Seeing red

Even if North Carolinians have developed an inclination to vote Republican in presidential elections, the state just might go Democratic anyway in 2008, regardless of whether Barack Obama, Hillary Clinton, John Edwards or Mike Easley is the Democratic nominee for President.

You see, North Carolinians, being moderate and practical in certain matters, might figure that it's not a bad idea to vote for the other party every third of a century or so just to keep the first party from taking them for granted. Sort of like the lawyer who in assessing the statements of the party of the first part nonetheless does not neglect to make at least some mention of the party of the second part.

And it has been right close to a third of a century, 32 years to be exact--from 1976 to 2008--since North Carolina last voted Democratic for the chief magistry, having given its electoral votes to Georgia's Jimmy Carter back in the Bicentennial Year of '76 after which Tar Heels have shifted to voting for Republicans in every presidential election so far in the Nation's third century.

Even the Whigs picked up some presidential victories in North Carolina in the 19th Century, including Henry Clay's upset of James K. Polk in both Polk's native state of North Carolina and his adopted state of Tennessee in the Election of 1844 although "Young Hickory" and his running mate George Dallas of Pennsylvania won enough of the other states to carry the day for their Democratic campaign slogan of "Polk, Dallas and Texas."

So modern-day Democrats who may have grown up with memories of Democrats ruling the roost in North Carolina presidential politics in the 20th Century shouldn't give up on the possibility of seeing the donkey make some more victory laps around the track in their twilight years in the 21st Century. Maybe the best thing N.C. Democrats should do in 2008 is to "bray" for victory at the polls.

David McKnight

Lets get it on! Lets take off the gloves and discuss real issues and not get personal.
- Why are there tariffs on importing ethanol fuel? Brazil is ready to double their production based on sugar cane. Lets drop the tariffs that are protecting oil companies & large farming operations. This would reduce the cost of fueling a vehicle in NC. Reduce the pressure for growing grain & corn for ethanol in America, which in turn will help stem the rising cost of food. An added benefit is immigration, because the So American job market will improve with good paying positions.
- Support US H.R. 676. Lets have "Medicare For All" and take care of the high cost of health & medical care in America. Medicare is well proven, and the best 'single payer' Health Care system in the world. A big benefit is lower cost of business in America, which will make America more competitive in the world market.
- Lets have a real Stimulus Package, one that is permanent & works.
Exempt the first $15,000 of wages & employee contributions from FICA, and take the cap off. Thus everyone with wage earnings up to $116,999 will take home more money. At $15,000 you are taking home $930 more per yr. This will really stimulate the economy. The cost of doing business is less & those who need it the most, will have more to support themselves.
- America must have an indexed 'Living Wage' program that will reduce the need for;
Housing, Medical (Medicaid), and Child Care subsidies. If people earned enough, the Federal Govt could reduce these subsidy programs.
- And, lets have a plan to end the costly war, which America can not afford.