The Republican Thread

[kapkomet]

For all the people having Obamagasm at the fact that Obama is now our President, a little present. http://kabukishojo.com/2009/02/13/no-japan...ly-loves-obama/

I'm sorry, that's just pathetic. And stupid. And I think I'm even more stupid for clicking on the link.

[Texsox]

That is a pretty lame argument Tex.

 

What percentage of the people actually kept blacks from their swimming pools or rest rooms? I do not thnk SS really thought through his comment. 1 or 2% of a population can have disastrous affects, while 25 or 30% of the population can barely make a whimper. It's all about the scale of the action, not about how many people are doing it.

[southsider2k5]

Rick Santelli, my hero. Note the cheering in the backround.

 

http://www.cnbc.com/id/15840232?video=1039849853

[Balta1701]

Rick Santelli, my hero. Note the cheering in the backround.

 

http://www.cnbc.com/id/15840232?video=1039849853

Did he give the same rant about paying for your neighbor's $200 million bonus out of taxpayer funds?

[kapkomet]

Did he give the same rant about paying for your neighbor's $200 million bonus out of taxpayer funds?

I'm sure he did, just for you since you're obviously the taxpayer gestapo.

[Balta1701]

I'm sure he did, just for you since you're obviously the taxpayer gestapo.

[kapkomet]

Besides, taxpayer spending is ok, for health care, etc. but when it goes for "bailouts of businesses", it's bad!

 

Yes, Kaperbole ™ is back.

[Texsox]

Yes, Kaperbole ™ is back.

 

I love kaperbole ™

 

 

wait, I thought it was spelled Kraperbole™

[southsider2k5]

I'm sure he did, just for you since you're obviously the taxpayer gestapo.

 

Bleh, that must be a photoshop job, because I know what the Kap looks like

[Cknolls]

Did he give the same rant about paying for your neighbor's $200 million bonus out of taxpayer funds?

 

Well I wouldn't have to worry about him foreclosing on his house then, will I?

[mr_genius]

you guys see the new bailout? the mortgage one?

 

another trillion down the drain. this administration has been a complete disaster so far.

[lostfan]

you guys see the new bailout? the mortgage one?

 

another trillion down the drain. this administration has been a complete disaster so far.

I think that's coming out of TARP funds.

[Cknolls]

So they(White House) tries to b**** slap Santelli after he criticizes the mortgage plan. They say T.V. anchors should be more responsible with their words.

 

 

How about U.S Senators? Should Dodd just STFU or is it o.k for him to talk recklessly affecting the mkt with every assinine word he says. These guys should be held accountable for what they say. Speech and debate clause was not meant to extend outside of the Halls of Congress. First Durbin with the vets and now Dodd with the nationalization of banks. These guys are morons and should be more careful with their words, right Robert Gibbs? Or is it just everyone who disagrees with you and your boss?

 

 

[lostfan]

Lindsey Graham also said the gov't might have to nationalize the banks FWIW

[Cknolls]

What are the odds California is the first state to become insolvent, if they are not already considered insolvent, or file for bankruptcy? This budget is hilarious. I never thought a state could be worse than Illinois, but I fear California is a harbinger of the entire country in a few years. Although you could say the country is already there.

 

Why can't these politicians just be honest and say we blew it, we spent too much money for too long and never thought the gravy train would end. California increased spending by some $40 billion over the last several years.

 

Highest state income taxes? Ding Ding Ding

 

 

Highest state sales tax? Ding Ding DIng

 

 

Highest state gas tax? Ding Ding Ding

 

 

Why is it that the states with the highest tax rates also have the largest deficits? Florida Illinois and North Carolina notwithstanding.

 

 

[Balta1701]

What are the odds California is the first state to become insolvent, if they are not already considered insolvent, or file for bankruptcy? This budget is hilarious. I never thought a state could be worse than Illinois, but I fear California is a harbinger of the entire country in a few years. Although you could say the country is already there.

 

Why can't these politicians just be honest and say we blew it, we spent too much money for too long and never thought the gravy train would end. California increased spending by some $40 billion over the last several years.

 

Highest state income taxes? Ding Ding Ding

 

 

Highest state sales tax? Ding Ding DIng

 

 

Highest state gas tax? Ding Ding Ding

 

 

Why is it that the states with the highest tax rates also have the largest deficits? Florida Illinois and North Carolina notwithstanding.

Of course, you also manage to leave out the data that totally undermines your point. California has really high income taxes, sales taxes, etc. But is there any tax, any tax that is typically a major fundraiser in other states, that California is totally out of whack low on?

 

Yes, there is. Property taxes. Thanks to the ridiculous Prop 13, California's property tax base, especially on certain groups, is ridiculously low. Rewriting even a part of prop 13 to bring property taxes in line with the rest of the country would generate tens of billions of dollars per year.

 

The reason every other tax in California is so high is that the cities are unable to collect normal amounts of property tax from most of the inhabitants. The state government has then put itself on the line to make up for the difference. Because of this one alteration, when you compile lists of the total individual tax burdens on residents, California is usually in the top half, but is no where near the top (link to data from 2005 that sat at the top of google search), because that one gigantic subsidy to homeowners exists. And when you factor in that California's going to be in the upper half of tax receipts anyway simply because of the high cost of living in so much of this state, the only reason it's out of the ordinary on so many taxes is that Warren Buffet pays significantly more in property taxes on his $500k home in Omaha than he does on the several million worth of homes he owns in California.

[mr_genius]

Of course, you also manage to leave out the data that totally undermines your point. California has really high income taxes, sales taxes, etc. But is there any tax, any tax that is typically a major fundraiser in other states, that California is totally out of whack low on?

 

Yes, there is. Property taxes. Thanks to the ridiculous Prop 13, California's property tax base, especially on certain groups, is ridiculously low. Rewriting even a part of prop 13 to bring property taxes in line with the rest of the country would generate tens of billions of dollars per year.

 

The reason every other tax in California is so high is that the cities are unable to collect normal amounts of property tax from most of the inhabitants. The state government has then put itself on the line to make up for the difference. Because of this one alteration, when you compile lists of the total individual tax burdens on residents, California is usually in the top half, but is no where near the top (link to data from 2005 that sat at the top of google search), because that one gigantic subsidy to homeowners exists. And when you factor in that California's going to be in the upper half of tax receipts anyway simply because of the high cost of living in so much of this state, the only reason it's out of the ordinary on so many taxes is that Warren Buffet pays significantly more in property taxes on his $500k home in Omaha than he does on the several million worth of homes he owns in California.

 

 

at the same time you want to give away a trillion in bailout cash to homeowners, you suggest raising property taxes.

[Balta1701]

at the same time you want to give away a trillion in bailout cash to homeowners, you suggest raising property taxes.

Since you keep repeating this trillion dollar number, I assume you have a source to back it up?

 

(And quite frankly, especially in California, there is certainly an argument for altering and in fact raising the property tax structure. The simple reality is, some people shouldn't be homeowners, and people shouldn't be locked in to homes because they can't deal with the alterations in property taxes if they move. The remarkable thing about California's screwed up Prop. 13 is, if you reform it, you might actually help the housing market, because you actually make it more affordable for people to move out of a house that they've held for a long time)

[southsider2k5]

So they(White House) tries to b**** slap Santelli after he criticizes the mortgage plan. They say T.V. anchors should be more responsible with their words.

 

 

How about U.S Senators? Should Dodd just STFU or is it o.k for him to talk recklessly affecting the mkt with every assinine word he says. These guys should be held accountable for what they say. Speech and debate clause was not meant to extend outside of the Halls of Congress. First Durbin with the vets and now Dodd with the nationalization of banks. These guys are morons and should be more careful with their words, right Robert Gibbs? Or is it just everyone who disagrees with you and your boss?

 

Its not a big surprise. This administration gets NASTY when it gets critisized, and it has been that way since the campaign. Its funny that Bush got so much critisizm for saying stuff like you are with us or against us, because Obama might not be saying it, but he is sure as hell doing it.

[southsider2k5]

http://www.detnews.com/apps/pbcs.dll/artic...UTO01/902230327

 

Auto team drives imports

Fed task force has few new U.S. cars

David Shepardson / Detroit News Washington Bureau

 

WASHINGTON -- The vehicles owned by the Obama administration's auto team could reflect one reason why Detroit's Big Three automakers are in trouble: The list includes few new American cars.

 

Among the eight members named Friday to the Presidential Task Force on the Auto Industry and the 10 senior policy aides who will assist them in their work, two own American models. Add the Treasury Department's special adviser to the task force and the total jumps to three.

 

The Detroit News reviewed public records to discover what many of the task force and staff members drove, but information was not available on all of the officials, and records for some states were not complete.

 

At least two task force members don't own a car, and there are still two open slots on the 10-member panel that will be filled by the secretaries of labor and commerce, who have not yet been appointed.

 

The co-chairs of the task force -- Treasury Secretary Timothy F. Geithner and White House National Economic Council Director Lawrence Summers -- both own foreign automobiles.

 

Geithner owns a 2008 Acura TSX, registered in New York. He once owned a 1999 Honda Accord and a 2002 Acura MDX, according to public records.

 

Geithner is the president's designee for purposes of enforcing loan agreements with GM and Chrysler and must approve or reject any proposed transactions by either company that would cost $100 million or more.

 

His maternal grandfather, Charles Moore, was a vice president at Ford Motor Co. from 1952-63, according to Peter Geithner, the secretary's father. But Geithner wasn't very interested in cars growing up -- in part because he graduated from high school in Asia, his father said.

 

Summers owns a 1995 Mazda Protege that's registered in Massachusetts. He previously owned a 1996 Ford Taurus GL.

 

What other task force members drive:

 

• Office of Management and Budget Director Peter Orszag owns a 2008 Honda Odyssey and a 2004 Volvo S60. He previously owned a 1997 Jeep Grand Cherokee and 1982 Datsun.

 

• Carol Browner, the White House climate czar, said earlier this month at the Washington Auto Show that she doesn't own an automobile. Public records show she once owned a 1999 Saab 9-5 SE.

 

• Energy Secretary Steven Chu doesn't own a car, his wife, Jean Fetter, said in a telephone interview on Sunday. Cabinet officials are typically transported to and from work by security officials in government vehicles.

 

• Environmental Protection Agency Administrator Lisa Jackson owns a 2008 Toyota Prius and a Honda Odyssey minivan, she said Sunday. "It's great," she said of her Prius.

 

• Vehicle information was not available for Transportation Secretary Ray LaHood or Christine Romer, head of the Council of Economic Advisers.

 

Here's what task force policy aides drive:

 

• Austan Goolsbee, staff director and chief economist for the White House Economic Recovery Advisory Board, owns a 2004 Toyota Highlander.

 

• Joan DeBoer, the chief of staff to LaHood, said in an interview Sunday she drives a 2008 Lexus RX 350. She doesn't consider herself "a car buff" and views her car as a way to get around town.

 

• Heather Zichal, deputy director of the White House Office of Energy and Climate Change, owns a Volvo C30, according to public records and officials.

 

• Gene Sperling, counsel to the Treasury Secretary, owns a 2003 Lincoln LS, and previously owned a 1993 Saturn SL2.

 

• Edward B. Montgomery, senior adviser to the Labor Department, owns a 1991 Harley-Davidson and previously owned a 1990 Ford Taurus L station wagon, public records show.

 

• Lisa Heinzerling, senior climate policy counsel to the head of the EPA, owns a 1998 Subaru Legacy Outback station wagon, according to her husband.

 

• Diana Farrell, the deputy National Economic Council director, doesn't own a vehicle. Her husband, Scott Pearson, owns a 1985 Peugeot 505 S.

 

• Dan Utech, senior adviser to the Energy Secretary, owns a 2003 Mini Cooper S two-door hatchback.

 

• Rick Wade, a senior adviser at the Commerce Department, owns a 1998 Chevrolet Cavalier and previously owned a 1998 Toyota Corolla.

 

• Jared Bernstein, Vice President Joe Biden's chief economist, owns a 2005 Honda Odyssey.

 

The White House declined to comment.

 

President Barack Obama traded in his Chrysler 300C for a more fuel-efficient Ford Escape hybrid during the 2008 presidential campaign.

 

Joe Biden, the son of a car dealer, owns a 1967 Chevrolet Corvette -- a wedding present from his dad. He primarily commuted from Delaware to the Senate on Amtrak.

 

Ron Bloom, a special adviser to the Treasury Department who is also advising the task force, owns an aging Ford Taurus.

[Cknolls]

Since you keep repeating this trillion dollar number, I assume you have a source to back it up?

 

(And quite frankly, especially in California, there is certainly an argument for altering and in fact raising the property tax structure. The simple reality is, some people shouldn't be homeowners, and people shouldn't be locked in to homes because they can't deal with the alterations in property taxes if they move. The remarkable thing about California's screwed up Prop. 13 is, if you reform it, you might actually help the housing market, because you actually make it more affordable for people to move out of a house that they've held for a long time)

 

 

 

$787 billion + $300+ billion in debt service on the $787 = 1+ trillion. That wasn't too hard to do.

[lostfan]

$787 billion + $300+ billion in debt service on the $787 = 1+ trillion. That wasn't too hard to do.

he was talking about the homeowners bailout which is 75 billion from the TARP funds.

[whitesoxfan101]

Its not a big surprise. This administration gets NASTY when it gets critisized, and it has been that way since the campaign. Its funny that Bush got so much critisizm for saying stuff like you are with us or against us, because Obama might not be saying it, but he is sure as hell doing it.

 

This administration, in terms of how it responds to being critisized at least early on, reminds me almost of the Cubs. They simply can't fathom that anybody would disagree with them, and they try to completely discredit anybody who does as crazy.

 

(And yes, I'm aware that a few people here might think me comparing Obama to the Cubs is worse than the Stalin, Hitler, and communist accusations made of him by some Republicans recently. )

Edited February 23, 2009 by whitesoxfan101

[southsider2k5]

There are somethings in here I don't like, but in general, this is a WAY better plan then the POS we got.

 

http://www.americansolutions.com/General/?...a7-367da48a1430

 

Washington solutions of more money for more government, more power for politicians, more debt, and more bureaucrats will not lead to real growth in jobs and prosperity.

 

We need a clear and decisive alternative that creates jobs and rewards work, saving, and investment.

 

 

1. Payroll Tax Stimulus. With a temporary new tax credit to offset 50% of the payroll tax, every small business would have more money, and all Americans would take home more of what they earn.

 

2. Real Middle-Income Tax Relief. Reduce the marginal tax rate of 25% down to 15%, in effect establishing a flat-rate tax of 15% for close to 9 out of 10 American workers.

 

3. Reduce the Business Tax Rate. Match Ireland’s rate of 12.5% to keep more jobs in America.

 

4. Homeowner’s Assistance. Provide tax credit incentives to responsible home buyers so they can keep their homes.

 

5. Control Spending So We Can Move to a Balanced Budget. This begins with eliminating Congressional earmarks and wasteful pork-barrel spending.

 

6. No State Aid Without Protection From Fraud. Require state governments to adopt anti-fraud and anti-theft policies before giving them more money.

 

7. More American Energy Now. Explore for more American oil and gas and invest in affordable energy for the future, including clean coal, ethanol, nuclear power and renewable fuels.

 

8. Abolish Taxes on Capital Gains. Match China, Singapore and many other competitors. More investment in America means more jobs in America.

 

9. Protect the Rights of American Workers. We must protect a worker’s right to decide by secret ballot whether to join a union, and the worker’s right to freely negotiate. Forced unionism will kill jobs in America at a time when we can’t afford to lose them.

 

10. Replace Sarbanes-Oxley. This failed law is crippling entrepreneurial startups. Replace it with affordable rules that help create jobs, not destroy them.

 

11. Abolish the Death Tax. Americans should work for their families, not for Washington.

 

12. Invest in Energy and Transportation Infrastructure. This includes a new, expanded electric power grid and a 21st century air traffic control system that will reduce delays in air travel and save passengers, employees and airlines billions of dollars per year.

[kapkomet]

Oh no, Keynesian is the only way to go. The government is the only thing big enough to save us to keep us from going into a deflationary cycle we can't get out of. Is that right, Balta?