newsobserver.com projects - Jim Webb - Comments

Re: Tobacco farmers head to Washington

debbieh57 — Thu, 04 Jun 2009 21:14:20 -0400

I would say that tobacco is probably about as useful as alcohol, french fries, hamburgers, MP3 players, cake and ice cream, a 12 oz sirloin and the carcinogens generated by the charcoal you cook it with; but the point is, it is the freedom of choice we have as adults to consume these products or not. No one thinks kids should smoke. That is a decision they will make for themselves when they reach adulthood. The fact that it is illegal for minors to drink alcohol, smoke marijuana, use crack or meth, or snort cocaine certainly doesn't stop the children of this nation from using those illegal products. Many of our problems exist because of irresponsible, unattentive, and incapable parents that lack the disciplinary skills to raise children. This sorry bunch had rather see government pass laws to keep their children on the straight and narrow than to raise them themselves...what a cope out!!!!! Oh by the way, there is not one penny of taxpayer money that subsidizes tobacco farming in any way!!!! But on the other hand EVERY acre of tobacco grown generates two hundred thousand dollars ($200,000.00) in cigarette excise taxes which is used by the government to create programs to raise people's children for them!

Re: Hagan sends three picks to Obama

PercyKution — Wed, 03 Jun 2009 23:25:36 -0400

No telling how much HAGan will pocket from this one deal right here.

Re: Hagan sends three picks to Obama

jeeps_r4me — Wed, 03 Jun 2009 21:28:49 -0400

She was waiting to secure her free cars, plane rides to and from the coast, cheap beachfront property, and a 5 year six-figure contract for a family member before releasing the names. You think that kind of deal making just happens over night? ;-)

Re: Hagan sends three picks to Obama but wont tell us who?????

Platowasright — Wed, 03 Jun 2009 16:56:06 -0400

She would not disclose the names of the nominees? Because she had not informed the losers? What a rookie mistake. Next time do us a favor Kay, hold off on the press conference until you have notified the losers and then TELL US WHAT LIBERALS YOU WANT TO ANOINT TO THE FEDERAL IMPERIAL BENCH.

Re: Tobacco farmers head to Washington

Kingixolib — Wed, 03 Jun 2009 16:28:27 -0400

Same as drugs......it helps grease the slide into office for many in this country.

Re: Tobacco farmers head to Washington

j1c2kp — Wed, 03 Jun 2009 16:26:09 -0400

I understand that tobacco put food on the table, kids through college, etc. But what I cannot figure out is why a product that has no purpose except to possibly give people cancer is still subsidized by taxpayers. What other purpose is there to tobacco?

Re: Hagan sends three picks to Obama

cdtew — Wed, 03 Jun 2009 11:45:47 -0400

Let me guess...Judge Boyle didn't get the Hagan seal of approval?

Re: Hagan change to SCHIP bill withdrawn

greenswamp — Sat, 31 Jan 2009 11:43:03 -0500

You have the choice between a Saturn and Hummer don't you? There's no freedom lost here. Decide whether you want to smoke or not. I am sympathetic to smokers and know it's hard to quit. And I also wish they would tax alcohol more because I believe it is more harmful than tobacco. But I have to pay a high insurance premium to make up for the hugely costly treatments for chronic emphysema, liver disease, and lung cancer. People who have to have this treatment cannot pay enough premium to make it worthwhile for insurance companies, so I, who am not a smoker and non-drinker have to make up the difference. Or worse yet the government picks up the tab with my tax money to pay for it for the non-insured. Is that fair? Probably Hagan did not make a politically popular decision, but she made a stand and will take responsibility for it. That is a welcome change.

Re: Hagan change to SCHIP bill withdrawn

mickiep — Sat, 31 Jan 2009 09:59:42 -0500

The tobacco industry in NC, as an example, was once a major employer and source of income for many until the Democrats demonized it in the name of Public Health. Individual choice no longer means anything in this Republic and its erosion is rampant. The Democrats continuiously and systematically burden one group for the benefit of another with their redistribution programs. It won't stop at the final demise of the Tobacco industry or any other as there are plenty of industries to demonize and tax. Democrats are experts at social engineering using taxation as a means of behaviour modification and wealth redistribution. So when the time comes that we all pay 70% of our income in taxes, we need not worry about having or losing a job, because we can all just join the Kay Hagan/Obama Socialist club and have all our needs fulfilled.

Re: Hagan change to SCHIP bill withdrawn

JoCoCruiser — Sat, 31 Jan 2009 06:41:21 -0500

So we have someone that feels the need to vote how she perceives the popular vote to be ..... Make is proud!

Re: Hagan change to SCHIP bill withdrawn

tangoz — Sat, 31 Jan 2009 01:34:16 -0500

What has happened to responsibility for one's self and their own family. Why do I as a taxpayer have to pay for someone elses inability to raise their own children?
The Democratic party's policies and intentional efforts have created this dependent class. Let them pay the bill. Soon they will take all of my earnings from me and make me dependent on them to get a pittance of it back. Socialiam at it's best, or should I say at it's worst.

Re: Hagan change to SCHIP bill withdrawn

ThoughtCrimes — Fri, 30 Jan 2009 20:43:17 -0500

HA! That's reallllly sticking to her guns, eh? Oh well. It'll be nice to have another socialist govt program that doesn't work!

Re: Burr wants debate on his G.I. bill

TOPASSISTANT — Fri, 23 May 2008 06:57:27 -0400

I am all for the military however, shouldn’t we have a discussion on priorities for future years tax dollars? Our politicians, both parties, including presidents from LBJ to now have spent us into the poor house. All I hear is that we are the richest nation in the world. After a while, we begin to believe it! How can a country be rich when our politicians have mortgaged our kids and grandkids future?
We are almost $10 trillion dollars indebt with the federal debt being raised five times since 2002. Communist Red China owns $460 billion of our IOUs and has $1.3 trillion U.S. dollars in cash in the bank. They have already told us they will destroy us and they can if they call in our notes and dump the cash on the world market. Oh, don’t forget we funded their ability to develop their first navy in over 500-years, including nuclear subs. Oh, do not forget our illegal immigration challenge. What is the cost to educate a child in a local school? Once you find out, ask yourself how many illegal aliens pay this much to educate their kids. What about their free medical care? Both of these are unfunded mandates and we are expected to be nice because it is the American thing to do. Is it American for our politicians to continue promising more and more just to buy our votes?

Re: Another Vet Voice...

ThomasBrock — Thu, 22 May 2008 08:26:06 -0400

"I feel bad for the enlisted folks who have gotten out, who don't live near their parents, who don't have savings, how are we setting them up for success???"

Ding! Ding! Ding!!

What's worse is that some schools don't defer tuition payment for the receipt of GI Bill cash. Veterans have to pay in advance for books, supplies, and tuition. That's easily a $500 bill for one single class, much less a full-load.

The current GI Bill plan has failed the American veteran. Any plan short of full tuition and books fails the American veteran.

Another Vet Voice...

captsfufp — Wed, 21 May 2008 22:30:55 -0400

As an Iraq vet, I think any Senator who does not support the Webb-Hagel bill is turning their backs on Iraq/Afghanistan vets, telling us that we are "not worthy" of the benefits of the WWII generation.

Unlike most others who speak about this, I'm an actual GI Bill recipient, currently receiving benefits. Luckily I'm going to school near home, so I live with my parents, and as a former officer, I had a decent amount of savings to feed off of for living/tuition/books/gas expenses. Don't get me wrong, my GI Bill monthly check helps, but it is truly a drop in the bucket. The "Greatest Generation" had 100% of their education paid for. But I have 8% percent of mine paid for, so I guess my service is only 8 percent "as great." I feel bad for the enlisted folks who have gotten out, who don't live near their parents, who don't have savings, how are we setting them up for success??? It isn't just for college...it's for community college and technical schools.

This is the message that the American people and the U.S. Senate wish to send us vets and currently serving military? Instead of spending $1.35 on a stupid yellow ribbon sticker that's most likely made from another country, how about we spend money on our vets and support them when the LEAVE they combat zone??