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To: William B. Kohn who wrote (2056)	11/4/2002 1:12:13 AM
From: Karen Lawrence	Read Replies (2) \| Respond to of 6901

My concern is not for illegals in this country. It's for the hardworking Americans who, especially in CA, have a hard time paying utilities because Cheney and Lay colluded to charge Californians for phantom power at inflated prices. These folks are getting ripped by corporations that don't pay any taxes, and their tax bill must be paid by those whom you suggest cancel their phones. So when you see these "lost potential", complete failures on the street who have nothing and to whom you wish to give nothing, why not do them a favor and put them out of their misery. Huh? What do you suggest. I'm not trying to be mean to you, I really want to know, what should we do with them? I'm thinking they might be better off if they move to Cuba. I read a "bizarre fact" that stated that "virtually all Cubans are literate and they all have free healthcare". No I don't want to move there. And I don't think people "fleeing Cuba" are doing so because of oppression. I think Castro is still ridding his country of undesirables and they all end up in FLA where people are apparently almost dead or completely deranged. One of the stats in that article was that of 4 million who qualify for food stamps, only ten percent get them. And you know darn well those getting food stamps are the illegals who know how to work the system. Not the Americans who've paid their taxes and need a break.

To: William B. Kohn who wrote (2056)	11/4/2002 1:41:01 AM
From: LindyBill	Read Replies (1) \| Respond to of 6901

John and I have had a few PMs on the election tomorrow, and one thing we both agree on is that the Senate will probably not be decided until the Lawyers are done. An article from the WP on this subject. washingtonpost.com Battle for Senate May Outlast Election Day Party Leaders Brace for Limbo By Helen Dewar Washington Post Staff Writer Monday, November 4, 2002; Page A06 It may take more than the bang of a gavel to get the United States Senate organized after Tuesday's elections. A combination of close races, slow counting of paper ballots, quirky state laws and possible recounts and legal challenges -- along with the possibility of a December runoff election in Louisiana -- could mean it will be days or even weeks before Americans know which party they have chosen to control the Senate for the next two years. It could also seriously complicate plans for a "lame duck" session of both houses scheduled to convene Nov. 12, possibly even shifting control of the Senate one or more times between Democrats and Republicans before the new 108th Congress is seated in January. Of course, it is also possible that one of the parties may win enough seats to provide a comfortable cushion, without endangering the Democrats' one-vote majority for the rest of this year. But leaders of both parties are bracing for a long and possibly inconclusive election night, with lawyers preparing for emergency duty in the battleground states. Republicans are particularly looking out for voter fraud, while Democrats are on the prowl for voter intimidation. "On top of there being an unusually large number of close elections, there are an unusually large number of elections that involve unique legal issues," said Marc Elias, counsel for the Democratic Senatorial Campaign Committee. "This is the first election since Florida . . . and Florida taught everyone to be prepared," said Alex Vogel, general counsel for the National Republican Senatorial Committee, referring to that state's bitterly contested presidential election in 2000. The biggest uncertainty is the large number of close races that could spur overtime action of some kind, such as protracted counting of paper ballots, recounts or lawsuits. For instance, Minnesotans will have to vote by paper ballot in the Senate race because of the last-minute substitution of former vice president Walter F. Mondale for the late Sen. Paul D. Wellstone (D), who died Oct. 25 in a plane crash. Vogel said he has heard it could take several days to count the paper ballots. In a partial victory for Democrats, who had filed a lawsuit, the state Supreme Court ordered election officials to send new absentee ballots to voters who requested them. But it was not clear whether those who already voted for Wellstone and wanted to switch their votes to Mondale could get their new ballots back in time. Wellstone votes will not be counted for Mondale in his race against Republican Norm Coleman. Absentee ballots also are counted by hand in other states, which could mean delays in close races. In Oregon, where Sen. Gordon H. Smith (R) leads but is not a sure winner, the whole election is conducted by mail. Two years ago, it took nearly a month to count mail ballots and formalize the narrow victory of Sen. Maria Cantwell (D) in neighboring Washington state. Louisiana poses the greatest potential for delay. Under state law, a runoff will be held Dec. 7 if no candidate receives at least 50 percent of the vote in Tuesday's election, in which multiple candidates from multiple parties run at once. With three Republicans on that ballot, Sen. Mary Landrieu (D-La.) leads but falls short of 50 percent, according to polls. It's unclear how vulnerable she might be in a runoff, in which Republicans would try to rally voters behind one challenger, but it could mean a month's delay in knowing which party controls a narrowly divided Senate. The outlook is equally murky for the lame-duck session, during which Congress will again try to pass its annual spending bills and enact legislation to create a Department of Homeland Security. But lawmakers can postpone both chores to 2003, and they are all the more likely to do so if the election results in major changes to Capitol Hill's balance of power. Sen. Jean Carnahan (D-Mo.), locked in a close race with former representative Jim Talent (R), received a two-year appointment to the Senate after Missouri voters elected her husband after he was killed in a plane crash in October 2000. Her appointment ends with the certification of Tuesday's election results. A Talent win could switch control of the Senate to the GOP for the rest of this year, even if Democrats win a majority for the new congress that starts in January. But the election has to be certified by Gov. Bob Holden, a Democrat, and state law is not clear on when the governor must act. Alaska presents another complication. Sen. Frank R. Murkowski (R-Alaska) is running for governor and if he wins, he could name his Senate successor. He would have to resign his Senate seat before taking over as governor Dec. 2. Alaska law requires a five-day wait before a new governor can name his replacement. In Minnesota, state law provides that whoever is elected to the Senate Tuesday takes office immediately upon certification. Certification is scheduled for Nov. 19, although Gov. Jesse Ventura (I) said it could take longer. Ventura, angry at what he described as the partisan tone of a Wellstone memorial service, said he may appoint someone without regard to political affiliation to fill the vacancy, in the meantime, adding another element of uncertainty to the lame-duck session

To: William B. Kohn who wrote (2056)	11/4/2002 2:29:59 AM
From: KLP	Respond to of 6901

Hi William....There is an additional thing for the Alaskans...(I don't know how much Native they have to be however...) Every Alaskan gets about $1000 per year for the use of the land by the oil companies....Doesn't matter the age, or how many in a family. When we were there last year, some were talking about it, and it seems to be for all citizens....But I do know that the folks we were talking to were quite pleased with themselves for receiving the money. In fact, I believe the amount is sometimes more...Each person has received about $15,000 over the last 15 years. (insert Alaska oil money for citizens into google) That should have helped the Alaskans a bit with the food budget! I agree with your post entirely, including the money for the Native American descendants. Although, since the Casinos are booming in their areas, it should alleviate many of the problems! I do know personally that the Bureau of Indian Affairs should be investigated from top to bottom....several years ago, the budget went over 80% to the bureaucracy, and not to the Native Americans ...this was true in the late 70's-early 80's....a friend worked for a US Rep, and the Rep was really upset about it! I also believe that MANY of our elderly citizens are in a terrible situation. When the folks who retired in the 1970's-1980's retired, most did not make much money as the salaries were no where near what they are today. A High School teacher with a Masters, plus more than enough credits for a PhD, and living in a small NE town, retired in 1975 making the grand total of $15,000 or so....(I know...she was related).... There is NO way those folks who supported us through the depression, WWII, raising their families, putting them through college, etc could have saved enough to cope with todays costs, unless they were privately wealthy. I frankly resent it when we allow illegal immigrants to stay in this country, and take from the older people who have paid more than enough .... And to make matters worse, if a person (like the Haiti boat folks) claims refugee status, and it is granted...they immediately qualify for every single US Government handout there is... As citizens, both my hubby and I have contributed to worthy causes for years....and will continue as long as we're able. But we no longer give money to panhandlers. There are entry level jobs that are going begging (yes, even now), but most of those folks make more money per hour begging than they do working--plus don't have to pay taxes, plus most are already on some form of government assistance....