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jackdiamond312

Joined: 1/21/2007

Msg: 4538 (view)

Our New President (This is California Residents Only Thread Please) Posted: 6/18/2011 6:13:56 AM
To be a Patriot is to be a proud American, The Government in Washington is not America, it is a body, that is suppose to govern in behave of it's people, all Americans. Washington, our federal government is really only there to protect us. not to run our lives. I don't believe we should be anti government, but we should make sure that our federal government stays the way it was, as it was first created, and when it grows to be over reaching, it is not only our right, but our obligation, to voice our concerns. If the Federal Government steps all over the rights of individual States, those states should demand their freedoms, talk of secession is not unpatriotic, I personally don't believe we would ever need to go that far, but if our Fed. Gov. over reach, it is our State representatives who have a duty to protect it's people. If we ever have a President and administration who goes too far, as a dictator, we are obligated to fight from that happening, We should respect the office of the Presidency, but we should defend America over anyone or any ideology or agenda's. I believed Bush was over reaching, and I believe all Liberals and Progressives, and a lot of Conservatives showed their concern, but Obama is Bush on Steroids, and people should speak out against the trend, and direction America is being dragged too. For those of you who don't see it, and think we should just sit down and shut up, until we get there, have your heads in the sand. It's much better to keep it from happening, than to try and fight to get your freedoms back. The bias and split in this country will be our demise, like the saying goes, a Kingdom divided is a Kingdom that will fall. Our problem is we have gradually over generations, have been being transformed into a socialistic Democracy, from the Republic we were founded under. We have become this politically correct, Social Justice, Collective Salvation and Bargaining society, rather than the Individual, Equal Justice, Free Market, of Life, Liberty and the Pursuit of Happiness.... Opportunity driven, not a social engineering of equal rights where everyone is suppose to get everything that everyone else has. we are not all created equal, People have different skills, talent and abilities, a gift we receive from our creator, people should be treated equally, people should be given equal opportunity, but there will be winners and losers, it is no one other than the individual who can determine what their outcome will be. this does not say we can not or should not help those around us, to give a helping hand up to the misfortunate. Charity should come from the heart, this means an individual choice, not a mandate to give. This is the root of our dilemma in America, this is where other Nations are failing, this idea of government giving entitlements. Greece has hit the wall, they can't afford it, people who are use to the free ride, are rioting, they don't want to lose any of their free stuff. In America, as we gradually become more like Europe with this Social ideal of freebies, we too have started down that road, and it will be those who are use to the government freebies who will take to the streets and riot when we too go bust. It is the church and community who should take care of it's neighbors, not a Federal Government. If a State, like Texas for example, who sees the writing on the wall, wishes to not participate in these federal giveaway's, and it still is being forced on them, why wouldn't they want to secede? But, what we need to do, is to get our Federal Government under control, it has too much power, and control, and right at this moment no longer works for the people, It has become too big and too powerful. The Pursuit of happiness is for each and every individual to have as they see fit, not as the government sees fit.

jackdiamond312

Joined: 1/21/2007

Msg: 107 (view)

Stuff that makes you smile while wincing Posted: 3/18/2011 8:48:06 AM
"We've been able to break through that political barrier put up by the wing nuts who see every brown person as a criminal." It doesn't matter if you are a Republican or Democrat, a Liberal or Conservative, people can be swayed into believing that progressive media hype, of Conservatives being against minorities, the working class or anyone else except rich people. As far as the immigration debate, it's about obeying immigration laws, either we do, or we don't. If it was Canada that was flowing illegal activity into this country, I guess the progressives would spin the debate that conservatives hated white people. It is all about the actions that are happening, not the skin color, but the politically correct left will never get it, even if they do, they would never admit it. But why would they, they need to keep minorities believing they are on their side, and the right is against them. It works, look, they got Obama into the White House. Just like this Nuclear debate going on, can't let a good disaster go to waste, just like the oil leak in the Gulf, lets go nuts and get rid of Nuclear as well. So when the first Hybrid car has a battery explode, killing a dozen people, I guess we knee jerk and stop production, when a Solar field over heats and starts the worst fire in Nevada's history, guess we will stop using solar. Even the Hype from those progressives are hyped. Oh, and hey, it comes from the right as well, but nothing like what we are seeing today from the left.

jackdiamond312

Joined: 1/21/2007

Msg: 95 (view)

Stuff that makes you smile while wincing Posted: 3/14/2011 9:44:45 AM
In response to this notion......... The idea of Unions making the case that a professional "Union" shop will do the job better, is bogus, I have had many incompetent union workers (FORCED) on me that were idiots and completely clueless. Sure, the Union will try and make that case, and scare people into using them, but an independent contractor is just as capable, if not more so, it depends on the person, and honestly, when someone's reputation is on the line, and they have to compete with others, I'll pick that person over any Union monopoly.

jackdiamond312

Joined: 1/21/2007

Msg: 1075 (view)

The real cost of education Posted: 3/14/2011 9:12:36 AM
JD, it's good to see you back on here--hope everything's going well Hey Match, it is nice to come back and at least voice in some way, those things I believe. Living with mom especially as I just turn 55 years old was not my idea of the pursuit of happiness, but sometimes we take a step back before we can step forward. It's been a mixed blessing though, my moms health has gotten bad, and I am here to be able to help her, plus my sister is a body builder and Trainer, so I have been working out lifting every day, getting those bumps back on my body... you know, muscles. Where I may be lacking coinage in my pocket, I have been fortunate to be able to study, research and write. Our Country has come to a cross road, the road is a wide one that engulfs the entire world, but what we do here, within even the next two years, will have an effect on the entire world. It's funny how Dec. 21 2012 really will be a date that will determine the outcome of this way of life as we know it, not the end of the world, but the end of some sort of cycle. Our Presidential election in 2012, will determine which road we choose to take. I believe it will be one of the most important decisions we as Americans will ever make. But that's me.

jackdiamond312

Joined: 1/21/2007

Msg: 1071 (view)

The real cost of education Posted: 3/13/2011 1:58:43 PM
^^^^^^^ Not just Cities like Detroit... Look at Cali... Look at Greece. The Unions, the Hand outs, this idea of people having all these rights, guaranteed, is ridiculous. Nothing in life is guaranteed but death. Everything else is something we all have to work for, believing in a hand up is noble, creating a society of freebies, and hand-outs, shrivels up the desire to succeed, and creates a mediocre life. It's just a fundamental difference. It's understanding what the Pursuit of Happiness really means. It's opportunity, given to all because we are free to act on what we desire, but all individuals are not equal, and will not all be able to succeed at what they want. Failure is part of life, and we all will taste it's bite in life. Trying to create a society of all winners, will only take away success, along with it freedom.

jackdiamond312

Joined: 1/21/2007

Msg: 474 (view)

Free Speech 1st Amendment Posted: 3/13/2011 1:43:49 PM
^^Maybe in good times, unions are not that necessary. But when the rich decide to declare war on the rest of the population, unions are about the only tool left that people have to fight back. Everything has it's time and place. Really? The evil Rich Conspiracy? Teacher Unions.... Which Rich are they battling? The average tax payer? A School District or City Government trying to pay the bills, cutting costs have to be done in everything we do, no matter if it's one house hold or the Government. It isn't the RICH that have a problem with any union wanting their special needs, when others are sacrificing, It's the every day person. Blaming the Rich is only a trick to propagate the discussion to sway the thinking of those who don't pay attention to the big picture. Teachers are teaching their students this whole socialistic ideal, especially when they do strike (Illegally) pulling their students along and claiming it as a learning experience. Teaching their students to lie and cheat... but wait, only for a good cause right? Those 14 State Senators can flee the state... but only for a good cause right? Republicans do that for what they believe is a good reason, than you progressives would be totally thinking the opposite. Wonder what would have happened if all the Republicans didn't show up in Washington when the Healthcare crap was being forced on America. And the Tea Party.... You progressives see them as anti American, Bigoted, white trash, clueless radicals. All words thrown out by that left media and supporters. But what about the Union protest? where there is actually violence, and destruction of property. Going to peoples homes and giving death threats... All being called noble on the left, because it's a good cause. This is not a Rich against the Poor, It isn't class warfare, sure the left tries and uses that as a way to try and frame the discussion, but it's about ideology, it's about the best way for individuals to live their own lives, for rich or poor, for everyone to have that pursuit of happiness, but it puts it on you as an individual to succeed, not this silly notion of some sort of collective salvation. As individuals we should help our neighbors, but this is an individual choice, and quit frankly, Americans, and most of the world for that much, do care about others, it is individuals who decide to be greedy, or unwilling to help others, but it is not the responsibility of our government to force others to give, Distribution of wealth is not the way to go. And this idea of hoarding is also bogus, people wether rich or poor if not knowing what is ahead, would be wise to be careful how they spend. Our Government obviously could care less, they are coming close to spending us into bankruptcy. You Progressives talk about how great the unions are, how great it is to have this huge public sector and a big nanny state government, and you praise European style governments. But you say nothing about the rioting, of Unions against the governments because their bottoms fell out, they give so much free stuff, and the people have become so addicted to that handout, that when it can not be sustained, those who expect the free stuff riot, led by the Unions and the Students who have been grown up in this society of the hand out. Except for some parents who have learned this freedom, this Republic we live in and have taught their kids, our children are being taught in our schools this new progressive Utopia, of the free meal, that everyone has a right too, that earning a living is no longer required, because it should just be given, it's you God given right, well, I have news for you, it isn't a right, and it is unsustainable, and we will be rioting in the streets just like every where else, because of it.

jackdiamond312

Joined: 1/21/2007

Msg: 468 (view)

Free Speech 1st Amendment Posted: 3/11/2011 6:34:25 AM
You can very easily just call anything you disagree with, or makes a case against your talking points as right wing hogwash... But the truth is, the reality can not be looked over. Just because you believe the right thinks a story for example of these Rubber Rooms are important and the left doesn't, doesn't make it a right wing conspiracy, it's just that the left wants to stick their heads in the sand when it comes to any of these issues. And again, It's the Tenure and the monopoly of the Unions and the lack of paying for their own benefits on the tax payers dime that makes it hard for tax payers to keep supporting something that is crippling. You can keep trying to frame the debate that the right is against the worker and for the rich, but people are smarter than that, they know it is about getting control of our budgets and economy. To actually want all workers to have the right to work, not just union controlled monopolies.

jackdiamond312

Joined: 1/21/2007

Msg: 89 (view)

Stuff that makes you smile while wincing Posted: 3/11/2011 6:10:36 AM
Close but not quite. Membership as condition of work is an agreement made between unions and employers, wherein a union shop makes it a condition of employmemt (i.e. movie studios are closed shops). Right-to-work statutes FORBID this arrangement. What do you mean, not quite? This is exactly the point.... a "CLOSED SHOP" A plumbers union in a community with no right to work, creates a closed shop... If you are not a union plumber you can't bid on jobs, how is that protecting the right of workers, this is the biggest restriction on the middle class. Look at the writers strike a few years back, they collectively hurt the lives of many others for their own greedy goals, now you can argue that they may have had a right to want what they were striking for, but at the cost of others losing their jobs? because they shut down Hollywood. Even manufacturers that created product around the Entertainment industry got hit bad. When it is the public sector, the whole community takes a hit, and the costs are on the backs of the tax payers. I'm starting to feel like I'm getting a bargain for my taxes, as compared to the crappy overpriced service some private sector companies are charging me. If only some of those businesses were as efficient and inexpensive as the departmets ran by government........ You and I see things way differntly. And imagine, if you claim to be poor, you're really getting a great bargain. Efficiency & Government is an oxymoron.... There are 20 agencies doing the same thing, they double check the double checkers, regulate the regulators. It's the government that is in charge of our tax codes and loop holes, Corporations take advantage of them, but the government created them. And look, I was just making the point that even us conservatives are just everyday working people, this idea of the left being poor and the middle class and the right the rich is just the talking points you progressives, and you admitted socialists want to raise to try and create this lie. I don't claim anything, I just was up front about my situation, but glad to see you are getting a kick out of it. I will say, that I have been talking about Socialists groups who are here, Progressives who are pushing these ideals in America, but now I know for sure you are just one of them, you just admitted it, so stop denying this is what the left is all about, and that you don't know what conservatives are talking about. Most Americans believe in the real American Dream, not your progressive Socialistic Utopia so called American Dream.... You guys are wanting to transform the country... That is the change you call for, but..... the change people really want is the stopping of this progression (which is really a regression) , we do not believe we would be better off as Europeans. We believe being Americans is the best it gets, we were Europeans, before Our Founders created something better.

jackdiamond312

Joined: 1/21/2007

Msg: 87 (view)

Stuff that makes you smile while wincing Posted: 3/10/2011 9:53:54 PM
Income in anti-union "Right to Work" states???? What part of "Right to Work" don't you get? It means you are not forced into a union, it means you have choice. there is only about 14% of the work force that is unionized, that working force is not the majority. over 85% of workers work without union control. The working class is not the Unions. Yes some, some of the working class do join unions, a lot even forced into one, but the working class.... Non-union workers... Are tax payers who foot the bill for Public Union workers. The Public Sector is a drain on the economy... There is a need for some public working jobs, but to run this country right, it takes a limited Public sector, with a robust private sector. Any private job we can get to take over a public job would only save tax payers money... and help our bottom line. The Public Sector and Unionizing workers is a big push by the left.... Why is that?

jackdiamond312

Joined: 1/21/2007

Msg: 466 (view)

Free Speech 1st Amendment Posted: 3/10/2011 9:03:32 PM
This is about the Unions, about them wanting power and control, The right to work, means exactly that, It doesn't deny Unions, It allows all workers to choose, It doesn't force the union onto people. As far as the Teachers Unions and Tenure, this is about giving the teachers real choice, to choose if they wish to not be forced into unions, to allow achievement and merit not experience (Tenure) to determine which Teachers teach. To allow those who hire and lay-off employees, to be able to pick the right people, not the ones protected by a union Tenure law. This is not about being against teachers, it's not about being against the working class as framed by the left, It;s about fighting the Union monopoly and allowing all to have choice and the right to work. They can choose Unions if they like, but they should also be able to choose non-union if they so desire. Just a couple examples.... For you Thinking... since you believe I just pull stuff out of my A$$ http://www.jsonline.com/news/education/96349689.html By Erin Richards and Amy Hetzner of the Journal Sentinel June 14, 2010 Megan Sampson was named outstanding first-year teacher by the Wisconsin Council of Teachers of English last week. Second-year social studies teacher Kevin Condon, also at Bradley Tech High School, has four licenses and can command the attention of 40 students in an open-concept classroom. Both are among 482 educators - more than 12% of the full-time teachers in the district - who have received layoff notices from Milwaukee Public Schools. On Monday - the last day of the year for schools in MPS and the first day teachers reunited after hearing the news of the layoffs - some teachers expressed frustration at losing their jobs because of experience, not performance. Others said they were disappointed the teachers union had not solicited input from those with the least amount of seniority. Meanwhile, the Milwaukee School Board president and the Milwaukee Teachers' Education Association leadership continued to disagree on how to handle the tightened $1.3 billion district budget, and whether teachers should accept a lower-cost health-care plan to avoid layoffs. Outside the city, the layoff scene is much different. Some other large districts are predicting far fewer cuts, and officials with the Racine and Kenosha public school districts said they expect to be able to make budget adjustments that will avoid laying off teachers. Milwaukee School Board President Michael Bonds said the situation in Milwaukee reflects economic reality and has nothing to do with teacher performance. The district has to lay off teachers based on seniority, he said. According to the district, some of the laid-off MPS teachers may be recalled after the number of vacancies, retirements and voluntary layoffs is finalized. "The reality is we cannot sustain the current system without major structural change," Bonds said. "We could literally save hundreds of jobs with the stroke of a pen if teachers switched to the lower-cost health-care plan." The teachers union has countered that the board is bargaining in public by offering jobs in exchange for health-care concessions. Union leaders have said the district has not brought up the option of switching health-care plans during formal negotiations. Bonds said it's come up in multiple meetings since last year. MPS offers two health-care plans, both thought to be generous. The plans are covered in full by the district, meaning teachers have no financial incentive to switch from the high-cost Aetna plan to a lower-cost option offered through United Health Care. Bonds said if all teachers switched to the lower-cost plan, about $48 million could be saved, enough to pay for 480 educators. "I'm not aware of any place in the nation that pays 100% of teachers' health-care benefits and doesn't require a contribution from those who choose to take a more expensive plan," Bonds said. Pat O'Mahar, the interim executive director for the MTEA, said it was unfortunate the district believed the solution to budget pressures was to lay off hundreds of educators. "The problem must be addressed with a national solution - a federal stimulus package that will restore educator positions and allow MPS children to keep their teachers," O'Mahar said in a statement. "Long term, we must reform the way Wisconsin funds public schools," he added. "We call on the School Board and the administration to join us as we fight for federal legislation that will save educator jobs." At Bradley Tech, Sampson, 24, is one of nine layoffs. She said the union never solicited views from her about switching plans. "Given the opportunity, of course I would switch to a different plan to save my job, or the jobs of 10 other teachers," Sampson said. Sampson and her laid-off colleagues, all who have less than three years of teaching experience, also expressed frustration that their jobs would be filled by more veteran, but not necessarily better, educators. Sampson and Emily Kaphaem, a world geography and citizenship teacher at Tech, said they have received exemplary performance reviews. "I feel kind of let down by my city today," said Kaphaem, 25, as she lost the fight to hold back tears in Principal Ed Kupka's office. Kupka is equally frustrated. He hand-selected the new teachers because of their talent and enthusiasm for turning around Tech, recently designated as one of the worst-performing high schools in the state. "Based on the pressures we're under as a low-performing school, I absolutely would have chosen a different nine (for layoffs)," Kupka said. "Not everyone is on board with the cultural shift, or has the skills to implement it. The people that are leaving are among the most transformation-minded people on staff." Teachers at Alliance School, known as a safe haven for bullied children and those who identify as lesbian, gay, bisexual or transgender, also have concerns. Four of the small charter school's 10 educators received layoff notices. Earlier this year, Lead Teacher Tina Owen trimmed the staff from 13 to meet the district's budget. Owen said it's impossible to know whether new educators assigned to Alliance will embrace the school's culture. "Just because you have a great teacher doesn't mean you have the right teacher for the school," Owen said. She added that everyone needs to fight for a change in the way schools are funded. About 200 people protesting the layoffs marched Monday afternoon outside MPS district headquarters at 5225 W. Vliet St. Educators, parents and school staff gave speeches, carrying signs such as one by a student that said, "Cut the crap. Not the teachers." Attendee Kathy Xiong, 29, a third-grade teacher at Burbank Elementary School, said she was one of six laid off in her building. Kat Trago, a parent, said it was a huge tragedy for Burbank. "As a taxpayer, I would like my money to go to my child's education," Trago said. "I understand layoffs, and I understand tenure, too, but I think there should be some sort of merit system." Districts outside Milwaukee also are reducing teaching staff. But those school officials say they've been able to handle most of those reductions through attrition. In the Madison Metropolitan School District, spokesman Ken Syke said the district issued layoff notices to the full-time equivalent of 1.21 teachers. John Wilson, assistant to the superintendent for human resources at the Green Bay School District, said his school system had given final layoff notices to five full-time teachers and already had recalled one of those teachers. In contrast, the district has laid off six administrators, including associate principals and central office staff. Although MPS has reduced staff in previous years, the fact that the school system has not resorted to layoffs amid continued enrollment drops could indicate pent-up pressures that finally caught up in the 2010-'11 school year, said Todd Berry, president of the Wisconsin Taxpayers Alliance. Other districts, particularly smaller school districts in the northern part of the state, have been reducing teacher positions and programs for years, he said. "A very large share of school budgets is salaries and benefits and, in MPS' case, benefits are unusually high relative to salary," Berry said. "So, if you have to squeeze money out of a budget due to declining enrollments, sooner or later you're going to have to go to where the money is." Mary Bell, president of the Wisconsin Education Association Council, the state's largest teachers union, said the teacher layoffs in Milwaukee are of a different scale, but she denied the district's situation was unusual amid a tightening financial picture for schools statewide. "Any group of my members that I talk to, there are more notices being issued than there are normally," she said. "There's less of a chance that retirements and people leaving the districts will help deal with that." http://boards.caazone.com/showthread.php?t=105141 What collective bargaining has frequently meant in practice is that unions never have to concede any of the benefits they've won through a collective bargaining agreement unless they want to do so. In other words, when there's a budget crunch, the union--not the school district or local government--gets to choose between massive layoffs and slight benefits reductions. For example, in June 2010, long before Scott Walker was elected, Milwaukee Public Schools fired 482 teachers--including Megan Sampson, a young educator named an "outstanding first year teacher" by the Wisconsin Council of Teachers of English. http://spectator.org/archives/2011/03/08/the-truth-about-wisconsin/print The Truth About Wisconsin By William Kovacs & F. Vincent Vernuccio on 3.8.11 @ 6:08AM The fundamental issue in Wisconsin -- and states considering similar budget cuts -- is not whether government employees should contribute more (in Wisconsin's case, more being merely something) to their health or pension plans -- though that is important. Rather, it is whether workers should have the right to say no. If passed, Wisconsin Governor Scott Walker's emergency budget will allow workers to opt out of joining a union and still keep their jobs. It would allow workers to vote every year on whether they want to keep their union. And it would take away the unions' ability to automatically deduct dues from workers' paychecks. All of these threaten organized labor's power by giving workers more choice. Unions allege that, if Walker's budget bill is passed, state employees will be subject to arbitrary disciplinary actions and firings. Nothing could be further from the truth. If Walker's budget is approved, workers will still be able to join unions if they choose, but collective bargaining will be limited to pay only. Moreover, they will still be protected by civil service laws that provide job security and perks beyond anything seen in the private sector. The majority of those benefits are mandated by Wisconsin's Municipal Employment Relations Act (MERA), section 230 of the Wisconsin Code (the code) entitled "State Employee Relations," and other civil service laws. According to the State of Wisconsin Office of Employment Relations, government employees will still have: • The right to a harassment/discrimination free workplace. • The right to due process (prior to being disciplined). • Grievance/appeal rights. • Ability to compete for positions (transfer, demote, promote) • Protection from discrimination in the hiring process because of political or religious opinions or affiliations or because of age, sex, disability, race, color, sexual orientation, national origin or ancestry. • After passing a probationary period, attainment of a permanent status similar to tenure. • Protection during times of workforce reductions by a clear set of seniority-based rules and procedures for both layoff and recall. Seniority rules are particularly troubling. If the 14 missing Wisconsin Senate Democrats do not return from their "undisclosed location," Gov. Walker may be forced to lay off 1,500 workers to balance the budget. The layoffs will likely be done according to seniority, due to the state's last-in-first-out system, whereby newly hired employees must be the first to be let go, regardless of performance. (This led to Wisconsin's Teacher of the Year being laid off last year.) Section 230.34 of the code clearly states, "An employee with permanent status in class… for a continuous period of 12 months or more may be removed, suspended without pay, discharged, reduced pay or demoted only for just cause." [Emphasis added] The Wisconsin civil service code gives government employees -- including those not covered by collective bargaining agreements -- vacation and sick leave far more generous than what's found in the private sector. Every new employee who has worked one to five years automatically receives 104 hours off annually, with the vacation time increasing substantially every five years. Those working for over 25 years get a whopping 216 hours off each year -- almost five and a half weeks! Union claims of government employees being reduced to penury are hogwash. A reduction in state employees' take-home pay could be as low as 4.2 percent, according to Wisconsin State Rep. Kevin Petersen. For a state worker making $50,000 in base pay, not including benefits, this could be $175 a month. Given the option to not pay mandatory union dues -- Wisconsin teachers pay between $700 and $1,000 a year -- the reduction in take home pay could be even smaller. According to the Maclver Institute, the average teacher in Wisconsin makes $56,500 in wages and over $100,000 in total compensation, including salary and benefits. Democrats claim they are defending the "right" of unions to collectively bargain with the government. Wisconsin State Senator Jim Holperin said, "We are dealing with a matter of principle here, a matter of people's rights." These rights are in fact privileges, granted by the government, and existing only within a government context. The real right at stake is the fundamental and constitutionally enshrined right of freedom of association. Workers should be free to either join or refrain from joining any group, based on individual choice. For all their talk of "rights" and protecting workers, unions are more concerned with protecting their own power. Gov. Walker's budget does not take away worker protection and privileges but transfers them to the rule of law, and away from union bosses. http://hotair.com/archives/2011/02/28/rubber-rooms-redux-teachers-unions-and-taxpayers/ Rubber Rooms Redux, Teachers Unions and Taxpayers posted at 4:10 pm on February 28, 2011 by Jazz Shaw A new poll out from Rasmussen would seem to indicate that the increasing costs and scandals associated with teachers unions are taking a hefty toll on their public image. Nearly half of those surveyed – 46% – were of the opinion that the unionization of teachers was “a bad thing.” Only a bit over a third still thought it was a good idea. Americans continue to believe strongly that being a teacher is an essential job, but a plurality thinks it’s a bad thing that most teachers are unionized. A new Rasmussen Reports national telephone survey finds that 68% of American Adults view being a teacher as one of the most important jobs in our country today, down five points from May of last year but up slightly from when we first asked the question in May 2008. Twenty-one percent (21%) say it’s not one of the most important jobs, and 12% aren’t sure. In times past I would have found this shocking. After all, we’re talking about schools here, so it’s for the children. Think of the children! And to this day, on the rare occasions when we still manage to do something that actually is for the children, there’s fairly universal consensus that we can all get behind it. But increasingly, most of the headlines aren’t about things we do for the children. Nor are they really for the teachers themselves. It’s all about the unions. I wouldn’t be surprised if New Yorkers were heavily represented in this poll. After all, the Empire state was the home of the nationally scandalous story which lit up the wires last year after the public found out about the rubber rooms. The rubber rooms — so nicknamed after the padded cells of old-style mental hospitals — have become a symbol of the unacceptable face of the city’s education system, which is the largest in the US. Around 600 teachers are currently occupying the temporary reassignment centres, as they are officially known, in locations across the city, including a trailer site in Washington Heights. From Monday to Friday during school hours the teachers sit in the rooms under instruction to do whatever they like, so long as it has nothing to do with teaching. Some play Scrabble, read books or do yoga, others run small businesses on their laptops, many wile away the hours by sleeping. The reasons cited for their confinement to what has been described as purgatory or jail for teachers range from excessive lateness or absence, sexual misconduct with a student, physical abuse, incompetence or use of drugs or alcohol. Of course, as the linked article indicates, once this system was exposed to public view, New York City moved quickly to eliminate them. (Supposedly accomplished as of April 2010.) But even if the physical rubber rooms are gone, has the base issue of idle, under-performing or even criminal teachers on the payroll gone away? You’d be hard pressed to think so according to these recent plans unveiled by Mayor Bloomberg. New York City could be forced to fire nearly all of the 15,000 teachers hired over the last five years unless the state’s teacher seniority rules are scrapped, Mayor Michael Bloomberg said Sunday. That’s on top of plans to cut more than 6,000 teachers in the fiscal year beginning July 1. Publicly, Gov. Cuomo restated that he would not consider changing the seniority rules as part of the state budget. But the New York Post reported today that Cuomo is privately considering a compromise that would allow Bloomberg to lay off between 2,000 and 4,000 “nonteaching teachers,” regardless of their seniority. Targeted teachers would include those who, until recently, filled New York’s infamous “rubber rooms” and nonworking teachers from schools that have been closed due to poor performance. So we got rid of the rooms to dampen public outrage, but kept the teachers on the payroll anyway because of seniority issues. I’m hard pressed to think of any other occupation where you can keep drawing full pay – sometimes for up to a decade, as the highlighted article points out – after those types of abuses. In fact, I don’t know of any others where you can keep getting paid even if your performance was exceptional but there simply wasn’t enough work for you. Is it really any wonder that the public has soured on this? The taxpayers need a fully empowered seat at the table for any negotiations over such a massive budget expenditure running on their time. To date, this has never happened. EDIT: And thanks to Mrs. Martin, my grade school English teacher and the rest of the commentariat who point out it should have been “half.”

jackdiamond312

Joined: 1/21/2007

Msg: 461 (view)

Free Speech 1st Amendment Posted: 3/9/2011 10:26:24 AM
Fact 1, Obama has never been a liberal. He may have campaigned as one to beat Clinton for the primary and to maintain enthusiasm of the base of the party, but his presidency has proven he's probably to the right of even Nixon. You're right, Obama is not a Liberal, But believing he is to the right of Liberals only shows how far left one might be. Liberals are conservatives to the Progressive Party. and yes, the Democrats should change their name to the Progressive party, that is who is in-charge, (Socialist Parties, Union Groups and that Progressive environmentalist push) and perhaps the Tea Party is becoming the new Republican party, but in my mind, probably a good thing, well, the Tea Party as I know it anyway, not that distorted Tea Party the left claims they are., but conservatives who want to return to the America our Founders.... Founded.

jackdiamond312

Joined: 1/21/2007

Msg: 4402 (view)

Our New President (This is California Residents Only Thread Please) Posted: 3/9/2011 9:40:52 AM
What the American people need are jobs and an environment where small businesses can thrive. But instead, the federal government has allowed the big global corporations to ship millions of our jobs out of the country and the federal government continues to burden our small businesses with an endless array of new taxes and regulations. This is so true, but because we do focus on the latest things that seem to be attacking our way of life, we focus more on that. For a long time we have had a battle between the big guys and little guys, we all probably pull for the little guy, but when there is this big push to demonize capitalism, to force a more unionized, socialistic, type environment, those of us that believe in our rights as individuals will stand up and speak out. It is not just Big Corporations, that this progressive movement is speaking out against, they try and create this enigma of evil capitalism with examples of greedy corporations. And push for more government, more taxes and control. For more need for unions, and the unions are more involved in the public sector, because they could see how that trend to monopolize with the cover of politicians would bring back their dwindling numbers. This isn't about Teachers, it's only that the teachers union is the talk of the day, but when a union monopolizes, and it doesn't matter what union, but when they keep others from working, why is it that you so called party of the people, the left are not up in arms to fight for all workers, for all of the middle class. A Right to work States means those that are not union members can bid on jobs, can do their own work without being fleeced by unions. Listen to how these union protesters talk about those workers who wish to not join their unions, they are called scabs and other bad things, It's about UNION power, and Monopoly, it's about protecting the few no matter how much it hurts the many. Collective bargaining, especially in the public sector is only keeping the tax payers held hostage. Giving unions the power to buy politicians so they will vote and put into place programs that are good for the unions, in spite of wether it is good for the community. Unions might help some teachers for example, but it does not help the kids and communities. It's like GES, union labor for trade shows, working the Convention Centers, I have no problem having their services available for those who need to hire them, and in right to work states it's just that, they are available, but in those states that do not have a right to work, they are mandatory in order to do shows in those states. And a lot of trade shows have pulled from using those locations, hurting those states financially. For example, you can set up your own exhibit in Florida, you can even help set-up in Vegas, but for one example, you better not even pick up a screw driver in Atlantic City, or you might find a forklift operator accidentally run over something of yours. It isn't the right for people to collectively bargain for their rights I have a problem with... It's the bully, monopolizing and throwing their weight around that I disagree with that keep me from supporting Unions in America. Just look at Wisconsin, it isn't about the middle class, or the worker... It's about the hold the Unions have on that state. Every state that has this collective bargaining of Unions on the State, is being choked to death, and the unions answers to this is not to cut back, but to raise taxes on the rich. This is the Progressives way of life, (Distribution or Wealth), spend spend spend, grow the government, and fix the growth with taxes and regulations on the private sector. This last 4 years has been the worst ever for America, and yes I say 4, not just the 2 years of Obama, but the 4 years of Pelosi and Reid's monopoly over our government. And yes, even Republicans went along with this public growth. You guy's don't get it, the government is run by tax payers, the private sector is run by private individuals, the public can't and wont fail, tax payers will just pay more taxes, but if a private company over extends itself, it needs to adjust, cut back, or go under and let someone else step in (no more burden on tax payers-unlike government failure)... No bail outs. The Government only bailed out these private companies to gain government control, it's all about government growth and a forced decline of the private sector, changing the balance from a free market society, capitalism to government control and socialism... From freedom and the pursuit of happiness, back to tyranny. We were scared into the idea of collapse to buy into bail outs and stimulus... all a tactic to get us all more indebted to our government. And for those of you who are bias and want to read your own crap into my words, no this does not mean I am anti government, I just believe there is a place for it, It has become an over stepping out of control monopoly over the people of America, they stopped working for us, and now we work to support it. The Tea Party movement which the left tries to label as racists and bigots... are only everyday people who are only wanting the growth of the government to stop, and return to the small government it was suppose to be. The left who uses minorities and anyone else to follow them down this road of progressive socialism with freebies and everything else they promise with their unattainable Utopia is starting to see that the American people have woken, We the People are no longer going to just sit in the back seat and go for a ride. We no longer are willing to go down this wrong way street., it's time to back up, and relearn who we are and what our Founders created for us. We will not let this be taken away, any longer. It doesn't matter what names or labels these progressives tag us with. And thinking, I can't speak about Rush, don't listen to him, but I do watch Beck, just like I watch Ed and Rachel and Matthew's and this new Show the Last Word.... Hate doesn't come from Beck, if you really watched his show, you may not agree with him, but you can't call it hate. I see more spewing of hate from Ed and a few others out there, but I understand, a good Progressive, won't watch FOX, because they might learn something.

jackdiamond312

Joined: 1/21/2007

Msg: 4396 (view)

Our New President (This is California Residents Only Thread Please) Posted: 3/8/2011 9:13:20 PM
This article was written about 10 months ago. http://www.nlpc.org/stories/2010/05/18/union-backed-bill-would-force-monopoly-bargaining-public-safety-employees Union-Backed Bill Would Force Monopoly Bargaining on Public Safety Employees Submitted by Carl Horowitz on Tue, 05/18/2010 Ever so quietly, America passed a milestone in 2009. For the first time in our history the number of employees in the public sector belonging to a labor union exceeded the number in the private sector. Proposed legislation in Congress would push this trend along further. The benignly-named Public Safety Employer-Employee Cooperation Act (H.R.413, S.1611) would mandate union monopoly bargaining for state and local public-safety employees. Its brand of "cooperation," strongly backed by the American Federation of State, County and Municipal Employees (AFSCME) and other unions, would force police, fire, ambulance, and corrections departments across the country to create collective bargaining units to cover employees. If evidence is any guide, however, this expansion of public-sector unionism is likely to produce higher taxes, strained budgets and more strikes. The driving forces behind this bill are Rep. Dale Kildee, D-Mich., and Sen. Judd Gregg, R-N.H. Kildee introduced the House bill back in January 2009, with Gregg following with an almost identical Senate version in August. That no committee action has occurred to date is misleading. The House in July 2007 passed a similar bill. As of late April, the new House bill had attracted 212 co-sponsors - 166 Democrats and 46 Republicans - or almost half of all members. Pressure from the Obama White House, labor leaders and union-sponsored PACs may well put the proposal over the top. If that doesn't work, then Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid, D-Nev., has a back-up plan. On April 12, he re-introduced the Gregg measure as an identical bill, S.3194, with the intent of bypassing standard parliamentary procedure. The late Sen. Edward Kennedy, D-Mass., had this tactic in mind when he unveiled similar legislation on September 13, 2001, just two days after the 9/11 terrorist attacks; he tried to slip the bill through the Senate by "unanimous consent" without a hearing or a floor vote. Given that the recent health insurance overhaul came to be law in pretty much the same manner, the possibility for quick, under-the-radar passage here is very real. At the heart of the measure is the concept of "exclusive representation." For 75 years the National Labor Relations Act (NLRA) has mandated private-sector employer recognition of any union as the sole bargaining agent if that union obtains support from more than 50 percent of affected workers. Designed to mimic political democracy, this "winner takes all" arrangement ensures a majority of workers will prevail. Since there can be only one union per bargaining unit, a common alternate term for exclusive representation is "monopoly bargaining." The Public Safety Employer-Employee Cooperation Act would extend monopoly bargaining to a huge part of the public sector. There actually was a time in this country when even staunch allies of organized labor cautioned against public employee unionization. President Franklin Roosevelt wrote in a 1937 letter, "All government employees should recognize that collective bargaining, as usually understood, cannot be transplanted into public service...Actions looking toward the paralysis of government by those who have sworn to support it are unthinkable and intolerable." Likewise, AFL-CIO President George Meany in 1959 declared: "It is impossible to bargain collectively with government." Conditions reflected this prevailing view. The Bureau of Labor Statistics noted that in 1958 only 12 percent of state and local government employees were union members, slightly less than a third of today's figure. Moreover, their unions typically lacked the authority to forcibly impose collective bargaining agreements upon or collect dues from members. In other words, public-sector workers did not enjoy the privileges of private-sector workers. Starting in the Sixties the situation changed, suddenly and irrevocably. There were several reasons. First, the share of the American private-sector work force belonging to a union began to fall noticeably. To maintain clout at the bargaining table, labor leaders saw public-sector organizing as a way of making up for lost ground. They successfully pressured states to pass laws requiring, or at least encouraging, collective bargaining for public employees. President Kennedy took the lead, allowing the federal work force for the first time to collectively bargain. Public employee unions such as AFSCME, the American Federation of Government Employees (AFGE), the American Federation of Teachers (AFT) and the National Education Association (NEA) eventually became among the nation's largest and fastest-growing unions. The Service Employees International Union (SEIU), a mix of private- and public-sector employees, has owed much of its rapid growth to organizing government employees or getting them classified as such. Second, union leaders came to recognize that mandatory monopoly bargaining works especially to the advantage of state and local employees. Their employers, after all, are monopoly service providers. And government agencies have little incentive for prolonging contract negotiations. It is taxpayer money at stake, not their own. Likewise, elected officials have every reason to fear a protracted strike. They, even more than the unions, are a convenient target for frustrated voters. That's why politicians, eagerly or reluctantly, are likely to support programs generating public-sector employment in return for campaign endorsements and contributions. Democrats in particular are in hock. "Public-sector unions are a rising force in the Democratic Party," observes Fred Siegel, a senior fellow at the Manhattan Institute. "They depend on extra money for the public sector, and that puts the Democrats in a difficult position. In four big states - New York, New Jersey, Illinois and California - the public-sector unions have largely been untouched by the economic downturn. In those states, you have an impending clash between the public-sector unions and the public at large." Recent data from the Center for Responsive Politics shows that public-sector unions are among the largest political donors, and that almost all of their money goes to Democrats. And their officials aren't bashful about getting in the faces of elected officials. In California, where state employees now routinely retire at age 55 with annual pension distributions approaching or even exceeding base pay, an SEIU official recently addressed the legislature: "We helped to get you into office, and we got a good memory. Come November, if you don't back our program, we'll get you out of office." That's none too subtle. Third, public-sector unions grew adroit at exploiting the specter of a breakdown in public order as a collective bargaining tool. Linda Chavez and Daniel Gray in their 2004 book, "Betrayal: How Union Bosses Shake Down Their Members and Corrupt American Politics" (Crown Forum), explain: The prime weapon of government unions is the threat to eliminate public safety. Police labor bosses have run television ads in local markets implying that violent crime will run rampant if they don't get their way. The union ads flash images of murder victims, with the announcer declaring murder, rape, and robbery on the rise. In the commercials, police telephones are ringing, but no one answers. The voiceover says, 'Suppose you called and they didn't come. Think about it.' The authors liken this to extortion. Union officials know that voters instinctively fear a breakdown in public safety and therefore will vote for public officials willing to maintain it at any cost. All of this is essential to understanding why union growth over the last several decades has been concentrated in the public sector. In 2009, 12.3 percent of the total U.S. work force was unionized, a drop from nearly a third during the mid and late Fifties. Among private-sector employees, only 7.2 percent belonged to a union last year; in the public sector, the figure was 37.4 percent. In absolute numbers, public-sector employees now have more members than their private-sector counterparts - 7.9 million vs. 7.4 million. Indeed, even though the unemployment rate in 2009 rose to around 10 percent, total government employment grew by 16,000 to reach a record-high 22.5 million. The Kildee-Gregg-Reid legislation would accelerate this trend. It goes beyond simply giving state and local governments the option to enter into monopoly bargaining agreements. They already have this option - and exercise it. About half of all states have instituted mandatory bargaining for all (or nearly all) state and local workers, and another dozen have done so on a partial basis. The purpose of the bill is to federalize state and local labor law. The measure would: require all state and local governments to recognize a union as a sole collective bargaining agent; force these governments to collectively bargain over hours, wages and benefits other than pensions; require state creation of a dispute resolution process; grant state courts enforcement powers; and direct every state to conform to federal collective bargaining laws within two years of the effective date. In short, it would apply NLRA to state and local public safety employees. Violators would be subject to fines and firings. The prime motive shouldn't be too hard to figure out. Aided by periodic "stimulus" legislation, public-sector employment gradually is supplanting private-sector employment. And public-sector unions stand to gain from this transformation. As Rutgers University labor economist/political scientist Leo Troy argues, public-sector unionism seeks "to redistribute more of the national income from the private to the public economies." This is why public employee labor officials, even more than their private-sector counterparts, have egalitarian tendencies. Because the Kildee-Gregg-Reid measure reinforces those tendencies, it likely will produce three major outcomes. First, the law will trigger an explosion of state and local collective bargaining units. Creating these entities would require hundreds of millions, if not billions, of taxpayer dollars to negotiate contracts. A study by the Maryland Department of Fiscal Services concluded that forced monopoly bargaining throughout that state would cost taxpayers between $1.3 million and $1.4 million in annual processing costs for every dozen state employee bargaining units. Second, the incidence of strikes may increase. States enacting with laws mandating monopoly bargaining have experienced a 400 percent increase in strikes by public service workers, notes the Springfield, Va.-based National Right to Work Committee. During 1958-80, the period during which most states adopted compulsory public-sector bargaining, strikes increased by a factor of more than 35. True, the new federal bill contains a "no-strike" clause. Yet enforcing such a provision is easier said than done. In California, where public worker strikes are illegal, there have been dozens anyway. Public worker strikes long have been illegal in Massachusetts and New York State, too, yet mass transit workers in Boston (1982) and New York City (2005) staged brief but highly effective walkouts, bringing those respective cities to their knees. Former Missouri Congressman William Clay Sr., who had been ranking Democrat on the House Education and Labor Committee, put it this way: "I don't think any employee is going to give up his right to strike...I don't care how you legislate against strikes. Most states now have legislation prohibiting strikes but...in reality, they have not stopped strikes." Third, public sector union wage and benefit demands would further stretch state and local finances to the limit and beyond. Indeed, the future is already here. In May 2008, Vallejo, California, a city of more than 115,000 in the northern part of the San Francisco Bay area, filed for Chapter 9 bankruptcy. The city council, which voted unanimously for the action, saw no other way to close a $16.6 million budget shortfall, aggravated by a rash of mortgage foreclosures. Council members cited public-safety worker compensation, which by then accounted for at least 75 percent of the municipal operating budget. Orange, California, population 140,000, might follow suit. Of its $88 million budget in 2009, $13 million consisted of pension payouts, a figure set to rise to $23 million in three years. The State of California, facing a nearly $20 billion deficit for the coming fiscal year (it would be much higher were it not for a combination of spending cuts, tax hikes, borrowing, federal aid, and one-time accounting maneuvers), won't be available to bail out such cities. Indeed, it barely can afford its own employees. Salaries and benefits of California prison guards, to name one spending area, have grown explosively, a major reason why prison spending has risen from 4.3 percent of the total state budget in 1986 to more than 11 percent today. In California, political will to resist such trends has been insufficient. Republican Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger, who won office in 2003 through a voter recall of Democratic Governor Gray Davis (the latter, among other actions, having granted state corrections officers a large pay hike in return for $2.5 million in direct and indirect campaign contributions from their union), for a while tried to restrain the growth of public employee spending. He backed several ballot initiatives in 2005 designed to restrain union power and government growth. Labor officials responded with a furious campaign blitz in opposition; the California Teachers Association, the state affiliate of the National Education Association, alone spent $57 million. All the initiatives went down to defeat that November. Gov. Schwarzenegger never fully recovered from the experience, as the Democrat-dominated state legislature asserted its upper hand. Powerful public employee unions in New Jersey have vowed to exact the same political price upon that state's new cost-conscious Republican governor, Chris Christie. The irony of the proposed federal legislation is that nationwide public-sector employees already do comparatively well. According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, federal workers in 2008 earned an average salary of $67,691, while the equivalent mix of jobs in the private sector was $60,046. Average federal salaries exceeded average private-sector salaries in 83 percent of comparable occupations. For health, pension and other benefits, the discrepancy in 2008 was far wider, noted the Bureau of Economic Analysis: $40,785 per federal employee vs. $9,882 per private-sector employee. And the gaps are likely to get wider still if recent history is any guide. According to the National Right to Work Committee, during 1998-2008 the aggregate real cost of state and local government employee compensation grew nearly 50 percent faster than the total real growth of private-sector employee compensation. The conclusion is almost inevitable: Applying federal labor law to the delivery of police, fire and other emergency public services will boost salaries and benefits at rates well in excess of those in the private sector. And public employees, grateful to their benefactors, in turn may be inclined to provide political support. The Kildee-Gregg-Reid legislation implicitly assumes that public-safety employees can be partners in expanding the federal presence in state and local economies. If passed, it will create an expensive partnership.

jackdiamond312

Joined: 1/21/2007

Msg: 452 (view)

Free Speech 1st Amendment Posted: 3/8/2011 8:29:55 PM
Thinking... I learn what Progressives are all about by listening to them talk... I watch the ED SHOW and others, just as much as I watch shows like Beck, actually I can tell when people say things Beck says, that are lies, by watching and reading those on MSNBC, Media Matters, Huff Post... and others distort the truth, when I see people repeat the spin that comes from those sources, and I actually watched the Beck show, and got the complete message, I know people are just drinking the kool aid of hate towards conservatives. You can watch them, and see right through the propaganda that they spew, The double standard that is going on here is ridiculous, but smart people can see past all the spin. And I have a problem with the Progressive movement... the socialistic societies that they wrap them selves up in. At least Ed Shultz admits to what he is, A union organizing, progressive socialist. It's the liberals out there, the Democrats who do not know they are being run by socialists that I am more concerned with, I don't care if they choose to be a progressive socialist or not.. it's their choice, I just think they need to know who is yanking the ring in their nose.

jackdiamond312

Joined: 1/21/2007

Msg: 4390 (view)

Our New President (This is California Residents Only Thread Please) Posted: 3/7/2011 7:42:06 PM
So when is a small business no longer a small business and a corporation? My point is, is that small business, Mom and Pop companies, start out small, only to hope to compete and grow, and become corporations, sure not all small businesses will achieve so much, but success is the goal. And yes, you do not need to become a large corporation for success, Success is only determined by an individuals goals. And hey, I'm not for Big Corporations to squash the little guy anymore than Like what Unions do. I'm sure we need to fix the IRS and tax codes. But I know for a fact, many small businesses in order to grow and compete, need to get manufacturing done over seas just as much as the big guys. When it comes to a product, cost is even more important than need. Sure, need is important, but if you can't get it to the market at a competitive price, forget it. And hey, I'm not saying I like that, it's just that's the way it is. I believe in a fair and equal tax, no loop-holes, just everyone pay the same percentage. Those who make more , would obviously pay more taxes. But the same percentage.

jackdiamond312

Joined: 1/21/2007

Msg: 444 (view)

Free Speech 1st Amendment Posted: 3/7/2011 7:23:14 PM
Just to make one thing clear, when I'm talking about the Progressive movement, and saying what you guys want, or what I think you are doing, you have to remember I'm not really saying this to any one person, I assume that because of what has been written, that you (Thinking) may agree with a lot of what the Progressives push, but I don't know this for sure, like I said, I don't know you personally, I just know what I disagree with, when it comes to this progressive push. I am responding to things people say here, but this does not mean when I elaborate, it isn't all toward any one individual. Just saying what I think about that movement, wether anyone here agrees with that movement or not.

jackdiamond312

Joined: 1/21/2007

Msg: 4388 (view)

Our New President (This is California Residents Only Thread Please) Posted: 3/7/2011 5:07:26 PM
in fact new workers are having to take much lower pay to ensure corporate profits. Hey Thinking... I haven't gone back and read many of these threads, and I'm not jumping on you, only responding to ideas, that make me want to post. I'm not sure if this is your intent, only based on other discourse, I'm making an assumption, But this is what gets me about those who are progressive thinking. Sure we do need to concern ourselves with wages, equal opportunity, make things the best way possible. but we can not cut off our nose in spite of our face. Maybe workers are taking lower pay in order to have a job... period... No corporate profit... no bottom line. NO HIRING! If you keep attacking those who produce opportunity for others to have a job, no one wins. Besides, the American dream is to succeed in some way, as an individual, to cut out your own life. Sure, there is Big Business just like Big Government, monopolies, just like Unions... It all sucks, but it is part of being Free, having a Free Market, Capitalism, this is why we have a dream. It's like a Hip Hop artist who knocks success and society, until they become successful and appear to be sell outs. It's like Michael Moore who is a millionaire, suing for more money. Athletes, Actors, so many people knock capitalism, while using it to get rich by playing a sport or acting like they are someone else. Corporations are Mid America just as much as the laborer. We are all at different levels of success, we are in a different place on our road... in our pursuit..... of Happiness.

jackdiamond312

Joined: 1/21/2007

Msg: 441 (view)

Free Speech 1st Amendment Posted: 3/7/2011 4:39:43 PM
What we found is that we don't really differ much on how we feel about morals and values, as long as you take "judgement" out of the equation. I'm so glad that they have finally come to their senses and decided they have no business in other's lives, nor are they themselves perfect enough to lecture others on morals. I don't really know you all that well, but it seems you are discussing an issue you had or still have with your parents, I believe you make a judgment on Christians, It doesn't matter if you lived around one or a million, you still need to take individuals at their own word and actions, rather than reading your bias into it, It's just like me, I try and understand each individual, each person that says they are a progressive or liberal, for example, I don't believe all are a like. But if you agree with and are fighting for what the Progressive agenda is, and desire socialism, well, I disagree with that as the American dream. Not judging the individual, but not agreeing with what they believe America should be. You see Christians as Hypocrites, because this is what you look for, if you can not agree that people are people, no matter what their ideology or religion or anything else is? than, it's like a fan at a game, every call against their team is a blown call, and every call not made against the opposite team is a blown call. This is why I ask, what is it you believe... Not the Progressives... but you as an individual, I know what the Socialist Organizations, and the Progressive movement along with the Union organizing of a worldwide push to kill capitalism and the true American way. I'm not judging, I can see the Utopia that these people think they can push, but I personally as an individual, do not believe that this so called Utopia is really the end goal, For one, it is not possible, for one it is not freedom, and what would you really want?.......... A guarantee to have what everyone else has? Or... The opportunity to have what ever is possible according to your own motivation? One thing to think about... Having what everyone else has? Well, it's mediocre and a false sense of achievement... If there are no losers, there will be no winners. And say what you like, I'm not wanting anyone to be a loser... But you can not succeed without loss. I don't mind failure, as long as I know I have it in my own power to change things. I really do think that if the so called politically correct, progressive, Social justice, collective salvation people, if they had their way, they would have the outcome of the Super Bowl always end in a tie. I'm talking about this ideology, this concept. It's the same with collective bargaining... It does not allow those who work harder to achieve more than those who are slackers. On Conservative, Christians... Yes there are hypocrites, Religion can be judgmental, One reason why I am a Spiritual person rather than religious, but I do not judge all Christians alike. Just like I do not judge all Muslims or any other group all alike. But as an American, I do not buy into this Progressive movement of a socialistic style of life. I believe in the individual, and I believe the Pursuit of Happiness means an equal opportunity, not Social Justice, where everyone somehow is guaranteed success. I also believe in a limited government, in a balanced (Equal) tax, not a distribution of wealth. I believe in a difference of opinion, and debate, and that people will disagree, this is freedom, to voice our differences, But I also believe America has too many groups pulling at it, and pulling us away from what our Founders created, and I believe in what America stands for, I believe in our Constitution that there is nothing else like it on earth. BUT THAT'S ME (One Individual)

jackdiamond312

Joined: 1/21/2007

Msg: 439 (view)

Free Speech 1st Amendment Posted: 3/7/2011 2:22:36 PM
I understand that you believe within your heart, you are on the right side of this issue, helping others, but I don't believe you understand where a conservative stands on this issue of giving, and charity. Giving, Charity, can only come from one owns self (The Individual) (The Heart) or it is not charity at all, Taking from the rich to give to the poor is not charity, it is theft, and a politically correct, Social Justice.... Collective Salvation... Idea. Because someone doesn't believe the Government should be in the Charity business with someone else's earnings, does not mean they do not give to others in need. And there is no problem with our Country, giving to those in a disaster or something like that, using our tax dollars to do so, but, individuals donating to Charities and giving that way is much better, and we as Americans are good at that. But to force some to pay higher taxes so others who do not pay taxes can have a free ride has nothing to do with giving, It is an ideology that cripples the individual. My point is, You make the comment Hmmm, maybe you should consider your own advice. I know you directed this towards an individual, but It is what Liberals /Progressives say about any Christian/Conservative. Our Ideology is different about the Governments roll, and about the responsibilities we should all take as individuals, but this does not mean conservatives do not help out those in need. Perhaps, we even sacrifice more, because we choose to do it on our own, not through some politically correct activist, program. The Pursuit of Happiness is an individual Pursuit, We are responsible for our own Happiness, our own success, sure we can get or use help from others, we can help others, but our freedom as Americans, our American Dream is that we are all Equal when it comes to Opportunity, we are all different, some are artists, some are smarter than others, ETC... we are not all the same, We will not all Fail or Succeed, it falls on us, as an individual. There is no Utopia! The Rights of Life, Liberty and the Pursuit of Happiness is the best any individual could have, this is true freedom, anything else is restraint. The bigger, the more the government, the more restraint. The more regulations and taxes, the bigger the burden. An individuals Pursuit of Happiness can not be achieved when it becomes restricted and with strings attached. The Government is to protect our Life and Liberty, and to insure we all have equal justice (The same opportunities) Not anything else. Not Social Justice or Collective Salvation... Even Martin Luther King Jr. was looking for equality, Equal Justice, Not this Social Justice of putting any individual ahead of someone else. Hate Crimes is a joke, any crime is hurtful and usually done out of hate. You can not determine a persons crime due to the color of their skin or their sexual orientation or anything else, this is all political correctness bull crap. We seem to be very divided here in America, America as we know it is being attacked. I believe this Progressive/Socialistic ideology that is being pushed by the left will ruin this Great Nation if it is not stopped. Free Speech and the 1st Amendment?, the Constitution?, the American way?, is at a cross road, those who wish to keep progressing us back to what we left in the 1600's and those of us who believe our Founders got this Experiment right. 1 question, when will you Progressives realize we need to be self sufficient and drill here, while we still develop these alternative fuels, that won't be a reality for at least another 20 years, if that. Meanwhile, we keep ourselves held hostage to foreign oil. The Environmental groups and progressives are on the wrong side of history here, but they will never admit it, We had these discussions for years, even here on POF, I wonder what my friend Ace is thinking about this now? Even this Union discussion is a joke, Conservatives are not against the working middle class, we are the middle class also. It isn't teachers or police or fireman or even government works, it's the strain the Unions are on our economy, it's the Monopoly they have, The right to work states mean just that, that a person who is not in a Union has a right to work, If you are for the middle class, for the working person, why are you not concerned about those who are shut out by unions. Collective Bargaining does not work in Monopolies, it only allows the Unions to call the shots over those who employee others, and in most cases, this stifles growth and sends manufacturing out of state or worse... out of the country. I'm a poor person, I'm not trying to protect any rich friends, but I know that people who hire others in the private sector are those who have resources to do so. All you progressives who are trying to put them out of business are only putting more poor schmucks like me out of work. But you don't care, because you want the public sector to grow, where the tax payer is on the dime, than you will scream for more taxes, but not a fair tax across the board, not equal justice, but more from the rich, you want your social justice.

jackdiamond312

Joined: 1/21/2007

Msg: 32 (view)

Stuff that makes you smile while wincing Posted: 2/23/2011 10:09:03 AM
I watched the Ed Show last night, yes, he talks the talk, and claimed that the Tea Party was bussed into Madison, while those for the Unions were just local grass roots people, individuals who are compassionate people who care about the workers. Look, I believe all people on both sides care about the people and workers, it's the ideology differences that are at the root of this. The Dems , no the Progressives, are afraid they are losing the debate with America and this push on steroids toward that progressive social agenda. The Tea Party is not fighting for the Rich to get Richer, they are fighting for the Constitution and individual rights, where this progressive movement is all about collectiveness, all about controlling the individual and the work force. And by this article and many other things like it, you can see how the Dems and Progressives are hypocrites, You can only laugh at how ridiculous they are, thinking Americans are stupid. That smile while wincing.......... has turned into a LMFAO Democrat urges unions to 'get a little bloody when necessary' By Michael O'Brien - 02/23/11 07:57 AM ET Sometimes it's necessary to get out on the streets and "get a little bloody," a Massachusetts Democrat said Tuesday in reference to labor battles in Wisconsin. Rep. Michael Capuano (D-Mass.) fired up a group of union members in Boston with a speech urging them to work down in the trenches to fend off limits to workers' rights like those proposed in Wisconsin. "I’m proud to be here with people who understand that it’s more than just sending an email to get you going," Capuano said, according to the Dorchester Reporter. "Every once and awhile you need to get out on the streets and get a little bloody when necessary." Political observers have been the lookout for potentially incendiary rhetoric in the wake of January's shooting in Tucson, Ariz., where Rep. Gabrielle Giffords (D) survived an assassination attempt, six were killed, and 12 others were injured. Political rhetoric has become especially heated in Madison, Wis., where Republican Gov. Scott Walker has proposed major labor reforms that sparked more than a week's worth of rowdy protests at the state capitol. "We take security seriously, whether it's for me, the lieutenant governor and all 132 members of the state legislature, Democrats or Republicans alike, because there's a lot of passion down here," Walker said Tuesday on MSNBC about his safety in Wisconsin. "And particularly when we see people coming in being bussed in from other states, that's what worries us." Capuano made his remarks before a crowd of union members in Boston, along with other members of the state's congressional delegation. Massachusetts has an influential union population that could loom large over the 2012 Senate race. Capuano is considering getting in that race to challenge Sen. Scott Brown (R-Mass.) next fall. “This is going to be a struggle at least for the next two years. Let’s be serious about this. They’re not going to back down and we’re not going to back down. This is a struggle for the hearts and minds of America,” Capuano told union members.

jackdiamond312

Joined: 1/21/2007

Msg: 4331 (view)

Our New President (This is California Residents Only Thread Please) Posted: 2/23/2011 9:21:45 AM
Sure, we are a Democracy here, but that is not what makes us different than everyone else, the fact that we are a Republic is what makes us great. When a mob pulls a guy out of jail and hangs them, thats democracy as well. It seems we back the government or the people in these Revolutions/Riots where it seems fit for our own goals. If people here in America rose up and revolted against our government, who is right? Wouldn't there be countries around the world, who would be in support of the people? Sure, there are individual people in these Countries in the Middle East looking for freedom, but as a whole, who really is in control, who are the puppet masters, or who will fill the vacuum? What kind of Democracy? It isn't always as it seems, and it depends how you look at it or where you sit. Why was Obama so vocal on ousting in Egypt and quite in Libya? Why are we recently being harsh against Israel and their building in the West Bank, and allowing Iran to pass through the Suez Canal into the Mediterranean?

jackdiamond312

Joined: 1/21/2007

Msg: 983 (view)

Look for the Union label Posted: 2/23/2011 8:44:18 AM
Education is just part of the problem, It can improve or get worse without the unions, Collective bargaining cuts out competition, and protects everyone, not the rights of everyone, but the habits of everyone, collective bargaining isn't going to improve the quality of teachers, those teachers who have either lost their gift to teach, or didn't really have it are being protected and hidden in this system. I don't believe anyone is against Teachers, Fire Fighters or Police or any other worker who finds themselves involved in having to have to join a union. Teachers are a very important occupation, Our kids educations depends on them, the future of America is in their hands, so does it not make sense that if a Teacher is not doing a good job, they should get the boot, and if one is extremely good, they should be rewarded for their effort, rather than by their tenure. The union concept is not to benefit the student and education, only to benefit those union members. And denying non-union workers any rights. But this is the problem, Right to Work States are protecting the rights of everyone to work, trying to keep unions from having a monopoly. If unions were all about helping people and giving them choice and protection, they shouldn't be forcing their unions onto every industries, and worse than that forcing it on the tax payer who pays the wages and benefits of those public employees. America is bleeding to death, States are bleeding to death, and it is because we have allowed this government/public growth happen. The Progressives are pushing for public works growth, and for taxing the so called rich to pay for it. How about letting the private sector grow, so that tax payers are not responsible for keeping someone in a job. They say that they have given the worker a 40 day work week and weekends and so on.... What Unions and this growing Progressive Government has done, is made it harder to do work in most states, and even in America. Why do you think jobs have gone over-seas, why do you think manufacturing has gone out of this Country, Unions have gone from protecting the worker to killing Corporations, the progressive speech on all of the Progressive news, like MSNBC and so on has become an attack on Corporations and the so called rich. America is the land of Opportunity, where we have the freedom and a pursuit of happiness to make our own life in a world that is otherwise socialistic. Becoming Rich, doing good, being successful, use to be a good thing, a goal, something to look forward to, but collective bargaining, collective salvation, collective living is not individuals competing and pursuing greatness, it is a disease of complacency, and this political correctness of thinking everyone is the same, that everyone is equal, we are not the same, things are not equal, people are different, some will never succeed, this is not the fault of anyone else, I wish we had this Utopia of everyone getting what they want, but it's not real. You can not have a winner of the Super Bowl if there is no losers. Yes, losing sucks, but losing, going without, struggle... is what makes success great, you would not know what dark is without light, or hot without cold. The problem we have in America is that we have forgotten what a great experiment our Founders created. Pursuit of Happiness, and the freedom to pursue it. We have been spending so much time, taking this freedom out of the hands of the individual and putting it into someone else's hands, Enslaving ourselves. This progressive movement, this Change of Obama, (And he didn't start this) is a cancer that is killing America as we know it, and as much as the Progressives wish to attempt to rewrite history, they are not on the side of our Constitution, or our Founders, they are wanting to progress this experience toward a socialistic Democratic State, away from a Republic of the People, for the People. Ronald Reagan was the last President, that truly honored what our Founders created. One more thing, These progressives, who forced so much on this country when they were the heavy majority for the past two years, 4 years in both houses with a Lame Duck Bush's last two years. They crammed so much, and Democrats across the country are being cowards and leaving their states, so they cannot vote on bills is typical of these people. The Unions are doing illegal tactics to make a point and bully their views to others, Yes the Tea Party spoke up against those bills being shoved through, but you didn't see Republicans run and hide, and not do their jobs. The Unions are not the peoples business, People would also like to have the individual right to work without Union protection, why force it on everyone? Can you say monopoly.... and to stomp out competition. which gives you higher costs, and bad workers who don't care, because they know they are being protected, no matter what.

jackdiamond312

Joined: 1/21/2007

Msg: 432 (view)

Crap and Trade and Global Warming Posted: 12/13/2010 8:37:18 AM
You know, they are right! Global Warming is a Man Made catastrophe. Sure, Man is the creator of this disaster. The disaster is the creation of this idea that Climate Change is something new, and only due to man's bad habits and our lack of taking care of the planet. The disaster is the scare tactic used by those environmentalists and heads of state who use the climate as a way to control the masses and attempt to distribute wealth. But, I believe people are waking up, not only to the lies of these global warming idiots, but also to the whole progressive lie. Americans will not swallow socialism, the individual is stronger than the collective... and we will not surrender our freedoms as individuals.

jackdiamond312

Joined: 1/21/2007

Msg: 894 (view)

What has gotten you concerned with Politics? Posted: 12/3/2010 11:30:33 AM
The Government has been getting bloated and out of control, not just in the last two years, for nearly 100 years, especially the last 50 years, it has just gone into hyper drive the last two years. The change people want isn't more sleazy government action and control, the people want it stopped. Sure not everyone, some are pushing for some sort of socialism. There has been some, Presidents and congresses that have tried to fight back this unleashing growth, but not many. Why is it that the only boom in America is Washington and those attached in some way to a growing government. Tax cuts? Or Tax raises? The debate is being dishonest. If you believe Pelosi and the Progressive Left,>>> The Right, Republicans want to cut the taxes on only the top 2% rich tax payers. That they want to protect the greedy, rich, white man, and don’t care about anyone else, especially the middle class, and even more so, especially, that they do not care about minorities. The left say they want to cut taxes for the middle class.... The thing is, they aren’t cutting taxes, they are just wanting to keep those cuts in place, really what they are saying is they do not want to keep the taxes the same as they are for all Americans, that they wish to raise taxes on those who put the opportunity into the free market. This will effect the middle class, because they will not be hired, because those who do the hiring, will be raped by the government. You can stick your bias head in the sand and go along with this hog wash, or you can be honest and learn the truth. First off, For nearly 10 years we have had these Bush tax cuts, for all Americans, which includes those who are the poorest to the richest. Not extending the Bush cuts, are raising taxes. The so called 700 Billion, is not money the Government will lose, it is 700 Billion dollars that they will not be able to steal in the next 10 years. It is a new source of income they think they can take, to pay for their wasteful spending. Lets talk about that 700 Billion, that is capital, in the hands of those who are the drivers of the free market, it is small to large business owners who provide opportunity for growth in the private sector. Who hire the middle class. The government wants to steal this from the private sector, to continue growing the public sector. We are losing private jobs in this country, while replacing them with public jobs at a record pace. This is all about ideology, and what you believe America is! If you believe the Government should continue to grow and that the few, should control the rest of us, so be it, but if you believe in the rights of Life, Liberty and the Pursuit of Happiness, you will know, that the government is to govern for the people, the key word being “for” the people. Not to grow and control the people, the government works for US, not the other way around. Look at Ireland and the other Euro Countries that are collapsing... What is the key for them to get out of their mess, besides borrowing money? It’s to cut fat, which is public jobs and pensions. Even during a time of high unemployment, they need to cut public jobs to get back in the black. Here in America this same concept will be coming our way, they will be talking about getting rid of public jobs. The worse thing Obama did in the past two years was to grow the government, besides doing all of the spending, putting a larger burden on the tax payer. We need to fix the IRS and the loop holes and all the waste. 130 Million tax dollars went to inmates who earned no income. Those on welfare can use their welfare debit cards in Casino’s and strip clubs. Two years of unemployment benefits? That's nuts, people get complacent and do not try hard enough to get off the government tit. In France, it is better for someone to be on the government gravy train than get even an above minimum wage job. They sit home and make more than a neighbor working hard for a few dollars less. America is going to turn into this same welfare state. We are not all guaranteed happiness, and success... We are in a country that gives us the right to pursue this happiness. It is not given, it's earned. And when we start believing that everything should be given to us as a right, we than will find out that it all we be able to be taken away. Look at this rioting about Students in the UK believing they all should have a free education.

jackdiamond312

Joined: 1/21/2007

Msg: 420 (view)

Crap and Trade and Global Warming Posted: 12/1/2010 8:28:50 AM
MIAMI (AP) - The Atlantic hurricane season ends Tuesday, going down as one of the busiest on record but blissfully sparing the U.S. coastline a major hurricane for a fifth straight year. While extreme tropical weather ravaged Haiti, Mexico and elsewhere, U.S. forecasters are wondering if the nation can make history and extend its luck into 2011. If so, it would be the first time ever that the U.S. escaped a major hurricane for six years. "That would be a record I would like to break," said Dennis Feltgen, a spokesman for the National Hurricane Center in Miami. All told, 19 named storms formed in the Atlantic, tying with the 1887 and 1995 seasons for third-highest on record. Twelve became hurricanes, tying with the 1969 season for the second-highest on record. It's interesting how all this activity is always said to be due to man made global warming, but than how do they explain the activity before all this industrial revolution. This is all based on activity on record, we have no idea the activity in the America's before we were here to keep records, other than knowing there was an ice age or two.... We can have a new record next year of not being hit by a hurricane in a six year period, That sounds like we are spiraling out of control with global warming and the world is on the brink of exploding.... we better hurry with all this green technology.... It's a good thing GM is giving away green cars, sure, the tax payers will never be paid back.... but hey, the unions got theirs.

jackdiamond312

Joined: 1/21/2007

Msg: 850 (view)

What has gotten you concerned with Politics? Posted: 12/1/2010 6:40:01 AM
Always the race card. Slavery in America is something in America's history that should never be forgotten, but we should stop dwelling on it as well, we should not make the same mistakes over and over, and slavery around the world, unfortunately has been a bad idea since the beginning of time, and it has not stopped world wide yet, but it is a short history in America, and as bad as it was, why is it being held on to today by some? How about progressing forward on that? Stop looking at things that are a struggle, and basing it on skin color, believe it or not, we all have challenges in our lives. Look, this isn't about the color of some ones skin... It's about ideology... wether you believe in "Life, Liberty & the Pursuit of Happiness." What is better than that? What should we do? Progress back to before we came to this reality? Back to Tyranny and a socialistic mentality were the people are just sheep, controlled by the few. Controlled by either their government or church? God gives all men equality, Man takes those rights away from other men... America was founded on returning Gods gift to all men... The progressives want to take away Gods gift and put the people back into the hands of the few... An individual in America... We the People, have Life, Liberty & the Pursuit of Happiness... already... we are progressing away from this great ideal. It's simple... The Government works for the people, not the other way around.... Those who are trying to put the Government above the people do not get it. A government with the power to give all things... has the power to take everything away. Personally I don't believe in dividing the country or seceding states... But I also do not believe in the federal government over stepping their bounds into the affairs of the states. The government is bloated so far and such a drain on the people, we need to make a change.... Change most people thought Obama was talking about, (Most independents that voted for him) But not us conservatives who paid attention to what he has done, and what he is doing, rather than what he says. And many of the Democrats who are just liberal and believe in some social justice, who have not signed up for this extreme Socialism that the progressives are pushing, are being used as sheep to go where they did not believe they were being led. The more these socialists come forward the more the whole country is waking up, Obama's push along with Reid and Pelosi has embolden that socialistic-progressive base to step out of the shadow and showing it's ugly face to those who they have been using. And don't get me wrong, there are many Republicans who have lost their way as well, It isn't about politics or parties, it's about "LIFE, LIBERTY & THE PURSUIT OF HAPPINESS, and how WE THE PEOPLE are allowing these corrupt politicians to take away our freedom... one more regulation or bill at a time. One more Czar, One more committee, One more Public Sector Job, One more Union Mandate... rather than protecting the rights of the individual.

jackdiamond312

Joined: 1/21/2007

Msg: 842 (view)

What has gotten you concerned with Politics? Posted: 11/30/2010 11:26:31 AM
Street signs across America up for a big change Story Created: Nov 29, 2010 at 5:17 PM America/New_York CAPE CORAL, FL - Cities across the United States are bracing for a major change in the way they identify their streets. The Federal Government is ordering cities, from the smallest hamlets to the largest metropolis to change their street signs to make them uniform. Signs that have the street names in all 'CAPS' must be changed to include upper and lowercase letters. Letters must also be changed to a standard 6 inches in height by 2012. All the changes the government is asking for comes with no funding allocated, leaving city leaders searching their public works budgets for every unspent dollar. The Feds expect all the changes to be in place by 2018. Guess how much this is going to cost a city like NY? Not only should a state have it's own regulations on this.... So should each city. Just another way to create government spending. wether local or across the country. STOP THE MADNESS

jackdiamond312

Joined: 1/21/2007

Msg: 839 (view)

What has gotten you concerned with Politics? Posted: 11/30/2010 10:58:34 AM
Look Lets talk about taxes, and this debate on tax cuts for the rich. First off, it isn't a tax cut, they wish to raise the taxes on the rich. I believe it was Coolidge, JFK, Reagan and Bush who have decreased the taxes on everyone, including the rich, and in doing so, the so called rich, has paid the burden of taxes in America, more so than when their taxes are raised. Plus, it increases jobs and puts more money into the economy. But this debate, calling it from the left, as the right wanting to give the rich a tax cut and putting the burden on the middle class is dishonest. The right understands that keeping taxes, all taxes. low, helps the economy. It has nothing to do with trying to protect the rich, but the idea of creating an economy boost. It's the bloating government and their desire to grow, without cutting their costs that creates this burden. The fact that our economy is struggling has nothing to do with Bush's tax cuts 10 years ago. Our economy goes through cycles, every 10 years or so... just look at history, but what the progressive movement did to try and help those misfortunate to get housing, noble as it is, put a strain on the market and false expectations, and sure there were other things as well, I will even go along with saying some corporate choices were also mistakes that helped us get into this mess, but don't bail them out, let them fail and let someone else step in. The 700 billion is being passed around, is over a ten year period, according to Obama today, Yes, Billions, not Trillions... over 10 years, will that really help our deficit? more so than giving stability to the market so people can hire and spend. Isn't it better to have that 700 Billion to be put into the market rather than put into the hands of these sleazy politicians, and wasted like all our other tax dollars? In a socialist world, of course they would rather spend others money, rather than let them spend it the way they feel best, they being the people. Remember, the tax % has been in place for 10 years, they want to raise the tax % on those who are the ones who create jobs and opportunity in the free market. This is not about giving tax cuts to the rich, it's about raising taxes on those who create opportunity to the free market. It's about anti-capitalism. And for the record, and I have made this clear before, I'm sitting lower than middle class, It's about an ideal, not greed.

jackdiamond312

Joined: 1/21/2007

Msg: 835 (view)

What has gotten you concerned with Politics? Posted: 11/30/2010 10:02:51 AM
Really? My point is not that people with other ideas don't have a right to have them, but that if you like something so much, why not just do it. Be honest.... If you believe in Socialism, stand up for what you believe. Call me self righteous, no skin off my back, but I understand what America is, and Socialism is not an American Ideal. People from around the world come here for freedom, from that socialism... If Americans here do not like the freedoms given to individuals, I'm just saying, there are plenty of other places to get your socialism. Change and Progress... does not mean it's better.

jackdiamond312

Joined: 1/21/2007

Msg: 833 (view)

What has gotten you concerned with Politics? Posted: 11/30/2010 9:43:32 AM
Nancy Pelosi was a member of the Progressive Caucus, she gave it up when she became speaker, not that, that means she still doesn't follow that caucus. Their whole platform is on collective bargaining, Global warming, International control and anti capitalism. They can spell it out how ever they want... But it isn't America.

jackdiamond312

Joined: 1/21/2007

Msg: 831 (view)

What has gotten you concerned with Politics? Posted: 11/30/2010 8:35:32 AM
Ireland has the lowest corporate tax rates in the EU. Yet it's being bailed out by "socialist" Sweden, which BTW, has been relatively unaffected by the global financial crisis. But it isn't Sweden bailing Ireland out... It's the European Union and International Monetary Fund. Who by the way has created this problem. You progressives here in America want to blame Bush-Republicans-Conservatives-Capitalism, or anything to do with our Constitution and the freedom and rights of the individual. You believe in this socialistic collectiveness and the idea that the government is the way to prosperity. Sure, this idea can raise up the "have nots", giving them a false sense of success, while beating down those who" have" succeeded. This takes away the pursuit of Happiness. Success comes in the pursuit, being able to work hard and overcome obstacles. Taking away obstacles, takes away the pursuit, and any success. Collective bargaining only puts control into the hands of those, who wish to control others. Wether it is a local teachers union, or even the European Union, who wish to control everything, for the sake of their greed. http://money.cnn.com/2010/11/28/news/international/ireland_bailout/index.htm One worry has been that Europe's debt problems could spread further -- that the crisis scenario faced already by Greece and more recently by Ireland would be repeated by other struggling economies such as Portugal and Spain. What has this collective bargaining down for these countries? It has put all of their economies at risk, like an anchor, when it dives toward the bottom of the ocean, it takes every link of chain with it. The Irish rescue: After long insisting that Ireland would not need a bailout, Prime Minister Cowen turned to the European Union and International Monetary Fund for help last week. The bailout announced Sunday, which totals about $113 billion, includes €67.5 billion in loans from the EU, the IMF and three nations: the United Kingdom, Denmark and Sweden. The other €17.5 billion would come from Ireland's own reserves and pensions. EU-IMF-UK-Denmark & Sweden................. NOT SOCIALIZED SWEDEN. But I noticed how that socialized part of your statement seemed important to you, I could be wrong.... But are you betting on us becoming Socialists? It seems that you fall with a lot of these progressives who are just socialists who pretend to be something else. Just be honest!!!! I'm tired of hearing Democrats and Progressives making statements about Beck and others of misrepresenting them when they points out that a Socialist makes statements that are pro-socialism, but even though they later claim to be socialists, they don't like Conservatives calling them what they are. The rescue money will be used to stabilize the country's banks and fund government operations. The move means Ireland will not have to borrow money from private investors for the next three years. The country will pay an average interest rate of 5.83% on the bailout loans. Austerity backlash: Cowen's government has announced a painful four-year austerity plan involving deep cuts in spending and public-sector jobs, a lower minimum wage and higher taxes. Public-Sector jobs are a drain on the country, any country... Private Sector jobs do not require others to keep them afloat, and when a private sector company fails, another private sector company will take it's place. When the Public-Sector fails, we all feel it. The bigger the government, the bigger the burden on the people. In America, while we have been going through this economic crisis, we have been growing the government and shrinking the private sector... This is this Progressive movement, this socialistic one world order, unionized, government controlled movement. The left wants to demonize the success of the private sector, while fight for the pensions of those who take advantage of the people... via public jobs, paid by tax payers who get paid way more than someone doing the same thing in the private sector. A bonus is paid by the private company, pensions are paid by tax payers. Pensions are draining the system, but the left want their pensions for their special interest groups, while demonizing bonuses for entrepreneurs. Notice how Ireland has to cut back on jobs "Public Jobs" during an unemployment crisis. Can anyone say "A Drain on the Economy." The moves are unpopular in the country, and Cowen's party lost an election Thursday for a parliamentary seat. On Saturday, an estimated 50,000 people demonstrated against austerity in Dublin. The protests were organized by the Irish Congress of Trade Unions, which has called the four-year plan for spending cuts and tax hikes "savage and regressive." Of course, the unions want their pensions and jobs... The HELL with everyone else. Because, cuts are required everywhere, in the private sector it just happens naturally, but the government prints money, borrows money, and keeps this madness going, just look at California, sure California can't print money.... But it can force the people of California to pay more and struggle more, for the fat pensions of these unions. It can over regulate the private sector and force them out and put into place more government run Tax payer burdened jobs. This creates a poorer population, which creates more government by way of support. WE NEED TO GET BACK TO A PRIVATE SECTOR GROWTH... otherwise... we will fail here in America... You progressives have progressed us away from what we are. AMERICANS If you want to be Socialists and Europeans so bad.... I have an idea.... Move there.

jackdiamond312

Joined: 1/21/2007

Msg: 805 (view)

What has gotten you concerned with Politics? Posted: 11/24/2010 9:35:40 AM
Flat-Earthers? are you serious? What ? around 50 members around the world? Just because some go so far that they become whack jobs, does not mean that others who see the truth are wrong. It isn't that people are not behind the times, it's that we don't allow those who wish to control the debate for their own ends, to just follow along blindlessly believing their propaganda. It isn't that we don't believe in doing things that are more environment friendly, we should always improve on doing things better (Cleaner) But this Climate Change (Global Warming) is only a way for a few to control the masses and in doing so, creating wealth redistribution. It is also an attack on Capitalism and Industry, More OVER-Regulation to kill the Free Market while giving a free ride to those special interest groups who are on board. It's like this debate today on safety at the airports, these scanners and the pat downs, If Bush was president, there would be a huge uproar from the NAACP, ACLU, Hollywood and so on, but rather, the table has turned, and those who would demonize Bush on this, support Obama and his administration. People are so much like sheep, they don't think for themselves, they only follow the pied piper. This is what the majority of Californians do, they follow the Liberal media, Hollywood and this progressive push toward a Socialistic lifestyle. It's more about what the government can do for me, rather than what I can do for myself. This is why California is failing, people have become followers of this politically correct, progressive movement of thinking they should be given success, rather than earning it. Funny how Whoopie on the O'rielly Factor last night mentioned that she believes our problem in America is US, the People, that we are causing our own down fall, that every generation gets farther from that moral lifestyle and individual responsibility. But I'm not sure she knew what she was saying, this is what conservatives have been saying all along, we are politically correcting ourselves over generations away from that family value, and American way of life. We are the first and only country who established a government of self governing, WE THE PEOPLE, but we keep heading down the road of giving up those rights and each generation becomes more and more politically correct, desiring the government to control their lives. The more we put our faith in the government and take that faith away from God, the farther we get away from what this great nation was founded on. It is the Church, which ever belief system you believe in, which is within your community, where you need to find help, Individuals help within their communities, Charity is always found nearby and America is the most charitable nation on Earth, we do not need our government to get into the charity business. They need to govern and do what the People ask of them, not mandate to the people. An individual knows what is best for themselves. There is global warming, there is climate change, Even manmade CO2 causes some change, but the problem with the Global Warming scare is that what we do on earth is so minimal that it is not going to cause the end of the world. It's all about mandating regulations on the industrial world and capitalism, it's an attack on capitalism and a desire of redistribution. One can believe we still should research and develop alternative means of energy, but only because it is always good to improve and do things better and smarter, but at the same time, do the things that are available, and economically viable so we do not do to the world what has been done in California. Ask yourselves this.... What is bankrupting California? My answer is..... It's the progressive movement.... Political correctness... which includes all these things like Global Warming, Union Pensions, an attack on God, the laxing of morals, all in the name of progression. You don't have to live in the past to believe in a better future. Obama's Change.... is the wrong change, we can move forward without moving away from what our Founders created. I will say, It was long before Obama that this progressive movement started, over 100 years, but Obama and this last 4 years of Democrat control Congress is the straw that broke the camels back.

jackdiamond312

Joined: 1/21/2007

Msg: 767 (view)

What has gotten you concerned with Politics? Posted: 11/22/2010 8:20:26 AM
conservative corporations ???? So, are you saying the free market, corporations? are only the ideals of conservatism? And that this so called Marxist America hating leftists and Unions are what the left is all about? I hate to say it, but this is the biggest problem of our generation. That many on the left use these noble ideas of taking care of others and fairness as a mask to push their so called (Politically correct-Progressive) marxism. The Democrat Party has become the sheep (Clothing) of the Progressive movement (Wolf) And the Progressive movement is mearly the mask of the Socialism and Marxism movement in this country. Yes, there are many here who do not hide that fact, they stand up and admit to who they really are and what they really believe. Fortunately for the rest of us, that is a small minority, the only problem is that a lot of Progressives, Liberals and Democrats are clueless to where they are being led. There are also movements on the far right that get off the path of freedom as well, when you take away an individuals own pursuit, you steal their freedom for happiness and success. The Free Market, Entrepreneurial-ship, the Pursuit of Happiness is not a conservative concoction, It is the American way, Freedom from Tyranny. Corporations are as much the people as any other group. Corporations are people living that American Dream. Some of the have-nots, just can't stand it when others are successful. Helping others should come from the heart, from the community, not from stealing from the rich to pretend you are giving to the poor, by the government who if they believe they can give it to you, they also can take it away. That is not Freedom. Equal access for all? In America, everyone who follows the laws of this country has equal access. We all have the same opportunity. But this does not mean we all will be as successful, because we are all not the same. We all have different talents and skills. One is fortunate to be born with a specific talent, but this does not mean he should have to fail, because the next guy is failing, because he was not born with that same advantage. We all are blessed with are own individual gifts, some use them wisely, some do not, but it has nothing to do with a lack of access. And what is success to one person, may not be the same as another. Everyones pursuit, should be their own. The Government has nothing to do with peoples success, and should stay out of the way, to govern is to protect everyones rights, to take away ones success to help another is not governing, it's tyranny. When it comes to giving others, someone else's success or rewards, that is not charity, that is theft. Everywhere you look, someone has more than someone else, people can't just take what they feel they deserve, neither should the government. How do Unions really work for the employee, when the employee is forced to join and pay dues, while the Union cause a hike in costs across the board with everything it touches. No wonder America can't compete with China, and corporations end up being forced to have things made over seas. The Unions have made it hard for any industry in America to compete, the pay, benefits and pensions have gotten so out of control, everyone else has to suffer for the sake of these union employees, and more so, the Union Bosses and administrations. But you Marxists know exactly what you are doing. This is part of this plan. To destroy the exceptionalism that is America, to take away the freedoms of the people, and this pursuit of Happiness, and replace it with the control of a few over the masses. That these very few determine for everyone else what is good enough for them. I'm sure that most of those who have contributed here from the left, Democrats, Liberals, Progressives, which ever you feel you are, do not have this dream of some Marxist take over, I would like to think, you are just trying to think of everyone and not seeing that it is only in total freedom, in the individual, to work hard to create ones own path in life, to find for oneself, their own success and happiness. Sure it is harder for some than others, but success can not be given, it can only be earned. Just like Charity can not be forced, it comes from the heart.

jackdiamond312

Joined: 1/21/2007

Msg: 11 (view)

United nations periodic review 11/05/10 Posted: 11/11/2010 4:09:39 AM
It all starts on the total lack of education in history, and what happens when people allow others to think for them. Paul, I totally agree with this, I believe people should think for themselves. Part of the problem is that the youth do not think for themselves, they seem to drink the koolaid given them by their teachers and activists among the Teacher Unions. They are being taught that they are smarter than their parents and that they should educate their parents on this progressive agenda. The whole Green movement (for one) is a politically correct style brain wash of our youth, the liberals control the debate in schools to a point that there is no debate, no thinking for oneself. Just like the video of Stuff, It's to demonize Capitalism, one of the main differences of America and the rest of the world, putting success into the hands of the individual, and not a controlled success by some other authority like a government or unions. My son was telling me all this pro Obama stuff he was learning in school, and I questioned him on a few things and suggested to him to ask his teacher to explain why she was teaching what she was to the class. Just questioning her on one single point, she told my son to tell his parents to stop watching Glenn Beck. Seriously, I'm pissed off about how the progressives are rewriting history, especially with the demonizing of our country. Parents need to be more involved with their kids education, to question what is being taught to them, and demand that what is being taught is not a brain washing of the kids by activists with a political agenda.

jackdiamond312

Joined: 1/21/2007

Msg: 115 (view)

Dr. Laura and the you know what word Posted: 11/2/2010 10:37:25 AM
^^^It's called morality. I don't find it acceptable to call people by racist slurs. If that's politically correct than I am proud to be. You're right when you say it isn't acceptable to call people any racial slurs. But Political Correctness has nothing to do with that or morality. It's all about what racial slurs or bad words are exceptable. None should be right? It's just as bad to call a white man a bad name as a black man wouldn't you think? A hate crime only applies to Minorities, gays, but not white males because it isn't politically correct. All crime committed on another is hate. Politically correctness tries to say a white guy beating a black guy is different than a black guy beating a white guy.... Sorry, both are wrong and hateful, but you PC people think some should be more protected than others, because you put them in a box and create this place where society should be more moral toward some, rather than just treat everyone equally. How about just treating everyone the same, with respect. Calling a white guy a cracker is no different than calling a black guy the "N" word, but not for you politically correct people. And Missing, just because I believe we all should be treated equally, doesn't mean I don't believe some have been mistreated, but I believe we should live in the present, move forward, if we don't, the division of class, race, sex and all that crap will never change, because too many people live to fight for a cause, and if we all just got along, they would be out of business. I don't choose to keep people like Rev Sharpton and Jesse Jackson in the business of getting rich off of the problems created for those who just need to be left alone to find their own pursuit of happiness like all the rest of us. Sure... it's not easy for everyone, but in most cases it has nothing to do wit race. We all struggle and need to work hard to get ahead. No one should feel they are entitled because of something someone else went through. That's BULL

jackdiamond312

Joined: 1/21/2007

Msg: 104 (view)

Dr. Laura and the you know what word Posted: 10/29/2010 8:23:50 AM
How about we just live in the present? I don't know how many white males living today were slave owners, I wonder how many white males today were ever indentured servants? Just like Blacks, how many living today were slaves to someone, how many blacks living today were slave owners? The answer is ... that is all history. Why do the left, progressives, liberals, who ever? feel the need to keep demonizing WHITE MEN? Why is that? Nowhere do I know that shows all white men are some evil thing that needs to be demonized. It is only a way to maintain racism and keep a divide that is needed so the left can some how try and control the emotions of minorities. They want them to believe they are weaker and not equal to whites, so they can fight for them, only to control them, mostly for their votes. I believe we are all equal, that no one should be given anything extra based on race. Our merits and actions should be used to reward those who earn what they achieve. But, the left does not like that, because they can not control the masses if the masses are not being mistreated in some way. As long as they keep minorities thinking they are less, they will have a need to be. They will be able to convince them they are trying to help them. The best way to help anyone is to stop babying them, allow them to be who they are, as equal as anyone else, not less. not some slave from the past, but as much as anyone else, or better, if they wish to be. This thing about the "N" word is just like Mohammed to the Muslims, intolerance.... A black can call a white guy a cracker all day long, but don't even think about putting the shoe on the other foot. People shouldn't say anything nasty about anyone else... plain and simple. But tolerance or intolerance runs both ways. I'm a white male, seriously, I have never done or said anything racist or demeaning to another person, at least not on purpose or that I know of. I do not appreciate the demonization of being a white male any less than a minority of any other race or sex likes it. People are people, and yes some of the first immigrants here owned slaves, some of the later generations did bad things. But guess what? Democrats should look themselves in the mirror if they believe we all should be judged by our ancestors. Check your history, those who keep demonizing the white man, are part of the movement who were the ones who did these bad things. The Bible belt South of today, is not the same South as the days of Slavery and later on Segregation. That was the Deep Dixie/Democrat South

jackdiamond312

Joined: 1/21/2007

Msg: 4196 (view)

Our New President (This is California Residents Only Thread Please) Posted: 10/29/2010 7:39:58 AM
Just like big white males stomp on young girls head in the name of the Tea Party....I see how this works. Your fabrication, and that of the progressive main media doesn't hold water. This was the case of one activist going too far in response to another activist, and the whole incident being blown out of proportion. She was not an innocent by stander, but that still did not give that guy the right to step on her shoulder.... Yes step on her shoulder, not stomp on her head. She was an aggressive MoveOn.org activist, and he was an aggressive Ron Paul volunteer. This has nothing to do with the Tea Party Movement. Now I agree, The violent Jihadists do not represent all Muslims, and not all Muslims are Violent People. But the war on Terror, the terrorists we are fighting do fight in the name of Allah. They are Muslims, and believe they are representing Islam in their fight to repress and destroy the infidel. To believe different is to blind yourself from the facts. During the Crusades, Christians from all over Europe were killing Heretics in the name of God, along with Muslims and Jews. That did not make all Christians bad people. But the violence by Christians used God and their beliefs as a reason to do evil. The thing is, No Christian movement is like that today, most all Christians condemn any violence even that of other Christians who act alone. It is different today with Muslims, they are killing in the name of Allah, and even will behead a cartoonist or reporter who says anything negative about Islam or Mohammed... You don't get that same intolerance from Jews or Christians. People like the South Park show are not afraid to make fun of God or Jesus, but are warned about doing anything against Islam. Why is it different? Tolerance, that is the difference.

jackdiamond312

Joined: 1/21/2007

Msg: 4193 (view)

Our New President (This is California Residents Only Thread Please) Posted: 10/28/2010 9:59:34 PM
In a statement to reporters, Paul's campaign condemned the attack. "The Paul for Senate campaign is extremely disappointed in, and condemns the actions of a supporter last night outside the KET debate," the statement said. "Whatever the perceived provocation, any level of aggression or violence is deplorable and will not be tolerated by our campaign." The campaign said it had "disassociated itself" from the volunteer that took part in the incident and reminded activists on all sides that "political passions should never manifest themselves in physical altercations of any kind."

jackdiamond312

Joined: 1/21/2007

Msg: 160 (view)

CA Real Estate (#2) Posted: 10/23/2010 7:05:25 AM
^^^^^^ You kinda made Paul's point for him..... Repairs are one thing, large investments into a rental property is another. Wether it was you personally, or a manager you hired, the owner of the property handled the repairs, not the renter. But repairs are not the same as additions or creating a nicer environment. Most rental property, owners do not want to spend a lot to create more up-keep and responsibility. Someone would be idiotic to add a pool for example to a rental property they had. You don't leave it in the hands of the renter to maintain your property. Now, I actually move around a lot and prefer renting,, and even though I will not sink a lot of money into someone else's home, I will maintain somethings, only because I prefer to live that way. But most owners don't want renters doing any major work to their homes. There are the exceptions, like a slum lord who doesn't really care about his property or those who live in it. Unless you plan on moving back into a rental property at some point, you are making a mistake sinking money into it for renters to eventually destroy.

jackdiamond312

Joined: 1/21/2007

Msg: 48 (view)

Off subject.. Posted: 10/22/2010 10:57:19 AM
I was e-mailed this... thought it was too good not to share. This is pretty good. Spin doctors at their best No matter what side of the aisle you're on, this is funny and very telling! Apparently, it just all depends on how you look at some things. Judy Wallman, a professional genealogy researcher in southern California , was doing some personal work on her own family tree. She discovered that Congressman Harry Reid's great-great uncle, Remus Reid, was hanged for horse stealing and train robbery in Montana in 1889. Both Judy and Harry Reid share this common ancestor. The only known photograph of Remus shows him standing on the gallows in Montana territory: Description: cid:261BBF0170C44FF79249F4CA5C16369B@user11901713f8 On the back of the picture Judy obtained during her research is this inscription: 'Remus Reid, horse thief, sent to Montana Territorial Prison 1885, escaped 1887, robbed the Montana Flyer six times. Caught by Pinkerton detectives, convicted and hanged in 1889..' So Judy recently e-mailed Congressman Harry Reid for information about their great-great uncle. Believe it or not, Harry Reid's staff sent back the following biographical sketch for her genealogy research: "Remus Reid was a famous cowboy in the Montana Territory . His business empire grew to include acquisition of valuable equestrian assets and intimate dealings with the Montana railroad. Beginning in 1883, he devoted several years of his life to government service, finally taking leave to resume his dealings with the railroad. In 1887, he was a key player in a vital investigation run by the renowned Pinkerton Detective Agency.. In 1889, Remus passed away during an important civic function held in his honour when the platform upon which he was standing collapsed." NOW THAT's how it's done, Folks!

jackdiamond312

Joined: 1/21/2007

Msg: 46 (view)

Off subject.. Posted: 10/22/2010 9:33:31 AM
Buy American and I go out of my way to do it. I agree with Golf, I go out of my way to avoid American Union Labor. And it's a shame, because I do not dislike American workers, but that machine that uses them and the power and money they throw around at this progressive movement. I will say, It's funny when those guys with Harley's bring their bikes out on the weekend trying to make that statement of buying American, rather than just enjoying riding a Bike. My Jap Bike is my only transportation, and this 1600 CC Yamaha Road Star has lasted me over 12 years with nothing other than flat tires. I get to experience some colder weather here in Nebraska, I ride about every day 23 miles to North Platt to work out. Anyway, being involved in designing Chrome parts for Jack Daniel's for Harley's, I learned while traveling to factories in Taiwan that most parts are built there for Harley, and most of my after market parts for my Bike were built here in the states. Also, I noticed a lot of these guys on Harley's owned foreign cars... Just something I found funny when they gave me cr@p about riding a rice chewer. Things are often not as they seem.

jackdiamond312

Joined: 1/21/2007

Msg: 4138 (view)

Our New President (This is California Residents Only Thread Please) Posted: 10/22/2010 8:57:50 AM
Just like the comment that people don't follow those laws any more, peoples morals have changed as well. Each generation seems to get worse, and those who try and keep that moral compass are made out to be, someone who is not progressing. I have nothing against progress, we should always be moving forward, but some progression is not a movement in the right direction. Morals is not a religious choice, it's a choice to do what is right by everyone of all walks of life. Just like following the law, to obey a law is a choice we all make, we can disagree with it, but that does not mean we can disobey it. We should fight to change it if we believe it is wrong. I believe too many people do not understand what Religion is. The difference between believing in something like (God), and following an organized Dogma (Church-Religion) Those who talk about separation of Church and State seem to believe that means to exclude God. God has nothing to do with MANS RELIGIONS. and not all Religions are about God. Muslims, Jews, Christians, Hindu, Buddhists.... and so on are all about Faith in a Creator, perhaps even the same God, just calling Him something different. Religion is a man made creation which every individual should have the right to choose which ever one to follow, which ever one helps them to learn and understand their individual understanding of God, or Creator. I have my faith, but it may not be for others, I don't care if you believe the way I do, I just don't think anyone else has a right to tell me how I should believe. And that is in school or any place else, Public or Private. It is up to me to be respectful of others beliefs, and understand I will be put in positions where others will be practicing their faith as well. Atheists seem to want no God worshipping in Public. That is a$$anine, That's just as bad as a Christian or Jew or Muslim to tell an Atheist they have to worship a God in public. If you can teach evolution in schools, you should be able to give as much time to the idea of Creation. That is not teaching a Religion, it is teaching an alternative of how we are created, let parents teach their own children what they believe is right, schools can not determine what a child should believe in that subject. Evolution without a Creator is not a fact, it is only a theory.

jackdiamond312

Joined: 1/21/2007

Msg: 4129 (view)

Our New President (This is California Residents Only Thread Please) Posted: 10/21/2010 4:06:11 PM
^^^^ excellent post Pirate.

jackdiamond312

Joined: 1/21/2007

Msg: 408 (view)

Crap and Trade and Global Warming Posted: 10/21/2010 12:21:42 PM
Have you read this article from James Delingpole? I think I have seen other links of previous articles here. But this is what I and some here have been saying for over a year or two. Climate Change happens... beware of cooling. These clowns who are using global warming for control, killing the economy while doing so, will talk themselves around this turn into cooling being the problem, because they have so many idiots believing what ever they say. I could mention a few names here. http://blogs.telegraph.co.uk/news/jamesdelingpole/100055500/global-cooling-and-the-new-world-order/ Global Cooling and the New World Order By James Delingpole Bilderberg. Whether you believe it’s part of a sinister conspiracy which will lead inexorably to one world government or whether you think it’s just an innocent high-level talking shop, there’s one thing that can’t be denied: it knows which way the wind is blowing. (Hat tips: Will/NoIdea/Ozboy) At its June meeting in Sitges, Spain (unreported and held in camera, as is Bilderberg’s way), some of the world’s most powerful CEOs rubbed shoulders with notable academics and leading politicians. They included: the chairman of Fiat, the Irish Attorney General Paul Gallagher, the US special representative for Afghanistan and Pakistan Richard Holbrooke, Henry Kissinger, Bill Gates,****Perle, the Queen of the Netherlands, the editor of the Economist…. Definitely not Z-list, in other words. Which is what makes one particular item on the group’s discussion agenda so tremendously significant. See if you can spot the one I mean: The 58th Bilderberg Meeting will be held in Sitges, Spain 3 – 6 June 2010. The Conference will deal mainly with Financial Reform, Security, Cyber Technology, Energy, Pakistan, Afghanistan, World Food Problem, Global Cooling, Social Networking, Medical Science, EU-US relations. Yep, that’s right. Global Cooling. Which means one of two things. Either it was a printing error. Or the global elite is perfectly well aware that global cooling represents a far more serious and imminent threat to the world than global warming, but is so far unwilling to admit it except behind closed doors. Let me explain briefly why this is a bombshell waiting to explode. Almost every government in the Western world from the USA to Britain to all the other EU states to Australia and New Zealand is currently committed to a policy of “decarbonisation.” This in turn is justified to (increasingly sceptical) electorates on the grounds that man-made CO2 is a prime driver of dangerous global warming and must therefore be reduced drastically, at no matter what social, economic and environmental cost. In the Eighties and Nineties, the global elite had a nice run of hot weather to support their (scientifically dubious) claims. But now they don’t. Winters are getting colder. Fuel bills are rising (in the name of combating climate change, natch). The wheels are starting to come off the AGW bandwagon. Ordinary people, resisting two decades of concerted brainwashing, are starting to notice. All this, of course, spells big trouble for the global power elite. As well as leading to food shortages (as, for example, it becomes harder to grow wheat in northerly latitudes; adding, of course, to such already-present disasters as biofuels and the rejection of GM), global cooling is going to find electorates increasingly angry that they have been sold a pup. Our fuel bills have risen inexorably; our countryside, our views and our property values have been ravaged by hideous wind farms; our holidays have been made more expensive; our cost of living has been driven up by green taxes; our freedoms have been curtailed in any number of pettily irritating ways from what kind of light bulbs we are permitted to use to how we dispose of our rubbish. And to what end? If man-made global warming was really happening and really a problem we might possibly have carried on putting up with all these constraints on our liberty and assaults on our income. But if it turns out to have been a myth…… Well then, all bets are off. The next few years are going to be very interesting. Watch the global power elite squirming to reposition itself as it slowly distances itself from Anthropogenic Global Warming (”Who? Us? No. We never thought of it as more than a quaint theory…”), and tries to find new ways of justifying green taxation and control. (Ocean acidification; biodiversity; et al). You’ll notice sly shifts in policy spin. In Britain, for example, Chris “Chicken Little” Huhne’s suicidal “dash for wind” will be re-invented as a vital step towards “energy security.” There will be less talk of “combatting climate change” and more talk of “mitigation”. You’ll hear enviro-Nazis like Obama’s Science Czar John Holdren avoid reference to “global warming” like the plague, preferring the more reliably vague phrase “global climate disruption.” And you know what the worst thing is? If we allow them to, they’re going to get away with it. Our duty as free citizens over the next few years is to make sure that they don’t. Al Gore, George Soros, Bill Gates, Carol Browner, John Holdren, Barack Obama, David Cameron, Ed Miliband, Tim Yeo, Michael Mann, Ted Turner, Robert Redford, Phil Jones, Chris Huhne, John Howard (yes really, he was supposed to be a conservative, but he was the man who kicked off Australia’s ETS), Julia Gillard, Kevin Rudd, Yvo de Boer, Rajendra Pachauri….The list of the guilty goes on and on. Each in his own way – and whether through ignorance, naivety idealism or cynicism, it really doesn’t matter for the result has been the same – has done his bit to push the greatest con-trick in the history of science, forcing on global consumers the biggest bill in the history taxation, using “global warming” as an excuse to extend the reach of government further than it has ever gone before. It is time we put a stop to this. In the US, the Tea Party movement is showing us the way. We need to punish these dodgy politicians at the ballot box. We need to ensure that those scientists guilty of malfeasance are, at the very least thrown out of the jobs which we taxpayers have been funding these last decades. We need to ensure that corporatist profiteers are no longer able to benefit from the distortion and corruption of the markets which result from green regulation. We need a “Global Warming” Nuremberg.

jackdiamond312

Joined: 1/21/2007

Msg: 4124 (view)

Our New President (This is California Residents Only Thread Please) Posted: 10/21/2010 9:04:34 AM
Oh, one other thing. What is Evolution? When you plant a seed it evolves into a tree. Who is to say God didn't create evolution? He uses evolution for things to evolve, just because mankind think they are smart enough to figure out evolution, it does not make a case there is no God. Everything on Earth evolves, adapts, changes. God created the Heavens and the Earth in 6 days.... Not 6 earth days, 6 of his days, a day to God could be thousands (Millions) of earth years. He created all things before he created man on the sixth day. The forth and fifth days when He created the beasts of the Earth, all sorts of beasts could have been created over millions of years... evolution!!!! When He created the Lights, the greater for the day (Sun) and lesser for the night (Moon) it was on a day.... but what? Millions of earth years, The theory of an orb slamming into the earth, creating the moon could have been done by the hand of God. No one has evidence that that could NOT be true. The big bang? God on the first day... said... Let there be light, Maybe he snapped his fingers? My point is, all theory is based on putting a formula together and than speculating. We humans do not know the answers of the Universe, only those who are arrogant enough to believe they can possibly be that intelligent to think they know. To teach Creation and God in schools is no different than teaching evolution, if you believe Evolution should be taught as fact, you should also consider Creation, because we really do not know the answers. Just like Global Warming.... The Science is not final.

jackdiamond312

Joined: 1/21/2007

Msg: 4122 (view)

Our New President (This is California Residents Only Thread Please) Posted: 10/21/2010 8:41:01 AM
Beck actually used the word "doom" in his first sentence today What? telling it like it is, is fearmongering? We are in a disaster, there can be doom, if we do not correct course. I'm not saying Republican or Democrat, but the progressive movement, the growing of the government, I'm not saying don't tax the rich, only tax the people in the middle income bracket, I'm saying don't over tax anyone. Be fair to everyone, and that means some (the wealthiest) are paying too much, and some (those of us at the bottom) are getting a free ride. We all should pay an equal percentage, the rich will pay more taxes, they make more. And they are the ones who create opportunity, over taxing them only chases them and that opportunity somewhere else. The problem is in the mentality of many that, they believe we need a nanny state to take care of some, by stealing from others. It is actually communities and Churches that take care of the poor, Charity comes from the individual. Government welfare is a dictatorship over those who they pretend to support. They give enough to keep the lazy at the government tit, rather than help them to get off it and fend for themselves, it is purely job security, using the people to stay in power over them. It's just like any other dictatorship, only disguised as democracy. The separation of Church and State is to allow everyone the opportunity to choose for themselves which religion or belief system to follow, not to disallow faith or religion. Freedom OF Religion is so not Freedom FROM Religion, yes, you can choose to believe there is no God, But this does not mean you can force others to make that same choice. just like one church, one Religion can not force you to believe in their Dogma. We are not the Holy Roman Empire, governed by the Roman Catholic Church. We are not England, governed by Her Majesties Church, but than again, they aren't anymore either. But this idea of separation of Church and State is being used as words to deny any religion.... You guys have it wrong. It wasn't to deny religion, it was to allow ALL religions.

jackdiamond312

Joined: 1/21/2007

Msg: 718 (view)

What has gotten you concerned with JournOlism Posted: 10/20/2010 9:33:31 AM
The oddest part of California going to He11 in a hand basket, is that Progressives don't see it. The writing is on the wall, it doesn't need translating! And the whole Country is following the progressive slide to disaster. It isn't the idea of banding together to protect others interests that is bad... It's very noble. But Unions don't do that. They take it farther, where they break the system for their own interests. You can't for example put the Teacher ahead of the student and expect the student to get what they need, the union protects the teacher, to he11 with the student. The Union protects the worker of the government, to He11 with the citizens of that community! It's the same with the Union Labor of say, a Convention Center, to He11 with the Exhibitors. Collective bargaining is only for the weak of mind, they allow themselves to be used because they are too lazy to fend for themselves. But there are many things that put themselves in the middle of other peoples business. I could feel good about myself and pat myself on the back and say I'm for everyone, for equal justice, that all deserve to get what the next person gets, but sorry, I know that is not the way it is, and those who believe in that theory and try and create this type of world, only mess it up... California is a great example. But lets be honest, those who run and create these programs, including the unions, are only out for themselves. The unions really don't help it's members, it uses them. Sure, some get these big pensions that is killing every community, in the socialistic parts of the world.... including here. Look at all of the incentives this administration is giving our youth to go into a government job. Higher pay, less reimbursements on student loans, (Kickback) Union protection, better benefits, pensions.... All to grow the government to put a bigger stress and burden on society. WONDER WHY?

jackdiamond312

Joined: 1/21/2007

Msg: 4108 (view)

Our New President (This is California Residents Only Thread Please) Posted: 10/20/2010 8:52:35 AM
^^^^Glenn Beck style fearmongering is strong in this one. I haven't been here much, and opened this page, and this is the first thing said, so I had to go back a page. Am I missing something or is everything that you disagree with, fearmongering? And Glenn Beck Fearmongering? That is actually a slanderous statement, sure I know, you disagree with anything conservative, but just because you think the points made are incorrect, it doesn't make it fearmongering. Perhaps making an argument why you disagree would be more interesting to read. And Tax Credits? give me a break... It's stupid when either party uses that for some sort of relief. It's like when a car dealership raises the price of the car and than gives you a minimal discount to make you think he's giving you something. How about just cutting back on taxes all together, shrink back that over grown government so people can make their own decisions. Besides, how does a tax credit help someone today? Taking less taxes every pay check would be a bigger help. The government is only giving incentives so they can make you think they are working for you when they rob you of your hard earned income. The bigger the government, the more taxes are required, Those of you who love this big government taking care of you, have no idea of what they are taking from you.

JackDiamond312

Joined: 1/21/2007

Msg: 56 (view)

Should New York Ban Using Food Stamps To Buy Sugary Drinks? Posted: 10/15/2010 10:34:18 PM
Government assistance programs should be unpleasant so that people will work hard to get off of them and stay off them. I agree that we should help those in need, more with a hand up, rather than a hand out, and even though food stamps are a hand out, for some it is vital. But I agree, the program should work in a way that pushes people off it, rather than keeping them on it. But, I also don't believe the government should get too carried away with regulating what people can or cannot eat, Food Stamps or not. People should be educated, not dictated. What next? A vegetarian Politician wants to exclude meat? Everything has to do with moderation, a soda pop every now and then isn't going to kill you. What? poor people can't have a tasty cold one?

JackDiamond312

Joined: 1/21/2007

Msg: 6 (view)

Meant to be alone or what's the deal? O_o Posted: 10/12/2010 7:10:09 AM
I agree with Thinking... I'll take it a step further, You can't change your personality, you are who you are. You can change your actions and the way you approach things, but you are still who you are. Not everyone is for everyone else. We only find ourselves matching up very rarely actually, but it takes being who you are, and putting that best foot forward, especially on dating sites on the internet. For example, I know putting a picture up of myself with this beard I grew over a couple months is not the way to put my best foot forward, but fortunately, I'm in a place where I'm more about having fun, than dating, even though I have since shaved, I still like projecting the Hermit look., for sh1tz & g1ggles.... But that's where I'm at. If you really are wanting someone in your life? Be the kind of person that you are, and you might find the person looking for that type of person. Just be the best person you can be... Don't be lazy.

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