October 1st, 2008 08:31pm
Gary Tiffany
I’ve had what was to me a surprising number of people approach me in the last few days asking what I thought of the first Presidential debate. While I know that people do read this blog, it was interesting that they would take the time to approach me to see what I was thinking.
I must say that I wasn’t surprised by what I heard in the debate. Both candidates performed pretty much as I expected them to perform. Nobody went into much detail on any of their programs. I did think it was interesting that neither candidate, when asked what new programs they were proposing they would consider cutting back in light of the financial situation the country was in, would give a straight answer to the question. That’s too bad. Unfortunately, they don’t give the electorate enough credit. We haven’t heard anything from either candidate about “sacrifice” and how Americans are going to have to “tighten their belts” to get through this. Oh, no, we CAN’T do that!
Senator McCain did suggest the possibility of a spending freeze on everything BUT defense, veteran affairs and entitlement programs, but those programs make up the bulk of our government spending. Medicare, especially, is an entitlement program that needs better control. If you take those programs “off the table”, you’re not left with much room to cut spending.
But getting back to the debate, as I said earlier, I didn’t learn anything. I was really hoping that one of the candidates would say something to “capture the imagination”, but no such luck. Maybe next time. We’ve got the Vice Presidential Debate coming up Thursday, so we’ll see what happens there.
Gary Tiffany
September 17th, 2008 03:18pm
Jon Murray
Ok… here’s a new take on the hockey mom and pit bull story.  Question: “What’s the difference between a pit bull and a hockey mom?”  Answer: “The hockey mom carries a semi-automatic assault weapon”.   To add to the myriad of crazy reason John McCain chose Sarah Palin we have to deal with the possibility of a VP who responds to a question about assault weapons with the response that she’s a member of the NRA. Another of her soon to be famous vague answers to specific questions. Other than the paranoid ideology that “it’s our right” I have yet to find a reason to own an assault weapon. For those who love guns…sport, hunting, self protection…fantastic - enjoy. However… please forget the idea of a gun that can mow down a large group of people in super expedient fashion. I’m tempted to say I wish Sarah Palin would just go back to Alaska but then I remember I would still like to visit there some day and I want to feel safe from assault weapons when I go.
Jon Murray
September 15th, 2008 07:34pm
Don R. Gugliuzza
Am I alone? Is there something wrong with my thinking? I have watched both political conventions in their entirety and am more convinced than ever that this country is in terrible shape. Every move, every thought of those elected to serve the common good is directed towards furthering their careers. The only way they can do that is to toe the party line, attend to the wishes of those who finance their campaigns and to the special interest groups who will support them in exchange for getting only those things that benefit them. There is no apparent thought given to the needs of the country and it’s citizens. One do-nothing Congress has been replaced by a do-even-less Congress. A one year moratorium was proposed on earmarks. It was a Republican idea so the Democrats voted it down. Result….$17 billion of our tax money put into earmarks so that our Congressmen could buy our votes with our money. Thanks a lot, Senator Durbin and your fellow Democrats.  Nothing has been done to control our borders and stop the river of illegal aliens from crossing into our country. Thanks, again, Senator Durbin and your fellow Democrats. Millions of people are out of work due to ill-concieved “free” trade agreements. Thanks a lot, Republicans. I am well aware of the fact that a Democrat was President when NAFTA was inacted, but the Repulicans have totally embraced it and have advanced other ”free trade” agreements. We are more dependent on foreign oil than ever before, using that causes global warming and increases our trade deficit exponentially. Let’s drill so we have more oil to burn. Thanks again, Republicans. The worst problem facing our country? Us. Yup, those of us who keep voting the same people into office every election. The old definition of stupidity is doing the same thing over and over and expecting a different result. So, let’s join together to take our country back. Don’t vote for the incumbant. What difference does it make if you don’t agree with the opponent’s ideas? We’re getting nothing for our money now The worst that can happen is that we will continue to get nothing. If we do nothing, we will join the ranks of our Congress and be, “Do nothings,” too. Be somebody. Do something. Vote to take back our government. Our vote is all we have, we don’t have lobbyists working for us and we’re too poor to be big contributors. Our vote is all we have; use it wisely. Think about it.
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September 14th, 2008 05:01pm
Gary Tiffany
A reader posted a comment to my last post and agreed that it is difficult to sort through the chatter on the candidates. He reiterated my somewhat rhetorical question and asked how I and other members of the Voters’ Panel plan to “sort through the chaff” to reach a decision on who to vote for. While I cannot speak for other members of the Panel, I am settling on a strategy that I believe will work for me.
The candidates main websites are a good place to start, but one has to remember that they are obviously pushing their own positions. I tend to ignore most of the radio media (Rush, Hannity, Dobson, etc.) because they are more about creating controversy than discussing the real issues. As someone once said, “Gentlemen, we’ve got to protect our phoney-baloney jobs!” I’ve yet to hear any of them talk sensibly about an issue. All they want to do is push their agendas. About the only radio personality I’ve found who seems to take an objective, balanced view of the political madness is WLS’ Roe Conn. At least when he discusses politics, he looks at the issues in a practical way.
I also recommend ignoring all the stuff coming out of the blogosphere (except this blog, of course!), as they mostly try to stir things up and keep us away from the real issues. The poster said he believes that the national press is out of control and seems to go out of their way to push a specific agenda. While that may be true of some of the papers, I believe you can still find a balanced view out there. One of the best sources I’ve found is Newsweek magazine. I’ve always been impressed with the insights offered by their reporters and how they can dig into claims to get to the real meat of a situation. The articles are very informative and go much more in depth on a topic than newspapers can. They will tell you the good and the bad. As far as the TV media goes, I really miss Tim Russert. He did a great job for Meet the Press and NBC News and could really break things down to the nitty-gritty.
Basically, what it comes down to is for each person to invest the time to do some research on the candidates and, more importantly, to go in with an open mind. That is key. Try to look at the issues from the other candidate’s point of view and try to understand why they support a particular position. THEN make the decision as to whether you can live with that position or not. Tune into the upcoming debates to see what the candidates have to say. Talk to people whose opinion you value to see what they have to say on a particular candidate and see whether you agree with their opinion. Ultimately, each person has to make the decision that is right for them.
Unfortunately, most people won’t take the time necessary to do all that. Many won’t even take the time to vote, and then they’ll complain because they don’t like the way things turn out.
Gary Tiffany
September 11th, 2008 02:12pm
Jon Murray
It seems like there’s just been a little too much rancor in the campaign durng the last couple of weeks. I’m sure that those on both sides of the campaign are nice people…and the American people want leaders who are civil and respectful…
So…here’s what I suggest: A playdate for the Obama and Palin kids. We know that both families have young kids and they would most certainly get along famously. Michelle Obama should call Sarah Palin and set up a couple of play dates. Maybe one time in Chicago and one time in Alaska. What a great way for cultural exchange.  And, just maybe the parents might find a little common ground so that the campaign can focus on the issues instead of personalities.
Jon Murray
September 9th, 2008 05:20pm
Gary Tiffany
Well, the candidates are all now chosen and it’s time to actually THINK about who to vote for this November. Each side approaches the issues differently; in some cases they are far apart, and in others, not so far. It begs the question: how DOES one sort through all the chatter to come to a decision on who to vote for?
Should one vote for a candidate simply because of the party? While some would say yes, that doesn’t seem to me to be the way to go. That smacks of paternalism, with the party saying they know what is best for me and to just vote our way and shut up.
What about “experience”? True, time spent in the Senate does contribute to one’s knowledge and will influence how one approaches a situation, but does anyone every really have the experience to be Commander in Chief? In looking back at the last few presidents, all learned on the job, for the most part.
Are hot button issues dealbreakers, or are they outweighed by other considerations? Consider guns – the Republicans don’t want any more gun laws and say they support gun owners right to bear arms, but as Obama asked at the convention, isn’t there a common ground to protect hunters’ rights but still keep AK-47s and assault rifles off the streets? Makes sense to me. Or consider abortion – the Democrats want to keep it legal and safe, but would like to find ways make it the option of last resort and therefore rare. The Republicans, on the other hand, are staunchly opposed to giving women a choice in the matter (there’s that paternalism again), saying they want to overturn Roe v. Wade. While they don’t want to let you decide whether to have the child or not, they do want to let you decide where to send the child to school if you have an underperforming school. Strange logic. Should one of those issues, or any other one issue, be the deciding factor in one’s vote? Or can you “hold your nose” and vote for a candidate if you mostly agree on other things?
Someone once said that gridlock is good and when we have one party in the Presidency and a different party in Congress, they have to work together to get anything done. Is that a reason to choose one candidate over another?
We’ve got a lot of things to think about in the coming weeks. I’m looking forward to the debates to help me decide who to vote for. It should be an interesting time.
July 18th, 2008 05:52pm
Don R. Gugliuzza
What is the price tag that we Ameri cans would put on our self pride and national pride? Most of us wouldn’t sell either for any amount of money. Yet New Hampshire has not only decided to sell both but they’ve put a price tag on it. Lower gasoline prices and lower fuel oil prices are the modern day 20 pieces of silver that New Hampshire has settled on to sell their and our nations pride. Shame on you for even considering doing business with the Venezuelan anti American despot. I would rather walk than give Hugo Chavez any of my money that would allow him to continue his attacks on my country. Some things are more important than my personal comfort. Things like my country.
June 29th, 2008 11:33am
Don R. Gugliuzza
I was in a position to observe a group of people from my parent’s generation. They were a mixture of men and women in their middle 80’s to early 90’s. And as I watched them I envied them, not because they are older than me but because they had much of which they could be proud. They were couples that had worked together to provide, to the best of their abilities, for the necessities of their lives.
There was patriotism although few ever thought about it. They just observed the laws of the land, respected their, often times undeserving, political leaders. They voted in higher percentages than we’re now used to. And when they were called upon to defend their country, they did so. They defeated to well-seasoned armies at the same time because we had the “can do” attitude. Whatever needed to be done, got done. No whining. No hand-wringing. They just rolled up their sleeves and did what they needed to do.
They worked hard and well. There was a bond between the men who worked in factories or whatever they did for their livelihood. There was a mutual respect between them and their employers. They expected to work for their employer for all of their working lives and the employer expected them to. Loyalty! The women stayed home to provide a loving and nurturing environment for the husband and children while he provided the father figure and funds for the family. They were happy to have a clean shelter, more often than not  rented, where there was togetherness and safety. They had friends for neighbors and neighbors who became friends. They cared for each other and raised their children to embrace the morals and ethics that were bestowed upon them by their parents. They were happy for what they had and didn’t compete with the “Jones” to get more and more of the things they really didn’t have… because they had everything that was important.
No, it wasn’t a perfect society. There was crime and people who took advantage of others. There were diseases that we don’t have now, more often than not, fatal. There were social ills that we have spent all of my generation and part of this generation trying to cure and haven’t yet succeeded.
Now things are a lot different. We’re collectors of material things that we don’t need, but want because someone else has them or doesn’t have them and we want to be “better” than them. A kind phrase for that is self-serving egotism. We want to make more money for doing less. We want others to do what we won’t lower ourselves to do. How many times to you see someone sweeping the public sidewalk or the gutter in front of their home, whether they own it or rent it? We’re a nation of consumers. What can I get? How can I get it? I want it therefore I shall have it. And in acquiring all of the “toys’ we have abandoned our responsibility to our children. Mom and dad both work and leave the children to babysitters or the school system. What you hear today is, “We both have to work to get by.” In many cases that’s true. But in most cases they both work to have two cars, not one. The vehicles have to be new, big, prestiguish and, more often than not, big gas guzzlers.
We suffer the incompetent, self serving politician because we don’t want to get involved in the political process. We’re too busy acquiring things to be bothered with judging those who are supposed to be serving us. All we can think of is “us” and don’t pay attention to what is going on in our government…. unless it happens to do something detrimental to us personally.
Now we sit and wonder what happened to our country. We have politicians breaking the law and caring more for the law breakers than they do their country. What happened to our country is “US.” We have abandoned the principles that made this country great. We left it untended because of our attitude of “Me first, last and always.” It’s a great country full of hardworking, friendly and caring people. But because we haven’t cared enough about our country, it is not capable of fulfilling its promise of equal opportunity for all of it’s citizens. Shame on us and our generation. We have broken the promise that we should have made to our country. We have abandoned it. And now, it has an illness that won’t let it do what it’s supposed to do for it’s citizens. But it’s an illness that can be cured. All it takes is for us to care for it again. To tend to it. It’s a wonderful country that can again be great. Roll up your sleeves and do something for your country and not for just yourselves. Make sure your children inherit a country that is better than what we inherited. It can be done because Americans can do anything they need to do…. all they have to do is to want to do it.
June 20th, 2008 01:08pm
Gary Tiffany
I woke up this morning and looked out the window to see that the sky was still blue, the sun was still rising in the East, and the birds were still singing. I checked the newspaper and didn’t see any reports of new earthquakes or other disasters. Hmmm. It’s been at least 24 hours since California began legally recognizing gay marriage and ….. NOTHING HAPPENED! The sky didn’t fall, the world didn’t end, and my marriage of 27 years STILL doesn’t feel threatened.
All the hand-wringing and indignation of the religious right over this OUTRAGE (as they term it) has never really made sense to me. Why would they want to prevent two people who truly love each other and who want to commit to a lifelong loving relationship from having the legal benefits that marriage confers? I just don’t understand.
It’s time we get past the idea that two people of the same sex marrying will somehow “destroy” the sanctity of marriage. Unfortunately, the word “marriage” has gotten so tied up in religious connotations that many people have trouble separating the two. Marriage, at its basis, is a legal status conferred by the state. It comes with certain legal rights, including the right to inherit property, have input into the partner’s health status if that partner is incapable of making decisions, and many other rights to numerous to list.
One MUST acquire a license from the state in order to become legally married. One DOES NOT have to get married in a church or have any religious aspects to the marriage ceremony whatsoever. There is also no law saying that a church must bless a marriage union. In other words, you CAN get married without the church, but you CANNOT get married without the state. Look at all the people who get married at the courthouse or on a beach in Hawaii. Is their union any less of a marriage than one performed in a church by a pastor? No.
If we really want to strengthen the sanctity of marriage, why not require a certain amount of counseling and partner education before allowing people to marry? Let’s help people build a foundation of love and understanding that can help a marriage last rather than fighting about who can marry who. The time has come for all individuals, regardless of sexual orientation, to have the legal right to marry and enjoy the same legal rights and responsibilities. Let’s get on with it so we can move on to something that REALLY matters, like the economy.
Gary Tiffany
May 25th, 2008 07:38pm
Don R. Gugliuzza
As many of you know I may not always be right in what I submit but I always write the way I feel. This submission will be no different except I really believe what you are about to read is the truth and will be unchallenged.
I think that too few of the people today really know what Memorial Day is. To many of us, it’s a day off from work, a newspaper full of sale adds, a parade and flags being flown at some homes. But today is more than that. It’s a celebration of the indominable spirit of the American people. A people who have prevailed over every challenge. A people who will never accept defeat. A people who will never surrender their freedom.
We gained our freedom by defeating the most powerful army of it’s time. We did it with ordinary citizens who had too little of everything except the desire to be free. Through the 232 years of it’s existance we have defended, not only our freedom but the freedom of others. We have sacrificed our children in the defence of our country and all other countries that were threatened by tyrany. We have won many battles and many wars. We have defeated many enemies. But unlike any other victorious nation in history, we have never conquered lands. We have never taken any country as our own. To the contrary. We have been generous and forgiving to our enemies and made them our friends. We are a people who are steadfast in battle and gracious as victors.
But our country is not just a location on the globe. It’s not just the physical dementions that can be defined by borders. Our country is a spirit, an ideal, the most honorable of all endeavors. It is also the most diverse nation the world has ever known. It is impossible to describe a spirit just as it is impossible to describe an American. We are short, tall, fat, skinny, rich, poor and every color in the spectrum of humanity. It is because of this diversity, the ingrained national goodness of the citizens of this country that we are the first to come to the aid of those who need what we have to give, and give we do.
Democrats, Republicans, Independents, Conservatives, Liberals and every other sector in our political makeup are all Americans. We have different ideas of how the country should be run, but not what the country should be. So, as we celebrate those who have served our country, those who survived their trials and those who fell in the most noble of all causes, let us remember that we are one nation. A nation that is made up of people who still believe the ideals written in the historical documents of the Declaration of Independence and the Constitution of the United States of America. Be proud of our country. Be proud to be a citizen of the most loving and giving country the world has ever known. Be an American.
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