Fun, Ursula, thanks!

This was fun to read, Ursula! I went to a Romney rally in Portland during the primary, and stood waiting for over an hour next to a very lovely couple who had come to support Romney. We chatted about this and that, but I didn't tell them I was a Democrat or discuss politics.

I noticed these folks applauded the most over Romney's remarks on the evils of "regulations." It made me wonder what was in these people's minds, that they think allowing Wall Street, or polluters, I'm not sure what was being referred to, to go back to business as usual. Maybe the town doesn't let them put up a billboard for their business on the highway, I don't know. Lovely people, but an enigma, to me. Too bad we can't talk more honestly with folks who disagree with us, maybe we'd resolve these differences.

We need a third party.

"If you can't beat Barack Obama with this record, then shut down the party. Shut it down, start new, with new people. Because this is a gimme election, or at least it should be," Ingraham said on her radio program yesterday. "Election after election, we hire people who have lost previous campaigns, who have run campaigns that have failed, who have messaged campaigns where the message fell flat, and they keep getting re-hired."

Don't really care for her, but she is right on this.

The Republican Party needs to purge the far right wing out of leadership positions and go back to what they were in the '60's and early 70's. In those days, they were fiscally conservative, but socially libertarian. I was a Republican in those days, but cannot in good conscience support their candidates any more.

If they don't do this, they may go the way of the Whigs.

NDD, as I've said before, the first President I ever voted for was Gerald Ford. When I was in high school I liked our Rep. Dave Emery (R.) I also voted for Olympia Snowe. Snowe retired at over 70% popularity in the state, but she faced a tough primary in her own party. I guess you could say, the Republican Party left me, not the other way around.

Me too, Amy.

VA Bob:

Pure BUNK! Expensive home brew? Really?

Sure glad I did the right thing in '08 and since. I've gone the sensible route and pick the best person for the job, not straight Dem or Rep. We've got some great R's and D's in our great State of Illinois, politicians that care about things that count including education, seniors, honesty, integrity, and the future of our society Oh, we've got some who get lost for a bit and some pure rotten ones too! Perhaps we have had more than our statistical share. Just a matter of time and they'll do themselves in and get the boot or the message or a prison sentence.

Today's Republicans are sooo different from years ago. What happened? Not sure, maybe corporate greed, big money agenda, boy's club? I personally think that laced teabags (or is that teabags with lace?) did something. Yup drinking the tea... The values are sure different. I like tea, hot and cold, but Tea Party ideals? Not today, thank you.

What’s the value now of a “no tax” pledge that others have signed and sold their souls to Oliver, forever!?Oliver? Shame on you! What a power trip you have with the gloating about the Republicans enslaved, with promises of political ruination to any who would dare to increase any tax even by a penny. And Republicans, have you ever considered combining forces and dumping Oliver like a teabag in Boston Harbor?

When did all the cr** happen to bipartisan cooperation and civility? Go back and look at some of the biggest corporate fraud and scandal cases. Money, Money, Money! Pyramids have to collapse, guilt will eventually eat the bad ones from the inside and sometimes plain ole justice prevails. Actually it is not just
money. Personal ego, popularity, being on the "in" and being courted and curried for votes and favors rank right up there with the almighty dollar.

Both of my late grandmothers would likely take a switch to some of the candidates and their brilliant campaign teams, for the whopper fibs and wait… lies, lying statistics and lies about the lies. For shame. Democrats are not off scot-free by any stretch of the imagination. Thank goodness for regular election opportunities and term limits. Honest journalism and reporting certainly have helped flush out the bad ones, though it might take time and sometimes they are just to be replaced by another with equal stripes. Seeing some of the select news broadcasts showing complicity in supporting lies and fomenting even more unbelievable theories as facts is an amazing fantastical comedy. People believe this stuff, Really? You Birthers, get real, please. Enough already. Here's hoping that the stockholders vote sensibly and clean up Corporate America. All the wasted advertising dollars. Just think about seeing those monies reinvested in the company to help grow our economy.

For nearly four years, many Democrats, Independents and brave Republicans, Vice-President Joe Biden and our 44th President, Barack Obama have done a super job from the top down. Given the tough
pushback and despite a few missteps, they have publically embraced and stood firm for us who are different and the same. The unprecented economic and political environment and a world that is growing, changing and falling from time to time have proven a challenge and yet, it is still forward motion. They make me proud to be in this great country at this time and watch profound history being made. I am encouraged and emboldened for the future. May we all take a lesson from our great 16^th President, Abraham Lincoln, and have the courage to do right by all, for now and for the future of our country and our global community.

Forgive me if I miss someone: women, veterans, LGBTQ, impoverished, destitute, minorities of every color and ethnicity, dreamers, seniors, military families and the troops we put in harms’ way, students, un/under-employed, single parents, higher education, career training, immigrants from the four corners, early start programs, children, disabled, health challenged and the uninsurable, workers with blue, pink, rainbows and white-collars, educators, union members, and the 99%. Whoops, wait, they are for ALL of us, 100%.

This isn’t about religion, or faith. Nor is it about being popular or having the most money. Big money? Yes, a corporation is an economic entity with the right to sue, but also be sued. Citizens United seems to have granted individual human rights to corporations with respect to freedom to speak with money, lots of money. Corporations DO NOT VOTE! It’s one vote per person, uber-rich, poor or stuck reaching for somewhere near the middle. As for those who would seek to create obstacles for those who seek to exercise their right to vote, if one is denied, the rest of us will speak louder. You won't be around long to push us around. Bet on it!

Finally, we can continue a real hope for leaders who are not afraid of offending the ultra-conservative, straight-lacers and perhaps face losing the support of big money. Leaders, who put their personal
convictions on every day and bravely stand firm for all, in front of the world, Yes, for every last one of us, warts and all!

Bob, pour a cold one, sit back and watch history being made. Remember your childhood lessons of the golden rule, and that we are all accountable and responsible for our fellow citizens of the world, like it or not. A measure of a man… What is your legacy?

As for me, not sure if it will be beer, wine, a cola, or cold well water, but I can say that come November, I'll vote for proven honesty and integrity every time.

Someday I’ll tell my grandchildren about all of this and smile with satisfaction and relief, for their future.

VOTE, it is your right and duty.

Obama/ Biden 2012 Let the change continue…