ThinkFast: January 23, 2009
ThinkFast: January 23, 2009
Today, New York Gov. David Paterson (D) will reportedly announce that he has chosen Rep. Kirsten Gillibrand (D) to fill Secretary of State Hillary Clinton’s vacant Senate seat. A congresswoman from upstate New York, Gillibrand “is known for bold political moves and centrist policy positions.”
Yesterday, the Senate voted 61-36 — with all 16 female senators voting “yea” — to pass the Lilly Ledbetter Fair Pay Act, which makes it easier for workers to fight pay discrimination. The House also passed the bill earlier this month, and it now heads to President Obama as his first piece of legislation to sign.
President Obama nominated David Kris, a former critic of Bush’s warrantless wiretapping program, to lead the Justice Department’s national security division. In late 2005, “Mr. Kris wrote a 23-page legal analysis that described as ‘weak’ and likely unsupportable some of the Bush administration’s key legal arguments in justifying the program.”
Former Merrill Lynch CEO John Thain spent at least $1.2 million redecorating his office, $800,000 of which was used to hire famed celebrity designer Michael Smith. Last year, the Wall Street bank received federal bailout funds.
“Troubled financial institutions and the Detroit auto makers continue to spend heavily on lobbying Congress while accepting billions of dollars in U.S. government money.” However, overall spending on lobbying by auto makers fell 13 percent in 2007.
Responding to a report that a former Guantanamo Bay detainee has become an al Qaeda leader in Yemen, Rep. Jane Harman (D-CA) said today that the revelation “should not slow the Obama administration’s determination to quickly close the facility.” Harman cautioned, however, that Obama has to “proceed extremely carefully” in closing the prison.
The biotech company Geron will announce today that the FDA has approved “the world’s first test in people of a therapy derived from human embryonic stem cells. The trial, which an advocate called “an extraordinary benchmark,” will involve injecting stem cells into 8 to 10 people with severe spinal cord injuries.
Sen. Tom Coburn (R-OK) was named as the new ranking Republican on the Permanent Subcommittee on Investigations. “I plan on going after things hard,” Coburn said. The WSJ reports, however, that President Obama has “identified the Oklahoma Republican as a conservative he can work with, which says much about the president’s style and strategy.”
President Obama “will issue an order restoring U.S. funding for international family-planning groups involved with abortion.” However, Obama broke with tradition set by recent predecessors to make an abortion-related order on the anniversary of the Supreme Court ruling of Roe vs. Wade.
A new study from the U.S. Geological Survey finds that the “death rates of trees in Western U.S. forests have doubled over the past two to three decades” and that “higher temperatures and water scarcity linked to climate change” are to blame.
And finally: Victims of the Purple Tunnel of Doom are banding together and demanding justice. On inauguration day, thousands of people with purple tickets were trapped in a traffic tunnel and eventually shut out of the ceremony. More than 4,000 unhappy ticket-holders have joined the “Purple Tunnel of Doom” Facebook group, while others have uploaded videos of their experiences onto YouTube. Sen. Dianne Feinstein (D-CA), chair of the Joint Congressional Committee on Inaugural Ceremonies, is now looking for ways to make it up to these shut-out ticket-holders.
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The Ledbetter Fair Play Act should already have been law. Shame on the previous administration and kudos for the new!
January 23rd, 2009 at 9:09 amGood morning, campers.
President Obama(man, does that ever sound good, doesn’t it?), is already starting to undo the carnage unleashed by chimpy. Executive orders to close Gitmo, begin the withdraw from Iraq, remove the ‘gag’ rule, and NO torture.
I know, it’s only a pittance, but the thousand mile journey begins with the 1st step.
January 23rd, 2009 at 9:09 amDoc Rock Says:
The Ledbetter Fair Play Act should already have been law. Shame on the previous administration and kudos for the new!
Not only do I agree but, isn’t a shame that this vote wasn’t unanimous? Who are those 36 senators that voted against it? They should be ashamed…
January 23rd, 2009 at 9:13 amRestoring family planning is a good first step to confronting an issue that underlies almost every problem we face–burgeoning populations which use up resources, tax support systems, wreck economies, and cause international tensions.
January 23rd, 2009 at 9:15 amWell here’s you answer:
NAYs —36
Alexander (R-TN)
Barrasso (R-WY)
Bennett (R-UT)
Bond (R-MO)
Brownback (R-KS)
Bunning (R-KY)
Burr (R-NC)
Chambliss (R-GA)
Coburn (R-OK)
Cochran (R-MS)
Corker (R-TN)
Cornyn (R-TX)
Crapo (R-ID)
DeMint (R-SC)
Ensign (R-NV)
Enzi (R-WY)
Graham (R-SC)
Grassley (R-IA)
Gregg (R-NH)
Hatch (R-UT)
Inhofe (R-OK)
Isakson (R-GA)
Johanns (R-NE)
Kyl (R-AZ)
Lugar (R-IN)
Martinez (R-FL)
McCain (R-AZ)
McConnell (R-KY)
Risch (R-ID)
Roberts (R-KS)
Sessions (R-AL)
Shelby (R-AL)
Thune (R-SD)
Vitter (R-LA)
Voinovich (R-OH)
Wicker (R-MS)
Let’s see all republicans — no wonder… Well on a good thought, hope they just keep it up! Less worry in 2010…
January 23rd, 2009 at 9:18 amGillibrand is known for “centrist” positions? Totally anti-abortion is not centrist. NRA backing because of her extreme pro-gun position is not centrist. Well connected to goopers in NY, and among the most conservative dems (really a DINO) are not centrist credentials.
January 23rd, 2009 at 9:20 amDesigner Michael Smith charged over $800,000 to redecorate John Thain’s office. Guess who’s decorating the White House? Michael Smith, at least Sue Hererra said such on CNBC yesterday.
Let’s hope he’s donating his time or charging a greatly discounted rate. I’d hate to think of the price, if it’s $800,000 per room/bath combo.
January 23rd, 2009 at 9:21 amKirsten has been a pleasant surprise all the way around and will be an asset as our Junior Senator!
January 23rd, 2009 at 9:24 am#5, coskibum: Make that all MALE Senate Republicans. Every female senator, DEM or GOOPER, voted Yea.
January 23rd, 2009 at 9:24 am(and I am a realist, I know all will not agree)
January 23rd, 2009 at 9:25 amResponding to a report that a former Guantanamo Bay detainee has become an al Qaeda leader in Yemen, Rep. Jane Harman (D-CA) said today that the revelation “should not slow the Obama administration’s determination to quickly close the facility.” Harman cautioned, however, that Obama has to “proceed extremely carefully” in closing the prison.
And the tinfoil hat brigade is already using this “report” to say “told ya so” about closing Guantanamo — that these are bad people who need to be kept locked up, etc.
Two points in response: (1) this new AQ guy in Yemen was released by Bush, not Obama; and (2) ain’t it just possible that the reason this guy is such a committed terrorist is because he was held for so long in Guantanamo without being charged, and was subject to who-knows-what-but-we-can-all-guess types of torture, such that he hates the US more now than he did when he was first captured?
To me, this report provides an argument for closing Guantanamo, not against it…
January 23rd, 2009 at 9:25 amIsrael’s psyops effort on Gaza continues (Haaretz):
The Military Censor is applying strict restrictions preventing the media from identifying officers who participated in the Gaza Strip fighting and information about them that may be used in legal proceedings against them abroad.
http://www.haaretz.com/hasen/spages/1058215.html
January 23rd, 2009 at 9:28 amIt would not be surprising if all detainees, including formerly innocent ones, at Gitmo went to al Queda after release. The only way to make sure that they don’t is to hold them for the rest of their lives. Even if they do, we should be able to turn the problem by living up to our ideals. Most people around the world will give us the benefit of the doubt and help close al Queda down if we show the way. Just remember Timothy McVeigh and his group were American citizens, not some scary foreigners.
January 23rd, 2009 at 9:28 amdogfather,
January 23rd, 2009 at 9:29 amYour number 2 response is exactly what I was thinking. The US created that terrorist. Along with many more, I’ll say.
One of the things I value about President Obama is his respect for women’s rights.
I’ve learned that a person canot stand up for himself or herself as well as someone else can. A man who demands rights for women, or a white who demands them for blacks, or a Christian who demands them for non-believers is so much more powerful.
Thank you President Obama. We will be able to say “we told you so” to all of your critics, not that you’re going to have many left as the changes you are making better our broken country.
January 23rd, 2009 at 9:32 amResponding to a report that a former Guantanamo Bay detainee has become an al Qaeda leader in Yemen, Rep. Jane Harman (D-CA) said today that the revelation “should not slow the Obama administration’s determination to quickly close the facility.”
First of all, I would be skeptical of that “revelation” since many others that they have made have turned out to be false.
But even if it is true, it is a problem we made. Guantanamo became a recruiting ground for AQ. If you were held for 6 years without charges and probably tortured in between, I doubt if you would be leaving the facility feeling all warm and fuzzy about the country that did it to you. Personally, I would have a strong need for revenge.
January 23rd, 2009 at 9:33 amBluedahlia Says:
dogfather,
Your number 2 response is exactly what I was thinking. The US created that terrorist. Along with many more, I’ll say.
While our country cannot deny the collective responsibility for such actions, let’s still place the blame correctly: the Bush administration and thier conservative policies of aggression created that terrorist, as well as countless others.
January 23rd, 2009 at 9:34 amcoskibum, don’t you know that paying women the same as men will destroy this country!?!
/rush
January 23rd, 2009 at 9:34 amBilbo Hussein Baggins Says:
Personally, I would have a strong need for revenge.
Strong need? I would say more like a driving passion for revenge — and the repugs would agree if they were being honest.
January 23rd, 2009 at 9:35 amThe WSJ reports, however, that President Obama has “identified the Oklahoma Republican as a conservative he can work with, which says much about the president’s style and strategy.”
That’s going to be interesting to see if Obama can work with Coburn. Isn’t he the a$$hat who puts holds on bills to the point where they introduced one bill to try to pass all the bills he had holds on? I’m hoping that the Obama Administration does some house cleaning and does away with rules that allow one Senator or one Congressperson to hold up a bill or a nomination.
January 23rd, 2009 at 9:37 amOld Goat,
I can’t agree with that. I spent my college years in Gillibrand’s neck of the woods and, while her challenge to John E. Sweeney in 2006 was necessary, she doesn’t fairly represent the state of New York. I’m not trying to be a snobby kid from the city, but Gillibrand’s positions on the NRA, gun control and illegal immigration don’t seem to mesh with a state that has gone from fairly blue to deep blue. Maybe I’m only seeing that from my spot in Brooklyn and that’s not the reality upstate, but I know as many liberals upstate as I do downstate. Of course, I don’t really know much of Western New York…
January 23rd, 2009 at 9:38 amUncle Ho, I share your sentiments 110%. There was an article at Daily Kos that listed all the stuff President Obama has done in his first two days, and then jokingly added that he has cleared 0% of the brush.
It’s nice to feel good about the direction of teh country again, to feel like we’ll soon be an Industrialized Nation once again, and just feel good that I’m not going to open the news and get sick.
I just don’t think most Americans understand how close we came to losing our Democracy, and how this historic event has not only changed that, but will make America a better place for ALL of us.
Hopefully we’ve learned our lesson and will make smarter voting choices from now on…
January 23rd, 2009 at 9:38 amJohn A. Thain
Born: 26-May-1955
Birthplace: Antioch, IL
Gender: Male
Race or Ethnicity: White
Sexual orientation: Straight
Occupation: Business
Party Affiliation: Republican
Nationality: United States
Executive summary: CEO of Merrill Lynch
Wife: Carmen (four children)
University: BS Electrical Engineering, Massachusetts Institute of Technology (1977)
University: MBA, Harvard Business School (1979)
Administrator: Trustee, Howard University
Administrator: Trustee, MIT Corporation
Merrill Lynch CEO (2007-)
New York Stock Exchange CEO (2004-07)
Goldman Sachs President and COO (1999-2003)
Goldman Sachs Co-CEO Europe (1995-97)
Goldman Sachs CFO and GM Technology and Finance (1994-99)
Goldman Sachs (1979-94)
Member of the Board of BlackRock (2008-)
Member of the Board of Goldman Sachs (1998-2003)
Member of the Board of Merrill Lynch (2007-)
Member of the Board of New York Stock Exchange (2005-)
Federal Reserve Bank of New York International Capital Markets Advisory Committee
Americans for a Republican Majority
Bush-Cheney ‘04
Democratic Senatorial Campaign Committee
Ensign for Senate
Financial Stability Forum Advisory Council
French-American Foundation
Friends of Senator D’Amato 1998 Committee
John McCain 2008
McCain 2000
McCain for Senate ‘98
National Republican Congressional Committee
National Republican Senatorial Committee
New York Presbyterian Hospital Board of Governors
Partnership for New York City Board of Directors
Straight Talk America
Trilateral Commission
Urban League
Volunteer PAC
Delta Upsilon Fraternity
VIA NNDB
January 23rd, 2009 at 9:40 amhttp://www.nndb.com/people/438/000162949/
coskibum Says:
Doc Rock Says:
The Ledbetter Fair Play Act should already have been law. Shame on the previous administration and kudos for the new!
Not only do I agree but, isn’t a shame that this vote wasn’t unanimous? Who are those 36 senators that voted against it? They should be ashamed…
They are all old white Republicans who think that a woman’s place is in the home, unless of course she is a single mother and then in that case her place is in a low level service job.
It is nice to see that so many Republicans crossed over on this. That’s encouraging. Perhaps the centrist Republicans will ignore their leaders and do what their consciences tell them to do.
January 23rd, 2009 at 9:42 amstateofthedivision Says:
Designer Michael Smith charged over $800,000 to redecorate John Thain’s office. Guess who’s decorating the White House? Michael Smith, at least Sue Hererra said such on CNBC yesterday.
Let’s hope he’s donating his time or charging a greatly discounted rate. I’d hate to think of the price, if it’s $800,000 per room/bath combo.
He’s charging the Obama’s $100,000.
January 23rd, 2009 at 9:43 amhttp://www.ontheissues.org
Invaluable site. Read it, and you’ll see that she’s pro-embryonic stem cell research and pro-contraception. And she got 100% from NARAL in 2007.
Aside from being a fiscal conservative and gun-nut (and the vote to extend immunity to telecom companies), she’s in line with progressive values (opposing privatization of social security, strongly anti-Iraq war, prohibiting discrimination based on sexual orientation, pro-ERA, pro-SCHIP, pro-campaign finance reform, pro-rehabilitation, pro-raising minimum wage)
January 23rd, 2009 at 9:45 amWhy hasn’t Obama begin to rip up those Free Trade Agreements? He needs to impose tarrifs on imported goods nand end the globalization crap. That is real change, all this is just cosmetic.
January 23rd, 2009 at 9:46 amBriseadh na Faire Says: coskibum, don’t you know that paying women the same as men will destroy this country!?!
I know you are joking, but it gives me a lead-in to point out again that there is so much evidence to the fact that societies where women are equal to men have higher standards of living, lower crime rates, better health, longer lives, etc. than country who do not.
It’s time the United States joined all other Western Nations, and made this necessary step in bettering ourselves by doing what is right.
January 23rd, 2009 at 9:47 amProfit Mo Says: That is real change, all this is just cosmetic.
He’s been there three days… I disagree that “all this” is cosmetic.
January 23rd, 2009 at 9:51 amThanks Bilbo, I’m glad he’s giving our new leader a discount on his services.
January 23rd, 2009 at 9:53 amHe needs to impose tarrifs on imported goods nand end the globalization crap
—–
That won’t please the WalMart shoppers…
January 23rd, 2009 at 9:54 amunbelievable,
January 23rd, 2009 at 9:54 am\It is cosmetic. Real change would come with taking the US out of NAFTA, Free Trade with China, WTO and stoppig outsourcing by penalize companies that do. He has done none of this and isn’t discussing this! Why?
John Thain co-chaired a World Economic Forum study on reforming our global financial system. His co-chair is David Rubenstein, a founder of The Carlyle Group.
World leaders gather soon in Davos, Switzerland to redesign the system. Care to bet that private equity comes out on top? Where will Thain land?
January 23rd, 2009 at 9:55 am#24 Bilbo Hussein Baggins
Yes but I tend to believe that sooner or later they will put The Hammer to them to tow the proverbial line…
Hopefully the pressure from their home state populist will help. I find that if I keep my representatives feet to the fire, via an e-mail as soon as there is breaking news, more than likely they agree with my stance. It’s much harder to turn them once the make a public statement…
January 23rd, 2009 at 9:56 amdbadass,
January 23rd, 2009 at 9:57 amWell don’t expect the economy ever to be good again. Without undoing globalization and free trade, America will never have the prosperity we once had. This economic policy is a consequence of Trade policies of the last 20 years. It’s over for America we are a has been country and future generations will never have the lifestyle we had. Unless Obama does something on this issue, America will produce crappy jobs and a 2nd rate economy.
stateofthedivision,
January 23rd, 2009 at 9:57 amObama is a puppet for Globalist interersts like all our leaders.
#26 EnnuiDivine
Great website! Thank you very much…
January 23rd, 2009 at 10:00 amProfit Mo Says:
Why hasn’t Obama begin to rip up those Free Trade Agreements? He needs to impose tarrifs on imported goods nand end the globalization crap. That is real change, all this is just cosmetic.
January 23rd, 2009 at 9:46 am
____________
Because you can’t just unilaterally “rip up” international treaties and impose import tariffs without severe diplomatic and economic consequences. I certainly agree that these treaties need to be renegotiated with our international partners.
I also agree that we need to begin working with the WTO and IMF/World Bank to begin reshaping globalization, to make it more equitable for all. But you’re never going to end it. Globalization is a process that began 100,000 years ago when our ancestors built the first canoes and crossed the Red Sea from Ethiopia to Yemen, and it’s not going to end any time soon.
January 23rd, 2009 at 10:03 amhussein toasterhead,
January 23rd, 2009 at 10:05 amOk so you are happy with good paying jobs going overseas? We need to leave the WTO/IMF criminal regime. America needs to look after the interest of its people, not foreign nations.
Profit Mo Says:
It’s over for America we are a has been country and future generations will never have the lifestyle we had.
January 23rd, 2009 at 9:57 am
____________
Good. The planet will thank us.
January 23rd, 2009 at 10:05 amNow do we have to wait two months for Petteson to fill Gillibrand’s House seat?
And it’s kinda late for this joke… but is that the first time a Kennedy’s ever pulled out early?
January 23rd, 2009 at 10:07 amProfit Mo:
January 23rd, 2009 at 10:11 amI don’t need more than just what I need.
hussein toasterhead,
January 23rd, 2009 at 10:12 amYou must be financially well off. I always notice that rich people like you want to keep your good living standards, but everyone else’s lifestyles must deteriorate. You must love increasing unemployment and crappy jobs. You sound like a Republican with a Leftist twist. Go tell a worker who lost his job that it’s good for the planet. I dare you.
dbadass,
January 23rd, 2009 at 10:12 amSo you like that we have declining wages and crappy jobs?
Bilbo Hussein Baggins Says:
That’s going to be interesting to see if Obama can work with Coburn. Isn’t he the a$$hat who puts holds on bills to the point where they introduced one bill to try to pass all the bills he had holds on? I’m hoping that the Obama Administration does some house cleaning and does away with rules that allow one Senator or one Congressperson to hold up a bill or a nomination.
Bilbo, these are Congressional rules. As Obama has emphasized the need to enforce the Constitutional “three-branches of government and separation of powers,” it would be extremely inappropriate for him to make or overthrow Congressional rules.
Profit Mo Says:
unbelievable,
\It is cosmetic. Real change would come with taking the US out of NAFTA, Free Trade with China, WTO and stoppig outsourcing by penalize companies that do. He has done none of this and isn’t discussing this! Why?
Obama has been in office for three days. Of those, he’s only had two FULL days to work so far. I agree with you on what needs to change, but you have done nothing but criticize the new administration from the very beginning…a whole 72 hours ago! You are either unbelievably unrealistic or are just trying to stir the pot.
January 23rd, 2009 at 10:12 amProfit Mo Says:
hussein toasterhead,
Ok so you are happy with good paying jobs going overseas? We need to leave the WTO/IMF criminal regime. America needs to look after the interest of its people, not foreign nations.
January 23rd, 2009 at 10:05 am
__________
America looks after the interest of its people by simultaneously working with foreign nations.
Question: Why do good-paying jobs go overseas?
Answer: Because companies can pay people in other countries far less, due to lax or unenforced labor regulations, nonexistent environmental regulations, and lower standards of living. Am I happy with this? Of course not. But it’s inevitable as long as there are a great many American and European corporations profiting from this model.
It’s a really basic mathematical problem, with a really complex socioeconomic solution. This is not a problem we can solve through protectionism and isolationism. It will continue to exist even if we shut our ports and our borders.
We need to look at the 5.6 billion people in the other countries as potential consumers for our goods and services, not just producers of goods and services for all 300 million of us. But we need to also do it fairly, in ways that don’t do more harm than good. As imperfect as international institutions such as the WTO and UN and IMF are, they’re also the best vehicles we have for positive change.
January 23rd, 2009 at 10:13 amTosterhead,
while you cannot rip up treaties, you could require that companies who import goods import only from manufacturers who pay the equivalent of prevaling U.S. wages and don’t pollute the environment. (i.e. the true reason for manufacturing abroad is the cost of raw materials and externalities besides labor and environment) The same could be applied to companies that export jobs.
We consumers have done such a thing on a limited basis when we boycott certain manufacturers for using/abusing child labor.
January 23rd, 2009 at 10:13 amProfit Mo Says:
You sound like a Republican with a Leftist twist.
January 23rd, 2009 at 10:12 am
__________
Yes. It’s called “understanding reality.”
January 23rd, 2009 at 10:14 amsorry about the typo, Toasterhead.
January 23rd, 2009 at 10:14 amwinddancer,
January 23rd, 2009 at 10:15 amWedll he had time to do the whole interogation and Gitmo thing. Those items don’t efefct the lives of workers. He was elected to make the econmy better, not the Gitmo crap. Why doesn’t he make an executative order outlawing outsopurcing of AMerican jobs? He can do that very easily.
He will not, he will just serve his corporate globalist masters.
How does avoiding wasteful overconsumption have anything to do with that? I am sorry if you have a crappy job. Have you considered retraining and seeking out new job skills to allow you to be competitive in an evolving workforce?
January 23rd, 2009 at 10:16 amProfit Mo Says: \It is cosmetic.
Maybe to you, but to many of us, women’s rights, justice, world respect, and limiting lobbyist influence are very important steps.
It’s going to take time to revise trade agreements. You can’t just change them over night, as they require negotiations and policy change.
Just give the man a break. It’s been three days, as I already mentioned.
January 23rd, 2009 at 10:17 amhussein toasterhead,
“Question: Why do good-paying jobs go overseas?”
Answer: Because there are no laws against it! If there were laws outlawing getting rid of American jobs to replace them with foreigners, you wouldn’t have this problem.
January 23rd, 2009 at 10:18 amdbadass,
January 23rd, 2009 at 10:18 amTypical Republican answer. Many high skilled workers are out of work or in crappy jobs because of globalization.
Today, New York Gov. David Paterson (D) will reportedly announce that he has chosen Rep. Kirsten Gillibrand (D)
Did he simply yank the first younger Hillary Clinton-look alike instead of checking voting credentials? Normally I would say a one issue lapse to the republican side isn’t out of the ordinary and not a big deal, but Gillibrand has a 100% rating from the NRA. Gillibrand even opposes any limitations on the sale of semiautomatic weapons or “cop-killer” bullets that can pierce armored vests. I’m not sure NY is going to go for it in 2010 unless she pledges to vote in line with state’s views and not her’s or her district’s.
January 23rd, 2009 at 10:21 amProfit Mo Says:
Answer: Because there are no laws against it! If there were laws outlawing getting rid of American jobs to replace them with foreigners, you wouldn’t have this problem.
__________
So… what you’re saying is… that Obama should have already had a law passed?
Dang… that would be sumpin’.
I guess we can trust you were very disappointed in BotchCo and the GOOPers, huh? Botch had EIGHT YEARS to do something about this and did NOTHING that helped. And Obama should have ALREADY gotten this done in 3 days.
Now those are EXPECTATIONS!!!!
January 23rd, 2009 at 10:21 amunbelievable,
“Maybe to you, but to many of us, women’s rights, justice, world respect, and limiting lobbyist influence are very important steps.”
Most Americans can give a rats ass about that crap. People voted for Obama because he promised to do something about Jobs going overseas and getting rid of Corporatist policies. Instaed his economic team are a bunch of Free Traders and Corporatists. He’s just Republican lite.
January 23rd, 2009 at 10:21 amThe Republic of Stupidity,
January 23rd, 2009 at 10:23 amYes, that is why I hated Bush. He did nothing about shipping good paying jobs overseas. I also didn’t like Clinton because he opened the doors to outsourcing and deregulation that we are seeing the results now. Same with Papa Bush another loser.
Briseadh na Faire Says:
while you cannot rip up treaties, you could require that companies who import goods import only from manufacturers who pay the equivalent of prevaling U.S. wages and don’t pollute the environment. (i.e. the true reason for manufacturing abroad is the cost of raw materials and externalities besides labor and environment) The same could be applied to companies that export jobs.
__________
It’s a good idea, but I’m not sure we could do that without violating our obligations under the WTO. It’s also quite difficult to actually enforce this in practice, since multinational corporations have built such a huge network of shell corporations operating outside US jurisdiction and in tax havens such as Jersey and the Cayman Islands. Along with this type of requirement would have to be a harmonizing of tax and labor laws that close all these loopholes.
The other issue is that it doesn’t actually solve the problems of environmental pollution and depressed wages in the newly-industrializing countries. If they can’t sell their goods to us, there are a few hundred million new members of the middle class in China and India who will be happy to buy these cheap goods.
We consumers have done such a thing on a limited basis when we boycott certain manufacturers for using/abusing child labor.
January 23rd, 2009 at 10:13 am
__________
Which is nice in theory, but not always in practice. These types of boycotts can also have a negative impact, depending on the economic conditions. This doesn’t necessarily stop child labor – it sometimes moves it from the formal economic sector (factories and farms) to the informal sector (prostitution and trafficking).
January 23rd, 2009 at 10:24 amProfit Mo Says: Typical Republican answer. Many high skilled workers are out of work or in crappy jobs because of globalization.
Not globalization per se, but Republican greed. Look at France. They are a global player, but they spend their tax money on social programs that benefit people such as health care and free college, while thw Republicans spent our tax dollars on wars and welfare for banks.
Try education – it’s recession-proof in most places because there is a shortage. Even without a college education, you couldbe a substitute teacher making $100 a day. There are almost always answers if you look for them…
January 23rd, 2009 at 10:24 amhussein toasterhead,
January 23rd, 2009 at 10:25 amAmerica needs to take care of itself.
Profit Mo Says: Most Americans can give a rats ass about that crap.
Now, you’re making up shit just to be argumentative. I haveseen statistics from polls that show that most people do care about this stuff.
Seems you only care about yourself.
January 23rd, 2009 at 10:27 amYou could always outsource yourself….
January 23rd, 2009 at 10:27 amunbelievable,
January 23rd, 2009 at 10:28 amFrance isn’t a good example. They have long term higher unemployment.
Education isn’t recession proof. I know many people with skills and degress that work as Cab drivers and Restaurants. SO your theory is moot. You can spend all the money you want on education and healthcare, if there are no jobs what’s the point. I bet you are a DLC Democrat.
Doc Rock Says:
The Ledbetter Fair Play Act should already have been law. Shame on the previous administration and kudos for the new!
January 23rd, 2009 at 9:09 am
So should the Employee Free Choice Act. And I’m glad to see the Obama Administration moving so quickly…
oh, wait…I’m being told there is no hurry on this one…
January 23rd, 2009 at 10:28 amunbelievable,
January 23rd, 2009 at 10:29 amHow about a poll with those issues vs. Economic concersn. Hmm? I bet you most people would side with economic concernjs that all that hippie feel good crap.
Profit Mo Says:
Answer: Because there are no laws against it! If there were laws outlawing getting rid of American jobs to replace them with foreigners, you wouldn’t have this problem.
January 23rd, 2009 at 10:18 am
_________
Okay. And how exactly would such a law be written? It’s easy to say “there should be a law against it,” but much harder to craft an actual policy that does less harm than good.
Can Congress make it illegal for an Indonesian company to open a factory in Indonesia? No.
Can Congress make it illegal for an American company to open a factory in Indonesia? Maybe. It begs the question of “what is an American company” in an age of multinational corporations with headquarters arund the world. All a company has to do is spin off an Asian division to get around this law.
Can Congress make it illegal for American retailers to import goods from overseas? Sure, if they want to throw every sector of the economy that depends on foreign trade into utter chaos.
What you’re asking is far more easily said than done.
January 23rd, 2009 at 10:31 amProfit Mo Says:
hussein toasterhead,
America needs to take care of itself.
January 23rd, 2009 at 10:25 am
____________
And it can only do that in cooperation with the rest of the world.
January 23rd, 2009 at 10:32 amHussein,
January 23rd, 2009 at 10:34 amThey can make a law that if an American Company gets rid of jobs in America to replace them with foreigners overseas, that companies should face penalties and higher taxes. There that was simple.
Profit Mo Says: How about a poll with those issues vs. Economic concersn. Hmm? I bet you most people would side with economic concernjs that all that hippie feel good crap.
I see you completely ignored my suggestion you seek a job in education. Why is that? Prefer to play the victim rather than be a part of the solution?
The far-far-left and far-right should just be ignored. You all want to live in some unrealistic utopis where everyone else lives by some ideals that you yourself refuse to follow. You contribute nothing, and do nothing but complain.
Grow up.
January 23rd, 2009 at 10:34 amProfit Mo, I agree with you 100%. You are right and you ought to run for office. You could save this country and the whole planet in 100 days, I’d bet.
January 23rd, 2009 at 10:35 amhussein toasterhead,
January 23rd, 2009 at 10:36 amNope, every nation needs to take care of its self. America is a soveireign nations and we need to look aout for itself. I bet is what you believe was put for a vote vs. what I belive, your ideas would be crush. Americans are tired of this global crap and involvement overseas.
Profit Mo Says:
Education isn’t recession proof. I know many people with skills and degress that work as Cab drivers and Restaurants. SO your theory is moot. You can spend all the money you want on education and healthcare, if there are no jobs what’s the point.
January 23rd, 2009 at 10:28 am
______________
Because government spending on healthcare and education will free up money that corporations previously had to spend on healthcare and education, allowing them to create jobs.
See how it works? The economy is a holistic system. You can’t just press a button or wave a magic wand and create jobs out of thin air. You have to create conditions that will allow new jobs to be created.
January 23rd, 2009 at 10:37 amYou can spend all the money you want on education and healthcare, if there are no jobs what’s the point.
Except, there are plenty of jobs in education and health care. Problem is, it takes time to go back to school and most people still need a paycheck in the meantime.
January 23rd, 2009 at 10:37 amunbelievable,
January 23rd, 2009 at 10:39 amThere are only so many positions in education. Explain how Millions of unemployed and under employed workers will get those few education jobs hmm?
I smell a Republican here because you are defending Corporate interests.
Yup… its Trajan all right.
Same garbled syntax, bad punctuation, and lousy spelling.
Prolly has dirt under his fingernails, bad breath, and is wearing a dirty, stained t-shirt ta boot.
January 23rd, 2009 at 10:39 amProfit Mo Says:
Nope, every nation needs to take care of its self. America is a soveireign nations and we need to look aout for itself. I bet is what you believe was put for a vote vs. what I belive, your ideas would be crush. Americans are tired of this global crap and involvement overseas.
January 23rd, 2009 at 10:36 am
___________
Ok, so let’s go with your idea. All trade stops. We shut down our borders and ports. No more oil and raw materials coming in to the country, no more grain and products going out. No more foreign investment in U.S. companies, no more Americans investing in foreign companies. No more trade. No more treaties. We go SOVEREIGN.
How long do you think it will be before our country collapses into complete chaos, without fuel, food, consumer goods, tourism, or exports?
January 23rd, 2009 at 10:39 amProfit Mo,
While you do put up some good points for debate, my gut feeling is that you’re a poser.
January 23rd, 2009 at 10:43 amHey, Profit Mo, what about ME?? You haven’t responded to ME!! And I said I agree with you and adore you and believe in you! What about ME????
January 23rd, 2009 at 10:43 amEnnuiDivine at #26 – thanks for the link. I had never seen that site. It certainly has a lot of good information. I’m still not 100% sold on her, but she looks like the old Rockefeller Republicans and, while they had problems, they generally had positions that I could support.
January 23rd, 2009 at 10:43 amProfit Mo Says: There are only so many positions in education. Explain how Millions of unemployed and under employed workers will get those few education jobs hmm?
I smell a Republican here because you are defending Corporate interests.
We’re just talking about you. There are plenty of jobs in education for you and many others. That’s a start. There is also health care. Obama plans to create more jobs, and if you bother to give him a freaking chance longer than an impossible three days to get it done, he will. In the mean time, apply to be a sub. $500 a week is better than nothing.
Education is not a corporate interest. Stop being ridiculous.
January 23rd, 2009 at 10:44 amProfit Mo Says:
Hussein,
They can make a law that if an American Company gets rid of jobs in America to replace them with foreigners overseas, that companies should face penalties and higher taxes. There that was simple.
January 23rd, 2009 at 10:34 am
__________
And how does one prove that an American company got rid of a job in America and replaced it with a foreigner overseas? Can’t it just be that a factory closed in Milwaukee and another one opened in Sri Lanka? How do you prove a connection between the two?
January 23rd, 2009 at 10:44 amThe Guardian had an interesting article on Obama’s speechwriter:
http://www.guardian.co.uk/world/2009/jan/20/barack-obama-inauguration-us-speech
When Barack Obama steps up to the podium to deliver his inaugural address, one man standing anonymously in the crowd will be paying especially close attention. With his cropped hair, five o’clock shadow and boyish face, he might look out of place among the dignitaries, though as co-author of the speech this man has more claim than most to be a witness to this moment of history.
Jon Favreau, 27, is, as Obama himself puts it, the president’s mind reader. He is one of the youngest chief speechwriters on record in the White House, and, despite such youth, was at the centre of discussions of the content of today’s speech, one which has so much riding on it.
January 23rd, 2009 at 10:45 amAmerica is a soveireign nations and we need to look aout for itself. I bet is what you believe was put for a vote vs. what I belive, your ideas would be crush.
—-
January 23rd, 2009 at 10:45 amCan I have your permission to forward this one to my child’s english teacher so the students can correct it? It is classic.
Thanks
hussein toasterhead,
“Because government spending on healthcare and education will free up money that corporations previously had to spend on healthcare and education, allowing them to create jobs.”
LOL ha ha ha ha ha ha! That is the biggest joke ever! from 2003-2007 Corporate profits were at a all time high. Did they create better paying jobs? Nope, they outsourced good paying jobs to increase their bottom line. Unless there are laws in place to stop outsourcing, the economy will never be good.
You are a naive rich boy who doesn’t know what it is like to struggle. You are delusional.
McWars,
“Except, there are plenty of jobs in education and health care.”
Nice theory but the reality is there are only so mnay helathcare and education jobs to go around. If everyone got those skills then it would depress wages and there would be people without jobs.
PatrioticLiberalChristian,
January 23rd, 2009 at 10:45 amI wouldn’t win. I’m very anti-Corporate and anti-Globalist, the media would destroy me. If I ever were in power,. I woulkd save AMerica, I don’t care about the rest of the world. Let them help themselves.
Profit Mo Says:
unbelievable,
There are only so many positions in education. Explain how Millions of unemployed and under employed workers will get those few education jobs hmm?
Unbelievable isn’t saying that everyone is meant to work in education. You seem to think it’s the left’s responsibility to fix everything in two days, when it’s the GOP that crashed everything in eight years.
January 23rd, 2009 at 10:48 amhussein toasterhead,
January 23rd, 2009 at 10:48 amVery easy if a factory is closing in Milwaukee and one in Sri Lank, it is obvious one is to replace the other! Bingo that company then has to be penalized and face a higher tax rate! You also set up hotlines so workers can report companies that are doing this.
Companies also publically admit they get rid of American jobs to save money. SO this is very easy to prove.
They gave him a bow tie but he thought it was to wear on his wrist.
January 23rd, 2009 at 10:49 amI hear there are Termal Tiggers in Sri Lank….
January 23rd, 2009 at 10:50 amProfit Mo Says:
LOL ha ha ha ha ha ha! That is the biggest joke ever! from 2003-2007 Corporate profits were at a all time high. Did they create better paying jobs? Nope, they outsourced good paying jobs to increase their bottom line. Unless there are laws in place to stop outsourcing, the economy will never be good.
Yes – the Bush tax cut policy worked perfectly and did exactly what it was designed to do – increase profits while screwing Americans.
Which is exactly why I’m arguing that it will take GOOD policy to fix the economy, not SHITTY policy. And “Ban Outsourcing” is shitty policy unless it addresses the underlying driver of outsourcing – the wage differential between the U.S. and the developing world.
You are a naive rich boy who doesn’t know what it is like to struggle. You are delusional.
January 23rd, 2009 at 10:45 am
___________
And you’re a moron who doesn’t understand how the world works. Bummer.
January 23rd, 2009 at 10:51 amFred Says:
They gave him a bow tie but he thought it was to wear on his wrist.
__________
TRoS shudders at the image.
“Gee, thanks for planting THAT image in my brain so early in the day.”
“I owe you one, Fred”
January 23rd, 2009 at 10:51 amMcWars,
My point is Obama doesn’t have American workers interests as part of his agenda. He is a Corporatist Globalist like Bush was. His economic team are free traders. Wake up. I bet you care more about interrogation and gitmo than good pay and jobs?
Fred,
January 23rd, 2009 at 10:52 amI’m new here and donm’t know this trojan you speak off. Isn’t that a brand of condoms?
Hey, Mo…
Should we start executing corporate executives who move good jobs that decent, God-fearing Americans could do overseas?
January 23rd, 2009 at 10:53 amknow this trojan you speak off
And where, campers, have we seen THIS statement before!
January 23rd, 2009 at 10:54 amProfit Mo Says:
I’m new here and donm’t know this trojan you speak off. Isn’t that a brand of condoms?
___________
It’s fair to say that both the condoms and you have something in common…
January 23rd, 2009 at 10:54 amTROS, condoms do have a lower failure rate.
January 23rd, 2009 at 10:54 amhussein toasterhead,
January 23rd, 2009 at 10:55 amBush’s tax cuts were a wast of money. It did very little damage or good. Let us say taxes satyed at the same rate, the same result would happen. The companies would still outsource.
The problem is there are no laws to stop outsourcing.
I am not concern with other countries, I am concern with America and America only.
Profit Mo Says:
Very easy if a factory is closing in Milwaukee and one in Sri Lank, it is obvious one is to replace the other!
Oh, it’s “obvious,” huh? “It’s obvious” doesn’t exactly constitute proof in a court of law. You’ll have to do better than that.
Bingo that company then has to be penalized and face a higher tax rate! You also set up hotlines so workers can report companies that are doing this.
January 23rd, 2009 at 10:48 am
____________
And if you penalize them enough, they’ll say “screw this country” and move their entire operation to the Cayman Islands. Then what?
Sure, you can ban them from selling their product in the U.S. Big deal. They’ll sell their product to China instead.
Now, instead of one factory outsourced, you’ve outsourced an entire company.
Great policy!
January 23rd, 2009 at 10:56 amI’d say that evens the score…..ewww
January 23rd, 2009 at 10:57 amProfit Mo Says:
I am not concern with other countries, I am concern with America and America only.
January 23rd, 2009 at 10:55 am
__________
And that is why you fail.
January 23rd, 2009 at 10:58 amWe look ruefully at the former Gitmo inmate who is now working with the terrorists and say that if we had only known then that he would commit crimes now we would have held him in prison. However, that notion is contrary to our system of justice. We do not jail people for crimes that they may commit in the future. We jail them for crimes they did commit or are in the act of committing. Both George Orwell and Lewis Carroll lampooned this notion of justice aforethought.
January 23rd, 2009 at 10:58 amThe Republic of Stupidity,
January 23rd, 2009 at 10:58 am“Should we start executing corporate executives who move good jobs that decent, God-fearing Americans could do overseas?”
No but those corporations nshould pay higher tax rates and be penalyze. We need pro-worker economic policies not globalist corporatist policies.
Profit Mo Says:
Explain please, Bill Clinton operated in the global economy and created millions of jobs….good paying jobs.
January 23rd, 2009 at 11:00 amfletc3her Says:
Both George Orwell and Lewis Carroll lampooned this notion of justice aforethought.
January 23rd, 2009 at 10:58 am
__________
And Philip K. Dick, in Minority Report.
January 23rd, 2009 at 11:00 amProfit Mo Says:
PatrioticLiberalChristian,
I wouldn’t win. I’m very anti-Corporate and anti-Globalist, the media would destroy me. If I ever were in power,. I woulkd save AMerica, I don’t care about the rest of the world. Let them help themselves.
I can only assume you supported Ron Paul, and I guess if the majority of Americans supported his ideas (and your repetition of such ideas) he would have been elected President. And your “I would save America.” Wow! Your hubris is quite astonishing.
January 23rd, 2009 at 11:00 amFred Says:
I’d say that evens the score…..ewww
__________
Heh… sometimes retribution comes swiftly…
January 23rd, 2009 at 11:00 amProfit Mo Says:
No but those corporations nshould pay higher tax rates and be penalyze. We need pro-worker economic policies not globalist corporatist policies.
________
Then I say you’re soft. We should be executing them, along w/ the bankers.
That’ll get the mofos attention, and FAAAAAAAST.
January 23rd, 2009 at 11:01 amhussein toasterhead,
“And if you penalize them enough, they’ll say “screw this country” and move their entire operation to the Cayman Islands. Then what?”
Seize their assets in America to people who will do business here. Also if they take it to that level, we can always access the CEO’s bank accounts and take their money. There are many ways at playing hard ball.
“And that is why you fail.”
January 23rd, 2009 at 11:03 amExplain this. The last time we had pr worker policies in America back in the 40’s 50’s and 60’s America propspered and the Middle class grew. Your globalist ideology is a failure and this crisis has exposed the ponzi scheme which is globalization.
Most corporations do not pay income taxes, so if they aren’t even doing that I don’t think penalizing them for outsourcing will be as effective as you think.
We could reduce tax savings through GAAP, but considering we just boosted depreciation last year for stimulus purposes that looks unlikely. Also I’m sure accounting changes would have to be passed but not in effect for some time, to allow for adjustments, so it could be 2011 before it makes a difference.
A good start would be building light rail, road repairs, buildings… right here, employing here.
January 23rd, 2009 at 11:06 amFred,
January 23rd, 2009 at 11:06 am“Explain please, Bill Clinton operated in the global economy and created millions of jobs….good paying jobs.”
Notv true. America’s economy still wasn’t fully globalized. That “boom” which was really a Tech bubble came before companies began outsourcing many of those new Tech jobs. ALso the bubble bursted in the last year of Clinton around the time companies began shipping their jobs over to India.
SOrry to burst your Clinton loving bubble.
McWars,
My point is Obama doesn’t have American workers interests as part of his agenda. He is a Corporatist Globalist like Bush was. His economic team are free traders. Wake up. I bet you care more about interrogation and gitmo than good pay and jobs?
B.S. He supports the Lilly Ledbetter Fair Pay Act and Employee Free Choice. He supports renegotiating key free trade agreements. If legislation came before him to raise the minimum wage, he would sign it. Do you think all of this happens in a day? Any president can have goals, but the political climate must be navigated in order to achieve them. It takes time. We’re on the way up, be patient.
January 23rd, 2009 at 11:07 am“The bubble bursted”???
Ya gotta love this guy.
Comedy. Gold.
January 23rd, 2009 at 11:07 amThe Republic of Stupidity Says:
Yup… its Trajan all right.
i smelled it at the first comment, whoever it is…
must be using a translation program, at times at least…
seems “Mo Profit” would make a lot more sense…
obviously english is not the first language…
January 23rd, 2009 at 11:08 amProfit Mo Says:
You got a lie to cover every instance don’t ya traj? You live on an island by yourself.
January 23rd, 2009 at 11:09 amYou know, Clinton has been out of office since January 20, 2001. I think he has his mistakes in mind unlike “the liberator of 50 million.” I think it’s time to focus on the new president, the new congress, and the new legislative agenda.
January 23rd, 2009 at 11:10 amkaty Says:
obviously english is not the first language…
__________
In step with their general philosophy, and well-documented cheapness, it appears the GOOP has been out-sourcing their trolling for quite some time now.
Bulgaria? Nigeria? Perhaps some cash-poor Asian country?
January 23rd, 2009 at 11:11 am“Notv true.”
I know there’s at least one joke in there!
FOX is “no tv true” but “tv false”?
January 23rd, 2009 at 11:11 amProfit Mo Says:
Fred, SOrry to burst your Clinton loving bubble.
____________
You unrepentent Clinton lover, you…
January 23rd, 2009 at 11:13 am116
January 23rd, 2009 at 11:14 amSri Lank perhaps?
Profit Mo Says:
Seize their assets in America to people who will do business here. Also if they take it to that level, we can always access the CEO’s bank accounts and take their money. There are many ways at playing hard ball.
___________
Okay, let’s do that. Now why would any entrepreneur want to start a company or do business here, given our draconian corporate laws? You’re not going to create jobs if you threaten to execute any CEO whose company turns a profit.
Explain this. The last time we had pr worker policies in America back in the 40’s 50’s and 60’s America propspered and the Middle class grew. Your globalist ideology is a failure and this crisis has exposed the ponzi scheme which is globalization.
January 23rd, 2009 at 11:03 am
___________
Which is also around the time that America began building its empire around the globe – staging coups and assassinating world leaders who stood in the way of our companies accessing raw materials at bargain prices. The prosperity we enjoyed was built on the backs of millions of people around the world who suffered for it. Is that the system you want to go back to?
January 23rd, 2009 at 11:16 amHey, Gillibrand’s my congressperson, and I was actually hoping she’d be appointed! I wasn’t expecting it, tho.
I voted for her, even tho I didn’t vote for Hillary. (I voted for the Green senate candidate.)
January 23rd, 2009 at 11:16 amProfit Mo:
“Good jobs going overseas” is only a slice of the pie, and not the biggest one these days.
There are plenty of non-globalized jobs that are gone because the companies are going under right here.
Are domestic auto workers losing their jobs because of outsourcing? They are not. They are losing their jobs because of wretched management, arrogance and stupidity on the part of the executives of that company.
What would be the advantage of pulling out of Nafta? How would that preserve good jobs?
What we surrendered to NAFTA, the WTO etc. are to things: import restrictions and tariffs.
You know what happens when we raise tariffs? Even setting aside trade wars and the like?
The industries get protected. Prices go up.
Yes, you say, a necessary adjunct.
But here’s the problem with your whole argument (if I can call it that): does that guarantee better treatment for the employees?
It does not.
Employees will still get shafted, still get fired at the first hint of a downturn, still be forced into givebacks while the executives vote themselves bonuses.
For all your anti-corporate fervor, you are pumping for a solution that benefits corporations, and (maybe) expecting that a tariff shield for the capitalists will trickle down to the workers.
I have a counter-proposal, based on the principle of ‘when there’s a problem, attack the actual problem.’:
January 23rd, 2009 at 11:17 amIf our problem is the middle and working class being treated worse–start seeing that they’re treated better.
National Health Care. Unions.
And rather than giving gifts to big corporations, make things better for small businesses, and make it easier to start a business. Highly skilled workers in crappy jobs? Make it easier for them to start their own concerns. Incubators. start-up tax breaks. Encourage them to find niches that are not as vulnerable to globalization. And remove the advantages written into law that give dinosaurs a free ride and welfare–like protective tariffs.
Make it easier to start a business–and to fail at one. Ensure that your kids get a quality education (and health care!) if your company goes under. If yo are laid off from the start up you joined. Give these people union benefits.
I agree that corporations are getting away with murder. But giving them protective tariffs is rewarding them for their bad behavior and standing there, hands folded with a little expectant smile, asking pretty please, can we have our jobs back?
To hell with that.
dbadass Says:
Sri Lank perhaps?
___________
Not desperate enough. Think “Alabama”, or mebbe Albania. Botch never could keep the two straight. But then, who can?
January 23rd, 2009 at 11:21 ampbg,
You are the only one who makes sense here. My Tarrif proposal wasn’t to benefit corporations but to prevent countries like China for flooding the market with cheap goods. BUt I agree with alot of your ideas. The rest of the posters here like Hussein and ROS don’t live in the real world. They are rich delusional fools who are blind to the disaster globalization has done.
hussein toasterhead,
January 23rd, 2009 at 11:37 am” The prosperity we enjoyed was built on the backs of millions of people around the world who suffered for it. Is that the system you want to go back to?”
Ha ha ha ha! Spare me the Marxist crap. We had pro worker policies and tarrifs back then. That was the difference. The Globalized Model has failed, we need to go back to what worked. Protectionism and worker rights.
I see you guys let trajan in for some play time.
January 23rd, 2009 at 11:38 amIgnoranceIsNotBliss Says:
I see you guys let trajan in for some play time.
If we don’t he might go to a regressive site where they might actually like and start promoting his ideas. It’s better that we not have him play with the wrong crowd.
January 23rd, 2009 at 11:43 amHa ha ha ha! Spare me the Marxist crap.
Yes, the progressive with a deep, deep, deep concern for the welfare of all, the lookout for corporate interests. We get the point Trajan, you’re here another day with another shtick.
January 23rd, 2009 at 11:43 amto prevent countries like China for flooding the market with cheap goods.
—-
The Walmart shoppers….. Oh never mind
January 23rd, 2009 at 11:44 amProfit Mo Says:
The rest of the posters here like Hussein and ROS don’t live in the real world. They are rich delusional fools who are blind to the disaster globalization has done.
_________
I beg your pardon… I’m a poor wise ass.
January 23rd, 2009 at 11:45 amWho the hell is Trajan? I am not Trajan, can you people comprehend this?
On a serious note, the only person who here is pro worker is pbg. That is the only poster here that actually wants to do something about this globalization crap that benefits only the rich and global elite. The rest of you are just corporate shrills.
January 23rd, 2009 at 11:59 amthe only person who here is pro worker is pbg.
January 23rd, 2009 at 12:03 pm—
So why are you anti-worker?
McWars,
Yes, the progressive with a deep, deep, deep concern for the welfare of all, the lookout for corporate interests
I am only concerned with America and it’s workers. I could care less about other nations, let them resolve their own problems. I never said I was a progressive. the fact is even though progressives and working people vote Democratic, our interests aren’t the same at all. Progressives are just liberal republicans.
January 23rd, 2009 at 12:03 pmAww, are you concerned? Have you decided traj?
When will you act? When will you join the world community and work with us instead of standing on the sidelines, whining?
January 23rd, 2009 at 12:04 pmdbadass,
January 23rd, 2009 at 12:04 pmI’m pro worker. I was just pointing out that pbh is the only one other than I that so far sees the problem globalization is.The rest of you want globalization.
It’s a done deal, you can’t turn back. You just have to deal with it. Fair trade deals will work but isolationism is so 19th century….
January 23rd, 2009 at 12:08 pmFred,
January 23rd, 2009 at 12:08 pmSo you like the outsourcing of good jobs and seeing people with college degrees work in Restaurants or Fast food?
Not all of us are imaginary…
January 23rd, 2009 at 12:08 pmProfit Mo
January 23rd, 2009 at 12:10 pmI think Mario Batali works in a restaurant…
PM:
January 23rd, 2009 at 12:19 pmThanks, but my point is that I think ‘non-globalization/globslization” is a false choice.
I agree with a lot of the anti-WTO people that the crippling of human rights concerns and environmental considerations in the name of ‘free/fair trade” is terrible.
But I think the answer to that is to improve our own economy–and I DON’T mean by that making things cushier for big corporations (which is, I’m well aware, what those words usually mean.)
I mean that the neglected part of our economy–the people–become richer, better educated, and more secure. As Adam Smith pointed out, when the whole nation is better off, wealth stays and tends to grow.
As for foreign competition, I have a solution: unionize the Indonesians.
Profit Mo sez: “the outsourcing of good jobs…”
You mean the job like the guy with the East Indian accent so thick and speaking so fast I have no idea what he was saying has?
January 23rd, 2009 at 12:27 pmI think he said his name was William Berkshire…..
Profit Mo Says:
Who the hell is Trajan? I am not Trajan, can you people comprehend this?
___________
But people were asking you if you were Trajan yesterday…
And you DIDN’T deny then… interesting.
Time to write the lead for today’s column:
“Trajan Denies Denying he Wasn’t Trajan Yesterday, But Claims He Isn’t Today…Also Gets Testy With TP Posters, Refuses to Answer Questions”.
January 23rd, 2009 at 12:27 pmI didn’t like the things the bush admin did but I dealt with it…..you will have the same issues now that the consequences of elections have played out.
Those restaurant workers had good jobs under Clinton. They will have good jobs under Obama. bush, not so much.
January 23rd, 2009 at 12:29 pmProfit Mo;
You DO realize that under chimpy, putting Big Macs together at McDonalds et al, has been redefined as manufacturing jobs. After all, you ARE assembling something, just like Chrysler.
sarc
January 23rd, 2009 at 12:36 pmHey …. Mo! Isn’t he a Stooge?
January 23rd, 2009 at 12:56 pmIf you get a degree in philosophy you’re going to work in a restaurant.
January 23rd, 2009 at 12:59 pmUncle Ho Says:
You DO realize that under chimpy, putting Big Macs together at McDonalds et al, has been redefined as manufacturing jobs. After all, you ARE assembling something, just like Chrysler.
__________
And didn’t Reagan try to get ketchup declared a vegetable in school lunches?
January 23rd, 2009 at 1:01 pmDynamo, Robert Reich said that he hoped not ALL shovel ready jobs went to highly skilled white males. You missed the point as usual. And how is including white females in these jobs obsessing over the color of skin?
January 23rd, 2009 at 1:04 pmDynamo Says:
Another wonderful example of how the liberals are constantly obsessed with the color of some one skin.
___________
Another wonderful example of Dymbnamo taking something out of context to make a false point. Reich didn’t say “No white construction workers”. What he ACTUALLY said was he didn’t want ALL the jobs to go to the same people who usually get them.
I know… I know… the last 8 years has been HARD on your ego. You backed a REAL LOSER, you’re embarrassed, and you can’t stand to admit you were, well, WRONG.
Get over it… heh… where have I heard THAT phrase before?
January 23rd, 2009 at 1:05 pmTROS- about Ronnie Ray-gun and ketchup, yes, he did just that.
January 23rd, 2009 at 1:05 pmJust Ronnie speak up for his side… the vegetables, I mean.
January 23rd, 2009 at 1:06 pmShayne Says:
You missed the point as usual. And how is including white females in these jobs obsessing over the color of skin?
__________
Shayne, that’ll pass right over Dymbnamo’s pointy little head.
January 23rd, 2009 at 1:07 pmGillibrand is in good shape for 2010.She’s a bit more centrist than much of the NY electorate…but the only announced primary challenge is coming from Carolyn McCarthy. McCarthy’s definitely pro-gun control….but she also voted for the Iraq war in ‘02 and voted to support it in ‘06. That’s not gonna fly with voters statewide.
As for the GOP, the only potential candidate with any name recognition is Peter King, and he’d be crushed. I’m all for him trying, though. When he gives up his seat in the House to run for Senate, it’ll get NY one seat closer to a completely Democratic delegation.
January 23rd, 2009 at 1:08 pmShayne Says:
Hey …. Mo! Isn’t he a Stooge?
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Heh… sometimes these headlines just write themselves…
“Shayne Claims Trajan is Capitalist Stooge… Trajan Doesn’t Deny It!!!”
January 23rd, 2009 at 1:11 pmDynamo says blah, blah ,blah. liberals obsessed with skin color.
You somehow convienently forgot about George Allen’s’ infamous ‘macaca’ moment among others.
January 23rd, 2009 at 1:11 pmDynamo; I also recall that last year at the Texas GOP convention buttons being sold saying:
January 23rd, 2009 at 1:14 pmIf Obama wins will they still call it the White House
I hope that while you were playing with your troll, you were also flagging it’s ass.
January 23rd, 2009 at 1:17 pmDynamo; or how about that song that the Rethuglic party likes so much these days? You know the one, Obama the Magic Negro
Liberals obsessed with skin color, by citing only a few examples, one can not but conclude that you are projecting.
January 23rd, 2009 at 1:19 pmZooey, which troll? there seems to be a lot of stupidity by more than one troll today.
January 23rd, 2009 at 1:21 pmUnka Ho, all trolls are one troll. ;)
January 23rd, 2009 at 1:23 pmUncle Ho Says:
Zooey, which troll? there seems to be a lot of stupidity by more than one troll today.
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Hey… hey… hey… let’s not use the “S” word so carelessly, okay?
January 23rd, 2009 at 1:33 pmYou’ll give ME a bad reputation.
January 23rd, 2009 at 1:34 pmTROS; my apologiies. Nothing meant to offend you. :-)
January 23rd, 2009 at 1:43 pmThas all right, Unk… ***sniff… sniff***
I didn’t think you meant in a BAD way…
January 23rd, 2009 at 1:47 pmAwwwwww, TRoS. :|
January 23rd, 2009 at 2:02 pmOh great… now you’re makin’ fun of me…
January 23rd, 2009 at 2:20 pmAt least Shayne had some tequila, and salsa and nachos for me… and missmolly had some beer…
***sniff… sniff***
January 23rd, 2009 at 2:22 pmFred,
January 23rd, 2009 at 2:33 pmObama has not addressed outsourcing of good jobs. His advisers are all pro Outsourcing. Explain how those restaurant workers with high skills will get good paying jobs? Obama is not addresseing the real problem, America doesn’t produce good jobs anymore?
Profit Mo Says:
_________
Care to deny the rumors that you’ve denied being Trajan?
January 23rd, 2009 at 2:34 pmHey, you guys, here’s something fun to play with:
http://obamiconme.pastemagazine.com
Enjoy!
~A
January 23rd, 2009 at 2:34 pmLooks like Dynie got his feelings hurt and split.
Yippeee!
January 23rd, 2009 at 2:40 pmtraj, you aren’t interested in the truth and I’m not interested in explaining things to you. You explain something for a change instead of making childish demands.
Oh, and try to stick to the truth…..oh well, what was I thinking.
January 23rd, 2009 at 2:48 pmLeftside Annie, are you registered there? Did you see this one? I registered just to post a comment:
http://obamiconme.pastemagazine.com/entries/359436-field-negro.html
I’m going to contact the website and complain also.
January 23rd, 2009 at 2:56 pmFred,
January 23rd, 2009 at 3:27 pmMaybe it hasn’t sunk in your head yet, I am not trajan ortraj as you call this person. OK let us get that out the way.
I have already explained the economic issues. The problem is that American corporations are getting rid of jobs here to create them overseas. You have not addressed that. Instead you continue with your partisan nonsense that Obama will create good jobs.
How will he do that without 1st putting in place laws that prevent outsourcing and off shoring? His advisers are all for this globalist system which lead to crappy jobs in America.
Question, is Obama going to do something to stop this? So far you aren’t addressing any of this except with partisan spin. PBH is the only one here who recognizes the problems. Do you?
Profit Mo Says:
I reconize ya…….bye for now. Don’t tell me what to do. Try running your own life for a change, it’s more than you can handle.
January 23rd, 2009 at 3:29 pmFred – I am. I didn’t see anything offensive when I was playing with that site last night. Guess the wingnuts found it, eh?
Maybe that one belongs to Ted from the bakery.
January 23rd, 2009 at 3:41 pmAnnie, It’s pretty cool but the wingers won’t stop being haters until we punish them for it……
a little heat on the bottom of their feet will wake them up. It’s a cool thing though.
January 23rd, 2009 at 3:48 pmProfit Mo Says:
Question, is Obama going to do something to stop this?
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I’ve contacted him PERSONALLY on my secret Captain Obama decoder ring and gotten an answer for you. ***wink… wink***.
He says he’ll deal w/ this by noon, Monday, at the latest.
There… you can toddle off now and drink your hot milk… the glass that Mummy puts the “Magic Sleepytime Happy pills” in, just for you!
BTW, are you still denying that you denied saying you weren’t Trajan?
If you are, I’m going to have to re-write the lead for my Friday TP column. That was the story I wanted to lead off w/.
January 23rd, 2009 at 4:01 pmThe land of Oz
January 23rd, 2009 at 10:35 pmbuilder54 says: The land of Oz.
Is that where Bush went?
January 24th, 2009 at 6:43 pm