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    marye
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    Here and there in the forums people are expressing their enthusiasm for particular candidates in the upcoming U.S. elections, while others are saying Enough Already, We Don't Want To Hear About It. So, this is the right place to discuss your favorites (or non-favorites) and other matters relevant to the campaign. If you're not into it, skip this topic! And as for all you non-U.S. residents, if you want a similar topic for what's going on in your part of the world, speak up and I'll start it. Thanks!

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  • Steve-O
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    Obama/Clinton???
    Who to vote for? I enjoyed the wealth of the Clinton years, could this be a repeat? I know absolutely nothing about Obama, except that he is younger. That could be a good thing. I know all about Bob, Phil, and Mickey's veiws, but do I want to support the California dream? I am really iffy on this issue. My primary is coming fast and I really need to make a decision, we shall see.
  • wolfsong
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    McCain is the only logical
    McCain is the only logical choice. as a registered independent i resent the fact that i feel the need to vote republican if only to vote against two not even remotely qualified people, either way the "party" decides. its scary to me that either are even up for nomination. Keep on rockin in the free world
  • Frankly
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    Oh,money supply..
    federal reserve,banks, inflation..i know a very interesting documentary called "Zeitgeist",theres a lot of information about all this stuff:-)(-:
  • 00
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    Libertarian party
    Bobbalee, I am actually a registered Libertarian and I registered for the party when I was in High school and always liked the idea that "nobody should tell me what to do while I am in my own home." But as I have many agreements with the Libertarian party I also have many disagreements such as no gun laws, no environmental laws, no social programs, little to no government. Maybe I am a bit out dated on these policies but this was the Libertarian point of view when I was following it closer. If I am wrong please correct me. I have been a fan of Milton Friedman (economics geek here) but I always had many questions about minimizing the role of government in a free market. This is sort of Bush’s policy on global warming. Let the market figure it out as it knows more that the government when it comes to such issues. I studied Friedman’s quantity theory of money and we can even say that Friedman is responsible for the connection between inflation and money supply and hence our current interest rate system that the Fed uses today. Federal Funds Rate etc. But I think you disagree with this right? Please tell me more about the Libertarian party as I have been out of touch with them for some time.
  • BobbaLee
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    Not much will change
    Sorry to burst everybodys bubble. The difffernce between OBama and McCain is about 15%,Dems and Repubs are two gangs that are constantly fighting over the turf called USA. I suggest you learn about the Libertarian party ot the libertarian philosophy. Ron Paul is a libertarian running as a republican in the primarys. I like Obamas attitude however his policies will not get through Congress. Clinton has the smarts to be president but is so politically slimey she inspires no one. McCain well it won't be Bush 3 however he will be tied to an old corrupt party. Look behind each parties stance: Dems will talk about education however what they mean is "as long as the NEA controls it." Repubs say school choice but what they really want is tax dollars going to religous schools. The same for defense, farm policy, Social Security etc. They use their power to reward their friends and punish their enemies until they cough up protection money. Both parties will do anything to stay in power. They start wars, find enemies everywhere and think nothing of stealing our rights to make sure they keep their system going. Our gov't owes between 10-15 trillion dollars in unfunded gov't pensions, subsidies, Social Security. Medicare. See the Fed lowering interest rates? (not for us) After the election they will rise sharply. Why? because our dollar is becoming weaker and weaker. It will not attract the people who buy our debt the people who own the debt will demand higher interest rates. Why do we still have troops in Europe and Japan? Why do we insist on surrounding Russia with NATO countries. Why? because our industrial military/welfare complex needs to have a large military to keep the economy humming. Dems will scream bloody murder when somebody wants to cut out the military base in their district. Repubs claim they want a smaller govt but have done nothing to shrink gov'r unless its to let corporations off the hook when they make a bad business deal. Both .parties use the fear of other peoples and countries to keep the military industrial complex going go into the ghetto every politican is running a welfare office-I used to insure an AIDS clinic in Miami-they never seemed to have the money to staff the clinic with doctors and medicine. But every board member got their $60,000 salary. and they were all connected pols. when my wife was a Masters degree candidate the welfare agency she worked at made up dozens of fake clients to get more grant money-she refused to sign off on it and was terminated. The owner was an elected official who plays the race card every election. Want to change the system? Read books by Ayn Rand, Milton Friedman and stop looking the other way. Free your self and your mind first. Oh and listen to the Good Ol Grateful Dead. And the road goes on forever.... BobbaLee
  • 00
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    Barack
    I was not sure who I would vote for this time around but then I read “audacity of Hope" and I made up my mind. Barack Obama is what I think of when I read parts of the constitution. He is the memory I have of reciting the pledge of allegiance back when I was in 1st grade. Really, he is a reminder of what I was always taught and believed. I also feel his foregin policy will be more intuned with reality as he as actually lived outside the US. Lets see what happens but Barack Obama is change.
  • Jodester
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    never trust a politician...
    If I vote for someone and they later do something really fucked up, as they always do, then does that mean I am partly responsible? And if I don't vote to keep out the most evil one, what then? Obama seems like a nice guy. Talks the talk, but can he walk the walk? We have no real way to know. He kinda back stabbed his minister but had little choice as to not do so would have been suicide, perhaps. I would tend to favor him although I'm sure he has a snowballs chance in hell of beating McCain. Hilary, where to start... I find her to be completely false and untrustworthy. Having said that, her and Bill back in the White House would basically be a rerun of Bills term without the Monica thing. That wouldn't be so bad. But she has no chance of beating McCain. McCain, since Bush cheated him last time around he seems to have been playing the game of play submissive to the big dog until in a position to take over with the big dogs help. Has this changed him, or is he still the same maverick under the hood? He's actually the most liberal Republican of this era. He's a true war hero in an age where the term is loosely thrown around, and has the most experience. I think he's a man of conviction even if I don't agree with all of his positions. I think he will bring the troops home in the right way if given the chance. I don't think he really wants the war to go on any longer than necessary but u never tell the enemy your plans so it's intelligent to demoralize the enemy by saying you'll stay 100 years if necessary. I think when all the hoo-haa dies down Americans will take him as the most steady, stable choice. Are you kind?
  • Lady Deadhead …
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    Deadheads Unite for Barack
    Yeah, I missed the Dead "re-union", being in Idaho. Location notwithstanding, some bloggers missed it too, (the point, that is...). It's all about change."The sun will shine in my back door someday". Maybe that day has come. Barack Obama is a decent man. Hillary & McCain; more of the same. Everyone, please,open your eyes... They are part of the political machinery that has been steamrolling over Americans, bargaining with lobbyists, and selling out to the "pro-life-war-mongering", constitution stomping, big brother, elitist right! Educate yourselves and do some research to find out the depth and breadth of lies that spew forth from Hillary's pie-hole. We don't need another liar in the house; male OR female. She has lied about her experience. She never had security clearance and sleeping with slick Willy doesn't count...Talk to Northern Ireland. She brought peace to them don't you know? All of Ireland is laughing about that...Macedonia? She claims to have opened their borders... funny, they were open before she even arrived and Bosnia...well you know how she ran from the plane under sniper fire...liar, liar, liar. The list is long...She didn't even pay the health care premiums for her OWN STAFF!!! Liar, liar, liar!!!! S-Chip for childrens' medical care? Check out her claims on that issue...Don't be fooled by the wolf in womens' clothing. Ship of fools...sail away from me...
  • Ami
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    scary times
    my husband's all for Obama, change, get a fresh start out of the washington bogged down with lobbyists,etc... but to be in a position to gain the nomination in the first place, you're already part of the 'old boy's network'. Hillary has connections, not experience. if she had experience it meant that she was privy to decision-making she wasn't allowed to be privy of. so Obama has a good enough record, keeps harping on the war vote, a vote like many that he refused to give a vote on, has dirty Chicago politics behind him- and all that against a war hero who is a hawk that wants to continue a non-sensical war because 'we' will show the world as leaders how it's done. I live in a very densely democratic area, eastern pennsylvania- and it'll give Obama the vote most likely, but the center of the state is rural, we call it Pennsyl-tucky, sometimes pennsyl-bama- and I have a feeling that like a lot of places everywhere, NRA card-carrying militia members and most southern men aren't giving Obama a vote. As much as many don't want more Clintonism, or a woman in the white House, they'd sooner vote for McCain to cancel out Obama. The vote swing this time is the young vote. I lost my first vote of Carter VS Reagan, but this time we need the USA to be concerned with world issues that don't revolve around where we get our oil. If McCain wins- then education is kaput! No child left behind isn't a possibility and is an utter travesty and affront to public education. $$$$ spent on waste- we will have no Social security at all, cost of living will push anyone out of the middle class, and the minority achievement and employment gaps will increase even more. Unemployment will be more epidemic than now, which is at an all time high.. I am scared because if I had to bet who will win, I think deep down that most Americans are going to go with McCain- I'll still go Democratic, but I think the young have to rock the vote and go to the polls in numbers! Now I have to decide if Hillary's politics are any better or worse than Obama's- so far tObama just appears to be more civil. get all your friends out to vote! get anyone you know registered republican to get it changed so they can vote in their state's primary... and then vote! We are our own worst enemies- remember, Bush got RE elected, people didn't get enough the first time going! Ami
  • thndrbill
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    Rolling The Dice
    McCain promises to be a continuation of the Bush years, which by almost any measure have been a disaster. I really expected more from him but I know better than to put much faith in politicians. Of the three I'll take Obama.
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Here and there in the forums people are expressing their enthusiasm for particular candidates in the upcoming U.S. elections, while others are saying Enough Already, We Don't Want To Hear About It. So, this is the right place to discuss your favorites (or non-favorites) and other matters relevant to the campaign. If you're not into it, skip this topic! And as for all you non-U.S. residents, if you want a similar topic for what's going on in your part of the world, speak up and I'll start it. Thanks!
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17 years 5 months
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Yo TC in AZ: Flying Dog used to have a joint in Denver, but moved out and are in Maryland. Have you ever tried the KiltLifter in Phoenix? A coworker here in KC really likes the brew there. If you ever run into Oskar Blues Beer, check out Dale's Pale or Gordon's. Gr8ful TC in KC
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Just went and voted. Walked right up to my polling station and no waiting. About half of my district had already shown up, which is usually more than they get for the whole day. This is going to be a record turnout. And about friggin' time, too. I consider voting a social responsibility, and I have yet to miss any election in which I'm eligible to vote in. So if you still haven't gotten out there yet, please do. We're all counting on you! Conversation is always more interesting than recitation, so speak your mind and not someone else's.
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gonna try one more time......can't stand too long, mebbe no line now....gotta do it either way....i don't remember the lines EVER being this long...chargin' my phone now!!! and of course now the wind is kickin' up.........
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17 years 4 months
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listening to CNN-problems again @ voting places in Pa......no problem here in our district of SF.......hope it's the same in the others...TODAY IS YOUR VOTING DAY!!!!! NO OTHER....!!!!! ADAMENT ABOUT YOUR REGISTRATION-I'm quoting CNN...... xoxox Gypsy Cowgirl gotta run
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Like swimming in a clear cold topaz blue mountain lake high in the sierra's.That feeling when you walk home from voting. Totally blissed out and smiling. We can change the world, one vote at a time. peace,pk
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16 years 11 months
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in line at 1245........finished at 1510....2 hrs 15 min in line.......once i received my ballot was another 10 min 'til i was done.......i will now drink all of the beer, stand aside!
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17 years 6 months
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I'll remain cynical and skeptical till all of the votes are in, but Barack seems to be aHEAD. peace.
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17 years
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'spose i should let him know that he might be the new state auditor AND public lands commissioner for washington
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16 years 9 months
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Well I voted in 5 minutes here in Fl., no waiting. Speaking with my friends wife earlier, she said maybe Obama's grandmother could help him more from the other side. I told her I had goosebumps just hearing that. Peace
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Pennsylvania goes to Obama! Thank you Bobby, Phil, Billy, and Mickey. For your grate efforts to bring us the change we need. peace,pk
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17 years
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Republicans, because the party's over. Conversation is always more interesting than recitation, so speak your mind and not someone else's.
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17 years 6 months
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Obama 49%McCain 49% actually Obama is ahead by 132 votes at this point. This is unbelievable. Nebraska hasn't split our electoral votes since 1964! Hey Hal, we got out the vote!!! The Truth is realized in an instant, the act is practiced step by step.
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17 years 7 months
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AP is just announcing that Obama won Virginia. Whoa! Polls are still open for ten minutes in California. Maybe longer if people are still lined up!
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17 years 6 months
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This is a magical time. Wow. He will win california,oregon, and washington and thats the start of a new era.
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16 years 2 months
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The right man won.now the all the hard work starts.He has one hell of job ahead of him
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17 years 6 months
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OK, I've been politically ambiguous to this point, because well, I'm like that. I guess I've hinted at my stance as I tirelessly monitored the Change Rocks concert info as well as the DH for Obama concert info, so I would like to now simply say, "YES!!!!!" I'd also like to say, "Oroboros - much love! I still listen to those discs at least 2-3 times a week and I'm still stuck on 6-9-77. It just never gets old for me. Love!"
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Wonderful new historic day. World over here seems to be exhaling in relief.********************************** Don't part with your illusions. When they are gone, you will still exist, but you have ceased to live. Samuel Clemens
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17 years 6 months
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I think you made the right choice..someone who can start to undo the enormous harm done by GWB and cronies. Please keep him safe and give him time!
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17 years 5 months
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The election of Obama as the US President is historic. And like many historical figures, he may just find himself on a stamp someday. Food stamps that is. Americans have collectively voted that they want more government programs and are not willing to take full accountability and responsibility for themselves. Furthermore, American ingenuity will dampened with all the tax increases. It appears that there is a fundamental change taking place toward more socialist programs and activities across America and the globe. I am totally against redistribution of wealth. While I don't have much, I want to keep all I have and get. All were fed up with That (the Bush Administration) that they elected This (Obama), when This is not that great either. But it is what it is and we move forward.
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17 years 1 month
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So happy ....... It's like seeing a very good old lost friend back with a large smile on his face ....... BRAVO BRAVO BRAVO ............... Sad black and wite time 's over let's get into the mixing colors years .... Grateful Marek from France.
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17 years 5 months
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The post-election party in Grant Park looked like a real good time! Good luck, Mr. President-elect, in building an effective Cabinet. Congress has a few more Democrats to grease the wheels of progress.
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not falling into their time-honored pattern of succumbing to hubris and adopting all the vile behavior that got their opponents thrown out--cronyism, corruption, pork, coziness with lobbyists instead of the citizenry, etc. I for one am not forgetting for a second that the evils of the last eight years are the result of Bill Clinton's pathological inability to keep his pants zipped or tell the truth, and I do not want to see this movie and its aftermath again. When you have a pack of slavering Newties determined to use any pretext to bring you down and the well-being of the country depends on their not succeeding, cavorting with interns and lying about it is arrogant, borderline criminal stupidity from which it is perfectly clear that Rhodes Scholars are not immune.
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I don't care what anybody does with their own time, just don't do on the Democratic Party's time. What didn't Clinton get? That guy changed the course of history with his stupidity. Dan White of San Francisco could't face the city he grew up in after what he did. Clinton's walking around like nothing happened. Republicans can get away with that, but not a Democrat. What didn't he get? I will never figure that one out.
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marye, but please what is a Newtie? (blush)********************************** Don't part with your illusions. When they are gone, you will still exist, but you have ceased to live. Samuel Clemens
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oh, yeah, marye, that is so right on. I have always thought it quite shameful that in our land of opportunity, we only have a two party system. makes me want to 'Ralph' (throw up) yuk yuk yuk... ( -; yeah, yeah yeah, I know all about them libertarians, and the greens, and the indies et al; but they don't have any real chance of winning... but from this 'Nadir' I dont see them winning nationally. but quite honestly, I never thought I'd live to see the day that a man of colour would get in the 'White' house; so I hope I'm wrong about not thinking the other 'parties', the lesser known, lesser funded candidates may someday get in there, too. here's hoping about that for the long term future. meanwhile, I hope Barrack will get this country back on track, have to keep raising the 'Barr' on him; I hope he rises to the challenge... and I especially hope and pray some ignoramus bigot racist asshole doesn't kill him.
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Newt Gingrich type, newtie I also hope someday there will be a tie-dye room in the White House!! maybe replace that 'yellow room' did I ever tell you folks the story about how I puked all over a set of beautiful marble stairs INSIDE the White House? c. 1977/78 Carter years. too many peanuts early in the am, I reckon. peace.
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16 years 7 months
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Well , now that the dems are in full control, they can't blame the rascally republicans any more. They control the executive branch plus the legislative branch. I don't want to hear any more whining from Tom Dashle. If they screw this up, then we can throw the bums out in in 2010 and 2012. "I do believe in spooks, I do believe in spooks, I do, I do, I do, I do, I do"--Lion Wizard of Oz
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Remember, it will take some time to repair all the damage from the last 8 years. I hope he's up to the task. I voted for Obama, and proud to say so! Peace everyone
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I guess one of the best things about this Obama win, is many of us will get our redistribution checks from the man. He said he will be increasing taxes on the rich, so I'd expect him to be whacking Bobby, Phil, Mickey, and the other members with higher taxes. Then turning around and handing the money over to us. We might see it as getting a discount, or bonus coupon back, for all the money we give them during the year. Hey, go Obama! Greg SC
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maybe just maybe... if Weir, Lesh, Kreutzman, and Hart gotta pay higher taxes they will hit the road for a new The Dead tour. I'd also love a combo Phil and Friends / Rat Dog tour. AND, I want Hunter to be the opening act. ( -; peace.
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Here we go again, like deja vu all over again.Best to stand up and help your neighbor, than sit and criticize. We can all have a hand in making this country great again, together, as one, against all odds. Like this band I heard, they were, and are, really cool. They came up against the norm, started with a small following, leaving people saying, wow, these guys are really different. They seem unrehearsed and very improvasional. They don't use que cards, seems to come from the heart. Hey, thats the same song...oh thats a different arrangment..it seems they keep thinking and trying to make it better. Trying to make it Just Exactly Perfect. They crossed the aisles..thats Branford Marsalis playing with them, isn't he a jazz musician, hey thats Hamza El Din, isnt he egyptian... and they recreated a song and it was as if it had always been played that way. They have a wonderful and varied following. They are all individuals and they are very different, with a common goal, a goal they are still tyring to perfect and define, and it is like life itself. It never ends. Always trying to make it just exactly perfect. Always evovlving, always thinking. New ideas, always thinking, not afraid to climb out of the box. Not afraid of different ideas. It seems like what Barack is doing is much the same in it's essence. And he needs all of us to help with ideas, effort, and support to make this world around us just exactly perfect. "ask not what your country can do for you, but what you can do for your country" John F. Kennedy peace,hope and a new era. pk
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I just learned that John Leopold, an old pal who's sometimes seen around these parts, won the runoff election for Santa Cruz County supervisor in his district. Having known John since he and twin Dave were 18-year-old Heads back in the day, and having actually been his wedding photographer, I've gotta say, WOO HOO!
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That is really grate news. About time, the world is coming around. WOO HOO TOO!!! ps I love santa cruz, a favorite spot.
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17 years 6 months
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Man, I've been waiting for Obama to win so I can quit my job, and get taken care of. I think I might just take the moment to thank the Lord, and then write a personal letter to Obama, saying how I need his help. This is going to be a great four years. Thank you Obama, you have promised alot, but don't take off that Santa Clause suit, as I'll be needing health care, car insurance, gas subsidies, food stamps, etc. Man, my excitement has yet to stop. Greg SC
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Geez, I hope everyone is thinking like you Greg, then nothing will get done and we can all starve.
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17 years 6 months
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gonna change your name to richard, greg?no one has a magic wand, it don't get fixed if everyone doesn't help!
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It's all in the attitude. And with attitudes like that.....it's ok, I believe lots of grate people will help and thats ok if you don't. Just sit back, criticize,be cynical, it's ok. We will all make sure you have a better world to be miserable in, no worries.
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16 years 11 months
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but i believe he's saying that government is far too involved and this could easily become what alot of people view as a "nanny state" where the powers that be take care of everything and there is little or no personal responsibility.many of our larger cities have generations of people who have lived on welfare, without attempting to better their lives themselves. now i am not saying he's right, and maybe his view is extreme, but we are all entitled to our opinions and he might be closer to the truth then we realize.
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17 years 6 months
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1st have a cookie, now i agree with what you say about the "inner cities" and welfare and those ticks... but just possibly some will see that they do have a chance now, change can only come about if the majority roll with it. if everyone plants their feet and refuses to budge then nothing happens! it is a group effort!!! like pk said, it's attitude, positive is good, negative is bad!now have another cookie : )
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I think anyone who looks at Barack Obama and believes he is just going to hand out checks to folks for the sake of hand outs is not paying attention to his past, or present ideaologies. He has worked as a community organizer, to help give people a hand up to contribute to society. He states he wants to help kids get into higher learning if... they give back a substaintial effort to the country. He is way past "the welfare state" , he is looking to get everyone working and contributing to our country. I believe if you worked for Barack Obama you would have to work hard and you would be rewarded. this is his whole lifes goal. As opposed to a few getting "rich" , both in money and resourses and leaving the many,many others out there with no money or resourses, and what do you do with that, especially the latter. What you do is stagnat, Watch, but remember, you must put out the effort to make it work before you can sit and judge that it is a failure. Time to get to work.
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16 years 11 months
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just an opinion and i'm reserving my own.....a wait and see kind of thing, but i'm hoping my taxes don't go up.....i can't afford them now, i always seem to owe every year. i aint got a job just the $800 a month i get from the navy, and they want to garnish that. i've never cheated on my income tax and i don't know how many people can say that. i can't take much more.
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some folks have just never had the joy of getting a miracle ticket. worse than that, some folks have just never had the extreme pleasure of GIVING a miracle ticket. all a matter of point of view. THIS scene is about caring and sharing. peace.
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16 years 11 months
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bought a ticket without at least two extra for someone.......my first show was a gift........i'll jus' hafta wait 'n see.........................................sure would like a cookie, though
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17 years 6 months
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fair trade: cookies for tix! or tix for cookies! to give what s/he has, to get what s/he needs. peace.