Comment Archives: Stories: Elections: Our Endorsements
Re: “2012 General Election Endorsements”
"Socialism is a step between a democracy and communism. "
No, Goaglen, it really isn't. We'll start with the interesting fact that Socialism is a form of economy. Democracy and Communism are forms of Government. Your statement is like saying that the Avocado is the step between a Tomato becoming an Apple. Too funny.
Second there are highly functional and very successful Democratic governments around the world with strong Socialist leanings. Many of them are beating the US economically, and most of them are destroying us as regards standings in public health, education, low levels of violence...
As pertains to the GM bailout you do realize that we actually saw a positive return to the taxpayer on that investment, right?
Re: “2012 General Election Endorsements”
Interesting tomgee. I don't see any Communists on this list at all. Are you sure you are actually reading this or simply spouting inane nonsense.
You do realize that the "Communist State of California" has the 4th largest economy in the world all by itself, and that the "Fascist Republican States of America" are net debtors to the US economy relying on the Democratic states to support them, right? You didn't know that? Well...that explains your moronic posts then.
Re: “2012 General Election Endorsements”
Well, Roger Dodger, I have a feeling you would be hard pressed to put together a coherent knock-knock joke, so it really isn't a surprise.
You fail to put together a rational rebuttal to the endorsements and instead resort to foolish partisan nonsense. How droll. *gently pats their pointy little head*
Re: “2012 General Election Endorsements”
A lot of ink could have been saved,,, just say VOTE D EXCEPT FOR CHERIE BERRY..
interestingly, no justification for endorsing BHO,,, I'd be hard-pressed to write a coherent argument for voting for him too,
Re: “2012 General Election Endorsements”
I guess I should be receiving an editorial check correct? This is about the fifth time you had to change your 'wording' to reflect the mistakes I point out.
I never even went to J school, kinda sad really. So tell me again why I should trust anything you put into print?
Re: “2012 General Election Endorsements”
"Instant Account" -- You are right: Cathy Wright resigned as chairwoman of the Chatham County GOP due to her House District 54 candidacy. The text has been corrected.
Re: “2012 General Election Endorsements”
Why not just put a capital "D" in the article and let it be?
I think what tomgee meant was socialist.
"a public collective ownership or control of the basic means of production, distribution, and exchange with the avowed aim of operating for use rather than profit, and of assuring to each member of society an equitable share of goods, services, and welfare benefits" Funk & Wagnalls Company, 1963.
What would you call public ownership of GM stock? Or of the other companies receiving bail out monies? Of our welfare programs which have become pervasive and ubiquitous?
Socialism is a step between a democracy and communism. Mr. Gee must have assumed this future step. We are a democracy in name only, a social democracy in truth, and in violation of our basic social contract by this "progressive" momentum.
The Reds are coming in response to this inequity, but not the communist ones.
Re: “2012 General Election Endorsements”
Cathy Wright is also not GOP chairwoman, that would be Jim Duncan. Don't let a little thing like research get in the way.
Lining for my hamster cage.
Re: “2012 General Election Endorsements”
We would have preferred not have to endorsed in the labor commissioner at all; as we said, we didn't like either candidate, and Berry is not a good labor commissioner.
However, historically the Indy has endorsed in all races with very few exceptions. And when we've done so, we've been equally criticized for withholding endorsements.
Re: “2012 General Election Endorsements”
Could not think of a better candidate than Deb McManus for Dist. 54? Interesting.
Last go round you said this: We think Starkweather is the better choice given his history as an advocate for the environment and his expertise in the growth pressures facing the district. He would be a counterbalance to pro-growth local governments and has the kind of fire Democrats need in the Legislature.
So Mr. Starkweather was a better candidate you found, truth be damned!! I noticed Deb sold her ritzy BMW for a Prius, gotta appear like something she isn't! She would do a fine job with the state budget, when she was chair of our school board she went begging to the county for more money, made a political play out of it, chicken little style, only to find out that oops, she had the money all along! She will make a great fiscal steward, not!! Nice endorsement,
Your homework is just so terrible.
Re: “2012 General Election Endorsements”
Oppps
weaver4bocc.com
Re: “2012 General Election Endorsements”
Nothing surprising in these endorsements.
Too Bad Indy week never sought to talk to me, I would have let them feel my head where I filed of my democrat horns...the ones I was raised with!
What fun!
Also on my web page...If you are happy w/ one party rule, continue to vote democrat.
Orange County has the 4th highest taxes in the state, Chapel Hill is 1st in municipal taxation...and there in not one Republican to blame...in 122 years.
The election of One Republican into a Board of 6 Democrats will not make the Taxes worse....
I am Running to represent the people of District TWO not...not District ONE...I fit very well in District TWO...but as the District ONE gets to vote on me, and they out number D2 by 2:1... They...Chapel Hill and Carrboro will decide who is the "best Fit" for the Rural County...
Nice....
Chris Weaver
Re: “2012 General Election Endorsements”
Great selection and a definite take along to the polls. Sometimes, one has to choose the best of the worst to get the best people to represent the needs of the people. And the Indy has truely done that.
Re: “2012 General Election Endorsements”
Denise,
While you're making changes to your guide, how about reconsidering your endorsement of a Labor Commissioner who cares so little for North Carolina workers she doesn't even think they should be guaranteed to earn at least a minimum wage? http://bit.ly/PcrBfo
Thanks
Re: “2012 General Election Endorsements”
ncsu_grad,
All of the candidates we endorse are named on our Take-Along Voting Guide: http://www.indyweek.com/indyweek/2012-gene…
We will be adding text to this story today explaining our choices for the three offices you mention (plus others).
Thanks,
Denise
Re: “2012 General Election Endorsements”
There is a trend here. As long as candidates are "all-inclusive" they are called meaningful. This is misleading. To be "all-inclusive" many times means to lean against white people or Christians simply because they represent an "old guard." But this "old guard" makes it possible for "all-inclusive" to exist. The REPUBLICANS, not the Democrats, passed the Civil Rights Acts. Please go to any history reference you like before you flame that. There is no "But.. but.. but.." Perception is everything, and "progressives" have been trying for decades to take credit for that which conservatives have accomplished. It's called "seize the means of production."
There is also a trend here to call Tea Party "rabid" or "political elite" simply because they are mainly older white people making a difference. Why not vilify the VFW? In fact, many blacks and Hispanics support the Tea Party, at least privately. Remember, Barack Obama was inaugurated in 2009, and the Tea Party was formed in the wake of his stimulus, bailout, and Obamacare measures, which spends too much money and only benefits the wealthy corporations. In other words, Obama did not defeat the Tea Party in 2008 because there WAS no Tea Party. Since 2009, many people of color and women have jumped on board a real grass-roots movement to stop spreading lies about America. What lies?
Obama did NOT stop the war in Iraq. We still have TONS of boots on the ground, black-ops, Blackwater-type contractors, and billions of dollars in aid which would be better spent here. Aghanistan is worse. We have troops in Jordan. We have dead Americans in Libya, and all the bootlicking media can focus on is whether or not Obama said the word "terror" in a Rose Garden speech. Who cares? What are we going to do about the dead Americans? Nothing! Instead, we are pitted against each other over words!
If you didn't like Bush invading Iraq without a declaration of war, why are you OK with our invasion of the Congo under Obama?
Obama has added 6 TRILLION in debt since 2009. Yes, Congress passed the bills but Obama SIGNS the bills. He doesn't deny it! If you were against Bush for spending 800 billion in 2 wars, why are you FOR Obama? He overspends by 1 TRILLION per YEAR! He ADDS that EVERY YEAR, and will in his proposed budget, which is online to see, and which EVERY member of Congress voted against. Look it up! His budget received ZERO votes in Congress and the Senate. ZERO. Not Sheila Jackson Lee, not Dennis Kuchinich, not your most liberal or progressive Congressman!
These are FACTS, not talking points. If WAR and OVERSPENDING do not concern you, what does? Social justice?
Those are WORDS. Social justice means opportunity for everyone. We have only seen a decreasing opportunity for EVERYONE. Never mind the what the rich are doing. Mind your OWN business.
Re: “2012 General Election Endorsements”
I CANNOT believe that you endorsed Cherie Berry for Labor Commissioner. You said you had to hold your nose - well you didn't have to endorse in her race at all! You chose not to endorse in the race for Insurance Commissioner despite Wayne Goodwin's contested race and clear track record of standing up for North Carolina consumers.
But to me this is the most salient fact you failed to consider: Cherie Berry is so lame as Labor Commissioner that she doesn't even believe North Carolina's wage slaves should be guaranteed at least a minimum wage! That's the startling admission she volunteered to a right-wing, anti-worker interest group this year: http://bit.ly/PcrBfo.
I mean, really? Seriously? Your pick for **Labor Commissioner** is someone who **wants to repeal the minimum wage**?
And you blithely overlooking Cheri Berry's equally contemptible refusal to go on the record against child labor or her refusal to meet with farm labor advocates brings great shame on this publication.
Re: “2012 General Election Endorsements”
tomgee sounds like he's a member of an offshoot of the "Know Nothing" party.
Re: “2012 General Election Endorsements”
No endorsements for Secretary of State, Ag Commissioner, or Insurance Commissioner? Are they maybe in the print version but not the online version?
Re: “2012 General Election Endorsements”
> Meanwhile, Brooks, who served as labor commissioner for 16 years, from 1977–1993, has a spotty history. It was under his watch that the infamous fire at a Hamlet chicken processing plant, Imperial Foods, killed 25 workers. It was later learned that exit doors had been locked and the labor department had not conducted a safety inspection at the facility in 11 years.
>
> Should this incident color Brooks' political career? For the families of the 25 workers, yes it should. In addition, Brooks, currently a staff attorney with the N.C. Industrial Commission, had 16 years to accomplish his goals.
This is just bull and any responsible reporter should know that. Go to any law library and you will find more pro-worker labor law precedents set when John Brooks was Labor Commissioner than any one fore or after him - even their precious Harry Payne.
Yes - John Brooks was Labor Commissioner when there was a fire at the Hamlet Food Processing Plant - it was not a chicken processing plant. Get that right PLEASE!
But due to the business progressives in the NC Legislature, they wrote the laws which stated clearly that NC-OSHA can only inspect businesses that are registered with the Secretary of State's office, or if there was a complaint received. There were no complaints received from employees, and the folks at Imperial Foods did not properly register their business. Therefore NC OSHA didn't know Imperial Foods even existed until the fire. So please tell me how that is the fault of John Brooks?
You mention the locked exit doors - that's the responsibility of the Fire Marshall who is also the Insurance Commissioner. So why blame the Labor Commissioner for that too?
The incident should not color Brooks' political career. You are either lying or misleading your readers and the families of those workers when you continue to spread falsehoods about John Brooks. And you most certainly know that we've had plenty of elected leaders want to make much needed reforms and they can't succeed because of resistance even from members of their own party. How long have we been trying to have real health care reform in the USA? How long have we been trying to get collective bargaining for public employees? Yet you have the nerve to claim that one man trying to bring labor law into the 20th century when dealing with legislators who after Payne was elected overturned a reform that came about AFTER the Hamlet Fire?
I saw you smear Brooks when you endorsed a corporate lobbyists (government affairs lawyer) for the Democratic nomination. But when real Democrats spoke up and elected Brooks in the primary runoff, I can't believe that it pissed you inside the Beltline types so much that you would pick Cherie Berrie? Are you nuts? She's ready to re-institute child labor and indentured servitude!