got a 90 stang

[RBatson]

If you didn't like Clinton's southern accent then you probably really wouldn't like mine. I've been told its kinda thick. Bush's lack of vocabulary is almost comical to me(what are they teaching in Harvard anyhow?). As far as Hillary, I wouldn't vote for her either. You still see me as left wing, I'm neither left wing or right.. I agree with views on both sides. I would vote Republican if I thought the canidate was a better choice. Actually, I have voted Republican before. Bush simply is not presidential material, but we're not going there, right?

I never figured you would race the Honda, we both know that. Its just transportation, I understand that. I actually had to drive 2 foreign cars before I could afford an American made vehicle. You aren't the only one that feels that foreign cars are a better deal, there are alot of folks that feel that way. Personally, I don't. The way I look at it is that every American job depends on every other American job. Like spokes in a wheel, take one spoke out and it puts more stress on the others. I will literally spend hours shopping to find a product that is made in the good ole USA. I'll see a T-shirt I really like that is made in India and buy the one next to it that I don't like quite as much because its "Made in the USA" (It really pisses me off that Levis aren't made in America anymore). While its true that foreign products do employ Americans, they don't employ as many and the dollars go to strengthen the power of another country. The local Honda dealership does infact employ American salesmen. The new Ford you just bought may have parts made in Mexico or Canada or even been assembled there. The fact is that its an American company and when they buy more land and hire more construction workers.. they are owned by Americans. I really don't like the thought of Asians or anyone else) owning our land. I like the thought of Americans working but hate the thought of foreignors owning our land. I will not buy foreign products as long as comparable American made products are available(and yes I'll pay more for them). I'm not a wealthy man either, I'm working on it but.. not yet. Still, I will not sacrifice my ideals for wealth.

[Mr 5 0]

Originally Posted by RBatson

If you didn't like Clinton's southern accent then you probably really wouldn't like mine. I've been told its kinda thick.

Accents can be dropped. I once had a thick 'New Yawk' accent but learned to lose it and speak clearly. Anyone can.

Bush's lack of vocabulary is almost comical to me (what are they teaching in Harvard anyhow?).

President Bush graduated with two degrees from Yale. I don't think his lack of articulation is 'comical' but it is very unusual for a politician of his rank to be inarticulate. This is probably a result of the fact that Mr. Bush did not enter politics until he was almost 50 years old and never had the need to develop a good speaking style. Too late now, I guess. In any case, he mananged to beat two presidential challengers with better speaking skills and is the President of the United States. I think most folks understand President Bush and see his lack of verbal 'skills' as down-to-earth, not phony or contrived.

As far as Hillary, I wouldn't vote for her either. You still see me as left wing, I'm neither left wing or right.. I agree with views on both sides. I would vote Republican if I thought the canidate was a better choice. Actually, I have voted Republican before. Bush simply is not presidential material, but we're not going there, right?

What's the point? As I said, I loathed Bill Clinton but by 1997, following his easy re-election, I had accepted that he was president until 2001, whether I liked it or not. I simply decided to get past my revulsion with him. It made life much more pleasant. That's why arguing over President Bush's virtues or faults is a waste of time at this late date. He's the president (until January, 2009) and all the grumbling and mocking him you or anyone else can do won't alter that fact. Why bother? I see your views here as very leftwing, even if you do not, but I'm glad you are not so far gone as to consider voting for Hillary Clinton. There may be hope for you, yet.

I never figured you would race the Honda, we both know that. Its just transportation, I understand that. I actually had to drive 2 foreign cars before I could afford an American made vehicle. You aren't the only one that feels that foreign cars are a better deal, there are alot of folks that feel that way. Personally, I don't. The way I look at it is that every American job depends on every other American job. Like spokes in a wheel, take one spoke out and it puts more stress on the others. I will literally spend hours shopping to find a product that is made in the good ole USA. I'll see a T-shirt I really like that is made in India and buy the one next to it that I don't like quite as much because its "Made in the USA" (It really pisses me off that Levis aren't made in America anymore). While its true that foreign products do employ Americans, they don't employ as many and the dollars go to strengthen the power of another country. The local Honda dealership does infact employ American salesmen. The new Ford you just bought may have parts made in Mexico or Canada or even been assembled there. The fact is that its an American company and when they buy more land and hire more construction workers. they are owned by Americans. I really don't like the thought of Asians or anyone else) owning our land. I like the thought of Americans working but hate the thought of foreignors owning our land. I will not buy foreign products as long as comparable American made products are available(and yes I'll pay more for them). I'm not a wealthy man either, I'm working on it but.. not yet. Still, I will not sacrifice my ideals for wealth.

I think your inflexible attitude toward 'buying American' is a bit overdone but at least you have the integrity of trying to put your money where your mouth is. Most foreign car companies have large American workforces - both in the factories and in the executive suites - but ultimately, the profits do end up in Japan , Germany or wherever. Foreigners own a lot of U.S. land but this is a global economy and U.S. companies also own land in other countries.

I don't share your deep aversion to foreign-made products and I don't have the time, patience or money to seek out U.S.-made goods in every purchase I make. I don't really think it is a issue that I need to personally crusade over but as you do, then it's your right to spend your money as you see fit.

[RBatson]

Originally Posted by Mr 5 0

Accents can be dropped. I once had a thick 'New Yawk' accent but learned to lose it and speak clearly. Anyone can.

I really don't see the need to drop it Jim. I'm not ashamed of where I originate.

Originally Posted by Mr 5 0

What's the point? As I said, I loathed Bill Clinton but by 1997, following his easy re-election, I had accepted that he was president until 2001, whether I liked it or not. I simply decided to get past my revulsion with him. It made life much more pleasant. That's why arguing over President Bush's virtues or faults is a waste of time at this late date. He's the president (until January, 2009) and all the grumbling and mocking him you or anyone else can do won't alter that fact.

We'll see if he makes it to 2009, I'm beginning to think he won't.

Originally Posted by Mr 5 0

I see your views here as very leftwing, even if you do not, but I'm glad you are not so far gone as to consider voting for Hillary Clinton. There may be hope for you, yet.

I just realized that I really don't care how you view me... maybe we should just keep it to which air filter works best. Lord knows we've had this conversation a few time.

Originally Posted by Mr 5 0

I think your inflexible attitude toward 'buying American' is a bit overdone but at least you have the integrity of trying to put your money where your mouth is. Most foreign car companies have large American workforces - both in the factories and in the executive suites - but ultimately, the profits do end up in Japan , Germany or wherever. Foreigners own a lot of U.S. land but this is a global economy and U.S. companies also own land in other countries.

I think more people should try to buy American made products. What else would you expect from a dumb hick?

Originally Posted by Mr 5 0

I don't share your deep aversion to foreign-made products and I don't have the time, patience or money to seek out U.S.-made goods in every purchase I make. I don't really think it is a issue that I need to personally crusade over but as you do, then it's your right to spend your money as you see fit.

It is my choice and its a damn shame there aren't more out there that feel the same way.

[Mr 5 0]

Originally Posted by RBatson

I really don't see the need to drop it Jim. I'm not ashamed of where I originate.

I never said you had to be "ashamed of where you originate", just that it is possible to lose a regional accent, be it Noo Yawk, New England, Southern or whatever...if you care to do so. Some do, many don't. So what?

I was originally referring to former President Bill Clinton and his Arkansas drawl, which I thought sounded somewhat exaggerated, as he was a well-educated, much-traveled man who must have known exactly how he sounded but wanted to keep the 'Aw Shucks' mannerism in his voice for effect. I thought that was lame.

We'll see if he makes it to 2009, I'm beginning to think he won't.

Don't count on that. Impeachment is the leftwing's wet dream but they have no case for it. Their never-ending accusations and charges of wrongdoing on Bush's part always come down to nothing when actually investigated. Bush is not Clinton, but the Democrats haven't figured that out yet. They may not like him, but Bush is not evil, a liar or any of the otherr absurd things they constantly try to charge him with. It's mostly a combination of political grandstanding and wishful thinking on the Democrats' part. In addition, I do not see the Democrats gaining a majority in congress anytime soon and without that majority, they have zero chances of getting an impeachment bill anywhere. Don't take the fevered 'impeachment' talk too seriously.

I just realized that I really don't care how you view me...

Congratulations! You've just discovered the secret of successfully exchanging messages on the internet without going nuts. What some anonymous person living far away from you, who doesn't really know you at all, may think about 'you' (really, your politics, not you, personally) is basically meaningless and hardly worth worrying about. I have had hundreds of internet arguments over politics and have been called every name in the book and insulted more times than I can remember but it all comes down to nothing, as the person(s) doing the on-screen insulting are strangers to me and have absolutely no impact on my life in any way. That they can't handle any opposition to their political ideas and have to get nasty about it, as it's easy to be a bully when safe behind a keyboard, as we all know, is their problem.

maybe we should just keep it to which air filter works best. Lord knows we've had this conversation a few time.

Fine with me, Rick. However, if you choose to post what I may consider outrageous comments about political matters or anything else and I happen to read them, it's still very likely that I will respond in a way that you will not care for. As you have the freedom to post what you wish on these issues, I (and anyone else who cares to) has the same freedom to call them ridiculous and to say why.

I think more people should try to buy American made products. What else would you expect from a dumb hick?

Well, if you choose to call yourself a 'dumb hick', I can't stop you, but I never called you that. You are apparently reading far more into some of my comments than I ever meant. Lighten up.

It is my choice and its a damn shame there aren't more out there that feel the same way.

Perhaps, but as a majority of products we all use, especially smaller items...including clothes...are now manufactured overseas, it has become very difficult to find and buy 'Made in USA' products exclusively, which is why many of us have just about given up trying to do so. It's a global economy and today, buying American-made products exclusively has become near-impossible for the average consumer.

From computers to cars to clothes, it seems that everything is either manufactured or assembled abroad. Oh, that TV, shirt or appliance may have an old-line American name on it, but turn it over and you'll see 'assembled in China' or some other far-away land. I gave up trying to buy only American-made goods a long time ago. Too much hassle and often, no matter what the name brand, it was made outside the USA. That you can manage to live a modern lifestyle and buy American-made products exclusively is great. I envy you in some respects and, as I stated, I respect your integrity in this matter. I still try to 'buy American' when possible, but it isn't easy and it isn't often that I'm successful in doing so. If you are, more power to you.