John51's Comments (20)

“I understood that 3 months ago President Obama was keen on nominating Geitner for the Fed Chair position and now that has changed. I think, if true, this is progress. Maybe Pres Obama is learning from his mistakes and we may yet see the change necessary within his cabinet to create change and reform within our financial system and the larger economy. I prey we continue to be a world leader in new technologies and bring back the Mfg sector as well; we need both. How can we create new methodologies in areas where we no longer have practical experience. God forbid we continue down the road of being the world's banker and provide only jobs in the service area; anyone could replace us in those capacities. We need to keep the fire hot under all reforms; many of us have nothing else to do anyway so we could get things rolling and keep at it.”

“I agree that he robbed our state of a valuable resource and hope this wasn't a political game to insure an easy victory for another democratic governor. I think it more important to find a way to get rid of our worthless senators, and frankly, even the poor excuse I have for a Democratic congressperson.”

“It's sad what this state has become; It had a young idealistic population moving in, in the 60s and 70s. It had an excellent community college system that was nearly free - $45.00 for unlimited semester hours. In addition the state legislature was limited and the people were empowered by an initiative / referendum system for passing laws; all the best makings of a great Western Democracy. Today I am awed at the state's elderly population's ignorance; I consistently hear our senior citizens express there opposition to health care reform because they believe if the government ran Medicare they would screw it up.. This is what 14 years of free education got us?”

“I feel he is deserving and would do a good job.”

“According to the AP he did receive 5.2 million dollars in speaking fees form insurers, hospital associations, and Pharmacy Associations, as well as an additional 2 million dollars in consulting fees. I am not well versed in the mechanics of payments for political influence but I understand from various articles that payments for speaking engagements and consultations are often a form of buying influence. An AP article also stated that the health care industry was not the only business that Mr Daschle addressed for pay. Frankly over 7 million dollars is not usually given to someone without expectations of receiving something of equal value in return. I am equally concerned about Mr. Daschle's ethics for failing to report perks as income to the IRS. Even I, as a garden variety salaried engineer, know that benefits of that nature and value are required to be declared and taxed as ordinary income by the IRS. This is Tax Evasion, pure and simple, and reporting later only because you are fairly certain it will be discovered is not the same as rectifying an error. I am among those that feel, under these circumstances, Mr. Daschle should surrender the nomination and allow someone less controversial to be nominated.”

“No one wants to see massive unemployment but our government is even more fearful of the prospect. Could you imagine 25% of Americans out of work with nothing more to do than study their government and catch up on the corruption that has put them out of work. We are an educated, trained, and fairly well armed citizenry that could wage a very effective revolution given the right conditions. I have seen an increasing number of post discussing the prospect of a revolution recently and personally I hope we can change things in our government without violence. I would like to see more citizens involved in their governing and take corrective action at every level. I really believe in this movement to limit all representatives to one term by always voting out the incumbent; I think it will severely limit the massive corruption and remove the entrenched thieves calling themselves public servants. If it is necessary to actually conduct an armed revolt I hope it is well organized and not small groups of haters shooting at one another.”

“What exactly is a victory in Iraq?”

“I agree; I have my disagreements with some of Sen. Obama's policies but I also recognize an intelligent, sensible, organized, well informed, and prepared individual when I see one. I will vote for Sen. Obama because he is our best hope for our children.”

“I am voting third party regardless of the consequences otherwise we are impotent.
McCain is so confused and disoriented that we may be better off having him in office than Sen. Obama. Obama has demonstrated that he has little or no character but is young and capable of a lot of damage. Maybe McCain would be harmless and a good placeholder until we, as a nation, can get a handle on how to place a more representative government in Washington. We really do need to get the present parasites out before there is nothing left.”

“I agree this a difficult year to vote for a third party candidate but I think it will always be a difficult decision; there will always be a reason to justify staying within our comfort zone and doing it next year. I have decided I have had enough; Sen. Obama was the ultimate betrayal and I think many of his supporters feel the same - we feel used. Some are still in shock and are unable to face the fact that Sen. Obama is a fraud; that he used us to gain the nomination and then threw us out with his other discarded persons. These folks excuse his betrayal by telling themselves and others that his vote for the FISA Bill was necessary and he will be the old Barack, the one we supported, once he is in office. I don't believe that is the case. I think he is just another arrogant corrupt politician intent on getting what he wants and screw everyone else. He will continue to do his corporate masters' bidding and walk away richer just like he did yesterday. So far he has collected $220,000.0­0 in contributions from the Tel-Coms in 2008; is it any wonder why he changed his vote? I agree it is time to vote for a third party candidate but there isn't anything to be gained by waiting until next time. I am voting third party this year; if enough people vote their conscience our votes won't be wasted.”

“It's very possible..­...”

“The FISA Bill could have actually been a winner for Sen. Obama if he had stuck to his principles and talked to America about the issue. Most Americans are on the side of protecting their constitutional rights, especially when they see the suspension of them was ineffective anyway. Most people would have supported his position once Pres. Bush was exposed for illegally spying on innocent Americans and spying on political opponents. Overall Sen. Obama has looked thoughtful and has appeared to exercise good judgment, but this position was a blunder. He will be attacked regardless of his position on FISA; it would have been better to be attacked for being strong and adhering to ones' principles, than for being weak and compromising his beliefs for a few votes.”

“This has been around for some time and the Media would consider it old news although I doubt many people know about it. Could you imagine Sen Clinton as a running partner for Sen. Obama. I think Sen and President Clinton are very very dirty and don't see how they could possibly be elected in the General but stranger things have happened. Who knows what really takes place behind closed door in these campaigns. I've had political pressures from superiors at work and I imagine that is nothing compared to the pressures brought to bear in a Presidential Campaign. I sincerely believe and hope Sen Obama is not as entrenched in this corruption as the older players appear. Imagine, The Clinton family left office over 12 million dollars in debt and today are worth about three quarters of a billion dollars if one includes the money raised for the library and the foundation. It's no wonder Sen. Clinton is such a fighter. Do you imagine she would have to return the, "Donations," if she is not in the influential position they expected?”

“I also agree and have stated such when her President Clinton article was posted; it appears she has an, "In." I also feel posting such reports is dangerous as it is only a matter of time for the regression to begin; such reporting tends to be regressive and begins with simple misrepresentations of one's self and regresses toward misrepresentation of ones interview, embellished reports, and finally the product is a total fabrication. Where does one draw the line and what does one say. Is there a gulf between a little shady and a lot shadey. I think it is all the same; it all stinks.”

“Why did Mayhill Fowler characterize the Vanity Fair article as a, "Hatchet Job," while initially soliciting President Clintons opinion of the article?”

“Why did he do so well in other, some almost totally white, states?”

“Truthortradition: I disagree with your choice but certainly respect it. I also think that most of the 92% of Black voters that have voted for Sen. Obama in PA feel much the same about Sen. Obama, as you do about Sen. Clinton. I expect they feel he is qualified and are very proud that he is of their race; I would be. I can't see their vote as racist any more than I can see your vote as sexist. You, yourself have stated, "... yes, I shamelessly want her to win because she is a woman and not a member of the status quo-----namely men." The bigger issue is that the media is interfering in our election process by selectively targeting candidates for abuse and character assassination that don't represent the corporate agenda. We don't need to be distracted by our internal bickering while our candidates are being destroyed by corporate main stream media hit men. Let's address this problem together and we may find common ground in other areas. I think we can start by letting the MSM hear our voices and taking punitive action. I am boycotting ABC and Disney Theme Parks, and selling all Main Stream Media Stocks in my portfolio. You sound like a leader; please talk with your friends. The important thing is to do something that will get their attention. It would be great if there was a way to coordinate efforts but in the interim I am taking independent action.”

“Will any woman do?”

“I have also noticed the Pile-On of Obama and at first didn't think much about it. As the barrage consolidated and intensified, it occurred to me that the Main Stream Media (MSM) is actually owned by 5 very large corporations and as Sen. Obama's odds of gaining the nomination and, ultimately the Presidency, have become very favorable, these corporations are becoming increasingly concerned. Sen. Obama is a Change Agent and, as thus, not the corporate choice for the Presidency. At first they attacked Hillary, and now Barrack, while the serious issues surrounding Sen. McCain’s go unreported. I am certain the attack orders came from the corporate chiefs; ABC's Hit Job during the Debate was the first full frontal attack that really took on the appearance of a well coordinated effort. It continues today with the outrageous post PA MSM coverage and support of Hillary’s and McCain’s Talking Points, as if they were fact based. Each day the Headlines become increasingly more preposterous. Sen. McCain, as a senate committee member governing the media has influence, but so may we, as consumers. We can fight back. If someone has the organization and communication medium to start a boycott of just one entity we can take them down. We can dump their stock, stop watching, listening, and reading their mediums, stop consuming their product period; this may influence their decisions. We can demand equal and fair coverage of the issues without an agenda instead of the gossip we have been fed.”

“If that is how you feel, what are you doing here. Join the Republican Party and blog elsewhere.”