Yes on 8 wrote on Oct 17, 2008 10:01 AM:It is JK who misses the point. Teachers be forced to teach evolving pronouncements coming from the court on the definition of marriage, even if it conflicts with that teacher's personal religious views. Oh wait! Those religious zealots and bigots should not be teaching in our schools. And THAT is just the type of anti-religious state action protected by the US Constitution, except when judges become corrupted by personal biases and political ambition.

Obama Osama and Ayers wrote on Oct 17, 2008 10:02 AM:When Obama goes after Ayers with the same conviction he has in going after Osama for being a terrorist and attacking the nation, then I will believe him. Ayers attacked the nation as well but yet he protects him.

Bob wrote on Oct 17, 2008 10:04 AM:I support Dee Ambrosini's call for more dignified behavior at Caribou Barbie's cross burnings.

Reardon wrote on Oct 17, 2008 10:14 AM:gracchus: Having already posted an immigration plan that denies automatic citizenship, doubles legal immigration from Lain countries, provides workers and gets the illegal immigration numbers below a million that even SDRAOUL considers worthy of discussion, let me propose an education plan.

1. The starting salary of teachers will be $100,000
2. Tenure will cease
3. All teachers will hold advanced degrees in the specific subject they teach (No “education” degrees.)
4. Until (3) above is satisfied, all incoming teachers will pass the Massachusetts Teacher Literacy Test
5. All sports will be run by private organizations. (Little League, Pop Warner, etc.)
6. High School Graduation tests will be at the 12th Grade Level.(Currently 8th and 9th.)
7. Bussing and food services will not be a school function.

How am I doing?

Wanda wrote on Oct 17, 2008 10:19 AM:Charlie Harp's letter was a real hoot, and a valuable service for those of you without access to Faux News and Rush Limbaugh.

When he refers to "...past relationship with several unsavory people" he is probably not refering to Charles Keating or G. Gordon Liddy.

When he refers to "...relationship with the organization known as ACORN..." it's a safe bet he's not refering to John McCain appearing as the keynote speaker at the February 23, 2006 ACORN rally in Miami.

Get a clue, Charlie.

Wanda wrote on Oct 17, 2008 10:36 AM:Lighten up, Scott Samuels, this is all Caribou Barbie and that pathetic old influence peddler have got.

They'll be gone soon enough.

How is it religious wrote on Oct 17, 2008 10:44 AM:I am baffled by issues surrounding homosexuality to be cast as "religious". How is this a religious matter? I know the Bible says a man lying with a man is an abomination, but it says many things are abominations that no one fusses over or calls a religious matter. It also says nothing about lesbians. So, again, what is the religious basis of people's oppposition to gay people? I don't buy it. I think it's simpler: a lot of people find homosexuality repulsive and they feel compelled to dress this up and justify it in religious garb. If their religion is Christianity, I don't see why "man-man is an abomination" is so much more important to them than "love your enemy", "turn the other cheek" and "do unto others". No, they just hate gays, and want the law to reflect their irrational hatred, just as it used to reflect the irrational and equally contemptible hatred of African-Americans. It has no religious justification. It's just plain, old-fashioned irrational hatred coupled with the desire to make everyone else live by it, even if this results in unfair discrimination. Dispicable and sleazy, I say. No on 8!

Good Intentions wrote on Oct 17, 2008 11:16 AM:From the Washington Post: The Associated Press
Friday, October 17, 2008; 12:00 PM

HONOLULU -- Hawaii is dropping the only state universal child health care program in the country just seven months after it launched.

Gov. Linda Lingle's administration cited budget shortfalls and other available health care options for eliminating funding for the program. A state official said families were dropping private coverage so their children would be eligible for the subsidized plan.

"People who were already able to afford health care began to stop paying for it so they could get it for free," said Dr. Kenny Fink, the administrator for Med-QUEST at the Department of Human Services. "I don't believe that was the intent of the program."

Alf wrote on Oct 17, 2008 11:22 AM:The letter from Morris Shechet misses two very important facts -
1) the Republicans never, ever do anything wrong,
2) the Democrats always do the wrong thing or screw up doing the right thing -
According to the Republicans, in THEIR reality.

The rest of the known universe, all of the other political philosophies, operate in real world, not an alternate reality and sees not only the failures of others, but also the failures of themselves.
Regards, Alf.

Alf wrote on Oct 17, 2008 11:31 AM:I must qualify my previous post of a few minutes ago -
there are a growing number of Republicans who are moving over to the reality shared by the rest of us Libertarians, liberals and independents and all the other parties.
Notably - the letter from Dee Ambrosini shows a level of sanity and civility not usually in evidence by Republicans these days.
Regards, Alf.

Obama Comes wrote on Oct 17, 2008 11:39 AM:We are still in a tough fight, do not become complacent! I just donated another $50.00 to the Obama Campaign.

Obama/Biden '08

OBSERVATON wrote on Oct 17, 2008 11:40 AM:WASHINGTON – The Supreme Court sided Friday with Ohio's top elections official in a dispute with the state Republican Party over voter registrations.

Bill Too wrote on Oct 17, 2008 11:55 AM:(Not to be confused with Bill One or just plain “Bill”)

Roberto wrote on Oct 17, 2008 1:34 AM: Tax system explained in terms of beer - to make it more manageable

Roberto’s blurb on taxes is supposed to show the unfairness of our present tax system. I agree. Let me propose a FAIR alternative. A FLAT TAX. NO, not the generally proposed one – a REAL one.

The flat tax as proposed by some politicians in the past would be a tax on earned income only. This means money you personally earn by means of your labors, NOT money that your money earns. It would specifically exclude interest income, money received from property, capital gains, etc. Since the wealthiest people do not generally perform physical labor for their income, but rather receive that income by having their money work for them, they would be exempt from nearly all income tax. This is, of course, the intent of their idea.

A discussion some time ago on TV about the flat tax pointed out that only 20% of the taxpayers in this country have incomes of over $180,000, only 1% have incomes over $1 million and Only 7% of our taxpayers have any significant benefit from Capital Gains. I would recommend that anyone interested in why we are in the mess we are in today read the investigative reports by Donald Bartlett and James Steele of the Philadelphia Inquirer as published in "America, What Went Wrong" and " America: Who Really Pays the Taxes." They won the Pulitzer prize for these reports. A bit dated but still accurate.

A recent article in the newspaper showed that over 50% of large corporations, Foreign AND Domestic paid NOTHING – $0 – in taxes in 2007.

A much fairer method of deriving a flat tax would be to tax ALL income from ALL people, from ALL sources above a base exemption of say $25,000, no excuses, no deductions. Hiding personal income in any way (with our ever popular tax shelters) should be eliminated. And let's go all the way and apply the flat tax to all businesses - allowing only a REASONABLE AMOUNT (say 10% of gross) for operating expenses – no deduction for obscene salaries. This would apply to ALL money made in this country - no overseas headquarters or foreign nationality excuses - You make it here, you pay taxes here. (And BTW I DID run my own business for over 20 years.)

While we are at it, let’s make those who owe taxes really pay those taxes. I constantly see ads on TV where someone is saying “I owed $30,000 and (insert name of favorite tax law firm) got a settlement for $1800. Do you think if you owed the IRS $300 the IRS would accept a settlement of $18? Were you drinking some of Ron’s kool-aid? The IRS would have everything you owned in a heartbeat.

With this proposed type of flat taxation system the country would have far more tax income than they have now at a Federal tax rate of about 5% or less. Of course this type of simplified system would put a number of people in the embarrassing position of needing to look for some meaningful employment. We would not need the vast IRS bureaucracy (at a huge savings of our tax money), nor would we need the armies of corporate lawyers whose sole purpose seems to be to find ways to circumvent, distort, and pervert the laws for the benefit of their employers (another very large savings of our tax money in court cases).

8 has nothing to do with schools wrote on Oct 17, 2008 12:12 PM:Have you read prop 8? There is absolutely nothing about schools in there.

Chicagoland wrote on Oct 17, 2008 12:12 PM:Obama Osama and Ayers: Ayers has never been convicted of any crime. There is no evidence that Ayers carreied out any of the weather underground attacks. If you have any type of proof or evidence produce it. Document your assumptions and allegations. By the way, Obama has never heard of you and probably has no need of your belief.

Reardon wrote on Oct 17, 2008 12:18 PM:Bill Too: I'll sign on when you end all exemptions, even those below a threshhold. They enjoy the benefits of this nation also, and need to be stakeholders.

Alf wrote on Oct 17, 2008 12:25 PM:Well, "Reardon" at 10:14AM,
how dare you expect 12th graders to pass a 12th grade test!!
(Tongue Firmly in Cheek)
One of my high school Advanced Math teachers had a Ph.D., the others had Masters.
Tenure should go, be gone, hasta la vista, baby.
Your points 1, 3, 4 and 5 - yes.
Point 7, bussing and lunch - ?????
Regards, Alf.

Looking Glass wrote on Oct 17, 2008 12:26 PM:When it comes to education, Reardon, I don't know if I'd go that far. Here's my suggestions -
1)Get rid of the teacher's union
2)Double teacher's pay and benefits
3)Make the teachers EARN tenure with examinations and feedback from students
4)Raise the exit exam to 12th grade level
[that we agree on]

DD Wiz wrote on Oct 17, 2008 12:27 PM:Flat Tax Fiasco
The post from "Bill Too" (11:55am) is well-meaning but misdirected. His proposal is not really a flat tax; it is a two-tiered graduated system with a rate of ZERO percent up to $25,000 and a fixed rate for everything above that. This, of course, is necessary to recognize the differing levels of marginal utility of income that represents the subsistence level. But, while less obvious, this principle applies through all strata of income layers. If the principle is valid, it should be expanded, not reduced.
Please note that, just as with an exemption layer, everyone in a graduated system pays exactly the same rate of taxes on the PORTION of income in each corresponding layer of earned income. Bill Gates pays the exact same rate on the first $16,500 of earned income as a low-income wage earner for whom that represents his entire income. Gates only pays higher rates on the PORTIONS of earned income that are in each layer.

"Bill Too" is correct that we should not tax unearned income from interest, dividends, investments, etc., at a lower rate than EARNED income produced by the sweat of one's brow. This is just welfare for the rich and does not promote increased capitalization by the rich. Capitalization only occurs as a response to DEMAND, not the availability of investment capital. If there is sufficient DEMAND, investors will capitalize even if they have to borrow the capital!

"Bill Too" errs in trying to eliminate all deductions. Deductions exist to help define what income is. For employees who have no other income, that can be done with a W-2, no problem. For business owners, revenue does not equal income. You have to deduct the costs of producing that income, and determining what is a legitimate business expense is what makes things complicated.
We agree that tax SIMPLIFICATION is needed and that many deductions currently allowed are loopholes designed by special interests, which need to be closed. But tax SIMPLIFICATION is a separate issue for the tax RATE structure. The complexity in doing one's taxes is all in determining income. Once income is determined, looking up the final amount on a table, or having it calculated by a computer program, is extremely simple. Tax simplification is touted by promoters of a flat tax as a red herring to try to put lipstick on their flat tax porker.

I also had my own further response to "Roberto's" post (1:34am yesterday) which I posted near the end of yesterday's posts.
Peace (and sunshine) to all, DD Wiz

Alf wrote on Oct 17, 2008 12:28 PM:Well, "Wanda" at 10:19AM,
sort of reminds me of "Are you now or have you ever been..." back in the days of "Tailgunner Joe".
Regards, Alf.

Ms M wrote on Oct 17, 2008 12:29 PM:....Well, this is an interesting turn of events. John McCain has black relatives and they support Barack Obama. I came across an interesting article on South Florida Times. Seems like John McCain has literally disowned them too.

The South Florida Times states in that article that in the rural Teoc community of Carroll County, Miss., where the ancestors of Sen. John McCain owned enslaved Africans on a plantation, black, white and mixed-race family members unite every two years for their Coming Home Reunion, on the land where the plantation operated.

As excerpted from South Florida Times, some of McCain’s black family members say they are not sure exactly where they fall on the family tree, but they do know this: They are either descendants of the McCain family slaves, or of children the McCains fathered with their slaves.

White and black members of the McCain family have met on the plantation several times over the last 15 years, but one invited guest has been conspicuously absent: Sen. John Sidney McCain.

Psst, John McCain, you have black folks in your family! Your family has a history of being slave owners. I bet that's a revelation he didn't want to come out. Talk about roots....Oh my - well it's out now!

Dog bites man wrote on Oct 17, 2008 12:30 PM:The Supreme Court decision against the Ohio GOP is as noteworthy as "dog bites man"...The GOP and this administration has been found to violate the Constitution as a matter of course, and it's hardly newsworthy any more. The current GOP base is strongly anti-democratic, anti-checks and balances, anti-American.

sdraoul wrote on Oct 17, 2008 12:40 PM:GOLLY GEE, SERGEANT, SDRAOUL IS RIGHT AGAIN.

THE ASSOCIATED PRESS-YAHOO POLL

OBAMA 44, MCCAIN 42

Interview dates: October 3, 2008 – October 13, 2008
Interviews: 1,769 adults; 1,528 registered voters
873 Democrats; 650 Republicans
Sampling margin of error for a 50% statistic with 95%
confidence is: ±2.3 for all adults; ±2.5 for registered voters
±3.3 for Democrats; ±3.8 for Republicans
THE ASSOCIATED PRESS-YAHOO POLL

to Hannah Cooper wrote on Oct 17, 2008 12:43 PM:You have it wrong. We will never forget 9/11. More than 4,000 killed. And the killing continues. Thousands more have been wounded physically and/or mentally.

We are still spending megabucks on the war and re-building 'that' country. The money is flowing out, faster than Niagara Falls.

We do not have money for the USA. We are borrowing money. We have a great big deficit for the USA.

Approximately 7.5 years ago, when Clinton left office there was a surplus of money.

Your teacher, friends, or your parents have pointed you to the wrong President. Bush created the Great Depression of 2008.
It is the fault of Republican President Bush.

The war is evil and especially so because Bush had a chance to stop it when it was known we were fighting the wrong country.

Bush, a husband, a father and an American, does not care about everyday people.

Bush does not care about the Constitution.

Neither Bush nor McCain care about the middle class. Bush and McCain were born with silver spoons. Bush and McCain and big business and Wall Street march to a tune that is not heard by the middle class.

You need to look at the facts. google factcheck or factcheckorg and/or google snopes or snopescom.

Read several different newspapers (Repub and Dem).

If you only read or believe one side, you will never know the truth.

Before making a wood cabinet or announcements or writing letters, measure twice and cut once. And save your documentation.

Do your homework before accusing others. You Fail on every point.

Reardon wrote on Oct 17, 2008 12:44 PM:Looking Glass: Your proposal is, like a busload of attorneys going over a cliff, "a good start."

It fails to address teacher competency, currently a problem in California. Massachusetts had the same problem a decade ago, and it now tested all incoming teachers for basic literacy. (I have the failure rates by ethnicity, if you like -- 50+%, and Massachusetts just finished a ten-year study.)

As a result of tightening the requirements, Massachusetts now stands at or just below number one in student testing for the National Report Card (US DEPT. of Education), while California students stand 48th.

My interest in separating sports/extra curricular activities, bussing and food services is to let schools do their primary purpose.

Oh Reardon wrote on Oct 17, 2008 12:48 PM:I like your to-do list for education very much. I don't understand the last one, but all the others sound very reasonable to me. We have to find a way to entice bright, educated people to the teaching field in greater numbers. Tenure is something that is very important in higher ed, but is out of place in K-12 (IMHO) where teachers have children within their responsibility and need to show they are doing the job well, staying up to date, and are effective. Very different from a setting in which proven expertise should allow one to "profess". I'd also like to see real physical education in the form of daily aerobic, yoga and strength training so that our kids will actually be more fit. Sports should have nothing to do with state-sponsored education, I agree completely. Good job, Reardon!

Looking Glass wrote on Oct 17, 2008 12:53 PM:I don't pay any attention to the polls because if you check the history of polls vs the history of election results, you'll find the polls are off by a margin of 6-10%. Besides, what really matters is the votes cast this November.

Reardon wrote on Oct 17, 2008 12:57 PM:to 8 has nothing...: You can buy an indemnification bond for anything.

So here is my proposal: You buy a surety bond that pays Reardon $50,000 if Prop. 8 causes a school kerfuffle within a 5 year period.

If it does not, as you claim, I return your bond money, with interest at 10%.

Deal?

(I have a poor track record for my offers -- I am still awaiting Greenergy driving his freeway-legal all-electric car to Hidden Meadows to pick up a crisp $100 bill. That bill is fading in the sunlight.)

Wanda wrote on Oct 17, 2008 1:02 PM:Well, Alf at 12:28 PM, you're right.

Point of this post was that this pathetic guilt by association tactic is being used by Caribou Barbie and that pathetic old influence peddler, who don't stand up to scrutiny all that well themselves.

Was shocked to learn, just yesterday, that Joe the Plumber was a "close relative" of Charles Keating's son-in-law.

Count them for yourself wrote on Oct 17, 2008 1:06 PM:Well boys and girls, The only real differance between a Libertarian and a Liberal anymore, is the number of letters in there name.

oh raoul wrote on Oct 17, 2008 1:14 PM:Let's be fair and honest raoul. "Right again" means simply that you found A poll that agrees with you. Give us the data of all the polls with credibility...oh! that's right, the polls that have Obama ahead HAVE no credibility! LOL Why even yesterday you reported that the poll averages had Obama ahead. Now you found one (maybe..you do just lie sometimes) that you like and say this proves you right. Let me ask you something simple: if Obama wins the election, in what manner will you publicly apologize to all of us? You have posted consistently that you have a direct line to the information that is most telling, the polls that count, the meaning of the Catholic vote, the Women's vote, the Hispanic vote. All, you've said, show that McCain will win. So if he loses, in what form will your confession of error be? Just curious.

High Five wrote on Oct 17, 2008 1:14 PM:Diaz can help Escondido regain its dignity!


AND THEN SOME !ABSOLUTELY!

To Obama Comes wrote on Oct 17, 2008 1:14 PM:I just mailed in my ballot for Sarah Palin, and that Old Guy.

My wife is voting for McCain, later this week.

Short Bus Raoul wrote on Oct 17, 2008 1:15 PM:Press Release:

The presigious Raoul Sinverguenza Institute is pleased to annonuce the addition of Muhammad Saeed al-Sahhaf (aka "Baghdad Bob" & "Comical Ali") to our staff of statisticians.

Alf wrote on Oct 17, 2008 1:15 PM:Well, "Count them for yourself" at 1:06PM,
you are sadly and severely misinformed.
But, owing to your obvious right-leaning pitiful attempt at an insult, that does not surprise me in the least.
Regards, Alf.

From Obamas website On Immigration wrote on Oct 17, 2008 1:19 PM:Obama and Biden support a system that allows undocumented immigrants who are in good standing to pay a fine, learn English, and go to the back of the line for the opportunity to become citizens.

Obama and Biden believe we need to do more to promote economic development in Mexico........

Obama introduced amendments to put greater emphasis on keeping immigrant families together.

They also realize the need to
increase the number of people we allow into the country legally to a level that keeps families together and meets
the demand for jobs that employers cannot fill.

*** I always thought our land and resources were becoming scarce. Pollution is up, water is scarce, gasoline is up, natural gas is expensive, our infrastructure is strained ......... WHY MUST WE CONTINUE WITH UNCONTROLLABLE IMMIGRATION POLICIES? Our country passed 300 Million people and we are well undeer way to reach 400 Million in our lifetimes.

Reardon wrote on Oct 17, 2008 1:19 PM:To Count Them:

WRONG!

"only real differance between (ONE) Libertarian and a Liberal anymore..."

No on 8 wrote on Oct 17, 2008 1:22 PM:Why the hate? I was taught that God loved everyone. Love can be between two people no matter what sex they happen to be. Why not give same sex couples the right to health insurance, they right to see their love one in the hospital and be like heterosexual couples? You voting yes on 8 aren't attractive to the same sex anyway so don't worry they won't touch you.

TOVR wrote on Oct 17, 2008 1:25 PM:Ahh the Palin people won't let her watch the news are read the newspaper because it makes her depressed. Maybe the words depression, recession, economy in the dregs, McCain/Palin losing make her unhappy. Poor poor pitiful Palin.

Joe the Plant wrote on Oct 17, 2008 1:26 PM:Joe also lived in Alaska. Wow the connections just keep coming. Joe a Plant? I think so.

sdraoul wrote on Oct 17, 2008 1:28 PM:Poor Wanda, the facts are Obama knocked on "Joe the Plumbert's" door. Obama's bad luck that he personally selected "Joie's" door to knowck on and to talk about taking Joe's money and "sharing" it with people who don't make as much, if any, money by their own sweat and hard work.

It was Obama's mouth and leftist philosophy that got him in trouble, not some guy minding his own business.

DD Wiz wrote on Oct 17, 2008 1:30 PM:Flat Tax Fiasco
The post from "Bill Too" (11:55am) is well-meaning but misdirected. His proposal is not really a flat tax; it is a two-tiered graduated system with a rate of ZERO percent up to $25,000 and a fixed rate for everything above that. This, of course, is necessary to recognize the differing levels of marginal utility of income that represents the subsistence level. But, while less obvious, this principle applies through all strata of income layers. If the principle is valid, it should be expanded, not reduced.
Please note that, just as with an exemption layer, everyone in a graduated system pays exactly the same rate of taxes on the PORTION of income in each corresponding layer of earned income. Bill Gates pays the exact same rate on the first $16,500 of earned income as a low-income wage earner for whom that represents his entire income. Gates only pays higher rates on the PORTIONS of earned income that are in each layer.

"Bill Too" is correct that we should not tax unearned income from interest, dividends, investments, etc., at a lower rate than EARNED income produced by the sweat of one's brow. This is just welfare for the rich and does not promote increased capitalization by the rich. Capitalization only occurs as a response to DEMAND, not the availability of investment capital. If there is sufficient DEMAND, investors will capitalize even if they have to borrow the capital!

"Bill Too" errs in trying to eliminate all deductions. Deductions exist to help define what income is. For employees who have no other income, that can be done with a W-2, no problem. For business owners, revenue does not equal income. You have to deduct the costs of producing that income, and determining what is a legitimate business expense is what makes things complicated.
We agree that tax SIMPLIFICATION is needed and that many deductions currently allowed are loopholes designed by special interests, which need to be closed. But tax SIMPLIFICATION is a separate issue for the tax RATE structure. The complexity in doing one's taxes is all in determining income. Once income is determined, looking up the final amount on a table, or having it calculated by a computer program, is extremely simple. Tax simplification is touted by promoters of a flat tax as a red herring to try to put lipstick on their flat tax porker.

I also had my own further response to "Roberto's" post (1:34am yesterday) which I posted near the end of yesterday's posts.
Peace (and sunshine) to all, DD Wiz

Posted 12:27pm; re-posted 1:30pm

Ballot wrote on Oct 17, 2008 1:35 PM:We all mailed in our ballots for Obama/Biden yesterday. Obama will be the next POTUS. To "To Obama Comes": Why did you waste your vote? The old guy is already noting defeat in his campaign and his soul mate is only worried about her campaign for the year 2012.

Gotta Ask Yourself wrote on Oct 17, 2008 1:37 PM:So FactCheck.org is owned by the Annanberg Foundation,(say it aint so) and also has ties with Bill Ayers,(say it aint so) that has ties with Barock Obama,(say it aint so) Ayers and Obama both heald seats on the board of directors of that Foundation,(say it aint so) Now ya gotta ask yourself, What does that say about FactCheck.orgs Objectivity?

High Five is right wrote on Oct 17, 2008 1:39 PM:I agree that Olga Diaz is just what Escondido needs right now. A fresh approach from an honest, hard-working, successful small business owner. Ms Diaz' concern for, and involvement in, what's best for Esco has been impressive for the years she has lived here. Enough of the good old boys. Vote for Olga!

to Wanda wrote on Oct 17, 2008 1:43 PM:I do not believe we have all the info about Joe the Plumber.

BELOW info may not be correct.

Joe is not his name.
Joe is not licensed.
Person Joe works for is not licensed.
Joe owes IRS some $.
Joe is 34.
Joe does not have enough money to
by the plumbing business.

The blog 'rumor?' message was about the relationship/kinship. The 'rumor?' message has not been repeated.

The above may not be correct.
Stay tuned, more reports are coming in.

oh yahoos wrote on Oct 17, 2008 1:44 PM:Amazingly, the yahoos seem to actually believe that people who disagree with them are evil, and people who agree with them are innocent saints. Witness their fluster over Bill Ayers, by all accounts a very respectable and respected person at this time. But for the yahoos, Ayers' views during the Vietnam era are unforgivable. They call him a terrorist (everyone they don't like is a terrorist, I guess) even though he was not convicted of any criminal act, even back then. But when it comes to Mccain's "pal" (if Ayers is Obama's "pal", according to Palin) Gordon Liddy. Liddy actually WAS convicted of crimes that could be viewed as full-bore attacks on American democratic systems, the heart of our constitution. But Liddy is a right-winger, so his actual crimes are spun as acts of heroism, or, at worst, things he's "paid his debt to society for". The double standard is stunning. Shows, as do so many things, that for these people, ideology trumps country every time. To me, that's unamerican as it gets.

Ms M Stretching those marks again wrote on Oct 17, 2008 1:57 PM:Ms M
[-] wrote on Oct 17, 2008 12:29 PM:....Well, this is an interesting turn of events. John McCain has black relatives and they support Barack Obama.

GO FIGURE! Black folks supporting Obama, And that's a suprise HOW?!?!?!? And now you are saying McCain was around to unload the slave boats, Oh Brother.

Count them for yourself wrote on Oct 17, 2008 2:23 PM:So Alf, You take it upon yourself to be the libertarian spokesman, and you seem to be somehow insulted by my statement. Great, Educate me Alf, How am I sadly and severely misinformed, or do you just attack bloggers with your insults. I don't care about your OPINION, Just give me facts, thats all. So what is the big differance today between the two? Because I don't see one.

Bill wrote on Oct 17, 2008 2:35 PM:So letting government keep our money helps create jobs?

Is that right Morris Shechet?

Is that how it works?

Oh Lord where did some liberals learn basic economics?

When dollars are taken out of circulation, the government receives LESS tax revenue as the dollar is out of circulation. When in circulation, the dollar is taxed over and over again filling up coffers at an exponential rate. Also, the rich invest in businesses that create jobs. Should the rich keep their money in the bank, the amount of revenue available for loans is increasesd keeping interest rates low.

Taking that revenue out of circulation ruins all this.

Are more wasteful government jobs a solution to ANYTHING?

Mr. Shechet implies that the increase in millionaires was done on the backs of the poor.

This is pure nonsense.

How so when its not their money Mr. Shechet?

How can you take something from someone who has nothing?

People like this are in for a rude awakening when they find out their boss makes $250,000.00 and decides he needs his money more than he needs their services.

Dont blame the GOP when that happens.

But you will anyway....

You will claim that letting people keep their own money was stealing from the poor.

How Marxist......

Where did some in here learn basic economics?

Especially the SO CALLED "liberterian" who calls himself Alf.

How is what Mr. Shechet said "liberterian"?

Alf is a fraud who is afraid to call himself a liberal.

Dont blame the GOP when the rich decide youre job is expendable due to the tax increases.

Richard wrote on Oct 17, 2008 2:39 PM:Obama is not protecting Ayers. Ayers as far as anyone knows is not charged with a crime. If the above poster knows something the rest of us, and Obama, don't, then it is you yourself who has been protecting him by not telling the authorities, police/FBI, what it is you know. Stop claiming Obama is 'hiding him' when it's obviously you who must know something about this--we would all like to know what it is, so please, spill the beans.

Poor Jesse wrote on Oct 17, 2008 2:43 PM:Poor Jesse Jackson, So hurt because there is no room for him in the Obama inn. Well Rev. Your not the first person Obama has tossed away because you were a negative to his campaign.

Ms M wrote on Oct 17, 2008 2:46 PM:Ms M Stretching those marks again
[-] wrote on Oct 17, 2008 1:57 PM:...And now you are saying McCain was around to unload the slave boats...um, is he THAT old?

gracchus wrote on Oct 17, 2008 3:00 PM:i agree with most of your points, reardon, concerning education reform which you suggested at 10:14 a.m.

point 5, concerning sports requires more discussion. i am not a big sports fan, but i do believe that physical education is important. iread an interesting biography about vince lombardie a few years ago. he taught physics at a catholic school before he became a football coach. he applied his intellectual training to the physical education of his players. i think that a good physical education teacher is as important as a good physics teacher.

i would be reluctant to end school bussing and food services as you suggest. kids living 1 1/2 mile from school, especially primary pupils, need a bus. food services could provide an excellent avenue toward teaching good diet and nutrition. if we want them to learn at school we need to make sure that an empty belly doesn't distract them. that's why i don't consider food services extravagant.

but concerning your five other points, reardon, i agree.

Alf wrote on Oct 17, 2008 3:17 PM:Well, "Count them for yourself" at 2:23PM,
YOU say "You take it upon yourself to be the libertarian spokesman".
No, I don't. That's YOUR statement, not mine.
I state that the Libertarian Party is the closest to my personal and political beliefs,
YOU twist that into me declaring myself a spokesman for Libertarians.
Are "Ron" and "sdraoul" spokesmen for Republicans? Not on your life.
Is "Chris" a spokesman for Democrats? Hell no.
If you think that I am a closet liberal, you have not understood 95 percent of what I have written nor will you.
I do expect your attitude from someone who is must put a label on someone, expect them to conform to that label and if they do not, you put another label on them and not comprehend that few, if any, are 100 percent any given label, 100 percent of the time.
No, I will not define terms for you (you can go to the party website as well as I can) except to say, yet again,
"I state that the Libertarian Party is the closest to my personal and political beliefs".
Regards, Alf.

tjefferson wrote on Oct 17, 2008 3:36 PM:sdraoul at 1:28. Obama did not knock at Joe the fake plumber's door. Obama was on the street surrounded by a crowd and Joe the liar approached Obama and said he had a question for him. Obama was honest about his tax plan, but Joe lied about his work and income and plans to by a 250k plumbing business. It turns out that Joe, who actually earns 40K a year, now admits he would benefit from Obama's tax plan. Joe is not a licensed plumber and could never afford to buy a business taking in 250k, gross or net. Unlike the majority of hard working folks, Joe won't pay his taxes. There is a tax lien on his house for $1100. Joe's boss only grosses about 100k on his business which he runs from his garage. Joe is another pathetic fool who votes rich and lives poor. McCain was a fool to use poor Joe's fantasy to prop up his campaign. Joe and McCain are both so pathetic they deserve each other.

And, as for your poll showing a 2 point spread between Obama and McCain, balony. You should be suspicious of a poll that has 20% more Democrats than Republicans participating but indicates only a 2% spread. That would mean that almost all the independents prefer McCain. I heard this poll on crazy Rush's show this morning and I realized at once it didn't make sense. My, you're gullible.

To Ballot wrote on Oct 17, 2008 3:38 PM:Good for you. I guess we cancelled out each others votes. I have no regrets.

I will always vote against the Democrats. If I could change anything, it would be to speed up my timetable to move out of California. And I can say that after living here most of my life.

Have faith republicans wrote on Oct 17, 2008 3:45 PM:The Dems are cocky, but in 3 more weeks Obama and Biden will be ordinary citizens. I am casting my McCain vote this weekend and my mom and dad are next week, and my sister will on Election Day.

Danny wrote on Oct 17, 2008 3:46 PM:If you vote for Obama, you are voting for surrender in Iraq, 1 trillion in new spending which worsens our debt, new taxes which woud affect small businesses who file individual tax returns, and for the continued slaughter of the unborn. Do what's right. Vote for McCain.

Reardon wrote on Oct 17, 2008 3:48 PM:gracchus: I don't want to end either bussing or food services, just get the management/cost away from those saddled with "education," so they can concentrate on their priority.

As to physical education, my comments are similar -- I love sports & played a bunch -- but I want them (and all physical education) to be community oriented, once again "so they can concentrate on their priority."

Perversion is wrong wrote on Oct 17, 2008 3:50 PM:Gays can change. Jesus can change any one. Jesus loves gay individuals, but he does not want them to continue to live in sin.

Obama is a flip flopper wrote on Oct 17, 2008 3:51 PM:On drilling, on the Rev Wright, and more.

Ace wrote on Oct 17, 2008 3:58 PM:For those who think that Obamas tax plan benefits them and will strengthen the economy, you may want to consider what I have to say.

I employ over 400 people here in SD county and I am about to add to the counties job losses by about 80 jobs.

Each of those jobs pays an average of $44,000.00

Do you want to know why Im laying them off?

Because Obamas plan will destroy my incentive to produce and will suck up 50% of my income. I am making it up by cutting jobs. I am in the manufacturing business and export sales are good right now. I will be converting to machinery and automating functions that were manned by humans making a very good wage.

Now, a machine will do their job.

I will save more in cutting wages than Obama will take.

Im not doing this to be an a-hole but rather to prevent myself from taking a pay cut.

Why should I take a pay cut when I built the company?

Why should I take a pay cut when my stocks have deflated also?

Why should I take a pay cut when my real estate has gone down in value just like everybody elses?

Why should I take a pay cut when I WILLIGLY paid people an above average wage in good times enabling them to live even better lives?

I have already SHARED THE WEALTH.

Now, because of Obamas plan, people will be laid off.

I doubt my case is an abberation too.

Entrepereneurs are responding to the prospect of Obama being President and implementing his plan to our detriment.

Except that I wont be the one suffering.

You will be the one who suffers.

I can close up and retire if I want to. Over the years, I have always had an open door policy and my workers know me and I know them. However, when I see the Obama stickers on their cars after all I have done for them, it makes it easier to make the switch as I feel resentment toward them for being so ungrateful. I have taken good care of my employees over the years yet Im now the bad guy.

How nice of these ingrates to vote in someone to plunder me.

My motive is damage control from Obamas plan.

You get what you ask for America.

Ms M Stretching those marks again wrote on Oct 17, 2008 4:01 PM:Ms M
[-] wrote on Oct 17, 2008 2:46 PM: Nice jab, but try to stay focused old girl at 2:46PM

OBAMACAN wrote on Oct 17, 2008 4:07 PM:"Obama is a flip flopper" at 3:51 p.m. certainly shows a complete lack of anything resembling fairness or balance. Obama has not flip-flopped; he has engaged in knowing compromises without changing his views, acknowledging that he gets as much as he can, but that the nature of bipartisan government does require compromise.

McCain has made genuine policy flip-flops on numerous substantial issues:

Voted against the Bush tax cuts for the richest elites, now says they should be made permanent.

Was against torture, before voting to allow it.

Was against offshore drilling before he was for it.

Sponsored the Kennedy-McCain immigration amnesty plan, now opposes it.

Gives lip service to environmental and climate change issues, but missed 22 chances last year to back up that lip service with actual votes.

Called Pat Robertson and Jerry Falwell "agents of intolerance" before reversing himself and going hat-in-hand to them begging for their endorsements.

Voted against requiring insurers who cover Viagra to offer contraceptive parity for women, now his spokeswoman Carla Fiorina said he supported it.

Was for deregulation before he was against it.

Then there is the whole thing since the start of the economic meltdown, changing positions and statements by the hour, lurching from left to right to up to down, suspending his campaign, backing out of the debates until there's a deal then going to the debate without a deal. Against buying foreclosed houses. For buying foreclosed houses at reduced value. For buying foreclosed houses at face value (so taxpayers let risky lenders off the hook).

jvc wrote on Oct 17, 2008 4:11 PM:I applaud Reardon's efforts here to provide good ideas about fixing our public education system! And I hope to hear from him regularly on this issue because of its importance to societal
values and justice! Again Reardon, you are the greatest!

Wanda wrote on Oct 17, 2008 4:14 PM:You can see through the pathetic duplicity of the 1:19 PM post for yourself by going to Obama's website, clicking on issues, clicking on immigration. So easy anybody but McCain can do it.

The poster seems to have skipped right over:

Create Secure Borders
Improve Our Immigration System
Remove Incentives to Enter Illegally

Ms M wrote on Oct 17, 2008 4:15 PM:Ms M Stretching those marks again
[-] wrote on Oct 17, 2008 4:01 PM:...I was being focused - what did YOU miss - no where in my post did I infer that McCain had anything to do with his ancestors - just that CURRENTLY he doesn't admit his Black relatives - that's all. It was YOU who brought up the unloading of slaves. PS I'm glad you liked my response - now you stay focused!

Alf wrote on Oct 17, 2008 4:20 PM:McGWB Health Care-
on the plus side
a $5000 tax credit,
on the minus side
current employer provided health care is taxed.
Our current employer health insurance is about $8000 per year -
even after the $5000 tax credit, we would owe tax on the $3000 difference.
I would think that all the city, county, state and federal employees whose employer contribution for health insurance is over $5000 might want to think about that.
Regards, Alf.

grj wrote on Oct 17, 2008 4:21 PM:This week a very bright economist from America won a nobel prize in economics. In short he proved and show bush and republicans policies created a faied economic climate in America. Still the republicans point fingers back at democrats. Ronnie Reagon started things going real bad by giving tax breaks to the real rich. Not too many democrats in Rancho Santa Fe.

Sorry Ace wrote on Oct 17, 2008 4:21 PM:Golly, Ace, I'm sorry I put the Obama bumper sticker on your car.

Didn't think you'd become so angry about it.

Alf wrote on Oct 17, 2008 4:23 PM:I had a Pro Prop. 8 guy come to my door this afternoon, I told him he came to the WRONG house for that and that I didn't approve of inflicting religion onto the Constitution.
Oh, well.
He walked 200 yards out of his way for an absolute rejection.
Regards, Alf.

DD Wiz wrote on Oct 17, 2008 4:23 PM:Incentives for Hiring
The post from "Ace" (3:58pm) is pure propaganda. I also own a small business. If "Ace" is for real, and not a propaganda put-on, then he doesn't understand how job creation works.
Employers don't hire strangers and pay them thousands each month out of the goodness of their hearts.
Employers hire because they have more work than they can do themselves, so they hire others rather than turn around business, and they pay those people for doing the work they can't do on their own.

It has nothing to do with how much you want to pay them, or even whether or not you want to give yourself a raise. You pay the salaries dictated by supply and demand in the labor marketplace.

Whether you hire or not depends on if there is DEMAND for your product.
No demand, it doesn't matter how much you are taxed or how much MONEY you have. If the demand isn't there, you won't invest it in your business, you'll invest in something else.
But if there IS demand that you know you can satisfy, it won't matter whether you even have money to capitalize or not. If you see the need, and know you can fill it, but don't have the capital, you will BORROW money if you have to in order to capitalize your investment. Happens all the time.

Sounds like the real reason "Ace" is laying people off is because he doesn't understand how business works.
Peace (and sunshine) to all, DD Wiz

Richard wrote on Oct 17, 2008 4:24 PM:Sorry to have to correct the post above, but it should have read: a vote for McCain is a vote to continue sending billions of Chinese borrowed money into Iraq until violence is sufficiently minimized to McCain's desired level, at which point that surge ending allows us to leave and then violence rises again so we must re-enter, ad nauseaum, and of course is a vote for the related carnage of the uninvolved and a further increase in the vast pool of refugees, and is a vote to kill terrorists even if they hide among civilians, becaues by definition it must have been the civlians harboring them, not the other way around, and of course it's a vote for all girls, no matter how young, no matter if she were raped or not, to have zero legal rights to remove such foreign biological fluid deposited by the criminal and instead she has zero choice except to further its growth to maturity. Do what's right, yes, and vote for anyone except McCain.

Alf wrote on Oct 17, 2008 4:26 PM:Well, "Ace" at 3:58PM,
on the assumption that you are being truthful in your post,
not only are you over-reacting, you are throwing the baby out with the bathwater.
Your choice and your consequences.
Regards, Alf.

Wanda wrote on Oct 17, 2008 4:27 PM:Not sure what sdraoul's rant at 1:28 PM has to do with Wanda, but then this isn't the first sdraoul post that didn't make any sense to me.

If I wake up one morning and find that sdraoul posts make sense, then I'll really worry.

Mr. Flitterman wrote on Oct 17, 2008 4:29 PM:You think Anderson & Fernandez will be beholden to Dr. Guffanti. Who do you think jaka, chunka & lilly are beholden to? The VTA owns them! Do Vista the tax payers, and students a favor and vote for Dr. Guffanti, Anderson and Fernandez.

Reardon wrote on Oct 17, 2008 4:37 PM:Oh, gracchus, et al: Our problem is not instituting my points, or yours -- it is in changing ANYTHING!

The most politically powerful union in California is the teachers unions, but they will not only not support any of us, they will oppose all of us.

Teacher unions are perfectly happy with the status quo, and apparently so are the parents.

Schools are like lawyers and politicians -- everyone thinks they all are bad, EXCEPT their (school)(lawyer)(politician.)

Unlike the banking industry, schools suffer slow educational decay, not catastrophic failure that would cause a populace to leap in a demand a fix.

In education, the signs are there, but they are easy to ignore while we cope with bank failure, economic woes, global whatever, an election, traffic, and our rapidly cooling Starbucks.

Entropy has set in. (The old joke about the Second Law of Thermodynamics is true: 1.) You can't win, you can only break even; 2.) You can't break even except at Absolute Zero; 3.) You can't reach Absolute Zero.)

So Happy To See wrote on Oct 17, 2008 4:41 PM:Republicans do read this paper! Yes , Vote for McCain/Palin, and if you are in Vista vote for Dr. Guffanti, Anderson and Fernandez for the VUSD School Board.

I dont know about Ace wrote on Oct 17, 2008 4:45 PM:I know there are people who have done very well under the Bush regime's philosophy, and Ace appears to be one of them. Of course he should vote for McCain. But notice how resentful he is that his taxes might go up. He'll show those Obama voters: he'll lay them off rather than suffer any profit loss and replace them with machines. It's his workers, after all, who are the ingrates, voting for Obama (who, by the way, will be cutting their taxes). The workers owe Ace, but Ace owes the workers nothing. They have the nerve to look out for their own best interests instead of looking out for Ace's best interest. For this they will be canned (laid off is not really the accurate description: Ace is firing them, as in permanently). Ace will show them that their choice is between getting screwed by a McCain tax plan and getting fired. You see, Ace is in charge, and has been "generous" to those employees, but he can choose to stop being generous when their politics crosses his. Let them starve now, right Ace? Why should you take a pay cut, after all?

Richard wrote on Oct 17, 2008 4:45 PM:Yes, the Civil War ended in 1865 and millions of U.S. citizens obviously have ancestors dating back to Southern plantations; McCain is not unusual in that regard and in fact he doesn't have any prejudice in this regard I've ever seen, so I wouldn't worry about it. The main problem to me is his heavy personal involvement in Vietnam and this tendency he seems to have that we 'lost' there when we didn't, and that we should never have left when we never should have entered. It's not slavery that is an issue with McCain, it's this idea of being general Custer when it comes to any involvement we find ourselves in, even when it can be proven to have been based on a lie in the first place (as in Iraq AND Vietnam).

Caro Hussein Cogitatus wrote on Oct 17, 2008 4:50 PM:Let's get this ACORN thing in perspective, shall we? The Right is laying the groundwork now for an "Obama stole the election!" complaint later.

Fact: ACORN hires local activists to register people to vote. Not Democrats, not liberals, but people. More citizens voting is a good thing.
Fact: Any entity that accepts voter registration forms is legally required to turn every single one of them in to the Registar of Voters. If you think about it, this makes sense, so that voters are assured they will be registered no matter what the political affiliation of their helper. I have volunteered to help new citizens register, and the fact that every form must be returned and that failure to do so is a crime was hammered into our heads .
Fact: Any time you try to get random people to fill out a form, you will get a certain number of assholes, jokesters, and miscreants who will fill in things like "Mickey Mouse" just to mess with you.
Fact: The "Mickey Mouse" registrations were flagged as probably fraudulent because ACORN flagged them that way when they turned them in. ACORN is the victim of any fraud in the matter.
Fact: The number of documented attempts to vote fraudulently nationwide can be counted on both hands.
Fact: Conversely, attempts to deny actual voters the chance to vote have risen dramatically in recent years. Even soldiers stationed overseas have become victims of caging, in which a registered letter is sent to the last known address, and if it's returned, the voter is challenged on election day.

So next time you hear people complaining about ACORN's fraudulent voter registrations, remember that ACORN is the victim.

To Ace wrote on Oct 17, 2008 4:57 PM:Dear Ace @ 3:58pm,

"Destroy your incentive to produce"? W-O-W, that sounds mighty uncapitalistic of you. I am not certain how you come up with the figure that you will "lose" 50% of your income, as you did not source any of your information.
It is a little disheartening that someone in your position of authority and power, would resort to hurting your employees (whom you've always been good to) solely for selfish reasons.... which may not even be valid reasons to begin with - given the lack of information with regard actual income loss.
You now call those dedicated employees: ungrateful and ingrates.
What makes them so awful? Because they dream of the American promise that has so far been blatantly taken away? Because they want healthcare (if you don't provide it) for themselves, their friends, or their family? Because they want college education affordable for their children? Because they want economic prosperity for EVERYONE?
You say you built up your business.... congratulations. Truly.
But to be so cynical, so void of compassion is remarkable.
But I guess YOU will get what YOU ask for.

- Obama supporter and proud of it.

Count them for yourself wrote on Oct 17, 2008 5:00 PM:Alf, That 3:17 PM: Response is not even close to what you said earler.

Alf
[-] wrote on Oct 17, 2008 1:15 PM: Well, "Educate me Alf," at 1:06PM, you are sadly and severely misinformed. But, owing to your obvious right-leaning pitiful attempt at an insult, that does not surprise me in the least.
Regards, Alf.

That's what you said Alf, in black and white. Are all your responses to fellow bloggers that rude and disappointing, or do I just not rate because I'm not one of you regular every day bloggers? There are other sources for all your topocs here, but that does not stop people from asking. Or, was the Question to hard for you and that was the only way to "save face", by insulting me? Maybe you should have kept silent if you did not want to, or could not answer. My origional post was in a light hearted and joking form expressing "MY Opinion", only because I see no differance in the two, but you twisted it in to something else, so I asked you to Educate me Alf, That was all I asked for. Your attitude is childish and uncalled for, I did not deserve it. Don't even bother responding to this.

OBAMACAN wrote on Oct 17, 2008 5:02 PM:Resubmission (edited) of skipped blog.

Reply to "Obama is a flip flopper" at 3:51 p.m.
Obama has not flip-flopped or changed his positions. You obviously don't understand the role COMPROMISE plays in bipartisan governance. Obama did not change his views, but settled for imperfect bills as a compromise to pass provisions he wanted (rather than nothing at all) while acknowledging that the final product contained elements he did not like. That is not flip-flopping.

In contrast, McCain has made genuine policy flip-flops on numerous substantial issues:

Voted against the Bush tax cuts for the richest elites, now says they should be made permanent.

Was against torture, before voting to allow it.

Was against offshore drilling before he was for it.

Sponsored the Kennedy-McCain immigration amnesty plan, now opposes it (his own bill!).

Was keynote speaker for ACORN conference in February 2006; now criticizes Obama for providing legal counsel for them, working with the Department of Justice, TWELVE YEARS AGO.

Gives lip service to environmental and climate change issues, but missed 22 chances last year to back up that lip service with actual votes.

Called Pat Robertson and Jerry Falwell "agents of intolerance" before reversing himself and going hat-in-hand to them begging for their endorsements.

Voted against requiring insurers who cover Viagra to offer contraceptive parity for women, now his spokeswoman Carla Fiorina said he supported it.

Was for deregulation before he was against it.

Then there is the whole thing since the start of the economic meltdown, changing positions and statements by the hour, lurching from left to right to up to down, suspending his campaign, backing out of the debates until there's a deal then going to the debate without a deal. Against buying foreclosed houses. For buying foreclosed houses at reduced value. For buying foreclosed houses at face value (so taxpayers let risky lenders off the hook).

Never votin GOP again wrote on Oct 17, 2008 5:03 PM:To the poster at 4:41... Put a fork in the republican p[arty. It is cooked. Like many American's, I will never cast a vote for a republican again. Anyone who still believes in that party after the last 8 years is missing a few screws. From McCain Palin to ... Guffanti and his Republican school musical chorus line, they are all incapable of governing. Maybe it's because republicans believe in government so they just don't do it. Anyhow - I'm really looking forward to President Obama taking the wheel. 8 years of Obama!!! It will be a landslide. McCain's new theme song will be "Wipeout"

BAN wrote on Oct 17, 2008 5:07 PM:in response to tjeffersons' post about Joe the plummer, it is so typical liberal. whether or not Joe has tax liens or is not licensed, have nothing to do with the underlying issue. Obama is advocating socialism and income distribution as part of his plan for this country. This has never been, nor should it be, a part of this country. Why is it that the liberals can't stand anybody that disagrees with them or thinks that obama might be damaged if some common sense was used in analysis of a situation. tjefferson uses no common sense in his post and is one of the blind loyalist,s who support obama regardless of his socialist policies.

Ace wrote on Oct 17, 2008 5:08 PM:Well, Alf at 4:26 PM, it was getting difficult fitting all 400 employees in my parents' basement anyway.

Ms M Stretching those marks again wrote on Oct 17, 2008 5:13 PM:Wow little sister, Focus now and try to stay with me, You are the one who brought up McCain's Black ancestors from the past, You also went out of your way to (TRY) and make the accusation that because McCain did not write a book about it, He is just as responsible as if he was there at the time, and was a slave owner himself. Even for you M that was sick. Get It, Good!

Reardon wrote on Oct 17, 2008 5:13 PM:Ace: Samuel Gompers put it more succinctly: “ We do want more, and when it becomes more, we shall still want more. And we shall never cease to demand more until we have received the results of our labor.”

The ‘result” many seek is everything you have – so they can “spread the wealth around.”

That is your wealth they are talking about! Politicians do not produce wealth.

If you are for real, you are not alone in your sentiments. I had a similar philosophy when I started my entrepreneurial company, in that if my people unionized I would close the company – not sell it off, close it and sell off the assets.

Everyone knew my attitude, and the subject never came up before I sold off the company o take a senior corporate position.

But the employees attitude is also often something of a given, and there is a natural progression from thankful to have a job, to satisfaction, to ‘that rich SOB doesn’t do a damn thing and makes too much money.”

I think it is a natural push/pull psychological situation – and I saw it as an enlisted man and as an officer on the Navy – the CO would give extra liberty when possible after a particularly hard job, and the men were grateful. If that was extended for any period, the men’s attitude developed to, “If I don’t get extra liberty, I won’t work as hard.”

It is a natural part of the human condition. It is called envy. When envy is in the hands of politicians with the power of government, that is scary.

sdraoul wrote on Oct 17, 2008 5:18 PM:"oh raoul" continues his (or hers) left wing baloney in trying to attack me and my experienced and professional views on debates and polling.

The only polls to pay attention to this far away from an election are rolling and tracking polls taken every day or over a two week period.

Tracking polls like Gallup's and Rasmussen's best reflect what is going on because one third of their respondents are questioned each night with tonight's responses added in and three nights ago taken off.

Gallup today has Obama up by two and Rassmussen has Obama up by four. The average is three.

When McCain gains half a point that is 16 percent. With 19 days to go, McCain needs to only gain 0.15 percent a day to win especially if those points are gained in fewer than 6 states.

If McCain is within 4 to 5 points 72 hours before the election, he wins.

Share the wealth -- it's fair.

tjefferson wrote on Oct 17, 2008 5:18 PM:For Ace at 3:58. What plan does Obama propose that will destroy your incentive? What plan of his will "suck up" 50% of your income? By paying your employees for their time and labor why do you consider that "sharing the wealth?" Why do you feel resentment toward your employees for displaying an Obama bumper sticker on their cars? Why do you expect your employees, who helped build your business, to vote for your candidate? Their contract with you is to work for you. You don't control their vote. Sorry, pal, but your 19th century attitude doesn't work anymore, and I'm surprised you are still in business.

Fred wrote on Oct 17, 2008 5:20 PM:Reading sdraoul's 1:28 PM post, I'm not sure what Joe the Plumber has to do with Wanda, either.

Seems Obama was canvassing in Holland, Ohio and ran into some Rush Limbaugh listener. What are the odds of that?

Do you see this as a consiracy of some sort?

Perhaps a "plant"?

Is Wanda in on it?

Are you on medications of some sort?

DD Wiz wrote on Oct 17, 2008 5:25 PM:Incentives for Hiring
The post from "Ace" (3:58pm) misstates the economic realities of what motivates employers to hire people. I also own a small business. If "Ace" is for real, and not a "Joe the Plumber" put-on, then he doesn't understand how job creation works.
Employers don't hire strangers and pay them thousands each month out of the goodness of their hearts.
Employers hire because they have more work than they can do themselves, so they hire others rather than turn away business, and they pay those people for doing the work they can't do on their own.

It has nothing to do with how much you want to pay them, or even whether or not you want to give yourself a raise. You pay the salaries dictated by supply and demand in the labor marketplace.

Whether you hire or not depends on if there is DEMAND for your product.
No demand, it doesn't matter how much you are taxed or how much MONEY you have. If the demand isn't there, you won't invest it in your business, you'll invest in something else.
But if there IS demand that you know you can satisfy, it won't matter whether you even have money to capitalize or not. If you see the need, and know you can fill it, but don't have the capital, you will BORROW money if you have to in order to capitalize your investment. Happens all the time.

If "Ace" feels he needs to lay people off, perhaps it is because he doesn't understand how business works.
Peace (and sunshine) to all, DD Wiz

Posted 4:24pm; re-posted 5:25pm with minor edits

Richard wrote on Oct 17, 2008 5:37 PM:So it turns out, as suspected, that McCain pals around with Gordon Liddy, the convicted Watergate hotel criminal that caused President Richard Nixon to leave the White House. McCain has the audacity to exaggerate Obama's law breaking acquaintances while expecting you to allow him to pal with his. Pretty sicko. By the way, President Nixon should never have resigned and should have let the impeachment proceeding play out. I predicted back then and still do that we would have been allowed to stay in office because I'm positive that Nixon did not order the Watergate burglary himself. His White House staff did it on their own, thinking Nixon would congratulate their effort if it got him re-elected by their cheating. Liddy went to jail but has said he's still glad he did it. Hopefully this time we have a fair election, where every vote counts and machines are available, even in swing state democrat precincts, and let the best candidate win.

I cant wait til November 5th wrote on Oct 17, 2008 5:41 PM:and see the liberals whine cuz they couldn't steal the election for their treasonous Dems. Don't support perversion. Vote yes on 8.

Vote your own conscience wrote on Oct 17, 2008 5:44 PM:ALL laws are mane-made, including laws against murder. Yes, some of them were codified religious codes, but they would be good (or bad) laws regardless of where the initial concept originated,

On these very pages, others have remarked about religious laws that we have long since abandoned, including dietary laws, but regardless laws are written by man (qua man( for HIS society.

Different societies have different societal laws, and those different laws seem to work pretty well FOR THOSE SOCIETIES.

Slavery was a common thread of almost all societies for millenniums, and law and society accepted that. In Hawaiian society, sex between anyone of the opposite sex of any age was an agreeable act, and there was no “marriage” per se.

Whatever works. We are not Hawaiians, nor do we accept slavery regardless of "history."

Each society sets its own rules, and relying on any ancient book written for a society millenniums ago, whatever the book is called, is immaterial.

Each society reaches its own rules – Saudi rules will not work here, nor our, there.

Society has the right to set its own rules for its society, Neither marriage nor homosexuality is in the US Constitution, so the society that has the right to set its own rules is the State of California under the Constitution’s 10th Amendment.

Vote your own conscience. You do not have to justify why you do anything in the voting booth!

Robo Sleave wrote on Oct 17, 2008 5:53 PM:The McCain campaign is using the same robo-calling firm that helped smear him in 2000. The call spews wrong information. In some states that are receiving the call, these calls are illegal. But the McCain campaign is spending $8million on them anyway. Nothing new for a campaign that is failing.

Looking Glass wrote on Oct 17, 2008 6:00 PM:Reardon, allow me to expand on my points: I totally agree with you about Unions - they don't want change, they just want to keep their fat cat salaries while our kids suffer. (I used to give 5% of my paycheck to my union - not anymore!)I agree that teachers need to be paid more, and have their benefits expanded so that more experienced and professional teachers can be hired. (but $100,000?) I think tenure should be on a earnings basis - If the teacher preforms poorly, they should lose their tenure, and if necessary, their job. I have had too many classes where I learned more from the textbooks than the teacher themselves. Finally, I think that the California students are smart enough to pass 12th grade equivalency if their in the 12th grade. What the mind can conceive, the body can achieve. It is a crying shame that we are importing scientists from other countries while our young minds are not given the resources they need to achieve success.

Turn out the lights on your way out wrote on Oct 17, 2008 6:00 PM:So, General Colin Powell is announcing his endorsement of Obama.

Stick a fork in McCain, because now he's done!

And, poor General Powell once the poster child for the GOP will now be cast as a somehow not being a very remarkable officer.

Powell will be treated with the same contempt rightwingers have for anyone with a military background who dares not to be one of the sheep.

And, when Powell is villified here, just remember, if the kind of people who will no doubt condemn him because of his support for a Democrat, are the same who, if they could have it their way, would want the names of any KIA who either vocalized outrage over the war, or ever voted for a Democrat, scratched off the long black wall of the Viet Nam memorial,

As ye sow, so shall ye reap.

Perhaps the Dems deserve the White House, a Super Majority in the Senate, domination in the House, and the next 3 supreme court nominees, because the of Republican hubris and contempt for the American people!

Willie Wanda Wanka wrote on Oct 17, 2008 6:22 PM:Wanda
[-] wrote on Oct 17, 2008 4:27 PM:Not sure what sdraoul's rant at 1:28 PM has to do with Wanda

Well Wanda Dear, Ya Think it could be your 1:02 post bringing up "Joe"? Ye-gads!

JAKA LILLY CHUNKA wrote on Oct 17, 2008 6:31 PM:JAKA, LILLY and CHUNKA believe in public education.

JAKA, LILLY and CHUNKA believe in building new schools when existing schools are overcrowded. They believe in FACT based education including in science, history and health classes.

JAKA, LILLY and CHUNKA do not have any hidden agenda. They say what they believe before the election and will not spring a “stealth agenda” on the district after the election.

JAKA, LILLY and CHUNKA respect parents and teachers. (They show up for all forums and do not dismiss parent and children’s forum questions as either too scary or too unimportant to answer.)

JAKA, LILLY and CHUNKA will not bring controversy and chaos to our VUSD schools.

Based on what Guffanti, Anderson and Fernandez have written and said it is VERY likely that those three are the exact opposites of JAKA, LILLY and CHUKA. We can expect very sad times again in VUSD if Guffanti and his clones are elected.

VOTE JAKA, LILLY and CHUNKA for VUSD school board,if you want continued growth in student test scores and do not want to embroil the district in fringe political issues.

Flipper wrote on Oct 17, 2008 6:37 PM:Good rebuttal to the 3:51 slander against Obama by OBAMACAN at 4:07p.m
Many excellent specific examples of McCain flip-flops!

McCainiacs are pointing a phony finger at Obama while three more point back at him!

Reardon wrote on Oct 17, 2008 6:40 PM:DD: Acorn is the victim. Black is white. War is peace.

I got it!

Really.

NOOOOOOOOO wrote on Oct 17, 2008 6:44 PM:Thanks Obama is a flip flopper" at 3:51 p.m. You woke up Obamacan.

Chicago Shocker wrote on Oct 17, 2008 6:52 PM:Chicago may be, politically, a Democratic town.
But their main paper, the Chicago Tribune, is one of the most conservative in the entire nation.
Since their founding in June 1847 (that's EIGHTEEN forty-seven - 161 years ago), they have NEVER endorsed a Democrat for President - not even when their own Illinois governor, Adlai Stevenson ran twice in the 1950's.

Today, the Chicago Tribune, for the first time ever, endorsed a Democrat for President: BARACK OBAMA.

Reardon wrote on Oct 17, 2008 6:54 PM:From the Wall Street Journal: KANSAS CITY, Mo. -- While U.S. airlines downsize and scrimp on amenities, one carrier is offering its passengers leather seats, ample legroom and free food. But frequent fliers probably don't want a ticket on what may be the fastest growing "airline" serving Central America.
This carrier is run by U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement, the federal agency responsible for finding and deporting undocumented immigrants. A crackdown on illegal immigration has led to a spike in deportations and the creation of a de facto airline to send the deportees home.
View Slideshow
Earlier this month, a group of undocumented immigrants boarded an ICE Air plane at Mesa, Ariz., for their one-way flight back to Guatemala City.
The air service, called Repatriate by air-traffic controllers, is known simply as ICE Air to agency employees. Its planes have headrests emblazoned with ICE's name and seal. In-flight service is polite.
"For a lot of these immigrants, it has been a long journey to the U.S.," said Michael J. Pitts, chief of flight operations for deportations and removals at ICE. "This is going to be the last impression they have of the United States. We want to provide good service."
Mr. Pitts, a former military pilot, said ICE Air operates much like a commercial carrier, flying passengers to hub cities where they connect to international flights. But those hub cities -- such as Mesa, Ariz., and Alexandria, La., which are close to illegal-immigrant detention sites -- are relatively obscure. And the final destinations are primarily in Latin America, including up to three flights daily to Guatemala City and two to Tegucigalpa, Honduras. Mr. Pitts also recently launched service to the Philippines, Indonesia and Cambodia.
In all, the U.S. government deports people to more than 190 countries. Outside of Mexico, ICE flew home 76,102 illegal immigrants in the fiscal year that ended Sept. 30, up from 72,187 last year and 50,222 two years ago.

Wanda wrote on Oct 17, 2008 7:04 PM:sdraoul, at 5:18 PM, once again shares with us what he refers to as "...my experienced and professional views..."

Why do you take yourself so seriously? Nobody else does.

FIRE wrote on Oct 17, 2008 7:17 PM:Fire/Wildfire --- be careful what you do.

If a Fire Chief does not support Prop A that is not a rational reason that you should follow his position.

In fact the Fire Chief message in the NCTimes on Oct 5 2008 has some inaccurate information.

The County Supervisors including Ron Roberts recognizes the need for better fire service.

The most important fact is San Diego County cities and unincorporated areas do not have enough fire protection apparatus nor Fire Fighters.

It is hard to out smart the fires, but we must do our best for all the SD County communities. A fire starting inland can easily travel to the coast.

$52 is a lot during the current economy, but saving lives, homes, critters, and businesses are worth it.

Disclaimer: I am not related with fire in any form; i.e. no relatives, no business, etc.

OBAMACAN wrote on Oct 17, 2008 7:20 PM:Actualy, Reardon at 6:40 p.m., the post from Caro Hussein Cogitatus (not DD) at 4:50 p.m., was exactly right. Caro listed specific points, none of which you addressed.

ACORN is required by law to submit all forms.
They pre-screened them, and identified hundreds that appeared suspect, so they could receive additional scrutiny.

Again, as others have noted, Obama's contact with ACORN has been remote as well as distant in time - TWELVE YEARS ago. McCain appeared before them as their KEYNOTE SPEAKER in February 2006.
So I suppose you are agreeing, therefore, that by McCain's standard, McCain should be disqualified for his association with and support of this nefarious organization?

Wanda wrote on Oct 17, 2008 7:27 PM:The post at 6:22 PM seems to have discovered a link between my post at 1:02 PM (addressed to Alf regarding "guilt by association" which we both wish had died with McCarthy era) and sdraoul's 1:28 PM post (about some Rush Limbaugh listener named "Joe the Plumber" in Holland, Ohio).

I'm happy to say I still don't see any connection between this pompous blowhard's incoherent rant and me, unless my using "Joe" in my post set him off (perhaps a "word association" quirk).

Thanks for trying to help :)

Ron wrote on Oct 17, 2008 7:31 PM:Boy, is THAT a list of excuse's...
"gracchus" {Oct 17} @12:17 AM,

But, let me cut to chase here, as I'm apt to do, on a daily basis.

First, I said, "We have nearly 50% of kids not making it out of high school.
Why is that? Does their years of training, as regulated by this government give them this ability to lose 50% of their students?"

I never said they were incompetent, I said teachers educated by the regulatory system in this government, are losing 50% of students.

I will actually agree with you, some parents actually do not care.
And this translates directly to their children, so they don't care either.

That leaves the 50% of parent's who DO care, and translates to 50% of kid's who care about their education.

So, In my mind, we could actually reduce by half, and save some money.
What's the point in spending more, to warehouse kid's, who couldn't care less?
If they and their parent's don't value the free education we give them, fine.
They can do without. The world needs ditchdiggers too.

Reardon wrote on Oct 17, 2008 7:37 PM:Caro, Obamacan, DD: I suspect they are all the same IP address.

We will await the FBI reports, and the investigations currently underway in 10 states to determine if ACORN is a "victim."

Of course the FBI, and Attorney Generals of 10 states are always investigating victims.

Meanwhile, if it walks like a duck...

Ron wrote on Oct 17, 2008 7:44 PM:I'm really chuckling after reading my good buddy's post. You know...
"The Wizzer" {Oct 16}@ 9:28 PM.

I vote for best line:
"Sweaty Marxists"...

Now that is good, but ironic, as my friend will agree. The the Father of modern day Marism/Socialism never worked a "sweaty" day in his entire life. The guy was a drunk, who sponged off other's, so he could lay back, make babies, and write a thesis about the kind of lifestyle, he wanted.
He was the original "welfare queen", I don't mind saying, and wrote an economic theory, based around him.
I always go back to the writers of these things, cause then, you can really get a good feel as to why they wrote what they did.

In any event, you never answered my question, there buddy.
Do you offer profit sharing?
Since, it is as you say...
THEY make the profit. So tell us, how much of the profit do they get to keep, and how much do you yourself keep, while out vacationing?

Seems to a lot of us, if you guy's are truly... TRULY interested in "spreading the wealth around", then perhaps we should start with you. Show us by example how it's done. Maybe, you'll enlighten the rest of us.
But, what I suspect is, that like NObama & NOBiden, you'd rather spread other people's wealth around, before theirs. Right?

Ron wrote on Oct 17, 2008 7:53 PM:Almost 8pm, and I see we have had a very busy day today. Some 114 posts...
I'm glad to see my tax dollars are at work here, and some will be voting in this election to see how much more they can pry out of working americans.
Why not just be honest, and go to their front doors?

DD Wiz wrote on Oct 17, 2008 7:55 PM:Reardon gets it wrong -- again
The post from "Reardon" (7:37pm) jumps to the conclusion that I am the same poster as "Caro Hussein Cogitatus." Actually, while many here have linked me to my real offline identity, "Caro" also writes letters to the editor, but he has not been "outed." And he is not me :-)
Here is one of your problems, "Reardon." It is not that conservatives don't connect dots, but they miss the real connections and connect the imaginary ones. You see certain traits that two participants have in common, and then jump to conclusions. You do not understand the liberal mentality. While conservatives pride themselves on being "lone wolves," "mavericks" and "rugged individuals," liberals pride themsleves in teamwork, cooperation and working together. We liberals are just more sociable and cooperative. Some of the liberals here do know each other, and exchange feedback with each other, and that does creep into picking up tips and tricks to improve the presentation of our posts. And the fact is, as much as I would love to take credit for all the brilliant posts from all the brilliant liberals (who connect the right dots and get it RIGHT),

"Reardon":
You connected the dots wrong on Y2K.
You don't grasp issues of environment and energy.
You don't connect the dots as to how productivity, supply/demand, employment and consumer confidence interact to create prosperity.
You have frequently jumped to conclusions about individuals here and gotten it WRONG.
Over and over again, you keep on pontificating on subjects and keep getting it WRONG.
Peace (and sunshine) to all, DD Wiz

Ron wrote on Oct 17, 2008 7:56 PM:This post by "Obama Osama and Ayers"
@10:02 AM brings to mind a point that I have long wondered about.

If Barackous NObamous couldn't tell, or thought Bill Ayers was reformed?

How in the heck is he going to be able to tell the differences between other terrorists?
Oh, that's right... It's our fault they hate us. And we just need to pay them some welfare, so that they will know "We" are good people. Like them.

Greg wrote on Oct 17, 2008 8:03 PM:Voting yes on 8 won't take away hospital visitation rights or the ability to designate the beneficiary of your health insurance. It just reinstates what the historical and common sense definition of marriage is.

Ms M wrote on Oct 17, 2008 8:04 PM:Ms M Stretching those marks again
[-] wrote on Oct 17, 2008 5:13 PM:...GO BACK AND READ THE POST. It was an article that spoke about McCain's Black relatives. That's all. Unless I missed something. I did not accuse McCain of anything except not acknowleging his Black relatives. As the article stated he doesn't go to the family reunions or acknowledge that side of his family. There was a picture posted along with the article showing McCain's kin - Black and White. This is the first that I had heard about it. There was no accusation in my post- just an observation. Chill!

still waiting raoul wrote on Oct 17, 2008 8:04 PM:Once again raoul insists that if his man is losing, by not too much, somewhere, he is winning. OK, that's fine. But my question remains: raoul, if McCain should lose, depsite all your expert predictions, how, exactly, will you eat your hat? Will you say to us: I seem to have been wrong, mates! Will you say: The dems cheated!? Let us know how you will handle defeat, should that unlikely event occur. Or, will you say, as I expect, that starting in late January, all the world's woes are Obama's fault? You yahoos can look forward to one thing: if Obama wins, you can look forward to 8 years of blaming Obama for absolutely everyting! Whoopeee! Party before country, every time!

DD Wiz wrote on Oct 17, 2008 8:12 PM:Ron Swings and Misses -- Again
The post from "Ron" (7:44pm) again respondes to my posts in support of regualted entrepreneurial capitalism, by taking at swipe at -- KARL MARX!
We agree that Karl Marx is the author of a failed, discredited theory.
The difference, is that I support a structured, regulated framework within which capitalism has always thrived while you supported dismantling that framework into enconomic deregulatory ANARCHY of a kind that has never, ever succeeded.
Both extremes, deregulation and centralized, public ownership, have always failed.
In contrast, the system put together by FDR to SAVE CAPITALISM, has always generated the greatest prosperity in history.

And as to answering specific personal questions, I will not be bullied by little tyrants who try to intrude in specific, individual matters. The point of this forum is not our personal lives, but our opinions and ideologies. "Ron" repeatedly avoids, evades and changes the subject on matters of ideology; but then demands, DEMANDS! that others answer specific individual matters.
To the extent that I discuss such matters, I will do so on my own terms.

I will say that, as a matter of ideology, my involvement with those who create wealth is to be extremely generous in making sure that those who create wealth benefit from it. Prior to opening my own business, I had greater reservations than I do now about regulation. The experience of realizing that one can be both profitable and operate with sincere goodwill to workers as well as consumers, made a huge difference in removing the thought that appropriate regulations are "burdensome" on small business. On the contrary, happy workers and customers are the backbone of successful business, and the complaining by "Ace" about his customers and employees probably explains more about his slowdown than the fear of the need to protect the very people who he expects to get rich off.
Peace (and sunshine) to all, DD Wiz

Reardon wrote on Oct 17, 2008 8:23 PM:DD: you continue to pick nits and major in minor things.

let me speak plainly: I know your name, real and imaginary. I have asked my wife to check, and neither of your names appears on any of my checks over the past few years.

Therefore, I do not care.

Apollo wrote on Oct 17, 2008 8:23 PM:Re: Greg (8:03 p.m.)
Prop 8 does make it more difficult to have hospital visitation rights or the ability to designate the beneficiary for health insurance, requiring engaging attorneys and drawing up complex and expensive legal instruments in ways not required for heterosecual couples.

Prop 8 purports to "defend" marriage and "protect" families by destroying legal marriages and families and excluding the scope of marriage to include all adult couples.

In the meantime, Greg longs for the "historical and common sense definition of marriage."
You mean like the tradition of prohibiting intrracial marriage?
That was a long-standing tradition!
You mean, Bible-based "traditional" marriage, such as arranged marriages to several underaged girls?

Reardon wrote on Oct 17, 2008 8:34 PM:Ron: As adults, people who spread their own financial wealth around are called "philanthropists." And, it is their own wealth to spread!

Obama wants to spread other people's wealth!

Since Obama is an honorable man, I assume he will ask for donation to a special foundation.

DD Wiz wrote on Oct 17, 2008 8:38 PM:Reardon Out of Steam
The post from "Reardon" (8:23pm) can be summarized and paraphrased into one sentence:
"I am completely out of any ability to interact at the level of ideas, and am now reduced to nothing more than pathetic personal invective."
Sad.
Sorry, "Reardon."
I am not going to be dragged down into wallowing in the mud with you, since I am sure that is the one venue where you have an advantage.
If you are out of IDEAS regarding the economy, environment, energy or political theory, then go take your mud-throwing to the junior high school where it is more age-appropriate.
Peace (and sunshine) to all, DD Wiz

Simple wrote on Oct 17, 2008 8:43 PM:If you don't want to marry gays in your chuch then don't do so. Under California law they must be treated equal with civil marriages. Get over it.

gracchus wrote on Oct 17, 2008 8:56 PM:all right, ron. at 7:31 p.m. you clarifed your position on education. you don't consider most teachers incompetent. you believe that regulations are the cause of poor primary and secondary education in the united states. you corrected my perception of your opinion. thank you. you're still wrong.

schools require oversight for curriculum and teacher qualifications. that means state regulation. i offered my views on how to improve that regulation. i substantially agree with reardon's seven points which he put forth today at 10:14 a.m. they too would require state regulation.

i find especially disturbing your complete dismissal of 50% of the kids who are not interested in academics. if they are not offered trade programs, they won't automatically become ditch diggers; they will turn to delinquency.
the government should be developing trade programs for all kids who graduate from the 8th grade but have no interest in studying academics.

a couple of months ago i read an interesting memoir called ALL THE PRESIDENT'S PASTRIES. it is the work of the former pastry chef to the white house. he's french. in primary school he learned basic reading, writing, and math. it was all he needed to get an apprenticeship at age 14 with a pastry shop. and he learned and learned and eventually became the person in charge of desserts in the white house kitchen.

i think that the united states should consider this european model. by the time a person has graduated from 8th grade, he should have all the reading, writing, and math skills that he will need to succeed in life. he should also have a good idea whether he wants to pursue academic studies or wants to become a tradesman or artisan. either way education needs regulation.

your notion of casting aside 50% of the children is not just callous, ron; it is dangerous to your self-preservation. you should be interested in nuturing all of them, so that they all become productive members of society. if you don't, you'll have gangs of delinquents preyin on you at your business and at your home.

Richard wrote on Oct 17, 2008 9:24 PM:Leave it to an anti liberal to cry foul about socialistic income re-distribution, all while Bush and Paulson literally demanded that the very survival of our country hinged on a 840 billion dollar redistribution of wealth from citizens into Wall Street coffers. As far as I'm concerned, liberals are absolute saints compared to whatever it is Bush and his GOP money worshipping followers perceive themselves to be.

Reardon wrote on Oct 17, 2008 9:32 PM:gracchus: My points did not address my support for public education, it was just my advise on how to make it work.

I did not address the advisability of making it work, or how it should be "regulated."

Education is a State issue, but with heavy tentacles of Washington inserted.
My own preference would be for teachers to be certified by a private accountancy panel such as that which passes on CPAs.

But I did not address that, or many other of my preferences. Just administering our agreed upon points would be a grand improvement, regardless of who does the administering but that is not going to happen either.

Too many rice bowls would need to be broken.

Roberto1 wrote on Oct 17, 2008 9:36 PM:Oh Raoul, I to need a envious counter poster like yourself. Can you help me find one? I too support McCain - Palin and have had enough of all this empty liberal hooey when it comes to my tax dollars.

Ms M Stretching those marks again wrote on Oct 17, 2008 9:40 PM:Ms M
[-] wrote on Oct 17, 2008 12:29 PM: White and black members of the McCain family have met on the plantation several times over the last 15 years, but one invited guest has been conspicuously absent: Sen. John Sidney McCain.

Well Ms M, Your fooling no one, You said it, So I'm going to drill you on it.

I bet we ALL have 2ed and 3ed cousins as well as other distant family living across the country that we don't visit as adults, probably because we did not know them as children, and maybe have never seen our whole lives. I know I do, I think most do as well.

And You said at 12:29PM: "Psst, John McCain, you have black folks in your family! Your family has a history of being slave owners. I bet that's a revelation he didn't want to come out. Talk about roots....Oh my - well it's out now!"

Now Ms M, If that's not "greasing the wheels" pushing for some Race Banging, I don't know what is, like I said M, How low will you go? You are not fooling anyone, You and your rumor mill cronies are not going to get away with pointless innuendoes and not get called on it, Yes it's a mixed family, No some family members don't see eachother, SO WHAT! There are much greater issues to talk about. And I'll Chill when I'm ready, not when you tell me.

Reardon wrote on Oct 17, 2008 9:45 PM:Marvelous!

Richard argues that adding socialism for the poor to the Bush administration's socialism for the rich will save the country.

Nothing can save this nation.

Chris wrote on Oct 17, 2008 9:56 PM:Is Ace another name for Bill?

Chris to Perversion is wrong wrote on Oct 17, 2008 9:59 PM:OH, Please.

Chris wrote on Oct 17, 2008 10:01 PM:It looks like there was part of Reardons blog on Libertarians and Liberals was cut off. Hmmmmm.

Chris to Richard wrote on Oct 17, 2008 10:19 PM:I was reading you blogs from yesterday and I noticed that you said something about your students. Are your lectures and attempts at teaching a muddled as your post?

to Chris wrote on Oct 17, 2008 10:44 PM:oh please? If thats your best argument I'm LOL.

sdraoul wrote on Oct 17, 2008 11:15 PM:If “wanda” and her fellow travelers wish to challenge my credentials on politics and government, they are welcome to try. But, if they try, they should at least present the board with their credentials like I did a couple of weeks ago.

I posted that my first paid political job was for a U.S. Senator in 1962 and I've managed to work in hundreds of campaigns of local, state and federal persuasions since.

Bring it on children.

As to what I will do if McCain loses I'll do the same thing I did when Clinton was elected. I'll find a spot on talk radio like I did in 1994 and proceed to have a good time tearing down the phony Obama like I did Clinton who, in the long run, disgraced himself and will forever be known for his impeachment not a good presidency.

DD Wiz wrote on Oct 18, 2008 6:02 AM:Liberalism vs. Socialism
The post from "Reardon" (9:45pm) continues to demonstrate a failure to grasp economic issues or to read others' posts carefully. The post from "Richard" (9:24pm) to which "Reardon" responds did not promote "socialistic income re-distribution" -- it referred to complaints about that from "anti liberals" which, as I have often noted, are unfounded. In fact, whatever "Richard" may or may not feel about the merits of liberalism, his post did not say much about liberals per se, even when he said they are "absolute saints" it was only when "compared to" Bush and the Republicans.
Yet again, "Reardon" jumps to conclusions and guesses WRONG.

(Disclaimer: no, I am not "Richard" and do not know his offline identity, unlike ""Caro Hussein Cogitatus" with whom I do have offline contact, but who also is not me, nor am I the "twit" who has impersonated "Reardon's" screen name, as "Reardon" once accused me in yet another WRONG guess, and whose tactic I repudiate and renounce.)

To help "Reardon" out, the ISSUE here is that Republicans swing from one extreme, the economic bankruptcy of deregulatory lassiez-faire economic anarchy, to (when that fails) full socialistic takeover and (when that fails) back. Yet these hypocrites yell "SOCIALIST" at the Democrats who support having an adequate economic system of structural support for a market system of entrepreneurship -- a protective regulatory framework within which an infinite range of business decisions can be made (as in sports or driving).
Peace, prosperity and sunshine to all,
DD Wiz

Wanda wrote on Oct 18, 2008 7:10 AM:Get over yourself, sdraoul.

Richard wrote on Oct 18, 2008 9:26 AM:The posts I submitted aren't for textbooks, just casual conversation. I've written several textbooks, not history or political books, they're on chemistry, physics, math, and yes those are written clearly, not like most commonly used, muddled ones, but I don't see that this adds anything to what we were discussing, i.e., this complaint doesn't refute what I posted. These were brief posts, considering the subject matter, but the original intent remains, that I have every right to hold the view still that it is sad that textbooks in Vietnam refer to the Vietnam war as the American War. There needs to be better communication between us and foreign countries or, my guess is there will be even more and more Iraq/Vietnam nonsense. If foreigners out there still think Americans want to conquer other nations (an extension of the views of the Project for the New American Century under Kristorl, Wolfowitz, etc.), then don't you think even civilians will again be attacked in secret kamikaze type style as a result? If communication improves, there's a better chance of minimizing such activity.
And thanks DD Wiz, for correctly interpreting my post. I didn't think when I re-read it that it was unclear, but to some it was. Thanks.

Alf wrote on Oct 18, 2008 10:15 AM:Well, "Count them for yourself" at 5:00PM,
you got what you asked for by starting out with an insult.
The same insult that is hurled by Republicans who recognize that there are "moderate" and other gradations of Republicans, but accuse anyone who has any view that is not strictly along the "party line" of the Libertarian Party as being a "liberal".

That attitude is a load of garbage.

Need I remind you who started off on the wrong foot by YOUR "Well boys and girls, The only real difference between a Libertarian and a Liberal anymore, is the number of letters in there name.", and that you did not even spell the second to last word correctly or use the multiple form for the last word, it should be "in THEIR NAMES.".

Regards, Alf.

Richard wrote on Oct 18, 2008 12:01 PM:More optional reading: Good point Alf. What I admire is the person who is liberal when it comes to mercy, charity, and concern, while also being conservative when it comes to maintaining the original principles of the Constitution, conservation of the environment, using natural resources wisely rather than for maximum profit, and fighting against government excesses, such as any bailout that might be taxation without representation. Labeling that kind of person a 'liberal' is ok if the context is clear, or labeling him 'conservative' is fine if context is clear. But denouncing him by labeling him 'liberal' or 'conservative' usually invents misinformation; now incredibly so common that the words lost all modern meaning unless you know exactly who you are talking with. These posts unfortunately have a built-in potential compromised intercommunication problem because they can't be face-to-face of course.
I used to believe that "sticks and stones can break my bones but words can never hurt me," and was taught that in school, but I don't agree with that anymore. Words are capable of massive, real and permanent damage, particularly when so easily redefined by the listener. Many label Bush a conservative, but I think he is the full opposite of conservative on many issues I've heard him discuss. The label just doesn't stick and in fact has virtually zero meaning. 1) Criminals can be often right about lots of things and 2) even a saint is sometimes wrong. Labels without context, with no explanation of meaning, are therefore useless, except to intentionally exaggerate guilt by inference for the purpose of enforcing and accelerating some incorrect vandetta or viewpoint. So I agree, most labels are what they are, pure garbage. Labeling Obama a 'liberal' is a cute denigration by GOP hacks until it got to the point where people actually believe it. Obama is a one-woman family man, a civilized human being, where even McCain himself (who Pailin claims might have 'links' to terror) admitted he is nothing to fear if elected to the White House and is a decent family man. Context is everything, while labels are lies disguised as though they're credible descriptors. Obama is wrong about some things and right about most things. Bush has been wrong about most things and right about a few things. Neither can be assigned a label.

bodecea wrote on Oct 18, 2008 1:41 PM:"Yes on 8"

Thank you for that perfect example of how you and your ilk bear false witness in order to try to push your religious viewpoint onto civil law. I can't even find one true statement in your entire comment. Pretty amazing, that.

Warning. wrote on Oct 19, 2008 1:17 PM:The reason why failure of Prop. 8 will affect our children's education is because the definition of marriage as only between a man and a woman will no longer stand. That opens the doors to children being taught as young as kindergarten about same sex "marriage" and books like "King and King" will be mainstreamed into the curriculum and it will be legal to do so. As a parent, I believe that it should be up to me as to when and how I explain these concepts to my kids. Also, parents don't necessarily have a say, as shown by the guy in Massachusetts who was arrested when he went down to his child's school and wanted to opt his kid out of this type of teaching. If it can happen there, what's to say it won't happen here?

I believe that we should all respect the rights of others to live their lives as they choose (and to take the consequences of those actions). To me, marriage isn't a right - it's an institution that has existed long before governments came into play. It's true that marriage has been weakened by divorce and our convenience, self-centered society, but why weaken it further? Please vote yes on Prop. 8.