[From Dick Robertson,2008.09.15.1120 CST]
From Jim Wuwert 2008.09.14.1758EST
OK, I think you are sort of answering my question, the one I said you didn’t answer the first time around. Although–since you don’t put in the header-- it is difficult to be sure just to whom you are speaking. Anyway, I assume you don’t mean to be taken completely literally, becuase no one could “guarantee me on the 1st day in office that they would cut government spending by 50%.” First, because about the only way to Guarantee something like that would be to do it, and no law can be passed in one day.
> I think that you are operating under the assumption that what they say they will do they will do. *
It’s not clear to whom you are speaking here, Jim. If you are speaking to me (Dick R) then I must tell you, you misunderstand me on this point.
> I think Bush let us down in many ways by increasing spending. I don’t think anyone on the democratic (i.e. Obama/Biden) ticket will decrease spending because they have a history of being tax and spend people.
OK, this is pretty good, as I see it because you are going beyond saying you have these gut feelings. You offer a kind of evidence – past history – Not the best evidence IMHO, but evidence of a sort.
It does raise the question of how you would compare a “tax ans spend” approach, with a “Cut tax and borrow approach.”
>I think McCain/Palin will reduce spending or at least advocate for that concept.
You THINK, OK, but you offered your evidence in the previous case – would you say that you are again using history as evidence for reaching your conclusion? Or something else?*
> In this situation I only have two choices–well I guess I could try the libertarian candidate, but I don’t think he has a realistic shot at getting anything done. *
>It seems that you are unsatisfied with my response about one candidate matching my picture better than the other. Why does that bother you?
*It doesn’t bother me Jim, I judged it as not answering my question, which was, “What would make you reverse your loyalty?” Understand I wasn’t trying to get you to do that. I just wanted to know ON WHAT BASIS? What evidence do you make your choices on, or are you satisfied to go on “Gut Feelings?” Again, don’t think I am judging using gut feelings, a lot of people don’t really know why they make their decisions, but they are satisfied with their gut feelings. I don’t operate that way myself (at least I don’t think so), and I am interested in knowing how that works for people who do. *
I also say your answer this time, although closer to answering my question was a sorta, because the criterion you posed is impossible in the real world, so either you wany me to not take you completely literally–in which case I must still say you haven’t given a concrete anser–or else you are really saying indirectly that there is Nothing that would make you change your mind. In the latter case I’m wondering whether you believe you have incontravertible evidence (So what is it?) or else you are a “go by my gut feelings person.”
So?? Again, I hope you are not reading me as trying to subtly get you to change your position. I just want to know.
*Remember this started when Rick said he wanted to know how people who reach conclusions so opposite to his, and I accused him of giving you a loaded questionl **
> Media influences what we believe about each candidate. How well do we really know each person? How are you so convinced that OBAMA is who he is and is not who the other side (i.e. republicans) says he is? It seems that you may be frustrated with how much influence the media has on the portrayal of our political candidates. *
Who is the “you” to whom you are reffering here? If you are addressing me (DR) personally, I don’t know where you got that idea. I accept that the media (all of it, blogs, fact check, the big magazines and newspapsers, etd.) deliver the information and misinformation from which I have to form my opinions. I’m not privy personally to any of the major players.
- Like it or love it–it is how it is. Being able to get to know a candidate fully is very difficult. Even if you had that opportunity, how do you know that you are not being played by either side? Only time will tell. Unfortunately, we do not have a trial period for president. We have to vote based on what we think he/she may do.*
Agreed.*
> I choose to place my future in the hands of McCain/Palin because I have faith that they will get the job done the way I want it done. I could be wrong about them, but I am willing to take a risk in that direction. I am not willing to do that with Obama. *
Ah, at last I think you give your position: THere is no grounds upon which I would change me opinion.*
> Does that answer your question? *
NO. Surely you remember that back in grade school, in English grammar, when they introduced the Subjunctive case, they discussed '“conditions contrary to fact.” Now for you the possibility of finding a reason to vote for Obama would be a “condition contrary to fact.”
But that is just what I was asking you to entertain. I wasn’t asking you to vote for Obama, I was asking you how you deal with hypotheticals–so you would share with us how your mind works. Anyone with an IQ above about 85 can deal with hypotheticals. Obviously, based upon the evidence of your posts you IQ is clearly way beyond that.
OK?*
