Letters to the Editor
ljwalker53
Published Letters: 559 Editor's Choice: 9
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@ maureenodonnell
[Read the article: How will it all end?]
[Read more letters about this article: Here]I just read one of your posts re: what political observers in GB think of our election. Well said! I am always intrigued by how we are perceived by others around the world, especially since our "pop culture" icons often seem to be our spokespeople, for good or bad.
I am so disappointed that the level of debate around this crucial presidential election has devolved and degenerated into insults, innuendo, and mis-information -- all of which is passed off as "fact". We must look pretty boorish to you! I assure you, there are many thoughtful, informed Americans here (at Salon.com and in the U.S.A.), so don't give up on us just yet...
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@ JL.... Divisions Between Women & Men, Wealthy & Middle Income
[Read the article: How will it all end?]
[Read more letters about this article: Here]You know, it has a lot to do with the insults of Obama supporters to HRC supporters (on salon.com and elsewhere), and in my caucus on Saturday. It also has something to do with the way Sen. Obama says things like, "I was friends with Hillary before this campaign and I will be friends with Hillary after it is over." It isn't the comments, per se. It is an attitude -- and the attitude can be seen, heard and felt in the nastiness directed at HRC and her supporters.
My personal experience Saturday and the experience of several others who reported similar experiences from their caucuses, gives me pause. One woman who was undecided when she went to her caucus got there and was so angry by several comments she heard about "old folks" and "middle-aged women" that she caucused for Hillary.
There is also an article from today's Washington Post that I found troubling: http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2008/02/08/AR2008020803270.html?hpid%3Dopinionsbox1&sub=AR
Finally, a lot of what I see posted here and elsewhere about HRC's record and accomplishments, by Obama's supporters, is filled with half-truths, very misleading statements, and downright lies.
That, to me, doesn't speak well for Sen. Obama or his visions of "hope" and "change".
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@ RealityCounts -- Thanks!
[Read the article: How will it all end?]
[Read more letters about this article: Here]I totally agree with you! It gets so hard to wade through the insults and misinformation and get out this information. I continue to point out those accomplishments that I am aware of. Thanks for doing your part. Thanks for sharing your thoughts!
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@ pwoxby: Your Support For Barack
[Read the article: How will it all end?]
[Read more letters about this article: Here]We each have our reasons for supporting our candidate. Mine are much simpler: I am not a youngster. I have seen and been part of elections going back to 1968. I have worked in D.C. because I believe in getting involved to solve the problems we face. It isn't as easy as "hope" and "change". I know how the system works and believe me, we need somebody in the Oval Office who also knows how that process works and will work it to get things done.
I want a president I know can get the job done; I want a president who has a long and distinguished career in public service, working on the very issues and concerns I care about. I want a president who has a real grasp of foreign policy issues; I want a president who already has reached across the aisle to get things done. I want a president who is pragmatic and knows what it takes to make "change" become real.
I have nothing against Barack Obama for his visions of hope and change. Nothing! I simply do not believe he has the type of experience, leadership, or understanding of the processes required to accomplish things for people like me -- and so many of my friends and relatives -- who are facing economic pressures from a slumping economy and who live on pensions, Social Security, and investments that we have worked for all of our lives!
It is noble to look to the future and believe we can do better. As I have said before: I am a dyed-in-the-wool optimist who has tilted at windmills most of my adult life. But I am pragmatic because I have lived and worked in D.C. I know what it takes to make "change".
It is the "here and now" that concerns most Americans. They want to know that a president has already accomplished much for them. When they see a candidate that has the long record of accomplishments for children, the elderly, women, working people, people of low-income, they see themselves and identify with that candidate.
This is why I support HRC.
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@ captainlarab -- DADT
[Read the article: Hillary's time of troubles]
[Read more letters about this article: Here]First, let's get one thing out of the way: what irks me about Obama's supporters is that they either limit HRC's experience to ONLY that as First Lady, or they don't think it matters at all. More than this, however, is that HRC's experience encompases MUCH MORE than 8 years in the White House, experience that is, for me, far deeper and with more "teeth" than that of Sen. Obama. That doesn't mean I don't think BHO won't make a good, or a great, president -- in 2016. But not now.
Second, I know that the LGBT community is split over which candidate to support. I know people from the community who feel "shafted" by Clinton's DADT and the DOMA. I know others who are still not convinced that BHO has any better understanding or appreciation of LGBT concerns.
One thing that has moved me re: HRC and her support of LGBT issues is a very moving speech she gave after her father's death, about how she had witnessed her father change his views and beliefs about LGBTs because of the compassion and care shown to him by neighbors -- who were gay. HRC notes in the speech that it has been in part by watching this change that has given her the strength to move beyond the status quo and work to make equality for LGBTs a reality. That, to me, is inspiration that comes from the heart.