comment #1

Mgmax says ...

Gee, you mean you're not up for a continuous 24-month election?

It would be great to screen it out for the summer, at least.

comment #2

vansmith says ...

its a big wave of nothingness until november when it soaks us all...

comment #3

CinemaPhreek says ...

In other words, you're starting to feel like many HE readers that while they don't begrudge you right to post political rants, they just wish you'd cut them back by 50% in the spirit of giving us a respite from being bombarded with it everywhere else. I've stopped running news programs as background noise because they have stopped reporting on pretty much EVERYTHING else unless they can tie it into election coverage.

comment #4

Rich S. says ...

It was Obama quoting The Rock on WWE Monday Night RAW that pushed you over the edge, wasn't it?

comment #5

Geoff says ...

I agree with Wells. It's become nauseating. I just want Obama to win Idiana along with North Carolina and I'll be able to shut down, I think.

comment #6

Jay T. says ...

Welcome to the club... this is how most of us have felt for the past few months.

comment #7

lazespud says ...

To CinemaPhreek --

I couldn't have said it any better myself; except when I DID say it, Jeff threatened to ban me from the site. So I'm glad you said it.

50% reduction. Seems like a good direction.

That said, I understand exactly what Jeff's saying. The totality of the coverage of the last month is just about killing me and I'm starting to have a physical reaction too... I just feel like crawling in a hole until November; maybe popping out once to hopefully see Obama get the dem nod.

comment #8

admiralmpj says ...

The problem is if you tune out now, as exhausting as it's all been, the person you want to win, might not. This is not an election where you can "settle" for something being done. If you want things to change, you have to be aware, be active and do something about it. If you want things to stay as they are, same deal.

comment #9

gruver1 says ...

Wells to admiralmpj: I hate admitting this because of how I'm feeling right now (i.e., the urge to vomit all over Howard Wolfson), but I know you're right.

comment #10

CinemaPhreek says ...

admiralmpj - unless you live in Indiana or Puerto Rico (seeing that Obama has NC in the bag by a large margin and Clinton has NEVER raised her poll numbers against him) it's pretty moot whether you follow the day to day or not. NONE of us are not helping our candidates one iota by keeping abreast of things.

Next time this is going to become relevant to many of us is around mid-August AFTER the summer film season. Hell, some of us would like to tune it out until Sept 5th when the election becomes real again after the conventions are over.

comment #11

Todd says ...

Here is why this Life long Democrat will vote for Mccain or my Dog if Obama get's the nomination. I'm an RN who makes $104,000.00 a year. I live in So California. Like everyone else got screwed by the "Hot housing market" I travel over a hundred fifty miles to work. I live in the Desert were my home was relatively cheaper and work in San Diego where my Job pays OK and has me in a pension I can't kiss off. So my monthly gas bill is $800.00 a month. My mortgage is $2500.00 amonth the rent for when I'm working in San Diego is $1,100.00 amonth. My Credit card bills which continue to grow because that's how I pay for my gas, food, and clothing are $1,200.00 a month. When I do shop it's at the dollar store. My co-workers face even harsher decisions than me some have completely walked away from their homes (foreclosed) and still face significant debt payoff because they can't escape the bills thanks to the new bankruptcy laws. Barak wants to raise the income taxes on those who make more than $75,000.00. This will be the final nail in my economic coffin as well as others I know. Clinton gets it she knows to leave my taxes alone and even cut them more. The US Senate who can't wait to stick it to the middle class like myself even more are all on board Barak's idea of raising my taxes. I also don't get the tax rebate nor did the nursing assistants I work with because they worked overtime to make ends meet so their penalty is no tax rebate either. With Barak in office they will be penalized even further with higher taxes if they work overtime. So the result will be a further lack of staff in the hospitals to care for the sick. But wait it gets even better. When I paid my ATT bill the person taking my call had the same situation. She works in LA stays with her mother Has her home in the Desert . She's just making her bills too. With her overtime she makes $80,000.00 a year. So a tax increase is in her future too.

Yes I don't like this war in Iraq had always thought it sucked. Hillary is the only one who says no matter what she'll get us out. Obama keeps changing the parameters of how he'll get us out. On top of that he'll raise my income taxes and capital gains taxes. this he has not backed down from he had his chance at the last debate but only reinforced this to be true of what he'll do. Mccain sys He'll get rid of the AMT tax. Common sense and the will to survive economically tells me I have to go for Hillary, Mccain or my Dog. The college kids and those who don't have to face the same economic situation as me or my fellow working middle class. Won't get it. They'll go for the pretty boy with nice sound bites. Not MY reality.

comment #12

Mr. Gittes says ...

Mr. Gittes to Wells: http://www.nytimes.com/2008/04/27/opinion/27rich.html?em&ex=1209528000&en=6c9f63b1f7843a16&ei=5087%0A

comment #13

Cadavra says ...

Today on HARDBALL Matthews called Rev. Wright an "albatross" at least a dozen times. This is as close to a lynching as you an get without actual physical violence. The media are trying to decide the election, and so far they're doing a damn good job of it.

comment #14

Jay T. says ...

Todd nails the big economic issue that NO ONE seems to be talking about: that we need to have adjusted tax rates based on the local cost of living. The fact that I have to pay a higher interest rate on my mortgage because it's a jumbo loan pisses me off to no end, because $417,000 or less isn't shit in most parts of California (who DOESN'T get a jumbo these days?). Congress supposedly addressed this recently, but left huge loopholes for the banks so it was all pointless. A $100,000 annual salary out here is similar to $50,000 in most areas, so the idea of taxing those people the same is ridiculously out of touch and archaic.

comment #15

MattyCurtis says ...

I think it's HILARIOUS that Jeffrey thinks he's having a positive influence on Obama's campaign. Ha!!!! I think Obama would get a slight bump in the polls if Jeffrey just shut up!

Jeffrey, you know what would help? Go register some voters, hand out some flyers to senior citizens, hell, write a check to the Obama campaign.

I seriously doubt your blog rants are creating mass defections in the Clinton camp or undecideds. Maybe if you changed the tone of you discussion to one that didn't insult all but the most diehard of Obama supporters. But hey, it's a free country, so feel free to rant.

comment #16

D.Z. says ...

Jeff: BTW, new state ballots in California in a couple months where they want to get rid of rent control.

Todd: "I'm an RN who makes $104,000.00 a year. I live in So California. Like everyone else got screwed by the "Hot housing market" I travel over a hundred fifty miles to work."

I think being forced to travel over 150 miles to work would have been a good sign that it was a dumb place to live in the first place.

"I live in the Desert were my home was relatively cheaper"

I wonder why...?

"So my monthly gas bill is $800.00 a month. My mortgage is $2500.00 amonth the rent for when I'm working in San Diego is $1,100.00 amonth. My Credit card bills which continue to grow because that's how I pay for my gas, food, and clothing are $1,200.00 a month. "

So stop complaining and move to San Diego. It's not anyone else's fault that you chose to pay off more than you can afford. We probably pay ten times that much money to bail you out during fire season.

"My co-workers face even harsher decisions than me some have completely walked away from their homes (foreclosed) and still face significant debt payoff because they can't escape the bills thanks to the new bankruptcy laws."

Hillary voted for those bankruptcy laws.

"Barak wants to raise the income taxes on those who make more than $75,000.00. This will be the final nail in my economic coffin as well as others I know."

Hillary and McCain want to make you pay for more of your own health care, which is a lot worse than a tax increase once a year.

"The US Senate who can't wait to stick it to the middle class like myself even more are all on board Barak's idea of raising my taxes."

If you don't pay more taxes, your hospital will get shut down, and you'll be out of a job.

"With Barak in office they will be penalized even further with higher taxes if they work overtime. So the result will be a further lack of staff in the hospitals to care for the sick."

Then good riddance. You don't work for a hospital for the money.

"Yes I don't like this war in Iraq had always thought it sucked. Hillary is the only one who says no matter what she'll get us out."

She's also the one who voted for it in the first place.

"Mccain sys He'll get rid of the AMT tax. Common sense"

Not if we're trillions in debt.

"The college kids and those who don't have to face the same economic situation as me"

Yes, college kids owing $80,000-$100,000 in loans have it easy.

Jay: "A $100,000 annual salary out here is similar to $50,000 in most areas, so the idea of taxing those people the same is ridiculously out of touch and archaic."

If you don't like it, don't vote for politicians who like taking away jobs from people who make $50,000.

comment #17

Chicago48 says ...

To Todd: I don't emphathize with you -- you know why? You CHOOSE to live in California. If you're a nurse you can easily go to Arizona, nebraska, any damn state you want and not have to pay those high-ass prices in California. So I don't have any sympathy brother.
As for Obama raising taxes -- hello ! -- BETCHA THE OTHER CANDIDATES RAISE TAXES TOO-- you know why? We're runnng a deep deep doo-doo deficit that we cannot dig our way out of unless and only we raise taxes.
It's already happening at the local level; here in Chicago we have the highest sales tax in America: 10.25%, our food tax just went to 2.25%; they're talking about raising income taxes....so it doesn't stop brother -- whether you're a dem or a republican. It's all going up.

comment #18

Chicago48 says ...

Right on -- DZ!!!

comment #19

dangovich says ...

Todd, if you can't see Hillary for the shameless opportunist that she is, or McCain for the crazed neocon that he is, then there's no helping you.

comment #20

Todd says ...

To the clueless who attacked me. Yes I have friends on the east coast who make the same type of commute in New York City. I don't want your empathy. I'm just telling you the reality of alot of working class people such as myself whether they be low lifes who choose to work two full time jobs and make over $80,000.00. It's not just RNs. Many people make long commutes to their jobs so they can have nice homes for their families even in AZ. The other candidates will raise taxes just not on us "wealthy people making $75,000.00 for a family of four". Personally I can afford it as long as some dumbass politician doesn't feel that people in my income bracket feel we can pay more taxes. A friend of mine did stay in San Diego paid for a condo a third of the size of my house pays the same in mortgage and foolishly spends the rest of her income on her childs college education. Boy is she clueless. Ultimately the point is "it's the economy Stupid" not race or gender and dare I say not even the Iraq war that will decide this presidential race.

comment #21

Todd says ...

To DZ I chose the Desert=Palm Springs area because I'm thinking long term when I do retire I'll be in paradise. The home purchased cost me $300,000.00 brand new. Thats the going rate of fifty year old fixer upper in San Diego when I was in the market to buy. Before I bought my first home half my income was going to taxes after I purchased my home the the money I saved by tax deductions covers 2/3 of my fixed mortgage. When I retire at 55 I'll cash in my pension pay off most the mortgage then start working again until I'm 61 finish paying off my home then live off my 403 and 401 retirement funds and use the social security to pay for good health ins because yes even in health care their is an unjust system of treating those who have the right ins. I know I see it first hand. This desert life is so misserable that's why some of america's most wealthy choose to have a home out here. But be quiet about it it's a secret. Ask Bill Gates and mostly every past president of the US who had a home out here in the "Desert".

comment #22

MAGGA says ...

Todd, I tried to figure out what your numbers meant in my country's currency and divided by ten, until I remembered that that was a pre-Bush rate. Now I only have to divide by five, so the republicans sure makes it easier for foreigners with the same grasp of numbers as themselves. Vote away, it will make my next visit to America that much cheaper.

comment #23

Todd says ...

MAGGA as all the world becomes a multinational corporation capitalist society. It will be easier to figure out the rates. Hillary at least wanted to provide health care to all Americans. She always had that as her goal. She'll probably never realize it because it is a trillion dollar industry that does not want changes to how they make their money. People in America don't realize the need for healthcare for everybody because it's not a problem until they are ill and the sick are never the ones in the majority. I'll throw something out there for anyone who wants to research "single payer health care system". It's an idea that will never happen because it will put health care dollars where they are needed most in caring for the sick and preventing illness rather than the beauracracy that gets two thirds of the healthcare dollars now. Darwinian capitalism is alive and well and spreading through out the world. But watch out for those terrorist because ....????

comment #24

storymark says ...

We're supposed to feel bad that you're paying so much so you can retire in paradise?

Meanwhile, those who don't make $80,000 a year are hoping they'll be able to retire at all.

Cry my a fuckin' river. If it's so bad, move.

comment #25

D.Z. says ...

Todd: "Yes I have friends on the east coast who make the same type of commute in New York City."

There's this thing that should help them get there faster: It's called a subway. If it takes longer than that, they probably should consider moving, too.

"I'm just telling you the reality of alot of working class people such as myself whether they be low lifes who choose to work two full time jobs and make over $80,000.00."

Pro-tip: You're not working class, and the people who work two jobs generally do not choose to do so. In addition, anyone in that situation is lucky if they make 40 grand, let alone $80,000. And the fact that you refer to them as "lowlifes" makes me less sympathetic to your complaint about being taxed more than them.

"It's not just RNs. Many people make long commutes to their jobs so they can have nice homes for their families even in AZ."

And if many people jumped off a cliff, would you do it, too?

"A friend of mine did stay in San Diego paid for a condo a third of the size of my house pays the same in mortgage and foolishly spends the rest of her income on her childs college education."

Yes. Stupid kids are the way to go.

"To DZ I chose the Desert=Palm Springs area because I'm thinking long term when I do retire I'll be in paradise. "

Why not just move to Death Valley? You get the same view, but the rent is cheaper.

"The home purchased cost me $300,000.00 brand new. Thats the going rate of fifty year old fixer upper in San Diego when I was in the market to buy."

But the fixer upper has a convenient location and 50 years of durability.

"Before I bought my first home half my income was going to taxes after I purchased my home the the money I saved by tax deductions covers 2/3 of my fixed mortgage."

So why is that a good deal? You end up paying more for a property which may not even be worth anything in a few months.

"When I retire at 55 I'll cash in my pension pay off most the mortgage then start working again until I'm 61"

Assuming any one will hire you at that age, sure.

"Hillary at least wanted to provide health care to all Americans."

She wanted to, but she failed.

Other than that, I agree with you on health care in general.

comment #26

Todd says ...

Is DZ a term for dense? I was being sarcastic about the low lifes. The hard working class such as myself and those who are working two full time jobs to make ends me won't be supporting anyone who promises to raise their income tax enough said. I never asked anyone to feel sorry for me or anyone in my cicumstance. I'm just pointing out what one of the major deciding factors will be for those who do care to vote in the general election in November will be considering. In my profession I come across alot of different types of people and those who do actually follow through and vote have their own economic concerns as their primary deciding factor. I feel you miss this point by making it a fragmentational argument. But maybe thats why you prefer sound bite man. I personally know writing what I do here will influence noone, one way or the other. I just find amusement in the ignorance represented by some on these post. You do seem to ignore the bigger issues that I'm trying to point out. Which is the globilization of darwinian capitalism which Obama and his supporters fully represent and the fact of the three candidates Hillary has always at least wanted to give us Po people in America healthcare. Which she won't beable to do because the trillion dollar health care industry will not allow.(Good for her for still trying though.) Also only her and John Mccain do recognize increasing the income tax on those making less than $200,000.00 is not an option.

comment #27

ElliottCoop says ...

Turning off now is exactly what Hillary and McCain want. When Obama mentioned "they will only grow louder and more dissonant" this is the time he was talking about. This is when we need to stand up for what is right and talk about the real issues. We can't be distracted by simple slight of hand solutions (no gas tax for summer) that will ultimately end up hurting the country.

We need to stand up for what is right, stay strong and focused and finish this thing now.

comment #28

frankbooth says ...

"Us po people?" Are you drinking?

I think I'm finally, truly beginning to understand why people vote Republican. The more money you make, the less you think you have. Maybe you start hanging out with really rich folks, and feel like a pauper compared to them. But you never quite get enough of what you think you need, and you blame the taxman.

Is it kind of like anorexia? They say you can never be too thin or too rich...

comment #29

Marty Melville says ...

"If you want things to change, you have to be aware, be active and do something about it"

"Turning off now is exactly what Hillary and McCain want."

Yep. The bastards will drag you down when you're at your most disillusioned, worried and just plain tired.

What can I say? To quote Haven Hamilton "Keep a' goin'..."

comment #30

CinemaPhreek says ...

"Working class" at $104K??!

What the hell have you been smoking today? My parent's combined salaries in adjusted dollars wouldn't even be that and we were comfortably middle class. So you need to drop the delusion that you are working class.

comment #31

Movie Watcher says ...

Todd
2 things to say

1) MOVE

2) YOU HOPE YOUR PENSION IS STILL THERE WHEN YOU GO TO GET THE CASH

comment #32

Larry says ...

I think you all might be missing Todds point. So being an RN is a nonworking class job? They work their asses off that's why there is a shortage of nurses no one wants to do the shit they do. Plus I to know of firefighters and prison gaurds who do the same thing as him. Their jobs require long stretches of work and then they get a four days off in a row this type of situation is not unique to southern California. It's called providing a decent home for your family while your off working. Apparently some of you posters are unaware of this lifestyle for a certain set of working class of Americans. Also military families have the same type of situation. Some other professions come to mind. Pilots, flight attendants. I even know of dealers for a casino that work this kind of lifestyle. As for the pension situation state and city jobs do quarantee a pension if you stick it out for 20 years. Just like the military. After the 20 years service you cash it out then start your next career usually much less stressful. Maybe a career counselor is needed for some of you posters.

comment #33

Todd says ...

Forget what I say coincedentally heres an article just post on yahoo news. http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20080429/ap_on_bi_ge/apfn_economic_woes

But hey what do I know?

comment #34

Mgmax says ...

"I think I'm finally, truly beginning to understand why people vote Republican. The more money you make, the less you think you have. ...But you never quite get enough of what you think you need, and you blame the taxman."

I think I'm finally, truly beginning to understand why people vote Democrat. The more money you have, the less you think you have. You never quite get enough of what you need, and so you expect government to make up the difference.

Actually, I read some study once determined that pretty much everybody thinks prosperity is about 20% more than they have. Guys with $10 million think it's $12 million, guys with $500 a week think it's $600. So political philosophy just seems to be which way you get the difference from the government, I guess.

comment #35

Dave Polands Gut says ...

Shes trying to bloody him up so he loses big in November and she saves the day in 2012.

Like she has a shot then either.

comment #36

bb says ...

Jeff, your decision came just in time.

The building Wright debacle would have crashed your server.

bb

comment #37

Mgmax says ...

I suppose the lesson from all this will ultimately be that identity politics are losers in national elections. The Republicans managed to make a national coalition by combining the white lunchpail vote across its former religious and regional lines, but even that's not a majority vote any more. And black never was, and women technically could be but practically not enough women will vote party-line-feminist to make it work, and Latinos are the swing vote who may or may not matter since they rarely turn out. But the bulk of the country is right to be suspicious of any candidate who draws strong us vs. them lines; people were ready to be for Obama looking past his race, but not when he seems to be the candidate of Whitey Is Against Us. Talk about a sadly self-fulfilling prophecy.

comment #38

D.Z. says ...

Todd: "The hard working class such as myself and those who are working two full time jobs to make ends me won't be supporting anyone who promises to raise their income tax enough said."

If they want to keep their schools, roads, and parks open, they don't have a choice.

"You do seem to ignore the bigger issues that I'm trying to point out."

No, I'm just focused on our state no longer being the top in the country, because of the people against property tax.

"Which is the globilization of darwinian capitalism which Obama and his supporters fully represent and the fact of the three candidates Hillary has always at least wanted to give us Po people in America healthcare."

Hillary's husband supported globalization, and helped pave the way for tainted pet food from China. Obama supports better worker protections through free trade.

"Also only her and John Mccain do recognize increasing the income tax on those making less than $200,000.00 is not an option."

Yes, they recognize increasing HMO fees on people making $10,000 or less is the way to go.

Larry: "They work their asses off that's why there is a shortage of nurses no one wants to do the shit they do."

There's a shortage of nurses, because most people do not have the money to get the kind of training needed to be one.

"Plus I to know of firefighters and prison gaurds who do the same thing as him."

Firefighters and prison guards are in dangerous situations, and they've in fact been underpaid, compared to RNs. But once again, they don't do it for the money.

"Some other professions come to mind. Pilots, flight attendants. I even know of dealers for a casino that work this kind of lifestyle."

Working in a casino is not a demanding job. Pilots and flight attendants get to travel during their off-time, which is their real incentive for taking those positions.

Mgmax: "But the bulk of the country is right to be suspicious of any candidate who draws strong us vs. them lines; people were ready to be for Obama looking past his race, but not when he seems to be the candidate of Whitey Is Against Us."

But when it's queers vs straights, it's fine and dandy.

comment #39

Mgmax says ...

"But when it's queers vs straights, it's fine and dandy."

Being anti-gay marriage will help you win the black and Latino vote in a Democratic primary, certainly.

comment #40

D.Z. says ...

Mgmax: If that were the case, then Hillary and Obama would be trailing against McCain.

comment #41

Mgmax says ...

Oy, oy, oy.

Obama doesn't get it. His new modified hangout condemnation of Wright is too Clintonian. Too Lewinskian.

"His comments were not only divisive ... but I believe that they end up giving comfort to those who prey on hate"

No, they CAME from someone who preys on hate.

"Whatever relationship I had with Reverend Wright"

I did not have church with that pastor...

"has changed as a consequence of this"

Yes, and how?

"At a certain point if what somebody says contradicts what you believe so fundamentally"

That is not a sentence that sounds like fundamental belief.

I may not vote for the guy but I certainly get no joy watching him self-destruct. I miss our first black president, the one who was more liberal than he let on, but genuinely post-racial. I kind of wanted him to be president, even though I disagreed with him on most things. But who is this trimmer?

comment #42

D.Z. says ...

Mgmax: "His new modified hangout condemnation of Wright is too Clintonian."

Yeah, he should just embrace the controversial like Trent Lott.

"No, they CAME from someone who preys on hate."

But Falwell is all rainbows and candy drops.

"I did not have church with that pastor..."

I did not hit on a guy in a bathroom...

"Yes, and how?"

How has Bush changed since New Orleans?

"That is not a sentence that sounds like fundamental belief."

And Bush doesn't act like a compassionate conservative.