The ’situational conservatives’ in the Georgia GOP
Georgia Republicans like to tout themselves as true economic conservatives.
They’re not. Not by a long shot.
The core of economic conservatism, also known as laissez faire economics, is faith in a free market. That school of thought holds that if the laws of supply and demand are given free rein, they will distribute goods and services as efficiently and productively as possible.
Under such a theory, government is forbidden from intervening or picking winners; it can’t play favorites. Its role is to create a level playing field upon which individuals and businesses alike can compete, with the most efficient and productive reaping the biggest rewards.
Georgia Republicans do honor that approach in some ways. To individuals in need of help, they preach a sternly libertarian philosophy of “pull yourself up by your own bootstraps.” They distrust government programs to aid the unemployed or provide health care to those unable to afford it, and in some cases they seek to dismantle public education in favor of private alternatives. On issues as varied as tort reform and workers rights to consumer protection, they instinctively seek to remove government from any role as mediator between business and consumer and between business and employee.
You’re on your own, in other words. “Laissez faire” — leave it alone.
However, state Republicans are notably unwilling to demand that same degree of discipline and self-reliance from businesses and corporations looking for assistance.
Take, for example, the passage of House Bill 234 in the recent legislative session. Under provisions added to the bill at the last minute and rammed through the process without real public debate, the legislation sets up a system to subsidize certain new tourist attractions.
Under the bill, a new resort or theme park that wins state favor would use the taxing power of the state to collect sales and use tax from its customers, just as other businesses do. But in this case, the business would get to keep all or most of that “tax money.” (Technically, it comes in the form of a refund, but the effect is the same.)
Over a 10-year period, the business could collect and keep taxes amounting to 25 percent of its investment. In other words, the law makes Georgia taxpayers a 25 percent partner in the investment, but with no ownership rights and no profit participation.
Why should government play such a role? As legislators declare in HB 234:
“The General Assembly finds and declares that the general welfare and material well-being of the citizens of this state depend in large measure upon the development of tourism in the state” and that “the inducement of the creation of tourism attraction projects is of paramount importance to the economy of the state.”
That is not economic conservatism. That is not laissez faire economics. It is government interfering in the marketplace by picking winners. Why should government subsidize a new water park at Lake Lanier, for example, that would interfere with existing investments at White Water?
Under the provisions of HB 234, the power to decide which businesses qualify for the break and which do not is invested entirely in the governor. He or she decides whether a company gets a huge tax break — a $100 million investment, for example, could get $25 million in tax breaks, but only if the governor smiles upon the company.
That’s an invitation to corruption, and sooner or later, you just know that invitation will be accepted by somebody.
It also demonstrates that economic conservatism, at least as practiced here in Georgia, applies only to those little people who can’t afford to buy lobbyists or politicians.
– Jay Bookman
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377 comments Add your comment
MiltonMan
April 26th, 2011
8:49 am
USinUK – too wrapped up with the upcoming “royal” wedding to understand that MARTA is currently subsidized by a penny tax from Fulton & DeKalb taxpayers. MARTA is so inefficient that outlying counties like Cobb & Gwinnett want nothing to do with them. Only Clayton, whose mass transportation effort was a total failure, wants in on this scheme. Yes, let’s continue subsidizing this garbage system.
AmWay – Republicans are spendaholics??? Good to see your man Obozo being the thrift master that even Clark Howard is proud of.
Lil' Barry Bailout
April 26th, 2011
8:51 am
No, government didn’t make America great. People wanting a better life made America great, given the freedom from government meddling that we see in socialist and fascist states. Too bad the Idiot Messiah has us headed in that same failed direction.
TaxPayer
April 26th, 2011
8:52 am
The cons appear to be pulling out every lie they’ve spread for the last few years today. Desperation doth become them.
Keep Up the Good Fight!
April 26th, 2011
8:53 am
Perhaps it’s a recognition of the fact that it is free enterprise and capitalism that made America great, not big government.
Oooo can we get an essay on what makes America great? Please be sure not to mention National Parks like Yellowstone, Yosemite and the Grand Canyon and set aside by the US Governtment. Don’t mention Hoover Dam because that was built with government money. Don’t mention the purple mountain’s majesty. Don’t mention the space program because that was government money. Keep it focused on free enterprise and capitalism. The Robber Barons, the Enrons, slavery.
ty webb
April 26th, 2011
8:53 am
Jay,
yeah I do know the difference. Just wondering if you have always opposed “public money in private enterprise”. I guess I could scour the internets, but why don’t you just give us examples of other poutrages from you. Bonus points for instances where you criticized democrats for doing it.
Mighty Righty
April 26th, 2011
8:54 am
Paul, this country was great inspite of the governemnt. I say “was” because the present government has caused us to decline. Hopefully we will be able to survive the current government.
Mary Elizabeth
April 26th, 2011
8:54 am
poison pen @ 8:29
Thank you. However, you have read often here, I am sure, as I have, that those 45% do in fact pay taxes, just like you and I, but because their incomes are low, they may not pay income tax, but they do pay into Social Security, and consumer taxes of all kinds, among other taxes.
You are probably not a multi-millionarie, as I am not (nor did I aspire to be), but the subconscious motiviation behind the thinking of heavy-handed social conservatives – that everyone should keep basically most of their income and that taxes should not be based on a progressive tax rate that has been operative in our nation for decades – is that those who make the most money are the biggest contributors to the success of our nation and they should not have to give significant amounts of their money in taxes to be “redistributed” to the less successful working class.
This thinking goes back to a gut level philosophy that comes out in policy. It is the same philosophy held by the slave owners of another era (sorry, josif, but the example fits here), the oil barons of the beginning of the last century, and the new wealth accruers of the past 40 years with their Ayn Rand policies. I, on the other hand, see that the slaves – with their own hands – built the wealth of the plantation owners, that the impoverished workers of the Industrial Age built the industries – with their own hands – of the oil and corporate barons, and that public servants have built this nation’s infrastructure and future by their collective contributions. Every person counts – no one is “better” than any another. Mine is a totally different philosophy than the libertarians such as the Koch Brothers. In my worldview, everyone contributes to the success of this nation – in his or her own way – with his or her own talents.
Besides, I don’t want to see America become the “Wall Street” frankenstein of those movies with Michael Douglas. News last week was that the Koch Brothers were subtly – or not so subtly – coercing their employees to vote the Republican tickets. Think about what that means.
Paul
April 26th, 2011
8:54 am
out for a while -
Yippee
April 26th, 2011
8:54 am
Put on another pot of bile. Another day, another slugfest. Yippee!!!!!!!!!!
JKL2
April 26th, 2011
8:54 am
And now that one of the 15 most corrupt US Congressmen, Crooked Deal, is back in Georgia again, he’s just continuing his legacy of bribes, payoffs, favoritism and taking care of his equally crooked cronies.
Sounds like a certain Kenyan-American President I didn’t vote for…Funny how this story seems similar to obamacare.
UGA1999
April 26th, 2011
8:55 am
Leave it to Jay to start judging the GOP. He should take a harder look at the left and their leaders first.
Where's My Party?
April 26th, 2011
8:56 am
Sounds like somebody is going to get a new theme park. Shameful legislation.
Finn McCool
April 26th, 2011
8:57 am
http://www.nytimes.com/2011/04/26/us/26pensions.html?_r=1&hp
Oh, look, cutting back on benefits again. Let’s make sure the wealthy get tax cuts – I know you rich conservative bloggers are all for that.
Oh, wait, you aren’t rich? You just vote Republican so you can help out the wealthy so maybe they will one day take away all your benefits?
How smart is that?
Don't Tread
April 26th, 2011
8:57 am
Government should regulate enough to keep the fraudsters at bay, then get out of the way.
But regardless of which party is in power, some players in the marketplace have to be “more equal” than others. (It all depends on who financed the campaign.)
USinUK
April 26th, 2011
8:57 am
“Why didn’t he just not spend like crazy during his first term? ”
because if he didn’t, the recession would have continued for at least another 2 quarters
Finn McCool
April 26th, 2011
8:58 am
He should take a harder look at the left and their leaders first.
Why should we criticize the left first? Cause you conservatives can’t stomach the truth? Go watch your Fox News – they will tell you only what you want to hear. None of that bad reality stuff.
Yahtzee
April 26th, 2011
8:59 am
Jay, you missed a perfectly good opportunity to discuss how Obama is picking winners and losers in our “free market” system as well, like GE for instance not paying any taxes. Why are you making this one sided?
TaxPayer
April 26th, 2011
8:59 am
Aye Captain, the RepubliKlingons are diverting all the warped power they can find to their deflector shields.
Senior Citizen Kane
April 26th, 2011
8:59 am
I understand the premise here but the problem arises if those businesses go to states that ARE willing to give such tax breaks or put their building plans on hold altogether. And in that case you get zero tax revenue and zero jobs.
Lil' Barry Bailout
April 26th, 2011
8:59 am
Jay has accepted his own “mission impossible”–distracting people from the huge problems his Idiot Messiah has created or is ignoring. Look for repeats of this episode all through the election season, as there is very little positive to be said of the current regime in Washington.
jm
April 26th, 2011
9:01 am
Well Jay, since you’re not an economic conservative, I don’t know what your objection is.
That said, I think the bill is ridiculous.
USinUK
April 26th, 2011
9:01 am
“as there is very little positive to be said of the current regime in Washington”
I agree. Boehner sucks.
carlosgvv
April 26th, 2011
9:01 am
That is a good description of what laissez faire means to the Republicans. It means something else to Big Business, like returning to their good old days of 12 hour work days, 6 day work weeks, no vacations, no overtime pay, no sick leave,no holidays, no insurance and no workman’s comp. It any of you really think your good elected Republicans would not let that happen, you are credulous beyond belief.
Bosch
April 26th, 2011
9:02 am
That school of thought holds that if the laws of supply and demand are given free rein, they will distribute goods and services as efficiently and productively as possible.
Again, the GOP seems to have a case of in theory it sounds good, but in reality it doesn’t work out so well. As Paul would say, theory vs. reality.
Bosch
April 26th, 2011
9:03 am
“like returning to their good old days of 12 hour work days, 6 day work weeks, no vacations, no overtime pay, no sick leave,no holidays, no insurance and no workman’s comp.”
I know many folks who live that life now.
Finn McCool
April 26th, 2011
9:03 am
Hopefully we will be able to survive the current government.
We survived an idiot President who had 6 years of a Conservative congress to ruin the country, so I think we will do ok.
larry
April 26th, 2011
9:04 am
carlosgov,
You forgot no child labor laws.
Good little liberal
April 26th, 2011
9:04 am
So now the argument from libs is that since it’s a theme park that will hire hundreds and be a boom to the local economy, that its different than giving incentives to other kinds of companies that hire hundreds and give much less of a boom to local economies.
Maybe they should just give incentives to companies that liberals approve of.
Hey libs. Can we get a list of your approved companies? It would save a lot of time.
Peadawg
April 26th, 2011
9:05 am
“I agree. Boehner sucks.”
Ya and Skeletor was soooo much better as speaker of the house!
USinUK
April 26th, 2011
9:05 am
carlos – 9:01 – but, ask any of the rightwingers here, it’s your CHOICE to work that way – if you don’t like it, then start your own business! be your own CEO!
oy
Yahtzee
April 26th, 2011
9:05 am
everybody wins in a free market system..it is the most efficient way to distribute goods…the proof is in our history
i can’t say the same for socialism or communism, the proof is in other countries histories and it’s never worked
Mighty Righty
April 26th, 2011
9:06 am
Finn McCool-wishing you have wealth will not make you wealthy. Accumulating wealth is hard work which is why so few liberals are wealthy. It is next to impossible to become wealthy drawing unemployment, welefare and working at McDonalds. Back to the subject. When the Democrats subsidize business they do it big time, think GM, Chrysler, Banks, Unions, and other political contributors.
Good little liberal
April 26th, 2011
9:06 am
Finn McCool
Ruined the country.
Oh yes, I remember. Our problems were about pictures from abu grabe and wiretapping phone calls to terrorists.
How did we survive that?
THE TRUTH
April 26th, 2011
9:08 am
Nothing hear, just Jay and his followers doing their daily, I don’t like the GOP rants. So boring, I’m gonna take my ball and not play, because I know it really irks you when you don’t have anyone to argue with.
Bosch
April 26th, 2011
9:08 am
“So now the argument from libs is that since it’s a theme park that will hire hundreds and be a boom to the local economy, that its different than giving incentives to other kinds of companies that hire hundreds and give much less of a boom to local economies.”
Um, no, that’s not the argument. If you actually read Jay’s column, you might have got that.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
“everybody wins in a free market system..it is the most efficient way to distribute goods…the proof is in our history
i can’t say the same for socialism or communism, the proof is in other countries histories and it’s never worked
Oy. Yet another example of thinking in absolutes and not seeing the big picture.
Mighty Righty
April 26th, 2011
9:08 am
Hey Finn, whats the difference between Jimmy Carter and Barack Obama?
larry
April 26th, 2011
9:09 am
USinUK
April 26th, 2011
9:05 am
Look at me I’m self-employed
I love to work at nothing all day
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NCIUf8eYPqA
Jay
April 26th, 2011
9:11 am
Yahtzee, I wrote more than a year ago about GE not paying taxes — this is not a new development, and in fact predates Obama’s presidency. But more than a year ago, you conservatives had not yet been indoctrinated to associate GE with Obama, so the fact that it paid no taxes was actually applauded back then by most on the right.
You know — corporations shouldn’t have to pay taxes anyway?
NOW you find it objectionable? Why now and not then? Why the anger at GE and not at other corporations doing the same thing?
Please … explain. This ought to be fascinating.
That previous post: http://blogs.ajc.com/jay-bookman-blog/2010/04/07/exxonmobil-35-billion-in-profit-zero-in-corporate-taxes/
USinUK
April 26th, 2011
9:11 am
larry –
thanks for that!
Yahtzee
April 26th, 2011
9:11 am
bosch- and what is the “big picture”?
THE TRUTH
April 26th, 2011
9:12 am
Good little liberal
April 26th, 2011
9:04 am
Beefore I go, I thought I would raise my hand and answer this one.
The Libs approve list are the ones that are union run.
USinUK
April 26th, 2011
9:12 am
Jay – 9:11 – shall I pop some popcorn for this?
Donovan
April 26th, 2011
9:12 am
Hmm…let’s see. The ecomomy is still bad and employment-building needs a shot in the arm, or should I say, incentive. Whenever a Democrat smells “tax incentive” the whole initiative is bad. However, the Obamination schemes of slush fund stimulus and TARP initiatives for the poor down-trodden people are praised as good. Enough with the communist theory and propaganda. Legitimate initiatives to spur employment growth is worth while in this case as opposed to the failed incentive policies of the Democrat’s snake oil scams we have seen with this current regime. Mr. Bookman’s feeble attempt to link economic theory to his political argument is a stretch. I seriously doubt that he was an economics major in college, let alone a participant in minoring in economic theory. His degree in liberal journalism does not allow for the study of ecomomics other than a liberal dosing of economic propaganda and socailized commerce. Tax incentives? You bet! It fits right in with the theory of tried and true ecomomic growth. Rhetoric demeaning such tried and true incentive initiatives makes the orator look like a simple hack. For anyone who follows the logic of Mr. Bookman, I have to say, “how’s that Hope & Change working out for you”?
larry
April 26th, 2011
9:13 am
I wonder if i declare myself CEO, can i get the tax breaks?
jonas
April 26th, 2011
9:14 am
Jay- can you provide the blog advertisers Usins email address- it would be more efficient use of their dollars.
See- capitalism and the free market at work.
UGA1999
April 26th, 2011
9:14 am
Once again here goes the left talking about GE paying no taxes and not recognizing the lower class americans that also pay 0 in taxes.
Hey Jay, isnt GE one of those companies that you are trying to get to add jobs for the american economy? Wont those jobs help unemployment, create taxes and help Obama?
UGA1999
April 26th, 2011
9:15 am
Larry….depends on the company, the number you employ and your expenses.
larry
April 26th, 2011
9:15 am
I also wonder if Tom Graves and Chip Rogers are going to turn that hotel they owe money on into a tourist attraction?
Jay
April 26th, 2011
9:15 am
It’s just fascinating, USinUK, how they retreat back to regurgitating their indoctrination: GE, health care, MARTA, etc., rather than confront the reality of what their own leaders are doing to them. A mass transit system, for example, has to survive on its own, with no subsidies.
But a private theme park paying minimum wage to most of its employees — that deserves a 25 percent taxpayer subsidy! That the governor gets to award or deny at his choosing!
“but but but …. Obama! The Rev. Wright! The whitey tape!”
USinUK
April 26th, 2011
9:16 am
jonas – nah – that shark ad is freaking me out.
Finn McCool
April 26th, 2011
9:17 am
Bonus points for instances where you criticized democrats for doing it.
Yeah, Jay, help the conservatives out. They don’t know how to do their own work.
“It’s too hard. Give us a tax break or a subsidy to do it.”
USinUK
April 26th, 2011
9:17 am
jay – I’m pickin up what you’re layin down –
consistency isn’t their strong suit
larry
April 26th, 2011
9:17 am
larry’s blogging company, employs 1, declares expenses at 5 million. Of course i can write those off.
TaxPayer
April 26th, 2011
9:18 am
Cons do not come here to post so they can then be asked to explain their rants. They must stick to the script. Only the talking points must be displayed.
Mighty Righty
April 26th, 2011
9:18 am
Jay, fair enough. Who’s Ox ,does make a difference. Its why you like Obama subsidizing union companies.
Bosch
April 26th, 2011
9:18 am
Yahtzee,
The big picture is that neither system can operate fully on it’s on.
USinUK
April 26th, 2011
9:18 am
larry – don’t forget to give yourself a multi-million $$$ bonus, with stock options accruing over time.
UGA1999
April 26th, 2011
9:19 am
Hey JAY….I never heard you respond to the violence that occured on Marta about a week ago? You were talking about how safe it was…..
UGA1999
April 26th, 2011
9:19 am
USinUK….jealous?
Left wing management
April 26th, 2011
9:20 am
That is not economic conservatism. That is not laissez faire economics. It is government interfering in the marketplace by picking winners. Why should government subsidize a new water park at Lake Lanier, for example, that would interfere with existing investments at White Water?
In short, neoliberalism. It’s wreaked havoc around the world from Chile to Egypt and far from being chastened by the 2007-8 financial crisis, which is the outcome it inevitably leads to, it has redoubled its efforts and is resurgent in even more virulent form. Look at the state of Michigan. It’s your neoliberal pet project of the moment and it’s up and running.
Finn McCool
April 26th, 2011
9:21 am
everybody wins in a free market system
LOL, Yatzee thinks we wilve in a free market system. Guess he never heard of subsidies and tax breaks.
You know what it’s called when a state gives incentives to a company to build or move to it? It’s called subsidies. You know what a subsidy is? The opposite of free market.
UGA1999
April 26th, 2011
9:22 am
Finn…..whine whine whine….
larry
April 26th, 2011
9:23 am
USinUK
April 26th, 2011
9:18 am
Ive got the options written into my contract !! And they are protected if the company goes belly up!! And ive already got my bonus which ive schemed to make it tax free!!
Yahtzee
April 26th, 2011
9:23 am
Jay,
First, why do you assume that I am a “conservative?” I am a free thinker not associated with any kind of party affiliation nor do I feel ownership to lables such as “conservative” or “liberal”, but clearly you are.
Second, you are merely attempting to change the focus off of the Obama administration in your opinon pieces by marginalizing the opposition party to cause political theater instead of being critical of the leadership.
Speaking of GE, where were you when Jeff Immelt was named to Obama’s Economic Recovery Board? Is it not strange that a company who’s CEO has tanked one of the largest companies in the world gets special treatment from the administration on essentially non-contested bid contracts for the largest healthcare overall in our history, in return the administration gets unlimited coverage and spin from all NBC affiliates?
Where are your columns on crony capitalism that is clearly taking place with this administration? Where are your columns on the hypocrisy of the administration pointing the finger at Wall Street and then bending backwards to appease them?
Jay
April 26th, 2011
9:25 am
Your fixation with such incidents is revealing, UGA. Last year, we had 12 people die in auto accidents in Georgia over the Labor Day weekend alone. As I pointed out earlier, road-rage killings are a regular occurence around here.
And yet you fixate on this. Peculiar.
Message from Matti
April 26th, 2011
9:25 am
Good column, Mr. Bookman! I appreciate your attention to state matters. People spend entirely too much time blabbering about things over which we have absolutely no control. We CAN make a difference regarding who represents us at the state and local levels, though, if we’d only pay attention and hold them accountable.
Still, if being forced to be an investor in Georgia Power’s nuclear endeavors — without the benefit of profit sharing or even a reduced rate on the power we might someday consume — didn’t wake the people up out of their secessionist, birther, homophobic, cable-infotainment-ranting haze, I don’t know what will.
BADA BING
April 26th, 2011
9:25 am
Tuesday Topix…..In the news, one of Charlie Sheen’s porn star goddesses has left him. For the first time in history a w _ _ _ e has finally had enough cocaine!
lynnie gal
April 26th, 2011
9:26 am
This little tidbit about government subsidies going to new “tourist” business should be on the front page of the AJC! With schools closing, people going without healthcare, gas prices, etc, this should repulse most people. However, in this state, the republicans would have to gallop through our towns and cities setting our houses on fire and raping our daughters while denying them abortions, before Georgians would stop voting for these men. But, on second thought, they would probably reelect them anyway because the rich would just run tv ads telling people how great the brave republican men are and how wrong the democrats are for trying to assure that they have food, education, healthcare and shelter. Honestly!
Jay
April 26th, 2011
9:27 am
It’s also hilarious to see every state or local topic I tackle be greeted with the “you’re just trying to distract attention from Obama!” meme.
Really people?
USinUK
April 26th, 2011
9:29 am
UGA – oy. you people just don’t get it.
Mighty Righty
April 26th, 2011
9:29 am
UGA1999-Jay did respond, don’t remember his exactwords but basicly he thought the Perps who were members of a gang based in Northwest and Southwest Atlanta were white conservative Presbytarians or something similar.
Keep Up the Good Fight!
April 26th, 2011
9:29 am
Jay, you mean other than the ones that claim “nothing to see here, move along”.
Finn McCool
April 26th, 2011
9:30 am
Second, you are merely attempting to change the focus off of the Obama administration in your opinon pieces by marginalizing the opposition party to cause political theater instead of being critical of the leadership
in other words – Lay off the conservatives! Leave em alone, Jay. You are sooooo mean!! Quit it.
USinUK
April 26th, 2011
9:30 am
Jay – yes. really. if you’re not talking about Obama, you’re deflecting.
you’re particularly guilty with your Friday drive-time -
St Simons - we're on Island time
April 26th, 2011
9:30 am
The neocons on this blog have trouble staying on the topic, don’t they?
Their hatred blinds them. Hate – its the glue that holds the Republic Pahhty together.
“Obama! The Rev. Wright! The whitey tape!”
These are all dog whistles to the faithful.You KNOW what that code means.
I can hear that dog whistlin down here at the Lighthouse
UGA1999
April 26th, 2011
9:31 am
Jay….actually no….those were ACCIDENTS! Please post your road rage figures.
You were the one spouting how safe Marta was. Then two days later a gang of 25 thugs ran on and assulted, mugged and robbed the patrons riding the train. Yep really safe.
TaxPayer
April 26th, 2011
9:32 am
As an added incentive to attract businesses that may be struggling to make a profit, the Georgia Republicans could offer up cheap labor to build and maintain the tourist attractions by giving state and local prisoners an opportunity to work off their debt to society.
UGA1999
April 26th, 2011
9:32 am
Mighty…..why did you have to interject a race into the conversation? As a matter off fact all but two were black! Great post! hahaha try again.
Yahtzee
April 26th, 2011
9:32 am
haha, state controlled media and its minions
ty webb
April 26th, 2011
9:32 am
“The neocons…”
careful, I believe Amvet has that term trademarked here.
UGA1999
April 26th, 2011
9:33 am
To all of you lefty lapdogs of Jay and Obozo…..the fact is that under Obama…
*
UGA1999
April 26th, 2011
9:33 am
To all of you lefty lapdogs of Jay and Obozo…..the fact is that under Obama…
*
Finn McCool
April 26th, 2011
9:33 am
Then two days later a gang of 25 thugs ran on and assulted, mugged and robbed the patrons riding the train.
Yeah, so now UGA thinks this type of thing happens hourly 24-7.
UGA, just stay indoors. Much much safer in your mom’s basement.
TaxPayer
April 26th, 2011
9:33 am
I see UGA1999 did not care much for the statistics classes that the school offered.
Kamchak
April 26th, 2011
9:33 am
…“but but but …. Obama! The Rev. Wright! The whitey tape!”
ACORN
Community organizer
Teleprompter
Long form birth certificate
Kenyan
Socialist
UGA1999
April 26th, 2011
9:34 am
Under Obama….
* Debt is out of control.
* Unemployment still lingers around 10%
* Gas is nearing $4 soon to be $5.
* Obama has a negative approval rating.
But yet Jay still wants to throw the blame to the right. Jay has YET to post a blog showing the lack of leadership by this administration. Maybe if he did that once or twice he would gain SOME credibility.
three jack
April 26th, 2011
9:35 am
You’re spot on with this column Jay. Elected GOPers in this state care only about making sure they get re-elected. They ignore transportation, education and public safety while spending time making sure to appease their most wacked constituents with bs immigration and anti-abortion bills. Additionally they make sure the money keeps coming from lobbyists with bills like HB234.
These guys in the legislature now are acting exactly like the ones many of us worked for years to replace because we mistakenly thought dems were the go along to get along good ol boys. I for one regret ever helping to elect these crooks and look forward to seeing them tossed out en masse next year.
UGA1999
April 26th, 2011
9:35 am
Finn….Did I say that? Good job Demon putting words in my mouth.
I am just saying it is not as safe as Jay was making it out to be.
Grasshopper
April 26th, 2011
9:36 am
‘I do find it interesting that the MARTA case has drawn such attention, when we have road-rage killings — you know, actual downright murders — seemingly every two weeks or so.
One is accepted as yeah, that stuff happens. And one is considered a broad indictment of the safety and sanity of the particular transportation mode involved.’
Really Jay? I never heard of a case of 25 gang members beating up another motorist in a road rage incident.
And road rage murders every 2 weeks or so? Hardly. Playing a little fast and loose aren’t you.
UGA1999
April 26th, 2011
9:38 am
Grasshopper….that is typical from jay.
Moderate Line
April 26th, 2011
9:38 am
A record 18.3% of the nation’s total personal income was a payment from the government for Social Security, Medicare, food stamps, unemployment benefits and other programs in 2010. Wages accounted for the lowest share of income — 51.0% — since the government began keeping track in 1929.
From 1980 to 2000, government aid was roughly constant at 12.5%. The sharp increase since then — especially since the start of 2008 — reflects several changes: the expansion of health care and federal programs generally, the aging population and lingering economic problems.
http://www.usatoday.com/news/nation/2011-04-26-government-payments-economy-medicare.htm
Bosch
April 26th, 2011
9:38 am
Debt is out of control.
* Unemployment still lingers around 10%
* Gas is nearing $4 soon to be $5.
* Obama has a negative approval rating.
Oy. People have selective memories, huh?
jm
April 26th, 2011
9:39 am
Jay 9:15, well, there is a real and legitimate distinction between a group that gets to keep some if its income that would otherwise go to pay tax, and a group that doesn’t generate any income and requires direct subsidies.
Tax breaks are not subsidies (except in so far as they can be securitized and resold to third parties to use such as “refundable tax credits” which are really subsidies and transferable tax credits – see alternative energy).
Finn McCool
April 26th, 2011
9:39 am
Look, if you folks don’t like Marta – cause it’s crowded or you’re just afraid to ride it, then don’t ride it. Thousands of people use it every day as a means of transportation.
Even if you drive to work and NEVER use Marta, you are still enjoying the benefits of fewer people tying up traffic during rushh hour.
Left wing management
April 26th, 2011
9:39 am
It’s also hilarious to see every state or local topic I tackle be greeted with the “you’re just trying to distract attention from Obama!” meme. / Really people?”
Some of our slower forum members seem to have trouble grasping that a senior columnist for the state’s flagship paper might be obliged – even contractually – to address state and local issues on a regular basis. LOL.
Mighty Righty
April 26th, 2011
9:39 am
UGA1999-Love to jab Jay. Poor man is stuck with defending the indefensbile. Some days he almost does it.
(ir)Rational
April 26th, 2011
9:41 am
Grasshopper – I think Jay just made your case for you. Look at his comments from 9:25. Apparently, these “road rage murders” are really just accidents that result in someone’s death. Now, when he is using stats from Labor Day weekend, I’ll agree that a fair number of them probably qualify as murder (drunk drivers), but I don’t think that road rage has anything to do with it in any shape form or fashion. And here I was thinking Jay was making good points today.
Finn McCool
April 26th, 2011
9:41 am
You conservatives could fill the state House with Liberals and then Jay would be able to dissect them every day. But, nooooooo, you had to go vote for all them conservanuts.
Misty Fyed
April 26th, 2011
9:41 am
Come on Jay…Just because we are conservative does not mean we don’t think we should try to encourage favorable outcomes. If I give a tax break to tourist oriented businesses then hopefully they will attract tourists. Those tourists will pay for that service, but will also pay hotel taxes, sales tax on food, buy gas, etc. They are spending one dollar to earn three. Be honest. If they didn’t try attract tourism dollars you would be writing an article about that. There are too many other hypocracies in our party to make this an argument.
Jay
April 26th, 2011
9:42 am
From earlier this month, right here in the ATL:
“Atlanta police are hunting the impatient driver who became enraged when a mini van didn’t move quickly enough when a light turned green and then fired a gun at the mini van, injuring a 4-year-old toddler strapped into his car seat.”
But of course, a minor assault on MARTA is far more important.
And then this, from October:
Daniel E. McBrayer, 58, was arrested following an investigation into an assault reported by a woman who told police that McBrayer, following a traffic altercation, got out of his car at the intersection of Roswell and Abernathy roads, walked up to her car and struck her in the face, Sandy Springs police Lt. Steve Rose said.”
But of course, it’s all about MARTA.
And this, from March:
FULTON COUNTY, Ga. – A 15-year-old Stone Mountain girl was in critical condition Monday at Grady Memorial Hospital. Asheley Jewell was riding in a car with friends Saturday night when police say someone from another vehicle opened fire.
Investigators said Jewell was riding in a car with friends on Old National Highway when another vehicle started chasing the car. Someone in the vehicle opened fire on the car Jewell was riding in, shooting the teen in the back of the head.
Jewell was transported to the hospital in critical condition.
Police said road rage may be a possible motive in the case.
But hey, MARTA’s unsafe!?!?!?
And this, from November:
ATLANTA — Two men were arrested Monday morning after shots were fired in an apparent road rage incident on I-285 during the morning rush hour, according to police.
No one was hurt by the gunfire, which happened at the Langford Parkway exit on the southwest portion of the southbound Perimeter Highway.
Or this, from September:
Bond was denied Wednesday for a 17-year-old driver who police said chased a group of children who had yelled at her to slow down, then later returned to the scene and ran over a 15-year-old boy during an apparent fit of road rage.
Fulton County Magistrate Judge Roy Roberts told Lynette Walls that she had total disregard for human life and was dangerous. Walls, who has no prior arrests, stood emotionless and said nothing as Roberts ordered her held without bond.
But hey … MARTA!