T Diddy :: Your Friendly Black Dentist

One month of school down again. Thing are going well. I am about 1/15 complete for my graduation requirements. Classes are now annoying more than anything else, but they are interesting. Tests are more like word games because the material is repetitive and is already known.

I also started landscaping my house. This is the last step as we prepare to get ready for our move in about 18 months from now. I have completed the side of the house with a nice plant bed retained by the wall. I am quite impressed with workmanship of this project. I may have to take photos to document to the world. I am about 1/2 completed with the back. I just need to buy some more wall, shrubs, and seed the lawn. The front is another story. I am in the process of killing off all vegetation after removing ground ivy back in June. If the back and front look anything like the side, my house will sell quickly, when the time comes.

Originally, I had landscapers bid on my project. They quoted me $5000-$8000. We all know that I cannot afford that because I am in school and between my harvests. Regardless, that is a crap load of money for what I wanted to have done. Should, I drop that amount of money, I am not sure I could get that back when I sale the house. Instead, I went to the hardware store to buy my materials and plants. I even had to rent a U Haul to transport it to my house. After I am complete with all projects, it will only cost me about $700. That is 1/10 the price. Assuming that I make a cautious estimate of $5000 increase of value to my house, I say that is a great return. I am quite proud of insight, workmanship, and budget management skills. Yes, my back hurts now, but in 18 months the 2 day pain will be worth it.

The political season is about to get hot. And I mean sizzling hot. The fact is that I get more excited about a debate than I do when the Lakers are playing. Let it be known that I am a democrat. The core beliefs of this party are more in tune with you I am. Republicans share some values with me; however, the differences are too much to overcome. People would say that I am in the middle, but labels do not appeal to me. I just believe in doing right and treating all people fair.

Frankly, I am not too happy with our country right now. I do not feel George Bush is an effective president. I do not support his terrorist theories nor do I support his financial management of the federal budget. While I will agree that he has certain qualities that must be respect, I do believe that he has far more negative characteristics that are not good to lead our country. However, this is not about George Bush. My main point of this blog is the fact that there is only 3-4 months before nominees for each party vying to be the next president. I essentially already have made my mind up that I will be voting for Obama. As you read the last sentence, please do not sell me short to only voting for him because he is black. That argument will only discount the fact that I am educated and well informed on his positions. Despite the fact that I will be supporting Obama, I will want to do due diligence by researching the other candidates. Over the next few weeks, I will post objective information of each candidate as it relates to their background, voting histories, where they stand on important issues, and whatever else makes sense to highlight. I will do Clinton and Obama last since they receive the most press than the other candidates. After I bring forth each candidate, I will give my overall impressions and why I believe one candidate is better. Before I vote for Obama, I want to be sure I do know what all the other candidates are about.

I hope this exercise will encourage you look further into candidates. Whether you are democrat or republican, their are many candidates that need to have their voices heard.

Biography - Served in the US Army. 1969 - 1981 Alaska senator.

Iraq - Believe the war is Bush's war. He believes that the soldiers are dying in vain and just wants to get the soldiers out now. He will have the troops out in 120 days.

Foreign Policy - Believes president needs moral judgement. The US does not have any true enemies and we need to treat everybody as equals. Does not support troops in Darfur. He believes that we must demonstrate renewed respect for international law & institutions, as our best hope for creating the conditions for peace.

Environment - Wants to promote American conservation by changing tax laws. Additionally, he wants to take the Iraq war budget and build 4 million homes for the victims of Katrina. He wants to have a carbon tax and believes that would reduce emissions.

Health Care - Wants to provide universal health care like most industrialized nations. Eventually he wants to rid Medicaid and Medicare. Additionally, the president plays a vital role to promote preventative health care. A major problem with the health care, he believes, is that fact the medical industry is "For Profit". If it were non-profit, everybody would receive the care they deserve. He wants a voucher program.

Abortion - The right for women to choose. Decision is between the woman and her doctor. The government should not interfere. Interference can compromise care when an abortion is medically necessary.

Civil/Gay Rights - Does not believe marriage is religious. Hence, he unequivocally supports gay marriages. He defines marriage as a commitment between two human beings in love. Believes that race is still an issue and will remain in the 21st century. He is particularly outraged by the drug war and how many blacks are in prison due to drugs.

Immigration - English needs to be the official language and he does no support deporting immigrants that come here seeking employment. However, he wants to protect our borders and monitor the flow of immigrants into the country.

Budge and Economy - Endorses The Common Sense Budget Act. The Common Sense Budget Act gives us the chance to start over with the federal budget. It rearranges the slices on the pie so that what matters get funded; and what doesn't gets cut. It won't cost a penny more nor will it raise taxes. Basically, it just reallocates the pie by allocating 17% of the enormous Pentagon budget and shifts it over to human beings.
Supports a Office of Scientific Assessment (OSA). The OSA will essentially be an independent party overlooking congress' spending.

Biography - Considers himself to be a dark horse. Elected to House of Representatives in 1974. Served 3 terms. Elected to US Senate 1980. He is known as the "Children's Senator" as he fights for their cause. Currently in 5th term. Fluent in Spanish

Iraq - Wants a date for troop withdrawal from Iraq. He wants to help Iraq, but get out by April 1, 2008 based on facts that Iraqi's and US want troops out. He believes there is no military solution to Iraq and troops will need be be redeployed. He voted for the war and now says' "It was mistake" and no longer wants to continue the mistake. Recently he says 2013 is the date for troops to be out of Iraq.

Foreign Policy - Next president needs experience and US cannot afford training on the job. Believe China is close to be a adversary. Wants the US to end the Darfur genocide.

Environment - Wants to help Katrina efforts to a point that elaborates what the US does right. Reduce carbon waste products by imposing a carbon tax and a 50-miles-per-gallon standard for cars by 2017. He wants oil profits to go towards research for alternative fuels.

Health Care - Wants all undocumented workers and children covered under his plan. The model he uses is the congress health plan. Wants to extend Medicaid coverage to poorer families. He believes that Medicaid and Medicare have worked well and wants to expand them. He believes in order to get the coverage, the right people need to get together.

Abortion - Believes in the woman's right to choose. However, he voted 'No' on a bill that requires parents to be notified for out-of-state abortions. Voted 'yes' to bill that finances education and contraceptives to stop teen pregnancy. Overall, he is heavily pro choice.

Civil/Gay Rights - Wants to extend the medical and family leave act to gay couples. He believes in gay civil unions. However, he does not support same-sex marriage. And the distinction there is one of what the traditions are over the years. He strongly support those civil unions. His state (Conn.) passed a law in favor of civil unions. Considers crime against gay people a hate crime.

Immigration - Wants more language training in US. This will strengthen the US in the global economy. He voted yes for comprehensive immigration reform. This establishes specified benchmarks which must be met before the guest worker and legalization programs may be initiated:control Mexico border, increase border patrol, etc.

Budge and Economy - Want more liquidity in the real estate market. He did vote "No" on a bill that Vote to pass a bill that reduces federal spending by $40 billion over five years by decreasing the amount of funds spent on Medicaid, Medicare, agriculture, employee pensions, conservation, and student loans.

Biography - Elected mayor of Cleveland in 1977. 1996, US House of Reps. Chair of the Progressive Caucus. Gandhi Peace Award in 2003.

Iraq - Believes we are in Iraq for money. Wants to use the Iraq budget to get the troops out because he thinks occupation is driving the insurgency. Instead of US troops, he wants to bring in UN troops. Once the US troops are out, the UN will maintain the peace and establish governance.

Foreign Policy - Dennis does not believe in war as a tool for foreign policy. He will provide aid for peace initiatives. Wants to have international treaties, but does not want to continue down global corporatism. We wants to reestablish working with the world communities.

Environment - Heavily focused on water issues. He does not want it to be market driven and it should be public. We wants to ensure water is safe and free of contaminants. He will promote a clean environment.

Health Care - Wants a non-for-profit health care system. This is different from Clinton's HMO based idea. He believes that for-profit does not look out for the patients. He does not want to make it a socialist program, but he wants long-term care 100% covered. He wants Medicare for all as it is a right as an American. He knows there is a problem when people go bankrupt over medical bills or have to neglect health because they have to choose food over going to the doctor.

Abortion - Woman right to choose is essential and abortion should always be legal. The moral questions should be made by the parents, not the government.

Civil/Gay Rights - Fully supports gay marriage and their issues. It is true equality to him. He want reparations for slavery and wants to overturn the unconstitutional Patriot Act.

Immigration - Believes immigrants are taking the blame for our failing system. He believes America does have "Slave Labor" and it is failing. He wants a clear road map for citizenship for immigrants. He does not support a Mexican wall, Minutemen, or reporting illegal immigrants who go to the hospital.

Budge and Economy - He would have all American companies pay taxes to the US. He wants to cut Pentagon spending and see the wealthy pay their fair share. He wants to see the end of war as an instrument of fiscal policy.

Biography - Catholic. 1972-Present: U.S. senator, Delaware
1970-1972: New Castle County Council, Delaware. In 1998 he sought after the presidential nomination.

Iraq - Would withdraw most U.S. troops, leaving about 20,000. Wants to see Iraq governed as largely autonomous Sunni, Shiite and Kurdish regions. This includes all aspects of government and authority institutions. Opposed President Bush's deployment of more troops. Led Senate effort to pass resolution declaring war is against U.S. interest. However, he did vote for the war in 2002.

Foreign Policy - Believes that Pakistan is one of the most dangerous countries in the world and wants troops in Darfur now. The biggest threat to US is from North Korea, Iran, & Russia. Wants to eliminate the debt to China from financing the war.

Environment - Favors negotiation of new treaty to curb emissions. Voted for 2003 bill that would have capped 2010 emissions at 2000 levels, increasing energy costs.

Health Care - Wants the states to develop ideas on moving toward universal coverage. He will also immediately insure anyone under 18 years old.

Abortion - Favors abortion rights, but not public funding for abortion because iit imposes a view. However he does support partial-birth abortion ban or late-term abortions, but not undoing Roe. Accepts Catholic church view that life begins at conception. Wants the constitutional right to privacy.

Civil/Gay Rights - Opposes constitutional amendment against gay marriage. Thinks civil unions are okay, but also thinks gay marriage is inevitable.

Immigration - Backed 2006 bill offering legal status to illegal immigrants. Favors tightening U.S.-Mexico border with fences to stop drug trafficking.

Budge and Economy - Will raise taxes on wealthiest Americans and will spend more on tax breaks for tuition. Subject incomes over $97,000 to Social Security taxes. Invest in new programs by ending the war and tax loop-holes.

Biography - 2003-Present: Governor of New Mexico, 1998-2001: U.S. Energy Secretary, 1997-1998: U.N. Ambassador, 1983-1997: U.S. Representative, New Mexico, Catholic.

Iraq - Says U.S. troops should be redeployed by the end of the year to Afghanistan and other regions in the Persian Gulf as the situation is about to implode. The surge is not working and believes Petraeus is just being team player with the current administration.

Foreign Policy - Wants to be tougher on China because it's a strategic competitor. Wants UN troops in Darfur, & UN-enforced no-fly zone. with the help of China and Europe. He believe Bush's policies made Israel less safe. He promotes diplomacy and talking with enemies. It yields results.

Environment - Favors U.S. joining Kyoto treaty to curb greenhouse gas emissions and going "well beyond" its requirements, boosting fuel economy standards. Wants to invest in renewable energy to decrease oil imports from 65 percent of fossil fuel use to 10 percent in 15 years.

Health Care - Wants tax breaks for businesses and for people who pay for their own coverage. Lower the eligibility age for Medicare to 55 and expand programs for poor and children. Package could cost up to $110 billion a year. Savings would come by expanding spending on preventive care. Additional coverage for undocumented workers. Everybody will be covered.

Abortion - Favors abortion rights and resists any effort to prevent a woman's right to choose.

Civil/Gay Rights - Does not believe in gay marriage because homosexuality is a choice and not an issue of science. Supports civil unions for equal rights.

Immigration - Favors path to citizenship for illegal immigrants, opposes border fence. Wants increase in H-1B visas to permit more skilled workers. Conflicting himself a bit, he wants immigrants to pay into the health care system.

Budge and Economy - Raise taxes on the wealthiest. Relieve middle-income workers of the alternative minimum tax, Wants $60 billion spent in five years on tax breaks for investment in high-tech jobs and for research in new technologies. This will help the economy grow and produce strong employment opportunities. He also wants the mortgage industry to operate with more liquidity & more transparency. Supports balanced budget act.