Thinking of Voting For John McPain? Recall this:

[Flyprdu]

You know, I would like to add a new dimension to this whole "left-right" issue. Political ideology isn't on a line, it's on a plane. You can be a progressive or conservative, and also a social authoritarian or libertarian.

Conservatives somehow automatically lay claim to the libertarian viewpoint, which is certainly false. We have lost more personal freedoms in the last 8 years than ever before in my lifetime. All because someone votes for tax cuts doesn't automatically make him or her someone who wants you to be "free."

So please get off this limited viewpoint, it is incomplete and bad salesmanship.

http://www.politicalcompass.org/index
I encourage everyone to visit this site, figure out where you stand on the grid. It's quite fascinating.

 

[twepilot]

finally an FI ray of light..Thanks Albie

RV

 

[regionaltard]

Funny thing. I disagree with almost every position Mc Cain holds, but there's not even any reasonable basis for comparison between my high regard for him as a person and my feelings about Obama and Clinton. I cast my first Presidential vote in 1976, and this will be the first time I vote for a Republican. Anyone who thinks that the occupant of the White House can influence the future of our profession more than we can ourselves is just another loser dreaming of a government handout IMO.

 

[Flyprdu]

Anyone who thinks that the occupant of the White House can influence the future of our profession more than we can ourselves is just another loser dreaming of a government handout IMO.

Please familiarize yourself with the Railway Labor Act of 1926. Then correct the statement above.

 

[airlineworthy]

No one could possibly be that stupid.

I think the equivalent could be said about Obama and Hillabeast.

God help us all if one of those two clowns gets in office.

 

[FlickerFade]

We have lost more personal freedoms in the last 8 years than ever before in my lifetime. All because someone votes for tax cuts doesn't automatically make him or her someone who wants you to be "free."

Please name them. The personal freedoms you have lost.

 

[airlineworthy]

As long as one doesn't give in to the fear that pushed like a drug.........

I'd rather have a labor freindly gov't that allows me to negotiate fairly and raise my wages than another four years of regression:


Labor friendly gov't allows me to negotiate a 50-100% pay increase. And "risking" a 10-15% tax increase, even if it get to the middle class.

Or

Four more years of labor tyrrany:

10% pay cut as inflation and gov't strangle my career.


100% paycut for the pilots in the next 5 years who are going to get furloughed... Its already happening under the current gov't. Aloha, ATA, Champion, etc...

Why don't you explain to all of us how to negotiate a raise when fuel is over 100/barrell, airlines are folding like they've been stricken with Avian flu, and companies are cutting back on travel funds.
That should be interesting. I mean, lets talk about the economics of that.

If you think O or H are your white knight to end "4 years of regression", you're in for a rude awakening. According to Obama, if you're making over 75K... you are the filthy rich!! He wants to take a piece of your paycheck and give it to people who won't even help themselves...and you've got a problem with that.? Good grief!

 

[regionaltard]

Please familiarize yourself with the Railway Labor Act of 1926. Then correct the statement above.

You're confusing the fact that the RLA clearly favors management with the fact that Labor has done very little of what it can do withing the confines of the RLA to influence the course of events.

 

[airlineworthy]

Unemployment got down to 4.2% during the Clinton administration. The Bushies have never gotten close.

"The Bushies?" Stop reading Maureen Dowd. That stupid evil biatch has more hatred and contempt in her than OBL.

 

[airlineworthy]

Ok, trick question. Who am I describing in this passage I lifted from a book review?

(Blanks are mine)

....They believed in free health care and guaranteed jobs. They confiscated inherited wealth and spent vast sums on public education. They purged the church from public policy, promoted a new form of pagan spirituality, and inserted the authority of the state into every nook and cranny of daily life. The _____ declared war on smoking, supported abortion, euthanasia, and gun control. They loathed the free market, provided generous pensions for the elderly, and maintained a strict racial quota system in their universities—where campus speech codes were all the rage. The ____ led the world in organic farming and alternative medicine.

S%S-
By far the best rebuttal on this topic. We all know how that little experiment turned out.

Why is it some just simply cannot see the forest for the trees. Mind boggling!

 

[PCL_128]

"The Bushies?" Stop reading Maureen Dowd. That stupid evil biatch has more hatred and contempt in her than OBL.

I've never read a single thing written by Maureen Dowd and I cringe every time she comes on Meet the Press. My hatred for her doesn't change the fact that the Bush administration is a bunch of anti-labor boobs.

 

[PCL_128]

You're confusing the fact that the RLA clearly favors management with the fact that Labor has done very little of what it can do withing the confines of the RLA to influence the course of events.

Labor has stretched their latitude within the RLA to the very limits. The fact is, the intent of the RLA is not being followed by the Bush NMB. It was intended to be a level playing field that allowed for reasonable negotiations and ends to disputes. Instead, the Bush administration has perverted it into an anti-labor monstrosity. And even worse, they've managed to convince you that that's what it's supposed to be!

 

[airlineworthy]

I've never read a single thing written by Maureen Dowd and I cringe every time she comes on Meet the Press. My hatred for her doesn't change the fact that the Bush administration is a bunch of anti-labor boobs.

I won't disagree with you about Bush admin and Labor. My problem is that you're so focused on labor, but lack the understanding what O and H are capable of doing with all the other facets of our country.

Not degrading Labor at all. I'm former airline myself, and understand the need for the voice to be heard. But I never sold my soul just for the sake of Labor.

BTW...ALPA sucks!! Just ask the 2500 pilots at TWA what ALPA did for them.

 

[regionaltard]

Labor has stretched their latitude within the RLA to the very limits. The fact is, the intent of the RLA is not being followed by the Bush NMB. It was intended to be a level playing field that allowed for reasonable negotiations and ends to disputes. Instead, the Bush administration has perverted it into an anti-labor monstrosity. And even worse, they've managed to convince you that that's what it's supposed to be!

The RLA was never intended to be a level playing field; like most of society's institutions it was designed to conserve and concentrate power, not to redistribute it. Granted, the Bush administration has taken its abuse to new heights, but that can be said about virtually everything they've done anyhow.

What "they" have done to pilots isn't even half of what we've done to ourselves.

 

[Grandpa +65]

This is like the Social Security email. Whether Democrat or Republican one might want to know just what the candidates have in mind for our personal money. That's what taxes are.....OUR DOLLARS.
Proposed changes in taxes after 2008 General election:

CAPITAL GAINS TAX​

MCCAIN​

15% (no change)​

OBAMA​

28%​

CLINTON​

24%​

How does this affect you? If you sell your home and make a profit, you will pay 28% of your gain on taxes. If you are heading toward retirement and would like to down-size your home or move into a retirement community, 28% of the money you make from your home will go to taxes. This proposal will adversely affect the elderly who are counting on the income from their homes as part of their retirement income.

DIVIDEND TAX​

MCCAIN​

15% (no change)​

OBAMA​

39.6%​

CLINTON​

39.6%​

How will this affect you? If you have any money invested in stock market, IRA, mutual funds, college funds, life insurance, retirement accounts, or anything that pays or reinvests dividends, you will now be paying nearly 40% of the money earned on taxes if Obama or Clinton become president. The experts predict that "Higher tax rates on dividends and capital gains would crash the stock market yet do absolutely nothing to cut the deficit."

INCOME TAX​

MCCAIN​

(no changes)​

Single making 30K - tax $4,500
Single making 50K - tax $12,500
Single making 75K - tax $18,750
Married making 60K- tax $9,000
Married making 75K - tax $18,750
Married making 125K - tax $31,250 ​

OBAMA​

(Reversion to pre-Bush tax cuts)​

Single making 30K - tax $8,400
Single making 50K - tax $14,000
Single making 75K - tax $23,250
Married making 60K - tax $16,800
Married making 75K - tax $21,000
Married making 125K - tax $38,750 ​

CLINTON​

(Reversion to pre-Bush tax cuts)​

Single making 30K - tax $8,400
Single making 50K - tax $14,000
Single making 75K - tax $23,250
Married making 60K - tax $16,800
Married making 75K - tax $21,000
Married making 125K - tax $38,750 ​

How does this affect you? No explanation needed. This is pretty straight forward.

 

[Grandpa +65]

INHERITANCE TAX​

MCCAIN​

0%​

(No change, Bush repealed this tax)​

OBAMA​

Keep the inheritance tax​

CLINTON​

Keep the inheritance tax​

​

How does this affect you? Many families have lost businesses, farms and ranches, and homes that have been in their families for generations because they could not afford the inheritance tax. Those willing their assets to loved ones will not only lose them to these taxes.​

​

NEW TAXES BEING PROPOSED BY BOTH CLINTON AND OBAMA​

* New government taxes proposed on homes that are more than 2400 square feet​

* New gasoline taxes (as if gas weren't high enough already)​

* New taxes on natural resources consumption (heating gas, water, electricity)

* New taxes on retirement accounts​

and last but not least....​

* New taxes to pay for socialized medicine so we can receive the same level of medical care as other third-world countries!!!​

Can you afford Clinton or Obama? I can't!!!!!​

 

[BSkin]

Again, good stuff, I'll stay Republican (w/my head up my a$$, I guess, according to a previous poster).

McCain in '08!

 

[BSkin]

"A possible Muslim or a possible dyke"

Spoken like a true "head up my ass" republican.

Muslims and gays contribute immensley to this great nation; which we are ALL part of.

And by the way, Senator Obama is a Christian and as American as Santa Claus, James Caan and Charleton Heston.

And God bless, and rest in peace CH.

So you defend Obama Bin Laden, but nothing for Billary?

I'm not blind. I know good muslims (I think) and a few good gays.

Leaving the homos behind (oops), the Muslims are what worry me! When there are polls that say that a small (20 % or more) of the ones in this country would agree to attacking this country -- yes I have a problem with them as a whole! Your smiling 7-11 worker might be the next plotter!

 

[BSkin]

could swear church and state have been seperated? even if he was muslim, what do you think will happen? will they change all the currency to read "in allah we trust"? This country was founded on religious freedom. Do you really believe all muslims hate white people and americans?

No, see above post, and no I don't think the majority of this country would tolerate a muslim as president!

I'm not a practicing religious guy. I'm also not atheist. I do believe in religious freedom, just not the one that did 9/11!

And yes, I know that's a radical group I'm talking about, but the fact is they are here now and I don't trust one of them (Muslims)!

Obama has radical Muslim history with his father AND stepfather, guess mom wasn't too choosey!

Sorry if I have a problem with that, we'll see who wins. I have no doubt!

 

[jester757]

That's completely false. One is going to raise taxes on the super-rich while protecting the middle-class (that's you and me), and the other is going to completely rape the lower- and middle-class to benefit his super-rich buddies.

Ah, I think most pilots are in that top 5% pay wise. We are going to get screwed either way. What a joke of a career.

 

[DallasGatr]

No, see above post, and no I don't think the majority of this country would tolerate a muslim as president!

I'm not a practicing religious guy. I'm also not atheist. I do believe in religious freedom, just not the one that did 9/11!

And yes, I know that's a radical group I'm talking about, but the fact is they are here now and I don't trust one of them (Muslims)!

Obama has radical Muslim history with his father AND stepfather, guess mom wasn't too choosey!

Sorry if I have a problem with that, we'll see who wins. I have no doubt!

You have a great avatar my friend!

 

[waveflyer]

Wow. Anyone who votes party line is doing Everyone an injustice.
I'll be happy if competent people can be back in power again... Honestly.

The time to vote McCain was back in 2000 when you guys instead voted for the deferment VP and the AWOL incompetant. (I'll never get how you all allowed mccain to be trashed by bush/cheney of all people)
The cronyism is the tough part. The incompetence is apparent on every level of the administrative branch of the federal government. (is there an agency that hasn't been hurt by this loyalty over ability practice?) Look at the FAA now? Never a bright group b/c of the 'Those who can, do.. those who can't, teach... and those who can't teach, go to the FAA' factor- Now they've screwed up inspections and further devolved consumer trust in the airlines... Fantastic decision making there*! But it does lend credence to my idea that the airline industry has been thrown under the bus by the gov't to stimulate the rest of the economy.

As far as taxes go. I'd rather have a president not spend money if they aren't going to collect money. But if you want to spend as much as most GOP's like to spend- then we should be willing to pay the price. You don't go cutting 'worthless' social programs like EDUCATION to fund wars. If the war is that important (and i'm one of the few dems who don't want to get out of Iraq) then you should have to convince the people that it's worth sacrificing and rationing for. You don't borrow from CHINA endlessly.
Believe me- socially- i'll never vote for a GOP- theyre just bad hypocrites in that dept- but wow- i would love a politician that actually practiced what GOP preaches fiscally.

Obama has won me over.
As far as mccain- obama said it best when mccain was on his biography tour: - "it's not his biography that i have a problem with. It's his policies."

 

[Rez O. Lewshun]

Rez, PCL...

I'm an ALPA block rep. You have every right to plug ALPA as the solution to every problem if you'd like, and the right to plug Obama or Hillary as the pilot's saviors...

How about replying to the anti labor effort to equate striking as an act of terrorism?

I am just talking about career Air Line Pilot profession problems. No candidate is the answer to all problems. To be forthright... if I can't keep my house and I am branded a terrorist for a legal job action, then whats the point?

I trust John McCain

To do what?

You guys can continue the hard sell on ALPA and the democrats here all you want...message boards are of course open forums for this type of debate. But as an observation, the unrelenting stream of pro-ALPA and pro-democrat threads you guys create only serve to undermine what I think is your ultimate goal but labeling you both as pretty one dimensional shriekers.

Albie- I know airline pilots who have been furloughed twice or more in the last seven years. 40+% pay cuts, pensions gutted. Many pilots don't take vacation because they can't afford it or starting over on a seniority list doesn't really provide one. There is more....but you get the picture.

Now, with the housing market, your fellow pilots are getting upside down on thier mortgages. They probably would not if they didn't get furloughed a couple of times..

Many of your fellow airline pilots qualify for food stamps.

It doesn't have to be anyones fault. There doesn't need to be any blame. Sometimes life is not fair. That is fine. I know that. Sometimes life is very fair.... it appears you know that. However, a gov't that I pay taxes to that doesn't try to equate my efforts to better my childrens life as an act of terrorism would be fair?

I know two friends. One is a NWA pilot the other a FedEx pilot. One is living quite comfortable.. the other is struggling to keep what he's got.

Occam is another *&(&& socialist, but usually offers some intellectual banter to go along with his arguments. I don't always agree, but I don't find his comments nearly as tiresome or one dimensional. You might consider reading some of his stuff as a better model.

I think equating a labor strike as an act of terrorism is compelling. Don't you?

Flame on as you see fit.

No flame Albie.

You got a nice CBA during the Bush Admin. So the possiblity for your point of view is...

"What's the problem fellas? Why do we need a pro labor President? Four more years of the status quo is just fine"

It just seems that way, but you tell me.


I am not even trying to "get mine" anymore. I am just trying to ensure my kids can get braces, believe we are well off for as long as possible, go to college and hopefully have a comfortable life.

Regardless, consider a little empathy. Some of us are struggling hard to fly jets for a living.

 

[Jimmy C. Corn]

I'll vote for McCain, since a vote for Hillary or Obama is the same as a vote for the Shoe Bomber.

Forget your selfish concerns about "labor issues" for a second--does anyone actually think Obama or Hillary has what it takes to run the military?

 

[CA1900]

Please name them. The personal freedoms you have lost.

I'll give you one: the Fourth Amendment to the US Constitution, for one:

The right of the people to be secure in their persons, houses, papers, and effects, against unreasonable searches and seizures, shall not be violated, and no Warrants shall issue, but upon probable cause, supported by Oath or affirmation, and particularly describing the place to be searched, and the persons or things to be seized.

Thanks to the ironically-named "Patriot Act," the government now has the power to do many things in direct violation of this amendment:
[FONT=Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif][FONT=Arial, Helvetica]
[/FONT][/FONT]

• The FBI can now demand any papers and records about you held by a third party (like your bank), without a warrant, nor even reasonable suspicion of a crime, let alone the "Probable Cause" required by the fourth amendment.
• A person or organization who has been required to turn over these records is prohibited from revealing that he did so, in direct violation of his first amendment rights.
• A judge cannot overrule this breach of authority; he need only be notified of the search. This is significant, because it means you have no recourse against an illegal search. There are no checks and balances.
• Visitors to this country can be detained indefinitely, without trial, based solely on the attorney general's word that he has "reasonable grounds to believe" the person endangers national security.
• Numerous changes that allow wiretaps without (again) a warrant nor probable cause. The door has been opened again to the abuses of authority that were so pervasive in the 70's.

I know, I know. You have "nothing to hide"; they'd never spy on you. Right. Until you utilize your first amendment rights and say something controversial.

Are you comfortable having all your phone calls monitored by the government? All your internet traffic watched? I'm not. I'm not a criminal nor a terrorist, and I'm not willing to trade away my civil liberties to prove it. No real Patriot should.

 

[DrewBlows]

Every recession since the Great Depression have on a Republican President's watch, yet somehow the Republican party is the party of fiscal responsibility. I will never understand why anyone would vote against their own financial interests...

The Great Depression...Herbert Hoover
Recession of 1953...Dwight Eisenhower
Recession of 1957...Dwight Eisenhower
1973 Oil Crisis...Richard Nixon
Early 1980's Recession...Ronald Reagan
Early 1990's Recession...George H.W. Bush
Early 2000's Recession...George W. Bush
Current Recession (don't fool yourself)...George W. Bush

Facts courtesy of Wikipedia

 

[Jimmy C. Corn]

I see you must have slept through your econ class (if your "college" offered one). Recessions are years in the making.

For example, the dot com bubble bust was in the works far before Bush II and 9/11 (i.e., during Clinton's last term).

I suppose you honestly believe Carter didn't have anything to do with the "early 80s" recession? Come on, now.

Since you regard wikipedia as a valid source, I suggest you look up "Misery Index" there. And next time, do some real research before you post here.

 

[trip]

Heard on Bob Brinker yesterday that the Obama plan for social security will put top wage earners in the 64% bracket for california. Yea baby- work for .36cents on the dollar!

 

[blzr]

No one could possibly be that stupid.

Me too. I am for placing even more burden on the VERY people that ride on our airplanes. EAT THE RICH!!!

 

[DrewBlows]

I see you must have slept through your econ class (if your "college" offered one). Recessions are years in the making.

For example, the dot com bubble bust was in the works far before Bush II and 9/11 (i.e., during Clinton's terms).

I suppose you honestly believe Carter didn't have anything to do with the "early 80s" recession? Come on, now.

Since you regard wikipedia as a valid source, I suggest you look up "Misery Index" there. And next time, do some real research before you post that silliness here.

Okay, let's take the Early 1980's and Early 2000's out. Who's responsible for the Great Depression, 1953, 1957, 1973, Early 1990's, current? Again, it is a fallacy that the Republican party is fiscally responsible.