Thursday, October 28, 2010

It's that time again.


As we get closer to November 2nd, his O ness and the dems are making their usual push for votes from the usual suspects. Old reliable. Black folks. Truth is, if black folks actually get out and vote come Tuesday, that well touted republican tsunami will be more like a huge wave. O and his boyz have been visiting states with a large concentration of African Americans, and they have been hoping for a little election day passion. It won't happen. O, you aren't on the ticket, black folks don't care if Mr. White from the democratic or republican party gets elected. It's just another old white man in D.C. giving them the same old same old.

But you gotta love the dems for giving it the "old college try". They called black bloggers, (No, the field didn't get an invite. Corporate and pop culture bloggers, only.) to the White House, and O has been on black radio more than Kanye and Jay Z combined. Sadly, in spite of all his efforts, you Negroes will stay home. The republicans, of course, know this. So in a way, you are loyal to them as well.

Finally, I was sent this Jason Riley article from the WSJ (h/t Pilot X) about the NAACP alleged obsession with the Tea Party Movement. The author thinks that the NAACP should be doing better things with their time:

"Given that the tea party—a diffuse network of local groups with no central leadership—focuses not on race but on limited government, the NAACP's obsession with the movement might seem odd. And given the real challenges facing black Americans today, the fact that the nation's largest civil rights group is devoting time and resources to monitoring Sarah Palin rallies for Confederate flags is also rather sad.

The nation's unemployment rate is 9.6%, but it is 16.1% for blacks and an unconscionable 41% for black teens. Politicians continue to promote minimum-wage hikes that harm the job prospects of younger and less-skilled individuals, a disproportionate number of whom are black. Wal-Mart's attempts to open a store that would bring jobs and low-price goods to a depressed neighborhood in Brooklyn, N.Y., have been thwarted repeatedly by labor unions. And the NAACP is issuing studies on the tea party movement?

Black children are funneled into the nation's worst public schools, where they underperform and often don't graduate. Black boys in eighth grade read at about the same level as white girls in fourth grade. The achievement gap persists through high school, where the average black student is graduating with an eighth-grade education—if the student graduates at all.

The situation has remained essentially unchanged for three decades. President Obama and Education Secretary Arne Duncan have noted that just 2,000 of the nation's 20,000 high schools produce half of all dropouts, and nearly 50% of black kids attend one of these "dropout factories." But that hasn't stopped the Obama administration from phasing out a Washington, D.C., voucher program for low-income students that improved graduation rates. Still, the NAACP is worried about the tea party?" [Article]
OK, keeping it real alert! I actually agree with a lot of what this clown wrote. But here is the thing: the NAACP was also right to put some focus on the teabaggers for their sudden obsession with smaller government and the deficit. We all know that it wasn't there before, because previous presidents didn't look like this one.

Still, the NAACP can move on now and start focusing on the important things the author mentioned. Us racism chasers will take it from here.

102 comments:

  1. Off topic, but check this out Field...they made Forrest run, if OJ was smart he would of kept running, but you had to take a run yourself. A long broad run, on a Broad street. What happened to that there? Don't think we forgot bruh! Non fulfillment of your end of the deal is not Field Negro behavior!

    ReplyDelete
  2. Field,
    I must respectfully disagree.I wouldn't be the type of concerned and outraged in citizen who reads you blog regularly if I intended to sit on my ass for this election.
    Speaking from the Left Coast of CA,black voters are fired up! Many of us have already voted absentee. We have two bored GOP corporate princesses who want to use our state as a piggy bank for their rich friends.They have no love for"the little people," so I know they're no good for this state. They didn't bother voting for the bulk of their adult lives,so now they think they can run CA like the businesses they ran into the ground.That means more jobs sent overseas,and no unions,benefits or breaks of any kind for the average American wage slave.
    I refuse to allow my state AND country to be run by ignorant,racist and greedy Tea Party affiliated right wing nuts because I didn't vote. Too many people died so that black folks got the right to vote; those ancestors would spin in their graves if we didn't support THIS president now.You underestimate our resolve to move forward and,despite our occasional disappointment with him,we have Obama's back.
    Hell,consider the alternative--shudder!!
    OH,I haven't forgotten about your nude run,either.When's the date??:-).

    ReplyDelete
  3. Let's see BAR complains and someone on Huff Po complains. I wasn't invited to the White House either. Jack and Jill was there. Don't fall for the Lynch Doctrine. Remember when Swill O'Liely wanted to get you for the Charlston Heston diss? I would get invited to the White House when Min.Farrakhan get there first. They can't be seen talking to us.

    ReplyDelete
  4. Anonymous9:42 PM

    The NAACP has always had its priorities in the wrong place and has been of little use to the black community.

    ReplyDelete
  5. Anonymous9:47 PM

    You are right. Blacks won't go to the polls. By NOT voting they are supporting the GOP. But they have always done that except for the rare instance in 2008. Blacks are like a ball and chain for any political party.

    ReplyDelete
  6. Classysbf, it's good to hear that folks are fired up out West.Let's see if it plays itself at the polls.

    I must admit that if they can't get fired up to vote against some of those candidates out there, I don't know what will ever get them fired up.

    OK Woe, you and classysbf got me.:)
    I am almost ready for that run.

    Kid, I am keeping an eye on the "Lynch Doctrine". :)

    ReplyDelete
  7. You've gotta love how the Republicans spend decades destroying public education, and then use the results of their actions as a basis for an attack on people trying to fix the problems they caused in the first place.

    It would be like a guy punching his wife in the face, and then complaining that she's not wearing enough makeup to cover the bruises.

    ReplyDelete
  8. Trapped in SC10:39 PM

    I honestly don’t know how much proper outrage I have left.

    Don't get me wrong. I like Obama and I think he is doing a fair job. Not good or great, just fair. We expected him to do things that might have gone against conventional wisdoms and expected norms, such as end DADT, or close Guantanamo bay, Or maybe reverse course in Afghanistan. But instead, he tried to find "common ground" with Republicans who wanted, at the very least for him to be impeached, at most, for him to be "taken out".

    For those who say, "you got what you wanted, you got the stimulus, you got health care!" I'll just say this. Both of those things where whittled down, melted, shrunk in an effort to appease rural white voters that would never support him while at the same time being the first ones with their hands out wanting a job or an operation.

    Americans, are for the most part, a spoiled and selfish lot. We want to keep all of our money, while enjoying all of the benefits of a civilized society. We may be the only country on earth where the poorest people tend to be the most overweight, where the people who live paycheck to paycheck have TV's and automobiles. This may be the first generation in American history that actually has the prior generation wanting the latter generation to REGRESS, wanting them to live the way that they lived. Because the America of the future is simply to "colorful" for their taste. That is the essence of the tea party movement. Our country stops dead in tracks whenever a cute white girl goes missing while people all over the world die in famines, natural disasters, bombings, wars, and all other types of calamities that scarcely get our attention.

    We have fully twenty million teabaggers losing their minds because we have 10% unemployment and a black president. People that, if could get the fuck out of their federally subsidized rascal scooters while holding their Gadsden flags, are screaming that the Government should take their hands of their Medicare, or Medicare part D, or Medicare advantage, or Social Security or Supplemental SSI or any number of myriad government agencies that provide the social safety nets that keep them from being deposited in the woods once they become infirm, like nuisance puppies being eaten by feral cats and raccoons.

    All that anger because they fear that someone that don't like, or don't see as a equal may be treated as such, therefore destroying the narrative of how exceptional they are. The republican party of 2010 is not the party of Lincoln, or Roosevelt, or even of Eisenhower or Reagan.

    It is of Strom Thurmond, and Trent Lott, Of Richard Shelby and Jefferson Beauregard Sessions III. It is old, southern and white. And it is dying. But not without a fight. Like any wounded animal, it is fighting with passion and vigor against the backdrop of it's impending demise.

    That is a simple fact.

    But I digress.

    From a political standpoint, if with 10% unemployment, a jobless recovery (but a recovery, not a depression) a black president that every toothless fuck-up from Virginia to Texas thinks is a secret Muslim, while running know nothings, nativists, and outright racists for congress, if republicans can't retake ALL of congress, not just the house, but the house AND senate, they really have no real lasting base of support.They may have a 15-20 majority if they win it all. That's it. They will almost certainly ensure an Obama second term. Most of the Democrats that are going to lose are from "blue-dog" districts, like my home district, SC 5. In all honesty, we don't need them, I'd rather know you are an enemy then have to spend energy worrying about whether or not you are a friend. Fuck them.

    Is this is the best they can do, alienating almost every sane person, regardless of color in the nation, to ensure that the country gets to jack-off to a June Cleaver fantasy just one more time?

    ReplyDelete
  9. Anonymous10:48 PM

    Field, "Classysbf, it's good to hear that folks are fired up out West.Let's see if it plays itself at the polls.

    I must admit that if they can't get fired up to vote against some of those candidates out there, I don't know what will ever get them fired up."

    Black folks out West are no different from Blacks anywhere else in the nation. They won't be going to the polls in droves. Some will vote; but it won't stop the GOP Tsunami.

    I don't know why Blacks from the Left Coast try to make out like they are so ahead of others in the rest of the country. Blacks are no damn different out West...maybe a little worse.

    LESS than 6% of the population in CA is Black. Of that 6% maybe 2% 'might' vote. The Black vote in CA is insignificant to the Dems and the Repubs. The Dems and Republicans know it.

    If you think those negroes in Oakland or Watts are going to get off their butts to go vote, then you don't know Oakland and Watts negroes. Most are jamming Wacka Flocka style..meaning they don't care who wins Congress.

    ReplyDelete
  10. "You've gotta love how the Republicans spend decades destroying public education, and then use the results of their actions as a basis for an attack on people trying to fix the problems they caused in the first place. "

    Looking for my bible so that we can have church up in here.

    Anon.10:48 pm, why are you trying to depress me tonight?

    Sup Trapped? I haven't heard from you in a minute. I hope you are keeping Al Green in check down there. :)

    ReplyDelete
  11. Anonymous11:05 PM

    Quit you're bitching Field and get your black ass in to vote for the Democrats like a good Negro. Your vote's been bought and paid for, and it's too late to bitch about the price you got.

    ReplyDelete
  12. "Your vote's been bought and paid for, and it's too late to bitch about the price you got."

    Nope, my vote can't be bought.
    Your republican friends have tried. ;)

    ReplyDelete
  13. Anonymous11:09 PM

    Still, the NAACP can move on now and start focusing on the important things the author mentioned. Us racism chasers will take it from here."

    1) Nope. NAACP is not "obsessed" with tea pary. DId you read its latest report on the Tea Party?

    They are paying attention to the greatest threat our society has faced in the last 50 years.

    2) Why assume because NAACP pays attention to the Tea Party that it is ignoring other threats and problems. It's not.

    We all ignore these folks at our peril.

    ReplyDelete
  14. "They are paying attention to the greatest threat our society has faced in the last 50 years."

    Anon. why do you think it's any greater now? These folks have always been here. It just took certain events (like the first black prez) to bring them out in the open.

    ReplyDelete
  15. No matter what supposed problem a Black person or Black people focus on someone will come along and tell us that we have too many problems to focus on that. And then they go on to list all of our supposed problems that deserve more attention..

    I never hear anyone tell NOW or Peta or any other White organization what problems they should be focusing on.

    ReplyDelete
  16. Anonymous11:22 PM

    "They are paying attention to the greatest threat our society has faced in the last 50 years."

    He means Barack Obama, Harry Reid, Nancy Pelosi, and the rest of the corrupt socialist junta that is detroying the country.

    ReplyDelete
  17. Anonymous11:31 PM

    field, "Anon.10:48 pm, why are you trying to depress me tonight?"

    I knew you would want to know the truth about your folks on the Left Coast instead of a lie. And you are right, it IS depressing.

    ReplyDelete
  18. I think some organization should tail the Tea Partiers. If one of them would stomp a white woman, what would they try to do, with the right incentive, to Black people. Has any of the Tea party orgs condemned the action? I read some of the comments on one article, if all had been present together, it would not have taken much for them to become a lynch mob.

    What is stopping other organizations from bring formed to address the issues Black people face. Beside the NAACP, there was the SCLC, CORE, SNCC, The Urban League, The Nation of Islam and The Black Panthers during the 60's. Each with a slightly different approach to solving our problems. I think I missed a few others, but that all that I can remember. It may be that a few of these ran their course and new orgs need to form, there is nothing wrong with evolution.

    ReplyDelete
  19. Anonymous11:43 PM

    Hathor said...
    "I think some organization should tail the Tea Partiers."

    Good idea, Hathor. Maybe the KGB? Or how about the Gestapo?

    ReplyDelete
  20. "They are paying attention to the greatest threat our society has faced in the last 50 years."

    "He means Barack Obama, Harry Reid, Nancy Pelosi, and the rest of the corrupt socialist junta that is detroying the country."

    Should the people have NOTHING Anonymous? Should every f**king dime be taken from the poor and underclass so your capitalistic dream of the rich having all the wealth can be fulfilled? The sad part about it is that you like so many others who spout that socialist crap are probably not participating in any of the wealth that the corporate robbers like Boehner and wannabes Whitman and Fiorina enjoy. Wanting people who have little to have SOMETHING is not socialist its human. I'm from CA also and I am voting to keep the corporate witches away from our government!

    ReplyDelete
  21. Anonymous12:06 AM

    Hathor, "I think some organization should tail the Tea Partiers. If one of them would stomp a white woman, what would they try to do, with the right incentive, to Black people. Has any of the Tea party orgs condemned the action? I read some of the comments on one article, if all had been present together, it would not have taken much for them to become a lynch mob."

    You sound frightened. Are you? I agree that with the right incentive people will do some horrible things. That incentive is called "fear". It's very common in the human race.

    ReplyDelete
  22. Anonymous12:06 AM

    "Wanting people who have little to have SOMETHING is not socialist its human."

    No, it is capitalism in an environment of individual liberty that provides the most for all.

    Socialism is wanting everybody to have nothing except what is allowed.

    ReplyDelete
  23. Failure is not an option. Field, you're using a little reversed English to fire up the base on this blog.

    Good try...but we're already fired up.

    We blacks put Obama in office, and we be damn if we're gonna let the likes of Rush Limbaugh, whose wet dream it is to see Obama fail, hand Obama his hat...now or later.

    What we want more than seeing Obama as president...as nice as that was...is to see him succeed as president.

    And we're not gonna allow birthers, racists, Fox News' crew of haters, Tea Bag basket cases, or any other Right Wing misfits, rob us of our dream.

    ReplyDelete
  24. Anonymous12:19 AM

    Team Afro-"Should the people have NOTHING Anonymous? Should every f**king dime be taken from the poor and underclass so your capitalistic dream of the rich having all the wealth can be fulfilled?"

    When it comes to capitalism, there is no good reason for the rich and powerful to care about the weak and poor.

    That is the way capitalism works...it rewards the rich and strong and punishes the poor and weak. Again, capitalism works like that in America. Even with a Black Prez, capitalism continues to work like it always has.

    ReplyDelete
  25. anon11:43,

    How about the FBI, which has tailed certain Black folk since its inception.

    ReplyDelete
  26. The point Anonymous is that just because you want people to participate fairly in the capitalistic society that we live in does not make you a Socaialist. Pure capitalism without government, laws, fairness, and yes taxation is a system that will always produce the 5% upper crust and the 95% other that socialist societies endure. I, and most democrats are not socialists. We just believe in a fair shake for all human beings.

    ReplyDelete
  27. anon 12:06,

    Its quite a difference from being frightened than being vigilant.

    History can repeat itself.

    ReplyDelete
  28. Anonymous12:23 AM

    Zing, "And we're not gonna allow birthers, racists, Fox News' crew of haters, Tea Bag basket cases, or any other Right Wing misfits, rob us of our dream."

    Really? and HOW do you plan to do that? You see, you must have a plan, then you must follow through with that plan. Blacks are so divided they can't even come up with a plan they can agree on.

    In case you haven't noticed, there are quite a few Blacks who are not happy with Obama.

    ReplyDelete
  29. Anonymous12:28 AM

    Far as I am concerned teathuglicans have PISSED me off. I am concerned with corporate takeovers (SCOTUS-Citizen) and appalled by the gop/tea party's attacks on Obama and ...I AM PLUCKING VOTING!!!!

    ReplyDelete
  30. "He means Barack Obama, Harry Reid, Nancy Pelosi, and the rest of the corrupt socialist junta that is detroying the country."

    Exactly how are these people "destroying" the country? I've heard that phrase so much over the past couple of years -- something I've never heard once during Bush's 8 years in office.

    ReplyDelete
  31. Wesley R12:39 AM

    Field,

    The wingnuts ask why Black Folks vote Democratic in the 90 percents. In the 60's many African- Americans were Republicans, but switched once Lyndon Johnson and Democrats mainly, signed the Civil Rights Bill. When he did it Johnson said the Democratics would lose the south for a generation. He was right. Southern Whites left the Democratic Party and since a Black President was elected these 'dixiecrats' have returned with a new name teabaggers.

    ReplyDelete
  32. Anonymous said...
    "Wanting people who have little to have SOMETHING is not socialist its human."

    No, it is capitalism in an environment of individual liberty that provides the most for all.

    Socialism is wanting everybody to have nothing except what is allowed.


    Sounds good on the surface, but in practice it comes up short...way short.

    Capitalism thrives best in an environment where competition thrives best.

    At best, what we see in practice today is the big fish, little fish dynamics. You've seen the picture...a bigger fish swallowing a smaller fish, only to see the bigger fish as the smaller fish as a bigger fish swallows him.

    The whole idea is survival of the fittest...suppress competition...destroy the competition...buy out the competition...eliminate the competition.

    Capitalism practiced this way creates wealth for the wealthy and, for the working poor, a living paycheck to paycheck existence.

    Socialism keeps these extremes in check, providing safety nets for folks, rather than discarding them outright, which is what true capitalism would advocate.

    And on "individual liberty"... that's the same as saying...everyman for himself. And that's how many Republicans and Tea Baggers seem to want to frame the argument.

    But that argument is specious. It's o.k. for corporations and businesses to benefit from socialism, and the suppression of competition (Have you heard of too big to fail?), but, for the little guy, hell, let's stiff arm him as unworthy.

    In this country, true capitalism isn't practiced, and neither is true socialism. What we have, instead, is a bastardization of the two.

    You may pine for an Ayn Rand world, or a Rand Paul world, but such a world would be soulless, bereft of all that make us human.

    That may be fine for you, but it's not my Cup of Tea.

    ReplyDelete
  33. Improbable Joe said...

    "You've gotta love how the Republicans spend decades destroying public education, and then use the results of their actions as a basis for an attack on people trying to fix the problems they caused in the first place."
    -----------------------------------

    Uh-huh.
    Yeah, the progressive agenda wouldn't had anything to do with the downward spiral. Nope. Not.at.all.

    And let me guess. The "solution" to our failed public school system is ... more funding.

    Sure.
    (rolls eyes).

    ReplyDelete
  34. there was never anything in stone about this however it was quoted that LBJ also said "I'll have them niggers voting democrat for the next 100 years" even RFK got MLK out of jail only to wiretap the man later. Even our 1st Black president is trying to push out Congressman Meeks in Florida and with a year such as this you just never know what is going to happen Nov 2. Back to LBJ, I don't know weather to cry or give up when I see any documentary regarding Chicago Housing projects... I don't even remember the video however I remember the one line till this day when a man said "They wanted us up in the buildings than spread out" and don't get me started on Food Stamps and how that play games with the world food prices along with our Sin Gas aka E85. Its hard watching America go down its road to serfdom however even if the GOP makes gains there is already a infrastructure set up to tear them down. Maybe this is was the way it was designed myself hailing from the Empire... err Welfare State of New York enjoy your bread and circuses

    ReplyDelete
  35. @Zing:
    You are hopelessly naive. What you fail to appreciate is that capital is liquid and moveable, and will flow to where the highest yield can be found.

    Look at the balance sheets of corps -- they are cash-fat and not making any investment. They've been waiting to read the "tea leaves" of the economic policy. And they don't like what they see. So that capital is in the process of leaving...for good. The growth markets are outside of the US.

    Your socialist friends thought that they had figured that out by putting the currency controls in place after Obama got elected ... currency controls being a tacit admission of failed economic policy ... however, that money was already out of the clutches of the feds long before Obama was inaugurated. These people aren't stupid.

    But the electorate apparently is. While you're all waxing poetic about the "justice" and perceived "equalization" benefits of socialism, the administration that the banksters bought and paid for has decided that the massive fraud and theft that took place with the support and encouragement of the Dem-majority congress, vis-a-vis, the mtg crisis, will not be prosecuted, because to do so would precipitate the "collapse" of the economy.

    Or maybe not. What "may" happen is that homeowners who got screwed might get a shot at a real work-out and not the screwing Obama's HAMP provided, the market would clear itself, and the perpetrators of the fraud would go to jail and have to make restitution to the govt and private pension funds they knowingly defrauded, and smaller community banks might step in and pick up the slack and return community banking to the role it was meant to fill.

    But since most of Obama's biggest donors were Goldman Sachs ($994,795), Citigroup ($701,290), JPMorgan Chase ($695,132),UBS AG ($543,219) and Morgan Stanley ($514,881), it does beg the question: who will prevail in this battle of ethics and rights? We, the people, who are getting shafted, or Obama's owners?

    http://www.opensecrets.org/pres08/contrib.php?cycle=2008&cid=n00009638

    And that's not even scratching the surface of all his contributors who have a vested interest in screwing us with Cap'N'Trade.

    ReplyDelete
  36. Anonymous said...
    Zing, "And we're not gonna allow birthers, racists, Fox News' crew of haters, Tea Bag basket cases, or any other Right Wing misfits, rob us of our dream."

    Really? and HOW do you plan to do that? You see, you must have a plan, then you must follow through with that plan. Blacks are so divided they can't even come up with a plan they can agree on.

    In case you haven't noticed, there are quite a few Blacks who are not happy with Obama.


    Saying it's so, doesn't make it so. Here's our plan...We're gonna vote, just as we did two years ago.

    When you say, "quite a few Blacks," what does that mean? And where are you getting your numbers, and your conclusion.

    Blacks, for the reasons I've stated, are going to vote for dems next week, and Obama in 2012, unless he's caught cheating on Michelle Obama.

    If, as you say, blacks are unhappy with Obama, let me let you in on a little well-kept secret, they're more unhappy with Tea Party tea pissers, and a Republican party that's in love with its own image, than they'll ever be unhappy with Obama.

    Blacks were so "divided" two years ago when we elected Obama as POTUS that Laura Schlessinger had to break with her professional cool, and reveal her racist proclivities, by pointing out what what she wanted to be true...Blacks folks voted for Obama in such large numbers because he was black.

    Now, let me let you in on another well-kept secret...a McCain-Palin ticket wasn't the ticket for blacks. Next to Obama they were chop-liver next to sirloin.

    Anony, you gotta do better than that weak attempt to know Black folk minds, and to demoralize.

    The Texas Rangers stand a better chance of winning the World Series than you have to stop me and other blacks from voting on Tuesday.

    ReplyDelete
  37. @Mack@12:30:
    a. by expanding the war without elucidating a policy, thereby getting hundreds of Americans. There are more combat deaths since Obama took office than the entire 8 years of Bush's admin.
    b. ACORN.
    c. You have to pass the bill before you can see what's in it. So much for transparency. Thanks to the arrogance and hubris of Barry, Harry and Nancy, people have lost all faith in Congress and the process.
    d. Stealth tax hikes which disincentive investment and new hires.
    e. Dishonest debasement of our currency -- 13% since June
    f. Grievous lies about inflation stats -- by jiggering with what constitutes a basket of commodities. Check out shadowstats for the real story.

    I'm limited in space by blogger. But I could go on for quite some time.

    ReplyDelete
  38. @Zing:
    I don't doubt your assertion that voting interest is high in the black community.

    However, don't forget the infamous back-and-forth between Paul Begala and Donna Brazile during the 2008 primary:
    "We cannot win with egg heads and African-Americans. OK, that is the
    Dukakis Coalition, which carried ten states and gave us four years of the first George Bush."

    http://thepage.time.com/transcript-from-cnns-election-center/

    Obama won because he successfully cobbled together a coalition that included white moderates and independents. He didn't rely solely on eggheads and AA's.

    But he's lost that coalition. Moderates and independents have abandoned him. So he's back to his base and the Dukakis dilemma.

    And yes, you should still vote. The cost paid to secure that right was too high to just throw it away.

    ReplyDelete
  39. karen said...'You are hopelessly naive. What you fail to appreciate is that capital is liquid and moveable, and will flow to where the highest yield can be found.'

    Karen, I'm going to be nicer than you, and not call you names. But if you try really hard, I can give as well as I can take.

    With that out the way, what does the above remark has to do with my discussion of the relative merits of capitalism and socialism?

    'Capital' doesn't exist as an entity unto itself. I can put my capital in the form of money under my mattress or in a bank not yielding crap.

    And not all capital is "liquid" or "movable." some of it exists as fixed assets, and must be liquidated in order for it to be "movable." You see, I'm not as naive as you think. Without you defining your terms, you're bound to misspeak your position.

    'Look at the balance sheets of corps -- they are cash-fat and not making any investment. They've been waiting to read the "tea leaves" of the economic policy. And they don't like what they see. So that capital is in the process of leaving...for good. The growth markets are outside of the US.'

    Oh, give me a break! Now it's the economic policies that're at fault, and not that 'flow to the highest yield' that's at fault. Caterpillar has moved part of its operations to China, and possibly its research and development as well, and it's not policy 'uncertainties' that's causing that, it's greed.

    Further, assembling i-pads, and i-phones in China as well as some computers has nothing to do with economic policy uncertainties, either...again it's greed...more bang for the buck, and more bucks for the bang. Why pay American workers fifteen to twenty dollars an hour to build crap for the American consumer, when Chinese workers can be forced to do it for 31 cents, and in 35 hour shifts.

    Get real!

    "While you're all waxing poetic about the "justice" and perceived "equalization" benefits of socialism, the administration that the banksters bought and paid for has decided that the massive fraud and theft that took place with the support and encouragement of the Dem-majority congress, vis-a-vis, the mtg crisis, will not be prosecuted, because to do so would precipitate the "collapse" of the economy."

    More--->

    ReplyDelete
  40. You're short on specifics, but long on condemnation. What 'administration' are you talking about? Do you know what precipitated the financial market crisis in this country? Do you know what a 'credit default swap' is?

    Do you know why Bush bailed out the banks before leaving office?

    What do you know about the 'shadow banking system' that is worldwide and is more than 600 trillion dollars strong, more than the GNP of every country combined?

    'But since most of Obama's biggest donors were Goldman Sachs ($994,795), Citigroup ($701,290), JPMorgan Chase ($695,132),UBS AG ($543,219) and Morgan Stanley ($514,881), it does beg the question: who will prevail in this battle of ethics and rights? We, the people, who are getting shafted, or Obama's owners?'

    I'm sure this makes you feel a bit smug, but what are your Repubs going to do, once they're in power?

    We all know the system is corrupt. We're not rated number 21 in the world as the least corrupt government for nothing. But your suggestion that it's a 'liberal.' Obama failing, places you in the Tea Bagger Hall of Fame.

    As it stands, neither Dems or Repubs are going to tinker with the system. Sure, they'll touch it up around the edges, but they will do nothing to fix what ails this economy. It's too risky. It's potentially too devastating. And, further, the government doesn't know how the system works well enough in order to fix it.

    But, you know what I think...you're too much the ideologue to admit that the problem is not the domain of a single party, but crosses party lines...lobbyists at times playing one party against the other, for fun and profit.

    To keep me engaged, I warn you... You've got to come stronger than you have. So far, I'm only getting hot air, venting, and not enough cool breezes of reason, facts, and knowledge.

    ReplyDelete
  41. karen said...'Obama won because he successfully cobbled together a coalition that included white moderates and independents. He didn't rely solely on eggheads and AA's.'

    Wrong coalition.

    Blacks, browns, the youth vote, women, and some Asians. More whites voted for McCain-Palin, but many voted for Obama.

    And after seeing the Tea Baggers' menagerie of misfits, Americans still want to vote them into office to make critical decisions at this crucial time in our history, I'll stand on the sideline like the 'do nothing,' 'know nothing,' Repubs, and cheer them own.

    I can assure you, they will use their newfound power to complete what they started...the systematic destruction of this country...the embroiling of this country into two wars, and the flushing of our economy down the toilet as they 'waxed poetically,' to use one of your lines, about 'free markets' which is synonymous with 'outsourcing.'

    'And yes, you should still vote. The cost paid to secure that right was too high to just throw it away.'

    How would you know?

    ReplyDelete
  42. Anonymous2:57 AM

    So, So many fooled people.


    http://www.cnsnews.com/commentary/article/why-socialism-breeds-racism

    Capitalism requires individual responsibility and accountability. People are seen as atomized units in a capitalist system—they are either useful or they are not. They are not seen racially or ethnically or religiously. They consume and they produce, and those are their only relevant characteristics.

    This seems cold, but it isn’t. It’s profoundly fair and profoundly anti-discriminatory. It creates a colorblind system—the only color that matters is green.

    Socialism, by contrast, requires a justification for why certain individuals should give money to other individuals for no apparent reason. Socialism has no moral justification whatsoever; poor people are not morally superior to rich people, nor are they owed anything by rich people simply because of their lack of success. Charity is not a socialist concept—it is a religious one, an acknowledgment of God’s sovereignty over property, a sovereignty the left utterly rejects.

    How, then, can socialism justify itself? By pointing to capitalistic “exploitation.” There’s only one problem: true capitalism doesn’t exploit. Capitalism invariably boils down to barter between two willing parties, neither of whom uses force to work with the other.

    Then, socialism rests on seeing people as members of groups, not as individuals. Rich sons are responsible for the existent or non-existent sins of their fathers; poor sons are due benefits because of their fathers’ tough lives. Racism is a critical element of the socialist agenda—focus on group identity provides the only supposed moral justification for redistribution of wealth. It’s no surprise that when socialism fails, racism bubbles beneath.

    ReplyDelete
  43. Anony said...'Capitalism requires individual responsibility and accountability. People are seen as atomized units in a capitalist system—they are either useful or they are not. They are not seen racially or ethnically or religiously. They consume and they produce, and those are their only relevant characteristics.'

    What capitalism are you talking about? And when did we start employing this color-blind, racially-neutral, economic system?

    'This seems cold, but it isn’t. It’s profoundly fair and profoundly anti-discriminatory. It creates a colorblind system—the only color that matters is green.'

    Are you talking theory or practice? Perhaps the system has always existed for you as 'colorblind,' and 'anti-discriminatory,' but, in practice, it's anything but neutral.

    'Socialism has no moral justification whatsoever; poor people are not morally superior to rich people, nor are they owed anything by rich people simply because of their lack of success.'

    Is there, then, a "system" that does have "moral justification"? I know, you've answered that already: 'Capitalism requires individual responsibility and accountability.'

    According to you, then, individuals who are irresponsible, and/or lack accountability, are so many weights on the system, 'they are either useful or they are not.'

    Yet, like much of what goes on on this planet, you can't see the forest for the trees. Because you deem these non-producers as derelicts, as misfits, as non-essential elements of the whole, you can't see their contribution to the sustainability of the whole.

    Yours, then, is a vision problem...myopia. Because of the Holocaust, the systematic killing of Jews (millions), we did great harm to the advancement of the whole race (so that you know, there's only one).

    Because of the death of so many blacks (millions) during the slave trade, we did great harm to sustainability of the whole.

    Every life, regardless of how much you estimate their value, contributes to the whole, and plays an essential part in the sustainability of the whole.

    'There’s only one problem: true capitalism doesn’t exploit. Capitalism invariably boils down to barter between two willing parties, neither of whom uses force to work with the other.'

    Then, that 'capitalism,' as you define it, has never existed in its pure form, its purest essence (at least not on a large scale). Greed is at the heart of it now, and perhaps was at its inception, and has always been, given the nature of man.

    'Racism is a critical element of the socialist agenda—focus on group identity provides the only supposed moral justification for redistribution of wealth. It’s no surprise that when socialism fails, racism bubbles beneath.'

    Strange statement given the American experience, where blacks where forced into a servitude unknown to man, whose forced labor did as much to underpin this nation's economic system, as any, and to contribute to its economic success. I would say that 'racism' was a 'critical element of the [capitalist] agenda...'

    Racism 'bubbled' up here in the Americas...at one point to enslave Native Americans (which failed), and black Africans, which succeeded, because they were agrarian by nature.

    ReplyDelete
  44. DetroitSam6:02 AM

    Zing, I am sorry to have to tell you this, but black people did not pukt President Obama in office.

    Ther are not enough black people in this country to do that, especially when the majority do not vote.

    As hard as this to comprehend, white people, Asian people, East indian people, native American people, Mexican american people, Spanish people, Chinese people, Korean people, and a whole host of inbetween people elect President Obama.

    One of the reasons the republicans are so confident that they are going to take over is because they know that MANY BLACK PEOPLE ARE TOO DAMN LAZY TO GET UP OFF OF THEIR A*** TO VOTE.

    ReplyDelete
  45. "Capitalism requires individual responsibility and accountability. People are seen as atomized units in a capitalist system—they are either useful or they are not. They are not seen racially or ethnically or religiously. They consume and they produce, and those are their only relevant characteristics.

    This seems cold, but it isn’t. It’s profoundly fair and profoundly anti-discriminatory. It creates a colorblind system—the only color that matters is green."


    Capitalism in it's purest form views people as nothing more than mere commodities that are only important if they are contributing something to the economic system. Once these people stop producing, they simply cease to exist. The only concerns that are heard and addressed are those of individuals and groups who have substantial stakes in the capitalist society. The concerns of those who are impoverished and unable to produce are summarily ignored because they do not exist to the economic engine. This explains how those who are supportive of pure capitalism can comfortably ignore the needs of those impoverished and unable to contribute while their own needs are adressed and comfortably addressed. If you want a visual example of how capitalism in it's purest form works, take a trip to any major Indian city and note the disparity between the rich and poor.

    Pure capitalism was in full effect during the days of Slavery. Here, you had scores of unfortunate people who were considered to be exploitable resources. By dint of their appearance and "primative" way of life, their lifes were declared to have as much value as that of livestock, therefore they were captured, sold, shipped and distributed to and throughout a nation that otherwise touted "Liberty" and "Freedom". The capitalist mindset did not allow these people to be considered as human as the people who took ownership of them. These people existed as a non-human cog in the economic engine for generations on end. And when they were no longer bound by this perverse form of capitalism, they became useless to the economic engine and therefore ignored and maltreated.

    "Socialism" is considered to be related or even synonymous with "Communism" and "Fascism" by those who are ignorant of the real meaning behind those titles and therefore easy to provoke and influence. If you don't believe how easy it is to manipulate those who lack knowledge but harbour deep-set fear, watch the people and listen to the words of the Tea Party. These people are afraid of becoming ethnically and socially insignificant. "Socialism" is also considered to be a dirty word because our trans-Atlantic rivals (U.K., most of Europe) seem to have several forms of it within their government, resulting in a far better quality of life for their citizens than we, with all of our wealth, manage to enjoy. Our highly individualistic and "patriotic" culture will not accept most things that are "European".

    I know Zing said pretty much everything above, but I had to get this off my chest.

    ReplyDelete
  46. DetroitSam6:26 AM

    Republicans made a decision before President Obama took office that they were not going to cooperate with him and they pretty much have kept that promise.

    Now, in anticipation of a big win in Nov, they have sent newly hired republican staffers to three foreign countries to look for dirt on President Obama in how he handled the return of some of the people held illegially at Gitmo by Bush/Cheney. I guess they expect that he set them free instead of returning them to the governments of these countries.

    They are looking for something try to impeach him on. They have already stated publically that their number one priority is to make sure that President Obama is a one term president. They plan to tie his hands for the next two years so that he gets nothing accomplished.

    One thing for sure is the the so-called media will be assisting the republican in their efforts, just as they have been doing, including the "porch" members of the so-called media.

    Just because the President did not send out welfare checks is no reason not to perform our civic duty. This is basic stuff we learned in the 9th grade.

    And please, don't give me that crap that "he hasn't done anything for "us".

    What would you have him do? No President of the U.S. can build factories in black neighborhoods, or create jobs just for black people, or make people finish high school, or learn to speak English, or learn how to conduct themselves in job interviews, or clean up the streets, or let all of the thugs out of jail so that they can terrorize little old ladies, or give people who have no qualifications what-so-ever jobs as brain surgeons.

    Republican have black people pegged. And they are pretty much correct.

    Ministers of the white tea baggers churches are whipping their members up to defeat the President, but black minister are hidding out in their fancey houses afraid to get their hands dirty or they are waiting for the poor suckers in their churches to grease their palms with money their member can't afford.

    ReplyDelete
  47. "by expanding the war without elucidating a policy, thereby getting hundreds of Americans. There are more combat deaths since Obama took office than the entire 8 years of Bush's admin."

    Where are your statistics for substantiating this claim? I'd be happy to see them.

    "ACORN."

    What aspect of ACORN, aside from being a smear job on the President, substantiates Obama's "destruction" of this country?

    "You have to pass the bill before you can see what's in it. So much for transparency. Thanks to the arrogance and hubris of Barry, Harry and Nancy, people have lost all faith in Congress and the process. "

    People had little to no faith in Congress during Bush's term. But I'll concede that it seemed nothing of note was getting done, thanks to the desire of countless Dems to prostrate themselves before fellow GOPers and their corporate paymasters.

    "Stealth tax hikes which disincentive investment and new hires."

    The recession gave many business the excuse they wanted to reduce investment and new hires. If you haven't noticed, those businesses are making record profits and record bonuses, to boot.

    "Dishonest debasement of our currency -- 13% since June"

    Continuing a decades-long trend of watering down our currency.

    "Grievous lies about inflation stats -- by jiggering with what constitutes a basket of commodities. Check out shadowstats for the real story."

    How about you provide the exact link that substantiates this claim?

    "I'm limited in space by blogger. But I could go on for quite some time."

    No, please do. I'm quite interested in your answers and your logic for forming those answers.

    ReplyDelete
  48. "They are looking for something try to impeach him on. They have already stated publically that their number one priority is to make sure that President Obama is a one term president. They plan to tie his hands for the next two years so that he gets nothing accomplished."

    I wonder how this will play out with the American public, provided they're not too distracted or too dumb to notice? A GOP House and Senate dedicating itself solely to impeaching and ousting a Democrat president. Where have I seen this before.....

    Meanwhile, the only other business that will be attended to will be the maintenance of military funding for overseas combat and other "assorted" operations and more "tax relief" for businesses that have already benefited from bailouts and other forms of aid and relief.

    Joe Blow gets to wave the flag of "patriotism" and rest easy knowing that "socialism" is being eradicated from the White House and that America retains the sole right to step on the testicles of any nation it pleases (with notable exception to China and Russia -- countries that have the boots and the stones big enough to crush our peanuts). The economy will continue to be stratified into a 10% rich/90% poor structure while the "middle class" is erased from existence.

    ReplyDelete
  49. DetroitSam6:41 AM

    One last word: Field, I get the impression that you are ok with black people not voting. You also make a lot of snide comments when you refer to President Obama.

    It's your website so I guess you can do what you will it, but lay off the mocking of President Obama. I don't care if you support him or not but some the people who come to this site do, including me. I really get tired of black people engaging in this foolishness. One Juan Williams and Ron Cristie are enough.

    After all, you could have voted for Palin/McCain. Maybe you did. But lay off of the President.

    P.S. I know that I don;t have to come here if I don't like your mocking of President Obama and maybe I won't.

    ReplyDelete
  50. Karen,
    I guess you think that TV show about schools that are falling down are an anomaly, guess again. I guess you that the kindness of strangers rather than money is all those schools need. Apparently you also don't live in a school system where some schools still in use are more than a hundred years old.

    It would be more interesting if you said something new and creative from a libertarian perspective, instead of the tired old stuff I've heard for 60 years.

    Goldman Sachs et al hedge their bets during the last election.

    ReplyDelete
  51. Anonymous9:09 AM

    Mack Lyons said..


    Socialism" is also considered to be a dirty word because our trans-Atlantic rivals (U.K., most of Europe) seem to have several forms of it within their government, resulting in a far better quality of life for their citizens than we, with all of our wealth, manage to enjoy. Our highly individualistic and "patriotic" culture will not accept most things that are "European".

    Unfortunately its crashing down and proven that it does not work. Even Cuba has recently gone capitalist to stop decades of socialist starvation. Hows that hope and socialism working for ya now?

    ReplyDelete
  52. amen fn:

    "when someone shows you who they are, believe them"
    maya angelou

    u r correct

    i will proudly stay home.

    i will never vote again.

    because hobama has SHOWN me that dems have become more republican than ever.

    he has been a blackish MORE brutal MORE racist MORE evil MORE elitist...clone of his cuz gwb.

    labels mean nothing anymore in politics.
    "republican" and "democrat" are elitist evil distinctions without differences.

    no more poll hoaxes and voter drone games for me.

    i will spend my life helping my own community and extended progeny.
    i will be the best citizen i can be....we are all doomed by eternally corrupt clones of hobama everywhere.

    i am praying for a tsunami tue and a new cloned prez in 2012 to show the dems and their gray sock puppet hobama that we do indeed believe what they have shown us...

    ReplyDelete
  53. to vote for any dem or hobama is to approve of what they have done since 2008...i do not!!!!!!!!

    ReplyDelete
  54. re: the tea baggers

    better awake late than ever...

    how late will blacks be?
    waking up?
    brewing tea?
    dissenting ever???

    ie

    i am wounded by common

    how can he stomp for hobama????
    in chi????

    he has sold his soul to his illuminati peer hobama just as kanye and jay z

    watch common rise as we all sink...bet!

    shame!!!!

    ReplyDelete
  55. fn:

    it took a half black prez to awake whites

    what will it take to wake blacks up???

    i really wish i knew

    who can give us more reasons to brew tea than hobama already has????

    ReplyDelete
  56. anon 9:09,
    To have some socialist policies does not mean a government has to be like Cuba or have a guaranteed 4 week vacation or 32 hr work week, but of course in some people mind socialism is a dirty word. Totalitarianism, human rights violations and slavery are OK as long as there is capitalism. Cuba was fine as long as there were darkies in the field under Batista.

    ReplyDelete
  57. Anonymous10:00 AM

    America is rejecting socialist collectivism, and reaffirming a commitment to individual liberty.

    It is good for all people to embrace prosperity and reject racialist identity politics.

    Change is over.

    ReplyDelete
  58. Anonymous10:01 AM

    AB said:
    i will never vote again.

    We've heard that 100 times. Now shut up and go away. You're not helping anyone. Telling people not to vote is insane, and you spend all day on this site! Liar!

    ReplyDelete
  59. assnon:

    nothing is more insane than a poor black fool like you voting for hobama again...

    hobama will not fool me twice.

    u will not police me once!

    fyi

    ReplyDelete
  60. Anonymous11:13 AM

    Hathor said...
    anon 9:09,
    To have some socialist policies does not mean a government has to be like Cuba or have a guaranteed 4 week vacation or 32 hr work week, but of course in some people mind socialism is a dirty word. Totalitarianism, human rights violations and slavery are OK as long as there is capitalism. Cuba was fine as long as there were darkies in the field under Batista.

    Nonsense. No one is saying any of those horrific things in history are the opposite of socialism or is the true ideal of capitalism. They most certainly are not and to try and say they are is illogical. Freedom, equality and justice for all. Not socialism where the elites get rich and their favorites benefit. You arent a favorite under this regime? Guess what you will get.

    Equal barter between two consenting individuals, not forced qoutas not passes for laziness or incompetence, not excuses taken out of history.

    If someone decides to have 4 kids they cannot afford, smoke crack, quit school, sleep all day cause they high from the pipe. Why are we responsible to support them? Well guess what, we do and under capitalism we still will (healthy capitalism) under socialism these people will not last a minute . Do you not know of Obamas pals who advocate eugenics? Did you ever hear of socialist policies where those who do not contribute for the good of the collective are dealt with harshly? Read history and see if there has EVER been a successful socialist country. Then compare with the one and only economic superpower in history. The USA. When free enterprise reigns, everyone prospers. We have headed at breakneck speed towards socialism with Obama and his infantile policies. What do we have? Less people who pay taxes, more takers and moochers and more and more people who are fighting for scraps as the ship is sinking.

    Disabled, disadvantaged, need help. Absolutely we need programs and will always have them to help folks who need help legitimately. But its common sense that when the scammers outweight those who need help, we are doomed. If there are more people riding the cart then pulling it, eventually the one pulling stops and the cart doesnt move.

    ReplyDelete
  61. anon 11:13,

    To help the disabled and the disadvanged are socialist programs if done by government. You can't have it both ways. You imply the any social program leads to a total socialist government and society which is not true. You imply its all or nothing until you speak of the disable and disadvantaged. MAKE UP YOUR MIND. This government is nowhere near being a socialist government, but since Obama is in charge instead of Richard Nixon ( which implemented more social programs and even instituted a price freeze during that recession) you see RED.

    ReplyDelete
  62. mellaneous12:56 PM

    Field you didn't get an invite to the White House? I'm with Kid that's a good thing.

    Since working folks have failed to organize a third party that addresses their real concerns and not just the fake issues these people are talking about this election, we are faced with watching another version of "The Greatest Show on Earth"

    The Republicans and Democrats continue to sell us out. Its why the banks are bailed out and poor homeowners many who were hoodwinked and tricked can't get real help. Times are worse than the press is reporting. Just visit any downtown area in the US and count the number of homeless beggers. Visit a local job fair and notice how long the lines are. Folks in Silicon Valley former executives and professionals and their families are living with others or sleeping in thier cars.

    But are most of these pols talking about any of these issues. No many are still talking about abortion rights, and whether homosexuals should be married.

    Still don't believe its a show. Check out the assortment of clowns that are running for office all over the country. And what are the majority of them really offering us, but more smoke and mirrors?

    There are ventriliquists, talking out of all sides of their mouths and there are jugglers like Rand Paul who continues to throw up the idea that private property should trump civil rights.

    There are high flying acts that are spending millions of dollars and what are they really offering except entertainment.

    There are circus animals, elephants, and jackasses.

    There are Uncle Toms and Aunt Jemima's running around playing the role of ring announcers,trying to convince folks of just how worth this show is investing in.

    And then there are the spectators who convince themselves that by simply buying a ticket to this show while sitting eating peanuts and munching on popcorn, they have actually participated in it. And we can't even envision trying to run and start our own show, its easy to just sit back and let "THEM" run it.

    And like the circus, the spectators leave when its all over and the circus packs up, pockets the gate and you don't hear from it again until its time to put on another show.

    ReplyDelete
  63. Field, ain't it funny how the right-wing is now all of a sudden concerned with voter fraud? Where was all this concern when registered minority voter registrations were purged in 2000, 2004, and 2008?

    I dunno, but I'm thinking about throwing on my Halloween New Black Panther Party costume and sitting outside of a polling station here in Memphis. You think I could make the news or even get thrown in jail?

    ReplyDelete
  64. Anonymous12:57 PM

    Since businesses only hire the amount of employees they need to conduct a particular task...how, exactly, will cutting the wage of the employees improve prospects of those not employed?
    How is invading a Brooklyn neighbourhood with a Wal-Mart a positive? These are big box stores with a high reliance on cheap land, cheap gas, and cheap labour.
    Is it the school...or external factors? Perhaps there is some significant difference between Main Line and where "those people" live.
    Charter skools cherry-pick students. Even here in whitest Whitesylvania, the public schools accommodate disabled, mentally ill, physically handicapped, and those who only eat while at school. The local charter/religio-skool will do no such thing. Their graduates are woefully under-prepared for life and have a reputation for the cleanest looking babymommies and day labourers in the county.

    If the taxbaggers were so all-fired over deficits and eveelbig gubmint they would have been protesting st reagan and bush. But, they want to "take back the country"...why, did someone else earn it?

    Mold

    ReplyDelete
  65. mellaneous1:00 PM

    Ditto Hathor and dag that was deep!

    Hathor said:"To have some socialist policies does not mean a government has to be like Cuba or have a guaranteed 4 week vacation or 32 hr work week, but of course in some people mind socialism is a dirty word. Totalitarianism, human rights violations and slavery are OK as long as there is capitalism. Cuba was fine as long as there were darkies in the field under Batista."

    :

    ReplyDelete
  66. A Person of Interest1:03 PM

    As Margaret Thatcher so famously said:

    "The trouble with socialism is that you eventually run out of other people's money."

    I'll bet that in her prime, she could have taken Obama out back and beat the white outta him.

    ReplyDelete
  67. mellaneous1:08 PM

    Anon said: "Disabled, disadvantaged, need help. Absolutely we need programs and will always have them to help folks who need help legitimately."

    Anon please put a moniker at the bottom of your post so folks don't confuse you with others, kind of like Mold does at the bottom of theirs.

    But anon you can't have it both ways you complain about folks being undeserving but who is undeserving. Who decides? YOu and folks like you?

    You swallow whole buildings while trying to capture a gnat. How can you complain about folks who have scammed and not talk about the biggest scammers that exist in our world, multi-national cooperations and the banks.

    You can't begin to compare the money that these well dressed criminals have taken from the nations tills and from us workers to the paltry sum that the so-called working class scammers have taken.

    You have come to the wrong place for all that victim blaming propaganda.

    ReplyDelete
  68. mellaneous1:11 PM

    Actually, Person of Interest it would have been more accurate if Thatcher had said that "the trouble with 'capitalism' is eventually you run out of other folks money," because as you ought to know most of the capitalist don't produce anything they take it from the real producers the workers.

    ReplyDelete
  69. Anonymous1:15 PM

    So, Mell, are you saying black folks should just sit out the election? What does a community organizer say?

    I can't for the life of me see how you don't view the Dems at least as better than Republicans.

    If they control the House, hell will break lose.

    ReplyDelete
  70. mellaneous1:18 PM

    Anon either you are a blatant liar or a fool, one or the other. What pray tell society are you referring to because this definition of capitalism doesn't look like the crappy system that we folks of color and working folks have had to struggle with.
    I have never read such absolute crap even from right wingers. And thanks Zing for setting the record straight,initially.

    Anon said:
    "Capitalism requires individual responsibility and accountability. People are seen as atomized units in a capitalist system—they are either useful or they are not. They are not seen racially or ethnically or religiously. They consume and they produce, and those are their only relevant characteristics.

    This seems cold, but it isn’t. It’s profoundly fair and profoundly anti-discriminatory. It creates a colorblind system—the only color that matters is green."

    Field did you say something today that made these class sellouts think they could come out to play on this thread?

    ReplyDelete
  71. So, Mell...tell me this: Where do you draw the line between Capitalism, Socialism, & Communisim? When do the lines become blurred? How much of one or the other is too much...or not enough?

    ReplyDelete
  72. Anonymous1:33 PM

    Anon 1:15 no I am not suggesting that folks sit out the election. As I said I think folks should form independent parties that really represent the peoples interests. The Green Party is at least a start despite its flaws and its attempts to try to hug capitalism.

    And you are right the Democrats have allowed more reform than the Republicans. But they are both the parties of the ruling class one says give it to them as it is the other says well we at least add a little grease.So we wind up more often with a choice between twiddle dee and twiddle dum.

    For example at present the Democratic president continued the war in Iraq (I know he supposedly ended it but its still occupied by the US) escalated the war in Afghanistan, spent ghastly amounts continuing this occupation while bombing Pakistan (which the Repubs didn't do) spent insane amounts of money on defense, increased electronic surveilance (look it up) actually invaded the homes of anti-war activists(look it up) continued the republicans assault on public education advocating for charters schools rather than improving public schools, bailed out the banks rather than declaring a moratorium on foreclosures and providing funds to help folks keep their houses (my bad the Dems did provide money to help renogotiate, but the banks pocketed that too)

    And I could go on, but you get the point. The system that favors the rich in this country and abroad over the poor and working class is still firmly in place.

    And yes I am aware of the bone thrown to corporate Health Care appropriately called Obama Care. And just wait till the smoke clears and you see how that really works.

    local elections
    I think that in local elections like ward, city council, district, county and school board elections in particular folks should try to put forth a candidate that has the community's interest at heart. On that level party affiliation isn't as important.

    In other words a democrat/republican/independent running for a ward seat that really represents the people's interests before the city and the mayor,is always a good choice.

    ReplyDelete
  73. mellaneous1:53 PM

    APOI I am glad you asked that in a fair way. I am not a socialist, but I do believe that there are some things about socialism that can be incorporated into a more just society.

    I am definitely anti-capitalist and therefore opposed to class society. I would have been opposed to feudalism as well.

    I think its unlikely that societies will ever do away with divisions in totality. But I think that it's a good goal to work toward.

    So I support the idea of a more egalitarian society in which everybody who works, eats. I think everyone should have universal health care. I think human beings should not be forced to sleep in the street like animals no matter what the cause of their homelessness.

    I think that the defense budget should be only whats absolutely needed to defend the country. I think racism and sexism should be outlawed. Community's would be protected by folks from that community, who are chosen from the community and by the community.

    I think corporations should be responsible to the citizens and that they should not be allowed to exploit workers and there should be a cap on the salaries of their executives. And the old folks should be taken care of and allowed to retire at 60. And government should take advantage of the know how and experience of this segment of the population. I support one which does not exploit other society's for money and material possessions but work to help them come up to more modern standards.

    I think that folks can and should be able to go to work and make a decent wage that would allow for them to take of their families. In fact in some capitalist societies like Sweden the government helps with child rearing by providing affordable daycare. In some of the European imperialist and capitalist societies they provide more workers rights as well as longer vacations, which go along way toward humanizing work.

    I think we could learn from the Finns and the Cubans about how to educate our children. Here is where the Socialist Cubans got it right. They made a conscious choice to educate ALL of its citizens. Capitalist US however has made a conscious choice to leave education to chance and to make sure that the wealthy can get educated. In fact the move afoot is to privatize education which will result in leaving even more children behind. And by the way education in the US is a form of indoctrination just as the Cubans openly admit to.

    Just some thoughts to answer your question.

    Got to get to a meeting, trying to keep the only high school in the predominantly black neighborhood where I live open. The school board is trying to replace it with charters. Privatize is the order of the day for the capitalists!

    ReplyDelete
  74. mellaneous1:54 PM

    sorry was rushing that was me at 1:33 listed as anon!

    ReplyDelete
  75. Well, mellaneous, after reading you're comments made at 1:53 PM, I'm not sure just what hole to plug your ideology into!

    I did find this rather nice, brief explanation on the web as to the difference between Socialism & Communism:

    "Socialism and communism are ideological doctrines that have many similarities as well as many differences. It is difficult to discern the true differences between socialism and communism, as various societies have tried different types of both systems in myriad forms, and many ideologues with different agendas have defined both systems in biased terms. Some general points distinguishing the two concepts, however, can still be identified.

    One point that is frequently raised to distinguish socialism from communism is that socialism generally refers to an economic system, while communism generally refers to both an economic and a political system. As an economic system, socialism seeks to manage the economy through deliberate and collective social control. Communism, however, seeks to manage both the economy and the society by ensuring that property is owned collectively, and that control over the distribution of property is centralized in order to achieve both classlessness and statelessness. Both socialism and communism are similar in that they seek to prevent the ill effects that are sometimes produced by capitalism.

    Both socialism and communism are based on the principle that the goods and services produced in an economy should be owned publicly, and controlled and planned by a centralized organization. Socialism asserts that the distribution should take place according to the amount of individuals' production efforts, however, while communism asserts that that goods and services should be distributed among the populace according to individuals' needs.

    Another difference between socialism and communism is that communists assert that both capitalism and private ownership of the means of production must be done away with as soon as possible in order to make sure a classless society, the communist ideal, is formed. Socialists, however, see capitalism as a possible part of the ideal state and believe that socialism can exist in a capitalist society. In fact, one of the ideas of socialism is that everyone within the society will benefit from capitalism as much as possible as long as the capitalism is controlled somehow by a centralized planning system.


    You stated you were anti-capitalist, declared you were not a socialist, so what's left, communism? If not, you're gonna have to invent a whole new ideological doctrine, methinks!

    ReplyDelete
  76. mellaneous3:25 PM

    Good point APOI we have to come up with something that is not dogmatic and seeks justice for everyone. You have to remember that I am a Christian minister/seminarian who has a liberationist perspective which suggests that everyone should be able to enjoy the goods of the earth. And have a roof over their heads and food in their stomachs and see a doctor when they are sick.

    ReplyDelete
  77. Anonymous4:05 PM

    RiPPa said...
    "Field, ain't it funny how the right-wing is now all of a sudden concerned with voter fraud?"

    Voter fraud was , is and ever shall be utterly dominated by democrats.

    ReplyDelete
  78. Anonymous4:13 PM

    mellaneous said...."most of the capitalist don't produce anything they take it from the real producers the workers."

    This is exactly the kind of profoundly ignorant interpretation of basic economics it takes to spout the inane socialist nonsense you do, Mell.

    My goodness.

    ReplyDelete
  79. Anonymous4:58 PM

    Field, I finally completely disagree with you my brotha. I believe that this is what the NAACP should do. They should shed the light on a "Political Party" who has repeatedly shown to not support the policies that would correct or attempt to correct the very issues stated in this article. A "Political Party" with obvious racist ties and sentiment. I believe that the NAACP should also lobby for policy change, but the organization was founded in part to oppose the philosophies of groups such as the Klan. So, I ask why is it so wrong for the NAACP to oppose the "Party" for which so many "Ex" Klan members support?

    ReplyDelete
  80. DetroitSam said...
    Zing, I am sorry to have to tell you this, but black people did not pukt President Obama in office.

    Ther are not enough black people in this country to do that, especially when the majority do not vote.

    As hard as this to comprehend, white people, Asian people, East indian people, native American people, Mexican american people, Spanish people, Chinese people, Korean people, and a whole host of inbetween people elect President Obama.


    Got to hand it to you, you misconstrued my comments completely and, and the same time, minimized the impact of the black vote in the election of Obama for president.

    With so many facts out there to refute your previous statement, you came with it anyway. Got to question your intentions, dude.

    Here're some facts....Blacks were an essential part of the voting bloc that got Obama elected. True...Obama couldn't have done it with the black vote alone, because blacks aren't generally represented throughout the nation in large enough numbers to pick up the electoral college votes he needed to effect a decisive win.

    'While collecting 45 per cent of the white vote, Mr Obama also won almost all black votes – which were up by two per cent in total – and two-thirds of Hispanics'. One in five new voters was black, almost twice the proportion of black people among the electorate, clearly demonstrating the enthusiasm among young African Americans generated by the campaign.'

    And this...

    'Mr Obama has succeeded in mobilising African-American voters to his cause to an unprecedented extent, although they were already strongly Democratic.
    He won 95% of the black vote, compared to just 4% for Mr McCain.'

    'One of the reasons the republicans are so confident that they are going to take over is because they know that MANY BLACK PEOPLE ARE TOO DAMN LAZY TO GET UP OFF OF THEIR A*** TO VOTE.'

    Facts do count. You can't make it up as you go, or you lose credibility. Here's an opinion rooted in fact, and based on your own statement above. You don't seem to have a high opinion of blacks...or should I say 'MANY BLACK PEOPLE.'

    ReplyDelete
  81. Anonymous5:45 PM

    "He won 95% of the black vote, compared to just 4% for Mr McCain."

    If that is true, then Black voters are racist.

    ReplyDelete
  82. A Person of Interest said...
    As Margaret Thatcher so famously said:

    "The trouble with socialism is that you eventually run out of other people's money."

    I'll bet that in her prime, she could have taken Obama out back and beat the white outta him.


    'Person' you're just not that interesting. Socialism existed here before Obama came on the scene.

    And Obamacare as you folks like to call it, did end some abuses inherent in the health-care system, but it was a boon for the health-care industry. So we don't have much 'socialism' there.

    Bush, with the bail-out of the financial sector, acted more as a socialist than Obama did with the 'stimulus bill,' or 'cash for clunkers,' or any other measure designed to stimulate economic growth, or extend safety nets for those people among the 'working poor,' recently unemployed, because of a recessionary economy.

    Thatcher would have more likely beat Bush black and blue in her prime, and would have given kudos to Obama.

    ReplyDelete
  83. Anonymous said...
    "He won 95% of the black vote, compared to just 4% for Mr McCain."

    If that is true, then Black voters are racist.


    No, anony, we were 'racist' when we gave a similar percentage to white males running for the presidency, before Obama...Clinton, Carter, Kennedy....

    ReplyDelete
  84. Anonymous5:57 PM

    DetroitSam, "As hard as this to comprehend, white people, Asian people, East indian people, native American people, Mexican american people, Spanish people, Chinese people, Korean people, and a whole host of inbetween people elect President Obama."

    Don't waste your time with Zing. He'll never understand. He only sees himself and doesn't consider other opinions different from his as useful. He is a narcissist who considers others as stupid and his opinion as RIGHT.... A very immature individual. Can't be more than 24 years but emotionally is 10 years old.

    ReplyDelete
  85. Anonymous6:01 PM

    "And Obamacare as you folks like to call it, did end some abuses inherent in the health-care system, but it was a boon for the health-care industry"

    Obamacare, as I like to call it, is not a boon for the health-care industry per se. It is designed to cause private health insurance to shyrocket in cost over the next decade (this has already started) to the point that private health insurance becomes unviable, and the people are demanding the public option that was the whole intent to start with.

    ReplyDelete
  86. Anonymous said...He is a narcissist who considers others as stupid and his opinion as RIGHT.... A very immature individual. Can't be more than 24 years but emotionally is 10 years old.

    Hey, dude, join the psychic network. You sure pegged me. Got to hand it to you anonnies, your insight into the human psyche is uncanny.

    ReplyDelete
  87. I am really enjoying these comments today.

    BTW, the money managers and hedge fund cats on Wall Street create wealth and money for themselves out of nothing and without producing a single thing to serve society. How is this a good thing? And did you know that corporations are hoarding over a trillion (that's trillion with a T) dollars here in A-merry-ca?

    Yes Mell, I loved that quote from Hathor as well.

    "I dunno, but I'm thinking about throwing on my Halloween New Black Panther Party costume and sitting outside of a polling station here in Memphis. You think I could make the news or even get thrown in jail?"

    Don't do it Rippa, I don't feel like going to any funerals. Although I know a very fine lawyer in the Memphis area who would take up the case for your family after the po po shot you. :)

    "He won 95% of the black vote, compared to just 4% for Mr. McCain."

    If that is true, then Black voters are racist."

    No, we just figured that after 43 you could give us one.

    Anon 4:58 PM, we are not that far apart my brother. I do feel that the NAACP has to play a role in exposing these clowns as they have a larger profile. But they should also focus more of their energy on the other things that were talked about as well.

    "Obamacare, as I like to call it, is not a boon for the health-care industry per se. It is designed to cause private health insurance to shyrocket in cost over the next decade (this has already started) to the point that private health insurance becomes unviable, and the people are demanding the public option that was the whole intent to start with."

    Link please.

    ReplyDelete
  88. parvenu6:10 PM

    There were three reasons why I voted for Barack Obama. In order of importance, (1) He was an outstanding alumni from Harvard.
    (2) He was a successful Community Organizer in the Black neighborhoods of Chicago. (3) He appeared to be a solid African American family man. Actually #2 was the most important, but in order for an individual with community organizing experience to create a viable program to politically organize all of the African American communities around the nation, he/she would need the approriate higher level academic education in order to achieve this goal.

    Needless to say I was crushingly disappointed by Obama in respect to this goal after two years in the White House. In my estimation, a project such as this would not require Obama's full time attention. He could have simply made it a priority and assigned a team to proceed with the project. He would have to be involved with the naming and careful definition of the goals of the project relative to the assistance that it would bring to the "minority communities". (Careful is the watch word when you consider how the Republicans killed of ACORN with their eyes on the 2010 Congressional elections.) Funding would not be a problem for such a venture when you are in charge of the executive branch of the government. Sadly Obama did not even think about such a community organizing project even when he was on smoke break outside the White Nouse. Too busy with Wall Street, GM, Chrysler, and Ford, and oh yes , the Republicans.

    There is an old saying, "people give priority to those things they really care about!" President Obama unfortunately FORGOT WHER HE CAME FROM, and I mean the streets of Chicago. Now that the fat is in the fire Axlerod has swiched him into campaign mode to "Fire Up" the black community. I agree with field....it ain't gonna work. Cause campaigning ain't the same thing as COMMUNITY ORGANIZING! With his Harvard degree and time in the U.S. Senate, Barack failed to learn this important fact.

    So who will till the vineyard? America has two potent vineyards waiting for the good husbandman. One vineyard is the African American communities across the nation. The second is the latino communities across the nation. I will predict that Bill (the vintner) Clinton will step in to organize trhese communities for a presidential bid by Hillary in 2012. Bill has the money, political skill and proven organization abilities to create a "vote harvest" the likes of which have never been seen in America before. This event will usher in the golden age of American's renewal in the 21st century.
    Peace....

    ReplyDelete
  89. Anonymous said...
    Obamacare, as I like to call it, is not a boon for the health-care industry per se. It is designed to cause private health insurance to shyrocket in cost over the next decade (this has already started) to the point that private health insurance becomes unviable, and the people are demanding the public option that was the whole intent to start with.


    You annonies are so well informed. Health insurance cost was skyrocketing before Obamacare...way out of line with inflation.

    Most Americans with health insurance are happy with the level of service and care they receive, and we don't want to change that. However, there are millions of people who can't get health insurance. And those people cost you, and everyone else with insurance, more because they often can't pay for the care they do receive. Your premiums go up each year in part to help cover the cost of those who can't afford to go to the doctor and end up having to go to the emergency room instead.

    Under the current system [before Obamacare], 44,230 Americans lose their health insurance every week. That number translates to 191,670 a month and 2,300,000 a year.

    The cost of a family's health insurance [before Obamacare] is rising quickly - last year it had almost reached $13,000 and is on track to be nearly $25,000 per year by 2016.


    I could go on, but what's the use...facts don't count...the smear-merchants, and the fear-mongers have already turned your brain to 'mush.'

    ReplyDelete
  90. parvenu said... 'I will predict that Bill (the vintner) Clinton will step in to organize trhese communities for a presidential bid by Hillary in 2012. Bill has the money, political skill and proven organization abilities to create a "vote harvest" the likes of which have never been seen in America before. This event will usher in the golden age of American's renewal in the 21st century.'

    Sorry, parvenu, if Bill and Hillary Clinton have Merlin-like powers (to transform the base into gold) in their bid to gain the White House, then they would have used it in 2008.

    ReplyDelete
  91. anonymous,

    "In case you haven't noticed, there are quite a few Blacks who are not happy with Obama."

    And I thought that most of us black folks will follow him blindly no matter what.

    Guess it depends on the debate at the moment.

    ReplyDelete
  92. mellaneous8:32 PM

    Hey Mack Lyons and Zing I like your responses to the anon who tried to paint a rosey picture of the evils of capitalism.

    Hey Field what did you think of my Greatest Show analogy I know folks want to believe otherwise but that's what it looks like to me.

    ReplyDelete
  93. Anonymous9:55 PM

    Zing, "Hey, dude, join the psychic network. You sure pegged me. Got to hand it to you anonnies, your insight into the human psyche is uncanny."

    Psychologists usually can spot a narcissist on a blog. You are easily identified as one. That means you are "incapable" of self-examination...it's a big flaw in your character, which no human can heal, not even you.

    ReplyDelete
  94. Anonymous12:49 AM

    mellaneous u aint nothing but a long winded fool shut the hell up and learn something ya ignint dog shit eater!

    ReplyDelete
  95. http://charactercorner.blogspot.com/2010/10/disgruntled-black-woman-voter.html?spref=tw

    ReplyDelete
  96. Anonymous8:29 AM

    Zing, "Sorry, parvenu, if Bill and Hillary Clinton have Merlin-like powers (to transform the base into gold) in their bid to gain the White House, then they would have used it in 2008."

    Zing, there is NOTHING permanent in life. Life is constantly changing, moment to moment. Everything changes. What happened in 2008 does not mean the same in 2012. People have seen what Obama can and has done. Many, including some Blacks, are disappointed, and they are angry about it.

    Isn't the loss of the House on Nov2 about that?

    ReplyDelete
  97. @Hathor:
    If you had been paying attention, you would be aware that I, and many others, "dropped out" of the public skool system a long time ago. I don't support public schools at all.
    It goes against my philosophy on so many levels, and if you truly understood the history behind the push to mandatory schooling and the compulsory/confiscatory theft required to sustain it, you wouldn't be making excuses for a failing system which is not designed to "educate" but designed to mold compliant consumers. 90% of what goes on in the little PS down the street is complete crap which is not going to help the inmates gain the skills or knowledge they will need to be successful, independent adults.

    As far as "same old tired", it is clear you haven't been listening.

    Let me turn it around for you: please provide me an example of where the Progressive agenda has succeeded. Any policy issue the Progressives have dabbled in has failed. Miserably. The only thing it has been successful at is expanding control, decreasing individual freedom and liberty, and completing the wealth transfer from the productive to the overclass, with a few crumbs thrown to the underclass THEY created for optics.

    http://mises.org/daily/3791

    ReplyDelete
  98. Anonymous11:39 AM

    field negro said...
    Anon said "Obamacare, as I like to call it, is not a boon for the health-care industry per se. It is designed to cause private health insurance to shyrocket in cost over the next decade (this has already started) to the point that private health insurance becomes unviable, and the people are demanding the public option that was the whole intent to start with."

    Link please."

    Here you go, Field.

    As health costs skyrocket, doctors abandon the profession, hospitals lay off workers and private insurers shut down, the only option left (they think) will be the public one.

    ReplyDelete
  99. "As health costs skyrocket, doctors abandon the profession, hospitals lay off workers and private insurers shut down, the only option left (they think) will be the public one."

    I've heard this same Doomsday scenario back when Junior Bush was still around. Considering the sheer number of foreign doctors from India, Africa and all points in between who'd love to get citizenship and a job here and our willingness to outsource anything we possibly can.....well, I'm just not seeing your medical Armeggeddon.

    Tort reform, abatement of malpractice insurance costs and the deflation of prescription costs will go a long way to restoring some sanity to our healthcare system.

    "I don't support public schools at all. It goes against my philosophy on so many levels, and if you truly understood the history behind the push to mandatory schooling and the compulsory/confiscatory theft required to sustain it, you wouldn't be making excuses for a failing system which is not designed to "educate" but designed to mold compliant consumers. 90% of what goes on in the little PS down the street is complete crap which is not going to help the inmates gain the skills or knowledge they will need to be successful, independent adults."

    Perhaps we need to change the way the system is operated. I've always thought that our adherence to the "Prussian" schooling model, with the focus on "assembly-line" education and compliance to established authority, was and is flawed.

    "Cuba was fine as long as there were darkies in the field under Batista."

    Cuba was essentially Las Vegas on the Caribbean prior to Castro, inundated with various political and mobster interests. For whatever reason, Batista wasn't "playing ball" and the U.S. wanted someone who would. They thought Castro was the perfect tool. Until the tool turned on them. I imagine the mobsters were NOT happy with losing their investments and the U.S. didn't like being punked out like that. Hence the Bay of Pigs, the Missle Crisis and the long-running embargo.

    The only way the embargo will "end" and relations between Cuba and the U.S. become "normal" is if Cuba consigns itself to it's former role as Las Vegas on the Caribbean, the welfare of the people on the island be damned.

    The U.S. would also love it if Haiti simply died off and be annexed by the Dominican Republic.

    ReplyDelete
  100. Anonymous10:41 PM

    Mack L, "The U.S. would also love it if Haiti simply died off and be annexed by the Dominican Republic."

    Where did you get a wild idea like that? Why would the US love it if Haiti died off?

    ReplyDelete
  101. any piece that fails to mention "the Koch brothers" when discussing the tea baggers? not worth our time.

    ReplyDelete
  102. Anonymous2:06 AM

    Hartia event management can do your events,anywhere in India and have already executed events in Delhi,Jaipur Indore, Kochin, Goa etc. Based on your brief, goals, budget we can organize and manage the event for you. We offer our services in Corporate Events, Sporting Events, Special Events,Birthday, Promotions etc.

    Corporate events in Mumbai
    Event Management Company in Mumbai

    ReplyDelete