Letter: Vote may be beginning of end

While watching election returns and listening to all the talking heads and pundits, one can come to the sad conclusion that this great nation of ours is no longer “one nation under God, indivisible.”

To be successful, a candidate must construct messages aimed at groups instead of Americans.

He must pander to unions, black people, Hispanics, homosexual/lesbians, soccer moms, single women seeking free birth control, white blue-collar workers, seniors on fixed incomes and on and on. Never what I can do for America. Broken promises of hope and change, whatever that means, matter little as long as I look to receive something from the government.

Methinks the 47-percent comment was true.

It does little good to offer ways out of the debt and bleak future that hovers over our country for our children and grandchildren when this nation remains divided as it is.

Two billion dollars spent and what do we have ... a two-seat swing in the Senate. What will this president do now that he has no reason to campaign and must govern (something he has never attempted to do).

In my 69 years, I have voted in every presidential election since I came to voting age.

If I continue to live, I wonder if I will be able to vote in another.

George Traylor

retired electrician

Denham Springs

Comments

1) Comment by nimby? - 24/11/2012

"Your statement assumes that the majority of people of color are subject to years of dependency " . Maelstrom , please tell me where I said such . we are all of color . lotta white freeloaders out there . by the way , white people aren't white , blacks aren't black , red people aren't red , and Asians aren't yellow . not a republican , didn't vote for Romney , continue to assume ...

2) Comment by Maelstrom - 24/11/2012

"as a person of color I am well aware of what years of dependency can do to the individual." --- What crock. Your statement assumes that the majority of people of color are subject to years of dependency. This is Romney and many Republican's believe and it is a falsehood.

3) Comment by nimby? - 23/11/2012

twinkie1cat , I stay in school , prepare myself for further education so I am qualified for more than a minimum wage job . as a person of color I am well aware of what years of dependency can do to the individual . I am also familiar with growing up in a remote area where resources are limited , but those days are behind . in urban areas there are brothers and sisters buying into the propaganda that their life is destined , that there is nothing they can do to improve their lot . they give up , quit school thereby limiting themselves of job opportunities . there is so much out there to take advantage of , yet they ignore . things are much different than when you and I were growing up . in 1965 there were no options for an 18 yearold growing up on the rez in S. Dakota . I joined the military so I could go to college . got my degree , a job , then started a family . continued my education , got my Masters , taught for almost 30 years , mostly at inner city schools . it isn't easy but can be done . I'm not asking anyone to do something I haven't . it's a matter of choices , priorities . I am not a christian , I am Lakota , but first I am an American ...

4) Comment by twinkie1cat - 23/11/2012

Ok nimby so if you have a minimum wage job all your life thanks to the greedy businessmen who refuse to pay a living wage. and then lose that and become disabled because it is impossible to save money AND pay your current bills, you get to starve to death under the I-10 bridge riddled with disease just like the folks Mother Teresa took care of in India. Right on! Real Christian! Real American. And the elderly, well the Eskimos used to send them out to die on an ice floe. I guess an nice alligator filled swamp would do in Louisiana. Serves the same purpose. Or why not just get out your super-legal gun and KILL all the sick, elderly, and disabled. We have an excellent example from history on that one. He was called Adolph Hitler!

5) Comment by nimby? - 22/11/2012

all the more reason to eliminate all social programs , including SS and Medicare . allow the earnings to stay with the earner to invest as he/she sees fit .

6) Comment by Bouncer - 22/11/2012

Hello? AMERICA is composed of, among other things, "unions, black people, Hispanics, homosexual/lesbians, soccer moms, single women seeking free birth control, white blue-collar workers, seniors on fixed incomes and on and on." You know, Georgie, all those "special" groups that you vilify? We're a gumbo of all different types, thank goodness, not just a nation of wrinkled, curmudgeonly old white guys. Methinks that as a member of the 47% club, meaning that I'll bet dollars to donuts that you receive SS and Medicare, you shouldn't cast stones.

7) Comment by nimby? - 22/11/2012

"shared sacrifices , shared responsibilities" . sifting thru the election I observed one message from the republicans , aimed at all Americans , equally . the Democrats catered to many partisan groups , sending mixed messages . please tell me again who is trying to divide the country .

8) Comment by twinkie1cat - 22/11/2012

Excuse me, Mr. Traylor, but all those "special interest groups" that you listed are taxpaying Americans who have gotten worked over by Republican administrations. And they all deserve benefits from their taxes. Those benefits include a decent life in retirement and equal human rights. You, yourself, are probably a beneficiary of some of those benefis----Social Security and Medicare at minimum and may also receive other benefits such as home health care or meals on wheels eventually. Unless you are incredibly wealthy, you are in the 47% that Mitt Romney so abhorred. Assuring all Americans that they will get their share of America and that a bunch of Catholic priests, homophobes and racists are not going to deny their fellow Americans equality was necessary in this race because America had gone too far down into the abyss with the economy and with the hate groups and teapartiers under the GOP. America is not a nation of privileged white males any more. It is a salad bowl of diversity and that needs to be recognized that we are all, first of all, Americans.

9) Comment by gary - 22/11/2012

Okay, I get it - youse guys slipped this letter in again to make sure I was awake. My wife tells me "you are easy to confuse" - now I'm starting to wonder. Anyhow, George must have located those mushrooms that folks in our age range use to boil for medicine. We got to get back to the Fats Domino and Little Richard era - well, maybe not - I don't think George is very fond of either. Happy Thanksgiving.

10) Comment by potkcalb - 17/11/2012

Traylor's letter reminds me of that other doomsday prophet Chicken Little who declaimed "The sky is falling, the sky is falling!"

11) Comment by Old Man Kensey - 14/11/2012

Wow, i see our republicans are repairing the bubble. Avoid reality at all cost.

12) Comment by radiohead - 13/11/2012

speakthetruth - what a mouthful! My dad is indeed a decorated veteran - a member of the mighty Eighth Air Force, and was a POW in Stalag Luft I. A die-hard liberal all of his 91 years and still feisty. He gave the Obama campaign money in 2008 and again this year, and he voted for him twice. He has a military pension, a government pension, Social Security, and Medicare, and grateful for all of it. I have four nephews in the military too - all of whom voted for Obama. Three of them did two tours of duty in Iraq and one did a tour of duty in Afghanistan and is scheduled to return in a couple of months for another short stint. I also have a niece, who is an officer in the Marines. She too voted for Obama, as did her parents - her father is a veteran too, a former life-long Republican until he saw what W and his cronies did to this country. He has since declared that he is now a "Yellow Dog Democrat till I die." You sure do generalize a lot, don't you? For someone who purports to know so much about military families, you obviously don't know mine. Proud patriotic liberals, all of us. Yes, we take occasionally, but we also give. A lot. And we're all educated, productive citizens, who are grateful for the things this country offers, and mindful that the Preamble to the U.S. Constitution states that one of its purposes is to "promote the general welfare." Try not hating and letting go of greed for a while - it feels pretty good to feel compassion and concern for those less fortunate.

13) Comment by nimby? - 13/11/2012

"To be successful, a candidate must construct messages aimed at groups instead of Americans" , very true . it appears this country's biggest threat is from old white men . their most outspoken criticism coming from liberals of their own race . it is the liberals' failure to find fault within themselves tending to excusing/accusing/defending the wrong person(s)

14) Comment by gofigger - 13/11/2012

Dirtybird -take a chill pill

15) Comment by misterfalcon - 13/11/2012

Wait, politicians have to pander to certain groups in order to create majority coalitions to elect them? Does anyone else know about this? You should probably give LSU's poli-sci department a call this could change everything we know about elections. Also: RIP America "indivisible" under God 1954-2012. But, as a 69 year old, you already knew that, right?

16) Comment by gofigger - 13/11/2012

Sorry, I was just referring to the picking and choosing in general. After all, you must use your friends wisely.

17) Comment by DMJ - 13/11/2012

The President didn't pick which states had auto plants, obviously.

18) Comment by gofigger - 13/11/2012

Do you mean ......like during the bail out?

19) Comment by DMJ - 13/11/2012

What does it matter which states the jobs were created/saved in? Are you saying the President should pick and choose which states to create jobs in based on which ones have stronger unions? That's dumb.

20) Comment by agagent - 13/11/2012

About 72% of the jobs which Obama claimed to create were created in the 22 right-to-work states. If Obama was so good at creating jobs he would have created those jobs in states were unions prevail. I know it was Bush’s fault.

21) Comment by nimby? - 13/11/2012

I never did like someone telling me I had to like something because of this or that . nor do I appreciate someone assuming my dislikes .

22) Comment by gofigger - 13/11/2012

@chem - yeah, we must learn to be better liars? No thanks, we will remain. I would not want to be in the company of Lance Armstrong.

23) Comment by chem - 13/11/2012

Mr. Traylor's third paragraph says it all. While he does not state his political affiliation, it seems clear that he is probably in the Republican camp. And that is the problem with the Republican Party -- too many Mr. Traylors. I don't think anyone has a problem with fiscal conservatism, to a certain point, but people draw the line at being told how to run their lives. The Republican Party was hijacked by the religious-right and the no-compromise Tea Baggers. That is a recipe for failure and the election proved that to be so. The majority of Catholics, for example, voted against their own church's teachings and pronouncements. Catholic bishops overreached in their messages about what people should and should not do. When one looks at the Democratic and Republican conventions, as well as the gatherings on election night, it was clear which party represented America. The Republicans were a sea of white, mostly older faces, while the Democrats had a broad cross-section of people -- blacks, Latinos, asians, whites, young, old, women, men. Unless the Republican Party changes fundamentally, it will become irrelevent. It cannot simply give lip service to the various groups in America while in their hearts still believing what they currently espouse. It must be genuine change.

24) Comment by gofigger - 12/11/2012

Hey Scrooge, that's not nice to say............sounds like you might be a little.......green-eyed?

25) Comment by Scrooge - 12/11/2012

The whole thing is that a black man is president, heck in the good ole days when Mr. Traylor was in the Army, units were segregated and Louisiana was at the bottom voting Democrat. Now the Army is integrated and Louisiana is still at the bottom voting Republican. Some things never change maybe cause they're inbred?

26) Comment by gofigger - 12/11/2012

@DMJ - That's probably what the leaders of Greece also thought ........just a few years ago.

27) Comment by potkcalb - 12/11/2012

speak the truth obviously has problems, too incoherent to know what his problems are, but he has problems.

28) Comment by speakthetruth - 12/11/2012

@radiohead - I don't believe your dad was a decorated veteran. Your views are that of the takers, and takes didn't come from military families that lived the life of you get what you earn. I'm glad you are making a good living, and it sounds like you have a good future. I'll bet you live in a nice house and have two cars. You probably pay a lot in taxes, but lets say its not enough. And that big house you live in is too big so you need to pay more and you don't need two cars so give one to someone that doesn't have one. Better yet, lets fix your income to what the government feels your income should be for a family your size and heavily tax the rest so the takers can have their fair share. Then you can write and complain and the takers can tell you to quit complaining and continue working......... Its not that far from where we are headed. Oh, did you see the true numbers of the people on welfare were suppressed till after the election. Much worse that what we were lead to believe. Imagine that......

29) Comment by gman70726 - 12/11/2012

I have empathy for Mr Traylor. His generation has done more for this country than any since. I did not vote for our President but hope he governs with earnest intentions for the mass of this country. I am not in favor of the young, old, black, white, democrat or republican. I think that if it is good for the individual, it is good for all. We are founded on individual rights and freedoms, not group. I do not believe in hate crimes. Murder is murder, robbery is robbery no matter the reason and should be punished in those contexts. We are however on a financial edge that can not be ignored. Unfortunately, the last times that a Republican was President and compromises were agreed upon, taxes raised-spending cuts, the taxes were raised but spending was not cut. I would like to know what would happen if we simply froze the current spending and not increase it one penny. Many households have not had a raise in years, why not the government. Historically, government cuts have not been true cuts but reduction in proposed increases in the spending. Government income will still increase due to the natural movement of the economy's growth no matter how slow. This country will never succumb to outside forces. However, I fear we will implode from within from our system of giving to those who never produced a single thing just as Rome fell from its great financial strength.

30) Comment by DMJ - 12/11/2012

Ugh. Greece again. The laziest of analogies and the epitome of uninformed argument. We're nothing like Greece - structurally, socially, economically, politically.. It's a false comparison and we should all ignore such arguments in the future. The U.S. is in a pretty strong position, especially compared to Greece. We'll be fine. We just need to change the ratio of spending to revenue. It took decades for us to amass this debt; it'll take decades to pay it down. The Democrats are willing to compromise. They always are. Heck, they're even willing to give in (see: single payer or public option or lack thereof). The House Republicans just need to follow suit.

31) Comment by gofigger - 12/11/2012

If most of the people are looking forward to the direction this country is headed, why not get up to speed by moving to...........Greece. You should fit right in! You can leave the debt behind, we'll take care of it.

32) Comment by DMJ - 12/11/2012

Well said, whatchange.

33) Comment by Whatchange - 12/11/2012

Wow, a letter full of "Fear mongering". I didn't vote for President Obama simply because I don't agree with his politics, period. I don't believe the man is going to do anymore than any president before him to erode our rights, and I don't believe he will turn our military against us and proclaim himself king as this letter suggest. People, he is the president like it or not, now lets just move on and hope he can move us forward as a nation.

34) Comment by Whatnow - 12/11/2012

Mr. Traylor, just sit back and watch. Hold tight to your money and just watch and let them learn the hard way. Obama earned all that he inherited this time.

35) Comment by potkcalb - 12/11/2012

Correction: Should have said "...the last two are considered liabilities by the extreme right wingers."

36) Comment by potkcalb - 12/11/2012

Am I to conclude then from your letter Mr. Taylor that a presidential candidate should appeal only to older white males since you have excluded almost everyone else? It's almost certain that the Republicans could have done much better in the election if they had a viable, competitive candidate. But instead they promoted religious and ideological extremists like Huckabee and Palin (not candidates in the recent election) Bachman, Santorum, Perry, and Gingrich, none electable. Their default candidate was Romney, but no one knew who he was! They had a potential candidate who would have garnered votes from independents and disillusioned Obama supporters and that is Huntsman. He was a highly successful and popular governor, a conservative (George Will said so; that's like an endorsement from God). He had hands on foreign policy experience and believes in science. Of course the last two are not considered liabilities by the extreme right wingers. And he did not engage in the obligatory and childish ranting and boasting about being the "real" conservative.

37) Comment by Sandy - 12/11/2012

The good news about the election, is that it brings us 4 years closer to the point at which we can no longer act like we don't have a problem. Once we reach the point where no one will loan us anymore money and we don't have the money to pay the bills on what we have already borrowed, you will no longer have the option to continue down this path. Large chunks of Europe are learning this lesson as we speak. Eventually you have to pay the credit card bill, and in the meantime, that minimum payment keeps getting bigger and bigger until the credit card company cuts you off. Then you can't ignore reality any longer.

38) Comment by InPVille - 12/11/2012

@Spudaroonski " I think I speak for all of the 47% when I say why don't you just go and "know" yourself in the biblical sense. " -[**]- Bravo!? Thank you for raising the discussion on these forums to new levels of grade school level insults.

39) Comment by radiohead - 12/11/2012

I am sick of being characterized as a freeloader because I voted for Obama in 2008 and again last Tuesday. I relied on a government handout (student loans) for an advanced education (and paid them all back), and benefited from the Earned Income Tax Credit because my income was so low at one time that I hardly knew where my next meal was coming from. I'm now gainfully employed, making a very good living, and grateful for government safety nets that kept me and my kids from being homeless. I'll bet I pay more in taxes than a lot of the people wringing their hands over the election results. Who shaped my views? My parents, who grew up during the Great Depression and endured WWII (my dad is a decorated veteran). Yes, believe it of not, some of their generation support taxes and government social programs, while despising bigotry of any kind. In four years, Mr. Traylor and his ilk might just realize that the world didn't end on November 6, 2012, the economy got stronger, and his entitlement programs - Medicare and Social Security - stayed intact.

40) Comment by Attila - 12/11/2012

I would like for some of you who have no problem with the direction that the country is headed to truthfully answer this question. The IRS rules for the Earned Income Tax Credit provides that a family of 5 earning 49.5K is eligible for over 5k in EITC. Does that seem "fair" to you? I also note that this mornings Advocate stated that under Obamacare a family of 4 making 4 times the poverty level, which is over 91K, will be eligible for government assistance to purchase health insurance. I do not make that kind of money, and pay for my own health insurance, but I think that maybe I should turn Democrat and take advantage of the fruits of other people's labor.

41) Comment by DMJ - 12/11/2012

Methinks this guy has watched too much Fox News. Look.... the U.S. doesn't cease to be the U.S. just because the guy you voted for didn't win. I feel silly saying this to an old man, but hey George....grow up! Even Romney and Ryan recanted and disavowed the stupid, stupid 47% theory and they did so for obvious (though not obvious enough, it seems) reasons: 1. Not everyone who doesn't pay federal income taxes votes Democratic - active duty and disabled veterans, seniors on social security, otherwise disabled people, people who just got laid off, students, etc. Before you demonize 1/2 the country, at least bother to learn who they are 2. Not everyone in the 53% votes Republican. I pay federal income taxes and have for many years, yet I voted for Obama. Hmm..... This was a truly terrible letter, depressing in its level of doom and gloom and lack of rationality. But hey.... on the bright side, if someone like Traylor, who thinks so little of the country in which he lives, is upset....it usually means we're doing something right. Congratulations, America!

42) Comment by Spudaroonski - 12/11/2012

Wow, I can't understand why the nation is so divided with kind, benevolent, charming people such as yourself around Mr. Traylor. You seem like such a level headed decent soul. Just one question for you... what do you recommend to get the tough stains out of your sheets? I think I speak for all of the 47% when I say why don't you just go and "know" yourself in the biblical sense.

43) Comment by free_market - 12/11/2012

****Comment Removed for Violation of Terms of Use****

44) Comment by MBW - 12/11/2012

George, news flash: More than 75% of black Americans do not live in poverty and have jobs. Same is true of soccer moms (who some of you Republicans are married to) and of gay people, and white working class voters. But, hey, if the GOP wants to continue to live in a bubble and treat entire swaths of America as "moochers", go ahead. We're moving ahead with you.

45) Comment by MBW - 12/11/2012

Does George realize that the women, hispanics, black people, single women, gay people, and white blue-collar workers that he speaks so derisively about are Americans too? And those Americans are part of a growing segment of our population that the GOP has deemed to be beneath them and has CHOSEN to ignore.

46) Comment by speakthetruth - 12/11/2012

spqr, you are right in describing George, and I understand his concerns. The attacks here are the blacks who think anything white is bad, they are the brats that grew up having everything handed to them. They played sports that didn't keep score. They would never think of joining the military to fight for our country, that is someone else's responsibility. They are the takers of our society. If it continues we are doomed. History repeats its self and if we don't learn from it we deserve everything we get. dmr0601 - American apartheid? You are one of the takers and you always want more. I suggest you look at New Orleans, Chicago, Atlanta, Detroit and see how your new society is working out. maelstrom, he was referring to the 47% that are now on some kind of government subsistence - the takers. Not the popular vote and not the ones that worked all their life and paid into SS, and Medicare. Its the 47% that don't work, never worked, and don't plan to work that take our money through taxes and vote for socialistic policies. dmr0601 and his/her kind got their power from being willing to hit the streets and burn the place down. Maybe we should learn from history. We are a county divided - the workers and the takers. George, I feel your frustration. The people on here that criticize you can't feel your frustration because they are the takers. They don't know what its like to work hard and see more and more taxes taken out of our checks only to be given to the takes.

47) Comment by dmr0601 - 12/11/2012

Someone is having trouble grappling with the idea that the days of American apartheid are over.

48) Comment by Scrooge - 12/11/2012

Agagent doesn't seem to realize the election is over. All his parrot ranting is beginning to take its toll. Really, go fishing or hunting instead of unhinging you mind; life is too short for an unhealthy obsession with ideological fantasies with little basis in reality.

49) Comment by Mygulfbleedsforu - 12/11/2012

I understand George is sincere. George needs to understand that most everyone is sincere. He apparently cannot understand that someone -- in fact many someones -- believe in the moderate-to-liberal social philosophies and the Democratic economic approaches even when they themselves expect to receive little or no direct benefit from the government. The funny thing is ... to me, that makes George the kind who can only think in terms of "what's in it for me," since he cannot imagine there exists a point of view that is concerned with the public welfare. Most surprising to me is that someone can spend the past four to five years absorbing "news" from the likes of Fox and anonymously composed inflammatory emails, and still believe the divisiveness came from the left.

50) Comment by spqr - 12/11/2012

Let me speak for George, although I do not know him. He was born during WWII and experienced some of the suffering. He was part of the Great Generation building the greatest economy the world had seen since the Romans. He won the Cold War, his marriage is in its 40-50th year, his children are educated and decent, he paid his bills and taxes on time, was never on welfare, blamed no one for his problems, always worked even if it paid poorly or was not to his liking, and denied himself simple pleasure for the good of his family. If he is retired and on social security he EARNED IT. He does not understand the sick mentality of the Laziest Generation, drunk on entitlement and blaming others for their weaknesses. Give George a break. Many of you are not qualified to criticize a real family man. Back to your welfare...

51) Comment by dday198 - 12/11/2012

the voters have spoken if you voted for Romney you lost and a good chance your an angry white man

52) Comment by bourbon-soda - 12/11/2012

Soviet logic: tax the citizen until he depends on government and then tell him to shut up unless he turns down the dole.

53) Comment by postscript56 - 12/11/2012

It's not the message, it's the messenger. And when it's not the messenger it's because all those lazy, godless socialists are just looking for a handout. Did I get that right? Well here's a message for you, Mr. Traylor - the Republican party is offensive to blacks, asians, hispanics, young people and women. Where are your new voters going to come from? It's not easy to perpetuate ignorance. When folks like Traylor go on to their reward, so dies any hope of a Republican majority. May that day come quickly.

54) Comment by Bighug - 12/11/2012

A president that must be concerned about ALL the citizens? So what is your complaint, George? As for the election, Romney could probably have done better if not for the idiots in the Tea Party who were backing him. Try getting some information from some source other than Fox News.

55) Comment by unevahno - 12/11/2012

A 69 year old man who probably is on Medicare and receives Social Security complains about it. Mr. Traylor, if you give up your medicare and social security, we may believe that you have convictions and ideals. Otherwise, we must conclude that your real personal problem is your bigotry toward the groups you named. You know. Everybody but old white men.

56) Comment by gary - 12/11/2012

George, are you on medicare and social security? If so, you are one of the 47%. You should be thanking our present POTUS and not repeating Fox news and Rush's daily whine.

57) Comment by Maelstrom - 12/11/2012

Whine, whine, whine. The fact that you think the only reason that the majority of people voted for President Obama is that they wanted something free just goes to show how little you actually know this country. You have no respect for those that disagree with you, therefore you can only denigrate them. The problem is that the 50% plus (not 47% as it turns out), most working individuals didn't vote for Republican candidate because they didn't agree with his message as much as they agreed with the President's message or because they trusted the President more on either or both domestic policy or foreign affairs. Incidentally, we have a long-term debt issue, not a short term debt issue while at the same time we do have a short term job problem. Solutions to the debt should be long term but not at the expense of short term jobs.

58) Comment by agagent - 11/11/2012

I guess you are right. The majority voted for adding to the $16 trillion in debt, higher taxes, more Solyndra’s, a GDP below 2%, more food stamps and welfare, more money for Obama supporters and campaign bundlers, more Obamaphones, the $1 trillion in Obamacre taxes, and cuts to Medicare. The economy is great, the world loves us because we elected Obama, the media tells us the truth, and it will still be Bush’s fault for another 4 years.

59) Comment by agagent - 11/11/2012

Obama does not seem that interested in the economy or performing his duties as President. He has focused on speeches, fund raising and campaigning. He will likely continue in the campaign mode instead of doing the his work of President. He still wants citizenship for illegals, his carbon tax, tax increases on the rich, his green agenda and fighting fossil fuels, and sending federal support to his supporters and campaign bundlers. He may be concerned about the $16 trillion in debt, but only as it relates to his legacy.

60) Comment by gvm - 11/11/2012

This guy is the personification of everything voters rejected on Nov.6.