Pandered to the far-right
EDITOR:This letter is in reference to the Sept. 8 letter "Bashing of Sarah Palin." The letter states:
"If you happen to be a Democrat, you are now aligned with a venomous party. Anyone who takes hateful potshots at a 17-year old pregnant teenager or a 4-month old Down syndrome baby is repulsive and deserves to be repudiated. There is no place in our society for such deplorable behavior. Have we lost all respect?"
As a Democrat, I take offense to the implication that I am "repulsive" and belong to a "venomous party."
The letters has assumed, and wrongly so, that all Democrats have been hateful against Governor Palin's two daughters. To say that we have attacked a 4-month old Down syndrome baby is a complete lie. A few idiots in Internet blogs might have, but not the party. Senators Obama and Biden have publicly said that families are off limits.
Unfortunately, the selection of Palin has put the Democrats in a Catch-22 situation. If she is attacked for her views and policy, the Republicans will cry "sexism." If she is not criticized, Palin's ultra- conservative beliefs will be ignored. She will be able to continue espousing her Karl Rove formed ideas unchecked.
Her convention speech energized the party but did we hear anything substantial? Her tone was very sarcastic and strident. To mock Senator Obama's "work as a community organizer" was over the top.
It degraded the sacrifices of Dr. Martin Luther King and Caesar Chavez. Of course, many in the Republican base like to avoid any connection with the disadvantaged and poor. They don't fill the coffers of the Republican "war chest."
In my view, Palin is nothing more than a Dick Cheney, without the experience, I might add, in an attractive woman's garb. Oh, I'd better avoid saying "attractive;" that's a sexist comment. I've had enough of Dick Cheney and his ilk hanging around Pennsylvania Avenue. Eight years of a Cheney led administration is enough.
The letter also goes on to quote former President Clinton's Secretary of State: "Former Secretary of State Madeline Albright once said, 'There is a special place in hell for women who do not help other women.' No doubt Madeline was referring specifically to Democratic women. But have no fear; Sarah Palin is a woman of courageous substance who can take the heat and has no intention of spending time in Madeline Albright's 'feminists' kitchen.'"
I don't believe that Madeline Albright was, to quote the letter, "No doubt specifically" referring to Democratic women. She endorsed Senator Hillary Clinton and advised her on foreign policy. Now, Albright is serving as an adviser to Senator Obama.
As to, "take the heat," that remains to be seen. As of this writing, she hasn't been allowed to give an interview. "Courageous?" "Substance?"
Well, she has stood up to a moose or two. She has, as Commander and Chief of the Alaskan National Guard, also kept her borders free from invasion by Russia and the Yukon. She has learned, during her brief political career in Alaska, to walk over the bodies of her critics unscathed. She has, like many astute politicians, said that "pork" will not be tolerated but will keep federal funds anyway.
The "Bashing of Sarah Palin" letter is typical of many "modern" conservatives. They simply "parrot" information from "ultra-right" web sites like the Free Republic. As a matter of fact, most of the information in the letter was written by "boy wonder" Ben Shapiro in his article, "The Hypocritical Woman-Hating Left Targets Palin" found on townhall.com.
Sadly, the party of Reagan and Goldwater has moved drastically to the politics of the far-right, derision and intolerance.
Senator McCain is more honorable than this but has had Palin forced upon him by the new core of the Republican Party. He has pandered to the far-right, in order to get elected. Is this the kind of "change" we want in Washington?
Thomas Martin
Iron Mountain
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PatrickMarble
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09-19-08 2:20 PM
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In case you need it... ***********irs.gov/pub/irs-drop/rp-07-66.pdf
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PatrickMarble
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09-19-08 2:09 PM
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How is someone making millions per year paying less on a percentage than you? I don't understand your math. Either you do not understand the tax code or you don't understand the tax code. They are paying a higher tax rate and they are paying a bundle in capital gains taxes, luxury taxes, property taxes, and pretty much any other kind of tax you can think of. While you may want them to carry your share too, that would not be fair to them. They pay a much higher percentage than you and I. Either that or you do not understand the tax code and are paying higher than your scheduled percentage.
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Blackhawk
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09-19-08 1:17 PM
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I correct myself Johnson is not his economic adviser he was the leader in the Vice President selection committee. Good job on the selection.:(
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Blackhawk
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09-19-08 12:57 PM
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Yeah maybe they should start with Jim Johnson (Who stole about that much from Fannie Mae). Who now is Obama's economic adviser should pay the taxes or a better idea is give the money back he stole. Like Biden said it's the patriotic thing to do. What does being patriotic have to do with paying more taxes? Paying taxes is the responsibility of Americans and it's the law, not a patriotic act. Showing respect for our flag, displaying it proudly, and supporting our troops is patriotic not paying more taxes. I think the Obama/Biden camp is a little confused on patriotism.
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PatrickMarble
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09-17-08 9:42 PM
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Sorry I should have preference it, my comment was for Nonamiss.
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TinyTiger
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09-17-08 6:15 PM
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In case you missed it, I agreed with you that everyone should pay the same percentage, PatrickMarble. But, only if it also means No One, not rich, not poor, gets tax breaks and loopholes.
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PatrickMarble
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09-17-08 4:17 PM
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So, you think everyone should pay the same percentage? Isn't that the point I have been trying to make for the last few days? Whether you make $5,000 or $1,000,000 you should be paying the same percentage of your income to taxes. Why should you pay a penalty for becoming more successful? That is socialism and it is not what this country was built upon.
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PatrickMarble
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09-17-08 9:38 AM
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Get an education and a better job and you can be part of the group that pays higher taxes. It is easy to complain about your lot in life. It is a lot more work to do something about it. You may even have to move to a place where there are jobs. I know that I had to. I would love to be living back in Aurora, but the reality was that I needed to move away to get where I wanted to be. Some day I may retire back there, but I could not afford to live there now. There aren't enough opportunities for what I do and what I want to do. I understand that and I don't complain about it.
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TinyTiger
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09-16-08 5:27 PM
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PatrickMarble, most people who disagree with me on this website accuse me of being a conservative, and they're right most of the time. I agree with you that taxes are unfair to the rich. BTW, I paid 10% last year, not 5. However, I do not believe that the answer is to screw the other 95% of the population by outsourcing jobs to other countries. Our economy is in tatters already, and it's just going to get worse. That was a greed-driven move, and it's killing the country.
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whiteagle
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09-16-08 1:59 PM
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I am sorry leakey that I have to call you this but you are an imbecile. Are you telling me those republicans and far right conservatives are a union party? This is the most ridiculous statement I have seen here so far.
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leakey
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09-16-08 12:33 PM
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The democrat party favors the far left.That particular group spends most of it's time killing projects that are usually good paying long term union jobs. Sorry the service industry just doesn't cut it.
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PatrickMarble
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09-15-08 10:19 PM
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Jealousy will get you no where... I guess what I am hearing is that if you came from a family with lots of money, you would give it all away for the betterment of society. You don't think the Obama's own expensive items? Are you serious? Really, do you really believe that? I like the way you say they get a big tax cut when they are paying taxes at the highest rate. Most "rich" people pay more in taxes than you and I make every year. To say they do not pay their fair share is ridiculous. Yes, they aren't paying the 40% you want them to pay, but they aren't paying the 0-5% that most Americans are paying. That is right. The majority of Americans pay almost nothing in taxes every year. Do the calculations on your own. Look at your taxes from last year. I bet you paid less than 5%. Don't complain unless you are paying your fair share.
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TinyTiger
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09-15-08 8:20 PM
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Republicans traditionally favor big business. Democrats traditionally favor the labor side. Those of us stuck in the middle know that business and labor need each other to thrive, like we did for decades. Then, some big business interests got the bright idea that maybe American business does NOT need American labor, and started outsourcing labor to other countries. Now they try to blame the unions for their actions, as if anyone in the US would work for 50 cents an hour. They found a way for the rich to get richer, and screw the rest.
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Blackhawk
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09-15-08 5:07 PM
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There is nothing to twist. Facts are facts. Biden has been in Washington just as long as McCain has. Obama was there for a short time and did nothing. So I guess the only one that isn't corrupt is Palin.
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PatrickMarble
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09-15-08 4:49 PM
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I like your analogy. I think this one may be more germane, though. I attend many PTA meetings. Most of these meetings have a 95%-98% attendance level of women. This doesn't make me a woman; it makes me a good parent. Sometimes it is difficult to do what is right and not what is trendy or fashionable. Find your 3 or 4 hot issues and see where each candidate stands. You may not like what the person looks like or what their accent is or the suits they wear. Do you due diligence and vote in the direction that you feel is right. I cannot tell you what that is. I know what my hot issues are and I will vote accordingly. I can guarantee it will not be a straight ticket, though. I have never found a politician that had the exact same views as I do (that is probably a good thing if any of you know me). I love a good debate, though.
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whiteagle
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09-15-08 4:15 PM
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Blackhawk is typical republican blames the ones that are not in his uniform, and twists the truth like Ike twisted over Galveston to make it looks like California sunshine. Patrick more power to you, but you know if you go to the room full of cigar smoke and you don’t smoke, you will smell like a cigar smoker. McCain have been in the Washington for 26 years and he smells like same usual business. I am not a Democrat, but I prefer guy that doesn’t stink.
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Blackhawk
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09-15-08 3:36 PM
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You all seem to forget that the President doesn't make the laws, He is the Executive branch. Yet gets blamed for everything that goes bad. Where is the Democrat controlled congress? They haven't done anything in the last 2 years except buy Nancy P. a new plane. Maybe the one she bought is the same one Palin got rid of. I agree with leakey, Clinton is the one that started the N.A.F.T.A so you can look to the left for jobs lost. Also if we recall Clinton never met a tax he didn't like so if he is going to advise Obama Heaven help us all.
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PatrickMarble
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09-15-08 3:26 PM
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As I have stated before, I am not a Republican. I have never voted straight ticket. I vote for the best person available. In some cases, it is a Republican and in many it has been a Democrat. I try my best not to get caught up in the rhetoric of either side. I do tend to lean right of center, though. I am fiscally conservative. If we want to compare IQ's, I am OK with it. I am a member of Mensa with an MBA and will begin my PhD next spring. Rhetoric only gets you so far in life; hard work and education will get you the rest of the way.
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harris
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09-15-08 3:09 PM
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Maleman & PatrickMarble- Glad to hear that you both are better off now than you were 8 years ago, but I would guess that you are in the minority. You are entitled to your opinions - I respectfully disagree with you.
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davepete
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09-15-08 3:09 PM
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There are two kinds of Republicans: 1,Rich republicans, 2,Suckers
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leakey
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09-15-08 1:50 PM
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PatrickMarble-The biggest problem i have is the age old issue of responsibility.Both parties are guilty but the dems just don't get it.The other issue is the environment. Man by nature will change the environment.Conservation by definition is "The wisest use of a resource to benefit the majority of people for the longest period of time".The present evironmental groups are bent on absolute power to benefit a small group of people.
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whiteagle
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09-15-08 1:42 PM
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If I am correct, I think her IQ is higher then Bush's! I see you have your blinds on, and you will follow your leader like a bunch of buffaloes during stampede of the cliff into oblivion. If you have few cells left under your hood, open today’s papers and read it. Six years of GOP control of both houses plus Bush equal a mess we have today!
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maleman
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09-15-08 1:38 PM
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Harris, 8 years later and this is my busiest year ever and show no signs of slowing down. I've always practiced conservative principles and trusted God. I know dems don't understand that and partly why they are failing. I do feel bad about the dems being deceived by their leaders because it doesn't have to be that way. Democrats & Republicans both believe are elected officials are incompetent and in the pockets of special interest. I am voting for McCain & Palin because if they really do believe in the reform they preach it may be the only chance we have to slow down the snowball and bring change.
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PatrickMarble
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09-15-08 12:45 PM
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Malamute...I am glad you were able to find time to read the NY Times the other day to find out about the Misery Index. harris...you asked if we are better off now compared to 8 years ago. I personally am. I have a stable job making nearly 3 times more than I was in 2000. FYI, the Dem are the ones holding the minorities and uneducated hostage with their hateful rhetoric. Check out the mainstream media. 90% of it is filled with negative, hateful articles used to turn the uninformed against the conservatives and even the moderates for that matter.
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PatrickMarble
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09-15-08 12:34 PM
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leakey...you are talking with people who fall in behind Lindsay Lohan. What can you expect? You could hand them an apple and they would argue that it is an orange because Bush is a moron. lacountc...technically, you should follow a period with two spaces. When using a word processing program it will usually do it for you (or make it a space and a half), but it is proper to use two spaces.
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