Absentee Voting

MYTH BUSTER: ABSENTEE VOTING Did you know some people believe that if they cast a vote by absentee ballot or by mail that it won't be counted on Election Day? Some believe those votes won't be counted at all unless the election is close. FALSE! Early votes, absentee ballots and vote-by-mail ballots sent in BEFORE Election Day are the first ones counted as soon as the polls close. These are the results announced by the media right away. Don't be afraid to vote by absentee ballot.

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My Own Worst Enemy

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Flip Flop – Forget Your Lies?

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McCain, No Straight Story

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Truth in Politics

Seriously, the title of this blog post is either an oxymoron or a bit of jest on my part. You decide for yourself. However, my fellow human beings regardless of your country of origin, we have this nasty habit of believing what we read, hear, or just know in our hearts. Checking out the facts and fallacies is often ignored whether it is due to lack of interest, time, or resources. Yet, the next time the subject arises, we add our 2 cents, 2 forints, 2 pence, or whatever to the conversation as if we were aware of the facts of the matter. To aid those who want to know more of the Truth with a capital T, I have here the link to the facts of who lied and who told the Truth at the Vice Presidential debate. Now it is up to you! I was going to put it here, but it was way too long, but here is a summary.

Biden and Palin debated, and both mangled some facts.

• Palin mistakenly claimed that troop levels in Iraq had returned to “pre-surge” levels. Levels are gradually coming down but current plans would have levels higher than pre-surge numbers through early next year, at least.
• Palin repeated a false claim that Obama once voted in favor of higher taxes on “families” making as little as $42,000 a year. He did not. The budget bill in question called for an increase only on singles making that amount, but a family of four would not have been affected unless they made at least $90,000 a year.

• Biden wrongly claimed that McCain “voted the exact same way” as Obama on the budget bill that contained an increase on singles making as little as $42,000 a year. McCain voted against it. Biden was referring to an amendment that didn't address taxes at that income level.

• Palin claimed McCain’s health care plan would be “budget neutral,” costing the government nothing. Independent budget experts estimate McCain's plan would cost tens of billions each year, though details are too fuzzy to allow for exact estimates.
• Biden wrongly claimed that McCain had said "he wouldn't even sit down" with the government of Spain. Actually, McCain didn't reject a meeting, but simply refused to commit himself one way or the other during an interview.

• Palin wrongly claimed that “millions of small businesses” would see tax increases under Obama’s tax proposals. At most, several hundred thousand business owners would see increases.

This came from the link below with further analysis and more: http://www.factcheck.org/elections-2008/factchecking_biden-palin_debate.html

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Matt Damon Speaks Out?

I posted a video on the right of Matt Damon speaking about Sarah Palin. Obviously, I am no closet Democrat, I am out there for all to see, but yet I still have some question about Matt Damon. Yes, many actors have gone on to politics riding on their celebrity to win elections. What was the name again of that B category actor that became President again? Then there is the former Zelda Gilroy character from the Dobie Gillis Show, in real life Sheila Kuehl who is a State Senator in California. Although many would like to forget, the Terminator is now Governor in California. There was a wresting champion as Governor in Minnesota. Surely, there are other screen guild members occupying government seats elsewhere also. But, by what political acumen makes Matt Damon a spokesperson? Even if one is to discredit his credentials for such, listening to this video did bring something to mind. Health insurance. He spoke about McCain's age, which triggered a problem we face with each vacation we take. Although I am able to readily find travel insurance for health care around the world for a nominal fee, it is a real issue finding it for Ron. He does have Blue Cross/Blue Shield; however, this requires an out of pocket payment and the hopes of being reimbursed 80% of the costs IF they agree with the charges. We have had experiences early on here in Hungary where tests were medically necessary for ruling out a cancerous growth, but BC/BS refused to cough up the reimbursement. Medicare does not provide coverage outside of the U.S. Ron now has Hungarian health insurance, which I have to admit is much better than any we had in the States. With Ron being over 65 years old, there are few choices for travel insurance and the few we have found are exorbitant. AARP is worthless, so don't even suggest it. Been there, tried that. Here is the link in my thinking on this. A U.S. citizen over 65 years old cannot get reasonable health coverage while outside of the country. Yet, we would consider risking the economic, political, and national security of the 'greatest nation in the world' in the hands of a 72 year old man who once had cancer. The key in what Matt Damon states is the phrase "actuary tables". We base so many things on actuary tables, the premiums we pay for health insurance, life insurance, death probability and more. Where does McCain fall on this table? Touting his 92 year old mother is a smoke screen to try to convince the public he has good genes and longevity, but where is his father? According to the actuary tables, U.S. women live longer than men do historically, so shoving your elderly mother in the public eye is no proof of anything. Being just the tip of the iceberg, it has made me wonder what Americans are thinking or rather do they think at all?

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