Here's a little bit of history that should be dredged up.
It's about the Keating Five.
For those of you unfamiliar with the S & L Scandal from the 1980's, John McCain was implicated for exercising poor judgment for helping a large campaign contributor with bank regulators. Charles Keating's bank subsequently failed and cost investors billions. (This is the problem with de-regulation ideologues--some regulation is good).
Charles Keating was the poster child for the S & L scandal. He gave McCain hundreds of thousands of dollars in campaign contributions and flew McCain around on a private jet. (So much for McCain understanding the common man...I know I fly around on a private jet all the time too.)
Many blame the whole mess on the de-regulation that occurred when Reagan came into office. Many who worship at the Church of Reaganism dismiss the impact of de-regulation, but it shouldn't be ignored so handily.
John McCain's good buddy, Phil Gramm, is a big proponent of de-regulation and McCain still advocates many of the same policies that Phil Gramm (who said recently that "the nation is a bunch of whiners" ). As a side note: Since the Republicans came to power, my personal wealth has fallen and my income stream has dried up. So, yes, I'm a whiner, but with good reason.
The problem with the Reagan de-regulation dogma comes down to this: Absolutist de-regulation results in debacles like the S & L scandal and the banking and credit crunches we're experiencing now. The short-term benefits of high profits are more than offset by the economic bubbles that inevitably burst afterwards. Regulation, is like a spice: just the right amount improves the dish, while too little keeps it unpalatable, whereas too much ruins it. Balance is key and to take the ideologues overly simplistic, absolutist view is to ignore the real complexity of modern economics.
McCain has adopted the Reaganomics view of Phil Gramm, much to the detriment of America. He cannot claim to put country first when policies he advocates harm more than they help. McCain's history of siding with the wealthy aristocracy is long. For him to paint himself as an everyman doesn't pass the smell test.
Look to the past and you'll see who gets McCain's help: Those with money.
Ask yourself: Do I have money? If you don't, then McCain's not you man.
Only a fool votes for someone who pays lip-service to values, while pushing policies that harm those stupid enough to believe the words over the result.
Saturday, September 6, 2008
Thursday, September 4, 2008
Welcome to the Feeble Fogy and Fascist Fembot show
I've finally figured out what the McCan't - Palin ticket represents.
It represents the old stodgy married to the young ideologue.
We can't afford the easy certainty represented by the Republican ticket.
It represents the old stodgy married to the young ideologue.
We can't afford the easy certainty represented by the Republican ticket.
Drilling for oil is not the answer..It's a big fat lie to pretend that it is
I'm reminded of that old political chestnut when I hear politicians give grand speeches.
"Who Benefits?"
If you can answer that question when you hear a politician's speeches, then you can easily figure out whose backpocket that politician is in.
Take for instance the Republican refrain to Drill, Drill, Drill.
Who benefits from drilling for oil? The oil companies. Citizens of Alaska do because they get a paycheck from the state from oil revenues.
Getting lost in the grand speeches though is the fact that (And this is a commonly accepted fact and not some liberal scare tactic) even if we did all the drilling possible, the oil would not amount to a hill of beans with our current levels of consumption.
Furthermore, even if enough oil was found, it would take years (not months as it's implied by the Republicans) for it to impact our fuel prices and our economy.
Additionally, even the oil we do have is not enough to make us energy independent.
So, why do the Republicans keep perpetuating this farce?
Go back to the political chestnut: Who Benefits?
I'll tell you. The Republicans benefit from campaign contributions from the oil companies.
In the end, we have a choice between who best deserves to benefit from our coffers.
Do we want oil companies to benefit? Or, do we want the people to benefit?
"Who Benefits?"
If you can answer that question when you hear a politician's speeches, then you can easily figure out whose backpocket that politician is in.
Take for instance the Republican refrain to Drill, Drill, Drill.
Who benefits from drilling for oil? The oil companies. Citizens of Alaska do because they get a paycheck from the state from oil revenues.
Getting lost in the grand speeches though is the fact that (And this is a commonly accepted fact and not some liberal scare tactic) even if we did all the drilling possible, the oil would not amount to a hill of beans with our current levels of consumption.
Furthermore, even if enough oil was found, it would take years (not months as it's implied by the Republicans) for it to impact our fuel prices and our economy.
Additionally, even the oil we do have is not enough to make us energy independent.
So, why do the Republicans keep perpetuating this farce?
Go back to the political chestnut: Who Benefits?
I'll tell you. The Republicans benefit from campaign contributions from the oil companies.
In the end, we have a choice between who best deserves to benefit from our coffers.
Do we want oil companies to benefit? Or, do we want the people to benefit?
Tuesday, September 2, 2008
Republicans are growing more tolerant...Governor Palin is the reason
I've been standing back and reviewing all the press about Sarah Palin.
Here's my take on some of the issues surrounding her elevation to running mate.
1) I'm glad to see all the right-wing conservatives finally showing the tolerance, understanding, and forgiveness of youthful indiscretions, like they're showing to Bristol Palin and her...ahem, situation. Maybe they'll decide that tolerance and understanding are much better when applied to the world at large instead of their past indifference and judgment.
2) Governor Palin is being regarded as a reformer. Apparently, her reforming tendencies arose only after it became politically expedient to distance herself from Senator Ted Stevens (who's under indictment) and his son (who was Palin's lobbyist for earmarks prior to his dad's indictment).
3) Cindy McCain has offered up Governor Palin's experience running the Alaska National Guard as credible foreign policy experience. Huh!? Give me a break. If that's all it takes, then Barack Obama has enough foreign policy experience since he lived in Hawaii, Indonesia, and Seattle. This is bullshit.
4) I don't think I agree with the decision to go public with Bristol Palin's pregnancy. And to state that Bristol will marry the erstwhile baby daddy. Here's why. If this young girl is off limits, as Obama, McCain, and Palin all agree she is, then why throw her to the media wolves along with her boyfriend (who incidentally never signed on for the publicity...he just wanted what most boys want). I find this action very questionable and it smells of ambition to the point of sacrificing one's child for political advantage.
5) The Republicans, in their over the top defense of the governor, will find it hard to backtrack on all these issues come the next election. They've tacitly approved of unwed mothers. They've shown the ineffectiveness of abstinence only sex education, since it worked so marvellously for Bristol Palin. They've managed to prove to the American voter that experience really doesn't matter as long as you can play identity politics. They've also shown us that the country's best interest is secondary to ideology and political advantage.
How deliciously Machiavellian of them! Gotta love those family values!
Here's my take on some of the issues surrounding her elevation to running mate.
1) I'm glad to see all the right-wing conservatives finally showing the tolerance, understanding, and forgiveness of youthful indiscretions, like they're showing to Bristol Palin and her...ahem, situation. Maybe they'll decide that tolerance and understanding are much better when applied to the world at large instead of their past indifference and judgment.
2) Governor Palin is being regarded as a reformer. Apparently, her reforming tendencies arose only after it became politically expedient to distance herself from Senator Ted Stevens (who's under indictment) and his son (who was Palin's lobbyist for earmarks prior to his dad's indictment).
3) Cindy McCain has offered up Governor Palin's experience running the Alaska National Guard as credible foreign policy experience. Huh!? Give me a break. If that's all it takes, then Barack Obama has enough foreign policy experience since he lived in Hawaii, Indonesia, and Seattle. This is bullshit.
4) I don't think I agree with the decision to go public with Bristol Palin's pregnancy. And to state that Bristol will marry the erstwhile baby daddy. Here's why. If this young girl is off limits, as Obama, McCain, and Palin all agree she is, then why throw her to the media wolves along with her boyfriend (who incidentally never signed on for the publicity...he just wanted what most boys want). I find this action very questionable and it smells of ambition to the point of sacrificing one's child for political advantage.
5) The Republicans, in their over the top defense of the governor, will find it hard to backtrack on all these issues come the next election. They've tacitly approved of unwed mothers. They've shown the ineffectiveness of abstinence only sex education, since it worked so marvellously for Bristol Palin. They've managed to prove to the American voter that experience really doesn't matter as long as you can play identity politics. They've also shown us that the country's best interest is secondary to ideology and political advantage.
How deliciously Machiavellian of them! Gotta love those family values!
Watch Out John McCan't...
Interesting video.
Makes you think about John McCan't in a whole new light.
Old, Grizzled Third Party Candidate May Steal Support From McCain
Makes you think about John McCan't in a whole new light.
Old, Grizzled Third Party Candidate May Steal Support From McCain
Monday, September 1, 2008
Without work, we lose much more than our edge.
When I read stories like this one, I wonder why our political leaders have stuck it to us for the last 8 years.
Meaningful work and quality jobs are the foundation of our economy. Capital and wealth do not exist without labor and its fruits.
How can we turn wealth into products and tools without labor to mold them? We cannot.
Our politicians have failed us.
We can ill-afford to perpetuate the policies that have put us here.
Some may look to the security issues we face. Yet, without work and its products, security means nothing.
Let this inform your decisions as to the leaders you choose.
Meaningful work and quality jobs are the foundation of our economy. Capital and wealth do not exist without labor and its fruits.
How can we turn wealth into products and tools without labor to mold them? We cannot.
Our politicians have failed us.
We can ill-afford to perpetuate the policies that have put us here.
Some may look to the security issues we face. Yet, without work and its products, security means nothing.
Let this inform your decisions as to the leaders you choose.
McCain's VEEP choice just keeps getting better and better...At least her values are strong,
This just keeps getting better and better.
It seems that Governor Palin's teenage daughter is pregnant.
The problem is that the Republicans are making threats if this issue is brought up.
What a load of crap. If the same issue occurred on the Democratic side, Rove and his ilk would start a whisper campaign to exploit it while denying their involvement.
Now, I know how teenagers behave and I personally don't think this is much of an issue. However, it becomes a values issue when the VP choice is touted as a family values paragon. Why does a conservative family-values candidate get a pass on the very issues that become ammunition against the other party?
McCan't has really screwed the pooch. There's so much baggage. The inexperience and obvious cynical choice of a female running mate to draw off Hillary voters won't stand up once the real vetting occurs in the general election.
It seems that Governor Palin's teenage daughter is pregnant.
The problem is that the Republicans are making threats if this issue is brought up.
What a load of crap. If the same issue occurred on the Democratic side, Rove and his ilk would start a whisper campaign to exploit it while denying their involvement.
Now, I know how teenagers behave and I personally don't think this is much of an issue. However, it becomes a values issue when the VP choice is touted as a family values paragon. Why does a conservative family-values candidate get a pass on the very issues that become ammunition against the other party?
McCan't has really screwed the pooch. There's so much baggage. The inexperience and obvious cynical choice of a female running mate to draw off Hillary voters won't stand up once the real vetting occurs in the general election.
Sunday, August 31, 2008
Too much certainty underscores the problems with the Right
I've thought a lot lately about the issues afflicting the political right.
To sum it up in as pithy manner as possible:
The Right suffers from an excess of certainty. Unfortunately, real certainty doesn't exist, so they are setting themselves up for disappointment.
Too much certainty invariably bumps up against the dearth of actual certainty in reality.
Just my thought.
To sum it up in as pithy manner as possible:
The Right suffers from an excess of certainty. Unfortunately, real certainty doesn't exist, so they are setting themselves up for disappointment.
Too much certainty invariably bumps up against the dearth of actual certainty in reality.
Just my thought.
Palin is bringing trouble to McCan't already
Well, it looks like McCan't's VP choice is a Republican through and through.
She's already under investigation by a special prosecutor in Alaska for using her office for a personal family feud.
The Republicans are so rife with corrupt practices and so forth, that it underscores the need for the change Obama advocates.
It's house-cleaning time.
She's already under investigation by a special prosecutor in Alaska for using her office for a personal family feud.
The Republicans are so rife with corrupt practices and so forth, that it underscores the need for the change Obama advocates.
It's house-cleaning time.
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