‘Let’s get fiscal, fiscal — let me hear your lobby talk’
Source: Zfacts.com
Democrats and Republicans agree that we have to address the nation’s long-term fiscal stability. Beyond that point, though, there’s little common ground.
So let’s try to keep this discussion grounded in political reality. Does anybody SERIOUSLY believe that a problem this large can be addressed solely through spending cuts? Raise your hands out there if you believe that …
I do see a few hands raised out there. In fact, looking over to the right, I see quite a few. Well, you’re not taking the problem seriously then. You may claim to believe that this issue threatens the nation’s future, but your actions say otherwise. Forced to choose between fiscal insolvency and tax hikes, you are choosing fiscal insolvency, and to hell with the country.
In the real political world in which votes have to be cast and deals have to be made, you cannot do it solely through spending cuts. The numbers involved are much too large. You would have to go to where the money really is, the major programs from the Pentagon budget to Social Security to Medicare, and the cuts in those programs would have to be so large and so deep as to politically unsustainable. If Republicans actually tried to implement the solution they claim to want, it would be political suicide and they know it.
Now, I’m sure there are a few Democrats in Congress who would like to pretend the opposite, that the budget can be balanced exclusively through tax hikes, particularly on the rich, with no real spending cuts. That position is just as much of a fantasy as its counterpart on the right, the no-new-taxes approach. But the good news is, the relatively few Democrats who take that position do not lead the party. President Obama, Senator Reid and Speaker Pelosi, among others, recognize that any solution will have to require both tax increases and spending cuts. When Obama’s bipartisan commission on the budget makes its report to Congress, it is expected to include both approaches.
But the problem is, Obama and the Democrats have no partners on the Republican side. The ongoing purge of any Republican who might think or say something reasonable on the issues of taxes has so terrified the Washington GOP that it has ensured that no negotiation, and no solution, will be possible.
Sen. Orrin Hatch, R-Utah
Take, for example, Sen. Orrin Hatch of Utah. Next year he’s scheduled to become ranking minority member of the Senate Finance Committee, which means he will be committee chairman if the Republicans get control of the Senate.
Hatch has watched Republicans back home oust his longtime conservative colleague, Bob Bennett, because Bennett only toed the conservative line 99 times out of 100. He’s scared about his own future, eager to placate the mob back home.
According to The Hill, conservative pressure groups are pushing Hatch to promise that when the budget commission reports, he will rule out any consideration of tax hikes whatsoever.
“We’d like to get a commitment from all Republicans on the Finance panel to oppose new taxes,” said Andrew Roth, vice president for government affairs at the Club for Growth. “It would be political suicide for Orrin Hatch to not do so.”
Hatch says he will not make any commitment to block proposals from Obama’s deficit commission before he has a chance to review specific policy changes.
But Hatch says the Club for Growth can rest assured.
“I like the Club for Growth,” he said. “I don’t make commitments in advance until I see all the facts. I think they can pretty well rely that I don’t believe in increasing taxes at this time. I think we should reduce taxes.”
He thinks we should reduce taxes.
I have my differences with Hatch, but I’ve never thought him to be a stupid man. He knows better than that; he knows that would be disastrous for this country. But he’s doing what he thinks is necessary to save his political career. Some patriot, huh?
Conservatives love to point to the example of Greece, warning that the United States could end up in that position unless we change our ways. They conveniently forget that Greece’s problems have two major components. Yes, their social programs became too generous and their public bureaucracies too fat and lazy. But the Greeks also refused to tax themselves at a reasonable level, pretending they could get all these benefits for free. With collapse staring them in the face, they are being forced to slash government spending AND get serious about improving the revenue side of the ledger.
Anybody who complains about the debt but goes onto to oppose any tax increase — or to advocate further tax cuts — is a hypocrite more devoted to a precious political theory than to the country they claim to love.
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399 comments Add your comment
Outhouse GoKart
May 28th, 2010
12:33 pm
Gary Coleman on life support…
Bob
May 28th, 2010
12:34 pm
HDB, really, no complaints ? Why did they need the IRS ?
Bob
May 28th, 2010
12:35 pm
We Need PAYGO now !
Bosch
May 28th, 2010
12:35 pm
Oh and Jay – yes, that earworm you created was just plain mean and unnecessary. Shame on you. I just got back from a funeral and instead of having “By and By Lord” in my head, now it’s Olivia Newton John. Wait a minute, the good song is back. Whew.
BMDPD
May 28th, 2010
12:36 pm
Bob, true cutting the IRS would be cutting spending
!
BMDPD
May 28th, 2010
12:37 pm
Will the cycle be unbroken?
By and By Lord By and By…..
AmVet
May 28th, 2010
12:39 pm
SAWB,
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9OwSag4s-QU
dylandawg
May 28th, 2010
12:41 pm
If the fair tax would be revenue neutral and everyone would pay roughly the same as they do now…why have it? If the answer is to reduce costs for compliance with the tax code…then eliminate most deductions and keep the same structure we have now and that would accomplish that goal. So…maybe there might be some shifting of the tax burden? I propose we look at what national figures are in favor of the Fair Tax and then look to see if they tend to favor other tax policies that shift the tax burden in one direction or another. We might be able to guess at that point. Wonder which way it is going to go?
Bosch
May 28th, 2010
12:42 pm
BMDPD,
Will the cycle be unbroken? Not until we get real about what it is we want. I get a hoot out of those here who are convinced that the Republicans are gonna take over again, and they may do it – but if they think they are gonna change things, well, I don’t think so. I mean, when they had control they did nothing, so I don’t see them “coming to Jesus” on this anytime soon either.
Scout
May 28th, 2010
12:43 pm
“OFF TOPIC # 1″
Miscellaneous things heard today …………..
1) “Looks like Clinton and Obama both got B.J.’s in the Oval Office (Bribe Job for Obama)” ………
2) 18USC211: “Whoever solicits or receives, either as a political contribution, or for personal emolument, any money or thing of value, in consideration of the promise of support or use of influence in obtaining for any person any appointive office or place under the United States, shall be fined under this title or imprisoned not more than one year, or both.”
Can we say “Senategate” ?
3) “Daddy, did you plug the hole?”
Pennsylvanian
May 28th, 2010
12:45 pm
dylandawg – The Fair Tax or a flat tax would be consumption taxes would be collected at the point of sale. The tax base would increase because there would be no way to escape, as is done now with people paid in cash and not reporting income.
AmVet
May 28th, 2010
12:47 pm
We suffer under 6000 pages (or so I’ve read) of tax code.
Virtually all of it contrived and convoluted to protect the guilty. And to punish human labor and the consumption of necessities.
It is simply pernicious and perverse and anti-working class.
Codified welfare for the wealthy.
Bosch
May 28th, 2010
12:48 pm
“conservative pressure groups are pushing Hatch to promise that when the budget commission reports, he will rule out any consideration of tax hikes whatsoever.”
Well, he could do like George H.W. “read my lips” Bush did and say he’s not. gonna. duit – seven points of light or whatever, and then after elected — do it. Isn’t that what all the cool GOPers do?
theyeshaveit
May 28th, 2010
12:48 pm
@@, who are you to say you heard hooey? Don’t tell me that you tuned in on the presentation with an objective mind? Hooey to you.
Just like Fox News erasing the applause from Obama’s commencement address at West Point – you will hear what you want to hear.
@@
May 28th, 2010
12:49 pm
larry:
The president was talking as though he was expected to plug the hole. That’s not what people are criticizing. They’re criticizing him dragging his feet on responding to the requests of the gulf states. Before Jindal can acquire berm permits, Obama claimed that studies of the environmental impact of such a berm had to be studied. They’re asking for boats and equipment to lay those berms.
So the environmental impacts of a berm are greater than the environmental impacts overall!!??!!
Obama has one definition for an emergency (global warming, health care, and financial bailouts), Jindal has another.
I’m more angry with the voters who put our first black president in office when he was nowhere near ready or qualified to address the huge responsibilities. They did him no favors.
stands for decibels
May 28th, 2010
12:50 pm
Sort of the crux of Jay’s piece, and it hasn’t been addressed:
conservative pressure groups are pushing Hatch to promise that when the budget commission reports, he will rule out any consideration of tax hikes whatsoever.
Seriously, what are we to do if that’s true?
I suppose one solution would be for the Senate, when it reconvenes in Jan. 2011, to change its rules to eliminate the filibuster altogether. Of course that’d require a spine, and self-sacrifice…
ok, any other ideas?
@@
May 28th, 2010
12:51 pm
Not hanging around today, guys. I’ve got better things to do.
Continue to ignore the obvious at Obama’s expense.
stands for decibels
May 28th, 2010
12:51 pm
Bosch, outta my head, please.
AmVet
May 28th, 2010
12:52 pm
Fox News erased the applause from Obama’s commencement address at West Point???
Traitors working for an Aussie traitor.
Irony of ironies, Corporalgate is going on about “Senategate”…
BMDPD
May 28th, 2010
12:53 pm
sfd, mine too! Song is catchy isn’t it?
Pennsylvanian
May 28th, 2010
12:53 pm
@@ – The POTUS is only half black. When Jay and Cynthia start saying “he’s not really black, you know?”, his media love fest will be over.
Bosch
May 28th, 2010
12:54 pm
sfd,
What are you talking about – you get out of mine! If I was mean, I’d've yelled “jinx” – but I’ve been singing cool hymns for the past few hours so I’m not mean right now.
Carnivore 69
May 28th, 2010
12:55 pm
The national debt can be paid down over a few years without raising taxes.
1. Implement the FairTax ,and eliminate our current stupid tax system.
2. Initiate massive cuts in the three black holes we have now (SS, Medicare, Defense). By massive, I mean phase out SS in ten years, phase out Medicare in 4 years, and lower defense by 40-50%.
3. Cut the rest of government by 60-70%. For example, the White House could run quite nicely with 150 people, instead of the nearly 600 it has. The State Department could shed 80% of its cost without adversely affecting its mission. Hack each bloated bureaucratic agency to pieces, and send a message to everyone that government is not a career.
4. Severely restrict the hiring (or contracting) of overseas labor. Make it really tough to avoid hiring Americans. This will get employment going again.
You are welcome.
Finn McCool
May 28th, 2010
12:56 pm
GREAT NEWS!!!
Tea Party could cost GOP nine Senate races this fall
Uprisings by the GOP base could produce weak Republican candidates in some of this year’s biggest races
http://www.salon.com/news/politics/2010_elections/index.html?story=/news/feature/2010/05/28/tea_party_senate_republicans
theyeshaveit
May 28th, 2010
12:57 pm
Scout, mentioned 18USC211: “Whoever solicits or receives, either as a political contribution, or for personal emolument, any money or thing of value, in consideration of the promise of support or use of influence in obtaining for any person any appointive office or place under the United States, shall be fined under this title or imprisoned not more than one year, or both.”
Scout, drill deeper, man. Recall the words “any money or thing of value”. Bill Clinton a non-paying position.
Link: http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/37381922/ns/politics-white_house
Marko
May 28th, 2010
12:58 pm
The problem with raising taxes? Traditionally spending has gone up about $1.25 for every $1.00 in new taxes.
Bosch
May 28th, 2010
12:58 pm
“phase out Medicare in 4 years”
Carnivore obviously doesn’t realize how many old people there are and how grumpy they get and how they’d charge the Capitol with pitchforks – the ones that can still walk and all — and the ones that can’t would light their Depends on fire and fling them via catapult into the Dome.
BMDPD
May 28th, 2010
1:01 pm
Finn, wishful thinking. Have you ever been to Kentucky?
AmVet
May 28th, 2010
1:03 pm
Finn, I presume that none of the Tea Flogging candidates have been anywhere near an AFEES much less served in combat.
That is REALLY gonna hurt the post Rove slime machine.
Nobody to Swift Boat…
Saul Good
May 28th, 2010
1:06 pm
Of course the Tea Party is weakening their own party from within. You basically have republicans attacking republicans. They seek to replace current republicans with extreme right fringe republicans. The problem they don’t see is that not all of the republican base will come out and vote for someone to the extreme right… they’re also not taking into granted that those undecided middle of the road voters are not going to vote for an extreme right fanatic either when it comes November. So basically…they’re blowing up their own party from within. Good luck with that!
Kamchak
May 28th, 2010
1:09 pm
Hey Bosch
A fortnight til the gathering!
jconservative
May 28th, 2010
1:10 pm
Nice column Jay. Brutal honesty is what we need in this country but, I am afraid, we will not get. People do not believe facts, they believe 10 second sound bites.
OK all you guys who claim to be “conservative”, what do you say to refute Bookman’s basic point? Nothing! On this Bookman is 100% correct. “Facts are stubborn things.” if I may quote Mr. Adams.
Here are the facts. From Jan 1961 (Kennedy sworn in) the national debt increased from $650. billion to $997 billion. That is an increase of $347 billion in 20 years; an average of $17 billion a year. Then in Jan 1981 (Reagan sworn in) we decided to cut taxes and allow spending to increase. And that is what we have done the 30 years since 1981. Now the national debt is $12.8 billion, an increase of $11.8 trillion over 30 years; an average of $393 billion a year. All because we cut taxes and increased spending at the same exact moments.
And do not blame Reagan and leave all others innocent. He had plenty of help. The Republicans have controlled the White House 20 of the last 30 years; every budget passed by Congress has been signed into law by a President. Democrats have controlled the House 18 of the 30 years. Republicans have controlled the Senate 16 of the 30 years.
There are no “innocents” here.
So who do you blame voters?
Or will you continue to bury your head in the sand has you have done for the past 30 years?
Saul Good
May 28th, 2010
1:12 pm
Scout… you truly have a one track mind and are fixated on this one non-issue. You’re only setting yourself up to be extremely frustrated when it goes nowhere. It’s like watching the birthers go crazy as they have gone nowhere with their “cause” for almost two years now… you’re just setting yourself up to me as stressed over nothing as they are. I don’t even understand how anyone can cause themselves that much stress over nothing. It pain/stress of losing the non-issue must be excruciating.
AmVet
May 28th, 2010
1:12 pm
Saul. one of the many, many problems with the tea party is that they are an anarcho-collectivist amalgam of misfits and rabid government haters.
Seriously, they are so loosey goosey and undefined that I don’t think even they know what they are after.
But whatever it is that they can’t delineate, it is likely to be just a tweaking of the repudiated neo-conservatism that got American into this horrific mess in the first place…
theyeshaveit
May 28th, 2010
1:13 pm
AmVet, a bit off the campaign trail here, but your mention of AAFES reminded me of an experience I had back in the day. I wanted to sell my company’s product to AAFES, but the red tape and coop advertising demand were rather prohibitive. I told my sales rep in Dallas, “No, I do not want to do it that way. That’s not right” He responded, “There is a right way, a wrong way, and the military way.” I ended up selling AAFES – their way.
Scout
May 28th, 2010
1:18 pm
theyeshaveit & Saul Good:
We’ll see ……… these are always hard cases to prove. It may or may not grow legs ……… however, you know what happens once a special prosecutor gets going …….
Also, I think you will find case law stating a “thing of value” can be non-monetary. I’ll leave that to the experts.
BTW: “Daddy, did you plug the hole?”
Saul Good
May 28th, 2010
1:21 pm
AmVet… it’s just the extreme fringe of the party and their frustration. They take NO responsibility for their previous votes and the great harm it caused to THEM (as well as the rest of the nation)… as my late father used to always say: They’re voting against their own true needs and wishes… and they’re so blinded by the propaganda they get preached…they have no idea how much they hurt themselves with their own votes.
Where were they in the first part of the new millennium shouting about huge spending? They were too busy getting sold things like “vote against gay marriage” (yet gays are STILL gay)… “vote against abortion” (yet abortion is still legal)… they’re trying to take away our guns” (yet they still have them)… they’re going to ban our religion (yet there’s no shortage of churches)…. so NOW they’ve become CONSERVATIVES when it comes to spending. Where were they from 2000-2008 when it came to out of control spending and a rising deficit? I guess they were “worry” about all those “rights” which they never lost anyway.
stands for decibels
May 28th, 2010
1:23 pm
BTW: “Daddy, did you plug the hole?”
Attaching sexual innuendo to something a real-life nine-year-old is quoted by her father as saying?
Just when I think you can’t sink any lower…
Songs
May 28th, 2010
1:24 pm
Olivia Newton John’s got a new CD. It includes her big hit, “Let’s get fiscal, fiscal — let me hear your lobby talk’
Also included: “Have you ever been yellow (dog)”.
and “Hopelessly devoted to (taxing) you
and her greatest hit: ” If you tax me let me know; if you don’t, then we’ll grow. I’d cut spending in a minute, end the war, cause we can’t win it. ”
And this surprise hit: “Maybe I drilled around here, and spilled a little more than I should,
but Baby, I plugged you, I honestly plugged you. ”
Look, This is Bush’s fault: There wasn’t supposed to be an Iraq War, and we shoulda been outta Afghanistan by now with Osama’s head on a stick. We had him. Cheney made sure he escaped.
If we have to pay more new taxes, and continue to pay for the wars, and also pay the added expense of the new healtcare plan, then there can’t be any growth in our future. All discretionary spending will be wasted on taxes and Rx.
Some Xanadu we’ve created.
mm
May 28th, 2010
1:24 pm
The Fair Tax is just another one of those shiny objects the wingnuts get fixated on.
AmVet
May 28th, 2010
1:25 pm
eyes, great story.
I remember being 17 years old and standing in that AFEES in Denver and raising my right hand and taking that sacred oath.
I knew that very shortly my life was gonna change in innumerable ways, but I really had no idea. And then on the third day of basic training, I was taken out of my squadron of 55 guys and alone told to report to such and such a building. It took me about 15 seconds to realize they wanted to get on a plane for Colorado Springs. And stay there for at least four years.
Man, talk about my already turned upside down world taking another gigantic change!
(Not bad, eh Corporal? Especially for a guy “whose elevator doesn’t go all the way up”.)
theyeshaveit
May 28th, 2010
1:25 pm
Scout, with your psuedo “causes” (3 impeachable offenses, the no handshake for Obama at West Point myth, the Sestak/Clinton non news) you remind me of an old dog I had. This Irish Setter was a nice dog, but it was quite a bit on the neurotic side. One day, I saw it stomping on the moving shadow of a butterfly that was incessantly hovering in the guava tree above the dog. That dog kept lifting up it paw to sneak a look the “butterfly” hoping that his pouncing on it had finally sent it to butterfly heaven. of course, the real butterfly was having a good old time up the tree, and the dog only managed to dig itself a big whole in the ground.
Scout, you are chasing phantoms like Don Quixote and digging yourself a hole in the ground.
JohnnyReb
May 28th, 2010
1:27 pm
I mailed quaterly estimated taxes today, so at this moment the goverment can stick tax increases where the sun does not shine! Those who receive a paycheck get squeezed gently, those who pay estimated taxes understand the jolt and government hatred writing that check generates. The return on investment, so to speak, is always negative!
Jay makes some good points, but obviously the Obama administration is not paying attention. Their whole agenda is about making huge changes to America, they care less we can’t afford them at this moment in time. Used car salemen have nothing on this administration when it comes to double speak.
You can’t for example cancel a 10% increase in spending and call it a cutback. A cutback is when you spend less this year than you spent last year. The hypocrisy is thicker than the Gulf oil spill. All but the loyal left have heard enough of their BS.
Has anyone told Skillary there are not enough “rich people” to tax our way out of this mess? She was on fresh video today talking about how rich people need to do more. Throw up.
A big spending cut is needed, more than at almost anytime in the past. Perhaps 40% or more across the board, everything including all entitlements. And, as much as I hate it, a tax increase also, but that too needs to be across the board. Everybody needs to pay something. Enough of carrying that 47 or so percent.
theyeshaveit
May 28th, 2010
1:27 pm
A little early, but on topic.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jzLry3ABpV0
jewcowboy
May 28th, 2010
1:28 pm
Hi Bosch!
Nothing like staying in a 900 year old Ryokan to put things into perspective
Saul Good
May 28th, 2010
1:30 pm
BTW…. can anyone please compose a list of rightwing/conservative authors who wrote any books from 2001-2008 that spoke about “the current out of control spending and rising deficit”??? Can anyone name even one? I know Newt put out a book or two… did he have any chapters on the then current administrations spending spree and the rising deficit?
Truly interested if anyone can produce a list like that.
Scout
May 28th, 2010
1:33 pm
stands for decibels: Get your mind out of the gutter !
Theyeshaveit: Time will tell.
jewcowboy
May 28th, 2010
1:34 pm
md,
“I’ll ask again – and what % of the 13T was spent just on the 55+ crowd.”
Sorry, I don’t have that information. But, then again, I don’t know too many 10 year olds who are responsible for fiscal policy either.
“Got a link??”
Again, I don’t have one, but looking at the crumbling infrastructure xers and yers are getting to inherit, it looks like it might have gone into the pockets of the boomers, rather than into anything lasting.
theyeshaveit
May 28th, 2010
1:34 pm
jewcowboy, I am jealous. I lived in Japan for three and a half years, and have made frequent visits on business and to see my wife’s relatives in Shizuoka Prefecture. I have been to Kobe, but unfortunately not Kyoto yet. Did you have a chance to dip into the hot springs at the ryokan?
Kamchak
May 28th, 2010
1:35 pm
Just when I think you can’t sink any lower…
Le petit caporal is a fear monger—there is no limit on how low he will go to infect others with his fear.
stands for decibels
May 28th, 2010
1:36 pm
stands for decibels: Get your mind out of the gutter !
Excuse me, Scout–I’m quoting you from yesterday:
“OFF TOPIC #1″
Obama dodging question today on Sestak job offer: ” I can assure the public that nothing improper took place.”
Clinton dodging question on Monica Lewinsky: “I did not have sex with that woman ………..”
What did he know and when did he know it ……………?
“OFF TOPIC #2″
“Obama said that every morning when he’s shaving, his daughter comes in and asks, “Did you plug the hole yet, Daddy?”
Ah, …………… no comment.
I didn’t go there–you did. And you continue you.
stands for decibels
May 28th, 2010
1:37 pm
“…and you continue to”, I meant to say.
Not sure why I bother, though. If you want to continue making a horse’s ass of yourself, Scout, go for it.
AmVet
May 28th, 2010
1:38 pm
eyes, sweet call on that Harrison/Beatles…
Johnny, I know according to some I’m crazy, but I don’t mind at all sending in my quarterlies.
Without them I wouldn’t have my own business and wouldn’t be reaping some of that sweet American bounty.
“…Perhaps 40% or more across the board…”
Agreed, especially for the DoD.
And eliminate corporate welfare, endless loopholes, tax dodges, fraud, etc…
jewcowboy
May 28th, 2010
1:40 pm
Bosch,
“Carnivore obviously doesn’t realize how many old people there are and how grumpy they get and how they’d charge the Capitol with pitchforks – the ones that can still walk and all — and the ones that can’t would light their Depends on fire and fling them via catapult into the Dome.”
What vivid imagery! I suppose it would be a gauge of how angry they are, “depending” on whether those Depends were empty or not
JohnnyReb
May 28th, 2010
1:44 pm
AmVet, I agree having our own business has benefited us in ways not achievable working for others, and paying those quarterlies are part of it. I am thankful for our success. I guess what bothers me the most is, I know how hard we work. The thought of the government passing our hard earned money to someone else with no initative make me really angry.
AmVet
May 28th, 2010
1:44 pm
jewcowboy, how are you?
Haven’t seen much of you here lately, and thought I read something about Mr. jewcowboy.
None of my bees wax to be sure, just thought I’d check in wiff ya, bruvah…
Mick
May 28th, 2010
1:47 pm
scout
Don’t hold your breath waiting for an independent prosecutor, if the outing of a CIA agent didn’t warrant one, why would this?
Fair enough, raise taxes but do not think about messing with social security or medicare, I’ve paid in too long to have the rules changed in the middle of the game
AmVet
May 28th, 2010
1:48 pm
Yeah, me too Reb, but I try not to let it bring me down…
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mU9_Q7PJuNQ&feature=related
JohnnyReb
May 28th, 2010
1:48 pm
Hey Jewcowboy, I took a different opinion of you when reading a week or so ago where you volunteer at an animal shelter. Thanks for doing that. Now, don’t spoil my image, lay off the old folks and Depends. I’m not there yet, but the years are flying by!
bugatti
May 28th, 2010
1:49 pm
“YOU MAY BE A TALIBAN IF…”
1.. You refine heroin for a living, but you have a moral objection to liquor.
2. You own a $3,000 machine gun and $5,000 rocket launcher, but you can’t afford shoes.
3. You have more wives than teeth.
4. You wipe your butt with your bare hand, but consider bacon “unclean.”
5. You think vests come in two styles: bullet-proof and suicide.
6. You can’t think of anyone you haven’t declared Jihad against.
7. You consider television dangerous, but routinely carry explosives in your clothing.
8. You were amazed to discover that cell phones have uses other than setting off roadside bombs.
9. You have nothing against women and think every man should own at least four.
10. You’ve always had a crush on your neighbor’s goat.
AmVet
May 28th, 2010
1:53 pm
Leading story in this week’s Atlanta Business Chronicle – Delta to hire 300 pilots.
(In small print – Delta to start charging passengers extra if they wear underwear or socks.)
JohnnyReb
May 28th, 2010
1:54 pm
AmVet, thanks for the link. I have always liked Neil Young well enough to ignore his political messages in favor of the overall song.
Scout
May 28th, 2010
1:55 pm
stands for decibels :
Sorry …….. it ain’t there. I said “no comment”.
Get your mind out of the gutter …….. quick !
Kamchak
May 28th, 2010
1:55 pm
YOU MAY BE A PLAGIARIZER IF:
1) You post material from someone else without giving credit.
Scout
May 28th, 2010
1:55 pm
bugatti :
LOL ! But they’re are going to call you a “racist” ………………
jewcowboy
May 28th, 2010
1:56 pm
theyeshaveit,
Yep…it was on Biwa Lake. Absolutely stunning. The area actually reminded me of the Swiss Alps. Kyoto is so much more beautiful than Kobe.
JohnnyReb
May 28th, 2010
1:57 pm
Kamchak, did you get busted in college for plagiarizing? If not, my guess is you grade papers.
jewcowboy
May 28th, 2010
1:58 pm
JohnnyReb,
“lay off the old folks and Depends. I’m not there yet, but the years are flying by!”
We are all just one REALLY funny joke away from them.
Kamchak
May 28th, 2010
1:59 pm
Kamchak, did you get busted in college for plagiarizing? If not, my guess is you grade papers.
No, and no.
AmVet
May 28th, 2010
2:02 pm
Reb, glad you liked it.
When JB first started the Friday night “singalongs” here, I ragged a little bit (Can you imagine that???) on some of my right wing cousins about listening to rock and roll. I never understood how they could love it while these artists were flaming their heroes and much of what they stood for.
Then the awesome Hillbilly Deluxe at some later point weighed in and said that for him music was too great to use for political purposes (I’m paraphrasing). And I responded that I very much respected that opinion, but for me, being a wild child of the 60s and 70s, I was very much into the political aspects of the music.
We agreed that it’s only rock and roll and there ain’t no rules.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=b6yh_joWP20
jewcowboy
May 28th, 2010
2:05 pm
Hi AmVet,
“Haven’t seen much of you here lately, and thought I read something about Mr. jewcowboy.”
I just got back from a trip to Japan to help clear the cobwebs.
I see nothing changes much on here
jewcowboy
May 28th, 2010
2:08 pm
AmVet,
“We agreed that it’s only rock and roll and there ain’t no rules.”
A tribute to Charlie Crist Republicans who claim to be pro-business, but don’t seem to respect intellectual property:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AWtCittJyr0
http://www.naplesnews.com/news/2010/may/27/david-byrne/
stands for decibels
May 28th, 2010
2:09 pm
“…Perhaps 40% or more across the board…”
Agreed, especially for the DoD.
Thing is…isn’t the biggest chunk of change in the DoD’s budget for human compensation—I’m not just talking about service personnel, but contractors—rather than nasty hardware used to blow people and stuff up? If so, just what do you propose to do, humanely, for all the people who’d be affected by any wholesale cuts in defense spending?
Not picking on you, this is something I think about myself pretty often. (I was the one griping about our NATO obligations, after all, earlier.) I think we need to scale back steadily and finally get that peace dividend we were promised after a real-life enemy gave up (you know, the Evil Empire). But you don’t just dump a bunch of people back into the job market like that without there being consequences; in short, I wouldn’t count on anything major happening there any faster than incremental steps, eliminating through attrition, that sort of thing, would allow.
Matilda
May 28th, 2010
2:10 pm
Good piece, Mr. Bookman!
That the GOP is indeed putting “Party First” does not absolve the Democrats either. The tedious work required to address and reduce our budgetary issues absolutely mandates cooperation between the two parties to achieve common goals. Too bad they’re all too busy trying to get reelected to put in the hours, diplomacy, and brainpower to get it done.
One of my favorite points of the ‘08 campaign was about cutting waste. McCain: “Use an AXE!” Obama: “Use a scalpel!” If our national finances are a body, then I’m thinking a carefully-wielded scalpel (and perhaps a liposuction wand) will result in a better recovery than hacking off a necessary limb with no anesthetic. (Call me a wuss if you will, but only after you decide to have your own leg chopped off because you can’t afford a new pair of shoes.)
bugatti
May 28th, 2010
2:11 pm
AmVet
The Rock and Rollers were against the Viet Nam War. Where were the riots of 1968?
The Rock and Rollers were fighting for the rights of people like Ray Charles and Jimmy Hendrix. Who were they fighting against?
If you put aside the ridiculously biased history bending of modern liberals and look at what the Rockers really stood for, there is very little that the Democratic Party had to offer.
Kamchak
It was written by Jeff Foxworthy. I honestly didn’t think that anyone who has been awake for the past 30 years wouldn’t have recognized the “You may be a . . .” My mistake. Again, a slight over-esimation of the intelligence of others.
C'mon Jay
May 28th, 2010
2:13 pm
Kamchak – you’re a tool
Kamchak
May 28th, 2010
2:15 pm
I honestly didn’t think that anyone who has been awake for the past 30 years wouldn’t have recognized the “You may be a . . .”
Recognition ain’t got nothing to do with plagiarism. Post someone else’s material, give them credit.
AmVet
May 28th, 2010
2:15 pm
Good to hear jcb. (Are they cleared?)
My grown son is fascinated with all things Japan, especially the anime…
I became really close friends with a sweet, kind fellow named Shinsuke while we were celebrating Todd Rundgren’s mind blowing, week long 60th birthday party in Kauai a couple of years ago…(The 1992 Utopia reunion LP recorded in Tokyo is an epic over there)
One world…
Hey bugatti. Let me consider all of that…
Nice Guy
May 28th, 2010
2:15 pm
Where’s Bosch?
md
May 28th, 2010
2:16 pm
Abolish NATO and there would be quite a few other countries doing some hiring. We can send them their way.
JohnnyReb
May 28th, 2010
2:16 pm
Charlie Crist was on the tube this morning and stated his campaign will have a “big tent.” That big tent mentality is what lost his campaign support and resulted in him running as an independent. Now, before you guys on the left ask how Republicans can win if not having a big tent, the idea is to gain enough support of the undecided to win. Not compromising your platform in order to put everyone under your tent. McCain tried the big tent and we know the results.
Kamchak
May 28th, 2010
2:17 pm
Scratch that recognition has everything to do with plagiarism.
bugatti
May 28th, 2010
2:17 pm
Kamchak
Will do counselor.
Or I could just bark out adolescent zingers in a pathetic attempt at being funny because I have no real argument to offer. . . no wait, you already do that.
bugatti
May 28th, 2010
2:18 pm
AmVet
I’m not saying that they were Republicans, but they were definitely not Democrats.
md
May 28th, 2010
2:20 pm
Bugatti,
All it takes is “”, [], or something similar.
It is just a blog, but standard english should apply. Helps cut down on the “misunderstandings”.
WILLIS
May 28th, 2010
2:22 pm
I hope Gary Coleman doesn’t die of a heart attack in the hospital. I do not want to hear any ‘Different Strokes’ jokes. That’s what I’m talkin bout.
Jay
May 28th, 2010
2:23 pm
“Or I could just bark out adolescent zingers in a pathetic attempt at being funny because I have no real argument to offer. . . no wait, you already do that.”
Isn’t that statement a mirror image of itself?
bugatti
May 28th, 2010
2:24 pm
Guys, it’s not a constitutional essay. It’s a friggin joke. I’ve seen dozens posted here without credit to anyone.
Matilda
May 28th, 2010
2:24 pm
bugatti,
I must take a moment to calm myself. You weren’t just dissing the lib love for Ray Charles and Jimmy Hendrix a few minutes ago, right? It’s one thing if you don’t “get” the treasures that they gave us, (bless your heart), but I KNOW you are not dissing our departed cultural icons, and the voices of generations of Americans to score some modern political hate point, are you? Surely NOT! **fans self furiously** Say it ain’t so.
JohnnyReb
May 28th, 2010
2:25 pm
Stands, after program cuts, there would be the government employee pay/benefit issues. People would not necessarily loose their job. Instead, perahps a temporary pay decrease. That sounds harsh, but it may take that. Plus, with so many out of work now, dumping more into the unemployment lines would not work. And, a temporary wage reduction would still likely be more than unemployment.
I do agree that Europe has enjoyed our protection at little to no cost for too long. These are drastic times calling for drastic action.
AmVet
May 28th, 2010
2:26 pm
stands, correctola.
When I refer to corporate welfare, guess who I have my “sights” on? (And I’m a damn good shot, for an amateur.)
bug, the times you refer to were VERY violent. Even for those trying to end the violence. (Fighting fire with fire?) The documented history of the peace movement morphed very quickly into something quite different. I was really too young at the time to understand much of it.
Many (most?) liberals, I suppose, probably started out as Democrats, ONLY because for them the GOP was even worse.
Like it or not, they changed the world. For better and worse. Personally I’m thrilled I made the conscious choices I did to join in with much of that movement. Notwithstanding that I publicly left the Tweedledee Democratic Party nearly 15 years ago…
bugatti
May 28th, 2010
2:26 pm
Jay
I’m only allowed to do it when I don’t make the moderator look like a fool. I’ll try to refrain from doing that, but you have to admit, you do make it difficult.
Mick
May 28th, 2010
2:27 pm
bug
I gonna have to agree, the hippies were like, far out man, looking for the next high and exploring the communal thing. The music of that era was what it was – pretty damn good, experimental and may I dare even say progressive? The only political label that could loosely be applied might be independent man…
Scout
May 28th, 2010
2:30 pm
Bugatti:
Just put everything in quotes. They tried that crap on me once. Anything to keep them from actually debating you.
Scout
May 28th, 2010
2:31 pm
Ooops ! “………………………………………………………………….”
Kamchak
May 28th, 2010
2:33 pm
Guys, it’s not a constitutional essay. It’s a friggin joke.
Constitutional essay, joke, or the Gettysburg address—-it makes no difference. You posted someone else’s material and didn’t acknowledge it. “Johnny does it too” is rationalizing–not rational.
bugatti
May 28th, 2010
2:36 pm
Mick
I’m not sure that most musicians were hippies any more than most Rap artists are criminals.
They were the smart musicians that understood that most people want to be fans of an idea, not real people.
bugatti
May 28th, 2010
2:40 pm
Matilda
The lib love for Ray Charles?
Ray Charles had lots of problems performing in the South. This was during the 60s when there were no Republicans being elected anywhere in the South. So call it what you want, but Charles was mistreated by the same Jim Crow loving Democrats that were siccing dogs on MLK.
JohnnyReb
May 28th, 2010
2:40 pm
Kamchak, I apologized for that. You remind me of my wife, she never forgets or forgives. She’s German. However, the best thing that ever happened to me.
TaxPayer
May 28th, 2010
2:40 pm
Ooooooh. That bugatti fellow is a real bad arse. Better not cross him or he might say something mean.