Oct 17 - 46/45 - McCain +01
What does change look like?
Everything is relative, right? So it's hard to write about any candidate in a vacuum, to write without comparing him/her to the rest of the field. I'll do my best though. So that this doesn't end up reading like a page from Wikipedia, I will avoid cut-and-paste, keep it brief and high level. We can argue the details in the comments. For t-dawg and those of you who have asked me specifically what type of change I envision when I dream about an Obama presidency, I submit the following post:
Change in the Halls of Power
Nine times out of ten, I would say that: TO FIX [insert issue], WE MUST FIRST FIX WASHINGTON. With that in mind...
(1) It is clear to me that the surge of influence of special interest groups and lobbyist in Washington has stalled reform across the board and greased the gears of the military-industrial complex. Obama refuses to accept contributions from Washington lobbyists and political action committees ensuring that if elected, he will be beholden more to the American people and less to Big [fill-in-the-blank]. His refusal to play the age-old money game, especially as an underdog, speaks volumes.
(2) But his ethics stance doesn't end with refusing to accept money from lobbyists and PACs. After passing the toughest campaign finance law in Illinois history, Obama championed what the Washington Post has called, "The strongest ethics legislation to emerge from Congress yet" and has pushed for greater transparency with projects such as "Google for Government" so that the public can track federal grants, contracts, earmarks, and loans online.
(3) There is a fine-line between seasoned and tainted. With few exception, the longer a politician of any party has been in a position of power the less likely they are to "take on the system." The militancy and the idealism that got them into politics in their youth invariably turns to jaded reality checks before long. For this reason I view Obama's limited inside-the-beltway experience as an asset. I believe that he actually believes that change (the artist formerly known as "reform") is possible.
(4) It is also clear to me that the longer a person spends in a position of power, with personal drivers and a staff tending to their every need, the more disconnected they become from the experience of the average American. I work for a company whose end consumer is college kids. I am marketing to kids on campuses in Georgia from my office in NYC. At only 29 years old, I have realized just how disconnected to these kids I've become. No matter how much marketing experience or design talent I might have, I'm still feeling around in the dark trying to visualize and solve their "campus life" problems. I have no doubt the same has happened to nearly any politician who has been inside the beltway for a decade or more. As Barack's wife has said, "We still remember what it's like to be normal."
Change in Foreign Policy
(1) We all know that Obama stood up against the invasion at a time when it was a political liability. I believe that this was one of the greatest tests of political courage our leaders have faced in the past decade. I have heard some here say that that old vote in 2002 is a moot point, what matters now is who can best get us out. I could not disagree more. I want to know that when the next test of political will faces the White House (Iran, Pakistan, Afghanistan who knows) that their principles will not waver.
(2) It's not just about being on the right side of one vote either. What Obama has shown time and time again is that he understands the nature of the dangers we face, that he understands that certain types of aggression only fuel the fire of fundamentalism. There are very few candidates running who are equally vocal about bringing bin-Laden to justice and yet can acknowledge that our own interference in the region has often tarnished our reputation, fanned anti-Americanism and ultimately jeopardized our national security. Our next president, as he/she makes decisions on foreign policy, must have a firm grasp on the lessons of our history of regime change. Those who have not learned from the mistakes are bound to repeat them.
(3) The politicians who stood up against pre-emptive war on principle, are the politicians that are the most likely to stand up against torture on principle, stand up against secret military bases, stand up against GITMO, against collateral damage, lawless private contractors, illegal wiretaps etc etc. It is essential that our president recognize that protecting America is about more than securing a piece of land and interests abroad, but about protecting and furthering American ideals.
Change in the Rule of Law
(1) The Constitution has faded from our nation's consciousness. This is both sad and scary. Obama doesn't just give the Constitution lip-service, he has taught classes at one of the more respected Universities in the nation on Constitutional Law. I look forward to an Executive Branch that doesn't just have a vague, passing respect for the Constitution, but one that returns it to its rightful place as the cornerstone of good governance.
(2) Obama's time working (for little pay) as a civil rights lawyer and activist on the streets of Chicago re-enforces both his respect and understanding of our civil liberties. In the War on Terrorism (briefly renamed the "Long War" for a reason), our civil liberties will no doubt be under fire for decades to come. Obama's often-mocked brand of idealism is exactly what we need to get our nation off this "the ends justifies the means" slippery slope of squandering our liberty for a sense of security.
Change in Public Opinion
Obama's message has the best chance of uniting Democrats, Independents and Republicans. I know that many decent politicians will join him, but I also know many in Washington will not be swayed. Yes, I know that the fat-cats and crumb-bums will not by wooed by Obama's moving oratory and come together for a rousing verse of Kumbaya. I look at Washington the same way that I look at the media: as amoral (not immoral). Most bad politicians don't have some secret, evil agenda, they simply care about insulating their own power. This is why I share Barack's vision for bottom-up change.
When a leader truly inspires a nation (with, yes...words), when average citizens start to pay attention and get engaged in the political process, the self-serving politicians will don the mantle of the moment and hop on any band wagon that leads to reelection. They will not resist change the moment it's a political liability to do so. But for this bottom-up pressure to be felt, even on a modest scale, that leader needs to truly inspire, and not just his/her base but the country as a whole. With his moving message of a "working majority" that genuinely looks to include Independents and Republicans, I believe that Obama has the rare potential to do just this.
Well, I could go on and on, but I know that this is a blog and not an essay writing contest. I apologize to the supporters of any other candidates who I've snapped at or lashed out at. Know that my vigilance is rooted in a real, honest-to-God belief that Obama is our best shot at substantive, positive change.
Change in the Halls of Power
Nine times out of ten, I would say that: TO FIX [insert issue], WE MUST FIRST FIX WASHINGTON. With that in mind...
(1) It is clear to me that the surge of influence of special interest groups and lobbyist in Washington has stalled reform across the board and greased the gears of the military-industrial complex. Obama refuses to accept contributions from Washington lobbyists and political action committees ensuring that if elected, he will be beholden more to the American people and less to Big [fill-in-the-blank]. His refusal to play the age-old money game, especially as an underdog, speaks volumes.
(2) But his ethics stance doesn't end with refusing to accept money from lobbyists and PACs. After passing the toughest campaign finance law in Illinois history, Obama championed what the Washington Post has called, "The strongest ethics legislation to emerge from Congress yet" and has pushed for greater transparency with projects such as "Google for Government" so that the public can track federal grants, contracts, earmarks, and loans online.
(3) There is a fine-line between seasoned and tainted. With few exception, the longer a politician of any party has been in a position of power the less likely they are to "take on the system." The militancy and the idealism that got them into politics in their youth invariably turns to jaded reality checks before long. For this reason I view Obama's limited inside-the-beltway experience as an asset. I believe that he actually believes that change (the artist formerly known as "reform") is possible.
(4) It is also clear to me that the longer a person spends in a position of power, with personal drivers and a staff tending to their every need, the more disconnected they become from the experience of the average American. I work for a company whose end consumer is college kids. I am marketing to kids on campuses in Georgia from my office in NYC. At only 29 years old, I have realized just how disconnected to these kids I've become. No matter how much marketing experience or design talent I might have, I'm still feeling around in the dark trying to visualize and solve their "campus life" problems. I have no doubt the same has happened to nearly any politician who has been inside the beltway for a decade or more. As Barack's wife has said, "We still remember what it's like to be normal."
Change in Foreign Policy
(1) We all know that Obama stood up against the invasion at a time when it was a political liability. I believe that this was one of the greatest tests of political courage our leaders have faced in the past decade. I have heard some here say that that old vote in 2002 is a moot point, what matters now is who can best get us out. I could not disagree more. I want to know that when the next test of political will faces the White House (Iran, Pakistan, Afghanistan who knows) that their principles will not waver.
(2) It's not just about being on the right side of one vote either. What Obama has shown time and time again is that he understands the nature of the dangers we face, that he understands that certain types of aggression only fuel the fire of fundamentalism. There are very few candidates running who are equally vocal about bringing bin-Laden to justice and yet can acknowledge that our own interference in the region has often tarnished our reputation, fanned anti-Americanism and ultimately jeopardized our national security. Our next president, as he/she makes decisions on foreign policy, must have a firm grasp on the lessons of our history of regime change. Those who have not learned from the mistakes are bound to repeat them.
(3) The politicians who stood up against pre-emptive war on principle, are the politicians that are the most likely to stand up against torture on principle, stand up against secret military bases, stand up against GITMO, against collateral damage, lawless private contractors, illegal wiretaps etc etc. It is essential that our president recognize that protecting America is about more than securing a piece of land and interests abroad, but about protecting and furthering American ideals.
Change in the Rule of Law
(1) The Constitution has faded from our nation's consciousness. This is both sad and scary. Obama doesn't just give the Constitution lip-service, he has taught classes at one of the more respected Universities in the nation on Constitutional Law. I look forward to an Executive Branch that doesn't just have a vague, passing respect for the Constitution, but one that returns it to its rightful place as the cornerstone of good governance.
(2) Obama's time working (for little pay) as a civil rights lawyer and activist on the streets of Chicago re-enforces both his respect and understanding of our civil liberties. In the War on Terrorism (briefly renamed the "Long War" for a reason), our civil liberties will no doubt be under fire for decades to come. Obama's often-mocked brand of idealism is exactly what we need to get our nation off this "the ends justifies the means" slippery slope of squandering our liberty for a sense of security.
Change in Public Opinion
Obama's message has the best chance of uniting Democrats, Independents and Republicans. I know that many decent politicians will join him, but I also know many in Washington will not be swayed. Yes, I know that the fat-cats and crumb-bums will not by wooed by Obama's moving oratory and come together for a rousing verse of Kumbaya. I look at Washington the same way that I look at the media: as amoral (not immoral). Most bad politicians don't have some secret, evil agenda, they simply care about insulating their own power. This is why I share Barack's vision for bottom-up change.
When a leader truly inspires a nation (with, yes...words), when average citizens start to pay attention and get engaged in the political process, the self-serving politicians will don the mantle of the moment and hop on any band wagon that leads to reelection. They will not resist change the moment it's a political liability to do so. But for this bottom-up pressure to be felt, even on a modest scale, that leader needs to truly inspire, and not just his/her base but the country as a whole. With his moving message of a "working majority" that genuinely looks to include Independents and Republicans, I believe that Obama has the rare potential to do just this.
Well, I could go on and on, but I know that this is a blog and not an essay writing contest. I apologize to the supporters of any other candidates who I've snapped at or lashed out at. Know that my vigilance is rooted in a real, honest-to-God belief that Obama is our best shot at substantive, positive change.
By Robert - 1/18/2008
85 Comments:
The only thing I would add is his stance on health care is more pragmatic. Rather than mandating coverage for everyone, he begins by providing it for anyone under 18 who does not have it. It makes more sense to approach it that way because if you mandate it for adults, then those who have insurance will fear a decrease in the quality of their coverage and will vote Republican.
Very nice post, Bob.
Kyle I would argue with you that providing healthcare to kids who don't have it is not a new idea. Although flawed in many cases, SCHIPS has been a life saver for many otherwise uninsured children.
Great post Robert. I am glad someone could finally explain just what the hell Obama is actually going to do. I mean, why should he ever speak outside his idealistic, Wilsonian tone.
Once again, since he has yet to talk about actual, concrete programs, THANK YOU for filling us in.
SM,
I took your comment as sincere, not sarcastic. It's so hard to tell sometimes when blogging. If it was sarcastic though, just drop a "sarcastic" in the comments. Thanks.
One comment about "actual concrete programs:"
The two prerequisites to enacting any policy on paper are sincerity and political will. I worry less about the differences in the specific plans (Contrasting Hillary and Obama's health care plans for example) and more at the broader question:
Who is more likely to actually fight entrenched interests and rally enough non-Dems in Washington to get it done?
Let's forget the nuances of the plans for a moment and look at the feasibility of each actually happening.
No, your post is good at explaining what you think an Obama presidency would entail and why you favor it.
I honestly wish Obama would be as direct as you.
Having an actual plan, and not just a vision, is not a "nuance". It is part of the reality that comes with enacting programs.
Programs cost money and it is imperative WE know just HOW he is going to bring forth his "vision".
I could run for president and say "I want to end homelessness!" While that may sound great, those words alone are meaningless. A 4th grader knows that you cannot just have an idea without the accompanying plan.
SM,
Agreed. Obviously you need a plan and just as importantly you need to show how these sweeping reforms are going to be paid for.
Keep in mind though that stump-speeches of any candidate are not intended to convey the depth of their vision but the general direction. To learn more about specific issues we need to dig a bit. We need to go to their websites and actually read their detailed plans when they roll out.
For example, here is a story with meat and potatoes: Obama unveils $18B education plan
In this piece it explains:
"He would end standardized tests in favor of more complicated assessments, fund early childhood programs, give teachers bonuses for working in high-needs schools, and fund schools that experiment with longer school days or school years."
And as far as paying for it:
"To pay for his education program, Obama would eliminate tax-deductibility of CEO pay by corporations and delay NASA's program to return to the moon and then journey to Mars. "We're not going to have the engineers and the scientists to continue space exploration if we don't have kids who are able to read, write and compute," Obama said."
And if you want more details, there is a nine-page PDF with a broader overview. And if you'd like to go deeper than that, there is a text link to his larger plan which includes a lengthy Pre-K to 12 Plan and College Affordability Plan. Check out his site for this and more.
My point is, just because candidates stump speeches are lacking comprehensive detailed plans, doesn't mean that they don't exist. The media does little to drag these boring details into the spotlight but luckily they are there for us to review, if we chose.
I apologize I won't get time to address this till Sun or Mon-thank you for posting it, and I want to give it the time and thought it is due
BTW, thanks SM,
You reminded me that I left off a HUGE category in my change breakdown:
Change in Public Education
For as important as it is to me I'm actually embarrassed that I left it off. I am at work now and don't have time to blog, but I will just say that Obama's plan is all about starting earlier, ensuring that math and science do not fall by the wayside and stressing a well-rounded education which includes the arts (because a kid who wins social distinction from drawing is less likely to seek it through fighting).
And here's the really weird part: I agree with FRED THOMPSON that teachers unions are standing in the way of needed reform. While Obama has not been nearly as blunt as Fred about this, I believe that of all the Dems, he is by far the most committed to confronting unions that shield inept teachers.
To be clear I am very pro-(good)teacher. My long-time girlfriend, mother and mother-in-law are all teachers and I have heard countless stories about the inner workings of rural, suburban and inner city districts.
It seems clear to me that the unions defend a broken system where seniority trumps results and where the welfare of the kids is second to the welfare of the teachers.
We liberals talk a big talk about accountability, especially in government. Well, it is time for us to stand up and demand it in the classroom. Let's pay good teachers what they're worth (which is a lot), but have the balls to force those teachers on auto-pilot to shape up or ship out.
thanks robert. good reading. it's appreciated.
obama makes me not dislike politicians as much (which says a lot). his idealism appeals to me, and although inspiring others is just one way of getting things to move, and it is just words, it can still be important.
reagan inspired ppl (much to my chagrin) and still inspires ppl (much to my chagrin). the fact that 20 years later reps are still invoking his name says much. ppl feel/felt good, and, in my humble opinion, it clouds what he actually accomplished. but that's my point. when you inspire, you can move ppl.
the fact that obama promotes things that appeal to me more makes me feel better.
like any politician, what he says he wants to do and what he actually accomplishes may not line up. there's a congress and depending on how the chips fall he may not get much support. the reps hamstringed clinton in the 90's.
but i believe that he actually wants to do things and just isn't saying it for the votes, as much. i hope he's not pulling the wool over our eyes (that's my inherent distrust of politicians speaking).
i can say many of the same things about edwards. i think he'smore of a scrapper, though, and i like that, too.
but none of what i say really matters. i refuse to declare party, and therefore i can't vote in the primaries. ill just wait for the general election to come along...
Robert... " an honest to God belief " ?
Is that sarcasm?
Hmmm. Good point, Menk.
I've always used that expression sincerely without much thought (and I've been an atheist since I found out that Santa was a phony).
I'll need a new expression in it's place, I guess. I'll need to think of something I do believe in though...
How bout:
"Honest to... substantive, positive change under President Obama"?
Obama has a much detail as any candidate. Plus, the 60 senators that pass any proposal will make dramatic changes. So the specifics aren't that important.
I am sure Obama would be willing to do a mandate, if those 60 Senators wanted that to pass health care, while I bet Hillary would do no mandate if that was what the Senate gave her. It will always be about compromise.
I think a lot of questions about your candidates ties in Kenya will derail his presidecy bid. Especially the relationship between his older brother and a leader of a guerilla movement...Also a lot of talk about his religion and his racist spiritual advisor. Can you guys address these issues and explain to me why they should be ignored.
Anonymous,
I have no problem addressing it if you can give me a link to some credible source.
I looked for any story on his brother Roy (Abongo) and found nothing other than the fact that "he decided to reassert his African heritage. He converted to Islam, and has sworn off pork and tobacco and alcohol.”
Please submit a link.
And what do you mean "his religion"?
He's a practicing Christian.
It's funny that you mention this racism by association.
The Republicans (McCain excluded) are right now having a pissing contest over who has more respect for the Confederate flag in SC and they don't seem too worried that this might derail their candidacy.
To be clear though: I agree with Huckabee and Paul that the Confederate flag issue is one that should be left up to the state. I guess I was referring to Thompson whose been wearing one like a cape as he meanders across SC.
great post. i am glad it straighforwardly addresses his strengths. but i do disagree with those that say we don't normally put forward positive things.
and that anonymous person comment is in crazy land.
Well let me say first this is a great post, You do point out many good points about Obama, but you word them like they are a good thing. Let me begin on how I feel point by point.
Change in the halls of Power
1.) That has yet to be seen! We will see what happens when he is (if) elected, and if he doesn't fall into the pockets of some Big [fill in the blank]. But I believe he will stick to his guns, which is a good thing.
2) Well this has been around for quite a while, although it took some investigating, you could track grants, contracts, etc... But I like the idea. Makes him look like he is starting something new. 3) Yes I agree with you on this, although I feel you are completely wrong. Obama is new and going to ruffle a lot of feathers. Pissing off a lot of people. Maybe making "change" harder to pass through congress.
4)I agree fully with this point.
Change in foreign policy
1) Yes Obama stood up against the war, lucky him! My first instinct was kill them all. Now I know, bad decision! And I find it funny that you want another candidate that will not waver. Isn't that why we are still over there!!!!
2) I couldn't have said it better!
3) Also agree fully with this point
Change in the rule of law
1) The constitution is the cornerstone of our nation. And yes we need to follow it to the letter, but first it needs some revisions. Its a dated document. Its not cut and dry. There will be times when the rules will need to be bent a little.
2) Well I really don't know what to say about this point. But HA HA! Lawyer and little pay are often not seen in the same sentence. Thank you for the laugh!
Change in public opinion
I agree that Obama's message can unite people. Although, I hope its not his words that will unite, but his actions.
So as you can see I like some of what Obama has to offer, but I truely hope some miracle happens where we find Edwards (or Hillary) in power. I just see sad times ahead if Obama is elected.
anonymous wrote:
"The constitution is the cornerstone of our nation. And yes we need to follow it to the letter, but first it needs some revisions. Its a dated document. Its not cut and dry. There will be times when the rules will need to be bent a little."
if it's not cut and dry, how do you follow it to the letter? and if it's followed to the letter, how are there times that the rules need bent a little?
what amendment(s) you think there need to be?
would one be "be constrained by the constitution until such times that you need to not be constrained by the constitution a little bit."
http://news.yahoo.com/s/ibd/20080115/bs_ibd_ibd/20080115issues
This article covers all of my concerns
i was just having a little fun. : )
but isn't there already written into the consititution emergency powers where things that normally aren't allowed are allowed?
that's what you were talking about, anonymous, correct?
or were you speaking in borader terms?
Anonymous,
Thanks for all the comprehensive feedback (although I must confess that these two sentences are some of the oddest comments that I've seen in a while):
"Yes I agree with you on this, although I feel you are completely wrong."
"You do point out many good points about Obama, but you word them like they are a good thing."
ADA,
You're right to question this statement:
"1) The constitution is the cornerstone of our nation. And yes we need to follow it to the letter, but first it needs some revisions. Its a dated document. Its not cut and dry. There will be times when the rules will need to be bent a little."
It is self-contradictory as you said. No need to back down from your line of questioning.
Here's anonymous's Obama's Church link.
Just a thought, a little off base, but has anyone noticed how small Obama is! I mean not a intimidating man at all. Very small in stature. I want a man that strikes fear in the hearts of all. And Obama is not that man. We need to rule with an iron fist.
Actually if you know anyone with an iron fist, or for that matter an iron anything please tell me! Replacement hips dont count. I want an exposed piece of iron pertruding through the skin!
[Obama's Church] Anonymous,
Something about that link struck me as very strange:
When I click around Yahoo News, I see that every story has the author cited in this format:
By JENNIFER LOVEN, Associated Press Writer
This story just cites: ibd
Which I'm assuming stands for Investor's Business Daily and not Inflammatory Bowel Disease.
I went to IBD and even signed up to get access, but was unable to locate the article. So I went to Wikipedia, some notes on IBD:
(1) "Investors Business Daily also publishes editorials skeptical about global warming and the proposed solutions to fight climate change."
(2) "Ten years after founding, it had a paid circulation of 149,557, with a claimed "total readership" of 850,000 (also phrased as "nearly 1,000,000 readers"), though in 2002, the Los Angeles Business Journal said that it has not been a moneymaker."
I clicked some of the citation links and finally I found, at an affiliate site, the article. But alas no author and none of the claims are cited.
So what we have here is a piece of unnamed, uncited investigative reporting from a small-circulation financial news magazine in LA who's focus is "stocks, mutual funds, commodities, and other financial instruments aimed at individual investors."
This is a great example of why Yahoo is no Reuters or Associated Press.
I would love it if the anonymi could just make up some silly aliases so that I could tell 'em apart.
[Obama's Church] Anonymous,
If John Edwards' Church says that the Bible is the word of God, and the Bible says that a child who blasphemeth the Lord's name should be sat down in a circle of townsfolk and pelted with stones until he is dead do you worry that an Edward's Presidency might bring back juvenile stoning?
Maybe the reason the AP and rueters aren't covering such stories is b/c of the racial sensitive nature of the story... In other words they don't want Al Sharpton at their door
[Obama's Church] Anonymous,
Do you honestly believe that Obama harbors views of Black Nationalism and Afrocentrisms? Or are you worried that this might be how he gets swift-boated in the general election?
Kudos Bob for a well written piece.
BUT this is futher arguing over how to arrange the deck chairs on the Titanic. Every household in America owes $440,00 to the future promisises in our unfunded entitlement programs(social security, medicare etc.). The conservatives say cut taxes becase that results in higher government revenues but they just increase spending to absorb the increased revenue. The liberals say tax the rich. Unfortuantley to pay down the existing debt(not any new spending increases) would take 94% of the wealth of every person in America. We are spending ourselves in to collapse as the two sides encourage us to fight over the deck chairs. In fairness to the politicans what politican could retain his postion by expalining the truth and telling the American people that major sacrifices are needed by all of us to avoid the coming depression(at best)? I will give Romney some credit. He has said that we will have to look at raising the retirenment age and look at changing hoiw the wealthy are treated in the S.S. system. Do I think it will happen? Hell no it is one of many of our sacred rights and entitlements.
fred,
you got me thinking about something i have wondered about for a long time.
soon, with the baby boomers beginning to retire en masse, more money will be going out of SS than coming in for the first time.
so...what have they been doing with surplus SS funds for the last 70 odd years?
that's a rhetorical question.
think how different it would be if the compounded SS taxes that a particular person paid were used for that same person's benefit.
this is over a half century's worth of mismanagement across both parties.
Fred,
I am 100% with you on the fear of economic collapse. So many of the issues we discuss (ex. same sex marriage) are breadcrumbs next to the hippo-sized bread loaf that is the deficit and the bison-sized bread loaf that is out of control spending.
I would honestly bet all my savings right now if offered a 3-to-1 that we will see another 1929-esc stock market crash in the next decade.
And the myth that Democrats are the fiscally irresponsible ones has been put to rest by W. While Dems tax and spend, Republicans spend and charge it on little Johny's credit card.
Look, we need a candidate who won't just tell the people what they want to hear, but what they need to know and is serious about cleaning up Washington. While not perfect, I think Obama's our best shot at both.
or has it over half a century?
now that i am thinking about it, has the SS revenue always been a part of the general budget, or was it more recently that it was pulled in? i'll have to look into it, but now i am thinking that it was the 60's or the 70's that this happened.
i'll see what i can find...
What I mean is when you consider this gross mismanagement and the impending financial crisis, now more than ever is the time for an agent of change, who is actually serious about reform. Now is the time to tell the establishment candidates with their decades of inside-the-beltway experience that the status quo has failed us and revoke their all-access pass in the halls of power.
We have a rare, historic opportunity, where the end of eight years of shocking mismanagement and a viable, fresh, inspirational voice of change are in alignment. In my eyes, missing this window for meaningful reform would be nothing short of tragic.
ok, it's a blend of both. according to wikipedia, a retiree's benefits were, and continue to be, concurrently funded by a payroll tax, and it looks like in 1965 it went from being an independent trust to part of the general fund for additional "congressional revenue."
Ada,
David Walker the Comptroller General has finally gone public with our financial situation. Go to Glen Beck and read his interview(please folks dont discount this man's credentials or story because of your attitude of the host). Ada you can spend days gathering facts and trends but this man's short interview says it all. Will anyone listen? Hell no, it wont win any votes.
Bob,
I think your logic is faulty. Bush and his supporters spending policies have proved they are deficit whores it does not absolve the Dems. Please dont use the tired ruse that because the other side is bad my side is therefore blameless or will do better. This trainwreck has been building for years and both sides have been silent while promoting their narrow interests.
Fred,
Who's absolving a party? I'm certainly not. Reread my comment:
"And the myth that Democrats are the fiscally irresponsible ones has been put to rest by W. While Dems tax and spend, Republicans spend and charge it on little Johny's credit card."
I'm saying that both parties are to blame, that conservatives can no loner absolve their side, that entitlement programs and pork are about the only bipartisan things in Washington.
No absolving here.
Bob, Sorry for misunderstanding. Your follow up clarified your position
fred,
thanks for that. i saw him interviewed not to long ago. was it the daily show? 60 minutes? (funny how i confuse the two. (that is a compliment to the daily show)).
he said it was a really bad mess and he fellt he had no choice but to come forth.
i meant, at that time, to follow up n it but it slipped my mind. thanks for bringing him up.
i wish i could remember the details anymore, but in the late 80's or early 90's, someone was touting the reagan era as a boon for the economy. everyone was doing so well, it was said. the outlook was good. standard of living was up. and so on.
the counter to the point was put forth by a democrat who i can't remember the name of. he said that if you gave him a credit card and told him to go out and buy what he wanted and not worry about where the money was going to come from to pay it off, he'd be doing pretty well, too. but the chickens are going to come home to roost.
that is the ironic thing about reagan and ppl still blowing that horn. for a conservative, the deficit ballooned and the govt got bigger. yes, it was the dems fault too since they controlled the congress for part of his terms. i remember that when reagan was running against carter, he railed against carter for running a yearly deficit of somewhere under a hundred billion, i believe. reagan promised to cut taxes, increase military spending, and balance the budget. by the time he left office, i think the national debt had increased by at least 100%. i don't remember what the yearly deficit went from. i think a couple hundred billion, at least.
it was amazing.
if i quoted anything incorrectly, please correct me.
i tried looking at the numbers before posting it, but it gets too confusing. there is the straight numbers, the adjusted numbers, the numbers as a percentage of gdp, etc. i don't know what is the most relevant.
here's the walker interview with beck
Was wondering, what is the most comments you guys have gotten on one post? This may be one of the most I have seen
-Sammartano
Sammy,
Actually earlier this month when Hillary won NH we got 75 comments on a post.
Our highest comment count ever was 111. We've had 6 posts with over 70 comments and 27 posts with between 70 and 50 comments over the years.
Don't ask me how I know this.
Sammy,
The post with 111 comments was from June of this year and was about Moore's documentary: Sicko.
Allow me to offer my heartiest wishes.
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