King H'Obama, Queen Pelosskowski & the Faithful Congress...

[amicus]

...have deigned to bestow upon their loyal subjects a fine gratuity for a vote of confidence extorted by promises now being fulfilled.

"Not since the Johnson Era has such, 'micro-management' accompanied such largess into the hinterlands." said one pundit, (me).

While a few State Governors have rejected the 'stimulus funds', (spending) most accepted with open arms, yet complain of the 'strings' attached, with minute directions on how, when and where the money may be disbursed.

Signing the Ominous, oops, Omnibus, Budget, filled with over 8,000 pork barrel gifts, H'Obama declared, yet again, "I will not sign any bill containing earmarks!"

Shades of Harry Potter's Dementors, there be a Wizard at Woik in the Nation's Capitol, who can be, and not be, at the same time; poor Aristotle's bones shuddered in the catacombs.

One might have forecast, with slight consideration, that the Democrat Party, ensconced with total domination in the Executive and Legislative branches of government, would have elicited wild cries of joy from the highly vocal minority here in the author's haven.

Not so, my furry friend, they scurry not! Beware of wishing, for ye may be rewarded, and so it seems the muffled whimpers of the Left are mute and moot, simultaneously parroting, or is the parodying, of what passes for center stage.

It is a challenge to look ahead and predict the outcome....will it be a continuing Rooseveltian odyssey punctuated by war, an abbreviated Johnsonian era followed by mediocrity, or something new that has not yet appeared?

I for one, see this to be the last gasp of the Left in America; having gained the pinnacle, the only course remaining is down, and the generation fueling the fiasco, is in desultory decline.

But then, what do I know? But I do like to play with words. Hope you enjoy.

Amicus....

 

[slyc_willie]

or something new that has not yet appeared?

I'll go with this.

I for one, see this to be the last gasp of the Left in America; having gained the pinnacle, the only course remaining is down, and the generation fueling the fiasco, is in desultory decline.

But then, what do I know? But I do like to play with words. Hope you enjoy.

Amicus....

I hope it's a last gasp of the Left, just as I hope the Right takes a dive as well. But a perfect balance would be an almost impossible thing to achieve for more than a moment.

Until the pettiness is taken out of politics, there will always be partisanship and bickering over details.

But I don't think the pettiness will ever be taken out of politics.

 

[amicus]

I agree...pettiness in politics is hereditary, much like the Royal Families of old Europe where heirs were murdered and pretenders took the throne.

My solution...to at least limit the pettiness...is to reduce the size of government to a bare minimum and return to the original concept of a small, limited government that protects our rights and liberties.

No matter how well intentioned those who wish to minister to the poor or uneducated, the result is always the same, corruption and lethargy.

I also agree with your opinion of political parties; they did serve a purpose, perhaps, at one time, but now are merely conduits for vested interests both right and left, and it is always the people that end up suffering and paying for it all.

When I stated earlier that 'government produces nothing', I thought it was a clear statement that all would easily comprehend. Nope, not at all it seems.

Appreciate your comment...

Amicus...

 

[slyc_willie]

I agree...pettiness in politics is hereditary, much like the Royal Families of old Europe where heirs were murdered and pretenders took the throne.

My solution...to at least limit the pettiness...is to reduce the size of government to a bare minimum and return to the original concept of a small, limited government that protects our rights and liberties.

No matter how well intentioned those who wish to minister to the poor or uneducated, the result is always the same, corruption and lethargy.

I also agree with your opinion of political parties; they did serve a purpose, perhaps, at one time, but now are merely conduits for vested interests both right and left, and it is always the people that end up suffering and paying for it all.

When I stated earlier that 'government produces nothing', I thought it was a clear statement that all would easily comprehend. Nope, not at all it seems.

Appreciate your comment...

Amicus...

I don't think it's fair to say that 'government produces nothing.' But I've yet to see a government beyond its first generation continue to produce what it intended to (that is, governments beyond the tribal stage). The message gets lost with the exchange of the baton, I guess.

Our government could continue to produce what it needed to, if A) a good majority agreed upon what those needs were, and B) the rest of us cared enough to vote and support those needs.

But apathy is too powerful a master, I guess. Easier to do nothing than to care about something outside the little bubble of our own experience.

 

[amicus]

Not to pick a fight or prolong a disagreement, but those elected officials and then those they appoint are usually well educated men and now women, most of whom are lawyers, many of whom have been legislators before, but hardly any of them skilled at anything outside politics.

Government has the power to lay taxes and direct how those tax monies are spent. But no beaurocrat ever worked the business end of a shovel, except in a public spectacle, very few have any business experience or for that matter, any management skills.

Government can hire and direct the efforts of many to build bridges and highways, government can set the tone, the moral and ethical tone, of the will of the people, if indeed, they have determined the pulse and desires of the public.

I suppose my thought can be classified as a strict constitutionalist, in that government is charged with protecting the sovreignty of the nation and the individual rights and liberties of the people through law enforcement officers and courts.

I do not wish government to perform any other duties save those authorized by the Constitution.

Thas my story and I'm stickin' to it!

Amicus...

 

[slyc_willie]

I do not wish government to perform any other duties save those authorized by the Constitution.

Thas my story and I'm stickin' to it!

Amicus...

All well and good. I'm not picking a fight, either.

I suppose I'm more of a socialist, then. Big surprise, eh? Or maybe libertarian. The greys start to blend with labels. I'm in favor of larger government, but I'd like to see more clearly defined lines of demarcation concerning exactly what is government controlled, what isn't, and what is but is still open to privatization and specialty.

I guess we'll disagree on some things, perhaps agree on others, and wait to see what comes of our responses in the morning when the others get up.

 

[TE999]

All well and good. I'm not picking a fight, either.

I suppose I'm more of a socialist, then. Big surprise, eh? Or maybe libertarian. The greys start to blend with labels. I'm in favor of larger government, but I'd like to see more clearly defined lines of demarcation concerning exactly what is government controlled, what isn't, and what is but is still open to privatization and specialty.

I guess we'll disagree on some things, perhaps agree on others, and wait to see what comes of our responses in the morning when the others get up.

Being a Libertarian myself, IMO the government is as the lilies of the field, it neither toils nor spins, yet is clothed in glorious rainment.

The path of history is littered with the remains of civilizations that taxed too much (and too often), collectivized and intimidated it's citizenry, attempted to control everyone from birth to death and grossly underestimated it's enemies.

I'm thinkin' American's are too smart and practical to buy into this false vision of Utopia...we'll see.

 

[amicus]

"...I'm thinkin' American's are too smart and practical to buy into this false vision of Utopia...we'll see..."

~~~

Indeed we shall.

Thank you....

ami

 

[slyc_willie]

Being a Libertarian myself, IMO the government is as the lilies of the field, it neither toils nor spins, yet is clothed in glorious rainment.

The path of history is littered with the remains of civilizations that taxed too much (and too often), collectivized and intimidated it's citizenry, attempted to control everyone from birth to death and grossly underestimated it's enemies.

I'm thinkin' American's are too smart and practical to buy into this false vision of Utopia...we'll see.

But hasn't government always been about control? The idea that an elected few will do what's best for the rest of us?

In an extremely simplistic way, I see humanity as being of two minds: those who want to control, and those who wish to be controlled. But the basic nature of individualism often gets in the way, at least when it is brought to light. In other words, when you know you are being controlled, you rebel.

I see this in my daughter. She knows she is not supposed to do certain things. She knows there are punishments for disobeying mommy and daddy. Still, she does them. She pushes the boundaries of control. She rebels. But she doesn't really know why she's rebelling, and she doesn't know exactly what she wants other than what is on her mind at the moment.

The majority of people, I feel, want to have the "big decisions" made for them. They want to be told who their enemies are, what their national priorities are, but they don't really want to have a hand in the decision-making process of what do to do about any of it. They'd rather concentrate on the immediate factors in their lives, not those which might effect them later on.

So they give up control, and willingly, until it is pointed out that they have done so. Then they rebel. Or at least question. I find that odd.

I'm well aware of the fact that I give up some of the control around me. That's why I vote.

 

[sr71plt]

I want government to be expansive and attentive enough to hold in check the capitalist economy, because the capitalist economy has exhibited in spades that it will tramp unbridled on consumer and employee alike as much and whenever it can--with no regard to contracted obligations, or the health and well-being of either its employees or consumers.

Dilgent government employees, using government regulations and powers, are the only force holding this in check. And whenever capitalist economy can creep in and subvert the public good, with the help of complicit lawmakers and adminstrations, we inevitably have the economic and societal messes like the one we're now in.

Wish it were otherwise. But the fundamental characteristic of capitalist economy is acquisitiveness and greed.

And that's the unfortunate truth.

Anyone who can't see that in play today and/or tells you it's not true is trying to pull the wool over your eyes (once again).

 

[slyc_willie]

I want government to be expansive and attentive enough to hold in check the capitalist economy, because the capitalist economy has exhibited in spades that it will tramp unbridled on consumer and employee alike as much and whenever it can--with no regard to contracted obligations, or the health and well-being of either its employees or consumers.

Dilgent government employees, using government regulations and powers, are the only force holding this in check. And whenever capitalist economy can creep in and subvert the public good, with the help of complicit lawmakers and adminstrations, we inevitably have the economic and societal messes like the one we're now in.

Wish it were otherwise. But the fundamental characteristic of capitalist economy is acquisitiveness and greed.

And that's the unfortunate truth.

Anyone who can't see that in play today and/or tells you it's not true is trying to pull the wool over your eyes (once again).

I wonder if capitalism, like communism, will one day be seen as a dinosaur. Will there be an equilibrium?

 

[sr71plt]

I wonder if capitalism, like communism, will one day be seen as a dinosaur. Will there be an equilibrium?

Oh, everything evolves--except maybe for Amicus and JBJ.

 

[slyc_willie]

Oh, everything evolves--except maybe for Amicus and JBJ.

I've hope for Amicus.

 

[amicus]

slyc

..."...I see this in my daughter. She knows she is not supposed to do certain things. She knows there are punishments for disobeying mommy and daddy. Still, she does them. She pushes the boundaries of control. She rebels. But she doesn't really know why she's rebelling, and she doesn't know exactly what she wants other than what is on her mind at the moment..."

~~~

I love your analogy, slyc, as far as it goes and I add, that is why, I think, children are necessary as father to the man.

Children, being naturally narcissistic and self centered, the world is as they see it, for them only, rebel against parental authority. That is, as I see it, natures way of maturing the individual in the child in order to deal with independence. Painful for both, at times, like learning to walk, one often falls, but necessary.

A psychologically mature human being is an independent human, capable of decision making based on his own perceptions of reality and with the respect of others in mind, planted there by the parents who care, like yourself.

Our socialist opponents remain in the juvenile stage of psychological growth, in terms of self identity and self sufficiency; they require a 'father figure' to either chide or reward them.

Like teenaged girls, they always run in packs, reassuring each other that they really are grown-ups.

I find them most amusing.

Amicus....

 

[Guest]

slyc

~~~

I love your analogy, slyc, as far as it goes and I add, that is why, I think, children are necessary as father to the man.

Children, being naturally narcissistic and self centered, the world is as they see it, for them only, rebel against parental authority. That is, as I see it, natures way of maturing the individual in the child in order to deal with independence. Painful for both, at times, like learning to walk, one often falls, but necessary.

A psychologically mature human being is an independent human, capable of decision making based on his own perceptions of reality and with the respect of others in mind, planted there by the parents who care, like yourself.

Our socialist opponents remain in the juvenile stage of psychological growth, in terms of self identity and self sufficiency; they require a 'father figure' to either chide or reward them.

Like teenaged girls, they always run in packs, reassuring each other that they really are grown-ups.

I find them most amusing.

Amicus....

What I find amusing is that you've painted a portrait of a great, great many corporate executives, Ami.

Let's see:

Children, being naturally narcissistic and self centered, the world is as they see it, for them only, rebel against parental authority.

Hmm... emphasis on immediate gratification versus long-term corporate sustainability... shady accounting practices to bolster short-term "gains"... a profound sense of entitlement regardless of corporate performance... loud screams as government and others suggest that executive compensation is a travesty that must be reformed.

Yup, sounds like narcissim and self-centeredness to me.

A psychologically mature human being is an independent human, capable of decision making based on his own perceptions of reality and with the respect of others in mind...

But these execs are only only with shareholder value because stock options are part of their compensation packages. That whole "respect for others" thing falls flat on its face when it comes to the people who actually do the work... which would make these exemplars of U.S. capitalism psychologically immature, I suppose.

Well, that's reassuring. Let's continue to entrust them with trillions of dollars of investor money and the responsibility for the economic survival of tens of millions of employees and their families.

 

[DesertPirate]

Lawyers and Politicians do no productive work. They would have to produce something to be productive. Litigation like we have now is a drain on resources and hurts the economy. Washington with it's bloated Government is removing to much money from the rest of the country in payroll alone, just to dream up wasteful paperwork.
A business owner, a mechanic, a factory worker, a farmer, all produce things that make the economy function.

 

[JAMESBJOHNSON]

One of Lenin's first lessons as a head of state was: No state lasts very long without capitalism. He was forced to sanction capitalism or starve. 3% of the Russian peasants, the people with their own land, fed the rest of the country.

The alternative is slave labor and confiscation.

People with no stake in the outcome wont make the effort.

 

[TE999]

But hasn't government always been about control? The idea that an elected few will do what's best for the rest of us?

In an extremely simplistic way, I see humanity as being of two minds: those who want to control, and those who wish to be controlled. But the basic nature of individualism often gets in the way, at least when it is brought to light. In other words, when you know you are being controlled, you rebel.

I see this in my daughter. She knows she is not supposed to do certain things. She knows there are punishments for disobeying mommy and daddy. Still, she does them. She pushes the boundaries of control. She rebels. But she doesn't really know why she's rebelling, and she doesn't know exactly what she wants other than what is on her mind at the moment.

The majority of people, I feel, want to have the "big decisions" made for them. They want to be told who their enemies are, what their national priorities are, but they don't really want to have a hand in the decision-making process of what do to do about any of it. They'd rather concentrate on the immediate factors in their lives, not those which might effect them later on.

So they give up control, and willingly, until it is pointed out that they have done so. Then they rebel. Or at least question. I find that odd.

I'm well aware of the fact that I give up some of the control around me. That's why I vote.

Before there were kings, there were pawns.

In some circles, corporations are vilified because they are 'soulless', focused on the 'bottom line' and not the employee...conversely, governments are portrayed as 'caring' and 'benevolent' with the average citizens best interests at heart. The former are concerned with making a profit...the latter, control of as much of a citizens life as can be mustered in the name of such etherial concepts as 'fairness' and 'equality'. When people's loyalties can be bought with their own (and often someone elses) money, we have come to a pretty pass. The attitude of hate your employer, love your government is a sure-fire recipe for eventual ruin IMO.

 

[neonlyte]

...have deigned to bestow upon their loyal subjects a fine gratuity for a vote of confidence extorted by promises now being fulfilled.

"Not since the Johnson Era has such, 'micro-management' accompanied such largess into the hinterlands." said one pundit, (me).

While a few State Governors have rejected the 'stimulus funds', (spending) most accepted with open arms, yet complain of the 'strings' attached, with minute directions on how, when and where the money may be disbursed.

Signing the Ominous, oops, Omnibus, Budget, filled with over 8,000 pork barrel gifts, H'Obama declared, yet again, "I will not sign any bill containing earmarks!"

Shades of Harry Potter's Dementors, there be a Wizard at Woik in the Nation's Capitol, who can be, and not be, at the same time; poor Aristotle's bones shuddered in the catacombs.

One might have forecast, with slight consideration, that the Democrat Party, ensconced with total domination in the Executive and Legislative branches of government, would have elicited wild cries of joy from the highly vocal minority here in the author's haven.

Not so, my furry friend, they scurry not! Beware of wishing, for ye may be rewarded, and so it seems the muffled whimpers of the Left are mute and moot, simultaneously parroting, or is the parodying, of what passes for center stage.

It is a challenge to look ahead and predict the outcome....will it be a continuing Rooseveltian odyssey punctuated by war, an abbreviated Johnsonian era followed by mediocrity, or something new that has not yet appeared?

I for one, see this to be the last gasp of the Left in America; having gained the pinnacle, the only course remaining is down, and the generation fueling the fiasco, is in desultory decline.

But then, what do I know? But I do like to play with words. Hope you enjoy.

Amicus....

Play wiv woids... Pffft
Shades of Harry Potter's Democrators, there be a Wizard at Wok in the Nation's Capitoil, who can be, and not be, at the same time; poor Harristotle's bones shuddered in the conservatory, with the lead piping.

 

[DesertPirate]

While Pelosi treats the Air Force like a personel taxi service! Remember that next time someone complains about corporate jets. Pelosi flies her family on a G V but only pays commercial rates for them. Feb 07 to Nov 08 50 flights at about a Million of our $. Great example there Speaker!

 

[amicus]

King H'Obama was on the tube today, his lips were moving so we know he was lying, as he asserted his faith in the free market system and small business of the engine of the economy. In the meantime, raising taxes, passing more rules and regulations and initializing the beginning of the end of the energy industry by touting his 'cap & trade' as necessary for the alternative energy field to get into the game.

Yeah, sure, feed me another line...



amicus.

 

[DesertPirate]

Ami, didn't you mean crap & trap?

 

[amicus]

Then they flew in those $100.00 a pound steaks from Japan for a big party. I am a bit pissed I didn't get an invite, damnit!

Ami

 

[DesertPirate]

Wonder what they will come up with over the weekend, just more ways to waste OUR money?

 

[DesertPirate]

Read an interesting comment today. Since everyone wanted real change and all they have gotten is the same old thing packaged in different platitudes, is Obama now the "New Coke" of politics?

Interesting thought.