For some, the pain of the shutdown isn't over...
The government shutdown may be over, but that doesn't mean that life has returned to normal for many people around our nation. Federal workers, who were furloughed during the shutdown, will receive backpay for the time they weren't able to work, but many others won't be so lucky. And, many businesses, research projects, and government contractors are now struggling to make up for the lost time and income.
For example, small businesses that rely on federal clients, like the consultant group Business Management Associates, will likely be paid late on outstanding invoices, and forced to finish projects in much less time. NASA researchers who were conducting experiments may have to re-do preliminary work, which means they may miss their scheduled time to use important equipment. Private contract employees, like line-cook John Anderson, were temporarily laid off during the shutdown, and they now find themselves short on much-needed income.
The list of stories like these goes on and on, as we learn about Americans who were hurt during the economic standoff. These are real people, and real businesses, who are suffering because the Tea Party held our government hostage – and they could be hurt even worse if a small faction in Congress is allowed to do this again. The debt limit deal provided a temporary solution to long-term political gridlock, and Congress is tasked with agreeing on a larger deal by December. For the sake of our nation, and for the thousands of Americans suffering because of the Tea Party, our leaders must find a way to prevent this from happening again.
Comments
I have known intuitively for years that Big Money was using the republican party to destroy our civil liberties and indeed, bring about a fascist dictatorship and perhaps even a police state. Economic hit men are keeping the Dems in line. Everyone said I was an Alex Jonesian cook. FINALLY folks like you, Thom, are starting to wake up. They should have labeled it Medicare 4 all. Most people did not understand the terms “single payer” or “public option” because Corp. Media did not inform the public. When Obama suddenly fell silent early in his first year, dropped the ball on the BP spill & Medicare 4 all, renewed the Bush tax cuts in their entirety...when Reid refused to reform filibuster... I knew that at the very least the Dems had knives in their back. I feel it would be naive to presume that at least the more powerful Dems. were unaware of the Republican strategy. :amy: did an interesting piece on internet corruption and the ACA this a.m. I believe the repugs are behind the sabotage of the exchange websites, preventing proper web development so they would not function properly.
Naomi Klein said it best with her "Shock Doctrine - The Rise of Disaster Capitalism".If there is not a natural disaster for them to take advantage of, they create their own constant disasters, gathering money and power for themselves and taking it from the masses each time.
the Walmart/McD form of capitalism could be called (ted) Cruz Control Capitalism............And here is a wierd conspiracy theory for you Could speaker Boner(sic) have conspired??? with Obama to take the economy to the brink in order to destroy The Tea Party once and for all????? Too diabolical ??? Speaking of Walmart...possibly 10 years ago an artical in the local paper announced that Walmart heirs had reached 10 billion $$$$ for the first time ...it also gave the number of employees so I calculated that if the 5 heirs would settle for 1 billion each they could give each employee $3,333 or if each hier could decide they could live on a paltry 100 million each employee would get $6000 .... would that not be better for America???
Many of the Tea Party people, Ted Cruz at the head of the line, do not believe that anyone was harmed during the "slimdown." Some of them are angry that we did not go into default. We are dealing with anarchists and terrorists. These Tea Party folks are not living up to their oath to protect the Constitution and serve the interests of the nation. I cannot see the difference between the economic terror they caused and the terror activities of any other extreme group. I believe a case can be made against Ted Cruz for sedition.
Sequester was Barrys idea!!! 2 stinking %. And now it's the republicans fault. The left is not entitled to change the facts. Tax and spend has destroyed the middle class by sending those jobs off shore.
Why has nobody suggested the most obvious solution - we boil those damn tea partiers in their own tepid tea!!! Shall I be mother?
Once all the money and power is at the top, how will the starving masses react?
Imagine150+M people rioting because certain people have gold plated faucets?
Is this real?
Quote akunard: Tax and spend has destroyed the middle class by sending those jobs off shore.
akunard ~ I'm sorry but that is not correct. Free trade--or the removal of taxation--is what sent the jobs off shore. Reinstating those taxes is the only thing that will bring them back.
Quote chuckle8:Let us not forget we are operating under the budget created by the sequester. Remember the sequester, a deal so bad no one would accept it.
chuckle8 ~ A very good point. I share your concern. Personally, I am hoping that the upcoming budget committee will undo that debacle before it does any more damage. Unlikely, but it could theoretically happen. One good sign that I just heard on the show is that Senator Bernie Sanders has been appointed to that committee today. That makes me optimistic.
How about the tax breaks for going off shore?
The Graderman ~ Yeah, that's right! I forgot about that one. Thanks! You can also throw in all the loopholes and subsidies these companies get. Corporate welfare, I believe Thom calls it. Tax and spend is such BS. Pure Corporate propaganda!
This is just so infuriating. Congress shuts down the government, leaving millons of people twisting in the wind without the barest essentials of life; while THEY, who caused this tragedy, still enjoy all the salaries, benefits and perks without missing a beat! Compensation that, incidently, happens to be way more generous than most of us can even dream of. Ole Bone Head Bohner has his paycheck, his healthcare, his vacatons ad nauseam... He's not missing a mortgage payment or a meal over this! It is truly crazy-making, witnessing all this. I'd be disinclined to watch a drama this sick in a theater, given a choice; but to live through it?!!! Beam me UP. - Aliceinwonderland
Hey comrades, I've paid another visit to Der Spiegel, who just put out another great article about our little freak show here in America! It's titled "US Democracy Is Nearing Its Limits". And just like I predicted, folks, its blog slots have been filling up fast, with mostly angry conservatives all up in arms with their panties in a knot. What follows are my submitted comments (starting with the subject line where I wrote: "You Yankees are so predictable!")
"When I first read this article, no posts had yet appeared. But I knew that before long, we'd have a tsunami of angry Yankees retaliating in a massive hissy fit, venting their collective outrage with accusations galore about how "ignorant" these "leftist Europeans" are about American affairs. Yeah, my fellow Americans, the truth hurts... but when the truth hurts, we shoot the messenger! Hey, it's the American way! As American as pay-or-die healthcare, student debt, homelessness and poverty wages! I pledge allegiance to the Koch brothers' fossil fuel empire and their phony Tea Party! So you guys don't like what you see when Der Spiegel holds up a mirror... Gee that's too bad. You're all a bunch of crybabies. Grow up!"
Gee I feel so much better now. That was the most gratifying psychic bowel movement I've had in a while. Have a lovely evening, my friends, and good night! - Aliceinwonderland
"For example, small businesses that rely on federal clients, ......will likely be paid late on outstanding invoices, and be forced to finish projects in much less time". Welcome to the real world. That's the way it is for private sector small business every day.
Those poor federal workers will all get back pay. If they do get laid off they get massive packages Or take early retirement and a big fat pension. Sorry but you are going to have a problem getting sympathy for most of the private sector.
Is Obama not responsible for any of this. How does he always get a free pass.
Even though the shutdown was only 16 days as a government contractor I can not get back to work until November 12th due to re-scheduling. So I lost more than a month of work and income.
Thanks Ted.
Exsponge Congress! What good is a system that doesnt work?
In todays world I believe the people should have the right to vote on all issues. Email???
The businesses would have to catter to its customers, us!
How can you not see the USS Titanic/America with its current leaders at the wheel.
You know everyone in Congress votes however they are paid by unlimited campaign funds
not how the people want them too. Its peoples fault in my book by not getting rid of the obvious.
Thats a democracy! 51% of the vote wins. We both know it will not happen, just praying.
We would hace respect and honor worldwide not embarrassment and hate.
No wonder the rest of the world is trying to go on without us.
Good morning fellow bloggers! I've been on a roll with Der Spiegel. Hey, damned if I'll let those ignoramus teabaggin' idiots have the last word! So here's another little message from moie to counter them as we slug it out across the Atlantic:
If there's one thing Obama has done right, it's refusing to cave to the ransom terrorist tactics of the Tea Party. Give in to those thugs and you've set a dangerous precedent, one that could be mighty hard to shake off. Because they'll keep doing it over and over, whenever they want something... and then elections don't matter anymore! Seems to me our democracy is in bad enough shape without Obama giving in to these ugly fascists. I kid you not, they are determined to destroy this country. And if you're not a member the Billionaire Club - well, too bad for you! You're on your own, pal. Their agenda is as simple as it is evil: to manipulate public opinion, so the "masses" get duped into believing GOVERNMENT is the PROBLEM... and then these nasty little toadies can steal the commons out from under us, and PRIVATIZE EVERYTHING! So there goes our country- to the robber barons, the plutocrats, the kleptocrats, the aristobrats and their enablers. You Tea Party cheerleaders and Ayn Rand recruits are all under their spell, stridently claiming those European "leftists" have it all wrong. But hey, their kids graduate from college with a career and a future; ours graduate with a mountain of debt and no job. Their citizens get health care without bankruptcy, paying a few bucks for prescription drugs costing us hundreds. They've got high-speed rail; we've got potholes and collapsing bridges. So who are the suckers, the peons, the losers? Europeans, or us? Every day is April Fools' Day here in America! The rest of the world laughs at us, not with us. So keep on squawking, suckers.
Hah-HAH! That oughta git'em up in a lather... Ya think? Sure is fun anyhoo. But seriously, I get awful tired of these alpha-male macho types with that "I got mine and screw you" attitude of theirs. I'd like those Europeans (or "European leftists"- tsk) to know not all us Yankees are knuckle-draggin' fools asleep at the wheel, carrying on like they've no clue what they're actually defending. Can't have that now, can we? Just doin' mah patriotic duty! - Aliceinblunderland
Quote Kend:Those poor federal workers will all get back pay. If they do get laid off they get massive packages Or take early retirement and a big fat pension. Sorry but you are going to have a problem getting sympathy for most of the private sector.
Kend ~ I can't say I completely disagree with that one. Federal employees got what is equitable to a big free paid vacation. Some bills might be a little late is all. Any debts incurred should be paid off by the end of the month. It is those who rely on their services, like WIC recipients, social security recipients, national park and monument vacationers, environmental regulation violator's victims, and other effected citizens who will suffer without recompense. No harm done unless you're unemployed, infirmed, handicapped, dependent on social services, on vacation visiting a park or monument, or in any other way dependent on federal services. If you have a comfy federal job its just a temporary inconvenience. For everyone else it is a monumental disaster. The most damage that will affect all Americans is if our credit rating is negatively affected. The Teabrains can take all the credit for that one. This is 100% their doing. That is a fact that will be clearly reflected in the next election cycle.
Quote Kend:Is Obama not responsible for any of this. How does he always get a free pass.
Kend ~ Oh let me be the first to answer that one. Obama is only responsible for doing exactly what I and millions of my fellow Americans demanded he do. That right, Obama for once did what we asked--word for word. You cannot negotiate with hostage takers. That is exactly what the Teabrains attempted to do, undermine one of the few recent laws that We the People demanded and approved of. As far as I am concerned he did his job the way I demanded for one of the first times in his administration. He has my full support even if he had to allow the nation to default. I put that in writing to him. I'm glad he--or someone on his staff--actually read it. When The President Of The United States upholds the will of the people while protecting and defending the Constitution of The United States that President gets a free pass... and deserves a Medal.
Quote Aliceinwonderland: But seriously, I get awful tired of these alpha-male macho types with that "I got mine and screw you" attitude of theirs. I'd like those Europeans (or "European leftists"- tsk) to know not all us Yankees are knuckle-draggin' fools asleep at the wheel, carrying on like they've no clue what they're actually defending. Can't have that now, can we? Just doin' mah patriotic duty! - Aliceinblunderland
Aliceinwonderland ~ What an enlightening and entertaining rant! I love it! Thank you so much for doing your patriotic duty; and, doing it so well. I'm so glad you're back. It just hasn't been the same.
By the way I shared your little "Beam Me UP" sign off with my wife. I had to explain it to her since her English and familiarity with the American culture isn't so good. (A very refreshing handicap by the way.) She loved it. Now every chance she gets I'm hearing it. I'll say, "Honey, I can't find my keys." She'll say, "Oh, Beam me up!" "Honey, the cat threw up on the carpet, again." "Not again! Beam me up!" "Honey, I can't find my other sock." "Oh, please God, Beam me UP!" If you're making as big of an impression in Europe as you're doing right here in my own house, the world will be a' changing pretty quickly. Thanks again for the posts. They make the blog something to really look forward to.
By the way, anytime your Der Speigaling and think any of my posts might fit, please, feel free to copy and paste away. Tell those aristobrat, Billionaire Teabrains DAnneMarc says, "Greetings!"
Oh my freind DAnne, "teabrainers" as you call them want the same things you do. Healthcare for all. They are just trying to find out how you are going to pay for it.
Don,t kid yourself Obama is in trouble here, he doesn't know how he going to pay for it either. America is in big trouble. The whole world knows it except Americans it seems. Your standard of living is about to take a huge drop. It honestly scares me, I am worried about my American freinds.
Here in Canada, our government is as well, we just signed a massive trade deal with the EU. This week.
some more bad news. They are building a huge train depot to ship Alberta oil to Texas by rail. I prefer the safer pipeline way but it is your country, your call, look at the bright side, no Keystone though.
Marc- you've made my week, describing how your wife resonates with that expression. I can't claim ownership; I picked it up somewhere; how 'bout Star Trek? My hubby was always a big Star Trek fan and I think that's where it originated. Anyway thanks, my friend. Sure has been fun. - AIW
Aliceinwonderland ~ No, thank you.
Quote Kend:Oh my freind DAnne, "teabrainers" as you call them want the same things you do. Healthcare for all. They are just trying to find out how you are going to pay for it.
Kend ~ I don't buy that for a second. Don't think I haven't listened to these Teabrains talk, whine, and complain at nauseum. I went over the entire monotonous 21 hours of Ted Cruz's self-serving filibuster diatribe sifting for the magic words, "Medicare for all." I didn't see it anywhere. I personally was amazed that the man could talk so long about health care and never once mention the most obvious solution. That alone must take some kind of special talent. If I missed something please post the quote or the link. I'd be more than happy to admit I am wrong and switch sides. If not, don't tell me these imbeciles want "Heath care for all". They just like to complain about the new law; and, they never, never, never, propose any other alternative. Everyone knows their real main agenda is a racial vendetta against the President fueled by a very vocal handful of their constituents. It's really easy to criticize someone else's idea when you are creatively bankrupt and philanthropically desolate. I would love to hear any more viable alternatives to Obamacare from this pack of idiots. Please, post the links. I would be happy to read, or hear them. Otherwise, please don't blow smoke up my a$$. I don't tell you nursery stories, please don't tell them to me. Everyone knows the perfect solution to all these problems is Medicare for all. It is the only really viable alternative. The Teabrains avoid that notion like cats avoid dogs. Until the Teabrains can fly that banner over their Teaheads anything else they say amounts to a dung hill full of $h*t. Any legislation that moves the country closer to Medicare for all--and that is exactly what the ACA will eventually do--must be enacted regardless of the consequences. This country cannot afford the current health care system; and, that is a fact. I welcome any taxation consequences of notoriety. Any problems with this solution will only push the envelope toward Medicare for all that much closer to realization. As Dubya would have said, "Bring 'em on!"
P.S. I've got a teabag stuck up me bum!
Kend -- The main crying I have heard is from the private sector.
We on the left are wondering in what way is Obama responsible for any of this. As I said before to you, Obama's guilt is that he read the first word of the constitution "We".
Alice W -- Bravo! Carry on.
I have to ask you DAnne and anyone else who cares to answer. Do you really think the US can afford the ACA?
Kend -- You obviously do not know what is in Obamacare (like everyone else including me). In the first year it saved a $100 billion by lessening medicare fraud and requiring insurance companies to spend 80% of their revenues on actual healthcare. The ACA has a provision to pay doctors their education expenses if they become doctors in underserved areas. It provides rewards for hospitals etc who create software to cut costs. Incidentally, the VA came up with software solutions that cut their cost by a factor of 4. The VA which used to the laughing stock of healthcare systems, was recently rated the best system based on outcomes by the J D Powell organization.
Many of the weather disasters are man-ipulated.This latestest documentary expains how and why. Watch it and a lot of dots will connect. Another way to gather the power and money.
Yes you are right chuck. I don't know Obama care know one does. That is what is so scary. I do know though that you are adding the population of Canada to your health care system. About 30 million. All of which could not afford health care. Which tells me that prices are going up Dramatically. To make things worst you are going to do it through the fed which can't seem to do anything right. your government hasn't tabled a budget in 5 years and you are going to trust them to manage your health. Seriously.
I am just saying. Instead of turning your country upside in a recession. Why didn't you just find a solution for those 30 million. Like everyone pays a little more tax so any one who has cancer or something serious when the bills get over $100,000 the government takes over. To do it at a full national level is insane. if it was done state by state like Canada then you could compare good ones against bad ones and make improvements . The federal way you are stuck with what you get.
Quote Kend:I have to ask you DAnne and anyone else who cares to answer. Do you really think the US can afford the ACA?
Kend ~ Hmmmm! Let's see. So far, we've been able to afford winning two world wars. We've managed to finance leading the world in the industrial revolution. We've created and paid for the worlds first auto industry, coast to coast highway system and railroad. We've built some of the fanciest and biggest buildings, ships, and planes in the world. We've bought and paid for the worlds largest standing Army, Navy, Air Force and Marines. We've paid for one of the best, most reliable, and cleanest fresh water and sewer systems in the world. We have electric utilities, telephone, plumbing and the internet access to almost all of our citizens. We've paid for building and manning military bases all over the world. We have paid for the largest stockpile of Nuclear Weapons and high tech weaponry in the world. Finally, we've paid for and succeeded at sending a man to the moon and back several times. Do I think we can pay everyone's Doctor bills? You bet I do!!
Anymore... not so thoughtful, questions?
Here is a question for you. Why do Right wing extremist never question massive amounts of money spent to kill people in other countries but suddenly become so concerned and frugal when money is spent to save American lifes?
http://www.shadethemotionpicture.com Try to find time to watch SHADE, a new documentary on geoengineering and you will know why you can't find your keys.Dose the cat for hook worms.
Quote Kend:I am just saying. Instead of turning your country upside in a recession. Why didn't you just find a solution for those 30 million. Like everyone pays a little more tax so any one who has cancer or something serious when the bills get over $100,000 the government takes over.
Kend ~ You really want to burden someone who can't afford a $1K/month insurance premium with an $99K medical bill. Seriously? Kend what you--and many others as well--fail to understand is that the fed already run Medicare. That system rocks. No one, that is NO ONE, who has Medicare is complaining. The country has afforded it for over 40 years. Yet Medicare is a very flawed system. It completely covers the highest risk group in the country ONLY. The sickest group, and the one group that no longer pays any real income tax. The rest of the country is already stuck paying that entire bill without receiving any benefits from that system until they retire. We already can afford that lopsided bill, adding all the younger people will not increase taxes in any drastic way. The only victims will be the insurance companies. You know that. I know that.
Therefore, Medicare has a 40 year track record that proves that the federal government would be more than capable of paying every medical bill in the country; and, that they could cover everyone with little increase in taxes. If Grandpa and Grandma USA can be covered, then adding the kids to the policy isn't going to make that much of a difference. Having the kids pitch in their share into the system lowers the cost for everyone else. Don't you get it that the bigger the pot the less everyone has to contribute. that means that someone living in Rhode Island won't have to pay anymore than someone living in California. Everyone wins.
It might be true that with the Federal Way you are stuck with what you get. It is also true that from what I've seen, Medicare for all is exactly what I want to be stuck with; and, I sure don't want to wait till I'm 65 to qualify to get stuck with it. If Universal Health care can work in over 30 other nations since 1912, it sure as hell can work in the USA. To not do it at a national level is insane.
Quote Aliceinwonderland:P.S. I've got a teabag stuck up me bum!
Aliceinwonderland ~ Don't panic Alice!! I understand they all come with strings attached. Just give a tug--all your troubles will be behind you.
The ACA will save the country money. The question is who's money. It will save tax payer money; not, necessarily tax money. With privatized care the average family of four would pay just over $1K/MO in premiums. With the ACA they pay about $100/MO for the same policy. If they qualify with very low income that rate drops to $50/MO. The lowest income bracket gets it for free. That is a massive savings in money for the average citizen. The problem is the Fed is paying private insurance and they are skimming 15% off the top. Once this middleman is eliminated and the Fed is paying all the bills the estimated overhead will only be 5%.
Medicare for all will save lives. As Dr. Mike Newcomb explained when he sat in for Thom when he sees a patient with private health insurance he has to receive approval from the insurance provider before he can treat his patient. That places the authority of the insurance provider above the authority of the Doctor and the patient. With Medicare, once the Doctor decides on a course of action and the patient agrees, there is no further delay. Medicare automatically approves anything the Doctor recommends and the patient agrees to. With the Fed running Healthcare the middleman is eliminated and there is actually no one between the Doctor and his patient. Any story to the contrary is pure propaganda from the insurance industry.
The medical insurance industry's days are numbered and they know it. They are pulling every trick in the book and using every resource at their disposal to prolong the inevitable. Their death isn't simply the natural course of evolution; but, a result of their own greed and corruption. They will not be missed; and, have no one to blame for their demise but themselves.
DHS whistleblower censored from 60 minutes. On 4th of July, 2004, there was a heightened alert of suspected terrorists coming over the Mexican border. Julia Davis a Border guard from Homeland Security at a Mexico/US border said that a typical number of people they have to process was about 5 to 10 people per month.
On that date, Julia was swamped by 23 in 10 hours. Some of those people were from Iran and Iraq and Brazil. She said that it takes 1 hour to interview and process every person and so she had a big problem to which she reported to her boss. They tried to contact Intel but they were all off duty having 4th of July barbeques..so her boss said to just let the interrogations and paperwork slide. She later, at home, decided to call the FBI because she was very concerned that terrorists were coming into the country so that the FBI could take action to watch these people.
She was doing her civic duty, especially since there was a heightened alert to expect possible terrorists sneaking across the border. But since then, she was labeled a terrorist and she and her husband were then invaded by about 29 swat team members including a Black Hawk helicopter. She said they sent more guys after her than they used when they went after Bin Laden. The Davis' weren't home at the time...only Julia's elderly parents..the father with a heart condition who died shortly after the invasion. They threw the father down on the concrete, after they broke in, and broke his finger then dragged him down the stairs. The parents were very badly treated by the agents. The Davis' also had surveillance cameras around the property and in the home that recorded the invasion. The neighbors witnessed the whole thing....thinking they were filming a movie...like a scene from Rambo. A neighbor filmed the invasion, and was seen doing so by the invaders, and the Davis' now have that video. They made copies of the video and gave copies to their lawyers....then that neighbor turned up dead shortly after...yet another mysterious death. Other neighbors are now scared that the same thing could happen to them because they also witnessed the invasion.
It was later found that Customs bosses were being bribed as much as $5000 per person to let people across the border. This is a huge embarrassment to Homeland Security and our corrupt government. CBS had a 60 minutes show all set to air about this but pressure was brought to bear on CBS not to air it. The Davis' were constantly spied on and harassed by government agents after that. The the government has used the IRS to audit the Davis' an unprecedented number of times...more harassment. They were constantly tailed.
The Davis' sued the government and the government settled so it would be kept out of court. The government did not want jury members to hear all the facts on this case.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=feHbP4k_tdk
A two part radio show with Julia and her husband is here:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3LHC-C-ODO0
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=08COa3Pzmxc
And a DVD movie called Top Priority: The Terror Within is available here: (no, you can't get it from Amazon):
http://topprioritymovie.com/
Side issues discussed on the radio show was that the On-Star devices in cars can be remotely switched on to hear everything said in the car. The government pays On-Star to spy on people in their cars.
Brittany Murphy's strange circumstance death was also talked about and had a very odd connection to this story. Brittany Murphy, before her death was supposed to be a witness in support of Julia Davis. And it is really strange how Brittany Murphy's husband died 6 months later of exactly the same symptoms as BM had. And there are still no autopsy reports. They collected tissue samples but never tested them. It has all been dragged out. One delay after another. And the DA's office was raided which derailed one process.
They also talked about the "divide and conquer" mentality using the Republicans and the Democrats. The politicians are all having lunch together while the people argue one side against the other when they are all in it together against the people. It's all theatre 101..setting up patsies to take the blame for false flag operations which impresses the unsuspecting people while they argue sides in the two headed monster that is the corrupt two party system.
N Z Sarah: or, you can get it for free on youtube here:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=V4VFYRaltcc
Kend- "The fed which can't do anything right", that little mantra, is a friggin lie brought to us by lying little fascists who'd like us to believe that so they can privatize everything that was once the commons: schools, the post office (you know, things members of any society depend on just to function day to day) also the prisons, the military, etc. Can't you get that through your head?! If you do nothing else to try grasping the core of this problem, this huge mess we all are in, memorize that last sentence. Please. Because you keep asking the same question over and over, regarding healthcare: - "How are you going to pay for it?" - and people, lots of people, keep giving you viable, fact-based answers that aren't that difficult to understand; yet you keep coming back with the same dumb-ass question like none of it is getting through to you, along with the message that government can't do anything right. Excuse me Kend, but it gets old.
I once saw a bumper sticker that said "A mind is like an umbrella, it works best when open." I you really wanted to know the answers to how we can pay for it, you wouldn't still be asking the question. It annoys me, Kend, and here's why: because it comes across like a rhetorical question rather than a sincere one, repeated ad nauseam by someone who really isn't all that interested in knowing the answers. - Aliceinwonderland
Priceless, Marc.
DAnne sorry i did not mean to question the great accomplishments of the USA. Not only what you mentioned but all of the amazing things it has done for other Countries. BUT when it did all of those things it didn't have half it's population living off the government. It didn't have half it's working population working for the government. It didn'have 90 trillion dollars of unfunded liabilities. It didn't owe nearly twice the average salery in debt $55,000. It didn't block industry like Keystone.. It didn't spend trillion on climate change. It didn't have trillions of dollars of crumbling infrastructure to fix. It didn't have a aging population that it has today. It didn't well you get point. I sincerely believe it can fund all of this but not on the course it is thinking
I have always said the only reason your military is in the Middle East is they have to stabilize oil prices. If prices get to high the American economy shuts down. just look back to the 70's.
Palindromedary ~ That is a fascinating story about Julia Davis. I would hardly call her a whistle blower. She was just doing her job. I know I get really PO'd whenever someone or something interferes with my ability to do my job right; and, no one dies when I screw up. I wonder what was really going on and just who these immigrants really were? Were they terrorists and part of an elaborate false flag that Julia inadvertently foiled? Were they foreign underground dignitaries who were given a free pass for some nefariously corrupt reason? Were they possibly some kind of spy's? Were they just illegal immigrants who paid off some corrupt government entity for a free pass who just happened to be from a terrorist country and got caught? Are the agents and organizations that are on the take just protecting their turf and/or embarrassed? It seems really stupid that if the people involved in trying to get them in the country will orchestrate the move when Intel is on vacation and the country is at high alert that they would overlook Ms. Davis still at her post. Don't you think they would have given her the day off too? After all, her boss was obviously on the payroll. It sure would have been a lot cheaper and easier than using Black Hawk helicopters and 24 hour surveillance to harass her. Certain things about this story don't make any sense. For instance, the blow back from the harassment is greater than the consequences of just deporting these 27 immigrants. The biggest question is why would the Fed's mercenaries target Davis's neighbor, and then let Julia live? No sense there! If what she did really PO'd someone that much why not just slip something into her coffee at work? No fuss! Done! No questions! Why the circus in the courts and the media? No sense. Unless, you suppose this is some kind of a high profile example to the rest of us? Sill, no sense! The only answer that makes any sense is that the corrupt influences that have been in power since Nixon--as described by Julia--are every bit as stupid as they are corrupt. Sorry I didn't have a chance to watch any more than the interview, the movie will have to wait till later. However, if you can provide any good answers to any of my questions I'll have to make time to watch the movie.
Quote Kend:DAnne sorry i did not mean to question the great accomplishments of the USA. Not only what you mentioned but all of the amazing things it has done for other Countries. BUT when it did all of those things it didn't have half it's population living off the government. It didn't have half it's working population working for the government. It didn'have 90 trillion dollars of unfunded liabilities. It didn't owe nearly twice the average salery in debt $55,000. It didn't block industry like Keystone.. It didn't spend trillion on climate change. It didn't have trillions of dollars of crumbling infrastructure to fix. It didn't have a aging population that it has today. It didn't well you get point. I sincerely believe it can fund all of this but not on the course it is thinking
Kend ~ All good points. However, again you are mixing apples and oranges. Our economic woes are a result of Free Trade agreements and not the ACA. So is our unemployment problem, low wages, and unfunded liabilities. They will not be fixed by delaying Health care. In fact, they may be ignored if we don't force a situation where finance is a bigger issue. If your foot hurts you look for a more comfortable shoe--you don't amputate your foot. Our need for Health care is paramount over all our other expenditures. It has to take priority over everything else. If we need to sacrifice a couple aircraft carriers, some destroyers, and a few dozen cruise missiles then so be it. If we have to go further into debt, so be it. If we have to repeal Free Trade, so be it. As far as I am concerned these "sacrifices" are my agenda anyway. So be it!
Quote Kend:I have always said the only reason your military is in the Middle East is they have to stabilize oil prices. If prices get to high the American economy shuts down. just look back to the 70's.
Kend ~ Aliceinwonderland and Mark Sauleys are both so right about you... You are making yourself irrelevant with your fictional facts. A little history lesson for you. The economy was just fine in the 70's. It was after the Reagan (666) 80's era that the economy started to plunge. Debt had a lot to do with it because Ronald (666) Wilson Reagan insisted on building a missile interception space platform called "Star Wars" that plunged the country into it's first $1 Trillion debt. The project didn't work and the money was a complete waste. Think of all the solar panels, wind mills, and geothermal and hydro power plants that $1 Trillion dollars could have bought back then. If it wasn't for his obstructionism to progress this country would be energy independent today. Reagan was a friggin' IDIOT! I'm sure that ultimately that is exactly the way history will remember him.
In the 70's oil prices had nothing to do with our problems. Prices were inflated but people still managed to afford it. We had an artificially orchestrated oil shortage that led to gas sanctioning. The main problem was they could only buy it on odd or even dates depending on the last number on their license plate. That led to long lines and PO'd people.
As far as the ACA funding is concerned, I agree with AIW, let's just wait and deal with it when the time comes. We need it regardless of what it costs. End of story! We can pick up this conversation next April 2nd.
Kend ~ By the way, you still haven't answered my question. Here it is again:
Here is a question for you. Why do Right wing extremist never question massive amounts of money spent to kill people in other countries but suddenly become so concerned and frugal when money is spent to save American lives?
People asked how were we going to pay for the wars in the Middle East as well...and the answer they gave us was that the oil we control in Iraq will more than pay for our wars. Yeah, right, how well did that work out? It obviously didn't! The consumers back in the US didn't see their gasoline prices go down...they went way up! And the tax payers were stuck with ever escalating taxes...except the ones who were getting rich off of murdering innocent civilians were also the ones getting big tax breaks. We got stuck with higher gasoline prices and subsequent prices on everything else that depended upon gasoline prices and then they stuck us with most of the taxes after that.
And now, some people try to use the same argument "how are we going to pay for ACA?". That's total bull$!t and they know it...or, maybe they don't. There is just no way to argue with conservative capitalist retards because no matter what valid arguments you present to them, they will all just go right over their heads. It's like trying to reason with a apes in a zoo who are slinging their sh!t at you from behind the bars. They are going to do it, if you stand close enough to them, no matter how well you present facts to them. You are talking apples and all they want to hear about... are bananas. And, as everyone knows, bananas can cause constipation...making anal retentive people, and perhaps apes, always full of sh!t. No wonder they can't think straight. Time to give these poor things a Dr. Gerson mountain grown coffee 3n3m4...just talk to Juan Valdez...he knows! But just try giving one to an ape...or a conservative capitalist...not a good idea! Better just to stand way back and let them work it out for themselves. ;-}
Apropos to #43
Palindromedary ~ Apparently the later is the case. I've listened to enough of the interview to determine that all this is the doing of a Bush appointee by the name of Robert Bonner who apparently had some influence and was a very stupid and petty person. Go figure, he was appointed by Dubya. Who did Dubya appoint who wasn't stupid and petty. It was Bush sponsor's agenda in the first place to allow such infiltration of the Government by complete nincompoops in order to demonstrate that Government doesn't work. Internal sabotage. It is of course a tragedy for Mrs. Davis; however, I doubt this is any great conspiracy beyond the desk of Mr Bonner. It's just too wasteful and pointless of a story to have any real significance. To me it smells like Abuse of Power 101 on the part of a Bush league imbecile. My heart goes out to Julia. I hope the Courts have rewarded her well. Thank God this menace is out of office now.
Quote Palindromedary:And now, some people try to use the same argument "how are we going to pay for ACA?". That's total bull$!t and they know it...or, maybe they don't. There is just no way to argue with conservative capitalist retards because no matter what valid arguments you present to them, they will all just go right over their heads. It's like trying to reason with a apes in a zoo who are slinging their sh!t at you from behind the bars.
Palindromedary ~ Thanks buddy! You said it! OTFLMFAO! Actually, I think I would have made more progress at the zoo. Comparing Kend to an ape is an insult to apes. Sorry Kend, you asked for it.
With all due respect DAnne, you are doing what the left always does. You are twlling me how you got there. What I am saying is what do we do now, moving forward. What is the solution. I agree everyone should have health care. How to you manage our money to get it to every one. I hear nothing from your government. Doesn't that bother you guys.
Our Canadian government is facing the hard truth. We set back the CPP, Canadian Pension Plan two years. We extened the time to collect it for new Canadians to 10 years. just to name a few. I guess as a none resident I should shut my mouth but the world is worried about the mighty economic engine of the USA but it seems American are not.
DAnne I don't mine being compared to a ape. A ape is a strong hard working animal. It doesn't need anyone to feed it or its family, it doesn't need any one to pay for its housing. It is proud and hardworking. Not all humans can say that.
Thom's Blog Is On the Move
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.
Images of Thom
With His Holiness The Dalai Lama, at His home in Dharamsala, India (Synthesis Dialogues - made into a movie narrated by Harrison Ford)
Mueller's favorite place to pray (written about in "Prophet's Way"), and the roof of the room where the Last Supper is reputed to have happened.
Let us not forget we are operating under the budget created by the sequester. Remember the sequester, a deal so bad no one would accept it.