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Presidential Candidates

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Ed Bates

Published: October 4, 2008

I have watched, listened and read with tongue in cheek as the spin doctors of our two respective presidential candidates seek to discredit and vilify each other. Is anyone else getting sick and tired of the mud slinging and negativity employed in politics from the national on down to the local level? I think you are!

I recently had an appointment at the West Palm Beach V.A. hospital, where I used my time between exams to talk a little politics with other vets. What I found was nearly all are feeling betrayed by our own government, frustrated by the outsourcing of our jobs overseas, angry with our faulty immigration policy, and wondering when our elected leaders are going to start listening to "we the people."

I feel one contributing factor to our current situation has been voter apathy over the last several years. How often have you heard, "My one vote won't make any difference?" That might be true if it were only your one vote, but multiply that by the approximate 50 to 60 percent who neglected to vote and it matters a great deal!

Savvy politicians know this and can use this pattern to their advantage and your disadvantage. I also spoke with a naturalized U.S. citizen from South America, who feels that we as a country no longer appreciate the freedoms we have, give millions of dollars to countries that disrespect us, treat immigrants better than our native born citizens and strangle on our political correctness. Good points!

We as a country are badly in need of immediate change. The polarization of our middle class, who provide the bulk of our tax revenues, has gotten critical. Sadly, more people vote for "American Idol" than they do in our presidential election. The facts on both of our candidates can be had by anyone with a computer and the interest to learn them. Learn, make intelligent decisions and by all means vote.

Ed Bates
Avon Park

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