11. Do you believe it has been wise to become utterly dependent on a Communist, undemocratic, China for so much of what we need to live, and even for our critical defense needs? Why does it matter if the country we're dependent on is "Communist" or not? (Would it be any better if it was "capitalist?") The word "Communist" is just a red herring (no pun intended). China is thoroughly capitalist or committed to becoming so. There's almost nothing communist about it anymore, and even if there was, so what? The US is no democracy, or at best a fake democracy -- let's not kid ourselves. We have lost the moral right to look down at anyone. You could legitimately ask if it's wise to become so terribly dependent on ANY other country, but the fact that China embraced a certain form of state ownership from 1949 to the late 1970's, and that it's not particularly democratic -- I don't think this makes US dependence on China any better or worse.

by Richard Mynick (2 articles, 4 quicklinks, 1 diaries, 1552 comments [255 recommended, 5 rejected]) on Saturday, May 5, 2007 at 3:39:58 PM

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These are all loaded questions which try to frame the issues -- and not really suitable for a debate, which should encourage candidates to explain his position on various issues. The idea of a debate is not all that great anyway -- a debate is held to 'win' the debate, not to inform voters about the candidates.

by Blue Pilgrim (0 articles, 3 quicklinks, 2 diaries, 997 comments) on Saturday, May 5, 2007 at 3:55:25 PM

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The "Presidential Debates" and "Candidate Debates" are not really debates.  They are situational media for talking point distribution.

A "debate" would be more like:  "Mr. Kucinich, you are opposed to the war in Iraq.  Mr. Romney, you are in favor.  Begin."  Ain't gonna happen.

Most of the questions are interesting for simply showing how the FRAME of the "discussions" during our elections are so well controlled by the right-wing-leaning corporate-controlled media.

Often, it's not what people are saying -- it's what they are NOT EVEN TALKING ABOUT that really matters the most.

by Charlie L (2 articles, 4 quicklinks, 1 diaries, 747 comments [2 recommended, 0 rejected]) on Saturday, May 5, 2007 at 5:25:46 PM

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I think it's essential to understand and teach your children that the problem with the presidential election system is the fact that it's all a vehicle to sell ad time and get ratings and that issues, ethics and policy are all secondary.

by Gustav Wynn (77 articles, 65 quicklinks, 5 diaries, 422 comments [34 recommended, 0 rejected]) on Saturday, May 5, 2007 at 10:57:08 PM

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Kent these are all very good questions and I am sure many of the candidates would answer them with a big line of word crafted bullshit that no one could make heads or tails of. Some would address the questions honestly and probably admit that America is fast becoming a corporate controlled oligarchy.

Your questions about NAFTA and free trade are very important because I believe this policy has dramatically increased corporate power and is the most useful tool corporations have for the enslavement of labor.

Some very important questions were not mentioned in your article and they are, Do you believe that it is right for an administration to look the other way and allow business to break tax and employment laws by hiring illegal immigrants? Look the other way when illegal immigrants use fake or borrowed social security numbers or drivers licences? Do you believe that our borders should be open and that a north American union should be formed so that goods and services(labor) can flow more freely? will allowing a massive amount of immigrants into our country create a labor surplus thus effectively driving down wages to near slavery level.

These issues are important as corporate interests love trade policies like NAFTA and also are working hard to put together a system were they can have access to an unlimited amount of guest workers from anywhere in the world. This will destroy the American way of life and our middle class. The end result will be a country were two percent of the people hold ninety eight percent of the wealth.

by Gary Denson (2 articles, 0 quicklinks, 1 diaries, 283 comments) on Sunday, May 6, 2007 at 8:55:31 AM

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The only question worth asking is, "Have you examined the overwhelming mountain of evidence that shows that 9-11 was something other than what the official story says it was; have you thought critically about this evidence, and come to an informed conclusion?"

Everything else is window dressing.

by Bill Cain (3 articles, 0 quicklinks, 0 diaries, 435 comments [67 recommended, 0 rejected]) on Monday, May 14, 2007 at 11:01:35 AM

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