I am still undecided as of yet, the only candidates I have eliminated from my list so far is McCain, Mike Gravel, Joe Biden, Tommy Tancredo, John H. Cox, and Lieberman.  I can say it's most likely I will vote for a Democrat this Election, there isn't much of a choice when it comes to Republican candidates. .  

My top concerns are: (in no particular order)

Homeland Security

Health Care

Illegal Alien Reform

Focus on the Middle Class for once

The Iraq War

Sparks - we're not that far apart it looks like. I do think this election there will be far fewer people voting along the party line and instead will be much more focused on issues which matter to them. My priority is security concerning our borders and a strong national defense. With that comes a better economy. With a better economy comes improved standards of living and self worth & less social dependence on welfare programs. This in turn would reduce tax rates, which could then be simplified. I think the environment is important but we shouldn't make it a national budget suckhole, because that's what it would become in order to make a dent in what nature has proven over the last few millions of years. The focus should be on realistic and attainable goals, not some pie in the sky vision. So let's hope our upcoming season of political ads will be something more substantial than mud!!    

You are absolutely right, we do agree on many issues.   I also agree with you that  this will not be a "who's side are you on" election.   The issues are what is most important to people today and many Republicans are becoming Independents.   However, I personally won't vote for anyone that agrees with Bush on the Iraq War so it's probably not likely I will vote for a Republican like I did last election.    Also Dems have promised to take away the tax cut Bush gave the rich to help pay off the National Debt and they have promised not to raise our (middle class workers) taxes.   But then you know how that goes... Remember Bush Sr?  "Read My Lips, No More Taxes".  lol  I am not only looking at where a candidate stands but I also have to look at whether he/she has been consistent with their views.   Gulliani has already changed his mind a few times and he has many of the same social views Dems have.  I don't think that will hit it off with most Repubs.  I suppose if I were a Republican and I had to pick a candidate that I thought could win this election, it would be Thompson.    I think Thompson would be the smart vote for Republicans.  I'm just throwing that out there.  I am not voting for him, but if you are a Republican and "sides" means a lot to you, he would be the smartest choice in what will be a VERY difficult election for a Republican to win at all.. 

P.S. I am not anti-war.   We need our military home and rested and well trained to protect us from the enemies we have.   We are using up precious resources in Iraq and yes that includes lives of our much needed soldiers.   Our military defense is on the top of my concern list.

Sparks - How do you define "Rich"?  When the libs raise taxes do you also want them to reduce the tax credit a parent gets for each child?  As the middle class father of 5, I rely on those credits to greatly reduce my tax burden each year. 

I won't vote for anyone supporting the continuance of the Iraqi war.  I want a strong military and actually, wouldn't have a huge problem if they reinstated the draft- but it would have to include everyone, not just the poor.  The military should be used against our real enemies - not some little guy rattling his little...  ummmm, sword.

I would love if someone would really, honestly, for sure get campaign reform initiated.  That's a pipe dream but it would solve so many problems should our representatives not be beholden to some fat cat that paid for their election.  Or some lobby like the pharmacy industry, NRA, the religious extremists ---- or any group that pushes our government too far left or right.

We absolutely need to reverse the tax cut provided to the rich.  That's just so wrong.  The Dem's are saying a little about this.  We'll see how that subject proceeds.

Health Care needs big time reform.  What a mess.  If you know someone elderly, you know how the republicans messed this up.

Homeland Security, FEMA --- need insightful leaders.  Not the prez's best bud.  Competence - it would be wonderful to see some.

EDUCATION - the percentage of illiterate high school graduates is embarrassing.  We are robbing our children of a fulfilling life.

And we really need to stop that procedure that allows the senators to tack on kick backs to the peanut farmers (or what/whoever) on the bill addresses additional funds to our soldiers (or what/whoever).  This is common practice and I think it is despicable.  Who is ashamed?  No one - no democrat or republican or independent or green party. 

At this moment, I am still liking Obama.  I find his honesty refreshing.  I like Hilary but don't think she can win.  I keep hearing about Fred Thompson but know nothing about him except he is a "movie star" on Law & Order.  I think he had some political position in the past?  But, it's early I know, he isn't currently running. 

Waiting, waiting, waiting. 

Aero - here we go again.  She's smart.  I like that.  Remember the health care program she tried to establish?  Hillary haters beat the be-jesus out of her, but she hangs in there.  I like that.  She cares deeply about women's issues.  I like that.  She's basically a centrist.  I like that.

Who's afraid of the big bad woman? 

I don't get the goofy pictures.  There's a hundred of them on every one in the public forum.  How many do you see when you've finally seen enough?  The anvil falling on the coyote's head was funny for about the first 1200 times.  Then - not so much.

Aero - my funny bone is jaded for sure.  Like I said, I can only hear a joke a few times and then, not so funny any more.  But I'm gonna have to stick with my instincts.  The dumb pictures are just so unexceptional.  Like political and religious statements people put on their car bumpers.  And individualized license plates that say "red car5."  Now, "Eye812" is funny (but only once).  Big difference.

And - like our "conversation" a few weeks ago - Hillary has a lot of baggage and I think she is unelectable.  I was just saying - she's smart.  I like that.  I like all smart women.  I like powerful women.  They give me hope and encouragement and strength.  Women need examples of women with these traits because we have so many females getting attention for the wrong reasons, i.e. Pamela Anderson, Paris Hilton, Britney Spears and let's not forgot the truly horrid, Madonna.  UGH  Embarrassing because this list is the tippy top of a giant ice berg.

If I had to make a list of good examples for my grand daughter (she's only a year old, so it'll be awhile), it would not include one single politician.  So ---- we are very close to agreement on Hillary.  Who would you encourage your little girls to emulate?

The "rich" (>10M) receive a lesser percentage tax cut now than before, while the lower incomes (<50K) received almost a 50% reduction in their taxes owed. I thought I read somewhere the top 2% earners pay 80% of all the taxes collected in the country. My copied link to the New York Times article for this info doesn't work - sorry.

VtKid - nope.  The top 2% earners pay less tax than the middle class.  Only the very poor pay less than the very rich.

Maybe someone can find the article you read - it would be interesting to see what it said.  Let see how this group interprets it.

Aero?  Red?  You're both good at this kinda stuff.

Pulling this together with this site's agenda - republicans USED to really reduce government.  Not so any more.  Government has grown under all the last 30 years of republican leaders.  This growth requires more money.  So - our taxes have increased, unless you're really poor or really rich.  I'm neither, so I have felt the increase.  It has been the democrats that have reduced government in recent history. 

The flat tax, wouldn't that be fabulous? How do we get our politicians out of the pocket of the very rich?  If that can be done, we may get back to the flat tax idea.  It's been out there .... just kind of comes and goes with elections.  Haven't heard a thing yet, from current candidates.  That could be me not listening .... soooooo tired.

The only thing better than a Flat Tax would be a USE TAX. That is, we pay a tax for anything that WE buy but no one else pays it FOR us. If I want to buy a bottle of wine and a pack of cigarrets, I will pay the tax on it. If YOU want to buy a Yacht and a mansion, or condoms, or whatever, YOU pay the tax on it, and not me. Doesn't that seem to be the fairest way of all?

Jim Richards