News-Record.com

Do you also wish his successor will be Republican and pardon him for any crimes committed?

Seriously, I don't see a whole lot of good candidates out there which leads me to the conclusion that there actually is the possibility that Hillary might be our next President.

At that point, they can say "My fellow Americans, your nightmare is just beginning".

nitpicker,
I couldn't agree with you more!

Nitpicker,

I couldn't agree with you less! Despite Ms. Clinton's shortcomings (and I hope she is not my party's candidate), I defy you to tell me how anyone could do any worse than Bush.

I agree, Howie. It's not that I dislike Hillary, because I do. It's not that I wouldn't vote for her, because I would. It's simply that our nation will not elect a woman president, not even the political prostitute Condi Rice. Too many good ole boy repubs with lots of money.

However, she may be accepted as VP with Obama or Edwards as prez. But I hope she will not win the democratic nomination for prez. That would cement another repub for that position. Tho right now, I can't imagine who that might be.

That should read---"because I don't" (dislike her)

When Bush was talking backstage to some young republican leaders today, he asked one of them to repeat a question by saying: "I beg your pardon".

The person was unaware if he was being polite, or actually thinking the person would be help him out in the near future.

You heard it here first. Fair and balanced news and unbiased reporting to let you decide.

*On a serious note, I did honor the former president today, since he is part of American history, and even asked a friend to remember to fly the flag at half-mass at his school.

Uhhh, Yvonne...only "good ol boy Repubs" have lots of money? Thanks for the laugh. BTW, Hillary leads any potential Democratic hopeful in the fundraising category. Don't make her out to be a poor helpless female with no bucks, 'tisn't so. She is a well funded machine.

I think Hillary is the most seasoned, intelligent and qualified person we have...in either party...would vote for her without any reservations. However, like Yvonne, I don't think she could win and if she did, she would not be supported...by the good old boys.

To those who don't like her, I ask for a list of legitimate reasons.

From some funnies I got today on the net...Jan. 20, 2008, the end of an error.

Howie, For the last 5 Presidential elections (since 1988) we've had either a Clinton or a Bush in the White House. It's time for a change away from both families. This isn't a monarchy.

Good point, Hugh. How about John Edwards? I like him...

Yeah, the multi million dollar trial lawyer with the fancy hairdo who laments with the poverty stricken. Here we go with the two Americas bit again. I always thought two Americas were North and South America. Read: Income redistribution at it's worst.

Carol, can you please tell me what John Edwards has done for NC whilst in Senate office? Nothing but run for president. I have to hand one thing to him though, at least he gave up the Senate to run while Kerry didn't.

Dan,

I particularily loved the footage of Edwards wearing jeans standing in the yard with the impoverish people in NOLA..... run-down house in the background. I kept waiting for him to mention how he understands their plight because he's been the Director of the Center on Poverty, Work and Opportunity at UNC-CH (probably too early for this to be played up in the campaign). Yet the man lives in a multi-million dollar 100-acre estate in Chapel Hill.

What's this? Rich people are the ones who run for office? Someone alert the media!

Hugh, I tend to agree with you -- in fact I agreed with you in 2000 and in 2004. I have no problem with Hillary Clinton not winning my party's nomination. I think she doesn't represent my views as well as others, and frankly, I think she panders too much.

John Edwards is rich lawyer. Other than that, what is not good about him? He is looking pretty good to me right now. Who do you want to be the next president, Bunny? I am open to suggestions.

Dan,

Edwards gave up the Senate? That didn't take much considering his senate record.

Carol,

As far as Edwards goes, I can say there are a few statements he made in his last run that put me off. Free tuition for all college students being one of the scariest. Bad enough that the public school systems are a wreck. Let's tax the hell out of North Carolinians and wreck the universities as well. Can't point to a whole lot of negatives besides just plain lack of experience and I just don't like prissy rich pretty boys.

I think the experience issue is also a hurdle for Obama but I think he edges out Edwards since he actually has done a better job as Senator.

I agree with Howie that Hillary tends to pander too much (much like her ex-husband). Wait. They're still married aren't they? Aren't they?

As far as a list of why I don't like her, I don't have that kind of time. Hillary Care was bad enough. Besides that, my personal opinion of her was completely ruined by her complicit and enabling role in Bill's womanizing and sexual harrassment.

Could she be worse than Bush II? It would be hard but I think she could. At least with Bush, our economy is doing pretty well considering the circumstances. Let Hillary come in and tie up any remaining manufacturing with environmental restrictions, tax the economy into a recession, and socialize health care. Yep, I think it could actually be worse.

Carol, I'm not fond of Edwards I think he's out of touch with reality and counters it by playing the "populist" role.

Bush has been relentlessly hammered by the left for alleged drug use in his youth. "Coke addict" has been a favorite liable.

I hope the left uses the same measure of a man when it comes to Obama's admitted use of pot and cocaine, but I'm sure my hope is in vain.

http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2007/01/02/AR2007010201359_pf.html

America will determine, hugh, if it is better to hide your past or just confess your sins and more on. In this matter that's the difference, and I think confessing is good for the soul.

Along those lines I also argue foul-comitters (in all sports) should be required to raise their hands as they used to do in Basketball. It's good for the game, it's good for the player, it's good for the soul.

In a recent post I mentioned the two USA Supreme Court nominees - the first admitted to Pot, and was rejected, the second admitted to Pot, and is sittin' on the Big Bench.

BTW - did you know GWB's texas driving records have "disappeared"? Talk about paranioa!

A quick quiz for some of you who insist on only looking in one direction:

Recent presidential or vice presidential candidate who had a sum total of six years in office before his first the presidential election, and at least half of that time was spent actively campaigning for another job:

A) John Edwards
B) George W. Bush
C) Both A and B

I'll give you a moment.

Okay, it's "C". Can we move on now?

Nitpick:

I take minor issue with statements like "At least with Bush, our economy is doing pretty well considering the circumstances."

because ...

How well would it be doing if the war were being fought on-budget?

How well would it be doing if the tax-breaks had not been implemented?

How well would it be doing if we had started in ernest 5 years ago to become oil-free, and start to starve counties supporting terrorist from oil revenues (instead we've been feeding the beast)?

I can go on but you get the point - we'll never know. Is the economy doing well? It's OK, not on fire (China and India have been up over 10% every year for over a dedace), but is is doing as well as it could be? We'll never know.

Nit, you are correct, Edwards played hookey from the Senate way too much, but at least he left the Senate, unlike Kerry.

Carol, Edwards entire two Americas message is a disguise for income redistribution, which creates massive new pograms so the govt. can take care of us all. This creates a lazy, govt. dependent entitlement society with no self initiative. Just like France. No thanks.

Howie G,

I think your last post made the best argument against even looking at Edwards. If his lack of experience indicates a presidency anything resembling Bush 2, I'll pass. (not to mention that both fit the bill of prissy rich boys. I wouldn't go as far as calling Bush pretty though)

Carol:

Who do I want? To be honest, I can't think of ANYONE in either party that I think would be THE excellent choice. That's frightening! Edwards USED North Carolina as a stepping stone to the next level. He's a pretty face. That's all. As a lawyer, he won millions in malpractice suits, some of which have not only driven malpractice insurance up to unreasonable levels (and hence medical costs) but also have driven doctors out of the profession.

Edwards talks about how we need health care, yet he, as a lawyer, hurt health care with his outrageous malpractice suits.

Edwards talks about wanting to look out for the poor people, yet he lives on a multimillion dollar 100-acre estate on the outskirts of Chapel Hill.

Edwards USED the people of NC, and we got little or nothing in return.

In answer to your question? As I said, I can't think of anyone I would like to see as President, but of those seemingly in the running, I would have to say imo, Obama is the most intelligent and most likely to consider all sides of the issues.

Bunny,

Do a little research. The myth about personal injury lawyers leading to the high cost of medical care is perpetuated by the party that is bought and paid for by the insurance industry. Less then 2% of the total cost of healthcare is paid in all lawsuits, so even is you make the ridiculous assumption that half of them are frivolous, then less than one percent of our healthcare costs go to frivolous lawsuits and ambulance chasers. Yet my insurance premiums go up 10% each year. Explain that to me.

And my figures come from the web site that Dick Cheney mentioned in the debate with Edwards (the name of which I've forgotten). But again, do your own research and see if your results differ.

Hussein Obama?

I know that most folks might think that a person is born with a name and that it is a trivial thing to consider. But I gotta tell you, I'd have a hard time voting with someone named Obama or Hussein at this time. Guess it's just a bad time to have a Muslim father.

This coming from a guy who voted for Bush.

Having said that, I think the guy has a tremendous amount of charisma and is a GREAT speaker. I would definitely not count him out.

Howie,

Yes, your insurance premiums go up because the cost of health care goes up PARTLY because the cost of malpractice insurance goes up, which (I believe I read) exceeds the 10% increase you see in your insurance.

"Rediculous assumption," huh? Since you are the one with the stats, I would expect you to provide actual links as support. I base my opinion on something I had read in the past, and I will try to find it and post it. I'll wait for your link(s) as well.

You're right, NitPick.

It's 1997, and you're shopping for a candidate. Consider "George Bush". Now that name has INSTANT recognition with the Republican Party, certainly better then "Jeb", which instantly brings to mind another Oil Family, The Clampett's!

http://www.forbes.com/lists/2005/fictional/07.html

The really funny part -- that's may be close to the truth. Some say a bunch of Power Makers visited him on his ranch and said, "George, we like what we see, and want to back you for the Presidency of the United States."

$4 billion paid in insurance premiums, circa 2000

http://www.heartland.org/archives/health/jan02/chart.htm

The Congressional Budget Office (CBO) reported that medical malpractice costs amount to less than 2 percent of overall health care spending in the United States.

http://www.atla.org/pressroom/FACTS/medmal/Healthcare.aspx

Note is says: "overall health care spending" ... which is different than, e.g., how much a Dr. needs to pay for insurance now vs. a while ago.

Dr.'s screw up 'cause they're people too.

Some lawyers take advantage of Dr.'s screw ups.

The culture of America is when the oppotunity rises, GRAB all one can and screw the rest of America. That's the real problem and it's reinforced bt the Lottery, Gambling, Mega-salary Sports and Movie Stars, CEO's, Investment Bankers. etc.

MY personal cure is the Hockey stic plan which basically say's make a million and be happy, but over that, you're screwing someone so give it back to society.

Howie:

I found some articles that support your statements, so I will acknowledge that you might be correct based on the following article: http://www.medicalnewstoday.com/medicalnews.php?newsid=43147

However, just as our insurance premiums go up when we turn in a claim, malpractice insurance is likely to do the same. Lawsuits in which excessive damages are awarded would, in all likelyhood, result in a premium increase, wouldn't you think?

I will NOT admit being wrong about Edwards' seeking such lawsuits. He's considered a master by many, and there have been cases in which his "win" has resulted in malpractice premiums that have driven doctors out of business. This has sometimes resulted in patients losing healthcare locally, thus putting them at risk as well as an inconvenience. http://www.washingtontimes.com/national/20040816-011234-1949r.htm

Regardless, the above is moot in my forming an opinion about John Edwards. I contend he did nothing for our state during his six years of campaigning while in the Senate, and he used us solely as a stepping stone toward his higher goal.

Bunny, we agree on a few things. I think John Edwards is a handsome guy, is very intelligent, speaks well, has a large vocabulary, and can enunciate; a few things I like in a leader. He is also not part of a large political machine as best I can tell. He grew up middle class and earned his own money, whether you approve of it or not. He surely has "family values". His marriage survived the worst tragedy parents can face, the death of a teen age son. Again, while he has little political experience, maybe that's a good thing. Maybe he hasn't sold his soul to the highest bidder.

As an aside, all the cases John Edwards won were heard by a jury. They decided the guilt or innocence and the dollar amount of the award.

As for what he did for NC, might I also point out that I know of nothing done for NC by Dole or Burr. If there are great things, please share them.

"I think John Edwards is a handsome guy,"

I have personally talked to women who told me they vote for the handsomest candidate. Sad to hear some folks are that shallow.

Bottom feeders like pretty boy Edwards are driving up the cost of health care in more ways than one. That 2% doesn't include the cost of "defensive medicine" or the loss of competent doctors to the profession because of low-lifes like him:
http://www.medicalnewstoday.com/medicalnews.php?newsid=27439

Scary to know that some will vote for this phony because he is "a handsome guy" and will overlook the damage he and his ilk has wrought to the medical profession via his gold digging lawsuits.

If anyone believes this adds nothing to the cost of your health care, have I got a nice bridge for you...

I agree with many of you there is no good canidate to vote for. Unfortunately, most of us vote by picking the lesser of 2 evils and hope for the best.
It's really sad to think that a country that fought for it's independence with our blood now has to relinquish it's leadership to the most handsome, highest bidder or the least offensive, drug using, ambulance chasing, womanizer running that year. What a long way we have come-our ancestors would be proud. pmf

I'm giving up this posting 3 or 4 posts in a row, I'm starting to feel like a know-it-all blowhard. But so far I have resisted the urge to post meaningless links.

Here are some of John Edwards' "frivolous" lawsuits that made him famous. If the same things were to happen to you or your family, would the money awarded be enough? Or would no amount of money be enough to pay for the loss of health or life?

As the mother of a son who sued a doctor for negligence, I can tell you I wish John Edwards had argued his case. The doctor damned near killed my son because he (doc) was so arrogant he did not listen to what me or my son was saying. As a result, my son ended up in a coma on a ventilator with a poor prognosis. After he was transferred to Baptist (from HP), the docs there told me he would likely not survive. They said his condition was very treatable when diagnosed properly and treated early. But because treatment had been delayed for over a week (because he had been misdiagnosed) the window for survival had passed.

Not only had I specifically asked for the test to be run that would have diagnosed his problem when I took him the first visit, I had asked several more times during his hospitalization. Several other nurses and respiratory therapists had mentioned the same thing. But the arrogant doc did not take to suggestion. As a result, my son respiratory arrested.

Thanks be to God, he is alive today. It was one of those modern day miracles that some refer to as "luck". While I thank God everyday of my life for returning my son from the near dead, I still have anger regarding what I view as negligence by the doctor.

After three weeks in the hospital and almost dying, my son got less than $20,000. I got a valuable lesson in fighting for patients rights, even when that patient is a family member. And I learned that even the experts can ignore all the typical signs of trouble if they refuse to listen to those involved.

When patients/victims loose the right to hold doctors and other offenders accountable for such gross negligence, our nation will be the big loser. We will have lost a fundamental right to try to make abusers and offenders pay for having wronged us. I am not addressing small wrongs but rather life altering wrongs.

I remember begging a doc to intervene on behalf of a thirty-five year old patient of mine. I said if she did not do something soon, he would die. I even took it upon myself to call another doctor in. But it was too late; he died four hours later. He had the same problem as my son. By the time he died, there were several doctors at the bedside. When he took his last breath, all I could do was cry. The doc in question looked at me and said "I guess you were right". My response was "Lady, this is not about being right. This is about a thirty-five year old that is dead and should not be."

Should I or anyone else just shrug their shoulders and say "Oh, well, mistakes happen" when someone dies as a result of gross negligence? Or when someone is seriously injured?
Should the following people have just accepted what happened without consulting a lawyer?

Lakey v. Sta-Rite Industries
(Wake Co. Superior Ct., NC, 1996) 5-year-old girl was disemboweled, but survived, after being caught and suctioned by wading pool's defective drain. Despite 12 prior suits with similar claims, manufacturer continued to make and sell drain covers lacking warnings. Product
Liability $25M settlement

Passe v. General Transport Systems, Inc.
(Wake Co. Superior Ct., NC, 1997) 850-lb. box delivered to attorney's home, fell on him breaking his back, causing paraplegia, and confinement to wheelchair. Negligence $4M

Morgan v. Southeast Jurisdictional Admin.
Council, Inc.
(Wake Co. Superior Ct., NC, 1988) 14-year-old girl rendered quadriplegic from neck injury resulting from improperly supervised dive into shallow end of defendants' pool. Premises
Liability $875K

More cases can be read at:
www.news.findlaw.com/newsmakers/john.edwards.html

Carol,
Yes, the malpractice lawsuits were tried by a jury and monetary awards decided by same. However, a jury has to depend upon the facts given to them in the courtroom. They are not allowed the freedom to investigate or research on their own. Attorneys are not past manipulating the facts to their advantage. I will again refer to the article below:
http://www.washingtontimes.com/national/20040816-011234-1949r.htm

Of course for those who vote for a person because they are a pretty face, I guess nothing else is important.

In answer to your question about what Senator Dole has done for NC, it only took a few minutes to find the things listed below. I’m quite sure there is more if one wants to take the time to research it:
• Helped secure a $700,000 USDA loan for Chatham County on Aging to build a center.
• Helped secure close to $6 million in agricultural funding for 2006
• Worked for tobacco quota buyout payments to be expedited.
• Cosponsored the Brownfields Redevelopment Enhancement Act
• Introduced legislation to provide higher education institutions with start-up grants to offer one-stop centers for child care, comprehensive health care, family housing, and adoption information to pregnant and parenting students.
• Sponsored a briefing on climate change
• Polio Eradication Champion Award for her ongoing work to secure critically needed funds to achieve a polio-free world.
• Introduced the Lumbee Recognition Act, S. 660
• Introduced, with Sentaors Santorum and Murkowski, the Helping Working Americans Afford Health Coverage Act of 2006. The bill would expand Health Savings Accounts (HSAs) by providing refundable tax credits to low and moderate-income Americans to purchase High Deductible Health Plans.
• Joined with Senators Frank Lautenberg and Blanche Lincoln to introduce The Food Employment Empowerment and Development (FEED) Act

Bunny - just pulling on your hares:

==

• Helped secure a $700,000 USDA loan for Chatham County on Aging to build a center.

They could not qualify for a loan without her help? What is the business plan?

• Helped secure close to $6 million in agricultural funding for 2006

So she's a Tax & Spend Democrat?

• Worked for tobacco quota buyout payments to be expedited.

So she's a Tax & Spend Democrat?

• Cosponsored the Brownfields Redevelopment Enhancement Act

... what ever that is ...

• Introduced legislation to provide higher education institutions with start-up grants to offer one-stop centers for child care, comprehensive health care, family housing, and adoption information to pregnant and parenting students.

So she's a Tax & Spend Democrat?

• Sponsored a briefing on climate change

So she's a Tax & Spend Democrat?

• Polio Eradication Champion Award for her ongoing work to secure critically needed funds to achieve a polio-free world.

So she's a Tax & Spend Democrat?

• Introduced the Lumbee Recognition Act, S. 660

... what ever that is ...

• Introduced, with Sentators Santorum and Murkowski, the Helping Working Americans Afford Health Coverage Act of 2006. The bill would expand Health Savings Accounts (HSAs) by providing refundable tax credits to low and moderate-income Americans to purchase High Deductible Health Plans.

So she's a Tax & Spend Democrat?

• Joined with Senators Frank Lautenberg and Blanche Lincoln to introduce The Food Employment Empowerment and Development (FEED) Act

... what ever that is ...

==

The point is - those supporting DOLE claim these are "Good Things", but if a "D" - even a "Blue-Dog-D" had been doing them, the lable becomse Tax and Spend.

Nothing changes.

JDR:

On the loans, the money was there to begin with. Why not secure some of it for the good of our state? As to your "Tax and Spend" comments, do you also whine about this when it's sponsored by a Democrat? I'll watch and see.

Now, to help you out:

* $700,000 USDA loan for Chatham county to build a 12,000 sq. ft. center to serve as a health dept. pharmacy, transportation hub, kitchen facilities for meals to be delivered to homes, and a fitness and wellness center. She also helped secure a similar loan for Pitt County (I believe) to build a 20,000+ sq. ft. facility for senior citizens.

* Brownfields Economic Development Initiative (BEDI) grant funding more accessible to local governments and would authorize $50 million in annual HUD grant funding for cleaning up and developing brownfields projects. In case you're wondering, "brownfields" refers to property where expansion, reuse, or development may be delayed or complicated by the presence or potential presence of hazardous materials, pollutants, or contaminants.

* The Food Employment Empowerment and Development (FEED) Act would combine food rescue with job training programs, teaching unemployed and homeless adults the skills needed to work in the food service industry.

As usual, some pull one statement out and ignore the rest. I listed many reasons why I like Edwards...it just doesn't hurt that he is a nice looking man. As Hugh said, voting for a pretty face is shallow. Edwards is much more...read my previous post. Dole's many face lifts have still not made her a pretty face, imo.

Yvonne, your post broke my heart. What a nightmare to live through, but thankfully your son lived. Doctors are not god and make mistakes. I have a friend whose husband spent 10 days in Cone recently...was given the wrong medication by a doctor when he was admitted. Thank goodness, she was able to get a specialist to look at him and finally he was treated properly. He is elderly and the first thing one doctor asked her was if his heart stopped did she want intervention. He had no heart problems...a urinary tract infection. She was treated coldly and with great disrespect. Since medical facilities have become big business, we all are at risk of shoddy treatment.

James,

What I meant by "this coming from a guy who voted for Bush" was that I had few reservations of voting for the party of 'dick' and 'bush' back in 2000, but I shut down when I hear the name hussein and obama mentioned in the same sentence as president.

Slightly ironical (new fake word for the day) even to me.

My serious prediction (which, like Pat Robertson's have a way of not coming true) is that John Edwards will be the presidential candidate and Barack Obama will be the vice-presidential pick. (or vice-versa). Either way, Obama will be in there.

nitpicker,

I agree, I think the two will run together, but I hope Obama is in the Presidential slot. At this point, I think would vote for Obama, however I would prefer to see someone else as VP. True to form, Edwards will probably just use the VP position as a stepping stone to another level.

Carol: Please note, I never said YOU were one to vote for just a pretty face. That comment was separate from my note to you. I don't remember seeing you list things you like about Edwards, so what do you like about him? Why do you think he would make a great president? I'm honestly curious and open to learning something positive about him.

I think the one thing that could keep them from running on the same ticket is their combined youth and shortage of experience. Generally, I'd expect at least one seasoned (and older) politician on the ticket. Don't count out Gore!

Perhaps, Gore and Obama could run under the ticket "Al Obama'. Might pick up a few votes from the deep south.

Bunny, I listed several things in a post above. Please read and discuss them.

I think Edwards has not sold his soul to the political machines in place. Sure hope not. That he is very intelligent is a big plus. I think he would seek advice and appoint cabinet members who would help him lead the country.

I agree that anyone who gets the job in 2008 has an impossible task. No good way out of the mess we are in. Choices are slim to none as to how to solve the huge national debt and the mess in Iraq.

Let's all pray that our leaders, from both parties, will try to do the right thing for a change.

Carol, I apologize. I reread your post and see where you listed things you like about John Edwards. I guess when I read it the first time, it just seemed like there was nothing stellar to make him stand out as an excellent president. As to his selling his soul, I guess I keep reading about the huge contributions (which account for the bulk of his contributions) by his fellow attorneys, and it makes me nervous.

At least we can agree on one thing: I hope and pray the next president will lead this country in the right direction, and that BOTH parties will find a way to work together to help.

Bunny:

Perhaps you missed my point - which I'll restate:

Those supporting DOLE claim the listed items are "Good Things", but if a Democrat had the exact same agenda, the label would be Tax and Spend.

... so it really doesn't matter WHAT you do, just whether your tie or scarf is red or blue.

... and this my dear is the problem in one sentence: They fight each other tooth and nail over the same BS, and only unit to keep a third party out.

Nothing changes.

JDR: I agree.

"They fight each other tooth and nail over the same BS"

Are you talking about politicians or N&R bloggers?

;)