tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4812774427465680804.post3768546516743759345..comments2023-03-25T08:17:32.396-04:00Comments on Independent-American: Were the Tea Party Protests Carefully Staged Events, or Did They Represent a Genuine People’s Revolt?Independent-Americanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04235658418097787668noreply@blogger.comBlogger39125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4812774427465680804.post-39622705411504780112009-04-21T07:13:00.000-04:002009-04-21T07:13:00.000-04:00JB - OJ wasn't guilty. He was found innocent by a ...JB - OJ wasn't guilty. He was found innocent by a jury of his peers. According to the right wing, that's proof of guilt so it must also be proof of innocence.<br /> <br />Guess what. 28 years of "business knows economics better than government" put us in this depression. What's good for General Motors just isn't always good for America, is it? Allowing a bunch of conniving robber barons to run wild just doesn't work. But your kind are just too enslaved to figure that out.<br /><br />Yes, evil dictators. I notice you only name left wing dictators. While your sainted Bush palled around with some of the worst right wing dictators in the world and kissed, yes, <B>kissed</B> a prince of the same people who killed 3000 Americans while holding hands with him.<br /><br />Go away, JB. You have nothing to offer but the usual hypocritical ignorant nonsense.Oldfarthttps://www.blogger.com/profile/13267977923281207057noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4812774427465680804.post-39657046257595614272009-04-20T23:32:00.000-04:002009-04-20T23:32:00.000-04:00Considering that our worst problem at the moment i...Considering that our worst problem at the moment is DEflation, Obama & crew probably have a point. Inflation has been a boogieman for thirty years now, and we've managed to keep it under control. Now that prices are actually retreating...<br /><br />Like I said, we'll find out, won;'t we?Anonymoushttps://www.blogger.com/profile/05578145425454731854noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4812774427465680804.post-43382408169259656492009-04-20T22:52:00.000-04:002009-04-20T22:52:00.000-04:00Actually, I subscribe to the Financial Times and j...Actually, I subscribe to the Financial Times and just read the article but that's okay. One reason why the Chinese, who hold over $1 trillion in US debt, want to move away from dollars is because they are afraid of inflation that is on the horizon. You don't dump over $1 billion into the economy and not get inflation... that's just commonsense.<br /><br />Obama and his crack team of economists are probably wagering that it's better to spend our way out of a recession and deal with inflation later. And I'm sure if you look through your "source" enough you'll find inflationary risk mentioned there, too.<br /><br />"Nice try" as you say.Harrisonhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/09845915135831361834noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4812774427465680804.post-13488472912874458082009-04-20T22:27:00.000-04:002009-04-20T22:27:00.000-04:00One opinion by one economist, and I can guess that...One opinion by one economist, and I can guess that he was particularly cherry picked for his agreement with you.<br /><br />And guess what? The ones that DISagree with you are the ones the current Administration is actually listening to. So I guess we'll get a chance to find out.<br /><br />Nice try.Anonymoushttps://www.blogger.com/profile/05578145425454731854noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4812774427465680804.post-78145998955186628262009-04-20T21:04:00.000-04:002009-04-20T21:04:00.000-04:00As if giving you a biography of him would mean any...As if giving you a biography of him would mean anything.<br /><br />Most economists agree we will soon have inflation. Believe it or not I could care less.Harrisonhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/09845915135831361834noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4812774427465680804.post-43004338440513458242009-04-20T20:01:00.000-04:002009-04-20T20:01:00.000-04:00You forgot to add something, Harrison:
Inflation ...You forgot to add something, Harrison:<br /><br />Inflation is looming on America’s horizon<br /><br />By Martin Feldstein<br /><br />Published: April 19 2009 18:54 | Last updated: April 19 2009 18:54<br /><br />I don't know who Martin Feldstein is or whether is views are worth a damn. Why don't you tell us something about him? Instead of copying him word for word.Oldfarthttps://www.blogger.com/profile/13267977923281207057noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4812774427465680804.post-59984427461378668672009-04-20T19:30:00.000-04:002009-04-20T19:30:00.000-04:00The Germans have strongly resisted going into debt...The Germans have strongly resisted going into debt in order to "buy" their way out of the economic situation. In fact, this has caused a lot of friction between Germany and France.<br /><br />As far as inflation goes... you are wrong:<br /><br />The unprecedented explosion of the US fiscal deficit raises the spectre of high future inflation. According to the Congressional Budget Office, the president’s budget implies a fiscal deficit of 13 per cent of gross domestic product in 2009 and nearly 10 per cent in 2010. Even with a strong economic recovery, the ratio of government debt to GDP would double to 80 per cent in the next 10 years.<br /><br />There is ample historic evidence of the link between fiscal profligacy and subsequent inflation. But historic evidence and economic analysis also show that the inflationary effects can be avoided if the fiscal deficits are not accompanied by a sustained increase in the money supply and, more generally, by an easing of monetary conditions.<br /><br />http://www.ft.com/cms/s/0/ae436dbc-2d09-11de-8710-00144feabdc0.html?nclick_check=1Harrisonhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/09845915135831361834noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4812774427465680804.post-3626172058589003722009-04-20T18:37:00.000-04:002009-04-20T18:37:00.000-04:00Oh, geez, not THAT again.
Borrowing money does NO...Oh, geez, not THAT again.<br /><br />Borrowing money does NOT increase the money supply. Perhaps you should go back to economics 101 to learn a bit more about just how the economic system we have really works. We borrow money from banks all over the world, and the terms are standard terms that do not disadvantage us in any way towards our adversaries.<br /><br />The FED manages the money supply, and in times of financial trouble where money is not circulating, it is a commonly agreed upon solution that the money supply NEEDS to be loosened up. It can always be tightened back up as the economy heats back up. Less money in the economy is DEflation, and the only way to counter it is to increase the money supply.<br /><br />The Germans are in the thick of this with us, and there were almost as many German banks, on a per capita basis, as American banks, that invested in those infamous bad mortgage packages. This situation is unprecedented, and neither the Europeans nor us have a lock on the solution.Anonymoushttps://www.blogger.com/profile/05578145425454731854noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4812774427465680804.post-45319066075263345842009-04-20T18:31:00.000-04:002009-04-20T18:31:00.000-04:00Gee, Harrison, the Germans weren't very smart in y...Gee, Harrison, the Germans weren't very smart in your rant about Afghanistan earlier. What changed? And, inquiring minds want to know, were you screaming about Bush when Bush was spending trillions for his illegal war? While cutting income? And making his rich buddies happy?Oldfarthttps://www.blogger.com/profile/13267977923281207057noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4812774427465680804.post-13866840898352807312009-04-20T13:15:00.000-04:002009-04-20T13:15:00.000-04:00Spending trillions of taxpayers dollars we don't h...Spending trillions of taxpayers dollars we don't have which means having China and Japan buy our debt and increasing the money supply thereby raising inflation is your solution? Wat flavor of Kool Aid did you drink? The Germans disagree with you and they are the smart ones.Harrisonhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/09845915135831361834noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4812774427465680804.post-24639351615317942142009-04-20T12:09:00.000-04:002009-04-20T12:09:00.000-04:00I used to be in favor of a smaller government too....I used to be in favor of a smaller government too.<br /><br />But reality is a bitter pill to swallow. And the reality is that now we have a larger population, more complex economy, more commerce with other nations, and we cannot, as a government at our current size, meet the demands of protecting our people from the dangers those represent.<br /><br />Salmonella in peanut butter sound familiar? Or a tanking economy due to unregulated financial products?<br /><br />sorry, but smaller is NEVER going to happen, and the Republicans know it. they just don;t want YOU to know it until you vote them back into office again.<br /><br />On a platform calling for a smaller government that they will never implement.Anonymoushttps://www.blogger.com/profile/05578145425454731854noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4812774427465680804.post-17818076837507864622009-04-20T09:36:00.000-04:002009-04-20T09:36:00.000-04:00Smaller government? And what's your proposal to ge...Smaller government? And what's your proposal to get there? Not cutting the bloated Pentagon budget I'm sure. Privatizing Social Security so our retirement can be dependent on the Wall Streeters who wrecked the economy? Thank god that didn't fly when Bush tried it. Food stamps and unemployment because we all know that's full of welfare fraud? Police? I know. The arts. Education. Things that can be done much better privately, like they were in the 19th century. <br /><br />Nobody wants to see unnecessary spending in Washington, but what is unnecessary spending depends on who you ask most times. <br /><br />I would suggest that rather than promote and organize pathetic little demonstrations that did little more than bash a Democratic president for hours on end that we all sit down and talk about what is and isn't unnecessary. And by that I don't mean sit down and give each other ultimatums. <br /><br />Unfortunately, massive spending by government is the only way to get us out of the mess brought on by greed and lack of regulation. Please note: nobody else is spending. Jobs are dropping like flies. The "free market" is stuck and it won't get unstuck without money. And that means we've got to get the money to the people who will spend it. Not the corporations and the banks. The people who buy things. They need jobs. They need unemployment. They need help with their mortgages not because they were greedy and bit off more than they could chew -- with the help of greedy lenders who were looking to make some more milions -- but because they lost their freaking jobs or they had a devastating accident. <br /><br />This ain't no black and white world anymore. Actually, it never has been. But "either/or" is not an option any more.Nunzia Riderhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/16866953544406316221noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4812774427465680804.post-52573687813180846772009-04-19T23:35:00.000-04:002009-04-19T23:35:00.000-04:00They seem to be about the massive spending bills g...They seem to be about the massive spending bills going on in DC so naturally they would have the same agenda. And so what if they did? I'm all in favor of a smaller government.Harrisonhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/09845915135831361834noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4812774427465680804.post-2338539596960551382009-04-19T22:53:00.000-04:002009-04-19T22:53:00.000-04:00Besides, you can't claim that the organizers of th...Besides, you can't claim that the organizers of this were just using the same tactics used by left wing groups organizing similar protests in one breath and then in the next, claim that it wasn't centrally organized!<br /><br />Either it was a grass roots movement, in which case it would have been much less similarly themed and carried out, or it was managed by a central group calling the shots and handing out "suggestions".<br /><br />If it walks like a duck and quacks like a duck, it isn't likely to be a goose!Anonymoushttps://www.blogger.com/profile/05578145425454731854noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4812774427465680804.post-36098967135255941902009-04-19T22:48:00.000-04:002009-04-19T22:48:00.000-04:00Oh, come on, that's gotta be the weakest defense I...Oh, come on, that's gotta be the weakest defense I've seen, surely you can do better than that! <br /><br />Whether there was "one leader" or not doesn't prove diddly when the whole thing was surely orchestrated by a group, all of whom have one thing in common - bashing Obama and making the Democrats' lives miserable.<br /><br />And, yes, there are a tremendous number of ways one can say the same thing - the English language is infinitely variable. So when one sees similar protests in cities across the US, ALL of whom have a similar theme, ALL of whom have a similar agenda, and ALL of whom have similar, if not identical, signage, there is but one conclusion - it was orchestrated from a group that had an overall agenda!Anonymoushttps://www.blogger.com/profile/05578145425454731854noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4812774427465680804.post-5313334314613949412009-04-19T21:31:00.000-04:002009-04-19T21:31:00.000-04:00I don't think anybody suggested they were "spontan...I don't think anybody suggested they were "spontaneous." I think what was said was that there was not one leader of it.<br /><br />When you go to protest anything there are only so many signs you can create.Harrisonhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/09845915135831361834noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4812774427465680804.post-64529268091395537562009-04-19T19:10:00.000-04:002009-04-19T19:10:00.000-04:00A number of folks have said what is probably enoug...A number of folks have said what is probably enough, and my opinion isn't too different, at least in some ways.<br /><br />But I DO think that the tea parties WERE orchestrated. There was too much in the way of footprints, the signs were too much alike from State to State, and they were just too damn coordinated to be spontaneous. <br /><br />Spontaneity isn't coordinated. Spontaneity isn't the same from state to state, either, dadgumit. Spontaneity isn't something the press gets an invitation to a week in advance!<br /><br />CNN had a guy on yesterday that was trying to justify them by talking about - wait for it - trickle down economics! Tax cuts for the rich so they can pay us workers better!<br /><br />Sound familiar?Anonymoushttps://www.blogger.com/profile/05578145425454731854noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4812774427465680804.post-47207680253538977232009-04-19T12:48:00.000-04:002009-04-19T12:48:00.000-04:00ARRRGHH! Need EDITOR!
Earmarks are a great Faux N...ARRRGHH! Need EDITOR!<br /><br />Earmarks are a great Faux News and right wing boondoggle. They comprise less than 1% of the budget. They quite often simply direct the spending of monies that have already been allocated. And they are one way Senators and Representatives can benefit the people they supposedly serve. Some are without a doubt unreasonable but, I think, if you add up all the unreasonable earmarks on one hand and compare them to, say, unreasonable defense department procurement methods you will find that the unreasonable inefficiencies of the Defense Department grossly out spend the few unreasonable earmarks. I'd recommend anyone that is really interested to actually research what your representatives have done with earmarks. You will be surprised.<br /><br />I am amused by McCain and his "no earmark" history. While that is completely true, his Republican counterpart from Arizona and several Democratic Representatives from Arizona team up to see that Arizonans get what they need from the federal coffers in spite of McCain's neglect of his own supportersOldfarthttps://www.blogger.com/profile/13267977923281207057noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4812774427465680804.post-7237047997594389982009-04-19T12:45:00.000-04:002009-04-19T12:45:00.000-04:00This comment has been removed by the author.Oldfarthttps://www.blogger.com/profile/13267977923281207057noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4812774427465680804.post-62100362952086226502009-04-19T09:40:00.000-04:002009-04-19T09:40:00.000-04:00And who says I didn't go to a teabaggery? Assumpti...And who says I didn't go to a teabaggery? Assumptions are really quite amusing. And I'm still laughing that you people think your rallies were so big. <br /><br />By the way, the violence-promoting, secession-promoting, anti-Obama (socialist etc) signs were the majority.<br /><br />I, too, like paying takes. I like what I get for my taxes. And I'd be opposed to paying "too much," too, but we don't. We have one of the lowest tax rates in the world.<br /><br />As for spending, it's necessary right now. And when we get out of the mess conservative bull got us into, that "debt" our "grandchildren" will owe will drop fast. First, though, we have to fix the mess. Continuing the policies of Reagan, Bush, Clinton and Bush would only make it worse. Thank god we have somebody who won't do that in office. As soon as we get the rest of the idiots out of Congress, the better.<br /><br />As for earmarks, I don't find them as repulsive as Fox "News" and the other bloviators tell us we should. Can they be better regulated? You bet. And that could have started back when Republicans controlled Congress, but no, best to wait for the GOP to get out of office before you start whining. I don't recall Obama promising no earmarks in Bush-era bills, either.<br /><br />But government is and should be about much more than how much money it spends. Unlike conservatives, I'm not locked in the past. I understand that the world has changed and our ideas of government must change with it. We're in quite a state of flux right now. It'd be so much easier if there weren't that handful of people still dragging their feet to take us back to the era of the robber barons. Almost succeeded there -- look at Wall Street.Nunzia Riderhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/16866953544406316221noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4812774427465680804.post-36971668172765853412009-04-19T08:03:00.000-04:002009-04-19T08:03:00.000-04:00Oh yes, Bobo. In your entire rant, other than whin...Oh yes, Bobo. In your entire rant, other than whining, you present <B>NO</B> solution for the economic disaster Obama inherited from bankrupt Republican and right wing economic policies. You may <B>think</B> you are not a GOP shill, but you have the same solution they have. None at all. So, if it walks like a duck and talks like a duck.........Oldfarthttps://www.blogger.com/profile/13267977923281207057noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4812774427465680804.post-27906524449883589102009-04-19T07:59:00.000-04:002009-04-19T07:59:00.000-04:00Unfortunately you can't post images in these comme...Unfortunately you can't post images in these comments. At least I don't think you can. But, I can access a <B>slew</B> of images of people holding signs supporting violence and even children holding those signs. And signs supporting racism. And "good" "god-fearing" right wing serfs exposing their children to those influences. There is no way that these "demonstrations" were anything but about violence and racism. Oh yes. And "genderism" and "right-to-control"ism and every other right wing disease there is.Oldfarthttps://www.blogger.com/profile/13267977923281207057noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4812774427465680804.post-10334589490486367052009-04-19T01:05:00.000-04:002009-04-19T01:05:00.000-04:00"the fact that our country, government, and courts..."the fact that our country, government, and courts should follow the rule of law as written in the constitution-they are the only party that takes the same stance as me." I think you need a serious lesson in history. The Supreme Court or courts, for that matter, do not follow the rules of law in the Constitution-they interpret them. In 1803, Chief Justice John Marshall in Marbury v Madison declared that the Court now had the power to rule acts of Congress as unconstitutional. Keep in mind he based this decision on verbiage in said constitution that wasn't really there. "Marshall's manuever was the first to demonstrate that the power of law is the power of judges to interpret it." You might want to Google John G. Roberts Jr,. Esq to see how the Bush family played fast and loose with him while dangling a Supreme Court nomination in front of him. The GOP have been manipulating it for centuries and if you'd like; I will provide more decisions and backroom politics if you'd like. I am still having trouble with understanding what the big deal is. Even if we go with BoBo's # it still equates to 8,000 protestors per STATE-OOOOOH! And I will close with just two questions: 1)Where was the outrage when our young men and women were being killed in a war that we had no reason being in? 2)What type of alternative plans have this group proposed? My guess is the same type that the GOP has proposed-nonexistent ones. 8,000 per state-that's about as many people as I played HS football games in front of. They'll fizzle out the same way as the other ignorant extremist groups do when they fail to have a specific agenda. And yes, I did attend one of these "protests"- a whole lot of shouting with "zero" substance.Dean Connorhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/16373061709784539626noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4812774427465680804.post-54661156553032657792009-04-19T00:09:00.000-04:002009-04-19T00:09:00.000-04:00"However, what I am opposed to is government taxin..."However, what I am opposed to is government taxing me to redistribute it to butter the bread of donors, special interest groups, bailing out private businesses, and welfare, etc."<br /><br />I know this is going to sound utterly stupid, but I actually LIKE paying taxes because I see that as an essential part of being a citizen of this kickass country (as long as the're not TOO high). And i have no problem raising taxes in order to reduce the deficit, especially when that deficit is unusually high. I'm a traditional fiscal conservative in that I believe that if you want to lower taxes, then you must first lower spending. I totally reject the belief cherished by the supply-siders that you can cut taxes while increasing spending because the revenues created by the (presumed) resulting stimulus will more than make up the difference. As far as I can tell, that theory has proven to be monstrously wrong. <br />Like you, I’m against giving taxpayer money to special interest groups and failing businesses. As far as welfare goes, I’m not against helping people who have lost their jobs as long as they’re trying their best to get another one and I believe we should help the disabled. However, those who don’t want to look for work should not get paid one cent.Independent-Americanhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/04235658418097787668noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4812774427465680804.post-37499806546011801892009-04-18T23:58:00.000-04:002009-04-18T23:58:00.000-04:00Hey Mark - I would consider myself a right-winger ...Hey Mark - I would consider myself a right-winger as well - no doubt. I too have a problem with the CP as far as their anti-tax and far Christian agenda. However, as far as their stance regarding the constitution and the fact our country, government, and courts should follow the rule of law as written in the constitution - they are the only party that takes the same stance as I.<br /><br />I'm not opposed to taxes. Government needs taxes to run. However, what I am opposed to is government taxing me to redistribute it to butter the bread of donors, special interest groups, bailing out private businesses, and welfare, etc. The constitution does not authorize that kind of spending.The BoBohttp://thebobofiles.comnoreply@blogger.com