Of the people, by the people, and for the people?

When I think back to the first time I voted, I realize that the reason for which I voted back then contrasts very sharply with the many reasons I have voted in recent years. Our nation has seemingly been divided in to two camps...us, and them! We are so divided on singular issues that we seem to have lost sight of the issues which truly affect our everyday lives.

Many of the issues that divide us, such as abortion rights and gay marriage, have been in the forefront of political debates, while more important issues took the back seat. I believe that issues such as those mentioned above, are nothing more than (what I call) "smokescreen issues." These are issues which seem to be intended to distract and divide us, while laws and bills are passed in Congress without our knowledge.

Instead of showing concern for consumers who were paying over $3.00 per gallon of gasoline and wondering how they were going to make ends meet from one month to the next, politicians argued about abortion and a possible constitutional amendment banning gay marriage.

In 2003, we watched attentively and worried about our financial futures, while politicians spent much of their time arguing for or against the privatization of Social Security. Our attention was on Social Security while Congress passed a new provision, based on the recommendation of the "New Freedom Commission" in the "No Child Left Behind" act, which will eventually lead to mandatory mental health screening of all Americans. Many Americans still do not actually know what the NCLB Act contains. We think it is about education! Guess again.

I readily admit that for many years I voted along party lines. But I have learned since, to look past the smoke screen and to pay close attention to all laws passed by Congress, and to know exactly who voted for which law. I will cast my vote either for or against a candidate, especially if he/she is an incumbent, based on their record, as opposed to their party affilliation.

Patty, where does that leave you this year? Particularly on, say, Pawlenty the incumbent and Hatch, Kennedy and Klobuchar, who're looking for promotions. As I've posted elsewhere, I'm voting an IP ticket, plus Green Party for Hennepin County commissioner.

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Reply:
Good question! My ticket is very mixed this year. There are many concerns I have about Pawlenty; his record on health care, his previous attempt to have mandatory mental health screening for pre-school children (www.edwatch.org/updates06/032006-Nanny.htm), and property taxes are the most serious. Therefore, I'm pulling for Hatch. I agree with him on most issues including: education, health care, and his concerns with the death penalty.

I am taking a serious look at Fitzgerald. I agree with his stance on health care, and tax cuts, or as he states it, "tax deferments." I do not agree, entirely, with him on "Iraq", but I think he is willing to ask the right questions.

I am undecided on most other races at this point.

Patty, I am confused...How exactly is gas being over $3.00 per gallon a government issue? What exactly does this have to do with government? Were you expecting Jimmy Carter style price controls (and Jimmy Carter Style rationing and lines)? You know I heard that Starbucks recently raised its' prices, maybe people government should investigate them for gouging it's customers. I mean $4.00 for a cup of coffee, how are people going to get by when they have to buy their coffee for $4.00 a cup!?

Of course coffee, just like gas, is an optional expense.

But you wanted to point out that these "smokescreen issues" are dividing us. I find that people who typically don't care about these issues tend to call them "smokescreen issues". In fact I remember John Kerry calling these same things "distractions". If you are all for gay marriage just say so, don't pretend you don't care and call it a "smokescreen issue".

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Ken,
Fair question. Gas and diesel prices are a government issue considering that, on average, consumers pay approximately 0.62 per gallon at the pump in total state and federal fees. This fee, by the way, does not include an additional federal tax of 18.4 cents per gallon. Moreover, purchasing gasoline/diesel fuel, unlike coffee, is NOT an "optional" expense for most people. In fact, small businesses (such as the trucking business my husband owns) and farmers alike, depend upon diesel fuel. In addition to the the taxes those in the trucking industry pay at the pump, we pay quarterly fuel taxes on every gallon of fuel purchased. As the price of fuel rises, so does the price of shipping. That cost is, consequently, passed on to you and I as the rising transportation costs affect the price of literally everything we purchase...since, every thing we purchase is, at one point or another, transported by truck!

In response to your assumption concerning my views about gay marriage, let me say this: I am, in fact, opposed to gay marriage. However, I feel it is neither mine nor the government's place to make, what I believe, is a moral/religious decision for others. My position concerning abortion is the same as it is on gay marriage. Oh, and I am opposed to capital punishment, as well. Just as I am opposed to aborting an innocent life, I reject any law which subjects an innocent person to execution.

The fact is, I care very much about the above issues...and I do not "pretend" anything! However, there are many serious issues facing our Nation which merit immediate attention...issues which, if not seriously addressed, will continue to negatively affect the quality of life for millions of Americans in both the short and long-term.

Patty

Patty, gasoline is not a requirement for life in the U.S. Electric and hybrid vehicles are readily available for U.S. purchase. Aside from that, you ignored the biggest point made in my entire statement.

If you regulate gasoline like was done in the Carter administration, you will create shortages. The government is the cause of, not the solution to, problems. You are looking at this as if government stepping in would fix it. This has already been proven a false statement. The solution would be to have government step out of the problem entirely.

Do you know when the last oil refinery was built? It wasn't in my lifetime. If you really want prices for anything to drop, you need competition. If there is more supply, then prices go down. Currently the oil refinement capacity in the U.S. is almost always at maximum. Thus in times of increased demand, the prices go way up because there the same supply.

If you want to argue for tax reduction, say that, don't say that the government needs to regulate private business.

On to the other issues...If you care about innocent life being taken, then why is it you don't care about somone's stance on the issue?

If Peter Hutchinson stands for unlimited on-demand abortion, execution of all offenders imprisoned for life, and banning straight marriage in favor of having only gay marriage, but he refuses to talk about it because it "clouds" the issues, that doesn't concern you? You'll vote for him because he wants to throw money at education but ignore the stance on his other issues?

If he refuses to talk about the issues, you don't know where he stands. If someone doesn't want to talk about the issues, then they are usually hiding something. I want to know where my politicians stand on everything, not just the fiscal issues.

Ken, I respectfully disagree with you. The government does regulate gasoline (I am too young to remember whatever Carter did). Remember last year when the owners of that little gas station in Oakdale got in big trouble with the government because they were not charging "enough" money per gallon? How is that "not" government regulation? I do, however, agree that we need more refineries.

I did not say that I do not care about the stance many have on abortion. On the contrary, I said I care about the issue.

I do not agree with Hutchinson on many issues, so I will not vote for him. Again, I agree with you, I will note vote for someone on a single issue.