Meaningful Connections

THE REPUBLICAN'S 'MAIN' JOB is CLEARLY JOB DESTRUCTION

DIVERSION PERVERSION

There is a gigantic gap between the Republican's mantra of jobs jobs jobs as their number one priority versus their all out push (conspiracy?) to do the very opposite. Granted there is a need to put checks on increasing spending but draconian cuts in government expenditures are responsible for many thousands of jobs being lost. This results in limiting expanding state governments but also adds to the accelerating increase of dreaded layoffs.

Rarely a day goes by when there is not headlined more evidence of a calculated Republican campaign to subvert job creation. Note this weeks block by the Republicans to extend the FAA budget for another year. This has had the effect of throwing out 4000 workers. This is bad news for the economy but this is only the tip of the problem. It is estimated that a ripple effect will cost another 70,000 jobs in relatively short order. For example, construction of a New Mexico airport had to be stopped as the funding for the workers has dried up.

I find it highly suspicious that the Republicans manufactured a crisis in the debt ceiling which has had the net effect of creating an unfortunate diversion away from attending to the more pressing crisis of the pressing immediate need for job creation.

I fervently hope that the calculated transparent campaign of the Republicans to wreck the economy in the hope that the President will take the hit results in the overreaching conspirators pushed back. In this connection if enough light is shone on these obvious anti - job creation actions - it might result in the conspirators being thrown out of office thereby creating a freshnew opportunity for job seekers.

 

 

BETTER STRAP YOURSELVES IN -THIS TIME THE TEA PARTY IS FIXING TO SERVE BLOOD NOT TEA

IT LOOKS LIKE THE 14TH AMENDMENT or CHAOS

I hate to seem like a killjoy but I have to give credit to the Tea Partiers.

They have earned an A+ for consistency. When they say no compromise they

mean no compromise. There is no particularly good reason why the rest of us

who are not quite so fanatical to hope that reason and fair play will win the day.

If I am right - and I truly hope I am not - then America will surely be at a water

shed moment in its grand history.

Apparently this collision between the pragmatists of both parties versus the

absolutists has been brewing for decades. Now we are fast approaching the

time when the winds of a perfect economic and political storm will test our

metal in coping with probable powerful forces threatening to overwhelm not

only our country but likely most of the world as well.

They are right - the Tea party faithful - that they have gotten the attention

of everyone who hear their insistent drum beats. Who do not believe that we

have to own up to the debt problem?

At the same time they are wrong - The Tea party faithful - that tying the debt

problem to the raising the debt ceiling is absolutely the right thing to do for all

Americans.

Their failure to include provisions for raising revenue along with lowering expenses

is a transparently cynical act to win the next election resulting in their supreme goal

of reducing President Obama to one term.

Their failure to compromise is an ungenerous, mean spirited, insensitive, power

grab calculated to benefit the rich and teach the poor and those with less power to

bow before their masters.

I am uncertain as to whether God or a God is particularly interested in this collision

of differing positions. But I pray that President Obama somehow will keep steady

under enormous pressure summoning his strength and intelligence to win the day -

triumphing over the narrow one sided poverty of narrow absolutism in favor of what

is truly pragmatically best for the greater good of America and indeed the rest of the

world as well.

 

 

 

SOMETHING IS TERRIBLY WRONG WITH THIS PICTURE

WHAT HAPPENED TO JOBS!JOBS!JOBS! ?

Note the following facts:

• Statistics released today indicate that the average profit for half of the companies reporting = and increase of 12% (This should be excellent news - it is for the CEOs and the shareholders not so for job creation).
• Statistics released today indicate additional layoffs. (What?)
• Evidence indicates that companies are adding to efficiency - squeezing more work out of workers who have jobs.
• The pay of executives continues to increase while pay of workers tends to remain stagnant.
• No evidence - nada - that the failure to raise taxes for the rich has led to any job creation at all. So much for the so called causal relationship between increased taxes and job creation.
• Numerous states are laying off government workers - adding to the already alarming lack of jobs.
• Many states are implementing anti union and anti bargaining laws guaranteeing wage and worker progress.It is said that jobs are not being created because there is too little demand for goods and services. This is due to the lack of jobs.

It is reasoned that a huge reduction in demand for goods and services is the primary explanation for the failure of corporations to create jobs. But the trend towards increasing lay offs makes this state of affairs a predictable occurrence.

Meanwhile the Republicans led by their champion Grover Norquist steadfastly refuse to add new revenues. This position is perfectly consistent with the leaders of the party vowing that the most important issue this year - way more important than job creation - is to make sure that President Obama loses the next election.

Conclusion: Despite their assertions to the contrary - it is obvious that the majority of the Republicans want to prevent the President from benefiting from any meaningful jobs creation program. I prefer to bear Lincoln's words in mind that you can't fool all the people all the time.

 

A TIME of TRIAL and TRIBULATIONS for the HOUSE TEA PARTIERS

COMPROMISE or CIVIL WAR ?

Developmental psychology indicates that the attainment of an integrated identity necessitates a significant shift in consciousness. Everyone starts out as a baby dominated by the pleasure principle. This principle is expressed as I want what I want when I want it and I won't tolerate any opposition. In other words: what I desire is absolutely right therefore I will accept nothing less than one hundred percent of whatever ... this means no compromise. This principle characterizes the normal consciousness of children until the age of 12. It also dominates the consciousness of the united House of Representative identified with the Tea Party.

Adults with integrated identities share a different consciousness dominated by the reality principle. This principle is expressed as I too what what I want when I want it and don't like any opposition but I am aware that everyone feels this way and differences in wants and beliefs is often the case. Thus, in the service of preventing all out war: an attitude of  compromise - is the most reasonable and fair attitude to uphold. The reality principle, respecting individual and collective differences between and among individuals, affirms a deference to the inevitability of realistic limitations.

Of course, it might be argued, that to compromise both sides of a given difference must share a similar perspective concerning impasses, namely that both accept the superiority of the the reality principle.  Wars often start because pleasure principled child conscious peoples ruled by pleasure principled child conscious fanatic leaders refuse to bend forcing more fair minded people to either submit to their fanatic will or push back with all of their might.

Such appears to me (and the majority of the American People) with respect to the current standoff re the debt ceiling, spending reduction, and revenue increase impasse.

Illustrative of the Republican House fanaticism are the words of Representative Ryan. To paraphrase: We will hold with spending cuts only. No tax hikes at all. "The White House is our adversary; the senate are our enemy."  So much for the Republican mantra that their party is truly representative of all of the American people. Their position results in grid lock - a seemingly intractable impasse.

To break an impasse between those who are reasonably fair and reasonable versus those who insist on being right with no concern about consequences extra forces must be introduced into the picture to be a catalyst for potentially significant change.

Fortunately,  just today,  there are signs of just such forces which may be just enough to break this impasse. 1 Polls today indicate that the majority of just Republican party voters are in favor of compromise. 2 All of the major economic experts predict economic disaster if the debt ceiling is not raised. 3 Wall street is most likely applying pressure on the House to compromise. 4 The President is daily rallying the independents to see the light which the polls indicate is what is happening.

5 Most importantly there are cracks in the unity of the Republicans which suggest all is far from a united stand. Four of the gang of seven are sensitive Republicans that are forcefully on record for a reasonable compromise.

6 Most importantly Representative Boehner is caught between a rock and a hard place. If he can't effect a compromise in the House in his own party he will finally have to choose between compromising with the White House or actually holding out for the House's no compromise position thereby risking the likelihood of an actual economic disaster.

If it appears that the House Republicans will hold out to the bitter end the markets are likely to plunge and with it increased interest rates and a return of a severe recession. (depression?) I would like to believe that good sense will prevail and the Republican Tea Party fanatics will finally realize they may get drunk on their victorious win but will no doubt suffer the biggest political hangover in American history thereby bending thus really making a truly wise choice for the benefit of the American People.

 

 

PRESIDENT OBAMA is ABSOLUTELY RIGHT in HIS POSITION to COMPROMISE

_{THE REPUBLICANS ARE WRONG HEADED}

Clearly there are at least two different and opposing positions with respect to resolving the seemingly unsolvable debt reduction issue. Each side blames the other failing to reach an agreement. Meanwhile the clock keeps ticking as the country moves dangerously closer and closer to some obvious troublesome consequences.

So aren't both sides equally blameworthy?

No!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

The President - speaking for the Democrats - is willing to compromise.The dictionary defines compromise as: " a settlement of differences by mutual concessions; an agreement reached byadjustment of conflicting or opposing claims, principles etc., by reciprocal modification ofdemands." This process of mutual accommodation  is not a demonstration of weakness but respect for differing hard nosed positions and perspectives passionately subscribed to by the partisans of each side.

The Republicans are fond of saying that they listen to and obey the will of "The American People." Well I am one of those Americans who agrees with the President's position but is dissed by the House Republicans mainly the so called Tea Party partisans. None of these self appointed standard bearers are listening to me. Perhaps they need to be reminded of the episode that defined them regarding the imposition of taxes  without representation.

In this connection the polls of independent voters show a majority siding with the democratic position of increasing revenues along with reducing the deficit by cuts in spending. True to their present nature the Republicans don't and won't acknowledge this discomforting fact as it may confuse their sense of absolute rightness.

From another point of view the Republican House members are collectively acting like a spoiled group of children. They are guided by the pleasure principle: They want what they want when they want it and will tolerate no opposition.

They need to realize that everybody feels the same way - even grownups.

However the difference between grown ups and children is that grownups realize that people often differ with respect to positions held about any issue. Adults understand that to live in a manner so that all might enjoy the fruits of freedom there has to be a spirit of compromise. Isn't that what the Constitution is really about: a spirit of compromise characterized by a hearty respect for differences? A system of checks and balances so that an atmosphere is maintained that is the best one devised by man to make it possible for the greater good to be the highest priority versus a system in which might is right and the rest of the low be damned.

The Republicans preach a high minded game but at least in this crucial issue they demonstrate the truth of Montaignes' saying: "Supercelestial thoughts breed subterranean conduct."

In my not too humble opinion the Republican House Members need to learn how to grow up.

 

 

A CHALLENGE to the REPUBLICAN HOUSE REPRESENTATIVES

IF the UNTHINKABLE ACTUALLY COMES to PASS:

Today, July 10 th, 2011 our country stands on brink of actually doing the unthinkable: failure to increase the debt ceiling. There is no argument that there exist two distinct perspectives as to the remedy for the obvious debt crisis. But among those experts who really have the facts about such matters, there is wide spread agreement that failure to increase the debt ceiling will have dire consequences for the economy of the world not just for the United States.

It appears that the sticking point is the stated and restated absolute no raising taxes position of the Republican controlled House of Representatives. Some how or other compromise is viewed as weakness due to their conviction of the purity of their uncompromising perspective. In holding fast to their absolute position they are daily increasing the very real and extremely dangerous possibility of an actual default - the first one in America's history.

Perhaps there will be a last moment deal - not unusual in our crisis attuned 'crazy' way of arriving at critical decisions. Perhaps the worst will not occur because a last moment decision is reached or if it does occur perhaps (not likely) the predicted dire consequences may not be so dire. However what if the worst does occur. What then?

It has been said by some Republicans - notable Rep. Bachmann - that the government pick and choose who to pay off with the revenues that will continue to accrue on a daily basis. Choices will have to be made as to who jumps to the head of the priority of creditors list. For example we should pay the Chinese bond holders and hold back on social security payments and the likes.

In the event of such an absurd and totally inappropriate state of affairs I challenge the Republican House of representatives with the following option. In the event of an actual default I suggest that as leaders of this country who state time and time again that their principle concern is always to do what is the right thing for "ALL OF THE AMERICAN PEOPLE" they forego their monthly salaries as a concrete sign that they truly believe in the principle of 'shared sacrifice' and equal pain.

I predict that this challenge if put into the form a House resolution would not even get printed let alone voted on. Go ahead you patriots and prove me wrong!!!!!!

 

THE REPUBLICANS ARE BEING A BIT PROVOCATIVE

WHERE'S THE BEEF?

In the service of fair play and tolerating differences I am trying to extend grace to the Republican party. But pure animosity keeps my more 'spiritual' side roiling. If you haven't guessed the motivation for my latest rant it is all compressed in the single word:JOBS!

It has been near 6 months since the Republicans promised to make their priority concern that of job creation. So how come what has dominated their attention has been an obsession with anti-abortion roll backs, God, budget deficits, anti government,  no new taxes of any kind, anti - labor laws (i.e.anti - collective bargaining); and a daily attack on the leadership, character, and 'different-ness' of President Obama with not one serious job creation initiative even proposed to say nothing about enacted.

Bad enough the Grand Old Party - has transparently calculated that doing nothing is the way to beat Obama but their reaction to the latest dismal jobs report is to rationalize it as an argument to (1) raise no new taxes and (2) evidence that Obama's leadership as a job creationist is a complete failure.

Meanwhile their obsession to cut spending without considering raising revenues is clearly making the crisis in jobs deepen.

There is no one shred of evidence indicating that reducing the deficit in times of severe job losses is helpful to the economy. There is also not one shred of evidence that raising taxes to increase urgently needed revenue to help create jobs will have a negative effect on the economy.

The Republicans seem to be egging for another civil war or perhaps it is more apt to say uncivil war. If this is accurate then they have stirred the passion of one American citizen to enlist in the war to call them out.

OK Republicans you win - I AM PROVOKED!

 

 

A QUEEN FOR A QUEEN - OBAMA'S GRAND PLOY?

OK REPUBLICANS: YOU WANT TO PLAY- THEN LET'S PLAY

PREDICTION:

The immediate reaction to the Presidents' leaked offer to reduce money to medicare and social security is most likely going to be met with as much shock and anger by the progressives and many middle of the road democrats as was the Casey verdict to 70 percent of polled Americans. 

I can hear the resounding chorus of Obama - the sell out, he caved, the Republicans are playing him like a violin, he is unbelievably weak etc.

However - there is a noteworthy part B of the BIG DEAL. An historic give by the democrats has to be equally matched by a proportionate increase of taxes by the Republicans.

Whereas the progressives are likely to scream bloody murder and SELL OUT my second prediction is you don't know what screaming is like until you hear the explosion by the Republicans and especially the T Party fanatics.

The Republican party led by their wise fair-minded and reasonable leaders have made it perfectly clear they are absolutely unwilling to agree to any raise in taxes under any circumstances. So there - take that you Democrats - apparently believing they have the Democrats over a barrel.

And of course their intransigent position is tied to the pending debt crisis which must not be allowed to happen.

So - as I read it - before the debt crisis occurs the Republicans are going to experience one hell of a crisis of their own. If they reject the President's offer they will clearly be viewed as not only the party of NO - but if they play their game of chicken and actually force the US to go into default with all of its probable negative consequences they can kiss their power away perhaps for decades.

If on the other hand they agree they (1) will be viewed by the fanatics among them as their leaders having sold out having no other alternative than to compromise; (2) be seen as intellectually and morally bankrupt as they have nothing substantial to offer except no new taxes; (3) quite likely spark an internal civil war between the ultra fanatics and the semi fanatics which should leave the door wide open for a second term for Obama and a likely democratic sweep.

Once it becomes evident that the over reaching Republican Governors and the just say no Republican Congress has been "pushed back" it will be quite evident the Democrats led by President Obama can square things up again. Then they can enact a necessary jobs bill with infrastructure in the upper most priority, re - extend job benefits, push through fair and reasonable oversights on the Banks, public works programs, imaginative job creation programs, and the likes.

The way one matches stupidity and self serving hypocrisy is by being straight, fair and reasonable with informed decisions based on what is truly best for the people versus what is narrowly best for me.

I was never one to believe in reincarnation, but viewing President Obama in his day to day handling of crisis after crisis he seems to be more Lincolnesque by the moment. Hail to the Chief! 

 

 

 

 

PLEASE ENLIGHTEN ME AS TO THE WISDOM OF THE REPUBLICAN'S UNIFIED NO TO ALL NEW TAXES

I WANT TO BE FAIR AND OBJECTIVE

Any reasonable American has no other recourse than to admit that the United States is in a deep economic crisis. Spending indeed is too high and must be cut. But to arbitrarily rule out tax increases resulting in needed revenue appears on the surface to be nothing else than pure greed and selfishness.  However, to be fair and reasonable admitting I am no expert on this matter I appeal to all reasonable people to argue their rational objectively so I can finally get over my seething anger at Norguist's minions.

I am aware of the standard arguments for taking such a hard nosed uncompromising position. These arguments include:

• Governments (national, state, and local) suck money out of the economy.
• Governments waste money and overspend.
• It is convenient to soak the rich.
• The rich will take the risk to create new jobs.
• Trickle down will ultimately be good for everyone.
• Taxes will affect the economy negatively.
• The rich deserve to hold onto to their wealth because they earned it.

So what's my beef? A few counter arguments follow:

• Revenue is necessary for investment. Dah!
• Checks and balances and appropriate oversight are needed to check excesses.
• If shared sacrifice is a value then the rich should suffer somewhat along with the rest of us. If not, why not? And if so, what specific ways do they suffer?
• The evidence suggests that the wealthy do not automatically create new jobs.
• Trickle down didn't work in the last decade why is there hope that this trend will reverse?
• New taxes did not adversely impact the Clinton administration - indeed ending up with a large surplus.
• The rich have responsibilities to contribute their fair share along with the rest of us.

Then of course there are a few additional details that interfere with being objective. Obviously greater wealth results in greater power. Power exerts itself in influencing policy making. The trend these days is in giving lawful power to those who make the most. Note the power of corporations: re tax breaks, campaign financing, treat corporations as if they are persons, disparity of wages re management and workers, anti union and anti collective bargaining laws, voter suppression initiatives; threats of punishment to any republicans who break the anti tax pledge;a notable failure to talk straight when confronted with this important issue.

There are no doubt other important considerations of which I am ignorant. So please - who ever can add to this picture wise me up. I dislike feeling so much upset to some of my fellow human beings. Please help to reestablish my sense of balance and proportion because at the present time I am mad as hell and don't want to put up with it anymore.

Thank you in advance for your time, effort, and thoughtfulness in helping me objectify this issue.

 

 

 

 

 

REPUBLICAN DELUSIONS

by gibbs williams Member since: November 25, 2005 REPUBLICAN DELUSIONS OH REALLY !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! DELUSION # 1 -  TRICKLE DOWN REALLY TRICKLES DOWN ["Trickle down economics was a Trojan Horse" David Stockman - http://rationalrevolution.net/war/trickle_down.htm DELUSION # 2 -  INCREASING TAXES STIFLES ECONOMIC GROWTH - "http://answers.yahoo.com/question/index?qid=20110418144609AASXQtz" DELUSION # 3 - EVERYTHING IS ON THE TABLE EXCEPT TAXES IS STILL EVERYTHING ON THE TABLE "http://www.dailykos.com/story/2011/03/08/953880/-Saxby-Chambliss:-Everythings-on-the-tableexcept-increasing-taxes" DELUSION # 4 -  SHARED SACRIFICE EXCEPT FOR THE VERY RICH IS STILL SHARED SACRIFICE "http://www.ohiomm.com/blogs/blog_mass_destruction/2011/02/24/shared-sacrifice/ID=14693/" DELUSION # 5 -  ANTI ABORTION LAWS, KILL COLLECTIVE BARGAINING, SUPPRESS VOTER REGISTRATION, CUT EVERYTHING TO THE BONE, VOTE AGAINST ANYTHING THATEVEN SLIGHTLY GIVES OBAMA A VICTORY, is  the SURE FIRE FORMULA TO GROW the ECONOMY and will surely lead to job creation and prosperity for all of the American people. "http://crooksandliars.com/susie-madrak/house-republican-priorities-jobs-nope" DELUSION # 6 - IT ONLY APPEARS THAT ANTI ABORTION LAWS ARE THE GOVERNMENTS INTRUDING ON A WOMAN'S RIGHT TO CHOOSE. "http://www.care2.com/causes/33-anti-abortion-laws-enacted.html" DELUSION $ 7 - TRUE EXCITEMENT IN THIS COMING PRESIDENTIAL RACE WILL ONLY BE GENERATED BY NOMINATING ANOTHER TEXAS GOVERNOR - ANOTHER IN A LONG LINE OF AWESOME AMAZING LEADERS "http://www.christianpost.com/news/rick-perry-we-need-to-stop-apologizing-for-conservative-values-51335/" DELUSION # 8 - ALL of the ABOVE IS ABSOLUTELY TRUE BECAUSE IT IS GOD'S WILL. [He personally communicates with at least a couple of the Republican presidential contenders]. "http://feedback.pdxradio.com/topic/god-caught-backing-multiple-gop-candidates-for-president" With wisdom like this who needs government at all? And on a personal note: guns should be made legal for five year old children - you can't start too early to learn how to protect yourself. The motto for this campaign might be:"All for gun and gun for all!"