O' If We Only Had A Leader!

» vemartin - Re: Re: Suggestion

In response to message posted by cliff_aliperti:

And what exactly would you like the “minority perspective” to be? Are you under the impression that minorities do not harbor the same concerns as whites; that we do not care about promises broken and the apparent lack of leadership shown thus far by the current resident in the white house, or his Party-mates that currently hold the majority in the House of Representatives? Or are you under the mistaken impression that all minorities concern themselves about is where the next welfare check, or food stamp subsidy is coming from?

One does not have to be a liberal to care deeply what happens to others in our society, and to bemoan the lose of American ethics, morals, and direction. By your statement are you asserting that conservatives as a body do not care about the current state of Americans affairs? Or do you think the current state of American domestic and international affairs is just fine and needs no course correction in order to address the growing ferocity of American corporations search for profits at any cost, or the increasing pension for isolationism and unilateral action that further alienates us from the world?

BTW, I am a minority and you have gained at least one minorities perspective!

Vincent Martin
Contributing Editor
Politics & Minorities

-- posted by vemartin

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» vemartin - Re: Brillant Vincent

In response to message posted by knightcat50:

Knight,

Thank you for your support and encouragement. The subjects you suggested are certainly worth looking into and if you would like to write a piece on any one and submit it here, I would certainly be open to the possibility.

Brian is right, I will be submitting a couple of articles for nest month’s forum on the Constitution, and perhaps I can address some of your concerns there.

Take care,

Vincent E. Martin
Contributing Editor
Politics & Minorities

-- posted by vemartin

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» vemartin - Re: Suggestion

In response to message posted by BrianTubbs:

Brian,

Hate is such a strong word! I do not hate the man, I intensely dislike him, and his (and his Party’s) ill conceived policies. And, is he not a politician? If he isn’t I’ll leave him alone, but since he is and the title of this page is [I]Politics & Minorities,[/I] he will continue to be fair game for my editorials.

And are you defending the man because you are a Republican, or are you defending the man because he is our President and should not have his decisions questioned by “We The People,” for whom he works, or are you defending him because you believe every decision he has made since entering office is right for the nation as a whole?

As soon as Mr. Bush shows me some leadership ability beyond the power of delegation I will give him his due. No one wants to see a strong visionary leader at the helm of our nation more than me. We as a nation have complex problems to solve Brian, and sorry to bust your bubble, but Mr. Bush is not the right man to solve them!

Can you honestly tell me, given the current state of the American economy, that a tax cut was warranted, or the right thing to do? Do you really think that he has kept his promises to the military visa-via the state of the forces? Has he kept his word to seniors about prescription drug coverage? And has he kept his word to the nation about the Patients Bill of Rights, or Education reform? And what of his much touted bi-partisanship agenda, where is it, how has it manifested itself? And how about a real energy policy that puts the welfare of the nation first instead of those of the energy concerns? Has he shown us any leadership in these areas Brian? I don’t see it; perhaps I am missing something.

Loyalty to the President and Party are fine, but Pavlovian devotion to failed ideas, flawed reasoning, and tunnel vision is quite another.

Vincent E. Martin
Contributing Editor
Politics & Minorities

-- posted by vemartin

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» cliff_aliperti - Re: Re: Re: Suggestion

In response to message posted by vemartin:

Vincent,

The problem is that it is just one "minority's" perspective--there are some minorities that actually voted for GWB, believe it or not. Just as minorities are not limited to you, politics are not limited to Bush. I enjoy your writing, Vincent, and even though I disagree with a lot of your opinions I am interested in your topic. I guess I was just looking for something a little more sweeping (if I knew what I'd be more specific, but as little as I cared for him even I found 8 years of Clinton diatribes boring and immature after awhile!).

Regarding the state of American Politics, I think it's abysmal and I think that it's going to stay that way. I think if we had Gore rather than Bush, than perhaps there'd be a difference in about 5-10% of the issues on the fringes. Politics has become business as usual with nobody taking a stand and outside forces controlling both parties. I had been for McCain over Bush at the time of the primaries, but you know what, I'm glad that didn't happen--he's proven to be just another politician, out only for his own goals and willing to compromise any other goals and waste time to try and have his voice heard.

Overall, I think we've hit this rut because the status quo is actually pretty good. Sure, I'm not saying it's perfect but most issues these days seem to be as manufactured as the politicians behind them.

-- posted by cliff_aliperti

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» tellmeonce - Re: Re: Re: Re: Suggestion

In response to message posted by cliff_aliperti:

Hmmm! Then why don't you do the right thing, and go with the Green Party. In fact, the only PARTY that ran a decent campaign without bribes, who were above board about contributions, and on a lower budget, who would be much more frugile with the tax payers dollars, who would really make some major changes for the good of the American people. So why don't we put our vote where the mouth is, and stop voting for these idiot little puppet excuses for political leaders. Answer that one for me please, if you can.
Sounds like to me you just want to whine about how bad both parties are, but still vote for them, and put them into office...which party did you say you voted for again? Hmmm ~ Oh, you didn't want to throw your vote away Huh? Yes, the media did a great job convenicing millions of people of that one. Do you have any idea how many people are so sick and tired of both parties little tricks and lies...Enough to have voted in Nader. Someday they'll all get so fed up that they just may vote in the anti-christ, or another Hitler, as the least of 2 evils. After all, he will be even more charming, and a much better liar than the candidates of this last election of the 2 main parties we had to choose from. I wish the sexual habits, and personal life antics of the politicians were all we had to be concerned about. Who cares!! What and who they do in bed, does not concern or affect me or anyone else in the least, for heaven sakes, it's how they vote on the floor that's important. I did learn something from it though. If I ever wanted to really destroy, or get even, or get rid of a man, all I have to do is, have an affair with him, or get someone else to do it, disappear for a while till after he is eliminated, and destroyed in disgrace, and then return later with a story of how I was in a coma, or perhaps amnesia. Whoa...after all it worked once, to make a pres totally ineffective. How do we realy know these vixens aren't really undercover. oppss..they really were undercover...lol..Do you want to know how many married men I could have easily gotten into bed in my younger days. Only 95% of the men in the neighborhood, the others were gay, and including the local preachers. (And most of them tried) Even My high school priniple, his assistant, and my art teacher, ah yes, the good old days of pride and high morality, and values. Don't make me gag!

-- posted by tellmeonce

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» Brian Tubbs - Vincent, my responses...

In response to message posted by vemartin:

I'm not suggesting that you shouldn't feel free to criticize President Bush. That is your right as an American, and perogative as an editor. I'm simply pointing out that your articles and editorials frequently (and that's probably an understatement) castigate the man for his policies. It's like you're almost obsessive with attacking him. That's how it seems.

Moreover, in the past, you've described yourself as a "moderate," which makes your incessant attacks on Bush (and the contempt that you show him in your criticism) all the more disconcerting.

A little variety would be nice, and perhaps even (if you consider yourself a "moderate") a little credit given to Bush when it's due. Try to be at least quasi-objective, like you were with Clarence Thomas and you have been with the Founding Fathers.

I think you're extremely intelligent, obviously passionate, and talented as a writer. I have every intention of continuing to read your stuff. As a reader, I'm just bringing my concerns and observations to your attention.

-- posted by Brian Tubbs

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» Brian Tubbs - Vincent, short 'p.s.'

I forgot to say that I think we should save judgement on whether or not Bush has broken promises until the end of his term.

As for the wisdom of his tax cut, it all comes down to economic philosophy. I personally think we're in for some budget trouble this year and possibly next, but hopefully by late 2002 or early 2003, we'll start to see the positive effects of the tax rate reductions.

Personally, I think Bush should've focused more attention on small business tax cuts and capital gains tax reductions. I think these would've had a quicker effect on the economy, but I'll take what I can get.

-- posted by Brian Tubbs

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» vemartin - Re: Vincent, short 'p.s.'

In response to message posted by BrianTubbs:

Brian,

As soon as Mr. Bush does anything worthy of my phrase, I will bestow it upon him. And Bush is by his own admission a Conservative (with far right leanings I might add), why should it come as any surprise that I do not agree with most of his policies? I am a moderate after all. What prey tell should my position be on the issues? Should I not support a woman’s right to choose for instance, or should I support discrimination against gays?

And I would rather judge Mr. Bush’s performance, and whether or not he has kept his promises as an on-going concern, rather than wait until after his tenor to discuss it.

Vincent Martin
Contributing Editor
Politics & Minorities

-- posted by vemartin

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» Brian Tubbs - What do you think of Bush's leadership now?

In response to message posted by vemartin:

As soon as Mr. Bush does anything worthy of my phrase, I will bestow it upon him.

I'm wondering what comments you might have now on Bush's leadership since 9/11.

-- posted by Brian Tubbs

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» vemartin - Re: What do you think of Bush's leadership now?

In response to message posted by BrianTubbs:

Brian,

I must admit that Bush acted swiftly and with determination, something President Carter did not do, which arguably led to the past 20 years of terrorist aggression against the United States. I am thankful that Bush has able men and women around him and is sensible enough to heed their advice and counsel. President Bush has won my support and respect. Now if we could do some about the countrified, down-home way in which he communicates!

Vincent Martin
Contributing Editor
Politics & Minorities

-- posted by vemartin

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