What is the most important single issue for you during the Mid-Term elections?

[betenoire]

I'm Canadian so my concerns will be a little different from most of what the US-ians on here will be concerned about. (ie - I am fortunate enough to not have to worry about openly being queer in the military, equal marriage, or health care). So, that being said:

My main concerns are 1 - making public transit more efficient, more accessible, more available, and more....attractive to people. And 2 - making green sources of energy more affordable and available to the average homeowner.

EDIT - I do get that the question was specific to the US and your elections. But I felt like talking about my stuff too.

[EnderD_503]

Another Canuck here.

The Harper government is a big concern of mine, and more specifically the danger that government presents to Canada's health care system (Americans often criticise the Canadian health care system without realising that the reason it tends to go bonkers every once in a while is directly related to a Conservative government being in power, and the Conservatives are hell-bent on emulating the American system, unfortunately) as well as overall individual rights. For example, Harper keeps trying to bring the issues of abortion and same-sex marriage back to the debating table, though luckily he keeps getting shouted down. I also hate that the Harper government was very easily let off the hook for the transgressions made against the liberty/freedom of movement of Torontonians during the G-20 meet, as well as the ridiculous amounts of money he spent on hosting the monarchies of the modern western world. I also hate that the media turned the G-20 fiasco around and made it look like "phantom anarchists" or some so-called "black bloc" were responsible. If society were more educated on anarchists, anarchist tactics as well as the issues actually being protested by groups who showed up over the G-20 weekend (who were largely not anarchists, but groups protesting the meet itself, issues like the Israeli apartheid/the plight of Palestinians, individual rights issues and so on), then the issue wouldn't be continually taken advantage of by the media. It angers me that Harper, McGuinty and Miller all got away with temporarily turning Toronto into a police state for 3 days. So getting rid of the Conservatives, in particular, is a big concern of mine that is intertwined many other issues like preserving our health care system, as well as Canada's avant-garde approach to individual/human rights.

I'm also concerned with the public transportation system, at least here in Toronto. The TTC recently bumped up fare prices to 3 dollars, which is one of the most expensive public transit fares in the world. All that would be fine and dandy if we were actually getting better service for our money, but we're not, and seems like service has actually decreased. David Miller seemed addicted to putting street car tracks in random places, like on St. Clair west, where all it does is congest traffic. The buses and trains schedules are largely set to "frequent service," which seems to be their way of circumventing giving people regular service. Bus schedules especially seem to be sporadic at best. With the trains they now appear to want to emulate the European system, minus the efficiency (German trains are rarely if ever late, run frequently and run later/earlier) and affordability (the U-Bahn in Munich cost 1,20 Euro, which is the equivalent of 1,65 CAD, and riders get far more for their 1,20 Euro than 3 dollars gets us in Toronto. The S-Bahn is obviously a little more expensive, but it travels outside Munich. The regional and national trains are also affordable, link up with local trains, and they have machines at all stations where you can get your schedule for all regional/national/local connections printed for free) of a system like they have in Germany. From what I saw of the Netherlands it was the same there, and it seems it is the same all over Western/Central/North western Europe. Canada really needs to catch up on transport.

[AtLast]

Originally Posted by EnderD_503

Another Canuck here.

The Harper government is a big concern of mine, and more specifically the danger that government presents to Canada's health care system (Americans often criticise the Canadian health care system without realising that the reason it tends to go bonkers every once in a while is directly related to a Conservative government being in power, and the Conservatives are hell-bent on emulating the American system, unfortunately) as well as overall individual rights. For example, Harper keeps trying to bring the issues of abortion and same-sex marriage back to the debating table, though luckily he keeps getting shouted down. I also hate that the Harper government was very easily let off the hook for the transgressions made against the liberty/freedom of movement of Torontonians during the G-20 meet, as well as the ridiculous amounts of money he spent on hosting the monarchies of the modern western world. I also hate that the media turned the G-20 fiasco around and made it look like "phantom anarchists" or some so-called "black bloc" were responsible. If society were more educated on anarchists, anarchist tactics as well as the issues actually being protested by groups who showed up over the G-20 weekend (who were largely not anarchists, but groups protesting the meet itself, issues like the Israeli apartheid/the plight of Palestinians, individual rights issues and so on), then the issue wouldn't be continually taken advantage of by the media. It angers me that Harper, McGuinty and Miller all got away with temporarily turning Toronto into a police state for 3 days. So getting rid of the Conservatives, in particular, is a big concern of mine that is intertwined many other issues like preserving our health care system, as well as Canada's avant-garde approach to individual/human rights.

I'm also concerned with the public transportation system, at least here in Toronto. The TTC recently bumped up fare prices to 3 dollars, which is one of the most expensive public transit fares in the world. All that would be fine and dandy if we were actually getting better service for our money, but we're not, and seems like service has actually decreased. David Miller seemed addicted to putting street car tracks in random places, like on St. Clair west, where all it does is congest traffic. The buses and trains schedules are largely set to "frequent service," which seems to be their way of circumventing giving people regular service. Bus schedules especially seem to be sporadic at best. With the trains they now appear to want to emulate the European system, minus the efficiency (German trains are rarely if ever late, run frequently and run later/earlier) and affordability (the U-Bahn in Munich cost 1,20 Euro, which is the equivalent of 1,65 CAD, and riders get far more for their 1,20 Euro than 3 dollars gets us in Toronto. The S-Bahn is obviously a little more expensive, but it travels outside Munich. The regional and national trains are also affordable, link up with local trains, and they have machines at all stations where you can get your schedule for all regional/national/local connections printed for free) of a system like they have in Germany. From what I saw of the Netherlands it was the same there, and it seems it is the same all over Western/Central/North western Europe. Canada really needs to catch up on transport.

Your comments about the canadian health care system and the conservative factors is really interesting to me. Oh, you all do not want the US models of health care that our conservatives want!!! From people I do know from Canada, I have heard more positive things about your system. But, yes, our conservative politicians take pot shots at it!

Originally Posted by betenoire

I'm Canadian so my concerns will be a little different from most of what the US-ians on here will be concerned about. (ie - I am fortunate enough to not have to worry about openly being queer in the military, equal marriage, or health care). So, that being said:

My main concerns are 1 - making public transit more efficient, more accessible, more available, and more....attractive to people. And 2 - making green sources of energy more affordable and available to the average homeowner.

EDIT - I do get that the question was specific to the US and your elections. But I felt like talking about my stuff too.

Public transportation is critical to both of our countries, I think. You cite the key variables that we need! I have to say that because I do live in an area that overall has good public transportaion, I have an awful time when in major cities that do not. Some of these cities are in Canada as well as in the US.

What is so nuts with green construction in the US overall is that for the average person, the costs are too high. Some things like solar energy are better. And what really sux is that the people that could use cuts in energy costs the most, can't afford most of the types of green technology that would bring costs down for them. Going green is very much an elitest way of life in the US!

A few years ago, I spent over 4 months traveling in canada and then up to Alaska. What was interesting to me is that in small rural areas, people there made the same kinds of anti-big government comments as I hear in the US small towns! You have a share of the right-wingers there, too.

[EnderD_503]

Originally Posted by AtLastHome

Going green is very much an elitest way of life in the US!

I think that much can be said for all of North America, and think that's where a more European model is needed (among many other areas, imo). There are some really interesting green projects going on in Europe, that is for sure. But I think what you say about going green can also be said about related issues like organic foods, contributing to various charities and so on. It seems like many of these issues have undergone a certain degree of tokenisation, and are primarily aimed at the upper middle class and upper class. Going green shouldn't be as expensive as it is, but it's quite obvious that the usual culprits see there is a lot of cash to be made on upper class "guilt" or rather the status that exists today behind appearing "humanitarian" and up to speed regarding environmental issues. I find it ridiculous that even donating to certain charities has been commodified.

[Nat]

My main concern is that extremist bigoted crazy people will have more power.

There are so many issues right now that really scare me but I think the very scariest is the threat to social security - but threats to health care, abortion, separation of church and state, education issues, immigration, the increasing lean towards privatized for-profit prisons, and the fear of losing all the hopes for equal rights for gays - all that too is extremely scary to me.

I'm not the greenest person but I'm also concerned with the earth and what we are doing to it. I dont know that either party is committed to environmental justice. The economy bites too and I think it could bite worse.

[theoddz]

I think I'm most concerned about losing all of the progress we've made in the past 2 years and having to revert back to what we had during the 8 years Bush/Cheney/Wolfowitz/Rumsfeld/Elites/Corporatists were in power. Now we've got the nut jobs like the the Teabaggers running around, and the ultra-conservatives spouting their garbage, so its even more scary that some of the "fringe" elements of the Rethuglican party are getting more attention and an honest chance at political "legitimacy".

Just take all the changes, even the small ones, we've made with the Obama administration and cancel them. That's what scares me most. It's not just one issue, it's all of them.

~Theo~

[Kat]

Peak Oil, Peak Water, Peak Food, and global warming. You know, the stuff that Democrats are making sure no one knows much about...

[Apocalipstic]

I think I am most worried about the wars and the right to abortion and the possible repeal of Social Security and Medicare/aide.

I am with Theo, I am way freaked out about all the issues, but the above listed bother me most.

[AtLast]

Originally Posted by Nat

My main concern is that extremist bigoted crazy people will have more power.

Yup! Sometimes I think, could Palin become president (or, VP) given what is going on? The other thing that is one big slap in the face to me is that such a large number of the women candidates running in the mid-terms are as goofy as she is! And her deciples via the Tea Baggers. To me, it is one thing that a candidate just represents ideology contrary to mine. Quite another that the are unbalanced!

[Sachita]

The environment and quality of our food.

[rlin]

health care... economy... unemployment... civil rights... aids funding... the middle east... china... hell... all of it...
without doubt this is the most important time in history that we maintain a majority and it would be amazing if we could attain a clear majority... i would love to do it without having to count an independent or a 3d party candidate...
and... maybe take reid out... theres a couple of names i would prefer to sit there... dems need to be kicked into shape a little... just a little more grit maybe...

[Apocalipstic]

Every post I read on this thread I keep thiking of more and more issues I am all riled up about!

Sachita, the genetic engineering of food totally creeps me out!

Civil Rights, the environment, health care....on and on and on!

Great thread AtLast! Nightmarish, but relevant!

[violaine]

http://www.foodandwaterwatch.org/food/factoryfarms/

[Sachita]

Originally Posted by apocalipstic

Every post I read on this thread I keep thiking of more and more issues I am all riled up about!

Sachita, the genetic engineering of food totally creeps me out!

Civil Rights, the environment, health care....on and on and on!

Great thread AtLast! Nightmarish, but relevant!

food has always been an issue with me. I'll be a grandmother in Dec and I'm already neurotic as all hell. I keep thinking how I can grow food year around and make baby food but the baby mama is just not receptive to exploring this.

I have seed banks of non-hybrid seeds
http://www.non-hybrid-seeds.com/sp/s...eed-vault.html

My family thinks I'm nuts but it could very well come to that. Right now i grow things I know i can collect seeds and replant next year. Just keeping it going.

[iamkeri1]

Across the board civil rights for me for all queer folk, and not excluding people of trans persuasion.

Keeping those crazy people out of Congress, so they don't reverse the progress that has been made in the last year.

Third and this was the basis of the whole first (Bill) Clinton campaign It's the economy, stupid

Well heres another third, maybe even 2.5 Development of Alternative Energy sources. I'm quoting myself here, and it's a great quote. On September 20th 2001 when George W Bush made his speech to Congress declaring war on terrorism. He should have made the following speech instead.

In response to the recent acts of terrorism destroying the Twin Towers in New York, and the lives of thousands, we propose the following response. The government of the United State will use all money seized from terrorists and supporters of terrorists to fund a national program to develop new and renewable alternative energy sources. New fuels to fly planes and drive cars New fuels to power trains and boats. New fuels to heat homes, and cool homes, and factories and shopping centers and all other places of business.

Rather than seek revenge through warfare, the government of the United States has decided to fuel the American dream; to further our national goals by assisting the people of the United State of American in their pursuit of life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness.

I promise the American people that no later that November 1, 2001, I will be presenting suggestions for legislation to the congress that will provide 100 billion dollars of funding for the development of these alternative forms of energy.

The terrorists sought to destroy our economy. We seek to rebuild it. I challenge the people of the United States of America in the same spirit as did President Kennedy when he challenged the people of the United State to "Get a man to the moon within ten years."

At this time of great sorrrow in our nation, I challenge the people of the United States of American to use their sorrow and anger to motivate themselves to excel as they have excelled so many times in the past. We must begin immediately to develop and put in place new types of energy, new types of transportation, new forms of packaging, new products to replace all products having a petroleum base. All "green" products, all born from renewable sources, and to do this BY THE END OF THE DECADE. Not to reduce, but to ELIMNATE our dependence on Foreign Energy BY THE END OF THE DECADE.

We promise to put the genius, the inventiveness, the determination and the freedom of the American people to work to achieve these goals. Develpment of these alternative renewable energy sources will create hundreds of thousands of new jobs, right here in the United States, for the people of the United States. Additionall, I promise you that NONE of these jobs will be outsourced by their parent companies to other countries in order to reduce their labor costs.

I promise the people of the United States that In the year 2010, the message being delivered by the then President to Congress will include the following paragraph...

"The people of the United States wish to offer to the people of the former oil producing nations of the world the assistance they need to develop new approaches to agriculture and food production.This will ensure that their people will be fed, now that the income formerly provided by the sale of petroleum products has been eliminated."

My fellow Americans, I offer you comfort and assurance in this your time of need. To do so I use a phrase that many others before me have used. It is a very simple phrase yet deep with meaning. My fellow Americans, I assure you as I assure the world, that in the end the people of the United States of America will triumph by acting according to our own ideals not by duplicating the heinous acts of terrorists. "living well is the best revenge."

[AtLast]

Originally Posted by apocalipstic

Every post I read on this thread I keep thiking of more and more issues I am all riled up about!

Sachita, the genetic engineering of food totally creeps me out!

Civil Rights, the environment, health care....on and on and on!

Great thread AtLast! Nightmarish, but relevant!

This great!!! really, look at all of the things we are wanting to just get done!! I get the nightmare part, as sometimes I get so frustrated with politicians!

[chefhottie25]

Originally Posted by Nat

My main concern is that extremist bigoted crazy people will have more power.

There are so many issues right now that really scare me but I think the very scariest is the threat to social security - but threats to health care, abortion, separation of church and state, education issues, immigration, the increasing lean towards privatized for-profit prisons, and the fear of losing all the hopes for equal rights for gays - all that too is extremely scary to me.

I'm not the greenest person but I'm also concerned with the earth and what we are doing to it. I dont know that either party is committed to environmental justice. The economy bites too and I think it could bite worse.

i share your concern about the extremist people who might actually get elected. the tea party scares me...eventhough i think we need more than a 2 party election. i am also concerned about the voters who are ready to give up on obama. i didn't initially support him...i was in the hillary clinton camp. i still believe he can make changes and get the country through the current rough time. change takes time and he inherited a major mess. the task he faces is almost insurmountable. things will get better if voters don't throw out the current officials who are making small strides of change.

[AtLast]

The GOP and the Tea Bag Movement NOT making the predicted gains!