As a women environmentalist, I think overpopulation and unwanted pregnancies are primary issues that politicians and most religious leaders never talk about. Gov. Palin's strong stance against sex education has highlighted this issue in the campaign. Senator McCain will now have to defend his poor record on this issue. In 2006, McCain joined fellow Republicans in voting against a Senate Democratic proposal to send $100 million to communities for teen-pregnancy prevention programs that would have included sex education about contraceptives. Gov. Palin's and Senator's McCains decisions regarding their own families are private matters, but their decsions may not be appropriate for all families. Each family must have the tools and resources to make their own choices.
Last week I canvassed Wednesday, Thursday and Friday between 6:00 and 7:30 by bicycle for Obama and Bob Roggio. I knocked on 25 doors of supposedly “undecided” voters. Those homes included 45 people. Only 14 were at home. Out of that 14, 3 were for Obama. There were eight actually undecided voters. Turns out they like Hillary and apparently the Clintons have convinced them that Obama was too inexperienced to be president. I never argue or disagree with my constituents, but I always say what I can that is positive. When I told the Hillary supporters that I would like to see Senator Clinton appointed to the Supreme Court, they really brightened up. I confessed that it would not be as ground breaking as the Presidency, but it was still extremely important to the country’s future. They asked me if she would be appointed. Said I could not promise that , but that we know she would not be appointed if McCain is elected. Based on their comments and body language, they were starting to think on a different track that more likely will make them decide for Obama. I was telling the truth about my feelings and apparently they shared my concern for Supreme Court appointments.
Many Times I am serious, but I am not above silliness. I find McCain ads a riot, especially the one out today called "The One". I would love to rerun that ad with footage tacked on the end of a bunch of hard hats raising their tools and saying "you betcha" right after the announcer asks "Is he ready to lead".
McCAin's ads remind me of the type of ridicule I got in high school from the foot ball captain because I thought football was a stupid sport. When he ridiculed me everyone laughed and then kept laughing when I ridiculed him back. He didn't like me, but he found another target.
As for other sports: Barack will not understand the fustration girls of my generation felt until he plays b-ball by rules of girl's basketball in the 1950's.
The US Taxpayers have been played for suckers from the get-go by the Bush administration. With Lip service to the contrary, The Bush-Cheney regime has established large permanent military bases in Iraq.
Source: www.salon.com/opinion/feature/2006/02/15/tomengelhardt/index.html
Making an effort not to just rely on the liberal media, I read all 15 pages of Senator McCain’s economic plan. I was glad to see that his plan addresses the Home foreclosure issue. His solution sounds plausible. Also McCann’s $2,500 tax credit for health care would help people like me who are self employed and earn a reasonable income. However, I doubt that the credit would make health care affordable to the 30 plus million people unemployed, on low wage jobs or with chronic illnesses that can’t afford insurance. On other issues I am often troubled by what he doesn’t say. He vigorously promotes Nuclear Energy without mentioning the problem of nuclear waste or the huge federal subsidies for Nuclear construction. McCain promotes CAFÉ standards with no mention of what they should be. His proposals for saving oil on transportation makes no mention of rail and other forms of public transportation. I want our freight RR expanded not freeways. McCain would allow the re-import of drugs to lower costs, which I agree with, but he makes no mention of the Republican administration disallowing Medicare to negotiate on drug prices.
I contributed to first term US Representative Joe Systak's successful 2006 campaign because he was progressive. This week I recieved an email explaining his position on FISA i.e HR6304. I live in a neighboring PA district. After much discussion (see details) he concludes:
As Director of the Navy's anti-terrorism unit after 9/11, I saw the value of data-mining facilitated by proper eavesdropping. I also understand the FISA system and its role in the proper balance of civil liberties with national security needs. I believe strongly that this bill enhances our intelligence gathering capability and protects both the American people and their civil liberties as written in our Constitution. At the same time, it ensures that accountability remains for any abuses that have occurred. Finally, I supported this bill because it is far superior to the Senate bill which would have provided much less oversight and also would have granted immunity to the telecommunication companies. The Senate bill would have come to the House floor with widespread support from Republicans and a large number of Democrats prior to the expiration of warrants beginning in August. To provide more detail, the House-approved bill, unlike the Senate bill preferred by the Bush Administration, will: require prior FISA Court approval of targeting and minimization procedures; state unequivocally that FISA and Title III are the exclusive means to conduct surveillance domestically; include robust IG reviews of the President's warrantless surveillance program that will be provided to Congress; eliminate a "carveout" of the definition of electronic surveillance; require the government to establish Reverse Targeting Guidelines and to provide those guidelines to the FISA Court and to Congress; empower U.S. District Courts to make the final determinations as to who may be entitled to civil liability protection.
My brother and his numerous friends liked the Maverick John McCain, but they think Senator McCain has gone too far to the right in seeking the nomination. Meanwhile they are concerned about the people Obama would appoint to high political office. I don’t know the answer to who or what Obama would consider for his appointments. Does anyone?
I needed a couple nights of good sleep before I could think rationally about the election results in PA. While we had hoped for more, We and Senator Obama reduced Hillary's lead among PA voters from 20 to 10 percent. That was an achievement. While Senator Obama is not a miracle worker, he has worked honestly and hard to the goal we all pray for in the Fall. He has come far. Lets keep the faith. Senator Clinton's climb is even steeper and they are still going. Meanwhile there are many issues and questions that our country needs to discuss among each of the candidates. New ideas can help us all.
I have been a big Rail Road Fan ever since I was a kid. I have ridden railroads on three continents. So I was thrilled that the Obama campaign highlighted there usefulness. I hope this means back to the future of transportation. We can see his handsome blue car at the end of the train at:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5Sw9Tz-mMRc
Who was in the first two cars?
I was so disgusted by the debate last night, I posted the on ABC’s web site (LAST PARAGRAPH BELOW). The ABC post debate poll showed Senator Obama winning by about 3 to 1 among debate viewers – but that’s not being reported this morning.( I am well aware that the poll is far from scientific and does not represent how people will vote in the primary). I thought Senator Obama held up well under the attack. From the comments on the ABC debate blog, the overwhelming number were outraged at ABC for not asking about the issues that affect them. Even the local Fox news commentators said the debate was off the real issues.
MY POST ON ABC: Although I support Obama , I read a mailer from Philadelphia mayor -Michael Nutter - about 5 major changes Senator Clinton would like to make. They looked interesting and I was hoping to learn more from the debate. Instead you spent most of the time on trivial issues that have already been overplayed in the media. I had friends over to watch the debates with me and we all felt we wasted our time. Will go back to watching the news on PBS. END OF POST ON ABC:
Good Afternoon PA Obamanites I have almost completed the canvass for East Norriton Voting District 3-1, which will be voting at Paul Fly. Weeks ago I stuck a "Women for Obama" bumper sticker on the side of my big bright red flat rectangular purse made of fake patent leather. It is great for carrying Obama brochures and letting the world know I am for Obama. When I started canvassing my neighborhood yesterday another woman visiting the neighborhood saw my sticker and told me how much she really liked Obama. She said she was undecided until she heard Senator Obama's speech in response to the Rev. Wright controversy. She felt the speech was so right on. That made me feel up beat for the canvassing. Going door to door yesterday was easier after 5 PM because everyone had come home from work and many were hanging out in their front yard enjoying the sunshine. However, I ended the canvass with a neighbor I knew who was very down beat. He said he didn't like any of the candidates ( which is reflected in his no-show voting record). He is afraid his son will be drafted and claimed the primary is all about race. I said that I personally knew lots of white people who were going to vote for Obama, which actually did quiet him down a bit. Since my last canvass health care and social security were mentioned as big concerns
So far my neighborhood precinct canvass shows: Obama (1) = 15 Leaning Obama(2) = 2 Undecided = 19 Leaning Hillary (4) =3 Hillary (5) = 8 Not at home = 10 although I knocked on most more than once
