For a historically challenged ideologue, citing "any historical definition" is hysterical. Let’s cite the historical precedent which would make Drew a devotee of that first antisocialist, Cain.
Unregulated private enterprise, as championed by front men like Johnson, have been an unmitigated disaster for workers and society in general throughout history. Nothing is perfect in this world but anyone with an ounce of common sense and a speck of human empathy and only a cursory knowledge of the past would choose the imperfection of democratic government --which conservatives are working very hard to undermine--oversight over the self serving greed of profit-above-all uncontrolled corporations. If government today is inefficient it is largely because conservatives have conspired to make it so. When has a conservative proposal ever benefited anyone besides the already rich and powerful?
If regulated free enterprise is socialism, bring it on.
"Tonight, let’s declare that, in the wealthiest nation on Earth, no one who works full time should have to live in poverty -- and raise the federal minimum wage to $9 an hour. We should be able to get that done. " Anyone who interprets that to mean "force a 24 percent minimum wage increase down Congress' throat" needs to seek professional help. If this is the best this newspaper can present as a "conservative thinker" this country is in even bigger trouble than we thought.
Is this a retread of a 2001 editorial? "This is the time that try liberals’ souls. A presidential election has been lost by a Supreme Court decision. The winner has taken the result as a mandate, a license to do ... whatever he wants to do. Fiscal realities are ignored (deficits don’t matter, wars and tax relief for the very wealthy can be bought with borrowed money) by official decree, and the day of reckoning put off for ever and ever. We're supposed to believe it'll never come. (and if it does we’ll blame the economic disaster we created on the Democrats!) Happy times are here again. For a while, anyway."
The while is here. The voters have spoken. They have rejected the conservative Republican vision and programs. And the Republican response is to obstruct any effort to ameliorate the damage they have done lest the public realize the scam that has been perpetrated on them and consign the party to the oblivion it so richly deserves. The problem isn't government, it's conservative Republican government.
Oh yes, do quote the Heritage Foundation. They know what they're talking about. Some other predictions from that oracle: Iraq harbors weapons of mass destruction. The Iraq War will pay for itself with its oil riches. Get rid of Sadam Hussein and his sons and all will be well. Once a government is formed peace will reign in Iraq. Yeah, Drew, keep on pointing out their wisdom and foresight. Shows exactly how much your opinion is worth.
Heavy lifting? Get a grip. The people of Tennessee receive back from the federal government $1.27 for every $1.00 they send. How's that for spending other people's money? Perhaps Drew could could get indignant about those mostly Blue state taxpayers having to send their money to mostly Red states. Nah, that would be living up to his "conservative" beliefs.
Does self appointed dictator mean someone who was democratically elected with 5 million more votes than his opponent but who you didn't vote for? Get back on your medication.
And you say he's revoking everybody's freedom? How? Which? Count your lucky stars that you live in this country where people like you have the freedom voice their ignorant opinions without fear of midnight knocks on the door. If our freedoms are at risk it is because people like you who handle your freedoms so recklessly and mindlessly.
C'mon Drew. Don't tease us like that. What invasions are the Obama administration planning? Or are you again sharing the view you get from having your head up where the sun don't shine?
Keep moving folks. Nothing to read here. More of Mr. Johnson’s fearmongering and intellectually dishonest innuendo masquerading as principled concern over how much people pay in taxes.
“That means, as a whole, Tennessee counties spent about $490 million more than they could afford last year.” Actually, it doesn’t mean that at all. It means they spent more than they collected in taxes and fees. If you bought a $150,000 house and you make $60,000 does that mean you spent $90,000 more than you can afford? We have no idea what you can afford.
Do we know why counties spent more than they collected? Unforeseen tornado damage? More children in the school system? Unanticipated public works repairs? Or, as Mr. Johnson routinely tries to imply government “overspending” is solely a result of waste and inefficiency and on those who are undeserving.
Why could it be that the counties have to slash services and cut employees? Could it be that the general state of the economy (the results mainly to 30+ years of conservative economic policies Mr. Johnson want us to continue) has reduced county revenues? It has little to do with earlier bond issues or “overspending”. It’s like someone buying a new car when he has a job and then losing that job. Mr. Johnson would ask us to take him to task for buying a new car?
Equating government debt with credit card debt is a false equivalency. Government can always raise revenue to cover necessary expenses made for the public good, individuals cannot force their employers to pay them more if they spend more than they earn.
That government is like a business is yet another false equivalency. Government represents all of the people, a corporation represent only its stockholders. Government has the responsibility of promoting the general welfare, a corporation promotes only the welfare of its owners.
Corporations are created by the people, acting through their agent, the government. As such the government has the ability and right to limit the power, influence and wealth of the corporation. When the corporations control the government the general welfare invariably suffers. It is essential for the well-being of all citizens that they insist that government forces corporations to behave responsibly.
No one likes to pay taxes. But the conservative attack on taxes and government in general is a cancer on this society that, if not excised completely, will be the death of this country.
The Right Response: Thoughts on TVA, terrorism and Obama
timbo. Your post is pure gibberish. You've not been taking your medication, have you?
The Right Response: Thoughts on TVA, terrorism and Obama
gjuster. Oooh, you have an opinion. Got any facts?
The Right Response: Thoughts on TVA, terrorism and Obama
For a historically challenged ideologue, citing "any historical definition" is hysterical. Let’s cite the historical precedent which would make Drew a devotee of that first antisocialist, Cain. Unregulated private enterprise, as championed by front men like Johnson, have been an unmitigated disaster for workers and society in general throughout history. Nothing is perfect in this world but anyone with an ounce of common sense and a speck of human empathy and only a cursory knowledge of the past would choose the imperfection of democratic government --which conservatives are working very hard to undermine--oversight over the self serving greed of profit-above-all uncontrolled corporations. If government today is inefficient it is largely because conservatives have conspired to make it so. When has a conservative proposal ever benefited anyone besides the already rich and powerful? If regulated free enterprise is socialism, bring it on.
Minimum wage hikes fail on all fronts
"Tonight, let’s declare that, in the wealthiest nation on Earth, no one who works full time should have to live in poverty -- and raise the federal minimum wage to $9 an hour. We should be able to get that done. " Anyone who interprets that to mean "force a 24 percent minimum wage increase down Congress' throat" needs to seek professional help. If this is the best this newspaper can present as a "conservative thinker" this country is in even bigger trouble than we thought.
Losing not so bad: Time for GOP to bind its wounds, prepare for future
Is this a retread of a 2001 editorial? "This is the time that try liberals’ souls. A presidential election has been lost by a Supreme Court decision. The winner has taken the result as a mandate, a license to do ... whatever he wants to do. Fiscal realities are ignored (deficits don’t matter, wars and tax relief for the very wealthy can be bought with borrowed money) by official decree, and the day of reckoning put off for ever and ever. We're supposed to believe it'll never come. (and if it does we’ll blame the economic disaster we created on the Democrats!) Happy times are here again. For a while, anyway."
The while is here. The voters have spoken. They have rejected the conservative Republican vision and programs. And the Republican response is to obstruct any effort to ameliorate the damage they have done lest the public realize the scam that has been perpetrated on them and consign the party to the oblivion it so richly deserves. The problem isn't government, it's conservative Republican government.
Change Coming: Bob Corker leads way for reforms to Medicare, Social Security
Oh yes, do quote the Heritage Foundation. They know what they're talking about. Some other predictions from that oracle: Iraq harbors weapons of mass destruction. The Iraq War will pay for itself with its oil riches. Get rid of Sadam Hussein and his sons and all will be well. Once a government is formed peace will reign in Iraq. Yeah, Drew, keep on pointing out their wisdom and foresight. Shows exactly how much your opinion is worth.
Goofy resolutions a costly annoyance for taxpayers
Heavy lifting? Get a grip. The people of Tennessee receive back from the federal government $1.27 for every $1.00 they send. How's that for spending other people's money? Perhaps Drew could could get indignant about those mostly Blue state taxpayers having to send their money to mostly Red states. Nah, that would be living up to his "conservative" beliefs.
Rants
Does self appointed dictator mean someone who was democratically elected with 5 million more votes than his opponent but who you didn't vote for? Get back on your medication. And you say he's revoking everybody's freedom? How? Which? Count your lucky stars that you live in this country where people like you have the freedom voice their ignorant opinions without fear of midnight knocks on the door. If our freedoms are at risk it is because people like you who handle your freedoms so recklessly and mindlessly.
Drew's views
C'mon Drew. Don't tease us like that. What invasions are the Obama administration planning? Or are you again sharing the view you get from having your head up where the sun don't shine?
Tennessee's county budgets are running in the red
Keep moving folks. Nothing to read here. More of Mr. Johnson’s fearmongering and intellectually dishonest innuendo masquerading as principled concern over how much people pay in taxes.
“That means, as a whole, Tennessee counties spent about $490 million more than they could afford last year.” Actually, it doesn’t mean that at all. It means they spent more than they collected in taxes and fees. If you bought a $150,000 house and you make $60,000 does that mean you spent $90,000 more than you can afford? We have no idea what you can afford.
Do we know why counties spent more than they collected? Unforeseen tornado damage? More children in the school system? Unanticipated public works repairs? Or, as Mr. Johnson routinely tries to imply government “overspending” is solely a result of waste and inefficiency and on those who are undeserving.
Why could it be that the counties have to slash services and cut employees? Could it be that the general state of the economy (the results mainly to 30+ years of conservative economic policies Mr. Johnson want us to continue) has reduced county revenues? It has little to do with earlier bond issues or “overspending”. It’s like someone buying a new car when he has a job and then losing that job. Mr. Johnson would ask us to take him to task for buying a new car?
Equating government debt with credit card debt is a false equivalency. Government can always raise revenue to cover necessary expenses made for the public good, individuals cannot force their employers to pay them more if they spend more than they earn.
That government is like a business is yet another false equivalency. Government represents all of the people, a corporation represent only its stockholders. Government has the responsibility of promoting the general welfare, a corporation promotes only the welfare of its owners.
Corporations are created by the people, acting through their agent, the government. As such the government has the ability and right to limit the power, influence and wealth of the corporation. When the corporations control the government the general welfare invariably suffers. It is essential for the well-being of all citizens that they insist that government forces corporations to behave responsibly.
No one likes to pay taxes. But the conservative attack on taxes and government in general is a cancer on this society that, if not excised completely, will be the death of this country.