Specific Plans from the Candidates

Now that the conventions are over, CNN has a rundown of the specific (and not so specific) proposals by both of the candidates, Obama and McCain. (click on the name to see)

What I found interesting is that McCain only mentioned Bush once, and did not mention Cheney at all, nor did he talk about my most important issue: Health Care. I asked a staunch conservative what exactly is the GOP's plan to fix the health care mess, and they were not able to tell me. I still don't know after listening to the GOP convention. Does anybody know? I hope people can see through this Palin hoopla and ask the serious policy questions, such as Health Care. Come to think of it, Palin's speech said absolutely nothing about policy (save for Drill Baby Drill).

Are Americans that in love with personalities that they do not bother to look at the issues? Are we?

The GOP makes great comedy!!!!!

Community Organizers are bad?!!???

Why did the GOP go after Community Organizers last night? I makes no sense to attack grass-roots efforts at improving the lives of members of the community, then say the government is not the solution. If government is not the solution, and grass-roots efforts are worth deriding, what does the GOP intend to say?

Here is a post I found about GOP convention last night:

"Why would that kind of work be ridiculous?" Obama said. "Who are they fighting for? What are they advocating for? They think that the lives of those folks who are struggling each and every day, that working with them to try to improve their lives is somehow not relevant to the presidency? I think maybe that's the problem -- that's part of why they're out of touch and they don't get it 'cause they haven't spent much time working on behalf of those folks."

My Husband and I have been Registered Republicans for 45 years and fully planned on supporting the ticket this year as well.

My son has been a Community Organizer in Boston for the past 5 years and done tremendous and important work helping the less fortunate. My Husband and I are very proud of him and until last night were proud Republicans as well- but we've NEVER been so insulted in all our lives. Imagine if one of your children's chosen career was fed through the meat grinder the way ours was!!!!!

We were sitting there and the entire convention felt like it was mocking us, our wonderful son and the choices he's made in his life - to try and give back and make a difference. I'm embarrassed to say this morning the whole thing had me in tears.

This concept may be laughable to most in the GOP but it's not to us and we support him 100% and we could never support a Party that so willingly mocks members children.

Furthermore, I found the tone of the whole thing to be rather Sophomoric and had virtually NO substance at all - especially Rudy G and Palin.

We wanted to know more about Sarah Palin and instead got negativity and condescending attacks from WHO exactly? Who are you- we still don't know except that you can insult others- many of them!

This whole thing came off as preachy, very divisive and just plain nasty.

Must admit that I feel terrible and ashamed that I would support a ticket and a Party that so freely tossed people like my son under the bus for Political gain?

Or is that just the way the GOP feels about Citizens that aren't up to their high standards of making a living? Who really are the elitist here????

Either way- the attack on Community Organizers may have initiated it and although if I relied on the speeches we still have NO Idea where Palin stands on the issues but- do know that she can recite snarky remarks that were obviously provided for her.

What are her plans ideas hopes- who knows?

Certainly the very limited info that has been provided on her positions is quite enough for us - this woman is WAY too far Right, even for us lifetime Republicans. This is the direction the GOP wants as a symbol of the future? This is the direction you want to take the Party? Creationism in School, Iraq is a 'task from God', Abstanance, No incest or rape options, Ignore creationism, greenhouse effect is a myth and on and on.

Our youngest son (a Dentist- is that better?)- is a ardent Obama supporter and has been Campaigning here in Richmond Virginia for him for months. Today we are going to join him, not just because our son and thousands of others that work in the Social services, was ridiculed but because in our hearts we've known for a while that THIS time- It's the right thing to do! We will work with the same conviction we did for IKE way back when to get a ticket elected that we feel is representative for ALL (or the vast majority of) the people. We will try and convince close friends relatives and people at our Catholic Church to do the same!

I would have never in my wildest dreams thought this would have happened - that my own Party would make me feel so badly, completely ostracized and like the butt of a cruel and unnecessary joke. In the bigger picture, however- It has become abundantly clear to us and surely to some other Moderate Republicans and Independents-, that the Pat Buchanan and Rovarian Wing has won out!!!! These weren't the values and principals of the Party I supported, not even close. Last night my husband said to me- "President Reagan would be ashamed" and you know what- I bet he's right!

We are done buying into the GOP hate and scare machine and urge any open minded and realistic Republicans to do the same.

Thank you for allowing my thoughts to be heard.

God Bless

NancyClarkRichmondVirginia

Black Man Spotted at the GOP Convention

As I watched the GOP Convention today I was struck of how monochrome the audience was. The GOP will shrink as my kids grow up, as more like them are born, as the minority becomes the majority. As California goes, so goes the country.

Palin, McCain and Pregant Teen

I'm with Obama on this, Palin's family should be off-limits. However, it has been reported that McCain knew of Palin's daughter's pregnancy. That means, that McCain knew that Bristol was pregnant when he picked her mother for Veep, and knew that Bristol would be scrutinized by the ever-relentless media. My question is why would McCain do this to a 17-year old that is pregnant, and probably scared out of her wits already, now she has the spotlight of the media and has been made an issue in this campaign. Did anybody ask Bristol her opinion?
Did McCain even weigh Bristol's feeling on this matter. Poor girl. How could McCain do this? Judgment, judgment.

"Judicial Activism", Prop 8 and the LDS Chruch, Part 1

The California Supreme Court's decision In re Marriage Cases was roundly criticized as "judicial activisim.

But what is "Judicial Activism"? For me this is the key understanding all these issues. The conservative organization Focus on the Family defines "Judicial Activism" as:

Judicial activism is the term used to describe the actions of judges who go beyond their constitutionally prescribed duties of applying law to the facts of individual cases, and "legislate" from the bench. These judges create new constitutional rights, amend existing ones, or create or amend existing legislation to fit their own notions of societal needs. (see here)

of course, nary a conservative organization considered the District of Columbia, et al. v. Dick Anthony Heller
in which the court invalidated and interpreted the 2nd amendment, as an example of "Judicial Activism", never mind that the court overturned a highly popular law in Washington D.C.

Basically "Judicial Activism" is used when "conservatives" don't like a decision, even though it may be based on judicially logical reasoning. The Focus on the Family site has an interesting note on "Judicial Activisim':
\

" Q. But I've heard that liberal, activist courts are the defenders of minority rights. Is that true?

A. Absolutely false! Let's look at the issues of slavery and segregation.

• In 1820, Congress passed the Missouri Compromise and outlawed slavery in the new territories created in that legislation. The Supreme Court's 1857 Dred Scott decision overturned the anti-slavery portions of the Missouri Compromise and affirmed that slaves were indeed "property."
• In 1865, Congress and the states (not the courts) passed the 13th Amendment, which abolished slavery. In 1875, Congress banned all racial segregation. Yet the Supreme Court in 1883 held that legislation to be unconstitutional.8 Then, in 1896, the Supreme Court held that "separate but equal" facilities were valid under the 14th Amendment,9 another amendment passed in the wake of the Civil War in response to slavery. It took the Supreme Court almost 60 years to reverse itself on that issue, declaring that "separate but equal" was "inherently unequal." That case, Brown v. Board of Education,10 is almost always used (incorrectly, as history teaches us) to support the notion that the Supreme Court is the protector of civil rights."

This is such an incorrect answer. I can list a large number of cases that have protected the rights of minorities, such as Loving. v Virigina (ending all race-based legal restrictions on marriage in the United States.) or Olmstead v. L.C. (striking down laws discriminating against mental disabilities). This list goes on an on. Also, the examples that are used are old, and the exception!

So was the Court decision in the Marriage cases Judicial Activism? Really it depends on who you ask. However, should we use the ballot box to overturn unpopular decision?

Personally, I believe that overturing court decision that are unpopular can set a dangerous precedent. The role of the courts is the protect the minority from the tyranny of the majority. What if the Perez v. Sharp decision had been overturned by the voters? The decision was highly unpopular in California, since it allowed a non-white to marry a white person. If that had been overturned, I could not have legally married my wife! As such, It is important to consider the impact that overturning judicial decision has.

What makes this country different, is the role that the judiciary has played in the development of our democracy. In totalitarian and authoritarian countries, the judiciary is an extension of the government, and is not an independent co-equal branch of the government. While the courts have on occasion reflected public opinion, it has not. Think about it, if the courts always reflected public opinion, we would still have slavery, discrimination, etc.

More to come....(sorry of any mispelling)

McCain + NATO + Georgia = Crazy!!!!

From Politico:

"NATO’s decision to withhold a Membership Action Plan for Georgia might have been viewed as a green light by Russia for its attacks on Georgia, and I urge the NATO allies to revisit the decision," McCain argues.

The treaty organization's Article 5 states that an attack on any member is an attack against all, and and commits all members all members to defend any member that's attacked; so Georgian membership would, in theory, commit the U.S. to war with Russia in a future conflict. The argument in favor of membership is that Russia wouldn't dare test whether that's a bluff.

Is John McCain crazy? If NATO had admitted Georgia, we would be obliged to fight the Russian in Central Asia. How can McCain honestly says that NATO should reconsider - or is simply posturing, naked posturing? This is the kind of blind diplomacy that got Europe into WWI. Would it be worth it for the US to get into a fight with Russia over an are the size of LA County?

I hope people don't see this as "Presidential", but it is not, it's simply lunacy.