Tax Reform
While congress should also be introducing legislation into where they are going to cut spending that is wasteful, redundant, inefficient, or not in line with our constitution, I think that the tax reform legislation that is going into reconciliation between the House and the Senate is pretty good thus far overall. First, despite our friends on the left's predictable whining on the topic, the return of some of our tax dollars is a good thing. After all, this is NOT the government's money. It is ours. If the tax reform stays pretty close to its current iteration, it will help spur the economy via corporate tax cuts that finally make the U.S. competitive on the global stage. (And it is not corporations that pay taxes anyway, but rather the consumers that do.) Further, the increase in deductions for children and in improved tax rates will help a vast majority of middle class Americans. No, my Leftist friends, the poorest half of Americans do not get a tax cut per se, as they do not currently PAY any income taxes.
Jerusalem is Israel's Capital
Duh. It has been the capital of the Jewish people since the time of King David. President Trump's official recognition of this fact along with the promise of moving our embassy from Tel Aviv to Jerusalem is long overdue. Legislation was passed and signed into law stating this was to be done all the way back in the Clinton administration. It has been waived every six months for decades now. Every nation has the sovereign right to declare its own capital. Israel has done so. President Trump did a good thing by finally officially recognizing what has always been. Kudos accordingly on this issue.
Sexual Harassment
Al Franken and John Conyers are resigning from congress for their disgusting behavior towards women. Further, Roy Moore was not elected to the senate for his behavior also. These are all good things, as our government should hold accountable those members of the House, Senate, and other federal offices to the same standards that the rest of the civilized world shares. Further, the secret "settlement account" that is funded by the Treasury Department to the tune of $17 million over the last decade should have its expenditures brought forth into the public eye so we the people can see who has had TAX PAYER money used to settle sexual harassment claims against them. If we cannot get these scum out of office via term limits, perhaps we can clean house somewhat through some more forced resignations.
Concealed Carry Reciprocity
The House of Representatives has passed a measure which now the Senate should take up that allows anyone with a valid concealed carry permit issued in a given state to travel so armed to another state legally. This removes some of the legal liabilities that anti-gun states have erected in order to circumvent our second amendment rights, which effectively legally disarms law-abiding gun owners as they travel from their home state to certain other states. This is akin to states being required to acknowledge and accept a drivers license issued in another state as legal and valid in their own state.
Planned Parenthood Investigation
The Department of Justice is finally starting an investigation into the illegal, barbaric, and ghoulishly reprehensible acts of Planned Parenthood selling body parts of aborted children. If there is truly any justice in this world then the most innocent of all people, our unborn children, will finally have our government working on their behalf to hopefully serve justice and shut down this heinous practice of Planned Parenthood's. Perhaps then we can start by removing all tax payer dollars from this vile agency next.
Hiking in Arches and Canyonlands National Parks
Last, I did manage to spend a few warm autumn days with my wife hiking in some of the red rock country in the south part of the state of Utah right before Thanksgiving. The crowds were non-existent in Canyonlands and for the first time in a long long time, I was able to look out over a magnificent landscape of desert canyons and hear... absolutely nothing! It was truly something for which I was thankful. I hope everyone had a similarly wonderful Thanksgiving holiday!
Cheers to all, as I hope to return to regular posts soon hopefully.
82 comments:
Mr. Paine.
Welcome back! Looks like you had a great time. Nice photos. Beautiful country.
Your faith in trickle up wealth is also a thing of beauty.
It never works for anyone else, though.
So who pays what the rich and corporations won't? Hmm.
The real takers win again. Poor Ivanka and Jr. thank you for their hard earned inheritance.
Conservatives have always has a warm spot for aristocracy.
Not so much for democracy unfortunately. They call it "mob rule". Better to have elite unaccountable dictators, I suppose. Deciders and "Only ones" who can fix everything.
I should have place theses remarks here:
The Pope is very much against Trump’s agitation and ending America’s role in any possible peace process.
As a good Catholic, Mr. Paine is probably aware of the statement Sunday when the Holy See recalled Francis's appeal last week for "wisdom and prudence" to prevail and it reiterated its position asserting "the essential need for respecting the status quo" of Jerusalem.
Trump just gave Bibi all the chips and Palestinians know the game is rigged.
The two state compromise was largely contingent upon Ease Jerusalem becoming the Palestinian capital. Mr. Paine makes no mention of the Palestinians’ history and sense of belonging to the city, or the fact that over a third of its residents identify as Palestinian.
Palestinians have lived there for centuries, back when there WAS NO Israel. And their holy Dome of the Rock is as sacred to them as the Sepulcher is to Mr. Paine. Mr. Paine calls their historic and religious bond specious. I wonder what the word specious means in this case. Another mystery to go unsolved, I’m afraid.
UN Security Council resolutions established that annexing Jerusalem and the settlements are both illegitimate and unlawful. Security Council Resolution 478 in August 1980 called upon member states to remove their diplomatic missions from Jerusalem.
I’m also sure Mr. Paine understands the reason sane and informed presidents understood this provision in the Jerusalem Embassy Act:
SEC. 7. PRESIDENTIAL WAIVER.
(a) WAIVER AUTHORITY.—
(1) Beginning on October 1, 1998, the President may suspend the limitations set forth in section 3(b) for a period of six months if he determines and reports to Congress in advance that such suspension is necessary to protect the national security interests of the United States.
They knew shredding any possible peace process and agitating Muslims increased the threat of terrorism and violence. Mr. Paine chooses to keep secret the advantage gained that justifies the violence and elevated threat of terrorism.
Sometimes silence is golden.
What amazes me is how leftist are ignorant of what JFK said about taxes.
I agree with Majormajor.
Let's restore the tax rates to what JFK wanted.
From JFK’s Address to the Economic Club of New York
...this administration pledged itself last summer to an across-the-board, top-to-bottom cut in personal and corporate income taxes to be enacted and become effective in 1963.
I am talking about the accumulated evidence of the last five years that our present tax system, developed as it was, in good part, during World War II to restrain growth, exerts too heavy a drag on growth in peace time;
... Too large a tax cut, of course, could result in inflation and insufficient future revenues
If the economy today were operating close to capacity levels with little unemployment, or if a sudden change in our military requirements should cause a scramble for men and resources, then I would oppose tax reductions as irresponsible and inflationary -- and I would not hesitate to recommend a tax increase, if that were necessary.
When I announced in April of 1961 that this kind of comprehensive tax reform would follow the bill enacted this year, I had hoped to present it in an atmosphere of a balanced budget...
It should also be noted that the federal debt, as a proportion of our gross national product, has been steadily reduced in the last years. ...Federal civilian employment, for example, is actually lower today than it was in 1952, while state and local government employment over the same period has increased 67 percent. It is this setting which makes federal tax reduction both possible and appropriate next year.
Mr. Dubya, it was indeed a wonderful time in some beautiful and wild country. I suspect you would enjoy it there, although I highly recommend you go in the Spring or Fall when it isn't so bloody hot there.
Next, how does reducing marginal rates for the middle class and increasing child deductions translate into "trickle up wealth" for the rich, my friend? As for corporations getting a tax cut, it is hard for individuals to pay taxes when there aren't jobs available to pay them. Cutting corporate taxes will greatly increase job creation and spur our economy. It will bring us on par tax-wise with the rest of the industrial world. Again, corporations don't pay taxes anyway. They simply pass on that cost of doing business to the consumers of their goods and services. In other words, we the people pay those corporate taxes. Paying 20% instead of 35% sounds like another ultimate tax cut for us, sir.
As for maintaining the status quo of Jerusalem, how many more years, decades, centuries should we maintain that status quo in order to prevent some of the adherents of Islam from lashing out in terroristic fashion? (A fact that even you note in your comment.) Do we continue to appease terrorists so they won't be AS violent in their bad behavior and go nowhere with this peace process? Or do we respect Israel's national boundaries and integrity and allow them to choose their own capital; a capital where the seat of their government, the Knesset, and their president resides. It is also where the U.S. has a consulate in order to administer the foreign aid to the miscreant Palestinian government.
Yes, Palestinians have lived there for centuries. Jews have lived there for millenia though. And the dome of the rock is built upon the foundation, including the western wall of Solomon's temple. Judaism and its adherents in Israel predates Islam and Christianity. The Palestinian claims over Jerusalem are specious in my opinion because they think they trump Israel's. They do not.
As for the anti-zionist and anti-Semitic U.N., they have become nothing more than a mouth piece for tin-pot dictators, Islamist anti-Semitism, Russian and Chinese aggression, and a one-world progressive utopian agenda that should frighten any person even slightly acquainted with history. They have out-lived their usefulness and should frankly go the same way as the League of Nations did. They are a huge part of the world's problems instead of the solutions.
The bottom line is this: there can be no peace process successfully concluded when the Palestinians still will not recognize Israel's very right to exist, let alone establish their capital in their city of Jerusalem. Congress and President Clinton signed the acknowledgment of this into law in the 1990's. Bush and Obama did nothing more than continue to sign semi-annual waivers in order to kick this difficult issue down the road. Trump saw the futility of doing the same thing again and again while expecting different results and therefore decided to not sign the waiver, thus recognizing the TRUTH that Jerusalem is the capital of our greatest ally in the Middle East. If the Palestinians are unwilling to accept this truth, how can we ever expect them to further act in good faith in negotiating a peace they really do not even want?
"Sometimes silence is golden." ~ Jerry Critter
Jerry, you wound me, my friend! Does this mean you approved of my blogosphere silence over these last weeks? Or perhaps that, like the golden dome of the rock, silence from the terrorist Palestinian government would be golden? :)
"What amazes me is how leftist are ignorant of what JFK said about taxes." ~ Majormajor
Some leftists are ignorant of history, my friend. Further, JFK was far too conservative and would not be recognized as a Democrat in today's hyper-leftist party. He would be seen as a mean-spirited, kool-aide-drinking conservative today. As for tax cuts spurring the economy and creating a "rising tide that lifts all boats", well some of our leftist brethren think that the mean ol' conservatives have gone and intentionally sank all of the poor's boats.
Dave and JFK make a great point. We should be cutting federal spending too! I won't hold my breath.
I get it, the more of people's money the govt takes and the more money the govt has is the way to economic heaven. Like in Cuba or Venezuela.
This is the real collusion in the 2016 election.
Democrats and the media are accusing anyone who criticizes special counsel Robert Mueller as Trumpian conspirators trying to undermine his probe. But who needs critics when Mr. Mueller’s team is doing so much to undermine its own credibility?
Wednesday’s revelations—they’re coming almost daily—include the Justice Department’s release of 2016 text messages to and from Peter Strzok, the FBI counterintelligence agent whom Mr. Mueller demoted this summer. The texts, which he exchanged with senior FBI lawyer Lisa Page, contain expletive-laced tirades against Mr. Trump. Such Trump hatred is no surprise and not by itself disqualifying. More troubling are texts that suggest that some FBI officials may have gone beyond antipathy to anti-Trump plotting.
“I want to believe the path you threw out for consideration in Andy’s office—that there’s no way [Trump] gets elected—but I’m afraid we can’t take that risk,” Mr. Strzok wrote Ms. Page in an Aug. 15, 2016 text. He added: “It’s like an insurance policy in the unlikely event you die before you’re 40.”
What “policy” would that be? The “Andy” in question is Andrew McCabe, the deputy FBI director. FBI officials are allowed to have political opinions, but what kind of action were they discussing that would amount to anti-Trump “insurance”?
In another exchange that month, Ms. Page forwarded a Trump-related article and wrote: “Maybe you’re meant to stay where you are because you’re meant to protect the country from that menace.” He thanked her and assured: “Of course I’ll try and approach it that way.” Mr. Strzok, recall, is the man who changed the words “grossly negligent” to “extremely careless” in James Comey’s July 2016 public exoneration of Hillary Clinton’s emails.
The McCabe meeting came on the heels of the FBI’s launch of its counterintelligence probe into Trump-Russia ties. July is also when former British spook Christopher Steele briefed the FBI on his Clinton-financed dossier of salacious allegations against Mr. Trump. The texts explain why Mr. Mueller would remove Mr. Strzok, though a straight shooter wouldn’t typically resist turning those messages over to Congress for as long as Mr. Mueller did.
Meanwhile, we’re learning more about the political motives of Mr. Mueller’s lieutenant, Andrew Weissmann. Judicial Watch last week released an email in which Mr. Weissmann expressed his “awe” and praise for Sally Yates, after the then acting AG and Obama holdover refused to implement Mr. Trump’s travel ban.
This should trouble anyone who cares about the integrity of the Justice Department. Ms. Yates had every right to resign at the time if she felt she couldn’t implement Mr. Trump’s order. But she had no authority as an executive branch official to defy a legitimate presidential order. Mr. Weissmann’s support for her insubordination was a declaration that he is part of the “resistance.” This should be unacceptable in a ranking FBI official, much less someone charged with conducting a fair-minded investigation.
Public confidence isn’t helped by the continuing Justice and FBI refusal to cooperate with Congress. Deputy Attorney General Rod Rosenstein, who supervises Mr. Mueller, toed the Mueller-FBI line on Wednesday before the House Oversight Committee. He repeated FBI Director Christopher Wray’s preposterous excuse that he can’t answer questions because of an Inspector General probe. And he wouldn’t elaborate on the news that Nellie Ohr, the wife of senior Justice official Bruce Ohr, worked for Fusion GPS, which hired Mr. Steele to gin up his dossier.
The man who should be most disturbed by all this is Mr. Mueller, who wants his evidence and conclusions to be credible with the public. Evidence is building instead that some officials at the FBI—who have worked for him—may have interfered in an American presidential election. Congress needs to insist on its rights as a co-equal branch of government to discover the truth.
Major shills the Murdoch Trumpist Wall street Journal opinion page as facts.
Majormajor had no opinion on the partisan Whitewater and Lewinsky investigations, did he? IOKIYAR. Mueller has shown only integrity by his actions. He is now attacked for doing his job, nothing more. Almost every Trumpie has LIED about contacts with Russians. Nothing to see here, amirite?
Perhaps Major Hochstetter wants all of law enforcement to take a loyalty oath to the Fuhrer? Ach, so! That is the definition of a police state. How con-servative is that? That is exactly what he wants. Lock them up. Lock up all of the fascist liars and traitors, from Trump on down.
Mr. Paine,
I still await your explanation on how Trump’s actions make anything better. How does it advance peace? WHAT does it advance? Why is Trump right and the Pope along with the REST OF THE WORLD wrong?
Is your position rational, or just based on what “feels right” to you? Your faith is in Trump’s judgment and...what exactly?
how does reducing marginal rates for the middle class and increasing child deductions translate into "trickle up wealth" for the rich, my friend?
That’s not my claim, is it? But then you assume to know my thoughts better than I do. I never opposed tax cuts for the working class. Tax cuts for corporations and the rich when they are already hoarding more wealth than any point in history makes no sense. People know this and that is why Trump’s giveaway to himself, his family, and his cronies is very unpopular.
But to hell with the people, the rich elites need more money. Mammon is well served and fattened more than ever.
Cutting corporate taxes will greatly increase job creation and spur our economy. It will bring us on par tax-wise with the rest of the industrial world.
These are beliefs, not facts. The worldwide average top corporate income tax rate is 22.6 percent . The average effective tax rate for U.S. corporations is 18.6% according to the CBO. By all means lower the rate to 20%, but make them PAY IT.
Many corporations pay little or no taxes, with zero job creation and even off-shoring and job losses. You don’t know this yet?
And what happened to your debt and deficit dogma. You see no hypocrisy there? IOKIYAR? Seems so.
Why should rich brats pay no taxes on their huge inheritance income, while the poor pay taxes on necessary goods and gas to get to work? Why do you favor this Aristocracy the founders rejected? Who ultimately pays for the tax cuts for the rich? I asked this before and got no answer.
Again, corporations don't pay taxes anyway. They simply pass on that cost of doing business to the consumers of their goods and services.
Yes, some corporations do pay taxes.
Let’s apply your reasoning. Why should they pay for land and buildings and electricity and water when the cost is passed on anyway?
What if I don’t buy from those corporations? Why should I pay their taxes and pay for the roads and services they use? That is corporate welfare, my friend. They are TAKERS.
So we agree that the tax rates JFK wanted should be restored. Good.
Or would zero taxes for the rich and corporations make everything better? You haven’t told us what you really want them to pay. How much do you want to give them? Everything? Is that your belief?
Judaism and its adherents in Israel predates Islam and Christianity.
I like this logic. Now all you white people need to surrender this land to the natives who predate you. Leave now please. Double standards much? White Americans and far Right Israelis seem fond of the “reservation solution”. Now stay inside that fence, while we limit your electricity and water. Got a problem with that?
The Palestinian claims over Jerusalem are specious in my opinion because they think they trump Israel's.
Would you care to explain that? Israel is the party in violation of UN resolutions. Palestinians just need to learn their place and shut up, amirite?
And why does White America’s specious claim trump native Americans? It is your logic that is specious, and quite flexible, old buddy.
TP - Given that silence is golden, I will leave the interpretation to the reader. Each reader is free to decide for themselves if it applies to them or not.
TP, you said, “Paying 20% instead of 35% sounds like another ultimate tax cut for us, sir.” I’m not sure how that works. Are you implying that corporations will lower the prices rather than increasing the dividends, increasing their profits, buy back their own stock, increasing executive salaries, etc? What evidence do you have the we, the consumer, will receive such a great benefit?
MM, Quite an editorial you presented here. However, if you are going to cut and paste other people’s hard work, the least you can do is give them credit for it instead of presenting it as your own.
This is a case where silence is plagiarism.
This is a case where silence is plagiarism.
LOL!
No, Jerry. IOKIYAR. Always has been.
"I get it, the more of people's money the govt takes and the more money the govt has is the way to economic heaven. Like in Cuba or Venezuela." ~ Majormajor
Exactly! Communism/Socialism has only failed so far because the right people, like Bernie Sanders etc. haven't been in charge. Life would be wonderful if we punished all of the job-creating corporations for their greed and gave "free" healthcare, "free" college, "free" cash for clunkers, "free" public housing, etc. to all of our fellow comrades. What a Utopian workers' paradise this country could be!
"I still await your explanation on how Trump’s actions make anything better. How does it advance peace?" ~ Dubya
Mr. Dubya, there can be no peace if there is not truth. The truth is that Jerusalem is and has been the functioning capital of the Israeli state since its re-creation. It has served as the center of Judaism for literally thousands of years.
The truth is that the Palestinian government does not want peace with Israel. They want complete capitulation. They want Israeli territory, the "right" of return, and ultimately the destruction of the Jewish state. It is the Palestinians that teach their children IN THEIR SCHOOLS that Jews are sub-human and evil. It is the Palestinian government that takes U.S. tax payer dollars in aid and uses it to pay the families of "martyrs" that have died in attacks against the evil Zionist Jews.
Ehud Barak offered the Nobel Peace Prize-winning terrorist, Yasser Arafat, 90% of the concessions that the Palestinian government wanted, and still Arafat would not agree and sign a peace accord. He knew he would be killed like Sadat if he were to agree. They do not want peace. Much of the Muslim world wants the Palestinian issue as a means of fundraising and to beat the Israeli's over the head with.
The interesting thing now though is the cracks in the Muslim alliance as Obama has strengthened the Shia' terrorist regime in Iran with his asinine agreement. Saudi Arabia and some other Muslim nations are reaching tentative agreements of cooperation with Israel now as the specter of a nuclear-power Iran slowly emerges.
"Tax cuts for corporations and the rich when they are already hoarding more wealth than any point in history makes no sense. People know this and that is why Trump’s giveaway to himself, his family, and his cronies is very unpopular." ~ Dubya
Corporations will invest their profits to earn even greater profits when the economic climate is favorable. My own company of AT&T has promised to invest $1 billion thus creating at least 7000 new high paying jobs directly, if the tax bill stayed essentially as it was going into reconciliation. That investment creates jobs, earns higher profits for share-holders, who are seldom all uber-rich people. On the contrary, most share holders are middle class folks like you and me with our 401K's that fund our retirement so we can still be contributing to the economy in our golden years. Your hate of the rich does nothing to help the poor, sir.
"By all means lower the rate to 20%, but make them PAY IT." ~ Dubya
Mr. Dubya, you don't get what I am saying, sir. You obviously have never run a business either. When you are figuring the price of your goods/services for the consumer, you have to make sure they are competitive in the market place. The revenue you bring in from those goods/services must cover your expenses of materials, infrastructure, labor, benefits, regulation, and TAXES. If the price paid doesn't cover expenses, including corporate taxes, you will operate at a loss. Only the U.S. Post Office and our federal government can do this seemingly forever. Everyone else goes bankrupt.
"And what happened to your debt and deficit dogma. You see no hypocrisy there? IOKIYAR? Seems so." - Dubya
You must have missed the very first line I wrote regarding this tax reform bill: "While congress should also be introducing legislation into where they are going to cut spending that is wasteful, redundant, inefficient, or not in line with our constitution..." ~ T. Paine
Yes, we MUST be cutting our spending. Neither the GOP or Democrats will do this, however. This tax bill will at least spur the economy far above 3% growth. ( a number never seen under Obama's tenure as the only president in history to never do so.) If we can cut wasteful spending in many departments, including the military, perhaps we can balance the budget with increased revenue that this reform has the potential to provide.
"White Americans and far Right Israelis seem fond of the 'reservation solution'." ~ Dubya
Why does everything always devolve down to race and identity politics with you, sir? So what you are arguing is that the Palestinians (who play the role of the more lately come white settlers) should be able to push the original native inhabitants (the Jews playing the role of the Indians) out of their land? Right back at you...
As for the corrupt U.N., nearly all of the resolutions against Israel are nothing more than anti-Semitic bovine excrement. As I said, the impotent U.N. is nothing more than a mouthpiece for human-rights abusers, anti-Semites, and totalitarian progressive governments anymore. Just because two wolves and a single lamb vote on what to have for dinner does not make the wolves right... especially when it comes to the rights of the lamb.
Major shills the Murdoch Trumpist Wall street Journal opinion page as facts.
Nice try Comrade.
"TP, you said, 'Paying 20% instead of 35% sounds like another ultimate tax cut for us, sir.' I’m not sure how that works. Are you implying that corporations will lower the prices rather than increasing the dividends, increasing their profits, buy back their own stock, increasing executive salaries, etc? What evidence do you have the we, the consumer, will receive such a great benefit?" ~ Jerry Critter
Jerry, some corporations will undoubtedly increase their dividends to shareholders, including middle class folks like us that have 401K retirement accounts so we don't become financial burdens on the system in our golden years. Some may do the other things you listed too. However, if more nimble competitors come in and use the tax cut as a means to lower the cost of their goods/services, the big corporations will either have to follow suit or lose market share to them. Nothing happens to one corporation that doesn't affect the market for other businesses, sir. And what affects all of those businesses will ultimately help out the end consumers eventually.
Investors Daily
For 18 months, the FBI has been fixated on determining whether President Trump worked with Russia to influence the 2016 election. But explosive text exchanges between top FBI agents suggest it should be looking in the mirror.
The text messages sent between Peter Strzok and Lisa Page, which became public on Wednesday, provide a rare and illuminating window into just how rabidly partisan putatively nonpartisan law enforcement officials can be.
In the exchanges, they called Trump an "idiot," a "loathsome human," an "enormous do-che," and said "this man cannot be president."
When not berating Trump, they were praising Hillary Clinton. In one text, Strzok said: "God Hillary should win 100,000,000-0." In another, he said that "a lot of people are holding their breath hoping" about Clinton.
When Hillary accepted the party's nomination in July, Strzok texted "Congrats on a woman nominated for President in a major party! About damn time!" During one of the presidential debates, he texted: "Oh hot damn. HRC is throwing down saying Trump in bed with Russia." In one of Page's texts, she said Hillary "just has to win now
But Strzok and Page weren't just a couple of bureaucrats crunching numbers in a windowless office at the Bureau of Justice Statistics.
Strzok was a key player in the FBI's investigation into whether Clinton had broken the law by using a private, unsecured email server to handle highly classified documents. He interviewed several of the people involved, including Clinton herself.
He was also the person who watered down the language in the statement used by Comey to exonerate Clinton, changing it from "gross negligence" to "extremely careless," which as we noted in this space was critical to Comey's claim that Clinton didn't break any laws.
Remember, too, that when Strzok was busy airbrushing Clinton's email crimes, he would have known that, had the FBI done the right thing and indicted her for putting national security at risk, it would have crushed her campaign, and helped elect the man Strzok clearly felt should never be president.
Strzok and Page were also deeply involved in the FBI's investigation into alleged Russia meddling, which started almost immediately after Comey let Clinton off the hook, and was sparked by a dodgy Clinton-financed "dossier." In fact, according to CNN, Strzok signed the document making the Russia probe official.
Strzok texted Page saying that while he wanted to believe "that there's no way he gets elected" he was "afraid we can't take that risk," then added cryptically that "it's like an insurance policy." The text doesn't make clear what the "it" was, but does suggest the topic was discussed with the deputy FBI director Andrew McCabe.
In August, Page told Strzok he should stay where he is because "you're meant to protect the country from that menace," meaning Trump. She then sent a link to a David Brooks column in The New York Times which argued that, with Trump, "There comes a time when neutrality and laying low become dishonorable. If you're not in revolt, you're in cahoots." To which Strzok said "of course I'll try to approach it that way … I can protect our country at many levels."
One of the texts also suggests that both knew they should be careful when discussing Clinton. In April 2016, Page texted "you say we text on that phone when we talk about Hillary because it can't be traced."
At the very least, these messages cast still more doubt on both the Clinton email and the Russia investigations, and lend more credence to claims that both were driven primarily by a desire by federal officials to protect Clinton's election chances, and hurt Trump in any way possible.
Senator Carper must resign for spousal abuse and lying.
Delaware senator Tom Carper admitted to slapping his wife in a 1998 interview with a veteran political journalist in the state, confirming an accusation he denied when first running for Congress.
Carper represented Delaware first in the House, then was elected governor in 1993, and has been in the Senate since 2001. He fought the accusation that he hit his wife when it first emerged during his 1982 run for Congress, saying it was "without basis in fact" and pledging to sue the New York Post, which first published the accusation in 1982, for libel.
Carper won in 1982 largely by attacking his Republican opponent for his "vicious" efforts to "smear" him and his wife, but 16 years later he admitted to Delaware reporter Celia Cohen that the accusation was true all along.
"Did I slap my wife 20 years ago? Yes," Carper said. "Do I regret it? Yes. Would I do it again? No."
So you believe Putin AND Trump?
At his annual news conference, Vladimir Putin said contacts between the Trump team and Russian officials before last year's election were normal.
He said the US opposition was not treating those who elected Mr Trump with respect.
The Trump campaign is being investigated for collusion with Russia.
US intelligence agencies have concluded that Moscow tried to sway the presidential election in favour of Mr Trump, but Mr Putin denies the allegations.
"It's all invented by those in opposition to Trump to make his work seem illegitimate," Mr Putin said, when asked about the investigation.
Thank you American con-servatives. Very, um, useful, of you.
"Advancement of peace?"
Leftist believe that if we become a nuclear free zone North Korea won't attack us. Cause gun free zones as in Chicago work so well.
OK, I’ll play.
Rightists believe only Rightists are real Americans. They believe white men are persecuted. They believe Putin, and think Trump will make America great.
Rightists believe law enforcement should swear a loyalty oath to Dear Leader and obey his orders to persecute all opposition. Rightists believe liberals and the majority of Americans who disapprove of Orange Leader and the Party of Trump are evil, stupid and hate America. They should wear red stars sewn on their shirts and be put into concentration camps.
See? It can work both ways.
I mock the BS, of course, while Major Hochstetter believes in his lies. That is how fascists work. They dictate and define what others think and believe in order to demonize them.
We see a lot of that in Trumpistan, and in Major Hochstetter’s comments here. Even our kind host will elaborate on what he believes I think. It’s easier than understanding and listening. I get it.
The Cult of Con-servatism is a reality-free zone, where manufactured false beliefs rule, and serve the hate.
For all the self-righteous posturing, no facts have been offered to disprove my positions.
All we hear is, “You lie!”
Nicht Wahr, Herr Major?
"Crazy life" continues:
Republican Sen. John Kennedy of Louisiana questioned Matthew Spencer Petersen, one Trump's nominees for a US District Court judgeship.
"Have you ever tried a jury trial," Kennedy asked Petersen.
"I have not," Petersen replied.
Kennedy: "Civil?"
Petersen: "No."
Kennedy: "Criminal?"
Petersen: "No."
Kennedy: "Bench?"
Petersen: "No."
Kennedy: "State or federal court?"
Petersen: "I have not."
And so on. This is your government on Trump. Any questions?
Dave, As you know, this is what anti-democratic forces do. The best way to prove that a democratic government does not work is to appoint incompetent people to run it. They accomplished that with Trump and the incompetence is now flowing down into the government institutions.
Jerry,
Yes, that incompetence allows the elites free reign over the government. They finally got the government they paid for. It is called corruption, and it rises to the level of a coup.
They know how to divide the masses and conquer a representative democratic republic. Their strategy is to fuel resentments, stoke anger, and even push white victimhood by fascistic demonizing, scapegoating and appeals to nationalism.
No wonder they need to marginalize and demonize the press, liberals, educators, scientists, minorities, Musims, BLM, unions, minorities, and the LGBTQ community.
Fascism and American Con-servatism viciously attack these groups. Their ideology dictates a reactionary intolerance for them. They demand harsh law enforcement and loyalty to the rulers. Now they control more of our media than ever. Sinclair and Murdoch are operating a vast TV propaganda network. Talk radio and internet trolls convey to the ignorant and gullible.
The Constitution is being shredded. Torture is openly advocated. Voting rights are being systematically suppressed. Constitutional taxation and regulation of commerce are the targets of the ruling elites. This is their war on the Constitution and the people, and they are winning. Democracy has been defeated. It really is a coup by power of wealth and propaganda.
Two things are certain. This cannot end well, and liberals will be blamed.
MM: "Leftist believe that if we become a nuclear free zone North Korea won't attack us. "
That's a new one. Let's see how much blowing over this strawman can take.
DD: "For all the self-righteous posturing, no facts have been offered to disprove my positions."
Feels before reals, Mr. Dubya. It's all about the dopamine.
"They believe Putin, and think Trump will make America great."
Believe what about Putin? And under the guidance of Trump America is becoming great again. Something leftist such as yourself can't stand.
Dave have you ever looked into getting treatment for your Dunning - Kruger effect?
LOL
MM quoting Dave — "They believe Putin...”
MM asking question about the quote — “Believe what about Putin?”
MM, I believe you have a cognitive problem. Perhaps you should get treatment.
Actually Jerry in the real adult world it is acceptable to ask a question about a statement like "Believe Putin", with a question 'Believe what about Putin?'.
So maybe with your "superior" cognitive abilities you can grace with what it is they "believe Putin". Is it believe in or about?
Go ahead, we are all waiting for what we are sure will be your brilliant response.
Thank you, MM. You’ve just confirmed my statement.
Jerry,
Major wants more attention. He's that way.
“Believe what about Putin?”
If I may.
Not much gets past Komrade Major. Except for certain little details (that only his subconscious noted).
At his annual news conference, Vladimir Putin said contacts between the Trump team and Russian officials before last year's election were normal.
(Nothing to see here.)
He said the US opposition was not treating those who elected Mr Trump with respect.
(Not fair! Sad!)
The Trump campaign is being investigated for collusion with Russia.
(It’s a witch hunt!)
US intelligence agencies have concluded that Moscow tried to sway the presidential election in favour of Mr Trump, but Mr Putin denies the allegations.
(No puppet, no puppet!)
It's all invented by those in opposition to Trump to make his work seem illegitimate," Mr Putin said, when asked about the investigation.
You see, Jerry? This is either too much for Major, or it was wasn’t worth a glance.
Of course, he can have it both ways too, you know.
And Dave, as you have clearly pointed out, it is not about believing something about Putin. It is believing Putin.
Thanks Comrade Dave, since I don't follow Putin like you do, I didn't know he said those things.
Beautiful photos of Utah. I really like Southern Utah and some parts of it are little known making it even better.
Major Confusion.
Being informed is not the same as "following". BELIEVING is more like following. like what you do for Trump.
You say you don't follow Putin, but you obviously believe Putin.
No go eat your borscht, young man.
Some of your fellow, saner Republicans:
"There's a phrase the Russians use it's called 'useful idiot' ... Vladimir Putin is clearly looking at an American president thinking he has a 'useful idiot'" - @SteveSchmidtSES w/ @NicolleDWallace
And that useful idiot has many true believers. What would that make them, I wonder...
Dear Comrade Dave,
How is it obvious that I "believe Putin" when until you posted his words here, I had never heard them before?
Truly you are suffering from Collusion-Dulusion.
One antidote for your suffering might be to google "FBI Asst. Director in charge of Counterintelligence Bill Priestap".
Or go to this link:
https://theconservativetreehouse.com/2017/12/15/a-curious-case-of-counterintelligence-bill-priestap/#more-143460
The cure may be painful, but necessary if you want to become a reality based adult, "old fashion" American.
"Truly you are suffering from Collusion-Dulusion."
So you definitely agree with Putin.
Thank you Komrad UI. I was correct once again.
Imagine that...
Comrade Dave,
You are not worth the wasting of my time until you tell what us Bill Priestap did.
Sure thing.
Bill Priestap, the FBI’s assistant director of its counterintelligence division, told the Senate Intelligence Committee that Russia had mounted a sophisticated effort to undermine public confidence in the election — and to specifically hurt Hillary Clinton and help Trump.
Now tell me your source of information, please.
"Sundance"? LOL!!!!
Majormajor, it is readily apparent that there are "enlightened" agents within the FBI that are evidently a part of the deep state government who truly hate President Trump. The fact that these biased agents such as Strzok were ever a part of the investigation absolutely erodes the objectivity and credibility of the investigation. Mueller should clean house accordingly. Of course, many of our leftist friends don't care. They want Trump removed by any means necessary... legal, illegal, just, unjust, or otherwise. The ends justifies the means to many leftists.
"I asked, 'I still await your explanation on how Trump’s actions make anything better. How does it advance peace?' Your non-answer is another offering of beliefs." ~ Mr. Dubya
I guess I did not spell everything out absolutely clearly for you, sir. So much for abstraction and nuance. There can never be any peace between the Palestinians and Israel if certain premises... certain truths are not acknowledged by both sides. Some of those truths are that Jerusalem is a part of Israel's territory; Israel will never return to the indefensible borders of 1967 that the Palestinians demand; Israel will never allow the "right of return" of the "displaced" Palestinians and their huge progeny to ever return to Israel as citizens. Both sides know that doing this would put the Palestinians in the majority to simply out-vote Jewish Israelis and to thereby dismantle the Jewish state from within. These premises... these truths are axiomatic to Israel. To refuse to acknowledge this by the Palestinian government creates an immovable road block to ever coming to a peace accord. President Trump did nothing to further erode the chances for peace in the region, as he merely acknowledged the truth of Israel's capital being Jerusalem. The Palestinian government cannot ever move forward to a true lasting peace if they refuse to acknowledge this truth. That said, it is apparent they have no desire for peace. They desire utter capitulation only.
"Only an authoritarian will tell the victims it’s all THEIR fault." ~ Dubya
Only a terrorist apologist will go out of their way to excuse the actions of people that kill innocent people for political gain.
"This is what happens when you mix tribal authoritarians with religion and land grabbing and occupation." ~ Dubya
Sounds to me that you have perfectly encapsulated the Palestinian government here. I wonder if you recognize this?
As for Obama strengthening the terrorist state of Iran, anyone that is an expert on Middle East affairs that is even close to the middle of the political spectrum realizes the dangers created by Obama's agreement with Iran. Frankly, I don't know why Trump has not dissolved that foolish and asinine compact that puts Iran on the path to becoming a nuclear power and destabilizes the region. It is only the anti-colonial/anti-imperialist, Utopian progressives that thinks providing billions of dollars to Iran and allowing them to continue their nuclear "power" program is a good idea. It will become an even worse dilemma than North Korea is today eventually.
As for the remainder of your typical class-warfare, Trump-is-an-authoritarian-racist crap comments, I am not even going to bother going over that with you again for the umpteenth time.
"Jerry, Yes, that incompetence allows the elites free reign over the government. They finally got the government they paid for. It is called corruption, and it rises to the level of a coup." ~ Dubya
Cannot... stop... laughing... The lack of self-awareness and outright hypocrisy is astonishing. The entrenched deep state ELITE progressives in government refuse to listen and follow the chain of command by a duly-democratically elected president and his executive branch officers. We have FBI agents that want to act as "an insurance policy" in case the pure and noble Hillary didn't get elected. They are part of the increasingly dubious investigation into Trump's "Russian collusion" when they should be investigating Hillary's camp and their payed-for dossier, contributions to the now defunct Clinton Foundation, and numerous quid pro quos. The hate for Trump by these corrupt elitists who even govern contrary to the Constitution (i.e. HHS mandate) because they know what is better for us hicks and rubes is nothing short of incredible.
Yes, Trump is a fool and has indeed caused many divisions in our nation, just as Obama intentionally did before him. I know.... my saying that makes me a racist to the far left. Frankly, I no longer care what these anarchists, leftist/fascists, identity politics buffoons think. Many of them truly do hate America. Such is their right, but my calling them out for it doesn't make me the bad guy.
"Feels before reals, Mr. Dubya. It's all about the dopamine." ~ TB3
TB3, did you pull this from DNC talking points? Everything seems to be about feelings with them. It isn't about real results, like with nearly non-existent shovel ready jobs, deals for authoritarian regimes, disastrous Obamacare results, etc. It doesn't matter that their "solutions" are typically abject failures to the problems being addressed. Their intentions are good and it makes them "feel good" to do "something", so the sycophantic media cheers them on accordingly as they go from one blunder to the next.
Rain, thanks for your comment. It is a well-needed breath of fresh air. Southern Utah is truly majestic in God's landscape artistry. Some of the wild and beautiful remote places I have seen are by far the best. I am getting to the point where I am seeking out beauty in places where few people travel. I have yet to be disappointed.
And now back to the salt mines. Majormajor, it would seem that some of our leftist friends think if anyone is right of center, they must be supporters of EVERYTHING Trump says and does and are therefore believers in Putin too. I have yet to figure out the logic of this, but I am sure it makes sense to them... or at least it feels right to them. For the record, I think President Trump has done some very good things thus far. The economy and our national security are already much improved. That said, I loathe his lack of statesmanship, his juvenile tactics, his Twitter usage, and some of his foolish environmental roll backs. I think that Putin and Russia are NOT friends of America and should be treated as adversarial competitors accordingly. I think that the Democrats and Hillary have far more collusion with Putin's Russia than Trump has, and yet Muller's increasingly discredited investigation continues while nothing is being done about Hillary's transgressions. I realize these truths are considered to be our "beliefs" to our leftist friends. I know that these thoughts make me an authoritarian, racist, fascist, homophobe, xenophobe, poor hating person. Of course none of that is true, but it is what some of our leftist friends believe that we believe. For many of them, THAT is a part of their dogmatic faith.
Mr. Paine,
I hate to be unappreciative of your efforts, but you've once again crafted a long-winded bag of nothing. No facts, no evidence.
I repeatedly requested facts from you that disprove my positions. You have not done so. More far Right dogma, bias, and personal beliefs.
"Jerry, Yes, that incompetence allows the elites free reign over the government. They finally got the government they paid for. It is called corruption, and it rises to the level of a coup." ~ Dubya
Cannot... stop... laughing... The lack of self-awareness and outright hypocrisy is astonishing.
Good God. EVERYTHING Trumpists are doing is of, by and for the rich. Your obvious projection and laughter blind you.
Many of them truly do hate America.
And there it is again. Ach, so, Herr Goebbels!
You can stuff that up your tiki torch, Mein Herr.
There can never be any peace between the Palestinians and Israel if certain premises... are present that undermine total Israeli economic, social, political and military dominance. They compromise just like authoritarian Republicans and racist con-servatives.
This is how the authoritarians are doing their best to deny the Palestinians any hope of their capital in East Jerusalem.
Only a gullible Trumpist and fool would think Trump made peace easier.
"I asked, 'I still await your explanation on how Trump’s actions make anything better. How does it advance peace?' Your non-answer is another offering of beliefs." ~ Mr. Dubya
Ditto on the second fact free response. "Truth" you have a lot of gall old buddy. Your "Truth" is meaningless without facts.
Now you've gone "Full Trump".
"I think President Trump has done some very good things thus far. The economy and our national security are already much improved."
"Very fine Nazis" from your Birther in chief, too, amirte?
Good God. You are willfully blind. I'm baffled at how deep seated hatred cannot be behind this ignorance.
"No racist! No racist". Good God, again. Sounds like you and Trump are equally "not racist".
But Dear Leader is so much better than Obama.
Not a peep about the recession Bush left for Obama. Just hate and bitching about a recovery that wasn't quick enough after Republican obstruction.
Obama left Trump a far better economy than Bush left him. There were NO 9-11's on Obama's watch! Obama DID NOT start a war based on lies that SPAWNED ISIS!
Good God. Why do you hate facts?
Sad.
"I think that the Democrats and Hillary have far more collusion with Putin's Russia than Trump has"
No. You FEEL that way, because you no facts to support this propaganda. "Russia, if you're listening".
Good God.
Ignorance is bliss. Now you want a police state of law enforcement loyal to Trump, nothing less.
You and your propagandists have found no procedures violated in the investigation. Mueller has more integrity in his rectum than the entire Trump Cartel. Your beliefs are being twisted to conform to Dear Leader's. But You can't see that. Trump hates liberals, so he's got to be good. Got it.
Once again you fail completely on facts while piling on the cult beliefs.
As Anais Nin noted, "We do not see things as they are, we see things as WE are.”
You see things just as Trump, and Putin, wants you to see them. Your ideology is killing our country. Thank you, Putin. Thank you, Trump. Thank you Republicans. Thank you, Murdoch. Thank you,Breitbart. Thank every last damn liar, rube, dupe, and fool.
I'm starting to wonder if you have a tiki torch in your garage. Dear Leader thinks you're "Very fine" if you do.
And I KNOW you believe him.
"Feels before reals, Mr. Dubya. It's all about the dopamine." ~ TB3
TB3, did you pull this from DNC talking points? Everything seems to be about feelings with them
He was noting this about YOU and Major. Your fear of liberals and anger betrays this fact.
"Only an authoritarian will tell the victims it’s all THEIR fault." ~ Dubya
Only a terrorist apologist will go out of their way to excuse the actions of people that kill innocent people for political gain.
"This is what happens when you mix tribal authoritarians with religion and land grabbing and occupation." ~ Dubya
Sounds to me that you have perfectly encapsulated the Palestinian government here. I wonder if you recognize this?
Right. I'm now a "terrorist apologist" who "hates America".
You sound exactly like a tiki torch guy now. How tribal.
Be proud, my friend. White cons have given us Trump. Your time is come.
Sad.
“It is only the anti-colonial/anti-imperialist, Utopian progressives”
I bet it really FEELS good to say that!
LOL! I love this one! The Founders were “anti-colonial/anti-imperialist”.
Now you may go back to your colonial imperialist mindset.
Mr. Paine,
Don't waste anymore of your time this weekend on Comrade Dave, he's here only here because of his need to deflect from the VERY partisan Mueller investigation being a nothing burger.
Must be his weekend off at the MI Corrections Center.
"Spread 'em inmate!" Right Dave?
"I have yet to figure out the logic of this"
Well Mr.Paine, just remember that you are dealing with a extreme leftist who follows the 12 Rules from Comrade Alinsky while claiming to be an American with old fashion values.
In a pigs eye.
Major Hochstetter,
I bet it really FEELS good to say that!
LOL!
TP — “The fact that these biased agents such as Strzok were ever a part of the investigation absolutely erodes the objectivity and credibility of the investigation. Mueller should clean house accordingly.”
I assume you believe the same way for any agent who supports Trump. Bias does go both ways, you know. Why are you not calling for all agents to be part of “cleaning house”?
It appears that you believe that agents should not have personal beliefs, should not express personal beliefs away from the job, and cannot set aside personal beliefs when doing their job.
I find that somewhat puzzling. I was called to Jury Duty a few weeks ago, and got questioned for inclusion on a drunk driving trial. Drunk driving is an emotional issue and no one questioned supported drunk driving. Time and time again, the judge asked, “Can you put aside your personal feelings and give an unbiased evaluation of the facts presented in this case in coming to a verdict.”
Is it your belief that FBI agents, who are well trained to do their job, are not as able to put aside their personal feelings as the average citizen on a jury trial?
Jerry,
Got any texts from the pro Trump FBI agents on the Mueller team you'd like to share with us?
Comey was also a registered REPUBLICAN for most of his life!
Good God, you are fanatics.
Things that Prison Guards hate...
1) Inmates who don't flush after eating chili for lunch.
lol
"TB3, did you pull this from DNC talking points? Everything seems to be about feelings with them. It isn't about real results, like with nearly non-existent shovel ready jobs, deals for authoritarian regimes, disastrous Obamacare results, etc. It doesn't matter that their "solutions" are typically abject failures to the problems being addressed. Their intentions are good and it makes them "feel good" to do "something", so the sycophantic media cheers them on accordingly as they go from one blunder to the next."
I was not referencing any talking points. I was pointing out your arguements often devolve to something you feel should be right, not what is actually right.
"Shovel ready jobs" - It's Obama's fault that he couldn't slice through local government bureaucracy from hundreds of different local municipalities. Gotcha. I know it sucks that in a country that was recovering from a Republican Financial crisis that the Democrat couldn't get those local jobs going faster. Maybe if, instead, he shoved all that money to Job Corp or the Army Corps of Engineers they would have been done sooner/faster, but no, we kind of need to respect our local governments. Apparently offering money to local municipalities to use it for much needed infrastructure improvements is a 'feel good' policy.
"Obamacare Results" - Cause some people lost their crap, won't cover anything worthwhile insurance? Or is the failure that we couldn't get the public option plan that would have had a downward pressure on prices in the market place? The comparatively few anectdotal situations where people had to pay more. The concept of community and society is lost on some people. Apparently getting more people medically insured and encourage regular medical attention to discourage only going to the doctor/hospital during a crisis is a 'feel good' policy. Despite the fact the policy itself had its genesis with a Conservative Think Tank.
"Deals with Authoritative Regimes" - You have absolutely no idea what you're talking about. Is this a reference to Iran? 'Cause this isn't unique, ever, in our entire history. There was an entire Cold War that I am certain you, T. Paine, are keenly aware of. During the fifty years that went on, we didn't NOT talk to the USSR. Numerous, important deals were struck with them. More current example? China's not a bastion of freedom. Turkey. Egypt. Saudia Arabia. Apparently trying to stop an antagonist regime from developing and building nuclear weapons that they would use on the US and US Allies is a 'feel good' policy.
Feels before reals, T.Paine.
Oh, and I'm sorry, I wanted to comment on the pictures from your trip. It looks like you had a fantastic time. Terrific, awe-inspiring pictures. I've taken note; November is the time to visit if I want to avoid crowds! :)
Isn't socialism wonderful. It would be so wonderful if we had their socialism here.
Sweden Forced to Raise Retirement Age To Pay For Mass Immigration Policy.
The increasing costs of population growth in Sweden, driven almost entirely mass migration, have forced the government to seriously consider raising the national retirement age to pay for the additional costs.
Swedish Socialist party Finance Minister Magdalena Andersson announced that the retirement age would likely be raised in the near future in order to offset increased welfare costs, Swedish newspaper Expressen reports.
If only we had open borders like the Leftist want us to have, we too could work longer to be able to retire..
TB3,
Thank you for adding your rational, fact based points.
I should add I totally agree with Mr. Paine's points on sexual harassment. I wish he'd admit Trump is a prime example, but I'm afraid he believes a few too many of Trump's lies. It has been established it FEELS good to believe the best about Republicans and the worst about their opponents.
While Major Hochstetter is feeling a tingle up his leg about Sweden raising the retirement age, his Party that destroyed unions and pensions tells Americans, “Work until you DIE! Now shut up and hand over that tip money!”
Screw the little guy, part 6.934.
The Trump Department of Labor, backed by the National Restaurant Association, is moving quickly to push a new rule that will make tips the property of employers rather than workers.
How do they sleep? Con-servatives and sociopaths have no conscience, and no awareness or concern for of the plight of others, so that makes it easy.
It’s not enough they give their rich friends our national resources and free rein to pollute. It’s not enough that the Orange Fuhrer loves brutal law enforcement, but not for his tribe, for the little people, minorities and those who dissent.
Now the hypocrites are giving themselves and their cronies huge tax cuts, that prove adding over a trillion to the debt IOKIYAR.
Con-servatives can always be trusted for one thing. That is showing Orwell’s totalitarian party of 1984 understood “Ignorance is strength”.
“Ignorance is strength” may as well be a Republican slogan from now on. They have certainly employed the Orwellian “Two Minute Hate” with Pizza-gate and “Lock her up!”. The hate is clear in every other damn lie and false accusation they throw at all who dissent from their one-party dictatorship. All so the rich get richer and take greater control our government.
When health care costs rise because of the Party of Trump, and it will, they will blame liberals for the disaster of “Trumpcare”.
Any bets on this?
It needs to be stated. The Party of theft, greed and sex molesters is EVIL. Those who support it are either avaricious, willfully ignorant, racist, stupid, fools, dupes, or authoritarian true believers.
Take your pick. There’s nothing great about any of them.
Mr. Dubya, truly you once again seem to project your own short comings onto others that do not share your political view points. You project and demonize while claiming others are the one's doing so by pointing out facts. I give you the following as examples of your unsubstantiated and often inaccurate feelings as evidence:
1. "EVERYTHING Trumpists are doing is of, by and for the rich." ~ Dubya
(I have already explained with concrete examples how the child credits, marginal rates, and even corporate taxes especially for Mom & Pop businesses will help the middle class. Unless you count anyone that is not fully dependent upon government for their livelihood as rich, this fallacy is nothing more than "feelings" and talking points, sir.)
2. "Many of them truly do hate America." ~ T.P. followed by D.D with "And there it is again. Ach, so, Herr Goebbels!
You can stuff that up your tiki torch, Mein Herr."
( I am not saying "ALL" leftists hate their country, but when I provide examples in the past of these misguided folks talking about our racist, homophobic, sexist, xenophobic, poor-hating white guys, well hell yes I wouldn't want to live in a country like that either. The truth of the matter is that a overwhelmingly vast majority of Americans still care about others and don't act like this; however, some leftists would have us believe we are living in a police state where only the rich and the white are free. Everything this country has achieved and stands for are targets for derision by these folks. It is crap and yes, they do indeed hate America. You claim you are not someone who hates America and I take your word for that, but many of these anti-fa and other groups absolutely do.)
3. "This is how the authoritarians are doing their best to deny the Palestinians any hope of their capital in East Jerusalem." ~ Dubya
( FACT: It is not their city to have. It is part of Israel and within their boundaries. It has long served as their capital. Further, if East Jerusalem were to be given to the Palestinians, do you suppose in this new-found "peace" the Palestinian government would allow Jews to go and worship at the wailing wall at what is left of Solomon's temple? It is one of the most holy places in all of Judaism, but I bet Jews would be banned from the area if this were to happen. Indeed if the dome of the rock wasn't built on that foundation, I bet the Palestinian government would tear down the remainder of the wall out of sheer hate.)
4. "Only a gullible Trumpist and fool would think Trump made peace easier." ~ Dubya ( I don't know if easier is the right word here, but he made it more possible in the long term by recognizing FACTS! The status quo does not advance peace or make its prospects easier let alone even remotely likely.)
5. "I think President Trump has done some very good things thus far. The economy and our national security are already much improved." ~ T. Paine followed by Dubya "Good God. You are willfully blind. I'm baffled at how deep seated hatred cannot be behind this ignorance."
( Sigh. Facts are that unemployment has improved. The stock market has taken off. Companies' production is ramping up again and we have had several months of economic growth greater than 3%. Obama never had a single month above that number in eight years. This has NOTHING to do with race to anybody but you. It is a recitation of facts.)
6. "Not a peep about the recession Bush left for Obama. Just hate and bitching about a recovery that wasn't quick enough after Republican obstruction. Obama left Trump a far better economy than Bush left him. There were NO 9-11's on Obama's watch! Obama DID NOT start a war based on lies that SPAWNED ISIS! Good God. Why do you hate facts?" ~ Dubya
(Bush did leave a mess for Obama. The initial cause of that recession was caused by 9/11, if you will recall. The continuation of it was because of the progressive government spending Bush did under his watch while creating new entitlements like Medicare D. Obama continued the government bail-outs with everything from cash-for-clunkers, to funding non-existent shovel ready jobs and doubling the national debt. His appeasement of terrorist regimes and dangerous foreign policy decisions are what spawned ISIS, something which Trump has already decimated them in numbers in his first year in office. Those are facts, not the talking points you try to pass off as "facts", sir.)
"I think that the Democrats and Hillary have far more collusion with Putin's Russia than Trump has"
~ T. Paine followed by Dubya "No. You FEEL that way, because you no facts to support this propaganda. 'Russia, if you're listening'. Good God. Ignorance is bliss. Now you want a police state of law enforcement loyal to Trump, nothing less."
Really? Lets start with the disturbing amount of "donations" given to the Clinton Foundation by Russia and their proxies, especially those with business before the U.S. Government. (A now defunct organization now that Hillary was not elected; coincidence, I wonder?) Let's continue with the next fact of Hillary's paid for fabricated dossier with help from the Russians. Those things are not opinion. They actually happened. If the best evidence that you have for Trump's collusion is a throw-away sarcastic line in front of millions of Americans, then you are not anywhere near as smart as I gave you credit.
"You see things just as Trump, and Putin, wants you to see them. Your ideology is killing our country. Thank you, Putin. Thank you, Trump. Thank you Republicans. Thank you, Murdoch. Thank you,Breitbart. Thank every last damn liar, rube, dupe, and fool." ~ Dubya
Did that feel good, Dave? The truth is that in some matters of economics and foreign policy, I do see things the way Trump does. On others I am absolutely opposed to him. Your desperate attempts to tie Trump to Putin are without substance. If evidence comes back that there was illegal collusion with Russia by Trump, I'll stand right beside you in calling for his impeachment. Until then, I will criticize him when it is called for and give him kudos when he does something good, just as I did for Obama, Bush, and Clinton. I have nothing but distrust and distaste for Russia and Trump. They are not America's friend. I am not the one wanting an expansion of government to control our lives. I am the one wanting a limited government and for them to follow the damned constitution and leave me the hell alone. How that "fact" of yours translates to me wanting a Trumpist police state must be your attempt at jumping the shark.
TP — “The fact that these biased agents such as Strzok were ever a part of the investigation absolutely erodes the objectivity and credibility of the investigation. Mueller should clean house accordingly.”
Mr. Critter - "I assume you believe the same way for any agent who supports Trump. Bias does go both ways, you know. Why are you not calling for all agents to be part of 'cleaning house'? It appears that you believe that agents should not have personal beliefs, should not express personal beliefs away from the job, and cannot set aside personal beliefs when doing their job."
Not at all, Jerry. I think there are many professionals in the FBI that may not like Trump but are still objective and can do their job well. I think when folks like Strzok though claim over myriads of texts about his abject hate of Trump and him desiring to act as an "insurance policy" should Hillary not win strikes me as someone that has lost any objectivity and should not be a part of the investigation. Wouldn't you agree, sir? Further, if there are agents that are so militantly pro-Trump as to ignore damning evidence, then they too should be gotten rid of from the investigation, of course.
"Mueller is a REPUBLICAN! " ~ Dave Dubya
So what? He also knew, along with Comey, about the exoneration letter of Hillary before the investigation on her was even complete. Mueller and Comey also knew about the bribery, money-laundering, and racketeering done by Russia and their proxies regarding American uranium before the Uranium One scandal ever even started, and yet he evidently did not take that information into account when Hillary, Obama, and team approved the sale of 1/5th of our reserves to Russia. Sure seems like Mr. "Integrity-in-his-rectum" has some inconsistent behaviors for an "objective" special counsel, wouldn't you agree? ... Of course not... I forget... lynch Trump and every conservative by any means possible, right? After all, "our conservative ideology is ruining this country" for good progressives everywhere seeking additional government handouts.
"They want him above the law. They are demanding a loyal police state in service to Dear Leader. "Justice" is what they want to employ to punish dissent and political opposition." ~ Dubya
Really? Please provide evidence when I have ever even intimated at that. If you will recall, I just told you that I would stand by you in demanding Trump's impeachment if evidence of criminal activity is found. And it has typically been the left that wants no dissent and a loyal police state in the governing of their "Utopia" because they couldn't foist it on Americans otherwise.
"You hate in his name. You lie in his name. You attack his opponents in his name. For that, you shall reap dishonor for supporting the WORST and most DANGEROUS and IGNORANT president ever. When it is proven Trump owes money to Russia and favors to Putin, and he obstructed justice to hide this, you will deny it as 'fake news'." ~ Dubya
Easy there big guy! Take a deep breath before you blow a blood vessel. Sometime those rants probably really aren't very therapeutic for you, Dave. So much for not demonizing, projecting, and hating there, Dave! I really don't recall when I hated, lied, or attacked Trump's opponents in his name. Please provide examples, because frankly I really am not emotionally invested in Trump one way or the other. He is absolutely better than Obama, but he is still an arrogant buffoon.
It is not a fact unless DD says it is.
Leftist 1.1
"It's Obama's fault that he couldn't slice through local government bureaucracy from hundreds of different local municipalities. Gotcha. I know it sucks that in a country that was recovering from a Republican Financial crisis that the Democrat couldn't get those local jobs going faster." ~ TB3
Well, sir, I could suggest that we go ahead and make it official like some militant leftists want according to some nut job's article I read not too long ago and simply dissolve any state and local borders so that everything is administered from a centralized beneficent government in Washington D.C. This would be very good, because then us hicks and rubes in fly over country that don't live on the liberal coasts could be governed in a way that is best for us. Indeed, if we got rid of state boundaries, it would pretty much remove the ability of that damned electoral college that keeps screwing up Leftists too. Oh, and that "Republican Financial crisis" did start because of a world-economy affecting terrorist attack on 9/11/2001. I will stipulate that Bush hosed it up worse though with his progressive spending policies that then-Senator Obama correctly criticized as "irresponsible" and "unpatriotic" before he got into office and then doubled the national debt.
As for Obamacare, how is a "public plan" going to cause downward pressure on market prices, my friend? Government controls do not lower prices, unless they are highly subsidized with unsustainable infusions of tax payer dollars, sir. And I would whole-heartedly dispute your characterization of "anecdotal situations" where people had to pay more. Indeed, we were promised by President Obama that the average family would see a reduction of $2500 a year in health care premiums. The actual numbers for middle class Americans was a $2500 a year INCREASE in costs, and that includes my family as "anecdotal" evidence of this travesty. I think there are far better and cheaper ways to insure those that want it, sir, and frankly I could care less where the idea for this policy first came from as it was foolish, not market-oriented, and caused costs to rise and care to go down accordingly. Obamacare exchanges for the poorer folks and those without insurance are becoming harder and harder to come by as this disastrous plan collapses under its own incompetence.
Next, "Deals with Authoritative Regimes" was absolutely a reference to Iran and the fool-hearty agreement to give billions of dollars and allow them to continue to with their nuclear program for "power" purposes even though they are floating on a sea of oil. I was not advocating not talking with our enemies and adversaries, as per your Cold War example; however, I don't think we need to provide them with the means and cover to undermine national security and that of our allies. If you think that this agreement stops Iran from building nuclear weapons, then you haven't been paying attention to the details, sir. Indeed, Saudi Arabia and other nations in the Middle East are wanting nuclear arms as a counter balance to what will be Iranian hegemony once their "power" program reaches fruition. The ONLY silver lining of this is that a few Islamic countries have even reached out in cooperation with Israel out of fear of the rising Shia' terrorist regime of Iran. Do you think it was a "feel good" policy to give money and cover to the leading state sponsor of terrorism in the world, as was even defined by Obama's own State department, sir?
Finally, I am not sure where you live, TB3, but there are five national parks in the southern part of the state of Utah. All of them are beautiful and unique in their own ways. Some, like Zion NP are very crowded most of the time. I definitely would recommend late October or early November to visit, or perhaps early spring. You will indeed be inspired by the majesty of these beautiful places, my friend! Cheers!
Majormajor, your report on Sweden having to raise retirement ages to pay for their socialist policies only goes to prove Margaret Thatcher was indeed correct, "The only problem with socialism is that eventually you run out of other people's money."
Mr. Paine,
Thank you for your efforts to clarify.
He (Trump) is absolutely better than Obama, but he is still an arrogant buffoon. You have NEVER called Trump dishonest, that I have seen.
Have you ever noticed Trump LIES every day? Just wondering when Obama did that. He must have lied dozens of times a day to be less honest than Trump, who you regard as “absolutely better”. Whatcha got on that comparison? Just believe?
The economy and our national security are already much improved ..yes it was, AFTER Bush, UNDER Obama. YOU ignore this all the time. You act like Trump did it all himself. That is deceptive and dishonest. Your selective” facts” always need clarifying in this way.
Note how this explanation must ignore Facts are that unemployment has improved. Once again, yes it has, AFTER Bush, UNDER Obama. You continue your deceptions, sir. Why? No wonder it appears you hate Obama. You act like Trump did it all himself. That is deceptive and dishonest.
The stock market has taken off. Companies' production is ramping up again... Once again, yes it has, AFTER Bush, UNDER Obama. You continue your deceptions, sir. Why? No wonder it appears you hate Obama. You act like Trump did it all himself. That is deceptive and dishonest.
and we have had several months of economic growth greater than 3%. Obama never had a single month above that number in eight years. As I said, Trump started off on third base and you act like he hit a home run. You act like Trump did it all himself. That is deceptive and dishonest.
I can admit some of the tax cuts (slated to expire) will go to the middle class. But the vast share (NOT slated to expire) go to those who need it least. Then there’s the debt hypocrisy I previously addressed. Trickle Down Voodoo has never worked. Believing won’t make it so. Healthcare costs under Trumpcare will skyrocket compared to Obamacare. Mark my words, buddy.
His appeasement of terrorist regimes and dangerous foreign policy decisions are what spawned ISIS, BS!. Blaming the Black guy for ISIS that formed during Bush’s war is getting tiring. You obviously have no clue when or how ISIS was formed.
And here it is again. You act like Trump did it all himself. That is deceptive and dishonest.
something which Trump has already decimated them in numbers in his first year in office. Those are facts, not the talking points you try to pass off as "facts", sir.)
ISIS, formed under Bush, was already in retreat when Obama left office. You act like Trump did it all himself. That is deceptive and dishonest.
From March, 2016:
In Syria and Iraq, the Islamic State is in retreat on multiple fronts
As European governments scramble to contain the expanding terrorist threat posed by the Islamic State, on the battlefield in Iraq and Syria the group is a rapidly diminishing force.
In the latest setbacks for the militants on Thursday, Syrian government troops entered the outskirts of the historic town of Palmyra after a weeks-old offensive aided by Russian airstrikes, and U.S. airstrikes helped Iraqi forces overrun a string of Islamic State villages in northern Iraq that had been threatening a U.S. base nearby.
These are just two of the many fronts in both countries where the militants are being squeezed, stretched and pushed back. ¬Nowhere are they on the attack. They have not embarked on a successful offensive in nearly nine months. Their leaders are dying in U.S. strikes at the rate of one every three days, inhibiting their ability to launch attacks, according to U.S. military officials.
Front-line commanders no longer speak of a scarily formidable foe but of Islamic State defenses that crumble within days and fighters who flee at the first sign they are under attack.
Kindly note, this was BEFORE Trump took office.
Once again, you act like Trump did it all himself. That is deceptive and dishonest. Your inability to give Obama any credit just shows your bias, if not outright ideological fanaticism. Maybe you need to reflect on this. It really, really looks like hate...or simple ignorance.
Here are more facts:
ISIS was organizing for years before Obama took office. Bush left thousands of Sunni military men stripped of power and unemployed. Before ISIS Bush’s invasion spawned al-Qaeda in Mesopotamia, drawing in jihadists from all corners. Bush’s war fed the ranks of ISIS. Your cult dogma can lie all it wants, but these are the facts.
Roots of ISIS.
The roots of ISIS go back to Oct. 15, 2006, when what is known as the Islamic State of Iraq (ISI) was established. That groups was formed by uniting several groups, most notably al-Qaeda in Mesopotamia, led by Abu Musab al-Zarqawi, the Mujahedeen Shura Council in Iraq, and Jund al-Sahhaba [Soldiers of the Prophet’s Companions].
So there are the facts.
I just told you that I would stand by you in demanding Trump's impeachment if evidence of criminal activity is found.
These words say one thing, but your other words are dedicated to discrediting Mueller to shut down the investigation.
You wonder...Dave! I really don't recall when I hated, lied, or attacked Trump's opponents in his name
Have a look:
Attacking Mueller and attempting to discredit him is doing just that. “Lock her up!” is just that. Denying Trump’s deals and ties and LIES about Russia is just that. What happened to the GOP platform on Russia at the convention? Any idea at all? Look it up.
"Mueller is a REPUBLICAN! " ~ Dave Dubya
“So what? He also knew...., Yadda yadda, Republicans, Breitbart, FOX, Limbaugh said so! “
Comey unwisely DRAFTED the letter under pressure from Lynch, he DIDN’T release it. He drafted it knowing there were NO charges and NO evidence of a crime.
And how do you know what and when Mueller knew anything, pray tell? And, so what? That has nothing to do with the case they are working on and nothing has been shown to be improper in their investigation.
You are attempting to undermine Mueller, therefore the investigation. Just like your Party of Trump. Tell you what, how about we put a Democrat in charge? Ha.
Long ago I asked you to tell me what crime Hillary committed. STILL no answer. Just “Lock her up!” That is fascism. Now I ask the same of Mueller. What has he done that is illegal? Trump ASKED the Russians to hack democrats! Don Jr. SAID they got money from Russia!!! They all LIED about contacts with Russians. Dammit! What is wrong with you?
Have you noticed the major difference in our disagreements? I back my points with facts and evidence. Yours are based on feeling, beliefs and far Right propaganda.
If what you say is not deceptive and dishonest, ignorance is the only other possible explanation. Open minds are better than closed minds. Try it.
So, Mr. Paine. Please tell us how your retirement age compares to Sweden? Major certainly will not. His Party is doing everything to assure most Americans work until they die.
Will that make America great, or what?
"Now the hypocrites are giving themselves and their cronies huge tax cuts, that prove adding over a trillion to the debt IOKIYAR." ~ Dubya
This is funny considering that first, it is a lie that this only helps the rich which Dave keeps ignoring as it doesn't fit his agenda, and second, that some leftists now all of a sudden give a damn about our national debt. (with my apologies to the few that truly cared about it BEFORE this tax reform.)
"It needs to be stated. The Party of theft, greed and sex molesters is EVIL. Those who support it are either avaricious, willfully ignorant, racist, stupid, fools, dupes, or authoritarian true believers." ~ Dubya
Then stop voting for those Democrats if you don't agree with their "qualities" Dave. :) (Oh, and by the way, there are a few Republicans that also fit that bill.)
Mr. Paine,
We agree neither party has a monopoly on evil. I think. While of course most individuals within the parties are not evil, both major both parties have perpetrated evil. The evil is measured in the death, suffering, and privations of those suffering the consequences of the dirty business they often do in the name of the people.
It's been truly entertaining to watch Mr. Paine sidestep the main objection to the new Trump tax bill. He refuses to concede that it very obviously is a massive giveaway to the moneyed and the well-to-do in the prevailing corporatocracy.
But then, Mr. Paine refuses to acknowledge the existence of the American corporatocracy, so we're never discussing anything from a common baseline -- except maybe agreement on the illustriousness of the ancient petroglyphs he came across in southern Utah.
Speaking of...Trump, by signing two presidential proclamations recently, shrunk the size of Bears Ears National Monument by more than 80% and Grand Staircase-Escalante National Monument by roughly 45%, fundamentally reshaping the two large national monuments. Of course these areas will now be open to the extraction industries to pollute and destroy at will. So much for preserving ancient cultural sites and native lands.
Mr. Paine, I guess your trip was prompted by the Idiot-in-Chief's proclivity for doing the wrong thing at the wrong time. I understand...see it while you still have the chance.
JG,
The far Right indoctrination has their followers believing that adding a trillion dollars of debt so the rich get richer is better than a trillion spent on infrastructure. That is exactly what their priorities are. They eagerly drink the trickle down, voodoo economics koolade.
Mr. Paine is correct that some cuts would go to the middle class. They are slated to expire while the giveaways to the elites will not. A mere 10% of the temporary cuts go to the millions from the middle class. Guess what tiny minority makes out like bandits with 90%?
It’s maddening to informed people of common sense. Most Americans know the deal is a giveaway, or more accurately, the elites TAKING from what was intended for the public good. Most Americans oppose it. To borrow from the whiners on the Right, it is being “rammed down our throats” against our wishes.
The servants of mammon love their Party of Trump and their devoted true believers. Their “free speech” bribes are paying off
Here’s my allegory. “Republican Jesus” embraces the money changers, reveres the rich, and wants them to be richer. Greater income inequality, rising costs of healthcare, and cuts in benefits for the poor are what many “good Christians” are welcoming with open arms. Not most of them, just enough true believers in the “values” of mammon-serving Republican Jesus.
Yes, their disconnect is wide enough for a camel to pass through, and their comprehension is small enough to pass through an eye of a needle.
"You have NEVER called Trump dishonest, that I have seen." ~ Dubya
Well, I have done so on several occasions. He is not always truthful. What is really foolish about him is that many of his lies are about stupid or inconsequential things to the American public. It undermines his credibility on larger, more important issues frankly. It is the reason why I am very guarded in my trust towards him.
That said, on most of Trump's economic and foreign policies, he is indeed "absolutely better" than Obama was. Our economy likely would have grown at 4% had it not been for the hurricanes this year. Our foreign policy has let our enemies and our allies know that we would no longer be "leading from behind" as we have truly decimated ISIS under Trump by treating this as a war and acknowledging the Islamic terrorist ideology behind them instead of just "managing the problem" with drone strikes and special forces ops on occasion, while trying to ignore the terrorist mentality of ISIS and thinking that "we could win them over if they just had jobs."
The economy did improve under Obama... marginally... and almost in spite of him. That is not dishonest. GDP grew to 3.3% this year; a feat that Obama never saw with GDP. Household wealth jumped by $1.7 trillion to a record $96.2 trillion, and almost 1.4 million Americans dropped off the food stamp rolls since January, when Trump took office.
The unemployment rate fell to 4.1 percent for November, the lowest since President Bill Clinton 17 years ago. The stock market performed well during the Obama administration, but hit new records under Trump. The Dow Jones Industrial Average is up over 32 percent since Election Day 2016. On Nov. 30, the Dow closed at over 24,000 points for the first time. The Conference Board’s Consumer Confidence Index rose for the fifth month in a row in November, to a 17-year high of 129.5. The Bloomberg Consumer Comfort Index reached a 16-year high. These facts are not all attributable to a continuation from Obama's tenure. Indeed the delineation in the improvements is very markedly noted as starting with the beginning of the Trump administration. I don't think you are being dishonest in your views on this; just simply wrong again, sir.
"His appeasement of terrorist regimes and dangerous foreign policy decisions are what spawned ISIS" ~ T. Paine
"BS!. Blaming the Black guy for ISIS that formed during Bush’s war is getting tiring. You obviously have no clue when or how ISIS was formed." ~ Dubya
“We have been told by the last administration that ISIS is a generational threat … [that] our children, our grandchildren will be fighting ISIS jihadis decades from now,” Sebastian Gorka, former advisor to President Trump said. “Well, I guess the Trump administration has defined generations to last just a few months.” While President Barack Obama called ISIS a “J.V. team” in a January 2014 interview, Gorka said Trump and his administration did what the Obama administration said would take years. “There is no ISIS caliphate any longer,” Gorka said. “We have liberated Mosul, we have have taken back Raqqa, the operational headquarters of ISIS, and just three weeks ago, the last ISIS stronghold in Syria has fallen as well.”
Obama knew where ISIS headquarters was is Raqqa but refused to engage it militarily. It was the French that bombed it after ISIS attacks in Paris. Obama was not prosecuting this as a war. Trump has along with Mattis. That is the main difference, my friend, so yes I lay blame on Obama, even though he is a "black guy". For some reason that description seems to matter a lot to you. It sure doesn't make any difference to me.
"Mr. Paine, We agree neither party has a monopoly on evil. I think. While of course most individuals within the parties are not evil, both major both parties have perpetrated evil. The evil is measured in the death, suffering, and privations of those suffering the consequences of the dirty business they often do in the name of the people." ~ Mr. Dubya
Well said, my friend. I whole-heartedly agree with you on this, sir!
JG, I guess your desire to hate the rich in a continuing class warfare game blinds you to all of the good benefits to the majority of Americans that this new tax reform bill will produce. The fact that corporate tax rates are lowered, even though it helps mom & pop businesses, really seems to grate on you, sir. Can you truly not see the benefits of our making America more competitive and bringing back jobs by doing this? There are many large companies that are coming back to America or are going to invest huge amounts of money because of this tax reform. This will create a lot of good jobs accordingly. A few examples are:
1. Foxconn Technology Group announced it was investing $10 billion in Wisconsin to build a factory that will employ 3,000 workers. The company predicted it will benefit another 22,000 workers indirectly.
2. Corning Inc. announced during a White House ceremony with Trump that it was investing $500 million in new U.S. production, creating 1,000 jobs.
3. Broadcom Limited announced at another White House ceremony its plan to move headquarters back to the United States, bringing $20 billion in annual revenue.
4. My own company of AT&T has said that if this tax reform is passed, they will invest $1 billion creating 7000 new high paying jobs.
Please tell me how this is not a good thing, simply from a corporate tax standpoint, for the average American worker?
As for Trump's proclamations shrinking Bear's Ears and the Grand Staircase-Escalante, I largely find myself in agreement with you. I think President Obama over-reacted in area protected when he created the Bear's Ears national monument, as the area protected far exceeded the amount needed and required by the antiquities act to protect the native American's archaeological sites here. That said, I would have preferred that we err on the side of caution and could live with that. I saw no reason at all for Trump to shrink the Grand Staircase. Indeed I protested against this here. Good that we can find some common cause, sir.
It's the fault of the rich that 911 was an inside job.
Blame the rich for man caused global warming.
The reason we have poor is because of the rich.
But don't forget the rich are paying for the welfare state that Leftist live for.
TP — “My own company of AT&T has said that if this tax reform is passed, they will invest $1 billion creating 7000 new high paying jobs.”
Interesting that you bring up this statement by the CEO of AT&T, probably one of the corporations that “needs” tax cuts the least.
Here is an excerpt from the reference listed below:
According to the Institute on Taxation and Economic Policy, AT&T enjoyed an effective tax rate of just 8 percent between 2008 and 2015, despite recording a profit in the United States each year, by exploiting tax breaks and loopholes. (The company argues that it pays significant taxes, at a rate close to 34 percent in recent years, but that includes deferred taxes and state and local levies.)
Despite the enormous savings AT&T has realized, the company has been downsizing. Although it hires thousands of people a year, the company, by our analysis at the Institute for Policy Studies, reduced its total work force by nearly 80,000 jobs between 2008 and 2016, accounting for acquisitions and spinoffs each involving more than 2,000 workers.
(https://www.nytimes.com/2017/08/30/opinion/corporate-tax-cuts-jobs.html)
And in fact AT&T had over $38 BILLION in tax subsidies between 2008 and 2015.
(https://itep.org/wp-content/uploads/35percentfullreport.pdf)
The pictographs say, "We were here before you! Your claim to our land is specious!" ;-)
Mr. Paine,
Thank you for your kind review of the discussion.
What is really foolish about him is that many of his lies are about stupid or inconsequential things to the American public. It undermines his credibility on larger, more important issues frankly. It is the reason why I am very guarded in my trust towards him.
This is partially reassuring. I have to wonder how you respect Trump’s credibility on the larger issues. Is the “arrogant buffoon” always honest and correct on the important issues? That would be amazing in itself.
If you think Trump only lies about inconsequential matters, you are deluding yourself. Hints: “Russia is fake news”. “I’m the only one who can fix everything”.
Just a sample of Trump’s lies From Politifact:
“The tax plan will cost me a fortune”. "Hillary Clinton lied many times to the FBI." "China will be allowed to build hundreds of additional coal plants. So we can’t build the plants, but they can, according to this (Paris) agreement." "The NSA and FBI tell Congress that Russia did not influence electoral process." "The murder rate in our country is the highest it’s been in 47 years." Americans don't "care at all" about Donald Trump's tax returns. "The NY times sent a letter to their subscribers apologizing for their BAD coverage of me." The media "never show crowds." The stories from women saying he groped or forced himself on them "largely have been debunked." Says after Hillary Clinton helped a man accused of raping a 12-year-old, "she's seen laughing on two separate occasions, laughing at the girl who was raped." "NATO is opening up a major terror division. ... I'm sure I'm not going to get credit for it, but that was largely because of what I was saying and my criticism of NATO." Says top Clinton advisers "were pressing" birther movement stories "very hard." "I released the most extensive financial review of anybody in the history of politics. … You don't learn much in a tax return." "The Obama-Clinton war on coal has cost Michigan over 50,000 jobs." Says Hillary Clinton "wants to essentially abolish the Second Amendment." "Hillary Clinton invented ISIS with her stupid policies. She is responsible for ISIS." "We're the highest taxed nation in the world." "When those restrictions expire (in the Iran nuclear deal), Iran will have an industrial-size military nuclear capability ready to go." Under the Iran nuclear deal, "we give them $150 billion, we get nothing." "GDP was zero essentially for the last two quarters." "The birther movement was started by Hillary Clinton in 2008. She was all in!" Under the Iran deal: "If Israel attacks Iran … we’re supposed to be on Iran’s side." Under President Barack Obama, income levels and unemployment numbers "are worse now than just about ever" for African-Americans. Says John McCain "has done nothing to help the vets." "Our real unemployment is anywhere from 18 to 20 percent. Don't believe the 5.6. Don't believe it." Says President Obama's "grandmother in Kenya said he was born in Kenya and she was there and witnessed the birth."
How much time do you have? I wonder how can you trust him at all. You must believe under all that ignorance and despicable character there lies a wise man who knows what is best for our country. I’ll be damned if that makes sense, common or otherwise, to me.
Perspective seems lost on you, my good sir.
The economy did improve under Obama... marginally... and almost in spite of him. That is not dishonest.
As of January 2016, Corporate profits soared under Obama. After-tax profits were running at an annual rate of just under $1.8 trillion in the July-October quarter of last year, the most recent figures available. That’s down somewhat from the previous quarter — which was a record. But still 166 percent higher than in the quarter just before Obama entered office.
Median household income had gone up $1,140, or 2 percent since Obama took office.
“Marginally”? Really? You have some explaining to do.
Here’s the Dow Jones before and after Obama. Record highs were indeed set under Obama, not that you care to admit that fact.
January 20, 2009: Dow Jones Close – 7949
November 8, 2016: Dow Jones Close - 18,332
The market grew over 10,000 points under Obama, yet you dismiss this as “marginal”, but praise Trump.
You dismiss 75 months of job growth under Obama. “Marginally”? Really? You have some explaining to do.
You always hold Obama to different standards, as you praise Trump.
Trump had a tail wind of job growth and market expansion, while you insist he was soaring on his own. Yes, the “Trump bump” was real. Markets jumped at the idea of tax cuts and deregulation, but did nothing to help most Americans. Income equality still rises and will shoot through the atmosphere.
When the market goes up 10,000 points under Trump, I’ll cash out and buy you a case of Wild Turkey.
From Factcheck.org January 2016:
While Republicans called Obama the “Food Stamp President,” 14.7 million people were added to the food-stamp rolls during George W. Bush’s time in office. By comparison, the net gain under Obama now stands at just under 13.4 million — and it’s slowly declining as the economy improves.
As of July, SNAP participation has dropped by 6.2 million since 2012. But go ahead, continue to condemn Obama and praise Dear Leader for it all. Bet you didn’t know that. Once again, far Right projection and slogans are deliberately dishonest. See the pattern here?
And speaking of dishonest:
Our foreign policy has let our enemies and our allies know that we would no longer be "leading from behind" as we have truly decimated ISIS under Trump by treating this as a war and acknowledging the Islamic terrorist ideology behind them instead of just "managing the problem" with drone strikes and special forces ops on occasion, while trying to ignore the terrorist mentality of ISIS and thinking that "we could win them over if they just had jobs."
Once again the Gospel of Beliefs trumps facts and evidence that I clearly presented.
“We have been told by the last administration that ISIS is a generational threat … [that] our children, our grandchildren will be fighting ISIS jihadis decades from now,” Sebastian Gorka, former advisor to President Trump said. “Well, I guess the Trump administration has defined generations to last just a few months
You believe Gorka the known Euro-fascist over the reports I’ve provided. Are you seeing a pattern yet?
Former Prime Minister of Israel Ehud Barak called the fight against ISIS “a generational war” that won’t be done in a matter of years.
You regurgitated the Daily Caller’s 'Tax Cuts Will Only Help The Rich” Is A Lie. Nobody I know made such a claim.
Now look at this from your same source:
From 05/16/2017
Department of Homeland Security (DHS) Secretary John Kelly said in a statement, “We are in a generational fight against terrorists groups and those they inspire, and for us to protect our homeland we will need constant vigilance and clear focus on staying a step ahead of the enemy.”
So which way do you want it? BOTH ways, we can assume?
Obama said, “This broader challenge of countering violent extremism is not simply a military effort. Ideologies are not defeated by guns. They’re defeated with better ideas – a more attractive and more compelling vision.
“This larger battle for hearts and minds is going to be a generational struggle. It’s ultimately not going to be won or lost by the United States alone. It will be decided by the countries and communities that terrorists like Isil [an alternative acronym for Islamic State/Isis] target.”
There you go buddy. He was correct. You’re welcome.
Obama was not prosecuting this as a war. Trump has along with Mattis. That is the main difference, my friend, so yes I lay blame on Obama
Again, belief trumps fact. You totally ignore the evidence I presented to regurgitate Trumpist rhetoric.
A few weeks before Election Day, Trump told a national audience that the military offensive in Mosul is part of an elaborate, international conspiracy to help Hillary Clinton’s campaign.
A week later, Trump went further, condemning the U.S.-backed offensive in Mosul as “a total disaster” that’s leaving the United States looking “dumb.”
You remind me of Trump, whining about the advance into Mosul, and now celebrating it as “his victory”. You always adhere to “feel good” beliefs and give the benefit of doubt to a Republican, as you ignore evidence in order to condemn Democrats.
Your heart is in the right place, but your mind is filled with falsehoods, propaganda and bias.
Nonetheless, I look forward to sending you that case of Wild Turkey.
Jerry, I agree that AT&T and other large corporations should not be subsidized by tax payer money. The giant corporations in particular use a myriad of loop holes to reduce their tax burden, as any smart business would do. That said, this new reform will lower the corporate rates from 35 to 21% and eliminate most of those loop holes. It will also make the accounting of those taxes far easier, especially for huge corporations, thereby costing them less money in having to manage their taxes. And believe me, I am well aware of the downsizing of jobs with them. I am heartened to see that they will actually be adding needed jobs in the future for once with this new forthcoming law.
"The pictographs say, "We were here before you! Your claim to our land is specious!" ;-)" ~ Dubya
Lol! That was very good Dave, and even true to a certain extent.
As for your long list of purported Trump lies, many I agree with you that they were indeed lies. Some were leftist or mainstream media (but then I repeat myself) fabrications or distortions. And yes, many of them are foolish and inconsequential, sir.
"January 20, 2009: Dow Jones Close – 7949
November 8, 2016: Dow Jones Close - 18,332
The market grew over 10,000 points under Obama, yet you dismiss this as “marginal”, but praise Trump." ~ Dubya
I acknowledged some economic growth that occurred under Obama, largely in spite of some of his policies. That said, the Dow since Trump's election has gone from 18,332 to 24,754 today. That is over 6400 points with 60 record breaking closings of the Dow in Trump's first year. I think you better get ready to buy me that case of Wild Turkey as this trend will continue with the passage of tax reform later today, my friend. (That is very generous and much appreciated though, buddy!)
"You dismiss 75 months of job growth under Obama. 'Marginally'? Really? You have some explaining to do." ~ Dubya
When you are at the bottom of the heap with unemployment, there really is only one way TO go, sir. Especially in Obama's first term, that unemployment rate was artificially improved as the Obama administration didn't tout how many people actually gave up looking for work and left the job market altogether. That said, Trump and the economic enthusiasm he has ushered in has caused unemployment to dip to 4.1%, which is the lowest in 17 years. He has also cut regulations to the tune of 22 cut to every new one instituted, thus saving the tax payers an estimated $8 billion. He has saved an additional $9 billion by reinstating the Mexico City Policy that Obama scuttled, thus preventing tax payer funding of abortions. And lastly, with the assumed passage of tax reform tonight, the egregious and costly individual mandate for Obamacare will be repealed saving untold millions of Americans additional expenditures.
Yes, the economy improved after the horrible recession Obama inherited. Now it is time to show the world how it is done when free-market principles are put into play finally. The initial results are very good indeed!
Regarding the false rhetoric of tax reform only helping the rich and not the middle class, I give you House Minority Liar... errr... Leader, Nancy Pelosi, “Even after ransacking all the middle-class benefits, Republicans are still adding trillions to the deficit," she said, adding that the plan is a "scheme to use the debt they pile up today to obliterate Medicare and Medicaid tomorrow.” Lies for partisan benefit. Why she is the Democrat's "leader" I will never know.
Mr. Paine,
You’re grasping at straws here.
Some (Trump lies) were leftist or mainstream media (but then I repeat myself) fabrications or distortions.
So you choose to believe. They are all documented. If you care to support your belief with facts, get back to me. Otherwise...same old pattern.
When you are at the bottom of the heap with unemployment, there really is only one way TO go, sir.
Um, no. The bottom wasn’t hit. A depression is worse than a recession, last I heard. Unemployment was trending downward when Trump took office. Yet, once again, you give HIM all the credit. There’s that pattern again. Your benefit of the doubt is quite generous for Trump.
Especially in Obama's first term, that unemployment rate was artificially improved as the Obama administration didn't tout how many people actually gave up looking for work and left the job market altogether.
Are you referring to the numbers that were “fake” under Obama, but real under Trump? When has Trump touted how many people actually gave up looking for work and left the job market altogether? Can you help me out on this? Same old pattern again.
You didn’t provide context for Pelosi’s statement.
“If you have a sick child or a family with long-term medical care needs, they take away the medical deduction, you lose. If you have student loans or want to have student loans or use the credit for lifetime learning – there’s a credit for lifetime learning – you lose. If your corporation wants to pay for learning for employees, that deduction is gone, you lose. If your family lives in a state, any state, and don’t want your income taxed twice, you lose. And if you plan to live past 65 and need Medicare, you lose... Hidden in the pages of the Ryan-McConnell bill are plans to raise taxes on working families by dismantling state and local tax deductions.”
“Even after ransacking all the middle-class benefits, Republicans are still adding trillions to the deficit," she said, adding that the plan is a "scheme to use the debt they pile up today to obliterate Medicare and Medicaid tomorrow”.
Given the time of her statement, what part of this wasn’t true? How does her statement compare factually to Trump saying, “The tax plan will cost me a fortune” ? Lies for partisan benefit. Why he is the Republicans’ "leader" I will never know. ;-)
Republicans have openly declared they want to gut safety nets for the poor to pay for tax cuts for the rich. This is the indisputable bottom line.
And it is true that taxes would go up for some non-wealthy people. The loss of the federal deduction for all state and local taxes will hurt some tax payers. Those with incomes from 25 to 40 thousand with higher percentages of itemized deductions will also see a tax increase.
So, if the Dow rolls up another 10,000 points, we both win. If it all goes to hell, like if Trump starts a war in Korea, then you may send me a case. I’ll need it.
Cheers.
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