nc211

Haha! Good luck with that Paul!! I counted tonight as I was waiting for the car - been married 6 years. In that timeframe I've had 4 addresses - 2 owned and 2 rented, three towns, 3 jobs, 2 kids, 3 cats......and 8 cars! Aren't gonna be anymore kids (or a doctor is getting sued). I'm done with cats in general. Love my wife, she is simply awesome, probably will change up the job again in a few years towards higher levels of management (knock on wood), and have absolutely no desire or need for another house (sorry Steve, you worked yourself out of a job with me last fall!) That....leaves me with cars....lots and lots of cars! Of course, it doesn't help when my office is located in a high concentration of real estate bankers, lawyers, investors, and ego fat heads, whereby the main drag is lined with every car dealership known to man, from Masserati / Austinmartin / Lamborgini, to Kia. Everyday I am forced to slowly creep by the Porsche dealer with his 911's siting front, and they are so nice, oh so nice. The GTI though is probably as close to owning one as I'll ever get, and I'm ok with that actually. This new one definitely has a lot more "Audi" in it. Story goes that VW had Porsche redesign the GTI for the 2006 model series, and that's when they started to win back the praise for the car. This series, delivered in 2010, seems to keep much of that influence, with Audi softening up some of the interior edges. I hear on the VW boards that the next series, due here in the states in 2014, is going to be a completely new ball game for the GTI, and should be just fantastic. But also a complete change in manufacturing process as well....which we all know, when it comes to the Germans trying to reinvent the wheel, it can get a bit messy at first. So we'll see how those turn out. All I know is, this MKVI series of the GTI is hands down, simply phenomenal! And very easy to live with in just about every situation on a daily basis. I'll get picks up this weekend for sure. But if you use cars.com, zero down to a white 4-door GTI "Autobahn" model, and that'll be the car.

Can we not post pics from the mobile site setup? I cant find the button anywhere? At the end of the day, my 07 was bought used, still had a loan balance on it, and was facing around $1,900 in repair costs for the mileage and Chocago rough roads. Rotors were literally staring to rust through the surfaces, tires were cupped, and it turned out that 3 of the 4 rims were bent. All of this was outside the warranty blanket. Facing the 60k mile marker (literally traded it in with 59,943 miles) for value hit, plus the needed 60 fluid change to keep the warranty in line (again outside of warranty), it just didn't make sense to spend the money on a car that apparently had a carfax blemish, which killed its value anyway. I knew I was going to trade it in during bonus season, but realized when I almost ran into someone on Monday morning that the brakes weren't going to make it to March, it was time to do the math. $2,000 spread across 7 months, was going to cost a lot more than car payment differences from 07' to fully loaded new 2013 over the same time period. So, basically I bought all the repairs needed today for about 50% of the price, and ended up with one badass little German speed monkey! Can I not post pics from iPhone?

I couldn't resist fellas. - at the dealership now waiting for my brand new 4 door Autobahn GTI to be brought around, White this time, black leather, Bluetooth, Nav, premium sound, adaptive bihid headlights. Will post pictures later! Dealer gave me $200 over payoff, an cut price by over $2k!

Damn, this sure is getting saucy in here! Hahaa! My point about wanting to ban all guns, is like the slogan of throwing out the baby with the bath water. I know we'll never be rid of guns in this country, at least not in my lifetime or sadly probably children's either. So, I am willing to compromise to find some kind of middle ground that at least might help, which I think everyone is agreement with - keep the rifles, get rid of the assault rifles, and leave the hand guns to the police. One bullet per shot, is one thing, like those of the Browning hunting rifles. I get that, and can appreciate the desire to hunt for food. Although you can just go to the store, hunting is a reflex thing built into the code of life, across all species. We as humans, need tools to do it, and a gun is that tool. Afterall, the "R" in NRA does stand for riffle. But the problem then becomes the NRA's total lack of ability to stop there. Give an inch, and they take a foot. So, until they step up and take responsibility for the fact that many of the guns used to kill our own with, are readily available by the actions of the NRA via their hiding behind an amendment that doesn't really apply to our world today, as it was written back then when you had showdowns out in the streets of Dodge City, and a nation was being born, then I say f'm and take all of the guns away. I wonder sometimes who is more irresponsible, the killer, or the supporter of the device that was created for the sole purpose of killing. If you can't fix stupid, then I say you destroy it. I wish I could find a political platform that believed in the republican approach to the business world, and the social issues of the democrat approach. If someone stood up and said "I'm going to let the private sector focus on the revenue stream, which will help to support the democrats with their social agenda", we'd have a winner on our hands!

I'm not saying our politicians are more interested in votes than protecting the country. Im not quite as slanted towards the political process as you Lenore. Until the NRA gets on board, AR15's and worse will keep roaming the American streets, and killing American women, men, and children. Until the NRA says "enough is enough" and really makes an honest and unbiased push to clean up these guns on our streets, the way I see it, the NRA has blood on their hands.

Yeah, he would think twice, and what a great way to live your life. "Hey son, great job today mowing the yard! How about a Bannana Split from Dairy Queen with your old man? Yeah? Ok, you find the car keys while I go get the Sig45". Who the *BLEEP* wants to live like that? If that's the case, then screw the cops, screw the military, and screw the core fabric that is the back bone of America - the justice system. You don't arm the citizens of Stockton, CA - you call in the military! That's what it's for! Why we haven't yet for this Mexican drug war going on beyond me. I can tell you this much, and as a member of a Lin line of military family members, I don't say this lightly - if the day comes that we are living in a country where by the overwhelming majority find it normal to give their children a Glock, as a right of passage to becoming an American adult - I'm outta here, and taking my family, money, and whatever healthy contribution I make to this country's economic success with me. I will be sad, but won't hesitate without question. Quite frankly, American culture isn't mature enough or intelligent enough to survive under a society that is completely armed with hand guns. And your example of Stockton is a perfect case study as to why. Pushing turns to punching. Punching turns to kicking. Kickin turns to sticks, then knives, then the thinking of "screw all that mess, I'll blow his *BLEEP*ing brains out and be done with it" creeps in." You should watch Friday sometime, Craig. Live to fight another day, son. And you know this...man!

Scares the crap out of me too my friend! That's why I take the "baby with the bath water" approach to the whole issue. If nobody has a gun, then I don't have to worry which one has the right or wrong intentions with it!

SW - we lost a deal on pricing at LIBOR plus 90, or in absolute terms... 1.15% for a 7 year term. 85% leverage too! This is just unreal. The economic payback for this type of stuff is going to be painful! I believe the next scapegoat for an economic recession will indeed be commercial real estate.

12 dead, dozens wounded, while watching the new Batman movie in Colorado. Killer had an AR15 as well. Guns....still sucking! Maybe this wouldn't of happened though if the victims also had guns too. Maybe I'll remember that for my son's 10th birthday in a few years. Or maybe this wouldn't of happened if the movie theater owner had posted armed guards at the doors, cause that's sounds like a great way to watch a movie with you friends and family... Guns suck!

I think there is hope for VW! I love those A6's! I actually love every car they've got out right now, I think they're very stylish, unique, and classy in a timeless sort of way. Just a little to expensive for my budget though. Speaking of which, I tried the Costco car buyer service this morning for giggles on a new GTI Autobahn model (top of the line). MSRP of $32,500, invoice of $30,000. Went through the easy steps online, and before I could finish reading the computer screen, I had a call from a VW here in town. In short, if what he said is true, the Costco approach would bring it down into the high $20's for a 4 door 2012 white GTI. He wouldn't give me the exact price without coming to visit in person, but said "way under invoice, thousands". When I said "so, the first number is a 2 then, not a 3", he responded "absolutely". Don't know if anyone has ever gone this route before, seems a little too good to be true, but if it is true, might be one in my garage a lot sooner than next March! I like the 0% 5 year money too... One other thing I forgot to mention in my "likes" list on the car - the mpg's. SW knows our traffic around here, and knows my daily commute route, which is almost 40 miles exactly round trip. Heavy traffic, yet still average around 28 mpg's with my jack rabbit turbo happy right foot. Cruising speed of about 75mph gives me around 32mpgs. I can't argue with that.

The healthcare debate is pretty much in the hands of the voters in November. We can all hark and bark about it until we're blue in face (don't pass out though, unless you're insured ;-). This is what bothers me, and you better listen to him, as he is one smart amigo! I'm bias though because I've met him. His company is a spinoff of my former employer, and I can tell you, he is rarely, if ever, wrong. http://www.bloomberg.com/news/2012-07-17/gross-says-u-s-nearing-recession-as-goldman-sachs-cuts-forecast.html What bothers me, is that after 4 years of hearing about how bad Bush left us (a president who believed in the private sector, maybe a little too much) - how are we any better with all of this government oversight now? How can we possibly be looking at a sunrise after years of cheap money flooding our leverage markets? How, can anyone really have any "hope" for a positive "change" when the realities of the past two years are clearly going to whack the unholy *BLEEP* out of the next four? Especially if the private sector can't get it's confidence back and get its revenues up, which given the pending fee structures coming from all of this expanding government injected influence, I honestly don't see it ever happening. What we make today, is on deck for taxation increases tomorrow. Add in fees and lost opportunities for revenue generation due to regulation constraints, and today looks better than tomorrow. This doesn't even take into consideration the NEED for hyper-inflation to get currency earnings out of the gutter. Seriously, 30 year fixed rate mortgages for 3.75%, and they're friggin' transferable (FHA program). I'm sorry folks, even if I wanted to vote for Obama in November, (and I don't hate the guy, or what he wants to do), I don't think I can afford him anymore. And what's wrong with being rich anyway? Branding the wealthy as the root of all that is wrong with America today, doesn't hurt the wealthy, it hurts the country's historical drive for prosperity! Why work your butt off in your 20's and 30's, make tough sacrifices for student debt and move to places you hate to pursue long term opportunities for a better future.....if your leader is going to brand you as a greedy scapegoat to those who didn't make those tough choices and decisions and financial gambles and commitments to their own future potential, and are mad because they don't get to live in a bigger house now? I just don't get it. I will say this too (even though I should probably delete that post about hitting the road ;/)) - before Mr. Obama starts trashing Bain Capital as the prime example of the deportation of jobs...he might want to hope nobody asks him about his chief financier in 2008 that is credited with raising all that money that swept him into office. Might find it interesting how the Pritzker family made much of their wealth and influence in this country, with their international cargo container business that helped American manufacturers shift jobs overseas, and ship back the products for us to buy..... There isn't one snake in that grass, Mr. hope and change....there's two, and you better tread lightly before someone calls YOU out for this too!

Read a report today, that pretty much sealed the deal for me. Drudge picked up on it too today. Starting on October 1st of this year - nearly all credit rating agencies will have to start reporting directly to a US government oversight committee. Doesn't sound too bad on the surface. But, when one thinks about it - your personal financial files for your entire life will now be accessible by politicians. Now, when you think about how influential your credit score/report is to your quality of life, kind've opens the door to really bad ideas, doesn't it! So, our government has now taken control of the health services industry, the banking regulatory industry, the entertainment decency industry (more bad words heading to your TV soon), and now our credit scores. Don't know about you, but I've had enough. I've looked at countless credit reports in my career, without a single problem.

Well, it's been about 2 years now with the GTI. I've put 20k miles on it. I've got to say, in all honesty, that out of all the cars I've owned in my life, none have come close to the pleasure I've experienced with this VW. I still wake up in the morning with one of my first thoughts being "yippie, I get to drive the GTI today!" Had to have the turbo diverted valve replaced, along with the pcv valve and head gasket about three months ago, all due to the pcv clogging up, a well known issue that has been fixed via recall. Car ran fine though, didn't notice a problem until I noticed a drop of oil on the ground. Considering the car is 5 years old, of which 4 were spent in Chicago and Detroit, I am stunned at the fact that not a single rattle exists today. I have spent $0 on repairs, thanks to their certified warranty program. Repairs to date include: timing belt due to chirping noise, pcv valve, diverter valve, head gasket, updated software flash for radio and DSG transmission, an a a/c fan motor due to stick getting passed clogged cabin air filter (didn't know I had one at the time). At 60k miles, the original rotors are finally ready to be replaced. Considering the road salt conditions of its previous home, I'd say 60k miles is excellent! All in all, I am extremely impressed with VW in general. Next March is bonus season for me, and about the time the certified warranty will expire. It will be time to replace it. I'm going to reward myself with an increased budget for my own car at this time of around $35k. I've done some shopping lately near my office, which has all the marque badges close by. Checked out the BMW's (love that smell), the MB's, Audi A4, and a few others. At the end of the day, while all of these cars are very nice, and the smell of the BMW leather still gives me a stiffy, I end up looking at their offerings (335i, C class) as a compromise to what a 4 door GTI offers. The Audi's don't sit we'll with my financial side, given the shared VW platform. I think there will be a 2013 4-door fully loaded GTI in my garage next March, white instead of black this time. Or, might be a CC, for "maturity" reasons, but we all know I tend to error on the other side of that equation. This time, I'll have it "chipped" to turn it into a screaming demon. It's just too hard to argue against the car. In one mode, it functions like a sedan with plenty of room for 4 grown adults. In another mode, it functions like a mini SUV with its hauling ability of big items. And in another mode, it can function like a true, turbo charged German sports car. All three for the price of one, is hard for me to ignore. Now that I've earned confidence in their quality, I'm a huge fan. So much so, that I'm growing more and more comfortable with buying one brand new, and not certified used. Because I don't see myself wanting to replace it anytime soon. I'd keep my current one with no question, if it weren't for the Chicago and Detroit factor in it's history. At some point, those harsh winter conditions and extremely rough roads are going to catch up to it. Nothing I can do to prevent that either. So I'd have to say, given my own personal experience over the past two years, VW has come a long way in quality and reliability. I know it only has 60k miles, but they haven't been easy miles by any measure. Lots of jack rabbit driving in harsh conditions of city traffic. And, an owner who immediately turns into a 16 year old teenager again when he gets in to it. It's been nothing but oil changes every 6k miles from me, and a new set of spark plugs shortly after I bought it. I was even reimbursed for the $40 I spent on a high-speed fuel pump cam follower recently, a part that many have complained about on this particular engine, and VW issued an extended 100k mile warranty for it and all related parts possibly impacted by it recently. Last time I was at the dealer for an oil change, I told him I replaced it already as an precaution. He pulled up the price, and VW USA actually sent me a friggin' check for it!

I don't disagree with any of it. I've never said that I did. Only concern I have, which is systematic in general of several components of the current administrations policies and inability to manage its own party - is the cost. My only question I have ever had of this administration is - how do we pay for it? The only answer I can actually see in reality, is more regulation and red tape. I don't think there is a sole with a Finance 101 course under their belt that can argue in any way shape or form that inflation of the worst kind is almost certain to happen now. We're talking 1982 all over again, if not worse. That, is my only beef with Obama and this group of democrat leadership. I love the democratic party, I think they're the more compassionate party to the public. But, and especially given the recent economic climate, they just don't seem to have a grasp on the budget and where the danger zone of leverage is. Spend spend spend, when the country is broke broke broke, leaves little to tax tax tax. That's my issue. Universal health care shouldn't be a democrat or republican thing. Or a rich vs poor thing. It should be a humanitarian thing. I might be a lot of bad things, and to some I might represent the evil of the system, which is fine with me (I do what I want in general). But, I'm not an a-hole to someone who is in dire straights of need. Few things make me more angry than seeing a true victim left to be victimized by greed and narrow mindedness. That being said, Jim, you're the one who came in here with this tone of being the only one who understands the bill, because you've read it. Yet, you won't support your position. I say you either engage the conversation with facts that you have gleamed from reading the legal opinion of Roberts, or apologize to those you insulted and and remain quiet.

Which part of Robert's opinion do you like the best? The part where he says the Comerce Dept can't pay for it w/o violating the constitution, but the governmental taxing authority can, therefore the constitutionally of the proposal to require all to get health insurance or face a fine is acceptable, kind of like a fine for not paying, say, your income taxes? (but, it's not a tax, right?) Come on gunslinger, "discuss" with the boys. Show them why they're throwing bombs, where they're wrong. Don't just stroll on into the chat and accuse the crowd of being ignorant, if you're not willing to pony up your own points of proof. Should be easy for an intelligent man who retired from a multinational insurance company and who has read the entire legal opinion of Judge Roberts. Do us the honor of putting our errors of understanding to rest. You rang the door bell, come on in.

No sir, I think you're the one who needs to put the pin back in your grenade. Your interpretation of "facts" is little more than one man's "opinion". Nothing more, nothing less. I think I've been on here long enough (7 years I believe) to have earned the right to say that you're a bit out of line, Jim. Let the men discuss, as they see fit. In my line of work, which too included a 5 year stint with one of the best insurance companies on the friggin' planet, so much so that during 8 months in 2009, if you needed more than $50 million for your commercial real estate project, it was me (a team of 11), or the bank of China. Snoppy was toast, Pru was burning, NYL was hiding in the closet, Hancock was learning French, and Mother Mass was praying their equity bets weren't about to blow them out. Principal, as usual, last one to leave the party, and they're lucky Sun LiCo didn't take them out when their stock hit $6/share for their 401k business. I, know what I'm talking about. Now, I lead a team of bankers for a banking firm that represents the 20th best performing stock in the entire universe of all stocks for decades here in DC. I know what I'm talking about. This healthcare law, is "change". Change scares people, and it isn't free. What is or is not going to happen, is perception of fear. Fear equals volitity. Volotiliy creates opportunities of profit making. It's fact in a capitalistic society such as ours. Am I for universal health care coverage? You damn right I am. I haven't forgotten those 3am cups of coffee I had in the basement cafeteria of Childrens Mercy in downtown Chicago over two years ago, while my son was going through what he was going through, my pregnant wife was going through what she was going through, and in all of that painful coius, I noticed what real fear looked like, on the faces of other dads in that cafeteria who knew they just got financially wiped out. My bill for those 5 days, nearly $50,000. My wallet felt $435 of that, of which $400 was an HMO technicality that I was happy to pay for. Is that fair? Is it fair that I can have two children delivered for the cost of a single co-pay of $20 per child, while the nurse who actually delivered the children can't? No, it's not. Is it fair that, like I had to do just yesterday for myself, walk into any urgent care for $25 and see a doctor because Iet a summer cold turn into an ear infection, while the guy who was mowing the lawn of the actual office building, on a Sunday in 103 degree heat, had a ratty arm cast on his right arm that clearly needed to be changed a long time ago, but probably couldn't afford to have it done? No, it's not. And to top it off, while on my way home from the pharmacy, for my $5 copay antibiotic medication, I decided to check out a couple of BMW's to see if I want to replace my GTI next march with one, or go for another GTI, fully loaded of course. New GTI is winning so far, even at $31k for a "Golf". But, is it fair to put forth a law that has not been explained well enough to the public that it serves to prevent such an air of confusion and fear, that people aren't able to see what I've just described over what it might cost? No, it's not, and will serve as an example as to why Mr. Obama will ultimately be a one term President. It's a shame too, because what he just did with this healthcare bill, is something no President who has attempted it in our history has ever been able to do. That being said - "It's the economy, Stupid!"

You know, I think I've travelled this road long enough. I really have nothing left to offer in terms of car advice, and have grown tired of getting pulled into these silly debates over politics, even though I've started more than my fair share around here over the years. I'll catch up to guys later on down the road. Maybe if I scratch that itch for an LS again.

Well then my international history professor in college, my own 30 year military veteran father, and even the friggin Globus tour guide while we went through Switzerland in 2007, we're all wrong when they all told me close to the same thing. Don't really care. Guns still suck a$$ all day long, period. If I could, I'd drop a load myself on the right to bear arms amendment. I think it's been whored out for all the wrong reasons and is a growing problem at the core of this country, and nobody will ever change my mind on it!

Switzerland does not allow it's people to have guns, for the sake of having guns. Switzerland not only allows it's people to have A gun, but issues each properly trained male who owns a home one because it is required that in a time of war, all male citizens are to be trained and ready to form as a collective group, as an army, and are therefore allowed to have a rifle in their home. Additionally, Switzerland men are required to go through many years of military training as a right of passage to becoming a man in Switzerland, a training regiment that calls for some of the toughest gorilla warfare ever seen, even to this day, of any nation on the planet. You would have to be nuts to fight the Swiss. That's why every nation on earth wants the swiss to be their ally. Those who have guns (and, we're not talking hand guns stuffed in their pockets here) have them to function as our 2nd amend was supposed to provide as well. Not, to show off as a false badge of strength, but to have in situations of STATE emergencies whereby the nation is at a life/death point in it's existance. Unless you plan on drafting the Crips and Bloods into a boot camp whereby one of the requirments is to live in the woods and 110% off of the land only for two years straight.... Using Switzerland as your model as to why America should have guns, is nowhere near accurate. I would love to see just 5% of the gun owners in this country even attempt to go through what the swiss have to go through before they're allowed to touch a gun. Plus, I doubt you'll find Bubba's Gun Emporium in Switzerland... "Today only, free red wigglers with the purchase of your AR15, in many different colors too!" Makes me sick.

Two points: First: DUI Check-points. Two: The 4th amendment doesn't have innocent people bleeding to death through gapping holes in their body for being at the wrong place at the wrong time. Hiding behind an amendment written when we were farmers and rode horses in the high-plains of Kansas in search of land, so you/me/us/we can have a god damn glock in our car or strapped to our side, is a core problem with this country, and quite frankly, makes me want to puke radioactive vomit in the face of those I see walking around MY country with them on. NOTHING makes me more angry about the constitution than how slicked-back dickweeds have perverted the call for a society to arm itself for defensive purposes (army) to allow bubba small-!Removed! and his 4 IQ possey to define their contribution to mankind by trying to intimidate society....with their little !Removed! guns. F' THE GUNS! GO TO MEXICO IF YOU WANT GUNS! GET THEM OUT OF AMERICA!! PS: I don't like guns...just and FYI... :whistles:

I agree with that. Unfortunately, they're the ones I'm talking about that I worry will not react in a non-violent manner if Obama loses, and some conspiracy is formulated as to why he lost. This is a little more than a missed verdict in some courtroom somewhere. This is 1600 Penn Ave. Uncomfortable topic, for sure. But one that I think people should keep in the back of their minds as we approach the final stretch to the election. Just be "aware" of the possiblity. Tis the season of protesting, ya' know.

I agree! And I get angry at myself sometimes when I allow it to filter into my own thought process too, in that kind of way. Honestly, I'm finding much of this kind of stuff coming from the older generation, the retirees and such. Not a ding to the older crowd, but rarely do I see stuff about Obama turning us into socialists and yada yada from those in my own age bracket. My dad, who has been retired now for 7 years and spend his winters in southern florida, has gotten like this now too, especiallly this year. Spends his summers in NE Oklahoma / winters in SW Florida. By August, he's all for guns and nobody telling him to wear a helmet when he rides his motorcycle. Time to go back to Florida. By April, I get the email fw's stating supposed fact on why a muslim can't be a good american. Seriously, just got one exactly like that about 3 weeks ago. I look at the forwarding chain of emails, and they're all his old buddies down there who think Obama is a wild-card muslim out to ruin us from within. The muslim/american email though, I couldn't resist a response, to all of those in that email chain. I reminded those who were on that list of a little fact about themselves, this country, and our future. Give us your tired, your poor, your..... is the basis of our nation. The majority of our DNA lays in roots of our ancestors who were fleeing religious persecution. Freedom to believe in whatever God you want, was one of the main draws to the early makeup of America. In summary: America exists today much because it was born to harbor the "mutts" of European society who didn't fit the mold of society back then. Not much has changed, except those who feel today's America should be making the molds for society to conform to. Personally, I think Obama's story is pretty cool! I like A LOT about him, and wish I could stand behind him more. But, I can't, for the simple fact that history has proven many times in the past that the longer the government drills down into the economic challenges to try and control it, the longer the economic challenges seem to exist. Two things I said feared in late 2008 on here somewhere with electing a democrat: Too much red tape created in the process, and too much debt. Funny I say that, because much of that debt has a personal benefit to me directly in the commercial real estate world of Washington, DC. It has been very good to me! But, it's time for some slack in the leash again. It's time for the private sector to take the charge, and the politicians to quiet down and stop being celebraties. It's time for America to take a break from talking politics and government this/that/the other in every other breath. That's my take, anyway. I don't know if fact can support my comments, and I'm positive I don't have the time to go digging through our immediate history to look for them. I'm sure all that i've said has a counter-balancing arguement that makes sense. But, what I do know, is the feeling in the business community, which is one along the lines of: "leave us alone, 1600 Pennsylvania Avenue." That feeling, baseless or not, is a fact. And that is the fault of Obama's administration, for failing to convey the right message. Government today does not feel like a "partner" for solution. It feels like a direct competitor. That's a problem and the root of my support for the Republicans, this time around. Might change next time, probably will. Probably why I'm seeing a lot of chatter in the media about who's going to run...in 2016. I think those who are pros at the political game already know the likely outcome in a few months, and are now playing the chess game a few moves ahead of what is on the board right now. What I hope doesn't happen though, if Obama loses, is the racial card being played. Mitt Romney is about as suburban "white bread" as it gets. The "image" of this, if not presented correctly, has the real possiblity of not being accepted correctly. That's something I do fear.

The whole Hitler thing, even mentioning his name in the same universe as Obama, I find to be a "rolling my eyes" moment, every time it comes up in general. Like or dislike Obama. Like or dislike the other side of the isle. Curious if the guy you're talking to is here legally, and have your Johnson / vajayjay / whowhos patted down or scanned before you board a pressurized mobility device to make sure you don't turn it into a screaming death missile - is a far stretch from a guy who defined genocide by the most horrific example of the word in man's modern history (and was stopped in large part by the very country some seem to think has elected a man of similar qualities). But, this is nothing new, and is the classic play played in the battles of modern day politics. It wasn't too long ago that a President who reacted to airplanes being turned into screaming death missiles was also compared to Hitler too. Obama is no Hitler, or a !Removed! sympathizer, or follower. If America truly were on that path, then I'd hope somebody would invade and kick our butts! Fact of the matter is that America is growing up (and out). We're evolving, we're learning as we go. Sure mistakes will be made, comes with the territory of also being the first called for help, and being a true beacon of hope/freedom and safety in an ever shrinking world of rapid communication. Disagreeing with a President's opinions and direction he/she wishes to take, is the American way. If it were the !Removed! way, I'd be dead by now. While I'm no fan of enough of the policies in the current administration to not vote for them again (primarily based on the financial costs and timing of those costs), nobody, in my opinion, is facing a !Removed! Germany scenario in this country, no matter your legal/racial/ethnical status. My plan - vote for the private sector this election, with hopes it can help more than it is to fix the economy. I think that's what is needed the most right now. I have been fortunate to embrace what some would probably deem as a selfish outlook, the 40,000 foot view of the landscape. I wouldn't disagree with that. I am who I am, and it is what it is. Paco and his drug gang buddies in Mexico aren't on my radar screen enough to consider their issue into my thinking of what we need to do to fix some things. Besides, my view on that is simple and shouldn't be a surprise to anyone who knows me - Paco lives by the gun, so he should probably die by the gun. Bring that gun across this line in the sand, and I'll make your likely conclusion become a reality (eventually, after I water board your a$$ to the point of knowing where the rest of your buddies are too). You aim to profit from the harm of my life, so I have not a single problem harming yours first, and God can tell me if I was right or wrong in doing so, later.

I'll also ad that I kind've like the fact that Romney flip flops on his issues. Makes me think he'll listen to the public a bit more. We've had two presidents in the immediate past that have been very opinionated. Not that it's a bad thing to be a leader of conviction and passion, but we had everyone screaming at Bush who were on the wrong side of his beliefs, followed by everyone screaming at Obama who has been on the wrong side of his beliefs on how things should go. I'm sure if Romney wins, folks will scream as well, but I think he'll give them less to scream about. Obama has done some fantastic things for us! And I firmly believe the democratic party is a more compassionate party to the masses. I also think they're an expensive party too. That concerns me as we continue to leverage today on tomorrows promises. I sell debt for a living, and I'm pretty good at it I think. I think as a nation on a whole though, we've bought too much of it over the past 3 years, and haven't given the private sector a chance to try and fix things. Deregulation via the bush era was reckless in some regards, but not all. If I were to lay blame at the feet of a single player in the economy who failed us all, it would be the SEC. Does that tie back to an overly relaxed Regulatory environment that flows from the top down? Sure does. I think we've gone from one extreme to another though, which I'm fearful will cause yet another swing that'll be too much. It feels as though since the private sector raided the cookie store while the SEC wasnt paying attention, that the private sector has been put on house arrest a bit. The part of my rant about the Florida thing, I'll admit, was out of line. Comment of passion and frustration misplaced at a situation unrelated to the overall topic.

Bugs me too, Paul, but I probably have to agree with him too, and that's my rant he's dissecting! That's what happens when I pay too much attention to the news. I get into this circular thought process an get find a solution. It is my nature under those situations to scrap the whole thing and start over. I will say though, I have grown tired of our politicians becoming celebrities of sort. I've also grown tired of trying to figure out why we're running up this massive amount of debt, yet I don't see any tangible production from it. All this money, and my years in Illinois showed me no real change other than a rapid and continued decline. My BS alarm won't stop ringing these days, and when I see the costs of commerce these days, matched by unemployment issues that continue, something doesn't compute other than over regulation and too much red tape for capitalism to grow. At some point, folks have to be held accountable on an individual basis for choices they've made. Like that occupy protestor with tattoos all over his face, protesting that I'm the bad guy because I don't want him in my office. Not saying some of these entitlements are an issue, but the social component of us seems to be deteriorating at a scary level. My simpleton solution? Scrap the team and try again. Right or wrong.