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You really got to be more precise. Your spelling is atrocious. You write that Obama spent 5 million on failed green projects but I can't know if you mean 5 million, 5 billion or 5 trillion (if you meant 5 million that's an insignificant amount of money). In addition, you seem - as always - to be willfully dishonest. I mean, you can't be that out of it - or is that the effect of Fox News?
All of America's problems won't be solved if we raise taxes on the top 2% but a very large part of them were caused by the Bush era tax cuts. They have had a spiralling, cummulative effect over the years so simply reversing them at this late date may not, in fact, be the panacea it would certainly have been initially but it's a necessary part of any solution.
The idea that tax increases lead to job loss inevitably is a fiction that a listener to Thom's program should know has been put to rest.
Did they not get rid of the Bush tax cuts and raise the income rates to high income earners?
i would have invested more down there but with the threats of more taxes I like many Americans got a little scared and are waiting to see what happens. No sweat shops here Ken I alway pay well. the truth is our politics are so boring here. The biggest difference is our politcions don't become multi millions like yours.
What people forget is that the reason for constitutional rights to due proccess of law is to protect the INNOCENT from wrongful conviction and wrongful punishment. They are not to shield people who are guilty of terrorism and other crimes from the consequences of their actions.
For this reason it doesn't matter if someone is a citizen or not; the entitlement to those rights is inalienable anywhere the U.S. government has jurisdiction. It is not less important that foreigners or non citizens not be wrongly convicted or punished than that U.S.citizens are not.
The recent differentiation in this entitlement to these basic human rights introduced into our lexicon - and subsequently our law - by the Right is a successful attempt to induce the American public to adopt an imperialist, colonial mentality, a racism and nationalistic chauvinism that demarcates different relative values of human beings and their lives contingent upon their citizenship of the United States.
This mentality is necessary for the public to accept imperial militarism for which the war on terror is a pretext - just as the cold war - on communism - was and the war on drugs was - when we wanted to invade Panama and dispense with constitutional rights as we did in the McCarthy Era and as we are now - so we can be outraged about human rights abuses of foreign dictators as long as they are atop of large oil reserves.
It's not a surprise to me anyway that the only sensible group of lawmakers would come up with a sensible plan. The Progressive Caucus both understands and honors the concept of representative democracy and I applaud them for it.
As we all know revitalization of the middle class would create an economic chain reaction where everyone benefits from top to bottom....something I think the Balancing Act would achieve. Those who would be against the Act are in my opinion against this country and are not fit enough to even represent the snakes in my woodpile....which however still qualifys them to represent the Kochs.
I consider the 960 billion in revenue as legal confiscation of loot that needs to be returned to it's rightful owners...hard working Americans, and there's lots more where that came from.
KEN WARE: Welcome back, Ken. If you don't mind my asking, are you a Grandpapa yet? If so, congratulations!
PALINDROMEDARY: There are a lot of good points to support your contention about 911. The simple facts leading up to the tragedy smell pretty strong. Bush and Rice were warned repeatedly and made a spectacle of ignoring the reports. That's enough facts as far as I'm concerned to warrant a serious investigation. Till then, I have to say I don't know. I can add, I don't want to know. As far as that is concerned I side with Ken. However, regardless as to weather we want to know the truth or not, we all must demand the truth. The world deserves to know why those 3,000 innocent people died and why almost a million innocent Iraqis died. We as a people will never rest as long as there are questions about what could be the greatest crime and mass murder of history. Didn't Bush himself once say, "Money always trumps peace." Is that what we want the world to think America stands for?
Let's all admit this, the official story about that war holds about as much water under scrutiny as the "magic bullet" theory did. I'm sick of being lied to. The world is sick of being lied to. Same old story--American Politicians lie, multitudes of innocent people die. This can't continue! If we don't demand the truth and justice, Karma surely will!
Kend - Obama and the Democrats failed at actually raising taxes on the Wealthiest Americans. Obama caved in and settled for a mere 5% increase on the Capital Gains, had he actually raised it to the rate he and the Dem's said they would, which would have been up to 38% and closed all the tax loop holes, it would have helped in the long run. But as usual, the Democrats and Independents wimped out again when it came to actually doing what they said they would. Why is a Canadian so concerned with American problems, as far as I can see and read, you have a great deal to fix up there in your frozen lake...Oh, I forgot, didn't you mention you ran a sweat shop down here in the lower 48? I still enjoy responding in my usual friendly manner.
Palindromedary - You had me in your corner on your first comment, but your still clinging to the idea the government flew the planes into the Towers, Pentagon and almost the Whitehouse and that somehow makes me think your drifting into the state of paranoia. Just because they can do it, does not mean they would do it. Bush did not need an excuse to go after Al Qaeda, they already knew they were responsible for the bombing of the naval vessel, the Cole in 2000 and several other bombings they were linked to and took credit for. I believe Bush was evil enough to kill thousands of people (he killed up to a million in Iraq), but to hijack four aircraft and have actual recordings of Americans fighting with the terrorist on the fourth plane that went down before making it to the Whitehouse is just too far out there for me. I guess I must be too naive to believe that 2011 was planned by Bush and his crew. They could not even set up Saddam Hussein in order to prove he had nukes without looking stupid and that did not stop Bush, Cheney and Rumsfeld from invading Iraq for oil! Too much risk for Bush and with very little payoff if found out. And, with his record of doing nothing right, we would have discovered it was him and his cohorts, if they did it.
Question: Why do the Conservatives like Global and Kend keep defending the Corporations and the Wealthy when it comes to taxes, but cannot wait to cut benefits on the elderly, sick and poor? Why is health care okay if you can buy it, but if you’re unable to afford it, it is just your own problem. Does being a Conservative somehow make one contemptuous of those who have less? I really do not get the logic.
If we could add cutting the pay for the Conservatives (politicians) in Washington as part of the Sequestration, I bet they would come up with an answer in a matter of days. Obama has already given away the threat of higher taxes on the Wealthy and the Corporations, I doubt he has any chance of having any effect on the Sequestration that is about to harm America.
Personally, I have no problem with using drones to take out any confirmed terrorist, whether they are American or from any other country. It beats putting U.S. Air Force personnel in harm’s way to accomplish the job.
Outback, regarding the #30 comment from the previous blog......a facetious description of drone usage was in fact my first impression of your reply, but then I read it slowly and screwed up, sorry about that. I guess I'm a little defensive lately.
"The Balancing Act" most of that was what Romney was going to do if he was elected. except the big oil part. Or at least that's what he said he was going to do. So does the CPC thinks no jobs would be lost when these companies have these tax hikes. Hmmm
I don't understand I thought when you raised the taxes to the top 2 percent all of Americs and they started paying thier fair share all of Americas problems would be solved. What went wrong?
I also though the last 5 million Obama spent was going to infrastructure. Oh sorry that went to failed green projects.
I think it is a NO NO!
conflict of interest and time tto stop wall street from buying the politications.
Palindromedary - I'm not above buying into conspiracy theories (for example I think LBJ had JFK whacked: motive and means) but why is it more logical to believe 911 was planned and executed here in the USA? As you point out, US policy in the world has generated more than enough hatred of this country to account for a Bin Laden planned and executed attack. We have ourselves to blame, either way.
Your article is all true but hides the fact of the real cause and solution to creating a quality economy. The monetary system of new money creation of the commercial banks crashed the economy causing tax revenues to decrease and safety net expenses to increase. This caused a deficit in most governments involved with our monetary system. Therefore, the real solution is complete monetary reform by eliminating fractional reserve banking-debt money. You can find the answers at www.monetary.org and www.cpe.us.com in the Monetary Reform Section on the right of the home page.
Center for Progressive Economics
AIW - I voted for Rocky Anderson as well. I checked out the platform of both the Green and Justice parties and found them very similar, but there was something more direct and addressed to my specific concerns in the Justice platform. I watched the 'Third Party Debates' and thought that Anderson came across a little more forcefully than Jill Stein on those issues, like foreign policy. Yes, the absence of a Stein, an Anderson, a Sanders in the presidential debates speaks volumes about the corruption within our political system. Can you imagine the impact one of those three might have had on public perception had they been allowed to participate in the main events? Obama alone might have been able to go toe to toe with any of the three, but his record would have been his undoing. The issues discussed were so tightly controlled that the debates were a farce - just another kabuki dance.
Outback says "Just to add to your point, the problem is that people feel trapped between 'the lesser of evils'".
"Trapped" is the word for it, my friend. But just for the record, I would NEVER vote for Ron Paul either. He's great on foreign policy but sucks on everything else. I checked out his website and... no thanks! But I'd vote for Bernie Sanders in a heartbeat. I wish with all my heart for a candidate like that in the national debates. Ditto Anderson and Stein. - Alice I.W.
MMmmNACHOS says: "You have said several times that Rocky Anderson was your first choice... What is [it] that you like about him?"
I saw Mr. Anderson on Democracy Now and was very impressed. He talked about many issues and everything he said resonated with me. And there is something about his personality that I find very appealing. Not sure how to describe what it is about his personality that clicked with me; maybe just a chemistry thing. But he came across like someone who has it on the ball, who knows what we're up against in this country and is ready to fight the good fight.
I also liked Jill Stein. Either of them would have been an excellent choice. (SIGH) - Aliceinwonderland
I created a petition to repeal Postal Reform Act of 2006. Help save the Post Office. Sign the petition. Needs 150 signatures to get on the White House site.
https://petitions.whitehouse.gov/petition/save-us-post-office-repeal-postal-reform-act-2006/k4jKqBPB
We the people have to stand up to the those trying break up the largest unionized employer in the United States. Please spread this link to others that you know.
I created a petition to repeal Postal Reform Act of 2006. Help save the Post Office. Sign the petition. Needs 150 signatures to get on the White House site.
https://petitions.whitehouse.gov/petition/save-us-post-office-repeal-postal-reform-act-2006/k4jKqBPB
We the people have to stand up to the those trying break up the largest unionized employer in the United States. Please spread this link to others that you know.
I am lucky enough to live in a town in northern Oklahoma where wifi is free to everyone within the city limits. I haven't paid for broadband internet access for over 4 years. Now i must admit that this wouldn't be the best way for someone who streams large amounts of data or plays online games avidly, but for basic internet access, shopping, or checking emails. I am, however, able to stream Netflix using this city wifi network. Originally it was designed for the Police Dept, Fire Dept, and city service workers, but there was enough bandwith available to offer the wifi service to the community. Best of all...it's free. There isn't any "line item" on my utility bill for "Wifi service". I know that I pay for it in other ways, but it is possible for a town to offer wifi to its citizens.
"What if you have problems?", I have been asked. That is something different than it would be for a paid service. If the network goes down...no internet access until it is fixed. However, the city technolgy department is available to ask if there is a problem and many of the local computer shops sell equipment that boost the signal in cases of houses in fringe areas. And if you live in a fringe area, and want to host a "node" and (want to pay for the equipment yourself) the city will install equipment in your neighborhood. I don't think anyone has done this, but the city would do it if you got together with your neighborhood assoc or something like that and split the costs. All that said, the manager of the department doesn't guarantee access to the network. Lucky enough I haven't had many problems--other than the times storms have knocked out the power-- and I live close to one of the transmitters which are located on the streetlights at intersections and along the streets. Kudos to Ponca City, OK for installing the network and making internet free to those of us who use it all the time!! Not bad for a town with a population of about 25,000 people! check it out http://www.poncacityok.gov/index.aspx?NID=417
Hi Thom!
I'd call in by my phone ran out of battery. This discussion about the postal service reminds me about the debate over Obamacare. Conservatives kept bringing up the postal service vs. private mail delivery companies as an example of how government run services don't work as well as private businesses. BUT HERE'S THE POINT! FedEx and UPS aren't required to deliver mail if it's not cost effective for them, but the postal service has to deliver EVERYWHERE! Just like private health care won't cover the sickest among us. Private companies only look better because they have an easier job to do. It's a lot easier to make a profit if you don't have to care about the 'least of these.' But If we get to a point where we think a service should be available to everyone in society, no matter what their situation is, then the government can do a great job, be it providing health care or delivering mail.
All the best,
-Andrew
To Thom!!
Just a thought about gays and the scouts, I've been listening today — I'm among the most liberal in the country about gay-ness... my brother is gay, cousin is lesbian, etc. and I believe that it is inherited and genetic.... anyway, and it popped into my head that — wouldn't you be concerned, Thom, if boys and girls of age 10-12, or ANY age— went on overnight camping trips together, and slept in the same bunk room etc, wouldn't there be a tendency for them to experiment sexually?
Likewise, a gay boyscout, wouldn't he be more likely to try to interest another boy in sexually acting out? Knowing kids, and remembering my own childhood, I think they would be more likely to.
That's why boys and girls don't have sleep-overs together. And no one complains about that as being primitive, backwards etc. Because kids DO tend to fool around together. Mainly boys and girls are heterosexual, and most "fooling around" is heterosexual, right? But whatever the kids' sexual preference is, that's whom they are gonna want to fool around with. A gay boy scout could very well be more likely to initiate a "circle jerk" or a one-on-one sexual fooling around situation with another boy... and the other boy might just be interested in it, because, as you know, everyone has a bit of homosexuality in them. Or do you not agree with that?
anyway hope you read this Thom!!!
I just want to say this. Why do we not ask these people who believe being gay is a choice, when did they "CHOOSE" to be strait? At what age, or do they even remember making the choice to be phsically attracted to members of the other sex? I just TRULY believe if they are honest people, who are honest with themself..... They should understand that question.
Unless, of course, it is Darth Cheney that is being burned! I'd sacrifice a little oxygen for that purpose. And we may as well throw bloodsucking Dracula Bush, the cowboy's cowboy, onto the pyre as well. But there are so, so many more... we should have a bonfire. A great cleansing of the Earth of these shameful parasites.
So, now old Leon Splenetic is ragging on us for the possibility of spending cuts to the military. Maybe instead of having all of those hegemonic US bases all around the world they can save us real taxpayers some big bucks by pulling all our our troops and resources back to within our own shores and 'protect us' from here. Keep the 'bad guys' out in the first place.
No GIGO (garbage in..garbage out) no-nonsense homeland defense instead of hate mongering and greedily grubbing around for foreign natural resources that we don't even need anymore because America no longer makes things except FIRE (finance, insurance, and real estate) bubble fantasies and empty promises.
I am wondering just what will be the next false flag that the MIC (military industrial complex) will come up with next to scare people out of their power, money, and overall well-being. Crashing airliners into tall buildings worked once...maybe they can engineer something like that once again.
Oh, gee, Bin Laden is dead, but did he arise within 3 days, and will return someday to wreak his vengeance, perhaps by a "son of Bin Laden"? Who will be the next unfortunate patsy? It's not easy being a CIA asset! You'll likely get terminated eventually.
The US still has the ability to remotely guide airliners to their targets...all they need is yet another patsy 'mastermind' sitting in some dingy cave in the Middle East. Yes, another fake attack will have unwitting Americans shaking in their shoes and wetting their pants and just begging to increase military spending.
You know, of course, that we have created millions of potential enemies in the Middle East (that we deserve to have hate us for what we have done.), many of whom may not have the resources or planning it would take to do a repeat of 911 but all the planning and coordination happens right here in America.
Just make it easy for a few patsies to get into the country, wire them lots of money, have them take free flying lessons, and make sure they have tickets to fly on the designated airliners. Tell them that they are all going to visit Disneyland or something. That's all it takes, the American planners and coordinators will do all the rest. They'll even set up a military exercise to act as a cover in case someone not in on the deal gets a clue and tries to blow the whistle. Just confuse them with a 'military exercise' including the scenario of jet airliners being hijacked and crashing into tall buildings. What was that being said after 911? "Who could have thought that men would hijack airliners and crash them into buildings?" That's so glaringly obvious a clue that 911 was set up from the very get-go as a false flag operation. But wait...there's more...lots and lots more. But, sorry, you'll have to wait for the next episode.
Aliceinwonderland, I have read your past post, along with many others by those who are on her regularly. As you are tired of people "brow beating you" over who you voted for; I am tired of those who caste fear votes...Fear votes are completely counter productive. And I don't really care for the excuseses people give for a lack of courage to vote forthright. We (you, me, everyone) are in this economic crisis and social divide for several reasons; From greed, to fear, to false securities, to diminishing expectations of certain social standards. This whole "political correct generation" belies itself and is afraid of its own shadow ...We have lost our courage to stand our ground as a government; Of, For, and By the People...Not the Corporations. Fear and Ignorance are our demise.
Yes many of the past post you wrote hold water...I agree with you on almost all your opinions and ideas...But unless you and other fear voters wise up and stand your ground...Well, your a smart cookie, I think you know what I am getting at.
To all those who caste fear votes...This past election should have sent a loud and clear message to Washington regardless if Mitt or Obama won. No I am not delusional...I don't for a minute think Stein or Anderson could have won even if all those fear voters voted for a 3rd party candidate, merely for the reason you pointed out; They were not alowed to debate nationally. But the opportunity for the message by the People's vote is what matters. Simmilar is Ron Paul, every time he has campainged his message spread and his supporters grew, and last year we heard every candidate speak about "blow back"; they may not have agreed with the good Dr. but they were forced to address the issue because it was a concern of the Public.
You have said several times that Rocky Anderson was your first choice...What is that you like about him?
It seems the proponents of austerity and supply side economics don't understand macro economis.