Party-training: Parents' influence on children's political attitudes is powerful
Photo
The Johnson family of Delavan is divided over who to vote for in the upcoming presidential election. Jeff and Julie are behind John McCain while their twins siblings Jeff and Julie are backing Barack Obama.
Photo
Sarah Nieuwenhuis, center, agrees with the politcal leanings of her parents, Mel and Peggy. the age-old story is that children vote the way their parents do, but as young people become more informed and more involved, that’s becoming less and less true.
DELAVAN — For young voters, sometimes it’s not the issues that guide choices at the polls.
It’s Mom and Dad.
Research shows that children tend to share their parents’ political attitudes—at least while they’re all still living under the same roof, said UW-Madison political science professor Charles Franklin.
“Kids really do pick up a lot of things from their parents, whether they want to or not,” he said. “People often don’t understand just how much influence parents have on their kids.”
Sarah Nieuwenhuis, 17, said she relies on her parents for her political knowledge.
“Whenever there’s something I don’t understand, I ask about it,” she said. “I usually just sit and listen to what they have to say.”
Her parents, Mel and Peggy Nieuwenhuis, said the political discussions in their Delavan home usually are faith-based: Where do the candidates stand on abortion, the death penalty and gay rights?
“We want our kids to take what we’re teaching them about our Christian faith and apply it,” Peggy said.
“We want them to form their own opinions,” Mel said. “We tell them to hold their knowledge up to their beliefs and see where they match up and don’t match up.”
Political divides
Of course, not all children are in political agreement with their parents.
Fraternal twins Emily and Patrick Johnson, 18, said politics is a hot topic at their Delavan house, sparking nightly debates about the economy, education and health care.
“Usually, one parent is for one candidate, and the other one is for the other candidate,” Emily said. “So we usually hear both sides.”
That is until the last few elections, when their parents, Jeff and Julie, began supporting the same candidate.
“They’ll tell us something, and we’ll listen, but me and my sister are always digging deeper to find the real answers,” Patrick said.
Their parents said the ongoing (friendly) debate is healthy: it makes for well-educated voters, they said.
“It’s easy to be apathetic,” Julie said. “I’m proud they’re taking advantage of the opportunity to be informed and then to go vote.”
Forming opinions
Political scientists call the process by which people acquire their political attitudes “political socialization.”
Among the most powerful factors in the development of those attitudes—what political scientists call “agents of socialization”—are family, school, friends, media, religion and basic demographics, such as age, gender, race, socioeconomic status and geographic location.
Franklin said people begin forming their basic political attitudes early in childhood, making parents the foremost players in their children’s political socialization.
By the end of the high school years, there’s a “high point of agreement” between parents and children, he said.
But during the college years, children who no longer live with their parents are “pretty malleable,” subject to influence from peers, the media and current events and issues, Franklin said.
People’s political attitudes are “more stable if not firm” by the time they reach the end of their 20s, he said.
“By that time, young people have had a fair amount of time to shift away from their parents or more toward their parents,” Franklin said.
Informed decisions
For both the Nieuwenhuises and the Johnsons, it seems voting is more important than which candidate their children support.
Jeff Johnson said his family didn’t really talk about politics when he was growing up. But when he became eligible to vote, he felt compelled to go to the polls, seeing it as a right and a privilege. Now as a parent, it’s a sentiment he’s tried to impress upon his children.
“I’ve always said, ‘I don’t care who you vote for. I just want you to vote—and be an informed voter,’” he said.
Peggy Nieuwenhuis said that when she was a child her family rarely talked about politics, but her mother was a poll worker. She learned from a young age the importance of participating in the political process, she said.
“The key for my involvement was that (my parents) were always involved,” she said. “They didn’t tell us what to do, but they told us to be involved—to be involved and to be informed.”
Both families said they are “impressed” that their children and other young voters seem to have an increased interest in politics.
Children get much of their information in the classroom
The group of seniors in Adam Alter’s social studies class at Delavan-Darien High School discussed party platforms, analyzed campaign advertisements and compared the presidential candidates’ plans for the country.
It seems only appropriate with just two weeks left before the Nov. 4 election, with a number of issues that affect young people on the table and with a sizeable chunk of the class eligible to vote.
But while schools can play an important role in the political socialization of children, this classroom is a neutral zone.
“If you were to ask any student what my opinion is on either candidate, they wouldn’t be able to tell you,” Alter said. “I pride myself on staying neutral.”
He said it’s not the place of a teacher to impress an opinion upon his or her students.
“I try and make (the class) as fair as possible to each point of view,” Alter said. “We can talk about any topic, and I want them to see both sides of it and then make choices on their own.”
Why is learning about politics important for high-school students?
Alter says it’s simple.
“It’s your future that you’re voting on,” he said. “It affects you so much in terms of who you choose to lead.”
But it’s not just the presidential election that’s important, Alter said.
Local elections have much more of an impact, he said. Senators and representatives, mayors and city council members and other state and municipal leaders make the laws by which young people must abide.
Alter acknowledged that because local elections don’t receive the attention that presidential elections do, the race for the White House is a good place to start educating high-school students about the political process.
He said he encourages his students to take the information they learn in his classroom and use it—whether or not that means they discuss politics at home with their parents.
“I don’t discourage it, but I don’t preach it either,” Alter said. “I want them to make up their own mind as opposed to just going with their parents’ thoughts.”
Apr 19, 2011 at 11:59 a.m.
Suggest removal
oops - I misread the title and thought it said "potty training". Must have been cuz of all that crap that politicians have been spouting lately.
Oct 28, 2008 at 12:47 p.m.
Suggest removal
Polert - How many articles are you going to make the same post in? I know you have a hard time not copying word for word from Foxnews, but lets try to make our posts a little more orignal.
Oct 28, 2008 at 11:04 a.m.
Suggest removal
Just in people! As I was watching Obama's speech from Manchester PA. I heard Obama say this morning Quote Obama we will have to improve America's standing in the world, and that means spending some money in the world. It will not be clear to everyone so you will have to remind people that we are spending 10 billion dollars a day in Iraq already. Obama is getting ready, and prepping everyone for our military being in Africa I believe. I believe he is using a method psychologist call conditioning the masses
Oct 27, 2008 at 9:52 p.m.
Suggest removal
"I'll show my REALLY beliefs"... polert....
I REALLY believe the republican political party is destroying our country. I REALLY believe putting a democrat back in the White House will make a difference. I REALLY believe my children and grandchildren deserve a safe respectful environment to grow up in.
I REALLY believe you need an education in politics, respect for others and a lesson in spelling in grammar.
Just my humble opinion, of course!!!
:)
Oct 27, 2008 at 1:53 p.m.
Suggest removal
I hope you people are noting voting for a candidate who is different from the others. There are other people to vote for other than Obama, and Mccain. So show your really beliefs, and vote for the best because we have more than two people to chose from.
Oct 27, 2008 at 1:06 p.m.
Suggest removal
“Let me assert my firm belief that the only thing we have to fear is fear itself – nameless, unreasoning, unjustified terror which paralyzes needed efforts to convert retreat into advance.”
Franklin D. Roosevelt
Oct 27, 2008 at 12:56 p.m.
Suggest removal
Polert. I will be an Obama supporter, but I truly doubt that he won't follow through on his promises. I don't think anyone has said that Obama will return things to the way they were, so I guess I'm a little confused as to why you're referencing it in your posts. If I were you, and was truly as concerned about Barack Obama, I'd get my ass away from the computer and go campaign for McCain.
Oct 27, 2008 at 12:38 p.m.
Suggest removal
this election is about our country and who is the best choice to lead it. if you look at what dictator bush has done along with his republician cohorts its pretty evident to me that we as a people cant take anymore of the failed policies. we need someone who has the best intrests of the working man. not someone who will bend to the will of huge corporations who have taken the money and ran overseas. i will always support the person who has the working person as their first choice
Oct 27, 2008 at 11:49 a.m.
Suggest removal
I am just asking how committed the Obama supporters are to Obama. If you think Obama will be able to return America to the 1990's you are mistaken. That era had nothing to do with the government at all. Yes we had the contract with America, and Clinton knew to stay out of the way of business. But that era was a perfect sunny day that was like no other. It is like GM coming back to Janesville, and there beening business as before. Sorry it will never happen, if GM returns it will be with lower pay, and less benfits.
Oct 27, 2008 at 10:48 a.m.
Suggest removal
polert are you really that stupid or are you just acting stupid for attention. either way you can get medication for your illness. if you cant afford a doctor wait till obama becomes president then health care will be available for you.
Oct 27, 2008 at 10:29 a.m.
Suggest removal
None of the supporters here will answer the main question which is if Obama would not follow through on his promises, and the country continues into a depression will you still cheer Obama.
Because as you slide farther in the economic hole you will become exhausted of Obama blaming Bush for every turn for the worst America faces.
The new scream will be walk the walk Obama, walk the walk.
If things get to rough Obama will packup, and go live with Grandma back in the grass hunt in Africa.
Oct 27, 2008 at 1:21 a.m.
Suggest removal
I have been reading the Gazette on line for a year now, and reading peoples posts. It would be nice to have you people read Obama's plan as well as you do mine.
The only thing I would change about Mccains plan is the child tax credit. I would give 0% tax credit for people having children, and remove tax payer subsides education.
Oct 26, 2008 at 7:52 p.m.
Suggest removal
Polert, check your backside for red marks. I say that because I doubt you understand that iguernsey took you to the proverbial woodshed and spanked so hard your grandchildren will be born sore.
Oct 26, 2008 at 7:06 p.m.
Suggest removal
polert...if what you say is true..."I have been on here for over a year", then what happened to make you ashamed to continue posting under you former user name(s)?
.
Or if (more likely) what you say is not true...then why should we believe anything of what you write?
.
Oh yah, it's quite obvious.... just another......
Oct 26, 2008 at 12:58 p.m.
Suggest removal
User Profile » polert
Joined: Oct. 13, 2008
Comments posted: 207 (view all)
...
According to this you've only been posting for 13 days. Or do you have multiple usernames? But to answer you on your supposed "tough" questions, wow, really tough, I mean, no one has ever asked him ANY of those questions before.
...
1. It doesn't take a mathematician to figure out that when the upper 5 percent control more than 40% of the income in this country. This leads them to pay nearly 60% of taxes. Is the country bankrupt now? In my opinion yes it is. Soaring deficits with no end in sight and a national debt that has nearly doubled since 2000. Was this country bankrupt under Clinton? No, last I checked there was a surplus towards the end of Clinton's 2nd term. Were business' complaining then? Was our rate of inflation anywhere near what it has been? As many people have said, "of the 95% that are going to receive these tax cuts 40% of them don't pay taxes anyway." And Bush's tax cuts have done wonders for both the economy and the deficit. I guess it's time to elect another politician who believes in trickledown economics to continue this facade of "lower the rich people's taxes and the middle class will shrink, wait, I mean get better." It doesn't work, get over it. There is an element that people have forgotten, GREED. Believe it or not there are people in this world where too much is never enough.
Oct 26, 2008 at 12:55 p.m.
Suggest removal
(Part 2)
2. Not even McCain, when pressed in the last to debates would answer this. The reason why neither candidate would answer it is simply because we are over 4 months away from the time they will take office; a lot can change between now and then. I thought the question is kind of unreasonable, the federal government is not like your household budget where if you need to make some cuts you just call the company and lower the package on your cable or you cell phone. It's not fair to claim that "Obama hasn't had to answer the "tough" questions", when McCain didn't answer one of your questions either.
...
I read an article a few years ago about the CEO of Costco, a store much like Sam's Club. Here, http://abcnews.go.com/2020/business/stor... is a similar article to what I read. That is how a business should be run, not for greed with the hopes of earning a 60 million dollar salary package. That is excessive, how can a company like GM, Ford, Chrysler and many others included, pay outrageous salaries and give out tens of millions of dollars in stock options to its CEO's and Board members when they are losing money? Let me put it this way: .
"Jim sales are down this year, we've made 10% less money than we did this time last year, and there's no sign that this will end anytime soon. So, instead of taking what little money we have and investing it back in the business, we're going to give you a bonus package worth about 20 million and probably spread a little more around to the boards as well, since you've done such a good job."
Oct 26, 2008 at 12:53 p.m.
Suggest removal
(Part 3)
Greed has made it's inroads into our society where helping your fellow man has taken a back seat to multiple multi-million dollar mansions, luxury yachts, and just plain greed in general. If there were more companies like Costco, who basically have told stockholders and analysts to go shove it, and fewer companies like Wal-Mart. For a comparison about the auto industry, Rick Wagoner, CEO of GM usually makes right around $25 million a year including, Honda's entire 39 person board was paid an estimated $13 million in 2006. Warren Buffet has maintained a salary of $100,000 a year although his stock holdings, in his own company make him one of the wealthiest men in the world. He's owned and lived the same house since 1957 that he purchased for $31,500. When adjusted for inflation that would be roughly $230,000. Buffett has endorsed Barack Obama for president and intimated that John McCain's views on social justice were so far from his own that McCain would need a "lobotomy" for Buffett to change his endorsement. Buffett has called the present downturn in the financial sector "poetic justice". In my book, McCain is pulling a flip flop on this whole taxation issue. He's a panderer, who says what will benefit him the most. He has chosen a person like Palin, who regardless of what anyone says is nowhere near qualified to be VP. When McCain ran in 2000 he got some pretty good insight on what people wanted to elect and tried to embody that all throughout his campaign. Say what you will about him being the "maverick of the senate." He is no longer. I posted his own answer at a town hall meeting to this whole Bush tax cut issue when he ran in 2000, where a girl asked him about the progressive tax system here in the US and later, if that was socialism. To which he replied, no that it wasn't. Now here in 2008 it is socialism. Which is it John? Is it socialism when it benefits you in 2008 but not when it benefited you to say it wasn't socialism in 2000? If you can't see how much he is pandering to his base and to other fringe voters you are blind. Palin was not a nomination solely because she is a woman, or because she's a "fellow maverick" it was because she is a devout Christian who appeals to the right's devoutly Christian base. How is that for Country First. McCain's campaign slogan should be immediately changed to "Anything to get elected this time around as I'm getting old and I won't be able to run again." Pander, instill fear, Maverick, My Friends, P.O.W., Pander, instill fear, Maverick, My Friends.....rinse wash repeat.
Oct 26, 2008 at 11:26 a.m.
Suggest removal
I have been on here for over a year. Now I understand the views of the great man you call your son in law. In his shoes I would do the same thing. Tell him I understand. I support you Tim if no one else will.
Oct 26, 2008 at 9:18 a.m.
Suggest removal
Must have been one of your 10 posts that were removed by Gazette staff.... Not good, for someone only posting here for 14 days. Where did you troll before?
Oct 26, 2008 at 1:10 a.m.
Suggest removal
GM3 you most have me confused with someone else. I always keep a rainy day fund of two years at all times, and America would have to close up shop to cause me to become unemployed. Yep my mouth gets feed before yours. I pay cash for everything, and make 3x what I spend each month. I was raised by poor farmers that planned two crops ahead.
Oct 26, 2008 at 1:01 a.m.
Suggest removal
1.I would ask Obama how he plans to only raise taxes on 5% of the people, give 95% of the people a tax cut, and not raise the deficit? Not possible as you will learn day 1 people.
2.I would like to know which one of his promises he would renege on first?3. I would like to hear how he plans to improve the economy, and create jobs in America when the people who create the employment for Americans to earn a income from Obama would like to tax in various forms up to 65%? Obama claims he will bring jobs back to America. No jobs will return to America, and the only option is to create new employers which is not in Obama's plan.I would like to tell you the only way America will survey is through a economic, and social system called spontaneous order.Hate to tell you but the stock market is a indicator that is believed by economist to forecast the economy over the next two years. Also do you realize what people of wealth do when someone threatens to take the wealth away. It will sound like a vacuum cleaner as these people move the capital to off shore accounts, and will not bring it back to invest till it is safe.
Oct 25, 2008 at 7:25 p.m.
Suggest removal
Well, once again, polert... taxes will effect income NOT assets. What part of that, don't you understand? You've stated in previous posts that you only have 1-1/2 to 2 months of savings left? Well, sorry for ya... you obviously have nothing to worry about then. This election will not effect you.
On topic however... My grandchildren are quite excited to "vote". They are in 1st and 2nd grade... They are "voting" on Tuesday of this week. They have obviously heard some of the topics... what would be appropriate for young children. However, just the thought of these young minds even grasping what is occurring, in MHO, is awesome!
Of course they don't "get it" yet, but they will! Freedom of expression/opinion is something I want them to understand. To stand up for their beliefs and trust their own decisions.
They are the future... If our generation hasn't TOTALLY screwed it up for them by the time they're young adults, they'll be well rounded voters and involved in the decisions that will mold the future of our great country!
Oct 25, 2008 at 5:25 p.m.
Suggest removal
By the way polert, which "tough" questions would you like the media to ask?
Oct 25, 2008 at 5:23 p.m.
Suggest removal
polert - got a credible source for that information about Obama's birthplace? Other than Phillip J. Berg, Jerome Corsi, some random blog, or republican backed news source? Phillip J. Berg lost all credibility in my book when he actually filed a lawsuit against George Bush for his supposed involvement in 9/11. Some people are quick to attack Obama or others on past actions, why does Berg still maintain credibility in your book? Or do you to believe that "9/11 was an inside job" as Berg does? Seriously the issue of Obama's birthplace has been researched by independent sources and they have all concluded that he was born in Hawaii not in Kenya as Berg is claiming. Why have no major news outlets covered this? Because it is nearly a complete fabrication and has no basis in fact. Not only that, but after Obama had posted his birth certificate on his website, the so called "experts" claim that it showed artifacts of being "altered" by photoshop. I do quite a bit of work with photography and scanning. Anyone who works with these things knows that once you scan something it is opened with some type of editing software and will therefore show "evidence" of being "edited." Not good enough? Go to:
+
http://www.factcheck.org/elections-2008/...
+
To see images of people holding his birth certificate complete with dates, signatures and the notary seal. Can we get back to a real issue? Last I checked we were a democracy, if we are something else I would really like to know what that something else is. By all the flat out lies that are circulating it is apparent that there is a percentage of the population that are ignorant and not willing to get facts straight.
+
Obama's biography:
http://www.biography.com/featured-biogra...
+
The information is there it's just not being spoon fed to people.
Oct 25, 2008 at 1:28 p.m.
Suggest removal
The ignorance of one voter in a democracy impairs the security of all." -May 1963 JFK
Sorry JFK America is not a democracy, and never will be.
That is everything about Obama. Do you know everything about Obama. No because the Media never asking him tough questions, and when a question does arise that they feel Obama does not know the answer to they lead him through. You can not help to notice Obama has never been stumped yet. That is not by luck.
John Mccain's tax plan may have some short comings but Obama's will flat out not work especially with the way the economy is now.
Day number 14 for Obama he will make a speech that tells the only 40% of people that pay income taxes that he is going to need to raise taxes on them.
That is one of the crisis Biden was talking about to his donors.
Also where is that birth certificate, and why does his Grandma say she was in the delivery room in Africa when Obama was born?
Oct 25, 2008 at 12:14 p.m.
Suggest removal
jguernsey: "The ignorance of one voter in a democracy impairs the security of all."
I am convinced it is not ignorance, but a willful spreading of trigger words and ideas that he knows very well aren't true. He learns it from his desired leaders. I sometimes almost wish that I had never started to pay attention to our government and to those who wish to lead us (especially during campaigns), because once I was blisfully unaware that many of them don't really give a (choose your expletive) about me or you accept at times that it would make them look good and so to further their own goals, and generally have their own self-interests -or their place in history-at heart.
It's like finding out that the parent who always told you to NOT pick your nose has been doing it all along.
Oct 25, 2008 at 11:52 a.m.
Suggest removal
Thanks Zoom, however polert is most likely not going to click that link and read anything because it has potential to discredit his awesome chain email that he received or discredit any argument he may have in general. Yes, RetiredAirForce, that is a personal attack. Why? Because I'm sick of people spreading lies and not being able to take 2 seconds to fact check something they have read or heard other than Fox News or a chain email. As JFK put:
+
"The ignorance of one voter in a democracy impairs the security of all." -May 1963
Oct 25, 2008 at 10:33 a.m.
Suggest removal
The claim that Obama would impose a 28 percent tax on the profit from "all home sales" is false. Both Obama and McCain would continue to exempt the first $250,000 of gain from the sale of a primary residence ($500,000 for a married couple filing jointly) which results in zero tax on all but a very few home sales.
http://www.factcheck.org/askfactcheck/wo...
Oct 25, 2008 at 8:03 a.m.
Suggest removal
John Doe here is example of most Obama supporters
win or lose the obama supporters in beloit and possibly janesville will explode with violence. it will be h*** to pay. some of our cities will suffer worse than the riots in the 60's. i wonder if the police have a plan in place?
John Doe, and any other is there a question who you fall into a group with.
Oct 25, 2008 at 7:33 a.m.
Suggest removal
under Obama's plan this all disappears is what I wrote. No more house swapping with out 28% tax on difference. To some that will only be $5,000 in tax to those that have had their residents many year it will be more like $25,000- $30,000. That is what spreading the wealth means. If you do not see that you are blind as a bat.
Under Obama the game is changed
Capital Gains Taxes that you speak of polert do not apply to the sale of a PRIMARY RESIDENCE that you sell to purchase ANOTHER primary residence, up to $250,000 of PROFIT. Your scenario that you gave would amount to only $93,000 in profit. Even if it were to be taxed it would be $18,600, under Obama's 20% Capital Gains Tax, not the $30,000 that you state it would be. All he has said about his Capital Gains Tax is that it would be between 20-28%. But even those calculations are pointless as sales of your primary residence are exempt up to $250,000. Obama's increases in capital gains would only apply to couples who earn more than $250,000 per year. Get your facts straight
Oct 25, 2008 at 12:01 a.m.
Suggest removal
Do you have a bomb shelter too?
Oct 24, 2008 at 11:59 p.m.
Suggest removal
Where did THAT come from?
Oct 24, 2008 at 11:56 p.m.
Suggest removal
win or lose the obama supporters in beloit and possibly janesville will explode with violence. it will be h*** to pay. some of our cities will suffer worse than the riots in the 60's. i wonder if the police have a plan in place?
Oct 24, 2008 at 11:47 p.m.
Suggest removal
Polert my friend, you are obviously from Poland.
Oct 24, 2008 at 11:07 p.m.
Suggest removal
polert is a victim of his own ignorance.
.
Too bad their isn't a shot for that.
Oct 24, 2008 at 10:40 p.m.
Suggest removal
Capital Gains Taxes that you speak of polert do not apply to the sale of a PRIMARY RESIDENCE that you sell to purchase ANOTHER primary residence, up to $250,000 of PROFIT. Your scenario that you gave would amount to only $93,000 in profit. Even if it were to be taxed it would be $18,600, under Obama's 20% Capital Gains Tax, not the $30,000 that you state it would be. All he has said about his Capital Gains Tax is that it would be between 20-28%. But even those calculations are pointless as sales of your primary residence are exempt up to $250,000. Obama's increases in capital gains would only apply to couples who earn more than $250,000 per year. Get your facts straight.
Oct 24, 2008 at 10:35 p.m.
Suggest removal
I will like the depression you Obama lovers will have if he is elected. Free health care, free school, and free money no you will not get. But you will get a free cup of soup. The rich get richer, and the poor get stupid. I bet Oprah has most of her money in a Swiss bank account.
Oct 24, 2008 at 10:27 p.m.
Suggest removal
That capital gains tax will hurt many baby boomers as they retire in the next fee year as they plan to relocate to a warmer climate. Lets say you purchased a average home in 1967 it would have been around $17,000 dollars. Now today you will resale that home for around $110,000 which will give Obama $30,000. Remember Obama is pulling out from the one time over 63 waiver also so no matter what you have to pay $30,000 of your hard earned money so some unwilling to work person can share your wealth.Remember SHARE THE WEALTH PEOPLE.
Oct 24, 2008 at 10:23 p.m.
Suggest removal
yup polert, your "sources" are garbage, just like your links below.
Oct 24, 2008 at 10:13 p.m.
Suggest removal
oops, sorry, I read the wrong post and thread, it's late I apologize for the confusion. I thought polert had posted his "information" about taxes on another thread as well, sorry.
Oct 24, 2008 at 10:10 p.m.
Suggest removal
I have a question for all of you McCainamaniac's out there, how many of you wonder about this series of events.
+
McCain "suspended" his campaign to "save the economy." Then his party largely voted against the bailout, oops I mean rescue plan, because Pelosi gave an speech that apparently hurt their feelings. Before he arrived in Washington, or as McCain says "WaRRshington," he canceled on David Letterman, then appeared on Katie Couric. All in all, it took McCain 22 hours to get to Washington from the time that he called David Letterman and canceled his appearance.
+
Nice try polert, Zoom already debunked your garbage on another thread. I'll do it for him here though.
+
http://www.snopes.com/politics/obama/tax...
http://www.factcheck.org/askfactcheck/wo...
Oct 24, 2008 at 9:48 p.m.
Suggest removal
So I see polert is another person who likes to read the hate mail that circulates the internet about Obama. I really think it's sad that snopes.com has investigated 43 emails about Obama, the vast majority of which are false, and the remainder only have elements of truth to them. Whereas McCain has only had 11 emails circulated about him and Sarah Palin has had 10 emails circulated about her. Really? Thats what you're going to believe? Then how about this one:
...
John McCain: I'm a war criminal. I bombed innocent women and children.
...
Of course that email is completely false and it was taken out of context from a 60 Minutes interview that McCain gave. I just guessing but I'm sure you republicans out there who received this email dismissed it without a second thought. This is quite similar to all of the quotes from Obama's book that sound extreme, that most republicans are quick to embrace. Most of those were completely taken out of context or twisted to make him look bad. I'm just guessing but I'm thinking that you probably have read Corsi's book Obamanation and think that that is entirely true. Why is it so hard to get republican'ts to read? Or isn't that part of their belief set. It seems really bad that they can't fact check anything and rely on Fox News, The NRA, and O'Reilly for their information. Or they have so much apathy towards the "liberal media" that they think "fair and balanced" Fox News is the only reliable news source. Good god, read a little, learn something perhaps this world will eventually be a better place once people can learn something on their own for a change rather than having news and information spoon fed to them.
...
By the way, just curious as to how many people on this board have ever had to pay a Capital Gains Tax or a Dividend Tax?
...
By the way, polert most of your links don't work. That's okay, I already found sources that debunk your statement anyway.
Oct 24, 2008 at 9:11 p.m.
Suggest removal
Zoom these are the sources of the information I posted
sites:
http://money.cnn.com/news/specials/elec ... index.html
http://www.cnn.com/ELECTION/2008/issues ... taxes.html
http://elections.foxnews.com/?s=proposed...
http://bulletin.aarp.org/yourworld/poli ... t_visions_ on_taxes.html
http://blog.washingtonpost.com/fact-che ... ack_obama/
http://blog.washingtonpost.com/fact-che ... hn_mccain/
Oct 24, 2008 at 8:43 p.m.
Suggest removal
And another one...
http://www.snopes.com/politics/obama/tax...
Oct 24, 2008 at 8:38 p.m.
Suggest removal
Try again polert (this is so easy)
"A new e-mail being circulated about Obama's tax proposals is almost entirely false."
http://www.factcheck.org/askfactcheck/wo...
Oct 24, 2008 at 7:33 p.m.
Suggest removal
My reasons for voting Mccain
CAPITAL GAINS TAX
MCCAIN: 0% on home sales up to $500,000 per home (couples). McCain does not propose any change in existing home sales income tax.
OBAMA: 28% on profit from ALL home sales. How does this affect you? If you sell your home and make a profit, you will pay 28% of your gain on taxes. If you are heading toward retirement and would like to down-size your home or move into a retirement community, 28% of the money you make from your home will go to taxes. This proposal will adversely affect the elderly who are counting on the income from their homes as part of their retirement income.
DIVIDEND TAX
MCCAIN 15% (no change)
OBAMA 39.6% How will this affect you? If you have any money invested in the stock market, IRA, mutual funds, college funds, life insurance, retirement accounts, or anything that pays or reinvests dividends, you will now be paying nearly 40% of the money earned on taxes if Obama becomes president. The experts predict that 'Higher tax rates on dividends and capital gains would crash the stock market, yet do absolutely nothing to cut the deficit.'
INCOME TAX
MCCAIN (no changes)
Single making 30K - tax $4,500
Single making 50K - tax $12,500
Single making 75K - tax $18,750
Married making 60K- tax $9,000
Married making 75K - tax $18,750
Married making 125K - tax $31,250
OBAMA (reversion to pre-Bush tax cuts)
Single making 30K - tax $8,400
Single making 50K - tax $14,000
Single making 75K - tax $23,250
Married making 60K - tax $16,800
Married making 75K - tax $21,000
Married making 125K - tax $38,750
(Your taxes could almost double!)
INHERITANCE TAX
MCCAIN 0% (No change, Bush repealed this tax)
OBAMA Restore the inheritance tax. Many families have lost businesses, farms, ranches, and homes that have been in their families for generations because they could not afford the inheritance tax. Those willing their assets to loved ones will only lose them to these taxes.
NEW TAXES PROPOSED BY OBAMA
1.) New government taxes proposed on homes more than 2400 sq. ft.
2.) New gasoline taxes (as if gas weren't high enough already)
3.) New taxes on natural resources consumption (heating gas, water, electricity)
4.) New taxes on retirement accounts, and last but not least....
5.) New taxes to pay for socialized medicine so we can receive the same level of medical care as other third-world countries!!!
Oct 24, 2008 at 6:14 p.m.
Suggest removal
I have a question for you obamamanics. Why did he announce three days prior to going to visit his grandmother. I thought she was terribly sick. I'm not making light of the fact that senator government has an ailing family member but, if she was so ill he should have just up and left sooner. And how about his half brother that lives in a hut and lives off a dollar a month? He hasn't gone to see him or even talked about him. Where's the family values there?
Oct 24, 2008 at 4:24 p.m.
Suggest removal
How about the Plumber who puts his Sub chapter S earnings on his individual 1040 and the amount is $1,000,000 now? That's $750,000 taxed at a higher rate. Or even $500,000? $260,000 is an amount to prove your point but not reality. You would be surprised how many jobs are created in this town by employers who are sub chapter S or LLC's.
Oct 24, 2008 at 4:04 p.m.
Suggest removal
"Why think- But why should Joe the plumber and all the other small entrepreneurs making $250,000 plus be taxed like Donald Trump?"
Only the money EXCEEDING $250,000 will get a tax increase. So no, he won't be taxed like Donald Trump. Someone making $260,000 won't get much of an increase at all.
Oct 24, 2008 at 4:03 p.m.
Suggest removal
so who likes mccains health plan where your health care money will now be taxable income. my employer contributes to my health and welfare fund non taxable. mccain want to change it so its taxable if that isnt raising taxes on the middle class i dont know what is
Oct 24, 2008 at 3:46 p.m.
Suggest removal
whythink-one thing that parents can instill in their children that I believe is just as important as how to research information-and that is how to share information (both ways) with those of differing views without sharing hatred and caustic comments that cannot be smoothed over once (like on or about Nov. 4 in this case) a decision has been made. It's unbelievable the lengths some people will go to just because someone sees something a different way, as if there are not obvious pros and cons to both sides (there certainly are in this case).
Oct 24, 2008 at 3:35 p.m.
Suggest removal
Why think- But why should Joe the plumber and all the other small entrepreneurs making $250,000 plus be taxed like Donald Trump? How about corporations? With the struggling economy should there taxes be raised? Breakout the Trumps and all of the overpaid entertainers and people who don't work for a living but if the cut off is $250,000 there will be a lot of Sub Chapter S corporations (those who pass the earnings of there corporation directly to their individual returns) who will be forced out of business or to at least cut jobs and spending further damaging the economy. And for what? Social programs for those who are not carrying there weight? Welfare is needed at times in peoples lives but it shouldn't be a career.
Oct 24, 2008 at 3:06 p.m.
Suggest removal
I believe strongly that young people need to learn how to look at information and fact check it in some way. I am amazed at how much misinformation is believed by educated adult voters. I am sure some of my beliefs are from misinformation and I follow both campaigns very closely.
Finding multiple sources of information from a variety of sources is needed. Actually watching C-SSPAN instead of relying on Rush, Fox News o, Air America or MSNBC for information is needed.
On everything from the election to marijuana not causing cancer people need to read multiple sources. Parents and teachers need to teach those skills.
As a teacher, I am trying. The problem is you need to becareful because some of the most misinformed are the most likely to start trouble if you present information they disagree with to their child.
Oct 24, 2008 at 3:01 p.m.
Suggest removal
tjcnj:
When Obama wins and over taxes businesses and entrepreneurs to "share the wealth" with the lazy you will see a real financial meltdown in the country. I remember 20% interest rates on business loans during the inflationary Carter years. Obama's socialistic policy will make Carter look like an amateur.
SPEAKING OF "SOCIALISM"
Uh oh, John McCain the original anit-GW tax cut socialist.
The Obama campaign e-mailed an excerpt from a McCain statement on the Bush tax cuts in 2001 in which McCain said, "I cannot in good conscience support a tax cut in which so many of the benefits go to the most fortunate among us at the expense of middle class Americans who most need tax relief." The Democratic e-mail also cited a McCain statement from the 2000 campaign that "I really believe, that when you are-reach a certain level of comfort, there's nothing wrong with paying somewhat more."
http://wcco.com/politics/barack.obama.jo......
I don't believe McCain had socialist tendencies in 2000 and I don't believe Obama has them now.
Taking away HUGE tax cuts for the filthy rich and giving a tax cut to those making less than $250,000 is not socialism.
Why wouldn't Donald Trump be expected to pay a % more than a electrician, teacher, Joe the Plumber, Dave the automechanic, or Sarah the Governor?
Oct 24, 2008 at 2:59 p.m.
Suggest removal
no: There are plenty of studies that back up the assertions here. Parents are routinely found to be more influential than peers in many aspects (even if it doesn't seem that way when they are teenagers!). Children will tend to become adults in similar economic circumstances (e.g. blue collar, white collar) or even the very same geographic area as their parents, also very strong predictors of political affiliation.
.
You mention the 60s generation, and there were some significant cultural changes beginning then, but it was already a joke that "liberal" parents would raise (more) "conservative" children by the time of Family Ties in the 1980s. In fact, of course, Alex P. Keaton was like his parents in more ways than he was different. I always imagined he would become a socially-conscious businessman (like Warren Buffett or George Soros), myself!
.
In the end whatever your politics are, the most important thing you can pass on is the awesome responsibility we have as citizens for political participation. It doesn't matter whether you like the liberal or the conservative candidate -- if you don't bother to vote, your kids will probably grow up not bothering to vote either.
Oct 24, 2008 at 2:54 p.m.
Suggest removal
markr; this may help you. In an insane society, the sane must seem insane...
Oct 24, 2008 at 2:31 p.m.
Suggest removal
Greengina--It's a pleasure to see that someone on these blogs can laugh at themselves. Thanks for the levity.
Oct 24, 2008 at 2:29 p.m.
Suggest removal
I have often wondered how so many Republicans can so completely and dishonestly represent the Democratic points of view on so many issues. It is that you really don't know, can't understand, those points of view, or is it that you can't be happy unless you are distorting the truth? I have no problem with Republicans taking a different view than mine, but I do have a problem with their constant lies about WHAT my views are. Or maybe they are not lies...maybe these neo-cons are just not intelligent enough to understand the real viewpoints that are being expressed. For example...Obama, the neo-cons tell us, is a TERRORIST. He associates with terrorists, and loves them, all the while hating America, and harboring a tremendous desire to be elected President so he can DESTROY America. This is SO rational, isn't it? And these clowns think they have credibility! They think people take these silly allegations seriously. Well...try this one on. John McCain was an enemy collaborator during the Vietnam war! He provided information and intelligence to his captors in exchange for favors and "soft" treatment. Then, he returned to the U.S. claiming hero status for his pretended resistance to them. Makes EVERY BIT as much sense as the Obama is a terrorist line.
Oct 24, 2008 at 2:14 p.m.
Suggest removal
Minan-I realize Ryan did that and I disagree with him and Bush. Vote for Obama, its your right, but just wait.
Oct 24, 2008 at 1:41 p.m.
Suggest removal
At least these parents are teaching their children about the election. It's important no matter what side of the fence your on. That's what makes this country great.
Oct 24, 2008 at 1:19 p.m.
Suggest removal
...and then I misspelled correction. HA-HA!;)
I need some coffee :)
Oct 24, 2008 at 1:17 p.m.
Suggest removal
corretion- 'solely'
Oct 24, 2008 at 1:05 p.m.
Suggest removal
I have educated my children and taught them to speak for themselves. I have instilled in them a sense of civic duty and responsibility. However, my children are individuals, and even though we share similar ideals, political views within our family aren't bi-partisan, black or white, and are not faith/religion based. Neither party is better than the other. For us, bi-partisanism creates more problems than it solves. And as long as people are afraid to discuss politics (and religion) not much will change. In this election, we feel no confidence with any candidate, and are forced to choose between the lesser of 2 evils. If my children voted for someone I told them I liked based soley on my opinion, I would be dissappointed with them for not making their own informed decision.
Oct 24, 2008 at 12:44 p.m.
Suggest removal
I think its important as a family to discuss events. I also feel its up to the family to teach the basic fundamentals of this country since its no longer taught in school like it should be. I'm proud of any family that discusses the basic politics of different parties and has open discussions, and then takes that to teach their children how important it is to vote. Its sad when not that many in this country vote yet Iraqi citizens went through car bombs, threats, gunfire to get to the polls. As I go to the polls with my daughter, who will vote for the first time, I am proud I have taught her to feel honored to do so. I still believe in the system, just not the politicians who sit there.
Oct 24, 2008 at 12:40 p.m.
Suggest removal
so where were the other candidates in the debates? So much for "by the people, for the people," I gues it is now "by the party for the party" I am disgusted that most people think that there are only two candidates. I think it is time for a political revolution in this country!
Oct 24, 2008 at 12:24 p.m.
Suggest removal
What extensive studies went into this story? One can easily poke holes in this theory. If the 60s generation had properly "imprinted" their children then the last 5 presidential elections would have had far different results.
You could probably more easily prove that children more often have the exact opposite viewpoints than their parents.
Oct 24, 2008 at 12:18 p.m.
Suggest removal
When Obama wins and over taxes businesses and entrepreneurs to "share the wealth" with the lazy you will see a real financial meltdown in the country. I remember 20% interest rates on business loans during the inflationary Carter years. Obama's socialistic policy will make Carter look like an amateur.
Oct 24, 2008 at 12:17 p.m.
Suggest removal
yeah, its simple. One side feels people should grow, if you weight more than 5-10 lbs; prosper, until you prosper too much more than your neighbors; and be held accountable for their decisions, unless the decision was to have sex, assist a suicide, give aid to an illegal alien... on second thought, I don't think its all that simple happycamper.
Oct 24, 2008 at 12:11 p.m.
Suggest removal
totellthetruth - so you've polled and spoken with "the majority of the Democratic voters"? Please. There are uneducated voters on both sides. There always will be. "Real American families" you say. So only Republicans are real Americans, then, whatever "real Americans" means to you? Good grief. My friend, as McCain likes to say, it sounds like you are one of those uneducated voters yourself.
Oct 24, 2008 at 12:02 p.m.
Suggest removal
baer2k6 i have found the majority of Democrats are completed uneducated in this election. Just for an example the sweet young lady who came to my house to get my vote for senator Obama had no idea about the issues she was supporting. When she left she convinced me that she was going to vote for McCain. Real american families who want the family unit to continue will be voting for McCain and not answering any polls.
Oct 24, 2008 at 11:50 a.m.
Suggest removal
Another Uneducated family... I wonder if that guy is a plumber??
Oct 24, 2008 at 11:31 a.m.
Suggest removal
camper - not sharing your political opinion does not mean they have not been paying attention.
Oct 24, 2008 at 10:45 a.m.
Suggest removal
At least the Johnson kids (photo) have been paying attention. Good job kids, your future should not be spent working to pay back the money (taxes)your parents spent.
Oct 24, 2008 at 10:06 a.m.
Suggest removal
You only described one side.
Oct 24, 2008 at 9:43 a.m.
Suggest removal
It's simple; One side feels people should grow and prosper and be held accountable for their decisions, the other feels business should grow and not be accountable (drug companies, walmart healt care...).
Oct 24, 2008 at 9:18 a.m.
Suggest removal
The Palestinians voted in Hamas because of "faith based" issues.
Before you post a comment, consider this:
Note: GazetteXtra.com does not condone or review every comment. Read more in our User Policy AgreementPost Comment
Commenting requires registration.