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Time to Take This Seriously
Author: BobR    Date: 07/29/2013 12:34:29

When people go to the polls, they are voting for the person they believe will best represent them in government, whether it be local, state, or federal. Not every person will be happy with the results, but majority rule is the best and fairest method we have. One has to wonder, however, who the current crop of legislators in Congress are representing. Do the majority of Americans really understand the causes and likely cures for America's ills, or do they just look upon politics as another form of Championship Wrestling, cheering on their guy as they go through the motions of pretending to legislate?

Despite chants of "USA! USA!" and lip service to us being "the best country in the world", we do face some serious problems that demand serious and realistic approaches. New data suggests that 4 in 5 people in America face near-poverty conditions:
Four out of 5 U.S. adults struggle with joblessness, near-poverty or reliance on welfare for at least parts of their lives, a sign of deteriorating economic security and an elusive American dream.

Survey data exclusive to The Associated Press points to an increasingly globalized U.S. economy, the widening gap between rich and poor, and the loss of good-paying manufacturing jobs as reasons for the trend.

Does this sound familiar? We faced similar problems in the early part of the 20th century, with industrial barons living impossibly gilded lives, while workers toiled in dangerous conditions. Add to that an economic bubble that burst, and suddenly we were in the midst of the Great Depression. The core of the problem was a lack of spending. What cured that was the New Deal and government works programs that put spending money back in people's pockets.

After the crash of 2008 (and the recession that followed), President Obama tried to fix the problem with stimulus spending. It seems to have stemmed the tide and created a slow turnaround, but as the AP figures show, there is still a problem with a lack of spending money for those that need it. America needs to start spending money again, and it needs money to be able to spend it.

Republicans have other ideas. If one looks at Detroit as the canary in the coal mine, there's a need to understand how to prevent this from getting worse elsewhere in the country, and how to fix it. What Detroit needs is jobs, and since private industry has abandoned them, the government needs to step in a provide those jobs. Such is the cure in other parts of the country.

Those who should know better place blame elsewhere. Conservative columnist George Will declares that Detroit's ills are because of unwed mothers (no, really!). How the rest of the country has survived the scourge of unwed mothers over the decades wasn't asked nor explained.

Other Republicans think so little of government's ability to solve problems, they would rather just shut it down if they can't get their way. Senator Mike Lee (R-UT) wants to do just that, much to the chagrin of other more realistically-minded colleagues. When our country needs government to help solve the unemployment problem, Republicans like Mike Lee would rather see it go down in flames rather than compromise their black & white ideology.

The House isn't much better as they plan to vote to repeal Obamacare FOR THE FORTIETH TIME:
Both House Minority Leader Nancy Pelosi (D-Calif.) and Minority Whip Steny Hoyer (D-Md.) issued statements Friday afternoon blasting Republicans for the anticipated vote.

"It is only fitting that Republicans would waste the last week at work this summer voting for the 40th time to repeal the Affordable Care Act and continue their record of no jobs bills, no budget agreement, and no solutions for the middle class," said Pelosi.

"Every day wasted on yet another repeal bill that will never be taken up by the Senate, much less survive a presidential veto, is another day that could have been spent advancing legislation to create jobs for the middle class, negotiating a balanced and bipartisan approach to deficits that can end the painful budget sequester, or debating a path forward on immigration reform," added Hoyer.

It certainly brings to mind a certain definition of insanity. Fortunately, there are some more forward-thinking Republicans in the wings, ready to move the party into the 21st century. A recent Young Republicans meeting showed there may be some hope of getting them to actually work with Democrats towards solutions:
"It's very easy to just say no, and there are times where it's appropriate to say no," said Jason Weingartner of New York, the newly elected chairman of the Young Republican National Federation. "But there are times where you need to lead and present ideas on the issues of the day."

Weingartner and other under-40 activists at a recent national young Republican gathering in Mobile said their party must follow an all-of-the-above approach. Their assessment goes beyond the more general prescriptions that many party leaders, including Reince Priebus, the Republican National Committee chairman, have offered since November, when Republicans lost the popular vote for the fifth time in the past six presidential elections.
[...]
Chris Reid, a Birmingham, Ala., lawyer, said the GOP has to become more inclusive. "I get really sick listening to people say it's all or nothing in order to be a good Republican," he said.

To be honest, I can't see myself voting for a Republican any time soon, especially considering their track record. However, I will always give support and credit for those that are willing to meet Democrats halfway, and actually try to find common ground. For now, that seems like the rare politician indeed.
 

44 comments (Latest Comment: 07/29/2013 20:57:12 by Raine)
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Comment by Mondobubba on 07/29/2013 13:06:03
Morning. I was told that I look like Dick Cheney over the weekend.

Comment by Mondobubba on 07/29/2013 13:06:29
Morning. I was told that I look like Dick Cheney over the weekend.

Comment by Mondobubba on 07/29/2013 13:12:05
Okay the Dick Cheney thing was funny, but not twice.

Comment by trojanrabbit on 07/29/2013 13:13:14
Good morning.

The headline may be a bit premature, but there's definitely trouble in OxyBoy's paradise.

This COULD be settled sometime by the end of the year but we're pitting a greedy company (who still has to pay a bloated contract) against a cheap, not doing so well, company. It would be nice to say at some point, stations will carry Rush and Hannity because, well, SOMEONE at Clear Channel has to, no one else will.

Patiently waiting for Rush and/or Hannity to blame this on LIBS LIBS LIBS, when it's just the magical free market in action. Why does Rush and Hannity hate the free market?

Comment by Raine on 07/29/2013 13:36:38
Good morning!

Comment by wickedpam on 07/29/2013 13:52:41
just running threw to say hi before I'm on to chores

Comment by Mondobubba on 07/29/2013 13:55:14
Quote by trojanrabbit:
Good morning.

The headline may be a bit premature, but there's definitely trouble in OxyBoy's paradise.

This COULD be settled sometime by the end of the year but we're pitting a greedy company (who still has to pay a bloated contract) against a cheap, not doing so well, company. It would be nice to say at some point, stations will carry Rush and Hannity because, well, SOMEONE at Clear Channel has to, no one else will.

Patiently waiting for Rush and/or Hannity to blame this on LIBS LIBS LIBS, when it's just the magical free market in action. Why does Rush and Hannity hate the free market?


He did, there's quote in the article.

Limbaugh recently acknowledged difficulty selling ads, complaining ad buyers are “are young women fresh out of college, liberal feminists who hate conservatism“


Comment by Raine on 07/29/2013 13:56:24
Quote by wickedpam:
just running threw to say hi before I'm on to chores

loveya missya

Comment by Mondobubba on 07/29/2013 13:57:48
Quote by wickedpam:
just running threw to say hi before I'm on to chores



Ahem! Don't you mean through? "Threw" is the past tense of the verb "to throw."

An example: "As Mala passed through the blog, she threw Mondo a dirty look for his annoying grammar Nazi behavior."

Comment by BobR on 07/29/2013 13:59:15
Quote by Mondobubba:
Quote by wickedpam:
just running threw to say hi before I'm on to chores

Ahem! Don't you mean through? "Threw" is the past tense of the verb "to throw."

An example: "Mala threw Mondo a dirty look for his annoying grammar Nazi behavior."

Of course that's what she meant. We all knew it and chose to let it slide.

Comment by wickedpam on 07/29/2013 14:04:39
Quote by BobR:
Quote by Mondobubba:
Quote by wickedpam:
just running threw to say hi before I'm on to chores

Ahem! Don't you mean through? "Threw" is the past tense of the verb "to throw."

An example: "Mala threw Mondo a dirty look for his annoying grammar Nazi behavior."

Of course that's what she meant. We all knew it and chose to let it slide.



*sigh* yes, that is what I meant. still a bit sleepy


Comment by TriSec on 07/29/2013 14:10:47
Herr Mondo,

You're a rare visitor to the blog on weekends. But as our resident secession expert, I'd like your opinion about this blog I wrote WRT to today's topic.

Nutshell: Secession vs. Expulsion



Comment by Scoopster on 07/29/2013 14:11:43
Mornin' all & Happy Mondee..

When I was visiting the family up in New York just over a week ago, we got into our normal routine of sitting around after dinner talking and reminiscing and debating. Naturally the subject of religion came up since my uncle's a RC priest, and my uncle had some really glowing words about the "new boss" and his focus on poverty and rooting out corruption and pedophile clergy, along with the extreme humility. We agreed that despite these very refreshing changes, there are some things that the upper management of the Caltholic Church just would never do.

Well, I guess we were both wrong. It's a baby step, but it's a pretty damn big one.

Comment by Mondobubba on 07/29/2013 14:28:52
Quote by TriSec:
Herr Mondo,

You're a rare visitor to the blog on weekends. But as our resident secession expert, I'd like your opinion about this blog I wrote WRT to today's topic.

Nutshell: Secession vs. Expulsion



Why do you even ask? You know what I am going to say as a staunch Unionist.


That wouldn't have been necessary if that sesesh woman hadn't started it. They never learn. You see sesesh has to be cleared away by the hand of God like the Jews of old. Now I will have to burn this town.


Comment by Mondobubba on 07/29/2013 14:29:48
Quote by TriSec:
Herr Mondo,

You're a rare visitor to the blog on weekends. But as our resident secession expert, I'd like your opinion about this blog I wrote WRT to today's topic.

Nutshell: Secession vs. Expulsion



Neither! "One Union Indivisible."

Comment by Mondobubba on 07/29/2013 14:31:47
Quote by wickedpam:
Quote by BobR:
Quote by Mondobubba:
Quote by wickedpam:
just running threw to say hi before I'm on to chores

Ahem! Don't you mean through? "Threw" is the past tense of the verb "to throw."

An example: "Mala threw Mondo a dirty look for his annoying grammar Nazi behavior."

Of course that's what she meant. We all knew it and chose to let it slide.



*sigh* yes, that is what I meant. still a bit sleepy


I've updated my self-deprecating example.

Comment by Raine on 07/29/2013 14:37:58
Quote by Scoopster:
Mornin' all & Happy Mondee..

When I was visiting the family up in New York just over a week ago, we got into our normal routine of sitting around after dinner talking and reminiscing and debating. Naturally the subject of religion came up since my uncle's a RC priest, and my uncle had some really glowing words about the "new boss" and his focus on poverty and rooting out corruption and pedophile clergy, along with the extreme humility. We agreed that despite these very refreshing changes, there are some things that the upper management of the Caltholic Church just would never do.

Well, I guess we were both wrong. It's a baby step, but it's a pretty damn big one.
I had a jaw drop when I read about that this morning. BBC reported more on what he said:
"The problem is not having this orientation," he said. "We must be brothers. The problem is lobbying by this orientation, or lobbies of greedy people, political lobbies, Masonic lobbies, so many lobbies. This is the worse problem."

On the role of women in the Church, he said: "We cannot limit the role of women in the Church to altar girls or the president of a charity, there must be more.





Comment by Raine on 07/29/2013 14:51:35
So sick of the Wiener talk.

Comment by Will in Chicago on 07/29/2013 15:00:19
Good morning, bloggers!! BobR, we do indeed seem to be returning to the conditions of the early 20th Century -- after rising above it. Unfortunately, the GOP seems to have too many people who believe that a small middle class, a large and impoverished working class, and a small group of elites makes a democracy.

As for people who are not helping the economy move forward, we should not forget Thomas Friedman. Richard Escow in the Campaign for America's Future Blog has a great takedown of the pundit.

Tom Friedman: A New Ayn Rand for A Dark Digital Future

By Richard Eskow | July 24, 2013

If Thomas Friedman didn’t exist, America’s high-tech entrepreneurs would have had to invent him. Come to think of it, maybe they did. The dark science-fiction vision he celebrates serves them well, at pretty much everyone else’s expense.

Friedman’s vision is worth studying, if only because it reflects the distorted perspective of some very wealthy and influential people. In their world the problems of the many are as easily fixed as a line of code, with no sacrifice required of them or their fellow billionaires.

Case in point: 15 or 20 million Americans seeking full-time employment? To Thomas Friedman, that’s a branding problem.

Ayn Rand with a human face …

Friedman occupies a unique place in the pundit ecosystem. From his perch at The New York Times, he idealizes the unregulated, winner-take-all economy of the Internet and while overlooking human, real-world concerns. His misplaced faith in a digitized “free” market reflects the solipsistic libertarianism of a technological über-class which stares into the rich diversity of human experience and sees only its own reflection staring back.

Friedman is a closet Ayn Rand in many ways, but he gives Rand’s ugly and exploitative philosophy a pseudo-intellectual, liberal-friendly feel-good gloss. He turns her harsh industrial metal music into melodious easy listening: John Galt meets John Denver. That make him very useful to those who would dismantle the engines of real economic growth, the ones that create jobs while protecting life and limb.




Comment by TriSec on 07/29/2013 15:41:51
Quote by Mondobubba:


Neither! "One Union Indivisible."



Well thpth, then.

Perhaps you are familiar with "Lead, Follow, or Get out of the way?"

Since the GOP and certain states are neither leading nor following, they must get out of the way. By any means necessary, good sir.



Comment by Mondobubba on 07/29/2013 15:44:01
Quote by TriSec:
Quote by Mondobubba:


Neither! "One Union Indivisible."



Well thpth, then.

Perhaps you are familiar with "Lead, Follow, or Get out of the way?"

Since the GOP and certain states are neither leading nor following, they must get out of the way. By any means necessary, good sir.




That would be by voting. VOTING!

Comment by Mondobubba on 07/29/2013 15:46:10
Quote by Will in Chicago:
Good morning, bloggers!! BobR, we do indeed seem to be returning to the conditions of the early 20th Century -- after rising above it. Unfortunately, the GOP seems to have too many people who believe that a small middle class, a large and impoverished working class, and a small group of elites makes a democracy.

As for people who are not helping the economy move forward, we should not forget Thomas Friedman. Richard Escow in the Campaign for America's Future Blog has a great takedown of the pundit.

Tom Friedman: A New Ayn Rand for A Dark Digital Future

By Richard Eskow | July 24, 2013

If Thomas Friedman didn’t exist, America’s high-tech entrepreneurs would have had to invent him. Come to think of it, maybe they did. The dark science-fiction vision he celebrates serves them well, at pretty much everyone else’s expense.

Friedman’s vision is worth studying, if only because it reflects the distorted perspective of some very wealthy and influential people. In their world the problems of the many are as easily fixed as a line of code, with no sacrifice required of them or their fellow billionaires.

Case in point: 15 or 20 million Americans seeking full-time employment? To Thomas Friedman, that’s a branding problem.

Ayn Rand with a human face …

Friedman occupies a unique place in the pundit ecosystem. From his perch at The New York Times, he idealizes the unregulated, winner-take-all economy of the Internet and while overlooking human, real-world concerns. His misplaced faith in a digitized “free” market reflects the solipsistic libertarianism of a technological über-class which stares into the rich diversity of human experience and sees only its own reflection staring back.

Friedman is a closet Ayn Rand in many ways, but he gives Rand’s ugly and exploitative philosophy a pseudo-intellectual, liberal-friendly feel-good gloss. He turns her harsh industrial metal music into melodious easy listening: John Galt meets John Denver. That make him very useful to those who would dismantle the engines of real economic growth, the ones that create jobs while protecting life and limb.





I think this is just me, but I am heartily sick of progressive/liberal commentators and websites tossing "Ayn Rand" around as boogy term. To me is shows a total lack of creativity and shallowness of though.

Comment by Will in Chicago on 07/29/2013 15:48:58
Quote by Mondobubba:
Quote by TriSec:
Quote by Mondobubba:


Neither! "One Union Indivisible."



Well thpth, then.

Perhaps you are familiar with "Lead, Follow, or Get out of the way?"

Since the GOP and certain states are neither leading nor following, they must get out of the way. By any means necessary, good sir.




That would be by voting. VOTING!



Voting, organizing and demographic change could have a big impact on several states. Howard Dean's 50 state strategy challenged the Republicans to defend what were traditionally safe districts.

There are already proposals on organizing in Texas to help turn it blue. The state is experiencing a lot of demographic change.

We may have a situation similar to the 1950s and 1960s: only a lot of pressure from the public and action on a national level forced the South to change.

Comment by livingonli on 07/29/2013 15:57:40
Good morning, folks. I had an early shift yesterday and now I am pooped.

Comment by Scoopster on 07/29/2013 15:59:21
Quote by Mondobubba:
Quote by Will in Chicago:
Good morning, bloggers!! BobR, we do indeed seem to be returning to the conditions of the early 20th Century -- after rising above it. Unfortunately, the GOP seems to have too many people who believe that a small middle class, a large and impoverished working class, and a small group of elites makes a democracy.

As for people who are not helping the economy move forward, we should not forget Thomas Friedman. Richard Escow in the Campaign for America's Future Blog has a great takedown of the pundit.
Tom Friedman: A New Ayn Rand for A Dark Digital Future

By Richard Eskow | July 24, 2013

If Thomas Friedman didn’t exist, America’s high-tech entrepreneurs would have had to invent him. Come to think of it, maybe they did. The dark science-fiction vision he celebrates serves them well, at pretty much everyone else’s expense.

Friedman’s vision is worth studying, if only because it reflects the distorted perspective of some very wealthy and influential people. In their world the problems of the many are as easily fixed as a line of code, with no sacrifice required of them or their fellow billionaires.

Case in point: 15 or 20 million Americans seeking full-time employment? To Thomas Friedman, that’s a branding problem.

Ayn Rand with a human face …

Friedman occupies a unique place in the pundit ecosystem. From his perch at The New York Times, he idealizes the unregulated, winner-take-all economy of the Internet and while overlooking human, real-world concerns. His misplaced faith in a digitized “free” market reflects the solipsistic libertarianism of a technological über-class which stares into the rich diversity of human experience and sees only its own reflection staring back.

Friedman is a closet Ayn Rand in many ways, but he gives Rand’s ugly and exploitative philosophy a pseudo-intellectual, liberal-friendly feel-good gloss. He turns her harsh industrial metal music into melodious easy listening: John Galt meets John Denver. That make him very useful to those who would dismantle the engines of real economic growth, the ones that create jobs while protecting life and limb.

I think this is just me, but I am heartily sick of progressive/liberal commentators and websites tossing "Ayn Rand" around as boogy term. To me is shows a total lack of creativity and shallowness of though.

Yeah if they really wanted to invoke Rand correctly they could have compared Tom Friedman to one of the destroyer characters in one of her books.

Comment by Raine on 07/29/2013 16:02:57
These poor kids.

My god.
More than 100 teenagers involved in sex trafficking and exploitation were rescued over the weekend in coordinated raids encompassing more than 70 cities, the FBI said Monday.

The youngest child was 13 years old, the agency said.

The raids resulted in the arrest of 150 “pimps” involved in the commercial exploitation of both adults and children, said Ronald Hosko, assistant director of the FBI’s criminal investigative division.


Comment by Raine on 07/29/2013 16:08:09
The youngest victim was 9 years old, and most were between the ages of 13 and 17.


Sickening.

Officials also pointed to Backpage, the controversial website owned by Village Voice Media that has come under fire for its large share of prostitution ads. The FBI and Department of Justice used this website to recover some of the children involved in sex trafficking.






Comment by TriSec on 07/29/2013 16:14:07
We've had our disagreements over the Kennedy assasination too, but this ridiculous "theory" ???

Really?



Comment by TriSec on 07/29/2013 16:20:49
Let me be the first to speculate. Clinton / Warren 2016???

Comment by Mondobubba on 07/29/2013 16:25:55
Quote by TriSec:
We've had our disagreements over the Kennedy assasination too, but this ridiculous "theory" ???

Really?



You've not heard that one? It is old news in the fetid, over-heated swamp that is assassination conspiracy theories.

Comment by Raine on 07/29/2013 16:29:36
Quote by TriSec:
Let me be the first to speculate. Clinton / Warren 2016???

Is it wrong of me to want her to stay in the Senate where she may be able to make actual change? I'm honestly very mixed about this. Aren't you guys in Massachusetts getting tired of special elections?

As a non resident, I actually miss Senator John Kerry.

Comment by TriSec on 07/29/2013 16:43:29
Quote by Mondobubba:


You've not heard that one? It is old news in the fetid, over-heated swamp that is assassination conspiracy theories.



My incredulity is more targeted at the fact that somebody made a movie about it. I am long familiar with this theory, and despite my own dabblings in this sphere, this one doesn't pass the sniff test. Unless you're sniffing for defecated ideas passing as intellect, I mean.


Comment by Scoopster on 07/29/2013 17:29:46
Comment by Raine on 07/29/2013 17:35:03

I am not making this up. A company called Jimmyjane, based right here in S.F., makes a thin, cigar-shaped platinum vibrator that clocks in at a whopping $470 (also comes in gold and steel), custom engraved and silent and waterproof to 15 feet down because oh my God if there's one thing this world needs, it's more vibe-wielding women who dive into the deep end of the pool and emerge 10 minutes later with a huge grin and a soft glow and a craving for chocolate ice cream and a shot of dark rum.



Comment by Raine on 07/29/2013 17:36:32
Comment by Mondobubba on 07/29/2013 17:52:16
Quote by TriSec:
Quote by Mondobubba:


You've not heard that one? It is old news in the fetid, over-heated swamp that is assassination conspiracy theories.



My incredulity is more targeted at the fact that somebody made a movie about it. I am long familiar with this theory, and despite my own dabblings in this sphere, this one doesn't pass the sniff test. Unless you're sniffing for defecated ideas passing as intellect, I mean.



You mean the entire who killed Kennedy swamp.

Comment by Mondobubba on 07/29/2013 17:54:07



I am so pleased to see Jacksonville on the list.

Comment by Mondobubba on 07/29/2013 17:59:26



I personally like that it just says "google it" for the Sybian.

Comment by TriSec on 07/29/2013 18:35:52
Comment by Raine on 07/29/2013 18:48:11
Quote by Mondobubba:



I am so pleased to see Jacksonville on the list.
I was actually very surprised to see nothing from NYC and DC.




Comment by Mondobubba on 07/29/2013 19:27:22
Quote by Raine:
Quote by Mondobubba:



I am so pleased to see Jacksonville on the list.
I was actually very surprised to see nothing from NYC and DC.




I know, I was kinda surprised by that myself.


Comment by Mondobubba on 07/29/2013 19:28:18
Quote by TriSec:
Time for an Art Break!




Tri, is this a subtle hint for us to get out of the luxury sex toy ditch?

Comment by Raine on 07/29/2013 20:51:06
Wait.

Beyonce is pregnant again?

Comment by Raine on 07/29/2013 20:57:12
Quote by Raine:
Wait.

Beyonce is pregnant again?
Never mind... it appears


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