Last night John Kerry skewered the candidate formerly known as "Maverick:" John McCain.
Four years ago, the Republican hatchet squad took a nuanced remark by John Kerry about his voting record on the Iraq war and labeled him “flip-flopper.” Thus was born a nasty, schoolyard name-calling attack against Kerry that was used in advertisements, Republican talking points, and by right-wing (and even mainstream) hacks throughout the fall of 2004. It was used by John McCain himself, in attacking Kerry.…
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26 - Andy Marsh
Doc - you don't understand. I DO hang them on my wall!
You see, I do understand that "free" health care isn't free and I don't want to pay for yours! I "paid" for mine, by being seriously underpaid for twenty years. Doc - My health is worth spending my money on, yours isn't...no offense.
And Jordan - I agree to pay for the police and the firemen for the same reason I pay for the military...you never know when you're gonna need them. On the other hand, I don't want to pay for the bridges around here because all those crack addicts you're talking about live on the other side of the bay. You know, my bro-in-law is a fireman in a nasty inner-city. He's been shot at trying to put out fires...for no other reason than that he was there...shoulda let 'em burn!
Now, as for healthcare...if the govt could figure out a way to take nothing more than the money that present employers who give their employees that care are paying for, then I'm all for it, but I know that it's gonna end up costing me money and I don't have enough.
And schools...educate or incarcerate...I go for educate...but I also like the idea of vouchers...corporate buyouts...against them...there are a few national landmarks that could go away for all I care too...
And for the record, again, I've never been shot at...wait, I've never been shot at while on active duty!
Personally, I'd like to give the world a song....
...but that's it, that's all I can afford!
27 - Jordan Richardson
I agree to pay for the police and the firemen for the same reason I pay for the military...you never know when you're gonna need them.
Ah, so it isn't to protect your communities or to enhance your neighbourhoods. It's to MAYBE protect your own ass. But, in that case, isn't privatizing those services the best option? That way if you actually have to call the cops, you simply pay for what you use instead of having to pay for them and not needing to use them. Police officers can work more like a private security firm because, after all, they don't exist to serve the public trust; they exist to serve YOU should you happen to need them. Very nice.
Your objection to health care and these apparent "free" handouts is hilarious because you're actually paying MORE under the current system for shit you're never going to see than you ever would be under a single-payer healthcare system that most of the industrialized world already uses. And you pay for all sorts of useless crap you aren't using and sure as hell aren't getting anything out of.
The war on drugs? You pay for it. The "war on terror?" You pay for it. The war in Iraq? You pay for it. Corporate buyouts? You pay for it. Welfare? You pay for it. Health care for seniors and the VERY poor? You pay for it. Employment insurance? You pay for it.
Your federal government, despite its claims to the contrary, is collecting more taxes than ever. More useless programs are piling up and you're paying for them. Yet somehow you oppose a streamlined single-payer health care system that would simplify the health-related problems in your country. Well, whatever. You can't combat selfishness and arrogance with information, that's for sure.
28 - Clavos
Your objection to health care and these apparent "free" handouts is hilarious because you're actually paying MORE under the current system for shit you're never going to see than you ever would be under a single-payer healthcare system that most of the industrialized world already uses.
Not if it's to be run like Medicare, which loses $7 million every day to fraud, much of which has been found to be concealed by Medicare employees, who like all government employees, are next to impossible to fire or hold accountable.
29 - Steven S
As a disabled veteran of the U.S. military myself, I raised my right and swore the protect and defend the Constitution against all enemies both foreign and domestic. That being said I didn't take that oath for some Americans, I took it for all Americans.
For what its worth, here's my opinion; Any citizen of U.S. who takes it upon themselves to say that any other law abiding, hard working citizen does NOT deserve the basics of life should really reassess their priorities. "One Nation Under God", "United We Stand", "E Pluribus Unum", to many people these are simple tired old slogans that are dragged out once every 4 years in order to win an election. Generally by the same people who drape themselves in the American flag just to prove that they are more "patriotic" than someone else. All the while these same people hack, insult and belittle their fellow citizens, dismissing them as "left wing nutjobs" or "right wing idiots".
Here in My America we face real and difficult challenges. Let me give you a view from the middle;
With healthcare, we in the U.S. have the finest available, assuming you able to afford it. Quite simply we have the most expensive healthcare in the entire world. I personally live day to day in a wheelchair that total parts, labor and shipping is available overseas for a cost of approx. $800.00 US. However because of current laws the Veterans Administration is unable to negotiate a lower price and thus is forced to pay $4500.00 for the same chair.
I live in a disabled community. Many of the folks here were born with disabilities and are unable to work due to health issues. However they are still required to pay out of pocket for medications and equipment simply to keep themselves alive, often making a choice between food and medication.
I've watched both conventions with a great deal of interest and followed the debates among media, bloggers and self appointed champions of one side or another. I've come to what I believe is a reasonable conclusion. Neither side gives a damn about their fellow Americans. The speeches are great ear candy and the millions spent on the lavish sets and parties must be a wonderful thing for those who enjoy that sort of thing. But personally I'll be voting for the person who has actually done less harm to to the nation I love.
That's my 2 cents for what its worth.
Steve S.
Asheville NC