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Stop The Injustice: Free Gary McKinnon
Commented Nov 28, 2009 at 11:34:19 in Politics
“You've nailed it. If you embarrass any part of the Federal government, you are almost certain to land in jail. If you poison or maim millions of people with products that you know are unsafe, your company is likely to pay a fine and no human will be held accountable. Such is the state of the Federal justice system.”
Sharing the Privilege of Abundance
Commented Nov 26, 2009 at 12:18:24 in Impact
“This year, when we sit around our dining table with our family and friends, I will think of the things that my conscience has forced me to confront for too many Thanksgivings: The destruction of the innocents with such devastating weapons as cluster bombs and cruise missiles, the occupations in foreign countries by our young and the manipulation of our economy by the lawlessness of the elite.
"The real meaning of Thanksgiving, in other words, is the triumph of Capitalism over the failure of Collectivism in all its forms." I suppose it's more convenient to place matters in rather simple, less conscience-provoking and absurd terms.”
"The real meaning of Thanksgiving, in other words, is the triumph of Capitalism over the failure of Collectivism in all its forms." I suppose it's more convenient to place matters in rather simple, less conscience-provoking and absurd terms.”
drbillybob replied on Nov 26, 2009 at 12:35:02
“kumbaya ...”
Is This as Good as It Gets From Obama?
Commented Nov 09, 2009 at 14:05:05 in Politics
“Yes, exactly. The direction is not encouraging. I immediately thought that we were in serious trouble with this president when he sought bipartisanship in enacting his programs. Despite all of his degrees, it seems that he must have been asleep during his political history classes.”
Why It's Wrong When Wrongdoers Are Allowed to Admit No Wrongdoing
Commented Nov 09, 2009 at 12:41:21 in Business
“Dear LCSN:
You must rethink your next to last sentence. Big is just another way of saying monopolistic enterprize that benefits a few at the expense of the many. Big concentrates political and economic power. Such power renders it, in most instances, immune to regulation and prosecution. The Madoff affair is quite unusual in that someone actually went to prison. Voltaire had it right when he said that "Behind every fortune there is major crime." I would add that major fortunes cannot be accumulated without the exploitation of others. There should absolutely be a limit on how large an economic entity can grow. A bonus to that would be greater diversification and less likelihood of general massive economic turmoil when things go wrong. Americans have be socialized to think that big is better, which I think is why most of them are in such financial straights these days. The fact is that reasonable size (human scale) is more efficient and controllable and, simplicity is a delight. Perhaps it is just my Quaker philosophy speaking, but it works for me.”
You must rethink your next to last sentence. Big is just another way of saying monopolistic enterprize that benefits a few at the expense of the many. Big concentrates political and economic power. Such power renders it, in most instances, immune to regulation and prosecution. The Madoff affair is quite unusual in that someone actually went to prison. Voltaire had it right when he said that "Behind every fortune there is major crime." I would add that major fortunes cannot be accumulated without the exploitation of others. There should absolutely be a limit on how large an economic entity can grow. A bonus to that would be greater diversification and less likelihood of general massive economic turmoil when things go wrong. Americans have be socialized to think that big is better, which I think is why most of them are in such financial straights these days. The fact is that reasonable size (human scale) is more efficient and controllable and, simplicity is a delight. Perhaps it is just my Quaker philosophy speaking, but it works for me.”
Too Big To Fail - Too Big To Exist
Commented Nov 06, 2009 at 14:53:45 in Business
“Bravo! Well said and in just 250 words.”
Do Green Jobs Create Greener Americans?
Commented Oct 30, 2009 at 18:07:36 in Green
“You have proven my comment to be quite accurate. It is a lot easier to categorize than to do the hard work to analyze. Inasmuch as socialist is not a derogatory term in most advanced countries, I do not take offense to that. But I do take offense to being categorized by someone who is so unenlightened. You are not a worthy adversary, so I'll bid you adieu.”
Do Green Jobs Create Greener Americans?
Commented Oct 30, 2009 at 10:01:50 in Green
“Spikeykitten, please consider this note to be helpful criticism. After your Mao comment, I took a look at some of your other comments. It appears to me that you speak before you think or study. It is fine to disagree with others, but you must make an effort to disprove their arguments.”
spikeykitten replied on Oct 30, 2009 at 14:36:50
“Oh that Mao comment:
Just calling a socialist a socialist
That is what you are - correct?
No reason to be ashamed of it some people like yourself and "others" just are.”
Just calling a socialist a socialist
That is what you are - correct?
No reason to be ashamed of it some people like yourself and "others" just are.”
spikeykitten replied on Oct 30, 2009 at 14:29:20
“The reply to the post was appropriate:
58 said they they were greener for thinking there were green jobs
and you can read what I said
How is that even an argument it is a discussion.
I did not say Mao in this thread until now Mao”
58 said they they were greener for thinking there were green jobs
and you can read what I said
How is that even an argument it is a discussion.
I did not say Mao in this thread until now Mao”
We Can't Reform Health Care without Reforming Food
Commented Oct 29, 2009 at 16:22:35 in Green
“Bob, I would be pleased if, in a future article, you would deal with the central problem underlying most of the others in American society. Whether it is the contaminated food supply, atrocious health care system, criminality on Wall Street, the state of constant war or a soon to be bankrupt country, the problems can all be traced to the imbalance of political power. The imbalance is brought about by the concentration of the national wealth in ever fewer hands, hands that do not deviate from a self-interest philosophy, in other words, to hell with the general welfare. This concentration of wealth brings about the concentration of political power thereby stifling the democratic process. We must not fail to get the single-minded big money out of Washington and the electoral process and, those God-given assets of the nation, those that have been stolen by private corporate fiat, must be returned and held corporately by the public. The US cannot survive as a democracy if its economic system is totalitarian.”
spikeykitten replied on Oct 29, 2009 at 16:34:24
“"most of the others"
ok, Mao / Lewis”
ok, Mao / Lewis”
Barack Obama Is Doing My Job; Why America Needs Him to Do His
Commented Oct 27, 2009 at 12:57:51 in Business
“I thought that many of Obama's appointments were excellent. The most troubling of his appointments for me were those of Geithner and Summers, both are uncomfortably associated with the the largest financial disaster in seventy years. Perhaps he has a plan that he will soon unveil that will level the economic playing field in this country and rid Americans of the economic totalitarianism that we now live under. The president still has my support and I still think that he is the best choice that has been presented to us in a very long time. He can strenghthen that support, but he must make a clean break with the economic past by firing both Geithner and Summers. The Universities in this country are over flowing with economic talent, it makes no sense to continue with those who are tainted with past failure.”
Support for the Public Option Keeps Getting Stronger
Commented Oct 26, 2009 at 16:16:59 in Politics
“Amen: The discoverable amount of $700 Billion annually for military expenditures alone is more than the next 100 highest spending countries combined. The per capita cost to US citizens is approximately $1600 per year. Average per capita cost to citizens of other countries for military budgets is approximately $120 per year. The US accounts for half of the world’s total military expenditures while it is only 5% of the world's population.
Der vorld understands the US better than it understands itself. As long as the US continues its quest for world domination, its citizens will lag in vorld social advancement.”
Der vorld understands the US better than it understands itself. As long as the US continues its quest for world domination, its citizens will lag in vorld social advancement.”
Chris1950 replied on Oct 26, 2009 at 19:11:44
“Yes - let's save the rest of the world from conflict and let
40, 000 US lives be sacrificed every year dying from no access to Health saving services because they can't afford it, That makes no sense.
Ever stop to think why we are the ONLY country in the entire world that operates this antiquated, mercenary for-profit "system"
Answer GREED.”
40, 000 US lives be sacrificed every year dying from no access to Health saving services because they can't afford it, That makes no sense.
Ever stop to think why we are the ONLY country in the entire world that operates this antiquated, mercenary for-profit "system"
Answer GREED.”
Sunday Roundup
Commented Oct 18, 2009 at 18:06:24 in Impact
“"The day we think that "good journalism" means "I put my reporting talent in the service of my ideology" is the end of the republic (note examples where this happened in the recent past)."
Its worse than that: Journalists certainly know the ideologies the those people who sign their paychecks?”
Its worse than that: Journalists certainly know the ideologies the those people who sign their paychecks?”
The Cost of Corporate Communism
Commented Oct 14, 2009 at 13:57:03 in Business
“Happy to see Dylan back this morning on MSNBC. Apparently, I got a few things wrong. My apologies to Dylan and especially to MSNBC.”
The Cost of Corporate Communism
Commented Oct 13, 2009 at 11:22:55 in Business
“This is what I wrote in response to this piece on October 7: "Dylan, you must be commended for your honesty and courage in stating the truth about what the US is becoming. I am also impressed that your corporate sponsors have not pulled the plug on you." Apparently, I was somewhat ahead of the curve on this; it took them a little longer to shut you up than I had suspected it would. You must recognize, Dylan, that if you want to survive in present day American TV journalism, you must be a little hypocritical and very malleable. Most of your colleagues have made this practically an art form. For those of us who only wish for the US to become a economic as well as a political democracy, our time will come.”
LewisWalsh replied on Oct 14, 2009 at 13:57:03
“Happy to see Dylan back this morning on MSNBC. Apparently, I got a few things wrong. My apologies to Dylan and especially to MSNBC.”
Sunday Roundup
Commented Oct 11, 2009 at 15:09:59 in Politics
“Campaign finance reform? You expect a congress, in the manner in which it is presently elected, to enact real campaign finance reform? And, you expect the Supreme Court to abandon its opinion that money is the same as speech? I don't think you've read my piece. My plan is long term, it will take many election cycles to show progress. Thanks for the input.”
Tim Janssen replied on Oct 11, 2009 at 16:30:08
“term limits is and always will be a joke, it has been implemented in many states with no effect.
I didn't say we'll ever get finance reform, I just said it is the only way.
Unfortunately the fatal flaw in any system is human fallibility.”
I didn't say we'll ever get finance reform, I just said it is the only way.
Unfortunately the fatal flaw in any system is human fallibility.”
Sunday Roundup
Commented Oct 11, 2009 at 14:03:15 in Politics
“Individually, political representatives have not instituted the system under which they must operate. Collectively though, they are a sorry amoral bunch. I have never considered a political career because of what the US system requires. The most obnoxious part of such a life is the necessity of constantly pleading for big money from those who are selfish and unethical, a by product of which is the need to be deceitful.
Somewhere along the way, those who are responsible to teach us ethical philosophy and moral religion doctrine have failed us; they have all submitted to the demigod of money. If we cannot get money out of the legislative and electoral processes, we are doomed to follow all other past great nations into decline, than fade slowly into oblivion. Term limits would be a good first step in saving us from such a catastrophe.
http://www.gather.com/viewArticle.action?articleId=281474977094084”
Somewhere along the way, those who are responsible to teach us ethical philosophy and moral religion doctrine have failed us; they have all submitted to the demigod of money. If we cannot get money out of the legislative and electoral processes, we are doomed to follow all other past great nations into decline, than fade slowly into oblivion. Term limits would be a good first step in saving us from such a catastrophe.
http://www.gather.com/viewArticle.action?articleId=281474977094084”
Tim Janssen replied on Oct 11, 2009 at 14:33:56
“Term limits are a joke. The moneyed interests, i.e. lobbyists, will simply figure out another way to get around such "impediments". The big shooters behind the scenes will likely set up a endlessly revolving wheel of hand-picked and bought off so-called non-career politician candidates who will be glad to kowtow to their rules and know they will be handsomely rewarded when their time to roll-off the wheel arrives. There are always large numbers of career climbing wannabees who will gladly forsake a long-term political career if they are given the proper incentives to join the "good old boys" network for life. We already have a revolving wheel in Washington and all state capitols of politicians who have gamed the system by becoming high paid lobbyists or given some other form of access to perpetual upward mobility once they leave office. Term limits will just make the chameleon turn into a different color. Shuffling the decks on the Titanic with greater frequency will not stop the seepage one iota.
Comprehensive campaign finance reform is the only way to stem political corruption in our Republic.”
Comprehensive campaign finance reform is the only way to stem political corruption in our Republic.”
The Health Insurance You Have Now Sucks
Commented Oct 08, 2009 at 11:50:59 in Politics
“Count on my support Bob, but unless we can somehow get big money out of the legislative and electoral processes, we are doomed to follow all other past empires into oblivion. A step in that direction would be term limits. Here is how we can do it: http://www.gather.com/viewArticle.action?articleId=281474977094084”
The Cost of Corporate Communism
Commented Oct 08, 2009 at 11:29:49 in Business
“I agree, pvbeachbum; here's how we can get it done: http://www.gather.com/viewArticle.action?articleId=281474977094084”
The Cost of Corporate Communism
Commented Oct 07, 2009 at 15:45:30 in Business
“Dylan, you must be commended for your honesty and courage in stating the truth about what the US is becoming. I am also impressed that your corporate sponsors have not pulled the plug on you. Calling the American corporate structure communistic is attention getting, but a more accurate designation would be oligarchic.
The concentration of wealth in the US has led the concentration of political power. Political power and concentrated wealth cannot ever behave democratically; those who have this control always use it for their own benefit. If a society does not foster economic democracy by regulation, it is a democracy in name only. The US is now showing the signs of decline. Historically, oligarchic empires destroy the very things that made them superior. Let us hope that we can retreat before we reach the precipice.”
The concentration of wealth in the US has led the concentration of political power. Political power and concentrated wealth cannot ever behave democratically; those who have this control always use it for their own benefit. If a society does not foster economic democracy by regulation, it is a democracy in name only. The US is now showing the signs of decline. Historically, oligarchic empires destroy the very things that made them superior. Let us hope that we can retreat before we reach the precipice.”
It's the Unemployment, Stupid
Commented Oct 05, 2009 at 10:26:31 in Politics
“I am old enough to remember a time when the costs of education and skills training for employees was borne by the businesses that required specific skills. Over the last thirty years, major employers have found that they could shift those costs to potential employees. This could be done because of the high levels of actual chronic unemployment in the US. Education and training provided by employers is rare these days. Job seekers must guess what skills will be sought by employers over long time periods and attempt to acquire such skills at their own expense. Sweet deal for employers, not so sweet for job seekers. Just another example of a non-regulated free enterprise system; all the cards are held by capital while labor is dealt from the bottom of the deck.”
Listening to Paul Volcker
Commented Sep 28, 2009 at 15:26:20 in Politics
“I totally agree. Volcker is not without sin and deserves to be stoned along with the others. But it is the corruption of the system, brought about by the well-moneyed that causes the advance of the malleable rather than than ethical.
The concentration of wealth means the concentration of power. The concentration of power causes the diminution of democracy. If we fail to get the money out of Washington and the electoral process, history will record the US as one of its largest failed democracies.”
The concentration of wealth means the concentration of power. The concentration of power causes the diminution of democracy. If we fail to get the money out of Washington and the electoral process, history will record the US as one of its largest failed democracies.”
Listening to Paul Volcker
Commented Sep 28, 2009 at 11:33:07 in Politics
“All of the major problems confronting the US will remain insoluble unless and until we can find a way to gain some actual democratic governance. A system where a small segment of the population can stall or block anything that is not in their perceived best interest is not a democratic system.
Through unbridled and unlimited use of wealth, the well moneyed power brokers make all of the major decisions under which Americans must live. The public is aware that a well-placed lobbyist can cancel out the wishes of millions voters. Most Americans know this to be true and it explains the poor voter turnout at elections in comparison to elections elsewhere.
Unless we are willing to seriously confront the basic problem; the issue of the corruption of the political and electoral processes by the big money cabal, the US is more likely than not to become a right-wing dictatorship or modern day feudal state.
Contrary to the enfeebled Supreme Court opinion that concluded that money is the same as speech, I think that it would have been more appropriate to conclude that money is the same as weaponry.”
Through unbridled and unlimited use of wealth, the well moneyed power brokers make all of the major decisions under which Americans must live. The public is aware that a well-placed lobbyist can cancel out the wishes of millions voters. Most Americans know this to be true and it explains the poor voter turnout at elections in comparison to elections elsewhere.
Unless we are willing to seriously confront the basic problem; the issue of the corruption of the political and electoral processes by the big money cabal, the US is more likely than not to become a right-wing dictatorship or modern day feudal state.
Contrary to the enfeebled Supreme Court opinion that concluded that money is the same as speech, I think that it would have been more appropriate to conclude that money is the same as weaponry.”
What's Privacy in the Age of Facebook?
Commented Sep 26, 2009 at 09:35:40 in Technology
“I wouldn't dream of trusting important information or transacting personal business through these social networks or email. The Postal Service is best for privacy and security. With regular mail, your product cannot be be deleted, distorted or redistributed by some unknown person.”
JustifiablyParanoid replied on Sep 28, 2009 at 18:18:11
“Well, I don't know about all that, but, a good rule of thumb is to not post anything over the internet that would severely undermine you if it ever became more public than you intended.”
Why the Dow is Hitting 10,000 While Everyone Else is Cutting Back
Commented Sep 22, 2009 at 16:00:51 in Business
“The Swiss are successful because they have no interest in empire. They do not deprive their citizens of an adequate social safety net by spending $700 Billion annually on faraway wars or occupations in 140 countries, or $70 Billion annually for spying around the world, or many Billions additionally for specific wars. And, the Swiss do not encourage more death and destruction by selling $70 Billion annually to other countries for military purposes.”
Time to Just Say No to Giant Corporate "Parasites" -- and Recognize Them for What They Are
Commented Sep 20, 2009 at 12:07:25 in Politics
“The US Constitution is not a blueprint that any democratic modern country should follow because it provides flexibility for anything that the powerful choose to do.
It is incumbent upon strict constructionists to explain where the Constitution gives the right of person hood to corporations, which is now a fact, or mentions anything about money being equivalent to speech, also now a fact.
Please correct me if I'm wrong, but I think you are saying that the US should be governed according to the vague ideas and circumstances existing 250 years ago and ignore the advances made in other industrialized countries.”
It is incumbent upon strict constructionists to explain where the Constitution gives the right of person hood to corporations, which is now a fact, or mentions anything about money being equivalent to speech, also now a fact.
Please correct me if I'm wrong, but I think you are saying that the US should be governed according to the vague ideas and circumstances existing 250 years ago and ignore the advances made in other industrialized countries.”
Time to Just Say No to Giant Corporate "Parasites" -- and Recognize Them for What They Are
Commented Sep 19, 2009 at 14:43:49 in Politics
“It seems to me that there are only two possible ways of getting the money out of Washington and the electoral process: one is a grassroots movement for term limits. The other is to add some duties to the Federal Election Commission. The commission could be charged with the responsibility of collecting all contributions to political candidates then distributing those funds as directed by the contributor. Candidates would receive all sums contributed to them, but only the Commission would know the identities of the contributors. This would insure contributions were made because of the philosophy and positions already taken by a candidate rather than to bribe the candidate into positions for the contributor’s benefit. I don't think that there can be a speech issue in either case.”
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