Posted on 11/02/2008 6:43:02 AM PST by Cincinatus' Wife
Barack Obama’s campaign mantra of “spreading the wealth” by squeezing more tax dollars from higher-income Americans and putting them into the hands of the less productive is a popular theme among his West Virginia admirers in this region.
Supporters agreed at a Beckley rally Saturday with the Democratic presidential hopeful’s assertion that only the “selfish” are reluctant to pay more taxes and sacrifice for the benefit of low-income earners.
“Take from the rich and give to the poor,” reflected Eddie Steelman of Beckley, who defined the rich as those earning millions.
“It’s a new change that’s coming on. I believe he’s the right man for the job.”
Steelman feels the Illinois senator can help the economy by another means, halting the practice of outsourcing American jobs to foreign lands, and that he will quickly end the war against terrorism in Iraq.
“All the young men and young women have been over there long enough,” he said of the Middle East conflict.
Earlier in the week, Obama lashed out at John McCain and running mate Sarah Palin for branding his economic and tax policies as “socialistic,” charging the two Republicans had made “a virtue of selfishness.”
Media personnel were hampered Saturday by the Obama staff, which herded reporters into a narrow, fenced-in corral like a cattle stall, blocking them from reaching the larger public area where former President Bill Clinton spoke. To do interviews, reporters had to beckon spectators over to the media section.
A ban was in force that kept any would-be protesters from holding up signs on the sidewalk paralleling the park. One woman carrying a small placard to protest Obama’s support of abortion was forced to take her First Amendment rights across the street. After a while, she left the area.
Abortion was the key issue that convinced Democratic voter Kenny Crook to endorse McCain.
“I’m supporting McCain on that particular issue, but other issues also,” the retired Beckley businessman said.
“I don’t have anything against Obama. He has a lot to be respected for, his rise to power. I’ve just always voted more conservative. The big issue with me actually is abortion.”
Crook termed McCain a man of “great character ... he has served our country well over the years, day in and day out.”
For Karen Holliday, a health care provider in the McDowell County town of Gary, the long drive to see her hero was worth the trip.
“I’ve been waiting for years and years to see Bill,” she said with a wide smile. “I just couldn’t let this chance pass. I think Obama stands for everything that America stands for. I think Obama is like the American dream. He inspires me. I’ve never been into politics. Never cared.”
Holliday agreed with Obama’s leftist approach of slapping higher taxes on the “rich” and giving more to the “poor,” however the two classes may be defined.
“My biggest concern for America right now is the economy and how (President) Bush has run the economy into the ground, and not just Bush, but I feel the Republican Party did it,” she said.
“They could have let us know before. I feel like things are just far in the ditch, like Obama says. But it’s going to take us a while to come out of that, no matter who is president. But I’m sure it’s going to be Obama. It’s going to need something with intelligence that Obama has to bring us out of the ditch.”
Working coal miner Rick Ryan, an officer of United Mine Workers of America Local 2286 in Madison, has been trailing Obama in Ohio and Virginia in recent days, and agrees the economy is the pivotal issue.
“We just need somebody that’s going to go back and help the middle-class people,” he said, adding the Democratic ticket is the solution to the need of middle Americans.
“They recognize that the unions is what made the middle class,” Ryan said. “Labor laws has been against the union on trying to organize for so long. If we can get the Employee Free Choice Act in, I believe it will even the playing field.”
To some extent, Ryan said he supports the “spread the wealth” concept of Obama.
“I look at it when Bush went into office, he fixed it for the people that are rich, where they got out of paying a lot more taxes and the middle class had to pick that up,” he said.
“Somebody’s got to pay it. I feel like it’s time for the middle class to be able to keep a little bit of money. They’re the ones that gets out and spends it at your stores. The rich people that’s making $1 million a year, that money don’t get released back out into your local stores like it does from the middle class. So I feel, you know, that’s what they’ve (Obama and running mate Joe Biden) got a heart that is looking out for the working man.”
Delegate Clif Moore, D-McDowell, one of several political notables at the rally, said Obama can lift the nation back to a higher level of respect, not only among Americans, but around the globe.
“If the American people elect Obama, we all win,” he said.
“If the American people choose to elect John McCain, we all lose. To me, it’s a very clear-cut choice. It’s Obama all the way. He’s talking about restoration, transformation, leadership, wisdom and hope. He brings that to the table. Obama is going to bring everybody together. He’s not going to be divisive. He’s going to lead everybody to safe shores on safe waters.”
To another Obama backer, Tom T. James of Beckley, removing U.S. troops from war-riddled Iraq is necessary, although he doesn’t support a hasty withdrawal.
“Not right away,” he said. “There’s no use in killing no more people.”
James said he agrees with Obama “100 percent” on all issues, and said Obama is correct in feeling that anyone who balks at paying higher taxes to spread the wealth is self-indulgent.
“I like his personality,” James said. “The way he carries himself.”
— E-mail: mannix@register-herald.com
So the “Register Herald” is a liberal rag? Never heard of it. They sure have a way of finding the dregs of society to talk with.
Oh dear where do I begin?
“I think Obama stands for everything that America stands for.”
Is this person on drugs? NO, this is not what America stands for. What planet have you been living on lady.
> “I’ve been waiting for years and years to see Bill,” she said with a wide smile...
“...I’ve never been into politics. Never cared.”
Wait... What???
Let’s hope she forgets to vote on Tuesday. Confused people shouldn’t be allowed to vote.
“If the American people elect Obama, WE all win,” he said.
‘We’ as in the slackers...for a little while. I plan on producing less income, paying less taxes and going further underground economically if Obama wins.
and I know I’m not alone.
So, who’s going to WIN? LOL!
My head exploded while reading this, yet I’m somehow still able to type.
There are pockets of this country where the welfare mentality is set in stone and West Virginia is one of them.
Americans have changed from people who want to work to people who expect the government to support them. It’s disturbing.
But what was even more disturbing was the comments about the media being herded into a little fenced area and protesters being forbidden to raise their signs.
The Obama loving media is going to get the biggest shock of their lives if this communist is elected.
Me too. Try getting some blood out of this turnip!
These welfare queens are in for a big economic shock. If Hussein wins, unemployment will be at an all time high (which is what he wants). I’m getting a little sick of the minority-class’ constant bitching and moaning, and I suspect MILLIONS of silent Americans are as well...
Not just never been into politics, apparently this ding-a-ling did not pay attention during American History class. 0bama stands for everything America stands for? His is like the American dream??
The most sickening part of this woman's ridiculousness is that, with this election campaign, so many of her ilk have been exposed to the rest of us. I knew there were plenty of stupid, ideologically-cemented people in this country; I had no idea there were so many ignorant, intellectually vacant citizens, all with the ability to cast a vote. Oy.
Listen to this communist—speaking before obamination came to springfield, mo last night:
“Democratic governor candidate Jay Nixon also addressed the crowd.
In a strange bit that sounded like Nixon wanted to play class warfare, the attorney general said Republican voters will be pulling up to polling places in “their Lexus” and will be offered “martinis and rub downs.”
“Help us change this state and change this country,” Nixon later said, concluding his short speech.”
http://www.news-leader.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=200881101028
claire mckill was there too.
funny, I’m a conservative republican and drive a 96 saturn and make less than 20k a year. Although I am going to college.
I seriously thought this reporter was using these people’s words to out them, mock them and laugh at them.
Did I miss it?
Eddie doesn't know he's in the bull's eye.
I predict future happiness for Americans if they can
prevent the government from wasting the labors of the
people under the pretense of taking care of them.
Thomas Jefferson (1743 - 1826)
We must not let our rulers load us with perpetual debt.
Thomas Jefferson (1743 - 1826), letter to Samuel
Kercheval, July 12, 1816
The democracy will cease to exist when you take away from
those who are willing to work and give to those who would
not.
Thomas Jefferson (1743 - 1826)
In order to get “something for nothing”, somebody, somewhere, has to be getting “nothing for something”. And “nothing for something” is a huge disincentive, inevitably leading to scarcity.
Eventually scarcities create the need for rationing, and its corollary, smuggling and a thriving black market.
Practice up on your skills on the last two options. You may need them.
And plenty of personal armament. Rationing will only work if there are guns pointed at people.
Yes, that was an interesting couple of thoughts from that lady. Which was it, never into politics or waiting a long time to see Bill?
That reminds me of the little girl saying a couple elections back, “Nice car, we have to take the bus.” (during some “safety net” expo set up by the Black Congressional Caucus).
In my opinion, the Republican party has hurt itself immeasurably with its constant pushing of so-called “free trade” (which I call special-interest trade) in recent years. The working and middle class is hurting, in part because of the flooding of the U.S. labor market with cheap foreign labor through open borders, ever-expanding Visa programs, and offshoring of jobs. It is true that the Democrats also are in the tank to the business lobby on this issue, but the perception is that this is a Republican policy. Bush’s constant talk about “The jobs that Americans won’t do” (notice that he doesn’t say that anymore?) greatly reinforced this perception and has worked to Obama’s advantage in this election.
I voted for Bush twice (reluctantly), but I consider his trade agreements a travesty. The U.S. should negotiate in its own long-term best interest, which they have not done. Phyllis Schlafly has written fabulous columns on this issue. I am no expert, to be sure, but if the Republican party loses this year they should change course on this issue. No more hollowing out of the U.S. economy, which only strengthens countries that are our competitors and even enemies.
Huckabee had someone on yesterday talking about the fair tax and how it would make U.S. products more competitive and create jobs here rather than in China. A very powerful argument for the fair tax.
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