Election score: politicians: 1; citizens: 0 (Portland, Augusta: health insurance, loans, bankrupt)

[Acadianlion]

There is going to be an election tomorrow and I think that a politician will win. I also think that the citizens are going to lose, and it makes little difference who gets elected.

I may stay home. I know that I have earned the right to vote and be a citizen. I have served my country in a number of different ways, including volunteering to fight a war that nobody really liked. I also voluteered to work with socially and economically disadvantaged in the inner city. Tommorrow, I may exercise my right to stay home.

All the candidates promise almost everthing that they think the voter wants to hear about. Mostly right now, it seems to be all about reducing taxes. It doesn't seem to matter whether the promise is being made by someone who is running for Congress, the legislature in Augusta, or the White House: they all promise to cut taxes.

Well, it just strains my ability to believe what any of them say, since the only way that I know of to reduce taxes is to cut spending. I notice that the only way that anyone has suggested cutting taxes is by taxing someone else. But wait a minute. It seems to me that just be doing the simplest of counting exercise there are more of US then there are of THEM. I cannot see how the numbers work.

We have two armies fighting in foreign places where people basically don't want us, and as a result, we are spending our grandchildrens taxes before the grandchildren are even born. We have borrowed the money to fight these wars, instead of raising taxes and paying for them ourselves. That means that the cost of the wars and the interest on the loans will be paid for probably at the expense of better education and health insurance programs for our grandchildren and great grandchildren.

We keep giving benefits to a whole slew of folks around the world who should and can be taking care of their own children. If we spent that money on our own children, I think we would be better off and our taxes might actually be less than they are right now. We are running a horrendous deficit, and it seems unlikley to me that a tax cut is possible so long as we owe so much money to so many other people, and keep giving money that we don't have, away.

One candidate for legislature is promising to work to end the tax and spend mentality in Augusta. Oh really? I wonder what programs he intends to cut. He never seems to get around to talking about CUTTING anything in particularly, just that we ought to do it.

Of course we citizens make it all that much worse. We keep voting for bond issues as though that money merely materializes from some great money vine in the sky. I wonder why it is that our politicians never tell the voter that voting for a bond issue is BORROWING money that will have to be paid back from TAXES. They seem to forget all about that kind of detail.

So, tomorrow we supposedly are going to get to vote for a whole slew of people who want to cut our taxes. Yet no one has figured out how to say which bene will be cut, only that SOMEONE else is going to pay.

Sorry. I don't believe it, and after all of the elections that I have voted in for people who didn't live up to their promise, I may just stay home. In the end the score will be Politicians 1 and Voters Zero.

I watched the Patriots lose last night. Watching the patriots lose once in a week may well be enough for me.

[dmyankee]

I voted last week. Strait Republican ticket as usual.

Yes on 1.
No on 2.
No on 3.

I am praying for TABOR 2. That will be a start!

[mollysmiles]

Well, I understand how you feel. I really do. I don't fault you for it at all. I don't agree though.

I've always been eternally optimistic. I feel that things will never improve if I do nothing. Not voting to me is doing nothing, and doing nothing to me is the same as quitting. Hmmm..... in a way it's like being a Red Sox fan all those dry years. It wasn't easy, and boy it hurt to watch, but the feeling when they won was like nothing else in the world. I'm willing to hang in there with the USA and Maine too....

One of my favorite movies from all time is The American President..... here's one of my favorite movie quotes from that movie.... sure, it's a movie, it's not real, but wow, the quote should really make you pause....

President Andrew Shepherd: America isn't easy. America is advanced citizenship. You've got to want it bad, because it's gonna put up a fight. It's gonna say, "You want free speech? Let's see you acknowledge a man whose words make your blood boil who is standing center stage and advocating at the top of his lungs that which you would spend a lifetime opposing at the top of yours. You want to claim this land as the 'land of the free'? Then the symbol of your country cannot just be a flag. The symbol also has to be one of its citizens exercising his right to burn that flag in protest. Now show me that, defend that, celebrate that in your classrooms. Then you can stand up and sing about the 'land of the free.'"

[BacktoNE]

Molly! You have quoted my favorite speech from one of my all time favorite movies!! Wouldn't it be great to have a President who really feels that way? Well, we have a chance for that tomorrow, but who knows what will really happen.

As for this:

Of course we citizens make it all that much worse. We keep voting for bond issues as though that money merely materializes from some great money vine in the sky. I wonder why it is that our politicians never tell the voter that voting for a bond issue is BORROWING money that will have to be paid back from TAXES. They seem to forget all about that kind of detail.

That has always been one of my biggest gripes about voting in Maine. I swear the majority of people simply DO NOT READ either ahead of time, or when they are in the voting booth. Where does everyone think those millions of dollars are coming from?

[Northern Maine Land Man]

If Americans don't vote for freedom tomorrow the last words many will hear are "Turn and face the ditch."


YouTube - Obama Civilian Security

[CoastalMaine]

Acadian, thank-you for your selfless service to our country. It is admired and appreciated by me. I am thankful for your efforts and time spent.

I disagree with staying home, but do acknowledge it's your right as an american citizen to do so. The consequences of your decision could well be expensive during such an historic time my friend.

Quote: Mostly right now, it seems to be all about reducing taxes. It doesn't seem to matter whether the promise is being made by someone who is running for Congress, the legislature in Augusta, or the White House: they all promise to cut taxes.

Well, it just strains my ability to believe what any of them say, since the only way that I know of to reduce taxes is to cut spending. I notice that the only way that anyone has suggested cutting taxes is by taxing someone else. Unquote.

Not so fast Acadian. I do believe I've heard John McCain at least 587 times (smile) in the last month say he will order a spending freeze on all but the most required expenditures in the budget as one of his first measures. He will then go through the budget with a red pencil like Washington's never seen and all pork barrel will be cut and names handed to those hungry for change. He also said he plans to streamline governmental agencies in Washington, cleaning out departments and removing agencies which are outdated and cumbersome to our bottom line.

That isn't why he'll be getting my vote, but it's a consideration.

He and Sarah Palin will get my vote tomorrow because I believe in personal character and integrity. While I don't think he's a perfect man, (no one is perfect), he's dedicated his adult life to this country and to making it better for all. He's taken many punches in Washington, but continued to fight, just as he did back in Viet Nam. He's got the chutzpah to move us forward in a credible way without bankrupting us with feel good plans like we had in the 60's.

I openly admit he wasn't my first choice and it took me time to get behind him because I distrusted his aisle crossing. Now I see his ability and willingness to do so as most what this country needs.

When I see who's behind 'that one', chomping at the bit to get into Washington, it sends chills down my spine. Those spineless twits in front of the cameras following 9/11 with their whining platitudes and whimpering demeanors will never leave me, just as being an hour away from those fallen towers and smoldering ashes will never leave me. Decisive action and leadership was needed then to defend and protect this great nation and it's needed just as desperately at this most critical hour of history.

I will get up tomorrow, though still likely sick, and I will fight for this nation the best way I can tomorrow. Voting McCain.

[elston]

I am looking forward to voting tomorrow....it will be my first national election since moving to Maine...but I have been voting since I turned 21.....yes back then you had to be 21 to vote. I worked for Adali Stevenson...but at 18 was too young to vote for him. I am proud to support the Democratic slate of candidates from President all the way down to my Town Council.

Since I support health care I am voting No on the proposal to cut off its funding; I understand that it is a far from perfect system but it is a step in the right direction. I believe in fixing it rather than throwing the families and workers of small businesses who are receiving the benefits back into the uninsured and into the emergency rooms.

I am voting No on the casino....I think it will do more harm to the state than good. I can't imagine some high roller in Nevada having a voting right on the board of our Universities or any other Maine board of trustees just because they benefit from the taxes and fees generated. Their interest wouldnt be for the highest quality for anything in Maine.

I havent heard any discussion of the third proposition re: water and sewer bond; The Portland paper is recommending a yes vote.

[msina]

I will be voting. It's nice to see so many engaged in this election. We may have different views, but you're all wonderful people exercising your right to vote or not. I'm proud that so many Maine citizens are making the effort to inform themselves about the candidates and issues.

[elston]

Originally Posted by msina

I will be voting. It's nice to see so many engaged in this election. We may have different views, but you're all wonderful people exercising your right to vote or not. I'm proud that so many Maine citizens are making the effort to inform themselves about the candidates and issues.

"Blessed are the peacemakers for they shall be known as the children of God."

[tankratt]

Acadianlion, you are a great patriot, and I hope you change your mind and vote, I have found this election year quite difficult to come to choice on my vote. But the service you gave to the country is allowing me to make a choice not having it be chosen for me. I don't care if you vote Mickey Mouse, please vote let your voice be herd.
Thank you for serving the USA
Best Regards,
Dave