US Politics Group Featured Member - Ihatethemall

nice job current89 and ihatethemall.

these featured member interviews offer important insight into what life experiences helped form a fellow commenter's viewpoints and opinions. i'm really enjoying these.

ihatethemall, our opinions may differ on various topics, but i have a strong admiration for someone who can overcome a drug addiction twice, WITH help, much less without. not to mention creating your own business requires quite a bit of persistence too. congrats on being featured, and you have my best wishes that you find good work.

Impressive. There is much on which we disagree, but rare is the individual who pulls clear of addiction to one substance let alone two that many years apart. I am not sure I would agree with an earlier comment that he was "ashamed" to ask for help (unless he said that and my eyes skipped over it) so much as he simply wanted to be able to look back on his life and know that he and his wife made their own lives "for better or worse" as the vows go. Very, very seldom does "help" come without strings, for one thing.

I am sure he has already looked into this, but unemployment is particularly low in his beloved North Dakota (I too have been impressed with that state and nearly everyone I have met there) as compared to the rest of the country -- though it is pretty low here in Montana as well. Fargo is the biggest "city," but my guess is that he would have better luck in Bismarck, Minot, Dickenson or Williston.

He obviously has a low opinion of Chicago politicians. I don't know much about them, but I wonder whether he would count his relative as an exception...and if so whether he thinks that was one of the reasons besides taking on an incumbent for why he was unsuccessful.

One of the things I found interesting was the fact that while his politics and mine are pretty far apart along the political spectrum, we both identified the economic recovery as the number one issue facing America. While his view in this regard may, admittedly, be more representative of his end of the political spectrum than is mine...I simply concur with him that it is very difficult for people to focus on other issues when they are in danger of losing their homes and/or if they or their children aren't getting enough to eat.

If we feel that way about one of the richest countries on earth, perhaps it isn't all that difficult to understand why the so-called third world countries find it difficult to become quite as engaged as first-world countries about some of the social and environmental issues that get so much play in our media.

In any event, I am very glad that through this interview I was able to get to know ihatethemall a little better. On occasion he may have said a few things about me that were difficult to hear...and it is possible that sometimes I held my tongue/keyboard with some difficulty. But of course, I had no idea of his background or the source of his perspective. I admire his independence and his grit. I wish him and his wife the very best of luck and hope he finds the kind of work he wants soon. I will be watching for jobs here in Montana...in case he is willing to "slum" over to this side of the tracks. ; )

Great post!

(I'm ashamed to admit it, but all this time I thought his name was "I Hate The Mall". Which makes absolutely no sense if I'd actually thought about it.)

Good job my trucking buddy!

I think it's interesting that "never asking anyone for help" is considered a virtue within the context of your bio. Refusing to let anyone help you can be seen by some as a strength, others as a weakness. If you were not ashamed of asking for help, you could take advantage of unemployment insurance (as most of us feel comfortable doing after getting laid off, since the unemployment system was designed for this purpose, and you've already been paying into it every week), and this could allow you and your wife to continue to live well as you look for new work. Letting pride get in the way of your well-being is not a virtue, in my opinion.

It is impressive that you managed to kick two major drug habits without getting any help from anyone (except your wife, as you said). But maybe one day you'll realize that Help is not a four letter word. Without "help" in the form of scholarships and financial aid, I would have never gotten a college education. That is true for most American college graduates. I am proud that I was informed enough to take advantage of the grant and scholarship "help" that was available after putting in countless hours of research, essay writing, and interviewing with every grant foundation who would see me. I was determined to get the best education out there, and I did, even though my family could not afford it. I have a much better life thanks to the "help" that I received, and I thusly have the desire and means to help others - which is certainly not a bad thing in my book. If you believe asking for help is a sign of weakness, does that mean that you look down on people who DO ask for help, and therefore don't believe in helping others? Like you, I am also looking for work right now and trying to make ends meet, but I will always believe that helping a person in need is a GOOD thing...

This interviewing idea is an interesting one. Well done, ihatethemall. So sorry to hear about your job, but I have no doubt you'll land on your feet. Good luck!

Q. Finally, tell us about your Current group "anti-government" and why you started it.
A. I am anti government. I think the Federal government needs to stay out of states business, unless it interferes with interstate commerce they have no business telling states what laws they can and cant have concerning indivuduals rights or state soverignty. Take the states of Tenn and Montana. Those states decided that they shouldnt have to be under any federal regulations when it comes to things that are made in and sold in their state. The gun laws is what I am talking about. The federal government has no right to tell the people in a state that they cant make the laws they want to make that affects their own people if the people of that state have voted on it. Like the seatbelt laws. The federal government would have with held federal money, which is actually state money that was given to the feds, if they dont have seat belt laws. Who the heck do they think they are? Thats extortion.
Medical Marijuana is a great example. How many times do the people of California need to approve Medical Marijuana before the feds leave them alone? They have no business telling the state of CA or any other state that they cant have medical marijuana. Thanks to Barack Obama he has helped somewhat in this problem.....finally when he said he would end raids on the pot clubs and as far as I know in the last few months they have ended.
Government officials are as corrupt as they come. How many didnt pay taxes that have been caught. Better question is how many havent been caught yet. They shove rules down our throats that they themselves seem to think they dont need to follow.
Lets not forget the fool who said..." the constitution is just a God Damn piece of paper"
Yeah it is just a piece of paper but its one I hold dear and is posted in my home and at my front door. Even if they wont, I will defend it to the death.
The government is the ultimate example of do as I say and not as I do.

When it comes to politicians, I HATE THEM ALL.

In closing I would like to thank Current89 for wanting to interview me. I really do consider it an honor to be choosen by him.

Q. How do you feel about President Obama personally (regardless of his political views).

A. Then, rate President Obama's political performance on a scale of 1-10 (10 being the highest), explain your rating.
He is a Chicago politician. I give him a 2 and thats being kind.
I agree with many when they say that Barack Obama inherited the worst....everything.... in presidential history. economy, wars, etc. But that wont excuse the decisions he makes as he makes them if they turn out to be detramental to the country and its well being. I really dont think he hates this country like some say. I think his views on it may be differant from mine but he has children and I think he wants their future to be as bright as his was. I think his spending is out of control. I think he is as decietful as the last guy and as the next guy will be. I think he is failing the people who voted for him. He hasnt done near enough of what he promised on the campaign trail but as Nancy Pelosi was quoted as saying....." a lot of things were said on the campaign trail" Then laughed. Thanks we are now used to the politicians laughing at us.

Q. If you could appoint someone to the Presidency of the United States and another to the Vice-Presidency, who would you choose?

Thomas Jefferson and Benjiman Franklin
Q. Rank the domestic political issues listed below in order of importance from 1-6 (1 being the highest). Once you've finished ranking the issues, talk about the highest ranked issue.

A.

LGBT rights.--6
Economic recovery.--1
Education reform.--3
Campaign finance reform.---5
Energy independence (how the US acquires its energy).---2---drill baby drill
Immigration reform.--4---just close the borders already
I think economic recovery has to be number one. Without a strong economy its hard to accomplish anything else. We all need money to do what we want to do and the government is no different.
I list campaign finance reform so low because like the other rules, they would find a way around it. We aren't going to stop politicians from getting their money. Its not going to happen.

Q. Do you think religion should factor in when electing a politician?
A. NO-The only factor that should be considered is will they be good for the United States and DEFEND THE CONSTITUTION TO THE END. anything after that is secondary. I dont care what your religion is or if you have any. Religion should be kept out of politics and politics should be kept out of religion.

Interview continued.
Q. What sparked your interest in politics?
A. In the early 80's I had a step dad that was involved in politics. He was a local politician in Chicago. He decided to run for congress in Illinois. I got involved at that point. I went to rallies and dinners and what not. Met some pretty interesting people. He ended up losing but it was a very close race and he had an uphill battle all the way. He was going against someone who had held the office for a long time. I have been interested in politics ever since. My real dad is an elected official in the Chicagoland area. My step mother was. My mother works for a elected official. I know many of their "connections" and I have been interested in Chicago politics for going on 30 years now. I know many might not like to hear it but politicians that come out of Chicago are as crooked as they get. Theres a saying in Illinois politics, maybe its said about other areas too but the saying is....In Illinois we need to limit the politicians to 2 terms. 1 in office and 1 in prison. That saying is very true. I knew about Barack Obama long before he made it to the national scene.

Q. Is their any one particular political issue that you're passionate about? If so, could you tell us about it and why you're interested in it?

A. Patriot act, radical executive orders and other legislation that is systematically taking over every aspect of our lives.To even think they should have the right to force me to buy something....health-care...and fine me if I don't is government intrusion to the Nth degree.
What part of "shall not be infringed upon" do they not understand? Protect your rights people, they are far to precious to let fall by the wayside. Our politicians swear an oath to uphold the constitution yet they seem to do everything in their power to undermine it. I am passionate about maintaining my rights. without them, you have nothing.