Obviously the intended significance of redistribution over the last few weeks by the candidates for president is the 2nd definition. They want to paint a picture of themselves or their opponents by using historically charged paint. On one end of the color spectrum, there is full blown state ownership and control of resources, and on the other end there is unrestricted, unregulated completely free markets.

When we are talking about economics, the above ends of the color spectrum are commonly referred to as liberal or conservative. Liberal means that the government is big– it has (is given, by voters) the power to spend money on (hopefully) what its people needs. Conservative means that government is small–it has(is given, by voters) less or no power to spend money, in hopes that the market and individuals will takes are of thier own needs. My suggestion is that you try and decide what you think about the issue before you worry about how you or others will apply this label to you.

Do we risk our, the people’s, resources in the hands of the government and fight continually for those resources to be spent in proper, good, just ways? Do we, the people, not allow government to control spending and therefore rely on ourselves to spend money in proper, good, and just ways?

If you really look at Barack Obama and John McCain, neither one is really that fiscally conservative nor liberal. Certainly Barack looks to be the bigger spender and therefore will require more money to accomplish that. Before you jump on or off that wagon, realize that McCain’s spending plan isn’t really that much less. The question, at least for me, is more about how these men are wanting to spend the people’s money. If you really want to keep your money, look to Ron Paul.

Here is my real point: Please, please, please spend your money in a way that brings justice to this time and place that we call today on planet Earth. Evaluate for yourselves the role and potential of government and vote/write letters accordingly. In your private or public life, look at all that you have and think of the good you, or we, can do with that.

May the Lord’s will be done,

CWillZ

Palin is a gamble, and not the best choice.  She is not ready to be president.  What is more immediately important to McCain is that she isolates independents and even some more moderate republicans (like Colin Powell).

So what to do, Johhny? The best thing would be to cut your losses with Palin, invite her to be a Cabinet member, and pick up Mike Pence (R-IN).  Pence is a people’s conservative that possesses common sense and actual experience.  That is not to mention that he represents a state not unlike most the states in which the battle for the votes is feircest. (Polls of IN indicate almost a dead tie – we have not given our electoral votes to a Dem since LBJ).

Roll the dice one more time you old gambler.

Pence not Palin. Do it quickly! If you don’t you will lose.  If you win with Pence, even the most worried Dems would much rather have him in office than Palin.

May the Lord’s will be done,

CWillZ

Expected result: I thought that Biden would make a fool of himself and then clarify.  I thought that Palin would speak clearly and then make a fool of herself.

What happened: Surprisingly, both showed good tact and presented their cases with more confidence and discipline than I expected.  This debate was easier to watch than last week’s bout between McCain and Obama.  These two people can look at each other in the eyes when speaking.

Major Issues Discussed:  the Economy, Iraq, Afganistan, Israel, Pakistan, Darfur / the Sudan, U.S. giving to foriegn aid, voting records, civil unions…

The winner: Like last week, people will think the person that won is the person they expected to win before it started. 

Final conclusion: I don’t understand how Joe Biden’s eyebrows go back and up like they do.  I also felt funny when Sarah Palin winked at me.  My hat is off to both of them for their performance in disciplined speech and their ability to instill confidence.

May the Lord’s will be done,

CWillZ

The primaries and pre-primary debates were fun to watch because of the ideas and sense of togetherness that competetion within the same parties could bring. It was great to watch people sharpen themseles and share the distinctive ways they saw issues.  These were days where talking about politics had a general sense of “Yes, but [the issue is different/can be best addressed this way/is not that simple]“.

The past few weeks have turned from “yes, but…” to “no, and [some insult to the other party or candidate/you kicked your dog as a kid]“.  This is getting old.  I wanted these candidates because they are thinkers and moderates who I think will acutally represent the American people.

Arguing ad hominem over commercials is damaging.  I wish both Barack and John would become a little more “elitist” and not stoop so low to cut each other.  In my opinion, they are going to need each other over the next 4 years.