Hanging with the Republicans; plus Bill, Hil & drill

..as far as I'm concerned. Its the difference between being a liberal and being a conservative. And to be honest, you are 'self-serving' in your beliefs, which is certainly your right. I believe the government has an obligation to help its people. I don't look for what I can get from the government either, but I don't turn down my nose at those who do.

You clearly have a far right agenda and your writing is definitely styled toward people with the same opinions as yourself. I guess using words like 'scary' has some merit in your circle, but I find it loony.

FWIW, Obama will put a moderate on the Supreme Court and Hillary Clinton would put a liberal on the court. She is the Democrat, after all.

between "universal health care" -- which neither Clinton or Obama were pushing, and universal insurance coverage.

"As I understand it, much of the increase in medical care costs is due to third-party pay."

Indeed. Much of the cost of health care can be attributed to third-party for-profit insurers. Cutting out that third party and ensuring basic coverage for the millions of uninsured Americans saves us all money in the long run. Healthy Americans are taxpaying, working Americans. Healthy children grow up to be productive adults.

This makes a difference. I support universal insurance coverage, as do Hillary Clinton and Barack Obama, precisely because it saves us all money. It's the fiscally smart thing to do.

It's time to move away from the fiscal irresponsibility we've had under the past seven-plus years under Bush and return to a bit of sanity.

Universal health care would be pricey. People talk about how health care costs so much already. Do they think the price will go down by adding 20% more people to the system? The only way the price would go down is if doctors and institutions are reimbursed less. At some point, why would they stay in business? We'd be in for doctor shortages and health care rationing.

I'm kind of sketchy on the details but, as I recall the facts, my mother's hospital bill when my older sister was born 62 years ago was around $100. That was for seven days in the hospital. I don't think that would get you 7 minutes in the ER now.

As I understand it, much of the increase in medical care costs is due to third-party pay. (Someone else is paying for it, so why do I care how much it costs?)

Is health care a right? I don't think anything is a right when someone else is paying for it. I think about that a lot, especially when the doctor orders a test that I'm not sure I'd have if I were paying for the whole thing myself--and that's with our insurance costing around $1000 a month.

Another fear (always) with Democrats is taxes. We think the housing market is bad now. What if the long-term capital gains tax is raised? Who's going to want to buy the rental house that we hope to sell next year if capital gains taxes have gone up? Also, how much would our income taxes increase?

Those questions might be self-serving on my part, but I think we all look at things that way. I'm not looking for what I can get from the government as some do, but I'm sure not volunteering to give it more than I have to. I think most people are more generous with other people's money.

The idea of any more liberal judges on the Supreme Court doesn't bring joy to my heart, either. That Second Amendment case could have gone the other way with just one vote, and the right to bear arms is a clearly delineated right in the Constitution.

Juanell Garrett--Midwest Voices '08

P.S. to Interface and Valsmom: If you know some liberal columnists with a sense of humor, I'd be interested in reading them.

Let me know where I can find them.

What makes Hillary Clinton scary? You can dislike her policies/politics or her personally, which is your prerogative, but to use the word scary? That is an interesting word to use.

As for Obama, I view him as another GWB. Not evil or scary, just incompetent.

obsess much?

Ya think she's going to be in a nursing home a few decades down the road still muttering about the Clintons and all the conspiracy theories she's imbibed over the years?

Sad.

the tablemate and I agreed that, although we found Hillary scary, we found the current Democratic offering more so.

I found the woman's story interesting because it reflected the crocodile tears at Ron Brown's funeral.

Juanell Garrett--Midwest Voices '08

"we read everything and then reach conclusions on our own"

[laughing out loud]

Sure ya do.

That is a primal difference between you lefties and the rest of us ......we read everything and then reach conclusions on our own .....you read only those things that support your views and ostracize and leap to conclusions about anyone who has a different view.

"the most notable of which was that he voted for the $230 million Bridge to Nowhere in Alaska. Ryun said he helped lead the charge to remove the amendment from the transportation bill after it was added."

You mean he was against it before he was for it. I'm guessing you were just peachy with his response.

And that Clinton obsession you have is very psychotic. I suggest you get help.

Juanell,

You have no credibility if you go to websites like Malkin's and read columns by Coulter. Those two just spew poison - not facts or analysis.

I would be emabarrassed if I were you to even mention them.