Proof Is In The Pudding: Reagan Screwed Us!!!!

For 27 years, all we have heard is how great Ronald Reagan was as a president. Yes, he brought down that wall and presided over the end of the Cold War. But, today's financial crisis is the culmination of Reaganomics and the furthering of it by his disciples like John McCain. Cut the taxes for the rich and they will create jobs. Roll back regulatory requirements and the free market will take over and create prosperity. After all, government needs to get out of the private sectors way. And, let's not forget the assault on the unions that began with Reagan.

Well, 27 years later where are we??? The financial industry's own greed has it brought it down as the continued deregulation of Gramm and McCain has ruled the day. Further tax cuts for the rich has brought this nation to its knees with a runaway deficit as a result of the rich not paying their fair share and the Republican Administration's reckless spending that John McCain has supported 90% of the time. And by the way, job creation over the last 8 years has been the worst since Hoover. The working man is hanging on for dear life as unions are becoming less important and wages and benefits are not growing with expenses.

I remember the 80's and the economy sucked!!!! Reaganomics was a joke then and I feel vindicated because recent events have proven me right. The proof is in the pudding: Ronald Reagan screwed us!!! I hope all you conservatives are happy....

Round 1: Obama

Last night's debate showed the stark contrast between Barack Obama and McCain. Obama's presentation was thoughtful illustrating a complete understanding of our foreign policy situation and the understanding that middle class Americans are struggling. He was in control, did not lose his cool and was able to look at McCain. He definitely came off as presidential. McCain looked the one of the "angry old men" characters. His facial expressions were scary, very angry looking and the fact that he could not look at Obama was very noticeable. His grasp of the issues outlined why he should not be president. His assertion that Obama's position on the surge showed a stubborness that rivaled Bush was incredible from a guy that refuses to acknowledge that he was wrong on Iraq, wrong on deregulation, wrong on Afghanistan and wrong on Pakistan.

The other interesting point is that we now know what they are telling Palin. McCain's whole discussion on earmarks and cutting federal agencies were repeated during her interview with Charlie Gibson. McCain's references to being a maverick and not being Miss Congeniality were lame last night and Palin uses those lines all the time.McCain even referred to himself as "the Sheriff." It's one thing being called that by others but its another to be saying this stuff about oneself. It's rather disturbing coming from a 73 year old man.

With a little over a month to go, Barack needs to continue to hammer the need for change and continue to link Bush to McCain. If he does that he forces McCain into a difficult position. While he wants to talk about change, McCain also talks about experience. While he wants the Bushies support, he tries to distance himself which really looks awkward and disengenious since he has voted with Bush 90% of the time and is so bullish on the Iraq war.

Round 1 goes to Obama

McCain: A National Nightmare

Every four years Americans must decide who their President will be and who will be the leader of the free world. Campaigns are important because candidates tell us what they will do if elected. They in essence sell themselves. Typically, they put on their best face. Remember in 2000, George Bush the compassionate Conservative. Boy, were we in for a surprise!!!

This year, we are really getting to know about John McCain and what he would be like as President. First, the Sarah Palin pick was a total insult to the American people. This woman is not qualified to be vice president. Yet McCain chose her because he needed to energize the conservative base of the Republican Party and as a result energize the right wing 527 funding machines. So while his campaign is entitled "Country First", the Palin selection tells us that its "Winning First" because if he was looking out for the country he never would have selected Palin.

His sheilding of Palin from the media and his refusal to answer media questions show his contempt for us, the American people. How else are we to learn about his plans for our future and his vice presidential candidate's views on the issues of the day. Yet, he basically is telling us we only need to know what he wants us to know.

Yesterday, John McCain announces he's suspending his campaign and going to Washington to solve our economic problem. And by the way he's not going to the debate on Friday. Talk about being disingenious!! The truth of the matter is that McCain has had Paulson's proposal since last Thursday and on a Cleveland television station admitted that he had not read the proposal. Are you kidding me!!!! The guy who has contributed to the deregulation of the banking industry and Wall Street is going to save the day!!!! He's so concerned that he hadn't read the Treasury Secretary's proposal???? The real reason for the theatrics is because McCain wants to push back the debate so as to wipe out the Vice Presidential debate on October 2. He knows that you can put a lipstick on a pig but its still a pig!!!!!

The 26 year veteran, who campaigned on experience throughout the primaries, now is the candidate of change. The candidate who has voted with Bush 90% of the time is now the candidate of change????? The candidate who's campaign staff is loaded with lobbyists, including his campaign manager who has been receiving a monthly check for $15,000 from Fannie Mae, is now the candidate of change?????

So what does this all tell us??? It tells us that a McCain presidency will be hostile to the media. It will continue the good old boy lobbyist network. It will continue deregulation, including the health insurance industry. It will continue the culture of corruption and the politics of destruction. It will tell the American people only what they want the American people to know as opposed to the unvarnished truth. It tells us that a McCain presidency will say and do whatever it needs to in order to push its agenda regardless of the truth. It tells us that for another four years we will have a President who makes decisions with his gut. The McCain campaign tells us that McCain does not have the temperment to be President. A McCain presidency will continue the national nightmare that started in 2000.

Let's end the nightmare. Let's restore the American dream. Let's vote for a President who will inspire us to be the best we can be as a nation. Let's make sure that we elect Barack Obama!!!!

Trickle Down Doesn't Work!!!!!

Well, like a drunk hitting the wall after an all-night drinking binge, our economy could be on the verge of a total collapse. The Bush Administration, similar to the Iraq occupation, is looking for Congress to give it a blank $700 billion check. After watching some of Secretary Paulson's testimony before the Senate Banking Committee, its apparent that we are in serious trouble. But what bugs me is that we are expected to just go along without trying to correct the problem. And that problem is the de-regulation of the financial institutions of which John McCain and Phil Gramm were major architects.

As Barack Obama indicated in a speech on Monday, John McCain has suddenly become the great regulator. Hmmm... Here we go again, Pa Flip-Flop. If you are happy with the current financial situation then you should vote for Pa Flip-Flop McCain. And what really bugs me is when lower to middle class people have no problem with tax breaks for the rich. The notion that by giving them tax breaks they will reinvest and create jobs is a joke!!! It hasn't worked. It didn't work under Reagan and its not working now. Trickle down economics, Reaganomics doesn't work.

Keep in mind, Pa Flip-Flop's solution to the health care issue is to de-regulate the health care industry which would mean that American families will be at the mercy of health insurance companies. My bet would be that more people will not have health insurance coverage under Pa's plan.

This election is the most critical one of our time. Our beloved country is teetering on bankruptcy. Our standing in the world is at an all-time low. Our rights are being infringed upon at home. And the American Dream is becoming a thing of the past. Americans, now is the time to take back our country!!!! Wake Up!!!!!

When Does It End???

In today's NY Times, its reported that the McCain campaign has launched an attack on the Times stating that the paper was 150% in the Obama camp. Pleeeaassee!!!! We should not be surprised. While the economy is going to hell in a hand basket, McCain is worried about the Times. Earlier, the McCain campaign was complaining about the media being sexist when it was questioning his vice presidential selection. This is classic conservative strategy: attack the media in order to disarm it.

I'm beginning to wonder we as Americans will finally get a grip as to what is happening here. The past 8 years has shown that our government is trampling on our rights and our respectability around the world. We are growing more and more intolerant both within our country and outside of it. And with a McCain presidency, this downward spiral will continue. What's equally disturbing is that the mainstream media has played right into this.

Yesterday, on the Bill Press Show, Bill pointed out the inconsistencies of this election as it relates to the coverage on the candidates. For example, the candidate (Obama) who was raised by his grandparents in Hawaii is veiwed as exotic while the candidate (Palin) who lives in Alaska and eats moose is considered an All-American. One candidate's patriotism is questioned because he doesn't wear a flag pin, the other is a true American even though their spouse belongs to a group that wants to secede from the union. I think you get the point.

This election will be a critical one because it will indicate where we are as a nation. Are we a nation that can get through the crap that is spewed by Rove and company and its media surrogates or are we content to be the Ugly Americans. Hopefully, on November 4th this assault on America ends.

Straight Talk Express Road Kill

Well word out of the McCain camp is that surrogate Carly Fiorina has been thrown off and ran over by the Straight Talk Express. Who is Carly Fiorina? Ms. Fiorino has been on various talk shows shilling for John McCain throughout this campaign. In fact, some people were saying that she was a possible v.p. pick. She is also the former CEO of Hewlett-Packard, who ran her out of the company. As thanks for bringing the company to its knees, she was given a $21 million golden parachute. Its ironic because just recently it was announced that 25,000 people were being laid-off at Hewlett-Packard.

Yesterday, Ms. Fiorino told the truth when she was asked if Sarah Palin could be the CEO of Hewlett-Packard. Her answer: no she couldn't be CEO but she's not running for that. HMMM...interesting comment indeed. First, she's right. Sarah Palin could not run HP and she's not qualified to be vice president. Almost as important, Fiorino must really think little of government when she implies that Palin could run the country but not HP. This is someone McCain trusts to speak on his behalf???

Fiorino tried to backpedal by saying none of the 4 people could be CEO. For all of this, CNN is reporting that the McCain campaign will not have Fiorino representing them. In fact, it was reported that McCain's legendary temper reared its ugly head when he heard about Sweet Carly's comments. Fiorino joins Phil Gramm as road kill of the Straight Talk Express.

Palin, Gramm, Fiorino. These are McCain's choices for his campaign. Can you imagine who would populate a McCain Administration???? Heaven help us!!!!!!!!!!!

McCain's Waffle House

Earlier this year, John McCain was all about experience. 26 years in the Senate, extensive foreign policy experience, working with his colleagues across the aisle. Do you remember this?? As summer came upon us, someone must have told old Pa Flip-Flop McCain that experience wasn't working. It ultimately did not work for Hillary. You see this election is about change. So Pa's handlers decide that they must hijack the change message. It starts by selecting Sarah Palin a.k.a Ma Flip-Flop and it continues with Pa making the incredulous claim that he now is about change. Are you kidding me!!!!!

Change from a guy who has voted over 90% of the time with George W. Bush? Change from this 26 year veteran of the Senate who hasn't met a lobbyist he didn't like? Change from a candidate who just recently said the economy is strong? Change from a candidate who is more committed to our presence in Iraq than the dunderheads who put us in there in the first place? Change from a candidate who has enlisted the same neo-cons to rescue his failing campaign that gave us the last 8 years of disgrace?

We know that Pa Flip Flop McCain has 8 houses. Sounds like Waffle Houses are growing. Hopefully, it won't extend to the White House.

The Flip-Flop Party = McCain\Palin

Remember the 2004 Election when John Kerry was called a flip flopper? You know I voted for it before I voted against it? It was a very effective strategy. The party that brought us this brilliant campaign slogan now has at the head of its ticket Pa & Ma Flip-Flop.

John McCain in denounced the right-wing evangelical movement headed by Pat Robertson and Jerry Falwell during the 2000 Presidential campaign. Pa Flip-Flop McCain now kowtows to the same group calling Rev Hagee a spiritual advisor, not to mention his selection of Sarah Palin.

John McCain was on the record as being opposed to the Bush tax-cuts. He believed that during a time of war everyone needed to sacrifice. Now during this campaign, Pa Flip-Flop McCain has decided that not only are the Bush tax-cuts necessary he's going to continue them. Apparently, now only the middle class and the poor have to sacrifice during a time of war.

John McCain stated that he was against torture. Having personally gone through it, he recognized that it provided inaccurate information and that it violated our principles as Americans. Pa Flip-Flop McCain now believes that torture is justified to keep the homeland safe.

Sarah Palin was for the Bridge to Knowwhere when she was campaigning for governor. Ma Flip-Flop tells us now she was against it. Sarah Palin actively pursued earmarks (pork barrel ) for her town. Ma Flip-Flop is now going to save our economy by eliminating earmarks.

Detect a pattern??? If they can't get their stories straight before they get in office can you imagine what will happen if they get elected????? Heaven help us!!!!!

The Right-Wing Corporate Media

This campaign is proving that the liberal media is a fallacy. Other than Air America, Ed Schultz, Keith Olbermann, Bill Press, Randi Rhodes, the NY Times and locally John Restaino, the media is dominated by conservative Republican shills. FOX is the number one culprit, closely followed by that pillar of journalism, Rush Limbaugh. Locally, between Sandy Beach, Tom Bauerle and Kenny Hamilton (and lets not forget Scott Leffler) the coverage is pro-Republican. The ridiculous idolizing of Sarah Palin, a know-nothing empty head, and the overlooking of the inconsistency of John McCain illustrates it. In addition, the incredible focus on Barack Obama's pastor, his patriotism and his wife, also illustrates it especially since the same focus has not been given to Governor Palin and McCain.

Look at what has happened at MSNBC. Keith Olbermann is removed from the anchor desk of the network's election coverage because the parent company, NBC, did not like the criticism of the RNC. What happened to the media standing up to the power structure? If Woodward and Bernstein had to operate in today's society, Watergate would never have been uncovered. Of course in the 70's, the major media markets were diverse and not controlled by a small number of companies.

This is important because it will be important for all of us lefties to make sure the word gets out. Through the internet or letters to the editor, we need to blunt the crap that is spewed by the power elite media. This election is probably the most important one in the last 30 years. We either move forward and take our country back and restore America's greatness around the world or we continue down the road of intolerance at homea nd isolation around the world. It will not be easy, especially since we are fighting not only Conservatives but also the right-wing Conservative corporate media.

ENOUGH!!!!!!!

In his speech at the Democratic Convention, Barack Obama sternly said "Enough" referring to the reckless policies of the Bush/McCain party. But now we lefties are saying to Barack and Biden: "ENOUGH"!!!! It's time to take the gloves off. To allow McCain/Palin to dictate this race is ridiculous. To allow Republicans to call Palin's lack of credibility sexist is ridiculous. There are legitimate policy questions as it pertains to the McCain/Palin ticket. This may be one of the most right-wing ticket this side of Barry Goldwater.

Obama and Biden need to call them out and they need to do it now!!! It's been published that maybe Obama made a mistake by not letting the 527's get involved. There is concern that the vast internet donor advantage that Obama has enjoyed has become sluggish. How that gets energized is by going after McCain/Palin. For many of us lefties, we've seen this story before. We need to come out swinging.

The unbelievable right-wing, evangelical background of Sarah Palin makes George Bush seem like an atheist. Is this where we want to go as a country?? How does this help our relations with other countries that are not Christian???

Barack go after them!! Paint the picture that they are: extremists who will not only continue down the disasterous road of George Bush but make it worse. Runaway spending, further isolation and no real solutions to the great domestic issues of our time: health care and energy/environment.

It is time. The fierce urgency of now!!! We can do this but we need to go after them!!! Barack and Joe its time to come out swinging!!!!!

The G.O.P. set women back 50 years

In their ridiculous attempt to court women voters, the Republican Party picked a former beauty queen who's lack of grasp of our nation's problems is absolutely disturbing. What's more disturbing is that she has the audacity to compare herself to Hillary or Geraldine Ferraro. Sarah Palin is a bad joke.

In addition, to being completely unqualified the G.O.P. has taken upon themselves to attack the media for being sexist. Being sexist is calling out the Gov's position's on issues that she dealt with in Alaska? Being sexist is calling into question her abuse of power by using her office to get her ex-brother-in-law fired? Being sexist is looking into the teachings of her pastor and her past dealings with an unpatriotic organization in Alaska? Being sexist is calling into account her experience??

Funny, it seems like these questions aren't being sexist but are the types of questions any candidate for public office has to face, particularly for President or Vice President whether they are male or female. I get it, I want to play tackle football with the boys but I don't want to get hit. I guess Republicans have decided they are going to play the "sex" card.

To me being sexist is talking about lipstick being the only difference between oneself and a pit bull. It seems to me that being sexist is distributing buttons saying "Hottest V.P." Somehow I don't remember these buttons when Lieberman was Gore's V.P. Maybe I stand corrected, McCain maybe had these buttons really for Lieberman.

What the Republicans have done is reduce this VP candidate to nothing more than their trophy V.P. She is the typical stereotype, she got the job because of her looks not because of her brains. What a disgrace!!

On another note, thanks to The John Restaino Show for plugging this blog today. If you are a lefty, you need to listen to the program. Really enjoy it and I will continue to listen. By the way, how much is Kenny Hamilton getting paid by the RNC?????

The more about Sarah Palin and local nut-jobs

It was only a matter of time before more information came out about Sarah Palin. Forget about her daughter Bristol's pregnancy. It's a non-issue. What's of more concern is the following: She was less than truthful about her opposition to the Bridge to Nowhere. In fact she supported it then opposed it. She received campaign contributions from the same people who supported Senator Stevens of Alaska who is under investigation. She is being investigated for misusing her authority as Governor to try to get her ex-brother-in-law fired. She was a member of the Alaska Independence Party which calls for Alaska to secede from the union. And finally, Palin's pastor Ed Kalnins said that those who voted for John Kerry were facing eternal damnation and that Jesus calls for us to be in constant war mode against terrorists.

If she was vetted, it certainly calls into question McCain's people who did the research. If Rev. Wright was a problem for Obama, then Rev. Kalnins is right there for Palin. If the right calls into question Michele Obama's patriotism, one has to call into question the patriotism of Palin who belonged to a political party that advocates secession. McCain's first big decision is looking like a disaster.

On a local note, there is a radio show on a local radio station which has a decidedly lefty bent. The John Restaino Show does a great job in articulating the progressive agenda and the host does a great job in calling out conservatives. Recently, the host called into question Palin and the G.O.P.'s stand on family values when the revelation of her pregnant 17 yr old daughter hit the papers. He never made a disparaging remark about Palin's daughter. He just pointed out the "do as I say not do as I do" mentality of the G.O.P.

The host was then attacked by a wacko right-wing nut who called into question whether the host had a child out-of-wedlock. This is typical right-wing crap. Last time I checked, a talk show host on little WJJL radio is not running for Vice President of the United States. But I bet he has as much business doing so as Sarah Palin. For one thing he's right on the issues. Hang in there John. These wackos want to silence you. It's a disgrace plain and simple.