About Politics

Labor Law for the 1%

2011-12-01T14:59:00.000-08:00

to vote republican = less government. that much is so true, and heck, they're doing a good job sticking to their guns (at the expense of many others of course).but now we have more labor laws rolling out that, it seems, benefit a very select bunch of folks (and it's not the blue collar worker I'm talking about).http://thehill.com/blogs/congress-blog/labor/194083-labor-law-for-the-1

One quick benefit of two party system

2011-10-05T11:30:00.000-07:00

The USA will never really have a federal party outside of the Democrats and Republicans. It's just too hard for someone to emerge. But there are pros to the problem. Take for example, Canada and their political system. On any given federal election there could be 6 parties in the running. The right-wing Conservatives, the central Liberals, the left-wing NDP, the Green Party, and any independent (if in Quebec then the Bloq). Usually it's only 4. Regardless, the Greens don't fair well, but between the two left leaning parties (NDP & Liberals) They split the left vote. The left would always win in Canada if it wasn't for this split. Although in america the party lines are really iterations of centralist parties, at least you can make a clear decision (or least the options are severely limiting thus forcing you to chose).

Lower Taxes! Republican Fail Yet Again

2011-09-21T11:09:00.000-07:00

Obama wants to balance the books and so far has received ZERO help from REpublicans. Keep that in mind, the Republicans don't want to work to save America, they only want to make the rich richer. Now, it's not just them, Obama was supposed to be the impetus to change in the US but he lost most opportunities to stamp out status quo. Regardless, when it comes to increasing taxes on the very very rich, only the top 5%, ALL Republicans are up in arms. I get the fact Republicans are all about less govt and more business (personal wealth), but is that sustainable? Can we really support a country that relies on China for debt obligations? Can we really support 50% of GDP going to military (maybe it's not that high)? I get the idea that taxing those who are creating jobs doesn't help things, but you have to get the money from somewhere. Is the govt' better? Probably not. But last I checked there's no new jobs being created, but financial execs are getting their hundreds of millions for short term profts and not long term sustainability. the question will Joe Schmoe give a damn and vote? Republicans seem to be spinning their position largely based on, get this, fear. Either fear of terrorism or more than likely the fear of economy. Forget the fact the mess is mostly a Republican problem and their interest in helping only the wealthy (every meet a REpublican politician who gave a damn about the poor more than the rich? it's been a while), they'll leverage the economic problem for political gain.Uninformed Americans will flock to polls in an effort to save their country at the hands of the socialists/fascists/liberals/communists. (FYI, if you're Republican, first come up with a coherent argument, and then come up with just one label, of which none of the aforementioned ones apply.)

Anybody Else Bothered By Republican Lies?

2011-09-07T12:10:00.000-07:00

If Obama wants to make taxes a bit more equitable (after 20 years of Republican roll backs for the exceptionally wealthy) is that a bad thing? Yes, the govt is a waste of space when it comes to handling taxes, but that doesn't mean the wealthy shouldn't pay. Here's some hilarity. The Republicans hear about tax increases and claim 'class wars that will split America'. Really? 5% of the population make 1 million and more. Last I checked 5% v 95% is not 50% v 50%I hope people will make informed decisions and not jump on the fear bandwagon which seems to be the only (And effective) ploy Republicans have.

The Economic Fix Is.....Don't Trust Republicans

2011-08-30T19:30:00.000-07:00

I think Republicans got it right, lower taxes or keep them low, so that job creators and do just that. Only problem, rich people don't need even LOWER taxes and they aren't creating jobs. The point of reducing taxes to the wealthy is to induce them to keep making money.When you look at it, say in the example of greedy financial execs, that money is just sunk into yachts. That's th eproblem, the economy doesn't work in the way it should because Republicans are only concerned about one thing--more. More money, more big toys, more wars, more oil, more more more. The sense of entitlement with that party is incredible.THe rich don't need MORE cuts, they need to PAY higher taxes. Of course then the issue is government waste, which is certainly true, but for th elove of God, there is no reason to keep protecting the rich. But I guess we shouldn't expect any less since all politicians left or right are mere puppets to big corporations who lobby. That's another blog post for another time though.

Who knew straw could be so powerful?

2011-08-22T15:46:00.000-07:00

breaking camels backs and all.

but when iowa does straw, they do it with fanfare.

the iowa republican straw poll took place at the beginning of the month and the results were surprising to say the least. Pawlenty withdrew, Bachmann has a head of steam over favorite Paul, and some nut out of Texas thinks he has a chance.

Unfortunately for pundits, and fortunately for political tabloids (FOX), the success rate of Taxes Governors becoming President is pretty good.

When Rules Go too far

2011-07-11T21:21:00.000-07:00

I'm not one to be labelled a left wing liberal pinko commie, but there are time wehen rules and regulations go too far and the consequence doesn't match the crime.

A women in Michigan planted a garden in her front yard. Some idiot neighbor complained. Now she has to pay a fine....no wait, now she has to go to court to stay out of jail for three months.

Plan zucchini, go to jail for 3months.

Something is amiss....

http://www.treehugger.com/files/2011/07/michigan_woman_faces_jail_planting_veggie_garden.php

Let's work together to help the nation

2011-06-17T11:13:00.000-07:00

It's not hard, work together for the sake of the common good. You do'nt have to be a socialist to make decisions that better the struggling economy. But Republicans have refused to make any concessions. WHY? Explain why doing nothing and being a cry baby about not getting your way is any better than letting the economy flounder? Republicans need to wake up, their prissy attitude is destroying this country. If you can't compromise YOU are in fact the oppressive regime. Work together, and find some new leaders who can create solutions and not just disappointing arguments on why the rich aren't rich enough.

A Narcissist for President?

2011-05-11T08:41:00.000-07:00

Narcissism is a personality trait of egotism, vanity, conceit, or simple selfishness.

Donald Trump fits the bill.

Trump is a great business man. He can build a golf course like nobody's business, and fly in private helicopters just cause he can.

What I don't get is Trump in politics. He's never held any public office and the only time we hear about his foray in to politics it's either super selfish (lower business taxes so I can make even more millions), or just plain stupid (birth certificate).

I doubt he would've won the Republican ticket to the dance. But he did consume too much media time so his bad hair could sit on our screens. He jus tlove the limelight, and that kind of attitude is underserving of public office, it's just plain damanging. While this man goes around the country demanding 'long form birth certificate', Obama is busy hunting down OBL. Just remember that.

Surely the right can get it right and find someone who at least provides some measure of sobering and contributing thought to politics and our nation. Any takers?

The game of inches

2011-05-02T15:28:00.000-07:00

Sometimes you're defined by your life's work. Other times by a mere moment.

I wonder what will happen with Obama?

Life's work of hopefully implemented medicare? or the one thing.

Perhaps the 'guttsies' call by an American President, Obama signed off on the raid that killed Osama Bin Laden moments before it was to take place. Patience of 10 years had come down to mere moments and to top decision makers. and in that moment they didn't flinch.

Obama just won the 2012 election.

We haven't won the war on terror.

Somewhere in between the excitement needs to come a depth of reality. Politically Obama will ride this wave to second term. But at the end of the day if our own people are dying in the streets and without jobs, well, the victories only look so good.

Georgia Rape Fail

2011-02-09T09:46:00.000-08:00

New legislation introduced by state Rep. Bobby Franklin (R-Marietta) seeks to remove the term 'victim' from all future women (and men I suppose) whose perpetrator manages to get caught/reported to 'accuser'.

In true Republican fashion of returning to their pseudo biblical roots, Bob Franklin throws women back to the time of Eden when the 'accuser' stood as Satan.

OK, maybe it's not quite this far fetched, but the Republican has a point.... in a way.

Under 10% of all rape accusations go unconvicted. That's either there was no rape or not enough evidence for conviction or nobody wanted to testify.

So to label the other 90% as 'victims' doesn't fit under the law.

True, but oh so plainly false when it comes to women's rights, and bank on a Republican male to come out with stupidity to 'fix' the issue of rape.

What better way (sarcasm) then to make it even harder for women to report rapes. Make them the 'accuser' and give extra power to their male police, prosecutors, legislators, to label them as such all the way to conviction.

What do you think? Do we need to err on the side of assuming victim when it comes to this type of accusation? Do children who claim the same accusations need to be labelled as accusers as well?

New Purpose

2011-02-01T09:44:00.000-08:00

As I launch this blog i want to highlight some basics. This is a broad muse on issues of politics primarily from the US but could include a few other observations from other countries.

The opinions are my own, and I hope to incite some dialogue/conversation but also have readers leave changed. If the only thing you get from this blog is a chance to ask a simple question that challenges status quo then I've done my job.

So let's go for a ride!

30 Million People Litmus Test

2010-12-30T15:41:00.000-08:00

Everytime new economic data come out for California the whole country gets a quick overview of the health of national economy. What California does the rest may very well follow. Right now it still seems as though we're pulling out of the 2008 rubble.

Bankruptcies are still hitting all time highs (maybe I'll post something soon that will reflect these trends), albeit the rate at which the claims are occurring appears tobe slowing.

Long story short, without a significant rebound in housing (as in people buying) CA along with the rest of the US will be stuck in 'recession mode'. So be thankful this season that you have a job, and if you don't, well you're the best judge as to how well we're all really doing....