Want more evidence conservatives are TRYING to crash the economy?
By louisehartmann
Want more evidence conservatives are TRYING to crash the economy – consider this. The Republican-controlled House of Representative will once again vote on – and likely pass - a so-called "balanced budget amendment" in the next week. The BBA as they call it – will immediately cut trillions of dollars out of the budget – and then make it nearly impossible to ever raise taxes again. And – it will crash our economy.
According to a new report from the Center on Budget and Policy Priorities – the Republican BBA would, “throw about 15 million more people out of work, double the unemployment rate from 9 percent to approximately 18 percent, and cause the economy to shrink by about 17 percent instead of growing by an expected 2 percent.” We can add those horrific economic numbers to the 370,000 jobs that have already been lost this year thanks to Republican budget cuts. And as we saw in last night’s debate – with the global economy headed into full meltdown mode – not one candidate said they’d lift a finger to stop it – aside from Herman Cain who thinks his 9-9-9 plan can stop anything.
Luckily- as Tuesday’s election showed – the American people are waking up to just how bad the conservative agenda is for the nation.
Comments
#2
Why should anyone doubt that the right wing machine which is powered by the 1% is trying to destroy our economy? They don't care what happens to us. They already got what they wanted out of the system. (enrichment at our expense) They don't care if the rest of us have to squabble over the crumbs. They didn't care that their extractive industries have destroyed the planet for the rest of us and our descendants, they can afford to buy the most paradisical places on earth and leave that to their offspring. If you will notice property values in places like Hawaii and Aspen Colorado among others have lost very little of their values. They don't care if they have become the very rich living in a poor country. They will simply move their families to the few remaining havens that were intentionally spared the from the raping and pillaging the rest of the earth has endured.
One thing that many of us fail to remember and the 1% would love us to forget, is that there are millions of acres in the west that belong to every one of the citizens of the US. It is PUBLIC land. This land has been monopolized by the most powerful corporations in the world. They are getting rich off of the misuse and destruction of our public lands and our wildlife heritage and they don't even have to pay royalties to the rest of us who are co-owners of this incredibly diversified and rich land. They are destroying OUR land and wildlife and pocketing the proceeds from its very rich resources. We should consider occuupying public lands. (in order to protect them if nothing else. It is OUR land.
#3
Of course we should not let up on criticizing the Republicans..they are evil. But let's also not forget that the Democratic Agenda is really not much different than the Republican one...the difference is that the Democrats pretend to be different than the Republicans. Obama has not been much different that Bush. Obama is owned by Wall Street and he is working solely for Wall Street. Wall Street does not care about America. They care for a fast buck and maximizing profits any way they can. It's casino capitalism...and the head casino capitalists are rolling loaded dice. And when they lose...they get bailed out by a corrupt government...both Republican and Democrats. Re-electing Obama will not help us combat those malignant economic cancers because he is part of the problem. He tells lies...things you want to hear...then when he gets the votes..he stabs the people in the back. No other choice? Yes, we have another choice and it isn't one of the two dominant, corrupt parties! Unless we finally show monied interests that their game is up we will continue to be jacked and shafted.
The Democrats whisper sweet nothings in our ears, screw us, then shun us after that...thinking they can scare us by telling us we have no other choice but to continue to take the abuse.
#4
Catbestland, excellent points! Excellent idea! When enough of the Peoples of these United States of America gather together to occupy the towns, cities and "public lands" with the U.S. Military protecting the peoples and their assets (in this case public lands, and homes), throwing the 1% and their worker eyes off the land and out of their power bases, then much will have been accomplished.
It is important with any new concept to give it over and over again to the people until the correctness of these concepts have sunk into the minds of the people. Does the Military not "drill" ideas into the minds of their own men an women? Indeed it is so.
It will, however, become impossible for the 1% to hide themselves anywhere IF the Peoples of the World rise up in unison against them using their billions of eyes to watch their every move.
If the Militaries of the world want better for themselves and their families also, then they will rise up WITH the People against them, the 1% and their worker eyes, and believe you, me, these Military men and women DO KNOW how to find the 1% and the rest who are against humanity and the Paradise therein. - Cygnus1
#5
This is so true! Conservationists (not conservatives) have been dissapointed by the continued subsidized destruction of the American West by the democratic Secretary of the Interior, Ken Salazar, who trades our clean water sources and wildlife heritage for a slice of the Big Beef Industries' profits.
#6
On the topic of the balanced budget amendment.Last week I recieved a mailing from repulicon congressman randy hultgren of illinois the heading of the mailing stated IMPORTANT INFORMATION ON THE NATIONAL DEBT below there was a few facts about the debt such as the size of the debt how much has been barrowed since 2009 and how much each houshold owes.on the back side of this mailing was an explanation of the difference between the debt and deficit followed by a statement"responsible families pay thier bills.The federal government should do the same.that's why we need a balanced budget amendment." after reading the contents of this junk mail I noticed fine print below Mr.hultgrens picture and the house of representives seal.The small print read This mailing was prepared,published and maild at tax payer expense.I Have called and emaild congressman hultgren to tell him I am not in favour of the balanced budget amendment and had my wife do the same and urged my naibors to do the same.It makes me wonder how many republicon congressmen maild out these propaganda flyers at tax payer expense? I just found it two faced to whine about the debt then use taxpayer money to tell us they are planing on screwing us.
#7
Your books give the history of the emergance of different political views. I'm having trouble distinguishing the differences between current "conservative" ," federalist", and " libertarian" ideals. What are the differences if any? Even our local school board elections reflect these ideologies. Luckily, none of the outwardly socially/economically conservative candidates were elected.
#8
Thom Hartman what would Jefferson do in this situation
"I wish it were possible to obtain a single amendment to our Constitution. I would be willing to depend on that alone for the reduction of the administration of our government; I mean an additional article taking from the Federal Government the power of borrowing. I now deny their power of making paper money or anything else a legal tender. I know that to pay all proper expenses within the year would, in case of war, be hard on us. But not so hard as ten wars instead of one. For wars could be reduced in that proportion; besides that the State governments would be free to lend their credit in borrowing quotas."
Their you have I stand with Jefferson!
#9
Palindromedary, well spoken! Uplifting words! - Cygnus1
#10
Cain isn't serious about 9-9-9- I think it is just a droll hook. Everyone knows the answer is 6-6-6 x 3. Nevertheless, he is the only candidate who seems to be alive, versus the rest of the group, high ranking members of the Order of the Walking Dead.
I just call them "Walkers" for short. This is compared to "Floaters" a phenomenon of the Florida Keys prized by fishermen, or Zombies, who move much more slowly. "Ghouls" are a legal order. Ghouls can also be Walkers.
#11
Cygnus1, I was about to say the same thing to you...so I will...well said, Cygnus1! You are so right that the military have a lot at stake here as well as most people. The military have all sworn oaths to defend the United States of America against all enemies foreign, and at home. And 99% is most of America. They did not swear an oath to protect the ill-gotten riches of the 1%. The 1% have been acting like enemies toward the people and have been waging a war against the people for at least 30 years now.
"If the Militaries of the world want better for themselves and their families also, then they will rise up WITH the People against them, the 1% and their worker eyes, and believe you, me, these Military men and women DO KNOW how to find the 1% and the rest who are against humanity and the Paradise therein." - Cygnus1
If the military men and women begin to break ranks and show their solidarity to the 99%...what can the generals or politicians do? If there are enough of them...they won't be able to do a darn thing except worry about having been such @$$holes and puppets for the wealthy and their puppet politicians. And they will worry more about how they will make it look like they were with the people all along so they don't lose their heads over their former alliances with corrupt and criminal forces.
#12
Quote by Courageous Patriot
"My Father has written a very important document which gives new perspectives and strategies for the restoration of the American social body and republic. Please take the time to review this material and comment." end quote. Link below.
http://ipwebdev.com/hermit/Rebellion.html
This is not a contest of ideas or strategies. We are bringing about a paradisiacal world which exists on many many other planets. The paradisiacal system goes much further than any system which either exists today or will exist in the future as the transition is made. For as long as you have a banking system in place and deal with money, and you have in place a government resembling all other governments these United States of America has ever had, you will forever be at the mercy of the 1% and their capitalist workers. It is not impossible to remove bankers and other worker eyes and their 1% from power, for as long as the U.S. Military and other World Militaries are in place, who prove their ONENESS with the People of this World. It is this Oneness which your father seems to have a good grasp of and presents his writing with understanding and dignity.
Just a note: The Federal Reserve is not a legal entity because it was not created within the parameters of the U.S. Constitution. Congress and, or, the President of the United States have the exclusive right to create and control the currency of the nation, and since the Federal Reserve does not belong to the people of the country, its illegality as a currency-provider is evident. It belongs to a group of private bankers from foreign countries, and they issue all currency the U.S. needs with INTEREST tagged to it, knowing full well that interest can never be paid as a penalty to the Government for having gone into debt against the tax-paying population of these, the United States of America.
To repair this situation we say that even if Congress or the President were to issue the credit of the nation INTEREST-FREE, that would still not guarantee security for these United States of America from the current host of hostile bankers, who wait in the background for their opportunity to again usurp control over the issue of credit, thereby reversing all the good that was accomplished for these, the peoples of these United States of America, and causing the blood of the Peoples having become shed in vain.
With the U.S. Military BACK with the Peoples of these United States of America and out from under the hand and power of the 1%, no blood at all need be shed.
And so, in conclusion, my young friend, we would be better off to REMOVE ALL CURRENCY OUT OF CIRCULATION FOR GOOD, and institute a money-free economic system controlled by demand of the people and purchase orders for industry as "payment in full."
Courageous Patriot, your father has many good and thoughtful ideas which are workable in the transition of one failed system to the Paradisiacal system. – Cygnus1
#13
Palindromedary: Please, oh please don't say "Ron Paul." Libertarianism is just the left hand of Corporatism.
What we need are Progressive candidates like Elizabeth Warren and Bernie Sanders who will fight for the things we believe in and give Obama's promises meaning - or hold him to them, whichever is the case.
#14
No they will not get away with it. Democrats are waking up and standing up : occupying Wall Street, taking action to put the Keystone XL on hold, preventing anti-choice laws from being passed in Mississippi, standing up for workers right to bargain... I find the last weeks and monthsof news more encouraging than ever. I always wonder where all the conservatives come from, and why my like-minded Americans don't wake up and stand up. But now they are starting to....
#15
If the economy was to completely crash we all, in the lower 90% become serfs! The top 10% are in the pocket of the 0.1% and will do whatever they need to to stay there. The rest of us are just SOL! For years the upper layer of people economically have striven to remain there by making sure all deals pass through them . This is called a "toll gate" position. If you can get to that on any level you're on easy street. You might be a broker, of a patent holder or a banker a copyright holder on something valuable and you're in. Financialization of the everything has been accelerating at a rapid pace as has commidification. As an example, music. Music is something you experience but with the advent of new recording techniques and distribution methods the public has been turned into music "consumers." But of course you don't consume music like say, milk. In the financial world things like mortages have become "products." They used to be financial "instruments" or "contracts." But if it's a product it becomes an asset instead of a liability. Then it can be "bundled" with other "assets" and re-sold. How clever is that?! If I had the time I would write up a list of these kinds of things.
Another big change in banks, fairly recently, is the ability to take depositor money and "invest" it in stocks and other risky securities. They can now also sell you stocks and bonds as well as insurance. They are very aggressive about this. I got a call from my bank telling me they had this wonderful little accident plan for me and would I just look it over for 60 days and if I didn't want it I could call them. I said, "NO". But somehow they sent it anyway and then I discover that I'm getting dinged for $25/month for this thing I don't want. Now if they manage to get that by 1 million people that is worth 25 million a month or 300 million a year. Almost enough to pay a top CEO! This thing had totally inadequate coverage by the way. Clever.
$5/fee per month? And it's a big bank with 10 million customers? 50 million a month or 600 million a year, now we've got 6 vice presidents covered. Doing good.
Crash the economy and everybody becomes your slave. Really doing good, just like the days of great-great-grandpa.
#16
He who controls the media controls the minds of the American voters. They suckle on the breast of the thirty second spots.With the advent of corporate personhood and unlimited cash [ bribes] in our political system. The corporate media will crush any opposition to their power. By saturating the airways with lies and miss information .There by securing the vote for their assets [ "Representatives"] who are bought and paid to do their bidding end of story.
#17
Can anyone prove to me that this is not treason?
#18
what is it you do not understand, the government can't run anything right they sold us a story and we bought it for the last 30 yrs.
#19
the clock is ticking and boobs are perading 'lil puppets of the higher upets!they will crash the economy right after obama takes a second term and then will gain complete control in the 2016 election after OWS breaks down and starts gettin reeeeeal roudy because the media will continue to brain wash people with false information and lie after lie after lie....uh...its a stretch but you never know. to bad we can't just fire 'em
#20
One thing you can say about the top 1%, they prove Jimi Hendrix to be correct each and every day [Until the power of love overcomes the love of power there will be no peace.-Jimi Hendrix, 20th century rock star]. You can also include there will be no justice … no equality … no freedom … just an ever shrinking middle class … and WAR … and rumores of WAR.
#21
you said it the rich are untouchable, if they move and take all the money with them then what kind of country do you think we have.
isn;t it easy just to say it's the 1 percent and let the government off the hook who sold us out.as i see we put them in office to do a
job to protect the constutation and up hold the law of the UNITED STATES not the lobbiest you pay for there elections.........
#22
The "House of Norquist" can waste all the time they want on nonsense like the BBA..... fact is, their days of sowing economic vandalism are numbered. The Patriots on the Occupy Frontlines will continue to communicate and spread socio/political truths in spite of the the 1%ers control of the mass media. Their efforts will eventually lead to real and meaningful change, change that will turn the conservative agenda into a tragic relic of American Political History. GROVER IS NOT THE DECIDER!
Thom, the segment on Democratic Socialism was great and is a message we all need to hear over and over. Much of the rest of the world came to their better senses with key elements of DS long ago. MONEY IS POWER and in the hands of a relative few is absolute power for the few.... which is precisely why democratization of the economy is critical, otherwise we face the inevitable slide leading to a system much like FEUDALISM for the 99%.
#23
He who controls the media.......
I agree to the point I beat this fact to death.....it's so important! How else can anyone explain why so many choose to vote themselves into jobless poverty in order to provide more tax breaks for the rich.
#24
Parasite Lobbyists / Goldmans Wall St - con judges and Goldman Sachs trained Fed runs US economy years of greed lies, debt, mismanagement Led to 2008 global Crash 700 billion TARP scam Bush Waged Long wars based on lies & profits...killing maiming .. making more enemies than ever Iraq war was a huge gift to AL Quada . GOPBush gave huge unfunded Corp cuts and loopholes- good jobs sent overseas with big Bush cuts.. Reaganomics trickle down voodoo economics - Bush 1-2 GOP deregulation - fat cat policies drove our wages down and pushed us to edge of 1930 's depression. Obama walked into that crisis as well as a long vile hate fest from Fox GOP show..Hannity Beck Rush & 1000's of Rush wannabees Ditto heads / followers believe all the lies they peddle last 3 + yrs Clinton trusted Alan Greenspan, caved. in and passed NAFTA / signed Glass Steagal 2 very bad decisions Obama did none of that he was just the guy that was dumped on Bush Cheney GOP pulled off a clever trick Just Walked away unscathed from their many failures Now blamed it on Obama Obama got Bin laden Mission accomplished Bush failed to keep us safe They Ignored many strong CIA warnings - last one was 12-6 - 2001
#25
There are a number of ingredients in this political mixture that are alarming: the loss of the 4th Estate, now owned by a few corporations, the control of the Supreme Court by the Extreme Right, especially the decision with Citizens United, the Die-bolt voting machines, greeed... The Republicans act as if there is no voting public. Maybe our Republic is lost? To be a Republican today, one must be Rich, Cruel, or Ignorant, and they are not mutually exclusive.
#26
Ignore Fox and gutless corp run media who lies ,misleads or does not tell whole story We must not fall for Baggers.like Cantor Boehner & McConnell ( 3 Little DICK tators ) devious cheap tricks now that we know what GOP is ..GOP goal is NOT JOBS but crash the economy and break Obama People power is working in Wis Gov Walker Fla Gov Scott Ohio Gov Kasich ( former Wall St banker ) IN Kentucky a Dem won of all states Mississippi said NO to attempts by GOP to control women's reproductive rights GOP will take us back 100 yrs before women could vote or use family planning ,had back st abortions . Bagger GOP wants us barefoot and pregnant EZ to control Think Read Forget Race & party Labels Vote with logical thinking Last Tues election was a huge slap in face to GOP Baggers 2012 will be a new start IF we do our part Vote Speak out often Hammer your reps till they listen Its working Keep it up www.congress.gov
#27
The difference between Bush and Obama, Democrat and Republican politicians, is illusory. All the anger and mistrust on liberal and conservative web sites is a waste of energy and, I imagine, exactly what the shadow government wants
#28
Todd Lockwood: You are right, Todd! I agree with you totally. And I would also like to see Elizabeth Warren or Bernie Sanders as Presidents. Although, Ron Paul does have some good things to say...I believe that you are right...he is still very much for corporatism, I believe. I really don't know much about Ron Paul. But we sure have seen what Obama has done...or failed to do...and it hasn't been because his hands were tied and he would have done otherwise had his hands not been tied. He sold out to Wall Street and he will never do any of the things he promises. He is not fit to be our President and we need to throw him out of office...at least in 2012. I voted for him in 2008 but now I am sorry I did. There is just no difference between the Republicans and the Democrats...they're both corrupt. And if the people really thought that the Democrats would follow through with half of what they promise...they would likely not be demonstrating in the streets now. But the Democrats...specifically Obama...was our last hope...and he screwed us...sold us out. And if he is reelected...he won't even have to pretend any more...he will no longer need us to vote for him...and he will really do us a lot of damage.
#29
Let's be clear. The Repubs have an uber-conservative, regressive, uber-corporate agenda while the Dems have the conservative corporate agenda. The corporatization of America and The Second Gilded Age are the results of bipartisan efforts. We need democracy, not corporatocracy.
#30
I watched the Occupy Wall Street panel discussion on FSTV this evening...with Michael Moore, Naomi Klein, William Greider, and there was a Occupy Wall Street organizer, and a woman who talked about bad music at a party...and, I'm sorry, I forgot their names. Michael Moore, each time he spoke, started off very subdued but ended each session with quite a roaring finish. Naomi Klein was great and so was William Greider...who said something that I'm sure Cygnus1 would enjoy hearing. I was actually a little shocked that Wm Greider would say such a thing...but he is right on! He said that we can't let this rebellion die out and that we will have to do something really radical...like get the military on our side and support the OWS. I was wondering, however, why the audio kept breaking up..like when Michael Moore was speaking and a couple of times the video and audio went missing to a blank screen..actually it wasn't totally blank...it was like some kind of greyed video frame with a different shade of grey in the center. Like they lost video feed.
I think this was called Occupy Everywhere panel discussion that co-opted Thom Hartman at his 6:00pm spot.
#31
At least some Democrats are worthy of our vote:
"...forget relying on the federal government to hold the Wall Street swindlers accountable. Indeed, the Obama administration has been involved in negotiating a deal with state attorneys general to settle their complaints with the banks for a pittance of compensation for the victims. In return, the states would promise not to institute further legal proceedings against the banks.
The deal has been stalled by the refusal of California Attorney General Kamala Harris to accept this sellout. Among its other disastrous concessions would be ending further investigation by the states into financial skullduggery connected with the housing meltdown.
In September, Harris, elected in a Democratic sweep of the state’s top offices in 2010, went against the dictates of the Democrat in the White House, stating that she refused to release the banks from legal liability for the mortgage crisis. That is the nub of the pending White House-brokered deal with the banks. As the Times summarized it: “The proposed settlement reportedly would prevent the states from pursuing claims against banks relating to fraud or abuse in the origination of the bubble. It would also prevent states from pursuing claims for foreclosure abuses, like improper denial of loan modifications.”
Thankfully, we have a few state attorneys general, most prominently California’s Harris, standing up for the American people, but it is outrageous that a president who avowedly committed to defending the public interest would now be subverting that effort rather than leading it.
http://www.truthdig.com/report/item/california_refuses_to_accept_obamas_...
#32
"...it is outrageous that a president who avowedly committed to defending the public interest would now be subverting that effort rather than leading it."
"...it is outrageous that a president who avowedly committed to defending the public interest would now be subverting that effort rather than leading it."
"...it is outrageous that a president who avowedly committed to defending the public interest would now be subverting that effort rather than leading it."
#33
People often say the rich should pay more taxes because they can.
But this does not address the argument of the opposition which states that people are entitled to keep what they earn.
The greater truth is that there is no wealth without commonwealth, therefore the wealthy are obligated to give something back according to the degree which they have benefited from using the commonwealth (i.e., natural resources, civic services, and infrastructure, etc.)
Either directly or indirectly, all wealthy people have benefited from these things.
Please reframe this argument and claim the moral (logical) high ground.
Thank you.
#34
Watching Perry crash and burn is a big nothing. He is not a threat, he's just a boob. The threat is the applause when Bachmann and Cain say we should go back to torture. They are the self proclaimed and out-spoken "Christians" in the panel of clowns...my Facebook question today was: "Who would Jesus torture?" We don't want to take a step back here folks, we want to take a step forward into the new Dark Ages where every corporation and zygote has rights far beyond the working, civilization supporting drones. Yes! The American Inquisition!! We want to beat answers that we want to hear out of people who don't know why we are beating them, then use their confession to justify spending 100's of billions of dollars on a fabricated war paid for and fought by the drones. The threat is that ANYBODY applauds these people, it can only be because they are socially isolated and believe the lies. This country is so brittle right now that the snap of a twig can ignite a firestorm and nobody will listen to opposing ideas. I pray for peace but I ready for conflagration.
#35
Compare this to the parabel about the impoverished woman putting her few coins in the collection plate as tithe to God, while the wealthy man who put in so much more has not contributed as much as she. It means something to her, while the rich man does it for show. These biblical stories are there for a reason.
#36
It's all because the transgressors have more money than the government, no matter how they got it, there is still the legal process of proving your case and prosecuting it and lawyers are cheaper than going to jail.
#37
We need Teddy Roosevelt.
#38
Jimi was a sweetheart of a guy. He went astray as many do but he had his mind together and he used it. I have been a major fan since 1967.
#39
If Congress passes the oil line, Democrats should slip in hemp growingfor diesel fuel as part of the deal. This would create more jobs This would create a level playing field.
Thom's Blog Is On the Move
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Hello All
Thom's blog in this space and moving to a new home.
Please follow us across to hartmannreport.com - this will be the only place going forward to read Thom's blog posts and articles.
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At Mondragon - both the mountain and the cooperative city - in Spain (written about in "Threshold" book)
From Unequal Protection, 2nd Edition:
"Beneath the success and rise of American enterprise is an untold history that is antithetical to every value Americans hold dear. This is a seminal work, a godsend really, a clear message to every citizen about the need to reform our country, laws, and companies."
From Unequal Protection, 2nd Edition:
"If you wonder why and when giant corporations got the power to reign supreme over us, here’s the story."
From The Thom Hartmann Reader:
"Thom Hartmann seeks out interesting subjects from such disparate outposts of curiosity that you have to wonder whether or not he uncovered them or they selected him."
while I keep hearing in the news that Perry made a gaffe - he couldn't remember the three agencies he would 'get rid of', the real question should be WHY? Why does he feel that education, commerce and the EPA should no longer exist? So the US government should get out of the way of corporate dominance and refuse to regulate their actions? So the US government should refuse to fund education for the masses? What kind of sickness is so prevalent in our media that this is not questioned?