Letters to the Editor
anonny
Published Letters: 124 Editor's Choice: 13
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That's it - I'm in the Obama camp
[Read the article: Obama's faith in the reasoning abilities of the American public]
[Read more letters about this article: Here]It wasn't even a discussion. He was going to do it. I know this sounds perhaps corny, but he actually believes in the fairness and good sense of the American people, and the importance of this issue.
I've been on the fence. "Any Democrat better than any Republican", I've believed (and still believe), but beyond that I didn't have a favorite.
Now I'm an Obama supporter. Make it clear -- if Hilary wins the nomination I'll support her fully, and I will not tolerate any bullcrap from other Obama supporters about her. But there is something special about this man. I'm extremely cynical about all politicians. But, hell, this guy actually believes in something other than himself. Yes, he has charisma, intelligence, wisdom, and is phenomenally articulate. But he has some personal principles. That is extremely rare in a politician, and is worth supporting.
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Yet another reason for a 4th Estate Amendment
[Read the article: The worst, sleaziest press corps possible]
[Read more letters about this article: Here]The founding fathers were certainly aware of the dangers of allowing the government influence over the press. But in the late 1770s corporations were all small entities, limited by law in size and to charters within a single state. They didn't have the foresight to understand that the threat to liberty from modern corporations would equal that of the threat from government.
There is a critical need for an amendment to the Constitution guaranteeing absolute media independence from any outside corporate entity, and preventing media oligopolies. Yes, I know such an amendment would have no chance of passing today. Well, the 13th Amendment would have had no chance of passing in 1860. Catastrophes can change minds.
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Most voters don't know Lieberman -- or even know their own party
[Read the article: "We Don't Know This Sen. Joe"]
[Read more letters about this article: Here]This isn't a surprise to anyone who followed the 2006 Connecticut Senate campaign. We tracked how after the primary loss Joe temporarily lied about his hawk views regarding war in the middle east. We saw him ring up a long list of endorsements from the most extreme commentators on the right. We were aware that he'd built up a voting record that appeared center-left based almost entirely on issues where a single vote made no difference, but on any close vote he almost always voted with Republicans.
However, most of the people who voted for Joe didn't see those things. Most people in this country are hungry for the bitter partisan battles to end. That is why candidates who talk about bipartisanship and unity get traction. Yes, those of us who study these matters realize that to McCain/Lieberman "bipartisanship" means "Democrats vote with whatever uncompromising position George Bush puts out". Yes, the history of bitter partisanship began with Limbaugh and Gingrich in the early 1990s. But because the right wing dominates the media narrative most people don't see that.
This is why Obama is a promising candidate. He's built a reputation of seeking unity without animosity. Clinton, on the other hand, is seen by most of the muddled middle as a product of that bitter partisan era. (It's not her fault, of course -- she was the victim not the cause. But that's how she's seen.)
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@jprfrog
[Read the article: "We Don't Know This Sen. Joe"]
[Read more letters about this article: Here]To jprfrog: thanks for your support of Lamont during the election.
One of today's great political ironies is that self-identifying Jews support Democrats by an incredibly high percentage -- I saw 87% in 2006 exit polls -- yet a small number of extremely wealthy Jews (AIPAC, etc.) dominate fund-raising politics on behalf of the extreme right.
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If she somehow wins, will she ever get any legislature passed?
[Read the article: Professor Obama, I presume? ]
[Read more letters about this article: Here]Krugman correctly points out that Clinton's policies make the most sense of the 3 remaining candidates. However, one has to wonder if she would ever get any of those policies implemented, given her slash and burn approach to politics?
Bush (well, really Rove) was able to get tons of stuff passed using strong arm tactics on Republicans, who apparently are natural born authoritarian followers. That won't work for a Democrat. The arts of Persuasion and Consenus-building are key to making things happen. Obama appears to have those skills -- Clinton does not.
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Colorado is fast becoming the land of the hybrid
[Read the article: Record gas prices equal record Prius sales]
[Read more letters about this article: Here]Colorado tax credits for hybrids are by far the best in the nation, are better than the federal credits, and are added on top of the credits. With the Colorado tax credit there is no question of whether you will save money buying a hybrid -- you definitely will.
http://www.revenue.state.co.us/fyi/html/income09.html
For 2008, the base Prius gets a credit (NOT deduction) of $2,015 and the touring edition gets a credit of $3,106.
The biggest credit available is for the Lexus LS 600h -- a whopping $13,779.
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What is so fulfilling about work?
[Read the article: Marching into the mommy wars]
[Read more letters about this article: Here]I keep hearing this idea that work and career are *fulfilling*, and that stay-at-home moms are giving something up. I don't know where this belief that work should be *fulfilling* comes from, but I suspect this is just another one of those unfounded social expectations that causes people a lot of stress.
First, let me acknowledge that there are some people, typically very social people, who thrive on the personal interaction at work. Perhaps the job involves interesting mind challenges too. If you are one of those people who totally loves your job, all power to you.
However, those people seem to be the minority. I know people, myself included, who are in well-paying jobs that, except for the occasional job stress, are reasonably pleasant. However, there is nothing fulfilling about these jobs. The things my company builds and sells now will be replaced in a few years. The world is not a (much) better place because we build and sell these things. In 20 years few will remember what we are doing now, and in 50 years no one will.
On the other hand, the time I spent with my kids tonight will make a difference many years and decades from now. Sometimes sitting down helping them with homework or setting up a birthday party is boring at the moment, but the payback has already been worth it.
If I had the option, financially, I'd retire in a microsecond and never again think about my "career" as one of a million or so faceless "executives" in the U.S., and would never look back as I focused my time on my family, hobbies and community.