Bipartisan Leadership

[diane provenz]

our election. However, Sen Elect Brown - I am an independent and did not vote for your election. However, now that you will be representing me in Washington I hope that you will take this opportunity to demonstrate bipartisan leadership and reaffirm your support for clean energy and climate legislation -- a policy you've supported as a state senator.
I would also like to know your view on the most recent Supreme Court decision that opens the floodgates
to corporations to control our electoral process. Please work in Congress towards laws that would help ameliorate this egregious decision. If this is not legislating from the bench that what is?
As a constituent I'd like you to know my views: I strongly support a public option for medical coverage,
programs to implement jobs, and a plan for fiscal responsibility. I cannot attend your town halls today but would urge you not to fall into those Republicans who want to stop Obama's agenda just to win elections.
The issues at hand are too important for politics as usual. Surprise us and show true bipartisan leadership.

[Alexander White]

Katie, the terrorist pretender has no rights. He not an American. Not president. For the Republican caucas to appear at the SOTU was a crime against Patriots.

I think all of these discussions can be decided by one principal: if anything depends upon taxes that isn't required for warfighting or the post, it is unconstitutional.

Conversation over. Boats for Bambam and the demrats are leaving for Gitmo right now.

Done.

[Grandpa]

Jaye, very kind comments. My outlook does not permit, nor consider, that I should deserve such praise. I am a simple husband, father and man. My family and I live a life of invisibility. We are just trying to do the "next right thing" every day. Our family chooses to be hopeful for the future. However, we accept a responsibility to step to the plate if we want to engage in being part of a national solution. For whatever reason, our schools have ceased to teach "civics", and "history". Today, it appears, the independent liberty, and freedoms, of our nation are under consistent pressure to retract the values of our origination.

Those values are what should be discussed. We (my family) believe that our public discourse is actually asking the wrong questions. It appears that our national conversation is static, and we are making decisions about our direction without regard to foundational principles. That, we feel, is the larger picture. That, we feel, is how our national leadership could begin to find common ground.

Instead of passing laws and having debate about "where we stand now", we should be asking "what do we stand for?" If we ask the question "what do we stand for?", we honor our history, we honor our principles, we honor all freedom and liberty. And hopefully we then begin to respect eachother as patriots and Americans.

When I listen to my childrens questions, for the purpose of their inquiry, as much as for their knowledge. I recognize that we cannot comfort the fears of millions. We cannot disuage lonliness of thousands. We cannot enlighten the hope of hundreds. But, I can provide the bond and love for a child; and I can work diligently to be deserving of such in return.

As the sun sets on the horizon of our nations moment, I will hold steadfastly to the hope within the sunrise soon to follow. I will work diligently to provide our nation with my small contribution of pride, and I will never turn my back on the love reflected within the eyes of our nations patriots.

God Bless.

[Elena]

I know the Dems are always crying for bipartisanship. But the only bipartisanship they know is: you have to agree with them, otherwise you are an obstructionist. I just hope that Scott Brown doesn't fall for their "you scratch my back, and I'll scratch yours". Because they will betray him every time. All they want from Scott is to follow them down the road to perdition. Don't fall for it Scott. You were elected because we believe you can stand on your own too feet and answer to the people of Massachusetts and won't be bullied by the Democrats in any manner, shape or form. Also, don't fall for Kerry's pat on the shoulder that you both represent Massachusetts. Kerry never has. He has only represented himself. As far as that so-called Health Bill is concerned it is a major disaster for everyone, except the ones who wrote it. If you haven't read the various bills out there, you have no idea what is in them and what havoc it will wreak on the citizens of this country, yes including the illegals who are suffocating our present health system and stripping it of its ability to exist.

[Jaye Strait]

The Bradman for Senate! I think with the right backing of "independent thinking" (to borrow a line from Scott Brown) Massachusetts Patriots Bradman could replace John Kerry in the Senate. The Bradman is certainly qualified and would have my help and support. Please, never stop venting!

The media, pop culture, politics and our schools have betrayed our liberty by among many other methods, degrading our women our history and our morals. I don't care what anyone says to deny this decay of our proud and enduring history it is wrong. It is wrong to deny our children a accurate view of who they are and from whence they came in context. For if we forsake our founding principles for ideological drivel we are doomed.

Fair and balanced history. Yes there are disappointing events and conditions in Americas past & present. Yes we have to take heed and pass down through the generations the lessons learned both good and bad. This is the burden and the essence of True liberty. A free Republic requires the sweat of every brow to succeed and endure.

I am a disabled person struck down at age 35. I did what millions of humans have done for 10,000 years. I took the challenge as an opportunity to change my life and look to new albeit different horizons. I am happy I did. This reality is one many Americans face everyday. We can choose SSID or we can pick ourselves up and make our own way forward contributing to the greater good not becoming a public burden. Sadly, I can't say that I feel 100% right because I look around and see so many others on SSID and working off the books too. Clearly they have the financial advantage over me. But I have something priceless, my honor & dignity. I think this is important because I walk the walk. I'm not just spewing ideology here. Growing up in 60's from a broken home my mom a single parent set that example for her five sons. She's batting 1000.

In my meager education I've come to realise that people lie about Americas history and founding principles to advance an agenda not in keeping with or beholding to our mutual birthright of liberty. I have learned to love our Nation MORE because of our incapacity's and our ability to act to right the wrongs. I grew to love George Washington, much more after learning he in life as well as spirit like all of us was Human. Imperfect. Washington had more failures than success. His view of himself was one of humility. His weakness made him more beloved to me reflected in the Nation he forged. I feel that no mans words are more important and lasting to our purpose than his. Forget not we Americans are all his children. The breath of your daily reality you owe to him alone. He could have been KING you know?

Washington said: " When a people shall have become incapable of governing themselves and fit for a master it is of little consequence from what quarter he comes"

Jaye Strait

[JH Griffin]

Martha also supported the public option but she was opposed to an amendment which would have made Congress subject to the public option or allow everyone access to the same choices as federal employees. The GOP had health care and energy proposals at the time of the inauguration and have pleaded with Obama and the Democrats to have a bi-partisan approach. Their response was "We Won". Coakley's arrogance "The 60% of Massachusetts voters against health care are wrong" and her "No Catholics need apply" approach are two of many reasons she lost the election. I voted for Scott because he was against a Health Care Bill which would have destroyed the quality of my health care and the medical profession and he was against the cap & trade bill- both of which are also job killers and just pile more debt on future generations. Also we don't need more laws, we need smaller government!

[Grandpa]

Please take a moment (actually several of them) to review this video. Despite the title it is NOT about Obama bashing. It is more of an insightful review of the problems that face our nation.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eAaQNACwaLw

I would be very interested in any members follow up comments.

[Grandpa]

Katie, I was not "critizing the speaker through the guise of critizing the content". I present no "guise". I was, in fact, directly critizing the speaker. It was absolutely wrong for Joe Rice to shout "you lie" in the 2009 SOU speech. That was outrageous unstatesman like behavior. He was wrong, completely wrong, and I do not defend or condone such behavior. The president was also wrong. Not just because of the error of his content, but because of the venue for his comment. Simply, the SOU is not the place or forum to show his contempt for their decision. As I would explain to my children, he just had bad manners. He is the President of the United States of America. My concern, that you overlooked, is the difference between the judicial branch and the other two branches of government. Both executive and legislative branches have a forum to defend themselves against misstatements of fact, and missrepresentations of position and intent. The high court has no such defensive platform. With that in mind it is like getting into a shouting match with a mute. It is possible to attack a person without a voice or venue for defense, for your own motives and agenda. But that does not make it okay. This is the president of the United States of America. We expect a higher degree of professionalism and representation. We are a proud nation. We have every right to be proud. The president has no blanket autonomy to disregard our national pride and create an enviroment of contempt. President Obama did great disservice to our nation when he engaged in such behavior. A better man would have voiced his conern and disapproval with a personal message to the court outside of the public forum.

McCain-Fiengold did not exist 60 years ago. Sorry. He did not undo 60 years of established rule.

Regarding your concerns about "free speech zones" et al. Those issues are local jurisdictional decisions made by city, state and county officials, specific to such protests. The supreme court does not as a matter of law, establish any standards as such. Those decisions are determined by local authorities (as they should be). So, I am not quite certain of your point on that issue.

Corporations can be prosecuted for violations of the law. Or more specifically the leadership ("people") representatives within those corporations, ie. Board of Directors, CEO, CFO etc. etc., can be and are held to legal standards for violations of established law. Again, not sure your point.

When you talk of "coercion" are you implying that employees within a corportation would be subject to discipline or adverse action if they did not agree with the political views of the company? If so, how is today any different from last month, last decade, last century.? It is totally legal to discriminate on employment based on political affiliations. Political affiliation is not a protected category, of the 16 protected categories, under the law. Never has been. It would be akin to discrimination of anyone wearing a "yellow shirt", totally acceptable reason to deny or discharge employment.

We are a nation based on freedoms, and unalienable rights. Jaye is correct below. Completely correct. The collective "you" is not "entitled" to anything except freedom, liberty, and your pursuit there of. President Obama has a progressive approach toward our national values. He has reflected contempt for opinions that are not in alignment with his own vision. Regretfully, his public display of distain for the judicial branch was a reflection of that contempt.

Think about a more recent, and closer to home, example. When he arrived to campaign for Coakley he stated "I don't know Scott Brown", "I don't know the particulars of what he stands for", "but, you better think twice about getting in that truck"...... Now pause, take a breath and think about this for a moment...... If he did'nt know what Scott Brown was all about, then how could he dismiss Scott's value so easily? Indeed Scott could have the most brilliant idea ever created in the history of thought. But, Obama, without ever even considering such, just dismissed Scott as an abboration to his own agenda. Obama knew that Coakley presented herself as a "puppet candidate" for his own views and therefore supported her. How screwy is that? Unless, you accept that Obama was predetermined to disqualify anything that "he did not know". Think about it.

Republicans are not always right for the same reason that democrats, independents, and progressives are. I personally do not think that any one party has all the brilliant insight and the other is bad or wrong. However, I do believe that we are a nation of liberty, and I do not wish to support or provide for anyone who does not contibute on their own merit.

FACT. Congress and the Senate have been in control of the legislative branch of government since January 2007. FACT. We have emassed the largest deficit in the history of our nation. FACT. we are now $14.3 trillion in debt. FACT our budget deficit for this one year is $1.9 trillion. FACT. $1.9 trillion is equal to the combined administrative debt from George Washington to Ronald Regan. FACT. Every man, woman, and child now has $30,000 each in such "national debt". FACT My wife and I have 3 kids so our family portion of that national debt is $150,000.

We stand ready to pay that $150k, but NO MORE. And we are not going to pay for any of "your portion" of that amount, and we will hold all elected officials accountable for spending it. My family has received no benefit from this ridiculous spending spree. Our liberty and freedom is ours to enjoy because of the hard work and committment of our family. Katie, I sure hope you are prepared to pay your share.

Once that bill is paid. I want the government out of my life. And I expect my president to represent honor, dignity, values, integrity, character, kindness and truthfulness. So put on a tie Mr. Obama. Balance the budget, eliminate entitlements, and mind your manners.

[Jaye Strait]

Bradman Venting is Good. Seems to me we should do more of it. It's time for the silent Majority to Speak up & Speak out loudly! While we still have that right. The Bradman is well read on the subject and I for one totally agree with you. What true American wouldn't. If you're a socialist you won't agree with any self empowering ideas would you now? You think you have a "Right" to claim a portion of the public money don't you? You're entitled to it right? Wrong! You like me are entitled to Liberty alone. You are entitled to the pursuit of happiness. The principle Liberty and belief in it will not allow you to feel entitled to be on the dole. Americans shutter at the thought of the Government intrusion that entitlement brings.
Why should I pay more taxes to provide others with goods and services who in many cases haven't paid a dime in tax in their lives so they can have more than I do. Why should anyone collect SSI who has never paid in so in the end after being forced to pay in myself for 50 years find nothing left for me? Hey why don't we all go on the dole and make the rest of the world pay our bill for us! Socialism doesn't work except for you.

We struggle to pay our bills now. We cannot afford any more. "Equal treatment under the law." This idea that anyone is above the law is insulting. Obama's version of free speech is he can talk down to everyone and no one can disagree with him. His behavior as President so far has been divisive & disgraceful. Their agenda is disastrous for our Republic. Frankly, the entire nation must speak out rise up and throw out the bums!

Jaye Strait

[Katie]

The Bradman family comment is off the mark.

First, free speech arises from the First Amendment of the Constitution, not the Second as stated in the post. One should not comment on constitutional decisions without a complete understanding of the Constitution, or reading the SCOTUS opinion and the precedent cited. The Court undid 60 years of established rule. If that is not legislating from the bench ...

A person's freedom of speech is curtailed more and more by the Courts -- establishing "free speech zones" miles away from the event so protestors are, in essence, silenced; using tasers; arresting peaceful protestors ... will the corporations suffer the same infringements?

All the opinion did was give corporation to power to publicly support politicians running for office as "freedom of speech?" Corporations do not have the power to vote. People do, but people also have to work for corporations. Can you say coercion?

To assume that the decision will be used in such a black and white fashion, ie., only buying commercials and media, is to be ignorant of the reach of the mighty dollar bill or the long corporate arm Just look at the lobbying in Congress and the effect it has on any legislation. Moreover, if corporation are now deem "a person" by the SCOTUS, then allow them to be prosecuted for their crimes. Who would support that? Or do they get to choose when they want the "status" as a person or a corporation to achieve their means. Who would support this decision if the movie in it focused on George W. Bush or any other republican ... or only because it dealt with Hillary Clinton?

Obama was right to comment, and right to comment in that forum. He, as commented upon, exercised his freedom of speech. Now you may not have like it, but that is the price paid for the freedom. Do not forget that 4 other Supreme Court justices dissented, and probably agreed with President Obama's sentiment. While a majority, a clearly divided opinion of the Court.

So ... no there is no embarrassment here. What was embarrassing is when the Republican called Obama a liar during one of speeches. Right? Do not criticize the speaker through the guise of criticizing the content.

[Katie]

Mr. Brown -- I could not agree with this citizen more, especially about the political obstruction by the Republicans for the party's gain and at the nation's expense.