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I appreciate you asking those questions. To add to the excellent answers provided in posts 28 and 29, here are my answers:
1. We dropped the atom bombs on Japan AFTER they surrendered. Not during the war, but AFTER the war was over. You know, kind of like if you and I were in a fistfight, and we agree that we would stop fighting, and then I hit you several more times, burned down your house, and killed everyone who lives within 200 miles of you. If you don't think it would be fair if it happened to you, why is it fair when America does it to other countries? But now that you bring it up, here is why our government is terrified to the point of clinical paranoia, that other countries are going to hurt us. It's because the American government has crapped all over those countries, pushed them around, stolen from them, murdered countless innocent people in their countries, replaced many countries' legally-elected officials with dictators, used hundreds of billions of dollars in "foreign aid" to bribe officials in other countries so they do what the American government wants them to do even when it harms those countries. So it's not exactly a surprise that some people in those countries want to retaliate against us. The Bible says to treat others the way you would want them to treat you. Uh-oh...
2. I have ten fruit trees in my small back yard, and I grow a lot of organic vegetables. The giant corporate agribusinesses get less of my money than they would like to have. I shop at farmer's markets as much as possible, and also go to family farms and buy directly from the farmers. For the last twenty years I have put my money where my mouth is. And if everyone did, the corporations would have to change, because all they care about is getting money, and if the only way they could get money was by being honest and responsible, they would be honest and responsible. They wouldn't like it, but they would do it.
3. I don't want to shut down the corporations. But I would like to see corporations get less big government welfare in the form of multi-billion-dollar tax breaks and subsidies. I would like our big government to stop helping corporations outsource our jobs to countries where they use slave labor, prison labor, and child labor, and that have no environment laws. And I would like our big government agencies to stop spending uncounted millions of dollars protecting corporations that pollute our country, our air, our water, our food, and our consumer products. That would be nice. As far as what I'm doing about it, I buy organic products as much as possible, I have written many letters and emails to congress and presidents, I have taught classes to cardiac patients at a hospital and at a health food store and published articles on avoiding exposure to corporations' chemical and biological toxins.
4. You would like to see me on the corporate-owned media, complaining about the corporate domination of America? Well, to answer your suggestion, I will quote my patron saint, Mark Twain: "It's a free press. If you own one." Big government spends a LOT of money helping media corporations form illegal monopolies that illegally shut out people who want to prevent corporations from ruining this planet. Our government would be much smaller and much less expensive to run if it wasn't serving the corporate interests and ignoring human interests. And much better speakers than me, such Thom, David Suzuki, and Bill Moyers are on tv, although I would like to see Thom's tv show on mainstream tv. Noam Chomsky and Thom have written incredibly good stuff about politics and done wonderful talks on radio. At least half of what I have learned about politics, I have learned from Thom. But more than simply memorizing facts about politics, watching and listening to these guys is a unique and valuable opportunity to learn how to think with a more clear and balanced mind, the way they do. As far as how I have tried to contribute, I spent a few years doing free household toxicology consultations, helping some people regain their health or at least stabilize their conditions when western medicine and alternative medicine could not help them. I have almost finished writing a book that includes lots of information on how people can improve their health by reducing exposure to chemical toxins and biological allergens in and around their houses. I will publish it soon, both as an Ebook and as a softcover.
The funniest aspect of this truth is that as we prevent the corporations from ruining this planet and devastating more of humanity than they already have done, we are helping those corporate executives. We really are all in this together! How ironic is that?
Please give a link to your references so we can do a small check on sources.
If you have any nostalgia or even an iota of respect for the Gipper (Reagan, to the younger set), this article was written by his budget director, David Stockman, also a republican. This is A MUST READ to best understand Romney's economics. It's fascinating, awesome, and scary . . .
http://www.thedailybeast.com/newsweek/2012/10/14/david-stockman-mitt-romney-and-the-bain-drain.html If you have a wall built up against anything democrat, then read the warnings by Reagan's budget director. ¿The question will be if you are sufficiently intelligent to understand this read or if you are a brainless lemming?
You are %100 right!!! Romney's top priority is to encourage businesses to thrive in CHINA!!! The company he started and still gets dividend checks from Bain capital, is gutting Sensata and letting go 170 workers by years end and setting up operations in China. Yep another 170 manufacturing jobs shipped to china. So you are right at what he said but he never said what country his policies were gona encourage businesses to thrive in...
You said it...Out of 28 yrs only 8 years were (falsely) exceptional for a small buisness owner. If that doesn't put things into perspective then nothing will.
But you do realize that both Obama & Romney work for wall street? Oh they both must try to sound like they care about you & me (the middle class)...We are worker bees...The hive don't thrive without worker bees. The catch though; their bosses get to keep all the honey.
Wow!!! Your a Canadian...and were denied a simple work permit in the U.S.?!?!?Guess you super powers and denim tux were not needed here in the states...It would seem our immigration laws do work. HA!
[I really don't have an issue with most Canadians...except when they come to Florida (I digress). I do take issue though with your ignorence...In what way have tax loopholes for corporations & the uber rich bennefited the masses and our economy? Why is it that just the working middle class (consumer majority) must bare the brunt of taxable income + sales tax + state tax + + +?]
HERE IS A SOLUTION...
Don't vote for either Romney or Obama. We don't have to pander to corporitist plutocrats...Both Romney & Obama are merely puppets for BIG BUSINESS Look the fact is that regardless of wheither Romney or Obama wins things will not change for the better; we will continue down the same path that we have been on since Regan, which totals 5 presidents: 3 Republicans & 2 Democrates, all of which have done NOTHING to insure the wellbeing of the average tax payer, and all of which have lined there pockets with BIG CORPORATE MONEY. The BIG issue...Corporations have bought Washington. If WE want (true) change then We The People must hit the corporate world where it counts...Follow the Money!
We The People can start by NOT voteing for Romney or Obama.
It has nothing to do with a hate tax. However, it does have to do with the wealthiest in America paying their fair share of the tax burden. The wealthy in America are paying less tax than ever before. And the B.S. we were fed was that they will invest in America with the extra income. They have not been investing in American companies or starting new businesses here; instead they have either invested in Chinese manufacturing or hid their profits in off shore accounts. The greedy will do anything to hold onto every dime they can lay their hands on. So you can stop with the B.S. about a hate tax! Romney is a perfect example of what the wealthiest do with their millions and billions, off shore accounts or investing in Chinese manufacturing that they helped to grow.
Kend, since the conservatives are doing such a great job in Canada, it should give you even more reasons to stay up there. The conservative politicians like Bush and his father have done nothing but rape the American worker and screw up our educational system with no child left behind. Next year the schools in California will be teaching a curriculum based on how much the student retains versus teaching them to pass an exam set down by the government. Since the majority of your exports are based on the American consumer, get ready for a fall following our collapse. At the present rate we should last about another 18 months. Does your country endorse the same Free Trade Agreements as the United States? If so your financial collapse should happen right after ours. Since you think so highly of American conservatives, perhaps your country could do us a favor and take Bush into your country as a political refugee and a war criminal. I know how fond your country is of draft dodgers, especially during the Vietnam War. Bush should feel at home in your country.
Agree with your last paragraph. Also, no talk of real financial reform, how Obamacare and Medicare Part D are giveaways to the insurance industry and the pharmaceutical industry, respectively, enforcing Sherman Anti-Trust, co-opting of our regulatory agencies, free trade agreements, etc. That's why these debates are a joke and just part of our political charade.
Obama is bad, but Romney is worse. I'm voting for Obama but have no great expectations.
One of the Fox talking points I constantly hear from the no information voters has to do with Obama's so called out of control spending. In the next debate he needs to come out wearing a t-shirt with a big pie chart image of who truly did most of the spending the last 30 years, Reagan, Bush I, and Bush II....keep it simple!
Also it's quite clear and factual that a good MAJORITY want the tax rate to rise on the super rich, with this same MAJORITY being totally against the RYANIZATION of social security and medicare. Ryan's budget plan needs to be used as a weapon against Romney and all of the house Teapublicans up for another term of dis-service to working class america.
In addition I've got news for the tea party members on this blog, the Koch's are drunk with laughter behind your backs at how easy it is was to get a bunch of damn fools to vote themselves into poverty simply by spinning a fairy tale about DEMOCRATIC GOVERNMENT being the problem and a LAWLESS/FEUDAL society the solution. What in hell are you teabaggers thinking? Your taxes will not decrease by shrinking govt. and paid for social safety net programs. Only the tax bracket in which con- artists like the "Koch's and Romney's reside in, will taxes decrease. Wake up and vote for the party that actually gives a damn about you, the DEMOCRATS.
I agree that climate change is in fact a huge matter, just like the looming Middle East nuclear crisis to be faced the next four years, which is why it's so important to keep a mentally stable person in the White House..... but in my opinion the election hinges upon getting truths like those mentioned above communicated in a very straight forward manner to a very foxmerized electorate!
"Let's address, in advance, how the Right plans to steal Ohio, Florida, and maybe Virginia."
Uhhh -- you mean Democrats , Libruls or Progressives actually planning to address a known problem in advance? Are you kidding? Citizens United was 3-years ago; anybody seen any finance reform other than: both sides hustling fat-cat-Johns and panhandling spare-change on both Left and Right sides of Main Street? Duhhhh There's $2-billion in play. What Problem? -- everybody's gettin paid.
A friend today said beware of uninspected vote-tally contractors, tallying Military Returns -- could be the equivalent of a whole 'nother state. I don't think that is true, because in our state and county, "Military" and "Overseas" Voters are issued early ballots; but otherwise returns are processed same as any other citizen returns. Our paper-ballot, vote-by-mail system is relatively well run and secure.
"That was a great "catch" about Romney not talking about a pathway to citizenship for young undocumented immigrants, but rather a pathway to permanent residency! "
Randy today got into: We have to parse every word and sylable that Romney says; he's totally into whatever "the meaning of 'is' is." NEVER trust what you hear from that snake-in-the-grass; it's likely not what he actually said. - Beware. Read the fine print.
now now be nice Ken, I am not feeling the love..
Maybe you should have a look at what the Canadian Conserative Government has done in the last 4 years. We have the best economy in the world. Even though 70% of our exports are to the US. Our debt has stayed steady at $15,000 per person compared to $51,000 per person in the US. Our banks stayed sound and stable. The only bail outs where the car companies and it had to be done because you did it down there and we have to compete.
Thats kind of intelligent isn't it
Thank God: President Obama came through!
http://wexblog.prwexler.com/2012/10/17/well-done-president-obama.aspx
Governments do create jobs, good governments help open the door for sustaiable jobs and not flash in the pan dissapointments. As a small business owner myself I can say with confidence I would much rather vote for a sustainable good paying job for tomorrow than a flash in the pan here today gone tomorrow low paying job today. The most successful period for my small business was during the Clinton years. The year I almost had to file bankrupt was during George Bush. Did pretty bad during his fathers term of office as well. Reagon not much better for small business , but I know it was great for wall street and major defense contractors and oil companies. Lets not forget Enron.
Yea, yea, steal from the rich so we can give it to the middle class. Put the hate tax on those greedy SOB's and grow the middle class. That will get this economy humming and great job opportunities.
As long as we have Free Trade Agreements the workers in America are doomed to a life of servitude, and the multi-national corporations will remain in control of our country.....They will continue to buy politicians like Romney and Obama until their is no more wealth in America to plunder.
Eat the rich to feed the poor, until the rich are no more............You can replace the word rich with the word,"Republican".
Don't forget to vote on the second Wednesday in November. You have the talking points down brilliantly.
I am glad to see you went back to Canada, we have enough idiot conservatives too screw things up down here as it is. How do you confuse a Canadian conservative? Say something intelligent......
Romney wants to use the same policies that got us into this mess, the same Republican garbage they've been doing since Regan. The only way to make our economy is to grow the middle class. and tax the rich.
W. Mitt also brought up Fast & Furious in the "debate" and Barack Obama did not address it.
Today at work CNN was on in the lunch area and I heard a GOP woman talking about how good W. Mitt is with allowing women to flex at work. That is nice, but I don't care how good he is so much with the women who work for him. I care MORE about ALL women getting flex hours and pay equity. And I doubt that W. Mitt is going to go out on a limb for the rest of us.
How many women are going to believe W. Mitt's lies? (And looking at the comment above me, it sounds like "Global" is drinking the Romney koolaide, too.) A lot of people are believing the Citizens United funded PR.
there’s been no talk about global climate change, drone warfare, domestic surveillance, and corporate corruption of our government. These are the big issues facing our nation and the world – and they deserve top billing in these debates.
I couldn't agree more. Well said. Corporate corruption of our government accounts for all of those things, so it seems most pressing to me.
I never thought I'd see the day when I'd say this, but Thom, I don't agree with you! Drone warfare, climate change, etc are issues we push like crazy AFTER Obama is re-elected. Nobody who is remotely considering voting for Romney gives a rat's patootie about those things. If they did, they'd already be Obama fans.
The issues to bring up now are: Freeport, 47%, car elevators, outsourcing, Lilly Ledbetter, contraception, GM, and Osama Bin Laden.
But most of all, let's address, in advance, how the Right plans to steal Ohio, Florida, and maybe Virginia. Let's say it now, so we can catch them red-handed, and won't be called whiners later because we told everyone it's coming. You KNOW it's coming, right???
Let's win, and THEN lets force Obama and (hopefully) a Democratic Congress to do what needs to be done.