Report: ‘Shadow Goverment’ Of Private Contractors Explodes Under Bush
Report: ‘Shadow Goverment’ Of Private Contractors Explodes Under Bush
A new report by the Committee on Oversight and Government Reform concludes that, under the Bush administration, the “shadow government of private companies working under federal contract has exploded in size. Between 2000 and 2005, procurement spending increased by over $175 billion dollars, making federal contracts the fastest growing component of federal discretionary spending.”
But while private contractors — such as Halliburton and AshBritt — have been reaping huge profits, “billions of dollars of taxpayer money have been squandered.” Some highlights from the report:
– Halliburton has been the “fastest growing contractor.” Under the Bush administration, federal spending to Halliburton “increased over 600% between 2000 and 2005.” The Government Accountability Office recently found that the government has wasted at least $2.7 billion to Halliburton on “overpriced contracts or undocumented costs.” At the end of 2005, Cheney’s stock options were valued at more than $8 million, a 3,281 percent gain from 2004.
– Growth in federal contracting exceeds inflation rate. In 2000, the value of federal contracts totaled $203 billion. By 2005, the value was $377.5 billion, an 86 percent increase. The new report notes that this “growth in contracting was over five times faster than the overall inflation rate and almost twice as fast as the growth in other discretionary federal spending over this period.” A record level of “nearly 40 cents of every discretionary federal dollar now goes to private contractors.”
– Noncompetitive contracts skyrocket. Sole-source and noncompetitive contracts grew by “an even faster rate than overall procurement spending, rising by 115% from $67.5 billion in 2000 to $145 billion in 2005.” Many of these no-bid contracts during the Iraq war and Katrina reconstruction went to Bush administration cronies who wasted money and performed shoddy work.
In the report’s review of 500 contracts, 118 contracts worth $745.5 billion “experienced significant overcharges, wasteful spending, or mismanagement over the last five years.” A recent report by American Progress Senior Fellow Scott Lilly has more details about the Bush administration’s procurement process problem and what Congress can do to clean up the mess.
UPDATE: The Gavel has video of House oversight chairman Henry Waxman (D-CA) discussing the new report.
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June 27th, 2007 at 12:48 pmWhy the bump in noncompetitive contracts for 2004? Oh -- silly me --- that was an election year!
June 27th, 2007 at 12:49 pmCRONY-
ISM.
It's corrupt and UN-AMERICAN.
Remember laissez faire, and free market economics, anybody?
June 27th, 2007 at 12:49 pmNo suprise here....We all have been watching this big game since 2000....Blessings
June 27th, 2007 at 12:51 pmRemember laissez faire, and free market economics, anybody?
Comment by Not Canadian
That only applies to progressive policies, duh.
June 27th, 2007 at 12:52 pmit's time that we take away the tools that these criminals use to wage wars, violate our liberty, destroy our economy and kill millions of innocents.
what is that? money, power, military, contractors - maybe all of it. We need to focus on national DE-fense instead of this massive national OF-fense.
Some further reading:
"Leaders Don't Kill People..."
June 27th, 2007 at 12:52 pmhttp://www.populistamerica.com/leaders_dont_kill_people
Laissez faire economics is for everybody else. Screwing the free market and giving non-compete contracts to buddies is for the leaders -- remember, they are accountable to no one, not even the people.
June 27th, 2007 at 12:52 pmThis shouldn't surprise anyone. Taxpayer dollars are funneled to cronies of this admin. FEMA can't do its job so they funnel it out to someone else who won't do it, and we pay billions for it. Blackwater gets Iraq contracts (did you notice their IPO info?) This is a joke of biblical proportions (pun intended).
Ok, let's review fascism (from http://www.ellensplace.net/fascism.html):
1. Powerful and Continuing Nationalism
2. Disdain for the Recognition of Human Rights
3. Identification of Enemies/Scapegoats as a Unifying Cause
4. Supremacy of the Military
5. Rampant Sexism
6. Controlled Mass Media
7. Obsession with National Security
8. Religion and Government are Intertwined
9. Corporate Power is Protected
10. Labor Power is Suppressed
11. Disdain for Intellectuals and the Arts
12. Obsession with Crime and Punishment
13. Rampant Cronyism and Corruption
14. Fraudulent Elections
I could post this in every story we read and highlight the appropriate point. Our country is becoming a fascist (soon to be police) state. And Cheney is driving it.
Anyone...Got Fascism?
June 27th, 2007 at 12:53 pmAnd we know what a good job these guys do and how good they are at keeping to a budget.....NOT!
If King George had his way we would privatize the entire government. Talk about feeding at the pork trough. How does these crooks not call this pork?
June 27th, 2007 at 12:55 pmA record level of “nearly 40 cents of every discretionary federal dollar now goes to private contractors.â€
Next: get rid of those pesky entitlement programs. Why should my taxes go to someone who doesn't work, just because s/he has reached a certain age?
And medicaid? Why, I'm just subsidizing someone who is sick. People should pay their own way and that goes for people who get sick. That's what those "health savings accounts" are designed for, after all.
Aid to Families with Dependent Children is just another way to take my money and give it to some welfare queen. I had to pay for raising my kids, why should I have to pay to raise someone elses?
Education is another joke. Why should I pay for educating someone else's kids? Shut down public schools. Parents who want their kids to amount to something should pay for their kid's education. If they can't afford to, well, they should have thought about that before having kids.
And abortion is out, too. No way should my hard earned tax dollars support abortion. Life is way too precious to me, and life begins at conception. Let them use birth control. And if they can't afford birth control, they should stop having sex.
And there's a fool-proof way to stop having sex: get married. It worked for me.
[/snark]
June 27th, 2007 at 12:56 pmKatie, pork is only bad when it's not feeding his friends. Pork to actually do things for the country is bad. Greed to the nth degree is good.
June 27th, 2007 at 12:56 pmThat (free market) only applies to progressive policies, duh.
But not in the arena of mass communications. Bring on the fairness doctrine, Big Brother needs to make sure you dont get any ideas into your head that arent approved...or edited for fairness (whatever the hell that means).
Ok everybody, sing along: "Deutschland uber alles"
June 27th, 2007 at 12:58 pmUnfortunately, Man, the Fairness Doctrine does not coincide with the 6th point of fascism. Our MSM is doing a fine job of complying with good old #6.
June 27th, 2007 at 12:59 pmI would call it the right-wing version of welfare: do little or no work, apply for it through cronyism and nepotism, scribble on few - if any - forms, and be required to wear official-looking attire in order to collect the check.
Lather. Rinse. Repeat.
June 27th, 2007 at 12:59 pmBNF, I didn't catch your last line in my first read. NOW I know why republicans are so anti sex! They are for marriage so that everyone else can be as miserable as they are and by god, if they aren't having sex, NO ONE CAN!
That cleared it up for me!
June 27th, 2007 at 1:01 pmAnd we know what a good job these guys do and how good they are at keeping to a budget…..NOT!
If King George had his way we would privatize the entire government. Talk about feeding at the pork trough. How does these crooks not call this pork?
Comment by Katie — June 27, 2007 @ 12:55 pm
Yeah, they're nothing but crooks. They should turn the government over to our honest, hardworking unions, who never feed at the public trough. Why privatize things when we can take care of everything without worrying about silly things like competition and turning out a decent product?
Trust us, we'll do for the government what we did for the airlines and automobile companies.
June 27th, 2007 at 1:02 pmI would call it the right-wing version of welfare: do little or no work, apply for it through cronyism and nepotism, scribble on few - if any - forms, and be required to wear official-looking attire in order to collect the check.
Lather. Rinse. Repeat.
Comment by CT V_1 — June 27, 2007 @ 12:59 pm
I've was searching and searching for the perfect description of my union, and alas you have provided it for me.
Thank you!
June 27th, 2007 at 1:04 pmAnd still, impeachment is off the table.
June 27th, 2007 at 1:07 pmI'm stuck in a drought and it seems that only E.Asia is getting trickled on. There's always the military .
June 27th, 2007 at 1:07 pmComment by Jimmy Hoffa
I'm glad I could be of help.
June 27th, 2007 at 1:08 pmIs jimmy hoffa the only troll we can get to respond to this thread?? Must be too sensitive even for the usual suspects to slither out and comment.
June 27th, 2007 at 1:08 pmHey Congressional oversight committees, it is all there, the illegal contracts, the illegal profits - all that illegal economic activity the rooked the American treasury. Let's have some convictions and repayments NOW!
June 27th, 2007 at 1:09 pmRemember before Bush was installed as president, the Koolaid drinkers main talking point was that even if Bush was not up to the challenge intellectually, it would be okay, because he was going to surround himself with the most competent managers in America? Remember the "CEO presidency"?
These guys couldn't manage a lemonaid stand. Unless by "managers", they actually meant "thieves".
Freekin' criminals.
June 27th, 2007 at 1:09 pmYes BNF,
Getting married is a fool proof way to stop having sex. It does work.
June 27th, 2007 at 1:09 pmI doubt we'll have to worry much about unions. Points 9 and 10 of fascism are already in play. Just look to the latest supreme court decisions.
June 27th, 2007 at 1:10 pmComment by Upside00 — June 27, 2007 @ 1:08 pm
Actually, Up, the trolls are busy in their sandboxes trying to work their little 5-year-old brains to a frenzy to figure out the graphs so they can try to respond.
Either that, or Rush Limpballs hasn't fed them their daily talking points on this to be spread all over the internets yet today...
June 27th, 2007 at 1:14 pmWe wish the private contractors would just "explode".
June 27th, 2007 at 1:15 pmHere's a talking point from the right. "What's wrong with private enterprise?"
June 27th, 2007 at 1:16 pmAnd there’s a fool-proof way to stop having sex: get married. It worked for me.
[/snark]
Comment by Briseadh na Faire — June 27, 2007 @ 12:56 pm
Hey BnF, this part wasn't sarcasm, was it?
June 27th, 2007 at 1:16 pmThis is what you get when the economic royalist party is allowed to have at its idea of economic conservatism.
They borrow huge amounts of money to pay for tax cuts. Which effectively makes them tax deferrals and nothing more.
Then they give that borrowed money to the very people that benefitted most from the tax deferral. Leaving the rest of us, to wonder why corporate profits go through the roofs, and employee compensation stays stagnant.
Jimmy Hoffa,
you are an idiot. It's obvious that you are one of those jackasses that thinks unions are responsible for the companies financial problems. Why wont the corporate heads of these comanies take compensation cuts before they ever ask their blue collar workers to do the same?
In 2005 Northwest Airlines execs demanded $176 million in wage and benefit cuts from its mechanics union, pleading poverty. Yet when those mechanics reacted by going on strike, the New York Times revealed that in the months leading up to the demand for wage cuts, "the airline spent more than $100 million to hire and train 1500 replacements" for those striking mechanics. That's $100 million dollars used to do nothing more than undermine the union. If it was in such dire financial straits, where did they find the money to go union busting?
Wake up!
June 27th, 2007 at 1:17 pmIsn't there a way to shut these guys down before they bleed this country dry?
June 27th, 2007 at 1:20 pmBut not in the arena of mass communications. Bring on the fairness doctrine, Big Brother needs to make sure you dont get any ideas into your head that arent approved…or edited for fairness (whatever the hell that means).
Ok everybody, sing along: “Deutschland uber allesâ€
Comment by Man
Hey assface, the fairness doctrine hasn't been reinstituted. And It won't be because "Big Brother" or neocons as it were, don't want the people to know what's going on. And I know you get your talking points from Rush so I wouldn't expect you to understand but the fairness doctrine is basically equal time for opposing views and for each candidate in a race. Why don't you turn off Fox News and use the internets or the google to learn something.
June 27th, 2007 at 1:21 pmGetting married leads to less sex, yes, and most likely marital problems. But there is one sure fire way to keep having sex and still remain married. It's called a girlfriend!
June 27th, 2007 at 1:21 pmStandard behavior for Banana Republicans: cronyism, secret deals and outright theft.
June 27th, 2007 at 1:22 pmI think the United Airlines bankruptcy was worse. They plead poverty under the bankruptcy law, yet the CEO petitions the court for a multi-million dollar bonus, while they are in bankruptcy, while all the workers are taking concessions, AND GETS IT.
To me, that was the epitome of corruption allowed by law. Screw the working people...they are replaceable (as you showed), as long as the CEO's and other officers make out like bandits, all is well in the world.
And they're starting to move towards screwing the shareholders, too. (Thank the SCOTUS for that one, too).
o/` What a wonderful world it would be (if we could get rid of every greedy republican). o/`
June 27th, 2007 at 1:23 pmWelfare is also increasing at rates beyond inflation. Why not mention that?
June 27th, 2007 at 1:23 pmits estimated 40 cents in every dollar for the war goes on private contractors
June 27th, 2007 at 1:23 pmIs jimmy hoffa the only troll we can get to respond to this thread?? Must be too sensitive even for the usual suspects to slither out and comment.
Comment by Upside00
Naw, that's probably President Clinton bashing American workers to make his lameass argument. When it's easier for him he'll be PC again.
June 27th, 2007 at 1:24 pmI have a question for everyone here: Do you think that it is possible in America today for citizens to overthrow a government that no longer represents them, as is stated as a right and an obligation in the Declaration of Independance?
June 27th, 2007 at 1:25 pmUhm, citizen_pain, I don't want a girlfriend (although some nice guy woudl be nice) :-D
My ex husband didn't care much about sex after marriage, so it's not just women. We just pick the wrong people (hence the EX in this statement).
June 27th, 2007 at 1:26 pmNo, no, getting married leads to more sex, but not with your own husband/wife
/sarc off
June 27th, 2007 at 1:27 pmOk everybody, sing along: “Deutschland uber allesâ€
Comment by Man
Okay but I prefer the Dead Kennedys "California Uber Alles"?
June 27th, 2007 at 1:28 pmWhy is welfare increasing beyond the rate of inflation MAFguy?
Maybe a few abortions would curtail that.
June 27th, 2007 at 1:28 pmOK MsJoanne, fair enough. I'm sure most people grow tired of sex with the same partner after a period of time, and I am sure that leads to many, many divorces, and also keeps pumping billions into the prostitution and pornography business. Wouldn't it be easier and cheaper to have a mistress, or.... a manstress!?!? LOL
June 27th, 2007 at 1:29 pmHey BnF, this part wasn’t sarcasm, was it?
Comment by shane — June 27, 2007 @ 1:16 pm
nah, I just had to cut back to no more than 3 times/day ;-)
(What can I say, I'm a Scotsman, and a Scorpio!)
June 27th, 2007 at 1:29 pmWelfare is also increasing at rates beyond inflation. Why not mention that?
Comment by m12
Because more people are living below the poverty level. How dare they. Why don't you get them all paid troll jobs like you have. What are you making? You paid by the post or by the hour?
June 27th, 2007 at 1:30 pmcitizen_pain
Unfortunatly, things haven't become bad enough to overthrow the government. Most folks can still drive and watch TV. In reality the US still has one the highest standards of living.
The Bush admin is the beginning of the downfall. It'll still take a while before people get fed up enough to overthrow.
I also think the government learned its lesson from the 60's, they are more prepared for that now.
June 27th, 2007 at 1:32 pmMaybe it's just me but I could never understand the legality behind a VP who owns stock in a company that he used to run and is then permitted to dole out billions in contracts to these robber barons which directly boosts the value of his stocks. THIS IS LEGAL?? Can Helliburton be defunded for mismanagement? Didn't they LOSE BILLIONS WITH NO EXPLANATION.
June 27th, 2007 at 1:33 pmhttp://www.halliburtonwatch.org/news/ensign.html
The abuses go on and on! WTF?? Can't Cheney be held accountable like all his and Chimpy's corporate thieves (Ken Lay etal)?
In order to be on the ticket for VP Cheney changed his legal address to avoid a conflict in living in the same state as Bush but holding stock in Helliburton ISN'T?
Oh yeah, I forgot:
Cheney to America, "GO F@$CK YOURSELVES!"
I heard Bush and the Republicans are coming out with an Iraq War Tax so all good Americans can show their patriotism and "put their money where their mouth is". Anybody else have any details on this?
June 27th, 2007 at 1:33 pmMonogamy vs. the human condition has not been addressed in our society the way it needs to be. So we remain in denial.
June 27th, 2007 at 1:33 pmWhy is welfare increasing beyond the rate of inflation MAFguy?
Maybe a few abortions would curtail that.
Comment by ForTruth
Good point ForTruth. Especially since the vast majority of welfare recipients are children, ur12. Yeah, let the little bastards starve right, just make sure those blastocysts are safe.
June 27th, 2007 at 1:34 pm#44, I don't think it HAS to get boring if you work to keep it not boring. But someone losing interest altogether? That's simply a bad choice (probably should have discussed the importance of sex before I married, but I was young and stupid.) Maybe I should have gone the mantress route.
Maybe that's what Bush is to Cheney...his mantress!!
June 27th, 2007 at 1:34 pm(What can I say, I’m a Scotsman, and a Scorpio!)
Comment by Briseadh na Faire
My last boyfriend, 24 years ago was Irish and a Scorpio. I hope you behave better than he did!
June 27th, 2007 at 1:35 pm47: Not bad enough... yet. Another thing preventing a citizen overthrow is the stranglehold Bu$h and the right wing have on the military. The only was I can see this happening is if there are a few generals, and there are some out there, who know what is being done to the military, and they have the support of a few battalions. In order for us to overthrow the fascists, we MUST have the support of a portion of our military.
June 27th, 2007 at 1:35 pmOur military isn't even here! And there is no way that we would ever get the support of the Blackwater people who are becoming our defacto homeland security force.
If we ever took to the streets, what do you think would happen to us? They know that most military people wouldn't shoot Americans. But Blackwater? Different animal.
June 27th, 2007 at 1:37 pmLOL, Bu$h IS Cheney's cock jockey...lol... but on a serious note, yeah, losing interest altogether sucks... or doesn't... sorry, couldn't resist
June 27th, 2007 at 1:38 pmI read somewhere Scorpios like to do it.
June 27th, 2007 at 1:39 pmOnce again, Liberals were correct that privatizing is less efficient, costs more, and lacks oversight, which breeds corruption...
June 27th, 2007 at 1:39 pmWhen will taxpayers start demanding a refund for the tax-dollars wasted on this so-called war, on faith-based crap, on the privatization of the US Government?? Over 50% of Federal tax dollars goes to support militarism and the war machine. Hit http://www.warresisters.org and DEFEND AMERICA, DEFUND FASCISM!!
June 27th, 2007 at 1:40 pm55: good point. So the first order of business would be to neutralize the private contractor threat. General Taguba, you listening?
June 27th, 2007 at 1:40 pm"But Blackwater? Different animal.
Comment by MsJoanne — June 27, 2007 @ 1:37 pm"
That's not true......
Most of the Blackwater employees are former MILITARY.
They don't have a problem with killing foreigners, but I seriously doubt they would kill Americans.....
June 27th, 2007 at 1:41 pmForTruth
MsJoanne
shane
et al
When did this turn into a dating site?
June 27th, 2007 at 1:41 pm62: Hey, relax. Just trying to lighten things up here. Lord knows we need it.
June 27th, 2007 at 1:43 pmStyve, didn't you catch a recent supreme court decision? We can't do that (at least when it comes to faith based initiatives). The SCOTUS has dictated that it be so; so it is so. (After all, our SCOTUS *IS* god, you know.)
The Daly Show had a bit on last night about the SCOTUS. Cheney, since he belongs to all but none of the branches, will now be the deciding vote on the Supreme Court. Catch it, I'm sure it's online by now.
June 27th, 2007 at 1:43 pmis that goverment(sic)?
June 27th, 2007 at 1:45 pm#61, they may be former military, but they are mercenaries now. I highly doubt that many of them would give it a 2nd thought. They get paid to kill.
#62, just a little humor relating to something someone posted. It's OK to laugh, even as our country is decimated. I think it's called black humor...which is all the humor we get these days when we think of this admin.
June 27th, 2007 at 1:46 pmYou think they think we're Americans? Remember - there's money involved.
June 27th, 2007 at 1:46 pmWhen did this turn into a dating site?
Comment by Crump's Brother
It's always been a dating site.
Then we all got married and are no longer having sex, so we decided to talk politics.
Genius, TP!
June 27th, 2007 at 1:47 pmI doubt we’ll have to worry much about unions. Points 9 and 10 of fascism are already in play. Just look to the latest supreme court decisions.
Comment by MsJoanne — June 27, 2007 @ 1:10 pm
Well, private unions, anyway, since it's only a matter of time before they bankrupt the companies.
But the public unions, nah, there's an endless supply of tax revenue to keep those bloated, ugly pigs afloat. So don't worry.
June 27th, 2007 at 1:47 pmLOL! Zooey....ZIIIIIIING!
June 27th, 2007 at 1:48 pmI wonder who owns these companies?
June 27th, 2007 at 1:49 pm#69, you're wrong. And the point will be moot anyway as most of the manufacturing jobs are being offshored or given to others at lower wages. When's the last time you saw a CEO take a pay cut?
June 27th, 2007 at 1:50 pm"they may be former military, but they are mercenaries now. I highly doubt that many of them would give it a 2nd thought. They get paid to kill.
Comment by MsJoanne — June 27, 2007 @ 1:46 pm"
Sure they are, when it comes to another country......
As a former military person, I can see them doing it over their but NOT in the US.
If they do...... Then they better get ready for millions of vets to take them out.
As a vet I have taken an oath to defend the Constitution against ALL enemies foriegn or DOMESTIC!
June 27th, 2007 at 1:50 pmThe Bush Administration has created a big government welfare program for the rich and corrupt.
June 27th, 2007 at 1:51 pmIt all starts right here:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ae5t_55OWbo
Follow the money.
June 27th, 2007 at 1:52 pmBut.... privatizing keeps costs down!
June 27th, 2007 at 1:52 pm#73. I hope you have a way of rallying those Vets (and god bless you for your service!) that flies under the radar. If we ever get to that point, we will turn into WWII France.
Viva la resistance!
June 27th, 2007 at 1:53 pmALL TROLLS SHOULD READ THIS!!!
http://money.cnn.com/2007/06/26/news/newsmakers/clinton_buffett/index.htm?cnn=yes
"Buffett talks tax reform with Sen. Clinton.
Berkshire Hathaway chairman suggests greater taxes for private equity firm managers and super rich to presidential hopeful."
A excerpt from from the article:
Buffett said he makes $46 million a year in income and is only taxed at a 17.7 percent rate on his federal income taxes. By contrast, those who work for him, and make considerably less, pay on average about 32.9 percent in taxes - with the highest rate being 39.7 percent.
To emphasize his point, Buffett offered $1 million to the audience member who could show that one of the nation's wealthiest individuals pays a higher tax rate than one of their subordinates.
"I'm willing to bet anyone in this room $1 million that those rates are less than the secretary has to pay," said Buffett.
June 27th, 2007 at 1:55 pm" I hope you have a way of rallying those Vets (and god bless you for your service!) that flies under the radar. If we ever get to that point, we will turn into WWII France.
Viva la resistance!
Comment by MsJoanne — June 27, 2007 @ 1:53 pm"
It will happen by its self. MOST vets are very patriotic......
I can even see the Vets of Vietnam coming together with this, so just think of the number of vets at our dispossal.......
We'll just have to wait and see if it gets this far....... I hope not, but I will do what is needed to protect my country and the Constitution.
June 27th, 2007 at 1:57 pmAce, I love how you always link out to cool things on YouTube.
What's going to happen to YouTube when Murdoch gets his mitts on it? That's what he's trying to do now.
I am sure he has learned great lessons from his work in China - in making sure that we only see what the government wants us to see.
We are becoming China and we don't realize it. Every day there is more about how Google and Yahoo tracks data. The day when a free internet will be available might come to an end, especially the more Murdoch sinks his paws into it.
Little by little. Just enough to fly under the radar so that we don't see it happen. Much like what has happened to the GOP in the last 20 years. Slowly, the GOP which actually at one point had principles; conservative fiscally, less government, etc., became the party of the neocons. And it all flew under the radar until it became so apparent that they are corrupt (now) that the masses are taking note.
It will be interesting to see what happens to America over the next 20 years. I can't say I think it's going to be pretty.
June 27th, 2007 at 1:58 pmI have always supported the right to bear arms, but had reservations about automatic wepaons, etc. Now, however, I am DAMN GLAD I have an AR-15 and an SKS... among other things. I think we really need to start thinking in these terms.
June 27th, 2007 at 1:59 pm80: good point. Kind of like the frog in a pot of boiling water story. Increase the temperature gradually, and he'll stay put, boiling himself to death...
June 27th, 2007 at 2:00 pmComment by Crump's Brother — June 27, 2007 @ 1:17 pm
Jimmy Hoffa,
It’s obvious that you are one of those jackasses that thinks unions are responsible for the companies financial problems. Why wont the corporate heads of these comanies take compensation cuts before they ever ask their blue collar workers to do the same?
While corporate pay is often unquestionably excessive, would your suggestion have kept the companies from going belly up?
No, sorry, I'm afraid the greedy unions have slit their own throats by demanding ever greater compensation, more and more benefits, ever more relaxed work requirements, more and more rules requiring, for example, three workers to install a lightbulb, rubber rooms and all the rest of it. How is a company expected to be competitive under those conditions?
Oh, I forgot--"competition" is evil.
In 2005 Northwest Airlines execs demanded $176 million in wage and benefit cuts from its mechanics union, pleading poverty. Yet when those mechanics reacted by going on strike, the New York Times revealed that in the months leading up to the demand for wage cuts, “the airline spent more than $100 million to hire and train 1500 replacements†for those striking mechanics. That’s $100 million dollars used to do nothing more than undermine the union. If it was in such dire financial straits, where did they find the money to go union busting?
The liberal mindset at work--there's money in the kitty, so fork it over! The hell with the business (or the taxpayer).
Perhaps the company is looking to head off eventual bankruptcy and so is looking beyond tomorrow? Putting responsible policies in place so they don't go the way of other bankrupt airlines.
Wake up, indeed.
June 27th, 2007 at 2:03 pmIts estimated 40 cents in every dollar for the war goes on private contractors
Comment by Tobey Tall — June 27, 2007 @ 1:23 pm
It's estimated that 125 cents of every dollar taken by the tax collector goes to a union.
June 27th, 2007 at 2:06 pmIt’s estimated that 125 cents of every dollar taken by the tax collector goes to a union.
Comment by Jon Corzine — June 27, 2007 @ 2:06 pm
Are you trying to make a point? 125 cents of every dollar?
Union membership is at an all time low right now, but it's union that bind people together against the corporate greed machine. So, in a nutshell; you're against people working together for a common cause, and for corporate entities?
June 27th, 2007 at 2:09 pmHoffa, you are full of it. While employees of NWA took huge paycuts, those at the top simply took that money...
http://www.pbs.org/moyers/journal/06082007/watch2.html
June 27th, 2007 at 2:13 pmWhen did this turn into a dating site?
Comment by Crump's Brother
Hey BnF started it. But I believe we were discussing the "lack" of "dating". If you know what I mean.
June 27th, 2007 at 2:15 pmThen we all got married and are no longer having sex, so we decided to talk politics.
Genius, TP!
Comment by Zooey
So true Zooey, so true.
June 27th, 2007 at 2:17 pmMaybe it’s just me but I could never understand the legality behind a VP who owns stock in a company that he used to run and is then permitted to dole out billions in contracts to these robber barons which directly boosts the value of his stocks. THIS IS LEGAL?? Can Helliburton be defunded for mismanagement? Didn’t they LOSE BILLIONS WITH NO EXPLANATION.
http://www.halliburtonwatch.org/news/ensign.html
The abuses go on and on! WTF?? Can’t Cheney be held accountable like all his and Chimpy’s corporate thieves (Ken Lay etal)?
In order to be on the ticket for VP Cheney changed his legal address to avoid a conflict in living in the same state as Bush but holding stock in Helliburton ISN’T?
Oh yeah, I forgot:
Cheney to America, “GO F@$CK YOURSELVES!â€
Comment by BobbyD — June 27, 2007 @ 1:33 pm
Here's a better example for ya: http://www.worldnetdaily.com/news/article.asp?ARTICLE_ID=54932
June 27th, 2007 at 2:19 pmWake up, indeed.
Comment by Jimmy Hoffa
SHUT UP, YOU'RE DEAD, VERY, VERY DEAD, THANKFULLY.
June 27th, 2007 at 2:21 pmJimmy Hoffa,
I offer facts you offer talking points. Why shouldn't corporate brass suffer as well? No onw is saying tht companies never have a legitimate need to ask for compensation concessions from unions when things truly go south, and many times unions agree to such concessions to keep a business operating. The problem is tht our corrupt political system has created no legal prohibitions against execs who do not tell the whole truth about the situtation. They are allowed, by people like you, to lie and distort in order to create a dishonest, blame-the-union rationalefor their real agenda: squeezing workers and pocketing more cash for themselves.
Here's more facts:
In 2005, execs at Ford and GM started making it known that they wanted its workers' union to agree to wages/benefits cuts because the companies had hit a financial bump in the road. But buried in a BUSINESS WEEK story like a needle in the haystack was the truth. "Both comanies also have huge cash hoards," the magazine noted. "$20 billion at GM and $23 billion at Ford." What's more, the magazine reported that Ford and GM execs aren't sharing in the pain they are prescribing for workers" - a major red flag for dishonesty. THe magazine pointed out that when Chrysler pled poverty and secured wage cuts in 1981, "Chrysler canceled its dividend, top execs took a 10 percent pay cut, and then Chairman Lee A. Iacocca worked for a dollar that year." But in 2005, "both GM and Ford still pay a dividend, GM CEO G. Richard Wagoner Jr. got a $2.5 million dollar bonus, ontop of his $2.2 million dollar salary."
June 27th, 2007 at 2:22 pmOnce again, Liberals were correct that privatizing is less efficient, costs more, and lacks oversight, which breeds corruption…
Comment by AkaDad — June 27, 2007 @ 1:39 pm
Precisely. My organization is a perfect example.
June 27th, 2007 at 2:22 pmI offer facts you offer talking points. Why shouldn’t corporate brass suffer as well?
Because the salary of 3 corporate brasses is pocket change compared to 10000 union workers?
Those 3 deserve extra if they can cut expenses on the other 10000!
June 27th, 2007 at 2:25 pmComment by Dianne's Hubby — June 27, 2007 @ 2:19 pm
The site is a joke, right? It displays ads of... Chuck Norris writing op-eds????? Frankly, if I want to read someone's op-ed piece, it will not be one of a second rank (wannabe) "actor".
June 27th, 2007 at 2:25 pmWake up, indeed.
Comment by Jimmy Hoffa
SHUT UP, YOU’RE DEAD, VERY, VERY DEAD, THANKFULLY.
Comment by Not Canadian — June 27, 2007 @ 2:21 pm
Only MOSTLY dead, which is slightly alive. But my legacy lives on.
June 27th, 2007 at 2:27 pmWhen will taxpayers start demanding a refund for the tax-dollars wasted on this so-called war, on faith-based crap, on the privatization of the US Government?? Over 50% of Federal tax dollars goes to support militarism and the war machine. Hit http://www.warresisters.org and DEFEND AMERICA, DEFUND FASCISM!!
That's not true at all. Our $646b Pentagon budget is very meager compared to John Kennedy's budgets. Or Harry Truman's budgets. Or Ronald Reagan's budgets. Or any of the first 41 Presidents' budgets.
June 27th, 2007 at 2:29 pmm12
"Those 3 deserve extra if they can cut expenses on the other 10000!"
Well at least we know where you stand. Corpratists first, labor second.
Perhaps the other 10000 could get raises if the dead weight up top was cut out of loop?
June 27th, 2007 at 2:32 pmOh, yes all was so rosy in the pre-union times... just read some Charles Dickens books and you'll see the horrors of "true capitalism" Victorian era.
June 27th, 2007 at 2:32 pmTo emphasize his point, Buffett offered $1 million to the audience member who could show that one of the nation’s wealthiest individuals pays a higher tax rate than one of their subordinates.
“I’m willing to bet anyone in this room $1 million that those rates are less than the secretary has to pay,†said Buffett.
I guess he owes $1 million to President Bush, who pays 30% in federal taxes alone.
http://www.whitehouse.gov/news/releases/2006/04/20060414-1.html
June 27th, 2007 at 2:33 pmPerhaps the other 10000 could get raises if the dead weight up top was cut out of loop?
Perhaps they could. But the raises would not be that big, since they'd be divided up 10000 ways.
June 27th, 2007 at 2:34 pmCrumpy:
If you're trying to make the case that executives are overpaid, you won't get an argument from me.
But it's NOT a choice between executive pay and survival. Many of these companies would be in trouble regardless of their executives' comp. The unions are suffering from their own successes, and excesses, and the chickens have come home to roost. Which is why private unions continue to shrink--they are inefficient, bloated and make companies less and less competitive.
And it's much worse in the public sector, where politicians trade votes for promises of padding salaries, pensions and benefits that are crushing the taxpayer long after the crook has left office.
June 27th, 2007 at 2:35 pmWhen will taxpayers start demanding a refund for the tax-dollars wasted on this so-called war, on faith-based crap, on the privatization of the US Government??
Comment by m12 — June 27, 2007 @ 2:29 pm
Just as soon as we start getting a refund for the miserably failed, mult-trillion dollar boondoggle known as "the war on poverty."
June 27th, 2007 at 2:37 pmComment by Dianne’s Hubby — June 27, 2007 @ 2:19 pm
The site is a joke, right? It displays ads of… Chuck Norris writing op-eds????? Frankly, if I want to read someone’s op-ed piece, it will not be one of a second rank (wannabe) “actorâ€.
Comment by Evil Spaniard — June 27, 2007 @ 2:25 pm
There are lots of other sites, even "progressive" ones, that discuss the story. Why not read about it at one of those sites and then tell me about your 'horror' of profiteering from the war machine?
June 27th, 2007 at 2:39 pmOh, yes all was so rosy in the pre-union times… just read some Charles Dickens books and you’ll see the horrors of “true capitalism†Victorian era.
Comment by Evil Spaniard — June 27, 2007 @ 2:32 pm
Spaniard...
Er, nevermind. Low-lying fruit.
June 27th, 2007 at 2:40 pmOur $646b Pentagon budget is very meager compared to John Kennedy’s budgets. Or Harry Truman’s budgets. Or Ronald Reagan’s budgets. Or any of the first 41 Presidents’ budgets.
Comment by m12 — June 27, 2007 @ 2:29 pm
(I can't believe I'm even taking He's12 this seriously, but...)
Links, please? Facts to back up your assertion? You're actually trying to say (as your statement reads) that Truman and Kennedy spent more on defense than conservative defender of our freedoms George W. Bush? Even adjusted for inflation, Bush's Pentagon budgets are way larger.
We spend more on our own defense than the next 40 nations combined.
June 27th, 2007 at 2:41 pmCorporate welfare for mercenaries.
June 27th, 2007 at 2:43 pmHeckuva job asswipes!
How much would universal health care cost?
June 27th, 2007 at 2:52 pmmikey r could use a juicy deportation to France and a permanent ankle bracelet to ensure that he doesn't re-enter the United States.
The United States, speaking of, could use an arms race to ensure that Muslimshiteaters (tm) gain no absolutely ground, contrary to your desires.
[CT pointing and laughing at fruitcake hippie, mikey r]
June 27th, 2007 at 2:52 pm#105
http://www.truthandpolitics.org/military-relative-size.php
June 27th, 2007 at 2:52 pmOh, yes all was so rosy in the pre-union times… just read some Charles Dickens books and you’ll see the horrors of “true capitalism†Victorian era.
Comment by Evil Spaniard — June 27, 2007 @ 2:32 pm
Spaniard…
Er, nevermind. Low-lying fruit.
Comment by Jimmy Hoffa — June 27, 2007 @ 2:40 pm
Translation: "Jimmy Hoffa"-loompa doesn't know who is Charles Dickens. Talk about low lying.
June 27th, 2007 at 2:52 pm#103 Comment by Dianne’s Hubby — June 27, 2007 @ 2:19 pm
The site is a joke, right? It displays ads of… Chuck Norris writing op-eds????? Frankly, if I want to read someone’s op-ed piece, it will not be one of a second rank (wannabe) “actorâ€.
Comment by Evil Spaniard — June 27, 2007 @ 2:25 pm
There are lots of other sites, even “progressive†ones, that discuss the story. Why not read about it at one of those sites and then tell me about your ‘horror’ of profiteering from the war machine?
Comment by Dianne's Hubby — June 27, 2007 @ 2:39 pm
Your basic 'error' is to think that I'm a Democrat or that I condone weapons expending. Anyhow, she quitted, guilty or not. When would quit Cheney or Bush over war and oil price gauging profiteering?
June 27th, 2007 at 2:56 pmWhere Your Income Tax Money Really Goes FY 2008
Total Outlays (Federal Funds): $2,387 billion
MILITARY: 51% and $1,228 billion
NON-MILITARY: 49% and $1,159 billion
http://www.warresisters.org/piechart.htm
June 27th, 2007 at 3:00 pmTranslation: “Jimmy Hoffaâ€-loompa doesn’t know who is Charles Dickens. Talk about low lying.
Comment by Evil Spaniard — June 27, 2007 @ 2:52 pm
Knucklehead, are we living in the Victorian era?
June 27th, 2007 at 3:06 pmIt's just coincidence.
June 27th, 2007 at 3:08 pmHow much would universal health care cost?
$2 trillion, according to John Conyers. I don't know how he plans to get that money.
Does he know Harry Potter?
June 27th, 2007 at 3:10 pmTranslation: “Jimmy Hoffaâ€-loompa doesn’t know who is Charles Dickens. Talk about low lying.
Comment by Evil Spaniard — June 27, 2007 @ 2:52 pm
Knucklehead, are we living in the Victorian era?
Comment by Jimmy Hoffa — June 27, 2007 @ 3:06 pm
Braindead (since 1975!): Modern economy minus unions (aka worker's rights) = Victorian era (nightmarish) capitalism.
June 27th, 2007 at 3:10 pmWhy again am I surprised?
June 27th, 2007 at 3:10 pmYour basic ‘error’ is to think that I’m a Democrat or that I condone weapons expending. Anyhow, she quitted, guilty or not. When would quit Cheney or Bush over war and oil price gauging profiteering?
Oh, she quit so it's OK she profited illegally from her husband's company. All is forgiven. Just like Robert Byrd apologized for his lynching, hooded, cross-burning past, so he too is forgiven.
On the other hand, your accusations of "gouging" and profiteering by by Cheney are just the usual howlings at the moon by loony lefties, even if you don't count yourself among them.
June 27th, 2007 at 3:10 pmBraindead (since 1975!): Modern economy minus unions (aka worker’s rights) = Victorian era (nightmarish) capitalism.
Comment by Evil Spaniard — June 27, 2007 @ 3:10 pm
Does it really have to be spelled out for you?
So, to you, the idea that unions are responsible for much of their own predicament and that they have wielded their substantial influence to their detriment...
... is the same as saying that we should all go back to the Grapes of Wrath?
June 27th, 2007 at 3:14 pmI wouldn’t expect you to understand but the fairness doctrine is basically equal time for opposing views and for each candidate in a race.
Shane shane shane...SHANE, why so aggressive? Is "assface" the best you can do? Sad state of affairs in our school system these days, no doubt about it. Your parents must be so proud.
The only problem is who gets to decide what "fair" means and how it will apply. Oh, it means much more than coverage of political races, as you say, try googling it and learn something.
June 27th, 2007 at 3:14 pm#115 How much would universal health care cost?
$2 trillion, according to John Conyers. I don’t know how he plans to get that money.
Does he know Harry Potter?
Comment by m12 — June 27, 2007 @ 3:10 pm
But, of course, you don't say how many money costs actually the private insurance system, both directly (by the insured's payments) and indirectly (in work hours lost by the employers who have a employee that falls gravely ill and has to go to emergency room for not going to the regular doctor when he was beggining to feel ill. And the work hours of the ones infected while the ill employee was resisting at his job for not leaving.
June 27th, 2007 at 3:15 pmGuess what, everybody? This is precisely the definition Benito Mussolini gave to the Corporate State (a.k.a. Fascism). You can kiss the Republic goodbye.
June 27th, 2007 at 3:24 pm#115 How much would universal health care cost?
$2 trillion, according to John Conyers. I don’t know how he plans to get that money.
Does he know Harry Potter?
Comment by m12 — June 27, 2007 @ 3:10 pm
According to most *legitimate* estimates, it would cost less than we're already paying - duh! So the money would come from the same place it is now - only it would cost less. But that sort of simplicity is always lost on st*pid b!tches like yourself...
June 27th, 2007 at 3:27 pmDoes it really have to be spelled out for you?
So, to you, the idea that unions are responsible for much of their own predicament and that they have wielded their substantial influence to their detriment…
… is the same as saying that we should all go back to the Grapes of Wrath?
Comment by Jimmy Hoffa — June 27, 2007 @ 3:14 pm
No need of. Your point, that unions are responsibles of its own demise, is subjective. If you factor in all the economic movements of the last years, you'll see that the WTO, all the "globalization" and "liberalization" of the economy of the last years has been about corporations moving its production facilites freely, thanks to the uber-rightist policies of "free capitalism" to third world countries, to make cheaper products to sell in the market of fist world countries. Are guilty the unions because they didn't defend enough the workers? No, because as has been shown many times, if the law (GOP) is in the side of corporations, the workers suffer, unionized or not. You can find it fair, but it's not, because the corporations are feeding on the poor people of other countries that have no workers benefits.
You look as if you're cheering at the death of Unions, but Unions are necessary to the well being of workers, because unions ARE workers. If the Unions didn't existed, you'll have the exact worker's society that is described in the Charles Dickens' books.
But looks as if you're not capable of complex thinking.
June 27th, 2007 at 3:27 pmAccording to most *legitimate* estimates, it would cost less than we’re already paying - duh! So the money would come from the same place it is now - only it would cost less. But that sort of simplicity is always lost on st*pid b!tches like yourself…
Are you claiming John Conyers is making an illigitemate estimate?
June 27th, 2007 at 3:31 pmBut, of course, you don’t say how many money costs actually the private insurance system, both directly (by the insured’s payments) and indirectly (in work hours lost by the employers who have a employee that falls gravely ill and has to go to emergency room for not going to the regular doctor when he was beggining to feel ill. And the work hours of the ones infected while the ill employee was resisting at his job for not leaving.
That doesn't matter. It doesn't solve the problem of the government singlehandedly trying to accumulate such an enormous amount of income.
June 27th, 2007 at 3:34 pm#125 Are you claiming John Conyers is making an illigitemate estimate?
Comment by m12 — June 27, 2007 @ 3:31 pm
No, he's claiming that there are more accurate estimates, with deeper accountable reliability. Anyhow, an estimate is a subjective term, so Conyers is free to have his estimate. But is curious how you, an ultra fiscal conservative, are resorting to the estimate of a Democrat to demonstrate your point.
June 27th, 2007 at 3:36 pmNo, he’s claiming that there are more accurate estimates, with deeper accountable reliability. Anyhow, an estimate is a subjective term, so Conyers is free to have his estimate. But is curious how you, an ultra fiscal conservative, are resorting to the estimate of a Democrat to demonstrate your point.
He's one of a few members of Congress to even comtemplate such a ridiculous spending package. Nobody else has even conceived spending an additional $2 trillion, let alone trying to raise the revenue.
Who else has even made an estimate? I've rarely seen liberals anywhere back their program up with numbers.
June 27th, 2007 at 3:40 pm124.
Your point, that unions are responsibles of its own demise, is subjective.
It's only "subjective" if you fear the truth. I don't advocate the elimination of unions--I just happen to believe that they're often their own worst enemy because their natural tendency is to wildly overreach. And you seem to think that there should be no repurcussions for that, that they oughta be protected by the government. I disagree.
But you wanna know what is really uncomplex thinking?
The sick, knee-jerk, mindless hostility among the left to corporations, profit and free enterprise.
June 27th, 2007 at 3:43 pmThat doesn’t matter. It doesn’t solve the problem of the government singlehandedly trying to accumulate such an enormous amount of income.
Comment by m12 — June 27, 2007 @ 3:34 pm
So you're bragging in every thread about the tax cost of the universal healthcare system and now you're not interested in the cost? Frankly, you're incoherent at best.
And, I don't see your uproar at this:
Where Your Income Tax Money Really Goes FY 2008
Total Outlays (Federal Funds): $2,387 billion
MILITARY: 51% and $1,228 billion
NON-MILITARY: 49% and $1,159 billion
http://www.warresisters.org/piechart.htm
Comment by Styve — June 27, 2007 @ 3:00 pm
See what I mean? You already let the GOP control the taxes enough to expend the majority of it in the military expending. If you are so fearful of the GOP power, why let them expend a 51% of the budget only in military? A military can be used to brutalize the people, but a healthcare system?
June 27th, 2007 at 3:44 pm#130
Your flawed graph does not even include spending on Social Security and Medicare! Nor does it reveal how small that sum is compared to historical American values as shown in post #109
Military expenditure is a primary purpose of the federal government.
June 27th, 2007 at 3:49 pmSo you’re bragging in every thread about the tax cost of the universal healthcare system and now you’re not interested in the cost? Frankly, you’re incoherent at best.
And you are ignorant at best. Your phantom "costs" of insurance and health spending do not disappear into a vacuum!
Never mind that our economy is the size of the whole European Union, combined, despite your rhetoric.
June 27th, 2007 at 3:51 pm130. Comment by Lying Spaniard — June 27, 2007 @ 3:44 pm
Here's the actual budget, not a bogus fraud put forth to advance a political pov.
http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2007/02/05/AR2007020501396.html
June 27th, 2007 at 3:55 pm#132 Never mind that our economy is the size of the whole European Union, combined, despite your rhetoric.
Comment by m12 — June 27, 2007 @ 3:51 pm
Yet we have universal healthcare. Owned.
June 27th, 2007 at 3:56 pmMilitary expenditure is a primary purpose of the federal government.
Comment by m12 — June 27, 2007 @ 3:49 pm
Yeah, but who cares what the Constitution says?
June 27th, 2007 at 3:56 pm#132 Never mind that our economy is the size of the whole European Union, combined, despite your rhetoric.
Comment by m12 — June 27, 2007 @ 3:51 pm
Yet we have universal healthcare. Owned.
Comment by Evil Spaniard — June 27, 2007 @ 3:56 pm
And economies that are sinking in quicksand. Divested.
June 27th, 2007 at 3:58 pmYeah, but who cares what the Constitution says?
Comment by Typical Lefty — June 27, 2007 @ 3:56 pm
The words of a Typical Lefty, yeah:
Bush on the Constitution: 'It's just a goddamned piece of paper'
http://www.afterdowningstreet.org/?q=node/5691
June 27th, 2007 at 4:07 pm#136 #132 Never mind that our economy is the size of the whole European Union, combined, despite your rhetoric.
Comment by m12 — June 27, 2007 @ 3:51 pm
Yet we have universal healthcare. Owned.
Comment by Evil Spaniard — June 27, 2007 @ 3:56 pm
And economies that are sinking in quicksand. Divested.
Comment by Jacques Chirac — June 27, 2007 @ 3:58 pm
*looking to the floor* Quick sand? No, more like solid rock. Oh, btw, good luck with that 50 year occupation of Iraq.
June 27th, 2007 at 4:08 pm*yawn*
Well, I need some supper. So long.
*Turns off the computer tired of fencing off single handedly 1 troll (I'm12) and a doppelganger (Jimmy Hoffa, Typical Lefty, etc.) without a drop of sweat*
June 27th, 2007 at 4:14 pmBush on the Constitution: ‘It’s just a goddamned piece of paper’
Comment by Evil Spaniard — June 27, 2007 @ 4:07 pm
Well, it is NOW, after you lefties and your twisted judges have pissed all over the Bill of Rights, destroying our free speech rights, attacking our gun rights, eliminating property rights, twisting the concept of equal rights, eviscerating federalism, punishing "thought" with hate crimes legislation, instituting speech codes, and all the rest.
Yep, after you've gotten through with the Constitution, it IS nothing but a piece of paper. Toilet paper.
June 27th, 2007 at 4:48 pm*Turns off the computer tired of fencing off single handedly 1 troll (I’m12) and a doppelganger (Jimmy Hoffa, Typical Lefty, etc.) without a drop of sweat*
Comment by Evil Spaniard — June 27, 2007 @ 4:14 pm
Well next time say something intelligent and maybe you will sweat.
June 27th, 2007 at 4:50 pm#134
Yeah, and?
June 27th, 2007 at 5:53 pm*looking to the floor* Quick sand? No, more like solid rock. Oh, btw, good luck with that 50 year occupation of Iraq.
What country are you from, Spaniard? I'm guessing it's not Luxembourg, which means our economy runs rings around yours!
June 27th, 2007 at 5:54 pmIn most other democratic countries, any one of these noncompetitive contracts would have gotten the government thrown out.
Not in America.
June 27th, 2007 at 9:48 pmSimple explanation - since taking office, our country was attacked, and dubya has invaded two countries, and these contracts increased in scale along with defense / homeland security spending.
This aint brain surgery people, dig a little.
June 27th, 2007 at 10:01 pmThank you Ralph Nader and supporters.
We all know that Al Gore would have showered this much money onto Halliburton and Blackwater. Please notice heavy sarcasm.
June 28th, 2007 at 12:07 amm12 said:
What country are you from, Spaniard?
lol that has to be the dumbest question i've heard in a long time.
June 28th, 2007 at 4:43 amPoor "Jimmy Hoffa" is just a product of the right wing media. He probably has to work for a living, but has been brainwashed that every law, every policy, every tax structure should screw HIM while fattening the rich--because in the end it's in his best interest!
What do you expect from unthinking zombies? They serve their masters without question. They have no value, no rights. They exist to keep the rich living lush.
Unions are no different than governments, families, or anything else--they're only as good as the people in them. So if Hoffa's union sucks, he should campaign to oust its leaders. My union works just fine, thank you.
The working man/woman has NO representation in government anymore. So if you don't have a union, you're just bending over for The Man. (And intelligent people know who's sticking it to them. Unlike Hoffa, who refuses to blame his corporate masters for their abuses.)
June 28th, 2007 at 10:32 amThis shouldn't be a surprise to anyone who's followed politics before Bush (junior) entered office. One of the primary conservative platforms was, and has been, the privatization of the federal government. This has been a general conservative trend since Reagan. Privatizing government means increasing government contracts and contractors. The idea being that the private sector could do things more efficiently than the federal government.
That being said, it wasn't supposed to be accompanied by increasing the federal government's budget. The status of the budget, how well contractors have done the job, the fairness of contract awarding, and the proportion of this contracting that is solely for military expenses are separate, related matters that should all be considered.
Also remember, this isn't Bush's private, secret plan; there are many lawmakers who subscribe to this theory of government and have done so for some time. Regardless of whether you consider this method of governance a good or bad thing, this is hardly a new or shocking development on the Hill. Calling it a "shadow government" is misleading.
Bottom line: Bush (and many others) said he would do this while running, said he'd do it once elected, and told us he had done it after signing bills. This shouldn't be news to anyone.
June 28th, 2007 at 11:51 amIt seems like a lot of people on this board are pretty upset about those figures, but what are you gonna do about it? You'll just sit back and keep taking it. You won't write or call your representatives. You won't protest through any organized means. What are you gonna do about it? Are you gonna just keep typing comments on web boards for the rest of your pathetic American lives while the likes of Halliburton agents rob your government of your tax money that should be going to better things? Wake up. America, the country that died without a shot fired. America, the country where people are willfully ignorant and refuse to stand up for themselves. You deserve everything that's coming down the pike.
June 28th, 2007 at 12:12 pmUnregulated private enterprise interacting with an unregulated stock exchange is a formula for socioeconomic disaster. What, you think the great depression of the 1930s was an expression of liberal philosophy? No, the great depression was caused by runaway laissez faire "economics" and a completely uncontrolled stock exchange. That revered repository of Republican ideology, Herbert Hoover, surveyed the millions of Americans living in poverty and squalor, shrugged and said, in effect, "Well, it's a normal economic cycle. We're just gonna have to go through this." Remember the savings and loan debacle of the Reagan era? There's an example of government deregulating an industry that dealt with hundreds of millions of hard working Americans' dollars. Where did most of their money go? Into the pockets of the likes of Keating, also a fervent Republican fraud. Kenny Lay and his minions swindled the good ol' middle class out of a bunch of dough, didn't he? Lay, Keating, Hoover, Reagan, Bush I, Bush II, Cheney--all good toe-the-line Republicans. All phony low life bloodsuckers with no respect for anything or anyone but their own self-decreed right to run amorally amok and inflict poverty, pain, death and destruction wherever and whenever they so choose. Franklin D. Roosevelt was and remains a bastion of compassion who, as a man of intellect and as much integrity as the political sphere will allow, understood that humans, left to our own devices, will attempt to corral all the horses for a very few cowboys, and just let the rest of us walk or crawl. If we heed the contemporary Republican mantra, we're going to let the horse thieves ride into the sunset, instead of summarily hanging them.
June 28th, 2007 at 12:27 pmThey will ride into the sunset, my friend. And we'll just keep complaining on the web boards, talking about how unfair it all is and what a sham! I thrive on chaos and can't wait until America is convulsing in its last throes of death. No more Big Gulps, sitcoms, or electric dog-polishers for you.
June 28th, 2007 at 12:34 pmHow dare those evil Republicans lower the gas prices now! Didn't you and yours tells us all how they RAISED the gas prices to make their buddies rich? How stupid are you people?
June 28th, 2007 at 1:05 pmThere goes those evil republicans lowering the gas prices! How dare they lower these prices! We are for big oil! I am amazed at how foolish you angry liberals seem. Check out the comments full of profanity and just sick statements. The best you have?
Amazing
June 28th, 2007 at 1:13 pmHey Looser Libs!
Who said this: 'No Controling Legal Authority!'
Was Gore taking monies from someone legally when he said this many times in 1996?
We laugh at you
June 28th, 2007 at 1:16 pmI hear Haliburton runs Army mess halls worse than the Army ever did and for a lot more money. That's something I would have never imagined possible.
June 28th, 2007 at 6:02 pmHow Chimpy and Shooter support our troops:
1. Cut Veterans Benefits even as the 4ID was being rerouted from Turkey to Kuwait;
2. Privatize veterans care and maintenence of VA facilities, who pocket the profit and let Walter Reed fall into disrepair;
3. NO PLANNING for post-fall-of-Baghdad Iraq, leaving an American Army and Marines fully unprepared to be referees for the Baghdad Chapter of the Knife, Gun, and IED Club;
4. No demand that the American public forego their next purchase of a Hummer, Dodge Nitro, Jeep Commander, or even a Ford Tempo so that auto production plants could be put to better use making armored vehicles for our troops (armored vehicles aren't even made in the US; they come from one of Daddy Bush's Carlisle buddies in South Africa);
5. Believing Achmed Chalabi;
6. Vetoing a pay increase for our soldiers in the combat zone by a measly $6 a month while paying the contractors six-figure salaries to torture, drive trucks, take out the garbage, etc.
7. While wrapping himself in the flag, Bush steadfastly refuses to go to a funeral of any of the soldiers, marines, airmen, and seamen whose deaqths have resulted from his private little oil war in Iraq.
June 29th, 2007 at 8:51 pmyou libs are just f-ing wacked! Get off the CRACK!
July 16th, 2007 at 1:08 pm