In my museum of memories, there is a grand picture that summarizes what happened yesterday. Two figures - perhaps a father and his son or daughter, perhaps a mother and her daughter or son - are outlined against the sky. The elder's sweeping gesture across the horizon says, "This magnificent land is your land."

Yes it is! It does not belong to the wealthy privileged few. It does not belong to giant, faceless corporations. It is ours - yours and mine, and as we must never, ever forget - it does not come without a fight. This magnificent land is our land to cherish, to love, to pass on to our children. It is ours to protect.

Today is a day to survey our land and to appreciate our great fortune to be citizens of this country. Today is a day to understand that the spirit that has made this country unique, in all the world, is still alive. It is a day to understand what it means to be united; in our will and in our determination to stand tall and say, "We know what is right."

Tomorrow, we must face up to our next battle. We are cursed with very weak leaders. The people who are supposed to take our message to Washington, D.C. and to state houses across the country offer nothing more than a whimper on our behalf. Tomorrow, we must take time to tell them that they are OUR representatives, not lackeys of the rich, nor servants of monstrous corporations.

They must know we are fighters. We are NOT cannon fodder. We must tell them and leave no doubt in their minds. We must send them a message that reminds them, we know our power and we will use it - AGAINST them, if necessary. We must tell them in no uncertain terms that we understand it is not the OTHER Congressmen, Senators, Assemblymen and the like. They must know, we are clearly aware, THEY are the problem, not the other guy. We are holding OUR representatives accountable. They answer to US. We are the power and strength of this nation.

Tomorrow, and tomorrow, and tomorrow are the days we fight to protect the land we celebrate today. But today is a day to celebrate our country, our strength when we unite. This is a day to be very, very proud.

America has more than Person hood Issues

Big Win A Year To Obama’s Reelection

Abortion rights advocates and labor unions overcame the Kochoctoplus. Hey, money can't buy everything.

Ohio voters soundly rejected Tea Nut Gov and ex-FOXITE John Kaisch.

http://www.jackandjillpolitics.com/blog/wp-content/uploads/2011/11/oh_cpd.jpg

Oh Happy Day

It must suck to be a RWNJ right now.

Obama/ Biden 2012

Don't miss Debate # 9 tonight. Should be a three ring circus with the Republican clowns ripping each other apart over trying to bring Cain to his knees. It won't be pretty. of course Cain will just say "Don't even go there". I love it.

Obama in 2012.

Feisty, good news about the AZ teapublican; hadn't heard that one yet. Even though the seat was won by another republican, the fact that the author of so many bad ideas, the author of hate legislation and voter suppression ideas is unemployed is sweet justice indeed.

A toast with mimosa is perfect!

An old Cherokee told his grandson, "My son, there's a battle between two wolves inside us all. One is evil. It's anger, greed, resentment, inferiority, lies and ego .The other is good. It's joy, peace, love, hope, humility, kindness, empathy, and truth." The grandson thought about it and asked his grandfather, "Which wolf wins?" The old Cherokee simply replied, "The one you feed."

Ms. Feisty and Jody, Iowa: to set the record straight: 86% of the voting public here in Arizona still support our immigration law in spite of the fact that the one of its originators was voted out of ofc yesterday...he wasn't voted out because of this law, it was because he accepted tickets to some sports venues that he didn't then claim and pay for them as the law dictates. You are both mis-informed.

Excellent, David Walker, a great reminder.

juanita dominguez, thanks for providing more details regarding AZ. I was merely toasting the idea that he is now unemployed. This man had his fingers in other State's legislation as well as AZ.

"Super Tuesday" Feisty?

Wow, you Libs have sure set the bar low for things to celebrate over. A half dozen local issues and a couple of meaningless administrative positions in government represents "Buyers Remorse"?

Sure, hang your hat on that until next year. We'll see how far it gets the Left with an economy in the dump and 14 M unemployed.

Whatever helps you get through the day, I guess.

Ms. Juanita - all this spin in the world doesn't change the FACT he will now be in the unemployment line right where he belongs...

Did you intentionally leave out the FACT his opponent DOESN'T support the immigration law?

State Sen. Russell Pearce, the controversial architect of Arizona's immigration law, was voted out of office on Tuesday evening in a special recall election. He was defeated by Jerry Lewis, a fellow Republican who does not support the immigration crackdown and has vowed to reject gifts from special interest groups and work to ban gifts for legislators.

http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2011/11/08/russell-pearce-recall-election-jerry-lewis_n_1083129.html

Honey - you appear to be the one who is mis-informed! ;o)

THERE IT IS!!!!!!

The BIG CLOWN NOSE! YEEE HAWWWWW!!!!!!

Juanita, saying that Feisty and her minions are mis-informed is an incredible understatement.

They think they are the know all and end all of anything political, yet continue to bury their heads in the sand on the failures of our President, because as one of them said "I would walk through burning coals for President Obama".

Of course you know more about what happened in Arizona, because you live there, but don't try to tell that to Feisty and her ilk because they will dismiss you as a liar. (I see she already has!)

If nothing else, they are very predictable.

Cheers everyone!! Another promising piece of news....

It appears some Republicans are distancing themselves from the Norquist pledge. And some would like their name removed from the list of pledgers. Keep this issue front and center. It's important they understand their obligation is to the people of USA not a lobbyist with an agenda. FR has an article on this issue posted earlier this morning with links to the original story in The Hill.

David has me humming this morning...This land is your land, this land is my land.... ; )

David Walker -

What an eloquent statement! I swear, you get better with every post.

I have copied it, too. It is going by email to both Florida Senators and to my congressmember.

If others here agree, then please do the same. It only takes a moment using the various officeholders' online mail forms.

But, please, credit Mr. Walker as the author.

To contact Representatives begin here:

https://writerep.house.gov/writerep/welcome.shtml

To contact Senators, begin here:

http://www.senate.gov/general/contact_information/senators_cfm.cfm

Did you intentionally forget the overwhelming defeat of Obamacare in Ohio by those same voters? First, in Mississippi, they should have rejected the personhood and that proposal was an embarassment to everyone including the GOP. I dont really see a national GOP connection to that one. I also dont see a connection nationally to the Kasich defeat unless Obama decides to bail out Ohio. Put aside partisan politics for a second and the question of whether Kasich overreached by including police and firemen, purely from a budget and financial perspective, is there anyone from Ohio on here that can explain what happens next.

For example, as Fiesty may know in Illinois we probably have 5-7 years before we are bankrupt and the legislators continue to do things around the edges to put off the day of reckoning. But Illinois is in probably a worse position than Ohio and has the same collective bargaining problems. In my small village, because the unions refused to negotiate any reductions in benefits, we have laid off 2 policemen and several firemen (although no bodies as they were open positions). Because of property tax caps and quite frankly an inability to tax across the board enough anywhere close to enough to pay future unfunded benefits, money is guaranteed to run out soon. In many cities, union benefits are almost the entire annual budget so there is no money left over for the services that people have come to expect whether its parks and recreation, pool, streets, sewer, new development etc. I am not editorializing just stating the facts that there isnt enough money period. I dont see how Illinois cities arent faced with dramatic cut backs (chicago already is under Rahm) without some concessions and benefit cutbacks--put aside the collective bargaining issue in Ohio--does this mean that the Union won the battle but eventually loses the war as their people start getting fired? For example, I am sure you could save a ton of money by combining police and fire districts which is being considered here. Same thing with school districts and all the overhead for administration.

Hey, Feisty and gang!

Where are the usual right wing posters? Hiding out today do ya think?

With so much to celebrate last night and this morning, why is the only image I can't get out of my head the image of those horribly wrinkled and creased US flags behind Cain, while he declared "I wee-ll not be deterred..."? God, if they wanted that gimick in place to make him look 'presidential', couldn't they at least have ironed the damned things when they took them out of the Wal-Mart box?

(and, if you say "I will NOT be deterred..." slowly enough, enough times, the joke will suddenly become apparent. Try it. Belive me, he IS 'de terred' if there ever was one...)

Kirk, don't rain on their parade of pin wheels and unicorns.

Of course they don't want to talk about Ohio defeating Obamacare today. Even if they did, today they would say it doesn't matter the SCOTUS will decide.

Nothing that happened yesterday had any national implications or can define a "turning point" nationally. Only National Elections can do that.

Unfortunately yesterday they were celebrating a lower court upholding Obamacare and not concerned with SCOTUS.

It must be hard to be a Lib.

Where are the usual right wing posters? Hiding out today do ya think?

I was wondering the same thing?

Sniffy, NJNB, Mr Me First Bill, Alan, the idiot from Albany, etc... come out... come out... wherever you are! lol

It's weird, because I vividly remember last year after the shellacking we got - we were still here first thing the next morning! LMAO!

SickOfTheBickering

"THERE IT IS!!!!!!

The BIG CLOWN NOSE! YEEE HAWWWWW!!!!!!"

Neat!

newdayDAWNING...RETURNED

"Hey, Feisty and gang!

Where are the usual right wing posters? Hiding out today do ya think? "

P L E A S E don't tempt them. I can't take Anna making me play the 'Teleprompter' game all day again!

I don't think there is much of a risk of them showing up, dbo. Even though we all did after the last election.

OK, messages SENT. In case anyone would like an idea about how to set up the messages, here's the opening I used for letters to the Senators:

Dear Senator:

Yesterday elections around the nation show that the extremist views of the small faction dominating Congress today are not the views of the voting majority. And the results show that despite the money flowing from various lobbying fronts on the Hill - the Club for Growth, the Heritage Foundation, Americans for Tax Reform, the Cato Institute, Americans for Prosperity, etc. - American voters do not approve of the behavior of the 112th Congress.

Below is a message posted on a political blog this morning ("First Thoughts," newsvine.com) that wonderfully reflects my opinion about the broader issues of the 2012 campaign. It was composed by Mr. David Walker, a former Northern California TV journalist:

In my museum of memories ....

Thanks again, David, for expressing these ideas so very well!

Gingerbread Mamma

"The one you feed."

Well said, GM. Great allegory. Thanks for sharing.

DBO, implying that Cain is a turd is racist.

Speaking of Racist, none of you on the left have any problem with white women accusing a powerful Black man of harrassment? No racism there, eh? This whole thing stinks of racism, but since Cain isn't your guy, you all turn a blind eye to it.

So damn predictable.

Herman said you want a job, Herman than pushed her head toward his corndog. Cain thinks a "JOB" is a b!owjob. This dirtbag used his office as a sex tool, this loser is a very sick crazy clown. Cain's campaign is ready to burst into flames, Hurri-Cain Herman is still roaring and tripping all over his lies. Inappropriate sexual conduct is confirmed by five very nice lady's and this guy is guilty, this loser is a sex "Predator." This is what the Teatards support, The Teatards love nutty people like Cain, Perry & Bachmann.

That's great John A, because we know that Liberals can't form any thoughts on their own.

Now they can just cut and paste your letter. You all seem to be pretty good at that.

Your arrogance is just astounding.

Speaking of Racist, none of you on the left have any problem with white women accusing a powerful Black man of harrassment? No racism there, eh? This whole thing stinks of racism, but since Cain isn't your guy, you all turn a blind eye to it.

Well, White Collar, are you then ADMITTING that, since this whole thing STINKS of racism, that the GOP establishment is racist for what they are trying to do with Herman Cain?

and what makes you think that Herman Cain is 'powerful'???

Herman Cain appears to believe China has no Nuc-weapons, is this a "JOKE" ??????????

"So damn predictable."

really? I seem to remember several of us, myself included, saying we should all wait for the details, and that Cain could take himself down without help just by sticking to that 9 9 9 and Becki-Stan-Stan nonsense.

'turd' = 'racist'? How so? What about, say, Turd BLOSSOM? That racist, too?

Cain & Perry's 999 or 909 or flat tax plan would hammer the middle class and enrich the wealthy while driving up deficits. Is this a joke or what ???????????????????

Cain suggested electrifying a 20' fence along the U.S. border with Mexico to kill illegal immigrants, Is this a joke ?????????????????????

Dear Gingerbread: I would say a lot of that has been happening in our country for a long time. Good of you to post.

Cain said I will go to extremes to build your dreams ? What do you think ?

Hermann Cain is a stroke of good luck for democrats, the more republicans defend him the more independents they lose. If people thought Obama was losing support with the black community Hermann cain solved that in just under two weeks, and how about those women voters out there, Ha I'll bet they just can't wait to vote for him, right! Bottom line is the more people see of this guy the less they like him, and the more republicans try to defend him the more people associate all republicans with what they do not like about Cain. I hope he never gives up, hang tough Hermann.

Dear Lord, protect us from White Collar's IGNORANCE about what the word RASCIST means. Herman Cain is not qualified to be President of the United States because he is a bully and a liar,...it has NOTHING to do with his race.

It is only FITTING that we point out the hypocrisy of how willing the GNOP was to race bait with Harold Ford in that Tennessee election in 2006; but we are not allowed to draw parallels?

Whatever, ignoramus, whatever.

PS. Yessiree, Bob (both big and little) - it is a day to celebrate because the TeaNuts can't read tea leaves any better than they can read the Constitution. To say they OVERREACHED is a gross '...misunderestimation...' (to coin their former hero).

I love how the phony crowd acts like they weren't crowing from the roof tops LAST November,...yeah, right!

Wait a second, WCA!!!!

A woman holds a press conference with her attorney in tow, and during the event, she produces TWO sworn statement explaining in detail how Herman Cain sexually harassed her, two have received settlements, and a another one comes out and would like ALL five of them tohold a joint press conference.

Prior to that, when the story first broke, Herman Cain said that it was us Liberals that were mudslinging; then says that it was leaked by the Rick Perry Campaign; next he holds a press conference AND declares that the ENTIRE situation was an attack hatched by the Democrat Machine.

And let's not forget the statements he has made about African Americans AND Muslim Americans; OH BABY, these were priceless!

"African Americans are too poor to join the GOP/TP."

"I will not have Muslim Americans serve on my cabinet because they will push Sha'ria Law on the American People."

"I will have Muslim Americans serve on my cabinet PROVIDED they swear a specialty oath to me."

"African Americans are brainwashed to vote the Liberal and Democratic ticket, and won't consider voting for a Conservative Candidate."

"If you are black and will not/do not vote for me, then you are racist."

And you call us racist for attacking his character and questioning his ethics?

Fascinating.

Kevin - its do I say not as I do - The republican mantra... Cain flat out lied. All he had to say in the beginning is that there were settlements on his behalf, end of story. Republicans want accountability but don't want to be held accountable. I will be the first to admit that Bill Clinton was wrong, but by no means was it impeachable, shoot - probably half the president's in office would have been impeached if that were the case. Damage control 101 - Admit, get out your version and act contrite. Apparently their are no "pros" in his organization.

White Collar Auto:

Cain is an egomaniac; a corporate prick that is about himself and represents the do as i say not as I do corruption that many of us despise about politics. "Don't Blame these women, Blame yourself". I gather that his race is a moot point for the left; it is the Right that is enthralled with the shiny object as they suggest the racist remarks that they love to "quote" are volleyed unrelentingly by their liberal "friends".

Here's the schtick:

Cain isn't even a serious Republican, he's about himself, he was trying to brand himself and get a slot on FOX or national syndication for his radio show and "accidentally" landed in front; but with all his evil TP side show talk, the associate pastor from Antioch got a little whiff of Holy Righteousness; God does not like ugly and the chickens have come home to roost.

Mav-3674058:

IOKYAR, my friend. IOKIYAR.

Soundbite, I blame you. you have no proof, but you are sticking with your party at the expense of a persons character...Gloria Alread, really? Is this where your morals lye? Are you having a problem with Cain...is he just a little to black for you? In the case of Obama, you like a little cream with your coffee.

The Brain in Cain LIES Mainly on the Plain!....and simple minded.

Herman Cain is the ONLY person in this whole scenario who would lie. Herman has everything to lose.

POTUS job and BOOK deal!

Kirk-2957282:

"Because of property tax caps and quite frankly an inability to tax across the board enough anywhere close to enough to pay future unfunded benefits, money is guaranteed to run out soon."

It sounds to me like your village's problem, like in most cities, states, and even our nation as a whole, is insufficient revenue for government to be able to perform its most basic functions. In fact, you basically say as much. I don't quite understand, though, what you mean by "an inability to tax" unless you are saying that, like nationally, there are too many intransigent, anti-tax, Norquist republicans in power who wouldn't accept $1 in additional tax revenue in exchange for $10 in spending cuts.

Hopefully American voters will unite in 2012 and vote out the obstructionists in congress who prove time and time again that they are more loyal to their party, special interests, corporations, the wealthiest Americans, & Grover Norquist than to their country and the citizens they are voted to represent!

It seems that most on here are lightly touching the AZ recall election. But I suppose the continuing "he said, she said" drama unfolding around Herman Cain is more important than analyzing who a diverse voting public in AZ supported and how that might play on the national stage. Because if you look to Ohio as to how those votes will play out, you have to look at AZ as well.

The AZ voters threw their support behind a Mormon bishop. The AZ voters supported an advocate of charter schools. The AZ voters supported a man who is anti-gay, anti-atheist and anti-agnostic -- Jerry Lewis. Does the left really want to call the AZ recall of Pearce a victory? What does this say about the attitudes of voters? Any takers with rational thoughts -- and please don't give me lesser of two evils mantra 'cause that dog don't hunt.

Simply put, Cain isn't able.

Olebud, no its a local and state issue and we have already raised taxes far beyond any reasonable level. Plus with sales taxes here the highest in the nation, gas taxes the highest in the nation and property tax caps, how do you see us getting additional revenue. Its certainly not even close to a revenue issue. Its bad budgeting historically by spending every penny you bring in and more and not saving for infrastructure and spending that increases at 10% annually or more and revenues increasing at the rate of inflation. So its definitely a spending problem just like we have nationally.

Cain's honeymoon with his book is over, The book title should be "SEXUAL PREDATOR"

unfortunate the KKK is still a power in the democratic party.

And -- as First Read so eloquently puts it -- viola! It turns out this woman has a history of threatening lawsuits against her employers!

Seriously, if the journalists here would have done their job, from the beginning they would have been questioning this woman's motives. By her own lawyer's time line she didn't claim "hostile workplace" (July 1999) or leave (Sept 1999) until after the "offender" was long gone (prior to June 1999). They didn't even question it when the woman that hired her next said Klaushaar told her "Thank you so much for getting me away from that monster!"...even though Cain ("that monster") as noted was already gone from the NRA. By journalists simply putting two and two together, it should have been obvious that this story didn't add up.

Ms. Feisty's super Tuesday also suggested that Obama might be in trouble in Ohio. Their vote was also a repudiation of the individual mandate. Say what you will, it's definitely a warning shot across the bow of Obama's ship.

Virginia had 40 Democratic Senators, last night 20 of them will be enjoying the unemployment line with Pearce. BTW, Pearce was replaced by a Republican... oops!

ME kept the law they have always had on the books; not much a repudiation as some are suggesting. On the other hand, Mississippi now requires photo ID to vote. Since one is suppose to be bolstering Obama for 2012, shouldn't MS be seen as factor in Obama's unemployment bid?

Interesting point Ben. The AZ election doesn't look like much of a Democratic victory. And I doubt the loser will file for unemployment as fusty says. He'll probably just get a job. After all, he is a Republican.

As for Cain, unfortunately I believe he is toast. Too much he said she said. It doesn't matter if he did it or not, unfortunately. I wonder why Ron Paul has never been accused of such improprieties. Probably because everyone would laugh.

David Walker another great post. I hope all rational thinking people are taking comfort in regaining a little more faith in thier fellow Americans. Last night was proof and we will fight for this land and drive out all of the Republican and Democrat who do not work for us the American people. Mr. Walker, Wisconsin is writing your one way home ticket starting next week.

I have never seen so many racist statements on a comment section. Wow liberals are more racist than I had htought before. Of course liberals forget who Booker T. Washington, George Carver, and Martin Luther King all belonged to the Republican party. And it was the democrats who faught the Republicans for Civil Rights for blacks. I am jsut wowed how rude the comments are from your leader Fiesty Redhead who sould like a true ignorant low life white woman. I am sure she has not job and spends her day collecting federal aid in any way she can. I have know many just like all of you liberals.

Herman Cain is loved by all conservatives because of his values and we hate to see the false accusations by low life ladies. Not one has come from anywhere but this restaurant assocation. If he had a pattern we would see it come from Godfathers or Pepsi or other places he has worked. But you celebrate progressives becuase a year from now you will be upset and mad because Herman will be your president.

You know, I really love it when Conservatives use the schtick that "Republicans freed the slaves and fought for Civil Right", yet they don't go far enough to fully research the history of African Americans and the relationships between the GOP and Democrats.

Let me give you, and the rest of your Conservative companions, a crash course lesson on the facts, Jeff the Wonderful.

Want to know WHY Republicans fought to free the slaves? Here is the answer that will shock you: They were LIBERALS at the time. However, history shows that the GOP slowly took steps to shake off label, and in 1964, a dynamic shift in ideologies took place during the Presidential Debate when Barry Goldwater stated that he would NOT sign Civil Rights legislation into law. Then, in 1968, the Conservative Ideology had taken complete hold of the GOP when the RNC's National Convention too place in Miami, Florida, when they refused to sit the delegation of five African American REPUBLICANS.

Here is a link to an article that explains the rift between African Americans and the GOP:

http://kalexjam.newsvine.com/_news/2011/01/18/5872059-the-rift-between-african-americans-the-republican-party

Now, let me FURTHER your education as to WHY African Americans, such as myself, will vote for the PROLIBDEM Ticket:

I direct your attention to the Kennedy Administration. From the time JFK was inaugurated to the moment he was assassinated, he was involved with the Civil Rights Movement, from ordering the release of MLK from a Birmingham Jail to seeing to it that James Meredith, Vivian Malone and James Hood were able to attend college in Mississippi and Alabama, respectfully, to his lukewarm approach on Civil Rights Legislation and the Freedom Riders. It wasn't until after his assassination did things REALLY begin to take swing.

Enter Lyndon Baines Johnson.

LBJ continued and finished the work that his predecessor had started by signing into law the Civil Rights Act of 1964, and followed afterward was the signing of the Voting Rights Act of 1965. LBJ was a more PROACTIVE president when it came to these matters, and his meeting with MLK was self evident on that point, and if there was any doubt to that fact, he stated after his Presidential Election that he would fulfill his commitment to"Carry forward the plans and programs of John Fitzgerald Kennedy. Not because of our sorrow or sympathy, but because they are right."

When the Civil Rights Act was passed he was remembered saying "We have lost the South for a generation", because he knew that there were some staunch southern Democrats that were against him. But here is where things get real sticky and we see a fundamental shift in power. During the 1964 Presidential Election, the late Barry Goldwater, the God-Father of Conservatism, stated that he was AGAINST the Civil Rights Act, and with that defiant stance, he only won 6 states: His home state of Arizona, and five of the most battle hardened, bloody, Anti-Civil Rights and PRO segregationist states in the Union at the time: Louisiana, Mississippi, Alabama, Georgia and South Carolina. To say that he got his ass kicked by LBJ at the polls is an understatement. To this day, this has became known as the Southern Strategy for the GOP when dealing with African American Voters, since they feel that they only need 10-20% of the Black Vote. We'll cover the damaging relationship between the GOP/Tea Party and the African American Community at a later date.

LBJ went on a viscious tear denouncing the KKK and the above mentioned states, and the way he went after those that were responsible for the murders of the three Civil Rights Workers in Mississippi and the Civil Rights Worker in Alabama showed that he was more than determined to see that justice was sought and carried out for these individuals. In 1967, he made the most legendary appointment of his political career by nominating Thurgood Marshall, the man who challenged Brown Versus the Board of Education Topeka, Kansas and won, to the bench of the U.S Supreme Court.

Here is a list of laws that LBJ signed.

• 1964: Civil Rights Act of 1964
• 1964: Urban Mass Transportation Act of 1964
• 1964: Wilderness Act
• 1964: Nurse Training Act
• 1964: Food Stamp Act of 1964
• 1964: Economic Opportunity Act
• 1965: Higher Education Act of 1965
• 1965: Social Security Act of 1965
• 1965: Voting Rights Act
• 1965: Immigration and Nationality Services Act of 1965
• 1966: Freedom of Information Act (United States)
• 1967: Age Discrimination in Employment Act
• 1967: Public Broadcasting Act of 1967
• 1968: Architectural Barriers Act of 1968
• 1968: Bilingual Education Act
• 1968: Fair housing
• 1968: Gun Control Act of 1968
• 1968: Anti HJ Alliance Act of 1968

Because of LBJ's work, and the current lack of relations and the political strain between the GOP and African Americans, we will continue to vote Democrat.

Lesson that you NEED TO LEARN: IDEOLOGIES CAN SWITCH PARTIES AT ANY TIME!!!

You STILL want to defend Herman Cain? Then defend his comments:

"African Americans are too poor to join the GOP/TP."

"I will not have Muslim Americans serve on my cabinet because they will push Sha'ria Law on the American People."

"I will have Muslim Americans serve on my cabinet PROVIDED they swear a specialty oath to me."

"African Americans are brainwashed to vote the Liberal and Democratic ticket, and won't consider voting for a Conservative Candidate."

"If you are black and will not/do not vote for me, then you are racist."

i find it hard to believe the american people are so divided, between dems and reps, there is not a nickels difference between them,we need to be united to change the things, in this goverment that need to be changed

Amen, Kevin, Amen - I didn't see you mention Dixiecrats and some of the OTHER heinous things they supported; but this is an excellent history of the "party of Lincoln". Lincoln would have DENOUNCED this party. Pure and simple.

Unintended consequences - only if you fall for all the ads that the supporters were running.

Actually the main reason it was defeated by such a wide margin was the elimination of collective bargaining. If that were eliminated it would never been brought to a statewide vote. In total 3 of the 5 parts of SB-5 would pass a statewide vote.

Instead John Kasich has put his face on the defeat with his personal ads and will pay for that the remainder of his term and hamper his bid, if any, for reelection.

White Collar Auto

Libs are happy today with the win in Ohio yesterday. Just a warning, though, look out for those “unintended consequences” you on the left always forget about. Lay-offs will surely commence soon and the next round of negotiations will be a disaster. You on the left just can’t ever to see the forest for the tree.

White Collar Auto,

You might try hugging a tree right about now in lieu of you and other RWNJs harboring your bruised egos.

The more you mean spirited idiots say "NO" to destroy jobs , the more Americans figure out your Tea bagger Reps are not fit to govern.

Wow Bev. I think calling me an idiot is against the COH on this site.

Besides that, it's just mean.

COH is not pertinent when it's a libbie spewing the cr@p!

(Hypocrites!)

(show me the clown nose, fisty!)

WCA, obviously you have bought the 30-year incidious class warfare slowly manipulated by the GOP--demonize one group of middle class Americans and pit them against another. Well, good for you, sticking one's head in the sand is a good choice--that way, you won't notice when the GOP puts the private sector middle class next on the list for extinction.

Connect the dots, get rid of collective bargaining and get rid of the need for wages to be competitive in the private sector. Oh, yes, WCA, it is incidioius and your comments prove how successful the GOP has been at convincing average, middle income Americans of the evils of the right to bargain for fair wages and benefits.

White Collar Auto

Wow Bev. I think calling me an idiot is against the COH on this site.

Besides that, it's just mean

Stiff Collar,

Wasn't it you who made a scurrilous remark about me and Rev Al?

So much for adhering to decorum.

Looks like "White Collar Auto" and "SickOfTheBickering" need a hug this morning.

Jody, unlike you, I think for myself. I do not blindly follow the talking points of my party or need to strategize my posts with my buddies the night before I get here..

By the way, have you gotten a hold of Obama yet to tell him of your "Hire 1 teacher creat 6 Jobs" plan?

I would think we should be well on the way to prosperity with incredible out of the box thinking like that.

Or did someone else tell you to say that?

WCA, obviously you do not think for yourself because you believe what you have been told and repeat what you are told which I can turn on FOX or listen to a GOP legislator or strategist and hear the same thing. The wages and benefits you have were not given to you out of the goodness of a business's heart, they were hard fought victories achieved by collective bargaining. WE, everyone of us, conservative or liberal, have private sector benefits because unions fought for them. Denying such truth is why you do not think for yourself.

I was a republican until I thought for myself and realized what Ronald Reagan was doing. I continue to think for myself. I do not agree with everything democrats say or do nor do I embrace all things liberal. FYI, every job added creates an additonal 6--maybe not immediately but it does; that's not me making up numbers, that's numbers quoted from economic experts.

It's like the GOP claim that poor people don't create jobs which is another lie. Everytime a poor person or a middle class citizen buys milk, or clothes for their children, they support the jobs of those who sell them. They may not hire anyone directly but they hire them indirectly. Every job created or maintained, adds to the economy and in turn creates more jobs through increased demand. The more people who have jobs, the more jobs are createad through economic expansion.

Bev

Wasn't it you who made a scurrilous remark about me and Rev Al?

No Bev, it wasn't me. I do my best to not call anyone on here names. In fact Several months ago when you were away, I asked if you were Ok and was promptly told by Feisty to shut up and go away, because i obviously couldn't possibly care.

See if you can find where I said that. I have not hidden any of my posts.

WCA -- Maybe it was the tree growers that lobbied for the tax.

Am I missing something but Kasich wasnt proposing the elimination of collective bargaining in the private sector so why do you keep mentioning that. I am still totally lost as to why unions are even needed by government employees. Nobody as even attempted to explain that one to me and how to avoid the graft associated with legislators who collect money from the unions then turn around and negotiate their their benefits. But that said, unless Obama uses federal taxpayer money to bailout Ohio, I assume money doesnt grow on trees in Ohio, I assume this will mean loss of jobs in the government sector. I assume just like Rahm is doing in Chicago and cities across Illinois as they realize that Union benefits take up the entire budgets, cities will be looking to combine fire and police districts and the same thing with schools to eliminate the expensive overhead of administration. What ideas do the progressives have to save those jobs now?

Jody, the only one who fought for my compensation was me. I negotiated my own contract (salary and benefits) without having to pay any dues to anyone to do it for me.

So get off your soap box about Unions and quit thinking that I owe them anything.

I am afraid that is you who is mis-informed, by your obvious unwillingness to respond to the ludicrous claim you made about hirng teachers.

Tell me Jody, how can anyone take you seriously when you make such ridiculous declarations?

Da Noid

"Looks like "White Collar Auto" and "SickOfTheBickering" need a hug this morning."

Sorry- us 'libbies' are TREE huggers, not DWEEB huggers. Aincha heard?

Kirk -- What you are missing is the fact that those union members in the public sectors are willing to make concessions and indeed, across the Country, have made concessions. They appear to be very aware of budget concerns and quite willing to do their part. You often ignore that. He was calling for the elimination of collective bargaining from one group of workers. Maybe these governors need to look to the governors who have successfully negotiated with their employees without having to resort to tactics akin to tyranny. Maybe they can learn something from them.

White Collar Auto:

Cain is an egomaniac; a corporate prick that is about himself and represents the do as i say not as I do corruption that many of us despise about politics. "Don't Blame these women, Blame yourself". I gather that his race is a moot point for the left; it is the Right that is enthralled with the shiny object as they suggest the racist remarks that they love to "quote" are volleyed unrelentingly by their liberal "friends".

Here's the schtick:

Cain isn't even a serious Republican, he's about himself, he was trying to brand himself and get a slot on FOX or national syndication for his radio show and "accidentally" landed in front; but with all his evil TP side show talk, the associate pastor from Antioch got a little whiff of Holy Righteousness; God does not like ugly and the chickens have come home to roost.

DCIA--I am not missing that. I agree with you that in many areas concessions have been made but I think thats been more in the private sector than public. Again, can you explain why public sector employees need a union? But that aside, the concessions here in Illinois only kick the can down the road for a very short period. It doesnt address the fundamental problem in that there never will be enough money to pay all the teachers, firemen, police and other government pensions and health care in the future. Its an unfortunate economic reality here in Illinois that will cause a lot of economic misery. My question is whether that is the case in Ohio too that as they address these issues, jobs will be lost in significant numbers and benefits lost for future retirees because of this.

So Jody you do believe in trickle down economics? I would think you would love the GOP then. Its not that the poor and middle class dont create jobs through their consumption its just that their consumption is a very small part of the overall consumption pie. Just like taxes, the more you make, the more you pay in taxes and the more you consume. The wealthy and especially the working wealthy are the by the largest consumers by absolute dollars and percentages so they buy more clothes, more cars, more services etc that create jobs.

What I will say Kirk is that they are exercising their rights. Business has the Chamber of Commerce lobbying for them and I don't see you complaining about the power they yield.

People are free to vote for representatives that are smart and have the ability to negotiate with a union as well as the forethought to design long term budgets with 30+ year outlooks. If you don't feel your representative is effective in handling their responsibilities then you are free to fire them in the next election by casting your vote for someone else. Pretty simple.

DCIA--first I have no beef with private sector unions. As for government unions, can you give me their purpose again? But if you banned unions from contributing to the campaigns of politicians who were then negotiating their benefits, maybe your conclusion was valid. But thats not the case. But even so, put aside bargaining, if there isnt enough money and an unwillingness to discuss the issue sort of like social security long term entitlements, arent we just asking for our kids and grandkids to pay the price?

DCIA--by the way isnt that what the good people in Wisconsin did but the democrats didnt like it so left the state? But unfortunately for all of us, there isnt any politician who has a 30 year outlook in any jurisdiction so thats a moot point. Look at what has happened in states in which the government unions have corrupted the legislative process and are bankrupting the states. Look at California, Illinois and NY and it is spreading and I dont blame the union members at all (although you still havent explained to me what purpose government unions have the rights that need union protection) for the benefits they bargain for, its the unholy alliance with the politicians who know they cant meet their future promises and it will now adversely impact some group at the time we run out of money. Whether Kasich or Walkers or Christies approach to dealing with the economic issues is clearly debatable but the fundamental need to deal with these issues remains.

Kirk-2957282:

"Just like taxes, the more you make, the more you pay in taxes..."

Unless you happen to be one of the republi-CON party's "bosses": corporations and the wealthiest Americans. Actually, it SHOULD be the case that "the more you make, the more you pay in taxes", but unfortunately, because of GOP/TP policies (like the Bush Tax Cuts and subsidies for the oil industry) it isn't. We have lived (barely) with the Bush Tax Cuts for a decade now. How much has the economy grown because of them? How many jobs have been created as a result of the tax cuts? No matter how much the republiCLOWNS insist to the contrary, tax cuts DO NOT grow the economy or result in job creation -- history PROVES that.

Compare the economic growth and job creation statistics for the eight years of the Clinton administration (when taxes were higher) to the economic growth and job creation during the eight (long & disastrous) years of the Bush 43 administration and it is quite clear that tax cuts and "trickle down economics" DO NOT WORK. In fact, yesterday the non-partisan CBO released a report which show that if the Bush Tax Cuts are not allowed to expire at the end of 2012, it will add $10 trillion dollars to our deficit over the next ten years. If, as they claim, republi-CONS are TRULY concerned about reigning in our debt and deficits, they will allow the Bush Tax Cuts (at least for corporations and the wealthiest Americans) to expire next year. They won't do this, however, out of fear that their "bosses" (corporations, the 1%, and Grover Norquist) will work to defeat them in their re-election campaigns.

When Clinton left office, we had a budget SURPLUS in this country. DUH-byas tax cuts, his two UNFUNDED (& unnecessary) wars that he charged to our "Bank of China credit card", and his UNFUNDED Medicare Part D Prescription Drug Plan (which he also paid for with borrowed money) not only erased this budget SURPLUS, it also sent our debt and deficits spiraling out of control. WHY ON EARTH would any semi-intelligent person vote for ANY of the republican presidential candidates or the obstructionist GOP/TP members of congress in 2012? The past decade will have taught us NOTHING if we fail to realize that the reTHUGlican policies of lowering taxes and deregulation, much like the Bush presidency, can only be described by one word: FAILURE.

Kirk....

Americans with the highest incomes now account for only 37 percent of all consumer purchases.

During the Great Prosperity ('47-'77) the nation as a whole grew faster - median wages surged - the very rich took home a SMALLER portion of total incomes. Our middle class had the ability to consume more goods and services, which created more and better jobs, thereby stoking demand.

As opposed to the Present (actually '81 to present) — where the rich have had a much LARGER portion of total incomes - growth slowed, median wages froze or in many cases took a downturn - consumption by the middle class slowed or halted completely in many areas.

1928 and 2007 — the two years just preceding the biggest downturns - the top earners’ share of the nation’s total income peaked

Seeing a pattern here? History** shows your theory not to be true. When so much income goes to the top, the middle class doesn’t have enough purchasing power to keep the economy going without considerable personal debt.

**information available from many sources

SOB Show me the clown nose fisty is awfully nice, you include that with every post no matter the topic or the poster, you have no business preeching the COH, you weaken the point when you do.

First off Vermont Girl--your statistics are misleading and not used correctly and you know it. If you use the same statistics as the IRS and say those making over 250k who pay over 70% of all federal income tax, they also are over 70% of all consumption but you miss the point completely. I am not against the middle class at all nor am I an apologist for deficit spending economic policies of either party. If you are trying to use the present 81-until 2007 from the CBO report that discussed income inequality, you will discover that it wasnt tax policy that created that inequality. There are so many factors that create the issues you are trying to summarize in brief posts that it boggles the mind that you are making political choices based on it. We do need a growing a vibrant middle class but we need to close the education gap which is the biggest creater of income inequality. We need to do something with illegal immigration driving down wages in the lowest quintile and we need to stop making wealth redistribution transfers from the government from the poor and middle class to the wealthy as we are doing now in the form of social security and medicare.

Kirk why can't they meet their obligations, they met them for 70 years, what changed, we stopped collecting taxes and redistributing tax money to corporations to entice them that's what changed, that right there is your unholy alliance. We sure met our obligations to the banks and wall street, we made them while again, we made sure the million dollar bonus checks were never interrupted. Tax payers never got to vote on that now did they.

Ole bud--you lose all credibility debating with your silly names for the GOP. I get it your a democratic lever kind of guy that doesnt intellectually think through the issues. So many of your assumptions and the facts you think are correct are actually wrong and I dont want to do the work for you. But the easiest way to say it is that I liked both Reagan and Clinton. There is all kinds of evidence from the Reagan era tax cuts that created jobs, the Clinton era tax cut to capital gains tax especially helped drive the internet investment and stock market values and even the Bush tax cuts created revenue greater by significant margins over what Clinton brought in and drove job creation until the financial crash. In all of these eras, it was overspending especially by bush that created so many problems.

I am not a bush supporter as I think he was an awful president but I am willing to stay with the facts. His spending on the wars and unfunded entitlements was a disaster. But Clinton didnt leave office with a surplus. In none of his years did the government finish with an overall surplus but the CBO did project out surpluses based on the growth estimates at that time for the future. Obviously with the internet crash, 9/11 and the reduction in growth assumptions those surpluses were gone before the bush tax cuts. You have every reason to be angry but you really should stop your thugery and get angry at all the politicians of both parties who spent our money in such cavalier ways that have put us in this deficit hole that will reduce the standard of living for our kids and grandkids as we try and pay our debts back.

Forrest, you are talking two different animals. At the state and local level in which the Ohio union proposal was at issue and in Illinois, the government revenue comes in the form of sales taxes, property taxes, state income, gas taxes permits etc. None of that is related to bail outs and all the Wall street greed that is making the OWS crowd and obviously you mad. By the way, I never wanted the bail outs and that is squarely on the Obama administration. I dont want to speak for Ohio but in Illinois, it isnt about stopping collecting taxes or redistributing them, as tax revenue as gone up for 30 years at rates much greater than inflation. Its that expenses, payroll and benefit liabilities have gone up. If revenue goes up 6% lets say, and city government employees salaries go up 8%, health and retirement benefits go up 15% and headcount goes up every year for whatever partisan reason, its not a revenue issue. Then you start with the proposition that no city reserves for its infrastructure and every year it budgets a certain amount for repair and if there are any hiccups what happens.

This unholy alliance in Illinois has created such a mess that I really worry about my mom's teacher's pension as its hard to see that there will be any money to pay. So at least in California, Illinois and NY you cant blame in GOP on the problems and you cant blame it on bailouts to corporations and wealthy.

Simple solution, raise taxes on those who have paid little or none for 12 years.

Certainly none of those in Illinois. Sales tax highest in the country, gas tax highest in the country, income tax is a flat gross income tax and property taxes are very high. So unlike federal income tax even the poor and middle class have paid lots of tax in Illinois so can't squeeze more. It's not a revenue issue here

Jody, Iowa

Oh, gad, another GOP debate tonight. This one might be worth watching simply because of the Cain Factor.

I'm ready to watch the circus, got my popcorn and my wine is chilling.

Miscellaneous.

Jody, you spoken the truth. Too bad the right is in denial. Somehow they think their money can destroy American values in order to enforce their greedy agendas. they are about to become exposed and surprised thanks to Koch- Cain

The Koch-Cain Connection: IRS Urged to Probe Ties Between Cain Campaign and Billionaire Koch Brothers.

That is a good thing

Thank, Bev, you speak truth as well.

Actually with the voter turnout yesterday, I'd say that Issue 3 had bi-partisan support.

Also -- everyone seems to be leaving out the apparent (recount to come) Republican victory in Virginia to control the lower House.

White Collar , I forgot to mention. Besides, hugging a tree you might want to carefully examine what this 15 cents a Christmas indicates.

If the President did not have Christmas trees, FOX & Fiends would have its right wing echo chamber accusing the President of instilling Muslim values on America.

Oh, and of course they'd LIE about the 15 cents just like they did about the $16 muffin

Can you see the hypocrisy and dishonesty in that?

Ben, read Miscellaneous where I reference the VA GOP win; I did not have details of it in time to say much. Also please note that nowhere in my Ohio Issue 3 remarks did I say it was passed only with republican support.

Jody -- Good for you in including the GOP events in VA. I did not mean to infer that you said that the Ohio was passed only with Republican support. My point is that the American public on both sides of the aisle do not like major parts of the AFC and without the mandate, then the entire act could be in jeopardy.

Ben-636050

Actually with the voter turnout yesterday, I'd say that Issue 3 had bi-partisan support.

Now that is what I'm talking about Benny Boy,

Don't count you chickens before they hatch.

The mandate still has to go before the Supreme Court. This means if it is declared constitutional all 50 states must adhere.

2 things:

A ruling against it, while a setback to the law itself, could serve to embolden the argument Obama has already been making that Republicans across all branches of government have become obstructionists without solutions.

Democratic strategist John Lapp, a veteran of political campaigns, said even if the administration loses the case, Obama will likely be able to resurrect the narrative of “Republicans undermining critical healthcare for the middle class.”

The messaging on health care could only serve to energize Obama’s liberal supporters, experts say.

http://abcnews.go.com/blogs/politics/2011/09/risk-reward-in-obama-health-care-law-appeal-to-supreme-court/

==================================================================

Win Win; yes

Then you can throw all your pipe dreams out the window.

Rather than watch our family members either suffer from illness or die, you'd subscribe to the anti-government, anti people Koch bothers efforts to destroy people and the economy.

The Kochs want your slave labor and don't care if you live in a cardboard box or slip off a cliff.

My hope is more right wing people won't continue to be so flummoxed and wake up to the RepubliCON'S sabotage.

Beverly -- Please. I subscribe to no such thing and your characterization is just flat not the case. I was merely making an observation. The voters in Ohio could not have been emboldened any more than what they were when they showed up at the polls yesterday. They obviously "split their ticket" on the issues. I don't believe any one could deny that.

Ben I agree, perhaps not as happily as you about the mandate defeat; but you bring up a valid point. All in all it was a mixed result. Good for the Governorship in Kentucky, good for the defeat of the over reaching, egg fertilization pro life amendment, good for the union rights in Ohio.

However, I think that the rejection of the mandate amendment, although not binding in any way bodes ill for Obama. Obviously SCOTUS is the last word. I'll try to look at if from a non partisan perspective. If an overwhelming majority 65% of normally democratic voters vote for repeal of the union curbing bill, wouldn't it be reasonable to think that those voters would also vote in favor of another democratic amendment ie. support of the individual mandate?

Good job democrats on the victories. However don't count your chickens, if those same Ohio voters tie their dislike for the mandate and HCR to Obama as a major deciding factor for their vote, who wins Ohio? Will Obama win or will Romney or the ABR eventual candidate win?

Ben, you are right that the voting public does not seem to like what they've heard about Obamacare; however, just this week a conservative appelate court did, indeed, declare it constitutional.

http://www.washingtonpost.com/business/appeals-court-rules-obama-health-care-law-is-constitutional-agrees-to-toss-religious-suit/2011/11/08/gIQA5sB30M_story.html

Once FACTUAL information is disseminated, states (and voters) will understand it more thoroughly. I personally believe that the CHATTER has more to do with public opinion than the FACTS. Time will tell, I guess.

Mark,

Ohio Issue 3 Constitutional Amendment – Preserve the freedom of Ohioans to choose their health care and health coverage.

This issue was advertised to prevent mandated purchase of Federal Health Care Insurance. It will not, cannot.

While I agree this is a referendum on our President’s ACA it only says that Ohioans and I would suspect Americans don’t like being told what they can and cannot do. Most Americans still resent that they have to wear seat belts.

But voters didn’t understand the unintended consequences of this issue on future State programs and any other efforts to pay for health care in Ohio.

@Yellowdog & Clara -- Please don't read into the comment as me being "happily" about these events. I am not. Also, Clara if in fact what you say is the case about the facts not being out or understood, who's at fault there? I believe the facts are out and the American public does not agree with large parts of them. I believe that the issue will finally be resolved in the SCOTUS as does Yellowdog.

You guys better be careful. You will be excommunicated from the left club on here by actually discussing issues in a rational manner LOL.

@Dennis -- You can't keep excusing voters by them not understanding the issues. Start giving your fellow citizens more credit for reasoning and understanding. I am sure in Ohio both sides of the issue were debated and politicized. The voters then have to make their decision and they did. Your are right that Americans don't like to be told what to do. That will never change no matter what the unintended consequences are.

Dennis - Thanks for providing the wording for the amendment, honestly. It appears as if it was clearly stated. The 10 state amendments were in legalese here in Texas, had to read them a couple of times.

Hopefully, the mood of Ohio and the public in general improves about the mandate, whether it survives the SCOTUS or not, the mandate will affect the election.

HCR is what it is, despite its inadequacies I would rather hope it stays intact vs. the GOP dismatling it in its entirety.

Ben 6350 - You guys better be careful. You will be excommunicated from the left club on here by actually discussing issues in a rational manner LOL.

Ben - Well if that happens me and Clara can always talk about sports.

Ben,

Actually Issue 2 got all the attention and Issue 3 received nearly zero attention including only a couple TV ads and no debates.

It is the citizen’s responsibility to research issues as I did. If they did their homework the margin would not have been so wide - they just read the headline.

@Dennis -- Again excuses and conjecture on your part. Since I used to work for Columbia of Gas of Ohio for 20 years and spent a good part of my life in Columbus, I have a many, many friends who still live there. All of them were aware of the issues at hand. I'd say the citizenry did their research. The majority just came to a different conclusion than you that's all.

Hi Pietro.....great post, you have summed it up very well. This reality show is worth a bowl of popcorn or two. Herman is putting on a great show!!!

Great to see you posting....don't be a stranger hope to see you often.

Pietro, well done. Nice to see you here again. I watched Cain's press conference late yesterday and smiled as he said it is the "democrat machine" causing such harm to his campaign but then said he has no proof. How ridiculous to blame democrats when polls show him losing badly to President Obama. If he wants to blame someone, he should point the finger at Karl Rove, Romney and the establishment GOP, as you mention, where it belongs.

Pietro, my long lost brother-in-arms,

You are speaking NOTHING but the Gospel Truth!!!

I mean, who needs reality television shows when one can watch the GOP/TP Presidential Debates, and watch them visciously excoriate each other?

I am enjoying this to the full.

Pietro - Good to see you.

If Cain wanted to truely live up to a cartoon character, rather than Pokemon, it would be better for him to look to another Nick cartoon - Mister Krabs of Sponge Bob Square pants.

His character could be likened to the jovial, loud spoken, yet miserly restaurant owning crab who mistreats the earnest Sponge bob.

Probably will skip the debate and watch nickelodeon with my son. It is so much more enlightening.

Pietro: SB 1070 is still very much supported by the majority of the voting population here in AZ. I live district 18 where Russell Pearce served...he was voted out of office because he wasn't forthcoming about receiving some free tickets to sports venues as by law, he should have...it was not because of his authoring SB 1070. Just wanted to give you the whole story and give you the real story here.

Juanita......Right! and you keep believing that and we might be able to make a deal on a bridge I have for sale.

Juanita......Right! and you keep believing that and we might be able to make a deal on a bridge I have for sale.

Still spreading you 'fib'... eh Juanita?

See comment #1.9 for the TRUTH will ya?

Juanita Dominguez - Thank you for the view from the ground in that district. In this case, what matters is that Russell Pearce has been defeated in a recall election and he will NOT be authoring any more hateful legislation for a while, even if most of the voting public in Arizona supports SB1070. I think that even you can agree with that assessment

Jerry Lewis on immagration:

I stand for the rule of law and am not for open borders. The federal government has the responsibility to secure our national borders and create manageable and meaningful immigration policy. Lawlessness, as well as inconsistent enforcement of existing immigration laws has created an environment where people are calling upon Washington to wholeheartedly address and resolve the many issues pertaining to immigration. Immigration has polarized Arizona more than any other issue in recent memory. I support law enforcement's efforts to carry out their duties as defined by their constitutionally enforceable city, county and state laws. I also recognize that we need to move beyond the polarizing, contentious and fear-based rhetoric that undermines the chance for any real solutions.

Arizona's first priority is to effectively and collaboratively work with the federal government to secure and enforce the border. While the federal government fulfills its responsibility to secure the border, I support a rational and fair solution for dealing with immigrants who have committed no crime other than being here without proper documentation. Reasonable, enforceable and sustainable immigration reform must be guided by principles of maintaining national security, respecting all humanity, preserving families, enforcing the rule of law, and weighing economic impact.

A balanced approach to solving our immigration problem is supported by many faith groups and business leaders. Let's focus on doing the hard work of actually solving our immigration problems.

I also believe that the election in AZ can shed some light on who the candidate is and how one's back ground may or may not influence voters. Number 1 -- Lewis is a Mormon Bishop. Number 2 -- Lewis is president of a charter school organization. Number 3 -- Lewis is a high official and supporter of the Boy Scouts. This is the same Boy Scout organization that has withstood challenges to its prohibition of members being gay, atheists and/or agnostics.

Jerry Lewis has been a resident of Mesa for nearly 30 years. He is a family man and a community leader. A former Certified Public Accountant, and senior manager for accounting firm Deloitte and Touche, Jerry understands how to manage finances, tax and regulatory issues, and knows business. A current superintendent of a statewide charter school organization, Lewis will bring three decades of private-sector management and finance experience to the state capitol.

Lewis will also bring over three decades of community service, having served in a variety of volunteer, church, and civic positions, including his current service as Vice President of the Grand Canyon Council of the Boy Scouts of America and former service as Chairman of the Mesa District of the Boy Scouts of America; Stake President and Bishop in the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints; Treasurer, Board Member and Coach of the Westwood Little League (formerly known as Mesa Northwestern Little League); Coach for Mesa Girls Softball and Mesa YMCA Soccer; Member of various Whittier Elementary, Carson Junior High and Westwood High School parent groups; Chairman of the Westwood Baccalaureate Committee; and President of the Arizona Drug Abuse Program (formerly known as the Palmer Drug Abuse Program)

Juanits I told you they would call you a liar, even though they know nothing about the facts of the election.

Ostrich's. All of 'em are just Ostrich's.

Ben, how do you explain the fact that the Obama team has deported more illegals, and prosecuted more employers for hiring illegals in less than 3 years than Bush did in 8? No one disputes that border security is important but the best way to reduce the flow of illegals is to reform our immigration laws as well. Why is it republicans talk the talk about illegal immigration nationally but do not walk the walk to fix it? One thing I will credit President Bush for doing is trying to reform the immigration laws--too bad the GOP could not bring themselves to actually take a step toward a solution. Why is that? Because it makes a great campaign issue for them and they will continue to exploit it as long as they can. If AZ, TX, NM, CA have problems, they should talk to their GOP federal legislators and convince them to do something. President Obama cannot sign a law if no legislation is passed by Congress; all he can do is what he has done, use Executive Orders for temporary fixes.

Jody -- I don't have any facts on what administration did or did not deport the most. It would be an interesting read if you have a link to a non-White House, non-biased source. I was only pointing out what Jerry Lewis' stance on immigration is. It is in line with mine and the majority of Americans -- and obviously the AZ voters including all nationalities. Reform --IMO -- is not needed. Enforcement is. There is a path to being legal in this country and it is not through hidden tunnels and/or long walks through deserts.

Also, thank you. You seem to be the only one -- right or left -- to want to have a civil discourse on the matters. Jerry Lewis' background is important and a matter for contemplation of how voters view certain issues that have been raised on the national stage. To deny this is foolish and a failed attempt to spin.

You are right! Mitt is just watching the rest "self destruct" Romney 2012 !!

Mitt in his flannel yesterday was 'predicting' the headlines NEXT year as, "Mitt is IT!"

I have my own prediction,..."Mitt is Sh!t!",...

but hey, that's just me.

sig, good points all; nice post.

Herman Cain is a dirty old man.

Jody: Thanks.

Sig

I missed that one. Wow! Thanks for the info, Bryan E.

Bryan E -

Can I add that while I loathe and despise the cheesy/sleazy negative campaign ads on both sides in almost any election, this race seemed to have them on the air about every other commercial break, and the respective messages seemed to boil down to the Republicans just saying that the two Democrats would raise taxes (I'm shocked, I tell you, just shocked at that one!) and the Democrats attacking Bruce Castor for saying he was "not a consensus builder" and calling Jenny Brown "Tea Party Jenny Brown" just because she had met with them and shared some of their views.

As usual, I think all the ads were way over the top, misleading and just plain tawdry. But it's interesting to see which of those two messages apparently resonated most with the voters.

Anyway, congratulations - here in Delco, Republicans still rule the local roost. 'Cause, you know, if you vote Democratic in the county elections, you can't get a job here and "they" won't plow in front of your house when it snows and all that..... :)

FreeThinker,

You know, I actually expected Perry to take a swing at Romney during the last "debate". Like you said, here's to hoping. Would make for great TV!

FreeThinker-657099

The only thing that separates GOP debates from a Jerry Springer episode, is the disappointing lack of fist fights.

Here's to hoping.

Who needs reality TV when you have these guys

FreeThinker,

That is so LOL funny.

But, don't count it out. It could still happen. As Bali Bob pointed out it almost happened between "Live or Die" Perry & Romney. Gawd, if Perry gets a little nip who knows what could transpire?

Mitt will kick Perrys A-- The party is over for the Tea Party Romney 2012

Good, one, Bali Bob! His emphatic insistence that he has never behaved inappropriately with anyone and it's the fault of the "democrat machine" fingerpointing misses the obvious which you summed up perfectly--blame himself.

"Could it possibly be some far right idealists who slant facts to bolster their positions?"

Hint: Hannity plugs them endlessly.

He was worth forgetting.

Read my lips - No new Texans!

Monetfan.......Newt represents what the media can do aligned with a political party when it takes on assassinating a politician's career. They did make him your poster child. I remember Newt's indiscretions and how they were handled and that of Clinton's. We did not hear Newt say, depends on what the meaning of is....is... but he was disenginuous in his complaints on Clinton's morals..both were wrong, only Newt was held accountable.....none the less, liberals still smart at what he and other newly elected Congressmen accomplished with the reforming of welfare and the claw back of big government and the balancing of the budget while paying off the debt. Clinton was dragged to that position and now takes credit for moving to the center. It may smart a little when real history is told but the young are intelligent enough to check the facts as liberals continue with assassinations. It is a your only option when you can not sell your positions you immediately to take on destroying the character of those who say no.....but the question remains whether the younger voters will reject your post for the facts.

"Socialism" again? ---- Still the only "Socialist" politician in Congress happens to be Bernie Sanders from the "3rd Party"!

Every conservative President you can call a "Socialist" especially the former President of the United States & former President of the Screen Actors Guild,,, Ronald Reagan

Reagan went farther than anyone yet into "Socialism".. . Reagan delivered "Pure Socialism" to the Ukraine

On the beatles album that is followed by" I buried Paul" (Ron?)

Sure you have Barry, ever take a math class? --- 9 is a "prime number"