I'm not sure why I'm replying to this, as I normally avoid hot topics such as these. However, I find myself wanting to speak out for once in my life. At the end of this winter I lost my job. I sat down for fifteen minutes and thought about what needed to be done. I needed money, that's all I knew. Having young children to worry about can cloud decisions in times like these. The first thing that popped in my head was unemployment. But then I remembered all those stories of how my great grandfather had built a life for himself after the depression on fifty dollars (all he had left after losing everything). I then looked back at my hard times in the Marine Corps. (looking for strength), prayed to God, and came with the decision that I would and could do what Americans have done for over two hundred years. Stand and face our fear in the eye. AND CONQUER. I'm not rich, but I'm self-employed, paying the bills, and I'm living life like never before. I'm living the American dream, and FIGHTING everyday to keep it. I could have just as easily sucked in that unemployment and other benefits offered by the government, but what kind of example would that set for my children? We don't need all of this government candy, anymore than we needed the Brittish Crown back in the 1700's.

I'm voting John McCain this year. Proud of it, and proud to say it.

GOD BLESS AMERICA[/quote

That is truly a great thing to hear. I am glad you are back on your feet and didn't have to rely on any assistance from anyone to accomplish that. I am also living the American dream. I am not a rich man either, but I am doing well better then most in middle America today.

Me and my wife are able to provide a good home for our children, I am able to afford some extras that allow me to enjoy my passion which is hunting and shooting. I have served my time in the military when younger and have never relied on any type of Gov. assistance other then my GI Bill which I earned. I have worked for everything I own and not been given anything I have.

My parents who come from small town poor backgrounds are both college graduates and my dad is a veteran as his dad was. They provided a good life for me and my sister and never relied on any assistance from anyone and struggled when they first got marred and started their family.

They and I are voting for Obama this year and were also proud of it and proud to say it.

> We should always remember two truths: There is no such
> thing as a free lunch, and you can never hire someone to
> provide a service for you cheaper than you can do it
> yourself.

CVC wrote:

>
Socialism is sometimes a dirty word in U.S. but the truth is that our government and economy is a mix of both and must be to remain healthy and stable. Time and pain have shown that pure socialism fails as well as pure capitalism. Striking the right balance is one of the pillars of politics.