Thank you, thank you, thank you Heather. I think this last move has pushed a lot of us over the edge, confirmation helps so much (seeing as how we do not actually live in a fairy tale on acid). As an American overseas, I must say that if McCain wins this election the only thing going for us in terms of world opinion (i.e., the opinions of those without blinders on), will be Southpark.

Oh, and a housecall in the middle of the night here?...ten bucks.

Human beings can be reasonable, you have to watch that going to college though, they teach evolution there--and that the world is ridiculously old! And they insist on calling speaking in tongues 'foreign languages'.

You wrote: "If giving up more of my paycheck could help get this family adequate healthcare, then PLEASE. TAKE MY FUCKING MONEY. "

So put your money where your mouth is, find that family and give them your money.

It is NOT the gov'ts responsibility to FORCE us all to be charitable. It is a moral and personal obligation, one between you and your consience or me and mine. The Gov't can stop taxing me so f'n much so I can AFFORD to share my wealth with those who *I* want to share it with.

There are so many other reasons to disagree with you, but this is the classic example of Libs beleiving the Govt must "save", "rescue" and "make our choices for" us, and Conservatives believing in the goodness of man and that individuals have the right to choose how to live their lives and spend their money.

I'm a mature grown woman who can make my own choices on these matters, so give me MY money back and let ME decide where it goes.

Wow. It just reminds me that I hate politics and I hate politicians... no matter what flavor they profess to be.

I have been keeping an open mind throughout this race because I REALLY like Obama, I love to hear him speak and I like his attitude. However, I just don't agree with his policies and so I will be voting for McCain. It's nothing personal, if they had the same views I would pick Obama in a popularity contest any day, but this is not the prom.

What gets me is that after reading commentary the past few days about Palin and the RNC, I feel like I have been basted in anger from those who disagree with their position. I expect some to disagree, but this is getting a bit ridiculous.

The point of conventions is to rally the base. It is a pep rally designed to get supporters excited about their party's candidate. On both sides, jokes and fiery darts are thrown. This is part of the game and should not be taken so seriously. Democrats and Republicans alike all have little jabs and jokes they like to tell about the opposite party. It's nothing new and simply put, I would like to say, lighten up. It's really getting to me and certainly not in a good way. I am reminded of bad sports fans who boo the other team for scoring a goal.

I watched Obama's speech last week and yes, it was excellent. He has a real talent. But when it comes to his signature, I need more than talent. I understand that you (Obama supporters) probably feel the same way about McCain and that is your choice. Isn't that what it's all about? The right to choose? All I am asking is that you give me, an educated voter, the respect that you demand for yourself. And if I disagree with your opinion, I ask that you learn from me, just as I will try to learn from you.

I understand that some people don't agree with me. Lord knows there are plenty of people I disagree with, but I don't sit there and insult their education or ability to decide for themselves. If you want to vote Obama, please by all means VOTE! But is it really necessary to elevate your party to a level of superiority that can only be understood by those you agree with? Surely we can do better than that.

Thank you for putting words to the uncomfortable feelings I've had about the Republican ticket.

BTW - your web site and a podcast your husband participated in at Lullabot (http://www.lullabot.com/audiocast/podcast-62-merlin-mann-jon-armstrong-d...) has inspired me. Your site clean, focused, easy to navigate and fun to visit. I hope to create one over the next few months, but it will be probably be about building a web-presence on a shoestring budget.

Did you record the last several conversations I had with family? This is the idea:

"Welfare should be taken away!" my sister in law laments, "They can get toasted Subway sandwiches with welfare while I work my butt off to feed my family! Go make your own sandwich!"

This from a woman who accepted WIC and unemployment from our "taxpayers".
Hypocrites are putting on quite a show at the RNC too. Thank you for raging against this BS. It IS infuriating how little people know about the facts and how much they focus on "Gee, Palin seems like a nice lady".

Love you H, keep it rolling!

and you can help this web site make more money for the owner and obama supporters. Keep reading and you will probably see a very large VOTE FOR OBAMA advertisement very soon, once the $ amount is settled....and I used to read this everyday, what a shame

When Bush was first elected a chorus line of 'Huh' rang across Canada, but when Bush was elected for a second term a chorus line of 'WTF?' rang across Canada. Now, with Palin, some Canadians are truly, honestly, sincerely wondering if American politicians give a shit about its constituents.

Thank-you for reminding me that not all American's are conservative Mongols who only look after 'what's theirs'.

My thoughts exactly on the current political situation...only you describe it better then I can. I also really admire your bravery for writing about it, and being open about it with your family and friends who feel differently, knowing that there may be a negative outcome. That really takes allot of courage, and is important right now. You are very inspiring. Obama 08!!!

And you seriously think Obama is qualified for President?

Thank you. Just thank you. I've been so weary of all the Palin praise in the media this week, I am so glad to see that there are others out there who "get it". Bravo!

#1523, Leigh, please read the constitution, Congress is responsible for levying taxes and generating. The President can only request monies. He can't raise or spend a dime unless Congress gives it to him.

http://www.usconstitution.net/

If you go through and read the constitution, and then look overall at the scope of our government and how large it's grown, you'd maybe want to fire everyone (Congress, President, and the Supreme Court) and start from scratch.

Steve (the dude from #1467)

As a Canadian all I ask is that you Americans PLEASE VOTE in this election. The U.S. is as bad (if not a bit worse) than us Canadians for not turning out to vote thinking that our one vote won't have an impact. I'm begging you to VOTE!!! Yes I'm for Obama because I think not only will he be better for you but also for our Country but regardless of my opinion VOTE, VOTE, VOTE!

WOW and yes, I do agree that I am disappointed that Palin is the best they could come up with. Not sure exactly which way I am going when this is over, considering myself more of an independent, but I am not pleased with her as a choice for their ticket. As a Christian, I hate to even say that, but I do try to keep an open mind and I see where you are coming from on this... and it is troubling.

Why don't you all move to Canada?

Democrat/liberal, good. Republican/conservative, evil. You cannot seriously be that naive. You epitomize what is, for me, so frustrating about the political situation in this country - the total inability to understand that reasonable people can disagree. Why can we not allow people to have views that differ from ours without demonizing them or thinking they're stupid or being duped?

I love ya, but you just lost me. You made my head feel like it needs duct tape around it to keep it from blowing off.

Sarah Palin is a great choice, she has more executive experience than either on the Demoncrat ticket. The woman is smart, tough, convicted, a reformer who won't be bullied. Alaska has a surplus in it's budget now. She created jobs and is looking tocreate more. She is for American jobs and American energy and American change.

America cares plenty and shows this by giving more charitably to people & countries around the world than any other country in this world. It's proven, we give more than any other nation per capita. Whenever there is a natural disaster anywhere in the world, who responds? We do. Whenever there is a country who needs help in any way, who responds? We do. And the world looks for us to, waits for us to, and expects us to. Republicans give more per person than dems do, another proven factual point, because we do it on our own and don't wait for the flippin government to take our money and do it for us. We get the choice to help others everyday of our lives-if you want to help someone do it. But just because that is your choice doesn't mean I, or anyone else, should be forced to do the exact same thing as you.

There isn't enough known about "global climate change" to say definitively that we caused it or that it is a natural phenomenon and part of a cycle.

I volunteer, I give to charity every month, I am active in my community, as are the rest of my friends and family. If someone needs a leg up or a break I am always willing to help, and do so whenever possible through money or support. But it's not your right or anyone else's, including the government, to force me to pay for the welfare of others by taking the money that I earn and dispensing it the way some nameless faceless bureaucratic government entity sees fit. For Pete's sake, the government already takes out more for social security & federal withholding than the maximum amount I can put in my 401K that the company will match. They take already 20% of my paycheck in taxes. That's simply not right. And O'bama will only increase this and every other tax to feed this monstrousity of a government we have created. It's to big and it's to much and it's not right. And it's wrecking the economy.

Choice is such a big issue, well how about this. THIS is still America, we still have the right to choose what to do with our money, our time, our minds, and our bodies. The government is plenty big enough. It sure as hell makes a mess out of most of what it does,at least that is what the dems are constantly saying. How can anyone think that government can run the entire US healthcare system efficiently? Canadians say their healthcare system sucks, Brits say their healthcare system sucks, and they have fewer people than we do. Universal healthcare will bankrupt this country, then where will we be? We'll be chinese, that's where we'll be.

Government is not God and it's not a nanny. O'Bama says we have to fundamentally change to survive in this world, I don't agree with that. He doesn't say how we have to fundamentally change, doesn't that scare you? He doesn't give specifics on much. Why is that?

What is really the saddest is that the choices really suck!! If you are tired of your money being given away vote Democratic and have the rest of it given away. I believe in the right to own guns....in fact, if I were King the US would own the middle east and there would be no welfare unless you worked for it! Bottom line about politicians is they all lie...they say what they think the people they are talking to want to hear.

Someone circulated the below to me -- it's ASTOUNDING, and worth a read. I could not agree with you more -- the only thing more nauseating than this country's propensity to put fingers in ears and go LA LA LA, is to pull them out after everything goes to shit and say "how did THAT happen???"
_______________________________________________________

Dear friends,

So many people have asked me about what I know about Sarah Palin in the last

two days that I decided to write something up . .

Basically, Sarah Palin and Hillary Clinton have only two things in common:

their gender and their good looks. :)

You have my permission to forward this to your friends/email contacts with

my

name and email address attached, but please do not post it on any websites,

as

there are too many kooks out there . . .

Thanks,

Anne Kilkenny

ABOUT SARAH PALIN

I am a resident of Wasilla, Alaska. I have known Sarah since 1992. Everyone

here knows Sarah, so it is nothing special to say we are on a first-name

basis. Our children have attended the same schools. Her father was my

child's

favorite substitute teacher. I also am on a first-name basis with her

parents

and mother-in-law. I attended more City Council meetings during her

administration than about 99% of the residents of the city.

She is enormously popular; in every way she's like the most popular girl in

middle school. Even men who think she is a poor choice and won't vote for

her

can't quit smiling when talking about her because she is a "babe."

It is astonishing and almost scary how well she can keep a secret. She kept

her most recent pregnancy a secret from her children and parents for seven

months.

=0 D
She is "pro-life." She recently gave birth to a Down's syndrome baby. There

is no cover-up involved here; Trig is her baby.

She is energetic and hardworking. She regularly worked o ut at the gym.

She is savvy. She doesn't take positions; she just "puts things out there"

and

if they prove to be popular, then she takes credit.

Her husband works a union job on the North Slope for BP and is a champion

snowmobile racer. Todd Palin's kind of job is highly sought-after because of

the schedule and high pay. He arranges his work schedule so he can fish for

salmon in Bristol Bay for a month or so in summer, but by no stretch of the

imagination is fishing their major source of income. Nor has her lifestyle

ever been anything like that of native Alaskans.

Sarah and her whole family are avid hunters.

She's smart.

Her experience is as mayor of a city with a population of about 5,000 (at

the

time), and less than two years as governor of a state with about 670,000

residents.

During her mayoral administration most of the actual work of running this

small city was turned over to an administrator. She had been pushed to hire

this administrator by party power-brokers after she had gotten herself into

some trouble over precipitous firings which had given rise to a recall

campaign.

Sarah campaigned in Wasilla as a “fiscal conservative.” During her six years

as Mayor, she increased general government expenditures by over 33%. During

those same six years the amount of taxes collected by the City increased by

38%. This was during a period of low inflation (1996–2002). She reduced

progressive property taxes and increased a regressive sales tax whic h taxed

even food. The tax cuts that she promoted benefited large corporate property

owners way more than they benefited residents.

The huge increases in tax revenues during her mayoral administration weren't

enough to fund everything on her wish list, though, so borrowed money was

needed, too. She inherited a city with zero debt, but left it with

indebtedness of over $22 million. What did Mayor Palin encourage the voters

to

borrow money for? Was it the infrastructure that she said she supported? The

sewage treatment plant that the city lacked? Or a new library? No. $1

million

for a park. $15 million-plus for construction of a multi-use sports complex

which she rushed through to build on a piece of property that the City

didn't

even have clear titl e to, and that was still in litigation seven years later

-- to the delight of the lawyers involved! The sports complex itself is anice

addition to the community but a huge money pit, not the profit-generator she

claimed it would be. She also supported bonds for $5.5 million for road

projects that could have been done in 5 to 7 years without any borrowing.

While mayor, City Hall was extensively remodeled and her office redecorated

more than once.

These are small numbers, but Wasilla is a very small city.

As an oil producer, the high price of oil has created a budget surplus in

Alaska. Rather than invest this surplus in technology that will make us

energy

independent and increase efficiency, as Governor she proposed distribution

of

this surplus to every individual in the state.

In this time of record state revenues and budget surpluses, she recommended

that the state borrow/bond for road projects, even while she proposed

distribution of surplus=2 0state revenues: spend today's surplus, borrow for

needs.

She's not very tolerant of divergent opinions or open to outside ideas or

compromise. As mayor, she fought ideas that weren't generated by her or her

staff. Ideas weren't evaluated on their merits, but on the basis of who

proposed them.

While Sarah was mayor of Wasilla she tried to fire our highly respected City

Librarian because the Librarian refused to consider removing from the

library

some books that Sarah wanted removed. City residents rallied to the defense

of

the City Librarian and against Palin's attempt at out-and-out censorship, so

Palin backed down and withdrew her terminati on letter. People who fought her

attempt to oust the Librarian are on her enemies list to this day.

Sarah complained about the “old boy's club” when she first ran for mayor, so

wha t did she bring Wasilla? A new set of "old boys." Palin fired most of the

experienced staff she inherited. At the City and as Governor she hired or

elevated new, inexperienced, obscure people, creating a staff totally

dependent on her for their jobs and eternally grateful and fiercely loyal --

loyal to the point of abusing their power to further her personal agenda, as

she has acknowledged happened in the case of pressuring the state's top cop

(see below).

As mayor, Sarah fired Wasilla's police chief because he “intimidated” her,

she

told the press. As governor, her recent firing of Alaska's top cop has the

ring of familiarity about it. He served at her pleasure and she had every

legal right to fire him, but it's pretty clear that an important factor in

her

decision to fire him was because he wouldn't fire her sister's ex-husband, a

state trooper. Under investigation for abuse of power, she has had to admit

that more than two dozen contacts were made between her staff and family to

the person that she later fired, pressuring him to fire her

ex-brother-in-law.

She tried to replace the man she fired with a man who she knew had been

reprimanded for sexual harassment; when this caused a public furor, she

withdrew her support.

She has bitten the hand of every person who extended theirs to her in help.

The city councilperson who personally escorted her around town introducing

her

to voters when she first ran for Wasilla City Council became one of her

first

targets when she was later elected mayor. She abruptly fired her loyal City

Administrator; even people who didn't like the guy were stunned by this

ruthlessness.

Fear of retribution has kept all of these people from saying anything

publicly

about her.

When then-Governor Murkowski was handing out political plums, Sarah got the

best, chair of the Alaska Oil and Gas Conservation Commission: one of the

few

jobs not in Juneau and one of the best paid. She had no background in oil

and

gas issues. Within months of scoring this great job which paid

$122,400/year,

she was complaining in the press about the high salary. I was told that she
< /BLOCKQUOTE>

hated that job: the commute, the structured hours, the work. Sarah became

aware that a member of this commission (who was also the state chair of the

Republican Party) had engaged in unethical behavior on the job. In a gutsy

move which some undoubtedly cautioned her could be political suicide, Sarah

solved all her problems in one fell swoop: got out of the job she hated and

garnered gobs of media attention as the patron saint of ethics and as a

gutsy

fighter against the “old boy s’ club” when she dramatically quit, exposing

this

man's ethics violations (for which he was fined).

As mayor, she had her hand stuck out as far as anyone for pork from Senator

Ted Stevens. Lately, she has castigated his pork-barrel poli tics and

publicly

humiliated him. She only opposed the “bridge to nowhere” after it became

clear

that it would be unwise not to.

As governor, she gave the legislature no direction and budget guidelines,

then

made a big grandstand display of line-item vetoing projects, calling them

pork. Public outcry and further legislative action restored most of these

projects -- which had been vetoed simply because she was not aware of their

importance -- but with the unobservant she had gained a reputation as

“anti-pork.”

She is soli dly Republican: no political maverick. The state party leaders

hate

her because she has bit them in the back and humiliated them. Other members

of

the party object to her self-description as a fiscal conservative.

Around Wasilla there are people who went to high school with Sarah. They

call

her “Sarah Barracuda” because of her unbridled ambition and predatory

ruthlessness. Before she became so powerful, very ugly stories circulated

around town about shenanigans she pulled to be made point guard on the high

school basketball team. When Sarah's mother-in-law, a highly respected

member

of the community and experienced manager, ran for mayor, Sarah refused to

endorse her.

As governor, she stepped outside of the box and put together of package of

legislation known as “AGIA” that forced the oil companies to march to the

beat

of her drum.

Like most Alaskans, she favors drilling in the Arctic National Wildlife

Refuge. She has questioned if the loss of sea ice is linked to global

warming.

She campaigned “as a private citizen” against a state initiative that would

have either a) protected salmon streams from pollution from mines, or b)

tied

up in the courts all mining in the state (depending on who you listen to).

=0 A

She

has pushed the state's lawsuit against the Dept. of the Interior's decision

to

list polar bears as threatened species.

McCain is the oldest person to ever run for president; Sarah will be a

heartbeat away from being president.

There have to be literally millions of Americans who are more knowledgeable

and experienced than she.

However, there are a lot of people who have underestimated her and are

regretting it.

$ Addle ~/abc 61

CLAIM vs. FACT

• “Hockey mom”: True for a few years

• “PTA mom”: True years ago when her first-born was in elementary school,

not

since

• “NRA supporter”: Absolutely true

• Social conservative: Mixed. Opposes gay marriage, BUT vetoed a bill that

would have denied benefits to employees in same-sex relationships (said she

did this because it was unconstitutional).

• pro-creationism: mixed. Supports it, BUT did nothing as Governor to

promote it.

• “Pro-life”: mixed. Knowingly gave birth to a Down's syndrome baby BUT

declined to call a special legislative session on some pro-life legislation

• “Experienced”: So me high schools have more students than Wasilla has

residents. Many cities have more residents than the state of Alaska. No

legislative experience other than City Council. Little hands-on supervisory

or

managerial experience; needed help of a city administrator to run town of

about 5,000.

• Political maverick: Not at all

• Gutsy: Absolutely!

• Open and transparent: ??? Good at keeping secrets. Not good at explaining

actions.

• Has a developed philosophy of public policy: no

• A "Greenie”: no. Turned Wasilla into a wasteland of big box stores and

disconnected parking lot s. Is pro-drilling offshore and in ANWR.

• Fiscal conservative: Not by my definition!

• Pro infrastructure: No. Promoted a sports complex and park in a city

without

a sewage treatment plant or storm drainage system. Built streets to early

20th

century standards.

• Pro tax relief: Lowered taxes for businesses, increased tax burden20on

residents

• Pro small government: No. Oversaw greatest expansion of city government in

Wasilla’s history.

• Pro labor/pro union. No. Just because her husband works union doesn't make

her pro labor. I have seen nothing to support any claim that she is pro

labor/pro union.

WHY AM I WRITING THIS?

First, I have long believed in the importance of being an informed voter. I

am

a voter registrar. For 10 years I put on student voting programs in the

schools. If you Google my name (Anne Kilkenny + Alaska), you will find

references to my participation in local government, education, and

PTA/parent

organizations.

Second, I've always operated in the belief that "Bad things=2 0happen when good

people stay silent." Few people know as much as I do because few have gone

to

as many City Council m eetings.

Third, I am just a housewife. I don't have a job she can bump me out of. I

don't belong to any organization that she can hurt. But I am no fool; she is

immensely popular here, and it is likely that this will cost me somehow in

the

future: that's life.

Fourth, she has hated me since back in 1996, when I was one of the 100 or so

people who rallied to support the City Librarian against Sarah's attempt at

censorship.

Fifth, I looked around and realized that everybody else was afraid to say

anything because they were somehow vulnerable.

CAVEATS

I am not a statistician. I developed the numbers for the increase in

spending

and taxation two years ago (when Palin was running for governor) from

information supplied to me by the finance director of the City of Wasilla,

and

I can't reca ll exactly what I adjusted for: did I adjust for inflation? for

population increases? Right now, it is impossible for a private person to

get

any info out of City Hall -- they are swamped. So I can't verify my numbers.

You may have noticed that there are various numbers circulating for the

population of Wasilla, ranging from my "about 5,000" up to 9,000. The day

Palin’s selection was announced a city official told me that the current

population is about 7,000. The official 2000 census count was 5,460. I have

used about 5,000 because Palin was mayor from 1996 to 2002, and the city was

growing rapidly in the mid-90’s.

Anne Kilkenny

August 31, 2008

this has nothing to do with your post, which by the way, though I am not American I 100% agree with you... but I just wanted to say that after watching the edamame video, John TOTALLY reminds me of Aidan from SNTC. Sorry if that offends him :)

Just had to copy this information from a news site I just read:

The factually inaccurate and exaggerated speech bashing Barack from the lipstick wearing pit bull delivered at the RNC convention on Wednesday inspired 130,000 donors to give money to the Obama campaign.

To the tune of $8 million in 24 hours!!!!!

Wowsers!

Who would've guessed that Sarah Palin would be such a great Obama fundraiser????

An Obama campaign rep said they were on track to make $10 million by the time John McCain took the stage Thursday night.

Wonder how the fundraising is going for the GOP these days?!

Dooce, love your bog and I know you are so much smarter than to think think Obama is a "qualified or competent choice"? He has spent most of political career just running for one office and then the next but accomplishing nothing. Palin at least has some executive experience. And as far the stretching the truth, do you really think the Democract party is the standard bearer of truth? I would have thought as a woman you would at least give this woman a chance before completely dismissing her as incompetent. But the Democratic party has a history of completely dismissing women and one needs to look no further than the way Hillary Clinton was pushed aside for a far less qualified candidate. And if you want to talk about stomach churning let's talk about night at the DNC all hailed "Uncle Teddy" never mind the fact that he dismissed Mary Jo Kopechne to the icy waters of Chappaquiddick.

Heather, I can totally sympathize with your relations with your family on political issues. My family has slowly drifted quite far to the right, and I'm a pinko-commie liberal in their eyes. We generally have to avoid talking about politics to keep things civil.

You bring forth some interesting food for thought, as do the people who commented on your blog entry. Palin is definitely not what I'd call an ideal VP candidate, but then again, my opinions are colored by the fact that I disagree with many of her stances on issues. The McCain/Palin ticket is a weak one, imho.

Not that Obama/Biden is so very much better. Once again, we seem to be buying into the 2 party system, and it seems to be Republicans against the Democrats, when we actually have more than those two choices. People say you throw away your vote when you vote for a third party candidate, but if you are voting according to which candidate you can best live with, who best fits your beliefs and opinions so that you can in good conscience live with your vote, then it isn't wasted at all. More and more people are exploring other options--I hope they do look elsewhere than the corporate-backed Dems and Reps.

Me, I'm going to vote Green.

1545. Katy said:
And look at where you got the information..unbelievable!

And what is the name of your web site??? Very nice name.

People, please! Instead of getting so bent out of shape over the opposing party that 'your head is about to explode', how about expending your energies towards supporting and voting for the party that best exemplifies your values and beliefs. I am already so tired of listening to the rants from both sides--it has almost become comical. It'a as if grown adults are choosing sides for an imaginary team in middle school gym class. Be secure in your own choice, and don't feel like you have to recruit your family, friends, and neighbors to your way of thinking.

I couldn't agree with you more. Maybe the biggest fundamental difference between Republicans and Democrats is that the Republican's never seem to want to hear the other side - it's their way or NO WAY - and it's gotten this country into a lot of trouble. People are quick to jump on the Palin bandwagon, when in reality it was a terrible decision, made in haste, and one that could have unimaginable ramifications.

I am also surprised at how many people out there, registered Democrats, who still won't vote for Obama because Hillary didn't get the nom. There is nothing that infuriates me more - than not to vote, or to vote for McCain simply because you don't like the man who is the face for the dems. What unites all of us good, civic minded, souls is the desire to make this country a better place - and you will never reach that by passively sitting by or by quite literally voting for more of the same.

If anything, this election has lit a fire under my sometimes dragging ass to say - enough! One way or another the next 8 weeks are going to shape our lives - and I am scared and hopeful that the outcome won't be given to the barely liftable arms of John McCain and his out-of-nowhere pick for a running mate.

VOTE OBAMA!

I have high blood pressure. Not dangerously high but high enough that I need to take meds. Will you send me a check for $130 so I don't have to worry about paying for them?

{{{{{crickets}}}}}}

I thought so.

I am a conservative and this whole mess makes me vomit in my mouth. I hate that they just can't say Bush was wrong and that we need a change. I hate that they nominated Boobs for VP just because they are boobs. I get snide comments from friends that are upset with me that I am not voting the way the party is voting. Screw the party if this is the best they can do. I guess I am voting for Obama.

To Jenn B:

IF YOU THINK IT'S THAT BAD, THEN MOVE OUT! GO LIVE WITH THE TERROISTS THAT SUPPORT OBAMA. GO AHEAD, I DARE YOU!

OR,

You can stay hear and continue spouting the same nonsense obama is..nothing!

I get sick to my stomach every time I see a woman saying she's voting for McCain. Those of you who posted about that you know he's anti-Choice and isn't God, are you ignorant? These next president will swing the Supreme Court and leave them weighted down for decades with a right wing ideology. Roe v. Wade will be overturned and your daughters, even if you are now only 20 years old yourself, will not have the option to make reproductive decisions for themselves.

My party, the Democratic party, trusts you as an individual to make your own decision about reproduction. McCain/Palin would also like birth control pills, IUDs, etc. deemed as abortificants. What does that mean? It means you can't get effective birth control, you can't elect to have an abortion and you and your new infant are on the hook for any medical costs incurred.

The Republicans should practice what they preach - let people create their own destinies and stay out of our private lives.

I love your blog and read it religiously. I do not consider myself a rep or a dem as I agree with certain points for each party....but I do not believe in socialized medicine. I see illegal immigrants receiving better healthcare at the county hospital than I sometimes receive. As DSM stated: "is the healthcare system broken? no. certainly out of whack, but not completely broken. would all your commenters really want the same people that run the DMV running our healthcare? the $300/month you are currently paying for Leta's insurance is far less than the amount that your taxes would increase under universal healthcare. Also, the quality of care would go down" and I have European friends that will attest to this.

I see those without 'benefits' working the system over as hard as they can...your on welfare and popping out more babies so you receive more benefits - I dont understand!!!!! I do not have children because I am an intelligent woman who realizes that to do so would put me in financial hardship, but I suppose I could and then get myself on welfare! This thought process does not make sense to me!!! Just because I can procreate does not mean that I should! I understand the concept of helping those that are less fortunate and giving them a hand up, but I do not understand supporting those who make bad decisions and are lazy. Instead of just doling out $$ to those that are less fortunate - how about giving them the skills and the education to take care of themselves..I know that these programs exist - but are not taken advantage of..honestly, most people would rather sit around and get a check rather than learn to be self-sufficient.

Lastly, I do somewhat take offense to your lumping all republicans and conservatives into one broad stereo-type. They are not all evil and war-mongers. Please remember that.

I hope the thousand plus comments here have given you the ego boost and fan support that you need.

Personally I find it rather hypocritical that you whine about $300/month private insurance but have the luxury to have run a successful business from home that asks that you write a short essay a couple days a week, take funny photos of Leta, Chuck and Coco (which I enjoy mind you), shop on etsy, and jet off to SFO for a weekend of concerts and booze... So successful that Jon has the luxury to do the same. Not that I have anything against that lifestyle and in fact, think it's fucking GREAT that you guys have achieved such success, but when you go and 1) suggest that people in the Republican party DON'T want to help people or 2) position yourself to be some righteous holier than thou bc you want the government to take everyone's money to help others, but are apparently not bright or service-minded enough to realize that there are plenty of ways you can do this YOURSELF, (hello, without govt intervention) then apparently you are spending much too much time surfing the internet... which, by the way Al Gore invented, right? So that must mean he's right about global warming too, eh?

Andrea,

I don't recall telling anyone to be insulting.

Here's a saying that may help you understand my point.

"Bad things happen when good people stay silent."

1529. Andrea said:

Jenny
I have a hard time giving any credibility to someone's thoughts when they are laced with bitter insults blatantly calling me an idiot for having a differing opinion. I don't think I am the only one. Have an opinion, yes. Voice it, absolutely. But if you expect to inspire change, insulting those who are different from you will get you nowhere.

1527. Jenny said:
There are a significant amount of "Don't get angry / Don't voice your opinion" comments on here.
????
Politicians make decisions that affect your life.
More people need to recognize this and support, loudly, their choices.

WWWooooo-Wooooo You go girl. I am so tired of just letting things go. I've been the nice girl my whole life...never wanting to hurt ANYONE'S feelings. But hello??? It's time. I so agree with you. Well said.

Since when does college equal success? It is that elitist attitude that will be why Obama will lose. I will clutch to my religion and guns and my chain of auto body shops who employ 164 people who don't have a college education, some not even a HS education. I provide insurance for 734 people at a cost much greater than $300 per person, and it is total BS that you can't find insurance for Leta, you're just not looking hard enough. I have 3 employees who's children have the same condition from the "back to sleep" campaign. I gladly pay the $1043 a month per child to provide insurance for them. Maybe if you cut back on gallivanting around the country drinking yourself into a stupor you could afford proper insurance for your daughter.

But you go ahead and vote for Obama so he can raise my taxes. I am a small business owner who's company makes more than $250,000, not brings home more, but grosses more. I want to fly you, who brings home an estimated $40,000 a month (yes, we poor hicks without a college degree can read the WSJ) to Kansas where you can tell the 11 employees that I will have to layoff why you think that they should have gone to college so they could be smart like you and offer them the welfare you think is so great. Where do you think the money will come from? I can't raise my prices enough to cover what Barry says he will take. I am terrified. I don't sleep at night. The 41 people who rely and me and the salary and insurance I provide them plead to me in my dreams not to layoff their mommy or daddy. Thanks for making me feel so good today about the business I have built. I didn't realize I was so fucking stupid. I'm glad I had you, the educated one, to put me in my place.

Nicely put. And to all the people who said that they are going to leave your site and never read it again and how dare you state your opinion, huff, huff...really? Sometimes it's healthy to step out of your comfort zone and watch and read and listen to things you don't necessarily agree with. That's how you learn. Life is too short to live in a bubble.

Amen, Sistah!

Republicans don't want to help people? Check out Cindy McCain and all she has accomplished. What has Michelle Obama done that even equals that?

I meant to say Obama's tax cut is $1K per family earning less than $250K per year

straight up liberal bullshit...

Velvet----get over it! it was 8 years ago....Is this the only statement libs can make....bush cheated..wa wa wa.....grow up

http://mrsahab.blogspot.com/2008/09/change-through-useless-legislation.html

Just one more comment to say HELL YEAH!

I'm so proud of you for posting this. And for all the silly republicans who think that we are all mindless sheep supporting Obama because he is a great orator or has charisma or some other silly notions...We DO in fact pay attention to the facts.

The next president will be chosing a few Supreme Court Justices. It's conservative enough thank you very much. I don't need an anti-choice, pro-abstenince only, anti-feminist choosing anymore.

Healthcare...as Heather pointed out, it sucks. McCain wants us to "fend for ourselves", Obama actually wants to CHANGE THE BROKEN SYSTEM.

I could go on and one...but you get teh idea. We aren't all dumb shits won over by smiles and hope

Heather -

Dooce is such a breath of fresh air and you are HOT! (sorry Jon)

I hear you, but they are all nut-jobs. From one with no experience and a VP pick with doll-hair. To a true American hero who should join Chuck Yeager and just tell war stories.

I live in Washington state and I work hard for what I have, but already pay over 40% in total taxes, drive on terrible roads, and barely make it.

Taxes are what is killing America, we must have a national tax that is charged when we spend, not when we earn or save.

I hear you, but let's get rid of the everyone else first system and take care of America.

THANK YOU!!!! More working, sane moms need to speak out about this bullshit. I have two young kids and work full-time as an economist and I can say without hesitation that this woman in NO WAY SHAPE OR FORM represents me or my family. It's not that she CAN'T do it all it's that she SHOULDN'T do it all. She SHOULD put her family first. It's not a woman thing; it's a parent thing.

She is disgusting and she made me (A MODERATE) run as far away from McCain as I possibly could. Nothing has EVER made me so mad politically and I've been active in politics my entire life.

I think you're probably going to re-think your political stance after you evaluate what giving strangers the majority of your paycheck would leave your own family with.

I went to college. I took out student loans. Anyone can take out student loans. Those most qualified for federal student loans are within the lowest income bracket. I also worked hard in high school to get good grades and earn scholarships. I have been working since I was 16, and saving my money. I'm 22, I graduated from college in three years, I'm working a minimum-wage job with no benefits, and I'll still have my student loans paid off in the next three years. My family is not well to do, but we have always gotten by and with no help whatsoever from the government.

How we did this:

1. WE GOT JOBS
2. WE SAVED OUR MONEY

Maybe if these people on welfare had waited to have children until they had enough income to provide for themselves, we wouldn't be paying for them today. I work in retail, and I see people everyday buying things that are not necessary for their survival. If they would save their money, as meager as it is, they would have no problem paying for the necessities of life.

perfect. and so true. You really did a good job of laying it all out there. How anyone could argue those points is beyond me.

Amen. A few years ago my husband was laid off from a teaching job. He decided to go back to school. During the two years he was in school, we had to buy our own insurance. Freakin' expensive premium plus a hefty deductible. We didn't qualify for the state insurance program because we hadn't been uninsured for long enough. We both went to college (top-rated private liberal arts). We both went to graduate school (top-rated big 10). We were not lazy layabouts. When we have to pay the equivalent of our not-so-small mortgage to have health insurance, mostly so I can stay on my sanity pills, well, it is just fucked. We only survived those years because of unemployment and the generosity of my parents.

Obviously the you missed the Clinton administration. They had eight years to fix the health care crisis. Didn't happen.

Why can't we all just get along. Its quite frustrating. Surely, somewhere, a government not made of idiots will get elected.

I'm british. We are about to lose Gordon Brown, and get David Cameron. Gordon Brown came in as Prime Minister, and the economy collapsed. Not exactly his fault. But riding on his tide of bad press comes our version of the Republicans: David Cameron. And all either party does, in either country, is snipe.

I'm quite impressed with Obama, for when he said "this topic is out of bounds" regarding Palin's daughter. Let's hope that integrity will continue into his reign in office, and be taken up by other members of your, and my government.

What you wrote on the end of your post was perfect: "in an attempt to convince themselves that their behavior and their policies are not in direct violation of the teachings of the God they think put them in power".

As a Christian, I do just have to say - why do these people have such wool over their eyes? Why are we stuck in a world where to be a Christian means you murder abortionists, foul up the planet and treat gays with distain? Obviously you are not into the Jesus thing, but you know His teachings well enough to be confounded, as I am, by such blatant idiocy.

Let's hope that the Christian with a brain, a social conscience and a refreshing honesty turns out to be everything he appears.

Bless y'all,
Chris

"PLEASE. TAKE MY FUCKING MONEY."

Indeed.

I volunteer at a food bank, and it kills me to see how humiliated people are to have to ask for help. People who work two or three jobs, and still can't make a paycheck feed their families. People who have to wait for hours in the ER just to get antibiotics for their kid's ear infections, because they can't afford insurance and rent. People who show up with food they can't afford to give when they find out you are sick.

thank you, heather, for speaking up.

i read this site daily, and this is the first time i've been compelled to comment. so i mean it, absolutely.

thank you.

Oh, Gyszel. Don't you see the beautiful irony here? You say:

"There are so many other reasons to disagree with you, but this is the classic example of Libs beleiving the Govt must "save", "rescue" and "make our choices for" us, and Conservatives believing in the goodness of man and that individuals have the right to choose how to live their lives and spend their money."

You're complaining about the government trying to make choices for us, but you want them to be able to force me to have a child I do not want? You apparently don't believe in the "goodness of man" enough to let me be responsible for my own body.

Hi Heather, great post as usual and I hear you all the way over here in Ireland. We are watching the election and very interested. Because America is such a big country things that happen there affect us here in Europe. When your banks lend money to people with bad credit ratings for mortgages and then they all default it has a knock on effect here and our interest rates rocket here in Ireland and in Europe too. I personally find your elections more like a soap opera. It seems unreal to me. That somehow it does not matter who is the face of the party as whoever is picked is only a front, a puppet for the party. Same ideas rehashed and dished out all over again. I know Obama has not much experience and I would vote for him if I had a vote but I believe that although the American public like the idea of voting for a president like him they will choose McCain. The safe option. America is a big player in the world but like you said does have to remember that it is not the only country in the world.

In Ireland, Uk and France, not sure about the rest of Europe but I think the same, we all pay a nominal fee from our salaries every month, $50 perhaps and all medical bills, hospital bills, surgery bills and medication in hospital is free to every citizen. And if you cant afford it you are given a medical card which entitles you to the exact same thing. If the public hospitals are full up you are put into a private hospital with no charge. Your country should change its health policy. Put money into free health care not war.

Love your blog...scared of all the liberals reading it.

your biggest conservative fan

Read comment No. 988 and 989.

Also, all of us Republicans aren't horrible people for God's sake. I don't think i could talk about Democrats as hateful as you did Republicans, Heather. I actually thought you might be a fun, nice person to hang out with, but maybe not so. Are you as funny and nice to folks who's opinions are different than yours?

Oh and by the way, I don't have a college education, I came from a middle class white family of democrats and i work my ass off and i help others with my money. I don't think it's a good idea to have the government tell me i have to give my hard-earned money to somebody on welfare that isn't even trying to get a job. Some people feel entitled to have things given to them. Why can't they work just like i do?

I really liked you up until today. Needless to say, i will be back to reading your blog because you are funny and i enjoy reading about your life. I just didn't enjoy reading how ugly you can act towards others. Nice example to set.

McCain-Palin 08!

#1615 - Bush, Palin & McCain want birth control banned - start reading the newspaper fella

Re. 1060. from Anonymous who said: "Sorry but there is no need for Europeans, Canadians and Australians to be responding to this post. Who cares what you think? You don't vote here! You don't live here - your opinion doesn't matter to us. Sorry." 09.04.08 - 06:50 PM

You've neatly summed up U.S. foreign policy. Your disregard for the opinions of your neighbours and friends and allies is offensive.

We comment because we care, deeply, what happens next.

We comment because the U.S.A. does not exist in a vacuum. We comment because we live on the same planet as your policy-makers. We comment because the results of your election have an impact on all of us. We comment because we are part of the same global community. We comment because we live here too.

We comment because we love you.

AMEN!

you just lost a dedicated reader.

Hey Heather, How about thanking God or "the universe" as you call it for the freedom to speak freely and openly about your opinions of this fine country!

The liberals are the most ungrateful group of people on the planet.

comment #1629 is aimed at #1623 by the way

Thank you for sticking up for those of us who are trying but getting nowhere..i'm a single mom with 4 kids..one has mental issues..one is almost deaf and getting ready for his 4th set of tubes..one has asthma and allergies so bad she is usually at home sick instead of enjoying being 15..i work full-time and no health insurance at all..thanks for speaking for us god bless...

I remember reading one time how much it hurt your feelings (maybe not exactly your words) to read some of the hate mail you get. Take a lesson from that. I am a loyal reader to your blog. Yeah, its YOUR blog and you can write what you want, but you know I guess now I know how you felt back then. You probably just offended half of your readers. But I guess it doesn't matter to you. You've got the deal of a lifetime now with your website and all. Wonder if you would have done as well financially if you lived in China or Russia, or any other country? Hmmmmmmm.....America....freedom...wow. Ya'll hate this country so much, go live somewhere else.

I love your blog. I'm well aware of your liberal (not being used as a swear word LOL!) leanings. Because I admire you so much, I read the blog today even though I am a staunch republican and was afraid maybe I wouldn't like you anymore (kidding, just kidding). Anyhow, I too have asked myself if McCain is the best "our party" has to offer and have considered for the first time in my life voting democrat.

I again asked myself when Palin was selected what the Republicans are thinking. She is no where near being qualified to run this country should something happen to McCain. However, I really don't think Barack is either. When you consider the amount of experience he has, I truly think the best choice for the job when you look strictly at being qualified would have been Hillary.

My point is that even though I am a stauch republican, some of us really are capabale of looking at the whole picture. Some of us are capable of making an intelligent decision based on qualifications of candidates and who will best serve the entire country.

I also think the country should look at who we vote for at the senate and congressional level, because I truly feel those are the real decision makers. The president is pretty much a puppet.

P.S. Did I mention how much I love Chuck! Now there's a thought...Chuck for President!

Mignon that's because you are stupid.

I too grew up in a family that not only encouraged me to go to college, but paid for it as well. I have a job that provides me with health insurance. I fully understand helping others, but unlike you, I can't afford to have more taken out of my pay check to help others. As it is I have JUST enough to pay my bills, put food on my table and stock a little (very little) away for retirement so I don't have to ask the government to help me later.

I'll say it again: Ron Paul: racist, sexist, classist. NOT what this country needs.

Heather,
Thank you. A million, billion times over, thank you.
I suppose that like everyone else I too will share my story here, however briefly.
I am 22. My husband is 24. We have been together since I was 13 and he 15, and love each other deeply. We have a young son who was born in March of last year. We have both attended community college; I dropped out to give birth and raise my son to an extent. My husband continued on and managed to graduate (and is the first out of his entire family). Because of red tape and stupidity higher up, my husband could not qualify for financial aid and instead had to get numerous student loans just to complete the years he spent at college. To top it off, because of this, we have no hope of either of us being able to afford to go to an actual university afterwards, at least not for several more years.
Last autumn, we were in a car accident that left us without a vehicle. Because the economy was in a downturn, nobody would co-sign a loan for us to get a used car, and the only way we could find appropriate financing for our combined not-so-great credit was to find a deal on a new car that was part of a company's attempt to get first time owners into a car. We needed the transportation to get us both to work, and so we are now some extra $20,000 in debt. My husband has a part-time job, as do I (he makes $10/hour and I make $15/hour), but we cannot afford childcare and in this economy we are terrified of leaving our jobs to find new ones. Being jobless means we will be farther behind than we already are - and when one factors in a phone bill, an electric bill, a car payment, insurance, rent ... We have no left over money at the end of the month. As it is, we buy groceries thanks to food stamps and we have the state medical card, but these things will only do so much good: if I report to them that I am now employed as well, we will lose our food stamps and likely our medical coverage, but will not be able to afford proper insurance and groceries.
We are stuck in a rut that I believe only Obama cares to fix - after all, the Republican nominees seem to think that we are simply inconsequential bugs on the wall. Having to worry about groceries is bad enough; I have no intention of having to worry about our medical insurance, too.
Thank you so much, Heather, for saying what I think has been on the minds of SO MANY people for the last eight years, and for bringing to light the concerns we have about yet another Republican White House. You are an amazing person.
And you are still totally invited over for drinks if you're ever in Illinois.

From a lifelong Republican who is voting Obama and agrees 110% with everything you just said I had to comment on something off subject. Our son was diagnosed with plagiocephaly in 2006 at the age of 3 months but we have no problem keeping him insured through United Healthcare. Infact, we have an incredibly awesome healthcare plan that covers most of our family's medical costs (which is a lot between my diabetic husband and having had a premature baby). The only thing they would not pay for was his helmut to re-shape his head because they saw it as "cosmetic" (stupid, I know) but everything else I have no problem getting him covered for.

Read Comment No. 1576 from Joe. Thanks Joe. You said it better than anyone else on this whole rant.

Writing this from London, UK where we are all looking at Palin and going "WTF?"

I honestly think politics is more divisive than religion. I just read some comments about the upcoming election and I can't believe how mean, nasty and belittling people are to people of a different political party. The name calling itself is incredible. If someone thinks differently than you, are they really an idiot? How is that going to open an honest dialogue?

"Well, you're wrong! You're an idiot."
"Oh my gosh! You're right! I am an idiot! I see the light now! Thanks for bringing it to my attention. I'm going to join your political party!"

I want no part in discussing politics if people are going to only get angry and not listen to each other.

Here are some comments that I read that express my feelings perfectly. Sorry I didn't reference with the numbers.

"I get a little weary of one group that says that the other group is all bad. "

"I'm sick of politics. period. I'm sick of "us against them" thinking."

"The problem I see with political discourse in this country is the obsession with MY SIDE IS RIGHT and YOU, SIR, ARE HITLER!"

"I am undecided but see the liberal hate as just as ugly as the right wing hate."
"What worries me about both traditional partisan sides is the tremendous hate each has for the other. Their respective adherents seem to focus all their energy into feeding that hate and blaming the opposite side for all the problems of the world instead of, you know, just solving them."

"Sick of Democrat vs. Republican. Sick of mudslinging to win campaigns"

"The problem is partisan politics - it leads to mudslinging and anger and refusal to even listen to other opinions! If there weren't labels perhaps we could actually listen to what the candidate has to say."

"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. "

"People, please! Instead of getting so bent out of shape over the opposing party that 'your head is about to explode', how about expending your energies towards supporting and voting for the party that best exemplifies your values and beliefs. I am already so tired of listening to the rants from both sides--it has almost become comical. It'a as if grown adults are choosing sides for an imaginary team in middle school gym class. Be secure in your own choice, and don't feel like you have to recruit your family, friends, and neighbors to your way of thinking."

"Why can we not allow people to have views that differ from ours without demonizing them or thinking they're stupid or being duped?"

"Why can't we all just get along"

i think you should get your parents to read:

www.eatmypress.com

Obama does represent change. Change that has been tried and failed in other Countries.

Less is more especially in government. Let's save small and large businesses that provide jobs, insurance and just support so many families.

I think it's interesting that the Europeans want us in the same boat as they are with skyrocketing unemployment and with some countries experiencing recessionary times. Of course they are glad their governments are taking care of them.

I think every politician gets a rude awakening after they are elected and have to try to live with the way government really works. All their bright and shining ideas are mauled by a Congress that get uglier every year because the two parties can't work together. You want to pass that bill? Just tack on these little gimmes that I want. We don't need to debate on the individual merits. Politics has just gotten so incredibly hateful.

Thanks very much for this. I have a 21 year old daughter who is preparing to vote for president for the very first time. We raised her to be a progressive, but she is trying to get issues and ideas straight--to be informed. I have sent her the link to your post--just the AP story link is invaluable.

Love to hear your voice!

I agree that we need health care reform, but giving the gov't a bunch of money to handle it for us isn't the best solution. Since when does the gov't to anything efficiently? People don't rave about gov't agencies and their ability to solve problems. Get the gov't involved and you are sure to create more problems.

Heather, why don't you find a needy family that can't afford healthcare and give them some money every month? Cut out the governmental middle-man and give it to the family directly. It will be quicker and more effective and the look of appreciation in their eyes will do a lot more for you than seeing an itemized deduction on your check stub. In doing so you will be exemplifying the change you want to see instead of waiting for politicians to do it for you. Even if Obama gets elected, needy kids won't see a dime for many years and there's no guarantee that Obama will get his ideas past congress.

I have tossed a life jacket to those in need many times. I've left groceries on peoples doorsteps, I have anonymously paid utility bills, bought xmas toys for families, I buy food for the animal shelter... It's faster and more efficient to BE THE CHANGE than to wait for the gov't to distribute your money and hope it gets to the people you wanted to help.

Be part of the immediate change instead of sitting in front of your TV waiting for Obama to change the world. Neither candidate is going to dawn a cape and save the day.

I am a guest ranch owner, a business woman and a college educated citizen. I paid my own way through college using gov't loans and I held a job (sometimes two) during that time. My parents were immigrants and never took a dime from welfare. If we couldn't afford it, we didn't have it. My parents wanted 5 kids, but decided two was all they could comfortably raise. They didn't give us money, instead they taught us now to work and solve problems. We were once considered "needy", but we worked ourselves out of it by making good decsions, working hard and saving our money. We didn't sit around and wait for handouts or wait for the gov't to fix our problems and send us money. WE. WORKED.

I own a gun and I like it that way. I respect your choice to not own a gun. but if a coyote or a bear came anywhere near my family or animals I will shoot it. I don't want the gov't telling me how I can protect myself. We aren't going to have less murders by taking guns away. Crazy people will find a way to be crazy regardless of their weapon.

Heather, you rock. You rock solid, and you're dead on. As a liberal democrat who also happens to love my country, it kills me to see what has happened in the last eight years - and trying to watch the RNC didn't help. Si se puede!

Oh, please. That Palin is qualified actually hurts my bleeding heart. TRULY, it does. The woman, at best, is a liar. And, I'll say it now just like I said it when Edwards ran for President with a sick wife and small children: "Stay at home and tend to your business."

Ladies, you have got to get out there and work for it. Print a canvassing list or contact your county democrats to get one. Then put your babies in stroller, and walk your neighborhoods. Let people know you - see you, understand why it's so importantly to have their support.

My family is also considered 'fully insured' - that costs us $900/mo in premiums (and that's our portion after the employer) + an additional 14K/annually for things our insurance refuses to cover (our son has mild cerebral palsy). Our son (now 4) spent 2 years bouncing around on waitlists to see a neurologist for his official diagnosis, since my husband's employer changed insurance plans a couple times - then the company was bought out. During that time, he was in therapy. However, when the test results came back - SIMPLE test results, we found out that our son had a seizure disorder (manifests mostly during sleep). Because of this messed up health system, our son will likely have an impacted developmental disability that could have been prevented by use of medicine. And we were insured, and we pay heavily for it. The only upside to the changes, was that we ended up not hitting the life time max on our policy and getting dropped all together (our son's bills are now at $2M - and he's only 4). Something MUST CHANGE. PLEASE!!!

Please, make calls, knock on doors - there's even postcard writing campaigns. Visit Obama's website and events for more. We cannot sit back and let slash and burn politics rule our country because of petty differences.

# 1664 - Jessica

Best post yet. Congrats on your success.

These are the Republicans, in their own words. Talk out of both sides of your mouths much?

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

Hilarious, and yet, makes me want to puke that you people believe what they're saying.

I so understand. I was really angry after Palin's speech Wednesday night and the response of the audience. I saw the audience being swooned by this woman just as so many were swooned by Bush Jr in 2000. It is really frustrating.

Dooce, I know plenty of people who are not white nor from a middle class family and that made it through college. There is such a thing called a loan that most American college students get even if there families can afford it. It is sad to me that you think that poor families don't even give there kids the ability to dream. Because after all that is what America is about making dreams into reality. Not government forcing their dreams on us. Do you really think if there is a social program that provides free college education these poor families will go to college. I am sure that most of them would not. I say this because either people grow up valuing education or they don't. The ones that value it will go and the ones that don't will go on with there lives no matter if you are rich or poor.

The thing I find so troubling is this: How naive is the thought that any money taken from you by the government would ever actually make it to those who needed help. The federal government is so wasteful already, to give them more tax dollars would just be throwing more money down a hole. So much better if the government would keep its hands off our money and let us help each other. I know that I would be able to donate much more to truly needy people (I am in Michigan, and some of my best friends are really struggling here) if I was able to keep some of the nauseating amount of money I send to Washington every year. Think about how much you paid in taxes last year. How many people do you think you could *really* help with that money?

Thank you, Heather. I woke up depressed yesterday morning over all of this. The current administration has been so successful at polarizing the country, and benefiting from the resulting animosity and distraction from important issues, that we are too busy jabbing at each other to focus on what should be obvious--for the past eight years, we have been horribly manipulated. Obama's speech moved me to tears, simply because he acknowledged this problem and expressed a desire to change it. The way that the right wing leaders of this country use a false representation of Christian faith and "family values" for their own gain should be appalling to everyone, especially Christians. The fact that Sarah Palin is female seems to be enough for many people to mask the fact that she is a Bush clone, just more extreme and possibly even more arrogant and divisive.

Thank you Heather. You said EVERYTHING I have been wanting to explain to certain members of my family. Thanks you. Thank you for being here.

One question that pretty much summarizes my original thought. Four years ago, those that didn't choose Bush created the division between people by doing the whole, "Sorry, we didn't pick him" website. This year, if you lose, will you do the same?

Don't wait for a half-black president or a woman VP to lead you to hope and change because they're hollow promises on both sides. Hope and change don't come from governments. They come from people doing the right things day by day. Not the things they prefer...the RIGHT things.

What are those right things? THAT'S the question worth pursuing...

Not surprising that there a kajillion responses to this one. I have to weigh in with my favourite part: "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... To my readers who do not live in America, who are not American, please know that there are so many of us here who are disgusted with what we have let happen in the last eight years and are doing everything we can to ensure that it stops."

Thank you for saying that. I'm not at all surprised that there are many Americans who want to see change, but it's great to see that they also know there are other, equally important people living on this planet too. As a Canadian, watching the States is like looking at a society inside a snow globe, self-contained and unaware of the world outside. It's an easy trap to fall into, and with the wealth and military power that exists there, I don't blame those who do. But identifying so strongly with your nation's power, instead of realizing that the country is one of many that make up the global economy (and environment and aid and responsibility) can lead to isolated, blinders-on thinking that is not beneficial even to that country itself.

Thanks Heather, another excellent post.

Love your blog Heather, but I don't come here for political commentary. Obama has no more real experience than Palin and he's the Presidential candidate rather than the VP. I agree with some of the commenters who stated that elections are more about charm and charisma now because most people are too uninterested or uneducated or unintelligent to actually care about policy.

1690. Your just believing the lies then. Obama has FAR more experience, and far more education than Palin could begin to have. Do your research.

I agree 100%, and your explanation was really touching. Thank you. Best of luck with your friends and relations.

"The current administration has been so successful at polarizing the country"--#1682

Wow...if you really believe that, then you've completely forgotten that "Sorry, we didn't vote for him" website and the "Jesusland" map. Because THOSE would've come from the current administration....right?

I feel the need to state that I choose to not vote. So my comments are truly looking at it from the outside. And the one thing I can say with certainty is that Democrats and Republicans in government AND voting who have blood on their hands regarding the polarization of the country.

Good Lord! Another kool aid alcoholic obama supporter who trashes another woman for what? obama? You are a traitor to all women and I am disgusted that someone like you is a parent. Go ahead - raise your kids to be just like you, so that sexism can continue in this country. You should be ashamed of yourself.

I think Palin looks and sounds like Peggy Hill.

And that makes me want to throw up, scream, and punchthebitchintheface. All at the same time.

You should watch the Daily Show from last night, he talks about pulling the gender card. It's beautiful, really.
Jon that is, not the card.

Petty, old, infuriating Republican convention.They belittle and deride, but never address the issues this election is about. Lying creeps. The fight's on.

The reviews of Palin's speech are glowing; she's energized her party and put McCain in her shadow. But let's get real, she is an extremist that's completely disconnected from the country's mainstream values. And forget about calling her a champion for female voters.

She's against SEX EDUCATION and ABORTION in the cases of rape and incest, even if the mother's life is at risk. Is that how she plans to progress women? Her eldest daughter's condition is the unfortunate manifestation of her beliefs. 17-year old Bristol, who's future has been stunted, was rendered dumb and defenseless because mommy Sarah denied her safe-sex information and reproductive options. Sarah Palin would send American daughters to school with eager young boys without any information on STDs and teen pregnancies. Yet, she expects young women to pay the price, even against their will or intentions, whether they can afford to or not. A sexist lunatic--twisted in her ideologies--is what she is.

In place of equipping young hormonal people with the realities of sex, Palin thinks ABSTINENCE should be taught in schools--ideas that are completely out of sync with mainstream America today. Isn't that right, Bristol?

jon stewart will ease the pain:

http://www.thedailyshow.com/video/index.jhtml?videoId=184086&title=sarah...

Wow. Just wow.

This woman knows more about politics than you , and probably more about mothering than you, and SHE is unqualified for her job?

Suck it up, get a real job with real insurance,and maybe I'll feel for your child. The fact is that you DO want to take our money, that you and your liberalscum friends have not earned, and give it to worthless POS's who don't deserve it, all under some rubric of "help".

Sarah Palin raises beautiful children, maintains a home, leads a state, and runs with the moose. You aren't qualified to carry her purse, and I think you know it.

Can I get you a saucer of milk, MEOW!!!

Oh my freaking gosh... thank you. I've always wondered if you would comment. i'm sending this to my sister right away, along with the whole Conservative family. God, they need to somehow get a clue. I've tried so many times and hopefully this will get through to them... And Allison, my sister is an OT, tell her, TELL HER (doesn't everybody in the medical profession know each other, can send msgs back and forth through brain waves?)... My sister should know better, but she is part of those modern guitar playin'- crazy evangelical church going- in the stadium- with the arms up in the air- kind of gals.

Thank you, Heather for speaking out and saying what a lot of us think. Palin comes off to me as a freshman that has been invited to the Sr. Prom - so wanting to be a part of the in crowd - but still coming off as immature.

I don't want this woman anywhere near any decision more complicated than whether Wasilla should have three or four traffic lights.

I not into politics at all. In fact, when I hear someone going on and on about the GOP or the crazy liberals, I run the other way.

However, I feel the need to stand on my soap box for a moment. I am an undecided voter at the moment. I believe that both candidates are have some valid points but for the most part it's all talk an NO action. I don't understand how people can get so wrapped up in either presidential nomination. I think they're both full of smoke and mirrors.

As for Palin, I was somewhat happy that they picked a "normal" person as opposed to someone who was born with a silver spoon in their mouth. Upon further investigation, I think given her current family situation, (and I am NOT saying she is a bad mother) she needs to devote more time to her family. A 5 month old child with Downs Syndrome and a pregnant 17 year old could really use a mother's guidance.

You hit the nail on the head on our welfare situation!

If you want to see how government run healthcare works just go to any Indian Reservation. It doesn't. I am Indian and will attest to that fact. People are DYING because of the beauracracy. The only way to get healthcare more affordable is through a stronger economy. The only way to a stronger economy is through LOWER taxes. More jobs through energy. Sarah Palin KNOWS energy. Check her record. This is the only way to go, not with the failed liberal policies of the past. I remember the Carter era. We were worse off thn we are under Bush.

And Edward succinctly defines the reason why a good portion of the Republican Party should never EVER breed.

Either that, or he's from that godhatesfags website.

I was JUST thinking about you this morning, and thinking "please let Dooce speak up, maybe she can influence people to not vote for someone just because they have a vagina."

I was scared before she came onto the scene. Now I'm downright terrified.

I had the great fortune of living overseas for 3 years, in Prague (The Czech Republic.) I just returned in July 07. It was, to say the least, an eye-opening experience. I lived in a former communist country and I would often have conversations with my Czech friends that would end with them shaking their heads and commenting that we were supposed to be a "free country."

Living in Europe, I saw the socialized health care in action. It was amazing, and it WORKS. It was absolutely unheard of and incomprehensible to my overseas friends when I'd say I'd gone years and years without insurance. The first time I'd had health insurance in almost 5 years was when I moved to CZ because they required it of everyone - EVERYONE - who lived there. You want a visa? You have to prove you're insured first. How sad is that?

Anyway. My comment isn't all that well-organized, I've just been reading more articles about Palin and I'm livid. I just can't believe we, as a country, are here again. Thank you, Heather, for saying something and I really, really hope that what you say here will start an inner dialogue among your readers who are undecided or who wanted to vote for Palin.

Terrific. Well said, well edited.

So called feminists out there are really showing who they are. They don't support women, only LIBERAL ones. NOW has really angered me with their spokesman saying, "She might as well be a conservative man". Gloria Steinem's article that she is the wrong women angered me as well. Sarah Palin represents the modern feminist. That women who can believe whatever they want to believe without fear of what anyone thinks. I believe NOW and Gloria should be commended for what they did for women, but it is outdated. The fact is they never gave her a chance and it is sad. It is also disgusting how the media has attacked her w/out giving her a chance. I am an independent that leans conservative. I never agreed with Hillary Clinton's politics, but I was dismayed b/c I felt she was being railroaded, just as Sarah is now. She gave a great 1st and 2nd impression. She now has to prove herself in the debate, on talk shows, and on the campaign trail. To minimize her candidacy is close-minded and a mistake. So go ahead with your outrage, I'm voting for a reformer, you can stick with the pen*s ticket.

Thank you Heather. I know that you will no doubt draw heat for putting your political opinions out there, but there are those of us that will never go away because of it.

This is the most important election of our lifetime. I've been scared for 18 months now that we'll continue on the course we've been on for the last 8 years. Absolutely terified in fact.

That's why I'll keep fighting for Barack Obama to be our next President every day until Election Day. That's all I can do. If he doesn't get elected then we, as a country, deserve what we get.

Sorry, #1719 was supposed to read "READ #1717". great comment.

BRAVO! BRAVO... now every BREATHE & GET ORGANIZED!

I am a registered Democratic & passionate about the futre of our kids, our healthcare and the earth we live on. I consider McCain to be true American hero & was expecting a full court press from the RNC when he announced his VP nomination.

ARE YOU F#@!~&ing SERIOUS????? The American hero and the idiot from Alaska? As a woman who care about politics and makes an effort to read, listen & surf on the issues this VP nod is unthinkable!

Her insulting those of us that VOLUNTEER TO MAKE COMMUNITIES A BETTER PLACE WHEN THE GOVERNMENT FAILS THEM (Community Organizers). SHAME!
...pause,... the candidate has run to get a dictionary to look up the word "ALTRUISM".

go to this link: http://www.dailykos.com/storyonly/2008/9/4/105623/5197/586/586233
ENJOY!

I have been teaching in the public schools 20 years and have MORE EDUCATION and MORE COMMUNITY SERVICE than this piece of work.
She has a freaking bachelors degree in JOurnalism folks! NO MASTERS, NO EDUCATION ON BUSINESS, INTERNATIONAL POLICY OR LAW!
Link:
http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2008/09/04/palin-attended-5-colleges_n_124...

This is who they want sitting across the table from North Korea? Russia? Pakistan?... I bet they're just shaking in their boots!

It is an insult to EDUCATED SMART women EVERYWHERE!

OBAMA - 08!!!!!!

I love you. That is all.

A.

"I am angry. I am infuriated. And I don't think I would be if Sarah Palin were a qualified or competent choice as McCain's running mate. But the fact, the reality is that she is not."

I think I know what you meant to say:

"I am angry. I am infuriated. I don't think I would be if Palin was a Democrat, or at least toed the line. But since that isn't the case, I will just ignore her experience, including more executive experience than Obama has even thought about and label her as incompetent."

Good job! You alienated tons of readers.

Amen Sistah! What you said -- that's church!

If you think that article was written from a neutral standpoint, you still aren't over your hangover from a couple of weekends ago!

I used to read the site every day, as I found it entertaining and fairly well written. However, after this post, I have officially removed your site from my favorites list.

ummm....those griping about how the current president sucks? Do you know how government works? Do you realize the Democrats have outnumbered the Republicans in congress for YEARS? Do you know that it is truly CONGRESS who runs the country-and the president?

Or is it too inconvenient?

Thanks for waking me up the Jim Kuhnhenn AP article makes some very good points.

At the farmer's market this weekend, my sweet, meek, young mother friend went off so loudly about how sick she is of Republicans, and how she did not want her daughter to have to look up to a beauty queen. I think she ended by yelling the word Obama. It was a watershed moment and every moment for me afterwards has felt like the gloves are off. As for the Republicans, they have their heads so far up the asses of oil and gas that they can't acknowledge that burning fossil fuel is causing global warming- even though they are staking claims in the MELTING ARCTIC for the oil and gas buried there. Strangely, though, McCain does believe in global warming and has even sponsored legislation in the past. Not that he is taking any leadership on it now that he is trying to get elected: http://local-warming.blogspot.com/2008/02/obama-clinton-and-mccain-on-gl...

I DO NOT KNOW WHAT I AM GOING TO DO IF THE REPUBLICANS GET INTO OFFICE FOR ANOTHER FOUR YEARS BUT I EXPECT TO SEE RIOTING IN THE STREETS.

Right on, Libba! You wrote the thoughts of my mind.

Pilate only crucified Jesus because it was the majority vote of the crowd...a bunch of people yelling about something they knew nothing about.

Delurking:

Heather, you rock!

to hotrod #201

what a stupid redneck you are, "hotrod", go watch your movies made for idiots like you, and use spell check more often, "independAnt thinker" that you are

the lady with three abortions - take some responsibility for once

I'm older than you and your demographic. It normally wouldn't matter. But I read your words, and I think: what will she say after she repeats this cycle eight times. Because if you think that what is coming out of the RNC has you leaning over the commode now, try hearing it after spending your adult life EXPERIENCING America's government, chosen by the people, eroding that which you believe America stands for.

This crisis in America is not a Republican thing, though powered faster and harder under Republican government, nor a Democratic thing. It's about a country comprised of citizens who do not and will not realize the consequences of failing to put the least among us foremost. This is a country now almost completely composed of voting and non-voting citizens who DO NOT Think Globally, nor Act Locally. A country who will not act in outrage over the very idea of, oh - let's say - cutting Head Start funding over and over and over, preferring not to spend a dollar now to prevent the loss or cost of thousands of dollars in twenty years. Small example. Because Americans today are capable of being outraged by very little, other than "giving away my money" to "those people". (Poor, black, disabled, mentally ill, immigrant, new poor, old poor, WHATEVER.)

America as a whole no longer cares how the world sees us because we don't care how we see ourselves, either.

Be reading you in 2036.

Anonymous said:

"When Democrats/Liberals whatever you want to call yourselves start talking about HELPING people I am always floored that you have such a disregard for the issue of abortion. To me that is THE only issue. My vote goes to whomever will stand up for the rights of the unborn children of this world who unfortunately are referred to as anything other than what they are a human being with a beating heart, a soul and the ability to feel. THAT is what I call scary...Obama believes in the MURDER (because that is what abortion is) of innocent babies.
I will tell you this supporting the "choice" to abort children is a DIRECT violation of God and his teachings (I don't care what faith you do or don't practice).
If Obama is elected God help us all."

You are a Republican HYPOCRIT!!! You're all for "protecting the unborn," but you kill adults by sending them to war and the electric chair. You absolutely disgust me you religious ignoramous. Are you familiar with the 10 Commandments? Obviously, the "Thou shalt not kill" commandment passed right through the wind tunnel between your ears.

Let me explain something to you about being "pro-choice." Pro-choice doesn't me that I will CHOOSE to have an abortion. It means that I reserve the right to CHOOSE whether or not I will have one. You can be pro-choice and be against abortion - I am. And I'm also against capital punishment and war.....because I'm a TRUE Christian.

Maybe you should ask yourself, "What would Jesus do?" and actually PRACTICE what he preached. If you did, there's no way you'd be a Republican.

Thank you a thousand times over. I couldn't have put it better myself, but I had tears in my eyes because it's what I've wanted to say, but can't because I'm trying desperately to make my relationship last through the election.

A-FUCKING-MEN. That is all.

Thank you. I find that my conservative family members are sure they know what I think and am going to say, so it is impossible to talk to them because they can't hear what I actually am saying. It is more of a nightmare than it sounds, since my brother was literally screaming at me last night for something I never said and do not think. I donated to Obama for the first time in response.

I hear you Heather. As a woman I am furious and frightened about the nomination of Sara Palin as VP.

This Op-Ed in the LA Times made me feel a little better, though.

Palin: wrong woman, wrong message
Sarah Palin shares nothing but a chromosome with Hillary Clinton. She is Phyllis Schlafly, only younger.

http://www.latimes.com/news/opinion/la-oe-steinem4-2008sep04,0,7541303.s...

You have been given a gift to influence people with your writing. 99% of the time you teach people to love, to laugh and to throw their arms around the world and give them a big hug without judgement. Yesterday you did not. You taught them to criticize and polarize against each other and that is evident from all these comments. Even if it is politics....

Still love your guts though! Go Obama!

Couldn't have said it better myself!
Thanks for sharing that link, too, with the quotes and the facts.

Yes. Thank you.

Fellow Kansans, let's try to turn our state blue on that little map in November!

Well said! Thank you! Thank you! Thank you!

Whew, you've got a comments section heavy with Anonymous there.

I applaud your willingness to share your political thoughts, having the forethought to know the shit it is going to stir for you. I am an Obama supporter in the same position with conservative family and surrounded by a buttload of McCain signs in my Alabama neighborhood.

I will say, though, that my father who was initially all gung-ho for McCain has since had his Republican balloon deflated with the appearance of Palin. She's too much for him...he's resigning himself to not even vote this election. While I could never convince him to vote for Obama and his "wacko shenanigans" at least his vote won't be going for McCain either.

Thank you for your blog. Friday's Daily Chuck made me laugh out loud. It felt good.

Gosh, these obscenity-ridden, hate-filled comments are soo classy. I usually figure if people have to resort to such low levels they aren't very good at articulating themselves.

I understand that healthcare is a topic of extreme concern for everyone. We pay 200.00 a WEEK for health insurance and that is still with some fairly large co-pays for office visits, medications and another fairly large deductible for procedures/hospitalizations.

That being said, I work in healthcare. What a lot of people fail to realize is that while "national healthcare" is good in theory, it's going to be a beast to see to fruition.

You see, many, many physicians are refusing to accept Medicare/Medicaid assigments anymore due to the low reimbursement rates. Add to that, fewer and fewer physicians are actually staying in practice. Why?

It takes YEARS of hard work, dedication, and several hundreds of thousands of dollars to become a doctor. Most of these honorable people take out loans for that process. Add in malpractice insurance and what is the end result? A ton of debt.

So, what's going to happen if this magical thing called "national healthcare" becomes a reality? Great, right? But, it's a people-based system. Physicians are backing out of the field NOW due to tremendous debt and poor reimbursement rates. I doubt seriously they will stay or continue to train for what, most probably, will equal a teacher's salary. Oh, but we say, teachers teach because they LOVE it and want to HELP, and so will doctors. No, they won't. Their education and intelligence will be better be utilized in a differing profession and if you ask any doctor, he or she will tell you so.

Obama is an optimistic fellow, but he can't materialize the people needed to staff a "national healthcare system."

Wow, that Obama kool-aid must be hella good because you all have bathed in it. No experience was fine with Obama, until Palin didnt have any, great speeches were amazing, until Palin was able to deliver. Community organizing was commendable, until Plain came along. Please people, your hypocritical stances are make me nauseous.

As the lone liberal voice in a family of conservatives (and they're not even THAT conservative, rarely do the church thing, etc, but they are staunch Republicans) I just want to say THANK YOU for voicing your outrage so eloquently. I am living in France now, and planning to vote long distance in this election because I am hoping my vote will actually count enough to sway my home state in the right direction.

I'm as disgusted as you are about Sarah Palin and the utter hypocrisy of the party's decision to put her in the Veep seat. There was a time I might have considered voting for McCain but as we get closer to E-Day, it is clear that the Republican party doesn't get it, doesn't share MY sense of values, and that McCain, while he has some good qualities, is too closely aligned with the B.S. we've been living with for the past 8 years.

Not that the Democrats have all the answers, but right now I'm willing to put my money and my vote where I hope and pray it will count most.

"The definition of insanity is doing the same thing over and over and expecting different results." -- Ben Franklin

The Republican party is asking us to continue the insanity for 4-8 more years. This time with a gun-toting Evangelical soccer mom with a pregnant teenager at home, a woman with no experience that could possibly qualify her to be the President of the United States in the event the aging McCain can't fulfill his oath of office.

Of course I can't say ANY of this in the presence of my family members because they collectively go on the defensive and my sister starts whining about how MY liberal opinions are clearly being manipulated by the liberal PRESS (the same press where she's getting HER information, I might add) and how I have no idea what's really going on at home anymore. But I don't think she has a clue either -- she's living in a small and affluent Republican pocket of a state that typically votes Democratic.

God help our country, that's all I can say. We vote our individual consciences and then we have to hope for something better this time.

My boyfriend and I got into a huge screaming match while watching the convention. I should say, trying to watch. I was having a hard time concentrating on what Palin was saying during her speech. I merely pointed out that it was disturbing they way they kept panning the camera on Palin's teenage daughter, the pregnant one, and her boyfriend, it seemed like every 2 minutes. They certainly weren't giving as much attention to her other 4 children. He didn't think it was done purposely, but to me it was disturbing. This country loves that shit, teen pregnancy is HOT.

Heather, I love ya, but I disagree with you almost 100%. Throwing tax money at a problem (poverty) does not make the problem go away, it only increases dependency on the tax money. Especially when the welfare system rewards its recipients for having more babies, by giving them more money and thus increasing the tax burden exponentially.

Yes, there are people out there who need financial help, I will not deny that. But the welfare system perpetuates dependency. People live off it and teach their children to do the same, and so the cycle goes on forever. We need to break the cycle with education and work programs, not by penalizing those who *do* work by increasing the tax burden.

It is not an issue of Democrat vs. Republican. The president is basically a figurehead with limited power. Real, lasting change will be slow coming, and should start with the citizens of this country. We are all leaders and as such, we are all accountable for what happens. This election will not cause dramatic changes no matter who is elected.

We can cry all we want about the health care system and the energy crisis. But what are we, as citizens, doing to actively promote the change we wish to see? Complaining won't fix it, and neither will tax dollars. Accountability and responsibility of the masses will.

None of this anger my friends will do any good unless you put it to action----get people registered to vote, donate to Obama's campaign or get involved somehow. Considering how the Republicans brainwashed people the last 8 years--we got to do something to fix this. (The USA is rated #139 in the world for voter turnout)

I'm an American in London and I tell ya---its pretty surreal watching all this election stuff from abroad. People are so fed up w/Bush in Europe---they are tired of a country that has 5% of the world's population (and who uses 25% of the worlds resources) telling everyone what to do. Americans are not the only ones on this planet and its about time we wake up to this fact.

I find it funny McCain is arguing 'change' is coming---but to what?? Haven't the Republicans been in power the last 8 years. Is it going to change to even more right-wing? The only reason why people bitch so much about the raise in taxes is because you don't get anything back for all the taxes that you pay. The French pay 22% in taxes compared to our 19%, but we don't get free health care and 6 weeks paid vacation do we ?? No wonder they're having sex all the time, because they don't have the worries we do.

The whole RNC was very disturbing. I couldn't sleep last night---I kept having nightmares that McCain wins.

OBAMA 08

GET OUT & GET INVOLVED!!!!!

Okay, let's see...

Sarah Palin has served the Republcans well this past week.

She has been shrill, negative, and scornful of Obama
She has played up her so-called "family values" by exploiting her daughter's pregnancy and her son who has Down's Syndrome
She has injected a major dose of drama into the lackluster McCain campaign.

Great. Now all that is left is for her to withdraw and let McCain pick his real running mate: Lieberman.

And then what next for Sarah Palin? Why, Senator of Alaska, of course!

Courtesy of Karl Rove, the second edition.

I'm so glad I'm Canadian.

To be fair, if you are going to cite the fact checking on Palin's speech, check out the one for Obama as well.

http://www.factcheck.org/elections-2008/factchecking_obama.html

A-fucking-men.

"HAS ANYONE SENT THEIR STIMULUS CHECKS BACK TO THE IRS YET???? No, I didn't think so."

You nit wit. I used it to pay for shit I need like FOOD, MORTGAGE and ELECTRICITY.

forgot to mention:

Palin supports abortion even in the case of rape or incest. Even the Mormon church allows this. So what---a woman is supposed to keep a child even if it makes her insane because of the emotional trauma from being raped or molested? How is this Christian?? If life is so precious to Republicans---what about the mother???

Also, I get sick of people saying that Obama has no experience---for one he's 47 and what he's done in his lifetime, I'd like to see any normal human being accomplish. If you bother to look him up on like wikipedia or google, you can find all the legislation & accomplishments he's done. I do find it humorous though that people fail to remember that Obama has been in a Republican Majority house and they were vetoing nearly EVERYTHING that had the word Democrat on it. I challenge you to look him up though---he's done a lot of very impressive things.

Anyway---I'd much rather have him than someone on the brink of death!!

I am so glad you feel this way. i feel like this election is causing me to lose a lot of respect for people around me.

Heather, you (and everyone else) are probably not going to read down this far, but you are my new hero. I live in the liberal corner of the US (Massachusetts), and it's sometimes hard to fathom that most of the country does not think like we do. Until I see someone living in the heart of the land of the red who agrees with us. Well done, and keep spoutin' off.

I would argue that just because something comes from AP, that doesn't mean it won't be written with a bias, slant or agenda.

And I think it's dangerous to assume that every non-American believes that the last 8 years in America have somehow been the worst in human history. I live in Canada (originally from the Czech Republic), but I still think the United States is the greatest country on earth. Yes, it has its share of problems. Lots of problems. Big ones. But it has more potential than anywhere else on earth. All countries have problems. We just hear about the problems in the US because it's always under the microscope.

Yes, healthcare is major issue. But I think the problem is with the insurance companies. That's the system that's broken, the system that needs an overhaul. There's nothing wrong with giving to others, with helping people out. But it should be a personal choice. The government should not be taxing people and then distributing that money without any say by the people who earned it in the first place. There are other people who do that in this world. We call them thieves.

Hmmm, waded through a few comments and of course, the usual rhetoric.
It's great to help out others, our fellow human beings, but when they don't try to help themselves, forget it. Game over. I'm a military wife and my husband originally joined the military to get an education, and has stayed in 13 years now for love of country. He re-enlisted indefinitely just two years ago. He works hard and pays taxes like everyone else.
While I respect everyone's opinions, they are like a**holes, people, everyone has one.