Mitt Romney says he's not concerned about the poor? Who would have thought that? What has he ever done to make you think he did? Neither is he worried about the wealthy. That's not surprising, either. The modern Republican's programs have always been more favorable to the perpetuation of wealth and its power.

Both major political parties receive a major portion of their campaign finances from the wealthy. But, statistical analysis show the Democrats have a higher percentage of contributions from grass roots supporters. Both parties have some very wealthy members. Both parties have some scoundrels and both parties have some very good leaders. Bottom line — — Vote for the individual. But, if you're not sure about individuals, my opinion is to take a chance on the Democrat. I'm a conservative liberal Democrat. Now you figure out what that means.

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What is your opinion of the promise to rush into Cuba, as soon as Castro 'kicks the bucket', and establish a democracy? I guess the leading Republican contenders for the presidency don't realize the failure of establishing democracy, U.S. style, in Viet Nam and Iraq.

I'm not an expert on the state of the Cuban people, but it seems to me they are better off under Castro's rule than they were under the U.S. backed dictator that Castro overthrew. This, in spite of the embargo and isolationism imposed on Cuba by the U.S.

Perhaps we should let the Cuban people decide their own political system. It appears that some Eastern European countries were fairly successful in establishing themselves, after the fall of the U.S.S.R., without direct interference or aid from the U.S.

We are ‘hell bent for election’. We don’t like welfare, so let’s go for serfdom? Are there no other choices?

The cries and pleading by the wealthy for tax relief is resounding across the political agenda of the Republican party. We must balance the budget, but in no way can it be shared by the wealthy. It must all come from the ‘government welfare’ being doled out to the lazy, inept, poor people. My goodness, some of those people aren’t paying any income tax at all! Never mind that they are not paying for medical attention, shelter, or food. Why not? Because they don’t have any money, that’s why! Oh yes, there are a few who just plain won’t work, regardless of the wages. Some are disabled. But the vast majority of those on welfare are, in fact, employed.. But, the wages are so low they can’t make ends meet. Why are the wages so low? It couldn’t possibly be because the employers want higher profits? But, they don’t want to pay any taxes to subsidize those lazy bums who are not willing to work for less than living wages. The truth is, right now, the middle class are paying a higher percent of their net incomes than the wealthy folks, and thus they are subsidizing the big companies and corporations. The big boys get high profits and the middle sized boys pay taxes to make up for the inadequate wages of the poor folks. So, who then should be paying more taxes? Well, I guess it must be the middle income folks, whoever they are. They can take care of themselves and maybe if they have a little compassion, they’ll help their less fortunate neighbors. But, let’s not narrow the chasm between the top 1% and the 99% below them.

Whether you believe in the Biblical creation story, as absolutely literal in time and sequence, or the theory of evolution, which has many varied time lines and sequences, WE HAVE A PROBLEM!

Recorded history indicates man was entirely at the mercy of nature, until he began developing tools and learning to alter his environment. Evidence clearly shows that the 'human species' has been far superior to the other species of life in the ability to advance. History also records evidence of man making terrible mistakes along the way. Environmental destruction of natural plant and animal life has made some areas that once were lush and flourishing into desolate deserts and wasteland. Conflict within families, between tribes or communities, and nations has resulted in annihilation or enslavement of people.

We have a significant number of people who, seemingly today, believe that man can not alter his environment. Are they ignoring evidence to the contrary? Man was very limited in his ability, in pre-historic time, to make any big impacts beyond his local environs. But, as he began building on previous discoveries and man made changes and developed new and more powerful tools, he was able to progress further and faster.

Is there no answer to the inequities of life? Is it acceptable to just say, ‘That’s life, get tough and deal with it’? Does ‘culture’ have any bearing on our attitude? If so, what is our culture?

I just read an account of Pvt. Danny Chen’s experience and how he chose to end his frustration and the pain of living. Some of the comments following that account were quite alarming and some were quite encouraging. We don’t know the full story, but my years of living tell me that he was not alone in his inability to survive the atrocities that man is prone to inflict on his fellowman. Can anyone of us, in good conscience, declare that he, Pvt. Chen, alone was responsible for the events that led up to his decision to end his life like he did?

Only nineteen posts from seven authors over the past couple months isn’t very good or impressive. With fifty some registered authors, we are not a very prolific group of writers. Do we not have any social, religious, or political issues, any more?

National election is less than twelve months away. The economy, though improved some, is still a major concern for many. Political unrest around the world is an open area for discussion. We all have negative views on somethings and we should all have some positive views on something. How about sharing them?

Tis the season! What’s the season? It’s the season that motivates all the arguments about proper salutations. It’s the season that merchants hope to make up for the slow economy of the past seasons and years. It’s the season that some hope to reclaim their dominance in setting agendas and controlling the content of programs to celebrate the season. It’s the season that mental and social professionals tell us more people suffer depression than at any other time in the year. (How sad that is!!!) All the bitter battles over whether it’s ‘Merry Christmas’ or ‘Happy Holiday’, a ‘Christmas Tree’ or a ‘Holiday Tree’, whether any particular group has absolute ownership of a particular day, whether we’ll sing my choice of songs or your choice of songs, or all the other battles that rage on don’t benefit any of us.

Man is religious by his very nature. In modern history (200 AD to the present) the Western Hemisphere has been dominated by Christianity, as the most popular religion. That doesn’t say that the majority of mankind claimed Christianity as their spiritual guide. It only says, Christians were the dominating public leaders. That doesn’t mean that Christianity was universal in doctrine and theology. The world outside of the Western Hemisphere, was not void of religion. Historical evidence, from the first evidence of there being a difference in mankind and the animal world, shows that mankind in all societies, civilized or uncivilized, had religious rituals and practices. The ancestors of Abraham (Israelites or Jews) and followers of Christ (Christians) labeled any religions other than their own as pagan.

Religion has been the motivating force for most of mankind’s confrontations. Many of our modern history wars were between Christian factions. The dominance of Roman Catholicism was responsible for much persecution of dissidents, especially in the conquest of the New World. Adolph Hitler, the madman who engineered the outbreak of World War II, claimed Christianity as his chosen religion. Albeit, his idea or brand of Christianity didn’t fit the profile of most Christians. He hated anyone that appeared to have any identity with Jewish ancestry. This was based on his blaming the Jews for Christ’s crucifixion and the Jews apparent expertise in acquiring wealth. He indicated that his ‘pure’ German race, with their fair complexion, were the chosen people of God. Hmmm. Do we have anyone today that thinks the U.S. is God’s chosen?

Once again, the minority rules!

Recently, Obama’s $60 billion measure for building roads and repairing transportation infrastructures went down in defeat, even though 51% voted for it. The vote was 51 to 49. That prevents the bill making it to the floor, again, for full debate and decision. The ridiculous filibuster rule requires 60% support to cut off endless debate simply to prevent passage of a bill. I don’t fully understand the parliamentary rules, but that rule allows a minority of only 40% of the total to delay and even prevent passage of bills.

Is it partisan politics? Quoting Rep. Senator McConnell, “The truth is, Democrats are more interested in building a campaign message than in rebuilding roads and bridges.” And then, quoting Dem. Senator Reid, “So let’s not talk about campaign speeches here on the Senate floor. Let’s talk about reality.” You decide, are not both those comments purely partisan rhetoric, blaming the other side, rather than working to compromise on some aspects of a bill and moving on to other issues?

Both sides are guilty of emotional fan fare to attract support with argument and comments that totally ignore reality. Does that justify the decision of those who declare they are not going to vote, period? No it doesn’t! In reality, those who don’t bother to vote have actually thrown their support to the winner. You vote, whether it be on a ballot or by staying home and not being counted. Even if you can’t vote in full support of a candidates platform you might need to vote for the lessor of two evils.

Take 40 taxing units and 1 of those units has $1,000,000 taxable income and each one of the other 39 units has $10,000 taxable income. What is the average taxable income?

Answer: $34,750.00

1 unit equals 2.5% of the group. 1 unit has 71.94% of total taxable income and the other 39 units each have .7194% of the taxable income. (You calculate the math, if you don’t believe me.)

Averaging those 40 family’s incomes indicates all is well. But, the reality is; it will not allow 39 of them to have enough to buy basic necessities, while one of them has more than they can spend.

Lowering the taxes on the millionaire is going to benefit the other 39 and increase demand for consumer products? I DON’T THINK SO!!!

A more even distribution of that income will, in fact, increase demand for consumer products. When we increase demand for consumer products, we increase demand for workers to produce those products. Increased demand for workers will increase wages. Increased wages will give those $10,000 units more money to spend.

How do we accomplish evening out the income? Graduated tax schedules is one way to do it. Narrowing the gap between CEO and top management salaries and the wages of the people on the floor is another way to do it. Government programs for construction of public buildings (schools, hospitals, etc.) or building or improving transportation infra structures will demand more workers. Demand for workers increases wages and eventually we have more spendable income in the hands of people who will shop for more products and that will increase demand for more workers.

We then have an expanding economy and everyone (rich and poor) benefits. Now, we have broadened the taxable income base and we can start decreasing the deficit spending and eventually start whittling away on the accumulated debt.

The ‘Boston Tea Party’ motivated the 99% (colonists) to rebel against the 1% (British Government and Trade Moguls). Our modern ‘Tea Party’ is motivating about 50% to support and reward the 1%. The ‘OWS’ parties are attempting to motivate the 99% to rebel against the 1% and demand more equal distribution of wealth and purchasing power.

Which party (Tea or Occupy), if successful, will benefit the most people and make our society a more rewarding and enjoyable experience for mankind?