Mark Cubin has a wonderful post explaining his decision to vote for Barack Obama, the President-elect – Proud To Be An American.

What Obama brings:

“Its simple. Having an elected black President will do more to energize this country than any economic or social policy ever could. In a single day of voting, our amazing country once again reinvigorated the dream that any child in this country, no matter what circumstances they are born into, can grow up to be anything they want, including President of the United States.

That dream, staying viable, being reinvigorated, will do more for this country than any economic policy or any legislation that could ever be passed.

I have said it before, the power of the American Spirit is what separates our country from every other. We have been able to overcome the stupidity that politicians do every year, and will do for ever more. The election of Barack Obama is a shot of adrenaline for those who felt they could never participate in the American Dream.

This is the very reason why so many young voters made it out to the polls, to cast their voice. They felt a part of this system of ours, something they have a say in, a direction they could choose.

While Cubin does not agree, or like, the Economic plan Obama has laid out, he argues that it is not nearly as important as what he truly brings to the table:

“As any successful CEO will tell you, leadership, vision and motivation has far more impact on results than any tax cut or increase. While I prefer lower taxes, I can tell you that no entrepreneur or CEO worth a damn in this country gives up or works less because of a change in tax policy. In this country you work harder to achieve your dreams and goals.

One should not run their life or business based on taxes. Would someone passionate about their business close down their doors simply because of tax increases? No. Would they re-evaluate things? Sure. But that is business as usual. You have to be nimble and agile.

It is time to ignore the lies and realize that we control our fate. No system or individual can stop us from doing as we please or dictating the direction we wish to proceed in.

I too agree that Obama’s Economic plan may be unsettling, but what Cubin notes is true – Obama is awe inspiring.

Happy Counterterrorism Day

Guy Fawkes, Guy Fawkes, ’twas his intent
To blow up the King and Parliament.

“George Washington banned the celebration of Guy Fawkes Day in America because he saw it as a way for the state to use a terrorist act as an excuse to hoard power and torture.” via Reddit.com

Ron Paul’s Realtime Donation Graphs and Statistics for Q4

Poll Finds Americans Pessimistic, Want Change

Overwhelmingly, Democrats want a new direction, but so do three-quarters of independents and even half of Republicans. Sixty percent of all Americans said they feel strongly that such a change is needed after two terms of the Bush presidency.

Wobbled by Wealth?

The agonizing truth about CIA renditions

The fate of prisoners secreted away under the Bush administration is in some ways worse than even Hollywood has portrayed.

The Imperial Presidency

On Jan. 31, 2001, soon after taking office, Bush held a cabinet meeting. When he entered the room, one chair was empty: the secretary of state’s. “Lock the door,” Bush said. A few minutes later Colin Powell could be heard trying the doorknob. The room “erupted with laughter.” Then Bush ordered the door unlocked. He “had made his point,” Draper says; Powell was “not the big dog any longer.” That the president of the United States would want to show how important he was by humiliating Colin Powell speaks volumes.

The web is a buzz over Rudy Giulianis new radio ad campaign in New Hampshire this week. Here is the quote that is the target of discussion:

“I had prostate cancer five, six years ago. My chance of surviving cancer — and thank God I was cured of it — in the United States: 82 percent. My chances of surviving prostate cancer in England: only 44 percent under socialized medicine.” via WashingtonPost.com

The issue people have with the quote are not only with the numerical fallacies, but that Giuliani was covered by a government healthcare plan at the time of his treatment.

Giuliani’s fear mongering is despicable to me. Do people actually believe these lies? Or is that they just want to?

Paul Krugman sums it up nicely:

“Mr. Giuliani’s claim is wrong on multiple levels — bogus numbers wrapped in an invalid comparison embedded in a smear.” via Prostates and Prejudices, NYTimes.com

Healthcare is simple to me. What reasoning could there be to deny anyone the care they deserve?