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Name:	Talullahhound -	Reply
Subject:	I'm not a Maverick ....
Date:	4/6/2010 5:31:39 PM

I'm just trying to serve the people of Arizona as best I can. Funny, he had a big, old smile on his face when Sarah Palin wanted to send the "maverick" back to Capitol Hill, just a few weeks ago. And wasn't his campaign touting how he was a "maverick" in Washington? According his campaign for President, he's always been a Maverick...
Has he had a conversion?

You see, that's politics. They say anything to get elected. So now he's not a maverick, now he's just a plain old vanilla Senator, just trying to do what he can.

Sad. I didn't like him to start with, and now I have even less respect for him.... John McCain. Am I sorry for the way I voted -- no way.

Name:	MrHodja -	Reply
Subject:	I'm not a Maverick ....
Date:	4/6/2010 6:23:25 PM

I'm not sure I believe what I just read. Are you clairvoyant (sp?). Do you really think that, watching this idiot and his minions dismantle everything that made this country great is better that what you THINK McCain might have done or not done?

If enough Americans think like you do then I will agree with something you said a long time ago - that America has fundamentally changed. Unfortunately, not for the better.

Name:	Barneget -	Reply
Subject:	I'm not a Maverick ....
Date:	4/6/2010 7:16:00 PM

I'm with you, NEVER liked McCain. Never supported his campaign finance reform, nor his stance on illegal immigration, and was sick at his gang of 14 compromise. I NEVER cast a vote for McCain until November 2008. I did it only after careful examination of my options, exploring voting records, examining affiliations, employment histories, you know, information available to all not smitten, or swooning, for "change". Based on the little I think I know about you, through your alias, I could never expect you to see the error of your ways. Imagine, innate NJ attitude, 30 years as a female fed employee, retired, driving a nav, no way you could have made a mistake, much less acknowledge one.

Name:	Talullahhound -	Reply
Subject:	Obviously, you don't know me at all
Date:	4/6/2010 7:30:29 PM

Yes, I'm originally from NJ, but haven't lived there for over 20 years. Yes, I'm female and a retired Fed, but have no idea how that could have anything to do with what John McCain said today.
I do drive a Navigator, but have no clue how what I drive could have anything to do with how I vote and what I believe. If you knew me, you'd know I drive a Nav because I also haul two large dogs with me just about every where I go.

Really, I know it would be so convenient for you to reduce me to some kind of cultural stereotype, but you would be so wrong. Maybe before you try to characterize me, you should find out who I am.

And yes, BTW, since I am not male, I can admit when I am WRONG. But, I wouldn't vote for John McCain no matter what. And our country was on the wrong track and needed a change. Do I agree with everything Obama has done? NO. But the alternative is/was much scarier to me.

And now he's shown that when it comes to elections, John McCain is no better than I thought he was.

Name:	Barneget -	Reply
Subject:	Obviously, you don't know me at all
Date:	4/6/2010 7:48:52 PM

Hound, step up, wear each one of those badges with pride. There are rules, and there are "rules". The "rules" are Jerseyites are ALWAYS right, Fed employees are ALWAYS right (sometime I'll tell you about my 30 years of regular contact with OSHA, EPA, USDA, and FDA), Navigator drivers ALWAYS have the right of way, and well, based on my experience with females, including my Mom, Wife, daughter, friends, neighbors, customers, acquantances, and political leaders is they ARE ALWAYS RIGHT, so there must be a "rule" in there somewhere.

Name:	water_watcher -	Reply
Subject:	I'm not a Maverick ....
Date:	4/6/2010 8:46:25 PM

My feelings exactly ... hound will say she does not regret the disaster that she helped voted in to office because McCain changed his campaign slogan ... yet Obama has been proven to be an outright liar, moving the country to socialism, associates with criminals and anti americans .... but when someone says something about that she just dismisses it.

I used to respect Hound even though i did not agree with most of what she said ... i have now lost all respect.

This has to be her worst post ever ... someone else recently pointed out her posts have recently lacked sense and clarity ... now i see why.

Hound ... you are showing your age and bleeding heart liberal beliefs.

Name:	water_watcher -	Reply
Subject:	Obviously, you don't know me at all
Date:	4/6/2010 8:56:56 PM

If you are not scared by the abuse of power and the direction the disaster some call president ... I feel for you and the future of this great country. When has a countries problems EVER been solved by expanding socialism and redistribution of wealth ... answer NEVER ... history has shown it gets worse and more look for handouts and government to take care of them until the society collapses ... don't worry at the rate Obama is expanding debt and destroying this country ... the end may be sooner than we all may think. I fear a total collapse with hyper inflation and interest rates in 2012.

As the bozo you voted for and defend seems the effect of the debt he has taken on, he ticks off China and the stop buying our debt, the US debt gets downgraded .... we will wish for the good days of 15-20% interest rates of the last great socialist president Jimmy carter.

Name:	Talullahhound -	Reply
Subject:	I'm not a Maverick ....
Date:	4/6/2010 9:58:56 PM

Showing my age? How old do you think I am?

You are the only person who would describe me as a bleeding heart liberal. I didn't even send money to Haiti.

Name:	Talullahhound -	Reply
Subject:	Wow
Date:	4/6/2010 10:00:54 PM

Guess I missed the lesson on rules.

Name:	Talullahhound -	Reply
Subject:	Whatever
Date:	4/6/2010 10:04:04 PM

WW, whatever. You've been doing the chicken little thing ever since Obama won -- and the sky hasn't fallen in yet.

Name:	MrHodja -	Reply
Subject:	Whatever
Date:	4/6/2010 10:11:10 PM

WHAT? You can't see it? You can't see what is being foisted upon the next two to three generations at a minimum? Or do you care about the future? Maybe you need to look beyond the messenger and to the message....I ain't no wild-eyed zealot by any means but I am deeply concerned about the absolutely unconscionable willingness of the current administration and congress to write checks they personally will never have to cash, but will leave for our legacies to labor under for decades. To me they are the lowest of the low, even lower than whale dung. And you voted for Obama and say you would do it again. What a closed mind.

Name:	water_watcher -	Reply
Subject:	I'm not a Maverick ....
Date:	4/7/2010 7:24:22 AM

Shame on you ... I did.

I am guessing you are 63

Name:	water_watcher -	Reply
Subject:	Whatever
Date:	4/7/2010 7:41:17 AM

Hound,

All you have to do is Google or BING projected deficits and it should scare the heck out of you. Obama wants to talk about the deficit he inherited ... but keep in mind who controls the purse strings (congress).

Then look at the worse deficit under Bush, even with two wars. Then look at the projections by the Obama administration and CBO out until 2019. The bars are so big it makes the deficits during Bush look like pocket change.

We also know that social programs normally cost much more than projected.

Now since government does not create revenue, they can only tax and create a drain on the economy .... how do you think deficits of $1 trillion a year will be paid for?

If your answer is more taxes, I agree. Now higher taxes either slow economic growth because businesses and individuals have less to spend to expand and create jobs .... or it creates inflation which is even more harmful since it reduces spending power and the federal reserve reduces money supply and raises interest rates to bring inflation in check.

You do not have to believe me or call me chicken little ... this is simple economics. All you have to do is look back at history and how economic cycles work. The difference this time is that it is 4 to 5 times worse than it has EVER beeen in history.

And lastly ... why don't you go read about the collapse of Argentina and I think it would be hard to say we are not repeating the same mistakes. They were a very wealthy and successful country until the government started adding more and more social programs and "redistributing wealth", the government taking on more and more debt, then raise taxes to deal with the debt until the country could not meet it obligations and the people lost everything.

Name:	Talullahhound -	Reply
Subject:	I'm not a Maverick ....
Date:	4/7/2010 7:58:02 AM

Nope. I'm 55.

Name:	Talullahhound -	Reply
Subject:	Whatever
Date:	4/7/2010 8:09:18 AM

I am concerned. But the truth is that it's just you don't like how the money is being spent. I was concerned when the last Administration led us into a pointless war -- how do you think that was funded?

Name:	MrHodja -	Reply
Subject:	I'm not a Maverick ....
Date:	4/7/2010 8:28:50 AM

Well, when you grow up maybe you will see the errors in your current thinking....:>)

Name:	Talullahhound -	Reply
Subject:	Whatever
Date:	4/7/2010 8:39:00 AM

I'm aware of Argentina.

Did you know that Bush pledged $7B over 5 years for AIDS treatment in Uganda?
I'd like to see the government re-evaluate how we are spending to other countries, and if we are still getting any benefits.

I'm looking forward to seeing a more balanced Congress. I don't like Pelosi and Reid any more than you do. Beyond health care, I'm not in favor of a lot of other social programs. I'd rather see the money spent on US infrastructure, which would create jobs. I'd like to see the government spend money on education.

But, it is what it is.

Name:	Talullahhound -	Reply
Subject:	I'm not a Maverick ....
Date:	4/7/2010 8:44:00 AM

Perhaps :-)

Name:	water_watcher -	Reply
Subject:	Whatever
Date:	4/7/2010 11:26:57 AM

I am sorry ... but the attitude of "it is what it is" is not something I share. The politicians work for the people ... much of what Obama is doing, along with the rubber stamp congress ... is abuse of power and not what the people want. It is their socialist agenda.

People should speak out and hopefully vote them out of office.

I listened to Greenspans testimony on the way in to my office this morning .... he clearly blamed the Clinton administration for expanding subprime mortgages and later congress (democrats) for not taking action. He listed all the times (dates) he warned congress and the banking committee about the dangerous course we were on if action was not taken.

The historical subprime mortgages were 2 to 2.5% of all mortgages. Under the changes by the Clinton administration this grew to just under 15%. Prior to the changes under Clinton, sub prime mortgages were never secured or backed by the governemnt or bundled and sold abroad.

This is why housing prices got inflated, created a false economy and growth under Clinton and eventually burts.

We are headed down the same path with this massive govenment spending and social programs.

Close your eyes and not believe it ... call others chicken little ... but it is real ... it is happening and will happen. It takes time. But just because it does not happen next week does not make it less dangerous.

Obama is destroying this country, and the sooner people like you wake up and realize the destruction ... the sooner we can start to get it fixed.

I chuckle when I hear about the money spent on the war ... it is pennies compared to what Obama is spending. And the wars are wars on terror that impacts the world and justified. The dems said we should pull out and was critical of Bush ... so why are they now expanding the war?

Name:	water_watcher -	Reply
Subject:	I'm not a Maverick ....
Date:	4/7/2010 11:28:24 AM

Just a year older than me ... so you are still my elder. :)

Name:	Jural -	Reply
Subject:	Whatever
Date:	4/7/2010 12:19:11 PM

It seems as if we are a "Country Divided". Without cooperation between parties these issues will never end. Regardless of which party is in control, bickering to prove that your theory is correct, neither will prevail. History has shown that this is a fact. It seems that we want a solution, but are not willing to agree that it has to be a compromise. What is the solution? Is there a solution? Are we circling the toilet because of this administration or those past? Will it matter in the end? Is this the end? I personally would like to know if the sky is falling, if it actually is. But I don't really need to know who caused it, if it is coming down on me. From what I have seen and read, not much of what has been done by this administration has helped. But as it has been pointed out, not one administration caused this issue and it will probably take more than one to fix it. We may have to take lessons from those who went through the great depression. Support each other as individuals and hope the government eventually figures it out. Sorry, that is just my sappy, middle of the road opinion. You can't compromise by picking a side, only by seeing both of them.

Name:	water_watcher -	Reply
Subject:	It is not theroy ... it is all fact !
Date:	4/7/2010 1:55:51 PM

problem is ... none of the bickering is theories ... they are known facts. Socialism and spreading the wealth does not work, in fact it destroys countries. The government produces nothing and is a drain on society ... expansion of government leads to more taxation, debt and inflation. Higher inflation leads to higher interest rates and slower economic growth. Slower economic growth leads to higher unemployment, less tax revenue, the push for more social programs.

And we are back to more debt, the belief we need higher taxes, etc, etc.

The only way out is reduce government, reduce government spending and allow individuals and companies to keep more of what they earn so they can spend, invest and expand the economy ... which creates more jobs, growth and tax revenues.

Not sure why this is so difficult to understand and why the liberal dems think bigger government, higher taxes, more social programs is the answer.

Name:	Jural -	Reply
Subject:	It is not theroy ... it is all fact !
Date:	4/7/2010 2:17:27 PM

Oh, I understand the bigger hammer theory. It works as well as the talk louder theory. People have been ignoring facts for as long as there have been facts. They have been manipulating them for nearly as long. Each side has their own set of facts. But again, are the facts as important as the solution? Or the agreement to work toward one?

Name:	water_watcher -	Reply
Subject:	It is not theroy ... it is all fact !
Date:	4/7/2010 2:45:03 PM

You are missing the point .... can you or anyone point to a time in history or another country, where expanded government, massive spending, massive deficits, expanded social programs and higher taxes lead to a successful economy?

If there is an example, maybe that is who we are trying to model ourself after and I am not aware ... but the facts show that the path we are on only leads to destruction of the freedoms and society as we have all known it.

We had the Utopia that was the envy of every other country in the world. It had the freedoms and ability for success through hard work. Look at how many immigrants came to this country and started a business and became successful. But socialism, spreading the wealth creates class envy and NEVER brings up the disadvantaged ... they just look for government to give them more rather than doing more themselves.

And successful people, they look for other opportunities and invest in other places where they will not be penalized for their success.

Look at how many US corporations have reincorporated in another country to limit the amount of US taxation.

Wake up.

Name:	Jural -	Reply
Subject:	It is not theroy ... it is all fact !
Date:	4/7/2010 3:18:02 PM

I'll play Clinton here. It depends on your definition of successful. I don't know that being the envy of other nations is an accurate measure of success. Do we measure it by wealth, personal freedoms or overall happiness of its inhabitants? America, as a nation, grew out of adversity. We became strong by a common hatred of our oppressor. Now we are turning the hatred onto ourselves. We have seen many other countries and nations fail. Vietnam, Korea, Germany, Russia, etc. Each of those split. Internal strife drove them apart instead of together. Looks like we may be following their model as opposed to them following ours. I am not missing your point. I am just asking, is it the most important one? To what end do we argue the path that got us here? Possibly our own destruction. Then we can all sit back and say, "I told you so".

Name:	Summer Lover -	Reply
Subject:	Reading suggestion
Date:	4/7/2010 3:18:52 PM

The U.S. Constitution. If we have our elected represetatives take an oath to uphold it and do not - WE should get rid of them and install someone who will. If you can in any way, support the train wreck socialist policies that are forced upon us, you are NOT a "middle of the roader" - you are relying on the Government to help you by taking from those of us who are working, and you are being herded through the gap.

Name:	Jural -	Reply
Subject:	Reading suggestion
Date:	4/7/2010 3:37:01 PM

I fully agree that those who break their oath of office should be removed... immediately. As to policies, instead of labeling them socialist or otherwise, can't we just measure them on their chance of success? Our society is in many ways socialist. But, rather than depend on the government, I was taught to depend on myself and friends and family. The government does not recognize me as an individual, only a number. For that reason, how could I depend on it? The government dictates what I can and cannot do in many different ways. And I bend to its wishes in most instances. But only in knowing that when the sky does fall, it will not protect me. If you think the government has a responsibility to protect you, you are wrong. Men signed the Constitution, those men are dead. Those that came after had their own ideas and were driven by them. Same today. The people that make up our government have their own interests, and sad to say, we probably are not one of them. Maybe "middle of the road" was an incorrect term. I don't know that we are actually on a road any longer. Uncharted territory. Maybe it is needed to bring us back to center. Who knows.

Name:	Summer Lover -	Reply
Subject:	Reading suggestion
Date:	4/7/2010 4:01:59 PM

We were taught self-reliance as well, so you and I agree on that point, where we diverge however, is that "the ends justify the means." Why should it matter that the writers of the Constitution are dead? If that piece of paper means so little because it is so old, let's just ****can it and let the Gov do as they wish.

Name:	Talullahhound -	Reply
Subject:	I'm Still wondering
Date:	4/7/2010 4:30:39 PM

When we had this "utopia" that WW says we had. And despite what WW says, we were never universally admired by the rest of the world. That was a myth we told ourselves.

Name:	Talullahhound -	Reply
Subject:	Reading suggestion
Date:	4/7/2010 4:34:53 PM

How do you explain Constitutional Amendments? Clearly it is a document that can and should be amended, and I believe the authors of the Constitution would approve.

Name:	water_watcher -	Reply
Subject:	look at the countries you listed
Date:	4/7/2010 4:35:44 PM

each was either socialist, communist or a dictator ... all became capitalist societies after their collapse ... so why would we ever want to move to more socialist views ...

Thank you for proving my point that class envy and socialism does not work ... it dooms a country to failure.

Capitalism is the engine that drives innovation the opportunity for success and wealth.

When that is limited and the government taking more ... you limit risk taking and investment.

This is not complex ... it is prove facts ... the only people that seem not to get it is the liberals.

I feel sorry for you that you can not seem to grasp reality. I respect different points of view ... but at least support your views with some facts as to why you believe the path we are on is a good one and will work.

Because I can not see how $1.5 trillion deficits in one year (more than all 8 of the Bush years) is a good thing and projected to be in the same range until 2019 and beyond. (2019 is the last year the CBO projects).

Who pays that bill? What will that do to inflation, interest rates? Will taxes go up higher or down with those deficits.

Get a grip on reality.

Name:	Summer Lover -	Reply
Subject:	Never
Date:	4/7/2010 4:53:55 PM

Although we live in the greatest country on the planet, Utopia does not, and has not existed here (although a summer weekend at the lake comes close). I also think that most of us KNEW that "we were never universally admired by the rest of the world", but we were confident that we earned much respect through fear - much like a child/parent relationship. :-)

Name:	Summer Lover -	Reply
Subject:	Reading suggestion
Date:	4/7/2010 4:56:48 PM

What we are experiencing now is far more than amendments to the Constitution, it is more like prison rape. These policies and ideas tear the heart and all meaning out.

Name:	MrHodja -	Reply
Subject:	Reading suggestion
Date:	4/7/2010 5:24:25 PM

Ah, but what does it take to amend the Constitution? Therein lies the difference between a real need, agreed to by a significant majority of the country, as opposed to this cr@p being foisted on us that is not even supported by HALF of the voters.

Name:	Jural -	Reply
Subject:	Reading suggestion
Date:	4/7/2010 5:25:18 PM

I may have misrepresented my beliefs. I do firmly believe in the Constitution and the personal freedoms that it outlines. My point was, those in positions of power (government) are doing exactly what they want. And doing so without our permission or knowledge. Those men represent themselves and not us. The Constitution and its amendments are meant to protect our basic rights. Not to exploit our weaknesses. Those that are out for their own gain are using it for just that. If you look at those other countries that failed, those that governed it stockpiled wealth and property before the fall. Those in power got rich and the people that were taxed to feed it were left to the side. That is why I say that the ideas and beliefs of the original signers no longer apply. That caliber of man is hard to find these days.

Name:	MrHodja -	Reply
Subject:	Reading suggestion
Date:	4/7/2010 5:27:52 PM

Indeed it is a living document, but one that, by design, moc=ves at a glacial pace.

Ah, but what does it take to amend the Constitution?

From Wikipedia:

"Amendments may be proposed by either two-thirds of both houses of the United States Congress or by a national convention. This convention can be assembled at the request of the legislatures of at least two-thirds of the several states. To become part of the Constitution, amendments must then be ratified either by approval of the legislatures of three-fourths of the states or ratifying conventions held in three-fourths of the states"

Therein lies the difference between a rreal need, recognized and agreed to by a significant majority of the country, as opposed to this cr@p being foisted on us through legislative trickery, stuff that is not even supported by HALF of the voters.

Name:	MrHodja -	Reply
Subject:	Reading suggestion
Date:	4/7/2010 5:32:28 PM

Not sure how the first one got posted...wasn't done or ready to post but I guess it just couldn't wait...

Name:	MrHodja -	Reply
Subject:	I'm Still wondering
Date:	4/7/2010 5:37:31 PM

Utopia, maybe not. The best, yes.

Utopia is in the eyes of the beholder. I'd be willing to bet there were an awful lot of folks in the world who thought we lived in utopia. And for the most part those who didn't admire us envied us. I preferred it that way instead of our groveling to the Chinese and bowing to just about every swinging lick in the world.

Name:	Barneget -	Reply
Subject:	It is not theroy ... it is all fact !
Date:	4/7/2010 6:23:21 PM

Here is a fact. These social programs advanced by the elected reps are "feel good". They feel better, the electorate feels better taking care of the disadvantaged, the non or limited contributors feel better getting a bigger piece of the pie, but, sort of like smoking dope, the feeling fades. The elected need something more to assure their return to DC, the electorate gets complacent with regard to outcome, and the non or limited contributors realize more can be had, they need another buzz. Election cycle after election cycle, this continues, and grows, and moves faster. Now, we are going broke, financially and spiritually, at the national, corporate, and individual levels, so we start looking at causes. It seems that there are no performance measures tied to the spending legislation, that they/we have created a cyclone that feeds on everything it comes onto contact with, and any effort to contain or restrain it would be political suicide, or have the advocate labeled a "racist", "ageist", or some other easy "ist". Until we, as the electors, demand that every dollar spent should be accountable to the stated outcome, we will have more of what we have until the printing presses run out of ink. We, as electors, must demand across the board spending reductions, including "entitlements". We must demand that every tax increase dollar (including the expiring temp tax cuts)is matched by two dollars in spending decreases, with the net gain + savings applied to debt reduction. Now, the current occupant of 1600 PA Avenue is talking VAT to reduce THEIR debt. VAT be DAMNED !!!! VAT proponents be DAMNED !!!

Name:	alahusker -	Reply
Subject:	Hound is only 55, that explains it..
Date:	4/7/2010 7:29:16 PM

She is glad that in the last 12 months that the national debt has tripled to 15 trillion..

She is glad that the federal government is running the largest car manufacturer in the Nation.

The federal government runs a majority of the financial sector of the Nation..

Student loans now are totally under the pervue of the federal government.

The federal government has instituted nationalized health care which we must comply with or face federal prosecution under the oversight of the IRS?

I guess I should feel good, Medicare, Social security, USPS and AMTRACK are all doing great under the federal mandates..

Alas

Name:	water_watcher -	Reply
Subject:	Hound is only 55, that explains it..
Date:	4/7/2010 7:40:34 PM

I know ... I should have worked for the feds so I could retire at the lake at 55 with a big fat federal pension at the expense of tax payers ... now I envy Hound.

Name:	Talullahhound -	Reply
Subject:	I agree
Date:	4/8/2010 8:40:19 AM

I do think there needs to be accountability for dollars spent.

I'm increasing disturbed by the way we throw millions of dollar around like it is nothing. Everytime I hear that we're throwing millions here or millions there, I wonder what the quid pro quo is. Problems are rarely solved by throwing money. We're always worried about "the people of X" but as far as I'm concerned, charity begins at home.

Name:	Talullahhound -	Reply
Subject:	Hound thinks
Date:	4/8/2010 8:41:50 AM

You are putting words in her mouth.

Name:	Talullahhound -	Reply
Subject:	Ummm.. WW
Date:	4/8/2010 8:46:12 AM

I didn't retire at 55, I actually retired at 51. I took a decrease in my retirement as a result of doing that. My ability to retire has more to do with good financial planning and sacrifices throughout my working life, than a "fat" retirement check. I'd love to hear your guess as to what my "fat" retirement check is.

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