therealredstateblues

Recent comments by this user

ID-Less in Indiana

The irony is as stated - no documented case ever of voter ID fraud.

Yet we saw massive voter fraud in the recent primary due to republicans crossing over to manipulate the results in both the presidential and gubenatorial democratic primary

In the presidential we had Limabughs operation chaos, and in the governors race we had republicans cross over to support Schellinger, the weaker and lesser experienced candidate to help out Bush crony incumbent gov, Mitch Daniels who will have a tougher time against experienced pol Jill Long Thompson posted 05/11/2008 at 20:32:37

Young Evangelicals Abandoning GOP Over Iraq, Economy

Arent the gun nuts supposed to be protecting us from a tyrannical govt and foreing invasion?

Hows that working out? posted 05/12/2008 at 06:26:01
Terry Schiuavvo is when the republicrits and the religious right really "jumped the shark" if you will posted 05/11/2008 at 20:36:53

Obama's Vice President: Who Will It Be? (POLL)

one of the most ineffecitve speakers of the house in recent history??? gimme a break posted 05/10/2008 at 11:10:40
Kathleen who?

Outside of kansas no one knows who she is - Obama can't afford to spend time introducing us her - he needs someone with national name recognition and some weight and experience

Jim Webb, Edwards, Richardson, Biden, Dodd would all fill this bill and not have to waste a lot of time selling them to the voters

Wes Clark or Bayh would also be good even though they are Clinton supporters - would be a good way to reach out to the clinton team and Bayh is a moderate red stater who knows how to win in the red states and relate to the middle class white vote posted 05/10/2008 at 09:06:47

The Military Analyst Scandal Dies -- Even on NPR?

You obviously don't believe in redemption

Moyers has repented all the ills he may have had a hand in in the 60s and has been making up for it with some of the most thoughtful journalism that can be found on the MSM posted 05/10/2008 at 07:04:57
We are on the same page again RoL! you are so right - I have been noticing the hard right turn at PBS and NPR for some time. How about the glowing tear jerk tribute to HW Bush on AMerican Experience - pretty much creditted senior Bush with all that was good with Clinton and Reagan (if you can say that!)

Every time I hear them let some Neo con talking point stand unchallenged I fire off an email to them.

I think what we are seeing is the Neo- Liberal perspective from NPR - since there are only shades of grey differences between Neo Cons and Neo libs this is why they have taken the right turn

They can still sound and appear "librul" while at the same time promoting the pro global corporatist elite agenda posted 05/09/2008 at 20:40:50
Fourth Reich? posted 05/09/2008 at 18:12:38
As Colbert says, reality has a liberal bias posted 05/09/2008 at 18:10:57
Indeed - they parade out neocons and right wing zealots and AM loudmouths like Beck and Cunningham, do not challenge extreme partisans like Mitch McConnel['s ridiculous non sequitors on Iraq and terrorism

And just yesterday they presented a story about Wire coat hangers and a new tariff to protect the industry from chinese dumping - the last of the US makers is now hiring new people and investing in new equipment, and a competitor is now bringing jobs back to the US to cover the increased demand. So the tariffs worked as intended keeping and creating jobs and investment here at home, yet the global corporatist influenced NPR piece made this sound like a bad thing since a few dry cleaners were whining about paying a few more pennies for their hangers posted 05/09/2008 at 18:09:14

Will Obama Win Enough White Votes to Beat McCain?

I second that - great post WorkingClass - spot on.

The democratic party accelerated the loss of support among labor thanks to their republican light DLC leadership that gutted our economic well being in favor of corporate elitism posted 05/10/2008 at 06:55:00
Bill Clinton and the DLC did in what was left of the white working class support of the democrats with NAFTA and china MFN.

I see a bit of irony that Hillary thinks she has the white working class vote sown up when they did so much to gut the economic well being of labor

Obama has a chance to get some of that support back, since many of us bitter white guys realize our country can't afford any more republicanism posted 05/10/2008 at 06:49:09
I am one of those bitter middle aged middle class white guys with blue collar roots and I am full steam ahead for Obama posted 05/09/2008 at 18:01:08

Washington's Great "No Inflation" Hoax

Shades of grey difference to be sure

The Bushes have been one worlders on steroids however posted 05/11/2008 at 13:07:48
Having the major currencies back on a precious metal standard prevents currencie manipulation and moderates the ups and downs of the currency markets. It also prevents the proliferation of the money supply that fules buubles and creates inflation posted 05/11/2008 at 13:06:20
Indeed.

Todays neo CONS bear no resemblence to the true conservative message. There are only shades of grey differences between neo cons and neolibs

There is a lot to like about the true conservative message - fiscal responsibility, minding our own business and avoidence of foreign entaglements, investing at home and strengthening US industry first, less govt intervention in private lives, strong defense at home, national sovereignity, fair and smart trade

Labor has a natural ally in true conservatism. Under Clinton the democratic party betrayed and sold out labor posted 05/11/2008 at 09:02:53
Except the modern day Kremlin is promoting building the middle class, rebuilding infrastructure and revitalizing manufacturing

Hmmm - wonder why they want to do that? posted 05/11/2008 at 08:56:33
"Automobile prices have also gone up by a large amount. How are they incorporated"

I am often puzzled by this as well. US branded autos have more and more foreign content from cheap labor countries mexico and china, and labor has made some major concessions in pay and benefits.

There is also a glut of new and late model used cars on the market that arent moving

Where is the downward pressure on price? Where is the saving from cheaper materials and wage and benefit cuts?

none of this is being passed on to the consumer posted 05/11/2008 at 08:55:33
Yep. It is true, the government and the RV say so - there is no inflation. They may as well have "Baghdad Bob" telling us this


Eggs up 280%, Milk up 100%, Bread up 50%, Gasoline up 290% utilities up 30% cooking oil 309%

Some folks are blaming ethanol for the rise in food and fuel prices - yet with all of the talk of ethanol - where is it ??? No stations around here have increased their supply of ethanol fuel blends.

Dollar devaluation and speculative bubbles fueled by too cheap and easy credit and too much capital are the biggest culprits in price inflation for food and fuel. Thanks Al "bubble boy" Greedspan! posted 05/11/2008 at 08:50:22
A certain irony in that the new president of Russia, Medvedev, hass pledged to put Russia back on the world power map. His plan to do so is rebuild infrastructure, revitalize the manufacturing industry, pay down debt, bolster the middle class.

Hmmm - maybe we should get him over to here to be president!

You are correct that without a vital manufacturing base and rebuilt and modernised infrastructure and the healthy middle class it creates, we are destined for a long and painful decline here in the US posted 05/11/2008 at 07:57:13
Carter was also a one worlder. He tutor was Brezinsky posted 05/11/2008 at 07:53:32
Or the underemployed, such as engineers fixing copiers or installing cable, welders and machinists working in supermarkets, or any other full time worker only part time

Tonelson on a recent NPR radio program said the real unployment number is closer to 9% when you take into account the ones who have dropped off the unemployment insurance rolls and the underemployed, Michigan, the one state depression, has "official" unemplyment of 7% the real number is 12% posted 05/11/2008 at 07:52:21
This bitter middle aged middle class white saw thru the Clinton sell out of labor back then. Can never forgive or the rest of the DLC crew for doing so either.

The Clintons finished off what was left of any white working support for the democratic party with Nafta and china MFN. No wonder many have then allowed themselves to be bamboozled by the 3 G wedge issues of the right. The democratic party sell out of the working base was probably one of the biggest mistakes in modern policital history, and one for which the clintons can never be forgiven. posted 05/11/2008 at 07:48:28
Actually a vital middle class is vital to a healthy democracy. Having a plutocratic ruling elite make imperialism more likely - not less posted 05/11/2008 at 07:40:57

Big Rewards Await Clinton If She Ends Campaign Now

I would like to see Hill challenge that wimp Harry Ried for the Senate majority leader.

We can then shopefully see some of the so called "toughness" and "fight" Hillary supporters keep talking about yet was sadly lacking in her days in the senate when Bush and the rethugs walked all over us and the constitution and set the agenda and continue to do so as the minority party posted 05/08/2008 at 06:38:08

Exit Polls: Limbaugh Effect Seems To Rear Its Head

Exactly,Hussein is as common as "Steve" or "John" in other parts of the world

How absolutely pathetic to make fun of his middle name.

I bet 02binnyc's middle name is fauntleroy or something dorky like that posted 05/07/2008 at 19:25:42
Mussolini is the one that defined fascism as I had.

During WWII the german corporations thrived under hitler.

Ever heard of "no bid contracts"? and tjhe militarty industrial complex

go back to school my friend posted 05/07/2008 at 14:25:39
Exactly - republicans in MI and FL legislatures are the ones that pushed to move up the primaries posted 05/07/2008 at 14:20:45
Sad but true, the saying around here goes something like - Manson would win if he were on the republican ticket posted 05/07/2008 at 13:34:09
Rush is laughing all the way to the bank, having a democrat back in the white house is just what he needs to prop up his sagging ca- rear

Afterall he made a creer out of bashing clinton all thru the 90s posted 05/07/2008 at 13:33:19
And the union of goverment and corporatism is known as fascism posted 05/07/2008 at 13:11:08
I think we need to institute a tax on neo-cons - anyone who voted for this administration should have to pay an additional tax to compensate the rest of us for the massive deficits and war debt posted 05/07/2008 at 13:10:04
Looking after the poor and the sick is also a core teaching of Jesus

Yet these right wing Pharisees always conveniently overlook that posted 05/07/2008 at 13:09:00
The answer tjhey were gioving on the AM radio callin shows is that Hillary would be the next best thing to McCain if he lost posted 05/07/2008 at 13:05:16
Dems shoul;d never never "misunderestimate" the power of the republican dirty tricks and slime machines, nore the outright willfull ignorance of the republican base vote posted 05/07/2008 at 13:04:35
Indiana does not have an open primary. it is illegal to vote in theprimary opposite your declared party

the problem is its never enforced, and you actually have the local news media instructing people how to circumvent the system

Republicans also crossed over in the governors race to protect Bush crony Mitch Daniels by bolstering the vote for the weaker democratic candidate jim Shellinger, vs popular and experienced Jill Long Thompson who lead in most polls 10-20 pts, but barely squeaked by in the election posted 05/07/2008 at 13:02:20
Indaian does not have an open primary - you mnust declare a party. It is voter fraud to vote in the party for which you have not voted for the majority of the time

The prblem is that its easily circumvented and virtually never enforced.

It doesn't help when you have the local news actually telling people how to circumvent the declaration rules and that they are not likely to get caught if they do

Funny too, because Indian enacted a tough voter ID fraud law recently upheld by the supreme court, desptie there being no documented case of voter ID fraud in the states histroy, yet committing party fraud for the sole purpose of throwing an election is encouraged posted 05/07/2008 at 11:42:15
We already have socialism for the wealthy in this county - the federal reserve, corporate bailouts, regressive taxation, yet suggest giving poor people health care? or decent paying job opportunities? The right cries socialism posted 05/07/2008 at 11:36:26
Here in Indiana, I found it very peculiar that while the Supreme court ruled in favor of the states tough voter ID laws despite not a single document case of voter ID fraud, we had Limbaugh and even the local news telling people it was OK to commit voter fraud and crossover party lines to bolster weaker candidtates vs the republicrits.

The local news was actually telling people how to get around the rules on party declaration, and that it was unlikley to get caught or enforced - basically telkling people its OK to commit votter fraud.

This is How Hillary managed to squeak out her narrow victory, and in the governors race, the weaker democratic candidate barely lost vs the stronger democratic one who polled with huge leads. posted 05/07/2008 at 08:53:51

New Business Gurus Come From Psychology, Journalism, Executive Ranks

Or undercut US workers by lobbying for increased H1B visas posted 05/05/2008 at 18:07:47
Exactly - Friedman is an economic and journalistic charlatan. Why trhe media continues to fawn all over this guy who is so consistantly wrong, and exspouses overly simplistic explanations for complex issues is beyond comprehension posted 05/05/2008 at 15:38:17

Greenspan: U.S. In "Awfully Pale Recession"

This charlatan needs to just shut the h@ll up and retire- he has already done enough damage to our country's economic health posted 05/05/2008 at 14:50:57

Home Depot Forced To Go On Orange Diet

No but a lower wage H1B worker sure could posted 05/05/2008 at 15:08:14

Why Wal-Mart Does Not Strengthen Our Economy

Something else they do with regularity here in the midwest is saturate a market with new stores. They then close their older stores. Walmart is usually the anchor tenant in these shopping centers. When the anchor store closes the rest are not far behind. You then have a vacant big box store and a half vacant strip mall that sits like that for years, since Walmart will not sell or lease the vacant facility to keep a competitor from setting up shop.

So they contribute to urban blight and suburban sprawl in this manner posted 05/07/2008 at 10:28:36
Working retail involves long hours, off shifts, split shifts work on weekends and most holidays since weekends and holidays are the busiest times. It is physically demanding as well as requiring some skill and intelligence. there are also many "tricks of the trade" as well - meat cutting for example is not only a skilled trade, it is also very dangerous. Plus retail workers have to deal with elitists like you who do not value their work, treat them like dirt and do not believe they deserve fair compensation.

Whatever retail workers get paid, double wouldn't be enough to cover what they put up with from folks like you - it is you sir that doesn' t understand a thing about economics posted 05/07/2008 at 06:23:40
You don't know diddly squat Chemwhiz

Hah hahaha

now run along back to your mom's basement posted 05/06/2008 at 22:33:06
Thanks RoL for backing me up here. I just can't stand bogus info from a right winger walmart shill stand.

And as you know, supermarket work is hardly "low skill" it takes basic math and computer skills in addition to being physically demanding - I know a lot of guys with bum knees and bad backs from kneeling on hard floors, on your feet for hours, heavy lifting. I have had stiches in every finger from knives and cutters

It blows my mind that people like Chemwiz here don't think people doing this sort of work deserve a fair wage posted 05/06/2008 at 18:35:39
Those jobs used to be good jobs and they could support you as a primary income - they did for me, and as RoL says, you had a path to management and even better wages.

Why shouldn't people working these jobs expect a fair wage and decent benefits? I don't get your thinking on this. It was OK in the 70's 80's and 90's - then Walmart came along and busted it - depressing wages for all retail workers.

Lack of vocabularly - WTF? fast typing and fat fingers more like it - your personal insults completely undermine any point you may have made posted 05/06/2008 at 16:49:32
Happens all the time here in Indiana and Ohio - they come in - run out the local stores then close their store too - leaving the towns with nothing but a boarded up main street

They kill the local mfg and local retail - thius destroying livelihoods and tax base posted 05/06/2008 at 10:21:44
And that Walmart workers can't even afford to shop there - they go to the dollar stores posted 05/06/2008 at 10:19:54
Indeed - never mind that Walmart is communist china's biggest trading partner and that Hu Jintao is #4 on the US state depts list of most brutal dictators according to Parade Magazines annual list posted 05/06/2008 at 08:28:21
Real inflation is much higher than the manipulated numbers that conveniently leave out food and fuel - so what was that effect on inflation?

All of Walmarts competitors are offering similar generic drug programs.

The lower prices come from sending garment mfg offshore and killing good paying US jobs - Fruit of loom left Bowling Green KY and sent their economy into a tailspin

The minimum wage has noit kept pace with inflation nor had it been raised in 9 years. As a union grocery stocker in the 80's I made more money in both actual and real dollars (with benefits) than a Walmart worker does today

Small mom and pop stores and Walmrts competitors generally pay more than Walmart does, and they get none of the abatements from local govts.

Walmart has one of the worst employee turnovers of any retail chain posted 05/06/2008 at 06:22:57
We absolutely should NOT be shipping our raw materials offshore. There should be some value added in the process before materials are sent out, ideally as finished goods

If they want timber they should buy cut lumber, want pulp they should buy a roll of paper, want ore or scrap metal - they should buy milled steel or cast metal and so forth.

Hamilton was very aware that a countries national security and economic health was in direct correlation to its manufacturing strength posted 05/06/2008 at 06:17:34
BTW a union stocker with a couple years seniority in the 1980s made 8 bucks an hour pretty darn good wage back then, if you were in a dept like produce or deli you got another buck, if you work 3rd you got another .50 /hr night bonus A checker made around & and a sack boy made 5.50 plus tips Sundays were time and a half, hiolidays double time and we all had medical, dental and optical coverage, a basic life policy and defined benefit pension

You'df be lucky to make 8 bucks in todays dollars at Walmart for the same work and none of the bennies, and that 8 bucks sure buys a lot less than it used to.

Do some research - most grocery chains were union back then some still are like Kroger and A&P

So yes I did alright, didn't buy a Mcmansion of course but did buy a nice starter ranch in a good neighborhood and paid my way thru college with that job posted 05/05/2008 at 22:28:35
Yep, I did

It was called a UNION we were UFCW (fka Retail Clerks International)- we had good wages and benefits and the tips weren't bad either

Again - you don't know what the F you are talking about posted 05/05/2008 at 22:13:48
I work in the automation industry, and we certainly are not being helped by the current state of trade and the economy

This right wing assertion that automation is displacing manufacturing jobs is a lie.

It is still cheaper to outsource to manual labor in the third world than it is to automate

And whole automated lines routinely get crated up and shipped to mexico and china posted 05/05/2008 at 18:04:20
Shows how little you know Chemwiz - you don't know what the F you are talking about.

I worked for a grocery store for many years. We were UFCW and had a decent wage and great benefits - in fact subsequent jobs I have had have never had as good of medical and dental coverage and a defined benefit pension that I had at the supermarket.

Never would have gotten rich on grocery wages, but I did make enough to buy my first house, drive a decent car, and put myself thru college.

Could never do that on walmart wages posted 05/05/2008 at 18:02:07
That is what is known as the "company store" model posted 05/05/2008 at 17:58:14
Honda is essentially a US company - they make more cars in OH than they do in Japan - and actually export them. Most Hondas have more domestic content than US branded vehicles. posted 05/05/2008 at 15:01:01
Break the cycle thats what we need to do

Start demanding Walmart pay its fair share, communitiers need to stop being bullied by them for tax abatements.

Stop shopping there, yes it may be tough but it can be done. walmart does not ALWAYS have the lowest prices. There are alternatives that pay and treat their help better, Meijer and Costco come to mind. Some of their competition like Meijer and Kroger will match competitors ads as well.

Many like me are willing to pay a little more for quality non chinese made products as well - this is the single most effective thing to do for the US economy posted 05/01/2008 at 06:34:46

How National Debt Is Contributing to Public Disenchantment with Government

That tariffs caused the great depression or even contributed to it is one of the major fairy tales told by supply siders and free marketeers. it had no such effect if you look at the data from the time period.

The depression was caused as you correctly state is that Wall street sucked the money out of the hands of the "demand side" of the equation, just like today

Tariffs would work today because we have a completely different situation of massive and growing trade deficits - something that did not exist in the 30's when Smoot hawley was enacted. The depression was well under way by that time as well and today our trading "partners" NEED our markets for their goods - we need to be smarter about leveraging this to our advantage rather than our disadvantage, and tariffs is the quickest way to do so.

There is a trade war alright, and the US is losing posted 04/28/2008 at 09:53:38
Another way to help right the financial ship is impose tariffs on imported goods. This income can not only be used to increase the safety nets of education and unemployment insurance and health care for those losing their jobs to unfair trade, but can also be used for increased inspection of unsafe imported goods and increased border and port security.

These tariffs in additon to the direct benefits stated above, would then also haave the indirect benefits of getting US based manufacturing back on its feet and mobilise its great middle class wealth generating capabilities, thus increasing the tax base. posted 04/28/2008 at 06:32:40

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