I am one of those Hillary supporters that will vote McCain

[Elspeth]

I've had it with DU, with the immature and often bizarre behavior expressed towards women over there. Even worse is the assumption that if you think Obama is inexperienced, you are some sort of racist.

This was my parting thread at that place:

http://www.democraticunderground.com...esg_id=6240654

Since I'll be voting for McCain in the primary, I thought I'd come over and see what you all were about.

About me: moderate Dem. Fiscal conservative. Social liberal.

I want habeas corpus reinstated. I want eminent domain decimated, especially now that the government can take your land and sell it to another (rich or well-connected) private buyer. I believe the eminent domain decision made us all renters, since our land can be taken away at any time. I believe that habeas corpus and the right to property ownership are the cornerstones of American democracy (that which we inherited from Britain) and their suspension destroys our very real freedom.

I am for the Second amendment and believe that victims of violent crime (rape, armed robbery, attempted murder, etc.) should be allowed to carry concealed weapons if the criminal involved has threatened their lives and is on parole.

I am very pro-choice. No talking me out of that one. I am very feminist in that I want the right to have power, make money, own property, have control over my life, and help those whom I think need it. I do not have children by choice, but feel that if you want 12 kids (and can take care of them) that's your choice.

I hope you won't mind if I come here from time to time.

Elspeth.

[Goldwater]

Welcome Elspeth, I didn't actually think Hillary supporters that would crossover to McCain existed, but I guess the moderate thing works wonders with you guys.

Actually, your positions are similar to mine, except you probably don't want to shrink the government like a lot of us do.

Anyway, I hope you enjoy yourself round these here parts.

[Phillygirl]

Welcome Elspeth.

Question for you: Why should you only be allowed to carry a weapon after you've been a victim of a crime?

[Elspeth]

Welcome Elspeth.

Question for you: Why should you only be allowed to carry a weapon after you've been a victim of a crime?

I'll tell why. I worry that concealed weapons for everyone would be misused. I am in California and watch road rage on a daily basis. I can't imagine what it would be like if someone lost it on the 405 freeway during rush hour and just started shooting someone who cut him off. That's my fear.

But, I know there is an argument for carrying concealed weapons, especially as crime gets worse. My grandfather ran a business in the 1940s and he would close up shop at night and carry deposits to the overnight depository at the bank. He carried a gun with him every night for protection.

In the end, I have no problem with responsible people having weapons and having the ability to carry them. The problem is that so many people are irresponsible. I just don't trust that a minor incident at a bar or a gas station won't blow up into a big one because some irresponsible people have weapons.

That said, I have gun owners in my family and they feel safer with them. They cannot carry them because of the state they live in, but they have them in their homes.

Elspeth.

[gator]

You are very welcome here.

[Elspeth]

You are very welcome here.

Thank you. I am just browing and trying to see what discussions are going on. After the wars at DU, your kindness is very much appreciated.

[Elspeth]

Thank you. I appreciate it.

When it comes to government, I think it has an important role. What bothers me most is its inefficiency. I know people at high levels in certain agencies that work very hard and are really good, but the get undermined by both political appointees above them, and some of the workers below them who are basically taking up space. THere are good people in government, but they often get overwhelmed by the time wasters, the politicos, etc.

I have another friend who is a contractor for a government agency. She does all the GSers work for them, gets no credit and does not have the job security. The contractors used to get paid more, but, now, that's not even true. My friend says that one GS15 she knows sits around reading science fiction all day, running out the clock until retirement.

In the end, what they need to do is go through and find all of the hardworking Gsers and contractors and keep them. Then, they need to get rid of the rest. They could then hire some new people, and a lot of fewer of them, and you'd get smaller AND more efficient government.

That's my view of it, having friends in different agencies.

[SaintLouieWoman]

Thank you. I appreciate it.

When it comes to government, I think it has an important role. What bothers me most is its inefficiency. I know people at high levels in certain agencies that work very hard and are really good, but the get undermined by both political appointees above them, and some of the workers below them who are basically taking up space. THere are good people in government, but they often get overwhelmed by the time wasters, the politicos, etc.

I have another friend who is a contractor for a government agency. She does all the GSers work for them, gets no credit and does not have the job security. The contractors used to get paid more, but, now, that's not even true. My friend says that one GS15 she knows sits around reading science fiction all day, running out the clock until retirement.

In the end, what they need to do is go through and find all of the hardworking Gsers and contractors and keep them. Then, they need to get rid of the rest. They could then hire some new people, and a lot of fewer of them, and you'd get smaller AND more efficient government.

That's my view of it, having friends in different agencies.

Welcome Elsbeth. You sound like you have a good knowledge of the government process. I've sold to various government agencies for over 25 years. You give an extremely accurate picture of what goes on. There are some good, competent government people, but the system itself never looks at the big picture, just from one fiscal year to the next fiscal year. Long range planning isn't high on their priorities.

You are more than welcome here. Your ideas aren't all that incompatible with many here. I applaud your decision to not just go by party. I will be supporting McCain, as the option isn't viable in my opinion. I saw a friend last night and we're both looking for McCain headquarters so we can volunteer.

[Elspeth]

Welcome Elsbeth. You sound like you have a good knowledge of the government process. I've sold to various government agencies for over 25 years. You give an extremely accurate picture of what goes on. There are some good, competent government people, but the system itself never looks at the big picture, just from one fiscal year to the next fiscal year. Long range planning isn't high on their priorities.

You are more than welcome here. Your ideas aren't all that incompatible with many here. I applaud your decision to not just go by party. I will be supporting McCain, as the option isn't viable in my opinion. I saw a friend last night and we're both looking for McCain headquarters so we can volunteer.

I used to live in Washington DC and still have friends back there. The budgeting process is exactly as you describe it: everything is about spending all you get this year so you can get more than that next year. There is no long term planning, and a lot of that has to do with Jimmy Carter's move years ago to put political appointees in charge. The most planning that can be done, if any, is over 4 years, and sometimes, even 2 years, depending on how Congress is situated in terms of party. Sometimes, it seems that everything gets undone every 4 or 8 years. That was one of the reasons I didn't want to work for the government: I couldn't imagine having everything undone. Even the military gets frustrating. I have a friend who is a civilian working for an arm of the service in procurement. She and her team will work out these detailed cost analyses and then some politico or admiral will go golfing with a contractor, and the analysis will not even be looked at.

I appreciate your welcome. I am a moderate and have always been ok as a Dem, but this year I didn't even recognize my party.

[SaintLouieWoman]

I used to live in Washington DC and still have friends back there. The budgeting process is exactly as you describe it: everything is about spending all you get this year so you can get more than that next year. There is no long term planning, and a lot of that has to do with Jimmy Carter's move years ago to put political appointees in charge. The most planning that can be done, if any, is over 4 years, and sometimes, even 2 years, depending on how Congress is situated in terms of party. Sometimes, it seems that everything gets undone every 4 or 8 years. That was one of the reasons I didn't want to work for the government: I couldn't imagine having everything undone. Even the military gets frustrating. I have a friend who is a civilian working for an arm of the service in procurement. She and her team will work out these detailed cost analyses and then some politico or admiral will go golfing with a contractor, and the analysis will not even be looked at.

I appreciate your welcome. I am a moderate and have always been ok as a Dem, but this year I didn't even recognize my party.

After so many years of selling to the feds, I've about had it. The illogic is getting to me. The manufacturer of the product I represent got into a dispute with GSA! :eek: The contracting officer was being unreasonable. I know the VP with the manufacturer is a reasonable person. He couldn't take it and decided to go through a back door for the contract. Well, the new fiscal year started 10-1-07. We still don't have a contract.

Had a problem with one branch of the government here. They wanted to purchase my product, but refused to buy w/o the contract #. The open market price was lower than another method, purchased at a price at least 20% higher, from an 8a contractor. Instead they went with a mom and pop local place who lied and either gave an expired contract # or just made one up. I was the lowest price, gave them GSA terms, yet they went with someone else because I was honest and told the truth.

It's been blowing my mind. I've known people in the military who've worked for agencies here who left the military and took civilian status when Clinton was elected. They said they couldn't salute him. There are some very good people in the government; but I think the best just can't take the system for long. They end up with folks who are riding out the clock til retirement.

I'm very glad you decided to join our group. I think you'll enjoy it. :)