boforsenate (![[info]](http://l-stat.livejournal.com/img/userinfo.gif){kind=small} boforsenate) wrote,@ 2006-10-08 21:16:00 |
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The first debate
I watched the debate from Memphis last night and two thoughts hit me over the course of the debate. Number one, these two guys are going to decide issues for the future of this country? And number two, I wish I had been allowed to participate. Both of them are so clueless about the federal government, all I can do is chuckle and shake my head because both of them will only give this country more of the same. I've got some observations about the debate, and I know I'm going to be paraphrasing the Q&A, but it's all pretty accurate.
Bob Corker was asked about his take on the Ford family and the "political machine" they are, and the question seemed to hint at the corruption involved with the Ford family. Corker made ZERO sense when he answered this question. I honestly don't know what point he was trying to make if any. Ford became quite defensive, and even interrupted Corker. Now I do have to say, it's no secret that several Fords have been involved in government corruption, but I really thought this question was a complete waste of time.
Bob Corker was asked about rising tuition costs, and I honestly have no idea what point he was trying to make. In the response, Ford spoke about his ridiculous idea of giving free tuition to those who would do government service after college. I've written about this before, it's an idiotic idea. Now my response to Ford would have been "Can you please specifically state where in the Constitution you have authority to legislate this?" At least in Corker's rebuttal, he stated education is best handled on the local level, but NEVER mentioned this isn't an issue the federal government has no authority to legislate. I would have stated the Constitution gives ZERO authority to the federal government in this area.
The next question asked was one that should scare people. Corker was asked if he would support a military response against Iran or North Korea if they don't cease their testing of nuclear weapons. Corker said all options should be on the table. Ford used this time to talk about his plan for Iraq and even had to be asked the question again since he never answered it. Neither one of these wimps said what I would say, and that would be "Yes, I would completely support a military response as long as our military wasn't fighting with one hand tied behind their back". Neither one of them would take a position, and the way events are unfolding that should really make people wonder about these two people who are trying to be "leaders" of this country.
Next, Ford was asked about Social Security. He stated it should go to the people that need it most, whatever in the heck that's supposed to mean. Corker didn't present any ideas about it, and seemed very vague while hinting he supported Bush's plan. My answer would have been what my "issues" page says - there is no Constitutional authority to legislate Social Security and it needs to be phased out. I loved how Ford took this time to speak about his plan to give each newborn $500. And where is this money going to come from? Me and you. For a guy who tries to talk about wasteful spending, this should show how full of it he is. Again, a complete violation of Constitutional authority.
Next was the subject of Bob Corker's tax returns. All I can say is "yawn". I mean come on, isn't there anything else just a wee bit more important to talk about?
Both Ford and Corker said they would support a Constitutional Amendment to ban gay marriage. And my response would have been that it is a state issue. Personally I am against gay marriage, but I can't legislate based on emotion, it has to be based on the authority the Constitution grants.
Then it got interesting. Corker was asked if Bush lied when we went to war with Iraq. Corker said that Bush didn't lie, he just had bad intelligence. Ford followed up by saying "no president would ever do that". Yeah, this coming from a guy who has REPEATEDLY said Bush misled us about Iraq. Corker then stated he never said "stay the course" when dealing with Iraq which is a complete lie. He has said that on several occasions. I'm not going to cut and paste from other blogs out there that cite these things, but both of these candidates told complete lies and I would have called them out on it. I would have also told about the evidence showing Hussein was working with Al-Qaida. You can read that at http://www.frontpagemag.com/Articles/Re
The next question was directed to Corker, and didn't make much sense. It sounded like the topic was "how to ensure higher education to minorities". Corker was a little confused, and Ford took the chance to once again tout his ridiculous "free tuition" program. My response? Again, no Constitutional authority, and also state the fact there have been MANY people who worked their way through college. Imagine that, actually working for something. Yes, student loans can be expensive, I know this because I'm still paying mine. Was it worth it? You better believe it. I have my own house and car, and really can't complain. I'm not rich but I'm not starving either.
Ford was then asked about a bankruptcy bill he voted against. Again, no clue what point he was trying to make and Corker responded with talking points about affordable healthcare. Honestly, I probably would have responded by saying the question and the responses were pretty confusing since no one seemed to be making a point.
The next question went to Bob Corker about healthcare. Both he and Ford don't understand that healthcare is not a right, it's a service and the federal government needs to stay out of it. I would have responded by saying that our government has been trying to do some kind of major healthcare reform for YEARS and yet it's still a problem. They can't fix it, and plus, they again have no Constitutional authority to do so.
Next was Ford being asked about the national debt. He brought up Medicare (what that has to do with it is beyond me) and talked down about all the pork. Please...do I even need to get into how hypocritical his response was? Corker really didn't give any specifics, but neither candidate said what I would have, and that's to stop foreign aid, stop the ridiculous amount of spending on AIDS research, and analyze every program that money goes to and get rid of EVERYTHING that does not have Constitutional authority.
Up next was abortion, and Corker was asked about his flip-flop, claimed he's now pro-life and Ford responded with a statement that made no sense. Again, a state issue.
Ford was asked about his church ad, and was asked if faith determines his decisions. We basically got a recap of the ad, he started church the old-fashioned way by being forced, etc. Corker also reiterated one of his ads where he spoke about his mission trip to Haiti. Now I will never know what is truly in a man's heart, only God does. I would have only said that yes, my faith in my Lord and Savior Jesus Christ does determine my decisions. I may not always make the right choice, but I try.
And the final topic was the borders. Ford said both sides of the aisle should be held accountable (funny how he left himself out of that) and he also brought up the information about one of Corker's job sites having illegals working there. This has been a HUGE issue for years, yet Ford never spear-headed any legislation about it. He only started to speak about it once the Senate brought it up last Spring. And the party that Corker is a part of doesn't look like they will do much of anything. Don't believe me? Read this - http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/1514923
The closing statements were pretty bland, but one thing Ford said actually made me laugh out loud. He said that a new energy strategy will help us win the war on terror. Funny how this comes from a guy who has voted against building new refineries or tapping our own oil resources. But what's really pathetic about his statement is that a new energy policy won't really help us win. What will help us win is exterminating the cockroaches who want to kill us. What this involves is not fighting a war while trying to be "sensitive" or "politically correct".
That was the debate in a nutshell. I'm sure if you read pro-Ford blogs they will say he won, and if you read pro-Corker blogs they will say Corker won. My opinion is that we all lose because both of these guys offer nothing. But what I found really funny in an almost sad way was how both of them acted like they were friends. Please don't treat me like I'm an idiot. I've seen the TV ads and heard the radio ads...both of you are trying to tear the other guy down. Oh I know, they tried to act like they were taking the high road, but I have no respect for someone who is that two-faced. Yes, let's all put politics aside and just discuss the issues since all we've done to this point is talk bad about the other person. Give me a break. Corker came across as a good ol' boy who I think fails to really understand the big picture and won't break off the Republican talking points memo, and Ford came across like he's some arrogant hot-headed big-shot.
After watching the debate, I am so glad I filed to run. At least I know that when I vote next month, I'm actually voting for the one person that I know where they stand.
Please continue to visit my "news" section and email the LWV and News Channel 5 to help get me on that state-wide debate. I am the only independent who appeared on a major poll, and I think Tennesseans deserve to hear from other candidates that are not a part of this joke of a two-party system.
Thank you to everyone for your support in this campaign.
I watched the debate from Memphis last night and two thoughts hit me over the course of the debate. Number one, these two guys are going to decide issues for the future of this country? And number two, I wish I had been allowed to participate. Both of them are so clueless about the federal government, all I can do is chuckle and shake my head because both of them will only give this country more of the same. I've got some observations about the debate, and I know I'm going to be paraphrasing the Q&A, but it's all pretty accurate.
Bob Corker was asked about his take on the Ford family and the "political machine" they are, and the question seemed to hint at the corruption involved with the Ford family. Corker made ZERO sense when he answered this question. I honestly don't know what point he was trying to make if any. Ford became quite defensive, and even interrupted Corker. Now I do have to say, it's no secret that several Fords have been involved in government corruption, but I really thought this question was a complete waste of time.
Bob Corker was asked about rising tuition costs, and I honestly have no idea what point he was trying to make. In the response, Ford spoke about his ridiculous idea of giving free tuition to those who would do government service after college. I've written about this before, it's an idiotic idea. Now my response to Ford would have been "Can you please specifically state where in the Constitution you have authority to legislate this?" At least in Corker's rebuttal, he stated education is best handled on the local level, but NEVER mentioned this isn't an issue the federal government has no authority to legislate. I would have stated the Constitution gives ZERO authority to the federal government in this area.
The next question asked was one that should scare people. Corker was asked if he would support a military response against Iran or North Korea if they don't cease their testing of nuclear weapons. Corker said all options should be on the table. Ford used this time to talk about his plan for Iraq and even had to be asked the question again since he never answered it. Neither one of these wimps said what I would say, and that would be "Yes, I would completely support a military response as long as our military wasn't fighting with one hand tied behind their back". Neither one of them would take a position, and the way events are unfolding that should really make people wonder about these two people who are trying to be "leaders" of this country.
Next, Ford was asked about Social Security. He stated it should go to the people that need it most, whatever in the heck that's supposed to mean. Corker didn't present any ideas about it, and seemed very vague while hinting he supported Bush's plan. My answer would have been what my "issues" page says - there is no Constitutional authority to legislate Social Security and it needs to be phased out. I loved how Ford took this time to speak about his plan to give each newborn $500. And where is this money going to come from? Me and you. For a guy who tries to talk about wasteful spending, this should show how full of it he is. Again, a complete violation of Constitutional authority.
Next was the subject of Bob Corker's tax returns. All I can say is "yawn". I mean come on, isn't there anything else just a wee bit more important to talk about?
Both Ford and Corker said they would support a Constitutional Amendment to ban gay marriage. And my response would have been that it is a state issue. Personally I am against gay marriage, but I can't legislate based on emotion, it has to be based on the authority the Constitution grants.
Then it got interesting. Corker was asked if Bush lied when we went to war with Iraq. Corker said that Bush didn't lie, he just had bad intelligence. Ford followed up by saying "no president would ever do that". Yeah, this coming from a guy who has REPEATEDLY said Bush misled us about Iraq. Corker then stated he never said "stay the course" when dealing with Iraq which is a complete lie. He has said that on several occasions. I'm not going to cut and paste from other blogs out there that cite these things, but both of these candidates told complete lies and I would have called them out on it. I would have also told about the evidence showing Hussein was working with Al-Qaida. You can read that at http://www.frontpagemag.com/Articles/Re
The next question was directed to Corker, and didn't make much sense. It sounded like the topic was "how to ensure higher education to minorities". Corker was a little confused, and Ford took the chance to once again tout his ridiculous "free tuition" program. My response? Again, no Constitutional authority, and also state the fact there have been MANY people who worked their way through college. Imagine that, actually working for something. Yes, student loans can be expensive, I know this because I'm still paying mine. Was it worth it? You better believe it. I have my own house and car, and really can't complain. I'm not rich but I'm not starving either.
Ford was then asked about a bankruptcy bill he voted against. Again, no clue what point he was trying to make and Corker responded with talking points about affordable healthcare. Honestly, I probably would have responded by saying the question and the responses were pretty confusing since no one seemed to be making a point.
The next question went to Bob Corker about healthcare. Both he and Ford don't understand that healthcare is not a right, it's a service and the federal government needs to stay out of it. I would have responded by saying that our government has been trying to do some kind of major healthcare reform for YEARS and yet it's still a problem. They can't fix it, and plus, they again have no Constitutional authority to do so.
Next was Ford being asked about the national debt. He brought up Medicare (what that has to do with it is beyond me) and talked down about all the pork. Please...do I even need to get into how hypocritical his response was? Corker really didn't give any specifics, but neither candidate said what I would have, and that's to stop foreign aid, stop the ridiculous amount of spending on AIDS research, and analyze every program that money goes to and get rid of EVERYTHING that does not have Constitutional authority.
Up next was abortion, and Corker was asked about his flip-flop, claimed he's now pro-life and Ford responded with a statement that made no sense. Again, a state issue.
Ford was asked about his church ad, and was asked if faith determines his decisions. We basically got a recap of the ad, he started church the old-fashioned way by being forced, etc. Corker also reiterated one of his ads where he spoke about his mission trip to Haiti. Now I will never know what is truly in a man's heart, only God does. I would have only said that yes, my faith in my Lord and Savior Jesus Christ does determine my decisions. I may not always make the right choice, but I try.
And the final topic was the borders. Ford said both sides of the aisle should be held accountable (funny how he left himself out of that) and he also brought up the information about one of Corker's job sites having illegals working there. This has been a HUGE issue for years, yet Ford never spear-headed any legislation about it. He only started to speak about it once the Senate brought it up last Spring. And the party that Corker is a part of doesn't look like they will do much of anything. Don't believe me? Read this - http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/1514923
The closing statements were pretty bland, but one thing Ford said actually made me laugh out loud. He said that a new energy strategy will help us win the war on terror. Funny how this comes from a guy who has voted against building new refineries or tapping our own oil resources. But what's really pathetic about his statement is that a new energy policy won't really help us win. What will help us win is exterminating the cockroaches who want to kill us. What this involves is not fighting a war while trying to be "sensitive" or "politically correct".
That was the debate in a nutshell. I'm sure if you read pro-Ford blogs they will say he won, and if you read pro-Corker blogs they will say Corker won. My opinion is that we all lose because both of these guys offer nothing. But what I found really funny in an almost sad way was how both of them acted like they were friends. Please don't treat me like I'm an idiot. I've seen the TV ads and heard the radio ads...both of you are trying to tear the other guy down. Oh I know, they tried to act like they were taking the high road, but I have no respect for someone who is that two-faced. Yes, let's all put politics aside and just discuss the issues since all we've done to this point is talk bad about the other person. Give me a break. Corker came across as a good ol' boy who I think fails to really understand the big picture and won't break off the Republican talking points memo, and Ford came across like he's some arrogant hot-headed big-shot.
After watching the debate, I am so glad I filed to run. At least I know that when I vote next month, I'm actually voting for the one person that I know where they stand.
Please continue to visit my "news" section and email the LWV and News Channel 5 to help get me on that state-wide debate. I am the only independent who appeared on a major poll, and I think Tennesseans deserve to hear from other candidates that are not a part of this joke of a two-party system.
Thank you to everyone for your support in this campaign.
