With a new president, what will happen?

[ballz2wallz]

So we all know that 2008 is right around the corner, and with that, the long-awaited presidential election. Obviously, many many people are excited that Bush will be out the White House, both Republicans and Democrats alike. As a result, I believe that many people are expecting things to be done or handled differently. But what exactly? What are people expecting? What will be different under a Democratic president? Republican president?

In my opinion, there will be a few things that have been of controversy under Bush that will be handled differently. One is his refusal to federally fund stem cell research. I believe that the next person, whether or not it's Republican or Democratic president, will likely fund stem cell research.

As far as the immigration policy is concerned, I'm not really too sure. I think it will remain a controversial topic, though I think a Republican president will be more likely to push towards securing the borders first, then addressing the issue of the 12 million illegals already here. I believe a Democratic president will probably push for amnesty for all.

I think healthcare will remain a controversial issue, and will likely not go very far.

I think social security will not be an issue, and remain a failed system.

Now for the most important point: the Iraq war and terrorism. Personally, I can't really imagine what is going to drastically change no matter who gets into office. Do people really expect a complete withdrawal once a new president is in office? I surely hope not, because that is naive thinking. Too often a new president takes office, realizes that the stuff he campaigned on is not exactly as easy to do as it is to say, and changes tactics. International policy is one of the most important jobs of the president, and surely they can't think that they will do everything opposite of what Bush is doing? Security will not be lightened, as the people will be watching that closely. The lives of our soldiers will not be taken lightly, as the people will also be watching that. A complete withdrawal I believe will anger the US people, as we don't want to make this whole war a worthless endeavor. So what do people think will happen? A slow withdrawal, based on the ability and security of the Iraqi people, is the only logical way to approach a withdrawal, and who will disagree with that? That is not really different than our approach right now.

Anyway, I'd be curious to hear what people think will be different.

[WickedLou9]

Originally Posted by ballz2wallz

So we all know that 2008 is right around the corner, and with that, the long-awaited presidential election. Obviously, many many people are excited that Bush will be out the White House, both Republicans and Democrats alike. As a result, I believe that many people are expecting things to be done or handled differently. But what exactly? What are people expecting? What will be different under a Democratic president? Republican president?

In my opinion, there will be a few things that have been of controversy under Bush that will be handled differently. One is his refusal to federally fund stem cell research. I believe that the next person, whether or not it's Republican or Democratic president, will likely fund stem cell research.

As far as the immigration policy is concerned, I'm not really too sure. I think it will remain a controversial topic, though I think a Republican president will be more likely to push towards securing the borders first, then addressing the issue of the 12 million illegals already here. I believe a Democratic president will probably push for amnesty for all.

I think healthcare will remain a controversial issue, and will likely not go very far.

I think social security will not be an issue, and remain a failed system.

Now for the most important point: the Iraq war and terrorism. Personally, I can't really imagine what is going to drastically change no matter who gets into office. Do people really expect a complete withdrawal once a new president is in office? I surely hope not, because that is naive thinking. Too often a new president takes office, realizes that the stuff he campaigned on is not exactly as easy to do as it is to say, and changes tactics. International policy is one of the most important jobs of the president, and surely they can't think that they will do everything opposite of what Bush is doing? Security will not be lightened, as the people will be watching that closely. The lives of our soldiers will not be taken lightly, as the people will also be watching that. A complete withdrawal I believe will anger the US people, as we don't want to make this whole war a worthless endeavor. So what do people think will happen? A slow withdrawal, based on the ability and security of the Iraqi people, is the only logical way to approach a withdrawal, and who will disagree with that? That is not really different than our approach right now.

Anyway, I'd be curious to hear what people think will be different.

I think that's all pretty likley. I do think that the new president, if it's a democrat, will talk more openly about the plans for pulling the troops out and won't stick to the "wait and see" doctrine that the Bush admin is using. They will probably say that Bush left us with a disaster and now it's up to us to clean up the mess. They will say that thier intention is to withdraw but might balk at setting a date. There definately will not be any further escalation and the troop surge will probably be slowly drawn down to pre-surge levels.

My hope is that all of this crap that bush has put in place will be shut down. IE the warrantless wire taps, the secret CIA prisons and such. I'd like to see some accountability and trust returned to the office, but I think that's a long shot.

[ballz2wallz]

Originally Posted by WickedLou9

My hope is that all of this crap that bush has put in place will be shut down. IE the warrantless wire taps, the secret CIA prisons and such. I'd like to see some accountability and trust returned to the office, but I think that's a long shot.

I don't think that the president, no matter what party they are from, will shut down such programs. I think that such programs have existed and will always exist under every presidency. I believe that these were pointed out specifically to pin something on Bush, and I believe that this happens with every president.

Once a person takes the position of president, they are inundated with massive amounts of information, data collections techniques, and needs of the government to 'properly' run the country. Nobody ever realizes the complexity and extent of what the government does until they reach that position. The stuff you and I hear about is purely for political purposes, but what really happens behind closed doors is rarely known.

[Roonie]

Hopefully it will be more of a truthful presidency. One people can look up to and trust. This presidency has been one of the most closed and secret term to date and he has also started to change some laws (or be above the law)which in my opinion is slowly erroding the Constitution. It isn't the big things that threaten the Constitution, its all the small little changes that then become law which do the damage.

Most of the policies this term have been determined by the major corporations who benefit from the policy the most. There needs to be accountability and less partisan bickering. Most important to me is stop with the propaganda bullshit. I know its politics but really they have used propaganda (in most cases turned out to be false information) to get public support. Obviously the biggest example is the Iraq war. This should be a crime.

These are some things off the top of my head and I know I am missing many others.

[Thomas Crown]

There won't be any changes to the health insurance monopoly on patient care in this country because they run the show. It is the status quo and change it will be very difficult and very unlikely.

[Thomas Crown]

Originally Posted by Roonie

Hopefully it will be more of a truthful presidency. One people can look up to and trust. This presidency has been one of the most closed and secret term to date and he has also started to change some laws (or be above the law)which in my opinion is slowly erroding the Constitution. It isn't the big things that threaten the Constitution, its all the small little changes that then become law which do the damage.

Most of the policies this term have been determined by the major corporations who benefit from the policy the most. There needs to be accountability and less partisan bickering. Most important to me is stop with the propaganda bullshit. I know its politics but really they have used propaganda (in most cases turned out to be false information) to get public support. Obviously the biggest example is the Iraq war. This should be a crime.

These are some things off the top of my head and I know I am missing many others.

Our past two presidents have been perceived liars. This is a very, very bad thing.

[Roonie]

Originally Posted by Thomas Crown

Our past two presidents have been perceived liars. This is a very, very bad thing.

Agreed, we need someone whom Americans can trust and really look up to with our best interests in mind.

Is this even possible anymore?

[ballz2wallz]

Originally Posted by Roonie

Hopefully it will be more of a truthful presidency. One people can look up to and trust. This presidency has been one of the most closed and secret term to date and he has also started to change some laws (or be above the law)which in my opinion is slowly erroding the Constitution. It isn't the big things that threaten the Constitution, its all the small little changes that then become law which do the damage.

I don't know that an untrustworthy presidency was something that this administration alone has established. Prior presidencies have long set precedence to lying, and I don't know that 'trustworthy' and 'government' are easily combined.

[mididoctors]

very good question ballz

I'm going to give you a rep point.

I don't know and must admitt I haven't thought that far ahead in great enough detail.

spontaneously i suspect it will be "better" no matter who the next president is. OTOH etc.

edit: I'm not allowed to give you a rep point so I,m going to give one at random to the guy/girl with the best avatar instead......

then I'm going to fire juggle for world peace

Boris
London

[ballz2wallz]

Originally Posted by mididoctors

I don't know and must admitt I haven't thought that far ahead in great enough detail.

It is my hope that people DO think this far ahead in deciding who will run the country.

[banzini]

Originally Posted by ballz2wallz

I think that such programs have existed and will always exist under every presidency. I believe that these were pointed out specifically to pin something on Bush, and I believe that this happens with every president.

Simply because these programs have occurred under every presidency does not mean that they should continue nor when said programs be uncovered should punishment not be handed out. It is wrong when Bush does it and it is wrong when any other president does it.
Anyways, to answer the first post: nothing will change as far as Iraq and national security if one of the front-runners is elected. I have absolutely no hope in Clinton or Obama, same for any of the main GOPers. Health care and immigration might see some progressive action under a Dem, but I wouldn't count too highly on any major substantive change.

[Donkey®]

How can we get a "truthful presidency" when most if not all the people even in real contention are called liars already?

[ballz2wallz]

Originally Posted by banzini

Simply because these programs have occurred under every presidency does not mean that they should continue nor when said programs be uncovered should punishment not be handed out. It is wrong when Bush does it and it is wrong when any other president does it.

My point is that no matter what is said during the campaign, or against a sitting president, things like this will happen and continue to do so, either under our knowledge or not. I never claimed that either was right or wrong, merely stating that it happens, and people often get a glimpse of reality once they are president. The debate on what is right or wrong is obviously better saved for another thread.

[banzini]

Originally Posted by ballz2wallz

My point is that no matter what is said during the campaign, or against a sitting president, things like this will happen and continue to do so, either under our knowledge or not. I never claimed that either was right or wrong, merely stating that it happens, and people often get a glimpse of reality once they are president. The debate on what is right or wrong is obviously better saved for another thread.

Quite true, you did not. I took your post "something they're trying to pin on Bush" as you were defending it. My bad.

[Linzyhop]

I definitely think that we need a middle ground leader. a liberal with more conservative leanings or a republican with more progressive ideas.

if we get either end of the spectrum, nothings going to get better.

Immigration is tricky, but a democrat giving amnesty is a horrible mistake in my opinion.

getting out the war is key, but pulling out all at once is stupid.

health care needs to be fixed, but i'm not sure if anyone has a good enough idea to do it.

social security is outdated, but those who have paid in all their lives need some sort of compensation.

and i need a naked hot male servant, preferably with green eyes and taller than I am, but meek enough to be controlled.

[ballz2wallz]

Originally Posted by Linzyhop

and i need a naked hot male servant, preferably with green eyes and taller than I am, but meek enough to be controlled.

No offense, but I'm more interested in what you actually think is going to happen, not what you think needs to happen.

[WickedLou9]

Originally Posted by ballz2wallz

I don't think that the president, no matter what party they are from, will shut down such programs. I think that such programs have existed and will always exist under every presidency. I believe that these were pointed out specifically to pin something on Bush, and I believe that this happens with every president.

Once a person takes the position of president, they are inundated with massive amounts of information, data collections techniques, and needs of the government to 'properly' run the country. Nobody ever realizes the complexity and extent of what the government does until they reach that position. The stuff you and I hear about is purely for political purposes, but what really happens behind closed doors is rarely known.

I don't mean shut down the whole program, but at least require them to comply with FISA.

Nothing makes me angrier then the president violating the constitution, classifying the evidence that can prove it and refusing to comply with any supooenes on teh matter....and then claiming something called executive privilege that technically doesn't even exist so that no one can be held accountable for anything. That's not what the country is about. The founding fathers expressly did not want an elected king and that is slowly what we are getting. Not just Bush either, presidents have been seizing more and more power as time goes on. I'd like to see congress fight back.

Ah if only people actually cared.

[Linzyhop]

Originally Posted by ballz2wallz

No offense, but I'm more interested in what you actually think is going to happen, not what you think needs to happen.

it all depends on what party takes the office.

[ballz2wallz]

Originally Posted by Linzyhop

it all depends on what party takes the office.

Work with me here Linzy...

So we all know that 2008 is right around the corner, and with that, the long-awaited presidential election. Obviously, many many people are excited that Bush will be out the White House, both Republicans and Democrats alike. As a result, I believe that many people are expecting things to be done or handled differently. But what exactly? What are people expecting? What will be different under a Democratic president? Republican president?