America's turn: How bitter are you? Vote now

For days now we've all been reading about how bitter or not bitter small-town Pennsylvanians are.

All three major remaining presidential candidates -- Sens. John McCain, Hillary Clinton and Barack Obama, who started this whole thing by blabbing on in some ill-expressed psychobabble at what he thought was a closed fundraiser in the smallest of small towns, San Francisco -- have been trying to use bitter to their own political advantage.

Big shock there!

Clinton and McCain have bitterly attacked Obama over his bitter remarks and he admits he could have said it bitter.

Besides the fact that, yo, even Pennsylvania's large cities are small towns, the Keystone State has had its say.

Now, it's time for the rest of us to weigh in. Vote away.

And if your ballot requires further explanation, use the Comments section below.

--Andrew Malcolm

Comments

[tom]

i am bitter and angry..my dollar is WORTHLESS..bush has added 3 trillion dollars to the national debt..and your a fool if you think this money has not been syphinged off by bush ,,Cheney..rumsfeld..with these big military contracts..30 billion in oil profits..going to bank accounts in Switzerland and the cayman islands with some number instead of a name to the account..i am bitter that these corporations who have made billions here in the united states are taking that tax break money to china and building new factories and buying new machines to have chinese workers desplace our workers here in the united states and then turn around and sell us the products made in china..

[Joe]

Bitter? Maybe. Bitter that my constitutional rights are merely considered things I "cling to." Is this any different than clinging to free speech or the right against self-incrimination? Does Obama think we'll be willing to give these things up if he fixes the economy? These are not things we cling to when our economy declines; rather these freedoms form the foundations of our society & the essence of American freedom.

I just lost all respect for this guy.

[James Pro]

IF ANYONE REALLY CARES FOR HILLARY CLINTON I ASK YOU TO TYPE THIS AND LOOK AT THE FACTS THE PRESS CAN'T TELL YOU ABOUT!!!!! (hillarythemovie.avi) THEN YOU WILL SEE THE TRUTH THE CLINTONS HAVE BEEN TRYING TO HIDE....

[skramgeo]

I am bitter about the politicians in D. C. who don't recognize that cutting taxes increases government revenue. All the data shows this is true but the Democrats won't acknowledge it. Also they won't admit that the surge in Iraq is working! Go figure!

[JJ-VA]

Obama said those people are antipathy. Seems to me he's the one who is really antipathy and completely lack of compassion. People are duped by some wealthy liberals in America who love to destroy Clinton whatever way they could by propping up Obama. You don't have to agree with people with faith and believe in 2nd amendment of constitution, but to show such contempt says loudly about the true color of this Obama character as well as his unqualification as a statesman. Imagine what outcry the media will be bursting with if either McCain or Hillary disparage African Americans with similar contemptuous remarks. They will be crucifixed by the media immediately. Here Obama and his supporters not only shown no sign of remorse, they even belittle the insensitivity and continues their offensive smear against Hillary. What arrogance projecting himself champion of hope and change and comparing himself as Kennedy and MLK. He's nothing but another cunning politician, American are misled.

[inthecurve]

It's truly amazing. So many people following along like mice being lead out of the city by the "Piper", aka, Obama. WAKE UP YOUNG PEOPLE!!!! If Obama's age is the reason you are backing him, you have a great deal of growing up to do, maybe the voting age needs to be raised to at least 25 years old to allow the "kiddy vote" to grow up and read the facts. If you Obamatic's don't think this guy and his wife aren't elitest or even borderline racist, you are wrong. Look up the history all you young folks in college still, use your resources to seek the truth about these two people. Read their books, just don't buy them, try getting one from the library. John McCain is no saint, and Hillary isn't any better, but Obama will lead this nation to another 9/11 within the first two years if he gets elected. Hope and pray if you pray that it won't hit your little college world you live in.

[James Pro]

IF ANYONE REALLY CARES FOR HILLARY CLINTON I ASK YOU TO TYPE THIS AND LOOK AT THE FACTS THE PRESS CAN'T TELL YOU ABOUT!!!!! (hillarythemovie.avi) THEN YOU WILL SEE THE TRUTH THE CLINTONS HAVE BEEN TRYING TO HIDE....

[Hugh G. Rection]

I'm not bitter,,, They are both a couple of mindless Morons. Neither one knows Shi& about what they are talking about. Of course, being Democrats, neither cares. It's not about the issues, it's about who's in charge of the Socialist agenda.

Yes Money Talks, and these two are Greedy MF's

[James Hickman]

Hello,

Yes, I am bitter, because of NAFTA I lost my pension & Insurance, My company went bankrupt (Weirton Steel Corp) which is right along the border of Pennsylvania. My two children had to move to Indiana to find a job. Later I moved out to Indiana to go back to work for much less money. Every year the rich get richer and the poor get poorer and nobody seems to care. Right now I am a Republican but plan to vote for Obama. Maybe he can deliver us from the evils & greed of our politicians. In doing this I fear stiffer gun control and anti religious policies. I guess everybody has to make some trade offs . Thank you for giving me
the opportunity to blow off some steam.

[Lisa]

Actually, I am bitter about Bush and have been for quite some time, so it is a politician's fault but not Obama's.

[E Sales]

Bitter? Some. Disgusted? A lot. I know I can take care of my family and do not worry about where the next meal is coming from, but I am very concerned where our country is headed at home and nationally. The republican mantra of keeping government out of business has put us in one of the worst fiscal fiascos since the great depression. The concept that government deregulating big business is a recipe for real disaster and we are on the way. The cozy relationship between big government and big business is making our founding fathers roll over in there graves and I'm not sure Obama or any other politician can crack the protective shell of collusion to fix the problem. If you want to know what's wrong with this economy, listen to this http://www.npr.org/templates/story/story.php?storyId=89338743 .

[chillparsi]

Hell no, I am NOT bitter. As a legal immigrant who arrived here 27 years ago who has gone through the ups and downs in all those years, I still believe in the American dream and am achieving it.
I wake up each morning and bless this great country and for the opportunity it has givne me and am a proud American citizen today. All of you, especially those that were born in this country, perhaps do not know just how great this country is and the freedom that it provides.
Over 90 percent of our people live in fairly decent housing with running water, electricity, heat and air conditioning, have at least one car and have food on our table at least twice a day. Even our porr live waaaay better than the poor of most other countries.
We are as a group the kindest, warmest, people in the world and have always helped when others have needed it. In return the only thing we have asked for is for a little piece of land on fogeign soils where thousands of your fignthing men have laid down their own lives in order to root out naziism, communism, terrorism, etc. in those lands.
So rejoice my fellow Americans in what we have. Yes, it IS not perfect but IT IS THE BEST DARN THING there is on this earth.
So dont let the media push thoughts of bitterness in your head. REJOICE in what we have. There are millions upon millions who would give anything to be the "poor" in the USA. Yes things are not too bright right now for many of us but these things are cyclical and good days will follow.
So I say to the media - SHAME ON YOU for trying to put the thought that folks are bitter into their heads and to my fellow Americans I say - Come join me in working towards making things better with our own two hands and not waiting for the government to do it for us. Remember - this great nation was not given to us. Our forefathers have hewn it out of the wilderness with their guts and hardwork and faith in God. God Bless America.ctoorkey@comcast.net

[Mim]

Yes, I am very bitter. Here a few good reasons for being bitter: high price of gas, Iraq war, high deductables for insurance, pay checks that do not meet the cost of living, illegal immigration, and health care for a select few.

Very bitter, that Bush has spent millions of dollars in an oil rich country for clinics and hospitals, and the need is in this country. Very bitter that Bush is willing to send millions of dollars in food to other countries, and people are starving in this country, and families with children are in shelters.
Hopefullly, the next President will be on the side of the Americans, and a much higher IQ.

[Ken]

The one thing I am bitter about is our politicians on both sides of the isle have lost touch with real America. They all are wealthy, yet talk about the middle class like they understand. If you want to understand the middle class, then get on the same social security and health benifits the average American citizen has. I can assure you if your future depended on the benefits real Americans have to depend on, you would fix the problems.

[Larry Cyprus]

I'm quite unhappy that Monday and Friday of every week, every cent I earn is taken from me by the government through taxes and spent on stuff I don't want. Nobody but Ron Paul is seriously talking about letting me keep a lot more of what I earn.

[Ethan]

Bitter? Hell yes!
I can't believe W managed to steal his second election, much less the first. We've had nothing but lies and contempt for the past 8 years, and Hillary has shown she'll be happy to give us another 4.
Obama is right, and should stand up for it. We don't need more sugar coated missives and over confident pronouncements from politicians whoring for votes. Our nation is trouble, and bread and circuses ain't going to fix it.
By the way, I'm Pennsylvanian, born and bred these several dozen years.

[Skip Mendler]

Not so much bitter as P.O.'d at this system, and looking for any way possible to bring about a radical transformation. For starters, I think the breakup of the Republican and Democratic "parties" is long overdue. GWB and Dick Cheney need to be impeached, and the rest of their cronies held accountable before the law for their crimes against the Constitution. And as the present financial debacle illustrates, the whole frickin' RULING CLASS needs to be replaced...!

[Corey Brunke]

I have been since that flawwed recount in 2000. Since when America was uinted after a terrorist attack we were told to go shopping, not work toward a common goal. Since outright lies and half-baked intel terrified the masses into supporting invading Iraq. Since 'Made in America' means nothing compared to corporate incentives to send American jobs overseas. Since everyday the loss of life and limb of American sons and daughters is ignored by an impotent, corrupt Legislature. Since everyday Halliburton/KBR and other cronies of Cheney, Rumseld, Wolfowitz, et al. have made BILLIONS on a war without end, without a real victory. Since no matter which party I voted for (as a life long Dem gone Indie) the same paralysis and stomping on the Constitution happens everyday... Where Federal laws are selectively enforced per Corporate agendas- immigration, food safety, fuel standards, air quality, treatment of wounded soldiers, healthcare, the right to privacy, search/seizure, tapped phonecalls... I am so angry, so bitter, so frustrated, so tired that I can't even think straight anymore. I will vote for Obama, but I expect nothing to change. At least he sounds like he loves this country more than Clinton loves power at any cost. McCain is too tainted, too locked to the whims of the religious Right to get my vote despite his serivce.

[bruce becker]

I am bitter that the state of Mississippi so abused the literacy test and only applied it to blacks. We could use an IQ test to prevent morons from voting. Morons is an actual category and they vote. 80 IQ.
They cannot follow a real debate.
Good luck having a real consideration of the issues.
The right wing calls Obama elitist because he tells the truth and the only thing anyone hears in Appalachia is the word elite. And McSame chimed in, like a parrot. How clever he is, for a man in early senility.

[Leslie Bell]

Really bitter... if Rove's Tool Obama somehow actually wins the nomination, I'll be voting for Insane McCain.

That's how bitter I am.... against OBAMA.

[CB in NH]

You marxists crack me up. Obama Bin Laden Marx for Messiah and Best Speech Giver.

[Barb]

Bitter was the right word.

I'm bitter about the lack concern for the average American and the extra special treatment for the rich.

Obama gives me hope.
The controversery about his use of the word "bitter" is ridiculous.

[Nicolas Abels]

I'm bitter that Bush was elected by half of America, and then the same idiots who elected him complain that our country is in ruins.

And now, that half is going to elect another Republicon. One who admittedly knows nothing about the economy, is going to keep us in the war "CUZ ITS IMARAL 2 LEVE", and who is going to give tax breaks to multi-billionaires while simultaneously supporting illegal immigrants.

The real problem has never been people like George Bush, McCain, or any other politician. It is, and always will be, our stupidity.

[Coffee head]

AMERICAN'S are not bitter, correction, Democrats are bitter and that's part of the reason they are Dem's. It's the nature of the beast. Stop looking to government to fix your life and do it your self. Look to God to give you strength and prosperity. You can do all things through Christ who empower's you...not al things through Clinton, Obama or mcCain. Your looking in the wrong direction to fix our country. Look at yourself, look at Him.
I can hardly wait to get blasted over this response...it's the nature of the beast!

[Morgan]

What do Americans have to NOT be bitter about these days? Rising gas prices, a falling house market, inflation, and unemployment certainly don't make Americans any happier. Hillary and McCain are just trying to make drama out of anything (after all, negative attention is attention) meanwhile Obama is the only candidate with enough trustworthiness, confidence, and sense to speak the truth. Keep talking, Obama, because even if the mainstream media and your competition don't listen to you, every other American living in the real world does. And those are the votes that count.