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DEL.ICIO.USWhat behaviors do we buy?
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
While testifying recently before a Georgia State Senate study committee, former Speaker of the U.S. House of Representatives Newt Gingrich, argued for revolutionary shifts in the nation’s healthcare system to one that promotes wellness and healthier lifestyles. As he noted, we’ve gone in just a few decades from a nation with chronic hunger problems to one that suffers chronic obesity.
At the core of the debate is a challenge to conservatives: How do we use government, or the bully-pulpit it presents, to change behaviors? One of my favorite examples of an inappropriate use of government is the Georgia Lottery and state lotteries everywhere. The fact that a public housing project maintenance man from Bainbridge recently won $66 million — his take of an advertised $163 million jackpot — along with the feel-good stories that surface periodically about how much the lottery “contributes” to education, make for swell public relations.
But as conservatives who would recast government, a first consideration always when proposing new programs is what behaviors we’ re buying. With the lottery, we’re “buying” these:
- We’re encouraging the poor to spend money their children may need for necessities.
- We’re tempting the weak to succumb to a possible addiction.
- We’re telling families that it’s not really necessary to save or plan for college for their children because the state will do that for them.
- We’re encouraging teachers and school officials to inflate grades to make marginal students eligible for government financial assistance.
- We’re inviting the young to think that riches come by chance, not by hard work and thrift.
On the plus side: A few people do get rich, For most of us, the lottery is affordable entertainment, disposable income that goes to gambling as opposed to a big order of fries. And some kids do get to go to college, or to a more desirable college.
For conservatives in government, two questions should always precede legislation and regulation: One is “what behaviors are we buying?” The second is: “Can it be justified on a cost-benefit basis?”
Comments
By Harold
November 9, 2006 08:03 AM | Link to this
How do conservatives use government, or the bully-pulpit it presents, to change behaviors?
YOU BEG THE DEMOCRATS TO DO IT
Can it be justified on a cost-benefit basis?
The lottery doesn’t cost the government money. It makes the government money, so Yes.
By Political Foreskin
November 9, 2006 08:24 AM | Link to this
The only lottery I ever won was the time my wife got picked for jury duty.
Four days of beer and porn. And I woulda got away with it too, except I lost one bottle cap in the sofa which she found about six weeks later and put 2+2 together. Then she checked my internet trail and knew everything.
My wife wont allow beer or porn in the house. It’s not fair. I need someone to step forward and save me from my marriage, please.
By harold
November 9, 2006 08:31 AM | Link to this
Adios, Cut and Runsfeld! Don’t let the door hit you on the way out.
By Pope rednecks - Amerikkka's Al Qaeda I
November 9, 2006 08:36 AM | Link to this
What behavior should we legislate here - no snakes in church? Or, perhaps better yet, how about a large nest of vipers let loose in every mega-church in the country every Sunday AM?
By jbmlaw
November 9, 2006 08:39 AM | Link to this
Good morning all. Jim suggests two questions before engaging any government action, (1) What behaviors are we buying?, and (2) Can it be justified on a cost-benefit basis?
I respectfully believe the first question is inapposite, as there is no behavior purchased when government takes no action. Governments do only three things well: (a) they are efficient killing machines, (b) they are efficient means of depriving people of freedom, and (c) they are an effective way to steal and redistribute wealth. Here, in the lottery case, there is no meaningful government action. The lottery is a government monopoly for a narrow-benefit game of chance; the monopolist sells “hope” for a low cost of admission. The sale cannot be fairly characterized as a fraud or deception, because everyone knows the odds of being struck by lightening are greater than winning the lottery. While private enterprise would almost certainly deliver a greater return to the games players, the game sold is not one of life’s essentials, and all are free to not play. As there is no encroachment of life, freedom, or wealth, there is no true government issue, other than arguable stete-enforced salary protection for a narrow class of government managers.
As to the cost-benefit basis, I disagree with the choice of question. While I respect utilitarian analysis for private enterprise, mostly due to its respect for economics, I truly believe the correct question to ask of any government action is, “Is it the right thing to do?” More of a Kantian approach. As constraints on freedom are arguably a necessary evil, we do well to remember that they remain fundamentally an “evil.” The justification for outlawing gambling, i.e., free decision-making by individuals, is minimal. Engaging in such behavior may be an abomination, especially if there is a deprivation of life’s necessities for helplessly dependent children, but the criminal offense there is child negligence, not gambling.
By time for the truth
November 9, 2006 08:46 AM | Link to this
Given that you’re Cobb County’s most infamous ageing cyber poof harold it sure seems like your obsession with Rumsfeld is based on a lunatic melding of the bittersweet vagaries of deranged unrequited distant love and incandescent rage at that comprehensive restraining order imposed by a federal judge to protect Rumsfeld from you.
By harold
November 9, 2006 08:53 AM | Link to this
yes, between the restraining order and the revoked driving license it’s been quite difficult stalking anybody
By U-GetAClue
November 9, 2006 08:54 AM | Link to this
Hey Jim Wooten,
Why do I get the feeling that if the REPUBS had taken control of the House and the Senate, we would have a better Blog topic today?
Changing behavior is a mute subject, because it’s usually dictated by circumstances.
Poor people by lottery tickets, because they want to be rich or at least middle class. Not because they want to take food, lodging, etc… from their families.
FYI…. I’m no fan of the University System of GA - so I encourage my child to study hard and go to school out of state.
What do you suggest marginal students do with their futures? Let’s see - would you like fries with that? Or should they clean your REPUB toilets? Or would someone such as yourself have a conversation with Jose, that does like this - “Jose, you are good with your hands and hispanics are good with fixing things, so I think you would make a great auto mechanic.” But, Mr. Wooten - I want to be an Engineer, so that I can one day design fuel efficient engines for Toyota.
Why shouldn’t I get the chance to be an engineer Mr. Wooten? Would little blue eyed Johnny make a better engineer because he made an “A” in Algebra and I made a “C”? But, Mr. Wooten - Johnny doesn’t have a clue about how an engine works or how to build an Outhouse. Maybe that’s why FORD is full of little Johnny engineers and Toyota is taking control of the market.
Why can’t we change Behavior such as yours, Mr. Wooten?
With Love,
U-GetAClue
By Peter
November 9, 2006 08:58 AM | Link to this
You have got to be kidding me today…..the lottery helps more than it hurts………
Why don’t we outlaw fast food then, heck most Americans are obease, and kids learn from an early age to desire McDonalds…….teaching that is OK and the lottery is not…..this country is drowning in health care costs, because of the unhealthy life style of most Americans.
How about teaching something having to do with money management in junior high and high schools for a change.
Most kids when they get old enough to have a checking account, and a credit card go nuts……
HA HA HA…..JIM…..when is this blog going to actually have something of substance to talk about???
By Political Foreskin
November 9, 2006 09:05 AM | Link to this
I won an instant lottery once, when I pulled out a nearly fresh pair of BVDs from the laundry hamper. that was a good day.
Has anyone ever heard of the term, “thumpin”? Where does Mrs. Malaprop get these terms?
Napoleon’s invasion of Russia was a Rumsfeld style plan to capture Moscow. (If you knew history, you’d see how clever I am).
Rumsfeld’s lack of strategic vision is astonishing. He’s Bush’s McClellan. If you knew history, you’d be takin’ a thumpin over my insight into armchair generals.
The only thumpin bush ever did was in the cabin bunks at cheerleader camp at Yale. Bush has evolved the same ironic personality traits that all appointed officials develop: delusions of grandeur and pettiness.
I demand the resignation of George W Bush effective noon tomorrow. Ditto Cheney. Ditto Hastert. Lets let the new speaker run things for a while.
By Van
November 9, 2006 09:06 AM | Link to this
Jim Wooten,
Good questions, some have come up ever since Georgia started the Lottery.
* We’re encouraging the poor to spend money their children may need for necessities.People have to have the freedom to fail, if they fail due to dumb habits or unnecessary purchasing of lottery tickets, that is their choice.
* We’re tempting the weak to succumb to a possible addiction.Do we restrict the “weak” from certain purchases? Do we restrict their purchase of cheap alcohol or street drugs?
* We’re telling families that it’s not really necessary to save or plan for college for their children because the state will do that for them.Anyone that does not have a Plan “B” should not rely on a Plan “A”
* We’re encouraging teachers and school officials to inflate grades to make marginal students eligible for government financial assistance.Yes, anything to make their jobs easier, pass this burden on to the colleges, we need more bonehead english and math classes
* We’re inviting the young to think that riches come by chance, not by hard work and thrift.These are good Democratic values, why change.
By getalife
November 9, 2006 09:14 AM | Link to this
Go away Newt.
By Peter
November 9, 2006 09:15 AM | Link to this
VAN……..your state is run by Republicans, your government has been run by Republicans……..and you say that silly stuff, as it is Democratic values.
More funny stuff here……..HA HA HA.
By Broken Record
November 9, 2006 09:20 AM | Link to this
Jim, You talk like we are VICTIMS of the Lottery! The Lottery has succeeded in encouraging many of the best students to attend Georgia colleges instead of out of state. As a result of this encouragement, the Georgia colleges and universities have seen a surge in enrollment: http://wsbradio.com/news/110806univer.html The top tier state universities have seen improvements in all areas; recruitment of top students, capital building projects, curriculum improvement and graduation success. HOPE pays ONLY for tuition and fees and a tiny stipend for books, and FYI room and board at Tech or UGA costs $7-8K a year, so college savings are encouraged! The Lottery doesn’t encourage teachers and school officials to inflate grades. These so called educators are LOSERS who choose to NOT grade correctly, and they were doing it long before the Lottery came on the scene! Finally, I love seeing a welfare recipient buying a lottery ticket with a dollar of my taxes because it is well spent on my kids’ HOPE scholarships.
By time for the truth
November 9, 2006 09:21 AM | Link to this
sod off back to backward Sicily maggot brain!!
I knew you were a cowardly mafia pizza gobbling type thug!!
By Political Foreskin
November 9, 2006 09:22 AM | Link to this
US TROOPS ARE THE COLLATERAL DAMAGE OF THE IRAQI CIVIL WAR!
Oh, the irony!
By Political Foreskin
November 9, 2006 09:23 AM | Link to this
US Troops are the collateral damage of the Iraqi Civil War!!
Oh! The Paradox! (that reminds me I need to get a second opinion on my trick knee)
By Political Foreskin
November 9, 2006 09:24 AM | Link to this
US troops are the collateral damage of the Iraqi Civil War!!!
Oh! The ambivalent feeling I have!!
By Political Foreskin
November 9, 2006 09:26 AM | Link to this
I just heard Rummy say his new plans are to go back to college.
Oh! The Irony!!
By Political Foreskin
November 9, 2006 09:28 AM | Link to this
Rumsfeld’s retirement plans are that he’s going to go back to college.
Oh! The paradoxical ambiguity of the whole thing is too much!!
I’m gonna blow my cool!
By Buy Danish
November 9, 2006 09:31 AM | Link to this
JW,
I can’t believe what I’m hearing. I hate to say it, but you sound like a social-engineering nanny!
The benefits of the lottery far outweigh the negatives. If the poor want to buy lottery tickets, so be it. If we didn’t have lottery tickets they’d be plunking down money on less benign forms of gambling. You can’t control that sort of behavior to the degree you suggest.
If teachers are inflating grades its not to get them eligible for the Hope Scholarship - it’s so their school will pass AYP et cetera. That is a different topic altogether than the “morality of lotteries”.
If KIDS are getting too fat it’s because the schools don’t do enough to get them moving during the day and keep them prisoners in their classrooms. They don’t get enough time for lunch and have to gorge their food - a very unhealthy habit to get into.
A government “cure” could help with a situation like this, by mandating more PE, recess, longer lunch “hours” (ha!) et cetera. In that case it might be warranted because we hand our kids over to the care of others for 8 to 9 hours a day if you include time on the bus, and the schools are operating in a clearly unhealthy environment.
If ADULTS are getting fat, there’s not too much the government can do about it, especially since most of the advice on dieting is junk science, and as adults they make their own choices -a liberty children are not afforded.
By Jim's a Dummy
November 9, 2006 09:33 AM | Link to this
Morning Jim,
I hate to revert back to my initial handle, but goodness…when are you going to learn that the politicians are lying? When? When are you going to stop carrying water for people who habitually lie?
Why does Newt have any credibility in your eyes at all? What has he done? What has he actually accomplished, other than stroking the massive ego that is balloning up his bulbous head?
He’s accomplished nothing. Nil. Zip. Nada. Zero. Not a thing. Nothing has been done. Nothing has changed. Check the current stats on Congressional Earmarks, the deficit and accountability in Congress.
And I’ll refer you, once again, to the below “contract” as evidence:
REPUBLICAN CONTRACT WITH AMERICA
As Republican Members of the House of Representatives and as citizens seeking to join that body we propose not just to change its policies, but even more important, to restore the bonds of trust between the people and their elected representatives.
That is why, in this era of official evasion and posturing, we offer instead a detailed agenda for national renewal, a written commitment with no fine print.
This year’s election offers the chance, after four decades of one-party control, to bring to the House a new majority that will transform the way Congress works. That historic change would be the end of government that is too big, too intrusive, and too easy with the public’s money. It can be the beginning of a Congress that respects the values and shares the faith of the American family.
Like Lincoln, our first Republican president, we intend to act “with firmness in the right, as God gives us to see the right.” To restore accountability to Congress. To end its cycle of scandal and disgrace. To make us all proud again of the way free people govern themselves.
On the first day of the 104th Congress, the new Republican majority will immediately pass the following major reforms, aimed at restoring the faith and trust of the American people in their government:
FIRST, require all laws that apply to the rest of the country also apply equally to the Congress;
SECOND, select a major, independent auditing firm to conduct a comprehensive audit of Congress for waste, fraud or abuse;
THIRD, cut the number of House committees, and cut committee staff by one-third;
FOURTH, limit the terms of all committee chairs;
FIFTH, ban the casting of proxy votes in committee;
SIXTH, require committee meetings to be open to the public;
SEVENTH, require a three-fifths majority vote to pass a tax increase;
EIGHTH, guarantee an honest accounting of our Federal Budget by implementing zero base-line budgeting.
By @@
November 9, 2006 09:34 AM | Link to this
Ooohhh Jim: This is not good, not good at all. It’s rare that we as a society, ever think beyond the moment that is at hand. A quick-fix government applied solution is our first choice because….
We have learned over time to be lazy and non-productive. Give us any tool that will allow us to be so, and we’ll pick it up and put it to limited use regardless of the consequences it’ll have on future generations.
A simple solution is far more attractive than one which requires critical thought. A short attention span rules the day. It’s too challenging to view life on a broader scope. It requires too much intellectual energy to foresee and foretell.
Now here’s the part that you aren’t gonna like Jim. We choose to google rather than put forth the physical effort to do research. We choose to estimate rather than articulate. We choose to hope rather than imagine. The choices we make have become our limitations.
If I were given the opportunity to assign a name to the newest tool of convenience. It would be called “An Avoidance.” Its’ biggest investor? The public domain known as “The Internet,” an addiction in and of itself.
Only one comment today Jim. You see……I’m trying to quit. It’s in my best interest to do so, but not yours or the AJC’s.
My approach to life is more philosophical than governmental. I find succumbing to the latter restrictive.
I do enjoy your columns though. They encourage me to think. It’s up to me whether to read and linger, or read, comment, and move on to more productive endeavors.
Applied thought. Use it or lose it.
By Political Foreskin
November 9, 2006 10:02 AM | Link to this
Rummy’s retirement plans? That easy: he’s going to go back to college and finish his education!
Oh! The sardonically trenchant yet chaffingly mordant sneer of self-fulfilled nation-think!!!
By Realist
November 9, 2006 10:07 AM | Link to this
Oil prices going up. Stock market going down.
Yep, the dems took control alright.
By Janine
November 9, 2006 10:09 AM | Link to this
Mr. W. Your pseudo- conservative attitude about “what behaviors are we buying ” with whatever legislation is a huge component of the loss Republicans suffered on Tuesday last. The intrusion of gov’t into places it doesn’t belong.!!!!! If I remember correctly, [and I’ll admit my memory is not what it use to be] the people were given the opportunity to decide whether or not they wanted the lottery. People in the USA are free to make their own decisions about how they are going to behave in a given situation and then,as always, reap consequences or rewards.
By Political Foreskin
November 9, 2006 10:11 AM | Link to this
US troops are the collateral damage of the Iraqi Civil War.
Rumsfeld’s retirement plans are to go back to college.
Kerry plans to join an improve comedy troup, the “Swift Quotes”.
Oh! the tongue twisted, tongue tied, tongue in cheek, cat got your tongue canker sores of rasberries and bronx cheers of it all!!!!
By Curious Observer
November 9, 2006 10:11 AM | Link to this
Government inflicts little but ill on the governed when it sponsors a lottery as a means of funding college education. It is shameful to tempt the poor and the ignorant in such a way, instead of taxing the citizens to fund the higher education of the young.
Worse, such efforts inevitably lead to a diminution of the quality of education at all levels. I wish there was space to describe to you the number of Hope “scholars” I’ve encountered who need remedial English, mathematics, and reading just to function on the bottom rung of academic achievement in regular college classes.
Junior high and high school teachers, terrified of wrathful parents and fearful principals, make a B the minimal grade little Johnny will receive. College presidents and deans pressure instructors to produce a high percentage of passing grades—preferably Bs or As so that Johnny can retain his Hope “scholarship.” And Johnny pursues a “career” track in high school, so that he doesn’t risk academically challenging courses that might lower his grade-point average.
Then, Johnny, with his diploma in sight, decides he wants to go to college after all—never mind that he has not taken the courses that might prepare him. And the secondary schools and the state colleges all engage in this form of academic fraud.
The citizens are satisfied. After all, doesn’t Johnny have a piece of paper that says he earned a college degree? Never mind that Johnny can’t read, write, or think. He’s college-educated, right?
Georgia is the worst offender in this area. If you want to see a lottery-funded scholarship program that at least respects academic integrity, look a few hundred miles north to West Virginia—yes, West Virginia. There, only high school graduates who have pursued a college preparatory program and earned a high grade-point average are eligible for the Promise scholarship. As a result, better than 65% of Promise scholars perform well enough in college to retain their scholarships; in Georgia, it’s about a third. The other two-thirds represent a sheer waste of money.
No, government does no good when it uses a vice as a means of funding what it is too cowardly to fund through taxation. Such endeavors are yet another effort to shift the funding burden to those citizens who can least afford it.
By Andy
November 9, 2006 10:14 AM | Link to this
An Anagram of @@ is (o)
By Realist
November 9, 2006 10:14 AM | Link to this
JK, In response to your post of yesterday regarding giving incentives to “small” businesses, I will hold my breath until I see one. Im afraid my skin is the wrong color to receive these “incentives”. As it stands now, I pay through the nose. With dems in power for any length of time, I will pay through the nose AND a*ss….
By Bemused Humanist
November 9, 2006 10:18 AM | Link to this
Dear Mr. Wooten,
Gambling qua gambling is not a vice, not even a peccadillo. It is essentially just a form of entertainment, for which one pays a fee. Like virtually every other entertainment form it has the potential for abuse; however, it is patronizing and intrusive for government to criminalize it for all because a few individuals might abuse it to the point where they commit criminal acts. The resultant criminal behavior should be stopped, not the antecedent, innocuous mode of entertainment enjoyed by the vast majority without any problems whatsoever.
It is completely hypocritical to outlaw all gambling variations except state lotteries – which any statistician will tell you is a terrible bet. Why not legalize them and tax them like most of Western Europe does, a sin tax like those on alcohol and tobacco (which cause far more social problems than gambling). Vast revenues could be derived, and the extra cost might drive the demand for gambling down — if one considers diminution of gambling a social good.
In my spare time I like analyze sports gambling problems (sports handicapping, unlike lotteries, requires skill.) I assess input variables, chain them together into large, lovely equations brimming with Greek letters, knock out some computer code, run a million or so simulations – all geek fun that allows me to identify a bet that, say, given infinite observations, will pay $2.37 on a $2.00 wager (plus or minus $0.15.) All in the privacy of my own home. I injure no one in this avocation. But recently, Bill Frist attached an Internet gambling prohibition law to a port security bill the last day of the Senate session, which makes me a criminal (if I wasn’t one already.) And I suppose the first stump speech he delivers in his run for the presidency will have a line about “getting big government out of our lives.” Pure hypocrisy, no?
George Will – thank God for smart, civil, true conservatives—recently wrote a Newsweek column about the new prohibition on internet gambling. A major criticism of these type of laws is that they promote disrespect and disdain for all laws. Trust me, they do.
There is no role for government to regulate individual’s private, victimless forms of entertainment — only any behavior injurious to others that might result from them. I have no doubt Thomas Jefferson – he of the “pursuit of happiness” — would agree.
By Renee
November 9, 2006 10:42 AM | Link to this
Now that the Democrats are in power, I may get the Christmas present I want more than anything.
Bush condemned my son to die - in Iraq. Now, he may get to come home alive, instead of in a body bag.
By Pope rednecks - Amerikkka's Al Qaeda I
November 9, 2006 10:42 AM | Link to this
Realisp, sweetie, Alabama white trash has been subsidized by the federal gummint since the days of FDR. Don’t be an ingrate - do you think U of Alabama could survive without massive infusions of gummint money?
Not that a University of Alabama education is anything to write home about.
By the way - tell us again why you’re not in Fallujah, coward?
By sct
November 9, 2006 10:50 AM | Link to this
Two short years ago, Bush won the lottery. Jackpot. A Republican House. Republican Senate, Supreme Court. Cult-like base. Re-election. Voters sent Republicans to re-hab.
The Lottery is bad. Very bad. Look what it has done to W and Republicans. Voters had to send the Republicans to their favorite place, re-hab…..
Chickenhawks encouraged the Republican Congress to spend money for a war that their children may need for necessities.
Republicans tempted the weak to succumb to a possible addiction. Oil.
Republicans were telling families that it’s not really necessary to save or plan for college for their children because the state will spend it on war and pork.
Bush encouraged scientists and government officials to change science, to make phony science and religions eligible for government financial assistance.
We’ve invited the young to think that riches come by chance, not by hard work and thrift. Halliburton. Lobbyists.
By Political Deckhead
November 9, 2006 10:58 AM | Link to this
Rumsfeld’s retirement plans? That’s easy: He’s going back to college and finish his education.
Kerry plans to join an improve comedy troupe called the “Swiftquotes”.
Nancy Pelosi is hot.
By Broken Record
November 9, 2006 11:00 AM | Link to this
Jim, The views, yours included, of the narrow minded controlling value preaching right wing arm of the Republican Party are the reason Republicans lost the majority in Congress. “That government is best which governs least.” -Thomas Paine
By Buy Danish
November 9, 2006 11:14 AM | Link to this
If anyone would like to send Secretary Rumsfeld a sincere note of appreciation for his Patriotic service to this country you may write him at:
Honorable Donald H. Rumsfeld Secretary of Defense 1000 Defense Pentagon Washington, DC 20301
By jbmlaw
November 9, 2006 11:18 AM | Link to this
At risk of raising hackles among my friends on the left – you all know I would never do something like that maliciously – I observe that the question today may be a trap for you all. What is the chance that Jim would like to extract from you all language praising government restraint, at a time when big-government activists are about to take over? Not that he would ever charge “hypocrisy” against opponents of conservatism?
By Realist
November 9, 2006 11:22 AM | Link to this
Pedo Redlips Al Queera, First, the largest source of revenue for the UA is the athletic program, namely the football program. They get no more money from the govt than the smaller schools do.
Regarding white trash, I will have to take your word on that as I dont personally know any or know what they get or dont get.
As far as education, yes, there are more prestigious educations available, but I do think a UA education still beats the “education” you received underneath the covers courtesy of your fathers soft mouth. I understand you graduated with honors from his “special” ed.
Again, for the 1000th time, I am not in Iraq becuase I didnt choose a military career. Military is a choice. Just as you chose to give glory hole head at the local interstate rest stops, like your daddy taught you, I chose a career in business, as my father taught me.
Nice conversing with you today.
By Van
November 9, 2006 11:26 AM | Link to this
Peter,
Yes democrat values - if you don’t want to work, the government will take care of you.
People that succeed are taking advantage of the downtrodden and oppressed. They made it big by inheriting it all from daddy. Big business is bad, and to succeed you must be ruthless and stomp the little guy. Noone works there way to the top, it is all by hook or by crook.
All values espoused by the Democrat moonbats
By Van
November 9, 2006 11:36 AM | Link to this
Renee,
The only thing you will receive from the Democrats is higher taxes. If you pay income taxes, it will go up.
Let us hope and pray your son does return from Iraq in an airline seat.
By Rod
November 9, 2006 11:38 AM | Link to this
This is a special message to the ever-eloquent tftt:
HA HA HA HA HA HA HA HA HA HA HA HA HA HA HA HA HA HA HA HA HA HA HA HA HA HA HA HA HA HA HA HA HA HA HA HA HA HA
By Middle America
November 9, 2006 11:40 AM | Link to this
A point by point recount of why you’re wrong Wooten:
• Wooten:We’re encouraging the poor to spend money their children may need for necessities. • MA: If a person is using their money on lottery tickets instead of food for jr. then what makes you think they’d choose food if there were no lottery? It’s an empty argument Wooten. A fool and his money are soon parted, it doesn’t matter whether there is a lottery or not. But maybe one of those kids gets the Hope scholarship and is able to change the fortunes of himself and his family for generations. Wooten only wants to see the side of the argument that fits his point. It’s always a black and white world to a Republican.
• Wooten: We’re tempting the weak to succumb to a possible addiction. • MA: Once again, a lottery doesn’t create gambling addiction where one doesn’t already exist, especially in a world of internet poker websites and Las Vegas, etc.
• Wooten: We’re telling families that it’s not really necessary to save or plan for college for their children because the state will do that for them. • MA: Ah yes, that old GOP drum that Wooten likes to beat. “Just pull yourself up by your bootstraps.” Not all families can afford college, no matter the amount of scrimping and saving they do. Or if you believe Wooten’s premise, then you think it’s okay to punish their children for their mistakes? The point of the Hope is not to save parents money, it’s to offer higher education to those who might not get the opporutnity other wise. And in a world where the U.S. is falling ever faster behind the rest of the world in education, Wooten would have you end a program that helps our nation as a whole.
• Wooten: We’re inviting the young to think that riches come by chance, not by hard work and thrift. • MA: I don’t see people quitting their jobs in droves in anticipation of their lottery numbers coming in as winners. I don’t know the odds of winning the lottery, but I’m sure you have a better shot of winning American Idol, Survivor or some other reality TV show. In fact I think the lottery does the opposite for school kids. It says if you work hard in school, you can earn the money to go to college, even if your parents can’t afford it for you.
The point is that we need to improve the education of ALL our children, not just kids that are born into wealth, for the betterment of our whole nation. To think that the Hope scholarship or others like it are some welfare program is just selfish and stupid. Our state and country benefit from better educated kids.
By Van
November 9, 2006 11:49 AM | Link to this
Folks,
I wonder what Madam Speaker Pelosi will bring to the table in the next congressional session? As a former Officer of the Progressive Caucus. it shold be grand - BTW, Charles Rangel, future Way and Means Chair is a member
Try this -
“The Congressional Progressive Caucus (CPC) is the single largest caucus in the United States House of Representatives, and works together to advance progressive issues and causes. The CPC has long maintained cordial ties with the Democratic Socialists of America, which hosted its website during the 1990s. All members are Democrats, except for Rep. Bernie Sanders of Vermont, the only Independent in the House.”
By Buy Danish
November 9, 2006 11:50 AM | Link to this
Try this!
Honorable Donald H. Rumsfeld
Secretary of Defense
1000 Defense Pentagon
Washington, DC 20301
By Buy Danish
November 9, 2006 12:01 PM | Link to this
Renee,
I echo Van’s sentiments that we wish your son’s safe return and I thank him for his service.
By getalife
November 9, 2006 12:01 PM | Link to this
Listen up losers.
You had your chance, you failed and were fired.
You are the silent minority.
Bwhahahahahaha!
By time for the truth
November 9, 2006 12:04 PM | Link to this
snivelling moron rod finally seems to have perfectly matched its typographical output with its extremely limited intellectual capability. I have to say I was quite surprised and singularly impressed that you can actually spell HA HA so often with absolutely NO mistakes snivelling moron rod. Clearly your recent remedial ebonics lessons haven’t been a complete waste of tax payers money.
huge I despise and utterly loathe liberals smirk
And our very own resident ultra leftist child molestor redneKKKs NAMBLA is back to its usual deranged, deeply envious anti-Southern bigotry.
Hope you weren’t LYING yet AGAIN NAMBLA when you asserted you were soon likely leaving Dixie. There’s certainly no need whatever for a connatural cretin like yourself to dally in Dixie a moment longer. True scum like you always gravitates to its rightful plebian level where ever it ends up.
By Rod
November 9, 2006 12:09 PM | Link to this
Notice how tftt (time for the truth) doesn’t bother to spout off much in this blog anymore? She’s off hiding and ashamed of her Republican heritage.
By Redneck Convert
November 9, 2006 12:10 PM | Link to this
I’m tired of being called a “stumpbroke redneck.” I made it all the way to the 5th grade, and that’s all you need. We ought to get the state out of the education business. If we keep using taxes and lotteries to pay for education, pretty soon everybody will have a degree and won’t fit in here in the South and will have to move north. You can’t expect to have a college degree and fit in down here—unless the degree’s from Alabama or UGA. Just a sticker with a big G or a big bee is enough.
All you need here is enough education to get a job that will let you buy a pickup truck and rent a trailer. We don’t need the guvmint for that.
I was right sorry to see Rumsfeld go. He knew how to talk to them lying newspaper people. I might send him a jar of the cider I got brewing. It should be strong enough by Thanksgiving.
By Broken Record
November 9, 2006 12:16 PM | Link to this
jbmlaw, re: your 11:18 post, it crossed my mind that this was a trick question, but really it’s too ‘Newt’ not to be for real. I’m moderate 50-50 Repub/Dem. Back to Jim’s cost-benefit question, consider this; COST of running the Lottery Corp.; NOTHING to the taxpayers, as it is self-supporting; BENEFIT; Lottery funds of over a billion $$ have gone toward the education of Georgia students. COST; The prizes of any winners who must appear at Lottery office to claim their winnings are taxed as income, BENEFIT; producing a revenue stream into the State’s general fund. COST; Lottery winnings are withheld from anyone with an Enforcement Order for delinquent child support. BENEFIT, their kids finally get the support. I just don’t buy the gambling addiction whine, as the internet is more lucrative than a scratch-off to a real addict, who even if he can’t afford a PC, knows a bookie who will place a bet for him. Food out of children’s mouths? If they go to school kids can get free breakfast and lunch, just in case mom gambled away dinner, and who believes that is happening on a large scale? Not me.
By time for the truth
November 9, 2006 12:33 PM | Link to this
I see snivelling flaccid moron rod as ever is still addickted to the pathetically lame effete attempted insult of “she”. I suppose in proffering a good faith reversal of moron rod’s unfortunate familial hermaphroditism one would have to call it a he - but only just.
By Political Deckhead
November 9, 2006 12:37 PM | Link to this
Look Broken Record, jbmlaw’s objections are more about the scratch-n-sniff than the scratch-off.
Looks like the GOP will have to start over from scratch.
Perhaps it’s better said that the GOP is the collateral damage from the Iraqi War.
I was just itching to say that.
By Political Deckhead
November 9, 2006 12:50 PM | Link to this
Rummy’s retirement plans? that’s easy: He’s going to go back to college and finish his education.
score
By getalife
November 9, 2006 01:01 PM | Link to this
I will quote the great American Mr. Murtha:
“This election was a referendum on the President’s disastrous course in Iraq, and the American people clearly had ENOUGH.”
Get use to it. He will be the next majority leader.
By ARTC
November 9, 2006 01:01 PM | Link to this
Among the swing groups that tilted heavily toward Democrats: -Independents backed Democrats by 57-39 - after voting for the GOP by 48-45 in 2002. -Moderates backed Democrats by 60-38 - after voting Democratic 53-45 in 2002. -Suburbanites backed Democrats by 50-48 - after voting for the GOP 57-40 in 2002. -Those in the middle class - those who make more than $30,000 a year but less than $75,000 a year - backed Democrats 52-45 after more than half supported the GOP in 2002. -Hispanics backed Democrats 69-30 - after backing Democrats 61-37 in 2002.
Imagine that wingnuts!
By Political Deckhead
November 9, 2006 01:04 PM | Link to this
K-fed’s post Brittany plans? He’s going back to college and finish his education.
Why did Bush and Brittany wait till the elections to dump their hanger-ons?
K-fed should brush up on his rap. Ditto Rummy.
Rummy’s Rap: “I’m dope wid da war, I’m homie poor, Transformation, It’s all good y’all, Transformation, it’s pop a cap y’all, Transformation, hit hard and tip on out, that’s they way new army screams and shouts….word.”
By Buy Danish
November 9, 2006 01:05 PM | Link to this
Middle America,
I am a “Republican” (with a twist of Libertarian) but I largely agree with your comments.
I would add that the beauty of the Hope Scholarship is that it rewards achivement and does not discriminate based on income.
I also think that it is a great incentive to live and work in Georgia, and as such is indirectly a boon to our State’s economy.
By Peter
November 9, 2006 01:13 PM | Link to this
Van…….come on now……..you are quite absurd in your labeling…….tell me what the Republicans have done for Education please……….??????
And you make it sound like there are not any POOR Republicans out there…….and if there are, you make it sound like they are not interested in a hand out……HA HA HA.
Personally having my own business for 20 years, I do understand the philosophy of earning a living by making it happen for one’s self!
Funny, I read all will be OK in this Blog, why??? Because there are so many CONSERVATIVE Democrates coming in……..which there are, and I hope to heck, all parties get in line with allot of conservative issues especially spending!
So what’s the deal with all this labeling, yet we are now having “Conservative” Democrtes……..so what is it……..
Funny VAN…….this Republican Administration with the House and Congress, has had the MOST Pork spending EVER!!!!
Worst deficit ever!!!!
Biggest Government EVER!!!!
Most Pay Raises for themselves EVER!!!!!
So don’t tell me it’s about all the poor Democrates that all they want is to be hand fed…….especially when our Republican government…… that has represented YOU the Rebublican, that will be ranked in history as the worst ever…. is saving American dollars and BEING Conservative.
VAN they (the Rebublicans) are the ones looking for the hand out…..yes they have been bilking the US Treasury!
Yet they feel indeferent to the poor, and needy in this country!
YET because the Republicans have put us (the American public) in huge debt….the issue of rasing Taxes will have to be delt with to pay off the Republican debt……..
Let’s not forget the famous statement George SR made…….”I will not raise taxes”…….yet he DID, and he needed too.
Thanks to this silly WAR, and uncontrolled spending we are at that place again, thank you George Jr!
By the way didn’t you notice the Federal Education Budget got cut this last time around???????
Things that make you go Hmmmmmm!
By Middle America
November 9, 2006 01:17 PM | Link to this
Attitudes towards education like those of Jim Wooten is what made Georgia the “envy of the nation.” I guess Wooten was upset when GA moved from 50th in education to 49th. Time to regain our rightful spot at the bottom. End the Hope scholarship program.
By Broken Record
November 9, 2006 01:36 PM | Link to this
All of you party haters need to consider that our President is a lot more moderate, dare I say, liberal than the Republican Congress he dealt with. Bush is likely to get more of his agenda pushed through now with this Democratic group coming into power. Think about it.
By Van
November 9, 2006 01:36 PM | Link to this
Peter,
Who is it complaining about big businesses? Who are the anti-Wal-Mart crowd. Who is it that complains about the 8% profit Oil Companies are making. Who is it that thinks companies like big oil, big service providers and big medical groups are tearing America apart?
The lefties, the loony lefties, the Cynthis McKinney lefties, the socialist lefties, the Nancy Pelosi Lefties.
Now to your items - tell me what the Republicans have done for Education please Passed the Ted Kennedy No Child Left Behind Act.
Worst deficit ever,
Deficit is coming down faster than the President had Planned. $21 bln larger than a year ago leaves a $71 bln improvement in the FY06 deficit of -$248 bln.
I agree with you on too much federal spending.
Bush Sr., So what, he was only doing what the Democrats would have done - stick it to the working man.BTW, the phrase by the way was “No New Taxes”, the left spun raising taxes as a new tax.
By Van
November 9, 2006 01:46 PM | Link to this
Peter, Re: the dificit -
September budget surplus $56.0 bln FY06 deficit -$247.7 bln (-1.9% of GDP).
Receipts are running at a strong 12% FY growth. Outlays at a stronger than desired 7%.
By Cletus Snow
November 9, 2006 01:49 PM | Link to this
Change is good, I’m hopeing for another rollover in 2 years. somehow the proffessional polititions have to go, until we have term limits this will continue to be a problem.
By Dim Liberal
November 9, 2006 02:02 PM | Link to this
jbm, With regard to your 11:18 post mentioning big government activists, I thought the Democrats were taking over the House and Senate and the creators of the big government we now have had been sent packing. Talk about hypocrisy. This president and this congress gave up the idea of fiscal conservatism a long time ago. Nice try, though.
By getalife
November 9, 2006 02:03 PM | Link to this
On Wednesday the former British ambassador to the U.N., Carne Ross, made to a Committee of Parliament some pretty stiff allegations against Tony Blair and George Bush regarding their plans to drag the U.K. and U.S. to war in Iraq. Ross resigned his position in protest over the Iraq war nearly two years ago.
Can I get some accountability?
By getalife
November 9, 2006 02:09 PM | Link to this
OK, here’s the plan:
Impeach Cheney.
Delay confirmation of Bush’s appointment for replacement VP, while impeaching Bush. (err, there IS a confirmation required, right?)
Convict both of them, removing them from office on the same day.
The speaker of the house is next in line to become President.
President Pelosi.
By Broken Record
November 9, 2006 02:14 PM | Link to this
getalife, That would p*ss off Hillary, Didn’t she want to be first woman pres.?
By Buy Danish
November 9, 2006 02:21 PM | Link to this
Either “Middle America” has had his name jacked or he has a different point of view before Noon than he does at 1:17.
By getalife
November 9, 2006 02:32 PM | Link to this
Well, if Pelosi cleaned up W’s mess, it would set the stage for Hillary.
Here is some info on Rumsfeld’s replacement
Iran contra, a bank fraud in Atlanta and created the OBL monster.
W sure can pick em.
By Broken Record
November 9, 2006 02:40 PM | Link to this
Buy Danish, I thought Middle America’s 1;17 post was sarcastic, tongue in cheek.
By MELO
November 9, 2006 02:44 PM | Link to this
Why do I get the feeling that if the REPUBS had taken control of the House and the Senate, we would have a better Blog topic today
Good afternoon Jim. How was the vacation? You thought u would come back to good news and hopefully divert people to talk about some irrelevant stuff. Since u were under a rock somewhere, let me update yu on what happened:
1.The terrorists have since won, yes u know those George said would win if the Repugnant dont win. 2 Rummy is gone 3.George had lunch with that homosexual terorist, Pelosi! 4 Macaca-Allen is going back to his Jewish roots in Egypt 5 Mr Burns in Montana is going back to farming and Jack the fraudster Abramoffs will provide working capital 6 The Senate is gone
7 Pelosi and Reed went to shop for the drapes this evening 8 Condi bought a new toy and pump
Talk to you later.
Another Macaca
By Farley
November 9, 2006 02:49 PM | Link to this
Sigh What will we talk about now that the evil-cons are out of power.
By Ah Break Wind
November 9, 2006 02:53 PM | Link to this
It’s the buyer of the lottery ticket’s money, they can spend it as they please. If they or their family starves because of the spending, don’t expect any pity from me. The same with booze, people are free to drink themselves senseless (and many posters on this blog are obviously in that catagory) but if they can’t pay thier bills and their children starve, don’t expect pity from me.
By Those...cheating...rats
November 9, 2006 02:56 PM | Link to this
**Why can’t we change Behavior such as yours, Mr. Wooten?
With Love,
U-GetAClue**
And just who, praytell, do you demoncats on the left think you are telling other people how they should behave, like turning left? Talk about fascism. Not in a million years would we turn to idiots like you who can’t roll out of the bed without turning to the government for assistance.
By Advisor
November 9, 2006 02:58 PM | Link to this
Yo Farley, how about we talk about truth and justice, about how the neoscum sacrificed thousands of american lives, and tens of thousands of Iraqi lives, and what the punishment for those crimes should be? Rumsfeld was and is an arrogant, lying whore who imho should be tried and executed as a war criminal, along with his entire family. Now I’m a moderate, the more extreme would burn them all at the stake with no trial, but I say let Saddom pick the judge and jury for rummies trial, let the horriblly maimed on both sides carry out the executions, per the court’s order, of course.
By time for the truth
November 9, 2006 03:01 PM | Link to this
Its going to be fooking hilarious watching the leftist scum from January onwards allowing millions more poorly educated non-English speaking mexican type illegals to come here/remain here with the San Fran Sicko values that feminazi botoxPelosi already espouses. The already huge illegal crime wave is going to get bigger and bigger and the pandering demoNcrats will do NOTHING to stop it.
The drunken killer Kennedy, the ex-klansman Byrd, the impeached for bribery (black) judge Hastings, the homo pimp enabler Fwank, the I’m also way too powerful to be charged congressman Kennedy, the serial liar and corrupt to the core HiTllary, the land deal hypcorite Dingy Reid, the blue collar exploiting hypocrite Pelosi (see her family firm business practices), the demoNcrats who also took money from Abarmoff and who haven’t resigned and been hounded by the leftist media, the execrable thuggish Terry ‘Global Crossing’ McCauliffe … not forgetting the psychopathicscreamingnutjob Dean … these vermin - and the rest of the pinko cut and runners - will have a thankfully brief two years to trash the USA again. Imposing illegal racist quotas where they can, tax hikes for those they despise or are envious of. Yet more vote buying schemes and all the usual chicanery these neo-com humanoids perpetrate.
The congressional leftist snouts will once again - after a 12 year break - soon be deep in their usual public trough. Of course just one itsy bitsy death of a senate demoNcrat in a GOP governed state and they lose the senate immediately!! Imagine the endless hysterical screeching if that happens.
The one real pleasure in all this will be the long overdue six year payback of all the Bush/Cheney hate aimed at the Pelosi/Reid axis of neo-com evil.
By JoeD
November 9, 2006 03:04 PM | Link to this
Did anyone else notice that the GOP’s final act as majority party in the two houses of Congress was performed by the comedy team of Burns and Allen?
By time for the truth
November 9, 2006 03:14 PM | Link to this
Sigh What will we talk about now that the evil-cons are out of power
How’s about a mass roundup of far leftists and cowardly lefty cut and runners - with suitably harshly enforced deportations to Cuba just before the January handover.
Or how’s about the immediate mass suicide - in sympathy with the UN victims of Darfur - of the black congressional caucus along with a large number of human (apologies for the big “stretch” here) torches from the far left hilariously smugly named ‘progressive’ (puke) caucus botoxPelosi belongs to. Both are superb topics for debate.
By U-GetAClue
November 9, 2006 03:18 PM | Link to this
I’ve been watching FOX NEWS all day and the funny thing is that the REPUBS still don’t have a CLUE as to why they lost.
I can’t wait until Sunday. I’m going to the 8am service, just so that I’m home to see Meet the Press, get a glimpse at Face the Nation and see what George Stepho……. has to say.
I hope that Mrs. Dole is on, just so that she can be put in her place for her antics last Sunday. She just couldn’t shut up or let anyone else say anything. I’m sure she will decline to be interviewed.
It’s funny I would think that the NUMBER ONE topic today, would be the LIE - President Bush told ALL of US about not replacing Mr. Rumsfeld. It seems that NEWT G. is the only REPUB, expressing anger in the delayed resignation of Mr. Rumsfeld.
Way to GO NEWT G. - you are not as Blind, Deaf and Dumb as I had hoped.
Thanks,
U-GetAClue
By time for the truth
November 9, 2006 03:21 PM | Link to this
my apologies folks …
that should read voluntary human torches … [makes much better sense now].
By jbmlaw
November 9, 2006 03:25 PM | Link to this
Dear Getalife @ 1:01, I also quote the great American Mr. Murtha, from Jack Anderson’s 1980 column transcribing the Abscam tapes:
“I want to deal with you guys awhile before I make any transactions at all, period…. After we’ve done some business, well, then I might change my mind….”
…”I’m going to tell you this. If anybody can do it — I’m not B.S.-ing you fellows — I can get it done my way.” he boasted. “There’s no question about it.”…
“All at once,” he said, “some dumb [expletive deleted] would go start talking eight years from now about this whole thing and say [expletive deleted], this happened. Then in order to get immunity so he doesn’t go to jail, he starts talking and fingering people. So the [S.O.B.] falls apart.”…
“You give us the banks where you want the money deposited,” offered one of the bagmen.
“All right,” agreed Murtha. “How much money we talking about?”
“Well, you tell me.”
“Well, let me find out what is a reasonable figure that will get their attention,” said Murtha, “because there are a couple of banks that have really done me some favors in the past, and I’d like to put some money in….[“]
Amoroso: Let me ask you now that we’re together. I was under the impression, OK, and I told Howard [middleman Howard Criden] what we were willing to pay, and [This is where the available videotape begins]I went out, I got the $50,000. OK? So what you’re telling me, OK, you’re telling me that that’s not what you know….
Murtha: I’m not interested.
Amoroso: OK.
Murtha: At this point, [This is where the available videotape ends] you know, we do business together for a while. Maybe I’ll be interested and maybe I won’t…. Right now, I’m not interested in those other things. Now, I won’t say that some day, you know, I, if you made an offer, it may be I would change my mind some day.
http://www.spectator.org/dsparticle.asp?artid=10077
As you aptly note, Getalife, “Get use to it. He will be the next majority leader.”
Dear Dim @ 2:02, I think you would be well-advised to listen to Getalife. He knows.
By harold
November 9, 2006 03:50 PM | Link to this
Gingrich agrees! Bush lied!
By Republican Geniuses
November 9, 2006 03:53 PM | Link to this
Time reports that the U.S. Congress wasn’t the only place where Republicans were pounded this week.
In Nicaragua, cold-war bogeyman Daniel Ortega — whose Sandinista government had been an obsession of the Reagan Administration — was elected president again on Sunday despite frantic U.S. lobbying for his defeat. By most accounts, the yankee politicking — which included a threat to cut off U.S. aid to impoverished Nicaragua if Ortega won — BACKFIRED MISERABLY, actually helping to boost the Sandinista leader to his first-round victory.
That such U.S. pressure tends to work in favor of its opponents is a lesson Republicans seem unable to learn.
http://www.time.com/time/world/article/0,8599,1557287,00.html
By Van
November 9, 2006 03:58 PM | Link to this
U-GetAClue,
The real reason the republicans lost this mid-term is they lost track of their base. They began to behave just like the democrats.
They ignore us regarding Immigration, spending, using enough force in Iraq, and education.
By Curious Observer
November 9, 2006 04:08 PM | Link to this
Hey, TFTT, why do I get the feeling you don’t like the election results, you old British queen?
By getalife
November 9, 2006 04:16 PM | Link to this
The Dems have the right attitude to not follow the gop bad example of failure.
They will work for the middle class instead of the corporate donators.
You will see the world welcoming our new government to get back some credibilty once we investigate the gop criminals.
By Political Foreskin
November 9, 2006 04:18 PM | Link to this
Rummy’s retirement plans? That’s easy: He’s going back to college and finish his education.
By Political Foreskin
November 9, 2006 04:19 PM | Link to this
Kerry’s post election plans? He joining a nimprove comedy troupe called “Swiftquotes”.
By Political Foreskin
November 9, 2006 04:22 PM | Link to this
Cartoon Idea: Show the GOP elephant as Monty Python’s Black Knight, with all his limbs severed by the Victorious Democratic Donkey, and the elephant says, “We’ll call it a draw”.
Background: The Gop Black Knight guards the halls of congress and says, “No legislation shall pass”.
By getalife
November 9, 2006 04:22 PM | Link to this
Nobody reads your tripe lies.
Back to England with you, bloody wanker.
fakelaw,
Murtha was trying to bring home the bacon for his district. It was legal because he did not take the bribe.
He will hold those responsible for the Iraq disaster accountable. He is responsible for the Dem victory. He will make a great majority leader so get use to it loser.
By time for the truth
November 9, 2006 04:23 PM | Link to this
snivelling observer
your pinko hypocritical homphobic abuse is freaking hilarious. surely properly regimented poof loving leftist f a g h a g s like your self shouldn’t hurl anti-queer like abuse at folks, else you’ll have the shrill neo-com thought police recommending political re-education in some sick and twisted diversity (puke) training emporium in San Fran Sicko!!
thanks for biting though - jolly decent of you!!
By CJ
November 9, 2006 04:27 PM | Link to this
Curious Observer @10:11 “No, government does no good when it uses a vice as a means of funding what it is too cowardly to fund through taxation. Such endeavors are yet another effort to shift the funding burden to those citizens who can least afford it.”
Hear hear!
By Van
November 9, 2006 04:42 PM | Link to this
Political Foreskin,
Cartoon idea,
Democrats raising a Red Star on top of the Capitol Dome - Caption, A new beginning
By time for the truth
November 9, 2006 04:44 PM | Link to this
tripe??? snigger smirk snigger
maggot brain you beastly horrid cyber bully you - please dickweed, be merciful oh badly bewildered illegal immigrant Sicilian pizza gobbler.
By getalife
November 9, 2006 05:52 PM | Link to this
Bloody wanker,
I will make an offer you can’t refuse.
BTW, I was born in America.
Are you an illegal immigrant?
By Van
November 9, 2006 05:53 PM | Link to this
CJ,
Idiot, the only people with a tax burden are the working folks.
The poor pay not income taxes and in fact many receive free money from Uncle Sam, some pinko scheme called Earned Income Tax Credits.
If you work and pay taxes, the democrats will take what little is left and give it away.
At least with Bush, Congress spent a lot, but the IRS collected a lot more.
By CJ
November 9, 2006 05:58 PM | Link to this
Van,
Idiot. You’re radical Lutheran ideology is rejected.
By JK
November 9, 2006 06:16 PM | Link to this
Van’s right. The tax burden IS on the working folks. That’s because the uber-rich and mega corporations have expensive accountants who stuff their dough in little hidey holes, like the Cayman Islands, and in real estate they don’t want, so they can write it off when it sits unrented and depreciates. There are thousands of ways to shield income from taxation if you have enough of it. Those who scrape by on the weekly check look at their $200 tax bite and despair. That could buy some groceries, or a much-needed set of tires, or a January gas bill, and it hurts. Folks like Ken Lay and that guy from Tyco stick yachts in their wives’ names, and their Aspen chalets in someone else’s name and claim they don’t HAVE the money. And the Blue Cross executive who’ll get a multi-million dollar bonus for raising my premiums every year for the last 10 years while cutting payouts will screech horribly that he has to pay taxes on the $50 million his daddy leaves him when he dies… even though he never worked a single day for it.
Yes, Van is right. The working stiffs pay the taxes. The rich people have people like Van to divert your attention away from those who HAVE the money, to those who do not. I hope they send you a nice box of sausage & cheese at Christmas, Van. You’ve earned it!
Either way: WE HAVE TO PAY TAXES BECAUSE THE REPUBLICANS BORROWED A TRILLION DOLLARS FROM THE CHINESE TO CUT PARIS HILTON’S TAXES, AND BLEW THE NATIONAL TREASURY NOT CATCHING OSAMA BIN LADEN. Get over it.