That stuff is for the 'little people' doncha know.

Wonder wot her deductions were fer pharmaceuticals?

...Or are drugs you steal from yer own charity not deductible?

Any Tax folk in the house to clear that one up?

Be Well.

A prenuptial agreement left much of the family's assets in Cindy McCain's name.

Ha! McLame is a bought and kept commodity.

Cindy's very own man-candy.

Maybe her and Theresa Heinz Kerry can compare notes?

Maybe all thm jokes at Kerry's expense can be used against John "Yes, I called my wife a Cunt" McCain in the General?

/Aint saying John's a gold-digger...

Be Well.

Separate returns, she's not the one running, her decision.

I agree...she's not running and separate returns. No need to know.

And as usual dumbpud is going to make accusations with no proof to back it up. This is her money, they file seperate tax returns and she is not running for office, so explain why this is even a story.

"her decision."

Then it's ok for Bill Clinton not to release the Clinton Library donor list?

UPDATE: Howard Dean has released the following statement:

While it's her decision whether to release her returns - and she has every right to refuse - I think it's virtually a requirement for a potential first family to divulge their returns. It simply comes with the territory. I suppose it's the difference between following the letter of the law vs the spirit of the law.

If John were to become president, don't Cindy's assets get locked in the blind trust, same as John's? If so, wouldn't she have to divulge her financial info such that the public knows she's met the requirements? Just asking, I don't know.

if they filed separately, why SHOULD she show her tax returns? honestly, if you wanted to see how much her holdings held, it's easy enough to find out.

Really now, who gives a flying fuck about this junkie cunt?

Really now, who gives a flying fuck about this junkie cunt?

~Rein.

Nobody, especially not McAncient.

Certainly not when he has look-alike lobbyists to play hide the shrivelwurst with!

Of course when it's time fer his sugar momma to give him his weekly allowance or let him ride on her corporate jet then he kinda hasta turn on the old charm, but of course he still doesn't really give a fuck about her.

^_^

Be Well.

Didn't the Right demand Teresa Heinz Kerry release Her tax returns when John Kerry was running?? Funny now the Right doesn't want Cindy to release Hers. Funny Dat Be

Larry Mohr

Did heinz kerry release her tax records? If not the point is mute until and if McCain wins the Election. And after his appearance on O'Rielly last night I don't know if I could ever vote for Him.

I don't partcularly care one way or the other if she disloses. But if she doesn't it just adds another veil to the already substantial veneer of secrecy around McCain and voters are not going to be terribly pleased by that. FDRs quote about the television presidency comes to mind, Americans have come to expect some degree of transparency even if it just a snow job that they often actually receive.

McLame is the straight bullshit express.

Thanks Doc, then the dems have every right to ask for them. But I doubt they'll get them unless McCain can spin it someway.

Did heinz kerry release her tax records? If not the point is mute

I see that point was summarily dismissed.

Will it fall on deaf ears?

Good on ya, JLB. Snark rescinded.

I agree, JLB. But I do think the families of presidential candidates (in fact, candidates for any public office) should take an open-book approach to letting voters know about their financial situation, especially sources of income, investments, and obligations.

I don't see why anyone even the Clintons should release their tax records. It should be between them and the IRS.

I'm still not even sure why the general public needs to see the tax returns of candidates. If they are corrupt the tax returns certainly aren't gonna reveal that.

Knowing where a presidential candidate gets his money is more important than privacy. Mr. Campaign Finance Reform should understand the risks here of allowing a politician's spouse to hide the sources of his or her income. I hope the media turns up the jets on Cindy McCain for this bogus expectation of privacy.

Big Deal.

RCADE, Obviously a flaming lib. Privacy is very important.
You libs crack me up. I actually feel sorry for most of you.

The Gall of the Right truly knows no bounds. These fucks were having a hissy fit when the Clintons were being asked to bring out there tax returns for all to see. Now Mrs. McCain refuses to do the same all of a sudden these pricks see nothing wrong, after all she is not running, well last time I look it was just Mrs. clinton who was running. The Right in this county is truly DISGRACEFUL.......

She's so rich it could be embarrassing. Another worthless, but highly privileged parasite on the country.

But the REAL embarrassment would be to review John McCain's behavior as a prisoner of war. He squealed under torture, becoming an Hanoi Radio informer, telling the Viet Cong everything he knew about ships, planes, locations and plans.

Probably because they run the payoffs for scams like this through her bank account, not his:

PRESCOTT, Ariz. -- Sen. John McCain championed legislation that will let an Arizona rancher trade remote grassland and ponderosa pine forest here for acres of valuable federally owned property that is ready for development, a land swap that now stands to directly benefit one of his top presidential campaign fundraisers].

Initially reluctant to support the swap, the Arizona Republican became a key figure in pushing the deal through Congress after the rancher and his partners hired lobbyists that included McCain's 1992 Senate campaign manager, two of his former Senate staff members (one of whom has returned as his chief of staff), and an Arizona insider who was a major McCain donor and is now bundling campaign checks.

What's the matter Nutcase, you never buy beer? In your opinion is someone who makes a product and makes a profit to share with their family is a parasite?

S-UP,

Coors sucks. But that's hardly the point. Its creator earned every penny he made. His direct and indirect decendants don't deserve anything more than a free education and health care.

But, NOOOOOOO, everyone has to have less so that a few can control 95% of our resources and means of production. Capitalism would not be so BAD, if it didn't transfer so much wealth across generations.

Being rich is hardly a crime. There are exceptions, but most silver spooned adult children in this country contribute nothing to society. Intergenerational transfer of wealth grossly distorts the relative value of labor an capital because the Capitalists most powerful weapon is time.

But the REAL embarrassment would be to review John McCain's behavior as a prisoner of war.

Most liberals I speak with actually respect the man for his refusal of special treatment (IE leaving early) when staying at the Hanoi Hilton. What would you have done? Dude can't even put on his own sport coat because his arms/shoulders were broken so much being tortured. You cannot be serious about him being a "squealer".

I don't know why releasing one's tax returns is so important. what are they going to tell you that you didn't know already? that she's rich?

All partisan sniping aside, I think it's reasonable to assume she's hiding something....The question is, who cares?

I thought that part of staying rich was hiding how rich you actually were?

If I were as rich as she is, I wouldn't want to be broadcasting it.

I thought that was the Marie Antoinette rule?

tax returns are one place kickbacks or any other shady deal might turn up.

isn't that the only reason Rezco is linked to Obama?

politicians should be open about their finances because their positions are inherently subject to corrupting influences.

Got something to hide?

Posted by kerrin57

If she's got something to hide, don't you think she'd be hiding it from the irs too?

Their tax returns never reveal anything.

Since John McBush has said he supports making the tax cuts for the rich permanent it seems to me that I do have an interest in knowing how much those tax cuts have saved his wife. I think I would like to compare the percentage I pay on my wages to the percentage she pays on her inherited wealth. I know I don't have a legal right to see her returns but voters may believe she and John are hiding something, that is a risk John takes.
I seem to remember some Republicans saying....if you don't have anything to hide then why all the secrecy???
I think I will have to assume there is something John and Cindy want to hide. It isn't as if they have a clean record, they have had unethical (bordering on illegal) dealings in the past.

This sounds great for Dems. It was Geraldine Ferraro's husband John Zaccaro's refusal to release his tax records that contributed to Dukakis / Ferraro getting their asses handed to them in the general election

This is pathetic.

all of you Right Wing Cunts cried about Kerry's marriage into the Heinz fortune. Many of you fucktards even called for the boycott of Heinz products. Now we have McCain who dumped his first wife after cheating on her numerous times and then marries the Beer Bitch Cindy. Soon after the marriage his political career is funded by daddy-in-law.

Can you fucktards do a little fair play and at least shut the fuck up and stop defending Cindy "Cunt" McCain for hiding her tax returns?

(If you root for McCain who calls his wife a "cunt" in public you should have no problem with my use of it, Cunts)

"Socialism doesn't work."

Yeah, The EU is bankrupt and their currency is inflating and they have a huge deficit. Oh wait, that's the US.
Never mind.

"If you have five minutes reed the article below. Socialism doesn't work. To start with people have to be motivated by somthing. So far the only thing I have seen socialism does is take and redistribute. Someone out there has to produce. Nothing in this world is free. Everything has a cost. "

StirShit,

You obviously don't know a thing about Socialism. You also don't realize the numer of millionaires billionaires in Europe. Have you ever even traveled abroad? And you are also too fucking clueless to realize America is Socialist as well. Public military, firemen, policemen, roadworks, CDC, Homeland Security, FBI, CIA, FEMA, public works, I could go on and on before making you whine like a little bitch mentioning social security, welfare and public schools.

And assmunch in case you don't realize it we live in a soceity. And guess what? The rich can't make money without a well organized and healthy society to give them money. you see stupid, the rich don't get rich off of their own labor but the labor of others. So the question is if they benefit so much from a well working society why the fuck shouldn't they pay a higher rate of tax for basically doing nothing but convincing the working stiffs to part with their hard earned cash?

The funny thing is you seem to be one of these under-educated working stiffs who supports tax laws that only help the wealthy and not yourself.

"why the fuck shouldn't they pay a higher rate of tax for basically doing nothing"

Or even the same rate we pay on our wages.
I will guarantee you Cindy McCain receives capital gains and pays 15% tax on them while we pay 35% on our wages. John McCain is a class war warrior.

Hummmm...curious after right wing Radio an Fox News, made such a fuss about how President Clinton and Senator Clinton were delaying there Tax Returns, I was sure that they would be heating up the airwaves wondering what Cindy Baby has to hide, but guess what not a word about the Princess refusal to release her Tax Returns.

I know its still early on Friday morning but I will continue to monitor the right wing assholes an hope for some journalistic courage, but I will not hold my breath.

she's not running for office. she doesn't have to tell you. It would be like the media wanting to know YOUR tax returns. Why?

let it go already

To hell She doesn't. If Teresa Heinz Kerry was made to show Her Tax Returns You better believe Cindy McCain MUST show Her tax returns s well. Turn about is fair play. Oh and I would declare that John McBushSuckUp's finances are very important information since He is running for Public Office.

Larry Mohr

Turn about is fair play.
Posted by LarryMohr

Great Philosophy there, Lar.

The high road. The new kind of politics.

Albert Einstein summed it all up succinctly 60 years ago in an article titled "Why Socialism?":

"Nowhere have we really overcome .... "the predatory phase" of human development....The economic anarchy of capitalist society....is the real source of the evil.

Private capital tends to become concentrated in few hands, (creating) an oligarchy with enormous power (that) cannot be effectively checked even by a democratically organized political society....The real purpose of socialism is precisely to overcome and advance beyond the predatory phase of human development."

EVER PLAY MONOPOLY?
HOW MANY WINNERS DOES IT GENERATE?

You obviously don't know a thing about Socialism. You also don't realize the numer of millionaires billionaires in Europe. Have you ever even traveled abroad? And you are also too fucking clueless to realize America is Socialist as well. Public military, firemen, policemen, roadworks, CDC, Homeland Security, FBI, CIA, FEMA, public works, I could go on and on before making you whine like a little bitch mentioning social security, welfare and public schools.

Unfortunately you our correct about the US becoming more socialist as time goes on. Many of the programs you mentioned I consider to be necessary in Any civilization. Others are exactly the reason our economy is in the shape it's in. Socialism brings everyone down to the lowest common factor. That's fine if that's all you strive for. Sad for you and your family but fine. Others in this world want to create something better. Don't give me any of your great society lies. The government rarely does anything right or efficient.

By the way shouldn't you be over on the thread about how happy Libs are. You should. Your very convincing.

'PRAGMATOUS'...You cannot have it both ways If President Clinton was hounded by the Press as to why there Tax returns were being delayed, all the while it was Senator Clinton was running where the balance???? AHH FUCK it you idiots are to far gone!!!

Nutcase, you have a link to that Einstein article?

Others in this world want to create something better....

Posted by STIRSUMUP

Come off it. They don't want to create something better, they want to be disproportionately compensated for doing anything. Take away the disproportionate compensation and you instantly have an entirely new class of deadbeats... those who will not work unless they can make more than others.

google Einstein and Socialism, its all over the web. He wrote the article in 1949.

S-UP,

I never said we aren't socialistic. But I would say our infrastructure was funded and built largely when taxes on the rich were very very high. Europe has not only free health care and education, but no one needs to go hungry or homeless. Not to say there aren't variations from country to country there or serious problems with Immigration.

Socialism works well only when most people are honest and hard working. You won't find any silver spoons like that. Honest is a higher standard than legal.

Elites are sytematically robbing this country blind. Its all legal because bribing Congress is legal. Almost no one gets elected to Congress or the Presidency without taking bribes because the broadcast band has been completely privatized. You only hear what the Owners want you to hear.

Open note to Governor Dean: It's not worth the fuss.

Cindy McCain deserves her privacy as much as anyone. It may be a bit elitist of her not to release her returns, but (a) she's not the candidate, (b) she's not implicated in any wrong-doing, and it seems that her family's wealth was fairly earned -- or at least leagally earned as far as the statute of limitations goes, and (c) the precedent isn't one that couldn't go both ways -- if a future DEM candidate had filed separate tax returns from his or her multi-millionaire spouse, and the spouse didn't want to relase the returns, there's no reason it shouldn't work for the DEM's benefit either.

At least in this cycle, the GOP's prospective First lady can be painted as an "elitist". But that arrow doesn't fly too far. Remember Ms. Teresa Heinz Kerry, who alienated potential voters by her persona? Elitism isn't seemly for DEMs' spouses (but it seems to be par for the course for GOPs' spouses).

I disagree. Since Cindy McCain is Married to John McCain shouldn't Her financial records be open for the record too since John McCain benefits from Her substantial bank accounts. Isn't that what USUALLY happens when 2 people get married?? His and Hers become theirs??

Larry Mohr

Cindy McCain can do what she wants about her tax returns but we voters can think and do what we want in regards to her tax returns. I know it is futile to hope that the media would focus the same attention on her refusal as they did on Theresa Heinz Kerry's delay with hers but I can dream about a fair media.
Hey John McBush, how much tax money did your wife save with the tax cuts for the filthy rich?

Hey John McBush, how much tax money did your wife save with the tax cuts for the filthy rich?

Posted by danni at 2008-05-09 03:10 PM



I get the feeling this topic is better than sex ....for you Danni.

Danni,
Wouldn't you prefer that the tax return dance not be an issue at all?

Instead of lamenting that Cindy McCain won't get the same treatment as Theresa Heinz, as if her taxes were why Kerry lost the election (I thought it was Nader's fault?), shouldn't you be happy that we can move on to focus on real substantive problems with a potential McCain WH (of which there are many)?

Or have we become so bitter that it has come to the point where indeed, as Larry Mohr put it so eloquently, "turnabout is fair play?"

Socialism works well only when most people are honest and hard working.

Agreed. The problem is scale. If we were talking small isolated towns or a deserted island. A country the size of the US, with thousands and thousands of people who can't or will not pull their weight will collapse.

In order to sell socialism they tell poor and middle class people that it will not cost them anything. That the rich will pay for it all. But there is a cost. You have to set new limits on your future. No matter what Your ability you will be brought down to the least common factor.

Elites are sytematically robbing this country blind.

I'll agree again. Congress is corrupt. At least most of them are. But do you think under a socialist system things would be any different. If you give these people more control over you do you actually think they will change? The only way this country will survive is it's people stay independent and strong. No administration is going to look after your family the way you do.

HAGBARD I think that since McCain supports making the tax cuts for the filthy rich permanent then the amount of tax paid by his wife is relevant. If she doesn't want to reveal it then fine but I hope the Dems remind voters of that fact often. Let the voters make of it what they will. It certainly can't help John McCain.

"In order to sell socialism they tell poor and middle class people that it will not cost them anything. That the rich will pay for it all."

That's baloney. Take health care, we already pay twice what other industrialized nations pay for less health care. We could take just what we already pay in premiums and easily take care of everyone in the country. It is a matter of more efficient use of the resources. On things like health care profit is an unnecessary expense.
And don't try to pretend that it is impossible because we already do it with Medicare, which operates much more efficiently than private insurance.

I hope the Dems remind voters of that fact often.
Posted by danni

In that respect, yes, I think it speaks volumes about the fact that she is precisely the type of person that will benefit most from McCain's proposed economic policy.

Danni, I will not assume to know you. But, for example lets just say your a lawyer. One day a government official comes into your office and tells you that you are going to have to take every client that walks through your door. Not only that, to get payment you have to do three times the paperwork for half your normal rate. Then they tell you that you have been deemed a Resource and had no say in the matter. What happened to your freedom? This is basically what Medicare is. It's bad enough if it's 20% of your business. But what if it was 100% of your business? Would you keep doing it?

On things like health care profit is an unnecessary expense.


Danni, that is plain pinko commie talk. Of course that does not make a profit is not worth doing. Just like all the massive profits the US is recieving from the war in Iraq!

One day a government official comes into your office and tells you that you are going to have to take every client that walks through your door.

More bullshit scarespeak from the right.

STIRSUMUP just like with Medicare doctors are free to opt out of the system. BTW, the profit I was speaking of was insurance company profit not physicians' profits. Doctors deserve to make a healthy income and should be paid by any nationalized system at least as much as the insurance companies are now paying them but with the excessive insurance company administrative costs and profits eliminated we would save money.

This sounds great for Dems. It was Geraldine Ferraro's husband John Zaccaro's refusal to release his tax records that contributed to Dukakis / Ferraro getting their asses handed to them in the general election

Actually, Dukakis's running mate was Lloyd Bentsen in 1988. Ferraro ran in 1984 with Walter Mondale.

But I would say our infrastructure was funded and built largely when taxes on the rich were very very high.- Nutcase

Appears to be correct. Historic United States Income Tax rates:

1913-1915: 1%-7%
1916: 2%-15%
1917: 2%-67%
1918: 6%-73%
1919-1920: 4%-73%
1921: 4%-73%
1922: 4%-56%
1923: 3%-56%
1924: 1.5%-46%
1925-1928: 1.5%-25%
1929: 0.375%-24%
1930-1931: 1.125%-25%
1932-1933: 4%-63%
1934-1935: 4%-63%
1936-1939: 4%-79%
1940: 4.4%-81.1%
1941: 10%-81%
1942-1943: 19%-88%
1944-1945: 23%-94%
1946-1947: 19%-86.45%
1948-1949: 16.6%-82.13%
1950: 17.4%-84.36%
1951: 20.4%-91%
1952-1953: 22.2%-92%
1954-1963: 20%-91%
1964: 16%-77%
1965-1967: 14%-70%
1968: 14%-75.25%
1969: 14%-77%
1970: 14%-71.75%
1971-1981: 14%-70%
1982-1986: 12%-50%
1987: 5 : 11%-38.5%
1988-1990: 15%-33%
1991-1992: 15%-31%
1993-2000: 15%-39.6%
2001: 5 : 15%-39.1%
2002: 6 : 10%-38.6%
2003-2007: 10%-35%

Also appears that everyone, especially the wealthiest were asked to pay for war.

SHE WON'T REVEAL HER TAX RETURN. OK THATS FINE, BUT WHAT ABOUT CINDY'S BLACK ADOPTED DAUGHTER, WHY IS SHE NOT IN ANY FAMILY PICTURES ONLY THE LITTLE BLONDE. ARE CINDY AND MCTOADY ASHAMED OF HER?

SHE WON'T REVEAL HER TAX RETURN. OK THATS FINE, BUT WHAT ABOUT CINDY'S BLACK ADOPTED DAUGHTER, WHY IS SHE NOT IN ANY FAMILY PICTURES ONLY THE LITTLE BLONDE. ARE CINDY AND MCTOADY ASHAMED OF HER?

CLEARLY AN ELITIST!!.....

........with a drug addiction.....


........who steals from the poor to support her habit.

NOT the kind of first lady America wants OR needs.

S-UP,

What we really have today is Socialism for the Rich. That's a serious problem because they are lazier, more dishonest and less friendly than poor people. This legitimate generality applies to the silver spooned.

Those who made it on their own work very hard, even if they lied, cheated and stole to get there.

The press not 'pressing' (sorry) for the Tax Returns of the McCunts while SCREAMING about Kerry's wife and the Clintons just shows that the 'left wing MSM' is PURE MYTH!

Actually, Dukakis's running mate was Lloyd Bentsen in 1988. Ferraro ran in 1984 with Walter Mondale.

Posted by katieberry


Correction noted...Thanks,

Separate returns, she's not the one running, her decision.
Posted by MSgt at 2008-05-08 02:38 PM

I agree...she's not running and separate returns. No need to know.
Posted by Pirate at 2008-05-08 02:42 PM

And as usual dumbpud is going to make accusations with no proof to back it up. This is her money, they file seperate tax returns and she is not running for office, so explain why this is even a story.
Posted by sickoflibs at 2008-05-08 02:48 PM

Exactly how does her non-disclosure help her husbands campaign? Imo, this makes them both appear to be just more of the same super-secretive Right wing that America is disgusted by.

"Elites are sytematically robbing this country blind."

I'll agree again. Congress is corrupt. At least most of them are. But do you think under a socialist system things would be any different. If you give these people more control over you do you actually think they will change? The only way this country will survive is it's people stay independent and strong. No administration is going to look after your family the way you do.
Posted by STIRSUMUP at 2008-05-09 03:38 PM

Columbia is a dangerous nation - gorilla fighters capture and cage people in the jungles, torture by police, government payoffs are a standard practice. Plus we have all those expensive weapons to sell to them. But naturally, Columbia is known for a much more "specialized crop" - and that's the reason for the trade agreement - to "offset crops not competing in the United States", ie COCAINE.

99% of Congress have been to Columbia to ensure the trade agreement. That's a pretty large indication that they are 99% corrupt, imo.

ShitStir,

You are most likely some month-month mortgage monkey who would be lucky to consider yourself middleclass yet you support the wealthy paying little tax on the collection of labor from others. Why is that? Is it dillusion or a joy of self-inflicted pain?

The middleclass is not a natural phenomena. It is artifically created by wealth redistribution.

With pure capitalism all you have are the rich, small merchant/professional class to support the rich and the serfs. The serfs are never able to move up.

You do know what happens in this model eventually? Revolution. Massive conflict. Totalitarian government.

A bit of illness in your family or wrongful accusement of a serious crime would put you deep in debt with no job or house. What do you do then? Now you become one of those losers you talk about now. Your kids? Forget any opportunity to move up.

You are truly naive and clueless about how the world works. The wealthy likes it that way.

Me? I live in Europe now own my primary residence and my eventual retirement place both in full. People like you live off of my tax contributions. I still have to report to the US although I paid significant taxes when I was still living there. I have no trouble with this as it is far more comfortable living in a healthy balanced society than one that treats its less well off members like diseased animals.

your welcome for my contribution to your family's well being.

"Columbia(sic) is a dangerous nation"

The murder rate in DC is pretty high.

A bit of illness in your family or wrongful accusement of a serious crime would put you deep in debt with no job or house. What do you do then? Now you become one of those losers you talk about now. Your kids? Forget any opportunity to move up.
You are truly naive and clueless about how the world works. The wealthy likes it that way.
Me? I live in Europe now own my primary residence and my eventual retirement place both in full. People like you live off of my tax contributions. I still have to report to the US although I paid significant taxes when I was still living there. I have no trouble with this as it is far more comfortable living in a healthy balanced society than one that treats its less well off members like diseased animals.
your welcome for my contribution to your family's well being.
Posted by furio at 2008-05-10 12:21 PM

[sigh] I'm going to regret posting this, but it's pertinent. That is precisely what happened to my family - an unfairly imposed legal situation with the State destroyed us. I don't even have a high school diploma (make fun all you wish, I'm not proud of it). I did get my GED though and am self-taught, but the stigma follows. Employers consider that a failure on my behalf, so I don't share any of my past. Parents continued using us on their tax returns which stopped me from getting student loan even for community college, church communities are not apt to help unless you are a Christian, etc. To sum it up, me and my brother were abandoned, left homeless at 15 and 16. My brother was taken in by a friend and I "magically" obtained a credit card to pay rent in a cheap loft because nobody would hire a skinny blond fag, regardless how well-mannered, intelligent-appearing and dedicated. I've had friends brutally murdered, two were burned alive in their apartment - I never "came out" to anyone, but people somehow knew my sexuality. Second class citizenry still exists - I see so many street kids in similar or worse situations now.

I would have loved to have gone into physics, medicine or any sciences, but they only accept certain achievements, regardless GPA without that slip of paper. I see so much potential lost to the streets so many youths that get into gang life just to belong.

RedLight,

I still remember a night out meeting a wall street accountant on vacation and after talking a bit he went on the usual mantra about how homeless are just lazy bastards and that he shouldn't have to pay any taxes to help out others. They should take care of themselves like him.

My friend and I proceeded to ask about his debt load, rental situation, etc and let him know without his job, which can end quickly for a variety of reasons such as recession, he's be out on his ass and broke in three months. If he didn't have good family or friends he'd be homeless. People don't realize the depression, humilition and hopelessness that sets in with being homeless.

A vicious cycle.

Once you lose everything including support of the society you live in, only the very, very strong can pull themselves out.

He's was very quiet after about 30 minutes of describing in detail how his homelessness and downfall can occur.

Americans forget the Depression, it wasn't bad enough.

Europeans have not forgotten WW1 and WW2. They were bad enough to remember.

"Second class citizenry still exists - I see so many street kids in similar or worse situations now."

Marijauna laws are designed to create second class citizens. Most Americans don't really want to understand the truth about their country but second class citizenship is something that the power structure depends upon to retain power. The more people marginalized, especially the curious and the less brave, the more that the elite and their offspring have opportunities for wealth and power.
You can say it isn't so but I've witnessed it too many times, witnessed the opposite too....the kids of the wealthy avoiding prosecution for doing the same things that marginalize others. George W. Bush comes to mind.

Cindy McCain's 2007 Federal Income Tax Charitable Deductions:

Methamphetamine charitable deductions - $67,940
Vidodin charitible deductions - $80,740
Valium charitable deduction - $69,635
Oxycontin charitable deductions - $43,278

Cindy McCain's favorite motto -- "Charity begins at home"

CalifChris-
Might as well make it up; she'll not release her returns 'til hell freezes over, or until the media start seriously asking about it, whichever comes first.