What a Politician will Never Say

"If elected I will let the "Bush" Tax cuts all lapse and then pass the balanced budget amendment. With an additional requirement that we pay down the National debt to 30% of the avg of the last 5 yrs GDP within 10 yrs. Wiki Nat'l Debt

If that means we have to stop socialized medicine, keep our troops home, reduce social security payments, cut the public employee rolls, cut welfare payments, stop corporate welfare, stop the Mars rovers, etc, then let's do it. Let's live within our revenues !!!! Alleluia!!!!

If the tax rates were good enough for the Bush I and Clinton era, they should be good enough for the Democrats and Republicans. The Rich and Poor both sacrifice until we get this problem fixed."

I wonder if they would get many votes?  Thoughts?
G2A America Want Taxes and Cuts

By the way, here is a funny aside.  A wealthy acquaintance of mine looked me in the eye and said with all earnestness: "we all need to sacrifice until we get this National Debt under control"...  I then looked at him and asked "how will you sacrifice, by paying higher taxes?"  He responded, " I am already sacrificing by paying a huge tax bill".  

It seems the Rich and Poor have something in common, each thinks "they" should sacrifice more and "they" are the problem !!! 
G2A The Magic of THEY

Obama Promises To Spend More

I am not sure who I am more disappointed by...  Obama for promising everything + the kitchen sink.  Or the people who seemed excited by the promises, even though his track record has been questionable at best.  I would think one or both of them should have learned something about the importance of realistic goals. Youtube Obama Speech DNC 2012

I know the Republican plan is vague at best, and disastrous at worst.  But at least they say they will cut things.  Whereas Obama seems to be planning tax cuts for the 95% and tons of expensive programs aimed at securing the Public Employee, Socialist Leaning and Low Income vote.  Many of his ideas seem rational at the surface, however no where did he explain where all this cash is coming from.  Or how he is going to make Government more effective and efficient while the Public Employee Unions are still holding the reins?

These were some of his talking points.  Everyone should:

• Have a fair shot
• Pay their fair share
• Play by the same rules

It reminded me very much so of the Bar Stool Economics post.  Fair is apparently a very relative term.

Your thoughts?

Castro, M Obama and Clinton

Castro and Clinton probably will keep the factchecker folks busy for a few days, however Michelle rocked.

I really appreciated the commentator that noted that both Mitt and Obama "married up" when they were lucky enough to marry these supportive, intelligent and capable wives.

Thoughts?

DNC 2012 Julian Castro Speech
DNC2012 Michelle Obama Speech
DNC 2012 Bill Clinton Speech

Taibbi Seems Normal

I spent the weekend with some folks that are very very Conservative.  They were ripping Obama and quoting every negative thing that I have ever heard about the man. Of course being me, I tried to question some of the facts regarding these statements and was shot down as being difficult and argumentative.

Then we moved onto Romney, of course they only discussed the positives and I swear they think he could walk on water. Of course being me, I tried to question some of the facts regarding these statements and was shot down as being difficult and argumentative.

What I find interesting is that this seems to align with what I run into on Give2Attain and other blogs.  People are adamant that their candidate is excellence personified and that the opponent is the Devil come to earth.

Of course my view is that they are both humans, thus they have strengths, weakness, successes, failures, etc.

Obama is somewhat Socialistic and believes that the successful should pay for the unsuccessful's needs.  He has in the past transferred wealth to the unsuccessful in alignment with these beliefs.

Romney is somewhat Capitalistic and thinks that the successful should get to keep more of their gains, and that the unsuccessful had better work harder and get educated. His business dealings have been aligned with this.

So why do people find it so hard to support their candidate without trying to demonize the opponent?
So why do people feel the need to hero worship their candidate?

Good Lord people they are humans and candidates, not Angels and Demons !!!

MN Progressive Project

If you are a Conservative and want to become frustrated, please checkout the MN Progressive Project Blog.  Jeff Rosenberg who wrote for MNPublius writes there now, he typically takes the view that Conservatives are out to squash everyone.

Here is a link to an example.
MN Progressive Project Demonizing Public Employees

I obtained a login so that I can participate in their discussions. I find it enjoyable to comment with people that think differently than me. I'll keep you up to date once in awhile.

Thoughts on MPP or the Demonizing?

Rolling Stone, Romney and Bain

Here is the article Hiram noted in the last post. It will be interesting if FactCheck checks this one out.
Rolling Stone Saving of Bain

Maybe Romney can negotiate away some of our $15 Trillion in debt.  That would be nice and it sounds like he is skilled at it.

Please remember as you read this that it is actually a failed bank that started this chain of events.  If FDIC had not been pulled in, Bain would have been working exclusively with Bankers.  Then the Liberals wouldn't have cared because they don't like Bain or Banks.

Thoughts?

Ann Romney and Paul Ryan Speak

Okay she sold me that Mitt is human, has experienced "normal life" and would make an excellent President.

What did you think?

YouTube Ann Romney's Speech

Klobuchar vs Bills

Well if the race for President is already over in MN, what about the race for the Senate.  It must be a quiet race since I had to look up who was running against Amy.  I assume this bodes poorly for Kurt.

Ironically, my Parents were at this Farm show in Redwood Falls.  Like most farmers they are somewhat frustrated by what gets piled into the "Farm Bill"...  If you don't understand why, look at the 2nd and 3rd links. (ie 80% goes into Food stamps and 6% goes into Conservation)

Maybe moving all the welfare and social programs into the same department would be a good way to start aligning the 185 programs...  And actually understanding the real cost / effectiveness.

Twin Cities Klobuchar Bills Spar Over Farm Bill
Wallowa Farm Bill Passes
Powerline Farm Bill

Klobuchar For Senate
Bill for Senate

Thoughts on the Senate race or the Farm Bill?

Electoral Calculators and Maps

I was wondering what Blue and Red meant on the CNN Map until I saw MN was Blue and the states West of us were Red.  At least Fox has us as a light Blue.

Thoughts on these and which other sources should we watch?

CNN Map

Fox News Map

RAS Goals and Results

The results seem mixed to me.  What do you think?

RDALE MCA Results
RDALE Goals Presentation

Dependent Independent Interdependent

Somehow all this talk of Goverment, People, Programs, Incentives, etc reminded me of some concepts I learned awhile back.  I believe they mostly came from the work of Stephen Covey, however they have been reinforced through many other experiences and studies.  These random search results do a good job of summarizing the issue, so I'll jump to my thoughts.

Polyamorous Misanthrope D/I/I
Quick MBA 7 Habits Summary
Psychology Today Continuum
Harvest OKC Stronger

The concept is that we ALL start out as Dependent humans.  ALL babies are physically, emotionally and even technologically dependent.  There is simply no denying this reality.

Another reality is that you have to develop independence in each area before you can operate in an interdependent way. (ie in each area)  If you do not mature, develop your capabilities, develop your sense of self worth, etc in an area, you are doomed to exist in a Dependent state in that area of interaction.  This will often promote various problems, especially if being reliant on other people bothers you. (ie co-dependency , double binds, low self esteem disfunctions,etc)

With this in mind, I would like to propose that the Government and it's programs do not make anyone Dependent.  However they may remove some of the incentive to become Independent.  I mean if people are provided with a living space and food, some will find this an acceptable state and not truly strive for more. (ie kid living in Parent's basement)

I would definitely argue though that co-dependency and double binds abound in this system.  Kind Liberal folks feel that they must provide for the Dependent, instead of showing the tough love that may encourage them to become Independent.  Programs that encourage Independence while rewarding Dependency.

Thoughts?

Ryan Not Bad For Women?

This an interesting perspective with a twist.  Anita seems to think that Ryan's economic policies will make up for his anti-Choice (ie ProLife) beliefs.  I can't argue that if he can save the USA way of life and reverse the National Debt trend, she may be right for many women.  However, I am pretty sure the single Mothers with dependent children, and those that want an abortion won't feel very supported as he is cutting their supports systems and rights.  CNN Not Bad for Women

Now the twist is that apparently the author and Ryan both were beneficiaries of the Social Security death benefit.  Which I perceive as one of those Government programs that would go away if Social Security was privatized.  I mean normal Conservative folks buy life insurance, they don't rely on Government insurance.

Since I picked on Obama about his skimpy giving in the past, it appears that Ryan may have been even worse.  He may need to confess his stinginess the next time he goes to church now that it is public record.  Reuters Ryan Returns  He definitely tarnishes the concept of charitable Conservative Christians.

Thoughts?

Best of G2A II

Well folks, I am celebrating my 600th post today.  I got started almost 4 years ago in order to help promote a local School District referendum.  Thanks to my long time and more recently started readers.  It wouldn't be the same without your interest and comments.

Here are some of my favorites:
G2A First Things First
G2A Marbles in a Jar
G2A Peace Activists Confuse Me
G2A Abortion and Conservatives
G2A What Percent are You?
G2A Could I be Mistaken?
G2A Whose Children Left Behind?
G2A Blame vs Contributions
G2A Conservatives Stumped?
G2A 2 & 7 School Model
G2A Correlation vs Causation
G2A Right, Left, Up or Down?
G2A Why are Poor People Poor?
G2A Value of a Human Life?
G2A Pay Grades and Tenure Stress
G2A: Tale of 2 Economies
G2A FICA: Income vs Benefit
G2A God and Variation
G2A Debilitating 5 C's
Best of G2A 8Apr11

Please feel free to send your Friends this address:
http://give2attain.blogspot.com/2012/08/best-of-g2a-ii.html

Let Your Voices Be Heard !!!

According to Google Analytic's tracking data, G2A has quite a few hits per month.  Yet we hear from so few of the readers.  I would like to encourage you to take a chance and post a comment.  We may disagree, but at least we have heard and considered your point of view long enough to argue against it.  Some of your views may even stick with us.  Or even more important, you may learn more about why you believe what you believe.  It takes some thought to make a valid argument.

And to the regular commenters, thank you very much.  It would be very boring and uninformative talking to myself.

 
 

Paul Ryan, Ayn Rand and Christ?

CNN Paul Ryan for or against Ayn Rand
Being a huge fan of Ayn's work, especially Atlas Shrugged, I thought this opinion piece was an interesting read.  It seems to imply that belief systems are black and white, and never criss cross.  Which of course is rarely the case unless one becomes a close minded zealot.

The following seems like a much more balanced perspective of the situation.  Though it is interesting that Ryan seems to be trying to distance himself from his past comments and the beliefs that he does have in common with Ayn.  Maybe he is worried about the next time he has to go to confession...
US News Paul Ryan is Far from Ayn Rand

If you haven't read Atlas Shrugged, you really should, it is an enjoyable and informational.  Though it is incredibly long !!!
G2A Atlas Teaches
G2A Fountainhead
G2A Capitalism, Fascism, Socialism, Communism

Thoughts?