For the more historically minded, it’s a time for nostalgia. The past comes alive as Chicago ‘s grand tradition of corruption is sustained for another generation. As the Chicago Tribune once wrote, ‘corruption has been as much a part of the landscape as corn, soybeans and skyscrapers.’ According to the Chicago Sun-Times, as of 2006, when Blago’s predecessor, George Ryan, was sent to prison for racketeering, 79 elected officials had been convicted of corruption in the past 30 years. … The New York Times — which, according to Wall Street analysts, is weeks from holding editorial board meetings in a refrigerator box — created the journalistic equivalent of CSI-Wasilla to study every follicle and fiber in Sarah Palin’s background, all the while treating Obama’s Chicago like one of those fairy-tale lands depicted in posters that adorn little girls’ bedroom walls. See there, Suzie? That’s a Pegasus. That’s a pink unicorn. And that’s a beautiful sunflower giving birth to a fully grown Barack Obama, the greatest president ever and the only man in history to be able to pick up manure from the clean end.”
George Bush has made a gentleman’s agreement with robber barons and union thugs. And there is no question that after the Big Three automakers are done pouring through the $17.4 billion in “bridge loans” they have soaked from the Treasury’s Troubled Asset Relief Program (TARP)—i.e., the taxpayers—that they will again return to the federal government on their knees, begging for more.
There is no reason to believe that either these companies’ managements or the union bosses will ever honor the original terms of the loans. After all, that would involve concessions. And why concede anything when the American taxpayer is on the hook—and can’t get off?
The 2008 deficit is already at a projected $1 trillion—with the potential to reach $1.5 trillion, if Congress passes the massive stimulus bill now under consideration. Jobless rates—and claims—continue to rise. Over 11,600 pork projects—costing upwards of $17 billion—were included in bills this year. . .
And Congress just ended the year by giving itself a 2.8 percent pay raise.
The $4700/member raise would go into effect in January of 2009, raising the average congressional salary to $174,000. The raise is part of an automated process incorporated in a bill Congress passed in 1989.
This is nothing new, it has been going on for years. Billions of dollar that go unaccounted for, gone, no-where to be found.
Hell, look at Iraq, billions just missing, gone, poof!
Six thousand bucks for a toilet seat on the shuttle, nothing new just more of the same.
I’m just sorry I don’t make and sell that toilet seat.
Merry Christmas BZ to you and yours.
And more and more, there isn’t a dime’s worth of difference between the assholes across their “respective” aisles.
Thomas Friedman today, in the NYT, says he believe gas needs to go back up to $4 per gallon or MORE. This completely discounts the pendulum of deflation — now — and INflation — coming soon to an economy near you.
The UAW, in the meantime, collectively state they REFUSE, now, to make ANY concessions. THEY WANT TO BE FUNDED BY THE PUBLIC. YOU and ME.
Where does this end? Where does it end?
It will end when everyone decides that the DOLLAR is NO LONGER the currency to utilize.
BZ
The UAW, in the meantime, collectively state they REFUSE, now, to make ANY concessions. THEY WANT TO BE FUNDED BY THE PUBLIC. YOU and ME.
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And the politicos are going to give in to them, make no mistake, they will, whether overtly or covertly!
Where does this end?
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When we run out of the paper that money is printed on… And not a day sooner…These moonbats ALL think that’s the deal, print more money, we’ll ALL have plenty…
And BZ, I want to extend an invitation you and your readers to join us at Texas Gun Owners Association, it’s NOT just for Texans!!
Facts are the Facts….
The last 8 years have been under Republican rule. GWB has been at the watch and he has failed us, Bailouts and what ever else.
No where can you find a relationship between Decamber 25th and the Birth of Christ, only in the Republican Religion, it doesn’t exist.
These are the facts, plain and simple.
If a Liberal was in charge they would be to blam, they weren’t.
Let the blaim be where the blam is due, GWB.
The worst President in history.
If it was a Democrat or Liberal President I would be saying the same this, it wasn’t.
It’s all a total mess, BZ, but I refuse to be depressed. I’m going to hang on to a peaceful state of mind for awhile even if it kills me! LOL!
And the REAL Ranando comes out for ALL to see…
Ya know, I am seriously thinking that MANY people were right when they tried to warn me about you, but I had to try…
You just made the most disgusting, an UNEDUCATED comment I have ever seen, and the *trollish* behavior has returned in full bloom…
I guess you really were a fake all along…
Ranando, sometimes I just shake my head. Yeah, GWB is in charge. And he spends money like water. But he can’t do it all and, oddly enough, isn’t responsible for all. Checks and balances allegedly come from Congress, controlled by Demorats, who likewise spend like water and will only do moreso. The remark about Christmas — I just won’t go there.
BZ
It seems the two parties believe that we can regulate our way to happiness, prosperity and never ending riches… while, in fact, that leads to repression, recession, depression and never ending sorrow. These are not new lessons, alas, and have been with us since the founding… not that anyone bothers to actually read about the founding of the Nation or what the dissenters on the form of government pointed out at the time. Can’t do that! Why, knowing the past and honoring our fellow citizens who spoke up on the problems we were creating just might be… *gasp*… CONSERVATIVE.
Learning wisdom from our forefathers.
I hear so much about this from the Right and conservatives, and observe so very little of it going on. If you can get to the 1920’s in your reading then, well, you’re basically done… and a stalwart will go back to T. Roosevelt, that lovely Progressive. After that a smattering here and there, but actually trying to understand how these problems were seen as problems that could occur and described?
If we are to conserve our heritage and build upon it, it just might help to know what the hell it is you are conserving… not what you think it is, but listening to the words of those who were there and understanding them. Instead we get Hayek and, if you are lucky, someone quoting Adam Smith… ask them about the supremacy of the Law of Nations over the Wealth of Nations and you will get a blank stare of a deer in the headlights, even though Smith addresses the question directly. Instead I see conservatives who remind me, chillingly, of al Qaeda: inventing a fairy tale past that never existed that they want to force into being.
These are ancient ills that we find again… well described in 1787-89 as problems that men were heir to and that, really, we needed to protect against it with our form of government. The book was shut on those who spoke up… closed… forgotten… now the cover flies open and the pages turn. Our honored forefathers that we must understand? Or the ghosts that will haunt us when what we have crumbles about us?
I will stand by them and ask my fellow citizens to do the same and use reason to shore up against growing unreason and push to hold it back and then to push it further. One-by-one. A critic does not build if they cannot understand and then take the path away from chaos. I criticize, yes, and always try to offer the better way forward. I still acid on my tongue so it does not dissolve us further. Then I offer cement and sand and water and buckets and show how the shoring up may begin. I will never take the luxury of despair, like those who want to rule want me to.
To hell with them.
To hell with those who can only tear down.
And may we remember and hold dear those things which preserve our life and liberty. So that we may avoid Iron Times.
I think happiness and prosperity has to begin with the individual – and individually I plan on working hard, playing hard, and having a great year in 2009, and helping as many folks as I can do the same. Oh, and buying more guns, definitely planning on buying more guns . . . .happy holidays BZ!