Why we need each other’s point of View
First of all, this purpose of this blog is not meant to be “pro-Obama” so please save the hysterics and focus on the larger point.
Last week, conservative columnist David Brooks wrote this:
In a sensible country, people would see Obama as a president trying to define a modern brand of moderate progressivism. In a sensible country, Obama would be able to clearly define this project without fear of offending the people he needs to get legislation passed. But we don’t live in that country. We live in a country in which many people live in information cocoons in which they only talk to members of their own party and read blogs of their own sect. They come away with perceptions fundamentally at odds with reality, fundamentally misunderstanding the man in the Oval Office.
So, again the point of this is not to defend Obama but stress the importance of listening to other point of view, and to compliment (suck up) to the Twister Muser for giving me a voice on this website, and for always being respectful in his disagreements (no need to insult.)
If all I do is watch MSNBC, and all “you” do is watch Fox, we are getting skewed views and being sold a narrative which plays to their audiences so that they can sell more commercials and make more money. We no longer have news, we have entertainment….make no mistake that Beck, O’Rielly, Limbaugh, Hannity, Oberman, etc. are more about the money than they are about principles and Country First….the money they make is too tempting. If they weren’t about the money, and really cared about this country, they could have donned the uniform like my dad did for 25 years (full disclosure: I was rejected by the military because of my eye sight).
I have a good friend Jeff who has voted opposite of me in every election since 1980. Yet we agree on 95% of the issues. How can that be? Because our two political parties are controlled by the extreme elements and try and divide us based on fear, rather than unite us on what we agree. For my part I am more afraid of the “American Taliban” religious right takeover of the GOP than I am about an increase in my marginal tax rate from 33% to 39%. Jeff is more afraid of European style welfare state with tax rates of 50%, than he is about the loss of a women’s right to chose (which he supports), or gays ability to marry. So, we both vote against our worst fears because we get played a narrative by the GOP and Dems which we swallow.
All this Bush bashing, and Obama bashing is just a symptom of how we are being manipulated by both parties. We are just being sold a narrative like we are rival Celtics vs. Lakers, or Cubs vs. White Sox fans. I’d feel differently if either political party had principles, but they don’t. I can’t say that I know what either party actually stands for other than what it takes for them to be in power. The GOP used to stand balanced budgets, and separation of church and state, then got taken over by the religious right. The Dems used to be for the “little guy” but appear to have been taken over by trial lawyers and as of late, Wallstreet.
This country needs a third party which is more central and in line with that 95% which guys like us and Jeff agree on. Last week the Twister Muser said in response to one of my comments, “I don’t agree with everything you said, but I can live with it.” If that is the case, why can’t we have a political party choice which can accommodate the 95% that Jeff and I agree on, and the 85% that the TM and I agree with?
If you want edit me? just go to your profile than add description text as many you like. ^_*
My comment is, I agree with you…and if you feel that strongly, then act, do something…..that is my frustration with all of the pundits, especially on FOX, they talk,whine,bitch,moan, but is all from right field…Newt is a good example, quick to complain, here is what we need to do, like he has all of the answers…then dammitt, take the Lead,….what is amazing, say what we want about Obama, but he saw opportunity, and he acted, he is very articulate,smart…if the Beck’s,Limbaughs,Gingriches,O’Reilys,Hannitys feel that strongly about what they say and want….ACT….to your point, the almighty $ is the winner here, I wonder just how sincere the above group really is, they make millions, even Hannity had a so called “concert tour” to bring his “message”..we are desperate for someone to LEAD us
1Sorry Squid but your wrong on that one. You may not agree with what they say but they are leaders. They have millions of listeners and they are molding what people think, right or wrong. You call it a “so called” concert tour, but it sold out everyplace it went, and I suspect Hannity will have similar results on both his upcoming book tour and this years concerts. Same goes for the other people you mentioned. These guys speak, people listen.
For Sad Sam, I think we really do agree on most things, but I think maybe you this college type “Everything needs to be right with the world” thing that just hasn’t gone away. Me, not going to college until later, didn’t get the chance to develop it. Almost though! I voted for Carter! What a mistake that was, but it was what it was.
2Good God what is this some kind of mutual admiration society? While the three of you fools are standing around in your circle, the country is going to hell! You should all thank God for the hosts Squid mentioned as they are the only ones keeping us informed over what those traitors in Washington are scheming. We can only hope they do generate a crowd that shows up in DC this weekend. Otherwise we might as well be the French waiting for the German troops to show up in Paris. Squid has now become Squidlet, since you seem to have lost yours. Try to grow them back!
3When Glen Beck discourages people from getting vaccinations because “you can’t trust the Government”, he is hardly being a leader. Four years ago “protesting the government while the country was at war was UNAMERICAN”….now it is “your patriotic duty.” When they say “Medicare isn’t a government run program” they are hardly truth telling.
If you think these guys are “leaders” telling “the truth” then I got this deal of the century for you: See, I have $100m tied up in Liberia, and I need a gullible stooge to give me their bank account information so that I can wire the money into it, and then withdraw $90m and leave you with $10m……..
I am laughing so hard at the gulliblility that I can hardly type………
4Sad Sam, if people follow someone (and they do follow Beck) then he is a leader. He may not be leading them where you want to go, or even where i want to completely go, but he is still a leader. Interestingly enough, I have never seen nor heard Beck. I have not even read his books. I am however a Hannity fan. I see that as being no more gullible than anyone who beieves a health care plan is going to reduce the deficit? I got some ocean front property in Arizona you might be interested in.
5Fair point. I guess, in their own way, Charles Manson and Jimmy Jones were leaders as well.
And I do concede that believing Hannity is a truth teller is equally as gullible as believing that the healthcare plan is going to reduce the deficit.
Tell me more about that ocean front property……..
6I’m not sure if I just got zinged or not! Regarding the ocean front property, it’s not quite that yet, but as soon as Al Gore’s global warming kicks in and the polar caps melt, you will be golden. Beat the rush!!
7I’m a little late to the party but let’s keep it simple. People in Washington don’t listen and the pundits need a paycheck. The only way for the people to be heard is not to be heard. Stay away from the polls, keep your donations and everybody choose never to Vote again. Maybe people in Congress will listen then but probably given them to must credit.
8Thats a little wacky there Mr. W. I’m not sure if your being sarcstic or not, however assuming your not, how could that possibly work? We would get even more of what we have now! Acorn would run amok, even more so than now. I can’t see that being a viable solution. On the contrary I see the opposite needed. I read today that in mid term elections about 40 percent of the voters come out, and in pres years only 60 percent. That needs to change!!
9Since I was referenced in the beginning of this post, I might as well chime in. Dave and I do agree on 95% of the issues. For example, we both want to get rid of this ever growing deficit. Dave always wants to raise taxes to do it. The reason I am against that is because the cash will just sink in the Washington swamp. I am for cutting taxes because it provides a better opportunity to force people to make hard but obvious cuts…i.e. Social Security etc. As for leadership, why would we ever think these people that get elected are our only leaders. In my mind, they are the hired help. I personally think Obama is making some of the worst decisions in the history of the presidency…however, he is just the hired help. It’s not too hard to out think him. Nothing he is doing is stopping me from pursuing life, liberty and happiness. Worry about high tax rates? Invest in muni bonds. I just Obamacized my house with solar panels paid for by Obama. Cap and trade away. If he ever does something I can’t avoid, I’ll move to the Caymans. Guys like O’Reilly are leaders if you follow them. They aren’t going to run for office because why would anybody in their right mind do that?
10Jeff, (If I may call you that),
Seriously? You guys are friends? Just kidding. I do agree that raising taxes is not going to pay for anything. Just like you said, smart people learn legal ways to avoid such things. That’s why we need a whole new taxing scheme, but not looking for that anytime soon. My point regarding leaders is that if someone has followers, then they are a leader. That doesn’t mean they are a good or bad leader. (Between the two of us, what’s his deal with Jeannie? Why is he fixated on her? Everyone knows Samantha from Bewitched is much cooler!)
11Cutting taxes to cut spending has proven to be a failed strategy historically. Raising taxes gets peoples attention. Saying, if you want it you have to pay for it, if you don’t want to pay for it, then we have to cut it.
Samantha is way hot, but she never called Darren “master”. And she had that pesky-ass mother, and you just know that Uncle Arthur would have hit on you…
I’d rate it very close but give Jeannie the edge….but as my father used to say, “I woulnd’t kick Samanta Stevens out of bed for eating crackers….”
12Yeah but you always had to ask Jeannie to do something, but Samantha would do it on her own. Plus dont you think it was kind of mean to trap her in a bottle like that???
13I never said cutting taxes leads to reduced spending. I just said it provided the better opportunity. The government doesn’t raise revenue by tax rates, but by economic activity. There is nothing going on in Washington right now that will increase economic activity, so CBO revenue projections are sure to fall short year after year. In my view, a couple of things could change the economic picture quickly:
1.) Do not repeal the Bush Tax cuts (which really weren’t cuts, but were reversals of Clinton tax increases). A consumption tax would be better, but it’s before 5 and I’m not drinking yet.
142.) Come up some sane level of estate taxation. Maybe $10 million exemption per couple.
3.) Outlaw all defined benefit plans because they are all Ponzi schemes and should be illegal today. All state, municipal, county, whatever defined benefit plans get converted to 401Ks.
4.) Cut the Social Security liability by 20%. I don’t care how…raise the age, whatever, but do it, and do it now.
5.) Farm subsidies and other corporate welfare…good-bye.
6.) If Obama really wants to roll the dice with the country’s future on health care (and whatever politician has some dream in the future), here’s the deal. Go ahead and do it. If it comes in ahead of expectations by more than 20%, let’s pay him a $100 million bonus. If it comes in more than 20% under expectation, let’s give him the Ken Lay treatment and take away all his personal assets as restitution for the treasury, and make him do the perp walk. That will take care of these political fantasies. If business people have to become imprisoned and destitute for taking bad risks, why not the President.
I like it! So Seriously your Sad Sams friend? Huh!
15Sam is one of my best friends. Known him for years. Argued with him since day one. He’s a great guy.
16See, I can agree with 95% of what Jeff says…haven’t I mentioned a consumption tax before? The only air between us is that I could live with an increase in my taxes to the Clinton level….we do have some wars to pay for. But the rest I agree with.
TM: I think being able to put your fantasy girlfriend/wife in a bottle when she annoys you, pretty much seals the deal for Jeannie! Then again, Samanatha Stevens probably wouldn’t be as annoying as Jeannie……..
17One last thought on that subject….is there any guy out here who would not let her twitch her nose and fill your house up with cash? Come Darren, too unreal!!
18100% agreement.
19Man..you guys really have a Jeannie fetish. Talk about something we all can agree on.
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