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Political Hay
All-Purpose Scapegoats
Fiscal-cliff deal won’t end the Democrat war against “the rich.”
Good-bye, “tax cuts for the rich.” If the legislation passed on New Year’s Day means nothing else, it should at least put an end to a rhetorical trope that Democrats have been pounding for the past decade. This has been the essence of the Democrat party’s economic message since the enactment of the “Bush tax cuts” in 2002: Everything that is wrong with the economy — and with the federal budget — can be attributed to the fact that the rich aren’t paying enough taxes.
As a “fact,” of course, this fell far short of actually being true, but when did Democrats ever let facts and truth get in the way of an effective campaign message? After senators worked past midnight Monday to enact their fiscal-cliff deal, a New York Times headline proclaimed the joyous news: “Senate Passes Tax Increases on Wealthy Americans.” Thank you, God, and thank you, Harry Reid. After some grumbling and dithering, the House voted late Tuesday to pass the bill, and so taxpayers earning more than $400,000 will see their rates rise. The fearsome dragon of the “Bush tax cuts” has at last been slain, even though we suspect that this will not actually be the “happily ever after” ending of the fairy tale.
Americans have been repeatedly told in recent years that “the rich” (however that term is defined) are not paying “their fair share” of taxes, and that this greedy unfairness is the explanation of anything that needs explaining. Did the local factory lay off workers? The rich are not paying their fair share! Is your daughter struggling to repay her student loans? The rich are not paying their fair share!
Especially in the “swing states” during last year’s election campaign, voters heard this Democrat message so often, in so many iterations, that it must have seemed like the universal panacea, a sort of snake-oil miracle cure. Whatever your problem — obesity, dandruff, halitosis, chronic flatulence — the Democrats promised to cure it by finally forcing the rich to Pay Their Fair Share. This message proved to be amply satisfactory to people too stupid or too lazy to bother themselves with arithmetic. Perhaps it is not entirely a coincidence that comparatively few of those math-deficient voters are themselves rich.
Since their Election Day catastrophe, Republicans have been wringing their hands over “demographics” (by which they mean black and Hispanic voters), but exit-poll data show that economics may explain more than demographics. Barack Obama spent much of the campaign espousing a message that pitted “the rich” against “the middle class,” but in the end, a majority of the middle class actually voted for Mitt Romney. While the Republican challenger got 53 percent among those earning more than $50,000 a year — who comprised 59 percent of the electorate, according to exit polls — Obama won by piling up massive margins among the poor and those struggling at the lower edges of middle-class status. Although voters making less than $30,000 a year were only 20 percent of the electorate, Obama got 63 percent of their vote, and he got 57 percent of those with annual incomes between $30,000 and $50,000. Among the Seven Deadly Sins, not even Lust is more important than Envy when it comes to electing Democrats.
The effectiveness of Obama’s class-warfare message, pounded home with a barrage of campaign ads in key swing states, can be seen in state-by-state comparisons. In Missouri, which Romney won with 54 percent of the vote, the Republican got 60 percent among voters earning $50,000 or more, while Obama got 60 percent of those with incomes of $30,000 or less. In the battleground state of Ohio, however, Romney’s share of the over-$50,000 vote was smaller (54 percent), Obama’s share of the under-$30,000 vote was larger (63 percent), and the result was that the Democrat won Ohio with 51 percent. The comparison of these two Midwest states is particularly helpful in understanding why “demographics” cannot adequately explain the GOP’s woes. Romney easily won Missouri, where the population is 81 percent non-Hispanic white, but narrowly lost Ohio, where the population is also 81 percent non-Hispanic white. These different results cannot be explained by reference to trends among black and Latino voters. The real difference was that Ohio voters were more amenable to — and, thanks to the Democrat campaign-ad blitz, much more exposed to — Obama’s message of economic envy that blamed “the rich” for everything wrong with the country.
It did not help the Republicans that their candidate was himself rich, easily caricatured as the living embodiment of everything the Democrats were telling voters they should hate. Nor did it help that the Democrat message was endlessly amplified by that slice of “the rich” who earn multimillion-dollar salaries in the media. MSNBC’s Chris Matthews ($5 million a year) was praised last week as a “statesman” and a “model” by the liberal network’s president, and we may take some small comfort in the knowledge that Matthews will be paying more taxes in 2013.
Or maybe not. Wealthy liberals like Chris Matthews can afford accountants and investment managers whose specialty is minimizing the tax bills of their elite clientele. The political value of higher taxes on “the rich” as an egalitarian gesture doesn’t necessarily mean that Matthews and other multimillionaire progressives will actually pay an extra dime to the IRS. The ability of the rich to avoid taxes provides the obverse proof of supply-side theory, validating the Laffer Curve and making it impossible to project with certainty how much additional revenue any particular tax increase will produce. Supporters of the Senate bill said the Congressional Budget Office estimated that the fiscal-cliff deal would mean an extra $620 billion for the federal Treasury over the next decade, but such an estimate is not an ironclad guarantee.
Sen. Rand Paul explained this in a New Year’s Eve floor speech before he voted against the deal. “Mark my word, you will raise tax rates and you’ll feel good because you went out there and you got those rich people,” the Kentucky Republican told his colleagues before they voted 89-8 in favor of the bill. “You campaigned against rich people and you got enough envy whipped up in the country, and you’re going to stick it to those rich people. But guess what? You may not get any more revenue. You may not get any more economic growth. But you can say, ‘I stuck it to the rich people.’”
Thus did Democrats relieve America of the Bush-era “tax cuts for the rich” that provided an organizing rationale for Obama’s re-election campaign. Of course, Republicans were able to force something of a compromise, so that the deal will not return us to Clinton-era tax rates. Democrats will therefore be able to find new opportunities for future demagoguery against those evil rich people who have become the all-purpose scapegoats of the Obama Age.
About the Author
Robert Stacy McCain is co-author (with Lynn Vincent) of Donkey Cons: Sex, Crime, and Corruption in the Democratic Party (Nelson Current). He blogs at The Other McCain.
Letter to the Editor View all comments (153) | Leave a comment
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benny havens| 1.2.13 @ 7:09AM
For all you Einstein Obama lovers out there, $620 billion over ten years equals $62 billion per year. Obama is spending $3.6 trillion per year.
If you just made a purchase for $3,600 and you don’t have the money to cover it Uncle Barack will give you $62.00 for your trouble.
Do you get it? This country has a spending problem.
Jack in Wi| 1.2.13 @ 7:42AM
The number of big earners has collapsed since 2007. The money is not there. All these high taxes do is enshrine the bureaucrats and criminals who rule us. It is time to slash, cut, and burn. This country will never be free again until most of Washington DC is returned to cow pastures.
TW in SC| 1.2.13 @ 9:38AM
Blaming the rich worked so well in the past. USSR, Cuba, etc. Sure, take all the rich-people's money and what will you have? NOBODY will be rich. Opportunities to become rich will also vanish and the ever-loving elite political class will get to rule over an ignorant, uneducated population. Historically, that has proven to never work out so well. Remember how happy everyone was in Soviet Russia? How happy they are NOW in North Korea? Yeah, blame the rich for all the woes in the world.
Better idea: Look to oneself for one's happiness.
vtwin| 1.2.13 @ 10:00AM
Historically, raising taxes worked well under Clinton in fact it worked better than cutting taxes worked under Bush.
Doctor Right| 1.2.13 @ 10:09AM
That is so completely absurd it's barely worth a reply.
When you posit an idiotic statement, be prepared to back it up with facts.
Like this:
Under Bush, with a healthy round of tax cuts in 2002, and AFTER 9/11, unemployment was barely 5%.
vtwin| 1.2.13 @ 10:28AM
Average annual jobs creation under Clinton:
1st term +2.60%
2nd term +1.60%
Average annual job creation under Bush:
1st term +0.51%
2nd term -0.84%
I think we can safely presume your doctorate is not in Economics, History, or Mathematics.
TW in SC| 1.2.13 @ 10:47AM
Average annual job creation under obama?
Doctor Right| 1.2.13 @ 11:01AM
Ok, dimwit...
Let's look at facts outside of your stand-alone statistics.
Job creation was higher in Clinton's first term. Why? Simple. A recession ended right before he was elected. So naturally, growth will be "high" after a recession.
In Clinton's second term, growth slows down. WHY? Well, because of the natural business cycle. As the economy strengthens, there will be a period of slowing as available jobs are filled, and more are created.
Bush's first term mirrors this trend. Growth is low, BUT so is unemployment, even AFTER 9/11.
Unemployment continues to decrease into Bush's second term, as we reached 5% unemployment.
You may not be aware of this, but 5% unemployment is basically FULL employment.
In other words, dummy, when pretty much everyone who wants a job can find one, there's not much "growth," only switching between jobs.
Once the Democrats take control of Congress in '06 and the WH in '08, employment takes a nose dive.
Coincidence? Not really.
Look, moron...you want to keep demonstrating your complete ignorance on economics, go ahead. I will kick your stupid ass up and down this board all day.
Occam's Tool| 1.2.13 @ 1:27PM
Tax Receipts went up under Reagan, vtwin.
Further, the way this tax raise is set up, my nurses who make under 100 K will be having a HIGHER tax increase as a percentage of their income than I will at $350 K. Both of us will see our payroll taxes go up---but mine will be on 1/3 of my income only, and theirs will be on their ENTIRE income.
The guys making a million plus a year or so can shunt their investments to places the US government can't tax. Dr. Right is as usual, Right. And I hope that the storm did NOT harm you or yours in any way, sir.
Oldefarte| 1.2.13 @ 1:22PM
Again DA the increases under HillBilly's term was due to the technological revolution, not tax increases. Go back to grade school and learn economics!!!!!!!!!!!
JmsA| 1.2.13 @ 8:10PM
vtwin, don't you remember when you claimed that statistics were not part and parcel of actuarial projections such as Medicare and Social Security? That, by the way, is a rhetorical question, for as you well know, you then also proferred two government websites titled "Actuarial Publications", to buttress your then claim Medicare and Social Security were both in the black. If I were you, I'd think twice before presuming anything about anyone's credentials regarding anything remotely related to any type of calculations. Any claims made by the government and its institutions are just cooked up figures to keep dupes like you in line. That said, please follow below:
JmsA| 1.2.13 @ 8:13PM
vtwin, in 1993, President Clinton increased taxes, including the following: increase of individual income tax rate to 36 % and a 10% surcharge, creating a top rate of 39.6 percent; a 4.3% per gallon increase in transportation fuel taxes; a permanent extension of the phase-out of personal exemptions along with the phase-down of the deduction for itemized expenses; raise of corporate income tax to 35%; and an increase in the taxable portion of Social Security benefits.
In 1997, Congress, led by the Republicans, passed a tax-relief and deficit-reduction bill, which Clinton resisted, but ultimately signed. It included the following: top capital gains tax rate from 28% to 20% ; a new $500 child tax credit; creation of the Hope and Lifetime Learning tax credits to reduce the after-tax costs of higher education; extension of the air transportation excise taxes; phase-in of an increase in the estate tax exemption from $600,000 to $1 million; establishment of Roth IRAs and increase of the income limits for deductible IRAs; creation of education IRAs; conformed AMT (Alternative Minimum Tax) depreciation lives to regular tax lives; and phased in a 15 cent-per-pack increase in the cigarette tax.
JmsA| 1.2.13 @ 8:17PM
To conclude, vtwin:
The Clinton administration brought on two consecutive periods of tax policy experimentation: The initial period, 1993 to 1996, began with a significant tax increase as the economy was accelerating out of (a brief) recession (following Bush I tax increases); the second period, 1997 to 2000, included a modest tax cut, per the Republican Congress, during which the economy should have settled into a normal growth period, based on all previously documented parameters, and instead grew demonstrably stronger following the tax cut, than following the tax increase. What ultimately mattered was that Clinton, with the help of his media acolytes, etc., stole the credit from the Republicans, and in doing so, created a false myth, as it was he that ultimately killed the Reagan expansion.
Oldefarte| 1.2.13 @ 1:20PM
No you DA, the economic increase within the Clinton administration was due solely to the technology revoluntion [silicon valley] that produced vast amounts of income within the country. It has nothing to do with Clinton's tax increases. What a imbicile your mother hatched!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Petronius| 1.3.13 @ 12:57AM
I could tell you why there was a boom on Bubba's watch but you don't want to understand it, and would refuse to believe it if you did.
Anti-Statist| 1.3.13 @ 6:34PM
That's utterly false, and doubly stupid.
vtwin| 1.2.13 @ 9:56AM
If "this country has a spending problem” why didn’t the Republicans negotiate any spending cuts?
Al Adab| 1.2.13 @ 10:08AM
Because they are republicans vtwin. The GOP betrays liberty and conservatives every chance they get. It is the fault of Conservatives for never having learned that lesson.
Doctor Right| 1.2.13 @ 10:13AM
Do you not understand that between 2006-2010, the GOP in Congress had NO POWER to either stop or "negotiate" any spending cuts???
Now gee...who did have that power between 2006-2010???
Hmmmmmm?????
And if the Party you're negotiating with (Obama) has no interest in agreeing to any spending cuts, then what leverage would you be talking about??
I simply cannot stand the ignoramuses on the left any longer. You people are the stupidest, most ill-informed, under-educated mob in history. You know NOTHING, but you scream it with passion and hope that makes it true.
Well, you have the country. Now take your idiotic ideas and try to make it work, you jackasses.
sickofit5| 1.2.13 @ 10:32AM
You are Right Doctor
vtwin| 1.2.13 @ 10:36AM
I was referring to the “fiscal cliff” negotiations. But the Republicans did control the House, Senate, Presidency and the Supreme Court between 2001 and 2007 and the country when from surpluses to deficits.
Doctor Right| 1.2.13 @ 11:04AM
Between 2001-2006, the country was at 5% unemployment, and a dollar was still worth a dollar.
The economy started to dive after November, 2006, and got worse when it became apparent that Obama would win in '08...and it has sucked ever since.
I guess you didn't read about the businesses that were ready to expand if Romney had won?
You are an absolute idiot.
Petronius| 1.3.13 @ 1:01AM
The Dollar hasn't been worth $1 since 1912.
Damselfly76| 1.2.13 @ 12:24PM
Actually, Democrats have controlled the Senate for almost eight of the last twelve years. When Jim Jeffords left the Republican Party to caucus with the Democrats in May 2001 control of the Senate switched to Democrats under Tom Daschle. Republicans did not regain the Senate until 2003. Thus, Republicans only held the House and Senate for the four years 2003 through 2006, by slim margins. Democrats had total control of Congress for the four years 2007 through 2010 by large margins, two of those years with a filibuster- proof Senate, and still control the Senate and Executive branch today. While presidents can nominate justices to the Supreme Court, the Senate has advise and consent power. The idea that Republicans controlled the court is laughable. The justices themselves control the court.
Simon Templar| 1.2.13 @ 11:11AM
DR, I am at the same point. I am honestly sick of the whole thing.
"You know NOTHING, but you scream it with passion and hope that makes it true."
You have crystallized in one sentence the mind of a modern liberal.
We could even accept this level of spending and agree to keep all this GD gigantic government and you still could not get these imbeciles to sit down with you and figure out how to pay for it and recognize that 100 percent taxation would not solve the problem we are in. No logic, no intellectual honesty, no understanding of basic macroeconomics, and apparently no mathematical skills.
SUBVET| 1.2.13 @ 12:49PM
Simon..........think Ben Stein......
Butch| 1.2.13 @ 1:17PM
If he had those qualities, he wouldn't be a liberal. Let's face it: the voter market has been segmented by smart/dumb. I blame Clinton for starting it; Obama just perfected it.
Tina B| 1.2.13 @ 11:14AM
Agh, now I feel better. Thanks Doc.
Tina B| 1.2.13 @ 11:16AM
And to you, Simon.
Joellen| 1.2.13 @ 12:04PM
HELLO DOCTOR RIGHT - nice to meet you and hope you'll be a regular on this site.
BTW it is time to BBT NOW!
Occam's Tool| 1.2.13 @ 1:32PM
He has been, Joellen, and he will again. Dr Right is a good friend O' Mine.
Stephie| 1.2.13 @ 12:15PM
Thanks Doc for summing up what most of us wanted to say to twinny. The ignorance is blinding.
Drunken Sailor| 1.2.13 @ 10:19AM
They did, twice, but Harry Reid would not bring those plans up for a vote.
Stephie| 1.2.13 @ 12:16PM
There is a stack of bills on Reid's desk that he REFUSES to bring to the floor. And the MSM keeps telling the sheeple that the Republican led House is a "do nothing House". Bull Shit
Drunken Sailor| 1.2.13 @ 1:42PM
That was part of the Democrats plan all along.
markenoff| 1.2.13 @ 2:30PM
No budget from the Dems in the Senate in over 3 years.
Simon Templar| 1.2.13 @ 11:02AM
If "this country has a spending problem” why didn’t the Republicans negotiate any spending cuts?
This one sentence essentially sums up the insanity, stupidity, denial, and complicit self destruction that is running rampant in this nation.
There are a lot of other useful idiots that actually believe spending at this rate is no problem, taxes raised on the rich will solve the problem, and increase in taxes will somehow magically balance everything and stimulate an economy.
What really is amazing about all of this is the apparent belief that government is a good guy and the private sector is the bad guy, whether it is rich people, corporations , business, or whatever.
This government is run and controlled by an extremely wealthy elite, bought and paid for by big business, and is riddled with professional liars and corrupt career politicians.
Vtwins of the world refuse to see this. They continue with this childish ignorance by chasing after evil republicans, and all sort of false paper dragons. Nuts.
Al Adab| 1.2.13 @ 11:07AM
James Burnham in his 1964 book Suicide of the West told us what was going to happen.
After a century of liberal experimentation our society has done great harm to the very values it once contained - the values of Western Civilization - and may have irrevocably harmed that civilization istelf. The doctrine of liberalism which proclaims itself free of all prejudice, superstition, and dogma becomes itself a close-minded Faith demanding unquestioning obedience to its doctrine. We should never be surprised at its hypocricy.
Simon Templar| 1.2.13 @ 11:32AM
Exactly. They also cling to this myth that conservatives do not care about people, that all problems can be solved by more government, and the private sector is bad or evil. They continue to destroy the very rights, systems, and freedoms that give them the opportunity to protest, seek equality, and correct perceived injustices.
Everything is reduced to class warfare, the oppressed and the oppressor. Mythical enemies, paper dragons, childish narratives with victims and big bad wolves, silly childish solutions and problem definitions....
The real sickness in all of this is the denial and refusal to exercise any king of intellect around any subject. The very same forces they decry and rail against continue to fleece, fool, and use these useful idiots who delusionally think they are the truly enlightened revolutionaries.
The idiot that started all these moronic fairy tales, Marx, just supplanted one crushing tyranny and elite for another.
Doctor Right| 1.2.13 @ 11:44AM
Marx was merely the conduit for these dangerous and destructive ideas.
They actually started thousands of years ago, in a garden...
Simon Templar| 1.2.13 @ 12:03PM
DR,
From a religious point of view, it actually started before that...with a rebellion in the heavens and the first so-called "revolution."
Out of respect to those who are not religiously inclined, I use Marx as the starting point to our most recent history and problems and the worldview of most liberals and Leftist.
markenoff| 1.2.13 @ 2:34PM
Marxism has its roots in British political economy, French socialism and German idealism.
SUBVET| 1.2.13 @ 12:52PM
Doc.......it wasen't his fault she was standing there with no clothes on........what's a man to do.
There are you TIM...............?
markenoff| 1.2.13 @ 2:31PM
The best way to stimulate the economy is with unemployment benefits. Just ask Nancy pelosi. Stimulate the economy permanently with permanent unemployment benefits!
CJW| 1.2.13 @ 11:52AM
Vtwin
It takes two to negotiate a deal. Reps cannot negotiate a deal if Obama/Dems refuse spending cuts.
Is that clear for you?
Riff Raff| 1.2.13 @ 1:01PM
Democrats cannot raise the debt ceiling refuse to do so in the House. But as usual, Republicans caved.
Occam's Tool| 1.2.13 @ 1:30PM
Senate wouldn't pass it, POTUS would veto it. They did a half-ass job, but would have done MUCH better under a President elect Romney.
You understand, Obama has stated that he would raise tax rates on the productive/investor class regardless of whether it increased tax receipts, because he believes in doing it. Just as "Health Insurance" does not equal "Medical Services" being available, so "tax rates" bears only an indirect relationship to "tax receipts;" indeed, lower rates CAN and often DO lead to higher receipts, as they did under REAGAN.
Reality hurts.
Occam's Tool| 1.2.13 @ 1:34PM
You can't negotiate with a maniac.
Stan Redmond| 1.2.13 @ 2:21PM
So does this mean you are fine without 4 years of consitutionally mandated budgets and Obama's 1 trillion plus anual deficit?
deedle| 1.2.13 @ 7:13AM
We need true Americans in Washington who truly care about the future of this country. Out with the selfish,egotistical hate filled so called men and women we have there especially the one in the WH. Most of those who truly care about this country are NOT in Washington.
Cobalt| 1.2.13 @ 7:52AM
"The Gloater in Chief"
By Mike Razar / American Thinker
http://www.americanthinker.com.....chief.html
Stephie| 1.2.13 @ 12:21PM
obama DOES care about the future of this country. He told his adoring followers 4 years ago that he would "fundamentally transform America".
He's changing it into what he and his circle wants it to be.
Stan Redmond| 1.2.13 @ 2:23PM
As long as those Obamaphones keep ringing I don't care who's pulling the wagon.
MelvinNC| 1.2.13 @ 7:24AM
The vast majority of Americans don't know their arses from a hole in the ground. I'm tired, I'm tired with all the bull squeeze from both sides.
The Republican and Democrat Party are nothing more than lying steaming pile of dog squeeze.
I've posted eloquent and objective posts and where did it get me?
All I received in return form Progressives and Progressive Republicans is vile crap. So henceforth this day forward, I am going to take a mindset of the Jews in Israel. "Never Again."
I'll fight both political parties with every political means available to me.
The new Conservative mantra should be, "Fick them." If you want to know what, "Fick," means look up in German swear words.
mike 3/505| 1.2.13 @ 7:52AM
Is it the same as "shtumpf?"
Occam's Tool| 1.2.13 @ 1:34PM
Yup.
TW in SC| 1.2.13 @ 9:40AM
Well, apparently, Boner told Reid to "go fick himself" just recently.
Al Adab| 1.2.13 @ 11:45AM
TW, how about those Gamecocks?
Job| 1.2.13 @ 2:16PM
the words "conservative" and "Republican" are not the same thing and the sooner more folks realize this the better.
Von Mises Jr| 1.2.13 @ 7:26AM
Solution: sell the government lands in the West!!!
Our children are taught Social Studies instead of history because they might learn that King George III was giving land to settlers and later our government sold lands on the cheap to create a tax base. Two-hundred and fifty years ago, a tyrant and the dandies in Parliament understood that the way to create revenue was to grant land to farmers whom would then cultivate the land. The governments of the colonies and the British Crown would then receive taxes as a portion of the tobacco, corn, furs or whatever else was produced on the land.
Today our Federal Government owns 75% of the West. They lock up oil, natural gas, coal, fertilizer, minerals, water and farmland. THIS IS COMMUNISM!!! WAKE THE HELL UP!!!
Communism is public ownership of the means of production. We have a government that owns much of the land. How is that any different than "public ownership of the means of production??? Government for all intents and purposes owns GM, AIG and the Student Loan industry, and they control GE and GM with new legislation that nationalizes the banks and health care industry. This is fascism that is defined as "public control of the means of production. Can anyone explain why it is not???
Von Mises Jr| 1.2.13 @ 7:27AM
And now we have 90% of all mortgages owned by the federal government. We have Republican Governors such as Chris Christie passing Agenda21 by Executive Order so that government will decide where you live and where you can go. If government owns all the homes and is building new "stack and pack" apartments where your children will live, how is this any different than socialism that is defined as the "public ownership of the means of production"(or in this case rental property)???
The answer is simple. Do the hell what the tyrant King George III did and sell the damn land and put it into service. If we cannot figure this out, perhaps we are as stupid as the socialist think.
Nancy in NC| 1.2.13 @ 8:42AM
Not all of us are stupid, but don't have the power to do what needs to be done to save our liberty. The trouble with liberty is few of us have known anything else and it's taken for granted. Talk to someone that migrated here from Cuba or Russia. They can tell you about our future...and it isn't pretty.
markenoff| 1.2.13 @ 2:39PM
The tree of Liberty must, from time to time, be refreshed with the blood of tyrants.
Peppermint Tea | 1.2.13 @ 9:19AM
A couple of years ago I suggested to a university professor, in front of his class, that all public land ought to be privatized, and he about pulled his hair out. "Even national parks?" the Professor of Recreation asked.
"No, I'll grant you an exception for national parks," I said, "but you realize they will be managed better by private for-profit competitive companies."
Al Adab| 1.2.13 @ 10:06AM
Jr:
Your frustration level is showing, but it leaves you in fine voice. There is little we can do anymore except continue to yell "stop" at the powers which are running us down the road to failure. Ar least history will reflect that some stood for freedom and liberty and against a guranteed subsistence in favor of opportunity. Better it is to die with ones principles than to surrender and live on under tyranny. Ask Hobby Lobby.
We have failed to learn lessons from the past and have forgotten the wisdom of 2500 years of Western Civ. Tax the rich translates to kill the golden goose, but few even remember that fable anymore.
Purp| 1.2.13 @ 7:33AM
Ha! The GOP caves ... they got the worst deal of the whole year by waiting and waiting and waiting. Any earlier offer from the President was far better than this... and just like a bunch of children, they stamped their feet and wouldn't play - until the last minute.
What a bunch of wimpy, stupid, spineless, wussies... Great group of responsible citizens.
The House of Rapresentatives are a bunch of Losers - again. No spending cuts, just tax increases. What does the Republican Party stand for, hmmm?
Jack in Wi| 1.2.13 @ 7:46AM
Don't worry purp the worm turns and the people are enraged. Obama can now take full responsiblity for his crimes because he is in full charge. There will be a real in this country, because what you are doing is unsustainable.
Riff Raff| 1.2.13 @ 11:23AM
Purp is like a Roman Imperator, who demands respect while beating his lackeys to a pulp, and then when they actually give him respect, he pisses on them. Purp is just a lower form of Gaius Julius Caesar Augustus Germanicus (aka Caligula), an enormous ego without ability or accomplishment. Sort of like his Idol, the dolt President.
Occam's Tool| 1.2.13 @ 1:36PM
I thought he was the rear portion of Incitatus, myself, Riff Raff.
irish19| 1.2.13 @ 2:42PM
I get the reference. Nice one!
Riff Raff| 1.2.13 @ 4:14PM
Indeed! That would qualify him for the Senate!
spike59| 1.3.13 @ 5:59AM
you give purpie too much credit; he and other progressives like vtwin are like a tick on a dog's arse, with one difference; the tick eventually gets full and falls off, leaving the host alive
GobBluthe| 1.2.13 @ 7:59AM
Purp:
I thought this was the GOP you liberals wanted. Compromising their ideals. Shouldn't moderates be flocking to the GOP right about now? Using liberal logic (oxymoron if there ever was one), the GOP should be headed for a landslide win in 2014 and 16.
Simon Templar| 1.2.13 @ 12:08PM
GB, Thank you for noticing this and pointing it out so accurately.
Albert Constantine Jr.| 1.2.13 @ 8:41AM
I think it’s been too long a while
We had a contest for “Most Vile”
And we would hear the crickets chirp
For any entry not named “Purp”
Like Ed Schultz smoking crystal meth
He blamed Chris Stevens for his death
In order to absolve Obama
And Al Qaeda in Benghazi drama
To further show the world his scorn
He’d like to kill all the unborn
By claiming that they’re not real lives
Abortion doctors end with knives
And when the GOP might cave
He mocks it like a classic knave
But if somehow they stood their ground
“Obstructionist” would be his sound
But those who read him give this slap
We all know Purp is full of crap
Nancy in NC| 1.2.13 @ 8:45AM
Very good, Albert. The last line is dead on.
Pecos Pete| 1.2.13 @ 8:56AM
Snap! Snap! Snap!
BBT!
Tina B| 1.2.13 @ 11:24AM
Ditto, Senior Pecos. Snap! Snap!
Tina B| 1.2.13 @ 11:25AM
Today is Wednesday, where is Timmy? BBT!
Occam's Tool| 1.2.13 @ 1:37PM
BBT!
TAS Blog without TLP is like salsa without Spice!
Bob Grant| 1.2.13 @ 7:45PM
Yep,
It's kinda like drinkin' Near Beer.
CJW| 1.2.13 @ 9:05AM
Albert
Terrific.
Purp the Village Idiot also said that NAFTA did not lead to overseas jobs because Mexico, Canada, and Central America are landlocked to USA. By this reasoning, so is South America since the Panama Canal, a man made waterway, separates us.
"NAFTA = North American Free Trade Agreement ... not overseas, we are land-connected ... so another one beyond your comprehension."
Steve88| 1.2.13 @ 10:24AM
Constantine,
Like your poem. Made me smile. Why don't you write us a rhyme that includes the names of those progressive jackasses Anna K and Edward White who come on here every now and then to lecture us poor conservative dunces.
Albert Constantine Jr.| 1.2.13 @ 1:31PM
You're reading my mind.
BBT!
Joellen| 1.2.13 @ 12:15PM
A blessed New Year to you CJW, Albert, Al Adab, Tina, Nancy, Pecos Pete, Doctor Right and all those true constitutional conservatives who grace this website daily.
BTW it's time to BBT NOW!
Al Adab| 1.2.13 @ 12:52PM
Thank you Joellen and may He bless you this year with the opportunity to pursue happiness.
CJW| 1.2.13 @ 1:28PM
Happy New Year to you Joellen, Al Adab, and the rest.
Al Adab| 1.2.13 @ 1:47PM
!
Tina B| 1.2.13 @ 8:14PM
You are a lady and a scholar, Joellen, and may the God of all Wisdom continue to bless you throughout the coming year.
Bob Grant| 1.2.13 @ 10:23AM
With a name like purp, I cannot find a rhyme
Perhaps one will appear in due time
But lets not focus on this douchebag
He has the worth of a shriveled skin tag
Obama, Reid, Boehner have sealed our fate
Saving our country, is it too late?
Purp and his ilk who support these transgressors
Enjoy living under Third World oppressors
With Hopey Changey now in full throes
Let's hope they will suffer all of it's woes
Pecos Pete| 1.2.13 @ 11:31AM
Snap! Snap! Snap!
BBT!
Joellen| 1.2.13 @ 12:06PM
Awesome Albert - now lets all chant BBT!
Joellen| 1.2.13 @ 1:17PM
Although I do this STILL IN PROTEST till they BBT - I cant let this go:
Purp is the twerp who lauds utter destruction
whether it be in the womb or of a once functional government
Perp is a snake who abhors one with faith
and he's most happiest with those
whose goal is to help sink a nation that once stood in highest equation
His kind cant comprehend those who defend
and truly comvulses at the thought of those
whose lives were sacrificed to enternally uphold the document that our fathers lovingly bestowed
But Perp doesnt know or just doesnt understand those who refuse to succumb to the Perps of the land;
And boy will they be surprise when there occurs a new uprise
of those who'll defend with absolute pride,
like those before us who knew what was right,
and without hesititation lead us into the night
of a new America where the perps of the land
will no longer gleefully spoil what's grand.
BBT NOW!
Pecos Pete| 1.2.13 @ 1:53PM
Snap! Snap! Snap!
BBT!
R Martin| 1.2.13 @ 2:48PM
Pecos, I've heard TLP is with you practicing for your big "I Feel Pretty" number. C'mon, he's down there, right?
But if he's not, there ought to be enough computer brainpower here to circumvent some silly ban. Heck, today this web site ran a piece on how cash is being used to circumvent confiscatory taxes, so AmSpec can't be too averse to a little slight of hand. I think we can figure this out.
Pecos Pete| 1.2.13 @ 5:53PM
RM: Tim would be welcome anytime.
I've written the lyrics to "I Am Pretty" and am expecting Tim to create the music. Tim's gonna play the guitar and I'm up on cymbals and am damn good with castanets .
Because I know Tim is reading comments: Tim you be very Pretty!
BBT!
Pecos Pete| 1.2.13 @ 5:56PM
RM: I've been thinking about putting up a web site called TimsGame.com. Might be fun. Tim can be the editor and able to ban The Village Idiots, or even Albert (from time to time).
Pecos Pete| 1.2.13 @ 5:56PM
BBT!
CJW| 1.2.13 @ 7:17PM
Pecos Pete and R Martin
Happy New Year.
Tims is generating more comments by his absence than the content of the articles. So AmSpec is benefitting by the "hits.'
R Martin| 1.2.13 @ 8:29PM
Same to ya, CJ.
Bob Grant| 1.2.13 @ 3:02PM
Joellen's poem is beautiful and right
On Perp's many shortcomings
It shines a bright light
She rips and tears this bastard apart
but with grace, dignity and a touch of high art
But me, my poems cut close to the bone
That's all I can muster for this internet drone
Pecos Pete| 1.2.13 @ 5:45PM
Snap! Snap! Snap!
BBT!
CJW| 1.2.13 @ 7:13PM
Joellen,
Excellent.
philippic| 1.2.13 @ 8:44AM
lmao.
you are the poster child for everything that is wrong in this country.
the American people just got screwed...and you focus on the GOP!!!!
you will be held accountable. the strategy being implemented has failure built into it.
CJW| 1.2.13 @ 9:07AM
Purp the Village Idiot
The GOP did not get the worst deal of the year.
The American people got the worst deal. But that does not matter to a partisan hack idiot like you.
Al Adab| 1.2.13 @ 10:10AM
W:
The American people got the mine...shaft and all. Hard to envision any positive results from this.
CJW| 1.2.13 @ 11:58AM
Al Adab
The so called cliff was a better deal because it forced actual cuts.
The problem was created when Congress in 2002 agreed to tax cuts that expired in 2010, then continued to 2012.
The Dems control the Senate , Presidency, and the House is divided. Boehner has no leverage. The Reps passed two bills in 2011 to extend the Bush rates but the Reid Senate refused to vote on it.
This is the natural consequence of electing a Dem Senate and Obama.
C. Vernon Crisler | 1.2.13 @ 11:35AM
The American people got the deal they voted for in November. They must pay a price for their political stupidity.
markenoff| 1.2.13 @ 2:42PM
Democracy is the theory that the people know what they want and deserve to get it good and hard.
Drunken Sailor| 1.2.13 @ 10:23AM
TAS,
Let me get this straight, you ban TLP but not this moron? Wonders never cease.
Drunken Sailor| 1.2.13 @ 10:24AM
This should have been under our favorite example of a leftist, Purp.
Riff Raff| 1.2.13 @ 11:15AM
Has TLP actually been officially "banned?" Or is he on sabbatical?
Pecos Pete| 1.2.13 @ 11:33AM
According to Albert, Tim has been banned. We had hoped TAS would come to its senses today and release Tim from silence.
BBT!
Al Adab| 1.2.13 @ 1:11PM
Is there somewhere to check out the standards by which AmSpec judges the bloggers? Purp is at least not obscene, well in his language at least.
Occam's Tool| 1.2.13 @ 1:42PM
Come on, Al, I've called my tormentors everything under the sun. True, I am not USUALLY vulgar, but I have been. Tim is fun, and can be quite pleasant.
And in some of the topics he hits hardest on, like the destruction of Minorities by the Liberal Community, he is brilliant. I, myself, work with 3 Native Reservations in a place where one of the worst school shootings in US history (Red Lake, one which is commonly ignored---I wonder why?) took place. What the Liberals have done to the Native Community has to be seen to be believed.
In the face of this type of horrific tragedy, some obscenity may be appropriate.
Al Adab| 1.2.13 @ 1:52PM
Oh, O/T:
I never had a problem with Tim even though I sometimes missed the point. Just curious if there exist some standard we should maintain.
The reservations prove the ineptness and corruption of socialism, government control, and where the road of good intentions leads.
Bob Grant| 1.2.13 @ 2:08PM
Al,
A little well-placed salty language makes for a good post.
I agree discretion should be used and TLP, at times, crossed the line, but he well made up for it with the bulk of his comments.
The dude's not boring!! That means alot to me.
Perhaps TLP's stream-of-consciousness style does not suit Mr. Terrell.
And let's not forget his creation: The Best Analogy Game on the Net!!!
To the powers that be at Amspec, I implore you to reconsider your ban of TLP.
Al Adab| 1.2.13 @ 4:00PM
It seems possible that his absense is due more to his attempt to co-opt the site for his own purpose, the contest, than to any particular viewpoint or syntax.
Pecos Pete| 1.2.13 @ 6:09PM
Al, I suspect the contest cemented their decision. Their Comments format makes it possible for some fun. No harm done. Their advertising "hits" from the Contest page pays for whatever bandwidth is used.
TAS promotes itself as a conservative publication. Yet, when conservatives come together promoting conservative principles with a bit of fun, they get bent out of joint.
Or maybe it was only AnnaK, Purp, Vtwin, Alan, etc. complaining about too much 1st Amendment.
BBT!
SUBVET| 1.2.13 @ 6:44PM
Mr. Grant........
Those here at TAS understand TLP's passion and somtimes he uses terms and words to get his point across that may come off a..... little off "color".
As vetern's in the heat of the battle we sometimes try to carry the flag so high that we often forget that not everyone has the same focus.
My prayer for TAS is that you find it in your heart to forgive a passionate worrier like TLP.
Tim.........."Laus Deo" for your wit and wisdom.
Bob Grant| 1.2.13 @ 8:09PM
Sub,
It's seems AmSpec is a bit more sensitive today than in the recent past.
TLP's comments don't come near yelling fire in a crowded theater so AmSpec, an alleged conservative website, should just roll with it.
Tina B| 1.2.13 @ 8:26PM
Yes, life is too short to ban someone for posting a response that's a tad ribald. But he may have injured the pride of various journalists who went to read their responses only to find Tim's contest going full swing. Like opening a bedroom door and finding a couple giggling in the darkness.
"Oops, sorry, didn't mean to interrupt, so sorry."
Ya think maybe? There are those who take themselves very seriously in this world. Maybe some of the writers at TAS are among them.
Doctor Right| 1.2.13 @ 11:06AM
Since many of us are not Republicans, who cares?
BTW...have you relocated to Maryland, yet?
Oldefarte| 1.2.13 @ 1:25PM
No you DA, the American people are the "losers" since the tax increases will cause further loss of jobs and income. Of course the American people are STUPID for re-electing this group of domestic terrorists on 11/6/12 so they will GET EXACTLY WHAT THEY DESERVE IN THE FUTURE BECAUSE OF THIS!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Stan Redmond| 1.2.13 @ 2:26PM
Will your Fortune 10 company and huge personal high tech company take measures to avoid these new tax increases.
cicero| 1.2.13 @ 8:16AM
Oh my god. It looks like our fearless leaders have just added another $3.6 trillion to the deficit/debt. What are they thinking? The only way this can be paid is by nationalization of the debt. This will wipe out the middle class, and devastate the poor. What happens then, riots in the streets? Let me know where the organizational first meeting of the New Constitution Party is going to be held.
The Republicans weren't even close. They voted for this nightmare by a landslide. They could have killed it in the House. Instead, they voted for it, and for the economic plundering of this country. Lions and tigers and bears, oh my. . .
Hardcard| 1.2.13 @ 8:26AM
The dem/progs want socialism for all. Well not really for all, the elites will keep getting whatever they want and doing the things they do. It's a workers paradise except for the freedom thingie. Gulag anyone ???? It's free !!!!!
Nancy in NC| 1.2.13 @ 8:40AM
I'm with Thomas Sowell...old enough not to have to live with the consequences coming down the track for too long. But I'm mad as hell about what my offspring will inherit.
The real sad thing is that so few care about our national debt...perhaps because they themselves are in debt up to the ears. Frugality like about every other virtue is something from the past.
Stan Redmond| 1.2.13 @ 2:30PM
Correction. They want socialism for everyone else. Not themselves or their cronies.
The Big E| 1.2.13 @ 9:10AM
And when the numbers don't add up again, and the books won't balance, and the revenue shortfall grows larger and larger, the Dems will respond by sfcreaming from the highest mountain - THE RICH AREN'T PAYING THEIR FAIR SHARE!!!! That has been their rallying cry, in one form or another, for a century. So why should they change it now? They have bult and entire political movement on class envy and nurturing every petty resentment imaginatble. Whenever the going gets tough for them, they find someone else to demonize, and the childish, small-minded products of our soicity - the people who sit at home watching "reality" TV because they dare not face reality on their own, the people who tear down the accomplieshments of others but who themselves will never accomplish anything because their fear to even try - those people will continue to but into it.
Riff Raff| 1.2.13 @ 9:25AM
"TAX the RICH!" The "battle cry" of losers and leeches. Marxist historiography (and the "Occupy" movement) teaches that History is a series of struggles between the very rich and the very poor. Of course, this is nonsense, as is the "Occupy" movement itself. In reality, the very rich and the very poor have historically had a symbiotic relationship. Very rich Roman Politicians support the very poor Roman indigent Proles economically, and in return the very poor support the very rich politically. And it is the Middle Class that is taxed to pay for it. Today is no different. Very rich Democrats support the so-called "very poor" with free housing, free food, and free entertainment, while the "very poor" show up and vote for very rich Democrats. And it is the Middle Class American Taxpayer who pays for it. We pay for it with high, abusive taxes, lost jobs, and lost prosperity, while rich Democrats live the high life off of Government.
Jack London| 1.2.13 @ 9:25AM
I think the Dems caved - you should be happy. As the NYT says:
"Just a few years ago, the tax deal pushed through Congress on Tuesday would have been a Republican fiscal fantasy, a sweeping bill that locks in virtually all of the Bush-era tax cuts, exempts almost all estates from taxation, and enshrines the former president’s credo that dividends and capital gains should be taxed equally and gently."
Riff Raff| 1.2.13 @ 10:50AM
The Democrats "caved"?! You are quoting the New York Times?!!! Ha! Ha! Ha! Ha! Ha! Ha! Ha! Ha! Ha!
spike59| 1.3.13 @ 6:05AM
Jackie, Jackie, Jackie...hasn't anyone told you that when you start quoting the NY Times, all you do is reveal your own idiocy???? this is, after all, the 'newspaper' that recently opined that we need to just ignore the Constitution
Anthony| 1.2.13 @ 9:37AM
It's a good thing the Obozo administration purchased all those millions of rounds of hollow point ammunition.
They're gonna need them.
D.C. is and has been an armed fortress for decades, to protect these pathetic political whore bastards, yet schools can't be protected with an armed guard.
It's time to take back America. 2013 the year of resistance.
squalis| 1.2.13 @ 10:47AM
2012 was the year to take back the country.
Although many understood that, the majority of this country is too stupid to be saved. I am not optimistic about future election cycles. 2012 should have been a no-brainer.
Riff Raff| 1.2.13 @ 11:00AM
Actually, it WAS a "no-brainer." A President with no brain was re-elected by voters with no brains. Now it is time for those of us who actually WORK, to pay up and fund the idiot sloth who constitute America's majority electorate.
Stephie| 1.2.13 @ 12:36PM
I will never believe that obama won the election. Never. It was stolen with votes of the dead, the illegals and voter intimidation. Oh, and help from the propaganda machines.
SUBVET| 1.2.13 @ 1:02PM
Stephie........no worry's in Daniel 2:21..."He controls the course of world events; he removes kings and sets up other kings".
We as a nation and world deserve this......HE is trying to show us we have gotten away from HIM.
Where's your faith.............
Tina B| 1.2.13 @ 8:28PM
You are right on track, SUBVET, and we are ripe for His return.
Louis Jenkins| 1.2.13 @ 9:52AM
Approximately 77% of the working class will see a tax increase (Drudge Report). The payroll tax will gardner about $1,000.00 per worker. I don't know about you guys, but for me that's not a small lump of chump change. Boehner is on the rocks, and may be voted out of the Republican leadership. He deserves it.
2013-The year America begins to complain loudly, and resists the overt taxation that the DC criminals levy on the working class stiffs. Whether or not you know it, you have been drafted into a coming conflagration that was not of your making.
C. Vernon Crisler | 1.2.13 @ 11:38AM
"The year America begins to complain loudly"
And I'm going to laugh them to scorn. They voted for all these bozos; now they have to live with it. The American people are unworthy of the Founders.
cicero| 1.2.13 @ 10:22AM
R R - Right you are. The death knell of the Roman republic was struck when first the Gracchi, and then Marius promised the hoi poloi that they would get free stuff, if they were elected. They promised to forgive all private debt, free food, and anything else the Democrats can think of. When they were thrown out, and the goodies disappeared, or failed to materialize, the hoi poloi took to the streets. Order was restored by the Great Ceasar - who became dictator for life. In a feeble attempt to bring back the republic, the republicans immortalized the Ides of March. All was to no avail. It took 1800 years to bring back the republic. Once it is lost, it doesn't come back easily.
Riff Raff| 1.2.13 @ 10:56AM
Yes, "order" was restored by Caesar, but at great cost, not to mention that it was Caesar himself who was fomenting disorder in the first place.
The Founders learned very well the corruptions of power and centralized authority. This is why the Constitution prohibits by Law the very programs that give Democrats their ability to buy votes with other people's money. The Constitution was written not to emulate Rome's Republic, but to prohibit the abuses and corruptions of Rome's Republic and its consequent tyranny under the Empire.
Al Adab| 1.2.13 @ 1:09PM
Indeed Cicero, but both your namesake and Cato are immortal for their devotion to Res Publica and opposition to tyranny. It cost them both their lives, but History remembers. Can we do less than they?
holmegm| 1.2.13 @ 10:23AM
"If the legislation passed on New Year’s Day means nothing else, it should at least put an end to a rhetorical trope that Democrats have been pounding for the past decade."
Aw ... your naivete is almost touching :)
Simon Templar| 1.2.13 @ 10:42AM
You get it.
George S| 1.2.13 @ 12:41PM
You think the Democrats lost an issue?
December 2013: "Almost a year ago we passed what we thought was good legislation that, uh, was targeted very narrowly to those who are the fortunate among us. Folks who gained more from our society were asked to pay a little more, but, um, somehow they looked out for themselves instead of sharing the sacrifice.
What we determined is that these folks found ways of reducing their taxable income by hiding it in offshore type hedge funds and other creative corporate type shelters. It is simply not fair. That's why I am proposing to the Congress -- that the very wealthy among us have more than they need - to impose a one-time modest minimum wealth tax on those with more than ten million dollars in assets. Only then can the fortunate among us be responsible with their commitment to you and I. Thank you"
Oldefarte| 1.2.13 @ 1:28PM
Great article, Robert! Oh and as for anyone here that does not understand what Democrats mean by the term " rich folks", it's simply ANYONE WITH A JOB/INCOME period [since their constituents are all governmental welfare recipients wanting more STUFF from government ie welfare]!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
topcat52| 1.2.13 @ 8:30PM
When, after almost two years, the increase in tax revenue from the tax increases will be non-existent, the economy will not be any better, and more people will be out of work and on food stamps, the general public will realize what a fraud was perpetrated upon them and vote the bums out of office.
spike59| 1.3.13 @ 6:09AM
you give the 'general public' WAYYYYYY too much credit; after 4 years of the fiasco known as the 'OmaBao regime', they responded by re-electing him. Mark my words-2014 will be a temporary hiccup for the DemokratSocialist Parti, while in 2016 and 2020, the same 'general public' will put Hillary Clinton in the Oval Orifice
N8tivTxn| 1.2.13 @ 10:14PM
Umm... Mitt was "rich" when the rich ruling-class N E RINO elites picked him to be the Republican candidate... deep-sixing every conservativ-ish candidate that was running.
The poor ole blue-haired, blue-bloods haven't make a "right" turn in decades. GWB's win was a pure unadulterated anomaly.
I suppose our only hope is to outlive the batty ole fools.