Right is Wrong to Attack Obama’s Health Plan

By Matt Miller
from the Financial Times
Published: July 13, 2009

"The Republican charge that Barack Obama is seeking a “government takeover” of US healthcare is further proof that American political rhetoric has become detached from reality. In fact, once you take away the proposed public insurance option, which Mr Obama’s aides have signalled they will drop in final negotiations, the likely outcome is an affordable reform that embraces Mitt Romney’s blueprint from Massachusetts and funds it with John McCain’s best idea from the presidential campaign.

Only in America can you co-opt Republican thinking and have critics label you “socialist”. " Read the whole article here.

From Michael: I think everybody who is interested in the health care debate, especially Republicans, should read the entire article at the Financial Times. I must admit I don't agree with all its positions, especially the idea of dropping the public option, but overall it's very informative. The Times is a conservative business newspaper, and the writer Matt Miller is a former Clinton administration budget official and author of ‘The Tyranny of Dead Ideas." I recommend you read it.

Tuesday's News - Michael

"Generational Theft" Latest Republican LIE!

Good Morning! I've been spending a lot of time lately pointing out Republican lies. I would love to drop this subject, but I can't. The Republicans keep saying things that get me angry, and their most recent talking point gets me angrier than all the rest put together.

Their recent use of the expression "GENERATIONAL THEFT" related to the stimulus bill MAKES ME VERY ANGRY! That Republican right-wing TOOL and propaganda expert Michelle Malkin supposedly used it first. It was so loved by the Republican DECEIT MACHINE that it was later used by John McCain, John Boehner and Rush Limbaugh. More are using it every day.

It's now beginning to enter the Republican vernacular nationwide, as right-wing talk show hosts spew it out to their ignorant listeners who are unfortunately believing it. Yes, their lemmings believe their lies. They're very powerful that way. I don't care what our Democratic leaders say, this is VERY SERIOUS!

Democrats NEED TO REACT! We cannot allow the Republicans to permanently insert this phrase into their national portfolio. We need to CORRECT IT BEFORE IT GETS OUT OF HAND! Any publicity expert would say the same. This needs to be fixed before it becomes part of the national conversation, and considered rote.

We can tolerate some of their Rovian tactics, but this LIE is beyond the pale in my opinion. It TWISTS HISTORY so much it practically kills it. I thought they were good when they successfully labelled John Kerry a Vietnam War traitor, despite the fact that George Bush skipped the war and Kerry won medals. This is even worse! We need to stop them!

IT'S A LIE BEYOND ALL LIES! There's not even a word to describe the deceit and evil behind this LIE, except to maybe label them the "party of lies and deceit." That might come close. No matter what, Democrats need to grow a pair! They must stop underestimating the effect of the Republican Rovians.

Democratic leaders must act NOW! THEY MUST RESPOND WITH FACTS TO HURT THE GOP! CALL THEM LIARS! CALL THEM LIARS!

The Republicans ARE THE GREATEST GENERATIONAL THIEVES IN THE HISTORY OF THE US! They need to be BRANDED with it! They need to be SCALDED with it! They need to have it STITCHED INTO THEIR FOREHEADS if that's what it takes to make our point.

They have transferred more than $10 TRILLION in wealth from future generations. They are guilty as sin, and everybody needs to know it. If any Democratic leader is reading this, PLEASE make an effort to REVERSE this talking point. It's a CRIME! It's a LIE! It's REPUBLICAN, ROVIAN, SOVIET STYLE DECEIT beyond what we should tolerate as a nation!

Tuesday's ANGRY Political Rant #1 - Michael

National Disunity, Innuendo and Scandal

Good Morning Bloggers - The far right has grown even more vocal than usual over the past two months. I realize they're sore losers, but they seem to be accusing Obama and the Democrats of whatever pops into their minds. They're even more illogical and tiresome than usual.

My theory is they smell blood. What blood? A weakness in voter logic. The Clinton and McCain campaign's limited success at harming Obama by linking him to perceived radicals has obviously tweaked their interest. Guilt by association resonates with voters! They see it as a new way to harm Democrats.

In the same way Karl Rove and George Bush drove their fanatics over the past eight years using wedge issues like gay rights and stem cell research, younger Republican strategists are using innuendo to drive scandals using that great American icon - the ROLODEX.

They're using random relationships and speculation as chum to brew new scandals daily. Facts are irrelevant. Since the election they have "chummed-up" the "OBAMA RECESSION," "ELECTION FRAUD" in Minnesota, and numerous other "OBAMA SCANDALS" involving people like Blagojevich and Richardson. Again, facts be damned. It's insanity, but then again it is the far right.

Oh well, I thought they might learn from their defeat, but if the past two months are any indication of their intentions, it appears there will be no coming together as a nation. They will probably continue to use the strategy, and the media will continue to feed from the Republican trough, for as long as it gets them attention.

It's incredible! The election is over, they were beaten very badly, but they still keep fighting. They're like junkyard dogs! Not the funny kind, but the sad kind.

They have decided not to cooperate. Instead, they are determined to paint Obama and his team as corrupt. The corporate media is cooperating by giving their wild speculation air time. The heresay and speculation has grown beyond FOX. The far right is determined to deny the Democrats any respite. They are determined to play dirty to the end.

Republicans get away with war crimes while Democrats are criticized because they associate with one another. The media ignores real scandal while responding to the smallest perception of scandal encouraged by Republicans who seek to prey on weak-minded voters. Unless things improve, the world today seems ass-backward, illogical and dark.

No matter how low they go, it doesn't change the fact that the country voted for Barack Obama to fix the problems caused by the Republicans. That is undeniable. The people want CHANGE! The rantings and the lies of the far right will not change that fact. However, it DISTRACTS from the mission. It HARMS Obama's ability to get things done. It can slow or prevent progress.

I continue to support Obama's desire to unite us, but I bet against it. They are a dishonest and dishonorable opposition. They want us to fail. They are biding their time, hoping to once again lie their way back into power. I grow tired of their deceit, and will not fall for it again.

Tuesday's Political Rant #1 - Michael

Joe the Plumber Scares the Hell Out of Me

Good Morning Bloggers - The latest gossip out of the recent election is AWESOME! Didn't you hear? The Raw Story is reporting this morning on a Glenn - "wow, the man is nuts" - Beck interview where "Joe the Plumber" supposedly said that John McCain made him "feel dirty" and that Sarah Palin was "the real thing."

I'm sorry, but this is both hilarious and frightening! The random guy that John McCain and the Republican Party made their mascot - Joe "the Plumber" Wurzelbacher - said that he felt “dirty” after “being on the campaign trail and seeing some of the things that take place.” The really funny/sad part is what he said after he had a one-on-one meeting with McCain.

"I asked him some pretty direct questions...they appalled me, absolutely. I was angry. In fact, I wanted to get off the bus after I talked to him.” Asked why he stuck by McCain's side despite being "appalled" by the candidate, he said, “honestly, because the thought of Barack Obama as president scares me even more.” Unfreakinbelieveable!!!!! Is this guy for real?

“Sarah Palin is absolutely the real deal,” he said. "With Sarah Palin, I don't want to say I felt a presence but she definitely had energy and she definitely went to work for [the] American people, and it disgusts me on how often they try to bash her just for her sincerity. It's just, you know, she really wants to work for America and I mean, I wish people would listen to her and let them, and let her work for us. You know, she wants to serve us. She's not looking for power."

Excuse me Joe, but we did LISTEN. We tried to LISTEN more, but the campaign wouldn't let us. In the end, WE DIDN'T HEAR ANYTHING! Did you listen? Something tells me that your judgement was clouded by something. Joe, we weren't looking for a simple public "servant," we were looking for a president.

I hate to sound like a blue state snob, but COME ON PEOPLE! This is NUTS! Sensible, responsible citizens can only tolerate so much from these idiots. Yes Joe, that judgement of yours makes me think you're an IDIOT! People like you constantly VOTE AGAINST YOUR OWN BEST INTEREST! Not to mention you ruin it for the rest of us.

So, my only conclusion is that Joe is a typical, ill-informed, irrational voter? He was appalled by his candidate but still refused to vote for a good man like Obama because he "scared" him. What the HELL! Why didn't he just go talk to Obama more and GET OVER HIS IRRATIONAL FEAR? I'm sure Barack would have given him an interview if he wanted one. There's got to be more to the story. Oh yea, how about CLOSED MINDEDNESS and RACISM!

We're up against irrational people that buy into "presence" and "morality" and "energy" over actual knowledge, experience and substance. Didn't we hear the same crap from these fools when they voted for George - "the idiot" Fredo of the Family" - Bush? I don't get it. They actually scare me now. They have too much power. They should not be the swing vote for the future.

How many ignorant blue collar racists are out there? Why do they like Sarah Palin so much? Why can't they see that voting based on irrational emotions gave us Bush? Why don't they see the danger in thinking that way? Why don't they see the damage they've already done? Okay, that's enough ranting. Now, what do we do about them? We need to make sure they don't cause any more damage.

When things get better economically in this country, and the American people are once more swayed by fear and divisiveness, then people like Joe will matter again. As Democrats we need to reach out to the "Joes" of this country. We need to sit down with them before the next election to see if we can change some minds - or mindsets. We need to figure out what motivates them beyond fear and hate. We need to agree with them that cuts are important, but that lower taxes often means mortgaging our children's future. We need to become their friends. We need to educate, not intimidate. So, who's with me? Let's DO IT!

Wednesday's Political Rant and Opinion #1 - Michael

Political Rave: It's Kinda Funny and Sad

Hello Bloggers - In what I could only describe as Leave It To Beaver meets Father Knows Best, something that resembles Republican naivety out of the fifties, a political action committee is thanking Governor Sarah Palin for her "conservative values and service to America" in ads timed for release around Thanksgiving.

I must admit, it has me laughing my ass off. It is kinda funny and sad. I wonder what's going to happen next? Are we all going to be asked to vote for Ike? I wonder why they didn't get Beaver or Wally to narrate? The whole thing is a joke. They think we're out of touch. My God!

The oh-so-comically named Our Country Deserves Better Committee, a political action committee that supported Palin during her vice presidential candidacy (and NOT McCain), will begin airing the ads today.

A male figure appears in front of a smiling image of Palin and says, "We thank you for your passionate, hopeful and articulate advocacy of common sense conservative values." The ad ends with a cheesy Republican chorus exclaiming: "Thank You, Sarah Palin!"

Okay, yea, thank you Sarah Palin, thank you for being moronic enough to LOSE THE ELECTION! This has to be one of the best examples of conservative evangelical BS I've seen in a long time.

Why are they are so enamored with this retard? She is wholly unqualified to run for national office! Why are they going out of their way to THANK HER for being a "service to America?" Why do you people really want this woman as a leader? What are you thinking?

I'm serious, please tell me here. I'm confused. Pray tell, what "service" are you talking about? I'm asking you people who think our country deserves better? (Btw, I agree with you, when you think about the past eight years.)

Was it how she wasted hundreds of thousands in Republican Party money? Was it the way she insisted on handling those national television interviews with little preparation, thus flubbing them and making a mockery of McCain's campaign?

Perhaps it was the way she insisted on taking spontaneous questions on camera answering in rambling sentences that would embarrass most politicians? Perhaps it was just the way she seemed like such a FOOL?

The woman was a political menace! She was a political JOKE! John McCain is too polite, or political, to admit it, but the woman needed be thrown back after the Republican Convention. She was a nightmare! She was a liability!

Oh well, if you guys want to look like fools, then who am I to dissuade you. Go right ahead! It kind of reminds me of the fool who screams at you despite your best efforts to help them. They are the fools screaming into the wind. They are the idiots who will always vote AGAINST THEIR OWN BEST INTERESTS. Sarah Palin in 2012!

You can call me elitist all you want, but that won't stop me from calling her a JOKE! Thank God she didn't win!

Tuesday's Political Rave #1 - Michael

PS- I know that my attitude will piss off some people. Believe it or not I'm not a "blue state elitist." I'm a VERY laid back, down-to-earth person. I'm just sick and tired of listening to, and being led by, those sorts of morons. I'm at my wits end with them. Instincts are not enough. Intelligence is also important. They need to let the adults run things for a while.

Political Rant: The McCain Campaign's Chemical Breakdown

Good Morning Bloggers - Anybody who watched Hardball yesterday would have noticed the remarks made by MSNBC's Political Director Chuck Todd after he sat in on the Nightly News interview with McCain and Palin. He kept telling Chris how he felt their was "NO" chemistry between them.

Todd kept saying it over and over. It was obvious to him. He also said that he sensed a great deal of "tension" in the room. I wonder if they had a big fight before the interview. McCain did make faces during the interview - then again, when does he not make stupid faces. I wonder if McCain is beginning to blame her for his own problems and screw-ups. The really funny part is that they're both pretty awful.

I don't know about you guys, but most Republicans I know are famous for passing the buck. The ones I know rarely take any personal responsibility. I'll bet that's happening with McCain. He's probably blaming her for everything. I'll even go so far as to bet the man's a misogynist - just look how he treats his wife at times. He's probably regretting the Palin decision and it's starting to show. Oh well, all the better for us.

It's also reported on Raw Story this morning that the New York Times Magazine is set to publish an explosive story on Sunday detailing "the inner workings and combative personalities" of the McCain campaign.

Raw Story reports that the piece, written by Robert Draper and titled The Making (and Remaking and Remaking) of the Candidate, will highlight "a growing weariness within a campaign that seems more interested in tactical victories and the next compelling narratives than an overarching strategy." It sounds interesting, but it's been pretty damn obvious to me for a while.


Excerpts: "By October, the succession of backfiring narratives would compel some to reappraise not only McCain's chances but also the decisions made by [Chief Strategist Steve] Schmidt, who only a short time ago was hailed as the savior who brought discipline and unrepentant toughness to a listing campaign."

Having interviewed several of the Senator's chief aides, Draper details the process by which McCain ultimately chose his running mate (New York City mayor Michael Bloomberg was surprisingly high on the list). And the decision may have been even more impulsive than initially thought. Gov. Sarah Palin, who had never been on the VP shortlist, was advanced at the last minute by Schmidt and Rick Davis, and was picked after a chat with McCain at his ranch in Arizona.

From there, Draper tracks the campaign through Palin's widely praised convention speech, the roaring early campaign events, and then the first glimmer of doubts. There are additional, juicy nuggets that he uncovers earlier and along the way. These include the birth of the Obama-as-celebrity attack line -- the campaign felt it was on the wrong track, its pollster described their situation as "third and nine," and Schmidt "blurted out the epiphany concerning Obama. 'Face it, gentlemen,' he said. 'He's being treated like a celebrity.'"


Reports like that confirm a great many of my suspicions. The ironic thing is that everybody I know in Washington (I used to work for a Senator on Capitol Hill) tells me that John McCain has the ultimate celebrity ego. Supposedly, in addition to an early film about his time in Vietnam, he expects a full-feature film spanning his Senate years one day. If it's true, than Obama's rise to fame - at his expense - must be leaving him feeling pretty sore.

I've mentioned before on this blog how I'm a big believer that "the fish rots from the head down." It's not a pretty saying, but it sums up my belief that the top dog creates the "personality" of any organization - based on who he draws into it.

It's pretty obvious that McCain attracts awful people that don't function well together. Think about it, there have been rumors since the primaries about the infighting. That's a pretty damn good reason to vote against him right there. Just think about his potential White House. Scary!

John McCain is a negative person who surrounds himself with negative people. Unfortunately, the fruits of his labor are beginning to rot, and the stench is getting out. It's interesting to watch. I'll bet they're all pretty sick of each other at this point. I suggest we all just sit back and watch the fireworks. If it continues in the same way, there should be a pretty good finale.

Thursday's Political Rant #1 - Michael

Political Rant: Vote Early to Make it Harder for Them to Steal the Election

Good Morning Bloggers - It's getting down to the wire and I'm getting more and more nervous about Republican efforts to steal votes. The signs are not good. John McCain calling ACORN a "threat to democracy," a report in West Virginia about voters actually seeing machines switch their early votes from Obama to McCain right before their eyes, and the Obama campaign's allegations of "potential voter fraud" are making me very nervous.

"I think it is fair to say that some of these challenges do look like suppression efforts," said George Washington University Professor Jonathan Turley on MSNBC this weekend. He continued saying, "there is really grounds to be concerned here."

The Obama campaign took the less-than-impressive step of contacting our infamous do-nothing Attorney General Mukasey. You know him, he's the guy who won't enforce Congressional subpoenas and who pretty much said that George Bush is above the law during his confirmation hearings. Oh yea, our thanks to Diane Feinstein (D-CA) and Chuck Schumer (D-NY) for allowing another corrupt AG into office.

They wrote him a letter expressing their concern about the election. "The allegations of voter fraud made by the McCain campaign about ACORN and Sen. Obama's alleged connections to it sound similar to another scandal during President Bush's administration," wrote Robert Bauer on behalf of the Obama campaign. "This is an astonishing repeat of the kind of toxic intrusion of politics into the lawful administration of justice that we saw during the U.S. attorney scandal," Bauer said. "We're seeing a repeat of that."

One of my favorites's, MSNBC's Rachel Maddow, suggested the McCain campaign's allegations are an attempt to reduce the turnout of newly registered voters, most of whom are Democrats. "To keep turnout low, prevent votes from being counted and scare voters into thinking there are massive voting shenanigans and that their vote won't count anyway," Maddow said.

I think it's worse. I think they've had a plan to switch votes both electronically and otherwise for a long time. "The scenario for winning for us is a narrow-victory scenario," said Steve Schmidt, McCain’s chief strategist.

Unless we can persuade voters to turn-out early and en masse they might be able to switch enough votes to get those narrow victories in the electoral college swing states they need. Chuck Todd of MSNBC is reporting they are only focusing on the electoral college now. That's very good news for us, since they're being forced to narrow their focus, making it easier to catch them.

Remember, they got away with it before and there's no reason to believe they might not be able to pull it off again. I admit, I'm very worried, so please VOTE EARLY to make it harder for them to steal our election.

Monday's Political Rant #1 - Michael

Debate Review: Obama was Clear, Strong While McCain Was Twitchy, Angry

Good Morning Bloggers - It's a beautiful morning here in Southern California. It's kind of perverse, but sunrises are always more beautiful when they're bathed in wildfire smoke. Anyway, here's my impression of the last presidential debate of the season. As I've grown to expect, my candidate Barack Obama did another great job. McCain seemed twitchy, angry, and inarticulate.

McCain seemed hyperbolic and crazy to me. ACORN, one of America's oldest and community organizations that hasn't done anything wrong except maybe hired some bad people who they fired, is a "threat" to democracy. Is he nuts! He seemed to ramble, stare, groan, breath weirdly, and get very defensive about everybody and anybody who ever attended his rallies, when it was clear that Obama was talking about a few bad apples. Even his bravado was strange. Was it just me, or did he seem to be want to punch somebody at that moment? It was freaky to say the least.

I will be posting the Factcheck.org details about how each candidate "stretched the truth" soon after I get it, but my gut tells me that McCain lied about some pretty important things. One of the worst was when McCain claimed to "repudiate" anybody who was "out of line" in his campaign. What a load of crap. The McCain campaign has tolerated and encouraged outrageous comments about Obama from spokespeople and supporters for months. That comment was outrageous and without a hint of truth.

Early polls released last night showed that Obama did well again. If things continue to go this way, America will have something to celebrate in a few weeks. Obama is a good man, but even more important, he's an intelligent, capable man. We are very lucky to have him at this time in our history. If we succeed - yes, WE, his small donors and supporters - in getting him elected president then we will all have a reason to hold a big party.

His campaign is considering an election night party in Chicago's Grant Park. I think we should all consider holding a party or attending one. Email me if you have any ideas. For those negative Republicans who think we might be counting our proverbial eggs, I say there's nothing wrong with being optimistic, especially since I can't even imagine the alternative. Thanks for another great debate Barack! You're doing a great job!

Thursday's Debate Review #1 - Michael

Political Rant: I Don't Care What the McCain Campaign Says, It's Still Hateful

Hello Bloggers - If you read my earlier posts you would understand why I would like to agree completely with Rep. John Lewis (D) of Georgia, veteran of the civil rights movement, who said over the weekend that the negative tone of the McCain presidential campaign reminds him of the "hateful atmosphere that segregationist Gov. George Wallace fostered in Alabama in the 1960s."

One example is the photo accompanying this post. It was quietly released by the McCain campaign accompanying some daily news, and Reuters used it online. Say it so John? I don't care what you say, that photo is designed to anger Appalachian swing voters

Self-righteous McCain called Lewis' remarks "shocking and beyond the pale" on Saturday. Really Senator, how? Unfortunately the Obama campaign responded by saying the he doesn't believe McCain or his policy criticism is at all comparable to Wallace and his segregationist policies. Barack, that's not what John Lewis was trying to say. He said that he was creating a similar "hateful atmosphere."

I agree with Lewis that McCain and Palin are "sowing the seeds of hatred and division," and there is "no need for this hostility in our political discourse." He rightly said that "George Wallace never threw a bomb. He never fired a gun, but he created the climate and the conditions that encouraged vicious attacks against innocent Americans who were simply trying to exercise their constitutional rights."

Late Saturday, Lewis released another statement saying it was not his "intention or desire" to directly compare McCain or Palin to Wallace. I agree, he never said that. It was the stupid campaigns saying it. Lewis was being more general.

"My statement was a reminder to all Americans that toxic language can lead to destructive behavior," he said. "I am glad that Sen. McCain has taken some steps to correct divisive speech at his rallies. I believe we need to return to civil discourse in this election about the pressing economic issues that are affecting our nation."

McCain's response was absurd. "I am saddened that John Lewis, a man I've always admired, would make such a brazen and baseless attack on my character and the character of the thousands of hardworking Americans who come to our events to cheer for the kind of reform that will put America on the right track." You liar, he didn't attack your character or your supporters, just the atmosphere you were allowing to develop around you.

Reuters reported in August that McCain, while appearing at a forum on faith, was asked to name three "wise people" he would listen to. He cited Lewis as well as Gen. David Petreaus, head of U.S. troops in Iraq, and former eBay CEO Meg Whitman, a top adviser to his campaign. In my opinion, he needs to listen to Lewis' wisdom now and stop driving the hate machine.

Monday's Political Rant #1 - Michael

Political Rant: McCain, Palin, and the Nation's First Campaign Klan Rallies

Good Morning Bloggers - I would like to talk about McCain's latest campaign tactic. While watching Hardball yesterday I was struck how the pundits agreed - Pat Robertson and the more moderate ones - that the current tactic of stirring up the base will only lead to putting off the independents and moderate Republicans. I agree completely. This tactic has to hurt McCain, not help him.

Over the past few days we've listened to McCain and Palin spew garbage at their "rallies," while their audiences shout "terrorist," "Nobama," "traitor" and "socialist" at the mention of the Democratic Senator. The audiences have been filled with boos and rude gestures. One rally supposedly featured a large number of middle fingers, along with shouts of "treason," "kill him," and one actual report of a "lynch him." The really incredible thing is that the corporate media isn't making a big deal out of it. They're talking about the candidates, but they're not talking about the wackos in the audience very much at all. It's bizarre.

This goes beyond the base, my friends (spoken annoyingly), this is more akin to a KLAN RALLY! The only thing missing is the burning cross. What do they think they're doing? This is insane. It's DANGEROUS to stir up those kinds of people. They could KILL somebody. They might even turn against us, the average Obama supporters, like dogs ready to tear at red meat. Trust me, I've almost been bashed for my beliefs, so I know how dangerous fanatics can get.

McCain and Palin need to switch gears. Somehow I think it's a long shot since they seem to be running out of ideas. After the Rev. Wright and Bill Ayers attacks they will find other ways to stir the base over the weeks ahead, while sticking to what works. Let's see, what pisses rednecks off? They'll probably move on to his "conflicted heritage," his father's muslim roots, how annoyingly smart he is, the way he's too elegant, how classy and cultured he is, the way he's too dapper and statesman-like, and finally end by criticizing his big ears. Oh yea, and he's an "elitist." Oh my God, what idiots.

To be very blunt, the people at those rallies are nuts, and they don't read much either. They're blaming the Democrats for the financial crisis, and they want McCain to "throw all the Democrats in jail" when he "wins" in November. In Wisconsin yesterday one fan said, "I can't stand to look at him, I don't trust him. I don't like the circle of friends he keeps, and I don't like his policies. I'm pissed off by it. I'm beyond mad. How is he climbing up in the polls?" I'll tell you how, he's the better candidate.

McCain's supporters are showing the same hatred for the media. Palin is even encouraging them to hate the media. She criticizes the press at most of the rallies. "It's dangerous territory whenever I suggest the mainstream media isn't asking all the questions." The crowds then go wild, shouting and cursing at the media in attendance. McCain's advisers are saying that their crowds are "spirited" and "frustrated" instead of "hate-filled" and "crazy" like any good psychotherapist would tell you. They dismiss the crowd's angry tone as "unrepresentative" of their campaign." Yea, right.

I can't believe we have another month of this crap. We've moved from a legitimate, dirty campaign, to a bloody cock fight in the deepest, darkest, foulest backwoods. When is the next rally boys? Do I bring a sheet? McCain, Palin and the Republicans are inciting anger they may not be able to control. Somebody is going to get hurt. If it isn't the Senator himself (God forbid), then it's going to one one his supporters. The people attending their rallies are crazy, and they shouldn't be stirred up. I am scared something ugly is going to happen. I hate to predict it, but somebody is going to get seriously injured or killed, and probably soon.

Friday's Political Rant #1 - Michael

Political Rant: My Fellow Americans, Let's Help John McCain Retire Early

Hello Bloggers - Some of you might have heard that McCain called people "my fellow prisoners" instead of "my fellow Americans" during a speech in Pennsylvania yesterday.

To be blunt, I don't trust this man. I believe it was just another way to bring up his past suffering and war record to earn sympathy votes. He must have heard that we were growing weary and tried to be more subtle. It was no slip of the tongue. He was in prison over twenty years ago and we are supposed to believe that he would say something like that. He was in a small cell during his incarceration. How often would he have called out to his "fellow prisoners" anyway. The whole think stinks, just like his campaign lately.

To me it is just one more example of the fake John McCain. In my opinion, despite being a war hero, the man is creepy. There's a report this morning on the Huffington Post about how he attacked a poor woman at a crap's table in Puerto Rico because she touched him. The man must have a screw loose. Who does that? He doesn't have the right temperament or disposition to be president. The man probably shouldn't be in the US Senate if you think about it what we've learned lately.

I say that we help him out and let him retire early. Let's learn from the interesting revelations of late and help him settle down into a nice, quiet life. My fellow Americans, and the citizens of Arizona, need to give this man a break. We need to vote for Obama in November, and the good people of Arizona need to vote for somebody else at their next opportunity.

Thursday's Political Rant #2 - Michael

Political Rant: Palin Might Spell Trouble for the Republicans in the Future

Hello Bloggers - I was just talking to somebody today about how I felt Sarah Palin represents bad news for the Republicans if they lose this election, and they pointed me to a piece on the Huffington Post where "conservative" columnist David Brooks of the New York Times is saying pretty much the same thing.

David Brooks is calling Sarah Palin a "fatal cancer to the Republican party." Funny, I was calling her a"broken compass," pointing the party in the wrong direction. Both are good in my opinion.

In an interview with The Atlantic's Jeffrey Goldberg, Brooks decried Palin's anti-intellectualism and compared her to President Bush. I was telling my friend the same thing today. If this election goes south for them, I believe the Republicans will need to reject a lot of that "good-ole-boy" anti-intellectualism because it will be obvious that things are too complicated these days to elect simpletons.

Brooks went further to say:
"[Palin] represents a fatal cancer to the Republican party. When I first started in journalism, I worked at the National Review for Bill Buckley. And Buckley famously said he'd rather be ruled by the first 2,000 names in the Boston phone book than by the Harvard faculty."

"But he didn't think those were the only two options. He thought it was important to have people on the conservative side who celebrated ideas, who celebrated learning. And his whole life was based on that, and that was also true for a lot of the other conservatives in the Reagan era."

"Reagan had an immense faith in the power of ideas. But there has been a counter, more populist tradition, which is not only to scorn liberal ideas but to scorn ideas entirely. And I'm afraid that Sarah Palin has those prejudices. I think President Bush has those prejudices." Read the whole article here.

Brooks is predicting an Obama victory by nine points, and though he harshly calls Obama "a very mediocre senator," he says that he surrounds himself - by what Brooks calls - "the most impressive people in the Democratic party." Between you and me, what is it about Republicans and their love of teams? That's all we ever heard about when Bush ran both times; he's okay, but most important he surrounds himself with a good team. Look how that turned out - oh yea, and his team SUCKED!

Teams are important, but the individual who picks them is more important. I give Barack credit for his team. It's not by chance he runs a professional operation. I've always believed - since running a few companies - that the old Russian proverb "the fish rots from the head down" is very profound. The leader of any organization, or the person who direct all the layers of people hired beneath him, creates the "personality" and professionalism of the whole organization. So, to put it another way, Barack's team is good because Barack is good.

I'm glad to see that conservative columnists like George Will, David Brooks and others are seeing Obama for the good man that he is, and McCain for the not-so-good man that he has become. I hope the trend continues. Regarding Palin, I do hope the Republicans figure out that our country needs smart leadership. We've had enough of those who feel they govern from the gut and do God's work despite all arguments and urging not to.

Wednesday's Political Rant #1 - Michael

Political News: New York Times Calls Out McCain's "Appalling" Campaign

Hello Bloggers - I thought this editorial from the New York Times deserved to be reposted here. Enjoy!

Politics of Attack
It is a sorry fact of American political life that campaigns get ugly, often in their final weeks. But Senator John McCain and Gov. Sarah Palin have been running one of the most appalling campaigns we can remember.

They have gone far beyond the usual fare of quotes taken out of context and distortions of an opponent’s record — into the dark territory of race-baiting and xenophobia. Senator Barack Obama has taken some cheap shots at Mr. McCain, but there is no comparison.

Despite the occasional slip (referring to Mr. Obama’s “cronies” and calling him “that one”), Mr. McCain tried to take a higher road in Tuesday night’s presidential debate. It was hard to keep track of the number of times he referred to his audience as “my friends.” But apart from promising to buy up troubled mortgages as president, he offered no real answers for how he plans to solve the country’s deep economic crisis. He is unable or unwilling to admit that the Republican assault on regulation was to blame.

Ninety minutes of forced cordiality did not erase the dismal ugliness of his campaign in recent weeks, nor did it leave us with much hope that he would not just return to the same dismal ugliness on Wednesday.

Ms. Palin, in particular, revels in the attack. Her campaign rallies have become spectacles of anger and insult. “This is not a man who sees America as you see it and how I see America,” Ms. Palin has taken to saying.

That line follows passages in Ms. Palin’s new stump speech in which she twists Mr. Obama’s ill-advised but fleeting and long-past association with William Ayers, founder of the Weather Underground and confessed bomber. By the time she’s done, she implies that Mr. Obama is right now a close friend of Mr. Ayers — and sympathetic to the violent overthrow of the government. The Democrat, she says, “sees America, it seems, as being so imperfect that he’s palling around with terrorists who would target their own country.”

Her demagoguery has elicited some frightening, intolerable responses. A recent Washington Post report said at a rally in Florida this week a man yelled “kill him!” as Ms. Palin delivered that line and others shouted epithets at an African-American member of a TV crew.

Mr. McCain’s aides haven’t even tried to hide their cynical tactics, saying they were “going negative” in hopes of shifting attention away from the financial crisis — and by implication Mr. McCain’s stumbling response.

We certainly expected better from Mr. McCain, who once showed withering contempt for win-at-any-cost politics. He was driven out of the 2000 Republican primaries by this sort of smear, orchestrated by some of the same people who are now running his campaign.

And the tactic of guilt by association is perplexing, since Mr. McCain has his own list of political associates he would rather forget. We were disappointed to see the Obama campaign air an ad (held for just this occasion) reminding voters of Mr. McCain’s involvement in the Keating Five savings-and-loan debacle, for which he was reprimanded by the Senate. That episode at least bears on Mr. McCain’s claims to be the morally pure candidate and his argument that he alone is capable of doing away with greed, fraud and abuse.

In a way, we should not be surprised that Mr. McCain has stooped so low, since the debate showed once again that he has little else to talk about. He long ago abandoned his signature issues of immigration reform and global warming; his talk of “victory” in Iraq has little to offer a war-weary nation; and his Reagan-inspired ideology of starving government and shredding regulation lies in tatters on Wall Street.

But surely, Mr. McCain and his team can come up with a better answer to that problem than inciting more division, anger and hatred.

Needless to say I agree with the editorial completely. These are serious times calling for serious people and serious campaigns. Republicans should demand better of McCain. You tell me he's an honorable man yet he's gone back on everything he promised in this campaign, especially the part about maintaining civility. I personally have lost all respect for the man.

Wednesday's Political News #2 - Michael

Review: Poor McCain, I Almost Felt Sorry for Him, But Not Quite

Good Morning Bloggers - As usual, I would like to give my impression of the debate before reading the daily news. I thought Barack did an amazing job last night explaining not only his positions but how we have to focus on revenues, not just cuts. I felt kind of sorry for McCain. He wasn't angry like I expected. He just seemed kind of slow and awkward. But after all the name calling lately, calling Barack a terrorist in every other speech, I have very little pity for the guy. I guess what goes around, comes around.

McCain and the Republicans try to keep any discussion of revenue generation or maintenance off the table. I thought Barack was very convincing last night slamming McCain for not recognizing the scope of the problem. Cuts alone will not solve our problems. Every American, including the wealthy, must sacrifice while continuing to invest. The country cannot afford McCain's tax cuts any more than we can afford his health plan with its trillion plus dollar cuts to Medicare and Medicaid.

I also appreciated the questions about making sacrifices and priorities. Bush, McCain and the Republicans have wanted us to go shopping. McCain didn't even have a direct answer to the question about sacrifice. Obama is calling for us all to learn more about energy savings and to implement changes in our daily lives. I really appreciated that call to action. It was a breath of fresh air. Obama gave his clear priorities: energy, healthcare and entitlements. Again, McCain didn't answer the question.

Overall I thought Barack had another solid debate performance. I got calls from some Republican friends of mine who were very disappointed with McCain - they're even questioning their support for him. To me, McCain seemed old and doddery last night while Barack looked strong and confident. I must admit things are looking up. Perhaps there really is light at the end of this nightmare of a tunnel.

Wednesday's Political Debate Review #1 - Michael

Political Rant: McCain Calls Obama a Big Liar for Being Honest About Crisis

Hello Bloggers - Incredibly, Philip Elliot of the AP is reporting that Republican John McCain called Democratic rival Barack Obama a liar in Albuquerque yesterday afternoon at a campaign rally - for being honest the way I see it.

Elliott reports that McCain told those in attendance that "Sen. Obama has accused me of opposing regulation to avert this crisis. I guess he believes if a lie is big enough and repeated often enough it will be believed." I looked and I can't find where Obama accused McCain of "opposing regulation to avert this crisis," but I can say that it is basically true.

To be blunt and honest both parties opposed legislation to avert this crisis, because both parties had reform legislation (or versions of legislation) they supported and the other party opposed - no compromise was reached and so the issue remained deadlocked in congress for years. Despite all of the claims and counter-claims, as I've said many times recently, all indications and research points to one primary cause: the Bush Administration's lack of enforcement and oversight while the reform legislation was being held-up in Congress.

As many of my readers know I've done a great deal of research on this issue. I've even spoken to many of my old friends in Washington to compare notes. The attempted reforms that McCain is talking about a few years back were partisan and considered extremely risky by those who wanted to keep the best parts of the housing system intact. McCain and his Bush allies were unwilling to compromise on reforms that would have preserved a system that worked for decades creating American housing prosperity.

He is calling Barack a liar. I am now calling him a liar! McCain said yesterday at the rally that "the campaign comes down to a simple question: Who is the real Barack Obama?" I say that is a bunch of BS! It's all Rovian distraction - or crap - to muddy the waters and make Obama look like a risky person.

McCain drew the loudest cheers when he said the Democrat has written two memoirs but "he's not exactly an open book." What? Most readers praise Obama's books as wonderful and honest. Who were the cheering fools in Albuquerque? Republican cult followers designed to create an appearance of support? I guess we have to consider the source.

If all McCain has over the next month is to call a good man a liar than he truly has run out of ideas and deserves everything he's getting. He's falling in the polls and unless his negative, Rovian campaigning works he will soon diminish more both in effectiveness and stature. He's already fallen too far for many of us.

If it gets much worse, I think we're going to witness an implosion and self-destruction on a personal level not seen in American politics since Richard Nixon disintegrated while in office. I personally think he needs a break. As I like to say, for all you Republicans who know the facts, and who don't drink the Kool--Aid, I beg you to reconsider your votes and take a stand against McCain, Rove, and everything that has gone wrong with politics in America.

Tuesday's Political Rant #2 - Michael

Political Rant: Do You Really Want Another Incurious Boob in the White House?

Hello Bloggers - In recent interviews Sarah Palin has been unable to say whether she reads the news. She repeatedly failed to cite a newspaper or magazine when asked what she had read regularly before John McCain picked her as his running mate, saying only that she had read "most of them."

In an interview aired Tuesday on The CBS Evening News, Katie Couric asked Palin what publications she had read to stay informed and to understand the world. "I've read most of them, again with a great appreciation for the press, for the media," Palin replied. Asked for examples, she said, "Um, all of them, any of them that have been in front of me all these years."

Asked again for an example, Palin told Couric: "I have a vast variety of sources where we get our news, too. Alaska isn't a foreign country, where it's kind of suggested, 'Wow, how could you keep in touch with what the rest of Washington, D.C., may be thinking when you live up there in Alaska?' Believe me, Alaska is like a microcosm of America."

If you're voting for McCain/Palin, I would like to say COME ON PEOPLE! Do we really need four more years - and possibly eight - of this crap. I am so sick of people voting for people who remind them of themselves, or who they think is a "good person" despite their lack of experience and qualifications. We're talking the vice presidency of the US here. Do you really want another ill-informed, ignorant, incurious, shoot-from-the-hip moron in the White House? This isn't high school or a popularity contest. We need smart people to find smart solutions to very difficult problems. PLEASE TAKE THIS MORE SERIOUSLY!

Wednesday's Political Rant #2 - Michael

Political Comment: First Debate a Draw, So Obama Wins

Good Morning Bloggers - My view is that both candidates did a good job last night, and even though McCain kept Obama on the defensive more, I think Obama's solid performance was critical.

John McCain pointed out many times last night how he has the experience and voters know him. Obama simply had to prove he was well informed and could keep up with McCain. In my opinion he did a good job keeping up and more. He was knowledgeable and assertive, even questioning McCain's judgement in many areas.

McCain might have impressed some people with his combative style, but not me. I think America is instinctively turning away from that style after eight years of Bush. I don't know it hurt him or not, but McCain was slightly hunched and angry and far too dismissive, rude, and condescending. He didn't treat Obama with the respect he deserves. I really didn't like the way McCain never looked at Obama - it made him look small and petty. For all those who thought Obama was too polite, I disagree. Obama needed to show McCain respect. The American people would have been offended if Obama treated McCain poorly in any way.

Some clarification from FactCheck.org:

• Obama said McCain adviser Henry Kissinger backs talks with Iran “without preconditions,” but McCain disputed that. In fact, Kissinger did recently call for “high level” talks with Iran starting at the secretary of state level and said, “I do not believe that we can make conditions.” After the debate the McCain campaign issued a statement quoting Kissinger as saying he didn’t favor presidential talks with Iran.


• Obama denied voting for a bill that called for increased taxes on “people” making as little as $42,000 a year, as McCain accused him of doing. McCain was right, though only for single taxpayers. A married couple would have had to make $83,000 to be affected by the vote, and anyway no such increase is in Obama’s tax plan.


• McCain and Obama contradicted each other on what Joint Chiefs of Staff Chairman Admiral Mike Mullen said about troop withdrawals. Mullen said a time line for withdrawal could be “very dangerous” but was not talking specifically about “Obama’s plan,” as McCain maintained.


• McCain tripped up on one of his signature issues – special appropriation “earmarks.” He said they had “tripled in the last five years,” when in fact they have decreased sharply.


• Obama claimed Iraq “has” a $79 billion surplus. It once was projected to be as high as that. It’s now down to less than $60 billion.


• McCain repeated his overstated claim that the U.S. pays $700 billion a year for oil to hostile nations. Imports are running at about $536 billion this year, and a third of it comes from Canada, Mexico and the U.K.


• Obama said 95 percent of “the American people” would see a tax cut under his proposal. The actual figure is 81 percent of households.


• Oama mischaracterized an aspect of McCain’s health care plan, saying “employers” would be taxed on the value of health benefits provided to workers. Employers wouldn’t, but the workers would. McCain also would grant workers up to a $5,000 tax credit per family to cover health insurance.


• McCain misrepresented Obama's plan by claiming he'd be "handing the health care system over to the federal government." Obama would expand some government programs but would allow people to keep their current plans or chose from private ones, as well.


• McCain claimed Gen. Dwight D. Eisenhower had drafted a letter of resignation from the Army to be sent in case the 1944 D-Day landing at Normandy turned out to be a failure. Ike prepared a letter taking responsibility, but he didn’t mention resigning.

Overall, I think they both did a good job. I think Obama - being a poker player - is keeping his cards close to his chest. I think he plans to poke McCain more and more over the next three debates, hopefully leading to an angry McCain in the end. Like Reagan in 1980, all Obama has to do is communicate competence and strength, and I think the American people will accept him in November. Your reactions?

Saturday's Political Comment #1 - Michael

Political Observation: What's Up with John McCain's Eye

Hello Bloggers - I'm so happy to learn that I'm not the only one who thinks there's something wrong with John McCain based on the way his left eye has looked lately. It's all over the web now, so I guess I'm not the only one who noticed. The corporate media and Republicans should demand to know if something's wrong, otherwise, we may end up with Sarah Palin sooner than expected. Oh God, please NO!

Political Observation #1 - Michael

Political Rant: The Greatest Theft in the History of the US - Possibly the World

Good Morning Bloggers - The Bush Administration's - Paulson's - proposal that will slam into Congress next week demanding that Americans pump roughly $1 trillion into the US financial industry is nothing short of the greatest theft in the history of the US - and possibly the world.

I know that many of you are going to tell me that it's unavoidable, and that we have to spend the money to avoid a depression. Fine, but that doesn't change the fact that taxpayers are being asked to assume hundreds of billions in banking and other debt, which only occurred because of the way the Republicans destroyed the firewalls between different financial sectors, causing banks and small lenders to loan money willy-nilly, conning borrowers, and ultimately making billions reselling the paper for incredible profits.

It also doesn't change the fact that we're printing money so fast that our inflation rate will skyrocket, and probably next year, after Obama becomes president. It will be just in time for you Republicans to blame the entire mess on us. It just isn't fair. You screw everything up and will probably get away with blaming us. It's MADNESS! I wish you would all wake up tomorrow with a bloody conscience. HOW CAN YOU LIVE WITH YOURSELVES! You're screwing your own children, grand-children and great-grand-children. You're all nuts! You take, take, take, and when you destroy the system, you want to be bailed out - and then want more. You cannot be trusted running government.

I know many of you Republicans blame the borrowers. It's convenient, isn't it? You claim the borrowers lied their way into their loans - supposedly having no intention of paying them back. I think that's your way of coping with your own party's outrageous screw-up - no, THEFT! You can't blame people for wanting a better life! The Bush Administration, the SEC, the Treasury, and the Fed should have all be watching for this! Government and its institutions are supposed to make sure this doesn't happen - by law - and they dropped the $1 trillion pound ball!

If John McCain is elected and these policies are allowed to continue, then the proposed bailout will be paid for by the American worker and more bailouts may be required in the future because the greed and "casino culture" as McCain describes will be allowed to continue. There are so many thieves in this scenario that I don't have enough time to describe them all, so I will simply say that I believe the Republican Party and the Bush Administration should now be considered the most successful thieves in the history of our nation, and possibly in the history of mankind.

Btw, if you try and argue that FDR spent a lot of money to pull the nation out of depression, my response is that the money was spent on the American worker to create jobs and build infrastructure that serves us today. The trillion dollar bailout being discussed today bares no resemblance. It's simply stealing money from hard working people and giving it to large international institutions that will continue to steal from us.

I warn you, unless we elect Barack Obama and the laws are changed to repair the damage, this will go on, and on, and on. You will keep letting the fox into the proverbial chicken coop. We are screwed, and unless we all act now, we will be even more screwed!

Friday's Political Rant #1 - Michael

Political News: What the Corporate Media Won't Report on McCain

The Raw Story website just published a fascinating article about Cindy McCain's drug use and the drama surrounding it, which includes vivid descriptions of John McCain's sweet disposition - sorry, we meant horrible temper and desire for vengeance. The article is called Whistle blower breaks 15-year silence to allege McCain hid wife's drug abuse, and it's online now. His wrath to harm one whistle blower exposed to the drama is described in detail. For those of you who want to point out that Barack Obama took drugs we have only one thing to say; there's a big difference between somebody who uses drugs to highlight their mistakes and somebody who has hidden their drug use to make themselves look like something they're not. It is worth a read.

Enjoy - R&R Political Contributor.

(See the article at: http://rawstory.com/news/2008/Whistleblower_breaks_15year_silence_to_allege_0911.html)