What are your thoughts on the people that have put their hat in ring??

I have enjoyed all the responses so far. I don't vote strictly party, I try to look closley at each person to see what I think. Most of the time you have to dig a little deeper than the front page of the newspaper or the headline of the broadcast news to see what is really going on. I'm not sure if I'm crazy over anyone so far... I know I am for stem cell research, I live right smack dab in the middle of the bible belt and so I certainly know how people start a panick over something that they really haven't looked into. I also don't think it's my right to put moral judgements on anyone concerning abortion, would it be right for me? No, but it's not my place to make that choice for anyone. I am a Christian, and I beleive free will is the way to go for anything moral. I haven't seen anyone mention human rights, such as gay rights, my daughter and her husband are human rights activist, so that is something I look at as well. I heard someone speak once who said, know what you believe and believe what you know. I have tried to teach my children to learn about it and to make an educated choice from what they learn! Keep the post coming!!!

I am for civil unions, don't call it marriage. The voice of the people has spoken in many states - it has been outlawed. So as a whole, we are not there yet. People still prefer the don't ask don't tell approach. When I think of the gay couples i know, these folks contribute to our society in a big way: teachers, policemen, business people. I really beleive most people have a "Hollywood queer" in mind as they consider this issue! My DH has Parkinsons, but even that aside, I would say the US needs to pursue stem cell research, or we'll all be paying premium prices for that treatment from another country. All this debate over it here, and other countries are laughing all the way to the patent office! The national debt is also something people don't understand. Me included, but I know enoguh to be very much against that approach. It's exactly like living on credit card debt...only this time we are putting our eggs into foreign investor's baskets. That money did not come from the thin air, folks! There will be a terrible price to pay for this, and we all skate around it.

Yay! You're great. I'm not a Christian. I believe in Christ, but I don't believe he is the son on God. I do love Christianity when it's practiced compassionately, and you seem to live that way. It's refreshing after hearing the loud fundamentalists. I will admit, fundamentalism coming from any belief system scares the daylights out of me. I especially like this comment: "I beleive free will is the way to go for anything moral" The views you express are what I think of as "real" Christianity; not that I'm an expert. I just think it gets down to emphasis on compassion, not attacking. I wish I saw more Christians out there like you. I think there'd be a lot more peace in the world. Thanks.

What do I think about who is campaigning so far? I think we need another candidate. I'll even name him. Wes Clark. The issues that are important to me are the ones that will affect the lives of every day Americans the most: energy policy and health care. For whatever tiny gains have been made in income, they have been eaten up by astronomical increases in the cost of energy and health care. 47 million Americans have no health insurance, and since those of us who DO have insurance are paying the medical bills those who do not, it just makes sense for us pay for everyone to have it. I want the government to have no say in whether two consenting adults can get married. I don't care what their sexual orientation is. I want the government to have no say about how many kids I have and when I can have them. That's something that communist China does. I want the government to look for non-military solutions to the problems in Iraq. There is not now, nor has there been in the nearly 4 years we have been there, any indication that this military action will bring peace to the region.

Hey, yeah... what is Westley Clark doing? I haven't thought of him in a while. Is there potential for him running? I'm going to look it up on Wikipedia right now! lol

Wow. It's a tough call. Obviously a female president would be great....but NOT Clinton. I like Obama. I don't give a crap about his name or his skin color. I love his ideals and his views. But his inexperiance is a major factor here. The thought of Kerry or Edwards give me the willies. Too much experiance as professional politicians. Mitt Romney is a possiblility. Except he's ticked off Mormons all over(especially here in Utah). Which is ironic considering him being Mormon himself might be enough of an hinderance. I'm sure New York would LOVE to see Rudy in office. But he is just wanting to cash in on is 15 minutes of 9/11 fame. Too bad Oprah isn't running. Tammy

I had to add my 2 cents. Maybe it's time for an inexperienced politician to take over the helm. Lordy, look what "experienced" politician have done and continue to do. I listen to Obama and I feel hope.

Inexperiance is the ONLY thing that worries me about Obama. But I agree. A fresh unjaded face might be just what this country needs. T.