This primary season, we've heard plenty from the candidates. They've inundated us with their positions on what they deem to be America's biggest problems. But we want to hear from YOU. What issue will help you decide who to cast your ballot for this November? Tell us in a comment on this article what you're most stressed about, and we'll send you your very own set of our Gather.com Commemorative Election 2008 Stress Balls (America, War, Environment, Economy). Then maybe, just maybe, you can stress a little less.
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Comments: 91
Gimme those stress balls!
Did you HEAR ME!
DID YOU HEAR ME!
I..........AM..........NOT..........PLAYING........WITH...........YOU!!!!
GIMME THOSE STRESS BALLS........NOW!!!
ARRRRRRGH!
*Hyperventilating, sweat on the forehead, tongue hanging out!
Okay, now seriously, Politics Editor --
For me it has been the same as it has been from the beginning:
Terrorism,
and
the Iraq War.
I haven't seen since we used them at work.
and they rollll and rolll and rolll....like Humphrey Bogart did those marbles
in "the Caine-Mutiny Trial."
Now, may I have my "balls", please? :=)
McCain just said he wants to remove controls on businesses, so I worry about increasing risks to workers from more lax safety and environmental standards.
The biggest thing I worry about is whether or not this country could survive another four years of Mr. Bush's failed policies, all of which McCain appeared to embrace whole heartedly a few minutes ago in his acceptance speech.
Heck; I need the stress balls so I can throw them at the dog and feel better for a while.
So, send me some balls and lower my blood pressure...
Oh, and another pet peeve, dear Politics Editor, while I have your ear and/or eyes, ....why do the same articles remain featured in "politics" for an entire weekend, and sometimes 3-4 days at a time? It can't be for lack of fresh articles. I mean, I love Dave McGill and Devin Barber as much as the next guy, but Geez.....
The war on terror is also something democrats do not have a good track record. During the Clinton administration we had 6 attacks against US interests quite a record for our time. For all the complaining libs do about Bush, after 9-11 we had one incident where a US Diplomat was killed by a remotely detonated bomb. Libs also do not seem to understand the global nature of the issue and that different problems need to be addressed differently. Bush was ridiculed by the left for not having bi-lateral meeting with N Korea because he felt a multi lateral negotiation would be more effective. Turns out he was right.
The candidates and the issues don't stress me nearly as much as the people who are doing everything possible to misrepresent them. What stresses me the most is the way people who belong to the 'lock step' party try to label healthy debate and discussion as the party that can't get along. I could really use a ball in each hand, just for that.
The media stresses me by trying to control what I see and how I think. The pundits stress me when they speak with such excited authority about who supports which candidate and why, insult large groups of people in the process, and never seem to have it right.
I want more balls because I get really stressed out at people who still support Mr. Bush's failed policies, and because I listened to all of McCain's speech last night and I need something to de-stress me given the things he said he wants to do.
Why do you people on the left stress yourself out without looking at the facts?
http://www.bls.gov/news.release/empsit.t11.htm
Leisure and Hospitality saw a 1.6% increase since January 07 while Manufacturing only saw a .4% increase. Now construction did see the largest increase of 2.1% but they don't show up on your political radar because you can't blame Bush for people not reading/understanding their loan documents. Variable Rate...which part of VARIABLE did you not understand? But that's another pet peeve of mine. Financial institutions only show a .6% increase so you were incorrect there as well.
Of course leisure and hospitality increased. That's where some of the really low paying, minimum wage jobs were. That simply supports my contention. Just about every corporation in this country has announced cut backs of one sort or another and few of those in the minimum wage; most are much higher paying jobs. In truth minimum wage generally only affects extremely low level or service industry jobs. In other words, an increase in the minimum wage helps those most in need.
I admit I don't actually understand what your point is other than to do the usual George Bush is God, rah rah rah nonsense. The economy is in shambles.
Now I really need more stress balls so that I can deal with people with their heads in a place that requires a plate glass belly button to see where they are going, and whose chief purpose in life seems to be blowing sunshine.
If they cant be civil while campaigning, how can they run a country adequately?
See that's why I don't need a stress ball… Its much more fun bursting empty rhetoric with facts. Mortgage comes in when I was talking about the "construction" sector which has been hit hardest but didn't get mentioned by you. Increase in foreclosures means less need for new houses.
You said "the current decrease in jobs had little or absolutely nothing to do with the raise in the minimum wage. The vast majority of jobs being lost are factory jobs, and those in banks and lending institutions which are far above the minimum wage."
Data showed that you were absolutely incorrect and actually you proved my point that an increase in minimum wage actually increased job loss in the demography that democrats care so much about and want to help…When you said: "Of course leisure and hospitality increased. That's where some of the really low paying, minimum wage jobs were." We agree…as minimum wage goes up, labor costs increase making it hard for a company to hire more and sometimes have to let people go. Of course they are all evil Bushies, basic economic principles have nothing to do with it. Some businesses pass the higher labor cost on to consumers which accounts for higher Consumer Price Index (CPI) making things more expensive. Some markets like hotels know that if they just raise the price they might price themselves out of business so they cut expenditures and unfortunately that sometimes means jobs.
Its not that my head is up my…well somewhere or that I blindly believe EVERYTHING Bush is saying but some things are based on solid economic principles.
In truth, however, minimum wage jobs affect only the lowest and most needy section of the American economy. The jobs we're losing to cheap overseas labor markets and profiteering corporate greed are generally speaking jobs that might have provided a living wage for an American family.
There is no solid economic principle to support trickle down economics. Even the first Mr. Bush referred to that as voodoo economics at one point. Voodoo stresses me out too. I need a ball.
Why you always go negative when you are proven wrong? Jobs in service sector did NOT increase, they decreased(more people were laid off) as you can clearly see by the link I provided. There is no reason to spell things out for me as I can't spell anyway. Again, my point was that while its a feel good policy to help low wage jobs by giving them an arbitrary raise it really does not help them because the additional costs gets passed on to consumers. I know I am just an evil bushy but I believe that raises should be earned and not just handed out arbitrarily.
"There is no solid economic principle to support trickle down economics." Really? So I guess the massive growth in economy during Bush administration has nothing to do with tax cuts? Even democrats are calling for tax cuts for businesses because they know businesses will hire more people and buy more equipment. Sorry but THATS trickle down economics. Ask Marie what happens if her husband's business sees an increase in profit. Does he hide the money in the mattress or grow his business. God forbid he may even take Marie on a vacation which helps the service sector. Heck even liberal favorite economist John Maynard Keynes believes that tax cuts stimulate the economy. And just to make sure we understand each other…the "rich and wealthy" also includes small businesses which are the lifeblood of the economy. But then also lets not forget evil rich guy Warren Buffet who singlehandedly is saving the bond market… www.money.cnn.com/2008/02/12/markets/bondcenter/bonds.ap/
Or the other rich guy Gates who probably donates more money to cherity then all democratic presidential candidates combined. Or what about that college student that showed up at a Hillary rally in tears because of the her student loans. Hillary said we will go after the lenders and fix it. Evil Rush sent her a check and paid off her loans. I wonder what was more helpful, empty rhetoric or money in her pocket.
Seriously, affordable health care is a big concern, as is the economy.
I hate to see another year where I am forced to vote for the one I think will be the least worst, but suspect that's where I'm headed. This is a stressful situation to me.
Anyho, I fully agree with Dawn, whatever happened to every vote counts? I do not think that just making the results count would be fair because candidates were not allowed to campaign there but a complete do over? If Obama wins would Hillary accuse CHAD (hanging or dangling). I am starting to believe Florida like being at the center of attention when it comes to elections. It's fun to sit back and watch none the less. No stress ball needed.
Amen Marianne...I know what you mean sigh.
I don't like the way the election is all-consuming. It's EVERYWHERE!!! Whatever happened to those nice documentaries I used to see on MSNBC? Now in the morning it's all POLITICS, POLITICS, POLITICS!!!
I thought Canadian elections were kindof down and dirty, but after living in the USA during this election, I'm starting to think that our Canadian elections are almost as sweet as maple syrup,
Mmmmmmm Maple syrup. I might just hae to go pour myself a glass of that right now; the real good stuff, imported from Canada.
Maybe a spoon full of maple syrup will help this election go down a bit more pleasantly.
Let's all have one. We deserve it.
Don't like it as with all entertainment switch the channel.
As for Romney being a Mormon , his own party hated him for that.
Being Mormon with magic underpants didn't matter as` much as his being a flip flopping "moron''.
As for the service sector comment, come on. Service sector encompasses more than minimum wage jobs. Many minimum wage type jobs are not covered by these statistics as well. The jobs being lost have little or nothing whatever to do with the raise in the minimum wage and everything do do with an economy that is sliding into a recession because of the bad and failed fiscal policies of the Bush administration. You can only spend like a drunken sailor for so long before the chickens come home to roost.
I am so upset that the Republican party has nominated someone like McCain, but at least terrorism is something I can agree with him on. Will that be enough to get me to vote for him? Maybe, maybe not. I suppose I have eight months to decide.
Lean, the stressful part of this debate is that the complaints that you perceive as bashing aren't necessarily about his being Mormon. The separation of church and state applies to ALL religions. Romney did not want to keep his religious beliefs out of his platform.
The situation in our country and the world are
very stressful these days.
Please PLEASE send me those balls.
I need ALL of them!!
I need them NOW.
I need to get some stress relief any way I can!!!!!
(thank you)
Can I just ask a general question...Might be little late in the discussion but given the concerns expressed which I agree with... I would be interested to know which side of the isle do you think will better handle your concerns?
Good point about how those stress balls would help you. I hae a small problem with my hands that makes it hard for me to grip things, and I agree with you. They WOULD help!!
For right now I think Democrats will do more toward the fiscal responsibility I want to see. I am not saying they are, by nature, more fiscally conservative, but rather that given the glowing example of the past seven years, many among them will realize that cutting back the worst of the drunken sailor spending will go far toward entrenching themselves at the top of the power structure.
I expect to see more money going into education, the infrastructure, health care, and the like. I expect to see less going into this disastrous war. I would expect to see a lot of useless government agencies scaled back, and some attempt made to cut back on the excesses of the Bush years. I would have more confidence on that were Pelosi not Speaker of the House.
I also expect to be most displeased with the final outcome of the immigration debate and do not expect Democrats to learn from the mistakes of Mr. Reagan which showed clearly that what you reward you get more of. In this case illegals.
Overall, however, I expect them to do better simply because it's hard to imagine how anyone, including another Republican could do much worse. I simply cannot vote for McCain. I cannot see our troops dying over there for another hundred years. They deserve better than that. I also don't agree with his kissing up to the religious right, his stand on choice, his stand on stem cell research, or well his stand on almost anything to be honest. With the Democrats, I'll at least see a few things I agree with and support.
What is stressing me out this election? My own primary in Tennessee. We moved it up to be part of super Tuesday. I was finally going to get to be part of the primary...I imagined all the candidates making tours, getting the chance to hear candidates in person, shaping the general election. That's not how it worked out. Granted, we only have 11 electorial votes, but you would of thought two or three candidates would have foudn their way to Nashville or Knoxville. Don't we count at all????
Okay, the final thing that stresses me out is the economy. (Yes, I have friends serving in Iraq and I pray for their safe return. This, however, seems to be a non-issue with candidates.) I am stressed out over hearing what when we're going to officially be in a recession. I'm working two jobs, carrying a credit card balance and seeing my neighbor do desperate things to keep their house. Quit avoiding the "R" word, candidates, and figure out a way to get us out of it! Now, (please) send me a stress ball so I can through it at cnadidates during the debate when they say something stupid.
This nation is being squeezed by an elite that is using our elected officials to bring this nation to it's knees. We are on the verge of economic collapse because we keep electing these liars and thieves to office.
HELLO!!!! They are politicians and believe it or not, they will tell you anything to get elected. After they are elected they will do what they are told to do by the people that baught them.
Our sons and daughters will continue to die for the corporations puppets that sold you the idea that there is a threat and we must go to war. Our dollar will be worth less than the paper that it is printed on because the men in control want it that way so they can bring in their new currency.
It is unbelievable that we reject the candidates that want to change direction and we get excited about the trash that the media sells us.
Stressed? I'm not stressed because it is so predictable. We are such a bunch of sheep!
I'm convinced the central government will continue to grow.
I'm convinced the "nanny state" mentality will gain steam.
I'm convinced you have to be an idiot to think a two party system is the answer.
I'm convinced this is another episode of the biggest liar gets all the marbles.
Stress inducing? Pick one.
I need a stress ball. I need a box of them.
1) That America's reputation world-wide may be damaged to the point where it will never recover.
2) A President who boldy proclaims that our country is not heading into a recession when it is already there.
3) A knee-deep nightmare in Iraq that continues to claim lives with no end in sight. Let's not even talk about the fact that it was an ill-concieved action that is essentially unsupported by the MAJORITY of Americans.
4) Oil / Gas prices
5) The fact that so many Americans have no health insurance while others are losing their jobs and their homes to the point where it has moved from "problem" to "epidemic" and there does not seem to be much anyone can do or will do about it.
6) The wholesale financial genocide of the middle-class.
7) The tiresome bleating of the 25%-ers who still claim that this adminstration has done this country so well both domestically and abroad.
8) The never-ending worry that we have dug ourselves a hole that no one, Republican or Democrat has a snowballs chance in hell of pulling us from.
The world!!!!!!
Stress.
Stress.
STRESS!!!!!
Need those stress balls!!!
NOW!!!!!!!
If we don't get our priorities straight, and this issue resolved, in the way it SHOULD be, our country is in for some real trouble. Of course, keeping us 'confused' about the issue, is one of the things 'they' do best, ('they' being those people who are benefiting from this situation, at OUR expense) so it remains to be seen whether Americans will figure this one out, in time, or be left to watch their nation go DOWN THE TOILET, because they can't get their own ethics and priorities straight...(we're almost there, folks, so I suggest you hurry the heck up!)
Now when do I get my stress ball?? (not that it's gonna really help)
GT
and that darned politics editor askin' me to make her some stressball banner ads.
;)
With the way gas & grocery prices keep rising, I don't know how much more I can cut back on.
I spent 85.00 on three bags of groceries and it is like I bought nothing, not even any meats. I make lunches every week day evening for my husband and myself, adding two bottles of water, and a snack for our break at work, so we have to buy nothing from cafeteria or vending machines. We eat out once a month and that may be discontinued soon.
We purchased a new car way ahead of schedule, because my '97 Ford dropped the transmission, & needed air conditioner fixed, plus we found out it needed, shocks, struts, engine mounts, brakes, and one window would not open, that door had a hard time locking, the car needed paint job & so much more work on it. But you know it was nice having no car payments. Now we are back to one car payment.
Add that all of that - rising insurance costs, and out of control Property Taxes (Broward County Florida), and I am very concerned, about money.
I am also worried that Hillary will win, and I have already heard some democrats telling us out taxes will have to go up once they get in--so they can fix things. I can't stand being lied to.
My home owners taxes have gone up over $150.00 a month over the past year and a half. I am over taxed--over extended--under paid and worried about the elections.
Very stressing!!
THAT stresses me more than anything else they can think of to talk about.
Until one of them can present a solution to me and show me that they are actually thinking of "the people" and not themselves, I have no respect for any of them.
That stresses me.
Whew! Thanks for the rant opp!
When people have to live in fear that if they or a loved one needs help that it might not be there for them it affects their attitude towards their relationship between themselves and the greater society. Society, at that point, is not something that exists for the collective good if my health is valued below the health of others.
When put in that position people can be understood for not trusting the system and seeing it as "themselves against the world" instead of "we're all in this together". And they may act accordingly. Causing stress on everyone - insured or not.
these are the same nice folks who would prefer a regular Joe that they feel comfy with sipping a beer all while they call anyone with an education who might actually do something constructive with the government an elitist. All while voting for? the elitist country club set who have somehow bamboozeled them into thinking it's un American to have coffee at Starbucks and drive a Prius. Who think that 911 was Saddam Hussein and wouldn't know what the three branches of government are if they all fell on them...as they are now wont to do.
I fear we are doomed and I am old because I care.
1) The horrible state of health care and the high cost of it. I work a job I hate just for the health insurance and spent two days in the hospital in May for chest pains. After insurance I owe over $5K (for two days!). I haven't even seen a cardiologist yet, I'm supposed to but I can't afford it.
2) My job. I work in a call center for a big midwest bank. I take abuse from all sides. The customers who call are broke and profane. They are so enraged it feels like I am just a paid punching bag and I can't do a thing for them. I'm supposed to try to sell them things after they get done swearing at me and I get done telling them I can't help them. My sales goal is $225,000 per month and management is constantly on us. We can't even use the bathroom on the clock. I have two college degrees and have been doing this kind of work for 7 years and it's making me sick and crazy. I love in MI, so, so far, it's this or nothing...
3) Our crazy leaders and their runaway greed stress me out. I am 90 per cent sure they will bomb Iran before November 11 just to create chaos and make it harder to change administrations. I feel ashamed to be American for the first time in my life--We seem to stand for torture, ignorance, greed, and lack of compassion. It's disgusting.
4) Retirement. My 401 has been hemorrhaging money all year. I have no idea what to do about it. I'm 55, so it matters, yet I feel powerless to fix it. I will probably be answering the phone for some big corporation when I'm 85.
I could go on, but you get the gist of it.
God, it can only get better. I hope.
I'm voting for McCain, but I know that if we want economic peace and prosperity, a better community for our children, a better environment (which I believe can be reached through advancing technologies, though safe domestic drilling needs to be done to solve the immediate issue of $700 Billion leaving the country each year in imported oil), and just an overall better life 5 years from now than we have today--we have to do that as a nation of individuals and local communities. Yes, we need solid leadership that is in touch with what's going on with the gas prices, the economy, the war, the environment, and our future as a country, but it's very unrealistic to think we should be sitting on the sidelines when we as citizens have a stake in this as well.
If you want real change, don't wait for some vague "them" out there to do something about it. We are "them."
It took only 3 Oz of fissile material to kill 200,000 at Hiroshima. We just took 550 metric tons out of Iraq. People have forgotten how big the bombs are. Sand colored people can build them. They will come in trucks, not on missiles. This country could be taken on in a day. Real Trojan Whores. Understand the threat. The arithmetic of Armaggedon is the most important math of all. ISBN 978-0-615-19676-3.
The main thing that has changed is US!
We have somehow come to the point that we accept a doctor that only cares about his next BMW payment, we accept a two party political system that only cares about the donation from MONSANTO and we somehow think that the latest bunch of candidates (thieves) will actually change things back to an honest system. We accept it when the private company called the Federal Reserve destroyes our income with inflation and we never set down and figure that more than 50% of our wealth is taken from us by the government in the form of taxes.
Today we are being asked to bailout a bunch of billionairs to the tune of $700 billion because it is good for the economy and WE just buy the line of bull $&*^ that their controlled press gives us.
Stress? Living in a nation that accepts enslavement to the banks and the government should be stressing everyone out!
Think about how much time you work for the money that goes to the bank or the government because of Republicans and Democrates.
I don't need the balls, I have a set of my own!
Vote independent in 2008!
Yesterday a little 75 pound black bear was murdered, shot in the head and then covered with Obama signs stapled to it's body.
What kind of message did the ones responsible for this horrible deed intended to send by doing something like this? And I'll bet they call themselves patriotic Americans as well.
It's getting scarey and sad.
http://www.evesun.com/forum/viewtopic.php?f=3&t=2696&p=42432