The Republican Thread

[Balta1701]

Eh whatever. I'm not going to bust the balls of teachers that get paid a decent salary.

That wasn't a shot at teachers, only a shot at our system of financing schools.

[BigSqwert]

That wasn't a shot at teachers, only a shot at our system of financing schools.

I was referring to the apparent outrage earlier in the thread that there are teachers making 6 figures.

[southsider2k5]

Wynn Resorts' CEO Stephen Wynn

 

http://seekingalpha.com/article/279999-wyn...ript?part=qanda

 

I believe in Las Vegas. I think its best days are ahead of it. But I'm afraid to do anything in the current political environment in the United States. You watch television and see what's going on on this debt ceiling issue. And what I consider to be a total lack of leadership from the President and nothing's going to get fixed until the President himself steps up and wrangles both parties in Congress. But everybody is so political, so focused on holding their job for the next year that the discussion in Washington is nauseating.

 

And I'm saying it bluntly, that this administration is the greatest wet blanket to business, and progress and job creation in my lifetime. And I can prove it and I could spend the next 3 hours giving you examples of all of us in this market place that are frightened to death about all the new regulations, our healthcare costs escalate, regulations coming from left and right. A President that seems, that keeps using that word redistribution. Well, my customers and the companies that provide the vitality for the hospitality and restaurant industry, in the United States of America, they are frightened of this administration.And it makes you slow down and not invest your money. Everybody complains about how much money is on the side in America.

 

You bet and until we change the tempo and the conversation from Washington, it's not going to change. And those of us who have business opportunities and the capital to do it are going to sit in fear of the President. And a lot of people don't want to say that. They'll say, God, don't be attacking Obama. Well, this is Obama's deal and it's Obama that's responsible for this fear in America.

 

The guy keeps making speeches about redistribution and maybe we ought to do something to businesses that don't invest, their holding too much money. We haven't heard that kind of talk except from pure socialists. Everybody's afraid of the government and there's no need soft peddling it, it's the truth. It is the truth. And that's true of Democratic businessman and Republican businessman, and I am a Democratic businessman and I support Harry Reid. I support Democrats and Republicans. And I'm telling you that the business community in this company is frightened to death of the weird political philosophy of the President of the United States. And until he's gone, everybody's going to be sitting on their thumbs.

[BigSqwert]

First of all, as Steve of Veracity Stew notes, Mr. Wynn's company Wynn Resorts Limited boasted record profits in Q2 2011. The man himself increased his personal fortune from $1.3 billion to $1.5 billion this year. As with the rest of the corporate sector enjoying record-breaking profits, it's difficult to discern precisely what he has to complain about from the government that has enabled his larder to grow even as millions suffer in increasing desperation. If this is a time of dreaded Marxist wealth redistribution, it would be interesting to see what sort of horrific inequalities more "business-friendly" policies might create. Mr. Wynn's reaction to progressive objections that the "job creators" are sitting on record cash by not creating jobs is to...sit on record cash and not create jobs, apparently out of fear that someone might force them to create jobs in America? Come again? Mr. Wynn complains of escalating healthcare costs in his business, as if the ACA were not designed to mitigate precisely that problem, and as if any reasonable economist would not respond that the best way to mitigate healthcare costs is through the sort of single-payer program that President Obama rejected out of hand, so that Mr. Wynn could accuse him being a socialist with a "weird" political philosophy.

 

Meanwhile, Las Vegas itself is a paean to excess, made possible only by massive government-enabled irrigation projects, highways, and airports. The economic disaster that has consumed Las Vegas in recent years was a direct product of the housing boom and bust, itself caused by too little regulation of certain kinds of financial casinos that see Mr. Wynn's core business activities as illegitimate competition. More importantly, Mr. Wynn's fears over the debt ceiling are created entirely by Republicans holding hostage the (very slow for the rest of us, but very fast for Mr. Wynn) international recovery upon which Mr. Wynn's business interests depend. Later on in his rant, Mr. Wynn complains bitterly about overbearing homeland security procedures discouraging visits from wealthy Chinese nationals--a direct byproduct of the Republican Bush Administration's homeland security state, to which Barack Obama has simply given bipartisan cover. In short, most of Mr. Wynn's complaints, such as they are, should be directed squarely at Republicans.

 

But Mr. Wynn's wrongheadedness isn't really the point that needs making here. He's a very rich man doing much better than he ought compared to the rest of us. But he's afraid that his taxes might be raised marginally, which might prevent him from buying...who knows? A few more yachts and Picasso paintings to punch holes in? His ulterior motives are fairly obvious, so does the accuracy of his ravings really matter? Not much.

 

What is more interesting is the fact that the rant of a Las Vegas casino tycoon has been held up in right-wing circles as validation of their attacks on Obama, Keynesianism, and progressive economics in general. This only a couple of years after a similar but better-planned rant by yet another overprivileged tycoon from the more illustrious casinos in Manhattan set off the Tea Party crazies who are currently causing the default crisis nuttery the Vegas tycoon seems so afraid of.

 

Never has the disconnect of an entire political party from the mass of public opinion been so apparent as it is today, when the heroes who ride to the ideological rescue, the Paul Reveres who cry "the taxes are coming!", are as hated as a Wall St. mortgage-backed securities-dealing crook, and a Vegas casino mogul who makes such an easy Hollywood villain that we root without a second's thought for outright thieves of little redeeming character in and of themselves. Of course, the Republican calculus is that their lengthy distance from the electoral center won't matter so long as they can discredit the entire enterprise of government itself while ginning up the latest inconsequential outrage. And perhaps they're right. But we should still marvel at the sight of one of the nation's two major political parties elevating such blatantly unpopular, almost stereotypical villains as archetypal heroes.

 

But perhaps most importantly, never has the disconnect between the pillars that make up the Republican Party itself been so apparent. As we speak, a hardcore evangelical Christian from the Midwest is leading in the national polls for the GOP presidency. The most popular standard-bearer in today's GOP is a woman who wants to ban pornography and isn't exactly a big fan of the gaming industry, either. Let's be clear about this: if she were Emperor for a day, the GOP frontrunner would put all of Las Vegas out of work instantly by killing any and all business related to sex and gaming. She would redistribute that money to fund evangelical Christian schools and "charities." She would crack down on immigration and homeland security procedures, and scare off those Chinese visitors Mr. Wynn seems so eager to attract.

 

And yet Mr. Wynn himself, a man whose personal fortunes have risen dramatically under the Obama Administration, is freaked out not by Republicans, but by Democrats, at a time when Democrats are arguably more "business-friendly" than at any time since Woodrow Wilson if not the era of Reconstruction. Even as the same Republicans who have elevated a demonstrable Dominionist nutcase as their frontrunner cheer on the tirades of a businessman whose livelihood depends on sex tourism and gambling.

 

This is not a sustainable situation. This is not a political environment in which the normal rules of barter, argument and compromise apply. This is full-blown mania, a mirror on a broader national insanity. Sooner or later, something has to give.

 

via

[southsider2k5]

via

 

I love how it is dismissed out of hand, but these are the people doing the hiring in this country. When people in our own party are calling you out publicly, that should tell you something other than go on the attack.

[BigSqwert]

I love how it is dismissed out of hand, but these are the people doing the hiring in this country. When people in our own party are calling you out publicly, that should tell you something other than go on the attack.

I take it you didn't even read my post.

[EvilMonkey]

I take it you didn't even read my post.

More like you didn't read his. Your whole post just dismisses his claims as invalid because he is rich and has benefited from some sort of government help. It ignores the fact that him and others like him are the ones that hire people and create jobs. It doesn't matter if he made $100 or $100 million dollars, HE made it and wants to keep it.

[mr_genius]

http://chicago.cbslocal.com/2011/07/20/thi...private-sector/

 

agreed. they are overpaid.

[The Sir]

Ahmadinejad threatens to send the USA and Israel to the morgue.

 

I don't know why this guy insists on picking a fight with two of Earth's most lethal militaries. There's controversy about him simply obtaining nuclear capabilities, but does he realize how many Team USA/Israel has? Luckily, I think mutally assured destruction will prevent even a nutjob of his stature from launching nukes (not to mention, he'd come out way farther on the destroyed end than either of his enemies). But still, nukes or not, if this guy thinks there would be anything even remotely resembling a fight between the USA and Israel on one side and him on the other, he's sorely mistaken.

[southsider2k5]

Ahmadinejad threatens to send the USA and Israel to the morgue.

 

I don't know why this guy insists on picking a fight with two of Earth's most lethal militaries. There's controversy about him simply obtaining nuclear capabilities, but does he realize how many Team USA/Israel has? Luckily, I think mutally assured destruction will prevent even a nutjob of his stature from launching nukes (not to mention, he'd come out way farther on the destroyed end than either of his enemies). But still, nukes or not, if this guy thinks there would be anything even remotely resembling a fight between the USA and Israel on one side and him on the other, he's sorely mistaken.

 

His domestic policy has largely been a failure, so he uses the US and Israel as distractions.

[The Sir]

His domestic policy has largely been a failure, so he uses the US and Israel as distractions.

 

Even though his policies suck, talking s*** to the big kids on the block is still a poor idea.

[Balta1701]

Even though his policies suck, talking s*** to the big kids on the block is still a poor idea.

What's the downside for him of talking? More sanctions? As soon as everyone stops buying oil that'll work fine. No one is in any position for any actual military moves against them, and an Israeli strike on their nuclear facilities would be a godsend for his popularity.

[southsider2k5]

Even though his policies suck, talking s*** to the big kids on the block is still a poor idea.

 

With Obama in the White House?

[The Sir]

With Obama in the White House?

 

Sadly, you're right. That said, the American military still isn't a good entity to f*** with, and there's still Israel. Netanyahu has already said that Israel will target Mahmoud personally if he attacks them.

 

And Balta, I guess it really isn't an issue. Actually, it's just funny more than anything else. Guy's a nut.

[Cknolls]

Pete Hoekstra is tossing his hat into to the ring to challenge Stabenow for the SENATE in Michigan. One step closer to control in th supper chamber.

 

[Balta1701]

You guys ought to love this.

After giving a nearly six-month tryout for the Internet talk show host Cenk Uygur, the cable news channel MSNBC is preparing to instead hand its 6 p.m. time slot to the Rev. Al Sharpton.

[mr_genius]

You guys ought to love this.

 

I think Sharpton will be better than that other tool

[southsider2k5]

I think Sharpton will be better than that other tool

 

He'll last two months before the cancel him.

[mr_genius]

He'll last two months before the cancel him.

 

discrimination lawsuit within seconds of firing.

[The Sir]

Hanoi Jane Fonda whines about QVC cancelation, claims she "loves her country" and has "never done anything to hurt my country or the men and women who have fought and continue to fight for us".

 

I don't care if you oppose foreign wars like the ones in Iraq or Vietnam. Feel free to protest as much as you want. Doesn't bother me one bit.

 

But when you go to the house of the enemy and pose with the very weapons that he uses to kill fine American men, and you come home and call American Soldiers liars for claiming they were tortured and having the physical problems to prove it...well, that makes you a traitor.

 

Jane Fonda thinks it's ridiculous that, even forty years later, many Americans have yet to forgive her (and it's not just extreme right wingers either). Personally, I think she should be grateful she wasn't put on trial and then shoved in front of a firing squad.

 

Commie rat.

[Y2HH]

Hanoi Jane Fonda whines about QVC cancelation, claims she "loves her country" and has "never done anything to hurt my country or the men and women who have fought and continue to fight for us".

 

I don't care if you oppose foreign wars like the ones in Iraq or Vietnam. Feel free to protest as much as you want. Doesn't bother me one bit.

 

But when you go to the house of the enemy and pose with the very weapons that he uses to kill fine American men, and you come home and call American Soldiers liars for claiming they were tortured and having the physical problems to prove it...well, that makes you a traitor.

 

Jane Fonda thinks it's ridiculous that, even forty years later, many Americans have yet to forgive her (and it's not just extreme right wingers either). Personally, I think she should be grateful she wasn't put on trial and then shoved in front of a firing squad.

 

Commie rat.

 

My father is a Vietnam Vet, I've never actually seen him get "politically angry" in my life until her name come up in a conversation. He hates her with the fire of hell, and he's NEVER like that.

[southsider2k5]

Hanoi Jane Fonda whines about QVC cancelation, claims she "loves her country" and has "never done anything to hurt my country or the men and women who have fought and continue to fight for us".

 

I don't care if you oppose foreign wars like the ones in Iraq or Vietnam. Feel free to protest as much as you want. Doesn't bother me one bit.

 

But when you go to the house of the enemy and pose with the very weapons that he uses to kill fine American men, and you come home and call American Soldiers liars for claiming they were tortured and having the physical problems to prove it...well, that makes you a traitor.

 

Jane Fonda thinks it's ridiculous that, even forty years later, many Americans have yet to forgive her (and it's not just extreme right wingers either). Personally, I think she should be grateful she wasn't put on trial and then shoved in front of a firing squad.

 

Commie rat.

 

Yeah, I can't believe she doesn't get it after 40 years. It isn't like she gave them a bad review or anything that is fairly easy to get over. How disconnected from reality is she?

[GoSox05]

Hanoi Jane Fonda whines about QVC cancelation, claims she "loves her country" and has "never done anything to hurt my country or the men and women who have fought and continue to fight for us".

 

I don't care if you oppose foreign wars like the ones in Iraq or Vietnam. Feel free to protest as much as you want. Doesn't bother me one bit.

 

But when you go to the house of the enemy and pose with the very weapons that he uses to kill fine American men, and you come home and call American Soldiers liars for claiming they were tortured and having the physical problems to prove it...well, that makes you a traitor.

 

Jane Fonda thinks it's ridiculous that, even forty years later, many Americans have yet to forgive her (and it's not just extreme right wingers either). Personally, I think she should be grateful she wasn't put on trial and then shoved in front of a firing squad.

 

Commie rat.

 

 

You think she should have been executed for that?

[The Sir]

Yeah, I can't believe she doesn't get it after 40 years. It isn't like she gave them a bad review or anything that is fairly easy to get over. How disconnected from reality is she?

 

Well, there's her major act of treason, and then there's the rest of her life, which isn't much better. She told students at Michigan State in 1970 that, "I would think that if you understood what Communism was, you would hope, you would pray on your knees, that we would someday become communists." Stupid sentiment, but hey, that's free speech. Regardless, if she was such an admitted commie, why didn't she stay in North Vietnam where they were communists? And then, why did she spend her life getting rich off of capitalist methods? She can claim to be a communist if she wants, but she loses a lot of credibility (not that she had any) when she then leads the sort of life she has and lives in the relative comfort of the West.

[The Sir]

You think she should have been executed for that?

 

I think she should have been put on trial for treason. And the punishment for treason should be death.

 

Also, I wish Jane Fonda would realize that her "Democratic, peace loving" North Vietnamese friends would have tortured and summarily executed her for making the same sort of comments about them as she made about us.