Regarding the friendly disagreement between the Bard and myself, Bush and Cheney already enjoy undeserved folk hero status, and within the far right realms, they will always enjoy such status regardless of outcome.
I appreciate the debate.
I grew up in the midwest in a family in which politics was rarely discussed. Nebraska -- mother was from farm country near Sioux City, Iowa. Except for my father, who I think admired FDR for his efforts in alleviating the suffering of the great depression, most of the Nebraska farmers were confirmed Republicans. (Still are, it appears)
I voted that way, too, until the Vietnam war and some university friends pointed out the folly of my thinking. My last GOP vote was for Ike, and I don't much regret it -- he was fine president. Also, the Democratic party was dominated by a southern faction determined to keep Jim Crow in place -- that disgusted me.
My point is that it took a chance encounter at a party, and someone willing to break through the trivial party chatter to wake me up. That shouldn't be the case -- we need to reach across to others and discuss issues, and learn to do it in a dispassionate way. We surely can come together if we are willing to reconsider our own biasses, listen to others, and keep our focus on the common needs of all our citizens.
With Barack in office, I really can hope that a new era is dawning, in which we can discuss the real issues confronting our nation, and the state of California in particular. I'm concerned about many issues, and just can't decide on any particular priority -- Barack is right that liberal progress must proceed on many fronts at once. I'm pleased that he has the wisdom, intelligence and energy to keep on top of them all.
I maintain a web page with a dozen or so essays that I've written, along with a few others from various media articles -- see below. See especially my comments about no child left behind -- George Bush's well-meaning, but terrible educational testing policies. As a university teacher, that strikes home, as I see the results of our educational system in the students that I'm training in computer engineering.
http://www.wbarrett.us/index.html
May 7, 2009
Dear Senator Klobuchar,I heard you speak on CSPAN last night regarding the newspapers who want a variance on antitrust laws so they can collude and all charge for their content at the same time. I loved hearing the story about your father's career as a journalist. And I fear that this very romantic idea of the newspaper industry will cloud your judgment. The mainstream media at one time felt obligated to serve the public interest. Let's not forget that that's an old idea. We are way beyond journalists serving the public interest. Media serves their board of directors who want access to powerful people and profits, period. Remember Judith Miller, the New York Times and the Iraq War? How much has this cost Americans in lives, money, wasted resources, wasted time? The costs to us, U.S., have been enormous, and we're still paying for it. Everytime I read the New York Times, I remember that. It's deep within me. I want to love the New York Times, but Judith Miller is in the forefront of my mind everytime I look at it. Because it's cost our country so much, as in the lives of U.S. troops (and innocent Iraqis), less money to educate our kids, no political will to change healthcare, and kept us in an oil economy instead of moving to a 21st century green economy. These newspapers serve special interests. Take the global warming issue, I would say that mainstream media has been largely responsible for keeping the idea that global warming isn't anything to be concerned about alive. These are issues that effect the life of our species, whether we are to survive or go extinct. Very serious, yet, newspapers (and mainstream media as a whole) have not allowed us to have a serious debate that would actually inform the public in a way that allows the political will to develop to make the change we need. We should have moved to a green economy back in the 1980s. February 15, 2009 George Will's column in the Washington Post distorted facts about global warming to say it's not man-made. I mean, is it ever going to end? Not if our government gives them the tools to continue to support this garbage. Garbage into the public will get you more garbage from the public because these kinds of acts keep the public confused and that's not good for making change.Also, it appears that many of their so-called journalists reporting on the financial sector may have been planting stories for the purpose of stock manipulation. And during the Obama campaign, the so-called journalists would ask the dumbest questions because they seem to be more interested in creating conflict (where one didn't exist) than going deep into the issues and facilitating a real discussion of them between the newsmakers and the public. Huffington Post is a good example of how to do this differently. CSPAN also had very good election coverage.When reading these so-called journalists, one has to be very careful to read everything very critically. I wish that when I read an article online, that I could mouse-over the article to get a pop-up window that would also report on the journalist's past articles and their pattern of reporting so that I can clearly see if they've been reporting fairly, or if they've been reporting to support a special interest. For instance, how about CNBC and the stock market? How about Bloomberg and the subprime mortgage meltdown? All these so-called journalists were banging the drum for free markets and deregulation. Now they want to change the laws because they're losing money. Is this fair to the greenshoots like Huffington Post? Is it fair to the public?The issues and the way reports are slanted to serve special interests (and advertisers) is obvious and it's the norm these days. If the newspapers are failing, it's because they haven't managed themselves wisely. It's because they have a bad board of directors and bad leadership. It's because they bought into the idea that markets only go up and they unwisely took on more debt than they can now handle. Yes, it's about survival now, but I say that they have not served the public interest. In fact, they have played a huge role in the destruction of our economy. They are concerned only with profit and to weaken antitrust laws would hurt the public interest.You know what really gets me about all this? The argument that the newspapers are using could also be used for the Employee Free Choice Act. That a single employee doesn't have much leverage, but if all employees can organize, they then have the leverage needed to make the corporations play fair. But if you were to investigate where these newspapers (who are corporate entities) stand on unions, I'm sure they would think it's ok for corporations to organize, but it's not ok for individual people, say working at Walmart to organize. I would guess that if you were to study their reporting on Employee Free Choice Act, you would see a bias for corporations like Walmart and against unions like UAW, etc. It's disgusting. Where has the point of view of labor and unions been in the mainstream media over the last 30 years? Certainly not in the newspapers, unions and labor don't have a seat at the table as is reflected in the bulging bags of cash the CEOs have compared to the stagnated salaries, 50% loss of value of 401Ks, and loss of homes of ordinary Americans. So please, leave your romantic ideas about your father's career at the door when considering the interests of the newspapers versus the public interest. Let the market decide regarding the newspapers. Our government already allows media to organize into huge conglomerates that serve special interests against the public interest, why give them any more power? Let the market decide if they pass or fail. Let the new greenshoots like the Huffington Post have their chance to grow in the market. We can have a bright future if only our government will support and nurture the greenshoots that really do serve the public interest. The public needs a media that we can trust to serve our interest. To support entities whose bad practices have contributed largely to our current economic disaster is not change I can believe in. Please, do not give the likes of Rupert Murdoch and his Fox News Empire any more power. They are killing our country and we need to move on.It's time for change Senator. Please, let it happen.Kindest regards,Maggie Knowles
Stephen Views the News March 19, 2009
http://stephenviewsthenews.blogspot.com/
* Beware the Ides of March ~ or when the earth was flat – Although the ides refers specifically to the middle of the month, there were a lot of bad days in March for the Vatican. First the Vatican official newspaper tells woman that a washing machine was responsible for liberating women. This week Pope Benedict declared that condoms were not the answer to the AIDS epidemic in Africa and even contributed to the problem. I was just about to toss in the trash my extra-large, fruit-flavored, lubricated, glow-in-the-dark, latex sheaths when I came across this statement by the Center for Disease Control: "Condoms, when used consistently and correctly, are highly effective in preventing the sexual transmission of HIV, the virus that causes AIDS." As much as reactionary forces in the 21st Century want us to ignore science I suggest that to avoid HIV Aids and other sexually transmitted diseases, Wrap That Rascal! For the record some 22 million people live with this infection in Africa.
Closer to home a recent study found that at least 3% of the residents of Washington D.C. are infected with the AIDS virus. “That translates into 2,984 residents per every 100,000 over the age of 12 -- or 15,120 -- according to the 2008 epidemiology report by the District's HIV/AIDS office.” Many consider this a rate of epidemic proportions since the numbers are actually much higher. The study only reflects people who have been tested.
There are numerous factors that contribute to this AIDS catastrophe in America and one is federal policy. Recall that George W. Bush used the same philosophy as Pope Benedict to address the issue of sexually transmitted diseases (STD). The program was marketed as Abstinence Only. If “only” it had worked! Virtually every study conducted since the program was instituted found it to be a failure. Teen pregnancies and STD are on the increase. Teaching responsible sexual behavior must include responsible sex education. Abstinence Only makes every date a blind date. Now that we have tried an approach that denies science and biological urges it is time to say no to the influence of the religious right as it affects national policy. AIDS is a preventable disease when approached within an intelligent and enlightened framework.
* Quote of the Week ~ by Frank Rich, NY Times columnist – “What has happened between 2001 and 2009 to so radically change the cultural climate? Here, at last, is one piece of good news in our global economic meltdown: Americans have less and less patience for the intrusive and divisive moral scolds who thrived in the bubbles of the Clinton and Bush years. Culture wars are a luxury the country — the G.O.P. included — can no longer afford… In our own hard times, the former moral “majority” has been downsized to more of a minority than ever.” A read of Mr. Rich’s column provides a historical and sociological perspective of the first decade of the 21st Century. He notes that we are entering a period similar to the 1930s which was described by author Frederick Lewis Allen in his book “Since Yesterday,” - the new American faith was the “secular religion of social consciousness.” Can I hear a secular “Amen?”
* Speaking of Rascals ~ a catastrophic failure of federal government – There is much outrage directed toward financial institutions and especially the bonuses paid to AIG executives following billions of dollars doled out by taxpayers to these goniffs (crooks). I would suggest that the greatest outrage should be directed to the Government of the United States of America. Indifference, incompetence and collusion are the operative words of how the interests of the American people were abdicated throughout the federal bureaucracy.
One lowlight of this failure was outlined in a report this week: “Banking and securities regulators identified weaknesses in how certain large financial institutions monitored risk in recent years but they failed to take strong action until after the financial crisis took hold, the Government Accountability Office found in its latest report… The report specifically focuses on how the Federal Reserve, the Office of the Comptroller of the Currency, the Office of Thrift Supervision and the Securities and Exchange Commission oversee risk management practices at large financial institutions.” A reasonable query would be, “What the hell were they doing and why?”
* Teflon-coated Congress – Many, many Americans are suffering from the torpedoed economy, disintegrating health care coverage, and imploded retirement plans. Many, many ask, “Why isn’t Congress more in tune with conditions constituents face and doing something about it?” Part of the answer is that members of Congress have over the years provided themselves with golden parachutes. They have a GOVERNMENT FUNDED HEALTH PLAN, a retirement plan that is in effect after only one term of service and they receive automatic pay increases. This year senators receive an automatic pay increase of over $4000. We all have to tighten our belts should read, most of us have to tighten our belt. The decision makers and overseers are doing just fine. It is interesting that they debate whether plebian citizens should have government funded healthcare. It is pathetic that they take no responsibility for not overseeing the financial industry that destroyed the economy, jobs and retirement plans. Speaking of rascals.
* Not so happy Anniversary – Today is the sixth anniversary of the start of the Iraq war. Like so many of its predecessors it is a war that will live in infamy, as will its initiators. As we begin to leave Iraq I was struck by the observations of Lorelei Kelly writing at The Huffington Post. “Now that America's exit from Iraq is on the horizon -- we need to begin the long overdue conversation about how we got ourselves into this war… We need to talk about the civic and cultural reasons for getting into Iraq, because it will reveal a new way for Americans to understand national security. Blame the Bush administration. Fine. Blame the media. Okay. But "we the people" need to take a few hits as well.” Sometimes it is not easy to look at oneself but it is a necessary growing pain. A reading of Ms. Kelly’s article proves an insightful guide.
* At last, Good News – I was listening to NPR this week when I heard an interview with the founder and editor of Good News Network. With so much bad news surrounding us it struck me that this is a website I should often visit. It specializes in identifying good news. Yes, there is some and it is refreshing.
* The real test for environmentalists ~ putting one’s ass on the line – When I go to the store to buy toilet paper (TP) I bear a mandate that is unequivocal and non-negotiable. It must be Charmin, it must be double thickness, it must be double rolls and it must be soft. I thought of this directive while reading about the devastating effects such intimate products are having on the environment. An article in the NY Times noted: “Fluffiness comes at a price: millions of trees harvested in North America and in Latin American countries, including some percentage of trees from rare old-growth forests in Canada. Although toilet tissue can be made at a similar cost from recycled material, it is the fiber taken from standing trees that help give it that plush feel, and most large manufacturers rely on them.”
For the most part recycled TP is rejected in the U.S. More than 98 percent of the toilet paper we use is from virgin forests - forests that soak up carbon emissions, prevent flooding and play a major role in the interconnected and inter-related world of ecology. While cogitating about the condition I characterize as “Soft TP Fixation” I decided to conduct a market research survey. I learned that females feel they need a particularly soft wipe for their uniquely sensitive area. This led me to the following solution in my effort to find environmentally friendly alternatives in our daily lives:
Recycled or partially recycled TP should be designated for use in BACK.
Virgin material TP should be designated for use in FRONT.
This idea will help our weak economy by significantly increasing the sales of TP holders (even though most holders are likely manufactured in Asia). Another suggestion would be for Americans to become tougher.
* “I think the environment should be put in the category of our national security. Defense of our resources is just as important as defense abroad. Otherwise what is there to defend?”
Robert Redford (b. 1937) actor, director, producer, philanthropist and environmentalist
"I would characterize the likelihood of significant adjustments to this plan as fairly remote," said Gates.
Gates was asked about criticism of the plan from members of the president's Democratic Party, who do not like the idea of a large transitional force in Iraq until 2011.He stressed their mission will be very different from the combat forces now in place. The defense secretary acknowledged the remaining troops will still face some danger, but far less than today."It is a very different kind of mission and the units that will be left there will be characterized differently, they will be called advisory and assistance brigades," he said. "They will not be called combat brigades."U.S. commanders have indicated they are strongly supportive of the plan. The nation's top military officer, Admiral Mike Mullen, told the Fox News Sunday program that he is comfortable with the president's decision."Clearly, the conditions are much more positive than they were two years ago," said Mullen. "And the conditions are set for the Iraqi government, the Iraqi people, to take over their own country and be responsible for it."Both Secretary Gates and Admiral Mullen said they were pleased with the process that led to the withdrawal plan. Mullen said the president listened extensively to the commanders. And Gates said he thought Mr. Obama was more analytical than his predecessor, George W. Bush."He makes sure he hears from everybody in the room on an issue, and if they do not speak out, he calls on them," he said.Gates said he does not know how long he might be willing to stay at the Pentagon, but admitted it might be a challenge to remain through President Obama's current four-year term in office.
Source: Voice of America
http://www.voanews.com/english/2009-03-01-voa16.cfm
Is the Talk Radio message reflecting the "conservative" political values that the Republicans have been using to block President Obama's Stimulus Bill? The President has been in office only four-weeks, and Talk Radio is already calling him a failure for not having more Republicans on board. In fact, the hosts on this venue brazenly proclaim their hopes for President Obama's failure. Americans are fortunate that the badly needed Stimulus Bill finally past into law; however, the political squabbling emanating from Right-Wing politicians have tried to taint President Obama's victory. Furthermore, it gave the impression that the Republican Party is trying undermine the political policies that America voted for on Nov. 4th.
Listening to “conservative" Talk Radio, it becomes apparent that the purpose of this venue is to “agitate” their audience and stir-up discontent by spreading disinformation. The Republican Party would have a great deal to gain by using Talk Radio as agitators. Under the pretense of entertainment, these radio hosts can use volatile language to validate the pernicious behavior of Republican politicians. Unfettered, these “conservative” hosts instigate undercurrents of superiority in their audience while inserting pejorative words and phrases to describe people with diverse social/ethnic backgrounds. Then to provoke hatred towards these targeted groups, the radio hosts identifies them as the principle cause of America's problems.
These agitprop tactics harkens back to McCarthyism or worse Hitler's Nazism; in Nazi Germany, the “conservative" agitprop accused Jews of causing the economic crisis and destroying their country. The similarities are surreal; Talk Radio is freely rewriting history to mirror their ideologies to facilitates the fear mongering agitprop that they bombard their audience with virtually every day all day long. In addition, there is the bizarre claim that “Liberal” media and the “Liberal” Democrats will soon eliminate their inalienable rights by eradicating “conservative” Talk Radio; evidently, the purpose of this bizarre claim is to induce paranoid delusions.
Conservative Talk Radio and the Republican Party are like minded - functioning in a group-think mode: They spread “disinformation” to confuse the public; they're ignoring the eight-years of George W. Bush’s governance that has nearly destroyed the America economy; and they continuing to blame the Democrats for our huge $10 trillion Outstanding National Debt ($10,024,724,896,912.49 in September 30, 2008). Conveniently forgetting that Clinton was the only Democratic President in office during the last twenty-eight-years and the amount he contributed to the National Debt was $1 trillion. This means that over the past twenty-eight-years, Republican Presidents are responsible for $8 trillion of the Outstanding National Debt.
Undaunted, President Obama is doing everything possible to quickly bring some relief to America's economic troubles with the $787 billion Stimulus Bill and other legislation in the works. However, Republicans are taking every opportunity to obstruct the President’s efforts, and expecting him to solve America's problems their way. Although looking back, these problems were created by the decades of "conservative" mayhem. Nevertheless, despite the Right-Wing political opposition and the "conservative" agitprop, Americans can be proud of our President's performance during his first four-weeks in office. With a steady hand, President Obama is successfully proving his metal by fulfilling a campaign promise to stand up for working class Americans.
http://www.treasurydirect.gov/govt/reports/pd/histdebt/histdebt.htm
Sen. Claire McCaskill wants to force the Pentagon to change its substance abuse treatment policies worldwide in the wake of recent failures to help addicted personnel at Fort Leonard Wood in Missouri.McCaskill, D-Mo., questioned Defense Secretary Robert Gates in a congressional hearing Tuesday and disclosed plans to introduce legislation that would give confidentiality to servicemen and women who get addicted to drugs such as Oxycontin, often after being wounded in combat.McCaskill described to Gates what she called a "scandal" at Fort Leonard Wood in which more than 150 soldiers dating back to 2007 had trouble getting help for addiction and waited for as long as nine months for treatment. She attributed chronic problems to military policy in which drug and liquor problems typically are treated as disciplinary matters, not medical issues.
Army records show that legal painkiller use by injured troops has increased nearly 70 percent since the start of the Iraq war six years ago. Surveys show that more soldiers are struggling with prescription drug addiction while also seeking help from Army doctors and counselors.
Eight soldiers at Fort Leonard Wood were convicted by court martial in 2008 of illegal drug use or distribution. Five more await trial on similar charges.
Jan. 27, 2009 -- Defense Secretary Robert Gates testifies about strains on the Pentagon's budget during an a appearance Tuesday before the Senate Armed Services Committee on Capitol Hill. Gates, the only Cabinet holdover from the Bush Administration, is recuperating from surgery to his left arm, which he injured handling snow equipment over the holidays.
By Bill Lambrecht POST-DISPATCH WASHINGTON BUREAU CHIEF
The National Security and Foreign Affairs (NSFA) sub-committee of Team Obama Hyde Park is engaged in the following: (1. Participating in Camp Hope which is "Organized by a coalition of social justice, religious and peace organizations from the Chicago area, Camp Hope's goal is to remind President-elect Obama of the progressive themes he sounded in his campaign and urge him to follow through with policy changes when he takes office later this month" (http://camphope2009.org/) Among the sessions members are attending are:Discussion Withdrawal of Troops from Iraq; Jan. 7, Myths and Realities about U.S. in Afghanistan; Jan. 10, Witness Against Torture Reform; Jan.11, The Gaza Crisis; Jan. 14. (2. Arranging presentations to community groups of the state of readiness of Hyde Park to respond to a natural or man-made disaster. We will be working with the Red Cross (http://www.usa.redcross.org/) and others with an emphasis on educating the public on preparedness.
Sharon Klopner, Committee Chair
The Status Quo sure is is acting like an old curmudgeon with it’s arms folded in stubborn resistance to any form of change that doesn’t suit it’s own privileged agenda.
If we make one suggestion, it pooh-poohs the idea and ridicules our naiveté’.
If we have several ideas, it digs its heels into the ground like a stubborn mule.
If we have studied the situation and are audacious enough to create a plan, complete with procedures for accountability and new infrastructure – then the real trouble begins.
The Old Guard has rolled out its Sacred Triad of worn out dogma, officially dubbed the Sacred Cows of Procrastination.They are in this order:“Wait and See”“Drag Your Feet” and“If Its New, It Could Never Work.”
Source: New York TimesLink: Obama Says Will Pursue Carrot / Stick Iran Policy
Source: New York Times
Link: Obama Says Will Pursue Carrot / Stick Iran Policy
"Carrot and Stick" phrase used by US foreign policy establishment for years is deeply insulting, as the implied semantic frame is that of an absolute superiority of us over them, a master /slave relationship, and not one of a respect and possible partnership. I still trust that Obama will make changes for the better in our foreign policy, but given some of his recent appointments it is reasonable to question if this trust is based on reasonable estimates and facts, or on a wishfull thinking (change *I want to believe* in). Nevertheless, I am surprised that a person with his multicultural background, experience, and sensitivities is not more careful with choice of methaphors.
The main stream media is the tool that is used to convey information to millions of homes regardless if the information is truthful or not. Not much faith can be put into a main stream media outlet because of the small number of huge corporations that control a large portion of the mainstream media. The consolidations of media outlets that is taking place now only allows for a more unified reporting style wether be conservative or liberal.
The main stream media is used to gain consent from the public for the government to take actions that ordinarily would be unacceptable and examples would be the domestic spying that has taken or the case for the Iraq war. The American public were led to believe for months that Saddam Hussien had or was making nuclear weapons and the people conveying some of the information were paid pentagon officials that were put on main stream television networks as deemed "experts" without disclosing their professions and employer. People were trusting of the government and the information being provided by the main stream media.
The situation with the current wars in Afghanistan and Iraq are very slow to progress and will be for quite some time and it is clear that ancient lands are no where near becoming self sustaining countries and the politicians know that fact as do most journalists. The notion that President Elect Obama or Senator McCain would be able to end two wars is a complete fabrication. What has been ignited in those two countries is now spreading to Pakistan and other countries in the middle east and Africa that for a while the populations seemed less extreme towards western nations particularly the United States and Israel.
I believe independent news sources to be the best form of reporting and the most consistent too. The main stream news sources are very polarized and often don't tackle controversial issues or issues that conflict with the network or sponsors. Steps should be taken to ensure that hard working journalists and the news organizations that they work for are not being bought up or have their voices drowned out by corporate media companies.
Keep Joe Lieberman
For those of you non-clickers, here is the first post.
Democrazies
Here is the petition you are urged to sign at http://liebermanmustgo.com/
"We CANNOT tolerate a leader of the Senate Democratic Caucus who supports George Bush and McCain's War in Iraq. We CANNOT tolerate a Democratic chairman of the Homeland Security and Government Affairs Committee who endorses and stumps for McCain. We call on the Senate Democratic Steering Committee to strip Joe Lieberman of his chairmanship and his leadership role."
This is preceded by the statement:
"Demand the Steering Committee remove Joe Lieberman's position within the Democratic Caucus in 2009."
These people are so busy foaming at the mouth that they can't even write plain English. Do they want Lieberman removed from the Caucus entirely or just as chairman of Homeland Security. What is his "leadership role", other than his chairmanship." He is not on the Steering Committee, according to them.
As for the petition itself, it is laughable. These people are clearly living in the past. The election campaign is over. Obama is President-Elect. He says he will be president of all the people, which includes Lieberman and McCain. The latter even referred to him as “My president” in his concession speech.
So this group who “cannot tolerate…” is indeed intolerant. And hypocritical as well. They refer to “George Bush and McCain’s War.” Let’s see. Those voting for it included Joe Biden, Hillary Clinton, John Kerry, and John Edwards, among others. (But not my Senator, Carl Levin, to his everlasting credit.)
This group also wants to disenfranchise the people of Connecticut, who re-elected Lieberman (running as an "Independent Democrat") in 2006. They seem indifferent to the following facts.
For many supporters, volunteering isn't enough. They need to show their support in other, far more public ways--they want others to hear their voice for change.
There are the untraditional ways--a music video, a painted pick-up truck, or a website that gives a free song to people who pledge to vote. But the conventional, and still effective way, is to write a letter to the editor. Here are a few from supporters in the Buckeye State, writing about why they support Barack Obama.
From the Chillicothe Gazette - "Obama has the vision to improve America's health care system":
I am a health care worker and have been a nurse since 1977. I have worked in several areas of health care. I would like to share with you one of the many reasons why I support Barack Obama for president. He cares about people and has the knowledge, energy and the ability to work for all of us to see that Americans have access to the health care they need. Currently in the United States, there are 45 million Americans who don't have health care insurance. I feel the health of the people should be a national priority.Here are a few examples of the annual compension packages paid to CEOs of some of the major insurers: United Healthcare $8.3 million, WellPoint, Inc. $5.2 million, Cigna $4.7 million (Atlantic Information Services, April 24, 2006). Can you see where I am going with this?OK, here is what Obama is proposing: If you already have insurance and are satisfied with it, you can keep it. If not, you will be able to buy a new insurance plan that's similar to the plan federal employees receive. If you do not have insurance at all, it will be made available to you. No one will be denied insurance because of a pre-existing condition or illness. If you cannot afford insurance, you will get a subsidy. Employers would be encouraged to offer health care coverage to their employees, and would be assisted by the government in providing this coverage. Obama's plan is not government-run health care, it builds on the employer-sponsored insurance system. The income tax exclusion would be retained and people without employer-based insurance would be offered a refundable tax credit (percentage-based on income).--Vickie Smith, Waverly
I am a health care worker and have been a nurse since 1977. I have worked in several areas of health care. I would like to share with you one of the many reasons why I support Barack Obama for president. He cares about people and has the knowledge, energy and the ability to work for all of us to see that Americans have access to the health care they need. Currently in the United States, there are 45 million Americans who don't have health care insurance. I feel the health of the people should be a national priority.
Here are a few examples of the annual compension packages paid to CEOs of some of the major insurers: United Healthcare $8.3 million, WellPoint, Inc. $5.2 million, Cigna $4.7 million (Atlantic Information Services, April 24, 2006). Can you see where I am going with this?
OK, here is what Obama is proposing: If you already have insurance and are satisfied with it, you can keep it. If not, you will be able to buy a new insurance plan that's similar to the plan federal employees receive. If you do not have insurance at all, it will be made available to you. No one will be denied insurance because of a pre-existing condition or illness. If you cannot afford insurance, you will get a subsidy. Employers would be encouraged to offer health care coverage to their employees, and would be assisted by the government in providing this coverage. Obama's plan is not government-run health care, it builds on the employer-sponsored insurance system. The income tax exclusion would be retained and people without employer-based insurance would be offered a refundable tax credit (percentage-based on income).
--Vickie Smith, Waverly
From the Findlay Courier - "Obama Would Help Rural Ohio"
As the former Ohio state director for the U.S. Department of Agriculture, Rural Development Office, I can say from experience that state and federal partnership is critical if we are to make much-needed investments in rural Ohio.Barack Obama has two comprehensive and complementary plans that will move rural Ohio in the right direction. He has a vision for rural America and a health care plan for the nation that will enable our communities to thrive and our citizens to have access to affordable and quality health care.Obama knows the unique demands of agriculture and is a strong supporter of the 2008 Farm Bill, which makes historic investments in conservation, renewable energy, and rural infrastructure and provides a safety net to family farmers.Numerous innovations in the 2008 Farm Bill will directly affect rural Ohio, including a micro-enterprise program for small businesses and entrepreneurs, farmland preservation, and expanded access to fresh fruits and vegetables for our school children, which helps our youth and farmers alike. John McCain stated that he would have vetoed the bill.--Linda Jones Borton, Ottowa
As the former Ohio state director for the U.S. Department of Agriculture, Rural Development Office, I can say from experience that state and federal partnership is critical if we are to make much-needed investments in rural Ohio.
Barack Obama has two comprehensive and complementary plans that will move rural Ohio in the right direction. He has a vision for rural America and a health care plan for the nation that will enable our communities to thrive and our citizens to have access to affordable and quality health care.
Obama knows the unique demands of agriculture and is a strong supporter of the 2008 Farm Bill, which makes historic investments in conservation, renewable energy, and rural infrastructure and provides a safety net to family farmers.
Numerous innovations in the 2008 Farm Bill will directly affect rural Ohio, including a micro-enterprise program for small businesses and entrepreneurs, farmland preservation, and expanded access to fresh fruits and vegetables for our school children, which helps our youth and farmers alike. John McCain stated that he would have vetoed the bill.
--Linda Jones Borton, Ottowa
From the Wilmington News Journal - "Doesn't want four more years of the same"
I'm an Obama supporter and have been since the very early days of his campaign. I watched him win the Iowa caucus and was so proud of Iowa it moved me to tears as I listened to Barack’s speech that night. I know that none of this makes me unusual because most of his entire following feels the same way, particularly if they are young, college educated, men and women.On to world affairs, when I watched Sen. Obama in Europe and the reception he received, I couldn’t help think how wonderful it would be to have a president that we could be proud of once more. I thought it would be so nice if Americans could visit Europe and not be viewed as ugly Americans.Sen. Obama gives me hope that we can be a nation of innovation, and discovery, and that once again we can lead the world in technology, research, science, medicine and education. We have fallen terribly behind under this backward fundamentalist administration that rejects science.--Nancy Compton, Wilmington
I'm an Obama supporter and have been since the very early days of his campaign. I watched him win the Iowa caucus and was so proud of Iowa it moved me to tears as I listened to Barack’s speech that night. I know that none of this makes me unusual because most of his entire following feels the same way, particularly if they are young, college educated, men and women.
On to world affairs, when I watched Sen. Obama in Europe and the reception he received, I couldn’t help think how wonderful it would be to have a president that we could be proud of once more. I thought it would be so nice if Americans could visit Europe and not be viewed as ugly Americans.
Sen. Obama gives me hope that we can be a nation of innovation, and discovery, and that once again we can lead the world in technology, research, science, medicine and education. We have fallen terribly behind under this backward fundamentalist administration that rejects science.
--Nancy Compton, Wilmington
From the Zanesville Times Recorder - "Get the facts"
I will be so glad when this election is over and we no longer have to listen to the Republicans distort the truth, even in a previous letter published in the Times Recorder. Yes it is true that Obama will raise your taxes if you make more than $250,000, however, those of us who do not will actually see a tax cut. And if you are a senior citizen making less than $50,000 per year he will eliminate all income taxation. These are facts that even those who say we should "get informed" fail to mention.If you want the facts on Sen. Obama you need to turn off those distorted McCain commercials and stop by the Obama headquarters, at 126 Muskingum Ave., and literature will be provided for you. You can also visit the Obama Web site at www.barackobama.com for factual information. I'm sure when you have the true facts you will be ready to cast your vote on Nov. 4, with pride and confidence.Yes we do need change in Washington, the kind of change we will get from Obama and Biden.--Bob Weber, Zanesville
I will be so glad when this election is over and we no longer have to listen to the Republicans distort the truth, even in a previous letter published in the Times Recorder. Yes it is true that Obama will raise your taxes if you make more than $250,000, however, those of us who do not will actually see a tax cut. And if you are a senior citizen making less than $50,000 per year he will eliminate all income taxation. These are facts that even those who say we should "get informed" fail to mention.
If you want the facts on Sen. Obama you need to turn off those distorted McCain commercials and stop by the Obama headquarters, at 126 Muskingum Ave., and literature will be provided for you. You can also visit the Obama Web site at www.barackobama.com for factual information. I'm sure when you have the true facts you will be ready to cast your vote on Nov. 4, with pride and confidence.
Yes we do need change in Washington, the kind of change we will get from Obama and Biden.
From the Mansfield News Journal - "Obama, Biden dedicated to helping women"
I am making 77 cents for every dollar my male counterpart is making. Under John McCain's "Plan for the American Woman" this is acceptable because in John's own words, I "probably need more training." An Obama administration will enforce the Equity Pay Act and fight job discrimination.I'm a single mom working two jobs, with no health insurance, and I'm stricken with breast cancer. Under McCain's plan, I am so messed up. Barack Obama is committed to ensuring that all Americans have health care coverage by the end of his first term.Ohio women, don't take my word for this. Study the issues and find out for yourself. And even if you feel it's too late for yourself, consider the futures of your daughters and granddaughters. We need someone in Washington who respects women, not one who will choose one for his VP for all the wrong reasons. Barack Obama and Joe Biden are truly dedicated to improving the lives of women.--Jeanne Alexander,Lucas
I am making 77 cents for every dollar my male counterpart is making. Under John McCain's "Plan for the American Woman" this is acceptable because in John's own words, I "probably need more training." An Obama administration will enforce the Equity Pay Act and fight job discrimination.
I'm a single mom working two jobs, with no health insurance, and I'm stricken with breast cancer. Under McCain's plan, I am so messed up. Barack Obama is committed to ensuring that all Americans have health care coverage by the end of his first term.
Ohio women, don't take my word for this. Study the issues and find out for yourself. And even if you feel it's too late for yourself, consider the futures of your daughters and granddaughters. We need someone in Washington who respects women, not one who will choose one for his VP for all the wrong reasons. Barack Obama and Joe Biden are truly dedicated to improving the lives of women.
--Jeanne Alexander,Lucas
From the Sun Sentinel - "Independent says that Obama was easy choice for President"
I guess that I am the target audience for the Obama and McCain decision. I am an Independent voter in the state of Ohio. Once again, I believe that Independents from Ohio will decide the election.Over the years I have voted for Democrats, Republicans and even Ross Perot. This year, I am voting for Barack Obama. It was a pretty easy choice.Why do I say this and what do I want? I want the war in Iraq to end. I want someone to look out for the middle class. I want to hold Wall Street accountable for its actions. I want to find alternative energy sources in order to reduce our dependence on foreign oil. I want both political parties to work together. I want a vice president that does not embarrass this country. I want this country to work with our allies, instead of pushing them around. In my opinion, "trickle down economics" is not working. Unchecked free trade is not working. Letting the free market manage Social Security will not work. Putting health care completely in the hands of the free market without regulation will not work. --North Ridgeville
I guess that I am the target audience for the Obama and McCain decision. I am an Independent voter in the state of Ohio. Once again, I believe that Independents from Ohio will decide the election.
Over the years I have voted for Democrats, Republicans and even Ross Perot. This year, I am voting for Barack Obama. It was a pretty easy choice.
Why do I say this and what do I want? I want the war in Iraq to end. I want someone to look out for the middle class. I want to hold Wall Street accountable for its actions. I want to find alternative energy sources in order to reduce our dependence on foreign oil. I want both political parties to work together. I want a vice president that does not embarrass this country. I want this country to work with our allies, instead of pushing them around.
In my opinion, "trickle down economics" is not working. Unchecked free trade is not working. Letting the free market manage Social Security will not work. Putting health care completely in the hands of the free market without regulation will not work.
--North Ridgeville
From the Canton Repository - "Want to hear the sound of jobs in Stark again? Then vote for Barack Obama"
Last summer, a young woman moved in beside me on Genoa Avenue. After a cool, clear evening, she had to ask what that odd pounding noise was that she heard in the night. "A forge," I told her, and proceeded to explain the complicated process of drop forging and how that bass note boom made tools.It dawned on me later that I could have given her a very simple answer. "That sound is the sound of industry." I could have gone on to say. "Listen closely, as it soon may be gone." So much of our county is filled with the deafening quiet one can hear only in an empty sweeper plant, or standing in the vast, unfilled parking lot of a vacant steel mill.These haunting silences are the echoes of the Bush administration. An administration which has, by its promotion of unfair trade deals and tax breaks for companies that take their business off-shore, caused the loss of over 180,000 jobs in Ohio. That is 61 jobs a day! If we, the voters, choose a candidate who has voted more than 90 percent of the time with George Bush, what will we hear for the next four — or eight — years?Silence.One big, empty silence.On Election Day, remember that when you touch that screen, the sound it makes will echo through our future. If you choose to elect Barack Obama, you are choosing to change that sound to the sound of steel mills building wind turbines. To the sound of molds filling with plastic, forming solar panels to help bring us out of this energy crisis. To the sweet sound of jobs, and a healthy middle class.Make that sound, people!--Barbara Lewis, Perry Township
Last summer, a young woman moved in beside me on Genoa Avenue. After a cool, clear evening, she had to ask what that odd pounding noise was that she heard in the night. "A forge," I told her, and proceeded to explain the complicated process of drop forging and how that bass note boom made tools.
It dawned on me later that I could have given her a very simple answer. "That sound is the sound of industry."
I could have gone on to say. "Listen closely, as it soon may be gone."
So much of our county is filled with the deafening quiet one can hear only in an empty sweeper plant, or standing in the vast, unfilled parking lot of a vacant steel mill.
These haunting silences are the echoes of the Bush administration. An administration which has, by its promotion of unfair trade deals and tax breaks for companies that take their business off-shore, caused the loss of over 180,000 jobs in Ohio. That is 61 jobs a day!
If we, the voters, choose a candidate who has voted more than 90 percent of the time with George Bush, what will we hear for the next four — or eight — years?
Silence.
One big, empty silence.
On Election Day, remember that when you touch that screen, the sound it makes will echo through our future.
If you choose to elect Barack Obama, you are choosing to change that sound to the sound of steel mills building wind turbines. To the sound of molds filling with plastic, forming solar panels to help bring us out of this energy crisis. To the sweet sound of jobs, and a healthy middle class.
Make that sound, people!
--Barbara Lewis, Perry Township
Why do YOU support Barack Obama? Why are YOU going to vote for him today?
Fourteen years ago “It’s the economy, stupid!” reverberated in the consciousness and pocketbooks of millions of Americans as they went to the polls. In these few days before this historic election, I believe all of the rhetoric, lies and half-lies can be clarified through the lens of a slight variation of that slogan: This time around, “It’s for the CHILDREN, Stupid,” We hear so often that “children are our future.” For many, this is a mere platitude, but to me and millions of parents, teachers, school counselors and others whose lives revolve around children, we DO think of the future in terms of how well-prepared all of them must be to continue the dream and promise of America. And so to anyone still not sure whether to vote for Senator Obama, we would say: Please review the news of the past few weeks and months, or just open a comprehensive national newspaper today, and ask yourself: Does this describe the country you want for your children, or must we vote for change? Don’t automatically take my words for truth or lies--cross-check my statements against unbiased sources.
In today’s America:·
1. We spend Billions of dollars every month in the Iraq War Senator McCain supports, while our schools, bridges and highways here are crumbling. Working people put off important medical procedures because they have no insurance or can’t afford the co-pays. ·
2. When the Republican Majority and then Bush took office, the cost of a gallon of gas was $1.40. Major businesses in our towns are now closing. Retirement funds have dwindled because of unregulated risky stock market transactions and unethical, immoral mortgage practices targeting primarily middle and lower-income people. We who are “working class” know too many people who have lost their homes, been evicted, and are searching for help with food, car, medical payments and other basic needs. As a school counselor, I see this every day among our school population—including students, school staff and administrators. ·
3. Because of President Bush’s NCLB “reforms”, our students spend at least 7 weeks of every school year in preparation for and taking standardized tests. Right-wingers constantly insult us teachers and Teacher Union Members, but we are fighting to bring back our children’s freedom to learn.·
4. Senator McCain voted with President Bush to provide tax incentives to multi-billion dollar companies who move their operations OUT OF THE U.S., thus taking away the jobs of our middle-class. Why did even V.P. Cheney’s company, Halliburton move their headquarters to Dubai?
5. Most support jobs in our Military are managed by private companies. The shameful conditions for our wounded troops at Walter Reed were due to little or no oversight of private companies hired with our tax dollars to supposedly take care of them, and Blackwater and others in Iraq have created many of the controversial situations our Military personnel have had to deal with and for which they’ve had to pay a steep price.·
6. Do you remember the devastation of New Orleans because of the ineptness of what SHOULD have been massive, immediate Federal intervention before and after Hurricane Katrina? Do you remember the PDB memo read to President Bush on August 6, 2001 entitled “Bin Laden Determined to Attack inside the United States” and reports as far back as 1998 and ’99 about the possibility of using airplanes as weapons? Compare these glaring, tragic INACTIONS to the MASSIVE Republican Congressional and Presidential efforts to force continued care of the brain-dead Terri Schiavo. ·
7. Even though he has been in Congress for the 7 years since 9-11, 5 of which were completely under Republican control--Senator McCain did not sponsor nor pass any bills to make sure our docks, trains, and cargo are checked to avoid attack. Non-partisan safety experts have sounded the warning that it is largely due to good luck that we have not had further domestic terrorist attacks, but Bush and McCain, although they’ve had total Legislative control, have made no efforts to change this.·
8. Many religious Americans have sifted down all of Christ’s teachings to two areas: being anti-abortion and anti-gay rights. They believe that these are the only two issues that should determine who is a good Christian and for whom they should vote. I won’t press the usual arguments we’ve heard thousands of times that the decision to terminate a pregnancy is NOT an easy choice, and that being gay is NOT a choice at all. I’ll just ask that you realize this: NEVER in his 26-year career did Senator McCain nor any other Republican for that matter, despite, again remember, having complete Legislative control, NEVER DID ANYONE pass federal anti-abortion and anti-gay laws. President Bush NEVER presented such legislation; his party NEVER presented it. Why didn’t they, when they had every opportunity to do so?? I believe they would rather have this as an issue to DIVIDE US than to actually pass these laws. Isn’t it time that we look back to the real intent of our Gods as to what is important about our religions? ·
9. There are hundreds of other dire issues I could raise, time and space allowing, but the final point I will make has to do with the mind- and heart-numbing topic that for some reason we’ve heard very little of for several months: More than 4,000 of our children, parents, sisters and brothers have been killed in a war that has accomplished…WHAT? Really, WHAT? An estimated 100,000 have returned to Walter Reed, Bethesda, and other military hospitals, therapy centers and nursing homes—broken, battered, brain injured, and suffering from intense PTSD from the hell they lived. For WHAT?
I know many right-wing newscasters and talk show hosts regularly berate those of us who consider these statistics tragic. They call us unpatriotic; they call us un-American. But they did not hold my daughter as she wept at her husband’s bedside at Walter Reed for 4 months. They did not accompany us as we visited these broken men and women in the other intensive care units and V.A. nursing homes for 2 years. They did not help us wipe the saliva that dripped from their frozen faces; did not suction their breathing tubes as they choked; did not massage and move their paralyzed limbs. My children’s and thousands of others’ lives are forever damaged. The pain caused directly and indirectly by Bush’s and McCain’s policies is overwhelming; it is one of the biggest reasons why I could never vote for McCain-Palin: under them, the Bush preemptive-war philosophy would not only be continued, but would increase. I cannot bear the thought of my beautiful students, nephews or niece having to participate in future illegal, unnecessary wars.
Is this the world we want for our children?
Senator McCain would have us believe that HE and his perplexing VP choice are the change agents we need. He--the Republican Senator of 26 years, who by his own admission has “voted with President Bush at least 90% of the time” has tried to co-opt the message of the real, obvious symbol of United States’ Political Change—Barack Obama. To believe that McCain would suddenly do all the things he could have easily done in the last 26 years is to not be grounded in reality. McCain as Change-Agent is Delusion.
Barack Obama in every aspect of his personality, experience, and being is the personification of change. The Hope he offers is real. The good judgment and intelligence surrounding every move of his long campaign and career foreshadow the care and prudence that will be invaluable in the process of trying to reclaim the greatness of America that our children have the right to experience. Please vote for Obama-Biden. It’s for the children, stupid! --Bernice García Baca is with the Santa Fe Public Schools and has been a Teacher, Counselor and Child Advocate for 32-years.
