A Simple Open Note to Mitt Romney

 Clinton, debate, government, Politics, Romney, Taxes, Truth, Uncategorized  Comments Off
Aug 182012
 

UPDATE: I wrote this post at the beach, obviously I didn’t accurately remember what Romney said and therefore missed the mark by a wide margin… The sentiment was still accurate however and so I will post a re-write using Romney’s actual words – R.P.

Mr. Romney, obviously you are correct in your claim that fixation on your individual tax returns is the province of simple minds.

Big elections should be about big ideas and you cannot be expected to present your big ideas if you are constantly hounded for documents that could have no fair bearing on this race by small people with simple minds.

The challenges facing this country are great and probably best debated without interruption or distraction by those possessed of such simple minds.

Problems like debt and deficits are almost certainly beyond the purview of, shall we say, the simple minded.

Oh that we could return to a simpler time, a time when revenues covered spending and even surpassed it! Surely such a simplistic wish could not harken to a period within our lifetimes, let alone in our recent past.

A simple mind might see debt as a simple equation of spending not exceeding revenues, though I suppose not cutting revenues below spending would be an equally simple explanation, yes?

Yet if one were to reduce the budget to its most simple components, one would indeed reach the simple conclusion that there are only two parts, spending and revenue and the balance of these parts is, to put it simply, the goal.

If you only want to discuss the “spending” half of the equation, the simple among us will ask why?

If you only want to cut the “revenue” half of the equation, the simple among us will demand why?

Many that earn a tiny fraction of what you do by actually showing up, simply want to know why their contribution to the economy is punished with a higher rate of taxation than yours? A simplistic question to be sure, but a question none the less.

Since you are running for President of the United States isn’t it a simple conclusion that Americans paying a higher tax rate than you might care about how, precisely you manage that in our tax code?

Simply put, your tax returns aren’t only instructive about how skewed our tax policies are in favor of the uber wealthy (surely something that should be shielded from the most “simple” in our ranks). Your returns are necessary as a baseline for where American values will align with respect to the needy vs the greedy.

If one of your primary political promises is to further cut revenues from the most monetarily advantaged among us. Almost anyone, not thusly included, might simply inquire: At what cost?

Who will pay? Which programs will be cut? Who will be issued vouchers? Who must survive on even less so you can posses even more? Simple questions, from undoubtedly simple minds and yet we still want an answer, and yes, we still want to see your tax returns.

Simply

No Returns, No Exchanges

 government, Obama, Politics, Romney, Truth  Comments Off
Aug 072012
 

Listen Mitt… If you don’t release your tax returns I will do everything in my power to see that you are not considered a credible candidate for President in this or any other election cycle.

Understandably, Mr. Romney is unlikely to consider this promise because it is certainly not a threat (threat – noun a declaration of the intention to inflict harm, pain, or misery – an indication of imminent harm, danger, or pain – a person or thing that is regarded as dangerous or likely to inflict pain or misery) It is a PROMISE, and one I intend to fulfill.

We, the people of the United States of America deserve to vet our candidates in the fashion that WE choose…  Our current President has been hounded by the hysterical right for documents that prove his very right to BE president after public officials CERTIFIED that those documents were in fact true, complete and correct… This same President has released, to us, the people of the United States of America twelve years of tax returns as was prescribed by George Romney (Mitt’s father who would no doubt be ashamed of his son).

We the people of the United States get to choose. We the people get to vote. We the people get to decide, and if YOU aren’t transparent I’m afraid we’re going to have to tell you…

No returns, no exchanges… We’ll keep the president we have.

National Defense?

 GOP, Politics, Truth, War  Comments Off
Aug 062012
 

Republicans chose Ohio to try a little experiment… Early voting used to be the norm in Ohio, all citizens enjoyed this right, seniors, minorities, majorities, the young, the disenfrachised, and yes, military personnel. The GOP decided that this voting access should ONLY be afforded military personnel and wrote a law that deemed it so (for the record in case you aren’t keeping up, the GOP wrote and passed this law).

The Obama administration has challenged this dumbass law. Why? When did limiting the vote add ANYTHING to our democracy? The Romney campaign framed this challenge as the PRESIDENT trying to limit access to early voting…

Really?

Are you fucking kidding me?

Who wrote the law?

Who’s vote has been limited?

What the hell is wrong with this picture?

Now several military groups want to thwart the administrations challenge on the grounds that the military SHOULD have preferential access to the ballot… Alright, why? What the fuck is the mandate of the military if not to protect the rights of Americans to participate in their democracy?

How disgusting is it that the GOP is driving a wedge between a country and those sworn to defend it’s values?

If this is what the military is to be used for what the are we to do for actual national defense?

Yeah, I want an actual answer to that.

Why Mitt’s Tax Returns Matter

 Politics, Taxes, Truth  Comments Off
Aug 062012
 

Mitt Romney’s tax returns matter… not because we would find that he has twisted every possible advantage that his massive wealth can buy, but because scrutiny of that reality would drastically change the direction and tenor of the debate about tax policy is this nation.

The wealthy have torn down the tax structure for decades, blowing holes in the revenue stream of OUR country to the point of failure. Crumbling roads, increased debt, cash strapped schools. The last thirty years have been particularly egregious. It is perfectly apparent in the absolute explosion of wealth disparity in America. There isn’t class warfare in America, there is class genocide and the wealthy are not only waging it, they have won… Almost.

Mitt Romney’s tax returns could be the catalyst that begins the conversation that leads back to sanity and fairness in the tax code. We need to see how perverted the rules have become. We need to face the fact that the wealthy get to play on a level we never get to see. We need to understand how our representation in the congress allows and enables this. We NEED this conversation, and we aren’t going to have it unless you press Mitt Romney to reveal the dirty little secrets of the ultra rich.

Make your voice heard, then join in the ensuing debate.

 

We don’t need a debt ceiling we need a bullshit limit.

 debt ceiling, GOP, government, Hypocrisy, Politics, Truth  Comments Off
Jul 282011
 

The most disturbing thing (of oh, so many disturbing things) about the debate over the raising of the debt ceiling is this…

Everyone in leadership on the right acknowledges that the debt ceiling must be raised, yet claims that their “compromise” in the effort is raising it at all…

Or if you prefer (or can relate more completely)

The GOP is selling the concept that honoring the “full faith and credit” of the United States of America is somehow a “compromise”…

In either case, in any case, by any standards, the political right in this country is pushing pure shit and is willing, no, eager to decimate the American economy and the citizens of this country to push their anti-American bullshit… is there a ceiling for that?

Abdication of Democracy

 debate, GOP, government, Hypocrisy, Obama, Politics, Taxes, Teaparty, Truth  1 Response »
Jul 262011
 

This is a very simple concept, and only a simple explanation will suffice… I pondered trying to write this post using only fifty unique words but I am not sufficiently talented to make “I do not like the righties plan I do not like it Sam I am” adequately detail what I mean…

Our democracy is based on co-equal branches of government, when those branches are held by different parties the government cannot enact new legislation unless the parties can reach a compromise that satisfies both sides. In such a case new legislation might not be possible, too bad, deal with it.

The problem comes when action MUST be taken by the legislative branch to continue the basic functions of the government that these disparate players are supposed to be serving. If inaction is not an option than compromise isn’t just an unpleasant reality it is an absolute necessity. The government of the United States of America cannot be shredded by the refusal of elected representatives to participate. The business of the United States requires that those who would pretend to be worthy of inclusion could put aside ego and ideology for the greater good of the nation, those unwilling to do so prove themselves unworthy of their post… period.

Democracy is not unlike herding kittens, progress is never going to be simple or direct, but there are times that all hands must come together to accomplish that which must be accomplished. Refusing to acknowledge that divided government requires compromise is tantamount to abdication of the concept of Democracy. If you have no use for our government, get the hell out of the way, the citizens of this country require more. A government of, by and for the people can only be hijacked for a limited time, when that time is up the pushback will be swift and harsh.

I could not, would not, ever vote.
For taxes on a great big boat.
I will not vote to raise a tax.
balance on the seniors backs!
Not in the dark! Not in a tree!
Not in a car! You let me be!
We do not like them on the rich.
We do not like them silly bitch.
We will not raise a single tax.
Despite all of your stupid facts.
We do not like them here or there.
We do not like them ANYWHERE!

Seriously, this is the level of discourse from the right, and the country deserves better.

Scorched Earth

 GOP, Politics, Truth  1 Response »
Jul 202011
 

Republicans are losing ground in the overall political narrative in this country. Republicans understand that they are losing ground, time marches on; progress is slow, painfully slow yet, in the grand scheme of things, inevitable.

Marriage equality is slowly becoming a reality in this country. The first building block in the concept that healthcare is a fundamental right for Americans haa been laid. Racism, though far from being conquered has been pushed to the point that is was possible for a man of color to be elected President of the United States.

Though Republicans may not openly admit their slow demise, everything that they do politically, judicially, legislatively points to the fact that they know it, and are willing to damage any institution to any extent to influence the country beyond the “consent of the governed”.

The fact of the matter is that for the whole of human history minorities have thwarted the will of majorities through methods ranging from force to fear to religion to deception… How much of a stretch is it to accept that democracy would be the next method by which those with power would rob those without of even the miniscule power that they had?

The GOP is better at politics because they literally are the current manifestation of power subverting the will of the people in our era, in our country, in our time.

Now it seems the GOP have recognized that the nation is rapidly moving beyond their traditional talking points and fear mongering tactics God, gays and guns will only serve them so well for so long. Those who benefit from the election and governance of Republicans in this country recognize it even more clearly and they are looking to make the shift in power to last decades longer than expected by enacting policy that not only solidifies their position and power but control the process far beyond the point that they can maintain plurality in representation.

Why else would they push for legislation that requires 2/3 majorities to increase revenues but only simple majorities to cut spending?

Why else would they push so hard for mandatory sentencing, reducing a judge’s ability to judge?

Why else would they push so hard to abolish abortion despite the Supreme Court decision that guarantees access to these services for women in this country?

Why else would they push so hard to codify the signing of pledges for all taking the Oath of Office today and those likely to take the Oath of Office in the foreseeable future?

The GOP doesn’t think they will be able to maintain majorities now they are focusing on dictating public policy until they can be over ruled by super majorities (And by super majorities, I mean ultra, super-duper majorities, these are democrats after all).

Mark my words, the GOP or at least the power behind them understands that the demographics of the country are shifting faster than they could possibly adjust for, they are looking to shackle the legislators now and for the foreseeable future to ensure that they can continue to leverage the power they already possess to the maximum advantage, it has worked so far and unless we act it will work yet again.

Why Wisconsin Matters

 debate, GOP, government, Hypocrisy, Politics, Taxes, Teaparty, The Economy, Truth  1 Response »
Feb 172011
 

We see a very dangerous dynamic going on in the state of Wisconsin, and the state of Ohio, and the state of Florida and, and…

The GOP is selling the meme that hard working Americans should be outraged that hard working Americans have a tiny bit more than they do…

The Governor of Wisconsin proposes to strip all state workers the right of collective bargaining under the guise of a state budget crisis. The fact is that Wisconsin was projected to have a surplus this year before Gov. Walker cut taxes, additionally stripping workers of their bargaining rights will have little to no impact in the short term.

The Republicans have spent 30 years engineering the largest concentration of wealth that has been experienced in this country since the 1920′s and now they want those that have been decimated, stagnated, downsized and degraded to rip each other to shreds for the scraps left over…

Think about this for just a moment.

The median weekly wage for a non union worker is $717

The median weekly wage for a union worker is $917

The median weekly income for the top 1.5% is $4,807

The median weekly income for the top .1% is $30760

So logically the GOP would like to see those at the bottom of the earnings scale angry and outraged at those barely higher on the scale… oh and while they are at it outrage at the unemployed and those crushed by the housing crisis would very effectively control the 98% of this country that is being fleeced by unmitigated greed.

Now that the GOP have come completely out into the open to blatantly advocate for only the richest and most powerful we had better be prepared to go to the mat because if we can’t beat them when they behave like this there is very little hope.

Calling off the Straw Dogs

 GOP, government, Hypocrisy, Obama, Politics, SOTU, Straw Dogs  Comments Off
Jan 262011
 

Republicans gain political advantage by being better at politics than Democrats. This is a cold hard truth that Democrats are loathe to admit, even to themselves. There are two primary methods that Republicans employ to leverage and consolidate their political power: First they speak to wedge issues that are so emotionally powerful that they separate voters from 90% of their interests and well being for the 10% that motivates them emotionally. Secondly, they advocate straw dog solutions to complex issues creating quick, easily repeatable catch phrases that sound like they might be effective even though they rarely would address more than the smallest fraction of the issue they are deployed against.


In the State of the Union last night President Barack Obama tore up half of the Republican playbook, not by disproving or refuting the ridiculous straw dogs that the GOP have used to such great effect for years, he co-opted them, embraced them knowing that they won’t solve anything but also knowing that the quickest way to prove that we require more complete solutions is to include the bumper sticker solutions so that they can no longer be used as an excuse. Several examples are below and I would not be at all surprised if I missed a few…


Straw dog: “America has one of the highest rates of corporate taxes in the industrialized world”

Fact: The largest corporations in America pay nothing even remotely approaching the marginal tax rates.

Obama: Over the years, a parade of lobbyists has rigged the tax code to benefit particular companies and industries. Those with accountants or lawyers to work the system can end up paying no taxes at all. But all the rest are hit with one of the highest corporate tax rates in the world. It makes no sense, and it has to change. So tonight, I’m asking Democrats and Republicans to simplify the system. Get rid of the loopholes. Level the playing field. And use the savings to lower the corporate tax rate for the first time in 25 years – without adding to our deficit.


Straw dog: Freezing spending will be effective at stemming deficits

Fact: Discretionary spending is a small fraction of the budget, cuts or freezes of discretionary spending will have a relatively small impact in relation to the scope of the problem.

Obama: We are living with a legacy of deficit-spending that began almost a decade ago. And in the wake of the financial crisis, some of that was necessary to keep credit flowing, save jobs, and put money in people’s pockets. But now that the worst of the recession is over, we have to confront the fact that our government spends more than it takes in. That is not sustainable. Every day, families sacrifice to live within their means. They deserve a government that does the same. So tonight, I am proposing that starting this year, we freeze annual domestic spending for the next five years. This would reduce the deficit by more than $400 billion over the next decade, and will bring discretionary spending to the lowest share of our economy since Dwight Eisenhower was president. This freeze will require painful cuts. Already, we have frozen the salaries of hardworking federal employees for the next two years. I’ve proposed cuts to things I care deeply about, like community action programs. The Secretary of Defense has also agreed to cut tens of billions of dollars in spending that he and his generals believe our military can do without.


Straw dog: Tort reform will solve skyrocketing health care costs

Fact: Medical malpractice costs and the costs of defensive medicine are a tiny fraction of healthcare spending… Texas has some of the toughest tort reforms and also some of the highest costs per capita for health care.

Obama: Health insurance reform will slow these rising costs, which is part of why nonpartisan economists have said that repealing the health care law would add a quarter of a trillion dollars to our deficit. Still, I’m willing to look at other ideas to bring down costs, including one that Republicans suggested last year: medical malpractice reform to rein in frivolous lawsuits.


Straw dog: Small government is better government.

Fact: Size doesn’t matter, it really is about being effective.

Obama: Let me take this one step further. We shouldn’t just give our people a government that’s more affordable. We should give them a government that’s more competent and efficient. We cannot win the future with a government of the past.


Straw dog: Elite Democrats have no respect for the military, not with their policy and not in their institutions of higher education

Fact: Repeal of DADT proved that Democrats respect the service of ALL those who put on the uniform

Obama: Our troops come from every corner of this country – they are black, white, Latino, Asian and Native American. They are Christian and Hindu, Jewish and Muslim. And, yes, we know that some of them are gay. Starting this year, no American will be forbidden from serving the country they love because of who they love. And with that change, I call on all of our college campuses to open their doors to our military recruiters and the ROTC. It is time to leave behind the divisive battles of the past. It is time to move forward as one nation.

Straw dog: Earmarks are evil and wasteful

Fact: Earmarks are a tool, they are only as evil as the user, also they are a tiny fraction of spending

Obama: And because the American people deserve to know that special interests aren’t larding up legislation with pet projects, both parties in Congress should know this: if a bill comes to my desk with earmarks inside, I will veto it.


Straw dog: Elites like the President that find fault with America, hate America.

Fact: Caring enough to acknowledge our faults and work to perfect the Union has been the work of patriots for more than 200 years.

Obama: And yet, as contentious and frustrating and messy as our democracy can sometimes be, I know there isn’t a person here who would trade places with any other nation on Earth.


By embracing the Republicans ridiculous talking points the GOP is left with nothing to be for… They had nothing before but now it is blindingly apparent.

Don’t You Wish?

 debate, Gun Control, Lawrence, Politics, Truth  1 Response »
Jan 202011
 

I have always been fond of saying that intellectual curiosity is the difference between fact informing opinion and opinion filtering fact. Lawrence O’Donnell exposes the effect with Rep. Trent Franks, ideology renders him incapable of responding to the actual question asked… Watch all the way to the end, it is worth it.

Is it really such a blow to freedom to have to reload after ten shots?

 Older Entries