I appreciate your viewpoint, Neo, but it's not accurate.
I do like Obama, though.
Fiscal conservatives really gun for Obama, while completely giving a free pass to Bush and the current crop of Republicans, on the basis of excess, rampant government spending.
They may say 'Bush and the Republicans spend like a drunken sailors,' and things to that effect, but what import does that have if they don't do anything to punish that behavior.
The way that I see things is that Obama is an intelligent and flexible progressive candidate, I tend to think that he's extremely deliberative and methodological in addressing any problem, and given how Bush and the Republicans have handled fiscal matters, I honestly would be hard pressed to think he'll do any worse on that front.
So, if I can't get a true fiscal conservative from either party anymore, I'll vote for the presidential candidate whom I perceive as the most clinical, intelligent, thorough, comprehensive and, well, sharp in general.
I'll pay more tax under Obama, but it is not a massive hike, and most people will pay less under his economic plan.
I very much support the idea of ending the war in Iraq and the expense associated with it. It is and was money very badly spent.
I am sick of Republicans. They actually spend as much, if not more, than Democratic leaders, in general, despite their complete claims to the contrary.
My only other option is to not vote, but then I don't think I'd have a right to complain or petition my government in case I continue to see massive problems.
If you think Republicans are 'fiscal conservatives,' I think you are in denial.
Since there are no more true fiscal conservatives that can seem to be viable candidates for POTUS, I might as well discount that factor and go with the guy whom I think is better overall in the other areas, and Obama simply has more productive qualities than McCain, IMO.