Don't Vote Until You Read This

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I do believe that we are making progress on cancer. Over the years, my father and 4 brothers have died from cancer, so I am understandably concerned and interested in keeping up. I have see improvements in treating cancer in my family.

Ed Romeros of TX 1:34PM November 08, 2008

In the Editor's Note obviously written on or before 10/20 although the publication date of 10/27 is not so long ago, you asked about campaigns and coveraage, while most of the responses I'm skimming through seem to be about candidates.
What would LOVE to see in the future are actual debates, or even better, civilized discussions. I watched the Biden/Palin show hoping to learn something; what I learned was that Palin had spent her last two or three weeks memorizing things. And the "debates" seem to be run as a showcase for the TV folks, not as anyting actually informative for voters.
It can be done. I watched some discussions in NH among candidates for lower level offices, and they were both civilized and fairly substantive. Follow-ups were allowed pretty much anyone, even pressing the time issues when a point was significant. I will watch them again. I will NOT watch again the canned talking-point shows.
In line with this, I think the American people are entitled to hear from candidates outside the two main parties. We are entitled to hear real words and ideas from real people with varying points of view.
Anything that USNews can do toward bringing these changes would be a magnificent service to the American people and political system. I agree with the reader who said that all candidates who have achieved ballot status should be heard, and treated equally with their direct competitors.

Ann Somers of NH 12:26PM November 07, 2008

McCain makes comments about Obama that are true. Obama makes comments about McCains comments about Obama. Obama says that McCain is lying, however there has been much evidence that McCain is not lying. So much for rhetoric. We needed to know the things that McCain had been saying, the character of who we elect is very important. Obama has character, bad, dishonest character...he will no get my vote.

Rebecca Lynn of CA 2:22AM November 01, 2008

most obama voters cant tell you one thing he has done,,
most say because hes black well thtas no reason to vote or not to vote foe someone.
look at the person,, the democrats well tell you the rep will try to scare you about obama
well if i told you if you vote for obama you will have all your white houses burn dow
well thats what the dems said in 2004, also that we will take a way your ss money,
democrats have been scaring blacks for years
waKE UP

JACK of 11:30PM October 28, 2008

Newsflash: 4000=4000. Why is that simple equation so compelling? It details the mind-numbing reality that the number of babies killed each day in the U. S. is roughly equivalent to the number of American Soldiers who have died in Iraq in the last 7 years.
Both statistics are horrifying and sad and their deaths speak to us as a people. The American soldiers who volunteered to protect our great nation gave their lives with enormous bravery and self-sacrifice to keep us safe. Nothing can ever diminish the gift they gave. We mourn their loss and the loss of what they would have offered our nation upon their return.
We also need to consider, as a nation, the devastating loss of all of the innocents who have died since the court ruling of 1973 which took away the rights of our most vulnerable citizens. We mourn the 40 million children who might have grown up to solve the energy crisis, erase the scourge of AIDS, find a cure for cancer, multiply the world’s food supply through new and creative technologies.... whose chubby fingers and foolish grins would have enriched our emotional center and our spiritual insights. As you read this, take the opportunity to fill in additional blanks.
Troubling as well is the statistic that our genetic diversity as a nation is being compromised through abortion, since African American babies and Hispanic babies die from abortion at 3 times the rate of Caucasian babies. Does truth matter? Has anyone noticed?
Where are the journalists that might find the background information on the riches that are being piled up by abortion doctors who misinform young woman about the reality of the precious individual they carry within? Most of these women make their decision to abort, never having had an opportunity to hear truth, so quick is the rush to get their money and get them out the door.
Abortion is a dual tragedy of unthinkable consequences born of a nation that has been weakened from within by a generation that has not been taught to critically dissect what they see and hear in order to make informed decisions about the issues that most directly affect our future hopes and dreams. Our nation’s founders established a system of checks and balances to purposefully prevent an unrestrained majority from using the power of the polls to remove the rights of a minority. In this case, the helpless minority of the slaughtered innocents is further hampered by never having had the opportunity to lift their voices in protest. Of one thing, I am sure. As the 44 million now rest in the Father’s house, they sing with the angels, but oh, how I would have loved to hear their song here on earth.

Karen Wong of CA 6:59PM October 28, 2008

It's easy to see why many independents and even Republicans will vote Democratic this year. Vast income disparities continue, as does our overseas fights with the terrorists. Neither of these issues are popular with the American people. Sen. Obama has addressed income disparity in a vague way by calling for aid to the middle class, and of course has opposed the war in Iraq. Sen. McCain has not particularly addressed either of these issues. And of course the economic instability is not helping Republicans either. Through all this, McCain has hung in there, despite not proposing solutions on the afore mentioned vital issues, other than the battle cry to bring the troops home in honor -- red meat for some, but perhaps short on specifics to others. McCain seems strongest on energy issues, where he has proposed to 'drill baby drill,' and move forward on nuclear energy. But with so little debate on the realities of ending the overseas wars and stop the sliding of the middle class, voters may decide whom to support on leadership style, or even likeability. And on both of these, Obama again seems to have the edge, though McCain is not unlikeable. Republicans have indeed resorted to a 'scare' campaign increasingly, but the vision of Democrats in near total control to do whatever they wish may be sobering to many moderates.

Roy Weiner of MO 9:55AM October 28, 2008

The second greatest coup (history will tell if it surpasses the Cheney issue, below) is Obama's political ability to buy votes by promising just about everything and pay for it with our taxes. One blogger someplace had it right when he/she referred to Obama's America as the USSA, United Socialist States of America. Obama is scary.
The greatest coup in American politics was having Cheney elected to the vice Presidential position by big money/industrial conglomerates. In that position he has quietly looked after their monetary needs over the needs of the American people. Every now & then he would have to handle Bush a little but overall Chency has done very well for them.
McCain? I don't know yet. The greatest country in the world and these are our two choices?
American governement...the best money can buy.

Bruce Fair of KS 9:14AM October 27, 2008

I think both candidates are showing their ugly side to us. I believe the media are too full of themselves to be objective anymore. I despise what has become of our glorious House and Senate. The greed, favoritism, phoney outrage, ego trips, legalese, and beauracracy is just sickening. I want all the politicians out!
The American people don't need either candidate. Both lie, both are hiding important facts from us, and both are out of touch with the real America. They are elites who have no clue about the economy, world politics and other major issues. They swap playbooks and rules as it suits their own interests and their respective parties. Both are threats to our Constitution and the rule of law.
I am totally unconvinced that either candidate will make my life - and my family's - any safer, more economically sound, or better. I will exercise my right to vote so I don't waste one reason why I spent ten years in the military, but I don't see it fixing anything. I really don't care at this point who wins.
We are dupes in a shell game. I lived in Las Vegas for several years (while working for the government) and I can tell a rigged system when I see it. Wake up! You are being conned.
Half of America is desperate and delusional, and the other half is miserable and delusional. Those are the ONLY facts that those bogus polls are providing to us.
Jim In GA

Jim Flavin of GA 12:00AM October 27, 2008

I find it astounding that the networks are so blatant about electing Hussein (obiviously their choice) to be our president. No one seems to protest.WhY? Why does no one care about the
favoritism all the networks exhibit?
Also it is so curious that no one questions HOW all this "change" which Hussein is going to affect will take place. Is there a clog in the brain which will not permit the thought that the Congress has voting rights which Hussein will not be able to control? How about the old adage "GUILT BY ASSOCIATION" that Hussein has evidently experienced?.If Hussein gets elected the Far East will sure applaud.
WHAT a mess!!!

Georgiana of OH 8:29PM October 26, 2008

NO ONE SEEMS TO BE CONCERNED ABOUT SECURITY FOR OUR COUNTRY. MR.OBAMA "IN BED" WITH MR. AYERS AND REVEREND WRIGHT HAS ME REALLY WORRIED. A MAN THAT LAUNCHES HIS PRESIDENTIAL CAMPAIGN FROM A TERRORIST'S HOME IS REALLY NOT "DEALING WITH A FULL DECK" AS FAR AS WRIGHT IS CONCERNED, ALL OF A SUDDENT WHEN REV WEIGHT'S ANTI-WHITE, ANTI-AMERICAN SERMONS BECAME NEWS, HE SEPARATES HIMSELF FROM HIM. WHAT ABOUT HIS MIDDLE NAME, IS NOT THAT AN ARAB NAME? CAN WE REALLY TRUST THIS MAN WITH OUR SECURITY IN THIS COUNTRY? HE IS PRO-ABORTION. WE WILL SEE THE HAND OF GOD REMOVED FROM THIS COUNTRY AS WE WITNESSED ON 9/11. ENOUGH KILLING OF INNOCENT BABIES AND INNOCENT EMBRYOS THROUGH STEM CELL RESEARCH THAT HE ENDORSES. WE MUST VOTE FOR THE BETTER OF THE TWO AND THAT IS MR. MCCAIN. THERE IS NO GUARANTEE THAT HE WILL DIE IN OFFICE. IF SO, SARAH PALIN WILL BE A DYNAMIC FORCE IN THE PRESIDENCY. YOU WILL SEE HER COME THROUGH AND PERFORM HER OFFICE THE WAY IT WAS SUPPOSE TO BE CONDUCTED SINCE THE FIRST PRESIDENT.

BARBARA PELLICANE of NY 7:52PM October 26, 2008