bighat's Comments (1669)

“When Americans or the U.S. government gives aid to those that are poverty stricken and suffering from hunger does our money reach the intended people we are trying to help?

I am old enough to remember when many of musicians gathered together to feed Ethiopia. I maybe wrong on the percentages but I believe there was a tariff set by the Ethiopian government of 220%.
In other words if we gave them a can of food worth $1 we had to pay the government $2.20 for the privilege of feeding the people of Ethiopia.

Do any of you realize that Ethiopia and Eritrea both have air forces and war on each other occasionally?

NKoreans are starving yet their govt more often than not refuses our help. The idea must be control of the people and keep them weak on purpose..

IAre the strong taking from the weak? Are our own charities paying what basically amounts to bribes in order to give humanitarian aid.

Alot of our money seems to be fattening the bank accounts of regional dictators and possibly even buying weapons so they can control the people

However, I would like to help those in need.

If anyone knows of a charity that will air drop supplies to those in need then please post a link.

It maybe illegal to flyover certain countries but if they are dropping food surely the punishment will be nil compared to the good it will do.”

“Bureaucrats are not business people. I doubt anyone in congress has ever run a successful business even though most seem to be rich. But trust funds and lawyers are not the best subjects of getting a business off the ground and be run successfully.

Forget American wages. The likelihood of the world unionizing and all paying the same wages as US workers receive is nil. So is the whining over whatever trade agreements have been made or will be made will not sustain jobs.

We must adopt the attitude that if we can trade equally with another country (no tariffs) we must use our technology and initiative to to make the so called better mouse trap at a lower price.

Today's biggest news is the recall of baby cribs. Is there no one in America that can make a safe baby crib at a reasonable price. Matter of fact a baby crib just might be one of the few things American would pay more for if the cribs were stamped made in the USA.

We need manufacturing. But unless,we make the better mousetrap at a cheaper price the money is wasted. As of today our govt experiment is in GM.

With all the technology at America's disposal why is it cheaper to have steel shipped to the U.S. than making it in America. When someone solves this problem then America can return to a country with a stable middle class.”

“Obama's Katrina will be the economy, healthcare with a huge democratic majorites in both houses of congress, the wars, gays in the miltary and seeming to follow all of Bush's policies.

We are told Obama is an intellectual. Is he getting bad advice. He certainly seems to be taking bad advice or his own ideas or coming up short. Is he afraid to hire people smarter than him?

If Obama wants another term he has to find better financial advisors (even seek advice from foreign financial people if necessary (Switzerland and England have been in finance a very long time), end the wars, and come up with his own healthcare plan and lay the law down to the democratic members of congress”

“I agree with that unless we produce goods that others want to purchase. The salaries of the workers do not matter. It is the productivity. We have to produce the so called better mouse trap at a cheaper price.

We can whine all day about trade agreements and wish the rest of the world would unionize and pay the same wages but that is not going to happen.

Biggest thing on the news today is the recall of baby cribs. Is there no American company that can produce a safe baby crib at a reasonable price. In fact this might one of the things people would pay extra for if it was stamped made in the USA”

“I wonder why President Obama did not fire General McChrystal or whatever his name is for giving speeches not cleared by the President?

Harry Truman fired MacArthur and MacArthur was a very popular war hero.”

“Americans were all anti Bush. One reason why President Obama won by a landslide. But our President seems to be following many of Bush's policies.

Maybe the Republicans are doing what Americans want by opposing everything Obama.

Where did all of the anti war people go? Why are there no anti war rallies or protests?

Ending the war and bringing the troops home would free up lots of cash and get the bankers off our backs.

Plus can anyone identify what has to happen in Afghanistan for us to call the war a victory. The people of Afghanistan will revert to the way they were whether we leave today or 10 years from today. The future regional dictators will have more money to oppress the people and fight off anyone that interferes with their drug trade as the U.S. military spends lots of cash when they occupy a country”

“If we tax churches then we should tax all non profits the same as any other business.”

“Could be the point.

The left may do all they can to make sure Palin is in the presidential race believing she will be easily defeated.”

“Well said, but therein lies the problem. Many people over history have done terrible things in God's name but they were far from being Chrisitans or following any teachings of the Bible. But many people seem to hate Christians for evil being done by men who claim they were Christians.”

“Do we all have to believe the same thing in order to use govt facilities?

Is there not enough room in America for different groups?

Boys Scouts made the news. I am sure there are other groups with differing beliefs be they political or otherwise that use government facilities.”

“Would the same apply to the head of all non profits that enjoy a tax exemption?”

“Never would have guessed that many people identfify themselves as Christians by reading Huffpost.

But people are capable of hating more than just religion.

I do wish people hated the thought of their personal reps taking money from corporations or any money outside their district and would vote against the incumbent. Not looking for a party change just members of congress that represented their constitutents.

If I could I would make 3 rules for politicians

1. No money from business of any kind. (too much influence based on the thoughts of a few which do not include their investors or their employees)

2. No money could be raised outside of the district they represent.

3. Members of congress required to spend a minimum of 4 months in their district. (I think they lose themselves inside the political world of the beltway)”

“Which religion is govt sponsored?

Baptists, Muslim, Greek Orthodox?

IWhich church officials are receiving salaries from the federal government?

Which church buildings were built by funds from the U.S. govt.?

Which religion is the official religion of the U.S. government?”

“So you believe churches and religions will go away if their tax exempt status is taken away from them.

I disagree.

Have you not noticed people around the world that do not have the standard of living we do or the quality of life still stand up for their religion against all odds including being beaten and jailed.”

“You should have added there will be fewer people to vote against people who voted against the health care bill.

They will all be in jail for not purchasing health insurance.”

“mingjia

Why don't you throw your hat in the ring. Going by the number of commenters on this article who hate Christians you could raise some serious cash for your run”

“If only the American people hated lobbyists as much as they do Christians then things might change for the better.

Just think if if every incumbent was voted out for taking money from a corporation or money from outside their district. Sweeping changes would come that would benefit everyone but career politicians.”

“The members of a church do pay taxes.”

“Why not go 1 step further and add the same requirements to all employees of Fortune 500 companies. Even the lowest paid person at a Fortune 500 gets perks that they pay no tax on. Insurance for one and the company matching 401k investments.

In fact, lets do the same for all federal employees.

Add in protest fees for the agnostics and activists (cause does not matter be it removing from in God we Trust to Peta corrupting college kids by the encouraging of drink beer instead of milk)

What is left. Bitching. Lots of taxes could come from if we taxed everyone that bitched”

“The church takes positions. Not sure if they pay lobbyists to get their way. But as far as members of congress following what the church says is highly unlikely. Not to say they do not or will not use the church as a scapegoat or a reason.

I doubt there are many members of congress that are more than Sunday Christians. They pay lip service to the religious for the votes..

Members of congress seem to be only interested in 2 things. What positions will get them re elected. What positions will fill their campaign war chests. The war chest was once used to list their accomplishments. Today, it is used to declare their opponent(s) have no morals or principles and more than likely should be in jail.

When in fact the principles of our members of congress were forgotten long ago and replaced with the above mentioned 2 position

I wished a freshman congressman (1 republican and 1 democrat) would write a book about their 1st term especially the 1st year. A serious tell all book. The approaches by people from their own party. The opposition. The threats, gifts, and promises from the DNC, RNC, admin and the lobbyists

Do the freshmen get to decide if they want on certain committees that is allied with their interest and abilities or do the leaders in congress judge the freshmen and put him/her based on their likeliness to follow party doctrine or somewhat of a rebel.”

“What happened to separation and church? I am not sure.

I cannot figure out why the World Council of Churches is calling for all chritian and orthodox churches to ring their bells to get all countries to sign global climate treaties. Has the world council of churches given up their belief in God? Does the world council of churches now believe that God has left and whatever trouble there is in the world is caused by man and can only be solved by man?

One thing is correct the world's troubles are caused by man. Generally those that like control and want to exercise control over others. A trait found in all countries.

Has the time come when freedom has left the building because others with titles know what is good for us?”

“Go forth and create”

“Strange title to the article. I was quite ready to rip into your words with hopefully witty insults and wonder if you are sane.

But I read the article. Believe there is one thing that the majority of U.S. citizens could agree on. We do not understand the Middle East. Not their culture, religion, or politics.

Maybe we should return to basics. We want oil. They want to sell oil.

If. U.S. companies decide to work in the middle east let them do it at their own peril and profit. We have the worst govt negotiators. They are aabout as effective as U.N. sanctions except they always end up giving money to someone while getting nothing in return (generally not even pledges to do better) and of course what seems to be the greatest subsidy of all - the U.S. Armed Forces..

We should bring the troops home. Buy the oil on the open market.

Use our analysts to predict what China and Russia are up to. Let the middle east play their own games against each other.

We should stop playing parents to the world and giving all the children an allowance and certainly should stop all pretensions of being the world's policeman.”

“President Obama should bring the troops home. But I am afraid that politics is getting in the way. Democrats want to show they can wage war every bit as good as Republican­s..

What is there to win in Afghanistan?

Will common sense prevail or politics?”

“Am I to understand that only people considered on the right own guns or buying guns?. That not one person on the left would even contemplate the ownership of a gun?

It is also my understanding there is one distinct group that are buying guns. The group buying the guns are women.

Amazing all these women buying guns but nary a one of them is a liberal.”