BTW- 66% of all law suits are dismissed by the judges without them ever having a chance to be heard by a jury of their peers. These judges have a life time position- unchallenged- and are not known for speed or working hard. So laws or no laws- just try to have your day in court little people. Won’t happen unless you are willing and able to spend a lot of money. Most people cannot afford to have their case dismissal appealed before the circuit courts. They go away - cutting their losses. And only 15% of appealed cases are overturned by the circuit courts. That does not mean those cases don’t have merit and should be tried - it means the judges like to keep their dockets light and are also responding to political agendas by those that had appointed them to their cushie jobs.

The problem is not that the philosophy of the Republican administration isn’t working the way it’s supposed to work, the problem is that it is working the way it’s supposed to work. They don’t believe that government has a role in solving national problems because they believe that government is the problem. They think we’re better off if we just dismantle government. The selection of Sarah Palin is a harsh reminder of the kind of government that Bush and republicans have been providing for the past eight years. Alberto Gonzales, Harriet Miers, Michael “Brownie” Brown, Michael Chertoff, Monica Goodling and many others have become symbols of what is wrong with the republican administration. These individuals do not represent the best and brighest of what this country offers, rather they represent the disdain and disrespect republicans have for govenment and the people they serve. Picking qualified people to serve in government matters.

I would have loved to be a fly sitting in on these debates on how to pick a VP candidate. Did the list go: Woman, attractive, religious, younger than 72, experience in the field would help but not needed. Senator I am all for a lady by your side but I have the feeling that the Republican party must have a few better choices. You can’t clone Hillary but there had to be a better qualified lady out there agreeing with your policies. My vote is for Obama.

To all Hillary Clinton supporters (and I am one of you): Let’s put Our Gal on the Supreme Court! Vote for Barack Obama! Do you remember back when she was still Hillary Rodham? The American Bar Association listed her as one of the 100 best lawyers in this nation. Come on! Let us put her where she can help us for the rest of her life!

Marlo, I’m assuming that you also felt disenfranchised by the DNC (WE) Do Not Count. As a Hillarty supporter, you were NOT angered that Barack Obama did not even VET Hillary Clinton for the 2nd spot on the ticket? It didn’t bother you that 18,000,000 voters were ignored and he decided to go with Joe Biden…one of the good ole boys??? Wow…I should be impressed but I’m extemely disappointed! I was furious and still am. John McCain’s choice of Sarah Palin was brilliant…this woman is an accomplished, competent and very impressive VP candidate. Check out her very credible credentials as she’s had 20 mo. of executive experience whereas Barack Obama has none! She is by far more experience than Obama and she’s on the BOTTOM half of the ticket! As Hillary once said…”I know John McCain has a lifetime of experiences to bring to the White House; Senator Obama has a speech.” I’m taking my cue from Hillary…I will be voting for the vetted, EXPERIENCED, honorable, bipartisan John McCain and his very capable “woman of substance”, Sarah Palin!

Yes, Marlo, they don’t understand women, but they do understand winning and will will try anything to get us to elect them. In her column today, Maureen Dowd spun this latest desperate act into the plot for a movie, but honestly, ever since they made the announcement, I’ve felt that we are all actually living in a bad chick flic called “A Heartbeat Away,” starring Tina Fey with big hair. There could be all sorts of plot complications, including one really politically incorrect twist that Maureen didn’t mention: the president could get pregnant! The commander in chief knocked up! The leader of the free world in labor! Being a New Yorker, I sometimes feel that I am living in a Woody Allen movie. Which I enjoy. But this? Maureen spells it out really well in her column: this film is based on a “wild stroke of fate when the two-year governor of an oversized igloo becomes commander in chief after the president-elect chokes on a pretzel on day one.” My favorite part is the scene where Palin takes off her glasses, lets down her hair, and faces down Putin with the line, “Back off, Commie dude, I’m a much better shot than Cheney.” As a writer, I believe in the suspension of disbelief. In fiction, not in our national elections.

Have any of you ladies read the story on www.dailykos.com about the pregnancy and birth of the child that Ms. Palin calls her own? It is extraordinary, in my view, and, if not true, represents the most amazing set of coincidences and poor obstetric care.

Palin will not lure Hillary voters, but Dobson’s Evangelicals will start the cash flowing into McCain campaign and solidify a faltering base. Criticizing her should be strictly on the issues and clarigying the differences. Putting her down derisively will not play well and be viewed as sexist. I am voting for Obama and Biden, but feel it would be wise to single out the differences in positions without being denigrating and insulting to Palin. Her strength lies in GOP moms and some racist blue collars. She should not be underestimated. These voters feel her qualified, so the job in debate and in strategy is to challenge her actual positions on issues and her official/ voting records.