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ohio's' primary is on march 4th. i am getting robocalls, i hate robocalls,my machine is getting all the calls before i'll answer the phone for the next 2 weeks. i have a sign in my yard for a county commissioner candidate. no robo calls for the county commissioner-yahoo!. i know who i'll vote for in the primary, and i know who i'll vote for in the general election. and 18 months for the campaign is too d%^m long for a presidential campaign in my opinion
I'm not found of robcalls myself but I have to say I kept the message from Hillary. LOL! Just cool to come home and have her voice on my machine..I know...I'm easily amused. :D
Claudia
Quote:
Originally Posted by kitten645
:D
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Go Nader, Go Nader....
I love wildcards!
Thanks for the heads up on the survey! I was leaning towards one candidate but after taking the survey, I'm dead even. I think this is one of the most exciting elections ever!
Quote:
Originally Posted by K9karen
Well, I took the quiz today and I agree on all 10 points with BOTH the
people I tested with. :)
I tested with all of them and the greatest number I agreed with was 5 and fewest was 1. I haven't decided...I know McCain lost my vote when I read he was in favor of NCLB in its current form...ACK! That is most ridiculous piece of legislation ever put in place! I'm not happy with any of them since every one I've read about thinks NCLB has its merits...I guess I have to find the one that is in favor of more of an overhaul than anyone else.
Mollie, I don't mean to sound stupid, but what is NCLB? That abbreviation isn't ringing any bells for me. :confused:
No Child Left Behind?Quote:
Originally Posted by Logan
:o I imagine you are exactly right, Pam! LOL!!
You would be correct Pam! That would be the piece of trash in question! lol
The following essay is by John Taylor, a retired superintendent of schools in South Carolina.
No Dentist Left Behind
My dentist is great! He sends me reminders so I don't forget checkups. He uses the latest techniques based on research. He never hurts me, and I've got all my teeth. When I ran into him the other day, I was eager to see if he'd heard about the new state program. I knew he'd think it was great.
"Did you hear about the new state program to measure effectiveness of dentists with their young patients?" I said.
"No," he said. He didn't seem too thrilled. "How will they do that?"
"It's quite simple," I said. "They will just count the number of cavities each patient has at age 10, 14, and 18 and average that to determine a dentist's rating. Dentists will be rated as excellent, good, average, below average, and unsatisfactory. That way parents will know which are the best dentists. The plan will also encourage the less effective dentists to get better," I said. "Poor dentists who don't improve could lose their licenses to practice."
"That's terrible," he said.
"What? That's not a good attitude," I said. "Don't you think we should try to improve children's dental health in this state?"
"Sure I do," he said, "but that's not a fair way to determine who is practicing good dentistry."
"Why not?" I said. "It makes perfect sense to me."
"Well, it's so obvious," he said. "Don't you see that dentists don't all work with the same clientele, and that much depends on things we can't control? For example, I work in a rural area with a high percentage of patients from deprived homes, while some of my colleagues work in upper middle-class neighborhoods. Many of the parents I work with don't bring their children to see me until there is some kind of problem, and I don't get to do much preventive work. Also, many of the parents I serve let their kids eat way too much candy from an early age, unlike more educated parents who understand the relationship between sugar and decay. To top it all off, so many of my clients have well water which is untreated and has no fluoride in it. Do you have any idea how much difference early use of fluoride can make?"
"It sounds like you're making excuses," I said. "I can't believe that you, my dentist, would be so defensive. After all, you do a great job, and you needn't fear a little accountability."
"I am not being defensive!" he said. "My best patients are as good as anyone's, my work is as good as anyone's, but my average cavity count is going to be higher than a lot of other dentists because I chose to work where I am needed most."
"Don't' get touchy," I said.
"Touchy?" he said. His face had turned red, and from the way he was clenching and unclenching his jaws, I was afraid he was going to damage his teeth. "Try furious! In a system like this, I will end up being rated average, below average, or worse. The few educated patients I have who see these ratings may believe this so-called rating is an actual measure of my ability and proficiency as a dentist. They may leave me, and I'll be left with only the most needy patients. And my cavity average score will get even worse. On top of that, how will I attract good dental hygienists and other excellent dentists to my practice if it is labeled below average?"
"I think you are overreacting," I said. "'Complaining, excuse-making and stonewalling won't improve dental health'... I am quoting from a leading member of the DOC," I noted.
"What's the DOC?" he asked. "It's the Dental Oversight Committee," I said, "a group made up of mostly lay persons to make sure dentistry in this state gets improved"
"Spare me," he said, "I can't believe this. Reasonable people won't buy it," he said hopefully.
The program sounded reasonable to me, so I asked, "How else would you measure good dentistry?" "Come watch me work," he said. "Observe my processes."
"That's too complicated, expensive and time-consuming," I said. "Cavities are the bottom line, and you can't argue with the bottom line. It's an absolute measure."
"That's what I'm afraid my parents and prospective patients will think. This can't be happening," he said despairingly.
"Now, now," I said, "don't despair. The state will help you some."
"How?" he asked.
"If you receive a poor rating, they'll send a dentist who is rated excellent to help straighten you out," I said brightly.
"You mean," he said, "they'll send a dentist with a wealthy clientele to show me how to work on severe juvenile dental problems with which I have probably had much more experience? BIG HELP!"
"There you go again," I said. "You aren't acting professionally at all."
"You don't get it," he said. "Doing this would be like grading schools and teachers on an average score made on a test of children's progress with no regard to influences outside the school, the home, the community served and stuff like that. Why would they do something so unfair to dentists? No one would ever think of doing that to schools."
I just shook my head sadly, but he had brightened. "I'm going to write my representatives and senators," he said. "I'll use the school analogy. Surely they will see the point." He walked off with that look of hope mixed with fear and suppressed anger that I, a teacher, see in the mirror so often lately.
I've gotten that one before...I LOVE it. It's so true...
I have to say this-
The funniest part about this election is the candidates themselves.
Change? Change to what?
Right wing conspiracy?
I did not have sex with that lobbyist!
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People talk about charisma, speeches and attitude....
What about their record with the issues? How exactly are you going about these promised changes? Don't promise anything you cannot pass thru the Senate and Congress.
It's all a popularity contest with the winner having the best makeup, best dress and answering the question that satisfies the judges.
All the current candidates have some of the charming traits of some of the world's worst leaders. A little xenophobia, paranoia of their opponents, talk a good game and the followers that can finance their purchase of the presidency. I am not enamoured of any of the people running - as a matter of fact I am more interested in who is going to be the next president......Now more than ever. :eek:
They are not only gonna be my president.....they'll be yours too.
They are having a fuss now because McCain was not born in the US but in Panama. His dad was in the service there and some say you have to be actually born in the US to be a citizen.Quote:
Originally Posted by RICHARD
One day, I see in my crystal ball, the anchor baby of an illegel running for President. Wonder what they will do about that? (probably nothing)
I agree with you totally Richard! I keep watching all of the debates and hoping that someone will say something which will make them a little more appealing to me than the other guy/girl (did I just call Hillary a girl!) :D :p :oQuote:
Originally Posted by RICHARD
Quote:
Originally Posted by Pam
And just think of the stupidity that flows from the spouses. :(
"For the first time in my adult life I am ashamed of the candidates running to be my president."
-me
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The thing that angers me the most are the lame promises regarding health care that everyone seem to be "operating" with.
A little investigation and anyone would see the idea of health care for everyone is a pipe dream.
Doctor's do not like to deal with the feds because of the delay in paying for services.
Fraud is a huge concern - Docs and patients do it...
Costs will go up. Usually that happens when the pockets paying for medical care get really deep.
MOFF,
Are you suggesting we throw anchor babies OVERBOARD? :eek: ;)
Quote:
Originally Posted by RICHARD
I hope this doesn't offend anyone, but I watched Larry King several nights ago when he had Michelle Obama on. Almost to every question she would lead with "you know Larry....." I was embarrassed for her, listening to all of the *you knows.* Someone will surely be giving her some pointers about how to respond in an interview should she be First Lady. People may criticize GW but I think Laura Bush has probably been his strongest asset.
I almost agree with your statement. I am not ashamed but I am amazed that this group is the best we could come up with. :confused:Quote:
Originally Posted by Richard
Quote:
Originally Posted by Pam
I was paraphrasing MO's statement. There is something hard and bitter in that woman - it's all sharp edges and cold steel.
By the same token, Bill is too 'loveable' and McCain's squeeze is too much in love with him.
[QUOTE=RICHARD
MOFF,
Are you suggesting we throw anchor babies OVERBOARD? :eek: ;)[/QUOTE]
Of course not! Some of them are darned cute!!! But maybe we should reconsider the born in the USA and citizen of the USA law. What if a terrorist became President some day just because his mom snuck in just so he would be born here and he was raised with the intent of doing harm to the country when he grew up.
Maybe it should be children of US citizens born here can run for office. Heavens knows they can do enough harm themselves. :rolleyes: :D
Quote:
Originally Posted by momoffuzzyfaces
I read something about whether it's fair to use Obama"s middle name
in this election. ( It's Hussein)
And what is wrong with dreams?Quote:
Originally Posted by RICHARD
This week we received a note from the woman who delivers one of our newspapers. She is a single mother of three. Who gets up in the middle of the night while her children sleep to deliver our paper. She has never missed a day. The paper is in the right spot every day.
But newpaper delivery people do not have medical insurance. And she has cancer and needs surgery. Her pockets aren't very deep. She will be out of work for two months.
Pipe dream?
A friend of mine has a medical condition -- lupus. She nearly died and was on kidney dialysis ten years ago. She is doing well now and working. Her medical insurance is through her husband's employer. They changed carriers and he made a mistake on the paperwork. So the insurance company dropped her (and their two kids.) I am trying to help her straighten it out (I know some of the magic words due to my profession.) Meanwhile she is cutting her medicine in half because she is afraid of the cost and what will happen because of her pre-existing condition. Oh yeah...her husband just found out his employer is going to have a layoff next week. So it may not matter. And it is past the 30 days for a Change in Status enrollment, etc, etc.
Pipe dream? Doesn't every change start as a pipe dream?
I don't have very much experience in the health insurance industry but I can tell you that there is a difference between pipe dreams and reality.
I am very much in favor of med insurance for everyone. But the reality is that there are forces - pharm companies, med supply companies, implant companies, docs and the other people involved in providing health care that do not want, nor care for more government involvement.
Ask any physician about billing and the feds.
Here's another hint about why Fed Insurance won't work.
Should the gov't. start insuring medically they will look into the costs and investigating why the prices are so outrageous. Companies like Baxter, Smith and Nephew will Medtronics will fight tooth and nail to keep their golden goose alive.
I have seen the prices of sutures, screws and plates, implanted defibrillators...I wish I could fleece - I mean sell product to hospitals.
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The health plan I worked for had a plan to save money and reward the docs who could save the most.
A friend took his son to a satellite clinic (same company I worked for) his son fell and bumped his arm.
NO X-RAY, just an ace band-aid, aspirin and little "bend your arm".
Later on that evening the kid woke up screaming - the second visit revealed a broken arm.
Crappy health care is a reality. I had to make sure my I.D. badge was off because if I walked into a public area with it on I'd always get the, "Oh, you work for XXXXXX? You killed my Mom, sister, brother....."
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Every change does start with a pipe dream, But you have to be ready for the people you are going to pi$$ off when you light up in a No Smoking area.
this is not the best group of possible candidates for president of the united states. these 3 are the ones with the deepest pockets, most hustle and the most lobbyist chips called in. several of the other candidates were, in my opinion, much much better choices, but their lack of money and the medias' lack of attention and fawning over their (the talking heads) own personal choices' ... ( hear that chris matthews you pompous gasbag, hear that druggie limbaugh you waste of DNA...) helped push those more talented and capable choices out of the running; these aren't the the best we could we do, but they are the best we've got. and to think, one of those three will sleep the house thomas jefferson walked in, the rooms where abraham lincoln saved the union of the united states, and where franklin roosevelt, with a whole lotta help from prime minister churchill and general marshall saved western civil society where dwight eisenhower helped create the most amazing system of interstate roads, where lyndon johnson broke the back of jim crow . it's MY house da^&^T and i want better tenants and i pray the great g*d one of those 3.....senators....lives up to those great dreams and responsibilities. we've not had that level of service and ability the last 32 years and we the people deserve better.Quote:
Originally Posted by Pam
....and oh yeah....IF it was one of the romney sons/ groupies who sent john mccains' birth certificate to the papres with the panama canal hospital highlighted....fie on your house and shame on your head. remember your grandpa george romney? i do. he was born in mexico and ineligible, his parents weren't on active duty in service to this country. i am not at all a supported of senator mccain, yet he and his family have given more in honor and blood to this country then any romney ever did. and i speak as someone old enough to have know former governor george romney, who left to serve as richard nixons sec. of housing and urban development........
this kind of rovian sleeze is beyond disgusting. what ever you think about senator mccains' actions in the senate and afterwards, what he endured in OUR name and for us in hanoi, there is no doubt he is a man of honor and respect in this regard. i do not use the word hero lightly, and yet, senator mccain lived that word and action. and where were the romneys at that time? why safely stateside making money..... time for me to sign off tonight, i'm getting too wound up.
....and upon further thought, and some sleep...i should say i do not know that a romney supporter pushed the born in panama issue as a method of trying to disqualify senator mccain. i did hear it on the radio, but i did not hear the source, so i cannot cite it....
Yes, it was an easy choice for me. :D I am hoooooping we get a nice high turnout in my age bracket this election (20-somethings)!!! Enough with the apathy already!Quote:
Originally Posted by lizbud
No, I haven't decided. I got a phone call yesterday asking me who I would be supporting and I just don't know! Kind of drives me crazy!
I just heard he story about the Clinton supporter getting shanked.
I diudn't hear all the details, but I had to laugh about it.
Talk about Political Infighting!
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A few things that I have noticed.
When you excuse yourself to blow your nose, don't leave your snotrag at the podium.
When your spouse talks to supporters, your better half not to discourage the supporters from working for certain companies or industries.... :rolleyes:
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I have found some infomericials on T.V. to be filled with more promise than all of the debates.
Well, I have finally decided who to vote for. :) I have often found
myself saying, a woman could do a whole lot better in leading a nation
then the crop of men we've had lately. So I've decided it is time to give
it a try. :) Think what you will about the lady's personality, she is sooo
qualified to lead our country.
Oh, I dunno! Being married to a President doesn't mean you are qualified to be one any more than sitting in a shoe qualifies you to be a shoe. ;) :DQuote:
Originally Posted by lizbud
AND when the phone rings at 3 am at the White House, it will be an aid who answers, not the President.
I think my big problem with her is her husband. He wouldn't be able to let her BE the president. I just can't take any more of him. I have nightmares about him being her Vice Pres. But that's my problem. :D :D
I am just hoping that Obama gets the nomination. I have concerns about McCain and I know that barring someone holding a gun to my head I couldn't vote for Hillary. Should she win the nomination this might just be the first time in all my years of voting that I just stay home. :(Quote:
Originally Posted by lizbud
Quote:
Originally Posted by Pam
What??? Did she used to be a neighbor or something? What has she done
that drives you crazy? :)
Heeehehheeeee, so true. :)Quote:
Originally Posted by momoffuzzyfaces
Quote:
Originally Posted by momoffuzzyfaces
There was the First Lady who almost gave the prez, the shoe!
She had so many ideas, she didn't know what to do!
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Can't Mary Carey run for president? :D
if it's important enough to get POTUS up at 3 am, you know bloody good and well that the joint chiefs of staff ALL of the military services, the presidents chief of staff, the national security advisor, sec of defense, the heads of the cia, fbi , homeland security and maybe one supreme court justice and the attorney general ,as well as a few secret service agents are already downstairs in the secure room waiting. and the press secretary is being sent for as well. pretty likely the british, canadian, aussie, french, russian and chinese ambassadors as well as the sec general of the un and a few more i can't think of right now are also being called by the white house staff as well. POTUS gets up at 3 am, no one sleeps in. and why oh why does it take 6 rings to answer it? that aide needs to be fired who lets 'the red phone ring that long. (robo calls tonight are getting on my nerves :rolleyes: :D )
My candidate of choice isn't in the running anymore. :(
But I'll vote anyone so long as Hilary stays out of the office.
....unless of course, it's a phone call for one of the future presidents' kids. different problem then,,, :D
No she was never my neighbor. She wouldn't want to live here and I couldn't afford the real estate in Chappaqua. :p I read a book by George Stephanopoulos years ago in which he gave an inside view of life in the White House during the Clinton era. That book reinforced my already formed dislike of Hillary. I didn't like her as First Lady and I would like her a lot less as President (perish the thought :eek: ). There were enough White House scandals when the Clintons occupied that space last time and Hillary to me is still under that cloud.Quote:
Originally Posted by lizbud
Well, now Rush Limbaugh (a right-wing radio personality) is urging Republicans to request a Democratic ballot and vote for Clinton because of the job she's doing on the Democratic party! What a soap opera!
For the last couple of years the organizers of the Lost Angeles Marathon have come up with a novel way to make the race more exciting and competitive. They calculate the time differences between finishing times of the Men and Women's divisions for the past year and handicap the men.
They start the women first and the men follow about 18 minutes later. The men play catch up for the whole race.....
If the first place woman can finish ahead of the men's first place finisher, she wins 10,000 dollars. (or it's 100,000, I don't remember.)
Now, If a woman can beat a man over 26.2 miles in tennis shoes....then a woman in woman's shoes should be able to kick the arse of any man across the United States.
Now, how to handicap the Presidential race?
Make the men wear thongs and panty hose... ;)
On second thought..... :eek: :rolleyes: