Senator Levin:

We can only hope that the most important change will be enacted: ELIMINATE INSTANT CREDIT!!

If you just get rid of Instant Credit by the CC companies, you'd eliminate Identity Theft, a hideous crime which can ruin your life...

Posted at April 17, 2008 4:30 PM in response to Testifying on Abuses by Credit Card Companies

Most likely Diebold will win the election for the Reps in key districts.

For the latest on the remarkable story
of how unsecure Diebold machines are,
see this post.

Vinson Valega
Consilience Productions
New York City

Posted at October 17, 2006 9:01 AM in response to Why So Confident?

Reading through most of these posts, I think you get the sense of how out of touch most Americans are to the modern political process. Yes, it's admirable that Paul is keeping his word, yet reality dictates that money buys seats. Plain and simple. According to press reports, Brown has amassed TEN TIMES the amount of money as Paul did ($2.7 million for Brown).

So...unfortunately, no matter how charismatic and honorable Paul is, the fact of the matter is that the money was and is behind Brown. Those are the painful facts, and until we have publically financed elections, this will continue to happen.

Now, I also must say, that Paul's statement to the press reeks of sour-puss: "For me, this is a second betrayal," Mr. Hackett said. "First, my government misused and mismanaged the military in Iraq, and now my own party is afraid to support candidates like me."

C'mon, Paul. The party wasn't afraid to back you! You just hadn't raised as much money as Brown, who's been in the game WAY longer than you. Your sour-puss attitude is bad for the party and the progressive cause you support.

Although I loved your attitude and charisma, you have shown your true character by not supporting Brown - AND not running for Congress. In fact, you sound like a little baby, taking your ball and running away. I'm sorry if folks on this board disagree, but until there are publically financed elections, this is how the game is played. Ask any candidate who's run for office, and you will see that it's all about raising money. Most candidates I've known has spent upwards of 90% of their time raising money! It's crazy, and unfortunate, but it's the reality of the game.

Paul Hackett just came face to face with how the game is played. And he's taken the ball from the playground with him.

Vinson Valega

Consilience Productions
www.cslproductions.com
New York City

Posted at February 14, 2006 1:30 PM in response to Statement from Paul Hackett

Keep up the good work! Your question to AG Gonzalez, asking him if he could name one president since 1978 who has opted to disregard FISA showed appropriately exposed their canard that wire-taps have a long history in our country. That's not the point - it's all about post 1978 FISA!

Vinson Valega

Posted at February 7, 2006 1:18 PM in response to WHAT WE HEARD FROM THE ATTORNEY GENERAL

Sen. Feingold,

Thank you kindly for spending time with us here at TPM Cafe.

In your next post, could you please list the issues with the Patriot Act that you agree with and those that you'd like to change?

All the best,

Posted at December 12, 2005 9:44 AM in response to Fixing The Patriot Act -- Fighting Terrorism While Protecting Our Freedoms