Obama’s War on Coal
Obama says: Go ahead and build a coal-powered plant — but it will bankrupt you.

How about PRACTICAL SOLUTIONS instead of extremist ones.

http://www.nationalreview.com/articles/328532/obama-s-war-coal-katrina-trinko

This girl needs to go back to school!!!

Like cable spin centers calling opinions "news" — or Upper Makefield TEAparty gamers playing for political gain (forgetting governing for all) — or the school board speaking for all when listening to only 40% — and so much in our "Divided State of America" (and community) ... these are OPINIONS and not the FACTS.
That's the price of free speech in a free society where we are all equals.
But someone has to stand up for separating the spread of opinion as fact - compared to education of all the facts. We need to be and vote for something and not just against something (someone). All this "Obama is", "Americans have spoken", "At the end of the day", ... is all opinions speaking for the SOME and not the many. Too often these words lead the sheep where leaders want them to go.
Our forefathers were not Republican or Democratic. There were NO divisive parties. There was one table with everyone and everything on the table. The process was conversation with compassion, consideration, cooperation, and the ability to listen more then you preach.
We need to return the their ideals of ONE nation before we divide apart. Even Jesus did not judge people this much and he hung out with thieves and prostates .. but in our Divided America and so called Christian nation, we only hang out with those who side with us.
Ms. Freed is free to her OPINIONS. But she does NOT speak for me, my parents, my beliefs, and who I will hang out with.

Laura Freed continues her Tea Party fueled hate filled campaign against reality.

Diane: school or reeducation camp? What specifically did she say that requires her reeducation?

I am a registered independent. I agree with everything Diane says. Thank you for your insightful article.

Please keep this opinion nonsense off of the front page. This is not news!

From my wife after reading FaceBook entry "Local blogger says Obama is the opposite of every value her parents taught her" ... I'm awfully sorry, but wouldn't that statement of hate and total disrespect and pure anger be suited for the likes of Adolf Hitler or Charles Manson or Bin Laden or others - instead of someone you "politically" oppose in our ONE nation Untied Stares of America?

Do people understand our democracy is about all of us as ONE people and not this divisiveness for "your side"? America is we all "hang" together. So many need to relearn what the forefathers creation and their desired process was truly all about. But like her spin team in Upper Makefield - they want the fight - are willing to win at any cost - ignore respect, fact, and listening as they hold the answers for all - and believe they are the Sunshine in their stunts, spin, and games. We need to do better.

Nick and Le - Obviously you've chosen to believe the propaganda of the Tea Party. I've attended many different groups and I can tell you, they are FOR the every-day citizen. They often say, "First we have to fire the RINO's then we have to fire the Democrats." They are against BIG GOVERNMENT no matter WHAT party is in office.
It's quite a sad day for America when the values of responsibility, acceptance, honesty, and hard work are viewed as "hate speech."

No Laura. Please do NOT speak for me or assume you know me. You don't GET me after writing that article.
I "HANG" with the Tea Party members. I HANG with Republicans. I HANG with moderates. And yes as eveil as that makes me in your words I hand with fellow Democrats. I respect them all and I proudly HAND with them all.
Fact is I KNOW while many of their views are on target — MANY of their tactics and understanding of process are in question. We saw this in Upper Makefiled Township during the staged and scripted (bringing in outside support using "Americans For Prosperity" for better theater ) meeting on roads when IN FACT the issue was dead but they STILL wanted a WIN. Or on their plight against the school board budget when the UM TEA party spread lies instead of getting engaged in the conversation and making a difference - they went for the jab and called that a win.
You can't use the word "propaganda" when defending TEA party action locally as that is exactly my criticisim of them - they need to be far less about propaganda and stunt - and FAR more content / substance / process.
As I said you have VERY right to you opinions as they all do - but the truly sad day is when our differences become this extreme and the responsibility of our democracy, the acceptance of a free society, the right for honest debate, and hard work of any and all is gamed so.
We are ALL "every day citizens and we ALL should be able to HANG together.
That IS America.

Mar - "one man's trash is another man's treasure".
The Patch is doing their job as this was under "Local Voices".
Allowing this editorial post is the cost and price and the glory of free speech and freedom in a free country. Ms. Freed has every right to her opinions as long as they are stated as opinions - not facts nor speaking for me and others. As said - she does not. But she and those in Upper Makefield and others (as in many local governing boards) do not control the Sunshine nor the facts nor the morals of our socierty - only their opinions. That is the open conversation that makes this America so great - that we CAN (still) have that open debate and not be persecuted for not agreeing with the ruling "team". Freedom.
What troubles me far more then Ms. Freed's parents teaching her not to HANG with "THEM" (whatever this them is), is we all working and gaming with such anger and disrespect towards this divide of controlling power from all sides instead of working as ONE nation.

Based on this screed by Ms. Freed, I don't think her parents taught her very much at all. And, while she has the right to say what she does, the fact that she says it doesn't make it right or true. And I have the right to say that based on her comments, I think Ms. Freed is ignorant of the facts and, for the sake of not coming off like a fool, she would do best to keep her opinions to herself.

OMG, they actually let this child blog on here....Read a little more, familiarize with the workings of governements, especially the United States. I love how Obama is responsible for a collapsed economy that started the year before he was president, and GAS PRICES that are set by OPEC...

Very disappointed to see this kind of tripe in the Patch. I can go many many places go see partisan politics spewed by people who get their "facts" from sound bytes. God forbid our citizenship should take the time to do research on both sides of the stories and find out that we are not as divided as the machine leads us to believe. Please leave this kind of thing out of the Patch.

Hi Gary, this piece is a blog under our "Local Voices" section, meaning it is not news written by our staff but an opinion of a local resident.

Don't see a pro Romney - or a Obama bias on Patch sites. If anything - seeing more "Republican" stories is due to clever Republican professional politicians like Mike Fitzpatrick and others knowing how to "work" and "handle" situations and issues and appearances to get themselves in the news and to get local coverage. As for the TEAers, they have an energy and a spirit based on their strong beliefs and a process of do WHATEVER it takes to win (like the Upper Makefield stunt over roads) to make news even when there is no story. Plus as this editorial proves they are not afraid to say whatever and disrespect whoever in making their opinions known. So as this editorial and others in other local publications prove - they do not believe in wait and see. They want the fight and they will bring it in your face. To balance that effort, Democrats and Independents have to get involved and speak their minds and not be so quiet. Someone should write an "Local Voice" opinion answering Ms. Freed's opinions and post it in the Patch (besides just blogging). I praise the Patch for starting the conversation. Free speech means we all get a voice, even those we oppose. We need that in Bucks County - trust me. We need more understanding of the facts - more conversation in the process - and more people involved especially in our local school and township governing where the few spin the many while keeping the people they serve out.

The "Local Voices" platform is open to anyone in our local communities to share their thoughts, ideas, opinions, photographs and videos.

Here's more information on blogging on Doylestown Patch, http://doylestown.patch.com/blog/apply

The same button and info is available on all the local Patch sites - just go to your homepage and click the "want to blog on Patch?" button under Local Voices.

This is a very contested, hot-button political season. Patch welcomes voices from all parts of the political spectrum.

Come to think of it. My mother too would have grounded me for hanging out with such folks. Unfortunately, she voted for Obama, but may not this time around!

Laura, you raise a very valid point on Character. Unfortunately, many people don't judge others on character much anymore.

My Father - and my Mother being a Christian Baptist woman while also being a full blooded Nixon Republican - NEVER would have encourage us to not speak or HANG with others. To them that act would have showed MUCH less character. As for your "such folks". What type of "folks" are they Brian? What kind of character does it show to me so judgmental of "such folks"? What does it say about those who can't agree to disagree and must control the facts as they see fit? American - I think not. As for your Mother's voice and vote in the last Presidential election and your opinion on how "unfortunate" her vote was, I hope with all the voter suppression being fought for to control the message and the power she and so many other Americans will be able to vote for whomever next month. As for your "many people" comment - please do not assume to know we "people" and how we deal with character - or the lack there of. Ms. Freed assumes her opinions are facts and for you it seems you agree with her opinions. For me - she is wrong and the President will get my character, educated, well aware, and knowledgeable vote.

Great article Laura! How refreshing to actually read what most of us out here are thinking. Way to call it like it is!

Laura Freed, and parents can be wrong. 100% in your case. I hear of bad parents everyday in this world. Your parents are obviously one of them.

In response to "Oh Le, love your" ... Cynical disrespect. Oh Laura - again you are wrong about me. I'm not entrenched in any party or "camp". Just because I support our President don't turn your blame on me. We don't know each other so don't speak for me. Seems you see any disagreement as HATE. You call my words propaganda when I have supported your right to your opinions. You judge me and tell me what to do - what to think. You are judgmental putting people into groups. You blame one man forgetting so much more like the House, the Senate, obstructionism, serving pledge/party over country, lack of compromise/cooperation, and much more all left out - all while claiming HE is to blame and HE is not the type of person you want or would be allowed to HANG with. "Character defects" - we all need to look in the mirror before we judge strangers. We need to not JUST watch FOX or MSNBC, but research the FACTS on "spending, higher taxes, more government control" and the rest. Before you list all of your "NOTS" - get the story and facts straight. As for my solutions, I choose to call out what I believe in as in no parties, no reelections anywhere, 4 years terms local to supreme, no money in elections or governing - all to get us back to being one nation and not this ugly divisive sport of politics. As for your "Most of America" - to quote Reagan "there you go again" speaking for others with nothing factual to back it. We are a divided country and no one should ever claim "most of us".

Factcheck.org and politifact.com would have a field day with this article.

I feel that everybody should get along, why can't we all get along.

"Obama says he wants to make America attractive for other countries to come to America and open a business – yet on April 1st – he raised the corporate tax to 39.2% - the highest corporate tax IN THE WORLD."

Falsehoods abound in this post. Obama didn't raise the coroporate tax and the federal corporate tax remains 35% with an average state corporate tax rate of 4.2%. America became the highest GROSS coroporate tax rate (loopholes not included in calculation) when Japan lowered it's rate.

Another Tea Party distortion of reality.

Exceptional piece Laura- very well-done, Bravo!

Laura - Really? Character defects? After reading your opinion piece and viewing your blog (yes, I still try to have an open mind and develop informed opinions) I find it laughable that you call into question President Obama's character. Your blog is vulgar (Curse words and satirical videos of yourself), ludicrous and trashy (Nice pictures of yourself scantily clad. If I was covered in tattoos and had paid for my ridiculously over sized boobs, I'd want to show them off too!) . This opinion piece in and of itself is disgustingly disrespectful. It's President Obama - whether you like it or not. Oh what, your saintly parents didn't bother to teach you to respect the Office of the President, the leader of your country? I'm an American too and I don't like trash like you disrespecting our President. The best part of all of this is that you may not want to "hang" with the President but he'd have enough class and character to sit down and listen to whatever vile nonsense you chose to spew. THAT is what makes him better than you.

I see someone found the shift key.

"Obama says he wants to make America attractive for other countries to come to America and open a business – yet on April 1st – he raised the corporate tax to 39.2% - the highest corporate tax IN THE WORLD. What business would want to come to America and pay that kind of tax?"

The corporate tax rate in the U.S. is not 39.2%. That's the *maximum* corporate tax rate. The actual tax rate starts at 0%, and maxes out at 39%. This is in contrast to most countries, which have a fixed corporate tax rate.

Only 8% of business paid more than 30% in taxes. 72% of businesses paid less than 30% in taxes. And a whopping 20% paid NEGATIVE taxes.

The average? About 11%. One of the LOWEST rates in the world.

The insinuation that U.S. businesses are all paying 39% in corporate taxes is highly misleading.

Source: http://www.nerdwallet.com/markets/corporate-taxes/rates/

I thought the article was spot on. Character and integrity do matter and our politicians including President Obama are lacking both.

God Bless America!! where else can you sleep till noon, cash in your WIC card for free smokes and beer, drive a free car to your free house, and still ask for more?

Chiming back in ... OUR President is not king - not the only one governing - and so not the only one to blame. Forgotten in this blame game our hypocritical obstructionist gaming House (since day one including Ryan) and the Senate. They ALL are the government and TOO MANY served their pledges and plans and parties far better then they serve WE THE PEOPLE - our country.
"Character and integrity do matter" - absolutely as do FACTS over opinion which too often are mixed and mingled. No one OWNS the balance of character or integrity in a free society. You see a lack - I see much - that's freedom.
Also, so much of the OPINIONATED FACTS spoken in this editorial, in this blog, in our divisive gamed political process of elections/governing, on cable party bought divisive rhetoric channels (little factual news), and in much of the spin spread is just that - opinion. That is "highly misleading".
THIS is why as I stated PEOPLE should not be sheep following ANY opinionated leaders on TV - in governing - or in the public and instead be educated in ALL the facts voting for something and someone - instead of just voting against something or someone. IF we can get there we would be a better process, government, and country. As much as we if we are to be a UNITED country hope for a change, the last 30 plus years this partied based gamed divide has become deeper and angrier with SO many enjoying the game - forgetting the governing for all people (and yes I AM criticizing all sides on that)

The GDP (Gross Domestic Product) of this country was recently downgraded to 1.3%.
This is abysmal. The upcoming jobs report will show America to have a 44th month of unemployment over 8%. When you figure in those that have given up looking for work, it's closer to 19%. THAT is abysmal.

Median Family Income has dropped $4,000 under Obama. More people are out of work now then when Obama took office.

The above are the facts. Why are some Americans continuing to support a president who's only experience was as a US Senator in his first term, who spent most of that first term running for higher office. Before that he was a state senator in his first term who voted "present" over 100 times instead of a yea or nay vote.

Romney has run a business, a successful Olympics and a state.
One has "Executive Experience" , the other is still trying to figure out what that is after almost 4 years.

A.I.D.S. not aids. I don't think you're very intelligent.

Great job, Laura. Thank you.