Tanya Amador-Daigle, 37
Home Town:
Fort Myers, Florida

Occupation:
Art gallery director and freelance writer
ABOUT ME:
I live in downtown Fort Myers but grew up in the Miami/Fort Lauderdale area. After I sold real estate for 6 years I became a director at an art gallery, which gives me the opportunity ... See full Bio

Scary Economy
My brother's wedding
Bailout questions
VP Debate
PALIN RALLY-FORT MYERS
NEW GAME
ANOTHER NEW GAME
MY FINAL DECISION
PALIN RALLY-FORT MYERS
October 7th - 4:43 pm

Sarah Palin flew into Ft. Myers yesterday and got right onto the "Straight Talk Express" bus and I was thinking, we clearly need a Purple States bus (an environmentally friendly one, of course). How great would that be, huh? I didn't get to meet her because they had already approved a small "press pool" of only local journalists and we aren't really considered "local" because of the Washington Post credentials.

 Palin gave her stump speech and her delivery was pretty smooth. She wasn't "Mavericky" at all, in fact, she didn't use the phrase even once, thank goodness because I don't think I could take it again. She had her trademark jacket on, you know the one, it looks like she's wearing a straight jacket and I think EMS was there in case SHE passed out. Of course, she had her trademark glasses on and her regular updo. (I have to mention these things, they are important to us women).

Anyway, in all seriousness, something that struck me as I was standing on the press stage:

Palin is eclipsing McCain on the ticket. I must have interviewed at least 6 people in the audience and every single time I asked them why they were supporting McCain AND Palin, they always answered the question as if McCain wasn't even a factor. They gushed about Palin, and mentioned McCain only as an afterthought. It was as if they were voting for HER as President and that they had forgotten that HE is actually at the TOP of the ticket. 

The other thing is that I asked every person was if they thought she she could help with the economy. They all felt strongly that she would because of her record in Alaska. You know, all along I've been thinking that Obama will probably win. And now, unfortunately, I'm even more convinced. I think McCain had an opportunity here with the fiscally conservative Palin on the ticket to get some of those undecided voters.  Now, I think he blew it when he voted FOR the bailout and then let it pass with all the extra pork! I mean this guy is supposed to be about the lowfat bills. 

Comments:
 
robotsworld
Mysterious
October 8th - 9:05 pm
Maybe not. I was reading the websites/links that "asyouwere" left. It's one of those he/she posted.

I don't know if he/she's a "red" haha!! but I think she/he likes "Jefferson" so probably not.
Tanya
Robots
October 8th - 3:34 pm
I like the poison analogy, very clever:)

Who wrote that last blog? No name, very mysterious, maybe it was the Reds;~)
 
October 8th - 2:55 pm
US Politicians Admit Georgia Started the Conflict with Russia

Some U.S. politicians are now beginning to admit that Georgia started the conflict with Russia.

For example, the U.S. ambassador to Russia said a couple of weeks ago that Russia's initial military response was legitimate after Russian troops came under attack by Georgian forces.

And a few days ago, Congressman Dana Rohrbacher, a California Republican, said:

"The Russians are right! We're wrong! Georgia started it, the Russians ended it"

Even Dan Fried, a senior US state department official who has consistently stated that Russia started the conflict, is now backpedaling:

The Georgians "believed at the time - at least they said at the time - that they thought the Russian forces were coming through the Roki tunnel (which links Russia with South Ossetia) and they were in imminent danger."

He added: "I'm unable to tell you now whether or not this was true."

Indeed, Georgia's own former defense minister has revealed that the Georgian president planned the invasion of South Ossetia a long time ago.
 
asyouwere
"Entangling alliances with none." Jefferson
October 8th - 2:52 pm
"Everyone laughs about her answer about Russia in relationship to Alaska, however I beieve it shows she is aware that Russia has been more agressive towards America and it's allies."

She can see that from her window too?

Georgia was aggressive toward the people of South Ossetia first. Russia had a military respond in support of their ally South Ossetia.

"South Ossetia, with a population of about 70,000, declared independence from Georgia in the early 1990s, but it was not internationally recognized. Many ethnic Ossetians feel close to Russia and have Russian passports and use its currency."

http://georgewashington2.blogspot.com/2008/09/us-politicians-admit-georgia-started.html

http://www.reuters.com/article/newsOne/idUSLD12378020080914?pageNumber=1&virtualBrandChannel=0

"Rice Admits Georgia Started War with Russia"
http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/americas/7623555.stm

"Speaking at an event organised by the German Marshall Fund in Washington, Ms Rice acknowledged that Georgia had fired the first shots in the breakaway region of South Ossetia."
 
Flandamier
Palin
October 8th - 1:21 pm
Wally - You are absolutely correct on that one point about increased spending going along with increased taxed revenue. If the people in power have money, they will spend it. What we need to look at is not only HOW they obtained this money but HOW they spend it. Not only that but you also need to look at her ENTIRE record and not just a snippet.

Energy: Supports drilling in ANWR and using the "All of the Above" method for dealing with our energy independence.

Enviornment: On September 14, 2007, Alaska Governor Sarah Palin signed Administrative Order 238, establishing the Climate Change Sub-Cabinet. The sub-cabinet will consolidate the state's knowledge of climate change in order to recommend policies and measures to guide the state's mitigation and adaptation efforts.

Foreign Policy: She has spoken out for an exit strategy in Iraq. Everyone laughs about her answer about Russia in relationship to Alaska, however I beieve it shows she is aware that Russia has been more agressive towards America and it's allies.

As it just so happens, the best of [our] defenses – including a squadron of America's state-of-the-art interceptors, the F-22 Raptor – are stationed at Elmendorf Air Force Base near Anchorage. Governor Palin would not only be intimately familiar with that facilities' vital role in protecting U.S. territory, but she would also appreciate its importance in the projection of American power in Asia and beyond as much of the nation's long-range transport aircraft supplying our military operations around the world transit through Elmendorf.

Let's also not forget that as governor she was commander-in-chief of the Alaskan national guard.

Education: She believes that creationism should be taught alongside with evolution. What's wrong with teaching both? As Governor she has proposed and funded $200 million for Alaska schools. Of the 31 standards set forth by the "No Child Left Behind Act", 294 Alaskan schools have met or nearly met all 31 despite the lack of funding from the federal government.


Wally - There are many more issues to look at like Crime, Jobs, Tax-Reform, Gun Rights, Abortion, Free Trade, etc... these are just a few. Do I agree with every single position she has? No, but I agree with a lot of them and thats what makes her appealing to so many Americans. They can relate to her.
 
robotsworld
Confirm
October 8th - 12:27 pm
When they both voted for the "bailout" it only confirmed my thoughts about both being much more similar than different on many issues.

Choosing between McBama is like choosing between two poisons.

One will kill you slowly the other quickly. You choose.

Or choose not to drink the poison at all, stay alive and vote 3rd party.
Bert
Either one
October 8th - 10:54 am
If either candidate had voted against the "Bail-out" I would have voted for them. They cannot bite the hands that feed them.
Tanya
Bert
October 8th - 8:08 am
I know what you mean. I've been saying for months that the two parties are beginning to resemble each other, as Socialists!

Everyday since the bailout I hear about the stock market dropping again and banks failing all around the world. I was speaking to a friend yesterday who said we have been through this before. It will come around again, he said.

But, will it? I see 2 things that make it different than before:

1. Our currency is not backed by anything this time.
2. We don't manufacture anything anymore.

Am I right? What say you? Anyone is welcome to respond...
Tanya
Wally
October 8th - 8:03 am
I find myself in the same conundrum. Here's what I have come up with:

If I can't find someone to throw my weight behind, I have two choices:

1. Vote for the lesser of two evils, for me that would be McCain.

OR 2. Vote 3rd party just so that I can ease my conscience by NOT voting for one of the two parties in power, thereby NOT supporting the people who continue to abuse us.

I'm leaning to #2 because I feel like I can no longer be one of the enablers. This would be a huge deal to me because I am a realist who normally weighs the odds in situations like this.
Bert
Your Choice......
October 8th - 7:59 am
I watched last nights debate, let's call it a stage set for the masses. I do not believe that either candidate will not raise taxes. They will both be caught in the bind as our shrinking GDP and resulting lower take from all manner of taxes leaves us borrowing more than ever.

Our creditors (China, Japan, etc.) will demand that the Government increase revenue as a condition of accepting more of our debt. Our "leaders" will comply.

They will reduce spending, on domestic programs, but not the Military, or Foreign aid. the desperate grasp for empire has a life of it's own now.

Both candidates pledge allegiance to Israel, where we currently have US troops manning a radar station (right in harms way), we will go broke funding foreign adventures just as the Soviets did before us.

When I look through the Senate voting record it is easier to find both candidates voting together than it is to find votes where they differed.

See how they both hustled in there to vote for $700 billion to keep the current party going just a little longer? That will run out quicker than anyone ever imagined, and we will have the debt, no good jobs, and without the machinery to produce for our own needs (remember when we were short of the flu vaccine? we had to wait for it to be made in England and shipped here, that is protecting us?) .
 
wally
Tanya
October 8th - 2:35 am
You are right. Most people will never research her record and believe what she says simply because they like her.

I have to do the research but in years like this and the last 2, I find the choices lacking. None of the 3rd party candidates excite me either so here I am stuck in another conundrum.

What to do what to do? The debate tonight was a joke. I long for the candidate that has the intestinal fortitude to tell it like it is. There will be no money for new programs, some programs now in use will have to be cut and cutting taxes will not get us out of the hole. We all know how bad it is but the candidates won't level with us.

The change that either will bring is in name only, not in action.
Tanya
Wally
October 7th - 8:02 pm
Wow, you just gave me ANOTHER reason to vote 3rd party...thanks!

I will say this though: Public opinion usually outweighs public record, unfortunately.
 
Wally
Tanya
October 7th - 7:03 pm
"I think McCain had an opportunity here with the fiscally conservative Palin on the ticket to get some of those undecided voters."

The talk that Palin is a fiscal conservative is a proclaimation by herself and the campaign that just isn't true.

During her 8 yrs as Mayor and her 2 yrs as Governor, she has increased spending. The only reason she was able to cut taxes was as Mayor taxing the large package stores like Walmart that sprung up in Wasilla. She also pushed for the building of the Hockey Arena that was funded by a Bond issue and left the City in debt. The city had no debt when she entered office. As Governor spending has increased in both years. She pushed for higher taxes on the oil industry because the Alaska constitution states that natural resources are owned by the state and the people. "The oil companies pay a royalty of 12.5 percent on oil as it is extracted, plus property and corporate income taxes, but the biggest bite is a tax on net profits of between 25 and 50 percent, escalating with the market price of oil. The Alaska Oil and Gas Association, a trade group, projected that the production tax increase resulted in a one-year spike in the taxes on profits from $2.2 billion to $6.1 billion"

OK, now on that note, Palin agrees with McCain that taxing Corporations is a bad idea and that taxes should be lowered on corporations in order to stimulate and run the economy which would benefit the middle class. Yet she has done the opposite in Alaska and they have a Budget Surplus. Not only do they have a surplus but they recieve more Federal Tax Dollars per person than any state in the country. In essence You, I and everyone else in the lower 48 are subsidizing Alaska while they are giving out rebates to Alaskan's and putting money away. Alaska has no state income tax and suspended the Gas Tax for a year. I guess what's good for Alaska is good for Alaska but not for the rest of us.

What I posted is not an opinion it is a matter of Public Record.
Tanya
Tina Fey
October 7th - 6:28 pm
Funny that you said that (about SNL) because at the end of her speech yesterday she said she was going to do her best to keep giving Tina Fey material to keep her working.

I actually just watched the latest SNL sketch about the debate. They did a brilliant job with Biden too. I love how they made fun of how much he LOVES his friend, McCain but then stabs him the the back...ouch!
One thing is for sure, our politicians are an endless source of material for comedians.
 
robotsworld
Ewww!!
October 7th - 5:38 pm
"They gushed about Palin"..."as if they were voting for HER as President"

Ewww!!!!!!

As least when Obamaheads gush over Obama, they know he's running for the TOP spot. Goodness.

Obama also voted "yea" for bailout, but, he can do no wrong. His supporters are as tenacious as a yelping, territorial, eye-bulging chihuahua on steroids.

Apologies in advance to any who love and own a chihuahua.
 
robotsworld
Tina Fey
October 7th - 5:31 pm
"She wasn't "Mavericky" at all, in fact, she didn't use the phrase even once"

Think she watches the SNL skits for pointers?