I understand the basics of what most of you are saying, I think. Honestly I'm inclined to agree. I never once said that I am pro socialism - I think my support for Ron Paul shows that.
I just think most of you guys (right or wrong) place too much importance soley on economics. I've been saying that from the start. I'm willing to take on some minor socialistic policies, because I agree with Obama on more overall issues.
Some points I'd like to make that get ignored (especially by UB, who apparently only posts in hyperbole and juiced up masculinity):
1. I want the war to be over. It's a financial black hole and McCain is too stubborn to ever change his views on it. We'll be there forever if he's elected.
2. Stem cell research. This is a huge issue to me. The Republicans (aka evangelical christians) will never let us research this. Do you realize the benefits? By the time we're all up there in age this research will vastly improve the quality of our lives.
3. Gay rights. I think they should be able to marry and adopt. It is a civil rights issue. People can't be as openly hostile as they were to blacks back in the day, but the climate is still poor for these folks. I think part of a countries cultural sophistication is the way it treats all of it's people.
4. The biggest issue for me: the highjacking of the republican party by the evangelical christians. I don't see how you guys can ignore this so much. Religion and politics should never mix, but they do, painfully so with the republican party. They vote based on their Bible, and they push their RELIGIOUS agendas through the republican party. Check out the documentary: God's next army. It's about Patrick Henry College, a privately funded, elite school that is a gateway into the Republican party. They push their conservative christian values in government, with the goal of making this a Christian nation, much like Islam in the middle east. They are very well organized, aggressive, and well funded, and exercise their political strength through the republican party.
If you don't think this is a huge issue then consider this:
http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/10545387/ Basically Dover school was trying to teach intelligent design in the class room. A public school. Now, thankfully the judge ruled against it, but that was a miracle. Here's why - Bush, and the republican party, wanted BOTH evolution and intelligent design taught in schools. He personally appointed the judge, a well known Republican. It was quite literally shocking that this man went against his party in his decision. Bush, and the rest of the Christian right were outraged, and he received plenty of death threats.
That's what we're dealing with on the right. McCain will only strengthen their cause, by default, especially because he has to pander to them. With that said, of all the republican nominee's I was glad he got the nod. He's very moderate when compared to Romney or Huckabee, and since Paul wasn't going to get it McCain was the best alternative.