Do You Feel Invisible to Your Government?

9:42 am PDT, Aug 24, Name not displayed, Pennsylvania
I have a child with autism and am finding that school districts pay TONS of taxpayer dollars to attorneys to find every loophole to get them out of giving them an appropriate education, the govt is more interested in helping pharmaceutical companies "save face". I am an educated person and have researched the costs of latch key and extra expenses for childcare for my special needs child and it is not worth it. I have been told to just stay unemployed and live off the government. Is this the way we want to teach our kids? Yesterday I went to a school board meeting and while we are complaining about increasing property taxes, I was told a great portion of the increase is due to raising health care costs of the employees of the school district. I hope Hillary gets to be president b/c she is the only one who is fighting for the invisible! Go Hillary!

9:41 am PDT, Aug 24, Sally Festin, Texas
I've been on disability for the last 12 years. Now, living in texas, i'm on medicare but, because I make 56 dollars too much, I dont qualify for medicaid. I make a whopping 656 a month. And even though medicare does pay for some things, there is a lot they dont cover, so my medical bills are mounting. And I get a whopping 63 dollars in food stamps. Luckily I dont have kids. Yet here, at least if I had a kid, I'd get wic, more food stamps and extra money...but that's not gonna happen. Want to feel invisible, and like a nobody, be on disability. Where u have no choices, are stuck being beyond poor, no one cares about you because they feel u are scum of the earth. I worked for many years before I ended up on Disability, I'm on SSDI, getting what I paid into the system. And get a big ol raise of like 6 or 8 bucks a year COST OF LIVING raise. This government constantly takes from the poor in the way of medicare/medicaid cuts, and god forbid they give you enough money to actually live on. I have to live with other people, just to not be homeless. I could try to get housing assistance, but there are so many on the list, it takes years to get any help. Yet the rich get richer, the poor get poorer, and everyone is one mistake, or illness away from being homeless. Thats the american dream alright. Why should people try to better themselves in a society where if you arent born into wealth, you are doomed for poverty. There has to be an answer, that doesnt continually doom the disabled, elderly and poor. Instead of stepping over us like we are scum, why isnt there help from the people we supposedly put into the oval office to HELP the american people, not just a select few. Why is it if you can play a professional sport, sing a song, or have a talk show..that you are entitled to wealth and happiness. Why should people have to work 2 and 3 jobs just to survive, while others sing a song and get millions. There are so many things wrong in this country, it's going to be impossible to fix it, because those with power dont want to help those who dont have it, those with money, dont want to help those who dont. And until that changes..nothing good is going to happen in this country.

9:41 am PDT, Aug 24, Ed Gaidrich, Washington
I know I am but an unused prop for both parties: Yes, I feel invisable as the press reports that Iraq is a quagmire and Senator Clinton acts like this is a betrayal by the Bush administration: It's not news. It wasn't "news" that there weren't WMDs- Scott Ridder, ex-CIA agents and millions of others knew that. Why would Senator Clinton trust Bush? His actions and words clearly betrayed that he had no intention of working with the UN, or of allowing the inspectors to do their jobs. His connecting Al Queda to 911 was a fantasy that still resonates in most Americans' brains as being true. Senator Clinton represents the status quo of insider politicians in bed with corporate desires. These are the people who ignored the MILLIONS of protesters on February 15 2003. These are the people who slither through our democracy coating everything they touch in the slime of corruption. I feel invisable as Senator Clinton has a non-existant debate with Senator Obama about whether she'll meet with unfriendly regimes IN THE FIRST YEAR OF HER PRESIDENCY OR NOT- wtf? She's been deriding Bush for not engaging Iran, Sudan, etc in negotiations. Does she think that waiting 366 days in office will change anything that 364 days won't? Or 165 days? Open your eyes, fellow Dems, we need a leader with integrity, vision, passion and intelligence. WE NEED BARACK OBAMA!

9:40 am PDT, Aug 24, Diane Goodemote, Pennsylvania
My husband and I live with my diabetic, disabled mother. I cannot work outside the home due to the care she requires. There isn't an agency available to me that will help pay me for some general expenses for the work I do. A little help with groceries, gas for taking my mother to doctor's appointments, running errands for her, would be greatly appreciated.

9:39 am PDT, Aug 24, Anne Daletski, Washington

9:38 am PDT, Aug 24, Laurel Gittere, Nevada

9:37 am PDT, Aug 24, Nathan Tyson, Georgia
Dear Senator Clinton, I feel invisible due to being a person living with AIDS in rural Southwest Georgia! I lived in the city of Atlanta, Georgia from 1991 thru 1998, and that seven(7), year timespan, I was privy to some of THE BEST AIDS Service Organizations within the United States. Suffice to say, I was appalled when I moved back to my hometown of birth & origin, ie, rural-Southwest Georgia, Cordele, Georgia only to discover an acute, grossly ignorant and anti-HIV/AIDS-phobic sentiments alive & flourishing amongst local officials not only within Cordele, but also within the cities of Tifton, Albany, Americus, Valdosta, and Thomasville, Georgia!! I am presently working in a volunteer capacity for a tiny, HIV/AIDS organization ran by a skeleton crew of dedicated, passionate, caring individuals within the city of Thomasville, Georgia -- We operate largely out of a micro budget of donations from a few sucessful gay men & women in the Southwest Georgia area that are in a financial disposition to help us pay our bills, and continue to provide groceries to help the fiscally indigent HIV/AIDS patients living within Southwest Georgia meet their dietary needs twice each month. Our 501(c) org, is called Safe Haven, and our director Ms. Carol Biggs, is nothing short of a godsend.... were it not for this 63 year old woman's courageous spirit and generous heart? - Many HIV+ AIDS patients in Southwest Georgia would be severely malnourished, lethargic, unable to take care of their children, or take their own prescribed Rx HIV medications - many of which requires you to take them with a heavy meal twice per day! I approached our local television station director and manager, Rev. Phil Streetman last November, about doing a show to raise community awareness for the approaching World AIDS Day on December 1st, 2006 - well, needless to say, this "man of GOD", wasn't interested in doing such a show, and showed once more, that there are genuine individuals committed to their humanity outreach that are TRUE voices of GOD, and then, there are what I like to call, HypoChristians... merging the words, Hypocrisy & Christian - get it?! I wish I could tell you Senator Clinton, that this is an isolated incident, but it isn't... Safe Haven's board of directors, volunteers and such have tried unsuccessfully to enlist corporate sponsorship, community involvement, peer to peer groups.. ie, ALL of the varying efforts 'other more successful HIV/AIDS organizations within the metropolitan city of Atlanta, have developed and structured to insure that they prevent the pandemic crisis of HIV/AIDS from taking more innocent lives and building a brighter tomorrow for those patients that are living with HIV/AIDS... to no avail, the local Southwest Georgia media, local city & county officials down here, WILL NOT help us, they don't care quite honestly. So when I say I am INVISIBLE as an HIV/AIDS individual?... I am speaking not just for me but for ALL of the HIV/AIDS patients in the Southwest Georgia regions!!! I realize that within larger, urban areas HIV/AIDS Service Orgs enjoys a more visible effort of outreach to it's communities, but down here in Southwest Georgia? -- We ARE invisible and so ARE the many, heterosexual seniors ages 45- 62, which fyi, are the HIGHEST demographical group of people with NEW cases of Sero Conversion of becoming HIV+ -- Unfortunately true, caucasian heterosexual men & women are the MOST un-talked about segment of our communities living with HIV/AIDS with very little educational literature in print for them, let alone Healthy, Life Affirming & Empowering Support Groups, where they can feel better about themselves in an uncertain area of Southwest Georgia where Hypochristian Local Leaders once again demonstrates that Christ's love only extends to those that are a Carbon Copy of those that are HIV negative apparently. More leadership is required here, I have no easy answers, I am blessed to have been HIV+ for the past 15 years of good health - much of which I credit to the wealth of support services I received while I lived actively within the city of Atlanta, Georgia 'tween 1991 and 1998 respectively. My dreams for the 2008 Presidential Election, Senator Clinton, is for a more focused HIV/AIDS National Policy rather than the antiquated, "Abstinence", stance currently perported by the Bush Administration. ~ In unconditional love and light I remain, a humble servant of humanity, Rev. Nathan T. Tyson, Universal Life Church pastoral counselor of Cordele, Georgia, USA

9:33 am PDT, Aug 24, Lee Syverud, Wisconsin
I've worked in a nonprofit Mental Health Center for 29 years and have gotten little or no cost of living increases in those years. I've raised 2 children and managed to buy a two flat but it is getting increasingly hard to make ends meet with rising prices for everything and very high property taxes even though I now live alone. The poor are on aid and the rich get richer. My dream is to have the middle income to stay middle instead of heading to lower and to do something about the environment NOW!

9:32 am PDT, Aug 24, Barbara Bevill Samples, South Carolina
Dear Mrs. Clinton, I am unemployed, due to a disability of Bipolar I and II and Borderline Personality Disorder. I have no insurance whatsoever. I was recently hospitalized due to my illnesses. I did not qualify for help with the medical bills that this cost me, over $11,000.00. I have no income whatsoever, how am I do pay this? I am applying for Disability through Social Security. I've been told the first decision may take 4 to 5 months. My medications cost me approximately $1000.00 a month. However, I cannot even afford all of my medicines. I can only try to get my MENTAL medicines and have to order those from Canada to get a break on the cost. This cost, of course is charged to a credit card, which is almost maxed out, and cannot pay. What do I do for my medications then? What do I do for the cost of Doctor Visits? I do not qualify for Medicaid or Medicare. When your Husband, President Clinton was in office, a promise was made that NO AMERICAN will DO WITHOUT INSURANCE! If I am correct, I believe you, yourself was in charge of the insurance issue for ALL AMERICANS!!! WHAT HAPPENED? I NEVER SAW ANY CHANGES IN MEDICAL CARE!!! I believe and feel that ILLEGAL IMMIGRANTS are treated better than AMERICANS and receive medical care before I will, when they are not even legal in this country. THAT IS NOT FAIR OR RIGHT!!!! WHAT ARE YOU GOING TO DO TO FIX THIS SITUATION AND HELP ME GET THE MEDICAL CARE I NEED? HELP WITH MY MEDICAL EXPENSES AND BE TREATED AS A PERSON, RATHER THAN TRASH? BECAUSE I HAVE NO INCOME OR INSURANCE? Put yourself in my shoes and find out what it feels like as an AMERICAN to be treated this way!!! Very Sincerely, Barbara Samples

9:30 am PDT, Aug 24, Scott Taylor, California
We are all invisible to Bush and his henchmen if our needs are not convenient to address or actually do something about. We have no money so we are not important except as "slaves." I have read some of these stories and they are truly touching. As long as Bush et al has an agenda about attaining global domination we will continue to suffer. Make no mistake, that is the agenda....it's a pet project you know. Imperialists are what we are now. Heartless, cold, greedy corporations run it all now. Privitization does not create a fair market and condones, even encourages monopolies. What about the checks and balances? The three branches of government that are supposed to watch each other. Remember the original British/Americans did not trust big government at all! They fought for independence from the same style of fascism that our current regime is now applying freely everywhere. Can you say 1984? Doublespeak and doubelthink are the norm now. The truth is lost in the myriad labyrinth of mind numbing "facts" and "reports". We are also casualties in this war for control of the worlds oil. These guys are truly evil. I have a Masters degree in psychology/teaching/counseling but I cannot find a job that pays more than 11 per hour! Human service work does not pay because there is no money for the disenfranchised,fatherless,abused kids and women. Talk is what we get. Actions speak louder than words. These kids are absolutely invisible because they can't be "worked" or sold anything. Simply speaking it is not profitable.

9:29 am PDT, Aug 24, Name not displayed, Georgia
It seems like America as it used to be is fading fast. We are in need of someone who is capable & willing to bring us back to the strong homeland we were. I do honestly believe that Hillary could do this. Everything Bill did, George undid and in every way imaginable made not only our country, but our world worse. He is absolutely the most despicable President in my lifetime and I am ashamed of what he has done to this once great nation. We need someone more open-minded and in touch with not only reality but with the people of this country. He really has no clue; you see it all the time in that blank stare of his. He is just so hung up on the religion aspect of things, which I wish he would keep to himself because God is not here to help us - we have to help ourselves. I truly believe that if there is a God as we define him to be, then he is definitely not a fan of this self-serving President. Bush has created a great divide amongst us and so much destruction all around the world, all in the name of God. This is such a farce - it totally turns me off to religion based people. Every time you hear, God Bless America or God Bless You, you just know you're in for narrow-minded people and it seems to be that they are only looking out for themselves - what hypocrites – do they truly believe that they are just always forgiven and/or do I dare say “pardoned”? Spare me the religion, please - let us believe what we want to. I don’t want to be like them – I try to be a compassionate, concerned human being. I truly feel that God would not tolerate any of them and they definitely aren’t able to buy their stairway to heaven like they evidently think they can. These people can’t really be God-fearing people, because you would think that they would be more realistic about their own lives and not so worried about everyone else’s. They talk the good talk but walk a different walk - they're truly not deceiving anyone but themselves. I’m not worried about Heaven, I’m concerned about our lives here on Earth. I wish that Bush and his cronies would all go to Iraq and stay there - try to persuade them that their Christianity is the “right” way and bring our troops home. Honestly, does it really seem to anyone that Democracy is going to prevail over there? We support the troops and that’s why we want them out of harms way – there is no good ending in sight to this war that we got into under false pretense. We need our soldiers here – in our country. These lost warrior’s lives cannot be justified with our dependency on oil and more money in Halliburton’s pocket to rebuild what we destroyed. Hillary has the experience to get better things done and I trust that she actually wants to. I know that she and the majority of us sincerely hold dear our future and our children’s future. Once she gets in, hopefully the Republicans won’t stop her with their partisanship and then blame her later that she didn’t get anything done. Do I sound bitter – you bet – 7 years of Bush telling us that everything is good will do that to a person of sound mind and to one who is worried about the important things, other than money and religion? Wake up and look around these United States Mr. Bush, we are not invisible, and then move on so the next President (who by the way, serves the people of America) can bring us back from the brink of extinction.

9:29 am PDT, Aug 24, Jacob Jones, Texas

9:27 am PDT, Aug 24, Tom Stanley, Ohio
you best believe i feel invisibale i voted against bush me of all the people in america they chose not to include my vote sent me a letter saying my vote did not count how are they going to fix this matter screw you all

9:26 am PDT, Aug 24, Diania Clelland, Idaho
i have tried for years to try and get my social securety, they just keep dening it. they say i am to blind to drive, but not to blind to work. how does that make any sence.

9:26 am PDT, Aug 24, Name not displayed, Indiana

9:26 am PDT, Aug 24, Name not displayed, Pennsylvania
During the Bush administration American poor and middle class have lost benefits due to budget cuts and regulations on welfare benefits, health insurance, and everything else. Americans filling out food stamp and welfare applications have to answer questions about ever having been arrested yet large signs are posted that if you are illegally in this country, have less than $100.00 and something else you can get food stamps. It makes no sense that illegals are allowed benefits they're trying to limit for our own people.Rebuilding Afghanistan and Iraq makes no sense if we can't rebuild our own South after Katrina. The cost of heating oil and gasoline seems like it should be a conflict of interest for Mr. Bush since so much of his family's income comes from it. This administration seems to have forgotten most of the American people and we need to take care of America first.

9:26 am PDT, Aug 24, Natalia Morales, New York
I am invisible. I lost my job, went to school, however, now can't find another job. I need to speak Spanish in oreder to get a job in the United States of AMERICA! I owe a huge amount of loan, that I was required to get in order to go to school, I don't have medical insurance, neither does my daughter. When I went to medicaid to apply, I was told I am too poor. I need to have some kind of income in order to get medicaid for me and my daughter! Since all the immigrants get the jobs, I can't get one, so no income. Will Mr. Bush help me? I think not. Will Hillary?..........

9:26 am PDT, Aug 24, Jo Ann hyde, Indiana
I have worked 42 years, one and two jobs at a time, and had to take early social security at a reduced rate because I was diagnosed with a serious health problem. I was denied Social Security Disability but was able to secure enough health care from The Sisters of Providence free clinic to diagnose my condition but not to receive continuing care or medication. I had to rely on my retirement money that has been seriously reduced, so would encourage you to make National Health your first priority WHEN you become President! I will work very hard for you, as I have alway done for Democrats - I worked in five states at my own expense for the Dean campaign and will do the same for you.

9:25 am PDT, Aug 24, Name not displayed, Indiana

9:24 am PDT, Aug 24, Virgil Alley, Missouri
Sorry Hillary, Kucinich is my man because he refuses corporate money in his campaign while you are caught up in corporate greed. You have supported Bush's oil war,NAFTA,and Kucinich wants the insurance companies out of the healthcare business while you are the largest recipient of money from the healthcare lobbyists.Big business is public enemy #1 and you are supporting corporate interests instead of the people.Why don't you wear your corp.logos like the NASCAR drivers do. If you win the dem.primaries,i will vote for a 3rd party candidate and do my best to defeat your election.

9:23 am PDT, Aug 24, Karissa Tatman, Indiana
I have a friend who is visiting from Turkey. Because of the policies and apparent blood-lust the Bush Administration continues to demonstrate, she is afraid she won't see the age of 27 (she's 21 right now). No one should have to live in fear of death because the government of one country has a hard-on for war. And that's just a snip-it from abroad. In our own country, we have sat complacently by while the people we chose to represent us sit and let our rights be stripped away. At first we let it happen out of fear of being attacked by other countries. They were taken away to protect us because the government obviously had our best interest at heart, right? Then we let our rights go because fighting for them made us look like traitors against the government regime. Before we knew it, the Regime was interfering in legislature that we fought long an hard to get in the first place. Without these rights, how is our government treating us any differently than people in any other dictatorship are treated? It's worse for us, though, because they like to let us pretend they are listening to us and give a damn about our needs as a nation. At least you know where you stand in a dictatorship. Women need to have the right to control the things that happen in our bodies without the government interfering. Gay people need to have the same rights and privileges all of the straights have because we're all people regardless of sexual preference. The current health care system is a joke, of which the public suffers being the painful butt. We can't even take care of our own people, so why are we going over to other countries, where we weren't asked to go in the first place, and trying to tell then how to run their own government. Why are we spending money on a war nobody but the President wants? Why is his administration the only group of people who see it for the hateful act it is? Yes, I support our troops. That's why I want to bring them home. People who want power are often the ones who shouldn't be allowed to have it. I think Bush is the perfect example of that. We need someone who is more concerned about doing the right thing, who puts the needs of the country ahead of his or her own desires, and tries to improve the lives of the people. Support the middle class. Help us improve our own lives, find our way out of debt and recession, and lead us back to being one of the most amazing countries in the world. We need a leader.

9:23 am PDT, Aug 24, Donna Ainsworth, Ohio
President Bush has had his own personal agenda ever since he took office. He has a haughty attitude that he does not have to even listen to his constituents. It does not matter what the American people want, he is going to do what he wants, when he wants. He reminds me of a spoiled child that is always used to getting his own way, and when he doesn't, he threatens "VETO". We are ALL invisible under this administration. He does not even listen to the House or Senate. I am a Republican by choice and I voted ALL democrat for the House and Senate in 2006. If the candidate had "democrat" they got my vote. I, and my ENTIRE family, will be voting democratic in 2008. Things have got to change.

9:23 am PDT, Aug 24, Linda Montayne, Illinois
I feel invisible because to Bush and his cronies I am a nobody to them. Things in this country has gotten so bad that I even wonder if anyone can help. The prices for medical and dental care are so high that even people with insurance are feeling the pinch. I do not have medical and dental insurance and at 60 years old I worry that some illness doesn't strike and wipe out everything we own. I have already made it clear that if I have a heart attack or stroke let me die because I don't want my family to lose our house decause of it. If I find out I have cancer I guess I will just die because I cannot afford the medical treatments. This country should be ashamed of itself. You can't find a decent job because all of the jobs are overseas due to greedy corporations and their even greedier CEOs. This country needs a revolution and we need someone who REALLY wants to help this come about.

9:23 am PDT, Aug 24, Billy Gosa, Georgia
The wife & I have been feeling that way ever since George Bush stole the presidency & wreaked havoc on a country that never made an attempt to harm the U.S. Iraq

9:22 am PDT, Aug 24, Susanne Williams, New York
Its not so much invisibility, as negatively affected by this administration's attitude. As a labor Union Member, I've seen a steep increase in anti-labor attitudes flourish under this administration. Those who harbor such sentiments felt they had legitimacy to speak out and act with the example clearly set by Bush and Fox news. They used to be silent and inactive, but the radical anti-working person attitude of all of the rhetoric spewing from Fox and Bush emboldened a dangerous and ignorant population to feel their narrow minded views are actually the right ones.

9:22 am PDT, Aug 24, Tanya Davis, Ohio
Children need health care and dental care- the children in the middle, who don't qualify for Medicaid but can't pay out-of-pocket.

9:22 am PDT, Aug 24, Pat Stryszak, Illinois
I was a single mom for years and am married now and still want to work. It is really hard to get a grant to open my own business.My dream is to foster children and open a kennel. I want to give them a chance to show the love. It is hard to get threw to anyone. We have the time we just don't have the money to build. Everyone complains about these kids and everyone in the shelters are over loaded I want to make a difference. I am with a rescue at this time and want to make a difference. I need the help and am not getting threw to anyone. I have the land. Please help

9:22 am PDT, Aug 24, Hortencia Mock, California
I am 64 yrs. old, Lost my husband 2005, I was left with social security only-my only means of support as my health is not all that well. It is hard for a person my age to go back to the work field-no one wants to hire older people-I worked in medical & dental from 1962 to 1995. and now 2007 no jobs-what happens to people like me. we are like the children the forgotten ones.

9:21 am PDT, Aug 24, Jessica Friedlander, California
I am disabled but because "learning dissabilities' are not well known or understood, many of us, like myself, fall through the cracks. I am not self sustaining and depend on marriage for hand to mouth survival and when my health problems act up, which they do often, that survival is threatened. I have applied for SSI twice and the beaurocrat who has denied me help clearly doesn't cannot grasp the implications of my condition and yet this man is in a position of power to deny people the help they need. It is not just the Bush Admin but our health care systom as iot is, currupt, third world. We need someone who is not a comfortable cog in the currant systom but someone gutsy enough to challenge it to the point that a lot of people in power would be seriously pissed off. We need a true public servant, whose vocation is more important to that person than anything else: money, family, self, etc... I don't have any real hope that things will change to point that they have to for us to survive. Jess Friedlander

9:21 am PDT, Aug 24, Stacia Burton, Georgia
As a mother of two young boys I feel invisable when I write to the President and my senators and congressmen on EVERY issue with my opinions and get rediculous form letters. Nothing is done on education, pharmaceutical companies and oil companies. My congressman wrote and told me that global warming was made up by Al gore.This after I have written at least 5 times begging for him to support environmental legislation!Even if you don't believe in mother earth why should our kids have to breath pollution if we CAN change it.Little is working well in Washington and I am trying Hard to participate and I know I am invisable.

9:20 am PDT, Aug 24, Name not displayed, California
I am a gay man who cannot marry my partner of many (26) years and have the legal benefits of marriage. Talk about taxation without representation.

9:18 am PDT, Aug 24, Sharon Collette, South Carolina

9:16 am PDT, Aug 24, Kay Marie Wynkoop, Washington
I was listening to a person who is disabled and all her funds have ceased because the money has been going toward the war.

9:16 am PDT, Aug 24, Melody Lee, Louisiana
I, personally, am not invisible, but I do know that Hillary Clinton is just as disinterested in what the people in this nation want as the republicans. If Hillary Clinton runs, I will vote Green, because I won't vote for anyone who has rubber stamped Bush's policies the way that Clinton has.

9:16 am PDT, Aug 24, STEPHEN SANDBERG, Ohio
I AM A SOCIAL WORKER SERVICING THE ELDERLY. UNDER THE BUSH ADMINISTRATION THE ELDERLY WHO NEED LONG TERM CARE AND OTHER SERVICES HAVE SEEN MEDICARE AND MEDICAID CONTINUOUSLY CUT, WHILE THE WAR IN IRAQ BLEEDS US DRY. ALMOST ALL PEOPLE IN AMERICA, EXCEPT FOR THOSE WHO ARE LOYAL TO BUSH, HAVE BEEN INVISABLE. IRONIC CONSIDERING THAT BUSH SHOULD HAVE LOST THE 2000 ELECTION.

9:14 am PDT, Aug 24, John Bader, California
When faux president Bush visits places in the US, he permits only verified supporters to be present. Dissidents who try to be seen are shielded behind rows of trucks, as was done in San Jose, CA, or are herded and beaten by the local police, as was done in New York. The members in congress who walk in lock step with him hold phony "Town-hall Meetings" that are packed with shills that deflect any chance for people to get serious answers to their questions about the votes cast by their representatives in congress.

9:13 am PDT, Aug 24, Hilton Brown, Delaware
As a 68 year old gay man, artist and university professor I have been totally invisible to the Bush administration. None of the issues that I feel are essential to a democratic society, our American society, seem relevant to this government. Our constitution, our shared branches of government, human rights, existing laws, concern for the poor, the underprivilaged, the deprived, the sick, women, the old and infirm, the working man and woman, gay, lesbian, transgendered and transsexuals and all non-American people and governments of our world; indeed all who are not of the same class and status of George W. Bush and his cronies have been overlooked, ignored, and used as political pawns. We need a totally voice as our president. My support for President goes to Senator Hillary Clinton.

9:11 am PDT, Aug 24, Margaret Nagel, Illinois
I feel invisible when leading Democrats in the House and Senate do not pledge to undo the damage that Bush & Co. have done to our Constitution and Bill of Rights. I feel invisible when the Democratic leadership asks me for donations, but does not promise to restore our Constitutional protections. I feel invisible when leading Democratis take no stand against Bush's criminal policy of preemptive war, and against his criminal policy of threatening other nations with nuclear weapons. My dream for 2008 is that the Democrats will restore the Constitution, return to a sane policy of negotiation with other nations, instead of bullying and attacks; reform our electoral system; and speak out loudly and clearly for public campaign financing. Those are the basic essential reforms. Health care and economic recovery will follow from them. It is time for this nation to take a good healthy swing to the left, because we have gone far, far too far to the right! Democrats, stand up firmly to our warmongering, corporate-coddling media, and lead the way!

9:11 am PDT, Aug 24, Sharon Jabens, Nebraska
I can only hope that Hillary can fix half of the problems that this administration has created. The most important being the health insurance, war in Iraq, and jobs going overseas, to say nothing about our environment. I certainly believe that a woman can do a better job than the men that for 6 years have driven this country into the ground. They don't know we are invisible, because we were never there to begin with in their eyes.

9:11 am PDT, Aug 24, Douglas Barry, Florida
BILL CLINTON THE BEST 8 YEARS WE EVER HAD. hILLARY 2008

9:10 am PDT, Aug 24, Mark McVay, Colorado
I'm a Vietnam veteran who has been opposed to the invasion of Iraq since the Bush/Cheney administration began bombarding the American public with its propaganda campaign for the war back in 2002. I have given speeches, attended demonstrations, written my Congressmen and Senators, penned letters to newspapers, and published op-ed pieces in papers and online publications. Despite the protestations of me and millions of others - both veterans and non-veterans - our outrage and voices have been systematically disregarded by our elected representatives. I don't think we've been invisible. But we have been ignored.

9:09 am PDT, Aug 24, Roy Snell, Vermont
Democrats abandoned working and middleclass families years ago. Near as I can tell the only difference between Dems and Repugs is that the latter more brazenly ignores the needs of the majority. Bill Clinton’s much publicized triangulation between right and left in reality pitted the needs of working and middleclass families against the interests of the small wealthy elite that has grabbed the reins of power. We can expect more of the same with Hillary. We will remain invisible to these S.O.B.’s (Hillary included) as long as we sit on our butts watching “reality” TV.

9:08 am PDT, Aug 24, Casey Smith, Arizona
My husband is a real estate agent and with the market the way it is, we can barely afford healthcare. I am home with my daughter since it takes half of my salary to pay for her daycare. Since my husband is "self employed" we have to pay 33% in taxes. It's been a huge struggle and it seems like taxes are just going up for us. We live check to check.

9:07 am PDT, Aug 24, Diana Millsap, Tennessee

9:07 am PDT, Aug 24, Name not displayed, Rhode Island
My most pressing issues for this presidential campaign is healthcare and the environmental. Over the past five years my employment position has been downsized and my health benefits were lost. I cannot afford to pay the high premiums of the individual healthcare plans offered by Blue Cross in my state. So I live every day with my fingers crossed hoping that I wont fall victim to catastrophic accident or illness. The presidential candidate that can deliver an affordable plan to support alll Americans , not just children and low income families but, also the invisible, struggling hoards of uninsured working individuals that currently do not receive this benefit. Affordable Medical insurance is the RIGHT of every American! Global warming and protection of the environment and wildlife, are very important to me. I will vote for the presidential candidate who has a viable plan for reducing america's huge consumption of resources and not will not put large corporate concerns above that of our country's welfare. America is seriously lagging behind the global community in this venture. THE BUSH ADMINISTRATION HAS FAILED US MISERABLY IN THIS AREA! If Senator Clinton can prove to be a catalyst for REAL CHANGE in 2008 ....she has my vote!!

9:07 am PDT, Aug 24, Name not displayed, Texas
My wife of 60+ years and I are trying hard to pay for our medications and still eat. Of course CONGRESS gave them selves a raise, this is as bad as theft.

9:06 am PDT, Aug 24, Paul R. Loret, New Jersey
Generally, things are just getting worse for everyone, including myself, whom are not wealthy. I just wanted to say, I DESPISE the president(small p) and wish him naught but woa for the remainder of his miserable life.

9:06 am PDT, Aug 24, Carrin Allen, Georgia
I feel that the Bush administration has eyes only for high-class White Christians with lots of money. I am a simple railroad clerk and a Pagan... Nothing President Bush likes... I hope the next President (Mrs. Clinton, perhaps) will let working-class citizens like me be noticed by the Federal Government!

9:05 am PDT, Aug 24, Linda Bauer, California
I am an american that has seen BOTH sides (Republicans, Democrats) kiss up to Bush & his administration one too many times. I have a problem with Government people like this because they will NOT give us whats needed most, and that is IMPEACHMENT for so much wrong doing! Where is justice for all the dead people over OIL profits in Iraq; where will justice be served when no one in Congress/ the Senate, has the backbone to tell Bush and cheney NO! We will NOT fund more wasted BILLIONS of american's hard earned dollars that would on;y go into the deep pockets of more billionair's, only to hear of more death and misery from this executive branch; how about care for all the REAL american citizen's HERE! Illegals must go, americans that are legal SHOULD have priority over those that are not; and INVADED US like Bush and co. did Iraq... the poor are always neglected and PUSHED ASIDE; homeless when there is no place they can afford to live; (Here is when GREEDY property owner's take advantage of the poor) Real Estate homes are out of sight for the poor and average to buy; too much money goes to all the greedy Corporations that Bush, his admin. suck up to so in turn, THEY end up like getting the White House to FOOL people into thinking they will work for them, but have built a mountain of lies and deception/s for THEIR benefits and those of their super wealthy cronies... WHERE'S OUR JUSTICE from all of this madness? All government higher ups getting the best of health care that WORKING people pay for when they are so weathy, they can afford to pay their own but don't. Social Security will give poor people a death benefit of ONLY $255.00 and this is IF one qualifies; a president or other important person like a POPE, will get a funeral so expensive on national television that the TAX PAYER'S pay for. Pay into Social Security like my roommate has and gets so little back in retirement (Because he's poor all his life) and has had to pay out so much of his earnings for just housing, medical bills, (and all others that apply) then food, (Which costs more & more by the day it seems) that who thats POOR can eat HEALTHY like you in the government can? The executive branch wasting american's tax dollars by throwing elaberate parties at the White House, etc.; going out to eat; (Now a soon wedding coming up for yet another outragous expense, Jenna Bush tying the not with her beloved) and only the poor are suckered into going into an INNOCENT country like Iraq to fight for RICH OIL PROFITS given to more already too wealthy CROOKS that they end up dying for. Who, if someone DOES get the next presidency, will give two cents about people like us no matter WHO it is?! Poor people PUSHED out of rental housing for not being able to pay the high rents, increase's, buying Real Estate only a dream and not a REALITY; low wages, poor or no health care, schools getting less for all projects, and learning;Veterans getting a slap in the face for serving our country (Benefits wise!) and it goes on and on with out caring from these want to be elected officials just begging for our votes, donations only to be mostly "rejects" when the power gets to them once again to rule over all, right? MY dream for 2008? Give us someone who REALLY CARES for the middle class and poor if they even exist, the way things have become... disgusting!

9:05 am PDT, Aug 24, Melissa Carraway, Illinois
Right now my spouse is not working and we have three young children we are caring for. He is skilled in two fields but the starting wages are a joke. You cannot support a family on $10-$12/hour. I would honestly like to see the Federal minimum wage increased to $15/hour and tax breaks for households who make less than $50K/annually. Also, how about quality on job site affordable daycare?