Obama: Oil, insurance, drugmakers drive agenda

Obama's lifelong devotion to "ethics" ("a cause of my life") doesn't include paying his taxes or his parking tickets.

Obama is right. We rank and file John & Jane Q. Americans are allowing ourselves to be played as chumps.

Ooooh, those evil oil, insurance and pharmaceutical industries!! And cf course, the Left doesn't like Wal Mart, U.S. steel, U.S. auto manufacturers, U.S. utilties, U.S. food companies, U.S. fast food companies.
Socialize em all!!!!!! That's the Left's mantra!!

Hey, Barack, can you please tell us more how that land deal worked with Tony Rezko? Or how your wife increasingly got cushy, high-paying jobs?

Obama has my vote.

If government health insurance is good enough for presidents, senators, congresscritters, their staffs, justices, chief justices, their staff, the cabnit, joint chiefs of staff and and lots of other people...

Why isn't it good enough for regular Americans?

Serial Liar Johnny D,
Tell us what laws he broke and why the Republican Bush Administration is not investigating or handing down indictments to Sen. Obama

PS She has high paying jobs because she's talented and has worked hard. I know it's hard for a misogynist like you to understand.

Let's not forget the Military Industrial Complex. It needs fed.

http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/middle_east/6922664.stm

Just keep repeating; 'We can't afford universal health care'.

Senator Obama,you stay on this subject and you will be the next President.

Even lapdog Republics know this,just won't admit it.

Barack just hit the bulls eye. Here is a fellow that IS thinking outside the box! And look at Bruce's comment! And look at "John D'"s comment. Can't see the forrest for the trees! But, then again there might be other reasons why their vision is impared!

Well, Barack, like "Gregory", you have just earned my vote! In my oppinion your address at the Roosevelt Middle School defines clearly the greatest problem America faces. Our countries priorities are being dictated by these special interests with VAST amounts of money. They WILL destroy our country if nothing is done.

Congradulations, Barack!! Robin Hood himself could not have better aimed his feathered shaft.

Bob.

Big Oil, Lack Of Medical Insurance For Everyone Who Isn't Them, Kickbacks From The Drug Companies, Starting Wars To Help Pad The Already Bloated Pocketbooks Of Their Buddies i. e. Halliburton, Blackwater etc.

This is the platform of the current Republican Party....thanks Decider Guy!

First of all, Bruce, that ticket and tax business was dealt with several months ago: http://www.boston.com/news/local/massachusetts/articles/2007/03/08/obama_paid_late_parking_tickets/

Secondly, I don't think a little over $400 in fines compares to the billions of dollars and thousands of innocent lives lost over failed policies motivated by greedy Halliburton and oil execs while the planet bakes to a crisp.

Notice how Barack left out utility companies since he's is getting a load of money from Exelon Exec's as shown on his donor list.

The 800-lb gorilla is none of those industries, but the "financial services" industry, the deregulation of which has led to a massive trust (CitiGroup) which was only made possible with the exhaustive corporate lobbying away of decades-old consumer protection laws.

Financial Services is the largest industry in the US and the world (yes, bigger than oil, military, etc.).

Predatory lending practices have become the norm in the US, to the point that, in the same year (2004) that we broke the record for number of Americans declaring bankruptcy (making the rate of bankruptcy during the Great Depression look like a mere trickle), President Bush gave the country's highest civilian honor, the "Medal of Freedom", to Walter Wriston, the former Citibank CEO who made it all possible with his ham-fisted "lobbying" (i.e. buying) of congress to rewrite laws in the favor of corporate interests over those of the American consumer. Before this fighter for Mr. Bush's model of "freedom", the sharecropper slave tactics used by today's financial conglomerates against the middle and lower-middle class were impossible and highly illegal. Starting with Ronald Reagan, and continuing through Bush I, Clinton, and now Bush II, Americans have been fleeced of any protection against massive corporate powers working hand-in-hand with the US Government to pad the pockets of the wealthy with the unsightly side-effect of the destruction of the American middle class. Today, even the Fed is owned and operated by a select few private companies, a fact that you never hear in the media, but I would think most Americans would be interested to know.

Look into it... it's the biggest story never told today. A good start would be the book "Maxed Out", by James Scurlock.

Didn't his wife just magically get a 200% pay raise? I am sure it was based on her hard work.

Janet,
Don't pay attention to RNC Bruce and Little Johnny D's lying.
Someday, god willing Little Johnny D will find a girlfriend and then he'll quit relying on the Republican Party for proof of his manhood.

Obama is very correct in saying that voters "have a reason to be cynical of candidate promises to reform Washington's ethical climate" When was the last time a Presidential candidate has raged against such powerful industries and made a difference? I dont think it can be done. These industries are way bigger than the President! Those are the industries that rule the world because nobody has the guts to fight them on it, why? MONEY!
If we all took the herbal remedies that are proven to help your body rid itself of disease and sickness, the Pharmaceutical industry would be out of business in no time. Do you think our Doctors who make money from these same industries are going to tell you that herbal meds work better? Of course not. You think the Oil Companies would sit idle while private groups explore cheaper/safer ways of producing energy? Nope! Too much money would be lost! It will never happen, but it's a nice thought Obama!!

I wonder if this was the mysterious "They" that the Breck Girl was referring to yesterday?

http://www.politico.com/blogs/bensmith/0707/Edwards_They_want_to_shut_me_up.html

Kevin,
Why would a company beholden to its investors give away money to someone who is not qualified? Why would I or anyone buy stock in such a company? Get a clue

Yes, the financial services sector!! Evil, too!!! Get rid of all businesses!!! Communism, we hail!!! Barack!! Chavez!! King Jong Il!! Vladimir Putin!! Osama bin Laden!! All hail the communist/socialists!! All industries and businesses are bad!! Off with all their heads!!!

Can you Lefty weirdos say: I am a proud member of the Loony Left Society, destroyers of all things good in life??

Can you Lefty weirdos say: I am a proud member of the Loony Left Society, destroyers of all things good in life??

Posted by: John D | July 30, 2007 2:21 PM

This man seems demented. I pity his family if he hasn't murdered or eaten them.

The drug lobby is one of the most powerful lobbies in Washington, D.C. Why no FDA approved drugs from foreign countries, like Canada or Germany?? Hmmm. We import food, clothing, and many other products from all over the world. Drug cost are outrageously high and they keep increasing. And no one who posts here can tell me there is not any sort of collusion with the big fat oil companies.

"Chicago Democrat politician to clean up politics"
"Croney of Tony Rezko touts his ethics"

Are these chapter titles from "Alice in Wonderland"?

Obama is a liar (strong words). He supports the Energy Industry just like any other politician (as seen on C-Span's debate coverage, ie Nuclear Energy which is not a clean energy and actually costs more money to produce in the long-term.....fact). The same goes with the rest of them. It's funny how brainwashed we are at times that we can't see futures past. Thats what these candidates care about the most are their careers. Careers in politics require massive amounts of money to pay for PR, Marketing, etc. which in return should get you the votes and if it's a close race, more money is needed to guarantee that vote at certain key demographics (yes, I mean it's rigged, where have you been the past 7 years at least). My point being is America and Democracy is being bought and sold and if you want to be in politics you MUST play the game if you want to survive. We are so used to the Republican vs. Democrat debate (I remember hearing my family/friends talk Rep. vs. Dem. politics when I was growing up) that we forgot about choice! People like Ralph Nader who was left off the ballot (You could have voted for him but you must write it in, why is that? hmm interesting, perhaps he didn't have enough money from corporate lobbyists and special interests? or did he scare the heck out of the gov./corp establishments because he wasn't paid for) exposed issues that were embarrassing to lawmakers and corporations. No one would debate with him. I'm not saying he was the best candidate in the world, I'm saying he was one of the better choices in a Presidential race dominated by corporate sponsors. Really, instead of suit and ties, candidates should be wearing Nascar jumpers with Enron and Haliburton logos while enjoying a nice coca-cola and a big mac (that's ridiculous I know).
But see, that's where we are in politics today. It's a very cyclical debate. We need dominant bad guys in our gov. to do things like war, occupation, supplying arms, nuclear weapons, embargo's, etc. because there are 50 other countries waiting in line to get what we have and if we don't do these strategic "actions" someone else will (i.e. Russia, China, India, etc. etc.) and they become the super power. On the flip side, why not do what's best for America? For the People of America. For her lakes and streams, for her schools, children, and older folks, for her people who served their country with honor, for her economic vitality stemming from technology, innovation, and environmentally sustainable policies, for her people. Why can't we do the right thing and make money? Why are our public servants making decisions that do not have the peoples best interests at hand. If your answers are all "money" then you are starting to get the picture. What is THE answer? I don't know. I know things could be a lot different and I know that if as a nation we still view politics as Dems. vs. Reps. nothing will change. I've heard the same debate for 30 years and it hasn't changed one bit. I don't know who to be more disappointed in, the "liberal" or the "right". So you don't agree with me, fine. How about just getting rid of the lobbyists to start? I think we could all agree on that. If you're not familiar with what lobbyists do exactly, look it up, you will see, it's probably one of the biggest problems in politics today. Look up the Constitution of California from the 1800's and you will see. Sorry no links and I'm not editing this at all for grammar, etc. Just thoughts I have. Most people mean well, but if you get your info from popular media (i.e. reuters, all major news outlets, etc.) you're only getting maybe half the story if you're lucky. Dig deeper, open your mind, and release the grip of fear from your hearts and you will see.

OBAMA IS VERY GOOD OF TLAKING VERY CLEVER AND NO SUBSTANCE- HOW DOES HE KNOW- HE BARELY TWO YEARS IN THE SENATE- ALL MERICAN 50 STATE NOT READY FOR BLACK PRES. ALL OVER THE WORLD LAUGHING AT US. NO EXPREIENE AND NO SUSBTANCE- HILLARY DO HER HOME WORK RIGHT- SHES FOSCUS AND ETC. IS ALWAYS BEEN HER ASSETS FOCUS- BEEN SUCCESSFULY BRILLIAN DO THE RIGHT JOB IN THIS COUNTRY JUST LIKE EHR HUSBAND. THEY PRVE THEM RIGHT. IM HERE AND I OBSERVE THE WHOLE THING. NO DOUBTS ABOUT IT-NO DOUBT NOW.

I love the Loony Left!! One minute you folks decry the loss of jobs and that everyone is making minimum wage. But then you're against the expansion of the BP refinery and mumble, "80 lost jobs is no big deal." Then you mumble, "We import food, clothing, and many other products from all over the world." So it seems that importing more products into the U.S. (we export lots of legal drug products) is what you guys want. But then you folks decry the import/export imbalance.
One minute you folks mumble about the high cost of gasoline, but yet you're against drilling for oil on U.S. soil.

So, let's tally this up:
1. Let's import more drugs at the expense of U.S. drug manufacturers and high-paying jobs and higher trade imbalance.
2. Let's import more oil and prevent more drilling on U.S. soil, to the detriment of high-paying U.S. jobs and higher trade imbalance.
3. Let's prevent refinery expansion even though we don't have enough refinery capacity to meet demand and helps push up the price of oil, at the expense of high-paying jobs and a greater trade imbalance. And the higher gas prices hurts everyone.
And then we have folks railing against the insurance industry, which employs millions of Americans. You rail against the food companies, which employs millions of Americans. You rail against the auto industry, which employs hundreds of thousands of American workers.
Yet, you whine about lost wages, high-paying jobs and about losing quality of life.

And you folks wonder why I call you LOONY???

"1. Let's import more drugs at the expense of U.S. drug manufacturers and high-paying jobs and higher trade imbalance."

Posted by: John D | July 30, 2007 3:19 PM

Man you are dumb Johnny D. Clearly the Rx crisis is too complex for your tiny mind. Your dumbest post today...so far.

Hey JULIET. Go back to kindergarten.

Look into it... it's the biggest story never told today. A good start would be the book "Maxed Out", by James Scurlock.

Posted by: david k | July 30, 2007 1:23 PM

Yes, the financial services sector!! Evil, too!!! Get rid of all businesses!!! Communism, we hail!!! Barack!! Chavez!! King Jong Il!! Vladimir Putin!! Osama bin Laden!! All hail the communist/socialists!! All industries and businesses are bad!! Off with all their heads!!!

Can you Lefty weirdos say: I am a proud member of the Loony Left Society, destroyers of all things good in life??

Posted by: John D | July 30, 2007 2:21 PM

Or.. I guess you could choose not to look into it so that you can form an informed opinion... you could always choose to reply with a knee-jerk, invective-filled, borderline-insane rant that doesn't even touch on the subject at hand.

You could choose to do that, I guess.

[quote]
Ooooh, those evil oil, insurance and pharmaceutical industries!!

Posted by: John D | July 30, 2007 12:14 PM
[/quote]

Did you watch last night's "60 Minutes"? You would have seen Exhibit A of how the drug companies lobby screwed over the American people, led by Republican congressmen.

I can't wait for his five year plan to be announced.

Yes he might be black but he spoke the truth. I see how some people are so blind folded that they can even see past their little niche. For once stay focus on the issues. Barack is right. He is black but blood runs through his veins just like it does for any white bigot or racist. Jesus! when will adults think properly like real men?

Obama says that unnamed "special interests" are dominating the day to day running of Congress. To whit, "the special interests who dominate on a day-to-day basis in terms of legislative activity"

Since the Democrats control Congress, that can only mean that Obama is saying that the "special interests" dominate his own party, and his own legislative leaders Nancy Pelosi and Harry Reid.

Left-loons out there, do you agree with what Obama says about his fellow Democrats?

I have a better idea for stopping all the undue influence and vote peddling. Its simple: make it a crime, under the federal bribery laws, for anyone involved in lobbying, or directing a lobbying strategy, to make any campaign contribution to any legislator whose vote might be influenced in pending or proposed legislation in favor of the lobbyist or director of strategy. Bribery, as it is now defined, is the giving of valuable consideration to a public official to influence his or her discretion in the performance of a public duty. Campaign contributions from lobbyists to legislators are just instances of delayed action bribery.

Its about time that the law recognize this. Our legislators are supposed to represent all of us, and not merely the highest bidders. Their failure to treat everyone with equality is one of the fundamental reasons people don’t trust government any more. Making this kind of activity a crime would change that by leveling the playing field of influence. Without the extra campaign contributions, the process would also be fairer to those seeking office for the first time.

I have another thought about all this corruption and power mongering. I wonder how many of you realize these problems are created by the maintenance of large government. Lobbyists and special interests groups wouldn't be interested in government influence if government didn't have a lot of money to pass out. Government, in turn, wouldn't have the money to pass out if it did not insist on enlarging itself and taking up larger quantities of tax money to fund its ever expanding powers.

As is always true, making anything more complex creates greater opportunities for breakage and failure. The federal government has been no exception to this rule. It has taken on so many functions over and above its constitutional duties, that even Congress has had to delegate many of its rule making functions to executive agencies. It’s capacity to waste money – and not simply misspend it – has also reached new heights. It is no wonder, then, that lobbyists can be found buzzing around looking for ways to direct all this power and money to their benefit.

A larger answer suggests itself; but it is an answer that will almost certainly never be taken seriously. That answer would be to have the federal government divest itself of much of its complexity and give over those extra governmental functions to the States. That would comport with the original plan of having the States exercise general governmental functions, and then having the federal government exercise the limited and specialized functions outlined in the Constitution. It would also diffuse the power in such a way that corporate and business interests would then have to work at least 50 times harder to get their way.

For those of you who keep on electing “big government” politicians, you have no one to blame but yourselves for all the corruption that now goes on. Just remember that, if you don’t like all the power that is now being exercised, you shouldn’t have given it up by electing people who are glad to take it away from you. George W. Bush is a monster only because other have created an unnaturally large government for him to preside over.

Oh, please bruce. This country has been a corporatocracy for some time. And what do corporations do?..they look out for THEIR bottom line, not the Country's best interest. If you're O.K. with that, than it puts you in the company of your new favorite potential Republican Presidential Candidate, fellow history professor, author, and divider extraordinaire, Newt Gingrich;

The idea that a congressman would be tainted by accepting money from private industry or private sources is essentially a socialist argument.
--Newt Gingrich

BTW, Prof. Allardice, I know you revel in your role as a MSM terrorist, but where do you find the time? Did you get your walking papers from BF Community College like Ward Churchill of CU did?
You remember him, the guy that compared 9-11 victims to Adolf Eichmann.

I mean, my dad was a college professor, and between teaching class, grading papers, preparing lectures, doing research, and publishing, there was time for little else. Could it be that Zook is right, that you're now in the employ of the RNC?

Obama says that unnamed "special interests" are dominating the day to day running of Congress. To whit, "the special interests who dominate on a day-to-day basis in terms of legislative activity"

Since the Democrats control Congress, that can only mean that Obama is saying that the "special interests" dominate his own party, and his own legislative leaders Nancy Pelosi and Harry Reid.

Left-loons out there, do you agree with what Obama says about his fellow Democrats?

Posted by: Bruce | July 30, 2007 6:24 PM

That is an o-so perfect example of new-age Republican logic (read - NeoCon).

Yes, Bruce. Obama was clearly stating that Democrats in congress are dominated by special interests. That's exactly what he was saying.

This is why the Neocon and Religious Right Republican world-view is irreconcilable with simple reason and... well... basically f*d up. The Republican ideologoy is nothing but a collection of ill-conceived "logic" and fundamentally flawed thought-patterns. The rank-and-file Republican is so busy twisting information he recieves to fit his narrow, inflexible ideology that he can't even understand a simply spoken quote. It must be filtered through the partisan seive so that the Republican brain can understand it how it wants it to be instead of how it actually is. And the end result is that no simple fact can pass through to be correctly interpreted, no event can be seen for how it actually occurs, no cause-effect relationship can be propertly diagnosed.

I feel sorry for the old-school Conservatives that have had their party hijacked by these fools. The poor people who built the Republican party. Those for small government, against nation-building, against rapid change in governmental institutions, for process over product, and, most ironically, anti-ideological. I'd be seriously pi$$ed at what's happened to my party if I was a true long-time Conservative "Republican". Most people who call themselves "Conservative" today don't even know what that means.

Crazy Joe,
You hopeless nut. Obama talked of too much money, power, and influence in the hands of the few, like the oligopoly's that existed in the gilded age and that have reemerged in the passed several years. Even Ike warned of such dangers with the MIC. But, I guess as long as things are good in your own personal little world...

Posted by: John W. | July 30, 2007 7:18 PM

Well said, John W.

Can I ask you to fix some other rampant government bribery issues as well?

while your taking on Election bribery, could we also tackle:

"beauraucracy bribery" (my term): The so-called "revolving door" between private & public power-positions. It always amazes me how someone who's lobbied for the energy industry can somehow find himself heading an agency that's supposed to regulate the energy industry, and then leave that regulatory body to a fat, cushy job right back in the Energy industry! (rhetorical example) How is that not a problem?!

and

"Judiciary bribery" (my term again): The somehow-not-criminal practice of federal prosecutors bribing witnesses with "plea-bargaining" deals. I believe that is 1) downright unconstitutional, and 2) downright counterintuitive... how are you to get unbiased witness testimony from someone who is essentially paid with his/her freedom to tell you what you want to hear? It's like getting intelligence via torture... You're obviously gonna frequently get lies from someone who just wants to save their bacon. If they don't have any damning testimony, well they're sure as hell gonna make some up! And what happens if a defense attorney tries to buy a witness like the prosecution does? He goes to jail and gets disbarred, of course... Score one for the big government, as though it needs the advantage.

Could you fix those problems as well, John W?

Please?

As a European citizen I can say moderate socialism is the greatest thing to happen. Yes, I'm paying with my taxes a lifelong medical insurance that includes most drugs I may need during my whole life, I also would get a big % of my salary if I lose my job until I get another or forever if I get permanently incapacitated. Also, our old men and women get a monthly salary when they retire. Socialism means that everyone has the right to have a minimum living level, it means that everyone has the right to get free medical assistance, it means that no one should be hungry.

There is no perfect system, and there always be classes, but everyone should have a minimum living level to consider that they are living in a modern society.

Charity mustn't exist in modern societies because it shouldn't be necessary.

david k:

I'd love to help, and I'd love to fix all these problems. But, alas, I hold no elective office. What I have offered so far are merely my ideas as to how the problems might best be treated. However, like every other citizen, I can always write letters to people in office. I have done so. Maybe one day they might actually heed what I have said in the many missives I have submitted to the cosmic political essay contest; but I kind-of doubt it. That's why I rant here.

I agree with you regarding "bureaucracy bribery" and "judicial bribery" (your terms). The first one is being addressed only in half-measures in the current ethics reforms bill in Congress. They are currently trying to require a longer waiting period before people in Congress can become lobbyists. That, by itself, is not enough. There should be limits on people being able to traverse the arena from the private to the public sector as well. Those people also suffer from potential conflicts in interest from divisions in loyalty to the general public and their former employers. But, I seriously doubt one is going to get Congress to go that far. In any event, one cannot entirely bar a former lobbyist or special interest group leader from public office – because their activity isn’t illegal (even if it should be). But it would be helpful for vigilant citizens and citizen groups to remind Congress of a person’s former status as a lobbyist’s or special interest group representative when that person is up for confirmation.

There is a bright spot for what you call “judicial bribery,” although it is not enough. Defense attorney’s are entitled to receive, in discovery, the exact terms of a witness’ plea negotiation if a deal was offered in exchange for testimony. That is generally true regardless of the jurisdiction – as such plea details are considered “Brady” material (i.e. constitutionally compelled discovery owing to its exculpatory value). What’s more, the fact of the plea bargain and the terms of the bargain may all be laid before a jury to help them properly weigh the value and credibility of the witness’ testimony. Of course, defense attorneys are also permitted to argue like heck that someone who sold their soul to the devil to stay out of jail isn’t credible. If that witness is also an accomplice, the defense is further entitled to an instruction (in most jurisdictions) that the witness’ testimony isn’t enough to convict unless it is corroborated in material part.

I might also mention that, some time ago, one federal appellate court tossed a conviction obtained through the testimony of a witness “bought” with a plea deal. The court literally applied the federal witness tampering law, and held that the witness had been bought off as certainly as if he had been paid cash. That made a lot of sense to me. If, as you said, a defense attorney cannot buy a witness, why should prosecutors be able to purchase testimony with government influence? It is all valuable consideration; and it is contrary to public policy. Unfortunately, I believe the case got killed on rehearing or rehearing en banc, so it is no longer good precedent in federal court.

Nor is anyone likely to get much traction in State courts absent legislative reform. Most States likewise live with the bargain, and counterbalance it only by requiring the witness agree to testify truthfully as a term of the plea agreement (yeah, right); and further by granting Brady discovery, and permitting the defense use of plea details to impeach a witness.

Posted by: John W. | July 31, 2007 8:27 AM

Wow... I guess I asked the right guy! thanks John W... I learned something today.

Getting back to the article;
Obama secured my vote just, by virtue of saying things the majority of Republocrats never say.
"Obama said if elected, no one working in his administration would be allowed to lobby the White House if they left—a revolving door ban affecting potentially thousands of workers."
-we must quit pretending that ANY lobby, that is coming from a large corporation,(i.e.,power hungry, can't get enough money, lobbys, that any reasonable human being, who is capable of being honest w/ themselves, know are paying off the people who are supposed to be protecting our interests.

But instead of pursuing pharmaceutical companies, the unbelievably immoral, F.D.A., and the Doctors, who prescribe anti-psychotic meds to children, for 'Bi-Polar' disorder, or Xanex for anxiety,(the MOST ADDICTIVE NARCOTIC currently available, including heroin, methamphetamine, etc. Benzodiazapenes are horribly addictive and the withdrawl symptoms so unbelievably debilitating, that persons on these drugs are often mis-diagnosed as schizophrenics or manic-depressive,,and put on more pills,,clouded, dumbed down, f6ck8d 4 life! But you don't hear about it, because, despite what may be said, Xanex is the most prescribed drug in this country. Why are we al so nervous??Hmmm),,Instead of bringing these monsters to answer for the underdeveloped, fast-tracked, miracle drugs, that turn out to be horribly dangerous, or, as of late with the cholesterol meds, the drugs do nothing!!!That's why the President of the pharmaceutical companies that peddle this filth, cash in 50 million in stock, between the time they are informed the drug doesn't work, and the time they reveal it to the public!! Instead of that, our congresspeople take piles of money to help these servant's of Satan push more dope on our kids, and on us. Then you get a society of delusional, misguided individuals, much like the Bill O' Reilly-type gentleman who posted some ridiculous, double talk, smoke and mirrors comment that, I think he actually believed was a clever redirection of the truth, designed to defame the character of one man, based on the decisions of many.

That didn't take, and he started in with the very 'O'Reilly' tactic of rapidly spouting nothingisms, because, God Forbid he actually research and educate himself, instead of blindly grouping an entire segment of human beings together, assuming that they all have precisely the same opinion [as one another], because of their party affiliation.
Our government loves that though, because, although most of us reach some level of enlightenment with maturity, there are those who simply cannot see the forest for the trees, and are that easily violated. I pity the incompetence of this segment of America's citizens, because if we could eliminate them from the process, we would be capable of doing what must be done. It goes so far beyond Bi-Partisanism(the silliest lie, perpetrated on the simple-minded fools who are the majority, since we were taught, and believed the color of a person's skin reflected their capacity to think and/or act on a 'normal' level!!), beyond the "I'm all about change," every four years we have the opportunity to elect a fresh, more-honest, more-effective leader and administration, who are going to do anything besides steal our money, pass bills that take away our Constitutional rights, and keep borrowing, and printing money, money that does not exist,,the posts above are EXACTLY RIGHT. It must be understood that ,"The Federal Reserve Bank is about as 'federal' as 'Federal Express!'" That is privately owned!!Is that still not common knowledge?? Your money is not insured!!!PAY ATTENTION; THERE IS NOOOOOO MONEY. NONE! ZILCH! WE ARE TRILLIONS IN THE HOLE. We are destroying the value of currency in Japan and China, at disturbing rates. All the jobs that went to China, are beginning to be unfillable because our consumers cannot afford to buy the products being made in China. Stop listening to the soft-padded, reassurances of the media. How could a rational human being look at the most simplistic realities(we are 'at war' for reasons Joe American can't even explain. I know, many people know. It's pretty simple.;Gas Prices are going to increase over a dollar by year's end.;Illegal Immigration, is not being fixed. Just because it was acknowledged, doesn't make it fixed. We walk away from things like this, almost as if 'willfull ignorance' were an American Value. I thought 'free will' was an american ideal. I think when your free will is only employed as an excuse for you to ignore problems that are going to affect the more pro-active, critical thinking Americans of our freedom and liberty, you should be tried and convicted of treason. Your wasting my time, your time and any hope of things getting better.

Illegal Immigration is destroying our identity as a nation(FOX broadcast Prime-time t.v. last night, fully overdubbed in Spanish, never offering an option. Does that disturb anyone else?). Get off your butt, call FOX, locally, and tell them you aren't having that crap and you won't watch their channel if you ever turn on the TV and can't understand what's being said because it is being broadcast in a language, that is not native to America.

Find out what your Congressperson claims they are doing, and what they've accomplished. Assume their interest in 'Stem Cell Research,' or 'Prostate Csncer' is motivated by a lobby, not the coincidental death of their second Uncle, Milton, by prostate cancer.

And, in closing, just as another guy stated above, the election in Florida, was absolutely rigged. Thousands of individuls,who had never committed a felony(most of them black)recieved information, on the eve of the vote, stating they could not vote because of their felony status. Without time to dispell these lies, which were sent to a calculated demographic, who would have likely voted Democrat, George Bush was able to take the election. What a coincidence, with his funny looking brother being the Governor down there and all.....

Wake Up,

Pick the least worst candidate, and think about how to make permanent changes, for the future.