The Rhinelander Daily News - Online news and information for the Rhinelander, Wisconsin region

Editor, The Daily News:

I have listened to both the Democratic and Republican conventions and Obama and McCain. I just don’t get it. Maybe somebody can explain how the national debt under President Bush expanded by four trillion dollars in just eight years and this is supposed to be good for the people and the economy. That’s four trillion dollars in borrowed money! John McCain said he won’t raise taxes. I guess he doesn’t have to raise taxes when he will just borrow, borrow, borrow the money.

I didn’t see much of that four trillion dollars in my pocket. Maybe you received it instead of me. Where is the Republican fiscal responsibility that is preached about? Maybe somebody can explain how that is good for the country and why we should have four more years of it if McCain is elected. He said he will cut government spending. Where? Do you want to give up the Army? What about Department of Agriculture who inspects food products? Maybe the VA? More promises without regard to the consequences just to get elected. I won’t be fooled again.

In the mid 1990s the Republicans advocated term limits and a balanced budget but couldn’t do it since they weren’t in power. Well, from 2001-2006 they were in power, so what happened to that promise? Nothing!

A brief question on the war. Since one of the basic justifications for the war was weapons of mass destruction, and there were none, what does that say about the Republican leadership and the quality of the Republican government when they can be fooled like that?

Also on the war, is it painful to be at war? Maybe for the service member families but not many of the others. Would we still be at war if we had to pay for the war as it was conducted at the rate of $10 billion a month or over $700 billion in total? What kind of tax increase or slashing of government spending would be needed? No problem, the Republicans say. We’ll just borrow the money and worry about it later. Isn’t that a tax on our kids?

The political process works as well as the people who vote for it. I know what the Republicans have done to the country, not for the country. The Democrats and Obama deserve the chance to show what they can do.

Richard Laddusire

Tell us what you think...

Comments »

Mark wrote on Sep 14, 2008 11:40 PM:

" Rueben you are way off. The Republicans only controlled the house,senate and white house for two years not 12.Bob stick with the facts. Govenor Palin does believe in equal pay for both sexes she even said so on 20/20 (abc news show). And as for banning books thats another falsehood being put out by the left to scare people. If you don't believe me watch the news and they will tell you the same thing. Speaking of the media where are they on obama's sweet heart house deal. He pays 200,000 for a 3.2 million dollar house and his church paid the rest. (WGN News). "

TRT wrote on Sep 14, 2008 4:38 PM:

" How much is a four trillion dollar increase in the defecit compared to the countries GDP? It is the only way it is relevant when compared to historical norms. The GOP does need increased fiscal responsibility, but thank God GWB was in office during 9/11. The reality is the CONGRESS voted to invade Iraq, as any rookie in constitutional law would know...Congress has to declare war.
We have the most home ownership EVER, and the MOST expendible income ever! Those that work for it will find the American Dream, but those who sit around expecting it to be handed to them will not. Being born in this country entitles you to NOTHING! Times are changing (as always) and if people adapt and change while staying idealistically grounded in the values our country was founded on they will succeed. "

jo stocker wrote on Sep 14, 2008 4:05 PM:

" Hillary was robbed, but she worked so hard we need her, so vote democratic "

Greg wrote on Sep 13, 2008 11:18 PM:

" I would take Ron Paul's approach to curb spending but unfortunately nobody cared to listen to him. If you cut Government accross the board by 40%. We should have a balanced budget, in fact a we should have a surplus to pay off the debt. AND get rid of the IRS and Income taxes.

As far as McCain. He has my vote. Democrates were suppose to cut war funding, stop the spending, "Put Bush in his place", come up with a good energy policy. They sit empty handed with a 9% approval rating. We are suppose to elect a Democratic member of Congress as President? Palin is a reformer. Tell me what Obama has reformed during his short career in the US Senate?If America is suffering throw an idea on the Senate floor NOW Mr.Obama. Impress me otherwise I am voting McCain. "

tom wrote on Sep 13, 2008 12:48 PM:

" If Obama gets elected, get out your checkbook. Your income tax will double, unless of course you live off the government programs, then you will be better off. "

Linda wrote on Sep 12, 2008 2:44 PM:

" Maria - WAKE UP! Democrates controlled congress and the senate only 1/4 of your savior George's reign. So what is the excuse for the other 3/4 of his time in control? It is going to take decades to fix the mess Mr. Bush has gotten us into both at home and overseas. And please, stop using God's name in vain - I doubt God would want to have any credit/blame for what the republicans have done. "

Mike wrote on Sep 12, 2008 9:18 AM:

" Let me preface this by saying that I certainly don't believe that George W has been a great president. I'd perhaps argue that he was simply an average president during a time when average just isn't good enough.

Economics is complicated enough to make my brain melt, but I do know that debt "can" be good for the economy. It isn't necessarily, but it can be. Someone far more knowledgeable would need to explain "how" that's possible. Debt is also relative though. Debt as a percentage of our Gross Domestic Product has only gone up about 10% under Bush. That's peanuts compared to what we saw under Reagan and George HW (I know, more Republicans).

I want someone in the middle. If I have to choose between a very liberal Democrat and Republican who many Republicans consider too liberal, I'll choose the latter. I don't want socialism. "

Mark wrote on Sep 11, 2008 10:35 PM:

" Kudos!

I think the President should actually be tried for treason: Lying to the country about wmd's and then telling his administration to continue the lies afterwards. Then there was trying to privatize Social Security, vetoing healthcare for the poorest U.S. children, privatizing energy meetings that have nothing to do with national security, etc. There are examples of high crimes and misdemeanors and the others are just immoral. There is a difference between Democrats and Republicans. I ask the Republican apologists and others this? What do you miss most about the 90's: the strong economy and prosperity or the peace and diplomacy? "

Reuben Lincoln wrote on Sep 11, 2008 5:43 PM:

" The Republicans controlled both the Senate and House of Representatives from 1994 through 2006! We were also unlucky enough to have King "George" Bush ruling and helping (no vetos) since 2000! Nothing has been done to help the failing economy, social security,the energy crisis, the health care crisis,the job loss and international relations in over eight years. All the above drastically affected the middle class and the poor in this country.
Congress in "07 (the Democrats) passed the first minimum wage increase in over 10 years and increased veterans benefits also inspite of Bush and GOP opposition. The '06 Democratic take-over of congress needs a lot more members elected in November or a lot more Republicans crossing the aisle to get any relief for any of our country's major problems.

Three cheers for Rich Laddusire!!! "

Cybrbug wrote on Sep 11, 2008 12:27 PM:

" Don't worry Bob, Millions of women are not fooled by Caribou Barbie ( Palin ). She is a disgrace to womens rights, and the freedom of all. Banning books Sarah???? What planet are you from?? and If she gets this upset about a lipstick comment, HOW can she talk to world leaders??? Russia, Korea, Iran? We have had 8 years of shame, we can not afford anymore... "

Jeremy wrote on Sep 11, 2008 11:03 AM:

" Yes, the President can only do so much in a Democratically controlled House and Senate. He can only veto anything he doesn't like that comes across his desk. That's nothing, alright. Not one bill was vetoed when the Republicans were in control of the House and Senate, nothing has been allowed to pass since the Democrats controlled the House and Senate (which by the way has only been 2 out of Bush's 8 years). That is the cleanest record since the veto-less presidency of James A. Garfield. He was shot four months after he took office in 1881 and died several months later. Some people (the majority in less educated pockets of society) would like to blame the Democrats for everything under the sun... These are the same people who religiously watch Fox News (Noise) instead of reading books, and doing proper research. "

jimshady wrote on Sep 10, 2008 11:54 PM:

" Who are you kidding? I made the mistake of voting for a republican just once--I'm still hating myself for it. And Democrats? just as bad--they have their hands in each others pockets--and big corporations also. I think people need to start voting for 3rd parties and throw a monkey wrench into their death grip on the American way of life. "

Maria Fuss wrote on Sep 10, 2008 4:52 PM:

" Oh my, you guys are out there!!The president can only do so much with a Democratic controlled House and Senate. His hands are tied with just about anything that needed to be done. Your savior O., I beg, won't make it to the White House, so help us God. As for Sarah, give them hell, they deserve it. "

Bob wrote on Sep 10, 2008 11:09 AM:

" Richard Laddusire: You are so right O couldn't have said it any better. I hope that the women of this country are not fooled by this Sarah Palin women she does not believe in equal work equal pay, and neither does Mr. McCain for crying out loud he didn't even know how many houses or condo's he and his wife own, do you seriousley think that the man can even know what it is like for someone to lose thier home and be out on the street get real folks. Another thing you elderly folks out there had better wake up and fast don't put another Herbert Hoover in I'm telling you this country is falling fast we cannot stand another Republican in office I say give the Democrats a chance and if thedy screw up in 4 years throw their butts out. Hows that? "

The comments above are from readers. In no way do they represent the views of the Rhinelander Daily News.