tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19580203.post6912878986782206261..comments2024-03-25T16:03:36.810-07:00Comments on The Existentialist Cowboy: Shoveling Shit in Louisiana?Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04598093941551759917noreply@blogger.comBlogger5125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19580203.post-65578631464938448622010-03-02T10:53:43.891-08:002010-03-02T10:53:43.891-08:00you're right, cavjam, both parties are control...you're right, cavjam, both parties are controlled by big money and every pres is just a 'figure head'; the platforms, agenda, policy et al are derived IN ORDER TO facilitate the goals of what some call the MIC, others call the 'ruling elite and other call the cabal of fat cats and capitalists.<br /><br />I wish someone would come up with a term that everyone could agree on. It would help us cut to the chase and that is: WE, THE PEOPLE, NO LONGER COUNT. <br /><br />There is a pattern, however, to GOP policy specifically that is NOT true of Democratic regimes and that is this: as a DIRECT RESULT of GOP tax cuts just one percent of the U.S. population owns more than some 95 percent of the rest of us combined. <br /><br />OF COURSE, this was by design and sold with various trojan horses and GOP bullshit. Trickle down theory, in fact, caused wealth to FLOW UP --not down. It is SIGNIFICANT that this trend reversed, not merely slowed but REVERSED, under Clinton. Check CB and Bureau of Labor Stats. The trend upward to his 'base' resumed under the American Caligula --GEORGE W. BUSH. <br /><br />The parallels to Rome have over the last eight years or so become extraordinary. Like Rome, income and wealth disparities are obscene. <br /><br />Like Rome, unemployment is high and widespread. <br /><br />Like Rome, the U.S. produces little these days but death and destruction --it's chief export. <br /><br />Like Rome, the 'leisure class' is worthless and growing more STUPID daily. <br /><br />Like Rome, the U.S. attacks and invades other countries in order to loot natural resources growing scarce in the U.S. <br /><br />In the case of Rome, it was GOLD that was most often sought because Rome was broke; in the case of the U.S. it is OIL. Like Rome, the U.S. thinks of itself as civilized surrounded by 'barbarians'. <br /><br />U.S. relations which Mexico have never been genuinely cozy. As recently as 1910, when a revolution broke out in Mexico, there were fears it would spread, that a new 'liberal' regime would join forces with U.S. progressives, reclaim Texas, AZ, NM, and CA. Wow --what IF that had happened?<br /><br />Recall that at the time the U.S. labor movement was very active and RADICAL. The L.A. Times building was dynamited and burned down, I believe, in the same year that Mexican radicals had fought a battle in Juarez in which shots were fired toward El Paso. In the same year, Mexican revolutionaries occupied the town of Mexicali just across the border from San Diego.<br /><br />The Mexican Constitution that resulted is still the law in Mexico and, significantly, CIVIL LIBERTIES are put UP FRONT, at the top! In the U.S. CIVIL LIBERTIES were an afterthought to become the first ten Amendments to the Constitution, the so-called 'Bill of Rights'.Anonymoushttps://www.blogger.com/profile/04598093941551759917noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19580203.post-31768520023072266712010-03-02T06:37:19.404-08:002010-03-02T06:37:19.404-08:00I like to phrase it thus - Democrats are unduly in...I like to phrase it thus - Democrats are unduly influenced by big money; the GOP is a wholly owned subsidiary thereof. There <i>is</i> a difference. That difference, moreover, is magnified, evident in effectiveness of policy creation, by the fact that the GOP largely marches in lockstep. Due to the relatively weak domestic policy powers of the exec branch, true power lies with the president's party. Presidents are not Caesars except in foreign policy. And if you own one political party outright, you only have to buy off a small fraction of the other to effect legislation.<br /><br />BTW, St. Ronnie was just as much a figurehead as Bush Sr. and Jr. Donald Regan, James Baker, and Dick "Dick" Cheney, OTOH, not so much. In fact, the GOP presidency has resembled the Japanese Shogunate since Ford (See Don Rumsfeld). The Dem presidents have at least actually done some presidenting.<br /><br />Thirty-five years ago I fought for public financing of all campaigns. I was met mostly with yawns and "Good God! Know how much that'll cost? More taxes!! Nooo!" Now that mass media, who would pay for their spectrum with pro bono air time, are firmly entrenched as a mega-corporate de facto monopoly, that fight is lost, probably forever, along with our republic.cavjamhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/08432022308089888205noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19580203.post-53980346781351407602010-02-28T11:12:27.770-08:002010-02-28T11:12:27.770-08:00Len...I think you got your point across, it is wel...Len...I think you got your point across, it is well taken. I also think we are at a precipice, only time will tell how it all shakes out. <br /><br />benmercAnonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19580203.post-83444187673077211202010-02-28T09:28:25.490-08:002010-02-28T09:28:25.490-08:00benmerc, the point I had hoped to make is this: cr...benmerc, the point I had hoped to make is this: criticisms of Obama and Clinton miss the point. The Axis of MIC/K-street [Molooch] benefits when 'progressives' miss the point. It just helps them out. <br /><br />Focusing all this rhetoric upon whatever 'Dem' is in the White is utterly misplaced and counter-productive. It totally misses the target. <br /><br />It boils down to a simple decision matrix: <br /><br />1) I will take any Democrat over ANY gopper anytime. <br /><br />2) I will OPPOSE any gopper for any office any time. <br /><br />But --IF I had the choice of smashing the 'Axis of K-street/MIC' which, in fact, finances both wings, I would choose to do so. <br /><br />IF the K-street/MIC were smashed, real alternatives may present themselves but, as long as candidates must raise millions just to achieve 'name ID', the K-street/MIC axis is assured that either of only TWO candidates will be kiss ups. That doesn't mean the the K-street Moloch will not have a preference --but the odds are always with the 'house'. <br /><br />But --until that Axis is smashed, I have NO CHOICE but to make the BEST CHOICE that is given. <br /><br />At last --given the paradigm that is NOT OF DEM making but imposed upon the nation, the individual is REDUCED to making a faustian compromise with Moloch if he/she should vote at all; and if he or she withholds a vote, MOLOCH is likewise assured of victory. <br /><br />In both instances MOLOCH wins; in both instances, people lose! The only free choice left is revolution. <br /><br />Americans have not yet figured this all out.Anonymoushttps://www.blogger.com/profile/04598093941551759917noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19580203.post-22993165254582056422010-02-28T07:48:23.689-08:002010-02-28T07:48:23.689-08:00'Obama is compromised.' - LH
As was Clin...'Obama is compromised.' - LH<br /><br /><br />As was Clinton and his arrangement to push NAFTA through, and all the other 'neo-liberal' imperial agenda's...neither of these candidates would have made the primaries had they not fit the current accepted mold. Our dilemma is complex, but as so many of your articles have shown, not impossible to figure out many of the cause's and effects, if one takes the time to assimilate enough factual data and apply some common sense interpretations, assessments and conclusions. <br /><br />Len...I also agree that the gop is the epicenter and originator of our continued failure...they care nothing for this nation, their fellow citizens or it appears for life in general, they are greedy, corrupt and decadent souls. Their deceit and cynicism knows no boundaries, and their appeal, real or not...over the past few decades has wrecked this nation to the core. <br /><br />Many (certainly not all) of the clueless Dems are inspired by some sense of compassion, and that they are instilling some form of constitutional equity and justice...The clueless Republicans in their current form, aka teabaggers, etc. etal...are inspired by hate, deceit and dominance, they are nothing more then bullies & bigots looking for a platform...ready fodder for the current GOP strategies of dirty tricks. I do not count out a small percentage of the tea-party being genuine in their belief's or grievance, but many have continued to vote against their best interests for decades, and continue to be manipulated by the standards of the right wing / GOP. They have been perfect tools for the GOP trade.<br /> <br /> It is also the differences of personality types that inhabit these two political groups...which is yet another angle that has been discussed at this site. I can imagine your frustration as your insights fall on deaf ears, who has the patience to listen to those with the inability to embrace facts. <br /><br />benmercAnonymousnoreply@blogger.com