If Obama Wins...

[Dr. Shane]

What will you look forward to most?

I will look forward to how they do Christmas. This is one first family that I really hope will set forth an example for the nation on how to be a loving family.

[Dr. Shane]

I am also very interested to see how he will propose healthcare reform or universal healthcare. I think if it is done right, it could be something good for the country.

[Tom Wetmore]

The end of Republican paranoia - the fear-mongering.

A renewed sense of posititive purpose and direction for America in the world.

A shift back to broader-based values, values shared by all Americans, instead of the controlling myopia of Republicanism.

Hopefully a move toward the healing of the division in this country. The intense partisanship in the country has created a sharply divided country not seen since the civil war.

A presidency and leadership with a firm sense of ethics.

A more balanced view of economic interests and easing the tax burden of the middle class.

A renewed respect for human rights and our civil liberties.

[Liz]

I am also very interested to see how he will propose healthcare reform or universal healthcare. I think if it is done right, it could be something good for the country.

This is the only thing I will be looking forward to. As the mother of two special needs kids and no way to get "good" insurance because it is all pre-existing [censored], and we are at the mercy of what insurance we do have, what they will actually pay for and deem necessary to keep at least one of them alive (the other one is just special needs but it isn't life threatening); just makes me sick. Especially when I have to battle the morons that make these life and death decisions and have no medical training or clue about how chronic conditions work.

I have no idea how either one of them will be able to afford their treatments and medicine when they age out of the system, the only way for them to get insurance then will be through their job, and it has got to be a dang good job. Anyone hear of an 18 year old starting out as management in a company? Yeah, me either. But this is the answer I get when I ask the morons this same question.

I guess I will get off the now, I guess I needed to get that off my chest, sorry about the vent.

[Dr. Shane]

It may be too much to hope for... but I hope if Obama is elected left-wing liberals will stop belly-aching about what the Republicans are doing and will accept the blame when things go wrong.

[carolaa]

Yeah, healthcare is a big deal. What we're doing is not working. Insurance companies can raise your rates and drop you if you get sick, and then other insurance companies won't take you because of pre-existing conditions. The people who really need insurance can't get it. And who can afford the medical costs these days? No one I know. Even with insurance, it's a lot of money.

[Dr. Shane]

The cost of health care is rising faster than inflation. It isn't so much a problem of the wicked, evil, demonic, insurance companies that want every last American to die. The problem is getting control of the rising health care costs. A lot of health care providers talk advantage of insurance companies which causes insurance companies to have to cut back in other areas.

[Bravus]

I'm looking forward to an America that engages with the rest of the world in a way other than 'with us or against us'.

[carolaa]

I'm looking forward to an America that engages with the rest of the world in a way other than 'with us or against us'.

I definitely see Obama as more willing to go with that approach. And I have no doubt he can be firm when necessary, as well.

[Dr. Shane]

Am I hearing some people willing to admit they were wrong when Obama does the same thing past Presidents have done. Just a little reminder, the Secretary of State is about the only new guy that will come into the State Department with a new President.

[Bravus]

Obama has already shown that (a) he has a much better and deeper understanding of the world as a whole and of foreign affairs than Bush. He did very well in the foreign affairs debate last week, better than many expected. And like it or not, the fact that he has lived in other countries means he has a broader view of the world and ( he intends to engage and negotiate and find solutions and build bridges, rather than demonise and demand and confront.

[Neil D]

What will you look forward to most?

I will look forward to how they do Christmas. This is one first family that I really hope will set forth an example for the nation on how to be a loving family.

What if they don't do Christmas....?

What if they did....Kwanza?

[carolaa]

Am I hearing some people willing to admit they were wrong when Obama does the same thing past Presidents have done. Just a little reminder, the Secretary of State is about the only new guy that will come into the State Department with a new President.

Wrong about what?

[Jeannieb43]

And where is it written that the Secretary of State is the only position which changes when the presidency changes? I believe most incoming presidents have asked for the resignations of each Cabinet member, so they can start fresh with a new team.

[Jeannieb43]

This is the only thing I will be looking forward to. As the mother of two special needs kids and no way to get "good" insurance because it is all pre-existing [censored], and we are at the mercy of what insurance we do have, what they will actually pay for and deem necessary to keep at least one of them alive (the other one is just special needs but it isn't life threatening); just makes me sick. Especially when I have to battle the morons that make these life and death decisions and have no medical training or clue about how chronic conditions work.

I have no idea how either one of them will be able to afford their treatments and medicine when they age out of the system, the only way for them to get insurance then will be through their job, and it has got to be a dang good job.

I've heard the proposed "universal health care" plan explained by saying NO INSURANCE COMPANY SHOULD MAKE A PROFIT. In other words, the only purpose for a health "insurance" company should be to distribute the payments to the doctors and hospitals on behalf of the patients.

That's the way Medicare works, and it's been working beautifully for many years. It's merely a function of government, doling out the money to the ones who need it. Nobody makes a profit.

(And nobody should make money off us when we're sick!)

And there should be no exclusion from coverage for any pre-existing condition. None! Nada! Zilch. Everybody should be covered regardless of their pre-existing health conditions. [There may have to be limitations on the expensive tests and procedures, in some cases, but nobody should be automatically eliminated from coverage.]

That's what I see a good universal healthcare.

[Liz]

I've heard the proposed "universal health care" plan explained by saying NO INSURANCE COMPANY SHOULD MAKE A PROFIT. In other words, the only purpose for a health "insurance" company should be to distribute the payments to the doctors and hospitals on behalf of the patients.

That's the way Medicare works, and it's been working beautifully for many years. It's merely a function of government, doling out the money to the ones who need it. Nobody makes a profit.

(And nobody should make money off us when we're sick!)

And there should be no exclusion from coverage for any pre-existing condition. None! Nada! Zilch. Everybody should be covered regardless of their pre-existing health conditions. [There may have to be limitations on the expensive tests and procedures, in some cases, but nobody should be automatically eliminated from coverage.]

That's what I see a good universal healthcare.

Yes, this sounds good to me. So is this Obama's plan, or is this just someone's idea on how it could/should work?

[Tom Wetmore]

At least with regard to requiring coverage for pre-existing conditions, yes this is part of Obama's healthcare plan.

[jasd]

>>Obama has already shown that (a) he has a much better and deeper understanding of the world as a whole and of foreign affairs than Bush. He did very well in the foreign affairs debate last week, better than many expected. And like it or not, the fact that he has lived in other countries means he has a broader view of the world and ( he intends to engage and negotiate and find solutions and build bridges, rather than demonise and demand and confront.<<

Chantilly?

[Dr. Shane]

And where is it written that the Secretary of State is the only position which changes when the presidency changes? I believe most incoming presidents have asked for the resignations of each Cabinet member, so they can start fresh with a new team.

The Secretary of State is the only cabinet position in the State Department. Yes, all cabinet positions change but not the entire federal bureaucracy. The Secretary of State is the head of the State Department. Many of those serving under him or her do not lose their jobs when a new President is elected. No different than other federal bureaucracies.