News-Record.com

Good letter, but nothing new here.

Property confiscation and income distribution have been the plank of the democratic party since FDR. Their success depends on keeping people "down" and making sure they don't "make it on their own".

It was a pitiful sight in Denver...the greatest applause came when one of the speakers reiterated the democrats' commitment to income redistribution and punishing success.

This is nothing new Paul, just a new face repeating the same words. One party advocates govt. collectively taking care of our needs through income redistribution of producers, with govt. as the middleman. The other party used to advocate self-reliance with smaller govt. involvement in our lives and lower taxes. Unfortunately the two have for the most part joined in the former philosophy.

Sounds like Paul has followed the rabbit and swallowed the red pill.

Dan,

How's your stretch of Roadway coming?

Silly me, I always thought that the job of the government was to provide for the common good. You know, all those things that we can't reasonably provide for ourselves. A military, police force, highways, bridges, court systems, jails. Things like that.

I also have doubts that very many individual Americans pay into the government's coffers to the extent that they make use of the governmental benefits.

Dan,

But the facts are that federal employment was the lowest in 40 years during the Clinton Administration, and for most of those years the government had annual operating surpluses, and lastly more small businesses were created than during the Bush II years.

The largest redistribution of wealth in world history has just taken place under Republican mismanagement, bungling and conspiracy.
More than $100 Billion was lost by both Freddie Mac and Fannie Mae and that money did not just disappear...it slipped into the hands of greedy corporate America with no repercussions for their criminal behavior. The Republicans were busy gutting the regulatory system put in place during the 1930's that was designed to prevent just such financial fraud as just occurred. The system worked well until the Republicrooks got hold of too much power and just arbitrarily set aside laws and regulations so that their cronies could rob us all blind...and that is just what they did and are doing.
Paulson is complicit in the economic meltdown that is designed by Republicans to destroy the middle class and weaken American democracy.
To suggest that the Democrats are for big government is not only ludicrous, it is outright foolish. The biggest deficits always occur under Republican control. The greatest damage to the economy occurs under Republican policies. The Republicans just want to keep raping the American populace in a continued transfer of wealth from the middle class to the favored Republican elite. Then this bozo letter writer has the gall to echo the Republican party lie that Republicans are fiscally responsible.

Just somedude, You may want to take sometime and read the constitution!

Please enlighten me.

How come folks only get upset when someone less fortunate than themselves get a break?

When Haliburton, Exxon get untold billions for not much value nobody blinks an eye. Nobody is upset at the well healed idiots that got rich while producing the subprime meltdown that we're fixing to pay for, but when some scruffy person throws down a food stamp in front of you a the grocery store or someone gets a student loan that's a sign that the republic is going to blazes.

Rufus and verelse,

Great points. An incredible redistribution of wealth is now occurring with many of these bail outs at the expense of the middle class tax payer.

"Silly me, I always thought that the job of the government was to provide for the common good. You know, all those things that we can't reasonably provide for ourselves. A military, police force, highways, bridges, court systems, jails. Things like that."

If the govt. paid for the things you mentioned I wouldn't have a problem with it. If you think that is ALL they pay for, don't look at the Constitution, look at Citizens Against Govt. Waste.

Molly, you are relatively new here so you haven't seen historically that I abhor govt. waste regardless of party. It's our money no matter who is wasting it. I've posted numerous times over the years criticisms of the Bush admin. for it's excessive spending waste and corresponding deficits, as exemplified by Rufus and verelse. No opposition there on my part.

My criticism of Democrats is that they tend even more to advocate more and more govt. programs to answer the need of everyone at the expense of a few, universal health care being the grand daddy of them all. I posted all of the programs Obama advocates recently such as universal preschool, free day care, etc. etc.

As mentioned prior, the Repubs have become just like them. Bush and the previous Repub Congress have been a DISMAL failure in regards to govt. spending and waste.

McCain promises to be different, we'll see if he is elected.

As a self-employed person who hand writes those quarterly checks to the IRS and state, and who pays all of the FICA vs. the employer matching employee contributions, I am keenly sensitive to govt. waste. Next payment is due on Sept. 15.

How I wish everyone had to save the money and write these checks vs. conveniently never seeing the dough as their employer confiscates it prior to the paycheck being issued. There would be a tax revolt most certainly.

I feel like slapping idiots come April who say "I didn't have to pay anything, they are sending me a refund".

Dan,

My criticism with your remarks is they are not factual and you argue with 100 year precepts. You are correct that over the last 50 years, in particular during Johnson's administration many new government programs were established, but please review the Clinton's accomplishments including; the smallest federal government in over 40 years, high growth of small businesses, sound economic policy run by Robert Rubin, who stayed his time, and with most of his tenure running a federal government surplus. This current administration was a disaster and the Republican Party lost its’ principles. Families will pay $20,000 each to cover the cost of the Iraqi war and now it appears we will have a $20,000,000,000 bail out with Fannie and Freddie to be paid by the middle class. How many treasurer secretaries has Bush gone through? And the Republican Party drank rum and got drunk.

"More than $100 Billion was lost by both Freddie Mac and Fannie Mae and that money did not just disappear...it slipped into the hands of greedy corporate America with no repercussions for their criminal behavior. The Republicans were busy gutting the regulatory system put in place during the 1930's that was designed to prevent just such financial fraud as just occurred. The system worked well until the Republicrooks got hold of too much power and just arbitrarily set aside laws and regulations so that their cronies could rob us all blind...and that is just what they did and are doing. Paulson is complicit in the economic meltdown that is designed by Republicans to destroy the middle class and weaken American democracy."

verelse, please provide documentation of your wild accusations. As I recall Jim Johnson the former chairman of Fannie Mae, is a Democrat. He ran Walter Mondale's presidential campaign and assisted JOhn Kerry in his VP search. He was to head Obama's VP search before having to resign because of his association with Angelo Mozilo, chief executive of Calabasas-based Countrywide, who is believed to have provided favorable terms on mortgages to Johnson and other Friends of Angelo, which included Democrats Chris Dodd and Kent Conrad.

Mozilo is currently under SEC investigation. He paid billions of dollars out of Countrywide.

It is likely that this financial disaster is attributable to both political parties, so stop it with the Republicrooks. If that is so, then there also Democrroks involved as well.

“Property confiscation and income distribution have been the plank” … of the Federal Government since Alexander Hamilton days.

Now I’ll grant FDR escalated the income distribution portion, but you might want to consider the post civil war Administrations ... a whole string of them … and all "pro business Republicans" ... for a cogent discussion of The History of Property Confiscation in America.”

Verelse – don’t forget the Reagan’s “redistribution of wealth” which was $250 billion in today’s dollars to settle the S&L Crisis which also took place under Republican mismanagement, bungling and conspiracy.

btw Verelse, you owe ORR some data.

So, Dan, it sounds like we are in agreement on the proper role of government to provide for the common good.

The question will be just what, exactly, is for the common good, and what is waste.

With a government that draws in an amount of revenue that most citizens have a hard time wrapping their heads around, there is going to be expenditures on things that individuals may not agree with. That is the nature of a democracy. The only society that would function 100% as I wish it would would be a dictatorship. With me being the dictator, of course.

Since the government must consider the wants and needs of all the other 299,999,999 of you rubes, I'm not always going to get my way.

Bottom line, though, for me, is that the quote that the author of this letter took issue with is not one that I can find myself to oppose.

Well, in honesty, in re-reading the quote, I think it has a little more rhetoric than it should. I don't believe the accusations that republicans just want to cut everyone adrift and provide zero assistance.

Yes, JDR, I want the documentation that proves that Republicrooks are solely to blame for enriching their friends with these bailouts. I would contend that just as many Democrooks are enriching their friends as well. You know, there a lot of rich liberal Democrats. How did they get rich?

"I don't believe the accusations that republicans just want to cut everyone adrift and provide zero assistance."

Good for you, that is a start.

We all need roads, court systems, law enforcement, fire protection, and THANK YOU, a military. My nephew is a waaaaay far left type of guy and sees absolutely no need for a military, kid you not.

My contention is govt. waste. A few personal examples if I may. Last week I visited a Federal govt. client in Ohio for training. Prior, I advised them that I knew someone in the state that could provide said training for less money, i.e. travel expenses. They declined and said they wanted me to come despite it costing more.

I am a pilot and fly out of a county owned airport. The manager told me they were going to construct some new hangers soon. When I stated that there isn't much of a need for new hangars at this time he told me the FAA had some type of program where they needed to send money to airports whether they needed the money or not. Sooooo, he received $600K from the FAA and decided to use the money instead of losing it. New hangars courtesy of you, me, JDR, ORR, verelse, and everyone else. Thanks guys, perhaps I'll rent a newer hangar.

Every state, county, and city has countless examples such as the two examples I illustrated. Govt. is such a massive behemoth that spends way too much than it brings in. The Republican answer is to borrow more money, the Democratic answer is to raise taxes and create even more govt. programs. Neither is acceptable to me.

It's the same on the state level, Gov. Easley spending $170 for a 'business' trip to Italy. That includes around $52K for a private chauffeured Mercedes to escort Easley & the Mrs. around. Why? Gov. Easley wanted security as he wasn't sure how he and the Mrs. would be welcomed in Italy.

Hint, most Italians aren't quite sure where NC is, much less who it's Governor is.

This issue shouldn't be as partisan as it is. They are fleecing all of us, at least those of us who produce income.

Molly, you seem to have a penchant for Bill Clinton.

Just some dude, sorry do not have time to do your research. I think the federal government, if I remember correct. Was to have a strong military, post office. I do not recall any welfare programs, for people are business.
Dan, I know your pain, any one who has own a small business, can tell you the enemy, is first state government, then the federal government.
The paper work will kill you.
I think everyone should have the chance, to try and make one payroll
I understand, the automakers are next for a bailout, newspapers will not be far behind.
We seem to have forgotten that it is your right to fail. I like to see it were you could only pay your taxes on the day before election.

Dan,

Everyone should to try to be specific, factual and deliver logical arguments. So many arguments go; well he did that and she did this, and I am going to call him this, so everyone is a bad name, and corrupt and ....so forth.

Really, there are facts, accomplishments, and truth although very hard at times to see, but we should not short change those who read these blogs and want to walk away with some new understanding or insight, that may lead to better government, representation, prosperity or simple contentment.

Clinton did deliver to the citizens in many ways. GWB sank the boat, no the ship! Why should one care whether he is a democratic or republican? I think there is a need for more parties and an upgrade to a truly democratic system, a parliamentary system. Sorry, just had to throw that in!

"Yes, JDR, I want the documentation that proves that Republicrooks are solely to blame ... "

Well these are really two issues, ORR.

Few would argue that there are "just as many Democrooks" .. and "a lot of rich liberal Democrats" ... but it's a fairly easy proof the Republicans make their hay with Tax Cuts that overly favor the already rich (Soros included), and equally easy to prove the Democrats want to redistribute wealth from already rich to the wish-they'd-been-born-betters.

As for the bail-outs .. there was a big one under Reagan and now this one - and there were a couple little ones before (Carter signed the Chrysler Corporation Loan Guarantee), Nixon bailed Lockheed) - and in between (Bush 43 also bailed out the Airlines after 9-11).

The point is - at the time of bailout there is always a current "rationale", but the Republicans are the ones that LOUDLY PROCLAIM fiscal responsibility - financial rewards available to those that take a risk .. but the reality is Republicans are just as much Socialistic Bleeding Hearts as the Democrats, only because of their official stance, that makes them hypocrites.

Bingo! jdr

Well, Dog, you posted that I should read the constitution with such gusto as to make it seem that the knowledge that you claimed I was lacking was so simple as to be common knowledge.

I will give you a hint, though. As much as we would like to think otherwise, America didn't invent the idea of government. The idea of a governing body doing things that individuals can't do themselves pre-dates 1776.

Some other forms of government can include, but are not limited to, a democracy, a republic, a monarchy, an oligarchy, a theocracy, and a dictatorship.

Now, if you claim that the charter for America's government limits it's powers to a military and a post office, and absolutely nothing else, then I would most humbly disagree. As would current and past Presidents, Congresspersons, and Supreme Court Justices.

JDR:

What data? I am sure I should recall but I run two business and work about 75 hours a week. Sometimes I forget things :D

V

"btw Verelse, you owe ORR some data."
JDR You assume I disagree with the estimable ORR; I do not. The only difference is that the Republicrooks are the most recent crooks to loot the national largesse. Perhaps you assume I am a Democrat. But I can never be a Democrat because I am a pro-life NRA member. I can never be a Republican because I do not like stealing from my grandkids, I believe that the State should level the playing field a bit so that competition is honest. Republicans worship the "free market", a beast rarer than unicorns, and then demand subsidies for their business interests while decrying the subsidies given to other interests as "welfare" or "pork".
But here is a nice bit of evidence authored by Mr. Gramm, McBush's financial advisor: the Financial Services Modernization Act of 1999 which was intended to create the disastrous policies that directly lead to the current economic crisis. The keyword is unregulated banking in the form of derivatives.
Republicrooks conspire to pilfer America using corrupt business practices. Democrooks (to borrow ORR's term) use the Treasury more directly. This comes from the fact that few Democrook politicians have ever run a business (in some cases have never held a job) and therefore do not know that most large-scale enterprises involve a certain amount of moral ambiguity in the name of strong stock prices.
But, I cannot help but notice the trend here (http://zfacts.com/p/318.html) that documents the fact that deficits rise under Republicrook leadership.
Democrooks have the advantage that they raise taxes to pay for what they steal whereas Republicrooks steal from their grandchildren. We all know that these are generalizations and that the party system is FUBAR. So why are there so many party hacks here?
There is another bit of evidence about the Republicrook administrations bungling of the current financial crisis: Hank Paulson's idiotic claims just a few days ago that Fannie Mae & F. Mac did not need a bailout. Of course, we are now footing the bill for that bailout like we did the S&L fiasco under Reagan (whom I liked otherwise). And we know that his claims that it will only take 10-15 Billion is just nonsense...the real numbers that anyone in banking would come up with are closer to $200 billion (for both, hence my number of $100MM each).
Now in fairness to McBush (he was McCain until a couple of years ago), he has worked hard to cut the pork barrel spending in 49 states. I am sure Bobama has done the same. Every Senator fights pork in 49 states. We need someone who will fight pork in 50.
Palin, of course, is just lying about here opposition to pork, but there are three senators running in the same race so her record would have to be nearly pristine in comparison.
Finally, Molly, I am not sure more parties would be the answer, but more is better than two but none would be better than more. I would like to vote for people, not parties. I bet 90 percent of the bozos on both sides would not have a chance in a fully open Democracy.

"Every Senator fights pork in 49 states. We need someone who will fight pork in 50."

There is such a great joke waiting inside there.