Citizen Justice's Open Salon Blog

Judging the Election - What it REALLY Means

Thu, 8 Nov 2012 17:11:36 -0500

Before we jump to conclusions too quickly about how latinos and the youth are destined to vote democratic from here on out, or for what the results of this election say for what America really wants, let's remember that the choice made on Tuesday was between only 2 options when much of what America really wants was not available from either candidate. For the time being America wants some higher taxes on the wealthy, but this is a false question, because everyone ALWAYS agrees to stick the "other" guy with a bill. But does America want its own taxes raised to also get the extra out of the wealthy? No, it does not. There are some, but there is not a majority advocating this alternative. Be careful about a 50% tax increase on 70% of 300 million people just to get a 12% increase on 1%...before they defer it all through capital gains and other tax shelters that will never be available to the 99%. Really, you don't scare any of the wealthy with that scenario, but you are very likely to put those with the least in an even tighter spot to really accomplish nothing.

The real choice America wants in a candidate is one who is fiscally conservative and socially liberal. Fiscally conservative does not mean ignoring the poor. It means striking a balance of creating a system that does what it can to correct for everyone starting life from unequal positions, while at the same time enforcing personal responsibility for each person's actions and the actions of parents for their children. Unfortunately, neither party can bear to live with someone who possesses a leaning their way on one attribute without also having the other and THIS is why our electorate is split 50/50...we can't agree which of these attributes is most important to have. The country will go nowhere until we put these people in power. Go completely liberal and we'll be bankrupt. Go completely conservative and we'll be socially backward.

To think that we don't have youth and latinos that feel this very same way is foolish. Soon, as they also become more split over which of the two leanings is more important when having to choose between candidates that only present one that they want.

However, I WILL comment on the "wisdom" of this decision.

Fri, 10 Sep 2010 12:09:38 -0400

The point isn't whether anyone is christian, muslim or anything else. There should really only be a few points we should look at. Do they have the right to do it (burn the book)? It appears so, so we should be celebrating the freedom of our country for someone to do something that millions of others are completely outraged by. It's the ultimate sign of being free. Especially when so many people including the president and several news outlets went out of their way to tell us how they have the right to build the mosque. (Which they do, and if they want to build it there, they should...freedom works ALL ways) Remember, we weren't commenting about the "wisdom" of the choice. Where is all the defense now? Ironically, what isn't missing now is the commenting on the "wisdom" of burning the book. As for putting troops in danger, that's a bunch of crap. For anyone who would attack another, that person alone is responsible for his or her actions regardless of what anyone else does, especially against someone who didn't even commit the act that was so necessary for retaliation. Yet ironically again, for a people who would be so humiliated if their holy book was burned, they think nothing of doing quite similar things to sacred items of other people. This does not mean we should do a tit-for-tat, but I am not feeling sympathy for someone so humiliated who only sees things one way. Stand up for what you oppose and then you can tell me about freedom and justice. That goes for all sides.

Joe Wilson Deserves An Apology

Sun, 2 May 2010 16:05:01 -0400

Remember how many of you condemned Joe Wilson for calling the President a liar? How anyone who criticizes Obama MUST BE RACIST? Well turns out Joe Wilson has been right all along. Let's see if you are even half as quick to apologize as you were to condemn. Being the gutless, spineless and complete principle lacking liberals that you are, I think we all know how yet again you will come up short.

OH HOW EASY IT IS TO FORGET THE LIES OF OUR OWN. Just what would you say if these lies belonged to George Bush? Oh it hurts so bad knowing you are nothing more than a sorry hypocrite.

End income tax for seniors making less than $50,000

"Will eliminate all income taxation of seniors making less than $50,000 per year. This will eliminate taxes for 7 million seniors -- saving them an average of $1,400 a year-- and will also mean that 27 million seniors will not need to file an income tax return at all.">>More

End no-bid contracts above $25,000

"Will ensure that federal contracts over $25,000 are competitively bid.">>More

Allow imported prescription drugs

"Allow Americans to buy their medicines from other developed countries if the drugs are safe and prices are lower outside the U.S.">>More

Direct the Secretary of Health and Human Services to conduct a comprehensive study of federal cancer initiatives

"As president, Barack Obama will immediately direct his Secretary of Health and Human Services, in collaboration with agency officials, academic researchers, cancer survivors and advocates for people with cancer, and state public health officials, to comprehensively examine the various cancer-related efforts of federal agencies, and provide recommendations to eliminate barriers to effective coordination across federal agencies and between the federal government and other stakeholders.">>More

Double the Peace Corps

"Barack Obama will double the Peace Corps to 16,000 by its 50th anniversary in 2011 and push Congress to fully fund this expansion, with a focus on Latin America and the Caribbean.">>More

Allow five days of public comment before signing bills

To reduce bills rushed through Congress and to the president before the public has the opportunity to review them, Obama "will not sign any non-emergency bill without giving the American public an opportunity to review and comment on the White House website for five days.">>More

Tougher rules against revolving door for lobbyists and former officials

"No political appointees in an Obama-Biden administration will be permitted to work on regulations or contracts directly and substantially related to their prior employer for two years. And no political appointee will be able to lobby the executive branch after leaving government service during the remainder of the administration.">>More

Double funding for afterschool programs

"Will double funding for the main federal support for afterschool programs, the 21st Century Learning Centers program, to serve one million more children.">>More

Urge states to treat same-sex couples with full equality in their family and adoption laws

As president, "will use the bully pulpit to urge states to treat same-sex couples with full equality in their family and adoption laws.">>More

Allow bankruptcy judges to modify terms of a home mortgage

Will repeal provisions of the Chapter 13 law that prohibit bankruptcy judges from modifying the original terms of home mortgages for ordinary families -- regardless of whether the loan was predatory or unfair or is otherwise unaffordable -- "so that ordinary families can also get relief that bankruptcy laws were intended to provide.">>More

Support human mission to moon by 2020

Will "endorse the goal of sending human missions to the Moon by 2020, as a precursor in an orderly progression to missions to more distant destinations, including Mars.">>More

Pay for the national service plan without increasing the deficit

"Will maintain fiscal responsibility and prevent any increase in the deficit by offsetting cuts and revenue sources in other parts of the government (to pay for a national service plan that will cost about $3.5 billion per year when it is fully implemented). This plan will be paid for in part by cancelling tax provisions that would otherwise help multinational corporations pay less in U.S. taxes starting in 2008 by reallocating tax deductions for interest expenses between income earned in the U.S. and income earned abroad. The rest of the plan will be funded using a small portion of the savings associated with ending the war in Iraq.">>More

Give annual "State of the World" address

"I'll give an annual 'State of the World' address to the American people in which I lay out our national security policy.">>More

Reduce earmarks to 1994 levels

"Barack Obama is committed to returning earmarks to less than $7.8 billion a year, the level they were at before 1994.">>More

Allow penalty-free hardship withdrawals from retirement accounts in 2008 and 2009

"Obama and Biden are calling for legislation that would allow withdrawals of 15% up to $10,000 from retirement accounts without penalty (although subject to the normal taxes). This would apply to withdrawals in 2008 (including retroactively) and 2009.">>More

Recognize the Armenian genocide

"Two years ago, I criticized the Secretary of State for the firing of U.S. Ambassador to Armenia, John Evans, after he properly used the term 'genocide' to describe Turkey's slaughter of thousands of Armenians starting in 1915. … as President I will recognize the Armenian Genocide.">>More

No family making less than $250,000 will see "any form of tax increase."

"I can make a firm pledge. Under my plan, no family making less than $250,000 a year will see any form of tax increase. Not your income tax, not your payroll tax, not your capital gains taxes, not any of your taxes.">>More

Negotiate health care reform in public sessions televised on C-SPAN

To achieve health care reform, "I'm going to have all the negotiations around a big table. We'll have doctors and nurses and hospital administrators. Insurance companies, drug companies -- they'll get a seat at the table, they just won't be able to buy every chair. But what we will do is, we'll have the negotiations televised on C-SPAN, so that people can see who is making arguments on behalf of their constituents, and who are making arguments on behalf of the drug companies or the insurance companies. And so, that approach, I think is what is going to allow people to stay involved in this process.">>More

Create a public option health plan for a new National Health Insurance Exchange.

"The exchange will require that all the plans offered are at least as generous as the new public plan and meet the same standards for quality and efficiency.">>More

AND THE LIST JUST KEEPS GROWING...

Thanks Dems - Let's Spend A Little More!!!

Fri, 23 Apr 2010 03:04:58 -0400

President Barack Obama's health care overhaul law will increase the nation's health care tab instead of bringing costs down, government economic forecasters concluded Thursday in a sobering assessment of the sweeping legislation.

We're all so SHOCKED!!! You mean the estimate is that the GOVERNMENT IS NOT GOING TO CUT COSTS OR MAKE ANY SAVINGS??? You have got to be kidding. Everyone but the Dems already know this, but they are too busy worshipping the "savior". Thanks for yet another screw-up!!!

Open Salon Criticizers of Obama - Probably Racist

Wed, 21 Apr 2010 13:04:51 -0400

Or wait...is it ONLY Republican opposition that's racist???