Giving Hope and Change A Historical Context

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You would elect a man for his race, his skin color and his smile. who cares of the policies or what matters really? those others who nobody cares about, they are not fancy enough to be black and this is why nobody cares. what other than race matters now?

Anouk 9:04PM March 12, 2009

In response to Larry of CA. I agree with the main premise of your post but it is so sad that most Americans do not know that Fascism is/was a Socialist movement.

Isa Ten of CA 9:03PM March 08, 2009

a man based on charisma, race, smooth, glib style and "bumper sticker - sloganeering".

He wanted us to believe and trust him - all hucksters do.

How long before everyone - except those wearing Che Guevara tee-shirts - figures out that the Wizard of Oz is all smoke, mirrors and thunder? Not long - I think.

R.L. Schaefer of CA 10:40PM March 03, 2009

What Van Dyk doesn't mention about 1965 is the Immigration Act which had a monumental impact on American culture and society. Look at what the proponents such as Ted Kennedy said then would not occur, and then look at what actually happened.

After 1965, both immigration and illegal immigration exploded, and we are still dealing with the impacts today (chain migration, "family reunification" instead of skilled etc.). Look at the rise of "multiculturalism" demise of patriotism, Look at the impacts upon govt budgets, the sad state of Calif. public schools and emergency rooms etc.

While I support legal immigration, it is time to return to pre-1965 levels to allow assimilation. And immigration should be based on needed skill sets -- not the free for all we have now.

Unfortunately, Obama's plan for "comprehensive immigration reform" a/k/a amnesty, would be more of the same and would harm American workers if enacted. It would also bust govt budgets (e.g., the Heritage Foundation estimated the cost of the 2007 Bush/Kennedy amnesty plan would have been $2.6 TRILLION). This is why many Americans strongly oppose "comprehensive reform" amnesty.

Stan of GA 9:45PM March 03, 2009

it what you use when you having nothing to offer. The mind set is that most people are jealous and don't remember history.

That means you get their vote.

The United States of America is based on Liberty and Freedom, not Socialism or Fascism.

Stop the surrender of YOUR way of life; there is nothing free in this world.

If you believe in honest work, personal responsibility, and paying for and learning from your mistakes, instead expecting the taxpayers of America to come running to your aid then it’s time to stand up and proudly be counted

Larry of CA 6:36PM March 03, 2009

Let's delay health care until YOURS is canceled, Mr. Van Dyk (you jerk).

Obama has courage. His detractors from Republicans to that nutty Jim Cramer on CNBC do not.

Health care, energy and education matter now more than ever. No delays. No waffling. If you need a 60% income tax on incomes over a million, THEN PASS IT.

Muser of NM 5:46PM March 03, 2009

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Michael Barone

Michael Barone

U.S. News Weekly

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Michael Barone is a senior writer for U.S.News & World Report and principal coauthor of The Almanac of American Politics. He has written for many publications—including the Economist and the New York Times.

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