are y'all better off than you were 4 years ago ?

[jettgirl24]

Quote:

I actually started my career straight out of high school and worked for quite a few years before going back to school. I had built a fairly successful life but realized if I wanted to achieve more I needed to finish my education. I don’t give Obama all of the credit, I have worked very hard. But I did not do it alone by any means, it was a team effort. For example, I was able go to school with help from federal grants and student loans. I did the homework but I definitely didn’t do it all on my own. Another example, in my early work years when I didn’t have health insurance I relied on public health to offer medical service. My success was a team effort and I would never be so arrogant as to claim sole responsibility.


Quote:

Yes I realize this and that is exactly my point if you had read my post more closely. If you look at the average amount of public assistance, red states receive MORE public assistance than blue states. We have been led to believe that those who voted for Obama are “takers”, societal leeches, when in fact it is the red states who receive more public assistance. Do I believe the people in these Republican dominated states are takers? No I do not. I think the vast majority are hard workers who happen to live in places where their political leaders have not helped build a strong economic foundation.


Quote:

This is very true, it sounds like you and I have had a similar experience. I think it is important to work hard and take responsibility for yourself but it is equally important to look out for our fellow man. That is the reason for living in an organized, civilized society – to look out for each other and help each other achieve a better quality of life.

 

[KristyHall]

I actually started my career straight out of high school and worked for quite a few years before going back to school. I had built a fairly successful life but realized if I wanted to achieve more I needed to finish my education. I don’t give Obama all of the credit, I have worked very hard. But I did not do it alone by any means, it was a team effort. For example, I was able go to school with help from federal grants and student loans. I did the homework but I definitely didn’t do it all on my own. Another example, in my early work years when I didn’t have health insurance I relied on public health to offer medical service. My success was a team effort and I would never be so arrogant as to claim sole responsibility.




Yes I realize this and that is exactly my point if you had read my post more closely. If you look at the average amount of public assistance, red states receive MORE public assistance than blue states. We have been led to believe that those who voted for Obama are “takers”, societal leeches, when in fact it is the red states who receive more public assistance. Do I believe the people in these Republican dominated states are takers? No I do not. I think the vast majority are hard workers who happen to live in places where their political leaders have not helped build a strong economic foundation.




This is very true, it sounds like you and I have had a similar experience. I think it is important to work hard and take responsibility for yourself but it is equally important to look out for our fellow man. That is the reason for living in an organized, civilized society – to look out for each other and help each other achieve a better quality of life.

Well said

 

[KristyHall]

It was a really exciting election and I was really proud of our country. I think it is a big step toward more diverse representation and civil liberty. Mazie Hirono is also our very first Hindu. Cheers for all the awesome ladies.

I didn't know about Mazie Hirono, but I am happy to hear. Our country is starting to reflect the true population as one that is as diverse as it is beautiful.

 

[MamaRoo]

Quote: I thought she was Buddhist. She is Japanese by birth, not Indian.

 

[ChickensRDinos]

I thought she was Buddhist. She is Japanese by birth, not Indian.

Opps! Thank you for correcting me. Hawaii elected both Mazie Hirono who is Buddhist and Tulsi Gabbard who is Hindu and I mixed up their names! Sorry about that.

 

[MamaRoo]

Opps! Thank you for correcting me. Hawaii elected both Mazie Hirono who is Buddhist and Tulsi Gabbard who is Hindu and I mixed up their names! Sorry about that.

Awesome! Diversity anywhere contributes to the greater good, IMO. Nice to know Hawaii respects other religions.

 

[punk-a-doodle]

Some nicely worded and thoughtful posts on here.

 

[7 Biddies]

It was a really exciting election and I was really proud of our country. I think it is a big step toward more diverse representation and civil liberty. Mazie Hirono is also our very first Hindu. Cheers for all the awesome ladies.

Unfortunately, when we promote candidates because of their race, gender, sexual orientation, or religion, instead of their individual job QUALIFICATIONS, we are just as guilty as those who would deny public office based on the same characteristics.

Bias, either FOR or AGAINST races, women, etc., is the kind of thinking that got this country into the mess it's currently in. Instead of focusing on being politically correct, we need to try being rational and consider a person's experience and ability before electing them. When we do, then we'll finally stop discriminating for *real*.

 

[ChickensRDinos]

Unfortunately, when we promote candidates because of their race, gender, sexual orientation, or religion, instead of their individual job QUALIFICATIONS, we are just as guilty as those who would deny public office based on the same characteristics.

Bias, either FOR or AGAINST races, women, etc., is the kind of thinking that got this country into the mess it's currently in. Instead of focusing on being politically correct, we need to try being rational and consider a person's experience and ability before electing them. When we do, then we'll finally stop discriminating for *real*.

Gabbard was not elected because she is female, Hindu or Asian. She was elected because she is qualified and pretty amazing. She was a military police platoon leader with two separate volunteer deployments in Iraq for which she received a Meritorious Service Medal and is currently the company commander of the Hawaii Army National Guard. She is a distinguished honor grad for Accelerated Officer Candidate School - the first woman ever to do so. She is the youngest woman to be elected state legislature. She is the VP and co-founder of a non profit and is an activist. She was the best candidate and was voted in by majority.

We are a diverse nation and need diverse representation and there are qualified, great people from all walks of life. I am not just voting for women because we have matching parts. Sarah Palin and Michele Bachman are women and I would never ever consider supporting them because to me they not good candidates and do not represent me.

Opening up our candidate pool to more people can only benefit our nation. We need more points of view.

 

[KristyHall]

Unfortunately, when we promote candidates because of their race, gender, sexual orientation, or religion, instead of their individual job QUALIFICATIONS, we are just as guilty as those who would deny public office based on the same characteristics.

Bias, either FOR or AGAINST races, women, etc., is the kind of thinking that got this country into the mess it's currently in. Instead of focusing on being politically correct, we need to try being rational and consider a person's experience and ability before electing them. When we do, then we'll finally stop discriminating for *real*.

When our government reflects the actual diversity that is out there and REALLY looks at merit (Women on average tend to have higher IQ's, be more civicly involved, higher grades, enter college more often, and have better social and management skills than men) then I will stop celebrating when ever there is a woman or minority is elected. Women Are a little more than 50 percent of the population, and minorities are not as much of a minority as some people like to think. Yet most of our high positions are white Christian males.

When you see a disparity like that, then openly questioning an unspoken biased and celebrating when said biased is broken through is the only cure. We are no more broken socially than any other developed country. Our difference is, is we tend to talk about these issues more openly (IMO).

We need to openly recognize when someone new shows up in office. We need to normalize the concept that a wealthy person or politician isn't just old white christian and male. Which means there needs to be discussion, celebration, and recognition that discrimination doesn't go away in a single generation. The after affects last generations and ideas and views change slowly in a population. They don't change at all if it isn't discussed or brought to light.

No, I am not about to sweep these victories under the rug.