Obama and Romney: A battle of ideologies

Gerald · 10-20-12, 06:13 AM

Quote:

It's not just the occupant of the White House that is at stake in the impending US election. Many believe the country is at a fork in the road, with two very different paths ahead of it.When Americans cast their votes next month, it's probably not exaggerating to say they'll do so in the midst of a profound ideological divide.

"Clash of ideas."

"Two entirely different visions."

You hear it all the time. Not least from the candidates and their supporters. But where does this clash come from?

Quote:

Try starting at the sprawling headquarters of the Social Security Administration, just outside Baltimore.

The organisation was established by President Franklin Roosevelt in 1935 as part of his response to the Great Depression.

It also ushered in an era of big government. The SSA now employs more than 60,000 people and in 2010 accounted for almost 40% of all government spending. It administers programmes - for the sick, the elderly and the poor - that are plunging the US deeper and deeper into debt.

Eighty years on, it's the size and role of government that represents the faultline between Barack Obama and Mitt Romney, who has vowed to bring http://www.mittromney.com/issues/spending 2016, down from its current level of 24%.

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-us-canada-19976747

Note: 20 October 2012 Last updated at 00:34 GMT

AVGWarhawk · 10-20-12, 07:08 AM

There is no battle of ideologies. It's anything but.

mookiemookie · 10-20-12, 08:21 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by AVGWarhawk

There is no battle of ideologies. It's anything but.

Agreed. They're more alike than the party bosses would have you believe.

em2nought · 10-20-12, 10:12 AM

I wanna give money to "this" versus I wanna give money to "that". I truly don't know which one would be worse. Ron Paul would be a nice "change", real change.

Armistead · 10-20-12, 02:00 PM

If you watch the last several debates going back to Carter, the problematic issues remain the same, debt. Doesn't matter which nut is in office, the problems will remain because we refuse to find newer economic models that will work in a global economy.

Platapus · 10-20-12, 02:15 PM

Both parties will increase the size of the government, just in different areas.
Both parties will cut spending.... in different areas
Both parties will increase spending.. in different areas.

Both parties will claim that their agenda will help the nation and claim that the other party's agenda will hurt the country. And they are both right.

Unfortunately, the only difference between the candidates is the area that will be affected. The end result will be the same -- bigger government, increased spending.

10-20-12, 10:12 AM	#4
em2nought Ocean Warrior Join Date: Mar 2004 Posts: 3,485 Downloads: 0 Uploads: 0	I wanna give money to "this" versus I wanna give money to "that". I truly don't know which one would be worse. Ron Paul would be a nice "change", real change. __________________ em2nought is ecstatic garbage!

10-20-12, 02:15 PM	#6
Platapus Fleet Admiral Join Date: Oct 2006 Posts: 19,360 Downloads: 63 Uploads: 0	Both parties will increase the size of the government, just in different areas. Both parties will cut spending.... in different areas Both parties will increase spending.. in different areas. Both parties will claim that their agenda will help the nation and claim that the other party's agenda will hurt the country. And they are both right. Unfortunately, the only difference between the candidates is the area that will be affected. The end result will be the same -- bigger government, increased spending. __________________ abusus non tollit usum - A right should NOT be withheld from people on the basis that some tend to abuse that right.

10-20-12, 07:08 AM	#2
AVGWarhawk Lucky Jack Join Date: Jun 2005 Location: In a 1954 Buick. Posts: 28,253 Downloads: 90 Uploads: 0	There is no battle of ideologies. It's anything but.

10-20-12, 02:00 PM	#5
Armistead Rear Admiral Join Date: Dec 2008 Location: on the Dan Posts: 10,880 Downloads: 364 Uploads: 0	If you watch the last several debates going back to Carter, the problematic issues remain the same, debt. Doesn't matter which nut is in office, the problems will remain because we refuse to find newer economic models that will work in a global economy.