Current politics affecting our military? Everyones thoughts?
828325
There have been so many changes in the government--I don't feel the military is effected at all.  I'm not in the military but have been a dependent for the past 20 years (daughter and wife).  My father has disliked several people who have run our country and its department of defense.  Did that make him go into early retirement?  No.  I've notice the people I know (not all) who are in the military don't really care about officials.  Sure, they vote but in the end they have sworn to be a part of the military.  Despite who is "in charge" they will continue doing their job.  I also believe the benefits will continue to convince people to join because it seems that's all people care about these days.  This is why I do not feel it will effect the military.
666817
Hopefully not, hopefully we will begin to make our own educated decisions on canidates and issues without some mouthpeice for one of the parties, whatever party, telling us how to think or vote. No likely and I won`t hold my breath, but hey,I can wish. United military ? Is it united right now ? Not that I can see or hear.
1186505
It's not true that we spend more than the rest of the world combined on our military, and we spend more on failed FDR socialism than all the rest of the federal budget combined (including defense). And the extent to which we do spend so much on the military is because of our allies. They know that we’ll be there in time of need, & they could never match our might, so they become more powerful in the world by reducing defense (which means we have to increase) & focusing on diplomacy& trade while making us look the bad cop. It’s a good policy for them & we’re strong enough to make it work for us too. So Thomas, please do be respectful even if you hate the person you speak of. \n\nAs to candidates, dems keep handing us elections by putting up liberal candidates that swing voters will never support. Biden looks okay for now, but his ideas are cowardly insane & won’t stand the spotlight of a campaign. Richardson is a better candidate because he has the Washington experience, he’s a moderate, he has executive exp as Gov, & he’s an outsider that can talk about all sides screwing it up by being at each other’s throat instead of being there for all Americans. \n\nWe republicans are in much more of a quandary. All the candidates we have now are more liberal then Bush & he’s too liberal for most of us, especially when we’re running right to reclaim the base. Rudy, McCain, Romney… Jeb can’t get it out of “Bush fatigue” Frist is too close to the Pres & too much an insider. If it is a northern liberal republican though I hope they’ll consider JC Watts for balance – it wouldn’t win us the black vote now, but inroads for the future. If we don't screw it up, it'll be fun again.
927284
I will be very honest with you. I do not know what will happen-I don't even know their plan. I do know that I do not like the way things are going now in Iraq, with our border and port security, with general fear mongering, with the "family values" the Reps have been shoving down my throat for the past several years, the dirty politics, the gas price fluctuations right before elections, and the "stay the course" mentality. All of these things caused me to vote for somebody different. The Reps' have had 5 years of practically absolute control over all 3 branches of government, and I believe a change is in order. I am very happy with the results of last night's elections.
879349
I believe the recent election was a reaction of America against the current administration. \n\nNothing more.\n\nEDIT:  The Republican party is fine.  The administration is another matter.
882326
Since he has voted  against most defense bills like the B-1 bomber, Patriot Missile systems, etc where does it show he is for the military?  \n\nIs this another liberal dodge to get every ones minds off the elections on Tuesday? Who really cares about John Kerry? He is a non-issue!
274199
Sorry I did not see the press conference with Bush.  I am a Canadian, and I try not to watch political things from the US (perhaps I should start!).  But I think that it is TOTAL BS that he isn't going to bring your troops home.  I know that the are proud to fight for their country, and for what they believe in, but I think that it is about time that they start pulling out.  I know that Canadian troops have gone in and started taking over for the US troops in some areas (but then again Canada is a peace keeping nation and the US is an a** kicking nation! lol) ... I don't know what to think, but those are my feelings.  My prayers are with you and your family, (and for you hubby and all the troops that are involved in this war) God Bless
876694
Are they already in charge?  It certainly seems so with the news.  \n\nI haven't noticed much of a change, other than Rangel freaking out the youth with his draft talk, used to undermine support for the war.\n\nIs this the politicking we can expect for 2 years?  Yes.
193511
I believe we are starting to see signs of a determined effort on the part of the US administration to give the fledgling Iraqi government a timetable to deal with, in terms of the US reducing its troop strength. This is happening for a number of reasons.  1) The American people have had quite enough of the pace of this war and our inability to stop the senseless killings of our troops, by these devil worshiping bastards the media calls, insurgents.\n2) We need to free ourselves up from this circle jerk before the next one starts.\nWe may not see a complete troop withdrawal for a long time, but we may be able to pull our guys back or out of harms way so they are no longer practice fodder for the bad guys.  Remember, the bad guys don't want to see us go, they want to keep us there putting out fires, but hopefully we can see that and not allow ourselves to play into it.
309023
Maybe I have a unique perspective from those that have posted so far considering that I am one of the "troops" and a veteran of the current conflict.  From my own viewpoint it is discouraging to hear all the anti-Bush/anti-war rhetoric--not because I support him/it personally, but because it belittles what we are doing over there.  Can you imagine what it would be like to be in a combat zone and know that your fellow citizens think that what you are doing is pointless, worthless, and/or "illegal"?  It is more than a little disheartening.\n\nAs for what I do: I correspond with a number of my fellow service members who are in Iraq and Afghanistan, I wear a Support Our Troops bracelet 24/7 to remind myself at all times of the sacrifices made by those in uniform, and I strive to educate those that I come in contact with about how not supporting the war that we are fighting hurts almost as much as being called "babykiller".
221906
I think it's people in the military.  All kinds.\nGays are currently in the military, whether people want them there or not.\n\nPeople need to get over themselves and work together toward a better world.
250626
I don't know.  I think its distant future is glorious, but the near future looks shaky.  I had great hopes when Khatami got in, but the current president makes me as nervous as our current president (I'm American).  I'm hoping that we will all stick to saber-rattling and not actual war until we learn to settle down and get along.
893793
If you believe Bush, which I don't, we won the same year we started.  What's going on now is peace and nation building.  What happened in Nam, and I was on active duty during the last three years, I retired at 20 years after Desert Storm, was that the Republicans, Nixon and Ford, caved as a result of public pressure and discontent with the body count.  Since Bush dodged service, I think has no understanding of that, and has set us up for the same result.  I will point out that our troops have done a lot of good for the Iraqis, I think our service people are the best of our best, my own daughter and her husband are on active duty.  Yes, I think a lot of us know the invasion was a mistake, I said so from day one, right now the question is how to fix it, and that is not something we will be able to do in a hurry.  Sad, but fact of life.
751473
If you're so bloody concerned and informed about politics, why can't you spell John Kerry properly? As long as we're on the subject, why are you unaware that Kerry was refering to the almight GWB being "stuck in Iraq" and not to the soldiers themselves?\n\nI've had enough of this uber-republican right-wing ranting from people who haven't a clue what is going on in this country. I demand answers.
265548
The war in Iraq is going better than most people realize. We do not get the stories of the good things that are happening - just never ending liberal hype on the casualties and bombings. It just came out that Saddam said he got rid of the WMD's but kept it so secret even his own generals thought they still had them, so how the hell was President Bush and the rest of the world supposed to know otherwise? Did you hear about it in the media like when any liberal like Kerry, Clinton, Kennedy, or Dean opened their mouths to proclaim the President a liar? Of course not! It does not fit their agenda! The bottom line is this when it comes to my opinion on the war - we cannot allow these people in the press and capitol hill turn this into another Vietnam, which is exactly what they are trying to do (how many liberals have you heard say "quagmire"?). The saddest thing is that there are too many people that are buying into their anti-America, anti-troop propaganda (it's also my opinion that you cannot support the troops without supporting the war - it's the mission they are fighting for and it sends a bad and demoralizing message when people say we support you but what you're doing is illegal and sucks, right?).
598228
It’s going not-so-good, but not as bad as it could be.  \n\nThe bad news: Hamid Karzai may be the best option, but his primarily activities seem to be weakening parliament as much as he can and installing people from his own clam and ethnic group into all positions of power that he can (oh, and pardoning his convicted drug dealer brother).  The US really scaled back operations in the country in the past few years, which gave the Taliban and related groups a chance to organize, form alliances and strengthen their positions.  Now the US is starting to figure this out and is putting a bit ore effort into it, but a lot more is needed.  \n\nAlso, Afghan people thought that things would get better now that the US was here, but for most, life didn’t change at all, and now they feel disillusioned and wonder why they should put up with foreign militaries in their country if they don’t get anything for it. In the South they are also more socially conservative, and are concerned about any immorality coming to their areas. So much more investment, soldiers, attention, etc. is needed because things are slowly getting worse, even with the increased interest, and only concrete improvements in their lives will convince the Afghans that the foreign powers really are there to help.  As the Taliban and affiliated forces increase in strength in the South, they spread their ideology and even those that don’t agree feel obligated to work with them to stay alive, as the US and ISAF forces can’t permanently secure their villages. \n\nThe good news: It is not (yet?) Iraq.  A civil war is not on the table.  A thousand civilians aren’t killed in a month.  The economy is growing (especially in Kabul, where it is booming), more schools and clinics are open and security is better than it was during the Taliban.  It still offers opportunity (for some), reform is happening (just very slowly) and there is a parliament sent to represent each area, and it is fighting the President’s efforts to weaken their authority. Imports from Pakistan are streaming in, and it even finally rained after a years-long drought.  (There is a lot for visitors to buy– esp. handicrafts like carpets, embroideries and jewelry (and anything else made of precious or semi-precious gems).
324382
Unless someone can shift the focus (or Congress can pass a compromise bill), Border Security and the Iraq occupation (both terrorism issues) will probably dominate the political landscape. \n\nSomething *has* been done about health care and social security in the most recent term; making it more of a local issue. If people in the district are extremely for or against the recent reforms, it will play locally. Abortion will also have play locally; but unless there's a ramp-up in the anti-abortion forces, or another outbreak of violence surrounding clinics it's a secondary issue.\n\nNobody in Washington wants to talk about corruption, lobbyist reform, the growing deficit or taxes; so it's an issue for the opposition.\n\nAs a minister, the biggest issue for me is gay marriage. To me, a government prohibition on gay marriage is equivalent to saying "People born on Tuesday can't take Holy Communion."