ECONOMY  
AlterNet / By Don Hazen
comments_imageCOMMENTS: 235

The Voters' Uprising: President Obama What Are You Thinking?

Just about everything is riding on how we navigate this unprecedented moment in history; Obama needs to show he's on the right side.
March 23, 2009  |  
 
 
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As each day's events unfold, increasing numbers of people are getting angrier and angrier, demanding a government that represents their interests. Why? As Bill Greider so eloquently describes, the reasons are pretty clear and straightforward:

"During the past nine months, gigantic financial bailouts amid collapsing economic life made visible the crippling divide between governing elites and citizens at large. People everywhere learned a blunt lesson about power, who has it and who doesn't. They watched Washington rush to rescue the very financial interests that caused the catastrophe. They learned that government has plenty of money to spend when the right people want it. 'Where's my bailout,' became the rueful punch line at lunch counters and construction sites nationwide. Then to deepen the insult, people watched as establishment forces relaunched their campaign for "entitlement reform" -- a euphemism for whacking Social Security benefits, Medicare and Medicaid."

The much younger and more surly Matt Taibbi, who uses language more salty and immediate than Greider, but who is no less a brilliant observer of history and popular anger, also thinks that a coup is under way -- that Wall Street Insiders are using the bailout to stage a revolution. That the global economic crisis isn't about money -- it's about power.

Writes Taibbi in Rolling Stone:

“It's over -- we're officially, royally fucked. No empire can survive being rendered a permanent laughingstock, which is what happened as of a few weeks ago, when the buffoons who have been running things in this country finally went one step too far. It happened when Treasury Secretary Timothy Geithner was forced to admit that he was once again going to have to stuff billions of taxpayer dollars into a dying insurance giant called AIG, itself a profound symbol of our national decline -- a corporation that got rich insuring the concrete and steel of American industry in the country's heyday, only to destroy itself chasing phantom fortunes at the Wall Street card tables, like a dissolute nobleman gambling away the family estate in the waning days of the British empire."

Just about everything is riding on how we navigate this unprecedented, and frightening, moment in history. And and our new president appears to be on the verge of squandering the enormous goodwill that swept him into office. He has a decision to make, and thus far he seems to be siding with the banks and not with his voters. If that is what he continues to do, it could be a very quick demise to a very promising career, as his unpopularity will quickly build.

Frank Rich, in another compelling essay from Sunday calls it, Obama's "Katrina moment":

"A charming visit with Jay Leno won't fix it. A 90 percent tax on bankers' bonuses won't fix it. Firing Timothy Geithner won't fix it. Unless and until Barack Obama addresses the full depth of Americans' anger with his full arsenal of policy smarts and political gifts, his presidency and, worse, our economy will be paralyzed. It would be foolish to dismiss as hyperbole the stark warning delivered by Paulette Altmaier of Cupertino, Calif., in a letter to the editor published by the [New York] Times last week: 'President Obama may not realize it yet, but his Katrina moment has arrived.' "

Rich writes: "Six weeks ago, I wrote ... that the country's surge of populist rage could devour the president's best-laid plans, including the essential Act II of the bank rescue, if he didn't get in front of it ..."


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Don Hazen is the executive editor of AlterNet.
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Obama is Presiding Over The Largest Theft In History
[Report this comment]
Posted by: mmckinl on Mar 23, 2009 12:21 AM   
Current rating: 4    [1 = poor; 5 = excellent]
And that is the theft of tax payer dollars to bail out the high and mighty Wall Street Banks and their Bond Holders.

That tax payers should even think about taking responsibility for tens of trillions in Credit Default Swaps and Derivatives deteriorating by the hour by throwing money at these banks is ludicrous ... The whole rest of the financial world knows it ... now China wants some guarantees and soon!

Obama had better reverse course and reverse course soon. The fate of the country rests on getting the plan to get our finances straight right the first time.

" If the reports are correct, Tim Geithner ... has persuaded President Obama to recycle ... the “cash for trash” plan proposed, then abandoned, six months ago by ... Henry Paulson.

This is more than disappointing. In fact, it fills me with a sense of despair."

~ Paul Krugman

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» Follow the money Posted by: Romans1

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Oh please. Why the surprise now? You knew this was coming but trashed us anyway.
[Report this comment]
Posted by: JenniferBedingfield on Mar 23, 2009 12:51 AM   
Current rating: 3    [1 = poor; 5 = excellent]
Some of us voters uprose a long time ago while the rest sucked up to the corporate media whoopdeedoodum polls and giving Obama and Mccain coverage all the while shutting off everyone else. Well, enjoy your punishment because you scared others about Mccain/Palin dangers by voting 3rd parties.

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Sorry, this comment has been removed from the system.
» I don't agree at all Posted by: pfgetty
» NIST lied their asses off. Posted by: pfgetty
» wtf are you talking about? Posted by: Rolomax
» Oh please Posted by: Rolomax
» RE: Oh please Posted by: JenniferBedingfield
» RE: Oh please Posted by: Rolomax
» RE: Oh please Posted by: Tweck9
» Oh please, Bush is so Dumb Posted by: SeattlePackedSnowandCollidedCars
» Denying it Posted by: truthlover
» RE: Denying it Posted by: Tweck9
» common ground Posted by: SeattlePackedSnowandCollidedCars
» RE: common ground Posted by: JenniferBedingfield
» RE: common ground Posted by: Rolomax
» Social Issues and Heath Care... Posted by: SeattlePackedSnowandCollidedCars

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You're not listening Mr. Obama
[Report this comment]
Posted by: weathered on Mar 23, 2009 1:54 AM   
Current rating: 5    [1 = poor; 5 = excellent]
We matter not GoldmanSachs, they're dirty and its making us angry.

What the AIG execs. saw in Wilton will look like a slumber party compared to what's in store for GS. it Never had to get like this.

Greed for some, is in their DNA.

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Angry Reactionary Echo Chamber
[Report this comment]
Posted by: kanekoa64 on Mar 23, 2009 2:29 AM   
Current rating: 3    [1 = poor; 5 = excellent]
Sorry folks.
If you thought our President had a magic wand, let reality sink in for a minute and buy a clue. Not only did Obama say this was going to take time, he also said it was going to get worse before it gets better. These may seem like simple, blanket statements if you heard it third party or were eating loud, crunchy snacks during that exact moment the phrase of the speech came up while watching it on TV, or perhaps were a creator of , or a subscriber to the multi-media blitz of the Angry Reactionary Echo Chamber, but it doesn't take much to realize this idea escapes most of us when faced with the true magnitude and impact of the crisis this country is in.
Layers and layers of this rotten onion keep coming off and each with a new set of challenges, rules and opponents standing in the way of a solution.
You can try to blame Obama and crew for this mess, or try to ignore how carefully the criminals who perpetrated this crime covered themselves, hid their assets and convoluted the truth to appear as if this was all perfectly legal. It's hard to unravel this, but I believe Obama has the fortitude and brains to figure it out, despite the problems caused by the efforts to block solutions in the name of personal wealth and party favors.
I know I get it, as do most of the people I know, so we're willing to have faith in the man we elected because we understand we have yet to see his best work because he has to wipe up after the previous wannabe Emperors fouled the playing field. And ALL that entails.

But hey, if thats the extent of your attention span, stamina and confidence in the Obama administration, then your understanding of current events makes me believe you'd be interested in purchasing a really cheap bridge for a small down payment and low monthly installments. It's refurbished with flexible APR and a fresh coat of paint!
(Asphalt sold separately.)

*Free shipping with purchase of second bridge!*

WILL GO FAST!!! CALL NOW!
515-555-BITE ME

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» RE: Blinded by Faith? Posted by: americansheep
» RE: Angry Reactionary Echo Chamber Posted by: crazy carlos
» The necessary time Posted by: truthlover
» don't you mean peons?? Posted by: undrgrndgirl

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Hillary would have been much better.
[Report this comment]
Posted by: Perry Logan on Mar 23, 2009 3:13 AM   
Current rating: 2    [1 = poor; 5 = excellent]
It really does look like Obama's gonna blow it. Hillary would have been much better.

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» hmm Posted by: Rolomax
» RE: hmm Posted by: surfreality
» RE: hmm Posted by: Rolomax

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Nationalize the Central Bank and receivership not bailout for failing banks
[Report this comment]
Posted by: cplot on Mar 23, 2009 3:16 AM   
Current rating: 5    [1 = poor; 5 = excellent]
>Rich writes: "Six weeks ago, I wrote ... that the country's surge of populist rage could devour the president's best-laid plans, including the essential Act II of the bank rescue, if he didn't get in front of it ..."

This is bullshit. Act II of the bank rescue is not essential. These banks should be in receivership and the Federal Reserve Act should be scrapped in favor favor of a new US Central Bank. Criminal investigation might also be in order for bankers, regulators and US Congress and US Executive members who colluded in this criminal banking scam.

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It's The Credit, Stupid...
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Posted by: gazooks on Mar 23, 2009 3:38 AM   
Current rating: 5    [1 = poor; 5 = excellent]
... that makes our world's economy go... Boom, POP and Bust!

Our economic system, based as it is in infinitely inflatable fiat with NO inherent constraints on it's politically inspired use, is as addicted to leverage as is the most opiate saturated junkie.

If you stop injecting, in this case tens of trillions of $'s, the body economic is wracked by seizures of withdrawal to become nonfunctional. That's as in NON-FUNCTION-AL breakdown and collapse into chaos.

If you think citizens are unhappy now, how do you think they will respond to little things like NO food in supermarkets, NO gas at stations, NO electric supply, NO access to money at shuttered banks, NO paid police, NO medical services, NO schools functioning, etc., even through a transitional period to an economy based in a real measure of value?

We have allowed ourselves to be cornered by a politically driven economy controlled by the banks and their corporate owners, ...SURPRISE!

If you have been on your knees praying that we don't get fooled again, well guess what. Our system is a house of cards based in political promises of fiscal discipline, not in sound money, not in independent and intrinsic value, and not by prudent and responsible bankers.

What President Obama is facing is A FAILED SYSTEM. It is NOW in process, it's collapse is INEVITABLE because it is based in a FICTION of growth through unbridled leverage of unbridled credit of unbridled fiat funny money.

Thing is, it's suddenly not so fucking funny and it doesn't really matter wether the banks are bailed with trillion upon trillions or not. Obama is charged with attempting to fix the unfixable and to save the unsalvageable.

There CANNOT and never has been in the history of civilization a sustained and stable economy that isn't based on a SOUND MEDIUM OF EXCHANGE. That is, one INDEPENDENT of corporate sponsored manipulation and political control.

As a nation first and now worldwide the Kool-aid has been drunk and we are as dead as the bloated bodies of Jonestown UNLESS we insist that an EQUITABLE plan of transition be implemented to restoring a sound basis of money that INTRINSICALLY reinforces the confidence of it's holders of value.

Anything short of that means unprecedented global disaster. It's time that we stop kidding ourselves and acknowledge the truth that our Founding Fathers fought to establish. Real money is gold and silver and has been so for thousands of years around the world.

FIAT is the fundamental instrument of tyranny and has ALWAYS resulted in ruin and war and social collapse. There is NO true political freedom for citizens subjected to it and it's abuse is the basis of our current downfall.

Gold and silver, you can't have political freedom without them because governments can't create them from nothing at will. The "arcane relic" that we abandoned isn't just gold. It's also TRUTH.

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» RE: It's The Credit, Stupid... Posted by: mahabhusuku

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Obama the Shill
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Posted by: agape on Mar 23, 2009 3:42 AM   
Current rating: 4    [1 = poor; 5 = excellent]
I believe Obama is doing exactly what he was programmed to do: protect the well entrenched corporate interests in what we used to call a government for and by the people while offering a seemingly kinder, gentler, one thousand points of light presidency. And, really, what else did all of you think he was going to offer? Did you really think that a man--or should I say machine--could mount a 30-minute advertisement prior to the beginning of a World Series game (essentially delaying our great sports narcotics time by about 15 minutes) without having significant corporate support? Did you really think that a man/machine who staged rock star-like slick stadium events was really there on behalf of the masses, even though his events were paradoxically packed with them? And did you really think that a Democratic candidate who amassed more campaign funds than the opposition wasn't going to cross the threshold of the White House without a lien against it placed there by all those special interests who stood at the inagural altar with him? Finally, did you really, really think that a president whose hand-picked financial advsisers are some of the very same money wizzards who gambled their way into this mess was going to offer us any substantial change other than the color of his skin? I think not. The problem is not simply the government but we the people who have allowed it to be infiltrated by the epidemic corporate corruption that has destroyed it. While we flipped houses, drove SUVs, zoned out on American Idol, played the state lottos, drove recreational vehicles to the detriment of an already fragile ecosystem, supported foreign misadventures and the slaughter of dark-skinned people in distant lands to the persistent drumbeat of mother, god, and country, shouted down any opposition as unpatriotic or crazy or threats to national security--i.e., ecoterrorists or just plain terrorists--while we did all of this and more--or so little--what used to be democracy was disappeared, was walled up in a cement block and sunk in the most convenient polluted waterbody. So now we all want back what we weren't willing to work for to sustain? Well, folks, we're all going to have to take to the streets for that to happen. Even then, it may be too late, because desperate mobs in the streets usually don't usher in benevolent goverments.

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» RE: Obama the scapegoat Posted by: gazooks
» RE: Obama the Shill Posted by: anna banana
» RE: Anger Alone Won't Cut It... Posted by: anna banana
» RE: Brinks trucks or paddy wagons Posted by: Sister_Lauren
» Exactly Posted by: sdz

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Never Needed Economic Guru's or Soothsayers- Just a Dictionary
[Report this comment]
Posted by: Purple Girl on Mar 23, 2009 3:53 AM   
Current rating: 5    [1 = poor; 5 = excellent]
This outrage is about 30 Yrs too late and Trillions Short. It didn't take a Genius in finance or a Tea leaf Reader to see this coming. Just a Dictionary and a scant understanding of what the American Revolution Was about (or knowledge of how other historic Superpowers went extinct).
Two Words..Look them Up - 'Trickle' and 'Down'. The Trickle requires a reservior to retain which is accumulated that which produces the 'liquididty'.Thus there is a the mechanism of 'Holding Back' and the release is only set at a minimum amount- a Drip. The 'Down' refers not only to direction but also carries a judgement of status. Those below are exluded from the 'reservior' above, thus dependent on that which is allowed to seep out.
According to the law of averages, where do most reside...In the Middle, thus the word 'average'.Within that Large 'average range' there is contained it's own 'upper & lower' ends. But still contained with in the realm of Average.
so where would most Americans find themselves- the midddle. And who the hell did they think was going to be subjected to the obvious dehydration caused by a mere leak of resources and wealth? The Forbes Family, The Fords, The Kennedy's? Or where they so deluded or stupid to think it would only be the Jacksons, Washingtons,Smiths. the American people allowed this Economic Treason to take place- because they were not only trying to keep up with the Jones- they were sure the Jones would be the ones below - Personal/Local GREED.
Trickle Down was not a 'flaw' in logic, it was Treason. Innately UnAmerican, infact the exact mechanism/system our Founders wrote a Declaration of Independence Against.
I have Rage against the politicians,the Trust fund babies and the Corp Elite for working this self promoting system of Betrayal. But my real anger is towards the People of this country who placed themselves above our Nations adage of community 'For the People & By the people'- apparently they didn't feel that included ALL the people either.These upper echleon groups worked to siphon off Wealth form the 'People' but those who voted Republican were letting them. Republican voters GAVE our country away, because of their Own Greed and arrogance.
I was 17 when Reagan seized office (aided by a backroom deal with Iran - Iran Contra- undermining a Sitting President, treason), and I understood the meaning and ultimate effects of what 'Trickle Down ' meant for this Democratic, Free Market society. No more access for the Average person- all access would be Retained 'above' just like the Wealth- exactly like the English Crown had done to our Forebearers.
So you want to be pissed, Look in the mirror- or towards those who voted Republican for the last few decades. Give a Big pat on the Back- heckova Job handing over Our Country to the Red Coats and Logo'ed Crowns.

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reality and utopia are completely separate universes
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Posted by: charles000 on Mar 23, 2009 4:03 AM   
Current rating: 4    [1 = poor; 5 = excellent]
Look, this is reality. Even if the US economy manages to scrape by and somehow stay afloat, the fantasy days of seemingly endless (and already non-existent) social security, pensions, and other forms of "big government / big corporate" benefits and lifestyle support are over, gone - many folks, including myself, have known this for years.

Even if he treasury simply "magically" creates more money via the printing press, it's a moot point, as that currency will become proportionately worth less in direct correlation to the amount of such fiat currency put into circulation.

This is as basic as it can get, anyone with even a marginal grasp of basic economics will tell you that.

And yet, having said this, it never ceases to amaze me how so many people think that there is going to be some miraculous, unending stream of money which will never fall in value, and everyone is going to be cared for from cradle to grave with spectacular benefits and care free retirement lifestyles.

Sorry folks, the real world simply does not work this way - never has, never will.

During the 80s and into the 90s, the US population was allowed to believe in such utopian delusions, a sort of "enhanced existence bubble". It was the era of absurd expectations, fake economic growth, and political tele-evangelism.

It was a nice party while it lasted, but there were those who repeatedly kept trying to warn that such could not be sustainable into infinity, only to be laughed at or marginalized.

That's just the way it is. People will continue to scream for all sorts of benefits and ridiculous life style expectations, oblivious to the reality that has been at hand for quite some time.

Well, folks, this is it, The party's over, the bar tab is due, and the harsh world of reality is becoming apparent.

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» "Spectacular benefits"? Posted by: nate

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Is Obama a Technocrat or a Leader
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Posted by: jhop on Mar 23, 2009 4:13 AM   
Current rating: 5    [1 = poor; 5 = excellent]
Last week's COBRA reimbursement for those who have been forced out of jobs is a great idea. It made me think he was thinking outside of the box and protecting the people. Well guess what! It covers everyone but the DISABLED! Yes, those who were forced to leave because they could no longer do the work because of catastrophic illness don't qualify. Now tell me, who needs COBRA reimbursement more than a single mom who has worked all her life, who is going blind and in Stage 3 renal failure, who had to leave work because she can no longer read and whose COBRA will run out 6 months before she is old enough to apply for Medicare?

"Sorry, M'am, this is only for people who got fired or downsized." The suits in Washington are playing the save face game with no long term vision of the ramifications of their fast-break decisions. The little bit it would cost them to include those who were forced from the job market due to serious documented illness pales in the face of the gouging by CEOs.

Whose side are they on?

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» More like the former very sadly. :.( Posted by: JenniferBedingfield
» RE: Is Obama a Technocrat or a Leader Posted by: abstractartgirl

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Wall St Insiders
[Report this comment]
Posted by: DavidGeorge on Mar 23, 2009 5:05 AM   
Current rating: 5    [1 = poor; 5 = excellent]
The wall street insiders in Obama's cabinet are derailing our recovery. Change baby change! "Change for the common good" should be the mantra and courage at the helm. Stay tuned.

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» RE: Wall St Insiders Posted by: JenniferBedingfield

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The Game is Up
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Posted by: Nicnic on Mar 23, 2009 5:08 AM   
Current rating: 5    [1 = poor; 5 = excellent]
Anyone notice on 60 Minutes how Obama and Croft pointed out on film exactly which window in the White House was the First Couple's bedroom and so on? Do these people strike you as genuinely concerned about the threat of "terror?" No! And for good reason. The mindless arrogance of their plutocracy reveals itself if you just look at it against the backdrop of reason and not their words. The hitch in it all was WTC7. Just look at it for God's sake!!!

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» RE: The Game is Up Posted by: gazooks

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Go back and read the words of the Americans from the last populist movement
[Report this comment]
Posted by: greentime on Mar 23, 2009 5:22 AM   
Current rating: 5    [1 = poor; 5 = excellent]
Or the one before that or before that or before that...they found out too... and now we finally see.

A business will NEVER be a government by the people for the people.

If you can't find the old books, read Howard Zinn's A People's History of the United States.

Read David Korten's 'When Corporations Rule The World'', or his The Great Turning'.

If you don't like to read play a game like Monopoly or Finance or an old copy of Easy Money. You'll see, all wealth gets concentrated in few hands and it is a game everybody else loses.

Go back an build community. Please don't behave as you do in your so-called carreers. Listen to one another and make a list of what we really need and create a government helps us create that. We are the citizens, we are the ones we need.

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If They are too big too fail
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Posted by: surfreality on Mar 23, 2009 6:05 AM   
Current rating: 5    [1 = poor; 5 = excellent]
divide them up in to parts that aren't; then let the toxic parts go bankrupt ( like Cassano's AIGFP group ) while putting assets into the institutions that can and WILL deliver credit.
Then do not allow any entity to be "too big too fail". It's called trust busting.
There's got to be some bankers out there who still know how to make money the old fashioned way... let's work with them.

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» RE: If They are too big too fail Posted by: leftoverbacon

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Appropriate all the wealth and put it in public utilities for public good
[Report this comment]
Posted by: RR#1 on Mar 23, 2009 6:56 AM   
Current rating: 5    [1 = poor; 5 = excellent]
rationally planned, democratically administered economy and distribution, done by and for the direct producers, along with traditional welfare for people who cannot work, whatever the reason. Full employment and all the technocrates on our side putting their education to work towards something they wanted to do with it-better human kind. Starting to set-up those dual systems is a good idea-everyone should start doing that as much as possible where ever we can. Cooperative communities no matter how large or small is a good beginning. Thanks Alternet.
Yours,
RR

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the subject nobody discusses
[Report this comment]
Posted by: littlepitcher on Mar 23, 2009 7:00 AM   
Current rating: 4    [1 = poor; 5 = excellent]
Obama received a $100G campaign contribution from AIG.

AIG is getting a multi-billion-dollar return on that investment.
How much have you lost on your 401K's, your IRA's?

Obama is a cheap whore, and McCain, who helped put this travesty of an omnibus spendout together, is no better.

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» cheap whores Posted by: cplot

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"More pot, just a bit more crack, and another Larry Sinclair limo ride"
[Report this comment]
Posted by: xbj on Mar 23, 2009 7:26 AM   
Current rating: 3    [1 = poor; 5 = excellent]
Well, you asked what he was thinking.

That and how incredibly stupid the American People really are.

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QUESTION?
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Posted by: using on Mar 23, 2009 7:31 AM   
Current rating: 5    [1 = poor; 5 = excellent]
this plan for private investors to buy up the toxic mortages supported (80% and backed by the federal government)...this seems to mean that those insiders with money will own most of the real estate ....does it not?

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» RE: QUESTION? Posted by: VZEQICVA

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Why Is the Obvious Never Stated?
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Posted by: Polly Anna Not on Mar 23, 2009 8:02 AM   
Current rating: 5    [1 = poor; 5 = excellent]
1] President Obama = Manchurian 'President' ..

2] When will Naomi Klein's The Shock Doctrine's explicit & individually detailed country of attached destruction be acknowledged = Has finally come home to roost = Here .. & .. Now .. ?

3] Why do even the 'progressive' talking heads [sadly, including Krugman, etc.] continuing to pretend that Obama is somehow Not the Manchurian Cheerleader of This [Latest & Particular] Band of Thugs & Thieves??

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Another "stimulus" in the works and
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Posted by: Bliss Doubt on Mar 23, 2009 8:31 AM   
Current rating: 5    [1 = poor; 5 = excellent]
Europe won't continue going along with this nonsense. Here's today's wsws.org story about it:

http://www.wsws.org/articles/2009/mar2009/summ-m23.shtml

It's gotten so that "stimulus" means carte blanche to give away money we don't have. It would be far less an insult if it weren't for the fact that none of the so-called stimulus ever aims to do something about social security or health care, which along would serve as a huge stimulus to the economy.

Prosecute wall street thugs. Nothing else will work, in the long run, since we're currently just trying to put humpty dumpty back together again.

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Al Kammerer
[Report this comment]
Posted by: alkamm on Mar 23, 2009 8:54 AM   
Current rating: 5    [1 = poor; 5 = excellent]
The populist tempest in a very large teapot should not run public policy. The international financial system that relied on AIG to insure loses couldn't be allowed to tank. For one reason, the loss in faith in the United States' institutions and currency would have been devastating. As it stands, people hoard our dollars and dollars are cheap to manufacture. We print them up and send them out on pallets to Iraq and in other conveyances elsewhere.

Those who nervously insist that Obama be stronger here or there are forgetting that he was given all sorts of bad advice to do so during his campaign. He chose the quieter competencies and won the election because he didn't cave into nervous worry-worts. It's called leadership, and it doesn't have to be showy or macho.

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Don't click on that link (IDENTITY THEFT!)
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Posted by: GuitarBill on Mar 23, 2009 9:41 AM   
Current rating: Not yet rated    [1 = poor; 5 = excellent]
This scumbag is not trying to protect your privacy; he's trying to steal your identity.

If you click on his "Privacy Center" hyperlink, the server the link points to will install a keylogger on your computer, which is used to steal your credit card number, SSN, etc.

Please, report the comment to Alternet's staff.

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SPAM
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Posted by: Bliss Doubt on Mar 23, 2009 11:20 AM   
Current rating: Not yet rated    [1 = poor; 5 = excellent]
Please click Alternet's "report this comment" link and report spam.

Dang it.

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OBAMA IS JUST ANOTHER POLITICIAN
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Posted by: Dennis St. John on Mar 23, 2009 9:18 AM   
Current rating: 5    [1 = poor; 5 = excellent]
It really doesn't matter who was elected president. They change only in style, not substance. It is impossible to get elected to high office without playing the game. The rules brainwash the contestant. The Republicans and Democrats colluded to hold the election process hostage, and now everyone acts as though there are only two points of view. A pox on both their houses.

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I WOULD LIKE TO THANK TOM HAZEN AND ALTERNET FOR THE POSITIVE DIRECTION THEY ARE LEADING ALTERNET'S
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Posted by: using on Mar 23, 2009 9:19 AM   
Current rating: 4    [1 = poor; 5 = excellent]
articles. I have not yet had time to explore them but I am looking forward to doing so.

Dear Prophet and the Alternet community

I agree that we seem to be moving towards a new dark age -- but -- we are not there yet.

OUr history has shown over and over that we have shining moments of glory (i.e. Greece) for a short period of time and then we are forced back by the power. And without leadership, we give up and retreat powerlessly into a dark age or become subjects to the good/bad graces of a dictator.

I also agree that the answer is not a physical revolution.

But we are not yet completely defeated -- and to avoid giving up -- we have to figure out how to grow the power that will reverse the negative momentum that is producting this excellerated downward spiraling.

So -- the question: -- how to rethink our position. After all, basically we are the "silent MAJORITY" -- we do not have to remain an angry bunch wasting our energy in actions that does not advance our course or in becrying our fate.

Perhaps this time around -- we can strive to figure out -- how:
we can map out the most efficient course of action
who we can seek out that can help us work out our plan
and we can pro actively determine the steps we must take to fight for our individual/group survival?
and once we have an agreed upon plan, we will find the power to act.

If Obama proved that we can stand up.....with a leader..then we have three choices.....we can try to make him and congress (FDR's mantra -- "make me") do what we need -- we can find an underground leader.......or we can revamp without one leader....with individual organizations that work together for the common good.

Does this make sense? Please send in your improvements, thoughts or feeling about such an action?

We could start by outlining a petition criticing the actions that are being presented as solutions -- that we believe will be harmful to the well being of the future of our demcracy. We could make such a petition open for public debate.

We could enlist not the "brightest and the most slick" but the most intelligent with a strong ethic compass. Plenty of such types are not accepted into the present inner circle that are actively working against our best interests. WE could present such a petition to congress and Obama.

Those amongst us with vision and expertise, could symultaneously rethink our businesses. Forinstance, Do we really need the big three to build us efficient cars? Perhaps mechanical engineers who are unemployed could form a union with people of business expertise and we could all support such a venture.

And we could further strive to have the best minds (truely intelligent people with a strong ethic fiber) help us delineate the path that would best service our struggle to an equitable dignified life style? We could start with American needs and then worry about the global. Remember "a rolling stone gathers moss" I believe is the expression.

THe questions: can we reshape America?
will Obama help us?
will any Congressional members help us?
if not, how can we work around them?

Also, I have to add -- we do not have time right now to dwell on: how we got here or what is wrong or who needs to be punished.

We need to figure out how we can make the kind of change we need -- really happen dispite our current circumstance.

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» Whew! Thank you.... Posted by: scratch

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Overthrow the government!! Revolution is all we have left!!
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Posted by: DCostello2 on Mar 23, 2009 9:44 AM   
Current rating: 3    [1 = poor; 5 = excellent]
The only thing left for the common people of America is to overthrow the government. It's quite obvious that Obama is just another rapist working for Wall St and the elite. Trillions of dollars heading for the pockets of the FIRE industry - Finance, Insurance & Real Estate. Heading FOR their pockets and leaving FROM our pockets. I know I've tried protesting for decades now. I've tried writing, calling, visiting my Congressmen/women, Senator's and all the rest. NOTHING WORKS!!! They continue to do the bidding of their Wall St masters. They continue to rape and pillage the country and everyone who lives in it. They continue to suck every last bit of life out of anything they possibly can. NOTHING IS GOING TO CHANGE THIS EXCEPT OVERTHROW!!! Read the words of Jefferson. It is our RIGHT to OVERTHROW this government that no longer serves the governed but instead serves only the corporations. It's time to start organizing to OVERTHROW.

"That whenever any form of government becomes destructive to these ends, it is the right of the people to alter or to abolish it, and to institute new government, laying its foundation on such principles and organizing its powers in such form, as to them shall seem most likely to effect their safety and happiness. Prudence, indeed, will dictate that governments long established should not be changed for light and transient causes; and accordingly all experience hath shown that mankind are more disposed to suffer, while evils are sufferable, than to right themselves by abolishing the forms to which they are accustomed. But when a long train of abuses and usurpations, pursuing invariably the same object evinces a design to reduce them under absolute despotism, it is their right, it is their duty, to throw off such government, and to provide new guards for their future security."

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» Overthrow Israel first . . . Posted by: dustdevil

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A crazy idea
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Posted by: LeeAnnG on Mar 23, 2009 10:33 AM   
Current rating: Not yet rated    [1 = poor; 5 = excellent]
The author of this article was looking for suggestions concerning the economic crisis.

I'm sure others have considered this idea, and I'm sure it seems far too simplistic to actually work, but here it is anyhow.

Why not have the government pay off a percentage homeowners' mortgages? I did a little simple math, and I figured that there are about 350 million people in the US. If the average family consists of 4 members, that's about 87 million families. Out of those, perhaps half of them have mortgages that are in trouble leaving possibly 43 million families in jeopardy. (This is pure speculation; I assume that there are some, like me, whose homes are paid off, some who have not lost their jobs or for some reason are able to pay, and some who rent. So for the sake of argument, I did some rough estimates.)

If the government provided each family facing foreclosure or bankruptcy with an average of $20,000, it would cost about 860 billion. This money could not be used for anything but mortgage payments or to pay off health care costs, and it could even go right to the bank or financial institution or health care facility. Since payments were being made on people's mortgages and debts, it wouldn't matter so much what happened to the money once the bank (or whatever) got it, although some guidelines would undoubtedly be a good thing.

This money, obviously, should not go for second homes or debts due to purchasing luxury items. It is possible to keep track of this kind of thing. I know some people might think it's wrong to give assistance to those who were "greedy" and therefore took subprime mortgages when they were eligible for regular mortgages. Other people may have overextendend themselves, and it may seem that handouts to these foolish ones is not the answer. But it surely seems better than simply handing the money over to the architects of destruction.

I suppose there are reasons why this is not a viable option, not the least of which is that the large corporations and institutions that developed this mess want to have their cake and eat it, too. What good would it do them to receive the funds if they couldn't also continue to charge the userous interest rates they have in the past? And perhaps the paperwork it would take might seem too overwhelming. But it seems like the paperwork to send the money to AIG should be pretty massive. (Oh. Maybe not. It just goes there, I guess.)

It just seems that one way to get money to flow is to open a clogged drain. When people simply go broke, putting them out of their homes or forcing them into bankruptcy will not make them pay what they don't have. The bank can take back the home, the hospital can sue, but the result is not usually payments. And giving money to Wall Street seems like a dead end when working people - the other 90% of us - are losing jobs, becoming homeless, and going bankrupt.

Just a thought. And, note that I would not be a recipient of any government handouts, as I built my own home (literally, with my own hands and my husband's) and paid as I went, have no debt that I can't pay off every month, and will retire soon with an adequate income.

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Getting Out In Front of the Rage
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Posted by: Urgelt on Mar 23, 2009 10:45 AM   
Current rating: 5    [1 = poor; 5 = excellent]
The latest chapter in this unfolding rape of ordinary Americans by aristocratic robber barons takes me to new fits of eye-popping apoplexy.

Let us not forget *why* these banks hold toxic assets. They shoved mortgages out the door with no concern for risk or down payments or credit-worthiness, issued balloon interest clauses many consumers could not comprehend, misrepresented junk derivatives based on these mortgages as AAA-rated securities, made a huge bet on real estate continuing to rise, leveraged themselves to the hilt, and grabbed vast bonuses.

Now a trillion dollars worth of these toxic assets are going to be bought up by a consortium of investors and taxpayers, wherein 92-97% of the risk - depending on whose analysis you read - is born by taxpayers, and the profit, if any, goes to investors.

And what is the purpose of this nakedly unfair consortium, again?

They're gaming the price of toxic assets.

The market is currently valuing the toxic derivatives at about 30% of face value.

Megabanks can't accept that valuation. At that valuation, any bank holding many of those derivatives will be dead. Citibank, Bank of America, Morgan Stanley and the rest are holding out for a 60% valuation, a number they could only stomach because of bailout money already furnished to them. They can't value the assets to market without committing suicide.

Obama's investment consortium is intended to create upward price pressure on these toxic assets. The banks get their 60% valuation, or even higher. Investors get to place a skewed bet: most of the risk is on taxpayers, and the profit, if one materializes, will be theirs. Taxpayers get... what do we get, again?

Oh, yeah. We get to keep the same megabanks and their well-paid executives doing what they so love to do - making obscene amounts of money by gaming our economy into the dirt.

For only a trillion bucks. What a deal. (I'm not counting the trillions already funneled to these banks by the Fed and Treasury.)

All of this is intended to avoid enforcing laws on our books. Which laws?

- Laws governing seizure and disposition of underwater banks - which we apparently enforce only if the bank is a wee little one, now.

- Laws criminalizing misrepresentation of securities. Misrepresentation is what you call it when a bank lies about the risk associated with a security it sells. These megabanks are riddled with criminals. In fact, criminality may be sufficiently rampant at these banks for them to qualify as organized crime.

Obama now identifies himself as a New Democrat. Which in my book is rapidly becoming synonymous with "corruption on a scale never before seen in human history." He has created a vast and direct pipeline from our wallets to the richest people in America. People are figuring that out, and they aren't happy about it.

Let me offer a hint. The health of the US economy does not reside in the well-being of those wealthy men and women. It resides in our well-being. Every dollar that flows through Obama's pipeline from us to the rich is a dollar that weakens our economy in the long run.

Obama is betting that he can resurrect the real estate bubble, that wonderful gravy train that so benefited the megabank owners and executives and punished ordinary Americans with high real estate prices, high rents and fat interest payments, and keep that bubble going. But he's on the wrong side of history on that one. Bubbles do collapse, and not even an herculean effort by taxpayers can hold up bad prices.

But the main thing is this: I am outraged that Obama wants to privatize profit and socialize loss. To an economist, nothing could possibly be dumber or more self-destructive. This has got to stop.

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obama
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Posted by: om7buss on Mar 23, 2009 10:56 AM   
Current rating: 3    [1 = poor; 5 = excellent]
obama is a black bush, same people behind, that is robbing and oppressing US..www.henrybook.com

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An Open Letter to Barack Obama on the Economy
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Posted by: Fathoms on Mar 23, 2009 11:10 AM   
Current rating: 3    [1 = poor; 5 = excellent]
Mr. President,

Geithner's and by extension, your economic plan and policy is an unmitigated disaster for the people of the United States of America. Your plan will put the corporotocracy on life support when, for the good of everyone concerned, that corporotocracy needs to be put down. Any business that is, "Too big to fail," is too big to be of service to the citizens it is supposed to serve. Its scope dictates that it consume wholesale the people it's supposed to provide consumer goods and services to.
I'm not ready to contend that you've been betrayed by your economic principles, yet. I am ready to state categorically that you've been betrayed by your economic principals. Of this fact, there can be no doubt. Geithner, Summers, Voelker; these are a major portion of the cream of the cabal that got the United States into our present morass. The result of following their misbegotten advice, as presently formulated will be the premature demise of your incumbency and the further shift of our Nation toward a state of fascism. This is not what I elected you to do. It's time for you to regain your Progressive balance. It's time for you to Nationalize the corporate institutions that are dragging our great experiment in Democracy down. It's time to impose strict discipline upon the multi-nationals that are presently vacuuming our treasury dry and shipping our national treasure overseas. The same corporotocracy that is undermining our educational system and robbing us of our most precious national resource: a free and intelligent populace that values invention and individuality over conformity and engineered obsolescence. Therein lies our greatest value to ourselves and the World.
Jettison the albatross presently chained about your neck. The Geithner plan will be your downfall. It's time you payed some serious heed to America's Nobel Prize winning economist. Paul Krugman is truly trying to help you through this minefield. Don't be too proud to take his advice or fearful to act upon it. His understanding transcends that of the gang of three that's presently mixing the quicksand your Presidency is to be mired in. Wall Street is not your Constituency. Whatever you do, don't be confused. Wall Street is not your friend. Neither is it the friend or servant of the American People. Don't become a footnote in American history. Don't become a minor cog in the machine that intends to consume you before you can effect the 'Change' America so desperately needs.

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Geithner's a FALL GUY
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Posted by: tsmith144000 on Mar 23, 2009 11:23 AM   
Current rating: 5    [1 = poor; 5 = excellent]
Looking @ how much trouble 44 had filling that post, Geithner is a convenient pinata for our economic troubles. His seat is unenviable, he wasn't 1st pick & I'm sure is the lesser of several evils. We would rag on ANYBODY that held that position. Its almost a prerequisite that that person be from Wall St. Geithners not going anywhere. Particularly because of the DOWs' activity lately. Looks like he did something right today.

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» RE: Geithner's a FALL GUY Posted by: gimmie shelter

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Are You Kidding?
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Posted by: Dirty-Sneakers on Mar 23, 2009 12:41 PM   
Current rating: Not yet rated    [1 = poor; 5 = excellent]
"increasing numbers of people are getting angrier and angrier, demanding a government that represents their interests" and...?
We'll just shout at the TV like we always do and in 4 to 8 years shuffle the shit around again by voting some other smug ,master of puppets in. Then sit back passive, fat and satisfied, believing we made a difference.
http://www.dirty-sneakers.com

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Get in touch with the people Big O
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Posted by: jeffrey7 on Mar 23, 2009 2:40 PM   
Current rating: Not yet rated    [1 = poor; 5 = excellent]
These endless bailouts of the very folks that created this mess shows the people your true face,and it not a pretty one.

This whole economy could have been straightened out a long time ago by reinstituting the 91% tax bracket on the wealthy, We had it in the 50's and we had no national debt.

As to this new debt being sluffed off on future generations...well, we've been doing that even since Reagan/Bush. Tey had us 10 trillion in the hole with 'on budget' expenses. That's the part of the budget that gets reported to the people. Their 'off budget' shortfalls came closer to 100 trillion.

Right now there are 150 million working poor that have gotten NOTHING from any stimulus. yes $300 buck to the poorest of Americans IS NOTHING.

Big O let's get serious for a second. We have millions of people that feel like there's no hope,no change and a whole lot of Rich looking out for the Rich. It really looks bad when you boast 'You'll do everything you can to get back those bonuses' then by the following Monday you say it's a bad idea. That makes you look bought.

There was another president that pushed folks to do volunteer work...Bush 1, then he screwed everyone on social security by denying them cost of living increases for his enyire Presidency. you don't really want to look like that idiot, do you?

I may not totally understand how 30 stocks can make or break a country but I do know one thing for sure. The People feel let down by this farce of a governance. You got elected on a rap of 'Change' and 'Hope'. Folks don't give a damn who created the financial mess,if it was bush, Clinton, You or the Fed. But they know where to go to let their frustration out on 1600 Penn. Ave.

Maybe you should give serious consideration to giving all homeowners a treasury backed one time refinance at 1%. No strings,no attachments,no bad credit marks,no cash out refi's, just a 'value of the note loan directly to consumers for home loans only.

Don't worry about pissing off the rich,those jerks are never happy unless they have everyone else's stuff. Threats against AIG folks are just the canary in the coal mine.

If you keep feeding the greedy,the needy will start feeding on them. Remember the French revolution? They killed their problem rich folks. If you can save the country by giving direct loans to poor homeowners,who are current and not over mortgaged,it might be a good idea to do so.

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How many of you have any real courage?
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Posted by: freelyb on Mar 23, 2009 3:12 PM   
Current rating: Not yet rated    [1 = poor; 5 = excellent]
I bet you all still dutifully paid your taxes this year, didn't ya? Wow. Just handed your money over to thieves. Didn't even consider an extension to see what was in play, did you? But you have a family to raise, right? Don't we all?

Folks, they don't have our money until we give it to them. Until we take action, all these postings are worthless. The first wave of revolutionaries, those who seriously stand against this economic rape, will indeed be wiped out legally UNLESS a very great number of us simply take our marbles out of the game. Let me know when you people are truly ready. I'll be there. But until then, I can't take anymore analysis of the obvious.

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» RE: How many of you have any real courage? Posted by: grosspointblank1986
» RE: How many of you have any real courage? Posted by: Revolutionary (Direct) Democracy
» Nope, got a refund. Posted by: Prophit

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IF I WERE PRESIDENT
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Posted by: VZEQICVA on Mar 23, 2009 3:15 PM   
Current rating: 3    [1 = poor; 5 = excellent]
I would call a news conference, refuse to take any questions, smirk, shrug my shoulders, give the people the finger and turn around and walk away. Sounds like everyone liked it better the old way. ANNA

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» Abusive relationship Posted by: logansafi
» You nailed it Posted by: harpy

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Maybe they'd rather have McCain in charge
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Posted by: harpy on Mar 23, 2009 4:09 PM   
Current rating: 3    [1 = poor; 5 = excellent]
Get real. I know that BushCo always "managed the message" and kept criticism to a minimum by limiting the media's access, and punished those who dared criticize by effectively shutting the door, but it seems like now that he's gone, these "writers" are piling on Obama and slinging all their pent up frustrations at him. Good grief. He's been in office 2 months, and yet he's expected to fix a mess that was 30 years in the making!
It would be more constructive to channel your fury towards the people that caused this mess. Phil & Wendy Gramm would be a good start as Phil pushed legislation through that enabled this meltdown, just in time for his wife Wendy to profit from the Enron mess. Gramm was McCain's financial advisor, so for all you out there screaming at Obama, just imagine how bad it would be in McCain was in charge.

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» The DP caused this mess, too Posted by: logansafi

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"The taxpayers..."
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Posted by: Vince2 on Mar 23, 2009 5:02 PM   
Current rating: 5    [1 = poor; 5 = excellent]
"The taxpayers are left holding the bag" ... "Once again, the taxpayers foot the bill" ...

I'm a taxpayer. Probably you are too. Our taxes are due in just over 3 weeks.

Maybe I'll pay my taxes; maybe I won't. You?

It's time we realized where our clout lies. It's time we, THE TAXPAYERS, realized we have a huge bargaining chip in this whole government budget process. If we can come together in time, we can use it.

We can attach demands---conditions---to the paying of our taxes next month. We can demand that Congress exert authority over the money being spent; we can demand that this bailout (read: giveaway) be rescinded & killed. This is about the only way I can imagine us getting a fair hearing.

WRITE YOUR CONGRESSMAN AND YOUR PRESIDENT AND TELL THEM YOU WON'T UNDERWRITE WALL STREET'S PATHOLOGY.

DON'T PAY YOUR TAXES unless & until the crisis spending is reformed, made fair & transparent, and re-tooled to help borrowers, small businesses, and homeowners.

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» Brilliant! Thanks. Posted by: Vince2

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CORE OF DISCONTENT (missed)
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Posted by: reelman on Mar 23, 2009 5:40 PM   
Current rating: 1    [1 = poor; 5 = excellent]
CORE OF DISCONTENT (the media is missing)

When any voter with a 401k looks at his/her statement and sees its still flat after STIMULUS I…then its personal, not Party!!!
That is driving most ALL the critics…not the CEOs. The TV news folks are all distracted with the trivia at this point.

The moderates and fawning Obama media are now fewer because they have 401k statements too…its personal…
Do you think if they planned to retire in a few short years they are not upset now that it may not be possible?
Do you think they realize the trillion borrowed so far is gonna cost most folks some salary before they get to retire?
Do you think they now trust this dufus congress to not hammer their savings with a new tax before 2012?

The trillion, the blameshifting and the dissing of business has not raised personal retirement statements.
End of story.

http://conservablogs.com/theconservativecrawfish/

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Your title is missing a comma.
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Posted by: JohnGorenfeld on Mar 23, 2009 5:44 PM   
Current rating: Not yet rated    [1 = poor; 5 = excellent]
That is all.

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Obama *IS* on the right side. The far, far right side.
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Posted by: roy f on Mar 23, 2009 5:47 PM   
Current rating: 2    [1 = poor; 5 = excellent]
"There is much outrage across the land and increasing agitation. Many want to know what they can do to channel their frustration and anger in useful and productive ways."

Answer: start building guillotines.

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» No he's NOT! Posted by: logansafi

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60 Days: Obama, What Were You Thinking?
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Posted by: JohnJlws on Mar 23, 2009 6:01 PM   
Current rating: 5    [1 = poor; 5 = excellent]
Way back in the day I wondered what Senator Obama was thinking. Who the hell in their right mind would want this crappy job? Still there appears to be a bunch of people here at Alternet with a whole, whole lot better ideas than anything the folks with the actual information can come up with, so I thought I'd add my overvalued and equally as worthless two cents worth.

Let it go. A free market system demands limited government intervention. Let the automakers die a slow and painful death. Let the banks fold. Let states, cities and municipalities succumb to the lack of revenue.

Let the free market "adjust." And then, and only then, will the market be able to start rebuilding. How long can we possibly artificially support this fiasco that didn't start with Shrub--he just used a very small brain and a very big shovel to dig the hole as deep as he possibly could?

Let it go. Let this be the obituary, the final legacy, of that tragic former Administration. Write checks to the Americans who actually need the money and lose their jobs through no fault of their own, but let's start over. This deal got way off the tracks a long, long time ago and there's not enough magic in Harry Potter's wand to salvage it. Just let it go and get on to something worth salvaging, perhaps, like our Constitution, Bill of Rights and that other stuff GW also trashed.

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A THOUGHTFUL AMERICAN
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Posted by: foxxx on Mar 23, 2009 6:32 PM   
Current rating: 1    [1 = poor; 5 = excellent]
IN MY OPINION AND A FEW FACTS+. LETS SEE. OBAMA IS A MUSLIM. WHILE MOST EVERYONE WAS HAPPY AND IS LISTENING TO THE PRESIDENT TALK, SECRET LAWS HAVE BEEN GOING INTO REGISTRY. NOW I HAVE A QUESTION. WHAT HAPPENS IF OUR GOVERNMENT BUYS ALL THE FORECLOSED HOMES. MY QUESTION= DOES THAT MEAN THE PRESIDENT CAN GIVE THESE HOMES AWAY TO ANYONE?===FEBRUARY 04/2009 A NEW LAW PASSED AND REGISTERED SECRETLY, STATING =HUNDREDS OF THOUSANDS OF PALESTINIAN REFUGES ONLY FOR H.A.M.A.S. WILL BE BROUGHT TO AMERICA, GIVEN FREE HOMES, FOOD AND $20.3 MILLION, WHILE AMERICANS ARE HOMELESS AND OUT OF WORK. 2ND. NEW LAW IN THE WORKS NOW TO REGISTER AND FINGERPRINT ANYONE THAT OWNS GUNS, RIFLES, SHOTGUNS, BB GUNS, 22 CALIBUR GUNS,ETC. GUNS AND ALL AMMUNITION IN JUNES OF 2009. IN OTHERWARDS IN MY OPINION, ABOLISH THE 2ND AMENDMENT LITTLE BY LITTLE AND DONT FORGET OBAMA'S 4TH. DAY IN OFFICE ALL ADDRESSES AND SOCIAL SECURITY NUMBERS OF ALL MILITARY HIT THE BLACK MARKET IN IRAQ AND AFGANISTAN. WE NEED EACH STATE TO RE-AFFIRM THAT EACH STATE CONFIRMS ALL PEOPLE'S STATE CONSTITUTION THE RIGHT IN EACH STATE THE RIGHT TO BEAR ARMS AND NOT BE FINGERPRINTED TO OWN ANY GUN AND AMMUNITION. THIS WILL ASSURE US ALL TO BE SAFER UNTIL IN MY OPINION WE COME UNDER ATTACK. I RECEIVED EMAIL EVIDENCE THAT 98% OF STATES HAS ISLAMIC TERRIORIST CAMPS RIGHT NOW. THIS WHY I'M CONCERNED ABOUT AMERICANS. OBAMA ONLY SEEMS TO TALK= NO ACTION, JUST TALK AND SECRET LAWS BEHIND OUR BACKS. WHY HAS'NT HE TOLD ANYONE ABOUT THESE SECRET LAWS. IN MY OPINION HE IS LIKE A NARCISSIST, LOVES TO HERE HIMSELF TALK, BUT THATS ALL AND IN MY OPINION, I BELIEVE OBAMA IS TRYING TO DEPLEAT OUR FINANCES, PUT US ALL OUT OF WORK, RECALL OUR RESERVES FROM IRAQ AND LAY THEM OFF, SINCE HE'LL BE BRINGING IN HIS OWN ARMY AND HIS ISLAMIC TERRORISTS ARE PREPARING TO ATTACK US AT HOME IN OUR HOMES. MAYBE ITS OSAMA BIN LADEN TERRORISTS, A FAKE FIGHT BETWEEN THE TWO, TO THROW EVERYONE OFF, SO HE COULD KEEP YOUR THOUGHTS BUSY WITH WORDS, WHILE THE ISLAMIC MUSLIMS TRAIN OTHERS TO ATTACK FROM WITHIN. THINK ABOUT IT. IN NEBRASKA WHERE THE IRAQI REFUGES WENT AND THE FEMALE SLAVES HAD THEIR KIDS GO TO SCHOOL TO TALK TO OTHER KIDS TO TALK TO THERE PARENTS AND RECENTLY, WHEN ISLAMIC TEMPLES WERE INVITING AMERICANS IN TO JOIN AGAINST WHO? NOW ISLAMIC TERRORIST CAMPS IN EACH STATE TRAINING SOME AMERICANS TO TURN ON THEIR OWN KIND. LAST YEAR WHEN OBAMA WAS RUNNING FOR THE OFFICE, EACH TIME OBAMA OPENED HIS MOUTH WITHOUT A SPEECH, HE WAS MAD AT EVERYONE, HE GREW UP A BATTERED CHILD IN AMERICA, WENT TO INDONESIA TO SCHOOLS IN A DRESS FOR 30 YEARS, WHILE SOME OF US WERE FIGHTING IN VIETNAM. HE SAID I WANT TO BE CALIPH OF EARTH. LIKE ALL MUSLIMS THEY EACH LIVE BY THEIR BIBLE, BUT THEIR BIBLE LIKE SO MANY IS WRONG. THEIR FIRST BIBLE CAME FROM ANOTHER COUNTRY FROM THE FIRST BOOK THAT STOPPED BLOODSHED. WHERE THERE WERE'NT ANY SLAVES EVEN UP TO NOW NO SLAVES, YET THE MUSLIMS HAVE FEMALE SLAVES= A LIE. IN MY OPINION I WANT EVERYONE TO KEEP AN EYE OUT FOR ANYTHING UNUSUAL AND REPORT IT TO THE AUTHORITIES, MAYBE WE CAN STOP THE INNOCENT BLOODSHED BEFORE IT STARTS. HAVE A NICE DAY

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Obama is a Corporate Felony Tool
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Posted by: CalypsoJO on Mar 23, 2009 7:54 PM   
Current rating: 5    [1 = poor; 5 = excellent]
He has already shone the world what side he is on. This is not a recent development.

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no more bail outs
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Posted by: dealmeinfo2 on Mar 23, 2009 8:51 PM   
Current rating: 5    [1 = poor; 5 = excellent]
They should of just let these companies fail. Now every business that is really big thinks they will never fail because the government will save them if they run into trouble. This is setting the wrong example for companies.



---------------------------------------------
minneapolis home mortgage

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The new Middle Ages, here we come.
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Posted by: monkeywrench on Mar 23, 2009 9:55 PM   
Current rating: Not yet rated    [1 = poor; 5 = excellent]
Obama may have inherited a financial mess made by Bush, but it will very quickly become his mess if he keeps adhering to the failed Republican play book of "trickle-down" nonsense by tossing billions, soon to be trillions, of dollars of OUR MONEY down the black hole of Wall Street. "Trickle-down" is exactly what it is, too, when we are forced to turn over enormous sums of money to the "Masters of the Universe" who stole from us originally, in the hope that those pirates will return some of it to us by "getting banks to lend again."

To WHOM?!?! Most of us are going broke, or are in debt up to our heinies, or have lost or are about to lose our jobs; no one in their right mind is going to borrow against a future of poverty. So who IS going to borrow again? Gambling investors, and banks borrowing from banks, to keep the casino going by betting on risky deals here and overseas once all that loosened credit lets everyone breathe a sigh of relief –– in other words, back to the "business as usual" that ruined life for the "unwashed masses" in the first place. Our hard-earned money, from our looted 401k's and pension funds and now from our confiscated taxes, is stocking the casino so the Wall Street gamblers can go back to high-rolling, whether we like it or not. The peons (the "pee-ons") are forced to give everything they have, and everything their kids were going to have, to feed the castle –– because the new castle is "too big to fail." We are being forced back to a Middle Ages economy; a "modern" one papered over with technology and conveniences that only the rich will be able to enjoy.

Happy April 15th, everyone! Golden tribute from us to the Royal Family –– and from them, a golden reply raining down on our heads.

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exactly
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Posted by: dealmeinfo2 on Mar 23, 2009 10:34 PM   
Current rating: 5    [1 = poor; 5 = excellent]
I think a lot of problems are passed on from Bush, but pretty soon its going to become Obama's mess. I personally feel the spending is out of control and is going to come back and bite everyone in the long run.



------------------------------------------------
list of mortgage lenders

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Play Hardball in the Senate
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Posted by: james_allen on Mar 24, 2009 2:55 AM   
Current rating: 1    [1 = poor; 5 = excellent]
One must admire Obama for trying to be the "Great Uniter" that Bush pretended to be. Unfortunately it's too late for that. We now have 41 Senators who take their marching orders from someone who "hopes Obama fails."

Many many serious thinkers think that drastic steps are needed, e.g. nationalizing the banks. The first drastic step needs to be emasculating "Republican" power. (I put "Republican" in quotes because this is not the party of even Goldwater, let alone Lincoln.)

In the famous Jimmy Stewart movie, he was forced to talk himself hoarse 24/7 if he wanted to filibuster. The Demos need to force that now. The GOP, a few years ago, proposed anulling the filibuster rule altogether to cram the courts with right-wingers. If that's permissible under the rules, The Demos should prevent filibusters now.

Serious thinkers wonder whether $1 trillion stimulus is enough or $2 trillion is needed. Instead the Limbaugh-led debate focusses on confusing the American people that a $million science or education project is "pork."

Emasculate the Republicans now!

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Misplaced Rage
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Posted by: foreverhope on Mar 24, 2009 4:35 PM   
Current rating: 3    [1 = poor; 5 = excellent]
Barack Obama has been in office for what? 50 or 60 days? He was in the U.S. Senate for a year?Some of you folks are as rabid and filled with hate on the left as I thought only the far right could be. As another poster said, an Echo Chamber, a rabid echo chamber of misplaced irrational rage at our new brilliant president. It is very off-putting and one of the reasons the green party can't and won't grow anymore than the repuglican party can grow, dogmatic, and at best will remain a satellite of the dem party, enraged, ranting bitching, kvetching, hand wringing and wailing lunatic left.

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» RE: Misplaced Rage Posted by: roy f

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OBAMA...THE DUFUS
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Posted by: reelman on Mar 26, 2009 9:59 AM   
Current rating: 1    [1 = poor; 5 = excellent]
OBAMA NEEDS A “SMART METER”

Here we go again, Jimmah Carter II…Obama wants YOU to have a Smart Meter in your house to monitor energy use. Hey, we have thermostats.
This is the guy who demanded the White House heaters be on 82 because he gets cold easily. Nothing like never walking the walk. What a coward. What a dufus…he thinks you are a 6 year old. He thinks you spend your way out of debt by the trillion. Does he have any common sense? This is Mr. Generous who gave less than 1% to charity last year. He never walks the walk. No character, no leadership.

Yes, the demo-teens are again in charge…they are like that…get used to this insanity, huge debt, rising inflation, serial excuses and serial lying. How ya like your 401k now? Take a good look…cause even if it moves up some by Christmas they are coming for more of your paycheck.

http://conservablogs.com/theconservativecrawfish

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Military spending goes up while congress tries to cut stimulus for us
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Posted by: cori on Mar 26, 2009 4:20 PM   
Current rating: Not yet rated    [1 = poor; 5 = excellent]
In the face of a national crisis, while our nations population is struggling to survive, extragant defense military spending is putting people’s survival on the back burner.

Congresses proposal also fully funds Obama's $556 billion for defense spending and would budget $130 billion for the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan using our tax dollars!

THE PEOPLE ARE GETTING SCREWED AGAIN. Call your congressmen and let them know you won't vote for them again - 202-224- 3121

Where is healthcare reform?
Where are our safety nets?
Where are affordable colleges?
where are jobs and job security?

Money for bail outs - no problem
Money for the military -no probelm
Money for the biggest prison system on the planet - no problem.
USING OUR TAX DOLLARS

Congress is cutting Obama's stimulus package while increasing military spending

This is not what we voted for and will be posted on the internet.

We voted for change and this is business as usual

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A Stimulus Plan that would work
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Posted by: bandz on Mar 26, 2009 7:58 PM   
Current rating: 5    [1 = poor; 5 = excellent]
The attempt by Congress to “bail-out” Wall Street is like trying to bail out the sinking Titanic. The problem is too big and too top-heavy. It won't work. A REAL bail-out for the short term should be geared to those in financial need, not to those who already have far more than they need and who have created the current problem. We need a stimulus package that will work.

Here's my formula for the kind of “bail-out” that would provide the economic stimulus we need in the short term: The federal government gives $1 million dollars to every U.S. registered voter whose income is less than $100,000 per year. Tax free. No strings attached. I’ve seen estimates that there are about 170 million registered voters in the U.S. Not all have incomes under $100,000 per year. So the total cost should, be under $200 million. That’s far less than the hundreds of BILLIONS of dollars the present bail-outs of the banks and corporations will cost. And it would help those who need it most. What would they do with the money? It’s a safe bet that they would spend most of it, which would give the economy the boost economists [and Pres. Obama] tell us is needed.

A large amount of the money would be spent and most of it would be spent in this country rather than overseas. It would be spent on paying off mortgages, purchasing homes and automobiles, paying off medical and other bills, for example. Most economists tell us that the stimulus needed most to solve the country’s economic crisis is to get money circulating. In other words, to increase spending by the American people. Spending IS stimulus as President Obama told us recently. This grant of 1 million tax-free dollars to low and middle income Americans would be an economical way to achieve the financial stimulus that economists tell us we need most.

Of course, it would not solve the long term problem. That will require legislation imposing stringent regulation of Wall Street and the whole banking, financial, military and corporate-industrial system. It would also require legislation to bring about a greater financial equality of the population, including higher taxes on wealthy corporations and individuals, leveling of the inequalities of compensation, limits on corporate bonuses and retirement packages, and implementation of surcharges on incomes (individual and corporate) of over, say $1 or $2 million per year. In other words, a truly progressive tax system.

Finally, we need to call a halt to our country's political and military adventurism and attempts to impose a pax Americana on the rest of the world, and to implement a national, universal, comprehensive, not-for-profit, single-payer healthcare system in the U.S. It should also involve massive New Deal-type programs to fix and upgrade our crumbling infrastructure. Federally funded programs like the WPA and CCC programs of the 1930s, as well as Peace Corps and Job Corps type programs could help

Those steps would give us a START at reducing the national debt and assisting those among our population who NEED help. It would also cost far less than the programs to bail-out the corporations and banks that have been the subject of recent Congressional debate. Unfortunately, the addiction of the American population to long outdated ideological positions and notions regarding economic and political issues make those goals ALMOST as difficult as bailing out the Titanic. They would, however, offer a HOPE of success which, in our present efforts, is totally lacking.

In the 2008 elections Americans voted overwhelmingly for change. I think there is reason to believe that we are ready for the kind of change that the foregoing plan envisions. I believe that the country is finally ready to look beyond false, antiquated and timeworn ideology and perception, and embrace the kind of change that is required for the 21st Century.

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Obama is being seen as Obstructionist to the Peoples needs & to Our Constitution
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Posted by: JohnHKennedy Denver CO on Mar 27, 2009 10:30 AM   
Current rating: Not yet rated    [1 = poor; 5 = excellent]
In this Internet Age, Obama is running a risk of a
major populist backlash.

Obama is running a risk that he will soon be seen as
"no change" from Bush.

If Obama's "no one is above the law" is to be believed,

Obama must soon Appoint a SPECIAL PROSECUTOR for all Bush officials who violated Our
Federal Laws (including Torture) and our Constitution

Avoiding prosecution of these well known Federal Crimes is an Admission by Obama
that He Supports Immunity for Bush, Cheney and Himself,
proving to all voters that high US officials
are protected from Federal Laws & our US Constitution
by their successors.

SIGN The PETITION To Prosecute Bush & Cheney for Torture
Over 63,000 have signed-Join Them.

ANGRYvoters.org

Until Obama starts to prosecute the know criminals from the Bush Cheney Administration

Nothing Will Change.

.

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OBAMA: ALWAYS THE DECEPTION
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Posted by: reelman on Mar 28, 2009 10:52 AM   
Current rating: 5    [1 = poor; 5 = excellent]
WaPo Reveals: 'Obama Town Hall Questioners Were Campaign Backers'
By Michael M. Bates | March 28, 2009

The Washington Post's 44 blog today carries the item "Obama Town Hall Questioners Were Campaign Backers." Authored by Garance Franke-Ruta, the article notes:

But while the online question portion of the White House town hall was open to any member of the public with an Internet connection, the five fully identified questioners called on randomly by the president in the East Room were anything but a diverse lot. They included: a member of the pro-Obama Service Employees International Union, a member of the Democratic National Committee who campaigned for Obama among Hispanics during the primary; a former Democratic candidate for Virginia state delegate who endorsed Obama last fall in an op-ed in the Fredericksburg Free Lance-Star; and a Virginia businessman who was a donor to Obama's campaign in 2008.
====
THE SNAKE, THE SERIAL LIAR...STRIKES AGAIN...

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Localized, publicly owned, and...
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Posted by: kogwonton on Mar 29, 2009 2:50 PM   
Current rating: Not yet rated    [1 = poor; 5 = excellent]
democratically controlled currencies.

No debt. No interest. Money stays local.


I'd say that would help in the short term, at least till the FED is abolished and replaced with a national currency firmly under control of the democratic process. Add to this the revocation of any corporate charter for any national or 'multinational' (unamerican?) that fails to serve the public interest which used to be a requisite for the granting of any corporate charter. Put people, not property (corporations are property), back in the seat of government. Lincoln freed the slaves, making it illegal for people to be property. It would seem a valid and simple question that if people as property is slavery, then what is property acting as people? What happens when people are free in name only, and that sharecropping is now found to be cheaper than actual slave ownership? What do we have when property has more political power than the people for whom government's primary mandate is to protect? Mussolini called it fascism.

I would say that if we want to get our nation back these two issues are of supreme importance, only slightly ahead of these:

1. Do away with the drug war altogether and disempower the authoritarianism which sucks our resources as well as organized crime for whom profits are inflated through prohibition. Heal communities whom the industrial revolution through NAFTA has left bereft of all markets but the Black market - criminalizing and depoliticizing whole classes of people (often racially). Stop the military siege on America's poor and her youth.

2. Create a universal health care system and lift the primary cause of bankruptcy in this nation. Remove the profit motive behind withholding the necessities of life itself which Insurance and Drug companies exploit.

3. Create a national effort to find alternative green energy along the same lines as the Apollo project. We reached the moon in little over a decade with such an effort. Fight against entrenched energy and defense cabals who withhold technology that would make oil or coal absolutely obsolete as an energy source.

I think these things might be a good start, but they are seemingly too 'revolutionary' to the multinational banking cartels who have recently bought up all of their competition (and the reins to U.S. monetary policy) with U.S. taxpayer funds. (And yes, every dollar printed is most definitely a tax on every previous dollar in existence.)

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OBAMA IS OUT OF HIS PAY GRADE
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Posted by: ds1st on Apr 7, 2009 2:43 PM   
Current rating: Not yet rated    [1 = poor; 5 = excellent]
Obama is a statist - socialist with no pratical experience.

He is so far OUT OF HIS PAYGRADE is is sick. Idiot is what idiot does.

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Obama is Presiding Over The Largest Theft In History
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Posted by: mmckinl on Mar 23, 2009 12:21 AM   
Current rating: 4    [1 = poor; 5 = excellent]
And that is the theft of tax payer dollars to bail out the high and mighty Wall Street Banks and their Bond Holders.

That tax payers should even think about taking responsibility for tens of trillions in Credit Default Swaps and Derivatives deteriorating by the hour by throwing money at these banks is ludicrous ... The whole rest of the financial world knows it ... now China wants some guarantees and soon!

Obama had better reverse course and reverse course soon. The fate of the country rests on getting the plan to get our finances straight right the first time.

" If the reports are correct, Tim Geithner ... has persuaded President Obama to recycle ... the “cash for trash” plan proposed, then abandoned, six months ago by ... Henry Paulson.

This is more than disappointing. In fact, it fills me with a sense of despair."

~ Paul Krugman

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» Follow the money Posted by: Romans1

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Oh please. Why the surprise now? You knew this was coming but trashed us anyway.
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Posted by: JenniferBedingfield on Mar 23, 2009 12:51 AM   
Current rating: 3    [1 = poor; 5 = excellent]
Some of us voters uprose a long time ago while the rest sucked up to the corporate media whoopdeedoodum polls and giving Obama and Mccain coverage all the while shutting off everyone else. Well, enjoy your punishment because you scared others about Mccain/Palin dangers by voting 3rd parties.

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Sorry, this comment has been removed from the system.
» I don't agree at all Posted by: pfgetty
» NIST lied their asses off. Posted by: pfgetty
» wtf are you talking about? Posted by: Rolomax
» Oh please Posted by: Rolomax
» RE: Oh please Posted by: JenniferBedingfield
» RE: Oh please Posted by: Rolomax
» RE: Oh please Posted by: Tweck9
» Oh please, Bush is so Dumb Posted by: SeattlePackedSnowandCollidedCars
» Denying it Posted by: truthlover
» RE: Denying it Posted by: Tweck9
» common ground Posted by: SeattlePackedSnowandCollidedCars
» RE: common ground Posted by: JenniferBedingfield
» RE: common ground Posted by: Rolomax
» Social Issues and Heath Care... Posted by: SeattlePackedSnowandCollidedCars

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You're not listening Mr. Obama
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Posted by: weathered on Mar 23, 2009 1:54 AM   
Current rating: 5    [1 = poor; 5 = excellent]
We matter not GoldmanSachs, they're dirty and its making us angry.

What the AIG execs. saw in Wilton will look like a slumber party compared to what's in store for GS. it Never had to get like this.

Greed for some, is in their DNA.

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Angry Reactionary Echo Chamber
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Posted by: kanekoa64 on Mar 23, 2009 2:29 AM   
Current rating: 3    [1 = poor; 5 = excellent]
Sorry folks.
If you thought our President had a magic wand, let reality sink in for a minute and buy a clue. Not only did Obama say this was going to take time, he also said it was going to get worse before it gets better. These may seem like simple, blanket statements if you heard it third party or were eating loud, crunchy snacks during that exact moment the phrase of the speech came up while watching it on TV, or perhaps were a creator of , or a subscriber to the multi-media blitz of the Angry Reactionary Echo Chamber, but it doesn't take much to realize this idea escapes most of us when faced with the true magnitude and impact of the crisis this country is in.
Layers and layers of this rotten onion keep coming off and each with a new set of challenges, rules and opponents standing in the way of a solution.
You can try to blame Obama and crew for this mess, or try to ignore how carefully the criminals who perpetrated this crime covered themselves, hid their assets and convoluted the truth to appear as if this was all perfectly legal. It's hard to unravel this, but I believe Obama has the fortitude and brains to figure it out, despite the problems caused by the efforts to block solutions in the name of personal wealth and party favors.
I know I get it, as do most of the people I know, so we're willing to have faith in the man we elected because we understand we have yet to see his best work because he has to wipe up after the previous wannabe Emperors fouled the playing field. And ALL that entails.

But hey, if thats the extent of your attention span, stamina and confidence in the Obama administration, then your understanding of current events makes me believe you'd be interested in purchasing a really cheap bridge for a small down payment and low monthly installments. It's refurbished with flexible APR and a fresh coat of paint!
(Asphalt sold separately.)

*Free shipping with purchase of second bridge!*

WILL GO FAST!!! CALL NOW!
515-555-BITE ME

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» RE: Blinded by Faith? Posted by: americansheep
» RE: Angry Reactionary Echo Chamber Posted by: crazy carlos
» The necessary time Posted by: truthlover
» don't you mean peons?? Posted by: undrgrndgirl

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Hillary would have been much better.
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Posted by: Perry Logan on Mar 23, 2009 3:13 AM   
Current rating: 2    [1 = poor; 5 = excellent]
It really does look like Obama's gonna blow it. Hillary would have been much better.

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» hmm Posted by: Rolomax
» RE: hmm Posted by: surfreality
» RE: hmm Posted by: Rolomax

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Nationalize the Central Bank and receivership not bailout for failing banks
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Posted by: cplot on Mar 23, 2009 3:16 AM   
Current rating: 5    [1 = poor; 5 = excellent]
>Rich writes: "Six weeks ago, I wrote ... that the country's surge of populist rage could devour the president's best-laid plans, including the essential Act II of the bank rescue, if he didn't get in front of it ..."

This is bullshit. Act II of the bank rescue is not essential. These banks should be in receivership and the Federal Reserve Act should be scrapped in favor favor of a new US Central Bank. Criminal investigation might also be in order for bankers, regulators and US Congress and US Executive members who colluded in this criminal banking scam.

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It's The Credit, Stupid...
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Posted by: gazooks on Mar 23, 2009 3:38 AM   
Current rating: 5    [1 = poor; 5 = excellent]
... that makes our world's economy go... Boom, POP and Bust!

Our economic system, based as it is in infinitely inflatable fiat with NO inherent constraints on it's politically inspired use, is as addicted to leverage as is the most opiate saturated junkie.

If you stop injecting, in this case tens of trillions of $'s, the body economic is wracked by seizures of withdrawal to become nonfunctional. That's as in NON-FUNCTION-AL breakdown and collapse into chaos.

If you think citizens are unhappy now, how do you think they will respond to little things like NO food in supermarkets, NO gas at stations, NO electric supply, NO access to money at shuttered banks, NO paid police, NO medical services, NO schools functioning, etc., even through a transitional period to an economy based in a real measure of value?

We have allowed ourselves to be cornered by a politically driven economy controlled by the banks and their corporate owners, ...SURPRISE!

If you have been on your knees praying that we don't get fooled again, well guess what. Our system is a house of cards based in political promises of fiscal discipline, not in sound money, not in independent and intrinsic value, and not by prudent and responsible bankers.

What President Obama is facing is A FAILED SYSTEM. It is NOW in process, it's collapse is INEVITABLE because it is based in a FICTION of growth through unbridled leverage of unbridled credit of unbridled fiat funny money.

Thing is, it's suddenly not so fucking funny and it doesn't really matter wether the banks are bailed with trillion upon trillions or not. Obama is charged with attempting to fix the unfixable and to save the unsalvageable.

There CANNOT and never has been in the history of civilization a sustained and stable economy that isn't based on a SOUND MEDIUM OF EXCHANGE. That is, one INDEPENDENT of corporate sponsored manipulation and political control.

As a nation first and now worldwide the Kool-aid has been drunk and we are as dead as the bloated bodies of Jonestown UNLESS we insist that an EQUITABLE plan of transition be implemented to restoring a sound basis of money that INTRINSICALLY reinforces the confidence of it's holders of value.

Anything short of that means unprecedented global disaster. It's time that we stop kidding ourselves and acknowledge the truth that our Founding Fathers fought to establish. Real money is gold and silver and has been so for thousands of years around the world.

FIAT is the fundamental instrument of tyranny and has ALWAYS resulted in ruin and war and social collapse. There is NO true political freedom for citizens subjected to it and it's abuse is the basis of our current downfall.

Gold and silver, you can't have political freedom without them because governments can't create them from nothing at will. The "arcane relic" that we abandoned isn't just gold. It's also TRUTH.

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» RE: It's The Credit, Stupid... Posted by: mahabhusuku

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Obama the Shill
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Posted by: agape on Mar 23, 2009 3:42 AM   
Current rating: 4    [1 = poor; 5 = excellent]
I believe Obama is doing exactly what he was programmed to do: protect the well entrenched corporate interests in what we used to call a government for and by the people while offering a seemingly kinder, gentler, one thousand points of light presidency. And, really, what else did all of you think he was going to offer? Did you really think that a man--or should I say machine--could mount a 30-minute advertisement prior to the beginning of a World Series game (essentially delaying our great sports narcotics time by about 15 minutes) without having significant corporate support? Did you really think that a man/machine who staged rock star-like slick stadium events was really there on behalf of the masses, even though his events were paradoxically packed with them? And did you really think that a Democratic candidate who amassed more campaign funds than the opposition wasn't going to cross the threshold of the White House without a lien against it placed there by all those special interests who stood at the inagural altar with him? Finally, did you really, really think that a president whose hand-picked financial advsisers are some of the very same money wizzards who gambled their way into this mess was going to offer us any substantial change other than the color of his skin? I think not. The problem is not simply the government but we the people who have allowed it to be infiltrated by the epidemic corporate corruption that has destroyed it. While we flipped houses, drove SUVs, zoned out on American Idol, played the state lottos, drove recreational vehicles to the detriment of an already fragile ecosystem, supported foreign misadventures and the slaughter of dark-skinned people in distant lands to the persistent drumbeat of mother, god, and country, shouted down any opposition as unpatriotic or crazy or threats to national security--i.e., ecoterrorists or just plain terrorists--while we did all of this and more--or so little--what used to be democracy was disappeared, was walled up in a cement block and sunk in the most convenient polluted waterbody. So now we all want back what we weren't willing to work for to sustain? Well, folks, we're all going to have to take to the streets for that to happen. Even then, it may be too late, because desperate mobs in the streets usually don't usher in benevolent goverments.

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» RE: Obama the scapegoat Posted by: gazooks
» RE: Obama the Shill Posted by: anna banana
» RE: Anger Alone Won't Cut It... Posted by: anna banana
» RE: Brinks trucks or paddy wagons Posted by: Sister_Lauren
» Exactly Posted by: sdz

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Never Needed Economic Guru's or Soothsayers- Just a Dictionary
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Posted by: Purple Girl on Mar 23, 2009 3:53 AM   
Current rating: 5    [1 = poor; 5 = excellent]
This outrage is about 30 Yrs too late and Trillions Short. It didn't take a Genius in finance or a Tea leaf Reader to see this coming. Just a Dictionary and a scant understanding of what the American Revolution Was about (or knowledge of how other historic Superpowers went extinct).
Two Words..Look them Up - 'Trickle' and 'Down'. The Trickle requires a reservior to retain which is accumulated that which produces the 'liquididty'.Thus there is a the mechanism of 'Holding Back' and the release is only set at a minimum amount- a Drip. The 'Down' refers not only to direction but also carries a judgement of status. Those below are exluded from the 'reservior' above, thus dependent on that which is allowed to seep out.
According to the law of averages, where do most reside...In the Middle, thus the word 'average'.Within that Large 'average range' there is contained it's own 'upper & lower' ends. But still contained with in the realm of Average.
so where would most Americans find themselves- the midddle. And who the hell did they think was going to be subjected to the obvious dehydration caused by a mere leak of resources and wealth? The Forbes Family, The Fords, The Kennedy's? Or where they so deluded or stupid to think it would only be the Jacksons, Washingtons,Smiths. the American people allowed this Economic Treason to take place- because they were not only trying to keep up with the Jones- they were sure the Jones would be the ones below - Personal/Local GREED.
Trickle Down was not a 'flaw' in logic, it was Treason. Innately UnAmerican, infact the exact mechanism/system our Founders wrote a Declaration of Independence Against.
I have Rage against the politicians,the Trust fund babies and the Corp Elite for working this self promoting system of Betrayal. But my real anger is towards the People of this country who placed themselves above our Nations adage of community 'For the People & By the people'- apparently they didn't feel that included ALL the people either.These upper echleon groups worked to siphon off Wealth form the 'People' but those who voted Republican were letting them. Republican voters GAVE our country away, because of their Own Greed and arrogance.
I was 17 when Reagan seized office (aided by a backroom deal with Iran - Iran Contra- undermining a Sitting President, treason), and I understood the meaning and ultimate effects of what 'Trickle Down ' meant for this Democratic, Free Market society. No more access for the Average person- all access would be Retained 'above' just like the Wealth- exactly like the English Crown had done to our Forebearers.
So you want to be pissed, Look in the mirror- or towards those who voted Republican for the last few decades. Give a Big pat on the Back- heckova Job handing over Our Country to the Red Coats and Logo'ed Crowns.

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reality and utopia are completely separate universes
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Posted by: charles000 on Mar 23, 2009 4:03 AM   
Current rating: 4    [1 = poor; 5 = excellent]
Look, this is reality. Even if the US economy manages to scrape by and somehow stay afloat, the fantasy days of seemingly endless (and already non-existent) social security, pensions, and other forms of "big government / big corporate" benefits and lifestyle support are over, gone - many folks, including myself, have known this for years.

Even if he treasury simply "magically" creates more money via the printing press, it's a moot point, as that currency will become proportionately worth less in direct correlation to the amount of such fiat currency put into circulation.

This is as basic as it can get, anyone with even a marginal grasp of basic economics will tell you that.

And yet, having said this, it never ceases to amaze me how so many people think that there is going to be some miraculous, unending stream of money which will never fall in value, and everyone is going to be cared for from cradle to grave with spectacular benefits and care free retirement lifestyles.

Sorry folks, the real world simply does not work this way - never has, never will.

During the 80s and into the 90s, the US population was allowed to believe in such utopian delusions, a sort of "enhanced existence bubble". It was the era of absurd expectations, fake economic growth, and political tele-evangelism.

It was a nice party while it lasted, but there were those who repeatedly kept trying to warn that such could not be sustainable into infinity, only to be laughed at or marginalized.

That's just the way it is. People will continue to scream for all sorts of benefits and ridiculous life style expectations, oblivious to the reality that has been at hand for quite some time.

Well, folks, this is it, The party's over, the bar tab is due, and the harsh world of reality is becoming apparent.

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» "Spectacular benefits"? Posted by: nate

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Is Obama a Technocrat or a Leader
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Posted by: jhop on Mar 23, 2009 4:13 AM   
Current rating: 5    [1 = poor; 5 = excellent]
Last week's COBRA reimbursement for those who have been forced out of jobs is a great idea. It made me think he was thinking outside of the box and protecting the people. Well guess what! It covers everyone but the DISABLED! Yes, those who were forced to leave because they could no longer do the work because of catastrophic illness don't qualify. Now tell me, who needs COBRA reimbursement more than a single mom who has worked all her life, who is going blind and in Stage 3 renal failure, who had to leave work because she can no longer read and whose COBRA will run out 6 months before she is old enough to apply for Medicare?

"Sorry, M'am, this is only for people who got fired or downsized." The suits in Washington are playing the save face game with no long term vision of the ramifications of their fast-break decisions. The little bit it would cost them to include those who were forced from the job market due to serious documented illness pales in the face of the gouging by CEOs.

Whose side are they on?

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» More like the former very sadly. :.( Posted by: JenniferBedingfield
» RE: Is Obama a Technocrat or a Leader Posted by: abstractartgirl

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Wall St Insiders
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Posted by: DavidGeorge on Mar 23, 2009 5:05 AM   
Current rating: 5    [1 = poor; 5 = excellent]
The wall street insiders in Obama's cabinet are derailing our recovery. Change baby change! "Change for the common good" should be the mantra and courage at the helm. Stay tuned.

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» RE: Wall St Insiders Posted by: JenniferBedingfield

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The Game is Up
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Posted by: Nicnic on Mar 23, 2009 5:08 AM   
Current rating: 5    [1 = poor; 5 = excellent]
Anyone notice on 60 Minutes how Obama and Croft pointed out on film exactly which window in the White House was the First Couple's bedroom and so on? Do these people strike you as genuinely concerned about the threat of "terror?" No! And for good reason. The mindless arrogance of their plutocracy reveals itself if you just look at it against the backdrop of reason and not their words. The hitch in it all was WTC7. Just look at it for God's sake!!!

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» RE: The Game is Up Posted by: gazooks

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Go back and read the words of the Americans from the last populist movement
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Posted by: greentime on Mar 23, 2009 5:22 AM   
Current rating: 5    [1 = poor; 5 = excellent]
Or the one before that or before that or before that...they found out too... and now we finally see.

A business will NEVER be a government by the people for the people.

If you can't find the old books, read Howard Zinn's A People's History of the United States.

Read David Korten's 'When Corporations Rule The World'', or his The Great Turning'.

If you don't like to read play a game like Monopoly or Finance or an old copy of Easy Money. You'll see, all wealth gets concentrated in few hands and it is a game everybody else loses.

Go back an build community. Please don't behave as you do in your so-called carreers. Listen to one another and make a list of what we really need and create a government helps us create that. We are the citizens, we are the ones we need.

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If They are too big too fail
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Posted by: surfreality on Mar 23, 2009 6:05 AM   
Current rating: 5    [1 = poor; 5 = excellent]
divide them up in to parts that aren't; then let the toxic parts go bankrupt ( like Cassano's AIGFP group ) while putting assets into the institutions that can and WILL deliver credit.
Then do not allow any entity to be "too big too fail". It's called trust busting.
There's got to be some bankers out there who still know how to make money the old fashioned way... let's work with them.

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» RE: If They are too big too fail Posted by: leftoverbacon

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Appropriate all the wealth and put it in public utilities for public good
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Posted by: RR#1 on Mar 23, 2009 6:56 AM   
Current rating: 5    [1 = poor; 5 = excellent]
rationally planned, democratically administered economy and distribution, done by and for the direct producers, along with traditional welfare for people who cannot work, whatever the reason. Full employment and all the technocrates on our side putting their education to work towards something they wanted to do with it-better human kind. Starting to set-up those dual systems is a good idea-everyone should start doing that as much as possible where ever we can. Cooperative communities no matter how large or small is a good beginning. Thanks Alternet.
Yours,
RR

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the subject nobody discusses
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Posted by: littlepitcher on Mar 23, 2009 7:00 AM   
Current rating: 4    [1 = poor; 5 = excellent]
Obama received a $100G campaign contribution from AIG.

AIG is getting a multi-billion-dollar return on that investment.
How much have you lost on your 401K's, your IRA's?

Obama is a cheap whore, and McCain, who helped put this travesty of an omnibus spendout together, is no better.

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» cheap whores Posted by: cplot

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"More pot, just a bit more crack, and another Larry Sinclair limo ride"
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Posted by: xbj on Mar 23, 2009 7:26 AM   
Current rating: 3    [1 = poor; 5 = excellent]
Well, you asked what he was thinking.

That and how incredibly stupid the American People really are.

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QUESTION?
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Posted by: using on Mar 23, 2009 7:31 AM   
Current rating: 5    [1 = poor; 5 = excellent]
this plan for private investors to buy up the toxic mortages supported (80% and backed by the federal government)...this seems to mean that those insiders with money will own most of the real estate ....does it not?

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» RE: QUESTION? Posted by: VZEQICVA

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Why Is the Obvious Never Stated?
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Posted by: Polly Anna Not on Mar 23, 2009 8:02 AM   
Current rating: 5    [1 = poor; 5 = excellent]
1] President Obama = Manchurian 'President' ..

2] When will Naomi Klein's The Shock Doctrine's explicit & individually detailed country of attached destruction be acknowledged = Has finally come home to roost = Here .. & .. Now .. ?

3] Why do even the 'progressive' talking heads [sadly, including Krugman, etc.] continuing to pretend that Obama is somehow Not the Manchurian Cheerleader of This [Latest & Particular] Band of Thugs & Thieves??

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Another "stimulus" in the works and
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Posted by: Bliss Doubt on Mar 23, 2009 8:31 AM   
Current rating: 5    [1 = poor; 5 = excellent]
Europe won't continue going along with this nonsense. Here's today's wsws.org story about it:

http://www.wsws.org/articles/2009/mar2009/summ-m23.shtml

It's gotten so that "stimulus" means carte blanche to give away money we don't have. It would be far less an insult if it weren't for the fact that none of the so-called stimulus ever aims to do something about social security or health care, which along would serve as a huge stimulus to the economy.

Prosecute wall street thugs. Nothing else will work, in the long run, since we're currently just trying to put humpty dumpty back together again.

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Al Kammerer
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Posted by: alkamm on Mar 23, 2009 8:54 AM   
Current rating: 5    [1 = poor; 5 = excellent]
The populist tempest in a very large teapot should not run public policy. The international financial system that relied on AIG to insure loses couldn't be allowed to tank. For one reason, the loss in faith in the United States' institutions and currency would have been devastating. As it stands, people hoard our dollars and dollars are cheap to manufacture. We print them up and send them out on pallets to Iraq and in other conveyances elsewhere.

Those who nervously insist that Obama be stronger here or there are forgetting that he was given all sorts of bad advice to do so during his campaign. He chose the quieter competencies and won the election because he didn't cave into nervous worry-worts. It's called leadership, and it doesn't have to be showy or macho.

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Don't click on that link (IDENTITY THEFT!)
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Posted by: GuitarBill on Mar 23, 2009 9:41 AM   
Current rating: Not yet rated    [1 = poor; 5 = excellent]
This scumbag is not trying to protect your privacy; he's trying to steal your identity.

If you click on his "Privacy Center" hyperlink, the server the link points to will install a keylogger on your computer, which is used to steal your credit card number, SSN, etc.

Please, report the comment to Alternet's staff.

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SPAM
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Posted by: Bliss Doubt on Mar 23, 2009 11:20 AM   
Current rating: Not yet rated    [1 = poor; 5 = excellent]
Please click Alternet's "report this comment" link and report spam.

Dang it.

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OBAMA IS JUST ANOTHER POLITICIAN
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Posted by: Dennis St. John on Mar 23, 2009 9:18 AM   
Current rating: 5    [1 = poor; 5 = excellent]
It really doesn't matter who was elected president. They change only in style, not substance. It is impossible to get elected to high office without playing the game. The rules brainwash the contestant. The Republicans and Democrats colluded to hold the election process hostage, and now everyone acts as though there are only two points of view. A pox on both their houses.

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I WOULD LIKE TO THANK TOM HAZEN AND ALTERNET FOR THE POSITIVE DIRECTION THEY ARE LEADING ALTERNET'S
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Posted by: using on Mar 23, 2009 9:19 AM   
Current rating: 4    [1 = poor; 5 = excellent]
articles. I have not yet had time to explore them but I am looking forward to doing so.

Dear Prophet and the Alternet community

I agree that we seem to be moving towards a new dark age -- but -- we are not there yet.

OUr history has shown over and over that we have shining moments of glory (i.e. Greece) for a short period of time and then we are forced back by the power. And without leadership, we give up and retreat powerlessly into a dark age or become subjects to the good/bad graces of a dictator.

I also agree that the answer is not a physical revolution.

But we are not yet completely defeated -- and to avoid giving up -- we have to figure out how to grow the power that will reverse the negative momentum that is producting this excellerated downward spiraling.

So -- the question: -- how to rethink our position. After all, basically we are the "silent MAJORITY" -- we do not have to remain an angry bunch wasting our energy in actions that does not advance our course or in becrying our fate.

Perhaps this time around -- we can strive to figure out -- how:
we can map out the most efficient course of action
who we can seek out that can help us work out our plan
and we can pro actively determine the steps we must take to fight for our individual/group survival?
and once we have an agreed upon plan, we will find the power to act.

If Obama proved that we can stand up.....with a leader..then we have three choices.....we can try to make him and congress (FDR's mantra -- "make me") do what we need -- we can find an underground leader.......or we can revamp without one leader....with individual organizations that work together for the common good.

Does this make sense? Please send in your improvements, thoughts or feeling about such an action?

We could start by outlining a petition criticing the actions that are being presented as solutions -- that we believe will be harmful to the well being of the future of our demcracy. We could make such a petition open for public debate.

We could enlist not the "brightest and the most slick" but the most intelligent with a strong ethic compass. Plenty of such types are not accepted into the present inner circle that are actively working against our best interests. WE could present such a petition to congress and Obama.

Those amongst us with vision and expertise, could symultaneously rethink our businesses. Forinstance, Do we really need the big three to build us efficient cars? Perhaps mechanical engineers who are unemployed could form a union with people of business expertise and we could all support such a venture.

And we could further strive to have the best minds (truely intelligent people with a strong ethic fiber) help us delineate the path that would best service our struggle to an equitable dignified life style? We could start with American needs and then worry about the global. Remember "a rolling stone gathers moss" I believe is the expression.

THe questions: can we reshape America?
will Obama help us?
will any Congressional members help us?
if not, how can we work around them?

Also, I have to add -- we do not have time right now to dwell on: how we got here or what is wrong or who needs to be punished.

We need to figure out how we can make the kind of change we need -- really happen dispite our current circumstance.

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» Whew! Thank you.... Posted by: scratch

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Overthrow the government!! Revolution is all we have left!!
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Posted by: DCostello2 on Mar 23, 2009 9:44 AM   
Current rating: 3    [1 = poor; 5 = excellent]
The only thing left for the common people of America is to overthrow the government. It's quite obvious that Obama is just another rapist working for Wall St and the elite. Trillions of dollars heading for the pockets of the FIRE industry - Finance, Insurance & Real Estate. Heading FOR their pockets and leaving FROM our pockets. I know I've tried protesting for decades now. I've tried writing, calling, visiting my Congressmen/women, Senator's and all the rest. NOTHING WORKS!!! They continue to do the bidding of their Wall St masters. They continue to rape and pillage the country and everyone who lives in it. They continue to suck every last bit of life out of anything they possibly can. NOTHING IS GOING TO CHANGE THIS EXCEPT OVERTHROW!!! Read the words of Jefferson. It is our RIGHT to OVERTHROW this government that no longer serves the governed but instead serves only the corporations. It's time to start organizing to OVERTHROW.

"That whenever any form of government becomes destructive to these ends, it is the right of the people to alter or to abolish it, and to institute new government, laying its foundation on such principles and organizing its powers in such form, as to them shall seem most likely to effect their safety and happiness. Prudence, indeed, will dictate that governments long established should not be changed for light and transient causes; and accordingly all experience hath shown that mankind are more disposed to suffer, while evils are sufferable, than to right themselves by abolishing the forms to which they are accustomed. But when a long train of abuses and usurpations, pursuing invariably the same object evinces a design to reduce them under absolute despotism, it is their right, it is their duty, to throw off such government, and to provide new guards for their future security."

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» Overthrow Israel first . . . Posted by: dustdevil

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A crazy idea
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Posted by: LeeAnnG on Mar 23, 2009 10:33 AM   
Current rating: Not yet rated    [1 = poor; 5 = excellent]
The author of this article was looking for suggestions concerning the economic crisis.

I'm sure others have considered this idea, and I'm sure it seems far too simplistic to actually work, but here it is anyhow.

Why not have the government pay off a percentage homeowners' mortgages? I did a little simple math, and I figured that there are about 350 million people in the US. If the average family consists of 4 members, that's about 87 million families. Out of those, perhaps half of them have mortgages that are in trouble leaving possibly 43 million families in jeopardy. (This is pure speculation; I assume that there are some, like me, whose homes are paid off, some who have not lost their jobs or for some reason are able to pay, and some who rent. So for the sake of argument, I did some rough estimates.)

If the government provided each family facing foreclosure or bankruptcy with an average of $20,000, it would cost about 860 billion. This money could not be used for anything but mortgage payments or to pay off health care costs, and it could even go right to the bank or financial institution or health care facility. Since payments were being made on people's mortgages and debts, it wouldn't matter so much what happened to the money once the bank (or whatever) got it, although some guidelines would undoubtedly be a good thing.

This money, obviously, should not go for second homes or debts due to purchasing luxury items. It is possible to keep track of this kind of thing. I know some people might think it's wrong to give assistance to those who were "greedy" and therefore took subprime mortgages when they were eligible for regular mortgages. Other people may have overextendend themselves, and it may seem that handouts to these foolish ones is not the answer. But it surely seems better than simply handing the money over to the architects of destruction.

I suppose there are reasons why this is not a viable option, not the least of which is that the large corporations and institutions that developed this mess want to have their cake and eat it, too. What good would it do them to receive the funds if they couldn't also continue to charge the userous interest rates they have in the past? And perhaps the paperwork it would take might seem too overwhelming. But it seems like the paperwork to send the money to AIG should be pretty massive. (Oh. Maybe not. It just goes there, I guess.)

It just seems that one way to get money to flow is to open a clogged drain. When people simply go broke, putting them out of their homes or forcing them into bankruptcy will not make them pay what they don't have. The bank can take back the home, the hospital can sue, but the result is not usually payments. And giving money to Wall Street seems like a dead end when working people - the other 90% of us - are losing jobs, becoming homeless, and going bankrupt.

Just a thought. And, note that I would not be a recipient of any government handouts, as I built my own home (literally, with my own hands and my husband's) and paid as I went, have no debt that I can't pay off every month, and will retire soon with an adequate income.

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Getting Out In Front of the Rage
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Posted by: Urgelt on Mar 23, 2009 10:45 AM   
Current rating: 5    [1 = poor; 5 = excellent]
The latest chapter in this unfolding rape of ordinary Americans by aristocratic robber barons takes me to new fits of eye-popping apoplexy.

Let us not forget *why* these banks hold toxic assets. They shoved mortgages out the door with no concern for risk or down payments or credit-worthiness, issued balloon interest clauses many consumers could not comprehend, misrepresented junk derivatives based on these mortgages as AAA-rated securities, made a huge bet on real estate continuing to rise, leveraged themselves to the hilt, and grabbed vast bonuses.

Now a trillion dollars worth of these toxic assets are going to be bought up by a consortium of investors and taxpayers, wherein 92-97% of the risk - depending on whose analysis you read - is born by taxpayers, and the profit, if any, goes to investors.

And what is the purpose of this nakedly unfair consortium, again?

They're gaming the price of toxic assets.

The market is currently valuing the toxic derivatives at about 30% of face value.

Megabanks can't accept that valuation. At that valuation, any bank holding many of those derivatives will be dead. Citibank, Bank of America, Morgan Stanley and the rest are holding out for a 60% valuation, a number they could only stomach because of bailout money already furnished to them. They can't value the assets to market without committing suicide.

Obama's investment consortium is intended to create upward price pressure on these toxic assets. The banks get their 60% valuation, or even higher. Investors get to place a skewed bet: most of the risk is on taxpayers, and the profit, if one materializes, will be theirs. Taxpayers get... what do we get, again?

Oh, yeah. We get to keep the same megabanks and their well-paid executives doing what they so love to do - making obscene amounts of money by gaming our economy into the dirt.

For only a trillion bucks. What a deal. (I'm not counting the trillions already funneled to these banks by the Fed and Treasury.)

All of this is intended to avoid enforcing laws on our books. Which laws?

- Laws governing seizure and disposition of underwater banks - which we apparently enforce only if the bank is a wee little one, now.

- Laws criminalizing misrepresentation of securities. Misrepresentation is what you call it when a bank lies about the risk associated with a security it sells. These megabanks are riddled with criminals. In fact, criminality may be sufficiently rampant at these banks for them to qualify as organized crime.

Obama now identifies himself as a New Democrat. Which in my book is rapidly becoming synonymous with "corruption on a scale never before seen in human history." He has created a vast and direct pipeline from our wallets to the richest people in America. People are figuring that out, and they aren't happy about it.

Let me offer a hint. The health of the US economy does not reside in the well-being of those wealthy men and women. It resides in our well-being. Every dollar that flows through Obama's pipeline from us to the rich is a dollar that weakens our economy in the long run.

Obama is betting that he can resurrect the real estate bubble, that wonderful gravy train that so benefited the megabank owners and executives and punished ordinary Americans with high real estate prices, high rents and fat interest payments, and keep that bubble going. But he's on the wrong side of history on that one. Bubbles do collapse, and not even an herculean effort by taxpayers can hold up bad prices.

But the main thing is this: I am outraged that Obama wants to privatize profit and socialize loss. To an economist, nothing could possibly be dumber or more self-destructive. This has got to stop.

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obama
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Posted by: om7buss on Mar 23, 2009 10:56 AM   
Current rating: 3    [1 = poor; 5 = excellent]
obama is a black bush, same people behind, that is robbing and oppressing US..www.henrybook.com

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An Open Letter to Barack Obama on the Economy
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Posted by: Fathoms on Mar 23, 2009 11:10 AM   
Current rating: 3    [1 = poor; 5 = excellent]
Mr. President,

Geithner's and by extension, your economic plan and policy is an unmitigated disaster for the people of the United States of America. Your plan will put the corporotocracy on life support when, for the good of everyone concerned, that corporotocracy needs to be put down. Any business that is, "Too big to fail," is too big to be of service to the citizens it is supposed to serve. Its scope dictates that it consume wholesale the people it's supposed to provide consumer goods and services to.
I'm not ready to contend that you've been betrayed by your economic principles, yet. I am ready to state categorically that you've been betrayed by your economic principals. Of this fact, there can be no doubt. Geithner, Summers, Voelker; these are a major portion of the cream of the cabal that got the United States into our present morass. The result of following their misbegotten advice, as presently formulated will be the premature demise of your incumbency and the further shift of our Nation toward a state of fascism. This is not what I elected you to do. It's time for you to regain your Progressive balance. It's time for you to Nationalize the corporate institutions that are dragging our great experiment in Democracy down. It's time to impose strict discipline upon the multi-nationals that are presently vacuuming our treasury dry and shipping our national treasure overseas. The same corporotocracy that is undermining our educational system and robbing us of our most precious national resource: a free and intelligent populace that values invention and individuality over conformity and engineered obsolescence. Therein lies our greatest value to ourselves and the World.
Jettison the albatross presently chained about your neck. The Geithner plan will be your downfall. It's time you payed some serious heed to America's Nobel Prize winning economist. Paul Krugman is truly trying to help you through this minefield. Don't be too proud to take his advice or fearful to act upon it. His understanding transcends that of the gang of three that's presently mixing the quicksand your Presidency is to be mired in. Wall Street is not your Constituency. Whatever you do, don't be confused. Wall Street is not your friend. Neither is it the friend or servant of the American People. Don't become a footnote in American history. Don't become a minor cog in the machine that intends to consume you before you can effect the 'Change' America so desperately needs.

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Geithner's a FALL GUY
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Posted by: tsmith144000 on Mar 23, 2009 11:23 AM   
Current rating: 5    [1 = poor; 5 = excellent]
Looking @ how much trouble 44 had filling that post, Geithner is a convenient pinata for our economic troubles. His seat is unenviable, he wasn't 1st pick & I'm sure is the lesser of several evils. We would rag on ANYBODY that held that position. Its almost a prerequisite that that person be from Wall St. Geithners not going anywhere. Particularly because of the DOWs' activity lately. Looks like he did something right today.

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» RE: Geithner's a FALL GUY Posted by: gimmie shelter

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Are You Kidding?
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Posted by: Dirty-Sneakers on Mar 23, 2009 12:41 PM   
Current rating: Not yet rated    [1 = poor; 5 = excellent]
"increasing numbers of people are getting angrier and angrier, demanding a government that represents their interests" and...?
We'll just shout at the TV like we always do and in 4 to 8 years shuffle the shit around again by voting some other smug ,master of puppets in. Then sit back passive, fat and satisfied, believing we made a difference.
http://www.dirty-sneakers.com

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Get in touch with the people Big O
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Posted by: jeffrey7 on Mar 23, 2009 2:40 PM   
Current rating: Not yet rated    [1 = poor; 5 = excellent]
These endless bailouts of the very folks that created this mess shows the people your true face,and it not a pretty one.

This whole economy could have been straightened out a long time ago by reinstituting the 91% tax bracket on the wealthy, We had it in the 50's and we had no national debt.

As to this new debt being sluffed off on future generations...well, we've been doing that even since Reagan/Bush. Tey had us 10 trillion in the hole with 'on budget' expenses. That's the part of the budget that gets reported to the people. Their 'off budget' shortfalls came closer to 100 trillion.

Right now there are 150 million working poor that have gotten NOTHING from any stimulus. yes $300 buck to the poorest of Americans IS NOTHING.

Big O let's get serious for a second. We have millions of people that feel like there's no hope,no change and a whole lot of Rich looking out for the Rich. It really looks bad when you boast 'You'll do everything you can to get back those bonuses' then by the following Monday you say it's a bad idea. That makes you look bought.

There was another president that pushed folks to do volunteer work...Bush 1, then he screwed everyone on social security by denying them cost of living increases for his enyire Presidency. you don't really want to look like that idiot, do you?

I may not totally understand how 30 stocks can make or break a country but I do know one thing for sure. The People feel let down by this farce of a governance. You got elected on a rap of 'Change' and 'Hope'. Folks don't give a damn who created the financial mess,if it was bush, Clinton, You or the Fed. But they know where to go to let their frustration out on 1600 Penn. Ave.

Maybe you should give serious consideration to giving all homeowners a treasury backed one time refinance at 1%. No strings,no attachments,no bad credit marks,no cash out refi's, just a 'value of the note loan directly to consumers for home loans only.

Don't worry about pissing off the rich,those jerks are never happy unless they have everyone else's stuff. Threats against AIG folks are just the canary in the coal mine.

If you keep feeding the greedy,the needy will start feeding on them. Remember the French revolution? They killed their problem rich folks. If you can save the country by giving direct loans to poor homeowners,who are current and not over mortgaged,it might be a good idea to do so.

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How many of you have any real courage?
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Posted by: freelyb on Mar 23, 2009 3:12 PM   
Current rating: Not yet rated    [1 = poor; 5 = excellent]
I bet you all still dutifully paid your taxes this year, didn't ya? Wow. Just handed your money over to thieves. Didn't even consider an extension to see what was in play, did you? But you have a family to raise, right? Don't we all?

Folks, they don't have our money until we give it to them. Until we take action, all these postings are worthless. The first wave of revolutionaries, those who seriously stand against this economic rape, will indeed be wiped out legally UNLESS a very great number of us simply take our marbles out of the game. Let me know when you people are truly ready. I'll be there. But until then, I can't take anymore analysis of the obvious.

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» RE: How many of you have any real courage? Posted by: grosspointblank1986
» RE: How many of you have any real courage? Posted by: Revolutionary (Direct) Democracy
» Nope, got a refund. Posted by: Prophit

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IF I WERE PRESIDENT
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Posted by: VZEQICVA on Mar 23, 2009 3:15 PM   
Current rating: 3    [1 = poor; 5 = excellent]
I would call a news conference, refuse to take any questions, smirk, shrug my shoulders, give the people the finger and turn around and walk away. Sounds like everyone liked it better the old way. ANNA

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» Abusive relationship Posted by: logansafi
» You nailed it Posted by: harpy

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Maybe they'd rather have McCain in charge
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Posted by: harpy on Mar 23, 2009 4:09 PM   
Current rating: 3    [1 = poor; 5 = excellent]
Get real. I know that BushCo always "managed the message" and kept criticism to a minimum by limiting the media's access, and punished those who dared criticize by effectively shutting the door, but it seems like now that he's gone, these "writers" are piling on Obama and slinging all their pent up frustrations at him. Good grief. He's been in office 2 months, and yet he's expected to fix a mess that was 30 years in the making!
It would be more constructive to channel your fury towards the people that caused this mess. Phil & Wendy Gramm would be a good start as Phil pushed legislation through that enabled this meltdown, just in time for his wife Wendy to profit from the Enron mess. Gramm was McCain's financial advisor, so for all you out there screaming at Obama, just imagine how bad it would be in McCain was in charge.

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» The DP caused this mess, too Posted by: logansafi

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"The taxpayers..."
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Posted by: Vince2 on Mar 23, 2009 5:02 PM   
Current rating: 5    [1 = poor; 5 = excellent]
"The taxpayers are left holding the bag" ... "Once again, the taxpayers foot the bill" ...

I'm a taxpayer. Probably you are too. Our taxes are due in just over 3 weeks.

Maybe I'll pay my taxes; maybe I won't. You?

It's time we realized where our clout lies. It's time we, THE TAXPAYERS, realized we have a huge bargaining chip in this whole government budget process. If we can come together in time, we can use it.

We can attach demands---conditions---to the paying of our taxes next month. We can demand that Congress exert authority over the money being spent; we can demand that this bailout (read: giveaway) be rescinded & killed. This is about the only way I can imagine us getting a fair hearing.

WRITE YOUR CONGRESSMAN AND YOUR PRESIDENT AND TELL THEM YOU WON'T UNDERWRITE WALL STREET'S PATHOLOGY.

DON'T PAY YOUR TAXES unless & until the crisis spending is reformed, made fair & transparent, and re-tooled to help borrowers, small businesses, and homeowners.

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» Brilliant! Thanks. Posted by: Vince2

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CORE OF DISCONTENT (missed)
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Posted by: reelman on Mar 23, 2009 5:40 PM   
Current rating: 1    [1 = poor; 5 = excellent]
CORE OF DISCONTENT (the media is missing)

When any voter with a 401k looks at his/her statement and sees its still flat after STIMULUS I…then its personal, not Party!!!
That is driving most ALL the critics…not the CEOs. The TV news folks are all distracted with the trivia at this point.

The moderates and fawning Obama media are now fewer because they have 401k statements too…its personal…
Do you think if they planned to retire in a few short years they are not upset now that it may not be possible?
Do you think they realize the trillion borrowed so far is gonna cost most folks some salary before they get to retire?
Do you think they now trust this dufus congress to not hammer their savings with a new tax before 2012?

The trillion, the blameshifting and the dissing of business has not raised personal retirement statements.
End of story.

http://conservablogs.com/theconservativecrawfish/

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Your title is missing a comma.
[Report this comment]
Posted by: JohnGorenfeld on Mar 23, 2009 5:44 PM   
Current rating: Not yet rated    [1 = poor; 5 = excellent]
That is all.

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Obama *IS* on the right side. The far, far right side.
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Posted by: roy f on Mar 23, 2009 5:47 PM   
Current rating: 2    [1 = poor; 5 = excellent]
"There is much outrage across the land and increasing agitation. Many want to know what they can do to channel their frustration and anger in useful and productive ways."

Answer: start building guillotines.

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» No he's NOT! Posted by: logansafi

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60 Days: Obama, What Were You Thinking?
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Posted by: JohnJlws on Mar 23, 2009 6:01 PM   
Current rating: 5    [1 = poor; 5 = excellent]
Way back in the day I wondered what Senator Obama was thinking. Who the hell in their right mind would want this crappy job? Still there appears to be a bunch of people here at Alternet with a whole, whole lot better ideas than anything the folks with the actual information can come up with, so I thought I'd add my overvalued and equally as worthless two cents worth.

Let it go. A free market system demands limited government intervention. Let the automakers die a slow and painful death. Let the banks fold. Let states, cities and municipalities succumb to the lack of revenue.

Let the free market "adjust." And then, and only then, will the market be able to start rebuilding. How long can we possibly artificially support this fiasco that didn't start with Shrub--he just used a very small brain and a very big shovel to dig the hole as deep as he possibly could?

Let it go. Let this be the obituary, the final legacy, of that tragic former Administration. Write checks to the Americans who actually need the money and lose their jobs through no fault of their own, but let's start over. This deal got way off the tracks a long, long time ago and there's not enough magic in Harry Potter's wand to salvage it. Just let it go and get on to something worth salvaging, perhaps, like our Constitution, Bill of Rights and that other stuff GW also trashed.

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A THOUGHTFUL AMERICAN
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Posted by: foxxx on Mar 23, 2009 6:32 PM   
Current rating: 1    [1 = poor; 5 = excellent]
IN MY OPINION AND A FEW FACTS+. LETS SEE. OBAMA IS A MUSLIM. WHILE MOST EVERYONE WAS HAPPY AND IS LISTENING TO THE PRESIDENT TALK, SECRET LAWS HAVE BEEN GOING INTO REGISTRY. NOW I HAVE A QUESTION. WHAT HAPPENS IF OUR GOVERNMENT BUYS ALL THE FORECLOSED HOMES. MY QUESTION= DOES THAT MEAN THE PRESIDENT CAN GIVE THESE HOMES AWAY TO ANYONE?===FEBRUARY 04/2009 A NEW LAW PASSED AND REGISTERED SECRETLY, STATING =HUNDREDS OF THOUSANDS OF PALESTINIAN REFUGES ONLY FOR H.A.M.A.S. WILL BE BROUGHT TO AMERICA, GIVEN FREE HOMES, FOOD AND $20.3 MILLION, WHILE AMERICANS ARE HOMELESS AND OUT OF WORK. 2ND. NEW LAW IN THE WORKS NOW TO REGISTER AND FINGERPRINT ANYONE THAT OWNS GUNS, RIFLES, SHOTGUNS, BB GUNS, 22 CALIBUR GUNS,ETC. GUNS AND ALL AMMUNITION IN JUNES OF 2009. IN OTHERWARDS IN MY OPINION, ABOLISH THE 2ND AMENDMENT LITTLE BY LITTLE AND DONT FORGET OBAMA'S 4TH. DAY IN OFFICE ALL ADDRESSES AND SOCIAL SECURITY NUMBERS OF ALL MILITARY HIT THE BLACK MARKET IN IRAQ AND AFGANISTAN. WE NEED EACH STATE TO RE-AFFIRM THAT EACH STATE CONFIRMS ALL PEOPLE'S STATE CONSTITUTION THE RIGHT IN EACH STATE THE RIGHT TO BEAR ARMS AND NOT BE FINGERPRINTED TO OWN ANY GUN AND AMMUNITION. THIS WILL ASSURE US ALL TO BE SAFER UNTIL IN MY OPINION WE COME UNDER ATTACK. I RECEIVED EMAIL EVIDENCE THAT 98% OF STATES HAS ISLAMIC TERRIORIST CAMPS RIGHT NOW. THIS WHY I'M CONCERNED ABOUT AMERICANS. OBAMA ONLY SEEMS TO TALK= NO ACTION, JUST TALK AND SECRET LAWS BEHIND OUR BACKS. WHY HAS'NT HE TOLD ANYONE ABOUT THESE SECRET LAWS. IN MY OPINION HE IS LIKE A NARCISSIST, LOVES TO HERE HIMSELF TALK, BUT THATS ALL AND IN MY OPINION, I BELIEVE OBAMA IS TRYING TO DEPLEAT OUR FINANCES, PUT US ALL OUT OF WORK, RECALL OUR RESERVES FROM IRAQ AND LAY THEM OFF, SINCE HE'LL BE BRINGING IN HIS OWN ARMY AND HIS ISLAMIC TERRORISTS ARE PREPARING TO ATTACK US AT HOME IN OUR HOMES. MAYBE ITS OSAMA BIN LADEN TERRORISTS, A FAKE FIGHT BETWEEN THE TWO, TO THROW EVERYONE OFF, SO HE COULD KEEP YOUR THOUGHTS BUSY WITH WORDS, WHILE THE ISLAMIC MUSLIMS TRAIN OTHERS TO ATTACK FROM WITHIN. THINK ABOUT IT. IN NEBRASKA WHERE THE IRAQI REFUGES WENT AND THE FEMALE SLAVES HAD THEIR KIDS GO TO SCHOOL TO TALK TO OTHER KIDS TO TALK TO THERE PARENTS AND RECENTLY, WHEN ISLAMIC TEMPLES WERE INVITING AMERICANS IN TO JOIN AGAINST WHO? NOW ISLAMIC TERRORIST CAMPS IN EACH STATE TRAINING SOME AMERICANS TO TURN ON THEIR OWN KIND. LAST YEAR WHEN OBAMA WAS RUNNING FOR THE OFFICE, EACH TIME OBAMA OPENED HIS MOUTH WITHOUT A SPEECH, HE WAS MAD AT EVERYONE, HE GREW UP A BATTERED CHILD IN AMERICA, WENT TO INDONESIA TO SCHOOLS IN A DRESS FOR 30 YEARS, WHILE SOME OF US WERE FIGHTING IN VIETNAM. HE SAID I WANT TO BE CALIPH OF EARTH. LIKE ALL MUSLIMS THEY EACH LIVE BY THEIR BIBLE, BUT THEIR BIBLE LIKE SO MANY IS WRONG. THEIR FIRST BIBLE CAME FROM ANOTHER COUNTRY FROM THE FIRST BOOK THAT STOPPED BLOODSHED. WHERE THERE WERE'NT ANY SLAVES EVEN UP TO NOW NO SLAVES, YET THE MUSLIMS HAVE FEMALE SLAVES= A LIE. IN MY OPINION I WANT EVERYONE TO KEEP AN EYE OUT FOR ANYTHING UNUSUAL AND REPORT IT TO THE AUTHORITIES, MAYBE WE CAN STOP THE INNOCENT BLOODSHED BEFORE IT STARTS. HAVE A NICE DAY

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Obama is a Corporate Felony Tool
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Posted by: CalypsoJO on Mar 23, 2009 7:54 PM   
Current rating: 5    [1 = poor; 5 = excellent]
He has already shone the world what side he is on. This is not a recent development.

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no more bail outs
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Posted by: dealmeinfo2 on Mar 23, 2009 8:51 PM   
Current rating: 5    [1 = poor; 5 = excellent]
They should of just let these companies fail. Now every business that is really big thinks they will never fail because the government will save them if they run into trouble. This is setting the wrong example for companies.



---------------------------------------------
minneapolis home mortgage

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The new Middle Ages, here we come.
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Posted by: monkeywrench on Mar 23, 2009 9:55 PM   
Current rating: Not yet rated    [1 = poor; 5 = excellent]
Obama may have inherited a financial mess made by Bush, but it will very quickly become his mess if he keeps adhering to the failed Republican play book of "trickle-down" nonsense by tossing billions, soon to be trillions, of dollars of OUR MONEY down the black hole of Wall Street. "Trickle-down" is exactly what it is, too, when we are forced to turn over enormous sums of money to the "Masters of the Universe" who stole from us originally, in the hope that those pirates will return some of it to us by "getting banks to lend again."

To WHOM?!?! Most of us are going broke, or are in debt up to our heinies, or have lost or are about to lose our jobs; no one in their right mind is going to borrow against a future of poverty. So who IS going to borrow again? Gambling investors, and banks borrowing from banks, to keep the casino going by betting on risky deals here and overseas once all that loosened credit lets everyone breathe a sigh of relief –– in other words, back to the "business as usual" that ruined life for the "unwashed masses" in the first place. Our hard-earned money, from our looted 401k's and pension funds and now from our confiscated taxes, is stocking the casino so the Wall Street gamblers can go back to high-rolling, whether we like it or not. The peons (the "pee-ons") are forced to give everything they have, and everything their kids were going to have, to feed the castle –– because the new castle is "too big to fail." We are being forced back to a Middle Ages economy; a "modern" one papered over with technology and conveniences that only the rich will be able to enjoy.

Happy April 15th, everyone! Golden tribute from us to the Royal Family –– and from them, a golden reply raining down on our heads.

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exactly
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Posted by: dealmeinfo2 on Mar 23, 2009 10:34 PM   
Current rating: 5    [1 = poor; 5 = excellent]
I think a lot of problems are passed on from Bush, but pretty soon its going to become Obama's mess. I personally feel the spending is out of control and is going to come back and bite everyone in the long run.



------------------------------------------------
list of mortgage lenders

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Play Hardball in the Senate
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Posted by: james_allen on Mar 24, 2009 2:55 AM   
Current rating: 1    [1 = poor; 5 = excellent]
One must admire Obama for trying to be the "Great Uniter" that Bush pretended to be. Unfortunately it's too late for that. We now have 41 Senators who take their marching orders from someone who "hopes Obama fails."

Many many serious thinkers think that drastic steps are needed, e.g. nationalizing the banks. The first drastic step needs to be emasculating "Republican" power. (I put "Republican" in quotes because this is not the party of even Goldwater, let alone Lincoln.)

In the famous Jimmy Stewart movie, he was forced to talk himself hoarse 24/7 if he wanted to filibuster. The Demos need to force that now. The GOP, a few years ago, proposed anulling the filibuster rule altogether to cram the courts with right-wingers. If that's permissible under the rules, The Demos should prevent filibusters now.

Serious thinkers wonder whether $1 trillion stimulus is enough or $2 trillion is needed. Instead the Limbaugh-led debate focusses on confusing the American people that a $million science or education project is "pork."

Emasculate the Republicans now!

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Misplaced Rage
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Posted by: foreverhope on Mar 24, 2009 4:35 PM   
Current rating: 3    [1 = poor; 5 = excellent]
Barack Obama has been in office for what? 50 or 60 days? He was in the U.S. Senate for a year?Some of you folks are as rabid and filled with hate on the left as I thought only the far right could be. As another poster said, an Echo Chamber, a rabid echo chamber of misplaced irrational rage at our new brilliant president. It is very off-putting and one of the reasons the green party can't and won't grow anymore than the repuglican party can grow, dogmatic, and at best will remain a satellite of the dem party, enraged, ranting bitching, kvetching, hand wringing and wailing lunatic left.

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» RE: Misplaced Rage Posted by: roy f

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OBAMA...THE DUFUS
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Posted by: reelman on Mar 26, 2009 9:59 AM   
Current rating: 1    [1 = poor; 5 = excellent]
OBAMA NEEDS A “SMART METER”

Here we go again, Jimmah Carter II…Obama wants YOU to have a Smart Meter in your house to monitor energy use. Hey, we have thermostats.
This is the guy who demanded the White House heaters be on 82 because he gets cold easily. Nothing like never walking the walk. What a coward. What a dufus…he thinks you are a 6 year old. He thinks you spend your way out of debt by the trillion. Does he have any common sense? This is Mr. Generous who gave less than 1% to charity last year. He never walks the walk. No character, no leadership.

Yes, the demo-teens are again in charge…they are like that…get used to this insanity, huge debt, rising inflation, serial excuses and serial lying. How ya like your 401k now? Take a good look…cause even if it moves up some by Christmas they are coming for more of your paycheck.

http://conservablogs.com/theconservativecrawfish

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Military spending goes up while congress tries to cut stimulus for us
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Posted by: cori on Mar 26, 2009 4:20 PM   
Current rating: Not yet rated    [1 = poor; 5 = excellent]
In the face of a national crisis, while our nations population is struggling to survive, extragant defense military spending is putting people’s survival on the back burner.

Congresses proposal also fully funds Obama's $556 billion for defense spending and would budget $130 billion for the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan using our tax dollars!

THE PEOPLE ARE GETTING SCREWED AGAIN. Call your congressmen and let them know you won't vote for them again - 202-224- 3121

Where is healthcare reform?
Where are our safety nets?
Where are affordable colleges?
where are jobs and job security?

Money for bail outs - no problem
Money for the military -no probelm
Money for the biggest prison system on the planet - no problem.
USING OUR TAX DOLLARS

Congress is cutting Obama's stimulus package while increasing military spending

This is not what we voted for and will be posted on the internet.

We voted for change and this is business as usual

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A Stimulus Plan that would work
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Posted by: bandz on Mar 26, 2009 7:58 PM   
Current rating: 5    [1 = poor; 5 = excellent]
The attempt by Congress to “bail-out” Wall Street is like trying to bail out the sinking Titanic. The problem is too big and too top-heavy. It won't work. A REAL bail-out for the short term should be geared to those in financial need, not to those who already have far more than they need and who have created the current problem. We need a stimulus package that will work.

Here's my formula for the kind of “bail-out” that would provide the economic stimulus we need in the short term: The federal government gives $1 million dollars to every U.S. registered voter whose income is less than $100,000 per year. Tax free. No strings attached. I’ve seen estimates that there are about 170 million registered voters in the U.S. Not all have incomes under $100,000 per year. So the total cost should, be under $200 million. That’s far less than the hundreds of BILLIONS of dollars the present bail-outs of the banks and corporations will cost. And it would help those who need it most. What would they do with the money? It’s a safe bet that they would spend most of it, which would give the economy the boost economists [and Pres. Obama] tell us is needed.

A large amount of the money would be spent and most of it would be spent in this country rather than overseas. It would be spent on paying off mortgages, purchasing homes and automobiles, paying off medical and other bills, for example. Most economists tell us that the stimulus needed most to solve the country’s economic crisis is to get money circulating. In other words, to increase spending by the American people. Spending IS stimulus as President Obama told us recently. This grant of 1 million tax-free dollars to low and middle income Americans would be an economical way to achieve the financial stimulus that economists tell us we need most.

Of course, it would not solve the long term problem. That will require legislation imposing stringent regulation of Wall Street and the whole banking, financial, military and corporate-industrial system. It would also require legislation to bring about a greater financial equality of the population, including higher taxes on wealthy corporations and individuals, leveling of the inequalities of compensation, limits on corporate bonuses and retirement packages, and implementation of surcharges on incomes (individual and corporate) of over, say $1 or $2 million per year. In other words, a truly progressive tax system.

Finally, we need to call a halt to our country's political and military adventurism and attempts to impose a pax Americana on the rest of the world, and to implement a national, universal, comprehensive, not-for-profit, single-payer healthcare system in the U.S. It should also involve massive New Deal-type programs to fix and upgrade our crumbling infrastructure. Federally funded programs like the WPA and CCC programs of the 1930s, as well as Peace Corps and Job Corps type programs could help

Those steps would give us a START at reducing the national debt and assisting those among our population who NEED help. It would also cost far less than the programs to bail-out the corporations and banks that have been the subject of recent Congressional debate. Unfortunately, the addiction of the American population to long outdated ideological positions and notions regarding economic and political issues make those goals ALMOST as difficult as bailing out the Titanic. They would, however, offer a HOPE of success which, in our present efforts, is totally lacking.

In the 2008 elections Americans voted overwhelmingly for change. I think there is reason to believe that we are ready for the kind of change that the foregoing plan envisions. I believe that the country is finally ready to look beyond false, antiquated and timeworn ideology and perception, and embrace the kind of change that is required for the 21st Century.

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Obama is being seen as Obstructionist to the Peoples needs & to Our Constitution
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Posted by: JohnHKennedy Denver CO on Mar 27, 2009 10:30 AM   
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In this Internet Age, Obama is running a risk of a
major populist backlash.

Obama is running a risk that he will soon be seen as
"no change" from Bush.

If Obama's "no one is above the law" is to be believed,

Obama must soon Appoint a SPECIAL PROSECUTOR for all Bush officials who violated Our
Federal Laws (including Torture) and our Constitution

Avoiding prosecution of these well known Federal Crimes is an Admission by Obama
that He Supports Immunity for Bush, Cheney and Himself,
proving to all voters that high US officials
are protected from Federal Laws & our US Constitution
by their successors.

SIGN The PETITION To Prosecute Bush & Cheney for Torture
Over 63,000 have signed-Join Them.

ANGRYvoters.org

Until Obama starts to prosecute the know criminals from the Bush Cheney Administration

Nothing Will Change.

.

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OBAMA: ALWAYS THE DECEPTION
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Posted by: reelman on Mar 28, 2009 10:52 AM   
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WaPo Reveals: 'Obama Town Hall Questioners Were Campaign Backers'
By Michael M. Bates | March 28, 2009

The Washington Post's 44 blog today carries the item "Obama Town Hall Questioners Were Campaign Backers." Authored by Garance Franke-Ruta, the article notes:

But while the online question portion of the White House town hall was open to any member of the public with an Internet connection, the five fully identified questioners called on randomly by the president in the East Room were anything but a diverse lot. They included: a member of the pro-Obama Service Employees International Union, a member of the Democratic National Committee who campaigned for Obama among Hispanics during the primary; a former Democratic candidate for Virginia state delegate who endorsed Obama last fall in an op-ed in the Fredericksburg Free Lance-Star; and a Virginia businessman who was a donor to Obama's campaign in 2008.
====
THE SNAKE, THE SERIAL LIAR...STRIKES AGAIN...

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Localized, publicly owned, and...
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Posted by: kogwonton on Mar 29, 2009 2:50 PM   
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democratically controlled currencies.

No debt. No interest. Money stays local.


I'd say that would help in the short term, at least till the FED is abolished and replaced with a national currency firmly under control of the democratic process. Add to this the revocation of any corporate charter for any national or 'multinational' (unamerican?) that fails to serve the public interest which used to be a requisite for the granting of any corporate charter. Put people, not property (corporations are property), back in the seat of government. Lincoln freed the slaves, making it illegal for people to be property. It would seem a valid and simple question that if people as property is slavery, then what is property acting as people? What happens when people are free in name only, and that sharecropping is now found to be cheaper than actual slave ownership? What do we have when property has more political power than the people for whom government's primary mandate is to protect? Mussolini called it fascism.

I would say that if we want to get our nation back these two issues are of supreme importance, only slightly ahead of these:

1. Do away with the drug war altogether and disempower the authoritarianism which sucks our resources as well as organized crime for whom profits are inflated through prohibition. Heal communities whom the industrial revolution through NAFTA has left bereft of all markets but the Black market - criminalizing and depoliticizing whole classes of people (often racially). Stop the military siege on America's poor and her youth.

2. Create a universal health care system and lift the primary cause of bankruptcy in this nation. Remove the profit motive behind withholding the necessities of life itself which Insurance and Drug companies exploit.

3. Create a national effort to find alternative green energy along the same lines as the Apollo project. We reached the moon in little over a decade with such an effort. Fight against entrenched energy and defense cabals who withhold technology that would make oil or coal absolutely obsolete as an energy source.

I think these things might be a good start, but they are seemingly too 'revolutionary' to the multinational banking cartels who have recently bought up all of their competition (and the reins to U.S. monetary policy) with U.S. taxpayer funds. (And yes, every dollar printed is most definitely a tax on every previous dollar in existence.)

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OBAMA IS OUT OF HIS PAY GRADE
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Posted by: ds1st on Apr 7, 2009 2:43 PM   
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Obama is a statist - socialist with no pratical experience.

He is so far OUT OF HIS PAYGRADE is is sick. Idiot is what idiot does.

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