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10/28/2008 01:45:26 PM · #501 |
Earmarks are special items inserted into a bill to pay for something. That's how the "pork" gets packed into the "barrel."
I think the most-quoted numbers for the past two years are 28 and 18 Billion.
Message edited by author 2008-10-28 13:46:31. |
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10/28/2008 01:46:57 PM · #502 |
Originally posted by scalvert:
Originally posted by Flash:
In Detroit the graduation rate is 25%. This from publicly funded schools supported by unions who insure the lowest common denominator is the norm for teachers, and where the idea of vouchers to insure parents can choose successful schools for their children is ridiculed. |
If you're going to decry the state of your education system, you might want to familiarize yourself with the difference between "insure" and "ensure." :-/ |
See what I mean. |
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10/28/2008 01:47:11 PM · #503 |
Originally posted by Flash:
Originally posted by BrennanOB:
You may hate paying taxes, and feel that every cent you pay is going to some welfare queen, but when I pay my taxes I look at the crumbling road ways and bridges, the pathetic public schools that are proud to graduate 75% of high school students here in California, reading at an 8th grade level. |
In Detroit the graduation rate is 25%. This from publicly funded schools supported by unions who insure the lowest common denominator is the norm for teachers, and where the idea of vouchers to insure parents can choose successful schools for their children is ridiculed. Detroit has a long established history of being operated by officials who are Democrats, as are most major cities. If that system of government is so successful, then where are those examples? Certainly not Detroit.
My taxes can't keep up with the road ways as Michigan has some of the worst in the country. Perhaps because we are funding somebody elses pork project instead of spending our money on our highways or funding failed schools or paying incompetent teachers who are kept active through their bargaining representation.
Obama is from the Chicago political machine. That is really all I needed to know about him. |
So that's why you want McCain, so you can pay more to have better roads?
McCain's a spoiled brat, from his upbringing, through his naval career to his current status as a "kept man". He has no concept of life as an average American. He's not a "Mavrick", he's nothing more than a typical Bush Republican. In case you hadn't noticed, Bush's leadership, or total lack thereof, has led us to the brink. All McCain will do is kick us into the abyss while his rich cronies make a bundle off of the deal. No thanks. |
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10/28/2008 01:49:28 PM · #504 |
Originally posted by GeneralE:
You left out the NFL TV contract... |
I left out many programs, including federally funded medical research. I'd rather not wait until someone like Warren Buffet or Bill Gates comes down with a disease that they can personally afford to research. Without studies funded with money taken from the wealthy, some of us would have died of smallpox or polio long before we were old enough to beat our chests about socialism. |
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10/28/2008 01:49:30 PM · #505 |
Originally posted by Flash:
Originally posted by scalvert:
Originally posted by Flash:
In Detroit the graduation rate is 25%. This from publicly funded schools supported by unions who insure the lowest common denominator is the norm for teachers, and where the idea of vouchers to insure parents can choose successful schools for their children is ridiculed. |
If you're going to decry the state of your education system, you might want to familiarize yourself with the difference between "insure" and "ensure." :-/ |
See what I mean. |
And McCain's policy on education? Continue "no child left behind" ,one of the biggest unfunded mandates ever? Again, No Thanks. |
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10/28/2008 01:53:31 PM · #506 |
Originally posted by GeneralE:
Earmarks are special items inserted into a bill to pay for something. That's how the "pork" gets packed into the "barrel." |
Thanks.
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10/28/2008 02:13:12 PM · #507 |
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10/28/2008 02:24:54 PM · #508 |
Originally posted by Spazmo99:
Originally posted by Flash:
Originally posted by BrennanOB:
You may hate paying taxes, and feel that every cent you pay is going to some welfare queen, but when I pay my taxes I look at the crumbling road ways and bridges, the pathetic public schools that are proud to graduate 75% of high school students here in California, reading at an 8th grade level. |
In Detroit the graduation rate is 25%. This from publicly funded schools supported by unions who insure the lowest common denominator is the norm for teachers, and where the idea of vouchers to insure parents can choose successful schools for their children is ridiculed. Detroit has a long established history of being operated by officials who are Democrats, as are most major cities. If that system of government is so successful, then where are those examples? Certainly not Detroit.
My taxes can't keep up with the road ways as Michigan has some of the worst in the country. Perhaps because we are funding somebody elses pork project instead of spending our money on our highways or funding failed schools or paying incompetent teachers who are kept active through their bargaining representation.
Obama is from the Chicago political machine. That is really all I needed to know about him. |
So that's why you want McCain, so you can pay more to have better roads?
McCain's a spoiled brat, from his upbringing, through his naval career to his current status as a "kept man". He has no concept of life as an average American. He's not a "Mavrick", he's nothing more than a typical Bush Republican. In case you hadn't noticed, Bush's leadership, or total lack thereof, has led us to the brink. All McCain will do is kick us into the abyss while his rich cronies make a bundle off of the deal. No thanks. |
I second that. I watched a video of McCain/s welcome speech when he won the party's nomination (remember Huckabee?).. his own party guys were booing him!!! McCain was born in a resourceful family (compared to many many) and could have made a great life for himself. BUT.. whenever you dig up his past, you find out that he got into the academy because of his family... and that he was at the bottom of the batch to finish... and that he had little too much morals to be doing things a normal human being with good morals would never do.. etc etc. He has every right to lead his life the way he wants... I am just NOT ok with the presidency of the US being part of his lame life.
Obama on the other hand made the best out of every opportunity he ever got.. he comes from a humble background... he listens first, then analyzes, then speaks, then acts. We dont need another bully round the corner... a superpower also has to earn respect.. not just demand it.
In short, I do not respect who McCain is as a human being (or what all he is portraying) after all that he has wasted in his own life.
ETA: In case people dont do their HW first.. wasteful pork barrels and ear marks fundings etc. are NOT that big a chunk of our GDP to be calling a red alert on right now. We have bigger problems ahead. Not that we shouldnt curb wasteful spending, but if thats the case, McCain is better suited for a financial secretary specifically assigned to look over the earmark projects.. not a president.
Message edited by author 2008-10-28 14:29:44.
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10/28/2008 02:27:58 PM · #509 |
"Both men shrug off accusations of liberalism." Huh? How the hell has the word "liberalism" become something bad? Wtf?
And how's THAT article for spin? Gimme a freakin break. Anyone who would take that paragraph to mean he was a Marxist would also have to deduce that he was an activist black, a structural feminist, a foreigner, and a Chicano. Please. Use some bloody common sense.
Nice, putting a picture of Marx on an article about Obama. Noooo, no bias, no spin, just the facts. It's just about retchin' time.
Message edited by author 2008-10-28 14:30:59. |
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10/28/2008 02:30:59 PM · #510 |
Indeed. Be careful with the arm waving over Liberals and Marxism. Both espouse power of the people, a hallmark of democracy. Once you go to an "every man for himself" philosophy, you risk your own freedom and waive the "United We Stand, Divided We Fall" foundations of this country.
Obama's campaign is running on hope, and McCain's is running on fear (great for Halloween, not so good for Election Day), and Faux News plays to the latter.
Message edited by author 2008-10-28 14:32:51. |
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10/28/2008 02:38:22 PM · #511 |
Originally posted by DrAchoo:
Originally posted by Flash:
My taxes can't keep up with the road ways as Michigan has some of the worst in the country. Perhaps because we are funding somebody elses pork project instead of spending our money on our highways or funding failed schools or paying incompetent teachers who are kept active through their bargaining representation. |
Pork makes up a tiny amount of the US budget, so don't feel that way. The numbers I could find the quickest was for 2005. Earmarks were 48 billion dollars in a 2.4 trillion dollar budget. That makes up 2%. |
Exactly!!
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10/28/2008 02:39:54 PM · #512 |
Originally posted by Louis:
"Both men shrug off accusations of liberalism." Huh? How the hell has the word "liberalism" become something bad? Wtf? |
Have you never watched TV in the US ? It's the wink wink folksy term for communism.
Message edited by author 2008-10-28 14:40:51.
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10/28/2008 02:43:10 PM · #513 |
Originally posted by Louis:
Nice, putting a picture of Marx on an article about Obama. Noooo, no bias, no spin, just the facts. It's just about retchin' time. |
What unbiased media outlet would bill itself as "the most powerful name in news" or even "fair and balanced?" There is no power in news itself unless it's used to exert influence, and standing on the short end of the scale to hold up false assumptions is not balance. Interesting that there should be entire web sites devoted to dispelling the reports of such an unbiased news source, no?
Message edited by author 2008-10-28 14:45:23. |
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10/28/2008 02:54:58 PM · #514 |
Originally posted by scalvert:
Originally posted by Louis:
Nice, putting a picture of Marx on an article about Obama. Noooo, no bias, no spin, just the facts. It's just about retchin' time. |
What unbiased media outlet would bill itself as "the most powerful name in news" or even "fair and balanced?" There is no power in news itself unless it's used to exert influence, and standing on the short end of the scale to hold up false assumptions is not balance. Interesting that there should be entire web sites devoted to dispelling the reports of such an unbiased news source, no? |
In fact in the U.S, media can legally lie!
Apparently there is no restriction on a media house that would stop it from distorting or morphing a 'news' to suit other motives. Or else FOX wont be in business.
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10/28/2008 02:59:31 PM · #515 |
Originally posted by Prash:
In short, I do not respect who McCain is as a human being (or what all he is portraying) after all that he has wasted in his own life. |
As is your right. The other choice in this election (whom actually can garner enough votes for the presidency - since you obviously have other choices just not ones with a reasonable chance of election) is a smooth talking lawyer who believes that some people have too much. Has long associations with questionable persons and has personally argued that the Supreme Court is too restrictive in its interpretation. The choice is yours to make. Just please be accountable for your choice. If Obama's election turns out to be good, then please feel free to take credit for your vote. But when your taxes go up and businesses close due to increased costs and consumer prices rise due to increased operating costs, then please be a stand up person and take credit for that as well. |
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10/28/2008 03:06:08 PM · #516 |
"Fox executives and their attorneys wanted the reporters to use statements from Monsanto representatives that the reporters knew were false and to make other revisions to the story that were in direct conflict with the facts. Fox editors then tried to force Akre and Wilson to continue to produce the distorted story. When they refused and threatened to report Fox̢۪s actions to the FCC, they were both fired. ...FOX asserted that there are no written rules against distorting news in the media. They argued that, under the First Amendment, broadcasters have the right to lie or deliberately distort news reports on public airwaves. Fox attorneys did not dispute Akre̢۪s claim that they pressured her to broadcast a false story, they simply maintained that it was their right to do so."
Lovely. |
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10/28/2008 03:06:54 PM · #517 |
Originally posted by Flash:
Originally posted by Prash:
In short, I do not respect who McCain is as a human being (or what all he is portraying) after all that he has wasted in his own life. |
As is your right. The other choice in this election (whom actually can garner enough votes for the presidency - since you obviously have other choices just not ones with a reasonable chance of election) is a smooth talking lawyer who believes that some people have too much. Has long associations with questionable persons and has personally argued that the Supreme Court is too restrictive in its interpretation. The choice is yours to make. Just please be accountable for your choice. If Obama's election turns out to be good, then please feel free to take credit for your vote. But when your taxes go up and businesses close due to increased costs and consumer prices rise due to increased operating costs, then please be a stand up person and take credit for that as well. |
Yes sir, I will, and thank you.
I wish more people would do that. We cannot live with the fear of something bad happening with the country or the economy. Change has to be given a chance.. especially after seeng the other side having gotton its fair 8 years.
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10/28/2008 03:13:32 PM · #518 |
Originally posted by Prash:
Apparently there is no restriction on a media house that would stop it from distorting or morphing a 'news' to suit other motives. Or else FOX wont be in business. |
For those with short memories, FOX was the channel that was kept from being born by the major networks and it was only after years of litigation that they even got on the air. Then other countries successfully banned them (for a time) and in markets like Canada and the UK, they are increasing viewership as more and more people see for themselves that FOX is the only news organization that consistently offers more than one side to a story and goes out of their way to present the opposing view. Even Hannity has a Colmbs. But the vitriol against FOX is large and trying to convince many here of these facts is like spittin' in the wind. It really matters not in the grand scheme of things - viewers have gravitated towards FOX because of what FOX presents. That speaks for itself. People have a choice to turn on a multitude a channels. More are turning to FOX for their news than any other channel. Must be something in the water. An Obama presidency will likely increase FOX's viewership even more. A trinity of Obama, Reid and Pelosi with a filibuster proof Senate will likely send the viewership through the roof. |
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10/28/2008 03:15:54 PM · #519 |
Originally posted by Flash:
Originally posted by Prash:
In short, I do not respect who McCain is as a human being (or what all he is portraying) after all that he has wasted in his own life. |
As is your right. The other choice in this election (whom actually can garner enough votes for the presidency - since you obviously have other choices just not ones with a reasonable chance of election) is a smooth talking lawyer who believes that some people have too much. Has long associations with questionable persons and has personally argued that the Supreme Court is too restrictive in its interpretation. The choice is yours to make. Just please be accountable for your choice. If Obama's election turns out to be good, then please feel free to take credit for your vote. But when your taxes go up and businesses close due to increased costs and consumer prices rise due to increased operating costs, then please be a stand up person and take credit for that as well. |
So, Flash -- did you vote for Bush? Are you standing up and taking responsibility for the mess our country is in right now? Or are you going to give the same tired out talking points about how it's not Bush's fault, it's really Clinton's (or maybe even Carter's)? Stand up and take responsibility for the mess the country is in right now, if you believe what you say. |
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10/28/2008 03:17:52 PM · #520 |
Originally posted by scalvert:
"FOX asserted that there are no written rules against distorting news in the media. They argued that, under the First Amendment, broadcasters have the right to lie or deliberately distort news reports on public airwaves." |
Originally posted by Flash:
It really matters not in the grand scheme of things - viewers have gravitated towards FOX because of what FOX presents. That speaks for itself. |
Yes, sadly it does. :-( |
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10/28/2008 03:19:00 PM · #521 |
Originally posted by DrAchoo:
For those who want lower taxes, I'd like to know what we are going to cut in spending?
86.8% of the federal budget was taken up by:
Social Security
Medicare/medicaid
Unemployment/welfare/mandatory spending
Interest on debt
Defense and the War on Terror
So what's it going to be? I always hear the Republicans talk about lower taxes, lower taxes, lower taxes. What I don't hear is where the lower spending is going to be. All of those above are either untouchable or sacred cows.
It just makes no sense to me. How can this country keep going on like this? Eventually the party is over and I just don't see how that is avoidable. The only question in my mind is, does it come in my lifetime? my children's? my grandchildren's? |
Lets start by slash that 13.2% that you didn't list (payroll?) and also slash a lot of that war on terror line item (i.e. most if not all of the Iraq spending). How much have we saved then?
Message edited by author 2008-10-28 15:22:15.
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10/28/2008 03:28:23 PM · #522 |
Originally posted by Flash:
It really matters not in the grand scheme of things - viewers have gravitated towards FOX because of what FOX presents. That speaks for itself. People have a choice to turn on a multitude a channels. More are turning to FOX for their news than any other channel. Must be something in the water. |
Jerry Springer was a success too.
I watch Fox News. As far as actual journalism goes, it's like the Weekly World News, full of BS, but still entertaining. |
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10/28/2008 03:29:10 PM · #523 |
Originally posted by eqsite:
Originally posted by Flash:
Originally posted by Prash:
In short, I do not respect who McCain is as a human being (or what all he is portraying) after all that he has wasted in his own life. |
As is your right. The other choice in this election (whom actually can garner enough votes for the presidency - since you obviously have other choices just not ones with a reasonable chance of election) is a smooth talking lawyer who believes that some people have too much. Has long associations with questionable persons and has personally argued that the Supreme Court is too restrictive in its interpretation. The choice is yours to make. Just please be accountable for your choice. If Obama's election turns out to be good, then please feel free to take credit for your vote. But when your taxes go up and businesses close due to increased costs and consumer prices rise due to increased operating costs, then please be a stand up person and take credit for that as well. |
So, Flash -- did you vote for Bush? Are you standing up and taking responsibility for the mess our country is in right now? Or are you going to give the same tired out talking points about how it's not Bush's fault, it's really Clinton's (or maybe even Carter's)? Stand up and take responsibility for the mess the country is in right now, if you believe what you say. |
I have long defended the decisions of this president and continue to (remember that some 40% still approve of Bush). I cannot remember another election where the sitting president sat out the campaign for the next president. I also cannot remember when the congress had a worst approval rating that the current one (17% I believe). I also have consistently stated that I believe in individual choice and individual responsibility as opposed to the liberal mantra of victimization. To see Barney Frank blame Bush for the failed Fannie and Freddie debacle was the height of liberal hypocricy. But he is a politician so that explains it. The one thing that Obama has sucessfully done is consistently painted McCain as more Bush. Every sentence that mentions McCain pairs Bush with him. Riding on that unpopluarity has been a brilliant campaign move. Dishonest - but brilliant. I posted earlier that McCain used to be the Democrats favorite Republican, being even more Democrat than some Democrats. He was never the conservatives favorite Republican. Regardless, he is more conservative than his opponent.
Message edited by author 2008-10-28 15:33:46. |
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10/28/2008 03:35:50 PM · #524 |
Originally posted by Flash:
Originally posted by eqsite:
Originally posted by Flash:
Originally posted by Prash:
In short, I do not respect who McCain is as a human being (or what all he is portraying) after all that he has wasted in his own life. |
As is your right. The other choice in this election (whom actually can garner enough votes for the presidency - since you obviously have other choices just not ones with a reasonable chance of election) is a smooth talking lawyer who believes that some people have too much. Has long associations with questionable persons and has personally argued that the Supreme Court is too restrictive in its interpretation. The choice is yours to make. Just please be accountable for your choice. If Obama's election turns out to be good, then please feel free to take credit for your vote. But when your taxes go up and businesses close due to increased costs and consumer prices rise due to increased operating costs, then please be a stand up person and take credit for that as well. |
So, Flash -- did you vote for Bush? Are you standing up and taking responsibility for the mess our country is in right now? Or are you going to give the same tired out talking points about how it's not Bush's fault, it's really Clinton's (or maybe even Carter's)? Stand up and take responsibility for the mess the country is in right now, if you believe what you say. |
I have long defended the decisions of this president and continue to. I cannot remember another election where the sitting president sat out the campaign for the next president. I also cannot remember when the congress had a worst approval rating that the current one (17% I believe). I also have consistently stated that I believe in individual choice and individual responsibility as opposed to the liberal mantra of victimization. To see Barney Frank blame Bush for the failed Fannie and Freddie debacle was the height of liberal hypocricy. But he is a politician so that explains it. The one thing that Obama has sucessfully done is consistently painted McCain as more Bush. Every sentence that mentions McCain pairs Bush with him. Riding on that unpopluarity has been a brilliant campaign move. Dishonest - but brilliant. I posted earlier that McCain used to be the Democrats favorite Republican, being even more Democrat than some Democrats. He was never the conservatives favorite Republican. Regardless, he is more conservative than his opponent. |
You've consistently defended the indefensible. Not always with good sense, reason or logic, but I'll give you consistency.
If McCain is such a "rebel Republican", a "Mavrick" as he claims, why does his voting record show otherwise? Was someone there in the shadows forcing him to toe the party line? Why has his platform migrated to conform to his Party's platform?
McCain = 4 more years of GWB
It really is that simple. |
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10/28/2008 03:36:01 PM · #525 |
Originally posted by Flash:
I also have consistently stated that I believe in individual choice and individual responsibility as opposed to the liberal mantra of victimization. |
Yet you are ready to blame Obama and his supporters for all the ills his presidency will create before he is even elected. Oy. |
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