Craig Crawford's Trail Mix

Yeah, but.............republicans have no shame.

how much does a bale of lint go for now a days? won't market as well as good ole natural cotton... can't imagine donning anything labelled "100% virgin rupub lint"... or the folks in the field singin as they picked it.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oE9QYkkxyVQ

they're stuffing that lint into their ears so that they can't hear the sound of rational speech.......

btw sturge, what possessed you the other night? you got into a loop, some kinda coupling groove... didn't know whether your needle needed a nudge or your arm lifted to another cut. and why did we follow your beat? anyway it's good to hear your flip side.

speaking of the those lists, my antidote...admittingly disgusting enough to jar all sensibilities... was

r.c.s and moonpies

yuck, ick and just thinking of them hurts my teeth. sorry to ruin everyone's morning.... must get back to the lovely lint from lower regions of rep longings.

bashing the bbc

http://www.guardian.co.uk/commentisfree/2009/jan/26/bbc-gaza-appeal

good morning gang.....

Craig..... ROFL!... I LOVE your imagery....

Solar Crete.... you say you don't watch "regular" television..... too bad if you didn't see the first segment of 60 Minutes last night..... it was about the Israeli/Palestinian stuff.... and they most definitely saw things your way.....

My favorite was "Virg and Mary"..............lol

Craig.... Good post...
and farewell for 2 years to all of my clister friends - I have enjoyed the conversations and dialogue and discussion.
But other then the dinner the Brain owes me I bid you all farewell - I no longer have a voice - Even as a centric - middle of the road - one must admit defeat.
It is time to allow the 4 politcal sectors with 3 in Dem control to finish it off - now with control of Congress, White house and 4th Estate.
Bush was complacent and allowed the leak social policy to get into fiscal programs - so no stopping the damn is busted.
Farewell as I do the honorable thing....

Ping Pong

good morning
patd, sorry the play didn't get off the ground. thought it was a great idea !

Ping....
sorry you feel that way..... you have been very gracious even in dissent....

I love to read different opinions.... from all sides.... not just disagreement between Democrats.... I love to learn.... you don't learn much only listening to those with whom you agree....

if this place becomes a Dems only place..... and descends into the cat fighting that happened here last night.... I'll follow you.... won't waste my time anymore.....

Ping godspeed and good luck!

Boehner was boneheaded. Cut taxes? Um, you have to have a tax base from which to cut those taxes. If people don't have jobs, they don't have an income. If they don't have an income, they don't pay taxes, buy goods to support the local economy, and, they require social services paid for with..ta-da...tax dollars. Give the big guys tax breaks and they aren't gonna create more jobs, they're gonna hang on to it.

Trickle down doesn't work. You have to make sure the roots get enough water for the tree to go.

Oh Ping -- AGE (Another Grand Exit). See ya!

How does a pure bred end up in rescue? Did somebody place it there (with or without the Obamas' request), knowing that they would adopt it? What would the day be without a conspiracy theory. (Don't think that Faux won't try to make an issue of it.)

Saw a cute picture: Jack Russell & Chahuahua - Jackahuaua.

Who are the people spending ad money to push for the right to unionize. Unions have priced themselves out of jobs. Oh, maybe the Chinese are paying for the ads to try to push more American jobs their way. OK, that's two conspiracy theories. I've met my quota for the day.

Ping- That is a shame, I agree with RR wholeheartedly, "you don't learn much only listening to those with whom you agree...."

So earmarks were a good thing?

http://hosted.ap.org/dynamic/stories/T/THE_INFLUENCE_GAME_STIMULUS_LOBBYING?SITE=AP

solar, think you'll find interesting this letter by thomas paine in response to one from samuel adams.
http://www.deism.com/paine_essay_sam_adams.htm

but ping, you can't leave us. what will we do without that mirror you hold up to our faces? the clarity of tho't? we'll accrue even more scum like a pond overgrown with the too much algae.

oldsea, thanks for your contributions to the play.

Particular fights should be continued in the thread in which they started, and then linked if one feels their retort must be seen. That way, you can fight your brains out, but petty squabbles don't become epic 3-day struggles. Of course no one will follow that convention. The fights can be entertaining if you take a step back, to their credit.

Actually, from a purely tactical (and cynical) political standpoint, I think dissenting is not only the GOP's smartest play -- it's their only play.

What is the alternative? They get nothing, politically speaking, by rolling over for Obama and the Dems. On the other hand, the GOP can bet that the stimulus package fails (probably a 40 percent chance of that even in the rosiest scenario for Dems) or is such a muddle that it can be argued to have failed (add another 20 percent to the 40 percent).

So now, suddenly, the GOP is looking at 3:2 odds that theirs is the winning hand and they'll be able to "we-told-you-so" their way to victory in the 2010 midterms.

Explain why that is stupid or being "comically in denial"?

If I were the GOP leadership at this point, here's the stimulus I would propose: A federal income tax holiday for one year. For everyone. That's it. Zero withholding, zero taxes owed for the full 2009 calendar year. And just keep the federal government running with deficit spending.

It sounds insane, and would have been as recently as four months ago. But as the stimulus package approaches $1 trillion in size it is reaching the scale where it is in the same ballpark as a year's worth of federal tax revenues. Throw in the TARP and whatever additional bailout cash is going to be spent, and the rescue easily exceeds a year's worth of tax revenue.

So why not, GOP? It's the ultimate tax cut, but simple, easy to understand, it has no loopholes and nobody has to fill out an application. Just zero income taxes. For a year.

I think it might get people's attention.

Ping,
Unfortunately I've got to agree with you. Craigs latest shows there isn't alot of room for dissent.

I guess if we don't fit we should just slink into the night.
Fair enough.....point taken...

tho't for the day from the cowboy philosopher:

when you're riding through hell, keep on riding

Champ -- I agree with you! Amazing -- change is in the air!

I missed out on the previous night's battle and I am a little afraid to look back at the last thread to check it out. It's kinda like watching a train wreck -- the dreaded fascination. The carrying on of the battle to the new thread into an "epic three day" showdown only seems to disintegrate the discussion. You have proposed a great solution.

http://blogs.cqpolitics.com/trailmix/2009/01/gop-gripes-carry-little-weight.html#comment-193419

Jax -- AGE? Happy trails!

OOoh...I do NOT want to look back a thread. Ooooh...I am sooo tempted.

Quick, please, someone say something interesting that keeps me from slipping awaaaayyyyy.

I think this stimulous should allow all loan interest to be deductible, and presented to the public in a way that reminds people it's OK to pay off debt. Also, all child and family support should be deductible, not just alimony. Single fathers who take care of their obligations could use a break and deserve one and they'll probably end up spending the money on their kids anyway.

Seems to me Republicans will never truly reinvent themselves until they find their truth and I just don't hear anything that resonates yet. Perhaps it -- and redemption -- lies in working with Democrats 1 0 0 % in the interest of the people, without any concern for party advantage. Just try it for a year and see what they learn and how the public reacts.

Republicans do have another choice, which is to simply let go of the vitriol and focus purely on cooperation and problem solving, going along by working closely and quietly to get their concerns met wherever possible.

Obama managed to run a new kind of campaign, issue-focused and mostly free of negative and personal attacks. I think it was the foundation upon which his victory was built, and symbolic that he meant what he was saying about everything. It helped him break through to that place where people trust him now to do the right and best thing, as best he can.

If Republicans ever want to regain the high ground, they should consider actually treading up there to see how it feels. But they will never get there as long as John Boehner is in the spotlight. McConnell seems to strike the right tone most of the time, even to the point where sometimes I actually have some hope that reasonable people are working together on our behalf.

But Boehner comes off as a guy who will never accept an olive branch or recognize a good idea from the opposition. He's one-dimensional, partisan and not that smart, on top of being a complete a-hole.

"Craigs latest shows there isn't alot of room for dissent."

jax, totally disagree with you. chez craig is a mega mansion compared to others we shall not name. our gracious host has provided a a veritable ballroom for our performances, albeit cavernous with too much echo at times. iow, there's more room for you and ping than you can imagine and many here imho welcome your insights. at least make it auf wiedersehen or aloha, not a fini.

Agree with patd. I can never recall an instance when Craig has encouraged any sort of "party line" to which he demands allegiance. He welcomes all sides in all debates, and has even shown great equanimity when he himself comes under attack.

My genitalia can beat up your genitalia.

http://blogs.cqpolitics.com/trailmix/2009/01/gop-gripes-carry-little-weight.html#comment-193425

another might be to always drink up stream from the herd.

Mike Farrace -- I love that idea -- let's bring back the deduction for consumer interest. Like the idea of allowing child support to be a deduction as well -- I know too many divorced parents who fight over the child deduction.

The GOP is really gong to have a hard time coming back because they have specialized in being the negative agents. People are tired of that. GOP wants to be pro-business and the businesse don't vote. The businesses have done a poor job of taking care of their employees so employees feel no loyalty to the business, and are not likely to vote the way their employer wants them to vote.

Some of my GOP friends are walking around all depressed these days, but I feel no obligation to help them out of their slumps, other than to encourage them to voice their opinions and ideas to help face our challenges and solve our problems. When we all think alike no one thinks at all.

Maybe tthe goopers should be forced to read Paul Krugman everyday and then be tested on the column.

Bad Faith Economics

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Article Tools Sponsored By
By PAUL KRUGMAN
Published: January 25, 2009

As the debate over President Obama’s economic stimulus plan gets under way, one thing is certain: many of the plan’s opponents aren’t arguing in good faith. Conservatives really, really don’t want to see a second New Deal, and they certainly don’t want to see government activism vindicated. So they are reaching for any stick they can find with which to beat proposals for increased government spending.
http://www.nytimes.com/2009/01/26/opinion/26krugman.html?_r=2&partner=rss&emc=rss

And I would like to be amend my position on the obesity tax. It should not be limited to drinks with sugar it should also include the diet drinks as well.

Now Ping, i know you better than that. We lost plenty of Little League games (most, i think) and still had fun.

http://blogs.cqpolitics.com/trailmix/pinecastle_littleleague.jpg

Posted by: Craig Crawford Author Profile Page | January 26, 2009 10:00 AM

bottom middle?

KGC -- Now that's interesting! What else would you include in the obesity tax?

Posted by: Colorado Bob | January 26, 2009 9:55 AM

What a beautiful fire hazard!

Obama and Democratic leaders are hoping to allay those concerns by creating a Web site - www.recovery.gov -where the public can track how the money is being spent.

Some of the biggest winners in the package are federal agencies, which would see a huge infusion of money. The Social Security Administration would get $400 million to replace its 30-year old computer system. The Agricultural Research Service would receive $209 million for deferred maintenance at its facilities. The General Services Administration would get $600 million to replace its older fleet of vehicles with new alternative-fuel cars and trucks.

Democrats say their goal is to create jobs by speeding up work on federal and state projects that would otherwise have waited years for funding.
http://www.sfgate.com/cgi-bin/article.cgi?f=/c/a/2009/01/26/MNU515G2DD.DTL&tsp=1

Twenty-five people at the heart of the meltdown ...
The worst economic turmoil since the Great Depression is not a natural phenomenon but a man-made disaster in which we all played a part. In the second part of a week-long series looking behind the slump, Guardian City editor Julia Finch picks out the individuals who have led us into the current crisis

http://www.guardian.co.uk/business/2009/jan/26/road-ruin-recession-individuals-economy

i am second from the right top row, will let Ping identify himself if he comes back -- and i hope he does

Champ -
Electro - shock hazard.
Do-it-yourself lobotomy .

Divalicious

Gov PatersonD NY has proposed a tx on non-diet sodas
http://www.cnn.com/2008/HEALTH/12/18/paterson.obesity/

Yesterday I posted I thought the legislation shouldalso require insurance companies to cover the cost of weight loss programs. After I thought about I think diet sodas should have the tax as well because it's been demonstrated they aren't all that good for people. Maybe just a general "empty calories tax" is a good idea.

People like Michael Pollan for whom I have great respect have written public health iniatives have to be tough and blunt.

Craig -
It's always a good sign for a column when you can work in Patty and Selma, or anybody from Springfield for that matter.

Maybe Ping got a pink slip .

So, Craig, this is consistent with your call 8 years ago for all Democrats to sit down and shut up because they were irrelevant? Oh, wait, you didn't say that then did you. Just because the GOP has had successive election losses, doesn't mean we should curl up into a ball and die. It means we need to refocus and get back to doing what Republicans do - offering people a more effective and efficient gov't that doesn't waste money on earmarks and pet projects. Only by fighting the massively wasteful spending Pelosi & Co. are pushing right now can we re-establish our credibility and not only fix what we messed up, but maybe even keep the Dems from making things even worse. I know the media believes its inappropriate to critique or even question Dems, but that doesn't mean all opposition to Obama should be silenced. Or do you think Hugo Chavez has the right idea in Venezuela?

KGC: Please, dear God, don't let the stimulus plan include changing the Social Security computers! Every time I read about the government getting new computers you can bet that six months later or so they're not working like they should and the agency will need a new round of computers. The primary example is the FBI's computers, which haven't worked they way they're supposed to for the last ten years. I can't afford to wait ten years for my next ss check! LOL!!

http://blogs.cqpolitics.com/trailmix/2009/01/gop-gripes-carry-little-weight.html#comment-193460

Welcome Stinbo, and yes you have a point

well i was expecting a failing grade from Ping today, not an exit stage right. come on Ping, we need you here -- the future of capitalism its own self is at stake

http://blogs.cqpolitics.com/trailmix/2009/01/gop-gripes-carry-little-weight.html#comment-193452

Empty calories tax? Empty calories aren't my problem. It's those big, luscious, gloriously flavorful and well-rounded calories that get me every time!

Thought for the day :
" You're smart when you only believe half of what you hear, Wise is when you know which half to believe. "

1880 Douglas MacArthur Little Rock AR, General of the Army (WWII), he did return!
1884 Roy Chapman Andrews US, scientist/explorer
1925 Paul Newman Cleveland OH, racer/popcorn mogul/actor (Hud, Hombre, Hustler)
1946 Gene Siskel movie critic (Siskel & Ebert)

1531 Lisbon hit by Earthquake; about 30,000 die
1697 Isaac Newton receives Jean Bernoulli's 6 month time-limit problem, solves problem before going to bed that same night
1784 Ben Franklin expresses unhappiness over the eagle as America's symbol
1838 Tennessee becomes 1st state to prohibit alcohol
1862 Lincoln issues General War Order #1, calling for a Union offensive McClellan ignores order
1863 War Department authorizes Massachusetts Governor to recruit black troops
1863 54th Regiment (Black) infantry forms
1871 US income tax repealed
1875 Electric dental drill is patented by George F Green
1939 Filming begins on "Gone With the Wind"
1945 Soviet forces reach Auschwitz concentration camp
1954 Ground breaking begins on Disneyland
1956 Buddy Holly's 1st formal recording session
1979 "The Dukes of Hazzard" premieres on CBS's vast wasteland
1995 New Jersey Governor Christine Whitman, dedicates a rest stop to Howard Stern
1998 President Clinton says "I want to say one thing to the American people, I did not have sexual relations with that woman, Miss Lewinsky"

Posted by: Divalicias Author Profile Page | January 26, 2009 10:39 AM

I hear ya talkin'

I am kind of appalled at the food fight currently going on among food activists. This is one area where people can take action on their own and don't need vast policy corrections to make change ...yet the so called leadership is discussing who got dissed by Obama on the issue of the whitehouse chef...oy vey

uhhmmm Diva apparently Gillibrand was Schumer's choice

Schumer Behind Gillibrand Choice, Insiders Say

KAREN MATTHEWS | January 25, 2009 10:48 PM EST | AP

http://blogs.cqpolitics.com/trailmix/2009/01/gop-gripes-carry-little-weight.html#comment-193406

Drat Ping, You get back her. I was about to throw you a good arguement on tax rates with more sides that a really big polyhedron.

I think the empty calories tax is a bunch of hog wash and creates a slippery slope- where to stop? It also makes me wonder who owns what in the beverage industry. Those dang vitamin waters have at least twice as many calories as soda. Learned that the hard way this summer, drank them during the heat of summer foolishly never looking at the calorie content till I gained 5 pounds.

Ping Pong- I have avoided posting any "controversial" links the last few weeks. Wanted to allow the victors their moment to hold hands and sing. In addition have had some issues to deal with around here so didn't need any added headaches. Promise I will buck up, suit up and get back to posting some potentially hazardous links! Just don't leave.

cb, I found this entry in your "this day in History" post amusing.

1979 "The Dukes of Hazzard" premieres on CBS's vast wasteland

... no doubt extending boundaries of that holding.

http://blogs.cqpolitics.com/trailmix/2009/01/gop-gripes-carry-little-weight.html#comment-193413

Blue, Pure breds often end up in rescue. Someone who breeds for show has a litter with a couple of pups that don't have perfect conformity. They want the animal to be cared for and have a good home and a "no kill" rescue facility that does checks on all those applying for an animal is a good place. There usually ends up being an auction for them because so many families use that as a means to get a pure bred for one third of the cost.

KGC -- Need to put more money into child nutrition programs -- school lunch and breakfast, Child and Adult Care Food Program. 60% of an infant's nutritional intake goes to brain development and 35% percent of a preschooler's nutritional intake goes to brain development. Over half of the children under age six have both parents in the workforce, so the quality of the foods children eat in child care makes a big impact on their development and future academic performance. When child care providers are only getting $1.50 per day to feed up to three meals and two snacks, they can't afford the higher quality foods like whole grains, fresh fruits and vegetables, leaner proteins, organic foods, etc. Most providers would rather feed the better foods and USDA education programs can vigorously promote that -- but the funding must be increased so they can afford to buy the better foods. When children learn better nutrition at a young age, they are more likely to choose healthier foods when they're older.

diva
excellent points and some changes need to be made in the ways schools are permitted to purchase foods. Expansion of existing the school gardens program and "salad bar " programs are good ideas as well.

I caught a little of "Morning Joe" this morning. And they were all poo - pooing the fact that some jack ass on Wall Street had bought a waste paper basket for something like $1,400. Then all agreed it was a perfect example of being "out of touch" .
Mika held up one and remarked that a $ 15 one did the same job. And in a final comment Erin Burnnet remarked that it cost 50 cents in China.

All of this seemed important, but I don't know why.

" The war on stupid has begun" - Dylan Radigan on "Morning Joe" 1-26-09

Stinbo, I could be wrong, but I believe that Craid didn't have a blog back then. Of course he did have CQ as a forum, and I doubt seriously that he said anything about the the Dem leadership then - who were out of power at the time - that exceeds what he said about the Rep leadership above. Of course the two elections were hardly comparable, were they? Obama did not have to resort to suing his opponent to take his seat in the oval office - he beat him instead. The Dems picked up 4 seats in the Senate, and the Dems gained seats (albeit only 1) for the 3rd election in a row. The Reps might take Craig's words to heart - after all, after 6+ years of rolling over for GWB on every one of his major initiatives, the Dems consolidated their hold on power in the two legislative houses and recaptured the White House.

http://blogs.cqpolitics.com/trailmix/2009/01/gop-gripes-carry-little-weight.html#comment-193479

School lunch programs are often the dumping grounds for agricultural surplus, and this is driving the menus. I once forced the purchase of a million pounds of cane berry puree to the School Lunch program. The cane berry growers had a surplus of berry slush because of INS crack down that kept the pickers from crossing the border, so the berries had to be machine-picked which smushed the berries and they couldn't be sold for $5.99 a half-pint. So we dumped it all on the poor school lunch people, who soon made their way to my office to complain about it. They were right -- they were getting this commodity for free -- but there was only so much they could do with all this berry slush. (I'm sorry, school lunch people, you really did manage to make a silk purse out of that sow's ear of a "gift." )

Craig there are a few republicans with power but they are not in the leadership. Several of the moderate Republicans should be able to trade their vote so the Senate can reach that majical number of 60. If the Senate Republican leadeship decide to become obstructionist It should have a lot of value.
Look for Maine to get more than it's share of economic stimulus.

Jack

http://blogs.cqpolitics.com/trailmix/2009/01/gop-gripes-carry-little-weight.html#comment-193476

Thank god, Ping. I wondered WTF - but didn't really think you meant YOU were leaving - except perhaps to go do your thing in the world of commerce. I trusted that you didn't read Craig's post as directed to you and the other more conservative members of our little corner of the universe.

Speaking of food, the drought in California is going to drive up the cost of food this summer. I saw a story about it a few days ago. Farmers there must make choices now on their planting, but the water people won't commit to how much they'll get ( Waiting on the snow pack ). Bankers won't loan money without knowing the farmers water allotment.
And the cherry on top of all this -
California runs out of money this week.

Babs and Blaggo. It's so weird to watch him answering questions from Babs who seems to be a talking head arising from a potted fern.

Ping

I was sure I saw a smiley face on your first post.

Then the other folks were worried.

Remember , You and Jax, Craig needs us all for his lab rat experiments to work.

One proud lab rat, here

Jack

C bob
(01-25) 15:00 PST Mendota, Calif. (AP) --

Consumers may pay more for spring lettuce and summer melons in grocery stores across the country now that California farmers have started abandoning their fields in response to a crippling drought.
http://www.sfgate.com/cgi-bin/article.cgi?f=/n/a/2009/01/22/financial/f163602S93.DTL&hw=farmers+water+planting&sn=001&sc=1000

too late
people better start seeds now

One positive note is the development of a rail coalition
http://www.transact.org/onerail/

The problem with the modern American right is they never cared if what they said is true. The problem with the modern American left is they never cared what they said would work.

Really? Gillebrand was Schumer's choice? Fascinating. He *hates* the NRA. Is he trying to get her out of the House and willing to put up with her for a couple of years in the Senate then have her defeated and out of the way?

KC, thanks for posting Krugman this morning. The man has a brain. Boner, well . . .

Schumer says Gillibrand will "evolve on guns...as he evolved on ag very odd

http://blogs.villagevoice.com/runninscared/archives/2009/01/schumer_tells_g.php

"He offers for purposes of comparison his own experience as a boy from Brooklyn who, when he came to the Senate, "opposed all agricultural subsidies," but has learned enough respect for farmers and the votes they possess that they now call him "the Downstate Farmer," a usage entirely new to us."

This isn't the first time Shumer has supported centrist women, Claire McCakill comes to mind. I believe part of this outlook maybe from his experiences as head of the Senate election efforts.
But he also could be positioning himself for other things.

Jack

http://blogs.cqpolitics.com/trailmix/2009/01/inaugural-images-2.html#comment-193391

Tiptoe,

If they were good to look at and knew how to dance, they wouldn't be in the right wing.

Pogo -
I loved to see what Boner has under his finger nails, as they say in the movies. He dresses like a Nevada brothel owner.

http://blogs.cqpolitics.com/trailmix/2009/01/gop-gripes-carry-little-weight.html#comment-193476

now there's the Ping we know and love (tho a bit generous with today's post grade). glad we misread your faux exit.

now, are you ready to reveal your identity in this photo?

http://blogs.cqpolitics.com/trailmix/pinecastle_littleleague.jpg

gotta run, New Thread at Noon

http://blogs.cqpolitics.com/trailmix/2009/01/gop-gripes-carry-little-weight.html#comment-193490

KGC

The state that really only has enough water for about ten million people while still feeding the nation from the northern end and raising cattle in the arid southern end now has almost 35 million living on millions of acres of cement.

You never know what you've got 'til it's gone
Paint Paradise and put up a parking lot.

Ping....
glad to see you're still here..... now hand me those grits.... :0)

KGC & Diva.... great discussion concerning food.... but it discounts basic human behavior..... no matter how many warnings on the pack of cigarettes, some people will still smoke.... no matter what is said about alcohol or drugs.... some will drink to excess and some will take drugs...

and no matter how much you educate people on what they "should" or "shouldn't" eat..... some will continue to eat stuff that's not good for them.... I know I still do.... hell... I even occasionally indulge in a dessert despite being a diabetic....

human beings have always indulged in certain behaviors..... and IMO.... they always will..... of course.... that doesn't mean we should stop giving people information.....

CBob..... your 11:22 is right on..... that's why I prefer to look at all sides of an issue....

Bob, I'd recommend wearing gloves when you take those scrapings. :-)

oh and Rick and I were discussing about only making a very small garden this spring because we have so much work to do in cleaning up our yard from the ice storm.....

perhaps we should rethink it....

I am sorry for coming in and not speaking directly to Craig's subject, but of course I totally agree with what he has written. I am here because a VERY GOOD friend of mine wrote something that she sent my way. Her name is Rita, and Rita is very sincere, honest, and loving... I asked if I could post it and she gave me permission:

THIS IS A STORY

This is a story about a mother who feels her voice goes unheard, her rights and her daughter's' taken away. Not having her younger daughter's marriage be legal. Marching in the streets for rights all people should have. Fighting the medical system to care for her son-in-law with no insurance. Fighting the welfare system to help buy food for her oldest daughter's family whose husband is out of work due to medical reasons from having no insurance. This is a story about a mother who lost her faith in mankind and the welfare system that had helped her in the past as a single mom. Now holding her granddaughter in her arms she worries this nation will not be a place for her to find her dreams.

This is about seven years of depression, about a nation being lied to again and again. About living under a shrouded veil of mourning. Of not even being able to take a vacation without feeling the fear our nation's leaders are trying to make us feel.

This is a story about a man who brought back hope, who has talked of change, whose face is not one we have seen the likes of in the highest office before. How he talks with eloquence, intelligence and calm, no fear of the oil and gun company's. It's about the people who came together, who fought to put that face in the office, and take back their rights, how they stopped living in fear. This story is about a night that we all felt the shroud lift. The depression lifting, hope returning for a mother and her daughters and her grandchildren. This is a story about the night a mother got her faith & fight back, to continue marching in the streets, to make this the country she knows it can be. A country where you can be anything you want to be. This is a story about a night a mother felt heard.

Copyright - 2008 Rita Blood

KGC

Also, Pennsylvania has no supply of dependable cheap labor.
The fresh fruit and veggie business is very labor intensive.

Jack

Renee, but of course. I know that fruit is a much better choice for dessert than triple chocolate cheeesecake, and I love fruit. But Saturday night, faced with that choice, it was TCC without a moment's hesitation. And it was delicious.

Jack
We need to rethink our attitudes about farming and our food system.
http://www.nytimes.com/2008/10/12/magazine/12policy-t.html

http://www.jsonline.com/news/milwaukee/32497129.html

a great example of someone who thought outside the box of traditional farming...the urban farming experience

For those who like to get into the nitty gritty of taxes vs spending, here is a page just loaded with charts and data.

http://home.att.net/~rdavis2/taxcuts.html

Then you can go here and watch the left and right slug it out on what is a "supply side" cut and what is a "demand side" cut

http://swampbubbles.com/bubble/john-f-kennedy-taxes

Blue,

It is always claimed that unions "priced themselves out of the market". On the surface this appears to be true except they were fighting to keep wages and benefits at the same growth level as corporate profits.

Unfotunately, at the same time the unions wanted more, the corporations with the assistance of Republican controlled government were trying to be competitive on a global market with dropping tariffs and outsourcing which allowed for huge populations willing to work for much lower wages to manufacturing products that were imported cheaply thus undercutting the whole of the US manufacturing market.

Whole industries disappeared such as electronics and textiles and the people who used to shop at Sears started buying at Wal Mart. There has been a steady undercutting of the American worker and the destruction of the middle class created after WW II.

For the first time in our history, the generation now reaching adulthood not only does not have the buying power of the previous generation but is no longer as well educated in a market that demands more and more education just to survive because the industries that used to employ those with HS or less abilities are totally gone.

" Pennsylvania has no supply of dependable cheap labor. "

Jack -
Stoop labor is going to make a big come back.

NEW THREAD

Wow, I thought I just finished reading an article in Pravda. Just shut up Republicans, you have no say or no chance, so just cave in and be bipartisan the democrat way.

NEW THREAD