SUPER MAJORITY

Do people realize that Democrats only had a super majority for about 3 months?A lot of people (Republica­ns claim this all the time) think the Democrats had a super-majo­rity for the first two years of the Obama administra­tion, but instead of two years, it was more like three months.

Democrats achieved a super-majo­rity on July 7, 2009 when Al Franken assumed office
Congress was on recess from Aug 8-Sep 5

Robert Byrd was extremely sick during fall and winter of 2009 and was unable to cast his vote during much of that time.

Scott Brown (R) assumed Ted Kennedy’s seat in the Senate on February 4, 2010, thus eliminatin­g the Democrat’s super-majo­rity.

Just saw this -

What happens when a government hollows out?  Private interests take control of the machinery of state to enhance and protect their profitability.  Resulting in simple looting or enacting Byzantine laws and rules that crush innovation and trample personal rights. From Global Guerrillas. Simple, to the point.

I grew up where there was RURAL

mass transit !

Yes, in Southwestern Pennsylvania from the 1890's through the early 1950's ther existed a light rail electric transit/tolley system that traversed most of Fayette, Westmoreland and Allegheny Counties. The population was largely concentrated around several (Uniontown, Connellsville, Mt Pleasant, greensburg, latrobe, mckeesport ) small cities, a dozen or so boroughs (or villages) and hundreds of little hamlets (or patches as they were know). The tolley had its own right-of-way and a schedule that operated 24-hours/365 and at frequent headways. Before the mass use of autos and TV this was the only way to get around. Besides, at Connellsville & Greensburg the trolley connected with the B&O and Pennsy to take one anywhere.

Campaign finance reform

Returning the America electoral process to a more individual citizens oriented union involves changes on three levels

1)lobbying - or influencing the public officials
3) voting - This is where I believe is where our tax dollars should go - seeing that every eligible American can and does get to vote.

2) election campaign funding This is the one I have given the most thought to. The central issue is locking down the abilitity to game the rules and creating  an envorionment that mininizes its beign gamed. Let's be honest, politicans sell their vote for a price. Its been that ways since the raise of elected officicals or what western society (ir > America calls democarcy. IT comes down controlling the flowe of the money or more directly channeling its flow. No law can close every loopwhole but we can structure an arrangement that minizes flagrant abuse and corruption and returns it to a more people-oriented democracy that the founders invisioned. I guess I grew up under the illusion that America was a people-scaled society that cared about its own. I feel its no longer that way and I don't like where it has gone. So here's my idea.
- I am against (tax/government revenues) public- financing of candidates and want the government effort to go in seeing that all americans can and  do vote. More on that in the second segment.
- ONLY registered votes can give financially to  the electoral process. - candidates, issues, any matter that resolved through electoral/vote.
- there is no limit on the amount an individual can give to any one candidate or electoral issue.
- but an individual registered voter can only fund those candidates and issues in which they can vote on. Thus every american can give to presidential election, only in state to governor/us senator, in district to Us HR, state money
- a campaign can only accept loans equial to is amount can nvere20% of the amount raised and of that only 10% of that amount can come from non-registered voters, this amount can nvere be for given. Named individuals.
- all contributions must be posted on an official website, accessible to all, within 7 days of the funds clearing.
- expenses must be posted quarterly, thirty days follwoin g the end of the quarter.

What they really don't want is 100% voting. Limits on voting and poor turnout are their tools to mantain control. Public financing of candidates would only institutionalize the existing parties - imagine politcians deciding how ,much tax dollars they are going to give themselves to run for re-election. Public financing should go toward making sure all citizens vote. Only registered voters can give to and against candidates and issues and ONLY for candidates and issues they can actually vote on. NO MORE texans deciding who's going to be the senator from North Dakota. Candidates and politicans would no longer be able to accept $$ from anyone who can not vote for them. It would greatly curb Super pacs, bundling, and lobbying contributions. 'If you can't vote on it, you can't give to it.' Since corporations can't vote, no corporate money could be used. It would force politicans to serve their constituency, the very foundation of geographic representation. Hey, if those who can vote for you wouldn't give you any money, maybe they don't want you! It would also curb careerism and allow third, fourth parties to get into the game.

President Obama's position

1) say whatever you want but do whatever you planned to do all along, that's what I thought they called 'Chicago politics'. But it's what the Repugs have been don't effectively on a national stage for 40+ years.
2) is it just me or has he staked out the position of 1 degree right to center? Given the racial assault on his presidency, the economic circumstances, and the rightleaningness of the media could one blame him?

Talk to a conservative

Talk to a conservative and they will rail against government pushing their small government, no regulation agenda. If you talk to them long enough you will invariably hear them say, "the government should do something about that".

Why has government gotten bigger?

One would think liberal & progressives have this secret agenda to expand government because, well, they just do. No its more obvious than that; 1) failure of the economic system (subsidies, favorable tax treatment, social programs to protect people, regulation - to protect the environment, public good. and 2) foreign involvement (support to corporations, militarism, foreign aid).

Now a 'Soon-to-have' was a

'having some' just awhile back.

NEWT vs. RMONEY, Part 99%

Newt is the best attack-dog the Democrats could ever get. Neither is electable. Rmoney will win the primaries and go into the convention down 15-20%. With a modest post-convention bounce he'll lose by 10%. 'There's no way to delay that trouble coming every day'. For Oven-Mitt its only going to get worse. A serial flip-flopper is an indecisive individual. If he was incharge in WWII we'd be debating whether to invade Normandy or Rock-away Beach. He is all cliche and projection.

So my prediction is Obama - 55%
                                 Oven Mitt Rmoney - 45%

Maybe its Mitt's time to be the

NOT-ROMNEY ! Care to guess how long he will last? Its less than 10 months until the election & x months until the Republican convention. My bet is he crashes before Memorial Day.

A I can't believe it fact . . .

 The U.S. locks up more than 2 million people, more than any nation in the world. One in 48 working-age men is behind bars. A disproportionate number -- 40 percent -- are African Americans. As Michelle Alexander reported in her book, The New Jim Crow, more black men are in prison or jail, on probation or parole than were in slavery in the 1850s.

What is left -

only businesses left in America - playing with the tax pie, the war machine, maintaining social order, and entertaining/medicating the masses.

Read Ezra Klein's article -

the recovery president - yes, who ever is elected in 2012 will be seen has the recovery president unless, of course, the economy turns worse, war breaks out, or more tax cuts for the wealthy tank the economy.

What kind of man is John Huntsman ? (He Gone!)

I mean he quit the race ( no issue with that) then turned and did a complete endorsement of  Mitt Romney. For the last year and until just the other day he was trash talkin' Romney like he despized everything about him and. And now . . .  does he expect any of us to have any respect for him?
As of Feb15, 2012  -I still stand by this prediction.

What is Capitalism?

We're hearing a lot about the different forms of economic organization.
Let's see: several forms of capitalism - know what mercantilism was? monopoloy capitalism, venture capitalism, "voulter capitalism", traditional capitalism, money culture(Gary Hart), finance capitialism.

then there's feudalism, socialism, communism, democratic socialism,

What will the Republican Party do

about Ron Paul? He's the spoiler to the Romney presidency. Could even beat Romney in the general election.

Some thoughts about saint ron

Reagan sold weapons to the terrorist state, Iran, when the world, including us, had an arms embargo against them.
Reagan allowed terrorists to kill over 250 Marines and then ran away.
Reagan enabled and encouraged the smuggling of tons of cocaine into this country, poisoning our children.
Reagan had the most corrupt administra­­tion in history. He had more members tried, convicted, and jailed for felonies than any other in history.
Reagan's economic improvemen­­t had nothing to do with his policies. The economy only improved because the OPEC oil embargo collapsed, flooding the market with cheap energy, stimulatin­­g the economy.
Reagan raises taxes - what 11 times.
Taxed unemployment benefits
Doubled social security payroll tax so baby boomers could pay for their own social security insurance.

IS THE REPUBLICAN PRESIDENTIAL

NOMINEE RACE MORE LIKE A TELEVISION SIT-COM? CASE IN POINT, THE CAST- ROMNEY, SANTORUM, PLENTENTY, BACHMAN, GINGRICH, HUNTSMAN,CAIN,  PALIN, BONER, CANTOR, MCCONNELL AND PAUL, FEATURING PERRY AS HIM SELF.

ROMNEY -  gaffe-prone, out-of-touch, flip-flopping, inauthentic candidate. seemed plastic and programmed, an impression that could only be exacerbated by the idea that he was laying people off and sleeping just fine.

THOUGHTS ON THE HOUSING CRISIS

1) WHY? / HOW?
GOV'T AGENCY PROPOSAL TO SELL OFF BULK BUNDLES OF FORECLOSED HOMES .
WHY DIDN'T GOV'T JUST OFFER 1% MORTGAGES TO PEOPLE.
WHOLE HOUSING DEBATE - NEED vs. ADEQUATE SUPPLY vs. PRICE by MARKET SEGMENTS (PRODUCT DIFFERENCES/LOCATION).
GOV'T POLICY - COMMON/SOCIETIAL OBJECTIVES  vs. TAX/POLICY ECONOMIC INCENTIVES (GOV'T ASSISTANCE TO BUSINESS).
FAMILY INCOME.

LACK OF STANDARDS, CHANGE IN STANDARDS POLICY UNDER BUSH
THE FRENZY OF THE ODD'S.
PLAYERS GAMED THE SYSTEM.
WHAT WAS THE TIPPING POINT THAT STARTED THE COLLAPSE?

Mitt the Plunderer

The Bain years are catching up to the Mitt. With his business record shattered, does Romney have anything to run on? The conservatives don't like him  anyway. Will the GOP have a fall back position?

Read greg Sargent's blog /Monday 1-9-2012

If romney can't defend himself from newt how will he do against axelrod ? Do Americans want a Gordon glecko?

ROMNEY - JUST CALL ME "PINK-SLIP " because "I LOVE FIRING PEOPLE"

2012 NFL PLAYOFFS

Will Defenses predominate?

Total Defense / Total Offense
Cincinnati - #7 - #20 = 27
Houston - #2 - #13 = 15                      HOUSTON WINS, 31-10

Detroit - #23 - #5 = 28
New Orleans - #24 - #1 = 25     NEW ORLEANS WINS / TURNOVERS STOP DETROIT, 45-28

Giants - #27 - #8 = 35               NEW YORK GIANTS WIN, 24-2
Atlanta - #12 - #10 = 22

Pittsburgh - #1 - #12 = 13
Denver - #20 - #23 = 43           DENVER TEBOWS PGH, 29-23


Green Bay -
New York - who would have thought

SanFrancisco - 49ers of old back?
New Orleans -

New England - Hey kid, you got a lot to learn
Denver -

Baltimore - incredible defenses, the best prevails.
Houston -

New York
San Francisco

Baltimore
New England

defenses vs. offenses

What I want from a football announcer/analysis.

What I want from a football announcer/analysis.
To the point:
1) Don't remind me about when you played. Few care, fewer remember - it doesn't seem to come with any insight  most of the time.
2) Forget the endless stats chatter, screen scroll is designed for that. Some statistical commentary is useful.
3) What fans want is analysis, why this play, why that? Whats working, what's not. Sometimes quiet is OK.
4) The announcer's role - I want play-by-play, yes I know he has to remind me about the network & everything else.
5) The analysis's role -  drop the adjectives(greatest player, etc.).
6) NFL football fans are among the most soficatered audience. Even more so than the general public is about politics.

Interesting point from Michael Tomasky -

An ultra-rich man whose economic plan helps the ultra-rich and explodes the deficit, and who can’t be honest about his own income taxes—that’s who’s leading the GOP field. Read his piece at the Daily Beast.

Casino Capitalism -

Crony Capitalism.

Saw Jeremy Rifkin on

Charlie Rose speak about Germany and their plans for implementing the Third Industrial Revolution - they are light years ahead of the USA. We're F***ed !

Did Romney lay me off web site.

WHO WILL GET THE POPE'S

BLESSING FIRST ? SANTORUM OR GINGRICH.

The US economy, social act, and the political

situation will get very interesting through 2012. Less than 10 months until the election, with budget issues dominating government, the employment situation affecting the election. The Republicans seem to be keeping the debt/ deficit  issue in play encase the economy improves and they nolonger have that issue. But the OWS movement counters economic inequality (debt/deficit/growth battle).

Is Romney already boxed in?
 Look into this these points
 - ecomonic growth
-  debt / deficit
- employment
- social issues (abortion/gay)
- foreign affairs
- budget matters
- regulation
- infrastructure
- energy/ natural resources / climate change

People forget that Obama put several things in place (healthcare / financial reform) - against the complete opposition of the moneyed class (the people who make all their wealth off of health care and finance) - they are there awaiting a more favorable Congress and / or a more progressive management. The New Deal just didn't happen on its own, individuals put it in place.

A new direction for DEFENSE -

afterall, Defense spending is sacroscant - most of the money goes to the Church of Empire. A military built around pure national and alliance defense would look very much different. Remember this budget represents only military, the state and intelligence legs of this stool aren't under discussion.

They are GOD on earth -

The United States Supreme Court. Thanks to John Marshall.