It amazes me what we as voters will believe. I think that we sometimes forget the the President is not all powerful and all seeing. Or every other member of the Senate and Congress for that matter. Do we really believe that Bush ruined the economy by himself? And that Kerry can fix it by himself? It's not possible. And it's not just the presidential debate. I live in SC and our Senate race is making big news apparently. Jim Demint and Inez Tenenbaum are driving me crazy, and though I do know who I will vote for in the Presidential election. I am still undecided on this one. And I'll tell you what's the truth, if I had another option I think that I would take it. Demint is constantly talking about how Inez Tenenebaum hasn't done a very good job with our education. (Hello, it was a mess when she took over, she's trying to fix someone else's mess). And Inez is constantly talking about Demint's 23% sales tax plan. (Last time I checked he couldn't pass that bill all by himself) And they end up sounded like a pile of spoiled brats that I would just love to send to their rooms. UGH! I am TIRED of the mud slinging and name calling. And I am TIRED of normally reasonable people getting pulled into it. People on the Bush side say that the people on Kerry's side are wrong and vice-versa. Who cares? If your mind is made up then nothing anyone says is going to change it.

By Kay on Monday, October 18, 2004 - 12:40 pm:

I agree, and will be SO glad when this election is over. I do plan to vote, and I *have* decided on candidates for the various races, but because of all the local/state/national mudslinging, I'm usually hesitant to discuss it in public, because I am rarely in the mood to have my opinion attacked. And unforunately, many political discussions (even among friends/neighbors) tend to turn nasty. It's one of the reasons I never discussed politics with my dad - we didn't always agree, so we agreed to disagree.

I suppose you could guess that I did NOT take debate class in high school.

By Imamommyx4 on Monday, October 18, 2004 - 06:52 pm:

I so totally agree.
Clinton took office in January 1993. In May 1993 our elementary school was having a fun day and was selling popcorn as an extra and the price of a bag had gone up to $1.00 (I don't know what it was the year before because I wasn't there) and mothers were complaining about it. And I heard repeatedly that it was Clinton's fault. I could only think how ridiculous that was. I am no Clinton fan but Clinton in 4 months did NOT make the price of popcorn go up at our little country elementary school!
Politicians say what they think people want to hear and will get them elected. We as voters have to try to sift through the garbage and get as many facts as possible to decide who we will in all good conscience vote for.

By Cocoabutter on Monday, October 18, 2004 - 09:59 pm:

I totally agree. Whatever happens when a president is in office that is good, the credit is given to (or taken by) that current president. Whatever happens that is bad, blame is placed on the current president. It doesn't make sense. It seems that any candidate will say whatever they think the voters will believe that will get them elected.

I have noticed that the heat is now turned WAY up since the final presidential debate. The democratic camp is spreading allegations that the republicans are already committing voter fraud and disenfranchising. I don't believe it is true. I believe that they are stirring up the pot as best they can. I also hear that from the republican side as well.

I also heard Kerry say today in a speech on CNN (I think) that the whole flu vaccine shortage is Bush's fault. Not so. Does anyone remember in 1994 the Government Vaccine Buying Program? Hillary Clinton decided that the government would pay vaccine maunfacturers in the US for all children's vaccines, which would be given free to children all over the country. The only thing was, the price at which the government paid the manufacturers for the vaccines was not sufficient to cover the cost of making it. Thus, they quit making it and the US has had to get it from over seas ever since.

But, since Bush happens to be in office at this time, it is plenty convenient to lay the blame on him for this unprecedented shortage!

Yes, I will be glad when the election is over- and I HOPE it will for sure be over by the morning of Nov. 3rd!

By Jujubee on Tuesday, October 19, 2004 - 12:10 pm:

LOL ladies you are so right. And Lisa, I hope that this wil be over Nov. 3rd, too!

I tell you, though, it isn't that just the candidates are claiming things. It's that so many people believe it. Shoot, no wonder there are such stupid warnings on our product labels. ....Don't get me started on that!