YOUR COMMENTS

Response to Angelo from Manchester:
("The Republicans say America has the best healthcare money can buy. That’s true. If you have the money.")
I have a 25 year old close relative with no insurance other than the law requiring that "The hospital must screen for the emergency and provide the care without inquiring about your ability to pay" (i.e., universal treatment).
She spent 6 months in intensive care in a top tier trauma center. The $2million bill was shared by the corporate hospital and medicaid. I recognize the blinders that True Believers must wear, but you should value your credibility as well.
- Rae, West Palm Beach, FL

YOUR guy trashed the constitution and the economy - so it's okay if MY guy trahes the constitution and the economy.
- Ken, Fredericksburg, VA

This editorial is passed off as an April Fool's joke. But the sad truth is there is far more truth than joke to it.
- Brian, Farmington

Thanks UL for the great laugh this April 1st. You almost sound like MSNBC in this one. It's just a shame (or sham) that the BIGGEST joke this April Fool's Day is on America and our beloved Constitution, and that joke occupies the White House. Ever since the demonrats took control of the federal government, it's been one stupid anti-American, anti-capitalist, anti-constitutional decision after another. These bumbling fools and their useful-idiot sheeple have the audacity to call Bush stupid! HA! At least the dems did do one thing right in the past few years...they excel at stealing elections. Also, anyone notice gas prices lately? Since it was supposedly "all Bush's fault" when prices went up and he was in office, where are all the liberal moonbats now that gas prices are creeping up under the Usurper's Administration? (sound of crickets). I saw my first "Bring back Bush" bumper sticker yesterday....in all places, in the People's Republic of MA. Judging by where the Usurper is bringing us, I'm sure there will be more, and that's no joke.
- Mike, Temple

Obama is going to make us a Socialist state? No way... This is America! So… just because he wants to revamp the health program so more people are covered, it means we become England? The big bad Republican boogieman is perpetuating some of the biggest chicken little yellow journalism of all time!

The other night I was at a local pub and some woman was ranting about how Obama was going to turn us all into socialists. I asked her what's a socialist? She said didn't know but she knew it was bad.

England’s health system is good, not great, but people do not want for care like they do in the US. The Scandinavian countries learned from the UK mistakes and adopted their own form of coverage which makes them the healthiest people in the world. Forbes magazine ranked countries by healthcare and the US came in 11th, while socialist Germany and Canada came in ahead of us!

Who's to say the new Obama plans won't take that model a step further, Americanize it and make it a great plan? Or would people rather keep the current plans and watch our paychecks shrink because employers can no longer afford to pay the premiums? What about all the people who have lost their jobs…

I forgot. The Republicans say America has the best healthcare money can buy. That’s true. If you have the money.

All I hear is complaints. Where are the options for a better plan?
- Angelo, Manchester, NH

Matt Fernald, Portsmouth, NH, What are you smoking to have forgotten that the New York Trade Center was bombed in 1983 by the minions of the "Blind Sheik".

Please start your brain before typing.
- Raccoon, Houston, TX

I don't see how people can say already that Obama is a lyer etc. etc. etc. Give the guy a chance. IT has been four months. I have to say when Bush was in office I was nearly giving up on goverment. I am very displeased that the Union Leader, which I read everyday, would play a joke like this. It is distasteful towards our new president. I could see if it was a year after he was in office and has been a total waste of campaigne then yes make a joke but God what are we dealing with children for editors? Give me a break.
- Kristy, Manchester

This is not a Democrat party anymore folks. It is a socialist party with one goal, take power from the people and shift it to the elite few in Washington. I am a conservative and I had no problem laying out criticism of Bush failures. Conservative principles did not fail, the Bush administartion failed to execute conservative policy. I am sick of this blind allegiance the Demcrats are giving to this incompetent idiot they call president. He has'nt run a candy store and now his is going to run GM and AIG! He knows nothing other than campaigning and constant propaganda. The Obama spending plan is insanity. It is designed to empower Washington not the private sector and the American people. To exemplify this elitism that transcends the Democrat party leadership just look to the tax evading group being pushed into government positions. These people don't care about you, they care about their own power and are above the lowly masses. I have never seen the image of a president on the computer, magazines, newspapers and television more than this guy. This is like 1984 and the Manchurian candidate all rolled into one.
Lets fight back people!
- Vince, Bedford

Granted its April 1st, the traditional April Fool's day.. but lets face it folks, the real joke was November 4th. In almost what can be amounted to one fell swoop, our new democratic president has flushed this country right down the drain. And in keeping with the typical democratic agenda of old, taxes are crawling up and up. How this fraud managed to get so many people on board with his so called "stimulus" nonsense is testament to the desperation of this country for change. So desperate in fact that a large number of this country is practically eating out of this con man's hand.. yes I said CON MAN! Drop your emotions in the bucket and take a good look at this "bill of goods" you've been sold..
- Bob, Candia

First....to all who think the UL is a joke. Why are you reading it? And worse, responding to it.

Sencond...guess what, both sides are at fault. Republicans conrolled congress under Clinton when poor housing and other regulations were past. Democrats controlled the congress under Bush Light, when TARP was developed and distributed. Bush inherited a recession...Obama inherited a recession. Until the monkeys in Washington stop throwing feces across the isle and start working together, we are all stuck in the revolving cycle of party politics.

Third....How long will the current administration blame everything on Bush, 6 months...a year....after reelection? It's getting old.
- Andy, Franklin

Dick Olson form Jaffrey, you should take some time to become a true patriot and learn the correct pledge of allegiance.

Melvin from Keene, you shouldn't sound so casually demeaning. And your "my friend" line sounds like an old man in his early 70s.

R from Raymond, what were smoking when you wrote that "the world trade center was bombed on Clinton's watch"?

Here's a big, fat "are you SERIOUS??!" to all you right-wingers who are blaming the current recession on Obama.

Now, with that out of the way, let me commend in all seriousness the editors of this paper for doing exactly what they are supposed to do: Give their honest opinions. Their is mildly disgusting, but it's not even one-tenth as obscene as their November 5th editorial. It is strange what the Obama Administration are doing. They are expanding the government's range of control, spending billions (not trillions, by the way: BILLIONS) of borrowed money, and doing all sorts of things that are very questionable, given the state of things right now.

At the same time, remember what party is responsible for expanding the president's power so much over the past eight years. Remember what party has been running up deficits for 20 of the last 28 years. As a party so attached to Reaganomics, they should be more accepting to the Democrats' spending.
- Matt Fernald, Portsmouth, NH

We can only hope we still have a country left in 4 years.

01.20.13 - Hope for Change
- Wayne S, Manchester

This editorial is just like the newspaper that printed it.... a joke!
- Tim, Manchester, NH

Well said UL. Regardless of what Bush & Cheney did, you can't go and undo the past. Their administration had its share of good and bad decisions, but that's not the point. The point is that Obama is a problem for America. The problem with the Obama "regime," is that his policies are unconstitutional. He is trying to make this country into something that it was never meant to be, something it never should become. I understand some of you out there think socialism is a good idea. That's fine. Move to a socialist country. There are plenty of them to be found. LEAVE AMERICA ALONE!
- Sheana, Chester

For all the ad nausem repetition, it's evident that many folks are unaware of the constitutional provisions of our government. President Bush did NOT pass any budget. The last two Democratic congresses are responsible for the budget deficit poor BO inherited.
- David King, Milton, NH

Hahahahaha! The Union Leader thinks President Bush left us a Constitution to hold onto! That's the best April Fools joke I've heard in years!!!
- Dan, Manchester

Great Editorial! Loved it.
- Colleen Gates, Auburn, NH

This is one of the best and truest editorials I have seen in the UL in a long time. It reflect exactly what I have been saying and thinking since before obama was elected ( lower case for his name intentional). He has shown he has no regard for the constitution, moral standards or the limits put on the office of president by our fouinding fathers. He expects all of us like sheep to just blindly follow him wherever he leads. I noticed that some of the readers make comments are already doing just that, there comments show that they are blindly following what ever he says and does and get very upset with people like myself and the editorial staff for speaking the truth about our Socialist President. We need the people of this country to continue to speak out agaisnt his socialist agenda, this is a Representative Republic, not a Socialist Republic, people need to remember that our Country and our Laws where founded and based on God's Laws not Socialist Manifestos or Islamic Law I say this since he seems to be so buddy buddy with the Islamic nation and feels he can reach them throug YouTube. We need to get back to the type of nation our Founding Fathers invisioned and realize that the Constitution is not a living document but was written for all times and needs to be followed. We need to be supporting our troops overseas, and we need mr. obama to realize he is not a dictator and does not have the right to tell Privately owned industries who they can have as CEO's and how to run their companies that was never written into our Constitution, rather Checks and Balances were written in to prevent the President or Congress from doing these things and to allow Businesses to run themselves and for the Goverment to be By the Pople For the People and Of the People. We all need to keep this in mind.

Pastor Dave Philbrick
Kannapolis NC,
- Pastor Dave Philbrick, Kannapolis, NC

Is my calendar in error? I thought April Fools was last November 4th?
- Tom, Campton

Good article. I was glad to see it. The title intrigued me. I was happy to learn the Union Leader--remans the "union leader". I regret to read the nasty comments of some that continue to espouse polarizing political party grandiose opinions. What comes of such statements--not unity to resolve the ills and build upon the strengths that have made this nation great. A study of national history let alone world history reveals the danger and deterioration of a nation with people who become so politically party polarized. We the people and our politicians need to look beyond the labels and platforms and look to the what is truly good to keep this Republic of the United States of America strong as it can be in this season of global troubling times. Consider this even the U.S.A. Presidents (Bush, Obama, etc.) regularly respectfully talk with and have true friendships with congressmen and leaders of opposition parties who have widely different views. So instead of acting like self-righteous fan club members swaying the banner of our "club", lets do as the presidents, legislators, mayors, etc. of this great nation most often do--be respectful and purposely not use nasty, demeaning, vindictive, malevolent, mean-spirited words. (Even Clinton and Obama made up!) Failing to do be respectful shows a lack of maturity, education, and experience. PS: Yes, it is noticeable that many of you fans have targeted traditional family value news media to espouse nastily, etc. your views as "the true views." Consider this, the strategy of attempting to disrespectfully, mean spiritually oppress differing views is not a new strategy and historically is known to have the reverse effect then what is intended.
- Jan, Londonderry, NH

'Disposable relics like the Constitution?"

I thought Bush got rid of that already a few years ago.
- Bill, Tuftonboro

If Obama did nothing since getting into office you would be writing and editorial about how he should be doing something because of the state of the nation. Let's be real, he stepped into office and was handed over an economy at it's worst since the great depression, we are in a war that is as bad if not worse than Vietnam, and now when he tries to do something you criticize every move he makes!
The truth is, Obama has a lot of tough decisions in front of him, these first ones are just the beginning. Personally, I would like to see ALL politicians removed from office and see regular, working-class people put in their place. I think that would be the first step to returning our country to greatness. These career politicians are ruining our once fine country, and lobbyists are out of control and should be strictly monitored.
- Tom, Manchester

I agree with this article. I also heard that Fairpoint is cleaning all phone lines today and that customers need to put plastic bags on the end of their phones to capture all the dust.

Does anyone know if the plastic bags from Walmart will work well?

They don't seem as strong as the ones I usually get from the grocery store, but I don't have any of those around.
- Mike, Epping

The biggest fools this April are the out-of-touch editorial writers at the Union Leader.
- LJC, Manchester

Tim:

"Oh and you narrow minded folk might want to look at how large Cheney's bonuses from Haliburton were during his eight years."

There were, of course, none "during his eight years". He was paid some monies owed previously.

However, 0bama's and Geitner's ties to ACORN, Fannie/Freddie, and AIG are quite damning. 0bama will go down hard in the end. I still can't believe 0bama had the gall to hand ACORN over $4 billion of "stimulus" money. Obscene.
- Terry, Ladson, SC

We must all join dear leader in ten minutes of hate each day so that we never remember to forget the bad old days of selfish freedom.
- Sara, Houston, Texas

Steve:

I see you accuse Bush/Cheney (some sort of aggregate entity, eh?) of "atrocities". What were those, exactly? Replacing a dictatorship that hated the United States with a vibrant democracy? Killing terrorists who masterminded and funded a plot that killed thousands of Americans and cost us billions of dollars? The Dems painted the Iraq War as a failure for years, yet in spite of their literally treasonous behavior we did finally manage to win.

0bama is a disaster for America. He has lied constantly since he started his campaign. He pledged to take public money like McCain, then went back on it and outspent him three to one. He bought the election, plus he had the invaluable help of his minions, the media. His economic plans are garbage, and his military "plans" are ruinous. Worst of all, in the name of crisis, he's making sweeping systemic changes that will be difficult to undo.

However, they will be undone. Starting in 2010, and under new leadership in 2012. The American people are getting angry.
- Terry, SC

This is exactly why I have a paid subscription to the Valley News, and wouldn't give you a dime for the UL. Oh and you narrow minded folk might want to look at how large Cheney's bonuses from Haliburton were during his eight years.
- Tim, Enfield

Even sadder, there is no reason to believe that if McCain had been elected he would have done anything different.
We should have listened to Ron Paul.
- Lloyd, Grafton

Awww.....poor little R's feathers got ruffled....awww.....ohhhh....ahhhh. Big bad D's....
- DM, Hampton

oh union leader, you so funny. got me!
- tim, cannan

I understand how you can blame Clinton for this mess, who was pretty right-wing for a democrat. But remember that the GOP was in-charge of the legislative branch in 1999, when the bill deregulating our banks was passed.
lol at the rest.
- joe t, Derry, nh

A great editorial...and right on the money.

The president's "lieutenants" should not have to pay their taxes. Their job is to go after the "little people" who can't figure out the tax code.
- Bill Howard, Exeter

Hey Steve,did you notice that unemployment was 4.8% under Bush and the stock market over 13000? People used to have fat 401K accounts. The economy has been on a downward slide since Obama got the nomination last year. The private sector sees this guy's policies as a loser and are stashing their money in gold or whatever. Only a total moron would borrow trillions in the middle of a deep recession and waste it on roads and bridges and to fight a myth known as global warming.
- Joe Sorino, Elkton,Md

That Steve Olsen thinks this editorial is "maybe" a joke is more proof that the Left has no sense of humor. As for drivel to see through, Olsen says that people who disagree with him on policy are (1) stupid, (2) unfair, (3) mind-numbed robots, and (4) working in lockstep (a chant last heard in the campaign against Sununu).

That Olsen thinks the Union-Leader never had a problem with Bush's policies means he never read the paper. (Sorry, this is Olsen; why do we think anything means anything?) He ended his last cameo appearance here with armchair psychoanalysis.

Olsen, the editorial writer's criticism of Obama is clear. Either rebut it, or at least explain how Bush "tore apart the fabric of the country," other than by denying us an extra dollop of social workers and a longer rulebook (which he really didn't). Move beyond ridicule and scorn to actual reasoning, if you can.
- Spike, Brentwood NH

Steve Olsen just proved without a shadow of a doubt that liberals have no sense of humour.
- Sally Duncan, Sydney Australia

Everyday is April Fools Day with BO in charge
- Leo, Canterbury

Gee, Steve, the mortgage debacle is the root cause of this entire mess and is the responsibility of ... Barney Frank and Chris Dodd (both of whom are still seated in this Congress) and the Clinton administration. Blaming it all on Bush is just as convenient as saying we were never attacked until 2001, which is patently false since the World Trade Center was bombed on Clinton's watch. Hmm, a pattern here?
- R, Raymond

Steve, thanks for your humorous April Fool note. Mr. 0bama is indeed ripping our country apart with his inane economic policies and piling on of debt. President Bush held us together (except fot the left fringe with BDS) for 8 years. Unfortunately, all the Republicans offered up for his replacement was Senator McCain (Sigh...)
- Gene Smith, Contoocook, NH

Congrations Union Leader! You had me going for a moment. Obviously, Steve Olsen (no relation thank God) does not believe in the US or State Constitutions and has given up on the pledge; "For Liberty and Justice for all".
The joke is on him if he believes what the Obama Administration is doing. With the three stooges (Obama, Reed, Palosi) an the helm, we are in for some troubled times.
I was born in 1941 and see that people like Steve do not know their history!
Happy April fool's day!
- Dick Olson, Jaffrey

Actually Steve Olsen, the Union Leader has criticized the Bush/Cheney administration, and individual members of that administration of undermining their professed priniciples. Your post was drivel. Either you do not read this newspaper regularly or you "are just not that bright".
- Nick, Manchester

Stay calm Steve Olsen. It's a joke, April Fool! Poisson D'Avril, mon ami!

But I don't see anything in the editorial that accuses O'Bama of tearing apart the fabric of the country.

I would argue with your other false accusations but that would be a waste of my precious energy.

Have a great day, my friend, but try to relax.
- Melvin, Keene

Granted, it's April 1st, and maybe the UL posted this "editorial" as a joke. That can be the only excuse. If not, this is truly proof that the people who run this paper are just not that bright and have removed any semblance of being balanced, fair or anything more than a mouth piece for the far, far right. What a joke. The funny thing is, whoever wrote this falsely accuses the Obama administration of tearing apart the fabric of the country in the exact manner that the Bush administration actually did for the previous 8 years. Of course, since the UL is incredibly biased, they never accused or called out Bush/Cheney for their atrocities. Anybody can see through this drivel.
- Steve Olsen, Portsmouth, NH