Busboy Jefe wrote:
>> I've seen him answer many questions.
>
> You see him respond. You don't see him answer. Hell, he's not ever
> sure what position he's taken on any given matter. "I stand by what I
> said, whatever it was"....
I've seen him in fairly candid interviews.
Have you ever watched them do the interview process
for a supreme court position? They answer nothing. At
best they give generic responses and carefully worded
non-answers.
It's no different when they ask Obama how to fix
something. They ALL dodge most questions.
>> That is correct. But you can bet your ass if someone running for
>> office has a stellar record somewhere, they'll put it out there.
>> If Romney wasn't embarassed by paying a low tax rate, he'd
>> likely show his financials. There is something embarassing in
>> BOs college transcripts -- or HE'D have it out there. IMO.
>
> We already know Romney pays a low tax rate. I think he likely paid no
> taxes in 2009 and doesn't want that out there.
He says otherwise. <Again> my wife is a tax specialist.
It is the ONLY thing she does. No rich person she has
ever worked for gets away from taxes. The four owners
at her previous job EACH wrote checks for millions of
dollars a year. And yet, there's MILLIONS of people that
pay not ONE single dollar.
>> If we're simply going on public records of what either man
>> has achieved, Romney would be our next president.
>
> Your criteria is laughable, but not unexpected. The last businessman
> who hold the office of pres was Herbert Hoover. Look how that turned
> out. Does W count as a businessman as well? Again, look how that
> turned out.
My criteria is based on what we know of the two men.
We also know quite a bit about Obama at this point -
at least as to how he operates and what he actually
does as president. He is a disgrace and a failure. The
fact this doesn't seem to bother dems just blows me
away. Who in hell runs their finances the way this
government does? It's a proven formula for failure.
Should we do a search for cities going bankrupt? For
countries?
> I'm not going to blame either man solely for what happened,
> obviously...but they do show that being a businessman gives no
> advantage whatsoever to being a president nor having a positive impact
> on an economy.
Over the last <almost> 4 years it is obvious that business owners
are totally flustered by Obama and the direction he is taking
this country. I see it, read it, hear it at the time. Health care
and taxes are killing this country. HC scares the shit out of
these owners. Go ahead and deny it or try to work around it
but the facts are the facts... thousands trying to duck the hc
bill with special exemptions. Rates still rising. Taxes take so
much of our money that there is little hope of new hires.
People with 'modest money' are holding on to it. They will
not hire, they will not expand.
>> Told ya already - if guessing <and that's all we can do> he prolly
>> paid a very low tax rate. What people may not take into consideration
>> is that even at a low rate, he's paid MANY millions into our tax
>> system.
>
> Again, people know this. Color me impressed that he paid the same tax
> rate as a secretary. And I'm sure he used no loopholes to do that, as
> the tax system is certainly not rigged in his favor. /sarcasm
I presume he follows the same rules as Al Gore or George
Soros. How many people <like you or I> does it take to
match the few million a year someone like Romney pays?
Half the country pays nothing. Romney pays millions
a year <all but guaranteed> and not only that, signs
checks for many others. Any response of "Well, percentage
wise..." can be debated endlessly. Change the fucking
tax system and treat everyone equally.
>> And the huge amount of people getting gov't aid are going to blister
>> him for it all the while cashing their gov't checks.
>
> Ah, the welfare queen/jealous-of-the-rich card. *yawn*
You can deny, but you can't change the facts.
Go on and tell me how GE has a 3 to 4 billion tax
credit over the next ten years. I'll reply with how
welfare alone costs us 80 billion a year. And that
is just foodstamps and certain assistance, not taking
into account the varius other types of programs
people are draining daily. Do you REALLY believe
half of all disability payments <which are for mental
reasons now> is valid? Tax loopholes for the rich
corporations isn't a fraction of what the populace
are scamming every year. We beat this endlessly
and I want them both stopped. The sooner the better.
>> He's running as a man who understands business in a time
>> where 'it's the economy stupid'. I suppose I should have said
>> he isn't flouting his financial success. Better?
>
> What in Romney's "understanding" do you think would translate into him
> being able to back up his "I'll create 12 million jobs" claim?
> Knowing, of course, that presidents aren't personally creating jobs?
> His attempt at a business failed, his "success" was the result of
> producing/inventing nothing....
Any fuckingbody could become president, slash gov't in half,
repeal half of the regulations and jobs would come back
overnight. We <for hundredth time> are the worst country
in the world to try and open a/do business in. Fact.
>> So he needs to be taken down a notch because his father <extremely
>> poor> became a rich man? and he had a comfortable upbringing?
>
> If you consider his living in a bubble being taken down a notch. I
> don't. It's just acknowledging reality.
You seem to want to deny a whole lot of reality.
You can't name a president, a VP, or anyone running
for president that isn't rich. At least no one with a chance.
Fuckin' Roseanne Barr is rich. Who do you think was
likely taught better morals, better "life lessons"... the
son of George Romney - dirt-ass poor man who made
it rich, donated 25% of his income to church and charity,
reknown for his mission work, his work for the poor, his
opposing Viet Nam, his dedication to civil rights... do
you REALLY believe he raised Mitt like some spoiled
ass Kennedy or George Bush Jr? You want to compare
the life of "upbringing"? Obama hadda mom that fucked
socialists, done a little porn for the camera, chunked her
kid away to her parents and chased yet another socialist?
She met her first husband in a Russian class (BO Sr.)... we
know what a winner he was -- radical, whoremonger, married
to 2 or 3 women at once, killed a man while drunk, and died
with a hint of being murdered.
While daddy Soetoro wasn't <doesn't seem> quite the radical
momma found reason to dump him as well. Yeah, let's compare
the upbringing and parents of Romeny vs Obama. Unreal.
>> I have some money now -- but I can in no way relate to the rich
>> who have led an entirely different life than I have.
>
> And this is essentially what I'm saying re: Romney, just in reverse.
>
> This goes to the overall bigger picture of our "representatives" on a
> whole not truly representing us, I suppose. But give me someone who
> started small and became big instead of a born-on-third person any
> day.
You're generalizing. You cannot honestly say that Romney
<or any other rich person> doesn't have values, common
sense, or a grasp of what others go thru. Specualtion on
your part - at best.
>> They mean something when measuring the man. It's insight.
>> I've never claimed it to be anything more. And as far as
>> Obama being the intellectual many claim him to be -- I totally
>> don't see it. Not in his speech nor his actions. This is said after
>> having watched him speak hundreds of times. He's no dummy
>> and he is certainly informed - but that does not equate to
>> what I consider an intellectual.
>
> Well, you think Newt Gingrich is an intellectual. That puts your view
> of intellectualism in serious doubt. =P
No worse than anyone who would constantly re-elect
Ted Kennedy, Reid, Pelosi, Rangel or a Barney Frank.
There was no one on either side of those prez debates
that had more knowlege than Gingrich. At least regarding
the workings of government.
> I see a guy like Hitch as an intellectual. Obama is not a Hitch; he's
> a smart guy, who also had the benefit of a predecessor that made a bag
> of hair look intelligent. That is a big part of why you seem him
> painted as an intellectual, I think.
>> 1) They both <voluntarily> let their license go. Therefore
>> my wording was correct.
>
> *sigh* "Voluntarily surrendering" has a specific meaning when it comes
> to law licenses. There's a reason why the chain email you got that
> theory from made use of the term. It certainly sounds more dubious
> than "They're on inactive status". Your wording was NOT correct.
I have never gotten nor read an email regarding their law
licenses. And you still don't word it to mean anything different
than what I did.
>> 2) It is NOT a simple thing to go back years later.
>
> I mentioned this topic to a few lawyers I know. They all agreed that
> it was an easy thing to get going again should you choose to go
> inactive for awhile.
>
> I'll be sure to let them know that you told me they're wrong. I'm sure
> they'll be convinced.
And I know of cases that say otherwise. Have those same lawyers
you spoke with ever given up theirs?
>> I'll almost guarantee you neither one picks up as a lawyer again.
>
> I wouldn't be surprised if they don't go back either. Maybe Michelle
> would. Obama I would see doing what the rest do -- writing books,
> giving paid speeches and such.
>
>> I know what others have gone thru in re-instating a license
>> after a prolonged period.
>
> A license, or a law license specifically?
I've had a few lawyer friends over the years, known many
nurses and am familiar with what it takes in the field of
accountants/CPAs. I do not personally, out of the 3 or
4 lawyers I know/known, that have given up their license.
>> I'd be hard pressed to go back
>> and write a program in Cobol or Fortran or to even do
>> much above elementary math.
>
> Well, that's your personal malfunction. You think that just because
> you'd have difficulty going back to an old practice everyone else
> would too?
Yes, it's a proven fact. Use it or lose it.
>> I'm aware of that.. and aware I'm likely the one you're looking
>> to for a response. My main point was that anything similar to
>> to original subject is gonna come up.
>
> As I've said before, I'm aware that you'll *likely* respond to a
> political thread I make. That doesn't mean that every one I make is
> some kind of "bait" for you.
Never implied that.
> If I have something specific for you,
> I'll indicate it as such. That's why I specifically aimed this at the
> birthers in here. You've mentioned that you don't question Obama's BC,
> so I had no reason to think you'd have much interest.
I call bullshit.
You mighta labeled your post as such but the immediate
subject of your post was Romney.
>> If I say Obama said/did
>> this, it isn't unexpected that your reply would be 'well, Bush
>> said/did that'. Straying from 'birthers' to transcripts and licenses
>> isn't a far reach.
>
> I mention Bush if it's relevant to do so. When talking about the
> recession and economic effects of his terms, for example, it certainly
> is. When observing how things righties loved from 2001-2008 suddenly
> became bad on 1/20/2009, it certainly is.
>
> Clinton's name was routinely brought up in here for years after 9/11
> -- "he didn't do enough to get Bin Laden". I find it humorous that
> this was OK then, but we dare not mention Bush's name now.
We mention any name we choose. None of them matter now.
>> Because I like to give you what you want.
>
>> Who did you think- who else replies- what others have
>> jumped into these many threads you've started. It's
>> what we do. Or did you just start a 'birthers' thread to
>> jab at AJ for a reply?
>
> AJ is the King Birther here, so I anticipated a typically dumb and
> evasive response from him. I did *not* expect that you'd rush in to
> defend Romney's decision by throwing other birther-related theories
> around.
>
> In hindsight, I suppose I should have.
You made an open 'attack' towards Romney. Did you not
want any response/debate? The 'birther' thing is a red
herring and had no relationship to the subject of your post.
>> Surely you didn't think Sharon
>> would jump in with some deep insight. Maybe steve?
>> Lab or TV or DB doesn't jump into our bitchin'. Ain't
>> that just what we do?
>
> Simply not true. You, myself, AJ, FVH are typically the ones who post
> the most in these threads. But depending on how long they go on, we
> might see steve, TV, SK, sliced, lab, etc. join in. You want to
> discuss the "quality" of any of those posts? Have at it, but
> understand that as long as you continue to give AJ a pass for his many
> stupid and ignorant comments, your opinion doesn't have much weight.
>
> I think you see yourself as being singularly important in my eyes.
> Trust me, you aren't. I do you the courtesy of replying to your posts
> for as long as I can tolerate it, knowing full well that it's futile.
steve adds nothing to our political rants. On occasion I piss
sliced off enough to make a rant, he almost never makes
a reply to you otherwise. Sharon is the queen of 'neurtral'.
It never takes a hard stance... it's was always "well, he ain't
our best but he's okay". Dodgy bullshit. AJ and you have
become quite the item, so we'll give you that one.
> It's not a highlight of my day or anything. When I'm posting in here,
> I'm also doing other things on the comp. This place serves as a
> distraction, nothing more.
>
>> In the five minutes it takes to reply to you maybe.
>> Obama being a socialist, a kenyan, a <whatever>
>> is nothing you or I think about in the normal course
>> of our day. Do you walk the streets with Romney on
>> your mind? Does the thought of Michelle Bachmann
>> weigh you down daily?
>
> The difference is that I don't give conspiracy theories/possible-but-
> very-unlikely scenarios any effort whatsoever. My criticisms of
> politicians center on dumb things they've done or said. Or haven't
> done/said, depending. The Clinton Body Count? 9/11 a Bush admin coup?
> Bush the dictator? Obama the Socialist/Communist/Muslim/Kenyan
> Usurper? All nonsense. Question everything, yes. But stop when the
> questions are proven to be unsubstantiated, or you just look like a
> lunatic.
Well fuck.. if we can't speculate let's just go for the facts/reality
then. Obama said we'd have a reduced budget, lower unemployment,
he'd clear out Gitmo and if he couldn't get it done in his first term he
didn't deserve a second. He's thrown more money at the poor than
any president ever -- it's only gotten worse. He's put us on the edge
of economic disaster and created another government fiasco in hc.
Argue any of that shit that you wish.
> You may not spend a whole lot of time on the Obama theories in
> general, but your spirited defenses of those who do suggests you buy
> into it than you let on. I had never even heard of the law license
> "theory" until you brought it up.
Then why the hell you blaming it on emails? There is a REASON
when someone does something of importance. A reason for
his college records and a reason with the law licenses. Neither
is a decision of McDs vs Burger King.
> Or do you just do that because it gives you the chance to argue with
> me, sliced, etc? A slight bit of trolling, perhaps?
That may be true if it was me making the posts. Idon't
call out sliced and I only respond.
>> If you don't think that money controls virtually
>> everything you're in for a rude awakening.
>
> I'm well aware of money's power. That certainly doesn't mean the
> country should just spread its legs and "enjoy it" as that power is
> abused.
And it doesn't mean that it will ever cease. Like any other
'given', you learn to roll with it. We have thousands of laws
that apply to everything from keeping the environment
clean to the monopoly laws. I can live with big corps as
long as our lawmakers make them play by the rules.
Who makes those rules and who enforces them <or not>
is beyond my scope. I can only bitch about it.
>> But that's 'okay' because I'll not let it bother me as long
>> as a dedicated and hard working man or woman
>> can still succeed. Wal-Mart or Microsoft has never
>> once had their jackboot on my throat. I'll throw
>> some blame on BP like incidents, but I don't go
>> around cussin' corporations. I can't say the same
>> for the mentality of congress or the chick beside me
>> texting or putting on makeup.
>
> At this rate, how much do you really think a hard worker can succeed?
> Is holding down 2-3 shitty-paying, part time jobs success? Being
> saddled with outrageous tuition debt (because we *must* go to college
> to "succeed" -- aka, work at Walmart full instead of part time) before
> you even get started? And understand, I don't think tuition debt is a
> bad thing in and of itself, but the cost of this "education" outweighs
> the value. I won't even get started on the for-profit colleges...
Colleges are a large problem. They've priced their way up
over 700% according to something I heard recently. And that
is only over the last couple decades. Regardless, not everyone
is meant for college, not half of the graduates come out 'smart'.
Any and every person I know with a 'solid' degree has a pretty
good job. College grads as a whole have about a 4% unemploy
rate. Most of those are probably in the liberal arts or social
sciences. I don't know a single unemployed 'professional'.
Many, like my wife, may be working much longer or harder,
or maybe settling for less money. But they are gainfully employed.
> Kids today are scared about what their future holds, and I don't blame
> them. More and more the odds are stacked against them. Corporations
> have a huge part in this, along with their pocket politicians who rant
> about privatizing everything they can. I'll say it again: this country
> is not a financial statement. There is no bottom line. You cannot "run
> it like a business" and still call it America.
Kids today are by and large --> stupid. No sense at all
of what it takes to pay the bills. No work ethic at all.
And I'm not speaking of my workers, but rather the
accountants and other white collar workers.
> Greece, Ireland, etc. went the austerity route. All it got them was
> higher unemployment. Doesn't work.
Bullshit.. they went the "work 20 years for 30 hours
a week and we'll pay you pensions for the next 30
years" route. Check out the work ethic in Germany
or China vs that of a Greece or Spain.
>> I know exactly where we stand in the grand scheme
>> of things. We'll always have our 'overlords' and you
>> and I are likely destined to be nothing more than a
>> 'common man'. That's okay tho. It's actually what
>> most people seek to be. We're better off than most of
>> the world. We'll never be power players.
>
> Very submissive. I'm not suggesting that we must all strive to be
> kings, but we certainly don't have to settle for being the court
> jesters.
>
>> No false equivalence.
>
> MAJOR false equivalence.
>
>> Our society has become so dumbed down
>> from the above <and similar> that we have gotten what we
>> likely deserve.
>
> ?? What happened, did a gay goth force you to watch reality TV or
> somethin'?
What 'succeeds' on tv is a reflection on what we've become.
Over 65 years of age? you're twice as likely to vote conservative.
Under 30? you're far more likely to vote Obama. Now -- who do
you think is keeping the Kardashians on tv? While there isn't a
direct correlation there is indeed a tie.
> I don't think reality shows have dumbed us down. The fact that they
> found an audience at all suggests that there were already a lot of
> dummies out there to begin with. I fail to see how goths and gays have
> dumbed us down either...being wired differently than you makes the
> country dumb? Sounds like bigotry to me. Wearing makeup and a certain
> kind of clothing makes the country dumb? Kiss was dumbing down the
> country in the 70s, I guess. Hell, the Founding Fathers wore makeup
> and powdered fucking wigs. Y U make us so dum, Tommy J?
I don't think the wigs of our forefathers can be related to todays
tongue rings. And yes, Kiss was part of the broad picture. Music,
tv, movies... all play a part. Anyone on tv is an instant celebrity.
We don't know shit about the constitution anymore, but we sure
as hell know who Paris Hilton is.
> I went to a goth band concert once. Having a relatively clean-cut look
> at the time, I didn't know what to expect. Figured I'd stick out in a
> major way, hear comments, etc. The audience consisted of some of the
> nicest people I've been around at a show. The same was true of the
> bikers at a Thorogood show. I dunno, maybe you've just had the
> misfortune of dealing only with goths and gays who were raging
> assholes?
Not at all. Bikers and rednecks are usually the first to offer help
or give you the shirt off their proverbial back. Gays do not
offend me in any way as long as they aren't grabbing ass. I expect
no less from heteros. But to say our youth aren't "dumbing down"
would be wrong. Virtually every statistic verifies this.
> What HAS dumbed us down is our corporate-owned media that suggests
> everyone can bring their own set of facts to the table, and they must
> all be taken seriously. Everything is now "debatable".
>
> "Next on Fox News - some believe the sun rises in the west. Are they
> right? We Report.You Decide."
And this is different than every minority demanding every
concession? One guy doesn't like the 10 commandments or
a Christmas tree - and it comes down. This country can't WAIT
for the chance to come to the rescue of the next 'victim'.
> And yes, MSNBC, ABC, CNN are bad as well. Not nearly as bad as Fox.
> But bad indeed.
>
>> My main point was to say that there is a lot of
>> shit that EVERY person lives with that doesn't suit their wants
>> or needs. You don't like corps, the tea party and unlimited
>> PAC money. I don't like moochers, entitlements and a host of
>> social programs/attitudes... it's a push.
>
> There's a big difference between the examples above and being butthurt
> over gays (no pun intended) and goths. And just to clarify -- it's not
> that I dislike corps. What I dislike is the overwhelming influence and
> power they have. The entire mainstream media owned by, what 2, 3
> conglomerates? You don't see any problem with that? Instead of actual
> journalism, we get Taco Bell's "head chef" and the Barbie Doll
> "journalists" shilling for their "gourmet" (*snort*) menu. It's a
> joke.
Who's butthurt? I don't like the gay lifestyle, but I'd never
harm a gay, never keep them from loving anyone they choose.
I think the goths, the hipsters, the jocks -- are stupid. It's youth
tho and they'll hopefully come thru it.
> And you're taking a mortgage deduction...so you don't dislike those
> gov programs as much as you claim to.
If you advocate for the poor and do not give more taxes than
required -- you do the same. I can adhere to a lot of shit I
DON'T like and live with it. In the same vein, I take the deduction
because it's there... it doesn't mean I agree with it. In a year
our house is paid for. I'll still advocate against it then.
>> I've learned to live with
>> what the world is... what it's become. I suggest you do the same.
>
> How defeatist of you.
Reality. It helps to know what we can do and what we can't.
I cannot save the world but I can help those around me
when needed. We function much better when we take off the
rose colored glasses. Obama damn well knows he can't
create a job, can't get a single person off of welfare that
doesn't want to come off. What he COULD do is to send his
own fucking brother a few bucks to get outta that mud hut.
>> OWS was a failure - corporate greed, along with personal greed,
>> will never go away.
>
> I suppose if you were looking upon OWS as the Teabagger's
> doppelganger, you might see it as a failure. But they're still at
> work, in different guises. Our "liberal" media lost interest in them
> long ago, of course, so you won't hear about it.
Yet the TP was claimed as being responsible for getting many
people in office. The last was only a week or two ago in Texas.
The media largely blasted the TP and made OWS out to be
our salvation with media coverage non-stop for weeks.
OWS was a failure no matter how you spin it. If they aren't
in the media they don't exist. At least 'successfully'.
> And I don't think the idea was to eliminate greed. That's, ya know,
> folly.
Indeed it is. but that WAS their agenda.