Miguel's Blog

McCain Spending Freeze? - CODE FOR MORE OF THE SAME!!!

Miguel — Thu, 09 Oct 2008 07:38:24 EDT

The "specifics" that John McCain claims to have stated when suggesting a "spending freeze", except for Military Spending and entitement programs means: KEEP THE BUSH BUDGET AND KEEP SPENDING 10 Billion Dollars a MONTH in Iraq.

CALL IT LIKE IT IS!!!

While that may sound like great campaign speak, a spending freeze means DON'T CHANGE ANYTHING!

DON'T change the 500 Billion dollar budget defecit.

DON'T change goverment deregulation of the financial sector.

DON'T change the lives of Americans facing bankrupcy because of out of control medical bills.

DON'T change our strategy in Iraq and get our troops OUT OF THERE!

It means DON'T CHANGE!!!

Read the code... John McCain is MORE OF THE SAME!

Game changer? No. Game Smartener? YES!

Miguel — Fri, 03 Oct 2008 05:11:43 EDT

Well, first and foremost, Joe, Mr. Biden, Mr. Senator... I am SO eternally proud of you. I am honored to have you on the ticket I am voting for, the ticket I am supporting, the ticket I am fighting for day in and day out. Sarah, Mrs. Palin, Mdme Governor, you did very well tonight.

Was this a game changer? No. Certainly not. For all of the fear that this could have been a catastrophe, or gaffe feast for the press... fears disuaded. Didn't happen. Neither candidate hurt themselves in any way. Both, in my opinion helped themselves a good deal. And, only one bolstered their ticket and raised their candidate for President to a higher level, and that man was Joe Biden. Hands down.

A Game Smartener? I truly think so. And this lands mostly on the shoulders of Sarah Palin. Tonight, again, in my opinion, was not the bumbling idiot that we have seen with Katie Couric this week and that we might continue to see in farther Couric interviews through the week. I am pleased that Mrs. Palin raised her own level of debate so that the country can finally make a clear choice between two candidates... not just HAVE to vote Obama/Biden because Sarah Palin is such an idiot. I think this is good for the election. I think this is good for voters. I am glad that the electorate will not be dumbed down, at least it wasn't (on the whole) talked down to. Sure, she was folksy... we already know this about her... not a game changer. Sure, her views are simpler than reality... we already know this about her... not a game changer. She was not an idiot tonight... a surprise to some of us... still, not a game changer... it's a game smartener.

The smart decision, the only decision, the best decision is Barack Obama and Joe Biden.

For the honor of our country and the betterment of our future it is Barack Obama and Joe Biden.

Boys... now... GO GET 'EM!

My proudest day will be November 4th when I cast my ballot. I could vote early, if I wanted to. I'm a sucker for live events and being part of movements.

BARACK OBAMA! I love even saying it.

Palin IS and HAS BEEN Palin... THAT'S her problem.

Miguel — Thu, 02 Oct 2008 05:36:02 EDT

This is in response to ALL of the pundits on BOTH sides that have been saying, lately, "Just let Palin be Palin." They say that she has been too wound up and out of her "comfort zone".

Well, out of Wasilla seems to be out of her comfort zone, for starters...

Okay, so... we see her first in Ohio when she was tapped. She delivered prepared remarks via telepromter. Okay, prepared speach... who is she?

Then... she delivers her speach at the RNC... a prepared speach that many have said was written for her before she was tapped and then " added to on her behalf. Here we saw her as pithy, sarcastic and prepared. She apparently had one impromtu moment with that "lipstick" comment. Okay, so we're starting to get to know her. Still prepared... no substance, just sarcastic remarks about "community organizers" and snarls to the camera when she says things like "I'll be an advocate for you."

Then... Charlie Gibson. Now, Charlie did not give her any of the questions in advance... so, this was Palin "off the cuff" and she bombed it big time. Clearly she was over prepared, saturated with information she couldn't decifer. She started to show the classic signs of someone trying to impress with her breadth of knowledge, hence her ability to dig herself in to the deepest of holes... and continue to fall in them and bury herself in total nonsense. So, was that Palin? Wasn't that Palin?

Then there was Tina Fey #1 - Glory Day. Tina is doing for Sarah what Dana Carvey did for Ross Perot and George HW Bush and Darrol Hammond did for Al Gore. Killed them.

Then there was Hannity. Ugh! Not even worth mentioning... few did.

All the while she continues to stump with McCain... giving the same speach, her RNC speach, over and over and over and over and over and over. Bridge to Nowhere, Reform, Maverick.... bla bla bla bla bla.

Then there was, and is Couric. She OBVISOULY was not prepared in advance with the questions she would be asked... and her trail fell off of the cliff... all the while blabbing and bumbling until she hit the bottom.

Then there was Tina Fey #2 - HAPPY DAY! Thanks to Tina, the country now knows Sarah as a bumbling idiot who will try to cute her way out of any sticky spot. This works for traffic tickets, some of the time, but not for this job. Not when you have 150 Million people who are going to hire you.

Then there was Couric #2 and #3... each one worse than the next. She's know digging herself to China.

So, in all of these (three) interviews, when has she NOT been herself? WHEN!!!!?!?!?!?

This must be people's (conservative pundits) problem with her. They can't admit, and haven't realized, that they do not like her. Period. They continue to pound the table and say, "Let Palin be Palin." "Free Sarah!"... please! She HAS been Palin... this WHOLE TIME!

She's not going to be Ronald Reagan and John McCain is no Teddy Roosevelt. COME ON!

I will compliment the Gov. from Alaska. She is genuine and has shown us EXACTLY who she is this whole time. She's not talented enough to be someone else. She IS genuine enough to be her own genuine self...AND THAT SCARES US ALL TO DEATH!!!

Palin's problem is Palin. Not her handlers, not her advisors, not even John McCain. She is her own worst enemy.

McCain wont let her go... and he shoudn't... for our sake, he shoudn't. The more "Palin" Palin is, the better for Barack and Joe and the better for America.

The polls aren't lying. The more we all see her, the less we like her. The more Barack speaks, the more everyone else believes what we beleive:

That Barack Obama will be the next and greatest President of the United States of America. And he'll only outdo himself in his second administration.

After these last two years of being on this road with Barack... all I can say is... 8 more years! 8 more years! 8 more years!!!!

McCain - aspirations of a Dictator?

Miguel — Wed, 01 Oct 2008 20:37:15 EDT

Everyone should watch the SHOCKING interview McCain gave to the Des Moines Register (a publication that endorses him) have yesterday:

Several clips posted on YouTube: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kHcPXfgD4jM

MCCAIN: I just want to make a comment about the obvious issue and that is the failure of Congress to act yesterday. Its just not acceptable. […] This is just a not acceptable situation. I’m not saying this is the perfect answer. If I were dictator, which I always aspire to be, I would write it a little bit differently.

WHAT!!!!?!?!?!?!?!?

Sounds a little like a statement our idiot President once made:

"If this were a dictatorship, it would be a heck of a lot easier, just so long as I'm the dictator,"

Well... McSame is truly McBush.

Spread the word.

Oh Palin... ye of little... very little...

Miguel — Wed, 01 Oct 2008 19:43:04 EDT

So, tonight with Katie Couric she further focused the spotlight of her own stupidity squarly on her $600 glasses.

She knows NO other Supreme Court ruling besides Roe V. Wade. When asked to name other court rulings that she disagreed with she had NOTHING to say.

Hell... just in the last 8 years there was a a MAJOR case that at the very least every Conservative should know about... it's a little case called Bush V. Gore. This was not just an election... it was also a Supreme Court Case. Well, she obviously never took a civis class, an American History class... nothing! Not even Brown V. The Board of Education? Not even Marbury V. Madison? Those are the ones off the top of my head... and I am CERTAINLY not qualified to be VP.

She then dug herself farther down her Alice in Wonderland Shit Hole by expressing that Separation of Church and State was designed to keep Goverment out of the Church. To stop the Government from mandating a religion.

Wow. WOW. WOOOOOOW.

In a period of 15 days, Sarah Palin has become our greatest National Security risk.

I declare war on Sarah Palin. Vote YES for Obama/Biden and be victorious.

Minnesota voters - GET ANGRY!!! Rep. Backman should be EXPELLED!!!

Miguel — Wed, 01 Oct 2008 18:52:12 EDT

I wrote letters to Speaker Pelosi and to Minority Leader Boehner demanding that they admonish Rep. Backman for her RACIST comments on the house floor the other day.

Here is my previous post so you can read for yourselves:

If you are from Minnesota, specifically the 6th District... you should be ashamed of your Representative Michelle Backman.

On the floor of the house she offered in to congressional record an article from Investor's Business Daily to support her "reasons" for why we are in this "financial predicament":

Here is a URL for that article: http://www.ibdeditorials.com/IBDArticles.aspx?id=307149667289804

The CHOICE quote from that article is: "Clinton saw homeownership as a way to open the door for blacks and other minorities to enter the middle class." She preceded that quote by saying, "It drove Fannie and Freddie to agressively lend to minority communities." THEN SHE QUOTED AN ARTICLE SUPPORTING HER OPINION THAT THIS IS BECAUSE COMPANIES LENT MONEY TO BLACKS!!!

WRITE TO YOUR LOCAL PAPERS! WRITE TO YOUR LOCAL NEWS OUTLETS!!!

Congresswoman Backman is a disgrace. SHE SHOULD BE EXPELLED FROM THE HOUSE. NOW!

I am drafting letters to Congress now. Do the same.

To ALL VOTERS: Watch your elected Representatives LIKE A HAWK and FIRE THEM WHEN THEY STEP OUT OF LINE!

I am LIVID with her "comments", I am ENRAGED by her RACISM.

From Minnesota? GET ANGRY - WRITE TO YOUR LOCAL PAPERS AND NEWS!

Miguel — Wed, 01 Oct 2008 18:38:31 EDT

If you are from Minnesota, specifically the 6th District... you should be ashamed of your Representative Michelle Backman.

On the floor of the house she offered in to congressional record an article from Investor's Business Daily to support her "reasons" for why we are in this "financial predicament":

Here is a URL for that article: http://www.ibdeditorials.com/IBDArticles.aspx?id=307149667289804

WRITE TO YOUR LOCAL PAPERS! WRITE TO YOUR LOCAL NEWS OUTLETS!!!

Congresswoman Backman is a disgrace. SHE SHOULD BE EXPELLED FROM THE HOUSE. NOW!

I am drafting letters to Congress now. Do the same.

To ALL VOTERS: Watch your elected Representatives LIKE A HAWK and FIRE THEM WHEN THEY STEP OUT OF LINE!

I am LIVID with her "comments", I am ENRAGED by her RACISM.

Good Job, Barack! Next time, leave him in the dust...

Miguel — Sat, 27 Sep 2008 05:29:41 EDT

Like many of us, I watched and listened with baited breath. While you stood strong and made us proud... you didn't use many opportunities to sock him in the gut.

Please, please, Barack, PLEASE... STOP COMPLIMENTING HIM! Regardless of how you feel about him, DON'T GIVE THEM OVER 10 SOUNDBITES THAT HAVE YOU SAYING, "John McCain is absolutely right." Please! Please? PLEASE!

Barack, McCain will NEVER compliment you. NEVER! He will NEVER be the first to tell you, "Good Job." after a debate. Why did you?

He has defined you as his oponent. He will OPOSE YOU! Why is he your campaign compatriot? Why, in your view, IS HE RIGHT ON ANYTHING!?!?!?

You let him run with the Veterans issue while you know FULL WELL that his voting record for Veterans is ABISMAL... the Veterans even say so. Why did you let him get away with that?

When he goes off again about this Maverick, Miss Congeniality crap... PITY HIM! Tell him that you FEEL SORRY FOR HIM that he can't agree with the people of his own party. Tell him, AND ALL OF US, that we've had 8 years of "Mavericks", "Republican's", "Fiscal Conservatives" that have lead us blind down a path of a complete financial collapse.

Re: his war record... OY! Get off expressing how much we should all respect him for it... and what a debt is owed him. Here's what you say if he brings up that crap again: "John, I honor your war record. I honor more the soldiers who didn't get the opportunity to return to Ameican soil because they lost their lives. You are a veteran of the Vietnam War. I respect you for that. You have my respect. You do not have my vote."

"You have my respect. You do not have my vote." - that would be the headline in EVERY PAPER AROUND THE COUNTRY if you took a stand to his GRANDSTANDING as a Veteran.

Barack, I look forward to the next one! I am fighting for you every day. Nothing has been as clear in my life as you being the next Presient of the United States of America.

Barack, you are my President. Lead us to Victory. 100's of Millions of us will follow.

With Great Pride and Jubilant Hope,

Miguel

Barack!!! You need to put out your economy manifesto... NOW!

Miguel — Fri, 26 Sep 2008 02:27:10 EDT

Okay, things REALLY have gotten worse... WaMu has now been purchased by JP Morgan Chase after it's stock fell 95% from over $36/share to about $1.65.

The German Finance Minister is saying this will remove the US from being a financial superpower.

The FDIC is saying they need another 150 Billion bucks to fill their coffers incase other banks tank.

Screw cancelling the debate... MOVE UP THE ELECTION!!!

GET BUSH AND HIS CRONIES OUT OF THERE BEFORE THEY ARE THE RUIN OF EVERYONE WITHIN A 10,000 MILE RADIUS!!!

Forget McCain... he'll be taking a nap, or spanking Sarah for yet another gaffe. WHO THE HELL CARES!?!?!?!?

Barack, WE NEED YOU NOW!!!

Just tell people what to do. Tell them now. Forget fighting... just clean house!!!

My ghast is flabbered... fully flabbered.

This is not what I dreamt of when I thought of myself saying "I've never seen anything like this in my life." Not rhetoric anymore.

WE'RE BEING BOMBED BY OUR OWN GOVERNMENT!!! BUSH IS A TERRORIST. A TERROR MONGER. IF THE US ISN'T SCARED TO DEATH HE CLEARLY CAN'T SLEEP. HIS WAR IS ABOUT TO END SO NOW WE NEED SOMETHING ELSE TO BE SCARED OF. And this time it's our very way of life... the very means we all use to get to work, if we have a job, the very milk we drink, the very paper we write on... IT'S ALL IN JEOPARDY!!!

BARACK, we need you. Now. Now. Now. Now. Now. Now. Now.

Re: Forclosures, Palin says consumers shoudn't be rewarded...

Miguel — Wed, 24 Sep 2008 22:01:50 EDT

...for bad decisions.

What in the HELL DOES SHE MEAN!?!?!?!? Does she mean those innocent people that fell victim to the predatory lenders who horn swagled them into deals that couldn't afford?

This woman... I don't know...

I thought for a moment, weeks ago, that she must have been genetically engineered to run on the Republican ticket. But, I've come to think that would be a huge scientific failure as well.

Well, she's McCain's perfect running mate. She contradicts herself in her own statements and hasn't the foggiest idea what she is talking about.

She shouldn't be recused from being VP because she's a woman... she should be recused because she's stupid.

If you wanted to make the political choice of a woman on a Republican ticket wouldn't you have made a better one? ANY of the Women in Congress would have been FAR superior to this tripe. I guess though, that those Congresswomen would have been smart enough to see through McCain's idiocy and not fall ga-ga for this crap. That would NOT have been good for McCain.

McCain Denounces HIMSELF with Couric

Miguel — Wed, 24 Sep 2008 21:47:05 EDT

John McCain - "To tell American citizens that... that... everything's fine... that's, that would be out right deception."

You mean like telling everyone "that the findamentals of the economy are strong."?

You mean like that Senator?

Well, you have taken raking you through the mud off of the hands of the media for today... you've done it yourself.

You decieve us, you continue to decieve us, and you intend to decieve us. If that's not more of the same, I don't know what is.

You are no President, Mr. McCain. You shouldn't even be a Senator.

Barack is right again... of course. The Debates MUST BE ON!!!

Miguel — Wed, 24 Sep 2008 17:07:31 EDT

Well, McCain (as usual) has decided to stop his campaign (i.e. stop talking to the American People... or should I say lying) so he can be an opportunist and strong arm in Washington... the only thing he does well. He wants to delay the debates so he can go and be a pitbull... maybe without lipstick.

Barack the Calm, Barack the Understanding, Barack the Multi-tasker, Barack to Leader has stated that "this is exactly the time that the American people need to be hearing from it's future leaders on what their plans are."

Barack continues to demonstrate his immense strength in both crisis and joy. He is as strong today as he was accepting his party's nomination... arguably, the most joyous day for his campaign thus far. This is the American voice that I am voting for. The calm, the intelligent, the clear voice of Barack Obama.

McCain continues to prove himself a shortsighted, impulsive and egotistical Senator. He's no President.

I vote to move the election up! Get Bush out of the office sooner. If there is any change to the current election schedule, it should be that.

McCain - MARKETIZE HEALTHCARE - OUCH!!!

Miguel — Sat, 20 Sep 2008 02:11:07 EDT

Okay, this gets worse and worse. Read this short article from Paul Krugman of the NY Times with a snippet from McCain's Healthcare Plan.

Below is also a link to the article so you can also download the plan in PDF and read it for yourself.

Basically, he wants us to stay as healthy as we can while he nationalizes the Insurance Providers so they are open to more "healthy competition", and then... get this... MARKETIZE THEM!!! Just like he wants to do with Social Security.

The man should be DEPORTED!!!

********************************************************************************

NY Times

September 19, 2008, 7:24 pm

McCain on banking and health

OK, a correspondent directs me to John McCain’s article, Better Health Care at Lower Cost for Every American, in the Sept./Oct. issue of Contingencies, the magazine of the American Academy of Actuaries.

You might want to be seated before reading this. Here’s what McCain has to say about the wonders of market-based health reform:

Opening up the health insurance market to more vigorous nationwide competition, as we have done over the last decade in banking, would provide more choices of innovative products less burdened by the worst excesses of state-based regulation.

So McCain, who now poses as the scourge of Wall Street, was praising financial deregulation like 10 seconds ago — and promising that if we marketize health care, it will perform as well as the financial industry!

the original article:

http://krugman.blogs.nytimes.com/2008/09/19/mccain-on-banking-and-health/

Veterans - If you're not a tortured POW, McCain thinks you don't deserve benefits.

Miguel — Fri, 19 Sep 2008 17:32:50 EDT

Veterans Groups Question McCain Voting Record addthis_pub = 'washingtonindependent'; By John Dougherty 9/19/08 1:24 PM

Sen. John McCain (Photo by Lauren Victoria Burke, wdcpix.com)

Part One: McCain’s Pro-Vet Image Clashes With Record

PHOENIX — Though polls show that Sen. John McCain, the Republican presidential nominee, enjoys solid support from veterans, some vet organizations are sharply critical of the Arizona senator’s legislative voting record on issues important to them. They have lambasted him for voting against the 21st Century G.I. bill; against providing more money for veterans’ health care, and for a proposal that many regard as an effort to privatize their care.

The 21st Century G.I. bill overwhelmingly passed the Senate last May and was signed into law by President George W. Bush on June 30. The legislation, which Sen. Barack Obama supported, increases educational benefits for post 9/11 veterans who serve a minimum of three years. But McCain opposed the measure, citing as a problem its bestowal of full education benefits to members of the military after just one stint in the armed services.

Illustration by: Matt Mahurin

Under pressure from veterans’ groups because of his non-support, McCain sponsored competing legislation that provided benefits to soldiers who served longer terms. “Otherwise, we will encourage more people to leave the military after they have completed one enlistment,” McCain argued. McCain’s plan would also have allowed benefits to be transferred to a soldier’s family members.

McCain’s opposition to the G.I. bill was the reason that former Marine Sgt. Adam Kokesh cq, a member of Iraq Veterans Against the War, says he staged a protest on the convention floor during McCain’s acceptance speech at the Republican National Convention in St. Paul, Minn. Kokesh, 26, demanded an examination of McCain’s voting record on vet issues as he was dragged out by security personnel.

Meanwhile, Paul Riekhoff, director of Iraq and Afghanistan Veterans of America, said in a Sept. 8 interview on MSNBC that vet groups would continue to pounce on McCain for his opposition to the bill. “We told America that if Sen. McCain was on the wrong side of the G.I. bill, it would hang around his neck for the election,” Riekhoff told Rachel Maddow. “That’s exactly what’s happening now.”

This is not the first time that McCain’s voting record on veterans’ issues has been criticized — particularly on health care. According to an AFL-CIO TV ad, broadcast in six battleground states in late July and early August, McCain talks a lot about supporting veterans but repeatedly votes against their interests. McCain, claims the ad, “took Bush’s side against increasing health-care benefits for veterans.”

The ad campaign, however, was criticized as “unduly harsh” by FactCheck.org, a non-profit, non-partisan, consumer advocacy project of the Annenberg Public Policy Center of the University of Pennsylvania. In support of its claim that McCain was against increasing health-care benefits for veterans, the union cited four of his Senate votes. Three–in 2004, 2005 and 2006–were against Democratic amendments to the annual appropriation bills of the Dept. of Veterans Affairs. All three votes failed along party lines in the then GOP-controlled Senate.

In each case, FactCheck.org found that McCain had supported different amendments to increase veterans’ health benefits, either that day or the next. “Specifically, in 2004, McCain voted against an increase of $1.8 billion, but an increase of $1.2 billion passed by unanimous consent,” FactCheck.org stated, “In 2005, he voted against an increase of $2.8 billion, but voted for a $410-million increase. And in 2006, he voted against a $1.5 billion increase, but later voted for an $823 million increase.”

The fourth McCain vote cited by the AFL-CIO was against a March 2007 supplemental spending bill for the Iraq war that t was vetoed by President George W. Bush. The bill included $1.77 billion in additional funding for veterans’ health-care benefits. Soon after Bush’s veto, McCain voted for an alternative version, signed into law, that included slightly more money, $1.79 billion, for veterans’ health benefits.

McCain says that many of his votes against veteran funding measures were because the bills were loaded with earmarks for unrelated projects. “If it’s me sitting in the Oval Office…those wasteful spending bills are going the way of all earmarks — straight back to Congress with a veto,” McCain told the American Legion convention last month. “When we make it clear to Congress that no earmark bill will be signed into law, that will save many billions of dollars that can be applied to essential priorities, and above all to the care of our veterans.”

It is McCain’s proposal for a “Veterans Care Access Card” that has draw some of the most intense fire from veterans groups. The card would allow low-income veterans and those in rural areas to use health-care providers outside the VA system.

Critics charge that the proposal is a first step toward privatizing the $100-billion-a-year VA system, because it is being circulated at the same time that McCain is making statements about focusing VA health care on vets with injuries that “are a direct result of combat.” Some vet groups say that the senator wants to direct VA services only to those who have suffered combat injuries in Iraq, Afghanistan and other combat zones.

McCain insists that the “card is not intended to either replace the VA or privatize veterans’ health care.” The card would be made available, he says, to “veterans with illness or injury incurred during their military service, and by those with lower incomes.”

Among the groups opposing the access card is the Veterans of Foreign Wars. Dennis Cullinan, the organization’s national legislative director, told GovernmentExecutive.com that the card would take funding and patients away from the Dept. of Veterans Affairs, “undermining the entire system over time.”

Dave Autry of the Disabled American Veterans, which is also skeptical of the card, said Veterans Affairs already pays for outside doctors for vets who live far away from VA medical facilities. “Is this veterans’ access card an expansion of current authority?,” Autry said, “Or is it something designed to supplement the VA system? Or would it open the door for greater privatization of the VA?” Autry said his group is “reserving judgment” until more details are known.

Veterans groups are leery of any efforts to privatize the VA, especially after the Walter Reed Army Medical Center scandal that was, in part, related to privatization of key services. The medical center came under fire after The Washington Post reported that wounded soldiers were living in vermin-infested quarters, in some cases lacking heat and water.

“Walter Reed was a warning sign to be very cautious when you push for privatization,” Autry said, “because things can go wrong without proper oversight.”

McCain voted to table an amendment to a 2006 defense appropriations bill that would have prevented the Dept. of Veteran Affairs from outsourcing support services at Walter Reed.

Paul Sullivan, executive director for Veterans for Common Sense, a 13,000-member advocacy group, said that McCain’s proposed access card’s focus on vets with battlefield injuries raises the possibility that benefits for veterans with non-combat wounds, but with medical conditions linked to military service, will be further restricted.

The Army Times reports that the Bush administration is already rationing benefits based on combat and non-combat injuries for a wide array of benefits — including disability payments, traumatic injury insurance and death gratuity payments.

“Sen. McCain repeatedly uses the phrase ‘wounds of war,’” Sullivan said, noting that 20 percent of the women deployed overseas report being sexually assaulted or harassed. “Would John McCain argue that a service member who was raped should not receive VA care?”

The VA is now treating 350,000 Iraq and Afghanistan veterans. That number is expected to increase as fighting continues and post-battlefield health issues, like post-traumatic stress, raise demand for veterans’ health care, he said. Sullivan estimates there are nearly 900,000 veterans currently eligible for VA services.

While McCain’s voting record has cost him the support of some veterans’ groups, he still retains strong backing among rank-and-file veterans, 91 percent of whom are men and most of whom are 50 and older, according to polls.

This is one area where McCain has a healthy lead. More Americans trust McCain than Obama to ensure that wounded veterans get quality health care. A poll conducted in April during the congressional debate over the G.I. bill by the Harvard School of Public Health and Harris Interactive found that 53 percent of Americans believed that McCain was more suited to help wounded veterans, compared to 35 percent for Obama. Some 55 percent of independents said McCain would make sure veterans received quality care, versus 29 percent for Obama.

McCain’s voting record of generally supporting lower spending on veterans’ issues raises questions among some vets about his commitment to overhaul the Dept. of Veterans Affairs to improve health care and other services. Obama’s voting record, by contrast, suggests that he’s more willing to reform the department, though most of his efforts have been derailed by Senate Republicans or Bush.

“Everyone agrees that there should be a plan to take care of the veterans when they come home,” Sullivan said. “Our principal argument is there is still no plan right now.”

Sarah, your Freudian Slip is showing...

Miguel — Thu, 18 Sep 2008 18:57:58 EDT

Sarah, your Freudian Slip is showing... looks like you dropped your lipstick.

Huffington Post | Katharine Zaleski | September 18, 2008 05:43 PM

This video from a Palin event today, catches the vice presidential candidate putting herself before John McCain on the ticket. Check out the video and read more here from ABC.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YZKQDyL5gzc

Don't cut my taxes... RAISE MY WAGES!!!

Miguel — Wed, 17 Sep 2008 05:20:06 EDT

Senator Obama, it has to be admitted that the Republicans have (for the last two generations) successfully cornered the market on the "taxes issue" when it comes to presidential elections.

Why not toss it aside?! Speak out STRONGLY about Raising Wages!!! Of course, you'd be talking about the minimum wage.

Even a 5th grader will know that "More means MORE!". What American wouldn't trade a 5.5% annual increase in their wages over a 1% decrease in their taxes in perpetuity for the next ten years.

COME ON!

Talk about keeping minimum wages on par with inflation and you'll get those voters who are DYING TO HAVE MORE MONEY FOR FOOD ON THEIR TABLE AND GAS IN THEIR CARS!!!

Is the argument THAT hard to craft for the campaign trail?

If I make a modest income of $42,000 as the sole income earner for my family of 4 (just an example), I currently fall in to the 25% tax bracket. Meaning, my adjusted gross income, after taxes, without deductions, (in a VERY SIMPLIFIED WAY) is:$31,500. Now, of course there are MANY deductions that I can take... for this example, it's simpler to leave those out.

If my income doesn't increase... $31,500 is all I have until a raise or promotion comes along. Jobs are hard enough to find and keep... raises and promotions are luxuries few can hope for right now.

If McCain is able (with a Democraticly lead Congress) lower my taxes... we're talking a 1-2% tax cut, at best. So, that would take me to a 23% tax bracket at best... adjusting my gross income to: $32,340. Okay, an extra $840 in my pocket that year. Currently, that's just 6 weeks of groceries... or about 4 months of gas. So... as long as those prices NEVER INCREASE... Me and my family could be okay. We could never take on any new expeditures and have a REALLY hard time saving for our kids education. Pretty much anything outside of our mortgage payment and our bills is extravegant.

But, if I got a secured 5.5% raise in wages for that year... my $42,000 income becomes $44,310. And when I go to pay my 25% in taxes, my adjusted gross income is: $33,232.50.

If you are able... it looks like my tax CUT would be about 2.5%. Which leaves me an extra $1,107.75.

Unless I am mistaken, more is more. Right? I'm sure there are Republicans out there that would call that a ball faced lie... but, I think the theory of "more is more" is a sound one.

Now, what family wouldn't want more money ALL THE TIME and cap it all with a tax cut at the end... to just a modest tax cut at the end without ANY protection that we can keep up with inflation.

I don't know... maybe I'm nuts... but, isn't RAISE YOUR WAGES and MUUUUUUUCH stronger platform than CUT YOUR TAXES? Also... RAISE MY WAGES AAAAAAND CUT MY TAXES sounds even better.

I'm CERTAIN that you would rake in undecided voters if you CONTINUED to POUND the pavement of the minimum wage, equal pay for equal work!!!

Those of us that are smart, get it. OF COURSE the Replublicans need to run on a "Cut Your Taxes" platform... since they have NO INTEREST in raising wages, there's nothing left to do... unless they want to unmask themselves as being TOTALLY corrupt. (We'll do that for them, thank you very much!).

Bolster the lower class, give them the opportunity to become Middle Class and THE ENTIRE US ECONOMY WINS... ON A GLOBAL SCALE!!!

A message for your Republican Friends: Pass it on...

Miguel — Sat, 13 Sep 2008 18:23:38 EDT

Kathleen Reardon Posted September 12, 2008 | 03:04 PM (EST) Is It Sexist To Want The Person Flying The Plane To Be A Pilot?

With all this talk about Sarah Palin redefining feminism and people who don't support her candidacy being sexist, I think we could use a little clarification.

Women's progress at work and in government is critically important. We are not, after all, living in the Dark Ages. But, and this is a VERY IMPORTANT BUT, consider the following scenario.

You're about to board a plane and a flight attendant says, "Today as part of our responsiveness to customers program you may choose Mr. Jones here as co-pilot. He will fly the airplane should something go wrong with the pilot, who isn't at his best today. Mr. Jones has been a pilot for twenty years and has an impeccable record. He is, however, a man. Because you support the advancement of women in the workplace, we also have a woman here who is willing to fly your plane. She is not a pilot but she didn't blink when asked to do this and for the past week a team of experts has been talking to her a lot about how to fly."

Who would you choose? If you chose Pilot Jones, would that be sexist? Or would you simply not be a complete idiot?

Apply this to Sarah Palin. She has not spent time in Washington as a senator or a congresswoman. She has spent most of her life in Alaska. From her interview with Charlie Gibson, it is clear that she is proud of not blinking about making decisions that affect millions of lives. And she is uninformed about the workings of the U.S. government.

Personally I'd have nothing against Sarah running for a seat in the House or Senate. It's a reasonable next step. And were she blocked from this path because of her gender, disparaged and demeaned in the press, I'd be miffed for sure. That would be sexist.

But just because I'd like to go to NASA and tell them that by November I want to be an astronaut, doesn't mean they should hand over the space shuttle.

There is far too much at stake to put someone completely inexperienced in the ways of Washington and the world so close to the presidency. There's no excuse for it, really. John McCain should know that. That's not sexist; it's simply common sense.

Dr. Reardon also blogs at bardscove.

Sarah Palin

With all this talk about Sarah Palin redefining feminism and people who don't support her candidacy being sexist, I think we could use a little clarification. Women's progress at work and in governme... With all this talk about Sarah Palin redefining feminism and people who don't support her candidacy being sexist, I think we could use a little clarification. Women's progress at work and in governme...

Joe may have really hurt us...

Miguel — Fri, 12 Sep 2008 17:48:19 EDT

Well... it's Biden-gate all over the media today.

The republican's are now complimenting Hillary all over the place and salivating over Joe saying that she would have been a better choice.

This makes people think that Barack is not making the right choices...

NO ONE WANTS TO FEEL THAT THERE IS REGRET IN THE TICKET!!! The SPINsters are out there making that case.

This could be really damaging to us.

WHY WOULD JOE SAY THAT!!! Even if he felt it, WHY WOULD HE SAY THAT!!! WHY WOULD HE EXPRESS THE SLIGHTEST BIT OF DOUBT WITH HIS ROLE ON THE TICKET!!!

Joe has now placed ALL the pressure of the election on Barack... and Barack is up against the entire Republican machine by himself...

Oh no...

PLEASE CHANGE THE GAME!!! PLEASE!!! I AM LOOSING SLEEP AND LOOSING MONEY BY CONTINUING TO DONATE HERE!!! My money is supporting a Commander in Chief... not a Rubix Cube ad.

BARACK - BE THE PRESIDENT

Miguel — Fri, 12 Sep 2008 17:40:50 EDT

Barack, Campaigning has to stop. COMPLETELY STOP.

This is an IMPASSIONED SUGGESTION.

Barack, you now have to play the part. SO MUCH of elections is about making people believe that you are the President. It's said all the time of candidates, "They look presidential.", "They sound like a leader.", "They are the commander in chief."

You continue to speak in "Future Possible". For example, "We must...", "We can...", "You will..."

You HAVE to start speaking in "Present Possitive". For example, "We are cutting your taxes.", "We are protecting your homes and families.", "I am your commander in chief."... you can also twist that and put positive words in the mouths of voters. For example:

"I can provide for my family better.", "I can afford college, finally.", "I can trust my government.", "I am proud of my countries standing in the world". Whip crowds in to a frenzy while the salivate needing to say things like that... then you tell them that is what you will be able to say and that is how you will feel with "Me as your President."

Give the voters the PERSONAL NARRATIVE THEY NEED to believe you as their President. The PERSONAL NARRATIVE to get passionate about you as their President. Of course, I am not talking about the "diehards", whose vote you locked in long ago. Use this tactic to potential voters, new voters, undecided voters.

GIVE THEM A TASTE OF HOW THEY WILL FEEL HAVING YOU AS THEIR PRESIDENT!!!

You're voters will not be voting against John McCain... they will be PASSIONATE ABOUT VOTING FOR YOU!!!

Stop comparing yourself to the other candidates. If ANYONE out there actually thinks there is little difference between you and John McCain... they must be dead.

Speak in the now and everyone will believe!!!

When you are definitive, it leaves NO ROOM FOR REBUTTLE.

When asked questions that have clear answers... SAY YES OR NO! No explaination necessary. Undecided voters are not interested in hearing your "understanding"... they want to hear your DECISION! It's too late to start explaining yourself... YOU MUST START DECIDING!!!

BE THE COMMANDER IN CHIEF!!! If another head of state said you called their chancellor a pig, or accused you of advocating sex education for small children YOU WOULD BE FURIOUS!!! YOU WOULD HAVE TO DEFEND YOURSELF AND LAY A BLOW TO THAT HEAD OF STATE THAT CLEARLY COMMUNICATED THE CONSEQUENCES OF MAKING ALLEGATIONS LIKE THAT AGAIN.

YOU MUST NOT STAND FOR THIS!!!

Undecided voters can play out your lack of attacking your attackers like this: You'll take way too long to react to foreign threats and they wont feel safe. SIMPLE AS THAT!

You have already seen and heard this reaction amongst many of your supprters. We're worried, we're scared... we are staring to feel like we're going to loose because "the enemy" is blitzing us with weapons of mass destruction.

THE BIGGEST TRAGEDY THAT COULD HAPPEN ON NOVEMBER 4th is that these attacks and your percieved lack of strength here will keep dedicated democrats from the polls because they feel so low and feel that all is lost. That would be their third consecutive lost election... that is a base that wont come back for the fourth time. YOU WILL LOOSE THEM FOREVER!!!

The Republicans HAVE RALLED THIER BASE!!! RALLY YOUR BASE!!! PLEASE, PLEASE, PLEASE, PLEASE!!!

Call a press conference and tell America, "I can be quiet about this no longer! John McCain, your lies have offended the American People. We do not trust you. You are unfit to be Presdident of the United States. Americans will not stand for your smears and deceipt! You have lied to the American people by even suggesting that I am sexist and implying that I am a child sex advocate. ENOUGH! This is exactly what I meant when I spoke of your judgement and temperment. You are unfit to be President of the United States."

New add suggestion - "WE NEED BARACK OBAMA - To Rise Above"

Miguel — Wed, 10 Sep 2008 19:25:20 EDT

v/o "To Rise Above" gender discrimination, religious discrimination, racial discrimination, sexual orientation discrimination, economic discrimination... "WE NEED BARACK OBAMA."

"To Rise Above" partisan politics, washington gridlock, budget irresponsibility... "WE NEED BARACK OBAMA."

"To Rise Above" A Healthcare Crisis, A Mortgage Crisis, A Job Exportation Crisis... "WE NEED BARACK OBAMA."

"To Rise Above" A Misguided War, A Failed Foreign Policy, A Damaged International View... "WE NEED BARACK OBAMA."

"To Rise Above" Bush's War on the Middle Class... "WE NEED BARACK OBAMA."

"To Rise Above" Bush's Failed Economic Policies... "WE NEED BARACK OBAMA."

"To Rise Above" Bush's Destruction of America's Promise... "WE NEED BARACK OBAMA."

"To Rise Above"... and THRIVE IN THE FUTURE... " WE NEED BARACK OBAMA."

"To Rise Above, WE NEED BARACK OBAMA."

Joe... WHAT ARE YOU DOING?

Miguel — Wed, 10 Sep 2008 16:59:16 EDT

Joe, I heard you say today "I think she's a better pick than me..."

WHAT ARE YOU DOING!?

We are feeling like we're under attack and you go out and say something like that!!!

You know, I was never more fearful of the stability of my family then when I would hear my Dad express his doubts about himself.

PLEASE DON'T DO THIS JOE!!! PLEASE!!!

BARACK - BACK TO INSPIRATION!!!

Miguel — Wed, 10 Sep 2008 07:09:39 EDT

Barack, Barack, BARACK,

I'm on this ride with you because YOU INSPIRED ME TO JOIN YOU. YOU INSPIRED ME TO BELIEVE. I am with you. I believe. And I, and many, many, many others are getting worried... we've been here before.

Now you are watching the Republican candidates STEALING YOUR MESSAGE OF CHANGE and ATTEMPTING TO ROUSE THE LARGE CROWDS THAT YOU COMMAND.

TAKE IT BACK TO INSPIRATION! Remind us of how bad things have been over the last 8 years and INSPIRE US TO BELIEVE YOUR VISION OF HOW GREAT IT WILL BE WITH YOU IN COMMAND.

Whip us in to a frenzy of hope!!! This is what you are good at!!! Don't get "angry"... SHOW US YOUR PASSION!!! Not your understanding. Kerry did that and he lost the election. SHOW US YOUR DRIVE!!! Not your intelligence. Gore did that and he lost the election.

When you are commanding a crowd YOU ARE THE COMMANDER IN CHIEF, COMMANDER OF HOPE, COMMANDER OF CHANGE!!!

GET OUT of that awkward "John McCain, folksy town hall meeting" - He failed at it and it showed in the polls. While you were Inspiring millions he was boring us 153 people at a time. Now the tables have turned, it seems. You are certainly not boring us... but... THE THRILL IS GONE.

STOP REACTING and DO WHAT YOU ARE GOOD AT! I can only assume that you have got more intimate after the convention because the attacks on you being a celebrity got you a bit and you answered. STOP ANSWERING!!! They are controlling this campaign and THEY HAVE TOTALLY CONTROLLED THE CONVERSATION!

50% of ALL THE NEWS SHOWS are talking about your comments on Palin. NO ONE HERE GIVES A FLIP ABOUT HER.

I CARE ABOUT THE ECONOMY.

I CARE ABOUT HEALTHCARE.

I CARE ABOUT OUR STANDING IN THE WORLD.

I CARE ABOUT CIVIL RIGHTS.

KEEP INSPIRING ME TO BELIEVE YOU CAN CHAMPION MY ISSUES AND WIN THIS ELECTION.

Let the pundits answer back for you.

RISE ABOVE IT!!!!!!!!

I wrote to Charlie Gibson

Miguel — Wed, 10 Sep 2008 03:03:59 EDT

And implorred him not to succumb to the hype on Sarah Palin and grand stand her as a patriot who's son is being shipped off to Iraq on 9/11... while you are interviewing her on 9/11.

This could be a vomit fest of epic proportions drowning in "patriotism" and "9/11" manipulation.

WRITE LETTERS TO CHARLIE GIBSON!!!

Tell him how you feel. DEMAND WHAT YOU WILL. DEMAND WHAT WE DESERVE!!!

ECHOING - STAY ON MESSAGE, BARACK!

Miguel — Tue, 09 Sep 2008 18:35:59 EDT

This was such a brilliant post by Leah McElrath Renna that I had to repost... and will a few more times.

by Leah McElrath Renna

Obama's campaign manager was recently quoted as saying, "There's a lot of hyperventilating about national polls," David Plouffe said, "When you look at battleground states, we feel very good about where we are." In response, I suggest that we'll stop hyperventilating AFTER we've won the election. Most of us are out here watching, listening to and reading media that shows a campaign continually in responsive mode and not in charge of the message -- add that to recent poll results and you'll have to forgive us if we're a bit nervous.

In the last eight years, we've gone from a national budget surplus to an insurmountable national deficit. Seven years after 9/11, Bin Laden is still at large. We've lost more than 4,000 American soldiers fighting in a country that wasn't involved in the attacks on ours. We and the rest of the world have witnessed evidence of US government sponsored torture -- and seen the world-wide good will that 9/11 garnered us squandered to pursue the interests of big oil. We've gone from fulfilled dreams of home ownership to record numbers of home foreclosures. Retirement savings that were growing are now devastated by market declines. This is the Democrats race to lose.

And, if the Obama campaign doesn't get on message, we WILL lose it.

As a Democrat, I am nervous and on the verge of desperation. As a media relations professional -- someone who does messaging and media training for a living -- I am simply puzzled. This is not hard stuff. The Democrats MUST stop responding and become more proactive. Here are ten tips for the Obama campaign, gratis:

1. GET ON MESSAGE AND STAY ON MESSAGE. McCain = Bush, the economy sucks, our national security situation is more dire than ever due to the failed Republican policies. Repeat, repeat, repeat, repeat, repeat, repeat...

2. STOP REPEATING REPUBLICAN PROPAGANDA FOR THEM. If you don't believe that McCain is a maverick, then say what he is. Say he's unpredictable and impulsive in his decision-making and ask people if those are really the qualities that we want in our Commander in Chief.

3. Stop talking about Sarah Palin and rebutting her lies. NOBODY CARES WHAT THE FACTS ARE. They are influenced by her persona -- the impression they take away from her appearances. When you allow yourselves to become distracted and start serving as a Republican fact-checker, you come across as petty and self-congratulating. Same applies to McCain.

4. FOCUS ON OBAMA'S PERSONA AS COMMANDER IN CHIEF. Obama's special gift as a politician is to inspire people's trust -- work it to its fullest. Be hopeful and positive, sure, but also be strong and fierce. Show that Obama's leadership will combine the strength of the sword with the compassion of the chalice. He did a great job of this in his nomination acceptance speech -- but lately his pull-quotes are either wonky-to-the-extreme or on the self-congratulatory side.

5. BOLSTER OBAMA'S COMMANDER IN CHIEF CREDENTIALS. Get as many visuals of you with General Wesley Clark and other leaders in the fields of defense and foreign relations circulating as you can. The Republicans are running on the myth of McCain as a benevolent warrior -- and will be further ratcheting up the fear level in the weeks to come if their convention was any indication (repeated exploitation of 9/11 imagery, hundreds of recapitulations of McCain's POW story, etc.). GET AHEAD OF THIS ISSUE NOW.

6. USE MORE AND BETTER VISUALS in general. Recently, I was in South Carolina and saw, over and over again, one particularly ineffective Obama ad about reworking the US economy to employ more skilled labor again. Not only was the message was too esoteric for the purposes of the final 60 days of the campaign, but the visuals used in the ad were pathetic. Were they perhaps close-up photos of the time-ravaged faces and hands of working class Americans (toward whom the ad was apparently aimed)? No. The most common visual was windmills. Yes, that's right. Windmills. How working class America is supposed to be swayed to vote Democratic when they are viewing ads about windmills is just beyond me. Let's have some ads of a flag draped coffin in close up -- and then multiplied by more than 4000 times. Let's have some ads that feature a close up of a foreclosed home and a family who has been evicted -- then multiply that times however many thousands of foreclosures have taken place. Now those are visual that will reach working class Americans.

7. DON'T BE AFRAID TO GO NEGATIVE. Not all negative campaigns are equal. Describing John McCain as unpredictable, short-tempered and impulsive in his decision-making is a far different field of play than belittling John Kerry's war record. This is a war -- play to win. Once we're back in office, you can be as gracious as you please.

8. KISS: keep it simple, stupid. Every time we Democrats get into the "we're right, so if maybe we just explain it well enough then they'll understand" mode, we lose. The reality is that the vast majority of people feel condescended to when things are "explained" to them. Most people function on "gut" feelings and imagery and understand things best when they are presented in simplified, symbolic and concrete terms. This isn't because most people are stupid, however. It's because life is overwhelming as it is. People do not have the time, attention or inclination to take in and process units of complex information. If we learn nothing else from the influence of Karl Rove, let us at least learn this.

9. THE SUPREME COURT. My God, the stakes are high. Perhaps some ads that delineate how high and use testimonials from women might be in order? We do, after all, need to reach undecided women. My bet is that Sarah Palin's glamour will be a little less appealing once women are reminded that, under a Supreme Court dominated by Republican-appointed judges, their daughters might face a future in which they will not have the freedom to terminate a pregnancy even in the case of rape or incest.

10. GET ON MESSAGE AND STAY ON MESSAGE. McCain = Bush, the economy sucks, our national security situation is more dire than ever due to the failed Republican policies and the loss of the American moral high ground. Repeat, repeat, repeat, repeat, repeat, repeat...

Mr. Plouffe, with all due respect, when we see a few of these changes in effect, maybe then we'll be able to feel good with you. Until then, I'm keeping my paper bag at the ready.

Leah McElrath Renna is a Managing Partner of Renna Communications, a progressive public interest communications firm, and a practicing psychotherapist.

Who's Getting Polled?

Miguel — Tue, 09 Sep 2008 18:32:56 EDT

Has anyone out there been Polled by ANY of the polls out there? Who are these people who get polled? How are these "pollsters" contacting people and who are they?

Are there equal numbers of Dems and Reps? If so, the polls should be even across the board.

It's hard for me to believe that McCain would ever be up in the polls when Dems have out registered the Republicans over 3 to 1. Registered Dems out number Reps by almost 15%.

This only tells me ONE THING: IF WE GET OUT THE VOTE... WE WIN IN A LANDSLIDE!

It also tells me this: WE LOST TO BUSH BOTH TIME BECAUSE WE DIDN'T GET OUT THE VOTE.

We win by showing up. PERIOD!

GET OUT THE VOTE! REGISTER NEW DEMOCRATS!!!

She'll not speak Barack's name...

Miguel — Tue, 09 Sep 2008 18:18:39 EDT

Take note, Sarah Palin has yet to use Barack Obama's name since she was announced as the VP pick.

That may not be of much significance... but, I see it as a very shrewed, subliminal tactic to dehumanize Barack. It's easy to belittle something or someone that is not personal... and she has been programmed to not evoke his name.

This just puts a knot in my stomach to the depth of the tactics that are deftly dancing around what they are suggesting their voters are thinking... "You don't really want a black man in the white house, do you?"

I'm just saddened by this. It's slippery and embarrassing.

Democrats INSPIRE. Replublicans CONSPIRE.

I'M REALLY ON FIRE FOR BARACK AND EVERYTHING HE STANDS FOR. I COMPLETELY BELIEVE HIS VISION OF AMERICA IS THE AMERICA WE WILL HAVE AND THAT AMERICA WILL BENEFIT ALL IN THIS COUNTRY, REPUBLICANS AND DEMOCRATS AND INDEPENDANTS AND GREENS AND LIBERATIARIANS.

BARACK WILL UNITE US ALL!!!

Barack will do more than "prepare us for the future." With Barack and Joe in the white house, we will be LIVING THE FUTURE. They will repair our abismal standing in the world and once again earn us the respect that we squandered through 20 years of Repulbican rule (Reagan, Bush 1 to Bush 2). We will be prosperous and have the lives and prospects to prove it!

In the last century, it's the DEMOCRATS THAT HAVE KEPT US SAFE. REPUBLICANS HAVE DAMAGED OUR SAFETY, OUT WALLETS, OUR SELF RESPECT AND OUR PATRIOTISM by co-opting these "themes" and twisting them in to corrupt tools of power and control.

KEEP DEMOCRATS IN POWER TO PROVE TO REPUBLICANS THAT WE KNOW HOW TO DO THINGS RIGHT.

OBAMA's CABINET - NOMINATING COMMITTEE

Miguel — Mon, 08 Sep 2008 05:03:18 EDT

Well, enough conversation has already been started on the blogs here about Obama naming cabinet positions. Some suggestions to rally voters and other suggestions to lay out a "GAME CHANGER".

So, I'd like to start a Nominating Committee.

Here are my picks... just to start the ball rolling:

Secretary of State - Hillary Rodham Clinton (or As Sec. of Health and Human Services)

Secretary of the Treasury - Gary Becker

Secretary of Defense - Gen. Colin Powell, Ret.

Attorney General - Justice W. Michael Gillette (Oregon State Supreme Court)

Secretary of the Interior - ???

Secretary of Agriculture - John Scholl

Secretary of Commerce - Michael R. Bloomberg

Secretary of Labor - ???

Secretary of Health and Human Services - Col. Miguel . Montalvo, M.D.

Secretary of Housing and Urban Development -

Secretary of Transportation - Roger Snoble, CEO Los Angeles MTA

Secretary of Energy -

Secretary of Education - Bob Graham

Secretary of Veteran Affairs - Susan Eisenhower

Secretary of Homeland Security - ???

Administrator of the Environmental Protection Agency - Al Gore

Barack - define them... or they win in November.

Miguel — Mon, 08 Sep 2008 03:24:17 EDT

Barack, they are slandering you out there. How? With lies and inflamatory rhetoric designed to do one thing, win the election.

If I was a republican, listening to a moderate amount of news and occasionally hearing things from other republican friends of mine I would think you are "the most liberal candidate in the History of the U.S. That you are just a corrupt Chicago Mob lover and that your wife is an angry, militant black woman that has terrorist ties."

ENOUGH! Attack them. THIS is the war that is worth fighting. It's a war of ideology... and we'll loose by being the nice guys.

All they are doing is rallying their base and getting themselves VERY fired up to vote.

When Democrats don't fight back on the campaign trail, democratic voters don't turn out to vote because they think that their candidate is just a softy who wont be able to fight for anything. THEY THINK THIS BECAUSE THEY HAVE SEEN IT HAPPEN!!!

Calling Sarah Palin an extremist who has flung a diatribe of lies on the campaign trail will have one negative effect: you wont get the votes of hardcore Republicans. Well, you didn't have them anyway... so, what's the loss! The POSSITIVE EFFECT will be: the "on the fence" dems and independants, many of which are waiting to see if you have the guts to be president will come RUNNING behind you because that will PROVE to them that you will call it like it is and you're not afraid of a fight.

Barack, OF COURSE this election is about issues. It will ALWAYS be about issues... to us that are smart enough to know that.

Elections are about winning. Nothing changes if our candidate looses. NOTHING! Well, some things may get worse. It's safe to say that nothing will get better.

We need you to win, Barack. We don't just want you to. "Want" suggest a desire where there is ligitimate choice of other options. "NEED" Necessity.... NO OTHER OPTIONS... NEED....

The issues are the WHAT.

The truth with a fight is HOW.

I've talked to TOO MANY democrats lately that are starting to get that sinking feeling like the Republican machine is once again trampling us with slander and their candidate is not hitting bigger punches than they are.

If you do not define McCain and Palin, the Republican's will.

LET THE DOGS OUT ON THEM!!!

How to get the caged Palin to sing...

Miguel — Sat, 06 Sep 2008 08:55:21 EDT

I just spent the last 30 minutes watching "Washington Journal" on C-SPAN while they discussed "Media Bias" and the issue of Sarah Palin not speaking to the press.

Many opinions were raised, none that supported her silence were credible... Her supporters LOVE to say tripe like "There is no need for her to "meet the press" and answer for herself."

Well... the issue here is one of CREDIBILITY. The American Voter DEMANDS that WE VETT those that will presume to govern us. WE WILL NOT ACCEPT the "because we say so" tactics of Bush/Cheyney, now TOTALLY EMBRACED by McCain/Palin.

Sarah Palin, YOU WILL BE QUESTIONED and YOU WILL DEFEND YOUR RECORD before the American people.

ENOUGH!

No one is to blame for Sarah Palin's "intense coverage and inquiry" but JOHN MCCAIN! John McCain... HOW DARE YOU spring an unknown on us 70 days before the election and then surround her with your smoke screen to keep her truth from us. HOW DARE YOU!

Those idiots out there that say that pressing her for questions is "cruel and usual" and "sexist are ABSOLUTELY ABSURD! That is as proposterous as suggesting that questioning Barack Obama on his legislative record is "racist". ABSURD!

Sarah Palin, if everything you say on the campaign trail ends up being barely true or a flat out lie, then you DO NOT DESERVE TO BE ELECTED! You may laugh in our face with your snyde laughs and snickers all the way back to the moose carcas you left in your back yard.

VOTERS: DEMAND those presuming to govern us hold themselves acountable for their records and for EVERYTNING they say during their campaign. Make them PROVE their credibility before they have ANY effect on your lives and the lives of your family and friends.

Our LIVES are at stake here. This is NO JOKE.

Before they portend to haul another one of our brothers or sisters off to war to die... DEMAND THEY DEFEND THEMSELVES and hold them to the fire.

Barack Obama has had to endure over 20 months of attacks, lies, slander, insults to him, his wife (our next First Lady) and his children. And the people that have put him under attack are the same ones that after 38 minutes know ALL THEY NEED TO KNOW about Sarah Palin and take her at face value.

Well... face value is right... they see that her WHITE FACE is FAR easier to believe than his BLACK ONE. That is EXACTLY why Barack is under so much scrutiny and she isn't.

SUPPORTERS: DEMAND that the Media put Sarah Palin in front of us to answer for herself. DEMAND IT! ENOUGH of this game and dilly-dallying around this proposterous issue of sexism.

Ask yourself if you would even be a Barack Obama supporter if his response to every question probing his past or record in public office was "That's racist... you'd never ask me that if I was a white man." YOU WOULND'T. And, for the record, he would NEVER DREAM of doing anything like that.

If we let Sarah Palin go unanswered, we are in danger of loosing this election for Barack.

If you can't bring yourself to demand this information for yourself because you feel that you don't need to know or feel that you don't want to hear from her.... then DO IT FOR BARACK! Help him with this burden and fight for him. He is fighting for you. Fight for him. Fight for him.

Barack and Joe! - Stop Sarah and John's LIES!!!!

Miguel — Sat, 06 Sep 2008 07:12:43 EDT

Boys, I'm flabberghasted EVERY DAY listening to the tripe spewing out of the mouths of the McCain/Palin faction. Please!!! TELL THEM ENOUGH!!! You did it once. Do it every day!!!

They are LIARS. Call them LIARS!!! If not you, someone out there CALL THEM LIARS in front of all America.

My stomach sinks everytime I hear their words and see innocent and brainwashed Americans nodding their heads and believing anything... even incomplete sentences that do nothing more than manipulate them in to a frenzy.

Don't let them get away with bile like "They've kept us safe and will continue to." REMIND THEM that for 42 Presidencies before Bush WE WERE SAFE!!! It wasn't until Bush got in to Office, with the help of John McCain (heck, Bush even thanked John McCain in his 2000 acceptance speech), that we were ever attacked on our own soil. IT'S BECAUSE OF THEM THAT WE ARE VULNERABLE!!!

It's because of them that we are struggling. it's because of them that we're unemployed. It's because of them that we are totally unsure about our future.

Tell America "IT'S THEIR FAULT!!!"

Americans are NOT STUPID!!! McCain and Palin think they are... and continue to pander to them and manipulate them. The America they paint is SO schytzophrenic... I don't know how anyone can make sense of anything they say. Their America is just frightened flag wavers who are afraid they have enemies everywhere and have the gaul to call disenters "FLOOR NOISE AND STATIC!!!"

I love my country. I am APPAULED AT THE AMERICA THAT MCCAIN/PALIN speak about. I don't know that America. I don't beleive in that America. I am ashamed of that America.

Boys, kick them where it hurts! Right in their LYING MOUTHS!!!

JOHN STEWART FOR MAN OF THE YEAR!!!! (w/Link)

Miguel — Sat, 06 Sep 2008 02:57:47 EDT

Okay supporters, John Stewart just handed the Obama/Biden campaign the ONLY CAMPAIGN AD THEY NEED TO RUN FOR THE NEXT 60 DAYS... period... end of stoy.

Here's how it should play out:

FADE IN ON BARACK OBAMA and JOE BIDEN.

OBAMA: "I've been telling you for the last 20 months that John McCain will be more of the same."

BIDEN: "A continuation of the failed Bush/Cheyney policies that continue to hurt American families."

OBAMA: "We're not sure if this has sunk in. So, we'll let John McCain and George Bush tell you in their own words..."

INSERT: The Daily Show's McCain/Bush acceptance speech EXACT REFLECTION. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DshaTkR3ZY4

FADE TO OBAMA and BIDEN.

OBAMA: "Thank you gentlemen, for clearing that up for us."

V/O: "I'm Barack Obama and I approve this message.

JOHN STEWART FOR MAN OF THE YEAR!!!!

Miguel — Sat, 06 Sep 2008 02:40:46 EDT

Okay supporters, John Stewart just handed the Obama/Biden campaign the ONLY CAMPAIGN AD THEY NEED TO RUN FOR THE NEXT 60 DAYS... period... end of stoy.

Here's how it should play out:

FADE IN ON BARACK OBAMA and JOE BIDEN.

OBAMA: "I've been telling you for the last 20 months that John McCain will be more of the same."

BIDEN: "A continuation of the failed Bush/Cheyney policies that continue to hurt American families."

OBAMA: "We're not sure if this has sunk in. So, we'll let John McCain and George Bush tell you in their own words..."

INSERT: The Daily Show's McCain/Bush acceptance speech EXACT REFLECTION. (This has not been posted on YouTube yet since it just aired 4 minutes ago.)

FADE TO OBAMA and BIDEN.

OBAMA: "Thank you gentlemen, for clearing that up for us."

V/O: "I'm Barack Obama and I approve this message.

JOHN STEWART FOR MAN OF THE YEAR!!!!

Miguel — Sat, 06 Sep 2008 02:30:35 EDT

Okay supporters, John Stewart just handed the Obama/Biden campaign the ONLY CAMPAIGN AD THEY NEED TO RUN FOR THE NEXT 60 DAYS... period... end of stoy.

Here's how it should play out:

FADE IN ON BARACK OBAMA and JOE BIDEN.

OBAMA: "I've been telling you for the last 20 months that John McCain will be more of the same."

BIDEN: "A continuation of the failed Bush/Cheyney policies that continue to hurt American families."

OBAMA: "We're not sure if this has sunk in. So, we'll let John McCain and George Bush tell you in their own words..."

INSERT: The Daily Show's McCain/Bush acceptance speech EXACT REFLECTION. (This has not been posted on YouTube yet since it just aired 4 minutes ago.)

FADE TO OBAMA and BIDEN.

OBAMA: "Thank you gentlemen, for clearing that up for us."

V/O: "I'm Barack Obama and I approve this message.

John pushing Cindy around?

Miguel — Fri, 05 Sep 2008 20:53:29 EDT

Okay TV watchers. There's been a lot to follow closely over the last... say... 20 months.

I've been struck by something that I have now seen twice in the last 24 hours, and at least 4 times over the campaign season:

Anytime that John and Cindy are together John seems to push her around and tell her where to stand.

In Wisconsin today he took a subtle turn away from the audience, faced Cindy, pointed to the ground... she found that spot on the ground and stood there. I tought this was awkward...

Then, watching the "celebration" after John's acceptance speech there was the line of up the RNC Ticket with their spouses. Todd stood to the right of Sarah.... then CIndy went to stand to the left of John, presumbly to allow John and Sarah to stand together. At that moment, John takes her by the hips and moves her to his right, between he and Sarah.

I will admit that this may be "reading in to things". But, I tout myself as quite a keen observer of human behavior and this kind of behavior is, at the very least, demeaning.

Either, Cindy is clueless and doesn't know "where to stand", or

John is controlling of her and ushers her around like a doll.

Neither of which point to him having much respect for her. This can lead one to beleive that he may not have very much respect for women in general.

Picking Palin does not put him above masogony, clearly. In my opinion, it's clear pandering. And, to quote Peggy Noonan (Republican speech writer for Regan, Bush 1, among others) is "Gimmicky bullshit".

Has anyone else observed this? Ladies? Any opinions out there?

No Win... No Thanks... No McCain...

Miguel — Fri, 05 Sep 2008 04:54:04 EDT

Well, as worried as I was when the Republican machine unleased the "Baracuda"... I will rest easy tonight. John McCain has proven himself to be the twittering, nostaligic, phoney, bumbling soldier that we've always known he was.

Listen, I am the son and grandson of Air Force Colonel's and the grandnefew of a WWII POW liberated by Gen. Patton. John McCain is a bumbling soldier who is NOT A HERO.

He has NO clear plan for this country, NOTHING, NADA.

John, you don't ask for trust... you earn it. And let me tell you something, Senator... your 25 years of flip-flopping, backstabbing and corruption is the preamble to your vain attempt. You will never have my trust. You never deserved it.

John McCain has it embarrassingly wrong.

Dems., we have A LOT of work to do... John McCain just made it a little easier.

Barack - Defend us!!!

Miguel — Thu, 04 Sep 2008 04:18:38 EDT

Dear Barack,

Palin came out swinging and snarling tonight and it hurt me to listen to it. I support you and Joe 100%. I have ALWAYS supported you. When you were elected to the US Senate, I publicly said, "That is going to be our next President". I knew it, it was clear. Your campaign has been transcendent and inspiring.

Now the Republican machine is after you in a big way. The same machine that we've seen for the last 8 years win elections by flat out lying and defiling opponents. They will eat their own to gain power... we all know this. It sickens us all and we're all fed up with it. "ENOUGH!"

They have all but called you the "enemy", and I continue to hear compliments, praise and defense of their character from you and Joe on the campaign trail. Now, I'm all for civility, but lets not put perfume on their pig!

Call them out for what they are! McCain is a manipulative sexist who was an embarrassement to the Naval Academy and a disgrace as an officer while he destroyed 4 airplanes (paid for by tax payers) and put the lives of his fellow soldiers in danger on the USS Forrestal. He was a captured soldier and POW, NOT a hero.

Sarah Palin is an extremist. Plane and simple... call it like it is!

They will stop at NOTHING to belittle you. They will raly their base in to a frenzy and continue to paint you as a "Radical Liberal" - a term that for them might as well be "Nazi".

COME ON! PLEASE DEFEND YOURSELF with a swift offense. No more pandering to political correctness and flattery of them. McCain's time served as a Navy Officer was a disgrace. Stop calling him a hero!!! Stop thanking him for his service!!!

Palin is an extremist viper that inherited a budget surplus in her first term as Mayor of Wasila and left the town of 7,500 over $10Million in debt when she left it. When have we heard that before!?!?!?! STOP CALLING HER A WORTHY OPPONENT AND COMPLEMENTING HER AND DEFENDING HER! She wants nothing more than to see you loose in November. She will NEVER compliment you. EVER! Stop being "the better man" and call them out for what they are!!! Or course her family is "off limits", but her public record in public office IS NOT!!! She lies when she touts her platform on cutting budget spending because she left Wasila after increasing goverment spending by 33% and has currently inflated the Alaska state budget by 27%. She's a LIAR!!! CALL HER OUT!!!

Help America see their truth. Unmask them. They will lie about you until they are in the White House... and we KNOW what a frenzied Republican electorate is capable of. They will trash you until you cry uncle and then walk all over you as they storm the White House and fill it with Yes Men and Cronies. This is WORSE than "not being able to afford four more years". They must be stopped with the truth!!!

We know your story. Stop defending it. You have no choice but to fight them on their own ground because tonight... they just pulled you out on their own field... this is where they want you... and they will continue to pick you appart like the buzzards they are.

Don't rise above it... defeat it!!! Defend us so we can lift you up. That's what we're here for.

I felt defenseless watching that Palin speech tonight. Little was ever done against that Republican machine 8 years ago and even less was done 4 years ago.

The President and his cronies are Liars, Crooks and Thieves! CALL THEM THAT! Put them on the defensive. Whip them in to a frenzy. Then the truth will out.

Barack, I can already hear the words of your first State of the Union address on the House floor... a rising call to arms for unity. I know I will feel empowered and inspired by your words and Congress will not be able to refute your clear call for Tri-Partisan legislation that ALL Americans can and will be immesely proud of. Hearing Palin tonight, I got scared that I wouldn't hear those words from you.

They are not your partners or your collegues. They have defined you as their enemy. Treat them as such!

I'm immensely proud to support you and wanting to see you lead with more force.

Use McCain against McCain?

Miguel — Mon, 01 Sep 2008 20:33:12 EDT

Hello Obama supporters! Most of you know that the "Straight Talk Express" is actually the "Double Talk Express". Should the Obama Campaign spend more time letting McCain battle McCain through ads showing the American public at large this double talk disease he has?

I forward emails all day long with McCain's voting records and his own words against his latest words.

Can a barrage of Obama ads add more legitimacy to this exposure than a litany of forwarded emails?

I'd love to know your thoughts.

Many Smiles, Miguel

Gustav assistance.

Miguel — Sun, 31 Aug 2008 17:54:13 EDT

Hello Obama supporters! Proud to make my first Blog post here.

What should we (Obama supporters) do to assist those going to be affected by Gustav?

Raise funds? - For whom?

Send vounteers? - To where?

Inspire others to act? - How?

Very curious to get this conversation started to we can get to action sooner.

Many Smiles, Miguel