Leon Richard of Farmington, ME Racist, sexist, narcissist, and a whole bunch of other things. We're all, every one of us, all of those things, to the degree we allow ourselves to be. Takes an awareness to avoid the pitfalls.report abuse

Leon Richard of Farmington, ME Owe you a thanks too. I didn't have to put a uniform on and go to hell for my country. I didn't have to do it, because you and others did it for me. I know alot of the guys I've worked with over the years were in Vietnam, and Korea, and a couple actually in WWII. A patient of mine here in Homer was a POW in Germany. Escaped twice, the second time he got away.

I'd like to read the story someday, hope I do. He's recording some things from time to time on a tape recorder for his heirs to do with what they wish once he's gone. Nobody is allowed to listen to them until after.

There's some darned good people on both sides of the aisle. My "problem" is, and it cuts both ways, that it seems like the worst of each party rises to the top of the party and runs things.

As a "Republican", I guess it's up to me and others to change things up some and make sure it stays changed. I'd sure appreciate someone over on the other side of the aisle kicking a few people in the hind end and getting them off some of the "wedge issues". There's a reason they're "wedge issues".

If I didn't know better, I'd be saying they've colluded to a degree on which issues each was going to "take and run with" because they want to move us in a particular direction but can't do it as a single party.

Sure seems that way sometime.

If it's not vital to the economy or the national security of the country, my suggestion is to not do anything with it for this term. Focus on what needs to be done, and leave the side issues and wedge issues off the table.report abuse

Leon Richard of Farmington, ME Everybody deserves a fair shake in life. My guess is, there are programs which are designed to give people a hand up, not a hand out, that everybody with a reasonable mind could get behind and make work.

There are people, through no fault of their own, who are never going to be capable of supporting themselves. They should be encouraged to do as much as they can, and helped to live a decent life. Not in abject poverty either. Nobody should live that way, not in a country like this one. We're better than that.

But the "war on poverty" is going just about as well as the "war on terror", and we've been fighting that one for much longer.report abuse

Leon Richard of Farmington, ME Unfortunate things happen to all of us in life. Something that connects everyone, tragedy. Part of the human experience I suppose. Sometimes life is tougher for some people, and I want in the worst way to help. What I do not want to do is deprive them of the opportunity to gain the security and experience of doing it themselves and appreciating it the way people do when they've actually earned their way.

Obama? I oppose him on policy. I actually kind of like the guy. He's been through some stuff. He sees the world through the eyes of someone who came through what he's come through. I wish I could speak with him. Might someday get the opportunity to.

We've got some problems, and it's going to take everybody to solve them. Whether or not we agree is irrelevant, we have problems with our economy, and our healthcare system. Doing nothing is not going to be an option, so we have to determine what way to go.

I don't know everything about everything, contrary to what it might seem like at times... ;) I have an opinion on most things, and that I don't know everything about them doesn't negate the validity.

Wish Colin Powell was running, but I think "they" got to him, and he's past the time in his life when he's interested in doing it. My understanding is, he was told by someone whom he respected, "They'll never elect you, you're black."

I hate bullies, and I am not sure that those white kids picking on your buddy wouldn't have been black and blue, red, and white, when they got done. Been a lesson to them. Maybe saved their lives and health eventually. Every bully has to come to know that somewhere, someday, they're going to run into someone who isn't going to take it. The earlier in life they learn that lesson, the less painful and costly it is.report abuse