I say yes, you say no, OR People are Strange

It's cultural. It stems from the idea that government is always big and bad and thus a curtailment of freedom. These people are inward looking and they prefer "splendid isolation." It is a throwback to pre-industrial America. The economy and globalization are remotely understood concepts.

I remember the Comptroller General of the US sounding the alarm on deficits and debt 10 years ago and nothing was done then.  Why are we all surprised that we're here now?

You know, sometimes those "pork" projects make sense, but how about a different process for them?  Does the federal government have a "capital" budget, similar to states and local governments?  Shouldn't all of the pork projects be part of a capital budget and subject to the same level of review and consideration?

I am so angry about the whole debt limit thing that I can't find anything to say that won't get me reported for swearing in a string of bad words in four languages. Suffice it to say, I am in full agreement with everyone's fury ... Multiplied. And if you look at the charts and tables of income distribution and net worth in this country, you will join me in being flabbergasted why there isn't actual rioting in the streets.



Working myself up into a frenzy, so I'd better stop. And speaking of injustice, I, too, believe that posts are being reported as spam to silence people, not as an accident. You must confirm why you are reporting a post, so it is very clear that the vendetta (s) against women here continue(s). Shame!



L

It seems to happen out of spite after the victim says something that someone didn't agree with. It's always after an argument. Cowardly.

Well .. Enjoyful, we've only got three days, so we better hurry up. 

I think Boehner needs to grow some balls and reign in the tea party.  They are out of control .. he doesn't owe them anything.

Bren

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Good morning!!!

I don't think Boehner can reign in the TP--- thats the surprise he got yesterday when he thought he could and discovered he didn't have the votes.  On the bright side, maybe the remaining rational republicans in the House and the democrats will be able to all work together for a compromise and leave the TP in the dust.

NPR this morning has some quote from Palin about how the problem was all because of the government ie liberal obsession, with spending "OPM"  or "other people's money."  Such a comment  from the former governer of the most subsidized state in the Union.....

While not popular I shall say it anyway.  Nothing lasts forever.  100 years ago the British Empire was on top--best economy, most admired, etc etc etc.  And then stuff happened that brought them down.  How many years before that was the Roman Empire the envy of the world?  And yet? 

Nothing lasts forever.  Not even the US being on top.  And while it makes me sad, as a person who was a history major, I can't ignore the truth.  What I hope for is that the ideals that were launched by the Founding Fathers (and occassional Mother) will go on--democracy, rights for all to participate in the process, etc etc etc will continue somewhere in the world.

and now, I shall duck

The mess in Washington reminds me of a time years ago in teacher negotiations where I worked. The previous contract was up and the board and the teachers had negotiated and reached a modest agreement. The teachers ratified the agreement and the timing was such that a newly elected board came into office just as it was time for the board to ratify. Several of the newly elected trustees had never seen a teacher contract before and refused to ratify the negotiated agreement. We had to show up at the next board meeting and quietly protest. The new trustees had a quick lesson in the consequences of not ratifying the agreement and not too long thereafter indeed ratified the previously negotiated contract.

Apparently the Tea Party people aren`t so quick to understand the consequences of their intransigence. Or worse still, they are aware and they don`t care.

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Not sure there's a limo big enough for that.

Yep, based on a budget proposed by the President and finally approved by Congress in April.  Now they want to ignore the spending they've already approved?

It really galls me when they interview people on television or the newspapers who say "well, I can balance my checkbook/budget, why can't the government." That's a ridiculous argument from every angle and the people saying that are ignorant simpletons (trying to stay within no reportable limits here).

Limiting spending too much is very dangerous at a time when we are still not far out of the Great Recession. Severe spending cuts could undo the benefits of the stimulus and send unemployment rates soaring. It may also serve as an excuse for corporations to hoard even more cash.

What on earth just happened over there! (Change of subject.)

My grocery had Athena cantaloupes. They were massive! Decided to wait til I can go to the Farmers' Market tomorrow - the Athenas were already very ripe and we couldn't possibly finish one before it was completely rotten. Sorry about that, Lioness.