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Thursday, Nov. 1, 2012 | 2:01 a.m.
Another view?
View more of the Las Vegas Sun's opinion section:
• Editorials - the Sun's viewpoint.
• Columnists - local and syndicated writers.
• Letters to the editor - readers' views.
Have your own opinion? Write a letter to the editor.
You may say you “do not care about politics” or “it does not matter who is in office,” “whatever happens will not affect me” or “all politicians are crooks anyway.”
None of the above is a legitimate excuse for not voting. Think of the bigger picture, not just your individual situation or experiences.
Why are so many wealthy people contributing enormous amounts of money anonymously to political candidates? Why do they want to remain anonymous? Do they expect something in return? Apparently, they do not want you to know who they support and what they expect. Billions are being spent on advertising designed to be misleading and derogatory rather than stating the candidates’ positions on issues and plans for America.
Why has the Republican Party gone to such enormous lengths to make it extremely difficult for select groups of people to vote? Ostensibly, voter restrictions are designed to affect minorities, the poor, elderly, disabled, college students and first-time voters. One could speculate that they are likely Democratic Party voters.
Obviously, some people think this election and your vote is that important. The Republican Party will try to make it difficult for you to exercise your right, saying it’s a privilege, not a right. It’s both. Your vote is important; stand up and speak up. Be proud that you stood up for your beliefs. Do not think it’s only one vote and it does not matter. Every single vote counts. Every single vote matters.
Yes Debbie, I'm voting for Romney because he understands business, the economy and understands we need to get the unemployed working again and he will reduce our budget deficit. Obama's class warfare rhetoric and hate for business and successful Americans has flat out disgusted me.
Issues like the one Debbie brings up are not all or nothing issues.
There are factions in the R party who would be just fine with suppressing the minority and poor vote. They see the demographic and social trends and they are looking for advantage to offset them.
There are factions on the D side that oppose any ID requirements for voting because they too see the demographic and social trends and they want every minority and poor voter they can get, even if to get them, we have to have very lax ID standards.
As it most always is, the proper place to be is in the middle. We recognize that it isn't unreasonable to ask a voter to produce an ID but we also recognize that some minority and poor voters don't have ID's. We do what is necessary to ensure everybody that wants and ID can get one, free, and then we ask voters for ID when they show up to vote.
Michael
The problem comes from Democrats who constantly want ALLOW people who are NOT QUALIFIED TO VOTE - TO VOTE IN OUR ELECTIONS.
AND why are Democrats preventing the military overseas from voting.
Debbie laments "Why are so many wealthy people contributing enormous amounts of money anonymously to political candidates? Why do they want to remain anonymous? Do they expect something in return?"
Obama's Whos Who Billionaires are supporting "tax free" 501 (c) PACs like Moveon.org, Media Matters, and Obama's off the books campaign PAC Priorities USA
Steven Spielberg
Warren Buffet
George Soros
Phil Falcone
Peter Lewis
Steve Bing
Jeffrey Katzenburg
Oprah Winfrey
Ted Turner
Jeff Bezos
Ron Perelman
Steve Cohen
Laurene (Steve) Jobs
Andrew Grove
Bill Gates
Mark Cuban
Mark Zuckerman
John Paulson
Haim Saban
Chris Korn
Yes, voting is important. But that's not what Starr is all about. She is about wanting only the "right" folks voting - the Dumbocrats. Aside to Michael: try getting a "free" buffet by using your "points" in any casino without showing a photo ID. And you say that "poor" & "minority" voters don't have photo IDs or it is an imposition for them to be asked to obtain them? What's more important to maintain the integrity of? "Free" buffets or voting? Give me a break!
Romney-Ryan. Save the Bald Eagle not Big Bird.
CarmineD
As we know Democrats are buy votes with food stamps and other welfare checks. And if you do not vote the Union bosses send their goons out to force you to the poll
ACCORDING TO DEMOCRATS MY VOTE DOESN'T MATTER
PART ONE
I'll address this commentary to "Teamster"; thank you for your reply to my commentary in yesterday's discussion room that I entitled, "OBAMA CHANGED - NOT FOR THE BETTER".
My respect for you, "Teamster" remains intact in this discussion forum. However, I cannot say the same about many of your Democratic voting colleagues in these discussion rooms.
When President Obama was first a candidate in 2008, and until just recently, I supported him simply because I believed he was for the American worker. I was a union member myself, for over twenty years. Even though I was not a supporter of a local independent state employees union that was in fact not for the rights of women, and was also racist towards minorities, when AFSCME took over, they were extremely honorable and just. Although I never became a supporter of unions for government workers, AFSCME and I, until my retirement, had a very close and cordial relationship. However, I've always been extremely supportive of unions in the private sector. I've always lived by the fact that Republican owned corporations and smaller businesses would never be responsible enough on their own to compensate in pay and benefits their employees adequately who is in fact, both the builders and the backbone of America.
Recently, in conjunction with my commentary and provided links, when I became aware that President Obama refused to withdraw from NAFTA, as a voter, I felt betrayed that he turned away and did not follow his initial campaign promise.
http://www.lasvegassun.com/news/2012/oct...
PART TWO
When I expressed in my subject commentaries such issues related to, "OBAMA CHANGED - NOT FOR THE BETTER", instead of other Democrats in this forum debating this with me in a civil manner, they took to attacking me in demeaning ways. In aggressively defending my position from the attacks on me, the discussions in the Sun quickly progressed to some pretty nasty levels, i.e. Comments directed at me such as, "It is unimportant what you think.", "You have the depth of a puddle on Tropicana Avenue in July", "Ignorance is bliss" fits you to a "T", "You and your "don't have a clue" posts", etc.
"Teamster", even you agreed with my points of fault directed at President Obama for not repealing and or withdrawing from NAFTA; you tactfully posted;
"Teamster" Oct. 31, 2012 / 11:01 p.m. "Brad.....After PRESIDENT OBAMA gets re-elected, we'll work on that NAFTA issue. Obama couldn't get everything done in four years. He is human, after all."
As Debbie Starr points out in her letter to the editor entitled, "Your vote is needed in this election", you best believe it is. My vote for Obama could have been saved. But, certainly not when I've been demeaned by my fellow Democratic voters in this forum. It is true, a good many people in our country read the Las Vegas Sun opinions section. The Democrats in these discussion forums have disgraced themselves. The volume of e-mails that I've received concerning my right to voice my opinions and dissent on the issue of Obama and NAFTA is not really of major issue to them. However, in the aftermath of this episode, the disrespect shown by these same Democratic commentators towards me in this discussion forum does seem to be an issue. And as well, it should be. Not for me personally, but what the Democratic Party is supposed to stand for.
The mere fact that I've decided not to vote at all this Election, is in fact, a benefit to Romney being elected to the White House. I hope it was worth it! Because, in this way, even my non-vote in this Election DOES COUNT!!!
Mr. Casler states:
"As it most always is, the proper place to be is in the middle. We recognize that it isn't unreasonable to ask a voter to produce an ID but we also recognize that some minority and poor voters don't have ID's."
Sorry Mr. Casler on voter ID there is no middle on this.
And don't say that "poor voters" don't have id's.
No excuses!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
"Romney-Ryan. Save the Bald Eagle not Big Bird"
Carmine this is priceless!!!!!!!! Great comment!
Should we be suspicious of the GOP? Should we accept the claim that the GOP will create jobs and improve the lot of poor and minority voters if they can just keep those people from voting. Should we accept their attempts to remove "None of these Candidates" from the Nevada ballot as not really suppressing our right to protest the choices we are given? Should we accept that the GOP can strictly follow the Constitution without understanding the spirit of that document.
HELL NO!
Enjoyed the letter, Ms. Starr. Totally agree.
I'm voting on November 6th. And more than ever, this election I am bound and determined to crush this radical and extreme agenda that the Tea/Republican Party keeps wanting to pound into everyone's brain.
Enough.
It gets us nowhere.
It's payback time, people.
Get out there and vote.
If you don't, you are just encouraging the Tea/Republicans to continue the onslaught on the American people with the least say in Government. THIS is our chance. At the voting booths.
Make no mistake about it...Tea/Republicans CAN and WILL destroy the middle class and give the rich more and more and more and more and more and more and most and most and most. They're in it for themselves and everyone else is on their own. They could care less if you have to dig through the trash to survive.
Don't kid yourself. They won't stop.
Unless you put your foot down.
I'm votin' not only smart, but I'm voting angry too on November 6th.
Straight Democratic Party ticket.
When I get through at the voting booth, Tea/Republican Party political heads will be rolling all over the place.
Obama/Biden 2012! AND a Democratic Party majority in both the House and the Senate!
In this election,the American people should be asking themselves the same question former Republican Presidential Candidate Rick Santorum asked:
'Do you really believe this country wants to elect a Wall Street financier as the president of the United States. Do you think that's the kind of experience that we need? Someone who's going to take and look after as he did his friends on Wall Street and bail them out at the expense of Main Street America?
Rick Santorum - March 9 2012
http://abcnews.go.com/blogs/politics/201...
Bradley,
Welcome to the realization that many people are totally close minded (on both sides) and will not tolerate any criticism of 'their' candidate, valid or not. They will not debate; they will not defend; they will 'attack'. It's a part of the reason we sit stuck in neutral.
Some of President Obama's promises he could not keep, and that wasn't his fault. But many he could have kept but did not; and with some others, he did not make an attempt.
I think that several very poor decisions were made about security in Libya, Benghazi, the anniversary of 9/11 and whether to help those that were under attack. I am afraid those were political decisions, rather than decisions based upon what was right.
I will likely be attacked for saying so, maybe even by you. Unfortunately, we both live in an America where far too many people will not see any flaws on 'their' side and will not see 'anything' positive on the other side.
I commend you for stating your opinion, even though it was negative toward a candidate you favor. Welcome to my world.
Michael
Have you ever posted an opinion and been called names or ridiculed? Or posted a comment and then read insulting, degrading, condescending, name-calling, cruel, mean-spirited and/or downright nasty comments about what you posted. If so, I would like to encourage you and everyone to FLAG the comment if you believe the remark is inappropriate whether it is about you or someone else.
I believe that we can voice our opinions and comments in a polite, civil and respectful manner. For all of you who agree with me thank you. For all of you that do not agree with be, please be advised that I will FLAG every comment that I feel violates the "Full Comments Policy" (see above) whether it is about me or someone else.
We should be able to discuss and/or voice our opinions respectfully without fear of retribution.
Romney is so out of touch with ordinary Americans that he has to sit down with people that are struggling to find out what they are going through:
'Mitt Romney says he learns about what it's like to struggle in a difficult economy by sitting down to chat with regular people. But the Republican presidential candidate doesn't want anybody to see it -- and his campaign won't say who he meets with or when the meetings occur. In interviews and on the campaign trail, Romney regularly says that he learns about the struggling economy by talking to people affected by it'
http://news.yahoo.com/romney-regular-peo...
"Yes Debbie, I'm voting for Romney because he understands business, the economy and understands we need to get the unemployed working again and he will reduce our budget deficit. Obama's class warfare rhetoric and hate for business and successful Americans has flat out disgusted me." (ReFreeman)
Just to be clear--your new position. The Romney position. your guy. As stated per your non-response to your previous positions:
""So from now on, it can be reasonably assumed when reading anything you (ReFreeman) post, be it in your words or from a source you reference, your just providing information that you like, and not necessarily true and clear information. Or not information you truly believe, or information you can explain.""
This is the same guy who lied to the people of Ohio and said all US Jeep production was moving to China. Your guy, the Liar in Chief. Your guy!
Just a friendly reminder. You appear to be the leader of this thread. Your post is first.
President Obama wins re-election by 6 to 8 points.
By Future Nov. 1, 2012 3:54 a.m.
Future,
I have seen this post several times! Would you care to cite your source so that we can all have the benefit of reviewing the names you listed above?
Yes Debbie,
I voted for President Barack Obama and the entire D ticket.
@wtplv,
"Welcome to the realization that many people are totally close minded (on both sides) and will not tolerate any criticism of 'their' candidate, valid or not. They will not debate; they will not defend; they will 'attack'. It's a part of the reason we sit stuck in neutral." (Michael Casler)
Explain to the readers, what is the difference between to criticism and lying?
Not one Mitt Romney supporter has stated factually what qualifies Mitt Romney to be president. Not one Mitt Romney supporter has given any details on Mitt Romney private sector action that produced jobs.
The Mitt Romney supporters, if this includes you, only talked about the negatives regarding the Presidents. The President has made many decisions that are helping and benefiting the America People. But, you like others want "other people" to tell you about the positives of our President.
If your doing balance research you would know. Knowing only one side of the issues, or favoring one side of the issues when clearly the evidence points out a clear conclusion, this is called selective reporting.
The majority of the Mitt Romney supporters who post on the Sun refuse to state in detail, how the policies of the Obama administration has helped American, both foreign and domestic. But they know all the negatives. Knowing this does not qualify Mitt Romney for president, or is the correct deduction to choose one candidate over another.
If you have done your homework and know both sides of the issues, know the talk, know the action and the results, you would know the balance scale favors the President, and deserves support from responsible and an informed voters.
In order to be a responsible voter, you must be an informed voter.
Are you a responsible voter Mr. Casler?
What I do know about "your" writings, you want to learn and you are spirited. You just need to expand your area of truth.
There no greater belief as when one finds the truth on their own, and not told by others.
Longtimevegan,
What a fantastic comment @8:06 a.m. In fact, they are all wonderful.
Thank you for your wisdom, enlightenment, and support for the women. Thank you for being you and sharing your words of wisdom. You continue to fight for what you believe in and that is admirable. You are very respectful in your comments, which can be very difficult, but you respond with respect and dignity.
Thank you for all that you do!
The Republican Party has become the party of voter suppression. As far as I am concerned, anyone caught doing this should be convicted of TREASON!
kepi,
Thank you. We are all Americans. We must be reasonable adults do reasonable things.
Choosing a President is serious, a huge responsibility. I sense many of the commentator who post on the Sun are young people who want answers.
The truth told by anyone will be heard. Half truths should, or must spark exploration. One must know the truth to explore. The Bible calls this discernment!
I see all the canned republican propaganda has been repeated here in the commits. Typical republican way of doing things.
YOU HAVE SEEN A REAL PRESIENT IN ACTION WHEN SANDY HIT OUT EAST COAST. He works to help all the people and businesses to get back on their feet and Governor Christy a republican praised and thanks him.
And you seen Romney the person that kept on with his complain taking advantage of Obama being away. Romney and Ryan plans would destroy FEMA. Then many days later after its all over and the storm is gone he suddenly is for FEMA. But he wants a privet company to make money doing fema job
Romney is no business man he is nothing more then a con man, who uses Flimflams to sale stuff. He's good at it heused one set of lies to convinced the republican base and now he cahinged the lies for the rest of us, and he keep fine tuning his lies.
Is he presidential -I THINK NOT
Even a "non-vote" as BChap called it is important if it is for "None of the above." That sends a clear message as opposed to merely not voting at all.
I only wish that there was some real power behind "NOTA" in that if it won it would force a new election with new candidates for the race in question. That is not practical for President, but it is for all the others.
REPUBLICAN RULE #1: Accuse the other guy of doing exactly what you are doing!
That takes BRASS!! :)
So many of the problems can be placed at the feet of the wealthy, their PACS, and their personal political party called the Tea Party, which replaced the Republican Party. What is the justification for taking money from the poor, elderly and the Middle Class and handing it over to the uber-wealthy and corporations? No one can come up with a legitimate argument to support that premise.
We are on a long slippery slope and we are running out of road "to kick the can down". We are running out of tomorrows to fix the problems. One day it will be too late. And all of the conservatives who are filled with such hate, rage, and anger will have to explain to your grandchildren or perhaps children that YOU contributed to this problem.
In the long run, who will suffer:
1) Senior Citizens;
2) Working Poor;
3) Veterans;
4) Unemployed;
5) College Students;
6) 55 Million who need healthcare;
7) Minorities;
8) Women;
9) Disabled;
10) Elderly;
11) Environment;
12) Middle Class.
Look at these sites:
http://www.whitehouse.gov.
www.HHS.gov
www.medicare.gov
www.healthcare.gov
www.medicarefacts.com
www.mittlies.com
www.romneyeconomics.com
The above sites are just an example, search on the areas that are important to you and your life.
Really, take time and research the issues that are important to you and your family. Search on the key words that are important to you. Know the difference between fact and fiction.
These are my personal opinions and I hope that everyone takes the time to be an informed voter and forms their own personal opinions based on their research. This may be the most important election of our lifetime.
So, get out and vote.
Have you seen this video?
Mitt Romney On Eliminating FEMA
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8Z3GVAX7p...
In reply to Michael Casler; thanks for your reply. Yep, I got a firm dose of your world in politics.
I'm not whining about the comments. Unlike Kepi, who apparently loves to flag commenters; I don't do that. I prefer to know exactly what my opponents are thinking. I just didn't expect the barrage of spiteful name-calling in dissenting from Democratic supporters who I believed would appreciate honesty and would recognize that President Obama has a serious problem related to the Party for not repealing or withdrawing the United States from NAFTA. I was really stunned to discover Obama had recently signed agreements as an extension of NAFTA.
Michael, it's all okay with me. I'll just never vote again until I find a candidate who has the qualities I'm looking for. However, the bar may be set too high on this one.
Typical anti-GOP diatribe with one element of truth: Every single vote counts. Every single vote matters.
If you think the country is going the right way, vote for Obama and you'll get four more years of the same; if you don't like the way things are headed, vote for Romney. Either way, we all live with the consequences for the next four years.
Ms. Starr,
You, like many of your ilk of both cults, are afflicted with something called cognitive bias. Wikipedia defines it as "A cognitive bias is a pattern of deviation in judgment that occurs in particular situations, which may sometimes lead to perceptual distortion, inaccurate judgment, illogical interpretation, or what is broadly called irrationality."
We all need to self-evaluate constantly to better ourselves, and in turn, better our fellow man.
Perhaps you should consider re-reading your letter for accuracy, logic, and reason, as it is quite irrational.
Regards,
Purgatory
One of the reasons I have decided on "NOTA" instead of Obama is the same as BChap's: How President Obama has dealt with NAFTA given his campaign statements in 2008.
Some might recall there was a bit of a stink at the time, with Obama being accused of telling the Canadians that his campaign rhetoric was just that, and that his real position was quite different.
Even though the initial report from CTV was later determined to be "mistaken" the reports of the Chicago memo seem to deserve some weight today.
You can find a very good description and timeline of what transpired here: http://www.factcheck.org/2008/03/the-fac...
(Note that FactCheck declined to offer an opinion.)
Comment removed by moderator. Same (or similar) comment posted on multiple stories.
Comment removed by moderator. Same (or similar) comment posted on multiple stories.
Polls in Ohio are looking very good for the reelection of President Obama.
Meantime, more bad news for republicans in the senate races where Democrats have 23 (twenty-three !) senate seats to defend compared to only few for the GOP. Despite that very big advantage for republicans look for the balance of power in the senate to remain exactly the same as it is now -- 53 D and 47 R.
Romney will win by a landslide.
In thought this was a public service type announcement until I read further, it is a vote for Obama letter and certainly biased. Mail in and early voting makes voting so easy, anyone can do it! I do hope people get out and vote for the best person they feel possible to run the country.
PART I
(Re Freeman) Nov. 1, 2012 2:32 a.m.
COMMENTED:
Yes Debbie, I'm voting for Romney because he understands business, the economy and understands we need to get the unemployed working again and he will reduce our budget deficit. Obama's class warfare rhetoric and hate for business and successful Americans has flat out disgusted me.
***********************
The following are my personal opinions to the above comments:
Freeman,
For months now, you have cleverly twisted numbers to satisfy your agenda. However, you have not been successful with your twists, turns, and spins of the facts. We are not on the dance floor, but there you go again replaying the scripted Republican talking points hoping that if you repeat it over and over again people will believe it to be the truth. But the American People are smarter than that and they are realizing that just because Willard has money and influence does not mean he is an honest man, with dignity and integrity. He lacks character,leadership and compassion.
If any Republican/Teabagger understood business, they would not keep running up the deficit and blaming the poor and unemployed, and social programs for the deficit problem. Lack of incoming revenue from the uber-wealthy, corporations and in particular multinational corporations with their offshore profits and banking to avoid U.S. taxation is what has caused this growing deficit, which began under Reagan. Let us not forget the two wars, over-paid defense contractors, with NO-BID contracts from Cheney and Rumsfeld. I wonder how much Cheney's Haliburton stock went up during the wars? I will bet he made a bundle. The Republicans have managed to frame the message on the deficit to be a big, long, continuous lie. They repeat it through their surrogates until people believe it is true. Propaganda technique?
Back to Romney, any job creation with Bain was an simply an accident. It was not Bain's goal to save or create jobs; it was to make themselves very very wealthy young men. He had no idea while Governor of Massachusetts how to create jobs; in fact he had no idea how to do anything; except Romneycare, which was probably the Democratic majority we should thank for that but, Romney stood front and center and took credit. He did not work with the Democrats while Governor, he tried to veto without much success everything they proposed.
ALL COMMENTS POSTED HERE ARE MY PERSONAL OPINIONS
PART II
(Re Freeman) Nov. 1, 2012 2:32 a.m.
COMMENTED:
Yes Debbie, I'm voting for Romney because he understands business, the economy and understands we need to get the unemployed working again and he will reduce our budget deficit. Obama's class warfare rhetoric and hate for business and successful Americans has flat out disgusted me.
***********************
The following are my personal opinions to the above comments:
Freeman,
Until the middle class workers are treated fairly (wages and benefits) there will be no job creation. The corporations are holding on to their money to see what is going to happen. You are young and not bad with numbers; until you begin the twisting and turning, but you should know that the middle class spending drives the demand for products and services; not tax cuts for the wealthy or corporate America subchapter S Corporations. You stated, "Obama's class warfare rhetoric and hate for business and successful Americans has flat out disgusted me." Well, I hate to be the one to break it to you, not really, but under President Barack Obama's Administration, business has done really well for the wealthy and corporations. I know you are young, but please open your mind to the possibility that your assumptions are incorrect; unless you are posting information that you know is not true. The fact you are disgusted does not bother anyone, but yourself. What I find repugnant is the people including the youth of today who run with information and/or misinformation that is not in their best interest or the interest of the entire country. Their failure to verify will be their failure in life. This is not a game Freeman. People of all ages will die without healthcare insurance; including children, seniors who through no fault of their own may lose their only safety net called Social Security, children and people of all ages will go without food (particularly seniors) to pay bills and other necessities, women will go without preventive healthcare screenings, young men/women will not be able to enter a university to fulfill their dreams, and the list goes on. This is not a game. We have a chance to make a difference.
The United States of America is NOT FOR SALE! To the highest bidder; despite of what you may believe. We cannot turn our fine country into a corporation via privatizing everything. Your generation will be devastated. You will not have the good old days that maybe your parents had, that I had or my parents had.
So, in closing we have a few more days, I will continue to fight for what I believe in, and you can continue to post your misleading comments. I hope that you believe them and are not intentionally fabricating the data because Karma is a B@#$%.
ALL COMMENTS POSTED HERE ARE MY PERSONAL OPINIONS
Bradley and Jim,
Is that really what you want to do? Vote NOTA? I like and respect both of you very much. And I am going to ask this question because I know that individually and collectively you will respond in a civil manner. Since I believe that neither one of you are single issue voters, is that the only issue that would cause you to vote NOTA?
I do not support NAFTA; never did.
The reason I do this is because I believe in President Obama. I believe with every fiber of my being that he really cares about you and me. I believe that he will continue to fight for you and me. I believe that with President Obama we will have lots of better tomorrows; however, it won't be easy for some, but together we can make a difference.
Whatever your decision, I have enjoyed you both and have the utmost respect for you.
kepi,
I said that was only one of the reasons. However, it is a symptom of a bigger pattern. He did essentially the same thing when he told the Russians he would have more flexibility after he was re-elected. If I go thru the broken or unkept promises on Politifact I'm sure I can find more instances that appear to be double-talk on the surface.
President Obama does not appear to be much different than any other politician, in my view. The fact that he spent so much time, money and effort campaigning during the primary season, when he was unopposed, speaks volumes.
As many posters on this board know, NO Republican presidential candidate has ever won the White House without carrying Ohio...
How many of you out there have seen the latest polls on Ohio?
Need I say more.....
In other words, come November 12th, after a few days of vacation, Mitt Romney will head back to his CEO job at Bain Capital.....
Jim,
Whatever your decision, I respect you and wish you the very best. I am happy that you have a new job (not so new anymore).
Thank you for taking the time to respond.
Have a wonderful evening.
Carmine....
Relax! You're attempting to make a mountain out of a mole hill....
President Obama will save both the American bald eagle and Big Bird.....
Burt & Ernie will still have a place to call home and the Cookie Monster will not go hungary...
Elmo will continue to be Elmo and millions and millions of America's children will have the opportunity to enjoy learning by watching public TV....
Of course, it may be necessaey to do away with the free hand-outs that are given to the American oil companies for doing nothing....
Such is life!!!!
Hey, how many of you have seen the latest out of New York City?
It appears that logic and sanity has decided to rule....
Just today, Mayor Bloomberg endorsed President Obama for president. Here's the article that explains Mayor Bloomberg's decision...Enjoy!
______________________________________________
Breaking from Newsmax.com
Bloomberg Endorses Obama, Cites Hurricane Sandy
New York City Mayor Michael R. Bloomberg endorsed President Barack Obama for re-election Thursday, in an indication that Hurricane Sandy is affecting the presidential race more profoundly than merely prompting a hiatus in campaigning.
In an Op-Ed on Bloomberg.com headlined "A Vote for a President to Lead on Climate Change," the mayor wrote, "The devastation that Hurricane Sandy brought to New York City and much of the Northeast -- in lost lives, lost homes and lost business -- brought the stakes of next Tuesday's presidential election into sharp relief.
"Our climate is changing. And while the increase in extreme weather we have experienced in New York City and around the world may or may not be the result of it, the risk that it may be -- given the devastation it is wreaking -- should be enough to compel all elected leaders to take immediate action."
Obama "sees climate change as an urgent problem that threatens our planet" while Mitt Romney does not, Bloomberg wrote.
The endorsement from Bloomberg, a Republican turned independent, was completely unexpected. Both the Obama and Romney campaigns have sought the mayor's backing, in large part because they believe he could influence independent voters around the country.
Until Thursday, Bloomberg had suggested he would not be endorsing either candidate. Instead, he had created a Super PAC that was seeding millions of dollars in key races around the country. Earlier this week he spent $1.1 million on a major media buy in Florida to defeat a Republican congressman.
Here's my perspective: I've worked hard and long as a volunteer to register voters locally for the last two years. Almost every volunteer I've worked with were registered Democrats, most had no trouble to register anyone, of whatever party affiliation. Very few expressed the desire to only register Democrats. I constantly said at training sessions that I did not serve overseas as a veteran to allow that, and in the strongest terms possible. I registered several Republicans, the last one on the last day possible last month, and a whole lot of Democrats, some independents and a few Greens.
The only real opposition I've received was from Republicans. I will always remember this particularly evil woman, an irate customer at a local store, though she was wasn't the only Republican who tried to stop our efforts in the last year.
Look, what are you afraid of? Participation of all eligible to vote is an American ideal, right?
One of the principles and ideals we fight and die for is democracy, am I right? If you're actively working to suppress voters, what system are you supporting?
Clark County does an excellent job of voter registration and elections, a fair, balanced and thorough job. We all should be supporting as near to 100% participation as possible.
Dwayne Morton....
Good post....well stated!
Voting is a matter of citizenship commitment and responsibility, no matter who one votes for, including the NOTA choices.
Remember, Obama lied and people died!!!
Debbie......Very good letter.
YES, every vote matters.
We all remember what happened in Florida 2000,
when votes got blocked.
The loser won.
That's how we got George Bush.
Al Gore won and with him, we would not have had
a crashed economy.
Every vote counts.
El_Lobo....
Great comments again.
Brad.....
I'm no fan of NAFTA either but this election is
to important to sit out.
Citizens United, given to republican CEO'S, by
the republican packed Supreme Court, is why the
minority republican party thinks it can buy this
election.
We average and low income Americans can stop this
by our simple vote.
So please vote.
Your country needs you.
teamster said to BChap: "Your country needs you."
You really have a pair, teamster. BChap, and hundreds of thousands like him (including many of us who post on this site) have answered the country's call not only in the ballot box but on the battlefield as well. It takes real brass for you to insinuate that he is shirking his duty because he might not vote as you think he should!
kepi, thank you for your excellent contribution to this topic. Well thought out and written.
Dwayne, thank you for your efforts at registering voters. With so many efforts to hinder, mislead and stop people from voting, I am proud that NV had done everything it could to ensure voter's rights and facilitate voting.
~~~~~~~~~~~
My objections to many of the ID issues is the timing, and the way it has been handled. It became an effort within the year before elections, with much confusion, and misinformation, under the guise of voter fraud. Even the judicial system felt it was timed to interfere with the current general election.
Voter fraud was proven to be extremely low or rare, so alot of wasted effort went on for a specified intention of insuring Mitt Romney would win.
I have no problem with citizen ID's to replace the illegal use of Social Security numbers as a form of ID.
We can combine some important identifications in one, i.e., personal address, birthdate, driver's licence # (if one drives), photo ID, a taxpayer ID internally linked to the social security# by the IRS, finger print, voter ID#, citizenship: native, naturalized or legal residency. Maybe more.
This identification is particularly important for naturalized citizen's since they are not allowed to copy their original document, leaving them with nothing to carry for immediate validation of their legal status. The original certificate is too large and they only have one.
This would eliminate the detention of people in specific ethnic or racial groups unnecessarily.
Enhance verification of legal status of all people, no matter who they are. No need to be discriminatory.
Everyone should have such an ID and carry it as proof of eligibility and legality.
A government office, like the DMV could handle such a process given enough time. There should be a national data base that will contain all the identifying document copies for use between states when someone relocates, especially since society has become so much more mobile and transient.
This could be implemented with advanced planning, and giving people an extended period to acquire all documentation needed, and to obtain the ID without there being a rush to meet voting requirements.
This would be a responsible way of managing such requirements, not to have Republican's (or any party in State power) moving for new requirements before a general election. There are many reasons that people need time to get the necessary documents in their possession.
The current efforts are what make all that is happening now smell like decaying fish.
Voters need to be careful of poll watchers who give them false information about needing photo ID's, or other information that would confuse them and make them think they couldn't vote.
If there are any doubts or questions, go inside and speak with the official polling volunteers that are working to get voter's to vote.
Morton,
Your "perspective" seems a bit skewed. Seems you could benefit from some critical self-evaluation, just as could Ms. Starr.
As I advised her, please re-read your comment and analyze it for cognitive biases.
Thank you for your service and please know we will need you on the right side when we come out of this mess.
Regards,
Purgatory
In reply to "boftx"; when it comes to "Teamster", I'm always open to accept his comments whether I agree with them or not.
You have to see Jim, that "Teamster" remains aggressive in his support for Obama, no matter what, but he is also smart enough not to reject the assumptions made by others towards Obama's individually perceived past political failures. As an example, like the issue of NAFTA that took my support away from Obama; "Teamster" said, "I'm no fan of NAFTA either, but this election is too important to sit out."
"Teamster" was only asking that I bring my vote back to Obama. Towards me, "Teamster" has always been cordial, respectful, but with a strong political message. I see no harm in that. My door will always be open for "Teamster" to walk in. He will always receive warm greetings and most pleasant return comments from me.
Jim, thank you for defending me, I do appreciate that greatly. But, when it comes to the three of us, all of us do have one thing in common. We all work in our own ways for the benefits of humanity.
Comment removed by moderator. Same (or similar) comment posted on multiple stories.
BChap, I had stopped reading your posts because they had become the screed you deride in this current thread.
You had even gone so far as to take your normally informative and authoritative posts and mire them with jingoistic slogans and banter. Who could forget the "I'm a Republican" series where you slandered the republican ideals.
If your protest vote is based on the bashing brought on by your fellow Dems then I urge you keep your eyes open and ignore them.
As a dedicated independent I can say I see both sides of your dilemma but it is your call and nobody else's.
Thanks for your service and comments.
I got so sick of Berkely and Heller slinging mud at each other like two school children, I cast my vote for a third party candidate. Neither one of those knuckleheads deserves to serve in ANY office.
BCHAP IS A SUPERB POLITICAL FLIP-FLOPPER
In reply to Heretic; thank you for your post. I can't deny any part of your comments. It is all true. Somewhat difficult to admit to parts of, but true. I've always admitted that I'm an absolutely terrible politician, but always have been an outstanding foot soldier. The one lesson I've yet to learn in these discussion forums is NOT to mix the two. This is truly a BAD combination of ingredients.
Decades ago when I went to Marine Corps basic training at Parris Island, South Carolina, one of the recruits in our platoon asked our Senior Drill Instructor if we would be afforded the opportunity to vote in the upcoming Election. Of course, it would have been through "absentee ballots". Our Drill Instructor advised us recruits that, of course, we had a right to vote, but that a good foot soldier makes a confused voter and a horrible politician. Was he ever right!!!
I despised Richard Nixon as President. Although I liked Nixon when he sent Kissinger to bring forth peace from the Yom Kippur War while we reopened the shipping lanes in the mined Suez Canal that eased the oil embargo placed against the United States. I despised former President Gerald Ford for concocting the worst and most unnecessary military action in modern U.S. history. That would be the "Mayaguez Operation". I despised Jimmy Carter when he was President for attempting unsuccessfully to disband the United States Marine Corps. However, I liked President Carter when he signed an Executive Order ordering all U.S. ships to pick up and provide safe haven for distressed Vietnamese refugees on the high seas. I once again despised President Carter for giving a hero's welcome home to Marines who were released early as hostages in the Iranian's U.S. Embassy takeover. A Marine NEVER leaves fellow Marines or other Americans back in the hands of the enemy. I liked Ronald Reagan because he loved Marines. I despised Reagan when he made Marines part of a peace keeping multi-national force in Lebanon where 241 Marines were killed by suicide bombers. I loved Reagan when he crafted the birth of the greatest weapons defense system ever, his "Star Defense Initiative".
So, you see "Heretic", I've had a "flip-flopping" love-hate relationship with every President (except Ford) ever elected in my adult years. This is why, my Senior Drill Instructor advised us recruits to never get involved with politics.
Everyone knows the saying from the Marine Corps movie, "A Few Good Men"; "Unit, Corps, God, Country". You can believe it's true. "Once a Marine, always a Marine"! Those are the priorities in life the Marine Corps gave me from the moment I became a Marine; and it will last until I go to my grave. If this makes me a political flip-flopper, people will just have to deal with me on that level. I'll never change, and the Marine Corps would never expect me to. Sincerely, BChap
The radical extremist republicans are showing their criminal intent to commit voter fraud in Florida, Virginia, Colorado, and even in Nevada.
Do not be intimidated by their feat mongering, their false advertisements, false phone calls, etc.
President Roosevelt told one of our past generations that you have nothing to fear, but fear itself.
Vote with pride on November 6th!
Thank you for your service, Bradley!