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Tea Party/Republicans remain confused
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Oct 26, 2010 7:54 pm
701 Views
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As I read the blogs on this site one thing becomes glaringly clear. That is that the only thing that the Tea Party/Republicans have to offer is condemnation of our President...nothing more of any substance is offered. Once again such was the case of the recent blog by 60minuteman.
I have told him and others that surprising as it may be to him and others but Obama is not running in this election. But these individuals apparently just don't get it. Their agenda amounts to nothing more than the ongoing attempts to demonize and marginalize this black man that is our President.
When was the last time that you heard anything from this right wing contingent that addressed unemployment (other than to block any attempts at job creation via the small business stimulus)? When was the last time that they offered specifics on how to reduce the national debt or to reduce the federal deficits? In fact we find that over the past twenty two months that this group has consistently been counter any meaningful reforms. They remained content to leave banking regulations as they were so that Wall Street could rob us again.
What do they propose to bring more jobs to our country, or to stop the bleeding that outsourcing of jobs is causing? I don't know about you but I have heard nothing other than "Muslim", "Racist" and "Birth Certificate"...none of which does anything about creating or retaining jobs...this group seems content to let multinational corporations send our jobs to other countries. What about the trade imbalance? Have you heard anything to correct that? Nope?...me either.
This group reminds me of someone that is constantly and consistently constipated and doesn't know enough that something more than a laxative might alleviate the chronic condition. All they do is complain about the fact that they are miserable.
Oh, yeah there was that boondogle called the "fair tax"...yet according to the fair tax site's own language this measure is fiscally neutral...that means that this tax will fund the government expenditures both as they exist today and as they will exist tomorrow...the 23% tax rate is not guaranteed. In fact 23% as it is widely touted is actually 30% (they use funny math) and most economists say that more likely and realistically a 40%-60% rate will be required. Nothing new there!! In fact the congressman that first introduced this measure will go down in history when he retires as being the person that has consistently introduced this measure for more years than any other bill only to have it fail each and every time.
The only cost cutting measure they speak of is eliminating or reforming Social Security and Medicare...if there was anything of substance about Sarah Palin's language about death panels it would occur when the Social Security benefits are eliminated because should that occur then we would have mass starvation of many of our old people. I really wonder how much 60minuteman would favor eliminating Social Security if he were not sucking on the Federal Government's teat via his military retirement...in fact I think that it could be substantially proven that he has been sucking on the Government's teat for a good portion of his life.
If this group didn't have the bogeyman that they have manufactured via President Obama then they would have nothing more to offer than the tried and failed policies of the Bush years. My memory is not so short as to have forgotten that travesty.
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Response to Donho...Increase in national debt
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Oct 25, 2010 10:23 pm
551 Views
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This is offered in response to Donho on his post about the increase in US debt. This is what I commented on his blog and that he deleted. Apparently while he feels free to comment on my blogs and he asked us to do the math, he really is not interested in the math as it is factually represented.
His discussion of the increase in national debt would be more pertinent if we examined the debt from the standpoint of the past twenty two months because to judge Nancy Pelosi for two years of the Bush administration is both misleading and inaccurate.
The national debt at the time that Barrack Obama assumed the Presidency (January 2009) stood at 10.6 trillion dollars according to the US Treasury. As of this evening the national debt stands at 13.6 trillion dollars.
So what accounts for this increase in the national debt? Well for starters let's factor the 700 billion TARP that Bush enacted before he left office. Then we can add an additional 264 billion during Obama's term as the cost of the unfunded US wars started by Geo W Bush. Next let's add the 800 billion that accounts for the interest (past twenty two months) on the previously existing national debt that Obama assumed when he assumed his office. Next let's add the reduction in revenue that is represented by the two Bush tax cuts...this is generally recognized by most reputable economists as a reduction of 3% of GDP. The 2009 GDP was 14.3 trillion dollars so the revenue shortfall of the two tax cuts account for 420 billion shortfall annually. To this point (22 months) of the Obama administration this revenue shortfall accounts for an additional 770 billion dollars.
So when Barack Obama assumed his office he had in the excess of a 2.53 trillion dollar budget imbalance which was front loaded all a result of the failure of the Geo W Bush economic policy. This is what Jesus Christ himself (had he been elected) would have inherited from Geo W Bush.
As a source of comparison under Geo W Bush the national debt went from 56.4% of GDP (2001) to 83.4% of GDP (2008 ). Now if you want to discuss this factually, DonHo, let's do it...if not then don't try to spin things because I will contest your BS.
So DonHo even though you took the steps to delete my comment. I am going to offer this as the factual counterpoint to your biased, prejudiced and highly inaccurate account. For future consideration you would serve yourself by remembering that while you are entitled to your opinion you are not entitled to your own facts.
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President Obama's approval jumps C/P
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Oct 25, 2010 6:50 pm
543 Views
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Source: Newsweek
"Despite doom-saying about Democrats’ chances in the midterms, the latest NEWSWEEK Poll (full results available) shows that they remain in a close race with Republicans 12 days before Election Day, while the president’s approval ratings have climbed sharply. The poll finds that 48 percent of registered voters would be more likely to vote for Democrats, compared with 42 percent who lean Republican (those numbers are similar to those in the last NEWSWEEK Poll, which found Democrats favored 48 percent to 43 percent). President Obama’s approval ratings have jumped substantially, crossing the magic halfway threshold to 54 percent, up from 48 percent in late September, while the portion of respondents who disapprove of the president dropped to 40 percent, the lowest disapproval rating in a NEWSWEEK Poll since February 2010."
Despite what our right wing friends say, this thing is not over...please vote. If you are undecided about who to vote for, follow the money. If your candidate is funded by big banks, insurance companies, multinational corporations or foreign money then your candidate is not on your side.
If you depend on Social Security for your monthly income, consider what Tea Party candidates and supporters are saying.
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Christine O’Donnell Favors Separation of Speech and Thought
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Oct 25, 2010 10:07 am
466 Views
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Comes Out Swinging in Latest Debate
WILMINGTON (The Borowitz Report) - In a performance guaranteed to raise some eyebrows in Delaware and beyond, Tea Party candidate Christine O’Donnell said at a senatorial debate last night that she strongly supports “the separation of speech and thought.”
“To tell you the truth, I don’t know if there’s anything about that in the Constitution,” she added. “In the version of the Constitution that I read, Big Bird didn’t mention it.”
Ms. O’Donnell seemed stumped when the moderator asked whether there were any Supreme Court decisions she disagreed with, finally blurting out, “Ali v. Frazier.”
Her halting answers to many of the questions made some wonder why she had not written answers on her hand as her role model Sarah Palin has been known to do, but Ms. O’Donnell offered this explanation: “As you know, I believe it’s immoral to use your hand to help yourself.”
At the conclusion of the debate, Ms. O’Donnell pronounced herself pleased with her performance, saying that she would spend the next week concentrating on her Halloween costume: “I’m going as a qualified candidate.”
Elsewhere, the Texas Rangers advanced to the World Series, proving that once George W. Bush goes away things get better.
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Response to No Inflation - Bullchit
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Oct 24, 2010 6:23 pm
424 Views
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I would like to respond to the subject blog but in consideration of the original poster I would like to clear up a few things contained in that blog without clogging up his post with my response.
First the Federal Government has nothing to do with assessments, property valuations and tax assessments. For the information of the original blogger based upon his stated domicile the person that he should approach would be Mark Noakes who is the Assessor and Tax Collector for Linn Country, Oregon. I am unsure of Mr. Noakes political affiliation...that may be of some interest.
On the subject of beef prices...these prices have been stable for both live and feeder cattle for the past two years. I know because I invest in commodities and check these prices several times a day. Beef prices have factually not materially increased during that period. In fact it is our beef exports, primarily to Asia, that have provided a strong floor under beef prices. We would not be exporting if there were a shortage.
On the subject of a corn shortage...that is without basis since as recently as October 21, 2010 the National Corn Growers Association reported that a corn shortage was nothing more than a "speculators myth." Schott, from the NCGA, noted that, as of Oct. 3, only 37 percent of the U.S. corn crop was harvested and that much of what has been harvested to date was in the areas most adversely impacted by the summer weather. NCGA sees the potential for an upward adjustment in the overall production number as the harvest is completed
All in all while some prices have increased the overall trend is more towards deflation rather than inflation. That is why the Fed is considering actions to bring about a slightly higher inflation in our country. By the way the Federal Reserve Bank is not a US Governmental agency and I would hope that the original blogger would not take issue over the present administration over any Fed actions since that would be without basis.
On the subject of fuel consumption of ethanol versus gasoline in an internal combustion engine, while ethanol consumption is typically 51% higher than gasoline it must be remembered that present blends of ethanol and gasoline account for only 5.2% ethanol and thus the actual mileage obtained from an ethanol blended fuel is not drastically affected (on the order of 1-2% all things being equal). Additionally if an internal combustion engine is properly tuned and designed with a higher compression ratio and variable turbocharger then one would find that a pure ethanol fuel could actually be more efficient than a pure gasoline ICE.
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The Tea Party/GOP and the Boogeyman
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Oct 24, 2010 9:03 am
568 Views
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After observing the GOP party for a number of years one thing stands out above all others. This group needs a boogeyman to direct their ire towards.
In recent years (Bush administration) the boogeyman was terrorism...this was particularly rich of them considering how badly Geo W Bush dropped the ball on 9-11. Terrorism became the impetus to fight an unwarranted war that had nothing to do with the acts of 9-11...in fact Sadaam Hussein was deeply opposed to Al Queda. Terrorism became the reason for infringing on our civil liberties and rights to privacy as never before. Terrorism was the reason for war crimes against humanity and repeated violations of the Geneva Conventions. Terrorism became the rallying point for a party that possessed nothing else in the way of governing this country...That trend continues today. They believe that the only thing that will motivate people is fear...but they are wrong about that.
The boogeyman that this group has chosen today is President Obama. He is purported to be a Muslim, a foreign citizen, a racist, he is black, and he is scary as some like to portend. What a bunch of HS!!!
This focus on a boogeyman is proof positive that this group has nothing positive to offer as a direction "forward" for our country...they have nothing to offer after the boondoggle of the Bush administration. And when you have nothing to offer...the only thing that you can do is attack, diminish, marginalize, or so this group evidences by both their words and their actions.
Yes, it is factually correct that the administration of Geo W Bush drove this car into the ditch and then before leaving the scene of the crime he favored his Wall Street banking friends with handouts funded by the money that the Republicans stole from us, the citizens of this country.
When I read the conservative blogs here I see nothing, absolutely nothing, about specifics to address the problems that our country faces. The right-wing bloggers offer only more of the same worn out and failed policies of the Bush years. The only thing different is that this time they have utilized the radical and dangerous realm of the Tea Party to further the same agenda.
For me that is not enough!!! I have already had my fill of that!!
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7
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Geo W Bush remains deluded
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Oct 23, 2010 8:24 pm
518 Views
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"Former President George W. Bush signaled on Thursday that he sees not reforming Social Security as his greatest failure from the eight years he served in the White House, the Chicago Tribune reports. In 2005, the president unsuccessfully tried to partially privatize Social Security.
The unpopular Republican leader made the suggestion while speaking at a trade conference in the Windy City, where he discussed his legacy and also offered a glimpse into what readers can expect from his forthcoming memoir, Decision Points.
"I would like to be remembered as a guy who had a set of priorities, and was willing to live by those priorities," explained Bush. "In terms of accomplishments, my biggest accomplishment is that I kept the country safe amidst a real danger."
To which I would respond as follows:
What a friggin jerk!!!...I think that there are several thousand dead Americans that would disagree with the fact that Bush kept them safe (remember 9-11?). How about Katrina? Remember that "stumble in the dark" by the Bush adminstration?
That doesn't account for the tens of thousands of dead Iraqis or the thousands that lost their homes and their jobs because of his terrible policies and his ego stroking war of choice against a nation that posed no threat.
Bush to this date is the greatest tragedy that has befallen the United States.
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5
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More Republican/Tea Party Insanity
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Oct 23, 2010 8:45 am
439 Views
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Just when I thought that it couldn't become any more weird and radical than Rand Paul, Sharron Angle, Christine O'Donnell, Sarah Palin and others of that ilk along comes this joker from Texas. He is openly proposing violent overthrow of the US Government.
To which I say, good luck with that...we will bury you with your backside to the sky so that all will forever see you for what you are.
"A Tea Party-backed congressional candidate in Texas is doing Sharron Angle's suggestive talk of "Second Amendment remedies" one better: he says violent overthrow of the government is "on the table."
"Our nation was founded on violence," Stephen Broden, a pastor running against Democratic Rep. Eddie Bernice Johnson in Texas's 30th Congressional District, said in a recent interview with Dallas's WFAA-TV. "The option is on the table. I don't think that we should ever remove anything from the table as it relates to our liberties and our freedoms."
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A Tea Party Conundrum?
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Oct 22, 2010 4:13 pm
562 Views
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A recent blog by a Tea Party supporter listed what the Tea Party stands for. This is a direct quote from that blog. It is point number one in that blog.
"1) All forms of government must abide by the boundaries set forth in state and federal constitutions."
I am confused because I hear a lot of Tea Party candidates that talk about repealing amendments to the US Constitution. Among those are the fourteenth, sixteenth and seventeenth amendments. The Tea Party supporters obviously love the second, and the tenth.
Tea Party candidates that have advocated these repeals of parts of the constitution are Rand Paul, Sharron Angle and Ken Buck among others. A google search under each of their names regarding amending the US Constitution will locate the quotes on the subject.
Christine O'Donnell seems to have a lot of confusion about the first amendment...does that mean that you want to amend or eliminate the first amendment...perhaps a theocracy in lieu of a democracy?
So Tea Party supporters explain this discrepancy if you will. Do you mean the US Constitution as it now stands or the US Constitution as you propose to amend it?
Or...do you propose a return to the original US Constitution? If so, does that mean that you want a return to slavery and a repeal of women's suffrage?
Or...are you only kidding when you say these things and which ones are you kidding us on?
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Macro Photography
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Oct 21, 2010 7:10 pm
456 Views
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This is not intended to be my Foto Friday submission. My office is so much a mess that I am reluctant to show it.
This is a photograph that I made yesterday while Betty and I were out photographing. It is a photo made with a macro lens (180 Canon L lens in this case). Macro lenses are designed for close focusing. Magnification increases as one decreases subject to lens nodal point distance. In some cases, with another macro lens, I have photographed subjects that were within 1/4 inch of the front lens element. Focusing is critical because as magnification increases depth of field decreases.
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To link to this blog (miteehigh) use [blog miteehigh] in your messages.
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