http://blogs.e-rockford.com/whywevote The Register Star has brought together a group of people from all over the Rock River Valley to serve on our Election 2008 Voters' Panel. These men and women are Republicans, Democrats, Independents and Green party members. Some are high school students. Some are retired. And some fall in between those two age groups. They all share this: The upcoming election is important and voters do have voices. They'll share them in this blog. Thu, 15 May 2008 21:23:01 +0000 http://backend.userland.com/rss092 en At Tuesday night's Voters Panel meeting, we broke into small groups to discuss several "pocketbook" issues and what the government's role in managing them is. One decision my group made was unequivocally unanimous: NOTHING the candidates are saying on pocketbook issues is resonating with any of us. The Mighty Dubya's call to ... http://blogs.e-rockford.com/whywevote/2008/05/15/shopping-for-leadership/ Last night, the Register Star's Voters convened for the second time. I was shocked to learn that one of our most conservative members, Jeff Rushing, died of a brain aneurysm in late March. He was only 45. I haven't been keeping up with our blog for the past two months because ... http://blogs.e-rockford.com/whywevote/2008/05/14/republican-for-a-day/ Ok, I know I have some nostalgia for the ‘70s and the back to nature and simple living lifestyle, but I’m thinkin’ the current economic crisis has roots in our desire to live way too big and way too fast.  Here’s what’s behind my theory…people are wanting bigger houses, bigger ... http://blogs.e-rockford.com/whywevote/2008/05/08/living-simply-and-the-economy/ I was listening to Prairie Home Companion last night (I know, it's one of those liberal Public Radio shows).  They were broadcasting from Bangor, Maine.   Anyway, I learned that  most flights with servicemen and women returning from the middle east land in Bangor.   Has to do with the length of ... http://blogs.e-rockford.com/whywevote/2008/05/04/hurrah-for-bangor-maine/ Jimmy Carter has accomplished more in a week of negotiating in the middle east than what has happened in the past seven years of double talk and posturing from the Bush administration.  Common sense, honesty, intelligence, a knowledge of history and people skills are the ingredients for successful diplomacy.  Jimmy ... http://blogs.e-rockford.com/whywevote/2008/05/04/jimmy-carter-for-secretary-of-state/ Give the voters the option of recalling ineffective or corrupt elected officials in Illinois? What a stupid idea. Who can trust the same people who mistakenly elected those people in the first place, with the power to un-elect them? Apparently, the Illinois Senate is proud of the tradition in Illionois that ... http://blogs.e-rockford.com/whywevote/2008/05/02/democracy-in-action/ We cannot allow ourselves to become gasoline price "victims"!  Sure, prices are up,  I don't like it (I drive 48 miles round trip each day) and it's easy to complain about.  The fact is, however, we can be in control of our destiny when it comes to travel and fuel ... http://blogs.e-rockford.com/whywevote/2008/04/28/lets-not-become-gasoline-victims/ The Three candidates still in the running for the presidency have correctly identified the fact that the American people are demanding change. Unfortunately for them and our fellow countrymen, they will not address the type of changes we are demanding. Again, we get lip service from those who are only ... http://blogs.e-rockford.com/whywevote/2008/04/27/yes-we-do-want-change/ The voting pattern of the populace in the Pennsylvania primary are another indicator of the division in this country.  We must find a way to recognize and accept our differences, unify and move forward to reach solutions to the problems facing our people and the nation.  Can we do it?  ... http://blogs.e-rockford.com/whywevote/2008/04/23/the-differences/ For awhile there winter wanted to hang on to spring as if to say "I need you, let me stay a little while longer, I want make any noise, I'll ease my out."  Spring on the other hand wanted winter to go back to doing what it normally does this ... http://blogs.e-rockford.com/whywevote/2008/04/22/getting-out-of-the-box-winter-spring/