Sometimes a simple act of sharing a newspaper op-ed can spur some interesting comments. When I shared This Article it elicited comments I'd like to preserve here.
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a penny for their thoughts would be more than adequate compensation...
Actually, I think their thoughts are for sale to certain select individuals for several million dollars in donations. Or, do I have thoughts confused with souls, in this case?
I respect Friedman and his colleague, David Brooks, but I have finally and genuinely become an independent. From where I stand, both parties are failing us. On the Dem side I like Bernie and Elizabeth Warren (not even running!) and for Repubs Carson and Christie (no real chance for either). Leaders, where ARE you?
I like the fact that Ben Carson relieved my mother's terrific pain with his surgery skills, and I have other family members who have worked closely with him and have great admiration for him. Politically he is, to my mind, absurd. He owes so much of his great achievement to (of course) his own hard work and talent, but he is also indebted to the progressive politics represented by Warren and Sanders and their ideological forebears (TR, FDR, HHH, LBJ etc.) for his opportunities to use his talents so beautifully. Yet he calls health-care reform the next thing to slavery? I am curious as to how you can reconcile support of the first two with support of a failed NJ governor and a magnificent surgeon whose policies are the polar opposite to Bernie and Eliz.?
As for me, I am a moderately progressive Democrat. I believe our country has faired best, domestically, under the likes of TR, WW, FDR, Truman, Ike, JFK, LBJ, Carter, Clinton & Obama. All a little to the right of Sanders and Warren, probably, but definitely far to the left of Christie and Carson. I have great admiration for your first two mentions, but I think the more moderate Clinton has a better shot at election, will be an inspiring leader for millions of little girls, and has proven her ability and leadership skills as first lady, senator, and secretary of state. Besides that I greatly admire her personally for her grace under tremendous embarrassment and pressure.
Bush and Hillary will be our set-ups in Nov. 2016. Big money, names people know and either love or hate. Major media will fall in behind one of these people, some never doing due diligence on others who are more qualified and more ethical. Christie is like Warren - passionate, energetic, says what he thinks. Warren was run away from D.C. in short order when she spoke her mind, and Christie, is getting guff from everywhere. To be fair, NJ was under Jon Corzine (sp.?), who missed a prison gig because of his Wall Street connections. According to friends who live there, that's how Christie got elected twice in a blue state. They don't love him but are so-so about him now. Severe conservatives still haven't forgiven him for hugging Obama during Sandy. All these people are deeply intelligent and well-educated. They have been involved in endeavors other than politics. I admire that. None of these people I favor have a snowball's chance. The Dems are worried about Hillary, but the Biden talk is no more than a trail balloon. The party will get behind her, and the Repubs behind Bush. The Tea Party will be happy only with someone like Walker, and I could not vote for him. Hillary and her sort-of hubby? No can do. I may end up writing your name in! I am glad Carson was able to help your mother. Al Hunt interviewed him on Charlie Rose and mentioned he had operated on his son.
That's trial balloon - excuse me! My editor is on vacation.
Carson recognizes that "slavery" was not a good analogy there...but many people as second and third and more generations stuck in "welfare" certainly " seem "slaves to that way of life." I do not wish to get into a political argument but Ben Carson would make a great President. Our welfare system now is not what it was when Carson's mother with a third grade education and two boys to raise alone...took advantage of every opportunity including welfare along with faith in God, hard work and using the Brain God gave them to succeed in life,,,
Yes, Carson has an inspiring story. I've only recently noticed him but have read and heard about him for a few years. After listened to several of his interviews, hosted primarily by more progressive leaning hosts, I was impressed. He's not intimidated by media.
They don't have their own thoughts.
Kinda like tossing coins down an empty well. Or into a black hole. Not likely to get your moneyʻs worth.
Carson? May be a decent surgeon (?), but has made too many totally insane statements.
Christie is a bullying windbag who makes equally insane remarks. Loves to pander to the lunatic fringe. Wants to punch everybody.
Bush is still a Bush and his family has always been influenced by Wall Street.
All the rest are the lunatic fringe.
Hillary is bright and accomplished, but kinda creeps me out. Might have bumped her head too hard.
Bernie is a wonder, seems to have paid a lot of attention to what has worked well in other societies, and what has gone horribly wrong in ours. Speaks the truth, doesnʻt equivocate, and probably doesnʻt have a snowballʻs chance.
Liz Warren could be the real deal, a huge breath of sanity in an increasingly uncertain environment at every level. but too smart to run.
Sigh.
Notice I didnʻt mention Trump. He should be wearing clown shoes.
We've been around long enough to recall feeling real excitement and admiration for presidential candidates. We wanted to work in their campaigns. We trusted what they said, for the most part, but we also knew they weren't oracles. They didn't know everything because who does? But we believed they had the ability to lead our country - to collaborate, to compromise, to behave in a presidential manner, to show they cared about doing these things. In D.C. today we have people who chase big donors and are indifferent to voters. They're really talented at posing, preening and making banal announcements and pronouncements via sound bites. I have no reason to believe this will change in January 2017 when a new president takes his or her oath.
Expensive clown shoes, but yes - they would balance his hair.
