With the Clinton surplus, the CBO said that the US debt would be paid off by the year 2008. Running with that rosy future, Al Gore (continuing the flow) claimed that he would put that surplus (after eliminating/diminishing the debt) into a "lockbox" to protect Social Security and Medicare. Gore was laughed at for his "lockbox" comment.
Imagine if today, the debt was eliminated rather than approaching $10 billion. Imagine that the continue surplus would have secured SS and Medicare. Imagine the relief to hundred of millions of people and the corresponding vibrant economy. That is nothing to sneer at and yet Obamites are trying hard to diminish that happy potential.
All of Clinton's momentum was destroyed by George Bush and now the Clintons and Bushes are being placed into the same box by supposed Progressives. Shame on such transparent bullshit. It still does us no good to be lied to, even if it is by Obama.
Bush Three Is Wrong -- Is Clinton Three Any Better?
I had once considered John McCain an ultimately acceptable choice for president.
I thought that, compared to the other Republicans in the field earlier, McCain was a man who had lived a serious life. He had faced serious problems and offered respected solutions to issues such as campaign finance reform. McCain was a war hero, a US Senator and maverick in a party that often didn't know what to make of people like John McCain.
But mavericks don't make it to the highest echelons of the GOP. That is how we got stuck with this Bush. In order to ascend to the highest ranks of the Republican Party, you have got to realize that the current size and scope of the budget of the federal government is the greatest opportunity for the personal enrichment of the upper class in this country since the turn of the previous century or the period around World War II. As much as any industry that brings its products to market, selling your goods and services to the US government, and particularly the military, is a chance to make staggering and heretofore unseen profits. The current budget of the US Defense Department is the most shameful misappropriation of American tax dollars in our nation's history.
There are cycles in American history wherein the richest and most powerful people who actually own and run this country make there greatest effort to elect a true corporatocracy candidate. They literally steal the election, if need be. They install their witless, pliant factotums and they start skimming. They order even more expensive things we don't need. They relax regulations to the point where there are essentially no regulations at all. They might even start a war, if the can get away with it. If questionable people happen to be in the country taking flying lessons without learning how to land and you don't bother to investigate them, you increase the chances you may get away with it.
There are periods in American history when the haves just knock the have-nots to the ground and say,"Enough." They push the government into greater debt. They sign unconscionable mortgages for future generations. They lie and tell the American people that to get out of the convoluted military quagmire would only threaten us more. Threaten our children. Their future.
When their friends run into trouble, they bail them out. No, I mean we bail them out. They decide. We simply do the paying. Bill Clinton killed welfare as we knew it. Maybe its time had come. I was hoping that both Clintons would have condemned the Bear Stearns deal in the harshest terms. No such luck.
John McCain has changed. He drank the Kool-Aid, the one they served as baby formula in the Bush home all those years ago. McCain will be Bush Three. I was wrong about him. He has velcroed his lips to the ass of the elephant and he's gonna keep kissing until a second term would end.
But, if Bush Three is wrong, terrifyingly wrong, then is Clinton Three any better? Who do you think really has the guts to stand against the most potent special interests who truly care more about the dollar than the flag? We don't have a draft in this country in order keep politics out of military policy. For too many Americans, the truth is that, "My child isn't over there. That's all I care about." The fact that there has not been one great, national day of protest against this war will surely come back to haunt us all.
Who will end this war?
Obama will end this war.
I encourage the Democrats of the state of Pennsylvania to cast their vote tomorrow for Barack Obama.
I sweated this a lot. I admire both Bill and Hillary. But the shame and disgrace of how we have treated our own fighting men, not to mention many innocent people in Iraq, weighs more heavily on me now.
This country is in deep trouble. We not only need something effective, we need something new. I believe Obama will bring that more that Mrs. Clinton.
Want to reply to a comment? Hint: Click "Reply" at the bottom of the comment; after being approved your comment will appear directly underneath the comment you replied to
Huh? There is no logic in how you connect Obama to Gore's plan to "lockbox" the surplus. How in the hell do you come up with this, "That is nothing to sneer at and yet Obamites are trying hard to diminish that happy potential."
Makes no sense.
Thank you for your post.
It's hard for Democrats who once supported the Clintons to come to terms with the fact that Hillary has moved politically very far to the right, and that she and the DLC have no real plans to leave Iraq. The geo-political strategy of the DLC and the Republicans is to stay in Iraq and increase control in the Middle East.
The reasons for doing this, are not simply to secure the oil supply for American oil corporations and contractors, and keep the price of oil artificially elevated. Unfortunately the strategy is to control Iran's oil supply also, and thereby gain some power and control over China and India, through oil and through the threat of nuclear annihilation.
There is a little known fight going on now between the DLC and the DNC, and the DLC, unfortunately has virtually the same agenda as the GOP. The DLC is in the pockets of the large corporations, and Clinton, as a DLC member has been positioning herself as the Military Industrial candidate.
Her earmarks tell the story:
http://community.seattletimes.nwsource.com/favorfactory/lawmaker.php?id=S0NY00188
And so does the DLC's plan B for Iraq:
http://www.dlc.org/ndol_ci.cfm?kaid=450004&subid=900021&contentid=254187
Alec,
Every politician owes someone something out there. I dont admire any of them. If Bush et al made any kind of agreement with defense contractors that requires a certain $ amount of purchases, then the next president will have to honor that...so...who knows how or when this war will end.
We will need many years to undo the damage that the Bush Administration inflicted upon us.
I agree that our armed forces have been treated horribly and the financial welfare of US citizens has been compromised - but remember, Bill Clinton had a lot to do with that too. And yes, unless a person has a family member in the armed forces he/she is not going to care too much about the war in Iraq. The Iraqis have been used and abused.
Just an FYI, sparklenshine is printed on something I own - maybe one day you'll get to see it, hehe.
This article emphasizes the vast gulf between original thinking and a talent for rehearsing writers' lines and convincingly delivering them on stage--just like Barack Obama, a run-of-the-mine tyro Senator with an incongruous flair for self-dramatization. The article is a bland restating of a day's worth of talk radio, at best.
Think I'll trust the 'Historians for Obama' as to whether Obama only has a 'flair for self-dramatization'.
http://www.huffingtonpost.com/harold-pollack/yes-obama-has-substance-_b_87126.html
"I sweated this a lot"
Don't sweat it Alec. Your endorsement doesn't change the opinion of any thinking man's vote.
I believe also in Bush III. I do believe Obama WILL do better than the candidates. Out of the 3 he has a better presentation and seems more focused on the real issues. I am very pleased that it seems that he has a plan for autism. It is very important to me. He is out there saying things about plans, not just saying we are working on a plan. It seems as though he has it figured out and he is ready to act on it. I have high hopes for a better tomorrow, because today it is like it is at the worst of times. Unemployment, gas, food prices, foreclosures, budget cutting in the schools for special needs as well as other great programs. We are in a recession and on the fast track to depression. We need help and plans and real action or we will go down in history as a has been country.
Obama is CORRUPT, a LIAR, and his slogan of change an ILLUSION.
1) CORRUPT: A houseowner wants to sell both a house and adjoining land. Obama can afford to buy only the house. No problem, the criminal Rezko to the rescue. Rezko pays full price for the land, whereas Obama gets a discount of $300,000 on the house. Nice to have criminal friends like this!!! (ref ABC News)
2) LIAR: Obama claims he did not know about Wright's America-hating (God damn America) and racist views till it was revealed in the mainstream media in March 2008. Obama attended Wright's church for 20 years, was married by Wright, had his children baptized by Wright, donated over $20,000 to Wright's church and named his book "Audacity of Hope" after one of Wright's sermons. You really believe after 20 years and all this he did not know?
3) ILLUSION: Exelon Corporation had not disclosed radioactive leaks at one of its nuclear plants in Illinois. Obama, a senator for Illinois introduces a bill to make disclosures mandatory. Seems like Exelon doesn't like it. Each draft of the new bill by Obama goes more and more towards Exelon till disclosures end up being "voluntary". What gives? How about $250,000+ donations by Exelon!!! Obama is not change, he is WASHINGTON BUSINESS AS USUAL. (ref NYT)
People need to realize that Hillary has been fighting for them all along. All the way back to 1993 when she tried to introduce universal health care.
you are 100% right Hillary and Bill have been fighting for us all along, to bad
no one gives them credit, Look what President Clinton left us, a huge surplus that
would have been used well if Al Gore had of won, oh I forgot he did win. It seems that
the people want George Bush or Sen Obama, people with no experience, I
just don't get it The country is in a mess, have we forgotten who got us out of the last
Bushes mess!!!
Sorry buddy- totally disagree. The Clintons are in up to their eyeballs with special interests. The DLC is their brainchild- in case you are not familar- "The Democrats should be nicer to Corporations Council." The Corporate world is doing fine- and if they're not they always have the goverment safety net. The poor American taxpayer is barely surviving.
The only candidate interested in changing this is Obama.
Great post Mr. Baldwin. I am impressed.
Whhhhhattt?????
Thanks for your insightful opinion. Goodnight.
Your post was an island of rationality in a sea of rabid hyperbole. Thank you.
Oh my - these folks are gonna hate you pal. I cannot imagine the number of pending replies that have been piling up since this post. I would like to wish you well and you had me following you right along until you exposed yourself as a Hillary supporter. So she has never lied, isn't corrupt, or hasn't tried to confuse via illusion?!?!?
Very interesting to see you, who used to vacation with the Clintons on Figure 8 Island, NC not deciding to vote for Hillary Clinton. Knowing how well you know the Clintons, it makes it even more clear to me that Obama should be the Democratic candidate. Thank you for your opinion.
The question is WHEN will Obama end the war.....He has never seriously comitted to ending it very soon.......
How can anyone say they know- without getting accurate information. General Petreaeus and friends will tell the American people any line of crap to keep this war going. Obama will end this war responsibly and quickly- because this bogus war is bleeding us dry---financially, morally and emotionally.
He says 16 months from when he takes office, the last will leave.
Hillary says nothing.
Hillary committed an unwavering stance to start pulling troops out every six months as soon as she is president. When pressed in an interview if she would listen to military if they didn't want to do that. She said unequivocally no--the president sets the strategy.
Exactly,.... Hillary says nothing.
Every 6 months for how many years? It could drag on as McCain said,...."for a hundred years".
She also admitted, while under duress, that Obama would be a viable contender against McCain ("YES, YES, YES!") while along suggesting he'd get chewed up and spat out by the Republican MSM mill because he couldn't carry the BIG states. Which unequivocal Hillary are we supposed to believe?
Alec Baldwin?
This will be the fourth attempt for Obama to knock Clinton out of the race. He"s been incapable of doing so, which demonstrates his lack of feasibility as a candidate.
There are good reasons why the superdelegates should ignore the Obama Campaigns cries for all Superdelegates to swing for Obama and instead endorse Mrs Clinton. There"s no question that superdelegates will consider electability as a factor in deciding whether to vote for Hillary Clinton or Barack Obama. Clinton CAN beat McCain in November. Obama cannot if he is on the ticket as President. Him as VP is a different story: http://clintonista.wordpress.com/
The Clintons are yesterday's news. Old politics. old favors and predictably old solutions.
Sorry Clinton supporters. Mr. Baldwin knows the Clinton very well and laid out a great case for Obama. Your loyalty to the Clintons is admirable but your concern about the best interests of this country should supercede it. Just as Mr. Baldwin has done.
spell check, thats . stake , am i just as bad . and my name is . dotorfats, very sorry
Thank you Alec for the hitting the nail dead center.
Whether or not Obama is the real deal, only time will tell.
But repudiating the pitiful politics and ambitious enablers that have landed us here, cannot wait.
Obama went negative using lies, smears and Rove tactics.
This proves his whole meassage of being "a different kind of politician and using a different kind of politics" is lie.
I thought you were smarter than that and not drink the kool aid like w's base.
Clinton is the only choice.
Hillary is the choice for business as usual. If you are happy with the ways things are going - by all means vote for Hillary. I used actual like the Clintons. After seeing their conduct over the past year- my opinion of them couldn't get any lower. They only care about winning- that it. Sorry- I can't vote for them to soothe their giant egos.
And BTW- she wouldn't win anyway- digging up dirt on the Clintons is child's play. The Bosnia story most of all just shows us their arrogance in believing their own delusion that they can get away with anything. Without McCain laying a glove on her- the young vote that is in love with Obama will never turn out for her. GAME OVER!
If you think the troops would be home any sooner under Obama than under Clinton, you are naive and delusional. No matter which of them gets elected, a substantial number of American troops will still be in Iraq by the end of their first term.
Alec Baldwin:
You're wrong. Neither Clinton or Obama will end this war. Think about it and try to remember that both would not commit to bringing ALL the troops home by even 2013. Both would also leave residual forces in Iraq. They can play a sly game of saying that it's mostly for security e.g., protect our embassy and train Iraqi security (which is belly laugh unto itself) etc but that's a very bad joke--on you and everyone who wants to believe that Obama or Clinton for that matter will end this. Leaving troops in Iraq and calling them something other than "Combat Troops", when we never had enough troops in Iraq to begin with, only puts those left behind in a riskier situation. What happens then? That's a question neither Obama or Clinton will answer and that question is: will either one of them send combat troops back to protect those left behind? Bottom line is. Both Obama and Clinton will keep us
you want to end the war start a draft . i had an idea last year of course i did not follow through with it there was 3000 or so american dead , i thought what if we went to washington one day as a survey crew , and stake out the wall that will be built for these souls, i thought that we would stake off enough for 3000 but steak out another area next to it , or leave enough room for 10,15,20000 soilders i did nothing thinking what can one guy do , now we area at 4000+ dead and room at the wall for more. will i ever get mad enough to go to washington i dont know i thougt i was plenty mad last year the truth is i am responcible for for my part for doing nothing . i want this war to end , but i do nothing to help end it . im i just as bad as the bums who started it . peace dotofats
I agree. Start a Draft.
Everyone will shut up then and let some Democrat get us out of there.
Thank you Alec for your comments here. I laughed so hard at last week's 30 Rock and your character's escapades so glad to see you have changed your views on McCain, as have I!
I would have voted for him in 2000. He is a disappointment and a scary guy now. No change from Bush, only a continuation and that in itself is scary.
I urge voters in PA to put aside everything but their own self-interest when voting today. Obama will change the way things are done in this country and we will all benefit. It won't be easy and he will need our support but he is far and away the best candidate and we really need to deserve him.
That is the bottom line. Change is essential, there is no argument on that.
We have an opportunity to put fear and doubt aside and move forward, not status quo. We have an opportunity to end the war and take better care of our citizens. We have an opportunity to be a good nation again and to raise hope all over the globe.
Put aside the MSM version of Obama, the Clinton camp version of Obama. Listen and read.
Don't let yourself be swayed by the right, the Clinton machine or fear.
Vote for change. Vote for a return to sanity. Vote for Obama and choose a future that works for the many, not the few.
Great post ,wisechild. lets carry on.
Oh he'll end the war when the powers that be let him. This war will continue Alex, make no bones about it. No career politician is going to change that. We had a chance at backing people with fresh ideas, but we chose a couple policy twins on the center-left, and a status-quo old fart on the far right.
Thank you Alec for being a thoughtful and caring Obama enthusiast. I would like to add to your recommendation that Pennsylvania voters support Senator Obama in today's primary. Obama has many outstanding qualities but for me, the one that sets him apart from the other candidates, both Bushes, Ford, Carter and Reagan and others is his incredibly keen intelligence and the way he applies this great gift. Obama has been at the helm of a brilliantly run campaign and is winning against an opponent who was wearing the crown of victory long before the throne had been vacated.
The long campaign has exposed Mrs. Clinton's intellectual weaknesses and is there anyone in this sagging economy and home mortgage and gas price crisis who wants to trust her with what is left of their money? Has ber bungling and flubbing and inability to remember when she was shot at by sniper fire make anyone feel they would be safer with her looking out for their lives? Has her outbursts of temper and Zelig-like change of persona to jibe with her location caused anyone to praise her stability?
Smarter is better, and Senator Obama is smarter.
Obama has many outstanding qualities but for me, the one that sets him apart from the other candidates, both Bushes, Ford, Carter and Reagan and others is his incredibly keen intelligence and the way he applies this great gift.......WHAT GIFT? He can heal the blind? walk on water? Can he answers reporters questions without a teleprompter? Give me a break, all you Obamadots are ridiculaous. Who the hell is this man? A man with poor judgement, a man who associates with the WRONG crowd? REZCO, REV WRIGHT, WILLIAM AYERS....that's only the more well know. There are others. Get to know the man, do some research.
Great gift ... my a_ _ !
great post ,Shela88 carry on.
Posted April 21, 2008 | 09:23 PM (EST)