@unknownuser said:

Aw, Ron, c'mon. Can't us lefties have a laugh?

We all need a laugh these days.

I'll join in with the sophomoric symbol crap:

Mike, this is hilarious. I've seen this before.

EDIT: Except these paragraphs:

4. You will learn to resolve personal issues without using guns,
   lawyers, or therapists. The fact that you need so many lawyers
   and therapists shows that you're not quite ready to be independent.
   Guns should only be used for shooting grouse. If you can't sort
   things out without suing someone or speaking to a therapist, then
   you're not ready to shoot grouse.

5. Therefore, you will no longer be allowed to own or carry anything
   more dangerous than a vegetable peeler. Although a permit will be
   required if you wish to carry a vegetable peeler in public.

Because of Obama's inexperience in governance, I think it would be a smart move for him to announce his cabinet members, or at least the "major" ones, like Sec. of State and Defense.

Rick, you can change the times, but you can't change people.

I now hear that Powell may have a place in Obama's administration, if there is to be one.

Barack: Hey, thanks for the endorsement, General.
Powell: No problem, did it sound good? I tried to use big words and everything.

Joe is appearing on Fox tonight. I would guess Joe would not campaign with McCain (hey, that rhymes!). So the main stream liberal media has been camped outside Joe's door just waiting to pounce and trip him up. Whey the hell didn't they camp outside Ayers' door in their unbiased quest for news.

Pete, off topic..sorry...I've been meaning to ask you about the "fantasy village" model on your web site. It's very cool, what is it?

Yea, good analogy Phil. First the food analogy now the hen house analogy.

Stinkie, I've never been shy about sharing my money with those who need it. I just want to be the one making the decision, not the government.

@solo said:

Pat Buchanan? LMFAO, why not post an article from Rush limbaugh?

Here is the original of your post from his site 'RIGHT from the beginning' http://buchanan.org/blog/

??? This is the exact same video as the one Rick posted. Anyway, we both will criticize the others sources as bias. And, of course, they are, aren't they? So don't be too shocked.

@unknownuser said:

@bellwells said:

What would motivate anyone to pursue earning more money if the tax rate is 75% (as in Stinkie's example in another post)?

Don't twist my words, it's bad form.

Oh, I wasn't twisting your words, stinkie. I was giving the 75% tax rate (you said you paid) as an example of that level of taxation at which I think capitalists would begin to lose desire to earn more. I can say this because I have experience, I'm a capitalist, you're not.

I understand you don't mind paying high taxes, I very much do mind.

Ken, there is nothing about this "bailout" plan that's right.

I don't think my premise is absurd; it may be wrong, though.

Well, I guess there's no accounting for good old common sense. And yes, things are looking good for your guy, but the pollsters have been wrong before.

@tomsdesk said:

@bellwells said:

Tom, do you really need facts to come to the conclusion that most blacks are voting for Obama because he's ? Edit

I think you the need facts to make your statement seem anything but racist.

Huh? There's that word again.

@sepo said:

Well if the state end up owning some banks than Bush will be first socialist president US had... To be honest there is nothing wrong with state helping unfortunate ones....Scandinavians made descent model out of it. Healthcare for everyone even when not run prefectly (like our NHS in UK) is more desirable than none...In UK on both side of the house (or rather 3 sides) they all agree that strong NHS is something which all of us want here. Also I believe that top guys should pay more. Some of them pay less taxes than me and that is not right when they make like millions. Selfishness is not way forward for the humankind.

How true it is that Bush will be known as the first republican president to tend toward socialism! The US does as good a job of helping the unfortunate as any other country in the world, national health care notwithstanding.

No question blacks vote democratic. But I'll bet Obama race has energized them to a point where we'll see a much higher percentage of blacks voting than in previous elections. It would be interesting to see the results if the republicans ran a black. Maybe some day we'll find out.

Tom, do you really need facts to come to the conclusion that most blacks are voting for Obama because he's ? Edit

@watkins said:

Dear Ron,

Socialism doesn't have to follow an extreme model, such as post-war Chinese communism. The concepts of socialism are no different from the precepts of most religions, and specifically Christianity, so why does the word socialism raise your hackles? For example: 'Do as you would be done by', is a good socialist concept. To my mind, and relating to employment, it means paying a man/woman a decent hourly rate for their labour. This is evidently not the case for many developed countries as those on the lower rungs of society's prosperity ladder will testify.

I think we need to agree to disagree.

Kind regards,
Bob

Bob, I live my life by the Golden Rule you mention: "Do unto other as you would have then do unto you." I don't see this as socialism, but more of a moral guideline. A way to live one's life. If this means you give money to the beggar on the street, fine. Or to donate your time/money to a charity. Or to be just plain friendly. The entire world could benefit from this moral tenent.

A decent wage is important and necessary for any society to allow it's citizens to progress up the economic ladder. Most low wage earners are transient. They don't stay at this level of earning for very long. The desire to improve oneself motivates one to seek other endeavors, to improve their lot in life. I believe this is easier to accomplish under a capitalistic system than a socialistic system specifically because of the relative tax rates. What would motivate anyone to pursue earning more money if the tax rate is 75% (as in Stinkie's example in another post)?

Look at how much money the US government pisses away each and every year. We could afford a national health care system under our current tax rate plan.

I think we can almost agree to agree.