© 2006 Eric Margolis

January 09, 2006
AN ODOR OF FIN DU REGIME IN WASHINGTON

WASHINGTON - China’s Taoists philosophers used to say that you become what you hate. We certainly see this paradox in Washington these days where the current administration increasingly reminds me of the old, unlamented Soviet Union, which I covered in the late 1980’s.

The USSR went bankrupt after spending over 40% of national income on its huge military forces. This year, the Bush administration will spend a staggering $419.3 billion on its military An additional US $130 billion has been budgeted in 2006 for the ongoing occupations of Iraq and Afghanistan.

That’s $10.8 billion monthly – 40% above previous estimates - and somewhat more than the monthly cost of the Vietnam War at its height. Add to this huge sum an estimated $1.5 billion monthly secret expenditures in Iraq, Afghanistan and Pakistan by CIA and the Pentagon’s various intelligence agencies. This at a time when Washington has to borrow money from Japan and China to fund its day-to-day operations.

Astoundingly, US 2006 military spending will equal the rest of the world’s total combined military expenditures. This at a time when no power, or group of powers, can threaten the United States militarily.

Verily, did President Dwight Eisenhower warn Americans in his final address of the manifest dangers of the military-industrial complex. I just saw an ad for the new, $115-million apiece F-22 Raptor stealth fighter trumpeting how its radar can `intercept communications of insurgents.’ Using a $115 million aircraft to listen to cell phone calls by a handful of jihadis in Waziristan staggers the imagination. What we have are gold-plated weapons systems in search of a role, and the military-industrial complex in search of new foes.

Meanwhile, Washington is in an uproar over spreading government spying against citizens, the White House’s disgraceful defense of torture, and what appears as the mother of all influence peddling scandals.

Revelations the super-secret National Security Agency and FBI have been monitoring domestic as well as international telecommunications have roused even the deadheads in Congress and wakened the lapdog media. We learn FBI agents are spying on such nefarious `terrorists’ as vegetarians and animal rights defenders. Readers of this column will have long ago learned about US government surveillance of private calls, notably in my columns about NSA’s secret Echelon system, and a new Pentagon agency for domestic surveillance, the Orwellian named “the counter-intelligence field activity”.

President George Bush, shades of Chairman Leonid Brezhnev, claims the right to override any laws, and violate the constitution, because the US is at war. `Terrorists’ (`enemies of the state’ in Soviet talk) threaten the US, so anything goes, claims the White House. One wonders if the US Attorney General – the same official who concocted memos supporting torture and violation of the Geneva Conventions - is preparing a brief justifying canceling next fall’s elections because of the threat of the phantom al-Qaida.

Now, an enormous scandal has erupted right out of the last days of the corrupt Soviet Union. A sinister Republican lobbyist and apparatchik named Jack Abramoff has admitted dishing out $4.4-5 million worth of bribes and goodies to senators, congressmen and political aides.

Bigwigs like President Bush, House Speaker Denis Hastert, Republican Grand Poobah DeLay of Texas, Hillary Clinton, and a bevy of red-faced legislators have been implicated in a pervasive culture of corruption. They are frantically returning piles of cash Abramoff gave them, or giving the funds to charity.

Abramoff, who looks like a member of the Russian Mafia, got over $30 million from various American Indian tribes promoting their gambling businesses. Abramoff and cronies scalped their Indian clients, pocketing $11 million in kickbacks. Where, one wonders with awe, did those persecuted native Americans find so much cash? Just how much has gambling money corrupted the political process?

Republicans and also some Democrats are scared silly by the Abramoff scandal. As the great 19th century writer Mark Twain observed, Congress is America’s native criminal class. Many legislators may be headed for jail.

Of course, this is all part of the great wheel of life in Washington. All parties that stay in power too long become deeply corrupt. Just look at Canada’s rotten Liberals or Mexico’s even more rotten PRI. Wise voters need to kick out incumbents regularly. Longevity in office ensures bad government. The Republicans, buoyed by faked-up war fever, become deeply corrupted more quickly than usual. Arrogance and greed overcame even pretenses of honest government.

Money is the Achilles heel of democracy. In America, winning and keeping office requires spending huge sums on TV advertising. The Washington lobbyists and money raisers who produce millions to fund politicians have become more powerful than elected legislators. The average legislator spends 80% of his time fund-raising, allowing vile parasites like comrade Abramoff to flourish.

A smell of `fin de régime’ hangs over Washington, just as it did over the last days of decaying Soviet empire when an out of touch leader presided over a lost foreign war, and a swamp of influence peddling and bribery, as the secret police struggled to keep a lid on growing dissent.

Great article OsManli.

What is even more scary is that the public still seems unaware of the depth of corruption in Washington within' the rulling republican elites. Government has slipped from working for the people - for the most part, to being a source for the GOP to reward their buddies in the private sector.

Very sad and dangerous state of affairs!

[quote=OsManli,Jan 15 2006, 11:19 AM]
© 2006 Eric Margolis

January 09, 2006
AN ODOR OF FIN DU REGIME IN WASHINGTON

[QUOTE]WASHINGTON - China’s Taoists philosophers used to say that you become what you hate. We certainly see this paradox in Washington these days where the current administration increasingly reminds me of the old, unlamented Soviet Union, which I covered in the late 1980’s. [/QUOTE]

What a crock! Maybe the Taoists philosphers can explain why the terrorist don't become like us, since they do hate us so much. This author is a narcissistic propagandist. If this is any indication of his writing he definitely doesn't pass the Letterman/Greyman 65% scrap standard.

[QUOTE]The USSR went bankrupt after spending over 40% of national income on its huge military forces.... An additional US $130 billion has been budgeted in 2006 for the ongoing occupations of Iraq and Afghanistan. [/QUOTE]

The writer neglects to say how much percentage of "national income" the U.S. spends on defense. Instead he writes of total dollars, which is meaningless given the context.

[QUOTE]...Add to this huge sum an estimated $1.5 billion monthly secret expenditures in Iraq, Afghanistan and Pakistan by CIA and the Pentagon’s various intelligence agencies...[/QUOTE]

Again, meaningless.

[QUOTE]Astoundingly, US 2006 military spending will equal the rest of the world’s total combined military expenditures. This at a time when no power, or group of powers, can threaten the United States militarily. [/QUOTE]

Unfortunately, as history has demonstrated the U.S. shoulders more than its fair share to act a bulk ward against the forces of chaos and evil. A role unlatch by any other country at anytime.


[QUOTE]...I just saw an ad for the new, $115-million apiece F-22 Raptor stealth fighter trumpeting how its radar can `intercept communications of insurgents.’ Using a $115 million aircraft to listen to cell phone calls by a handful of jihadis in Waziristan staggers the imagination. What we have are gold-plated weapons systems in search of a role, and the military-industrial complex in search of new foes. [/QUOTE]

"I just saw an ad," notice the touch of narcissism, followed by idiocy. Frankly, the new F-22 is worth every penny. When you hear an F-22 pilot say he will feels sorry for any pilot that comes up against a F-22, "They don't stand a chance," that is a huge advantage for the good guys. The writer may find that a waste of money, I think it helps maintain the peace. If not, it sure will help make peace come faster.

[QUOTE]...the White House’s disgraceful defense of torture,... [/QUOTE]

A lie.

[QUOTE]President George Bush,... claims the right to override any laws, and violate the constitution, because the US is at war. `Terrorists’ (`enemies of the state’ in Soviet talk) threaten the US, so anything goes, claims the White House. One wonders if the US Attorney General – the same official who concocted memos supporting torture and violation of the Geneva Conventions - is preparing a brief justifying canceling next fall’s elections because of the threat of the phantom al-Qaida.[/QUOTE]

Bush doesn't claim "the right to override any laws, and violate the constitution, because the US is at war." Another lie...

[QUOTE]Bigwigs like President Bush, House Speaker Denis Hastert, Republican Grand Poobah DeLay of Texas, Hillary Clinton, and a bevy of red-faced legislators have been implicated in a pervasive culture of corruption. They are frantically returning piles of cash Abramoff gave them, or giving the funds to charity. [/QUOTE]

I wasn't aware that anyone had been implicated as of yet. Please correct me if I am in error.....

[QUOTE]Money is the Achilles heel of democracy.... [/QUOTE]

Wow, I didn't realize bribery was only a problem in democracies.

[QUOTE]A smell of `fin de régime’ hangs over Washington, just as it did over the last days of decaying Soviet empire when an out of touch leader presided over a lost foreign war, and a swamp of influence peddling and bribery, as the secret police struggled to keep a lid on growing dissent.[/QUOTE]

What dramatic crap! Yet another thread where Islam and the Left hold hands, smooching, make common cause against their enemy. The Left will continue in their irrational delusions until the Islamist have them bent over barrel enjoy a brief blessed Muslim marriage.

Funny - I seem to only see the greedy right wing of the Gop under indictment right now. Interesting that it would take a rightwinger who knows full well this article has nothing to do with the left but instead is focused on the corruption - the monumental corruption of the right and how they are abusing all of our rights in the name of fear and war on terrorism - started by terrorists who struck on US soil while the GOP was in control of the country!

Talk about the right and the terrorist cells of islam holding hands! The GOP was asleep at the whell while 3,000 souls parished not to mention the 2,300 US soldiers who died for George W. Bush's war of choice.

Stealth - you must like the thought of the old USSR as that's what this country is turning into under the leadership of your decrepit and highly corrupt republican party.

Gotta love the hypocrites of the right who stand with bags over their heads as the country crumbles under them and their suck ups like Stealth who promote even more disinformation under the guise of protecting us from terrorists. And I bet he has a happy face drawn over it!

[quote=GreyMan,Jan 15 2006, 03:13 PM]
Funny - I seem to only see the greedy right wing of the Gop under indictment right now. Interesting that it would take a rightwinger who knows full well this article has nothing to do with the left but instead is focused on the corruption - the monumental corruption of the right and how they are abusing all of our rights in the name of fear and war on terrorism - started by terrorists who struck on US soil while the GOP was in control of the country! [QUOTE]

Tell me what does "see" have to do with reality? Abramoff is a Republican lobbyist who lobbies only Republicans? No, somehow I don't think so. While your attention is focused whose administration justice department charged and convicted this guy? Could it be Bush's? When the dust settles from this thing there will be guilty on both sides of the isle. You and this tabloid writer can pop off all you want. All I know about this story is that Abramoff cop a plea and agreed to name names. He took money from Indian gambling concerns, while stiffing his partners at the firm he worked in and did absolutely nothing for his clients. Abramoff plea agreement requires that he provide testimony on people he bribed. I believe that covers everything so far. Those who have broken the law will come out in due time. In the mean time, the B.S. drama might blow your skirt up, but I prefer to wait and see. I did not comment on the subject, before you made a point of it, because I only know what I know. What I don't know is what you and the tabloid writer are quacking about.

The article has nothing to do with the Left, very good! However, you did happen to find yourself on the same side as the Osman, how typical, which was my point.

[/QUOTE]Talk about the right and the terrorist cells of islam holding hands! The GOP was asleep at the whell while 3,000 souls parished not to mention the 2,300 US soldiers who died for George W. Bush's war of choice.[QUOTE]

Who was talking about that? Oh yeah, Crackpots!

[/QUOTE]Stealth - you must like the thought of the old USSR as that's what this country is turning into under the leadership of your decrepit and highly corrupt republican party.[QUOTE]

And you must be projecting, I have observe you do have a tendency to do so. The Left loves Communism and Socialism. As Ed Asner said once, "Communism is a great idea that just hasn't been done right yet."

[/QUOTE]Gotta love the hypocrites of the right who stand with bags over their heads as the country crumbles under them and their suck ups like Stealth who promote even more disinformation under the guise of protecting us from terrorists. And I bet he has a happy face drawn over it![QUOTE]

That 65% number was wrong, it is much to low. I would say at least 90% of what you think is absolute rubbish. The evidence is there every time you post

Well nothing shows your ignorance like your written words. Just as your side professes to believe in smaller government, less taxation and more freedoms from an oppressive government - well any idiot can see that indded - the GOP BELIVES AND PRACTICES EXACTLY THE OPPOSITE - except for the tax cuts for the wealthiest amongest us. the only tickle down is what comes out around your shoes when standing still while 9/11 occured.

As for the left - We are not communists, we are not socialsts - when we were in power we had the economy up and running smoothly, no deficits, very low unemployment and actually the dems shepared in the smaller government that you claim to believe as gospel. I paid less in taxes under Clinton than I do under George Bush.

What we do believe in is that the government is a tool for people to lead better lives, protect us against foreign invaders (Something the GOP failed us in the largest attack on US soil in our history) and make sure we have a mechanism in place to keep the field as level as possible within a free market system.

We stopped numerous terrorist attacks on US soil prior to 2000. And the only major attack to occur on US soil was perpetrated by an American Neo Nazi - who professed to be Christian and voted republican his whole life. Where is you leftie equivalent?

Can't find one?


Well - I guess civil rights was rubbish, clean water, and clean air is rubbish, Unpolluted towns and cities, student grants and loans, school lunches, Social Security, a strong and dependable armed forces, the fact you can go to bed in your Sponge Bob jammies and not be affraid to catch them on fire from your cigarette ash while you sleep smoking in bed - and so many other things we take for granted that are the direct result from us left leaning democrats and our use of government as a tool for the people - which is called the general welfare in the constitution.

So if you want to call us communists and socialists - you will have to acknowledge you and your side are facists and big government and corrupt conservatives and that laws mean nothing when fear and terror are the catch phrases of your talking points.

Well nothing shows your ignorance like your written words. Just as your side professes to believe in smaller government, less taxation and more freedoms from an oppressive government - well any idiot can see that indeed - the GOP BELIVES AND PRACTICES EXACTLY THE OPPOSITE - except for the tax cuts for the wealthiest amongest us. The only tickle down is what comes out around your shoes when standing still while 9/11 occured.

As for the left - We are not communists, we are not socialsts - when we were in power we had the economy up and running smoothly, no deficits, very low unemployment and actually the dems shepared in the smaller government that you claim to believe as gospel. I paid less in taxes under Clinton than I do under George Bush.

What we do believe in is that the government is a tool for people to lead better lives, protect us against foreign invaders (Something the GOP failed us in the largest attack on US soil in our history) and make sure we have a mechanism in place to keep the field as level as possible within a free market system.

We stopped numerous terrorist attacks on US soil prior to 2000. And the only major attack to occur on US soil was perpetrated by an American Neo Nazi - who professed to be Christian and voted republican his whole life. Where is you leftie equivalent?

Can't find one?


Well - I guess civil rights was rubbish, clean water, and clean air is rubbish, Unpolluted towns and cities, student grants and loans, school lunches, Social Security, a strong and dependable armed forces, the fact you can go to bed in your Sponge Bob jammies and not be affraid to catch them on fire from your cigarette ash while you sleep smoking in bed - and so many other things we take for granted that are the direct result from us left leaning democrats and our use of government as a tool for the people - which is called the general welfare in the constitution.

So if you want to call us communists and socialists - you will have to acknowledge you and your side are facists and big government and corrupt conservatives and that laws mean nothing when fear and terror are the catch phrases of your talking points.

I'm callin on this one. Your statement: "I paid less in taxes under Clinton than I do under George Bush." The only way that's possible is that you were making less money when Clinton was president. So please explain to us how this is possible. If you don't you are proving yourself to be a disengenous liar.

LOL Grey,

Your rants are most revealing and for the record totally hilarious. Perhaps you would be so kind as to give examples of my alleged ignorance. My "side," as you put it, is about facts and seeking the truth, tempered with a healthy respect for reality. Try to remember that when you seek to stick a label on me. My apologies, that my opinions give you so much consternation. Your reflex, knee-jerk parrot mode is incomprehensible but amusing.

Your entire post is an example of throwing about a bunch of crap and hoping something sticks. Since a great deal of the words you are typing are not even true I will not take the time to reply any further.

Well that's an easy one. I pay higher state taxes now, city taxes, property taxes, sales taxes - all because G W Bush cut the federal level to the point that in order for the states to maintain basic services they found that raising taxes was the only way to make up for the difference.

I'm paying higher interest rates on my credit purchases then under Clinton - though not taxes these rates are a reflection of Bush economic policy.

Also - I pay higher gasoline taxes, service taxes for natural gas, water and power - should I go on?

Reread your own post. Not once do you dispute with the so called "facts" you claim to love so much in response to my comments or any comments in fact by other posters who are much more adept at communicating the centrist side of the arguments made on this topic. Instead it's more of the same from you - which, like Nomad, is full of nothing but... what is the word you used? Crap? Yep - I'm impressed! You're a real fountain of information and intellectual sunshine.

Thank you, I do not need to reread your post. No comment is necessary in response to the garbage you call facts. It would be waste of time to tear it down point by point. You ran away from the O'Reilly 65% claim; you would do the same again. It would take awhile to nail you down again and, quite frankly, I would be bored of it long before. I will leave you with a small repeated, request. Can you provide examples of my supposed ignorance, I really would like for you to point them out, so I can make corrections. After all, I would not want to appear to behave like you.

O'Reilly Claim? Ran away! Go back and reread those posts and tell me I ran away. But I forget - people like him tell you what to think. So if he's thinking for you - why bother and check facts?

Stealth,

Everything you vomit here is garbage...... all of these "conservative pundits" are utter fools and clowns that give intelligent people a good laugh once it a while, mostly being annoying.

Hey Osman,

Thanks for your opinion. I have to say you have yet to sucessfully lay a glove on me. I think I'll keep writing my "garbage." If you could show me the error of my ways I would convert in a heart beat.

There few books as full of garbage as the Qu'ran, but deep down you know that. Maybe your master will cut some slack when you stand before him. Nope, he'll just laugh and throw you into that fire reserved for unbelievers.

"Reread your own post." Don't have to it is obvious you ran away. 65% was the claim, surely you could literally trip over examples if it were true. Did you come with some to prove your point, nope. Cheer up, since you have O'Reilly's number, why don't you attempt to beat him in debate? It's not like you don't like to write. Pop off an email to him maybe you will make the cut for the slaughter. If you want to reply do it back on the O'Reilly thread.

OOOOOOOOOOWEEEEEEEEEEE. Look at the Brownman dance............................

You are so full of sh!t I'm gonna start calling you Brownman.


The only way that can be true is if you have a piss poor credit history. Which would not surprise me. Interest rates have been much lower during the Bush years then the Clinton years.




You just lied about the interest rates and you expect us to believe you here. That dog don't hunt Brownman. Why don't you tell us what state you live in so I can prove you a liar again.


Oh, please do Brownman.......................

YO! BROWNMAN! Where you at? No doubt Googling to find out which state has had the biggest tax increases since Bush got elected so he can lie about where he lives...
Any of you Janers here know what state this turd lives in????

Turd - huhn? You really must be pretty young or just really really stupid. I'd say stupid fits - as they say stupid is as stupid does. And Blowmad - you is about as stupid a kid as they come!

Now git yer finger out of yer fat, greasy arse hole and do some searching yersef, boy! No! Now stop lickin' that brown finger - you know better then to stick your finger in your turd hole son! Now grow up a bit and listen here!

To answer your question so you's understands it, Blowmad, I was hardly avoiding your intellectual prowess and quick witty ways and greasy brown fingers, really - wash your hands already boy - I have a life and was just enjoying a night out with my wife after a couple of days of working my butt off.

I have a job - I'm still wondering if you do.

I asked you once where you live and got no answer. I asked you once what you do for a living and got no answer. But as far as the taxes go, without googling - try Arizona. And then try Nevada. I lived in both - not now but did when Bush enacted his tax cuts for the rich.

We pay more in so many ways now - not just direct taxation - but who do you think pays for the bigger government created under George Bush and his toadies in congress? We do. We have higher deficits, both trade and budgetary, we have higher gas prices, much higher medical and health care prices and a growing number of people who have been priced out of coverage, we have a war to pay for, we have higher property rates and state taxes in most states now, we have higher gasoline taxes, higher state sales taxes - and in general - just about everything else costs much more under George Bush then it did prior to his taking office.

And we have a corrupt republican congress who sells our government to the highest bidder!

So's you's understands me son, the greasy dripping turd in your mouth not withstandin' - Under George Bush we are now just beginning to see the price of his policies and will be paying for it for decades to come.

So's go and git your fingers all cleaned up and lets see what kinds of typin' you can do to insult me yet agin'. This is fun son! Likes shootin' fish in a thimbal!

Give it yer best shot Boy!

Nice dance Brownman. You made the allegation now you need to provide the specifics. Tell us exactly how you are paying more in taxes under Bush then under Clinton. You already lied about the interest rates................. And must you resort to 6th grade vulgarities to get your point across? You sure do talk alot but have very little to say.

I've told you and told you over and over agin', boy. But you fails to see the point. It's not that you're stupid - but then maybe it is.

As for vulgarities - I hardly think you are in any position to question anyone on this board about such kinds of postings - seriously. You are the queen of stupid and pointless profanity and insults on this board! And the use of animated emoticons - how old are you? 10 years old?

I don't think I've read a post by you that did not include a finger up in the air, a bodily function used to insult another poster or something that belittles, insults or otherwise makes fun of the person you are responding to. I seriously think you don't have a clue about your own writing style which inplies you are indeed a stupid kid.

In other words - you are a lightweight son. Hardly anyone worth the time to respond to except for the sheer joy of letting loose with the bowels of verbal excrement that comes so easily when I read your posts!

Try writing a post without insults. Try it just once.

And again no specifics. Must be because you can't back up your bullsh!t. Liar.

I'm not sure why I bother...but here you go.

Here is a graphic showing the prime rate for the past year and a half and projecting it to this coming June...Even you can read this I'm sure.

Source: Graphic Prime Rate Source

Or you can go to this site:
Leading Interest Rates
...and you'll notice everything is going up.

The simple fact is you can find just about anything concerning rates onlne that you want. I go by what increases I've seen in my credit cards over the last 4 years - a steady climb for most - a decrease for a couple. Most people I know are paying higher rates now after the initial sales rate offered by card companies to entice you to use their cards.

So please - go address my other points instead of using your fingers to do your thinking for you.

Notice - no insults this time. If you respond, try it - it's not that hard.

You stated you were paying more in interest under Bush then under Clinton. Thats a lie.



Now quit and address the rest of your bullsh!t assertions.................
If you could you would have by now.

Nomad - I'm not the one who has to answer the assertions I've made. I paid about 9 percentage points on my cards under Clinton - now I pay 13 percent on average and I have good credit. That's my experience.

But you have not addressed even one point I made about the other forms of taxation and costs that have risen under Bush. Not one.

Why is that? And why do I have to defend my assertions when you have not challenged even one of them except this phony credit card interest claim?

The fact you do not say anything at all about the other assertions speaks very loudly - very loud indeed.

Also Nomad - I see that talking to you is a pointless and useless exersize.

I just put you on Ignore so my lack of response is intentional - I just won't see you again.

Bye bye.

What a wimp!

You fly in and immediately put someone on Ignore? That's not very open. Isn't that what you are complaining about?

Wait a minute! This is Chuck/GreyMan, isn't it?

That's correct: GreyMan IS Really Chuck Carter. I just happened to notice his remark, because he was placed on "Ignore" by me some time ago. So I don't know what he spews out, other than this way.

But I do find it ironic, that such a flame throwing individual would find the need to place Nomad on "ignore". I suppose if you and everyone else placed Chuck on Ignore, he would eventually leave, or go "Postal" and be shown the door.

Anyway, interesting twist of events.

I was responding to Kodrum2, and saying he was GreyMan. I think it's one and the same.

I think you may be right. Having multiple personalities is a trademark of Chuck Carter. He creates multiple accounts, from more than one computer, and uses them once or twice, then once they have established themselves, they go dormant, until he is banned. Then he returnes with one of his several personalities.

I just don't understand what it is that causes these people to even want to return once they have been shown the door. If I was banned, I would have absolutely no desire to go back and make such a fool of myself.

I guess that's the reason why they are the way they are.

Actually foreign and domestic lenders finance the deficit. Our taxes are lower so we are paying for less now.


Even if the only product we imported was oil, we would still have a trade deficit.  So you can't really blame that on any president.  That is the fault of the tax payers.



Again, this is not the administration's fault.  This is simple supply and demand.  The tax payers should walk or use mass transit a little more.



Property tax rate raises have little to do with the Executive Branch.  They have a lot to do with poor municipal and state management combined with many urban areas losing their tax base to the suburbs.



I have lived in two different states since Bush took office. Neither have raised sales tax. Texas and New York, both polar opposites when it comes to taxation have not touched sales taxes. Maybe your county or municipal government raised sales taxes for the same reason they increase your property taxes. However this is not something the federal government deals with.




And everything will continue to cost more way after George Bush is out of office. Rising oil costs make the costs of EVERY business a little more expensive so that gets passed onto the consumer. Add this to an average 3% rate of inflation and you have your higher prices. Again, the president has little to no control over this. Talk to Alan Greenspan if you think inflation is too high.

I don't even like GW Bush that much, but your blame really is misdirected.

Brooklyn - everything is tied to policies promoted by a particular president. Be it higher prices on good, gas, cars, credit, energy, postal fees and a thousand other things - or policies that only stir up bad relations with trade partners rising our prices. Also - the higher state taxes in Arizona after getting funds cut from the federal government were a direct result of Bush policy and lack of higher prices in the medical fields are because of lack of policy and interest in the topic.

It's all tied together one way or another - when Peter stops paying Paul - there are repurcusions. When you cut taxes for the wealthiest of Americans, the middle class pays more to make up for some of the difference. Just because you cut taxes does not mean the bills go away - in fact this government spends more money than any other congress or administration has in history. Who pays for it? The growing economy doesn't pay for squat thus this is why we still have sky high deficits - and you can't blame Clinton or any other admistration for this mess.

Hidden fees are added when things are not fittng some accounting model. It might be a penny here or there but in the long run those pennys add up to billions of dollars and we see it in everything we buy.

As for ignoring Nomad - it was Solonav who gave me the idea from jane when I posted something for another forum participant. And now I see John L, Mr. incredible himself, bravely uses the ignore button.

So please - no words about my using the ignore button for a poster who is little more then a kid who knows how to use a keyboard and mouse.

Right you are Solo. Thank for the heads up Solo and John.


Greyman, I take a dim view of these type of board shennanigans. Don't do it again.

Well anyone who knows me knows who Murdok is - what is Kodrum if not Murdok turned a round a bit.

No fool, you have to provide proof of those assertions, and as yet you haven't because you can't.



That's a lie. The prime ran 8 to 9.5% under Clinton. Card lenders do not charge prime on unsecured debt unless it's a limited time intro offer.


I did challege them @sshole, my words previouly posted:

"I'm callin on this one. Your statement: "I paid less in taxes under Clinton than I do under George Bush." The only way that's possible is that you were making less money when Clinton was president. So please explain to us how this is possible. If you don't you are proving yourself to be a disengenous liar."

Once again. You made the claim. You have to back it up. You are not dealing with brain dead liberal zombees here. Intelligent people demand facts not words. But you just don't have the facts to back up your lies.



Really bad grammer here. But once again: You made the claim. You have to back it up.

Run, Brownman, run.................................
See Brownman run........................................

Once again a liberal is backed into a corner and chooses to tuck tail and run.

BTW Brownman, you may have me on ignore but your insecure fragile little ego demands that you read my posts. I own you. I play you like a cheap fiddle.

It appears this board is quite above your intelletual capacity. May I suggest
this board as a place you will feel more at home.

Any democrat worth his salt who is honest can see Harry has some problems with this issue and running his mouth a little too often - must be something he learned from the opposition.

The problem with republicans is that this same message - the image with Harry frothing at the mouth about money, is that they have em' lined up by the dozens doing just that very thing. Including the GOP leadership, the President and the soon to be corronated Majority leader... a person of serious interest when looking at his wife, a tobacco lobbyist and his own connections to K-Street and Delay and Jack Abramoff - who after all never personally gave a red cent to a single democrat, prefering the republicans and the ease in which they are manipulated by cold hard cash...

So Boon Man - you might want to include those images in your post as well. Fair and Balanced I always say.

Run, little Chuckie, run. Poor little Chuckie, can't hold is own against Nomad.