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Will this be our fate?

Posted by jim0943 on Wednesday, November 05, 2008 9:07:50 AM

 We must learn from history and not repeat it. 

The great depression began in late 1929 and lasted about 10 years..thru most of the 1930's.  During this period there were unprecedented levels of unemployment and large drops in consumer spending that resulted in related drops in the production of goods to be sold.  Unemployment reached a peak in 1933 when 1 out of every 4 able workers could not find any work.  Prices fell on everything but, even so, not much money was left to spend since wages also fell for those who still had jobs and what money people did have they were afraid to spend on anything but the bare necessities.
 
The great stock market crash occurred in late October 1929 about a year after Herbert Hoover was elected president (in November 1928) but the stock market didn't actually hit its bottom until mid 1932.
 
Government attempts to prop up the economy after the crash basically continued to make things worse throughout the decade of the 1930's
 
One key example was that in June 1930 congress enacted the Smoot Hawley Tariff Act  placing large tariffs on imports.  The hope was that doing this would increase demand for products produced here in the USA.  Unfortunately this resulted in a large reduction in farm and other exports (which basically were cut in half).   Further, as a result of reduced US imports from other countries, those other countries experienced economic problems which resulted in them retaliating with their own tariffs, further reducing US exports.   Global protectionism ruled and world trade suffered greatly as many long-standing international economic trading relationships were damaged.  This was all harmful to the US economy, which was already struggling, including adding to the already rising unemployment.
 
The combination of many factors (including the stock market crash and these tariffs) caused many people and businesses to default on loans and have to declare bankruptcy.  Subsequently many banks failed (over 5,000 banks failed between 1929 & 1932)
 
The government infused large amounts of money into supporting the banking system but problems persisted
 
Facing huge budget deficits and unwilling to curtail expenditures (in fact with a desire to spend more), at the recommendation of Treasury Secretary Andrew Mellon, Herbert Hoover proposed the Hoover Revenue Act of 1932 which drastically raised income, estate, excise and sales taxes and also increased postal rates.
 
Many people offer many different reasons for and disagree about what actually caused and exacerbated the great depression but almost all believe and acknowledge that the large reduction of US exports and the huge federal tax increases were major factors.
 
In the aftermath of 1929 those in government (first Herbert Hoover & then Franklin Roosevelt, who was elected in 1932) advocated creating massive federal government programs to spend taxpayer money to help revive the economy via public works and welfare programs.  Many believe this government interference actually prolonged the depression but others disagree.
 
While many things today are very different, there are unfortunate and frighteningly striking similarities between what happened then and where we are today as well as with what Obama and the extreme left leaning congress wants to do now. 
 
We have already seen at least part of a stock market crash and we have also seen massive attempts by the federal government to intervene in an economic crisis.  We have also seen a number of bank failures as well as failures of other large businesses.  In the early 1930's there was much less of an expectation of having the federal government bail out  everyone.  Today, too many have an entitlement mentality that says the government needs to be involved in all problem-solving...leading to totally unrealistic expectations about what can (or should) be done in an economic crisis.
 
It is entirely likely, under the new administration, that restrictions will be placed on international trade and income taxes will be increased.  Those goals are among the desires of the far left who helped elect this president and congress (especially labor unions and those who favor income redistribution).   It will be difficult to ignore the demands of their base.   However, even beyond the base, Obama and many who are in the new congress see these steps as good things to do...not bad things.  They will ignore history and say that things are different now.
 
Just in the past few months, the federal government has already spent (or agreed to spend) more than a trillion dollars trying to "rescue" the economy.   We do not have a lot of ammunition left to throw at these problems.   We are in very dangerous territory.  I do not trust this economy under their control.  I fear a worse case scenario. 
 
And none of this even contemplates the devastating impact of another damaging attack on the US by terrorists.

 

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This is what could happen...get out and VOTE so it doesn't

Posted by jim0943 on Tuesday, November 04, 2008 6:54:35 AM
What does the triumvirate of Obama, Pelosi and Reid offer us?
 
·        They will provide us with very dangerous leadership at time of war.   As president, Obama will try to appease the enemies of the United States….at our peril; he will be perceived as weak and will be "tested"
 
·        Al-Qaeda, Iran or some other enemy of the US will test Obama within the first 6 months of his taking office (even Joe Biden thinks that this will happen) – Will it be a suitcase nuclear bomb set off in Washington or New York or Los Angeles or Chicago; or, perhaps will Iran finally attack Israel; or, will North Korea do something equally provocative?  What will be the reaction of a president Obama?
 
·        The ineffective United Nations will be the first place to which a president Obama turns for all international crises; this will result in continued ineffective non-action vs. decisive action; our enemies will be emboldened to be even more aggressive
 
·        Higher taxes and new restrictions on free trade will be enacted (both are part of Obama's liberal agenda) and this will cause a great depression (just as it did when these same things were done in the 1930's under Herbert Hoover); the stock market plunge in October 2008 will be nothing compared to what could soon happen
 
·        Taxes will be raised on the top 5 percent of wage-earners, who now already pay 60 percent of the entire U.S. income tax burden, and tens of millions of checks will be sent out to the 40 percent of wage-earners who pay no federal income tax…a clear redistribution of wealth (Karl Marx would be proud)
 
·        Significant more domestic spending will be enacted and the deficit will again continue to soar higher over the next 4 years; for example, Obama has promised government funded college education for all...that alone is a budget buster, yet it is but one of many expensive and expansive spending promises that he has made
 
·        The first trillion-dollar deficit will be run in the first year of an Obama presidency...It will be the first of many
 
·        Lower spending for defense – Barney Frank has already called for a 25% across the board cut in all defense spending…don't think it can't happen; during both the Carter and Clinton administrations, they emasculated our military resources by huge cuts in military spending
 
·        Amnesty will be granted to all illegal aliens (estimated to be between 12 and 20 million), thus permitting Democrats to expand their voting base by making citizens of these newly legalized aliens and adding them to the voting rolls. This will mean that Nevada, Colorado, New Mexico and Arizona will soon be totally out of reach for all Republican presidential candidates, as California has been for years...almost insuring continued future liberal control of all three branches of government
 
·        Border security will be placed on the back burner and illegal aliens will continue to flock to our country for its unending supply of “free lunches”
 
·        The Fairness Doctrine will be reinstated and conservative talk radio (perhaps even Fox News on TV as well) will be shut down
 
·        Private voting for union members will be eliminated, thus intimidating those who don't want to join unions and those who disagree with union bosses
 
·        Supreme Court and other judicial appointments will be made of those judges who decide cases based on what “feels” right vs. what the law actually says and requires; new laws will be enacted by the courts and Americans will have no say…have no recourse.  These judges are appointed for life
 
·        Special protections for homosexuals will be written into all civil rights laws, thus creating a "thought police" mentality whereby the underlying reason for crimes must be somehow be the subject of "mind-reading" by juries to determine if a "hate crime" has been committed vs. a "regular crime"
 

·        Those whose faith teaches them that homosexual activity is immoral will be accused of "hate crimes" for even daring to share their beliefs in public (or perhaps even in private).  Pastors and Priests will be silenced from preaching the tenets of their faith from their pulpits

 

·        Obama wants the Defense of Marriage act overturned.  Thus the homosexual marriages that state judges have forced California, Massachusetts and Connecticut to recognize will be forced into recognition in ALL 50 STATES by an Obama Congress or an Obama court
 
·        The "Freedom of Choice Act" nullifying all state restrictions on abortions will be enacted, including all parental notification laws regarding teens and pre-teens.  Obama has pledged to sign it as the first act of his presidency. America will become the most pro-abortion nation on earth
 
·        Affirmative action -- hiring and promotions based on race, sex and sexual orientation until specified quotas are reached -- will be rigorously enforced throughout the U.S. government and private sector, thus worsening racial tensions
 
·        The first steps towards socialized medicine will be enacted and will not be reversible.  If price and wage controls are imposed on the medical profession, many who would otherwise have chosen that profession will chose some other profession and our supply of doctors will grow smaller and smaller
 

·        Universal health insurance will be enacted and it will cover all legal and illegal immigrants, providing yet another powerful magnet for the world to come to America, if necessary by breaching her borders.  The strain on medical services will be unmanageable...as we add at least 12 million new patients but NO new doctors.  Access to health care will become more and more difficult for all Americans.  Rationing of medical care is certainly not out of the question



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McCain's MUST say these things tomorrow night

Posted by jim0943 on Tuesday, October 14, 2008 6:08:14 AM
My fellow Americans.
 
This election could not be more important to the future safety and prosperity of our country.  
 
Our country is involved in three wars...two regional conflicts...one in Iraq and one in Afghanistan, as well as a worldwide conflict with Islamic terrorists.
 
We cannot afford to place the leadership of our country in the hands of someone who is as inexperienced and naive as my opponent. 
 
Time and again over his short political career and during this campaign, Senator Obama has demonstrated his lack of understanding of what kind of leadership is required in a time of war.  My friends, I have that leadership.
 
As you decide whether or not to place your trust in me or in Senator Obama, please consider the critical nature of your decision.  Our country cannot afford a mistake in this election.
 
The Democratic Party has a history of failing to provide appropriate funding levels for our military.  Presidents Reagan and Bush both had to rebuild our military after both the Carter and Clinton administrations.  Far too often history has a habit of repeating itself.   We cannot afford weakness at a time of war.
 
Our country is also in the midst of a severe and unprecedented economic crisis.  Americans are very worried and very angry...and justifiably so. 
 
My friends, the polls indicate that many of you are blaming my party and taking out your anger on Republicans.  I ask you to consider these facts.
 
Many people from both parties are to blame for the actions leading up to this economic crisis.  However, it is clear that the home mortgage crisis is at the heart of the economic crisis.  Home mortgage problems began long ago with a well intentioned law passed in 1977 by Democrats and super charged in its impact in 1995 by President Clinton when lending institutions were forced to make sub-prime loans they didn't want to make.  Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac spent the last decade insuring and buying up those mortgages.  Many Democrats in Congress, including Senator Chris Dodd and Congressman Barney Frank, were staunch defenders of inaction regarding attempts to control Fannie and  Freddie.  Several years ago I supported strong regulation of these two agencies but my efforts were defeated by Democrats.
 
Please consider this history when you decide whether it is a good idea to put a den of foxes in charge of the hen house that is our economy.
 
Finally, there is the Supreme Court.  The next President will likely place one or more judges on the Supreme Court. 
 
If you like the ways that Justices Ginsburg, Stevens, Breyer and Souter vote then a vote for Senator Obama would give you more of the same.
 
Or do you prefer the voting records of Justices Roberts, Alito, Scalia and Thomas?  I pledge to appoint more of these kinds of judges.
 
If this election were to result in a President Obama along with a Nancy Pelosi as Speaker of the House and a Harry Reid as the Senate Majority leader their liberal agenda would be unstoppable. 
 
You should be VERY concerned about the march towards socialized medicine...which has proven disastrous in all countries where it has been tried. 
 
You should be VERY concerned about the reinstatement of the fairness doctrine which will eliminate all conservative talk radio. 
 
You should be VERY concerned about your taxes. 
 
My opponent claims he will cut taxes for 95% of Americans yet he has never voted to cut taxes.  In addition he is proposing almost a trillion dollars of new spending.  Do the math. 
 
President Clinton also promised you a middle class tax cut too...yet he raised your taxes as soon as he was elected. 
 
Don't bet on tax cuts from a government controlled by liberals...it ain't gonna happen.  I could go on but I hope these few examples will help you see the danger we face.
 
My fellow Americans I respectfully ask for your vote.  You can trust me to do what I say I will do.  I question whether you can trust my opponent.  Thank you and God Bless America.
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McCain's closing argument on Wednesday 10-15-08

Posted by jim0943 on Monday, October 13, 2008 6:46:06 AM
 
My fellow Americans.
 
This election could not be more important to the future safety and prosperity of our country.  
 
Our country is involved in three wars...two regional conflicts...one in Iraq and one in Afghanistan, as well as a worldwide conflict with Islamic terrorists.
 
We cannot afford to place the leadership of our country in the hands of someone who is as inexperienced and naive as my opponent. 
 
Time and again over his short political career and during this campaign, Senator Obama has demonstrated his lack of understanding of what kind of leadership is required in a time of war.  My friends, I have that leadership.
 
As you decide whether or not to place your trust in me or in Senator Obama, please consider the critical nature of your decision.  Our country cannot afford a mistake in this election.
 
The Democratic Party has a history of failing to provide appropriate funding levels for our military.  Presidents Reagan and Bush both had to rebuild our military after both the Carter and Clinton administrations.  Far too often history has a habit of repeating itself.   We cannot afford weakness at a time of war.
 
Our country is also in the midst of a severe and unprecedented economic crisis.  Americans are very worried and very angry...and justifiably so. 
 
My friends, the polls indicate that many of you are blaming my party and taking out your anger on Republicans.  I ask you to consider these facts.
 
Many people from both parties are to blame for the actions leading up to this economic crisis.  However, it is clear that the home mortgage crisis is at the heart of the economic crisis.  Home mortgage problems began long ago with a well intentioned law passed in 1977 by Democrats and super charged in its impact in 1995 by President Clinton when lending institutions were forced to make sub-prime loans they didn't want to make.  Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac spent the last decade insuring and buying up those mortgages.  Many Democrats in Congress, including Senator Chris Dodd and Congressman Barney Frank, were staunch defenders of inaction regarding attempts to control Fannie and  Freddie.  Several years ago I supported strong regulation of these two agencies but my efforts were defeated by Democrats.
 
Please consider this history when you decide whether it is a good idea to put a den of foxes in charge of the hen house that is our economy.
 
Finally, there is the Supreme Court.  The next President will likely place one or more judges on the Supreme Court. 
 
If you like the ways that Justices Ginsburg, Stevens, Breyer and Souter vote then a vote for Senator Obama would give you more of the same.
 
Or do you prefer the voting records of Justices Roberts, Alito, Scalia and Thomas?  I pledge to appoint more of these kinds of judges.
 
If this election were to result in a President Obama along with a Nancy Pelosi as Speaker of the House and a Harry Reid as the Senate Majority leader their liberal agenda would be unstoppable. 
 
You should be VERY concerned about the march towards socialized medicine...which has proven disastrous in all countries where it has been tried. 
 
You should be VERY concerned about the reinstatement of the fairness doctrine which will eliminate all conservative talk radio. 
 
You should be VERY concerned about your taxes. 
 
My opponent claims he will cut taxes for 95% of Americans yet he has never voted to cut taxes.  In addition he is proposing almost a trillion dollars of new spending.  Do the math. 
 
President Clinton promised you a middle class tax cut too...yet he raised your taxes as soon as he was elected. 
 
Don't bet on tax cuts from a government controlled by liberals...it ain't gonna happen.  I could go on but I hope these few examples will help you see the danger we face.
 
My fellow Americans I respectfully ask for your vote.  You can trust me to do what I say I will do.  I question whether you can trust my opponent.  Thank you and God Bless America.

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McCain's closing argument on Wednesday 10-15-08

Posted by jim0943 on Sunday, October 12, 2008 4:24:34 PM
 
My fellow Americans.
 
This election could not be more important to the future safety and prosperity of our country.   
 
Our country is involved in three wars...two regional conflicts...one in Iraq and one in Afghanistan, as well as a worldwide conflict with Islamic terrorists. 
 
We cannot afford to place the leadership of our country in the hands of someone who is as inexperienced and naive as my opponent. 
 
Time and again over his short political career and during this campaign, Senator Obama has demonstrated his lack of understanding of what kind of leadership is required in a time of war.  My friends, I have that leadership.
 
As you decide whether or not to place your trust in me or in Senator Obama, please consider the critical nature of your decision.  Our country cannot afford a mistake in this election.
 
The Democratic Party has a history of failing to provide appropriate funding levels for our military.  Presidents Reagan and Bush both had to rebuild our military after both the Carter and Clinton administrations.  Far too often history has a habit of repeating itself.   We cannot afford weakness at a time of war.
 
Our country is also in the midst of a severe and unprecedented economic crisis.  Americans are very worried and very angry...and justifiably so. 
 
My friends, the polls indicate that many of you are blaming my party and taking out your anger on Republicans.  I ask you to consider these facts.
 
Many people from both parties are to blame for the actions leading up to this economic crisis.  However, it is clear that the home mortgage crisis is at the heart of the economic crisis.  Home mortgage problems began long ago with a well intentioned law passed in 1977 by Democrats and super charged in its impact in 1995 by President Clinton when lending institutions were forced to make sub-prime loans they didn't want to make.  Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac spent the last decade insuring and buying up those mortgages.  Many Democrats in Congress, including Senator Chris Dodd and Congressman Barney Frank, were staunch defenders of inaction regarding attempts to control Fannie and  Freddie.  Several years ago I supported strong regulation of these two agencies but my efforts were defeated by Democrats.
 
Please consider this history when you decide whether it is a good idea to put a den of foxes in charge of the hen house that is our economy.
 
Finally, there is the Supreme Court.  The next President will likely place one or more judges on the Supreme Court. 
 
If you like the ways that Justices Ginsburg, Stevens, Breyer and Souter vote then a vote for Senator Obama would give you more of the same. 
 
Or do you prefer the voting records of Justices Roberts, Alito, Scalia and Thomas?  I pledge to appoint more of these kinds of judges. 
 
If this election were to result in a President Obama along with a Nancy Pelosi as Speaker of the House and a Harry Reid as the Senate Majority leader their liberal agenda would be unstoppable. 
 
You should be VERY concerned about the march towards socialized medicine...which has proven disastrous in all countries where it has been tried. 
 
You should be VERY concerned about the reinstatement of the fairness doctrine which will eliminate all conservative talk radio. 
 
You should be VERY concerned about your taxes. 
 
My opponent claims he will cut taxes for 95% of Americans yet he has never voted to cut taxes.  In addition he is proposing almost a trillion dollars of new spending.  Do the math. 
 
President Clinton promised you a middle class tax cut too...yet he raised your taxes as soon as he was elected. 
 
Don't bet on tax cuts from a government controlled by liberals...it ain't gonna happen.  I could go on but I hope these few examples will help you see the danger we face.
 
My fellow Americans I respectfully ask for your vote.  You can trust me to do what I say I will do.  I question whether you can trust my opponent.  Thank you and God Bless America. 
 
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