Greg if the label fits , I attach it, its that simple. It has nothing to do with the political stance that someone takes.It is very obvious to see when a person is racist by the way they speak and make references to the current President. Are you that Naive? If they aren't even man enough or women enough as the case may be to admit to it then there position is not worth defending because it is biased. You say not Bush's fault? How absurd,He had all the tools at his disposal including some of the greatest minds in the world (Democrat and Republican) including John McCain telling him what was going on, especialy with the housing market collapse and the bank collapses and he did nothing!! Programs initiated and backed by government to lend money to people with relaxed credit qualifications since the Clinton Era and followed through by the Bush era were major contributing factors in the Global economic recession we have right now. Domino effect Greg, heard of it? That is a fact.Doesn't a real Leader take responsibility when it is on his watch? Good or Bad? I guess not.(Also still waiting to hear what positive things Bush did while in office). Is this the sign of good Leadership? Someone who does nothing? Why not ask the people of New Orleans who lost everything what kind of leader they think Bush was? They will tell you first hand. He has feet of clay. He wouldn't make a wart on a leaders behind! As far as welfare, how is that Obamas fault? Welfare has been around for eons, and now its Obamas Fault? Give me a break. Why does OBAMA have to take the blame for the past 8 years and beyond and Not Bush? He inherited all the current problems we are facing today! That is a fact! More people than ever are going to depend on it(welfare) now because of the current situation, are you saying to take it away now? What if you needed to be on it to survive? Would you be for it then? There is nothing wrong with welfare other than people who make a career out of it. That is why we as a nation have kept the program for so long.Is it perfect? Definetly not.I have lived in Butler most of my life with the exception of a few years in Dallas Texas, and I have seen some hard times in this area especially in the 1980s when Pullman Standard shut down. Many men took their own lives because of that hardship,they also like my father denied taking a severance pay because they didn't want to trade their 18 or 20 years of service in for a few thousand dollars if the company happened to re open again. (now obviously a mistake) So are you saying that we shouldn't have a program available to help good decent honest folks get back on track? Just throw them to the wolves, let them starve or go without medical treatment if needed, because in your mind they don't deserve anything because YOU (Greg) work hard? (We all work Hard man) Are they are sub human if they come across misfortune Greg because you work hard.? Am I a marxist because I have compassion for my fellow man Greg? Shame on you. I would wager than most everyone has been party to it(welfare) at one point or another in their lives including you. There is no shame in being a victim of circumstances Greg. Do there need to be changes, well duh yes! Why didn't your good old buddy Bush Make the changes? Hard to do anything when your sleeping; except sleep!Greg you sound like a young buck with a good mind but alot to learn about life.I appreciate your passion , but we are talking about real human lives here not just dollar signs. Don't lose the human touch we all have I beg you. As far as living in poverty goes, every society has its under achievers not just America, You say democrats are some of the most racist people you have ever met, I agree. The fact is (admit it or not) everyone is racist to a degree., but we can't let racism get in the way of our good judgement. The folks in this area especially seem to be letting the fact that we have a Black President affect their thinking on every issue that comes up. I talk to them everyday blah blah blah, I hear the jokes and all the comments Oh; he is black so he is incapable, or this or that or now we are doomed etc. What a bunch a Bull!What did you expect? An overnight solution people? Looks that way.I wonder; if McCain would have won and faced the same challenges would people be more understanding because he is "one of us"? I bet they would. Oh Greg and Susie, for the record I am a white male, mid forties,and self employed if that matters Also a registered rebublican of course. Everyone in politics is "green" to me however.Of course its been a while since I have seen green, more like red, but I think if we get passed this current crisis , that might change. I like the forsesight of current leadership with the exception of Ed (do nothing) Rendell who is just plain tax crazy. All in All a good discussion across the board though, wouldn't you agree? I Apologize for any typos or grammar errors. Regards,John