I Guess We'll Take Him

Good Morning Bloggers! I would like to share my reaction to the Arlen Specter news yesterday. Let's just say that I'm both happy and sad.

I know I should be very happy, but to be honest my reaction is tainted by my slight bitter belief that we need to move away from the old guard and move toward a new type of politician - a less bought-and-paid-for kind. That said, I do believe Arlen Specter is a man of honesty and integrity, but he's still very much a product of today's broken system.

For me, he'll have to be more progressive on all the new Obama initiatives before I feel comfortable selling his seat out from under a perfectly good, new Democratic talent.

I'll admit, his record on Project Vote Smart shows that he's a very well-rounded, moderate Senator. His voting record paints a picture of a conservative Democrat, one who has helped the middle-class by and large. No matter, I still have reservations. I especially dislike his positions on preemptive war and employee choice, or what the "pro-business GOP" likes to call "card check." They both suck!

Anyway, I guess we're stuck with him since Harry "the wimp" Reid and President Obama obviously struck a deal. I hope they know something we don't, such as a quiet, verbal commitment by him to vote WITH THE DEMOCRATS to end GOP debates. As Martha Stewart likes to say, that would be a good thing.

Overall it's accurate to say the Senior Senator from Pennsylvania is not overly conservative. His conservative special interest ratings are low. The John Birch Society rated him a low 28% in 2008, The Christian Coalition 30%, GOP USA 16%, The Club for Growth 13%, The American Conservative Union gave him a generous 48%, and The Americans for Prosperity 0%. Wow, don't conservatives name their organizations well? The names have nothing to do with their psycho agendas, but they are cool. What a bunch of lying assholes!

So, I guess he's not as bad as some. Despite that fact, I still have a lingering feeling that we may have been better off with a younger, more dynamic Democrat. Age and wisdom are important, but not if they're going to mean another decade or two of old-fashioned, slow, antiquated politics. Like so many of you, I voted for CHANGE in 2008, and I want as much of it as we can get.

Wednesday's Political Rave - Michael

PS - I just learned that Specter took a lot of money from the AFL-CIO recently and turned around and told them he changed his mind and wouldn't support the Employee Free Choice Act. If that's true, it's one more example of why we need to get rid of people like Specter. Based on that and other information about Specter's supposed "independence," I hope the people of Pennsylvania support another Democratic candidate.

PSS - On another subject, I think we should complain to the FCC about the FOX Network's refusal to air the President's news conference. There are few national broadcast networks, and they should all cover the President during times of crisis. FOX denies us news at a time of war, pandemic flu, and economic collapse. It just goes to show you that Rupert Murdoch is the WORST import since our last major pandemic. The man is SCUM!

Viva La Revolution!

Good Morning Readers! There's a new Rasmussen national poll out that suggests only 53% of American adults believe capitalism is better than socialism. That result is extraordinary! No wonder John McCain lost the election trying to paint Barack Obama as a socialist.

It also clear now why the idiots of FOX "News" and other conservative media are beginning to look like smoke-filled echo chambers these days. The term "socialism" is finally losing some of its political punch, and they're just too stupid to realize it. I think it's a positive sign for those of us concerned about the future. Hopefully, it shows that America is evolving.

Rasmussen found that 20% of Americans say socialism is better, while 27% are not sure which is better. That sounds predictable. What is shocking are the trends. It's all about the next generation people!

Adults under 30 are essentially evenly divided: 37% prefer capitalism, 33% socialism, and 30% are undecided. That is NEW! That is NEWS! The slightly older thirty-somethings are a bit more supportive of the free-enterprise approach with 49% for capitalism and 26% for socialism. That still represents a trend away from Republicanism.

Adults over 40 strongly favor capitalism, and just 13% of older Americans believe socialism is better. Of course, they represent the heart of modern, unregulated capitalism, or Republicanism.

Personally, I consider myself a responsible capitalist. What is that? By and large it means I believe in sustainable economics, or an economy that can sustain society and all of mankind, while contributing to individual freedom and happiness. I also believe in trying to protect health, the environment, the vulnerable, and the future. Wow, what a radical I am!

Most of those protections are already in place. The missing link involves health care, and I think President Obama will handle that issue. The only "socialism" left to worry about involves the large holes in regulations left by modern Republicans. You know what I mean? The Republican deregulation that destroyed the modern economy. It's clear that we need to re-regulate the market so that it doesn't destroy itself or us. We also have to ensure a healthy, sustainable future.

As the poll suggests, most YOUNG Americans today are supportive of the idea. It also suggests most OLDER Americans, mainly Republicans (led by idiots like Bush, McCain, Palin and Romney), are way behind the learning curve. It makes you wonder if they'll ever catch-up. I wouldn't hold my breath.

I think the poll also suggests that people are changing their minds about the nature of free enterprise and what we call individual rights. The Republican free market ideal has always meant unlimited rights. I think that is less acceptable to people now. National and world resources are now seen as limited. It only makes sense that individual responsibility is more important. Free enterprise and individuals rights will pay a price. The planet and the future are now seen as vulnerable.

Free enterprise must have limits. It must be both responsible and sustainable.

Just to be clear for those on the right, I'm talking about multi-party, socially responsible capitalism. A sustainable, healthy capitalism. I'm NOT talking about a state economy, or a single-party socialistic economy. If you jump to that conclusion, you're an idiot! It would save a lot of time [in this debate] if you just accept that fact, and not try to paint me out to be some kind of anti-capitalistic, anti-democratic nut case.

It's now becoming clear that Republican-led, unregulated, free market capitalism is slowly destroying our nation, our planet, our health, and our children's future.

I think people are figuring it out. It seems the only ones denying it now are the far right, and they're beginning to look like a radical fringe group. Interestingly, if you listen to conservative media, they think the revolution is going their way. I think it's going our way - let's hope, our future depends on it. I guess we'll have to wait and see. Viva la Revolution!

Thursday's Political Rant - Michael

The Republican's Trillion Dollar Debacle

Good Morning Readers! I must be brief today so I thought I would share some quick thoughts on the illustrious six year anniversary of the Republican-led Iraq war and our miserably long and expensive occupation.

It was so gratifying this morning to hear that thousands of Iraqis are celebrating by burning American flags across the nation in street demonstrations. It warmed my heart when I heard the interviews with dozens of Iraqis complaining about us as occupiers and murderers. It made you proud to be an American. For my Republican friends, that's called sarcasm, and I do hope they are listening.

Recent Iraqi Polls are depressing in the way they highlight how we aren't even seen as a helpful security force anymore. Both Sunnis and Shiites credit Iraqi Prime Minister Maliki and the IRAQI SECURITY FORCES with the peace and security they enjoy. Isn't that nice? We don't get any credit for risking our lives and spending billions we DESPERATELY NEED HERE AT HOME!

So, they don't give us any credit for the peace and they want us to go home. I say let's give them what they want and get the FREAK out of there. We should stop wasting our billions on those miserable, ungrateful people and haul ass home. WAKE UP President Obama! Stop listening to Secretary Gates and the Republican military machine. Get us out of that thankless country!

Our young men and women should not be risking their lives for such ungrateful people. We've paid our dues. We've made up for the miserable mistakes of George "the screw up" Bush and Dick "the dark lord" Cheney. The billions we've spent over past years to clean up their mistakes is enough. Let's get the HELL OUT NOW! SIX YEARS IS ENOUGH! We've wasted enough money!

I just finished watching another news report, this time on BBC News, featuring more Iraqis cursing America for their six years of misery. We spent over $1 TRILLION - of money that we now desperately need - on that miserable dust bowl of a country and all we get is cursed for trying to help. What a freaking nightmare!

The Republicans are great at spending our money on unappreciative foreigners, but scream bloody murder when we try to spend it on ourselves. Screw the GOP! I wish those Republicans who led us into the worst mess in American history would fly over there and face those Iraqi street demonstrators. They might just learn how INSANE and out-of-touch they've been over the past eight years.

The Iraq War was a Bush, Cheney, Oil Industry, macho, military-industrial-complex, arrogant, STUPID IDEA! We would be better off today if we had just let Hussein run that miserable country into the ground. They didn't deserve American lives, American money, or American help. America has suffered enough losses. I say SCREW THE REPUBLICANS AND THE IRAQIS!

I hope every Republican realizes just what a debacle their elected leaders created for the world. They've killed and wounded countless Iraqis, thousands of Americans, and practically bankrupted the U.S. all for nothing. Let's stop fooling ourselves, let's put an end to the ungrateful misery that is America's - or the Republicans - attempt to help Iraq. It's been six awful years, and all a horrible waste of lives and money.

Friday's Political Rant - Michael

The Lies and Debt of Republicanism

Good Morning! I've been listening to the Republicans rant for weeks now about how President Obama and the Democrats want to pass a huge "spending bill" filled with pork. They've been out there screaming to everybody and anybody about how they're the party of fiscal responsibility, and how the Democrats are socialists who wish to "tax and spend" America into oblivion.

All I can say is that whoever believes their BS is about as dumb as a box of rocks, because none of it holds up to scrutiny. It's a fat load of Rush Limbaugh generated CRAP!

I read the legislation and determined that aside from a few minor provisions where I disagree with the leadership, the bill is designed to create new markets and good jobs. There is no doubt, IT'S A JOB'S BILL. It is a good bill that is needed to spur the economy.

The ranting is nothing but Republican Party politics designed to distract the American people. I've grown more cynical with time, and now believe most Republicans care less about the middle-class. Most only care about lower taxes. Unfortunately, and they know it based on their own track record, lower taxes do not necessarily create good jobs, and without a doubt lower taxes CREATE MORE DEBT!

So, what about the debt? Let's ask ourselves a critical question: who actually created the bulk of the national debt? WOW, are you aware THE REPUBLICANS CREATED MOST OF THE NATIONAL DEBT! It's true, the party that claims to be fiscally responsible is responsible for the vast majority of the national debt! How else do you think they keep those taxes low? It all started when the Republicans took power under Reagan in the eighties complaining about Carter's poor economic performance (which was unfortunately true) and the national debt.

"For decades we have piled deficit upon deficit, mortgaging our future and our children's future for the temporary convenience of the present. To continue this long trend is to guarantee tremendous social, cultural, political, and economic upheavals. You and I, as individuals, can, by borrowing, live beyond our means, but only for a limited period of time. Why, then, should we think that collectively, as a nation, we're not bound by that same limitation? We must act today in order to preserve tomorrow. And let there be no misunderstanding: We are going to begin to act, beginning today." President Reagan's inaugural, January 20, 1981.

WOW! Reagan had it right way back in 1981! No wonder so many people supported him. Unfortunately, he lied like most Republicans. He got into office and proceeded to spend MORE THAN ANY PRESIDENT (except the Bush boys) and the debt mushroomed going from less than a trillion in 1980 to around $2.6 trillion when he left office. It's ironic how the Republicans still praise the Reagan tax cuts and Reagan's embrace of "supply-side" economics. The praise is undeserved. It's also stunning the way they always ignore his debt spending.

Most of the problems we face today are a result of that Republican fantasy known today as the "Reagan revolution." It turns out the American president credited for reigniting American patriotism burned down a lot of things in the process.

The debt continued to skyrocket for 12 years through Bush senior. Clinton reversed it at a peak of 67% (of GDP). Of course, as we all know now, our favorite frat boy moron, Bush junior, crossed that line again on September 22nd and hit 69% on September 30th last year. What a wonderful parting gift he left us. That's the highest it's been since 1955, and that was just after World War II ended and the country was heavy with war bond debt. See the chart below to get a clearer picture.

It is a FACT that all presidents since Truman have reduced the national debt EXCEPT for the Republican Party's favorite fiscal conservatives, President REAGAN and THE BUSH BOYS. They are responsible for $10 TRILLION IN DEBT, adding an additional TRILLION this past year alone to top it off near $11 TRILLION!

Why are Democrats listening to these idiots! THEY HAVE NO CREDIBILITY! Their track record is the WORST IN US HISTORY! The chart below is a good illustration of just how much damage Republicans have done since the end of World War II. If you want to see just how bad it is in clock form, I recommend a visit to the debt clock.


Face it, Republicans love to lie. They like to act as though they're the party of fiscal responsibility, but the facts show that they're the PARTY OF DEBT. The Democrats need to get smarter and start talking about it more. They call us the "tax and spend" party, so let's call them the "party of debt." GET CREATIVE PEOPLE! Democrats need to discredit the Republicans using FACTS so that people stop listening to them.

Yes, the Republicans get me angry. They are disingenuous. They're all smoke and mirrors. They're screaming "socialism" and "communism" (that's Glen Beck's current rant) to rally their troops against the "job's bill," and no Democrat is bothering to point out their hypocrisy. It's a fact that George Bush pushed through tens of BILLIONS on "socialism" spending after we were attacked on 9/11, and the Democratic Party - being the true patriotic party - supported Republican efforts to jump start the economy. Nobody's talking about how that bipartisan legislation helped the economy recover.

The Democrats keep missing good opportunities to make the Republicans look like the narrow-minded screw-ups they are today. The Democrats also supported the banking bailout. It turned into another Bush fiasco, but still the Democrats tried to help the economy. Where's their support of us? It's clear they have two minds, and neither represents the best interest of the nation.

Another example of their deceit was mentioned earlier; Republicans LOVE TAX CUTS. Unfortunately, they don't like to talk about how tax cuts create debt. It's proven, in reality, TAX CUTS ARE DEBT MACHINES! Again, the GOP is FULL OF BS! It's not just me, it's clear that younger people in America are starting to get angry. They voted for Obama en masse because many feel cheated by the older "debt happy" generations. Their future is being mortgaged by so-called conservatives hell bent on low taxes. They're being cheated. It's ironic that "family value" Republicans appear to be some of the worst child abusers in history, at least in economic terms.

Republicans are out-of-touch and out-of-control. Their policies are discredited yet they continue to push for them. The Democrats need to stand up for what is right. The Democrats need to fight back hard and start talking to the Republicans like the ignorant, spoiled brats they seem to be. Let's be the party of adults, and force the party of childish rants to stand in the corner until we fix what they broke.

Thursday's Political Rant #1 - Michael