Politcal Deliberation!

See the new page on Drones.

2013-02-11T13:50:00.001-05:00

Diabetes TV Commercial on Youtube

2013-01-13T06:46:00.000-05:00

Thank you to Jeanne Shaheen and Vince Wilfork for the commercial coming out against diabetes. My wife and I have family members effected by it too. Glad I voted for Jeanne Shaheen. We are all rooting for the Pats. We know Vince is their fastest most versatile wide receiver! Good job folks!

Details, Smart Folks, Analysis

2013-01-12T11:00:00.002-05:00

Use #uppers on twitter to follow a group of people discussing issues brought Up on the Chris Hayes Show Sat and Sun Morning on MSNBC . One group today Michael Chabon, Telegraph Avenue, Victor Labelle, The Devil in Silver, Ayana Mathis, Twelve Tribes of Hattie and George Saunders, Tenth of December all talked about President Obama. How Obama's image has been cultivated by many and who the different gardeners were. These are bright folks effecting the culture in America. Nice to see them on Cable TV.
Another group analysed Sec. Geithner's impact on the fiscal crisis at the start of the Obama term one. The monies set aside for banks, the monies set aside to help the 99%, the effectiveness of those programs. Yes, it's liberals and progressives discussing weighty problems but it has it's place. Good show Chris and staff!

2013-01-10T17:31:00.003-05:00

Say it ain't so Joe. The Morning Joe show was uncomfortable today, Thurs. Jan 10, 2013. I thought I was watching a Hardball rerun. Joe's ego got up but left his manners to sleep till noon. The result was embarrassing. You know when Rush acts ego centric and ill mannered he loses advertisers. Mika is a human being that believes in liberal theories of government Joe. You need to consider growing to adulthood frat boy. Looks like Mika was only defending Katy Kay by using a Joe Scarborough soliloquy. And they say there is no war on women in this country. Love the show, it's a microcosym of Congress and America.

Mediate Politics from the Eyes of an Ebony Mom
Foxnation
1600 PENN

Erskine Bowles supports Jack Lew on Morning Joe today.

2013-01-10T09:08:00.001-05:00

Erskine Bowles said a lot of nice things about Jack Lew today on Morning Joe.
Erskin Bowles on Paul Ryans plan a video talking about the Ryan plan for the budget.
Straddling the cliff. a comment or two on how both sides are at fault.
A clear supporter of the highest give some and the lowest give a lot. What's fair is fair?
Why Erskine Bowles should be next at Treasury. Why Jack Lew is the right choice!
Not sure what to say. I'll let Sen Bowles and friends say it.

Sen. Bernie Sanders comprehensive solution.

Debt Default

2013-01-09T15:21:00.000-05:00

The following URL predicts a "Debt Default" coming to America in the next few months. It explains that the best interest of Republican and Democrat Congress people are served by this event. You'll need to endure an ad because Forbes needs more money. But after clicking though you'll get to the article. The article explains the event will not be cataclysmic and will allow us to move forward. Maybe the author is right!
I was just thinking though that one thing is different now. Everyone in America that chooses to can review voting results in Congress. Charts of statistics can be produced. Explanations can come in many sizes. People can remember using that awful Google Search and Wikipedia and all their cousins. None of it can be erased from the record. The party of No is not a label, it's a fact, that can be checked. Our culture is checking, watching, remembering. We don't like false advertisement, long lines at polls, disinformation, large magazines on guns that are made for killing, short selling on Americas Companies, credit swaps, Banks that sue the US. We are pissy that way!

McCain vs. Cheney

2013-01-08T16:06:00.000-05:00

1. There is a race between John McCain and Dick Cheney. Each are trying to outdo one another. Right now Cheney leads but McCain followers should take heart.
2. McCain strikes back! Insulting a Governor and a great CEO at the same time.

Michael Moore vs Bill Krystol, Moore has been watching you Bill.

2013-01-08T03:37:00.001-05:00

In the beginning I didn't like MM. I thought he stirred up unnecessary conflict. When I was laid off, which matured to retirement, it gave me time to view some documentaries. Now I read this. I wanted to say to Michael how wrong I was about him. You have done a lot to advance the debate in this country in a direction that is proper. You are a caustic, happy, smiling, thoughtful, troublemaker. Congrats!

Chuck Hagel

2013-01-06T10:49:00.000-05:00

He needs to have evolved far enough to respect all people; men, women, gays, different gradients of color, different religions, equally. If he can, then that's a start. I can't think of one person I know that hasn't evolved (grown) on the acceptance issue. Even Rush can say "gay" now without that eye-popping quality that he used to invoke. It's a serious job, we need someone with military program awareness and some commitment to fairness for all the members of the armed forces.
Eccliastes 7:20 There is not a rightous man on earth who does what is right and never sins. Hopefully, we all grow and learn daily. Otherwise our survival as a species is suspect.

Suggestions to improve Congress.

2012-12-29T16:07:00.001-05:00

As time goes by complacency sets in. We think change is impossible. If enough people become aware, if they become upset, they can change things. Here is a list of things to remove elitism from the US Congress and in so doing help the flow of legislation. Not all need to be done, but all will help. We do have the Internet and social media now. American Spring!

1. Make all members participate in Social Security and Medicare. Do away with any other retirement programs.
2. Take away the rule that says any person retiring can keep their last campaign chest.
3. Invoke term limits. One term for senators. Three for the house of representatives.
4. Reduce all congressional pay for members by 50%. Reduce staff expenses.
5. Limit campaign spending to some reasonable amount.
6. Block the techniques of gerrymandering. Fix the districts to a standard geometric shape.
7. Suggest a federal template for early voting and get it adopted in each state.
8. Empower the federal government to supply a plan to standardize voting across the US.

Please make corrections or suggestions in the comments section below.

Does Social Security Add to the Deficit?

2012-12-20T15:20:00.001-05:00

Progressives say Yea! Tea Party says Nay!

1. Center for Economic Policy and Research
2. The American Prospect
3. The Daily KOS
4. Social Security Trustees Report

The truth is I found as much material suggesting Nay as I found for the Yea side. But the Yea side has a more clear explanation. It also exposes a truth. Tea Party folks want those funds designated for Social Security to be redesignated for DOD and spent in the republican war machine. You know the one that Eisenhower warned us about. Middle class funds, Mr. President. Not Tea Party funds!

CEO’s are the Albatross of the American People.

2012-12-19T09:45:00.000-05:00

The Albatross was a sign of good fortune to sailors on the high seas. Those becalmed and adrift with no wind to move the ship would look for signs of wind. With a seven foot wingspan an Albatross doesn’t fly far without a lot of wind, very much a good sign for sailors. But in the Rhyme of the Ancient Mariner the albatross is killed, and becomes a symbol of dashed hope, as though killing the bird killed the wind.

Likewise the overpaid leaders, some of whom lobby congress for cuts out of someone else’s pocket, were once looked to for hope to lead the country but have instead become a dead weight around our necks.
Corporate CEO’s and leaders of large institutions are today's Albatross. The American People look for second and third jobs to get a little wind under their sails before retirement. In the past the middle class would look to rich CEO’s, especially the ‘came from nothing’ as the great hope for the future. But the modern version of that idyllic concept suck up millions of dollars in salary's, return little to the investors in the institutions they work for and pull millions (if not billions) away from the economy.

It’s fair to say that we can now see why the middle class is losing ground. Taxation increases while state government pay increases astronomically in the most bankrupt states. Tuition jumps 9.7% for students while University presidents make over a million at public school. Employee wages are stagnating while CEO compensation skyrockets. Compensation is apparently a zero sum game, those at the top take it, and those at the bottom give it up. The balance sheet of the U.S. has been tilted towards those in power.

When will we learn that these people do not bring us hope? They hoover up vast amounts of resources and tie them into single balance sheets. Pay for performance is a scam of those already in power, to hold hostage those who aren’t. How can you allow a CEO to make 580 times more money than their average employee and keep supporting that company? Stop eating at Mc Donalds. Think twice before attending Ohio State University.

This posting written by Ezra McDuffee

Sen. Bernie Sanders comprehensive solution.

2012-12-18T07:55:00.000-05:00

Bernie Sanders suggests this plan. Sen. has great ideas here.

Mother Jones Article

2012-12-15T11:04:00.000-05:00

This teaser is from Mother Jones No Fiscal Cliff!
"[S]pending is not out of control. Entitlement programs like Social Security and Medicare are rising gently as the baby-boom generation retires. All other spending, including that for the military and domestic discretionary programs, falls—with the notable exception of interest on the debt. Interest rises sharply as the deficit rises, principally because the G.A.O. assumes that revenue will not be permitted to rise above its historical average—as Republicans continually insist." Bruce Bartlett Economist, Conservative

Susan Rice: Winners and Losers !

2012-12-14T11:45:00.000-05:00

It's clear a couple of aging good old boy's won one for the Tea Party. McCain positions himself to be on the Senate Foreign Relations Committee after being "term limited" out of ranking member of Senate Armed Services. He traded the good of the country for self gratification. Makes sense. No one else will mention it because he's a hero but he has grown much smaller and craftier of late thus forgetting about loyalty to the Navy and thereby the country. Not a hero, just a self gratifying old man. Lindsey Graham was always a jerk, we can expect no more from him now, save that he is now labeled a McCain follower.
The President gets a push with me. I am waiting for him to reward Rice's loyalty with something else. Where can a great woman have the most effect. There is a new member on the banking committee. Maybe some way here to test "too big too fail" now that the election is over.
Scott Brown might be considered a winner and thereby the Senate Republicans, if he can win a special election. Pundits from inside the beltway say there is no real competition. Lawrence @msnbc says Ed Markey has $4M and SB has $400k. Republicans can fix that though quickly. Another shoe to drop?
On his Sunday Show Brian Williams asked Susan Rice why she was picked to talk about Benghazi when others might have had more direct responsibility. Rice took the high road defending Hillary but I think she protests too much. Was that damning with faint praise? Did Hillary use her aircraft to bounce all over the world to hide too well during the last days of the election and thereby display a weakness. Is wanting the job too much a weakness? Is being too old a weakness? When did Reagan fall apart?
So another Rhodes Scholar with a steady quick mind bites the dust. Women are losers here. The country is a loser here. It's just politics, except that someone I thought well of in the past has once again displayed his weaker constitution.

Shale Oil Map of the US

2012-12-09T07:53:00.001-05:00

Here is Wikipedia's Map of the lower 48 shale oil deposits in the US. (map of US shale oil deposits). Lot's of information is available now about fracking and it's potential negative impact. God knows the oil companies understand the positive impact, profits. I also sense the republicans understand the impact of too much regulation by government. The map causes me to think about money and it follows, fewer regulations, more profits and middle Americans getting left out. I have no idea if fracking will ever be safe. But since those drilling rights belong to the country, therefore to all Americans, why not use some of that money as a bribe to the American people by the oil companies (they are used to that kind of talk) to educate all our college kids. Thus helping to solve two of our growing problems. A better education for young folks will pump health into our economy through people, creating an economic pump.The college folks won't carry as much debt. (a financial crisis growing daily).
I believe that ultimately fracking in some form will be carried forward. I'd like to see it done safely and with Government supervision. The lions share of any potential benefits should go to solving problems for our country and for a change,not introducing new unpaid for calamities that the US taxpayer needs to clean up later.

FCC should stop media consolidation efforts

2012-12-08T15:48:00.001-05:00

Bernie Sanders and Bill Moyers FCC stop it!

Edshow theme: Pressure! On the cliff!

2012-12-08T05:05:00.000-05:00

At three AM I woke up and couldn't get back to sleep. It happens some nights. No particular reason just "wide awake". Edshow on MSNBC Cable TV News was on. Ed was using the show to make a point. Me, being an acute observer of the obvious, think I got it. He led with Emanuel Cleaver. A Methodist Pastor from Kansas City, Mo and the current leader of "The Black Caucus" (44 members) in the House. Pastor Cleaver said, when the Bush tax cuts expire that's 950B toward the deficit over 10 years. We have already set aside 1.2T and if "'Means Testing" of the most wealthy is applied to Medicare only then we have enough. He further reiterated, Social Security is not available for discussion. The "Black Caucus" leader supported the position of Nancy Pelosi the Minority Leader in the House. She wants to kick ass and take names. (excuse me Rev, I was paraphrasing) He seemed to be speaking to both participants in the negotiation but added more pressure to President Obama's plate.
Ed trotted out Sen Bernie Sanders of Vermont who is always willing to review his position. No on SS, No on medicaid and not much on Medicare. Sen Sanders is an independent and one of the best voices in Congress for the Democrats. I thought his pressure was heaped on both Boehner and Obama.
Then Ed had a crazy union leader from Michigan rail against the Republican Governor for forcing through a right to work law in spite of stiff opposition. This section didn't deal with the cliff negotiation but it does serve to remind voters of the election that voted in Obama and so many senators.
I wanted to say thanks Ed for the pressure. You are using your time wisely and reminding all parties of what is at stake and what needs to be done. President Obama won the election, Speaker Boehner you are probably going to loose your gavel anyway, here's a chance for you to gather credibility with many Americans, just not the Tea party. Let's "Get to work!"

Sesession!

2012-12-05T12:55:00.001-05:00

In my life time the State of NH has had a "sesesh" movement more than once. During one term of Gov. Mildrin Thompson, I think we were supposed to align with Quebec and do something. He's the one that promoted "Live Free or Die" on our number plates. I would encourage all active military to find a way to "live" and not to die. We need you all.
Now on the current "sesesh" movement, I'd like to address all those folks in states that are promoting these unthinkable ideas. Please go here Please examine in detail the corpses of Gettysburg. They were some of the first and most moving photos ever taken of the aftermath of war. Take close notice of the massive amount of death. Bear in mind that these folks, some of whom, may have been your great grand parents friends, died because we once tried to dissolve the Union and then seriously fought over it. George Santayana said, "Those who forget history are doomed to repeat it."
During my time in basic training I roomed with two guys both from Alabama. Carl is black. The other guy had been a freshman playing for Bear Bryant and just wasn't good enough. He was big as a house and a white guy. Both Carl and football player understood each other. When it came to me, neither of them could understand me, nor could I understand words they would say. We learned to speak together just fine in a few months. Basic in the USAF wasn't all that tough back then. I still remember them and think of them as friends.
You can believe in States Rights. You can sing songs about the old south and even wish it to rise again if you must. But don't come to me with any other flag, but ours! No more talk of secession! Tell me how you'll make the Union better, stronger! This country doesn't just belong to the current generation, it belongs to a whole lot of families and people and tribes that have fought over it for a long time. No jokes about secession, there will be hell to pay!

Get it together!

2012-12-04T12:33:00.001-05:00

Dear GOP,

On your watch you started two wars that added to the deficit.
Your answer was to reduce taxes that added to the deficit.
The group that takes advantage of your tax reductions the most is now the top 2% of those with wealth.
To ensure their continued success you gave the deductions that brought their percentage below 15% tax rate.
You employ huge sums of money gathered from those most wealthy to favor laws on your behalf.
You precipitated the most recent financial crisis in the US by creating valueless instruments to distribute credit and sold them as valuable. Later you “shorted” them and made money on their inevitable downfall. You subverted any efforts, which were few, by the US government to restrict financial activity. Finally, you relied on the FED Government to bail you out. Most recently the bailed out banks have considered legal action to disput their interest rate.
You lost an election that would have put your man in charge. You have few women in congress, few blacks in congress and no respect at all for hispanics or gay people.
Beyond that, you haven't produced a decent candidate in primary or general election in years.
Now I am telling you; protect social security, improve the efficiency of medicare, and save medicaid for your own good. You are “killing the golden goose”. You don't have to like us. You just have to listen to the ever growing majority and get in line.
Truth be told, I'd love to see your party healthy and producing resonable conservative ideas presented by rational candidates. Make it hard for the middle folks to choose. Do that or disappear.

What is fair is fair!

2012-12-03T20:46:00.000-05:00

Let's review:
1. We have endured the "financial crisis" using public funds to save banks and autoworkers. The banks used the money to pay bonuses while ignoring any significant mortgage relief. Ultimately we found the banks caused the FC with credit swaps designed to make them some real money even as they were protected by us.
2. During the election we voted for the guy least likely to screw us and more capable of leading the country than any other contenders. He won!
3. Now Boehner says destroy social security even though it's funded through 2033. BTW the baby boom bubble will be receding then. And for God sake don't unfairly tax the wealthy.
4. Let's work on the definition of fair. Fair to me means leaving social security, medicare and medicaid alone. Fair means getting more revenue for the government by taxing the top 2%. I would suggest removing all deductions for those earning over $275k per year just to make the plan simple.
5. Since dividends from long term capital gains are really discretionary income let's put those rates back at 90% like during the Eisenhower time period.
6. Eliot Spitzer is pushing a good idea let's levy a tax on Wall Street transactions of 1 or 2% to penalize all those who contributed to the financial crisis!
7. #my2k, #AARP @berniesanders @maddowblog @thefix @thelastword
8. There will be no peace for GOP members of congress if SS or medicare are deminished.

Morning Joe 0, Sam Stein 10

2012-11-30T10:52:00.001-05:00

Morning Joe! A microcosym of the American debate this morning. Mika, Richard Wolffe, and Sam Stein for the Dems. Mark Halperin, Harold Ford, and others for the Reps. I enjoy the show. I yell at the TV when I disagree and appologize to no one if I am too agitated.
In a sales course I took years ago inspired by folks at HP I learned about different buyer types. One was called the "court holder". JS is that guy! What a pompous ass. The panel is individually smarter than you, yet you brow beat them with questions designed to inflate your ego! It's a well worn stage play, but I know you are just doing it to provide the constructs for the American debate, right. No ego involved.
For those of you on twitter saying Sam Stein got bullied, I'd like to suggest an alternative image. He kept his head and ego in check. He tenaciuosly pushed back on Joe's criticism and exposed the older mans lack of thoughtfulness without rancor. Sam Stein is the real deal. Joe is an inflated windbag!
Why would you walk into that negotiation, Boehner v. Geitner/Obama, after this election, and drop your pants Joe? Obama wonnn! But Sam would correct me here to say that it was just to provide a point to begin to talk from.
Joe, talk less, ask small questions, seek big answers. For God's sake stop asking leading questions to make yourself look good. Harold Ford was embarrassed for you!

Tax Avoidance not a loophole, but it should be.

2012-11-28T05:16:00.003-05:00

JAAZEE‏@jaazee1

"@ChasMcDuffee: @jaazee1 @MemoBeacon Offshore accounts not loop holes #nhpoltics" You don't seem to understand, assets declared,taxes paid!

from Plainsboro, NJ Collapse

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a twitter comment above and my responce below.

Yes, you have got me pegged. I don't seem to understand those who use any form of technicality in IRS laws to avoid paying taxes. I am sure you are correct that my calling it a loophole is wrong on my part! I'd say a majority of Americans, a slim majority agree with me, though. You do agree, don't you, that Mr. Romney's offshore account activity may have hurt him just a little in the last election. He certainly didn't want to discuss it very much, so I assume it was not something for which he was proud. More correctly! He didn't want to look bad in the eyes of 98% of the people. By 98% I mean those who pay their taxes and don't employ avoidance techniques.

I understand that you will now be thinking of my free right to do the same. Except, I do not have the discretionary income to participate. I would not quibble with these techniques though until we find that people are using their offshore protected money to buy elections and thereby increase their lobbying power. God you guys must hate the one person one vote thing! One person, regardless of property, gets a vote. Must seem like a bitter technicality.

Below please find a reference that explains “tax avoidance” and clearly supports your point! You folks need to find a way to cover it up better.

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/business-17665780

@jaazee1 I have picked on your comment here, but I value your point of view. You are out there explaining to folks about what you believe in and though I disagree with some of your views, I am glad you tweet a lot and say what you think. Keep it up. Our disagreements have value! Thank you.

Lindsey Graham is right!

2012-11-26T08:21:00.004-05:00

Let's use the Mitt Romney “bucket” approach to all deductions in reverse. Let's exclude all deductions for people over 275k per year. I'll be fair, all deductions apply to everything up to 275k per year. That way, we will be “closing some loopholes” and the tax rates may not matter as much! You see the top five deductions for all Americans benefit the rich more than those with less.
Government should identify all offshore accounts and enforce IRS laws for taxation. All loopholes should be closed.
Let's redefine the words “entitlements”. Entitlements are not something you have paid for all your life. “Entitlement funds” (like social security) owned by the American people are not funds that should be borrowed from by Congress to defer the costs of wars. You see wars cause the use of bullets (and much other stuff) that lines the pockets of the few at the expense of the many.
Medicare costs are healthcare costs. Medicare is too expensive because healthcare is still too expensive. Get those ideas linked in your head and you can see why Obamacare (Romney inspired) is a great idea. Let's continue to find ways to lower healthcare costs.
These comments were inspired by Lindsey Graham who clearly has seen the light! He is a great conservative leader and will forgo even his alliance to Grover Norquist for the American People! (In all fairness Grover points out, it's not a pledge to him but to the American People, so even he doesn't own it!)

Norquist Pledge was always a sham!

2012-11-13T08:07:00.001-05:00

The Grover Norquist pledge is a sham perpetrated on the American people by Grover and his lobby and implemented by the signers. A few days ago Grover disowned the pledge by saying it's not to him, it's to the American people. Well, we don't want it.

We don't want anything from special interest from either side.

Let us review. If you served in the military you took a pledge. When you serve in Congress in either the lower or upper houses you take a pledge. These are pledges you swear to God to implement. Why then do you need to additionally take any other pledges to augment those you have already made? For those of you who take the Bible seriously please go read Ecclesiastes again completely for a reference on vanity. All who have signed that pledge to GN, his lobby or anyone beyond those taken in support of our country should renounce commitments. We need serious people in Washington to deal with critical issues, not game players!

http://www.atr.org/current-list-taxpayer-protection-pledge-signers-a5597

Norquist signers list.

http://www.atr.org/userfiles/Congressional_pledge(1).pdf

the pledge text

http://thehill.com/homenews/house/267467-norquist-pledge-takes-election-hit-

The Hill Norquist Pledge takes an election hit...