More Comparisons - links to sites to check the facts for yourself!

Don't take anyone's word.  Check out the facts and articles for yourself.

Donald Trump vs Hillary Clinton, Diffen.com

On the Issues, Washington Post

On the Economy:  Politifact

Side by Side Comparison: ProCon.com

Side by Side Issues Comparison:  Business Insider

My fact checking - Trump vs Clinton, what are the answers to your dislikes & likes?

I am sick of hearing how terrible Clinton is over Trump.  Oh, Trump’s wonderful!  What? Really?  Okay, here’s a comparison of the two.

Clinton:  The complaints.

·         Emails. 

o   The FBI and Attorney General both say she didn’t break any laws and should not be prosecuted. 

o   Bush & Cheney deleted 22 MILLION emails. (Newsweek. 2016)

·         Benghazi. 4 people died in the Benghazi attack. 

o   Hillary was Secretary of State when this happened.

o   Leon Panetta, the then Secretary of Defense, testified to Congress that there was no forewarning about this attack at all.

o   The House Investigative Committee found no evidence of wrong doing by Hillary Clinton.

Trump: The supposed good things.

·         Millionaire businessman

o   Started out with $2 million given to him by his father.

o   His father ultimately gave him $14 million.

o   Trump has actually filed Chapter 11 six times, four times within two years in the 1990s, once more in 2004 and once more in 2009.

o   Fox News reports that he “has been sued at least 60 times by individuals and businesses who accuse him of failing to pay for work done at his various properties”.

o   The Department of Labor cites that two of his businesses have been cited 24 times beginning in 2005 for failing to pay overtime or minimum wage.

o   He does not pay his contractors and employees and has had more than 200 liens have been filed by contractors and employees dating back to the 1980s.  He admitted this!!! “"Let’s say that they do a job that’s not good, or a job that they didn’t finish, or a job that was way late. I’ll deduct from their contract, absolutely,” Trump said. “That’s what the country should be doing."”

o   He makes of habit of paying as late as he can, and only paying 75% of the contracted price.

o   He has continuously and knowingly hired illegal aliens.

o   HE HAS MADE HIS MONEY BY USING AND ABUSING THE AMERICAN WORKER, causing many to lose their businesses, jobs, homes and families.

·         He will bring jobs to America

o   He has sent a majority of his work out of the country.

o   Of the Donald Trump clothing collection, none is made in the USA. It’s made in China, India, Indonesia and South Korea.

o   Trump Home Products are made in Turkey, China, Slovenia and Germany.

o   Trump Hotel products and supplies are made in China, Taiwan and South Korea.

o   Only his Make America Great Again hats are made in the USA and that will stop when the campaign is over.  (Will he pay for them?)

·         He has ties and contacts. Yes, he does, but not the kind we want.

o   He admires Vladimir Putin, Kim Jong Un, Muammar Gaddafi, and Saddam Hussein

o   He has ties to the Russian Mafia

o   He has ties to the New York Mafia

·          He’s honest and upstanding

o   He has RECENTLY deleted and destroyed emails despite a legal order.

o   He denigrates women, prisoners of war, our military, our fallen and wounded warriors, handicapped persons, Hispanics, Blacks, and Jews.

o   He is being brought up on child rape and sexual assault charges.

o   He has been brought up on racial housing discrimination charges.

o   Trump University. Enough said.

o   He is illegally and improperly using Trump Foundation funds for his own personal, business and campaign uses.

o   He has conducted business in and with Cuba despite the embargo forbidding him to do so. He is continuing this practice today.

And, Hillary is corrupt? What color is the sky on your planet?  Economists think that if Trump wins this country will go into such a tail spin that the Great Depression will look like a minor dent.

If you think that Trump is the Christian vote, think again. Max Lucado advises against voting for Trump.  Evangelical leaders advise against it citing, ““has fueled white American nationalism with xenophobic appeals and religious intolerance at the expense of gospel values, democratic principles, and important international relationships.”

So, please, stop. Research. Listen and Learn.  And most importantly, don’t vote Trump.

Is this really Christian behavior?

American conservatives have done their best to try to monopolize the Christian faith, and to marginalize the Christian left, by depicting liberals as a monolithic Godless movement that is hostile to Christianity. Fundamentalist Christians are on a witch hunt for those that believe differently than they.

The hate and vitriol from the Christian Right against certain members of the human race defy and rebuke many of the beliefs held by Christ.

Pope Francis was quite eloquent in his recent speech to congress”

“All of us are quite aware of, and deeply worried by, the disturbing social and political situation of the world today. Our world is increasingly a place of violent conflict, hatred and brutal atrocities, committed even in the name of God and of religion. We know that no religion is immune from forms of individual delusion or ideological extremism. This means that we must be especially attentive to every type of fundamentalism, whether religious or of any other kind.” Pope Francis, speech to US Congress

“Do unto others as you would have them do unto you” (Mt 7:12).

This Rule points us in a clear direction. Let us treat others with the same passion and compassion with which we want to be treated. Let us seek for others the same possibilities which we seek for ourselves. Let us help others to grow, as we would like to be helped ourselves. In a word, if we want security, let us give security; if we want life, let us give life; if we want opportunities, let us provide opportunities. The yardstick we use for others will be the yardstick which time will use for us.” 

If you truly believe in the Ten Commandments and follow then, then they are in your heart. Do they need to be everywhere? Can you not share them by your behavior, leading by example as Jesus did?  Did Jesus rant, rave and preach fire and brimstone? No.  He was gentle, loving, forgiving and supportive. 

The problem with the Ten Commandments being displayed on government property is, as someone stated in an article in Church and State in 2012:

It creates the impression that government has a preferred religion and that U.S. law is based on some type of sectarian code. This is not the case.

But there's another reason why these displays are troubling: They breed intolerance and divisiveness.

One of the first duties of government is to treat people with fairness and equality. We should all be the same in the eyes of the state. When it comes to religion, government must treat everyone equally by refraining from adopting one faith over others.

Americans hold many different views about religion. Our Constitution was designed to make it possible for us to live in peace, side by side, under a government that respects all of those perspectives but endorses none. 

Our country was founded by pilgrims and others who came here for religious freedoms.  They wanted to worship as they pleased or not.  The founding fathers were not, I repeat, NOT Christians. If they did believe in a higher being, they were Deists.  If you don’t know, Deists believe in a higher power without any reliance on religion, authority or holy text.

We used to be tolerant of religious differences and freedoms.  Quakers, Mennonites, and Amish are legally allowed to be contentious objectors.  No one would think of contaminating kosher foods. Asking people their faith or religious beliefs when hiring is unthinkable! People were not discriminated against because of their religion.

We were appalled by the holocaust, not just because of the massive deaths, but because of the religious genocide.  People shouldn’t die because they believe in a certain way.  We are disgusted by the bigotry and hatred of the KKK. We can’t believe that we once sought to keep blacks from having the same rights as whites. We believe that men and women are created equally and should be paid the same for the same job.

We are shocked by what ISIS is doing with regard to women and children.  We are angered by the Taliban’s behavior towards those they consider not worthy and women.  We cry out at Boko Haram for stealing women.  We don’t understand how Muslims force women to wear burkas and stay in homes unless attended by men or face stoning or worse. We don’t understand the mentality of suicide bombers and terrorists.  They do this all in the name of religion.  They are extremists, but devoutly believe this is what their god wants them to do.

Yet, are we much better? Must we keep the Ten Commandments everywhere?  Must we refuse to allow gay marriages because it’s against our Christian beliefs? Must we reinstate prayer in schools which would mandate that children should be forced to pray in schools, no matter what their family’s beliefs? Must we denigrate those who do not believe as some think they should?

Does a Christian belief mean that only the Christians are right and everyone else should be condemned, looked down upon and trashed?

Is that what Jesus stood for?

I think not. 

Neither Jesus nor our founding fathers envisioned this for us.  They all expected the American people to be open, loving, caring, and accepting of others. 

So, let’s be nicer to each other and remember, we all deserve religious freedom even if someone’s chosen religion isn’t the same as ours.

Simple, Just, Equal and Right.

We, as a country, are being pulled apart by politics.  Instead of racism being black and white, it’s now red, blue and Tea Party, Republican, Democrat, Conservative Christian, Atheist, and Muslim. 

Why are we allowing this?

As Patrick Henry said in 1799, “United we stand, divided we fall. Let us not split into factions which must destroy that union upon which our existence hangs.”  No matter what your “color”, religious or political belief, we must come back together.  We need to return to our “roots” of tolerance.  

No matter what your background or how you see yourself, we all agree on some basic tenets we all learned in kindergarten:

·         Play fairly

·         Share

·         Don’t lie or cheat

·         Don’t push

·         Wait your turn

·         If someone falls down, help them up.

·         Don’t take things that aren’t yours

·         Not everyone is going to agree with you.

·         Just because someone doesn’t agree with you doesn’t mean you should “convince” them of the rightness of your views.

·         Be nice and courteous.

We should consider these items whenever we make a law.  We shouldn’t consider what we, personally, will get out of the law, what perks, conveniences, kickbacks or power, rather that the law is just, equal and right.

It’s just that: Simple. Just.  Equal. Right.

Let our legislators know that we will not tolerate any more shenanigans.  We want them to behave as the adults we expect them to be. We want them to pass laws that are simple, just, equal and right.

Let the candidates know that we will not support them if they are not going to listen to our mantra: Simple, Just, Equal and Right.

Let the world know that the Unites States embraces everyone.  Listens to everyone. And want a government that is:

simple, just, equal and right.

Is this what we want for our country, really?

 Afraid of Muslims?

I think you should be more afraid of Romney.

He wants to privatize Social Security, Medicare, Medicaid and Veteran Benefits. The money we have paid in means nothing to him.

He wants to cut, dispose of, get rid of WIC, Food Stamps and more.

Contrary to popular belief, 9/10ths of all entitlement benefits go to the elderly, disabled or working households, not to slackers or those who chose not to work.  Assistance with medical care, food, school lunches, low income energy assistance, rental assistance and so many other programs go to this population.  These programs are not turning us into an entitlement society as Governor Romney suggests, but into a society where one gives a hand up. (http://www.cbpp.org/cms/index.cfm?fa=view&id=3677)

Do we want to vote for and place into our highest office a man who will run over the poor, the soldiers, and the elderly while calling himself a godly man whose policies benefit the wealthy?  Is this what we want?  Really?

He has disdain for the middle class.  He thinks we are stupid and just because he is a "Christian" people will vote for him.  He can lie and lie to get what he wants.   What he is doing is perpetuating hatred against a race, just as Hitler did with the Jews.

He is a MORMON. HE IS NOT CHRISTIAN. 

Here's what the Mormon church itself says about Christianity:

Brigham Young (Journal of Discourses, Volume 5, page 331)	John Taylor (Journal of Discourses, Volume 6, page 176 and page 167.

• Bruce R. McConkie said, "What is the church of the devil in our day, and where is the seat of her power?.... It is all of the systems, both Christian and non-Christian, that perverted the pure and perfect gospel.... It is communism; it is Islam; it is Buddhism; it is modern Christianity in all its parts. It is Germany under Hitler, Russia under Stalin, and Italy under Mussolini." (The Millennial Messiah, pp. 54-55.)
• One of the Mormon Books of Scripture, The Pearl of Great Price, says this about non-LDS churches: "...they were ALL WRONG; and the Personage who addressed me said that ALL their creeds were an ABOMINATION in his sight; that those professors were ALL CORRUPT; …" (Joseph Smith, 2:19)
• Mormonism teaches there is no salvation outside the Mormon Church and no salvation without accepting Joseph Smith.
• Apostle Bruce R. McConkie makes this statement: "If it had not been for Joseph Smith and the restoration, there would be no salvation. There is no salvation outside The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints." (Mormon Doctrine, p.670) 

There's more:

• Mormonism continues to teach that God the Father is a glorified, resurrected Man, and men and women may become Gods and Goddesses. Apostle Bruce R. McConkie makes this claim: "God himself, the Father of us all, is a glorified, exalted, immortal, resurrected Man!" (Mormon Doctrine, p. 643)
• Joseph Smith, the founder of Mormonism taught: "...you have to learn how to be Gods ourselves...the same as all Gods have done before you,..." (Teachings of the Prophet Joseph Smith, p. 346) 

And, here's yet more:

• They do not believe that Jesus was begat of God through a virgin birth.
• The Mormon Jesus was once a man who achieved godhood by his own virtuousness during a previous existence.
• Mormonism teaches that Jesus and Lucifer are brothers who competed for the opportunity to become the savior of planet earth. Jesus' plan won approval and Lucifer rebelled and became the tempter and deceiver of planet Earth.

Okay, here comes the scary part:   They believe that God lives on the planet Kolob, and that he's OUR god and one of many gods and...  If people lead good lives, they can become gods as well, and have planets like Earth over which to reign.  Mormonism teaches that Jesus is only one of many saviors who are each responsible for the salvation of the population of other planets like Earth. Mormon men are working with the promise that they, too, will eventually become gods and be given a planet of their own to populate. This will be accomplished by their intercourse with many wives who will bear millions of spirit children to inhabit the bodies of the people on their planet.

They believe all of this even though Joseph Smith was a convicted con artist. And, sadly,  he continues to con the world today.   His story is that he allegedly found golden plates, which he translated to become the Book of Mormon.  He claimed in 18 + different accounts 18 different reasons for finding the plates, but the official church reason is that God the father, who has a body of flesh and bones, told  him all churches were an abomination and he must restore the true gospel. 

Church, sect or what? 


Is this what we want from our President?

So please, before you believe what you are told, check it out. Find out for yourself.  You have the world at your fingertips through libraries and the internet. Thanks!

The Skinny on Obama's & Romney's Views

I have heard so much about President Obama and Mitt Romney.  I really didn't know what to believe, so I researched it.  I went to their websites, their official websites, to get the real facts.  I have tried to be unbiased, but honestly, I am a bit surprised.

Here's what I found:

Topic	Obama	Romney
Higher Education	·   Has doubled Pell grants ·   For student loan reform ·   Created American Opportunity Tax Credit for college education	·   Against student loan reform ·   Will drastically reduce the number of Pell grants.
Healthcare	·   "Obamacare" ·   Affordable health care act ·   Calls for transparency in medical insurance ·   Children up to age 26 can be on parents insurance ·   Pre-existing conditions not reason for denial of coverage ·   Illness not reason to cancel coverage	·   Will work to repeal Obamacare ·   Cap non-economic damages in medical malpractice lawsuits (in other words, you can't get punitive damages) ·   Empower individuals and small businesses to form purchasing pools ·   Prevent discrimination against individuals with pre-existing conditions who maintain continuous coverage (if you change jobs, you lose your coverage) ·   Facilitate IT interoperability (universal medical records so your medical records follow you.)
Medicare	·   Strengthened Medicare: ·   47 million Medicare beneficiaries now have access to free health services to help detect and treat medical conditions early. o  an annual wellness visit, o  mammograms, and o  other health screenings ·   Working to close the donut hole	·   Will phase out Medicare for those currently 55 and younger (Dismantle it.) ·   Will work for a "medical savings plan" for those people.
Medicaid	·   Will work to simplify application process ·   Will work to simplify Medicaid medical reports/claims. ·   Will work to improve coordinated care (have your doctors all work together)	·   Will defund and dismantle Medicaid
Social Security	·   Working to strengthen social security ·   Cracking down on fraud ·   Against privatization	·   Wants it privatized ·   Will raise eligibility age, ·   Will lower benefits
Military	·   Wants to expand and improve benefits: ·   Healthcare § fully fund the VA § make mental health a priority § speed up claims process § improve access for vets in rural areas ·   Education and training ·   Job assistance (Veterans Job Corp initiative) ·   Returning Heroes and Wounded Warrior tax credits	·   Will increase federal spending on military ·   Will increase number of military weapons ·   Will increase number of active military ·   Wants to privatize the VA ·   Wants to raise Tricare premiums
Israel	·   Has raised US security assistance to Israel to unprecedented levels. ·   Recognizes Israel as a Jewish state and homeland. ·   Working to resolve the Israeli-Palestinian conflict.	·   Against a Palestinian State ·   Will support Israel to his fullest ability
Iraq war	·   Is ending the war in Iraq while working to ensure the safety of our troops.	·   Wants to get out of Iraq immediately.
Women's body/rights	·   Signed Lily Ledbetter equal pay act ·   Established the Equal Pay Task Force  supports the Paycheck Fairness Act ·   Created the White House Council on Women and Girls ·   Increased funding to enforce the Violence Against Women ·   Supports birth control coverage ·   Supports low cost and free health care for women ·   Supports ending gender discrimination against women for medical insurance ·   Passing the Affordable Care Act, helping to improve access to quality, affordable health care for all Americans and ensure that being a woman is no longer considered a pre-existing condition	·   Supports the Hyde Amendment, which broadly bars the use of federal funds for abortions. ·   Wants to defund Planned Parenthood ·   Supports Blunt amendment, a bill that was introduced to restrict access to birth control by allowing any employer the right to deny health insurance coverage for any benefit based on a “moral” conviction. ·   Will support a state's right to ban contraception ·   Supports equal pay for equal work. ·   Believes poor women should be required to work to receive federal assistance.
Abortion	·   Pro-choice , although he says he’s not pro-abortion. ·   He believes in a women’s right to choose and ·   in Roe vs. Wade. ·   Supports Planned Parenthood ·   Reversed the global gag rule, ending the ban on government aid for international groups that provide abortion information ·   Fought against Republican attempts to defund Planned Parenthood	·   Pro-Life ·   Will work to overturn Roe v Wade ·   Condemns China's 1 child policy ·   Life begins at conception
LGBT issues	·   For gay marriage ·   Repealed “Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell” so that gay men and women can serve openly and honestly in the military ·   Passed the Matthew Shepard and James Byrd, Jr. Hate Crimes Prevention Act—adding the words “gay, lesbian, bisexual, and transgender” to the federal register for the first time in American history ·   Declaring the so-called “Defense of Marriage Act” an unconstitutional and unfair burden on America’s LGBT families ·   Implementing our first national HIV/AIDS strategy	·   Against gay marriage ·   Will work to pass Federal Marriage Amendment to the Constitution defining marriage as between one man and one woman.
Gun Rights	·   agrees to an individual's right to bear arms, in principle, but does not take it as an absolute right and considers it as a negotiable subject	·   Will expand rights of gun owners
Education	·   Passed the Recovery Act to save 300,000 education jobs, ·   Offers assistance to school districts in need. ·   Worked to raise grade school standards.	·   Supports no child left behind ·   Wants to get rid of Dept of Ed. ·   For vouchers for private schools ·   For abstinence only sex ed. ·   For evolution taught, not intelligent design ·   For prayer in school
Taxes	·   Tax cuts for families with income less than $250,000/year.	·   Raise tax rates for middle class. Lower tax rates for corporations
Energy	·   Lowered our reliance on foreign oil ·   Supports use/growth of alternative energy ·   Supports fuel efficiency goals	·   Will lesson regulation and will support nuclear energy growth.
Stem cell research	·   Passed Wall Street Reform ·   Passed Consumer Protection Act ·   Passed Credit Card Bill of Rights	·   Will work to ban stem cell research
Welfare programs	·   Trying to strengthen welfare ·   In favor of welfare to work; however, would allow for waivers.	·   Welfare to work only.
Banks and Wall-street	·   Will hold Banks and Wall Street responsible ·   Enacted Credit Card Bill of Rights for consumer protection ·   Enacted Consumer Protection Act ·   Consumer Financial Protection Bureau	·   Will work to deregulate both.
Climate Change	·   Will reduce the federal government's greenhouse gas emissions from direct sources such as building energy use and fuel consumption by 28 percent by 2020.  ·   He also directed Federal agencies to reduce their greenhouse gas emissions from indirect sources, such as those from employee commuting, by 13 percent by 2020.	·   Denies it exists