Jay Bookman

By AJC/DNC Management

February 4, 2009 7:01 AM | Link to this

So many kkkampaign promises to toss over the side, so little time.

The euroweenies read little baraKKK the riot act, so he “compromised.”

Where has the love gone, oh dear euroweenie?

By Mrs. Godzilla

February 4, 2009 7:17 AM | Link to this

What are the chances that McConnell will agree with Obama on capping the pay of the exec’s of companies who take government money?

America loves the idea….how about Mitch and the Obstructionists?

By Andy the Welcher

February 4, 2009 7:20 AM | Link to this

Mrs G,

About the same odds as Andy Welching… 100%

{{{{ew}}}}

By Andy the Welcher

February 4, 2009 7:28 AM | Link to this

How about the Clayton County Hoochie mamma dance squad…

Suggestive dance gets them booted from the dance squad so Tyra is gonna fly all the little pole dancers on up to NYC to appear on the show (unexcused absences from school for all of them, that’s called truancy).

You gotta love the product the Clayton County School system is turning out. Unaccredited and all…

By Paul

February 4, 2009 7:42 AM | Link to this

[[Surely we have learned better.]]

Don’t know about the ‘we’ but evidently Pres Obama and Sen McConnell have. Only problem is, Obama’s in the Executive, McConnell’s in the Legislative and the Democratic Legislative leadership have made it pretty clear they ‘don’t work’ for the President.

But an agreement between those two may provide another of those momentum shifts.

Mrs. Godzilla

A day after Pres Obama expressed outrage over execs getting bonuses while their companies got bailout money, Democratic Senator McCaskill introduced legislation to cap the pay of any exec whose company receives Fed assistance at no more than what the Pres makes - $400k. She was thinking - she included direct pay, bonuses, stock options, etc.

Problem is, I haven’t read where other legislators have rallied behind her and talked it up in the media. It appears not only Republicans are the Obstructionists (follow the money - who gave whom the campaign contributions?).

I kinda wonder - why limit it to execs whose company is receiving bailouts? If the company’s getting Fed assistance and the company isn’t doing it on their own….

By Mrs. Godzilla

February 4, 2009 7:44 AM | Link to this

HOUSE REPUBLICANS, 98% ON BOARD

In other words, after House Republicans carefully combed through the bill, searching for anything they could deem “wasteful,” and finding 32 specific measures they found offensive, the GOP lawmakers are still comfortable with 98% of the Democrats’ bill.

By Mrs. Godzilla

February 4, 2009 7:52 AM | Link to this

Paul,

Senator McCaskill’s idea….yes sir. Good for her!

Ain’t it great to have a President open to new and better ideas?

And…I agree with you….if you take Federal $$$$.. there should be strict caveats.

By AJC/DNC Management

February 4, 2009 7:54 AM | Link to this

Yeah, sure thing Duhzilla-

{{{{Senate Democratic leaders conceded yesterday that they do not have the votes to pass the stimulus bill as currently written and said that to gain bipartisan support, they will seek to cut provisions that would not provide an immediate boost to the economy.

Moderate Republicans are trying to trim the bill by as much as $200 billion, although Democrats working with those GOP senators have not agreed to a specific figure.-Washington Post 2/4/09}}}}

They’re not even close yet.

By Taxpayer

February 4, 2009 7:54 AM | Link to this

Paul,

We still have a system of checks and balances, don’t we? I think it is a good thing that Congress no longer reports to the president. We don’t need another Bush administration.

By BDAtlanta

February 4, 2009 7:56 AM | Link to this

I agree with the $500k cap. When they initially started the bailouts on Wall Street I figured there was no way we would ever see that money again. This plan provides incentive to pay the government back.

They can offer employees deferred compensation, put the additional compensation in a separate account and, once the tax dollar money has been reimbursed, then give it out to the employees.

Even if an employee leaves the company, that is still their money because they agreed to the deferment.

By WTF?

February 4, 2009 8:18 AM | Link to this

What’s up with the kkk stuff in these post? Is there any irony here at all or is it as idiotic as it seem?

And by the way, saying that Obama is trading political favors with the Europeans does not make any sense in the light that Obama’s position flies in the face of unions who, unlike Europeans, they get to vote and live in the US.

As usual By AJC/DNC Management say contributes yet another innane post. By AJC/DNC Management, please say something, just one thing, that shows a modicum of sense. B. Steal

By jon

February 4, 2009 8:25 AM | Link to this

As the esteemed Mr. Gingrich states, the global economy is a fact, not a proposal. We can’t run and hide from it. We must learn to prosper in it.

By DB, Gwinnettian

February 4, 2009 8:41 AM | Link to this

“What’s up with the kkk stuff in these post? Is there any irony here at all or is it as idiotic as it seem?”

Andy says it’s all Rev. Lowery’s fault. I say it’s because Andy is a racist fvckwad. You make the call!

By DB, Gwinnettian

February 4, 2009 8:46 AM | Link to this

sorry about missing the original topic of Jay’s post, which I usually attend to first.

While my inclinations are to keep as much of the stimulus moolah local, I too recognize that triggering a trade war would be stupid. Stipulating that—as RW and I were thinking would be a good idea, some days back—that, for example, anyone hired to do the infrastructure work would have to be an American citizen, is probably counterproductive.

Best we could hope for would be some kind of “American content” percentage that wasn’t out of line with what our trading partners stipulate for themselves, I imagine.

By AJC/DNC Management

February 4, 2009 9:00 AM | Link to this

{{{{To supporters, including labor unions that helped the Democrats retake the White House last year, a “Buy American” requirement is just common sense at a time of economic crisis and rising unemployment. Factories have been hemorrhaging jobs for years; manufacturing employment is now 12.9 million, down from 17.2 million at the end of 2000. If Congress doesn’t insist upon the use of U.S.-made materials, taxpayer funds could line the pockets of European or Chinese workers rather than hard-hit Americans.-USA Today}}}}

So what does little baraKKK do?

Throws them under the bus, bwahahahahaha, ow!

He’s already got your vote.

By TN Gelding

February 4, 2009 9:01 AM | Link to this

We can consume everything we produce and then some as long as corporate America keeps us working. We need fair trade, and we don’t have it now. As long as the stimulus is spent here in the good old USA it isn’t totally wasted. How much of the Pentagon’s spending ends up in foreign coffers? At what point does it become a national security issue?

By lucky

February 4, 2009 9:01 AM | Link to this

Why should buy American trigger foreign lawsuits? Are we under some obligation to buy and support the citizens and industries of foreign nations.

Look people, the global economy is not working for us. We are not forced to buy foreign goods with US tax dollars, which are actually borrowed dollars on the backs of our children and grandchildren.

What is wrong with you people? Has it not affected your job yet? Well, it will, just wait, it is coming.

Get rid of NAFTA, CAFTA and favored nation status for Communist China. Doesn’t cost us anything. Then give tax credits and no interest loans to companies moving back their overseas operations, especially if they move back to plants that are now shuttered, like GM in Doraville and Ford in East Point.

And ignore the foreign complainers. Where were they when China paid 25 cents an hour to slave labor held captive in factories? We have a crisis here. Buy Americans and hire Americans. It is that simple.

By DB, Gwinnettian

February 4, 2009 9:07 AM | Link to this

“Buy Americans and hire Americans. It is that simple.”

TN Gelding, I wish it were. It isn’t.

Also, I think capping bailout-recipient CEOs’ pay at 500 grand is kind of stupid. I’d scrap symbolic gestures like that an insist instead on government employees holding sufficient spots on the banks’ board of directors, effectively nationalizing them, at least for a limited length of time.

And if they don’t like it, they can go play with someone else’s money. If they can find any.

(someone can explain to me how it isn’t as simple as that. I’m listening.)

By KKK

February 4, 2009 9:11 AM | Link to this

AJC/DNC Management, thankkks for kkkeeping ut real in Atlanta!!! Please kkkeep up the good workkk. you pal, The Grand Dragon

By Swami Dave

February 4, 2009 9:12 AM | Link to this

In the span of one thread, we get two highlights of policies that “sound good”, but start to unravel when one considers the potential unintended consequences of the action.

a) Sections of the stimulus package that are written under the “Buy American” political grandstanding (ostensibly targeted toward union sympathizers on the left and isolationists on the right) that would likely only serve to initiate another set of protectionist laws and actions by trading partners around the world. As Jay suggested, any historical review of the consequences of Smoot-Hartley highlights how these types of “feel-good”, retreat-to-your-shell-in-times-of-crisis actions almost never yield positive results (and usually do more harm / deepen the economic problems).

b) The administration is calling for compensation limits for executives who accept bailout funds or government assistance. Again, while this would be a “feel-good” proposal (they-shouldnt-make-more-salary-than-me-when-my-tax-money-is-paying-it), this too could serve to create a number of unintended consequences that result in more harm than benefit.

Assuming that many of these companies are struggling or challenged, would it be a better option to force them to cap executive compensation (placating feelings of class envy or jealousy) or allowing them to compensate executives as much as they desire in hopes of getting the best ones? Does this in effect create an impediment to growth and expansion for those businesses constrained by these policies that their competition (who might not have received / accepted government funds) does not have? Would this not potentially create an environment where the weakest companies are constrained in ways that prevent them from getting stronger leadership? If taxpayers (through these actions with which I still have disagreement) are stakeholders (if not defacto shareholders) in many of these businesses, is it not in our best interests that they be allowed to grow and prosper (and pay the taxpayers back)?

It is uncommon that one thread offers such clear examples of policies that sound and make us feel good, but make little economic sense and stand to do more damage that would be caused if we did nothing at all.

-Swami Dave

By Taxpayer

February 4, 2009 9:13 AM | Link to this

How about we impose a requirement that all workers receiving bailout/stimulus money be US citizens but include a provision to allow up to say 5 to 10% to be non-US citizens under certain conditions.

By SaveOurRepublic

February 4, 2009 9:21 AM | Link to this

What we can’t afford is any further deterioration of the (fading) U.S. manufacturing base, which has been dismantled via fallacious “free” trade agreements like NAFTA, CAFTA, GATT/WTO, etc. The President & Congressional loyalty should be solely to Americans…jobs/workers & companies!!! This bowing down to socialist EU pressure is further proof that “Bacrock Obuma” & many on “Crapitol sHill” are total puppets for the Globalist Elite!

By Andy the Welcher

February 4, 2009 9:25 AM | Link to this

“By AJC/DNC Management

February 4, 2009 9:00 AM | Link to this

{{{{To supporters, including labor unions that helped the Democrats retake the White House last year, a “Buy American” requirement is just common sense at a time of economic crisis and rising unemployment. Factories have been hemorrhaging jobs for years; manufacturing employment is now 12.9 million, down from 17.2 million at the end of 2000. If Congress doesn’t insist upon the use of U.S.-made materials, taxpayer funds could line the pockets of European or Chinese workers rather than hard-hit Americans.-USA Today}}}}

So what does little baraKKK do?

Throws them under the bus, bwahahahahaha, ow!

He’s already got your vote.”

I guess Obama stole that page from the Bush/Rove playbook. In election years agitate “the base” (or Al Queda in Arabic) and get the evangelicals out in force to vote, then ignore them for 3 years til the next election.

Because as Andy says: “He’s already got your vote.”

Just don’t bet with him, bekkkause Andy’s a Welcher…

ew

By Bud Wiser

February 4, 2009 9:36 AM | Link to this

The New York Times leads with yet another look at how Obama’s campaign rhetoric doesn’t quite match his governing style. You know the drill: He promised his administration would abide by high ethics standards and bar lobbyists from the White House, but he has hired many Washington insiders and two of his picks for Cabinet positions didn’t pay all their taxes….

I’ll tell you who the real stimulus targets should be, and that is THE TAXPAYERS. Not the welfare recipients, the folks living in a van parked down by the river, the homeless, ANYONE who pays no taxes! The government’s own National Statistical service estimates there will be @ 30.6 million individual taxpayers for the years 2008-2009. To be a bit conservative, we shall take the current estimate of the package cost (it WILL go up, but lets just forget that for the moment) is $800 billion dollars. Send each and every individual that paid taxes, AND ONLY THE TAXPAYERS - NOT THE TAXTAKERS - a check for $26,143.79, and call it square.

It’s our money, but Obama keeps wanting people working for him that spend our money at a furious rate, but simply choose not to pay taxes themselves. They truly are spending other people’s money, because none of it is theirs. And Duhblama supports them still. Doesn’t this kind of remind you Dems in a funny sort of way of how you accused Bush of standing behind Cheney, Rove, et al, all those years? It at least smells like it. And Duhblama has only been there a couple of weeks. He is a fast learner.

Duh.

By mm

February 4, 2009 9:37 AM | Link to this

KKK Management,

I hate to disappoint you little man, but I’m not mad at Obama, and I doubt anybody else is who voted for him. I know your entire life revolves around the hope that Obama is p** us off, but please use at least one brain cell when you post.

By Paul

February 4, 2009 9:39 AM | Link to this

Mrs. Godzilla 7:44

[[In other words, after House Republicans carefully combed through the bill, searching for anything they could deem “wasteful,” and finding 32 specific measures they found offensive, the GOP lawmakers are still comfortable with 98% of the Democrats’ bill.]]

That would be true if the Republicans submitted the list as exhaustive. However, if they went through the 600 and some-odd pages and picked a few dozen they deemed represented the types of proposals that were neither timely, targeted, nor temporary, then it would not be.

Taxpayer

I don’t think the Congress ever thought they reported to the Pres. Often when they’re both of the same party the cooperation is tight. We may have a different situation this time, though - Pres Obama’s got a few years to get it right - I don’t think he’ll take kindly to Congressional leaders who may put a monkey wrench in that to follow their own agenda.

By Davo

February 4, 2009 9:44 AM | Link to this

I’m so glad our ‘leaders’ are concerned with the welfare of other countries at the expense of our own. I guess that suites statists like Bookman who welcome Chinese intervention in our govt; the faster we get to communism, the better for them.

By Mrs. Godzilla

February 4, 2009 9:51 AM | Link to this

Paul

They said it was “representative” where?

If they didn’t do an “exhaustive” review, why not?

By RB from Gwinnett

February 4, 2009 9:55 AM | Link to this

Hey Jay, question for you…

Do the execs who get their pay frozen at the level of the pres also get their homes paid for by their employer, all of their food, travel expenses, housekeeping, chefs, drivers, cars, cell phones, computers, etc, etc, etc too?….

You do know the current pres made over $4MM in 2007 and I suspect his 2008 taxes won’t reflect merely a senators salary (my guess is he isn’t paying for tax prep either). So, are we capping exec pay at the pres’ base salary, or whats on his tax returns?

I get the outrage over exec salary and perceived excesses, but government intervention at this level in corporate matters is not the answer. You guys need to drop the “show” and stick with policy that really matters. This is purely for show.

Another question Jay. Does the money in the bill for green government cars require the cars be made in the US? And I mean MADE in the US like Honda’s and Toyota’s are, not US big 3 cars that may be made in Canada or Mexico, yet still have the GM/Ford/Chrysler logo on them. Look that up for us Jay.

By Paul

February 4, 2009 9:56 AM | Link to this

Swami Dave 9:12

[[ostensibly targeted toward union sympathizers on the left and isolationists on the right)]]

As the House bill was a Dem bill written by Dems, I’ll offer the “Buy American” provisions were payback for the unions by the Dem leadership - not offered as an olive branch to the isolationists on the right.

[[allowing them to compensate executives as much as they desire in hopes of getting the best ones?]]

That’s been the argument - but the depth, breadth and extent of the mess shows the ‘best ones’ didn’t do much better than the mediocre ones.

My impression is, at that level it’s a rather incestuous group - they pop from one company to another. And as many have noted, past poor performance seems strikingly at odds with the idea they’d even be considered for another position elsewhere, let alone given it!

Again, if it’s a private company they can do what they want, pretty much. But when they are in crisis, receiving huge amounts of money from the citizens (without which they would not survive), then many would say it is not unreasonable to suspend the multimillion-dollar salaries, bonuses and perks until they are self-supporting.

Rather like your kid goes off to college and says “Mom, Dad: here’s the condo I want you to buy for me - dorm life doesn’t cut it. Maserati makes a nice-size car appropriate for commuting. My clothing allowance should be a grand a month - I’ve an image to maintain. If you have to pick up a second or third job, well, if that’s what it takes, thats what it takes.”

I think the response would be “you want me to pay for college? Here are the terms - and they are not negotiable.”

By Wyld Byll Hyltnyr

February 4, 2009 9:57 AM | Link to this

Well, well, well, just three weeks into the grand experiment and all outward signs are that the wheels are falling off the Obama wagon. To date, the Obama administration can be characterized by three (most unfavorable) traits: a) poor execution skills (which see, vetting/nomination of not one, but three tax cheats, and lack of institutional control over Democrat leadership of the stimulus); b) lack of moral clarity (which see, vetting/nomination of not one, but three tax cheats); and c) a deer-in-the headlights-esque brand of inaction (which see, failure to ramrod an effective stimulus package, petty bickering over TARP, more talk, but no action with respect to closing Gitmo.)It is surprising that POTUS can still walk given the number of toes that he has stubbed during his short tenure.

Even that Dowd, as the children would call her, “ho” from ther NY Times has expressed her dismay at the change that, as is now clear, never is lucid or constructed to accomplish much.

Leads me to conclude that there are but two types of people in our country: those who remember what it was like to live through the Carter administration, and those who are about to learn what it is like to live through the Carter administration.

The liberal sheople always mocked our herorc President Bush for his calm under fire when he finished reading “The Pet Goat” to school children on 911. Let me be the first to suggest that our nation would be better served were Obama to spend his time reading “The Pet Goat” rather than thrashing about in the ineffective manner that has characterized the first few weeks of his administration. I fear that Obama’s hands will cause our country to endure 100 years of pain during his four year term.

By AJC/DNC Management

February 4, 2009 10:05 AM | Link to this

mmoron: Do these impotent outbursts make you feel better?

~~~~~

Hey, could this be mmoron’s mother?-

PELOSI: ‘Every month we do not have an economic recovery package, 500 million americans lose their jobs’…

Bwahahahahaha, ow!

Duh da duh duh duh.

By Hillbilly Deluxe

February 4, 2009 10:05 AM | Link to this

I think it’s time we look out for our own. We need to repeal NAFTA, CAFTA, and etc. All they’ve done is destroy our manufacturing base. As consumers we have a choice. We can pay a little more and buy American or we can buy cheap Chinese goods. The money we save we’ll spend in unemployment benefits and other support programs. I’d rather keep my fellow citizens working. Fair trade is fine but what we have isn’t fair trade.

As for government projects I see no reason ALL workers shouldn’t be American citizens or legal residents. It should be this way in the private sector too.

Back in the 80’s when unemployment started to go down wages started to go up. This is labor supply and demand. Many people who claim to love the law of supply and demand and free markets then began to hire illegals to circumvent the law of supply and demand. That has gotten us to our immigration problems of today.

All you have to do is look at the construction industry. If you have worked in construction or know someone who has, you know that even before the current crash you couldn’t make anymore money as a construction worker than you did 20 years ago.

By Paul

February 4, 2009 10:07 AM | Link to this

Mrs. Godzilla 9:51

The point from those who support the House bill as it stands is that the Republican list of objections is exhaustive. I don’t think the releases put out by those who take this position reference ift he list of objections Republicans have is exhaustive or representative. This is a fast-moving train with press releases going out every couple of hours on the point-counterpoint. Again, that bill is over 600 pages with thousands of provisions. It is enough to make a few points to say “this is the type of proposal that does not meet Pres Obama’s criteria of timely, targeted and temporary” than to delay days finding every exception.

Rather like if you need to buy a car today because you are starting a job tomorrow and you don’t have much money and you need something to get you to work on time. So you find a nice-looking used car and take it to a mechanic. He says “well, it needs a new water pump, the brakes are shot, the transmission’s slipping and the air conditioning doesn’t work.”

That may be reason enough to say “I’ll pass on this one” - not, “well, is that all that’s wrong with it? I think I’ll buy it.”

By Mrs. Godzilla

February 4, 2009 10:08 AM | Link to this

Too funny.

Obama admits to screwing up the vetting process….

How long will it be until he ignores a PDB and 50 other warnings that lead to the largest terrorist attack on our nation and the death of 3500 people?

How long will it take him to let an American city get nearly destroyed and have bodies floating in the street?

How many weeks will we have to wait for him to start a war against a country that never attacked us and then bungle it badly?

Puh-leese…..

By DB, Gwinnettian

February 4, 2009 10:09 AM | Link to this

“I hate to disappoint you little man, but I’m not mad at Obama, and I doubt anybody else is who voted for him.”

mm @ 9.37, I’m sure some are, but big whoop. It’s not going to make or ruin my day. That’s going to happen; people will either choose to judge whether their vote was wise or not based on overall performance after Obama’s spent a reasonable amount of time in office to make that call, or instead base it on what they want and aren’t getting NOW! NOW! NOW!

I’ll just say this much; Obama’s annoyed or even angered me before, and he’s surprised me by being right over the long haul, several times in the past year. Past performance is no guarantee of future results, as the mutual fund adverts say, but it’s something to go by, and so far on balance I’m pleased with what he’s done. If Goopers succeed in further larding the final stimulus bill with tax breaks for upper income Americans that’ll suck short-term, but I’m willing to see how it actually works 9-12 months down the road before I declare the President a sellout.

By Wyld Byll Hyltnyr

February 4, 2009 10:13 AM | Link to this

Hillbilly Deluxe 10:05 AM

POTUS supports allowing illegals to obtain driver’s licenses and other benefits which would make it much harder to impose the sort of “Americans Only” hiring practices, government or private, that you suggest.

By Paul

February 4, 2009 10:14 AM | Link to this

Great! Someone at 10:08 is about to get sent to the “banned for a day” corner for namejacking.

BTW - we are already at war in a country that never attacked us - Afghanistan.

By RB from Gwinnett

February 4, 2009 10:16 AM | Link to this

“How many weeks will we have to wait for him to start a war against a country that never attacked us and then bungle it badly?”

Didn’t he already fire missles into Pakistan? I believe the answer is ‘less than 3 weeks’.

Also, isn’t he planning to send additional troops into Afganistan? When was it they attacked us?

By DB, Gwinnettian

February 4, 2009 10:19 AM | Link to this

Andy the Welcher helpfully reminded us @ 9.25: “‘the base’ (or Al Queda in Arabic)”

Just a point of information, I always found it likewise somewhat amusing (in a grisly way) that “Hezbollah” is Arabic for “Party of God.”

Paul @ 10.14, point well taken, although one could argue that Afghanistan can barely be said to be a “country” as one typically understands the term to mean.

Borg needs brains. Must run.

By getalife

February 4, 2009 10:22 AM | Link to this

“Joe The Plumber Summoned To Capitol To Advise GOP On Stimulus “. Liisten to the mayors today instead. Or the gop Guvs.

The gop is a freaking joke.

The perception for the average American to remove buy American is not good but Obama’s CEO salary cap of 500 k for bailed out companies does look good.

By Midori

February 4, 2009 10:25 AM | Link to this

Wow!!

all this concern about “Afghanistan not attacking us”.

Yet you wet your panties when it was Bush doing the “attacking”.

amazing…………

By Mrs. Godzilla

February 4, 2009 10:29 AM | Link to this

But Paul the list was submitted by the House Republican caucus, and I see they are not among the supporters of the bill.

And RB you are wrong again or telling lies, Obama did not start the war in Afghanistan now did he? And I do not agree with it’s continuation.

By Wyld Byll Hyltnyr

February 4, 2009 10:30 AM | Link to this

Mrs. Godzilla 10:08 AM

One great point, look at how Obama dropped the ball in Kentucky and left those poor people without electricity and other vital resources after a crushing ice storm. The FEMA response to Kentucky has been far slower than the Katrina response. (BTW, the blame for Katrina lies squarely on the NO mayor and LA Governor - they could have requested help at any time.) Wonder if Obama would have been quicker to help had Kentucky been filled with ACORN welfare scum rather than self reliant individuals who voted overwhelmingly for Sen. McCain.

Finally, I imagine it is hard for your BDS addled mind to change the manner in which it looks at the world, but President Bush has taken his place among our greatest former Presidents and history has already began to wipe away the liberal slime unjustly cast upon him. Hence, Obama must be judged on what he does rather than how much you hate President Bush. So far, Obama looks dazed and confused. One might say his administration, to date, has produced little more than “misjudgements no one can believe in.”

By CommunistAJC

February 4, 2009 10:31 AM | Link to this

I’m 100% convinced that this democrat party is led by the most idiotic woman in the world.

“500 million Americans are losing their jobs every month.” -Nancy Pelosi

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=x8hMJVXt09E

By Mrs. Godzilla

February 4, 2009 10:32 AM | Link to this

Midori

Did you hear Obama started the war in Afghanistan?

Wow he had a lot more power in the Illinois state senate than I would have thought possible!

By Enright

February 4, 2009 10:38 AM | Link to this

My oh my, how quickly the worm turns.

Obama is down with rendition and libs turn racists when jobs are in jeopardy.

By Paul

February 4, 2009 10:39 AM | Link to this

Midori

Possibly you missed the background yesterday - I noted (in the spirit of nonchange) all the charges Dems hurled at Pres Bush, noting oft-repeated phrases, such as “we are at war with a country that never attacked us.” There were several others - and the bit of wonder was, if Pres Obama does the same stuff, will Dems make the same charges to him?

Answer: of course not.

And there’s a huge hole in the “Afg never attacked us” rejoinder.

BTW - it’s a bit personal… but I don’t wear “panties”…

By RB from Gwinnett

February 4, 2009 10:42 AM | Link to this

Ms G, I’m quite sure the troops O sends to Afganistan will be attacking a nation that did not attack us first. Unless you’re aware of some other purpose for them being sent there????

Midori, I don’t believe anybody said anything negative about Obama sending troops into Afg. or missles into Pak. We’re merely pointing out the hypocracy of YOU and your brethern here who railed against Bush for the same things and either aren’t honest enough to hold O to the same standard or aren’t smart enough to see it.

By Mrs. Godzilla

February 4, 2009 10:43 AM | Link to this

Wyld Byll….

scum? BDS addled mind?

FEMA gets decent marks for its ice storm response

Beshear asked Obama for a disaster declaration to free up federal assistance Thursday, two days after the storm hit, and Obama issued it hours later. Trucks loaded with supplies began arriving at a staging area at Fort Campbell, Ky., on Friday morning, said Mary Hudak, a spokeswoman for the Federal Emergency Management Agency.

Ice storm was first test for Obama’s FEMA Praise from state officials in Kentucky, but some local areas feel slighted

But, yes the response is not perfect

Would a little bit of stimulus spending on the elctical grid have helped?

By Paul

February 4, 2009 10:46 AM | Link to this

Mrs. Godzilla 10:32

Then the rejoinder would be “Why is Pres Obama continuing an unjust war in a country that never attacked us? He was willing to pull right out of Iraq with no surge. Why doesn’t he do the same in Afg?”

Actually, there are some very good reasons why. But I’ll bet when the honeymoon’s over (that oughta be about 2pm today) questions like that will be raised.

As to the Republican list, no matter if it was released by the Caucus or Group A or Group B, the Democratic groups portrayed it as “this is all they object to… it’s only a small percentage of the total” so they could follow with “we’ll take less than $20 bil off the total so you’ll vote for it, right?”

More politics as usual.

While I think it’s very possible the Reps put on the list only those items that represented the type of items that were neither timely, targeted or temporary.

By SaveOurRepublic

February 4, 2009 10:49 AM | Link to this

This “stimulus” will be anything but beneficial for the free markets & is a colossal empowerment of Big Government (via taxpayer subsidies).

That being said…since this wasteful legislation will indeed pass (in some measure), so there needs to be a clause to ensure preferences for (true) American companies & workers…being the American taxpayer is funding this atrocity.

Furthermore, the idea of “free” trade is bogus. Nations subsidize via a number of “tricky” methods. For instance, Red China subsidizes their steel industry via power costs being a fraction of the cost that it takes to produce. While this is “legal” via the globalist WTO, it is also protectionist. However, we see little fuss over the Red Chinese looking after “their own”. Meanwhile, the Globalist pawns in DC grant Red China favored nation/trading status!

By Mrs. Godzilla

February 4, 2009 10:49 AM | Link to this

RB

Are you backpedaling fast enough away from your previous post ““How many weeks will we have to wait for him to start a war against a country that never attacked us and then bungle it badly?” Didn’t he already fire missles into Pakistan? I believe the answer is ‘less than 3 weeks’.”“

He didn’t start it. I suspect he will finish it .

By Taxpayer

February 4, 2009 10:49 AM | Link to this

When Obama apologized to we the people for the tax problems with some of his administration, he acknowledged that he puts his pants on the same way that the rest of us do. Bush and his arrogant band of scum could never find it in their hearts or minds to lower themselves down to the level of human. I’ll take a well educated human such as Obama over a false deity such as Bush, Cheny, etc., any day. Good job, President Obama and keep up the good work.

By Paul

February 4, 2009 10:51 AM | Link to this

getalife

[[“Joe The Plumber Summoned To Capitol To Advise GOP On Stimulus “. ]]

Please tell me that headline came from the issue of Mad Magazine with Pres Obama on the cover… please….

By Mrs. Godzilla

February 4, 2009 10:59 AM | Link to this

Save our Republic….

Shall we include preferences for American companies if they do any kind of off-shoring?

Jobs in India? Banks in the Caymans or Dubai?

By CommunistAJC

February 4, 2009 11:00 AM | Link to this

SaveOurRepublic, Libs are not interested in facts, only feel good policies. For all the screaming from the dems and the left on deficits, this administration is about to bankrupt us.

Can anyone on the left please explain how spending taxpayer money is going to grow the economy?

By Paul

February 4, 2009 11:01 AM | Link to this

Mrs. Godzilla

[[I suspect he will finish it .]]

Oh, please don’t… too many cans of worms open already… don’t need anyone asking “how?” or “really? what’s the plan?” or “how do you define ‘victory’?” or…….

The last six years were long enough without a repeat of people playing “turn the table payback.”

By CommunistAJC

February 4, 2009 11:03 AM | Link to this

Mrs. Godzilla, Why do companies ship jobs overseas?

By BDAtlanta

February 4, 2009 11:07 AM | Link to this

“Buy American” isn’t as simple as it sounds. Certain car manufaturing lines of Toyota, Nissan, BMW,Mercedes, etc are completely run on American soil by Americans.

Are we not going to buy those models because they are companies with HQ’s in other countries? That would put Americans out of work.

Maybe, for instance, we just don’t buy Toyota’s Lexus line since it is completely manufactured in Japan? What about any materials inthat car that are sourced from the US?

Wal-Mart made “Buy American” a staple in the 80’s and now you go in and there isn’t an American-made item in the store.

By RB from Gwinnett

February 4, 2009 11:12 AM | Link to this

Ms. G, Please share with us who started a war with Pakistan. I don’t recall Bush doing that. Did Clinton start it?

Enlighten us all.

Or admit you are completely unable to see anything that goes on in an objective manner as an American and not as a Liberal-American. You’re bias is showing and it stinks.

By Mrs. Godzilla

February 4, 2009 11:12 AM | Link to this

Paul

Do you doubt he will end it?

By Crescent City Dude

February 4, 2009 11:14 AM | Link to this

As long as President Obama is recommending a pay cap for executives whose companies have received taxpayer money via TARP, then I suggest we take it a step further.

All professional sports teams that have benefited from local and state tax subsidies should not be permitted to charge more than $10.00 for entry to games. Furthermore, no professional athlete who plays for a team that has benefited from local or state subsidies shall be compensated more than $500K.

Likewise, no theatrical or entertainment company that receives tax subsidies should be permitted to charge more than a $15.00 entry fee. Entertainers who perform at these venues shall be compensated accordingly.

Finally, no retailer or manufacturer that benefits from local and state tax subsidies should be permitted to charge more than 8% above cost for their products.

Does this sound fair to all?

By Mrs. Godzilla

February 4, 2009 11:15 AM | Link to this

If this double posts I apologize

Commie

I do know why. I have been in some of those factories on mainland China and Korea.

Do you know why?

If so please compare and contrast the pros and cons for us. Double spacing not required.

By AJC/DNC Management

February 4, 2009 11:16 AM | Link to this

Bwahahahahaha, ow! Stop it, please, somebody make them stop!

{{{{California farms, vineyards in peril from warming, U.S. energy secretary warns ‘We’re looking at a scenario where there’s no more agriculture in California,’ Steven Chu says. He sees education as a means to combat threat.}}}}

They don’t read their 66 page employment applications/ inquisition and they don’t look outside, either-

{{{{90% of USA forecast to freeze tonight: Florida in the icebox..}}}}

hopeandchange.duh

By Mrs. Godzilla

February 4, 2009 11:19 AM | Link to this

RB

Back pedaling, now turns sideways.

You said he started the war within 3 weeks. He did not.

Face it.

By BDAtlanta

February 4, 2009 11:20 AM | Link to this

RB, Afghanistan and Iraq are two separate countries.

Does that make sense?

Many of us Libs understood the reason for fighting in Afghanistan. We are ok with that as they were the intial harborers of terrorists from 9/11.

Remember Kerry jumping Bush in the debates about having left the job in Afghanistan unfinished before starting the Iraq war?

We have 2 Bush wars to wrap up now and we are only 2 weeks into the new admin.

Can you at least give us 2 more weeks before we are expected to save the world?

By Taxpayer

February 4, 2009 11:22 AM | Link to this

President Obama is calling these arrogant executives out on the carpet and giving them a little public flogging. I like it.

By Midori

February 4, 2009 11:24 AM | Link to this

Paul,

you’ll wear what I tell you to wear!!

I have the keys to the padlock, remember??? :)

By Greg Mendel

February 4, 2009 11:26 AM | Link to this

DB, Gwinnettian @ 10:09 AM:

Good points. I voted for Obama, and, so far, I’m not disappointed. Yes, I question some of his decisions, but his job is a bit like being manager of a baseball team. He needs to win more than he loses.

Lately, I’ve been a little irritated over the degree of time and effort he’s given to placating Republicans and their mantra of tax cuts. But, Obama knows this country will never get out of the ditch until the Atwater/Bush politics of division is discredited and overcome.

Obama deserves some slack. No other president, save Lincoln and FDR, took office with such a disaster on his hands.

By Midori

February 4, 2009 11:28 AM | Link to this

Taxpayer,

another thing I like is HIM taking responsibility, and owning up to his screw ups.

refreshing, ain’t it?

By Midori

February 4, 2009 11:28 AM | Link to this

Taxpayer,

another thing I like is HIM taking responsibility, and owning up to his screw ups.

refreshing, ain’t it?

By Crescent City Dude

February 4, 2009 11:30 AM | Link to this

Taxpayer - I have no problem with the President calling the arrogant executives out on the carpet. Now, if he would only start with calling out the many arrogant reprsentatives and senators - that would be grand! Talk about people with super sized egos and I’m not limiting this to one party or the other. Politicians are an arrogant lot!

By Taxpayer

February 4, 2009 11:39 AM | Link to this

It is refreshing indeed, Midori. I think a lot of people just do not grasp the significance of that one “little” action.

Crescent City Dude, I would love to see stronger steps taken to clean up Washington and I hope that over time, Obama will be able to make a dent. I mentioned the other day, for example, that all elected officials should be subjected to IRS audits and that’s just for openers. However, he cannot tackle everything at one time and do a decent job.

By mm

February 4, 2009 11:44 AM | Link to this

It’s hard to judge the performance of a POTUS after 3 weeks, although the fruitcakes here judged it 3 months before he took office.

Good thing smarter people have started addressing the global warming issue. If left up to the wingnuts I would have beachfront property in 30 years, and I live 10 miles from the ocean.

By Paul

February 4, 2009 11:47 AM | Link to this

Midori

grumble mumble @!##$! The darn things give me wedgies…

Mrs. Godzilla 11:12

[[Do you doubt he will end it?]]

That’s a short, concise, horribly difficult question. There are so many side factors, contributing issues. But the short answer… if he continues on the present course, even with an increase of 30,000 troops, the short answer is “No.”

Briefly, briefly… if we get over our fascination with democracy in a 12-century tribal country… picking out a strongman to rule it all… are willing to make deals with local Taliban leaders… pay’em off or whatever it takes… find a way to make and keep a barrier between them and AQ… continue to decimate, cripple and marginalize AQ, even enlisting the aid of foreign gov’ts to do so (Pres Obama continuing the rendition program is recognition of this),,, be willing to expand efforts in education for both sexes, health programs, farming assistance… then maybe we can clear out… if we’re willing to go back in if there’s a reneging – and go in hard – forget ‘proportionality’… then maybe. But it won’t be in his first term. Or likely not even his second.

By BDAtlanta

February 4, 2009 11:48 AM | Link to this

The Commander in Chief kicked some booties and took some names this morning!!!

http://thecaucus.blogs.nytimes.com/2009/02/04/obama-announces-new-rules-on-executive-compensation/

Ouch..

By SaveOurRepublic

February 4, 2009 11:51 AM | Link to this

Mrs. Godzilla @ 10:59 AM - Absolutely not! (Good point btw). There needs to be a specific clause banning any American companies who receive “stimulus”/bailout funding or derive business (therefrom) from outsourcing American jobs OR in-sourcing “el-cheapo” H-1B workers (to displace American workers). However…that won’t happen because these traitors are totally beholden to the Globalist agenda!

By mm

February 4, 2009 11:59 AM | Link to this

Three weeks in and Obama admits he screwed up. Eight years and counting and Bush still can’t admit he made ANY mistakes.

Change you can count on.

Closing Gitmo, change you can count on.

Banning torture, change you can count on.

Executive pay limits, change you can count on.

And now we have Cheney still running his mouth. When will this claasless liar just disappear?

By Swami Dave

February 4, 2009 12:01 PM | Link to this

Paul:

Thanks for the response.

On your point that it is a Democratic bill (it is) written by Democrats (it is) with minimal input / amendments from Republicans (there are few) as point that the bill is targeted at one of the constitutiences (labor unions) in relation to the “Buy American” components, I understand your point. Yes, I agree that those policy elements were included targeted to those groups. However, I think that it would be unfair and dishonest to make that association ignoring the reality that there are segments on the “right” (who are more isolationists on a policy / diplomatic level) who do not share those same sentiments.

In my opinion, I think it would be incorrect to assume that Democrats crafted their bill without considering that political reality. That would assume a level of political ignorance specific to these types of calculations that I do not ascribe to them. It would also be intellectually dishonest for me to attack the policy as solely a “payoff to liberal interest groups like organized labor” without acknowledging that there are those on “my side” that would agree with it [even if for different philosophical reasons].

I understand your thoughts on the limitations of executive salaries because it is something that I have to confess I would like to see if only from a punitive standpoint. That said, I also recognize that punishing current and future executives based on the poor performance of those in the past (most of whom have already gotten their money and left the mess) may not be the best course for leading to what should be our intended goal. That goal (I would define) as returning these companies to economic and financial strength as solid competitors and employers within the markets.

I disagree with your “college student wanting the most expensive luxuries to go to college” analogy simply because I think that is is an incorrect comparison. If the stated goal is an college degree, then condos or Masarati’s are not requirements for achieving that goal. Frankly, one’s “image to uphold” has little to do with the education that one receives. That said, if the stated goal is an Ivy League education, a unilateral decision that you will only pay an amount equal to tuition at Greensboro Community College will certainly impact your ability to meet the objective.

My simple point was that -if- our goal is the long-term health and viability of these companies, then acting in a manner that punishes them for past grievances will probably not lead us toward achieving the objective. If our goal is to extract a “pound of flesh” from people who may not have even been there when the sins were committed, then we should not be surprised if some of the best and brightest avoid the situations where they might offer the strongest influence.

In effect, I would propose that, through these policies, we will be initiating the same drive toward mediocre leadership in some of our private sector companies that we currently suffer from in government offices (and the candidates who seek them).

Again, thanks for the follow-up and chance to elaborate.

-Swami Dave

[[ostensibly targeted toward union sympathizers on the left and isolationists on the right)]]

As the House bill was a Dem bill written by Dems, I’ll offer the “Buy American” provisions were payback for the unions by the Dem leadership - not offered as an olive branch to the isolationists on the right.

[[allowing them to compensate executives as much as they desire in hopes of getting the best ones?]]

That’s been the argument - but the depth, breadth and extent of the mess shows the ‘best ones’ didn’t do much better than the mediocre ones.

My impression is, at that level it’s a rather incestuous group - they pop from one company to another. And as many have noted, past poor performance seems strikingly at odds with the idea they’d even be considered for another position elsewhere, let alone given it!

Again, if it’s a private company they can do what they want, pretty much. But when they are in crisis, receiving huge amounts of money from the citizens (without which they would not survive), then many would say it is not unreasonable to suspend the multimillion-dollar salaries, bonuses and perks until they are self-supporting.

Rather like your kid goes off to college and says “Mom, Dad: here’s the condo I want you to buy for me - dorm life doesn’t cut it. Maserati makes a nice-size car appropriate for commuting. My clothing allowance should be a grand a month - I’ve an image to maintain. If you have to pick up a second or third job, well, if that’s what it takes, thats what it takes.”

I think the response would be “you want me to pay for college? Here are the terms - and they are not negotiable.”

By AmVet

February 4, 2009 12:09 PM | Link to this

I’ve been out of the corporate world for 20 years, but whatever happened to performance reviews?

You know, where your pay is DIRECTLY tied to your performance?

Some of these CEOs and other fat cats might well end up owing their employers money back, they’ve done such an abysmal job.

Ditto in pro sports.

Wanna negotiate a multi-million dollar contract based on last years results, Mr. Free Agent?

Fine, but if you then hit .158 (Andruw), or have an ERA of 5+ your salary would reflect it. And dramatically. Then a lot more people might actually be able to afford to go to a game occasionally. And you wouldn’t be over-rewarded for being a middling grade schmoe.

Personal accountability. Its not just an idiotic, hypocritical GOP mantra…

By Jeff

February 4, 2009 12:14 PM | Link to this

A simple work-around for the backlash to the “Buy American Clause” is to stipulate that component items be RoHS Compliant. Outside component manufacturers would have to comply, which would take time. This would allow our own manufacturing to get up and running. The environment would also be a big winner in this scenario, and the World Trade Organization would have nothing to cry about.

By Taxpayer

February 4, 2009 12:21 PM | Link to this

AmVet,

For openers, you need to look at who’s doing the “performance reviews” at the levels of mis-management that President Obama was targeting. Unfortunately, he cannot directly target those that have already taken their golden parachutes and fled. Perhaps a few of them will eventually be convicted on some charges but it’s hard to say. There are so few laws that they have left to pursue them with. Maybe tax evasion? We should send troops into places like the Cayman Islands and take control of some “banks” and see what we can uncover. That would be a good start.

By Jeff

February 4, 2009 12:23 PM | Link to this

A simple work-around for the backlash to the “Buy American Clause” is to stipulate that component items be RoHS Compliant. Outside component manufacturers would have to comply, which would take time. This would allow our own manufacturing to get up and running. The environment would also be a big winner in this scenario, and the World Trade Organization would have nothing to cry about.

By oldmac

February 4, 2009 12:25 PM | Link to this

Just saw where the Obie supporter in Forsyth County that was blamin’ the racist whiteys for torching her house may just have done it herself. Nice try.

NJ

By AJC/DNC Management

February 4, 2009 12:26 PM | Link to this

{{{{By BDAtlanta February 4, 2009 11:48 AM The Commander in Chief kicked some booties and took some names this morning!!! http://thecaucus.blogs.nytimes.com/2009/02/04/obama-announces-new-rules-on-executive-compensation/}}}}

Blah, blah, blah-

{{{{The House Democratic Caucus spent more than $500,000 in taxpayer money over the past five years for its annual retreats at resorts in Pennsylvania and Virginia.}}}}

baraKKK could bail us out by just cracking down on these tax other people and spend dhimmoKKKrats.

ew

By Paul

February 4, 2009 12:27 PM | Link to this

Swami Dave

I don’t doubt some isolationist on the Right have intersecting interests with the America First union types on the Left – just think it may, at most, have been an “hey, maybe they’ll let this slide” attitude among those writing the bill rather than an active courting strategy. A small distinction perhaps, but one that puts the Right in a more passive, not active, light.

Yeah, some of those execs took the money and ran – like the guy from Merrill Lynch. It’d be nice if their past associates shunned them – no invites to the company parties, no positions on boards, no nothing.

My point on the college example was more along the lines of people who want and want and expect and demand – when they don’t put anything into it. In the student case, it’s doing a job (going to college) but expecting an outrageous lifestyle paid for by the parents. In the company case, it’s doing a job, having the company in outrageously poor condition, then expecting others to provide an unwarranted salary, bonus and perks. It was more a condemnation of attitude thing.

Nothing says these restrictions need be permanent. But something addressing activity that seems more akin to the old Robber Baron should be considered.

AmVet

Whatever happened to performance reviews? They’re alive and well - just not for the top spots - or the cronies on the Boards of Directors.

By MikeB

February 4, 2009 12:28 PM | Link to this

THE BASS FISHERMAN & THE BALLOONIST

A woman in a hot air balloon realized she was lost. She lowered heraltitude and spotted a man in a bass boat below. She shouted to him, ‘Excuseme, can you help me? I promised a friend I would meet him an hour ago, but Idon’t know where I am.’ The man consulted his portable GPS and replied, ‘You’re in a hot airballoon, approximately 30 feet above a ground elevation of 2346 feet abovesea level. You are at 31 degrees, 14.97 minutes north latitude and 100degrees, 49.09 minutes west longitude.’

She rolled her eyes and said, ‘You must be a Republican.? ‘I am,’ replied the bass fisherman. ‘How did you know?’ ‘Well,’ answered the balloonist, ’ everything you told me is technicallycorrect, but I have no idea what to do with your information, and I’m still lost. Frankly, you’ve not been much help to me.’

The man smiled and responded, ‘You must be a Democrat.? ‘I am,’ replied the balloonist. ‘How did you know?’

‘Well,’ said the bass fisherman, ‘you don’t know where you are or where you are going. You’ve risen to where you are, due to a large quantity of hot air. You made a promise that you have no idea how to keep, and you expect me to solve your problem. You’re in exactly the same position you were in before we met, but, somehow, now it’s my fault.’

By GodHatesTrash

February 4, 2009 12:29 PM | Link to this

This chickenhawk still a kkkoward. What a whiny putz.

By tcoach

February 4, 2009 12:29 PM | Link to this

By capping the CEO’s salaries all that has been done is given a green light to CEO’s to engage in even dirtier tricks and scheme’s.

These people just like the politicians are crooks. They do not have concern for any but themselves and their own personal interest.

Most CEO’s are highly connected and networking individuals. They will find a way to get their millions.

Thus once again the government makes criminals out of law abiding citizens.

By Taxpayer

February 4, 2009 12:31 PM | Link to this

Right, Jeff. That’ll really get the lead out. 8>)

By Swami Dave

February 4, 2009 12:33 PM | Link to this

Apologies to all for the post duplication in my response to Paul. This is one where the blame is mine! -smile-

-SD

By Wyld Byll Hyltnyr

February 4, 2009 12:35 PM | Link to this

Mrs. Godzilla 10:43 AM

To borrow one your old saws, aticles from the NY Times and MSNBC as independant verification? “Puh-leeze!!!!” The only difference between those twop sources and a Whitehouse press release is that the tax payers do not have to pay for MSNBC or the Times - yet. I have business interests in effected areas and that which one hears on the ground is vastly different than that which one hears from the pom-pom holding news media or the Deomcrat shill in the statehouse.

It looks as if President Obama responded no quicker than President Bush after local authorities asked for help. Does that make Obama incompetent, as, in your mind, it made Bush?

Scum? - sure ACORN is pure, unadulterated scum. BDS addled mind? - that true also.

By KKK Management

February 4, 2009 12:38 PM | Link to this

AJC/DNC Management, Thankkk you again. You are truly a brother in our kkkause.* The G. Dragon

By Mrs. Godzilla

February 4, 2009 12:44 PM | Link to this

Byll…

Please share with us what your business interests have to say. And back it up….

Unhappiness with the sources sited does not constitute an intelligent reply. Please address content of said sources and and back it up.

If next day and 4 days are the same amount of time to you….well…what can I say?

I guess time is fleeting….

By Mrs. Godzilla

February 4, 2009 12:46 PM | Link to this

Oh and off topic….

“President Barack Obama is scheduled to sign into law on Wednesday a bill expanding the State Children’s Health Insurance Program (SCHIP) to give health coverage to 4 million more children.”

Yes, we can. Yes, we did. Yes, we will.

By AmVet

February 4, 2009 12:46 PM | Link to this

Neo-con “oversight”brought to you by BushCo.

Hint: Whistle-blowers need not bother.

WASHINGTON (AP) — The man who waged a decade-long campaign to alert regulators to problems in the operations of fallen money manager Bernard Madoff told Congress Wednesday that he had feared for his physical safety.

Harry Markopolos also assailed the Securities and Exchange Commission in his first appearance before lawmakers. The SEC failed to act despite receiving credible allegations of fraud from Markopolos about Madoff’s operations over a decade.

http://finance.yahoo.com/news/Madoff-tipster-Harry-apf-14250524.html

By Fly_on_the_Wall

February 4, 2009 12:47 PM | Link to this

I wondered how long it would take all of the righy-tighties here to transfer all of the blame for Bush’s actions to Obama. Now it seems as though they want to blame him for the economy and starting the wars in Iraq & Pakistan. I’m not quite sure how they come to those conclusions but it isn’t anything I wasn’t expecting.

One other thing, I just love how the Republicans in Congress have all of a sudden found their mojo. NOW they decide that spending is a bad thing. Why didn’t they find this 8 years ago?

By Bosch

February 4, 2009 12:48 PM | Link to this

Paul,

Late to the discussion today.

I heard an interesting story on NPR yesterday and there was this guy who talked about Wall Street culture and how it’s changed from the days of the Andrew Carnegies.

In those days if Carnegie had a bad year, he personally suffered financially for it.

If you look at pictures of Henry Ford, I think the man only owned two or three suits that he probably kept for 20-30 years. Edison and Firestone - same thing. Their name was on the line and they had personal stake in the financial success of their company, they didn’t go from corporation to corporation creating a path of financial destruction where ever they were.

Now, they give a new CEO 20 million dollars or so before he even starts. They are paid to take these ridiculous risks (junk bonds, dot coms, sub prime mortgages) because - why not? They do these start up ideas, and in the few years it takes them to collapse they are too filthy rich to care. Why wouldn’t they?

Here’s the link - I enjoyed the story.

Failing Banks’ Executive Pay May Face New Rules

On the topic,

I see Jay’s point - it’d be nice to buy America - but I think we might want to start MAKING stuff again before we start down that road.

By CommunistAJC

February 4, 2009 1:12 PM | Link to this

Mrs. Godzilla, that does not answer the question. Going to mainland China only means that you’ve traveled outside the country. The reason…..HIGH TAXES for corporations. Other countries don’t have insane union labor cost.

By Bud Wiser

February 4, 2009 1:15 PM | Link to this

Yeah, Obama apologized for nominating not one or two, but three tax cheats for important positions. Yeah, good for him.

He’s still the idiot that couldn’t even instruct his vetting sources to ask a simple question like “do you pay your taxes?” Did heads roll, as they should have, from these so-called committees? Never heard a peep about that. If I rob a bank, which is what these morons did in essence by not paying their share into it, but then pay it back, am I square with the law? Are you?

And AmVet, if the application of what you say about corporate performance being directly linked to executive pay were in place, then should that theory also apply to Congress? I don’t want to throw all of them out of office ……..well…..yes, maybe I do. If you were a gambling man, what odds would you ever be willing to lay on THAT ever happening? Hint: It will snow in hell first.

And Bosch, I’d love to be able to not just buy American first, but want to buy American first. In the car industry, all I see are steadfastly recalcitrant UAW members who are totally unwilling to budge one inch further, even despite the forecast (theoretical, if all bailouts go through) imminent dissolution of their employers, and THAT is where this stimulus package contains its fatal flaw, in my opinion.

There is not simply wanting to succeed, but it becomes that the need to avoid failure is eliminated by big daddy government who says to keep doing (failing) what you are doing, and we’ll bail you out if you lose. I wish I could go to Vegas with that kind of support.

I simply advocate that if businesses are going to fail because of their inability or, in particular, unwillingness to adapt to changing market conditions, then let them fail. You cannot have the reward for failure to be equal to the reward for success. We may as well have the government nationalize all businesses and service industries, and let bureaucrats determine what best we all should have; wait….aren’t we starting down that road now anyway?

By AmVet

February 4, 2009 1:18 PM | Link to this

GHT, thanks for the link.

Whether the Bush administration should have done more about the economy: “We did worry about it, to some extent. … I don’t think anybody actually foresaw something of this size and dimension occurring.

Dick Cheney, one of those .158 hitters I referred to above.

But with a Nazi-esque twist. Keep repeating a lie long enough and the Republiconned, will believe it.

No worries. His role in history as a Grade A thug and head-up-his-lardass, neo-con buffoon is safe.

By Mrs. Godzilla

February 4, 2009 1:19 PM | Link to this

actually Commie wrong again.

I did answer your question. I said yes.

By Bosch

February 4, 2009 1:19 PM | Link to this

AmVet,

I had a thought early in the day about the bailouts and what not.

I’d like to see Obama sick Nader on them - I mean really - give him a job - the “Corporate CEO and IF You Spend Our Taxpayer Money To Buy a Million Dollar Rug or Some Lame A$$ Thing Like That, I’m Gonna Get You Sucka So You Better Watch Out Czar”

Whatdayathink?

By CommunistAJC

February 4, 2009 1:24 PM | Link to this

Bud Wiser, remember when Reagan fired the Air Traffic Controllers? If Obama had any balls, which he doesn’t because unions were his biggest supporters besides felons, he should have GM fire all the union people. Hire people who want to work instead of whine and cry all the time. PresHussein could put it in the stimulus package. We’ll give you the money if you fire all of your whiny little union scumbags.

By Pete

February 4, 2009 1:26 PM | Link to this

MRS. GODZILLA SAYS How long will it be until he ignores a PDB and 50 other warnings that lead to the largest terrorist attack on our nation and the death of 3500 people? She conveniently forgets (called “selective amnesia”) that had Clinton done his job after first WTC bombing, 2 embassy bombings and USS Cole, Bin Laden would have been history. Those were the real warnings that were ignored. How many weeks will we have to wait for him to start a war against a country that never attacked us and then bungle it badly? Can you tell us when Rwanda attacked us? Meanwhile both Clintons, Kerry, Gore, and many more top Dems. stated that Saddam had WMD’s, but as always, did not have the stones to take him out even though they stated many times he needed to be taken out. You also forgot to mention that Clinton, Kerry, Edwards and many other Dems voted FOR the war, in spite of all of them now trying to pretend they voted for sometihng else. You are a classic example of someone who never lets the facts interfere with a good story.

By American Made

February 4, 2009 1:28 PM | Link to this

Tax reform, tax reform, tax reform, tax reform. When companies are not punished for doing business in the US, they will come back and all of those jobs will come with them. When individuals are not punished for saving, they will spend more. When achievers are not punished for earning, they will supply more. Our tax system is broke.

By CommunistAJC

February 4, 2009 1:30 PM | Link to this

Mrs. Godzilla, wow, that is a great answer. You should apply for a teaching job in Clayton County.

By SaveOurRepublic

February 4, 2009 1:31 PM | Link to this

Flyonthe_Wall - The GOP’s new/re-found “mojo” is further proof of the phoney Left/Right paradigm. The DNC/GOP play “good cop, bad cop” to further the deception that the present an actual, valid “choice”/difference. When in all actuality, both “parties” (at the “leadership” level) are 2 sides of the same (Globalist Elite controlled) coin. The johnny-come-lately GOP “uproar” is another smokescreen to dupe the populace into believing they aren’t manipulated by the same puppet ma$ters as their DNC counterparts.

By CommunistAJC

February 4, 2009 1:34 PM | Link to this

Pete, you’re wasting your time on Mrs. G. She’s a moon bat. Facts don’t mean anything to her.

By Pete

February 4, 2009 1:45 PM | Link to this

By CommunistAJC

February 4, 2009 1:34 PM | Link to this

Pete, you’re wasting your time on Mrs. G. She’s a moon bat. Facts don’t mean anything to her.

Yeah, but its a lot of fun and so easy to prove!

By Dusty

February 4, 2009 2:48 PM | Link to this

Gentlemen, please, let us be fair.

Mrs. Godzie has kicked the habit of being IN THE NEWS. She has become a sweet lil’ grandma who only drops her teeth here occasionally. We must support her tottering steps forward in her new Obama high-top shoes.

Now shhhh….she’s getting her afternoon nap!!

By Mike Huckle

February 4, 2009 3:06 PM | Link to this

“Congress gave into that instinct by passing the Smoot-Hawley tariffs. Other major economies retaliated, compounding the Great Depression. Surely we have learned better.”

No, Jay, we have not learned better. Following the depression the govn’t actions as a whole were proven to have extended financial difficulties. Once again - even after such trying times as were brought on by Carter, we are still doing this sort of thing. And this time, our grand children will be picking up the pieces. Don’t believe me about the post-depression economic fallout - look it up yourself.

Real change STILL IS - FairTax.

By Pogo

February 4, 2009 5:26 PM | Link to this

Mama Lizard says, “Yes, we can”. “Yes, we will”. “Yes, we did”. She left out the most important part and that is “No, we can’t pay for it and we really could really care less”. Judging from all the time Godzirra spends here on this mudhole, she probably doesn’t pay taxes anyway which makes her opinion worthless. Either that or she’s ripping off her employer which makes her really worthless.

Pelosi also said that 500,000,000 million Americans are losing their jobs if the House bill doesn’t go through. Wow, things are worse than we suspected. Whose going to pay for all this pork fat, oh Wicked Witch of the West? What a dumb a$$. Pelosi, Read and the crew are going to take Obama down and they are going to do it quick. Obama is beginning to look like a lost little boy looking for direction and comfort from somebody, anybody. He doesn’t know enough himself and he is depending upon a bunch of ex-Clintonites and his liberal friends in the Congress to direct him. His only recourse is to constantly apologize while at the same time trying to maintain his liberal “creds” and to look “presidential”. His infirm countenance is beginning to really worry me and it is worrying America. America is not liberal. America wants politicians that tell the truth and that play by the same set of rules as the rest of us. Obama, by avenue of his selection of his advisors, is proving to be just another one of the same ole same ole. The only difference is he is black and he has the liberal media behind him. That will buy him, at best, about another 12 months before Americans (and his buddies in the press) will ready to throw him and all of his party out. Americans are against this “stimulus” package. Americans have this strange inherent trait of knowing what is best for them, no matter what the media or their “leaders” say. Obama now says he willing to compromise but he was more than willing to accept the crap that Pelosi pushed out of the House as written. Either he is incredibly stupid or he is incredibly naive. I believe the latter is true which is surprising seeings how he was born and nurtured in Chicago/Daly type politics. The future looks mighty grim folks. And I am an optimist.

By Pogo

February 4, 2009 5:42 PM | Link to this

Another thing, Long live Swami Dave. he is by far the most intelligent poster here on this slop bucket of a blog. Nobody really responds to him because they know they can’t.

By Paul

February 4, 2009 6:45 PM | Link to this

AmVet 2:33

[[To wit. There is virtually no one in that town that I can see who would risk the political capital and its perks to assist him in an aggressive crackdown on corporate crime and corporate welfare, cutting the huge, bloated, wasteful military budget, adopting single payer national health insurance, adopting a revenue-neutral carbon pollution tax, reversing U.S. policy in the Middle East, adopting a Wall Street securities speculation tax, working to end corporate personhood, opening up the presidential debates, defending, restoring and strengthening the civil justice system nor adopting the National Initiative.]]

I’ll vote for ya’. Failing that, I’ll continue to regularly vote ABI on my ballot (Anybody But the Incumbent).

Bosch 2:40

(Addressed to you but more for others here who weren’t privy to our discussion)

When someone like Krauthammer refers to Geithner’s tax troubles as “trivialities” and lobbied for his confirmation, when Britt Hume of FoxNews called Daschle the perfect mix of policy expert, knowledge of Washington workings and believer in the mission, in spite of his troubles and that the country will be the poorer without him – well, those are views some would do well to consider.

mm 3:18

[[The Obama admin is cancelling 77 drilling leases near Utah parks.]]

Thank heavens! Most of those drill sites come up empty, marring the landscape. About time they shifted emphasis to offshore where the known reserves are.

Mrs. Godzilla 3:22

[[I gave up multiple ID’s]]

Did not… “Mrs.” and “Godzilla.” That’s two.

Someday I’ll share my secret Old Fashion recipe with ya. Very nice cold-evening drink.

Midori 3:40

[[Linda Chavez, had to withdraw when it was discovered that she had given haven to illegal immigrants.]]

I haven’t checked, but didn’t Mrs. Chavez fail to pay Social Security taxes on her domestic help? Not quite ‘giving haven’ – that would make her a Democrat – you know, open borders and all that.

By WB

February 5, 2009 4:58 AM | Link to this

It all comes down to protectionism. For years Japan and other countries, read China here, have supported industires to produce cheaper products or limited America’s access to markets in their own countries. Now American’s are the big meannies because we want to put our people back to work? Take it from someone in the IT field nobody is “safe” in this world wide economy. I have had three (3) jobs in the last calendar year. Two of which went to Malyasia. I got no sympathy for these other governments that can’t or will not stimulate their own economies. The U.S. cannot do it all for them.

By Earl

February 5, 2009 9:27 AM | Link to this

I had to chuckle, okay I laughed out loud at the math of Speaker of the House Pelosi about how each month that goes by and we don’t pass Obama’s stimulus bill the USA is losing 500 million jobs a month? Gee whiz, 500 million jobs a month in a county with 300+ million people. With her math Amercian infants under the age of two are holding down four jobs. Spread this 500 million over the 57 states Obama says we have and what do you come up with? A big laugh at this confederacy of dunces in DC, that’s what. But, the pigeons knew that below…something monumental was happening! LOL

By Earl

February 5, 2009 9:52 AM | Link to this

If Pelosi could go say…maybe go a whole month without having her face pulled back to make her look like her age is still in the double digits and not triple ones, then maybe she wouldn’t be talking out her arse so much. Will the folks that held Obama’s hand into the White House still be there to lead the dimwit back out?

By reservoirDAWG

February 5, 2009 10:26 AM | Link to this

I see where this is heading and don’t like the path. Obama’s policies are no good! Socialist sh1thead.

By Earl

February 5, 2009 10:53 AM | Link to this

Read the bill, all of it. 246 million tax dollars going to Hollywood? Will the check be made out to Tina Fey? Can’t wait to get my Thank Your Last Tax Dollar I Didn’t Vote For Him bumper sticker to come in the mail. Change? That’s all we’ll have left after this mess, some loose change.

By Atlanta Native

February 5, 2009 10:53 AM | Link to this

Hey now is all you as**e jerks are so good, so informed, so superior in your thinking they why are you not in elected office, making a difference and turning the whole world around??????? Oh yeah you just like to Bih about everything and not solve anything…I get it.

By reservoirDAWG

February 5, 2009 11:16 AM | Link to this

Hey native, can you form a complete sentence? Why would anyone want to be in elected office when one could work in the private sector and roll?

By williebkind

February 5, 2009 11:45 AM | Link to this

Well, it is kinda late in the morning to digest all this great stuff I see here. Labor unions want control of business and do not know how to run a business. It is just politics to them—which means a fat check and political clout.

If unions are so great why did the auto industry lose so much of the market share to foreign auto markets. Well in my opinion, which I consider a reliable source, union costs of labor, health, and retirement benefits bled the life out of the auto industry.

Now, add the wacko left with their fictional ideas of global warming, census conclusions fossil fuel emissions are destroying the earth, and not drilling for oil to feed an oil based economy are some reasons American autos have been priced out of many families ability to operate and buy.

Now they want to raise the price of my beer and chewing tobacco again because cigaretts are dangerous. I just do not get it. Well, I am not going to quit! I will do just like the liberal democrats and not pay my taxes. That way my beer and chewing tobacco will be cheaper. You have your priorities and I have mine. Remember I am a product of public schools.