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The Spokesman-Review Newspaper
Spokane, Washington  Est. May 19, 1883

Weighing in

A weekly look at reader comments and reactions to the news

The Rally to Restore Sanity and/or Fear, spearheaded by Comedy Central funnymen Jon Stewart and Stephen Colbert, sparked companion rallies in Spokane and dozens of other cities Saturday, where voters generally considered to be at the moderate to liberal end of the political spectrum gathered to demonstrate against what they consider the divisive politics of the generally conservative tea party movement. Not surprisingly, S-R readers revved up the debate online, where you can find complete coverage and the full reader debate.

ZagChuck: Insanity is a commitment to continue down a path of destruction. We’ve had Democrats in complete control of our state budget for the last 10 years, and in majority control for 38 of the last 40. Have they made the state budget better? … This is nothing more than another failed political stunt by the left, as they attempt to portray a grassroots movement.

Amybiviano: Tea Party comparisons aside, please remember that even those who yell the loudest still get one vote apiece, just like the rest of us. This rally was all about reasonable discussion and giving people a safe space to air their own political views without being shouted down.

Magnutt: I was happy to be able to attend a rally that reflected my sensibilities and to gather with like-minded people to show the politicians, and the world, that this is a country of reasonable Americans, people who won’t be represented by the conspiracy nuts, the pessimists and the wackos that typically dominate the media’s political coverage. It was a chance for the “Busy Majority” to be heard from. … If your ballot is still lying on the counter, let’s get that thing checked and mailed off.

Misjustice: Tax and spend versus borrow and spend? You be the judge.

Shazamm: If your ballot is still sitting on the counter at this late date, it probably means that you can’t find the stomach to vote for the Democrats. My wife and I sent ours in two weeks ago with all “R”s. They may not be the best and the brightest our nation has to offer, but the worst “R” is heck of a lot better than the best of “D”.

Schleufer: D for drive. R for reverse.

Thayne: I laugh at all of the republitard attack ads that say it was the Democrats that voted for the TARP and other bailouts. Actually it was Bush’s regime that created the scenarios requiring the bailout. Maybe if GM had stuck to building cars and not buying bad mortgages they wouldn’t have needed bailing out. If Bush and his buddies hadn’t looked the other way when the Wall Street robbers were screwing Americans the financial crisis wouldn’t have happened.