Government-Managed Capitalism: A Love Story

Thanks Jay for turning me on to this video.

This video points out the problems with the healthcare bill that is trying to be passed.

The Words of Willy Brown

Retired Mayor of San Francisco, Willie Brown, has a weekly column in the San Francisco Chronicle Newspaper. On January 3rd he wrote an article responding to 3 things: Napolitano's mishandling of the terrorist that almost blew up a plane, Obama's first year in office, and a Californian New Year's Resolution. This third item is what I am going to focused on. I find it profound that a very leftist democrat, a former mayor of San Francisco has penned these words to his readers:

"If we as a state want to make a New Year's resolution, I suggest taking a good look at the California we have created. From our out-of-sync tax system to our out-of-control civil service, it's time for politicians to begin an honest dialogue about what we've become.

Take the civil service.

The system was set up so politicians like me couldn't come in and fire the people (relatives) hired by the guy they beat and replace them with their own friends and relatives.

Over the years, however, the civil service system has changed from one that protects jobs to one that runs the show.

The deal used to be that civil servants were paid less than private sector workers in exchange for an understanding that they had job security for life.

But we politicians, pushed by our friends in labor, gradually expanded pay and benefits to private-sector levels while keeping the job protections and layering on incredibly generous retirement packages that pay ex-workers almost as much as current workers.

Talking about this is politically unpopular and potentially even career suicide for most officeholders. But at some point, someone is going to have to get honest about the fact that 80 percent of the state, county and city budget deficits are due to employee costs.

Either we do something about it at the ballot box, or a judge will do something about in Bankruptcy Court. And if you think I'm kidding, just look at Vallejo."

Well, Mr. Brown, all I can add to your words are: Why must we have to wait until California is on the brink of bankruptcy before we address the problems in our legislature? Is it not better to forecast the trend and take the steps to avoid the pitfall.

prudence

PRU'DENCE, n. [L. prudentia.] Wisdom applied to practice.

Prudence implies caution in deliberating and consulting on the most suitable means to accomplish valuable purposes, and the exercise of sagacity in discerning and selecting them. Prudence differs from wisdom in this, that prudence implies more caution and reserve than wisdom, or is exercised more in foreseeing and avoiding evil, than in devising and executing that which is good. It is sometimes mere caution or circumspection.

Prudence is principally in reference to actions to be done, and due means, order, season and method of doing or not doing.

Why do governments exist?

A friend recently began a discussion on this topic with me and I thought others might benefit from my response. I did not tell my friend that I would be posting my response on my blog, so to protect my friend's privacy I will not include the original question.

What is God's purpose for government?

It was his idea, so how did He design it to work? What was His purpose behind creating the concept of government? Essentially, I am asking what is the role of government from a Christian point of view?

Well, I also believe in what Romans 13 teaches and I believe that we can find God's position on the matter from that text and a few others. Please read: 1 Kings 21, Daniel 4, and 1 Samuel 8 because I will be referencing them as well.

In Romans 13 we read that God says He establishes all governments and to rebel against them is to rebel against God. Initially, it is easy to see why many Christians feel that to oppose a sitting leader is wrong. However, I do not believe that this is the proper interpretation of the text. If it were, than all women would need to submit to their abusive husbands regardless of their abuse of authority as the head of the family. No, we know that God is not expecting a woman to turn the cheek and take another beating because she is to "submit" to authority. The same is true for the governments that God has established.

If you read 12:19 in Romans it begins to talk about vengeance and taking the authority of wrath into your own hands. Instead, Paul says that we are to "repay evil for good" and to submit to the governing authority because this authority is established by God. As you continue to read it now makes sense when Paul writes "he who rebels against the authority is rebelling against what God has instituted, and those who do so will bring judgment on themselves" (13:2). Paul is telling us that we are to leave room for God's wrath (12:19) because He provides it through a government that has a purpose for "punishing evil" (13:4).

Verse 4 is fascinating because we see the explicit purpose of governments: "To condone good and punish evil." Governments should condone (passive) good and punish (active) evil. Meaning, governments bear the sword (God's wrath) as a servant to permit Godly behaviors and punish persons who commit evil acts. Simply put, God's desire of government is a limited one.

Are there other scriptural texts to support a limited government and why should it be limited in nature?

Simply put, gGovernments are one of many social spheres that God has created an order to. Other social spheres are: the family, the church, and the economic. All of these social spheres are based upon the model of the trinity, his very nature. In the government sphere we have: God, the government, and the people. God creates the government and the people and sits the citizens underneath the authority of the government. However, the governing entity is subject to God and the people have direct access to the Lord should the government abuse its power. This is how it should work. Now, let's look at some scriptural support.

Daniel 4 lays out a story of Nebuchadnezzar and his dream. As you progress down chapter 4 we get to the portion in verse 30, which the king says, "Is not this the great Babylon I have built as the royal residence, by my mighty power and for the glory of my majesty?" God immediately punishes King Nebuchadnezzar for his arrogance until he repents (4:34). The lesson of course being that God establishes all authorities and no man should ever boast for himself what God has done for him.

In 1 Kings 21 we read about King Ahab and Naboth's vineyard. The story tells us that Jezebel murdered Naboth because Ahab whined about wanting his vineyard. King Ahab had no right to even buy the vineyard in the Lord's eyes, but he wanted it anyway. In the end, he stole a murdered man's land and used his governmental authority to do it. God then sends Elijah to proclaim His punishment for the sin he committed and causing the nation to sin (21:22).

2 Chronicles 26 tells us the story of King Uzziah and how he abused his authority. He thought that his Kingly authority allowed him to perform the duties of a priest. That sphere is independent from the governmental sphere and Uzziah overstepped his bounds. God gave him leprosy for it.

These last two paragraphs establish that God expects governments, who bear the sword (Romans 13:4), are expected to act within their authorities only. And when they do not, He punishes them for it. Sometimes He punishes them directly, or sometimes He raises up other men to depose them. Either way, God remains sovereign.

The last scripture is 1 Samuel 8. In this section we read about the sinful nature of man that does not trust God as a leader. The sin wasn't because they asked Samuel to replace his sons; rather, it was because they wanted a system of government that resembled the other nations (8:5). This displeased the Lord because their motive was really rejecting Him as king. So, the Lord graciously warns them about what will come from a government in which all governmental authority resides with one man. This section is also fascinating:(11) He will draft an army, (12-13) forced civil service and labor, (14-17) taxes and redistribution of wealth, and (18) slavery.

I don't know if you noticed in verses 14-17 state he will take your "best" and "a tenth" when he taxes you. This is tithing language. The king/government will steal from God what is rightfully His and you will be unable to fulfill your obligations to me. Think about your paychecks when you worked in your past jobs. Who took the first fruits? It grieves me that I am unable to give God my first fruits when I work for another company. The only modern solution today is to repeal the current tax system or become self-employed so that you can give to God first before the government takes its taxes. Now, I'm not opposed to all taxation because we need it to pay for the services that "condone good and punish evil." However, the first step to change is awareness of the problem. We have a major problem in our nation. We are a socialist nation hiding behind a mostly capitalistic economy. We have to come to terms with that before and permanent change can be effected. Christians, most of all, need to understand the purpose of government as God intended.

So, in the end, how do I reconcile my positions against Obama, the left, and democrats? I believe it is my duty as a citizen, a Christian and a human being to legally oppose all governments that function contrary to scriptural parameters as long as the government does not require me to violate scripture. This does not give me the right to call the man (Obama) an absolute moron and idiot. I sometimes stumble in this. However, I don't believe him to be either, especially since he has proved his intelligence and charisma as a lawyer and politician. Nevertheless, I do believe he is a deceiver, or perhaps blind. He should know better because he possesses the ability to reason and all of human history points to the abuse of governmental powers and the atrocities they bring. Why on earth would he and others like him try and gather more power in a centralized government? Simply put, because it is power.

The gospel teaches us that every person has a sinful desire to oppose God in everything (Galations 5:17). The government was God's design. It was His idea. Let's follow His plan.

Cap and Trade passed? More California Taxes? Bubbles, the Chimp?

It's been a busy week so I haven't been able to blog much or put together a vidcast. I've started school and worship practice for the church is on Thursdays now. It seems that I have a lot more to learn about time management. But there is no rest for those interested in politics, economics and religion. It seems the world goes on it's way with or without you. This past week is no different.

Please allow me to summarize the week for you in case you have lived in a card board box in someone's closet without any natural light or outside communication.

Ed McMahon died. So did Farrah Fawcett. So did Michael Jackson. So did Billy Mays. It makes me wonder who is next, but the factors that determine which celebrity you cried over depended on age, sex, race, or insomnia. I personally wept for Bubbles, the Chimp.

On the Federal level, we were told another crisis could ONLY be averted if we pass a bill in Congress that no one read, even though it would fundamentally impact us for generations. You may have heard of it, it was called the Stimulus Bill...ooops, I mean, Cap and Trade. Basically, the bill means that energy businesses will be capped the amount of CO2 gas they can produce in a fiscal year, and only exceed those rates if they buy carbon credits traded on the stock market. It's like saying to a vegetarian, you may only have raunchy veggie farts once a day, and if you ever want to release more methane, you will have to pay for those methane credits. Oh, BTW, sharding still qualifies as releasing methane gas, and you'll actually have to pay double the credit rate because you are wasting perfectly good underwear made in sweat shops, and those sweatshops aren't producing all that carbon just so you can make skid marks.

That's right, I just made a joke about sweat shop skid marks.

In other news, if local politics is your style, I have some special quotes for you that will absolutely make you think politicians in Sacramento live in crazy land. California Democrats are trying to pass more taxes for an already overtaxed state because they can't bear the thought of cutting more entitlement programs. Apparently, they did not get the hint since we unanimously turned down ALL tax increases in the last election. But here is Norren Evans (D), representing the good old town of Santa Rosa.

Transcript:

Well, there is this mantra out there ‘live within our means’, and while that sounds really nice, it sounds really simple, and it sounds really responsible, its meaningless. Our means are completely within our control. And, as has been pointed out by numerous people, we have just recently given away huge corporate subsidies in February, we have given away other tax reductions over many many years we’ve created new tax loopholes, in good times we routinely give away taxes, and then in lean times we never replace those tax deductions or close those loopholes. We continuously borrow, which is an enormous cost that we shift on into future years, and we find ourselves now with a deficit that — an ongoing structural deficit that we simply can’t close. So, ‘live within our means’ doesn’t mean anything. The fact is, we have a state that has a population that have needs, that we have a moral obligation to provide.


Video:


So ladies and gentlemen, today I am announcing my candidacy for Supreme Ruler of California. Apparently, the only faculty you need to possess when running for political office in California is intellectual dishonesty, aka Big Bold and Bad LIES and his cousin INCOMPETENCE. Therefore, with this new found knowledge, I will pwn all those who oppose me with deep truths like 1+1=2 and usher in the new era of surplus with "spending less than you make." In fact, since my wife and I do a balanced budget every month on paper, she is also qualified to come with me to the Capitol as Supreme Ruler #2, should I die of the spreading of Awesome Asian mathematics.

Does Ms. Evans even understand the implications of her statements, or is she living in governmental lala land where statesmen have no spending limits and no consequences? How can anyone state that living within your means, means nothing? Is it any wonder why our budget is so screwed up when people like this are in control? Keep in mind, if a Republican said this, they would be crucified. Perhaps, they should be crucified with the 8 Republicans who voted for Cap & Trade. I don't know about you, but if a Republican votes for Cap & Trade, they are no more republican than a dung beetle is clean. It's like saying, "I'm a Christian who does not believe in Jesus Christ." What?!

Anyway, it has been a busy week and I don't have enough time to comment on it all. Also, I am still trying to figure out Yellow University and what instructional information and vidcasts I am going to do. I believe the first series will be answering the question, "What is a Classical Liberal? Is that even possible?" I look forward to that and the all yellow glory it will be.

On a side note, for those of you who follow celebrity gossip and are familiar with Perez Hilton, he was punched in the face last week and flipped out. His solution, put it on twitter and youtube. The result wasn't exactly what he was expecting as many people began to spoof his ridiculous ranting. I was particularly fond of the, "God is watching" and "F**K YOU!" in the same paragraph. I might of been offended if I wasn't laughing at him so much. Anyway, a photo surfaced from someone who actually had a still shot of Perez getting punched. I included it below for your personal enjoyment. I'll end with this:

If you make a living being being an A**hole, don't be surprised that people will mistake your face for one and attack it accordingly.

Have a great day everyone!

Obama confirms GM bailout yesterday, Conservatives across America say, "I told you so."

Yesterday, GM and Obama released speeches and information relating to the Chapter Bankruptcy filing of General Motors. You can watch Obama's press release here, but if you apply this formula, you will already know what he said. The formula goes like this:

Assumptions:

• I inherited this problem, it is not my fault.
• It's a crisis we have never seen and can only be fixed by government help.
• Not only can I help, but I can fix it because what I am about to do you have never seen.
  
• My solution requires everyone to sacrifice.

Assuming these 4 things, we'll label as "ASSumptions", makes it very easy to accept the formula:

If we add Obama to ASSumptions, then a New Utopia (New U) will result naturally.

The beauty of this liberal formula is that we can substitute anything for the ASSumptions, sit on it a while and feel the comfort that Obama brings. For example, insert Health Care and you get the New U. In fact, maybe if we put the old you into the formuala, let's see what happens.

Obama + Old You = New U. Wow, this formula is magic. We'll let's see what happens when you put me in the formula.

Obama + Rusty Pang, Awesome Asian = Rusty Pang, Adolescent Asian. Hmmmm...What happened? Why did I revert to my pubescent days of idealism and impracticality? Oh, because back then I didn't use my brain. I made decisions based upon my feelings. Kind of like modern liberals today, the more developed ones anyway.

When are we going to learn that the real formula of life is Government + Anything = innefficiency and self-growth. If this wasn't true, please explain to me why TARP has not worked and lending is still restricted. If government involvment was the solution, can someone please tell me why GM is declaring bankruptcy? I thought that Obama + GMC = Jobs, stability, andgoodness.

So then you say, "Rusty, why did you not warn us of this earlier?" This is to which I reply, I did.

Here's the link to my commentary on the idiocacy of the Stimulus Bill.
When I railed against government spending click here.
My predictions for the effects of the socializing privatized business can be found here.

Ultimately, I'm not saying anything new. When you pause and think like an adult, it makes sense. We joke about government jobs and how cush they are. Never, do we ever credit the government with any brains, nor efficiency. So, my question is why did we think that it was a good thing for Congress to get into the car business?

I know Obama says he doesn't want to run GM, but I am more concerned with what he does. And what he has done is fire the CEO, require increased CAFE standards, mandated vehicle price increases, and the closure of dealerships across America. Don't fall for it. They are "just words, just speeches.

Here's what's going to happen to GM. Obama and the democratic congress is going to come in with their Kangaroo courts and portray GM leadership as devils since they have to close dealerships across America. As they emerge out of bankruptcy, GM will be 60% owned by government, effectually controlling GM. This means that Obama successfully nationalized a private car company. This is also referred to as SOCIALISM, which is a stepping stone to COMMUNISM. Read the Communist Manifesto.

Once this is complete, Obama (no car or business experience) will begin to tell CEO's of a major automotive manufacturer how to do it right. In what world does that make sense? Apparently, in ours it does.

Anyway, as GM's value plummets because consumers aren't buying their vehicles, more money will be required to be sent to this company because "they are too big to fail." Once again, the infusion of cash will require more printing of money, therefore, sending our inflation up again.

This will lead to another recession, or at least prolong this one. Mark these words, because I'm not trying to be a doomsday dude. I'm just trying to tell it like it is.

Inflation, recession, and unemployment numbers are on the rise people. This administration and our state governments are trying to fix problems using broken tools and I am not going to sit here and take it. What about you?

When everyone is charging it on the Obamacard, I'm glad to be debt free.

A humorous take on Obama's spending. In effect, let's deal with our problems by just charging it to our kids. YES WE CAN!!! But I wish we didn't. When are we going to realize that you cannot borrow your way out of debt?





There are some things [me] money can't buy. For everything else, there's Obamacard.

VisableVote: iPhone app compares your views to your representative

Yesterday, I found a new app called Visible Vote. It's a handy new app created so that you can:

1. Send a letter to you legislators through your iPhone.
2. Track how your legislators are voting on bills you care about.
3. Vote on the same bills as your legislators and update your legislators on your vote.

Also, the app provides feedback on how your votes compare to theirs and will send you an overview of the next election so you know who to vote for or against (This last one I have not seen myself yet). Someone start an election! STAT!!!

There is apparently a facebook and blackberry version and all are free. My favorite word, FREEEEEEEEE!

I digress, I played with this app for a little bit and I think I may love the "Write Legislator" option. Boxer, Feinstein and Miller will know true Pang. BTW, check out how my votes stack up to theirs.





<---Mwuahahahhahahhaha




<-------Are you surprised?



<-------Eat that Miller!





Anyway, I hope this app serves you well. I can already see it does for me. **Evil cackle ensues**

A valiant effort by Obama to save America 100 Million

The latest news to roll out of Washington is Obama's plan to require his cabinet to come up with 100 million dollars in savings in the next 90 days. This is of course out of a 4 trillion dollar budget. **cough cough choke cough, clears throat**

100 million out of 4 TRILLION. That is the same as asking a family to increase their taxes by $4,000 to save them 10 cents. I love socialist math. It's so dreamy. So childlike that I just want to squeeze his pudgey little cheeks. Barry want a lollipop? A sucker? We've got lots of those in America.

Here's the story at MSNBC.com

Oh, before I sign off, one of the highest savings they came up with is Homeland Security should start buying office supplies in bulk. WHAT?! Have they heard of Dunder & Mifflin? I mean, cmon Obama, I don't even watch The Office and I know they sell paper in bulk.

Scewtape, you sly ol' demon. Why do you teach me so well?

Whenever Janelle and I drive long distances we love it. It's a special time that we can have to talk about life, our dreams, our problems, or sometimes to just make funny noises that no one else can hear. (If you have ever spent any time with us, this is normal)

Anyway, on this particular trip back from Fort Bragg, we listened to The Screwtape Letters by C.S. Lewis. In a sentence, my brain couldn't unpack the wisdom fast enough. I had to literally stop the cd after every letter to ask Janelle, "Did you get that?" When really, I was just making sure I got that. But don't tell I think she is smarter than me, shhhhh.

I digress, I'd like to review the entire book, but that would take forever and I really don't want you to know how much time I can waste writing reviews on books. Therefore, let me fast forward to the tail end and comment on the last portion of the updated version, which includes a toast to graduating tempters from Screwtape some years later. Here is an excerpt to catch you up.

"The scene is in Hell at the annual dinner of the Tempters' Training College for young devils. The principal, Dr. Slubgob, has just proposed the health of the guests. Screwtape, a very experienced devil, who is the guest of honour, rises to reply."

"You can get him [your assigned human] to practise, not only without shame but with a positive glow of self-approval, conduct which, if undefended by the magic word, would be universally derided. The feeling I mean is of course that which prompts a man to say, "I'm as good as you."

The first and most obvious advantage is that you thus induce him to enthrone at the centre of his life a good, solid, resounding lie. I don't mean merely that his statement is false in fact, that he is no more equal to everyone he meets in kindness, honesty, and good sense than in height or waist measurement. I mean that he does not believe it himself. No man who says I'm as good as you believes it. He would not say it if he did. The St. Bernard never says it to the toy dog, nor the scholar to the dunce, nor the employable to the bum, nor the pretty woman to the plain. The claim to equality, outside the strictly political field, is made only by those who feel themselves to be in some way inferior. What it expresses is precisely the itching, smarting, writhing awareness of an inferiority which the patient refuses to accept.

And therefore resents. Yes, and therefore resents every kind of superiority in others; denigrates it; wishes its annihilation. Presently he suspects every mere difference of being a claim to superiority. No one must be different from himself in voice, clothes, manners, recreations, choice of food."
- Screwtape

I believe that Mr. Lewis has better described my little war against pseudo racism and the hypocritical positions they, who stand on their soapboxes, preach. This combined with false humility (counterfeit humility which lowers oneself instead of lifting up others), is what modern socialism is.

It is the entitlement generation, my generation which knows not oppression but voluntarily oppresses itself for the pity of others, to only then raise themselves to their superiors with, as C.S Lewis would state, "I am as good as you." This is the most deceptive pride in our post modern world.

This type of person will ask for help out of the mudpit of circumstance but when a ladder or rope is lowered, rebuke the helpers efforts since they were unwilling to carry them out. Additionally, anyone who takes the initiative to climb out, they rebuke, belittle and berate in attempts to guilt them into wallowing with them in misery.

Socialism, our liberal government, can only guaranty the equality of results to the point in which no results can be produced. In other words, if you aim at nothing, you will hit it every time. This is no way for any free nation to live and prosper. This is no way that God intended man should live, so why do I find myself living in a nation that promotes suffering and submission to an overlord state as a legitimate ideal? To which some Christians can be the worst.

If you are one of the better humans, one to whom are told, "I am as good as you." I encourage you to keep growing and keep prospering. Realize that this phrase comes out in different words like,"You are arrogant" or "You think you're better than me." Know the lies and act appropriately.

If you are embarrassed to discover your own weakness living in the other camp, I encourage you to change your ways and become competent and confident in the life and choices you have. Change only happens in the present. Don't let the future hold you back.

I implore you to read this book, material that has survived the test of generations. I have included links to the audio and hardback versions below.

The Screwtape Letters, Hardcover


The Screwtape Letters, Audio Collection

I am an armchair economist! Nice...

Letter to the Editor in response to "Obstructionists, naysayers abound"

Dear Ms Norine Matteson,

It is with great trepidation and concern that I pen these words in response to yours, “Obstuctionists, naysayers abound,” dated 2/20/09. Although I do not personally know you, your perspective and opinions carry the aroma of a scent that permeates an already rampant sickness. This sickness does not display itself in one’s body, for you, I’m sure, are a healthy and beautiful young woman. No, this sickness saturates the mind of an Obamanation, with a euphoria only witnessed between lovers who blindly think the other can do no wrong.

Please afford me the grace to correct your statements, although passionate, are unfounded with fact. I wonder who you are imagining in your mind when you refer to “armchair economists.” Who are qualified to speak in this area? Perhaps, you, with your many degrees and accolades in economics, sociology, central planning, and finance can speak more firmly than those, but allow me to humbly state, one does not need a degree of higher learning to declare rightly “Shenanigans!” And believe me, this “vocal minority” is, in fact, the silent majority.

You stated we “haven’t any official idea of what the stimulus contains,” intending that we reserve judgment for our congressman and president to see the fruits before we take any stance. The official documentation has been made public and is viewable. I also find it rather humorous and saddening that you blame Bush for the housing deflation, when the only thing we should be upset with is his increase of the deficit to $482 Billion. Look up the Housing and Community Development Act of 1974 the seeds of your malcontent. The hypocrisy in America today is astounding when it judges so harshly a man who took 8 years to create the $482 Billion deficit despite the largest attack on American soil in history, yet Obama has tripled the deficit to more than $1.4 Trillion in just 2 months. More on this subject material can be found at RustyPang.com.

Ultimately, my dear Matteson, I am disappointed in your words, not because you penned them, but that so many in America echo them, and the many more who disagree have not rioted over their elected abuse. Your blessed elected president, Mr. B.O. himself, tells you one thing and does another. He passes the largest “stimulus” bill in history, more than double our federal budget in 1982, but more than 65% of the spending is social programs and non-job creation spending and has the gall to tell you he will not allow wasteful spending. He is attempting to nationalize banks, the auto industry, and others just because his socialist and Keynesian economic ideals tell him to do so, despite any real evidence of its successful application. I know you want change, but so does every human being. Life is not perfect and we desire to improve ourselves; this is a great thing. However, blind belief in a man who passes failed laws, in a failed system, based upon failed ideals…Well, such a man will be deemed as a failure.

Benjamin Franklin once stated, “those who sacrifice liberty for security deserve neither.” Obama sells security, and you are buying it.

Rusty Pang, Armchain Economist and Vacavillian
"With all thy getting, get thy understanding."

What's in Obama's $825 billion "Stimulus" Package?

I know everyone is talking about Obama's stimulus package, but how are we allowing them to call it a "Stimulus" package. It is a ruse to hide billions of dollars for pork, special interest spending. He is driving the fear of Americans to place where we will accept anything he says, even spending 5.6% of the GDP from your tax dollars to fund his social programs and agenda. Don't be fooled. Read on if you want to be informed.

Source material: 13-page summary, Article explaining GDP

Let me give you some perspective on how much $825 billion is. If it were it's own country, we'll call it SODOMEE America (Socialist Obama Deception Of Magnanimously Expensive Economics), then it would have it's own GDP and stand in 20th place in the world, right in front of Australia. Not part of Australia, the entire country.

The official title of the bill is the American Recovery and Reinvestment Bill of 2009. The first line in the reads, "The economy is in a crisis not seen since the Great Depression." Sigh, what about the Carter years? I don't see people building little communities out of cardboard or tin like they did in the thirties. Anyway, I'll refrain from commenting for the next paragraph while I summarize this Obaminational document.

It states:
-"Since 2001, as worker productivity went up, 96% of the income growth in this country went to the wealthiest 10% of society. While they were benefitting from record high worker productivity, the remaining 90% of Americans were struggling to sustain their standard of living. They sustained it by borrowing… and borrowing… and borrowing, and when they couldn’t borrow anymore, the bottom fell out."
-"A historic level of transparency, oversight and accountability will help guarantee taxpayer dollars are spent wisely and Americans can see results for their investment."
-$30 billion for highway construction
-$10 billion for transit and rail to reduce traffic congestion and gas consumption
-$24.1 billion for health information technology and preventative care
-$102 billion for unemployment benefits, COBRA insurance subsidy, and food stamps
-$87 billion in Medicaid matching for states
-$52.65 billion in various energy and environment related spending
-$6 billion for broadband internet in rural areas
-$8.671 billion for various research in energy, space, agriculture and geology
-$880 million for small business loans
-$65 million in coupons to convert from analog to digital television
-$965 million to replace or improve IT in government facilities (SSA, Dept of Ag, etc)
-$9.96 billion for national defense improvements to healthcare, facilities, cemeteries and housing

Okay, you bored yet? Are you thinking, how long is this list? Let me just say that this is only page 7 of 13 and I summarized most of the specific spending. For those of you who don't believe me, read it yourself and you'll see I'm not lying. The basic numbers is this: $550 new spending and $275 in tax relief through SS payroll deductions.

Now for the fun part...

WHAT IN THE...WHO VOTED THIS GUY IN? STIMULUS? WHO DOES HE THINK HE IS?! I DON'T SWING THAT WAY, STOP RAPING ME! AAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAH!!!!!!!!!

**Remembers Happy Gilmore**
"In with the good air, block the bad. In with the good, block bad." Okay I'm better now.

This is NOT a stimulus plan. There is nothing in this bill that directly links this spending to actual numbers or alludes to any principle, not even Keynesian Economics. They believe, blindly I might add, that by spending more of your money, jobs will magically appear. If food stamps were humans, they would crap jobs.

Okay, let me explain a few things so you may understand why this is soooo freaking retarded. It is a simple supply and demand function. If people, businesses or employees, supply a service or produce a product (working a job) that someone else demands (sale) then the economy moves forward. The more supplying and demanding, the better the economy. So give job makers (businesses) an easier time and jobs will result.

Now, Obama, and the caving republicans are saying you don't have enough incentive (Keynesian principle) to make money, so that is why you don't work. I, conservatives, and the founding fathers believe that you have the incentive to work but the government's involvement retards this incentive. You want to eat? There's your incentive. Let me explain.

If corporate tax rates are the highest in the world of any modern country, which they are, then the business has less money (less incentive) to keep more employees. This money is now in the government's coffers and they think they can spend it better (that's laughable) than the business they just took the money from. So, now they have a large sum of money they didn't earn, from people who did, and get to decide how they want to distribute it amongst the masses for the "betterment" of people. Oh, and they subtract large salaries out of this pool to pay people to think about these decisions.

Does this make sense? They are making economic decisions with little or no economic experience, for people who are laboring in the economy as they ponder their liberal and socialistic agenda. Sounds like a nightmare. The only problem is, we're not dreaming.

Example: Congress now has oversight, a hand in, the big 3 auto companies and gets to tell them how to best make a car. People (Congress) who aren't in the car business telling them (GM, Chrysler, Ford) how to make and sell a car.

Class, repeat after me, "Retarded."

I'd sell off all my Big 3 stock if I were you because they are headed for far worse days. When you get in bed with the government, you find yourself chained there the following morning with a bad headache, wondering where your pants were and why you have a number for Frank.

Other than my crazy aversion to anything govern-mental, is the unrestrained gall of this administration to call this package a "stimulus" package. What's even worse, most people are happy or hopeful. Why isn't America grabbing their pitchforks and torches? Let's call this for what it is people; it's not a stimulus package, it's a reshaping of America package. They are taking your money and redistributing it to the tune of $825 BILLION and no one seems to care a rip.

So many people thought Obama was a centrist politician who would bring the people together. The reality, he has deceived 53% of America for their vote, McCain took the remaining 42% with his lies, and that leaves the remaining 5% wackos, to which I am now considered one of them. I voted JOE THE PLUMBER.

So, hats off to you America, if you allow this to happen, thanks for selling my freedom and the liberty of my unborn children. That is, of course, if the government will allow me to have kids.

Update: Even though the bill passed in the House, all republicans vote no. Good for you GOP. You finally grew some balls. Now, let's hope repubs in the Senate can do the same.