When Voters Say their #1 Issue is the Economy, does this infuriate you?

[Mike03]

ABC and CBS radio stations have been running informal polls on what people consider to be the number one most important issue, and nearly everyone is saying it's the economy.

For some reason, this is driving me nuts.

We have just slaughtered millions of innocent people in Iraq on the basis of A LIE, and wasted the lives of thousands of our own young men and women--for nothing, except maybe to bolster the earnings of a handfull of corporations who profit from war. Hundreds of thousands of our own youth are going to be coming home completely deranged and ill from their experiences in a war that didn't have to happen.

Why is that not the major and only issue in this country? How can people say that the major issue is money?

Can we truly be this shallow???

What do you make of this all?

[Muttocracy]

1. but, the war doesn't cost anything, does it?????? n/t

[FrenchieCat]

2. Well, we are Americans, aren't we?

That's where Folks feel it....which says that we only act, when we personally feel it, otherwise, the majority could care less, evidently.

[zanne]

3. When you look at the big picture...

After the NH Primary, when most people said that their voting decision came down to the economy, I was irritated. I was thinking of all the things that you already posted. But then I started thinking about why this country's economy is in such a pit, and I realized it's because of things like the war, and tax cuts for the rich, and giving large corporations loopholes to pollute, etc. When people say "the economy", I think they know why it's so urgent to get Republicans out of office.

[jtrockville]

4. An alternative view...

In order for Bush to get elected, a lot of people had to vote against their own interests.

So in some odd way, I find this refreshing. Though I agree with your assessment - we truly are shallow.

[cali]

5. MIke, you've made it clear that you do not have to worry about

keeping a roof over your head, or feeding your children, or becoming ill and having no resources to deal with it. You don't seem to understand that millions of people in this country of ours, worry about how they're going to feed their family.

Think about it: You post from a place of privilege. What about all those who don't have that luxury? Why should the war and occupation be more important to them than their own survival?

[Mike03]

7. Point taken

But Cali, doesn't your point make your disdain for Edwards even more confusing?

[cali]

11. Thank you Michael. My feelings about Edwards are conflicted

He's my second choice behind Obama, but his actions have not been consistent with his current words. I like what he says; I'm less enthusiastic about what he's done.

[ShaneGR]

17. You do understand that if Edwards dropped out, most of his votes go to Clinton?

And he has been consistently attacking the Clinton campaign, even though he knows a majority of his voters will go to her if he drops out?

[cali]

21. I fail to see what that has to do with what I've said.

I'm not advocating that he drop out. Never have. And I don't know where most of his votes go anymore than you do, though I suspect that you're right. In any case, as I said, your post is non-responsive to what I wrote.

[Mike03]

22. I appreciate your thoughts, as always.

Okay, so let me concede that it's normal for people to focus primarily on their own wealth and security...

It doesn't enrage you that nobody saw our economic instability five years ago and had the good sense to vote for Kerry over Bush?

At that time, people were apparently economically comfortable, but they were also morally okay with obliterating Iraq on the basis of LIES.

I can't explain it, but I am just incensed that people only do the right thing when they are worried about their own asses. I wasn't raised that way, Cali, believe it or not.

P.S.

Peace, my friend. You rock, no matter whether we agree or disagree.

[Mike03]

10. Incidentally, I DO worry about everything you mentioned.

Not only for me, but members of my family. Nothing is assured anymore. My view of the world is more of a "Road Warrior" scenario than anything positive or comforting.

Not to get too deep, but I truly didn't expect to live long enough to be thirty years old--the rest is just gravy. The world is crashing, and I think this is fairly obvious.

[cali]

12. The World is always and ever crashing and it is always and ever

being renewed. That's not just baloney. It's history.

[maddiejoan]

6. Frankly

I've been unemployed since August -- so I can sort of understand the point right now.

[stopfascism]

8. The surge is working?

:rofl:

[Mike03]

14. You must be replying to the wrong message

Obviously the surge was pointless.

By the way, welcome to DU. You might want to read the messages before replying.

[stopfascism]

29. Thanks for

the welcome...it was a joke. Why aren't more people concerned about the war than the economy...surge is working....no, not funny? The masses are revolting over higher house payments, soaring health care costs, $3 gas and a shrinking pay check. Those polls are great indicator that the recession is here and we don't need bad GDP numbers to make it official.

[Mike03]

33. I'm sorry... When I get upset, I fail to detect sarcasm.

It's my fault; I'm a majorly uptight personality at times.

Thank you for posting.

[smalll]

9. Um, no.

MOST Americans say their pocketbooks are the #1 issue because MOST Americans, increasingly, have less and less money IN those pocketbooks: exploding health insurance costs, gas at $3 a gallon or more, food prices rising, etc. etc.

Let me guess. You don't have that problem. Seeing as how your profile lists "Theoretical Physics, Cinema, Writing, Finance and Investment, Guitar, and Buddhism" as your hobbies, I think that's a pretty good guess.

[ShaneGR]

13. Not at all... it should be their main priority....

And btw, Iraq blends right in to the economy. We're spending 70 billion a quarter for Iraq. SEVENTY BILLION. We could build a 100 million dollar community center in every major city every 3 months. BTW, we could fund them for years including medical diagnosis for years on end.

Every 3 months.

[OHdem10]

15. I thought most people understood than when the Democrats

could not end the war and they sent more troops
in to quell the violence, it is over.

The Military quelled the vioence and have it to a tolerable level.

Instead of being constantly frustrated, realize that
once a war engages, there are Democrats who will never
go against the Military. There are cultrual differences
in this country--that have nothing to do with race.
The South, parts of Midwest, Plain States and some
parts of the West who value Nationalism, Military
(Patriotism). This is in their bones. We have Dems
who will vote with GOP on these issues if Leadership
has another position.

[citizen snips]

16. no

The economy and the war are connected.

[jzodda]

18. Hmm when you have little money and less then before to live on no it does not

The war is a travesty, but so is being poor and getting poorer

[catnhatnh]

19. Yep...

because choosing between a place to live and my next meal are Soooo frivolous...
Editted to Add: You Sir,are a freakin moron...in 2003 I had time to worry about Iraqis and spoke against the war...Do you think I can AFFORD now to oppose things ephemeral to survival...If you have the room to debate relative merits I am happy for you even though I think that for you to think my concerns are cause for outrage mark you as an asshole.When I can guess what my condition will be next month, perhaps I'll become as scornful as you.

[robbedvoter]

20. War. Civil rights. Separation church state - all ahead of money for me

And yeah, when I was getting those DNC mailings that totally ignored the war, I was getting furious. The only reason I am not now - I am just tapped out.

[AndyA]

23. You are requiring people to actually *THINK* and in America, that's a bad thing.

Why, we have American Idol to watch.

And we have to keep up with Britney's latest shenanigan.

Americans only worry about things when it impacts THEM personally.

They only think about outsourcing when they might lose their job to an overseas company.

They worry about imports when they realize their kids toys might be toxic.

They wish the FDA had more control over bad food only when there are reports of some nasty something or other in food.

Until then, they'll drive their foreign cars over to Wal-Mart and shop til they drop, because that's what Americans do. To hell with the American auto worker or the American car companies. Forget that by buying imported goods at Wal-Mart they're supporting a country with horrendous (or non-existing) worker protections. And don't give it a second thought that by supporting the importation of goods from China, we've increased the demand for fuel in China as well, which causes our gas prices and home heating oil costs to increase.

No, don't bother Americans with stuff like that. They'll just not worry about it until something really bad happens.

Like...when an election is stolen, and we wind up with a Dictator in the White House who starts wars based on lies, bankrupts the treasury, and...














...oops...I guess it's time to start worrying, America. :eyes:

[cobalt1999]

24. It's always my #1 issue

Keeping my family clothed, housed, feed, and putting away money for retirement is nothing to belittle.

[OzarkDem]

25. I think Americans no longer feel the war is something they can change

I think they feel that Bush and the oil companies are going to do whatever they want, regardless of what voters prefer.

[OhioChick]

30. You're Absolutely Right.

Most Americans thought that by voting for Dems in 2006, the war would end. It didn't.

As for the economy, yes it is my #1 issue. Constant worries about my job being outsourced and working more for less, half way decent health insurance for my sick child, rising gas prices, food, etc., etc., etc.

[AtomicKitten]

26. The MSM has moved on from the war and fully expects America to get with the program.

[spanone]

27. nbc said the economy was #1 and Iraq was #2

[onenote]

28. No. n/t

[stravu9]

31. Spoken like someone who isn't worried about paying the rent...

and knows where their next meal is coming from.

[Occam Bandage]

32. The economy is the absolute most important issue.

Everything flows from it. Everything.

[Warpy]

34. Throwing everything into a losing war is costing the economy

and everybody knows it. All the really big issues are interconnected and this is one interconnection.

Most people will say it's the economy because the economy SUCKS and has for a long time and they know the GOP hasn't got any ideas except how to make it worse for 95% of the people who live in this country and they're sick of it.

They see the economy every single damned day when they pass a gas station or buy their food or pay their bills. The war is being carefully hidden from them except for the occasional upbeat story about how well everything is going.