment…

The socialism, marxism, radical charge is the main one that I hear from vocal opponents of Obama. McCain himself admits it AIN’T true!!!!

Geez, man, his selection of Palin was a disaster, his ‘suspension of his campaign’ to come back to Washington to work on the $700B corp bailout was just plain dumb, his insistence on perpetuating some of the worst policies of the Bush Administration (like the war in Iraq is THE central front in the war on terrorism), give ME some pause about his capabilities as a leader.

Do these things bother you?

By tcoach

November 4, 2008 1:58 PM | Link to this

Lord help us, support your candidate. It shows you do not have to much to support your candidate with if you resort to attacking the other candidate. I also said in my last post that I think McCain’s campaign made some errors. However I feel you judge a man off of real life actions not words. What real life actions and tough decisions has Obama had to make.

Also I promise you do not want to play the ethics game. Do not forget that it was Obama who had and ran the most negative ads. For a guy that said he wanted to change the way politics worked he sure seemed to fall in line quite quickly. You did see Obama’s commercial for spanish speaking voters did you not. It had no fewer than 6 bold face lies. Even went as far as to place Rush Limbaugh and McCain as partners. If you did not know Rush and McCain do not get along to say it nicely.

If you must we can though.

Ask the people of Illinois if he kept the promise about taxes to them? No he lied

Ask those same people who he told I am not running for pres. in 2008? He lied

Ask people of chicago how violence there is? More people killed in chicago than in Iraq war this year. That is Obama’s district.

By Citizen of the World

November 4, 2008 1:58 PM | Link to this

limited government @ 1:12, one of the reasons government has changed in the last 100 years, i.e., gotten bigger, is because business has gotten bigger.

The industrial revolution gave rise to the “corporation,” which was awarded all the rights of an individual entity, but unfortunately not held to the same level of responsibility or accountability.

It soon became apparent that, as recent events have reminded us, government must serve as a watchdog to protect the public from the abuses of wealth and power — whether it comes in the form of labor exploitation, shady accounting practices, environmental destruction, urban blight, and lots of other stuff I don’t have time to go into now.

Chances are, if we went back to a largely rural, agrarian economy our government would shrink accordingly. Hopefully, we would still have enough of a government to ensure our rights against large landowners and rich merchants, but we wouldn’t need near as much as we do now.

By Fly_on_the_Wall

November 4, 2008 2:00 PM | Link to this

tcoach - the ‘finding’ that Palin was cleared of any wrongdoing was from the GOVERNOR APPOINTED committee so of course they found no wrongdoing. I think you need to look at the source - a personally appointed group or the other finding from BI-PARTISAN group.

By Susan

November 4, 2008 2:07 PM | Link to this

Tyler I think Jay has a history degree, not journalism, and since I have an accounting degree, I can tell you there is no such thing as a Fair Tax — never has been, never will be. MeAgain: everyone here knows we are a republic not a democracy- give it a rest.

By Lord Help Us

November 4, 2008 2:11 PM | Link to this

tcoach, if you do not wish to know the answer perhaps you should not ask the question.

Obama/Biden 08 - Good night, wingnuts…

By charlotte dawg

November 4, 2008 2:11 PM | Link to this

I guess America needs to relearn that centralized economic plans and bureaucrat guided distributions of seized private wealth destroys growth and wealth and only creates misery. We learned this in the 30’s, relearned it in the 70’s, and I guess it’s time to try it again.

Change we can believe in.

By tcoach

November 4, 2008 2:14 PM | Link to this

Fly on the Wall,

Monegan told The Associated Press on Monday that he was “perplexed and disappointed” by the report. It was prepared by Timothy Petumenos, an independent investigator for the Alaska Personnel Board.

Independant Investigator.

Why do you liberals only say a source is non-partisan if it finds the way you want it to.

Just be fair and honorable in your life. That’s all I ask attack, criticise, and question both candidates equally. Tha is something many of you cannot look yourself in the mirror and say you did this election season. Whoever wins, you have let your fellow country men down by doing so.

By AF

November 4, 2008 2:14 PM | Link to this

Socialism?

Were we a socialist country in the 50s, 60s, and 70s, when tax rates were higher on higher income people? The US economy experienced the greatest expansion of wealth and distribution of wealth the world had ever seen during that time. The distribution of wealth led to the growth of the middle class, more people had more money, they were buying more/better goods and services so businesses made money and added jobs. Everyone, including those highly taxed businesses and high income earners, prospered, despite the tax rates. Was that socialism or was that capitalism?

Both Republican and Democrat tax policy takes money from working people and all tax policy redistributes wealth. Is the income reduction of mortgage interest on home mortgages a socialist policy (“helping those who need help”) or a capitalist policy (stimulating the construction industry)? Are tax breaks for big oil socialism (government interference in capitalist markets) or capitalism, by stimulating oil exploration?

We used to have child labor, 12 hour work days, no worker safety regulations – pure capitalism does not care. Is implementing anti-child labor laws or worker safety regulations socialism?

Forget the fear mongering labels assigned by lieing political talking heads to whatever the “other” side said about a particular policy. Where are you willing to compromise between capitalism and realism?

By AF

November 4, 2008 2:20 PM | Link to this

Socialism?

Were we a socialist country in the 50s, 60s, and 70s, when tax rates were higher on higher income people? The US economy experienced the greatest expansion of wealth and distribution of wealth the world had ever seen during that time. The distribution of wealth led to the growth of the middle class, more people had more money, they were buying more/better goods and services so businesses made money and added jobs. Everyone, including those highly taxed businesses and high income earners, prospered, despite the tax rates. Was that socialism or was that capitalism?

Both Republican and Democrat tax policy takes money from working people and all tax policy redistributes wealth. Is the income reduction of mortgage interest on home mortgages a socialist policy (“helping those who need help”) or a capitalist policy (stimulating the construction industry)? Are tax breaks for big oil socialism (government interference in capitalist markets) or capitalism, by stimulating oil exploration?

We used to have child labor, 12 hour work days, no worker safety regulations – pure capitalism does not care. Is implementing anti-child labor laws or worker safety regulations socialism?

Forget the fear mongering labels assigned by lieing political talking heads to whatever the “other” side said about a particular policy. Where are you willing to compromise between capitalism and realism?

By Fly_on_the_Wall

November 4, 2008 2:28 PM | Link to this

Well said AF.

By charlotte dawg

November 4, 2008 2:29 PM | Link to this

AF,

Your economic analysis is off. The 50’s-70’s period was great for America not because of redistributive economics, but because we had no international competitors. Europe and Japan were utterly devastated after WW2. By the 1970’s they had recovered and our Keynesian economics brought on the late 70’s “malaise.”

Now the combined market capitalization of GM and Ford is $8 billion while Toyota’s alone is over $100 billion. The failure of GM and Ford coupled with the tremendous success of Toyota and other foreign car companies cannot reasonably be explained away by suggesting that our tax rates are too low while Japan’s is sufficiently high.

By Eric

November 4, 2008 3:02 PM | Link to this

Wouldn’t it be more honest to post the Update that Jonah Goldberg didn’t write the column that your entire column is about at the TOP of your column rather than the BOTTOM? After all, that unfortunate fact essentially negates your entire column.

By JAY BOOKMAN

November 4, 2008 3:11 PM | Link to this

Good suggestion, Eric. See above.

By CJ

November 4, 2008 3:18 PM | Link to this

“Keynesian economics brought on the late 70’s ‘malaise.’”

OPEC brought on the late (and early) 70’s malaise.

There’s nothing Keynesian about the price controls on gasoline implemented by Republicans Nixon and Ford and lifted (albeit gradually) by Carter and Reagan. Once such controls were lifted, gas prices rose dramatically, Carter’s fuel efficiency standards kicked in, gasoline consumption fell, OPEC weakened…malaise over.

By limited government

November 4, 2008 3:25 PM | Link to this

Citizen of the World The federal budget is nearly 10 times the size it was 100 years ago because of corporations?

Have you examined the federal budget to see where the money is being spent?

Mandatory Spending, at $1.412 trillion in FY 2006, is over half of the U.S. Federal Budget. The largest mandatory spending programs are Social Security and Medicare, as follows:

How are these explained by the growth of business?

By Me Again

November 4, 2008 3:35 PM | Link to this

Susan @ 2:07pm -

Not everyone here knows we live in a republic. See Mr Snarky @10:06am. I think since you have an accounting degree, and I have an MBA, I find it odd that I understand the Fair Tax and you don’t. Maybe you should open your mind and think a little bit about what fairness means. While you are at it, why not explain to me how a progressive income tax is fair? Or anyone for that matter.

By Citizen of the World

November 4, 2008 4:12 PM | Link to this

In response to your question, limited government @3:25 — I was trying to give an overview, without much time and admittedly with an incomplete (hence the etc.) explanation, that it’s changes to our way of life, due in part to industrialization and the rise of big business, that have created the need for bigger government. Some of our government came from the need to protect citizens from the abuses of wealth and power. Some of our government came from the need to protect ourselves or other countries from aggression. Some of the social programs you suggest could very well have come from another offshoot of industrialization, increased mobilization of the workforce, which fragmented families and weakened the social safety net provided by stable communities. Some came from our need to have a healthy, educated populace to provide us with the kind of workforce we need in an increasingly technological culture. Some came about through medical advances that kept our old people alive longer, so they needed help to keep from starving to death beyond their more productive years.

It’s all quite complex, but I still maintain that it’s industrialization, directly or indirectly, that primarily brought about the need for a bigger government. You and I weren’t alive during those sweatshop, mill town and urban tenement days, but the abuses were horrible.

Rich people and businesses have their wealth and power to protect them. Government’s job is to serve those who have no wealth and power. Not through handouts — Democrats don’t believe in that anymore than Republicans do despite what the talk radioheads keep saying — but through government protections and programs that serve the common good — an educated, healthy, productive, secure population.

By charlotte dawg

November 4, 2008 5:07 PM | Link to this

CJ,

Is it your contention that the late 70’s economic problems were solved by lower gas prices and CAFE restrictions? Seriously? the “malaise” of the late 70’s was not “over” after gas prices went down. And yes, the Keynesian policies of Nixon and Ford failed just like every other President who tried them. “Stimulus packages” are nothing but moving piles of dirt around from one place to another and produces zero growth. In fact given the inherent inefficiencies of gov’t it destroys value which is precisely why America’s Depression became a GREAT Depression in the 30’s. Unemployment in the late 30’s was over 25%.

A New New Deal. Change we can believe in.