Big Think

Kimberly Hughes commented on The 2008 Election on January 18, 2008, 10:07 PM

well it seems to me that to even imagine the war over in 2008 is unrealistic. The only way it will be "over" in the next 20 years is if we just give up. I agree getting out of iraq should be first priority but it will probably take some time and we will most likely have to have support over there for quite some time afterwards. I think to myself if "we are fighting them over there so we don't have to do it here" then if we up and leave who's to say who can follow? I don't know but the school system in america should have been at the top of this list before the war was even thought of, how can we achieve anything without minds? I do not disagree with any of the points that mr lieb has stated at all, in fact quite the contrary I agree with him 100% But I also think he's not very realistic and/or rational about what he's saying. Personally I think the real issue is the money being spent on an idea to free the middle east when we at home are suffering. While the middle east never really asked to be freed, they are retaliating and most if put in a position of complete anonymity would say they don't want it. Why are we even doing them this favor? Why must we achieve something for someone else and not ourselves? We are called a democratic nation, but I thought that meant you have a choice in your vote but actually when the laws being voted on are lied about and covered up and conjoined with horrible ones without the publics knowledge, then no we don't. I do not think we have even yet really achieved democracy in america. That should have and should allways be 1st priority. Thank you.

Kimberly Hughes commented on Does Pete Peterson Look Worried? on January 18, 2008, 9:03 PM

I am utterley sick, middle class 150,000 well guess what "mr middle class" I am living off of all I can at this time which is government assistance, which means all of america's money and guess what I get? $440 dollars a month for me and my 5 yr old son. so how much is that a year? well about 5000 dollars. Anyways I know many people may look down upon someone for admitting that but, i myself have no other options at this time. I do not have family, or savings, no inheritance, or assets of any kind. I am poor begotten by poor, that died poor and left nothing but debt. So I have actually nothing. No fault of my own I graduated highschool at the age of 17 with a 3.75 gpa, not a very good school either mind you. All this time allmost six years now i have been trying and trying to get into college, but unfortunately there is no housing for me so the only way i can even attend is through federal aid and that wont cover living expenses. I can go work part time while i am attending but it still won't be enough I've done the math unless I borrow from a lending source that actually most likely won't except me, because of the previously mentioned debt left to me. So I could work full time and go to school, leaving me with only enough time for homework and sleep. It could work but oops I forgot I have a kid, so when do I get to be a parent? Inbetween naps? I don't think so. I am not actually willing to let my child grow up without guidance. Fortunatley after 6 1/2 years on the hud housing waiting list I will be accepted within about another 1 1/2 years. Hurray!. Maybe I do want instant gratification, but maybe also i deserve it. I am not stupid I am not poor because of intelligence. I do not think that is right, there is nothing right about it. I cannot go to school even though my IQ has been tested at about 133 so thats not genius or anything but maybe I could do something for this world but i must wait until money gets to point b from a. If I myself could pay for all these things I certainly would but when i m done with achieving my goals i will be contributing alot more than i am recieving a mere $440 monthly. Besides the fact that the state has it set up that if a mother and child is on welfare the father must return that money. They are borrowing me money but just from him, this in my mind is not as bad. The only other way is if the father is dead, and do you wan't to take that away from the children of a dead man. In this generation children of dead parents are most commonly war "heroes" The real problem has to do with the fact that people are becoming richer and richer for sport but you have to think of america's money as if it were a pie chart: The more one source gains the less from all other sources. When this pattern continues on the big get bigger and the little pieces of pie get smaller. Is that simple enough? I believe even you mr roscoerose are rich, atleast in my eyes. I allways imagined myself winning the lottery and you know what I imagined? Buying some property and getting all the run down used and free motor homes and trailers i could and make affordable housing for everyone. If I had just 1 million dollars i would do this for everyone. But there are those who have millions, billions of dollars and they don't care, it seems as though they are just trying to achieve the high score at an arcade game of monopoly. It's not a game I've seen children die. I've seen abuse, neglect, poverty and many much worse things sir something needs to be done NOW! Why can't I just win the lottery? why don't good things fall into place? Things don't just "work out" themselves in the end like some tv sitcom. People in america are starving to death right now. People in america are freezing to death at this very moment. Some of them are small children and they are going to die. Maybe you should consider buying a smaller house sir maybe you should think about riding the metro to work. Yeah right as if you ever would. Just think about it while your picking up your latte' in the morning and getting warmed up by your heater, that someone was just found dead because they didn't have a heater, and they didn't have a house to go into. Do not believe that this is some kind of choice. The homeless are dying. people are suffering. I hope you're nice and comfortable. If I ever saw even 60,000 dollars in a year you better bet that I am going to live in a shack but anyone in need around me will be cared for. I promise this.Thank you

Kimberly Hughes commented on The 2008 Election on January 18, 2008, 5:07 PM

well it seems to me that to even imagine the war over in 2008 is unrealistic. The only way it will be "over" in the next 20 years is if we just give up. I agree getting out of iraq should be first priority but it will probably take some time and we will most likely have to have support over there for quite some time afterwards. I think to myself if "we are fighting them over there so we don't have to do it here" then if we up and leave who's to say who can follow? I don't know but the school system in america should have been at the top of this list before the war was even thought of, how can we achieve anything without minds? I do not disagree with any of the points that mr lieb has stated at all, in fact quite the contrary I agree with him 100% But I also think he's not very realistic and/or rational about what he's saying. Personally I think the real issue is the money being spent on an idea to free the middle east when we at home are suffering. While the middle east never really asked to be freed, they are retaliating and most if put in a position of complete anonymity would say they don't want it. Why are we even doing them this favor? Why must we achieve something for someone else and not ourselves? We are called a democratic nation, but I thought that meant you have a choice in your vote but actually when the laws being voted on are lied about and covered up and conjoined with horrible ones without the publics knowledge, then no we don't. I do not think we have even yet really achieved democracy in america. That should have and should allways be 1st priority. Thank you.