4 Thoughts on the GOP Debate

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thank you .. great article

lauren of PA 11:12PM January 26, 2008

1. S.S. TAX SHOULD APPLY TO "ALL" INCOME INCLUDING CAPITAL GAINS.
2. FOREIGN IMPORTS FROM LOW WAGE COUJNTRIES SHOULD BE CHARGED S.S. TAX TO OFFSET THE LOSS OF JOBS AND THE LOW WAGES PAID IN CHINA AND INDIA
3. INFLATION INCREMENT FOR S.S. SHOULD BE AT 75% OF COLA
4. EARLY RETIRESS WOULD ( 62 - 63 ) WOULD HAVE THEIR S.S. BENEFITS REDUCED, FURTHER, AT LEAST BY 3 - 4 %

AL SURWIN of CA 8:20PM January 26, 2008

You are correct. Ron Paul IS quite concerned about the Plunge Protection Team, alias "President's Working Group in Financial Markets". It needs a little sunshine. There is absolutely NO Congressional oversight. And this group seems to be quite inventive in their interventions into the private non-government financial markets. This potentially could lead to abuses if there is not transparency and openness, at least in retrospect!!
We each seem to have our own major issue(s) that make their choice for President seem like the best one. The economy is a big one for me. My question is: Would someone tell me why we should NOT elect Ron Paul?
The rest, with Richardson and Kucinich out, seem to be talking crazy talk (or did last week, who knows this week!) about our military adventures in the Middle East. Additionally, no one else seems to understand the problems with the economy, inflation, and out of control deficit spending. Inflation is going to eat us alive, as it has already started to do so. Do you really believe that the REAL inflation rate last year, the rate that was used by the government for Social Security check increases this month, was 2.3%? Just look at the price of gold up 30% in 2007, now at an all time high and getting higher!
One can not talk about tax cuts without ALSO talking about cutting spending. We have a $9 trillion debt (nearly double since 2000) that must be paid so we can afford Social Security and Medicare. The interest payments will go sky high when we begin to fight inflation with higher Federal Reserve bank rates.
And we must stop inflation or everyone's life savings will go down the tubes, along with the middle class, like what has happened to the middle class in most countries south of our border. And do not forget Universal Health Care, which is coming down the tracks right at us, unless Republicans begin to understand the seriousness of runaway deficits and inflation. And start educating the country. A Democratic President will surely not fight inflation like Volcker and Reagan did!
Please vote Ron Paul and save the country from bankruptcy abroad and at home!

DenisL of MO 4:55PM January 26, 2008

You didn't mention Mitt apparently being fed answers via an ear piece.
Check the question Tim asked him about Ronald Reagan saving social security and you can CLEARLY hear someone whisper "he raised taxes" right before Mitt answers "I wouldn't raise taxes".
Maybe you should make this a top 5 piece :-)

Tim_Ohio of OH 7:52PM January 25, 2008

My concern is just how many viewers and/or listeners actually integrated the full context of the question and John McCain's complete ignorance of
what the President's Working Group in Financial Markets is.

Paul of FL 7:46PM January 25, 2008

McCain is not the sharpest tool in the shed...nuff said!
Ron Paul has my vote and support. http://ronpaul2008.com

Tess of CA 6:23PM January 25, 2008

James,
I remember when McCain told the Wall Street Journal he didn't know anything about economics--he said he had Greenspan's book.
Compare that to Ron Paul--he is a pro-level Austrian economist who has written dozens (if not hundreds?) of articles on economic policy and has written several books concerning economics and monetary policy as well.

JP of DC 6:08PM January 25, 2008

I agree with you thoughts, as a new Republican I watch these debates with great interest. I was wondering however if some one could answer one questions:
Do the Republican understand that mainstream America is disenfranchised with the republican party?
The presidents approval is very low, most of America is thinks that we are on the wrong track. However, whenever these candidates are asked a question, they trip over themselves to convince us they will give us more of the same.
Ask about the War in Irag
Rudy: I support it,
McCain: I support, and would have gone with out WMD's
Do you support the surge
Rudy: I supported the president
McCain: I think there should be more surges, 100 years in Iraq
Do you believe in the Reagan Colaition
Rudy: yes
McCain: I'm wearing Reagan underpants
Mitt: Reagan's at my house frozen in carbonite
isn't anyone willing to be different in this party?

Michael of PA 5:47PM January 25, 2008

I appreciate how the GOP debates include actual issues, unlike the Dem debates that focus on race, gender, and "change" with no specifics.
How about some substance Dems??

Jesse G of MN 4:59PM January 25, 2008

Hey James....
McCain does not have a clue about "anything" having to do with the economy. Never has. Heck with his spiffy congressional retirement plan what does he care about "economics"? That's the job of some bean counter over at the place where they keep the money. You know the money place.
Sheesh....does anybody else see this stuff? Thanks so much for noticing this gaff!

Christopher Thurow Sr of FL 4:48PM January 25, 2008