Thinking Right

By Churchill's MOM

January 28, 2009 8:39 AM | Link to this

Jim I see that the AJC has hired their CONSERVATIVE writer. Where did this Bookman come from, glad to see he is a Palin Man.

Sarah Palin makes early move By Jay Bookman | Tuesday, January 27, 2009, 05:03 PM

The Atlanta Journal-Constitution

Well isn’t that interesting:

“In a sign Sarah Palin wants to continue to be a player on the national political stage, the Alaska Governor has started a new political action committee to raise funds, SarahPAC.

The PAC is registered in Virginia and is modeled after HillPAC, Hillary Clinton’s former political committee. Palin’s committee allows her to raise money for other Republicans.

According to the Web site, the committee will also support Palin’s “plans to build a better, stronger, and safer America in the 21st century.”

Palin continues to have a huge political following. As of noon today, she has 464,000 friends on Facebook.com.”

By Shawny

January 28, 2009 8:41 AM | Link to this

Want to talk politics and republicans obstructing the progress of the “Stimulus”, then go over to Bookman’s blog, where he might as well be channeling Nancy Pelosi.

Read this WSJ article which tells why the “stimulus” isn’t a jobs creation stimulus package at all, but a bunch of crap that needs revising or rejecting.

By Maureen Dowd

January 28, 2009 8:41 AM | Link to this

As President Obama spreads his New Testament balm over the capital, I’m longing for a bit of Old Testament wrath.

Couldn’t he throw down his BlackBerry tablet and smash it in anger over the feckless financiers, the gods of gold and their idols — in this case not a gilt calf but an $87,000 area rug, a cache of diamond Tiffany and Cartier watches and a French-made luxury corporate jet?

Now that we’re nationalizing, couldn’t we fire any obtuse bankers and auto executives who cling to perks and bonuses even as the economy is following John Thain down his antique commode?

How could Citigroup be so dumb as to go ahead with plans to get a new $50 million corporate jet, the exclusive Dassault Falcon 7X seating 12, after losing $28.5 billion in the past 15 months and receiving $345 billion in government investments and guarantees?

(Now I get why a $400 payment I recently sent to pay off my Citibank Visa was mistakenly applied to my sister-in-law’s Citibank Mastercard account.)

The “Citiboobs” — as The New York Post, which broke the news, calls them — watched as the car chieftains got in trouble for flying their private jets to Washington to ask for bailouts, and the A.I.G. moguls got dragged before Congress for spending their bailout on California spa treatments. But the boobs still didn’t get the message.

The former masters of the universe don’t seem to fully comprehend that their universe has crumbled and, thanks to them, so has ours. Real people are losing real jobs at Caterpillar, Home Depot and Sprint Nextel; these and other companies announced on Monday that they would cut more than 75,000 jobs in the U.S. and around the world, as consumer confidence and home prices swan-dived.

Prodded by an appalled Senator Carl Levin, Tim Geithner — even as he was being confirmed as Treasury secretary — directed Treasury officials to call the Citiboobs and tell them the new jet would not fly.

“They woke up pretty quickly,” says a Treasury official, adding that they protested for a bit. “Six months ago, they would have kept the plane and flown it to Washington.”

Senator Levin said that the financiers will not be able to change their warped mentality, but will have to be reined in by Geithner’s new leashes. “I have no confidence that they intend or desire to change,” Levin told me. “These bankers got away with murder, and it’s obscene that close to nothing is being asked of financial institutions. I get incensed at the thought that a bank that’s getting billions of dollars in taxpayer money is out there buying fancy new airplanes.”

New York’s attorney general, Andrew Cuomo, always gratifying on the issue of clawing back money from the greedy creeps on Wall Street, on Tuesday subpoenaed Thain, the former Merrill Lynch chief executive, over $4 billion in bonuses he handed out as the failing firm was bought by Bank of America.

In an interview with Maria Bartiromo on CNBC, Thain used the specious, contemptible reasoning that other executives use to rationalize why they’re keeping their bonuses as profits are plunging.

“If you don’t pay your best people, you will destroy your franchise” and they’ll go elsewhere, he said.

Hello? They destroyed the franchise. Let’s call their bluff. Let’s see what a great job market it is for the geniuses of capitalism who lost $15 billion in three months and helped usher in socialism.

Bartiromo also asked Thain to explain, when jobs and salaries were being cut at his firm, how he could justify spending $1 million to renovate his office. As The Daily Beast and CNBC reported, big-ticket items included curtains for $28,000, a pair of chairs for $87,000, fabric for a “Roman Shade” for $11,000, Regency chairs for $24,000, six wall sconces for $2,700, a $13,000 chandelier in the private dining room and six dining chairs for $37,000, a “custom coffee table” for $16,000, an antique commode “on legs” for $35,000, and a $1,400 “parchment waste can.”

Does that mean you can only throw used parchment in it or is it made of parchment? It’s psychopathic to spend a million redoing your office when the folks outside it are losing jobs, homes, pensions and savings.

Thain should never rise above the level of stocking the money in A.T.M.’s again. Just think: This guy could well have been Treasury secretary if John McCain had won.

Bartiromo pressed: What was wrong with the office of his predecessor, Stanley O’Neal?

“Well — his office was very different — than — the — the general décor of — Merrill’s offices,” Thain replied. “It really would have been — very difficult — for — me to use it in the form that it was in.”

Did it have a desk and a phone?

How are these ruthless, careless ghouls who murdered the economy still walking around (not to mention that sociopathic sadist Bernie Madoff?) — and not as perps?

Bring on the shackles. Let the show trials begin.

By Davo

January 28, 2009 8:46 AM | Link to this

“There’s too much coming down now to stop or explain it all”

Great. Just what we need in a crisis. Don’t stop to think, just hurry up and panic.

By Big Red

January 28, 2009 8:47 AM | Link to this

How much of Obama’s efforts are true bipartisanship and how much of it is simply letting the republicans hang themselves?

These are house trolls, they’re already running for their next election. They have to go back to their red(neck) district and tell the rubes that they voted against Obama … doesn’t have anything to do with the real subject at hand.

I don’t know if Obama’s plans make any sense or not. I’d like to see the loyal opposition tell me real things about it, not just “Obama wants it, I’m against it”

By Winder Bob

January 28, 2009 8:50 AM | Link to this

There two ways of looking at this. He can run over the GOP and in two years…he’ll lose seats in Congress…because he will have done what all the other presidents do who have a majority such as he does.

or

He can do exactly what he’s doing…reach out to them..get ideas from their side…and move forward to getting a bill that is not something that everybody WANTS, but something people think is workable given the circumstances. He already conceded the planned parenthood money. (which he did not have to do) Now, what is the GOP willing to let go of? That is how bipartisanship and compromise work. Everyone has to give a little.

By Erick

January 28, 2009 8:51 AM | Link to this

Elections have consequenses. I heard that phrase a million times after the 2004 election.

It’s about time Republicans learned that Bipartisan does not mean they get everything they want. Republicans are the reason we are in this mess and doing the same thing all over to get us out is the very definition of insanity.

By Know it All

January 28, 2009 8:55 AM | Link to this

At this juncture in the Republican party, there is no clear front runner to lead and to contest for the presidency in the next general election. What is being displayed here is a veiled attempt by the GOP congressional leaders to use this unique opportunity to position themselves as the savior of the party. I was under the mistaken impression that each member of congress was elected by the people to reperesent the interests of their respective districts, and should therefore vote their consciences. However, they (congress) are willing to exploit the sufferings of the general public, pose before the TV cameras, see their name in the baily newspapers, and to sabotage the attempts made to help salvage the economy, by refusing to work collaboratively with the President. It has been that way with both Republicans and Democrats, past and present and this does not bode welll for the public.

To members of both parties, please exhibit some basic common sense and join hands of unity for the common good. Don’t be like petulent children who pout and throw tantrums when things don’t go their way. To the men, show some testicular strength and to the ladies, you are more intelligent than your male counterparts, so do the right thing. Stand on principle, not politics or part affiliation. Think about the policies not on petty grudges. Do not let the seat of power fool you, more powerful people held more lofty positions than you, and they too, met their Waterloo. Rememberthe axiom that says, “when ever one spits up in the air some always fall back on your face.”

By BeBe in B'ham

January 28, 2009 8:56 AM | Link to this

Republican ideology and the media’s cowardice brought us 2 wars, rampant unemployment, an economy on the skids, super partisanship, and the politicizing of every government office. Republicans need to shut up and sit down and the media needs to stop giving them any credibility at all.

By Chad

January 28, 2009 8:58 AM | Link to this

Face it - Republicans don’t have the capacity for bipartisanship in their DNA!

It is beyond belief that the leaders have the nerve to whine (in front of every camera they can find) about not being sufficiently consulted and included. Rewind the last eight years and view how they treated Democrats. The Republicans are being treated with far more respect than they demonstrated during the Bush years! One has to wonder why the talking heads don’t point that out when they are interviewing these clods.

BTW, where are their “new ideas”? All I hear is more tax cuts. Been there, done that. Worked out really well, didn’t it?

At least Limbaugh is speaking the truth that elected Republicans won’t. They want and need Obama to fail. During the last eight years, they have demonstrated without a doubt the they care nothing about what is good for the country. It’s all about power and rewarding their two most important constituencies: the wealthiest Americans and the social conservatives. In their view, the rest of us can go to hell, stopping in the poorhouse on the way.

By Ragnar Danneskjöld

January 28, 2009 8:58 AM | Link to this

Good morning all. The Democrat’s “stimulus” bill is approximately 15% stimulus and 85% pork. That’s a shocker. The numbers I see:

$90 billion for Federal bureaucracies (Labor, HHS, Education)

$79 billion to bail out the state governments

$60 billion to bail out mass transit and slum housing

$49 billion for otherwise uneconomic (“pie in the sky”) energy and water projects

$27 billion to bail out agribusiness

Welfare programs:

$89 billion for state Medicaid programs

$46 billion for unemployment (in all fairness, this may be meritorious)

$40 billion for COBRA

Amusingly well over 50% of the spending is on those areas of the economy least likely to suffer from economic downturn, government and public sector jobs. The funniest part is that most of the money will not be spent sooner than 2010. Guess the democrats want everyone to suffer a year or so before helping. I don’t have a quarrel with the expenditure for unemployment – since the democrat congress caused the problem, government ought to ease the pain.

As wasteful as the republicans were when they held Congress, I hoped the democrats may have learned from the bad example – well they did, but not the way anyone hoped. Looks like a double-dog dare on how much they are willing to waste. By any fair measure, it now appears the democrats seized a sound economy from the republicans in 2006 and are running it into the ground, one bill at a time. When you lose your job, thank the democrats for their constriction of business, via the largest tax increase in the history of the world and new layers of regulations.

Dr. Walter E. Williams writes a paragraph today that I wish I had written:

“In stimulus package language, if Congress taxes to hand out money, one person is stimulated at the expense of another, who pays the tax, who is unstimulated. A visual representation of the stimulus package is: Imagine you see a person at work taking buckets of water from the deep end of a swimming pool and dumping them into the shallow end in an attempt to make it deeper. You would deem him stupid. That scenario is equivalent to what Congress and the new president proposes for the economy. A far more important measure that Congress can take toward a healthy economy is to ensure that the 2003 tax cuts don’t expire in 2010 as scheduled. If not, there are 15 separate taxes scheduled to rise in 2010, costing Americans $200 billion a year in increased taxes. In the face of a recession, we don’t need that.”

By Aquagirl

January 28, 2009 8:58 AM | Link to this

What can Republicans, and the fiscal conservatives among them, do?

Anyone who calls themselves a fiscal conservative and a Republican is an idiot. Their support of the current spendthrift theocrats is what got us into this mess. They need to sit down and STFU, as they can’t even face the fact that to be a fiscal conservative, you have to act like one. Not just thump your chest while spending like there’s no tomorrow.

By Ragnar Danneskjöld

January 28, 2009 9:00 AM | Link to this

One of the virtues of having a tax cheater as head of the department of treasury, from an article on page D3 of today’s WSJ: “Federal officials are considering easing a 2004 law that requires the IRS to set mandatory heavy penalties on companies and individuals who purchase certain illegal tax shelters.”

Our friend Copyleft reminded us yesterday that “Mussolini made the trains run on time” and true to form the democrats added $1 billion pork for Amtrak, the government corporation that has never made a profit in 40 years of operation. Won’t create any new jobs, but it will keep a lot of people on the government payroll. Now if only they would pass a “Fairness Doctrine,” the analogy would be perfect.

A brilliant and pointed analysis of the FNMA collapse, spoken by a writer well-known to these pages: “The worst phenomenon of a mixed economy: a combination of private interests – private favorites, in effect – and political power. This is what I call ‘the aristocracy of pull.’ A private group acquires the advantage of a government monopoly and government funding, in order to exercise a degree of power with which no strictly private entrepreneur can compete. The only protection we have is that any endeavor organized by pressure groups attracts mediocrities, and the organization collapses through the weight of its own incompetence.” That sounds like the energy and transportation portions of the “stimulus” bill, doesn’t it? It does not matter that the words were spoken a generation ago, that is a pretty sharp forecast.

By Thad Allen

January 28, 2009 9:04 AM | Link to this

It is oh so easy to criticize the plan that President Obama has proposed. The Republicans and conservative talking heads are having a field day doing so. But I have not heard a single alternative proposal from the critics. It’s pretty straightforward - there are problems and there are solutions. If your not part of the solution, then you’re in the other camp.

By G T Republican

January 28, 2009 9:06 AM | Link to this

The American Taxpayer Ponzi scheme is called tax breaks. Who benefits? The greedy! Can anyone show me or this country where it has created living wage, secure jobs? The theory that Republicans claim is if I am able to hold on to more of the millions I make each year through investments, (Wall Street gambling) I’ll spur new growth. Have you looked closely around your neighborhood lately? Hows the growth coming? Over the last eight years we heard the economic growth used and inflated numbers reported only to see this country topple like a stack of domino’s. The Cayman Island’s became the “tax haven” for the wealthy. and the Republicans encouraged it and demanded more. Now there out of control and demanding the same failure which has proved to be a huge financial burden on our ability to pay for the debt ran up by our fiscal Republican, they feel they need another handout. The President needs to say no. He needs to raise taxes on these ungreatful, unpatriotic, greedy and whatever word you come up with. When investing in this country means spending over $1.5 million to redo you bathroom, I think you get the picture.

By Simple Answers

January 28, 2009 9:10 AM | Link to this

“By some accounts the liberal activist group ACORN could be in line for billions.”

Actually, no. Nowhere in the bill is ACORN mentioned. I could just as easily write this: “By some accounts, the Eagle Foundation could be in line for billions.”

This is the latest wingnut meme, a nonsense charge tossed out to gin up outrage. (See also the alleged revival of the Fairness Doctrine and the imaginary War on Christmas.)

I’m sorry to see that the Dems gave in on the phony family planning outrage. They should have told Boner to go pound sand. The more he appears on TV whining, the better for the Dems.

By Real Conservative

January 28, 2009 9:14 AM | Link to this

Borrowing a trillion dollars to spend on stuff you don’t need is no way to instill economic confidence in people. The government is the insurer of last resort and when that insurer is hamstrung with debt to the extent that people aren’t confident it can meet its existing obligations people get very worried. Deficit spending is not smart for Democrats, Republican, individuals or families. This pork-laden spending bill should be thoroughly rejected.

By Ragnar Danneskjöld

January 28, 2009 9:14 AM | Link to this

Dear Erick @ 8:51 and BeBe @ 8:56, would you agree that we need investigations and trials for those thieves who broke FNMA and FHLMC? Including people in Congress who took money from and protected the thieves?

Dear Aquagirl @ 8:58, you would agree that the House republicans who voted against TARP have earned the right to criticize Obama’s “stimulus?” Or are you disguising your support for the unprecedented spending bill?

By Truth

January 28, 2009 9:17 AM | Link to this

These Republican who in the past eight years passed the largest spending bills in history that were rubber stamped by Bush really have a nerve to run their over stuffed mouths about anything. They are part of the problems that we face today yet if you listen to them they are saints who have done no wrong. The question is are the American people that stupid to see what is real and what is typical GOP crap? Once I again I see they do whats good for the party and not the country and I for one am sick of it. The Dems need to pull any pork out of this bill, there will be time down the road to pass bills for it. Pulling the pork will de-tooth the GOP paper tiger and if they still play the games they play all will truly see them for what they are.

By Ragnar Danneskjöld

January 28, 2009 9:23 AM | Link to this

Dear Thad @ 9:04, can you name a single time that tax cuts did not stimulate an economy? Can you name a single time that increased government spending did stimulate an economy?

Dear GT @ 9:06, not that the facts would matter to you, but every tax cut created jobs, and elevated the standard of living. Every government spending increase also increases inflation, destroys job formation, and worsens the standard of living.

Dear Simple @ 9:10, you would affirm that any diversion of stimulus funds to ACORN should be prosecutable? But I am pleased to see you think anyone advocating a “review of the balance of political content by those who hold licenses to the public airwaves” would be committing an impeachable violation of the First Amendment.

By ron

January 28, 2009 9:23 AM | Link to this

Well said,Ms.Dowd,well said.

While we’re about it,could we mention Gaithner’s new tax proposal.Don’t pay them.

We can also mention his bold new plan to curtail lobbyists;hire them.Is this guy for real?

There apparently will be no opposition to this “stimulus” package.No opposition that can do anything.

The Democrats will be wasting more money going after the Bush administration for crimes committed while in office.The bankers and Bernie will be spared.The Democrats should be thankful for George.He was their biggest ally in the past election.

Jim,Don’t you think ACORN needs to be rewarded for the fine service they provided the Democratic Party?

Since we oldsters ,to which group Jim is soon joining,are not going to be included in any of the up coming stimuli,we could be the ones to keep score.

The electorate ,through the internet,is a lot more informed today than it has ever been.Part of the stimulus needs to address getting more access.Not everyone uses the internet for access to just Facebook etc. Some of us send complaints directly to politicians involved.Now is the time to make your e-mails count.Right from the local level and up.

By Ragnar Danneskjöld

January 28, 2009 9:25 AM | Link to this

Dear Truth @ 9:17, “The Dems need to pull any pork out of this bill, there will be time down the road to pass bills for it. Pulling the pork will de-tooth the GOP paper tiger and if they still play the games they play all will truly see them for what they are.” I agree, well written. Not going to happen – democrats will be democrats.

By S Ga Farmer

January 28, 2009 9:30 AM | Link to this

The GOP and their no-regulation bankers and no-holds barred economic policies made this mess. Now they should all be in jail along with Gonzales and the torturers and Rove and a few others. And why is Madoff sitting in a luxury apartment while his victims are destitute?

By Lobbyist for Saxby

January 28, 2009 9:31 AM | Link to this

I watched the senate armed services committee on c-span. Chambliss was all about keeping that F-22 welfare program going. Mealy-mouthed Lieberman was all about putting more DoD pork in the stimulus bill. Inouhe from OK was all about putting more PORK in for FCS…

McCaskill had it right.. take out your knives fellas — cuz if anyone is getting the pork, it’s going to those the troops who have just returned who are turning to booze and drugs to cope with this never ending madness.

The only real sane one in the room was Jim, the Dem from VA. Who asked when is the PORK going to be turned OFF!

By Curious Observer

January 28, 2009 9:32 AM | Link to this

If letting the Bush tax cuts for the wealthy expire constitutes the largest tax increase in our history, as jbmlaw claims, then I want to know how the original taxes got into law anyway. We’re talking about a tax cut, right? And if you cut a tax, then the tax base from which you cut must have been much higher than it was after the tax, right?

I think we can safely dismiss jbmlaw or ragnar’s whining on behalf of the well-heeled. Actually, our economy was doing quite well before the Bush tax cuts. And after the tax cuts, our increase in tax revenues amounted to $16 for every $100 foregone in tax revenue every year. You can lose your shirt in Las Vegas very quickly with such an outcome. Yes, technically tax revenues increased, but not nearly at the level of the costs of the Bush tax cuts.

And back to my question about how the tax base before the Bush cuts grew so large to start with. I’ll give you one hint: REAGAN!

By Mark

January 28, 2009 9:33 AM | Link to this

America spoke at the poles. A vast majority said that they do not care what the GOP wants!

The majority of the USA did not like the GOP policies! The fastest way to end a political career is to give in and act like the GOP!!!!!

NO MORE TAX CUTS FOR THE RICH!

Mark Heinemann US Veteran Too many veterans have suffered by VA hospital and pension cuts to finance tax cuts for rich war profiteers!

By Copyleft

January 28, 2009 9:33 AM | Link to this

And today we see Wooten openly hoping that the economic stimulus plan fails, for the sake of boosting the Republican minority’s status.

Are there any other cries of patriotism to be made today?

By Barry

January 28, 2009 9:35 AM | Link to this

From my new BFF, the CATO Institute: “…To improve the economy, policy makers should focus on reforms that remove impediments to work, saving, investment and production. Lower tax rates and a reduction in the burden of government are the best ways of using fiscal policy to boost growth…” The “stimulus” as currently written does very little of this. All it does is give Nancy and Harry carte blanche to fund many of the ill-advised, left-leaning programs that helped bankrupt the government in the first place.

By G O P

January 28, 2009 9:35 AM | Link to this

This isn’t a stimulus package it’s a Democrat pork extravaganza.

Thank you taxpayers—you all have deep pockets—right?

Of course Congress can afford this, it’s not their money. Heck, Charlie Rangel (who writes the tax laws) doesn’t think he has to pay taxes. Neither does the new head of the Treasury and the IRS. So, it’s not their problem.

Let’s see 11,391 projects around the country—most of which won’t create jobs for working Americans. These include millions for the National Endowment for the Arts, Amtrak, ACORN—the vote-fraud group that Obama used to work for.

Then there is—

$2.5 million for a “Waterfront Duck Pond Park,” and a dog park in Hercules, Calif

$9.5 million sports complex in Natchez, Miss.

$15 million for a sports park in Brigham City, Utah.

$4 million to expand its tennis center in Arlington, Texas.

$20 million to “develop a 60 acre multi-use sports field complex in Henderson, Nev.

$7.6 million for a “Life Style Center” in La Porte, Texas.

$1 million for Fruitvale Latino Cultural and Performing Arts Center in Oakland, Calif.

$3.6 million to build a covered basketball court in Miami, Fla.

What was the hotline number for fraud, waste and abuse?

By Bo

January 28, 2009 9:36 AM | Link to this

The job of the GOP hatchet men in Congress is to undermine Obama’s plans to fix what Bush broke. Politicians are a rotten lot of opportunistic misfits and the GOP seems to have more than their fare share of liars and fools. Their only concern is staying in office and getting a paycheck, period! The rest is just play acting.

By Glenn

January 28, 2009 9:40 AM | Link to this

Guten Morgen. MG and Triumph too.

I’m really impressed by Rep. Kingston’s showing in these columns. He seems very sound, and I plan to learn more about him.

As for the StimPak itself, I agree with Mr. Wooten’s point that the Democrats are handing the GOP a cudgel, provided, as Jim says, that Republicans learn to wield it. Between this pork-o-rama and looming Hillcare, the bookies should favor Republicans to pick up enough seats midterm to cause Democrats to replace their Speaker.

By Atlliberal

January 28, 2009 9:55 AM | Link to this

There’s something weird about these comments. This morning I posted a comment on a Washington Post article by Dana Milbank:

“atlliberal wrote: Elections have consequenses. I heard that phrase a million times after the 2004 election.

It’s about time Republicans learned that Bipartisan does not mean they get everything they want. Republicans are the reason we are in this mess and doing the same thing all over to get us out is the very definition of insanity. 1/28/2009 8:17:12 AM Recommend (7) “

Then I came over to the ajc and saw this:

“By Erick

January 28, 2009 8:51 AM | Link to this

Elections have consequenses. I heard that phrase a million times after the 2004 election.

It’s about time Republicans learned that Bipartisan does not mean they get everything they want. Republicans are the reason we are in this mess and doing the same thing all over to get us out is the very definition of insanity.”

They even copied my typo.

Some of the other comments here are the same too. Now either the AJC is borrowing comments from other newspapers to make it seem like there is a real discussion going on or Erick really liked my comment.

By Simple Answers

January 28, 2009 10:08 AM | Link to this

Jeebus, another day, another blast of savage a*******wind from Ayn Rand’s demon spawn.

“Dear Simple @ 9:10, you would affirm that any diversion of stimulus funds to ACORN should be prosecutable?”

No, I do no such thing. If they can win grants through competitive bidding and follow through on the terms and conditions, they are no more deserving of prosecution than the Red Cross or Planned Parenthood. Unlike yourself, I do not call for the prosecution of a group or individual just because I do not like them. If malfeasance can be prosecuted, so be it. This holds true of actors on the left and right. But the wingnut jihad against ACORN is dog-whistle racism at its best/worst, and nothing more than specious diversionary kerfuffle. But that is your ilk’s modus operandi.

“But I am pleased to see you think anyone advocating a “review of the balance of political content by those who hold licenses to the public airwaves” would be committing an impeachable violation of the First Amendment.”

Again, diversionary horse hockey. My statement merely pointed out that there has been not one single substantive proposal put forward that revives the Fairness Doctrine. None. As such, it is akin to the make-believe War on Christmas in that it is wholly a figment of the outraged wingnut imagination and penchant for playing the victim card.

But to answer that: when the broadcast outlets were few, I contend that the Fairness Doctrine was a salutary regulation and much needed. With the proliferation of media outlets, it is not necessary.

So, the burning question is this — is Ragnoid’s embrace of these demonstrably false “house on fire” issues yet another example of a wingnut deliberately spreading falsehood, or evidence of Rag’s gullibility?

By Atlliberal

January 28, 2009 10:11 AM | Link to this

There’s something weird about these comments. This morning I posted a comment on a Washington Post article by Dana Milbank:

“atlliberal wrote: Elections have consequenses. I heard that phrase a million times after the 2004 election.

It’s about time Republicans learned that Bipartisan does not mean they get everything they want. Republicans are the reason we are in this mess and doing the same thing all over to get us out is the very definition of insanity. 1/28/2009 8:17:12 AM Recommend (7) “

Then I came over to the ajc and saw this:

“By Erick

January 28, 2009 8:51 AM | Link to this

Elections have consequenses. I heard that phrase a million times after the 2004 election.

It’s about time Republicans learned that Bipartisan does not mean they get everything they want. Republicans are the reason we are in this mess and doing the same thing all over to get us out is the very definition of insanity.”

They even copied my typo.

Some of the other comments here are the same too. Now either the AJC is borrowing comments from other newspapers to make it seem like there is a real discussion going on or Erick really liked my comment.

By Glenn

January 28, 2009 10:36 AM | Link to this

Attliberal,

Please take this up with Editorial. It’s quite upsetting. There are so few rules — you know, stuff like defamation of character, or incitement to riot — and plagiarism definitely is a buzzkill. Totally taboo.

Again, please shut it down. I second the motion.

By Aquagirl

January 28, 2009 10:58 AM | Link to this

Dag, no, I don’t think the Republicans who voted against any recent spending bill have a right to gripe. So yes, they need to STFU.The Republican party has seen fit to spend, spend, spend, while cutting taxes. This is basically running up the credit card on the Federal level. They’re whining because they don’t have full control to reward their buddies any more. Where were the objections to “Hilcare” when Bush developed and signed Medicare part D?

By Simple Answers

January 28, 2009 11:23 AM | Link to this

Q: Given the rising concern over plagiarism on this board, should we also ask the wingnuts to stop the parrotlike repetition of blather gathered from Rush, Sean, and the dim bulbs of the WSJ Opinion page?

A: No. Just as it is cruel to kick a crutch away from a cripple, or to rearrange the furniture in a blind man’s home, neither should we handicap the wingnut camp for their inability to form their own thoughts.

By Ragnar Danneskjöld

January 28, 2009 11:49 AM | Link to this

Dear Curious @ 9:32, “Actually, our economy was doing quite well before the Bush tax cuts.” Two out of three quarters had negative change in GDP, but I suppose that is “quite well” according to the standards democrats set. I credit you with acknowledging the truth, that revenues rose after the tax cuts due to the growth in the economy, both under Reagan and under Bush 43. You could have noted the economic decline that arose when Bush 41 signed the democrat’s tax increase in 1990. And we would agree that another benefit of tax cuts is that people who earn money get to keep it instead of having to send it to the government. I understand it is democrat policy that sending more money to the government is good, and allowing the private economy to keep what it earns is bad. That is the fundamental difference between leftists and normal people.

Dear Mark @ 9:33, I think you misheard the polls. The American people said they were tired of administrations encouraging pork spending. Glad Obama got the message.

Dear Bo @ 9:36, you err. The job of GOP “hatchet men” is to expose the fraud that is the “stimulus” program. The job of the democrat kool-aid drinkers is to persuade the voters to ignore the man behind the curtain.

Dear Simple @ 10:08, “, I contend that the Fairness Doctrine was a salutary regulation and much needed.” You will recall that our friend Copyleft yesterday affirmed that Fascists attempt to silence their opponents.

Dear Aquagirl @ 10:58, “I don’t think the Republicans who voted against any recent spending bill have a right to gripe” So you would silence those who have consistently voted against pork – you may want to talk to Copyleft about that sort of policy.

By Will

January 28, 2009 12:03 PM | Link to this

While our president is moving ahead agressively to stimulate our failed economy, the “Limbaughicans” from Georgia’s congressional delegation debate political “purity” and cower in fear of their unelected radio leader.

By flatulent brained democrat

January 28, 2009 12:19 PM | Link to this

By Chad January 28, 2009 8:58 AM* **Face it - Republicans don’t have the capacity for bipartisanship in their DNA!

HAHAHAHA!! That’s a joke, RIGHT? The Pelosicrats have thumbed their noses at Republicans and been engaged in closed door policy making since Obama took the oath. What about all that talk you moron Democrats talked about and “the minority voice in congress needs to be heard” and all that? Is it now NOT IMPORTANT because you people are in charge? Hypocrites.

But let’s see what else these geniuses of socialism are bringing to the table for a “stimulus” program. Yeah, these well reinvigorate our economy. This is the most pathetic thing I’ve ever heard of:

(4) not less than $335,000,000 shall be used as an additional amount to carry out domestic HIV/ AIDS, viral hepatitis, sexually-transmitted diseases, and tuberculosis prevention programs, as jointly determined by the Secretary and the Director;

(5) not less than $60,000,000 shall be used as an additional amount to carry out environmental health programs, as jointly determined by the Secretary and the Director;

(6) not less than $50,000,000 shall be used as an additional amount to carry out injury prevention and control programs, as jointly determined by the Secretary and the Director;

(7) not less than $30,000,000 shall be used as an additional amount for public health workforce development activities, as jointly determined by the Secretary and the Director;

(8) not less than $40,000,000 shall be used as an additional amount for the National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health to carry out research activities within the National Occupational Research Agenda;

(9) not less than $40,000,000 shall be used as an additional amount for the National Center for Health Statistics

By CommunistAJC

January 28, 2009 12:44 PM | Link to this

WHY GOVERNMENT CAN NOT BE TRUSTED. SOMEONE WITH A BRAIN PLEASE TELL ME HOW 335 MILLION DOLLARS FOR STD PREVENTION IS GOING TO STIMULATE THE ECONOMY?

HERE’S MY ADVICE FOR STD PREVENTION: KEEP YOUR PECKER IN YOUR PANTS AND YOU WON’T GET STD’S. PLAIN AND SIMPLE. NOW HAND OVER THE 335 MILLION AND I WILL PUT IT TO BETTER USE.

$335,000,000 FOR STD PREVENTION IN ECONOMIC STIMULUS BILL.

Democrats may have eliminated provisions on birth control and sod for the National Mall in the “job stimulus” — but buried on page 147 of the bill is stimulation for prevention of sexually transmitted diseases!

The House Democrats’ bill includes $335 million for sexually transmitted disease education and prevention programs at the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, the DRUDGE REPORT has learned.

In the past, the CDC has used STD education funding for programs that many Members of Congress find objectionable and arguably unrelated to a mission of economic stimulus [such as funding events called ‘Booty Call’ and ‘Great Sex’ put on by an organization that received $698,000 in government funds.]

“Whether this funding has merit is not the question; the point is it has no business in an economic plan supposedly focused on job creation,” says a stimulated Hill source.

By CommunistAJC

January 28, 2009 12:45 PM | Link to this

Atlliberal, Dana Milbank is a political hack who sucks the Chris Matthews nut sack.

By Bob Hereford

January 28, 2009 1:08 PM | Link to this

Mr. Wooten:

I have an observation I would like to send you personally. Is that possible. I think it would be of interest to your readers. If so please advise the best way to get it to you.

It is about the death of an Iraqi War veteran.

Bob Hereford bhereford@wayxcable.com

By Copyleft

January 28, 2009 1:09 PM | Link to this

Sure, why not. I’ll refute Ragnar’s lies again today. But I warn you folks, I won’t always have the time or patience to go over this same ground again and again! It’s not like it makes any impression on True Believers like Ragnar anyway….

Dear Thad @ 9:04, can you name a single time that tax cuts did not stimulate an economy? Can you name a single time that increased government spending did stimulate an economy? Dear GT @ 9:06, not that the facts would matter to you, but every tax cut created jobs, and elevated the standard of living. Every government spending increase also increases inflation, destroys job formation, and worsens the standard of living.

1933 onward: FDR’s New Deal introduced unprecedented federal spending, jobs programs, and fiscal policy solutions to the Depression. For three decades, we enjoyed unprecedented prosperity and growth, even taking the WW2 boom into account.

1978: The capital-gains tax cut does nothing to improve the recession.

1982-83: Reagan passes two of the largest tax increases in history. The economy grows.

1990: George H.W. Bush passes a modest tax increase, sparking outrage and hysteria from the supply-siders. The recession ends and the economy grows, in time for Clinton to benefit from the results.

1993: Clinton increases the top-bracket tax rate. The economy grows.

2002-08: Bush’s tax cuts for the wealthy fail to produce jobs or stimulate the economy.

continued…

By Copyleft

January 28, 2009 1:15 PM | Link to this

Now: Are all of these direct cause-and-effect, proving that tax increases stimulate the econmy? After all, as the post-hoc reasoning of feeble minds like Rangar would assume, one event followed the other, so obviously the tax hikes caused growth.

Well, no. Of course not. Rather, these facts demonstrate that tax rates have LITTLE TO NO EFFECT on economic growth. There are other factors that play a far more important role than tax rates. So the claim that “tax cuts always stimulate the economy” is proven false, to no one but Ragnar’s surprise.

http://ataxingmatter.blogs.com/tax/2009/01/economic-stimulus-plans-part-i.html

Only the simpliminded-—or the willfully blind-—would continue to pretend that “it’s all about the tax cuts, baby” in the face of overwhelming evidence to the contrary. That’s cult thinking, and the supply-siders are the epitome of unreasoning cultists.

By JLK

January 28, 2009 1:18 PM | Link to this

Dear Flatulent, WTF are you talking about? PELOSI WAS GEORGE BUSH’S BEST FRIEND. The first thing she did as speaker was take impeachment off the table. Never mind whether or not they were going to do it… You don’t take your leverage off the table on day one unless all you want is to be Gee Dubya’s bestest buddy ever. For two solid years Pelosi & Reid caved to the Republican minority whiners and Boner’s tears on every important issue, but now you’re making proclamations based on what’s happend in ONE WEEK? America loathes them because they did NOTHING to change the direction of the Republican-engineered disasters. Unless their primary strategy was to intentionally let things get so effed up that the country would HAVE TO vote “change” in 08, they are abysmal failures as Democrats and as leaders.

Question: Why do the Republicans hate them? As far as opposition goes, they’re a wet dream.

By SaveOurRepublic

January 28, 2009 1:28 PM | Link to this

Thad Allen @ 9:04 - I’m not a Republican (but an Independent paleocon/Constitutionalist), but here’s how the ship can be righted…abolishment of the (private) Federal Reserve (of the Central Banking Cartel), abolishment of federal income tax & IRS (the collection agency of the private Fed), return to the gold standard (ala Breton Woods) & end of fiat currency, & greatly slashing federal spending (by 25-45%) starting with the extraction of troops in the Middle East.

Barry @ 9:35 - Those are sound guidance points from the Cato Institute. They do a good job of exposing Government waste/pork. Thus, they’ll have their work cut out for them the next 4 years.

By Disgusted

January 28, 2009 1:28 PM | Link to this

Looks like better than a half-billion for CDC. Hey, maybe they can finally go after those evil smokers and put them on dunking stools.

By Steven Daedalus

January 28, 2009 1:43 PM | Link to this

We need a tax cut for the rich! Do you folks want all the w******* houses,gay bars, and drug dealers to go out of business, what will Rush and all the other Repuds have to do?

By david wayne osedach, san diego/ U.S.A.

January 28, 2009 2:36 PM | Link to this

One thing it is 100% sure the Republicans will do: point out any and all failings of the new Obama stimulus plan. Bush’s plan did absolutely nothing and they are still smarting from that.

By ButtHead

January 28, 2009 3:04 PM | Link to this

CopyLeft, I want what you are smoking, must be the chronic, Tax cuts always spurs growth. Do you actually believe that taxing people more will in effect cause growth? Please explain that to me with out using a blog as your proof, really a blog is your basis for winning argument? Pluueeezzze

SaveOurRepublic I am with you, but how do we do it?

By Drew

January 28, 2009 3:30 PM | Link to this

Here’s my question… why does Obama want GOP support for this stimulus bill? He won the election. The Dems have sizable majorities in both the House and Senate. Pelosi and Reid have made it difficult for the GOP to taint the bill with any amendments. Passing this bill should be a simple matter of a couple of votes and a presidential signature.

The reason they want Republican support is so that in the next two elections they can claim that the bill had ‘wide, bipartisan support’… just like the emergency bailout scam they passed in October… which the Democrats promptly used to blame the GOP for ‘pandering to big business’. If it turns into a boondoggle, they’ll find ways to blame ‘those damned Republicans’ for it.

Nope, this one belongs to the Democrats. It’s their baby, every pork-filled dollar of it, and any Republican that plays along is a pathetic sucker who won’t get my vote for anything ever again.

By Simple Answers

January 28, 2009 3:34 PM | Link to this

Copyleft specifically and correctly pointed out that in the history of the US economy, tax policy has had a negligible impact on economic growth. So no, well-named ButtHead, Copyleft does not believe that taxing people more will increase growth, but rather that it has no significant effect.

The evidence that tax cuts stimulate the economy is Laffer-able and as flimsy as a cocktail napkin. In spite of this, it is an article of faith among Reaganites and other mental defectives.

By SaveOurRepublic

January 28, 2009 3:38 PM | Link to this

ButtHead @ 15:04 - It starts with educating ourselves & others as to the foundation & strengths of or Constitutional Republic. We must pass along factually based knowledge as to what Constitutional adherence is (vs. Globalism). The key is understanding that the GOP & DNC “leadership” have been co-opted by the Globalist agenda, and passing that fact along to others (with “ears to hear”+”minds to learn”). The basic tenants of

It’s Constitutionally adherent, paleonconservative principles which put the Republic 1st, 2nd & 3rd in priority vs. taking a back-seat to Globalist interests. Voting in paleocon candidates (like Ron Paul, Duncan Hunter, etc.) is a good start. The phoney (neo)”conservatives” have just about ruined the GOP.

*Here’s more good grassroots info…

http://www.jbs.org

By Chip

January 28, 2009 4:53 PM | Link to this

Ah yes, those brilliant liberal college professor fascists who are all for dissent and embracing diversity…….too bad it doesn’t include diversity of thought. This should come as no shock to anyone, and just one of the many reason the brainwashed masses in college overwhelmingly voted for Obama, which in reality pushed him to victory. What, you didn’t think it was that 13% minority vote, did you?

“Malone’s instructor in “The Global Experience” was Stephen Schulman, assistant professor of philosophy, who, in the first week of class, proclaimed that President Bush, upon completion of his term, should be tried for war crimes and convicted by the International Criminal Court. Upon voicing a contrary position — in a course that allegedly thrives on dialogue and the exchange of ideas — Joe Malone was scolded and advised to alter his behavior. This exchange was verified by Wendy Warren, a classmate of Malone.”

On another point………………

By Drew January 28, 2009 3:30 PM “Here’s my question… why does Obama want GOP support for this stimulus bill? He won the election. The Dems have sizable majorities in both the House and Senate. Pelosi and Reid have made it difficult for the GOP to taint the bill with any amendments.”

You mean to tell me you can’t figure that out? If the stimulus package fails, Obama and Pelosi/Reid can blame Republicans for giving their input and supporting tax cuts included in the bill. If it succeeds, Obama and Pelosi/Reid can ignore Republicans and their tax cut wishes and tell them this package was mostly Democrat thought up and approved. Dems in Washington have it covered all the way, backwards and forwards. They aren’t stupid, unlike their voter constituents.

By Dusty

January 28, 2009 4:58 PM | Link to this

Copy left asks at 9:33….Are there any other cries of patriotism to be made today?

Yes, Copyleft, I will be glad to make a cry for patriotism. Put away your white protest sign and flag. I speak for millions of Americans who support the war in the Middle East against terrorists while encouraging our troops who fight for us. I also speak for Americans who do not wish to go rolling down a rocky slope with debt enlarging Democrats.

Democrats are polishing their winning trophies and agreeing with the nincompoopery of their Grand Poobah on his terifying trillions of handouts. While the GOP fights the tsunami of the debt and doubt, Dems pass out candy life savers for foreclosed sand castles and jobs drowning in the waves.

America has never been so threatened by overt socialism. Patriots stand up and fight this subliminal slavery of government handouts. The GOP fights for freedom and independence. The Dems fight for anything they can get for “free”.

By Drew

January 28, 2009 5:23 PM | Link to this

Umm, thanks Chip. I think that’s what I said.

By The Conservative

January 28, 2009 5:51 PM | Link to this

Obama’s economic plan is the spectral opposite of President Hoover’s. That’s what’s wrong with it. This stimulus package was prescribed soley because the economist think they know why the depression lasted as long as it did in the 30’s. Obama’s advisors see Hoover as a reverse barometer: a man who was always wrong. Their remedy is to do the opposite of what Hoover did, which will prove to be as arbitrary as Hoover’s own failed recovery plan.

The severity of this credit crunch can only be exacerbated by inflation. Obama’s plan is inflationary.

Believe it or not, our economy is probably the least of our worries. Obama’s appeal to the planet’s inner muslim will fall on deaf ears when we repeat the mistakes that the Soviets made in Afghanistan. Someone google the troop commitment. Someone extrapolate the cost in today’s money. (times three).

Iraq was a catastrophe diminished only by Vietnam. Afghanistan is the malady-in-waiting; a calamity jane’s catalogue of exit strategies: quagmires, mirages, and quick sand.

There are such things as impregnable natural terrain fortresses. If there weren’t then Osama Bin Laden would have been toast by now.

By MC

January 29, 2009 8:39 AM | Link to this

The Republican party sonds like a broken record when it comes to their incessant howl for more of the same type tax cuts that we experienced for the last 8 years. If those types of tax cuts are the answer to job creation why is this country in the economic mess it is in and why are 500,000 Americans losing their jobs each and every month now? Obviously the recipients of these tax breaks over the last 8 years used the money for everything but growing businesses and creating jobs. Maybe it is time to try a different approach. How can a continuance of the same type of tax cuts for the same group of people do anything but produce the same result? I think this a resonable question and the American people have every right in the world to be skeptical of same ole same ole mantra from the Republican party. If this nation ever does lean toward Socialism it will be the Republican party that did it to us by creating the mistrust among the populace that allows it to happen.

By Ragnar Danneskjöld

January 29, 2009 9:37 AM | Link to this

The House Republicans acquitted themselves quite well last night – not a single vote for the failed economics of the past. One perceives that the republicans heard the electorate in 2008, whereas the tone-deaf democrats misperceive the voter demand for “change” as a demand for “humongous spending on government activities.” I think that is as far from the electorate message as a sentient soul could be. (Right, “sentient” and “democrat” generally ought not be used in the same conception – oxymoronic. Perhaps my argument is a contra-ception. Speaker Pelosi would approve of that.) On a purely political level, only 11 of the 51 democrats who advertise themselves as “conservatives” voted against the bill, thus the 40 seats that the Republicans should target in 2010.

The only remaining issue now appears to be, “Did Obama lie, or is he simply unfamiliar with the content and timing of the spending in the bill the House democrats passed last night?” As he has never demonstrated even the most tenuous grasp of economics, I will assume he is an honest Empty Suit.

One recalls that Obama famously advised that there would be no pork in the bill. In fact 85% of the bill is pork. Obama advised the “stimulus” bill would be bipartisan. The is no evidence of conservative thought in the bill, although technically “conservatism” is not a party – perhaps by “bipartisan” the President was contemplating northeast republicans – rudderless “moderates” - in the house (oh, that’s right, there aren’t any.) And, of course, there is the chronic problem, calling this a monstrosity a “stimulus” bill, when there is no theoretical stimulation of the productive economy therein sooner than 18 months.

We do see much money-throwing at Federal agencies and state governments, and some huge welfare grants, including a $5 billion potential payoff for ACORN (disguised as “neighborhood stimulation.” Think how much more damage ACORN can do with that kind of money!) One assumes that the President’s goal is to stimulate “government” rather than any element of the economy that produces a product that anyone would actually purchase if given a choice. However, the Empty Suit never promised anything more than “change.” Kleptocracy is a “change,” even for the national socialists. Welcome to Chicago.

By MC

January 29, 2009 10:13 AM | Link to this

By Ragnar Danneskjöld

January 28, 2009 9:14 AM | Link to this

Dear Erick @ 8:51 and BeBe @ 8:56, would you agree that we need investigations and trials for those thieves who broke FNMA and FHLMC? Including people in Congress who took money from and protected the thieves?

Ragnar you’re starting to sound like that one trick broken record Lou Dobbs with your constant referals back to FNMA and FHLMC. It’s about as ingenious as all the idiots that kept refering back to Bill Clinton 8 years into the Bush administration. A crooks a crook. Get them all. If some of them resided at FNMA and FHLMC go get them. But lease Ragnar. You can’t minimize the transgressions of the Thains of this world and others of their ilk by constantly whining about FNMA and FHLMC.

By Ragnar Danneskjöld

January 29, 2009 12:25 PM | Link to this

Dear MC @ 10:13, by emphasizing Thain and ignoring FHLMC and FNMA, you strain on a gnat and swallow a camel. Thain cost the taxpayers nearly nothing. the crooks who broke FHLMC and FNMA cost us $1 trillion.

By REPUBLICANS EVIL TIME IS UP

January 30, 2009 11:06 AM | Link to this

NOTICE HOW THE MIDDLE CLASS AND THE POOR CLASS OF NORTH CAROLINA AND FLORIDA REPUBLICANS WOKE-UP AND SAID HELL NAW TO MORE NEO-NAZIS LIES TOLD BY THE GOP,AND VOTED DEMOCRAT.

BUT GEORGIA RURAL VOTERS KEEP VOTING FOR THE UNDERCOVER GAY REPUBLICANS WHO DURING THE DAY PREACH AGAINST GAY RIGHTS,BUT AT NITE THEY INDULGE IN THE GAY LIFE STYLE,THE GOP SAY SUPPORT THE TROOPS BUT DONT SUPPORT THE AMERICAN PEOPLE,DEMOCRATS GO WILLING TO SERVE THE GREAT USA IN ARMED SERVICE,BUT BUSH CHENEY RUSH LIMBAUGH SUXBY SHAMELESS PHIL GINGREY ALL DUCKED THEIR SERVICE TO COUNTRY BECAUSE THEY WERE COWARDS.

By Heather Kolich

February 3, 2009 12:57 PM | Link to this

The tax evasions and excuses of Charles Rangel and two of the cabinet picks of the new administration, willful tax dodger Tim Geithner and long-time Washington politician Tom Daschle, are disgusting. I find it both ironic and reprehensible that the Washington crowd excuses and forgives these men for their “mistakes” of failing for years to pay their taxes. They knew their tax obligations and apparently had the tens- and hundreds of thousands of dollars to pay their back taxes just lying around. How many of “We the People” could say that? Or did Geithner and Daschle have outside help to pay the taxes so that they could continue forward to the confirmation process? Excusing these people with a nod and a wink just reinforces the belief that there are no honest politicians. My family could use some tax “excuses”. We need to draw on our IRA and 401k savings without paying taxes and penalties. The Republican Study Committee proposed this idea in their version of the “stimulus package.” This is relief that can actually make an immediate difference in many peoples’ lives. My husband has been unemployed since April and I’ve had scant work since my primary client cut budgets in September. By drawing on our savings, we’ve managed to pay our bills; but now the savings are gone. The only reserve we have left is our retirement accounts, both of which are now well below the principal we invested in them. But, as J.G. Wentworth says, “It’s my money and I need it now.” If the U.S. government “forgives” the taxes and penalties on these investments, we can pay off our house and other credit debt, get by on a bare-bones budget, and avoid putting more “troubled assets” into the economy. If, however, we have to pay taxes and penalties, there won’t be enough money left to achieve these goals. I’m sure we’re not the only family in this position. And I don’t want any lectures about devastating my retirement accounts. What good is my future if I lose my present? Finally, I hope that conservatives leverage the tax “mistakes” of these best and brightest of Democrats into support for the Fair Tax. If the tax code is too complicated for well-educated, experienced politicians to understand, clearly it’s too complicated. Congress can simplify it in one act and end the tax woes of this new administration and millions of dutiful taxpayers.