It's time to poll AfricanAmerica.org members on questions of the day. Please vote!
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I have several issues with the wording of the poll.
For example, to this one:
I had no choice but to mark "the consumer" ... but what I really wanted to say is the "citizen" (and don't get me going on the semantic reduction of citizens to mere consumers) ... because it is the American citizenry which has chosen its elected representatives in the congress ... and it is the American citizenry which has elected presidents.
And on this one
It seems like I have no choice but to say "yes" if for no other reason than Obama is not Republican.
For example, to this one:
quote:Question:
3. Who is most responsible for the financial crisis our country is in now?
I had no choice but to mark "the consumer" ... but what I really wanted to say is the "citizen" (and don't get me going on the semantic reduction of citizens to mere consumers) ... because it is the American citizenry which has chosen its elected representatives in the congress ... and it is the American citizenry which has elected presidents.
And on this one
quote:Question:
7. If elected President, will Barack Obama have a meaningful impact on the lives of African Americans?
It seems like I have no choice but to say "yes" if for no other reason than Obama is not Republican.
quote:Originally posted by HonestBrother:
I have several issues with the wording of the poll.
AMEN to that!!
Without an "all of the above" it makes #3 very difficult/next to impossible to answer.
Y'all are a trip. If you want a scientific poll then invite a pollster here to write the questions! 
Just do the best you can with the answer that most closely matches your opinion.
ER - if your comment about "all of the above" references number 3 - please note the phrase "most responsible" in the question.
Just do the best you can with the answer that most closely matches your opinion.
ER - if your comment about "all of the above" references number 3 - please note the phrase "most responsible" in the question.
quote:Originally posted by MBM:
Y'all are a trip. If you want a scientific poll then invite a pollster here to write the questions!
Just do the best you can with the answer that most closely matches your opinion.
ER - if your comment about "all of the above" references number 3 - please note the phrase "most responsible" in the question.
So far 8 people have taken this poll and it seems some would vote for McCain when others apparently voted for Obama. lol I wonder about those who voted for McCain...seems those 5 aren't who they seem. LOL
quote:Originally posted by MBM:
ER - if your comment about "all of the above" references number 3 - please note the phrase "most responsible" in the question.
LOL .. I'm quite capable of "noting" (are you saying I can't read??
) what you wrote, thank you!However .. what if I happen to think that ALL are responsible, and none to a greater degree than another?
How do I answer THAT, Mr. Funny Man! 
@ willywill3 ...
These polls are read with the bar above the answer to the question!!
So, in this case, John McCain = 0 votes, Obama = 5, McKinney = 2 and Other = 1.
quote:Originally posted by EbonyRose:quote:Originally posted by MBM:
ER - if your comment about "all of the above" references number 3 - please note the phrase "most responsible" in the question.
LOL .. I'm quite capable of "noting" (are you saying I can't read??
However .. what if I happen to think that ALL are responsible, and none to a greater degree than another?
@ willywill3 ...
These polls are read with the bar above the answer to the question!!
So, in this case, John McCain = 0 votes, Obama = 5, McKinney = 2 and Other = 1.
I read it wrong. lol Must have been that 8 years of Bush administration and their "education" affecting me. lol
quote:Originally posted by Willywill3:
I read it wrong. lol Must have been that 8 years of Bush administration and their "education" affecting me. lol
I thought you were Canadian.
quote:Originally posted by HonestBrother:quote:Originally posted by Willywill3:
I read it wrong. lol Must have been that 8 years of Bush administration and their "education" affecting me. lol
I thought you were Canadian.
No I am a U.S Citizen. After doing my 4 years in the U.S Navy, stationed in Yokosuka, Japan; I went to college for 2 years in Canada. It was more affordable than being in the U.S. Obama/Biden 08
Who the hell are these people voting for McCain in the poll? Either we have some Republican lurkers on the site not posting but voting in the poll or we have some posters/regulars here who aren't what they seem and they've been faking the funk........
Either we have some Republican lurkers on the site not posting but voting in the poll or we have some posters/regulars here who aren't what they seem and they've been faking the funk........quote:Originally posted by Empty Purnata:
Who the hell are these people voting for McCain in the poll?
I thought that too, but no Republicans on here. Take a look at the polls again. McCain is at a 0% and I am sure it will stay that way. lol
quote:Originally posted by Willywill3:quote:Originally posted by Empty Purnata:
Who the hell are these people voting for McCain in the poll?
I thought that too, but no Republicans on here. Take a look at the polls again. McCain is at a 0% and I am sure it will stay that way. lol
Ah, I see. I looked at it the wrong way before and thought the poll option was listed above the bar instead of below it. Good thing I was mistaken.
#2: Not me, but a sibling. But then again, she made a less-than-intelligent decision by choosing an ARM in the first place.
#3: Everyone really has a hand in this, but I chose consumers because a lot of damage could have been mitigated by just walking away. Just because someone offers you a no/low-doc loan with obscenely low payments doesn't mean you should take it. And these people who say they can get you into a brand new car even if your upside-down on your current one???? Come on now folks.
#5: WaMu, 'Nuff said. I have 4 accounts with those bastiges. APR on my savings has gone from 3.74% to .25% overnight. I used to have some respect for them since they are the only bank I see that dared open up in the "hood". Hmmm . . . how long do you think it will be before Chase closes those branches?
#8: a) because it'll be 4 more years of the same old thing, and b) there may be some young people who think that if Barack Obama couldn't do it with all his qualifications what chance do they have.
#3: Everyone really has a hand in this, but I chose consumers because a lot of damage could have been mitigated by just walking away. Just because someone offers you a no/low-doc loan with obscenely low payments doesn't mean you should take it. And these people who say they can get you into a brand new car even if your upside-down on your current one???? Come on now folks.
#5: WaMu, 'Nuff said. I have 4 accounts with those bastiges. APR on my savings has gone from 3.74% to .25% overnight. I used to have some respect for them since they are the only bank I see that dared open up in the "hood". Hmmm . . . how long do you think it will be before Chase closes those branches?
#8: a) because it'll be 4 more years of the same old thing, and b) there may be some young people who think that if Barack Obama couldn't do it with all his qualifications what chance do they have.
2. not personally affected since I held off on purchasing a home so i'm still a renter..but i am keenly interested in this whole situation because of the effect on black people and it feels like one of those turning point moments in american history as well.
3. I voted that congress is responsible. Congress is apparently not interested in representing or protecting the people but they are interested in doing the bidding of financial institutions and other corporations. democracy is dead and the people have no representatives and basically no recourse. congress even voted to tighten the strings on bankruptcy. this certainly wasn't meant to help "the people". I'm realizing more everyday that we have corrupt government/corporate ho'ism all the way around...
6. I feel positively about politics only because i'm becoming a political junkie and i believe in the power of the people. no other reason
8. if barack obama is not elected, i expect further economic chaos, and further erosion of the people's rights vis a vis the supreme court.
10. yes, i've contributed
3. I voted that congress is responsible. Congress is apparently not interested in representing or protecting the people but they are interested in doing the bidding of financial institutions and other corporations. democracy is dead and the people have no representatives and basically no recourse. congress even voted to tighten the strings on bankruptcy. this certainly wasn't meant to help "the people". I'm realizing more everyday that we have corrupt government/corporate ho'ism all the way around...
6. I feel positively about politics only because i'm becoming a political junkie and i believe in the power of the people. no other reason
8. if barack obama is not elected, i expect further economic chaos, and further erosion of the people's rights vis a vis the supreme court.
10. yes, i've contributed
quote:9. Is Barack Obama's political success reflective of larger progress for blacks in America?
I felt that this was disingenuous, as most either or questions are. Of course we come a long way, but so have those who would choose to oppress us, they may have even come a longer way.
It is not isolated incident, but then neither is the fact that the prisons are so full of young black men or the disproportionate poverty in some black communities.
same with
quote:8. If Barack Obama is not elected President, what impact will that have on African America?
Positive, negative and in some instances nil, but it will be years before we can parse the data.
quote:Originally posted by MBM:
Y'all are a trip. If you want a scientific poll then invite a pollster here to write the questions!
Just do the best you can with the answer that most closely matches your opinion.
I tried, but it wouldn't accept my votes because I failed to answer question #9.
If the software is going to require that people answer every single question, then every question needs something approiximating a None of the Above choice available.
An Obama win would be neither trivial nor isolated, but neither would it come close to eliminating racism or other ills of our society.
I think that the major effect would be to push this country into the future politically earlier than we would otherwise arive, with whatever the demographics of that premature push into the future might imply with respect to various issues.
This is because so many young people are being brought into the process by the Obama campaign. To see what effects this might have in the long run, one needs to look at polling data disagreggated by age.
The future is ariving ahead of schedule, and Obama is largly responsible for that.
I'll be brave enough to reveal my answers.
Other - though I lean towards McKinney or Nader. But I still think Obama wouldn't be as bad as John McCain.
No. At least not yet. My parents' house is secure and they bought it many years before this crisis. However, it might affect me when I try to buy a house in the next couple of years. Though I don't plan to accept any of those predatory loans.
How about "All Of The Above"?
The worst is yet to come. Probably. This bailout didn't help anyone at all except majority shareholders who now have a golden parachute.
Yes, in the sense of rising my tuition costs, housing costs and the general price of consumer goods for me. I'm sure it will affect housing costs after college and taxes.
Negatively. American politics has done nothing but become increasingly right-wing, pro-corporate, pro-ruling class and authoritarian since the 1940's. And even before FDR it was moving in that direction from the 1860's to the 1920's. The FDR-LBJ years was a short relative left turn (and every Democrat after FDR was increasingly right-wing). I believe that by 2020 elections will be between Neoconservatives on the "left" and out-and-out Neo-Fascists on the right.
I don't know, though I voted "Yes". Only if he lives up to his better promises.
I voted "no effect". Black people will be more or less the same if he isn't elected and continue in the same direction, probably.
No. It just shows that some Whites are willing to accept a Black person they consider an Uncle Tom-type that they believe will never criticize them on anything.
Yes. I contributed some money in early 2007.
quote:Question:
1. Who do you support for President of the United States?
Other - though I lean towards McKinney or Nader. But I still think Obama wouldn't be as bad as John McCain.
quote:Question:
2. Have you been personally effected by the sub-prime mortgage issue?
No. At least not yet. My parents' house is secure and they bought it many years before this crisis. However, it might affect me when I try to buy a house in the next couple of years. Though I don't plan to accept any of those predatory loans.
quote:Question:
3. Who is most responsible for the financial crisis our country is in now?
How about "All Of The Above"?
quote:Question:
4. With respect to the current economic situation, is the worst over or will things get even worse before they get better?
The worst is yet to come. Probably. This bailout didn't help anyone at all except majority shareholders who now have a golden parachute.
quote:Question:
5. Has the over-all financial crisis affected you in any way?
Yes, in the sense of rising my tuition costs, housing costs and the general price of consumer goods for me. I'm sure it will affect housing costs after college and taxes.
quote:Question:
6. How do you feel about politics in general?
Negatively. American politics has done nothing but become increasingly right-wing, pro-corporate, pro-ruling class and authoritarian since the 1940's. And even before FDR it was moving in that direction from the 1860's to the 1920's. The FDR-LBJ years was a short relative left turn (and every Democrat after FDR was increasingly right-wing). I believe that by 2020 elections will be between Neoconservatives on the "left" and out-and-out Neo-Fascists on the right.
quote:Question:
7. If elected President, will Barack Obama have a meaningful impact on the lives of African Americans?
I don't know, though I voted "Yes". Only if he lives up to his better promises.
quote:Question:
8. If Barack Obama is not elected President, what impact will that have on African America?
I voted "no effect". Black people will be more or less the same if he isn't elected and continue in the same direction, probably.
quote:Question:
9. Is Barack Obama's political success reflective of larger progress for blacks in America?
No. It just shows that some Whites are willing to accept a Black person they consider an Uncle Tom-type that they believe will never criticize them on anything.
quote:Question:
10. Have you, in any way, contributed to the Obama campaign - either financially, with your time, or any other way?
Yes. I contributed some money in early 2007.
Funny thing that this economic crash happened...people said just about 9 months ago that the dollar wouldn't lose its value...and look at the dollar value now. lol Also, that Amero business (the replacement for the dollar and all of North American Currency), how funny you are hearing more about that in the media. You know...the U.S owes a lot to the foreign nations and with the introduction with the Amero, they don't have to pay back squat....because the American Dollar would be worthless. lol
Obama must go all the way, and there is not stopping, he wins or lose...but obviously I prefer him to win than some McSame.
Obama must go all the way, and there is not stopping, he wins or lose...but obviously I prefer him to win than some McSame.
Okay ... I did the best with what I had, but these are my *real* answers, too!
If "support" means who am I gonna vote for, that would be Barack.
All of the above. I think all of them are equally responsible ... if any one group had not done what they did, this couldn't have gone down in the way that it has.
The President for initiating the plan to send this downfall into place.
The Congress for not paying more attention to what was happening and stopping it sooner.
The Consumers for buying more house (and/or refinancing for more money) than they knew they could afford. There wasn't a lot of trickery involved ... all cards were laid out on the table. The deceit came from preying upon people they knew didn't know any better and their desire to own their own home.
And Wall Street ... well, just for being Wall Street.
I have always been enthusiastically interested in politics because it is the rules by which we live .. and in that way I feel positively about it because it is so important.
But ... I hate the way the game is played, it sucks, and we all get dogged out in the end. So, my view is negative from that standpoint.
Mentally/emotionally I think it will have a positive effect. We are talking history here.
Politically/socially/economically my answer would be No effect at all.
Every "first" is reflective of progress for Black people in America. The 'first time' a Black person does something means it was never done before ... not because we were incapable of doing it before now, but because we were oppressed and restricted from doing it any sooner.
Now that the doors have been opened up every step not taken before now is one forward (or towards progress) because others can now follow behind.
So, it's isolated in that he's only one of our steps ... but, "we've come a long way baby" from a place of chattel to contender for the highest office in the land.
Sorta. Or perhaps inadvertently would be a better way to put it.
I had to pay a (mandatory) donation of $5 for the Obama '08 yard signs I got for all my family member's households. I'm not sure if that $25 went directly to the campaign, or to the DNC's general fund.
quote:Question:
1. Who do you support for President of the United States?
If "support" means who am I gonna vote for, that would be Barack.
quote:Question:
3. Who is most responsible for the financial crisis our country is in now?
All of the above. I think all of them are equally responsible ... if any one group had not done what they did, this couldn't have gone down in the way that it has.
The President for initiating the plan to send this downfall into place.
The Congress for not paying more attention to what was happening and stopping it sooner.
The Consumers for buying more house (and/or refinancing for more money) than they knew they could afford. There wasn't a lot of trickery involved ... all cards were laid out on the table. The deceit came from preying upon people they knew didn't know any better and their desire to own their own home.
And Wall Street ... well, just for being Wall Street.
quote:Question:
6. How do you feel about politics in general?
I have always been enthusiastically interested in politics because it is the rules by which we live .. and in that way I feel positively about it because it is so important.
But ... I hate the way the game is played, it sucks, and we all get dogged out in the end. So, my view is negative from that standpoint.
quote:Question:
8. If Barack Obama is not elected President, what impact will that have on African America?
Mentally/emotionally I think it will have a positive effect. We are talking history here.
Politically/socially/economically my answer would be No effect at all.
quote:Question:
9. Is Barack Obama's political success reflective of larger progress for blacks in America?
Every "first" is reflective of progress for Black people in America. The 'first time' a Black person does something means it was never done before ... not because we were incapable of doing it before now, but because we were oppressed and restricted from doing it any sooner.
Now that the doors have been opened up every step not taken before now is one forward (or towards progress) because others can now follow behind.
So, it's isolated in that he's only one of our steps ... but, "we've come a long way baby" from a place of chattel to contender for the highest office in the land.
quote:Question:
10. Have you, in any way, contributed to the Obama campaign - either financially, with your time, or any other way?
Sorta. Or perhaps inadvertently would be a better way to put it.
I had to pay a (mandatory) donation of $5 for the Obama '08 yard signs I got for all my family member's households. I'm not sure if that $25 went directly to the campaign, or to the DNC's general fund.
quote:The deceit came from preying upon people they knew didn't know any better and their desire to own their own home.
That is a messed up statement. People need to be responsible for their investments.
I hate to break it to you, but i understood that i could not afford a home even though the bank said i could. Guess what i did not buy one.
1). These people need to lose their homes.
2). The banks that made these mal-investments need to go under.
The lack of responsibility on the individual, and lack of business sense on the banks/companies need to go the way of bankruptcy.
There is no reason to protect people that cant read a contract. There is no reason to bail out banks that made mal-investments. They both need to suffer jut like the rest of us.
The sad thing is, this power structure we have in place bailed out one entity (the banks) with no regard to the people(home owners). It is such bullshit and responsible people are getting screwed left and right.
Fuck the idiots with ARM's they cant afford, fuck the banks that extended the credit. They both deserve to suffer.