So what is your answer? We know we can't trust the states to protect the water, air, soil, or wild life. The industries are not going to police themselves.

This anything for a buck mentality is destroying our planet. When you can't drink the water, grow any safe foods in the soil, or breath the air, what's the plan then? The EPA has it faults but it is far better than allowing the states or corporations to police themselves.

Sometimes I feel like Rodney King. "Why can't we all just get along?" We have freedom of religion in as much as you are allowed to practice your religion and worship in the place of your choice. My religion has some very strict rules. I don't think most people would be willing to follow them nor should they be asked to.

I would simply resign any position which asked me to do something in conflict with my faith. If I have a problem with a law, I work to change it. The state of Kentucky, which was/is her employer, was granting marriage licenses to same sex couples. She should just have resigned explaining she could not in good conscience follow this directive. Then worked to change the law.

It is very simple to me.
I believe homosexual behavior is wrong. So, I don't engage in it.
I believe a******n is wrong. So, I wouldn't have one.

These are my beliefs. I have a right to them. They do not give me the right to pick and choose which laws I will obey. They do not give me the right to force anyone else to follow them.

Ms. Davis made a decision not to follow the law. She should accept the consequences of her decision. Obviously, she asked to be excluded from issuing the licenses and her employer did not grant her request. That leaves her the option of granting the licenses or resigning.

I think jail was a little harsh. The state of Kentucky should simply have fired her. I believe any employer will fire an employee who refuses to carry out their duties as outlined in their job description.

In theory I would agree with you. However, as many state governments are corrupt, we need someone to make sure environmental laws are being enforced. Strip mining is an example of many states selling out their people for tax revenue and the promise of jobs. Any good which came of it is now costing them to make the necessary clean ups.

The EPA is necessary. In a perfect world it would not be necessary. However, in a world ruled by greed, it is very necessary.

I am very happy for you. I am also of retirement age. Let's be honest, shall we. When you and I were accumulating our nest eggs, this was not a country with a stacked deck.

It is not just minimum wage earners who have not kept up with the cost of living. The middle class is shrinking. I have ran a business through some very tough times but I never felt the need to punish my employees. You make less profit but when your employees make a livable wage, they save and spend thus helping the economy. When large corporations make more money they hoard. They do not create jobs. They do not help the economy. They move jobs overseas and increase their bottom line.

There was a time when some people could be anything they aspired to be. Sadly, that is not the case anymore. I worked my way through university but of course tuition wasn't what it is today. I started my own business, but of course loans were not reserved only for those who do not need them. So, to compare my life with the lives of young people today is to compare apples and oranges. It's not the same world.

Just my opinion, I don't believe any of our so called representatives, who benefit from it want to over turn citizens united. Think of all that dark money they will loose. Oh, they will all give lip service to what the people obviously want but in the end they will protect their crooked little lives, power, and money.

If they have a super PAC, they will not overturn citizens united. They are owned by the very people they would be reining in. Not going to happen folks.

Just my opinion, I don't believe any of our so called representatives, who benefit from it want to over turn citizens united. Think of all that dark money they will loose. Oh, they will all give lip service to what the people obviously want but in the end they will protect their crooked little lives, power, and money.

If they have a super PAC, they will not overturn citizens united. They are owned by the very people they would be reining in. Not going to happen folks.

As an Independent, I have noticed the Democratic Party seems to have decided the power brokers will choose their candidate. So, why bother with silly little things like debates or primaries. It seems to me if you are a Democrat, you get Hillary weather you want her or not. If they continue down this path, I believe it will cost them the e******n.

Everyday I get pleas for money from both parties. However, the Democrats emails suggest I will be backing Hillary. Sorry, dudes but my money and time goes to individual candidates not parties. The only candidate I will give money and time to is, Bernie Sanders. He doesn't have a super PAC , he is not a billionaire, and you know exactly where he stands. I don't agree with all his agenda but he comes closest to the direction we need to take to correct the mess made by both parties.

I will not v**e for and I certainly will not give my hard earned money to billionaires. I give them enough with my tax dollars.

Hillary looks after Hillary. I don't believe it is stupidity. Like most of our so called representatives it is more arrogant than stupid. The laws are for us " little people" not them.

Most of our representatives feel the American people are stupid. In most cases they are correct. Just side step the questions and claim victim status and you can do wh**ever you like. These representatives are happy to feed the rumor mills but when it comes to actually upholding the law they are gutless cowards.

My question is: If she is guilty, why is she being allowed to get away with it? Perhaps, because the clowns in Washington are afraid some of their own dirty deals will be brought to light should she be prosecuted.

When I first learned of this situation, I thought this can't be true. It seems to me we are protecting the very people causing the Afghan people such misery. This is an example of why we should not be involved in policing these countries. We only make things worse.

A member of our military protects a child and we punish him not the rapist. We have truly become a nation of evil.

Those with power seek more power. What amazes me is why the majority of people don't seem to mind being thrown under the bus.

I had hoped we would be more mature, less greedy by the 21st century. In this country greed rules. Some of those lacking in real power hope by backing those in power, they will achieve a place in the 1% or at least be able to hold on to what they have left. Not going to happen.

To be perfectly honest with you, Sam. I can't answer that. It does seem cruel. I just have to accept there is a reason my limited intellect as a human being can not comprehend. I will agree with you it is a horrid disease.

Sometimes, situations such as the one you mentioned does cause me to question my faith. I would be dishonest if I said I never question my belief system. Sometimes if you truly believe you just have to have faith.

Hillary answered in true American political form: If you can't dazzle them with brilliance, baffle them with BS.

The woman doesn't have an agenda until other candidates announce one. I would not trust her to be rat catcher let alone President of the United States.

[quote=SamDawkins]Hello She Wolf. It is great to hear from you.Hope all is well.

Your God sounds pretty cool. The main exception I would have is the problem of suffering. Why does your God allow so much suffering in this world?[/quote

We are allowed to choose our path. God does not allow suffering, man does. It is our duty to end the suffering of our fellow man since we caused most of it.

In my life I have suffered many loses, a great deal of pain and quite a few situations over which I had no control. I believe this life is a class room and these things were necessary for me to learn and ultimately become one with my God. If God intervened in all situations, What would we as spiritual beings learn?

Bernie has explained the difference in Democratic Socialism and C*******m. Any one who has ever had a class in poly science knows the difference. Hell, an eighth grader knows the difference. But one of the first rules of propaganda is to lump your target in with a group that has a negative rep. with your intended audience. Any thing that person says from that point on will be perceived as negative. Simple but it works every time .
Bernie is labeled a C*******t, when they know it is not true, because they fear the loss of their usual kick backs and bribes. What amazes me is these so called representatives do not even try to hide the fact they are bought and paid for through super PACs. Yet, they get re-elected.

There is waste in every government agency. I am sure there is plenty in the EPA. Unfortunately, we can not trust corporations to police themselves. Their only concern is the bottom line. They do not care if they pollute our drinking water as has been done in numerous locations even with the EPA. I shudder to think what would happen if no one was watching them.

Don't throw the baby out with the bath water. Investigate the waste and put a stop to it. We need someone watching these greedy corporations least we end up with contaminated soil, water, and filthy air.