Tea Party U.S.A.: The movement grows

By Michelle Malkin  •  February 21, 2009 04:16 AM

Seattle on Monday. Denver on Tuesday. Mesa AZ on Wednesday. Overland Park, Kansas today. What a week, huh? We got the anti-stimulus, anti-entitlement protest ball rolling — and now the movement, spurred further by CNBC host Rick Santelli’s call for a “Chicago Tea Party,” is really taking off.

David Hogberg at Investor’s Business Daily has a nice piece out today spotlighting the growing taxpayer revolt the rest of the MSM won’t cover. He interviewed our registered commenters Liberty Belle Keli Carender, who spearheaded the Seattle anti-pork protest, and HuskerGirl Amanda Grosserode, who organized today’s anti-stimulus demonstration against Democrat Rep. Dennis Moore in Overland Park, KS.

I’m happy to report on several new protest events now on the docket.

My friend Michael Patrick Leahy of Top Conservatives on Twitter and his crew are spearheading “simultaneous local tea parties around the country, beginning in Chicago, and including Washington DC, Fayetteville NC, San Diego CA, Omaha Nebraska, and dozens of other locations” for next Friday.

Time: February 27, 2009 from 12pm to 1pm
Location: Chicago, Washington DC, other cities, Twitter

Go to OfficialChicagoTeaParty.com for all the info.

Co-sponsors of the events with #TCOT include #DONTGO, Smart Girl Politics, Americans for Tax Reform, Heartland Institute, and American Spectator Magazine. The tea parties will be “simultweeted” with the hashtag #teaparty. You can find me tweeting here.

There’s a Facebook page here for the DC Tea Party. I hear that PJTV will also be stepping up to the plate.

If you are in the Dallas/Fort Worth area, reader Mark Christopher Frimmel has come forward to put a Tea Party ‘09 event together. He put up an ad on Dallas Craigslist, has contacted local radio and TV, and wants you to be there. The protest will be held on the outside stage at The Cowtown Bar & Grill on Friday, Feb. 27, from 3pm to 7pm, located at 7108 Camp Bowie Blvd Fort Worth, TX. Music, food, and great fiscal conservative company guaranteed.

Are you in Georgia? Reader Patrick e-mails that he’s “getting a tax protest off the ground in Atlanta. I’d appreciate it if you’d pass on the word. The blog is http://atlantataxprotest.blogspot.com.” He needs your help. Calling Neal Boortz!

Here’s a snippet from Hogberg’s IBD piece to get your motors running:

As unemployment soars and anger over Wall Street bailouts mounts, public outrage will seek an outlet. Populism could go in many directions — and could easily ebb when the economy revives. But if it takes shape as an anti-spending movement, it could revive conservatives much as the 1970s tax protests did.

To be sure, the protest sizes so far are a far cry from the left’s anti-globalization and anti-war demonstrations of the past decade. But they appear to have grass-roots origins. The organizer of the Kansas protest, Amanda Grosserode, calls herself a home-schooling mom who is “fed up” with the spending in Washington. She has been a member of Fair Tax Kansas City since last fall.

“My husband and I were feeling frustrated that the stimulus had passed with very little debate and no one had read it,” she told IBD. “I said, ‘We need to do something.’ ” She began contacting family and friends, and eventually received attention via Fair Tax Kansas City and local talk radio.

Grosserode received considerably more publicity after e-mailing popular conservative commentator and blogger Michelle Malkin.

“I think the taxpayer revolt is the new counterculture,” said Malkin, who has been publicizing the protests on her blog. “People want to stand up and say, ‘Hey, I’m paying for that, I do not support that.’ “

Brendan Steinhauser has a terrific set of detailed tips on how to organize your own tea party protest.

Don’t wait for someone else to do it.

Don’t make excuses.

Don’t think you can pull one off because you’ve never done it before? Look at mom-bloggers Liberty Belle and HuskerGirl.

Yes, you can!

***

I’ve put together a playlist of tunes for Tea Party USA — and several parodies submitted by commenters and readers. Bailoutmania is apparently bringing out the songwriters in you, too.

My favorite Schoolhouse Rock Tea Party song, “No More Kings:”

And check out my second Schoolhouse Rock classic, rewritten by the fabulous Jim Treacher and Batton Lash: How a “stimulus” bill became law.

George of EU Rota reminds me of the perfect Spinal Tap song for the cult of entitlement, “Gimme Some Money:”

Royce Dunbar produced “The Subprime Mortgage Blues.”

Reader L.C. e-mails:

I made this up as I watch[ed] the ridiculous, sad, terrifying vote on the Stimulus Package! Thanks for your good work on covering it all!

Sing to “American Pie”

A long, long time ago…
we can still remember
How Ronald Regan made us smile.
And we knew if we had a chance
we could make those Democrats dance
And, surely we’d be happy for a while.

But this February should makes us shiver
With every promise Nancy delivers.
Bad stimulus on the doorstep;
We shouldn’t take one more step.

We will remember when we cried
As we read Harry’s big fat lies,
But something is foul deep inside
The day responsibility died.

So bye-bye, to our kids piece of the pie.
Obama Drives us to the brink,
will leave us all high and dry.
Coburn and the boys were tryin’ all they could think
Singin’, “You’re making our economy die.
you’ve taken our kid’s piece of the pie.”

Can we still trust in our gov,
We will need our faith in God above,
If we want to make them go.
Do we believe in principles,
Can we be saved from those liberals,
And can Mitch and John keep their troops in tow?

Well, the Unions are in love with them
`cause they read the same liberal hymm.
They change all the rules.
Now we got those stimulus blues.

We’ll end up lonely and without a buck
Just a Green job and a hybrid truck,
Right now, we are out of luck
The day responsibility died.

We started singing,
“bye-bye, our kid’s piece of the pie.”
Obama drives us to the brink,
will leave us all be high and dry.
Coburn and the boys trying all they could think
singing “You’re making our economy die.
you’ve taken our kid’s piece of the pie.”

Now for two months we’ve been on our own
Ried, Nancy and Obama have clearly shown,
Their way is how it’s gonna be.
They’re jesters, jokes and drama queens,
Throwin’ cash around like they’re seventeen
Not listening to the voice of you and me,

And while they read a book of Marx,
We praise Friedman in the dark
The day responsiblity died.

We were singing,
“bye-bye, our kids’ piece of the pie.”
Obama drives us to the brink,
will leave us high and dry.
Coburn and the boys were tryin’ all they could think
singin, ” You’re making our economy die.
you’ve taken our kid’s piece of the pie.”

But we can not sign the blues
We will work for happy news,
Freedom is 21 months away.
We must go to the roof and shout “no more,”
Like we did 15 years before,
It is time to put an end to the Lib’s day.

For today believers in responsibility screamed,
Conservatives cried, But we still will dream.
Loud words must be spoken;
“Our Liberal government is broken.”
And three men to whom we could turn:
Pawlenty, Jindal and Coburn,
From their leadership we can surely learn.

Today, responsibility died.

‘Til then we will be singing:
“bye-bye, our kid’s piece of the pie.”
Obama drives us to the brink,
will leave us all be high and dry.
Coburn and the boys were trying all they could think
singing “You’re making our economy die.
you’ve taken our kid’s piece of the pie.”

From mm.com commenter Mark x, sung to the tune of Janis Joplin:

Oh Barry, wont you buy me a Mercedes Benz ?
My friends all drive Porsches, I must make amends.
Worked hard all my lifetime, no help from my friends,
So lord, wont you buy me a Mercedes Benz ?

Oh Mr. President, wont you buy me a color tv ?
Dialing for dollars is trying to find me.
I wait for delivery each day until three,
So oh Barry, wont you buy me a color tv ?

Oh Messiah, wont you buy me a night on the town ?
Im counting on you, Messiah, please dont let me down.
Prove that you love me and buy the next round,
Oh Messiah, wont you buy me a night on the town ?

Reader Barry e-mails:

I wrote this parody of “Dixie” to protest the socialistic programs hidden in the stimulus bill…

NIX-FREE VS. FIX-ME LAND

I wish I was in the land of bought ‘n’
Sold; times there were not so rotten.
Congress say, no delay, take away Nix-free land.
In Nix-free land that I was born in,
Clearly I was not forlorn in,
Made my way, saved my pay, had a say, Nix-free land.

Chorus:
Now I wish I was in Nix-free like yesterday!
In Nix-free land I took my stand to live and vie in Nix-free.
Could pray or stray with wayward mouth un-P.C.
If they hold sway, they’ll stay my mouth from D.C.

Obama’s massive bill was eager;
Billions cost but jobs were meager.
Cooked entree books flambe, took away Nix-free land.
Just try to get your arms around it;
Miles of paper haven’t yet bound it.
Ev’ry way, give-away, to create Fix-me land. (Chorus)

Our bucks he takes and brings to scatter;
Makes you mad but it doesn’t matter.
Took away, won’t repay, it’s new day, Fix-me land.
Then slow it down and hatch your babble;
To Nix-free land we’ll rouse the rabble,
For the range of the change makes a strange Fix-me land. (Chorus)

And here’s Woody Guthrie’s remake of Tom Paxton’s “I am changing my name to Chrysler,” which he updated to “I am changing my name to Fannie Mae.”

Oh the price of gold is rising out of sight
And the dollar is in sorry shape tonight
What the dollar used to get us now won’t buy a head of lettuce
No the economic forecast isn’t right
But amidst the clouds I spot a shining ray
I can even glimpse a new and better way
And I’ve devised a plan of action worked it down to the last fraction
And I’m going into action here today

CHORUS:
I am changing my name to Fannie Mae
I am going down to Washington D.C.
I’ll be glad they got my back
‘Cause what they did for Freddie Mac
Will be perfectly acceptable to me
I am changing my name to Fannie Mae
I am headed for that great receiving line
So when they hand a trillion grand out
I’ll be standing with my hand out
I’ll get mine

When my creditors are screaming for their dough
I’ll be proud to tell them all where they can go
They won’t have to scream and holler
They’ll be paid to the last dollar
Where the endless streams of money seem to flow
I’ll be glad to tell them all what they can do
It’s a matter of a simple form or two
It’s not just remuneration it’s a liberal education
Ain’t you kind of glad that I’m in debt to you

Chorus

Since the first amphibians crawled out of the slime (of the slime!)
We’ve been struggling in an unrelenting climb
We were hardly up and walking before money started talking
And it’s sad that failure is an awful crime
It’s been that way for a millennium or two
But now it seems that there’s a different point of view
If you’re a corporate titanic and your failure is gigantic
Down in Congress there’s a safety net for you

Chorus

Rock on.

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Comments


  1. #201
    On February 22nd, 2009 at 10:43 am, happyscrapper said:

    You may call it socialism, but it is a necessary evil.

    NO, IT IS NOT NECESSARY!!! EVIL IS NEVER NECESSARY!!! GEEZ!! Sorry I yelled.

  2. #202
    On February 22nd, 2009 at 10:52 am, BlameAmericaLast said:

    What irritates me most is those who are getting a tax “cut” who don’t even pay income taxes to begin with. And in the swindle us plan, the states get money for unemployment benefits and can now be used for those applicants who didn’t qualify in the first place.

    If this isn’t a welfare plan, I don’t know what is. But then again, with any socialist agenda, dependency is key here to maintain control and increase the voting base.

  3. #203
    On February 22nd, 2009 at 10:52 am, happyscrapper said:

    I think the thing that gets me the angriest is all the pork. If they had just put together a stimulus package that had only things that would work and help spur the economy, I wouldn’t be so mad. I just don’t understand how they can be allowed to get away with dumping every liberal wish-list item in this one bill and ramming it down our throats under the threat of the total collapse of our country. It they would have just been honest and called it what it is, a “reparations bill that will stick it to all those who have done us wrong for the past 200 years”, maybe I would even have a little respect for them. They are lying, coniving, corrupt, well, politicians.

  4. #204
    On February 22nd, 2009 at 10:54 am, nlebou said:

    if all these people become homeless we as taxpayers will pay a much high price

    Why do people insist on saying this? They won’t be “homeless” they will be going into homes they can afford, or rent places they can afford.

    foreclosures will drive home prices down

    Yes, home prices will be corrected. It is unfortunate, but has to happen.

  5. #207
    On February 22nd, 2009 at 11:00 am, tevans776 said:

    Everyone should bring the wonderful plan to these protests and rip it up at the same time.

  6. #209
    On February 22nd, 2009 at 11:05 am, happyscrapper said:

    On February 22nd, 2009 at 11:00 am, tevans776 said:
    Everyone should bring the wonderful plan to these protests and rip it up at the same time.

    That might be a good idea except that the environmental wackos would probably scream about all the trees we were killing. Come to think of it, I wonder how many copies of that 1000+ page bill were made every time a change occurred. Can you just imagine how many sheets of paper they must have used? If our great government would just stop WASTING our money, we wouldn’t be in this mess!

  7. #210
    On February 22nd, 2009 at 11:06 am, John Deaux said:

    Freemind,

    Take another sip of the Kool Aid.

    The foolish belief the government is the cure for all that ails us is exactly what got us in this mess.

    We need to bite the bullet now before things get a whole lot worse.

    This is only part of your post that is correct. What’s going on with our economy is a correction. We need this to happen regardless of how painful.

    After the tech bubble, interest rates were lowered to smooth out the recession. This ignited the mortgage industry. Then the Fed kept rates too low for too long and the industry overheated. Back to another recession. What’s next? There is no way to smooth this out. It has to run its course.
    Trying to delay it just makes it worse later on.

  8. #211
    On February 22nd, 2009 at 11:08 am, BlameAmericaLast said:

    Well, I expect the worse to come. When this “stimulus” plan falls flat on its face, expect massive tax increases. And I don’t mean just the expiration of the Bush tax cuts, I mean both at the state and federal level.

    That’s why it’s key that in 2010, we take over congress and make sure these socialist plans don’t continue to get passed. Unfortunately, with the rapid pace that Obama is moving at, it may be too late to stop the socialized healthcare plan, which will surely become a disaster.

    We don’t even have enough doctors to service the country as it is, how does this idiot thing he can provide “free” healthcare to everyone in the country?

    Long lines, no special diagnostics and the government making the cheapest possible decisions with regards to your life. That’s how.

  9. #212
    On February 22nd, 2009 at 11:11 am, freemind25 said:

    think the thing that gets me the angriest is all the pork. If they had just put together a stimulus package that had only things that would work and help spur the economy, I wouldn’t be so mad.

    Agreed, but the pork in the bill is a small fraction of the bill. I wish this were not the case, but everyone needs to be realistic. When you get over 500 politicians together its nearly impossible to get something done that everyone likes and that is free of pork. Its never going to happen, unless the line item veto was brought back. Without that there has to be give and take to get something done. If the Dems got everything they wanted the bill would have been 90% spending, if the repubs got everything they wanted it would be 90% tax cuts. We got something in between.

    As for your point nlebou you are correct. They wouldn’t become homeless, just kicked out of there home and find somewhere else to live. I also think that the housing price drop is a necessary correction to a well overinflated market. But if something isn’t done to put a floor in the market we will overshoot on the downside and run the risk of having millions of people owing more on there homes than what its worth. Lets say you just got married a few years ago put 20% down on a $300,000 home. You have a good job and bring in $150,000 in total household income. Now you hear that your job has been relocated to a different state. But the house is now worth only $175,000. You still owe $200,000 on the mortgage. Is this person irresponsible?

  10. #213
    On February 22nd, 2009 at 11:11 am, happyscrapper said:

    The bottom line on the mortgage problem is…if you can’t afford a house, then live in an apartment, or your parent’s basement (lgm?) or somewhere inexpensive. Save your money until you can afford a house. The rest of us had to do that. Why do some people think they deserve things they haven’t earned? It disgusts me. Another thing that disgusts me is the “community affordable housing projects”. You know, like the one that produced Cabrini Green (sp) in Chicago. That worked well, didn’t it?

  11. #214
    On February 22nd, 2009 at 11:14 am, happyscrapper said:

    On February 22nd, 2009 at 11:08 am, BlameAmericaLast said:
    Well, I expect the worse to come. When this “stimulus” plan falls flat on its face, expect massive tax increases. And I don’t mean just the expiration of the Bush tax cuts, I mean both at the state and federal level.

    Yes, and add in the runaway inflation we are sure to have because those idiots keep printing more money. This will be very very bad.

  12. #215
    On February 22nd, 2009 at 11:16 am, blogagog said:

    “My friend Michael Patrick Leahy…”

    OUCH! That’s like being named Robert Jimmy Carter. Poor guy.

  13. #216
    On February 22nd, 2009 at 11:16 am, happyscrapper said:

    We don’t even have enough doctors to service the country as it is, how does this idiot thing he can provide “free” healthcare to everyone in the country?

    I have one idea, but it involves illegal aliens, fences and the military. Probably won’t go over so well with some.

  14. #217
    On February 22nd, 2009 at 11:19 am, nlebou said:

    Lets say you just got married a few years ago put 20% down on a $300,000 home. You have a good job and bring in $150,000 in total household income. Now you hear that your job has been relocated to a different state. But the house is now worth only $175,000. You still owe $200,000 on the mortgage. Is this person irresponsible?

    Unfortunate, but that is the chance you take when you sign on the dotted line. Why does a newlywed need a $300,000 home? Yes, I would say that is irresponsible.

  15. #218
    On February 22nd, 2009 at 11:23 am, nlebou said:

    The 1st home I purchased was a tiny 2 bedroom 1 bath house that needed a lot of work, but we knew that was what we could afford. And, we had 2 children at the time. We knew that if one of us lost our job we could still cover the mortgage.

  16. #219
    On February 22nd, 2009 at 11:24 am, fretless said:

    I keep seeing references to a Party set up in San Diego, but can’t find anything specific. Somebody, please toss me a clue at fretlesstd-at-yahoo-dot-com.

    Also, Recommended Protest Song: Money For Nothing!

  17. #220
    On February 22nd, 2009 at 11:25 am, chapoutier said:

    Unfortunate, but that is the chance you take when you sign on the dotted line. Why does a newlywed need a $300,000 home? Yes, I would say that is irresponsible.

    Huh? In many places $300K will get you a decent fixer upper. Certainly nothing approaching extravagant, if that was your implication.

  18. #221
    On February 22nd, 2009 at 11:26 am, freemind25 said:

    Unfortunate, but that is the chance you take when you sign on the dotted line. Why does a newlywed need a $300,000 home? Yes, I would say that is irresponsible.

    Completely agreed about the chance you talk about the risk you take. However, I live in Northern New Jersey, believe me, a $300,000 home here is a starter home. I know in some areas of the country it may buy you a 5 bedroom 3 bath mansion, but in North Jersey that buys you a small 2 bedroom one bath home.

  19. #222
    On February 22nd, 2009 at 11:28 am, Jet Jaguar said:

    On February 22nd, 2009 at 9:59 am, freemind25 said:

    fm25,
    Your statement shows that you presume that this is a Pro-Bush blog. You libs just love linking your opponents to straw men and then knocking them down. It feels soooo good, doesn’t it? That’s what you have to resort to because that’s the only trick in your bag. Your “arguments” are based on feeling and not fact. libs like you are little more than shout-down artists, scoring points with weak minded sob-sucker fools as you do your little demagog song and dance. Well, it doesn’t fly here. This is NOT a pro-GOP Bush loving shill sheet. If you had any kind of scruples at all, you would have gotten to know this blog before spewing your charges. If you already knew then shame on you.

    I am, and have been, angry with Bush and the GOP for a long time. The “charges” that you list are shared by the GOP and the Dems, and ultimately are the fault of the American people. The main fault of Bush is that he broke his oath:

    I do solemnly swear (or affirm) that I will faithfully execute the Office of President of the United States, and will to the best of my ability, preserve, protect and defend the Constitution of the United States.

    …but then all Presidents beginning with Teddy Roosevelt have broken their oath. There have been a few exceptions, Reagan being one, but even he didn’t fight against some of the progressive tentacles that threaten our Liberty.

    Just for once, I’d like to see a President fight for the 10th amendment. When is the last time any elected or appointed “public servant” even mention the 10th amendment, let alone defend it?

  20. #223
    On February 22nd, 2009 at 11:31 am, nlebou said:

    However, I live in Northern New Jersey, believe me, a $300,000 home here is a starter home.

    I’ve been there. You have my condolences. That is a place I would never live.

  21. #224
    On February 22nd, 2009 at 11:32 am, happyscrapper said:

    On February 22nd, 2009 at 11:23 am, nlebou said

    nlebou, I sympathize with anyone in that situation. And I don’t think it was irresponsible to buy a $300,000 home that you probably could afford at the time you purchased it. You had a good job and every hope that you would keep that job. Also, $300,000 for a home these days isn’t that high a price. However, the fact remains that those things do happen and we can’t expect the government to subsidize our misfortunes. That is socialism. Beieve me, I don’t lump everyone who is having mortgage trouble into the same pile. My own daughter and son-in-law are having problems right now making the mortgage and we are helping them out. If these people have families willing help, great. But NOT the GOVERNMENT! NO, NO, NO. I know, I am yelling a lot this morning. I need to lay off the caffiene.

  22. #225
    On February 22nd, 2009 at 11:33 am, BlameAmericaLast said:

    Try buying anything in CA for $300K. You can’t even buy an empty lot for the most part.

  23. #226
    On February 22nd, 2009 at 11:35 am, nlebou said:

    happyscrapper, that was my point also.
    When you are looking to buy a home you HAVE to take all things into consideration. Loss of employment, health, and economic downturns.

  24. #227
    On February 22nd, 2009 at 11:38 am, nlebou said:

    I live in Northern New Jersey, believe me, a $300,000 home here is a starter home.

    BlameAmericaLast said:
    Try buying anything in CA for $300K. You can’t even buy an empty lot for the most part.

    Exactly why I would never live in either of those places.

  25. #228
    On February 22nd, 2009 at 11:40 am, happyscrapper said:

    Just think back to when this country was just starting out. And before the industrial revolution, when everyone helped each other out, and if you didn’t have money to pay for some service, you paid with a chicken or some other barter item. Communities stuck together. They worked hard, took responsibility and the idea of taking a handout from their government was unthinkable. We need to get back to that kind of goodness, kindness, moral values. Wow, do I miss those things. Don’t get me wrong…I’m not THAT old, but I do remember the 50’s and that was the best time in the history of this country!

  26. #229
    On February 22nd, 2009 at 11:42 am, freemind25 said:

    However, the fact remains that those things do happen and we can’t expect the government to subsidize our misfortunes.

    In normal times I would agree wholeheartedly with you. However this is not normal times. This is not an isolated hypothetical scenario. This is happening to millions of people all over the country. Its causing a destruction of wealth not seen in many many years. The only people with the capacity to stop it sadly is the government. Will irresponsible people be helped out? Unfortunatly yes? But we don’t really have other good alternatives.

  27. #230
    On February 22nd, 2009 at 11:46 am, nlebou said:

    Me too happyscrapper, me too. I live in a small community and it has always been that way here. As a matter of fact, my husband is at my daughter house right now doing just that. They can’t afford to pay someone to change their roof and install siding so there are several family members & friends there today to help them do it. Next month they are moving to my nieces home to help out there.

    When this economy tanks we will all be going back to the barter system. I suggest we all get to know our neighbors well.

  28. #231
    On February 22nd, 2009 at 11:50 am, nlebou said:

    90% of homeowners are paying their mortgage. Why should we all suffer for the 10% who are not?

  29. #232
    On February 22nd, 2009 at 11:59 am, happyscrapper said:

    On February 22nd, 2009 at 11:46 am, nlebou said:
    Me too happyscrapper, me too. I live in a small community and it has always been that way here. As a matter of fact, my husband is at my daughter house right now doing just that. They can’t afford to pay someone to change their roof and install siding so there are several family members & friends there today to help them do it. Next month they are moving to my nieces home to help out there.

    When this economy tanks we will all be going back to the barter system. I suggest we all get to know our neighbors well.

    We have lived in this neighborhood for over 35 years and the neighbors are fantastic. We have gone through all the births, graduations, marriages, and some deaths with them. I think one problem in America is that so many people move away from their communities, usually by necessity, but sometimes just because they are restless. Families live many states away from each other. Your support system is scattered. I have always believed in putting down roots and staying there if you possibly can. Both our daughters went to college out of state and got engaged to men who lived in other states. Both of those engagements ended. They are now happily married to good old Minnesota boys and living close by! My parents and all my siblings have always lived in Minnesota. Having family near has always been special to me. I know that is not possible for everyone, but part of the problem we are all having is a sense of being disconnected from our support system. If you are lucky enough to have your family near, you are truly blessed. If you are not, you can develop another support system in your neighborhood or your church. OR, on a blog with like-minded folks.

  30. #233
    On February 22nd, 2009 at 12:01 pm, nlebou said:

    Government is not the answer, government is the problem. The private sector could pull us out of this mess if the government would get out of the way.

  31. #234
    On February 22nd, 2009 at 12:03 pm, happyscrapper said:

    On February 22nd, 2009 at 11:50 am, nlebou said:
    90% of homeowners are paying their mortgage. Why should we all suffer for the 10% who are not?

    Exactly! I think that Freemind is panicking a bit! I agree that these are not normal times. But I also think that Obama is playing the “crisis” card on TV almost every day! If he scares enough people, they will think big government is the only solution. It isn’t.

  32. #235
    On February 22nd, 2009 at 12:20 pm, nlebou said:

    Same here happyscrapper, I married someone not from my hometown; I wanted to get away from here. I had no support system and it was very hard. I insisted we move back after my children came because I realized that my small hometown was the best place to raise them. Long story short, I am now remarried to a man from that hometown. We are now living on property that has been in my husbands family for over 150 yrs. We are surrounded by both our families. My husband, his father and brothers built our home in the early 80’s. Total cost was for materials only $17,000. That’s right, my current husband has never had a mortgage. It is not a large home but it is very comfortable, better built than most homes and best of all it is paid for. When we want to make changes we save the money first, then we do it ourselves.

    3yrs ago my son wanted to buy a bigger house. He has 2 stepdaughters and one daughter. They felt they needed more space. My husband and I convinced him to close in his porch to make another bedroom instead. He is soooo glad now that he did that. It’s all about the choices that we make.

  33. #237
    On February 22nd, 2009 at 12:32 pm, katablog said:

    freemind25: Here’s the problem with your thinking. You seem to suggest that because someone lost $125,000 on a home they purchased, other people should now “share” by government command, in their loss. Okay. So how about the people who bought a $300,000 home in say 1990, sold in 2000 for $800,000. Where was the “sharing” then?

    Bad things happen to good people. We’ve all had bad things happen to us – should we now demand that everyone “share” in the bad? Where’s the reverse of “sharing” in the good?

    This is exactly what socialism is – all for one and one for all. Everyone supposedly produces and everyone supposedly shares in the bounty or loss. The fallacy is this is that everyone does NOT produce under this type of system because the lazy realize they get the same whether they produce or not and those who control this system always siphon off from the top.

    Notice in the stimulus bill the siphoning off by government for government! They are the ones getting the new buildings, furniture, cars, pet projects in their states (harry’s rail, nancy’s mouse, etc.). We get $8 a week!

  34. #238
    On February 22nd, 2009 at 12:35 pm, nlebou said:

    So how about the people who bought a $300,000 home in say 1990, sold in 2000 for $800,000. Where was the “sharing” then?

    DING DING DING…..you win the prize for best analogy of my day.

  35. #239
    On February 22nd, 2009 at 12:40 pm, happyscrapper said:

    On February 22nd, 2009 at 12:20 pm, nlebou said:

    Sounds familiar. And there are millions of stories just like yours. That is what makes up the fabric of our country. The small town folks are the ones the progressive “elites” make fun of and put down. The “chattering class”, the gun toting, Bible thumping peons. The kind of people who made this country great. Although we live in a suburb of Minneapolis and you wouldn’t consider that a small town, our neighborhood is like that small town. Also, our oldest daughter moved to a small town about 80 miles from us and bought a 100 year old remodeled house. We have roots there because my husband’s Mother, sister and brother-in-law all lived there. Our daughter felt connected to that town and felt drawn to it. After living alone in that huge house for about 1 year, she started dating a man who lived only a few blocks away. They ended up having a huge wedding down by the lake right outside of town, with all the lake people there and ALL of our neighbors travelled the 80 miles to attend the wedding. Even a neighbor couple who had moved away came to the wedding. We all partied for 3 days in that small town. And they gave us a beautiful 5 year-old grandson who is growing up in that great town by the lake. It is a fairy tale come true. By the way, they don’t have much money, but they are truly happy. I am convinced that, should things get worse in this country, that small town will be the best place to be, and we would probably move there.

  36. #240
    On February 22nd, 2009 at 12:43 pm, davidcaskey said:

    Several things. I am a physician and with 30 years of experience can tell you that there is no advantage to knowing the details of a patients past records. It will not save lives in the least. This information can be obtained in short order from someone with a few questions. If they are not able to communicate, you can still get a considerable amount of information in short order and do not need to examine the record from another hospital. The whole issue is control. That and the fact this is the initial effort for nationalized medicine.

    The other thing. A house is nothing more than an investment. I we are going to help one group who made bad investment decisions, what about the rest of us who have seen our retirement plans killed by the market. Maybe we need a bailout.

  37. #241
    On February 22nd, 2009 at 12:43 pm, happyscrapper said:

    On February 22nd, 2009 at 12:32 pm, katablog said:
    freemind25: Here’s the problem with your thinking. You seem to suggest that because someone lost $125,000 on a home they purchased, other people should now “share” by government command, in their loss. Okay. So how about the people who bought a $300,000 home in say 1990, sold in 2000 for $800,000. Where was the “sharing” then?

    Oh, they will be sharing that, never fear! But they won’t be sharing with the responsible folks, only those who the government thinks needs it.

  38. #242
    On February 22nd, 2009 at 12:47 pm, nlebou said:

    Have a great Sunday all. I have been cooking for the crew at my daughters house all morning. I have to carry food over there now. GOD BLESS US ALL!!!

  39. #243
    On February 22nd, 2009 at 12:47 pm, farmgal said:

    Ret Fireman.Alot of us did indeed vote for McCain,the problem was that it felt like he was constantly choosing to shoot himself in the foot everytime he gained momentum.It’s almost like they were in agreement that he would take a fall.Examples: Voting for the TaRP,people saying Obama was dangerous and him saying you had nothing to worry about if he were president.He was constantly doing things like that and when they were attacking Palin he said very little,but attack a Dem or call him Barack Hussein Obama and he would pitch a fit.Unfortunately McCain made a lot of people not want to vote for him,especially since for years we was constantly poulling the same stuff as Specter and the Maine twins.

  40. #245
    On February 22nd, 2009 at 12:50 pm, nlebou said:

    A house is nothing more than an investment.

    Not to us. To us it is a place to put down roots and raise a family. My husband has never looked at this home as an investment. THANK GOD!

    OK, now I really have to go. Bye!

  41. #246
    On February 22nd, 2009 at 12:50 pm, katablog said:

    freemind25: You suggest we have to “bit the bullet”. Now that I can agree upon. But “biting the bullet” in my mind is different than yours. When you bite the bullet you take responsibility for your actions and move on. I take responsibility for my actions, you for yours.

    You disclose that you are about to purchase a home and then suggest the mortgage bailout hurts you. No it doesn’t! We the People are going to “assist” you with $8,000 to purchase that home. Why? Where were you when I was buying my home? I didn’t get your contribution!

    Biting the bullet means I accept that my home value has gone down. You, on the other hand, reap the rewards of a market that is down and get a great price on the home you buy (without my contribution of $8,000). We both live with what life deals and move on. What’s wrong with that? Why should *I* who has already suffer a loss in my home value now have to contribute to your purchase of a home AND bailout those who aren’t paying their mortgage?

  42. #247
    On February 22nd, 2009 at 12:51 pm, happyscrapper said:

    On February 22nd, 2009 at 12:43 pm, davidcaskey said:
    The other thing. A house is nothing more than an investment. I we are going to help one group who made bad investment decisions, what about the rest of us who have seen our retirement plans killed by the market. Maybe we need a bailout.

    Oh yes, David, we definitely need a bailout. But we aren’t the ones who have a prayer of getting it. You see, deep down the socialists know that the producers will continue to produce. That is the way producers are wired. We can’t sit on our butts and let someone else take care of us. Obama, Pelosi and Reid know that. They are counting on it. We could no more sit idle and let big brother take care of us than the welfare class can take initiative and get jobs. That is why they are getting bailed out and we are getting the shaft.

  43. #248
    On February 22nd, 2009 at 12:52 pm, happyscrapper said:

    On February 22nd, 2009 at 12:47 pm, nlebou said:
    Have a great Sunday all. I have been cooking for the crew at my daughters house all morning. I have to carry food over there now. GOD BLESS US ALL!!!

    And God bless you, real good!

  44. #249
    On February 22nd, 2009 at 12:56 pm, happyscrapper said:

    On February 22nd, 2009 at 12:50 pm, katablog said:

    How did you get so smart? And why can’t libs understand these simple, logical principles? Why is the sky blue? I’m going mad. Time for lunch. Later.

  45. #250
    On February 22nd, 2009 at 1:25 pm, chilloutyo said:

    Washington Monument 12:00 Friday 27 Feb–I’ll be there.

  46. #251
    On February 22nd, 2009 at 1:39 pm, happyscrapper said:

    On February 22nd, 2009 at 1:25 pm, chilloutyo said:
    Washington Monument 12:00 Friday 27 Feb–I’ll be there.

    We need to plan a huge march on DC, but far enough ahead so more people can get there. I would try to come if it was in a couple months. Can’t make it by the 27th, as I live in Minnesota. But I WOULD come to DC if there is a march that I can make arrangements to come. Seriously, my husband and I would join a march like that, and I know thousands would too. We just need some notice. In fact, we would probably use our camper and bring all the signs, etc. and just drive there. I would LOVE to meet some of the great people who contribute to these blogs! We could all just wear name tags with our user names!

  47. #252
    On February 22nd, 2009 at 1:43 pm, InCali said:

    I haven’t read all of the comments, so this may be a repeat. There’s a tea party set for Los Angeles at the Santa Monica Pier. Check the Santelli tea party web site.

  48. #253
    On February 22nd, 2009 at 1:43 pm, happyscrapper said:

    MNDavid and Purplepeep…you could ride with us in our van with the camper trailing behind…yes you could! We would even let David ride “shotgun”.

  49. #254
    On February 22nd, 2009 at 1:45 pm, happyscrapper said:

    On February 22nd, 2009 at 1:43 pm, InCali said:
    I haven’t read all of the comments, so this may be a repeat. There’s a tea party set for Los Angeles at the Santa Monica Pier. Check the Santelli tea party web site.

    This Minnesota lady is getting really excited about all this!

  50. #255
    On February 22nd, 2009 at 1:56 pm, SHoward said:

    On February 22nd, 2009 at 1:43 pm, InCali said:
    I haven’t read all of the comments, so this may be a repeat. There’s a tea party set for Los Angeles at the Santa Monica Pier. Check the Santelli tea party web site.

    How about a link? I can’t seem to find a Santelli Tea Psrty website, except for the video itself on CNBC,

  51. #256
    On February 22nd, 2009 at 2:03 pm, happyscrapper said:

    I just read this comment by a left winger on another site. This is typical of what these folks think about conservatives and anyone who has money. This is truly frightening!! And yes, class warfare is inevitable. Describing people who are rising up against the mortgage bailout…”These men are pure America. They’re suburban, they fear and loath black people, and they buy giant luxury trucks and 40-foot Rinker yachts to signal their wealth and power. They are angry now as ever, shifting their business model into “foreclosure rescue” scams, complaining about taxes, betting on football and snorting coke, sneering at the “losers.” They are the fragile blackshirts of the crisis’s next stage.” Wow…this really is the face of the left.

  52. #257
    On February 22nd, 2009 at 2:17 pm, John Deaux said:

    On February 22nd, 2009 at 11:11 am, freemind25 said:
    Lets say you just got married a few years ago put 20% down on a $300,000 home. You have a good job and bring in $150,000 in total household income. Now you hear that your job has been relocated to a different state. But the house is now worth only $175,000. You still owe $200,000 on the mortgage. Is this person irresponsible?

    That person is not irresponsible unless they decide to stop paying the mortgage.

    I bought a car a year ago 100% financed $0 down. That same car is now worth less than I owe on it. Does that mean I can walk away from the payments and get to keep the car? Should the .gov make the bank lower my principle?

    The answer is the same as with this mortgage mess. If a contract was signed, then abide by the terms of it or suffer the consequences. Their personal irresponsibility is not my problem.

  53. #258
    On February 22nd, 2009 at 2:20 pm, happyscrapper said:

    Try going here. Not sure if this will work. http://www.reteaparty.com

  54. #259
    On February 22nd, 2009 at 2:28 pm, freemind25 said:

    Their personal irresponsibility is not my problem.

    I only wish that statement was true. Just like the Wall St bankers irresponsibility became our problem, so has/will irresponsible mortgage holders. Every time there is a foreclosure in your neighborhood your home value goes down. Is it fair that I am a hard working American with a job and my tax money is going to pay for other peoples unemployment benefits? NO,but without those benefits the economy will spiral out of control. The government is the backstop to the economy. My philosophy is let them go in fix the job and then get the hell out of the way. The economy needs a jump start, the government needs to provide the spark, and once the car is running again than it needs to pull away.

  55. #260
    On February 22nd, 2009 at 2:33 pm, happyscrapper said:

    The link I just gave you does work…I went there.

  56. #261
    On February 22nd, 2009 at 2:33 pm, Huskergirl said:

    I wish I could believe that the government would pull away again. If they had done something reasonable, something actually that would stimulate the economy instead of senseless spending, I could maybe stomach this so-called stimulus package. BUT I don’t think it will work, and the government doesn’t ever give up something that they have taken over.

  57. #262
    On February 22nd, 2009 at 2:38 pm, happyscrapper said:

    On February 22nd, 2009 at 2:28 pm, freemind25 said:

    The problem with that analysis is that once the government gets their tentacles in, they don’t let go. They will not just swoop in like the Lone Ranger, fix the problem, then quietly fade into the background. Power corrupts and this administration is in power. Things will never be the same and if you think they will, you are delusional. Again, BIG GOVERNMENT BAILOUTS DO NOT WORK. THEY ONLY ENCOURAGE IRRESPONSIBLE BEHAVIOR. ONLY THE PRIVATE SECTOR CAN GET US OUT OF THIS MESS. IT’S CALLED CAPITALISM, NOT SOCIALISM. Please, think about it…the government needs to butt out!

  58. #263
    On February 22nd, 2009 at 2:40 pm, happyscrapper said:

    I am also getting really tired of hearing, “You have no heart. If you had your way, no one would get help and you would just let them live on the streets and let the children starve.” Whoever said the children will starve? There have been and continue to be charities and agencies that help those people who really need it. No one in this country need be homeless or hungry. EVER! There is help out there for those who seek it.

  59. #264
    On February 22nd, 2009 at 2:46 pm, freemind25 said:

    How can the private sector get us out of this? Most the major banks are insolvent. 2 of the largest investment banks are gone others are no longer investment banks. Most major companies are cutting back spending. It would be wonderful if the private sector could get us out of this mess, but while you are waiting for that you may want to also wait for the tooth fairy and santa claus. This stimulus can work if the people hold the administrations feet to the fire and point out all wasteful activity.

  60. #265
    On February 22nd, 2009 at 2:49 pm, happyscrapper said:

    Off topic, but timely…

    http://latimesblogs.latimes.com/washington/2009/02/obama-birth-cer.html

    Isn’t it strange that Obama refuses to allow the State of Hawaii to release his original birth certificate, even though it is REQUIRED to prove citizenship in order to become POTUS? He could put all this speculation and controversy to rest once and for all. Why won’t he??? And why is he allowed to get a pass on this?

  61. #266
    On February 22nd, 2009 at 2:54 pm, happyscrapper said:

    On February 22nd, 2009 at 2:46 pm, freemind25 said:
    How can the private sector get us out of this? Most the major banks are insolvent. 2 of the largest investment banks are gone others are no longer investment banks. Most major companies are cutting back spending. It would be wonderful if the private sector could get us out of this mess, but while you are waiting for that you may want to also wait for the tooth fairy and santa claus. This stimulus can work if the people hold the administrations feet to the fire and point out all wasteful activity.

    Let me explain a little about our capitalist society. The private sector, the large and small businesses generate the jobs, thus the economy hinges on them. To get the private sector to generate more jobs, you need to cut taxes so they can move ahead with their business and hire more people. I’m sorry, but you are thinking like a liberal…seriously! Big government won’t work. Cutting taxes WILL. I know I’m shouting because you aren’t listening. And the only tooth fairy or santa claus these days are the liberal democrats!

  62. #267
    On February 22nd, 2009 at 2:56 pm, happyscrapper said:

    By the way, freemind, how do you propose we “hold their feet to the fire”? No one in DC is listening. They are laughing at us. We are the “chattering class”, remember? They don’t care what we think. Why would they all of a sudden start listening?

  63. #269
    On February 22nd, 2009 at 3:00 pm, happyscrapper said:

    I remember hearing Obama a few weeks ago referring to the public as “ordinary people” and Obama’s administration as “prominent people”. That statement showed his true opinion.

  64. #270
    On February 22nd, 2009 at 3:04 pm, nlebou said:

    On February 22nd, 2009 at 3:00 pm, happyscrapper said:
    I remember hearing Obama a few weeks ago referring to the public as “ordinary people” and Obama’s administration as “prominent people”. That statement showed his true opinion.

    I saw that, and remember thinking “that is exactly why I could not vote for you”.

  65. #271
    On February 22nd, 2009 at 3:08 pm, freemind25 said:

    To get the private sector to generate more jobs, you need to cut taxes so they can move ahead with their business and hire more people. I’m sorry, but you are thinking like a liberal…seriously! Big government won’t work.

    Tax cuts only go far. If a company is not making any money they aren’t paying any taxes anyway. So you cut the tax rate of GM or Ford, Citbank, etc, to 0% is not going to make 1 bit of difference.

  66. #273
    On February 22nd, 2009 at 3:16 pm, MichaelO said:

    All of us PERPs need to get together against the CLICs. Whining about it won’t get it done.

  67. #274
    On February 22nd, 2009 at 3:31 pm, happyscrapper said:

    Tax cuts only go far. If a company is not making any money they aren’t paying any taxes anyway. So you cut the tax rate of GM or Ford, Citbank, etc, to 0% is not going to make 1 bit of difference.

    O.K. There are other things besides cutting taxes. You mention GM and Ford. The unions are destroying those businesses! They refuse to make any concessions in order to bring down the cost of producing the autos and become competetive. If they won’t give even an inch, then GM and Ford should go down. Period. It’s the Unions!!! They are forcing the company to pay so much in wages, benefits and pension that they are losing $2,000 per car. Do the math. And our dear dictator is in their back pocket. As for Citbank. Bye bye. There are other banks who do business better, obviously. Painful? Yes! But it is the only way. Government is printing money to make this all better! In a very short time, a loaf of bread will cost $10.00.

  68. #275
    On February 22nd, 2009 at 3:37 pm, BlameAmericaLast said:

    Well, just heard that Obama is going to no only raise taxes on the “rich”, but also raise taxes on business.

    How this will help the economy is beyond me. Mark my words:

    High spending, combined with the influx of printed money will result in massive inflation, and depression.

    High taxes will prevent any kind of recovery, and will only make matters worse.

    Obama’s socialist plans are going to fail. BIG TIME.

    And for those who think tax cuts on business only go to big business think again as small business is the backbone of this country. When you raise taxes, you will strangle the ability for growth, hiring, etc. Those of you who have never owned or operated a business will never know.

  69. #277
    On February 22nd, 2009 at 3:55 pm, katablog said:

    This stimulus can work if the people hold the administrations feet to the fire and point out all wasteful activity.

    Really? so you think dirty harry is going to drop his $8 billion light rail from LA to Nevada? Tell you what, you go work on dirty harry and I’ll find you some more wasteful projects, like electrolyzing my medical records so the government can spy on me.

    The government is no miracle worker, O is no Messiah and this bailout will NOT work. As I’ve said before, watch the stock market on Monday and Tuesday as O’s plan to raise taxes business and the “wealthy” hits the streets! Then you will see capital being withdrawn from the market in huge portions and watch our economy really drop like a rock.

    You simply don’t understand economics freeman25 and you don’t understand freedom.

  70. #279
    On February 22nd, 2009 at 4:09 pm, BlameAmericaLast said:

    For people who think this fake spending stimulus plan will work, I suggest a short read here about Japan’s lost decade.

  71. #280
    On February 22nd, 2009 at 4:30 pm, Misscheryl said:

    9:05 am, Flyoverman said:

    Why in the world you included me in your post is beyond me? Either you have confused me with someone else, or you aren’t paying attention.

  72. #281
    On February 22nd, 2009 at 4:31 pm, happyscrapper said:

    From Drudge Report: “President Obama is putting the finishing touches on an ambitious first budget that seeks to cut the federal deficit in half over the next four years, primarily by RAISING TAXES ON BUSINESSES AND THE WEALTHY and by SLASHING SPENDING ON THE WARS IN IRAQ AND AFGHANISTAN administration officials said.

    In addition to tackling a deficit swollen by the $787 billion stimulus package and other efforts to ease the nation’s economic crisis, the budget blueprint will press aggressively for progress on the domestic agenda Obama outlined during the presidential campaign. This would include KEY CHANGES TO ENVIRONMENTALIST POLICIES and a MAJOR EXPANSION OF HEALTH COVERAGE that he hopes to enact later this year.”

    Key changes to environmentalist policies will cost billions. major expansion of health coverage will cost billions. And this will cut the deficit in half in four years? He truly must be the long-awaited messiah! Need I say more? He is moving faster than anyone predicted and we are so screwed. I have a feeling this will accelerate the protests!

  73. #282
    On February 22nd, 2009 at 4:37 pm, happyscrapper said:

    Obama’s economic plan…Increase already huge taxes on the rich and on businesses. Slash the defense budget. Expand environmently wacky policies that will bankrupt most of our energy sources. Expand healthcare coverage to take care of all the illegal aliens who are invading our sovereign nation. This was predicted, but no one listened. These people are certifiably insane. Almost half this country did NOT vote for any of these bozos. Revolution is now.

  74. #284
    On February 22nd, 2009 at 4:40 pm, BlameAmericaLast said:

    We’re already on our way to becoming a third world country…the liberals have successfully dumbed down America (union controlled schools with programs aimed at social justice instead of science and math), created a dependency state, and the icing on the cake will be to punish (tax out of oblivion) those who create wealth for themselves and others, and to hammer them down (confiscate their earnings) all in the ultimate goal of “fairness” and “equality”. Every time I hear those two words coming out of a liberal’s ugly mouth, I cringe.

    If socialized medicine does make it through congress (I have my doubts), that will be the ultimate end to R&D, research and excellence in medicine from the United States. It will also bankrupt the government.

    Who would want to get into medicine then? Who wants a job as a government doctor making 1/4 of what they would be making in the private sector? What motivation will there be to become doctors or nurses for that matter?

  75. #285
    On February 22nd, 2009 at 4:44 pm, Misscheryl said:

    2009 at 2:40 pm, happyscrapper said:
    I am also getting really tired of hearing, “You have no heart. If you had your way, no one would get help

    Happy – ever notice how the left really relies heavily on guilt. It’s amazing to me because the leftist uptopic vision was founded on freedom from religion imposed guilt…go figure.

  76. #286
    On February 22nd, 2009 at 4:45 pm, BlameAmericaLast said:

    Happyscrapper, I wouldn’t agree with you more. Yeah, Obumbo won based on his “cool” personality and nothing else. The popular vote was won by a little less than 10 million people (not all that great considering he spent $750 million to buy his election.)

    Sure, the ultimate win was in electoral votes which I support 100% but that doesn’t matter now, as these economic plans are affecting individuals not the electoral states.

    Just wait until the plan falls flat on its face, and you’ll see the civil unrest you’re talking about. Once the [uneducated] sheeple find out they’re not getting everything for free off the “rich” people’s backs like Obama promised them, you’ll see massive looting and taking of personal property and chaos.

    Be prepared.

  77. #287
    On February 22nd, 2009 at 5:06 pm, happyscrapper said:

    We are taking steps to protect what is ours. We live in a fairly safe suburb, but crime can happen anywhere and it will increase, thanks to Barack. How can one man be so unbelievably clueless and still actually be elected to the most powerful job in the world? I still can hardly believe this has happened. Just wait…freedom of speech and assembly will be the next to go. I can’t imagine they want us “talking amongst ourselves”! I am so afraid for my grandchildren.

  78. #289
    On February 22nd, 2009 at 5:11 pm, RabbidSquirrel said:

    ever notice how the left really relies heavily on guilt.

    You can only feel guilty if you let someone make you feel guility – for something you have done or wanted. You can still have a conscence without having guilt.

    When the ego is negotiating with the external world, the id must have had a want or desire. But without a desire, why should the internal id be influenced by an unimportant external stimuli?

    So when the left has a cause du jour, is is very easy to dismiss them without waking up in the middle of the night with an irrational desire to buy a plane ticket to Gaza and lay down in front of an Israeli Army bulldozer.

  79. #290
    On February 22nd, 2009 at 5:13 pm, happyscrapper said:

    We are over 3 generations away from the Civil War and freeing of the slaves, yet the blacks of this generation think the white people owe them for slavery. Now, Obama has found a way to give them the reparations they have been demanding. It wasn’t enough to ensure they had equal rights. They want to turn the successful and rich white people into the slaves. Well, if that is to be, I hope they incude Hollywood!

  80. #291
    On February 22nd, 2009 at 5:14 pm, BlameAmericaLast said:

    Here’s another piece from Spiegel Online titled “What Obama can Learn From Germany”

    Excerpt:

    No US president governed on credit with such abandon as FDR. Obama, however, is now trying to emulate him. He has already asked Congress for $1.5 trillion in debt-financed public spending. Another $2 trillion could follow, if the banking sector continues to be unsettled.

    But nobody should worry about the cost, say those who are trying to sell the FDR model. That is exactly the clever thing about this product: Everything pays for itself. If a country has enjoyed too many economic excesses — so says the instruction manual — it should simply keep partying. The merry reveler knows no hangover, as the Germans like to say.

    And anyone who feels a bit unwell has drunk, not too much, but too little from the credit punchbowl. The limiting factor is not money, writes the Nobel laureate Paul Krugman, goading on the Obama administration, but the timing and the speed of the borrowing.

    Erhard called such rhetoric “cheating the people.” His key words were not consumption and credit, but pay and performance. He insisted, practically to the point of stubbornness, that work and only work is the foundation of prosperity: “We must either make do with less or work more.” He felt that the third way, which leads to the vault of the next best bank, was a dead end.

    Read the rest here, it’s worth it.

    Unfortunately, thanks to liberals, they have already formed a society of dependency with welfare without accountability, etc. Hard to take away something that’s become a lifestyle.

  81. #292
    On February 22nd, 2009 at 5:17 pm, BlameAmericaLast said:

    How can one man be so unbelievably clueless and still actually be elected to the most powerful job in the world? I still can hardly believe this has happened.

    Kinda reminds me of the book “Being There” by Jerzy Kosinski (movie with Peter Sellers).

    We’ve been had.

  82. #294
    On February 22nd, 2009 at 5:18 pm, RabbidSquirrel said:

    an irrational desire to … lay down in front of an Israeli Army bulldozer.

    OMG, it never dawned on me before!

    I just realized that Rachael must have read too much ‘Hitchhikers Guide to the Galaxy‘ and thought it was a true story. Then again, maybe she just forgot her towel…

  83. #296
    On February 22nd, 2009 at 5:26 pm, RabbidSquirrel said:

    Well, Im off to go stimulate the economy.

    Just bought a new house last week, so I am heading to the stores this afternoon to spend about 10K on new furniture, big screens and surround sound systems.

    Oh and none of that will put me in debt. I’ll be spending the cash that I have been saving by living in an apartment for the past several years.

    And here I cant believe I was stupid enough to be financially responsible for all this time.

  84. #297
    On February 22nd, 2009 at 6:09 pm, BlameAmericaLast said:

    RabbidSquirrel,

    Congratulations on your new home! Have fun getting new stuff! Always nice when you have the cash to spend, and not put yourself into debt.

    Liberals…please take note.

  85. #299
    On February 22nd, 2009 at 6:28 pm, Misscheryl said:

    flyover - I can only say re: your post. Clinton and China are both enemies of our country. But I will agree with your point that it is unfathomable that the USofA is soliciting China for money. However, knowing what buddies the Clintons are with China – what better person to send but her. She is just glowing in her Secretary of Statedness, I mean gloating! ick!

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