Fire them all

Posted Friday, October 17, 2008, at 2:51 PM

The great election showdown continues and for me Election Day can't get here soon enough.

I am sick of the negative attack ads I see and hear from both presidential candidates.

The moral, philosophical, political and experience differences between the respective presidential and vice presidential candidates is really pretty clear.

The real question is who do we trust?

Voting records are important.

Character is important.

Views on moral issues are important.

Experience is important.

Having plans for today and the future are important.

Stands on policy issues are important.

Judgment and decision-making qualities are important.

Common sense is important.

It's up to each of us as voters to decide which one do we trust to lead this nation in the next four years.

Whomever we select is not going to have an easy road to go.

This nation has many challenges and we don't need a lot of election promises. We need some firm pledges of action.

Admittedly, this financial mess that has this country heading down the wrong path didn't happen over night. Look back and you'll see that decision made during the current Republican administration of George W. Bush with a Democrat-controlled Congress and back farther into the Democrat administration of Bill Clinton with a Republican-majority Congress set up the big fall we are now experiencing.

We need for the legislative and executive branches to work together in a non-partisan fashion -- something that has not been done very admirably in the last two years when the economy really started to nose dive.

The attacks we have heard have been equally personal, hurtful and divisive in the campaigns being waged by presidential candidates Barack Obama and John McCain.

My decision for president was made early when I reviewed the agenda's of each party, looked at the records of the party's candidates and took time to read about each of their lives -- including learning something about the kinds of people they have associated with over the years. You can tell a lot about a person by knowing the friends they keep.

And, despite what the Democrat nominee for president said at the last debate the other night, he too has engaged in a slimy series of half-truths, outright lies, and mischaracterizations that is more than insulting to the intelligence of the voters back home in Indiana.

We are all smart enough to know when we are being sold a bunch of snake oil and the more I hear and read, the more I am thinking we are being duped by all the eloquently delivered "feel good" talk.

All this stuff we keep hearing about change is really a bunch of rhetoric unless we change the way we do things. That includes changing the folks who write the laws that affect you and I.

We are at a time when the nation's economy is headed to the tank -- thanks to the outright greed of the investors on Wall Street, many of our nation's mortgage lenders and poor legislative decisions by our representatives on Capitol Hill.

We see a lot of finger-pointing about what caused this financial meltdown, but the truth of the matter is there is plenty of blame to go around -- including bad policy from the Republican administration that is currently residing in the White House.

We need to remember Congress makes the laws -- not the president.

As short-term and long term fix to the problem, I've decided we probably should be cleaning out the entire U.S. House chamber on Election Day with some new faces, new ideas in order to restore some legislative faith.

We've all been failed and the ballot box is our only recourse.

Fire the whole bunch of them.

Every member of the House of Representative -- all 435 of them are up for grabs in the Nov. 4 Election. The voters can send a clear message that "enough is enough" by voting out all of the incumbents -- even the good ones.

And while we are changing things, why don't we enact some legislation that will extend the terms of elected members of the House of Representatives from two to four years? That way they won't have to constantly be running for election and they might be able to stay in Washington D.C. and do some real work for the working people back in their districts.

The presidential candidates both like to banter an agenda of change for the nation on the campaign stump.

But firing all the Congressmen would produce some meaningful change that will affect the folks back home -- like Jim, the guy who works in the local factory; or Teddy, who makes his living tending the grain fields in Greene County; or the teachers who are educating our kids at Linton-Stockton, Bloomfield, White River Valley, Eastern Greene, Shakamak and Union school districts; or Teresa, who works at our local hospital; or Karen who is employed at one of our county's government contracting firms; or the Graves brothers, who are Greene County's version of "Joe the Plumber."

Think about it. We need to vote responsibility and wisely in this upcoming election. The votes we cast are important.

Nick is the assistant editor for the Greene County Daily World. He can be reached by telephone at 847-4487 or 1-800-947-4487 or by e-mail at schneider.nick@gmail.com or nschneider@gcdailyworld.com

Comments
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What do you think the word creator means in the preamble!

"We hold these truths to be self evident, that all men are created equal, That they are endowed by their creator with certain inalienable rights!"

Notice it says "men are created" not evolved.

it also says creator meaning someone (God) formed us. Those who framed this nation belived it and printed everywhere you look.

Even our money has God on it! Like I stated in this blog several writings prior, If you dont like the fact our money has God on it, give me your money, I will have no problem spending it!

Yes we were founded on Christian principals!

-- Posted by SEAL on Tue, Nov 4, 2008, at 3:30 PM

Let us just get out there and vote for McCain and save our country while we still have the chance --- and the choice.

-- Posted by Over The Hill on Sat, Nov 1, 2008, at 11:04 AM

UNITE, SONS OF LIBERTY, STAND AND UNITE !!!!!

http://www.newsonsofliberty.us/

___________________________________________

jest my 2 cents worth, non-taxable(for now)

-- Posted by hilljak on Thu, Oct 30, 2008, at 8:19 PM

You said it GC Patriot! We allowed one person to take prayer out of schools in the 60's and not one christian organization did anything about it!Now no biblical phrases in court houses or on government property!

Hey man, if you dont want religious messages in or on govermnet properties, turn in you dollar bills baby! Go to Washington DC and look at most of the statues there, there is references to God everywhere! You want so called seperation of Church and State! Give me all your money! I will have no problem spending your money with "In God We Trust!"on it! We must stand up for our GOD GIVEN FREEDOMS!

-- Posted by SEAL on Thu, Oct 30, 2008, at 2:50 PM

I agree wholeheartedly with GC Patriot however, Lets look at another area besides gun issues, Look at the fact of Obama and the Dems who control congress passing a heavy hate crimes bill? Makes since since race is a part of this election. I am not racist but I see the "handwriting on the wall"

A major problem for Christians and Pro Lifers... A Hate Crimes Bill will stop anyone, including Churches and Preachers from preaching the word of God! You will not be able to speak about alternative lifestyles, other forms of religions, abortion etc. It will be illegal punishable with a fine and jail! You see it already in Canada and in some other states in the US. If you really want freedom of speech, we cannot afford a hate crimes law!

We must fight it in Indiana too!

The City ofTerre Haute has already pushed our local legislators for a Hate Crimes Bill! It is just a matter of time before it rears it head in Indiana. We have enough laws on the books, we dont need new ones limiting how we wish to speak about any issue. Especially religious issues.

It is time for Christians to take a stand! Stand up for what we believe! We must stand!

-- Posted by SEAL on Thu, Oct 30, 2008, at 11:41 AM

my bad, i'd seen an email going around saying that each person would get like $50k if they split that money up. i thought you were referencing that.

-- Posted by corbinsa on Thu, Oct 30, 2008, at 6:35 AM

I was joking corbinsa. We are so far in debt, it is absurd to print paper money to give to failed businesses was my point. Though IF a handout was to occur, give it back to the tax payers for we will surely spend it,thus stimulating the economy. Yet even more absurd is that we will vote many of the criminals who got us into this mess back into office.

-- Posted by hopeanddust on Wed, Oct 29, 2008, at 3:46 PM

hopeanddust:

good luck buying a car and paying off your house with $2500...

-- Posted by corbinsa on Wed, Oct 29, 2008, at 3:05 PM

Someone is going to lose.

A tax break to one bracket means an increase to others or a decrease in services, either way, someone loses.

Take for instance Indiana HB1001, cutting local governments funding by caping property taxes, someone loses, some people had a decrease in property taxes but most increased, most especially the farmers. However, the county, cities and towns suffer with a loss of revenue, therefore the services we are used to get cut because they cannot fund them, roads dont get paved, fire and police get cut and we, the tax payers, lose again!

SOMEONE ALWAYS LOSES IT IS GENERALLY THE AVERAGE TAX PAYER!

-- Posted by SEAL on Wed, Oct 29, 2008, at 2:26 PM

Thanks Terry. I don't trust politicians. I don't trust Obama and Pelosi and Reid to fret over such details as "real income". And I am a little angry about the whole bailout/buyout mess...paying 750 billion of our yet-to-be-taxed dollars to businesses who made bad decisions is frustrating. I would much rather they divide 750 billion by the approx. 300 million people who are 18 years and older and send it to us(though that would not be fair either because we would be stealing from our grand children). A stipulation could be made that we must use the money to buy new American automobiles (which would help our failing automakers)and pay off home debt (which would help the banks get the capital they need). Also, the democrat party and the republican party no longer represent me. I am sick of the mess they have made. I know I should vote the lesser of two evils as I have done all my life, yet I am at a point where I am going to vote for what I believe in. No Obama. No McCain.

Sigh. I'm sleepy now. Say hi to T.C. for me.

-- Posted by hopeanddust on Wed, Oct 29, 2008, at 1:40 PM

I would have liked to responded with more depth, but I just finished a lunch rush and I am worn out. Maybe later.

-- Posted by hopeanddust on Wed, Oct 29, 2008, at 1:08 PM

Dear not from Greene Co.,

Thank you for your post.

My post was copied and pasted from an email I recieved from a liberal friend, who obviously has a healthy sense of humor. Yet the pointed joke does express the fears of many who are concerned about Obama's statement of redistribution of wealth. A concern not just shared by many small business owners here in our beloved Greene county, for it truly is a global economy, and so everywhere U.S.A. is at risk with such a proposal. Small businesses are the backbone of our economy, as you well know, so any more burden put upon them will only make matters worse. Both parties have their hands in this mess, yet with the democrats taking over all three branches of government it will be up to them to steer us towards economical health. I am very skeptical of any attempts to redistribute wealth. And though my previous post was put forth in a humorous format, it does shine some light on the concept. And by the way, my gross sales put me over the $250,000.00 revenue point, yet after taxes, labor, food costs, insurance, etc. my real income is solidly middle class. And I work my butt off. No thanks Obama. If my taxes continue to rise,unfortunately, I will lay off some of my full-time workers who's families depend on their incomes here, and work even harder.

-- Posted by hopeanddust on Wed, Oct 29, 2008, at 12:53 PM

Today on my way to lunch I passed a homeless guy with a sign that read

'Vote Obama, I need the money.' I laughed. Once in the restaurant my

server had on a 'Obama 08' tie, again I laughed as he had given away his

political preference--just imagine the coincidence.

When the bill came I decided not to tip the server and explained to him

that I was exploring the Obama redistribution of wealth concept. He

stood there in disbelief while I told him that I was going to

redistribute his tip to someone who I deemed more in need--the homeless

guy outside. The server angrily stormed from my sight.

I went outside, gave the homeless guy $10 and told him to thank the

server inside as I've decided he could use the money more. The homeless

guy was grateful.

At the end of my rather unscientific redistribution experiment I

realized the homeless guy was grateful for the money he did not earn,

but the waiter was pretty angry that I gave away the money he did earn

even though the actual recipient needed money more.

I guess redistribution of wealth is an easier thing to swallow in

concept than in practical application

-- Posted by hopeanddust on Wed, Oct 29, 2008, at 9:57 AM

I don't think blasphemy should be allowed on here.

-- Posted by lilpatrietta on Tue, Oct 28, 2008, at 6:35 PM

You know who else was a socialist?

Jesus.

-- Posted by GarthHudson on Tue, Oct 28, 2008, at 4:48 PM

Obama is a socialist! America is headed down a very dangerous path to elect such a man. Mexico is looking pretty good if America decides to elect him. I don't want to live in a socialist nation.

http://www.aim.org/aim-column/obamas-int...

-- Posted by lilpatrietta on Tue, Oct 28, 2008, at 2:25 PM

Thank God only a handful of days left and all of this will be over and one thing is for sure. We will witness history regardless who wins.

If Obama wins, the first african american president. If McCain wins, the first feamle Vice President.

Either way history is being made.

If Obama wins, we will be in the most liberal society next to France. The Dems have been in control of congress for the past two years and it looks like they will gain even more seats after this year, combine that with a democrat President and you have an instant extreme liberal society!

Get ready America, we in for a long rough journey!

-- Posted by SEAL on Tue, Oct 28, 2008, at 1:39 PM

One more thing. How and where do I find the candidates for local votes and what they stand for? If anyone has an answer, I would appreciate it.

-- Posted by greenecountypatriot2 on Tue, Oct 28, 2008, at 9:42 AM

OK, I LOVE what greene county patriot has to say, obviously well versed in politics of our government and Greene county. Having lived here about 3 years, I have decided something needs to be done in Greene County. And not only here, but in our White House. I do wish everyone would quit blaming President Bush, this problem we have has been a long time in the making and in his defense I will say, he never backed down. Granted, we do not have much choice for our Presidency elections, but if you want to vote for a baby killer, go ahead, but I REFUSE. Even if I'm not crazy about McCain, I WILL vote for him. And I like Sarah Palin, she's refreshing and she's a mother. We are to pray for our government, we don't find that much, we find more bashing. And granted, I am NOT a goody twoshoes, although I profess Christianity, I AM human. Get a grip, America! One thing is certain though, no matter who gets the vote, God puts in and He brings them down and we are right in the middle of Bible prophecy whether people like it or not.

Nick, I loved what you said and I loved what Greene County Patriot said.

-- Posted by greenecountypatriot2 on Tue, Oct 28, 2008, at 9:23 AM

I completely agree with lilpatrietta! Whether abortion is in the constitution or not it is a major factor in this election. I am so glad to hear another educated conservative young voter speak her mind, and have such strong moral values, like my own. I am a young voter also and I cannot believe the amount of ignorant(unlearned) young people are just voting for who would "look better in a hoodie" I mean seriously it time for young people to be educated about the issues instead of just voting for the candidate that their friends are voting for. When did America's presidency become a popularity vote instead of who was the better candidate. I am a conservative voter and I hope that people vote for the most qualified, and patriotic candidate.

VOTE MCCAIN/PALIN!!!!!!!

-- Posted by determined_girl08 on Fri, Oct 24, 2008, at 3:48 PM

NOBAMA NOBAMA! I am a young voter and this is my first big election that I get to vote in. Im excited that I get to participate, but I wish that there were better choices. I am one of the few young adults that can say they are fiscal, political, and moral conservatives. I just wish that I could vote for a candidate that held similar views as mine. : ( I guess I'll have to vote for the one that comes the closest. There is one issue that is the deciding factor for me: abortion. I could never vote for a person that believed abortion is acceptable (no matter what the reason)...never.

-- Posted by lilpatrietta on Thu, Oct 23, 2008, at 10:21 PM

Greene County Patriot,

Well spoken on many points, indeed, well spoken...

___________________________________________

jest my 2 cents worth, non-taxable(for now)

-- Posted by hilljak on Wed, Oct 22, 2008, at 8:46 PM

Such a can of worms you opened Mr. Schneider...very clever

-- Posted by Dtown on Wed, Oct 22, 2008, at 5:53 PM

I'm not sure what irritates me the most; McCain constantly calling me his friend, or Obama constantly pointing his finger in the air.

One observation: If the white guy's race supported the white guy as much as the black guy's race supported the black guy...well, you know where that goes.

Powell's jumping on the race wagon is discouraging, and sad.

-- Posted by hopeanddust on Wed, Oct 22, 2008, at 6:59 AM

All of this verbage about McCain/Obama. Neither is a great choice, however take a serious look at their beliefs before making your choice. I personally will never support a person who has consistantly voted in favor against a childs right to life.

The counties present situation is blamed on the President and his policies, but understand that real economic policies are the responsibility of congress. We were not in this situation 6years ago or even 4 years ago. The has come about with the liberal actions of congress in the last 2 years. My attitude is vote all of the bums out and start again.

-- Posted by T0ADH0P on Wed, Oct 22, 2008, at 6:22 AM

Osama / Obama? coincident? I think he will bring alot of change. But none of it good. And honestly, things will suck no matter whos elected so best to go with McCain/Palin, we can have 4 miserable years but yet a attractive vp to look at instead of a old man that just smiles and agrees. Is my philosophy right? To me it is, keep things simple people, look how complicated things are they have added to much drama to all this. We may be a free country but other countries don't have to listen to all this childish bickering for 2 years it has gotten old and annoying. Vote or don't vote, I choose not to so when whomever is elected I know I did'nt vote for them when things suck worse.

-- Posted by Dtown on Tue, Oct 21, 2008, at 8:04 PM

He is leading in the polls....

-- Posted by Gene Hall68 on Tue, Oct 21, 2008, at 3:50 PM

ND,

You are not a Democrat....You aren't going to convince anyone on this website using the "fear" approach.

Quit talking down Obama and talk up your candidate...I don't want ANY politics in Washington...America wants leadership. If Mr. McCain would demonstrate some of it, the Republican candidate would not be in this situation.

-- Posted by Gene Hall68 on Tue, Oct 21, 2008, at 12:43 PM

O -Opportunity

B -Better international image

A -American as you and me

M -My mom is voting for him too

A -As long as it isn't Sarah Palin- by comparison.

Obama 08

-- Posted by Gene Hall68 on Mon, Oct 20, 2008, at 7:01 PM

For someone who claims to be sick of negative attacks, for you to call Obama slimy and a liar seems a bit disingenuous.

Obama 08

-- Posted by johnd on Mon, Oct 20, 2008, at 4:18 PM

I liked it much better when my parents had to worry about these issues....it feels like the sky is falling, the glass is half empty....and America doesn't have any hope......that is where we are wrong....that is why there are checks and balances in our goverment....the president is an extension of us....we have to do what is right in this election and pray very hard that each of us do the right thing......I'm the type of person that the glass is always 1/2 full....not empty......America will prevail.....

-- Posted by Sweet*Sassy on Mon, Oct 20, 2008, at 1:13 PM

Nutty Dimmerswitch- To say that Barack Obama is not an American citizen is 100% false!! You should check information before you spread it. This election SHOULD be about issues not scare tactics and lies. If you do not agree with someone else about policy and issues, fine, but do not spread misinformation regarding their nationality, religion and relationships!

-- Posted by weimgirl on Mon, Oct 20, 2008, at 1:01 PM

Powell said he was "cognizant of the racial aspect of his endorsement", but said "that was not the dominant factor" in his decision.

So there you have it. Race was a factor in his decision to support Obama.

Yet racism is a double edged sword;it will cut both ways in this election.

-- Posted by hopeanddust on Mon, Oct 20, 2008, at 5:10 AM

Powell, if you remember, often refrained he was more ideologically aligned with most Americans in what he called the "sensible center". Yet today one of his reasons that he is in support of Obama is because the republicans have moved too far to the right. The hole in this is that in endorsing Obama he himself is moving to the far left. Mr Powell led the charge in convincing us there were "weapons of mass destruction" in Iraq,remember? I think his endorsement of Obama is just a lame attempt to redeem himself. Though I agree many of his observations about this race were dead on accurate, and the story of the Islamic American Patriot who died in Iraq fighting for the United States very touching, yet in the end, his endorsement of Obama means nothing to me.

-- Posted by hopeanddust on Sun, Oct 19, 2008, at 7:30 PM

I don't trust Obama, though I do trust Biden. I do trust McCain, though I don't trust Palin.

I want real change.

Ergo,I am splitting my ticket and voting for as many libertarians as I can, and voting out all imcumbents. I am voting early so I can write in my Presidential choice of Ron Paul with Nader as his V.P.

-- Posted by hopeanddust on Sun, Oct 19, 2008, at 6:56 PM

Nothing can be fixed and you can tell that by reading these comments, most are intelligent others are self centered greedy play ground pokes at others. Our government needs a overhaul badly, and still sadly I have yet to see a honest politician in my lifetime. We need a leader without a questionable back ground. And did obama steel bob the builders catch phrase?

-- Posted by Dtown on Sun, Oct 19, 2008, at 5:03 PM

Can't blame Nick for having an opinion...Regardless of platform, policy, or anything else, my two concerns are: 1) What happened to the real John McCain?..Well, he let himself become something that he is not... a very conservative leader. It is obvious when he speaks that he is not as "right" as the party thinks he should be...So, he tried to convince himself that he was. 2) Gov. Palin is not prepared to be a president if necessary. Great politician but her very right ideas scare independents and Demo. that might have considered McCain.

In the end, this country is just right of center as a whole. President Bush was supposed to be a unifier - He was not. The Republican party and Mr.McCain had an opportunity to make their way a little more to the middle and decided not to..They took the risk, and now they are wrong.

People, there are more Democrats and just about as many independents as Republicans in our country. None of us should complain about the "liberals" when the Republican party and its officials (right or wrong) took us so far to the right the past 8 years...against the wishes of a majority of Americans. Why do you think the Republicans lost the House and Senate in 2006? Our 11 electoral votes from Indiana may go to Mr. McCain...but the White House is going through Illinois.

-- Posted by Gene Hall68 on Sun, Oct 19, 2008, at 3:19 PM

I encourage anyone who is on the fence to go watch the YouTube of former Bush Secretary of State and Reagan National Security Advisor, Colin Powell, endorse Senator Obama on Meet The Press.

Very moving.

-- Posted by GarthHudson on Sun, Oct 19, 2008, at 11:44 AM

Nick,

I agree, there should be a clearing house on the hill.

We need to put our CONSTITUTION back in power!

-- Posted by hilljak on Fri, Oct 17, 2008, at 9:50 PM