There is an old saying in Kentucky when you hear someone telling a lie or spewing a bunch of crap. It goes, " I call bullshit!" Basically, it is a statement to let the person spouting the nonsense that you aren't being fooled by them. It lets them know and everyone around them that you can smell the manure.
I only mention it because I just got an email from my House Rep saying he voted for the cut and cap plan. (R) Rep. Geoff Davis from Kentucky said we have only one option, and any family spending like our government would have to cut spending while setting a budget to pay down their debt.
Well, I call BULLSHIT! Once, again, the Republican Party line seems to be the main focus, and the focus is getting President Obama out of the White House and getting themselves re-elected. Where is the creativity that made our country great? Only one option, really?
If you're going to try and compare the U.S. government to us working stiffs then at least have the decency to observe what most Americans do to get by in these times. First, we're more creative than your one option plan; for example, we might try to increase our income to match or exceed the amount we are spending. I know that seems to be a radical idea to the folks in Washington D.C. because even though the majority of the country is screaming at them to create American jobs, you're staying focused on the slash and burn mentality. Come on Geoff, are you trying to tell me that out of the whole Republican Party none of you ever got a second job to make some extra money for Christmas or to pay off some of your bills? I think you'll have to agree; we do have other options just not the one the Republican Party wants to use for their selfish agenda.
Here is an idea which requires the government to put out seed capital, but it solves the problem at the roots. Instead of lending money to banks at zero percent interest so they can use it to buy other banks or lend it back to you for a profit, (Thanks for being stupid with our money by the way.) loan money at zero percent interest to any American who can put together a valid business plan which creates sustainable jobs. You could even give priority based on the number of jobs created or you could give special consideration to companies which will reduce our dependence on foreign oil. Hell, do both!
Before you spout more BULLSHIT about how we cannot afford to do it, we know better. As you Republicans said under President Bush, these are loans and they will be repaid so it really shouldn't count against our deficit. Both parties should work on this now, not later. Use the Small Business Administration to validate the business plans and distribute the funds. Allocate a fund for each state if you like. Do a test run with $100 million dollars, track it and see what happens. At least this money would be an attempt to put Americans back to work. How many millions did you send to Pakistan last year? I hope you get my point. I can think of businesses right now which could create immediate permanent jobs. All I am saying is give the American people a chance.
Saturday, July 30, 2011
Friday, July 29, 2011
Why Americans Are So Angry
July 28, 2011
The rich are getting richer. Their effective tax rate, in recent years, has been reduced to the lowest in modern history. Nurses, teachers and firemen actually pay a higher tax rate than some billionaires. It's no wonder the American people are angry.
Many corporations, including General Electric and Exxon-Mobil, have made billions in profits while using loopholes to avoid paying any federal income taxes. We lose $100 billion every year in federal revenue from companies and individuals who stash their wealth in tax havens off-shore like the Cayman Islands and Bermuda. The sum of all the revenue collected by the Treasury today totals just 14.8% of our gross domestic product, the lowest in about 50 years.
To see the whole article follow the link below.
http://sanders.senate.gov/newsroom/news/?id=23d554d6-dd0c-41a5-8b80-a95eb72be82a
Wednesday, July 27, 2011
Call To Action From The Coffee Party
Dear Americans,
This week, the American people are standing up to radical extremists in Washington who have pledged their loyalty to a rigid ideology instead of to our country. Our phone calls and emails are overloading communications on Capitol Hill. Now let's turn up the heat.
Please call and/or email Congress as part of our "Enough is Enough" campaign. Coffee Party USA has already contributed 23,000 emails sent to Congress so far. Our goal is to reach 50,000 emails by the end of the week.
We the People do not consent to the word's first Great Depression On-Purpose!
Please use our web tool and write a letter now
Please use this directory to call or fax your members of Congress
Please share this email with your network
Meanwhile, we are establishing a virtual gathering place to build momentum for an actual march on Washington a la Tahrir Square. Already, nearly 300 people have volunteered to spread the word on-line and help us organize!
On Facebook LIKE the Enough Is Enough March
We have only 4 days left in our July Membership Drive. Up until midnight July 31, you can become a member of Coffee Party USA, vote in our Board of Directors election this fall, AND receive promotional items including two documentary films that help to define the Coffee Party's genesis and its mission:
9500 Liberty is the award-winning film by Coffee Party founders Annabel Park & Eric Byler, capturing the only 8 weeks in U.S. history when an Arizona-style immigration law was actually implemented. It's an uplifting story about everyday citizens reaching across the partisan divide to repeal a law that was wrong for their community.
Pricele$$ is an eye-opening exposé by director Steve Cowan, exploring how and why elected leaders rely on special interests for their job security, instead of We the People. Pricele$$ interviews members of Congress and highly paid lobbyists to diagnose the problem, then introduces some possible solutions.
Thank you so much for you civic engagement and your support. You inspire us!
Sincerely,
Annabel, Eric, Debilyn, Billy, Mark, Shane, Diane, Egberto, Tabitha, Michael, and the Coffee Party USA Team
PS: Don't forget the Coffee Party Board of Directors election is coming up this fall. We are looking for nine good women and men to lead Coffee Party USA into 2012.
Visit us: http://coffeepartyusa.com/
This week, the American people are standing up to radical extremists in Washington who have pledged their loyalty to a rigid ideology instead of to our country. Our phone calls and emails are overloading communications on Capitol Hill. Now let's turn up the heat.
Please call and/or email Congress as part of our "Enough is Enough" campaign. Coffee Party USA has already contributed 23,000 emails sent to Congress so far. Our goal is to reach 50,000 emails by the end of the week.
We the People do not consent to the word's first Great Depression On-Purpose!
Please use our web tool and write a letter now
Please use this directory to call or fax your members of Congress
Please share this email with your network
Meanwhile, we are establishing a virtual gathering place to build momentum for an actual march on Washington a la Tahrir Square. Already, nearly 300 people have volunteered to spread the word on-line and help us organize!
On Facebook LIKE the Enough Is Enough March
We have only 4 days left in our July Membership Drive. Up until midnight July 31, you can become a member of Coffee Party USA, vote in our Board of Directors election this fall, AND receive promotional items including two documentary films that help to define the Coffee Party's genesis and its mission:
9500 Liberty is the award-winning film by Coffee Party founders Annabel Park & Eric Byler, capturing the only 8 weeks in U.S. history when an Arizona-style immigration law was actually implemented. It's an uplifting story about everyday citizens reaching across the partisan divide to repeal a law that was wrong for their community.
Pricele$$ is an eye-opening exposé by director Steve Cowan, exploring how and why elected leaders rely on special interests for their job security, instead of We the People. Pricele$$ interviews members of Congress and highly paid lobbyists to diagnose the problem, then introduces some possible solutions.
Thank you so much for you civic engagement and your support. You inspire us!
Sincerely,
Annabel, Eric, Debilyn, Billy, Mark, Shane, Diane, Egberto, Tabitha, Michael, and the Coffee Party USA Team
PS: Don't forget the Coffee Party Board of Directors election is coming up this fall. We are looking for nine good women and men to lead Coffee Party USA into 2012.
Visit us: http://coffeepartyusa.com/
Tuesday, July 26, 2011
Truth About the Debt Ceiling Crisis, Follow the Money
I believe I've just figured out the truth about the debt ceiling crisis. Think about it. The Democrats and the Republicans no longer listen to the people they are elected and paid to represent. They don't even act in our nation's best interest anymore, treasonous really. The only thing they seem to care about is re-election and campaign contributions which led me to the answer, follow the money.
It is one of the first lessons you learn if you go into journalism especially investigative journalism. If you want to find the truth, follow the money. So, I stopped asking myself why would they plunge our economy into chaos for political posturing or even to make President Obama one term. Who stands to benefit financially from this newly created fiasco? Now, the answer seems obvious. The same people who complained, not too terribly long ago, we weren't paying enough interest on the money we owed them, the Chinese.
Truly think about it, and it makes perfect sense. Our politicians from both parties are going to keep playing this game until we're paying more interest on our debt which both parties know will increase our budget problems. Everyone in America knows the answer to this entire problem is the creation of more sustainable jobs in this country, regardless if we need to spend more to accomplish the task. So, why wouldn't both parties, when every American knows the solution, work on that issue before all others?
Did we elect the dumbest people we could find? No, they're not really stupid. They're just playing dumb while they collect contributions instead of doing their jobs. You can check out my previous blogs to find out my take on the debt ceiling, fixing the economy and other things. Wake up America!
It is one of the first lessons you learn if you go into journalism especially investigative journalism. If you want to find the truth, follow the money. So, I stopped asking myself why would they plunge our economy into chaos for political posturing or even to make President Obama one term. Who stands to benefit financially from this newly created fiasco? Now, the answer seems obvious. The same people who complained, not too terribly long ago, we weren't paying enough interest on the money we owed them, the Chinese.
Truly think about it, and it makes perfect sense. Our politicians from both parties are going to keep playing this game until we're paying more interest on our debt which both parties know will increase our budget problems. Everyone in America knows the answer to this entire problem is the creation of more sustainable jobs in this country, regardless if we need to spend more to accomplish the task. So, why wouldn't both parties, when every American knows the solution, work on that issue before all others?
Did we elect the dumbest people we could find? No, they're not really stupid. They're just playing dumb while they collect contributions instead of doing their jobs. You can check out my previous blogs to find out my take on the debt ceiling, fixing the economy and other things. Wake up America!
Tuesday, July 19, 2011
Tell Senate Republicans: It's crazy to cut Medicare and Social Security
Subject: Tell Senate Republicans: It's crazy to cut Medicare and Social Security
Dear Friend,
No matter how dire the situation, Senate Republicans seem determined to prove they can act irresponsibly.
Senate Republicans are unanimously supporting a draconian constitutional amendment that they claim will balance the budget, but is really nothing but a cowardly ploy to force devastating cuts to vital social programs, including Social Security and Medicare, while writing into the constitution an impossible requirement -- a two-thirds vote -- to raise taxes.
Last week, in a column called "Getting to Crazy," Paul Krugman closed by noting that "there has been no pressure on the G.O.P. to show any kind of responsibility, or even rationality -- and sure enough, it has gone off the deep end."
I agree. We both need to be part of that pressure. Even if it's unlikely that Republicans will break ranks and do the right thing, we must hold individual Republicans accountable to reality and let them know their constituents see through their fantasy proposals.
I just signed a petition telling Senate Republicans: It's crazy to cut our Social Security and Medicare benefits while protecting the Koch brothers and Paris Hilton from paying their fair share.
I hope you do too. You can find out more and take action at the link below.
http://act.credoaction.com/campaign/senate_gop_crazies/?r_by=24414-3916483-mHCxV1x&rc=paste1
Dear Friend,
No matter how dire the situation, Senate Republicans seem determined to prove they can act irresponsibly.
Senate Republicans are unanimously supporting a draconian constitutional amendment that they claim will balance the budget, but is really nothing but a cowardly ploy to force devastating cuts to vital social programs, including Social Security and Medicare, while writing into the constitution an impossible requirement -- a two-thirds vote -- to raise taxes.
Last week, in a column called "Getting to Crazy," Paul Krugman closed by noting that "there has been no pressure on the G.O.P. to show any kind of responsibility, or even rationality -- and sure enough, it has gone off the deep end."
I agree. We both need to be part of that pressure. Even if it's unlikely that Republicans will break ranks and do the right thing, we must hold individual Republicans accountable to reality and let them know their constituents see through their fantasy proposals.
I just signed a petition telling Senate Republicans: It's crazy to cut our Social Security and Medicare benefits while protecting the Koch brothers and Paris Hilton from paying their fair share.
I hope you do too. You can find out more and take action at the link below.
http://act.credoaction.com/campaign/senate_gop_crazies/?r_by=24414-3916483-mHCxV1x&rc=paste1
Tuesday, July 12, 2011
Let Them Eat Their Tax Breaks Not Cake
Why are the Republicans so steadfast at not letting the taxes go back to where they were before? Do you think the wealthiest 1% will be able to spend their extra 5% in tax savings if the whole country is in chaos? I think I'll drive through the riot to go play golf today. What an angry mob burned down the clubhouse? Let them eat cake! We all know where that attitude ended up. I say let them eat the tax break instead of destroying our country.
Nobody likes taxes, but I don't see those jobs they were suppose to create with the tax cuts they got for the last 5 years so take the tax cuts away. Democrats need to quit spending on the wrong things. If it doesn't create lasting jobs, cut it. Social Security is not some sacred cow. It is flawed. The wealthiest Americans get the largest checks every month while the middle and lower wage earners get barely enough to survive. Well, they paid in more so they deserve it. No, no they didn't, and no they don't.
I use to work on tax returns, and I know they play a game with hide and seek with their income. Working class people never get anywhere near to paying in the maximum amount for the 3 years it takes to get the maximum check paid back each month. The wealthy know the game, and they manage to show exactly what they need to pay in for 3 years to get the maximum back, forever. They have accountants do their books to take advantage of loop holes in taxes and to leverage their Social Security taxes to reap the max benefits.
Working people don't get that luxury. On average, the working people pay in dutifully for decades, not just 3 years, and they pay in a lot more in those decades than the rich ever do. I've seen it with my own eyes, people with million dollar incomes getting huge Social Security check. So, why do the workers get small Social Security checks when they retire and the wealthy get ridiculously disproportionate monthly checks? Because, they designed it that way.
Here is how to fix it without hurting the working class Americans, call it a tax not entitlement. If people make more than a half million dollars a year in other income, take away their Social Security check. The first thing Republicans bring up is the system was suppose to be a social safety net not a full retirement plan. So, kick the rich off the system.
Both parties need to quit pretending the debt ceiling is real. We can always print more money with our own treasury to pay our bills. Why we borrow from other countries is beyond me. It costs us jobs by keeping down inflation. Maybe if we actually saw the inflation then we wouldn't spend so foolishly. Just independant thinking from a reformed Republican/Democrat who is sick of both parties.
Nobody likes taxes, but I don't see those jobs they were suppose to create with the tax cuts they got for the last 5 years so take the tax cuts away. Democrats need to quit spending on the wrong things. If it doesn't create lasting jobs, cut it. Social Security is not some sacred cow. It is flawed. The wealthiest Americans get the largest checks every month while the middle and lower wage earners get barely enough to survive. Well, they paid in more so they deserve it. No, no they didn't, and no they don't.
I use to work on tax returns, and I know they play a game with hide and seek with their income. Working class people never get anywhere near to paying in the maximum amount for the 3 years it takes to get the maximum check paid back each month. The wealthy know the game, and they manage to show exactly what they need to pay in for 3 years to get the maximum back, forever. They have accountants do their books to take advantage of loop holes in taxes and to leverage their Social Security taxes to reap the max benefits.
Working people don't get that luxury. On average, the working people pay in dutifully for decades, not just 3 years, and they pay in a lot more in those decades than the rich ever do. I've seen it with my own eyes, people with million dollar incomes getting huge Social Security check. So, why do the workers get small Social Security checks when they retire and the wealthy get ridiculously disproportionate monthly checks? Because, they designed it that way.
Here is how to fix it without hurting the working class Americans, call it a tax not entitlement. If people make more than a half million dollars a year in other income, take away their Social Security check. The first thing Republicans bring up is the system was suppose to be a social safety net not a full retirement plan. So, kick the rich off the system.
Both parties need to quit pretending the debt ceiling is real. We can always print more money with our own treasury to pay our bills. Why we borrow from other countries is beyond me. It costs us jobs by keeping down inflation. Maybe if we actually saw the inflation then we wouldn't spend so foolishly. Just independant thinking from a reformed Republican/Democrat who is sick of both parties.
Monday, July 4, 2011
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