Social Security for the "Deal-Maker"

OK Mr. President, I have an offer. I'm not even sure my Democratic brethren will agree to this plan, but what the heck. Let's do your privatized/personal accounts. Let's do it. But, let's do it without cutting any benefits and without causing a huge deficit.

Let's put taxes back to where they were in 2000 for the next three years. But, keep spending JUST WHERE IT IS. No new spending except for 3% inflation per year. Take every extra penny and put it into a true "lock-box" for Social Security. This will save the solvency of Social Security, while at the same time allowing folks to invest a part of their Social Security.

I'm sure there are problems with this plan, but you know what? It doesn't matter. Republicans would never agree to a plan that didn't cut benefits. Republicans would never agree to a plan that didn't run the government into a deficit.

Because their goal is an end to all Government programs save Homeland Security and Defense.

Never Forget That.

My opinion? Well, since you asked Mr. Begala, I think... 

Standing in the Pews, The Laity Speak on the Failings of Radical Religion

I need your help. Recent events have culminated in my decision to jump off a cliff. I have no parachute, I have no training, but jump I must. Four events have occurred, which lead me to believe that we, the Democratic Party, could benefit from an idea that has percolated into my head. Trying to remove this idea has been as futile as scrubbing up red wine on a white carpet. Only makes it spread wider and deeper.

My idea is to have you, the Democratic faithful, describe in a series of essays how the radical religious ideas of the right have lead to a failure of faith. From time spent here, I know that there are many among you who are religious, and I know that you have issues with various religious organizations. What I am asking is not easy and what I am proposing is just hard enough to make me crazy. I am asking the willing to spend some serious time dissecting your beliefs, your favorite religious texts, and the words of those who oppose you; then, I ask you to describe why their fanaticism has failed their religion. In each of these "essays" I would ask you to share your personal experiences as they relate to the specific topics you are addressing.

As an example, in Christianity, it is clear that Jesus means for us to care for the poor. That is his prime mission in teaching, yet the radical right care nothing for the poor, as is found in their writings and in their actions.

What will be done with these essays? I can only say that I will work without fail, without ego, without fear, to make sure that these essays appear to the public before the 2006 election. These essays need to stand next to religious vitriol that is funded by the CorporaCons. We must fight lies with truth, deceit with clarity, and hate with love. We must show that our faith, the faith of all progressives, even those that do not partake of specific religions, we must show that our faith is based on compassion, equality, opportunity, and caring.

So, please, email me if you have any interest in joining with me in this task (chucklesthedem@hotmail.com). And, also, please send this email to any and all friends and acquaintances who might be interested in participating.

Thank you.

Democratic Agenda

We are always accused of having no agenda. Well, that is true in some part. We need to create an agenda and couch our votes in terms of that agenda.


asthmastuff.com

1. The Health of our Children Will be Considered First.




My Dad (with shirt) in Vietnam.

2. We Will Protect This Country.



www.americanrevolution.com

3. We Will Uphold the Constitution of the United States of America Against all Threats, Internal and External.

knobboy: Et Tu, Gilbert ?

There is a great write-up over on knobboy about Reps. eating their own. Who else would eat them? They probably would taste good with fava beans, thlip-thlip-thliiiiiiiiiiip

knobboy: Et Tu, Gilbert ?

Pork Barrel Projects are UnAmerican

CAGW press conference

How can Republicans support these programs, Democrats I understand, but Republicans? This is America, which made its place through survival of the most fit. Republicans are responsible for supporting this profit at all costs policy, while Democrats are responsible for keeping these barons from killing too many workers in the process.

Pork makes no sense.

Pork projects do not go through the funding process. As a scientist, I cannot understand this. We have to apply and reapply for funding until we are found to be among the most competitive. Only competitive, well-presented, well-thought out projects survive the funding process. Pork projects can be poorly planned, poorly executed, and without merit. Their only strong suit being that they have the ear of an influential politician.

Some highlights from the Citizens Against Government Waste:
-13,997 pork barrel projects, an increase of 31 percent.
-$27.3 billion in pork barrel funding, an increase of 19% since last year.
- $212 billion in pork since 1991
-206% increase in Homeland Security Pork
-Alaska lead the nation with $985 per capita or 30-times the national average.

Robin Hayes, Bought and Paid For

I am saddened to discover that Rep. Robin Hayes of the NC 8th Congressional District is a member of Tom DeLay's bought and paid for gang. According to information collected by the DNC, Robin Hayes has collected over $42K from Ken DeLay's fund-raising machine.

Given the allegations that the money is tainted, it would behoove Rep. Hayes to give BACK that money until it is shown to be clean. Better to be safe than to be sorry when it comes to morals and your immortal soul, eh Rep. Hayes?

Of course, it doesn't stop there. What makes this worse is that given all the allegations and investigations into shady deals, our Rep. Hayes has decided to help protect Ken DeLay by contributing to his legal defense fund! Did that money come from his salary? Because I sure don't like to think that my tax dollars are paying for Ken DeLay's defense fund.

Shame on Robin Hayes, shame on Ken DeLay, shame on all these Republicans with low moral standards.

A Forward From Lynda

Have you ever heard the sound of a mother screaming for her son?
The torrential rains of a mother's weeping will never be done
They call him a hero, you should be glad that he's one, but
Have you ever heard the sound of a mother screaming for her son?

Have you ever heard the sound of a father holding back his cries?
He must be brave because his boy died for another man's lies
The only grief he allows himself are long, deep sighs
Have you ever heard the sound of a father holding back his cries?

Have you ever heard the sound of taps played at your brother's grave?
They say that he died so that the flag will continue to wave
But I believe he died because they had oil to save
Have you ever heard the sound of taps played at your brother's grave?

Have you ever heard the sound of a nation being rocked to sleep?
The leaders want to keep you numb so the pain won't be so deep
But if we the people let them continue another mother will weep
Have you ever heard the sound of a nation being rocked to sleep?

My Alternate Self 

Are the Republicans Crazy?

Republicans just won the last election by energizing their base, which includes the wealthy, religious senior citizens, and rural whites. In addition, they pulled some minorities to their side based on religion and their "pro-life" stance (read: Pro-Embryo). So, now that they have complete power what do they intend to do?

1. Destroy Social Security with a plan that most Americans hate.
2. Attack the AARP, accusing this Seniors organization of being pro-gay marriage and anti-military. The AARP is the most influential lobbying group in American by he way.
3. Turn down a moderate increase in the minimum wage, which hasn't been increased since they took control of Congress in 1996.
4. Give themselves another pay raise ($28K in 7 raises over 8 years).
5. Give more tax breaks to wealthy individuals and corporations.

So, you are left to ask yourself, are the Republicans crazy? And, can we take advantage of it in 2006?

Lacking Worth

The Buck Stops Here - Remember That?
Donald Rumsfeld is a complete and utter loser. A man of decrepit moral values and an unwaving ability to say, "Not my fault." Who are these idjits that think they can hold the torch of moral values while refusing to take personal responsibility for their actions? George Bush as much as blames God for his actions, you know, he speaks with the Lord and gets direction from him. In other words, God made me do it.

And Rumsfeld?

“What was going on in the midnight shift in Abu Ghraib prison halfway across the world is something that clearly someone in Washington, D.C., can’t manage or deal with,” he said, adding: “I have no regrets.” Donald Rumsfeld

"The Buck Stops There" - A Republican Motto to Live By.

Tough Choices?

In a recent article on MSNBC, Which way ahead for Democrats?, several key issues were raised.

1. The War in Iraq, should Democrats call for the withdrawl of U.S. Troops?

2. The Bush Supreme Court Nominees, should Democrats filibuster?

3. Social Security, what should Democrats do?

My responses:

1. We should call for the Internationalization of Iraq following elections, including equal business contracts for troop involvement.

2. We should filibuster the hell out of them. President's come and go, but the Supreme Court is for life.

3. We should point out the real costs of privatized Social Security at every point. We should call for realistic accounting practices for the U.S. Government now, while we are not in control. Let America see the real budget shortfalls, let them see the real costs of Social Security.

The Party of "No" or "Know"

To my way of thinking, the Democratic party has sat back long enough and responded No. The time has come for Democrats to lead, in the way that only they can. We must leave behind the politics of confrontation, we must leave behind the politics of the antagonist, even when our numbers have reached their nadir. America has long been the land of hard-work, ingenuity, and common sense solutions. This is the well from which we must draw. Who better represents these American values than Democrats?

We must become the party of Know. We must show a better way by leading.

Can politics be avoided if both sides don't show up to play? Can we avoid the pettiness of politics by simply rising above? Can we talk directly to the American people? Is it possible to ridicule the policies of the Republican leadership while remaining cordial with our neighbors who are Republicans?

Many Americans want Statesmen to reappear in America, is there any way that the Democratic Party can become the party of Statesmen and not the party of special interests and polls? The party of America?

Republican Mouthpiece Disses Private Social Security

Joe Scarborough , a former Republican Congressman and now MSNBC host, has written a wonderful blog entry on the privitization of Social Security. It is something every young person should have to read.

County Issues

Feel free to post any local (county, city) issues that might help inform others.

State-wide Issues

This is an open post to discuss any state-wide issues that might come up.

Logging-In

Greetings to any and all new CountryCrat readers.

I did not realize that you had to log-in to post comments. You are welcome to post anonymously with your name and/or email in the message. Or, you can go through the several minute set-up that is required.

Hope to hear from you soon.

Letter to the Editor - Fight for Life

An Open Letter to Republicans:

For the last four years we have had a Republican Senate, House, and President. The party of "Life" has controlled our country for four years. I challenge you now to live up to that motto. Since 1993 the Infant Mortality rate in the United States had steadily declined, throughout the Clinton years. Since Republicans have gained control, that number has begun to rise again. That number represents living infants versus dead infants and it is rising. The United States ranks 40th in the world in Infant Mortality. That means 39 other countries do a better job of keeping infants alive than we do - that is a crime against innocents. So, I challenge you to truly be the party of Life and not just the "pro-Birth" party that many believe you to be.

Pro-Life vs. Pro-Birth

The other day, someone at the DNC Blog posted an interesting point about who is truly pro-life and who is pro-birth. This relates back to the child health post I made earlier. Republicans should be categorized by Democrats as pro-birth, their only concern is about abortion. Democrats are truly the party of pro-life because we care about the entire life of a child.

Who wants to improve healthcare for children? Democrats.

Who wants to improve pre-K programs for children? Democrats.

Who wants to focus on abortion and discard the lives once they are born? Republicans.

Who wants tax cuts for the rich while our infant mortality rate drifts higher? Republicans.

Who wants welfare for corporations while children go hungry and malnourished in our own country? Republicans.

We are clearly the party of life, while Republicans can only claim to be the party of birth.

NC Goes Blue - 2006

Governor - Democratic Party

Lt. Governor - Democratic Party

Attorney General, Secretary of State, Treasurer, - Democratic Party

State Senate - 29 Dem vs 21 Rep (from 27 to 23)

State House - 63 Dem vs 57 Rep (from 58 to 62)

County Commisions - 57 Dem to 43 Rep

I predict and would love to see, the U.S. House seats go from 6 Dem and 7 Rep to 7 Dem and 6 Rep with the removal of Virginia Foxx and Dems retaining every other seat. Ultimately, it would be nice to remove Elizabeth Dole in 2006 as well, but that is not as likely.

That would put NC in a good position to go Blue in 2008.