Re: Sarah Palin Interview with Katie Couric (liberal activist) on CBS Evening News - Part 2 of 2

[Drfiggy]

We need to stop our addition to fossil fuel period! Let's focus on increasing non-fossil sources (nuclear, hydroelectric, wind, geothermal and solar) "My Friend."

Again the terms "Country First" ,"Maverick", and "You Betcha!" are just empty labels used to divert our attention on real issues while pretending to have answers to our major problems. Trying to be humorous is not the right answer when people are losing their homes, jobs, and lives.

[Drfiggy]

Did you know that drilling now will not bring any benefits to our present economy, environment conditions? It will take at least ten years to make a difference. Look, you want to continue our oil addiction at home? Instead of maintaining our addiction with Middle Eastern oil you want to "drill, baby drill" in our back yard knowing full well this will not result in any economic shifts? Stop listening to the unsubstantiated claims and empty rhetoric of McCain and worse Palin.

[Drfiggy]

So nationalizing the banking system through government loans and bailouts is called what? Rich Folk Socialism! No longer Free Market capitalism!

Read alternative news not FOX, or the Glen Becks of the world. The best way to inform yourself is through public non-corporate run media. Or foreign news like the BBC, which shares the real US happenings without liberal or conservative biases and not speeches out of context or half-truths to support one side or the other.

[Drfiggy]

This country was built on the backs of the working and middle classes who made the privileged class. Read Alan Brinkley, Howard Zinn, and David M. Kennedy. Now the privileged class ruins the economy, then bails itself out only to start again? A country for the rich only means repressions and depressions for the rest of 95% of Americans. Another Republican administration will completely ruin our LIBERAL Democratic republic.

[Drfiggy]

So you are against women's rights, worker's rights, and the right to privacy? This is hypocritical, no? I bet you are for killing innocent people overseas whether or not they are UNBORN. Those innocent women (some with child/fetus) and children are only collateral damage in your eyes for enriching the pockets of the privileged, correct? Learn your history "My Friend" to quote JM.

[Drfiggy]

Yes. Back to Palin: she unfortunately doesn't have the capacity to discuss economic issues or any other for that matter. This is a sad day in U.S.politics. Your video comments seem to from a privileged position. Is that correct? The housing crisis was not caused by the ordinary American but by greed in the mortgage sector; those who triple sold mortgages while keeping the original mortgagee in the dark or misleading these individuals ought to be prosecuted and not rewarded with "bailouts."

[Drfiggy]

Meant to say mortgagor. But neither McCain nor Palin know anything about the economy. I don't understand how any young voter (under 40) could support such a disastrous ticket. Neither of them above answer debate questions based on the issues but prefer ad hominem attacks or throw red herrings at the audience. As an independent, I've had enough with these ridiculous ignorant strategies. And why do folks still use the media created terms Blue and Red states? Labels don't explain anything.

[redstate82]

Can you please tell me one specific thing Obama stands for. One specific policy he's laid out. One specific thing he's done while in the Senate. Please... just one. Not a bunch of rhetoric, but a true, focused plan.

I'm under 40 and I'll tell you why I'm voting for McCain.

1.) Abortion is MURDER.

2.) The rich already carry this country by contributing 95% of the revenue.

3.) Redistribution of wealth = socialism.

4.) Drill here, drill now.

5.) McCain = 30 year record. Barack = teleprompter.

[redstate82]

Privileged position? Define "privileged." Is that a certain income level?

[jtbell30]

Yes they are to blame. But how did elected officials and investment bank members not learn from the Great Depression and the regulations placed afterward that slowly fixed and prevented this exact situation?

Carter, Reagan, Bush, Clinton, Bush.

This isn't blue or red.

Back to Palin, she can't blame people. That'd alienate voters, and she's dead behind the eyes.

[littlegayfairy]

redstate,

I totally agree with your point of view regarding "many" (not all of them) of the current mortgage borrowers that are experiencing financial troubles as a result of living beyond their means. From anecdotal evidence, most of these borrowers colluded with the lenders in commiting fraud with their mortgage application. If a borrower applied for the popular "stated income documentation" loan where they allowed their income on their loan application to be exaggerated, than that's fraud.

[jacquecmsu]

OK, I kinda get what you are saying... but did we watch the same interview?

You must ask yourself... can this woman run the country if/when McCain dies?

and redstate, please don't be suprised when all the states are blue

[roxanneveg]

I should also note that I dont know of a single bank that will allow you to take a copy of your loan agreement home without signing it first. So unless you are going to sit down and copy 30 pages to garb by hand, doing the research can be quite difficult. I dont see what the big deal is in telling these banks that they have to limit what they lend and use common sense. They certainly have the knowledge to understand what they are doing and what position they are putting the borrower in.

[roxanneveg]

Theres no way an ignorant person is going to understand the terms of a mortgage, I dont care how many questions they ask. I have two degrees and had to sit down for hours to decode my loan. Whats needed are regulations so that banks are honest when assessing a persons ability to pay. Not only to protect the interests on the borrower but to protect the interests of the share holders and the public at large.

[roxanneveg]

Its vital that the poor and ignorant (I wouldnt say unintelligent) own homes, because its the key to financing education & other opportunities for the next generation. It gives them the collateral needed to pull themselves up by their own bootstraps. It reduces the need for welfare of other social programs.

[Corrina41]

I'm from a blue state but I agree with you here. Thanks for making a point that Dems and Reps should be able to agree on.

[roxanneveg]

These shady lending practices were in the news long before this crisis. Some banks were sending reps out to the homes of the elderly and working class and talking them into dropping their low fixed rate for and adjustable rate. People who went into banks were told that they could refinance before their arms were up. Your approaching this whole thing from the perspective of a middle class, educated, person. Go out to your local getto and ask them if their loans are amortized and see what they say

[redstate82]

I must admit, I don't know what amortized is.

Those who prey on the elderly should be prosecuted, but I don't buy the ghetto argument. If you have enough income to buy a house, then you should have enough intelligence to sign a mortgage. If you don't understand, you ask questions. I understand the argument about lenders seeing these people coming, but at what point do you hold the buyer accountable? When everything crumbles, how do we differentiate between the dumb and the unwise?

[roxanneveg]

You write that its not "rocket science," but for some it might as well be. There are a lot of uneducated people who didnt understand the terms of their morgage. Dont think for a minute that lenders dont size you up as soon as you walk into their offices. If they think you cant understand the written details of your mortgage, they arent going to do you any favors by explaining it correctly. I know people in the industry and you wouldnt believe the snow job they do on simple people.

[roxanneveg]

Its not hard to believe that people dont know how much it will cost to own a house. Its not just the cost of the morgage payment. People forget its morgage, insurance, state taxes, association, morgage insurance, double or triple in utilities, up keep...the list of cost go on and on. When I bought my house the taxes cost me $2300 per year. Today its $4450 per year. Thats almost the cost of renting an apartment here in TX.

[angelicbass]

I hear GOP's talking about small town values. Well family lives in a small town. In a small town folks LOOK OUT FOR EACH OTHER! No matter their background or their problems. That is what values are. To say you don't want to help out your neighbor is un-American.

[angelicbass]

What the American citizens need to take responsibility for is VOTING! We need to get these good old boys outta office and give the govt back to the PEOPLE OF THIS COUNTRY! By us for us! Those in power keep forgetting that! The USA needs to start seeing its self as a community and look out for each other.

[angelicbass]

Though I agree that folks these days do live well beyond their means and that a little education for self preservation can go along way to keep us financially in the black. I do feel that you are overly simplifying things to a great deal. Our current administration has put us as a nation into this situation, sorry about the alliteration. The GOP has become a good old boy network looking out for their friends in big business so they can fill their own pockets. And in doing so have hurt the USA.

[gbshaun]

"individuals getting greedy"

"..buying items they can't afford"

I agree 100%.

But the fact that "Sarah Palin missed an oportunity" to give an intelligent, coherent answer should be of no surprise to anyone who has tried to listen to her these past weeks.

[cercyshirley]

I 100% agree with you. Its one thing when you become seriously ill or loose your job and money is tight, But if you can't afford it you don't need it. This generation has lost the value of a dollar and the value of responsibility.

[redstate82]

People no doubt use credit to afford cars and houses. Credit is fine when handled cautiously and responsibly. However, credit lenders storm our mail boxes with offers for credit cards the moment we turn 18, and they never stop. Numerous offers pour in, and many Americans can't tell themselves no. So, they go buy the car they can't afford, then they tack on 4 years of college debt, flat screen tv, and a car. You can blame lenders, but consumers sign the contract and agree to the loan conditions.

[bigmoslim]

I am English and would like to ask a question. If you go to buy a car or a house which you do not have the CASH for, how do you purchase it??

Over here we apply for Credit, which after a credit check is usually granted by someone who checks you have the means to pay it off. Now, these people are rewarded by a decent salary and commission based on interest they generate from lending the money. Initially these people shouldn't lend you money you cannot afford...

[bigmoslim]

I can apply for credit on a Bentley, If I wish. But I should be rejected as I cannot afford the payments and will default payments. So is this my fault? Or is it just someone acting on greed for commission??

I hope you read this and don;t think i am attacking your point... i just want to understand how things work over the pond!!

[roxanneveg]

Most home buyers weren't greedy. They were ignorant & didnt understand their morgage terms. They assumed they could afford a house because the bank experts went over all of their finances & told them that the homes were within their budget. Historically, banks have been very careful about extending credit, so people assumed they were being given good advice. Then, rates hiked & prop values crashed. Folks were upside down in their morgage. It was a result of preditory lending & rate manipulation

[redstate82]

I don't buy this because I was one of those people sitting on the other side of the table. Did they try to lend me more than they should have? Yes! And they broke everything down for me by monthly payments, interest, ect. And though it was very hard, I got up and walked away. They may have wanted to lend me more than I could afford, but that doesn't mean they didn't put exact numbers on the table. I knew what I would owe if I took that mortgage.

[cs302b]

When Katie Couric asks her to name specific steps McCain has taken with regard to pushing for more regulation, Palin is stumped and says shes gonna have to get back to her.

A heartbeat away... a heartbeat away.

[voinavarell]

Yeah, so it's partly the American people's fault? SO WHAT? No one is saying it's ALL Wall Street's fault. We are the consumers who should have been protected by good regulation.

[redstate82]

This question comes into play when I as a tax payer have to take over the default mortgage of a house that someone I don't even know foolishly bought. I'm all for "good regulation" but how bout a little "self regulation???"

[kmoney2424]

it is the feds fault for all of this situation, they have required banks to increase lending loan mortgages by 30% to get low income families into homes and guess who's defaulting on the loans

[redstate82]

Do the families not know what their yearly income is? Do they not know what the monthly payments will be when they sign the loan? If they get an arm, do they not understand and accept by signing the contract that the interest rate may go up? It's not rocket science.

If I were to weigh 500 pounds, I wouldn't blame McDonalds.

[katecalle]

So... socialism is cool for the bourgeois but not cool for the proletariat... Blame the victim, it is easier that way because they are already the victim.

[DLL31]

Who is in charge of keeping the regulatory commission in check?? anyone know?

[7thisis6]

well said redstate

[lagevuursche]

(part 3)I am actually a proponent for higher taxes. NOT for the war or to line a polititions pocket). Without enough taxes, we cannot fill the pot holes, etc. We need a government that can do what's best for America. Letting the banks run wild is, obviously, not in everyones best interest. We need MORE regulation of the banks, and a government that looks inward. Europeans pay a lot in taxes, but they get a lot of benefit from it. Cheaper medicine, for one thing.

[lagevuursche]

(Part 2)We elect the government to do those things that are best done collectively. They are there to fill the potholes, run the schools, make sure the infrastructure is sound, and to make sure that big business doesn't screw us over. They have SEVERELY failled in all these things. They have made this a regime where their salaries and the military, are all that our taxes go for. By deregulation, they can claim "smaller Government". What you see now, is the result.

[lagevuursche]

If I ran my house the way the government ran theirs, I would be in jail, or homeless. They seem to have forgotten the #1 rule - moderation in all things. When you remove the checks (Reagan began that with deregulation), you can bet the balance will follow. For evey action, there is an equal, but opposite reaction. This gives new meaning to the "trickle down" theory. It seems to me, that the Republicans have forgotten what the government is there for. It is to protect us from ourselves.

[BIGLOU88]

The Last thing Sarah is gonna do is blame the American public, she may seem dumb but not retarted.

[lagevuursche]

I equate this with the drug trade. If there is a demand, someone will find a way to supply it. Americans have been told for generations, that this is the wealthiest country in the world. Everyone wants to live that dream, and when the government encourages this, they go for it, no holes bared. Now, we must kick the habit. Wether credit cards or houses, we will have to tone down our spending. The banks have been our dealers, and now we must kick the habit. It takes 2 to tango!

[kietkopelli]

You are dead wrong. Americans are not to blame! The problem stemmed when banks loaned themselves money. If you take $5 from your left pocket and move it to your right pocket YOU DO NOT HAVE $10!!!!

Americans have been living beyond our means for many decades but lending standards were kept in check until the Bush administration. If I make $40K per year and get cc for $30K I have every right to spend that money. Its the bank that should have never offered it to begin with. Get it?

[redstate82]

But when you get a mortgage with an arm, you sign that contract knowing the rate could go up at any time. So when your monthly mortgage increases, you are responsible for that. How is that the governments fault?

If people got a fixed rate mortgage and didn't buy into the "pay less/get more/too good to be true" there'd be no problem.

[donossorio]

It's hard to disagree with a sound argument my fellow American brother but when your sold a dream, remember that "The American Dream" and your told that you can have at a pretty cheap price you go for it. But let me pose this to you, "How was this allowed to happen?" How were our fellow American citizens allowed to purchase these very expensive mortgages without having the means to pay for them? God bless America.

[HybridGoddess]

EXACTLY --- How much do we REALLY NEED? Stop the selfishness!!! Doesn't their guts just turn when they think about all the wealth that they have? How do they really sleep at night? Nasty, I say, just NASTY!

[redstate82]

The truth is we're more concerned with the appearance of wealth than actually having it. God forbid we drive a used car, or live in a house that has a few years on it. And yes... LOL... it's NASTY!

[lorienjrr]

She didn't miss an opportunity, she was playing the politics card. She meant to say that and then she retracted from her statement fearing to lose some of the irresponsible people's votes. (many out there) I am not Republican but I do believe in people's responsability of getting informed.

[gymbuilt]

If the Government does this Bailout this will set a VERY BAD EXAMPLE or PRESIDENCE to others... THIS IS NOT A GOOD IDEA!!

[redstate82]

I agree... I think it's a lose/lose situation and this will open Pandoras Box when it comes to bailouts in the future and who does and does not get them in the future.

[gymbuilt]

ABSOULTLY DUDE you got it SPOT ON

$30,000. income with a $100,000 spending

Americans need to learn that Having nice things isn't The American Dream. Working for it and owning IT and PAIDFOR IS!.

[Broheem6]

I just needed to vent about something else, too. WHY do all you McCain/Palin supporters refuse to allow rebuttal text comments on your posts? Are you afraid of what the other side has to say? Be fair, people!

[redstate82]

What are you talking about? There are tons of anit-republican rebuttals on here.

[Broheem6]

It seems to me that if you owe money to a bank on a mortgage on a house and the bank goes under due to it's own mismanagement, that there is no need for the govt to step in and help the bank over the taxpayers' objections. Here's economic stimulus for you - if the bank goes down, the govt assumes the loan and you pay off the govt instead! Now the govt. is collecting your interest and can use the money to provide healthcare, education, social security, etc. Why bail out the incompetent swindlers?

[redstate82]

I think you have some good thoughts here in regards to healthcare, education, and social security. However, as incompetent as the bankers have been, I'm still not sure I trust the government anymore than the swindlers. Wouldn't this increase the size of government? And give them ultimate control of our money?

If they want to improve the programs you mentioned, they need to cut spending in other areas to appropriate the money where needed. I want my interest coming back to me.

[Broheem6]

Red. Our tax base is on it's head anyway. We should be paying our highest taxes locally and lowest federally. That would create transparency in government, as well as create jobs for each community that distributes tax dollars. If the local tax collector started driving a rolls, you'd know it and want to know why. What does McCain drive? Or Obama? Or your own member of the house of representatives? Do you know? Doesn't it bother you that you don't?

[infinitecimal]

No one should get a bail out. And the free market is only as good as the information provided. Hence why we have the SEC(govt regulation) which prosecutes people for insider trading. Republicans and the right-leaning dems+Clinton did away with these regulations in the 90s, add that to the Fed throwing money at everyone and you have a problem. There is no real left-wing in this country, anything left of fascism is "liberal elitist socialism."

[Drfiggy]

Also there is no such thing as a "free market" when not all players a sufficiently educated or have proper resources to compete. However, I do agree ordinary individuals should also be blamed but to a lesser extent since the mortgage fiasco was caused by lenders selling mortgages multiple times. So I advocate for a more regulated market not completely "free". Not to Palin: She needs many years of education and experience to compete at the national Presidential level.

[epiphany777]

has anyone ever told you, you look AND sound like Bill Clinton?

[redstate82]

LOL... no... and as a conservative, I'm not sure how to take that. But hey, he does have a way with the ladies!

[MikeMight]

American greed is to blame...on both sides...just as was succinctly stated. Why should those who live within their means have to pay to bail out those who do not? The wise man builds his house upon the Rock...not upon the sand. People need to wise up and use some good common sense!

[Drfiggy]

The major problem is a lack of proper education about how the economy works. And the corporate greed run rapid. The corporate establishment is only concerned with the bottom line, that is, making money without considering the consequences to other industries, individuals or institutions. Republicans say country first but they really mean country club first.

[redstate82]

You were giving a reasonable response till you pulled the "country club" card. Come on... Obama's a millionaire, the Clintons are millionaires. Drop the partisan rhetoric.

Your argument doesn't lie with Republicans... it lies with the Free Market. Are you opposed to the free market?

[Drfiggy]

That is a very good question. I am for a responsible market not completely free but regulated to some extent. I am an independent who is concerned with extremes from the right and the left. The "free market" is an abstraction used by conservatives (and many others) to point to when things go haywire just like our current economic disaster creating by too much de-regulation, etc.

[redstate82]

So do you advocate oversight while keeping government as small as possible? Also, do you believe Obama's tax cuts for everyone under $250,000 and increases for those over that level are justified and would be wise during this economic crisis?

[nobleenigma]

Don't forget Sarah Palin is going to save us all from WITCH CRAFT! lol

[lagevuursche]

"Don't forget Sarah Palin is going to save us all from WITCH CRAFT! lol" nobleenigma

Don't forget the dinosaurs bones that were put here 5 thousand years ago, by God, to confuse mankind

[wolverinefan1986]

Missed an oppotunity to speak some truth? I'll say! Her answer was one of the most unintelligible, pathetic, gibberish answers I have ever heard to any question in any interview. Think I'm exaggerating folks? Watch the interview yourself and listen for Couric's question about whether it's fair for the people to have to bear the burden of the bailout. Prepare for 30 seconds of nonsense.

[redstate82]

In fairness, she gave the same answer that Obama or Biden would have gave. Everyone wants to blame Wall Street and pull the " Pitty Mainstreet" card. No one has the political balls to tell the American people "Hey you, stop spending money you don't have!"

[MonkeyFinger23]

While I'd go a little further than you in regards to Wall Street being corrupt, you're spot on about peoples responsibilities. People must be held responsible for their own mistakes. It's ridiculous to point the finger at mortgage companies without holding the buyers responsible as well. If I charge more on my credit card than I can afford because I have champaign taste on a beer budget is it the fault of the stores for selling me there merchandise?

[wolverinefan1986]

I agree, and I hold the Bush administration responsible for deregulating the financial industry and letting this rape and pillage of our economy happen.

[redstate82]

You are spot on!

[Tetragrammaton8]

This administration has encouraged fiscal irresponsiblity.

It borrows much of its budget and increases the amount it owes (deficit) every year. Would this behavior EVER be seen as 'responsible' on an individual level? No.

It encourages an 'ownership society' where everyone can and should own a home, while giving less oversight to the finance/mortgage industry at the same time. What do you think was the logical result of that policy?

Wake up.

[D0VVNT0VVN]

Hey redstate, sorry you're getting hammered with comments attacking you that are really attacks on me. I realize you and I are not in 100% agreement but I think you make excellent points in this video.

[raidersarepimpin]

If Sarah Palin became president I would rather shoot my self and burn in hell for eternity then have her lead our country!!! I mean for real. She wants to take away evolution from school and teach creation. Dont make me sick.

[redstate82]

LOL... you may want to put a bullet in the barrel.

[Mattrock607]

Uh, liberal activist? Really? Explain specific instances of her taking part in any sort of liberal events, supporting liberal candidates, etc. If Couric is such a Liberal, why did the McCain campaign agree to the interview? Why not just have her interviewed by Kieth Olbermann, or Bill Maher, or Jon Stewart? She's a tool, McCain's a tool, and anyone who votes for them needs SERIOUS help. Stop scratching the floor for a nice thing to say about Palin... they're both horrible, and you know it.

[redstate82]

I never said anything about liberal activist... I was simply responding to Palin's answer to Couric's last question.

No one's "scratching the floor" for nice things to say. The McCain and Obama campaigns have major policy differences. Whether fiscal policies, social, moral, or foreign, there are huge differences. I would call Obamas policies "horrible" but never he or Biden as people. They're Americans.

[teron678]

Shoulda, Woulda, Coulda ...

Would rather have another 4 years of Bush .. than 4 years of a Palin Presidency.

People say Obama is unqualified .... although he uhs & ahs ... he would never give those idiotic responses Sarah gave .. the conservatives would never admit it though ...

Mac should've chosen Lie-berman .... that's who he wanted to choose .. but the ultra right-wing .. told him no ...

[redstate82]

The right wing is already taking McCain with great reservations. You're right... Lie-berman probably would have been McCains choice but it would have caused the biggest backlash ever. He would have been destroyed. The Republican party has never been more excited than when Palin was chosen. People can discount her all day long, but the energy inside the party and with swing voters shows the truth of the matter.

[wolverinefan1986]

Sorry, redstate, but all that energy is going to be totally offset by her incredibly poor answer to Couric's question and the fact that she is going to be eviscerated on national television by Biden in the debate. You cannot in good conscience say that you are NOT worried about what will happen to her in that debate, not after this embarrassing interview with Couric. If you say you aren't worried, you are burying your head in the sand.

[redstate82]

I'm not sure that "worried" is the answer. I'll admit, she seemed a bit more shaky in the Couric interview than the Gibson interview. I think the debate between she and Biden will look a lot like last night with McCain and Obama but the roles will be switched. Palin like Obama will have textbook answers and Biden like McCain will have answers that come from years of experience. There's no doubt, she's got a tough road ahead though.

[husayn57]

son did you just move? there are no books on your shelf

[redstate82]

lol... actually... yes

[JaredWilliams]

Intelligent? She's obviously confident, chipper and brassy but I'd hardly call her intelligent. I doubt if this she was not in the running for VP that conservatives would be calling her "intelligent". She seems very out of her element on nearly every question from all three parts. I also see few if any "gotcha" questions as there were in the Gibson interview. I agree with you on personal responsibility, unfortunately, it doesn't appear to work a society that wants you to spend money...

[redstate82]

You don't become Govenor of a state without intelligence. I wouldn't vote for Obama, but I would recognize his intelliegence.

[socalkickboxer]

Its not hard to run for office in Alaska...Arnold won in california, jessie the body won in Minn.

In California a playboy model finished 3rd....This woman is def. the dumbest politician ever. Even Hilter and Stalin were smarter.

[redstate82]

That sounds like a biased and illogical conclusion... There are millions of people who would disagree with you, and I think you'll be surprised come November. I guess time will tell. Maybe you're right... maybe I'm wrong. But "dumbest politician ever" is a mighty broad sweeping comment with little evidence to back it.

[PistoLP09]

Um, if one can become President of the United States without intelligence (you know who I'm talking about), one can certainly become governor of ALASKA without intelligence.

[redstate82]

You're definitely not elected TWICE if you have no intelligence. That's the problem... all these years, Bush has been sold as a bumbling redneck idiot. It's an easy go-to line for liberals, but Bush grew up in politics, went to prestigious schools and is brilliant though he rarely illustrates it with his words.

Is Biden intelligent with all his gaffes?? 2004 Should have been a done deal. Now... 2008 should be as well... but it's not.

The intelligence argument does not float.

[wolverinefan1986]

Bush is brilliant? Wow, first time I've heard someone try to sell that. Getting accepted to a prestigious school when you are rich does not mean you were smart enough to get into that school, not in America anyhow. Surely you must know that. And c'mon, liberals have NOT had to paint Bush as a bumbling idiot, he does it all himself. Just look last week when he said all who committed fraud on Wall St. would be "persecuted." I'll let you figure out why that was wrong on your own.

[DancesWithLobsters]

By the way, my Dad taught me not to spend money I don't have either. Doesn't mean I've got to hit myself in the head with a brick until Palin sounds intelligent.

[DancesWithLobsters]

I agree entirely that Katie Couric is a liberal activist. Anything she says is the exact opposite of the truth and anything she does is a terrorist trick! Palin actually answered all those questions brilliantly and Couric found a body double to act like a dumb ditz.

[PistoLP09]

...and the conservative activists (aka nearly every FOX News anchor and commentator) always tell the truth, right? Give me a fuckin break.

[redstate82]

Who are some news sources that you think are completely down the middle fair and balanced? (No sarcasm, I'm genuinely curious.)

[DancesWithLobsters]

We are humans and we all have biases. Even the most innocent, well-meaning network has limited air time and cannot run every story. The ones that end up on the cutting room floor become evidence of "bias." However the argument that "this person is biased, therefore what they're saying is a lie" is a lazy argument that reaffirms your own beliefs without the trouble of fact checking. In this case, Katie Couric is asking questions. Palin is answering them. How is that biased?

[redstate82]

I never said the interview was biased... nor called Couric liberal. I simply responded to Palins answer for Courics last question.

[DancesWithLobsters]

You never called Couric liberal? The title of the video is, "Re: Sarah Palin Interview with Katie Couric (liberal activist) on CBS Evening News - Part 2 of 2." If it's unbiased, then whether or not Couric is a liberal is irrelevant. That being the case, the only reason to mention it is to basically say, "this interview doesn't count because it's conducted by a liberal."

[D0VVNT0VVN]

That's because it's a response to the video I posted and that was the title I gave my video. Just because redstate82 and I both support McCain-Palin doesn't mean we agree with each other about everything or that either of us agree with McCain or Palin about everything.

[SupineDragon]

Fair enough.

[amazingcardsharp]

yeah. he was replying to a video called "Sarah Palin Interview with Katie Couric (liberal activist) on CBS Evening News - Part 2 of 2".

he didn't title the video. he replied to it. he didn't call her a liberal.

idiot.

[redstate82]

This video is a response to another video with that title. I was simply addressing Palin's last answer.

[socalkickboxer]

she is to dumb to speak up on anything else

[redstate82]

I think she's an intelligent woman who has strong views... she unfortunately took the political road on this answer because who during a campaign would ever want to point a finger at the American people??? (Though they should be pointed at.)

[georgebdan]

LOL! DancesWithLobsters I could not have said it better my self!

redstate82 do you realy think that Palin handled this interview well?!!

[redstate82]

She didn't seem as comfortable in this interview as she did in other ones... so I think she could have done better. I don't think it was bad necessarily. Seemed more like an off day. But I'm not making excuses for her... I think she got the last question completely wrong.

[PistoLP09]

Well at least you're a conservative and/or republican who is aware that Americans aren't perfect and this country does have its flaws.

[westown70]

O Please....we were making it as a country when Clinton was done with his 8 years !!! Then all hell broke lose right after Bush took over !!! Bush knows he will be able to go back to his fancy "ranch" at the end of the year!! Hell i'd give money away if i had it to give as well !!! There are more people out there struggling and don't even have a credit card or own a house!!!! Most of us don't even have enough money to even think about putting money in the market let alone a savings account !!!!!

[redstate82]

1.)Clinton inherited an economy recovering from a recession, so he was on the up swing. A repulcian congress later held Clinton in check. I respect Clinton for the economy during his presidency.

2.) Why does everyone hate rich people? It's jelousy. I'm not rich, and i respect those who've been able to be successful.

This is America... if you want the dream... work for it! Some will fail, some will succeed. Not everyone can be on top.

[Tetragrammaton8]

Maybe people would like the rich more if they stopped gaming our political and economic system, making the average person less able to achieve The American Dream.

[Tetragrammaton8]

Also, you have to realize that increasing economic disparities between richest and poorest destabilize countries and make them worse off. It's a serious problem, that can't be brushed off by saying 'work harder lol'.

[redstate82]

Michelle Obama came from a poor family... is she not achieving the American Dream? Cindy McCain's father started with nothing to become a millionaire... is he not achieving the American Dream? Sarah Palin was a hockey mom... she's not the Vice Presidential Candidate. There are millions of people in America who had nothing, and now have the American dream. By the way - the dream doesn't always equal wealth.

[PistoLP09]

And what do you say to those who are born into money and who have never really worked a day in their life? What do you say to someone like Lauren Conrad of "The Hills" who gets paid $72,000 per episode just for hanging out with her friends on camera? That's more than what the vast majority of actual, hardworking actors earn!

[Dubzoo]

Excellent. You are right. We do not live within our means. We are trying to be better than the Jone's down the street. Some people do not take this approach. I do not think that we, should be held accountable for someone else's over spending.

However, I do blame the government for allowing sub-prime mortgages to go through which gave access for the common joe who makes 30K to buy a 350K house. Did our parents not teach us right and tell us 20% down to buy a house?

[redstate82]

Indeed! My Dad taught me that if you're gonna use a credit card, be able to pay it off in full at the end of the month. When you buy a house, have a substantial down payment.

Two years ago, as a guy in his early twenties, I sat across the desk from a lender and for thirty minutes he tried to talk me into a mortgage I couldn't afford. I said no, left, and am to this day renting. I owe that to my parents and the wisdom they instilled in me.

[StellatoBodnar]

I"ll vote for you!

[crazypdj]

My house is paid off, and I drive a Geo with a $100,000/yr income, so don't include me in your analysis.

[rockstar0244]

You are wise and responsible.

[Shamaryaho1]

true story were i'm from we call that flaugin

[JaphletBA]

That is somewhat correct, if you don't consider it in context. The first thing countries turning into captitalist "democracies" do is create a middle class, as a buffer between the 2 poles. With a big enough middle class, fed all kinds of garbage stolen from foreign lands so they stay happy and buying, the real people in charge have free reign of the country and the money.

Regulation isn't part of neo-liberal capitalist theory. Until the theory itself drives an entire nation into the ground.

[PistoLP09]

And what about those of us who DO live within our means? We still get punished regardless of how responsible we are with our money.

[jtg2525]

Hopefully you are in a good position through this crisis, and then can find some great deals and opportunities as we come out of it.

[rockstar0244]

Right... which is why it's rediculous that our money will soon be spent to bail out Wallstreet and Americans who made horrible decisions. No one is being held accountable for their mistakes.

[maysamali13]

You're right people are greedy, people who have million dollar incomes cry about losing a couple thousand dollars, when families can't even put food on their tables. These so called "elite" who are fortunate enough to have so much, can't seem to find it in their souls to spare some change? I don't believe in socialism, but I do believe in having a god damn fucking heart. Help your neighbors, help the HUMANS around you. I'm sure you're going to regret it on your deathbed.

[PistoLP09]

You're right. And part of the republicans' general economic ideology is that the rich will donate their money to the poor. While that is true in certain cases, the reality is that most of them don't donate anything and when they do they don't donate enough.

The rich keep getting richer and poor keep getting poorer, and something needs to be done about this. Lowering taxes is not going to reverse this ever-enlarging gap in income between the rich and the poor.

[rockstar0244]

It's been proven that Republicans and Evangelicals give for more of their own money to charity than Democrats. I could list numerous links but you can google it for yourself. President Bush has given more to poverty stricken countries than ever before. Democrats play the "we love poor people" card all the time, but never back it up. They raise taxes on corporations which causes job loss due to more outgo than income.

[rockstar0244]

I agree... the rich need to have a giving heart, but it must be a personal descision to give and not forced.

Forcing charity completely takes the reward of giving out of it. People want to be kind and give but of their own accord.

[redstate82]

I don't agree with that at all... Why should someone who's successful be taxed more for their good fortune? Whether you make 20 thousand or 20 million, you should live within your means. I don't think anyone should pay a lower or higher tax. People who make over $250,000 already pay over 90% of the taxes. How is that fair? You're recommending redistribution of wealth... that's socialism.

[Tetragrammaton8]

What's wrong with redistributing wealth exactly? The reason rich folks pay more in taxes (not counting the money they typically shelter / loophole out of the way) is because they can do it without really affecting their standard of living. Sure they could invest that money in the market or another business, but what do you think benefits this country more in the long run: Another Walmart employing wage slaves, or a large, well-educated middle class?

[frozenfiresoul]

They do pay more, they make more thefore they pay more, I think the real questions is why should they have to pay a higher percentage?

socialisim is a great idea in theory, however it is not the governments job to play robinhood

[Tetragrammaton8]

The higher tax rates are essential for financing the public services everyone in society uses and benefits from (including the rich). It's about public good, not robin hood. I also think the idea that there is some distinct boundary between socialism and capitalism is false.

[GeoffStaples]

You are absolutely correct. Many Americans are greedy & live beyond their means. Americans have been fooled by Republican propaganda appeals to greed: People making $200M /yr should pay a lower tax rate than those making $20K / yr because "You can live the American dream and when you make $200M / yr, you shouldn't have to pay high taxes. So, deregulate business & implement tort reform so greedy bastards can rob you blind, keep you illiterate, unhealthy, & poor with impunity & no accountability.

[D0VVNT0VVN]

Great points.