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From yesterday's letter: "Young people need to make time to vote"

The uninformed youth [as well as the LTE writer and those that may support him] will put as much thought into the selection of candidates as many "informed grownups" do ... because (my observation) is that most vote on inertia. Either "Daddy talked nasty about Bush so I'm gonna vote Democrat", or, "Daddy talked nasty about Clinton so I'm gonna vote Republican".

Consider if FDR were to return, touting his record as President from 1932 - 1945, but this time as a Republican. Do you really believe Neocon would vote for the Democrat opponent?

As always, to report abuse offered by the above comment, please use the feedback form at the bottom of any page.

John,

You can google Bush and come up with a ship load of evidence that he lied time and again to the American people, hijacked the monies of the taxpayers, ignored the Constitution and made his own rules as he went along, performed illegal acts and on and on. So just what is your point? All I got from your letter is s--t stirring. That and once again pointing out how Clinton's sex escapades cost the taxpayers only what the repubs spent on impeachment.

You gonna blame our current situation on Clinton also. What a partisan hack you are!

Hey, if the Clintons come back to live in the White House, maybe they will bring back the silverware and the dishes that were stolen when they left 7 years ago. You think? Sure like to see that stuff returned. It all belonged to the American people. The Dogs outa here.
Crime Dog

So true, Yvonne.

The silverware they "stole"...is that your main beef? I personally don't need any silverware, do you?

Also see what you can dig up on McCain folks...he has had a scandal or two. S&L comes to mind. And he is now wanting to get rid of Roe VS Wade.

I will vote for whoever the Democratic Party nominates. Don't have a clue at this moment who that will be.

More disturbing to me is the return of federal troops killing American citizens. Vicki Weaver if you can't remember or weren't keeping up.

Gripe all you like about the Patriot Act. I'll gripe with you. But tanks against the populace was once seen as the domain of China. In 1993 that changed. Part of the "experience" one of the front runners keeps bragging about.

Bush will soon be gone and we'll have a new group to complain about. There is little difference between the going and the likely coming.

We have an advantage in that we already know how one of them will act. It's our responsibility to use that advantage and to not just vote for the person the investors and super-delegates (often one in the same) decide on.

Unless a heavy-thumbed government is what you desire. In that case, vote early and vote often. And enjoy it while you can.

Roger

I guess a defensive attitude works if you have no offense. Please let me know who among the Republican hopefuls you support and why.

I guess a defensive attitude works if you have no offense. Please let me know who among the Republican hopefuls you support and why.

OK, not a Clinton fan here but give me a break. Really? Is this the best you could come up with, John? Really??

I hate negative campaign talk. If you want to say something, tell me the good about your candidate, not the bad about the one you don't like!

"I will vote for whoever the Democratic Party nominates. Don't have a clue at this moment who that will be."

Either Hillary or Obama, hopefully Obama. I can't stomach the idea of Clinton the Sequel.

gaytony I can't think of too much good I can say about the R candidates, I'm not please with any of them. If it's McCain vs Obama I may not vote for either. I never hear Obama stating exactly what he will do if president except offer "hope and change". If it's McCain/Hillary I will definitely vote McCain. This country has had a Bush or Clinton in the White House since the year I graduated from high school, 1981, (includes H W Bush as VP) and frankly I'm ready for someone else.

Carol,

"I guess a defensive attitude works if you have no offense."

I'm not sure if that is pointed at me or Yvonne or a deleted in-between post, but I'll reply. They are all offensive, both (R) and (D). If you were sincerely asking who I support among the Republicans you'll hear nothing from me. I think the greatest failure we have in our system is our lack of a "no confidence" vote. Funny that our lawmakers have that option while we don't. Put the politicians before us, and if a majority votes for none-of-the-above then the candidates are thrown out and not allowed to return for a cycle or two.

Ever would be nice, but eight years is a decent start.

Since the LTE dealt specifically with the Clintons I can say I'm bothered that We the People have become so comfortable with dynasties. And, as was touched lightly in my 1:07 post, especially those with fairly nasty civil rights violations. Pick a winner from any of the last few elections. They're fairly interchangeable, as will be Rodham-Clinton's if (when) elected. As was not contested, her claimed "experience" involved guns and tanks and death on fellow Americans, and she, unlike Bush, can actually be elected president this year.

But a large number of people are willing to overlook that in exchange for health care and, even though she's been in politics her entire life, the ever-popular "change." The real winners in '08 will be the insurance companies and their lobbyists. The transition period, if there ever is one, from compulsory insurance to single-payer health care will be very good to them. And the only thing we'll relinquish is control. Once someone else pays your bills, someone else gets to make your rules. Not just decisions, but rules. But all of the complaints we have about insurance companies, who are actively encouraged to retain us and have monetary incentives to at least get close to pleasing us, will still be there, while our ability to fire them by seeking different coverage if not pleased will be gone.

I'm slowly making my way through www.ontheissues.org and will eventually decide who to support. I'm done with the lesser of the evils. I would love to see McCain and Obama go out on their own. I don't think I could vote for them, but they'd offer a new choice and party and are probably the only duo that could beat Mrs. Rodham-Clinton. I don't know how the political dynamics would work, but they could tour the country talking about McCain "crossing the aisle" to join hands and the subsequent "change and hope" they can bring to the office, and, if that doesn't resonate, maybe switch it up a bit and portray "hope and change" instead. And then, as soon as the next elected takes office, be it he or she, it will be exactly the same as it was when their predecessor left. Whether that is a function of gotcha-politics or the reality of individuals learning more about a subject as one's political position grows and realizing that certain strategeries have to be maintained is unknown, but the waters won't be stirred too much once the new bodies start bobbing in the federal pond as we dredge the bottom to pull the old ones out.

Witness Congress, circa 2007.

We are thick with politicians, but I can't find any leaders.

Roger

I agree, Roger. My comment was to the letter writer who attacked Clinton based on her husband's stay in office and gave no reason to support someone else. I would love to hear all the good things about each candidate, surely there is something!!!

If you didn't hear it live, I suggest you go online and listen to the Diane Rehm show from yesterday. The first hour was about the Republicans and the last hour about the Democrats. The call in's and emails were also interesting. A strong McCain advocate said she changed her mind when she learned of his stance on abortion. Several were upset with Obama's plan to give driving licenses to illegals. Very interesting show. Well, actually it was a depressing show.

We'll have to ask (Prince) Bandar "Bush" about #3.

Roger: I too would love to see an across the line mix. Here’s a fun idea:

McCain chooses Obama as a running mate on the R ticket, and simultaneously Obama chooses McCain as a running mate on the D ticket.

Apparently you people do not know everything wrong is always the fault of republicans.
And the democrats can do no wrong.
There is nothing like an "Yellow Dog Democrat" to show you the proper way to vote.

Didn't know that Ghost.

J.D.R.,

A McCain/Obama team would be worth watching just to see the titans thrash and complain. I think each would be summarily kicked out of their parties, but a symbolic attempt would be interesting. Who knows who else would follow them out of their formerly-welcomed seats? (Lieberman?)

And watching the first serious sort of black presidential candidate turn his back on the (D)s could sever some of the guaranteed votes they've counted for so many years.

I think McCain is as much an (R) as Obama is, leopard and spots and what-not, but I'd love to see it. They'd at least be fun to watch. And it might be the thin edge of the wedge that allows the other two groups to quit pretending and moving to the center when election years roll around.

A Centrist Party, perhaps, standing firmly for nothing.

Ha.

But it might evolve into something truly useful. I've got my fingers crossed.

Roger