genmalia's Comments (164)

“I live in Phoenix. It is true, tax breaks were given to developers and large businesses to give incentives to build/relocate here, but they still pay a large tax rate comparitively.

But you also have a part-time, Republican-run, State Legislature who spends a ridiculous amount of time voting on special issues to the legislators, refuses to vote for any tax increases or spending increases to invest in the infrastructure. But they will spend millions of dollars on special interest projects like guns in schools and bars (yes, some want this to be allowed), and maintain a full-time, year-round staff who literally plays games and watch tv when they are not in session.

Add to that, a county attorney (Andrew Thomas) who loses something like 70% of their cases, and is so ill-prepared to go to trial that they pay millions in lawsuits and farm out $11 Million to private law firms to handle the work. And our ridiculous sherrif (Joe Arpaio) who is under FBI investigation for discrimination, saturates poor neighborhoods with deputies to write tickets for cracked windshields so they can check their citizenship, and faces millions of dollars in lawsuits.

And even then, you have Arizona citizens who vote for these people to stay and office and pass Prop 102 to change our Constitution to prevent gay marriage which is already illegal here - that's a few more $million to spend.

Our problems go waaaaay deeper than real estate!”

“The point is, the people who signed the petitions were not given the actual purpose of the proposition. The name of the ballot initiative make it look like a Civil Rights initiative, which is intentionally misleading.

The fact that this is supported by white supremacy groups is questionable.”

“Being from Arizona and having been approached by the signature gatherers at my home residence, I can tell you they did not provide the appropriate information on this legislation. They made it sound as if it was about providing equal opportunity to minorities and when I explained that the wording on the petition did not say that, they made comments about 'how could I be against equal opportuinity when I have an Obama sign in my front yard and in my window?' Now, if any regular Joe had been pitched this petition, they might have signed it, but the validity of the petitions based on signature gatherers' information provided (or NOT provided) should be disqualified. If I have to vote on that in November, I will be sick to my stomach.

It should be noted that this proposition has been supported by white supremacy groups and Maricopa County Attorney Andrew Thomas had better start explaining how he could be associated with this proposition. Where are the journalists doing research on this?

As for Kyrsten Sinema, she is amazing! She is a powerhouse in Arizona Politics and I wish she my my Representative!”

“I'm not sure if you're an Obama supporter or just anti-Hillary, but this is way too low a blow. You do whoever you support a disservice.

Volunteers for the Obama campaign in my city have a guidleine we follow - speak and act as though Senator Obama were watching over your shoulder. We got his message for a positive campaign and we stick with it.”

“So does this make Joe Biden and Dennis Kucinich the only former Democratic candidates who haven't formally endorsed Obama?”

“Did John McCain pay off anyone's debts? Specifically, Mitt Romney's $47M or so that he leaned his campaign?

I think someone should find that out before we start talking about paying anyone's debts back on the Dem side.”

“Did no one catch that Clinton said her heart goes out to Burma instead of Myanmar in her speech last night?

Ms. Experience didn't realize that Burma no longer exists and hasn't since 1989 or so. Not exactly up on current events, or a big F-you to the current regime in Myanmar.”

“You do know that Obama graduated from college, became a community organizer in the South side of Chigago to help those devastated by steel mill closures, working with churches to open community centers, provide job training and strengthn the impoverished community, as well as becoming a civil rights attorney.

Have you read his detailed health care policy and not the short blurb on it? He goes farther to cut costs than any other candidate, and he isn't talking about forcing anyone to pay for insurance they don't want. Those who choose not to purchase a signaificantly cheaper plan and then try to take advantage of it later will have to pay a penalty.

Don't be so righteous thinking you've figured it all out if you haven't taken the time to read the policy proposals or watch his policy speeches. Considering the president doesn't present the legislation, but can guide it shows how he has tailored his policies so they will have maximum political support from both sides of the aisle without ramming it down everyone's throat.”

“Like it or not, some people view these things as an issue. I spent almost 15 minutes on the phone with her (I know I' not supposed to do that while phone banking), and in the end, she didn't change her mind, but she said that by my talking with her, and letting her know the facts, she would vote for Obama in the general if he got the nomination instead of staying at home like she intended. I consider the conversation a success.

This is my greatest lesson in working on this campaign: One voice can reach many, and the power of many voices is unsurpassable. Getting involved and reaching out to folks who don’t traditionally get involved in the process, or who vote based on the minutiae, can still be reached and can still make a difference. Like Obama has said all along, ‘people who love their country can change it.’”

“I was phone banking PA voters for Obama this weekend, and a woman said that she wasn't voting for Obama because he wouldn't wear a flag pin or hold his hand over his heart for the pledge of allegiance. After I cleared up the pledge vs. anthem bit, she still thought he should do it since everyone else on stage held their hand over their heart, and that wearing a flag pin is something so simple to do, yet he refuses. I told her that Hillary Clinton doesn't wear a flag pin, and she said that it didn't matter because she didn't wear it and then decide not to.

Her other justification was that since Obama was a Harvard grad, and she hadn't gone to college, that he couldn't relate to her position like Hillary could. After I expanded on Hillary's ivy league education, it didn't matter, because the educated support Obama and that meant he couldn't relate, regardless even though he and Michelle barely paid off their student loans, moved out of a condo in recent years, was raised by a single mother, went to school on scholarships made, and that he was living proof of the American Dream.

Like it or not, it is an issue.

This voter didn't come off as a racist, or angry, it just seemed that she was uninformed. Like someone had told her the Clintons were average folks and has been standing up for the working class their whole lives and Obama hadn't.”

“When you make a contribution, you do have to state who you work for. I work in the lodging industry, but that doesn't mean the company I work for has endorsed Obama. That also doesn't mean the campaign received a check from Exxon for $12,370. I believe it does mean that that amount has been received from Exxon employees. If I am wrong, I will stand corrected, and disappointed to boot.

Oddly, I don't see the numbers from the Clinton campaign on how much they have accepted from corporations, lobbyists, and PACs.”

“When you make a contribution, you do have to state who you work for. I work in the lodging industry, but that doesn't mean the company I work for has endorsed Obama. That also doesn't mean the campaign received a check from Exxon for $12,370. I believe it does mean that that amount has been received from Exxon employees. If I am wrong, I will stand corrected, and disappointed to boot.

Oddly, I don't see the numbers from the Clinton campaign on how much they have accepted from corporations, lobbyists, and PACs.”

“I think I finally get why you support Hillary Ann: You were married to or know people who have accomplished things, and therefore, you believe you have somehow gleaned that information and are as qualified to speak or act on it! And *poof* there you have experience!

Obama taught several classes per year over the course of several years. I know people who have taken his classes. To somehow think he is not a professor even after the University he taught at confirms it shows (like in your previous post) that you believe Denial is a river in Egypt.”

“I think I finally get why you support Hillary Ann: You were married to or know people who have accomplished things, and therefore, you believe you have somehow gleaned that information and are as qualified to speak or act on it! And *poof* there you have experience!

Obama taught several classes per year over the course of several years. I know people who have taken his classes. To somehow think he is not a professor even after the University he taught at confirms it shows (like in your previous post) that you believe Denial is a river in Egypt.”

“I was recently elected to be a pledged delegate for Obama. And I can tell you, one of the things I ran on was that I would not "switch sides." The rules were that to elect a delegate, you had to declare for Obama or Clinton. I needed to demonstrate that the last year of volunteering for this campaign, the time, effort, and commitment I've put into it made me qualified to pledge my vote to Barack Obama. I went up against some long-time party activists and a staffer of a prominent endorser of Obama (along with 13 others for one delegate seat). In the end, I won in a landslide in the first round of voting, and I'm off to Denver to vote for Obama, as I have pledged to do.

Any pledged delegate who switches sides after their pledge, after they were elected to carry out a certain task, is at risk of becoming a pariah in the party. Notwithstanding a major disqualification, those who do not vote for the person they pledge to support is - at best - a liar.

I will be armed (with digital recorders and cameras) to capture any attempts to sway my or anyone else's vote and I have no problem blowing that whistle far and wide.”

“I was recently elected to be a pledged delegate for Obama. And I can tell you, one of the things I ran on was that I would not "switch sides." The rules were that to elect a delegate, you had to declare for Obama or Clinton. I needed to demonstrate that the last year of volunteering for this campaign, the time, effort, and commitment I've put into it made me qualified to pledge my vote to Barack Obama. I went up against some long-time party activists and a staffer of a prominent endorser of Obama (along with 13 others for one delegate seat). In the end, I won in a landslide in the first round of voting, and I'm off to Denver to vote for Obama, as I have pledged to do.

Any pledged delegate who switches sides after their pledge, after they were elected to carry out a certain task, is at risk of becoming a pariah in the party. Notwithstanding a major disqualification, those who do not vote for the person they pledge to support is - at best - a liar.

I will be armed (with digital recorders and cameras) to capture any attempts to sway my or anyone else's vote and I have no problem blowing that whistle far and wide.”

“That would be assuming that because California and New York (Democratic states) voted for Clinton, they will go Republican in November if Obama is the nominee.”

“That would be assuming that because California and New York (Democratic states) voted for Clinton, they will go Republican in November if Obama is the nominee.”

“Funny how you use Profit instead of prophet.

What kind of change does Hillary represent exactly? No one who supports Clinton can elaborate for me. Change from Bush, yes. A female president, yes. But other than that? If Clinton wins the nomination, I will be glad to support her, but I do not think she is the "change" we need.

I prefer the change that stands up to the shady ways of Washington instead of perpetuating it. Transparency instead of secrets. Denying corporation and lobbyists influence instead of accepting campaign contributions from them.

If Hillary can stand strong against the Republicans, I hope she can justify why she is getting votes from them as the weaker candidate. Republicans have no reason to vote since McCain is the nominee, but Limbaugh and Coulter are laughing all the way to the convention.”

“Look. The rules were not magically changed after voting took place. I am an elected Obama "pledged" delegate in my state; I was only elected last weekend, so I don't have any undue influence on the vote that took place on February 5th.

In my congressional district, we were awarded a total of 5 delegates to be awarded based on the percentage of voted for which candidate. Clinton won, so she got 3. Obama met the percentage threshold to be awarded 2 delegates. In a district where Obama won, they had a total of 6 delegates (more populated area) and 4 went to Obama and 2 to Clinton. Those were the rules. If we don't like them, we should have appealed to our state party to change them.

Super delegates can support whomever they choose. If a Superdelegate who selected a candidate before a primary vote was cast is pressured by their constituents to change their support, and they are convinced of that, so be it. Keep in mind, however, that they endorsed before a vote took place, and did not reserve the right to endorse based on what their constituents wanted.

To change the rules or the process after the process has begun is completely insane. It's like driving along at the speed limit, and a cop pulls you over for speeding. You ask why and he says they changed the speed limit because it worked in their favor more, but only decided to do so after YOU were driving by, beating the system.”

“But what is the NET gain? Including those that switched, resigned or died?

Isn't that what matters?”

“Bravo for your post. The contents are unfortunate, but realistic.

It has been a year that I've been volunteering for this campaign, and I still can't figure out why so many people, even Democrats vehemently attack Obama. It is puzzling and disturbing.”

“Having just been elected a pledged delegate for Obama, one reason I presented as worthy of being a delegate is that my commitment to the campaign, the efforts I've made, and the dedication I have displayed thus far does not make me easy to succumb to anyone trying to get me to change my pledge. I believe it to be a valid argument, considering the information provided in this post. In my Congressional District, 30 people ran to be Obama delegates (14 male and 16 female) and we were only allowed 2 delegates. Only 3 of those who ran got letters from the campaign expressing their support for those who were very committed. I was the only one who got a letter and won, but the campaign did not deny anyone the chance to run.

How many folks have pledged money and never paid? Or signed a pledge card to vote and never showed up? Pledging just means that people have to take you for their word. Whether that individual chooses to fulfill their pledge is taken on faith. I find it a legitimate concern of either campaign, as delegates, both pledged and Super are extremely important and will ultimately determine the Democratic nominee.”

“Does anyone else remember two Yale Skull and Bones members running against each other for president in 2004? I seem to remember that and I cast my vote for Kerry as the lesser of two evils.

You would think Hillary is trying to run for McCain's VP the way she goes on praising him. What kind of Democrat down another Democrat and praises a Republican just so she can win the nomination?

I try really hard not to bad mouth Clinton since I am an Obama supporter and believe there are more reasons to vote for Obama than against Clinton. Maybe I am down because of this week's primaries and the negativity the Clinton camp has been putting out, but I honestly can't wrap my brain around her tactics of talking about how honored she is to be running against Barack Obama while he is in the room, yet bashing him and praising the Republican nominee when Obama is not there to defend himself.

It seems like the ultimate conniving, talking-ou­t-of-both-­sides-of-y­our-mouth, dirty politics that I think most Americans are sick of.

As long as she keeps playing up to peoples fears, she is lowering herself to Republican campaigning standards.”

“I never said anything about Obama being a deity. Didn't I say that I will do what I feel is best for this country? MY research and beliefs tell me Obama will be a better president. Obama can compare Clinton and McCain - two candidates going on their "experience" but failing to move this country towards progress, entrenched in the same politics that has divided this country - and all you can do it chant and ignore the fact that Hillary tried to compare Obama to Bush in the same way that her husband was criticized in 1992?

If doing the same thing over and over and expecting a different result is the definition of insanity, I am happy to be in the "sane" camp.”