I know, some of you are really excited or should I say "agitated" by the up coming US presidential campaign. I've always had a deep respect for Colin Powell and after listening to his 7 minute speech outlining his reasons, I came away still respecting the man. I found the last minute or so especially poignant.

What is your take?

http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/21134540/vp/27265490#27265490

It was a powerful speech.

I thought it interesting that he focused more on the Republican Party and less on problems with McCain himself. I find it interesting because what I hear from many Republicans is that the party is moving away from its core values, but towards the left.

The only real, persistent, core value of the Republican party is the claim of "less (federal) government" -- an unfortunately broad term. Since Regan, they have directed more tax dollars to corporations, and less to the people... the "trickle down" effect, or "Reaganomics". This has been shown time and again NOT to work (try to remember the late 80's and early 90's -- something we were able to recover from because of Japan's economic troubles, allowing us to buy our debt back for pennies on the dollar), however, it allows the party to claim "less government" (less programs for the people, less regulation of corporations), while in reality there has been MORE government (more programs for corporations, more government control over the people (war on drugs, patriot act, etc.)).

This is in NO way a "move to the left". This is more a move of ignorance and/or greed. A shell game shrouded in an American flag.

Pro Life, Marriage, religion... as much as the Republican party tried to call these their "core values", they have no monopoly on this. Republican appointed Justices favored Roe in 1973.

What is true is that BOTH parties have consistently moved to the interest of corporations over that of their people -- and in the long run, bringing no benefit for either.

Powell can vote for whoever he wants, but I personally refuse to vote for anyone with socialist leanings or agendas

Here's a good read: http://www.ldsmag.com/ideas/081017light.html

*smile*

Well, if you refuse so strenuously, I hope you have some third party alternative in mind because Republicans don't exactly fit the bill either these days. I am a fiscal conservative and social moderate. I want small government and a more libertarian approach to social issues. I'm certainly NOT a Democrat in any true sense. I'd actually like to be a Republican but their current agenda of big government, anti-constitutionalism, and the pandering to the religious right frighten me more than the social liberalism offered by the traditional Democrats.

The whole party system has stalled. Both sides are far more concerned with besmirching the other than actually doing their jobs. While Mr. Card does, indeed, bring up some very critical points, his attempt to portray Republicans as the thwarted heros is just plain silly. Had the Republican President and, for a time, the Republican controlled Congress thought it politically expedient to do so, they would have resolved this. But they didn't. They can say what they want now but in my opinion, all of Washington was asleep at the switch. And as for the Republicans not having socialist leanings or agendas... need I remind you it has been the Bush Administration, Mr. Bernanke and Secretary Paulson who are pulling this "bait and switch bailout" where they are now partially socializing our financial system. And yes, they seem to have the cooperation of the now Democrat controlled Congress. Interesting. How DOES one tell the difference between Republicans and Democrats these days?

Getting back to Powell, I did enjoy a recent article in the Deseret News:

http://deseretnews.com/article/1,5143,705256787,00.html

As andrewbuff said, you can't vote for Obama or McCain then. To over simplify, you'll be choosing socialism for the people, at the expense of corporations with Obama. With McCain, you'll be choosing the continuation of socialism for corporations, at the expense of the people.

I'm not I'm voting for Bob Barr

What "event" was he talking about in the video? Can someone please explain?

Any takers on this?

I guess nobody wants to talk bad about their own "messiah".