Georgia Republicans believe themselves invulnerable
In politics as in sports, it’s dangerous to get cocky.
And Georgia Republicans have gotten cocky. They have come to feel invulnerable and complacent, convinced that their constituents’ intense dislike of Democratic policies at the national level has given them a free hand to do as they wish here in Georgia, without consequence or backlash.
Ethical missteps, bad judgment, failure to govern — they believe that none of it matters as long as those magic words “Barack Obama” retain the power to distract and anger Georgia voters.
Want proof? Let’s review events just from the first eight months of 2011.
The year kicked off with the revelation that House Speaker David Ralston had taken his family and staff on a $17,000, all-expense paid holiday trip to Europe, courtesy of lobbyists for a high-speed rail company. In our much-reviled Congress, such behavior would result in severe censure or even removal from office, but here in Georgia it barely raised an eyebrow. In fact, Ralston continues to argue that limits on lobbyist gifts to politicians are not necessary given the fine, upstanding character of those we elect to public office.
There were also no repercussions when the chairman of the Senate Banking and Financial Institutions Committee, Jack Murphy of Cumming, was sued by the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation for being grossly negligent in his role as a director of a failed bank in Alpharetta. Murphy is now barred from involvement in any FDIC-insured institution, but inexplicably, he has been allowed by his fellow Republicans to retain his role overseeing the state’s banking industry.
Murphy’s counterpart in the state House, Banks and Banking Committee chair Greg Morris, was also fined $5,000 this year by the FDIC for violating regulations as a director of an Ailey bank. He too has been allowed to stay in his leadership role overseeing Georgia’s deeply troubled banking industry.
Not surprisingly, neither Morris nor Murphy has shown interest in investigating why Georgia continues to lead the nation in bank failures or whether the Georgia Department of Banking and Finance, charged with regulating state-chartered banks, failed in its duties. Given that 17 of the nation’s 68 bank failures in 2011 have occurred here in Georgia, costing the FDIC a total of $1.549 billion so far this year, their studied avoidance of the problem is appalling.
But again, they feel no public pressure to do better, so why should they?
Then there was the scandal in June, when the executive secretary of the state ethics commission was given her walking papers and her sole investigator stripped of her job. Those events occurred immediately after the two sought to subpoena records from the 2010 campaign of Gov. Nathan Deal. Again, there were no repercussions. Overall, GOP leaders have slashed the commission’s budget by 42 percent since 2008, even as they have burdened the agency with new record-keeping duties. They have also stripped the agency of rule-making powers available to almost every other agency in state government, all the while claiming to be horrified at alleged abuses of power in Washington.
I haven’t even mentioned the coup against Lt. Gov. Casey Cagle by his fellow Republicans in the state Senate, which basically left that body rudderless, or the embarrassing financial shenanigans of Senate Majority Leader Chip Rogers and his business partner, U.S. Rep. Tom Graves, or the continuing efforts of GOP legislators to empower themselves at the expense of local government officials. And who knows what the rest of the year will bring?
Once politicians feel themselves unaccountable, there’s no telling what they might do.
– Jay Bookman
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1,210 comments Add your comment
jm
August 23rd, 2011
3:34 pm
stock market is walking on a knife edge.
Not fun to be a Fed governor right now.
Thulsa Doom
August 23rd, 2011
3:35 pm
“Here in lies the divide. Efficiency is relative to people. The government giving money in the form of food stamps is efficient to the person who runs the grocery store. You make it seem as those there is no waste and fraud in business.”
Some people are stupid,
The money going to someone on food stamps may be efficient to that particular person. But that recipient’s perception of whether or not that dollar is efficiently spent is irrelevant to the point at hand. As for waste and fraud in business of course there is waste and fraud. Who disputes that? The point is that if a business operates with a great amount of waste and fraud within it then sooner or later that business gets eliminated via the survival of the fittest in a capitalistic economy. And a business is accountable- to its owner or owners, its employees if the work evironment is abysmal, and most of all to its customers. Can you say the same for big govt? And how long would a private business stay in business if it ran its books like the federal govt? Does the federal govt have the same accountability that a business does? Nope. If it did then SS wouldn’t be broke, nor Medicare, nor the federal govt period with 14.5 trillion in debt and growing every damn day.
MPercy
August 23rd, 2011
3:36 pm
Southern Comfort @2:42 pm “if you’re gonna campaign that you’re all wholesome and good, don’t f**k up and get caught doing things that don’t fit that mold. The things you do in the dark will always come to light.”
On this we agree. I do enjoy seeing some gay-bashing Republican getting caught in a dalliance with his male masseuse, or seeing an anti-abortion Republican paying for one for his mistress, or getting his 3rd divorce. Or a Democrat getting caught cheating on his taxes or parking his boat in another state to avoid his own state’s onerous taxes or being found to be offshoring jobs in their company to avoid paying taxes.
Schadenfreude, I guess, since I can be sure to not have voted either of them into office.
Granny Godzilla
August 23rd, 2011
3:36 pm
Let me point out that if God were unhappy with President Obama the epicenter would have been Martha’s Vineyard.
I suspect it has something to to with the pro-forma session in the senate.
jm
August 23rd, 2011
3:36 pm
Uncle Jed – what about cap gains and dividends?
I don’t care who you are, its a good plan. Expand the base, lower the rate.
jm
August 23rd, 2011
3:38 pm
GG 3:36 – maybe God just wanted to screw up his golf game a little
Normal
August 23rd, 2011
3:40 pm
SoCo,
We’re talkin’ Visa Credid Cards, right?
MPercy
August 23rd, 2011
3:41 pm
Thulsa Doom @2:46 pm What could be more outrageous than the hefty subsidies the U.S. government lavishes on rich American cotton farmers?- MPercy
Actually, that was Time Magazine, which I quoted and thought I attributed. My bad if I didn’t.
Some people are stupid
August 23rd, 2011
3:42 pm
Doom.
And a business is accountable- to its owner or owners, its employees if the work evironment is abysmal, and most of all to its customers. Can you say the same for big govt? And how long would a private business stay in business if it ran its books like the federal govt? Does the federal govt have the same accountability that a business does?
But the government isn’t a business so why are you comaparing it to one. How many businesses can print their own money. How many companies rely on their full faith and credit for transactions(Technically speaking, that is what the dollar is since we abandoned the gold standard).
There are business that work exactly like the government. HAve you taken a look at companies balance sheet. What do you think debt is. It works the same for government, except they can actually rely on their debt being purchased. The government is held accountable, have you not seen the past few elections. IS that not what you vote for, based off their record or their rhetoric?? You ask if they have the same accountability as business, I actually say they have more. You know everytime the government spends money thanks to the 24hr news cycle, how much money did the AJC spend yesterday??
getalife
August 23rd, 2011
3:43 pm
It was the regulation report.
Bosch
August 23rd, 2011
3:43 pm
Doom,
If you don’t mean to be insulting then don’t. As SPAS wrote, much of what you are arguing is relative, and apples to oranges comparisons. And the constant comparison of govts. to a business is a fool’s errand. They don’t work the same, nor should they — they are opposite ends of the economical spectrum.
Granny Godzilla
August 23rd, 2011
3:43 pm
jm
he could have done that with a fast green…..
MPercy
August 23rd, 2011
3:44 pm
“And while 147 million seems like alot of money, believe me, that is a drop in the bucket for such a project.”
Bosch, you may have missed the point that that was $147M we’re paying *to Brazil* annually so that we can continue to pay $3B to American cotton farmers annually without Brazil complaining to WTO.
Thulsa Doom
August 23rd, 2011
3:44 pm
I saw that Dem. Congresswoman in Florida complaining about the unemployment rate among young black men and blaming it on racism and the digital divide. Huh? Jeez louise you can get small laptop now for $199 and internet service either free now if you’re poor enough or for $15 if you get dial up. Or just go to McDonalds, starbucks, caribou,etc and get online for dang free. Good grief. Part of the problem is that people like this woman have a dang excuse for everything. There are poor people today who have more technology in their phone including web browsing or in their $200-$300 desktop or walmart laptop then the wealthiest people in the country had a mere 20 years ago. And yet they still make excuses.
md
August 23rd, 2011
3:46 pm
So, is the point supposed to be that our local misfits are worse or equal to their national brethren???
We had a meltdown on Wall St……..and no investigations worth speaking about. Is it a surprise that the same is done locally? By two very different sides of the aisle by the way.
I’d also hazard a guess that there is a purpose behind it……..scaring the bejesus out of an already panicked and lackluster industry probably wouldn’t be too prudent…….let’s hope the statute of limitations doesn’t expire before the economy turns around……………..
Bosch
August 23rd, 2011
3:47 pm
MPercy,
No, I didn’t miss that (although that last explanation is better) — I don’t like agribusiness subsidies anymore than the next person — in their current context anyway, but unfortunately, no one ever calls me who writes the checks. I have plenty of things I’d like to see done. For starters if they are going to subsidize farmers, I’d like to see them subsidize local farmers so as to not have to get food from other countries.
But again, all that is part of the bigger picture of world trade.
Joe The Plumber too.
August 23rd, 2011
3:47 pm
thanks granny, at first I thought me-shell fell out of bed but then was reminded they were in kennedyville. just kidding
Bosch
August 23rd, 2011
3:48 pm
“more technology in their phone”
Did you know there are apps that you can download to make your puppies not bark? I kid you not.
Paul
August 23rd, 2011
3:48 pm
@@
“There’s one thing about my husband that I do not like. He’s always in debate mode. Only thing that’ll dissuade him is when I go into dessert mode.”
You’re so much fun when you get spun up!
“I’m off to Azerbaijan. Iran’s issuing warnings.”
Now that’s the @@ I so fondly remember.
Midori
“they had an earthquake in DC”
Boehner told the TP to stick it and said Republicans are now willing to compromise on revenue?
Bosch
“I totally thought it was you who called getalife a retard. The Magic Calendar never lies”
Well, there’s always the question of Bosch’s reading comprehension….
Some people are stupid
August 23rd, 2011
3:49 pm
Uncle Jed/jm-
I just want to make sure I understand this plan. Now the current top tax rent is 35.6%. That plan wants to lower it to 9%and replace all payroll taxes. So just to make sure I got this correct, you are replacing 35.6(personal) and 7.65(payroll) with a 9% tax. …and just to also make sure I have an understanding, you believe that by expanding the base, you will generate the loss revenue even though you are eliminating all those taxes. Just want you to consider that even with perfect employment, you still ran a deficit at the 35.6% top rate, so even if everyone was employed and contributed, you would pull in so little revenue that you would probably actually grow the deficit. …
Just to make sure I’m clear.
Granny Godzilla
August 23rd, 2011
3:50 pm
picture from DC eathquake…better get President Obama back to save the day….
Bosch
August 23rd, 2011
3:50 pm
“Well, there’s always the question of Bosch’s reading comprehension….”
Yes, Paul, I’ll admit, language is not my strongest skill — I’m a spatial learner.
SOUTHERN ATL
August 23rd, 2011
3:51 pm
Excellent article and oh so true!!
Southern Comfort
August 23rd, 2011
3:52 pm
Normal
I wish it were. Let’s just say, I’ll have job security for as long as I choose to work.
MPercy
I’ve never understood the need to elevate politicians to the point where they’re some kind of super being. They are human just as you and I. I expect them to make mistakes. I expect them to make wrong choices. I would much rather them be honest and realistic about expectations as opposed to painting them into some image that they have no chance of upholding.
md
August 23rd, 2011
3:53 pm
“. And the constant comparison of govts. to a business is a fool’s errand. They don’t work the same, nor should they — they are opposite ends of the economical spectrum.”
Such a bogus talking point………the fundamentals of both relate to income and expenses…….regardless where that income may come from (such as printing money)……..at some point, if the expenses get too far out of control, the entity can no longer keep up with the expenses…..
Greece is a smaller example, while the USSR is the bigger example……..
So some of you just keep on believing there is a difference……………………
stands for decibels
August 23rd, 2011
3:53 pm
And yet they still make excuses.
And dag nab it, they won’t get off my lawn.
Thulsa Doom
August 23rd, 2011
3:55 pm
Bosch,
I get what you’re saying about people’s perceptions about the efficiency of a dollar spent by govt vs business. But what does that person’s perception have to do with what we are talking about? Or the price of tea in China for that matter?
I am comparing business to govt because of the perception that you have that a dollar is a dollar no matter who spends it. I simply disagree because I feel a dollar spent by a private business is more efficient in wealth creation or job expansion than a dollar transfer via the federal govt such as food stamps. And btw I’ve no problem with people getting help from our safety net programs short term. I just don’t agree with food stamps as a way of life or as an efficient use of a dollar. Otherwise the Soviet Union where the govt controlled every ruble would have been a rousing success and nations like Hong Kong and Singapore where there is little govt interference wouldn’t be among the most prosperous economies in the world.
BTW I like that term economical spectrum- part of our ever evolving language.
Paddy O
August 23rd, 2011
3:55 pm
“failure to govern” – under whose litmus test? although Perdue is widely regarded as a do-nothing, he actually substantially impacted the future of this state – first by merging RDC’s, then signing HB 277 into existence. He also created the public defender system in the state – something bleeding heart democrats failed to do.
Some people are stupid
August 23rd, 2011
3:57 pm
md-
Such a bogus talking point………the fundamentals of both relate to income and expenses…….regardless where that income may come from
Not they aren’t. A business provides a good or service for a fee. their revenue is solely driven off that product and other non-product related revenue(interest).
The government doesn’t sell anything. Their source of revenue is pure existence. All money that flows in to them flows right back out in theory. The concept of expenses getting too high are muted by the fact that they print the currency. If the government wanted to print 14.6 trillion dollars and pay off the bond holders, they could, it would be stupid, but they could. What business you know of that prints it’s currency.
Lefty
August 23rd, 2011
3:57 pm
Even though Georgia is becoming more and more diversified, our voting laws are not changing as well. One way to have our diversified votes counted would be for the State to institute the percent of votes won to whomever, in other words, in a Presidential Election, instead of our Democratic votes going no where, the top contenders (Dem, Repub, & Libert., etc) would get the requisite number of electoral votes instead of winner gets all. That might shake up some of these Republicans around here, and at least our votes would finally count for something!
Bosch
August 23rd, 2011
4:00 pm
“I simply disagree because I feel a dollar spent by a private business is more efficient in wealth creation or job expansion than a dollar transfer via the federal govt such as food stamps.”
So? I don’t care, disagree with me. Your opinion is no more valid than mine.
“I just don’t agree with food stamps as a way of life or as an efficient use of a dollar.”
Again, you are making something relative. Food stamps as a “way of life” is still just that. I do see it whoever gets it as an efficient use of a dollar. One, it goes right back into the economy, two, it helps people eat — therefore helping them not starve (costing more in medical costs) or steal (costs for incarceration).
“and nations like Hong Kong and Singapore where there is little govt interference wouldn’t be among the most prosperous economies in the world.”
Again, with the generalizations.
Some people are stupid
August 23rd, 2011
4:00 pm
Doom-
I simply disagree because I feel a dollar spent by a private business is more efficient in wealth creation or job expansion than a dollar transfer via the federal govt such as food stamps.
So what’s the difference between me spending 100 dollars cash in a grocery store and someone using 100 in food stamps. Which had a greater impact on wealth creation.
Food stamps had a limited shelf life by the way. Part of the welfare reform act signed by Clinton. Got lifted during the recession. Should actually go back at the end of this year.
md
August 23rd, 2011
4:01 pm
“The government doesn’t sell anything. Their source of revenue is pure existence. All money that flows in to them flows right back out in theory. The concept of expenses getting too high are muted by the fact that they print the currency. If the government wanted to print 14.6 trillion dollars and pay off the bond holders, they could, it would be stupid, but they could. What business you know of that prints it’s currency.”
It’s still fundamental accounting………….money in best be greater than money out……if not, then Houston, we got a problem…………………
Sure, they can print 14 trillion…….and when the dollar is worth nothing, so are all those dollars being generated by private businesses……..the ones that provide the income…………………….
jm
August 23rd, 2011
4:01 pm
Wall Street smokes too much crack
Some people are stupid
August 23rd, 2011
4:02 pm
And I’m pretty sure in Hong Kong, the government owns all the land and it is merely rented. I’m pretty sure that counts as government intervention.
And Singapore has a high government presence as well. It’s a reason it’s the cleanest place in the world. (just came from there)
Paul
August 23rd, 2011
4:03 pm
Granny Godzilla
Your post about original arguments reminded me I was saving this for you. Since we’re all over the topics now I’ll go ahead and post it (with a slight modification at the end). It was to Scout regarding one of his perennial questions. The exchange was fun.
Scout
I noticed in the past you posted the same question several times. If memory serves me correctly, you wanted to know who said, or the origin of, ‘from each according to their abilities, to each according to their needs.”
I think you might’ve known the answer but were just encouraging people to do research. If you really were looking for the source material, you may want to read at the end of the Book of Acts, fourth chapter.
It concerns the early body of Christian believers. Jesus has gone and left the believers/church under the direction of Peter and the apostles. It says: “And the multitude of them that believed were of one heart and of one soul: neither said any of them that ought of the things which he possessed was his own; but they had all things common.
33 And with great power gave the apostles witness of the resurrection of the Lord Jesus: and great grace was upon them all.
34 Neither was there any among them that lacked: for as many as were possessors of lands or houses sold them, and brought the prices of the things that were sold,
35 And laid them down at the apostles’ feet: and distribution was made unto every man according as he had need.”
So all of them gave all they had acquired thru their abilities, then they received back according to their need.
Then it goes on to tell about a husband and wife who sold all they had, gave most to the church but held part of it back for themselves. Wasn’t a good outcome.
So there’s your answer to “who said, ‘from each according to their abilities, to each according to their needs”?
MPercy
August 23rd, 2011
4:03 pm
SoCo: I’m not saying I expect pols to be perfect beings. I’m saying that karma’s a bitch. I didn’t care too much about Clinton’s affair (although I wondered why there wasn’t any backlash by the feminists who should have been out screaming about how he harassed poor Monica, sicne his position of power made it impossible for her to rationally consent). Bill Clinton was known to be a womanizer, and had not campaigned on a promise to purge DC of oral pleasures.
But hearing a guy supporting the “Defense of Marriage Act” (an anti-gay motion) who’s on his 3rd wife having cheated on the first two sequentially? Who’s marriage is he defending? And making a tax cheat the head of the Treasury? C’mon who writes this stuff?
If you’re gonna stump and rant and exhort for your position, then it’s the least I can do to expect you to live up to that position, whatever it may be. Fail in that and you’re falling from a much higher pillar that you placed yourself on. It wouldn’t be scandalous if, say Barney Frank was caught in bed with a man, would it? He’s openly gay. But if Pat Robertson, say, was caught in flagrante delicto then that’d be noteworthy.
Bosch
August 23rd, 2011
4:04 pm
“And Singapore has a high government presence as well.”
And they beat kids who vandalize with big sticks. A policy we should look into here.
Dusty
August 23rd, 2011
4:04 pm
md,
“So, is the point supposed to be that our local misfits are worse or equal to their national brethren?”
—————-
Well, no, md. This blog is supposed to prove that all misfits are from the GOP whether in Georgia or Washington, DC.
Did you not get your blog brainwashing info today? GOP—bad! DEMs—saints!!
Thulsa Doom
August 23rd, 2011
4:05 pm
Some people are stupid,
I think you completely missed my point which very simply is that a dollar spent by the private sector is more efficiently spent and has a better chance at wealth creation and job creation than a dollar spent by the federal govt- especially a dollar which is merely a transfer payment such as food stamps. That’s all and hence the comparison between business and the federal govt.
As for govt accountability I still have to disagree with you. The odds are usually stacked pretty well in favor of an incumbent. And secondly I don’t remember where I read it just a few days ago but the reality is that in the house because of the way districts are drawn there are really only 60-80 seats every election that are really in play. The rest are solidly repub or democrat and the same incumbent is usually in there for very lengthy time frames. How else can you explain complete morons like the McKinneys, Sheila Jackson-Lee, etc retaining seats for such lengthy time periods.
Some people are stupid
August 23rd, 2011
4:05 pm
md-
Isn’t printed money the same as money in though.
I’m pretty sure you have defeated your point.
Mary Elizabeth
August 23rd, 2011
4:05 pm
Mighty Righty 2:42
Here is what citizens do know (and have not assumed) from the article above:
(1) Why have politicians in Georgia who are in power to investigate bank activities in Georgia not done so?
” . . .neither Morris nor Murphy has shown interest in investigating why Georgia continues to lead the nation in bank failures or whether the Georgia Department of Banking and Finance, charged with regulating state-chartered banks, failed in its duties. . . their studied avoidance of the problem is appalling.”
That implies that – whether Morris and Murphy personally investigated bank failures or not – as leaders, they failed to delegate to others to investigate banks.
(2) Why are Murphy and Morris still allowed by their political peers a leadership role in overseeing the state’s banking industry?
“. . .he (Murphy) has been allowed by his fellow Republicans to retain his role overseeing the state’s banking industry.”
“He (Morris) too has been allowed to stay in his leadership role overseeing Georgia’s deeply troubled banking industry.”
The question remains: Why are Murphy and Morris allowed to stay in leadership positions when they have had personal difficulties in banking issues, and have also failed in their legislative job responsibilities to have had banks investigated?
(3) And most importantly: What IS the connection between Georgia’s politicians and the banking industry in Georgia?
Based on the above, I hope that the AJC will have reporters investigate this question. All may be as it should be between Georgia’s politicians and the banking industry in Georgia, but then, again, all may not be as it should be. The people deserve to know.
Based
I would say that based on the answers that we do know from the first two questions that that question deserves an investigation and not an assumption as you have offered that maybe banks were closed.
Uncle Jed
August 23rd, 2011
4:06 pm
jm
August 23rd, 2011
3:36 pm
Uncle Jed – what about cap gains and dividends?
++++++++++++++++++++++++++++
Go back and you’ll see that cap gains are taxed at zero and dividends at 9%. Also no tax on repatriated funds brought back into our economy.
Bosch
August 23rd, 2011
4:07 pm
“I think you completely missed my point which very simply is that a dollar spent by the private sector is more efficiently spent and has a better chance at wealth creation and job creation than a dollar spent by the federal govt”
Again, Doom, so? That’s still just your opinion. I happen to think that it doesn’t.
Granny Godzilla
August 23rd, 2011
4:09 pm
Paul
That’s why I play for the fishermans team….
Talking Head
August 23rd, 2011
4:09 pm
Bosch @ 4:07,
Are you a public employee?
Thulsa Doom
August 23rd, 2011
4:09 pm
Bosch,
Well it appears I can disagree with you one minute and then maybe agree with you the next. Just imagine if we could cane pole a kid with just one lash for something like shoplifting. Problem solved I’ll bet. Flash mob problems- 10 cane pole lashes. That shyt would be solved in a NY minute.
BTW what was that puppy yapping app that you can download to quiet them down a bit. My girlfriend has the yappiest 2 lb chihuahua that I’ld like to shut the hell up. The only dog I’ve met in my entire life that I absolutely cannot stand. Little ba$tard will never quit yapping.
Joe Mama
August 23rd, 2011
4:11 pm
S. Cat — “Joe – Whether you believe it or not has no influence whether it has or not…”
If you can’t demonstrate it, then I shan’t repose any reliance in it, nor in arguments that rely on the claim.
Uncle Jed
August 23rd, 2011
4:11 pm
Some people are stupid
August 23rd, 2011
3:49 pm
Uncle Jed/jm-
Just to make sure I’m clear.
+++++++++++++++++++++++++
Strap your knee down and read again. There would be taxes on B2B sales and a national sales tax, as examples of revenue you hastily overlooked. The savings to taxpayers in filing costs are another example, albeit not that much relatively speaking.
(I am off to an appointment)
getalife
August 23rd, 2011
4:11 pm
+323.
Grow economy grow.
Paul
August 23rd, 2011
4:13 pm
Granny
You’re on a roll today -
williebkind
August 23rd, 2011
4:13 pm
You guys and gals must get paid to blog on here? The President issues orders to follow the dream act that is not the law of the land! So our leaders are just like illegal immigrants the law of the land means nothing. They are here for a higher purpose–right?
md
August 23rd, 2011
4:14 pm
“Isn’t printed money the same as money in though.
I’m pretty sure you have defeated your point.”
No………..because printing money devalues the dollar……….which in turn, would translate into higher prices for goods/services, which would lead to less income being generated…………….
At some point, printing money can and will lead to hyperinflation…..see Zimbabwe for example………..
Thulsa Doom
August 23rd, 2011
4:17 pm
So what’s the difference between me spending 100 dollars cash in a grocery store and someone using 100 in food stamps. Which had a greater impact on wealth creation.- Some people are stupid.
Some people,
On a micro level there’s not much of a difference if any. On a macro level there is a significant difference in what 1 billion in govt wealth transfers in the form of food stamps can generate vs a billion dollars in tax breaks given to entrepreneurs or small business. The difference being that of that billion dollars given back a lot of it will end up being spent just like food stamps or $100 cash injected into the economy. The difference being though that a portion of that money may well be spent on investment in business such as hiring and job creation. The same cannot be said of that aggregate spent on food stamps.
And also on the micro level you would be surprised what $100 has done in the 3rd world in terms of microcredit to very poor people to start a very small business such as a fruit stand or to buy a sewing machine and start a small sewing operation. I’m a big fan of micro credit programs in 3rd world states like in Africa, India, etc.
Mack H. Jones
August 23rd, 2011
4:18 pm
Following the end of Reconstruction and continuing until passage of the 1965 Voting Rights Act The Georgia Legislature was a one party (Democratic) and one race (white) club. The good old boys did what they pleased and their constituents (white voters) allowed them to do so as long as they kept Blacks in their subordinate place. After 1965, Blacks began to win office as Democrats and the Republicans adopted their southern strategy. It has now borne fruit. With culmination of the current redistricting process, the good old (white)boys will once again have monopoly power and can do whatever they wish. Their constituents (white voters) will indulge them as long as they pledge to keep Blacks, and especilly Obama, in their subordinate place. Guess that is what is called American exceptionalism.
carlosgvv
August 23rd, 2011
4:18 pm
Granny – “would you support a campaign to make sure that people/corporations all have exactly the same rights”
From the start of recorded History, 5500 years ago, till now, right now, those with wealth and power have done everything possible to increase that wealth and power at the expense of the poor and weak. So, corporations and their lackey politicians will not now, or ever, support such a (to them) foolish proposition. There are few things in this world you can count on, I mean REALLY count on, but, sadly, this is one of them.
williebkind
August 23rd, 2011
4:19 pm
I am going to play Obama! Ok here is my order! All transplants in Ga go home!
Dusty
August 23rd, 2011
4:19 pm
Ah Mary Elizabeth,
Do you not know that cabinet officials in our present administration “forgot” to pay their taxes and NOBODY investigated?
Or do you forget there are Democrats in Washington who do not have “perfect” records yet they are supposedly serving “we, the people”?
Your vision is so one party directed that you lose credibility. Saying it nicely still does not obscure the fact that you see only one side of the political picture as perfect and that is the Democratic side.
Adam
August 23rd, 2011
4:19 pm
williebkind: He isn’t issuing orders to follow the Dream Act. But after years of enforcing immigration to the max with the Republican promise that they will pass the Dream Act if immigration enforcement is stepped up, the Republicans haven’t kept their end of the bargain. No sense in deporting every last illegal you can find if it’s costing so much money to do it! So only the criminal ones.
In other words, Obama has a PLAN on illegal immigration. Where’s the Republican PLAN? Huh? HUH?
jm
August 23rd, 2011
4:20 pm
carlosgvv – what about now?
md
August 23rd, 2011
4:20 pm
Mary……..so do also think the people should know the truth about Wall St? And why is it not being investigated?
I find it interesting how folks only call for the folks on the other “side” to be investigated………
Wrong is wrong………this is bs calling for targeted investigations…………….let’s do them all.
A bit like asking others to raise their taxes when one is not willing to do the same to their own………
Dusty
August 23rd, 2011
4:21 pm
Yep, Granny is on a roll today. A Tootsie Roll!
Adam
August 23rd, 2011
4:22 pm
md: A bit like asking others to raise their taxes when one is not willing to do the same to their own…
Oh, is that what Warren Buffet did? I must have missed that part. “Raise all the millionaire’s taxes, except mine.” What a socialist.
Southern Comfort
August 23rd, 2011
4:22 pm
MPercy
Can’t argue with you on that one. I’ve made it a point to remember the promises that pols make. I’m looking forward to thowing those promises back in their faces when they sign up for re-election.
How else can you explain complete morons like the McKinneys, Sheila Jackson-Lee, etc retaining seats for such lengthy time periods.
Morons to you might just be a godsend to the people they actually represent. It’s all in perception. If you have a problem with the way districts are drawn, GA’s a good example of why you need to voice your opinion on those type of things. The GOP pretty much ensured they’d maintain their majority in DC with the way the maps were drawn up here. Which moron did you cast your vote for who enabled it here in GA?
Joe Mama
August 23rd, 2011
4:23 pm
Doom — “My girlfriend has the yappiest 2 lb chihuahua that I’ld like to shut the hell up. The only dog I’ve met in my entire life that I absolutely cannot stand. Little ba$tard will never quit yapping.”
Get a cat. A big one, like a Maine Coon; they weigh about 15-20#.
I bet that dog will STFU in a hurry.
williebkind
August 23rd, 2011
4:23 pm
Adam
August 23rd, 2011
4:19 pm
Obama has never had a plan just an action when no one is looking! Since Obamacare the conservatives have a right to change their direction on any program.
md
August 23rd, 2011
4:25 pm
“So what’s the difference between me spending 100 dollars cash in a grocery store and someone using 100 in food stamps. Which had a greater impact on wealth creation.”
For starters, the comparison is not equal……………there is a cost associated with getting that 100 dollars in food stamps to the individuals……….private industry must first generate it for it to be distributed……..at a cost.
As is the same for all gov’t…………….
Thulsa Doom
August 23rd, 2011
4:26 pm
Bosch
August 23rd, 2011
4:07 pm
“I think you completely missed my point which very simply is that a dollar spent by the private sector is more efficiently spent and has a better chance at wealth creation and job creation than a dollar spent by the federal govt”
Again, Doom, so? That’s still just your opinion. I happen to think that it doesn’t.- Bosch
Bosch,
Not my opinion. Economics 101 and a fact that few if any economists would argue. And the fact that an entire bureaucracy is needed just to make the transfer payment in the case of food stamps alone proves my point. Nevertheless we will just agree to respectfully disagree on this point.
Keep Up the Good Fight!
August 23rd, 2011
4:27 pm
Dogs are usually a good judge of character…..
Schrodingers cat
August 23rd, 2011
4:27 pm
Joe – Steve Jobs took a pay cut…as did many others
http://www.usatoday.com/money/companies/management/2010-04-02-many-ceos-took-a-pay-cut-in-2009_N.htm
Adam
August 23rd, 2011
4:28 pm
williebkind: Obama has never had a plan just an action when no one is looking! Since Obamacare the conservatives have a right to change their direction on any program.
I should have known better than to talk to the wingnuttery….
When no one is looking? Then how do you know about it? And this nonsense of Republicans have the right to change their position on anything because Obama Cares? Ugh.
md
August 23rd, 2011
4:28 pm
“Oh, is that what Warren Buffet did? I must have missed that part. “Raise all the millionaire’s taxes, except mine.” What a socialist.”
No, Buffet is of the “I believe only if they have to too” crowd……..then he doesn’t believe so much.
Talk is cheap…………..actions speak louder than words…………….
Granny Godzilla
August 23rd, 2011
4:28 pm
Paul
I’m on a roll most days…just not always here.
This sadly is a dead end subject…I don’t see real change in Georgia
until they elect Baby G Senator.
Senator Dr. Astronaut Baby G, MD. PhD. OD. DDS. OMG. LOL.
Adam
August 23rd, 2011
4:28 pm
Looks like it’s time to go home. See you all later.
Some people are stupid
August 23rd, 2011
4:30 pm
Doom-
Cause people are stupid. People get bough in by rhetoric and don’t actually think, Looks at this blog for example. the tax plan that one on the prior page made absolutely no sense mathmeatically, but yet it sounds good, and appeals to the people who don’t want to pay taxes.
Isn’t all money a transfer payment. I receive my income from someone who claimed it as an expense. Economic Money is circular, not a straight line.
Dusty
August 23rd, 2011
4:30 pm
Carlos,
Are you completely blind? There are so many institutions, foundations, buildings, universities and monuments in this world funded by rich people. And many of the rich got that way by contributing new inventions such as cars, planes, instruments, electronics, refrigeration, and almost every convenience we have in our lives. Some did not get rich but many did. Why? Because they made great contributions. That’s why. Alll were not perfect but neither are the less fortunate.
Get rid of your wealth envy ( best description available). And I might add, the rich also pay the larger part of our tax input. What else do you want them to do? Give their money to you?
Mighty Righty
August 23rd, 2011
4:31 pm
Adam
August 23rd, 2011
4:19 pm
In other words, Obama has a PLAN on illegal immigration. Where’s the Republican PLAN? Huh? HUH?le
The Obama plan is to violate the law. He only enforces laws he likes? He should enforce the immigration law or resign or be impeached. We are a nation of laws. The next president will be a Republican. Do you want him to decide which laws he likes and enforce only them?
Adam
August 23rd, 2011
4:31 pm
But before I go
Yes, md, actions speak louder than words. That’s why all taxes should be voluntary. Then Washington will get the message.
Send in a check any time, give me a break. That’s just more conservative talk for wanting others to pay, just not them. I pay my taxes, am happy to do so, and would pay more if it was in the tax code. But I won’t give more because I’m a greedy b@stard just like everyone else who doesn’t want to pay more. The difference? I’m not so greedy that I want my taxes to be LOWER.
md
August 23rd, 2011
4:32 pm
“Isn’t all money a transfer payment. I receive my income from someone who claimed it as an expense. Economic Money is circular, not a straight line.”
The difference being…..it all must be generated by the private sector……………….
Adam
August 23rd, 2011
4:32 pm
Now I’m out
Thulsa Doom
August 23rd, 2011
4:34 pm
For starters, the comparison is not equal……………there is a cost associated with getting that 100 dollars in food stamps to the individuals……….private industry must first generate it for it to be distributed……..at a cost.
md,
Thank you for speaking logic and economics. But I feel that its like trying to prove to a flat earth society member that the earth really is round. You can cite all the evidence in the world and it will make no difference to someone who is convinced of what they want to believe. It reminds me of the old saying that Dave Ramsey likes to say that “those convinced against their will are convinced further still”. Some people have closed minds and cannot be reasoned with.
AmVet
August 23rd, 2011
4:34 pm
SoCo, re your 4:22 did you see this post earlier? It was from an email from my rep Elena Parent…
Last Thursday, the House of Representatives approved new maps as part of the reapportionment and redistricting process. Unfortunately, the majority party chose to play partisan politics with this process rather than draw maps that are fair for all Georgians. The proposed maps attempt to purge white Democrats, from the House of Representatives and cynically re-segregate Georgia along political lines by creating an all-white Republican Party and an all-black Democratic Party. The maps also attempt to create a Republican super-majority in both the House and Senate. This means that the majority party would not need a single Democratic vote to pass Constitutional amendments that would impact the entire State. The map eliminates choices for Georgia voters and does harm to Georgia by silencing the viewpoints of millions of voters.
Southern Comfort
August 23rd, 2011
4:37 pm
And also on the micro level you would be surprised what $100 has done in the 3rd world in terms of microcredit to very poor people to start a very small business such as a fruit stand or to buy a sewing machine and start a small sewing operation. I’m a big fan of micro credit programs in 3rd world states like in Africa, India, etc.
Doom
I’d have to say, in that example, $100 in food stamps spent here will help our economy much better than $100 invested in a 3rd world country. It might be the reverse for businesses, and they may be helped out much better with the investment. As far as the US economy though, $100 spent here goes towards our GDP whereas $100 spent in Africa doesn’t quite have the same instant impact.
Thulsa Doom
August 23rd, 2011
4:39 pm
Some people are stupid,
In reading your views it seems to me that similar to a lot of Dems your view of the economy is that of a static view. The economy, income dynamics, monetary supply and theory, the economic pie, everything is dynamic and not static.
And as md has pointed out repeatedly, money and income must first be generated by the private economy before it can be siphoned off in an economically inefficient manner by the federal govt to be distributed in transfer payments. Why this escapes liberals is a fascinating question. Anyway, I gotta go. Nice talking to you.
Some people are stupid
August 23rd, 2011
4:39 pm
Doom-
Sorry just saw the post @ 4:17 and had to respond. that’s dependent on every dime in the tax break going back into the economy which doesn’t happen. If your point is that tax break to entrepeneaurs and small business are more stumulative to direct injection of money then this should be interesting. I am considered a small business owner. A tax break doesn’t generate excess demand, it actually just puts more money in my bank account. It’s no incentive to expand or hire new workers. I actually lose value long term if you consider the time value of money. You know what causes me to hire, demand. Using the grocery store example. You give me a tax break I make an extra 30K. Am I gonna by more groceries because I have an extra 30k. Probably not.(Assuming most small business file on their personal). You give a poor person 100 in food stamps, how much do they spend…100. Thats direct, thats an increase in demand id they were previously spending 20. They only true tax cut that has any direct effect is the capital gains. More capital equals less debt financing, which means better bottom lines which means dividends.. That’s true wealth growth.
Paul
August 23rd, 2011
4:40 pm
Granny Godzilla
“I’m on a roll most days…just not always here.”
And when you’re not here?
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vqClWdOcWog&feature=related
Recon (2nd.and 3rd.)
August 23rd, 2011
4:41 pm
Gallup now has Obama down to 38% approval and either losing or in a statistical tie with the potential Republican challengers.
md
August 23rd, 2011
4:42 pm
Adam…….there are only two plans currently on offer by the 2 parties……leave them alone, or raise just the rich………..and the reason is “because they have it”.
If you don’t see a problem with that scenario, then I doubt you ever will.
As for the not acting on one’s own……..reality says the system will stay pretty much how it is…..progressive. And the %’s will more than likely stay that way for years to come with a 2 party system…………so if folks like Buffet truly believe they need to give more to help the gov’t, then they should do so.
It’s nothing short of an excuse waiting for somebody to tell them they have to…………………
Thulsa Doom
August 23rd, 2011
4:42 pm
Brocephus,
I see you’re point if you’re looking at it from a what’s good for America perspective and not doling out money to foreign interests. I was merely using the micro credit as an example to just show how efficient $100 can be if its invested in a private economy enterprise.That’s all. Gotta go.
Keep Up the Good Fight!
August 23rd, 2011
4:42 pm
Hmmm…. Last election at this time, I believe Obama was losing to both Guilliani and Clinton and Clinton was losing to Guilliani. How did that work out?
Mighty Righty
August 23rd, 2011
4:44 pm
md
August 23rd, 2011
4:28 pm
Warren Buffet is a senile old man. He says he wants to pay more taxes about three or four times a year and every time he does he gets a lot of undeserved publicity and praise from people who don’t know any better. The fact is he can give all of his money, his houses, cars, gold, and stock to the government anytime he wants. But if he did that he couldn’t get his name in the paper and on television three times a year saying he thinks he should pay more in taxes. He has made his money! He did it by not paying taxes! Now that he is do damn rich and so old that he isn’t going to live much longer, it really doesn’t matter what he pays in income tax he will still be rich and old. His comments on taxing income are meaningless except to a very few unthinking peeople. He doesn’t talk about taxing what he already has does he? He talks about income tax. He has billions without income!
Granny Godzilla
August 23rd, 2011
4:44 pm
Paul
How did you guess?
Was it the schwanzstucker?
Some people are stupid
August 23rd, 2011
4:44 pm
Doom/MD-
there is a cost associated with getting that 100 dollars in food stamps to the individuals……….private industry must first generate it for it to be distributed……..at a cost.
I never said there wasn’t a cost associated with it. What does that have to do with anything?
So you make a point that makes no sense and leave.
Money is circular is the dynamic thinking, money ging in a straight line(transfer payment, is actually the static idea.
Keep Up the Good Fight!
August 23rd, 2011
4:45 pm
I guess taxing those that don’t have it works well in some minds
Thulsa Doom
August 23rd, 2011
4:47 pm
Some people are stupid,
I see several errors in your economics views but will get back to you later. Gotta go but I leave you guys with this
General Electric is planning to move its 115-year-old X-ray division from Waukesha , Wis. , to Beijing . In addition to moving the headquarters, the company will invest $2 billion in China and train more than 65 engineers and create six research centers. This is the same GE that made $5.1 billion in the United States last year, but paid no taxes-the same company that employs more people overseas than it does in the united States .
So let me get this straight. President Obama appointed GE Chairman Jeff Immelt to head his commission on job creation (job czar). Immelt is supposed to help create jobs.
I guess the President forgot to tell him in which country he was supposed to be creating those jobs.
If this doesn’t show you the total lack of leadership of this President, I don’t know what does.
Paul
August 23rd, 2011
4:47 pm
Granny
That had to be it!
Dusty
August 23rd, 2011
4:48 pm
Keep, 4:42
As we have all noticed NOW, what you mentioned did not work out very well. Even Democrats are saying so.. You shoulda stuck with Hillary.
Soothsayer
August 23rd, 2011
4:48 pm
All I can say is give a man a fish and you feed him for one day.
Teach him to be a hedge fund manager and he can bring down the entire economy!
Some people are stupid
August 23rd, 2011
4:50 pm
MD-
Sorry..
Is their not a cost for the private sector gnerating that 100 dollars.????
Keep Up the Good Fight!
August 23rd, 2011
4:52 pm
Dusty, thanks but I’ll stuck with Obama over McCain anyday. Of course, the Republicans/Tea Nuts have been obstructing so that they can cause this country to fail. Thankfully things have been approving since we took the keys away. We’d like it to be faster. But thanks for trying