Aaaah! The Auto Industry...
The House giveth and the Senate tooketh away....
So... the Big 3 show up filled with arrogance to demand tax payer money so they can continue with business as usual. Which includes making sure the unions in this country no longer exist, along with the middle class.
So... they are turned down because they have no plan of action, just an extended hand.
So... they come back a bit more humble and they almost... almost... got what they wanted.
Today was the final straw and they walk away empty handed, so George W. Bush is thinking that maybe what they are asking for should, and might have, to come out of the insanely unsupervised and major league squandered tax payer dollars allocated to Hank Paulson to "save" the financial institutions.
I am betting they'll get it and there will be no oversight or a plan in place. Just the way they want it and the way this whole financial crisis has been mishandled by Hank Paulson and his buddies. More on the financial later....
In the meantime, I learn the following:
Ford is opening a plant in Mexico. Yes, where the labor is cheap, Unions non-existent and the government if far more corrupt than ours. Ford apparently has the $15 MILLION that it takes to build this factory while not bothering to consider that they already have factories in the USA with skilled, capable and ready to produce workers. Instead, laying them off is the company financial plan that resonates with Ford executives.
It is offensive to see that the Ford Fiesta will be built in Mexico to be sold in the USA.
"Ford's plans in Mexico also include moving one of its factories from large truck to small car production, and opening a new diesel engine line at another plant."
"The decision to invest in Mexico will be a blow to the United Auto Workers union, which reached a cost-cutting agreement with Ford in a bid to make US plants more competitive."
The full article can be read here:
http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/americas/7428952.stm
In the meantime, we have Volkswagen opening plants in the USA with an investment of 1 BILLION dollars. By 2011, Volkswagen plans to be producing and selling 110,000 vehicles in the US.
You can read the full article here.
http://www.cbsnews.com/stories/2008/07/15/business/main4263424.shtml?source=related_story
Let's not forget about the lovely car I wrote about in a previous post, the Ford Fiesta's ECOnetic which is not only produced in Europe, but sold in Europe and give 65 miles a gallon. A car that Ford has no intention of building or selling in the USA.
Check it out, it is not a golf cart or a vehicle for the vertically challenge. It would look good here too and it would sell like hotcakes.
http://www.businessweek.com/magazine/content/08_37/b4099060491065.htm?campaign_id=rss_topEmailedStories
How about GM? How are they doing? Well, thank you for asking, apparently they are doing fine since their Russian plant is costing them $300 MILLION dollars and they will be building SUV's, a highly sought after vehicle in a fuel rich Russia. It is their status symbol and they can't get enough of it.
Would it be a stretch of the imagination to use the plants we have here, with the qualified and trained employees they have here, to build it here, and ship it there?
No, I guess it is easier to ask for tax payer's dollars and move their operations over seas.
here is the article: http://www.theautochannel.com/news/2008/11/07/224691.html
AIG
When is a bonus, not a bonus? When you use different words to describe a stinking rose. Let's call it.... "A retention payment". Yes, that sounds good. So when you are making 4 million a year, your boss wants to hand you another million as a "retention", so you stick around for another year and "earn" another 4 million of tax payer dollars for the next 12 months.
These people will stay on until the well runs dry. YOU, the taxpayer, own 90% of AIG. These are in effect, government employees since it is no longer a privately financed company and yet, they are paid more than the Senators, the Congressmen or the President.
*note to self.... apply for employment as executive with AIG*
Back to reality.... According to AIG spokesperson, they need to make these payments to retain "the talent". I ask you, what talent? If they had any they would not be in the situation they are in.
I suggest we all screw up royally at work and do our best to bring the company to the brink of disaster and test the company loyalty to us by seeing what our "retention" check would be. Wanna bet that we are shown the door by the real talent in the company?.
The financial bailout was a bad idea then, and it is a bad idea now. We are witnessing the most blatant bank robbery in the history of the world and they don't even bother to wear ski masks to do it.
Meanwhile, our neighbors, family and friends have lost their jobs and we have reached the highest unemployment rate in the history of this country.
There is no middle class anymore, just the wealthy lining up their pockets in total glee with taxpayer's dollars.
I am sure their holidays will be jolly since the business of making money is still going strong.
Bank of America, Stanley tools and Sara Lee are going to cut thousands of jobs. Sara Lee is going to be outsourcing hundreds of jobs. KayBee toys is closing their doors.
Joy to the World! (Maybe some will trickle down in our direction)
Maybe, just maybe, someone is going to realize that the greatest consumers in the planet cannot fulfill their mandate without paying jobs? Without a roof over their heads? Without financial security and a future to look forward to? Without their retirement savings having been plundered?
Just a thought.
PEACE to all
Showing posts with label Paulson. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Paulson. Show all posts
Friday, December 12, 2008
Wednesday, December 3, 2008
Big 3 Bailout
ON THE BIG 3
It has been on every channel:
How did the Big 3 arrive to the hearings? ~ In private jets. Outrage at the lack of connection between the lives of most Americans and the fact that they are arriving in luxury to beg for money. Except that they weren't begging, they were expecting it and demanding it.
Their level of perceived arrogance has not escaped the public. The latest poll shows that over 60% of the public does not want to bail out these people with loan that will pay interest.
To be honest, this is money we are likely to get back, as opposed to Paulson's dealings with the financial and insurance companies. Our great-grandchildren will most likely be paying off this horrific giveaway.
The Big 3 arrived the second time around for their begging/demanding session with Congress by more modest, less polluting ways, but is it too late? Are Americans too fried to give a damn anymore about big corporations when they are loosing, or have lost, their homes and jobs?
Who is bailing out the economy and rushing to make sure that the individual American does not have to hit in shame the food banks and food stamps just to have something on the table? Where is the rush to action?
Perhaps this is the reason we are sick and tired of these companies and their plights due to their lack of leadership, foresight and self control.
ON MEDICAL.
It is happening around the country; your parents or your kids, maybe even yours, medications are no longer approved by the insurance company you pay into. The elderly and disabled are on Medicare and they change to part D (XYZ) on a yearly basis to obtain the most coverage. A formulary is used by most to determine which way to go.
The book looks like a phone book, the paperwork and amount of scrutiny is time consuming and there are time limits in which to make this decision and can only be changed on a yearly basis.
Nothing prevents the pharma portion from changing what they cover, how much and how often. Now, to add insult to injury, the are pitting the medical offices against the patients by demanding prior authorization for a medication the ill person needs and has had covered for years.
The pharmacist states that it is no longer covered and to call the insurance company or pay out of pocket (no reimbursement on the horizon either).
The insurance company tells you to call the doc and have them request authorization, the doc calls the insurance co., and they say there was never a problem and to just have the patient call the pharmacy to refill the order.
You call the pharmacy and they call the insurance company who states to have the patient call the doctor's office and request authorization.
This was a typical day in the life of a spousal caregiver. Unfortunately, this one day was GroundHog Day because it lasted 2 weeks.
Smarty pants that I am, I started this before the meds run out completely, you see, my oldest has asthma and she could just drop dead if she has no inhaler and the attack is severe and in school. Nice, huh?
Well, then there is also the husband's meds. The ones that are supposed to alleviate one thing, and in exchange will produce all sorts of nasty side effects that will cause additional physical distress.
I find out from the doctor's office that the elderly people they provide services for are doing without their medication because they are being denied medications left and right. They are complaining that their reimbursements stink and often times they are not getting paid.
And yet, the medical community balks at the idea of a National Health Care system. Go figure!
Most of us are performing daily miracles and we have never asked for help or sympathy, but we sure as hell would appreciate not having to fight with an insurance company over covered benefits.
THE RICH & THE GOLD DIGGER.
I just read an article about "toxic wives" and how quickly the rats abandon a sinking ship. It is funny and sad all at once. Funny because of the macabre nature of these relationships and the sad because maybe at some level, the poor sap was under the impression that he was loved as a human being, not an ATM. The article is titled: Recession; when the money goes, so does the toxic wife. It is very well written and it gives us a little perspective on what their lives are truly like. Ah! to have those money problems! poor saps!
NEW ORLEANS? IS THAT NOT TAKEN CARE OF YET?
Nope! not yet, we still have people living on the streets, cardboard boxes and tents. Clean up is not done, displaced residents are unable to come home (what home?) and the FEMA trailers are a toxic disaster that are not being maintained because the formaldehyde and other cancer causing agents are too dangerous for government employees, volunteers and vendors to reside in or to work on.
Of course, it is perfectly fine for Katrina victims to reside in and raise their little ones there for years on end too. The health problems and increase in cancers, such as leukemia and breathing disorders are all in their heads, just like our economic woes.
I am sure you heard Bill Graham telling you we were a Nation of whiners and it was all imaginary (maybe that is the real reason McCain lost this election, because this bozo was his financial guru.... and Lord! even the most staunch Republican found this to be insulting).
Which brings us to the next financial whack-over-the-head to the average American....
CREDIT CARDS
Apparently, credit cards are now going to decide what your credit limit really is, without telling you.
You see, they need to protect themselves against your luxury spending (probably the way you are feeding your family and paying the heating bill).
Please be aware that there is a clause in your contract with them (the only part that needs to be honored, you see?) and if you go above your credit limit, there will be hell to pay, by way of penalties, increased percentage rate will be automatic (their current 28% is not enough), and Gulp! they could denmand payment in full (Ha! if you had it, why would you be using a credit card?) and close your account... and send the collection agencies against you... and put liens on your assets... and... Well, you get the idea.
Please check your balance and current credit limit before they get you in a new technicality.
KATRINA AND IKE
Katrina's disaster is not the only thing that has not been taken care of. If you live in Texas you know full well that you got 30 miles of debris with rotting corpses that has not been cleaned up as promised by your favorite son (the one that is moving back in with you come January). Maybe the fact that Bush is moving back to Texas, that alone will light a fire under him to clean up the mess that Ike left behind. One can only hope. Read about it here, straight from Texas.
Katrina is just going to have to wait, all those billions of dollars meant to help people have disappeared as quickly as the billions "missing" in Iraq and the Billions Paulson can't account for... WHAT? Paulson? Say it is not so....
PAULSON
Apparently, the Treasury does not know where the 700 billion went or are going, or how much is left and there is no oversight and no accountability (which is how we got into this in the first place).
If you wish to read the full report, you can find it here.
In the meantime, Paulson keeps fighting to get the remainder and continue to inflate the banks with money they are not lending to the consumers but the Congress is not happy with the above report and a monkey wrench is being thrown into Paulson's... Plan? ... does he have one? ... is he making it up as he goes along?... The Associate Press article fully describes the GAO report in more easy to understand terms, but the bottom line is that the lack of transparency and accountability are a sort of concern (ya think?), and there is a disturbing stubborness to continue to pay executives a king's ransom just for being their arrogant selves..... Oh, boy!
GEORGE W. BUSH
More than a lame duck, an inefficient, ineffectual and incompetent moron. On his latest interview with Charlie Gibson he stated that the most regretable thing in his administration had been the faulty intelligence that led to the war in Iraq.
Fair enough, now shut up and don't say another word.... but no, he continues to answer questions. Charlie Gibson flat out asked him, "... if he had knowledge that there were no weapons of mass destruction would we not gone to war with Iraq?" This is the point where someone in a dark suit should have come in and claimed "urgent matters" and end the interview, but no, he had to answer with: "I don't know, it is not a do-over".
Okay now, The Weapons of Mass Destruction was the ONLY reason to go into Iraq, so if the intelligence had stated that there would not be any, this guy thinks that we would have gone into Iraq anyway?... he is not certain that we would not have.
Can you say OIL baby? OIL, that is all this was about and we could not even manage this right. Oh, wait, we did. H.burton is swimming in it. Good job!
PRESIDENT ELECT OBAMA
Thank God we are going to have grownups running the show. Great new team filled with not only intelligent people but people who have demonstrated their skills and abilities and have the same goal in mind: The American People. Who would have thunk it? civil servants at the beck and call of the people. Someone should write a Constitution about a government being by and for the people. Maybe it will happen.
The best part of this new Administration is that is not filled with incompetent fools that are kindergarten chums, or drinking buddies of yester- year... or a cousin of a good friend. We are actually getting grown ups!
WAL-MART FRENZY
Who is responsible?
I am going out on a limb on this one, but I am willing to say that it is the store because they lacked security, they build up a frenzy of a mob mentality and did not take their employees safety into consideration.
Others will disagree, but I think that when a mob mentality is fostered and people behave badly (like beating up people because they are of different religion, race, ethnic background, etc), then those who incite that mood and encourage that attitude are responsible, period.
Really, how desperate are times where a man gets trampled to death so some "lucky" shopper can purchase outdated technology for $20.00 less?
No crowd control, no training and lots of hours of people in line. Wally World is at fault in my opinion.
Okay folks! Have a good evening and as always...
PEACE to you all
http://www.spousalcaregiver.com/
http://www.wellspouse.org/ for support and information
It has been on every channel:
How did the Big 3 arrive to the hearings? ~ In private jets. Outrage at the lack of connection between the lives of most Americans and the fact that they are arriving in luxury to beg for money. Except that they weren't begging, they were expecting it and demanding it.
Their level of perceived arrogance has not escaped the public. The latest poll shows that over 60% of the public does not want to bail out these people with loan that will pay interest.
To be honest, this is money we are likely to get back, as opposed to Paulson's dealings with the financial and insurance companies. Our great-grandchildren will most likely be paying off this horrific giveaway.
The Big 3 arrived the second time around for their begging/demanding session with Congress by more modest, less polluting ways, but is it too late? Are Americans too fried to give a damn anymore about big corporations when they are loosing, or have lost, their homes and jobs?
Who is bailing out the economy and rushing to make sure that the individual American does not have to hit in shame the food banks and food stamps just to have something on the table? Where is the rush to action?
Perhaps this is the reason we are sick and tired of these companies and their plights due to their lack of leadership, foresight and self control.
ON MEDICAL.
It is happening around the country; your parents or your kids, maybe even yours, medications are no longer approved by the insurance company you pay into. The elderly and disabled are on Medicare and they change to part D (XYZ) on a yearly basis to obtain the most coverage. A formulary is used by most to determine which way to go.
The book looks like a phone book, the paperwork and amount of scrutiny is time consuming and there are time limits in which to make this decision and can only be changed on a yearly basis.
Nothing prevents the pharma portion from changing what they cover, how much and how often. Now, to add insult to injury, the are pitting the medical offices against the patients by demanding prior authorization for a medication the ill person needs and has had covered for years.
The pharmacist states that it is no longer covered and to call the insurance company or pay out of pocket (no reimbursement on the horizon either).
The insurance company tells you to call the doc and have them request authorization, the doc calls the insurance co., and they say there was never a problem and to just have the patient call the pharmacy to refill the order.
You call the pharmacy and they call the insurance company who states to have the patient call the doctor's office and request authorization.
This was a typical day in the life of a spousal caregiver. Unfortunately, this one day was GroundHog Day because it lasted 2 weeks.
Smarty pants that I am, I started this before the meds run out completely, you see, my oldest has asthma and she could just drop dead if she has no inhaler and the attack is severe and in school. Nice, huh?
Well, then there is also the husband's meds. The ones that are supposed to alleviate one thing, and in exchange will produce all sorts of nasty side effects that will cause additional physical distress.
I find out from the doctor's office that the elderly people they provide services for are doing without their medication because they are being denied medications left and right. They are complaining that their reimbursements stink and often times they are not getting paid.
And yet, the medical community balks at the idea of a National Health Care system. Go figure!
Most of us are performing daily miracles and we have never asked for help or sympathy, but we sure as hell would appreciate not having to fight with an insurance company over covered benefits.
THE RICH & THE GOLD DIGGER.
I just read an article about "toxic wives" and how quickly the rats abandon a sinking ship. It is funny and sad all at once. Funny because of the macabre nature of these relationships and the sad because maybe at some level, the poor sap was under the impression that he was loved as a human being, not an ATM. The article is titled: Recession; when the money goes, so does the toxic wife. It is very well written and it gives us a little perspective on what their lives are truly like. Ah! to have those money problems! poor saps!
NEW ORLEANS? IS THAT NOT TAKEN CARE OF YET?
Nope! not yet, we still have people living on the streets, cardboard boxes and tents. Clean up is not done, displaced residents are unable to come home (what home?) and the FEMA trailers are a toxic disaster that are not being maintained because the formaldehyde and other cancer causing agents are too dangerous for government employees, volunteers and vendors to reside in or to work on.
Of course, it is perfectly fine for Katrina victims to reside in and raise their little ones there for years on end too. The health problems and increase in cancers, such as leukemia and breathing disorders are all in their heads, just like our economic woes.
I am sure you heard Bill Graham telling you we were a Nation of whiners and it was all imaginary (maybe that is the real reason McCain lost this election, because this bozo was his financial guru.... and Lord! even the most staunch Republican found this to be insulting).
Which brings us to the next financial whack-over-the-head to the average American....
CREDIT CARDS
Apparently, credit cards are now going to decide what your credit limit really is, without telling you.
You see, they need to protect themselves against your luxury spending (probably the way you are feeding your family and paying the heating bill).
Please be aware that there is a clause in your contract with them (the only part that needs to be honored, you see?) and if you go above your credit limit, there will be hell to pay, by way of penalties, increased percentage rate will be automatic (their current 28% is not enough), and Gulp! they could denmand payment in full (Ha! if you had it, why would you be using a credit card?) and close your account... and send the collection agencies against you... and put liens on your assets... and... Well, you get the idea.
Please check your balance and current credit limit before they get you in a new technicality.
KATRINA AND IKE
Katrina's disaster is not the only thing that has not been taken care of. If you live in Texas you know full well that you got 30 miles of debris with rotting corpses that has not been cleaned up as promised by your favorite son (the one that is moving back in with you come January). Maybe the fact that Bush is moving back to Texas, that alone will light a fire under him to clean up the mess that Ike left behind. One can only hope. Read about it here, straight from Texas.
Katrina is just going to have to wait, all those billions of dollars meant to help people have disappeared as quickly as the billions "missing" in Iraq and the Billions Paulson can't account for... WHAT? Paulson? Say it is not so....
PAULSON
Apparently, the Treasury does not know where the 700 billion went or are going, or how much is left and there is no oversight and no accountability (which is how we got into this in the first place).
If you wish to read the full report, you can find it here.
In the meantime, Paulson keeps fighting to get the remainder and continue to inflate the banks with money they are not lending to the consumers but the Congress is not happy with the above report and a monkey wrench is being thrown into Paulson's... Plan? ... does he have one? ... is he making it up as he goes along?... The Associate Press article fully describes the GAO report in more easy to understand terms, but the bottom line is that the lack of transparency and accountability are a sort of concern (ya think?), and there is a disturbing stubborness to continue to pay executives a king's ransom just for being their arrogant selves..... Oh, boy!
GEORGE W. BUSH
More than a lame duck, an inefficient, ineffectual and incompetent moron. On his latest interview with Charlie Gibson he stated that the most regretable thing in his administration had been the faulty intelligence that led to the war in Iraq.
Fair enough, now shut up and don't say another word.... but no, he continues to answer questions. Charlie Gibson flat out asked him, "... if he had knowledge that there were no weapons of mass destruction would we not gone to war with Iraq?" This is the point where someone in a dark suit should have come in and claimed "urgent matters" and end the interview, but no, he had to answer with: "I don't know, it is not a do-over".
Okay now, The Weapons of Mass Destruction was the ONLY reason to go into Iraq, so if the intelligence had stated that there would not be any, this guy thinks that we would have gone into Iraq anyway?... he is not certain that we would not have.
Can you say OIL baby? OIL, that is all this was about and we could not even manage this right. Oh, wait, we did. H.burton is swimming in it. Good job!
PRESIDENT ELECT OBAMA
Thank God we are going to have grownups running the show. Great new team filled with not only intelligent people but people who have demonstrated their skills and abilities and have the same goal in mind: The American People. Who would have thunk it? civil servants at the beck and call of the people. Someone should write a Constitution about a government being by and for the people. Maybe it will happen.
The best part of this new Administration is that is not filled with incompetent fools that are kindergarten chums, or drinking buddies of yester- year... or a cousin of a good friend. We are actually getting grown ups!
WAL-MART FRENZY
Who is responsible?
I am going out on a limb on this one, but I am willing to say that it is the store because they lacked security, they build up a frenzy of a mob mentality and did not take their employees safety into consideration.
Others will disagree, but I think that when a mob mentality is fostered and people behave badly (like beating up people because they are of different religion, race, ethnic background, etc), then those who incite that mood and encourage that attitude are responsible, period.
Really, how desperate are times where a man gets trampled to death so some "lucky" shopper can purchase outdated technology for $20.00 less?
No crowd control, no training and lots of hours of people in line. Wally World is at fault in my opinion.
Okay folks! Have a good evening and as always...
PEACE to you all
http://www.spousalcaregiver.com/
http://www.wellspouse.org/ for support and information
Tuesday, November 25, 2008
It must be the holiday season
Everyone is getting a billion or so.
Maybe it will really trickle down this time.
Hope springs eternal.
Big 3
If it weren't for the fact that they kept saying that the American Public demanded SUV that sucked a gallon of gas with every inch, I would be more inclined to be kinder, but the fact is that the American Public has never been given a chance or choice by the automakers.
When an electric car cost more than a downpayment on a house, it makes people opt for a lower priced alternative and keep polluting the air with "cheap" gas.
My guess is that when they all figure a way to charge $3.00 per Kilowatt, we will have our choice of electric cars and available in every color.
If it weren't for the fact that not rescuing these companies would cost millions in unemployment benefits and send the supporting industries into a tailspin, I would not be so incline to loan them the money (not that anyone asked me, but just in case my opinion is required at some point).
I am still rankled by the opening of a GM Russian plant, here is why:
"By Paul Abelsky
Nov. 7 (Bloomberg) -- General Motors Corp., the world's biggest carmaker, opened a $300 million factory in Russia as it looks to compensate for slumping sales in western Europe and North America.
The plant in the Shushary district on the outskirts of St. Petersburg will produce 70,000 Chevrolet Captiva sport-utility vehicles and the Opel Astra, with plans to manufacture the Chevrolet Cruze compact car next year.
``Our strategy is to become the leading manufacturer in Russia,'' Carl-Peter Forster, GM's chief for Europe, told reporters during the plant opening today. ``For us Russia is not an emerging market. Russia emerged long ago.''
The new plant ``is an example of a good investment project that's oriented toward the future,'' Russian President Dmitry Medvedev told reporters. He called on GM to boost output at the plant.
Forster said the production schedule won't be revised now as the car market has soured. The new plant will employ 981 people, and that may increase to 1,700 next year. .... " This is an excerp from Bloomberg.com and many thanks to Paul Albelsky for the detailed report.
Based on this article, I am of the opinion that GM already has factories here and people who know how to build cars. Therefore, logic follows that instead of spending $300 million over there, they could have SAVED it here. Also, producing over 70,000 cars MADE IN AMERICA would go a long way to boost our sagging economy, furthermore, we would actually be EXPORTING something.
Some of us are willing to settle for American lapel pins made in America instead of China. (less lead is always a good thing)
The second part of this story is the continued lying about being years away from producing a fuel effecient car, since FORD already makes a car in Europe that gives 65 mpg and according to them, they can't afford to sell it here.
Here is the linky with a lovely picture of a car (Ford Fiesta ECOnetic) I would love to own (in that same color is fine).
Let's say they are right as rain (just go along with it for a minute) and they really cannot afford to sell it here. How about BUILDING it here? is that also a far reach for them?, Once again, we would be EXPORTING something and all dependent industries would benefit greatly. More production, more jobs, better economy.
If all of this does not smack of bringing our country to a screeching halt and reversing our economy, education and citizens towards the 19th century.... Oh, wait! it has to be further back than that, that was the era of industrialization....
..My bad!
What Congress needs to do
In my not so humble opinion is beat the crap out of Paulson and demand a cohesive plan from him. They obviously know how to do this since they have requested the same from the Auto Makers.
On the financial bailout, we are all just wondering how long is it going to take before our collective heads explode.
First off, Citi Group was bailed out in the middle of the night to the tune of over 300 BILLION dollars. No problem. We can print more money, we still have trees left and when those are gone, they'll start a collection in our neighborhoods while taxing us for having one too many.
In case we are loosing track of how much money has gone out, let me refresh your memory by simply stating that to date, it has been almost 8 TRILLION dollars (7.8 or something like that).
I don't know if you can stomach this or not, but here it goes:
As soon as Wells Fargo gets sold, the big wigs will receive a compensation package deemed to be earmarked as severance pay, of over 28 BILLION dollars, a large (enormous, actually) portion will go to the largest shareholder at Citibank. If this guy was poor before, he would not be after that.
The kicker is that this particular shareholder is the richest man in the world and he is still entitled to the 98 million dollars. His name is Prince Alwaleed (Saudi Arabia, of course) and he needs this money, let alone deserve it, like the middle class deserves to be homeless and unemployed.
In his defense (ha!) he made the supreme effort of injecting a large amount of money to increase his stake in the bank AFTER the government agreed to shower CitiBank with our tax dollars. You can read about here.
But hey! as long as the tax payers have a pint of blood left, we are doing our patriotic duty.
Or are we? ~ Maybe we are just too tired to print out all this stuff and shove it down Congress throats.
All I can see is the current administration making sure that there is not a single penny left before they leave office. Time is running out and drastic measures need to take place. Paulson is moving as quickly as he can.... Gosh Darn it! there is some loose change left in couch, Paulson is not doing his job!
Laugh if you can, it seems that is all we got left ... for now. That pint of blood will be gone shortly if this current administration has its way. They have sough to undermine work that took over 20 yrs to protect our lands and maintaining our National Treasures free from greed. In the middle of the night (do you see a pattern here? Just like thieves) during the busiest political day (November 4th, the day we revolted and chose to elect someone who gave us hope for the future and a departure from the hell the past 8 yrs have been for middle America) they truly have it in for our Country, its land and its people, here is an excerpt from the Huffinton Post that preceded an interview with Robert Redford by Rachel Maddow:
"The Bureau of Land Management cynically chose November 4 to announce a last-minute plan to lease huge swaths of majestic wilderness in eastern Utah for oil and gas extraction one month before President-elect Obama takes office.
As its clock runs out, the Bush administration also is trying to open-up drilling all over the Rockies and Alaska, to green-light oil shale leasing, and to weaken the Endangered Species Act. Though sad, it's no surprise, coming as it does from the same crowd that designed a misguided national energy policy in secret meetings with the oil, gas and coal industries."
You can read the full article at the huffington post website. (nicely linked for your convenience)
But if land and our environment are not of interest to you, don't worry, they have more up their collective sleeves and they are far from done, no, not yet. The highlighted link will take you tog to Bill Moyer's Journal and it explains quite well how other things you may consider hard fought for and now permanent are not so permanent and we must fight even harder.
I hope we are not too tired because until these thieves leave office, we need to be extra vigilant. For instance; your medical leave, your work safety regulations are all at risk of going Buh-bye and the citizen surveillance would increase by allowing the locals to do what the Feds are doing.
Whoa! I guess George Orwell was not that far off the mark, was he?
And I hate conspiracy theories because I like to have cold hard facts to base my opinions on, but when the hard cold facts are in front of us and the conspiracy no longer feels like a bunch of renagades cooked this up in a collaborative effort of midnight talks while "spacing out" on home grown "herbal remedies".... well, ... it is downright frightening to have elected officials have such disregard for the law and so blatant in their efforts to undermine a government that is "for the people" and has now become their playground.
So, before Bush and his band of crooks leaves office we are going to be in worse shape than we have been so far. If you did not think it was possible because there is not enough time, you have understimated their determination and the lure of greed that awaits them once they leave public office.
Or maybe... there is really a true conspiracy and the whole effort to "divide and conquer" is not a bad dream but a nighmare that even Russians think is going to happen. According to Mr Paranin, a political Russian Analyst, the United States will split up into several parts.
You can read about it all here and even though, I was going to dismiss this bit of news as some ideological nonsense, after reading his reasoning for making this prediction more than once, I am not so sure that this could not happen.
For years, it has been politically necessary to pit citizens agains each other based on inconsequential things, but by repeating the mantra long and hard, it became news and hatred and prejudiced abounded against one another.
The perpetuation of stereotypes just added fuel to the flames and now we have people in this country believing that we have elected a muslim (so what? there is freedom of Religion right? Not so, apparently, we are all free to be Cristian and nothing else). Personally, I like freedom from Religion a lot better, but to each its own.
We have others who believe that everyone in the South and Central part of the country is uneducated, unsophisticated and completely arrogant in their missinformed ways.
We have those in the middle and south thinking that those in the East and West have no moral values and no God.
Let's hope these, and other, attitudes will go by the wayside and we can come together as a Nation and work towards the common good, because I still have faith and hope that we can acommplish this.
No, I am not naive, I do remember Katrina and its aftermath, I do remember 9/11 and its horrific set backs, but what I remember most was the entire country helping one another. And that my friends, is AMERICA.
Happy Thanksgiving to you and yours.
PEACE to all.
Maybe it will really trickle down this time.
Hope springs eternal.
Big 3
If it weren't for the fact that they kept saying that the American Public demanded SUV that sucked a gallon of gas with every inch, I would be more inclined to be kinder, but the fact is that the American Public has never been given a chance or choice by the automakers.
When an electric car cost more than a downpayment on a house, it makes people opt for a lower priced alternative and keep polluting the air with "cheap" gas.
My guess is that when they all figure a way to charge $3.00 per Kilowatt, we will have our choice of electric cars and available in every color.
If it weren't for the fact that not rescuing these companies would cost millions in unemployment benefits and send the supporting industries into a tailspin, I would not be so incline to loan them the money (not that anyone asked me, but just in case my opinion is required at some point).
I am still rankled by the opening of a GM Russian plant, here is why:
"By Paul Abelsky
Nov. 7 (Bloomberg) -- General Motors Corp., the world's biggest carmaker, opened a $300 million factory in Russia as it looks to compensate for slumping sales in western Europe and North America.
The plant in the Shushary district on the outskirts of St. Petersburg will produce 70,000 Chevrolet Captiva sport-utility vehicles and the Opel Astra, with plans to manufacture the Chevrolet Cruze compact car next year.
``Our strategy is to become the leading manufacturer in Russia,'' Carl-Peter Forster, GM's chief for Europe, told reporters during the plant opening today. ``For us Russia is not an emerging market. Russia emerged long ago.''
The new plant ``is an example of a good investment project that's oriented toward the future,'' Russian President Dmitry Medvedev told reporters. He called on GM to boost output at the plant.
Forster said the production schedule won't be revised now as the car market has soured. The new plant will employ 981 people, and that may increase to 1,700 next year. .... " This is an excerp from Bloomberg.com and many thanks to Paul Albelsky for the detailed report.
Based on this article, I am of the opinion that GM already has factories here and people who know how to build cars. Therefore, logic follows that instead of spending $300 million over there, they could have SAVED it here. Also, producing over 70,000 cars MADE IN AMERICA would go a long way to boost our sagging economy, furthermore, we would actually be EXPORTING something.
Some of us are willing to settle for American lapel pins made in America instead of China. (less lead is always a good thing)
The second part of this story is the continued lying about being years away from producing a fuel effecient car, since FORD already makes a car in Europe that gives 65 mpg and according to them, they can't afford to sell it here.
Here is the linky with a lovely picture of a car (Ford Fiesta ECOnetic) I would love to own (in that same color is fine).
Let's say they are right as rain (just go along with it for a minute) and they really cannot afford to sell it here. How about BUILDING it here? is that also a far reach for them?, Once again, we would be EXPORTING something and all dependent industries would benefit greatly. More production, more jobs, better economy.
If all of this does not smack of bringing our country to a screeching halt and reversing our economy, education and citizens towards the 19th century.... Oh, wait! it has to be further back than that, that was the era of industrialization....
..My bad!
What Congress needs to do
In my not so humble opinion is beat the crap out of Paulson and demand a cohesive plan from him. They obviously know how to do this since they have requested the same from the Auto Makers.
On the financial bailout, we are all just wondering how long is it going to take before our collective heads explode.
First off, Citi Group was bailed out in the middle of the night to the tune of over 300 BILLION dollars. No problem. We can print more money, we still have trees left and when those are gone, they'll start a collection in our neighborhoods while taxing us for having one too many.
In case we are loosing track of how much money has gone out, let me refresh your memory by simply stating that to date, it has been almost 8 TRILLION dollars (7.8 or something like that).
I don't know if you can stomach this or not, but here it goes:
As soon as Wells Fargo gets sold, the big wigs will receive a compensation package deemed to be earmarked as severance pay, of over 28 BILLION dollars, a large (enormous, actually) portion will go to the largest shareholder at Citibank. If this guy was poor before, he would not be after that.
The kicker is that this particular shareholder is the richest man in the world and he is still entitled to the 98 million dollars. His name is Prince Alwaleed (Saudi Arabia, of course) and he needs this money, let alone deserve it, like the middle class deserves to be homeless and unemployed.
In his defense (ha!) he made the supreme effort of injecting a large amount of money to increase his stake in the bank AFTER the government agreed to shower CitiBank with our tax dollars. You can read about here.
But hey! as long as the tax payers have a pint of blood left, we are doing our patriotic duty.
Or are we? ~ Maybe we are just too tired to print out all this stuff and shove it down Congress throats.
All I can see is the current administration making sure that there is not a single penny left before they leave office. Time is running out and drastic measures need to take place. Paulson is moving as quickly as he can.... Gosh Darn it! there is some loose change left in couch, Paulson is not doing his job!
Laugh if you can, it seems that is all we got left ... for now. That pint of blood will be gone shortly if this current administration has its way. They have sough to undermine work that took over 20 yrs to protect our lands and maintaining our National Treasures free from greed. In the middle of the night (do you see a pattern here? Just like thieves) during the busiest political day (November 4th, the day we revolted and chose to elect someone who gave us hope for the future and a departure from the hell the past 8 yrs have been for middle America) they truly have it in for our Country, its land and its people, here is an excerpt from the Huffinton Post that preceded an interview with Robert Redford by Rachel Maddow:
"The Bureau of Land Management cynically chose November 4 to announce a last-minute plan to lease huge swaths of majestic wilderness in eastern Utah for oil and gas extraction one month before President-elect Obama takes office.
As its clock runs out, the Bush administration also is trying to open-up drilling all over the Rockies and Alaska, to green-light oil shale leasing, and to weaken the Endangered Species Act. Though sad, it's no surprise, coming as it does from the same crowd that designed a misguided national energy policy in secret meetings with the oil, gas and coal industries."
You can read the full article at the huffington post website. (nicely linked for your convenience)
But if land and our environment are not of interest to you, don't worry, they have more up their collective sleeves and they are far from done, no, not yet. The highlighted link will take you tog to Bill Moyer's Journal and it explains quite well how other things you may consider hard fought for and now permanent are not so permanent and we must fight even harder.
I hope we are not too tired because until these thieves leave office, we need to be extra vigilant. For instance; your medical leave, your work safety regulations are all at risk of going Buh-bye and the citizen surveillance would increase by allowing the locals to do what the Feds are doing.
Whoa! I guess George Orwell was not that far off the mark, was he?
And I hate conspiracy theories because I like to have cold hard facts to base my opinions on, but when the hard cold facts are in front of us and the conspiracy no longer feels like a bunch of renagades cooked this up in a collaborative effort of midnight talks while "spacing out" on home grown "herbal remedies".... well, ... it is downright frightening to have elected officials have such disregard for the law and so blatant in their efforts to undermine a government that is "for the people" and has now become their playground.
So, before Bush and his band of crooks leaves office we are going to be in worse shape than we have been so far. If you did not think it was possible because there is not enough time, you have understimated their determination and the lure of greed that awaits them once they leave public office.
Or maybe... there is really a true conspiracy and the whole effort to "divide and conquer" is not a bad dream but a nighmare that even Russians think is going to happen. According to Mr Paranin, a political Russian Analyst, the United States will split up into several parts.
You can read about it all here and even though, I was going to dismiss this bit of news as some ideological nonsense, after reading his reasoning for making this prediction more than once, I am not so sure that this could not happen.
For years, it has been politically necessary to pit citizens agains each other based on inconsequential things, but by repeating the mantra long and hard, it became news and hatred and prejudiced abounded against one another.
The perpetuation of stereotypes just added fuel to the flames and now we have people in this country believing that we have elected a muslim (so what? there is freedom of Religion right? Not so, apparently, we are all free to be Cristian and nothing else). Personally, I like freedom from Religion a lot better, but to each its own.
We have others who believe that everyone in the South and Central part of the country is uneducated, unsophisticated and completely arrogant in their missinformed ways.
We have those in the middle and south thinking that those in the East and West have no moral values and no God.
Let's hope these, and other, attitudes will go by the wayside and we can come together as a Nation and work towards the common good, because I still have faith and hope that we can acommplish this.
No, I am not naive, I do remember Katrina and its aftermath, I do remember 9/11 and its horrific set backs, but what I remember most was the entire country helping one another. And that my friends, is AMERICA.
Happy Thanksgiving to you and yours.
PEACE to all.
Sunday, November 9, 2008
The new administration
Here are some of the recent appointments to make a smooth transition and of course, the constant complaining about choices made.
I would just love it if people started to "suck it up" and give someone that has been running for the highest office in land a brake! ~ This president elect needs to take a vacation and spend quality time with his family before the inauguration, because as the current president stated: "we want this new administration to hit the ground running" by promising a smooth transition.
Obama has been running a magnificent, worthy of emulation, grass root campaign. If nothing else makes it into the history books, this definitely is something worthy of admiration from an organizational and tactical point of view.
From Politico.com we get the following information:
Robert Gibbs, a top aide to Sen. Barack Obama (D-Ill.) on his campaign and in his Senate office, will be named the White House press secretary, a top Democratic official said. Gibbs was usually the senior official on Air Obama, the campaign plane. As communications director of Obama's Senate office, Gibbs was a key strategist in Obama's rapid move to the national stage.
Transition planning is still at an early stage and the job has not been formally offered or accepted, officials said....
Mr. Emmanuel is the new chief of staff and he is the new red meat for the so called "republican party"
The full report can be read in the CBS website , below is an excerpt:
Rep. Rahm Emanuel, D-Ill., sponsor of the de-funding amendment, noted that five years ago Cheney claimed executive privilege in refusing to release details about his meetings with oil industry executives to discuss energy policy. "Now when we want to know what he's doing as it relates to America's national security in the lead-up to the war in Iraq and after the fact, the vice president has declared he is a member of the legislative branch." Therefore, Emanuel said, "we will no longer fund the executive branch of his office and he can live off the funding for the Senate presidency." The vice president presides as president of the Senate. Hoyer, asked if the amendment would pass, said, "I don't know about that." But he said "we shouldn't fund him in both branches. I think there's going to be consideration of an amendment and that will be discussed." Sen. Dianne Feinstein, D-Calif., speaking Sunday on Fox News Sunday, said Cheney's move was "the height of arrogance." She said it might not be a bad idea that money for Cheney's office be held up until he decides whether or not he's in the executive branch. Cheney's spokesperson Lea Anne McBride said Emanuel's amendment was "pure politics."
Why did I say: "the so called Republican Party?".
Because it is not the party of most republicans. It needs to be renamed to the "Evangelical Party".
Many Republicans would agree that the Republican party was the party of self determination, little to government involvement in people's lives and had a fierce determination in protecting individuals rights and privacy.
This has not been the case in the past 8 years. The Republicans have seen something in this administration that to their core, they repudiate and made them blush in embarrassment. Not a single Democratic Administration could equal the excess of wanton greed, lack of accountability and complete disregard for the laws of the land that the current Bush Administration has exhibited.
It is unfortunate, because the new generation does not know the real republicans. They were the types that one could admire at many levels by their ability to succeed by their own efforts without trampling over the rights and hard work of others.
Some of us old-timers remember that party. This new generation knows the Republican party as the "wing nuts", "the religious freaks". They are viewed as fanatical radicals that are foaming at the mouth with anger and hatred not because a black man is the new president, but because this new president will set back all their hard work to take over our government.
When someone insist that Christianity be part of the equation in government, we have lost something we thought we had on pretty solid standing: Separation of Church and State.
This separation was done on purpose, to protect one from the other. So far, the protection to the religious right has not wavered from the government's point of view. There has been no intrusion and no taxation.
However, the Religious right has done their best to infiltrate their agendas into the political arena with the audacity that a civil servant MUST prove its Christian faith.
THERE should be no religious litmus test. We need our government officials to live 2 separate lives; one of public service to all and, one of personal private faith. One should not taint the other. This is the only way to serve ALL the people, not just the privileged few.
It is the height of arrogance to have these "talking heads" pass judgment on those seeking office based on their religious agendas. I ask you, who made these people an authority in these matters?
It is unbelievable to me that someone like Glen Beck, who is on television with his own show and on CNN could be so arrogant to make the statement that Conservatives (you know, the REAL ones) voted for McCain with the expectation that he would die in office and they would have Palin (someone who can be manipulated by the religious right) in his stead.
You can listen to it here.
And here is the transcript:
Today, radical right-wing blog Red State launched “Project Leper,” an attempt to professionally punish McCain staffers whom Red State’s Erick Erickson perceives to have wronged Gov. Sarah Palin (R-AK). Erikson told Glenn Beck today, “Palin was the best thing that happened to” the McCain campaign. To which, Beck agreed, saying many conservatives told him they supported McCain in hopes he would die in office:
BECK: I mean, I have to tell you if I heard once, I heard 1,000 times from people, and I never said this, never said this on the air because you just don’t say these things, but I heard a million times from people, “I’m going to vote for John McCain and, you know, I mean, he’s old. Maybe we get Sarah Palin in the first term.” You know what I mean?
ERICKSON: Exactly
This is disgusting and the implications of the total disregard for our government and for people who are not like them is downright frightening.
I am delighted that this time around we said NO to these types of agendas. My guess is that after we allowed these people to run our government into the ground, we had ENOUGH!.
Let's face it, if you believe the "end of days" is coming soon and you'll be ascending into the heavens you don't care much how you rape and pillage this earth, since you are not vested in its wellness or the remainder of humanity. (We don't get a one way ticket, we get to stay here).
What is OPERATION LEPER?
It is a movement to protect Sarah Palin as a viable candidate for 2012 and to eradicate any republican official from future office. Not because they are not good republicans but because they are not towing the new party line, the evangelical and radical agenda.
Make no mistake, Sarah Palin has proven herself to be the perfect candidate on two counts; the right to life and the right to bear arms. Period. That is all that is required to lead these people and this country.
No, you don't need to know anything about other countries because they don't matter, we like being isolationist (did you not know this?). We are Mavericks (we do as we please and don't bother with the possible consequences). We insist that those below us are more godly in their behaviour than God, but those above them are not subject to the same rules.
Family values are very strict and everyone who raises their children properly would make them proud of their new batch of "Christian Soldiers" (I repudiate this label with every inch of my intellect).
Jesus Christ was the ultimate social reformer and the kindness and love towards ALL people has never been equaled by any other figure in history. (maybe Ghandi or Mother Teresa, but no one has had as much grip on the human soul and social conciense).
In my opinion, the Religious Right is WRONG and does not speak for Christ or in his stead. HE would be appalled by what has been done in HIS name and the way these people live their lives in hypocrisy.
Remember Palin's daughter? It is okay for her to be pregnant out of wedlock (as well as Palin herself with their first child), but your daughter is nothing more than a whore and you are a lousy parent (should you find yourself in the same situation).
The difference between these types of people and those who are more broad minded is that we know that things do happen, things that are not planned for and that is just a fact of life. We roll with the punches and make the best out of difficult situations.
We don't pass judgment. It is what it is and we are okay with it.
When we do raise our voices to object is when they are calling other people names and while being smirky and derogatory towards others who are in those situations. Then we start comparing apples to apples and they get mad and start taking names, making a list and checking it twice.
OPERATION LEPER:
This link will take you a short version and sources are highlighted in blue.
I feel sorry for Mrs. Palin. No one should be used and abused to serve other people's agendas and I find her to be very persuadable because of her deep convictions in her religious beliefs. Unfortunately, she is not well versed in the larger world environment that in this day and age, is a must to hold any political office.
Many bloggers on cyberspace are better informed than she seems to be.
PAULSON (AGAIN) AND THE BAILOUT (FOLLOW UP)
Apparently our tax dollars is a major cornucopia and with Thanksgiving around the corner.... you would think they would get down on their knees and give thanks to... YOU, the taxpayer.
Instead, they are going to have a wonderful holiday season by using YOUR money to give themselves dividends, salary increases, golden parachutes and whatever tickles their fancy.
The credit to the banks has been eased to the point of being a joke, but to the consumer? no, not to the consumer, they have better and bigger things to do with YOUR money, like purchasing other banks who are in trouble and re-enacting the underwater drama of big fish eats little fish.
In this game, you and I are the plankton, so thus far, we have not entered the picture.
You can read all about it here and don't be shocked if your credit rating is fantabulous and you are having a hard time getting the bank to refinance your home, getting a home equity or car loan, or just getting a better rate on your credit card, because the banks have not extended these courtesy to their customers, just each other.
HOW ABOUT A NOVEMBER SURPRISE?
Did you think we were out of the woods? That Bush had packed his bags and was going to disappear quietly into the night?
We could only hope.
Unfortunately, there are a three months or so, left in this "free for all" administration and they have put on their roller skates and are racing towards a big finish.
What now?, you ask.....
Since we have screwed up the government and the Constitution, now we have to screw up the environment to the best of our abilities. The Bush Administration is rushing to relax environmental protections to benefit the power plants and the mining of uranium and coal near National parks.
If you are concerned about these further deregulation, you may want to read all about it in greater detail here.
PEACE to all
http://www.spousalcaregiver.com
I would just love it if people started to "suck it up" and give someone that has been running for the highest office in land a brake! ~ This president elect needs to take a vacation and spend quality time with his family before the inauguration, because as the current president stated: "we want this new administration to hit the ground running" by promising a smooth transition.
Obama has been running a magnificent, worthy of emulation, grass root campaign. If nothing else makes it into the history books, this definitely is something worthy of admiration from an organizational and tactical point of view.
From Politico.com we get the following information:
Robert Gibbs, a top aide to Sen. Barack Obama (D-Ill.) on his campaign and in his Senate office, will be named the White House press secretary, a top Democratic official said. Gibbs was usually the senior official on Air Obama, the campaign plane. As communications director of Obama's Senate office, Gibbs was a key strategist in Obama's rapid move to the national stage.
Transition planning is still at an early stage and the job has not been formally offered or accepted, officials said....
Mr. Emmanuel is the new chief of staff and he is the new red meat for the so called "republican party"
The full report can be read in the CBS website , below is an excerpt:
Rep. Rahm Emanuel, D-Ill., sponsor of the de-funding amendment, noted that five years ago Cheney claimed executive privilege in refusing to release details about his meetings with oil industry executives to discuss energy policy. "Now when we want to know what he's doing as it relates to America's national security in the lead-up to the war in Iraq and after the fact, the vice president has declared he is a member of the legislative branch." Therefore, Emanuel said, "we will no longer fund the executive branch of his office and he can live off the funding for the Senate presidency." The vice president presides as president of the Senate. Hoyer, asked if the amendment would pass, said, "I don't know about that." But he said "we shouldn't fund him in both branches. I think there's going to be consideration of an amendment and that will be discussed." Sen. Dianne Feinstein, D-Calif., speaking Sunday on Fox News Sunday, said Cheney's move was "the height of arrogance." She said it might not be a bad idea that money for Cheney's office be held up until he decides whether or not he's in the executive branch. Cheney's spokesperson Lea Anne McBride said Emanuel's amendment was "pure politics."
Why did I say: "the so called Republican Party?".
Because it is not the party of most republicans. It needs to be renamed to the "Evangelical Party".
Many Republicans would agree that the Republican party was the party of self determination, little to government involvement in people's lives and had a fierce determination in protecting individuals rights and privacy.
This has not been the case in the past 8 years. The Republicans have seen something in this administration that to their core, they repudiate and made them blush in embarrassment. Not a single Democratic Administration could equal the excess of wanton greed, lack of accountability and complete disregard for the laws of the land that the current Bush Administration has exhibited.
It is unfortunate, because the new generation does not know the real republicans. They were the types that one could admire at many levels by their ability to succeed by their own efforts without trampling over the rights and hard work of others.
Some of us old-timers remember that party. This new generation knows the Republican party as the "wing nuts", "the religious freaks". They are viewed as fanatical radicals that are foaming at the mouth with anger and hatred not because a black man is the new president, but because this new president will set back all their hard work to take over our government.
When someone insist that Christianity be part of the equation in government, we have lost something we thought we had on pretty solid standing: Separation of Church and State.
This separation was done on purpose, to protect one from the other. So far, the protection to the religious right has not wavered from the government's point of view. There has been no intrusion and no taxation.
However, the Religious right has done their best to infiltrate their agendas into the political arena with the audacity that a civil servant MUST prove its Christian faith.
THERE should be no religious litmus test. We need our government officials to live 2 separate lives; one of public service to all and, one of personal private faith. One should not taint the other. This is the only way to serve ALL the people, not just the privileged few.
It is the height of arrogance to have these "talking heads" pass judgment on those seeking office based on their religious agendas. I ask you, who made these people an authority in these matters?
It is unbelievable to me that someone like Glen Beck, who is on television with his own show and on CNN could be so arrogant to make the statement that Conservatives (you know, the REAL ones) voted for McCain with the expectation that he would die in office and they would have Palin (someone who can be manipulated by the religious right) in his stead.
You can listen to it here.
And here is the transcript:
Today, radical right-wing blog Red State launched “Project Leper,” an attempt to professionally punish McCain staffers whom Red State’s Erick Erickson perceives to have wronged Gov. Sarah Palin (R-AK). Erikson told Glenn Beck today, “Palin was the best thing that happened to” the McCain campaign. To which, Beck agreed, saying many conservatives told him they supported McCain in hopes he would die in office:
BECK: I mean, I have to tell you if I heard once, I heard 1,000 times from people, and I never said this, never said this on the air because you just don’t say these things, but I heard a million times from people, “I’m going to vote for John McCain and, you know, I mean, he’s old. Maybe we get Sarah Palin in the first term.” You know what I mean?
ERICKSON: Exactly
This is disgusting and the implications of the total disregard for our government and for people who are not like them is downright frightening.
I am delighted that this time around we said NO to these types of agendas. My guess is that after we allowed these people to run our government into the ground, we had ENOUGH!.
Let's face it, if you believe the "end of days" is coming soon and you'll be ascending into the heavens you don't care much how you rape and pillage this earth, since you are not vested in its wellness or the remainder of humanity. (We don't get a one way ticket, we get to stay here).
What is OPERATION LEPER?
It is a movement to protect Sarah Palin as a viable candidate for 2012 and to eradicate any republican official from future office. Not because they are not good republicans but because they are not towing the new party line, the evangelical and radical agenda.
Make no mistake, Sarah Palin has proven herself to be the perfect candidate on two counts; the right to life and the right to bear arms. Period. That is all that is required to lead these people and this country.
No, you don't need to know anything about other countries because they don't matter, we like being isolationist (did you not know this?). We are Mavericks (we do as we please and don't bother with the possible consequences). We insist that those below us are more godly in their behaviour than God, but those above them are not subject to the same rules.
Family values are very strict and everyone who raises their children properly would make them proud of their new batch of "Christian Soldiers" (I repudiate this label with every inch of my intellect).
Jesus Christ was the ultimate social reformer and the kindness and love towards ALL people has never been equaled by any other figure in history. (maybe Ghandi or Mother Teresa, but no one has had as much grip on the human soul and social conciense).
In my opinion, the Religious Right is WRONG and does not speak for Christ or in his stead. HE would be appalled by what has been done in HIS name and the way these people live their lives in hypocrisy.
Remember Palin's daughter? It is okay for her to be pregnant out of wedlock (as well as Palin herself with their first child), but your daughter is nothing more than a whore and you are a lousy parent (should you find yourself in the same situation).
The difference between these types of people and those who are more broad minded is that we know that things do happen, things that are not planned for and that is just a fact of life. We roll with the punches and make the best out of difficult situations.
We don't pass judgment. It is what it is and we are okay with it.
When we do raise our voices to object is when they are calling other people names and while being smirky and derogatory towards others who are in those situations. Then we start comparing apples to apples and they get mad and start taking names, making a list and checking it twice.
OPERATION LEPER:
This link will take you a short version and sources are highlighted in blue.
I feel sorry for Mrs. Palin. No one should be used and abused to serve other people's agendas and I find her to be very persuadable because of her deep convictions in her religious beliefs. Unfortunately, she is not well versed in the larger world environment that in this day and age, is a must to hold any political office.
Many bloggers on cyberspace are better informed than she seems to be.
PAULSON (AGAIN) AND THE BAILOUT (FOLLOW UP)
Apparently our tax dollars is a major cornucopia and with Thanksgiving around the corner.... you would think they would get down on their knees and give thanks to... YOU, the taxpayer.
Instead, they are going to have a wonderful holiday season by using YOUR money to give themselves dividends, salary increases, golden parachutes and whatever tickles their fancy.
The credit to the banks has been eased to the point of being a joke, but to the consumer? no, not to the consumer, they have better and bigger things to do with YOUR money, like purchasing other banks who are in trouble and re-enacting the underwater drama of big fish eats little fish.
In this game, you and I are the plankton, so thus far, we have not entered the picture.
You can read all about it here and don't be shocked if your credit rating is fantabulous and you are having a hard time getting the bank to refinance your home, getting a home equity or car loan, or just getting a better rate on your credit card, because the banks have not extended these courtesy to their customers, just each other.
HOW ABOUT A NOVEMBER SURPRISE?
Did you think we were out of the woods? That Bush had packed his bags and was going to disappear quietly into the night?
We could only hope.
Unfortunately, there are a three months or so, left in this "free for all" administration and they have put on their roller skates and are racing towards a big finish.
What now?, you ask.....
Since we have screwed up the government and the Constitution, now we have to screw up the environment to the best of our abilities. The Bush Administration is rushing to relax environmental protections to benefit the power plants and the mining of uranium and coal near National parks.
If you are concerned about these further deregulation, you may want to read all about it in greater detail here.
PEACE to all
http://www.spousalcaregiver.com
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