Today marks the 4th Anniversary of The Bitterest Pill. And, I think it’s time again to speak freely…
Okay, sort of freely. Really, I don’t say anything except this: I WANT an elitist President. I don’t want a president who I could see myself “having a beer” with. I want a president who (whom?) is so educated, so knowledgeable and so charismatic that if I were ever in their presence, I would want to run from the room or bask in their glory.
This week is all about preserving my wife’s right to vote. I ended up having to go to the county office to hand in her mail-in ballot application. I have this naive notion that I would just walk up and hand it in. Nice try.
Weigh the issues and VOTE tomorrow. Please. If you don’t vote on Tuesday, you can’t complain on Wednesday.
Additional material by Scott Mercer of B-Movie Books.
Interesting show – I have no problem with you saying what you think about anything (it’s your show, i just pay to listen!).
My observation from over the pond is that the USA may not easily recover if Obama is not elected, and we should all be very afraid if that Palin woman gets anywhere near power. Still, it is easily possible – after all, you guys elected a physchopath and fascist…twice!!
My other observation is that i’m not sure the USA is so changed as you think racially and i’m not sure the pollsters can access what i imagine is a sizeable number who absolutely don’t want a Black president (sorry, I think “African American” is a little patronising). That’s the worry I suppose for Obama supporters. I’m not sure why there are “black areas” at all – does this not show that people from the black community don’t feel accepted living outside these areas?
Oh, and my little public authority insists now on electronic voting registration, or at least they make it tough for you do do it by mail. Wake up USA!!
I vote for Obama. Unfortunately, as I’m an Australian, it doesn’t count.
My workmates are all glued to this election. We consider McCain and that bimbo Palin to be extremely dangerous. We estimate that he would die within a year and half and that stupid woman would then be in charge the country. It must not happen.
We’re interested because you Americans have such a significant impact on us half a world away. Our dollar, after having risen the highest point ($0.96 US) in decades has collapsed and we still have soldiers in this mad war. We don’t really like this influence, but we’re rooting for what we think to be the best choice for yourself and ourselves. Our hearts are with the Democrats tomorrow (we’ll find out tomorrow our time, Wed.).
The pill and my daughter were born on the very same day. Sweet!
I look forward to listening to this episode as I do all of them, but I guess maybe a bit less so considering your obvious choice.
Unfortunately for this country, I think Obama is going to be about as terrible as president as could be possible. Now McCain is also no great prize, and we really got left with a choice between a jerk and a crazy socialist. Your foreign listener comments only go to prove to me what a horrible choice of a leader that the USA voters are about to make in Obama…
Anyways, your show is always great and I look forward to returning to our normally scheduled listening fun.
Oh, one last thing, I hope the princess is healing well… I can imagine what a heart thumping experience that must have been.
Dan,
Great show – I listened to it today between errands while volunteering for Cousin Barry in Colorado – It looks like I am in a blue state again after moving here from NY state 18 years ago. This year was much more fun than last time, and you gave me some much needed laughs and stress relief early in the day.
I find the comment above me slightly mind boggling – Obama is no more a socialist than McCain is a fascist. He will do more to heal and reunite this country than McCain ever would have. The world will look at US with wonder again.
Some folks gotta lay off the kool-aid.
It’s 9:00 mtn time and MSNBC just called it – Barack Obama is projected to the next President. It’s a good day.
Cheers!
Hey Dan,
If Barry is a cousin of yours, he is a cousin of mine also. Irishmen all over the globe he?
I also wonder why MightySeek is so afraid of Barry and wants to portray him as a socialist. I’d say, come over here (Europe, Israel) and you’ll find out what REAL socialists are.
But hey, we are all entitled our opinions, sure, but why oh why, if we foreigners like Obama, why does it follow that on grounds of that he is a bad choice? Are all foreigners idiots? Dangerous? Hell-bent on destroying your country?
Great podcast, you are one of the best. After writing some 800 podcast reviews, I might be entitled to say something like that, don’t I?
Anne
For some reason, all of the e-mail versions of these comments are ending up in my “Bulk Mail” bin. My e-mail service must be a McCain supporter.
I was really impressed by McCain last night. Made me remember how much I liked him back in 2000, and made me feel bad for the tiny bashing I gave him on this show. Truthfully, he is a great American and hopefully will continue to work hard for this country.
Now that Obama has been elected, I have to say that I hope he can deliver. We’ll all be watching and hoping.
I was shocked when he won, and nearly brought to tears. I think at the very least, he symbolizes the American that I want to live in: thoughtful, intelligent, hopeful and racially mixed. Yes, I said it. I by no means voted for Obama because he’s “black,” but I do see the significance of his election for non-white America. Now, anything is possible for EVERYONE. If we are a melting pot, the pot needs to get stirred, so the top isn’t always foamy and white.
I got an e-mail today from someone who is no longer a listener because of the “left-leaning political commentary and shtick” of this episode. One show about politics a year (or more) and they’re GONE? Wow. Apparently I need to learn to keep my opinions to myself, and just continuously pump out the wacky stories. Yet, I think I’m beginning to understand. What I think many of the stories are about is our commonality. I have to assume that is why some people feel betrayed when I veer off into divisive territory, and I will try to be more mindful of that. Now is the time to focus on our similarities and our common goals. We need to learn to respectfully disagree and get on with the task of building a better world.
THANK YOU all for listening and supporting the show. And, if you get a chance, check out Anne’s great review of, not only this show, but apparently 799 others at http://anneisaman.blogspot.com/
Best –
– dK
Dan,
I called it on Twitter back on October 20th at 7:17 pm (Obama landslide)
I had full confidence in the outcome back then.
Glad that you will continue The Bitterest Pill.
Any time you need to express something you don’t need our permission to do so.
It is your show.
I became a citizen last year, July.
So this was my first Presidential election.
Historic.
After having been in the USA for 20 years.
I am a procrastinator.
However, this was the right time.
When I was first able to vote in the UK I voted for Thatcher (twice).
I am a conservative, and would have voted for McCain.
It was a different McCain that ran for President.
The divisive and inflammatory nature of the campaign drove me away.
And words like “I am not a perfect person. I will not be a perfect president, but I promise you that I will tell the TRUTH.” that drew me toward Obama.
I have not heard anyone else say anything like that before.
One man is not going to fix things.
ALL Americans need to get to work doing that.
This was a great start though.
Today I am truly proud to have *chosen* to be an American.
Good show, thanks for putting it out.
– Paul
Anne, You said it yourself “I’d say, come over here (Europe, Israel) and you’ll find out what REAL socialists are.” When people that keep voting in socialist to lead their countries are cheering on the socialist guy on our side… I think it goes to make the case against him.
Nelson, obviously you do not understand what these words mean. Socialism is not evil, its just a bad system. I do believe that Obama has strong socialist views.
From wikipedia “Socialists mainly share the belief that capitalism unfairly concentrates power and wealth among a small segment of society that controls capital and creates an unequal society. All socialists advocate the creation of an egalitarian society, in which wealth and power are distributed more evenly, although there is considerable disagreement among socialists over how, and to what extent this could be achieved”
I think Obamas views fit very clearly into this description. I do not think he is a communist or anything that extreme on the various socialist branches… I will also say, that the Republicans in this country have also been leaning away from capitalism over the years as evidenced by the Bush presidency and his domestic spending that far exceeded even Clinton, and I dont think Mccain would have been all that much better if at all.
Regardless our country has chosen Obama and I can only hope that he will do well and not lead us down a path that will cause our capitalist system to suffer too greatly. The world is on a path toward socialism that I think is dangerous for our economy, and goes against what in my opinion is a far better system.
So to state this simply
The party of bigger government soundly defeated the other party of big government.
Too bad for those of us who think the government is getting dangerously big.
15 million people are employed by, and have a vested interest in an the size and power of, the federal government, let alone state and local. Along with a few million more dependent on the subsidies and welfare from the government. Add we are rushing headlong into greater and greater dependence on the government to solve more and more of our needs, rather than helping people be independent, responsible and self reliant.
I don’t understand why anyone would cancel because you care about something enough to talk about it. I don’t always agree with you and indeed the other week i was really mad at you (can’t recall why now, so it can’t have been that bad), but I DO respect your opinion and your right to hold it and say it on YOUR show. Isn’t that what our parents and grandparents fought for, the right of free speech?
Wayne
Nobody has attacked or questioned Dan’s right to free speech. He clearly has the right to publish/produce whatever message he wishes. Dan seems to be a great guy and has responded thoughtfully to this situation.
We (as listeners/consumers) also have the right to not listen.
That is all that has happened here.
No one has disrespected Dan’s opinion or called into question his right to express it. That’s how we roll in America.
Oh, MightySeek, we’re going to have a ball here. Socialism, as it is interpreted by the various socialist parties in Europe and Israel, has so many faces, you cannot call it one system, let alone a bad one at that. I also wonder, where you draw the line. Is Sarkozy a socialist? Merkel? Livni? Balkenende? Leterme? Berlusconi? Do you want me to name more European government leaders who were democratically elected and, at least among themselves are never called socialists? I think a large part of Europeans are not socialists.
Besides, I can mention a couple of socialist leaders who led their country quite well: David Ben Gurion, Tony Blair, Helmut Schmidt, Francois Mitterand, Willy Brand, Willem Drees (hey, I have to put in at least one Dutchman!). How can they have succeeded if the system they believe in was so bad?
I still feel being labeled ignorant, malevolent, backward and dangerous just on the grounds of being foreign.
I want to tell you we foreigners have enormous respect for the US, we are hugely interested and try to emulate in our own way.
OC obama voter checking in! so there! hahaha.
the mail voting was actually pretty good here. get online, put in your address, they mail you the ballot ….and done. that’s it. mail it back. i was actually impressed at how easy it worked here.
Anne, Sarkozy and some of the others you mention (some Im not well educated on) are an encouraging turn around in Europe from whats been going on the last 30 years. As far as some of the socialist leaders like Blair, they did do some good but also left plenty of bad in their wake. As I stated, socialism isnt evil, its just not a good and I dont think its a fair system. My experience and opinion is that even with its flaws a more purely capitalist system is the best for creating wealth, inventiveness and entrepreneurship in a population. All systems have their flaws, but I believe that capitalism is the fairest possible solution for a population of humans.
I understand that I was generalizing all foreigners unfairly, and apologize for that… it largely was a vent of frustration with the direction America has been headed.
Now on to the important issue. For whoever is canceling their subscription to the Pill over the fact that Dan happens to support the opposition party… you suck!
Yes, its your free choice and no one who be able to stop you, but Dan has consistently produced a terrific show and it will be your loss. He has also refrained from using his show as a soapbox for his views (besides this episode, its never mentioned), which would seem to make your cancellation nothing but petty sour grapes. Again, you suck.
Dan, Im going to have to purchase a 2nd subscription as a sign of support to a great podcaster! Thats you btw
MightySeek –
I’ll give you two FREE subscriptions if you’ll fix it so I don’t have to use PowerPress when I upgrade my blog 🙂
Tony Blair a Socialist? Give me a break!
It just goes to show that more than half of America is ignorant and stupid to have voted obama into office. Geez – he wasn’t even born in America! he was born in Kenya. Let’s just go ahead and open the floodgates for all the terrorists. Open season on America! Hey, he’s not going to tax the people…just the businesses. Duh, does he think were stupid? Obviously becuase so many voted for this idiot. He taxes the businesses and what happens? Prices go up….INFLATION!
@Motorhomes, if you are insistent on being an asshole, be an accurate one – Obama was born in Hawaii. It is also not legal for a non-American born person to be President.
Well I didn’t get to vote because I hadn’t changed my address yet and couldn’t get to the polling place where I was registered, so I sat up all night watching and biting my nails while my state had no bearing on the election at all. I would like to know why the states with a low electoral count bother at all.
yes it is, great blog, thanks for the
nice post,useful info,thank you for sharing us!
If ya wanna succed in politics, ya gotta have great teeth and good hair. Teeth! BIG TEETH!
Thank you.
Thank you.
Thank you.
Thank you.
thnks
thanks
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