Jay Bookman

By GodHatesTrash

October 24, 2008 7:06 AM | Link to this

W is a stumpbroke idiot version of Hoover.

By ByteMe

October 24, 2008 7:10 AM | Link to this

It’s not today you worry about. Today is before a weekend. It’s the panic that comes during the weekend that makes Monday the scary day. The two days off give people time to think about their losses and to capitulate on Monday.

Today will be bad, Monday will be worse. Tuesday will be an opportunity for those in cash.

By Mrs. Godzilla

October 24, 2008 7:32 AM | Link to this

Good Morning Coporal

You are right, I went back and re-read your post. I did not answer your question. Please enlighten us as to the answer.

Also, I read your “martial law” response the first time and the ever so slightly altered second time. I didn’t think either required a response. You had a “martial law” story about a time when martial law had not been declared.

As to todays’ topic. We don’t do panic and are full planning mode. Mr. G’s retirement is being postponed, we are renovating rather than selling, ramping up our business interests rather than slowing them down and tightening our belts.

I suspect this is all required to give trickle down economics the state funeral it deserves.

By TW

October 24, 2008 7:40 AM | Link to this

The McCain Camp’s assault on The United States of America is tantamount to treason - free labor for those seeking to have us fail.

By AJC/DNC Management

October 24, 2008 7:41 AM | Link to this

Whenever a lib spins up a tale of doom and gloom you can expect the exact opposite to happen.

A 300+ gainer it is.

I believe al-Gore is speaking on “global warming” so look for frigid temps and heavy snow.

By GodHatesTrash

October 24, 2008 7:51 AM | Link to this

Regarding the environment, even my dog is smart enough not to urinate and defecate in his eating and sleeping areas.

Not so the kkkooks and kkkrazies of the GOP. Drill baby drill. Burn baby burn. Bulldoze baby bulldoze.

Morons. Dumber than dogs.

By Mad As Zell

October 24, 2008 7:53 AM | Link to this

“The panic levels now are quite unseen, it’s difficult to have any words for this situation right now”

I’ve got words for this situation, it’s called DAMNED LIBERAL SOCIALIST IDIOTS TALKING DOWN THE ECONOMY TO GET BaRAT HUSSEIN OBAMA elected as an “illegitimate” candidate to the Presidency of these United States of America. You communist idiots have a worldwide conspiracy going to talk the U.S. economy down into an imaginary depression so you can get your Great Black Leftist Hope, BHO, into office to force your Afro-Eurotrash ideological Marxist policies on the American People. This “depression” talk is nothing more than Left-wing Demoncrat Marxist trash trying to destroy this great nation as a deviant means to a selfish political ends.

By Taxpayer

October 24, 2008 8:00 AM | Link to this

Interesting, ByteMe. You think that history is doomed to continue to repeat itself with the black Monday phenomenon. Maybe so. It sure looks like we are going to have a pretty black Friday as well — maybe it’s pre-capitulation day or maybe we’ll have the weekend to spend picking out the best stocks to purchase on Monday instead of Tuesday. Also, given the party that created this mess though, shouldn’t we refer to this market’s meltdown days as “red” days.

By Mad As Zell

October 24, 2008 8:00 AM | Link to this

GodHatesTrash? How appropriate considering that God hates you as much as you hate anyone who disagrees with your narrow left-wing point-of-view….a point-of-view so narrow that it’s seemingly obstructed by your almost non-existant bird brain.

By BDAtlanta

October 24, 2008 8:06 AM | Link to this

Oooh. Mad as Zell sounds like he needs timeout in the crazy house. Call the guys in the white suits with the butterfly nets - pronto!

George W Bush: Worst.President.Ever Johnny Mac: More.Of.The.Same

By TW

October 24, 2008 8:07 AM | Link to this

The backbone of the anti-socialist rightwing can best be seen in the droves of them who send back their social security checks…

By Mrs. Godzilla

October 24, 2008 8:11 AM | Link to this

DUH? Why bring Zell back?

By Mad As Zell

October 24, 2008 8:11 AM | Link to this

The party that created this mess? You mean the Democrat Party? Barney Frank, Christopher Dodd, Fannie Mae, Freddie Mac, Nancy Pelosi, Harry Reid and Company. How responsible of you, Taxpayer, to finally place the blame for this mess at the feet of the crooked, backstabbing, POS liars where it belongs.

By AJC/DNC Management

October 24, 2008 8:11 AM | Link to this

How about a black 2009?:

Who do you want answering that phone at 3 a.m.? A man who’s been cramming on these issues for the past year, who’s never had to make an executive decision affecting so much as a city, let alone the world? A foreign policy novice instinctively inclined to the flabbiest, most vaporous multilateralism (e.g., the Berlin Wall came down because of “a world that stands as one”), and who refers to the most deliberate act of war since Pearl Harbor as “the tragedy of 9/11,” a term more appropriate for a bus accident?

There’s just no comparison. Obama’s own running mate warned this week that Obama’s youth and inexperience will invite a crisis — indeed a crisis “generated” precisely to test him. Can you be serious about national security and vote on Nov. 4 to invite that test?

And how will he pass it? Well, how has he fared on the only two significant foreign policy tests he has faced since he’s been in the Senate? The first was the surge. Obama failed spectacularly. He not only opposed it. He tried to denigrate it, stop it and, finally, deny its success.-Krauthammer

By Taxpayer

October 24, 2008 8:20 AM | Link to this

That would be red for the Republican party in case you have already forgotten your true color, Mad one. Just look in the mirror at your neck when you need a reminduh.

By Ray

October 24, 2008 8:21 AM | Link to this

Interesting comments today by Charles Krauthammer in the AJC. Surprised that Tucker would allow such rational thought to appear on her editorial pages. All of you libs should read it….. you might just learn something.
Also a riot of a You Tube tape made by the Shock Jock about responses of interviewees regarding why they were going to vote for the Annointed One. They changed the position of the candidates and asked these informed members of the Harlem electorate if Obama’s stance on denying stem cell research, his pick of Palin as his VP and other issues were to their liking. Without pause, each said…. “yeah, like, you know, I think she’ll be a great Vice President”. Didn’t even know who was running. And this is the media created voter who Bookman and most of the black community would vote for even if he was Donald Duck, just so he is black and is a Democrat.

By AJC/DNC Management

October 24, 2008 8:27 AM | Link to this

Look at this, the city in the nation that is most ate up with democrats and have suffered under their rule for what must seem like ages to them:

During these perilous times, the nation needs an experienced, proven leader in the White House. Sen. John McCain is best equipped for the job. -Detroit News

They are practically begging for the liberalism to stop.

By Mad As Zell

October 24, 2008 8:27 AM | Link to this

Black Friday? Black Monday? Black 2009? I’ve got one even better for you AJC/DNC…. How about a Black Forever? Elect BHO and his One World Order Marxist policies as POTUS and we may very well see the end of the United States as we know it! This idiot wants to pull our troops out of a war that we are winning in Iraq and then make spiteful dovish cuts to our proud and powerful military while raising our taxes through extortion of the wealthy. Don’t just protect your wealth around Obama, HIDE IT!

By joe

October 24, 2008 8:28 AM | Link to this

Strap on your helmets going to be a wild ride

By Ray

October 24, 2008 8:29 AM | Link to this

TW. Many of us worked very hard for those SS checks and paid large sums of money into the system to benefit from them. Comparing that to socialism is a really dumb s* comment.

By Joey

October 24, 2008 8:30 AM | Link to this

The Blogman is aparently running low on topics. Maybe we can help. Here are my suggestions.

Bill Campbell is paroled today.

OPEC in a tissey over continues decline of oil prices.

Iran has arrested an Iranian woman who is astudent in the US. Aparently for working for women’s rights.

NYT endorsed Obama; Advertising revenue down 16%.

Does any one believe that Henry Winkler actually said, “Bush-Cheney won the election, let’s give them a chance to govern?”

Gwinnett County discovers an error in Absentee Ballots and camly corrects the problem so that all votes are counted.

By joe

October 24, 2008 8:31 AM | Link to this

Strap on your helmets going to be a wild ride

By joe

October 24, 2008 8:31 AM | Link to this

Strap on your helmets going to be a wild ride

By AJC/DNC Management

October 24, 2008 8:34 AM | Link to this

PRINCETON, NJ — Gallup Poll Daily tracking data indicate that about 11% of registered voters who plan to vote have already voted as of Wednesday night, with another 19% saying they plan to vote before Election Day. Roughly equal percentages of Barack Obama supporters and John McCain supporters have taken advantage of the early voting opportunity — so far.

If this is true you can kiss the democrat’s as-s goodbye.

By ByteMe

October 24, 2008 8:34 AM | Link to this

Taxpayer: average person who invests doesn’t look at the stock market during the day, but at the end of the day. Then they have all weekend to panic. And they sell their mutual funds. Which causes those mutual fund companies to have to sell stocks to meet they cash obligations, etc.

If this were an options expiration date, I’d say all bets are off on what happens, but that was last Friday.

As for the color: is it the mood you refer to or the color used to show your portfolio’s return?

Even if we have a great Tuesday next week as I’m predicting, I still think it’ll be a trading gain and not a long-term trend. The medium-term trend is a severe recession similar to what we had in the last secular bear market (1966-1982). Cash is king and short-term trades are the only good way to make money on the volatility.

By Mad As Zell

October 24, 2008 8:35 AM | Link to this

Ray: The idiot BHO is closer to Daffy Duck than Donald Duck and if ACORN and the Defeatocrats manage to steal the election, we’ll all be sitting ducks!

By hillbilly ragger

October 24, 2008 8:40 AM | Link to this

Heh heh. Righties are in full squeal mode this morning.

Anyone else want to poke ‘em with a stick? Here, I’ll have at it…

MICHELLE OBAMA! Is she uppity or what?

By Ihatepolitics

October 24, 2008 8:41 AM | Link to this

Blatant lies and innuendoes. Character assasination. Mud-slinging and muck-raking. Prevarication and obfuscation. Guilt by association.

These are the things that we, the voters, must sift through to find the nuggets of truth about the candidates. Once again, instead of voting for someone I believe is best suited to lead the country for the next four years, I have to vote for for the candidate I dislike the least.

Are we ever going to have a candidate to vote for instead of against?

By BDAtlanta

October 24, 2008 8:53 AM | Link to this

Ray, Ok, point taken. You can always send back the $600 you received this year.

Funny that people always talk bad about Socialism like it’s a cancer or the scourge of the world. People don’t realize that in the late 1800’s people died (yes, DIED) picketing to get the work week reduced from 72 hours a week to 60 hours a week. Then more died trying to get it down to 48 hours. The reason we have paid vacations and other benefits is due to a socialist attitude; a “we” instead of the just “me” attitude.

Granted, pure Socialism doesn’t work. On the other hand, pure capitalism doesn’t work either (witness what Greenspan said yesterday.) You have to have a healthy balance for our system to work. If you delete all the social programs, the entire country will turn into pockets of safe areas amidst a sea of poverty, disease, outright anger and violence, etc.

Socialist ideals have helped forge this country to help everyone, not just the rich and the educated. Our police is socialized protection, libraries are socialized learning centers, fire fighters are socialized protection.

http://www.historyisaweapon.com/defcon1/zinnbaron11.html

By TW

October 24, 2008 8:56 AM | Link to this

Ray - so sorry. I’d forgotten how hard people like you and Cindy McCain have worked for your fortunes. Perhaps you and she could put together a motivational video for our troops?

By Taxpayer

October 24, 2008 9:00 AM | Link to this

I hear you regarding the average investor. But, I do wonder if the average investor is a little more on top of things now than he/she used to be. After all, memories of the last plunge are still pretty fresh in people’s minds and there are many more people spending time on line, watching things like stock markets, than there used to be. As far as the bottom, who knows. We may be in for lows today that most investors never even dreamed possible. If that’s the case, then capitulation may be just around the corner. I would not want to venture a guess beyond that — many a brave soul has tried and lost.

Now, for the red, I was playing with multiple meanings — red state for the honorable (Republican) Phil Gramm whom I tend to place on the top ten list of people that owe this country more than just an apology; red color since accountants use red for losses as well as there’s blood flowing in the streets from the losses people are taking in the markets.

By Mrs. Godzilla

October 24, 2008 9:05 AM | Link to this

FROM TPM

Greenspan:

“I made a mistake in presuming that the self-interests of organizations, specifically banks and others, were such as that they were best capable of protecting their own shareholders and their equity in the firms,” Mr. Greenspan said.

Referring to his free-market ideology, Mr. Greenspan added: “I have found a flaw. I don’t know how significant or permanent it is. But I have been very distressed by that fact.”

Mr. Waxman pressed the former Fed chair to clarify his words. “In other words, you found that your view of the world, your ideology, was not right, it was not working,” Mr. Waxman said.

“Absolutely, precisely,” Mr. Greenspan replied. “You know, that’s precisely the reason I was shocked, because I have been going for 40 years or more with very considerable evidence that it was working exceptionally well.”

RIP: Trickle Down Reaganomics

By Taxpayer

October 24, 2008 9:10 AM | Link to this

ByteMe,

Oops, I meant to address my 9:00 to you.

By Bud Wiser

October 24, 2008 9:11 AM | Link to this

[Yo baby, lets all vote fo Obama)[http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NyvqhdllXgU&eurl=http://www.facebook.com/home.php?ref=home)

Today must also be the day George Soros is making the massive stock market dump that everyone has been predicting, in order to try to cash in for The Token One as the only savior in sight.

Democrats are paralyzed in fear at the turns the numbers are taking, and if you think the trash talk was bad before from the Obama supporters, as a famous person once said: “You ain’t seen nuthin yet!”

By BDAtlanta - f you delete all the social programs, the entire country will turn into pockets of safe areas amidst a sea of poverty, disease, outright anger and violence, etc.

What the hell do you think it is right now? Eden? Or is that what you think it will become after Obama is elected?

I think your vivid description is more accurate of the Obama supporters, such as ACORN, Bill Ayers, Jeremiah Wright, Tony Resko (excuse me, he’s in prison, isn’t he?) etc., etc., Clueless, totally clueless.

Obama/Biden ‘08 - making it easy to be stupid beyond what was previously thought possible

By Ray

October 24, 2008 9:13 AM | Link to this

TW,

I am not Cindy McCain anymore than you are. The system was set up during the depression to aid those who were in need of a bit of a lift to get them by hard times. It was supposed to be tax free and come from a cache account designed to be used for only that purpose. Sure has changed over the years, hasn’t it? There is no lump sum of money, all has been used by the politicos to pay for government and pork. It is taxed and there is no lump sum payment to a recipient upon death, as was originally passed. We were supposed to get the money back that we had paid into the system but no such luck. By the way, what’s wrong with hard work creating wealth? A lot of us have worked very hard for what we have and are rather hesitant to give it away to those who haven’t. “Distribute the wealth”…. another dumb s** comment.

By Mrs. Godzilla

October 24, 2008 9:16 AM | Link to this

WOW!

The GOPer’s have all got their tin foil turbans turned on HIGH this morning!

By "The Corporal"

October 24, 2008 9:27 AM | Link to this

To Mrs. G.

1) No, no. After 34 years in law enforcement I know the answer. I just want to hear it from a liberal.

2) Again “semantics”. In the late 60’s, federal or national guard troops killed American civilians at Kent State, Washington, D.C. and a few other places. Many justified, a few probably not. In any case, for those deceased individuals it was marital law for them ……..

By tcoach

October 24, 2008 9:29 AM | Link to this

I have an idea that I think the liberals will like.

To help the economy why don’t we legalize pot and set a high tax on it. The gov’t would make more money.

The conservatives would be happy too. Their income does not get taxed unless they want to smoke weed.

This could provide jobs in agriculture as well as sales and general business.

We would also be saving money on those not going to jail for petty pot charges.

The radical evangelicals would be ok with it. When they felt the world had become too sinful they could smoke and forget.

The only people I think may be upset are the dealers. That is only because they stand to loose money if pot is legalized while they stand to get a check each year if Obama is elected and nothing changes.

Maybe I am crazy but this could work.

By Ray

October 24, 2008 9:30 AM | Link to this

Good morning, Ms G,

I don’t think that Greenspan was saying that he would throw out the baby with the bathwater. He was saying that the system was poorly regulated by some pretty greedy people who were not doing their jobs. This does not mean that the whole system is flawed…. just the regulatory part. Greed is an ugly thing and corrupts a lot of people. I somehow remember that that are Committees in Congress whose job is to do the regulatory part, people like the Butt Pilot and Christopher Dodd, among others. When you collect major political contributions from the people whom you are supposed to regulate……..you know the rest.

By BDAtlanta

October 24, 2008 9:35 AM | Link to this

The children marched through New Jersey and New York and down to Oyster Bay to try to see President Theodore Roosevelt, but he refused to see them. “But our march bad done its work. We had drawn the attention of the nation to the crime of child labor.” That same year, children working sixty hours a week in textile mills in Philadelphia went on strike, carrying signs: “WE WANT TO GO TO SCHOOL!” “55 HOURS OR NOTHING!”

http://www.historyisaweapon.com/defcon1/socchal13.html

All i’m saying is our ancestors shed blood so I could work this cush job with an expense account, a car, and company-paid gasoline. I don’t take it for granted.

By Taxpayer

October 24, 2008 9:35 AM | Link to this

Has everyone caught Bush’s endorsement yet? It’s a good one

By Mrs. Godzilla

October 24, 2008 9:38 AM | Link to this

COPORAL

1) Since I don’t know the answer to your question, and neither did my big brudder (police chief pete). You’ll either have to enlighten us or not get an answer. You pick.

2) Of course we are arguing semantics..No duh dude..I knew that before you altered your response the second time you posted it, to include that phrase. It was not martial law. That term has a real precise meaning. You were caught inflating your “bad self” with a swaggering martial law story. OOPS. No martial law.

Glad you can read the minds of the deceased, that’s kinda’ a lost art.

If we need it, we’ll call ya’.

By ByteMe

October 24, 2008 9:41 AM | Link to this

Oh, no! DOW off over 400 points at the open! It’s all the fault of the LIBERALS!!

BWAAAAHHHHH!!!

Hee hee hee hee…

By GodHatesTrash

October 24, 2008 9:46 AM | Link to this

My dog does have some serious GOP tendencies, though. Like Hensley-McCain, the Palins, and most GOPers, he loves to wallow in muck and roll around in the garbage.

His name is Zig-Zag. After the former Goobernor of Georgia.

By Dagny and John's Love Child

October 24, 2008 9:53 AM | Link to this

I am convinced that you guys are all right now - I will shut down my capitalist pig organization, lay off 16 employees, and get on the dole - that way, I can help get us out of this situation.

Let’s see - Foodstamps, Medicaid, maybe Peachcare for my kids - that way, I can be a major force in turning around the economy - I think I will vote for Obama as well - then, I can simply sit back and be cared for - no more stress over trying to grow a business, no more tax issues, no more 14 hour work days - just TV, pajamas, and internet access - I can hardly wait - no wonder you guys like this so much….

By AJC/DNC Management

October 24, 2008 9:55 AM | Link to this

But while the polls are reflecting Obama’s steady hand, the markets haven’t. In fact, they’re getting worse by the day as Obama’s lead widens.

Most investors know the devil is in the details - and the details of Obama’s economic plans are anything but reassuring.

And, as it looks increasingly likely that Obama will be that man, the markets are casting a vote of “no confidence.”

I know at least one top Wall Street executive, an Obama supporter from the start of his campaign, who has recently urged Obama to rethink his tax plan - and that was before last week’s record losses on the Dow.

By "The Corporal"

October 24, 2008 9:59 AM | Link to this

To Mrs. G.

1) Your big brudder does as my police officer son does. Ask your brother. And if he doesn’t tell you, you’ll know if (hopefully not) it happens. Then we’ll talk again.

2) Those various governors used the term martial law and as you know whenever the troops are sent in a riot situation the never wrong press always refers to it as martial law.

P.S. I will still always regret the punks didn’t try to take down that flag.

By E

October 24, 2008 10:00 AM | Link to this

John McCain, the man who once expressed a fantasy for being a dictator, meeting with Pinochet, one of Chile’s most vicious predatory dictators, responsible for what some claim was the slaughter of 3,200 people.

The amnesia pattern of those having no recollection of McCain’s visit are equally striking as is the hypocrisy of McCain claiming talks with dictators as being out of the question, particularly when one considers that McCain was mansion hopping, salmon fishing and pony riding during his dictatorial meetings.

(http://www.huffingtonpost.com/john-dinges/mccain-meets-a-bloody-dicb137422.html)

Obama/Biden ‘08

By RB from Gwinnett

October 24, 2008 10:07 AM | Link to this

Ms G, I see you keep bashing “trickle down economics”. Question for you. What’s your alternative? Is there some other magical economic model you want to propose, or do you just find delight in bashing anything conservative whether you understand it, have a better idea, or have a clue what you’re talking about?

Want to give “trickle up economics” a try? Good luck with it.

By Dagny and John's Love Child

October 24, 2008 10:11 AM | Link to this

I am convinced that you guys are all right now - I will shut down my capitalist pig organization, lay off 16 employees, and get on the dole - that way, I can help get us out of this situation.

Let’s see - Foodstamps, Medicaid, maybe Peachcare for my kids - that way, I can be a major force in turning around the economy - I think I will vote for Obama as well - then, I can simply sit back and be cared for - no more stress over trying to grow a business, no more tax issues, no more 14 hour work days - just TV, pajamas, and internet access - I can hardly wait - no wonder you guys like this so much….

By Bosch

October 24, 2008 10:14 AM | Link to this

Good morning bloggers!

tcoach,

I’ve been arguing those points for years! But not with weed only, all drugs.

And the way the economy is shaping up - being stoned might just be the only way to get through it! :-)

By tcoach

October 24, 2008 10:20 AM | Link to this

I’m telling you if you do not want a redistribution of wealth demand the legalization and taxation of marijuana. Causes fewer problems than alcohol.

This way it would not be taking fromt the rich and giving to the poor.

It would be taking from those who smoke pot and giving to the poor.

We could even use the money raised through taxation and designate it only to be used for social programs.

It would pay for itself.

By hillbilly ragger

October 24, 2008 10:21 AM | Link to this

RB, yeah. Actually, “trickle up” economics is what’s needed. Thanks for playing.

By T

October 24, 2008 10:22 AM | Link to this

RB from Gwinnett

I believe we are seeing trickle up economics.

From my perspective we are all to blame for this cr@#. I think we all are going to have to tough it out and work together on this one. No easy solutions here.

Anyone have any ideas about how this will or should play out? It is hard to convince your parents to keep there money in their investment funds when they keep losing so much of it.

By ByteMe

October 24, 2008 10:24 AM | Link to this

RB: The alternative is “demand-side” economics. Get money into the hands of people who SPEND IT on stuff. That money then makes its way into the supply-side’s hands via purchases, which then get turned into more stuff to be purchased and so on.

We’ve tried to stimulate an economy by borrowing money to fund rich people, thinking that they drove the economy. They don’t. 70% of the economy is driven by consumers, not producers. Give the middle the tax cuts, not the people who can most afford a tax hike (like big oil).

Class warfare? Sure. But then again the rich quietly declared war on the middle class years ago and they were winning for a while. Just look at how much the middle class has gained over the past 8 years compared to inflation. Oh, wait, they lost ground while the rich got richer. Time to re-balance things.

By lrd

October 24, 2008 10:24 AM | Link to this

Historically the month of October is the crash month. The question I feel, is now the time to bargain basement shop some good blue chip stocks? Who, besides me, is willing to invest now and think long term on certain companies and flesh out portfolio?

By tcoach

October 24, 2008 10:29 AM | Link to this

Bosch I cannot agree with all drugs. Some are hallucinogens, while others alter mood and cause violence. Alcohol is legal and I have nevr heard of anyone overdosing on weed. They pass out.

While on your point about economy. Legalizing could help, think more jobs. Just imagine what empires the cigarette companies formed. Think of the agriculture, and sales. Also think of the fact cost of food could go down as a much higher(no pun intended) demand is needed for food.
Not to mention if the economy does not get better more people will be out of a job. If people do not fear a durg test at work many more would smoke.

This is our nations solution to the economic crisis, tell your congressman, and write your senator.

By ByteMe

October 24, 2008 10:31 AM | Link to this

T: Anyone have any ideas about how this will or should play out? It is hard to convince your parents to keep there money in their investment funds when they keep losing so much of it.

I feel for you. My parents are in the same boat. What I told them was this:

“This is going to last 2 or so years. If you have solid investments (e.g., not the large banks that are heavy with CDS’s and subprime mortgages) that are just being taken down by a crappy market, then don’t sell them. Borrow money from us (their kids) instead. Pay us back when things stabilize again and your investments are doing better.”

Basically, like the Fed is doing with some banks, buy them time using loans from family until things can stabilize and assets can be sold at their proper value.

By getalife

October 24, 2008 10:31 AM | Link to this

Yawn, recession levels are 3000.

Senator Brown makes a funny.

“About quarter till 12 on election night, it’s gonna be Bill O’Reilly sitting there with Sean Hannity,” he said, drawing another cascade of jeers from the crowd at the mention of another popular conservative Fox host.

“No, no wait a sec, this is gonna be too much fun. You’re not gonna be booing ‘cause you know what’s coming next. So Hannity – they’re going through all these numbers and Barack’s won California, New York and Illinois and Michigan and Wisconsin, Pennsylvania and all these others. And, you know McCain wins Utah or something,” Brown said, drawing appreciative laughs and claps from the energized crowd.

“Then Hannity’s sitting there next to O’Reilly, and they’re looking at each other, and O’Reilly says, ‘You gonna do it?’ And Hannity says, ‘No.’ So O’Reilly – sweat’s coming, tears are coming down his cheeks – you can see ‘em on your flat screen. And O’Reilly says, ‘Well, Ohio went for Barack Obama. He’s gonna be president of the United States!”

Bwa.

By Bosch

October 24, 2008 10:33 AM | Link to this

WHAT? WHAT? WHAT? WHAT?

JAY!!!

Political Insider guy is saying that Obama is ahead in GA? Has hell thus frozen over and we are not aware?

Jay, get on this! We need to know!

By T

October 24, 2008 10:33 AM | Link to this

tcoach

Interesting.

By tcoach

October 24, 2008 10:33 AM | Link to this

hillbilly but explain how trickle up economics would work. Are you not eliminating the motivating factor of being sucessful by flooding the lower part of the economy with money.

Are you trying to boost the market in Asia for TV and video game consoles.
Explain how that would work.

Maybe I am not smart enough to get it.

By hillbilly ragger

October 24, 2008 10:37 AM | Link to this

Tcoach, your post @ 10.29 is probably the most sensible thing I’ve seen from you yet. While I think you might be overstating the benefits of decriminalizing/legalizing certain natural products, I think every little bit would help.

Interesting how much unanimity one finds among left and right when the topic comes to our stupid anti-drug laws.

By Midori

October 24, 2008 10:38 AM | Link to this

E. J. Dionne: The republican party has finally imploded

For years, many of the elite conservatives were happy to harvest the votes of devout Christians and gun owners by waging a phony class war against “liberal elitists” and “leftist intellectuals.” Suddenly, the conservative writers are discovering that the very anti-intellectualism their side courted and encouraged has begun to consume their movement.

The cause of Edmund Burke, Leo Strauss, Robert Nisbet and William F. Buckley Jr. is now in the hands of Rush Limbaugh, Sean Hannity—and Sarah Palin. Reason has been overwhelmed by propaganda, ideas by slogans, learned manifestoes by direct-mail hit pieces.

And then there is George W. Bush. Conservatives once hailed him for creating an enduring majority on behalf of their cause. Now, they cast him as the goat in their story of decline. The conservative critique of Bush is a familiar rant against his advocacy of big government and huge deficits—now supplemented by a horror over his embrace of actual socialism with the partial nationalization of big banks. And, yes, a fair number of conservatives were never wild about the adventure in Iraq.

Conservatism has finally crashed on problems for which its doctrines offered no solutions (the economic crisis foremost among them, thus Bush’s apostasy) and on its refusal to acknowledge that the “real America” is more diverse, pragmatic and culturally moderate than the place described in Palin’s speeches or imagined by the right-wing talk show hosts.

Conservatives came to believe that if they repeated phrases such as “Joe the Plumber” often enough, they could persuade working-class voters that policies tilted heavily in favor of the very privileged were actually designed with Joe in mind.

It isn’t working anymore. No wonder conservatives are turning on each other so ferociously.

BURN, BABY!!! BURN!!!!

By tcoach

October 24, 2008 10:43 AM | Link to this

It is interesting and I think it is an avenue that has been unexplored as to not a fix but a helping hand to our governments money trouble.

I honestly do not see any negatives to this. Make it like cigarettes an alcohol, either 18 or 21 to purchase. Tax it hard to, not a wimpy tax go for 15-10 cents per dollar.

By TN Gelding

October 24, 2008 10:45 AM | Link to this

ByteMe

October 24, 2008 7:10 AM

I wouldn’t be surprised to see it bounce back this afternoon.

Maybe that’s just wishful thinking.

By AmVet

October 24, 2008 10:45 AM | Link to this

I have to vote for for the candidate I dislike the least.

Are we ever going to have a candidate to vote for instead of against?

Ihatepolitics, this will be the third consecutive presidential election that I have not voted for the evil of the two lessers.

If you want to vote for a man who has done more good for the people of this country than Obama and McCain combined, if you want to vote for a man who has more intellect and effective, practical solutions than Obama and McCain combined, if you want to vote for a man who has the courage to actually stand up for you and me (as opposed to just more flowery rhetoric), I encourage you to go to votenader.org

I completely assure you it will be worth your time and you will learn a great deal about the issues and answers that the other two candidates are not even talking about.

Nader/Gonzalez 08

By AJC/DNC Management

October 24, 2008 10:48 AM | Link to this

i r o diM: ET Dionne wouldn’t know a Conservative if he fell over one.

By Mrs. Godzilla

October 24, 2008 10:48 AM | Link to this

RB

Delight in these dire economic straights?

Don’t be a goose!

I am not a learned economist, just a reasonably bright women who’s an employee and an employer….homeowner, investor, grocery shopper, gravy queen, mom and grandmom to be.

I cannot tell you how to fix the economy. I can however recognize that it is broke.

When the furnace quits working I know it’s not blowing hot air, but without study and research I could not fix it.

The economy is not blowing hot air right now. Some folks here on the blog are, but that won’t keep folks warm and fed this winter.

One of the reasons I was so proud and happy to cast my vote for Barack Obama is because I trust that he will find the way to fix it.

I trust that he is wiser and is surrounded by wiser people than you or I.

Don’t worry about producing an RB from Gwinnett Economic Recovery Position Paper for me.

I will wait for those I see as the experts.

You will not agree, but that’s cool. I still think you are a real American.

By Bosch

October 24, 2008 10:49 AM | Link to this

tcoach,

Your preaching to the choir on the legalizing weed thing.

But, I think all drugs should be legalized. It’s the whole personal responsibility, and the government staying the hell out of our personal lives thing with me.

By Citizen of the World

October 24, 2008 10:49 AM | Link to this

BD Atlanta at 8:53 and 9:35, you are the voice of reason and moderation. A strictly capitalist culture would be everyone’s worst nightmare. It has only been through the adoption of socialist-type programs and policies that we enjoy the lifestyles we do today. A thriving middle class does not happen by accident.

We live in a capitalist-socialist republic. This gives us a balance that we would not have if we were entirely socialist or entirely capitalist.

Obama is not a socialist by virtue of his wanting to put more of the tax burden on the wealthy. That’s what every democratic, industrialized nation in the world does. To classify this policy as socialist is a scare tactic meant to mislead some voters into voting against their own self interest — which is to have a country that fairly spreads the tax burden and collects enough to avoid running up debt for future generations to pay.

My family won’t really see any reduction in taxes under Obama’s plan, and if our income increases, we might very well pay more. But that’s OK. We’re doing all right.

By ByteMe

October 24, 2008 10:51 AM | Link to this

tcoach: do you really believe that there’s a huge motivational difference between a tax of $360 and a tax of $390 on $1000 of income once you get above the $250K mark in gross income?

$30 difference is not a huge motivational factor, especially when you still got to keep more than $600 of the $1000. That $30 isn’t going to make anyone less interested in running their own business or doing well. Even when taxes were running 60-70%, businesses still made money and still employed people and the economy still grew.

I run my own business and have no problem with that extra money going out as long as I see some benefit to it… like lowering our reliance on China for funding our government, spurring development of alternative energy sources, increasing health care coverage to those who cannot afford it, etc. Spend it on wars of choice and I’ll be annoyed. Spend it on infrastructure (increasing employment in the middle class), energy (increasing employment in the upper-middle class), health care (decreasing my health insurance costs by getting rid of unnecessary emergency room visits), debt reduction (lowering costs of borrowing for all) and I’ll see that money back in more demand for my services anyway.

By Bosch

October 24, 2008 10:55 AM | Link to this

hillbilly ragger,

I’ve never understood how we came to criminalizing a plant. Chemicals made in a lab, maybe, but a plant? No.

I was talking to a campus security guy at my son’s college and he was telling me about some mushroom candy he had confiscated from a student, and I asked him, why he confiscated the candy - when did mushrooms become illegal? He looked at me kind of funny.

But, I know mushrooms are dangerous and if you eat the wrong ones, your liver will pretty much turn to liquid, so no, I’m not advocating anyone should eat, make tea, whatever, with wild mushrooms to get high, but a plant is a plant. Good grief.

By RB from Gwinnett

October 24, 2008 10:56 AM | Link to this

byteme, When did the rich declare war on anybody? Please explain.

You’re right, it is class warfare and it’s being fueled by class envy. You liberals all want what successful people have but you aren’t willing to work for it. You can’t look in the mirror and be happy with what you have realizing it’s far more than your parents had. It’s not good enough because the Jones’ have more and it’s your right in this country to have what they have.

And it couldn’t be your fault either, could it. Has to be the fault of those evil rich people.

You people are sad.

By tcoach

October 24, 2008 10:57 AM | Link to this

hillbilly, I do not think I am overstating anything. Most weed is not currently grown in this country very often. That alone would help agriculture just as tobacco did in the early years of our nation.

Instead of it being a dealer on the strret level it would also open avenues for average americans to create a business. Those small businesses may turn into coorporations. That is how to grow an economy. Offer a solution that is work based. There is a known market for the product since everday people are arrested for its possesion alone.

I also might argue that is the most sensible thing you have seen yet from me. I say a nugget of sense occasionally. Just because it goes against your belief does not mean it does not have validity.

Seriously though why has this not came up more. I thought of all of this talking to my wife while I was cooking diner last night, and I don’t even smoke(I’m a health nut).
Think of the savings from law enforcment agencies. They could actually spend resources to fight meth, since it can cause health problems for neighbors or future residnets of the home.

This could work any help is better than no help.

By Bosch

October 24, 2008 11:03 AM | Link to this

Whoever the poster was yesterday (or the day before) who wrote we should start using the word “fee” instead of “tax” - that was brilliant. GOPers are so scared of taxes, but not so much with fees. So let’s just change the word around.

I like that idea.

We could have an ad valorem fee, a property fee, a road fee, a school fee, a policeman/fireman fee, a teacher fee.

It doesn’t sound so bad when you put it that way!

By Mrs. Godzilla

October 24, 2008 11:05 AM | Link to this

YES WE CARVE

right here

Be sure to check out the “pun-kin” section!

By Ray

October 24, 2008 11:06 AM | Link to this

Every major socialist system in the world of nations has failed sometime in their history. We have a few who are in the process of failing now, ie Cuba. When people do not have to work, their initiative is destroyed and their motivation to succeed wilts away. But when they are given more and more, they want, then demand, more and more. Witness France with their 4 day work week. You would have thought that their wine rations had been shut down. The motivation to excel and succeed is only stimulated by reward. That is why this country has prospered, survived and thrived over the last 200 years. We have created and live in the absolute finest country in the world. It would be a real shame to f** it up with some empty suit who wants to “spread the wealth”. Maybe he should redistribute your wealth…. mine will be in a sock under my bed.

By Bosch

October 24, 2008 11:11 AM | Link to this

RB,

Who are the rich and who are the poor? And while we are on the subject, who are the middle class?

Can you define this without using the tax definition, in other words, who the IRS says is rich, middle, and poor?

By ByteMe

October 24, 2008 11:11 AM | Link to this

RB, you’ve been drinking too much of the Kool-Aid from the rich talk show hosts who want to keep you stupid.

I said the rich declared this war QUIETLY. There wasn’t a start date.

Start with the history of the idea that “all tax cuts are good”, which is not true. It started off correct: taking tax rates from 70% to 35% does indeed spur growth and economic activity. The problem is that there’s a point where further cuts do not spur anything except government debt. We passed that point in 2001-2003. The Laffer curve has been disproved since it was brought up years ago, but conservatives cling to it in hopes they can hoodwink another generation into buying into its concepts.

Another volley in the war was the debate over so-called “death taxes”, which disproportionatly affect the rich, but yet people of all classes were told by the conservative pundits that it was a good idea to get rid of them. The problem is that estate taxes prevent the concentration of wealth in the hands of a few for generations at a time. In other words, without estate taxes, the rich get to stay rich even if they never bother to lift a finger to do more work. That doesn’t sound American to me. Sounds more European-landed-gentry to me.

I could go on, but I need to get some real work done. I’m sure others out here can further fill you in the economic war that was declared on the middle class.

By tcoach

October 24, 2008 11:11 AM | Link to this

I am all for the government staying out of our lives. However things like shrooms, peyote, acid and other hallucinogens could cause risk to the public at large who does not use the drug. There is no way to guarantee that a person tripping will not leave their house and do something they do not remember. While weed does not offer any aggressive side effect, only a relaxing and happiness.

That does have an effect on the public instead of just an individuals choice.

I acknowledge that I may not have the best answer but I feel we need to be doing more brainstorming to help the economy than just bi*in about as so many others do.
Who cares who’s fault it is I think it is every-one’s fault, consumers, sellers, loan makers and loan takers, democrats, republicans. Pretty much all of us had some type of a hand or finger or finger nail in this problem. Anyone trying to blame a small group of people lends way to much power to that person.

By TN Gelding

October 24, 2008 11:13 AM | Link to this

ByteMe

October 24, 2008 10:51 AM

VERY WELL SAID.

Bush “invested” in destruction instead of creation. I’d like to see all of his tax cuts expire except for the estate tax. Leaving it with the heirs will produce revenue for all eternity.

You sir, are a great American. Keep doing what you do for the betterment of all.

By Citizen of the World

October 24, 2008 11:13 AM | Link to this

tcoach — are you sure you’re not a Libertarian?

I think drugs should be legalized, too. But along with that I think there should be no more advertising of any controlled substance — alcohol, tobacco and pharmeceuticals included — except through word of mouth or at point of purchase.

Most people will be guided by their own self interest in preserving their health, happiness and relationships to avoid hard drugs, and the recreational use of milder drugs might go up some, but we could divert the money we currently spend on enforcement, prosecution and incarceration to provide help and treatment to those who seek it.

We need to do away with drug testing except for those whose jobs involve the operation of heavy equipment, including cars, or the exercise of fine motor skills. And even then, perhaps we could have a test for impairment, so that even if they are sleepy or overworked, rather than in a drug induced state, it could be detected.

We definitely need a more sensible, practical solution to the reality that people are going to want to alter their consciousness — whether through alcohol or some another drug of choice.

Making it illegal only compounds the problems that come from abuse.

By "The Corporal"

October 24, 2008 11:13 AM | Link to this

To Mrs. G.

Ever hear of Tawana Brawley ?

By ByteMe

October 24, 2008 11:14 AM | Link to this

Ray: EVERY major system in the world has failed at some time in their history. Rome lasted centuries. It’s not about “socialism”, it’s about people thinking their country can do no wrong and are big enough and powerful enough to govern the world… right up until the moment they find out that they cannot.

Go back and re-read your history of France, England, or even Rome.

By ByteMe

October 24, 2008 11:18 AM | Link to this

TN: for the reasons I expressed above, I want to see the estate tax be about 50% for those estates above $3M. There are ways to keep that money from being taxed, but it requires planning and it keeps your heirs from being never lifting a finger to make money.

By Bud Wiser

October 24, 2008 11:18 AM | Link to this

So, is this ‘trickle up economics’ the part where all of the poor people hire out other poor people, starting businesses and paying payrolls with no money because they don’t have any?

Or is it they are banking on Obama’s ‘sharing the wealth’ program to take money from those who earn it and give it to those who earn nothing, so that they will now have a stake in creating something,anything, of value, despite the fact that to this point in their lives they have done nothing?

Or, option 3, is ‘trickle up economics” an absurd fantasy created by the empty minds of liberals who have absolutely no understanding whatsoever of economics? Are they the parents of the kids working in stores that when you purchase an item that costs $10.79, and you hand them a 20 dollar bill, they give you that deer in the headlights look because the register is broken and they cannot compute the change they need to return to you?

And Bosch, make that word “free” instead of “fee”, and all of your dimwitted Democrat friends will know exactly what you are talking about. It may even cause a little bit of saliva drip when you tell them they’re gonna get something for free.

Obama/Biden ‘08 - making it easy to be stupid

By TN Gelding

October 24, 2008 11:21 AM | Link to this

RB from Gwinnett

October 24, 2008 10:56 AM

That’s a mighty broad brush you’re painting with.

By Citizen of the World

October 24, 2008 11:29 AM | Link to this

Ray @ 11:06, without some socialist policy to balance capitalist excess, your wealth would probably fit in a sock that you could put under your bed.

By Mrs. Godzilla

October 24, 2008 11:32 AM | Link to this

Coporal

Why of course!

That’s why every word from Rev. Sharpton’s lips must be double checked.

Have you ever heard of Mortimer Snerd?

By Midori

October 24, 2008 11:38 AM | Link to this

By AJC/DNC Management

October 24, 2008 10:48 AM | Link to this

i r o diM: ET Dionne wouldn’t know a Conservative if he fell over one.

Andy

he’s sure got your stupid a$$ pegged!!

By "The Corporal"

October 24, 2008 11:39 AM | Link to this

Mrs. G.

Sure and Betty Boop

By norman ravitch

October 24, 2008 11:46 AM | Link to this

Americans two years ago thought Hoover invented the vacuum cleaner. Now they know better.

By RB from Gwinnett

October 24, 2008 12:02 PM | Link to this

byte, the issue isn’t the tax rate and some magical point where it creates debt. That’s a matter of spending vs. income. We’ve outspent the income and we can’t keep going back taking more money from evil rich people to feed our wish list of cradle to grave social programs.

Your view of the death tax is just wacked. If you think “society” deserves half of anybody’s estate just so their kids don’t end up wealthy, you’re a socialist thru and thru. It’s their stuff and they can do what they want with it.

Why do you think the version of socialism you people are creating will turn out any different than the failures it’s been in every other country it’s been tried in? It doesn’t work. Anywhere.

By TN Gelding

October 24, 2008 12:06 PM | Link to this

Bud Wiser

October 24, 2008 11:18 AM

It gushes up.

It provides customers for the existing and new businesses.

By ByteMe

October 24, 2008 12:24 PM | Link to this

RB: “You people”. Yeah, that’s the ticket. Blame everything you don’t like on “you people”. Keep yourself enslaved in that attitude.

I don’t think “society” deserves half of anyone’s estate. I believe that the children of that person do not deserve to benefit from a life unearned. And if you think I’m a socialist, you should wonder then about Bill Gates and Warren Buffett who think the same way. They understand that a country filled with idle gentry is one destined to stagnate.

And I certainly don’t believe that rich people are “evil”. Just that they’ve declared class warfare on the rest of us and that they should pay more taxes to ensure their continued good fortune. It’s the price of freedom and capitalism. Taxes are what pay for war, taxes are what pay for peace, taxes are what pay for roads, airports, police, fire, keeping old people from littering the streets, improving the general welfare through education, etc. It’s the price you pay for the society you have.

Learn to embrace that which you need even if you don’t like it and you’ll be happier with things.

And you can drop the “you people” silliness. It makes you sound like a bad movie from the ‘50’s.

By Ray

October 24, 2008 12:31 PM | Link to this

Byte Me,

Why in the hell do you think that the govt has a right to tax any estate of a person who has passed away and left it to his heirs? It’s no business of yours whether the heirs work another day in their life or not. The assets in most estates have been purchased with after tax dollars anyway and taxing these estates really boils down to double taxation of an asset. Many farms, homes, etc would have to be sold to make the tax bill. Do you think that this is fair? And why the 3M? Is this some figure you have pulled out of your backside? Another socialist scheme to spread the wealth and give it to a Congress who has approval ratings in the low double digits trusting that they “will do the right thing”. I am not sure what fantasy land you live in.

By AmVet

October 24, 2008 1:04 PM | Link to this

This is one of the more hysterically funny, yet encouraging articles I’ve seen in a while!

Religious Right: GOP Abandoning Key Races

The Family Research Council is attacking the National Republican Campaign Committee for “abandoning social conservative candidates” by withdrawing funds for ads in the re-election races of two congresswomen.

Family Research Council President Tony Perkins sent a letter of complaint to Rep. Tom Cole of Oklahoma, chairman of the NRCC, and said he will urge FRC supporters to stop contributing to the committee “until it starts supporting and fighting for conservative candidates in close races.”

It is great news to see these “agents of intolerance” eating their own. I foresee much more of this in the years ahead.

The two Republican congresswomen are Marilyn Musgrave of Colorado and Michelle Bachmann of Minnesota.

Musgrave is one of the most outspoken members of the House in opposition to gay marriage, and is in an uphill fight to retain her seat against Democrat Betsy Markey, The Hill newspaper reported.

Bachmann came under fire last week for saying that Democratic presidential candidate Barack Obama and other members of Congress hold “anti-American views.” Since then her Democratic opponent Elwyn Tinklenberg has received a flood of campaign contributions and has risen in the polls, according to The Hill.

“The left is attacking both of these outstanding women because they are true conservatives. They vote pro-life and pro-family,” he said.

He clearly did not get the memo. Conservative means anti-conservative as is neo-conservative. Pro-life means anti-abortion. And pro-family means…I don’t even know what that nonsense means.

“Pulling funds from their campaigns sends the wrong message to their supporters…

Get ready to see the GOP hoisting the white flag in many places around the country.

“This is no time to cut and run from a fight.”

And certainly no time to drop the plethora of stupid, meaningless neo-con slogans.

Perhaps the American Talibaptists will start another political party. Can you even imagine their platform?

By RB from Gwinnett

October 24, 2008 1:36 PM | Link to this

Byte, You ARE a socialist. Everything you’ve posted is pure socialism. You think the government should take a person’s estate so the kids don’t get to enjoy something the didn’t earn? Are you serious? BTW, isn’t that the foundation of Obama’s plan? Take money from evil rich people and GIVE IT TO PEOPLE WHO DIDN’T EARN IT. Talking out both sides of your mouth there aren’t you?

Nobody’s complaining about taxes for roads, fire, etc. Get off that silly little liberal talking point. You all know that’s not the kind of stuff we’re talking about.

I still want some examples of this supposed evil rich people’s war on the rest of us. You got anything more than slogans?

I think it’s great Bill Gates is using his fortune for good. I also think it’s great he and he alone gets to chose what he does with his fortune and it’s none of the rest of our business. Unlike you, I don’t sit around fretting over his money and scheming ways to use it for things I think are important and taking it away from him if I don’t agree with how he spends it.

YOU PEOPLE are scary.

By ByteMe

October 24, 2008 2:06 PM | Link to this

RB: And you still sound like an out-of-touch cartoon. Do tell: how exactly is bailing out wall street to the tune of $750 billion not socialism?? Taking from taxpayers and giving to people who don’t deserve it.

You really need to give the “evil” thing a rest. It’s boring. Makes you sound like a relgious wingnut with a rifle out in the middle of the woods waiting for them commies to come gitcha.

And based on your response, you clearly didn’t read what I wrote and comprehend it. I didn’t say that Bill Gates gets to use his fortune for good or anything like that. I said HE SUPPORTS AN ESTATE TAX TO PREVENT A PERMANENT LANDED GENTRY FROM TAKING OVER THE COUNTRY. When rich people talk, it sounds like you pay attention, so pay attention.

By Hillbilly Deluxe

October 24, 2008 2:10 PM | Link to this

Now might be a good time to buy stocks and then again it may not. When the market crashed in 1929 it didn’t recover that level until 1954. That’s very long term by today’s standards.

Good ol’ Alan Greenspan. As head of the Federal Reserve he basically answered to no one. He basically says, well I was wrong but then again all this isn’t my fault.

By Dagny and John's Love Child

October 24, 2008 2:41 PM | Link to this

YOU PEOPLE are scary - I did my best today though - we announced that as of 10/31 we were no longer a going entity and I gave everyone their 7 day notice -

I will re-launch something new after the tax winds have shifted — and - surprise, surprise, even in a “tough” economy, I landed a position back as a cog in someone elses machine in about 30 minutes

So, Obama is a shoe in, 16 families lose their primary bread winners job - and the evil rich owner simply goes to plan b - sounds like a recipe that is sure to be followed for the coming months - at least I hope so….

Peace out my socialistic brethren…

By TN Gelding

October 24, 2008 9:43 PM | Link to this

Dagny and John’s Love Child

October 24, 2008 2:41 PM

You might think you’re rich.

But your thought process is poor and depraved. I fear for your future health. No sane person would shut down a profitable business over a measly tax increase. You were showing a profit weren’t you? Or were you just looking for an excuse to shed the responsibility?

I suspect there is something much deeper at work here that you need to confront.