Tea party holding the US as hostage ?

[pixelsmith]

Only if you failed American History.

We have words in the English language that entirely designate how much or little "whiteness" is in someone, therefore determining any rights that person might or might not have. The words "mulatto", "quadroon", and "octoroon" all exist because the amount of "whiteness" was directly related to that person's social standing. The first word was initially used as a name for any person whose parents were of different races, later being used almost entirely for those who had one black and white parent. The other two words solely designate how much black is in someone. The "one drop" rule, mostly used and acknowledged in the Jim Crow South, simply stated that a person with even "one drop" of black blood must be considered black. This is an American phenomenon and is why so many famous Americans of mixed-heritage are historically known as being black.

We've been playing "Tag, you're black" since this country's first inception.

While a certain segment of the population may like to think that the last vestiges of racism ended with the Civil Rights Act and Loving v. Viriginia (1967), the reality is that it's absurd to think only two generations will erase problems which have traditionally been in our culture. So, when you say,

It shows a poor grasp of reality in this country. You won't get pulled over for daring to drive while being a "sorta pinkish tan." You won't be singled out and denied the right to vote because a criminal in another state has a name that is kind of similar to yours. For example:


And

You also won't see voting booths systematically removed from areas where the majority of people look like you, only to be given as a surplus in areas where people look entirely unlike you - and that's assuming the voting machine doesn't just change your vote from the black guy to the white guy. Then we should also consider that many states still have some vestiges of Jim Crow laws in affect, specifically targeting anyone who has ever been convicted of a felony, long after all other rights have been restored. What makes this especially egregious, is that black people are usually the ones singled out and given harsher sentences than whites, assuming the white person is even arrested in the first place. Google the difference between those arrested for cocaine possession versus those arrested for crack possession as an example of this. In terms of non-violent drug offenders, more white people may use drugs yet more blacks are arrested. So, not only are blacks more likely to be arrested than whites for doing the same crime, they're more likely to get harsher sentences, and then they are usually prevented from voting upon their release.

These conditions play entirely upon white fears. You can bet the conservative politicians and pundits know this when they say, "Barack HUSSEIN Obama" while Photo-shopping images of him to make him look like an African tribal witch doctor. It's why a black man born to a white American woman - in the state of Hawaii - is supposed to be ineligible to become president because his father was African, whereas a white man born to a white American woman in Canada is the favorite of the "Birther" movement, in spite of the fact his father wasn't American and he wasn't even born on American soil. It's why 34% of conservative Republicans insist that Obama is a Muslim, even though Obama attends a Christian church every week and had been ridiculed by these same groups for seeing a "radical black preacher" when he was younger. Reagan, on the other hand, was considered to be a "good Christian" even though he hated church and almost never attended, certainly not making any professions about his faith. Conservatives give Reagan Christian creds for virtually everything he did, even when he was doing some of the least Christian acts. We could argue that Obama has done far more "Christian" works for the nation, including giving healthcare coverage to the poorest, sickest and most disenfranchised among us, yet absolutely everything he does is considered suspect.

So, please explain to me how color doesn't matter.

I am speaking from a personal level. I could care less what American History says about how I should think or how to put a label on someone. American history also says that columbus discovered America.

 

[RenaissanceLady]

I am speaking from a personal level. I could care less what American History says about how I should think or how to put a label on someone. American history also says that columbus discovered America.

It's not about whether or not you care what American History says. As I explained very thoroughly (but which you didn't read, as usual) it's about how this history is still shaping our dialog and our actions. It's about the lengths a large portion of the populace will do to keep blacks in the role of second-class citizens, including doing their best to deny blacks the rights the rest of us take for granted every single day.

Pretending reality doesn't exist doesn't make it go away.

 

[pixelsmith]

It's not about whether or not you care what American History says. As I explained very thoroughly (but which you didn't read, as usual) it's about how this history is still shaping our dialog and our actions. It's about the lengths a large portion of the populace will do to keep blacks in the role of second-class citizens, including doing their best to deny blacks the rights the rest of us take for granted every single day.

Pretending reality doesn't exist doesn't make it go away.

If more people would treat it like a child's temper tantrum and ignore the bad behavior then maybe people would stop trying to get knee jerk reactions by pulling out the color card. We are not difference races, we are the Human race. Period.

 

[RenaissanceLady]

If more people would treat it like a child's temper tantrum and ignore the bad behavior then maybe people would stop trying to get knee jerk reactions by pulling out the color card. We are not difference races, we are the Human race. Period.

Getting pulled over, or Stopped-and-Frisked, entirely because of the color of your skin isn't just "bad behavior." It's a system that's designed to keep blacks in the role of second-class citizens, terrified of the authorities.

Being purged from voter rolls, entirely due to the color of your skin, isn't just "bad behavior." It's the suppression of an entire group of people, forbidding them any say in their own government and laws which will impact them.

Giving blacks harsher sentences than whites who commit the same crime isn't just "bad behavior." It is the oppression of one minority by the dominant class, built on the fear of those who think blacks are inherently bad, whereas whites just make mistakes.

Making certain that blacks are more likely to be arrested than whites - for doing the exact same crimes - isn't just "bad behavior." It's the denying of an entire group of people their fundamental human rights.

For everyone else: Have you noticed that the same ones who insist, "We are not different races," are still the ones who claim there's a "color card" or race card whenever presented with overwhelming evidence that race and racism are very much alive in this country. They're also, overwhelmingly, never the ones who actually vote for candidates other than their own race. The irony is that I just had a friend who said on Facebook, just two hours ago, "If you point any of this out, they yelp about "playing the race card."

Always.

Much as an alcoholic who insists he doesn't have a drinking problem, there is a belief that simply acknowledging that a problem exists is somehow a threat that might force him to acknowledge a reality different than the one he invented.

 

[Ezechiel]

This whole welfare thing is the biggest bunch of BS ever conceived. If you don't like it here, you can leave. It works GREAT for those of us that have not been programmed to fail.

For some obscure reason Mitt didn't get elected... and the affordable health care act is now a law.
Too late guys. Why can't you wait until the next election, build a popular platform and repeal what you consider the biggest bunch of BS ever conceived ? Democracy anyone ?

What's 3 years under ACA in a life ? Why this impatience ? Who knows ? ...you might end up liking the ACA law

This whole episode reeks of an incapacity of accepting defeat and surely a bit of racism. Is democracy only valid for republican wins ?

 

[RenaissanceLady]

Every single time I ask if a certain segment of our society could get any stupider, they think it's a challenge. For example:

Sean Hannity Wonders If New Obamacare Website Tech Glitches Will Delay Ambulances

Conservative radio host and Fox News pundit Sean Hannity appears to be under the impression that Healthcare.gov -- a government website that facilitates health insurance enrollment that recently went live -- is actually a "life or death" prerequisite for 9-1-1 and whose opening day glitches could be preventing people from accessing emergency care.

The Affordable Care Act's (ACA) insurance exchanges rolled out on October 1 providing an option for millions of uninsured Americans to obtain health care.

On the October 1 edition of his radio show, Hannity compared the ACA to the Ford Edsel -- a hightly-anticipated automobile that suffered poor sales and was ranked by Time magazine as one of the 50 worst cars of all time and "synonymous with failure." Hannity then segued into reports of glitches hindering the ACA's new website, saying, "Think of how you'd feel today if you actually had a medical emergency -- had to go through this mess before they send an ambulance. At least the Ford Edsel wasn't a matter of life and death."

For the full article, please read: Sean Hannity Wonders If New Obamacare Website Tech Glitches Will Delay Ambulances | Blog | Media Matters for America

The thing is, he wouldn't be able to make such a statement unless he knew beyond a shadow of a doubt that his viewers are that stupid. They're preying upon fear and ignorance, knowing full well that those two things go together.

It's a sad day in America when actual news could be mistaken for a headline in The Onion.

 

[Jeff Davis]

Ezechiel,
It seems to me that you are more programmed than those dirty republicans you are going after. Care to state a little fact, like a Democracy is supposed to reflect the people's will and not the governments? I doon't remember getting to vote on prince Obama's healthcare reform. Why do you suppose that is? Is it because he's a racist?

Don't play the loon. White/Black has NOTHING to do with the REALITY that is the extremely poor state of affairs in the United States. Obama has proved himself a "talking head" and NOTHING more. He also made a complete world FOOL of himself just a few weeks ago. Remember? More of that programming junk I'm afraid.

 

[mike]

Why America Can Never Recover
Derivatives are not stocks or bonds or anything of tangible value. The value of a derivative is technically viewed as “anticipated future value.” Therefore, derivatives have no real value. However, a derivatives transaction must have the backing of a financial institution such as a brokerage or a bank. The assets used to back up and collateralize the worthless derivatives are real and substantial. When the derivatives market crashed, it took down hard assets of tangible value. In effect, the economy had stupidly used something in order to back up nothing and the something is now in the total control of the central bankers. To cover the losses of the “too-big-to-fail” entities, the bailouts were initiated in what constituted the largest wealth transfer in world history.
This is the ultimate money game in which paper derived from other paper, such as futures and options, has served to bolster the balance sheets on Wall Street. Futures and options are exchanged traded derivatives, but the largest group of derivatives is not even traded on the exchanges. These are called “counterparty derivatives” and consist of such financial entities as mortgage backed securities and credit default swaps.
It is estimated that total derivative exposure of the financial system is between one quadrillion and one and a half quadrillion. A quadrillion is 1,000 trillion dollars and it has largely collapsed. The entire Gross Domestic Product (GDP) of all the world’s countries in 2011 was approximately 77 trillion dollars. GDP is an economic term for everything that is produced for sale. The American middle class is being asked to bear the burden of the entire derivatives market collapse which totals over 16 times the net value of the entire planet. No amount of bailouts can ever cover the loss. This is simply the bankers way of transferring what is left of middle class wealth before the final collapse.
IT IS MATHEMATICALLY IMPOSSIBLE TO PAY OFF THE DERIVATIVE DEBT!

Its the same with national debt, if you keep borrowing eventually the debt will be too large to pay.
The only solution at this stage is to kick the can down the road, but as these events show thats getting harder and harder.

The people out of work this week have been getting paid on money borrowed on the predicted tax income of people who have not even been born yet.............

What a nightmare

 

[Jeff Davis]

Why America Can Never Recover
Derivatives are not stocks or bonds or anything of tangible value. The value of a derivative is technically viewed as “anticipated future value.” Therefore, derivatives have no real value. However, a derivatives transaction must have the backing of a financial institution such as a brokerage or a bank. The assets used to back up and collateralize the worthless derivatives are real and substantial. When the derivatives market crashed, it took down hard assets of tangible value. In effect, the economy had stupidly used something in order to back up nothing and the something is now in the total control of the central bankers. To cover the losses of the “too-big-to-fail” entities, the bailouts were initiated in what constituted the largest wealth transfer in world history.
This is the ultimate money game in which paper derived from other paper, such as futures and options, has served to bolster the balance sheets on Wall Street. Futures and options are exchanged traded derivatives, but the largest group of derivatives is not even traded on the exchanges. These are called “counterparty derivatives” and consist of such financial entities as mortgage backed securities and credit default swaps.
It is estimated that total derivative exposure of the financial system is between one quadrillion and one and a half quadrillion. A quadrillion is 1,000 trillion dollars and it has largely collapsed. The entire Gross Domestic Product (GDP) of all the world’s countries in 2011 was approximately 77 trillion dollars. GDP is an economic term for everything that is produced for sale. The American middle class is being asked to bear the burden of the entire derivatives market collapse which totals over 16 times the net value of the entire planet. No amount of bailouts can ever cover the loss. This is simply the bankers way of transferring what is left of middle class wealth before the final collapse.
IT IS MATHEMATICALLY IMPOSSIBLE TO PAY OFF THE DERIVATIVE DEBT!

Its the same with national debt, if you keep borrowing eventually the debt will be too large to pay.
The only solution at this stage is to kick the can down the road, but as these events show thats getting harder and harder.

The people out of work this week have been getting paid on money borrowed on the predicted tax income of people who have not even been born yet.............

What a nightmare

Thank You!

Again peeps, WAKE UP, please.

 

[mike]

If you think about it, the US taxation system is itself now a type of derivative. You are paying for things today with the " anticipated future value.” of tax income of people who are not yet even born.

The politics and programs are just smoke and mirrors designed to distract you. Its about the money.

 

[Burnt State]

he can be called white as well.

Seriously?

 

[Wade]

Being that obama had compared himself to trevyon martin awhile back...and noticeably not Christopher Lane...I'd say he had no illusions as to his race and/or color.

 

[Burnt State]

If more people would treat it like a child's temper tantrum and ignore the bad behavior then maybe people would stop trying to get knee jerk reactions by pulling out the color card. We are not difference races, we are the Human race. Period.

Yes, we are one race but we are all treated differently according to te colour of our skin, and we also have different privileges based on the categories of skin we call race. America was founded on two major racial turning points: the genocide of indigenous populations and enslavement of Black people stolen from Africa. The country has yet to heal from these events as evidenced in the continuing polarity of racialized events documented in your media on a daily basis. Racism is also an experience of daily proportion. White mothers do not have to prepare their children about what to do when people hurl racist taunts at you.

Consequently, the whole race thing is a big deal, especially if you are not white, and it certainly can not be compared to any card game. Games are for kids. This discussion is an adult one that is still very pertinent to all lived experiences in the USA.

 

[RenaissanceLady]

When people discuss the deficits under Obama, they forget where the deficit was when he was first elected. His predecessor gave us a record deficit - but that was coming from a record surplus, which was squandered. Obama, on the other hand, was starting with an already record deficit, yet is blamed for needing more money to pull us out of the recession, end wars, while also trying to build an infrastructure and protect the health of American citizens.

You therefore cannot compare the two, as if they were both starting from zero. One had a country that was in great shape, but chose to wreck it. The other took a country that was in the toilet but has been faulted for trying to make it better.

When people discuss the deficit under Obama (even though these were overwhelmingly the same people who ignored the deficit that Bush created), they tend to ignore that the deficit has actually shrunk since Obama has first taken office, and is projected to shrink by more than half of what it was since Bush left.

Recent US Federal Deficit Numbers
Obama Deficits
FY 2015*: $577 billion
FY 2014*: $744 billion
FY 2013*: $973 billion
FY 2012: $1,087 billion
FY 2011: $1,300 billion
FY 2010: $1,294 billion
Bush Deficits
FY 2009†: $1,413 billion
FY 2008: $458 billion
FY 2007: $161 billion
FY 2006: $248 billion
FY 2005: $318 billion

To be fair, these deficits do not take federal borrowing into consideration, though this has pretty much always been the case. Also, there are differences between "deficit" and "debt." While we had a surplus rather than a deficit when Clinton left office, we had national debt. This has been consistently true throughout the country's history. With the exception of 1835-1836, we have continuously had a debt since the Constitution was ratified. Therefore, we are going to compare apples to apples by discussing the different deficits. When doing this, it's clear that progress has been made in terms of shrinking the deficit. (Please remember, the 2009 budget was what was passed BEFORE Obama took office. A current deficit of $973 billion is $440 billion lower than what it was before Obama's policies were started.)

It's therefore a blatant lie to say that Obama has increased the deficit and failed to negotiate with Republican about budget talks. The only thing that wasn't removed from these talks was "Obamacare," which is being paid for and is not increasing the deficit. Remember, a study of the Affordable Care Act - started by a Republican - actually found that the Affordable Care act would shrink the deficit.

The report, which was released in January and commissioned by Sessions, found that if Obamacare is fully implemented, it would actually reduce the deficit. The deficit would only increase if the government phases out Obamacare's cost-containment mechanisms, the report found.

Jeff Sessions' Claim That Obamacare Would Increase Deficit Is 'Dishonest,' ThinkProgress Points Out

Of course, this hasn't stopped Jeff Sessions from telling bold-faced lies about Obamacare, pandering to the hysteria on the radical right, all because a health plan conceived by Republicans was being implemented by Democrats.

Now that I've shown how the deficit has actually shrunk since Obama took office, and that Obamacare will actually lower the deficit even further, let's consider a few more things:

Suppose we had someone who was completely stricken with poverty. Do we:
A) Tell him he needs to drop out of high school so he can work a minimum-wage job - without benefits - in an attempt to eventually pay off some debt?
B) Tell him to finish high school and borrow some money to get a college degree, therefore allowing him to make considerably more money over the course of his lifetime, while also giving him the benefits that would help prevent him from even further debt?

Remember, medical bills cause more than 60% of all bankruptcies in America. If the person goes for plan A, not only will he stay poor, any illness is likely to cause him to file for bankruptcy because he lacks the ability to pay for it. Plan B would allow him to earn more money and get benefits, thereby greatly diminishing the prospect of bankruptcy should he suffer an accident or severe illness. In addition, having access to affordable healthcare would also decrease the chances of him suffering a catastrophic illness, mostly because he would be able to get the required medical treatment before an illness becomes a crisis.

"Obamacare" is Plan B. It helps us considerably more in the long term because it helps prevent catastrophic illness and keeps healthcare costs lower. Whenever someone files for bankruptcy, the rest of us end up paying that debt. Whenever hospital fees shoot through the roof - entirely because of the number of people who cannot afford medical care - the rest of us end up paying for it. Anything that helps keep the populace healthy and working is going to benefit us far more than simply doing nothing. Any plan that helps lower medical costs is also going to benefit the entire country.

It's not about trying to "kick the can down the road." We're not burdened by deficit anywhere near where we were when Bush left office. The more we help put people to work and keep them working, in part by giving them access to affordable healthcare, the stronger the nation becomes.

 

[Ezechiel]

Ezechiel,
It seems to me that you are more programmed than those dirty republicans you are going after. Care to state a little fact, like a Democracy is supposed to reflect the people's will and not the governments? I doon't remember getting to vote on prince Obama's healthcare reform. Why do you suppose that is? Is it because he's a racist?

ACA was at the center of the Obama program. The majority voted for Obama and defeated Mitt... Reflecting the will of the majority. It's pretty simple really.
The bill was voted into law... End of story.

You don't want ACA or want to reverse Roe vs Wade you vote tea party ... Oooops,I mean republican.

Of course, if you're a dem and didn't read the program and find out you don't like ACA, then it won't compute. You might want to change party.

 

[Jeff Davis]

Mike,
The model is such that the "incompetent mass" is ever expanding, due as I stated earlier, to mere scientific principle. Something provable. Isn't it amazing Mike, that if we look to nature, we can find successful parallels on which to comparatively rationalize with? Nature is literally what science itself was built to reflect and progress by. I wonder why it is that our government, that professes such care and well being for us, does not adopt any one of a hundred different naturally inclined models from which to, in a successfully proved process, govern it's people and most precious assets and with?

More or less seemingly on par with an ocean spreading out over a once vitally populated, land lover's paradise, we have the outnumbering incompetence of the mass literally being used to govern us, via what is the very definition of the growing number of this inferior economic and educational status, resulting in the aforementioned likelihood of proved energetic pathways.

Since the IM individual has a value equal to the sum of his/her future taxed dollars, the progressively greater the number of people per populous that are afforded needless government aid, the greater the number of future blank returns. Makes sense eh? Keeps EVERYBODY scratching their tired heads.



Everyone,
It makes absolute and perfect sense if you understand what's REALLY going on. I highly recommend this book from the bottom of my heart, and the top of my head. It will bring you face to face with an historically conclusive, fact filled, and undeniable reality that we all participate within. It's the oldest game in the world. Even older than that one! I'm talking Machiavellian finance here.

Please. Put your political costumes away long enough to see through the haze people. Like Mike has made clear here, you're in a situation that is monetarily HOPELESS. For a reason.

More or less, it's most definitely why the founding fathers of this country came here to begin with. They warned us. It's literally why we have the legal document called the constitution that might as well be toilet paper in the white house at this point. Please, please, please, wake up. Peace to all, and I REALLY mean that, but I'm afraid you're gonna need more than peace to get through this one.

 

[Ezechiel]

More or less, it's most definitely why the founding fathers of this country came here to begin with. They warned us. It's literally why we have the legal document called the constitution that might as well be toilet paper in the white house at this point. Please, please, please, wake up. Peace to all, and I REALLY mean that, but I'm afraid you're gonna need more than peace to get through this one.

Sounds like an awesome book. I'll get a copy, it should definitely help me understand your perspective.

 

[Jeff Davis]

Sounds like an awesome book. I'll get a copy, it should definitely help me understand your perspective.

I am going to send you a link in the AM privately, to an excellent archived internet broadcast. I'd send it tonight but I have got to get some work done before it get's too late. I will not forget. It's with Jim Marrs and my other favorite Fortean & Conspiracy interests broadcaster, second only to "the paracast" show, wherein they talk about this book specifically,

In my mind when I'm typing the paracast, I always hear Chris's deep voice going..."the paracast"...

 

[mike]

It's not about trying to "kick the can down the road." We're not burdened by deficit anywhere near where we were when Bush left office. The more we help put people to work and keep them working, in part by giving them access to affordable healthcare, the stronger the nation becomes.

I remember hearing 40 years ago about US using the projected tax income of 3 generations down the track.

The U.S. Debt Clock is now at $15.63 trillion and just whirring away, while the USA 2011 GDP was estimated by the BEA at $15.09 trillion. Yep, the USA is at the threshold of a fiscal world where debt is greater than GDP with no balanced budget in sight.
The United States federal budget will never be balanced, increasing taxes and cutting spending are not on the bi-partisan negotiating table. You can’t get re-elected taking away constituents’ spending money or cutting government goodies. Nothing has changed since August 2011 and the political debt-ceiling debacle. Monolithic, self-preserving Washington and powerful, self-absorbed special interests have created a circular fiscal firing squad

Today the debt is close enough to 17 trillion.

There is no way to pay that back, all you can do is kick the can down the road.

But the pundits are already talking about a debt default

A stand-off on the debt ceiling, on the other hand, threatens a US debt default that would reverberate around the world.

Read more: http://www.smh.com.au/business/us-theatrics-obscure-debt-issue-20131002-2ussf.html#ixzz2gcF1iDCZ

Right now these laid off workers are not getting paid because there is no money in the petty cash tin to pay em, Someone needs to write and cash a cheque to top that tin up.............

That someone refuses to write that cheque isnt your biggest worry, its that very soon no one is going to cash it even if you do write it......

 

[mike]

This is like a fat person who has decided to hold the line. He watches his weight inch up. He resolves to stop eating so much when he hits 250 lbs. He feels good about himself for having taken such resolute and forthright action. Now he has his weight under control, right? His wife should be proud of him.
Then he hits the magic number. 'Oh, my...' he says.
That evening the dessert is passed around. He begins to think: What's so special about 250 lbs? Why not 260 lbs? Or 270 lbs?
He could not eat the dessert. But it's his favourite chocolate cake. So, heck, he changes the resolution! He'll eat the cake. But starting in the New Year, he will bring his weight down to under 250 lbs again.
Congress has the nation watching. Everybody wants a piece of chocolate cake!
The military-industrial complex Ike warned us about wants more planes, more drones, more tanks, more snoops, more contracts, more retirement benefits - in short, more money. So does the education industry. And the healthcare industry. And the poverty industry. And all the other industries that have put the government in their pocket.
And what about all the retirees? Haven't they earned their Social Security? Don't they have a right to Medicare?
Yes, everyone thinks he has a need...and a right...to a piece of cake.
So, what to do?
Pass another resolution!
Besides, the deficit is going down. There's nothing more to worry about. As a percentage of GDP, it's only 5.7%. That's well down from the levels of 2009-10.
Wait a minute. What kind of flimflam is this? Colleague Simone Wapler points out that expressing debt as a percentage of GDP is nonsense. GDP is the income of the whole nation, not the income of government.
It would be like telling people that your excess spending was equal to only 2% of the income of the people on your block.
The US government doesn't have everyone's income to draw on for debt service. It only has its own tax revenues. Deficits only make sense in relation to the resources available to pay them. In the first 11 months of the fiscal year, the feds had record income of $2.4 trillion. But they spent $3.2 trillion...or one-third more. As a percentage of its own revenues, the US government deficit is running at 33%, NOT the 5% people are talking about.

The US Debt Default Nobody Wants — Except Us!