It really doesn’t matter if a Republican or a Democrat is in charge. Unless some politicians grow some…shall we say…masculine tools essential for procreation, we are doomed to have an increasingly large federal government. And yet, with Bernanke finally warning us that our debt is leading to financial instability (what took him so long?), maybe someone in Washington will do something—preferably more than just raising the price of stamps.
The problem is, I have discovered, there are two Washingtons—the one that comes and goes with the elective winds, and the one made up of people who’ve figured out how to stay where they are through the storms of change. Like all things that are resilient, the Washington bureaucracy has figured out that laying low and keeping a job are more important than creating change. They know that politicians come and go, but few have the patience, discipline and bal…I mean courage…to really dig in and make changes or cut costs. And that’s what it’s going to take.
Actually, maybe suggesting it will take a male accessory to fix the problem is using the wrong metaphor. Because Washington is kind of like my husband’s room in our basement—filled with things he will NEVER get rid of and yet will never need or use. Maybe what Washington really needs are some good, tough cleaning ladies to get things organized and get rid of all the stuff we don’t need anymore—no matter how sentimentally attached we may be to it.
I adore Barack Obama and think he is doing a great job. I wouldn’t have stood in freezing weather in the middle of winter for hours at his inauguration if I didn’t believe in him. But honey, you’ve got some hard work to do. You can’t just keep adding new jobs and new costs without making the hardest decisions of all—what to get rid of.
I’ve got a good vacuum cleaner and a bucket and lots of ecocleaning supplies, and I’d be happy to come over and help.
The problem also lies in us. Often we keep electing the same people over and over and over again, some for decades –those ones that have “figured out how to stay where they are through the storms of change” — with the only reason being they are an “institution” within our various states, and not giving new blood the opportunity to clean house every so often. Most wore out their welcome elections ago.
The people we need in office from President on down are people who are conservative and want to perserve our Constitution. They also need to trust the American people to get the job done as opposed to the government taking over everything and telling me how to spend my money, etc., etc. Obama is a radical, liberal who is turning our country into a Socialist regime instead of the Republic our founding fathers instituted. Socialism hasn’t worked good anywhere else–Europe, Canada, etc. One of the first things Hitler did when he got in was to nationalize the banks and starting intervening in the people’s lives! Reagan knew that the American people could get the job done better than government that is why he cut our taxes and tried to keep government out of things as much as possible. I just had cancer surgery last summer, and thank heaven for my good medical insurance through my husband’s work. I only paid $50 for an emergency room copay, and $10 for my surgeon’s office visit copay. I DO NOT WANT SOCIALIZED MEDICINE!! One of my good friend’s sister in Canada almost died because of their Socialized medicine. Britain is denying cancer drugs to some of their people. Obama is also weak on defense and is doing everything wrong in the security area. NOT TO MENTION NOT SAYING ANYTHING GOOD ABOUT AMERICA BUT APOLOGIZING TO THE REST OF THE WORLD!! GIVE ME A BREAK!! We save everyone’s butt and are the first ones their when a natural disaster, weather, etc. happens, and he is apologizing!! What a load of you know what!! Not to mention that he didn’t want babies saved when they happened to survive an abortion. I am really afraid for my country and for my children’s future. We need to go back to conservative values and stop this Socialist train!! Go back to our Constitution and give the country back to the people. We should do the right thing NOT the popular thing and not care what the rest of the world thinks! The Berlin Wall and communism didn’t come down because we were weak; it came down because we had a strong defense and stood up for what is right!!
Dear Debbie — Please relax and takes your meds! The world isn’t coming to an end anytime soon.
Debbie, eight years of Republican domination in government got us in this crisis-global warming, the war in Iraq, military torture, Obama should apologize. we need to rebuild our reputation in the world, make personal changes in our lifestyles to reduce our carbon footprint, ensure a woman’s decision to have a baby or abortion won’t be decided by anyone else. there is a lot we have to work on and change about ourselves and goverment policies-not go back to a decade characterized by greed and massive inequality.
Sam, accepting we all may have differing political/ideological views you have to think (or study, read, etc.) a little deeper before making such canvasing statements. Just taking from your post:
1) crisis-global warming – first of all, even while i consider myself, even from childhood, a bit of an environmentalist, you have to remember that “global warming” is a theory. specifically, man made global warming which i assume you mean, is very much up to debate and unfortunately the many studies that show data on either side of the topic usually are funded by an organization on either of those sides corresponding to the reported “results”. we live in a sad world where the funding often dictates the “results”. And I have worked in research labs that have public and private sources of funding and so i’ve seen first hand how data can sometimes be interpreted differently. Also unless you are willing to bet your life that the weather forecast for Friday that says no rain will come true how could you expect a government to dictate policy based on models that are thousands of times more complex. also some of the “facts” out there tell us that regardless of humans the earth WILL without exception go through cycles of warming and cooling. knowing this shouldn’t we focus on adapting to climate change not trying to “prevent” something that will happen anyway. now all that said i’m all for limiting waste just on principle but when it comes to global warming it’s no longer about science it’s about politics and who can make money on both sides of the topic. i’m going on to much here and actually off topic. all that above said has nothing to do with GWB. are you old enough to recall the previous “energy crisis”. this isn’t a new issue.
2) war in Iraq – again this didn’t start with GWB although yes he took us into war based on “bad” data. are we now (or in the near future) going to be better off because of it? i think yes, you might disagree, time will tell. one topic you should research a little bit is the issue of oil being priced in dollars. we’re not on the gold standard any more and therefore at risk of money traders whim of what our currency is worth. fortunately oil is priced in dollars and therefore does have some albeit indirect backing by oil. you might ask what that has to do with the war. well the US was in great debt (many times bigger now, thanks BHO) and as such the value of the dollar was/is in jeopardy and to take away the support that oil being price in dollars gives us you are just asking for a complete collapse in the dollar. i don’t think it’s too ironic that the countries we’ve had issues with, Iran, Iraq, Venezuela, etc. all have wanted to stop selling oil in dollars. to do so would KILL our currency. So the best way to change the mind of those countries leaders is to change the leaders! most Americans have never even thought about this link to the war; except of course Ron Paul supporters.
3) military torture – that’s a hard one however i honestly don’t have an issue with anything that has supposedly gone on at Gitmo or whereever else. these guys are not walking away with scars down the sides of their faces like some long lost presidential candadite. sure they might be getting the crap scared out of them but they aren’t being permanently physically harmed. and if it keeps us safer than it’s a small price to pay. that is my opinion and that of many Americans. is it right or wrong, that SHOULD be debated.
4) carbon footprint – ok if you know anything about biology or the carbon cycle then you’d probably understand that the more carbon there is available the more plants will grow. also that’s all beside the point, methane is by far more effective at “global warming” but because it’s comes from cows, sheep, and YOU no one wants to talk about that, it’s easier to pick on carbon. i believe with respect to carbon if you stabilize carbon output then the plants will do their job, stabilizing is the key regardless of level. (and no we are not at a stable level so yes we need to get there; but the US isn’t the bigger problem there, it’s the “developing” world)
5) woman’s decision to have a baby or abortion – also not a GWB issue; the killing of an unborn child is something most all American’s believe should be limited. now of course an issue like that people feel all levels of commitment in between the different ends of opinion on the topic however i’ve always believed that if you “have to draw the line somewhere” between acceptability or non-acceptability then you shouldn’t be drawing a line and whatever the issue is it’s wrong. debate on this one could and should go on for a long time, without judges continuing to influence it (no different than the gay marriage issue; judges should stay out of it)
Sam you are right there is a lot of greed and inequality however it falls on both sides of the aisle.
It is kind of ironic that people are so down on government. It was the deregulation (lack of regulation) not regulation that has got us in this terrible economic mess.
Government should look out for the interests of the people, because if they don’t, who will? Because you can bet your bottom dollar business will not do it.
Doesn’t matter which side of the isle you sit. People are down on government until there’s something in it for them. Then they can’t get in line fast enough to grab their piece of whatever is being tossed at them.
I think one of my key points, which has been touched on by a few of you, is that changing the leader can only change so much. We love to get in big rhetoric discussions and blame games, but the truth is much deeper and harder to find, and involves hundreds of thousands (in the US) of workers keeping their heads down and keeping us confused on purpose to make it harder to make change…but bank accounts don’t lie and we are heading towards trouble.
And for the record, I don’t like abortion. I have a 27 year old daughter as evidence (I was 10 and unmarried when I had her). But I am SO GLAD I had the choice and that decision wasn’t forced on me. I wish men would stop talking about it and shooting people over it and just be good to their women, their children and love them as much as possible, no matter what.
Amen, sista!
Love the blog. One of my faves. Now let’s all take a deep breath … gotta tend to my Victory Garden!
Attn: Debbie..
Please read a variety of mags and open yourself up to other news organizations than fox and the too far right (nearly extinct) GOP.
IRAQ: we continue to spend $10.BILLION a month in an “invasion” with a country that we were NOT at war at..the information wasn’t BAD, it was omitted from the eyes and ears of Congress, whom ultimately made the decision to invade Iraq. Cheney and his co-horts had NO intention on killing a Saudi leader, however disenfranchised he is with his own family. The Cheney/Bush businesses have direct ties for over 25 years! We have lost another 2 Billion with the shoddy work due to no bid contracts, the Cheney blackwater/halliburton connection. That’s a FACT. Bush announced at the onset this “invasion” would cost 360 million, we are over a trillion.
Genius at the highest level.
Torture: AGAINST THE GENEVA CONVENTION (Article 3)
The recent buried reports we obtained more information in the first two weeks the that Muhamond guy (the king pin) PRIOR to any torture inflicted. We KNOW some terrorist groups do not comply, that just makes us like them.
Environment: The majority of scientist from around the globe took 10 years researching the effect of green house gases, human foot print and the melting of our ice caps. When Bush/Cheney embarrassed Christine Jennings (former Gov of NJ) his EPA chief by going back on his promise to support and sign on the the Kyoto agreement, he proved he wasn’t going to support the hundreds of hours of research it took to HAVE to Kyoto alliance. Tell yourself again you know lots and care about the environment, I for one am not buying it.
Abortion: I am against it, as are most Democrats. I am, however, for a womens right to chose between life and death. Some atheist do not have the religious factors impeding that choice. I wish I heard EVERYONE on either side of the party talk about shoring up our tweens self-esteem, moral relationships and finally if need be..ADOPTION. Remember adoption? I have yet to hear one (especially) conservative republican have an adopted child or speak about it socially or otherwise.
Finally, just so your unclear of the facts on the economy:
Clinton left a $155 BILLION SURPLUS. He was shoring up Medicare, SS, the superfund (we have 10 at the highest level of threat to the environment) and many other programs.
Bush/Cheney left a 1.5 BILLION DEBT..that’s our, this President’s starting point. We have to fix our healthcare system (No 1 reason people are losing their homes according to a new report this week), medicare and SS are set to “run out” 3 years earlier than projected..of course I can go on but I encourage you to read Paul O’Neils (former Tres. Sec. a republican hired by Cheney when Bush was elected) “The Price of Loyalty” by Russ Suskind (pub pz winner)..you just MIGHT learn fact from fiction.
Actually, I was 20 when I had her.
Trish: Wow, you criticize Debbi for watching Fox News and listening only to one side and THEN!!!! You repeat almost verbatim moveon.org talking points. Hello pot!Meet Kettle.
Trisha: You wanted to know of a conservative republican who has an adopted child. Well, maybe McCain wasn’t conservative enough for you, but he adopted his daughter. I fully agree that adoption is a much better choice than abortion. I’ve been on a waiting list to adopt for going on four years now.
Our current fiscal crisis was caused by a predominantly Democrat congress. About 5 or 6 years ago, Republicans proposed legislation that would have put tighter restrictions on the lending industry. They predicted what is happening now. With mortgage terms of up to 40 years, 0% down, interest only payments, ARMS, balloons, etc., and just about anyone getting approved for credit, well, it was a recipe for disaster. Democrats, however, squashed the legislation. Their argument: these lending terms allowed people who would otherwise never be able to afford to own a home to have that opportunity. So, they get to own a home for five years and then have it ripped away from them, leaving them bankrupt when they can no longer afford the payments. Is that really helping them out? GWB had nothing to do with it. He can’t sign or veto a bill that never makes it through Congress.
Back to Maria’s main point: I agree that it doesn’t seem to matter anymore who’s in power. Government just continues to grow and grow. Reagan was an anomaly. We need someone with his mentality again, regardless of political party. But, the main problem lies with the general population. Most say they want government cuts, but we all have our favorite programs and don’t want those touched. Me, I’d be furious at any politician that proposed cutting services for the disabled. For someone else, it may be Head Start, military bases, HUD, national parks, or any other host of tax payer funded services.
Just about everyone says they want lower taxes, but then many still insist that all the government programs stay in place. People say “tax the rich.” When it comes to defining rich, it’s “anyone who makes more than I do.” People accuse those who have more of being greedy. That may be the case for some. But, where does the real greed lie? The person who wants to spend the money they earned themselves as they see fit, or the person who wants to take money they didn’t earn (from someone who did) and make the spending decisions? It’s easy to be generous with someone else’s money.
Wow, sad to see so much vitriol when I think everyone cares so much about the country. I agree with Maria, government is too big. Thomas Jefferson once said,”The government that is big enough to give you everything is big enough to take everything away.” I feel like that is already happening, on a local, state AND federal level. The question I have and wonder about daily is this, if everyone I talk to (conservative and liberal alike) is angry about the government on all levels being out of control, why do we do nothing to stop it and reverse it?
Chris has the right of it, no one wants their special program to be cut. Well, check that, I want the special programs cut. I want to be able to donate my time and my energy to take care of my local parks or feeding the homeless. Instead, I have to pay taxes in every facet of my life, property taxes, gas taxes, cable taxes, phone taxes, water taxes, sewage taxes, 911 taxes, the list goes on and on. I want to be generous with my money, just not to the government.
joe, most scientists by now agree that global warming is accelerating due to human activity, even when Bush was still in his denial phase, the Pentagon warned him of the destruction this will cause to national security. CO2 is one of the leading greenhouse gases, and i don’t mean by us breathing, rather the burning of fossil fuels. while methane is more powerful, this is largely due to another man made catastrophe-creation of CAFOs-sites for large concentrations of animals where they are raised and slaughtered for human consumption. it is a fact that humans are responsible for the acceleration of global warming and it’s sad that people like you want to idly sit by and “adapt” rather than make some changes in your lifestyle that is so obviously having a detrimental impact on the enviroment. The United States makes up only 5% of the world population, yet we use a quarter of the world’s natural resources. take responsibility, you can’t just blame the developing world.
Sam, i appreciate your comments and i agree we all need to be responsible and not wasteful. the problem with “global warming” is that it’s mostly a political issue now days versus a scientific one. I read an article a couple weeks ago that mentioned since the 70’s i think there has actually been a reversal in the warming trend and we were actually going through a brief period of global cooling which the scientist said would in the next decade reverse and begin warming, all due to natural cycles of the earth/sun/etc. i assume based on your informed response you are aware that we just came out of a mini ice age just over a century ago? And also prior to that “Greenland” was named because at that time it was Green (due to a period of warm climates). the earth’s climate changes on magnitudes much greater than we’re seeing now every couple hundred years and on even bigger magnitudes over larger intervals. my point is that as short cited humans we assume from year to year or generation to generation things should be stable. they will NOT be and as a species we have to continue to adapt as we have all these centuries and not just all of a sudden believe the world is a constant. Yes we have to stop waste that MIGHT be having an impact on our climate but more importantly we have to stop waste because the earth regardless of “global warming” can only support a certain number of people. we can eliminate 99% of our waste in this country but even that would not significantly impact this issue if the rest of the world continues to grow unchecked.
I want a clean environment, affordable health care, a job, and world peace. And I have no idea how to accomplish any of this. Does anyone really know? I think if someone did, we’d already have it.
There is only one sad truth and a real economist will tell you this fact. The funny thing is that as environmentally minded people so many are BLIND to that reality…. the world has LIMITED RESOURCES> and I am not just talking oil- everything. All water is limited. All matter has been created- check Einstein. It only changes forms. We behave contradictory to that reality. Ask any hospital, any business, any family on a budget. You only have so much time, money, ect. If you spend it on something, then you can’t spend it on something else. I think that it the major difference between Republicans and Democrats. Republicans understand that reality and make their choices. Democrats think that wealth of resources can cover everyone at a certain level and it cannot. Moreover, it jeopardizes the machine ( ie capitalism which runs the words economy) to a grinding halt.
I remember a medical article. They were talking about the money spent on this person; a nice person with a nice family, but a sick person. The medicine was rare, and expensive and their insurance max had been met. The hospital started to help with the cost, but as more and more time was needed, and cost accumulated they had to ask themselves: Was this patients life not worth the money they were spending, because that is a no brainer, but was it WORTH the lives of ALL the other people they were not going to be able to help because they had spent it already on this one patient? That is the hard truth that no one wants to deal with. It is the hard choice people deal with everyday. WE CANNOT fix it all. We can’t. You choose your battles based on reality. Not on what would be nicest. The world isn’t nice. It would be great to spend all the money we spend on armament on parks and babies, but reality is not that. Go to a crime/poverty area. All the parks in the world will not make it nice for the children to play. they need police, and jails. (They also need people in their communities to give of themselves- the most important resource- to make it better.)
The government is HUGE- not big, and unfortunately it continues to get bigger because we as a whole refuse to stop thinking it can or will correct itself. The Constitution is actually very small. It limits the rights The federal government is actually very restricted by the Constitution on what it is actually in charge of and it has been continually pushing the envelope for years…overstepping its bounds by that nasty little clause.
Obama seeks to further infiltrate the federal control into ‘state mandated rights” Such as health care, education ect. Yes, these are state oversights- not Federal. His answer to the deficit? Let the government spend more… billions more.( but the government doesn’t actually have money.., it is OUR future earnings- he is spending our paychecks we haven’t even earned yet. On what? lets revamp old government buildings, lets hire more government employees, lets pay for abortions for women in foreign countries ( most who use ultrasound to see if it is a girl so they can abort it- as husbands want boys- so in turn it doesn’t decrease population- just female population).. lets raise taxes on those who still have jobs and tax their health benefits. If you read, and I know this sounds pretty WHOA!, but it is online- and if you would just read the manifesto you would see that the ideals of Obama, and many in the democratic party run parallel to the communist ideal. Pure and simple. I wholeheartedly do NOT agree with the Obama administration and think that he is absolutely the worse thing that has happened to America since its founding. I think those he has chosen for offices are prime examples of his inability to make good decisions. (How many tax evaders has he nominated now, and we are still seating the man who lied under oath to receive his senate seat?) and those that idealize him will find that indeed- the emperor has no clothes.
Mary is very correct – we the people keep electing the same people. The President is a big deal fore sure, but the congress is where we the people need to put our energy and get the decade old ones out, actually all of these followers out of office. Remember both Houses of Congress has to vote on these nuts nominated so far. We elect individuals that are very frightened of expressing what we elected them to do. They fear not going along party lines, House/Senate leader won’t give them a position, get kicked off a committee, etc. This must change or we all ought to go live in Europe, Canada or Mex to find out how its going to be hear soon if we do not insist our elected officials do what they are elected to do. Pleases pick up the phone and drive them as mad as they drive us mad with their ineptness.
CW…..amen!!! and for those that don’t agree and like the socialist ideas that work so great in Europe, Russia, China, etc., I’d suggest moving there.
Amen!
Guys, is it really appropriate for you to be using such offensive, obviously religious language (“Amen”) in a public forum? How insensivite of you both! 🙂 !!!!!
Well, a little late to the fray, but here nonetheless. I (and Aemrican ex-pat from Milwaukee) lived in England for thirty years; through garbage piled high in the streets and electricity cuts when we hung our food out the windows in an effort to keep it fresh. Not exactly the Blitz, but it will do. I lived through Scargill, Heath, Maggie and her Handbag. And you know what, nothing really changed, because the civil servants never changed. Ever watched ‘Yes, Minister’. Know what? the same gigs are here but called something else. It keeps the clock ticking, the wheels greased and us struggling on, ever on.
And when times got tough enough that the civil servants were being thinned, they weren’t actually fired or laid off, they were given something called “Garden Leave.” Put on half pay and sent home to tend their gardens. Perhaps we should try that. Gardens heal.
And for anyone with half a mind open enough to listen: the National Health System works a damn sight better than anything we have to offer. Socialism has it’s benign side. This is one of them.
Ethne — Interesting post; could you elaborate?
Thank you Chris and CW for your comments. The main points are that we need to preserve our REPUBLIC and not let SOCIALISM take over; maintain a strong defense; go back to conservative values. By the way Trish, I graduated with honors in History and Business. I know our founding fathers was inspired by a higher power when they drew up our constitution, and I don’t want it perverted and the checks and balances no longer balancing. The Supreme Court should not legislate from the bench and the judges and the President should not over step their power. That is why the founding fathers set up the different branches of government. If people do not want to live in a Republic which has the most freedoms, they can feel free to move somewhere else. If you want the government to intervene and take most of your paycheck and let them supposedly take care of you and take your choices away of how to spend your money, feel free everyone to move to Europe or Canada. As for me, I will keep fighting to preserve my country and Consitution and the principles that our country was founded on.
Debbie, Chris and the Conservative lot: Democrats and Republicans are two sides to the same coin. While you continue on that Regan may have been the best thing that has happened since sliced bread, we feel that Obama may be. In four years, or God willing eight, we will most likely be tipped to the other side and begin arguing about the exact same things just with a different political leader in office. You and I may ultimately believe in the same things but want to get there on two different roads. The constant finger pointing is as ineffective as it was on the playground and, I have to say, just as childish. Get over yourselves and try to think of a solution or maybe try to be part of the solution…unless your college educated solution is to just move because that is as ridiculous as me telling you to move if you don’t like the officials that the majority of OUR country elected. Just because a degree shows that you have enough intelligence to learn does not make my opinions wrong or, the life experiences I have had to live to be able to form my opinions, not as important as any of yours.
the majority may ‘want’ something but that doesn’t make it leagle to do- the majority of those who were leagly able to vote wanted to preseve slavery but it didn’t make it right. The majority of those that voted might want a more socilaist government but the consititution says NO. The law of the land pervails not the whims of the those in office.
Sophia, I think you are mistaken when you say we want the same things. Our founding fathers set up our country as a Republic with a wonderful Constitution. They trusted the people more than government and that is why they set up the checks and balances with the three branches of government. I vote for the person who most closely aligns themselves with conservative ideals and morals which support the Constitution, free markets, capitalism, strong defense, cutting takes, restricting spending, etc. Socialism is more spending, more taxes, restricts free markets, is the opposite of capitalism, and most importantly, is government intervention in every aspect of our lives and nationalizing things like the banks, health care, etc. People being able to make choices about their own money, and not being taxed to death and encouraging competition in the markets is what a Republic is. I want my Republic and Constitution preserved–Socialism is not what I want or what the Founding Fathers set up our government to be and if more people would educate themselves about what Socialism is and what a FAILURE IT HAS BEEN IN OTHER COUNTRIES, they would see the error in making our country more Socialist!! Daniel Hannan, a Conservative in the British Parliament, recently said that “You cannot spend your way out of a recession or borrow your way out of debt!” He is trying to turn around Britain’s Socialism which has NOT worked and he is very saddened by how our country is turning to Socialism. Wake up America!! By the way, a recent poll stated that people who consider themselves conservative are at 40% and people who consider themselves liberal are at 20%. Maybe people are WAKING UP!! (P.S. When I brought up my education, it was in answer to Trish’s first lines in her tirade against me!! My father did not get a college degree, but he knows a lot about history and what our country is supposed to be–a Republic not a Socialist mess!!) Why don’t you read up on our Constitution and why our Founding Fathers did not want too much government intervention!!
Debbie, the mere fact that I am even willing to open my mind and accept that there may actually be a single thought and/or opinion that you (the conservative part of this nation) and I may in some way not sit on opposite sides of the fence shows that one side of this country is at least willing to listen and hear an opposing argument. Your immediate assumption that I am mistaken that we may want just one single similar thing just speaks to the closed-mindedness of your conservative Republic. As for your poll data, maybe you need to keep in mind that this country is not just an ‘us or them’ nation. There are so many opinions and beliefs in-between. You forgot to mention that the citizens who consider themselves moderate, myself included, are 35%. That is not included in the 20% of this nation who consider themselves liberal. If anyone needs to wake up, it is you.
As for you CW, the “whims” of those in office are why our country is in its current deficit and why we are counting year nine of our global war on terror. Apparently when the GOP “wants” something but can’t back it up with facts…they just act.
Yes, you can thank the democratic congress for that. They shift thier minds like blowing sand, pandering to the flavor of the day.
CW – Your Jun 17 post is so right on!! Thanks!!
Sophia, You just keep supporting the idea that it is liberals who are clueless. You obviously did not read my main idea or chose to overlook it. We are a REPUBLIC and I want to preserve that and keep out country from being a failed Socialist state!! I will fight against Socialism and support my Constitution and the founding fathers at all times! If people are against what our country was set up as — a Republic which they would then be against our Constitution, I will fight against them. This is not about people’s opinions being heard on minor things; this is about preserving our Republic and our Constitution. As for your comments to CW about the war on terror. It started long before 9/11; why don’t you ask Israel about terrorism. They have been fighting for their existence since they became a state. We need to continue to support Israel and stand up to terrorist regimes by having a strong defense. The Berlin Wall did not come down because we were weak and were trying to win a popularity contest!!
By your comments, I doubt very much you are a moderate!
Debbie, CW, I’m wondering how adamant you were about preserving the Constitution and our Republic when Bush so obviously stole the election in 2000. And what about the Patriot Act? I doubt the Founding Fathers had this in mind when creating the foundation for our government.
Geesh, people! Why can’t we just get along????? Serious! If one side, or person, had all the answers … what a wonderful world it would be. But the last time I looked, they don’t.
Sam: Bush “stealing” the election in 2000: 5 independent recounts in Florida since then all confirmed Bush as the winner there.
Sophia: It would be ridiculous for you to tell Conservatives to move if we don’t like the officials here. We want to keep true to the spirit of the Founding Fathers and our own ancestors who immigrated here to escape over-bearing governments. No other country obviously has that tradition. Liberals are the ones who lament “Why can’t the U.S. be more like Europe (or Canada, or any other socialist country)?”
Carri: I’m glad you want to be generous with your own money by donating to causes you find worthy, and not by paying more in taxes. That’s the way it should be. It’s typical when a politician runs for office for the media to publish info on their tax returns. It’s interesting to note that the more conservative candidates almost always donate more to charities than the more liberal ones do. I wonder how long certain organizations that rely heavily on tax dollars would stay in business if it were up to individual citizens to decide whether or not to support them?
wow, I came here because of a wonderful post about putting away food for winter, stumbled on this, and will most assuredly not be back. Thanks for a good blog, Maria, but you have some wingnuts hanging out here and they scare me. Debbie, I hope you don’t own a gun, I won’t be surprised to see you on ‘Breaking News’ as the next homegrown terrorist. The disrespect and hate you people spew makes me feel dirty.
Bobbie, How dare you even remotely suggest that I am a homegrown terrorist. I also didn’t say I hated anyone. Quit putting words in my mouth and think you are inside of my thoughts. Read the following real slow so you can understand it this time!! I just want to preserve my country like it was founded as a Republic and do what I can to elect officials, etc. who have conservative values and want to preserve our Republic and Constitution also. I don’t want our country turned into a Socialist country like the other failed Socialist countries around the world. So how is that hating or disrepecting, or anything terrorist about that? That I want to keep my country free from socialism and honor those have died trying to preserve it also is what anyone who loves and understands our Constitution and understands that we were set up as a REPUBLIC WOULD WANT TO DO!! My great-great-great grandfather died in the Revolutionary War, and my cousin, Ethan Allen was a Revolutionary war hero, not to mention other people who have served and died trying to perserve our ideals. Thanks to our Founding Fathers we have the right to own firearms. My husband is a proud member of the NRA and we are RESPONSIBLE gunowners!! Sounds like you are a liberal socialist or you wound not have twisted what I said, and it is you that are hateful. You said the rude things about me personally that are so whacked. Like I said, read real slow, I want my country to remain a free Republic like it was set up to be. That is not being hateful or anything else.
Chris, if you would like to comment to what it is that I have written, then perhaps you should read all of it. Of course, if you took the time to read all of my words then you would not have been able to attack, so I see why you didn’t bother. Anyhow, my comment concerning moving was in response to comments before and to express what a ridiculous statement it is to make to anyone and that, obviously by your comment, the conservative side likes to hear it just as much as the rest of us do. Get over yourself.
Bobbie, you are correct and I feel a bit ashamed to have even allowed myself to be baited. Thank you for your common sense.
Sophia, You’re right, I must not have read your comments correctly, and I see that you may be guilty of the same error. I merely pointed out why it is more ridiculous to suggest that a conservative move than for a liberal to do the same. Further more, I do not attack. I debate. I read an opinion and state my own. If stating an opinion contrary to yours is an attack, well then I guess I’m guilty as charged.
Actually, there is no need for either side to move from the country. Rather the better option is to move within the country. We have 50 unique states, with their own characteristics. If you want socialism, try New York State, for instance. If you want more “traditional values” try Kentucky. Of course, these are just examples, and I’m sure that others here may disagree with how I choose to categorize some states. But, the bottom line is that there is room for all and we shouldn’t try to make the entire country uniform. It’s the differences that drive this country to greatness. We have 50 great experiments in place, each state doing things a little differently than the next. Each state is in competition with the rest for excellence in some area, with its residents choosing what to give priority. When all are forced to do the same, where is the need to do better?
One more point, Debbie, you have a lot to be proud of in your family history. I can understand your desire to defend it. I read Ethan Allen’s journal excerpts in “Patriots of the Revolution.” Please don’t let others get your goat too much.