NEWS & POLITICS  
comments_imageCOMMENTS: 315

Paranoia Strikes Deep in America ... Over and Over

If Obama and his progressive allies hope to defeat the latest assault on federal power, they will need to go beyond the president's artful ambivalence.
September 16, 2009  |  
 
 
LIKE THIS ARTICLE ?
Join our mailing list:

Sign up to stay up to date on the latest News & Politics headlines via email.

 
 
Advertisement
 

"If something is not done shortly, this country is going the way of Italy, Germany or Russia, and it is high time we did something," exclaimed Irenee du Pont, one of the more prominent conservatives of the 1930s. Many of his fellow Americans agreed there was good cause to be alarmed: a new Democratic president was proposing an unprecedented expansion of federal power that would increase taxes on the well-off and dole out benefits to the jobless and other unfortunates. Several spokesmen on the right made more ominous vows: "So help me God, I will be instrumental in taking a Communist from the chair once occupied by

There is nothing particularly novel about today's protesters, including one failed vice presidential candidate and the chairman of the Republican Party, who have been screaming that Barack Obama is a closet socialist -- or fascist -- whose plans for reforming the healthcare system will destroy their freedoms and perhaps kill off their loved ones. They are just the latest representatives of a long national tradition: fear of a strong central government that periodically leads some Americans to make extraordinary leaps of logic and challenge the power of the alleged leviathan.

This tradition is, in fact, as old as the nation itself. During the 1760s colonists along the Eastern Seaboard were convinced that King George III and his ministers meant to abolish their liberties and yoke their economy to the venal desires of the imperial court in London. They made a revolution to thwart this wicked plot, one that historians now agree never existed. Even after the Constitution was ratified, Americans were more comfortable when state and local governments levied taxes and enforced moralistic laws like Prohibition than when the feds tried to do the same thing.

Meanwhile, the drumbeat of conspiracy thinking went on. In 1860 most white Southerners were certain that Abraham Lincoln, newly elected president, was, like John Brown, encouraging slaves to murder their masters. This fear helped make secession -- and civil war -- inevitable. Almost a century later, Senator Joseph McCarthy, then near the height of his popularity, charged that George Marshall, a decorated general and former secretary of state, was enmeshed in "a conspiracy on a scale so immense as to dwarf any previous such venture in the history of man."

Some figures on the left have made outsize accusations of their own. In the 1990s Maxine Waters, the liberal Congresswoman from California, charged the CIA with flooding the streets of South Central Los Angeles with crack cocaine. And Oliver Stone's cinematic expose of a fanciful civilian-military plot to assassinate JFK did quite splendidly at the box office.

But the habit has always been more common on the right, and with good reason. Most liberals and radicals want the federal government, the only national institution chosen by the people at large, to satisfy social needs that business will not meet and private charities lack the resources to fulfill. Although socialism has never been a very popular faith in the United States, the American left's call for a stronger, more caring government does echo its more class-conscious counterparts in other industrial and postindustrial nations.

And conservative movements that stoke panic about the designs of big government have often won the day. In the 1870s Democrats who attacked Radical Republicans for imposing "Negro rule" on the South did much to sap Northern white support for Reconstruction; the result was a brutal segregationist order that endured for almost a century. The same fear that white Americans are losing control to blacks and recent immigrants has animated other wild attacks on federal power over the years, one reason it took so long for Congress to pass strong civil rights and voting rights bills. Redbaiting has done effective service as well. In the late 1940s the American Medical Association helped defeat Harry Truman's plan for national health insurance by publishing an erroneous quote by Lenin declaring that "socialized medicine is the keystone to the arch of the Socialist State." If all this be paranoia, the right has certainly made the most of it.


submit to reddit
Michael Kazin's latest book is A Godly Hero: The Life of William Jennings Bryan. He is co-editor of Dissent and teaches history at Georgetown University.
Email
Print
Share
Post on reddit
Post on stumbleupon
Post on facebook
Post on digg
Post on twitter
Post on delicious
LIKED THIS ARTICLE? JOIN OUR EMAIL LIST
Stay up to date with the latest News & Politics headlines via email
See more stories tagged with: obama, right wing, paranoia
 
Alternet Comments:

Comments are closed-

The Century of Self and The Manufacture of Consent
Posted by: mmckinl on Sep 16, 2009 9:04 PM   
Current rating: 5    [1 = poor; 5 = excellent]
The Century of the Self

How politicians and business learned to create and manipulate mass-consumer society.



The Manufacture of Consent

[« Reply to this comment] [Post a new comment »] [Rate this comment: 1 - 2 - 3 - 4 - 5]


Comments are closed-

Socialist
Posted by: Revolutionary (Direct) Democracy on Sep 18, 2009 12:14 AM   
Current rating: 3    [1 = poor; 5 = excellent]
I am an American.

I am a patriot.

I am a Socialist.


FREE AMERICA

REVOLUTIONARY (DIRECT) DEMOCRACY

[« Reply to this comment] [Post a new comment »] [Rate this comment: 1 - 2 - 3 - 4 - 5]

» RE: Socialist Posted by: uncertain
» RE: Socialist Posted by: gilliani
» RE: Socialist Posted by: aussidawg
» RE: Socialist Posted by: HoboHomo
» RE: Socialist Posted by: GuitarBill on
» I couldn't agree with you more. Posted by: GuitarBill
» RE: Socialist Posted by: HoboHomo
» Dumb as a rock, aren't you Posted by: GuitarBill
» RE: Socialist Posted by: HoboHomo
» RE: Socialist Posted by: Crazy H
» RE: Socialist Posted by: donl51

Comments are closed-

With our Constitution hanging by a thread, due to the federal gov't being in bed with corporations,
Posted by: JohnTruth2001 on Sep 18, 2009 12:32 AM   
Current rating: 3    [1 = poor; 5 = excellent]
the military/industrial complex, and other such fascism, why in the world would we want to "defeat the latest assault on federal power"???

I am Ron Paul Libertarian!!!

[« Reply to this comment] [Post a new comment »] [Rate this comment: 1 - 2 - 3 - 4 - 5]

» W/out 9/11 there would be no Posted by: weathered
» RE: W/out 9/11 there would be no Posted by: GuitarBill on
» I didn't post this comment. Posted by: GuitarBill
» RE: I didn't post this comment. Posted by: GuitarBill on
» Guitarbill, nobody likes you on Alternet. Get lost. Posted by: LaughingModerateIndependent
» RE: Guitarbill, nobody likes you on Alternet. Get lost. Posted by: LaughingModerateIndependent
» Really? What's this, farm boy? Posted by: GuitarBill
» More stupidity, idiot? Posted by: GuitarBill
» Calm down or nobody will take you seriously. Posted by: LaughingModerateIndependent
» You're an idiot. Posted by: GuitarBill
» Oh really? Posted by: LaughingModerateIndependent
» You're an idiot Posted by: GuitarBill
» RE: You're an idiot Posted by: LaughingModerateIndependent
» Ok, so she changed her name but so what? Posted by: LaughingModerateIndependent
» High school dropouts can be CEOs too you know. Posted by: LaughingModerateIndependent
» I'm a genius? Thanks ! Posted by: LaughingModerateIndependent
» Oh man, you're making me laugh a little too hard ! Posted by: LaughingModerateIndependent
» ROY F: Best. Post. Ever. Posted by: Crazy H

Comments are closed-

It's Amazing...
Posted by: kanekoa64 on Sep 18, 2009 12:34 AM   
Current rating: 4    [1 = poor; 5 = excellent]
How so few insects can damage so much grain.

[« Reply to this comment] [Post a new comment »] [Rate this comment: 1 - 2 - 3 - 4 - 5]


Comments are closed-

Liberal Warrior
Posted by: LiberalWarrior on Sep 18, 2009 12:47 AM   
Current rating: 5    [1 = poor; 5 = excellent]
"to make extraordinary leaps of logic" Your kidding, right?

[« Reply to this comment] [Post a new comment »] [Rate this comment: 1 - 2 - 3 - 4 - 5]


Comments are closed-

This very small...
Posted by: adp3d on Sep 18, 2009 1:14 AM   
Current rating: 4    [1 = poor; 5 = excellent]
...yet very vocal minority just can't seem to get on the same page. It is comical on its face to see photos of people with signs saying "fascist" and signs saying "socialist" at the same rally agreeing that Obama is some kind of bogey man. They really need to make up their minds because all they are really doing is revealing the general ignorance of the mob. Which is it folks, is the President left wing or right wing?

[« Reply to this comment] [Post a new comment »] [Rate this comment: 1 - 2 - 3 - 4 - 5]

» RE: This very small... Posted by: thepuffin
» Really? No kidding? What's this? Posted by: GuitarBill

Comments are closed-

Obama's progressive allies?
Posted by: bonapartist on Sep 18, 2009 1:24 AM   
Current rating: 3    [1 = poor; 5 = excellent]
What progressive allies? He is Centre to Centre-Right, with Democratic right wing (Blue Dogs) supporting Republicans more than him. The majority of independants stopped supporting him a way bac, as did a decent chunk of Democratic Left and even Centre.

So that leaves Bambam's allies at what? Some Centrists, few more on the Democratic Left and that is about it.

At any rate Obama is current PR face of the rulling oligarchy and factions within the power structure (Reps & Dems) are fighting for bigger piece of the pie while being careful not to upset the system.

[« Reply to this comment] [Post a new comment »] [Rate this comment: 1 - 2 - 3 - 4 - 5]


Comments are closed-

HEALTH CARE IS THE PERFECT ISSUE TO BRING US TOGETHER
Posted by: drricklippin on Sep 18, 2009 4:17 AM   
Current rating: 4    [1 = poor; 5 = excellent]
Unlike civil right or womans rights or the rights of the old or young-or rich or poor- health care is about everybody's body. (we all have one)

Dr. Rick Lippin
Southampton.Pa

[« Reply to this comment] [Post a new comment »] [Rate this comment: 1 - 2 - 3 - 4 - 5]

» It's Human Rights Posted by: weightman

Comments are closed-

Obama a Progressive? Are you joking?
Posted by: mush4brains on Sep 18, 2009 5:21 AM   
Current rating: 3    [1 = poor; 5 = excellent]
Obama isn't a progressive and I can't believe he is a Democrat. He is a Bush clone.

He speaks to school children of personal responsibility yet gives away trillions to Wall Street. He is now saying the consumers must also take responsibility for the Wall Street collapse. This is classic right wing blame the victim stuff.

Obama hasn't lifted a finger to end work visa programs like H-1B which have imported 2.2 million foreigners into the US to drive down wages in the high tech sector. Using the federal government to drive down wages of average working families for the benefit of Wall Street is NOT progressive!

[« Reply to this comment] [Post a new comment »] [Rate this comment: 1 - 2 - 3 - 4 - 5]


Comments are closed-

Obama: Dubya's latest crisis manager
Posted by: sdz on Sep 18, 2009 5:33 AM   
Current rating: 4    [1 = poor; 5 = excellent]
If it is doubtful that Obama will deliver single-payer health care, as he should since it is the most sensible option available to the country, then how likely is it that he will deliver on those issues that are exceptionally divisive and compelling? There is little reason to place one's hopes in Obama. He is a system politician, but the times call for a radical reformer.

Americans need to face up to the fact that much of their country oscillates between two poles:

On the left: The Center-Right (!)

On the right: Reaction

Not one point on the line that stretches between the two poles can be made into a coherent reform program that might resolve the problems the country -- and the world -- now faces. No system politician will produce the reforms needed to address global warming and its causes. No system politician will demilitarize the economy, the government and the culture. No system politician will jettison the welfare/workfare-penal/prisonfare system and replace it with a system that assumes that real full employment is a highly unlikely and, perhaps, an irrational goal and thus implements a system that provides a basic income, public transportation, public health care, etc. Instead of debating these issues, Americans today have to confront the Teabagging knuckledraggers and their kind.

Reforms like these will come only if there is pressure from below.

[« Reply to this comment] [Post a new comment »] [Rate this comment: 1 - 2 - 3 - 4 - 5]


Comments are closed-

Same mistakes . . .
Posted by: newsound on Sep 18, 2009 5:37 AM   
Current rating: 5    [1 = poor; 5 = excellent]
Everything mentioned in this piece, along with many other civil disagreements DID happen and are happening today.
So, why do Americans continue to ignore history and make the same mistakes over and over?
Just plain stupid, I guess.

[« Reply to this comment] [Post a new comment »] [Rate this comment: 1 - 2 - 3 - 4 - 5]

» RE: Same mistakes . . . Posted by: DaBear

Comments are closed-

When even NPR is promoting paranoia you know we are fucked
Posted by: MeyravLevine on Sep 18, 2009 5:45 AM   
Current rating: 3    [1 = poor; 5 = excellent]
Since yesterday NPR is promoting Obama's missile defense strategy. It keeps regugitating government's talking-point on how we need this new missile defense architecture to defend Europe against Iran. Come again? Iran threatening Europe?? When was the last time Iran invaded any country??

The only country Iran threatened to invade was Afghanistan back in the 90s, when Taliban killed Iranian diplomats.

And guess who stood-up for Taliban back in the day? Clinton's America

WTF!!!

[« Reply to this comment] [Post a new comment »] [Rate this comment: 1 - 2 - 3 - 4 - 5]

» Off-topic and totally out of context reply. Posted by: LaughingModerateIndependent
» On topic and totally relevant. Posted by: GuitarBill
» BS, liar. Posted by: GuitarBill
» RE: BS, liar. Posted by: LaughingModerateIndependent
» %^) Posted by: GuitarBill

Comments are closed-

More inept propaganda from The Nation
Posted by: leafsong1 on Sep 18, 2009 5:54 AM   
Current rating: 3    [1 = poor; 5 = excellent]
1) The CIA did flood LA with crack.

2) Nobody knows exactly what went down in the Kennedy assassination, and Stone's version is not impossible.

3) Obama's studied vagueness is obviously his attempt to sound like a progressive while actually pursuing a rightist, pro-big business policy. Any comparison to FDR is ludicrous.

4) As usual, the Nation's commentator's obsequious attitude towards the Democratic party is obvious. Why does Alternet continue to link to this patently biased source?

[« Reply to this comment] [Post a new comment »] [Rate this comment: 1 - 2 - 3 - 4 - 5]

» She's an independent. What's wrong with you? Posted by: LaughingModerateIndependent
» I already replied to that duplicate post of yours. Posted by: LaughingModerateIndependent
» Dude, chill. Posted by: leafsong1

Comments are closed-

SUE FANDL
Posted by: smf1403 on Sep 18, 2009 6:09 AM   
Current rating: 3    [1 = poor; 5 = excellent]
PEOPLE:
THIS AUTHOR REFUSES TO BE CLEAR ABOUT THE REAL ISSUE:
BARACK OBAMA IS AN ELITIST, CORPORATIST WHO VOTED WITH CORPORATIONS WHILE IN CONGRESS AND WILL CONTINUE TO SUPPORT CORPORATIONS, BANKS, ETC.
HE IS A SOCIALIST FOR THE RICH. THEY SPREAD THE WEALTH AND RESOURCES ALRIGHT -- AMONGST THEMSELVES.
THE BANK BAILOUT USING TAXPAYER MONEY AND INCREASED WAR TO BENEFIT THE MILITARY/INDUSTRIAL COMPLEX IS ONLY A TASTE OF WHAT IS YET TO COME FROM HIM.
FORGET ABOUT THE LABELS -- PROGRESSIVE, LIBERAL, SOCIALIST, REPUBLICAN!!!
VOTE FOR THE PERSON WHO VOTES FOR YOU!!!
DENNIS KUCINICH CONSISTENTLY VOTES FOR US, THE 90% WORKING CLASS. HE IS ONE OF US.
MICHELLE AND BARACK HAVE BEEN LIVING IT UP IN EUROPE AND MARTHA'S VINEYARD ON OUR DIME!
STOP THE MINDLESS VOTING AND DO A LITTLE RESEARCH NEXT TIME!
THROW YOUR SUPPORT AND MONEY BEHIND DENNIS KUCINICH NOW!

[« Reply to this comment] [Post a new comment »] [Rate this comment: 1 - 2 - 3 - 4 - 5]

» Please don't use all caps. Posted by: tjg1984

Comments are closed-

rampant nutiness
Posted by: kiel on Sep 18, 2009 6:18 AM   
Current rating: 4    [1 = poor; 5 = excellent]
From a recent e-mail by an old high school acquaintance:

"He [Obama] must surround himself with czars who believe that animals should be allowed to sue humans and that babies up to the age of 2 years old should be able to be aborted for the sake of convenience. If an individual is not perfect in society's eyes, then get rid of the unwanted blob of tissue. Do you remember going to Dachau? Have you had the opportunity to go to the Holocaust Museum in Washington, D. C.? Remember, those who forget the past are destined to repeat it."

This sort of dangerous, delusional drivel is deeper and more wide-spread than we'd like to admit, I fear....

[« Reply to this comment] [Post a new comment »] [Rate this comment: 1 - 2 - 3 - 4 - 5]


Comments are closed-

SUE FANDL
Posted by: smf1403 on Sep 18, 2009 6:33 AM   
Current rating: 4    [1 = poor; 5 = excellent]
"ONE IS ENTITLED TO HIS OWN OPINIONS, BUT NOT HIS OWN FACTS". -- UNKNOWN
PEOPLE: LET'S STAY FOCUSED. ARTICLES LIKE THIS ONE ATTEMPT TO TAKE US DOWN A PATH THAT IS NOT USEFUL. AUTHORS LIKE THIS DEPEND ON "LIBERALS". WHATEVER, PEOPLE USING CRITICAL THINKING TO POLITELY CRITIQUE HIS WRITING AND GET OFF TRACK.
THE FACTS ARE THAT OBAMA USED THE PEOPLE'S MONEY TO "RESCUE" THE BANKS (WHO ALREADY RIPPED OFF THE PEOPLE), HE CONTINUES AND INCREASES THE KILLING AND SUFFERING CAUSED BY OUR WARS IN AFGHANISTAN AND IRAQ AND ELSEWHERE, HE IS NOW ATTEMPTING TO BAILOUT INSURANCE COMPANIES BY GIVING THEM MANDATED HEALTH INSURANCE REQUIRING ALL PEOPLE TO BUY IT.
WHAT MORE DO YOU NEED TO KNOW THAT HE IS NOT THERE FOR US BUT FOR HIS RICH ELITIST SUPPORTERS AND WILL BE FOR THE NEXT 4 YEARS????

[« Reply to this comment] [Post a new comment »] [Rate this comment: 1 - 2 - 3 - 4 - 5]

» RE: SUE FANDL Posted by: solrev
» RE: SUE FANDL Posted by: rgd
» RE: SUE FANDL Posted by: rgd

Comments are closed-

No doubt
Posted by: WoodoMomo on Sep 18, 2009 6:47 AM   
Current rating: 5    [1 = poor; 5 = excellent]
No doubt about it folks, it is high time we did something, if we dont, it will be too late!

Jess
Online Anonymity when it Counts

[« Reply to this comment] [Post a new comment »] [Rate this comment: 1 - 2 - 3 - 4 - 5]

» RE: No doubt Posted by: GuitarBill on
» RE: No doubt Posted by: kogwonton
» That's not my post. Posted by: GuitarBill
» RE: That's not my post. Posted by: GuitarBill on
» More fraud, "truther" bitch? Posted by: GuitarBill
» Tell us about it, teabagger. Posted by: GuitarBill
» Hahaha, you are good! lol Posted by: CynicI
» RE: More fraud, "truther" bitch? Posted by: GuitarBill
» ROFLMAO Posted by: kogwonton
» What was that, Mrs. Wonton? Posted by: GuitarBill
» Alias-equating again, Mr. Bill? Posted by: MaxBridges
» Poor Guitarbill. Nobody likes you. Poor you. Posted by: LaughingModerateIndependent
» Poor Guitarbill. Nobody likes you. Poor you. Posted by: LaughingModerateIndependent
» RE: You're right. Conspiranoids are nobodies. Posted by: LaughingModerateIndependent
» You defend 'em. Posted by: GuitarBill
» RE: You defend 'em. Posted by: kogwonton
» RE: Stop it. Posted by: Reader in Japan
» RE: Stop it. Posted by: kogwonton

Comments are closed-

Money in government..........
Posted by: Spiritgirl on Sep 18, 2009 6:48 AM   
Current rating: 5    [1 = poor; 5 = excellent]
Most of those on the right (Rush, Newt, Beck, et. al), that are screaming loudly are being paid Corporate Money to push an agenda that favors the Corporation over the average citizen. Those prostitutes in Congress that are pushing a rightwing agenda, once again, look at which companies are funding their PAC's, and whose throwing those lavish fund-raisers! The dumbed down Americans that are following these traitors, well they are just so afraid, and they don't think for themselves, not really - otherwise they wouldn't continue to promote those policies that are taking more and more money from them!

The federal government while being neutral to both business and citizens is supposed to be the even-handed one that doesn't allow it's citizens to be taken advantage of by the Corporate State, the rules should not be so stacked against we the people that the rich and Corporate make out like the thugs they have been! Pay attention, the "new" bankruptcy bill left the average citizen down the crapper, but the rich & Corporate are still allowed to proceed under the old rules, jobs are being "outsourced" yet Corporate profits have never been higher and their tax rates have never been laxer, yet the American people whose labor produced those monetary gains never saw any of that money "trickle" down to them!

First we have to get all private money out of government, second we have to get those stale old obstructionist whores out of office, so that we the people can actually have people that represent the best of this nation in office! Make no mistake, we will not all agree on every policy or issue, but we must have a constructive dialog that and the compromises made must be in the best interests of everyone, not just the terrified vocal few that can't see past the nose on their face!

[« Reply to this comment] [Post a new comment »] [Rate this comment: 1 - 2 - 3 - 4 - 5]

» How do you know that it's CynicI that faked you? Prove it. Posted by: LaughingModerateIndependent
» So CynicI may sound similar to Prophit but Posted by: LaughingModerateIndependent
» Don't be coy with me--you fool. Posted by: GuitarBill
» "prophit(0)"< what's this? Posted by: GuitarBill
» RE: You are a conspiranoid Posted by: kogwonton

Comments are closed-

In the way that the
Posted by: EncinoM on Sep 18, 2009 7:33 AM   
Current rating: 3    [1 = poor; 5 = excellent]
paranoid fringe on the left attacks the Nation and others as gatekeepers, is similar to the loss of the National Review.

While the National Review was conservative, Buckley, if he were alive today would be an allie against the Birthers, Deathers and 9/12'ers, as he was when he went after the John Birch Society.

From what I read here, paranoia has replaced reason, rumor and innuendo has replaced facts. People are now invested in believing the worst about each other, regardless of the evidence. Rush, Hannity Alex Jones, Beck and others have found a way to profit of of this paranoia. Politicans like Wilson and Palin no longer seek to inspire us to our greatest potential, as JFK and RFK did, but exploit our bases fears.

You could disagree with Buckley and other conservative thinkers, but that argued with facts and reason. Today its about scoring points, facts and reason be damned.

[« Reply to this comment] [Post a new comment »] [Rate this comment: 1 - 2 - 3 - 4 - 5]

» RE: In the way that the Posted by: VZEQICVA
» RE: In the way that the Posted by: qwertyu

Comments are closed-

Nation Magazine, as always, You are Lame, Read Gary Webb
Posted by: qwertyu on Sep 18, 2009 7:36 AM   
Current rating: 4    [1 = poor; 5 = excellent]
"In the 1990s Maxine Waters, the liberal Congresswoman from California, charged the CIA with flooding the streets of South Central Los Angeles with crack cocaine."

This HAPPENED and I am NO conspriacy theorist, 9/11 "Truthers" are nuts and Oswald was the LONE assasin as was James Earl Ray, but Maxine Waters was on the money. What's the matter, Nation, afraid your big funders will pull their money if you listen to an articulate Black woman tell it like it is, or you won't be able to book anymore cruises.

Read Gary Webb!

[« Reply to this comment] [Post a new comment »] [Rate this comment: 1 - 2 - 3 - 4 - 5]


Comments are closed-

OBAMA'S AMBIVALENCE
Posted by: VZEQICVA on Sep 18, 2009 7:53 AM   
Current rating: 3    [1 = poor; 5 = excellent]
In a single day we went from "my way or the highway" to a president who actively sought advice and opinions. It's natural that a free and open mind will encounter chaos along the way. I'm not sure it's ambivalence. It's just not brazen, arrogant, "because I said so". Bush was always dead certain that he was right. We all know how that turned out. Right now Gen. McChrystal has been summoned to appear before Congress. No more troops until he defines his plan. Good move Mr. President.
The banking/Wall St. fiasco was well under way when Obama was elected. Ben Bernanke, kept us from becoming Argentina when their economy dissolved. The country cannot function without banks and companies that are publicly owned. That's who employs most of us. At the present time, compensation and regulations are on the front burner. Big items. There's being a corporate whore and then there's playing the game and 'horse trading'. The latter is the better choice. We're all big boys and girls. No country in the world is or has ever been run by poor people with good intentions. But with people in charge who are smart and not common thieves the system can be revived and serve the common good, the way it's supposed to. A democracy is like a new born baby. Needs alot of care and attention. The baby grows up, the country does not. ANNA

[« Reply to this comment] [Post a new comment »] [Rate this comment: 1 - 2 - 3 - 4 - 5]


Comments are closed-

....hope to defeat the latest assault on federal power...
Posted by: SteveA on Sep 18, 2009 8:03 AM   
Current rating: 4    [1 = poor; 5 = excellent]
I don't know what planet this author lives on, but the past several years have seen the greatest expansion of federal power since the FDR days. Things are way, way out of balance, and if this writer can't tell that, I wouldn't even ask him what day it is.

[« Reply to this comment] [Post a new comment »] [Rate this comment: 1 - 2 - 3 - 4 - 5]


Comments are closed-

Oliver Stone and Maxine Waters
Posted by: CaptainStormfield on Sep 18, 2009 8:16 AM   
Current rating: 3    [1 = poor; 5 = excellent]
I hate to break this to you.. but Kennedy was killed by the MIC. The Cocaine influx was facilitated at least by the CIA and executed by their Contra allies. Try reading the CIA Inspector Generals Report on Iran Contra. They actually admit it. Rest in peace, Gary Webb.

[« Reply to this comment] [Post a new comment »] [Rate this comment: 1 - 2 - 3 - 4 - 5]

» RE: Oliver Stone and Maxine Waters Posted by: GuitarBill on
» Fraud. Posted by: GuitarBill
» RE: Fraud. Posted by: GuitarBill on

Comments are closed-

socialism and fascism: two VERY different things
Posted by: Rusty Shackleford on Sep 18, 2009 8:17 AM   
Current rating: 4    [1 = poor; 5 = excellent]
Obama is no socialist. He's a fascist. i.e. the merging of corporate and federal power. When you give money to corporations that don't need money, you're a fascist. When you tout a stimulus/bailout thingy as the most important thing we need right now, and you give that money to corporations instead of personal checks to the American people, who could really use their tax dollars back right now, you're a fascist.

I ME MYSELF I am a socialist. I believe in strong government control over corporations and economic activity. I believe in progressive taxation against the rich. Paradoxically, I also believe in decentralization. The sort of regulation that I advocate should take place at the local level as well. Not to mention, it should be voted on and implemented by a group of intelligent, informed people, via direct democracy, so it can truly be said that it is a government BY the people and FOR the people.

Oh, P.S. Only in capitalist, free market, laissez-faire America would a government actually allow their own national currency to be printed by a private organization. Morons.

[« Reply to this comment] [Post a new comment »] [Rate this comment: 1 - 2 - 3 - 4 - 5]

» Thank You!!!!!!!! Posted by: rafaeltoral

Comments are closed-

amendment X
Posted by: Sgellero on Sep 18, 2009 8:34 AM   
Current rating: 2    [1 = poor; 5 = excellent]
"Amendment X

The powers not delegated to the United States by the Constitution, nor prohibited by it to the states, are reserved to the states respectively, or to the people.

Federal power has brought you inflation, perpetual debt, high taxes, perpetual corruption.

Who has the department of education ever educated? where does our money go, if not in a big circle where local governments beg for it back, minus the Federal cut ( aka extortion ).

Why is 'carjacking' a Federal crime?

[« Reply to this comment] [Post a new comment »] [Rate this comment: 1 - 2 - 3 - 4 - 5]


Comments are closed-

The Conspiranoid Song
Posted by: GuitarBill on on Sep 18, 2009 8:44 AM   
Current rating: 2    [1 = poor; 5 = excellent]
E = mc^2. That proves something. If you don't agree it's only because your a [expletive] fucking [deleted] of a bitch. It's so simple a conspiranoid can do it. The single bullet went through Tillman's head, ricocheted off of the refrigerator, turned left at Albuquerque, then went back through his head, did an immelman loop and went through it a third time. Conspiranoid. I've seen the bullet. It's in a building! That proves Ford shot Lincoln in the Mercury theater. Conspiranoid. Oh, yeah? You want to repeat that outside? I'll kick you're ass! I'll kick you're ass so hard banna split with whipped cream on top. Conspiranoid. I debunked your bed, straw man. Conspiranoid. Professor Plum in the closet with Miss Scarlet. Conspiranoid! Conspiranoids shot J.R. Conspiranoid, conspiranoid, conspiranoid, conspiranoid, conspiranoid, conspiranoid, vagina, conspiranoid. Why won't you treat me like a grownup? See? I just proved it again.























































































'9/11 Conspiracy Theories Ridiculous' - Al Qaeda.


The Biggest Conspiracy Of The Century.



















Conspiranoid.

[« Reply to this comment] [Post a new comment »] [Rate this comment: 1 - 2 - 3 - 4 - 5]

» Having fun, 911 "truther"? Posted by: GuitarBill
» RE: Having fun, 911 "truther"? Posted by: GuitarBill on

Comments are closed-

The Conspiranoid Song
Posted by: GuitarBill on on Sep 18, 2009 8:44 AM   
Current rating: 2    [1 = poor; 5 = excellent]
E = mc^2. That proves something. If you don't agree it's only because your a [expletive] fucking [deleted] of a bitch. It's so simple a conspiranoid can do it. The single bullet went through Tillman's head, ricocheted off of the refrigerator, turned left at Albuquerque, then went back through his head, did an immelman loop and went through it a third time. Conspiranoid. I've seen the bullet. It's in a building! That proves Ford shot Lincoln in the Mercury theater. Conspiranoid. Oh, yeah? You want to repeat that outside? I'll kick you're ass! I'll kick you're ass so hard banna split with whipped cream on top. Conspiranoid. I debunked your bed, straw man. Conspiranoid. Professor Plum in the closet with Miss Scarlet. Conspiranoid! Conspiranoids shot J.R. Conspiranoid, conspiranoid, conspiranoid, conspiranoid, conspiranoid, conspiranoid, vagina, conspiranoid. Why won't you treat me like a grownup? See? I just proved it again.























































































'9/11 Conspiracy Theories Ridiculous' - Al Qaeda.


The Biggest Conspiracy Of The Century.



















Conspiranoid.

[« Reply to this comment] [Post a new comment »] [Rate this comment: 1 - 2 - 3 - 4 - 5]

» Having fun, 911 "truther" bitch? Posted by: GuitarBill
» RE: Having fun, 911 "truther" bitch? Posted by: GuitarBill on
» More fraud, "truther bitch? Posted by: GuitarBill

Comments are closed-

The onspiranoidcay ongsay
Posted by: GuitarBill on on Sep 18, 2009 8:45 AM   
Current rating: 3    [1 = poor; 5 = excellent]
E = mc^2. That proves something. If you don't agree it's only because your a [expletive] fucking [deleted] of a bitch. It's so simple a conspiranoid can do it. The single bullet went through Tillman's head, ricocheted off of the refrigerator, turned left at Albuquerque, then went back through his head, did an immelman loop and went through it a third time. Conspiranoid. I've seen the bullet. It's in a building! That proves Ford shot Lincoln in the Mercury theater. Conspiranoid. Oh, yeah? You want to repeat that outside? I'll kick you're ass! I'll kick you're ass so hard banna split with whipped cream on top. Conspiranoid. I debunked your bed, straw man. Conspiranoid. Professor Plum in the closet with Miss Scarlet. Conspiranoid! Conspiranoids shot J.R. Conspiranoid, conspiranoid, conspiranoid, conspiranoid, conspiranoid, conspiranoid, vagina, conspiranoid. Why won't you treat me like a grownup? See? I just proved it again.























































































'9/11 Conspiracy Theories Ridiculous' - Al Qaeda.


The Biggest Conspiracy Of The Century.



















Conspiranoid.

[« Reply to this comment] [Post a new comment »] [Rate this comment: 1 - 2 - 3 - 4 - 5]

» Having fun 911 "truther" bitch? Posted by: GuitarBill

Comments are closed-

Historicity does not apply. Times have changed.
Posted by: peacelf on Sep 18, 2009 9:01 AM   
Current rating: Not yet rated    [1 = poor; 5 = excellent]
I understand the historical significance of past Right wing attacks, but something's different this time: america has lost its innocence! The internet is the reason.

The resources one has today far outreaches anything ever produced in history. The past Liberal explosions have been more visceral, more near-to-the-bone activism, which is important, but lacks the intellectual side.

Today, people are much more educated, even though we still chose political sides. And, Obama's bi-partisanship will not cajole an end to that rift. His centrism is misguided, in that it still ignores the facts.

For example, the latest health care proposal ignores many of the most humane issues in favor of the health insurance lobby which represents a very small wealthy minority, rather than the majority of americans who suffer under the current system.

Nonetheless, the people are (mis)informed and the internet is the main source of their (mis)information. What the internet and Obama has failed to do is present the facts clearly, succinctly and debate options or debunk any fallacies perpetuated by the Right that do not consider the humane choices necessary to create real reform.

Cornell West says this requires courage; however, the way Obama dissed the Left in his speech last week (by accusing the left of inflating the value of the public option), not only did Obama push a public single payer option off the table, he reduced the public option to a small, insignificant part of reform, AND ignore the truth.

This is not honest debate and ignores the facts that confuse americans both on the Right and Left. Where does the Truth lie?

I don't propose to know the whole Truth, but it seems to me that what america needs is compassionate Libertarianism--some call it Socialized Libertarianism. Libertarianism, ala Ron Paul, has its merits, but it lacks the compassion to understand how corporate power manipulates social order and affects the uncritical citizen.

Libertarianism would work if americans were critical thinkers, able to apply values like Love, Compassion, Justice and Hope to their social, political and material judgments. In other words, poor people aren't lazy and stupid, they're just part of a system that legitimizes radical materialism and slave wages as acceptable cultural values.

This may not be the absolute truth, but it seems to make more sense than the "tough love" facade that the Right imposes on the poor, or the racist, sexist, ageist, ableist, homophobic "pull yourself up by the bootstraps" myth of the american dream. Empathy for the Other will put the Racist Right in its place; then a more honest debate can happen.

Obama's failed Hope campaign could be the impetus for real change. It will teach us that the Center is a myth, that there's no middle solution that will heal america, that the rich and powerful manipulate truth to the benefit of a few. The Truth is when Love, Compassion, Justice and Hope prevail.


Peace

[« Reply to this comment] [Post a new comment »] [Rate this comment: 1 - 2 - 3 - 4 - 5]


Comments are closed-

Who would have thought?
Posted by: Perry Logan on Sep 18, 2009 9:52 AM   
Current rating: 3    [1 = poor; 5 = excellent]
I knew we were in trouble back in the 80s, when Ronald Reagan's notion that "government is the problem, not the solution" took hold.

We followed that philosophy fairly consistently for thirty years, dismantling much of the New Deal, and we now see that, far from being the problem, government is the only solution to all the problems we created by treating government as the problem.

Who would have thought Ronald Reagan could be wrong? ;)

The good news is that--despite all the reactionary brouhaha--most Americans want the government to do more, not less. Anti-government types make a lot of noise, but they are an alienated minority.

[« Reply to this comment] [Post a new comment »] [Rate this comment: 1 - 2 - 3 - 4 - 5]


Comments are closed-

Has anyone else noticed...
Posted by: djnoll on Sep 18, 2009 11:30 AM   
Current rating: 5    [1 = poor; 5 = excellent]
that when President Obama writes his own speeches on social issues like race, health care, defense, etc., he is speaking to the way most Americans believe, BUT when the White House and campaign speech writers do the work, the message is totally different? They seem to play to the ignorance and cowardice of the American people as though we were too stupid to understand what is being done to us, often succeeding in turning against each other with mixed messages.

I am beginning to wonder if the children he has surrounded himself with from the campaign trail are the ones writing the speeches and that they are the ones who are being told what to say by the likes of Rahm Emanuel and the Clinton Cabal in the White House. Every issue on which the President spoke most strongly during the campaign has been either watered down, not spoken to, or completely reversed since he started speaking after his election. Even his Inaugural Address was not his usual forthright style, but weak and ineffectual for the most part.

I find myself wondering is those around him, who are predominantly old school politicians with corporate ties, have turned the President into a public figurehead who is not allowed to speak to the issues the way he wants. I feel like we elected a good and decent man, and now have only a shackled prisoner doing propaganda speak for political opportunists, scripted by children who are just getting their feet wet in politics.

Look at the grammar in his speeches. Compare those we know he wrote himself on the campaign trail, then look at some of the speeches he has given recently. This man is a scholar, and yet the speeches seem to be written by someone with only a cursory knowledge of grammar, and the President's presentation shows that he is uncomfortable with the wording and the words both. His body language is both tense and clearly ill at odds with his words.

This article referred to the fireside chats of FDR. He spoke from his heart to the American people, and that is what Obama did on the campaign trail. He needs to do so again, but I am afraid that until he does by going off script, and makes sure that the American people are behind him by sheer force of numbers, his advisers and Congressional cowards will undercut his hope for America.

Mr. President, it is time to clean house and become the President you were meant to be. Start with your speech writers, and Rahm Emanuel, and the Clinton Cabal in your Cabinet. Withdraw you nomination of Benanke to the Fed - we are not lab rats to test his theories about how to deal with an economic Depression. Get rid of the Republicans in your Cabinet and fire General Petraeus for insubordination. AND FOR HEAVEN'S SAKE, TALK HONESTLY TO THE AMERICAN PEOPLE -- NAME NAMES, TELL WHO GOT WHAT MONEY FROM WHOM, KEEP YOUR PROMISES NO MATTER WHERE THE CHIPS FALL, SIR!

We are, for the most part, grown-ups who are tired of politicians and political wonks who act like spoiled, over-indulged children who throw temper tantrums. We used to put such children over our knees and spank them for their out of control behavior. In a little over one year we have the opportunity to do so again on Election Day. Until then, Mr. President, we expect you to lead, not follow and not allow children to control the conversation. It is unacceptable behavior among 3-years olds, and it is unacceptable among members of Congress and the Media.

[« Reply to this comment] [Post a new comment »] [Rate this comment: 1 - 2 - 3 - 4 - 5]

» RE: Has anyone else noticed... Posted by: theblackgeorgecarlin

Comments are closed-

The south is hopeless
Posted by: tim_s_eb@yahoo.com on Sep 18, 2009 11:37 AM   
Current rating: 2    [1 = poor; 5 = excellent]
Southern United States has been lacking a sound public education system for too long. Southerners are too English and deep down inside are still clinging to their heritage as "Englishmen" excluding all else and forgetting that they no longer live in England. The south clings to evangelical religious views in a dangerously fanatical way belittling all other religions and peoples including the catholic "whites". Ignorance is king in the south therefore people are easily manipulated and fear the unknown which is easily transformed into a large force of fully armed angry mobs.

The way to deal with such ignorant mobs is to stand firm, show a strong back bone, demonstrate courage and superior wit and be armed with a wealth of real knowledge. Despite their lack of proper education they seem capable of respecting the strength of character and the power of the truth. They might hate you at first but if you don't back down and show signs of fear and weakness they will come around and will follow your lead without a single shot fired.

[« Reply to this comment] [Post a new comment »] [Rate this comment: 1 - 2 - 3 - 4 - 5]


Comments are closed-

Gary Webb and Oliver Stoner were right
Posted by: Alex Hidell on Sep 18, 2009 11:39 AM   
Current rating: 4    [1 = poor; 5 = excellent]
Gary Webb's investigation of the CIA drug running to LA was vindicated by the CIA's own Inspector General; Oliver Stone's retelling of Jim Garrison's investigation of JFK's murder was vindicated recently by Joan Mullen's research into the CIA's George Joannides, and the 'debunkers' are tripping over themselves calling for further information from the CIA.

The CIA's blowback from drugs, to assassinations, to now torture, are resulting in Spain now launching a torture probe since the US justice system cannot be relied upon, due to CIA claims of "national security".

The chickens are coming home to roost. Also, when I see what happened to Gary Webb, being hounded out of work by the likes of Walter Pincus (and other Operation Mockingbird tweeters) I shudder for what passes as "journalism" in the United States today.

Which makes me ask why the author of this article didn't mention these pertinent facts and instead insinuates that the Dark Alliance articles and JFK assassination truth-seekers are conspiracy buffs.

[« Reply to this comment] [Post a new comment »] [Rate this comment: 1 - 2 - 3 - 4 - 5]

» Israel's gift to the CIA Posted by: weathered

Comments are closed-

FYI- The private Sector Collapsed for a Second time
Posted by: Purple Girl on Sep 18, 2009 11:43 AM   
Current rating: 4    [1 = poor; 5 = excellent]
I love these folks who have symptoms of early political alzhiemers. They keep screaming about Big Gov't 'Takeovers' but fail to recall exactly WHY the Fed had to step in.
The Capitalistic Free for All Market Collapsed.
Don't tell me the Gov't 'can't run anything' when we have faced the Brink of yet another Great Depression caused by the private sector.
The Private Sector has proven it can't responsibly manage the Nations wealth, nor it's industrial and manufacturing abilities.
Why the hell are we going to let them continue to do the same to our Healthcare? Or our Environment? Or our Education System or our Public Services?
We got fucked because the private Sector is Incompetent, unethical and unaccountable to anything but their profit margins.
I have never voted on Corp boardmembers, Or CEO pay- even though my retirement funds are held hostage by them. I have never had the ability to kick any of these assholes out either. And there in lies the difference,Folks!

[« Reply to this comment] [Post a new comment »] [Rate this comment: 1 - 2 - 3 - 4 - 5]


Comments are closed-

Can we talk?
Posted by: willymack on Sep 18, 2009 12:22 PM   
Current rating: 4    [1 = poor; 5 = excellent]
It seems things are getting just a little heated around here, what with the name calling and the "ass kicking" threats.
This is what we'd expect at one of those lynch mob scenes called "town hall meetings".
This is supposed to be a forum, where thinking adults exchange ideas and opinions, not a schoolyard scrap.
It should be clear to all here that there is the TRUTH, and there is everything else.
We're expected to believe that there are two sides to every issue, and therefore they must BOTH be true.
This is the bogus reasoning encouraged by those 2 percenters who are robbing us blind, and have every intention of continuing their criminal behavior.
By now, it should be crystal-clear to anyone with any curiousity that the end result of unfettered capitalism is the mess we find ourselves in. Does anyone out there LIKE it? Really?
Now, let's look overseas to the countries of Northern Europe, which are still nominally capitalist, but with a healthy dose of socialism as a counterweight. These nations are healthier, happier, and better educated than we EVER were.
The truth of the matter is that they have something to teach us if we can get off our high horses and pull our heads out of our asses long enough to study their situation.
Even though it's stretching the truth a bit, let's assume they're socialist nations. How many despotic dictators are there? The answer is NONE. They're ALL thriving democarcies and with TRUE universal health care AND universal education.
If they can accomplish this, why can't WE?
All we have to do is bring the neocons up short with renewed anti-trust laws, tax the two percenters more, close all their thieving loopholes, and bring on long-overdue "socialised" medicine and education.
We deserve things, folks, we really do.

[« Reply to this comment] [Post a new comment »] [Rate this comment: 1 - 2 - 3 - 4 - 5]


Comments are closed-

Things Are Beginning To Change Despite the Howling and Paranoia. But Health Care Program Comes First
Posted by: hadashito on Sep 18, 2009 1:02 PM   
Current rating: 3    [1 = poor; 5 = excellent]
While the right wing, hate radio, stupid TV (Fox "News") rumbling, the paranoid screaming of the goons quads financed by the mediacal care industry and right wing lobbys, and the Congressional morons who join the paranoid goon squads, continue their deranged antics, it's beginning to look as though the media [and even the MSM (!)] are FINALLY beginning to take notice, are tiring of the whole sleazy business, and are beginning to diminish their coverage of the hate groups, the birthers, the goon squads, the Congressional Republican lunatics, etc., etc., and the lies spread by Limbaugh and the Fox "News" idiots. Notice that Sarah Bimbo Palin has been off the front news pages and much of the Internet during the past week or so ! To add to that, news and fact-filled commentary on MSNBC by Matthews, Olbermann, and Maddow are taking hold and becoming very polular (as the polls indicate), so the media tide if shifting toward more progressive viewpoints.
The politicians, advisors, and influential voices of the real conservative center have begun to worry aloud and writing newspaper columns crying that they fear that all the extremities and screams of the yahoos, goobers, racists, and goon squads who have been well financed by the lobbyists for the medical and insurance industry, the generously bribed, politically motivated, angry loudmouths in the Congress, and the hate talk and actions of the Fox "News" and by Limbaugh " and his "ditto heads", have become embarrassments and threats to true conservatism. They worry that it will all spell another disaster for the already moribund, but still babbling and complaining, GOP in 2010 and 2012.
In the meantime, Obama keeps a cool head, is beginning to quietly but effectively fight back and move on with a wise level of force, despite the worries of liberals who want immediate movement, replies to the Obama promises, and revenge for the insults and lies of the right wing.
Notice that in the past two weeks the Obama administration has really begun to act on some of the sincere and strongly worded promises he made during his campaign.
FOR INSTANCE: The cessation of off-shore oil drilling at several places, the reversal of a number of rulings by the Bush administration that threatened to damage the environment in our national parks and elswhere, reassessment and diminuation of the missile shield program in Eastern Europe, cessation of the"star wars" anti-missile program, admonitions and promises of strong near-future regulation of greedy corporate and finance industry CEOs who are grabbing outlandish salaries and "benefits" from tax dollars advanced to them by the administration to bail out their industries and corporations during the economic downturn, rapproachement with several other countries formerly alienated by the
Cheney/Bush crowd, and a host of other initiatives carried out quietly behind the scenes and barely noticed by the MSM.
BUT - - the difficult and time-consuming fight for passage of a fair and effective health care reform package acceptable to the majority of Americans (who favor it, and with a public insurance option, and especially progessives who were his base of support during the election) is a first priority and a hard-fought battle that will continue until the job is done or a defeat is accepted.
However, the tide may be beginning to turn soon; the signs are showing themselves, and the American people are beginning to make their voices heard, even above the noise of the Republican-lead paranoids.
Finally, considering all the many millions of dollars alloted to the "conservative" movement lobbys by the health care and insurance industries inimical to the health care reform, and all their bribes to members of Congress they may be beginning to wonder if it is all worth it and how it is affecting their "bottom lines". AND if they lose the battle, the expenditure will really hurt.

[« Reply to this comment] [Post a new comment »] [Rate this comment: 1 - 2 - 3 - 4 - 5]


Comments are closed-

Parade of rightwing paranoia
Posted by: Defenestrator on Sep 18, 2009 1:08 PM   
Current rating: 4    [1 = poor; 5 = excellent]
Parade of rightwing paranoia

Sometimes you don't know if you should laugh or cry...

[« Reply to this comment] [Post a new comment »] [Rate this comment: 1 - 2 - 3 - 4 - 5]

» RE: Photos from 9/12/09 Posted by: SteveA

Comments are closed-

"fact-filled commentary on MSNBC" by Matthews, Olbermann, and Maddow
Posted by: SteveA on Sep 18, 2009 1:15 PM   
Current rating: 1    [1 = poor; 5 = excellent]
Such thinking indicates that some people are about as far from political reality in the U.S. as a person can get.

Just one clue: The Democrats holding up this health care extravaganza actually want to get re-elected one of these days, and know ObamaCare and Cap & Tax would effectively end their political careers.

THe Republicans? I thought you knew. There aren't enough of them left in either house to vote anything down anymore unless YOUR party is divided. Perhaps you've been out of the country for a while.

[« Reply to this comment] [Post a new comment »] [Rate this comment: 1 - 2 - 3 - 4 - 5]


Comments are closed-

The Capitalistic One-half "Free for All Market" Collapsed
Posted by: SteveA on Sep 18, 2009 1:58 PM   
Current rating: 1    [1 = poor; 5 = excellent]
The financial crunch late in 2008 was handed us by a combination of reckless spending by Gerorge Bush, the Democratic House, and the Democratic Senate - AND the last fifteen years of interference in the housing market by Democratic demands for impossible home loans to people who had no hope of making mortgage payments. This is where the crazy terms for the once-stable mortgage loan industry came from.

Remember halfway through the Clinton Presidency when all of a sudden we heard of "red-lining" and Barney Frank and Senators Chris Dodd & Pat Leahy practically had a baby about poor people owning houses?

Frank & Dodd, the Democrat Chairmen of their committees in the House & Senate rammed through laws forcing banks for devote half their loans to people who had never been seriously considered for mortgage loans before.

This is where most of the late 1990s housing bubble came from as we saw home values in 14 counties nationwide shoot up, dragging along the rest of the country to varying degrees.

Good news for the Radical Left! All those redneck and farmer areas you so despise saw very little of this housing boom. ('Course, they had less to lose when it burst. Sorry.)

As soon as this bad mortgage business began working through the financil system, we saw all the 125% loans, zero-interest notes, the derivatives markets, etc. as the bankers tried to hold their companies together under this unprecedented onslaught.

Govnment sees something it would like to dhange and then gets everybody else involved in it in trouble sometimes. Just ask the farmers who used to depend on federal water projects to keep their collapsing family farms together out west.

We still do not know if the country will really make it past this disaster affecting the banks and loan outfits. The incredible amount of borrowing the federal gov't has done to get us past this has never been attempted before by a nation before.

One example: this past eight months you have seen more money added to our natioal debt than we owed altogther from George Washington to halfway through the Reagan years. Makes me sound old, doesn't it?

[« Reply to this comment] [Post a new comment »] [Rate this comment: 1 - 2 - 3 - 4 - 5]


Comments are closed-

GUITAR BILL, WE'RE QUITE CONVINCED THAT YOU DESPISE 'TRUTHER SCUM', NOW COULD WE GET BACK ON TOPIC?
Posted by: blurider on Sep 18, 2009 3:21 PM   
Current rating: 4    [1 = poor; 5 = excellent]
I know, I know, I don't have to read your childish rants - in fact I don't mostly, but you're wasting band width and lately I'm wasting emotion, honestly, feeling embarrassed for you!

Worse, I still recall when you offered a lot to our discussions here and I sometimes allow it to misguide me - to distract me into going off, down the path of more of your baseless, meaningless or immature bullshit!!

Speaking for myself - and I am myself and I am speaking for myself! - I think it's about time we all got over YOURSELF!!!

[« Reply to this comment] [Post a new comment »] [Rate this comment: 1 - 2 - 3 - 4 - 5]


Comments are closed-

Rural socialism
Posted by: maxsmart on Sep 18, 2009 3:23 PM   
Current rating: 5    [1 = poor; 5 = excellent]
There is a socialism I am fond of. That of the non-profit Rural Electrification Association and the 98% of the geographical area of this country that wasn't profitable enough for electrical companies to want to hassle with. There are reasons and benefits of public non-profit enterprises for the public good that have been beneficial in the past and today isn't any different. Public healthcare, medicine, and utilities are some that are critcal for the national defense and security in time of disaster, natural or manmade, or bioterrorism. In fact we could use international disaster response more than excessive military readiness. With stockpiles of supplies and available forces to respond with the precisely need supplies rather than donated trash.

[« Reply to this comment] [Post a new comment »] [Rate this comment: 1 - 2 - 3 - 4 - 5]


Comments are closed-

Please read this....this is what is wrong....
Posted by: ebombe on Sep 18, 2009 3:25 PM   
Current rating: Not yet rated    [1 = poor; 5 = excellent]
www.globalexchange.org/campaigns/econ101/neoliberalism.html

[« Reply to this comment] [Post a new comment »] [Rate this comment: 1 - 2 - 3 - 4 - 5]


Comments are closed-

guitar spill goes to Gitmo
Posted by: weathered on Sep 18, 2009 4:43 PM   
Current rating: 3    [1 = poor; 5 = excellent]
and the entire AlterNet community gladly chips in to pay for his bus ride to the airport.

[« Reply to this comment] [Post a new comment »] [Rate this comment: 1 - 2 - 3 - 4 - 5]


Comments are closed-

FDR's domino effect
Posted by: MotherLodeBeth on Sep 18, 2009 5:06 PM   
Current rating: 3    [1 = poor; 5 = excellent]
FDR may have meant well, but his actions have had a domino effect that needs to stop!! Social Security was meant to help those who made little money and had no pension. Now we have millions and millions who have pensions from work that pay them almost what they made
when working. Yet they also get Social Security which is ridiculous. People living in 500k homes in retirement communities and collecting Social Security. And welfare when designed was meant for widows and children NOT for people who chose to have children sans marriage. And look at how many people who have chosen to use illegal drugs or alcohol who now claim they are addicts and get SSI.
What do we do when we have all the baby boomers retiring and eligible for Social Security and Medicare which are going broke? Or fewer workers paying into the system?

[« Reply to this comment] [Post a new comment »] [Rate this comment: 1 - 2 - 3 - 4 - 5]


Comments are closed-

I didn't trust Obama to become a progressive and I wouldn't trust him now.
Posted by: LaughingModerateIndependent on Sep 18, 2009 6:03 PM   
Current rating: 4    [1 = poor; 5 = excellent]
He is what he chose to be, a shill for the corporates. Sometimes, conservatives actually mean well but like the progressives they often cave in to money than to people. Paranoia is bound to occur in a society where political stupidity dominates.

[« Reply to this comment] [Post a new comment »] [Rate this comment: 1 - 2 - 3 - 4 - 5]


Comments are closed-

Another piece of ...
Posted by: Augustus_818 on Sep 18, 2009 10:07 PM   
Current rating: 3    [1 = poor; 5 = excellent]
Weak ass propaganda bullshit! My 5 year old niece could do better. It's been so well documented that the CIA ran drugs into the US, that it's basically historical fucking fact. No "conspiracy theory" needed. As for the rest this is just more proselytizing by a so-called "liberal". The words "liberal" and "conservative"
have been used in so many different ways that they're almost meaningless. All we have now are a bunch of fascists screaming "It's mine, give it to me!"

A sad state of affairs.

[« Reply to this comment] [Post a new comment »] [Rate this comment: 1 - 2 - 3 - 4 - 5]


Comments are closed-

BLOOD IS THICKER THAN PARTY
Posted by: BankingOnHeaven on Sep 19, 2009 5:46 AM   
Current rating: 2    [1 = poor; 5 = excellent]
My uncle Ervil LeBaron a.k.a. the "Mormon Manson" killed 28 people, including my cousin Rebecca. Ervil was also linked to the JFK assassination, and like Beck and Limbuagh, he was a religious hate-monger who thought blacks were only qualified to serve the white race.

If white supremacists whip up enough fear and hatred among their sheeple, Obama will likely be murdered, and then Biden will be president. Biden is OK, Biden is white, and white is right.

The reason white dems are dragging their footsies is because they're part of the white male conspiracy too. I mean let's face it, if a black man reforms health care and cleans up our economy, ALL the white men in politics are going to look BAD.

Blood is thicker than party.

BANKING ON HEAVEN . COM

[« Reply to this comment] [Post a new comment »] [Rate this comment: 1 - 2 - 3 - 4 - 5]


Comments are closed-

DEMOCRAT JOKE OF THE MONTH
Posted by: reelman on Sep 19, 2009 7:55 AM   
Current rating: 1    [1 = poor; 5 = excellent]
DEMOCRAT JOKE OF THE MONTH

BHOcide

Now we are hearing how the socialist democrats are going to “pay for” the $850 BILLION HC Plan with “savings”…ha, ha, ha.
When has this ever happened before? Oh, you mean by slashing the military and swapping some funds? Yeah, that must be it.

Will the gov-meant cut spending…like on the 78,000 new employees this year the feds hired? Maybe a hiring freeze? Ha, ha, ha.
What the socialist democrats REALLY mean is…the TAX MAN COMETH…in many fees, schedule adjustments and such plus they will let Bush tax cuts expire so your paycheck will be smaller. Its what they do.

No gov-meant areas will be merged, made more efficient or streamlined.
Did I mention America is already broke?
(The socialist democrats already have Americans 9 trillion plus in debt)

Let another socialist weasel word lie-distort scam begin. Its what they do.
Why can’t all voters spend wildly into deep debt to have more prosperity?
J. Carter Obama marches on.

http://conservablogs.com/theconservativecrawfish

[« Reply to this comment] [Post a new comment »] [Rate this comment: 1 - 2 - 3 - 4 - 5]


Comments are closed-

pass4sure
Posted by: dalian on Sep 19, 2009 6:15 PM   
Current rating: Not yet rated    [1 = poor; 5 = excellent]
Pass4sure-------The World Renowned IT Certification Material Provider
70-291
70-290
70-294

org is a Pass4sure owned certification training website target allover the world. The main purpose of this website is to provide convenience for the majority of candidates all over the world.If you want to get a good job related to IT. Now Pass4sure, a famous brand about IT Certificantion all over the world, can provide you all inforemation and services about IT Certifications , making you smoothly and successfully pass the exam.

[« Reply to this comment] [Post a new comment »] [Rate this comment: 1 - 2 - 3 - 4 - 5]


Comments are closed-

its good
Posted by: hie844 on Sep 20, 2009 12:21 AM   
Current rating: Not yet rated    [1 = poor; 5 = excellent]
I think so!!you are good!!

[« Reply to this comment] [Post a new comment »] [Rate this comment: 1 - 2 - 3 - 4 - 5]


Comments are closed-

I love Obama
Posted by: hie844 on Sep 20, 2009 12:22 AM   
Current rating: Not yet rated    [1 = poor; 5 = excellent]
private live

[« Reply to this comment] [Post a new comment »] [Rate this comment: 1 - 2 - 3 - 4 - 5]


Comments are closed-

Clay Barham
Posted by: claybarham on Sep 22, 2009 3:05 PM   
Current rating: Not yet rated    [1 = poor; 5 = excellent]
THE CHANGING FACE OF DEMOCRATS and the loss of our Libertarian Roots is the subject of a new book by Clay Barham on the history of the Democratic Party. America’s first major political Party evolved drastically over the past 200 years—from a libertarian party to a Rousseau to Marx-leaning liberal, left-wing party. The Democratic Party’s original ideals encouraged a free market, individual freedom, business interests, opposing overseas expansion, and supporting state’s rights and personal sovereignty. What happened? When and how did their policies begin to change? Why did a strongly patriotic party morph into one that blends communism, mercantilism and socialism? Whether you are Democrat or Republican, this narration is a study of history, fact, and the leadership that altered the Democratic Party. It shows that present day Democratic values do not reflect the true principles on which American society rests. www.claysamerica.com.

[« Reply to this comment] [Post a new comment »] [Rate this comment: 1 - 2 - 3 - 4 - 5]


Comments are closed-

media really does matter
Posted by: wagnerrocks@gmail.com on Sep 26, 2009 12:21 PM   
Current rating: Not yet rated    [1 = poor; 5 = excellent]
media does matter
Posted by: wagnerrocks@gmail.com on Sep 26, 2009 12:14 PM
Current rating: Not yet rated [1 = poor; 5 = excellent]
Media Matters is the premiere site for getting an overview of what the corrupt and hate spewing traitors are doing and saying, day by day, on our airwaves and other media sources. Media Matters is an invaluable source of truth and guidance in our perpetual war on the right wing traitors and bloviating criminals who want only to create chaos and violence in this country. Read it daily and be thankful that someone out there is working for truth and justice in media.

Dick Wagner
Phoenix, Arizona

[« Reply to this comment] [Post a new comment »] [Rate this comment: 1 - 2 - 3 - 4 - 5]


Comments are closed-

Obama
Posted by: lukewatson on Oct 2, 2009 12:11 PM   
Current rating: Not yet rated    [1 = poor; 5 = excellent]
Obama hasn't lifted a finger to end work visa programs like H-1B which have imported 2.2 million foreigners into the US to drive down wages in the high tech sector. Using the federal government to drive down wages of average working families for the benefit of Wall Street is NOT progressive! buy specialist

[« Reply to this comment] [Post a new comment »] [Rate this comment: 1 - 2 - 3 - 4 - 5]

 
 
 
Most Read
Most Emailed
Most Discussed
On REDDIT
On DIGG
 
loading ...
POWERED BY DIGG'S USERS