Have you made any political donations this election cycle? (salary, politicians, party)

[Memphis1979]

Originally Posted by roysoldboy

I have only donated to Romney since I have no Senators running this year and my new Representative is not a Republican I want to see elected. If my present Rep. had asked for some money he would have got it because he does great work for the people he represents.

Then you aren't serious about the budget or the deficit.

[sailordave]

Originally Posted by Memphis1979

Just a quick word on "we can't afford".

I am not saying you should donate to anyone, but I'd say 99% of the time when someone says "I can't afford" anything, they have cable TV, they have a cell phone, and they drive a vehicle with very poor gas mileage.

Not saying that's you, but most of the time, many people can afford way more then they think they can.

Its hard, but a family of three can make ends meet in a lot of areas of the country, for less then 20k a year.

Yes, we have DirecTV and Internet. My wife has spinal problems. Most days she can't even leave the house. The TV and Internet is her entertainment and connection to the outside world. I've had the same car since September 2004, a 2003 Chevrolet Malibu with 3.1L V6 engine. Because of how I drive, I average between 22.5 to 24 MPG city driving. On average, I go 2 weeks on a tank of gas. My wife's car is a 2007 Chrysler Sebring with 2.4L 4 cylinder. After her 1996 Mazda Protege' was hit by someone who ran a stop sign, she shopped to find a car that allowed her 4 foot 11 inch body to see over the dashboard, feet touch the pedals, while not be sitting on a pillow nor have the steering wheel pressed up against her chest. This was one of the few cars that fit her needs while being in our price range. It's also the only car that has an adjustable lumbar support that goes directly into the very deep curve of her lower back where most of her spinal problems are located. This gives her some relief. Until a few months ago, her dad lived with us until he passed away at the age of 86. Wife's been in the ER twice last week.

[Memphis1979]

Originally Posted by sailordave

Yes, we have DirecTV and Internet. My wife has spinal problems. Most days she can't even leave the house. The TV and Internet is her entertainment and connection to the outside world. I've had the same car since September 2004, a 2003 Chevrolet Malibu with 3.1L V6 engine. Because of how I drive, I average between 22.5 to 24 MPG city driving. On average, I go 2 weeks on a tank of gas. My wife's car is a 2007 Chrysler Sebring with 2.4L 4 cylinder. After her 1996 Mazda Protege' was hit by someone who ran a stop sign, she shopped to find a car that allowed her 4 foot 11 inch body to see over the dashboard, feet touch the pedals, while not be sitting on a pillow nor have the steering wheel pressed up against her chest. This was one of the few cars that fit her needs while being in our price range. It's also the only car that has an adjustable lumbar support that goes directly into the very deep curve of her lower back where most of her spinal problems are located. This gives her some relief. Until a few months ago, her dad lived with us until he passed away at the age of 86. Wife's been in the ER twice last week.

I feel awful for your wife, but you can't say "you can't afford" when you have TV.

People had spinal injuries for the last 200 years of humans existence as well. People read books, that are free, from the local library.

You and your wife have made a personal decision on what to spend money on. That doesn't mean you can't afford, that just means, you choose not to spend your money somewhere else.

[Electric Blue]

Mitt Romney(In the primary and general)
Senate
Richard Mourdock-Indiana
Scott Brown-Massachussetts
Dean Heller-Nevada
Rick Berg-North Dakota
Denny Rehberg-Montana
Josh Mandel-Ohio
George Allen-Virginia
US House
Tom Strickland-California
Brian Bilbray-California

[sailordave]

Originally Posted by Memphis1979

I feel awful for your wife, but you can't say "you can't afford" when you have TV.

People had spinal injuries for the last 200 years of humans existence as well. People read books, that are free, from the local library.

You and your wife have made a personal decision on what to spend money on. That doesn't mean you can't afford, that just means, you choose not to spend your money somewhere else.

I'm the husband. I'm also a frequent visitor to our local library and own at least 20 books that I read on a regular basis. I agree with you. I'd be perfectly happy with antenna TV and books. But I'm just the husband. The wife doesn't have the attention span to finish watching a movie let alone read a book. I know she's using her condition to elicit sympathy from me, but I love her and I pick my battles carefully. As long as we can pay the bills with more than the minimum balance due while still having money for groceries and gas, this is not a battle to be fought. It makes her happy and it's not breaking our bank.

[mackinac81]

Nope. My money is better spent on the less fortunate.

Well that and PBS/NPR

[Frank DeForrest]

Flushing it down the toilet would be a better use of it.

[Memphis1979]

Originally Posted by Frank DeForrest

Flushing it down the toilet would be a better use of it.

You may be right, I know Gary Johnson won't win the election, but at least I'm trying to send a message, that the way the Democrats and Republicans have governed, is wrong, and not good for the nation.

[Ceece]

You can CERTAINLY say "we can't afford.." even when you have everything the world. First and foremost you're money is for you, the rest is "what you can afford" to donate. You always have the choice to do without in order to give but it's never been a requirement.

I totally don't get people who think you're living large by having cable tv or that you need to give it all up and live like a pauper before you can tell anyone "I can't afford that".

[thisismyspameamil]

Ha!