You have a gazillion comments here so i'll make this short.

Conservative religious family.

Twelve kids.

Voting democratic=anathema.

But I can't hardly keep it in when I talk to them anymore, even if it upsets people, because continuing on the same track we've been on for the past 8 years would kill the world for children I haven't even conceived yet.

And you know I hardly even think of the kind of policies we need as giving the poor and struggling a leg up, as HELP. It's just trying to remove that damn boot that's currently stomping on their chest--the corporations that help make the laws in their favor!

(so much for keeping it short)

Raising a glass to you tonight.

Not gonna do it.... nope nope nope.. I'm keeping my mouth shut....

wow. And all god's children said AMEN.

What a LAME post. I've been reading your blog since Leta was born and this is the first post to infuriate me. I understand that you are welcome to your opinion and what you choose to post on your website, but good Lord it bites (and srsly, did you *have* to bring up politics?)!

You think if guns were outlawed then no one would have them? If someone broke into your home at 2am, wouldn't you like to be able to protect yourself, or do you believe the police will show up within seconds to rescue you?

We don't live in a safe world and liberal dems seem oblivious to this. Obama has absolutely NO experience and he won't even place his hand over his heart during the pledge of allegiance, nor will he utter the words 'Islamic Terrorists'.

But hey, he has his own campaign slogan...right?

Thank you for taking a stand.

Dooce, I seriously fucking think i'm in love with you. Thank you thank you thank you for this. I am an outreach worker for families that live below poverty level and there are VERY few people out there who are qualified mentally, physically & academically to work a decent job and CHOOSE to instead live in abject poverty (or even just plain poverty).

Sending nothing but love and positive thoughts your way. Thank God you have a forum that people might actually listen to and learn something.

There will always be haters. Can you imagine how the GOP would be attacking Sarah if she were a Democrat? LOL.

YES!

Can we make out? You rule.

Damn! It's all been said. Wooohoo

Thank You

I am not going to read the comments because I can't stand conservatives right now. Just can't handle 'em. So, Heather: Rock the fuck out. Great post. Maybe we can ALL move to Canada if McSame gets elected.

I find it so completely hilarious, how much hatred there is between the 2 parties. Extreme, extreme hatred, it really makes me laugh, oh and by the way I'm a Republican, so Hate Me! :o)

I'm a big fan of yours Dooce. I have been since 2005. We even sent Leta a book -- "What's So Great About America" by Dinesh D'Souza. Joking. But your rant doesn't do anything to support your position. Instead I think it makes you look like an obnoxious starry-eyed teenager.... "Why can't we just fix the world? Why can't we just fix all the poor people? Why can't we just not have wars? Why can't everyone have awesome medical care?"

Those things will get fixed in time. But it's a long hard process and no single president will do the job... remember Bill Clinton holding up his National Health Care card at his State of the Union? Yeah, did you get yours? Me either.

Anyway, chill out. Act like an adult. Engage in the conversation. But don't be the obnoxious teenager. You'll just get told to leave the room over and over.

I was on the fence, unconvinced about Obama's experience and concerned about a lack of friction between the executive & legislative branches. Palin pushed me over. Way the fuck over. OBAMA 08!

Ok, I call bullshit...

To the commenters who keep tossing out all of their vignettes about inner city kids walking around in expensive shoes and what not, I'm a social worker, I know. I see it too... but the reason is not welfare... that's NOT why the kids are all tricked out and the homes have all new furniture.. it's because normally, the parents are doing something illegal, like selling drugs or themselves. So, to blame a liberal state for that phenom is short sighted.

In addition, to every single one of you who claim that all Repblicans are the ones on the soup lines and the ones doing the actual charity while the rest of us hang out and flap our jaws, you are also short sighted. In my field, Republicans are difficult to find. NO REPUBLICAN wants to make 35k a year to spend their days in poverty and crime, helping people, day in and day out, 40 hours a week, not to mention all of the volunteer work we do on our own time to do more. I personally don't give a lot to charity because, as a social worker, I CAN'T AFFORD IT. I make so little that I ALSO qualify for benefits. And no, I don't take advantage. I give my time, my energy and my lifes work. I am a democrat. So are all my social work friends.

The Republicans would see the end of my job, of my service. And yes, many Repubs. DO donate a lot to charity. They make a lot. A WHOLE lot. So, it doesn't really hurt to give. (CNN posted to day that 51% of the attendees at the RNC made over 500,00o anually.) Soup lines, whatever. Spend your days in the projects, a breath away from being shot and then get back with me.

I realize that there are republican SW's and professinal helpers out there and I salute you. But they are not the ones making a point that NO LIBRALS EVER HELP ANYONE (the humanity!). That's just not true.

Further, I will tell you that as a lesbian, I wouldn't vote for a republican ticket if you paid me. Why would I put tax breaks over basic human rights?

The morals and values of the Rebublican party do not jive with my way of life. I don't care how many soup kitchens you vounteer at or who's rent you pay. I always thought that, if each person opposed to abortion adopted just one of the babies of the women they are damning, what a world we would live in. To all of the Republicans pointing out what Heather and other Liberals DON'T do, I ask, what have YOU done? Who have you adopted? What REAL sacrifice have you made? 10% of your paycheck? Does it hurt?

Opportunity is NOT the same for everyone. To those of you who made it on your own, thats great. But I bet you did not struggle through a school system that forgot you or passed you along with no education. I bet you didn't have a mental illness combined with a parent who ignored you. I bet you weren't raised in an environment of crime. If you can't even accept that some people do not have the real option of college or a good job, then you are goofing...

Rock the F on! I posted about this today and got into it a bit with a friend last night at dinner. I am angry AND scared.

Go Heather!

Unfortunately where we live our votes for Obama aren't going to count for anything. We can only hope (pray?) that the rest of the country will have more sense than the voters in Utah.

Try this on your peeps (credit Tom Matzzie MoveOn)

Somebody should tell Sarah Palin that Jesus Christ was a community organizer and Pontius Pilate was a governor.

I'd like to point out to everyone in the "conservatives give more than liberals" debate that after you factor out religious giving, tithing back to the CHURCH, conservatives give $88 more in a year.

"And even when religious giving is excluded from the numbers, Mr. Brooks found, religious people still give $88 more per year to nonreligious charities."

So let's ratchet back the righteousness a notch or two.

"NO REPUBLICAN wants to make 35k a year to spend their days in poverty and crime, helping people, day in and day out, 40 hours a week, not to mention all of the volunteer work we do on our own time to do more."

I am a republican and make less that that a year working to help people in the inner city and do volunteer work. Don't group us all together. You do not know every republican...your ignorance is showing.

THANK YOU, HEATHER, for writing all this.
Amen. Amen, amen, amen for a thoughtful post that isn't just a rehashing of talking points from the media on either side of the debate.

I come from a deep-south, Republican, evangelical background (though I finally escaped to Massachusetts, got educated, and got gay-married) -- and so I can recognize what is so appealing to the masses about McCain/Palin, and about socially conservative Republicanism in general. And that frightens me because it's masked in the veneer of "just a regular hockey mom," but it is killing the Americab dream and putting the world (environmentally, financially, etc.) in peril. I really believe that.... of course, I know that the other side believes that, too. Both sides are so afraid of each other that I don't think the campaigning of the next couple months is going to make a darn bit of difference. People have decided how they will vote, because the two sides couldn't be more different. I just hope the numbers work out for our side this time. After 8 years, we deserve a chance.

So when Obama becomes president and people see that the sky doesn't fall, we don't get attacked, our budget gets balanced, our schools don't start mandating Muslim prayers, and none of the gays eat the few babies who are allowed to be born... we will finally, after almost a decade, breathe a collective sigh of relief. Or this is what I pray for, anyway.

Thank you again for the courage and insight in your post.

i agree with probably 99.99% of what you believe. amen!

except for one major thing: i whole-heartedly think that ALL human beings have a right to a good quality of life, *including* those not yet living outside of the womb. (scott peterson was convicted of TWO murders, thank God. lacy AND connor. why is that? because connor's life was just as important as lacy's. amen to THAT.)

that's the main sticking point for me when voting. how can we fight for the rights of ALL human beings when we carelessly overlook the rights of the living unborn? i cherish ALL life. i wish abortion weren't legal and unwanted babies were given to the INNUMERABLE number of people wanting them.

AMEN!!! Well said, Heather! This posting is one of the many reasons I've continued to read your site for the last several years. Let's keep praying that the other half of the country will open their eyes before election time.

I am a Canadian citizen – and very proud and thankful to be. However, I have been muttering to myself all week (well, for the past few) about how much I wish I were an American right now...so I could VOTE. I wish I had a miniscule say in how your country will be governed (and therefore affect the rest of the world). I am appalled and, to be honest, quite terrified of the Palin-McCain team. I find it shocking that they stand even half a chance in the election. I also feel offended, on behalf of Americans, that the Republicans so obviously think so little of the American masses...and I hope with all my faith that their predictions on the intellect (or lack thereof) of your citizens is inaccurate.

I've got to stir the pot. The answer to the healthcare problem is not going to be solved by giving even more tax money to government, who is notorious for going about things in the most inefficient way possible. My husband, a veteran, has VA health insurance so trust me, I know what I'm talking about. I'm pretty adamant about not wanting to hand over yet more of my hard-earned money to government to until they learn to become more efficient. Handing over more money also reduces what is available to me in order to provide for my own family. Already it is looking impossible for me to send my only child to college. However, I earned both of my degrees while working full-time, and my parents (or government) did not pay one dime towards my education. So I know that it is possible to make something of oneself without getting a handout. One of the problems I've seen in my line of employment is more and more jobs going overseas because companies here get taxed to death. As for anything the popular press has to say, I learned a long time ago that they have about as much credence as politicians--you can't count on getting the total truth from any one source. Anyway, my two cents' worth (make that .05 after taxes!).

I love how what "WE" should be doing is " to HELP people, not give them a free ride, but also not to ignore those who would benefit from us tossing them a life jacket."

But she sits home all day and takes pictures of her dogs.

Oh thank God! I can here hoping you had spouted off about the RNC because MY head was about to explode. Reading about others who are having this same reaction makes me feel moderately better.

Everyone needs to convert ONE independent/republican person. Or at least prevent them from getting to the polls by locking them in the basement.

ok, so what I don't understand is this:
{alright, it's one of many but I'll pretend restraint.}

In the world I'm familiar with, federal funds come with SERIOUS obligations: like in requests for proposals, the person or group requesting the federal money essentially states: I need this money to do X,Y & Z. At the end of the grant period, it can be verified that I accomplished X,Y & Z by P, Q & R {which would be evidence of having spent the money EXACTLY as stated.} The consequences for not doing what you said you were going to do with the money BEGIN with having to give the money, all of it, BACK, and could end with indictments.

So how on earth can Palin say "thanks, but no thanks" to building a bridge AND not give the money back?

Is that why everyone wants an earmark? Because they don't have ANY obligation to be used as promised?

And I'm sorry, but the idea that any criticism of her is gender biased is ridiculous. Abstinence didn't work in her household & she wants to force it down everyone else's throat? please.
Someone who would tell an underage victim of rape or incest that she has to have the baby anyway does not deserve the vote of any self-respecting woman.

Heather, I love your website, but I'm not sure I understand your post at all.

"Sarah Palin is a hypocrite!" (Okay...you could make that case for just about any policial candidate)

"We need affordable, accessible health care for all!" (Yeah...last time I checked, McCain was interested in making health care affordable and accessible, too. See http://www.johnmccain.com/Informing/Issues/19ba2f1c-c03f-4ac2-8cd5-5cf2e....)

"In order to make health care available to everyone, we need to tax people, and I'm all for it!" (Good for you, Heather. But some people think we can provide affordable, accessible healthcare without breaking the bank. Is that so wrong?)

"Some people didn't go to college, and it's not their fault because their faimiles didn't tell them to go!" (Yeah, I know. I was almost one of them until I put myself through college--no help from family--and later put myself through law school)

I'm not trying to convince anyone to become a Republican, or that Dems are bad. I'm an undecided independent myself. (Translation: all my liberal friends call me a "closet conservative" and all my conservative friends call me a "flaming liberal", so I don't know what the heck Jon Stewart is talking about when he says most people in this country are moderate--I'd sure like to meet one)

All I'm saying is that although you are a wonderfully entertaining and gifted writer, you are not a very persuasive one, at least not when it comes to politics. I don't understand your argument, your logic, your thought process...none of it. I just don't see the connection between these random rants about Palin, healthcare, college, global warming, and how that somehow adds up to the Republicans being bad and the Dems being good.

George Bush is evil--no doubt about that. But I'm not so sure Obama is a saviour, even if he plays one on television.

Oh God.... Amen sister... I hear ya. Bad enough America voted Bush the first time but the second? Were you smoking crack? And you guys want to start over again with another Republican? Who looks like a corpse on acid? You need more help than we thought!

I agree with you about the absurd hypocrisy in government.

But oh, how I only wish that taking-my-money would/could result in effective public services or even maintenance of our crumbling infrastructure.

It's all such a total mess. The only answer I can conceive of is if we, who are fully busy leading our lives, could take our turn in public service, to participate in democracy as it was designed to function. But even then how could any direction be maintained when no two people can agree on what's right? There's no consensus of thought on any aspect of governance. Or even on footwear.

Even so, for all the political turmoil and upheaval this relatively pampered US lifestyle is glorious to experience. I still can't get over that we have abundant running water, indoor plumbing, and readily available food for all but the very poorest.

Well, I totally disagree with your comments and everything you say.

But the glamour shot you post on your website has great Sharpie eyebrows, surgically altered nose, and a Jay Leno chin!

You are pretty hot for a bleeding heart liberal though!

So--I'll just add my .02. I think both sides have points that I agree with and I'm not happy with my choices on either side. Since moving to (insert foreign country name here) isn't a doable option I'll put my vote towards who I think is the most qualified at the time. My vote is either campaign's to lose.

You go, Dooce!!!!! Many of us here supporting the Democrats because if nothing else they will bring more people to the table to talk about any issue. Enough of this "I got mine, screw you!" mentality!

heather
just keep blogging about dog shit because that is really how you know.

Right on. Thanks for this, and especially the link to the Yahoo article. Wonderful eye opening stuff.

I can't read all of these - but for starters, yes I totally agree with you and feel the same rage this week as well.

A commenter said something like it isn't the government job's to provide insurance - that isn't the point. The point is that in the US education is a right we all have but medical care isn't. We will educate you for 18 years but if you get sick: you're on your own. We don't care if you die, but if you live, well, then...we'll let you go to school.

The point is medical care should be a basic right - making sure people DON'T DIE simply because they can't afford insurance should be something we want our government to care about.

I recently watched the PBS Frontline show "Sick Around the World" http://www.pbs.org/wgbh/pages/frontline/sickaroundtheworld/
and it is a very interesting comparison of other countries' healthcare options (England, Germany, Switzerland, Japan, Taiwan) to the United States. It's very eye-opening and well done.

I refuse to talk to my family about the election because they act like cult members. If Obama had picked someone like Palin - they would have found her wholly unacceptable and been appalled at her sarcastic and rude speech...but because she is a Republican they act like what she says is from God directly.

I could go on but I shouldn't - I'll just get mad. Thanks for posting this today.

kim

God, I love this country! Oh sure, we make all kinds of mistakes. And we can't seem to agree on anything. And we somehow managed to elect W . . . twice (?!). But there isn't a country in the world that doesn't have its own warts and wrinkles. At least everyone on this site, and throughout the country, feels free to voice her/his beliefs. It is so fantastic to see both sides represented so passionately. Personally, I'm putting my support behind Obama because he doesn't make me shake my head in disbelief every time he opens his mouth. I'm looking forward to yet another rocking campaign, so let's vote it out at the polls and may the best candidate win!

You said it sister! A McCain/Palin administration scares the shit out of me. You have so many comments to this post that I realize you likely won't get to this one, but I wanted to thank you for speaking up, for putting your words out there for those of us who feel the same, but don't have the voice.

This is the first time I've visited your blog but won't be the last. My niece, Cheri, is an advid follower of your writing and sent me over to "check it out!" You go, I agree with all you've said and and aplaud you for putting you views out there. I just get so iritated with the repub talking heads and how they say that Palin "hit it out of the park" with her speech. OMG, what park are they talking about, the DOG park? I just "pray" that the citizens of our great country are scared to death about the possibility of a McCain/Palin win....Thanks again.

READ #998, READ #998READ #998, READ #998READ #998, READ #998READ #998, READ #998READ #998, READ #998READ #998, READ #998READ #998, READ #998READ #998, READ #998READ #998, READ #998READ #998, READ #998READ #998, READ #998READ #998, READ #998READ #998, READ #998READ #998, READ #998READ #998, READ #998READ #998, READ #998READ #998, READ #998READ #998, READ #998READ #998, READ #998READ #998, READ #998READ #998, READ #998READ #998, READ #998READ #998, READ #998READ #998, READ #998READ #998, READ #998READ #998, READ #998READ #998, READ #998

Thank you for being brave enough to come out and say that.

As a Canadian, I was stunned when Bush was voted in for his second term. Should the Republicans win again, I'm not sure I hold out much hope for your country. If the people aren't fed up yet, what will it take? I have much sympathy for your frustration!

CRAP! SORRY..READ #988CRAP! SORRY..READ #988CRAP! SORRY..READ #988CRAP! SORRY..READ #988CRAP! SORRY..READ #988CRAP! SORRY..READ #988CRAP! SORRY..READ #988CRAP! SORRY..READ #988CRAP! SORRY..READ #988CRAP! SORRY..READ #988CRAP! SORRY..READ #988CRAP! SORRY..READ #988CRAP! SORRY..READ #988CRAP! SORRY..READ #988CRAP! SORRY..READ #988CRAP! SORRY..READ #988

I'm not sure why I'm posting this since I'm so far down the list, but here goes.

It seems that what people want is to be happy. Many people, in this country think that being happy is to be equated with having money and, to some extent, it is.

Since we care about happiness, why don't we have a look at studies that have been done on happiness (you can find scads of them, and from good sources, if you try). Here's what comes up: When you look at the results—and you exclude non-post-industrial nations (I exclude them because what we want is a relatively similar comparison)—you discover that the countries with the happiest populations are those that have much higher taxes. Odd isn't it?

I'm not suggesting (or course) that simply having higher taxes makes people happier, but rather that those people who pay more in taxes get more for their taxes. If the American people didn't have to worry about ridiculously over-priced health care or about discrimination against those with pre-existing conditions, then it would not be surprising that they'd be more happy. If the average student didn't leave college a mortgage in debt, no doubt, people would be a lot happier.

All that to say: All this complaining about taxes... have a little foresight people.

Also, WHAT HEATHER SAID!

I watched Obama with interest until he was endorsed by Ted Kennedy. Sorry folks, Kennedy is about as old school political power and corruption as you can get. Then the kicker, he chooses Biden as a running mate. Seriously, I would like to vote for almost anyone than the options that will be on the ballot. It is all Washington same old same old with an eloquent new face. Neither party has the leadership to run a country of free thinkers but since we are not that anymore I guess any of them will do. And if one more candidate on either side talks about the rich, which they say is anyone who makes over $150,00 a year, like they are not one of them a couple of times over I will BARF.

Fuck yeah, Heather... Fuck yeah!

Women voting for this ticket is just like chickens voting for Colonel Sanders" Ann Richards.
Amen!

Hey, David (#1232) -- you've obviously forgotten exactly whose room we're all in here.

YEA!!!! Karen comment #240! Go back and read that comment and multiply it by 1000.

Republicans are not heartless, just smarter.

I rarely read comments, and I don't think I've ever posted one, but hot damn. I had no idea how many people who like the same website I do could be so different. and so mean about it.

heather, was it weird when you realized this wasn't your blog anymore? how many times did you have to hear "stick to writing about x" or "your opinions are wrong" before you knew for sure? christ.

I don't even feel the need to say whether I agree with this post or not. doesn't matter. what I do agree with is the right to give your opinion on your own fucking website without someone telling you to stick to funny stories about "your kid and your dog".

Did anyone ever tell you that you are butt ugly? What's with the Jay Leno chin? is that thing real? Yikes!

Your hypocrisy is incredible!
Rezko? Ayers? That is some scary shit! But you don't care. You are nothing but a do nothing hypocrite.

Oh, Heather B. Armstrong, you know exactly where to put your huge, bursting heart--namely on the Internet's collective sleeve--because you trust that heart's compass, and well you should. Chin up, luv: you're a helluva writer. Your particular addiction is speaking your mind, and you have made a home from the fruits of that addiction. You got to know your husband while you were supplying that addiction. Your freedom to live in the giddy dance of that addiction is guaranteed to you by the First Amendment, and you still curb its exercise out of love and respect. Your writing is a force to be reckoned with, as you know because you do that reckoning every day. Stay righteous, woman.

I know it's been said about a thousand times now but really...Thank you for saying what so many of us are thinking. I was raised as a very strict Mormon girl here in Utah and my dad is a former Utah State Senator(R). So I come from about as conservative a family as there is out there. I am most decidedly the black sheep of my family and I usually try to avoid political and religious discussions with my family, particularly my father, because it just leads to a shouting match and hurt feelings and me being told I know nothing because I'm a woman etc. etc. So I don't get to voice my political opinions as often as I would like to people who I would really like to hear them but after reading this I may just "go there" when I am at their place this Sunday for dinner...

Hear, hear!
Just putting my two cents in.
xoxo
Ellen

Had the Democrats picked a woman for the VP slot it would have been the best thing to happen since sliced bread... since the Republicans did it (and caught the other party off guard) it's a less than stellar choice. No double standard there.

Um, simple as this.....i.love.you. You fucking ROCK! (and previously my only girlcrush was Angelina Jolie.....)

We live in Canada. My son was diagnosed with plagiocephaly. Public healthcare paid for most of the treatment, except for part of the helmet. The cost of the helmet is $2500 (helmet is made in the US, and for some reason costs > $3K if you get it in the US), but public healthcare paid for $1000 of that cost, and my works extra insurance (we have extra insurance for dental, glasses, and stuff like this) paid the rest.

Public healthcare also paid for the physio to treat his shortened neck muscle, which caused the plagiocephaly in the first place.

Going forward, there is no ding against us or my son for insurance. He will always get the exact same public health insurance as anyone else, and the way all work insurance is applied up here, is that nobody is discriminated for having a preexisting condition, so it doesn't matter at all.

We have a pretty sweet system. The only thing I don't like is the long wait periods for non emergency/non critical care.

THANK YOU. You've articulated everything I'm feeling right now. Her speech last night? Sickening. I couldn't believe what I was watching. I wanted to throw my TV out the window.

You are sooo not alone. Even if you weren't talking to your friends and family, your head would still be exploding. My blood is boiling. Two of my friends and I can't stop shooting emails at each other all day long. There are a million points to be made, but I'll just choose this one: Is it really a good idea to make working hard to earn a great education seem like a bad thing? Especially since it is particularly necessary to have one to survive these days? Do we really want to belittle people who strive to make themselves and the places they live better? Is that really the kind of world we want to create--where we will have to tell our kids not to study too hard or they will never get to the White House?

Most well put. Palin is clearly unqualified, besides being a creationist, and Mcsame scares the living hell out of me.
And any veteran that votes for Mcsame is voting for a guy who has consistently voted against benefits for returning vets... many of whom are all effed up, and will need proper help for a long time; I know because I see and talk to them often. As a Navy vet who served at the same time as Mcsame, I can tell you that most enlisted support Obama, and most lifers and officers support republicans. Drives me nuts how so many good people can consistently vote against their own best interests.
Looks like women are going to decide this election. Hope you all think long and hard before casting that vote.

Amen sister! A-fucking-men!

Hey, world... I've said it before and I mean it now. If McCain and Palin somehow cheat their way into the white house, I am officially no longer American. Either setting up my own country on my acre and a half, or moving to Canada! I say we just leave them to wallow in their own mire. As far as being angry, I've been angry for 8 years, and my family (except my daughter) acts as if there's something wrong with ME! It is so refreshing to see I'm not alone.
Keep up the good blogging!

Well, you certainly did get a few responses off of this little rant. You're now my official hero.

Like so many others who've commented here today, I'm an escapee from 'The Church'. The family has been there, thinking their same old bullshit, since they pulled a fucking handcart in around 1850. You'd think they might have learned something since then. Nope.

I couldn't take it anymore and left in 1987. Now a practicing post-theological secular humanist in Nevada. I can look at myself in the mirror now and actually see an image.

I've been a lifelong democrat. (small d intentional). But there was a day when I thought McCain was at least a bit smarter than the average Republican. Were these people on drugs when they chose her? The YouTube video of her at church eloquently says it all ... this woman is a freaking scary nutcase. Certifiable.

It will be interesting to watch the McCain campaign implode with her strapped around their necks.

BTW: Right on about healthcare. I'm five years out from Stage 3 breast cancer. I sure hope I don't have a recurrence. It'll bankrupt us.

Ladybird

If I didn't love you before (and I don't think I did, sorry)...

I do now.

xoxo
With all my heart.

Completely disagree with you, but as always, this post was a great read. I can exist with liberals and not spontaneously combust. If Obama wins, I won't freak out, stomp and cry, I'll respect him and his position and hope for the best. If McCain wins, I'll be pleased, but I won't gloat because in the end, politicians are politicians. Not saviors in suits.

Stick with what you believe in. That's all each one of us can do. That and cross our fingers that some good will come of whomever wins the election.

I agree with you completely. I actually just wrote a huge rant about her on my blog as well, I cannot believe the praise she is getting. It's ridiculous. I also cannot believe the reasons conservatives give for why they are voting the McCain ticket from otherwise intelligent people. "Obama is a terrorist because his middle name is Hussain. Obama is going to send all our resources to africa to feed the children there, because he's black and they all stand together. Obama is unpatriotic and I could never support for someone who is unpatriotic." Well pardon me, but I do not think you can get more unpatriotic then attacking a country based on lies, ignoring the UN and the rest of the world in some sort of self entitled ego bubble. Or more unpatriotic then ignoring the constitution and attempting to mesh church and state as much as possible.

I, personally, made the choices in my adult life that I did solely because of insurance. I have dysplastic moles all over my back; while they only have removed one so far that was precancerous I have to have the others monitored every 6 months and have since I was 15 years old. I have no luxury of picking a job without health insurance, because no one would affordably insure me. I also had the pleasure of graduating from college right after 9/11 when there were very few jobs so I had to take one having nothing to do with my major paying barely enough for me to afford a vehicle to get me to work, an apartment with a roommate, and food; as well as going through a year of having no insurance at all when I just prayed nothing would go wrong. I remember at one point after my first job lost their contract and the whole building was laid off, working a waitressing job and sitting on the floor counting out cash in piles hoping it would stretch out enough to pay the bills. That is not the way anyone should live in a civilized society, especially when you did go to college and get the education that is supposed to mean you are better off.

Joe wrote: You uppity elitist bitch.

Now there's a great example of how conservative men view women who disagree with them in politics.

I think I love you!!! No, actually I KNOW I love you!!!! I have been feeling the same way lately when people are so happy with Palin! Yes, she's a woman but a really awful woman!

I cannot say enough how much I agree with you and what a sigh of relief it was to read this and feel like I'm not the only person losing their mind with anger over the past and present situations in America.

Really, you want to help out and give money to those who need it? Then please open up your check book and let me give you my address! I am poor. I accept this. I bust my ass working and hope that someday through the joys of capitalism it will pay off. For capitalism is the only way I stand a chance. I do NOT take money from federal funds. Although even if I wanted to, I would not be eligible for them because I am a 20 something single white female without kids. I took the responsible route in life and am just barely keeping afloat meanwhile the government is forcing me to pay out of my wages for everyone else's mistakes when I spend less than $10 a week on groceries because that's all I can afford. And sometimes I can't even afford that. With all of that said, when I do get a few extra dollars I have a couple charities whom are always the first to reap the benefits of whatever money I have stumbled across. I do believe we need to help others out! I do not belief that the government has a right to take my money and dole it out to whomever they choose fit when I can't even make ends meet myself. Our politicians have SO many other things to worry about, like oh, I don't know, maybe this war, or the state of the economy. Maybe if they weren't so preoccupied with controlling every single little aspect of our lives they couldn't actually focus on the important things and fix some of the messes they got us into.

You are obviously a very caring and passionate person and that's why I love reading your blog. While I don't necessarily agree, I admire the fact that you do openly speak your mind and don't allow others to censor you.

(I am sure this has a million spelling/grammar errors for people to tear apart, but I don't have the time to proofread it, so take it for what it is)

just heard on my local news that since palin's speech last night (approx 27 hours ago), the Obama-Biden campaign has received donations from 130,000+ people totally over $10 million!

keep on giving! www.barackobama.com

It's funny because I wanted to laugh out loud when Sarah Palin said she would fight for special needs kids. She comes from a party who voted against S-Chip programs for children in need!

And to the person who said my taxes would increase under universal healthcare, could you back that up with some proof? I can. Look at Canada. There are more middle class people there because they actually have a middle class, than here in America. Healthcare is already paid for and brought to 60 percent of Americans from medicaid, medicare, VA, state and federal employees. So, it's already nearly a reality in America.

I'm right there with you, lady friend!

Politics are emotional, but it must be such a headache to have conservative, close-minded parents.

1236 Anonymous. you can't say NO REPUBLICAN wants to make 35-40k. I work as a case manager for kids and before that a detox counselor. I am that um lesbian republican that works in MH. Go figure. I make less than 30k with my fabulous four year degree. But i don't do it for the money. I do it because I feel I am called to do it. I love my job. You mentioned your morals and values don't match the republican party and "Further, I will tell you that as a lesbian, I wouldn't vote for a republican ticket if you paid me. Why would I put tax breaks over basic human rights?" That actually is where we really differ. To me..(yeah I'm a prolifer)a child's basic human right to live outweighs me getting to marry my girlfriend. That is partly why I am a republican. Either way I respect your opinion and I am glad there are others out there passionate about the mental health field. It's a tough place to work but worth it imo.

While I can't comment for the rest of us living outside the US - and indeed we're having a doosy of a political stoush going on in our own state over here as I type - the greatest bewildering concern for me is that voting is not compulsory so you end up with a situation where you get the type of government you've had for the last eight years which is just not representative of the population at all.

What is truly scary is all those harried Hilary supporters who'll now just vote Republican because they picked a woman as a running mate.

What is quite funny is that now, when any woman is being considered for a position of authority/power, you can ask, 'well yes, that is impressive, but can she shoot a moose?'

OK, you must watch this! In the Republicans' own words. Their OWN, recorded words. Perfect, perfect example of their hypocrisy and lies. Perfect.

http://www.comedycentral.com/videos/index.jhtml?videoId=184086

Why does everyone insist that Republicans/conservatives are rich? Most of Hollywood is Democratic/liberal. How many homes to they own? And what difference does it make anyway? It is not a crime to earn as much money as you are able. Then you will be able to take care of yourself and family, not lean on the government (taxpayers), and hopefully be able to contribute to the welfare of others.

AMEN, AMEN, AMEN!!!

An Australian says "Amen!"
Also, Universal Healthcare FTW. We have Medicare in Australia whereby a trip to the doctor= FREE in most cases and if you don't choose to go to a bulk billing doctor (Not ER or anything, a GP) then the most it will cost is between $15-30 for as long as it takes.
No waiting around in a hospital for hours and paying thousands for something your GP could fix easily just because you don't have insurance. I don't have insurance. If I got it, it would only be as a tax write off.
America has much to learn about certain things. These as far as I see are:
1)The rest of the world looks to America for directions and answers whether we want to or not. We follow you into wars we don;t belive in and implement laws because you say the "terrorists" will get us if we don't. The real terrorists are the people in power in your country. Your conservative leaders are not only destroying your country, but ours as in turn, our "leaders" play a twisted game of "follow the more important cos he talks louder leader". Vote for the world- vote democrat.
2) Oil will not last forever and Iraqi soil and oil does not belong to the US of A. Challenge your leaders and your corporations to do something about the way they treat this finite resource. It is the only way forward.
3)Pharmaceutical companies should be serving the people as opposed to people working solely to afford drugs. The Pharmaceutical Benefits Scheme we have here protects consumers from drug companies- capping the costs of medications, introducing (much) cheaper generics and cutting the cost of all medication down to nil if you pass a certain threshold. This happened to my family about 7 years ago- when you have a sick family member 7 months of free medications can be a life saver.
4) The majority of the world doesn't hate you- yet- vote Obama to keep it that way.
5)Compulsory voting works. it might suck to have to lose half an hour of your day to tick a few boxes, but knowing that you had a say, regardless of where you were in the world, or whether you'd been to jail (or were currently in jail), or any other reason your government has to stop you from voting, is worth more than its weight in gold. I registered before I was even 18 that's how eager I was to have a say. Most Aussies are like that. You get the choice who runs the country/world for the next four years. Don't waste it...

It's so hard to have a voice in things like this when it affects you but because you aren't a citizen- just someone on the other side of the world who gives a damn about the future of the planet- you don't get any kind of say.
If you aren't planning on voting this election because you can't make a decision- will you place a vote for me? Obama please!!
That is all for my long winded rant. Thanks for listening.
PS Dooce- LOVE the site as always.

As always - very well said. It is a difficult position to be surrounded by people who have a different opinion on such a polarized debate. I don't even live in the US and I feel intense emotion about what is happening. You could always move up here to Canada though if McCain gets in....along with the 1294377645845945 other sane Americans who will be swarming the borders.

i haven't been blogging much lately. it's not that i don't have anything to say...i have a MILLION AND TWO things to say. problem is, i have a million and two things to say about what's going on in the political world, and i'm just afraid to say them because i don't want to fight with people. i don't want to deal with the people who will read and then leave hateful comments. i just want to talk about how i feel, dammit!
anyway, thanks for this.
i'm not sure, but i think i may have picked up some courage from you.

I've just finished reading 1000s of comments and I'm about ready to puke. I can't believe all the ignorance I've just read so I felt compelled to comment again. I think I've read only a handful of truly objective comments that don't jump on one side and trash the other. Liberals are JUST as guilty as Republicans of trash-talking. People choosing a party and believing every damn thing that party stands for is absurd.

Realistically, I'm not sure I'll be back here. I'd really hoped you'd stay away from this topic, despite your clearly obvious penchant for true liberal beliefs. It's a pity, really, because I've thoroughly enjoyed this blog, but I am so infuriated by true, die-hard liberals that it makes me physically ill.

I think the topic that infuriates me most about this election is drilling--If you actually think cold-turkey cessation of drilling is a good idea you're out of your f'ing mind. Should we research and develop alternative sources? Absolutely. But in all likelihood that will not see implementation in our lifetime. We need the oil. We need our own damn source of oil. To think otherwise is ignorant.

For the sake of drilling alone, I hope to God McCain is elected. Or we're all fucked.

Sing it, sister.

AMEN.

(and a great big hallelujah)

girlfriend... dear citizen,

i too have been exploding over here. it actually makes me sick wanting to barf style.

plus, everyone in the effin convention has a cowboy hat on!! you WOULD think that would scream, "We are STUpiiddd! This might be a bad sign!"

i will vote. i'm in a swing state too.

Heather,
Each day I read your website and either commiserate, agree, or laugh (most of the time all three). Today was no exception. I think it is amazing that people can say those without enough to live on or those without insurance are just lazy. I am a college educated young woman who worked full time to get through school and unfortunately I was diagnosed with Crohn's disease that leaves me disabled. I received Cobra after I had to leave my job and for $700 a month i could have crappy insurance that covered only 50% of my bills. Now I am unisured and can't even get private insurance because of my disease. I have over $400 ,000 in unpaid medical bills and the total just keeps getting bigger. I understand that socialized medicine is not without its problems but unless all of you Republicans would like to help with my medical care, I would at least like the chance for care.

Obama 08!

I can't even believe anyone thinks they have a good argument against it.

(And to #269 according to NPR the convention and it's decor are planned way before anyone knows who the nominee is. The columns are not an indication of his ego.)

(I mean, seriously?)

Signed,
Uninsured and totally afraid of McCain

Send your check...since you are willing to give your pocket money to me......you idiot!

What is your candidate's plan as your quote "none baby killing AP writers elude to"? I am sure that the AP press are writing things strictly as informational and don't take any sides. Why don't you actually do some research on the candidates....do your homework! Read what both guys have to say about answering the tough questions? Take a look at where they are going to cut in order to supposedly help us improve the economy....buy the way, how is increasing the national deficit, decreasing the value of the US dollar even more, going to help the economic growth? Where does Oboma's plan answer that tough question? Where...honest, I really want to know? Where is the 75 billion stimulus coming from? Is it going to come out of our 3 trillion dollar deficit? How can you cut taxes, give to the middle clase (incidentilay people making less than 75K per year) and fund it? I keep reading Obama's plans on the net from his official wedsite, and never does it tell me where all this free money is coming from, so I assume it to be your own income that you want to give to me. Maybe his plan is good and maybe it sucks....How is he going to fix everything in one breath...Change Change Change is all I keep hearing....he is not GW, and that is why you want him in office. Get off your high horse...stop listening to what the media, movie stars, TV talk shows, and every other 1% of this country feed you, and figure out the person and the campaign for yourself and make an educated decision, for it is your daughter who needs your help in this matter for her future...you owe it to her as a concerned parent to do it...Then you can come back and debate why your guy is the right man for the job and use your eloquent writing to educate your readers and freinds where you can make a difference...That is your true duty as a American, and if you don't like it, get out of my country as I take it peresonally with pride. Go talk to the regular American citizen, stop listening and writing to foreign countries, as why and what do you care thier thoughts....If you want to solve the domestic policy problems and you think your guy is the guy again, then forget their thoughts as they don't live in your country and are only jealous like an old boyfirend of how good you have it...."It" being the freedom that you currently enjoy and that freedom is still the only thing that I can come up with as to why the outside world is so jealous. Pointless to write this I am sure, as you and I will never agree, but maybe you will pontificate the matter before spouting off and find the information on what you are talking about next time to make a point with validity instead of passion.

Wow, "Steve the Conservative" is a real, dyed-in-the-wool moron. Get out of "his country"? Really? I did not know this was his country. Hmm... I thought I was in America. I thought my father fought and died for this country, both my grandfathers fought in WWII for this country, and my husband served in Iraq for this country, and all this time it was for "Steve the Conservative"? Surely not. I'll bet this moron never even served our country.

And he speaks of "validity"? Another "Really?" This whole passage of his applies exactly to McCain:

"Where is the 75 billion stimulus coming from? Is it going to come out of our 3 trillion dollar deficit? How can you cut taxes, give to the middle clase (incidentilay people making less than 75K per year) and fund it? I keep reading Obama's plans on the net from his official wedsite, and never does it tell me where all this free money is coming from, so I assume it to be your own income that you want to give to me. Maybe his plan is good and maybe it sucks....How is he going to fix everything in one breath...Change Change Change is all I keep hearing"

McCain's war-cry is also "Change," and McCain is also promising tax breaks to everyone, and McCain is promising to reduce the deficit. Hmm, but how's he going to do that when he's promised to reduce everyone's taxes? Oh, yeah, and he's promised to reduce rich people's taxes even more than working class/middle class people's taxes and give huge (further) tax cuts to oil companies who are making record profits right now. Weird how you can ask the same thing of McCain. How's that gonna work? And wait, he's spouting "Change," also? So he's gonna change into NOT being a Republican? Because we've had 8 years of a Republican and if he wants change, then that would make him have to NOT be a Republican.

And you probably voted for George W. Bush who took a country that didn't have a deficit and turned it into a 3 trillion dollar deficit (or whatever the accurate number is at the moment). And McCain voted with George W. to create that deficit. Hmm, you're obviously a very confused individual.

I never expect to agree with everything that Heather says.
I respect her opinion, and hope that she continues to express it.
I just wish I believed that the same government that mismanages veteran's health benefits was going to cure itself overnight and be capable of cost effective universal health care. But I don't.
I believe in smaller government, not larger, so I am left with choosing between the lesser of 2 evils.

I imagine it will be possible to have this opinion in the future, and not be discounted as either emotionally or intellectually brain-dead by people that don't share my view.

What I find the most interesting and a bit odd in the midst of this debate, is the opinion from people of foreign countries (with foreign interests?), and the applause that these individuals give for one candidate over another? (For the record, I am registered Independent and feel the pull from both sides for my vote.)

Why would they care, and what's the motive in holding on with such interest to what is happening in our country. Why is it so appealing to many of the foreign commentators here that we become more of a socialist country, much like theirs?

If you are not an American citizen, where is your voice here? If you feel so compelled to voice your opinion, what really is your agenda? I am honestly confused about what you expect. And the theme is so consistent throughout these posts.

I have found it interesting to read most people comments here, and they way they react to each side of the issue. It is obvious that this election is a one that will make history. However, I couldn't overlook the common sentiment I read here in all of the foreign posts. It honestly is a bit of a rude awakening, and makes me suspicious of what the world's agenda is here. What does America owe you? Not a damn thing, please be so kind to remember that.

I love America and I am grateful to be living here, as are many foreign peoples, like my husband and his family who have immigrated here and other who have made this their country (whether legally or not). Those who do not share those feelings can chose to stay put in their own countries and keep their opinions to themselves (and their hands shut to an American hand out, since that is what they are used to getting from their own country). If you are an unhappy American, and wish to leave... Cest La Vie! And remember to be thankful for the FREEDOM to be able to leave, if you so choose. Nobody is stopping you, so what are you waiting for? So many people from other countries would love to come here to enjoy just the most basic of freedoms. Maybe you could find a nice foreign exchange program and change places with someone in North Korea, China, Russia, etc.

This is not a bash to helping people around the globe. I believe it is our duty as Americans to continue to be a leader in this effort. I just really feel a big twinge of offense and suspicion when I read posts from all these foreigners, "glad to see that all American's aren''t a$#holes". Wow... thanks for the complement you foreign Sh*%head!

Sure, I dig that. I definitely don’t want to say that anything is always the case. I enjoyed the article

Isn't it interesting that the Republicans always say that they want less government? The truth is the want less government with more power to tell and make people do what they wish.

Democrats don't force people to learn about religious notions in school (creationism). They don't make people study atheism or say a prayer from the koran or the torah. I think Democrats try harder to tolerate peoples differences, and in my opinion, respect peoples differences and difficulties a hell of a lot more than their Republican counterparts.

And don't even get me started on the hypocrisy of wanting to save "babies" lives and the sanctity of life b.s. These are the same people who will happily pull the switch to kill another human being if they're on death row. Oh, and by the way, Sarah Palin doesn't even believe in abortions in the case of incest or rape. Charming.

Is it just me, or am I the only one who feels that we are, as a country, walking on the razor's edge of making everyone accept Jesus Christ as their savior? Before you know it, this slippery slope could result in the wearing pink, brown or black triangles, yellow stars, or whatever. And we know where it goes from there...

How can the Republicans supposedly corner the market on patriotism when they are slowly destroying freedom? Freedom--the very thing this country stands for. Sickening.

Thank you, Heather, for telling it like it is. My Republican conservative family thinks I'm out of my mind. But in the words of MLK, "all hope may be in the hands of the maladjusted."

Would you risk your family's anger to help protect Leta's future? You just did, and on behalf of my children too, thank you!

"I get the feeling that people around the world are looking at this election as a gauge to see if America is finally ready to wake up and realize that we are not the only country on this planet." - Yes, we are. And you'll be judged accordingly. Once was a genuine mistake, twice was just damn careless, three times... insane!

For those who keep saying Heather has the right to say what she wants and good riddance to those leaving the blog:

I think all of us leaving agree it's not Heather's choices nor her politics nor her decision to talk about it on her blog.

It's about her tone that is so condescending and supreme that it's impossible to see past it.

I'm on the bandwagon out too.

Amen.

Though half of America might not understand you, all of Europe does.

American conservatives are drinking in the last chance saloon.
Cause the so called empire really does have no clothes, and they are the last to realise.

RE: Comment 168 from Cathy T.
Finally someone else sees what I've been thinking all along! I feel so bad for that little baby - he needs his mother sooooooooo much more than we do! Her whole family does, apparently. This person should be second in line (after a 72 year old of questionable health) to run our country? And I thought the country couldn't get into a bigger mess than it's already in....

Heather, I'm an American living in Germany, and I cannot imagine life without socialised medicine. We have two children, and their insurance is FREE until they are 18 or have finished their college education. As long as I am a stay at home mom, I am also covered on my husband's insurance, so the entire family is covered for about 400 Euros. And the Germans may complain about the system because, yes, it has gotten a bit more expensive, but every time we go to the doctor I am so thankful that I don't even need to think about money. I can just worry about my kids.
Joana

I work in a public school with many kids who live in poverty. I have seen the government programs designed to help these people in action. That is exactly why I will vote for McCain and Palin. These programs do NOT work and throwing more money at them is NOT the answer. Read any book by Ruby Payne that explains the culture of poverty and you will understand why they don't work.

Wow, what a great and courageous post!
As a European (french, but living in Germany) I can say that we are seriously worried about what's going to happen.
The thought of a complete lack of healthcare for children in a country such as the US is completely baffling and terrifying to me and I feel lucky and blessed to not have to worry about a social security system.
Europe it seems, is so ready to love America again (not that we hated it in the past 8 years, just you know we weren't so thrielled. especially in France )after this period of disbelief, and that the majority supports Obama. However, this european feeling about Obama, is probably the strongest indicator that he will not win... One of the more conservative papers here in Germany the FAZ recently titled Obama the dreamer vs McCain the realist....

Let's hope for the best.

I'm mad as hell, too. And I'm so glad I'm not the only one.

[virtual fist bumping you, sister]

You need a laugh . . . look up the Sara Palin Vlogs on YouTube.

one word:
CANADA

Out of the park, dooce. Thanks.

This is a bit like shrieking into the void - since there are already well over a thousand comments on this post I doubt anyone will read this. But oh Lord I really feel like I need to say it - AMERICA, VOTE OBAMA.

As I'm Irish and obviously don't vote in the election, I can imagine it's annoying for you guys to hear someone like me try to tell you how to vote. But watching the speeches at the RNC on CNN, I was so worried for America, seeing people swallow up the crap that was being spewed. How were they not AFRAID of Mitt Romney? I mean he genuinely sounded unhinged.

I really and truly don't understand how these people can claim to be Christians, with Family Values* (*sole ownership, the Republican Party), and yet have a complete aversion to helping their fellow humans. Especially with a decent healthcare system. As for letting the free market look after this, it's a crazy attitude: you just can't leave the provision of healthcare to profit seeking insurance companies and expect good results - by definition, a company with shareholders will ALWAYS put profits first, they have to. A government, on the other hand, does not need to do this, their goal can simply be affordable healthcare, healthy people. In any case, how could anyone complain about the potential taxing for a better system, and not realise what a burdensome tax you already have with skyscraper-high insurance premiums?

They rant about the tax-and-spend democrats, not even realising that financially, the neo-cons have been anything but conservative. Spending like crazy but without the taxing - just getting America into debt instead, to be paid off by the next generation. It's like a guy going into a bar, buying beers for everyone in the place all night, and instead of paying for it there and then himself, handing the bill to his 5 year old kid. Is that responsible governing?

Basically, the clue is in the name.
Apply liberally means apply generously: liberal = generous.
Conserve means to keep: conservative = I'm keeping it all for myself. The money is mine, mine I tell you, MIIIIIIIINNNNNNNE.

Heather, well said. If I'm this enraged, watching from across the Atlantic, it's no surprise that you need to vent.

All i can say is, on behalf of non-americas, here in England everyone is having a jolly good laugh at the idiot Palin is. What a ridiculous choice.

A couple of things - The fact that you say AP reported it doesn't make it true, as evidenced by things like this:

A commenter (Jim Syar) accused Sarah Palin of reducing the special education budget by 62%. That is false. The special education budget actually increased by nearly 12%, as explained below.
As Syar correctly notes, the Alaska 2007 budget for special education was $8,265,300. But that included $5,352,000 for the Alaska Challenge Youth Academy.
In the 2009 budgetary document to which Syar links, astute observers will note that there is no mention of the Alaska Challenge Youth Academy. Instead, you have to look elsewhere. And guess what: There is now a specific document providing $6,082,100 for the Alaska Challenge Youth Academy. (Link) So combined with the $3,156,000 that Syar notes, the total is $9,238,100. A nearly 12% INCREASE, not a 62% decrease.

Everyone has their own agenda, AP included - for you to jump on that bandwagon without doing your own research is self defeating.

Vote for what/who you want, but if you believe that things will suddenly get better with a democratic liberal focused agenda you are sadly mistaken. It's never happened, and it never will.

Bravo, Heather. I was wondering if you'd come out for this one. Thank you. People who have any influence whatsoever over public opinion need to stand up now. We thought things couldn't get any worse after the last 8 years but apparently we were wrong!

Hear fucking hear.
Holding thumbs here for Obama.

Gosh, your comments are still open!
Thanks for expressing my feelings much better than I.
And I feel for you in not being able to talk with your family about this. I feel like I've lost a bit of my relationship with my brother because he is so WRONG on the issues! We can't even talk a little bit about politics.

To all the folks concerned about the unborn babies lives... What about the lives of millions of children and adults? Don't they count?

Global warming is a huge issue, as I'm sure people in Florida, Louisiana etc. can testify. Economic suffering leads to deaths, too. And I won't even say anything about the wars the US has vaged on foreign soil while the Rebublicans have been in charge.

The rest of the world, we are holding our breath, hoping and praying Americans make the right choice. Because even if Obama isn't as experienced as McCain, he's a Democrat and the whole world benefits when the US has a Democrat for a President. And that view is shared by millions and millions of people.

I have seen a lot of blogs on this topic popping up left & right today, but I think this is one of the most insightful ones I've read thus far.

I am really hoping that the next 4 years do not follow the pattern of the previous 8, and that somehow the person who winds up in office is able to clean up the mess that has been made of our country in a timely & efficient manner.

Gee, I don't ask much do I?

"or maybe it will take a terroist strike in your state or town to get you off your dead asses and see the light..."

Yes because the war on terror has been such a success. Have you ever wondered WHY the US was chosen as the target? I've never seen a country fight so many wars that have everything to do with preserving their own interests and nothing to do with actually protecting people. Oh wait, there's always Russia. Seems like you're in good company, then.

http://www.chron.com/disp/story.mpl/front/5984413.html

Obama is such a coward democrat it's hard to believe he said this, but yeah he did.

You idiots voting for him are asking for another terrorist attack on our soil.

I'm linking this entry in my plurk. =)

DI - you are an idiot!

Palin is under investigation by the FBI for abuse of office.
She tried to get her brother in law fired from his police patrolman job due to him and her sister being in a custody battle (i.e. - if he had no job - he wouldn't get custody. That makes her too stupid to realize that once he didn't get custody he would not be able to pay child support with NO JOB !!)
See --> http://209.157.64.200/focus/f-rlc/2075082/posts

How's she gonna be Prez. from prison when the old guy dies?

Wow Heather. This is one of my favorite posts in a very long time and I read every single one. I am a single white mother in the midwest raising three black kids on my own and let me tell ya, some days it ain't all rainbows and gumdrops. I am one of those just trying to survive. I am one of those that doesn't have insurance for myself because I can't afford it and about 4 months ago when I got a 42 cent raise, the government decided that an extra 20 bucks on my paycheck is cause for pulling all the (little) help I did get. And guess what? I have a college degree and I got it by finishing school while working two jobs and raising babies. I own my own car and my own house and am suppose to be living the American dream, but there are times I literally cannot afford to put food on the table. Not only do I NOT think Palin is qualified, I just cannot believe a single word that McCain says and I know that he has NO idea what it is like to live in the America that the rest are living in right now. I feel that at least Obama is in touch with the American people. The Republicans are making an Ass of themselves and I pray each and every day that Bush, er, uh, I mean McCain, doesn't get back in that damn White House!

"being from Scandinavia, you don't have much right to say anything about what we do or don't do."

Being from the US why does your current President feel he has every right to dictate what other countries do or don't do? How I would LOVE it if the Rebublicans took this stance when it comes to other countries too.

However, unfortunately when it comes to pollution/global warming, what you do or don't do affects the whole world whether you like it or not. Maybe you don't care about the rest of the world but out here we DO.

>I get the feeling that people around the world are looking >at this election as a gauge to see if America is finally >ready to wake up and realize that we are not the only >country on this planet.

You bet we are!!! These words absolutely sum up what a lot of my friends and myself think. Please guys, wake up! This is so scary! Not another republican!

OK, enough is enough. I see that there are a few smart people posting comments and I will leave it to them. I have a job, after six months of enemployment, and I need to go do it. So, from a person that at one time ate popcorn for all three meals, and then amazingly pulled themselves up and moved on without the help of any government, to own a very successful business, sell it, and then continued working in the private sector, I bid you farewell to drown in self pity and keep pulling for your Messiah, so he can stick the knife in real deep. Oh yeah, if he does make it, I wish you well and hope that your family can sleep at night without keeping one eye open...because after spending several years in military special forces, I would still try to protect your sorry ass......

Brave people like you who aren't afraid to communicate the reality of what is going on in this country will start the change. The people who fall through the cracks rarely have a voice. If they do it's drowned out by someone louder who thinks their idea is right because of the volume in which the tell you. Thank you Dooce.

Well said, D.

****************************************************

OH GOOD GOD...I see what you did.

You linked your blog to Obama's site for only ONE reason. The hits generator will show that people were directed from your site to theirs and? you're hoping someone from the Obama camp comes knocking on your door with great praise for supporting him and omg, posting such CRAP on your site.

You are so full of yourself and trying to seek celebrity status for blogggggging.

You know NOTHING about politics and you show how naive and ridiculous you are because you feel people shouldn't bear arms. The link you provided "as proof" that Obama is better proves very little. For such a lengthy convention there sure wasn't much argument over statements that were made.

Your family is correct; you are WRONG. I will not read your blog any longer.

May you never find yourself in a situation that requires you have a firearm ready to defend yourself. Maybe your Prozac enables you to walk around with rose-colored glasses on?

McCain/Palin in '08!

One more thing...
And again, I LOVE your site. Heck, I love you and I've never even met you.
I was thinking about what part of your entry really bothered me the most. I wrote earlier (I'm sure you do't read all these and remember) that I disagreed with you on this one...But it's not just the "disagreeing" part that was eating at me.

The apology to other nations you put at the end. That kills me.

Ok. That's it.

My husband is a Republican (and he doesn't like chocolate, either . . . things I totally should have taken seriously before we got married), and the other day he made some really dismissive comment about how Obama would raise our taxes because our income is sometimes more than $250,000/year. He asked, "Do you really feel like we're wealthy?!" I reminded him that we live an a decent house in one of the most expensive parts of the US (Connecticut), our kids go to private school (parochial, but still private), and I don't even work. Hell, yes, we're wealthy! Just because we don't own a yacht or a second (or seventh--ahem, John McCain) home doesn't mean that we aren't wealthy. And even if our taxes do go up, we will still pay much less than most people in the rest of the developed world.

I think I'll go put on my "ObamaMAMA" t-shirt.

Wow. Heather you can inspire some serious conversation. I don't agree with what you believe politically but I understand your frustration. People do need help sometimes because things aren't always perfect, and sometimes getting insurance is something that for whatever reason people can't get.

I do have a problem with taxing every walk of society to have them forcibly donate to others. It takes away people's freedom do what they wish with their own money. Heather, you stated that if you could help someone out by giving a few dollars of your paycheck then you would. Why can't you still do that but not have the government intervention?

I guess the whole point is that our government was never designed (or legally allowed) to become the behemoth that it is. Socialized medicine where the federal government is concerned is unconstitutional. It takes away people's freedom to do what they wish with their own income and takes away the joy of helping someone out. There is no joy when I look at my paycheck and see the taxes taken out to help someone else because I was not given a choice. I was robbed.

Socialized medicine should be something left up to the states to decide IMO. The "general-welfare" clause in the constitution has been stretched so far that we've become a socialist state.

And just so we're clear, I'm not a Republican, I don't think they are anywhere conservative enough when it comes to the constitution.

To Michelle, re: "The right to bear arms is a personal choice. IF you don't want a gun then don't buy one. However you are forgetting that some people like to hunt etc..."

99% of 'liberals' who advocate gun 'control' are not trying to take away the right to hunt. If you want to hunt, use a rifle. Why does the right wing feel the need to protect the right to own any and every weapon that discharges bullets? I doubt you live in a city where violence is a scourge, carried out with everything from cheap handguns to military weapons. Really, does hunting require such weapons? And why does the NRA foam at the mouth at the suggestion that we join the rest of the world and get rid of these guns? Guns that are solely meant to kill people, not to hunt. Why does everything have to be black and white, all or nothing, with conservatives? The real world is shades of gray, and conservatives need to stop living in LaLa Land and vote with their brains...and in the interests of the least of us, not those with the most money and the biggest mouths. That's the real definition of "family values."

Bravo, Dooce! You've hit the nail on the head. Those of us who can afford to send our kids to college AND somehow manage to pay our bills ARE FUCKING LUCKY. I see many each day who are not. The thoughts of children going without 3 meals a day angers me to no end given the country that we live in.
Yes, TAKE MY FUCKING MONEY, TOO! I would gladly give it up to help others.......

You hit the fucking nail on the fucking head.
Like the republicans can't find someone with better creds. Even if they HAD to have a woman in lame-ass hopes of pandering to Hillary supporters, they could have found someone better.
I dislike Condy Rice, BUT at least she has an iota of experience and brains compared with the conservative RUBE picked by McCain -- oh, excuse me, make that picked by the party, because "maverick" McCain had barely met her but still went along with the GOP herd.
I had a more strenuous interview with my boss-to-be when I became a peon copy-editor.

I've been reading you on and off for several years and I never knew Leta had plagiocephaly. My son had that as baby. I didn't know that it would affect getting insurance for him. I've been lucky enough to have insurance through work, but it makes me think of all the other children out there, who unlike you and me aren't as fortunate.

Luckily, a solid half the country doesn't agree with you.

I am a conservative Republican but am not here to argue. I have genuine questions. If you work to afford these things, why can't everyone? Education up to the age of 18 is free in this country and college makes some things easier but not all jobs require it. And college can be paid for - community colleges and otherwise. Why do I need to break their cycle of poverty? My family broke their own - when my Mom came here to this country alone and started school. The deal is, it's not easy.

And seriously, a real question - what are you referring to that we have "done" to the world? I know we are accused alternatively or policing the world and then not coming to the aid of the world. Not sure how to balance that out. Believe it or not, there are still people/societies TODAY that thank God every day for US intervention in their lives.

I could not have said it better myself! I have to bite my tongue- damn near off- all the time because I am surrounded by conservative morons- thanks for venting what the rest of us are thinking!

As one of those people who does have to think "Hey, you want to eat or pay the internet bill this month?" I say thank you for writing this. I was surprised that you did write about politics, especially since so many people come here to read your blog and expect you to simply be their form of entertainment for the time being and by you writing this, yeah, you probably lost some readers...Or have had people say that they will never come back here but will be because they simply can't help it.

I'm 21 years old, have PTSD, can't work, can't get approved for disability or even insurance of any kind so I work online and make enough to scratch together the rent at the end of the month and pick and choose what bills I have to pay and what bills could wait until the next month when hopefully I can make a little more money--But probably not. This country has been falling apart for decades and we're just starting to see what the fuck is going on and it's not only scary, but it's damn terrifying. We as a country need help and we need to wake the fuck up and make it happen.

Thanks again!

To 1316. Anonymous:
As someone else who is bullied by my family when it comes to my political views, my favorite revenge is to tell my brother on voting day that "I'm going to go cancel out your vote."

it's all sickening. just sickening. and the reality is we live in a country where the majority of voters will not vote for obama because of his race or because of their own religious beliefs. another irking matter lack of voting machines and broken voting machines - this could potentially be obama's downfall.

i can not believe that palin poked fun at community organizers either. i mean volunteerism in this country is really one of the few ways that people who really need help get help - think blood drives here, meals on wheels, and other programs that utilize volunteers. ugh.

last night mccain was basically militaristic and his focus was on crushing the enemy. i feel like his domestic views and policies are lacking.

i live in a blue state, but my husband is a republican - i can't even look at him sometimes.

If we truly believe the words of Michelle Obama's speech, we can all make our dreams come true. It does involve working hard in school, learning how to be a responsible adult and having a goal.
Michelle said that the American Dream endures, that if you work hard for what you want in life and to know that the only limit to the height of your achievements is the reach of your dreams and your willingness to work for them. I think these words are 100% true and is all the Republicans have ever believed in. I do not understans the outrage from the Democrats about a Republican candidate, why do you care so much when you are voting for the other party? I find this most interesting...

Thank you, Heather.
Sarah Palin is scary. Dick Cheney might be scarier. I'm not really sure...

I completely disagree. Obama will set this country back by raising taxes, pulling out of free trade agreements, and expanding government. He is not what we need, and unlike what his campaign thinks he is no great Messiah. And Joe Biden? Please.
McCain would not have been my first choice either, but I have a husband in the military and a baby on the way and I'm going to vote for who I think will serve my family and our country best. It certainly will *not* be Obama.

WORD!

Heather,

I'm one of those people that reads your blog that isn't from America, though I've been living here on and off for the past decade due to various twists of fate. I love your country because it has the best customer service in the world and its economy works wondrously. The people are fantastic: entrepreneurial, go-getting, optimistic, patriotic, God-fearing (or not as the case may be, because it's a free country, it really is), and everything else you commonly describe yourselves as. Even eight years of George W. Bush couldn't squelch that. So don't be too hard on yourselves. But having said that, I still hope Obama wins. It would lend sophistication to this nation's highest office on par with the Europeans, who are America's peers and who your people should benchmark yourselves against. There's no use drawing parallels between yourselves and lesser developed countries, such as those in the Middle East, Africa and Asia, because those countries are just that -- lesser developed. While we would expect such countries to "foul up," America should not, because it has every tool at its disposal to be the greatest country in the world. I don't mean great only in terms of might, but also great in terms of being forward-looking, being able to transcend race problems, etc., which all countries struggle with and never seem to be able to surmount.

It's too bad the American presidential race always comes down to two parties. If there was a third choice, these general elections wouldn't be so dire!

All the best.

Hi Heather,
I received a link to this blog and I thank you for it! I know communicating with friends or family members of a different political view can be frustrating, (my husband is a "independent/republican," I am a blue, blue, blue democrat), but it helps to talk about it, to express it, and clearly from all these replies, you have a lot of support!

I say do not be afraid of expressing yourself and asserting what you believe in. Sometimes the liberal camp tends to be too nice, and the opposite camp has no problem bitch-slapping us whenever they can. You are allowed your own opinion... that right to was assured by the founders of this nation.

And wait til the debates... ;) It's gonna be good!

Hi Heather.

I'm with you. I am afraid to visit my family in Tennessee because of getting into it with my uncle, but I will not let that happen. I will just say that I am not discussing the election and that will have to be the end of it. I love the comment that one reader left,

"If I have to pay more money so your child, my child, and the child living down the street have health insurance, then so be it. It's part of my duty, yes I said duty, as a citizen to make sure every human has enough to eat, a doctor to help them when they're sick, and a house to live in. That's what I call FAMILY VALUES!"

I'm exploding too - or more to the point not able to sleep very well with that convention going on. I was literally up at 2:00 pacing around the house, and I'm not a crazy person. The list of crimes the Republican party has committed is too long to type here, but it does help to have someone smart like you express the same things I'm feeling. I hope it makes an impact. THANK YOU!

Thanks Heather!!

Like another of your readers, I've been following your blog religiously too. And today seems to be the first time I felt the need to add my 2 cents.

I do not live in America and I'm not an American, but McCain's choice for a VP surprised me no less. I hope majority of your people put their votes in the right ballot!

Again, thanks for that last paragraph. It's reassuring :)!

FROM LISA-

"Sometimes the liberal camp tends to be too nice, and the opposite camp has no problem bitch-slapping us whenever they can"

Are you kidding me? This is the typical stupid statement you whinners always mention. What about calling Bush a murderer, nazi etc etc???? Whether you like the president of the United States, or not, either party, you MUST respect the office....you act about as low class as your hero Jimmy Carter, the worst president of either party, EVER! I remember the gas lines and then only so much could be purchased. You 30 year olds need to wake up!!! It's time some one told you NO! Quite acting like morons...he is NOT the Messiah...to solve all the problems,,,OH, he hasn't mentioned any soultions and only speaks to what you inmature children want to hear.