How can Nebraska possibly vote Republican?

Ethanol is a scam. Let the free markets dicate what's feasible not the Federal government.

Ethonal has been a dismal disappointment in addressing our energy conscerns. The only guy that has any idea on solving the energy crisis is Boone Pickens. His ideas have a much better chance of being implicated if McCain is elected!

Ethanol subsidies are a slap in the face,this country needs to stop throwing money away, enough is enough.

ethanol fuel and get alot better gas mileage. The meat producers can't hardly survive because of what corn prices have done. There is also alot of food produced from corn, this only means shortage of food.
something has to change and change now, Baldwin is the guy to change it.

We vote republican because we are sheep. We do what we have been taught to do by our parents, coerced into by loudmouth know-it-alls, and shamed into by one agenda fundamentalists. Our news media is blatantly conservative in this state. We vote republican because it is a tradition, a right of passage. We do not question our elected officials, or hold themm accountable. We are too busy worrying about the Pelini era or the glory days of Dr. Tom. Football is our only identity, we are not going to waste our time on issues and thoughts that require free thinking and making our own opinions. We vote republican because it is easier than thinking for ourselves!

Because we love the war in Iraq and we love the state of the economy. Things have never been better at home, and the U.S. has never been more respected abroad!

WE HAVE TO VOTE REPUBLICAN. COMMUNISTS RUN THE OTHER PARTY AND WILL REALLY SEND US DOWN THE TUBES. FDR, LBJ, CARTER AND IMPEACHED CLINTON WHAT A DISMAL GROUP TO RUIN AMERICA

They shouldnt stop with ethanol but should end ALL farm subsidies. Why should farmers be any different than any other small business. I dont get a "welfare check" if my business doesn't meet csrtain "yields"
It is nothing more that free money for people who do NOT need it. With corn that was over $7 a bushell, they will more that double what they made last year.
How many farmers have you seen driving old junk pickups or old tractors these days?
hey all are overpaid!

Oil is taxed when the lease is sold, again when it comes out of the ground, and again when the product is sold at the pump. Ethanol is subsidized. Why can it not stand on its own?

To produce 1.3 gallons of ethanol requires 1 gallon of oil equivalent. The US is currently using 500,000 barrels of oil equivalent to produce 650,000 barrels of ethanol per day, while ethanol only contains 70% of the energy of oil. Then the government pays the blender 51 cents per gallon out of your taxes. So in the long run you are paying more taxes for ethanol than gas.

There must be a 1000 5000 pound 4X4's running the streets of Columbus that have never seen a dirt road. Thanks for wasting our future supply; you will be the first to suffer the wrath of the coming generations. Energy is the lifeblood of the economy, and it is slowly bleeding to death.

The next President will not last more than 4 years and will not solve a single problem. The current problems are beyond their ability to solve. By the time his term is up most of the 20 MPG vehicles will be parked and gathering dust. You will be looking back at the current unemployment rate with awe. I simply feel sorry for everyone that thinks this election will solve any of today’s problems. Future gas lines are not going to be a problem because few will have the ability to pay. If you are currently living pay check to pay check you had better prepare, as you will soon be living meal to meal as long as you can find one. The government is like a rubber band, but it is currently being stretched beyond the breaking point. Your ability to acquire friends and survival skills are your best bet to enjoy a declining life style. 2008 will go down as a turning point in history. Best hopes you can raise a fine garden next year.

Nebraskan’s may be the last to suffer the consequences of the past 20 and the future 4 years of government’s incompetence and corruption. That only means you may have a little longer to prepare.

Wow. You are brutally harsh. Unfortunatly I am afraid you are not too far off of the truth. I do hope you are dead wrong though, so cheer up!!

My gosh what a leading question from another "impartial media" source, our own telegram....
well here is why we should vote Republican in nebraska:

People here don't want 125000 more abortions per yr which would happen with obama

People here would like to keep more of their PAYCHECKs that they earn each week instead of obama giving our $ to his welfare buddies

People here don't want an appeaser in the WH next time we are hit by terrorists, or Israel is attacked!

People here expect our military to be strong and supported, not ignored or sneered at by the sort of people who obama associates with.

People here don't want to elect a known supporter of radical american haters like the weatherman underground or the reverend wright who preached "G.. Damn america!

Thats why for starters Nebraska should vote republican!!! My god obama has been a senator for 143 days! This makes him qualified over mccain? Or is it his black skin?

These subsidies are a slap in the face of every Nebraskan. It's time for government to stop all of this bailing out/subsidizing of non viable industries whether it's the ethanol industry or the banking-wall street industries. $7 billion a year spent on a failing energy policy needs to stop, and I applaud McCain for having the courage to take a strong position against this. I just wish he would have stood against the Wall Street bailout also.

LOL! The GOP said, "Let the free market work" What a joke, these are the same people that wouldn't sign a $700 million bail out of private businesses unless they were bribed with numerous ear marks.

It takes 3 gallons of water to produce 1 gallon of ethanol. If you fill your tank with 20 gallons of ethanol, you've also used 60 gallons of Nebraska water. We need to be conservative with our water resources, our grand children may need that water to drink.

Ethanol isn't competitive unless they get money from the government to produce their expensive product. If they aren't competitive in reality, they shouldn't produce their product. Let them fail if they're not competitive, that's free market.

Ethanol isn't good for the environment and is obviously not a viable long term solution.

There needs to be subsidies for alternative clean energy like wind, solar and hydro.

Wrong question from the telegram staffer who posted this question...it SHOULD read:

HOW CAN NEBRASKA VOTE DEMOCRAT? That is, as long as a majority of people value their freedoms of speech, right to bear arms and most of the constitution. Obama has campaigned as a clear socialist who is just clueless to the ways of the world, and along with the media covering for him, has managed to bamboozle one heck of alot of people thus far!

Ron: Its no longer our telegram. The telegram belongs to the same folks that are looking for a 700 billion bale out.

Our Telegram left sometime after line-o-type and Edgar Howard. We can now import all kinds of propaganda from anywere in the country or world in microseconds.

Nice try to stir the pot telegram, it looks by all the responses that you received a "slap in the face"!!

To Ron, Todd, and Wonderkind:

Thank you for making my point. It is easier to spew meaningless propaganda without facts or sources than think about what you are saying. I'm sure you both are faithful rush listeners, and can qoute both chapter and verse. As far as Obama campaigning as a clear socialist, what is your definition of a socialist? Is it someone who believes in trying to get back some control of an insurance and medical industry that has ran wild, or is it someone that does not stand on the republican platform? Maybe take a little time and read Obamas economic plan, or would that be against party doctrine? And Ron, The welfare state is out of control as of now, so don't be calling the kettle black! At least we may not be subsidizing the oil companies and the inner circle of bush and cheney. Oil is traded on the open market. If you think that new drilling is going to help our energy crunch, sorry, that oil will be sold on the open market to the highest bidder(China). Oil companies are not altruistic or patriots, they are mercenaries in suit & ties. Lastly, Todd, Look up the meaning of Communist, before attempting to make a point.

I guess I can't vote for Dems 'cause I'm bitter and too busy clinging to my guns and my God.

Ethanol from corn costs more to produce than it sells for. The politicians subsidize it to buy votes. Don't be fooled. The cost of food prices going up is partly due to this ethanol scam

I have never understood why the state votes Republican. However, I am sure people have their reasons. Besides, someone has to vote for Bush/McCain. I guess it might as well be Nebraskans. How is that for a critical analysis?

As far as Obama being a socialist, well, Bush is currently presiding over the end of free market capitalism as we know it, not Obama. $700 Billion?! Did he see it coming? Did he see Katrina coming? Did he see the Sunni/Shia insurgency coming? Same answer - no. I think Bush gets paid to anticipate these things. Who voted for that guy anyway? Somehow, the idea of George Bush cutting our taxes loses its meaning with a $700 billion bailout It is just blather. Personally, I think both parties are to blame for this debacle. However, I'll take my chances with Obama for a change. At least the guy can think and articulate his ideas. Go Huskers!

ron....abortions went down under the Clinton administration. Fact. Just had to point that out. Why? Because there were programs to help mothers become educated and keep their babies. I also remember when women in Columbus were doing their own abortions with coat hangars and coke bottles, and many died. They just felt they couldn't have another child. These were not minority women, as minorities weren't allowed to live in Columbus back then. That is the reality, not the "wish". We all wish there were no abortions.

Amazingly........I remember when Columbus and most of Ne was Democratic. Instead of people against each other because of party, we should be together against the politicians who do things we don't like. That is the way things get done. Lastly, the electoral college elects the president and I don't care who it is, as long as the last name isn't Bush! I am too busy voting on my local issues that I CAN affect.

Is the truth a slap in the face? The scientific fact is that it takes more than a gallon of gasoline to produce a gallon of corn-based ethanol. AND ethanol has less energy per gallon than gasoline. I understand that some farmers are making a lot of money from ethanol subsidies. But that doesn't change the facts that ethanol is NO solution to replace gasoline. Cane sugar or switch grass may have potetial to produce a net positive energy gain, but corn-based ethanol does not. Nothing can change that fact. Neither Republicans or Democrats can change that basic fact. Time to face reality.

http://gatewaypundit.blogspot.com/2008/09/bush-called-for-reform-of-fannie-mae.html


Sunday, September 21, 2008
Bush Called For Reform of Fannie Mae & Freddie Mac 17 Times in 2008 Alone... Dems Ignored Warnings

For many years the President and his Administration have not only warned of the systemic consequences of financial turmoil at a housing government-sponsored enterprise (GSE) but also put forward thoughtful plans to reduce the risk that either Fannie Mae or Freddie Mac would encounter such difficulties. President Bush publicly called for GSE reform 17 times in 2008 alone before Congress acted.

Unfortunately, these warnings went unheeded, as the President's repeated attempts to reform the supervision of these entities were thwarted by the legislative maneuvering of those who emphatically denied there were problems.

The White House released this list of attempts by President Bush to reform Freddie Mae and Freddie Mac since he took office in 2001.
Unfortunately, Congress did not act on the president's warnings.

I beleive this is important for you all to know. Please listen to this video and watch all parts.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NbakN7SLdbk

I would like to hear what people think about this energy non-crisis.

This is a "WAKE UP" call and we best be listening!!
Stock up on food & water-non perishable food.....
buy silver....have enough cash on hand RIGHT NOW to make your all your pmts for at least one month.....house,utilities,food,gas,...."IF" the "PORK" bill gets signed, the US will not be as we knew it...HISTORY repeats itself, only this time it's worse....google martial law...google Prescott Bush..."NOW" prepare yourself and "DON'T" wait...time is running out

Energy non-crisis:
After listening to only the first 2 minutes I can tell you the entire series is pure BS.

The price of oil is not determined by how much is in the ground but how much is brought to the surface. Why is current North Slope production at 40% of what it was in 1988? Why is total US production at little more than 4 million barrels per day compared to nearly 11 million in 1970? North sea production is down 50% since the early 90's. Russian production is falling also. Why is Mexico's production falling at 10% per year? The UK and Indonesia have gone from exporting oil to importing oil. World oil production has been nearly flat for the past 4 years, however on an annual basis world oil production has been in slight decline year over year since 2005. The Exporting countries of the world have been consuming their oil at increasing rates do to their growing economies, and oil income. Therefore there is less oil available for importing countries of which the US is the major importer. The oil available for export is declining much faster than world production.

40,000 foot wells are nearly impossible or very expensive to complete. There is a temperature gradient as you drill deeper into the earth, about 1 degree F per 100 foot. So at 40,000 ft the normal temperature would be 400 to 470 degrees F. No electronic hydrocarbon detecting systems can operate beyond about 375 F. With out these electronic systems to record formation data, no well would ever be completed. About 90% of all oil is produced above 15,000 ft, below that depth the hydrocarbons in place are nearly always natural gas. Google the oil drum and EIA (energy department) and educate yourself on oil production.

Rick:

Unlike your dead brain, most people vote for the candidate who they feel will better our country. My grandparents are actually Democrats, my parents are Republican and my siblings are divided. I vote Republican because I believe (if you have been following the campaign at all, little sheep) it is a mistake to put a timeline on our war in Iraq. Why don't we just tell terrorists when they can go in and reverse our efforts. I am sure they would appreciate a confirmation on the date. I believe Judge's should not have the ability to decide our interest rates and mortgage amount because they feel the little sheep did was robbed at the bank, I mean afterall we can't read or think for ourselves and therefore the bank should definitely take the hit because a sheep did not listen when he or she was explained his mortgage. So a Judge should be able to write them a free ticket. Third, I don't think we should put more taxes on small businesses, yes, a lot of small businesses earn 250,000. So before you criticize people for voting opposite your thoughts you should listen to why they are voting they way they are. It is probably not because mommy and daddy told us to vote that way.

Congrats to Ron for the most uninformed post of the year. I'm not going to address all of your falsehoods but just one to save time. If you make more that $250,000 a year... then yes your taxes will go up. For the 95% of the rest of us... we will get a tax CUT! Stick to the facts Ron.... you are just embarrassing yourself! Maybe you are in the middle class that McCain defines… the less than 7 million a year middle class!

I see the new movie "An American Carol" is in town. Perhaps it will help answer the CT Editorial staff's question? :)

I can tell there are a lot of Palin want-a-bees in this comment section. You're asked one question and answer another.

I can't believe anyone in their right mind would vote for the guy that says, "if I were dictator, which I always aspired to be"

Believe that tax cut BS from obama at your peril! Yes, the first yr it likely would affect only those making $250000....then the next yr that would decrease to those making $110000, the next yr down to $85000 and so on until we all take the pain!

Bubba Clinton fooled people just like you, who believed all during the 1992 campaign that he promised to cut taxes. Once elected, July of 1993 he RAISED taxes on everyone with Sen Bob Kerry of Nebraska casting the tie breaking vote FOR the taxe hike! DEMOCRATS! At least some people don't mind giving up their hard earned money to welfare cheats and minorities with their hands out. Also the folks who make the $250000 a yr likely own business's that will just past the cost on to US! It happens every time taxes go up....Raising taxes helps NO ONE!

No matter how horrible McCain/Palin sounds, I know of quite a few people who are going to vote for them anyway because of how racist this state is. I know that my statement will probable make many mad, but it is true. I hope that I will be wrong about this, but there are many of those types around, unfortunately. I have thought from the beginning that Obama is the right choice for America, so have a few of my family/friends, but we will see if enough Americans realize it before it is too late.

Why is it the holier-than-thou types accuse those of us who won't be voting for Obama of being racists? It could well be that we simply don't like his politics, his philosophy or his condescending attitude to those of us who aren't like him.

I'll tell ya what Amy, I bet Obama has a better chance of carrying Nebraska than a white male does of being elected to Ernie Chambers' seat in the Unicam.

Nebraska certainly has its' share of racists, but Nebraska overall is racist? The majority of people in Nebraska are racist? Get real.

It all started back when Ronald Reagan was president & has escalated from there. We need to start taking care of our selves instead of the guys other sea's. How many homeless do we have, starving children, etc. We need a change, we need someone to care about the "little" guy & take care of our own first. Do you remember what happened in the 80's?

Karen

Thank you for not disappointing me. How very republican of you to resort to the lowest common denominator of attacking ones intelligence and name calling! As far as your timeline question, do you really think bin laden and the terrorists need a timeline put in front of them in order to know when to attack? I have a feeling it will be pretty obvious when we do decide to pull out. Did you ever think that a timeline may be useful to re enlistment campaigns and families with members in the military. If this is the fundamental strength of your reason for voting for Mc Cain/Palin, I believe you have some soul searching to do.
Small business tax and personal income tax have absolutely nothing to do with each other. If your small business is grossing you in excess of $250,000 in personal income tax each year either hire another accountant, or smile and pay the taxes on your income.

Any one interested in a short short course in refinery operation can read this essay.

http://www.theoildrum.com/node/4038#more

Written by a Tex A&M Chemical Eng. Wrote his Masters thesis on Bio-fuels then worked for Conoco Phillips as The process Eng for one of their big refineries. Thinks corn ethanol is a loser, but quit COP and is now working on alternative bio-fuels, or Bio-fuels processes that can prove themselves economical.

I don't care what size the business is, if their taxes are raised, they're simply going to pass it on to their customers. They are either going to maintain their desired profit margin or go out of business.

So go ahead, raise taxes on "the other guy." That'll fix those darn rich folk.

I guess that kind of thinking makes me a "sheep" though doesn't it?

And corn based ethanol is still a scam.

Now come on...do you really think our vote will count? The 2 put on the pedestal now (mccain-obama) were chosen by the wealthiest 5.
We have no choice in the matter, regardless of what you want to believe.
The only way us, as individual slaves run by the elite 5, are going to survive, is to be self sufficient.
You have not rely on banks to survive, you have to raise your own food and come up with a means for your own electricity.
Either by geothermal, wind gens or solar.
YOU can't rely on the so called Gov anymore...they could care less about you.
If everyone of us--meaning you & I pulled together instead of this corruption caused by the "5"---
WOW!!! think what life as we use to know it would be like.
Have ya ever heard of "The Venus Project"?? a city... ok, what about zeitgeist?
Well you have some work to do...

I'm sticking up for you, not running you down. We are formed in this mold and the only way you are going to get out, is to free yourself. NOONE else is going to do it for you... trust me

There are more things than just ethanol. My husband and I are farmers but I cannot vote for Obama who is proabortion and very liberal. I wish I had a better choice but I cannot vote for Obama.

What do I say?

I say it would be very naive to vote based on one issue unless it was truley a blatant issue of national security. There were unexpected ramification that bled out of the scope of the mandate. We the people should support free market, not line the pockets of a select few. Ethanol will do just fine without the mandate. I'm glad a few good folks sold some $7 corn but I also believe this plan backfired on the crooks that invented it. You don't really think they plan to let the farmers continue to make that kind of money? If you want to place bets, go to the horse races, not the voting booth.

McCain has not proven how he will be any different than bush, and bush's administration has seriously weakened our economy. as americans, we should draw a line at which we are willing to let no one fall below. Democratic policies ensure that people dont fall below the line; republican policies give them a soft push over it. Another thing is that healthcare isn't a privilege, it's a right- that is how it should be for all Americans.
Also, many people think that they should continue to have the right to bear arms for their own safety. However, if having more guns makes us safer than we should be one of the safest places on earth right? If hardly anyone had guns then there would be much less to protect ourselves from. Guns make it way too easy to kill. Also, about 1-3 million guns are exchanged on the secondary market every year, which is scary b/c who knows who is buying them- very possibly people who are mentally unstable and buying them with the intent to hurt themselves or others. There used to be a ban on semi automatic weapons but Bush let it expire. Since then, the number of police deaths in urban areas has skyrocketed.Now this is just my opinion but I feel like a police officer with a little handgun can't compete with an ak47 or any other semi-automatic guns.

Between 1979 and 2001, gunfire killed 90,000 children and teens in America. (Children's Defense Fund and National Center for Health Statistics)
In one year, more children and teens died from gunfire than from cancer, pneumonia, influenza, asthma, and HIV/AIDS combined. (Children's Defense Fund)
The rate of firearm deaths among kids under age 15 is almost 12 times higher in the United States than in 25 other industrialized countries combined. (Centers for Disease Control and Prevention)
http://www.neahin.org/programs/schoolsafety/gunsafety/statistics.htm

As of 1998, the u.s ranked first in the world for the number of gun homicides with 11,798. The next closest country was germany, with 373 gun homicides

America has over 20,000 gun stores.

Murder rate per 1000:
USA 0.042802 per 1,000 people

Australia 0.0150324 per 1,000 people
UK 0.0140633 per 1,000 people

Source: http://www.nationmaster.com/graph/cri_mur_percap-crime-murders-per-capita

So for every person murdered in the UK or Australia, 4 will be murdered in the USA. I think this goes to show that murders are much more prevelent in the US where guns can be quite easily accessed. In Australia and the UK guns are MUCH harder to get a hold of.

the us is the leading gun producer and exporter

we have over 30,000 gun deaths a year

Another thing I would like to point out is that abstinence only education, which is what the Republicans support has been proven unsuccessful, but yet the government pushes millions of dollars for it.

The bush admin is now trying to pass a bill making certain types of contraceptives labeled as abortion. So not only does the Republican party think abortion and some forms of birth control are wrong, but they also think that abstinence-only sex education should be taught! GET REAL!!! A lot of these teens are all ready having sex by the time they get these abstinence sex ed classes. Abstinence should be encouraged but let's face reality; teens are having sex and some are having sex at really young ages. Therefore, they need to be taught how to protect themselves at a young age and they need to have access to proper protection.

The government should not be able to decide whether women can choose to have abortions or not and what kinds of birth control should be classified as abortion. It is a woman's RIGHT. Being a teenage girl, I don't think the government should be able to decide whether or not the birth control we are using is a form of abortion. My healthcare choices should be up to me, not the government. Palin doesn't think that abortions should be allowed even if the pregnancy is the result of incestual sex or rape! By the way, Palin's 17 year old daughter is pregnant and Palin says that her daughter is going to do the "right thing" by getting married to the man that got her pregnant. If that is how all of our Republican leaders think then not only will we have an increase in teen pregnancies but we will also have an increase in divorce rates!
We have almost 150,000 teen pregnancies a year.

OTHER FACTS:
we have 47 million americans without health insurance and millions more without adequate insurance

we have 2 million people foreclosing on their homes per year

we had over 175,000 people laid off from
their jobs last year

40% of taxes paid go towards military spending; only 4% goes to education

...and some of you want to elect someone who has voted with bush 95% of the time...???

what the US really needs is a CHANGE. Our country has grown and changed a lot over the past few decades and our government and laws also need to change. The traditional way of doing things will not work forever.

As long as Repubs "run" this country, Bin Laden will continue to be a free man. (Do some research and discover the ties between Bin Laden and the Bush family.)

As long as Bin Laden is alive and free, there will be a war(s) going on right where they're at right now, along with Iran in the not to distant future.

The Iran deal will be because the U.S. is a puppet of Israel. What Israel wants the U.S. does either openly or covertly.

Due to the Repubs war policy the U.S. has become the worlds worst terrorist organization. Look at what we started in Central America in the 80's. The CIA had started a lot of the crap that took place in the Middle East back in the 80's.

Repubs stand for making the rich richer through a good healthy war or wars. Keep those defense contractors busy, busy, busy.

WOW! I have seen ignorant and uninformed posts before but the siding with the Dems are so far off base they should not be given any credance by responding to them.

How Long Do We Have? Author Unknown.

About the time our original thirteen states adopted their new constitution in 1787, Alexander Tyler, a Scottish history professor at the University of Edinburgh, had this to say about the fall of the Athenian Republic some 2,000 years earlier:
"A democracy is always temporary in nature; it simply cannot exist as a permanent form of government."

"A democracy will continue to exist up until the time that voters discover they can vote themselves generous gifts f rom the public treasury."

"From that moment on, the majority always vote for the candidates who promise the most benefits from the public treasury, with the result that every democracy will finally collapse due to loose fiscal policy, which is always followed by a dictatorship."

"The average age of the world's greatest civilizations from the beginning of history, has been about 200 years."

"During those 200 years, those nations always progressed through the following sequence:
1. From bondage to spiritual faith;
2. From spiritual faith to great courage;
3. From courage to liberty;
4 From liberty to abundance;
5. From abundance to complacency;
6. From complacency to apathy;
7. From apathy to dependence;
8. From dependence back into bondage

Professor Joseph Olson of Hamline University School Of Law, St. Paul, Minnesota, points out some interesting facts concerning the 2000 Presidential election:
o Number of States won by: Gore: 19; Bush: 29
o Square miles of land won by Gore: 580,000; Bush: 2,427,000
o Population of counties won by: Gore: 127million; Bush: 143 million
Murder rate per 100,000 residents in counties won by: Gore: 13.2; Bush: 2.1

Professor Olson adds: "In aggregate, the map of the territory Bush won was mostly the land owned by the taxpaying citizens of this great country.
Gore's territory mostly encompassed those citizens living in government-owned tenements and living off various forms of government welfare..."

Olson believes the United States is now somewhere between the "complacency and apathy" phase of Professor Tyler's definition of democracy, with some forty percent of the nation's population
already having reached the "governmental dependency" phase.

If Congress grants amnesty and citizenship to twenty million criminal invaders called illegal's and they vote, then we can say good-bye to the USA in fewer than five years.

Pass this along to help everyone realize just how much is at stake, knowing that apathy is the greatest danger to our freedom.

Student,

Can you show me in the Constitution where healthcare is a right?

More gun laws... hmm... wouldn't it be cool if we enforced existing gun laws? How many times (if you've been paying any attention anyway) have you seen gun charges plea bargained away?

Every year, there are approx twice as many alcohol related deaths in this country as there are firearms related deaths.

I don't believe gun control laws work, i.e., reduce crime. But here's the deal, enact alcohol control laws in the mold of the much heralded gun control laws and let's see how they work. Let's see if alcohol no longer winds up in the wrong hands. Let's see if a black market doesn't spring up. Let's see if the law of supply and demand doesn't yet again trump government edict.

You also forgot to mention that violent crime rates have increased dramatically in England and Australia since their marvelous new gun laws were enacted. They continue to increase and now England has proposed "knife control".

Hmmm... maybe it's a "people" problem and not a material problem that causes crime?????

Can't wait 'til you grow up and start paying taxes and then you can see first hand what .gov delivers for your money. Real life is quite different than what your profs say it is.

Only Liberals on this board? Yep, they are the only people with enough time on their hands since they are milking public assistance and do not work like the rest of us Conservatives who are willing to pull our own weight plus those who choose not to work. Speaking of such, doesn't it seem strange that there are so many Leberals on this board? Hmmmmm? I wonder how many are diresctly associated iwth the Obama campaign?

Up till now, I have stayed out of this mess, because, as usual, the best candidates are long gone. We are always left with Dumb and Dumber, or maybe Corrupt and More Corrupt.

Every election, people spew the party lines, and cheer on their favorites. By the next election, they have conveniently forgotten that the winners didn't do what they promised. And then we have the usual posts from the people who have little knowledge of how their government operates. I will not join you on that Merry-Go-Round.

Then comes a post from Student. That was a very impressive copy and paste job. I know you care deeply about this. However, you have been indoctrinated and bombarded by socialists most of your life. Believe me, I know. I was just like you two decades ago.

Many "facts" have been passed on for generations, and you cannot take them for granted. If you are going to quote an organization, not only should you look into the statement, you should at least investigate the source.

Out of all the statements you made, one really concerned me. You wrote "Another thing is that healthcare isn't a privilege, it's a right- that is how it should be for all Americans." Where in this government's founding documents, was healthcare declared a right?

Your free time would be well spent reading the writings of Thomas Jefferson, starting with the Declaration Of Independence. Then find The Law, by Frederic Bastiat online. This is a fairly short, but sweet read.

He was concerned about the socialism sweeping through France in the 19th century. Let's not head down their path.

McCain and Palin RULE

I predict future happiness for Americans if they can prevent the government from wasting the labors of the people under the pretense of taking care of them.
Thomas Jefferson

The moment a person forms a theory, his imagination sees in every object only the traits which favor that theory.
Thomas Jefferson

No free man shall ever be debarred the use of arms.
Thomas Jefferson

The strongest reason for the people to retain the right to keep and bear arms is, as a last resort, to protect themselves against tyranny in government.
Thomas Jefferson

The tree of liberty must be refreshed from time to time with the blood of patriots and tyrants.
Thomas Jefferson

When the people fear their government, there is tyranny; when the government fears the people, there is liberty.
Thomas Jefferson

Whenever a man has cast a longing eye on offices, a rottenness begins in his conduct.
Thomas Jefferson


The natural progress of things is for liberty to yield and government to gain ground.
Thomas Jefferson

That government is best which governs the least, because its people discipline themselves.
Thomas Jefferson

The democracy will cease to exist when you take away from those who are willing to work and give to those who would not.
Thomas Jefferson

The spirit of resistance to government is so valuable on certain occasions that I wish it to be always kept alive.
Thomas Jefferson


He who knows nothing is closer to the truth than he whose mind is filled with falsehoods and errors.
Thomas Jefferson

The man who reads nothing at all is better educated than the man who reads nothing but newspapers.
Thomas Jefferson

I sincerely believe that banking establishments are more dangerous than standing armies, and that the principle of spending money to be paid by posterity, under the name of funding, is but swindling futurity on a large scale.
Thomas Jefferson

I'm a great believer in luck and I find the harder I work, the more I have of it.
Thomas Jefferson

If a nation expects to be ignorant and free, in a state of civilization, it expects what never was and never will be.
Thomas Jefferson

Information is the currency of democracy.
Thomas Jefferson

It behooves every man who values liberty of conscience for himself, to resist invasions of it in the case of others: or their case may, by change of circumstances, become his own.
Thomas Jefferson

My reading of history convinces me that most bad government results from too much government.
Thomas Jefferson

No man will ever carry out of the Presidency the reputation which carried him into it.
Thomas Jefferson

Rightful liberty is unobstructed action according to our will within limits drawn around us by the equal rights of others. I do not add 'within the limits of the law' because law is often but the tyrant's will, and always so when it violates the rights of the individual.
Thomas Jefferson

Well said, Student!

Student - the Thomas Jefferson quotes were ment for you to ponder - looks like Democrat and proud of it will get some benefit from reading and pondering them alos.

Name one person who has been killed in a war over control of ethanol.

Pump prices would be 5 bucks a galllon now if not for the ethanol in the juice.

If Nebraska farms all fail, City folks in these parts will suffer more than even genius Ron can imagine.

Dear Billy Bob, for your information Tomhas Jeffereson by defenition is a republican beacause when FDR got elected the Dems split and the old Dems joined the republican party and FDR's "New Deal Demcrats" are the ones you are voting for today, not the ones like Thomas Jefferson.

Student,

I am glad you show concern for your country, but you have a lot to learn. Tim and Label Maker made a great post about your "ideas".

Since inventing rights appears to be a popular pastime with those whose votes are for sale, let me try my hand at it.

I want an Escalade. I have a right to an Escalade. I won't be happy without an Escalade. I have a right to be happy.

Gimme gimme gimme. YOU pay for it.

Rick speak for yourself. We vote Republican because the parties ideologies are what's best for this nation. The Democratic party has become too sociolistic and will continue to do so. Conservatism has always work and will continue to do so. You're right to a point. Most Americans listen to the Mainstream Media instead of thinking for itself. They listen to a very left leaning Liberal media.

To Nebr Rancher: Whats your point? I have never voted Democrat. I believe if Obama comes into office this country will be in a worls of hurt. Obama and Biden are the worst things that can happen to the USA in both the global scope and as a national scope. People please read extensively before you vote for this candidate. I fear for this country. My point was to throw some light on their naivity.

WOW, JUST WOW! I cant believe the ignorance, or maybe it is just stupidity that believe that not voiting Obama is racist. This whole blog was completely biased in the first place. I still cant believe people thing Obama is going to bring positive change to the counry. Oh, he's going to bring change all right if elected, if you think things are bad now, just wait and see.....

It looks like it wouldn't hurt for people to read the life of Jefferson, since he is so reknowned and revered.
Many Republicans of today, as opposed to the republicans of his time (small "r") would not agree with many of his ideas. For instance, have you looked at the Jefferson Bible? He believed that Jesus never said that he was God, so he wrote his own version of the Bible.

He also said "Believing with you that religion is a matter which lies solely between man and his God". That would mean that each man (or woman, though they didn't care about women in those days) makes the ultimate decision of right and wrong, in Jeffersons eyes.
He had alot more to say about religion. He had fallen away from his upbringing in the Anglican Church and believed strongly in separation of church and state. Saying that "in the name of religion millions of innocent men, women and children have been burned, tortured, killed and imprisoned. What has been the effect of this coercion? To make half the world fools and the other half hypocrites to support roguery and error all over the world."

The most interesting thing that I found, which shows that the Constitution was written as a base but not a never ending document, is his quote " No society can make a perpetual constitution, or even a perpetual law. The earth belongs to the living generation. Every Constitution then and every law, naturally expires at the end of 19 years. If it is to be enforced longer, than it is an act of force, not right." This was based on the life expectation of those days.
We like to quote people all the time, but in fact, these people were human beings and even though they did a superb job of forging our Constitution as a guide, even they did not intend for it to be written totally in stone, because all of the signers had different back grounds and beliefs.

Jefferson believed in a mostly agrarian society, which could not work if society were to progress. Africa is an example.

Amy Fleury and like minded others: I am not a racist because Obama will not get my vote. I am a thinker!! Obama is an empty suit...a puppet manipulated by socialist, moneied people who want nothing good for America. STUDENT: Like others have said, you have a lot to learn in the real world. Health care is not a right. Health care is available to any one who wants or needs it, be that citizens or illegals. I work in a medical clinic. Many of our patients are non English speaking illegals whose medical bills are being paid by the State of Nebraska, in other words, student, by myself and your parents and you when you grow up and get a job. Our only "right", student, is the God-given right of being free. Everything else must be earned, which is a novel concept in today's society. Student, you don't honestly think the criminals and gang members who live by their guns will actually turn them in if more laws are enacted? And student, contraception is available to any girl who comes to her family clinic or family planning clinic, in particular, asking for it. I see 14-15-year-olds coming to the clinic for birth control and getting it. As far as abortion for rape or incest, is it necessary, student, to kill the baby because of tragedies that occur in the mother's life. Why not have that baby and let a loving family adopt the child? Is there a need to kill the innocent child, particularly when there are so many people ready to step up and give that baby a life? Of course, abstinence is not fool proof, no one said it was. It's a form of birth control, a choice, no different than choosing any other form of birth control other than it has been so vilified by the democrats. Abstinence is probably not as much fun for a democrat who wants to go to a kindergarten class to show babies how to put condoms on cucumbers. Let a child be a child...a time will come for sex in a person's life but not when they are children. In today's hypersexed media, dress and attitudes childhood is robbed. We as adults spend our lives wanting to be young, youthful yet we will not allow our teenaged/preteen children their youth, we try to indoctrinate them with adult concepts and activities. It is very sad.

I have been telling everyone for years that when the number of folks that receive a pay check, subsidy, or a handout from an account provided by taxes of some kind, exceed the number of folks that do not; then we have reached a tipping point. We are now past that tipping point. Both candidates now know that the former group controls their chance of being elected; therefore all their promises contribute to our problems rather than resolve our coming demise.

Democrat voters will install more and more of their own and gain complete control of government, because they are the ones receiving the greater portion of the tax money and are not the ones providing the greater portion of the tax money. The votes go to those politicians who provide the best return per vote. Those elected to office of both parties, rather than control corruption and regulate the market place, now surreptitiously contribute to it. Until folks realize the current system cannot be sustained, we shall continue to experience a declining life style.

The most disgusting part of this election is that in order to be elected politicians must prostitute themselves to the large corporations and the rich to fill their election purse. Then in order to gain office they must promise the voters things they know they cannot deliver. If the voters invested as much effort in understanding the government and the economy, as they spend chasing their favorite sports team and other frivolous activities, perhaps they could hold their politicians accountable. Education should be a life long activity. A pity most voters restrict furthering their education to only their job and family activities, many even fail in that. Tomorrow will be another week of the blame game, do not expect to see anyone accept responsibility or provide real solutions.

Student,

Could you please tell me 4 things president Bush did to significantly weaken our economy. thanks in advance.

Student, you make some very good points and I would say you are doing well for keeping up on politics because many younger people don't pay much attention to it. I also think that it is unfair how everyone on this page is using your age against you and telling you that you won't understand until you get older because you seem to know quite well what you are talking about and I would agree that many of the parties' policies will greatly affect you now and as you do grow older.
To everyone saying to read pieces of historic documents and quoting former presidents, let's face it, times have changed and our society is always changing. Therefore, sometimes our laws and government also needs to change. We won't always be able to do things the traditional way. I respect the fact that many people on here are strong conservaties and that is your choice but I think that you people need to be open-minded and see that a new look in our government is what is needed right now since the last 8 years have been "run" by a republican and the past 8 years haven't exactly looked too positive for our country.

Well Democrat, it seems we're being told to change simply for change's sake.

People certainly have changed since the Constitution was written. Instead of reveling in our individual freedoms we line up with our hands out, competing for that last piece of government cheese, quite willing to trade our last bit of personal freedom for government programs and "security."

This isn't the place to engage in lengthy debate over controversial and complicated subjects such as gun control. Suffice it to say, there is much MUCH more to the story than what student quoted from a very one sided anti-gun source.

The CT has a forum for this sort of thing and I invite anyone interested in actually learning about that and any other subject us sheep conservatives hold dear, come on over and start it up.
I'll be glad to oblige.

They that can give up essential liberty to obtain a little temporary safety deserve neither liberty nor safety.
---Benjamin Franklin, Historical Review of Pennsylvania, 1759.

Some of you people need to go read a book instead of writing one! Go past 1 paragragh and know one reads it anyway!

Mydogisfrank:

First let me assure you that McCain will never be elected as there are far too many folks like you spreading this type of propaganda and lies. McCain was never on Turtle Island because it is a known gathering place for vacationing liberal nut cases. As I said before there are far too many voters receiving the fruits of government giveaways. Obama’s promises can never be fulfilled, as the country will be in the same shape as the holders of sub-prime ARM mortgages. You cannot collect more taxes on a declining GDP. The election is no longer important as the nations problems are now beyond solution. The bailouts will continue through Election Day. It is now either sink or swim on an individual basis. It will be interesting to see the deconsolidation of schools when the school busses shut down in a few years.

Next year gas prices, football games, and vacations will be of little interest to those unemployed.

1 - NO judge should make law - only intrepret. 2 - NO ONE will get bewteen my family / me and my doctor, NO ONE, no reason. 3 - No one will take my right to bear arms away. Period. Even intellectuals, if reading and think about this logically, should be able to understand.

Hail T. Boone Pickens !!!

Well if you like the direction of our country... if you thinkg things are going great... then by all means... vote for McCain. He was with bush 90 percent of the time. Things will stay the course!

Jnel-
Barack Obama is not "pro-abortion" he supports a woman's right to choose. Whether you agree or disagree with this, well that's up to you but let me inform you that...
"Barack Obama is an original co-sponsor of legislation to expand access to contraception, health information and preventive services to help reduce unintended pregnancies. Introduced in January 2007, the Prevention First Act will increase funding for family planning and comprehensive sex education that teaches both abstinence and safe sex methods. The Act will also end insurance discrimination against contraception, improve awareness about emergency contraception, and provide compassionate assistance to rape victims." www.barackobama.com

I think it's important to be correctly informed. I believe whether legal or illegal, abortions will happen. As a country we need to do whatever we can to reduce the number of unintended pregnancies. I think this is the bigger issue.

I can name ALOT more but here are you 4 things!!


Decades of legislation meant to protect clean air and water, forests, shores, wetlands and mountain tops has been rolled back to accommodate mining, oil and logging interests.

Thirty-two billions dollars needed to upgrade shools and the cash is not available. Students hold bake sales to retain special teachers. Teachers do janitorial work to save school funds.

U.S healthcare, ranking only 37th among developed nations, is not available to 43 million of its people. Medical expenses are the primary reason for the escalation of bankruptcies in the country.

The economy is on the edge of collapse owing to the trade deficit and profligate spending of this Republican Administration.

I'm not a fan of government spending and the deficits it brings on but I have a question for all those yowling about runaway spending and deficits.

How many of you cashed your economic stimulus checks?

Thought so.

Tim- The question of how many cashed those checks is silly, if you got one I highly doubt you left it sitting in a desk drawer to expire. A better question is- How many of you turned around and used those "stimulus" checks to pay the electric bill or your mortgage payment for the month? Our economy is in trouble, and was long before those checks arrived. We will all be paying the price of the bailout, the wars, etc. for a long time to come. My question for you is this- which candidate is willing to put his own agenda on hold for the good of the people? Neither is perfect, but only one has been willing to flat out say he will have to compromise what he would like to see happen for what needs to happen to get us back on track.

Pro Choice: You can label abortion as a Women's Right if you want. But, if you're pro choice you're pro abortion. Those values are what is keeping abortions legal. I am at a loss for words at how any American can entertain the idea that killing a child is a right we are granted. This nation needs to get back to a culture that promotes life.

One more thing- just because I am a liberal Democrat doesn't mean I am getting and/or looking for a handout from the government. My spouse, myself, and my kids all work hard for our wages, we pay our bills and we don't live on credit or beyond our means, just like a lot of other Dems we know.

On the other hand I know quite a few people who claim to be Republican even as they are using the free clinic,buying junk food with their food stamp card and filing bankruptcy because they bought a house beyond their income.

I'm not a farmer, and I don't use ethanol, so I could care less on that aspect.

As far as who to vote for, I don't care for either one. Considering the fact that the McCain has more experience in politics than Obama and Biden put together is a big positive for McCain.

No matter who we put into office, they are going to have to deal with a lot of issues left over from the last couple of years. And no matter who we put into office, people are going to be unhappy.

This is just too much! C'mon we are quoting thought and theory fron 200+ years ago. The liberties and freedoms they were so adamant about came from the Monarchy and fuedal systems that were still fresh in their minds. Since I am a card carrying democrat should I be Quoting Machievelli or possiblyMarx or Engels...It would make about as much sense as quoting Jefferson, Franklin Adams, or Bastiat
P.S. Dean, I did speak for myself, that was my opinion, just as you have yours, and by the way, where is this left leaning news media and where can I listen? Certainly not in Nebraska.

To Reality Check:

You've got to be kidding me! You just stated the biggest, most ridiculous generalization I've ever heard...So all Republicans are living on welfare and buying junk food and unemployed...Wow I think you need a REALITY CHECK! Grow up!

Now that everyone has stated their postitions and why........maybe you all should go to the Columbus Library and read the history of Platte County, and get on the wonderful Platte Co GenWeb site to read more. If you go back in history just in this area, you will see that : most immigrants who came to this area had to receive handouts at one time or another, many people in the area had to be buried in the Paupers cemetery section, many were committed to state asylums, many committed murder and other crimes and were sent to prison, etc etc. Many were in debt from the moment they arrived to farm land that was offered at $1 acre by the UP......I could go on and on. I am only stating this in response to people who say that Democrats look for handouts. All of the things I stated were paid for by taxes of the people. That is the way a civilized society works.

By the way, I have done extensive genealogy in this area, and probably know more about the families who settled here early on than you do.
Our country does not need to be divided at a time like this. We only have presidents for four years at a time, our reps about the same. Vote them out if you don't like them. Don't give them another chance like you did last time.

The ethanol subsides regardless if it did not help the gas price a lot have created Jobs. It has also raised the price of corn for Farmers. I can remember a time where a farmer could not get much for there corn. If any one has noticed the ethanol gas prices are about .10 a gallon cheaper. Saves me around $300 a year. As for the comment about the subsides on farming you need to read about the depression one of the major problems in the Great depression was that farmers sank because there crops did poorly. Food was scares. I personally think that the if a farmer needs help out then so be it the fact is that subsides is to help buy seed to replant not live off of if a farm is flooded out the government gives them money to replant nothing more. In fact most farmers have insurance on their crops because the subsides are not that great. Also they give money to let farmers rest their ground if this did not happen the land would be no good for farming that is what Russia did over farmed their land. I can remember a time where Russia was running out of food from over using their land. So if you say let the farmers sink or float I would check out the history and maybe you would have a different of opinion.

TO ABCD: Let's explore a few points from your "musings"....Healthcare is available to anyone who wants or needs it? Really? Where do you live again? Must not be anywhere around Columbus, because I work, I DON'T have health benefits, and I can't afford to see a doctor. Haven't been able to see a doctor in almost 8 years..lucky for me nothing too terrible has happened..but it is just a matter of time. And please don't hand me the line that goes: In a real emergency, you can go to the ER. Yep, sure can. But if I pulled a muscle in my back...I'm supposed to go to the ER, be charged lots more to wait a lot longer, and then be told to see my primary care physician anyway? And, yes I tried the low income clinic. Know what they told me? Sorry, you don't qualify. Could this situation, and others like it, be the reason that medical expenses are the primary reason for escalation of bankruptcies. Not just here, oh no, everywhere across the USA that Bush proclaims to love. And as a healthcare worker, how can you possibly say that children of rape/incest would be better off being born. Better to put the baby first, ahead of nine months of torture and torment for the mother. Tell that to the 11 year old whose daddy raped her. I'm sure she will be very understanding. Oh, and have you seen what can happen when mother/son or father/daughter dogs are mated? The consequences of incest are all too real.
Lastly, if they did teach sex ed in school, maybe Bristol Palin would have fared a little better. Better to know the evils and still join in than to be ignorant and uninformed. Anxiously awaiting your rebuttal...

Well, I hate to break to all of you all who are crying, but Obama is going to win by a landslide. Obviously, we need a change and Republicans are not getting it done for us. Matter of fact.. It's getting worse!!!!!

Rick, quite possibly, if you had actually paid attention to the thoughts and theories from 200 plus years ago, you would know that they were not just concerned about monarchies. They were worried about people with your exact thoughts.

It is called democracy. Instead of a government ruled by laws, it is ruled by mob. If the majority want to go this way, that's where we go. If they want to go that way, we turn around. Hey, let's change with the wind direction. The minority and the individual be damned. Society takes precedence over the individual. That worked out really well for Karl, Friedrich, and Vladimir.

Let's get something else straight. Democrat, have you been paying any attention? Our laws are constantly changing! What indications have you seen that our law books have become dusty? That is what those corrupt politicians do all day! Everyday!

What we do not want changing is the rulebook by which this government is supposed to operate; the Constitution. That by the way, has changed seventeen times, which is too much for my liking.

Katie, I am glad that you reminded us that Thomas Jefferson was human. He was a human that just happened to be the most eloquent writer on individual freedoms and responsibilities in our history. That is why we quote him.

Now to Rob G, and I intentionally made this the last paragraph. If no one reads posts over one paragraph, why did nearly a dozen reply to Student? That fine young lady managed twenty-two paragraphs. That is not an accurate count of readers, by any means. Just replies. So, if you have a problem with your own literacy, don't try to push rules on to us, that accommodate you. If anything, some people need to paragraph more.

Oh, and I forgot to mention...if you believe that ancient documents are unimportant, you need to call for a Bible burning rally. Good luck!

MY POINT is that there are people in both parties who are working hard to take care of themselves, and there are people in BOTH parties who are living off government help. The 'generalizations' started on this blog long before my statements, primarily saying that Dems are always looking for a handout.
In the real world which party you belong to has nothing to do with whether you can pay for childcare without Title XX, pay your rent without housing assistance, or pay to go to the doctor. Party affiliation doesn't keep half of us from having to take on an extra job just to pay the heating bill.
Whether you think there are too many handouts, too few, or just the wrong ones, it isn't just Democrats using them, or creating them for that matter.
Remember, there may very well be a time (sooner than later if things keep going like they have been) that you may need the help of one of those programs, and that D or R isn't going to make any difference.

Just want to point out to Label Maker that Thomas Jefferson indeed was a brilliant man, and .....the founder, along with Andrew Jackson of the 2nd Party, which became the Democratic party.

In my postings, I am only trying to point out that people need to think for themselves. Otherwise, we will have another national tragedy like JFK if Obama does get elected.
While listening to a speech by John McCain this afternoon, he asked the question Do we know who Barack Obama is? A member of the audience shouted "Kill him! (Obama) In a Palin speech, where she talked about Obama and Ayres she asked who Obama is, and someone shouted "terrorist".
We will be the losers all the way around as the rabble rousers get the people in hate mode........and they continue to do what they want with us and our country.
Its amazing that just six years ago, when the same people who are behind McCain now, blistered him and ran him out of the campaign, he said that there is a place in hell for people like them. So sad that he gave in to them for his last chance.

Well if that was your "POINT" you surely did a horrible job of clarifying it. You specifically called out all Republicans, stating that...

and I quote...

"I know quite a few people who claim to be Republican even as they are using the free clinic,buying junk food with their food stamp card and filing bankruptcy because they bought a house beyond their income."

So if you think it doesn't really matter what party people are in, why were you only calling out all Republicans, nevertheless proudly stating that you are a"LIBERAL DEMOCRAT??? (Bty thats something I would surely be proud of *sarcasm*) You are contradicting yourself!

There is more mud-slinging on this forum than in the actual campaign. Looks like a good cure for low blood pressure too.

I am a registered democrat and intend to stay that way. But, there are a few topics that concern me.

1. Economy - The nation’s budget deficit has typically been much higher with a Republican president in office. In fact, I believe that the budget deficit for President Bush is greater than all the other presidents combined. Dems are much better with operating budgets and the budget deficit data supports that theory. Republicans seem to be much better at infrastructure investments. Right now, we need investment in alternative fuels, and dems don't have the track record for the task. They also don't have Palin. Say what you want, but she has proven that she understands how to deal with the tycoons. One of the most prevalent indicators of a reasonably strong economy is small machine shops. They are still operating, which means that capital spending is still taking place. And as long as companies are investing, they must have plans to produce. Another indicator of a strong economy is the hotel business. Last week a colleague passing through town was told to go to GI, Fremont, Lincoln, or Omaha because there was no vacancy here in town due to construction crews. My vote: McCain

2. HealthCare - The government couldn't even handle Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac. The last thing I need is for them to screw up healthcare. Bush didn't do that....this didn't just happen last night, both parties are responsible and have been for quite some time. If someone wants to argue that point, then tell me who was in office in '94 when I bought my first house, was making $10.50/hr and was pre-approved for a $95,000 home loan (I bought a $33,000 house). Furthermore, if Obama selected one of the guys that made $90,000,000 in the last six years as his economic advisor, you might think that is wise. If he made that money on Freddie Mac, I think that would make me wise not to vote for him. Just because a rich man can afford a wonderful cure for what ails him, doesn't make me entitled to it. I don't expect other people to pick up the tab on my healthcare. I would say that the majority of the doctors in this town live in a house valued somewhere between $300,000 and $700,000. The problem with healthcare is that they are not required to provide a satisfactory service. Think about it. If you hire a plumber to fix your water pipes, you pay him, and it fails a week later, chances are you can make a claim against him, or in many cases, he will come back and make things right with you if you just visit with him. If you go to a doctor to fix you, you pay him, and a week later you are not better, you have no recourse, and if you want to talk to him about it, it'll cost you another $80. And you think it is a good idea to open our wallets for them? My vote: McCain

3. Gun control - have you ever noticed that the reason laws like this don't work is because of the corruption in the controlling agencies? Corruption in politics knows no party. The government cannot control underage drinking, they cannot control drug use, nor are they able to control guns. Even the notion that they could is silly and ludicrous. These types of wide sweeping laws work when you want to control law abiding citizens. In case you haven't figured out, all the cited statistics are not the result of law abiding citizens. Even if you could take all the guns away (which is impossible), what would you propose when they started using sticks....that they cut down and burn all the trees? My vote: McCain

4. Alternative Fuels - The need has long been identified, but if we wait much longer, we might need a viaduct committee solve this one. The dems are not qualified for this task. The republicans are the only ones experienced at ripping us off in the energy department. We need someone to hit the ground running, and it is not Obama nor Biden. If the tree huggers don't like it, have them read the previous paragraph on gun control, that will scare them and we can drill baby drill before they know what hit them. Then, we can show them a satellite image of Alaska and tell them to find the wells. That ought to keep them busy while the mideast runs out of terrorist funding money. This seems to be the topic that spurred the debate. Ethanol will continue to do just fine, but we shouldn't put all of our eggs in one basket. My vote: McCain

5. National Security - Sit down and visit with the Iranian president? The same people that cheered when the twin towers fell? Please, go with him to Iran. My vote: McCain.

6. Immigration - McCain suggested that we provide an amnesty period, then seal the borders and prevent further illegal immigration. There are folks that have been here for years, they are our neighbors, friends, co-workers, etc... Invite them to join us here legally, and I am sure they will be glad to do their part contributing to the tax base with the rest of us getting the shaft. People complain because they get together in large groups, laughing and carrying on, listening to loud ethnic music. Am I describing what happens here today, or what was happening in Tarnov during the 20th century? Lose the hatred. My vote: McCain


To the student: I sure am glad that you are using reason and logic to draw a conclusion. I disagree with just about all of your opinions, but I am very impressed that a teenager would research just to make the best informed decision they could. My vote: McCain

For those of you that want to blame the condition of the country on Bush, think about this as the President does not have as much control as you think.

George Bush has been in office for 7 1/2 years. In the first six the economy was fine.

Just over a year ago:
1. Regular gasoline sold for $2.19 a gallon.
2. The unemployment rate was 4.5%.
3. The Dow Jones hit a record high
4. American's were buying new cars, taking cruises, vacations overseas, living large.
Then America wanted a change!
In 2006 they voted in a Democratic Congress and yes, we got change all right!!!

In the last year:
1. Consumer confidence has plummeted. 2. Gasoline is now near $4 a gallon & climbing.
3. Unemployment is up to 5.5%
4. Americans have seen their home equity drop by $12 trillion and prices still dropping
5. 1% of American homes are in foreclosure.
6. The Dow is hitting record lows.

So lets look again at this change, yep the Democrats came in and they sure gave us a change!

NOW THE DEMOCRATIC CANDIDATE FOR PRESIDENT CLAIMS HE IS GOING TO REALLY GIVE US CHANGE ALONG WITH A DEMOCRATIC CONGRESS!!!!

I am not sure how I feel about this but I thought I would share.

http://www.rollingstone.com/news/coverstory/make_believe_maverick_the_real_john_mccain

Also, I don't think it's a good idea to compare our current situation with the past. Our county is in a different place now...sometimes the lessons we learn from history are not always valid in present day situations. Also, when making your choice, think about what's best for the entire country. Think outside the little piece that is Columbus, NE. I think that everyone has learned by now the problems of "big cities" and "far away places" eventually do come to your safe town in the midwest.

To all whom are reading this forum.
We consume and we consume, 25% of the worlds energy is consumed by Americans,being 5% of the worlds population. Average American uses 25 barrels of oil a year. The average European, (most of us are orignaly from there) consume 11 barrels. If concerned about energy, where the question began with this forum, drive a small car, ride your bike, turn your computer off, and think about why the price of energy is up???? Maybe look across the Atlantic and learn from our ancestors. Ethanol---it is a band-aid that effects the price of our food. Putting food in the tanks of our SUVs that are owned by the bank. Reality check everyone. Think Blue!

To all whom are reading this forum.
We consume and we consume, 25% of the worlds energy is consumed by Americans,being 5% of the worlds population. Average American uses 25 barrels of oil a year. The average European, (most of us are orignally from there) consume 11 barrels. If concerned about energy and vote republican, where the question began with this forum, drive a small car, ride your bike, turn your computer off, and think about why the price of energy is up???? Maybe look across the Atlantic and learn from our ancestors. Ethanol---it is a band-aid that effects the price of our food. Putting food in the tanks of our SUVs that are owned by the bank. Reality check everyone. Think Blue!

To Be Informed:

Why do you feel compelled to post e-mails that have been floating around the country for weeks now? The answer to this particular e-mail is pretty simple, As any 100 level poli-sci student can tell you, change in a democratic form of government does not take place overnight, or in this case 2 1/2 years. It makes me laugh to see how numbers can be skewed to push the blame off to another cause. In reality, if you will compare the first 6 years of bushes' reign you will see that he was riding Clintons coattails of a strong economy. Through flawed policy, insider dealing and general incompetance he has brought our country to its knees. Change was inevitable in the eyes of the american voters, hence a democratic congress. With bush still in power there is only so much congress can do. It seems funny to me that in the 6 years of a republican congress and presidency our country did not evolve or advance, rather decline! Once again it is up to the democrats to clean up the republican mess.

WOW! Thank you for finally stating something on this forum that makes sense. Now all we need to do is get all the uninformed and 'liberal democrats' to see the light. Please people "wake up" we are in a serious crisis here and Obama and his administration will only make things worse!

Chris Rock said "Vote for the guy with one house". If you have 7 or 8 eight houses you are not going to be worried if you lose one. If you only have one house, you are going to work hard to keep it.

To SouthSideRes; what books or internet sites did you visit to get the information on the Bush Bin Laden ties? I am serious, I would really like to read them too.

We need a president that lives and breathes America. When the original Founding Fathers signed their names on the dotted line to create this country they were committing treason and would have been hung if they failed. "United we stand, divided we fall". We need a president willing to stay behind and sacrifice himself to be united with the men he is leading not a president that just has experience doing good deeds with other peoples solicited funds.

http://www.denverpost.com/rodriguez/ci_4319898

CORRECT AMUNGO!!!

Problem is that the people who vote Democrat are usually the least educated. The least educated are more likely to believe what they are told since they don't do any reading on their own. As was posted before:

"A democracy will continue to exist up until the time that voters discover they can vote themselves generous gifts f rom the public treasury."

"From that moment on, the majority always vote for the candidates who promise the most benefits from the public treasury, with the result that every democracy will finally collapse due to loose fiscal policy, which is always followed by a dictatorship."

Read this and consider the facts.

This is a plan I thought of some 3 years ago as gas prices were rising, it seems the most practical means of reducing gas consumption without impacting the lower income folks.

I believe an additional $2 tax on a gallon of gas is very necessary. Our current consumption of 140 billion gallons of gas per year would generate 280 billion dollars of Taxes. To compensate for that additional tax, the 7.65% payroll tax (FICA) paid by employees would be discontinued on the first $ 50,000 of earned income. The 7.65% paid by employers would continue, and the self-employed tax would be reduced to 7.65% on the first $50,000.

After $50K of earned income there would be an incremental increase in pay-roll taxes up to the current 7.65%. The 7.65% would extend out to the current max cap on earned income and could be extended as is currently being done to insure sufficient funds to meet our currently projected requirements. Each working person would then receive an additional $765 in their paycheck for each $10K of earned income to compensate for the tax on 382 gallons of gas or about 8,000 miles of average mileage or up to 40,000 miles for $50K of income. There certainly would be an incentive to save on gas and use the additional money for other expenses. Of course old farts like me with no earned income and who do most of the voting would object, as would the very rich, and all the self-serving congress-folks beholding to their lobbyists. This would also reduce gas prices as demand would be reduced. Of course common sense is an uncommon virtue in Washington.

Wow, it is frightening the level of ignorance in many of these posts. So many of you just parrot the "facts" that seem to support your agenda and conveniently ignore anything that contradicts what you want to believe.

Wake up people! Both parties long ago sold their souls to the special interests and big corporations. The phrase "government by the people for the people" should be changed to "government by big business for the elite richest 1% of the people".

If you want to send a message, vote out ALL the incumbants from whichever party they are in. Clearly they are all failing the american people.

Dave said it all, we TRULY need to vote against all current parties in government starting with city all the way through Washington DC. That is the only we the tax paying American citizens will be heard. Put new blood in there and not those that will give to their people only and all of you reading this know what I mean there. If you are legal and paying taxes, you should be # 1 when you need something instead of you being the #1 person having to pay for it for others that have absolutely no right to it or live in the US for that matter.

Don't just talk about it, do it. Out with the old, vote in the new if you want any chance of keeping a free and viable US of A.

This is directed only to poster WHERE, since they showed interest.
You might read the book, The Family: The Real Story of the Bush Dynasty by Kitty Kelley to just get a back drop of the family. It covers the history of the oil interests of the family among other things. The author has done her research well, and never been sued.
You might also read John McCain's latest book in which he admits that his reason to run for President last time was ego and had nothing to do with love of country. Anyone who runs for President has a big ego.....but they shouldn't accuse others of the same fallibity.

I really think that ethanol is the least of our worries! You really want to put someone in the role of president who is for partial birth abortion. Lets just talk about some moral issues here. Obama is so far left its amazing he can even look forward! Get over the ethanol buddy!