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Nora Skinker (Morton)
Whoa, Joan. I only check this forum once in awhile. Life gets in the way.
First off, am I the only one who can't seem to get over the idea that the DNC and Planned Parenthood were offering free abortions and vasectomies in a mobile clinic rolling around the convention center last night? Freebies like 'hot dog day' at the ball park or party favors or Halloween treats. And why does Biden (etal), keep saying that Trump will federally ban abortions if he gains office? That's, to me, a very important lie. Let's share what political lies mean the most to us, shall we?
Where politics is concerned, i am Goldilocks and cannot find a candidate who is "just right" (or even close). TMI with Trump and TLI with Harris. Both are populists, which is hard to swallow for this old lady, but that's the way of the world these days. Popularity contests in politics rule the results. (I think it started with Clinton and his sax on late night TV), but maybe that critque is unfair because I'm older. But I digress.
Watching, listening, reading positions of both opponents will get me there, albeit eventually. Like churches, never a one-size-fits-all kinda thing. But, since voting is what I MUST do, I'll find my moderate, independently-registered, motivated self pulling a lever or filling-in a circle come November. Too many people have sacrificed for me to ignore that responsibility. Asking myself if I were better off before Biden/Harris: i do know this about 4 1/2 years ago: i had approx the same amount of money but could buy more fun things (like ice cream and a steak), afford a resort trip periodically, drive without much regard to gas prices, treat my grandies to a ball game or a flick, even donate to more good causes. Today, every purchase must be weighed out and thought through. More home cooked pasta. less entrees w/sides. Cheaper paper products. Less manicures or pedicures. 15% tips instead of 20%. Less haircuts. Less lawn service. No housecleaners. Less home projects. Lumber is ridiculous. Cologne is a luxury. God forbid you need an attorney (even for a Will!), a shrink, an architect. Fees are off the charts. And there is a growing fear in the back of my mind that I might have to some day rely on my kids to make ends meet. Those little but real possibilites linger. But hey, Kamala is joyful. Like Grafton Pond brings peace to you, Jack, my faith washes over me and soothes me, much as you lean on your adventures in nature. We are the lucky ones. Suicides, sex trafficking, drugs, abortions, guns sales, divorces, antisemitism all rise while church attendance, life expectancy, education scores, police forces decline. But hey, Kamala is joyful.
Also, 4 1/2 years ago, the influx of illegal immigrants were less and they had not infiltrated major cities, their hotels and schools or committed as many horrific crimes, of which we are sadly more and more aware. Unlike today, WWIII was not knocking (as loudly) on our door. The Taliban was in the rear view mirror and not parading around in our confiscated military vehicles mistakenly left in Afghanistan. Iran had not been awarded and appeased and empowered to fight a proxy war TO ELIMINATE our ally and only Democracy in the Mid East. Domestic terrorism via the southern border was not as predictable. Fentanyl wasn't as rampant. The Iran backed Soleimani walked the earth no more. "Smash & grabs" were not on the nightly news. Police officers were shown more respect, though everyone knew there were those terrible few who did not deserve it.
Note to Joanie: not sure why you are confused by Haley's recent Trump comments. She is a conservative Republican and of course, she must (like him personally or not) drop her campaign rhetoric and join the party. Because, and solely because, of his issue positions, she rallies round, She could not possibly back Harris who was (is?) a Leftist. You do know that, right Joanie? And the way I know that is because Harris cannot voice her positions without it hurting her chances of winning. She has, so far, let campaign staff 'insinuate' her positions outwardly and walk back some of her rhetoric from 2020 and before. I, for one, am hoping she reveals her postions more this week and owns them. Usually candidates are downright anxious and want to share their views but she can't, realizing how unpopular some of them are. But ya gotta admit, she's joybul. Maybe her plan is to always be elusive but she certainly wasn't the least bit elusive in 2019 when she ran for POTUS briefly. Matter of fact, she was quickly unpopular and out of the race. She announced it was time to move on from privately held medical insurance and espoused Medicare for all. She declared that anyone crossing the border would not be held criminal, even though he or she were breaking the law. She proclaimed that abortion be legal right up to birth, regardless of pain the fetus may endure. She laughingly shared her use of marijuana after having incarcerated people for marijuana abuse. Her economic speech recently did specify that she believed government should regulate prices, that first time home buyers could receive $25K towards a home and she proposed no taxes on tips for service workers (Trump had already proposed that several weeks before). Not surprising, since they both need Las Vegas to love them come November. She has shown a disturbing affinity toward the Palestinians and their plights, past and present, but, politically it's a 'hot potato'. Again, am hoping she clarifies her government regulation of prices, since that is provocative and hasn't worked well to curb inflation historically. Oh, and her promises come with huge, unmentioned price tags. But, hey, gawd knows she's joyful.
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