Over40's Comments (144)

“Sad, but true.”

“There may be more truth to what you say than any of us want to admit .....”

“You have it right. The corporate and other powerful interests have very smartly used
the republican party and wedge issues to divide the middle class electorate and I must
say it has worked wonderfully for them. On top of this, the middle class has largely rested on their laurels for the last 30 years without realizing or taking responsibility for the fact that rights and the
progress made have to be continually defended. And another poster mentioned people watching "Dancing with the stars" and munching Cheetos" and yes, that kind of mindless apathy is definitely a real problem that has been carefully cultivated by the same powerful interests. Is it any coincidence that there's nothing on TV outside of PBS (which, thank God, we still have) that requires a thinking audience?

Also, before some smart-mouth under-40 person blames the Boomers for this mess, let me say
that it really took off with the Reagan administrations and I totally doubt the boomers voted for Reagan en mass. He got in with the votes of our parents and the generation immediately after us.”

“Love this article and all the comments. Thank you.”

“This was far more interesting (to me) than the original post. Thank you.”

“Not to mention cracker-box 3000-5000 SF houses ....... insane ..........­.”

“As tempting as it might be, I wonder if we can refrain from doing to
Mike Huckabee what the republicans did to Dukasis (sp?)?”

“Amen. And thank you, Nirek, for doing your part.”

“Though it;s true that no species deserves to be wantonly and cruely murdered, it is especially tragic to see it happens to dolphins who are so highly evolved, so protective and compassionate towards their own and so friendly towards humans and often come to their aid in the waters. So grateful this film is having an impact and these two men found each other. Thank God.”

“I think the stuptefying, coursening and polarization of our culture/society contributes a lot to the problems we are facing ....... I'm not one to believe in conspiracies around every corner, but you have to wonder who is benefiting from this and how much they have to do with it behind the scenes. A dumbed down, divided public is not in a position to defend their democracy, their economic interests or anything else.”

“This is what I think too .........”

“Well, we can tell you don't own a home ..........”

“Ditto. Ditto.”

“Precisely.”

“Not as stupid as you are .........”

“What catches my attention is the fact that the veterinary medical association supported
the state law that prevents cities from banning declawing. It never fails to amaze me how
much power these business interests have. It also tells me that the association doesn't
care a thing about animals when their monetary interests are at stake. Declawing is traumatic
for cats and handicaps them for life - it should be banned. There are other, infinitely more humane,
ways to keep them off furniture - it just takes a little patience.”

“Whenever John Conyers speaks, I listen. The man is a true patriot - one of the few.”

“If polar bears are truly starving ... can't food be airlifted to them by wildlife protection groups???”

“No, YOU get some perspective.”

“Actually, I have long thought that it was the intent of the people who are trying their
damdest to sink this democracy and turn it into a plutocracy to make the general
public no longer trust their news sources ....... we have to be very careful as citizens
not to sink journalism .... it is a critical part of democracy. Demand better ..... yes ...
but don't trash it.”

“Dear Independent: There is just one problem and it is this: politicians DO make the decisions and cast the die. So, if you vote for one party over the other - or don't vote at all - you are in effect
voting for some result or another - like it or not. For all those (mostly independents) who blithely
said there was not a dime's worth of difference between George W. Bush and Al Gore or Bush and
Kerry, well, I think that lie has been laid to rest! No party is perfect but the fact is that there is one party that is less likely to put us (the middle class, the poor, the uninsured, laobr including white collar, the people as opposed to the hugely powerful corporate interests) in deep doo doo and has a long history to prove it.”

“Dear Independent, there is just one problem. Politicians DO make the rules and cast the die.
So if you vote for one party over the other or don't vote at all - you are in fact voting for some
result or anotther. For all those (mostly independents) who blithely said there was not a dime's
worth of difference between George W. Bush and Al Gore or Bush and John kerry - well, I think
that lie has been put to rest. No party or those in it are perfect, but I'm pretty sure one party is less
likely to put us (middle class, poor, uninsured, labor, the people as opposed to the extremely
powerful corporate and banking interests) in deep doo-doo.”

“Great line!”

“Agreed! Fanned.”

“This is excellent, excellent reporting ......... kudos to the reporter and the NYT.”