Talk about a leadership home run, John McCain's selection of Sarah Palin is the best selection for a Vice Presidential candidate since Ross Perot selected retired Vice Admiral James Stockdale to be his running mate in 1992.
We can only hope that Ms. Palin will be a bit better prepared for the Vice Presidential debate than Mr. Stockdale was.
For those too young to remember, look it up here.
Saturday, August 30, 2008
Friday, August 29, 2008
Higher Taxes Aren't Very Funny
The U.S. Chamber of Commerce, a pro-business special interest group closely connected to Norm Coleman, has come up with another attack ad against Al Franken.
It suggests that every time Al opens his mouth, he's saying that he's going to raise your takes. Talk about deceptive. It's my understanding that Al is right in line with Barack Obama. He'd roll back the unfair Bush tax cuts to the wealthy, and lower taxes for the majority of Americans.
The ad also claims that Norm Coleman is working hard to secure better health care for Minnesotans, while keeping the government out of our health care decisions, or some such drivel. It deceptively raises fears that we'll no longer be able to see the doctor of our choice and that some faceless government bureaucrat will make health care decisions for us.
Anyone who has had to deal with a private insurance company knows that there are plenty of faceless bureaucrats involved in making health care decisions for us. Except, they're not government bureaucrats --- they're employed by private insurance companies.
Over the past 10 years, health care costs have gone up at an incredible rate. Health care coverage has gone down. Monthly insurance rates and copays have gone up. And, more people have become uninsured.
Republican politicians are fine with the current health care situation. They have low cost health care insurance, and their wealthy friends are happy.
Norm Coleman has fought to bring us better health care? Now, that would be funny, if the truth weren't so sad. Casual observation, and those damned statistics would seem to prove otherwise.
The only thing Norm Coleman has fought for is the interests of his wealthy friends. He's given away billions of taxpayer dollars to satisfy wealthy special interests. He conspired with a lobbyist (who happened to be a Republican Congressman at the time) to help pass the Medicare prescription drug bill. In typical Republican speak, the law was supposed to help seniors afford expensive medications. In reality, it's done more to help the drug companies than it has to help seniors.
How would you like to be prohibited - by law - from negotiating the best price on your next car? Most of us would find that totally unacceptable. Yet, Norm and his co-conspirators added just such a prohibition to the prescription drug law. Our government - spending taxpayer money - is prohibited from negotiating the best price for the Medicare Part D drugs it buys.
The commercial suggests that we call Al Franken and tell him that "Higher Taxes Aren't Very Funny."
What's not funny is deceptive advertising.
Instead, I would recommend that everyone call the U. S. Chamber of Commerce (1-800-638-6582) - and their local Chamber of Commerce. Request that they stop deceptive advertising.
Request that they spend their money supporting the American people who have brought them so much wealth.
It suggests that every time Al opens his mouth, he's saying that he's going to raise your takes. Talk about deceptive. It's my understanding that Al is right in line with Barack Obama. He'd roll back the unfair Bush tax cuts to the wealthy, and lower taxes for the majority of Americans.
The ad also claims that Norm Coleman is working hard to secure better health care for Minnesotans, while keeping the government out of our health care decisions, or some such drivel. It deceptively raises fears that we'll no longer be able to see the doctor of our choice and that some faceless government bureaucrat will make health care decisions for us.
Anyone who has had to deal with a private insurance company knows that there are plenty of faceless bureaucrats involved in making health care decisions for us. Except, they're not government bureaucrats --- they're employed by private insurance companies.
Over the past 10 years, health care costs have gone up at an incredible rate. Health care coverage has gone down. Monthly insurance rates and copays have gone up. And, more people have become uninsured.
Republican politicians are fine with the current health care situation. They have low cost health care insurance, and their wealthy friends are happy.
Norm Coleman has fought to bring us better health care? Now, that would be funny, if the truth weren't so sad. Casual observation, and those damned statistics would seem to prove otherwise.
The only thing Norm Coleman has fought for is the interests of his wealthy friends. He's given away billions of taxpayer dollars to satisfy wealthy special interests. He conspired with a lobbyist (who happened to be a Republican Congressman at the time) to help pass the Medicare prescription drug bill. In typical Republican speak, the law was supposed to help seniors afford expensive medications. In reality, it's done more to help the drug companies than it has to help seniors.
How would you like to be prohibited - by law - from negotiating the best price on your next car? Most of us would find that totally unacceptable. Yet, Norm and his co-conspirators added just such a prohibition to the prescription drug law. Our government - spending taxpayer money - is prohibited from negotiating the best price for the Medicare Part D drugs it buys.
The commercial suggests that we call Al Franken and tell him that "Higher Taxes Aren't Very Funny."
What's not funny is deceptive advertising.
Instead, I would recommend that everyone call the U. S. Chamber of Commerce (1-800-638-6582) - and their local Chamber of Commerce. Request that they stop deceptive advertising.
Request that they spend their money supporting the American people who have brought them so much wealth.
Contrasts
Last night we watched Barack Obama deliver his acceptance speech in front of 70,000+ in Denver. Today we were treated to John McCain announcing his VP choice in front of a much smaller, though quite spirited, crowd in Dayton.
Two things really stood out.
One, the Obama crowd appeared to be one of the most racially diverse crowds ever to attend a political event.
Two, the Republican crowd did not appear to have nearly as much diversity.
The Grand Old Party of rich white people continues to appeal to its base.
Two things really stood out.
One, the Obama crowd appeared to be one of the most racially diverse crowds ever to attend a political event.
Two, the Republican crowd did not appear to have nearly as much diversity.
The Grand Old Party of rich white people continues to appeal to its base.
Thursday, August 28, 2008
Here We Go Again....
Republicans are nothing if not unlucky.
Minnesota Governor Tim Pawlenty appointed his Lieutenant Governor, Carol Molneau, to lead the state's Department of Transportation. Under the Pawlenty "leadership" needed road maintenance and repairs were ignored. When consultants hired by the DOT suggested that money be spent on repairs and maintenance, they were directed to come back with "less costly" options.
After all, Tim Pawlenty had made a pledge to the wealthy taxpayer's lobby, promising to hold down taxes. The citizen's of Minnesota be damned. Protecting the wealthy was more important.
Then, a little over a year ago, the 35W bridge in Minneapolis collapsed into the Mississippi river. Many were injured and about a dozen killed. What unfortunate "luck."
While never stated publicly, the Republicans are "good businessmen." Such losses, while "regrettable" in a public sense, are "acceptable" as long as good Republican principles are maintained.
Now, on the eve of the Republican National Convention, a tropical storm - predicted to become a category 3 hurricane - is heading toward the gulf coast.
If the storm causes damage in New Orleans while the Republicans celebrate in St. Paul, Americans can't help to be reminded of the incompetent "leadership" the Republicans have offered over the last 8 years
That's something that even the Karl Rove attack machine will have a hard time spinning.
Minnesota Governor Tim Pawlenty appointed his Lieutenant Governor, Carol Molneau, to lead the state's Department of Transportation. Under the Pawlenty "leadership" needed road maintenance and repairs were ignored. When consultants hired by the DOT suggested that money be spent on repairs and maintenance, they were directed to come back with "less costly" options.
After all, Tim Pawlenty had made a pledge to the wealthy taxpayer's lobby, promising to hold down taxes. The citizen's of Minnesota be damned. Protecting the wealthy was more important.
Then, a little over a year ago, the 35W bridge in Minneapolis collapsed into the Mississippi river. Many were injured and about a dozen killed. What unfortunate "luck."
While never stated publicly, the Republicans are "good businessmen." Such losses, while "regrettable" in a public sense, are "acceptable" as long as good Republican principles are maintained.
Now, on the eve of the Republican National Convention, a tropical storm - predicted to become a category 3 hurricane - is heading toward the gulf coast.
If the storm causes damage in New Orleans while the Republicans celebrate in St. Paul, Americans can't help to be reminded of the incompetent "leadership" the Republicans have offered over the last 8 years
That's something that even the Karl Rove attack machine will have a hard time spinning.
Wednesday, August 27, 2008
Trickle Down Economics Fails
The business section of the St. Paul Pioneer Press (Wednesday, August 27, 2008) carried an interesting article on how the middle class has been left behind during the business cycle high of 2001 to 2007. While the wealthy did quite well during this period, the middle class didn't fare so well.
The median income in Minnesota dropped from $58,363 in 2001 to $55,802 in 2007. The poverty level rose from 7.8% in 2001 to 9.5% in 2007. And, the number of uninsured rose from 7.5% in 2001 to 8.8% in 2007. While I haven't seen any statistics as yet, corporate proxy statements would seem to indicate that corporate executives fared far better.
We've been living under the Republican version of "trickle down economics" for quite some time. It appears to be working - if you're wealthy.
This year, as in past years, there appears to be a huge difference between the two major political parties. The Republicans will seek to keep and expand the tax cuts for the wealthy which appear to be a key element of their "trickle down economics" program. The Democrats would begin rolling back the tax cuts for those making more than $250,000 per year.
I've never quite understood the base of the "modern" Republican party. At the core, there are those who are very wealthy, who seek to maintain their wealth through favorable tax treatment. Then, there are businesses, which also seek to gain through favorable tax and regulatory treatment. There's the religious (Christian) right, with some very wealthy televangelists who purport to be holier than all others. They lead flocks of people of more modest means. And, finally there are those who are anti-abortion, seeking to impose their (limited) view on others.
It all seems like an unpatriotic, unholy, alliance.
Anyone who would put special interests ahead of the country's best interests is unpatriotic. Sure, we can have an honest debate over what's best for the country. But, anyone who signs a pledge to a special interest group is putting their interests ahead of the county's. By signing such a pledge, they're saying that they don't give a damn about the country - they represent special interests only.
Anyone who pledges to represent the view of a religious special interest group, before the needs of the country, deserves a special place in Hell. This country was founded on religious freedom. Yet, a small group of right wing religious extremists would have politicians support their goals above all others.
There's a clear choice this year. Do we continue to support the failed policies and practices of the past or look forward to solving the nation's problems with open, honest, debate?
Look beyond the attack ads. Look beyond the preachings of your spiritual leader. Be patriotic. Examine the issues from all points of view. Put the needs of the country first.
The median income in Minnesota dropped from $58,363 in 2001 to $55,802 in 2007. The poverty level rose from 7.8% in 2001 to 9.5% in 2007. And, the number of uninsured rose from 7.5% in 2001 to 8.8% in 2007. While I haven't seen any statistics as yet, corporate proxy statements would seem to indicate that corporate executives fared far better.
We've been living under the Republican version of "trickle down economics" for quite some time. It appears to be working - if you're wealthy.
This year, as in past years, there appears to be a huge difference between the two major political parties. The Republicans will seek to keep and expand the tax cuts for the wealthy which appear to be a key element of their "trickle down economics" program. The Democrats would begin rolling back the tax cuts for those making more than $250,000 per year.
I've never quite understood the base of the "modern" Republican party. At the core, there are those who are very wealthy, who seek to maintain their wealth through favorable tax treatment. Then, there are businesses, which also seek to gain through favorable tax and regulatory treatment. There's the religious (Christian) right, with some very wealthy televangelists who purport to be holier than all others. They lead flocks of people of more modest means. And, finally there are those who are anti-abortion, seeking to impose their (limited) view on others.
It all seems like an unpatriotic, unholy, alliance.
Anyone who would put special interests ahead of the country's best interests is unpatriotic. Sure, we can have an honest debate over what's best for the country. But, anyone who signs a pledge to a special interest group is putting their interests ahead of the county's. By signing such a pledge, they're saying that they don't give a damn about the country - they represent special interests only.
Anyone who pledges to represent the view of a religious special interest group, before the needs of the country, deserves a special place in Hell. This country was founded on religious freedom. Yet, a small group of right wing religious extremists would have politicians support their goals above all others.
There's a clear choice this year. Do we continue to support the failed policies and practices of the past or look forward to solving the nation's problems with open, honest, debate?
Look beyond the attack ads. Look beyond the preachings of your spiritual leader. Be patriotic. Examine the issues from all points of view. Put the needs of the country first.
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