The lapel pin issue?

Question

Okay, I agree with Obama that some people are using the flag pin as an affectation and that making his refusal to wear one (just as others' insistence on donning them) was a blatant red herring. But this issue seems to resonate with a great deal of people and I don't want to dismiss that. So, to explain why I think it's damaging to focus on this issue, below are the issues I consider important to the US right now. For those that consider this an important issue, please tell me why, I'm open to being wrong on this and open to the fact that intelligent people can disagree.

the issues that concern me:

1. social liabilities- we spent 15% of GDP on healthcare in 2005 and we are a nation getting older, not only that, but our older counterparts are making healthy choices that will prolong their life and their consumption from SS and Medicare.

2. An end to American preeminence, how are we going to adjust to a multipolar world where we have to rely more on proxies and consensus?

Answer 1

Apparently 'Katya and Angel' are happy with the shallowness of the distraction.

To many people are interested in the outcome of 'American Idol' voting instead of the outcome of 'American Presidential' voting.

Give them a circus and puppets and they will be so distracted by the bright colours and fancy costumes to see what is really going on in the world.

The really bad part of that is there are those who are counting on the distractions to work.

!!!!WAKE UP PEOPLE!!!!

Personally - I wouldn't care if all political candidates wore tutus or covered themselves with mud and leaves - what I do care about is the fact that we are a supposedly DEVELOPED country that allows children suffering because of lack of basic health care, nutrition, safety, and education;

we are a supposedly DEVELOPED country that is in a position to offer coordinated solutions, yet we continue a policy of Ethnocentrism that prevents nations and Peoples from Self-determination and equality - causing more conflict in the long run;

we are a supposedly DEVELOPED country with all it's nuclear weapons and toxic waste acting like a child when we don't get our way - we want every one else to support Kyoto but we won't agree... yet we can have nukes but no one else can... we treat our neighbors like c**p economically - taking their farms and land so we can put up a super corridor or factory, and then are surprised and shocked when they come looking for work to support their families...

I would like a political candidate who is humble and willing to reach out in equality and mutual respect to all nations - not just our 'friends' - but willing to dialog and do the difficult work of finding common ground and moving toward peaceful solutions so we can justifiably spend less on a defensive as opposed to offensive or occupational military, and more on the medical, nutritional, and educational needs of our children.

Answer 2

I agree with Katya - the lapel badge, or the refusal to wear it is an issue.  If this guy gets the Democratic nomination, we should be very, very worried.  He's a snake in the grass in my opinion.

Answer 3

I think it is very odd for a presidential candidate to refuse to wear the Stars and Stripes on his lapel.  No Russian politician would refuse to wear the Russian flag.  It would be seen as unpatriotic.  It is an issue, as it shows he's a phoney.

Answer 4

How about spending some money on education?  I work for a school district that is on the brink of falling apart because they cannot afford to pay teachers, let alone extracurricular activities.  There is now no music or art classes, no after school clubs, no field trips unless the students pay for them, and the list could go on.  How about education?  Education, anyone?

Answer 5

The lapel pin is a silly distraction, not an issue.

Obama 2008

Answer 6

How about more than 50% of the budget goes toward the military and this war. Get rid of the war and the war on drugs, focus on illegal immigration and domestic terrorism then we'll have money for all the social programs.