Must be nice to be El Presidente. Big, long, bullet-proof limos to ride in. Tailor mades on your back. Don’t have to be held accountable, unless you’re a Conservative. Private jet. Got the biggest stick to go to WAR with. Choice of what’s on tap or who to “tap”.
Satin sheets to lie on. Satin pillows to cry on.
The President has no real power. It’s those in the House and Congress that makes the President jump and move.
Before you read further and waste your precious time, let me point out . If you believe Barack Obama to hold the “power of change” you’re wasting your time reading this.
Other than the fact it’s probably really makein’ some sheet-wearers and some skin heads piss their pants, and that tickles me silly, that a half black and half white President is in da house, there is no way I can tell you how much it means to me to have a President of different color skin than mine. Because no matter how much I try to reassure, racism is not in my motive, there are those out there who will want Racism to stand in the way. It will always be thrown in my face that I didn’t vote for a black man, so I must be racist. Look in the mirror, baby. You’re a racist too if that’s the case. If that’s made you mad, good.
I’ve stated before that I don’t like “Professional Politicians”. I honestly do not believe there’s been a President worth my vote after Ronald Reagan. Since then I have been only given the choice of mildNazism and mildCommunism. But when I given such a choice I always pick the least of the two evils. Please let me explain.
Let’s set aside the aged and children and the infirm for this portion of my thoughts. I do believe they should be taken care of.
I perfer that a man work for a livin’. That way at the end of the day he does not have the energy to run around being a “THUG”. He knows if he doesn’t get enough rest he will not perform well at his job and he will be replaced. As it says in the Bible “If a man does not work he should not eat.” This is the type of Government I want. The Bible also states we should take care of old folks and children and the infirm – so don’t try being smart and splitting hairs with me.
Imagine, if you will, a government that takes profit from those who are working and giving whats takin’ away to those who will not work. How do you feel about supporting those who will not work? Is it fair for you to work and work hard all day long, just to have your profit given to someone who will not work? I do not want this type of Government.
Most of you, I realize, have never been to other countries. I have. I have seen what other types of Governments can do. I also know that the Governments of most other countries are rotting or have already rotted to the point of collapse, or have collapsed. Fortunately, until this point in our history we have enjoyed “Life, Liberty, and the Pursuit of Happiness.”
This country, America, has begun it’s death throws. It has lost the Republic standing. It now follows and favors that of Democracy. This form of Government will not stand. Democracy is “Mob Rules”. I am not speaking of “Gangsters” like ‘Al Capone’ or ‘Machinegun Kelly’. I am pointing at “Mob Mentality”, or whatever the people want at any given time. If the Government satisfies the Mob, after a while the Mob will become bored and want a change. Nothing will be held sacred in this Government – not life, not liberty, or your pursuit there of. In order to avoid chaos there will have to be some different form of government. This has been proven over an over, time an time again.
Look at history.
When the belief that humans can improve themselves without proper guidance stands before being humble, then there will be no way to stop the human damnation. Or, to put it simply, “Pride goeth before a fall”.
Note: The actual Bible verse (King James version) is “Pride goeth before destruction, and an haughty spirit before a fall.” It means that the next step after being all puffed up with arrogance could be falling flat on your face.
Now, if you had paid any attention in Social Studies class, then you understand that of which I speak. If you have ever worked for a paycheck and felt cheated at the taxes being taken from you and given to the guy down the street who is eating fine, lives in a house, and drives a nicer car than you but he never works – then you understand what Socialism is. It’s just a luke warm Communism.
So…Barack Obama, like almost every other President before him, is going to promise something to gain your confidence. He does not have the power to change a damn thing. He can only show you what you think you need. If you really want to know who has the power to change, look at those who stand beside him. Then look in the mirror.
I ask : Is Socialism what you really want?
Cause thats what your going to get. If you don’t change.
I have to hope Obama fails. If the plans he has for change really happen, with the help of his buddies, it leaves me no alternatives.
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We will all eventually end up on welfare of some sort, Pappy. Don’t make it look like anyone there doesn’t deserve to be and is stuck up. I know some are, but most aren’t. It’s the same old story where a few bad apples spoil the bunch.
In the barrel of apples, the bad ones are removed to keep from spoiling the whole lot.
If the whole lot is spoiled, except for a few, is it fair to those few to be thrown out too?
Unless eating rotten apples is of the norm.
Don’t hand me any crap about what your rotten and my rotten is. Rotten is rotten.
I may be forced to eat the rotten apple, but when I puke it back up don’t be surprised.
One last thing, I have never been on government funded welfare, and suggesting that I will be is fighting grounds. It borders on treason. It smacks of slander.
I don’t think you’re a racist Pappy, and you certainly make good arguments. Personally, I didn’t vote for Obama because of the color of his skin. It makes no difference to me. I voted for him because I believed he would be the best leader. And I still believe that.
The President does have a lot of power. I agree that congress and the senate wield a lot of power, but the President is in a unique position to control the outcome. There is a reason he is called “the most powerful man in the world”. And so far, Obama has been doing something that I have never seen a President do. He has been going to the people to make his case. These are the people who gave him the power he now has. They (we) are the voters. And we have the power to kick out the politicians who we disagree with. Obama is tapping into that immense power base. Given his unprecedented popularity with the American people, this is not something to be dismissed.
The Presidency is what you make of it. George W. was a complete failure as a President. Once he got into office, he forgot about the people who put him there. He was a spoiled rich kid who’s father had been President and had tremendous influence. He was inept as a leader, falling back on gut reactions as opposed to intelligent and reasonable thought. And his administration oversaw the complete deterioration of the American economy, a senseless and very expensive war certainly didn’t help matters.
I get a kick out of those who blame the Clinton administration for the present economic woes. Give me a break! When Clinton was in office we all did pretty good, didn’t we? And you want to tell me that the eight years Bush was in power don’t count? That somehow the dominoes had already started falling and that Bush was a victim of a prior administration’s policies? Well, even if that were the case, He had eight years to fix it. But that’s not the case, and George W. led us down the road to ruin.
If you want to talk about power, let’s talk about Cheney for a minute. George W. was a light weight compared to him. There is a truly evil man. Iraq was all about making money. And Cheney new how to use his influence to make it happen. Previously he had worked for Bush Senior. He had powerful connections. The war in Iraq was planned long before 911. It had nothing to do with terrorism. It had nothing to do with WMD’s. It was all about money, and greed. And Cheney was instrumental in this senseless, murderous war. George W. was really nothing more than Cheney’s puppet.
The war was wrong. I know you disagree, Pappy, as some others will also. But let me say this. If we had stuck to our original plan of fighting terrorism, I believe we would not be in the mess we are in today. We are being punished for our evil deeds. And it is evil to attack a country that has not attacked you. It is evil to kill countless innocent people in order to further your political and financial power. It is evil to torture prisoners of war. We are now reaping our reward.
Afghanistan was different. It was a proven training ground for terrorists. We were right to go there, and I supported that action. I continue to support that action. And I support all our troops whether in Afghanistan or Iraq or wherever they may be. The war in Afghanistan was justified. The war in Iraq is not.
Now we have a President who was one of the only politicians smart enough to speak out against that war from the very beginning. He went against what was popular way back then and he was right. He has been proven right time and again. And that is what makes a great President. That is true leadership. Having good judgment.
So I think you are wrong about Obama, Pappy. And wrong about the Presidency. Would you say that Reagan had no real power? Then you are undermining your previous statement that “I honestly do not believe there’s been a President worth my vote after Ronald Reagan”. If you really think Reagan did such a great job, then how is it that the “President has no real power”?
The President is as able as he has the competence to be. The President we now have in office is extremely capable. Not because he is an expert on every topic. But because he is extremely intelligent with an expansive base of knowledge and he has good judgment. He also has great leadership skills and “charisma” (there’s nothing wrong with that. JFK had it, and as long as it is used for good it is a powerful tool). He doesn’t make all the decisions without consulting the many extremely capable people he has surrounded himself with. He has surrounded himself with experts in every field. He weighs the issues and listens to his staff and then he makes a decision.
I do not envy our new President. He has stepped into this office at the worst possible time. The former administration left a huge mess the likes of which we haven’t seen in several decades. He has a tremendous challenge ahead of him. He will make mistakes. There is no doubt about that. He has already made a few minor ones. But he has also accomplished a great deal in a very short period of time.
Who knows how this will all turn out. But as the President himself has said. If his policies don’t work “then you will have a new President in four more years”(paraphrased). He is putting his entire career on the line and he knows if he screws up, it’s over. This takes tremendous courage.
So no, Pappy, I don’t think you’re a racist. I get tired of hearing the racist card played. If you don’t agree with Obama’s political views, then you voted against him based on that. There’s nothing wrong with that.
I don’t have all the answers. I don’t think anyone does. Even the experts don’t know how this is all going to turn out. We’ve never been here before. Not like this. I mean there was the Great Depression, but that was a different time. This is all new. The world is different. We can’t solve this using all the same methods we used to get out of the Great Depression. So even the experts are a little unsure of what they are doing. Let’s hope for the best and hope that the people in charge are smart enough to get us through this.
Regardless of our political differences, I agree with you on many points, Pappy. Our country has deteriorated morally and ethically and that is the reason we are in the mess we are in now. Greed is one of the major causes. And no, I don’t believe you can solve every problem by throwing money at it. But I do think we have to do something. And there is no perfect answer. But I think Obama has the best intentions for our country’s future. I believe he is more than just a “professional politician”. He came from a background where he was working to help the underprivileged and he has spoken from his heart all the way. You can tell when a man (or woman) is speaking from the heart and not just rambling off a bunch of political rhetoric. I honestly believe he is the right man at the right time for this job. Having said that, I am keenly aware that he could still fall flat on his face, the odds being stacked against him as they are.
So time will tell. I hope you are wrong. You say you have to hope Obama fails. I have to hope he does not. If he fails, we all fail.
Take it easy Pap.
Excellent…Yes!
I shall mull over and cogitate your response.
You make good points about Mr. Obama.
I still remain extremely sceptical of his stand on what his “Change” is. I shall remain ever vigilant in pointing out he tends to lean toward Socialist views.
I didn’t vote for President Clinton or her husband.
The only reason I voted for Bush was he was the lesser of the two evils. He may have come from a wealthy family, but his family’s ideas of working for gain are what pulled my vote to his favor.
The other guy, running against Bush, promised to Tax me to death trying to prevent some cataclysmic atmospheric phenomenon. His wife thought that my children should be raised by the village people. God forbid.
As far as my votes for Mr. Reagan, Again I voted for the lesser of the two evils and lo and behold I got my moneys worth. Plus the added bonus of jump starting the economy into the Capitalist Machine it became.
Here is a quote from your response: “So I think you are wrong about Obama, Pappy. And wrong about the Presidency. Would you say that Reagan had no real power? Then you are undermining your previous statement that “I honestly do not believe there’s been a President worth my vote after Ronald Reagan”. If you really think Reagan did such a great job, then how is it that the “President has no real power”?
Yes I would say Ronald Reagan had no real power to do any thing but declare war.
He also was not gonna take any crap off the Communist, or any religious terrorist.
Mr. Reagan used that and to all of Americas advantage. I joined the military at that time hoping my services could be used to help make my America remain a safe place and remain free for my children. I have to say I was relieved when “The Wall” fell and the hostages were released. Because them religious freaks knew Mr.Reagan was not gonna play nice nice. The Communist were already in collapse, and they saw the perfect opportunity to bow out with very minimal damage.
So in all honesty …no president has power. For some reason people believe he does. The president is but a figure head, a representative. So if you elect a fool for a president then others think you a fool. If you elect a weakling then your thought a weakling. If you elect a strong God fearing President your not messed with.
I will say this as I have stated before…”It’s the people who have the power. Problem is the people don’t know how to be responsible with the power”.
Here is another quote from your response: ” I don’t have all the answers. I don’t think anyone does. Even the experts don’t know how this is all going to turn out. We’ve never been here before. Not like this. I mean there was the Great Depression, but that was a different time. This is all new. The world is different. We can’t solve this using all the same methods we used to get out of the Great Depression. So even the experts are a little unsure of what they are doing. Let’s hope for the best and hope that the people in charge are smart enough to get us through this.”
“There is no new thing under the sun.” Hold on I’m looking the Verse in the Bible…Eccl 1:9
We know what works.
If you envy the Rich and Glutton, is that not your own sin?
I say let the Rich and the Glutton, have their way. It only leads to their own ends and reward.
If the Rich and Glutton spend money, then I keep a job to feed my family.
What I keep hearing from Obama and his followers is … Take from the rich and give to the poor. Well who are the rich and who are the poor? If you strip one does that not make another?
Now, If Obama makes ALL Politicians give their wealth to the poor…then I will think about voting for him in 2012. But That ain’t gonna happen so I got no fear of voting for Socialism just yet.
Socialism is less evil than Communism.
I’m so glad you responded Driver Ed.
I will think over more on your response because you do make good points.
It’s O.K. to be skeptical, Pappy. There is a lot of reason to be skeptical. Look at the mess we’re in! Who wouldn’t be a skeptical! In fact, I myself am holding onto my shorts with all my might, hoping and praying that this all works!
Socialism is one of those words that people tend to bring out from time to time to instill fear. It’s like the word “liberal”. But I think what we must remember is not to look at everything in black and white. There are many shades of gray. Even those considered conservative may have liberal views on certain issues, and vice-versa. Socialism takes many forms. It has been experimented with in many countries (including our own) for many years. Social Security, Medicare, and even the unemployment compensation you and I depend on to get us through these tough times all relate to socialist ideas. The difference is, we are still not a purely socialist country, and I don’t believe we are going to be anytime soon. It make take some socialist measures to get us back on our feet, to get the country headed in the right direction, but I don’t think it is the intent of our present administration to transform our government into a socialist one. It’s all about what methods to use to fix the problems we have.
For a long time we have been a mix of capitalism and socialism. The programs I listed above are just a few that could be considered socialist, and they have been around as long as you and I have been alive (unless you’re a lot older than I think you are, Pap!). It’s just that the capitalism has been the overwhelming majority that our economy has been based on. I think the two can compliment each other.
The problem with government involvement comes in when government is not run efficiently. And that is what has happened in the past. But now you have banks and corporations that have been even more inefficient than government! For example, GM. My father retired from that company. He built cars for a living. He used to say “As General Motors goes, so goes the country”. At one time it was the most powerful company in the world. What happened? Now it’s on the edge of bankruptcy, and holding out it’s hand to the taxpayer to bail it out, all because of bad decision-making and wasteful policies.
Then we have the banks. Now everyone is afraid the government is going to step in and take over the banks. But the bankers sure didn’t do a good job of running them, did they? Maybe the government needs to step in and take over for awhile. And they aren’t talking about a complete take-over. They’re talking about maybe 40% of Citi Bank, for example. And from what I’ve been able to gather, it’s not meant to be permanent.
Maybe a little shot of socialism is a necessary thing when things get this bad, Pappy. FDR used socialist programs to get the country back on it’s feet and it worked. We came back stronger than ever.
I don’t think America will ever be a full-fledged socialist country. Our entire way of life is based on free enterprise. It is why so many people want to come here in the first place. They know they can make anything of themselves in America. It is still the land of dreams, even in it’s present state. And I don’t believe there is a conspiracy by the Democrats to transform the government into a socialist regime. There are too many people involved and there is no way they would all support socialism on such a scale. I know the American people wouldn’t.
As far as “Power”, I agree with your statement: ”It’s the people who have the power. Problem is the people don’t know how to be responsible with the power”.
I believe you are 100% correct there, Pappy. I don’t disagree with you in the slightest. And so many people don’t educate themselves on the issues and don’t vote to change what they don’t like. They just sit around grumbling about why things are the way they are. Or, they’re oblivious to what’s going on in the world. As long as they have there cushy home and big-screen TV and their nice car to drive. As long as everything is easy and effortless, they remain oblivious to what is happening in the world. They don’t want to be involved in any of that boring stuff. But then the bottom drops out and suddenly they may lose their nice cushy home and the bill collectors are beating on the door because they haven’t been paying their bills since they got laid-off from the place they worked the last ten or twenty years. Suddenly reality sinks in. ‘Can’t be oblivious anymore.
We are the ones who put officials in office. We are the ones who truly shape the issues. Obama and everyone on down are only representatives of the people. We put them there and we can take them out.
But why do we put them there? Sometimes it’s a matter of voting for “the lesser of two evils” as you put it. Other times we vote for someone because we truly believe they’ll do a good job and stay true to their word.
I think the power that a John F. Kennedy or a Ronald Reagan or a Barack Obama have stems from their ability to lead and inspire people. They have to inspire people to get to the Presidency, otherwise they would never make it. Once there they have to lead and inspire the Senate and the Congress as well as the nation. By doing so, I believe they do exercise power. It is through us that they achieve this power. It is through leadership and inspiration that they achieve the goals they set forth.
Can Obama turn this country around all by himself? Could Brett Favre win a football game against the Pittsburgh Steelers all on his own? Absolutely not. His job is to set goals and lead the country in the direction of those goals. He must achieve a certain amount of those goals in order to be a successful President. He is like a conductor and the house and congress are his orchestra. He can’t make any music if he can’t get them to play their instruments. And the better they play, the sweeter the music.
I watched the President’s address to Congress last night. And I saw an enormously popular leader give a very inspirational speech. His self-confidence is evident for all to see. He believes in the measures he is taking. And those measures are not measures he came up with on his own. He is relying on experts from every field. People like Warren Buffet have helped him shape his economic strategies. He has surrounded himself with immensely capable individuals and they are all working on turning this ship around and getting it headed in the right direction.
Obama is not the “Second Coming”. He is not a super-human. But I believe that throughout the history of this country, when times got challenging, a great leader stepped forward and lead the way. I think Obama is that person. I think he has the sincerity of purpose to make the right decisions and lead us out of the recession. He’s only human. But he has the best qualities for a human-being in his position.
Having said all that, I’m still holding my breath. This is quite a dilemma we’ve gotten ourselves into. So you have a right to be skeptical too, Pappy. You just see the glass half-empty and I see it half-full. I hope the waitress will come around soon and fill it up again. Wouldn’t it be nice to see a day when our cups runneth over once more?
Take it easy Pappy.
Skeptical is a word I would use when I’m NOT SURE of whatever.
I’am absolutely sure that Socialism does not work. Look at France withering away. Look at my second most favorite country Portugal. I do love Portugal. It’s where I would live if I had to become a Socialist.It’s an incredibly beautiful country.IMHO
I’am absolutely sure that Communism does not work. Look at the USSR.It collapsed.
Look at Cuba. Although that’s more a Dictatorship!
Look at China. The only reason it’s still going is the Communist gumment will take you right out of your house and shoot you if you do not bow to the Communist god.(Note little “g” there) That way Of Communism works until there is nothing left to live for.
May I also point out that there has never been a bloodless conversion to Socialism and much less Communism.
May I also point out that there has only been a few conversions to Democracy that were bloodless. Of those none are left in power today because the the Democratic gomment gave away it’s power in give away programs which results in a bloodbath.
But I do see the glass as FULL. It’s half full of good water and half full of bad.
I do agree that America needs a change. But the “Change” Mr. Obama and his like are preaching is, take from the rich and give to the poor. That, my friend, is theft. Secondly, it’s wealth envy.
I got news for you, it was said best by Jesus: Quote “The poor, you will always have…” Unquote. It’s quoted at least 3 times in 3 different books.
Let the Money man keep his Money. He will be more likely to spend it and keep us all in work. Unless you don’t wanna work?
I honestly believe that wanting something for nuthin’ is mankinds’ biggest problem. Right now America is chocked fulled up with people like that. It’s like a Boil on the skin. You gotta bust it and squeeze out all the “ROT” to get rid of it. If you continue to give the “ROT” food it will kill you. Or at least keep you sick.
I could give ya the best way to solve this nations problems. I don’t think it will be “Politically Correct” and it sure won’t be “Warm and Fuzzy”. I know it will work.
Lastly.
It will be much better when our cups runneth over again, if it’s allowed to. I don’t want to depend on a Waitress to fill it. Cause she’s gonna be waiting for her cup too.
So whats on Americas horizon?
Well, I’m not going down with out a fight.
Looks like I hit a nerve. Pappy, I didn’t mean that we should become a socialist nation. In fact, I thought I made that clear. What I was saying is that social programs can be helpful. And why do you keep bringing up communism? America is certainly not on the road to communism!
You say that President Obama and his supporters want to take from the rich and give to the poor. Sounds kinda’ like Robin Hood, doesn’t it? But I disagree with your statement that what he proposes is theft. This is the kind of trash that the right-wing media has been spreading around for years. Let’s all feel sorry for the rich folks. They got it so bad.
What Obama wants to do is create wealth for the middle-class. That’s you and me, bro. He wants to build a larger middle-class, so there aren’t so many poor people on the streets. When I was growing up the middle-class comprised a much larger percentage of the population in this country. Now we have a shrunken middle-class and a much larger group of poor people at one extreme and rich people at the other. That is the problem with this country. The fifties and sixties were some of the best years in this nation’s history because so many people were able to work for a living and provide a good life for their families.
You say that by raising taxes on the wealthy (those making over $250,000 a year) that Obama is redistributing wealth. He’s stealing from those who worked hard to make their money. I understand what you’re saying. And you seem to be saying that he intends to give that money to those who don’t have the drive and motivation to make something of themselves. But that’s just not true. There are lots of people out there really trying that are struggling just to keep food on the table and a roof over their heads.
I want to get into this idea of stealing from the rich and redistributing the wealth. Because it is a good point Pappy, and one I have thought about a lot. Like you, I believe that people should be able to keep what they earn. In a perfect world, everyone would be able to do that. However, we do not live in a perfect world. We all have to pay taxes in order to support all the systems we rely on. We pay taxes to support the military, and thus the defense of our nation. We pay taxes to build and maintain the infrastructures such as bridges and highways that we all need to travel through this great land. We pay taxes to support the education system, etc. We pay taxes from the time we are old enough to spend money to the day we die. That is a fact of life. So now Obama wants to give the majority of the people (you and me) a tax break and raise taxes on those who make over $250,000 a year. My reaction is this: We all have to pay taxes. The wealthy can afford to pay a little more!
If you’ve been fortunate enough (through hard work and enterprise) to become well-off because of the opportunities that this great land has made possible, then shouldn’t you be willing to give back? You’ll still be doing well and those who aren’t doing so well will get a hand up. What’s wrong with that? Why shouldn’t we give a hand-up to those less fortunate than we are?
But conservatives are constantly watching the back of the rich-man. Do you make more than $250,000 a year Pappy? Have you ever made that kind of money. Well good for you if you did. But I know I haven’t. If I did I would be willing to pay a little higher tax rate!
You keep talking about the Bible. You keep quoting from the Bible. But one of the tenants that Jesus spoke of was giving. Heck, he even said to give up everything you own and follow him.
I guess what you’re really against is forcing people to give. By raising taxes on the rich, we’re telling them they have to give more whether they want to or not. You would rather everyone have control over how much of their own money they want to give away. I understand. But none of us have complete control over our money. We have always had to pay taxes. And it is my belief that those who have reaped the most benefits from our society should be required to give more back. “For those to whom much is given, much is required”. These people are wealthy not just because of their hard work but because of the nation that made it possible for them to achieve that wealth. Why shouldn’t they be required to give more back than the person who is struggling to put food on the table?
Why are you so worried about the rich, Pappy? They are quite capable of taking care of themselves. If you were rich, I would understand why you were grumbling. But you’re unemployed (welcome to the crowd). You were a truck-driver. Unless you were an owner-operator I doubt very much that you ever made more than $250,000 a year driving a truck. Yet all conservatives, regardless of their income level are so defensive of the wealthy. Heaven-forbid they have to give more than the rest of us. Even though they are the ones who can most afford it.
Then there is the conservative argument that by raising taxes on the wealthy we are making it more difficult for them to provide jobs for the rest of us. Come on! The wealthy are always going to try to make more and more money, and in order to do that they are going to have to find ways to employ people. But if you and I don’t have money to spend, the economy grinds to a halt.
It sounds to me like your idea of the best economy is survival of the fittest. Everyone keeps what they make and those who are weakest perish. Thank God we don’t live in that kind of country. Thank God we do have programs to help those who are less fortunate or less capable. Thank God we have programs to help the impoverished survive. Thank God that we don’t have to rely on the generosity of the wealthy to take care of those individuals who can’t take care of themselves, because the truth is most of them don’t care about anything except making more money. Thank God for a government that wants to make health-care available to everyone. Thank God for a government that wants to make sure children get an education, because the giant corporations don’t care. Thank God for a government that wants to “redistribute the wealth” in order to cure the disease of a nation crippled by greed and corruption.
You say you believe that “wanting something for nothing is mankind’s biggest problem”. Is that the attitude that Jesus would have had? Would Jesus have said “if someone asks you for your cloak, don’t give it to them unless you get something in return”? I don’t think so.
And you keep talking about the “gumment”. Pappy, the government is you and me and all the millions of Americans out there who put the Senators and the Congressmen and all the other elected officials in office. They are merely representatives of the people’s will. So whatever they do, we are responsible for. Obviously, the changes that are taking place now are what the majority of the people wanted.
Your original point was that the President has no real power. If not then what are you so afraid of? But you know he does have power. Look at the changes that are taking place so rapidly. They couldn’t have taken place without the President’s influence.
I like the changes that are taking place. I’m not worried about us becoming a socialist nation. That isn’t going to happen. And we certainly aren’t going to become Communist. I wait for your next response.
Take it easy Pappy.
One more thing. Do you know what it was like to be a truck driver before it was deregulated in 1979? Before the Teamsters lost all their influence, don’t you think truckers had it a lot better? Deregulation made it possible for the trucking companies to run rough-shod over drivers, cutting wages and firing anyone they wanted to at will. If you are against Unions (I bring it up because unions are a favorite target of conservatives) then how are truckers better off since deregulation?
In late 1979 Ronald Wilson Reagan entered the Whitehouse and ushered in an era of deregulation known as “Reaganomics”. In 2009 Barack Obama entered the same office and is now ushering in “Obamanomics”. He will be reversing many of the policies that Reaganomics represented. We are headed toward more regulation. And to me, that’s a good idea. We have let the Reaganites run the country for too long, and look where it got us. We need more regulation to fix the problems that runaway greed and capitalism without conscience have produced.
By the way, Reagan didn’t end the Cold War. Gorbachev did. Reagan was simply in the right place at the right time. Gorbachev was responsible for the fall of communism in the former Soviet Union. “Mr. Gorbachev, Tear down this wall” was simply an opportunist move on the former President’s part. Politically it was a wise move and many gave Ronnie Ray-Gun credit for the demise of the Soviet Union. It was nothing more than good use of propaganda on the part of that administration.
Reagan ushered in the era of rampant capitalism without constraints that got us to where we are today. That is why it is necessary for the changes that you are complaining about to take place at this point in our nation’s history.
You say you aren’t going down without a fight. But Pappy, what are you going to do? Barricade yourself in your house with a stockpile of food and weapons and refuse to pay taxes? Oh, that’s right. You’re getting a tax cut! Maybe you should go hole up in some rich dude’s castle and defend his right not to pay more taxes!
We need government. But we need government that is run more efficiently. That’s what Obama brings to the table. It’s not going to be business as usual in Washington. There will be unprecedented transparency. Politicians will be held accountable. Sacrifices will be made, including sacrifices by the President. This is already happening. Power is going back to the People.
Another point you were wrong about:
“May I also point out that there has never been a bloodless conversion to Socialism and much less Communism”.
Sweden and New Zealand are just two examples of nations that turned to socialism without blood being spilled. The degree to which any nation can be considered socialist is a matter of interpreting the definition of the word. But most would agree that these two nations were largely socialist. Sweden has been turning away from socialism lately, while New Zealand is still a largely socialist nation. They refer to themselves as “Social Democrats”. You should like that term, since that’s what you think we have in office now.
Democracy is good at causing bloodshed too. Sometimes it is imposed upon nations, as it has been in Iraq. And a lot of blood sure has been spilled, hasn’t it?
Theft is theft. It don’t matter how it’s delegated through what ever type of Gumment.
If even one person is singled out for whatever income bracket that person is in, and money is taken from that person to give…wait… “REDISTRIBUTE”(A Favorite WARM FUZZY word) to some one else in another income bracket, THAT IS PURE THEFT.
I don’t care who says it’s ok or what kind of Change they wish to bring about. Theft is theft.
Robin Hood was a thief. What did he do? He STOLE FROM THE RICH and gave to the poor.
The only thing that I can thank Robin Hood for is he at least tried to steal from the CORUPTED GOVERNMENT that was in power at the time.
I have an idea…lets tax only POLITITAINS and REDISTRIBUTE thier wealth…hows that for a idea?
Theft is theft no matter.
Pour perfume on a pig to make it smell better it’s still gonna remain a PIG!
Speak flowery words to a whore and she’s still a whore.
A Rose is a Rose…
This is one of the problems America faces today. ALMOST everyone wants what the richman got, BUT THEY DON”T WANT TO WORK FOR IT.
BLING BLING HEAR ME RING I DON”T CARE I TAKE HIS THING BLING BLING HEAR ME RING
Let me try a word picture here.
OH Jesus! PAPPY’s gonna get all fancy here.
Do you remember, in the years at school, how there was always some kid who had the best money could buy? Nice clothes, nice shoes, best teeth, later in High School he had the cool car and all the chicks sat on his lap? Maybe he was made some member of the High School team even though he had no talent at all? Do you remember that type of kid?
I do. I remember several. One comes to mind.
He had everything money could buy. Probably to this day he is well off.
I do remember how he always had a new car because he was always tearing his up.
I remember the girls he ruined trying to be “The MAN”.
I remember how he stayed “HIGH” all the time.
I remember him cutting his wrists and ME rushing him to the hospital and standing there listing to him cry about how his parents never took time with him. They allways fought and they were always working to “Provide” for him.
I remember the PITTY I felt for him and his kind.
He was trying to fill a void in is soul that just could not be filled.
Later on I knew another very wealthy person. She had it all. Looks. Property. She was good in the sack. But there was nuthin inside…it was like she was a “Blackhole” swallowing everything up she came close to. She was trying to fill a void that could not be filled.
To this day there are many Money rich people I know. 99% of them are sad sad people.
Me, I busted my ass for every penny I made. I spend my money as frugally as possible. I learned that Money is not gonna get me happiness.
So, having more MONEY is not gonna make things any better if you can’t live right.
So, why give them money they haven’t earned?
Here is another word picture here.
Income tax time.
I hear some of these guys talkin’ ’bout how they are gettin’ back SOOOoo much from the Gumment.
One day they show up at work wearing Gold and Rings got da grill action goin’ on and they girl all done up wid her hair doo lookin’ tight. She smellin’ good cause he went and bought her some 100dollar perfume.
2 days later they are broke! All the Gold is hocked.
It’s what is commonly known around here as being “Nigger Rich”(this term is used by all color of peoples here in my town). Please let me explain further. They are so ignorant that they wanted things NOW, for the fleeting moment, if you will. Also every color of person can fall into this category of ignorance.
So please save the Skin color crap for someone who cares.
Again I ask why take from someone to give to this type of person?
I keep hearing the “horrible richman” and “they had thiers now it’s my time” and “don’t you think you deserve some too” and “why do some one need that much money” and “Why can’t I get a slice of the PIE I DIDN’T MAKE OR BUY”….
I’ll tell you what friend…You can have what a thief would call my share. Better yet spread that share around. I don’t need any part of it. I sure don’t want any part of it.
ok movin’ on.
Iraq and Iran and Afghanistan all that…well…I have to hand it too Mr.Bush. He did what I could not have done. Had I been in his shoes, I would have NUKED THE WHOLE LOT OF’em. So you should be thankful. Or should you? At least my way there would be no more threat from terrorist. No more BILLIONS of dollars spent fighting a war. No more worries over which nation got the WOMD’s. Just a few buttons pushed, and a little heat, some fancy fire works, and POOF. No more Terrorist hiding there.
So trying to convince me that Bush was wrong about all that Iraq crap is MUTE.
Next.
Teamsters? HAA! What a joke.
Just for the record. I feel that UNION’s have run the course set. They did a good job. Now they are one of the problems killing America.
May I ask? How do Union people who make 35 dollars an hour puttin’ wheels on Cars expect a man making 10 an hour to buy the damn thing? HMM? Please! I would like to know.
Also will that Union man get some of Obamas Redistributed Money? Or will he pay into Obamas Redistribution?
Seems to me if the Union man gonna get some money taken out his check for Redistribution He may go on strike!!
God, knows I can’t afford a new car now.
Unless there a Change commin’. Maybe Disban all Unions and let the gumment run the car companies?………Dear God….just shoot me now please.
1979 …umm yeah … I was driven then. Had a good job. Worked and got paid. “Deregulation” thank you “Reaganomics”
Obamanomics? I can’t even pronounce that. Must be a fancy word for “SocialisticOnomics”. Your not gonna convince me of anything else.
ok next… Reagan at the wall…umm… just right time…yep thats right no argument there. “Rammpant Capitalism” …ha haaaa love it! All that I can agree with.
Sweden and New Zealand? Really? ok 2. Outta how many? I will look into it closer. Cause thats like cool to know.
“Social Democrats” does sound warm an fuzzy.
Finally.
Democracy and bloodshed…yep Imposed? IMPOSED? …theres Iraq again…(I just threw my hands up in disgust)
Wait let me get my shoe off and bang it on my desk.
(I’m banging my shoe on my desk and my wife has gotten her 38 Special cause she thinks I’ve gone mad)
YOU WIN!!!! [i'm shouting this too btw]
BUSH!!!! WAS A HORRIBLE DEMON POSSESSED DICTATOR WHO CAUSED HURRICANE KATRINA TO RUN ASHORE IN NEW ORLEANS AND HUSSAINE WAS THE SAINT OF ALL MUSLIMS BUSH SHOULD HAVE NEVER SENT ANYONE OVER THERE TO GET HIM KILLED. ALSO BUSH IS THE SON OF THE DEVIL AND HAS MADE EVERY PERSON IN AMERICA POOR. BUSH SHOULD GET OUT OF THE MIDDLEEAST AND LET THE TERRIOST LIVE IN PEACE…OOOPS i mean… OBAMA SHOULD GET OUT OF THERE. BUSH SHOULD HAVE SOME WATER BOARDING TOO.
DAMN I JUST BROKE MY SHOE…
All I can say is “I wanna hear the songs being sung after Obama and that woman “Pilloosee” get done with us”.
My wife has put her pistol away.
Imposed…oh dear Lord. ya know that just took all the fun outta this. Imposed on Iraq.
You!
HEY YOU!
YES YOU!…THE LITTLE MUSLIM COUNTRY! WHAT’S YOUR NAME AGAIN? iraq? YEAH YEAH IRAQ!
HEAR YEE THIS!
BE FREE OR DIE!
imposed…oh please
i gotta go get a tropical drink and listen to some Jimmey Buffet…maybe more than one tropical drink
and if anything here is wished to be pulled out of contexted I have a copy and would love the public attention.
I can rant. If I can’t do nuttin’ else.
Ha Ha! I really got you goin’ now, Pappy! You do rant very well indeed! Looks like I keep hitting a nerve. Sorry about that Pappy, just tossing around ideas here.
I agree with you that theft is theft. But you’re saying that taxation is theft. I disagree. Now taxation without representation would be theft. But this country has levied taxes on it’s citizens for at least a hundred years. If I’m not mistaken the first Federal income tax was levied to help pay for the Union war effort. In fact, it was your hero who’s photo you have at the top of this blog who In 1862 signed a bill that imposed a 3% tax on incomes between $600 and $10,000 and a 5% tax on higher incomes. So, you might want to think about taking Lincoln’s picture down and putting up some other photo, preferably someone who is famous for opposing all income taxes. Taxes are a part of life. We couldn’t survive as a nation without them. But now that Obama wants to raise taxes on the wealthy, you’re calling that theft. It’s not theft. Theft is illegal. Taxation is not illegal and is the means by which this country pays for much of it’s needs.
Now I don’t like taxation anymore than you do, Pappy. Hell, here in the Chicago area where I recently moved from Tennessee where we had no state income-tax, we pay not only state and federal income tax but also 11% sales tax. It’s not pleasant by any means (don’t ask why I moved from the sunny south to the cold midwest, it’s a long story). Nobody likes taxes, Pappy. But they are a necessary evil. Now the wealthy have always paid taxes, just as the not-so wealthy like you and me. But what you’re really complaining about is that the wealthy are having their taxes raised while the not-so wealthy are getting a tax-cut. I understand your pain. You see this as robbing from the rich and giving to the poor, who evidently you see as a sorry bunch of lazy pathetic excuses for human beings and they will all take the money and use it to buy things they don’t need like “bling” as you call it. But I think you’re generalizing. Sure, some people will do that. There’s no doubt. But many more will do the right things with the extra income they receive. You can’t throw out all the good apples with the bad apples. Save all the good apples that you can.
Theft, you say. What do you think the wealthy have been doing to us for years? And how do you think it is we got into the predicament we’re in right now in the first place. I don’t trust the rich corporations just like you don’t trust the “gumment”. I don’t trust the Wall-Street speculators and the Bankers and the Credit Card companies. These people have been ripping off the common man for years and years. How the Hell do you think they built all those towers of glass and steel? CEO’s taking bail-out money and buying gold-plated toilets for their offices…taking bail-out money and paying out million-dollar bonuses to their executives…Taking company trips to Vegas on bail-out money. No, Pappy. It’s the rich man you can’t trust. You talk about bling in some dude’s grill. That’s nothing compared to the bling these rich bastards are buying on our tax dollars. That’s corruption. And it is not isolated. The rich bastards charge you $30.00 if you overdraw your account by accident. You buy a cheeseburger at McDonalds and accidentally go over by 30 cents and it costs you thirty bucks for that cheeseburger. You make a withdrawal at an ATM and they charge you $3.00 if you’re not a member. You board a plane and they charge you $15.00 to check a bag (I kind of understand that because right now the airlines are fighting to survive, but the banks are just flat ripping people a new-one). That’s right. Those sky-scraper building of glass and steel are largely funded by nickel and diming the average consumer to death. Don’t get me started on banks.
So when you talk about theft, better look at the rich man first. I don’t want to generalize too much. There are some good folks who have made a lot of money and do good things with it. But there are a lot more that are just trying to rip you a new one.
So it’s theft. Well, call it theft if you like. Taxation is legal. Raising taxes is legal. If they don’t like it here they have the right to move somewhere else.
Pappy, if it would help save this country from economic ruin, I would be glad to pay a little more in myself. That’s right. In fact, if Obama had said he was raising everyone’s taxes but that would help us get out of this mess, I would be happy to do my share.
To be continued….
Once there was a “Crackhead”.
The “Crackhead” lost it’s income because it CHOSE to ignore the blatant warnings of the people around it.
The “Crackhead” figured it had been picked on by everyone.
The “Crackhead” didn’t care anymore about being poor or rich.
The “Crackhead” wanted wealth only to spend it on it’s Addiction.
The “Crackhead” thought it could take the Money from others to keep it’s Crack supply going.
The “Crackhead” waited in the shadows at night near a busy Cafe that was frequented by what it saw as a potential source for money.
The “Crackhead” attacked a well dressed man one night.
The “Crackhead” saw a another man watching during the Attack. The other man made no attempt to help the well dressed man.
The “Crackhead” figured there was no use in stopping the assault on the well dressed man, cause it could at least get some money and pay for some Crack before it was caught.
The “Crackhead” finished it’s robbery and looking up saw the other man still unmoved and still watching.
The “Crackhead” rushed toward the other man. The other man shouted “Please I will not say anything if you give me 5 dollars I need money too”.
The “Crackhead” knew it had enough money, taken from the well dressed man, and in it’s last act of kindness gave the other man 5 dollars.
The “Crackhead” on the next night was again robbing another well dressed man.
The “Crackhead” looking up saw 2 men standing and watching. The 2 men approached the “Crackhead” saying give us 5 dollars each and we will not say anything.
The “Crackhead” seeing one as the one it gave money to the previous night spoke and said “I gave you money last night and you were not to speak of it”. The first man said “I did NOT speak of your robbery last night but my friend here followed me and we see your robbery tonight. Give us 5 dollars each and go. We will not speak of this”.
The “Crackhead” gave the two men the money and they went away.
The “Crackhead” the next night again robbed another well dressed man. Looking up it saw 6 men watching and not helping the well dressed man. The 6 men caught the “Crackhead” and said “Give to us 5 dollars each and we will leave you in peace”.
The “Crackhead” seeing 2 of the men as ones from the night before and crying out in fear said “I gave you the money last night and you were not to say a thing”! The First man opened his mouth and spoke saying,”We 2 spoke not of your robberies. We 6 are on the way to work for a man. Give us the money you have taken and we will go in peace from you”.
The “Crackhead” in fear gave the money to the 6 and they went away to their houses and not to work.
The “Crackhead” saw another man not as well dressed as he would like but it robbed the man and got some money, but it was not enough.
The “Crackhead” saw another who looked even more poor than the other man and again robbed.
Who Is the crook here?
It has to be the Rich man…right?
After all if every one was equal in economic status there would be no need to buy Drugs from those on the street. I have never met a Pusher who pays income tax. Have you?
A gumment funded Drughouse could be established to prevent Drug Addicts from being accosted. After all it’s a shame that Drug Abusers can not help themselves. Isn’t it?
Mr. Lincoln is noted for his honesty. He is also noted for his ability to recognise “Envy” and “Greed”.
Mr. Lincoln had 2 sons who were crying loudly and throwing temper tantrums, on a busy sidewalk.
When Mr. Lincoln was asked by another man “What seem to be the matter with the 2 of them”?
Mr. Lincoln promtly replied “The same thing thats wrong with the whole world. I have 3 nuts, and each boy wants two”.
Pappy, let me pick up where I left off and then I’ll address your “Crackhead” analogy.
First, let me say up front that Abe Lincoln is my favorite president in American History. I agree that he was an honest man.
Well, I think things are getting a little out of hand here. You are vilifying the poor and I am vilifying the rich, when we both know the truth lies somewhere in between. Shades of gray Pappy, shades of Gray. There is no black and white when it comes to the truth. There is no completely honest man. There are corrupt individuals who are poor and there are corrupt individuals who are wealthy. There are also equally good and decent people at both extremes and in the middle.
So let’s go back to the problem of raising taxes on the wealthy. You say it’s theft and you give a lot of good arguments for why you think it is. I say it’s not theft, that there have always been taxes and that raising them for the greater good of the country and our economic recovery is justifiable. I even said that if Obama and Congress and the Senate passed a bill raising my taxes, I would be agreeable to that if it would help our country get out of the jam it’s in. I don’t want our children and our children’s children to have to pay for the mistakes of the past.
Let me take this point again. You said: “This is one of the problems America faces today. ALMOST everyone wants what the richman got, BUT THEY DON”T WANT TO WORK FOR IT”.
I disagree. Do you realize how many people are out there looking for a job right now? How many people would give anything just to get back to work and support their families in an honest way? You of all people should know how difficult it is to find a job right now. You should know how many people are standing in line to fill out applications for the few good jobs that are left.
So to say that everyone wants a hand-out is just plain false. I agree that some people are of that low nature. But most are not. By far the vast majority of people out of work want to work for what they get.
Next Point. You said:
“having more MONEY is not gonna make things any better if you can’t live right”.
Agreed. The way we live our lives is far more important than whatever material wealth we can accumulate. Being a good person is what really brings happiness, not money.
Next Point. You said:
“It’s what is commonly known around here as being “Nigger Rich”(this term is used by all color of peoples here in my town)”.
Pappy, with all due respect, if you don’t want to be known as a racist then don’t use such epithets that most people find offensive. If it’s used in your home town to describe all colors of people it still carries a racist connotation (incidentally, I don’t like it when some African-Americans use the term either. If it’s not right for white people to use it, neither should black folks). But I can’t tell you what you can say and what you can’t say, Pappy. You have freedom of speech. Just know that when you use such terms you are not doing anything to affirm that you are not a racist. And if the locals in your area use that term a lot then it sounds like you live in an area where there is a lot of racism. I feel uncomfortable around people who use that kind of terminology to describe anyone.
My next serious point of contention with you. You said (concerning Iraq and Afghanistan):
“I would have NUKED THE WHOLE LOT OF’em. So you should be thankful. Or should you? At least my way there would be no more threat from terrorist. No more BILLIONS of dollars spent fighting a war”.
Of all the things you’ve said, this one is perhaps the most revealing. By saying that you would “Nuke the whole lot of them” you are pretty much saying that you would willingly murder millions of innocent people a long with the guilty ones. Further more I have to surmise from your statement that you like many other fundamentalist Christians (correct me if I’m wrong, I only make that assumption based on your previous Bible-thumping) consider these people to be non-people because they have a different religion. So you would be willing to just “Nuke” em’ all to Hell, let God sort em’ out! Well, this is the kind of mentality my friend that keeps the world in constant conflict. It’s called “hatred” by the way.
Certainly Afghanistan was harboring terrorists. But Iraq was not. And there were no WMD’s. Educate yourself Pappy, instead of listening to all that right-wing media crap. And millions of innocent Iraqis and Afghanis would forfeit their lives under your plan. That means old people, women, children, and babies. I Gods I wish people like you wouldn’t make such statements unless they really mean it, and God help you if you really do mean it.
Let’s not get into the whole Muslim thing though. They have a different religion than we do. They have a different way of life. But they are still human-beings like you and I and they are trying to raise their families and survive just like you and I. Not all of them are terrorists, you know. Only a very small percentage. And the ones who are fighting against American troops? We call them terrorists when in fact they are only defending their country that was invaded. You would do the same. Terrorists are the ones who do what you just condoned, killing innocent people. So if you didn’t mean it, take it back. Otherwise you’re no better than the terrorists.
On to the Teamsters. I was asking you about trucking and regulation because I was curious what your opinion about it was. I was a kid then. It seemed like truckers did pretty well. I also have my suspicions about unions. I know that they can be very corrupt (and as you pointed out, they tend to make prices skyrocket). So maybe unions aren’t the answer. It sounds like you liked working as a trucker post-regulation. Fair enough.
Next Point. You responding to my assertion that America is imposing Democracy on Iraq:
“Democracy and bloodshed…yep Imposed? IMPOSED? …theres Iraq again…(I just threw my hands up in disgust)”
Let me make myself a little more clear. Democracy is the best way to live. It is the most free system of government in the world. I wouldn’t want to live any other way. I love freedom and Democracy. But you can’t force people to accept it. That’s what we did in Iraq. Now after our first attempts to impose Democracy on Iraq it became painfully clear to me that the majority of Iraqis not only resented our being there in the first place, but they resented our telling them how to run their government. Imagine being invaded by Canada and them forcing us to adopt a parliamentary system “for our own good”. Wouldn’t you be pissed? Just cogitate on that for awhile, Pappy. Now realize that Democracy has to come from within, not from without. The people of a country have to decide that’s what they want and fight for it. That’s what we did during the Revolutionary War. It was up to the Iraqi people to overthrow Sadaam if they didn’t like dictatorship. But those people have a different outlook than we do. They seem to prefer a God-like ruler. And I’ll bet that as soon as we leave Iraq Democracy will fall apart. Because all they are doing is waiting for us to leave. Democracy will not take root in Iraq and it will not last. We are supposed to be completely out of there by the end of 2011 and I will predict that by 2012 there will be the beginnings of civil war and sectarian conflict (because it is a fundamentalist religious nation) and the whole thing will fall apart. In the end, we went there for no reason (other than greed) and countless innocent people died and Democracy will not take hold. A complete waste and a travesty on the face of human history.
Glad your wife put her pistol away. I like you Pappy. I know you think I’m just saying that because I have been pretty hard on you. You might even despise me. I hope not. You wouldn’t want me to hold back my true feelings would you? I’ll shoot you straight. I’ll tell you exactly what I think, just like you always do. Hide the bullets, Pappy.
And I never said George W. Bush was an Evil man. I said Cheney was (is). I do think he’s not a particularly intelligent individual (I have a penchant for gross understatements) who had a John Wayne go-by-the-gut mentality. At his core I think he meant to be a good leader. Unfortunately, he failed miserably on almost every level.
Now we have someone in office who is actually competent. I am supremely happy. I haven’t been this happy in years! Sure, the economy is reeling and things are pretty scary right now, but I have complete and utter confidence in our new President and his policies. I can’t say I’ve ever had that feeling before. Not in my lifetime. Not trying to rub it in, just being honest. I was too young to remember Kennedy, even though he was elected President and served the first couple of years I was alive. I know I would have liked him. I couldn’t stand Nixon. He was a crook. Yea, I know, he did a lot with China, but it doesn’t dismiss all the other things he did. Ford was alright. He was a good guy. He did the best job he could. Carter, well Pappy, I have to be honest. I thought he was a great person and I really thought he would be a great President. I still think he is a great person. He achieved some important things in the Middle East during his Presidency. But his Presidency was permanently scarred by his failure on the Economy and the Iran hostage issue. He has achieved a great deal more since leaving office than he did while in office. He is a real humanitarian. Reagan was a hard-right conservative. He was another John Wayne, although unlike George W., I have to say he was a brilliant man. He is much loved by conservatives and admired for his accomplishments even by those who don’t support his philosophy, including Obama, who has studied Reagan intensively. George Senior, I never trusted him. He had CIA connections and came off as a rich corporate type to me, not a man of the people. The Iran Contra thing and the deal with Noriega showed me I was right about him. A lot of things go on under the table. Then there was Clinton. What can you say about Old Willie? He was a consummate politician. Still is. Perhaps there has never been a more talented politician. For me, his Presidency was a mixed bag. If I had to grade his presidency I would give him a B. His failures in Mogadishu and all of his triflings with adultery were not pleasing to me. By the time his presidency was coming to a close, I was ready for change. That’s why I voted for W. I felt that Gore was too stiff and fakey. I felt that he acted as if he was “entitled” to the presidency. Bush came off as the regular guy. He was likable and “down-homey” and he seemed like the kind of guy you could sit and have a beer with. I didn’t just vote for him based on that, though. I opposed abortion rights at the time and I felt it was my obligation to vote for the leader who was against abortion rights (I still hate abortion, but have changed my political views because I believe ultimately it is up to the Mother to decide, and not for society to decide). Looking back at the devastation of the Bush Presidency, I can only say that I regret casting my vote for him. I don’t think he is a particularly evil man. I have heard him speak on many of his views. I just think he got caught up in something he was utterly unprepared for. I know it bothered him that his popularity was so low during his final days. He hopes history will prove he was right. Now I look at Gore and what he has achieved concerning the environment and I think about what he would have done differently after 911 and I know we would have been better off with Gore.
So you see, I’m not a Democrat. I voted for Clinton in the eighties. I voted for Bush in 2000. And most recently I voted for Obama. If I see we need a change toward more conservatism in the future, I may vote Republican again. I am a self-avowed Independent.
When Obama was first coming into office most pundits predicted he would be a centrist. But he is leaning heavily left at the moment, (except for his agenda for withdrawing from Iraq, which does not please the liberals). This has got the conservatives in an uproar. I’m going to make another assumption. Pappy, you are a Rush Limbaugh listener. I say that because of many of the points you have made such as “I hope Obama fails”. This is straight out of Limbo’s mouth. Rush Limbo would like us all to stay in “limbo”. He says that the President’s job is not to restructure and remake the country in his own image (or words to that effect). I disagree. His job is to do exactly what the people sent him there to do and what the people sent him there to do was to make some sweeping changes, which is exactly what he is doing. He is working entirely with in the laws and precepts of his office. So for Limbo to purport that Obama is somehow doing anything other than his job is just an outright lie.
Let me go back to the wealthy corporate moguls that I so distrust. Who do you think Limbo represents, and always has represented? The Fat Cats! Pappy, you keep talking about Politicians and how corrupt they are. Well you’re right, an awful lot of them are. But so are an awful lot of the corporate Fat Cats that have been running this country and controlling the media. They tell you what to think and you believe it! Limbo is their mouthpiece!
Obama has vowed to take on the lobbyists and vested interests in Washington. He said “bring it on”! He has vowed to have transparency that is unprecedented in American government. All you have to do is go the White House website.
What more could you ask for?
I know, it’s the agenda. And I’m not going to change your mind on the basic and fundamental philosophical differences between us. I’m just tossing around ideas here.
Obama is not a socialist. The measures he is taking are necessary to effect change for the better. Free-Enterprise is the American way. It will continue to be the American way. There is nothing to fear (but fear itself). Things will be different. But Pappy, they were going to be different anyway. Do you think McCain or Romney or whoever could have solved this crisis by going down the same old road we’ve been going down the last eight years (and longer)? There had to be some drastic measures. When a patient has Gangrene in their leg, you try to save the leg, but if you can’t do it you cut it off!
Now, the Crackhead thing: I don’t really understand where you were going with that, unless you were saying the more you give somebody the more they want. I realize that, Pappy. And like I said, most people are not wanting a hand-out. Most people just want opportunity to make a living and feed their families. I have to be an optimist. I try to see the good in people until they prove me wrong.
I’ll let you have the last word before I get Carpal Tunnel. This is your blog. I respect your opinion and you have a great sense of humor. I enjoy reading your articles on Trucking Truth. We are not going to agree, that’s very plain to see. But that’s what freedom is all about, we can all have differing views and at the end of the day we’re still all Americans.
Sorry if I was a little harsh on you. I don’t think you’re a racist at all Pappy. What I was saying is we have to get away from using the kind of terms you described above. It’s not a harmless use of slang. If you can’t say something positive, then why say anything at all? I called you on that because I think we as a society have to get beyond using these outdated and harmful expressions. They do nobody any good.
And as far as Nuking the Iraqis and Afghanis and making their countries into seas of molten glass, I have to call you on that also. Because I know you’re a tough old bird and you talk tough. But would you really Nuke millions of innocent people because they happen to be in a land where there is a government you disagree with, or there might be potential terrorists hiding out? I don’t think you really would do that, Pappy. I think you’re a lot more humanitarian than that. Correct me if I’m wrong.
You can let me have it now, and don’t hold back. Like I say, you have the final word on this topic, and no hard feelings. Just tossin’ ideas around.
I said I would let you have the last word on the topic, and I will. You haven’t commented yet though. So let me add this.
Why do I despise rich people so much? Is it because I am envious of them?
No. And I don’t despise rich people. Money is not the root of all evil. It is the Love of Money that is the root of all evil. In other words greed. As I tried to make clear in my previous statements, I realize there are a lot of good people who are wealthy who do a lot of good things. Money is only a tool. Like any other tool it can be used for good or evil. The tool doesn’t care. It’s just a tool.
But can you think of any other tool that is at the heart of more evil in the world? What do people do for money. Better to ask “what won’t people do for money”. And what won’t they do after they have it?
Once there was a forest of tall oak trees. The trees were full of acorns, and squirrels. One particularly enterprising squirrel (we shall call him Mr. Squirrel) works very hard to collect as many acorns as he can. Pretty soon he has quite a supply built up in the hollow of the tree where he makes his nest. In fact, he would be considered quite well-off by squirrel standards. But he isn’t satisfied. Even though he has more than enough acorns to last him through the winter, he still wants more! He just can’t get enough! So he works even harder. He doesn’t stop collecting acorns day or night. Eventually he has enough acorns to feed ten squirrel families! In fact, he has to find other locations in which to keep all his acorns. So he hires some other squirrels to watch over his other stashes in return for….you guessed it. Some acorns! Now he has tons of acorns. He has enough acorns to make it through many, many winters. He has enough acorns to feed the entire squirrel population for a year! But is it enough? No! He has the idea to hire more squirrels to gather acorns for him. For every ten acorns they bring him, he lets them keep one. Why would they do this? Because they know he has most of the acorns already and if they don’t work for him they’ll all starve. Pretty soon Mr. Squirrel has control over all the acorns in the forest. As long as the other squirrels keep working for him, he has control over them too. He controls where they can search for acorns and how many they get to keep. He’s sitting on top a mound of acorns a hundred feet high, taller than most of the trees in the forest. He knows he doesn’t need all those acorns. He could never eat them all. But he loves the feeling of having all that control and being the wealthiest squirrel in the forest. But he still isn’t satisfied. He wants more acorns! He wants more forest! So he sends a large group of his strongest squirrels to other forest areas where other squirrels are gathering acorns. Mr. Squirrel’s hired squirrels start raiding the acorns and pretty soon they have control over that forest as well. And so on and so on. Pretty soon Mr. Squirrel is the most powerful squirrel in the world, having control over almost half the acorn supply on earth. And Mr. Squirrel is supremely happy. Look at what he has achieved. Then one day Mr. Squirrel decides to venture to a nearby forest to survey his newfound empire. As he is crossing the road he hears a strange noise approaching and the ground under his feet is vibrating. He looks up and sees a huge thing coming at him fast. A thing with a shiny skin that sparkles in the sunlight, giant black paws clawing the ground, and eyes blazing bright, blinding light. He decides to make a run for it. But which way? “Maybe I should go this way” he says and he starts to run across the road in that direction. But then he thinks maybe that’s the wrong direction. “Maybe I should go the other way”. So he starts back the other way. Then he thinks to himself “Maybe I was going the right way before”… But he was to hesitant and too indecisive. Before he knows it, the giant creature is upon him. He closes his little squirrel eyes and prepares for the worst. Whoosh! He feels a terrible wind ripple through his fur as the giant thing passes over him. The wind is so powerful in fact that it blows him over and he tumbles across the pavement. When he opens his eyes he looks around and he looks up at the sky and he says to himself “I’m still alive. I’m still alive! It didn’t eat me! What kind of creature was that? I must be the luckiest squirrel on Earth to have survived that thing! Mr. Squirrel can’t believe how lucky he is to be alive. He changes his mind about crossing the road and he heads back to his gigantic pile of acorns. He scrambles to the top and he screams out at the top of his lungs, “Everybody! Can I have your attention, Please! I just had the realization that life is much too short to be hording all these acorns! Let every squirrel in the forest come and take what they need, for I did not make the acorns. I did not cause the sun to shine and the trees to grow. Come, have your fill! And squirrels from near and far came and gathered only what they needed and took the acorns back to their nests. They all had more than enough to make it through another winter without worrying about their children getting sick for lack of food. They didn’t have to work as hard either, so they felt a lot better. They only gathered what they needed instead of gathering ten times what they needed in order to pleas Mr. Squirrel. They all slept exceedingly well in their nests that night. But none slept better than the squirrel who finally realized that wealth and power aren’t everything, and there is something to be said for generosity and compassion. None slept better that night than Mr. Squirrel.
It’s not wealth I’m against. It’s greed.
YOUR QUOTE: Why do I despise rich people so much? Is it because I am envious of them?
No. And I don’t despise rich people. Money is not the root of all evil. It is the Love of Money that is the root of all evil. In other words greed. As I tried to make clear in my previous statements, I realize there are a lot of good people who are wealthy who do a lot of good things. Money is only a tool. Like any other tool it can be used for good or evil. The tool doesn’t care. It’s just a tool. UNQUOTE.
Why then, Steal from the good rich also?
Why give money…oops…Redistribute money to the bad people?
Who will set the standard to tell the differences?
When the standard is set and the Bad people are sorted out from the Good people, how should the Bad be punished?
They are Bad after all.
The standard was set.
They did not meet it.
They must be punished!
What is the proper punishment for these Bad people? Who and how will that be set?
Finally.
Who then shall carry out the Punishment?
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Or.
Will there be NO discrimination in any catagory?
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As far as the Squirrel’s near death expeirence changing his out look on life and his greed, that truly does happen to Greedy People also.
but…
AT LEAST NOONE STOLE HIS ACORNS AND TRIED TO MAKE IT SEEM RIGHT BY CALLING IT A TAX!
I wonder who else has followed this?
I hope more than just you and I.
Well, you had the last word on the topic, and you went easy on me! You’re a true gentleman. I hope some other folks have been reading this, like you said. Maybe someone else will chime in with their honest opinions. This is a great blog, Pappy. I’m sure we’ll be corresponding again. Take it easy.
I almost forgot!
As I pointed out before.
No. I don’t listen to Rush Limbaugh’s show.
Yes. I have heard a few of them and thought it entertaining and even whacky in a fun sort of way.
He maybe reading my blogs and he may be using them…I don’t know… I don’t care.
LET IT BE KNOWN!
I STAND ON MY OWN TWO FEET!
NO ONE NEED ANSWER FOR ME ON THIS WORLD!