Last Stop in the Midwest

Talk of Recession is Bullshit

2023-11-29T18:13:00.006-06:00

THIS CRAP HAS GOT TO STOP... there isn't going to be a recession, stop saying it...

Just look around:

1) Lowest unemployment ever (every single person I know has a job if they want one)

2) Housing developments going up as fast as they can be built around me

3) Gas prices are under $3

4) Did you know TSA screened their highest number of passengers EVER in a day this week?

5) I took a round trip flight to Arizona for $189 a month ago

6) Roads being paved all over the place here in Wichita

7) Two (2) sparkling new car dealerships on Greenwich road opening in Wichita

8) Inflation is stabilizing (I just saw someone buy a 40" monitor for $249)

9) Costco literally ran out of rotisserie chickens the other day - not a chicken in the entire store (the same day I had to park in the very last row because it was so busy) for cryin' out loud...

I am not saying things are perfect (groceries do cost more)... but I am sick of hearing how a recession has been coming for the last 2 years; it is BS.

https://www.cnn.com/2023/11/29/investing/jamie-dimon-recession-jpmorgan-economy/index.html

2023-11-26T21:16:00.001-06:00

A new wave of fascist thinking is spreading like cancer across our country. It is not the first time but it has found a new secret fuel to propel it. Now, it is enabled by the degradation of norms that once prevented such anti-democratic ideologies from taking hold. The party gatekeeper is asleep on the right. People are not listening to facts as they tune into an enclosed media structure giving them their daily slurry-filled trough of rotten lies. They are told, no less than, to hate you and me. They are told we are evil for wanting a more open, free, and hopeful world... to in fact, progress. be aware democracy-loving Americans that the right is going full-on power-grab mode, the majority (us) be damned as we are their evil enemy.

Their hopes and lie-filled reality is fueled by the Great Orange Savior. He is the worst representation of all the values that once fooled those on the Center and Left into believing in a false equivalency. Be fooled no more! Now, they are driven by fear of the loss of an America that only existed in a Norman Rockwell picture. It never existed so it can not be great again no matter how many red hats are printed up in China. It is the ultimate lie.

This pitifully petty spiritless man they follow is the supreme vessel for the hopes and imaginations of racists, greedy corporate fiends, so-called tough guys, and a plethora of fakers, bullies, and con artists. So for those of us who live within the bounds of reason, watching friend after friend fall prey to this big lie despite the true facts they completely ignore. We must realize they will not come around. The only hope for democracy, and to propel America past the moronic thinking and those that push it, is for the silent majority to stay united.

The danger is a fractured Center and Left. It is a real peril. Yes, we have a competent old man as president. He would do the most right thing even if rolled out in a wheel chair ala FDR. Take solace in that especially when considering the alternative. We do not all get everything we want quickly or sometimes at all, but we will NEVER get anything we want if we divide up into small factions and watch the cult of 45% that are delusional take power and dismantle our country.

Complain! Do so mightily. Come November, remember to unite around the best hope for saving our country, our democratic principles, and the republic. Fascism is defeated by staying united.

2019-01-31T00:12:00.002-06:00

As disheartened as I am by our electorally elected president, I wonder about the pendulum and how hard it is going to swing in the other direction. I hope it is a monumentally high swing.

2017-08-11T00:56:00.004-05:00

http://www.impeachthemotherfuckeralready.com/

Funny

2016-11-06T13:02:00.000-06:00

Will Ferrell: comedian, actor, just your average millennial. pic.twitter.com/ExfbQX3AS1
— Hillary Clinton (@HillaryClinton) November 4, 2016

2016-07-20T23:44:00.002-05:00

Best moment so far from the GOP convention debacle. Cruz gives nothing!

Bloody America

2015-11-28T17:58:00.001-06:00

Every day or so I take a look at the blog below. I'm amazed by the number of deaths that just keep streaming on by... why won't we do anything about this? It drives me totally insane because it represents insanity.

http://www.gunviolencearchive.org/

Ted Cruz... Yeah!

2015-03-23T14:23:00.003-05:00

Nobody is happier that Ted Cruz is running for President than Democrats.

Really Kill the Filibuster

2013-11-22T12:34:00.000-06:00

http://www.thedailybeast.com/cheats/2013/11/21/obama-backs-filibuster-vote.html

You might as well just make it a majority vote for legislation and Supreme Court nominations now. I can guarantee that the GOP will do that the second they take control of the Senate sometime in the future.

2012-07-02T02:02:00.003-05:00

I was surely excited by the Supreme Court's decision to rule Obamacare constitutional but was pretty surprised by the reaction of two of my work colleges.

One has has heart problems in the past and if he became unemployed he can NOT buy insurance.

The other has one lung, and no insurance company would cover her either.

Both gave an audible, "YES!" when the news came across.

Now, with this victory for America, they and all the other Americans like them can get coverage.

If you are a Christian, don't you think that Jesus would approve?

2012-07-02T01:47:00.002-05:00

Is there anything that Romney has been consistent on in his career?

- For Romneycare, now against Obamacare
- For an individual mandate in Mass., against it now
- Pro-choice, now pro-life
- etc, etc, etc

Does the GOP Have Real Leaders?

2011-07-13T21:52:00.002-05:00

When you sign pledges and continually make all or nothing statements you are undermining your ability to make a deal. There is basically no wiggle room for the GOP and it is their own fault. You might as well program robots to take their votes in congress. It does not matter what is going on in the world... the standard line is it is all Obama's fault if it is bad and it all "the previous administration's" doing if it is good.

At this point in the negotiations over the debt ceiling, if I were the president, I would just hold the line at: "make some cuts, raise the debt ceiling and increase taxes on the rich". Let the GOP drive the economy off the cliff by refusing to deal. It would serve as a huge wake up call for people that blindly follow the GOP. When all the old Tea Partiers stop getting their government checks because the GOP is protecting millionaires who never had it better some minds may changes. For all those on the fence you are going to a long term shift from the GOP to Dems.

So Mr. President, hold the line... force them to make an uncomfortable deal... you already have many times, it is their turn.

Will Idiocy Win?

2010-10-12T22:13:00.003-05:00

It is a simple question.

Will the worst of American fear and pride beat out the practical and sane?

Yes, the economy is nothing to write home about. Yes, things could be going a heck of a lot better after 2 years of "Hope" with Obama but remember... we are Democrats.

Remember the first rule? We never do anything as fast as we hoped for. This has been true, well, forever. It is actually amazing what has been accomplished.

Just take heath care as one example. I mean, it is no single payer plan. But it is a start. It is a starting place and we will pragmatically make it better over time. Certainly the fear mongering idiots on the right will eventually die off because most of them are extremely old (have you seen those Tea Party rallies... old crazy people everywhere). Then... the young people that stand to reap the rewards of the Healthcare bill that save their medical future will not want to give up the new RIGHTS they have been given under this law.

So this is what hope looks like. A bit ugly, but a start. We need to get used to and understand that instant gratification is just a stab of dopamine in our heads but lasting change takes time.

We will get their but not if we get bored, lose focus and are just plan get tired of fighting the morons on the evil Right.

You must fight. You must tell your office buddies that it will be OK. Even the ones that are completely brainwashed by Rush Limbaugh. You can do this. You are a warrior. Right now we need warriors. We need you. Fight on my good friend. Raise your sword and strick down the stupidity that could lead our country to doom!

The Real Sarah Palin

2010-09-02T21:32:00.003-05:00

One of the best Palin articles in a long time. Get the real skinny on this self-loving ego maniac--> LINK

Want $2 Trillion More in Stimulous?

2010-08-30T20:39:00.002-05:00

American companies are sitting on heaps of cash. About $2 trillion worth.

That's right, you wanna know why the unemployment rate is some high? There you have it.

We give them tax breaks and they horde the cash.

And to top it off... what is the main solution to this "cash" problem? How about another nickle in dividends to stock holders. They are mostly rich and will horde it themselves. So the rich get richer and the rest of us struggle.

While tea parties scream ignorant claims about Obama, the corporate barons in board rooms are screwing us over.

Workers at corporations are putting in record hours, getting their pay cut and treated like crap. Why not hire a few more people rather than being greedy assholes?

Funny thing is, many of those being screwed are going to vote for the people that support the screwing. Like ostriches, they will stick their heads up the FOX NEWS hole and worry about mosques and birth certificates while the Republicans laugh all the way to the bank with their cash. I guess they like it rough because it is going to be a REALLY rough ride if the GOP gets control of congress.

If you don't make over $250,000 / year, then you are just plain stupid for voting for a Republican. Their is nothing patriotic about voting for a party that wants to see the economy get worse and can't even bring themselves to vote for simple jobless benefits extensions. Nice.

So much for Country First.

Where's the Recovery? Ask your boss!

2010-06-05T22:10:00.003-05:00

If you watch the media and their commentary regarding the lackluster employment figures, you would think politicians are to blame for the slow recovery.

Your blame is misplaced. If you look at corporate profits, they are good. So why aren't they hiring more people? These big companies have been given every chance to grow their business but they are still playing defense. Employees and people looking for work are paying the price.

If you are looking for work then you know how rough it is. Those with employment wish their company would start hiring because hours are extremely long and pay is stagnant.

For those of you saying "what about small business?" Well, if the big companies who anchor a community's economy don't hire, that trickles down to small business having to shut their door.

So if you want to blame someone for the almost 10% unemployment rate, blame the companies making money hand over fist at the expense for the recovery.

The Stimulus In Your Community

2010-04-04T23:56:00.003-05:00

I keep seeing the signs around construction projects in my town that say, "Project Funded By The American Recovery and Reinvestment Act".
I got curious so I went over to the Recovery.org site to see what else is happening with the stimulus money. I was surprised at how many different projects are on the list. Lots of teachers and police jobs being saved. Equipment upgrades and road improvements. I was surprised because I live in the heart of red state America. Every time I drive by one of these projects I just wonder how the GOP reps reconcile the fact that they are against those dollars and jobs coming to Kansas.

Ten Immediate Health Care Benefits - Thanks to the Democrats

2010-03-22T09:44:00.002-05:00

As soon as health care passes, the American people will see immediate benefits. The legislation will:

- Prohibit pre-existing condition exclusions for children in all new plans;

- Provide immediate access to insurance for uninsured Americans who are uninsured because of a pre-existing condition through a temporary high-risk pool;

- Prohibit dropping people from coverage when they get sick in all individual plans;

- Lower seniors' prescription drug prices by beginning to close the donut hole;

- Offer tax credits to small businesses to purchase coverage;

- Eliminate lifetime limits and restrictive annual limits on benefits in all plans;
Require plans to cover an enrollee's dependent children until age 26;

- Require new plans to cover preventive services and immunizations without cost-sharing;

- Ensure consumers have access to an effective internal and external appeals process to appeal new insurance plan decisions;

- Require premium rebates to enrollees from insurers with high administrative expenditures and require public disclosure of the percent of premiums applied to overhead costs.

The Recovery Act in My Neighborhood

2010-02-23T22:33:00.002-06:00

I was curious about how the stimulus money was being spent close to my home and here are the results:

- Money to upgrade forensic and police equipment in our city $26,000+
- Resurface a big stretch of Madison Ave $407,000 (that's our route to go to church on Sundays)
- School funding for programs for kids with disabilities (wow, my son's teacher gets to keep their job!)
- The dangerous on ramp to the highway by my house is being revamped for $17,000,000+

I could keep going but it looks like some good long term improvements coming to our area.

Thanks Obama and the Democrats... to Todd Tiahrt, Pat Robinson & Sam Brownback, "F@*# You!"

GOP Motives

2010-02-21T21:48:00.002-06:00

After listening to the clips from CPAC... and hearing ol' Newtie say that America needs saving from the Dems and having no idea what the heck he is talking about. And that there aren't any GOP solutions to anything facing us now... I finally really get it.

They just don't want America to succeed during the Obama presidency. Period.

It is easy... so if you don't want America to succeed. Vote against the Democrats. Vote for the GOP if you want obstruction. That way nothing will change except your health care cost going up and the rich getting richer. Simple!

GOP Against What They Are For... because Obama Proposed It

2010-02-02T00:12:00.002-06:00

Here is the list:

- Tax cuts for small business: no GOP applause
- PayGo: not now
- Bank Fee to Re-coup Bailout $: nope, siding with Big Banks not you and I
- Deficit Reduction Commission: Changed their minds

OK - I appreciate Obama trying but these GOP bastards just have no interest in helping the country.

They OBSTRUCT, OBSTRUCT, OBSTRUCT... we pay, pay, pay!

I Could Not Say It Any Better

2009-12-21T10:33:00.001-06:00

Power of Change vs 50 Years of the Same

2009-12-20T23:47:00.002-06:00

In the frustration expressed by Progressives, you can see how deeply the country has slid away from the will of the people.

Do you realize that you have to go back to the 1960s to find ANY truly Earth shattering legislation that has come out of the Congress. That was Medicare. Over FIFTY years since the government of the US of A has been able to truly lead with anything akin to bold initiatives for changing our future for the better.

This is the abyss of the status quo and the moneyed interest represented by the lobbyist.

As I sit her typing this, I am listening to the mouthpiece of the status quo, Mitch McConnell tell Americans that we need to FEAR this change (as represented by health care reform). This is the ploy that we have fallen prey to for 50 long years and you know what? It is our own fault.

For those that know better, we have been too quiet. We should have spoke up. We should not have had better things to do then let out country be stolen by these thieves and liars.

The government is the representative of the "common good" and it can do good work. Those that say otherwise are busy trying to outsource govt services for profit or gutting the budgets that make for good regulations.

The right screams about Socialism, when really it is them and the easily scared that are marching toward a path of destruction for this country. A path that leads to a time when other countries will no longer care what we say or do. Look around... it is already happening.

Curious politics have been afoot in 2009. When would it ever be OK for an unknown Representative to scream "you lie!" during a Presidential address of congress? When would be OK for the leader's of China, India and Brazil to lie about leaving a climate change conference but instead be plotting to sabotage it?

I am sure that a few years before the collapse of the British Empire, there were those that proclaimed that the "sun would never set on the flag of Britain"... then, one day they woke up and it did.

My fellow Americans, wake up. When it is so extraordinarily difficult to get even the simplest most common sense things done in Congress (like health care)... or when the filibuster is used as commonplace, not the rare exception. Something is wrong... we are wrong and we need to change. We need to start believing again. Believing that we are all in this together. That our collective well-being is worth more that the Wall Street million dollar bonuses or the CEO salaries that are 100 times more then the average worker's in the same company. We need to believe that saving a few jobs here in America is worth more that a 2 cent stock dividend.

Wake up America... this great country is being torn asunder by the fear mongering hypocrites that exploit the uneducated. This is your country. Start asking why, and why and why again? Why can't we save the environment? Why can't we have job security? Why can't my children be guaranteed a college education? Why can't we make that product in America? Why can't we show the World that we are a force for what is good in the World?

This is your country.... what do you want it to represent. Think about it!

A Real Debate in the Senate - WOW!

2009-12-15T20:02:00.001-06:00

Lieberman in Need of a Swift Kick in the Marbles

2009-12-15T19:39:00.001-06:00

Somebody please kick Lieberman in the balls, he is an asshole.