Politics
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- luckyorphan0
The Rich Get Richer
According to the CIA's World Factbook, the United States ranks 42nd on an index of nations on income equality.
http://articles.latimes.com/2010…Almost all of the gains in U.S. household income since 1975 have been among the richest 20% of households, according to the CIA. An ongoing series about income inequality by Timothy Noah in the online magazine Slate points out that the richest 1% of Americans now account for 24% of the nation's income — up from about 18% in 1915, a time of worsening class warfare that preceded the rise of communist sympathy in this country.
- Once again, the top 1% has 24% of the nation's wealth. They could tolerate a tax hike.luckyorphan
- Seriously!? NO COMMENTS from the conservatives on this site?? Unreal.luckyorphan
- ********0
- Sounds like a lot of people on this site actually :)ukit
- woooaaah!!! you are not about to condemn an entire nation because of this douchebag right?Miguex
- that's like hating on movies because of vin dieselMiguex
- FUCK THAT!********
- It just makes a snappy title, nah?********
- Well a poll has been taken and nearly 1/3 or 36% of humans believe it was inside job. hardly a conspiracy at this point74LEO
- Ramanisky20
- lolukit
- Tragic.luckyorphan
- so is it the policy or somethingdrgz
- He knows the military very well! Hey John! what was going on at Abu Ghraib?74LEO
- ukit0
The House Republicans’ “Pledge to America” is out...
These 21 pages tell you lots of things, some contradictory things, but mostly this: it is a serious of compromises and milquetoast rhetorical flourishes in search of unanimity among House Republicans because the House GOP does not have the fortitude to lead boldly in opposition to Barack Obama.
It is dreck — dreck with some stuff I like, but like Brussels sprouts in butter. I like the butter, not the Brussels sprouts. Overall, this grand illusion of an agenda that will never happen is best spoken of today and then never again as if it did not happen. It is best forgotten.
The pledge begins by lamenting “an arrogant and out-of-touch government of self-appointed elites” issuing “mandates”, then proceeds to demand health care mandates on insurance companies that will drive up the costs of health care for ordinary Americans.
The plan wants to put “government on the path to a balanced budget” without doing anything substantive. There is a promise to “immediately reduce spending” by cutting off stimulus funds. Wow. Exciting.
There is a plan to cut Congress’s budget, which is pretty much what was promised in 1994. Seriously? In 4 years did the Democrats really blow up the Congressional budget? No — the GOP did that too.
There is no call for a Spending Limitation Amendment or a Balanced Budget Amendment. It is just meaningless stuff the Democrats can easily undo and that ultimately the Senate GOP will even turn its nose up at.
The entirety of this Promise is laughable. Why? It is an illusion that fixates on stuff the GOP already should be doing while not daring to touch on stuff that will have any meaningful longterm effects on the size and scope of the federal government.
This document proves the GOP is more focused on the acquisition of power than the advocacy of long term sound public policy. All the good stuff in it is stuff we expect them to do. What is not in it is more than a little telling that the House GOP has not learned much of anything from 2006.
http://www.redstate.com/erick/20…
I never thought I'd agree with someone like this right-wing Redstate blogger, but I give him credit for at least having the honesty to call a spade a spade.
- luckyorphan0
The Founding Fathers Versus the Tea Party
By RON CHERNOW
http://www.nytimes.com/2010/09/2…"No single group should ever presume to claim special ownership of the founding fathers or the Constitution they wrought with such skill and ingenuity. Those lofty figures, along with the seminal document they brought forth, form a sacred part of our common heritage as Americans. They should be used for the richness and diversity of their arguments, not tampered with for partisan purposes. The Dutch historian Pieter Geyl once famously asserted that history was an argument without an end. Our contentious founders, who could agree on little else, would certainly have agreed on that."
- ...but why let facts get in the way of good ol' fashioned ignorance.luckyorphan
- BonSeff0
- Its election time Steve an d immigrants vote democrat so republicons want them out..for now + its almost winter no grass cutting74LEO
- He's a FUCKING COMEDIAN... ... he has no business even being in that room... ... what's wrong with people???PonyBoy
- You just don't like mexicans.DrBombay
- neither do youPonyBoy
- as a matter of fact... you hate mexicansPonyBoy
- You fit in here http://www.thefoxnat…DrBombay
- as do youPonyBoy
- What do you disagree with that Colbert is saying?DrBombay
- did I say I disagreed w/this man?PonyBoy
- Average citizens testify before congress all the time.DrBombay
- Advocates of causes, Opponents of things, all sorts of people testify before congress.DrBombay
- He wasn't "in character" when he testified either. So...DrBombay
- What are you against?DrBombay
- you make a valid point... his expertise on immigrations issues as shown in the video is KEY to solving this problem...PonyBoy
- ... I'm heavily enlightened.
//PonyBoy - Do you know anyone legally in this country (migrants) and the struggles they deal with?... Do you care?PonyBoy
- He is an advocate for a cause. These people testify before congress constantly. I am amazed your hair isn't on fire.DrBombay
- So is it the cause or is it the man delivering the message that you disagree with?DrBombay
- Neat, Dobs! People get whiny and sappy and waste time 'testifying' over shit they don't understand...PonyBoy
- You alluded to you didn't disagree wqith him, but now I am unsure. Please clarify.DrBombay
- ... I'll ask again - do you understand what folks go through to LEGALLY stay here who did things 'correct' to come here?PonyBoy
- to the U.S.PonyBoy
- Nah, you know what? Don't bother. You are a cranky old republican acting like a libertarian or something. This is a waste of my time.DrBombay
- I disagree w/using a comedian to deliver a one-sided sappy presentation of moosh and goo... please... remember...PonyBoy
- ... those who do things legally also.PonyBoy
- a big waste of time.DrBombay
- You don't care about rules and hard work... you don't care about people who play by the rules.PonyBoy
- You think you're for the little man... you think your heart is in the right place... ... but you're nothing more than an enabling sap.PonyBoy
- sap.PonyBoy
- And you're once again proving what a prick you are towards people who own business and work hard...PonyBoy
- ... as you sit here and type to me on QBN on your bosses dime.PonyBoy
- It's called politics and the republicans do it too. But you never rail on them. Only democrats. But you are a 'libertarian' this year so I guess it is different now.DrBombay
- 'libertarian' this year so I guess it is different now.DrBombay
- You have no idea my employment situation, shithead. Go die somewhere.DrBombay
- you have selective reading if you think I don't rail on or disagree w/republicans... ... this once again shows how up yourPonyBoy
- Or just make it personal when your argument is half-baked and makes no sense.DrBombay
- ass your head is...
... while on yo ur bosses dime.PonyBoy - you made it personal a long time ago, ricky... :)PonyBoy
- There is no reasoning with bullheaded republicans. Why try? Just ridicule them.DrBombay
- They appeal to the lowest common denominator, which you are a part of. Scared xenophobes.DrBombay
- are you still trying to sound reasonable?PonyBoy
- i'm a xenophobe yet my closest friends are immigrants... ... ricky ricky ricky... your stupidity continues to shine through.PonyBoy
- My 2 best friends in this state are both legal immigrants who struggle to live by our laws... I care about them first... too bad.PonyBoy
- They both aren't Mexican.DrBombay
- I HAVE BLACK FRIENDS, I SWEAR!DrBombay
- I CAN'T BE RACIST!DrBombay
- an Immigrant is an Immigrant as a human is a human... ... you're the one separating races here.PonyBoy
- and you're using race to try and smother over rules and regulationsPonyBoy
- that's at least another half hour of your bosses time he just spent on QBN, btw...PonyBoy
- You made it about Saf and Adnan. WTF does Colbert have to do with them?DrBombay
- ... once again showing your weak respect for those who work hard.PonyBoy
- Again, you have no idea my situation. Stop pretending to.DrBombay
- has nothing to do w/Saf... you're right about Adnan though... .. and if you had a fucking clue what the guy...PonyBoy
- just went through TO NOT BE DEPORTED you'd shut your dumb fucking mouth.PonyBoy
- WTF does what I have said disrespect Saf and Adnan? Fucking pothead.DrBombay
- And somehow I advocated this? Go hit the bong again.DrBombay
- you say I hate mexicans... I say you have no respect for the laws illegal immigrants breakPonyBoy
- You are a dumb reactionary clod.DrBombay
- who hates mexicans. I hope you die penniless in a lettuce field.DrBombay
- you have no respect for those who play by the rules... ... you're a mere push over for those who have no care for our lawsPonyBoy
- laws / regsPonyBoy
- I'm done here. Go call your weed dealer.DrBombay
- Laws are important to you. Until you are getting your weed illegally across that same border.DrBombay
- He was in character for some of it. See video of the day or msnbc politics74LEO
- this video the perfect mix of sarcasm, humor, common sense and a poignant message. nicely done steven.kona
- ********0
THIS IS FUCKING PRICELESS!!!
Famed Obama 'Hope' poster artist losing hope
- even your posts are like those stupid chain emails I keep getting. All Caps and !!!!!!! ..
Ramanisky2
- even your posts are like those stupid chain emails I keep getting. All Caps and !!!!!!! ..
- ukit0
The Club For Growth:
"I want to like the new GOP Pledge to America. I want to endorse it, but it's so milquetoast that it proves to me that these guys just aren't ready to lead.
In order to prevent a return of the big-spending Republican ways during the Bush years, the House GOP needs to institute two things that will FORCE them to behave -- getting rid of earmarks and enacting a balanced budget amendment or a spending limit amendment.
This new Pledge was silent on both."
- ********0
You know what I noticed thanks to this thread is that the 'Clear' and 'Broadcast live' buttons are way too close together
- i would argue that they're not close enough. Too much shit in here that should have been clearedlocustsloth
- i feel your pain though. Any time i write anytihing longer than a paragraph i copy it before hitting the buttonlocustsloth
- ukit0
Despite all the negative things Redstate, Club For Growth and other conservative groups said about the GOP agenda, they missed the most consequential policy item - extending the Bush tax cuts.
-The current national debt is 13 trillion
-GOP plans to extend the Bush tax cuts will add another 4 trillionIncreasing the national debt by 1/3 will have a massive impact on our future and our kids future, to the point where it makes all the other trivial shit being discussed fade into insignificance.
- ukit0
- luckyorphan0
Judge Orders Lesbian Reinstated To Air Force
by THE ASSOCIATED PRESS
http://www.npr.org/templates/sto…Former Maj. Margaret Witt was discharged under the "don't ask, don't tell" policy on gays serving in the military and sued to get her job back. After a six-day trial, the judge said testimony proved Witt was an outstanding nurse and her reinstatement would do nothing to hurt unit morale.
- luckyorphan0
What the Rich Don’t Need
By RICHARD H. THALER
http://www.nytimes.com/2010/09/2…"The question comes down to whether we want a society in which the rich take an ever-increasing share of the pie, or prefer to return to conditions that allow all classes to anticipate an increasing standard of living. Demanding that the rich get a tax cut as a condition for tax relief for others is simply elitist. Tea Partiers, take note."
- I doubt Tea Partiers will wake up though. They seem to prefer to be played.luckyorphan
- ukit0
eBay CEO Meg Whitman now trailing Jerry Brown in CA, despite spending over $100 million of her own money on advertising.
- TheBlueOne0
Walks into thread, grabs ten random QBN'rs. Pulls out a $100 bill. Gives $80 to two people. Takes the remaining $20 and divides it between the other 8 (That's $2.50 btw). And that's reality in terms of wealth distribution in the U.S.
And the Republicans and FOX somehow want you to think that your $2.50 is way, waaaay too much money for you to have. Those guys holding the $80? They should be able to take more of your money. And they want to sell you on the fantasy that well, you better not vote to tax those fellows more or else, you know, when you start earning those big bucks, well, you wouldn't want to be taxed like that, no sir.
By the way economical mobility is at an all-time low and getting more and more difficult.
$22,000 is the poverty level for a family of four. And you can't even mention raising the marginal tax rate on the amount earned ABOVE 10x that amount or else you're called a communist in those circles.
Just the facts. Think about it.
- ukit0
Historical tidbit of the day:
The terms "left" and "right" appeared during the French Revolution of 1789 when members of the National Assembly divided into supporters of the king to the president's right and supporters of the revolution to his left.
One deputy, the Baron de Gauville explained, "We began to recognize each other: those who were loyal to religion and the king took up positions to the right of the chair so as to avoid the shouts, oaths, and indecencies that enjoyed free rein in the opposing camp".
So there you have it...far from being about economics, "right wing" in the original sense is based around the idea of supporting the monarchy, while "left" stands for revolution and change. Sound familiar? Tax cuts and this new focus on radical libertarianism are just a means to an end...
- TheBlueOne0
Yup..I've been saying for years that the idea that we divide up our political ideology based on who sat where 200+ years ago in France is fucking ludicrous.
On top of it, as brilliant as the Founders were as a group, and they were, it doesn't overlook the fact that they were confronting the issues of their day, using, for what for them was modern & cutting edge concepts of governance. The fact that some today insist on using 18th century concepts to solve 21st century problems (I'm looking at you Scalia) seems to fly in the face of what the Founders were attempting to accomplish, in both method and spirit.
- ukit0
I think it's actually kind of enlightening...right means support for "religion and the king"...and was even anti French revolution
Look at the modern day right - heavily religious, nationalistic, and supports the ruling class...through their economic policies. I think the definition still holds.
