Comments on THERE ARE values AND THEN THERE ARE VALUES

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I think the ruling class is having a harder time
convincing the rest of the U.S. that this is still a democracy.

posted by fwmystic on January 4, 2005 at 7:55 AM | link to this | reply

Straightforward, does that
mean politics is genetic?

posted by Cynthia on January 4, 2005 at 3:49 AM | link to this | reply

It seems to be the same everywhere
...even in the totally different part of the world that I live in. Taking advantage of external distractions or Fridays and weekends

posted by Straightforward on January 3, 2005 at 10:05 PM | link to this | reply

Original, there was more than
just one guy in the Massachusetts legislature who filed bills to help the troops and their families financially, there were many bills by several people. They are thinking long term, for families well being, long after they have returned home they will have to deal with this.

posted by Cynthia on January 3, 2005 at 2:56 PM | link to this | reply

Telynor, thanks for your comment.
Glad to know you are out there.

posted by Cynthia on January 3, 2005 at 2:52 PM | link to this | reply

It's nice to see someone is trying to do something good for the families who have already given up so much!

posted by Original_Influence on January 3, 2005 at 11:13 AM | link to this | reply

Yep. It continually amazes me that our country's leaders haven't a clue what they are doing to the base of this country -- namely the masses that work away to keep those [deleted] in power and pay for their lifestyles. I loved your essay and it doesn't surprise me a bit that it is Massachusetts that has passed those bills, where else could you have this happen but in one of the places where the idea of democracy took hold? This was very heartening to read. Thank you.

posted by telynor on January 3, 2005 at 9:01 AM | link to this | reply

Sarooster, sorry there were few times
in American political history when one party had it's grip on all 3 branches of government. It is this "BALANCE OF POWER" that oiur country is based on, along with the rule of law. If it were not for the balance of power, we would never have had an investigation of Nixon's dirty tricks. However, I must admit, in the ligh of what has befallen us during the Bush administration, it has me wishing for a president with the intelligence and vision of NIXON, even if he was a crook.

posted by Cynthia on January 3, 2005 at 7:45 AM | link to this | reply

kingmi, unwarrented political attacks
that have no basis in truth are a separate issue. This kind of thing usually goes on during an election. The changes in the rules are just another crack in adherence to any rules of law at all. If our elected officials place themselves above the law by their own decree, this is a step back for democracy.

posted by Cynthia on January 3, 2005 at 7:41 AM | link to this | reply

Cynthia, I agree with your 2nd point. These families should have a break,
On your first point, Iwonder if the reason behind the rules change is to make political attacks less attractive, in the law making chambers?  So far, bomb throwing, charges without merit, have been used to discredit innocent women and men for political reasons.

posted by kingmi on January 3, 2005 at 5:09 AM | link to this | reply

I, too, read about the rules changes and all, but I don't have a problem
with it. You complain about the Republicans, but the Democrats had unfettered power for decades before the Republicans ever came to power. They never saw fit to include the GOP in many decisions so I guess we really can't expect things to change. The problem is the Congress is never going to change. We need to elect much better people to the House and Senate. Until we do that we will be stuck with just what we are seeing right now.

posted by sarooster on January 3, 2005 at 4:41 AM | link to this | reply