Here’s the word for 2011: ‘Unwind’
Words matter to those of us who arrange them for a living. Amid the gusher of lists we see at each year’s end, I always take note of the various selections for Word of the Year.
“Austerity,” attempts at which sparked riots from the Acropolis to Big Ben, is Merriam-Webster Dictionary’s choice for 2010. The New Oxford American Dictionary went in a slangier direction with Sarah Palin’s unintentional coinage, “refudiate.” Edgiest of all, not surprisingly, is the online Urban Dictionary’s pick: “gate rape,” inspired by the feds’ new, more-invasive airport security measures.
But 2010 is nearly past. It’s time to look forward. And so, in the spirit of forecasting next year’s Heisman Trophy winner right after this year’s award ceremony, or placing way-early odds on the GOP’s 2012 presidential nominee in the hours after the midterms, I offer this suggestion for semantic significance in ’11: “Unwind.”
The word could apply to a nation that’s been pretty tightly wound for a few years now. But I mean it mostly as a substitute for one of my fellow conservatives’ favorite words in nearly any year: “cut.”
Cut taxes, cut spending. Cut the deficit, cut the debt. Cut waste, cut pork, cut regulation. Cut, cut, cut.
Some of these uses are appropriate, if I do say so myself (a search of the AJC’s archives reveals I used the c-word in 26 of my 93 columns this year).
“Cut,” more than “unwind,” connotes the urgency we need in shrinking government. It also fits better on a bumper sticker, or in a tweet.
But as a precise description of the work ahead of us, “cut” doesn’t quite cut it. “Unwind” is a better way to think about attacking the tangle of federal programs, regulations, laws, loopholes and subsidies.
Oh, there are silly government expenses we could eliminate tomorrow with no ill effects. Take the millions Washington has spent on such study topics as male prostitutes in Vietnam and vague speech by American political candidates — both examples from “Wastebook 2010” by Sen. Tom Coburn, an Oklahoma Republican.
And there are common-sense measures that ought to be taken in these dire budgetary times, such as a true freeze on all federal worker pay hikes.
But much of the rest is trickier. There are functions better suited for the state or local level, such as paying for transportation infrastructure, but which states and counties can’t afford to assume fully as long as Washington takes the lion’s share of tax money.
On that note, expect Democrats to carp loudly the next two years about “hypocritical” GOP spending — even as they know President Barack Obama’s veto pen would block the devolution of these functions, and a commensurate share of tax revenues, to the states. (Republicans should push for such a shift anyway, and make the White House defend the practice of spending Georgians’ gas-tax dollars on highways elsewhere.)
What’s more, the truly big-ticket items — entitlements — are very difficult to tackle swiftly. Dealing with programs that over time have morphed beyond their designs may be the best example of unwinding.
Even on tax reform, with the need to flatten and simplify the code — and then lower rates — unwinding is a more apt description of our priority.
If all this sounds more rhetorical than substantive, think again. Previous generations of leaders have allowed our problems to pile up for so long that our solutions must be timely, yes, but also precise and orderly. We cannot afford unintended consequences that undercut public support for unwinding big government.
So, here’s my resolution for 2011: Don’t just talk about cuts. Let’s be kind and unwind.
– By Kyle Wingfield
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115 comments Add your comment
khc
December 29th, 2010
7:39 pm
let’s start with cutting corporate welfare like tax breaks for companies that ship jobs overseas and dodge taxes via repatriation loopholes
saywhat?
December 29th, 2010
7:50 pm
I’m pretty sure no president will ever have to defend spending Georgia’s gas tax revenue in other states, but much more likely, rather New York’s and California’s gas tax revenues in Georgia.
http://blogs.alternet.org/speakeasy/2010/04/18/red-state-moochers-federal-taxes-favor-those-who-complain-the-most-about-federal-taxes/
I Report (-: You Whine )-: mmm, mmmm, mmmmm! Just sayin...
December 29th, 2010
9:00 pm
To the dummycrats this means cut defense spending.
So that they have more money to lavish on trial lawyers and the unions.
I guess they have a different word than Kyle does.
midtownguy
December 29th, 2010
9:06 pm
The problem with “cutting federal spending” is where the cuts will take place. Lets take the Department of Agriculture for example. Some say “cut farm subsidies” others day “cut food stamps.” Everybody wants to “cut”, they just don’t want a “cut” of anything they receive.
Claude
December 29th, 2010
9:30 pm
I think a better word than “unwind” is “unsnarl” or “untangle.”
Dudley
December 29th, 2010
9:36 pm
I report.
You need to thank unions for the work conditions you have 40 hour week, safe work conditions, etc.
BillieBobofdasouth
December 29th, 2010
9:54 pm
There are 3 big ticket items that are significant budget busters and we all know those 3. This silly insignificant talk about how studies are someone part of the big problem (we spend 2% of our budet on scientific and medical research) or are breaking the bank is disingenuous at best. No one wants to talk specifics these days. To heck with specifics let’s all talk in jingles or catchy phrases. The author of this column was correct when he commented his article may sound more rhetorical than substantive. We always here right wing pundits stating we need to cut, cut, cut, but when it comes to specifics they never state what needs to be cut. Instead they suggest cuts to social programs as if these programs are the ills of our society. If we are going to consider cuts we need to place everything on the table, especially the defense budget. And please let’s stop this nonsense about a flat tax rate for everyone. I understand no one wants to pay taxes but how are we going to function as a society without government working for the welfare of the society. Do you really want to cut the budget of your local fire department and or slash the police force? What about our infrastructure that we have forsaken for decades. No more simple jingles folks let’s be precise and make some tough choices.
JDW
December 29th, 2010
10:17 pm
test
JDW
December 29th, 2010
10:20 pm
@Kyle, something is up with the blog…I have tried to post the same comment three times and it does not show. Do you see it in your queue?
gw
December 29th, 2010
10:22 pm
is our children learning?
Brad
December 29th, 2010
10:23 pm
Typical Whiner post…something shallow and snarky, followed by a disappearing act.
Michael H. Smith
December 29th, 2010
10:23 pm
Fact check:
In the United States, Philadelphia carpenters went on strike in 1791 for the ten-hour day. By the 1830s, this had become a general demand. In 1835, workers in Philadelphia organized a general strike, led by Irish coal heavers. Their banners read, From 6 to 6, ten hours work and two hours for meals. Labor movement publications called for an eight-hour day as early as 1836. Boston ship carpenters, although not unionized, achieved an eight-hour day in 1842.
In 1864, the eight-hour day quickly became a central demand of the Chicago labor movement. The Illinois legislature passed a law in early 1867 granting an eight-hour day but had so many loopholes that it was largely ineffective. A city-wide strike that began on May 1, 1867 shut down the city’s economy for a week before collapsing. On June 25, 1868 Congress passed an eight-hour law for federal employees [3] which was also of limited effectiveness. (On May 19, 1869, Grant signed a National Eight Hour Law Proclamation.[4])
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Eight-hour_day
Bill
December 29th, 2010
10:34 pm
Kyle, it sure is satisfying to use words like “cut” and “unwind”. It would be even more satisfying to see specifics around them. Sad to say, you and the the others who espouse this rhetoric do not have specifics (nor do you have plans for specifics). This topic would be really good for the country if you were truly serious – but we know you are not. It just makes for good political theater. That is truly a shame and a sad commentary on our ability to address problems that sorely need addressing. I would really love to see you have a column with specifics – but that is probably wistful thinking.
Regards,
Michael H. Smith
December 29th, 2010
10:52 pm
To heck with specifics let’s all talk in jingles or catchy phrases.
Talk about silliness. Please go to the previous blog: In fixing budget, be unfair to boomers
A number of specifics were given to help fix Social Security. Social Security was picked because it will be the easiest one to fix of the entitlements. Medicare, were the real money is will be much harder. With ObumerCare now in the mix of things it will only make it worse to take on.
Do come up with more than complaints about what we conservatives don’t do when all you are saying is keep on doing what has got the nation in the mess that it is in. Oh, forgive me almost forgot that one trick pony the leftwing constantly bring on stage for show and tell: Abolish the military and all military spending that will fix all monetary woes.
Go ahead and do that, then the least of our worries will be not having a fire department on every street corner.
Not So Casual Observer
December 29th, 2010
11:24 pm
There are specific steps to cuts that matter.
People live longer so raise the age for retirement under Social Security. Anyone who wishes to retire earlier simply has to plan and prepare on their own for the age they desire. The opposition to this simple fix comes from the Left. The Left goal of a dependent society is compromised and their power is usurped by such a plan. The Left blanches at the idea of individual freedom.
Likewise for Medicare, raise the age of eligibility. I have no problem with waiting five more years. Just plan for the future and these problems will be minor.
Eliminate the Federal Reserve. Each of their “moves” to attack the recession have done nothing but undermine the value of the dollar – a goal of the one-world group on the left and right – to create a demand for a one-world currency and one-world government. Sheer nonsense is this and yet a goal of the Bush family, the Rockefeller family, the Rothschild family, George Soros and others who believe they “know best” for all of the rest of us. Their real motive is MONEY!
As the Fed destroys the dollar the cost of every consumer good will rise and taxes will be the least of your worries.
If Iran develops a nuclear presence in the Middle East and we have not built refineries and started recovering our own oil then the US tax policies and spending policies will be a minor inconvenience in comparison to the destruction of our economy through greatly increased energy prices – a stated goal of the POTUS during his campaign and after his election.
While this blog group carps across the Left/Right divide about “specific cuts” and questions of the sincerity of each side, the little cartel pulling the strings on Obama and the US government simply chortle and continue down the road to extending their control of our lives.
Goldman Sachs needs to be dismantled and each and every person ever in their employ should be banned from government service at any level. Geithner and several others should spend the rest of their days in federal confinement. Few of you have any concept of the evil lurking at Goldman.
Michael H. Smith
December 30th, 2010
12:05 am
Their real motive is power. Everything else including money is a means to obtain that power. Absolute power.
Woe is US
December 30th, 2010
3:02 am
MHS: “Their real motive is power. Everything else including money is a means to obtain that power. Absolute power.”
Way to parrot focus-group-speak. Who are these straw men power grabbers that have your panties in a wad? Surely high on your list would be the evil cruella Granny Pelosi. Keeps you up at night, eh?
Sean Smith
December 30th, 2010
6:44 am
Lets unwind the wasteful spending on F22s. And for gods sake dont spend any government money on the savannah river dredging. If the shipping industry needs a deeper harbor they can get together and fund it. Oh and lets drop the crop subsidies like for peanuts. As a North Carolinian I am tired of Georgia sucking up so much federal spending.
Finn McCool
December 30th, 2010
6:51 am
While the United States has suffered the worst recession in living memory, I find that I have very few financial concerns. Many of my friends are in the same position: Most of us attended private schools and good universities, and we will be able to provide these same opportunities to our own children. No one in my immediate circle has a family member serving in Afghanistan or Iraq. In fact, in the aftermath of September 11th, 2001, the only sacrifice we were asked to make for our beloved country was to go shopping. Nearly a decade has passed, with our nation’s influence and infrastructure crumbling by the hour, and yet those of us who have been so fortunate as to actually live the American dream–rather than merely dream it–have been spared every inconvenience. Now we are told that we will soon receive a large tax cut for all our troubles. What is the word for the feeling this provokes in me? Imagine being safely seated in lifeboat, while countless others drown, only to learn that another lifeboat has been secured to take your luggage to shore…
http://www.huffingtonpost.com/sam-harris/a-new-years-resolution-fo_b_802480.html
jconservative
December 30th, 2010
6:57 am
“Let’s be kind and unwind.”
OK, I will be kind. To the terrified in our society this means increasing defense spending on more weapon systems the Pentagon does not want or need. Apparently it makes some feel safe to know we have 100 modern fighters we will never use in a wartime setting.
Lets be kind and unwind the Bush drug plan for seniors that will cost us 10 trillion out of the general tax fund over the baby boom period.
(Please tell Huckabee he is barking up the wrong tree – this is the Socialist program that needs to go first.)
DeborahinAthens
December 30th, 2010
7:03 am
Not so Casual Observer, have you any idea how awful our lives would be right now had the Federal Reserve not done certain things? I shudder to think about it. The first thing I would cut would be the Medicare Part D that Bush slammed through with lies about its cost. It doesn’t help the consumer as much as it does Big Pharma. It costs hundreds of billions of dollars.Second, raise the normal retirement age to 70 for those born after 1970. After all the life expectancy for people these days is 93. Those people born after 1970 are young enough now to be able to prepare. I don’t see that it’s fair to cut BENEFITS to people. After all, it isn’t like any of us have had a choice in “donating” part of our paycheck to the government. I’ve worked since age 16, and am now 60. I could have invested the money they took from every paycheck and gotten a much better return. SS is not an “entitlement” program like Medicaid. That money is MY money, and, by God, I want every penny I can get from it. This nonsense about adjusting benefits based on a participants income is BS!. Why should I give up any portion of what I put in just because I prepared for retirement by saving and investing? I could retire right now, using my own resources, should I choose to do that. But that Social Security money is my money.The third thing we should do is get out of Afghanistan and Iraq and stop giving those bozos the billions of dollars to line their pockets. These are unwinnable wars. When we just “left” Vietnam, the world didn’t come to an end. Today Vietnam is a good trading partner. Then, get out of the affairs of Israel and Palestine. Their issues must be resolved by those two countries themselves. We give Israel billions of dollars to turn around and make us look like yahoos when they continue to do what is detrimental to their own best interests. Then, stop spending billions on the “war” on drugs and prisons. What a joke! Legalize drugs, regulate them, tax them and use the tax money to treat addiction. How stupid is it to send billions to Columbia to “prevent” drugs from being created, only to see the money eventually end up in the pockets of the cartels. How stupid is it to spend billions on drug “prevention” (a joke-you cannot prevent drug use) when we have our American soldiers guarding the poppy fields in Afghanistan so their number one crop won’t be destroyed?!!! It is INSANE! If drugs were legalized and regulated, the profit motive for the drug cartels in South America and Mexico would disappear. Farmers would become prosperous. And please don’t tell me this war on drugs works. It does not. Think about the hypocrisy in our laws. If you are rich, famous, an actor, a singer, or an athlete and you are caught on camera smoking or snorting, absolutely nothing happens to you. You are immediately a media darling and your You Tube video goes viral. If you are poor and stupid you go to jail. We spend trillions of dollars to put people in prison. We have more people, per capita, in prison than any other country on the face of the earth. Most of these people are there because of our stupid drug laws. Stop the insanity. Last of all, put the tax rates back to where they were before Bush messed them up. Two of his Treasury Secretaries told him not to cut the taxes because it would cause huge deficits. He fired them both. The most prosperous years in this country have been during times of higher taxes. If you don’t believe that, look it up. Cutting taxes does not create jobs. Never has, never will. Prosperity creates jobs. These are my ideas for bringing down the deficit, and yes, I am a Republican.
Finn McCool
December 30th, 2010
7:13 am
Deborah, also note that taxation affects the middle and lower classes differently than it does the wealthy. When the tax rate on middle and lower income families increases, their income will likewise increase over time to counteract the tax increase. Likewise, when their taxes are decreased, their incomes will decrease over time.
The opposite effect occurs for the wealthy when their tax rate changes.
This is from David Ricardo’s Wages and taxation studies.
nose4news.
December 30th, 2010
7:51 am
The only thing that gets unwound on this blog is the yoyo that writes it.
bwa.
A Hearty Cheese Sauce
December 30th, 2010
7:55 am
Cut the Federal and State entitlement programs…welfare, education, food stamps, heaters for the freezing, school lunch programs…ya know the subsidies for the lazy.
I Report (-: You Whine )-: mmm, mmmm, mmmmm! Just sayin...
December 30th, 2010
8:05 am
Quarter of Georgians fail Army entry test -Urinal
The Teacher’s Unions are jam up, aren’t they?
But, of course, the test is racist-
The report, which examined the test results of 13,597 Georgians aged 17 to 20, found that 34 percent of African-Americans, 20 percent of Hispanics and 17 percent of white applicants did not pass. -Urinal
And we even got a sample question-
If 2 plus x equals 4, what is the value of x?-Urinal
Let’s pause for a moment so that Finn McFool can find his calculator.
So, anyway, in the very next Urinal “news” story, the AJC whines and moans about jobs being shipped overseas and the evils of capitalism-
But the jobs are going elsewhere. The Economic Policy Institute, a Washington think tank, says American companies have created 1.4 million jobs overseas this year, compared with fewer than 1 million in the U.S. The additional 1.4 million jobs would have lowered the U.S. unemployment rate to 8.9 percent, says Robert Scott, the institute’s senior international economist.
“There’s a huge difference between what is good for American companies versus what is good for the American economy,” says Scott.-Urinal
Now, let’s see here, if you were going to pay someone to build something for you, would you hire a dimwit obozo voter who whines all the time or a person with an education?
Just askin…
carlosgvv
December 30th, 2010
8:06 am
A large number of Federal employees are needed to manage all of those “federal programs, regulations, laws, loopholes and subsidies”. Many of these jobs are political plums given by the politicians to reward campaign workers. If you think for one second the politicans will give up this practice and these jobs, think again. It will never happen.
Finn McCool
December 30th, 2010
8:25 am
Kyle votes Republican? So, like most Republican voters, does Kyle live in a trailer park and vote against his own economic interests?
Just asking. Tools.
nose4news.
December 30th, 2010
8:26 am
Is it, “You’ve got another “think” coming”, or “You’ve got another “thing” coming?
It always is preceded by “If you think……”
SO, it has 2B, “…then you’ve got another think coming.”
but everyone sez “thing”.
morons..
Finn McCool
December 30th, 2010
8:29 am
carlosgv writes: Many of these jobs are political plums given by the politicians
You really don’t have a clue as to how large the federal government is and how many people are employed by the federal government do you?
“many of these jobs” are appointments? Go to usajobs.com and look at the number of open positions that people have to “apply” for and then maybe think on how many jobs out there are actual appointments.
maybe then you can grasp some reality and hold back on some of the idiotic generalizations???
Michael H. Smith
December 30th, 2010
8:38 am
Woe is US
Not in the least.
carlosgvv
December 30th, 2010
8:47 am
Finn McColl
It is clear you have little or no understanding of how the political plum system works. Before you embarass yourself anymore here, you might want to do some political research. If you cannot do this, then go somewhere else and stop bothering intelligent people.
Peter
December 30th, 2010
8:50 am
The right is a Joke…name a bill they want to pass with out PORK ?
williebkind
December 30th, 2010
9:01 am
“would you hire a dimwit obozo voter who whines all the time or a person with an education?
Just askin…”
Wait, did you not say that students could not pass the military exam? That is public education. So what education are you talking about. The college grads I am around are not motivated, kiss-a$$es, and do not perform better than a high school graduate. But they have that degee! With that perspective, it will take more money to do the same job. What is really sad, I have seen college grads’ poor performances with their university degrees but the military veteran who were trained in the technical arena, automotive & truck repair environment, computer networking are not recognized for their education and skills. They too must sit in a redundant class to get that degree. What a crime! A military person suchas a truck driver who has driven trucks over European roads, across the US, and even into Canada can not use their military training and license to operate a truck in the private sector. What a waste of money! Education? Were not all those CEO’s from tier 1 schools that failed their company. I am impressed! Education will never replace performance and those few who do succeed bear the cross for so many who will never want to succeed but simply draw a pay check. Colleges are not training our students. I hope you will realize that one day soon.
joe
December 30th, 2010
9:08 am
@ Dudley, While Unions may have had a role in the past, they have long outlasted their perceived value. I’ll give you due that they made strides improving work conditions and safety measures…but today, they are slowly killing the US from the inside by demanding/negotiating for huge benefit packages and even more out there-pensions. When you have bus drivers making six figures and retiring at age 55, the apples have fallen off the cart. We need a Reagen-esque move by the President (or next one in 12) to fire these union members and hire the unemployed at a more affordable level.
Road Scholar
December 30th, 2010
9:08 am
Finn: “When the tax rate on middle and lower income families increases, their income will likewise increase over time to counteract the tax increase.”
That may have been true in the past, but in today’s world of no performance raises and no COLA’s, it isn’t. What is not said by your statement is that the lag between the tax rate increase and any meaningful pay raise is getting longer. State workers and retirees, for instance, have not had a raise in 4 years, except for promotions. (the work/responsibility increase when promoted does not equal the wage/benefit increase). While taxes have gone down in that period, they were not “coordinated”.
DeborahinAthens:@7:03- I agree with you, and I am an independant (leans to financially conservative Democrat).
Not So Casual Observer
December 30th, 2010
9:16 am
Deborah…
I have a clear vision of the awful future created by the destruction of the value of our dollars by the actions of the Fed. Apparently you have no vision past the end of your nose. The Fed is a parasite living off the blood and sweat of the American taxpayer.
Tax rates, Social Security, Medicare and the rest of the entitlement programs will mean nothing when a loaf of bread costs $15 and gasoline is $8-10 per gallon and the home heating and cooling bills for a modest home are triple the current rates.
How do you, Deborah, propose to keep these costs from rising while the Fed prints fiat money at the rate of $800 BILLION on a whim and also sends $1.4 TRILLION dollars to foreign banks and financial institutions? Are you so naive to think such activity has nothing to do with the costs of every day items?
Deborah you did make one cogent comment, only prosperity will bring the US out of our current malaise but your idea that raising taxes will do so is nonsense. The federal government creates nothing and by raising taxes the dollars available for investment shrink and then economic expansion stops.
The Obama administration created a Grant Program earlier this year that gave one million grants in the amount of $5 million to the chosen recipients. Who do you suppose received this $5 Billion? The supporters of Democrat candidates and causes were the recipients. When will this theft of our children’s future stop? Certainly not as long as more and more tax dollars are sent to Washington to be distributed not on merit but on political whim.
Michael H. Smith
December 30th, 2010
9:20 am
The first thing I would cut would be the Medicare Part D that Bush slammed through with lies about its cost. It doesn’t help the consumer as much as it does Big Pharma.
DeborahinAthens, wake up please. Oh and “unwind”…
What happened to the Dorgan (D) amendment to ObumerCare that would have allowed the re-importation of drugs for sale in the U.S.? Did Bush kill that too? Ever hear of Senator Frank R. Lautenberg (D)?
Lautenberg (D) argued against the Dorgan (D) amendment using the very exact same Bush (R) BS!, nearly word for word chapter and verse. While at the time when this was taking place on the Senate floor, CNN was reporting what many of us have known about the origin of prescription drugs sold in this country being imported from China. According to the CNN report about 40% of prescription drugs in this country are being imported from China. Yep! the very same UNSAFE drugs as claimed by Bush and Lautenberg. But hey, let’s be a little more accurate with the facts than CNN, shall we?
The Food and Drug Administration reports that the United States pharmaceutical market is highly dependent on foreign countries for finished generic drugs and ingredients used in other types of drugs that are available for human use in the market today. This is due to the desire of the American public to have access to lower cost medications. Some of the statistics, as stated by the Food and Drug Administration, are as follows:
* Approximately 20% of finished generic drugs ready for use by the American public either through prescription or through over-the-counter use is obtained from the countries of China and India.
* Approximately 40% of the active ingredients used in most prescription drugs and over-the-counter medications are manufactured and imported to the United States from the countries of China and India.
* Analysts predict that within fifteen years, the United States will be even more dependent on these countries to import generic and over-the-counter finished drugs ready for consumption. The approximate percentage of dependency is expected to be somewhere in the range of 80%.
* Eight years ago, the Chinese imported approximately $300 million worth of products to the United States.
* Four years ago, the number of imported finished generic and over-the-counter drugs and ingredients for such drugs imported to the United States cost an estimated $675 million.
http://answers.yourdictionary.com/answers/medical/percentage-us-drugs-made-china.html
You Socialist Liberal Democrats can save your sanctimonious Bush drug spiel, your hype is no better than his. Your side threw us all under the bus just like the conservative’s side did.
Had the Dorgan(D) amendment not been defeated by your Democrats, there would be no more discussions about the Bush drug boondoggle.
And, if you think legalizing and taxing street drugs will stop these illegal drugs coming from Mexico, you are mistaken again.
A Hearty Cheese Sauce
December 30th, 2010
9:22 am
Maybe ObaManure can successfully raise the minimum wage for the lazy worker and all will be a little slice of heaven.
williebkind
December 30th, 2010
9:24 am
joe
December 30th, 2010
9:08 am
I am with you on that!
barking frog
December 30th, 2010
9:26 am
To lead by example, The Federal Government should
take a pay cut, from the President on Down, including
Congress, to a cap of 100,000. per year and divest all
pensions. Then we’ll get to cutting everyone else. The
government could seize all private pensions and health
insurance premiums and reserves at the same
time end Social Security and Medicare. Next seize
the Life Insurance companies and let the families bury
the dead. No more federal debt.
williebkind
December 30th, 2010
9:26 am
A Hearty Cheese Sauce
December 30th, 2010
9:22 am
Maybe he will set a maximum wage limit and create more wealthy people paying taxes.
williebkind
December 30th, 2010
9:30 am
barking frog
December 30th, 2010
9:26 am
I have a few acres of land and good spot to put me to rest in a wood box. I even have the wood and materials to build the box.
I Report (-: You Whine )-: mmm, mmmm, mmmmm! Just sayin...
December 30th, 2010
9:32 am
Here’s a good place to start cutting-
Just consider these estimates on part of the costs of the latest Obama Hawaii trip:
* Mrs. Obama’s early flight to Hawaii: $63,000 (White House Dossier)
* Obama’s round trip flight to Hawaii: $1 million (GAO estimates)
* Housing in beachfront homes for Secret Service and Seals in Kailua ($1,200 a day for 14 days): $16,800
* Costs for White House staff staying at Moana Hotel: $134,400 ($400 per day for 24 staff) – excluding meals and other room costs
* Police overtime: $250,000 (2009 costs reported by Honolulu Police Department)
* Ambulance: $10,000 (City Spokesperson)
TOTAL COST: $1,474,200
Our little Nero fiddles while Rome burns, just sayin…
Ragnar Danneskjöld
December 30th, 2010
9:38 am
Good morning all. If we want to jump start the economy, let’s unwind a few of the agencies that bet taxpayer money on corporate winners, or those that lock the barn door after the horses escape. FNMA, FHLMC, FHA, SBA, SEC, FTC, FDA, OSHA, EPA, and FTC would be good places to start.
barking frog
December 30th, 2010
9:38 am
williebkind
December 30th, 2010
9:30 am
———————————————–
exactly, and in georgia there is no regulation of
burying your family on your own land. the lack
of life insurance premiums would boost income
continuing health insurance premiums as taxes
wouldn’t affect income, you just wouldn’t have
healthcare insurance and medical costs would
plummet. No federal pensions including VA and
Social Security would reduce the Budget without
reducing revenue and taxpayers wouldn’t feel a thing.
The truly poor could get medicaid and welfare.
problem solved.
Ragnar Danneskjöld
December 30th, 2010
9:39 am
I forgot the departments of energy and education and labor and commerce. Them too.
Ragnar Danneskjöld
December 30th, 2010
9:40 am
Dear Bark @ 9:26, good morning, great idea – I’ll sign on.
Not So Casual Observer
December 30th, 2010
9:43 am
The Left supports the unions and their unreasonable pay and retirement demands and then the Left voters complain because the price to ride a bus rises. Are these the most uninformed and uneducated voters in history?
The Left lives in a whimsical world where there is no relation between cost to produce and price to the public. Stop “Corporate Welfare” the Left screams at every opportunity. Make those evil corporations pay higher taxes, after all the people need the benefit of those tax dollars so then the government can subsidize the industry to hold down costs! What idiocy these Lefties propose!
Now analyze the owners of the evil corporations. Pension plans and mutual funds are by far the single largest investors in the corporations. The pension plans benefit the union voters who wish to tax, tax, tax the corporations and mutual funds are the investment darling of the everyday man on the street.
Raise the taxes and the costs to produce a bottle of Coke all you want to pump more money into Washington but at the end of the day all you have accomplished is a rise in the price of that bottle of Coke now sitting in your kitchen.
The federal government moved all of the corporate jobs overseas with tax policy, the corporations only reacted to anti-business policies in Washington. The jobs went away because of the pandering by the Left to voters who have no understanding of the result of tax and regulatory acts by Congress placed upon Amercan business.
barking frog
December 30th, 2010
9:43 am
Ragnar 9:40 this really is the way it was when I
was young except for life insurance,SS and VA.
Road Scholar
December 30th, 2010
9:44 am
Kyle: “There are functions better suited for the state or local level, such as paying for transportation infrastructure, but which states and counties can’t afford to assume fully as long as Washington takes the lion’s share of tax money.”
Current law (which has expired and has a continuing resolution) Improved Georgia’s % of return on our Federal Tax Dollars. As late as the 90’s our rate of return was about 70%. (yes, Ga only received 70 cents on the dollar back; states like Mass got $2.01 back on each dollar (attributed to Tip ONeil)) Now it is at 92% with the other 8% going to run the USDOT (personnel, air traffic controlers, research, etc).
States can’t afford? Georgia has elected not to increase user fees (gas tax) to even stay comparable to the cost of living let alone “increase” them! The state gas tax hasn’t been increase since 1982! But expenditures, needs, and maintenance have continued to increase. Also, many Interstate and other bridges and roads (pavement) have reached/passed their design lives, creating a backlog of needed repairs, and replacements are becoming the norm. Check out the GDOT Interstate Strategic Plan on line. See the need and projected costs for just bringing the interstates in this state up to acceptible conditions. This doesn’t include all state routes nor the local system! And our economy/jobs/competitiveness are based on a good transportation system!
Michael H. Smith
December 30th, 2010
9:52 am
Some of my fellow Independents who want more government dependence bewilder me at times.
Growing government only creates more government dependence, at the expense of individual liberty and prosperity. Innovation that creates and drives prosperity soon dies when the logical reason for being innovative is taken away.
A government that is big enough to give you everything you want, is the government powerful enough to take all you have.
Port O'John
December 30th, 2010
9:53 am
I think a better word is “unhinged”– as in from reality.
Once again we see “conservatives” clamoring for cuts without specifics. I’ve never heard anyone here claim that we should abolish the military — but I’ve yet to see Kyle or any other “conservative” voice talk about getting defense costs under control. I know that conservatives want to deify him now — but George Bush oversaw the greatest growth in federal government in 30 years; it was Bush that treated the wars of Afghanistan and Iraq off the books. An accounting subterfuge designed to make conservatives believe that Bush was fiscally conservative.
Want to cut federal spending, reduce federal employees, cut services, eliminate federal pensions, reduce social security and medicare? OK. But what about military contractors and weapons systems that DoD doesn’t even want and don’t work? We can’t cut those because democratic and GOP congressman don’t want to lose jobs in their district. (And heaven forbid we do anything to reduce the grip of insurers over medical costs — even though insurers add 24% to the cost of health care. Doing that would violate our “free market” incentives to buy the health coverage (or not) that we want. Or worse yet, let’s not reduce any corporate welfare since that would hurt Congress’ favorite constituency: big bidness. I’m sure the Tea-Party types would claim that reducing government handouts to businesses, or making oil companies actually pay market rates for oil and gas leases would be socialism. We can’t have any of that here. After all, big business uses their govt handouts to create jobs; except they haven’t created any jobs lately but they are enjoying record profits. I’m sure that’s because the free market works so well.)
So, government employees are evil, lazy layabouts who need to go; but military contractor employees are vital to our national security and their jobs must be spared — even if that means we cannot adequately fund health care for returning vets.
Fair and balanced? Nope. Unhinged? You bet.
Put military spending and corporate welfare on the table along with social security, medicare and federal spending, and then take a hard-look at reducing the grip of the medical insurers over health costs, and that would be a worthwhile conversation. But since we have to keep military spending, corporate welfare and medical insurance profits out of the conversation (otherwise we’d be no better than Nazis or socialists)all we have is a lot of sound and fury signifying nothing.
Not So Casual Observer
December 30th, 2010
9:59 am
Bark and Ragnar,
So if I understand your proposal to “seize” all private pensions to solve the unfunded Social Security and Medicare liabilities – both problems created by Congressional spending – then you are Hillary Clinton socialists since this was proposed by HC during her husbands term as President.
You both sign on to creating another TAX to solve a Congresssional spending problem and essentially to h3ll with those who have planned for their future and contributed to their private plan.
I am adamantly opposed to seizing any private, legally operated businesses to solve problems created by Congress.
Intown
December 30th, 2010
10:05 am
Kyle: I think it’s safe to say, I agree with nothing you just wrote.
Ragnar Danneskjöld
December 30th, 2010
10:13 am
Dear NotSo @ 9:59, while I would normally recoil at the idea of government seizure of private wealth, the fact is that the overlords have already done so, just on the installment plan. Our friend Bark seemingly introduces nothing new other than a little honesty in the discussion.
Darwin
December 30th, 2010
10:21 am
More hot air from Kyle. Your definition of big government is to let big corporations do as they wish. Then when SH, blame the government (e.g. financial meltdown, BP oil wells). OK, let’s reduce the size of government. And how? Well, let’s cut spending. We can stop all the spending we want on those silly little grants. But what about the big spenders? Defense, Social Security, Medicare. Those are the white man’s programs. Without true cuts there, it’s meaningless. Bottom line Kyle, white people don’t want to take responsibility for when you de-regulate and cut popular social programs. And they pay you for this?
Not So Casual Observer
December 30th, 2010
10:23 am
Port O’…
No problem here with cutting DOD purchases the Branches do not need or desire but lay the blame where the blame belongs, at the feet of the Members of Congress who propose and pass the unwanted spending. The Left loves to quote their Georgia darling, Sam Nunn, but he was one of the worst offenders and there are many on both sides of the aisle.
Actually the “Free Market” does work very well but the Congressional thirst for power has not allowed a free market in this country in decades.
How are the oil companies the villains when the federal government takes a larger share of the cost, net, from a gallon of gas than the oil companies?
There is no such thing as “corporate welfare”.
No argument on the fake conservative G.W. Bush and his administration’s big government ways.
I have seen posts by the Left demanding the end of our DOD and this just lends credence to the idea the Left is unhinged. The Middle East could simply explode into war at any time Iran decides to attack the Sunni Muslims and the US will be involved. Be ready for a world-wide depression if Iran is left to act as an atomic bully.
Michael H. Smith
December 30th, 2010
10:23 am
Once again we see “conservatives” clamoring for cuts without specifics.
You’re overflowing Port O’John in need of servicing. Many specifics have been put forth and I have no problem put “everything” on the table. But can you and the other liberals stand losing government control? I seriously doubt it. We can cut the military budget, stop subsidies to corporations… oh can we include ending corporate taxes too? I bet you gotta a problem with that one don’t you? All take and no give?
Okay, I’ll be specific on one item to eliminate with a reasonable alternative, the U.S. postal service. FedEx and Ups can easily do the job and email is already replacing snail mail for the most part. The postal service lost over $8 billion this year.
Want another one? How about the federal department of education? Every state has a department/board of education, counties the same. The states really don’t need the feds to tell them what to do.
Not So Casual Observer
December 30th, 2010
10:39 am
Ragnar,
The problems we face are too many to list here, but there must be a step taken in the direction of balancing the budget – then follow that step with those required to achieve balance. The unfunded liabilities can be cured with a booming economy but not while the Congress and Administration continue to propose and pass spending in excess of income. No amount of taxation can cover the current deficits and the country can’t afford more debt.
IMHO the last few Administrations and the Congress have taken a path to destroy the dollar, and the country in the process, based upon their belief we do not understand the “complex” nature of governing. Bull hockey!
I submit the establishment of the Federal Reserve, and the provision protecting the owners from any loss as a result of operations, at Jekyll Island in 1915 was nothing more than the beginning of the end for the American way of life. The founding fathers wrote of the dangers of a central bank and fiat money and we are now seeing the truth of their warnings.
williebkind
December 30th, 2010
10:40 am
If you really want to reduce the government ban progressive liberals.
Darwin
December 30th, 2010
10:40 am
The last two blogs serve my point. More hot air from the right.
Ragnar Danneskjöld
December 30th, 2010
10:43 am
Dear Port @ 9:53, how much more specific could I have been than at my posts at 9:38 and 9:49? Abolish now. The growth in the economy immediately thereafter would bring government revenues back to the pre-Obama levels. Then all we have to do is cut Federal spending back to pre-Obama levels.
Darwin
December 30th, 2010
10:46 am
Hey Ragnar – why don’t we just wind the clock back to 1900? Who needs the FDA? If you get sick and die, just don’t patronize the product again. I can’t believe this stuff.
Michael H. Smith
December 30th, 2010
10:48 am
Hooey! It wouldn’t matter what anyone says on this blog, when it comes to reducing the size, scope and spending of government you liberals will not accept any of it, no matter how good the offered solutions might be. All you want and your only answer is more tax, more government control and more government spending. Which is what got us into this mess.
williebkind
December 30th, 2010
10:48 am
Much of our problems have arrived from false claims by the left such as global warming and starving an oil based economy. China has no middle men like those in wall street so the Chinese can purchase the largest pool of oil cheaper. The rest of the world has to fight for the left overs. Thanks progressive liberals, you have done your part to keep the enonomy and America down. However, we see what you have done and now it is time to send you back into cracks from which you came.
williebkind
December 30th, 2010
10:50 am
Michael H. Smith
December 30th, 2010
10:48 am
Compromise with liberals is for you to give up your values and beliefs and accept theirs. Not in my life time.
Ragnar Danneskjöld
December 30th, 2010
10:50 am
Dear Darwin @ 10:46, FDA kills more people every year than it has saved in its entire history. Wipe it out.
Ragnar Danneskjöld
December 30th, 2010
10:51 am
Dear Darwin @ 10:50, the SEC’s entire existence is based on a lie, that the stock market crash “caused” the Great Depression. Never stopped a criminal scheme in its entire existence.
Michael H. Smith
December 30th, 2010
10:52 am
williebkind
December 30th, 2010
10:50 am
You are absolutely correct!
Ragnar Danneskjöld
December 30th, 2010
10:52 am
Dear Darwin @ 10:50, EPA’s entire philosophy is based on the idea that one-size fits all regulations make sense for entirely different geographic regions and weather patterns. Typical leftism.
Darwin
December 30th, 2010
10:52 am
“All you want and your only answer is more tax, more government control and more government spending. Which is what got us into this mess.” Take a pill you ease your illness. PLEASE.
george
December 30th, 2010
10:53 am
Lets let multinational corporations, big business run everything. Lets let the wealthy take care of the rest of us. I am sure they have the best interest of the average American at heart. No regulation, no government of the people, by the people and for the people. Lets make the profit motive our national value.
Jimmy62
December 30th, 2010
10:57 am
Port-O-John: There are so many things wrong with your screed, I don’t even know where to begin. So I will limit myself to saying that the Tea Party has railed against corporate bailouts and handouts over and over again. TARP, QE2, GM, Chrysler, AIG, Goldman Sachs… The Tea Party was against every single one of those things.
Here’s how the free market works: Companies do stupid things, and they fail. Then they have to go through bankruptcy court, reorganize if possible, and if not, then their creditors get in line in the legally determined order, and get as much as they are owed as possible.
Bailouts are big government, not small government, so it’s pretty obvious you don’t have a clue what the Tea Party is, you’ve just shoved your own ignorant thoughts on them.
Also, there are lots of specifics that have been mentioned over and over again by the Tea Party and right wingers about what should be cut, including in a number of comments on this column. You have chosen to ignore them and then say no specifics have been mentioned. Again, it’s obvious you aren’t trying to learn anything, you are just expressing your ignorance to everyone.
Darwin
December 30th, 2010
10:57 am
If you right wingnuts keep it up, I’m going to start posting the deregulation accomplishments of Jimmy Carter and Alfred E. Kahn.
Jimmy62
December 30th, 2010
10:58 am
George: Please find where any Tea Partiers or conservatives have EVER said that there should be no government regulation.
Darwin
December 30th, 2010
11:01 am
Show me where any Tea Party Goers and Conservatives have EVER said ANYTHING specific?
Darwin
December 30th, 2010
11:06 am
Oh, it’s so easy to blog when you’re right (wing).
“While Americans are unhappy with the level of government spending, a new poll shows that recipients of popular and expensive programs don’t want their benefits cut and highlights the problems that lawmakers are facing in reducing the deficit. A Rasmussen poll released Wednesday showed that 63 percent of Americans receiving government aid “are not willing to consider any benefit reductions” in order to balance the budget. Of the people surveyed, 23 percent said they received government aid. Seniors and low-income Americans are the largest demographic groups receiving federal aid. The three major entitlement programs – Social Security, Medicare and Medicaid – take up a large portion of the annual budget and cutting any of them will be hugely unpopular with beneficiaries.
Read more: http://dailycaller.com/2010/10/27/reducing-government-benefits-unpopular-with-recipients/#ixzz19bz2KY90
barking frog
December 30th, 2010
11:17 am
Michael H. Smith
December 30th, 2010
10:48 am
————————————–
ditto for conservatives..
williebkind
December 30th, 2010
11:18 am
Darwin
December 30th, 2010
11:01 am
How many times must we tell you the same thing over and over. Oh, I forgot, liberals learn by incantations. That is how you got into global warming.
Kat
December 30th, 2010
11:24 am
The c-word is not “cut.” Just saying…
williebkind
December 30th, 2010
11:26 am
Darwin
December 30th, 2010
11:06 am
If you are giving me a million dollars I will take it, I may not deserve it (dependent liberals) but I will take it as long as you give it. If you stop giving it, I may complain but I will eventually accept the fact you are not going to give it to me anymore. Now a liberal would think it was an entitlement after the first gift and would demand the courts to continue the gift. As far as government control and regulations, all the conservatives I know want reasonable stewardship of the government and the planet. But next you will hear some liberal screaming lies and incantations because their purpose is to create a socialist government that will not survive. The sad part is that no matter how much education they have they can not see this. With all the world examples, the liberals remain blind. Democrats take back your party!
Jimmy62
December 30th, 2010
11:27 am
Darwin: Of course recipients of free money don’t want to lose it. That’s why we rail against entitlements, because once people are given free money, it’s near impossible to stop the flow.
I’m not going to bother to point out specifics to you, as there are plenty in both Kyle’s column, the comments on the column, various sites like reason.com and Tea Party websites, and plenty of other places. No one is going to write it down and put it in front of you, since you obviously aren’t willing to, for instance, use Google, to find the ridiculous number of times that conservatives and Tea Party folk have listed specifics.
The only solution from the left, as always, is to raise taxes. Got more?
Darwin
December 30th, 2010
11:45 am
Jimmy62: You are obviously oblivious to my posts. I just gave you a poll that said people don’t want their benefits cut. That’s why there’s no true distinction between political parties. The U.S. does not spend it’s money on programs that are not popular with the voting masses. It’s that simple. Google or not, it’s just hot air from you guys. Simply put. And BTW, the number of people applying for unemployment benefits fell to its lowest point in nearly two and a half years, a sign that the job market is slowly improving. I guess liberal policies do work. Oh that’s right, it would be improving anyway not matter what.
light on policy
December 30th, 2010
11:47 am
@ Joe…Union jobs only account for a mere 3% of the total US workforce..stop buying that garbage that you get from Faux News. Sadly, the U.S. has become a fascist nation where the military-industrial complex (Eisenhower warned against this) and corporations now run this country.
The recent Supreme Court decision that gave Corporations rights in Elections voted in favor by the activist judges, Alito and Roberts, is what will truly “unwind” this country and its political process.
14 POINTS OF FASCISM
1. Powerful and continuing expressions of nationalism
2. Disdain for the importance of human rights
3. Identification of enemies/scapegoats as a unifying cause
4. The supremacy of the military/avid militarism
5. Rampant sexism
6. A controlled mass media
7. Obsession with national security
8. Religion and ruling elite tied together
9. Power of corporations protected
10. Power of labor suppressed or eliminated
11. Disdain and suppression of intellectuals and the arts
12. Obsession with crime and punishment
13. Rampant cronyism and corruption
14. Fraudulent elections
—Dr. Lawrence Britt, Political Scientist
williebkind
December 30th, 2010
12:28 pm
light on policy
December 30th, 2010
11:47 am
Now that is a column of mis-information if I ever read it. That is why progressive liberals have to be elected or fired from office. Dr. Lawrence Britt is a progressive liberal scientist who has a personal agenda. That is not a scientist unless you have re-written another definition. Unions count for only 3% of the workforce then why did they have such a huge impact on getting Obama and Reed elected. Go ask Dr Lawrence Britt.
williebkind
December 30th, 2010
12:36 pm
“Trooper shooting suspect released 3 times this year over objections”
Read that article and see why we need to get progressive liberal judges out of office.
williebkind
December 30th, 2010
12:37 pm
However is you killed a dog you would be serving 10 years.
JoeFann
December 30th, 2010
12:38 pm
The one thing that I think we can all agree on, is that, as a nation, we’re broke. While we disagree on how we got here, or how best to fix the problems, even a public school-educated bumpkin like me can see that we’re past the apex of the “civilization life expectancy” graph. If we don’t do something fairly dramatic, fairly quickly, it will only get worse–quickly. While I’m fiscally conservative and frequently vote that label, I’m fiercely independent. I don’t belong to a party, including the Ts, nor do I plan to. I’m not opposed a tax increase, but we SERIOUSLY need to get spending below receipts. I have very little confidence in the administration, Congress, or our state legislature making significant changes that will do anything to benefit America long-term, just themselves and their cronies. Our current two-party political system represents the two sides of the same coin. As long as we do the same things we’ve always done, we’ll get the same results we’ve always gotten. It’s time for us to fix our politicians stinkin’ thinkin’.
Don’t worry. I’m on it.
light on policy
December 30th, 2010
12:39 pm
Uh Willie…
He’s a “Political” Scientist. Do you even have a clue of what that is? Political science is not only the study of empirical data in politics but also the the processes, principles and behavior of political institutions
If you ever take the time to study the regimes of Hitler (Germany), Mussolini (Italy), Franco (Spain), Suharto (Indonesia) and Pinochet (Chile) then perhaps you would draw a different conclusion and stop labelling everyone with a differing opinion as a “liberal” (See #11 from the above list)
And for the last part of your miseducated statement perhaps you should ask why your political party makes such a big deal about the unions (See #3 and #10 from the above list)
I Report (-: You Whine )-: mmm, mmmm, mmmmm! Just sayin...
December 30th, 2010
12:49 pm
Aahhh, specifics they are looking for-
The Rump Congress finally went home after slinging its last insults at our economy and our culture. And according to Gallup, 13 percent of Americans still think Congress is doing a very good job. Who are these people? They must be the ones the UN thought of when it proposed to appoint its first official ambassador to extraterrestrial beings. (If the House Repubs want to cut something out of the budget next year, how about starting with the $6 billion or so we pay the Turtle Bay crime family every year?)-AmSpec
What does the UN do anyway?
MrLiberty
December 30th, 2010
1:07 pm
Here are two better words for 2011 – Nullification and Depression.
The states need to step up to the plate and begin nullifying the unconstitutional laws passed by the Federal government. This mechanism was used successfully to help end the Fugitive Slave Act over 150 years ago and it can be used for good again today.
Next word is Depression – time to face our reality, This is no recession and things are not going to be getting any better anytime soon. Unless of course the states use Nullification to get us back on the right track.
A great phrase for the coming year should be END THE FED. If we could get everyone to demand this action of congress we would also be on the right track to possibly saving america before the Fed collapses the dollar.
Expatriation might have to be the word for 2012 if things keep going the way they are. If we can all still get out.
williebkind
December 30th, 2010
1:13 pm
light on policy
December 30th, 2010
12:39 pm
You can call me George W, because you underestimated him also. Maybe you can tell me different but a scientist(unless you have changed the definition) does not include personal agendas into their decisions. The real scientist uses facts. Your professor may be correct in disecting fascism but relating it to free enterprise and corporations is a progressive liberal lie. I am a history buff so be care with your pedantry you may find yourself educated.
williebkind
December 30th, 2010
1:14 pm
Now let’s all go and jump on Jay!
A Hearty Cheese Sauce
December 30th, 2010
1:22 pm
EXTRA EXTRA!! ObaManure extends his Hawaiian vacation.
Sid Farcas
December 30th, 2010
1:30 pm
Dudley
December 29th, 2010
9:36 pm
I report.
You need to thank unions for the work conditions you have 40 hour week, safe work conditions, etc.
Gee, thanks Unions. Now go away so we can start competing around the world and companies will stop sending jobs over seas.
Sid Farcas
December 30th, 2010
1:31 pm
We would all extend our vacation to if someone else was paying for it.
A Hearty Cheese Sauce
December 30th, 2010
1:33 pm
The Eggheads screw up again…LOL…
http://www.foxnews.com/scitech/2010/12/30/botched-environmental-forecasts/#
Ragnar Danneskjöld
December 30th, 2010
1:34 pm
Dear Darwin @ 10:57, I salute Dr. Kahn.
I affirm that President Carter got 3.5 things right during his administration. (1) Deregulation of airline fares, (2) deregulation of trucking, and (3) deregulation of bank interest rates – all urged by the late and lamented Dr. Kahn – were unmitigated successes for that dismal administration. (I give him half a point for the Camp David accords. Even though there was no direct benefit to the US, it did bring peace to a corner of the world that had known only a generation of hot and cold wars.)
In contrast, after two years, the current occupant of the oval office has only one positive initiative, the surge in Afghanistan. I assign only one-half point because he took three months to make a no-brainer. So, by my analysis, Obama needs three points to tie the worst administration since Buchanan.
Sid Farcas
December 30th, 2010
1:38 pm
Ragnar, are you sure about Carter getting anything right? I would fact check that and see if maybe it was Ford or Nixon who came up with those ideas and Carter got them through on his watch. The guy was to stupid to come up with those fine ideas on his own.
Ragnar Danneskjöld
December 30th, 2010
1:40 pm
Dear Mr. Liberty @ 1:07, I wish you had run for governor, well argued.
Dear Willie @ 1:13, until I recognized the genius of Dick Morris I thought PoliSci was a faux science, like “climate science.” Somehow I suspect even Dick Morris would reject the leftist equation of various forms of totalitarianism with the governance philosophy espoused by small-government advocates. The leftist overlords have to manufacture such a false equation to justify their jackboot on the necks of the normal people.
Ragnar Danneskjöld
December 30th, 2010
1:45 pm
Dear Sid @ 1:38, perhaps I am generous there, or light-headed otherwise. I like the idea of encouraging intelligent thinking among our leftist friends, so if that means occasionally giving them credit for embracing a mainstream conservative idea – even if not fully merited – so be it. Nevertheless, Dr. Kahn, a leftist-economist, had a history of advocating abolition of CAB and ICC before his White House days. Like Krugman’s Nobel for open trade policies, even a broken clock can be right occasionally.
Ragnar Danneskjöld
December 30th, 2010
1:49 pm
Dear Sid @ 1:38, and one additional note, you may recall – I think it was Herb Stein who argued – that the “impeach Nixon” movement was wrongly-oriented, that he should have been impeached for imposing wage and price controls instead of Watergate.
light on policy
December 30th, 2010
2:03 pm
Willie or George W, it appears you are giving yourself to much credit claiming the wisdom of GW
“The real scientist uses facts. Your professor may be correct in disecting fascism but relating it to free enterprise and corporations is a progressive liberal lie.”
Which facts are you disputing specifically…do tell
Then tell me the real definition of fascism if corporatist views isn’t at its core.
retiredds
December 30th, 2010
2:22 pm
Bobby Franklin, a Republican state legislator from Georgia, has introduced a new piece of legislation that, if passed, would force Georgians to pay their taxes in gold and silver coins.
Tell me Kyle, this is a joke, isn’t it? I have a solution though. Bobby Franklin and any other tax payer agreeing with him can pay their taxes to the state of GA in silver and gold. I’m going to continue to use deflated dollars because that’s what Republicans and Democrats have engineered through gross mismanagement and negligence when it comes to fiscal matters. And, I don’t think that Mr. Deal and the entire Republican legislature will make any changes in GA that will benefit most Georgians.
Jimmy62
December 30th, 2010
3:08 pm
Darwin: Those people are getting free money, of course they don’t want their benefits cut. That’s what’s wrong with entitlements, they create dependence, and otherwise logical people want to keep them, even if they are bad for the economy. Why? It’s free money, who would want to stop getting free money?
Michael H. Smith
December 30th, 2010
3:09 pm
T minus 6 days and counting libs, until the world premiere grand showing of, “The Unwinding”. Sounds like a movie title doesn’t it. Wanna read the advance billing? Oh, forgot, you guys no longer have a choice do you? You can bet it’s gonna be an epic thriller. Beginning with Hen House Squeaker Pelosi handing over the gavel to House Speaker Boehner. A lib moment reminisce of that other short horror flix: “When Harry hugged Nancy” LOL
Don’t we just know that to the libs “The Unwinding” is conjuring up visions of such other notable two word title films like, “The Shining” or even better “The Howling”. Bet the libs will be doing alot of that over the next two years.
Well, conservative whad’ya think, should we give the libs a preview of the opening number from the theme music? Okay, if guys really insist LOL
Courtesy of [b]BROOM[/b] Air
“liberal air travel at its’ best”
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PWWKtPMxcBk
Big Jim
December 30th, 2010
4:08 pm
Finn McCool
December 30th, 2010
8:25 am
Kyle votes Republican? So, like most Republican voters, does Kyle live in a trailer park and vote against his own economic interests?
Just asking. Tools.
Good one Finn!
Lil' Barry Bailout
December 30th, 2010
9:29 pm
I prefer the word “raze”, which is what needs to be done to vast swaths of the federal bureaucracy if America is to be America again.
It’s no coincidence that the suckiness of the education system, the breakdown of the family, and the ossification of our economy have happened at the same time as the growth in government interference over the last several decades.
Government IS the problem.
MrLiberty
December 30th, 2010
11:04 pm
RAZE is a great word and government absolutety IS the problem. But let’s not RAZE everything. There are probably some private businesses that could very effectively use the massive infrastructure for something productive and selling off the assets would help reduce the debt.
Lil' Barry Bailout
December 31st, 2010
4:45 am
Finn McCool: So, like most Republican voters, does Kyle live in a trailer park and vote against his own economic interests?
———————
Democrats certainly can’t be accused of “voting against their own economic interests”…they support increasing the size and scope of handout programs at every opportunity. Nothing like being able to vote yourself a raise.
Parasites.
Finn McCool
December 31st, 2010
6:49 am
All you Republicans that don’t like America, go live somewhere else already.
Those of us who like it here don’t want you around anymore.
Finn McCool
December 31st, 2010
7:01 am
Conservatives say “I want ma countray back” which means
-dirt roads
-plantation system
-shoes/shirts optional
-separation of races
-combination of religion and government
-one religion and kill all others (dey’s de enmy!)
-one store in every town, called “WalMart”
-one brand of car – Americun
-a nukulur weapon guarding every town hall
-no edumatation above the 8th grade
-no science and no scientists
-illegals made legal only when I need ma house painted
Finn McCool
December 31st, 2010
7:32 am
Still, it was the politicians — and, yes, that mainly meant Republicans — who took the lead on the hypocrisy front.
In the first half of 2010, impassioned speeches denouncing federal red ink were the G.O.P. norm. And concerns about the deficit were the stated reason for Republican opposition to extension of unemployment benefits, or for that matter any proposal to help Americans cope with economic hardship.
But the tone changed during the summer, as B-day — the day when the Bush tax breaks for the wealthy were scheduled to expire — began to approach. My nomination for headline of the year comes from the newspaper Roll Call, on July 18: “McConnell Blasts Deficit Spending, Urges Extension of Tax Cuts.”
http://www.nytimes.com/2010/12/31/opinion/31krugman.html?_r=1&hp
mwuahahaha. You republican voters have been had….again!
“Please sir, may I have another!”
~WHACK~
“Please sir, may I have another!”
Lil' Barry Bailout
December 31st, 2010
7:49 am
Hey Finn, remember when Obozo promised his adoring acolytes he’d repeal our President Bush’s tax cuts, not merely allow them to expire?
Get off your knees boy.
Michael H. Smith
December 31st, 2010
8:04 am
Nah, Lil’ Barry, leave the socialist liberals on their knees, while we decide in the newly elected house what to fund and what not to fund. Pucker up, lefties! LOL