They just took control house/senate and look .....

[Swimmer]

what the liberal/democrat are thinking about doing.

Rangel (future way and means chairman) wants the draft reinstituted!

And the rest of the democrats are trying to decide whether to go long, big, or get out of Iraq. Does anyone remember what the liberal democrat from Texas (LBJ) did in Vietnam. He went big and long.

The other item of interest since the elections are over that I find interesting is that no media outlets publicized Murtha's participation in the ABSCAM scandals. While he didn't take any money he told the wired F.B.I. agent he may in the future. Funny how the media stopped being unbiased so long ago.

[stripersnipr]

I'm still recalling the dire warning from Democrats in 2004: "If you vote for Bush he will reinstate the draft!"

[Skitterpop]

Originally Posted by Swimmer

what the liberal/democrat are thinking about doing.

Rangel (future way and means chairman) wants the draft reinstituted!

{Won`t happen.}

And the rest of the democrats are trying to decide whether to go long, big, or get out of Iraq. Does anyone remember what the liberal democrat from Texas (LBJ) did in Vietnam. He went big and long.

{Majority wants out.}

The other item of interest since the elections are over that I find interesting is that no media outlets publicized Murtha's participation in the ABSCAM scandals. While he didn't take any money he told the wired F.B.I. agent he may in the future. Funny how the media stopped being unbiased so long ago.

I did see several mentions of Abscam and Murtha.

[1dozenraw]

Originally Posted by Swimmer

The other item of interest since the elections are over that I find interesting is that no media outlets publicized Murtha's participation in the ABSCAM scandals. While he didn't take any money he told the wired F.B.I. agent he may in the future. Funny how the media stopped being unbiased so long ago.

Huh? It was all over the news. Mentioned several times in reports even on PBS. Like I said....huh?

[RIJIMMY]

you guys know my views, and its hard for me to say this but I agree with Rangel.
He doesnt really want it reinstated but knows that if it is/was, we would be way more careful about entering wars since more families would have something to lose.

[spence]

Originally Posted by RIJIMMY

He doesnt really want it reinstated but knows that if it is/was, we would be way more careful about entering wars since more families would have something to lose.

Exactly his point.

A great book is "The New American Militarisim" which came out last year I believe. Really looks into the impact of Vietnam and the all volunteer military have had on the psyche of the Pentagon and policy makers.

One key theme of the book is that since it's so easy to just use force, we've lost all ability to negotiate political solutions.

From Clinton to Bush 43 this couldn't be more apparent.

-spence

[Skitterpop]

Only thing about a draft is what will be the parameters for exemption....many favored sons were able to get out of going back in the day.

[basswipe]

Btw now that the elections are over gas prices are going thru the roof.Gotta love change.Pols are all the same.Right wing fanatic or liberal weany it just doesn't matter,we the the people will always be screwed regardless of what "party" is in power.

[Skip N]

It's rather funny, all the anti war folks are now talking about having a draft. These people just make less and less sense everyday, they want our troops out of Iraq ASAP, yet they want a draft, wich will mean sending more troops into Iraq?? I dont get liberals. They make no f'ing sense

[Skitterpop]

Originally Posted by basswipe

Btw now that the elections are over gas prices are going thru the roof.Gotta love change.Pols are all the same.Right wing fanatic or liberal weany it just doesn't matter,we the the people will always be screwed regardless of what "party" is in power.

Oh yeah its the dems now

[Swimmer]

I missed the Murtha abscam sound bites, thank you.

As far as Rangel wanting/not wanting the draft I think his true desires might backfire.

[Swimmer]

No you couldn't make this up. When Queen Pelosi ascends the throne, watch out.

[stripersnipr]

Don't expect much of anything earth shattering from this bunch. If in the unlikely event they actually draw a consensus amongst their own special interest groups and caucuses to pass major legislation filibusters and vetoes await. I foresee more of the same with the only real difference being the addition of a higher pitched whine factor.

[Skitterpop]

Originally Posted by stripersnipr

Don't expect much of anything earth shattering from this bunch. If in the unlikely event they actually draw a consensus amongst their own special interest groups and caucuses to pass major legislation filibusters and vetoes await. I foresee more of the same with the only real difference being the addition of a higher pitched whine factor.

You guys kill me The pubs have been stroking the same cat for years now and with a change in name only you`re blaming the dems for what you claimed the pubs were doing all along... tickle me pink

[stripersnipr]

Originally Posted by Skitterpop

You guys kill me The pubs have been stroking the same cat for years now and with a change in name only you`re blaming the dems for what you claimed the pubs were doing all along... tickle me pink

And what would that be?

[Skitterpop]

Originally Posted by stripersnipr

And what would that be?

You are smart.... you know.

[stripersnipr]

Originally Posted by Skitterpop

You guys kill me The pubs have been stroking the same cat for years now and with a change in name only you`re blaming the dems for what you claimed the pubs were doing all along... tickle me pink

I'll give this one last shot. What you seem to be saying is Republicans are now blaming Democrats for things Republicans were claiming they themselves do. If that is your point I'm left with only one word..........What?

[Skitterpop]

Originally Posted by stripersnipr

I'll give this one last shot. What you seem to be saying is Republicans are now blaming Democrats for things Republicans were claiming they themselves do. If that is your point I'm left with only one word..........What?

Hard up?


I do not believe you only have one word. My idea was that the Dems just got some measure of control....just..... and the finger pointing is growing before they can even make an attempt to turn things around which will take some time. One has an idea or special project and its all them dems want this or that..... special interests are not all encompassing no matter their outward appearing politics.

[Swimmer]

Warren Buffet spends a tremendous amount of money. In fact he just donated most of his personel worth to Bill and Melinda Gate's foundation. That was a sizeable amount of change. So Buffet certainly isn't cheap and is willing to spend his dough. By the way, Stein and Buffet, as individuals, doesn't that combination strike anyone as odd?

[Swimmer]

Spence it difficult to overcome Steins comedic travails and switch to his financial astuteness (sic). I am sure he is wealthy but I have trouble listening to what he says when the only thing I relate to while listening to or reading him is the show, "Take Ben Stein's Money". He certainly isn't in BUFFET'S category. Berkshire Hathaway is probably the most successful investment companies in the world. Besides what I have allready said I doubt many people other than Mrs. Stein pay much attention to Ben Steins advice.

[Swimmer]

More like Bagmitton!

[RIJIMMY]

sounds like a "botched joke"....hee hee

[Swimmer]

What Scoobe said is an issue as well as every reply he received in return. How is, from your point of view what scoobe said have validity and everyones contrary opinon be meaningless? Its all part of the essense of the issue/s.

Everyone is welcome to an opinon, and everyone has the right to a different opinon. Not everyones opinon has deep meaning and not everyone thoughts are shallow.

I believe for you to chastise the contrary opinon the way you just did is shallow. It shows a chink in your armor.

And scoobe you'd better check and see just how many of those officials in Washington have sons and daughters in Iraq serving in the armed forces that are from both sides of the table.

[The Dad Fisherman]

I think that when people are thinking about the education level of the Mlitary they are falling victim to an Out-dated perception. 30-40 years ago the military was an avenue for people who didn't have the grades for College or any direction, as of yet, in there lives. Still is to some extent. I know that when I joined it was to basically do something with my life. and when I joined they were just starting to implement standards for enlistment. They were looking at things like High-school Graduate or not, or if you had a clean police record.

and as time progressed it actually became tougher to get into the military than ever before. Also as technology started to come to the Fore front the need for more Trained and Educated personnel came into play so the Military had to change its standards.

[slapshot]

The top 10% of wage earners pay 90% of the taxes. So the government would be leaning on the upper-upper class to foot this bill.

[The Dad Fisherman]

Originally Posted by slapshot

The top 10% of wage earners pay 90% of the taxes.

Where did you get that stat? Gotta see that one for myself.

[spence]

Originally Posted by slapshot

The top 10% of wage earners pay 90% of the taxes. So the government would be leaning on the upper-upper class to foot this bill.

Well, first off that's not true. The top 10% pay more like 65% of the taxes and the current trend is shifting the burden to the lower tax brackets.

But that's not even the real issue, it's our progressive tax system that has allowed the middle class to exist for so long fueling the American dream. Wealth redistrubtion is as American as baseball and apple pie.

More and more fiscal conservatives are looking at taxes in relation to the entire Federal budget, and what this means for the future of our Country...

I'll let Ben Stein explain:

Put simply, the rich pay a lot of taxes as a total percentage of taxes collected, but they don’t pay a lot of taxes as a percentage of what they can afford to pay, or as a percentage of what the government needs to close the deficit gap.

SOURCE: NY Times

It's a good short piece, I'd read the entire thing.

-spence

[slapshot]

Lets say your 10% and 65% numbers are correct. How then can you cay that the middle class is taking the brunt of the cost of the war? The wealthiest are taking the biggest hit. Care to discuss how much the lower third pay in taxes?

That NYT quote is unnerving. "what they can afford to pay".

[Bronko]

That NYT quote is unnerving. "what they can afford to pay".[/QUOTE]

You are so right.

[spence]

Originally Posted by slapshot

Lets say your 10% and 65% numbers are correct. How then can you cay that the middle class is taking the brunt of the cost of the war? The wealthiest are taking the biggest hit. Care to discuss how much the lower third pay in taxes?

Because the rich can better afford it...it's that simple...Read the article. Remember, this isn't about being "fair" rather it's about fiscal balance and that any time anyone brings the subject up they are accused of "class warfare".

That NYT quote is unnerving. "what they can afford to pay".

Actually the article is quoting Ben Stein and Warren E. Buffett! Not exactly two liberal thinkers.

-spence