Politics | 10/13/2008 9:21 am

wowOwow Live Reader Forum - Presidential Debate #3

Long Island’s Hofstra University will be the location and CBS News’s Bob Schieffer will be the moderator. Join the now-famous wowOwow.com reader forum for debate No. 3.

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Read more about: Election 2008, Politics, Reader Forum, Reader Forums

528 Reader Comments (so far…) Sign In or Register to comment

By Susan Duffy on 10/16/2008 …”To start and run a business is one of the most challenging undertakings you can do. I deal exclusively with small businesses throughout the country who are either right at, the Obama line of “patriotic”, or just over it. Very few, if any, who desire to “grow” their business are not planning to add units of labor (jobs) and purchase capital goods (machinery) to accomplish that objective.” http://www.wowowow.com/cl/124676 Susan, I appreciate your points, but I think that you read a lot more into anyones pointing out that Joe the plumber may be a plant … or propaganda tool. I don’t believe that anyone has disputed the importance of starting a small business and living the American dream — But since we are on that subject — what is your take on if that small business is bought or acquired by a large corp or venture capitalist and the “units of labor” go to over seas? What is your take on the employees that had worked 12 plus hour 7 day weeks for many years helping to develop that small business? What do you feel the responsibility should be of the new owners of that developed business that are now getting much cheaper labor in some third world country?

By Donna Chee on 10/17/2008 10:05 am

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By eleanor roche on 10/17/2008 9:11 am Don’t attack Joe—blame your man Obama for not staying on “message” and telling the truth for a change about what his “tax cuts” really mean. I am not attacking Joe because Joe does not exist. HIs boss earns around $130,000 and Joe earns $40,000. What were is questions about ? He obviously hadn’t looked at the tax plans. As far Acorn and Ayers- I think we were presented all the facts the rest is fiction. You keep saying they were friends and he is a part of Acorn- the facts have been presented . People have formed opinions based on the facts that not available. Some people believe that just being in the presence of Ayers makes you a friend and serving on boards is paling around. Making much of the statement he just a guy who lives in my neighborhood. That is what he is now. . Conservative Republicans or I should say right wing conservatives have been fighting with Acorn long before Obama. No proof has been presented that Acorn itself is involved in an effort to commit voter “fraud” These registrations are useless and if voting procedures work - these fake people will not show up at the polls and when they do- they will cast a provisional ballot and be tossed out. So far voter registration fraud and no voter fraud. I work at the polls and have for years. Different states have different procedures. If you are concerned go to your local poll and check it out. Coffees - living rooms- I have given meet and greets for political canidates who are not my “friend” and do not pal around with them.

By starry Nite on 10/17/2008 12:25 pm

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Right, Joe the plumber was a “plant”. So I guess it was Karl Rove that forced Obama to say “spread the wealth around”. This little remark by Obama is a huge problem for him. By a margin of 83%, Americans do not want wealth redistribution—see gallup for data. Why don’t you look at the tape of the Obama/Joe the plumber exchange before you comment on it. Joe never said he made 250K personally, he was asking Obama how his tax plan would affect him if he bought a small business that grossed more than 250K—that would be the profits of the business—he would personally make much less in individual income.

By eleanor roche on 10/17/2008 1:08 pm

It’s amusing to read all the defenders of ACORN and their shenanigans. I’ll bet you were the same folks who wanted to count every chad in Florida now you could care less if Mickey Mouse votes 10 times. Only concerned about voter fraud and disenfranchisement when it affects the outcome negatively for you.

By eleanor roche on 10/17/2008 1:18 pm

Andnow there is something about the Supreme Court not asking the Ohio woman to check voters for authenticity—saying it’s ok if she doesn’t have time? I don’t know all the details until news time.

By Star Lawrence on 10/17/2008 2:02 pm

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By Star Lawrence on 10/17/2008 3:02 pm It’s amusing to read all the defenders of ACORN and their shenanigans. I’ll bet you were the same folks who wanted to count every chad in Florida now you could care less if Mickey Mouse votes 10 times. Only concerned about voter fraud and disenfranchisement when it affects the outcome negatively for you. Star/Eleanor- I was watching the rally exchange between obama and Joe the plumber. Actually there was no reason Joe the plumber should have been asking anything. He does not have a business- he said he had looked at the tax plan and his point already was ” wealth distribution” “taking from the rich and giving to the poor” Obama is seeking to rebuild the middle class without the middle class we are no different from third world countries. We are great only when we have a strong middle class. I want Acorn investigated and yes I was upset with the florida incident and any form of vote suspression or disenfranchisement.

By starry Nite on 10/17/2008 3:55 pm

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Sigh. Please do. But if you talk nonsense in earshot, I will answer. And I don’t have to be a “professor” to express my opinion. I am doing what all good citizens should do. Hold opinions and express them. Then maybe we would get somewhere.

By Mugsy Peabody on 10/17/2008 7:10 pm

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How dare Obama, or anyone “tell” me what the boundaries of success are! Envy and Jealousy are corrosive to the soul and erode the spirit of accomplishment and ambition. It is a bad personality trait for an individual, and threat to the country if practiced by the State. Obama see’s this, Obama see’s that.. Statistics say this statistics say that…..if any of you want to get “really into” that form of argument, than bring it on! I am most up to the battle. And battle it is! The Bolsheviks in Russia destroyed what work ethic they had for 70 years. Now the gimme New Deal Socialists of America have been doing the same for the last 80 years. ENOUGH! I have been in, and now run, our family Software Development Business for the last 26 years. My Great Grandmother started a General Store in Sullivan, Indiana in 1910 and my Grandfather ran it till1962. 52 years. (The interstate highway system killed it, that’s the breaks) I do not appreciate and am viscerally ANGRY by those ‘worker bee’ posters who take for granted the “producers” in this country. Those who can’t sleep at night worrying where the next order is going to come from so they can MEET PAYROLL, pay the rent, by materials and just plain old keep the business going. The ad hominem attacks against “Joe the Plumber” with your nit picking baseless, and downright amoral thinking, show how deeply flawed in character many of you are. Quote “…it is better to be thought a fool than open your mouth and prove it.…” These issues are NOT A JOKE, NOT A BUZZ WORD, NOT SOME FANTASY. I SAY, MIND YOUR OWN BUSINESS and STAY OUT OF MINE! If you can’t earn a living and require the support of others it is called CHARITY! NOT ENTITLEMENT! We (I) are very generous and give back to the community a hundred time over WILLINGLY! The moment you Socialists attack that ethos the Goose that Lays the Golden Egg DIES! TAXES SHOULD BE FLAT TO BE FAIR GOVERNMENT GOVERNS BEST THAT GOVERNS LEAST. Learn it! Live it! Love it! VOTE – John McCain / Sarah Palin – Today!

By Susan Duffy on 10/17/2008 7:19 pm

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I really thought Sen Obama’s snide comments about how many plumbers do you know who make $250K a year? And how’s business, Joe? These were very childish. Honestly, I felt ashamed for him trashing a citizen this way—along with his henchfolks like that Kos person investigating this person. I used unlicensed tradespeople all the time—it costs more than $10K to post a bond for a contractor’s license in AZ. How many capable people do you know with $10K lying around? Let Sen Obama pull the compacted doo-doo out of his own toilet! I know that sounds mean, but whatEVER. This is getting ridiculous!

By Star Lawrence on 10/18/2008 2:53 pm

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John McCain / Sarah Palin – Today I miss where you say “Before it’s too late.” That was choice. I am working on my ballot. Voting McCain is easy—it’s all these dizzy propositions—black means white, white means puce, this is just a way of saying…the opposite. Why is everyone so dishonest and tricky?

By Star Lawrence on 10/18/2008 4:20 pm

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By Susan Duffy on 10/17/2008 8:19 pm The ad hominem attacks against “Joe the Plumber” with your nit picking baseless, and downright amoral thinking, show how deeply flawed in character many of you are. I am not attacking your character and would appreaciate you attacking mine. I thought we were having a discussion. What happens politically pertains to everyone in the country. We have different views and must continue to work on issues no matter who wins this election. I am not talking about charity or entilements. Health care I believe is a right- the RNC thinks it is a responsibility of the individual. I personally believe in the work ethic and am not talking about charity. I can afford to pay more taxes to help the country achieve prosperity that can be shared by all those who strive to do so. I believe those who are blessed with more - more is expected of them. My gripe with Joe the plumber is that he wasn’t a small business owner asking a question. Some good might come out of all the hoopla. Amoral thinking?

By starry Nite on 10/17/2008 7:44 pm

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” Reply to - starry Nite on 10/17/2008 8:44 pm… …Amoral thinking? “…What happens politically…about charity or entitlements….Health care, ‘I believe’ is a right - the RNC thinks it is a responsibility of the individual”. —————————————————————- …Serious discussion about serious issues is hard to do, especially in writing. I am not capable of Hemingway or Paglia. Mannerisms, humor, facial expressions help “take the edge” off what may sound rude, condescending, or downright mean. If possible, imagine my responses with that in mind… —————————————————————- YES! Morality Your response is a terrific example of ‘moral relativism’ where by the consequences of ‘your beliefs’ conflict with that of ‘someone else’, me. The ‘right’ to health care, you believe exists, in reality, does not. As so many other perceived rights bandied about, your affirmation, ‘I believe is a right’, describes your personal desires. The subject “is” of a “moral nature” that has ignited, once again, conflict. The consequences of the, yours vs. mine, morality argument is “very real” and “costly” for many people of the opposing view. What must follow always results in “mandates”, “controls”, and “taking more taxes”. “My” freedom of choice now diminished and “my” paycheck smaller. I now have to “obey” what I previously did not have to. I am now worse off than before. I learned in college economics this one axiom; Wants and desires are never ending. This “human trait” is why our founders demanded a “limited government” as “originally intended” as enumerated in our rule book, the Constitution. Two quotes that couldn’t be more current as if written yesterday: Alexander Fraser Tyler, Cycle of Democracy (1770) A democracy cannot exist as a permanent form of government. It can only exist until the voters discover that they can vote themselves largesse from the public treasury. From that moment on, the majority always votes for the candidates promising the most benefits from the public treasury with the result that a democracy always collapses over lousy fiscal policy, always followed by a dictatorship. The average of the world’s great civilizations before they decline has been 200 years. These nations have progressed in this sequence: From bondage to spiritual faith; from faith to great courage; from courage to liberty; from liberty to abundance; from abundance to selfishness; from selfishness to Complacency; from complacency to apathy; from apathy to dependency; from dependency back again to bondage.” Benjamin Franklin (1706 - 1790), Final Speech at the Constitutional Convention Sir, I agree to this Constitution, with all its Faults, if they are such; because I think a General Government necessary for us, and there is no Form of Government but what may be a Blessing to the People if well administered; and I believe farther that this is likely to be well administered for a Course of Years, and can only end in Despotism as other Forms have done before it, when the People shall become so corrupted as to need Despotic Government, being incapable of any other.

By Susan Duffy on 10/18/2008 5:56 pm

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100,000 people showed up at the Obama appearance in Missouri, today—the largest gathering for Obama in the WHOLE U.S.A.! Must be Missouri is gonna go to Obama, after all!

By Patty E on 10/18/2008 3:27 pm