Rebane's Ruminations
January 2014
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George Rebane

Another one of my errors in judgment has been exposed.  According to former SecDef Gates in his forthcoming Duty, I am remiss in having been overly kind to Obama in assessing his dedication to his job and the duty of his office.  Gates knows better, and his views are being well publicized in outlets such as the Fiscal Times (here).  Nevertheless, I think the man has delivered a most measured and gentlemanly criticism of this administration and Congress.  From the excerpts I have read, the media is over-crediting the extent of his criticisms.   Gates’ book comes out on 14 January.

Speaking of Obama and the legacy he will leave in 2016, what if the Republicans again gave Americans the chance to vote for Romney and Ryan.  Will we as an electorate have learned from our devastating mistake in 2012?  Then we re-elected a man who was demonstrably ignorant in economics, foreign affairs, and constitutional law – a man with no executive experience or legislative accomplishment, in addition to a “sealed” past and an extraordinary ability to lie that is only exceeded by his propensity to do so.  And we have reaped what we sowed.

Against the Romney/Ryan ticket the Dems will run Hillary, who despite her past titles, comes with no discernible accomplishment, equally absent executive experience, and baggage that demonstrates her ability to make critical decisions and handle the ‘3pm phone call’ – forget about her handling the ‘3am phone call’.  The alternative to Hillary may be the buffoon from Central Casting – Wrong Way Joe.  Anyway, it’s worth a thought.

And speaking of the constant crapola coming out of the White House, Obama’s shills are hyping Obamacare’s early performance, “crediting it with spending miracles.”  The problem is that according to federal actuaries none of it is true – “the new law had a minimal impact on overall national health spending growth through 2012.”  Nevertheless, its paid “boosters are taking credit for trends that began long before the law passed.”  And some wags observe that “maybe Obamacare should also get retroactive political credit for the germ theory of disease.”  (more here)

[9jan14 update]  Everybody hear the latest about that filthy capitalist enterprise Walmart?  Well, it seems that the bastards have an employee health plan that beats the pants off of Obamacare.  It is much cheaper and provides more than three times the services than are available under the new limited access nationalized healthcare.  It’s just like the greedy corporatists to always show up well-intentioned government programs, just because these are poorly thought out, designed, and implemented.  Is there no shame left in the world?  (more here)

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127 responses to “Ruminations – 8jan2014 (updated 9jan14)”

  1. Paul Emery Avatar

    Rebane writes
    ” Will we as an electorate have learned from our devastating mistake in 2012?”
    Well George I didn’t vote for Obama this time around because of his poor performance in his first term. At least I was able to change directions which is something those who voted for voted for Bush’s second term were unable to do.

    Like

  2. Russ Steele Avatar

    I want to share an experience that I think is an ObamaCare impact.
    Our dog Harper has glaucoma and requires daily pills and eyedrops. When
    we learned about the problem in September of 2012 the cost of 90 pills
    was $67.00, six months later the same pills were $105 for 90 pills.
    The last quote we got from Costco was $275.75 for 90 pills. In 18
    months the price of 90 pills went from $67.00 to $275.75. We went pill
    on the phone and found the same pills at CVS for $198 for 90 pills. So,
    the difference is really $67 to $198, or about a 3 times increase in 18 months.
    The eye drop prices have increased by a similar factor, though not quite
    as much.
    These pills have been around for a while, the development cost should
    have been recovered some time ago. Why the progressive increase in
    price? Increasing administrative costs due to ObamaCare? Big Pharma
    getting all they can before being screwed by ObamaCare? Any good
    ideas?

    Like

  3. George Rebane Avatar

    Reading the 2004 Democratic platform is an education in what they perceived as Bush2’s “poor performance”, quite different from today’s Monday morning quarterbacking. Also in the first pages we note that Bush2 is dunned for going it alone (when he had almost 20 nations supporting America) in Iraq, and then not acting until he got “the green light” from across the sea. In any event, the ‘then’ of the Left was quite different from how it has been redressed today.
    http://www.presidency.ucsb.edu/ws/?pid=29613

    Like

  4. Paul Emery Avatar

    But George the results were an unfunded war that lasted nearly 10 years that cost at least 2 Trillion $ 5000 American lives for what purpose, untold injured Americans, thousands of innocent civilian casualties to protect us from WMD’s that never existed. The bottom line is that you deemed Bush fit for reelection and cast your vote accordingly. Obama did not pass my muster and I went elsewhere.

    Like

  5. Joe Koyote Avatar
    Joe Koyote

    How about Big Pharma just being greedy? Or what about Blue Shield who has jacked prices up, based on healthcare cost increase projections, by almost 23% in the last year, despite, as you say, near flat (around 4% for the last 4 years) healthcare cost inflation. The CA Insurance commissioner, who has no power to do anything about it, says Blue Shield’s justification for the rate increase was based on highly inflated figures. Also what role does the non-negotiable Medicare prescription drug pricing structure have to do with rising drug costs? Obamacare, like all things government, seems to be just too easy of a target to foist all the blame on, I think Big Healthcare is using that to their advantage as they can redirect the blame and public outrage, away from themselves as they continue to fleece the public.

    Like

  6. Russ Steele Avatar

    Paul,
    You mean the missing “never existed” WMDs that were transferee to Syria and are now being removed and destroyed. Only the lefty Monday morning quarterbacks know there were no WMDs after the war was over. Congress and NATO thought there were and Saddam bragged to the world that he had them. And, we observed on satellite convoys of truck gong into Syria from Iraq restricted areas. What were those trucks carrying potatoes?

    Like

  7. Paul Emery Avatar

    Russ
    Show me one piece of credible evidence to back your 2:46 claim. Bush was responsible for the false intelligence because it was under his watch. The point I am making is that both Bush and Obama are failed Presidents but at least I had the courage to vote elsewhere. There was plenty of info that Bush was a bad President when he ran for re-election yet he was supported for a second term by most that subscribe to this blog.

    Like

  8. George Rebane Avatar

    PaulE 225pm – without evaluating your acknowledged Monday morning claims, my point about what the Dems found bad about Bush2 in 2004 stands. It is on that and other information available at the time that people in 2004 made their decisions on for whom to vote. And you are beyond belief to claim that Bush2 was responsible for the bad intelligence machinery that had been implemented during the previous 8 years under Clinton, and brought to bear on an historic attack that occurred less than 8 months into Bush2’s administration.
    JoeK 241pm – If what you claim about insurance companies is true, then such behavior can only occur in a government mangled market. In a more free market, profits not justified by attendant risk are quickly pared by competitors who offer the same or better products at lower costs. (Look around you, in this proposition is written the commercial history of the US.) And Obamacare is the biggest insurance market mangler of them all.
    The real truth of you claims will be seen in the stock price behavior of the accused big pharma companies. Excess profits will make the price of their shares fly to the moon, and such flights are nowhere in evidence. This point has been repeatedly made on RR and repeatedly responded to by the Corps of Crickets.

    Like

  9. Paul Emery Avatar

    George
    The invasion of Iraq was March 19 2003, three years into Bush’s first term not 8 months as you refer to above. You can’t blame Clinton on that one. Are you claiming that Bush had no responsibility for the intelligence sources that led to war three years after becoming President?

    Like

  10. Joe Koyote Avatar
    Joe Koyote

    ” If what you claim about insurance companies is true, then such behavior can only occur in a government mangled market.” –thanks for making my point about blaming government.
    Since the beginning of Medicare part D in 2005, net income of the top 11 pharmaceutical companies combined went from around $57B to $83B. During that same time period those 11 companies pocketed $711B. Big Pharma averaged a 16% return versus 4% for most other industries. Call it what you want.

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  11. Ben Emery Avatar

    George,
    08 January 2014 at 02:53 PM
    “And you are beyond belief to claim that Bush2 was responsible for the bad intelligence machinery that had been implemented during the previous 8 years under Clinton, and brought to bear on an historic attack that occurred less than 8 months into Bush2’s administration.”
    George W Bush or should I say the Dick Cheney administration pick and chose whatever intelligence that would allow them to proceed with their plans of invading Iraq. Those plans were in place long before 2001 and in March 2001 Dick Cheney Energy Task force was dividing up Iraqi oil fields.
    Judicial Watch
    http://www.judicialwatch.org/cases/67/factsheet.htm
    Cheney Energy Task Force Documents Feature Map of Iraqi Oil Fields
    http://www.judicialwatch.org/press-room/press-releases/cheney-energy-task-force-documents-feature-map-of-iraqi-oilfields/
    In this link Cheney and staff are pressuring CIA for more invasion friendly evidence.
    The spies who pushed for war
    http://www.theguardian.com/world/2003/jul/17/iraq.usa
    “The president’s most trusted adviser, Mr Cheney, was at the shadow network’s sharp end. He made several trips to the CIA in Langley, Virginia, to demand a more “forward-leaning” interpretation of the threat posed by Saddam. When he was not there to make his influence felt, his chief of staff, Lewis “Scooter” Libby, was. Such hands-on involvement in the processing of intelligence data was unprecedented for a vice-president in recent times, and it put pressure on CIA officials to come up with the appropriate results.”

    Like

  12. George Rebane Avatar

    PaulE 350pm – You’ve led us to the most circled barn in these pages. Answers in the foregoing.

    Like

  13. Paul Emery Avatar

    George
    The crack in your cathedral ls that you are a habitual Republican and refuse to look at the actions of Republicans with the same critique you use for Democrats, hence Obama bad, Bush good. You tout third parties but won’t leave the reservation when your vote is on the line.
    I suggest a casual look at Senator Bob Grahams book “Intelligence Matters: The CIA, the FBI, Saudi Arabia, and the Failure of America’s War on Terror?” to begin to appreciate the connection between the House of Saud and the House of Bush. According to Graham ,members of the Saudi government and royal family were directly connected to inspiring, funding, and helping support the organization of certain 9/11 conspirators.
    I suggest checking this out
    http://therealnews.com/t2/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=31&Itemid=74&jumival=11120

    Like

  14. Ryan Mount Avatar

    “Good teacher. He seems to care.”
    The guy who killed [murdered, IMO] Kinison got off with a slap on the wrist. He got probation and community service. If you’re gonna kill someone, make sure you use a car.

    Like

  15. Joe Koyote Avatar
    Joe Koyote

    George W Bush or should I say the Dick Cheney administration pick and chose whatever intelligence that would allow them to proceed with their plans of invading Iraq.” Indeed!! In his book “Against All Enemies” former terrorism czar for Clinton and Bush2, Richard Clarke documents how in the early hours and days after 911, knowing full well that AlQaeda was responsible, Bush and Co. repeatedly sought to blame Iraq so as to open the door for invasion. It was all about the oil. Thanks george and dick for putting your personal fortunes before the country you were appointed to govern.

    Like

  16. Ben Emery Avatar

    George,
    The reason the trail around the Iraq Invasion barn is so worn is due to the lack of accountability on your part. We were lied and forced into an invasion and occupation not by a Republican administration but by a group of sick individuals who identify themselves politically as Republican. What the last 13 years have proven more than any other time in my adult life is when it comes to partisanship Americans have very selective principles and convictions. I have never seen the Democrats so united against an administration. Most of them have gone silent with the Obama administration. Obama has continued most of the horrible foreign BushII era policies in practice and in spirit. I have lost large amount of respect for those who I marched with during the BushII era but who are now silent. One of the reasons why I stopped supporting the Democratic Party all together and why I constantly challenge Democrats on their positions. It has never been more evident we have a one party government that has a slight divide on social issues.
    “A time comes when silence is betrayal.”
    Martin Luther King Jr.
    “… I knew that I could never again raise my voice against the violence of the oppressed in the ghettos without having first spoken clearly to the greatest purveyor of violence in the world today — my own government. For the sake of those boys, for the sake of this government, for the sake of hundreds of thousands trembling under our violence, I cannot be silent.”
    Martin Luther King Jr.
    http://www.commondreams.org/views04/0115-13.htm

    Like

  17. Paul Emery Avatar

    Well spoken Ben. If we could unite forces against the Republicrats but with such blind loyalty as exhibited by many on this blog to the failures of the past we can only dream. The manipulation of information to create a cause for war in Iraq is high treason and should be treated as such.

    Like

  18. fish Avatar
    fish

    Well spoken Ben. If we could unite forces against the Republicrats but with such blind loyalty as exhibited by many on this blog to the failures of the past we can only dream. The manipulation of information to create a cause for war in Iraq is high treason and should be treated as such.
    You guys won’t let go of the welfare state so it seems that you’ve agreed to your half of the “Welfare/Warfare State” Grand Bargain…get back to me when you’re ready to negotiate.

    Like

  19. George Rebane Avatar

    re BenE’s 1056am – And that assessment of “the greatest purveyor of violence in the world today” for “the oppressed in the ghettos” came before the Great Society programs really kicked in. But MLK’s equally damning the US in its worldwide role is blatantly false given the millions upon tens of millions of people who perished under communist regimes during that same epoch.

    Like

  20. Ben Emery Avatar

    George,
    Can we drop the right vs left republican vs democrat rhetoric. Governments of communism have proven to be a breeding ground for tyranny as has fascism/corporatism.
    What we are really talking about is a form of government that regulates economic markets that benefits the most people of society/ nation. I can point to democratic socialism as a good example of a form of government that works well for a vast majority of the people who live within the system, can you do the same?
    the key is- works well for a vast majority of the people

    Like

  21. Ben Emery Avatar

    Fish,
    “You guys won’t let go of the welfare state so it seems that you’ve agreed to your half of the “Welfare/Warfare State” Grand Bargain…get back to me when you’re ready to negotiate.”
    Nothing to negotiate. Have a government that represents the interests of the human being “persons” by putting up walls against corruption. If we do this the size and scope of government shrinks to where it is workable and we are able to hold those who sit at seats of power accountable. It is really is that simple but we need to be vigilant against corruption and make it so unappealing that very few will attempt to rig the system.

    Like

  22. George Rebane Avatar

    BenE 139pm – No we can’t drop the rhetoric that compares collectivist forms of governance with minimally regulated capitalistic forms – Right and Left are merely convenient labels to summarize longer descriptions for such forms. More here –
    http://rebaneruminations.typepad.com/rebanes_ruminations/2012/09/what-makes-a-good-community.html
    http://rebaneruminations.typepad.com/rebanes_ruminations/2013/02/ideologies-and-governance-a-structured-look.html
    Your description of “fascism/corporatism” in these pages has been nothing but another form of collectivism operating under the government’s gun. It has nothing to do with the minimally regulated capitalism of those who claim the conservetarian mantle (or its conservative/libertarian derivatives).
    Progress in the debate is stunted by ideologies not nuanced enough to recognize the difference. The evidence against central planning and control is legion, as is sparse the evidence against governances that allow freer markets, individual enterprise, and governments of lesser scope. The creation of wealth and betterment of all lives since the Renaissance has ALL been due to governments permitting more individual freedoms, not less.
    I leave you with the question, ‘Why are Norway, Sweden, Denmark, Finland, the poster children of ‘democratic socialism’, continuing to turn away from their formerly collectivist ideals. Whenever people under central planners have approached the break point (i.e. run out of other people’s money), for some reason their governors have always reduced taxes and regulations to provide the needed relief – why is that? why haven’t they doubled down on all that good socialism and increased taxes and the regulatory burden?

    Like

  23. Bill Tozer Avatar
    Bill Tozer

    Nothing to negotiate until you agree with the Emery Twins. If only opposing views were not so darn stubborn
    and if only Dr. George would capitulate to the Dynamic Duo’s world view, then life would be grand indeed. Then we can all be pals and yuck it up and sing Don Ho songs on the uke.
    So, let me get this straight. Iraq=bad juju. Afganistan=good juju. Simple enough.
    The problem with capitalism and our economic system is there is not enough capitalism. Capitalism takes a hit, people get light in the wallet. Simple enough again. I think I am getting the hang of this. Its all good juju.
    Now its time to get together and get along and head on out to the next barn burning barn raising barn circling. Is it circling the wagon round the barn or circling the barn around the wagon. Don’t matter, we are all buddies now…er…just as soon as Dr. Rebane cries “Uncle!” and dons a colorful Che Guevara headband. Until then, head em’ up, move em’ out.
    http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MSHr4ubuD64

    Like

  24. fish Avatar
    fish

    Nothing to negotiate. Have a government that represents the interests of the human being “persons” by putting up walls against corruption. If we do this the size and scope of government shrinks to where it is workable and we are able to hold those who sit at seats of power accountable. It is really is that simple but we need to be vigilant against corruption and make it so unappealing that very few will attempt to rig the system.
    More empty sloganeering from Ben Emery………I for one am shocked!

    Like

  25. Ben Emery Avatar

    Must be a coincidence that the second group of people were more hostile towards the thieves.
    What Would You Do? Bike Theft (White Guy, Black Guy, Pretty Girl)
    http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ge7i60GuNRg#t=203

    Like

  26. Bill Tozer Avatar
    Bill Tozer

    “George,
    Can we drop the right vs left republican vs democrat rhetoric. Governments of communism have proven to be a breeding ground for tyranny as has fascism/corporatism.”
    Ah, the cry from the prophet in the wildness. Brother Ben, It is difficult to drop the left/right rhetoric. Change takes time. On a personal note, is not easy conversing with Chicoms like you, but I will try to oblige you and your fellow pinkos that are hell bent on shredding the Constitution of the United States of America.
    I am aware that certain folks do not like to be pigeon holed with names like liberal/progressive/socialists/commie bastards, but no other label seems apt or captures the true essence of the rancid stink. Thus I simply use the benign and non offensive term libholes when extending the hand of friendship to my misguided lefty control freaks. Like the saying from the 90’s, Men are from Mars, and Libholes are from some other planet.
    https://scontent-b.xx.fbcdn.net/hphotos-prn2/1545789_10151864231305911_294604993_n.jpg
    https://scontent-b.xx.fbcdn.net/hphotos-prn2/1393894_10151693265660911_1316537254_n.jpg
    https://scontent-a.xx.fbcdn.net/hphotos-prn2/1476640_10151764446890911_1041799053_n.png
    https://scontent-b.xx.fbcdn.net/hphotos-prn1/1560768_10151866292500911_246996076_n.jpg
    Love and butterfly kisses, your buddy Bill 🙂

    Like

  27. MikeL Avatar
    MikeL

    Ben,
    As a bike theft and a oppressed white guy I would appreciate you not promoting that video. I make a very comfortable living and recently hired three pretty blond white girls to cut to the locks off of chained and abandoned bicycles in order to expand my business. Just so you don’t get your panties in a wad, I do provide medical and dental insurance as well as prepaid legal to my employees.

    Like

  28. Paul Emery Avatar

    Crickets from Russ on my request for credible sources showing Iraq shipped WMD’s to Iran.
    …” WMDs that were transferee to Syria and are now being removed and destroyed.”
    08 January 2014 at 02:46 PM

    Like

  29. Scott Obermuller Avatar

    Ben – since I would have questioned anyone stealing the bike, I guess you owe me a big apology. If you saw a video showing mostly dark skinned folks being rude to some one vs mostly euro-descent white folk being polite and helpful in the same situation, would it change your views about anything? Of course it wouldn’t. This video doesn’t have any bearing on real life. I could set up staged situations that show anything I want to prove.
    Real life is far more telling. And real life doesn’t work out neatly with everyone put in pre-set little boxes. By far, the most commonly used prejudicial images are employed by the ‘progressives’ and the left. The wealthy are always pictured as cartoon characters. I’ve known plenty of wealthy folk and they just don’t fit the image as portrayed by the left. Their generosity and hard work are completely at variance with the deliberately false personae the left tries to create. Physician, heal thyself!

    Like

  30. Russ Steele Avatar

    Paul@11;15AM
    Sorry Paul, I have been busy.
    Here is my sources of information that has many links to other sources. [sorry some seem to be broken]
    http://pjmedia.com/blog/satellite-photos-support-testimony-that-iraqi-wmd-went-to-syria/?singlepage=true
    The article concludes:
    General Tommy Franks and General Michael DeLong, the top two officials in CENTCOM when the invasion began, have spoken of credible intelligence supporting the theory. General James Clapper, President Obama’s pick to replace Dennis Blair as director of national intelligence, has previously stated his belief that the weapons went to Syria and took part in the meetings organized by Shaw.
    Much more evidence exists that the WMD went to Syria, as documented here. Obviously, it is impossible to prove and we do not know exactly what went to Syria, but the history books on this issue shouldn’t be written just yet.

    I choose to believe the evidence, it is more likely that the WMDs went to Syria. You may not choose to believe the existing evidence to support your Bush Derangement Syndrome, and that is OK with me. Each to his own.

    Like

  31. fish Avatar
    fish

    About time we got some good news on the Obamacare front!
    http://www.zerohedge.com/news/2014-01-10/292-million-down-drain-white-house-fires-main-obamacare-it-contractor
    Only 292 million dollars to a company who…apparently had a history of this sort of thing….on the automation of federal retirement thrift payments system ….AMS had gone $60 million over budget and virtually all of the computer code it wrote turned out to be useless, according to a report by a U.S. Senate committee.”
    In the spirit of civic mindedness…I agree to provide an equivalent non-functional system for exactly 1/2 the price.
    And to think that various members of the Emery clan have the gumption to say that we…… “Georges minions”…..(using young Bens turn of phrase) have no community spirit!

    Like

  32. Scott Obermuller Avatar

    Sorry fish – the free market is hard at work here – I’ll underbid you by 50%.
    And I’ll provide any employee I hire unlimited vacation and sick leave time!

    Like

  33. fish Avatar
    fish

    Ya know Scott…we could split the 292 large…..146 Million each and we only hire chimpanzees….a lot of them…overseas of course, sweatshop conditions! We either get a working online healthcare market or the worlds greatest novel!
    http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=no_elVGGgW8

    Like

  34. Paul Emery Avatar

    Russ
    You seem to refuse to accept reality here.
    You must be aware that even Rumsfeldt accepted there were no WMD’s. There has been no effort from either the Bush or Obama administrations to support your theory. Also this from the Presidential Commission on WMD’s. This was Bush’s own commissions report in 2005
    http://zfacts.com/sites/all/files/doc/war/2005-03-31_wmd_transmittal_letter.pdf
    “We conclude that the Intelligence Community was dead wrong in almost all of its pre-war judgments about Iraq’s weapons of mass destruction. —Commission on the Intelligence Capabilities of the United States Regarding Weapons of Mass Destruction”

    Like

  35. Ben Emery Avatar

    Back to authoritarian fascist/ corporatist rant then.
    George and his fab five followers will argue unlimited campaign contributions are just fine, it is free speech.
    So what we have is a government that has two major political parties that control the levers of how “our” government governs. Over 90% of campaigns are won by the incumbent due to gerrymandering at the state level. Over 90% of campaigns who spend the most win. A majority of legislation is written by industry lobbyists. Unlimited donations to those who control our legislation is then a government up for sale to the highest bidder. So there is little to no representation for those of us (99%) who don’t have large checks in hand to give to the political parties or candidates.
    Why should a billionaire who is based in state A directly be able to back and support campaigns in state(s) B, C, and D? How is that good for the people in state(s) B, C, and D?
    Solution, public financing of campaigns with the usual requirements of signatures and small donations. Think of it as a investment against corruption or investment in democracy. At the moment 1/3 to 2/3 of our representatives time is spent fundraising (getting bribed) for their next election. Set campaign season for 8 weeks. Free and fair advertising on public airwaves for candidates. Create a firewall of careers in industry to government and vice versa. People should not get wealthy being a public official. End insider trading for Congressional offices. End lobbying junkets, office visits only. Instant Run Off Voting.

    Like

  36. fish Avatar
    fish

    Solution, public financing of campaigns with the usual requirements of signatures and small donations. Think of it as a investment against corruption or investment in democracy. At the moment 1/3 to 2/3 of our representatives time is spent fundraising (getting bribed) for their next election. Set campaign season for 8 weeks. Free and fair advertising on public airwaves for candidates. Create a firewall of careers in industry to government and vice versa. People should not get wealthy being a public official. End insider trading for Congressional offices. End lobbying junkets, office visits only. Instant Run Off Voting.
    I could get on board with most of this….two problems though…..most of you fixes won’t survive the courts….and democracy as a concept is fundamentally flawed…other than that, I see real promise in your proposed solutions

    Like

  37. George Rebane Avatar

    BenE 446pm – Your aim for keeping government being bought and paid for by special interests is laudable and shared as RR’s record shows. However, your approach puts Rube Goldberg to shame and requires ever more complexities of regulations, laws, and in enforcement. As Mr fish’s 500pm points out a couple of realworld problems.
    But coming around the barn one more time – has anyone on your side of the ideological fence ever considered starving the beast of the funds it has to spend?? Why do you think all that corruption goes on to get to Washington and then stay there – follow the money. If the feds were relieved of half of their budget – letting the states administer such monies – then there would not be the concentration of power and corruption by the Potomac. Every solution that the Left comes up with requires the removal of more freedoms for the people, and the taking of more of their money by force. What was that definition of insanity again?

    Like

  38. Bill Tozer Avatar
    Bill Tozer

    “George and his fab five followers will argue unlimited campaign contributions are just fine, it is free speech.”
    Hmmm. Projecting again Brother Ben? The Fab Five will? Will argue? Yep, the proof is in the pudding. The Fab 5 (who are most fabulous if I do say so myself) will argue this and that. Brother Ben, you have a crystal ball or ESPN. Yep, the Fab Five WILL say this is fine. The Fab Five along with multitudes of Strawmen will sing it loud and proud in unison. You be one smart feller. Gotta get up pretty early to pull one over on you.
    Predicting exactly what the libholes will say and do is like shooting fish in a barrel. (No offensive directed at Mr. Fish.) The way you bounce around from one topic to the other, I should call you Brother BM instead of Brother Ben. Hard to keep up with all your movements.
    More love and butterfly kisses, your buddy and pal, Bill

    Like

  39. Todd Juvinall Avatar

    BillT, you are a hoot! Brother BM, now that is too funny!

    Like

  40. Ben Emery Avatar

    George,
    You are right we have gone around the barn many times. Your position or complaint is what governments do, they provide services and create laws. Lets say we did it, we cut government spending to about 10% of GDP.
    Paint that picture for me, how does it look?
    As for the real world issues. They are laws that can be changed if we get enough people to support the idea.
    Move To Amend
    https://movetoamend.org/other-amendments

    Like

  41. Bill Tozer Avatar
    Bill Tozer

    Concerning the hypothetical situation Dr Rebane posed about a Romney/Ryan ticket in 2016, I can guarantee you that a Romney appointment of the Attorney General will not be a shit for brains lunatic like Eric Holder. Imagine a Romney/Ryan Administration putting up with this nonsense spewing forth from Eric Holder. Never happen in a billion years.
    http://www.foxnews.com/us/2014/01/10/education-experts-blast-obama-administration-call-for-race-based-punishment/

    Like

  42. George Rebane Avatar

    BenE 623pm – Not signing my name to anything yet, but consider if total government would be constrained to live withing 20% of GDP. Let’s divide that – feds 10%, states 5%, local 5%. The feds would be in charge of national security, and major infrastructure funding/maintenance (primarily in transportation and, say food and drug safety). The states determine how to allocate social services down to the local levels. The states would, of course, be completely in charge of how education is handled. Does that give enough to start chewing on in this discussion?

    Like

  43. fish Avatar
    fish

    Your position or complaint is what governments do, they provide services and create laws.
    Used to provide lots less services wise….fewer laws and regs….more freedom…..the horror!
    Lets say we did it, we cut government spending to about 10% of GDP.
    Paint that picture for me, how does it look?

    Pretty awesome…..looks like a free and sustainable future.

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  44. Scott Obermuller Avatar

    from Ben – “Solution, public financing of campaigns with the usual requirements of signatures and small donations.”
    Who is this ‘public’ and how is the money gathered, administrated and doled out?

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  45. Ben Emery Avatar

    Scott,
    You can go look at Maine to see how their public financing works.
    http://www.maine.gov/ethics/mcea/seed.htm
    I can go through it all but I will give you the link and let you figure it out.

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  46. Scott Obermuller Avatar

    Ben – looks like a program designed by Dems. The unions hustle the members to provide ‘voluntary’ donations for the party’s hand picked candidate and the taxpayers pick up the tab. No thanks. Taking money from me at gun point to provide the election of folks I don’t want to represent me is completely unacceptable.

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  47. fish Avatar
    fish

    Taking money from me at gun point to provide the election of folks I don’t want to represent me is completely unacceptable.

    But, but, but…..democracy?!?!

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  48. Scott Obermuller Avatar

    Democracy is only for those who walk in lock step with the left. The Koch brothers are people but the progressives don’t want to listen to them or let them have a say. Only the folks with a victim mentality are the ‘real’ people. If you work your ass off and start a corporation and provide jobs and pay taxes, then you’re not a ‘person’ anymore. If you walk into a Tea Party meeting, there’s not a single ‘working person’ or ‘citizen’ there. Only the left should be allowed to dictate how we live as they claim to be the ones that truly represent me. I might have a different idea about that, but because I’m a conservative, I’m not allowed to have an opinion about that.

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  49. Ben Emery Avatar

    What we call democracy in the current United States has very little resemblance to any form of democracy. What democracy is at its core, equalizing the power between rich and poor along with men and women in the polling place. Democratic Republic, which is supposed to be the form of governance of the United States has to do with equalizing the power between rich and poor along with men and women voting for our representatives. What has happened since the Nixon administration we have moved towards government to the highest bidder. Why fight it and lose when industry can just buy it. It took a generation but it has come to fruition, The Powell Memorandum has been fulfilled and everything that was feared from such an ideology has also been fulfilled. This is not knew it happened in the late 19th and early 20th centuries as well.
    Powell Memo
    http://law.wlu.edu/powellarchives/page.asp?pageid=1251
    “The only difference between the Republican and Democratic parties is the velocities with which their knees hit the floor when corporations knock on their door. That’s the only difference.”
    Ralph Nader

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