Thread: how big of an issue is terrorism?

How big of an issue is terrorism, for you, in this campaign?

Is it your number one issue, or where does it rank?

For me, it's probably about number.... seven or eight. Pretty far down, actually.

Border control, would be above terrorism.

Spending, would be above terrorism.

Education would be above terrorism - I want that thing with the kiddies fixed fast, or I'm gonna be a mighy unhappy voter.

So, where does terrorism rank, in your scheme of things?

Pretty low since it is failing in itself... why you ask? Because I'm not terrified.

Border control is part of the war on terrorism. That said, border and port control ranks right up there with (maybe above) the war in Afghanistan and far above all other police and military operations in the war on terror. Contrary to the current hysteria the Canadian border is a proven risk to survival in the US, whereas so far the porous Mexican border is more of an economic threat. That we can afford to build a Mexican but not a Canadian fence distorts the debate.
That lawful immigration is biased towards lower paid occupations and illegal immigration even more so needs to be corrected. That is probably a second or third priority.
Getting the federal government to stop screwing with local school systems and their budgets is up there too.
Switching to a VAT only federal tax is needed to reduce outsourcing and improve investment/savings rates is another biggie.

Terrorism probably doesn't really even rank in my top 10. I think terrorism is a subset of foreign policy and general security.

Foreign policy, energy policy, education and health care are at the top of my list and not necessarily in that order.

Good question, Nonsqtr!

if an attack happens before the election it will be a bigger issue. or if Bush is assassinated in Jerusalem as AQ has threatened then it might be at the top.

Originally Posted by sectionOne

if an attack happens before the election it will be a bigger issue. or if Bush is assassinated in Jerusalem as AQ has threatened then it might be at the top.

I'm hoping the American public is as jaded to the notion of terrorist danger as I have become. There will always be terrorists, either our own homegrown variety, Basque separatists, IRA or angry Muslims. We should have smart law enforcement, security and foreign policy to diminish the success of terrorists, but I'm impatient with "terrorism" guiding our leadership.

Terrorism is somewhere on my list but not at the top. I see a balanced budget and debt reduction being very important, of course healthcare, social security, foreign policy and general national security also equally important.

The deal maker or breaker for me though will naturally be gay marriage and getting the Christ back into Xmas.

Border control/immigration, is my #1 issue, & IMO, that ties into national security.
The economy isn't made better or worse by any POTUS, uncontrolled/unchecked spending, which is controlled by congress, is what hurts the economy. The only thing I blame a POTUS for that is, he/she has control of the veto pen.
Social issues, such as marriage & abortion should be left to the states, as well as a lot of other issues. Our central gov't controls too much & they're not about to willingly give up that power.

Originally Posted by Migi e!

Border control/immigration, is my #1 issue, & IMO, that ties into national security.
The economy isn't made better or worse by any POTUS, uncontrolled/unchecked spending, which is controlled by congress, is what hurts the economy. The only thing I blame a POTUS for that is, he/she has control of the veto pen.
Social issues, such as marriage & abortion should be left to the states, as well as a lot of other issues. Our central gov't controls too much & they're not about to willingly give up that power.

I gotta disagree a little Mig. Our economy is headed in the direction of a nasty recession in a large part brought on by the fiscal policies of this administration. With rumors of another interest rate cut and perhaps even a tax cut, ultimatly what will happen is the infrastructure that makes this country worth investing in will be so poor that any where else will look better. Under Clinton we learned how important a balanced budget and debt reduction can be. It made the recession that occured just prior to the 2000 election pretty nominal. I doubt we'll get off that easy this time. All the money that Bush gave corporations and the wealthy in tax cuts is being spent elsewhere.

terrorism doesn't concern me at all. if it wasn't for the fact that its a media/news buzzword, i doubt if i'd ever really think about it.

i guess as an issue, it would be important to me if there was a candidate trying to devalue "terrorisms" importance. but none of them are really.