Does Frontrunner = Qualified

DarkKnight

Well, we're getting deeper into the quagmire that is the voting process here in the states, and every other day, there seem's to be a new frontrunner in the candidate's particular party.

My question is this... just because someone IS a frontrunner (for whatever amount of time)... does that automatically mean they're qualified for the job?

I personally, would love it, if one day, the actually allowed a debate of these folks, like they did in the days of Lincoln/Douglas. Where there are no spin doctors, no pre-approval of questions, no sound bite answers, no timed responses. I'd enjoy seeing the stunned look on their face when they got hit an honest question from an average citizen, instead of the softballs that are usually lobbed their way from a moderator.

So far, to be totally honest, I've yet to see one that's said anything of substance other then "we support change" (in one rhetorical way or another... and who doesn't want change? The way things are going now is NOT the road to follow), and that they (the candidates) are NOT who's in office right now (D'uh!). Other then that... they really haven't said all that much.

Plus, I'd really like to know... and don't toss large objects at me for asking...

But do things like religious persuasion, sex, gender, dictate your decisions here, or do you truly just look for the qualified person? You can be honest. I can say for myself, I just want the person that is qualified, and wants the job for the right reasons (and I don't mean the free flights and awesome medical benefits).

How I yearn for the days when an "Average Joe" type of citizen, one without a gazillion dollars and a slew of political favors owed, backing their candidacy would run. I think if you put someone in there that actually had experience in "just trying to make a living"... that you'd see a lot of change towards average America, and a lot less cow towing to Corporate America.

(man, I know I'm gonna get blasted for starting this thread, but I'm really curious)

R. Lewis

So far I feel they all should be "frontrunners" --- OUT IN FRONT RUNNING FROM ME AND MY PICKUP TRUCK TRYING NOT TO GET RAN OVER!!!

I'm with you brother-- so far none of them impress me enough!

rebelbikergal

Actually I agree with you! If we could ever get an everyday "Joe" in there, maybe we could get this country back on track. As it is right now, we're headed towards a recession and no-one seems to know why. Hmmmm....lemme see if I can help them out:
1.Social Security is a joke. It's going broke and I want my money back!
2. We're giving money to every country on the planet and then forgiving their debts.
3. Our working citizens are paying higher taxes every year, yet we're awarding people for not working and........see #2! (And they're talking about a .40 increase in gasoline tax!)
4.All our jobs are going overseas, leaving OUR citizens without decent jobs.

I could go on and on.

We need someone who's had to WORK for a living and knows what's it like to struggle. I'm just not impressed with any of them, but Clinton and Obama scare me.

So who on this board can we write-in to run???!!!

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2007 Dyna Lowrider
TN Patriot Guard Rider
TN CMT/ABATE member

DarkKnight

I think the last "working Joe" president we had was Truman (a haberdasher). I can't say he had a sparkling presidency, but at least he knew what it was like to bust your can to make a buck, and at least had a sense of what "real common America" was about.

Sorry, but I don't count ex lawyers, doctors, or any other "professional" person as being a common man.

Saddest thing is... if Lincoln were alive today, he could never be President. Not enough money, and he'd get killed on the "education" question.

rebelbikergal

"Sorry, but I don't count ex lawyers"

The White House and most State Capitols are full of those already. That's part of the problem! That and lifetime politicians.

I just really don't know what it's going to take. But we sure need something/someone with a working brain. Someone who can think for themselves and has a real desire to help this Country.

__________________
2007 Dyna Lowrider
TN Patriot Guard Rider
TN CMT/ABATE member

joyflyin

I would throw a couple of nominations in there from this forum, but I kind of like this bunch, and I would hate to ruin their lives.....let alone their reputation.

Unfortunately, I would be happy with a candidate I could believe in, and before the lectures start coming, I realize the chances of that are slim, but it would be a cool experience. As far as I'm concerned, I pick the lesser of all the evils.

I'd rant more, but mom just called with the pop update, (pop's been sick) so I'm zipping around in my mind all over the place, I'll just say, I'm ready for change for the better. We have lots of room for improvement.

Bluesssman

I am following this discussion with great interest, but most of what I am hearing are generalizations. Could you be more specific in what you are saying and less expression of emotion. If you make a statement please back it up with data.

What is a "Average Joe"? What specifically scares you about any of the candidates? What would impress you in a candidate? What specific changes would you like to see? What are you doing to help with see these changes happen?

Thank you Dark Knight for starting this discussion!!!

__________________
When in doubt, gas it!

DarkKnight

Thanks Blues... and good points/questions that you brought up. I'd be curious to hear your thoughts on this as well... since you are following it with interest.

For me, an "Average Joe" would be anyone who has had to work a real job for a living. Not brought up in some wealthy family with ties to who knows what, not some "professional" type that has no concept of what it's like to make a living doing anything but sitting behind a desk or hiding behind a degree. I've personally met folks that are farmers, teachers, small business owners, who seem to have more common sense then the puffed up blowhards we have in D.C. these days. The lifetime politician's we have these days can't tell you what their favorite meal is without some sort of double talking, fact finding, spin doctored response. Whatever happened to just answering a question?

What scares me? Well, I remember when I was considering between Obama and Clinton, and I saw a piece on Obama (I can't remember if it was 20/20, or some newsmagazine show), and in three sentences, he started to really play up the "race" thing. I want a president that's color blind. That whole "all men are created equal" thing in the Constitution should really be adhered to. But to tell the truth, the way Obama was speaking in that interview... his take on race just scared the heck out of me. Nothing specific that I can pinpoint, just that he was on and on about how it was about time that black America needed to be represented. Not that I think they shouldn't... I just think that EVERY American should be represented... irregardless of color (and a lot of other things). No, it's never going to be where everyone is happy, or that everyone feels their point of view is being represented. But right now.. unless you're in the loop of the ridiculously wealthy and privileged, you're not even thought of... never mind represented.

What would impress me? A candidate that would be willing to go into office, and do the difficult things that are necessary. Cut waste. Especially in the halls of the govt itself. Take away all those perks. Want to see medical costs come into a reasonable amount? Take away the free medical that govt gets, make them pay like you and I do... (even if it's just "co-pays") and you'll see some action taken quickly. Take away the freebies (and I mean NO loopholes) of travel, meals, cars, office furnishings, things YOU and I pay for and never get anything out of. Put an absolute end on pork barrel projects, and earmarks on serious legislation. Yes, this state may need a new highway, but that does NOT mean that you can also attach a ridiculous rider for a bridge to an island that's not even inhabited. Money that's just wasted, and no one seems to have to answer for it. I'm also still amazed that the govt is the only place I've ever heard of where they're allowed to vote on their raises. "Anyone think we don't deserve a raise?... anyone... anyone... OK.... it's passed". Wouldn't you just love to be able to walk into YOUR boss, and tell HIM what he's going to pay you? No? Well, that's basically what the overpaid stuffed shirts in D.C. do every time they vote themselves a raise. And there's not thing one you can do about it... and by the time they're re-elected... you've probably forgotten about it... but your wallet hasn't.

I'd also like to see term limits on all positions in govt. Those that stay too long, entrenched, become too close with influences/lobby's that erode away even the most sincere pol's intentions, and eventually they become the "strange bedfellows" that you always hear about. If you've only got a limited amount of time to try to enact your policies, your thoughts on how things can be improved, you'll really work your keister off to get get it done.

That's a couple of my thoughts.... anyone else?

joesnuffy

I will agree with you on term limits. I can't explain why, but every time the subject of what is wrong with Washington and our government comes up I think of Ted Kennedy. He is the perfect charicature (sp?) of a Washington politician. He's so damn crooked he has to sleep in two beds, yet he keeps getting re-elected. Is he a good B.S. artist or does he really do that much good for Massachussets or does he buy votes or what?
It's all such a farce I don't know why the revolution hasn't started already. We keep sending money and trust to Washington and what is the return? A bunch of (fighting myself not to say it) B.S. laws, common sense getting turned on it's head, rich getting richer while we work ourselves into obscurity, sending money--OUR money that WE worked for--to other countries who would just as soon see us fall apart. The list goes on and on. I just want, like everyone else, to see someone go there and not get sucked up into the plastic, predictable, corrupt politics that goes on up there. Unfortunately, the current bunch doesn't come close to that vision. Maybe Duncan Hunter and Fred Thompson, but they don't have a chance in hell of getting elected. So, it will be four more years of the same old crap that we're all getting steadily sicker of. If Obama or Hillary get elected, just kiss it all goodbye because that will probably be the last nail in the coffin of the "land of the free and home of the brave" and welcome to the USSA because that will be the end of what the founders envisioned this country to be. I'm ashamed of what we've become. So many men and women struck down fighting to keep this country free just to have it run into the ground by political jackasses. I'm sorry, Grandpa, but I tried, at least. I hope you and all the others you fought with can forgive us.

DarkKnight

Well Joe, I doubt that either would exactly bring about socialism to this country, I would still welcome that over a secretive shadow govt that's slowly eroding our rights, and ripping away our privacy... all under the banner of making us "safer".

"Those that relinquish liberty for security, deserve neither"... B. Franklin