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Presidential Campaign Visits: Exciting or a Nuisance?

Love 'em or hate 'em, the candidates' visits to the Tampa Bay area probably won't stop anytime soon. What do you think of politicians coming to your town?

With Florida a battleground state – and Tampa Bay considered key to the presidential election – campaigning has been nonstop in 2012.

The showdowns started with the Florida Primary in January, when Republican presidential hopefuls started descending on Tampa Bay.

They intensified when the Republican National Convention came to town last month, with GOP nominee Gov. Mitt Romney and his crew bringing major buzz and more than a little disruption to downtown Tampa.

Things heated up again recently, as President Barack Obama stopped in Seminole, route: {:controller=>"articles", :action=>"show", :id=>"obama-met-by-11-000-supporters"} -->, and Paul Ryan, Romney's VP pick,

George Gould September 18, 2012 at 01:56 pm
Sunde, you are correct. Oligarch is not used in everyday conversation. The reason is that oligarch(y) means nothing. All governments are oligarchies. The few rule over the many regardless of the governing philosophy even in a democracy or a democratic republic.
The questions you must answer are 1) who is ruled?; 2)who rules?; and who is the beneficiary of the rule? The more correct term for those who rule in the United States is plutocrat which derives from plutocracy (rule by the wealthy). The system we have in this country is a plutocracy with a democratic veneer or, to paraphrase Lincoln: government of the people, by the politicians, for the wealthy.
Torrey Craig September 18, 2012 at 02:57 pm
The term oligarchy has a connotation of corruption, while Mr Gould in using plutocracy does not have the suggestion corruption rather the limiter is physical wealth. It is at best reprehensible that the rich language of the Bard has been denigrated into the tattoo of a pile driver.
Our government requires the participation of each and every person in order for our government to continue to be successful. Should we systemically exclude certain classes of individuals from freely participation, our experiment in self government will fail. Ben Franklin, on leaving the Constitutional Convention, was asked - what kind of government had been delegated created. He answered: A Republic, IF you can keep it. That question haunts us to this day. Our form of self government is unique, are we smart enough to keep it?
George Gould September 18, 2012 at 03:30 pm
Ms Craig, you have done an excellent job of reciting the basics of American Mythology. I prefer to deal with reality, and the reality is that we are now, and have been since the founding of the "Republic," a plutocracy with the veneer of a democracy. Our "experiment in self government," as you call it, consists of, every 2, 4, or 6 years, casting a ballot for one of two candidates selected by the two major parties which are owned, lock, stock and barrel, by the wealthy ruling elite. These two candidates, regardless of the pablum they feed us during the biennial political silly seasons, are dedicated to maintaining this system.
You use the word "corruption," implying that the system as it is in reality is an aberration from the system described in your mythology. Unfortunately, you are wrong. The word "corruption" is meaningless in discussing the reality of our system and therefore like the word "oligarch(y)" is not useful.
Joseph Robert September 18, 2012 at 03:48 pm
Did you see Romney earned 3 Pinnochios for his false "47 percent" comments at his fundraiser visit to Boca Raton in May:
Washington Post: Romney Wrong on His "47 Percent" Comments http://www.washingtonpost.com/blogs/fact-checker/post/mitt-romney-caught-on-video-tape/2012/09/17/38578a5e-012f-11e2-b257-e1c2b3548a4a_blog.html?hpid=z2
Liz September 18, 2012 at 06:48 pm
Rose Way, this is silly rhetoric. Instead think of what is important to America's Freedom : On Nov 6 you are voting to keep Christianity and God or to Change to Islam and Socialism. Those are then only facts here and the only things that matter. The rest is nothing but silly rhetoric.
rick barasso September 18, 2012 at 10:41 pm
It was getting boring, but now that Mitt is actively trying to lose the election, it could get interesting.
Jacque Mioff September 18, 2012 at 10:45 pm
The other 53% of us don't care what you think, Rick :)
Joseph Robert September 19, 2012 at 12:22 am
Did anyone get a count on the total number of lies that Ryan told at his recent Oldsmar visit?
I understand he was aiming for his personal-best number? :-)
rick barasso September 19, 2012 at 12:31 am
Without a calculator, how could anyone keep track of all the lies coming from team Ryney
Michael D. September 19, 2012 at 01:17 pm
Liz,
How are we voting to keep God and Christianity. And changing to Islam and Socialism. The very crux of that agrument makes no sense. There are many Socialist who are Christians. Also our society and government are not set up to make the change to socialism and no President with only an 8 eight term could make such a drastic change. Our government is based due to our Founding Fathers on the seperation of Church and State. So how are we going to be forced to be either Christian or Islamic. Currently 76% of the American population is Christian, on January 20, 2013 that is magically going to change if Obama is elected. That is labels and propaganda speaking. It's just as bad as the statements that Romney will remove the Middle class if he is president. Or the 1% will take power (they already have). It is just propaganda build to divide our nation from seeing that the government stopped working for the people years ago.
Heike House September 19, 2012 at 02:07 pm
Hey, Jason!
What was the question again?
Vizsla September 19, 2012 at 02:23 pm
But re-rooted is.......
George Gould September 19, 2012 at 02:36 pm
Heike, we try to answer the question but sometimes we get distracted...what is your favorite color?
Jacque Mioff September 19, 2012 at 02:42 pm
LOOK!
A bunny!!!!!
Lynda September 19, 2012 at 02:58 pm
To Masked Blogger: Do you understand the current requirements for Medicaid? Do you have any idea who qualifies and the steps in qualifying, how much they (or their for profit health providers!) are covered for or how the broader economy (including millions of jobs) is helped by Medicare and Medicaid? Medicaid is NEED based. Medicare is a program paid into by those whose benefits are determined by the amount money they paid. Masked Blogger, I have lost patience with ignorant people who eagerly defend all the tax avoidance loopholes/social deductions given to special interests (churches?) but deny earned benefits such as unemployment insurance and Medicare to people who use those benefits. And guess who lobbied for the legal (as legal as the tax shelters Gov. Romney uses) ways to shelter income or assents in order to qualify for Medicaid? The for-profit entities who make their money on those who receive Medicaid and the adult children who need to work, raise their own children and save for their own retirements. Masked Blogger, you are like your candidate, devoid of empathy and common sense about what makes the economy and communities function. Get all that? It is very nasty of me to wish you old age, illness or poverty, but all will come to you and you will change your mind very quickly about these programs.
Heike House September 19, 2012 at 03:01 pm
Indeed, we do! Just a little.....
Travis Wilkinson September 19, 2012 at 03:19 pm
A little food for thought...In Thai Obama has another meaning.
O-Ba-Ma OH CRAZY DOG!!!
The Masked Blogger September 19, 2012 at 03:26 pm
:::singing Harry Chapin::::: "The cat's in the kettle at the Silver Moon, the little lunch place I go every day at noon......"
Gramps Pupany September 19, 2012 at 03:34 pm
GOP corruption starts with Romney & Ryan and lies they've told us about their who they will serve and who they won't. Lies of "omission", such as hidden budget cuts, are equal to lies of "commission", such as telling the rich one thing and the rest of America another.
They're up to his necks in The Lying Game. What they say is all part of the larger GOP strategy. Believe me, Ryan "takes direction" in order to "stay on" the Republican message. He must "sing the GOP song" to be a GOP candidate. All across the nation, millionaires are backing these liars. They want full control in order to create the final divide between rich and poor. "Us and them". Their misjudgment? A lot of that 47% they despise is part of working America; students working their way through college, single moms restarting their lives with their first job since high school and truly poor mothers, working while the kids are at school, just to buy fuel oil for this winter and food for the day. These are proud Americans. Romney has just stolen their pride, their will power and more...their dignity. Men like Romney, Ryan and Republican candidates for Congress have no place in the seats of government (at any level) making decisions for "all Americans". They only have experience with the "jet set" and their "country club" members. That's okay, if you're running for Prom Queen, but the responsibilities here are far reaching and their vision does not include all Americans, as we've just found out.
Michael D. September 19, 2012 at 03:46 pm
Never saw a stray dog in Thailand. So wonder if O-Ba-Ma is a dish in some areas. I never asked what I was eating after I asked about a soup, and realized after being told that I didn't want to know.
Jason Bartolone (Editor) September 19, 2012 at 04:15 pm
I love how the conversation has evolved, and thanks to everyone for commenting. But getting back to the original questions .... do you like having presidential candidates coming to the Tampa Bay area to try to persuade voters, or is your mind already made up? Would you go see President Obama or Gov. Romney when they are in town? Or is it not worth all the extra traffic and security hassles?
Michael D. September 19, 2012 at 04:18 pm
Jason, i would like to see both, but also the other candidates that are not part of either of the two major parties. All views should be expressed for the education of the voters not to come from the national media sources that already have monetary interests in the race.
The Masked Blogger September 19, 2012 at 04:51 pm
Hey Lynda...are you just the resident wackjob? Reread my post, you totally have dyslexia or are eating too much catnip these days.
George Gould September 19, 2012 at 04:59 pm
Jason, I'd like to see Obama and Romney in a cage match to the death but I doubt it would ever come off. Obama probably wouldn't show and, given his previous history with anything that might be dangerous, we'd have to send somebody to Paris to snatch Romney back.
Michael D. September 19, 2012 at 05:02 pm
would pay to see it George, not as much as I would pay to see Eddie Vedder though.
jasminetea September 19, 2012 at 05:41 pm
So's Obama. So would you be all for redistribution of wealth? This article is buried in the business section on Huff Post. http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2012/09/18/obama-loyola-speech-leaked-redistribution_n_1894625.html?1348003636&icid=maing-grid7%7Cmain5%7Cdl1%7Csec1_lnk3%26pLid%3D207416
Amy Dinovo September 19, 2012 at 07:30 pm
Like Michael D. I'd prefer to see the other candidates that are not part of the two major machines. I'm familiar enough with the both narratives that come from the wealthiest parties' candidates. It's those other 10 at last count, names that will be on the presidential ballot in Florida that I'm interested in hearing. Do they have any new ideas that might work their way into our national dialog? If, as some have stated, a Romney loss will be the demise of the GOP, what takes its place? So my answer to the question(s) are determined by what is meant by "candidates," because I've heard enough from the red and blue candidates.
Michael D. September 19, 2012 at 08:52 pm
Article Released by Forbes through Reuters... Capitalism in America is live and good with a "Socialist" President.
http://in.reuters.com/article/2012/09/19/usa-billionaires-forbes-idINL1E8KJ8PC20120919 The net worth of the richest people in American grew by 1.7 Trillion Dollars, or grew 13% from last year.. The Net Worth of the top 400 earners is $13.56 Trillion dollars, also meaning $4.2 Billion growth on average. The lowest net worth was $1.1 out of the group, compared to $1.05. So I guess our weathly must be hurting? People who know how to use the system, are making money. I guess we are in trouble if the Standard & Poor 500 index rose almost 20% over the past year (as stated in the article). I guess the Rich are getting Richer... but that can't be happening with a "Socialist" President, right? America will always be a Capitalistic society regardless of the labels and propaganda that is out there.
Bill September 21, 2012 at 11:14 pm
the 1%
Bill September 21, 2012 at 11:18 pm
Not worth the hassles. They have paid shills in the audience.
only time when I worked at HCC and I could walk over to hear Obama speak . No wait no hassle. I met Rosalyn Carter on a WHite House tour once. Those days are gone.

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