NHL to PA: “Let’s give them something to talk about”

0 points for originality.   lol 

I’m from Manitoba originally, but have lived in Minnesota for 8 years now (married an American, have a couple kids now, etc.) This is home now (although Canada will always be home too . This is my first federal election as an American citizen, and I didn’t vote. I’m personally disgusted with both political parties. I’m sick of Obama’s class warfare and big government philosophy, and I find myself unable to identify with the GOP related to most social issues (and definitely related to foreign policy). 

The country is clearly on the wrong track (even 4 years removed from George Bush), but partisanship continues to blind both sides to being able to find common ground and actual solutions. I have zero confidence that Obama or Romney can get this country on the right track. I just find myself unable to engage anymore. However this ends up I’m nervous the country is in for some tough times going forward. 

Al Gore, the candidate who won the popular vote in 2000. Just like your complaint about Romney. Try to stay on point Dougy. 

I personally have no problem with big government policies.  The countries with a rising standard of living in the world right now have big governments and big taxes, but their people are generally much happier and less fraught with stress and mental anxieties. 

I live in Houston. I agree with you about Partisanship, and the desire to prevent the other party from enacting change. There is no desire to move the country forward in any unified way. Word of caution, do not let the family get really sick, or you will see first hand what is really f–ked.  :)

Obie:  NHL grows its fan base. Can ypu imagine what a windfall NBC would have if this season was cancelled and NBC gets year 11 as a freebie.

You wouldn’t be a government employee would you?

My main issue with big government is as it relates to economic policy. I really believe that incentive breeds excellence. The government’s job should be to foster an environment that creates incentive and opportunity, not dependance and entitlement. I’m no economic expert, but it just seems pretty straight forward. Demonizing those who are successful and the depending on redistribution of wealth (revenue sharing!) doesn’t lend itself to long-term economic health and success imo.

Rusty: had to laugh. Wondered where you were (thinking when it got to politics you might have signed off). Guess you were ghosting.

How are the tensions and stress levels in Greece these days?  Big government and spending to the extreme.

Well, I see why a lot of people see it that way.  There is certainly some merit to the notion that competition breeds innovation.  However, I think the idea that an unleashed economy will produce this competition is one of the greatest myths the right wing has ever managed to conceive (2nd only to the Jesusification of politics). 
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All the competition that bred excellence and innovation in capitalist North America came about during wars.  Since the rest of the world has caught up, the only thing competition has bred is a need to send jobs overseas and undercut the competition (and with it the middle class) by removing labor from the equation.
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Remember, all the best parts of America were built by taxing the shit out of the richest people in the country.  Coming out for WWII the top 10% of earners were being taxed as much as 40%.  Today they contribute a tiny fraction of that, and have developed numerous ways to ship their earnings out of America’s borders before governments can re-distribute any of it. 
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But I’m not trying to convince you – just thought it was an interesting talking point. 

looks like a big win for Obama…………274-201

Off topic, but really digging  the new Aerosmith .