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Subscribe to RSSOn Election Day, all eyes will be on the race for the White House, but in several states that won’t be the only contest worth watching. Across the country, voters will also face decisions about local referendums and amendments to their state constitutions on a variety of policy issues -- from gay marriage and marijuana legalization to reproductive rights.
Indeed, according to the left-leaning Ballot Initiative Strategy Center, voters will decide the fate of more than 130 ballot measures on Nov. 6. Here are some of the more closely watched ones:
1. Legalizing gay marriage (Maryland & Washington state): Voters in Maryland and Washington will be asked to either uphold or dismiss their state’s marriage-equality laws. In March, Maryland Gov. Martin O’Malley (D) signed into law a bill legalizing same-sex marriage. Opponents of the new law fired back in June, gaining enough signatures to put the issue before voters this November. Similarly, same-sex marriages were legalized in Washington last February when Gov. Christine Gregoire (D) signed the “Marriage Equality” bill. However, the law could be overturned this fall when it faces a referendum vote in the November election. If either of these measures is passed, it would be the first time in U.S. history that a ballot measure in support of same-sex marriage would win a statewide popular vote.
2. Banning gay marriage (Minnesota): Voters will decide whether or not to pass a proposed state constitutional amendment that defines marriage as being between only one man and one woman. Currently, same-sex marriages are not recognized in the state.
3. Legalizing marijuana (Arkansas, Massachusetts, Oregon, Colorado, Washington): Voters in both Arkansas and Massachusetts will be asked to vote on the legalization of marijuana -- for medical use -- in their states. In these measures, both states outline what type of medical conditions qualifies an individual to use marijuana without criminal penalties. Voters in Colorado, Oregon, and Washington will decide whether or not recreational usage of marijuana should legal for all people 21 and older, and taxed/regulated in the same way as alcohol currently is.
4. Adopting Maryland's "Dream Act”: In 2011, the Maryland General Assembly passed Senate Bill 167, which is commonly referred to as the “Maryland Dream Act.” The law allows undocumented students to pay in-state tuition at Maryland community colleges if they graduate high school in the state and their parents file taxes in Maryland. After completing two years at a community college, the students can then transfer to a state university, while still paying the in-state tuition rate. This current ballot measure will decide if this law stays or goes.
5. Enacting campaign finance reform (California): Proposition 32 aims to make key changes to campaign finance laws in California. If passed, neither unions nor corporations would be allowed to donate directly to state and local political candidates; employee payroll deductions could not be used for “political purposes”; and the law would prohibit government contractors from donating to candidates who’ve helped them secure a contract. Opponents of this reform are fearful that, if the ballot proposition passes, the voices of Super PACs and special interest groups will be louder than ever before.
6. Outlawing affirmative action (Oklahoma): State Question #759 will appear on ballots across Oklahoma in November, and it asks voters whether or not affirmative action programs in the state should be banned. The three areas targeted by the amendment are employment, education, and contracting. If passed, the ban on affirmative action programs would extend to the state, its agencies, counties, cities, towns, school districts, and other subdivisions.
7. Banning federal funds for abortions (Florida): Voters in Florida will decide on a constitutional amendment that would ban the use public funds for abortions, unless it's performed in order to save the mother’s life. The amendment also notes, in regards to abortion, that the state’s constitution -- when it comes to abortion -- cannot be interpreted to be broader in scope than the United States Constitution. The amendment must receive 60% voter approval to be adopted.
8. Abolishing the death penalty (California): Californians will have the chance to abolish the death penalty as the maximum punishment for murder. If passed, Proposition 34 would make the maximum criminal punishment in the state life in prison with no possibility for parole. According to an official report put out by the state’s Legislative Analyst, if the amendment passes it would save the state $130 million annually.
9. Requiring voter ID (Minnesota): The state will decide if voters in future elections will be required to show a government-issued photo ID before voting. The measure also requires that the state make photo IDs available to those without a government-issued ID, at no charge.
10. Religious funding (Florida): If passed, Amendment 8 would allow public funds in Florida to be used by religious organizations that provide public services. The amendment would repeal what is currently known in Florida as the “Blaine Amendment,” which prohibits state funding of religious organizations and religious schools. The amendment must receive 60% voter approval to be adopted.
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Many... many more reasons to; Get out and Vote!
While we are feeling a sense of confidence, we must NEVER become complacent!
I expect to see both laws pass here in Washington and plan to vote Yes on both myself. America is moving forward.
Wow...scary on on there...I mean scarier than some others. Religious organizations allowed to use public funding...ugh.
Can't help but think that many of these measures are from the Karl Rove playbook---a way to get the conservative base out to vote since the GOP candidate doesn't generate enthusiasm from the base.
Boy, isn't that the truth. Some of these are measures allowing the state to dictate individual behavior (real 'libertarian' of the righties, eh..), some are 'us vs them' measures (more percieved 'wrongs' from the party of old white guys), and some are actual attempts at individual freedom.
People are getting fed up with the 'corporate culture' of the GOP and their slavish devotion to business while trying to divert us with 'social issues'. We have a county ballot measure here (Washington state) to kick the privately-held power utility out and replace them with a public utility. After years of increasing rates and ever-poorer service (they outsourced virtually all their repair/maintenance work to a company with no presence in the area; outage repairs that took 1-2 hours in the past now routinely take 8 hours or more...), even this right-leaning county has had enough of greed over service.
Do read the ballot measures people, as a favorite trick is murky descriptions to fool you into voting opposite to your intent.
Dems all the way!!!
Jeff-1592116,
That's good to hear! If I lived in Washington, I'd vote yes on both as well!
Obama/Biden 2012
I'm watching on the news right now how the Romney camp, including Paul Ryan, are saying that Obama is a very talented speaker. Beth Myers, Senior Romney Adviser, points out to a poll that states that 59% of those polled think Prez Obama will win the debates.
Is this Romney's way of explaining why President Obama is announced the debate-winner BEFORE the debates. Do they know something we don't (rhetorical question)?
Is the Romney team lowering our debate expectations for Romney??? Well, they don't have to do it for me. I never had high expectations for Romney - I've seen him during the Republican debates...
It's makes me swell with pride to come from a state that just comes right out and says,"No, we do not believe in diversity and insuring that minorities get a chance at the American dream." But what else would you expect from a state where EVERY state-wide elected office is held by a Republican and both houses of the legislation are controlled by the GOP. Not to mention that we are the only state where Obama lost EVERY COUNTY! Color-blind? Not us.
Makes me proud to be an Oklahoman!
Will Rogers is rolling over in his grave.
Obama/Biden 2012
I agree get out and vote, in Illinois we have a reputation as the most corrupt state in the nation, a recent statewide survey revealed that the citizens agreed that the government in our state is corrupt. Its time for the voters to turn out and vote for change! Replace those in power with reformers that will clean up this cesspool of politics as usual. If nothing else replace every incumbent and send a clear message that the stranglehold that the status quo holds over our state is over! We need change we can believe in, not one party rule. What do you think, why not do it nationally, are you in favor of good government or do you support more of the same?
Hate to say this, but many religious organizations already use public funds, in FL and elsewhere. Catholic charities became upset because the federal government required that they not discriminate against homosexuals if they wanted to keep getting federal funds. Since the federal funds were a significant source of income to the charity, they decided to get out of the child placement business.
Concerning religion and public funding...have to wonder why our tax money should be used to support any religion that does not support our nation in the form of taxes considering the amount of properties owned by most all religions in one form or the other....I do not believe that any church is better than the people of this nation which are taxed.
Carlos - actually Illinois is NOT considered to be the most corrupt in the nation. That prize is given to Georgia. Illinois is not even in the top 8. Try again!
Obama/Biden 2012
GMO's California is also voting on labels for Genetically Modified Foods....
Feisty Redhead Roselle, IL
Feisty, I have to say that the same message goes out to the Republicans, get out and vote and don't listen to anyone that might tell you that this race has been won by Obama. This is still a close race by all accounts and it is not over until the Lady sings. keeping it PC.
I like your new Avatar much better than that DUMB FOX, even if it looks like the Pepsi Icon.
#10 above Religious Funding (Florida) - So much for separation of Church and State.
Its OK to use public funds to pay for abortions, but not OK to use public funds to help they city. Oh you all overlooked the provision where it said that the funds have to go to public services for the churches to receive them? Figures. What kind of backwards world are you all living in?
Oh, I forget, liberals don't think. They just follow the ideals of their outspoken leaders.
True the Vote coordinators have recently organized a campaign to immediately collapse any post on this forum which seeks to expose their plans to engage in voter intimidation at polling places across the nation on Election Day, Tuesday, November 6. In the event that this post has been collapsed, please consider 'expanding' and then cutting and pasting the original content and re-posting anew under your own screen name.
Fellow Dems, join me in sending an unmistakable message to the Koch Brothers…
If you happen to be voting in person on Election Day, be sure to keep an eye out for official-looking although entirely unofficial Tea Party 'True the Vote' personnel loitering in or around your precinct, especially in hotly-contested swing states or in any state where a contest for a House or Senate seat is 'too close to call'.
In general, these uniformly-dressed, clipboard wielding True the Vote personnel have been instructed by their Koch Brother-funded mentors, wherever and whenever possible, to take up positions either at the entrance to or inside voting precincts themselves, standing in a modified form of military attention, side by side in teams of two, doing everything within their power to appear AUTHORITATIVE in an attempt to intimidate specific 'classes' of voters, i.e. African-American, Latino, and/or elderly non-Latino white Democrats, from exercising their constitutional right to vote.
As unbelievable as it may sound, at present very few states have policies which prohibit people from loitering for extended periods of time either inside or outside of voting precincts, IF their observable behavior does not appear to pose either an immediate threat or imminent danger to voters or the voting process itself. The assumption has always been that after having voted, any reasonable person would head for the door and get on with their life. Well, not anymore, it seems.
Therein lies the problem. Polling station workers are themselves volunteers, and unless these True the Vote personnel make the mistake of becoming overtly aggressive, station workers may feel uncomfortable challenging their presence, especially when the True the Vote representative begins asserting a well-rehearsed litany of constitutional privileges or begins citing chapter and verse of thoroughly researched state or local ordinances governing precinct operations.
So…
If you see ANY True the Vote personnel at your precinct, or if you even SUSPECT that representatives from True the Vote are present and actively engaging in voter intimidation, exercise your right to inform the Precinct Captain that you do in fact feel intimidated, and subsequent to casting your ballot you will be calling the police. THEN BY ALL MEANS DO SO.
Intimidation at the polls is not only a violation of the 15th Amendment to the United States Constitution and the Voting Rights Act of 1965, it is also a violation of both criminal and civil law.
If either the Precinct Captain or the local police fail to act, your next calls should be to the Office of the County Registrar of Voters, local television and news radio media outlets, and then to the FBI.
Not because the FBI will come to your aid, but filing a complaint enables national numbers to be tracked. Be sure to phone the FBI within earshot of the precinct captain, if possible, and True the Vote volunteers where practicable.
After that, you have as much right to stand in opposition to the True the Vote personnel as they might have to stand facing incoming voters. If you feel so inclined, take out your cell phone cameras and begin recording their activity for immediate publication on social media. Just remember to do so without yourself causing a disturbance, in full view of witnesses, and NEVER make the mistake of touching anyone at any time.
Fellow Dems, the Koch Brothers and their ilk are intent on influencing outcomes on Election Day AT THE POLLING STATIONS THEMSELVES. Fight back against these cretins, and fight back HARD.
If Romney would come out and say which deductions he will eliminate, voters would have a clearer choice. I would suspect the religious right will not be too happy with him once they discover he will have to cut charitable deductions to come close to making his numbers add up. Do people listen to anything he says?
"Enacting campaign finance reform (California): Proposition 32 aims to make key changes to campaign finance laws in California. If passed, neither unions nor corporations would be allowed to donate directly to state and local political candidates; employee payroll deductions could not be used for “political purposes”; and the law would prohibit government contractors from donating to candidates who’ve helped them secure a contract."
That sounds pretty 'common sense' to me, although corporations and unions will not like it.
cavete a suffragator
Right, Feisty! I am also fearing gridlock and continued Teaparty obstructionism if we don't change the House and add more Democrats to the Senate. We can't stand two more years of Boehner or allow Fat Mitch to run the Senate
Exactly Dr. Trocar! All of the lazy do-nothing Congress need to GO!
Obama/Biden 2012
The sad part is Akin's Senate race is closer then it should be. People are voting for this guy along party lines like they are pulling for a sports team. Don't they realise that by voting for him they are voting for everything he stands for not just a Republican. Don't they realise they are agreeing that women should be forced to carry their rapist baby?
Something needs to be noted regarding Campaign Finance Reform (Prop. 32) in California. Coporations have already successfully filed an exemption from following Campaign Finance reform rules. Therefore, it's (Prop. 32) passage would only mandate restrictions on Unions donations leaving Coporations unrestricted. Vote NO on Proposition 32. While Unions remain firm against the Citizens United Ruling. It at least allows equal rules to either side (Coporations/Unions). This is a very sneaky attempt by Coporations to tip a balanced scale unbalanced.
GOPTP obstructionism has blocked a vigorous economic recovery, a credit rating downgrade, the farm bill passage, and a host of other sound legislation. Had the GOPTP been out of the way, it is very likely unemployment would be much lower, the need for welfare benefits reduced, and we would be a long way towards paying off the debt.
Vote GOPTP if you want wealth to continue to flow upward, a meager economic recovery, and a continued rise in the debt.
As one who live in a state that is dealing with the wonders of one party rule I would say its not all its cracked up to be by the partisan believers. Take a good look at the local and state governments that have enjoyed one party rule for a while. Are the poor improving their lives, are the schools good, is crime low in the lower income neighborhoods? It isn't about rhetoric it's about results and now is the time to send a message be careful what message you send.
RedDev---latest obstructionism was for the GOP to vote down the Veterans Jobs Act---a way to help our returning vets get back into the work force. The GOP even voted that down.
This is my take on the House. If the republicans don't cooperate with the Democrats after winning on Nov 6th, they are going to be out in the cold for at least until 2024, maybe even 2032. I believe the Democrats will take seats away from the republicans but may not win the House. If republicans don't cooperate, 2014 may make the 2010 race look like a picnic. There won't be anything left of the republicans for a long, long time. They need to get their collective heads out of their a$$es, get rid of the crazies, think rationally, and use some of the common sense God gave them. It shouldn't be us against them. It should be "We the people of these United States.....".
Carlos - and in prior years we've had Republican governors in Illinois. Remember George Ryan????
Obama/Biden 2012
No Dr. what we really cant stand are four more years of Oboma, Reid, and Pelosi!
Or spelling lessons in school. We can't stand for that either huh?
Actually that's punctuation!!
Actually "cant" is misspelled. :) Unless you're speaking Irish then I grant you it's spelled correctly.
P.S. I don't think he was speaking Gaelic do you?
Also, he misspelled Obama. I've never understood why so many right-wingers can't spell Obama. Such a simple name. Sound it out.
hambone, that was funny! Touche'!
Obama/Biden 2012
If you sound it out, Owebama is correct in more ways than one.
Oh look, Florida passing laws to make something illegal which is already illegal. Cause it's not enough to make it bold print, you gotta underline it too.
Maybe they think the federal law will suddenly change and force women to have taxpayer-funded abortions? Or maybe they don't know there's a federal law? We really need to quit cutting funding to education...
Actually, they are talking about state funds, not federal funds. Federal law does not prevent the states from funding abortions.
They should fix their title for that item above, then, since it lists 'federal funds'.
Why would a state need to ban federal funds??
Just don't accept them.
Yeah like all that darn FEMA aid money. Come on Texas, put your money where your mouth is. You can survive the drought without leeching off the rest of America. :0
"Banning Federal Funds" appears to be NBC's take on it. The description is "public funds," which would include more than just Federal funds. Regarding federal funds, Florida can then use them as it sees fit.
Colorado-man, actually federal funds come with stipulations that must be followed in order to qualify for them.
They didn't mention this one:
11. Revised voting rights (various): If passed, Amendment would prohibit voting by persons identified as non-white, as defined by majority vote of state house of representatives. Revision to current state law allowing access to voting by persons regardless of race.
It's unconstitutional (not to mention overtly bigoted) and if enacted, would be quickly overturned.
The Constitution has always existed to protect the rights of the minority from the majority. It is sad to see so many of the majority trying to take away the rights and freedoms of the few because they don't believe their lifestyle is a moral lifestyle. If it won't affect your marriage why in Gods name would you oppose someone elses. Your faith might not support their freedoms and thank God the Constitution is their to protect YOUR Freedom of religion but it doesn't give you the right to force your religious views on others. You don't have to agree but try to imagine if someone was trying to dictate to you their religious convictions.
You mean like O dictating to other religious groups about funding abortion through their healthcare? (the Catholics self insure their healthcare so they are being forced to pay for abortions against their religion). Can't have it both ways.
Dotties girl, health care isn't a religious freedom, it is a human freedom and if your church insures people of their faith they might have to provide them health care that doesn't align it's self with their religious beliefs. That being said if it is in fact against the insureds faith then their should be no abortions to cover.
Dottis girl, you are giving a prime example of a religious group taking on a business venture and wanting the ability to run that business as a church. If the Catholic church opened up a restaurant would you expect that restaurant to have to follow the same laws that govern restaurants like paying taxes on their revenue or would they be tax exempt as the church is.
They're afraid 'the gays' will try to convert them. They think it's possible to brainwash someone and actually change their orientation, which is why they send anyone suspected of not being 100% straight to get 'cured'. Although I don't quite understand why they think they're so special that anyone would want to 'convert' them.
I think a better example would be if the Catholic church opened a restaurant and a Jewish customer insisted on having a kosher meal served. The customer is in a place with a different set of beliefs, but for some reason thinks those around him should adjust to his beliefs.
Please note this is written as an example of differeing beliefs and geographic positioning, not a juxtaposition of Catholicism vs Judaism, or in any way to show the Jewish people as aggressors.
Chuck, you hypothetical has no merit. You have set it so far out of the realm of possibility that it doesn't relate to anything. If a business is opened by by a church that business must comply with the standards applied to that business. No where is a restaurant forced to have a menu dictated by religion. A restaurants menu is not the same a legal obligation associated with running that business. By your reasoning a church run business should be allowed to discriminate based on faith and not the legal standard applied to that business.
However, the Catholic Church, in running a university, does not want to follow the rules that every other university has to follows, specifically by having the insurance policy cover contraceptive medication. THAT was the issue one of the Republican Congress committees was discussing when they had hearings on contraceptive medicine being covered by insurance and invited NO WOMEN to give testimony.
After the Democrats on the committee held their own hearings and Sandra Fluke spoke, Rush Limbaugh decided to name her a slut and other nasty things for three days straight.
Since the contraceptive pill came out in the 1960's, women have been able to use it to determine when or if they will become pregnant. Effectively, allowing women to become equal with men in the world of work. Women finally, after thousands of years, had control of one of the most basic functions of their bodies. In addition, the Roe v. Wade decision gave women the right to control whether they would have a pregnancy they did not want. Both of these things gave women control of their bodies, and took that control from men.
The Republican party has attempted to outlaw abortions and control access to contraceptive medication. And that is one of the reasons why people say the Republicans are conducting a "WAR ON WOMEN."
Andrew,
I guess your US history lessons have escaped you. The constitution of the United States was formed so the Government couldnt oppress the people. They are rights granted to the people. Its not about the many vs the few. The Constitution was drafted so that the masses (people) could live their lives in peace, the way they wanted. Granted its needed several tweeks, but I guess nothing is perfect. Anyway, I think you should take a class or 2 on the Constitution and find out what its really about.
dirp (how appropriate),
Whatever happened to separation of church and state? Why should a religious organization be forced to provide something they dont believe in? The answer is that they shouldnt. And while I DO NOT condone the things Rush Limbaugh said about Sandra Fluke, I do not think that the government should be funding and providing BC pills. Women should have the right to take them if they need it for health reasons or for whatever else, but thats a personal choice and the government shouldnt have to pay for it.
Raffthegreat, Many of the amendments in the Constitution are designed to make it so the majority can't remove the minorities rights. The freedom of religion is there to protect every ones right to religion, not just the majority. The freedom of speech isn't there to protect popular speech but unpopular speech. The majority doesn't need to be saved from the minority but often times the minorities rights have been protected from the majority. An example of this would be integrating the schools in the south. The majority in the south opposed this but the Constitution defended their right to equal rights. A great number of churches opposed interracial marriage in the past using the same arguments they use to keep gays from marrying today. The rights of the few are just as important as the rights of the many and it is time to quit dictating morality to those who don't share the same faith as you.
Raffthegreat - then maybe church's should stay out of politics! I'm for making any church that presses a political agenda a tax paying organization. If they want separation of church and state - then the religious leaders should keep their mouths shut when it comes to politicians and political issues. You can't have it both ways!
Obama/Biden 2012
Why should an employee in a non-religious function be forced to comply with the religious views of the employer? Isn't that a violation of the 1st Amendment?
Should a Jehovah Witness who runs a fast-food outlet be able to deny health care coverage to his employees for blood transfusions?
Sanity -
For once, I agree with you. Religion needs to stay out of politics but remember there is nothing wrong with any religion of any President, whether it be Islam, Christianity or Mormonism. I dont think that its fair to badger or berate anyone because of their religious beliefs.
skrekk -
If you choose to work for a religious organization, then you ought to know their restrictions and guidelines, same goes with someone that is super religious working for an organization that has a different religious view or none at all.
Remember, Freedom of/from religion. The American way.
Again Andrew, the Constitution has NOTHING to do with majority vs minority. Matter of fact, Im sure neither word is in it. I understand that you are talking about protecting minorities as it concerns with color of skin, but thats NOT what the Constitution stands for. It protects American citizens, of ALL colors, races, creeds, religions. Citizens that went through the troubles of actually following our immigration laws and becoming LEGAL American citizens.
I do believe that is the most concise argument ive read regarding this whole issue.
So a misogynistic Catholic hospital can refuse to hire female doctors on religious grounds?
Unless you're a ministerial employee, your employer's religious views should be irrelevant to your employment and benefits. At least that's how our courts have generally ruled.
Raff, just to drill the point home a federal judge in Missouri ruled a few days ago that the Catholic owner of a mining and ceramics business cannot invoke his religious views to avoid paying for an employee's birth control coverage as part of her health insurance. The case is one of 30 initiated around the country in such matters.
What do you think the bill of rights and 14th Amendment are all about?
The reason we even have a constitution and a republican form of government is to prevent the tyranny of the majority over a minority. Otherwise we could simply be an ochlocracy and trample the rights of a minority.
Raff - we'll agree on the religion thing. I don't care what religion my President is as long as he/she represents the entire population and is a good man/woman.
Amazing - we agree on something!
Obama/Biden 2012
Michigan's Prop 2 is noticeably absent from this list.
American taxpayers are being forced to pay $40 Billion a year for a prohibition that causes 10,000 brutal murders & 800,000 needless arrests each year, but which doesn't even stop CHILDREN getting marijuana.
After seventy-five years of prohibition, it's obvious that the federal marijuana prohibition causes FAR more harm than good and must END! Drug Dealers Don't Card, Supermarkets Do.
I beleive it will be changed in Obamas second term. The fall out for decriminalising pot at the federal level would have handed the Republicans this election. He will be freed up to do it now as he won't get the blow back in this term. Some might say he should have done it first but I believe it only makes since to plan for 8 years instead of 4. It's already moving in that direction if you look at Florida and the other states that prescribe pot. This is a battle best fought on the state level by Americans instead of a federal level in the beginning.
The prohibition doesn't cause that violence. The greed of the dealers and addicts does. For the record, I'd probably vote to legalize and regulate it, but stop blaming the attempt to stop something for the horrible actions of those who oppose that attempt.
Didn't Obama say that his DoJ wouldn't interferer with the State Laws legalizing Marijuana?
Yet his DoJ is closing down Dispensaries all over the US.
http://nationalcannabiscoalition.com/2012/07/obama-respect-state-cannabis-laws/
Now is this 'Flip-Flopping' or is it 'Evolving'?
Obama has done what falls within his ability's to do as President. If people want change it is up to them at a state level to demand the legalization of marijuana. This is a democracy and change doesn't come over night. We the people ultimately are responsible for the state in which we are governed. That is what Obama was saying with his highly Republican criticised comment that it is hard to change Washington from the inside. He is obligated as President to work from the confines of the office. Change starts with the people.
So where was the Executive Order? Remember those???
In Minnesota the Roman Catholic Archbishop is meddling in government affairs, telling priests they can't speak out against the proposed amendment and actually soliciting Catholics to send money to help pass the amendment (many Catholics are reacting against this solicitation as they did to previous mailings as well).
Whatever happened to the separation of church and state? The Catholic church should lose its tax-exempt status, given this meddling.
Univision Blows Fast and Furious Bombshell Up On Holder, Obama
Why is no one from NBC covering this story???
Um, DUH! Its MSDNC, the news capitol of the Democratic Party!
Greetings from the Evergreen State to all my fellow travellers!
This is a good place to add a second to Feisty's warning at the top, and to humbly add a word of caution of my own: Make CERTAIN you are REALLY registered to vote in your precinct! The Forces of Darkness are busy everywhere, and even a bastion of Progressivism like our fair Switzerland-on-the-Pacific is not safe from their nefarious machinations. Allow me to explain.
Here in Washington (the real one, where people work hard and look out for their fellow man), we vote by mail. On Sept.27th, I visited our Secretary of State's website to see when our general election ballots would be showing up in our mailboxes. A window on the homepage invited me to enter my name and DOB to confirm my voter registration. I did so, and was informed to my great dismay- indeed, my utter fury- that I am not on the rolls as a registered voter!
I should pause here to observe that we've lived in this same house, my lovely Canadian bride and I, since the spring of 2010, and I voted in our Primary this summer just past.
This morning, armed with my driver's license, birth certificate, Social Security card, electric bill, vehicle registration, and my voter registration card, I am going to march into the registrar's office and (very politely, because this is Washington, after all ) demand an explanation of how and why this happened; and, here in the homeland of Microsoft, the old reliable catch- all excuse of "computer glitch" won't answer at all.
I think it was Barry Goldwater, that bedwetting namby- pamby comsymp who'd be hounded out of today's Rethuglican Party for his pinko- loving ways, who observed that "The price of liberty is eternal vigilance." Couldn't have said it better myself.
This is why Romney's campaign doesn't believe the polls. He knows that Republicans every where are doing their best to negate legitimate votes. The only way to overcome these hurdles is to do what you are doing and show up in record numbers to overcome the voter suppression efforts being implemented by the Republicans. I'd be afraid that anything less then a 5 point lead might be able to be cheated away from Obama. EVERYONE NEEDS, NEEDS to vote.
Thank goodness you checked, Fox. Let us know how it turns out.
We have 6 ballot measures this time around in Florida. All fully worded so our ballot is now 12 pages long. Most deal with taxes. Again they want to lower taxes for just military and low income voters.. This sounds great until you need funding for schools, infrastructure and public securities. Taxes already are at their lowest and we cannot fund our public schools. We have infrastructure so out of date....I am scared to drive over some bridges and roads are so in need of repair. I refuse to let any of my tax dollars go to funding religion. People...please read these amendments fully. We cannot support them.
Sue
Schools are paid with Property Taxes,not Income Taxes. Infrastructure is funded by Gas Taxes not Income taxes. Public Securities are paid by Income Taxes. So are you saying that the poor should pay higher Income Taxes to pay for Public Security??
Schools are in large part funded by Federal programs. Federal programs Romney wants to cut.
Andrew said,
"Schools are in large part funded by Federal programs. Federal programs Romney wants to cut."
Dude, you have no idea what the#$*& you're talking about!!
Federally funded... yea right...
you're real bright... like a 3 watt light bulb!!
Pathetic just pathetic
Max Power, Schools receive federal money to pay for Internet service. Schools receive Federal money to feed low income students. Schools receive Federal money to support head start programs. Schools with ROTC programs receive Federal money for haveing those classes. The list goes on.
Andrew - you're talking to a brick wall. If it isn't against Obama - Maxx doesn't get it!
Obama/Biden 2012
The public schools also get paid for every day a student shows up to school paid by federal goverment.
Just wanted to throw this out there while it is fresh in my mind. The CBO a non partisan group has estimated that 12,000,000 new jobs will be created in the next 4 years regardless of who is elected. This estimation was released before Romney campaigned on the promise of creating 12,000,000 new jobs in 4 years. Essentially Romney is saying he will not create any new jobs by campaigning on these numbers.
No Romney isn't saying that...you are....kind of a stretch there isn't it Scooter???
Romney campaigned last week that he will create 12,000,000 new jobs in the next four years when it has already been predicted that over the next four years 12,000,000 new jobs will be created regardless of who is President. It is kind of like Romney's assertion that by just being elected certain parts of the market will improve. He is promising us what we already have.
I guess if you want to twist the noodle that way you can, I still think it's a stretch.
But let's be honest here..your guy promised much and delivered little...Funny how those things add up......
“Another Broken Promise, Mr. President?”
By David Asman
Final Score
Published September 28, 2012
FOXBusiness
Right now, President Obama and Mitt Romney are looking for the one line that will stand out as the defining line of the debate, a line that encapsulates the candidate’s reason for running and all his frustrations with the other guy. It doesn’t necessarily have to be a solution for the nation’s problems. But it does have to immediately resonate with voters.
In 1980, the quip that stood out was challenger Ronald Reagan’s dismissive, “There you go again...” to President Carter. Folks knew exactly what Reagan meant: that we had seen through Carter’s attempts to attack Reagan’s supposedly “radical tendencies” as a dodge to distract voters from Carter’s responsibility for an ever-weakening America.
This time around it’s a safe bet that President Obama will try out another quip to further characterize Romney as an out-of-touch millionaire. It’s much less clear what quip the Romney team is looking for. His campaign has suffered from lack of clarity all along. The debates would be the perfect moment to fix on one. And frankly, we think we have one, based on the president’s own record.
During the debate on Wednesday night, President Obama will undoubtedly be asked to defend his record. Mr. Romney will be asked to respond. When he does, Romney should wait a beat -- as Ronald Reagan knew how to do so well -- and ask: “Another broken promise, Mr. President?”
Most Americans need to be reminded of just how many promises this president has broken. When you truly believe the government can fix almost anything, you’re bound to promise much more than can be fulfilled. Thus, Romney has a rich field to plow. The only problem will be brevity, because there are so many examples. But allow me to mention a few, each one of which could be condensed and followed by the refrain: “Another broken promise, Mr. President?”
*The stimulus will prevent unemployment from rising above 8%, and will fall to 5.6% by 2012.
This promise was presented on page 4 of the President’s January 2009 stimulus report. Of course, we know how this turned out. But it’s more than the abysmal unemployment numbers. The president added insult to injury by cooking the results of his failed “stimulus.” A $4.3 billion federal funding program for 36 wind farms still claims to have created 7,200 jobs. But when The Wall Street Journal went to all those projects in February, they found that they employed only 300 people. And speaking of “green projects,” how can we fail to mention….
*Solyndra, “leading the way toward a brighter and more prosperous future.”
About $535 million of your tax dollars were wasted on this white elephant. While the nation struggled through high unemployment and falling real wages, your tax money subsidized huge salaries, financial protection for the president’s investor friends, and a glass palace filled with expensive, modern art and steam rooms that are now on the chopping block. While there are at least a dozen other “green” failures like this one, Solyndra was supposed to be his shining example of a government-directed “New World” economy. Of course, the president denies that he favors just green energy, claiming…
*”I’m committed to an all-of-the-above energy program."
Except for all of the ones that actually work, like cleaner-burning coal, offshore oil and gas drilling and fracking for gas and shale oil, a process that has led to unemployment rates of less than 3% in North Dakota. But while an energy-friendly president could help us become energy self-sufficient and create jobs without spending a dime of taxpayer money, this president was too busy pushing through...
* Obamacare, which “…won’t add another dime to the deficit.”
Any sixth grader could have told you that adding 30 million people to the insurance roles could not be done for free. Far too late, the CBO and others have figured out that the price tag for Obamacare will actually be in the trillions. And speaking of Obamacare, remember these:
*”Health premiums will go down $2,500 by the end of my first term.”
In fact, the Kaiser Family Foundation recently found that health premiums have gone up $3,000 since President Obama was in office.
*Under Obamacare “you will keep your health insurance. This law will only make it more secure and more affordable.”
But as the CBO has pointed out, many employers will find it cheaper to drop their health plans, pay a fine and leave the coverage up to the government, which costs taxpayers more money and forces the insured onto some as-yet-unknown type of coverage.
*My goal is to strengthen and preserve Medicare.”
In fact, Obamacare cuts about $716 billion from Medicare over 10 years. While the economy will be center stage, there may be room for at least one promise Obama made about our standing in the world:
*"Since my election…you're starting to see some restoration of America's standing in the world."
After recent events in the Mideast, does anyone really think that our standing in the Arab world is stronger than it was? The Muslim world respects strength, not vacillation, and certainly not an apologist.
If Gov. Romney focuses on the theme of broken promises, he can always end by reminding him of the following promise made early on:
*”If I don’t fix the economy in three years, then I’ll be a one-term president. "
To which Mr. Romney can say: “Mr. President, this is one promise I’m determined to help you keep.”
When you quot Fox I hope you are aware that on Feb.12, 2010 Fox over turned a lawsuit by arguing the first Amendment gives them the right to report fictitious "news". They are they equivalent of the Enquirer.
It's so nice to see Obama worshipers like Andrew Woody can't see past the first tree to notice that they are in the forest of evil. By the time he realize what has happened to our country, it will be much too late.
Oh no, the forest of evil, what will we ever do? Doesn't change the FACT that Fox is entertainment not news.
mikeSanJacinto - it is so frightening to see Romney supporters not give a damn about the country. It is frightening to see they march lock-step in line with anything they hear on FOX or from Limbaugh, etc. It is decidedly frightening to see how low the GOP has sunk.
And, it is so telling that ANYONE would depend on FOX for anything but very bad entertainment.
Obama/Biden 2012
MSNBC needs to change their schedule to Saturday morning so 4 to 7 year old's can get some laughs
SeekingSanity
The typical Obama Voter
http://www.youtube.com/watch?feature=player_embedded&v=tpAOwJvTOio
Fox "News" should have to change its name to Fox Entertainment as the use of the word news is misleading.
mikeSan - when you reference YouTube for anything - we know you're nothing but a joke! Typical Republican!
You DO know that liberals are more highly educated than Republicans, right? Must really irritate you!
Obama/Biden 2012
It's embarrassing that Minnesota appears twice in this article, once for a constitutional amendment to define marriage as between one man and one woman, which would make same sex marriage "unconstitutional." The other amendment requires voters to show a government issued photo ID in order to exercise their constitutional RIGHT to vote. If you can't produce an approved photo ID, you can file a provisional ballot that will most likely never be counted. This amendment according to the GOP is to prevent voter fraud, although two statewide recounts in Minnesota (2008 and 2010) showed essentially no voter fraud problem. Both measures were put on the ballot as constitutional amendments by a GOP controlled legislature after their bills were vetoed by the Democratic governor. So the GOP is using the state constitution to deny the rights of people they disagree with, and to suppress voter turnout, as those who find it difficult to obtain a government ID tend to vote Democratic, according to statistics.
According to local polls, the marriage amendment is a dead heat, while the voter ID polls show that support for the amendment has dropped from nearly 80 percent to around 55 percent over the summer, as Minnesotans understand the true impact of the amendment.
Obama has a 10 point lead in Minnesota. Senator Klobuchar has a 29 point lead according to one poll. Here's hoping that the coat tails at the top of the ticket are long enough to help defeat these two amendments and flip the state legislature to Democratic control.
As we near the fiscal cliff many things will come into play. No matter what happens we will cut spending and probably increase taxes on the federal level that's a fact! But what is not quite clear is what will the states do. They will be hard pressed to cut services and this reality will pose very unique choices. Do we cut cost of education or do we cut after school programs such as sports. Do we maintain our police forces or do we free them up to do real police work or do we keep them on drug enforcement which by all accounts is a complete failure. There are many either ors. One thing should be very clear to all as federal money dries up in all states then the states will be forced to make choices. No matters who wins in November the states will be the biggest losers, or not. Better education or more failed drug enforcement , better highways or lower state gas taxes. Consumer protections for food and products or buyer beware.
Nick
Well said!
MSNBC,
Why did you fail to list one of the most impacting ballot measures on any state ballots ? The 'sovereign state' propositions like Arizona's Proposition 120 that would reclaim state legislative authority over all public lands and natural resources within state boundaries as Article 1, section 8, sub-paragraph 17 of the US Constitution stipulates.
According to Article 1, section 8, subparagraph 17, Congress is forbidden legislative authority to manage or own any state lands it has not paid for, with the state legislature's consent to sell, and then may only purchase lands from a state for the purpose of erecting forts, magazines, dockyards and other needful federal structures,
Without an amendment, the US Constitution does not allow for NATIONAL forests, parks, wildlife refuges, land monuments or any other such labeled things..............Arizona's proposition 120 may be one of the most contentious state laws ever on a ballot, it could change the whole relationship between states and the federal government.
Don't forget Maine. Looks like we are getting ready to have gay marriage be legal!!!!!!
Some major issues I would discuss in the debate
Death penalty; We need to bring it back!
Overhauling ObamaCare,Imperative!!
Security for our Border,and keeping Illegals Out!
No marijuana legalization,Ever!
Interesting to watch, who would set a program for Our "rehabilitation plan
Death penalty, thou shall not kill. How many people have been released on new DNA evidence that would have died if the death penalty had been an option.
Overhauling Obamacare, No argument that some changes are needed but Romneys promise to repel it an day one is not only impossible but going backwards not forward.
Security for the Borders, good luck with that, it's been an issue FOREVER.
No marijuana legalization ever, good continue to empower the drug cartels with an out dated Prohibition on a drug that is less harmful then alcohol.
On the subject of overhauling "ObamaCare" (your term, not mine) Romney doesn't need an opponent. In Massachusetts he passed a similar program. As a candidate, he said he would appeal Obamacare, then he said he would keep parts of it after polls show how popular different segments of the program are. Most recently, he points to his health care efforts in Massachusetts as evidence of how empathetic he is to all Americans--after a video of him surfaces showing him--in his own words--labeling half of the country (47 percent to be exact), as victims who never pay taxes!
The death penalty has never been proved to be a deterrent to a crime. Imagine a person in the heat of the moment, gun in hand, stopping to think...."I better not or I'll get the death penalty". It doesn't happen that way. Keeping inmates on death row is far more expensive than keeping them in the general prison population for life.
Overhauling Obamacare isn't going to happen. So many people are benefitting from it now there'd be a fight. Not only that Romney can't just repeal it on day one. It takes an act of Congress and that isn't likely to happen.
As bad as marijuana is consider the ban on alcohol in the 1920s. Prohibition increased organized crime and made millionaires out of the likes of Capone. Bootlegging was big business just as drug trafficing is big business today. Make it legal and tax it. That will keep users from being criminals in the "big house" with the really bad people. Use the tax money like we use cigarette tax money to educate people against the use of marijuana. There is the element of rebellion. Someone takes up marijuana to "be bad" in rebellion of the norms of society. Without the "be bad" part of it many users won't be interested in it.
Our borders are more secure now than at any time in history. As a free society we cannot cage our people in or out. That is why the Berlin Wall was built and now it has been brought down. Not because a US President insisted but because the people of Germnay wanted it and the Soviet Empire was crumbling. interestingly if one notices who is crying the loudest about illegals coming to the US are the same folks who supported Ronald Reagan (their patron saint) who gave amnesty to millions of illegal aliens signalling that it is okay to be here and giving hope to others that they will be ok coming here.
Religious organizations should NEVER receive ANY public funds for any reason. Further more I want any religion that discriminates for any reason should be taxed. YES TAXED. THERE IS NO excuse for religions not allowing female priests and pastors, and little to no excuse for not allowing openly gay ones either. Any religion that wants to be a hate group in disguise should be taxed at a rate of at least 75% there is no excuse for discrimination in this day and age, and discrimination disguised as religion is still discrimination and is still wrong, and anyone who is for it is a vile evil disgusting human being. Or can anyone honestly tell me that there's a logical reason women can't be religious leaders? Or gays or lesbians?
On number 5 California proposition 32 is sponsored by some PACs and Super Pacs who, if the law passes, will exempt them from the law but apply to everyone else.
Californians vote NO on 32.
Slodon,
Not all states and cities and counties fund their schools by property taxes alone. Most fund schools with a variety of taxes . For example schools in my county are funded by property taxes and sales taxes from the local community, by income taxes paid to the state and by federal income taxes which is reallocated through the budget process which originates in Congress. Education in Georgia is now also supplemented by funds from the state lottery. This is one of those considerations that many people are not aware of when they propose the shrinking of the government in one form or another such as reducing the size or budget of the Department of Education on a federal level. If those funds are reduced or go away, each state and locality will have to come up with new funds or taxes to replace those lost funds inorder to maintain education as it now exist. Or they will be forced to unfund things such as athletics, arts, music, etc and inorder to improve the education to meet the "standards" which many are being imposed by government leaders and citizens. There are no easy answers - less taxes usually means less services. And if you are willing to give those up - then vote for those who will reduce your taxes. But be willing to accept that those who reduce your federal taxes, will not be the same folks who increase your state or local taxes inorder to make up the difference! There are many who are struggling - they wages haven't kept up with inflation for more than a decade. And under these conditions, wanting a tax reduction is a natural response. The result will not solve the problem - people will still be struggling, worried about the mortgage, your job, and the kids. I'm afraid the Florida ballot has been constructed with 2 purposes in mind - 1) to attact as many conservatives to the polls as possible and 2) to make the voting process as cumbersome as possible so that less numbers will go though the process. A twelve page ballot on legal size paper will consume about 20-30 minutes per voter if they are total familiar with what they are looking at. So with reduce pre-election voting hours, lines should be in place for about 3 days after the polls close to complete the election process if they are willing to wait that long.
I like this comment best :-)
Scenes from the Circus of Politics --- on You Tube
I am a proud Left-Coast dark blue liberal. I live in Seattle and will definately be voting FOR Referendum 74 to affirm the Ledgislature's intent on making same sex marriage legal here in Washington State. I will also vote for the legalization of recreational marijuana. I personally dont imbibe and wont begin to... but I see no difference in my neighbor smoking a bowl after work or me sipping a glass of Washington Cabernet. Honestly I believe we should legalize, tax, & regulate all drugs.. and EDUCATE. The Portugal Protocols. Addicition rates decrease & so do the costs associated with substance abuse. It is cheaper to educate and treat than to adjudicate and incarcerate.
I see both measures here passing despite the efforts of the local Catholic Church, the LDS Church and the WELS Lutheran church. November 07 is going to be a great day throughout our land, but especially here in Washington!