What is nepotism you ask? Well it's just the the practice of granting your friends and relatives jobs or special favors. Sometimes it's used in business, sometimes in politics. Although an unfair practice all around, it should, under no circumstances, have its place in politics, particularly the White House. However, I'd be a fool and a liar if I were to claim that it doesn't happen across party lines.

Sarah Palin seems to be the champion of nepotism throughout her years as mayor of the small town of Wasilla, and now the governor of Alaska. Sarah Palin has used her political powers to favor her friends and family, whether that be to give them jobs or fire them. Sarah Palin appointed a high school friend to head Alaska's Department of Agriculture. A former real estate agent, the woman sighted her childhood love of cows as her experience and qualifications for the $100,000 a year job.

Coincidentally, foes of Sarah's friends and family were suddenly without a job when she came into office. " Troopergate" which is the current legislative investigation involving Palin, her husband and a dozen others are under suspicion of abuusing her gubenatorial powers to dismiss the Health and Safety commissioner for NOT firing her ex-brother-in-law.

Sarah, the guy sounded like a jerk. I adore my sisters and would do anything for them. However, my sisters, like myself, know that personal vendettas and agendas have no place in politics.... especially in the White House.


For further information about this article visit:

http://www.nytimes.com/2008/09/14/us/politics/14palin.html?_r=1&hp=&adxnnl=1&adxnnlx=1221343324-tGxa66AkDRYq1tsNYpjoIw&pagewanted=all&oref=slogin

Karl Rove, a friend of Obama's?

No, not today, however his comments about McCain's recent vicious and distorted ads aimed at Obama have reinforced, even from the other side, that McCain has gone too far:

http://www.cnn.com/2008/POLITICS/09/14/campaign.wrap/

You may have not followed the link so I'll fill you in. Rove has come out to say that McCain's ads against Obama have gone too far. Don't worry, he throws some jabs in there about Obama's ads as well. After all, he IS Karl Rove.

You know Karl Rove right? The mastermind behind the most loathsome, innacurate and downright sleazy campaigns for politicians such as John Ashcroft and George W. Bush? Throughout his decades as a political consultant for Republican campaigns, he has been suspected of political foul play, particularly when it comes to " push polls" a tactic used when mysterious, non-campaign related phone calls are made against a candidate the night before an election.

Rove himself was under suspicion for such calls before the 2000 South Carolina primary between George W. Bush and John McCain. Voters received calls that asked them if they were less likey to vote for John McCain if they knew that he fathered an illegitimate, black child. Disgusting right? Yet, Rove seems to be adding his two cents to the McCain campaign as much as he can without being "officially" named a consultant. Karl Rove's hands are not clean Senator McCain ,and it disgusts me to think that you'd allow him to be a part of your campaign, whether officially or unofficially.

Just goes to show you that McCain's fear of Obama's well-deserved popularity has caused him to jump into the ring with the scuzz buckets who create his ads.

A slippery eel, Karl Rove is, having been suspected of countless dirty tactics to poison voter's minds against Democratic candidates, but never formally charged ( even though he was close to a legislative indictment for incidents that occurred a few years ago in the White House).

My stomach turns when I think of Rove, and now, McCain as well. However, my mind is a little bit at ease to know that the Republican's dirtiest player has still spoken out against them.

To many of my faithful readers, and to those new to the site, I want to extend my deep gratitude for the few moments that I'm taking of your time.

As a techno-peasant, I can admit that the " blogosphere" that has dominated the internet for sometime now, had even been waring on this democraddict. I've certainly read blogs for a chuckle or the ocassional opinion. Ultimately, I've always viewed blogs as a source of entertainment. In addition, I NEVER pictured myself as having a blog, not to mention having the least bit of an idea of how to publish one.

My inspiration dear readers has come purely from the fact that I want all voters to be informed about this election. Furthermore, I cannot stand the thought of the lies that the McCain team shoves down your throat on a daily basis. I hold you in a higher regard Americans. I respect your opinions and your vote, no matter whom it is for. I also respect your right to sit down for a few minutes a day and receive up to date information on hot issues that arise throughout this election. The only reward that I receive from this blog, is the thought that I might provide insight to just one voter who will then make an informed decision when they vote on November 4.

I work as a special needs teacher, full time, with a second job to boot. Blogging actually takes more time than you think. However, weariness aside, when good friends say things to me like " I heard Obama doesn't salute the flag" and " People don't want to vote for Obama because he might be assassinated", I perk right up and jump to the keyboard.

America, you deserve better than this! Hearing things like this makes me have to rush to stem the tide of my bleeding, liberal heart. Party lines aside, you deserve the truth. If you hear something totally outrageous, verging on unbelievable, please take it with a grain of salt. Look it up! We live in a digital age with infinite knowledge available to us with the click of a mouse. All of those sentiments are just the Republicans way of perpetuating ridiculous claims that they know will scare you away from Obama.

I'm not asking for you democratic vote, I'm asking that you inform yourself about anything that you're questioning, regardless of your political party.

Democracy is a blessing and voting is a gift. You wouldn't throw a precious gift away would you?

I didn't think so.

P.S. As a blogger, I want to impart to you that it is of the upmost importance that any question that you have is crossed-checked with a credible, new reference.

Comments, reactions, ideas for future blogs? Email me at thedemocraddict@democraddicts.comw

If it looks like a duck and quacks like a duck... it's John McCain.

Hey! Did you know that as long as you say that you're something, you're it! What a wonderful concept! Okay then, " I'm a millionaire!"...


As I'm sure you've realized, on the millionaire front, I'm still waiting.

I'm also waiting for John McCain and Sarah Palin to stop making false claims about themselves and their capabilities to repair the current state of the economy. The McPalin team have the audacity to create ads that boast their fiscal reform prowess. They dare to claim that they will stop the corporate greed and corruption.

Huh? Aren't you proposing a tax break for the wealthy and big corporations?


Thankfully, Obama spokesman Bill Burton had this to say in response to the ad:

“John McCain has been in Washington for twenty-six years and hasn’t lifted a finger to reform the regulations that could’ve prevented this crisis. In fact, his campaign is run by some of the very same lobbyists who fought against these regulations and worked to put special interest giveaways in our federal budget. Now he’s proposing $200 billion in tax breaks for the biggest corporations in America but not one penny of relief to more than 100 million Americans who are worried about their life savings and their ability to make their mortgage payments. John McCain buys into the same failed economic theory that landed us in this mess in the first place, and we can’t afford to take a chance on his disturbingly out-of-touch policies at a time when our economy is in crisis,”

If you haven't worked to remedy the economy, then you won't. Talk is cheap. If it looks like a self-interest supporter, who's pro-corporate tax breaks and against relief for the middle and lower classes, then it's still indicative of the same old administration that is responsbile for our country's economic descent. Our economy needs a swift kick to the pants, served up by the foot of Barack Obama.

McCain's strategy still hasn't worked. I'm still not a millionaire. But hey, if I was, McCain would be my kind of guy!

Comments, questions, Ideas for future articles? Drop me a line! thedemocraddict@democraddicts.com

Has anyone seen my old " friend" John? Can you tell me where he's gone?

Psst... John McCain, you can come out now! Some actually still remember that you're the Republican presidential candidate , even if the majority of the country is stuck in the Sarah Palin fog. Come out, come out wherever you are! I want to congratulate you and your hard working team, don't worry Karl Rove if it makes you feel better, I'll single you out for the your magnanimous effort in distracting the American people from the fact that John McCain is NOT what this country needs.

McCain camp, you saw that this country was starting to veer towards Barack Obama, the real beacon of social and fiscal reform. You broke out into a sweat over the fact that Americans were beginning to make, God forbid, informed decisions regarding their pick for our next president. You didn't sweat for long though, did you? You hit the ground running! Nice work guys, you didn't miss a beat in finding a source of distraction. You get an A++ for effort boys! You knew that you could really shake it up by choosing someone controversial. Someone like say Joe Lieberman, the Republican in " Independents" clothing? Nope, he does actually have real political experience and an ounce of intelligence. What to do? ! Alas you really had your A game on when you found the gun-toting, moose stew-eating, anti-choice, pro-creationism, self proclaimed pitbull with lipstick. Man, you really did it this time, that woman is so far to the right that we may need to expand the spectrum!

I'd give you a high five, but I'm worried that some of your conservative cooties would rub off on me.

Hey America, has anyone seen McCain's tax plan? The middle class gets bupkis. Don't you know that Obama's tax plan gives the middle and lower classes a significant tax break? Anyone? Oh I'm sorry... I didn't mean to interrupt the conversations about whether Sarah Palin actually sold the governors jet on ebay.

Wait, Americans, you'll really care about this, did you know that Al-Qaeda and the Taliban have active terrorist training camps in Afghanistan and Pakistan? Did you know that John McCain could care less and wants to continue to bleed American tax payers money out in Iraq to the tune of $5,000 a second? Oh excuse me, I didn't know that many were too busy shedding a tear over Sarah Palin's remarks to her son in the Army when he left to serve in Iraq last week. I believe her remarks intimated that her son would be joining those in Iraq who are fighting against terrorists who were responsible for 9/11? I can't imagine the words that I might have to use if I had to say goodbye to a son or daughter who would be willing to risk their lives in their service to this country. Sarah, I applaud your son for volunteering to serve. However, weren't the men who carried out the attacks on 9/11 based out of Afghanistan? Is Sarah Palin that misinformed or just trying to re-write history? Oh, I'm sorry, I'll be quiet, there are too many people who have to get in line to buy your hockey-mom, pitbull with lipstick t-shirt. Get em' while you can!

I know what really matters to you dear Americans, education right? Did you read Obama's plan? Do you see how he's working to eleviate the burden that " No Child Left Behind" has left on all American teachers, students and schools? Did you know that? What? Sarah Palin went to five colleges in six years? Man, she was commited to finishing her college degree wasn't she? She's also be comitted to the state of American education. After all, her devout evangelical mindset makes her determined to teach creationism in school. Don't worry! She doesn't want to teach about safe sex, or any type of sex. In fact, she's so comitted to her educational views that she wants any books have to do with evolution and sexual education banned!

As a teacher, I don't know where I would find the resources to teach creationism. How can I impart on my students that the hundreds of years of scientific research supporting the theory of evolution is, wait what's that word that Palin uses. " habberdash"? Man, I don't think that I have a single textbook that depicts humans and dinosaurs running around together. Oh, I know ! I can show them episodes of " Land of the Lost".

Yeah, that's it, Land of the Lost. However, isn't that what we as a nation are vastly becoming?

The McCain team have definitely been " mavericks" of deception. You deserve high praises for your work ladies and gentlemen, it looks like it's definitely been paying off. Unfortunately, I haven't been stupid enough to fall far it, nor has it swayed my vote. And, I hate to break it to you, there are millions of Americans who aren't that stupid either.... phew!

I may not be an evangelical, but I have faith in the fact that you'll make an informed decision come Novemeber 4. You know... election day? When you go to vote for either John McCain or Barack Obama for president? Silly me, I forgot that the McCain team would not want you to be reminded of the most important day for American citizens to let their voice in their government be known. The McPalin team would have you too busy picking out the right designer diaper bag for Sarah Palin to tote around D.C.

Sorry McPalin, the only choice that I'm going to make on November 4 is for Barack Obama for our next president. Afterall, his campaign has never had to work tirelessly to distract or deceive the American public. His platform is simple yet clear; this country needs change and Barack Obama is the one to provide us with that.

So John McCain, you can hide behind the Sarah Palin buzz all you want, at the end of the day, you're still nothing but more of the same. Cliches aside, eight is enough. Americans, are you ready to elect the man who represents the future of change that this government needs? If so, I'll see you at the Obama after party! We can applaud the fact that the McCain team drastically underestimated the American people and their ability to see through your Palin smokescreens. You have worked hard McCain team, but ultimately you'll still fail.

The nation comes together today to remember the horrors of the terrorist attacks on September 11, 2001. Together, we mourn lives lost by the hand of the cruel mastermind, Osama Bin Laden. The shock and pain of that day is something that every American will always carry in their hearts. I'm sure, that like me, you could not conceive that anyone on this earth would be so hateful of the United States that they would seek to murder its' civilians to impart their message of deep-rooted disdain and hatred.

How could anyone hate the land of the free and the brave? Who could think unkindly about a country that seeks to provide support and aide to countless nations around the world, all in the name of democracy?

Please do not be naive, there many people in this world, possibly millions who have a deep-rooted hatred for the United States, and who will stop at nothing to act on those feelings by planning and carrying out more terrorist attacks on the US. Al-Qaeda is still as active as it was seven years ago.

Barack Obama, over the course of this campaign has been trying to alert Americans to the fact that our priorities, in terms of military action, should be focused on Afghanistan. John McCain has done nothing but balk at these claims all the while trying to remind the Americans that Iraq should be our focus . Also, that we should relish in the "successes" that we've had there. What successes are those again? A financial loss of almost a trillion dollars, the lives of thousands of American soldiers as well as Iraqi civilians and a more pronounced bitterness towards the US from peoples in the Middle East?

Do not be fooled Americans, September 11th could happen again. Even our president, George W. Bush has recently ordered the bombings of active Al-Qaeda terrorist camps in Pakistan : http://www.comcast.net/articles/news-general/20080911/US.Pakistan/. Terrorists, who have crossed over the Afghanistan border. Terrorists, whom the US government currently does not have the slightest handle on.

I saw today that " secret" footage of John McCain in Vietnam has been released. How convenient, on September 11th. I have previously seen footage of McCain, in Vietnam. Although I am not a political supporter of John McCain, I can say that I regard his service to this country, as well as his years as a prisoner of war, as admirable and commendable. No one can speak out against John McCain's military career. He served this country with courage and loyalty, and that, should never be forgotten.

John McCain's military service to this country is exemplary . However, how long can McCain use his service in Vietnam as the be all and end all of his qualifications to lead this country? If I were to base his merits on his political career, then I would find he was inconsistent, and at times questionable in terms of whose interests he was catering to based on his voting record in the Senate. John McCain, the man who just eight years ago rode around the country preaching " straigh talk", the man who claimed to be moderate and work across party lines, is the same man who voted with President Bush 90% of his time in office.

I am not currently of the opinion that he possesses the insight, open-mindedness and steadfast determination required to guide this country in any political or military endeavor. Being a leader does not mean that you have to be an aggressor. Barack Obama possesses the intelligence, patience and understanding that we need to work towards peace with other nations, rather than to bully them into democracy.

Barack Obama understands how and where this country should be targeting terrorists. John McCain continues to support our place in Iraq. No weapons of mass destruction have ever been found, furthermore, it appears as if they never existed at all. Osama Bin Laden, by all accounts, is still alive.

Which of these candidates do you trust to prioritize our military focus and target terrorism both where it started and where it continues to be? In case you didn't know, John McCain is not that man.

has been a comment that has "enraged" the McPalin campaign as they claim that this is an attack on Sarah Palin. This however, was a comment made my Barack Obama in regards to the fact that the McPalin team has jumped on the word " change" to describe their platforms. Realizing how many millions of Americans have been suppporting Obama's platform for change, McPalin took it and ran with it. The problem is, is that saying " change" doesn't mean it's going to happen. This is exactly what Obama was pointing out when he stated, "You can put lipstick on a pig, It's still a pig.You can wrap an old fish in a piece of paper called change. It's still gonna stink." ...

Boy, does it stink! It stinks out loud!

Let's not forget Senator McCain that you were the one who first used this line in 2007 when referring to Hillary Clinton's Health Care Plan ( " You can put lipstick on a pig, it's still a pig"). Me thinks this reeks of a hypocrite!

By the way, isn't Sarah Palin a self-proclaimed pitbull with lipstick? Regardless, we have both a pig and a pitbull on their ticket. What a happy little barnyard of hypocritical liars we have! Animals aside, if they get elected, this cute little story will not have a happy ending.

Remember, you can call John McCain a "maverick" all you want but he's still a boys boy who wants to push forward the ideals of the current administration. You can call Sarah Palin a " fiscal conservative" but she's still the only politician in the country who sucked us dry for more earmark handouts than any other politician across the nation.

McPalin can "claim" that they're going to work across party lines, but they're still elephants.

At least Obama has never claimed to be anything other than the lovely donkey that he is.

If we're going to have animals in the White House, I'd rather it be the hardest working one in the animal kingdom.

I have been called many things throughout this recent pursuit to inform the public about the upcoming election. However, I can commit to you that one thing that I am not is a knowing- liar that puts forth propaganda for the benefit of my candidate. I NEVER provide you with information that I know to be false. I can't say the same for McCain and Palin.

No matter which way that you vote, it is essential that you are making an informed decision. Would I like you to cast your vote for the candidate that I believe will bring about the change that this country so desperately needs? Of course. Yet, if someone were to vote for McCain based on legitimate knowledge of him and his record, then there is nothing more for me to say. Democracy provides us with the right to chose the person whom we feel would best represent us in government. What John McCain and Sarah Palin deny us of is an accurate and honest portrayal of their records for us to base our decisions on.

I am 100% behind Barack Obama. Although I have yet to vote outside of my party lines, I can say that as a candidate, political parties aside, he embodies all the qualities of a tremendous leader, capable of leading this country to greatness. Throughout my 28 years, I have always been proud of my country and our country's fundamental commitment to democracy. Unfortunately, I have lived through three Republican administrations that serve that tiny, 1% of our nation that controls the country's wealth, rather than commit to serving our people, ALL of our people. I believe in him. Just as I believe that he will be elected and that this country is destined to change, for all of our greater good.

As an Obama enthusiast, I found myself torn this week as I felt that the Obama camp had not been coming out to combat the vicious lies and attacks that the McPalin machine has been throwing out with the utmost of ease. However, I did not need to doubt for long:

http://www.comcast.net/articles/news-general/20080909/Obama.Palin/

Barack Obama, Joe Biden, you rock my world. You stand up to McPalin and expose them as the liars that they are! All I ask is that you please get informed before you cast your vote in November. It only benefits you in the long run.

This was an amazing message, please read and get informed!

Friends, compatriots, fellow-lamenters,


We are writing to you because of the fury and dread we have
felt since the announcement of Sarah Palin as the
Vice-Presidential candidate for the Republican Party. We
believe that this terrible decision has surpassed mere
partisanship, and that it is a dangerous farce on the part
of a pandering and rudderless Presidential candidatethat has
a real possibility of becoming fact.

Perhaps like us, as American women, you share the fear of
what Ms. Palin and her professed beliefs and proven record
could lead to for ourselves and for our present or future
daughters. To date, she is against sex education, birth
control, the pro-choice platform, environmental protection,
alternative energy development, freedom of speech (as mayor
she wanted to ban books and attempted to fire the librarian
who stood against her), gun control, the separation of
church and state, and polar bears. To say nothing of her
complete lack of real preparation to become the
second-most-powerful person on the planet.

We want to clarify that we are not against Sarah Palin as a
woman, a mother, or, for that matter, a parent of a pregnant
teenager, but solely as a rash, incompetent, and all
together devastating choice for Vice President. Ms.
Palin's political views are in every way a slap in the
face to the accomplishments that our mothers and
grandmothers and great-grandmothers so fiercely fought for,
and that we've so demonstrably benefited from.

First and foremost, Ms. Palin does not represent us. She
does not demonstrate or uphold our interests as American
women. It is presumed that the inclusion of a woman on the
Republican ticket could win over women voters. We want to
disagree, publicly.

Therefore, we invite you to reply here
with a short,
succinct message about why you, as a woman living in this
country, do not support this candidate as second-in-command
for our nation.?

Please include your name (last initial is fine), age, and
place of residence.

We will post your responses on a blog called "Women
Against Sarah Palin," which we intend to publicize as
widely as possible. Please send us your reply at your
earliest conveniencethe greater the volume of responses we
receive, the stronger our message will be.

Thank you for your time and action.

VIVA!

Sincerely,

Quinn Latimer and Lyra Kilston
New York,?NY
womensaynopalin@gmail.com??

**PLEASE FORWARD WIDELY! If you send this to 20 women in
the next hour, you could be blessed with a country that
takes your concerns seriously. Stranger things have
happened.

Lord, I am beyond sick of watching Sarah Palin coverage. Just today, I got another article about her "questionable" spending as Governor of Alaska : http://www.boston.com/news/nation/articles/2008/09/09/palin_billed_state_for_nights_she_spent_at_home/

However, this article, which pinpoints unjustified reimbursments that Palin is taking away from her own taxpayers is of course trumped by three articles about how teen moms relate to her etc.

First of all, everyone needs to wake up, and fast. Sarah Palin is NOT running for president. In all of this media blitz, many McCain doubters have been snowballed into voting for him because she is on his ticket. This election is about McCain and Obama.

Before the Palin craze, who was your candidate?

People are quickly forgetting that the role of the Vice President is fairly minimal in terms of impact they may have on legislative and executive matters. However, a very important thing to keep in mind is that IF the president were to pass away, the VP steps right in. Please ask yourself, would you want Sarah Palin for president? Many people either say "yes" or don't bother to take in the weight of that question.

The bottom line is this, you should care. Who do you want running this country? If it's McCain, then by all means, support your candidate. However, if you are one of the many that are living in a Sarah Palin fantasy, please wake up. This election is about politicians and their party's politics. By now, many of us are well aware of McCain, Obama and Biden's political record, do you know anything about Sarah Palin besides the fact that she's got a "cute" family and speaks with a down-home gusto that appeals to so many Americans? Get informed about Sarah Palin, and fast. Her politics speak volumes to her inexperience, dirty politics and her lack of qualifications for the job.

I am not just tired of hearing about Sarah Palin, I'm scared. Scared to death that so many Americans are falling for this horse-and-pony show. In all of this chatter, this country has lost its focus on the actual candidates. This is your country. If you're a registered voter, all of this media hooplah should bother you. No matter which way you chose to vote, this country is quickly forgetting what this election is really about, voting for our next President, not Vice President.

Bring this election back to the presidential candidates, and fast. I assure you, if you don't, you will be kicking yourself come Novemeber 5.

What are the candidate's tax plans? Here's a rough breakdown : ( courtesy of Martin Crutsinger, AP Economics Writer)

-Those ...   more »

Contrary to some reports last week that Oprah Winfrey would interview Republican vice presidential candidate Sarah Palin on her show, ...   more »