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Give me a break. 99% of them are slimey regardless of party. You're drinking the kool-aid if you think otherwise. Oh and btw - they aren't serving you, the common voter.
Very true. Nothing turns my stomach more than listening to some rich politician putting on like he cares and understands about the problems of the common man. And yet every 4 years we go through this same charade. How they manage to con anyone with their rhetoric I don't know. The system is broken but to fix it you need power and money which they have and the common man hasn't. So welcome more of the same no matter which self-serving arse wins the election. I can't stand pompous Newt, he hasn't a new idea in his head and if you think he cares about you and your current economist plight, you're having hallucinations for sure. Oh, and I don't like Obamanable either.
Ok, I know that I sounded like a horrible fellow, but seriously, I am not an ogar, nor a pansie. I work with realism, accomplishment, and results. Unless new ideas come into the conversation, old methods will grow stale and economies will falter.
Newt has done something that nobody else in DC has done. He's putting ideas into the air to be batted around. Some will be batted down and some will fly forever. Yeah, it's dangerous politically to open up the thinking and designing process, and it's going to cause many people to think he's a jerk because instead of conversing with him and batting ideas around, they would rather bash the idea machine (Newt's brain) rather than the ideas.
I'm voting for Newt because he has ideas, and because he will teach.
Guys, here's your choice. But don't let me mislead you. You think about it. Typical kid in a below poverty home in America.... I've seen it many many times.... Get out of afterschool daycare, where balls are not allowed because somebody might get bruised. Go home, which is likely disheveled, turn on the big flat screen and put my big fat butt on the completely worn out couch and wait for a supper of macaroni and cheese or pizza while sitting in front of the big flat screen with my now fatter butt on the completely worn out couch flipping through the War of the World's video game.
Instead of this scene, why not lead these kids to do something that provides them with true self-esteem, accomplishing a pride building service to the community, but even more a service to their own life.
I know this is a horrible analogy, but put your own story to it, and odds are you'll get the same outcome. Right now, we have a society of diabetic prone teens, who will need governmental health services to stay alive...
I have no disagreement with sweat-shop work, but every kid in America needs a job. They don't need a trophy for showing up, but a self-worth that lets them know they can achieve.
Tomocox, I work my butt off 55-65 hours/week (and you've been down the same "road", so you know what it's like...) I make decent money. For 40 hours a week... For me, it's "extra" money, since we have other household income. But I look at my younger coworkers who are away from their families too much. And the wages we're paid mean that the spouse MUST work to make ends meet. So much for family values... I'd love to volunteer around town to "give back". But, heck, I'm so exhausted at the end of my work week, it's all I can do to relax a little at home after I get the stuff I couldn't do during the week.
If we're the greatest country on earth how come the only thing that matters anymore is corporate profit and not quality of life for everyone...
(As for Newt; why does ANYONE with a brain thinks he gives a rat's rump about anyone in America but the fat cats that stuff his pockets... Just like the rest of the politicians on BOTH sides of the aisle)
Crew, couple of corrections, if I may. 1st) Corporate America is and always has been Democratic, not GOP. The big union staffed corporate firms actually love Democrat ideals, i.e. Buffett & Gates are huge contributors to Dems. The typical GOP is a closely held business owner such as a welding shop, a small town merchant, or a real estate brokerage. Middle America is GOP.
2nd) Corporate profits drive dividends which create wealth in almost every American's non-pension savings and/or retirement funds. (Don't say I like, just saying that most union pensions would be broke without corporate profits.)
When the people of the world learn that supply vs demand is not a phrase, but an economic law equal to the natural laws of gravity, then the world's economies will begin to find balance.
By the way, both spouses working in a family is a choice, not a necessity. I am not certain that a two paycheck family, especially one with children, is a true economical benefit. An example, how many government services (such as extended school hours as a daycare so both can work) are paid for with our tax dollars? Just take that seed and run your family's finances if you weren't paying 35% or more in taxes. What would be the net if your spouse stayed home, raised the kids, and you could really come home with 75% of every dollar (add your income taxes, sales taxes, school taxes, phone taxes, etc, etc.)
Appreciate your response, Tomocox! I wish it were easy to say that the Dems or the GOP are the problem. But it isn't that easy. And the Dems don't seem to be as labor-friendly as they used to be, anyway. I get the frustrations that the small business owners in America face nowadays. And unions, despite all they have done for the American worker are DEFINITELY not the perfect answer (even if there were such a thing).
Now, having said that, Middle America is GOP because they listen to the mainstream media (and I'm talking about BOTH Fox and NBC/ABC/CBS/MSN/CNN; doesn't matter) and take what they hear at face value. Without thinking about it. I believe I'm not unique in my beliefs that I should give 100% to my employer and, in return, should be paid honestly and fairly and treated fairly because I'm helping to make my employer get rich(er). Instead, most of corporate America (as well as too many entrepreneurs) think that workers are just another commodity, like equipment or materials, to be used up at rock bottom wages until they quit or are physically & mentally used up. Then let SOMEONE ELSE pay for their care; I've got MY money, now buzz off... Nah, I'm not a Socialist, but I think Capitalism unchecked is a lot worse than any of the -isms that the uninitiated bandy about these days...
Like I said above, my wages have gone down in that I must work 55-60 hours for the same money that I used to earn in 40 hours Who works 40 hours anymore, anyway? My employer (as most others nowadays) shirks their pension obligations by the dreaded 401K. And my employer doesn't even offer a company match. So, now, we have to squeeze retirement funding out of an already-too-small paycheck???
I'm SO %$#@! tired of the Right Wing media hacks that keep accusing me of wanting to take something the rich rightfully earned. Guess what: I have no problems with my bosses being millionaires; trucking is a tough way to earn a living. But when they can keep dishonest practices like pay-by-the-mile and other stuff that practically guarantees them a never-ending supply of cheap, poorly-trained entry-level drivers that actually affect things like customer service and highway safety in place, they are NOT earning their money honestly. I realize that my frustrations are job-specific to my industry. but it's like that all across America, no matter what industry you're in. I think it's GREAT that people who want to roll up their sleeves, work hard and reap the rewards of it. but SOME of us have to put the rubber to the road for them to succeed. And we just want an honest share in the fruits of our labor and of our nation's bounty.
I also get that corporate profits enrich pension funding and other investments. but, again, the fat cats have skewed the rules to where small investors get taken advantage of all the time. The rules that enable the big investors to play with commodities markets so that the rest of us pay WAAAY too much for things like fuel is unconscionable. That's a whole lot less money we have to spread around in our local economies. I don't want to send money to Arkansas, so I don't shop at Walmart (and because I sat in the dock at one of their DCs for 11 hours unpaid is another reason I never darken the door of any Walton-owned business). Anybody else think that letting Walmart into banking through the back door is a REALLY bad idea...?
Well, if wages were high enough, the taxpayers wouldn't have to subsidise day care. Like they do with corporate welfare... (Why on earth are the taxpayers on the hook for trucker per diem when they don't get home every day??? That should be the carrier's legitimate business expense not some tax rebate courtesy of us all.) There's too many other things We the People are paying for that should be borne by the industry or business that gets the tax break instead. After all, the talking heads are so fond of saying about spending money on any "If it made sense for the private sector to do it, they would've already"...
Last edited by Crew Chief; 12-10-2011 at 10:44 AM..
Appreciate your response, Tomocox! I wish it were easy to say that the Dems or the GOP are the problem. But it isn't that easy. And the Dems don't seem to be as labor-friendly as they used to be, anyway. I get the frustrations that the small business owners in America face nowadays. And unions, despite all they have done for the American worker are DEFINITELY not the perfect answer (even if there were such a thing).
Now, having said that, Middle America is GOP because they listen to the mainstream media (and I'm talking about BOTH Fox and NBC/ABC/CBS/MSN/CNN; doesn't matter) and take what they hear at face value. Without thinking about it. I believe I'm not unique in my beliefs that I should give 100% to my employer and, in return, should be paid honestly and fairly and treated fairly because I'm helping to make my employer get rich(er). Instead, most of corporate America (as well as too many entrepreneurs) think that workers are just another commodity, like equipment or materials, to be used up at rock bottom wages until they quit or are physically & mentally used up. Then let SOMEONE ELSE pay for their care; I've got MY money, now buzz off... Nah, I'm not a Socialist, but I think Capitalism unchecked is a lot worse than any of the -isms that the uninitiated bandy about these days...
Like I said above, my wages have gone down in that I must work 55-60 hours for the same money that I used to earn in 40 hours Who works 40 hours anymore, anyway? My employer (as most others nowadays) shirks their pension obligations by the dreaded 401K. And my employer doesn't even offer a company match. So, now, we have to squeeze retirement funding out of an already-too-small paycheck???
I'm SO %$#@! tired of the Right Wing media hacks that keep accusing me of wanting to take something the rich rightfully earned. Guess what: I have no problems with my bosses being millionaires; trucking is a tough way to earn a living. But when they can keep dishonest practices like pay-by-the-mile and other stuff that practically guarantees them a never-ending supply of cheap, poorly-trained entry-level drivers that actually affect things like customer service and highway safety in place, they are NOT earning their money honestly. I realize that my frustrations are job-specific to my industry. but it's like that all across America, no matter what industry you're in. I think it's GREAT that people who want to roll up their sleeves, work hard and reap the rewards of it. but SOME of us have to put the rubber to the road for them to succeed. And we just want an honest share in the fruits of our labor and of our nation's bounty.
I also get that corporate profits enrich pension funding and other investments. but, again, the fat cats have skewed the rules to where small investors get taken advantage of all the time. The rules that enable the big investors to play with commodities markets so that the rest of us pay WAAAY too much for things like fuel is unconscionable. That's a whole lot less money we have to spread around in our local economies. I don't want to send money to Arkansas, so I don't shop at Walmart (and because I sat in the dock at one of their DCs for 11 hours unpaid is another reason I never darken the door of any Walton-owned business). Anybody else think that letting Walmart into banking through the back door is a REALLY bad idea...?
Well, if wages were high enough, the taxpayers wouldn't have to subsidise day care. Like they do with corporate welfare... (Why on earth are the taxpayers on the hook for trucker per diem when they don't get home every day??? That should be the carrier's legitimate business expense not some tax rebate courtesy of us all.) There's too many other things We the People are paying for that should be borne by the industry or business that gets the tax break instead. After all, the talking heads are so fond of saying about spending money on any "If it made sense for the private sector to do it, they would've already"...
For the most part, I can agree with your illustrations. Of course we can't have policies and laws that lean too far to the left or too far to the right as ditches line both sides of the highway.
Unions are anti-full employment. Governments want to set minimum wages so employers won't hire Americans, but illegal Hispanics will do a better job for $3.00 per hour. In the early 2000's, so much of our housing market and upward job market was actually being pushed by the illegals.
I don't have the answers, I have some, but not enough, that is for sure.
For the most part, I can agree with your illustrations. Of course we can't have policies and laws that lean too far to the left or too far to the right as ditches line both sides of the highway.
Unions are anti-full employment. Governments want to set minimum wages so employers won't hire Americans, but illegal Hispanics will do a better job for $3.00 per hour. In the early 2000's, so much of our housing market and upward job market was actually being pushed by the illegals.
I don't have the answers, I have some, but not enough, that is for sure.
I guess if I had all the answers, I wouldn't be bouncing my butt up & down he highways in a truck... Yes, finding a good middle ground isn't easy.
And my now-American wife sure resents having to jump through lots of hoops to become an American while there are people who believe we should award citizenship to anyone who can sneak into the country or overstay their visa...
I guess if I had all the answers, I wouldn't be bouncing my butt up & down he highways in a truck... Yes, finding a good middle ground isn't easy.
And my now-American wife sure resents having to jump through lots of hoops to become an American while there are people who believe we should award citizenship to anyone who can sneak into the country or overstay their visa...
How many times must it be repeated? Newt has expressed several times in several ways, "NO Amnesty!" What he has said is that he proposes that if an illegal alien who has lived here for 25 years can prove to a "draft board" like group that they are contributing residents, that they would get a "green card" but no voting priviledges, etc and with a cost.
Under the current law which grants citizenship to anyone born in the US, how would you propose we deport the parents of our citizens? Do we put all those infants and children of delicate age into camps?
It's a darn mess and we can thank Bill Clinton, George Bush, and Congress for this situation which will only get worse if someone like Newt doesn't step up without fear and say "enough is enough."
As a diehard liberal yet humble Democrat (probably the only one in this forum) I say this with the utmost respect............Newt Gringich? You have got to be kidding me! Raise your hand if you think the GOP gene pool is a bit slimey this time around. I do like John Huntsman though.
Patty
To the bolded...this is not somethimng you should write (or say) about yourself in Kentucky.
To the bolded...this is not somethimng you should write (or say) about yourself in Kentucky.
Why should he hide what his views are? Because of fear of what others might say to him? Because those who disagree may be louder than he is?
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