Just as I promised, here we are with a topic about the stregth and weaknesses of each ticket. So, why not 'let er rip,' only be respectful of each other, knowing that we all have one thing in common, we're all nureses and as nurses we're a rather pleasant bunch!

I'll start by the Stregths of the McCain/Palin ticket. I believe in a small government, as I feel strongly that humans don't need their government to do most things for them. Certain things need governmental involovement, one of which is the income tax; gosh darn, that's one thing we can't seem to avoid.

The thing on everyone's mind these days is the economy, so  I'll start here. Some years ago (when Carter was president), Carter signed a law that increased the ability to get a mortgage. So far so good; owning a home is the great American dream, right? This was the Community Rehabilitation Act (or CRA of 1977). When Bill Clinton was president, he expanded the law and it kept getting expanded. A few years ago, John McCain called for an oversight committee to make sure that there were not abuses of the act happening, like Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac.

He was assured by Barney Frank and Maxine Waters and several others that all was okay, there was nothing to worry about, etc. Now, we find out that Barney Frank knew of the problems back then! A problem that likely we could have avoided or at least we could have avoided paying out $700 billion, maybe only $1 billion. Thanks, Barney (I think his partner was deep into this with Freddic Mac)

We can also avoid paying too many taxes, something Joe Biden has said on several occasions is PATRIOTIC. I'm guessing that you, like me, work pretty dang hard to want to "share the wealth" what little wealth there is in nursing.

I don't want to see my taxes go up to pay for tons of social programs; after all, to pay for something he promises to EVERYONE, Senator Obama has to raise taxes. He says he won't raise individual income taxes; most of us are safe there as how many of us make more than $200,000? However, the small business owner usually DOES make more than $200,000. He'll see his taxes go up and before you know it, the employer of 30 people, will have to cut his workforce by 5 people to pay for  those increased taxes. He'll also  have to chrge more for whatever it is he makes (let's say he owns a 7-11 franchise). He'll have to charge $2 instead of $1 for that AM cup of coffee. Since  you'll not be able to buy it, he'll have to lay off another worker or 2.

Because Obama plans to raise corparate income taxes, he'll effectively force the larger companies of the country to take their business off-shore; and jobs with them, unless you want to move to whatever foreign country they're going to.

I'm not for nationalized health care. I want my health care to be between my physician and me. I've spoken with Canadian physicians (they have a COMPLETELY nationalized  health care system, there). While Obama doesn't propose a completely nationalized system, he does plan somewhat of a nationalized system. Canadian physicians have oftentimes referred their patients to the US for treatment because of rationing in Canada.

I feel the basis of what our country is founded on is the free-market economy and that is the basis of John McCain's health care plan. By creating many health care plans and accessibility to them, the competition will drive the cost down (economics 101) so that people CAN afford health care insurance. He would not abolish the employer-sponsored health care plan, but would give THE CONSUMER the option to determine if it works for him. The consumer could have the choice to stay with employer-sponsered  health insurance.

If you left your  job (and this is the part I like), you don't have to leave the physicians you know and you have a rapport with.

As far as the economy goes, Barack Obama promises EVERYTHING, but doesn't tell you that his health care plan will cost upwards of $452 billion/YEAR for 10 years. But, he says he'll pay for his health care plan by pulling us out of Iraq.  Folks, Iraq  costs us $10 billion a month or $122 billion a year. To make up for the remaining other $300+ billion, he has NO CHOICE but to raise taxes, as he'll be going headlong into another war-possibly on two fronts (Afghanistan and Pakistan). Lord help us if he toys with Iran!!

That's all I can say right now. Debates are on in not too long.

 Very good info from you both thanks

I didn't find what I was looking for, I'm sure it's somewhere else ini the paper, but I did find this interesting Letter to the Editor of the Herald Mail (looks like it's a Pennsylvania, Maryland and  West Virginia paper)::

'

Letters to the editor

To the editor:

On Sat., Oct. 11, I read one of the most intelligent and well written letters I have ever seen published on the opinion page of this newspaper. mail.com/?cmd=displaystory&story_id=205482&format=html">It was written by Christina Elgin and I'd like to commend her and let her know how much I appreciate her views, with which I agree 100 percent.

Barack Obama is the least qualified and most dangerous person ever to run for the office of president of the United States.

He has been groomed by rich and powerful forces and if he wins, this country and democracy, as we know it today, will no longer exist and socialism will reign.

There is no question that the liberal left media are "in the tank" for Obama and refuse to make him accountable for so many issues, buying into his phony rhetoric. So have many people that I have talked with - highly intelligent and experienced people who have been swayed by this candidate and it is astounding and disturbing. Recently, Louis Farrakhan, national representative of the Nation of Islam in this country, referred to Obama as the coming of "Messiah."

Can you imagine that? Obama has been sent to save us - but not all of us. Voters, educate yourselves about this candidate - not on any propaganda, but on the facts. We must make sure that any change in this country is the right change for all of us. Please think long and hard about the many consequences of your vote on Nov. 4. Heaven help us if we don't. Please vote McCain/Palin."

TeamRN.........its hard for me to find something bad about McCain, so I did something silly in poking fun at something so trivial.; that was totally horrible and I do apologize. I removed that whole article as a matter of fact. 

angie,

apology accepted. the liberal media still crucify him, as if he hasn't been crucified or isn't good enough. Barack Obama. NO!

annie