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Do You Feel Invisible to Your Government?
Target: Hillary Clinton for President CampaignSponsored by: Hillary Clinton for President
For six long years, America's working families have been invisible to our president.
Energy, health care, and education costs are rising while wages and incomes lag. Americans are working harder than ever, but keep falling further and further behind.
It's like middle class and hard working families don't even exist to this Administration.
If you're one of the nearly 90,000 people still living in trailers after Hurricane Katrina - you're invisible.
If you're a soldier back from Iraq fighting to get the treatment you need in crumbling facilities at Walter Reed - you're invisible.
If you're a parent who can't afford childcare or who struggles to get by on the minimum wage - while the wealthy get tax cuts -- you're invisible too.
Well, you're not invisible to the rest of America. When Hillary is in the White House, you will no longer be invisible to the President of the United States.
We want to hear your story. Share with our hillaryclinton.com community how you have felt invisible under the Bush Administration. Share with us your dreams for the future. And join the Hillary Clinton campaign to help make our way to the White House so we can change our country's direction and create a better future for everyone.
Energy, health care, and education costs are rising while wages and incomes lag. Americans are working harder than ever, but keep falling further and further behind.
It's like middle class and hard working families don't even exist to this Administration.
If you're one of the nearly 90,000 people still living in trailers after Hurricane Katrina - you're invisible.
If you're a soldier back from Iraq fighting to get the treatment you need in crumbling facilities at Walter Reed - you're invisible.
If you're a parent who can't afford childcare or who struggles to get by on the minimum wage - while the wealthy get tax cuts -- you're invisible too.
Well, you're not invisible to the rest of America. When Hillary is in the White House, you will no longer be invisible to the President of the United States.
We want to hear your story. Share with our hillaryclinton.com community how you have felt invisible under the Bush Administration. Share with us your dreams for the future. And join the Hillary Clinton campaign to help make our way to the White House so we can change our country's direction and create a better future for everyone.
Sign Petition! see who signed this
We signed the “Do You Feel Invisible to Your Government?” petition!
# 200:
9:04 am PDT, Aug 24,
V Grant, California
I believe the Bush administration is working hard to eliminate the middle class and working families. Then we will have either rich or poor. A poster advertising poor quality meat had the caption, "Now you can eat and pay your rent. That says it all, don't you think?
I believe the Bush administration is working hard to eliminate the middle class and working families. Then we will have either rich or poor. A poster advertising poor quality meat had the caption, "Now you can eat and pay your rent. That says it all, don't you think?
# 199:
9:03 am PDT, Aug 24,
Susan Wildes, California
If it wasn't for my husband's job, we wouldn't have healthcare. I couldn't afford healthcare from the time I graduated college until I married at age 33! And we can only dream of being able to someday buy a house (in California.) House prices are out of control.
If it wasn't for my husband's job, we wouldn't have healthcare. I couldn't afford healthcare from the time I graduated college until I married at age 33! And we can only dream of being able to someday buy a house (in California.) House prices are out of control.
# 198:
9:02 am PDT, Aug 24,
Lois Hemm, Florida
# 197:
9:01 am PDT, Aug 24,
Steven Brewer, New York
# 196:
9:00 am PDT, Aug 24,
Michelle Bair, Minnesota
I feel very invisible. I have been fighting to get my SSI for the past five years now, and they tell me that it's due to my age. I'm only 40, but I am disabled. I can not work anymore, so I have to be on Ga/Ma. Try living on 203.00 a month, with everything that is going up. all the prices on gas, food housing.I have to go to the food pantry at least twice a month because I can't buy food, and I don't qualify for food stamps. Being on ma is a joke. Although I got medical coverage from Ma, I still have to pay co-pays for all of my prescriptions. I'm on 13 different meds a day, and at 3.00 a co-pay and only getting 203.00 a month, don't leave me with much else to live on. With the price of natural gas, electric, and then count in the other bills, I can't live. I am what you might want to call the poorest of the poor, living way below poverty lines. I think that i would be better off being in jail, at least thenI would get three hots and a cot.
I feel very invisible. I have been fighting to get my SSI for the past five years now, and they tell me that it's due to my age. I'm only 40, but I am disabled. I can not work anymore, so I have to be on Ga/Ma. Try living on 203.00 a month, with everything that is going up. all the prices on gas, food housing.I have to go to the food pantry at least twice a month because I can't buy food, and I don't qualify for food stamps. Being on ma is a joke. Although I got medical coverage from Ma, I still have to pay co-pays for all of my prescriptions. I'm on 13 different meds a day, and at 3.00 a co-pay and only getting 203.00 a month, don't leave me with much else to live on. With the price of natural gas, electric, and then count in the other bills, I can't live. I am what you might want to call the poorest of the poor, living way below poverty lines. I think that i would be better off being in jail, at least thenI would get three hots and a cot.
# 195:
9:00 am PDT, Aug 24,
Heather Mcpeek, Kansas
I am a divorced mother of 3, I took two years off to spend time at home with my children and now after going back to work my salary is half of what it was. I make too much to qualify for any assistance but not enough to pay my bills.
I am a divorced mother of 3, I took two years off to spend time at home with my children and now after going back to work my salary is half of what it was. I make too much to qualify for any assistance but not enough to pay my bills.
# 194:
9:00 am PDT, Aug 24,
Name not displayed, New Mexico
Not everyone has money to pay there medical bills. A persons health plays a major role in a persons life. A persons health could be a major road block for being all that they could. When a person works hard, He/She needs their good health. JUST BECAUSE PRES. BUSH IS ANTI-ABORTION, DOESN'T MAKE HIM THE GREATEST LIFESAVOR OF A PRESIDENT. Greed is not a good thing either. It seems to me that he just used the anti-abortion thing to get votes. He doesn't seem to care about all the other evils that, most of us middle class, hard working people are concern about. Let's be good to each other.
Not everyone has money to pay there medical bills. A persons health plays a major role in a persons life. A persons health could be a major road block for being all that they could. When a person works hard, He/She needs their good health. JUST BECAUSE PRES. BUSH IS ANTI-ABORTION, DOESN'T MAKE HIM THE GREATEST LIFESAVOR OF A PRESIDENT. Greed is not a good thing either. It seems to me that he just used the anti-abortion thing to get votes. He doesn't seem to care about all the other evils that, most of us middle class, hard working people are concern about. Let's be good to each other.
# 193:
8:59 am PDT, Aug 24,
Name not displayed, New York
What is invisible to the Bush administration is everything but the war. For the past 6 yrs I have went back to school to make a better living then what I make now. I live week to week and like everyone else I am in debt. Student loans and so on. I'm 43 yrs old. In other countries you don't have to pay for education. The more educated you are the better off your work and home environment become. There is no such thing as personal anymore. When sending out resumes they fall into a black hole. Everything is robotic including this President. People are dying from this war that should not be. The drug companies are allowed to commercial you to death with commercials to push there products. It is depressing to see that on a daily basis and this country allows it which is a disgrace. For example. Make sure you ask your doctor to take this pill. The side effects your left eyeball will fall out. Other countries do not allow this. I'm a firm believer that the drug companies are poisoning the crops and society so everyone has to be on medication for a lifetime. It is a disgrace under this President children are on cholestoral and diabetic medicines. People are losing there homes left and right because they could no longer pay there mortgages. You go grocery shopping and you spend $150.00 and you walk out with only 8 bags of groceries. My dreams for the 2008 election is that the American Dream becomes revived. Right now with all I stated and there is a whole lot more the American Dream is almost completely Dead. No one smiles anymore. Do you ever walk into a restaurant, or store and everyone is not smiling. Why is that? Yes we have to not take the small things for granted but this country has. Life is too short. Please Hillary revive the american dream and bring happiness and joy into peoples lives.
What is invisible to the Bush administration is everything but the war. For the past 6 yrs I have went back to school to make a better living then what I make now. I live week to week and like everyone else I am in debt. Student loans and so on. I'm 43 yrs old. In other countries you don't have to pay for education. The more educated you are the better off your work and home environment become. There is no such thing as personal anymore. When sending out resumes they fall into a black hole. Everything is robotic including this President. People are dying from this war that should not be. The drug companies are allowed to commercial you to death with commercials to push there products. It is depressing to see that on a daily basis and this country allows it which is a disgrace. For example. Make sure you ask your doctor to take this pill. The side effects your left eyeball will fall out. Other countries do not allow this. I'm a firm believer that the drug companies are poisoning the crops and society so everyone has to be on medication for a lifetime. It is a disgrace under this President children are on cholestoral and diabetic medicines. People are losing there homes left and right because they could no longer pay there mortgages. You go grocery shopping and you spend $150.00 and you walk out with only 8 bags of groceries. My dreams for the 2008 election is that the American Dream becomes revived. Right now with all I stated and there is a whole lot more the American Dream is almost completely Dead. No one smiles anymore. Do you ever walk into a restaurant, or store and everyone is not smiling. Why is that? Yes we have to not take the small things for granted but this country has. Life is too short. Please Hillary revive the american dream and bring happiness and joy into peoples lives.
# 192:
8:59 am PDT, Aug 24,
Kim Simmons, Arkansas
I believe that the Bush administration will go down in history and the absolute worst in the US. Face it, even Richard Nixon looks like a saint compared to George W. Bush. I believe that Bush will invade or bomb Iran very soon and also that he will find a way, under the vast powers that Congress and the Senate granted him, to continue his "reign of terror" AFTER he is due to step down as president. I feel invisible, used, cheated and just plain disgusted with our city, state and federal governments. To quote from the film "Network": I'm mad as hell and I am not going to take this anymore! I have been encouraging my Congressperson to begin charges of impeachment against George W. Bush, Dick Cheney and Alberto Gonzalez, but to no avail! Mrs. Clinton, if you become president I pray that you do not forget the voices you have heard on this issue. I would also pray that God would bless you and that you would do your best to get us out of the quagmire in the Middle East.
I believe that the Bush administration will go down in history and the absolute worst in the US. Face it, even Richard Nixon looks like a saint compared to George W. Bush. I believe that Bush will invade or bomb Iran very soon and also that he will find a way, under the vast powers that Congress and the Senate granted him, to continue his "reign of terror" AFTER he is due to step down as president. I feel invisible, used, cheated and just plain disgusted with our city, state and federal governments. To quote from the film "Network": I'm mad as hell and I am not going to take this anymore! I have been encouraging my Congressperson to begin charges of impeachment against George W. Bush, Dick Cheney and Alberto Gonzalez, but to no avail! Mrs. Clinton, if you become president I pray that you do not forget the voices you have heard on this issue. I would also pray that God would bless you and that you would do your best to get us out of the quagmire in the Middle East.
# 191:
8:59 am PDT, Aug 24,
Steven Willhite, Texas
The ways that I feel invisible is when it is so obvious that the corporations are in control of the people instead of the people through their criministic lobbying. I feel invisible when these corps charge whatever amount of money they want to as if they are a monopoly(sometimes they are) and competiton does not drive down costs the way it is suppose to. I feel invisible when I asked Hillary that if I could raise the same amount of money and gifts given to you by the health care industry would she give the money back, and they(she) is too condescending to answer me. I feel invisible when the crooked ass main stream media cannot give me REAL NEWS, blocks any campaigner that does not get paid off by their corporate sponsors. I feel invisible when my Senator and Congressmen are never in touch with their constituents rendering them out of touch with reality. I feel very afraid that if one president can be a dictator, that it has now set a precedence for dictatorship with every prez to follow. I feel invisible when.....well, I could go on ad infinitum, but you Hillary team people are so smart and I'm so stupid that you won't take me seriously anyway so why waiste the effort?? REJECT CORPORATE MONEY AND MAYBE I'LL VOTE FOR YOU. Because I am so disheartened right now i am seriously considering expatriation.
The ways that I feel invisible is when it is so obvious that the corporations are in control of the people instead of the people through their criministic lobbying. I feel invisible when these corps charge whatever amount of money they want to as if they are a monopoly(sometimes they are) and competiton does not drive down costs the way it is suppose to. I feel invisible when I asked Hillary that if I could raise the same amount of money and gifts given to you by the health care industry would she give the money back, and they(she) is too condescending to answer me. I feel invisible when the crooked ass main stream media cannot give me REAL NEWS, blocks any campaigner that does not get paid off by their corporate sponsors. I feel invisible when my Senator and Congressmen are never in touch with their constituents rendering them out of touch with reality. I feel very afraid that if one president can be a dictator, that it has now set a precedence for dictatorship with every prez to follow. I feel invisible when.....well, I could go on ad infinitum, but you Hillary team people are so smart and I'm so stupid that you won't take me seriously anyway so why waiste the effort?? REJECT CORPORATE MONEY AND MAYBE I'LL VOTE FOR YOU. Because I am so disheartened right now i am seriously considering expatriation.
# 190:
8:57 am PDT, Aug 24,
June Attarian, Missouri
I am a 53 year old unemployed married woman w/a husband working and 2 children. Our son is in college and our daughter attends a parochial school because of the public schools in the city where we live are mostly closed or in a terrible area & very far from our home. We can hardly afford their tuition and don't get very much financial aid. My job was eliminated due to the company downsizing. It was a fairly decent paying position w/the railroad but unfortunately I was not there long enough to get any retirement when I am old enough. My family gets by right now w/my husband's salary from his restaurant manager position (he's on salary & can work up to 60 hours) along w/my unemployment checks which are about to run out. He has to pay for our health insurance which is about $500 month. We are really in debt w/credit cards having to charge groceries, etc. I am a democrat and have seen our country go down further by the Bush administration which I feel only cares about the rich who have endorsed him. I truly hope a democrat wins this time and can turn our country around for the better. I know there are people out there in worse situations than ours and I am scared for our future w/only getting social security to get by since we don't have a 401K or any type of pension where we have previously worked. We certainly don't have $2,000 to put away each year for both of us towards an IRA as we can barely pay our bills that we have to sustain our household now. My husband and myself both have our B.A. degrees but are not working in the fields that we studied in. Hopefully our children will be successful w/their lives and I pray that the same be for their children also.
I am a 53 year old unemployed married woman w/a husband working and 2 children. Our son is in college and our daughter attends a parochial school because of the public schools in the city where we live are mostly closed or in a terrible area & very far from our home. We can hardly afford their tuition and don't get very much financial aid. My job was eliminated due to the company downsizing. It was a fairly decent paying position w/the railroad but unfortunately I was not there long enough to get any retirement when I am old enough. My family gets by right now w/my husband's salary from his restaurant manager position (he's on salary & can work up to 60 hours) along w/my unemployment checks which are about to run out. He has to pay for our health insurance which is about $500 month. We are really in debt w/credit cards having to charge groceries, etc. I am a democrat and have seen our country go down further by the Bush administration which I feel only cares about the rich who have endorsed him. I truly hope a democrat wins this time and can turn our country around for the better. I know there are people out there in worse situations than ours and I am scared for our future w/only getting social security to get by since we don't have a 401K or any type of pension where we have previously worked. We certainly don't have $2,000 to put away each year for both of us towards an IRA as we can barely pay our bills that we have to sustain our household now. My husband and myself both have our B.A. degrees but are not working in the fields that we studied in. Hopefully our children will be successful w/their lives and I pray that the same be for their children also.
# 189:
8:56 am PDT, Aug 24,
Name not displayed, New Jersey
We are a family of six,my husband is self employeed and I am helping him in his buisness. Our major concer is not having medical insurance, and that is because we can't effort to pay for it.
We are a family of six,my husband is self employeed and I am helping him in his buisness. Our major concer is not having medical insurance, and that is because we can't effort to pay for it.
# 188:
8:56 am PDT, Aug 24,
Brian Levin, Washington
# 187:
8:53 am PDT, Aug 24,
Name not displayed, Ohio
# 186:
8:53 am PDT, Aug 24,
Name not displayed, Washington D.C.
(I have signed anonymously simply because I do not trust our government officials.) It is not WE who are the only ones who are invisible, but our president is too. Intellectually, he is nowhere to be found. But, yes, I too feel invisible and not only because we no longer have a voice in how our government is run. As a resident of DC, we are by definition invisible without any representation in our federal government. But do not feel sorry for us because of this. The good news about living in DC is that we get to see the vp taking up the roadways as he goes back and forth to MacDonald's or work. And when I do see him, when his motorcade passes, I stand rigidly at attention. Then, as his two limos pass, I give him the VP salute, created by Nelson Rockefeller as VP and perfected by the current vp himself. What is sad about this is not he fact that I do that, but the fact that I have to do it. That's what this government has come to.
(I have signed anonymously simply because I do not trust our government officials.) It is not WE who are the only ones who are invisible, but our president is too. Intellectually, he is nowhere to be found. But, yes, I too feel invisible and not only because we no longer have a voice in how our government is run. As a resident of DC, we are by definition invisible without any representation in our federal government. But do not feel sorry for us because of this. The good news about living in DC is that we get to see the vp taking up the roadways as he goes back and forth to MacDonald's or work. And when I do see him, when his motorcade passes, I stand rigidly at attention. Then, as his two limos pass, I give him the VP salute, created by Nelson Rockefeller as VP and perfected by the current vp himself. What is sad about this is not he fact that I do that, but the fact that I have to do it. That's what this government has come to.
# 185:
8:53 am PDT, Aug 24,
Jan Brady, Texas
I feel invisible when I pay my taxes. I have 8 grandchildren that are probably the $$$ I spend on them away from having to totally depend on Gov't assistance. Yet I get no break on my income tax for those many thousands of dollars I spend over a years time buying coats, clothes, shoes, school supplies, ect....We believe, in our family ,that we stick together and help each other....I just wish the Gov't would in some way help families like ours out... just a little...
I feel invisible when I pay my taxes. I have 8 grandchildren that are probably the $$$ I spend on them away from having to totally depend on Gov't assistance. Yet I get no break on my income tax for those many thousands of dollars I spend over a years time buying coats, clothes, shoes, school supplies, ect....We believe, in our family ,that we stick together and help each other....I just wish the Gov't would in some way help families like ours out... just a little...
# 184:
8:53 am PDT, Aug 24,
Name not displayed, Washington
The old and the young sleep out in the street and on the sidewalks. We're spending hundreds of billions of dollars on defense from enemies we don't even have, and frankly, I don't feel any safer.
The old and the young sleep out in the street and on the sidewalks. We're spending hundreds of billions of dollars on defense from enemies we don't even have, and frankly, I don't feel any safer.
# 183:
8:50 am PDT, Aug 24,
Alice Henning, Indiana
# 182:
8:50 am PDT, Aug 24,
Janell Vircks, Minnesota
Both my husband and I work full time + (he works two jobs) and we can barely hang on to our modest home that badly needs repairs. We share a ten year old vehicle and usually put itmes back when the groceries are rung up. We do not take vacations, I have expensive health insurance, yet my husband does not. Children-? Wish we could afford to have at least one. Retirement Savings-? We plan on working a long past 67. If either one of us gets sick we will loose everything. If either one of us is unemployed we will loose everything. Take a look at our lives. It is nowhere near the life of a career politician. We both feel ingnored by our government. They do not live like us. They do not understand nor do they care. All we are to them is revenue. nothing more. We have no voice, few rights and live like serfs bound under the feudal system.
Both my husband and I work full time + (he works two jobs) and we can barely hang on to our modest home that badly needs repairs. We share a ten year old vehicle and usually put itmes back when the groceries are rung up. We do not take vacations, I have expensive health insurance, yet my husband does not. Children-? Wish we could afford to have at least one. Retirement Savings-? We plan on working a long past 67. If either one of us gets sick we will loose everything. If either one of us is unemployed we will loose everything. Take a look at our lives. It is nowhere near the life of a career politician. We both feel ingnored by our government. They do not live like us. They do not understand nor do they care. All we are to them is revenue. nothing more. We have no voice, few rights and live like serfs bound under the feudal system.
# 181:
8:49 am PDT, Aug 24,
Maggie Landis, New York
This is a great country and we need to take it back. During September 11th we were reminded of the generosity, caring and community that exists in America. From every corner of this country there are good and honest people who crave for better leadership. People who will roll up their sleaves and participate in putting this counrty back togeather. We need some one who has a grasp of history. Someone who is not afraid to say the truth. Someone who has the breath of vision that our founding fathers had. I honestly don't know who that person is but I believe that they exist. We need to stop taking care of the rest of the world and focus on the many issues that need attiontion at home. Why is health insurance so expense? Why does a trip to the hospital cost thousands? Why does education cost so much? Who beneifits from devitalized food? Why are so many Americans obese? We have lost out way. We bow down to the dollar and the quick fix. Fast is better, more is better. Maybe not. There needs to be a major rethink on all issues and the time is now.
This is a great country and we need to take it back. During September 11th we were reminded of the generosity, caring and community that exists in America. From every corner of this country there are good and honest people who crave for better leadership. People who will roll up their sleaves and participate in putting this counrty back togeather. We need some one who has a grasp of history. Someone who is not afraid to say the truth. Someone who has the breath of vision that our founding fathers had. I honestly don't know who that person is but I believe that they exist. We need to stop taking care of the rest of the world and focus on the many issues that need attiontion at home. Why is health insurance so expense? Why does a trip to the hospital cost thousands? Why does education cost so much? Who beneifits from devitalized food? Why are so many Americans obese? We have lost out way. We bow down to the dollar and the quick fix. Fast is better, more is better. Maybe not. There needs to be a major rethink on all issues and the time is now.
# 180:
8:49 am PDT, Aug 24,
Thorton Wells, Kansas
I do not think that Mrs. Clinton or anyone else is going to stop the United States from continuing its slide into oblivion .We americans have forgotten God as well as honesty and knowing right from wrong .A married womans place is in the home not running the White House .
I do not think that Mrs. Clinton or anyone else is going to stop the United States from continuing its slide into oblivion .We americans have forgotten God as well as honesty and knowing right from wrong .A married womans place is in the home not running the White House .
# 179:
8:49 am PDT, Aug 24,
Jay Sperry, Connecticut
In my opinion, every citizen in the USA is invisible to the current administration. They have in the past, and continue to this day, disregarded anything that we need, want, or dream of to make the USA safer at home and abroad. This administration has taken the sympathy that the world showed immediately following 9/11/2001 and turned the majority of nations against us, thinking that all USA citizens are uncouth, ignorant cowboys.
In my opinion, every citizen in the USA is invisible to the current administration. They have in the past, and continue to this day, disregarded anything that we need, want, or dream of to make the USA safer at home and abroad. This administration has taken the sympathy that the world showed immediately following 9/11/2001 and turned the majority of nations against us, thinking that all USA citizens are uncouth, ignorant cowboys.
# 178:
8:48 am PDT, Aug 24,
Asia Wall, Louisiana
As a young mom whose husband works tirelessly as an independent contractor, I feel invisible to the administration every time I have to scrape together enough money to cover our quarterly insurance premium. And then we still have to pay out of pocket for all of our medical expenses, which means that 'non-essentials' like dental exams go out the window. Also, as a citizen of New Orleans, with many friends still living in trailers or out of town, I feel like we have been left behind in a lot of ways, while the government pushes forward with their pro-war big spending agendas, ignoring the plight of the poor, the downtrodden, the unprotected here in New Orleans.
As a young mom whose husband works tirelessly as an independent contractor, I feel invisible to the administration every time I have to scrape together enough money to cover our quarterly insurance premium. And then we still have to pay out of pocket for all of our medical expenses, which means that 'non-essentials' like dental exams go out the window. Also, as a citizen of New Orleans, with many friends still living in trailers or out of town, I feel like we have been left behind in a lot of ways, while the government pushes forward with their pro-war big spending agendas, ignoring the plight of the poor, the downtrodden, the unprotected here in New Orleans.
# 177:
8:48 am PDT, Aug 24,
Name not displayed, Nevada
Someone needs to do something about the illegal immigrants in the US. The US makes it too easy for illegals to come into the country. As a child I lived in a middle class/safe neighborhood that was soon taken over by Mexican immigrants and now feels and looks like Tijuana. This has happened to too many neighborhoods. If foreigners want to live AND work in the US, they should have to do it LEGALLY and fairly!!! I would like to see the President live in a neighborhood like this for just a week. Most of the time I feel the government takes the approach of "ignorance is bliss". If they don't live in it, then it must not matter.
Someone needs to do something about the illegal immigrants in the US. The US makes it too easy for illegals to come into the country. As a child I lived in a middle class/safe neighborhood that was soon taken over by Mexican immigrants and now feels and looks like Tijuana. This has happened to too many neighborhoods. If foreigners want to live AND work in the US, they should have to do it LEGALLY and fairly!!! I would like to see the President live in a neighborhood like this for just a week. Most of the time I feel the government takes the approach of "ignorance is bliss". If they don't live in it, then it must not matter.
# 176:
8:47 am PDT, Aug 24,
Rachel Plass, New York
the cost of living goes up every day in this country and yet we are continued to be paid below living. I myself make 8.00 and hour no benifits no sick leave no everything. I am below poverty level according to my local Department of social services. Every week after i pay bills and by hygeine products i have no money to save nor do i have money to replenish food if food stamps run out. I am in collage trying to get a degree to be able to make more money but that should not be the only option there has to be some relief to the way people are living. Owners of franchises and coperations are golfing every day while are families are living in insufficent housing and horrible neighborhoods, while killing ourselves working and getting no where.
the cost of living goes up every day in this country and yet we are continued to be paid below living. I myself make 8.00 and hour no benifits no sick leave no everything. I am below poverty level according to my local Department of social services. Every week after i pay bills and by hygeine products i have no money to save nor do i have money to replenish food if food stamps run out. I am in collage trying to get a degree to be able to make more money but that should not be the only option there has to be some relief to the way people are living. Owners of franchises and coperations are golfing every day while are families are living in insufficent housing and horrible neighborhoods, while killing ourselves working and getting no where.
# 175:
8:47 am PDT, Aug 24,
Elizabeth McCracken, New York
Dear Senetor Clinton, It has become clear that large corporations are running this country. For example,food corporations are allowed to put inferior ingrediants and dangerous chemicals like MSG in our food. Obesity and type II diabetes are major problems in this country, and nothing is being done about the real problem, which is the quality of the food sold in this country. Another example are the drugs companies that push drugs on us with televison ads and by wining and dining our doctors. All drugs have side affects and should only be taken after othrs options have been tried. The drug companies do not care about the dangers of these drugs. It is clear their only motive is profit.
Dear Senetor Clinton, It has become clear that large corporations are running this country. For example,food corporations are allowed to put inferior ingrediants and dangerous chemicals like MSG in our food. Obesity and type II diabetes are major problems in this country, and nothing is being done about the real problem, which is the quality of the food sold in this country. Another example are the drugs companies that push drugs on us with televison ads and by wining and dining our doctors. All drugs have side affects and should only be taken after othrs options have been tried. The drug companies do not care about the dangers of these drugs. It is clear their only motive is profit.
# 174:
8:46 am PDT, Aug 24,
Patricia Kadis, Florida
# 173:
8:45 am PDT, Aug 24,
Shea Craver, California
My husband has been on total disability since 6/2004. We have a hearing 8/28/07. Because they don't understand his disability (ask the athletes with brain damage), they don't think he's disabled. Born here, paid into the system, but alas he might be faking it (Brain scans don't lie). Kind of makes you very disillusioned in our country. Start taking care of our citizens, not illegals. What about our rights?
My husband has been on total disability since 6/2004. We have a hearing 8/28/07. Because they don't understand his disability (ask the athletes with brain damage), they don't think he's disabled. Born here, paid into the system, but alas he might be faking it (Brain scans don't lie). Kind of makes you very disillusioned in our country. Start taking care of our citizens, not illegals. What about our rights?
# 172:
8:45 am PDT, Aug 24,
J.M. Averre, California
I am in my mid-30's, married, have a Bachelor's from a prestigious university, am financially responsible, am a frugal and consientious consumer, my eco-footprint is moderately small, I rent an apartment, and I have been unemployed for the last 6 years (and not for serious lack of trying to find full-time, solid work, I assure you). The unemployment market is flooded with people just like me, too -- and none of us are being counted accurately on the current unemployment polls. Bush & his cronies have done nothing to stop outsourcing of jobs from this country to places like China and India, to stop the tide of illegal immigrants from taking what jobs DO remain, to moderate the insurance and pharmaceutical industries so average Americans can afford to get medical care when required, to have capped the housing market when they had the chance to prevent the flood of foreclosures & the ridiculous current housing prices (my husband and I can't even afford a house because we're outpriced completely where we live). We can't go back to school, because Bush cut federal aid programs and the interest rates on educational loans is ridiculous, and I can't afford to subsidize anything myself at this point. I'm afraid to buy anything not made in the USA now, because the USDA and FDA are corrupt, and turn a blind eye to poor production quality and safety of products and foodstuffs (on the direct orders of Bush). We have no equity in which to build any sort of retirement, because our money goes right out to bills every month & my husband's company won't hire him on as an employee (he's a contractor), and so we don't get any 401K type benefits. This administration has made a mess of the environment, destroyed the economy, made it impossible for average middle-class Americans, like me, to find work, to own a home, to keep healthy, to be educated enough to compete in the current globalized market, to actually hold down a job as a full-time employee, to own products that are of high quality and safety standards, to afford a good life for raising children, and to not have to worry about retirement. I am one of the invisible to the likes of Bush and Cheney. I pray someone with sanity takes the Office in 2008, and can turn things around within 4 years. I doubt the timeline, but it's my wish... because I honestly don't think my husband and I are going to be able to continue the way we are now without government stepping in and doing something to fix the disaster Bush-Cheney have made of America.
I am in my mid-30's, married, have a Bachelor's from a prestigious university, am financially responsible, am a frugal and consientious consumer, my eco-footprint is moderately small, I rent an apartment, and I have been unemployed for the last 6 years (and not for serious lack of trying to find full-time, solid work, I assure you). The unemployment market is flooded with people just like me, too -- and none of us are being counted accurately on the current unemployment polls. Bush & his cronies have done nothing to stop outsourcing of jobs from this country to places like China and India, to stop the tide of illegal immigrants from taking what jobs DO remain, to moderate the insurance and pharmaceutical industries so average Americans can afford to get medical care when required, to have capped the housing market when they had the chance to prevent the flood of foreclosures & the ridiculous current housing prices (my husband and I can't even afford a house because we're outpriced completely where we live). We can't go back to school, because Bush cut federal aid programs and the interest rates on educational loans is ridiculous, and I can't afford to subsidize anything myself at this point. I'm afraid to buy anything not made in the USA now, because the USDA and FDA are corrupt, and turn a blind eye to poor production quality and safety of products and foodstuffs (on the direct orders of Bush). We have no equity in which to build any sort of retirement, because our money goes right out to bills every month & my husband's company won't hire him on as an employee (he's a contractor), and so we don't get any 401K type benefits. This administration has made a mess of the environment, destroyed the economy, made it impossible for average middle-class Americans, like me, to find work, to own a home, to keep healthy, to be educated enough to compete in the current globalized market, to actually hold down a job as a full-time employee, to own products that are of high quality and safety standards, to afford a good life for raising children, and to not have to worry about retirement. I am one of the invisible to the likes of Bush and Cheney. I pray someone with sanity takes the Office in 2008, and can turn things around within 4 years. I doubt the timeline, but it's my wish... because I honestly don't think my husband and I are going to be able to continue the way we are now without government stepping in and doing something to fix the disaster Bush-Cheney have made of America.
# 171:
8:43 am PDT, Aug 24,
Bud Mcallister, Connecticut
# 170:
8:43 am PDT, Aug 24,
Dorothy Mikos, Massachusetts
I'm 71 1/2 years old. I retired at 65, but found that I could not live on Social Security and the small pension from my place of business. I went back to work and will probably have to work until I'm 75 to have saved enough money to live on until I'm in my late 80's. I lost my health insurance and now must rely on Medicare entirely, as I can't afford suppliment insurance. One illness will wipe out my saving and endanger my home, where I have lived for the past 37 years. Taxes take a big bite out of my paycheck and because I'm over 70 1/2, I have to take money out of my 401 K, even though I would prefer to keep it in there until I can really retire for real.
I'm 71 1/2 years old. I retired at 65, but found that I could not live on Social Security and the small pension from my place of business. I went back to work and will probably have to work until I'm 75 to have saved enough money to live on until I'm in my late 80's. I lost my health insurance and now must rely on Medicare entirely, as I can't afford suppliment insurance. One illness will wipe out my saving and endanger my home, where I have lived for the past 37 years. Taxes take a big bite out of my paycheck and because I'm over 70 1/2, I have to take money out of my 401 K, even though I would prefer to keep it in there until I can really retire for real.
# 169:
8:42 am PDT, Aug 24,
Alyson Rector, Michigan
Gas prices, Iraq, Social Security, global warming and the ecology in general. There are so many vested interests in the Bush Administration that they have no time to listen to little old me. They don't even care that I am a registered voter.
Gas prices, Iraq, Social Security, global warming and the ecology in general. There are so many vested interests in the Bush Administration that they have no time to listen to little old me. They don't even care that I am a registered voter.
# 168:
8:42 am PDT, Aug 24,
William Levin, Washington
# 167:
8:42 am PDT, Aug 24,
Christina Bach, New York
# 166:
8:40 am PDT, Aug 24,
Tessa Bailey-Herren, Texas
Not enough help for poor,schools no longer care help kids learn, no longer help disabled. No child should wait a YEAR for special services!!My son has! Now he is two years behind. Both X husbands owe me 75 thousand, no one does nothing. I can only get health care if I do not work.I can not work now due to health concerns.But Once go back to minium wage job I will loose my health care.
Not enough help for poor,schools no longer care help kids learn, no longer help disabled. No child should wait a YEAR for special services!!My son has! Now he is two years behind. Both X husbands owe me 75 thousand, no one does nothing. I can only get health care if I do not work.I can not work now due to health concerns.But Once go back to minium wage job I will loose my health care.
# 165:
8:38 am PDT, Aug 24,
John Hutto, Oklahoma
Truthfully, I think most Americans feel invisible, even those fools who continue to say they are Repubs. and support Bush. We are all being disrespected by this president, a sociopath and his Darth Vader clone, Cheney. Sadly, many Democrats in Congress are too timid and corrupted by the same money that the Repubs. feed on. I have some of the doubts that others have expressed about Mrs. Clinton. In a perfect world I would vote Kucinich. However, Clinton can win and can govern from the middle and roll back most of the worst damage of Bush's follies.
Truthfully, I think most Americans feel invisible, even those fools who continue to say they are Repubs. and support Bush. We are all being disrespected by this president, a sociopath and his Darth Vader clone, Cheney. Sadly, many Democrats in Congress are too timid and corrupted by the same money that the Repubs. feed on. I have some of the doubts that others have expressed about Mrs. Clinton. In a perfect world I would vote Kucinich. However, Clinton can win and can govern from the middle and roll back most of the worst damage of Bush's follies.
# 164:
8:38 am PDT, Aug 24,
Lori Sherry, Texas
I urge you to PLEASE help those who don't have insurance or can't afford the insurance. I encourage you to PLEASE help those who are disabled also.
I urge you to PLEASE help those who don't have insurance or can't afford the insurance. I encourage you to PLEASE help those who are disabled also.
# 163:
8:37 am PDT, Aug 24,
Betsy Henderson, North Carolina
I feel invisible because I cannot afford decent health care. I work part-time for minimum wage; no money left over there for expensive tests which would be covered under Medicaid. I am not eligible for this program although many thousands of immigrants are! I am at an age (61) where health problems will start to be detected if caught early (colon cancer, heart attack/stroke, etc.). We need a health insurance program that ALL Americans can afford. I voted for Mr. Clinton and I will vote for Mrs. Clinton if she is nominated. I believe she will implement a national health care program for the "invisible" people, like me.
I feel invisible because I cannot afford decent health care. I work part-time for minimum wage; no money left over there for expensive tests which would be covered under Medicaid. I am not eligible for this program although many thousands of immigrants are! I am at an age (61) where health problems will start to be detected if caught early (colon cancer, heart attack/stroke, etc.). We need a health insurance program that ALL Americans can afford. I voted for Mr. Clinton and I will vote for Mrs. Clinton if she is nominated. I believe she will implement a national health care program for the "invisible" people, like me.
# 162:
8:36 am PDT, Aug 24,
William Martel, New York
# 161:
8:36 am PDT, Aug 24,
Jay Hansen, Utah
My adult life has been an exercise in losing ground. During the Clinton years, I was bombarded with tales of the "boom economy" while continually doing worse in terms of income, health care, and hours at work. The Clinton healthcare package was a sick joke, while my union was complicite in the supression of a single-payer plan that was the only workable option at the time. My dreams for the 2008 election are fairly straightforward: I don't have any. The candidates in the lead of both parties are malignant menaces who should not be given the time of day. Until American workers realize that change will not be elected, and will not come from above, I have very little hope. Let us have a general strike!
My adult life has been an exercise in losing ground. During the Clinton years, I was bombarded with tales of the "boom economy" while continually doing worse in terms of income, health care, and hours at work. The Clinton healthcare package was a sick joke, while my union was complicite in the supression of a single-payer plan that was the only workable option at the time. My dreams for the 2008 election are fairly straightforward: I don't have any. The candidates in the lead of both parties are malignant menaces who should not be given the time of day. Until American workers realize that change will not be elected, and will not come from above, I have very little hope. Let us have a general strike!
# 160:
8:34 am PDT, Aug 24,
Heather Mostardi, Pennsylvania
# 159:
8:33 am PDT, Aug 24,
Beverly Swaim, North Carolina
I have not decided who I will vote for yet. I do not base it on the individual party either. What I do base it on is how it benefits not only myself, but the majority as well. Kudos to one of the post's below regarding the woman's comments about single people. Statistics now say that there are more single people in the U.S. than married. However, single people without children are still very invisible. We do pay taxes, and we cannot get any breaks. I was married, and if I choose to remarry, I want it to be a choice. Not because I feel the necessity to marry to have financial support.
I have not decided who I will vote for yet. I do not base it on the individual party either. What I do base it on is how it benefits not only myself, but the majority as well. Kudos to one of the post's below regarding the woman's comments about single people. Statistics now say that there are more single people in the U.S. than married. However, single people without children are still very invisible. We do pay taxes, and we cannot get any breaks. I was married, and if I choose to remarry, I want it to be a choice. Not because I feel the necessity to marry to have financial support.
# 158:
8:33 am PDT, Aug 24,
Lindsey Noble, Colorado
I feel invisible because Bush seems to have taken office to plunder what he (and his cronies) can as fast as they can, without any regard for the consequences to the rest of the country or planet. Ever since Bush has been elected, my family has suffered and struggled while the economy collapsed, we were laid off and couldn't find new jobs for nearly a year since everyone else was looking too, we were dragged into the war and a culture of fascist forced "patriotism", the environment has been trashed and pillaged, and now Bush is cutting the measly child credit even more, which doesn't help us who try to work and pay for decent daycare for our kids. We're damned if we do, and damned if we don't in this country. Unless you're wealthy, male, straight and white, anyway- somehow, those guys get tax credits. So much for Republican family values, right?? They don't care if children are starving or dying from diseases easy to cure, as long as no gay people are getting married. Interesting priorities. Democrats recently elected in Colorado have already begun to make rapid positive change and do the right thing for humans, not oil companies. It gives me hope. I will vote for ANY Democrat in the presidential elections, since to me, it means a return to human values and personal responsibility in the White House. And, it's almost too much to hope: a president who isn't illiterate and an international embarrassment??Here's the difference: Dems put people before money, and Republicans put money before people. It will always be that way, and the consequences to our planet and country are already obvious and appalling. Kick some ass, Hillary. I know you will, and I'm right there with you.
I feel invisible because Bush seems to have taken office to plunder what he (and his cronies) can as fast as they can, without any regard for the consequences to the rest of the country or planet. Ever since Bush has been elected, my family has suffered and struggled while the economy collapsed, we were laid off and couldn't find new jobs for nearly a year since everyone else was looking too, we were dragged into the war and a culture of fascist forced "patriotism", the environment has been trashed and pillaged, and now Bush is cutting the measly child credit even more, which doesn't help us who try to work and pay for decent daycare for our kids. We're damned if we do, and damned if we don't in this country. Unless you're wealthy, male, straight and white, anyway- somehow, those guys get tax credits. So much for Republican family values, right?? They don't care if children are starving or dying from diseases easy to cure, as long as no gay people are getting married. Interesting priorities. Democrats recently elected in Colorado have already begun to make rapid positive change and do the right thing for humans, not oil companies. It gives me hope. I will vote for ANY Democrat in the presidential elections, since to me, it means a return to human values and personal responsibility in the White House. And, it's almost too much to hope: a president who isn't illiterate and an international embarrassment??Here's the difference: Dems put people before money, and Republicans put money before people. It will always be that way, and the consequences to our planet and country are already obvious and appalling. Kick some ass, Hillary. I know you will, and I'm right there with you.
# 157:
8:32 am PDT, Aug 24,
Amber Boynton, Missouri
# 156:
8:32 am PDT, Aug 24,
Lisa Hooser, Illinois
I worked for the Clinton/Gore administration and during that time life was good. Since Bush has been in office, I feel my personal rights as a woman have been taken away. We need more research and funding for women's healthcare. Birth control options are being regulated by Washington. Bush needs to bring our troop home from Iraq. I have personally lost two dear friends in this war and now my brother is being sent to Iraq as a civilian contractor. How many more must die to rebuild an area that does not want us there and continues to bomb and slaughter our citizens. Bush needs to listen to the American People !!!! End this NOW !!! My highest hopes are for a new Clinton Administration.
I worked for the Clinton/Gore administration and during that time life was good. Since Bush has been in office, I feel my personal rights as a woman have been taken away. We need more research and funding for women's healthcare. Birth control options are being regulated by Washington. Bush needs to bring our troop home from Iraq. I have personally lost two dear friends in this war and now my brother is being sent to Iraq as a civilian contractor. How many more must die to rebuild an area that does not want us there and continues to bomb and slaughter our citizens. Bush needs to listen to the American People !!!! End this NOW !!! My highest hopes are for a new Clinton Administration.
# 155:
8:31 am PDT, Aug 24,
Nicole Ballachino, Ohio
I am a single mother of 3. After losing my f/t permanent job in 2004, I have been unable to obtain gainful employment. I have only been able to get short term, temporary positions through staffing agencies. I have been without a job at all for 8 1/2 months now. There are no breaks for single parents. I have no support system and it is hard to even make it to job interviews with no one to watch my children. Our county department of jobs and family services no longer offers a program to help in this situation. Funding was cut. I am a well educated woman who values her family and wants to provide for them, but in this job market I am unable to make ends meet. We are currently homeless due to this situation and forced to stay with friends until something gives. I want to see help for single parents and hard-working families come with this new election. I don't want to feel invisible anymore and I don't want my children to grow up thinking they are invisible.
I am a single mother of 3. After losing my f/t permanent job in 2004, I have been unable to obtain gainful employment. I have only been able to get short term, temporary positions through staffing agencies. I have been without a job at all for 8 1/2 months now. There are no breaks for single parents. I have no support system and it is hard to even make it to job interviews with no one to watch my children. Our county department of jobs and family services no longer offers a program to help in this situation. Funding was cut. I am a well educated woman who values her family and wants to provide for them, but in this job market I am unable to make ends meet. We are currently homeless due to this situation and forced to stay with friends until something gives. I want to see help for single parents and hard-working families come with this new election. I don't want to feel invisible anymore and I don't want my children to grow up thinking they are invisible.
# 154:
8:31 am PDT, Aug 24,
Ms Zentura, Wyoming
# 153:
8:31 am PDT, Aug 24,
Jorge Matos, California
WOW! I hope you're serious about reading all the comments below and above. It's amazingly enlightening. Listen to the people!
WOW! I hope you're serious about reading all the comments below and above. It's amazingly enlightening. Listen to the people!
# 152:
8:30 am PDT, Aug 24,
Teresa ORourke, Oklahoma
I am a self employed divorced woman of 51. By the time I pay taxes and expenses, there is no room for health care. I have to "borrow" medicine from a friend who has health insurance. I have asthma and without this friend, I would not survive. I have tried sliding scale clinics, who would make me pay full price because of my gross income, so this is not an option. I have been to a "free" clinic that turned me away when I was having an asthma attack because I was not pre-enrolled and did not meet the criteria. If my friend dies, I guess I'm next. Yes, I believe I am one of millions who are invisible. I have often wondered why we jump into war in other countries, when our own people are suffering so?
I am a self employed divorced woman of 51. By the time I pay taxes and expenses, there is no room for health care. I have to "borrow" medicine from a friend who has health insurance. I have asthma and without this friend, I would not survive. I have tried sliding scale clinics, who would make me pay full price because of my gross income, so this is not an option. I have been to a "free" clinic that turned me away when I was having an asthma attack because I was not pre-enrolled and did not meet the criteria. If my friend dies, I guess I'm next. Yes, I believe I am one of millions who are invisible. I have often wondered why we jump into war in other countries, when our own people are suffering so?
# 151:
8:30 am PDT, Aug 24,
Name not displayed, Arizona
I like many others middle class women thougth that I will retire and be able to provide for basic needs. I retired but unable to pay basic bills keep me going seeeking employment probable until I died. There are major problems that need our elected officials urgent attention but there is one that needs to be expose Nationwide and it is the wave of abuse toward women and children that is being perpretated by mainly financially abled men or those that are using government programs to inflict abuse not only physically but emotional and mentally to women and children through the FAMILY COURT SYSTEM. These men has money, the assistance of well government funded organizations as well as "hired gun" and unscrupolous lawyers and uncaring ?? judges. I came to Tx 3 years ago in an emergency for few days, I still here. Women that are target this way and the court through a divorce process is used to perpetrate abuse and in some cases that I am working with "I will never rest until your mother is out of your life" Children and women are ruined emotional, mentally and financially. There are many inhidden afraid to talk , to expose the abuser as their children and themselves will just receive further abuse, harrastment and threats. I have gather evidence of cases in TX, Bexar County. I will be delighted to present evidence to a Congretational Committee for investigation.
I like many others middle class women thougth that I will retire and be able to provide for basic needs. I retired but unable to pay basic bills keep me going seeeking employment probable until I died. There are major problems that need our elected officials urgent attention but there is one that needs to be expose Nationwide and it is the wave of abuse toward women and children that is being perpretated by mainly financially abled men or those that are using government programs to inflict abuse not only physically but emotional and mentally to women and children through the FAMILY COURT SYSTEM. These men has money, the assistance of well government funded organizations as well as "hired gun" and unscrupolous lawyers and uncaring ?? judges. I came to Tx 3 years ago in an emergency for few days, I still here. Women that are target this way and the court through a divorce process is used to perpetrate abuse and in some cases that I am working with "I will never rest until your mother is out of your life" Children and women are ruined emotional, mentally and financially. There are many inhidden afraid to talk , to expose the abuser as their children and themselves will just receive further abuse, harrastment and threats. I have gather evidence of cases in TX, Bexar County. I will be delighted to present evidence to a Congretational Committee for investigation.