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Watched part of Michele Bachmann's speech today. A couple of thoughts from her speech: we learned important political facts from the recent Republican "debate", such as who likes American Idol or what kind of pizza the candidates like. Very important stuff. Second, she gave President Obama a grade of F on the economy siting several measurements. Everyone's share of the national debt rose from $35000 in 2008 to $46000 today, gas rose from $1.91 to $2.83, and gold rose from $800 to $1500. By my count, my share of the national debt fell from 40 oz of gold to 30 oz or from roughly 18000 gallons of gas to 16000 gallons. Not the most accurate ways to measure the debt, but she chose the terms.
Obama is not the problem with our economic recovery, the Republican party that made their stated first priority to stop Obama, and thus the country, from succeeding is the problem. We need government that will allow the economy to grow and create jobs, not one that wants to crush the current president at all costs.
http://policymic.com/articles/obama-wins-nobel-war-prize
Obama deserves the Nobel War Prize!!!!!
One way out would be to pretend we have a Democracy and simply honor the wishes of the vast majority.The polls clearly show a mandate to end the Bush tax cuts and the Cheney wars. Also contrary to what the radical "Ryan-Bags" want, polls show that only 4% would cut medicare and 3% social security. In addition history shows that Govt. spending at the bottom as in 8 million Americans put back to work via WPA projects turned non-consumers back into consumers thus helping pull us out of the last great depression. Single payer health insurance would save boatloads of bucks as well.
When do you think the following comments were made?
"Not a single thin dime of concentrated, bloated, pompous wealth, massed in the hands of a few, has trickled down to relieve the masses."
"They've got a set of Republican waiters on one side and a set of Democratic waiters on the other side, but no matter which set of waiters brings you the dish, the legislative grub is all prepared in the same WALL STREET kitchen."
Huey P Long .... 1930's....... Why must we endure the same ugly history time and time again?
I find it typical that those least in danger of the effects of austerity are the ones who advocate it's implementation. I agree measures must be taken but it will require a world wide change of heart. I'm not holding out for that as reality. The reality of the boom and bust cycle of out of control capitalism is a broken system. What happens next will be a revolution in economic thinking. That revolution can be good with widespread positive changes in capitalism, or it can be a dismal disaster beyond our most horrific imaginations. As always implementing programs for the poor and middle class will be labeled
socialistic, and free market capitalists will waiver any kind of regulations and thus prolonging this disaster. Economics has a great impact on how each and every person enjoys democracy. This idealistic dream is best enjoyed by all on a more level playing field. While wealth and opportunity should not be banned, we must also insure the privileged do not turn democracy into a despot. Democracy is still very much an experiment in social integrity and justice which recently has failed because of capitalistic exploitation. Capitalism exist by the grace of democracy and not the other way around.
Call me a dreamer but I don't feel "upwardly moblie" is a fair description of freedom the same as I don't feel impoverished is a fair description of freedom. We must be smart and allow democracy to work for everyones advantage and perhaps a bit of socialism can share some of the grace capitalism has enjoyed. I think a lot of ideals and philosophies enjoy a place under democracies umbrella within the constitution. We have barley begun to realize the full potential.
We need to change a great deal of our whole economic system if we are to get through the next 15 years. I and members of my local Green Tea Coffee Party call for the following:
Monetary Reform: Take Back our Federal Reserve by making it a U.S. Government Agency (not owned by Private Bankers!). In order to place money into circulation have the U.S. Public Federal Reserve print limited quantities of currency to purchase needed public infrastructure including clean, green, energy. This reform has been proposed by Congressman Kucinich and the American Monetary Institute.
Energy Reform: Quit subsidizing fossil fuels and other polluting forms of energy production. Put this money into basic research and development of the most promising of clean, green, renewable energy sources such as with Thorium and Liquid Fluoride Thorium Reactors. (List of our top 10 most promising - but needing funding - technologies here will be coming soon.)Take back our Democracy by passing an amendment to the Constitution that makes clear that Corporations are not people and do not have the same rights.http://reclaimdemocracy.org/political_reform/proposed_constitutional_amendments.htmlTax Reform: Employ Synergynomics*. Take the best of free-market capitalism and social justice economics and add them together to get a synergistically advanced society. Quit punishing people for hard work by taxing their labor or business enterprise. However, place a user fee on the pollution, depletion or monopoly of Earth's natural resources. This will encourage authentic work, encourage conservation of our Earth's natural resources, stimulate investment in resource conserving technology, and free up access to natural resources from corporate monopoly control to individuals and small business enterprises.Recognize the separation of two different kinds of Property: Private and Common. Private property includes people's labor and fruits of their labor. Private property should not be subject to taxes. Common Property is all natural resources and opportunities that have not been created by human beings. User fees should be placed on the use of Common Property according to its rental value and used to pay for essential government services and to provide a Citizen's Dividend or Earth-Share to all citizens in equal amounts.End the "War on Drugs": Adopt the Portugal model that takes the money out of the drug war but puts it into making treatment available to all who need it. *Synergynomics is my own neologism.PJ
I have to say that I am SO relieved that the IMF is saying that the world's financial situation is serious. And they should know, because they are the organization that has, for decades, been singlehandedly responsible for destabilizing the economies of many countries, countless attacks on and displacements of innocent indigenous peoples around the world, and installing and supporting dictatorships in third world countries so that people in those countries could be used as serf labor for multinational corporations. Thank you, IMF, for stating what was already painfully obvious to the countless people whose lives you have harmed.
Just the fact that our elected officials are seriously talking about letting this country default on our debt means we have already lost. Other nations will take note of this, we are on longer world leaders, just deadbeats.
Raising the debt ceiling is for paying for what we've already spent, not for what we're going to spend in the future. Raise it, then spend our money to grow the economy/tax base with new jobs, then tackle the deficit once the economy is robust again.
These things are tough to do with republican controlled house attempting to further damage our economy in order to hang the blame on Obama, but that's how it should be done.
The way to fix the economy is so simple it's pathetic. The GOP (the Republicants) like to say that the only way is to cut programs. But, they are targetting programs that that vast majority of people want to keep. They also want to keep roads, police protection, public parks - you know, all those socialist programs. But, if we simply acknolwedge that people want to keep programs, then you simply increase taxes to pay for them. The biggest problem comes from the fact that no one really likes paying taxes (just as, if they could, they'd get their electronics, food and cars for free), and the debate goes public over who gets to opt out to one extent or another. We could bring much fairness back by getting rid of the tax cuts to the wealthy, cutting the majority of tax loopholes and eliminating tax breaks for churches.
It's also interesting that no one is talking about cutting programs that the majority of the public DON'T want, like the drug was. There does seem to be some additional impetus behind legalizing and, perhaps, taxing (as we do with liquor), but why is that not on the table currently?
@5 - bvcardinal
Don't make the usual con mistake of thinking a governments finances are the same as your family checkbook. But that's where these cuts will come out of, you can be sure of that.
OF course the countries implementing the IMF's austerity measures have shrinking economies. First they've put all the $$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$ into the hands of the fat cats who are hoarding it, ( bankers, Insurance corpse, the obscenely wealthy, etc)and now they want to take whatever they can get away with from the people they've impoverished.
What does this mean other than suffering for the little people? It means that there is NO money circulating in the economies. If no money is circulating there is no buying and capitalism comes to a standstill.
The IMF has made a mistake translating their usual Shock Doctrine tactics onto the world stage economy. It may have worked in small economies like Chile and maybe will work in Greece, but it's not ready for prime time of anything except total global economic collapse. and another global depression. Maybe that's exactly what they want and they "Doth protest too much"? Ya think?
Raising the debt ceiling is NOT an austerity program....it's a debt increase program....it's that simple!...
When your family has to implement an austerity program to save money for ______ ( whatever reason) you don't solve the problem by getting 5 more credit cards and start increasing your spending...
Either we bite the bullit today and "pare down" our lifestyles.....or stay greedy and pass it along to our kids and their kids and their kids....
WHAT A COUNTRY!!!!! David Vitter receives a standing ovation from the GOP (guardians of privilege) and the Democrats shit on Weiner. Weiner is out and Vitter is still in Congress. Do the voters of Louisiana embrace with pride - adultery??? We are a country of hypocrites and with double standards!!!
Here are a few important articles to read.
http://www.salon.com/news/politics/war_room/index.html?story=/politics/war_room/2011/06/15/reich_workers_economy&source=newsletter&utm_source=contactology&utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=Salon_Daily%20Newsletter%20%28Not%20Premium%29_7_30_110
Attack on workers hinders growth in the economy!!!
http://www.opednews.com/articles/America-Once-the-Most-Res-by-michael-payne-110615-351.html
What happened???
http://www.salon.com/news/opinion/glenn_greenwald/index.html?story=/opinion/greenwald/2011/06/16/weiner&source=newsletter&utm_source=contactology&utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=Salon_Daily%20Newsletter%20%28Not%20Premium%29_7_30_110
Our rotten political system!!!
Thom, great show today. This has nothing to do with the IMF, but relates to Ft Calhoun Nuke plant.
http://www.dailykos.com/story/2011/06/15/985281/-Attention!Ft-Calhoun-Nuclear-Plant-Flooding-DangerListen-toArnie-Gundersons-Concern
Well, apparently I'm a woman, because none of the male stereotypes listed by Sam Bennett (of the Women's Campaign Forum) fit me and all the female stereotypes do. I am not a risk taker. I want to be in government to help, rather than for power. And I never ask a man "What do you do?" when I meet him. (Why would I? What do I care?) I attribute most of these to introversion. I would be a horrible chief executive, but I think I'd be a good legislator. Maybe if we had a proportional party representation system to elect legislatures I could do that. I don't agree with that system, but it would be great for me.
To Thom re the Wikipedia Paul Revere page. I think you should take a look at the wikipedia page, when you mentioned that it had been changed to reflect Sara Palins ignorance, I decided to look at it since I heard that page had be locked because of all the attempts to rewrite it. The interesting thing is, there are several sections marked "the template Q is being considered for deletion". It looks like the Palinista re-write of history isn't going so well for the Palinistas. Perhaps you might want to check on the page once a month or so, just to see what happens.
N
They wouldn't reinstate it, but they would debate, bluster, blather, pontificate, inaccurately quote scripture, make up false scenarios and extrapolations instead of addressing the ISSUES. It would be another distraction in the same old tired "gays, guns, God, abortion and tax breaks."
I believe the extrordinary unfair length of time it has taken to remove/undo this unfair law is nothing more than a STALL TACTIC. They mean to stall this issue until they can steal a future election and at that time reverse it altogether.
That is the way these mean spirited people work. They think they have an exclusive right to the way to live in America and that they are the only people on the planet who are "MORAL" and by extension should rule the world.
I often ask voters of this ilk if they realize their self aggrandizement and self appointed moral authority by extension infers that the rest of us Americans and the entire world at large are immoral and ignorant. Follow up by asking whether or not they can recall any great discoveries by anyone of their group.
They always change the subject.
Or stall.
It's what they do.
Where the hell was the conference 9 yrs. ago?
It is way pass the time to impeach Obama san. America does not need such arrogance & defiance against the law of the land, breach of oath & fiduciary. The LHN works for the interest of the gringo people and not for the banksters, mulit-national elitists, UN, & whoever else runs him. The gringo people must make a choice, either they stand for autocratic rule or they themselves hold the reigns of power.
What is upsetting? The west side of Michigan is conservative and impressive and so we hear that the conservatives are God’s chosen people and He has blessed the west side of Michigan with beauty and money. God loves everyone but not according to the evangelical kkkhristians and their inferior messages.
@2950-10K, voicing some of my personal health issues may be of help to people who read Thom's blog. A new generator implant should last three to five years. I am 100% dependent on my pacemaker and so more energy is zapped from the generator. That means a new generator will last two to three, more like two years and nine months. Every new generator requires a new home monitor for the bedroom or living room or wherever a person feels comfortable. We have two sons living in other states and so we are less mobile according to timelines and the instillation of a new generator. We plan to see our eldest son in September and in April of 2012 we hope to see our youngest and our eldest sons. That will be the travelling until a new generator is required. When I received a call from the person who monitors my pacemaker, I was given a two week notice for an echogram, a blood test and a medical exam from my cardiologist. Scheduling can be a problem. I pray so everyone can have health care at adequate and affordable prices. PERSONALLY, THERE ARE SATAN'S DISCIPLES WHO WANT TO KILL OFF AMERICANS. THE HOPE IS TO BRING IN A COUPLE HUNDRED OF NEW IMMIGRANTS WITH PROGRAMMED BRAINS THAT THE ANTI-CHRIST IS A GREAT NATION. WE ARE THE MOST EVIL, VILE, AND WICKED NATION THAT OUR UNIVERSE HAS EVER PRODUCED. THE POWERBROKERS WANT COMPLETE CONTROL OVER SATAN'S MINIONS!!!!!
Gerald, Hope your feeling better, take care!
Reply to June 15th #9...David I'm on board with the Ghandi approach unfortunately some of people I talk with are nearing a French Rev. boiling point. I think if Romney the "job killer" gets in the White house it will only exacerbate the situation. I gotta move....time for work, while I'm lucky enough to still have it!
Hugs and Hugging
With WW III around the corner we must spend more time with hugs and hugging people. Let us go out of this world with hugs and hugging on our minds.
There is no such thing as a bad hug. There are only good hugs and great hugs.
Hug someone at least once a day and twice on a rainy day.
Hug with a smile; closed eyes are optional. A snuggle is the longish hug.
Bedtime hugs help chase away bad dreams. Never hug tomorrow someone you could hug today.
Hugging is healthy. It helps the body’s immune system; it keeps you healthier; it cures depression; it reduces stress; it induces sleep; it is invigorating; it is rejuvenating; it has no unpleasant side effects; and hugging is nothing less than a miracle drug.
Hugging is natural. It is organic, naturally sweet, no pesticides, no preservatives, no artificial ingredients, and 100 percent wholesome.
Hugging is practically perfect. There are no movable parts, no batteries to wear out, no periodic checkups, low energy consumption, high energy yield, inflation proof, non-fattening, no monthly payments, no insurance requirements, theft-proof, non-taxable, non-polluting, and, of course, fully returnable.
Bet You Smile
Most women live longer than their husbands because they have three closets full of clothes that they would not be caught dead in.
Why do bills travel through the mail at two and a half times the speed of checks?
I take my husband everywhere, but he keeps finding his way back.
Psychotherapy turned her life around. She used to have money.
He elected to skip coffee breaks altogether and it enabled him to retire three years early.
I won’t say what kind of student I was, but teachers used to give me extra credit for being absent.
It is better to be looked over than overlooked.
My homework is like a juicy steak – rarely done.
An unbreakable toy is useful for breaking other toys.
Falling in love is awfully simple. Falling out of love is simply awful.
I joined a health club last year, spent about 400 bucks. Haven’t lost a pound. Apparently, you have to show up.
You can only be young once, but you can be immature forever.
Only adults have difficulty with child-proof bottles.
On the Lighter Side
The sole purpose of a child’s middle name is so he can tell when he’s really in trouble.
I’ve learned that we are responsible for what we do, unless we are celebrities.
Life is like a roll of toilet paper. The closer it gets to the end, the faster it goes.
I’ve learned that money doesn’t buy class.
No one is perfect until you fall in love with them.
Opportunities are never lost; someone will take the ones you miss.
On the Lighter Side
You don’t stop laughing because you grow old; you grow old because you stopped laughing.
The Four Stages of Life:
Growing old is mandatory; growing up is optional.
Never buy a car you can’t push.