|
|
Post by Cambist on Mar 5, 2008 8:01:04 GMT -5
Now that we have a Republican nominee and the Democratic party is getting down to brass tacks, let's drill down a bit.
What issues concern you most? What would you like to see done about it?
Please share your ideas and thoughts.
|
|
|
|
Post by Prissy New Year!!! on Mar 5, 2008 9:21:45 GMT -5
I am concerned with affordable health care. I like Obama's plan over Hillary's, I don't want it mandated, I only want it affordable.
I am concerned with gas prices. We can clone animals, we can send folks to the moon, we can access any information we want within milliseconds thanks to the world wide web, but we can't come up with alternate fuel sources? I don't buy it. I don't want to continue to be slaves to OPEC...which brings me to my next point...
I am so sick of politicians who show more loyalty to lobbyists than to the people they were elected to represent.
I am concerned with the housing crisis. If something is not done about these record setting foreclosures, the housing market will collapse.
I have more, but those are just my top 4.
|
|
|
|
Post by No Screen Name on Mar 5, 2008 10:34:16 GMT -5
IT'S THE ECONOMY, STUPID! (Not YOU, Cam...  ) To me, if the ECONOMY isn't right, NOTHING can get right. You can't get education right--and what's the point of having a bunch of well-trained, JOBLESS folks?  You can't get crime right--crime is going to increase if the economy's bad and people are looking for ways to make a quick buck. It doesn't even make sense to waste time talking about social issues like gay marriage, abortion, etc. if people are trying to figure out how to pay their bills. The housing crisis and gas prices are big concerns, but they all link back to the ECONOMY. |
|
|
|
Post by Bunny Hop on Mar 5, 2008 11:17:50 GMT -5
I'm concerned with health care. It sucks that people have to gamble with their health because they can't afford to pay the premiums, cost of medicine, co-pays, etc.
I'm totally for alternative fuel sources and a lot of that is because the big picture of my research deals directly with biofuels and more specifically a type of ethanol. The thing that people don't understand is that it will take MANY years for it to get to the point where you can just go to any gas station and get it and even then all cars aren't compatible. It takes like 15-20 years to get a drug on the market and it may take that long time for alternative fuels sources to be readily available. But trust there is A LOT of time, money, and energy going into R&D for alternative fuels...you would be amazed, lol.
I don't know too much about the housing crisis but I'm going to start looking at that because I'm thinking in the next few years I should purchase a condo or house.
The war is a concern to me too. It pisses me off that people are still being sent over there and I feel like so much more could be done with a lot of the money were spending. I never thought we should have gone to war in the first place.
|
|
|
|
Post by Champs Elysees on Mar 5, 2008 11:33:56 GMT -5
IT'S THE ECONOMY, STUPID! (Not YOU, Cam... ) To me, if the ECONOMY isn't right, NOTHING can get right. You can't get education right--and what's the point of having a bunch of well-trained, JOBLESS folks? You can't get crime right--crime is going to increase if the economy's bad and people are looking for ways to make a quick buck. It doesn't even make sense to waste time talking about social issues like gay marriage, abortion, etc. if people are trying to figure out how to pay their bills.
The housing crisis and gas prices are big concerns, but they all link back to the ECONOMY. |
|
|
|
Post by No Screen Name on Mar 5, 2008 11:42:56 GMT -5
I'm totally for alternative fuel sources and a lot of that is because the big picture of my research deals directly with biofuels and more specifically a type of ethanol. The thing that people don't understand is that it will take MANY years for it to get to the point where you can just go to any gas station and get it and even then all cars aren't compatible. It takes like 15-20 years to get a drug on the market and it may take that long time for alternative fuels sources to be readily available. But trust there is A LOT of time, money, and energy going into R&D for alternative fuels...you would be amazed, lol I know you're the expert bunny, and not me (I was NOT a science buff--I never even took Chemistry) but I am skeptical as to how they say "Oh, the alternative fuels aren't ready". I watched "Who Killed the Electric Car", and so much technology has been developed, bought out by oil companies such as Chevron, and squelched. There are a lot of people now running "Grease Cars"--diesel cars converted to run on used restaurant grease. I ran into a guy who had one once, and I swear to you the exhaust coming out of the tailpipe smelled just like a barbecue!  Also, I find is suspicious that oil companies such as BP have solar divisions. Why? My boyfriend's area of research is photovoltaics, and he says he won't work for companies like that, because they'll just steal his research and keep it surpressed until the absolute last drop of oil is squeezed from the earth. |
|
|
|
Post by CrimsonENDvy on Mar 5, 2008 11:43:42 GMT -5
My biggest concern right now is healthcare, hands down. It's a problem when people lack empathy for others in turn for money. Insurance companies and the drug industry are getting out of hand. I don't think we should have a free for all, and I do understand we have to account for inflation, but seriously, if you work you should be able to pay when you get sick. The trickle down effect that ends up costing the consumer outrageous prices is ridiculous. Also, have you seen gas lately? I have a freaking Mazda 626 that used to take 18 dollars to fill up. You know what it took me last weekend? Forty five dollars and ninety nine cents!! Yeah, ninety nine! You know how sometimes when the gas pump clicks, and you put a little more gas in there just for good measure? I couldn't even stomach doing that this time. You would think the government would WANT to find alternative energy sources to keep us from having to pay SO much at the gas station. But they're dragging their heels, and it's strange to me. |
|
|
|
Post by CrimsonENDvy on Mar 5, 2008 11:47:17 GMT -5
I'm totally for alternative fuel sources and a lot of that is because the big picture of my research deals directly with biofuels and more specifically a type of ethanol. The thing that people don't understand is that it will take MANY years for it to get to the point where you can just go to any gas station and get it and even then all cars aren't compatible. It takes like 15-20 years to get a drug on the market and it may take that long time for alternative fuels sources to be readily available. But trust there is A LOT of time, money, and energy going into R&D for alternative fuels...you would be amazed, lol. I was watching a special the other day about alternative fuels, and they were saying ethanol isn't that great of one. It takes a lot of energy to extract ethanol out of corn, and in the process we are creating waste in the form used coal, smoke, greenhouse gases, etc. Solar energy all the way lol! Or maybe hydrogen powered cars. I never understood how that could be safe though, with it being so combustible. |
|
|
|
Post by DamieQue™ on Mar 5, 2008 11:59:22 GMT -5
My thing is this Cam
- The Economy always has and always will be an issue
- Healthcare always has and always will be an issue
- Immigration always has and always will be an issue
- Security always has and always will be an issue
Every candidate, every doggone one can tell you a story about someone who has lost their house, or can't find a job, or can't afford health care, or have some issue immigration, or have some problem with small business growth, or have concerns about terrorism.
They also had them last election. They also had them the election cycle before that. And you know what? They had them the election cycle before that.
We continue to get the same results because we continue to put the same people with the same style of campaigning and governance in power. I WANT SOMETHING DIFFERENT. I want a new approach, not just to governance but to campaigning. If it turns out that THAT new thing doesn't work... what does it cost us? We end up with the same problems we would have had anyway if we had just gone with the status quo.
I want a PARADIGM shift. Not the 2008 version of 2004's, and 2000's, and 1996's, and 1992's, and 1988's empty campaign stories and promises.
|
|
|
|
Post by Bunny Hop on Mar 5, 2008 13:12:26 GMT -5
I'm totally for alternative fuel sources and a lot of that is because the big picture of my research deals directly with biofuels and more specifically a type of ethanol. The thing that people don't understand is that it will take MANY years for it to get to the point where you can just go to any gas station and get it and even then all cars aren't compatible. It takes like 15-20 years to get a drug on the market and it may take that long time for alternative fuels sources to be readily available. But trust there is A LOT of time, money, and energy going into R&D for alternative fuels...you would be amazed, lol. I was watching a special the other day about alternative fuels, and they were saying ethanol isn't that great of one. It takes a lot of energy to extract ethanol out of corn, and in the process we are creating waste in the form used coal, smoke, greenhouse gases, etc. Solar energy all the way lol! Or maybe hydrogen powered cars. I never understood how that could be safe though, with it being so combustible. Yep, people are looking at other sources for ethanol because of that. There are 2 gas stations by my apt that sale the two kinds of ethanol that you can get. I had to look up and see if I could use it in my car and then when I finally broke down and tried it I didn't really like it, lol. I'm really funny about the gas I put in my car anyway. I may keep trying it though....I feel kind of bad being so for alternative fuels and then not even wanting to use it in my car. |
|
|
|
Post by Bunny Hop on Mar 5, 2008 13:23:16 GMT -5
I'm totally for alternative fuel sources and a lot of that is because the big picture of my research deals directly with biofuels and more specifically a type of ethanol. The thing that people don't understand is that it will take MANY years for it to get to the point where you can just go to any gas station and get it and even then all cars aren't compatible. It takes like 15-20 years to get a drug on the market and it may take that long time for alternative fuels sources to be readily available. But trust there is A LOT of time, money, and energy going into R&D for alternative fuels...you would be amazed, lol I know you're the expert bunny, and not me (I was NOT a science buff--I never even took Chemistry) but I am skeptical as to how they say "Oh, the alternative fuels aren't ready". I watched "Who Killed the Electric Car", and so much technology has been developed, bought out by oil companies such as Chevron, and squelched. There are a lot of people now running "Grease Cars"--diesel cars converted to run on used restaurant grease. I ran into a guy who had one once, and I swear to you the exhaust coming out of the tailpipe smelled just like a barbecue! Also, I find is suspicious that oil companies such as BP have solar divisions. Why? My boyfriend's area of research is photovoltaics, and he says he won't work for companies like that, because they'll just steal his research and keep it surpressed until the absolute last drop of oil is squeezed from the earth. oooh I am so not an expert, lol. I wish I was though! I see what you're saying though. Your post just made me think of an article I read. I can see where your BF is coming from. Your work becomes the property of where ever you work and people are selfish and will step all over you and/or put their name all over your stuff. I'm gonna have to check out that video though. Was it online? or do you have to rent it? |
|
|
|
Post by No Screen Name on Mar 5, 2008 13:34:38 GMT -5
I got it on demand. You can probably rent it, and you can see trailers online. It's a really eye-opening movie. Please take a look at it when you get a chance.
Converting a regular diesel car to a "Grease Car" is super-duper easy, and costs about $500. Restaurants have to pay to get their used grease hauled away, so they're generally glad to give it to you for free.
The guy who showed me his grease car had bottles of the stuff in the trunk of his car.
The diesel engine, designed by a German man named Diesel, was originally designed to run off of plant-based fuels anyway. The engine was first designed for farm equipment, and Mr. Diesel felt it would be good that farmers could actually grow their own fuel from corn or soybeans. However, oil companies found that they could use diesel fuel, which is actually a byproduct of some type, and using the biofuels never really caught on.
|
|
|
|
Post by CrimsonENDvy on Mar 5, 2008 13:39:40 GMT -5
I was watching a special the other day about alternative fuels, and they were saying ethanol isn't that great of one. It takes a lot of energy to extract ethanol out of corn, and in the process we are creating waste in the form used coal, smoke, greenhouse gases, etc. Solar energy all the way lol! Or maybe hydrogen powered cars. I never understood how that could be safe though, with it being so combustible. Yep, people are looking at other sources for ethanol because of that. There are 2 gas stations by my apt that sale the two kinds of ethanol that you can get. I had to look up and see if I could use it in my car and then when I finally broke down and tried it I didn't really like it, lol. I'm really funny about the gas I put in my car anyway. I may keep trying it though....I feel kind of bad being so for alternative fuels and then not even wanting to use it in my car. Yeah that's pretty bad lol! |
|
EXcalibur Augie
OOA Interest
You would think I'd be able to stop by now.
Posts: 132 
|
Post by EXcalibur Augie on Mar 7, 2008 16:09:11 GMT -5
Now that we have a Republican nominee and the Democratic party is getting down to brass tacks, let's drill down a bit. What issues concern you most? What would you like to see done about it? Please share your ideas and thoughts. 1. Economy - 46 dollars to fill up my car and it used to be 21. Anytime I call customer service PUN JAB answer the phone. And they increased, by double digits, the price of EVERYTHING, while creeping minimum wage up. 2. War- Lets just go. I mean seriously their country is theirs to run, yeah we owe aid after all we blew it the hell up, but that aid shouldn't come at the price of American lives. Civil war historically has always been how countries create democracies. 3. Immigration - Okay seriously we running out of room. Not to be prejudice against anyone but damnit this is NOT the free cheese line, so if shit is bad in your country, this ain't streets paved with gold. We all have problems, so go back to your country and fix yours. 4. College costs - 6 to 10% percent a YEAR WTF! 5. Education - we can't compete on a global scale because our educational system rewards mediocrity. You can pass if you go to Summer school or BE PASSED once you 2 grades behind, wth now wonder we can't get engineers, scientists, and technologists. Really for me all this is even, they need to come with it. Cause this is just ridiculous. |
|
EXcalibur Augie
OOA Interest
You would think I'd be able to stop by now.
Posts: 132
|
Post by EXcalibur Augie on Mar 7, 2008 16:10:05 GMT -5
My biggest concern right now is healthcare, hands down. It's a problem when people lack empathy for others in turn for money. Insurance companies and the drug industry are getting out of hand. I don't think we should have a free for all, and I do understand we have to account for inflation, but seriously, if you work you should be able to pay when you get sick. The trickle down effect that ends up costing the consumer outrageous prices is ridiculous. Also, have you seen gas lately? I have a freaking Mazda 626 that used to take 18 dollars to fill up. You know what it took me last weekend? Forty five dollars and ninety nine cents!! Yeah, ninety nine! You know how sometimes when the gas pump clicks, and you put a little more gas in there just for good measure? I couldn't even stomach doing that this time. Man I forgot that on my list...healthcare! Raise your hand if you say the country needs a complete overhaul cause its really fucked??? You would think the government would WANT to find alternative energy sources to keep us from having to pay SO much at the gas station. But they're dragging their heels, and it's strange to me. |
|
|
|
Post by MochaD on Mar 9, 2008 4:23:12 GMT -5
|
|
|
|
Post by FULLOFME on Mar 9, 2008 14:26:20 GMT -5
I agree the economy sucks and healthcare is definitely ridiculous. I would want to make sure that the government issued health insurance is comparable to private health insurance or else we will be limited by what doctors will accept it and in turn have to wait months for doctor's appointments. The whole gas issue is just ridiculous. I saw on CNN that oil was $28 a barrel before the Iraq invasion and here it is now at $160 a barrel..just who the hell do we have running this country, Bush is 1 dumbass but cotdamn let's identify his dumbass cohorts because he has to have the majority agree with his dumbass to create these messes...
|
|
|
|
Post by No Screen Name on Mar 9, 2008 16:49:52 GMT -5
What gets me about Bush is that RIGHT AFTER September 11th, someone asked him if he was going to ask people to cut back their oil consumption or ask people to buy more fuel-efficient cars and leave the SUV's alone in the wake of rising oil prices. He said he wasn't going to ask anyone to give up ANYTHING. He looks like such a dumbass to me.
Believe it or not, there are still conservatives wandering around saying being concerned about conserving fuel is useless, that we've got more than enough (one such idiot works at my job).
|
|
)
You can't get crime right--crime is going to increase if the economy's bad and people are looking for ways to make a quick buck. It doesn't even make sense to waste time talking about social issues like gay marriage, abortion, etc. if people are trying to figure out how to pay their bills.
