Harlander Endorsements

The Harlander · Harlander Endorsements

If you are looking for an endorsement of any candidate or platform here, you will be sadly disappointed. I am an issues man. I t is my belief the office makes the person and not the other way around.

I would like to address several issues here. The first, being voter registration. I firmly believe that with the right to vote comes the responsibility to vote and that starts with registering to vote. All across our great nation election officials are being bogged down with bogus voter registration forms from cartoon characters and football teams. I will not blame one side or the other for this anomaly for there is enough blame to pass around as there is enough blame on both sides for attempting to stop the opposition from voting. It should be law that the only place one can register to vote is at an actual government office like that of the City or County Clerk’s. You should have to provide documentation to establish your right to vote. That is not a difficult task in our technological age. The current system is representative of the old Tammany Hall scandal of the 19th Century where a vote (or several from one person) could be bought for a shot of whiskey.

Next I would like to address an issue on this years ballot. Namely Referendum O. Folks we have been filling up our State Constitution with legislative issue for way to long. Most of the blame can be laid upon past politicians over ridding the will of the people by over turning the electorate in the very next session of the Legislature. That is just plain wrong. Changing our Constitution ( the way we operate) should not be easy but bringing current social and political issues to the forefront as legislation via the referendum process should have a lessor degree of litmus testing. Referendum O accomplishes this task with reason. Therefore I would ask you to seriously consider, read and vote for Referendum O.

Guest

Agreed,

You need an I.D. to buy a beer why not to vote. The only people in this Country with no i.d. are people in the Country illegally or people who don't want to carry an I.D. bacause there wanted by the Police.

El Harlander

The Harlander is a cop out. Come on Harlander, fess up. Who do you support for President?

Guest

I think he already has shown his endorsements. You just need to look between the monikers.

Mister Bill · Endorsements

I quit reading this National Politics blog about a month ago due to the sometimes ridiculous postings of those people spouting off their opinions as to whom they were supporting in the election (I know, no one probably cares if I read this section or not). I, for one, do not care a smidgen about my fellow citizens' preferences when it come to politics because I am able to come to my own conclusions and do not need their help in making my decisions. At any rate, I happened to log on and see this latest thing about endorsements, and can't help but wondering why anyone would care what the Harlander or anyone else thinks about the candidates or amendments. I guess I'm old school enough to think that a person should form their own opinions about an issue (especially politics) by studying the facts and coming to their own conclusions accordingly without leaning on anyone else's opinions. Just my thought for the day.

The Harlander

Thanks Mr Bill, I needed that. My ego did get in the way there a bit. Sorry everyone, forget what I wrote.

Mister Bill · Endorsements

Harlander, I absolutely meant no disrespect to you, just making a statement in general terms. Hope you took no offense to my meanderings.

Guest

I'm trying to figure out why Harlander had to start a thread called Harlander endorsements? That sounded pretty self important to me. If you really want to know, read all of his posts from all threads. You can figure it out.

The Harlander

No offense taken Bill. I just really feel strongly about the election process and Ref O. Anyone else who believes they know my vote, just drive by my place and check out the political signs in my yard (I generally have a bunch) and the stickers on my car. That pretty much sums up my view on this years choices.

Guest

So what IS with ths self-important thread? Are you really this influential that you tought everyone needed to know of you non-endorsements? Are you Colin Powelander?

The Harlander

I have admitted my sin of self importance. I have already thrown my body upon my sword. I reallize the error of ego and the falicy of expressing an independent opinion. What more penance do I owe for my errant ways? Am I to give equal time to promote a corrupt voting system? Am I to espouse the merits of using our State Constitution as a legislative tool?
I am ashamed that I felt passionate enough on these issues to go public with my position. I don't know what I was thinking? I am sorry for any pain and distress my thoughts may have visited upon our community. Be assurred that I shall sin no more, until the next time.

Laura K

There are so many glass houses in Edgewater!!! It may anger many of us (I have raged myself this election season more than in any other election period--I think!), but that is what this forum is for isn't it? to express our opinions-- whether anyone agrees with them or not. After all, this is a huge issue, the election of new leaders, finding those capable of dealing with one of the most volatile, tumultuous and chaotic national/worldwide periods in decades. We all have a right to be passionate, many of us to the point of obsession-- it is probably both a healthy release of anger and a learning experience of dynamic proportion....What better place to put it all out there than here on this forum?

My decision this election: I am proud to vote for Obama and Biden. They have my vote. I am decidedly confident in their ability to be strong, honorable, decent, truthful, aggressive or peaceful as necessary, poised in adversity, and most of all, deeply in tune and concerned with the middle America, the foundation of our country, that the affluent have systematically undermined.

Without the success of middle America, which is being destroyed, the afflucent cannot succeed. We middle class Americans are the salt of the earth. We should be the work force, the power that drives this country. We are the buyers and consumers. When we can not afford to spend because our jobs are no longer here, you can see what occurs. Now, the affluent, who have caused most of this economic turmoil with their greed, are experiencing what we middle class citizens have been experiencing since the Bush administration took "power". They have disregarded the masses, looked only to their own prosperity, have used us to make their fortunes then dropped the bomb on us. Now they cry that it is not their fault. They lie. You can see the results of such greed are now worldwide. I believe Obama and Biden will lead us back to prosperity and to a country that cares for all of its citizens, not just the wealthy few. We need a change, we need hope. My opinion.
L Keegan

Pride

I find it refreshing that at least someone knows the issues. Ask any of the Children of Barack that you encounter on the street and they can't tell you who the current or past President was. The only thing they know is the date the welfare check arrives.

Guest

Here here, Laura. Well said!
'Pride' - I wouldn't be calling myself proud if I were of your mind and disposition. Let it go. Bitter resentment is so ugly.

Guest

The first to accuse are those who do...

You’re whole statement toward Pride is nothing but bitter resentment toward one of a different opinion. Let it go.

The Harlander

No one has an opinion on Amendment O? Is anyone casting a vote on something other than President?

Guest

You are right Harlander. This post was (I believe) started because of the issues behind Amendment O.

I supported it with a Yes vote. I think that people should be encouraged to participate in their government, but constitutional changes aren't always the best tool. I think people should learn to stand up, speak up and be heard. Not just hide behind some law that was finagled into existence. I think it is our arborist who keeps saying ‘compliance through cooperation’. We need more communication and cooperation more than we need more laws.

The Harlander

Don't get me wrong here, I am not against the initiative process. The problem is that our State Constitution is being bogged down with legislative issues (laws) that don't belong there. They belong in the statutes. The reason they are presented as Constitutional amendments is to protect them from the Legislature over turning them as soon as they are passed. I believe O accomplishes this by making it:
1. Harder to propose a Constitutional amendment.
2. Harder for the legislature to overturn a statute passed by the initiative process.