Comments on: Outsider Politics

By: Anonymous

Anonymous — Thu, 19 Feb 2009 17:28:58 +0000

And, since Obama win the election and is now in office and making a TOTAL mess, why didn’t the rest of the country vote on ISSUES instead of WHO can DANCE well on a TV talk show or play a pick up game of basket ball fairly well? Not even good enough to go on tour as a young man – gosh What a want-to-be! Now that he has the spotlight, he will do anything to get attention! Yes, Obama needs exercise, Bill Clinton ran, so did Bush; but they did not have to have TV cameras present all the time! Get a Grip! And do the job you were elected to do! Wish the country would have elected someone with some Experience and Wisdom and LOGIC to use for the job.

By: amador

amador — Wed, 30 Nov -0001 00:00:00 +0000

Admittedly, this is the my first introduction to this candidate. I’m impressed so far but I would alter his answer regarding whether he is radical or not. If he strongly believes that our citizens are fed-up and ready to take control he would only be the voice of this mass movement and therefore not radical at all. just the norm.

By: oBifferson

oBifferson — Wed, 30 Nov -0001 00:00:00 +0000

I think this guy is the definition of what our country would consider a radical. I think his ideas are very reasonable, but to say he’s speaking for the majority would imply that the status quo doesn’t exist. But it does, and they are ignorant and scared and trained to be much more concerned with buying more stuff than in fixing a flawed system.

By: Franimal

Franimal — Wed, 30 Nov -0001 00:00:00 +0000

I think Amador is correct in saying Mike Gravel’s position is actually the norm. But the question, I think, is what would it take for all us embittered citizens to vote our conscience – and vote Gravel – when it seems like such a shot in the dark? Can we muster a sense of solidarity? Can we take the risk?

By: PWerner

PWerner — Wed, 30 Nov -0001 00:00:00 +0000

First of all, I guess Gravel is a radical because he has virtually no showing in the polls.
I would also consider myself radical--but before we judge this candidate as a great leader, maybe you should do some research on some of his views.
I definitely respect that he really seems to believe what he says, that he isn't just playing politics. But unfortunately his policies aren't as in depth and (in my opinion) good as some other candidates.
Kucinich is sort of like Gravel except more of a peacenik. Gravel is a loose canon, who wants all citizens to take part in all electoral decisions. Now I know this sounds great idealistically--but think this through for a couple minutes. This is what ruined direct democracies like Greece--people are easily sucked into fads and fears that are unreasonable when thought about in hindsight. (Look at all the ridiculous diets and how popular they are even though science completely disagrees with them.)

Before you choose Gravel because he is liberal, or 'different' or 'the little guy', do a little more research, and I think you'll agree.

Nevertheless, good story, Good. All candidates should get media coverage, even the longshot ones--its best to have the most options available, rather than just the lesser of two evils.

By: stephanleuenberger

stephanleuenberger — Wed, 30 Nov -0001 00:00:00 +0000

I'm irritated that the great majority (i.e. Fox) calls Gravel and Ron Paul radical or extreme. I mean, geesh.

Since when is promoting peace extreme?
Since when is truth extreme?
Since when is being anti-war and anti-corruption extreme?
Since when is caring for our world extreme?
Since when is caring for the poor extreme?
Since when is treating other nations as equal extreme?

This is what baffles me about Gravel. He is an incredible man with SANE and just, political views. His morals and ethics are more than respectable.

I could go on and on.

By: Ericthered

Ericthered — Wed, 30 Nov -0001 00:00:00 +0000

Seems like a good man, best of luck to him. A principled politician, is becoming all too rare.

Eric

Memorial gifts

By: Sivan

Sivan — Wed, 30 Nov -0001 00:00:00 +0000

Not all presidents in our history have been Senators in the past. Not all have been attorneys. Not all have been doctors, ministers, or CEO's. Not all had a college education. Not all presidents had the best background to handle the situations they were confronted with.

Perhaps former Senator Gravel's ideas don't seem completely detailed. I doubt he would mention to every interviewer all the nuts and bolts of every idea. The ideas he wants to put into action will work - worst case scenario, they don't.

Gravel has plenty of background in service to the people: he's served in the military, he's served as a special agent, he has his B.S. in Economics from Columbia, he has served the House, the Senate, the City of New York and Alaska, and worked hard as a politician to effect positive change and expose BS.

I see no problems with this man - no matter how "radical" or "normal" he may be - being my next Commander in Chief.

More on the subject - in these times, we need radical change. I want very little in the White House that even remotely imitates what is present there now or itching to be there again. In fact, I find it even harder to believe that Mike Gravel is the norm, and as much as I want that to be so, I'm slightly surprised to hear it, considering what some majorities claim to desire.

We need this man in office. We need these radical changes. We need hope for freedom and democratic republics once more.