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One Million Calls for Barack Obama

my.barackobama.com — Tuesday is one of the last big landmarks of the primary season, with 187 delegates at stake in one single day. Right now Barack Obama volunteers and staff in Indiana and North Carolina are preparing for the final Get Out The Vote weekend, and across the country grassroots phonebankers are getting ready for the last big weekend of calling.

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  • castevens, on 05/04/2008, -9/+203When my state held its primary, we got two telephone calls. One was a recorded message of Hillary's voice asking for our support, and the other was a human being supporting Barack Obama, who was willing to discuss Obama's platform and use intellect to gain our support. Having a living human on the other end of the phone is refreshing.
    • rewinn, on 05/04/2008, -2/+71Robocalls turn me off 100%
      Call me species-ist, but a live human being is much more interesting to me than a robot. Sorry Bender!
    • eliot2000, on 05/04/2008, -4/+45I got a live Clinton caller, and they had that weird British-Indian accent. Not sure if they've outsourced campaign calling, like everyone else has outsourced Tech support, but it wouldn't surprise me.
      • seafish69, on 05/04/2008, -3/+17That was hilarious to read. I am not from the United States hence the laugh.
        However, it's pretty sad when you think about for the second time. I mean, the whole outsourcing thing..
        • rpgmaker, on 05/04/2008, -2/+4Outsourcing is not sad, and less when your country needs those jobs. For example, in my country outsourced jobs like Tech Support pay really well, but when you translate it to the US they're actually paying you below the minimum payment
        • foofightrs777, on 05/04/2008, -2/+5My country, the country that created those jobs, needs them too. :(

          Regardless, it is nice to hear that they are at least helping your country.
          • rpgmaker, on 05/07/2008, -0/+1Since when Kazakhstan is part of the US.
      • blackjack75, on 05/04/2008, -2/+3That would be amusing, especially if you had some proof that they actually outsourced this to a commercial call center instead of using volunteers. Until then I'll just assume the guy happened to have an accent, which doesn't mean he wasn't an american citizen volunteering for her.
      • kidcodea, on 05/04/2008, -1/+3outsource your vote, and then we put america in its 5% world population place.
      • andburn1, on 05/04/2008, -2/+3I agree with Blackjack. It's pretty stupid, and in fact, pretty douchebagish, to assume that some guy with an accent supporting Clinton was not an American.
        • cupid311, on 05/04/2008, -1/+3If you go back and re-read the comment, he didn't assume. He said that he wasn't sure if. He just put the idea out there that it's a possibility. Don't start slinging insults because you didn't read it right.
    • rentmitchum, on 05/04/2008, -3/+33I got 3 calls and I'm in Pennsylvania. One was an invite to State College to see Hilary. One was some ***** about gun control saying Barack was a liar (praying on my redneck counterpart's fear of losing their beloved right to shoot deer in the face). One was a very nice polite message from Mr. Obama asking for my support.

      I wonder who I'd vote for, the negative bitch or the guy asking me nicely for his support? Still pissed PA sucks enough that Clinton won. Damn you other Pennsylvanians! I call HAX!
      • deadnewton, on 05/04/2008, -0/+1it is interesting that you pointed this one out. one of my friends got a similar call too....anyway look at the results: at least the campaign speeches.....HRC got only less than 2000 people when she came to penn state but Obama attracted more than 25000 !!! AND he WON Center County !
    • minox, on 05/04/2008, -4/+10I would prefer to get the machine call. It's easier hanging up on them.
      • dattaway, on 05/04/2008, -0/+8Its just as easy hanging up on a live person, "You will know who I vote for when the official results are completed and not one minute sooner."
      • didgital, on 05/04/2008, -0/+1I hung up on robo-Jack Nicholson calling me for HRC in California.
    • LukasSmith, on 05/04/2008, -21/+11Actually I wouldnt want a call. Calls are as bad as spam. Obama fanatics have been doing plenty of that on digg.com.
      • sagien, on 05/04/2008, -5/+4Lukas is out for his daily dose of being dugg down.
      • atgmac, on 05/04/2008, -5/+3Autoburied.
      • andburn1, on 05/04/2008, -2/+9Eh, I support Obama, and I'm guilty of digging all the Obama stories, but he's right. It must suck to be someone who doesn't support Obama on digg. Whatever. I had deal with ***** Ron Paul until he finally died, so you can deal with Obama until he gets elected. Thanks.
    • TheCheckist, on 05/04/2008, -3/+1It's pretty pathetic ff that's what counts for you in voting for one candidate over the other
  • tcbishop12, on 05/04/2008, -10/+59Working the phone banks for Sen. Obama with other dedicated volunteers is an experience like no other, and is highly recommended. Find a phone bank near you today, and give of your time. You won't be disappointed.
    • arpad, on 05/04/2008, -15/+9Yes, it's so terribly exciting to work for a guy who's careful to be vague about policy matters, an attitude that's mirrored in his voting record, so that you can project your giddy fantasies on him.
      I mean, who wouldn't want a president who you could imbue with all the courageous virtues you like to pretend you possess?
      • Hangly, on 05/04/2008, -5/+3Though I agree, I think you have to be a little vague to get elected.
        At least he's an honest person. I sincerely hope he is anyway, he seems like one so far.
      • wacomwacoff, on 05/04/2008, -1/+6Vague? There's nothing vague about his policy opinions. Obama wrote a bestselling book outlining them point by point.
        • InnerRayg, on 05/04/2008, -1/+6Vague is defined as not providing specific sound bites for networks summarizing his positions within five seconds or less.
        • scottc, on 05/04/2008, -0/+3...or defined as not simple enough for people like arpad to understand them.
          • wacomwacoff, on 05/04/2008, -1/+2I honestly worry that Obama is too smart for a lot of people to get where he's coming from. He's not campaigning by playing the soundbite game, and I think it makes many voters think he's just "vague".
          • scottc, on 05/04/2008, -0/+1Yes, that is a problem for him. That's one thing that Bill Clinton did well...he could explain the minute details or he could give a sound bite, depending on who he was talking to. Obama has trouble with the sound bites.
    • LukasSmith, on 05/04/2008, -12/+7Yeah I think working for a Wright might be more interesting. At least he has a plan. The destruction of the white man! PReach it!
      • JaronDiggGuy, on 05/04/2008, -2/+1The destruction of your mom.
        Seriously, I was there. It was epic.
      • cjshamrock, on 05/04/2008, -2/+1I would, but I'm too white for that
    • Hangly, on 05/04/2008, -5/+3Was Scarlett Johansen there?
    • runCMD, on 05/04/2008, -7/+2Working together for a common good is what makes a volunteer feel good. You would feel that way if you were working for feed the hungry - or save the whales. Unfortunately, you're blinded by the joy of that unity with your fellow supporters of a bigot. You won't be blamed in the end though. Charisma carries a lot of people into blind support. I'm glad I saw it early enough to question.
      • wacomwacoff, on 05/04/2008, -1/+2Please explain why Obama is a bigot. You can't just throw libelous terms like that around without explaining why.

        Myself, I read his book, listened to what he had to say, and threw my time and money behind the man to support him.
        • runCMD, on 05/05/2008, -0/+1Sorry to burst your bubble wacomwacoff, Obama is a bigot.
          Do you think people change much ? Can you go from hating to embracing over time ? ok, can you make the same leap if you never leave the environment that promotes that kind of hate ? People can and do change .. but they still are accountable for past actions - especially running for public office.
          Obama quoted:
          “We were always playing on the white man's court … by the white man's rules,” he writes. “If the principal, or the coach, or a teacher … wanted to spit in your face, he could, because he had the power and you didn’t. … The only thing you could choose was withdrawal into a smaller and smaller coil of rage. And the final irony: should you refuse this defeat and lash out at your captors … they would have a name for that too. Paranoid. Militant.
          After growing up with such hatred in his heart toward white people, he then found a church that catered to his bigotry and found a way to take it down a level. To hide the bigotry that rages in his heart. And at reverend Wrights NAACP speech - Obama got outed as the bigoted liar he grew up to be. And still, the rose colored glasses persist. My problem with you wacom ... is that you have become apologists for Obama's exposed bigotry.
          Let me ask you this question. If your mom were diagnosed with a cancer. If you have tried other treatments for 8 years and no relief came - her condition only got worse. So - your family decided to go for the surgery option. You begin to look for a surgeon to come in and cut out the disease. You want the best doctor possible. you find two good candidates for the job. They happen to be of different color - but that doesn't bother YOU. You want the best person for the job because you love your mom and want her to have the longest life possible. So you get on the internet and research both doctors. One spent more time in a hospital than the other. But it wasn't as a surgeon, so that doesnt count ... they are both surgeons now. So you consider them both equal. Now - you read in a paper that your surgeon goes to church. You find out the other does too ... maybe their religious beliefs mean something to you - maybe they don't But it's nice to know they feel some accountability to a higher power. Then you find out that one of the churches specializes in demoralizing rhetoric against people because of their color. The same color of your mother. You read further and find that your surgeon has been an active involved member of that church for 20 years. You're a little worried about your mom .. so you ask your surgeon about that. He tells you he's never been present during any such talk. The Surgeon is a great speaker and quickly puts your fears at bay. You leave feeling better. Then you find out that he actually was present for many negative sermons. You start to think .. am I being lied to. You find a book written by your surgeon as a young man that touts his rage against people the color of your mother. The book mentions wanting to spit in the face of his captors. Mentions felony drug use and a desire to use harder stuff if he only like the pusher. Shocked, you go and look at the racial and drug related past of the other surgeon. Given a choice over who can save your mother ... who do you choose ?
          For president, I chose the least divisive, least criminal, least bigoted candidate of the two. I expect you will choose whoever you feel meets the criteria you set. How low do you set that bar ?

  • thirdcoastborn, on 05/04/2008, -10/+47I'm not that good at stuff like that so I'll just continue to give my money.
    • tcbishop12, on 05/04/2008, -8/+18You are doing a lot and making a difference by your consistent hard work on this site, my friend. I am honored to serve with you in this noble cause. Keep it up.
    • arpad, on 05/04/2008, -13/+5The courage of the checkbook liberal. Just takes your breath away, doesn't it?
      • mdoerr, on 05/04/2008, -1/+2HAHAH, how many phone calls have you made for your candidates lately? You think because you go to church your "battling" the "godless liberals" out there? You are a joke, sir.
    • LukasSmith, on 05/04/2008, -16/+4Im a Republican. I am going to pray Obama gets the nomination so he can get creamed in November. Hillary might actually win an election. Obama? ahahahah. Yeah college and highschool kids DONT MATTER.
      • Hangly, on 05/04/2008, -4/+3I think the Obama kids are going to matter more than any other demographic for the next 40 years. They're organized, and there's a ton of them.
      • LukasSmith, on 05/04/2008, -9/+1Umm I don't know if you realized this but old people and I mean Hillary's people are the majority of Americans. The baby boomers are Hillarys kind. These people vote and yes their vote really really counts. Obama can't get these votes. The Democrats are fools to believe that Obama can win. Just look for stats on the net. This nation is not a young peoples nation. If the democrats got wise they would give Obama the boot. And he wouldn't lose from that. He could follow up after Hillary in a future election very powerful. But they won't give him the boot. He will lose to McCain. the end.
        • meamog, on 05/04/2008, -0/+4My parents are boomers, and they certainly ARE supporting Obama. Not all boomers are swayed by lies, and I'd have to say more than you think are excited to see a candidate like Obama.

          Sidenote - neither of my parents are college-educated either. Pure midwest, blue collar, honest folks.
        • LukasSmith, on 05/04/2008, -8/+1Lies? pff. The great Black hope. NOw there is a lie. Lets see if he gets away with it.
        • Andyschism, on 05/04/2008, -0/+1Must have just stepped off the boat or something. Foreigners stealing our troll jobs.
      • OnionBaggage, on 05/04/2008, -0/+3Prayer, How to do nothing, and still feel like you're helping.
      • midgetsanchez, on 05/04/2008, -0/+5Regarding that last statement of yours..."Yeah college and highschool kids DONT MATTER." ...I'd just like to point out that most of the impetus for change in Western Civilization has come from the youth, from the anti-war college protests during the 60s to the German college students resisting the Metternich System in the 1820s and the July Revolution in France which led to even more change throughout Europe. So basically what I'm saying is, don't ***** underestimate us. Thank you.
  • nickcozy, on 05/04/2008, -34/+11I bet they were telling him to wothdraw from the race.
    • veganvelma, on 05/04/2008, -3/+11Check your spelling before you criticize or you'll look really stupid.
      Too late.
  • cg4et, on 05/04/2008, -9/+92I'm calling Indiana all weekend. Not gonna sit on the sidelines. Not this time.
    • monoa, on 05/04/2008, -5/+9Thank you.
    • p0s3r, on 05/04/2008, -15/+5Make sure you respect the Do Not Call List, you telemarketting *****.
      • MacEnvy, on 05/04/2008, -0/+4Political calls aren't governed by the Do Not Call list, you hulking ignoramus. That's for commercial calls only.
    • runCMD, on 05/04/2008, -10/+3LOL. Obama's campaign is sounding desperate. Voter guage is stuck at right around 50% - legitmate voters come to each primary to cast their votes half for Obama, and half for Clinton ... with each contest showing that he is unable to take any sort of clear majority lead - he will have no chance to claim a landslide victory he is counting on. Obama - face it. You are NOT the choice of the democratic party. You are the choice of HALF the democratic party. Just as is Hillary Clinton at this point. When she offered unity - you scoffed. Now you look foolish. Now - who was it that wants to be president no matter what the cost ? And you want Hillary to drop out so you can win by default. Her supporters voices deserve to be heard just as loudly and clearly. Stop trying to silence them.
      • meamog, on 05/04/2008, -1/+3See, he's trying to get people to call and let people know about his campaign - that's the opposite of trying to silence people.
        And according to the delagate math, and the popular vote, and the narrowing superdelagate gap, Obama WILL be our candidate.
        • runCMD, on 05/04/2008, -2/+1Calling people is the opposite of trying to silence people ? How did you do on your S.A.T. ?
          : ) Obama may very well fool enough in the days ahead to become the nomine. But, he WILL NOT be president. Win the battle, lose the war.
          • meamog, on 05/05/2008, -0/+2I did pretty damn well on my standardized tests, thanks.
            Calling voters to inform then of a candidate's stance on issues is informing them - possibly revealing information that the voter may find important when they decide to cast a ballot. Quelling ignorance, to me, is indeed the opposite of silencing someone - a stronger voice is achieved, based on a more comprehensive knowledge of the candidates.
      • scotticus, on 05/04/2008, -1/+2Are you serious? What campaign is more desperate than Clinton's right now?

        You're right that Clinton is the choice of the establishment of the democratic party -- the same folk that have lost the past two presidential elections and who let the Republicans take over both legislative branches and the supreme court.

        Obama has won (let's face it, he has) by bringing fresh faces into the political arena. This is reflected by his record fund raising, without the use of PAC money.
        • runCMD, on 05/04/2008, -1/+1Right now I see Obama's candidacy as desperate. Just look at the arrogance of your post ... the lamest stories are appearing on Digg and elsewhere trying to make him look better than human. That should clue you in that theres really not been a true discourse on the character of the candidate you support. Even Obama's 'closes' advisor has called him as a liar. You go right ahead and wear the rose colored glasses. I for one am proud to have never tried them on.

          brining fresh faces into the political arena ? record fund raising ? : ) So that's what qualifies the candidate of your choice ? Let other's disagree with you on that. It's the American way.
          Obama hasn't won the race for the nomination yet dood. And if he does - he will not be carrying a mandate in the race for the whitehouse. The negativity spewed by his supporters toward the other candidates .. and now all targeted at Hillary Clinton have soured the rest of the country against you. Not him, you. Good luck, and I mean that.
    • ileftfark, on 05/04/2008, -7/+3So you're gonna sit on your couch and make unsolicited phone calls? Not knocking you because of your political affiliation, I'm knocking you because of your half-assed commitment to "activism"- you call people who don't want to hear from you and attempt to coerce their vote. Please don't kid yourself- you don't want to be on the "sidelines", so you'll be in your living room? There are real ways to be active in your community- telemarketing is among the lamest.
      • breached, on 05/04/2008, -0/+5I would have to disagree. I have made over a 100 calls this weekend and I have spoken to many undecided voters who take the time to listen to me and I take the time listening to them. We exchange information and opinions which does not occur in telemarketing. With so many people undecided and the media doing such a horrible job of really showing the distinction between the candidates on the issues then I think that sitting on your couch and making calls and informing voters is a great way to spend your weekend.
  • Gaming4JC, on 05/04/2008, -37/+11I'll be calling up people to vote for Ron Paul and become a Delegate. ;D
    http://www.ronpaul2008.com
  • vault, on 05/04/2008, -28/+14so the spam's moving from the internet to the telephones?
  • vatd112, on 05/04/2008, -27/+3the ultimate Obama video:
    http://uk.youtube.com/watch?v=LbvP7dT3Dx0
  • 808ethan, on 05/04/2008, -1/+42Robo calls are illegal for all but politicians. Its like a slap in the face saying "Hello, I'm happy to use immoral laws to be powerful. Now I would never talk to second class citizens like you, so listen to this tape, then vote for me"
    • blackjack75, on 05/04/2008, -0/+11Yes it's almost as if the law does apply to everyone except the guys who actually write them...

      Honestly I cannot believe people can indeed be influenced by a recorded call. If anything I'd be pretty mad at the guy who got spambots to campaign for me. That said that would be illegal in my country and many others.
  • CarStan, on 05/04/2008, -5/+7Can someone tell me since when the Obama campaign is organizing this phone banks online?
    Because i didnt know such a thing existed and i wrote a mail to the obama campaign on february 5th suggestíng that they used their vast online support by letting their supporters do the phone call work.
    • Rbstr, on 05/04/2008, -0/+11They have been doing it for a long time.
    • JohnM5, on 05/04/2008, -0/+8You should read their site, they mention it every other blog post
      • barbiesnow, on 05/04/2008, -0/+4I have been calling voters since Super Tuesday...where have ypu been?
    • p0s3r, on 05/04/2008, -8/+2Brilliant suggestion CarStan. I'm quite sure that they didn't start using a phone bank until after they received your email! If Obama wins the Presidency, I think we'll be able to point his success back to early February, when taking the amazing advice of one CarStan, the campaign skyrocketed to new heights using that amazing new marvel of modern technology, the telephone!
  • Luv5, on 05/04/2008, -24/+2Hillary is not going to win. America is not mature enough for a woman President. Trash the Clintons and vote for Obama now and McCain later. Like it or not, America never had nor will have a woman President.
    • NuclearWookie, on 05/04/2008, -1/+32It isn't about Hillary Clinton being a woman. I'd think that the US is ready for a black president or a female president. We just aren't ready for THAT female to be our president.
      • s14sh3r, on 05/04/2008, -3/+11Hillary is a female?
        • TheThirdLevel, on 05/04/2008, -0/+0She's a living being? I thought she was just a physical manifestation of spite and dark magick.
    • Anonchrist, on 05/04/2008, -1/+1WTF Hillary is really a woman?!!? Wait... You almost had for a second.
  • mfc5200, on 05/04/2008, -24/+10I just watched that Obama advertisement on Digg. It's talking about gas prices. He mentions his "Obama Plan" which consists of

    1) Raise fuel efficiency standards
    2)Develop alternative fuels
    3)$1,000 middle class tax cut.

    I'm going to give my response to all three things.

    1) What right does anyone have to mandate fuel efficiencies? If someone wants to drive around in a 10 mpg Hummer, that's their right. Of course, with oil at $110/barrel, doing so won't be easy. This explains why hybrids and other fuel efficient vehicles are becoming popular, without the government mandating that we buy them.

    If you don't want to drive a gas guzzler, then don't, but don't tell other people what they can and can't do (there is an exception which I will address shortly).

    2)Develop alternative fuels. Why? If gasoline/oil is cheaper than alternative fuels, why would you ask them to use something else? People are facing enough problems in their lives, they don't need more government mandates to ruin their lives. For the same reason, I am against gasoline taxes that distort consumer habits. There are only two reasonable reasons I can think of as to why we should tax gasoline. One, to pay for federal highways. Those who use the most gas, typically use the highways the most, hence this is a logical tax to pay for highways. Two, if in fact there are negative externalities with regard to gasoline consumption and C02 emissions, then the act should be taxed in order to offset the damage to the environment. The government should exist in order to protect third parties, and polluting the environment in my view therefore falls in the category of negatively affecting others to a reasonable extent, hence warranting government intervention. But developing alternative energies, just for the sake of it, using taxpayer money is unfair to taxpayers. Also, as can be seen with the huge investments and dozens of new solar, wind, etc IPO's coming out every month, high oil prices will result in more investment in alternatives naturally. The government doesn't need to tax people to make it happen. Again, look at Honda and Toyota vs. GM and Ford in today's market.

    3) $1,000. This I actually agree with. But it doesn't go far enough. For one, it's a specific figure, so every year as a result of inflation, this $1,000 will become more and more insignificant. If he wants to be serious, he should simply be in favor of getting rid of the bottom tax bracket all together ($0-$7,825 is taxed at 10%). This entire tax bracket should be gotten rid of. We should look at the income tax when it was first created, adjusted for inflation, no one making less than $50,000 paid income taxes. That should be our goal. So as to right now, the first $7,825 of our adjusted income should be tax free. And that number should be indexed to inflation. I would prefer to see that as opposed to $1,000 tax break. I say this because a "tax break" implies that the government has the right to take that money and is giving you a "break" by being generous and giving your money back, whereas cutting taxes implies more, "what right does the government have to take my money?" But $1,000 is still better than nothing.
    • mafftom, on 05/04/2008, -2/+8Urm maybe The United States use's too much oil? and maybe the world can't cope with the demand? Maybe thats why he's trying to be more fuel efficient? Finally the U.S. is listening and reacting very positively whilst people like mfc5200 think there is an endless supply of oil and refuse to listen, I guess the U.S has a long way to go before it catches up with the attitudes of the majority of other countries on this planet. Curb your addiction to oil, it's costing YOU lives.
      • mfc5200, on 05/04/2008, -1/+2Maybe...just maybe...as demand increases, and supply stays constant, the prices will rise. When this happens, people will want to stop buying fuel inefficient cars. Maybe the companies that make the most fuel efficient cars like Toyota and Honda will see great sales growth while companies like GM and Ford will see declining sales. /sarcasm

        With the high price of oil as it is (maybe it will go even higher) we will make plenty of incentives to "curb" our addition to oil, we don't need government policies doing it for us. Hence, GM and Ford are doing very badly, Toyota is doing great, and the stocks of alternative energy companies are soaring.
    • Serpentine1618, on 05/04/2008, -1/+9You are right. It is somebody's right to drive around an obnoxious Hummer and most certainly, the forces of economy will create natural discentives which will stop people from driving these fuel guzzlers.....but how long do you think it'll take before that happens and how long do you think we can afford to wait until people realize that there is a shortage of oil in the world AND we need to begin to acting upon it? A mandate on fuel efficiency standards maybe seem overtly strict and "oppressive" but you need to put your concept of "rights" into perspective.

      The right to indulge in petty luxury desires (driving a Hummer instead of a Honda) seems INCREDIBLY trivial compared to urgent need for the entire world (not just America) to figure out an alternative fuel source. Furthermore, prioritizing some idiot's right to drive a Hummer over the collective urgency to discover/research alternative fuels seems.....retarded. Some sacrifices need to be made in figuring out solutions for our oil crisis....I think we can afford to oppress some poor homeless person's right to purchase and drive a Hummer.

      Why alternative fuels? Um, Because there is a shortage of oil in the world and we kinda need to find a replacement pretty fast? I'm not sure if you've noticed but oil prices have been going up......and up.....and up. You think America has high oil prices? Come over to Europe or Japan or even New Zealand. We pay twice as much as you at the pumps. Fuel prices will keep going up and it will suck.

      But I don't think you're ignorant of that fact. Your argument seems to be that if we let things naturally happen, businesses will naturally create and cultivate alternative fuels. Therefore, government intervention in foster alternative fuel research is unnecessary AND offensive .

      I would strongly disagree and point out that you are naive to think that businesses will quick enough to adapt to alternative fuel reasearch. In fact, if left to their own devices, businesses will take as long as they can. They will price gouge for profits, horde techonology to create demand and stifle the benefits of their research for profit. This is the most effective method for maximizing profits......There is a reason why the production of electricity and water is strictly watched by the government. These are necessary goods/services which cannot be trusted to the business mentality. Healthcare in America is a shining example of what happens when you trust a necessary good/service over to the private sector......Quite literally, people die.

      I may have gone off-topic but my point is, oil is the next necessity of our civilisation and thinking you can trust the "market forces" to govern and create the necessary dynamics for alternative fuel research is just plain naive. Some government intervention is definitely necessary.......now the only question is, how much intervention do we want?

      I think Obama has pretty lenient levels of intervention IMO.
      • sethorama99, on 05/04/2008, -6/+1There is no shortage of oil. As oil becomes more expensive and more profitable, oil can be extracted from more difficult places like the Alberta oil sands, as it becomes economically viable. Higher prices and bigger oil company profits actually make the high initial costs involved in extraction more viable, which allows us access to more oil. Weird, huh?
        • sethorama99, on 05/04/2008, -4/+1Haha, whoops. No one wants to hear that. What I meant to say was we need solar powered cars NOW, and Obama looks to be the one who can help us as we draw ever closer to the last bits of precious oil on the planet. Get out there and volunteer! ***** HILLARY!
      • mfc5200, on 05/04/2008, -1/+2"Healthcare in America is a shining example of what happens when you trust a necessary good/service over to the private sector......Quite literally, people die."

        First off, that statement is not true. We are the shining beacon of corporate and government collusion when it comes to healthcare, not private care. If you want to see strong private health care, I would point you towards Singapore or Hong Kong, not the U.S.

        But back onto topic. There is not shortage of oil. We have a enough proven reserves to last around 30-50 years. However, demand will keep increasing while supplies probably won't. This has already begun. Which explains why oil is so expensive now. This probably won't stop, in the long run, the price of oil will just go up and up and up (thats the long run, in the short run, its probably going down). This will naturally curb consumption on its own and lead to more investment in alternatives as doing so becomes profitable. Price will always move to make supply and demand equal. Thus its difficult to envision a shortage for something like oil (this doesn't apply to things like food and water that you need a certain amount/day to survive). And high prices will do plenty on their own to change our habits.

        For an example of this, just look at Europe. In the United States, we have this concept called "suburbia". In Europe this doesn't exist to the same extent mostly because of gas prices. Americans can afford to live far away from work, Europeans can't. Also, if you look at the average car in Europe, it is a very efficient small compact, vs. the large family sedan in the US. Again, this has to do with gas prices. Also, the majority of "green energy" companies exist in Europe, because your fossil fuels are taxed through the roof.

        So I would argue, if you want to see what effect high gas prices will have in the US, we need only to look to Europe. No government intervention is required to bring us there.
      • Serpentine1618, on 05/04/2008, -0/+1We're discussing two different topics here so firstly: Heatlhcare.

        I think you misinterpretated my comment on American Healthcare. Any form of helathcare in any country will most certainly be a mixture of both private and public control. I assumed we both knew that..... I am fully aware that healthcare in America is a mixture of private and public control....the difference in America is that the private sector has more "control" than the public. However, we're getting distracted. You missed my point when I used Healthcare as an example for oil. My point was this:

        Some goods/services are essential for the collective welfare of any society. These goods/services must be controlled and moderated to insure fairness, equality and long-term practicality. Water, Electricity and Healthcare are some of these examples and I put forth the notion that oil/fuel/energy is another kind of necessary good/service.

        Okay, now back to Oil and alternative fuel sources:

        If all the oil in the world will only last us (everyone in the world) for another 30-50 years, I would say that is a shortage. I dunno, maybe my definition of "shortage" is different to yours. An area of lexical/semantic disagreement? When is it appropriate to call it a shortage? If there was only enough oil in the world to last us....say 15 minutes, then maybe we have a shortage by your definition? What dp you define as a "shortage" and when do you think we should do something about it?

        Let's clarify something, are you telling me that ANY government intervention is un-necessary in alternative fuel research? Are you telling me that we don't need to do anything at all and somehow the magical forces of capitalism will make it happen? If that's what you're saying, then I'm definitely in disagreement because relying exclusively on businesses and market forces is....naive. If you think SOME government intervention is necessary then I would ask what is your alternative to Obama's proposals....if you don't like mandates that force businesses into fuel efficient cars, then what is your alternative?

        Furthermore, which ever country figures out and pioneers successful technology for alternative fuels will be the next "superpower"....Technology is the precusor for political influence and power....maybe you're happy now in America but if you don't pick up your ass and get on the "alternative fuel research" path, once all the oil is gone, you'll be left with your pants down and become dependent on other countries for technology into alternative fuels when there actually is no more fuel.

        No offense man but you're the reason why America will inevitably fall from it's #1 country status.....because you have no sense of urgency.
      • mfc5200, on 05/04/2008, -0/+1See, you obviously don't understand American history very well. Lets begin:

        1) "private sector has more "control" than the public. " That's only true because they have the government in their back pockets. That is not private healthcare, it is corporate/government healthcare and you fail to see the difference. For example, coming from a family of doctors, I regularly hear stories about how doctors charging Medicare 2-10x the amount you can charge someone paying cash. My dad recently got surgery on his neck, he paid $20,000 cash, and was in the hospital for a week. The same bill to Medicare or the government would have easily been over $100,000 according to friends who are doctors who regularly preform the surgery.

        2) "No offense man but you're the reason why America will inevitably fall from it's #1 country status". I'm sorry? Did America rise to #1 status via government intervention? No, not in any way. It rose to this status in the last 19th century and early 20th century (it has been there since). During these times, federal government intervention was extremely small (we didn't even have an income tax). When we invented flight, AC power, wireless communications, etc etc, that was all in the early 20th century with there was practically no government intervention.

        3) So what would I propose our government do with regard to alternative technologies? Simple, stand back, lower regulations, and eliminate all corporate taxes on income generated from alternative energy technology. The government doesn't need to (or know how to for that matter) decide what the best technologies out there are, what deserves funding and what doesn't etc etc. They just need to stop shooting innovation in the foot. All funding for research and development should be completely tax deductible dollar for dollar. Those are the kind of things the government should and can do. It should stop putting a little on innovation and instead promote it. But that doesn't mean they need to be directly involved in the process.


    • rreadysetno, on 05/04/2008, -2/+1TL;DR.
  • helraizr, on 05/04/2008, -18/+5Will he kill the illegal fed, or do anything with monetary policy?

    I think not

    RP08
    • Waterrat, on 05/04/2008, -2/+4 Agreed.
      I truly believe Obama and Mrs. C.' were pre-selected by the elite and the others were just trotted out for show.
    • Berkana, on 05/04/2008, -0/+1Don't be so sure. Someone has to make him aware of the issue before passing judgment.
  • AsylumAleikum, on 05/04/2008, -26/+8Being a "typical white person", I started my own Obama phone bank - a bot that calls Indiana numbers and plays Jeremiah Wright's best hits, such as "GOD DAMN AMERICA!" and "Esk not what your country can do for you". God bless SkypeOut.

    Hillary 2012!
    • Hangly, on 05/04/2008, -3/+7Hillary will never be president.
    • srondizzle, on 05/04/2008, -2/+5Rev. Wright only hurts Obama's campaign because major news outlets can't focus on real issues. Go watch John Kerry's response when asked about Wright on MSNBC. And congratulations on being a total brainless pawn of MSM.
  • mal1964, on 05/04/2008, -4/+65I called at 3:00 am, no answer.
  • betona, on 05/04/2008, -2/+39Sucks, doesn't it? I had multiple recorded calls from Obama, Hillary, McCain and Huckabee call me leading up to the Ohio primary. I think Obama offerred me a ride to the poll if I needed one. Now I DID have an absolutely gorgeous blonde woman ring my doorbell for Obama--first time I've ever had anyone come to my door for a presidential candidate. I have no idea what she said, but she left me with some materials.
    • bnoj13, on 05/04/2008, -2/+19"...but she left me with some materials."

      ...if you know what I mean...
    • Anonchrist, on 05/04/2008, -0/+15A hot blonde girl at a digg user's home? Obama, he really does stand for change.
    • Wesside, on 05/04/2008, -0/+4"I have no idea what she said, (because I was staring at her *****) but she left me with some materials."
  • jayscot, on 05/04/2008, -22/+4B. Hussien Obama is on the phone. He said he's got a solution to that gun/God problem we've been hearing so much about.
    • arpad, on 05/04/2008, -9/+5I sure hope so because I'm tired of being bitter. What I need is some lightweight leftie whose trying to avoid substantive issues by doubling up on the meaningless rhetoric to throw a couple of coins my way as he rides by in his limousine.
      • familynight, on 05/04/2008, -0/+2are you serious? do you know how much more personal wealth mccain has compared to obama? the idea that liberal politicians are rich as some sort of contract to conservative politicians is so ***** crazy.
    • sagien, on 05/04/2008, -0/+4It's funny that the old label-sticking business isn't working as well as it used to.

      B. Hussein Obama?! Gimme a break. Coulter tried that weeks ago. No, it didn't stick then either. Grow the hell up.
  • ldaaww, on 05/04/2008, -13/+0Why I got this name everywhere today.
    so mark it..

    http://obama.com
    http://www.3dshowind.com
    .
  • tcbishop12, on 05/04/2008, -4/+10It only takes a minute to get started. The Indiana and North Carolina calling campaigns run from 9:00 AM to 9:00 PM Eastern time every day. If you're willing to commit to making calls this weekend, click on the link and follow the directions. .

    Almost 600,000 calls have been made since April 25. We must be the change we want to see in the world. Help us make history and reach our goal.

    For questions on how to get going, check here: http://my.barackobama.com/page/content/callquestio ...
    • runCMD, on 05/04/2008, -6/+4Barack Obama's ANNOY America campaign. ; )
  • ldaaww, on 05/04/2008, -13/+0Why I got this name everywhere today. so mark it.. http://www.3dshowind.com
  • mcducks, on 05/04/2008, -3/+6its so easy, please make calls people. ive done this before and it couldnt be any easier. it is very rewarding and interesting to talk to your fellow american about this type of thing. CALL
  • fudged71, on 05/04/2008, -6/+4Oh ***** guys, I forgot to sleep !
    Well, bye now !
  • momsshizzle, on 05/04/2008, -12/+5One million calls, 50 votes.
  • waggdogg, on 05/04/2008, -3/+7What happened to the do not call list. Must of these people call during dinner or when you are watching the playoffs. More than one call, turns me off.
  • DGRules, on 05/04/2008, -7/+12I'm a Pennsylvania voter; I was called with both a live caller for Barack from Arizona (voicemail, unfortunately) and a recorded message by Barack. As I am registered as a republican in PA (for primary voting), I continued to vote for Ron Paul.
    • VitriolAndAngst, on 05/04/2008, -5/+6You sir, are a genius!

      I note that Ron Paul is swiftly pulling ahead of John McCain and the Tooth Fairy. You showed everyone! I dugg you up because anyone who can think another candidate pushing Reagonomics and isn't even running is the best of all possible alternative candidates. You can sit back, watch the mayhem, and say; "well, it would have been different with Ron Paul." Yes, kind of how Mexico is different from Holland.
      • runCMD, on 05/04/2008, -0/+4He is a genius. He figured out that he doesn't have to vote please YOU - only himself.

        GBA
      • ileftfark, on 05/04/2008, -0/+4So much for democracy and personal choice. Vote with VitriolAndAngst or face the online fury!!!!
  • DaveClarkOne, on 05/04/2008, -11/+2Once again, our choices suck for a new president. Hillary wouldn't recognize a good idea if someone gave it to her (certainly, any idea doesn't get vetted without some kind of DEAL). Barack has no real history of business/government accomplishment or experience (would you let a teenager teach your teenager to drive?). McCain is too old, too stubborn, too angry. How could any thinking person be excited for any of the candidates except at a superficial level?
  • Hangly, on 05/04/2008, -5/+22Anyone the media hates this much must have something going for him. Dugg.
    • runCMD, on 05/04/2008, -4/+5Wait ... the media hates Obama ? LOL. Sell that lie somewhere else.
    • RJGONZO, on 05/04/2008, -2/+2Do you watch television at all? He's the last great hope for mankind if you believe what the media says about him. It's quite laughable actually.
    • foofightrs777, on 05/04/2008, -1/+5Yeah, the media loves him. Hence the 24/7 loop of Wright coverage, Obama's "madrassa" childhood, his father is a communist, Obama is a communist, is a smoker fit to be president, he did drugs decades ago, etc.

      Oh, but yes, they love him.
      • Scheissen, on 05/04/2008, -3/+1Libs don't like it when you tell them the truth.
      • foofightrs777, on 05/04/2008, -0/+2Except all of that has been proven flase (well, save for the drugs, but who cares as long as he isn't doing it now) and he's denounced Wright. Welcome to reality my friend.
  • govsucks, on 05/04/2008, -17/+8Americans scream for a nanny state with less personal responsibility and freedom. Most of you truly deserve to be state owned slaves. What is the difference in being a slave of a white man and a slave to any man?
    • bsmang, on 05/04/2008, -2/+3Who are you talking about? Certainly not liberal people...
    • VitriolAndAngst, on 05/04/2008, -3/+10Yeah, sure. Having healthcare and a retirement without being fed to the dogs is a "Nanny state." Yeah, I see how much it sucks in Iceland, Holland and Sweden, where the people have more control of the Government AND the Corporations. Where do I sign up?
      • govsucks, on 05/04/2008, -6/+2Tell it to the people forced to give you healthcare. How much of a doctors life belongs to you? What about a nurse? Does that orderly that cleans up ***** and puke have to clean up your ***** and puke for free....are you somehow anointed?
    • Andyschism, on 05/04/2008, -1/+3Troll warning.
    • foofightrs777, on 05/04/2008, -1/+2Troll warning seconded. Let's starve him of the attention he so wants.
      • govsucks, on 05/05/2008, -1/+1Why don't you two children puts your hands over your ears and go LA LA LA LA LA LA like a child if you don't like what I have to say.
  • siktath, on 05/04/2008, -11/+5Grovel to you dictator! Tell him you love him as he whips you and throws you the scraps of your own work! Be good little dogs and flog yourselves in the streets for him.
    • Anonchrist, on 05/04/2008, -0/+1What are you talking about? The country needs a leader chosen by the people, so the people need to voice there opinion. Supporting a presidential candidate is the most American thing anyone can do and you are making dictator jokes. Please stop being a moron...
      • siktath, on 05/05/2008, -0/+1Quiet slave! Get off the computer and go back to work!
        You have no need for knowledge in your low station.
  • RRJackson, on 05/04/2008, -16/+4"Kill Whitey! United States of KKK! God damn America! I'm Barack Obama and I approve this ad."

  • runCMD, on 05/04/2008, -13/+7Can you imagine how many of those 1 million calls are annoying the crap out of those that don't want unsolicited phone calls ? : ) You guys are quite the army. 'Get out the vote' sounds so innocuous ... but misleading. You're encouraging folks to vote for the candidate of your choice .. why would you just say THAT. : ) ... because you've made it clear here on Digg what that means to you. YOU WILL VOTE THE WAY I WANT YOU TOO OR YOU ARE AN IDIOT. ... yeah, that should win some folks over.
  • ombudsman100, on 05/04/2008, -12/+6You realize that normal people who haven't fallen for some politician or other like a lovesick child will just be turned off by your phone calls. If I got this sort of call it would tend to make me want to not vote out of spite. Living in PA I already had to throw out a crap load of Barack Obama's trash that he kept dumping in my mailbox as some former tenant was on a list.

    Seriously, these politicians are not on your side. Stop supporting them - all of them. Maybe vote for the one who seems likely to do the least evil on this country, but supporting them with your time and money is just working against your own best interests.
    • Stevo23, on 05/04/2008, -1/+4Grrr! I hate democracy! How ANNOYING is it that somebody campaigns for my vote!
      • ombudsman100, on 05/04/2008, -4/+1It's annoying that my vote is campaigned for with lies and ***** marketing tactics. Things people resort to phone spam to sell, including politicians, generally aren't worth buying, and it's even worse that we have people lined up here to do Obama's (or any other candidate's) telemarketing for free.
        • Stevo23, on 05/06/2008, -0/+1//t's even worse that we have people lined up here to do Obama's (or any other candidate's) telemarketing for free.//
          Really? Would you rather they had hired marketing firms and telemarketing companies to call people, or would you rather talk to other real voters who genuinely believe in and support a candidate for real?
    • veganvelma, on 05/04/2008, -0/+2So, what do you suppose we do? Should we let the people of this country elect another Bush? Because if we don't support those who are not "evil" than that is exactly what will happen.
      • ombudsman100, on 05/05/2008, -1/+1Because if we don't support those who are not "evil"

        It is funny that you think Mr. Obama is not part of the same corrupt system. Sure, he seems like the least evil, and I'll vote for the dude over McCain when that time comes (assuming Hillary doesn't manage the tactics to get the nomination, which I don't think will happen) but there's no reason to get all rah rah rah about him. He's another politician and an integral part of our two-party system. The two parties are not on your side - sure they'll squabble a bit, the Democrats are a little bit better, but all in all they're interested in keeping the status quo and ***** you over for a buck and some power.

        It's like being given a choice to get punched in the face, the nuts, or the gut. I'd vote for the gut, but I wouldn't get excited, donate money to the gut-puncher, and go around telling everyone how awesome it is to get punched in the gut.

        I hear time and time again people saying how they're used to every US politician being a scumbag except somehow Barack Obama isn't. That's an extraordinary claim and without extraordinary proof it sounds like a battered wife saying that this time their abusive husband really means it when he says he won't hit them anymore.
  • UniversalCynic, on 05/04/2008, -11/+6I got a call at 7PM last night from the Obama campaign. I told them I probably wasn't going to vote in the primary because I will vote for Nader. The lady then goes into a ploy that Obama has started a grassroots campaign. I'd have laughed at her if I wasn't so insulted and hung up.
    • Clodhopper, on 05/04/2008, -1/+7No one cares. Go write it in your diary.
  • ileftfark, on 05/04/2008, -3/+13I know this is digg.com, but I ***** *HATE* unsolicited phone calls, no matter what the cause. Politics included. Here in PA, I got quite a few calls (admittedly, many were from my alma mater making sure I was going to vote for Obama), someone stuck a sign in my front yard, and I had an Obama door-hanger placed on my front door the day of the primary. It's all pollution of one kind or another, I am dubious of the effectiveness of calling a stranger and trying to coerce their vote. Either they've been following the issues and have their mind made up (your phone call won't change their mind), or they haven't been at all, and will cast their vote in ignorance anyhow. Same goes for all the fire companies and police departments - I'm aware I can donate to you at any time- your phone call only annoys me and makes me *not* want to help you out.

    So people actually enjoy getting these calls? It's phone spam, and I don't think it should be exempted from federal law.
    • Stevo23, on 05/04/2008, -5/+5You're right, screw democracy and civic engagement. 30 seconds of your time once every 4 years is WAY too much to ask.
    • foofightrs777, on 05/04/2008, -0/+4Yeah and I love how they target the 5-7pm dinner hour. I would like to eat my meals with my family in peace free from the phone constantly ringing.
  • MrViklund, on 05/04/2008, -15/+8More Obama spam.
    Buried.
    • Andyschism, on 05/04/2008, -4/+3Oh I know you are.
    • veganvelma, on 05/04/2008, -1/+2Another typical anti-Obama comment.
      Buried.
      • MrViklund, on 05/04/2008, -0/+1Another typical Pro-Obama comment. Buried.
  • easy4lif, on 05/04/2008, -1/+3god, I'm sick of getting calls to support "x" candidate. I seem to get 3 calls every day at around 6 pm. I've recently started a thing where when these douches call, i pretend that I'm talking to some other guy about to kill someone, they always freak out and never call again.
  • jhkilroy, on 05/04/2008, -18/+2OBAMA IS A ***** RACIST *****! ***** HIM , ***** REV WRIGHT , ***** MICHELLE
    LIBERAL ASSHOLES - ALL OF THEM ! -
    • scamper22, on 05/04/2008, -2/+7The only part I can agree with is ***** Michelle. I can only hope she is liberal enough to do anal.
  • ogisdan, on 05/04/2008, -3/+2When is that dumb bitch going to drop out of the election? Hopefully if Obama wins Indiana she will realize that it isn't worth it anymore.
    • Anonchrist, on 05/04/2008, -0/+1And the there will be no more anti-Hillary ***** on Digg
  • Scheissen, on 05/04/2008, -9/+4***** you obamaspammers.
  • veganvelma, on 05/04/2008, -0/+2I've never gotten a phone call. Maybe that's because I live in a state full of republicans, so there is no need to try.
    Win some, lose some, I guess.
  • DrGamez, on 05/04/2008, -9/+3Hey what happened to digg's support of Ron Paul? And all the money you losers gave him? Did you just give up or what?
    • Anonchrist, on 05/04/2008, -0/+3It is called a backup plan.
      • DrGamez, on 05/04/2008, -1/+1What is? Give this guy a billion dollars and say he's the next messiah and then when everyone in the normal world realizes he's a ***** crazy lunatic bail out on it and pretend digg never was militant about ron paul and his dumb ideas?
  • thestaton, on 05/05/2008, -0/+3Barack the VOTE IN & NC. Lets end this *****.
  • TROY7, on 05/05/2008, -0/+2Go Barack!
  • wowwawewa, on 05/05/2008, -0/+1Please don't freakin' call me, I have a computer and can read the news. Obama is still my man. Barack the Vote! http://www.flippinsweetgear.com/shirt/obama_tshirt ...
  •  

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