Comments on: A Cruel Twist of the Knife: The GOP Shuts Down Government http://dissidentvoice.org/2009/01/a-cruel-twist-of-the-knife-the-gop-shuts-down-government/ a radical newsletter in the struggle for peace and social justice Thu, 08 Dec 2011 15:07:30 +0000 hourly 1 http://wordpress.org/?v=3.3.2 By: lichen http://dissidentvoice.org/2009/01/a-cruel-twist-of-the-knife-the-gop-shuts-down-government/#comment-35203 lichen Sat, 03 Jan 2009 22:45:21 +0000 http://www.dissidentvoice.org/?p=5773#comment-35203 Yes, the 'middle class' myth is a stupid lie, and I hate how it is talked of as an 'acheivement' after the IMF/World Bank impoverish some part of the world that previously had more equality. So is this 'small government' nonsense; I want a big, giant government personally; direct, decentralized democracy in every area of civic life backed up by a strong new constitution garunteeing equal rights for everyone; a government so big it includes everyone! Otherwise the warlord-capitalists take over. Yes, the ‘middle class’ myth is a stupid lie, and I hate how it is talked of as an ‘acheivement’ after the IMF/World Bank impoverish some part of the world that previously had more equality. So is this ‘small government’ nonsense; I want a big, giant government personally; direct, decentralized democracy in every area of civic life backed up by a strong new constitution garunteeing equal rights for everyone; a government so big it includes everyone! Otherwise the warlord-capitalists take over.

]]> By: HR http://dissidentvoice.org/2009/01/a-cruel-twist-of-the-knife-the-gop-shuts-down-government/#comment-35089 HR Fri, 02 Jan 2009 21:18:58 +0000 http://www.dissidentvoice.org/?p=5773#comment-35089 Apparently Californians are happy with their mess. I have heard nothing of any initiative movement to repeal Article XIII B of the state constitution, which allows a minority of one-third in the legislature to block all tax increases. Nor have I heard of any initiative movement to repeal the 1930s legislation in California that allows a minority of one-third to block passage of the annual state budget. Seems to me that if people really wanted change, they could have it fairly easily. One two-sentence initiative could break the roadblocks set up by existing minority-rule laws. But no, it seems that the main concerns of Californians center around same-sex marriage and other bigotry. Apparently Californians are happy with their mess. I have heard nothing of any initiative movement to repeal Article XIII B of the state constitution, which allows a minority of one-third in the legislature to block all tax increases. Nor have I heard of any initiative movement to repeal the 1930s legislation in California that allows a minority of one-third to block passage of the annual state budget. Seems to me that if people really wanted change, they could have it fairly easily. One two-sentence initiative could break the roadblocks set up by existing minority-rule laws. But no, it seems that the main concerns of Californians center around same-sex marriage and other bigotry.

]]> By: kalidas http://dissidentvoice.org/2009/01/a-cruel-twist-of-the-knife-the-gop-shuts-down-government/#comment-35061 kalidas Fri, 02 Jan 2009 17:12:25 +0000 http://www.dissidentvoice.org/?p=5773#comment-35061 The phrase "American poor" was unique, don't you think? The phrase “American poor” was unique, don’t you think?

]]> By: The Angry Peasant http://dissidentvoice.org/2009/01/a-cruel-twist-of-the-knife-the-gop-shuts-down-government/#comment-35056 The Angry Peasant Fri, 02 Jan 2009 16:49:05 +0000 http://www.dissidentvoice.org/?p=5773#comment-35056 Exactly. This "Middle Class" myth needs to be extinguished. For too long the poor, as you said, have been indoctrinated to think that all their problems come from a lack of character in themselves, rather than the tyrannical, unjust system they live under. That's why both the poor and middle class buy into this bailout travesty, which is actually the upper class declaring war on them. Exactly. This “Middle Class” myth needs to be extinguished. For too long the poor, as you said, have been indoctrinated to think that all their problems come from a lack of character in themselves, rather than the tyrannical, unjust system they live under. That’s why both the poor and middle class buy into this bailout travesty, which is actually the upper class declaring war on them.

]]> By: Jackie http://dissidentvoice.org/2009/01/a-cruel-twist-of-the-knife-the-gop-shuts-down-government/#comment-35055 Jackie Fri, 02 Jan 2009 16:46:05 +0000 http://www.dissidentvoice.org/?p=5773#comment-35055 Wow way to narrow an article down to just one group of people. This is something that has been happening long before the Bush Administration, it was just a matter of time before the USA went into recession. The everyday person needs to know how to "handle" their money that they work hard for and not "waste" and want for things they can not afford. The world has come to be very selfish and this is why we are in this mess, from the top (very rich, elite) to the bottom (poverty stricken) and all in between. Everyone needs to come together and stop looking out for "themselves". Wow way to narrow an article down to just one group of people. This is something that has been happening long before the Bush Administration, it was just a matter of time before the USA went into recession. The everyday person needs to know how to “handle” their money that they work hard for and not “waste” and want for things they can not afford. The world has come to be very selfish and this is why we are in this mess, from the top (very rich, elite) to the bottom (poverty stricken) and all in between. Everyone needs to come together and stop looking out for “themselves”.

]]> By: Hue Longer http://dissidentvoice.org/2009/01/a-cruel-twist-of-the-knife-the-gop-shuts-down-government/#comment-35042 Hue Longer Fri, 02 Jan 2009 13:13:14 +0000 http://www.dissidentvoice.org/?p=5773#comment-35042 That's why the rich have the middle class (the 20 or so percent...NOT the working class who have been convinced they are middle class because their fingernails are clean) who manage the wealth of the ruling class and the slaves in the working class. Those folks will hold onto the system as long as they can because they enjoy the table scraps too much. The machine has a way of portraying the middle class in an obtainable way that gets everyone in the working class blaming themselves for their own misfortune if their credit cards and refis suddenly stop making their lives look equal to the perfect families on TV. That’s why the rich have the middle class (the 20 or so percent…NOT the working class who have been convinced they are middle class because their fingernails are clean) who manage the wealth of the ruling class and the slaves in the working class. Those folks will hold onto the system as long as they can because they enjoy the table scraps too much. The machine has a way of portraying the middle class in an obtainable way that gets everyone in the working class blaming themselves for their own misfortune if their credit cards and refis suddenly stop making their lives look equal to the perfect families on TV.

]]> By: Willy Sierens http://dissidentvoice.org/2009/01/a-cruel-twist-of-the-knife-the-gop-shuts-down-government/#comment-35041 Willy Sierens Fri, 02 Jan 2009 11:09:44 +0000 http://www.dissidentvoice.org/?p=5773#comment-35041 Taking the wealth from the over-rich is easy and requires no violence. The poor should simply decide to stop serving them. No more servants on luxury yachts!! Taking the wealth from the over-rich is easy and requires no violence. The poor should simply decide to stop serving them. No more servants on luxury yachts!!

]]> By: The Angry Peasant http://dissidentvoice.org/2009/01/a-cruel-twist-of-the-knife-the-gop-shuts-down-government/#comment-35025 The Angry Peasant Fri, 02 Jan 2009 03:05:10 +0000 http://www.dissidentvoice.org/?p=5773#comment-35025 I agree, Lichen. I was reading an article recently by an economist who claimed that the bailouts and partial government takeover of some investment firms is a sign that things are going to pieces, quickly. The article opened my eyes a bit, saying that this government intervention is not about bailing out the rich (which is just a happy side-effect), but about a system trying to save itself. Indeed, I've heard many an expert intimate that what is happening to our economy on the grandest scale is a definite indication that the very existence capitalism itself in America is now threatened. A systeic change is needed. In the meantime, to cure our immediate ills, I think we have to finally start taking the wealth from the overly-wealthy. If they don't mind taking some of our freedoms away because a couple planes hit some buildings, surely there shouldn't be a pressing moral issue in claiming the super-surplus of wealth sitting in Bel-Air attics. If it is indeed true that the government is trying desperately to save its failed system, then let it take all necessary steps. It seems ridiculous that so many people in California now are facing all-out poverty while Hollywood sits atop a mountain of money. I agree, Lichen. I was reading an article recently by an economist who claimed that the bailouts and partial government takeover of some investment firms is a sign that things are going to pieces, quickly. The article opened my eyes a bit, saying that this government intervention is not about bailing out the rich (which is just a happy side-effect), but about a system trying to save itself. Indeed, I’ve heard many an expert intimate that what is happening to our economy on the grandest scale is a definite indication that the very existence capitalism itself in America is now threatened.
A systeic change is needed. In the meantime, to cure our immediate ills, I think we have to finally start taking the wealth from the overly-wealthy. If they don’t mind taking some of our freedoms away because a couple planes hit some buildings, surely there shouldn’t be a pressing moral issue in claiming the super-surplus of wealth sitting in Bel-Air attics. If it is indeed true that the government is trying desperately to save its failed system, then let it take all necessary steps. It seems ridiculous that so many people in California now are facing all-out poverty while Hollywood sits atop a mountain of money.

]]> By: Tree http://dissidentvoice.org/2009/01/a-cruel-twist-of-the-knife-the-gop-shuts-down-government/#comment-35022 Tree Fri, 02 Jan 2009 02:47:42 +0000 http://www.dissidentvoice.org/?p=5773#comment-35022 The less government the better. Republicans didn't force Americans to max out their credit cards, mortgage their overpriced homes to the hilt and not have any savings. There's plenty of blame to go around these days and while I loathe Republicans and Democrats, they are hardly the only ones responsible for this mess. The whole system is breaking down. The less government the better.
Republicans didn’t force Americans to max out their credit cards, mortgage their overpriced homes to the hilt and not have any savings. There’s plenty of blame to go around these days and while I loathe Republicans and Democrats, they are hardly the only ones responsible for this mess.

The whole system is breaking down.

]]> By: lichen http://dissidentvoice.org/2009/01/a-cruel-twist-of-the-knife-the-gop-shuts-down-government/#comment-35020 lichen Fri, 02 Jan 2009 02:34:52 +0000 http://www.dissidentvoice.org/?p=5773#comment-35020 Plenty of democrats also subscribe to poverty creation/privatization/neofuedalism/corporatism, too. They all need to be stopped, republican or not. And states/the federal government would have it's money if they only fully funded the enforcing of the tax law, forcing the very wealthy (bush tax cuts or not) to actually pay up. Especially in California! Tax those stupid fucking 'stuporhero' films. Plenty of democrats also subscribe to poverty creation/privatization/neofuedalism/corporatism, too. They all need to be stopped, republican or not. And states/the federal government would have it’s money if they only fully funded the enforcing of the tax law, forcing the very wealthy (bush tax cuts or not) to actually pay up. Especially in California! Tax those stupid fucking ‘stuporhero’ films.

]]> By: The Angry Peasant http://dissidentvoice.org/2009/01/a-cruel-twist-of-the-knife-the-gop-shuts-down-government/#comment-35019 The Angry Peasant Fri, 02 Jan 2009 02:25:27 +0000 http://www.dissidentvoice.org/?p=5773#comment-35019 It just goes to show once again, the Republicans are evil. And the Democrats, really. And I don't care what any of the haughty, self-righteous commenters in DV say. Socialism is the only way to save the American people. It just goes to show once again, the Republicans are evil. And the Democrats, really. And I don’t care what any of the haughty, self-righteous commenters in DV say. Socialism is the only way to save the American people.

]]> By: Don Hawkins http://dissidentvoice.org/2009/01/a-cruel-twist-of-the-knife-the-gop-shuts-down-government/#comment-34992 Don Hawkins Thu, 01 Jan 2009 23:38:35 +0000 http://www.dissidentvoice.org/?p=5773#comment-34992 preservation of the planet, preservation of the planet, preservation of the planet This is a time to rededicate America’s future to cooperation, problem solving and controlling private greed for the benefit of the public man you can say that again. There is a profound disconnect between actions that policy circles are considering and what the science demands for preservation of the planet. A stark scientific conclusion, that we must reduce greenhouse gases below present amounts to preserve nature and humanity, has become clear to the relevant experts. The validity of this statement could be verified by the National Academy of Sciences, which can deliver prompt authoritative reports in response to a Presidential requesti. NAS was set up by President Lincoln for just such advisory purposes. (2) Rising price on carbon emissions via a “carbon tax and 100% dividend”. A rising price on carbon emissions is the essential underlying support needed to make all other climate policies work. For example, improved building codes are essential, but full enforcement at all construction and operations is impractical. A rising carbon price is the one practical way to obtain compliance with codes designed to increase energy efficiency. A rising carbon price is essential to “decarbonize” the economy, i.e., to move the nation toward the era beyond fossil fuels. The most effective way to achieve this is a carbon tax (on oil, gas, and coal) at the well-head or port of entry. The tax will then appropriately affect all products and activities that use fossil fuels. The public’s near-term, mid-term, and long-term lifestyle choices will be affected by knowledge that the carbon tax rate will be rising. The public will support the tax if it is returned to them, equal shares on a per capita basis (half shares for children up to a maximum of two child-shares per family), deposited monthly in bank accounts. No large bureaucracy is needed. A person reducing his carbon footprint more than average makes money. A person with large cars and a big house will pay a tax much higher than the dividend. Not one cent goes to Washington. No lobbyists will be supported. Unlike cap-and-trade, no millionaires would be made at the expense of the public. The tax will spur innovation as entrepreneurs compete to develop and market low-carbon and no-carbon energies and products. The dividend puts money in the pockets of consumers, stimulating the economy, and providing the public a means to purchase the products. http://www.columbia.edu/~jeh1/mailings/20081229_DearMichelleAndBarack.pdf http://www.columbia.edu/~jeh1/mailings/20081229_Obama_revised.pdf preservation of the planet, preservation of the planet, preservation of the planet
This is a time to rededicate America’s future to cooperation, problem solving and controlling private greed for the benefit of the public man you can say that again.

There is a profound disconnect between actions that policy circles are considering and what
the science demands for preservation of the planet. A stark scientific conclusion, that we
must reduce greenhouse gases below present amounts to preserve nature and humanity, has
become clear to the relevant experts. The validity of this statement could be verified by the
National Academy of Sciences, which can deliver prompt authoritative reports in response to
a Presidential requesti. NAS was set up by President Lincoln for just such advisory purposes.

(2) Rising price on carbon emissions via a “carbon tax and 100% dividend”.
A rising price on carbon emissions is the essential underlying support needed to make all
other climate policies work. For example, improved building codes are essential, but full
enforcement at all construction and operations is impractical. A rising carbon price is the one
practical way to obtain compliance with codes designed to increase energy efficiency.
A rising carbon price is essential to “decarbonize” the economy, i.e., to move the nation
toward the era beyond fossil fuels. The most effective way to achieve this is a carbon tax (on
oil, gas, and coal) at the well-head or port of entry. The tax will then appropriately affect all
products and activities that use fossil fuels. The public’s near-term, mid-term, and long-term
lifestyle choices will be affected by knowledge that the carbon tax rate will be rising.
The public will support the tax if it is returned to them, equal shares on a per capita basis
(half shares for children up to a maximum of two child-shares per family), deposited monthly
in bank accounts. No large bureaucracy is needed. A person reducing his carbon footprint
more than average makes money. A person with large cars and a big house will pay a tax
much higher than the dividend. Not one cent goes to Washington. No lobbyists will be
supported. Unlike cap-and-trade, no millionaires would be made at the expense of the public.
The tax will spur innovation as entrepreneurs compete to develop and market low-carbon
and no-carbon energies and products. The dividend puts money in the pockets of consumers,
stimulating the economy, and providing the public a means to purchase the products.

http://www.columbia.edu/~jeh1/mailings/20081229_DearMichelleAndBarack.pdf

http://www.columbia.edu/~jeh1/mailings/20081229_Obama_revised.pdf

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