The popularity of Barack Obama’s hope-themed campaign shows that the country is eager for positive leadership, not a continuation of the divisiveness fostered by the Bush administration.
A positive message, of course, is not enough to be elected president, and we do have reservations about Sen. Obama’s limited experience. But his policies for righting the economy, ending the war in Iraq and moving America toward energy independence align with voters’ top concerns.
This paper has long respected and supported John McCain. However, Sen. McCain has compromised his principles by switching his positions on key issues and tolerating a persistently negative campaign to get elected.
The Barack Obama and Joe Biden ticket, with its serious focus and consistency on our most pressing issues, will better serve Maine and America.
Susan Collins for Senate
Sen. Susan Collins will be instrumental in bridging partisan divides and moving needed legislation forward as the country faces many pressing issues. That is why Maine voters should re-elect her to the U.S. Senate.
Sen. Collins has been at the center of congressional debate and policymaking on all the major issues in recent years. She is one of 20 senators working on a comprehensive energy policy. Her legislation to shift more of the Iraq war burden to the Iraqis was recently enacted.
She has helped secure more than $100 million in funding for research and development in Maine, creating new jobs.
Sen. Collins is not afraid to stand up to her party leadership. She voted against the last three budgets submitted by the Bush administration and successfully resisted White House efforts to eliminate an Iraq reconstruction watchdog.
Democrat Tom Allen has no shortage of big ideas, especially with regard to health care. However, his resume is short on legislation fulfilling these ideas.
Sen. Collins’ success shows that diligence, persistence and a centrist approach are necessary and valued. Such qualities will be needed even more over the next six years.
Mike Michaud for 2nd District
Mike Michaud’s ability to work with his colleagues regardless of political affiliation and get things done is good reason for the voters of the 2nd Congressional District to return him to Congress.
During his tenure on the Veterans Affairs Committee, a new clinic has been built in Lincoln, and the local hospital in Houlton has partnered with the VA to provide services in that community. An innovative complex in Bangor, which combines a VA clinic, veterans home, hospice care and low-income housing, and a mobile clinic to serve veterans in rural areas are also in the works.
He worked for nearly four years to create the Northern Border Regional Commission, which will invest $30 million per year in economic development and job creation projects in the most economically distressed areas of Maine, New Hampshire, Vermont and New York.
Rep. Michaud’s hard work and priorities serve the 2nd District well, and he deserves to be re-elected.
Chellie Pingree for 1st District
Though both Democrat Chellie Pingree and Republican Charlie Summers are strong, knowledgeable candidates with well thought-out positions on the issues, it is Ms. Pingree who should represent Maine’s 1st Congressional District.
Ms. Pingree’s commitment to health care reform, an energy policy that gets beyond petroleum, a tax policy that fairly addresses growing budget deficits, and a foreign policy that would end a war costing up to $400 million a day will serve Maine and the nation well.
Ms. Pingree distinguished herself in four terms in the Maine Senate during the 1990s, where she rose to leadership, serving as the Senate majority leader. Though her core principles are liberal, Ms. Pingree was a pragmatic Democrat in the Legislature, working to ensure that health care reform and other initiatives eased the burden on small businesses as much as they helped middle-class families.
That approach will serve the 1st District well.
No on Question 1
Adding a few pennies to the cost of a beer or soda is not going to cause hardship among Maine residents or wreck the Maine economy. Eliminating health care coverage for thousands of Maine residents will.
There are problems with the state’s Dirigo Health program, but rejecting this tax will not fix them. Instead it will ensure that the program meant to expand insurance coverage and improve health care by maximizing savings and improving quality remains hobbled. Rejecting Question 1 would give Dirigo a chance to succeed.
The taxes replace the controversial savings offset payment. The SOP was meant to be a calculation of the health care savings resulting from Dirigo reforms, with the savings to be used to extend health care policies to those without insurance.
The Maine State Chamber of Commerce, a supporter of the beverage tax repeal, recently filed another lawsuit challenging the SOP, endangering this funding source as well.
A vote against Question 1 will give an innovative health care reform system a chance to succeed.
No on Question 2
With the exception of the Hollywood Slots facility in Bangor, Mainers have rejected casino and racino proposals when they have come before them for ballot approval. A full-service gambling casino and resort in Oxford should meet the same fate on Nov. 4.
Like the other gambling proposals, the Oxford casino would direct a substantial portion of revenue toward public education, expanding health care access, developing alternative fuels and other worthy endeavors. But these sums pale in comparison to the money that will leave the state.
Most troubling is the terribly flawed law attached to the referendum question. It calls for lowering the gambling age from 21 to 19, allowing the casino to extend credit to patrons, and putting the president of the casino on the boards of gambling regulatory agencies and the institutions that would benefit from the revenue. Casino backers have pledged to rewrite the law, a process with a highly unpredictable outcome in the Legislature.
This is not a gamble Maine should take.
Yes on Question 3
The $3.4 million the state wants to borrow for public water systems and wastewater treatment plants is important for public health, economic development and easing sewer and water rates. The bond should be approved.
The money will replenish two revolving loan funds that towns and cities use when water supply and delivery systems and wastewater treatment plants need upgrades. The $3.4 million will bring in $17 million in federal funds.
On 11/1/08 at 8:02 AM,
bogger wrote:
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No surprise here from this rag. However I am surpised you support Susan Collins. I just hope logical can see through your decision on whom you support.
On 11/1/08 at 9:51 AM,
Govt2Big wrote:
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As bogger wrote, I am surprised this pro-liberal and pro-tax newspaper did not support Tom "no show" Allen for the U.S. Senate. Maybe they just had to do that in order to keep their "bipartisan" reputation. I hope nobody wastes their money and actually pays for the paper edition.
On 11/1/08 at 10:04 AM,
jaygee wrote:
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The popularity of Barack Obama’s hope-themed campaign is testimony to the fact that the mainstream media has unashamedly done almost everything in their power to hand him a victory and in doing so, betrayed the public good and furnished the largest campaign contribution of all time.
On 11/1/08 at 10:45 AM,
graybeard wrote:
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In my humble view you only have it right 28% of the time!
On 11/1/08 at 10:57 AM,
kleban wrote:
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If you are voting for Obama, remember that he will need all the votes he can get to pass legislation to help the middle class and working Mainers and clean up all the other messes left behind by Bush (with the assistance of Collins, among others). The Senate is especially important, since the Democrats should be close to 60 votes, which would allow them to stop Republican vetoes. One more Senator could make an enormous difference. So a vote for Allen is support for Obama.
On 11/1/08 at 11:13 AM,
Lobstarok wrote:
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"Barack Obama's senior advisers have drawn up plans to lower expectations for his presidency if he wins next week's election, amid concerns that many of his euphoric supporters are harboring unrealistic hopes of what he can achieve." But the obama lama dingbats will still vote for him-what a liar
On 11/1/08 at 11:27 AM,
kleban wrote:
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Help Obama do more than he otherwise could. Vote for Allen!
On 11/1/08 at 11:31 AM,
kleban wrote:
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jaygee, you are incorrect about the media. First of all, they haven't contributed any money to his campaign (most of it comes from small donors). Secondly, if anything, they have been kind to McCain, often treating his slimy exaggerations as if they were somehow on the same level as Obama's criticisms of him.
On 11/1/08 at 11:50 AM,
GeraldWeinand wrote:
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Will those of you that are supporting Obama and Collins please explain your position, especially if you are registered as a Dem?
If you really want to see Obama succeed as president, then you ought to work to provide him with a 60 seat Dem majority in the Senate. If you think Collins is going to vote for his programs, I urge you to contact your friends in Connecticut and ask them how they feel about Joe Lieberman.
On 11/1/08 at 1:38 PM,
Saltoria wrote:
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Thank you BDN . Now I know how to vote! :)
On 11/1/08 at 8:34 PM,
jimmyk wrote:
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In your endorsment of Obama, you left out the most important reason why he should be president over Mccain. Joe the plumber will go away if Obama wins. Forget about a failing economy and two wars. America, I am begging you. Do your civic duty and make joe the plumber go away.
On 11/2/08 at 4:48 AM,
tewhiti wrote:
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With all the jobs that Bush has sent overseas, with all the pensions lost, with ten billion dollars a month wasted in Iraq, we would be foolish not to pay close attention to which candidate the proven financial geniuses are supporting for president. Warren Buffet, Paul Volker, George Soros are supporting Obama. Soros in particular predicted this disaster of Bush policies and whereas it is in agreement with Soros, looks like the BDN has got it right.
On 11/2/08 at 8:01 AM,
Saltoria wrote:
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It appears Obama made a serious error when he revealed his true self (probably got caught off guard) to joe's question. I can't think of anyone who is in favor of redistribution of wealth. With capitalism we have a progressive tax system. Tax money is used to fund programs to help the poor (among other things). With Obama's idea of "spreading the wealth" that tax money goes directly from one hand to another. It isn't used to fund a program designed to help the poor. Call it what you like (most consider it a socialist philosophy) but whatever it is, it is not good.
On 11/2/08 at 9:01 AM,
searoses wrote:
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Saltoria: Barack Obama is not a socialist even, John McCain said so in a interview on CNN...these people that say he is. Are doing what is called red baiting...when they use the socialist, this first thing alot of people think of is the USSR ....and that is the only reason they say it...I don't care if you vote for McCain that's your bussiness...let me ask you why are you so ready to believe the know lies from the McCain camp..when so many good people on here tell you differently....I have no ties to the Obama camp..My livelihood does not depened on him winning... I really do think he's a good man if I didn't I wouldn't be here...Do you think it's all right for Ms. Palin to allow people to chant KILL HIM and and NOT HUSSIEN at her rallies...this only divides this country , if someone does KILL HIM the blood will be on her hands...I for one will not vote for someone that would just as soon she her opponent murdered to win.
On 11/2/08 at 9:26 AM,
Saltoria wrote:
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Go back and read what I said, my friend. I didn't call him a socialist. I said (in so many words) that some people might call his proposed tax plan a socialist ideology, but it doesn't matter what you call it, it is a bad thing for our country. I don't think you can dispute what he said from his own lips. The difference is, you like the idea of spreading the wealth and I don't. I'd like to say we respectfully agree to disagree. In the end, it will be God's will who is elected and the direction this country takes. However, I have to tell you that those comments you refer to being said at Palin's rallies have never been proven have been investigated to the nth degree and are highly suspect of being rumor to stir emotions (very effectively done). The security that was heavily present, as well as people there, claim those remarks were never heard be anyone! Wouldn't you suppose there would be some sound bite that offers evidence? Such is a funny example of how you believe those lies, and I believe the other lies. Seriously, if you think about it, it really is comical. Honestly, I think God doesn't like what this country has become and I predict that it will be His will that Obama will win this election. It will either teach us a lesson, or it will destroy our country as we know it.
On 11/2/08 at 11:38 AM,
JWBooth wrote:
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Can't help but notice that when BDN is given a choice it endorses the candidate with the bigger media budget.
One hand washes the other, eh?
On 11/3/08 at 4:41 AM,
StevieWonder wrote:
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Joe The Plumber...FLUSH OBAMA-LAMA-DING-DONG!!!
On 11/3/08 at 5:18 AM,
jj16oz wrote:
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Twelve years of Collins was all she promised she would serve. Twelve years of voting for fiscally repressive measures and following blindly along behind Bush to deregulate which in turn was instrumental in our current financial collapse, twelve years of Collins voting yea on moderate Bills she knew would not pass in order to placate true moderates, and twelve years of nothing accomplished is enough. Tom is maybe not my first choice to succeed Collins, but he is at least focused on issues that affect me directly whereas Collins is focused on whatever the RNC tells her to be focused on.
On 11/3/08 at 9:19 AM,
kleban wrote:
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Anne-of-mdi and others: I'm really beginning to wonder about Saltoria. Yesterday I looked over BDN comments from the past few days (in letters, editorials, and contributors). She (if I recall, Saltoria is a she, so I'll use that) has posted many many times. Almost all of them are raising doubts about Obama, sometimes cut and pasted from very dubious web sites. When someone questions the truth or logic of these comments she either says that "she has a bad feeling about Obama" (or words to that effect), so again casts doubt on him, or doesn't answer, or when backed into a logical corner says that "we'll have to agree to disagree". When asked how she has time for all those posts, she claims to have quit her job (see her post in the 11/1 letters). Now that last one might be just a poor attempt at humor, but again it casts doubt on Obama. I'm really beginning to wonder whether she is really saying what she thinks, or is a troll. Perhaps someone is paying her to post all this stuff. What do you think?
On 11/3/08 at 9:25 AM,
anne_of_mdi wrote:
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Hi kleban! Yes I do think Saltoria is a troll. There was someone posting as Saltair a while back who could be the same person. I don't think the Republican trolls are paid, I think they're just volunteers working in the campaign offices.
On 11/3/08 at 10:18 AM,
kleban wrote:
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Thanks, anne_of_mdi. For everyone else, when you see Saltoria, think 'caveat emptor'. Whether she is paid or not is not so important, the main thing is if she's saying what she thinks, and is willing to hear others, or just parroting.
On 11/3/08 at 10:36 AM,
Saltoria wrote:
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kleban, again, you are too funny! I'm not sure what makes a troll, a troll. Is it someone who likes to comment on statements, letters, editorials and has a different point of view than our own? I thought that was what this was all about..posting a comment., agreeing to disagree. I see people post outrageous comments and accusations, but truly, you have given a new definition to paranoia....either that or you are using a trick from the Obama camp. That is, filtering the information people get from the press, and other media. If you don't like what they are saying, the Obama folks leave the interview, cut them off from future interviews and throw them off the plane, literally. Now, that isn't parroting what some biased news reporter said, that is a fact. And if that is what we can expect from an Obama presidency, then we are all in BIG trouble.
On 11/3/08 at 11:14 AM,
kleban wrote:
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No question, Saltoria, thou dost protest too much.
On 11/3/08 at 11:16 AM,
Saltoria wrote:
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Excellent come back, my friend!
On 11/3/08 at 11:21 AM,
kleban wrote:
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Incidentally, Saltoria: Are you getting paid to post? You never said.
On 11/3/08 at 11:29 AM,
Saltoria wrote:
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Why of course....aren't you? I get my big check from ACORN next week! :)) Let me know if you don' t get your check and I'll let anne-mdi know. She has the contact information.
On 11/3/08 at 11:40 AM,
kleban wrote:
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Note Saltoria's no-reply. Typical.
On 11/3/08 at 11:44 AM,
Saltoria wrote:
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Uhhh..kleban buddy, did I miss a question? Could you repeat it please?
On 11/3/08 at 11:46 AM,
Saltoria wrote:
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Also, kleban, I think it is just you and me babe! :) Everyone else must be working!
On 11/3/08 at 11:52 AM,
kleban wrote:
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Read up 5 posts.
On 11/3/08 at 1:26 PM,
Saltoria wrote:
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Here was my answer: Why of course....aren't you? I get my big check from ACORN next week! :)) Let me know if you don' t get your check and I'll let anne-mdi know. She has the contact information.
ps......You know we are getting paid. Why are you pretending now? You dont want people to know?
On 11/3/08 at 1:37 PM,
kleban wrote:
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No I don't know. It was an honest question. So you admit that you are getting paid for writing posts against Obama?
On 11/3/08 at 3:19 PM,
anne_of_mdi wrote:
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Ha ha, Saltoria. I don't think you'll be getting a check from ACORN. How about the John Birch Society?
On 11/3/08 at 3:33 PM,
Saltoria wrote:
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It was the most ridiculous question I have ever heard! I don't know where you came up with that idea. It makes as much sense as my suggesting that people who are "regulars' on here (and there are many!) are getting paid for blasting McCain and Palin. Honestly, I just find it all very entertaining.
On 11/3/08 at 3:40 PM,
Saltoria wrote:
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And, the John Birch Society might be a little too extreme even for me....you sure win the prize for being the silliest on here! :)
On 11/3/08 at 3:44 PM,
kleban wrote:
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Saltoria, you make a habit of avoiding the question. Please tell us whether you are getting paid for posting here or not.
That's about the fifth time I've asked. Every time you don't answer makes you even less credible.
On 11/3/08 at 4:07 PM,
BlueCollarBob wrote:
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Maybe Saltoria isn't a troll any more. She's just amazingly closed-minded and misguided. kleban and anne-of-mdi, we should stop picking on her exclusively. There are plenty of others with blinders on as well. Probably the right thing to do is help them get through the next few years until they realize just how foolish they've been. The message that there isn't a red or blue America, that we're one America is a beautiful idea. Working together to solve our problems makes so much more sense than fighting each other... I'll stop laughing in their faces really soon, I promise.
On 11/3/08 at 4:27 PM,
kleban wrote:
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BlueCollarBob: I get your point, but I don't think so. As the Brits say, she's too clever by half... I don't consider this a fight, and I'm not trying to pick on her, all I'm looking for is an honest answer to a simple question. If I thought that she was just confused, I wouldn't keep asking.
My suspicions were raised for the reasons I gave above, and are now made stronger by her refusal to answer the question. The internet has many trolls lurking on it, and this blog is not moderated at all.
On 11/3/08 at 6:42 PM,
Saltoria wrote:
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kleban, you have a habit of asking the same question over and over even after I have answered it. You asked the same question on a different forum and I answered you then, and I will try again. If you still don't get it, ask again and I will do my best, again. I am patient. I am not a troll. I am not getting paid by anyone, and I don't really believe you or anyone else is getting paid by anyone to post comments. I thought we had freedom of speech. Is that a freedom you enjoy for yourself but want to deprive me of because I don't share your point of view? Is that what I should expect from an Obama presidency as well? It would appear that you are doing what Obama does, shut people up if he doesn't agree with you; make accusations without any factual basis and try to discredit them; throw them off the plane like Obama did with the three newspapers who endorsed McCain. What happened to the freedom of the press? Is the press going to be silenced IF Obama gets elected, as he has silenced them during his campaign? It seems to me you are taking the same attitude with me, as he has with the press who ask him or Biden tough questions. He certainly hasn't been use to hard ball questions since the press has treated him with kid gloves. Is that what you are trying to do Kleban? Or do you have some personal prejudice against me, I'm use to that! And it has little or no effect my friend...:)
On 11/3/08 at 10:24 PM,
kleban wrote:
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Saltoria says: "I am not getting paid by anyone". Halelujah! A straight answer. No, you haven't said that straight out before, Saltoria. That was the first time.
But then you come up with: "I thought we had freedom of speech. Is that a freedom you enjoy for yourself but want to deprive me of because I don't share your point of view?" Huh?? No one, especially not me, has even suggested, much less said, that you have no right to express yourself here. Of course you have a right to your opinion. Where are you getting the idea that I or anyone else here thinks otherwise? Sounds a bit like playing the victim.
The rest of your post is the usual type of nonsense that you put out about Obama. Sigh. What's the use.
On 11/3/08 at 11:01 PM,
elmerfudd wrote:
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kleban: Remeber what you told me? Be optimistic. Just less than 24 hrs! Keep the spirits up!
On 11/4/08 at 6:53 AM,
Saltoria wrote:
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kleban..here is wherein the problem lies. You asked me on the other thread "edorsements 2008." I gave you a straight answer there. I knew you were jumipng around singing the same tune, I kept up with the tune and the lyrics while you started singing off key. Happy Voting...
And remember it is God's will either way.
On 11/4/08 at 8:49 AM,
kleban wrote:
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Hi elmerfudd, I certainly remember you. And I'm quite optimistic about the election, my spirits are very high. It's Saltoria I was referring to. She pays little attention to what other people say, and even less to her own words. It's as if she lives in a bubble, unable to see what is going on except in a very distorted way, and just keeps spouting the same twaddle, like some kind of broken record.
And Saltoria, "it is God's will either way" -- if you mean the outcome of the election, I couldn't disagree more. Each voter has a choice which he or she will make. That will determine the outcome, not God's will.
On 11/4/08 at 10:09 AM,
searoses wrote:
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kleban: I believe that Ms.Saltoria, wouldn't vote for a Democrat, if Christ himself where ring at the top of the ticket....
On 11/4/08 at 11:06 AM,
kleban wrote:
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searoses : Clearly not. And she will no doubt have some slam at Obama engraved on her tombstone...
On 11/5/08 at 11:01 AM,
SteveT wrote:
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I must say that Saltoria seems to be the only person in this thread of messages who makes any sense at all. One thing I am so tired of is liberals who always have to resort to name calling (see the troll comments above) and who always have to resort to the "I'm smarter than you" crap, or the"republicans/conservatives are dumb" crap. Searoses......regarding your Nov. 2 message, socialism in the US is no different socialism in the USSR. It's done because some people think it will help people, but has always failed. I agree with you that when somebody uses the word "socialism" that the first thing most people think of is the USSR. In my opinion many people don't think that socialism is something that we have in this country. If you add up all of the taxes and fees that you pay (federal/state/local) and calculate it as a percentage of your income, what would the percentage be? I'll bet well over 25% and closer to 50%. We're living in a country that is now close to 50% socalist and that percentage is growing, which isn't a good thing.
On 11/5/08 at 3:18 PM,
Saltoria wrote:
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Thank you SteveT. I must say I am not very popular around here so it is nice to know someone understands and agrees with my perspective.
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