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tiptoplisamich

Listed below are comments made by tiptoplisamich between Thursday, 18th December 2008 and Thursday, 5th February 2009.

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Daschlegate and protectionism 12:56pm on 05 Feb 2009 74. At 12:21pm on 05 Feb 2009, dhimmi wrote:
"THE PRESIDENT OF THE UNITED STATES JUST APOLOGIZED FOR MAKING A MISTAKE"

The Obamessiah does not make mistakes!

Evidently this one does, which shows a refreshing combination of openness and humility. It gives me hope for the much needed/required removal of the Treasury Sec. In the application/interview process of the real working world, TG wouldn't be able to get an entry level job in the mail room of the IRS. President Obama, correct this cabinet mistake.
Daschlegate and protectionism 12:41pm on 05 Feb 2009 #69 saintDominick:

Take heart! For what it's worth, I'm a very conservative mostly-Republican voting US citizen who thinks that blaming the new president for Daschle's unlawful subterfuge is disingenuous.

Call me old-fashioned, but I believe strongly in personal responsibility. As #18 said above, a new president makes thousands of appointments. Yes, his vetting team should be smart and efficient, however any fault in a potential appointment (I believe!) should be brought to the light of day by the APPOINTEE.

To make Daschle's stench even more disagreeable, this man is a former senator who has voted on cabinet selections in the past. Daschle KNOWS the process; he was part of the confirmation processes in his Legislative-Branch days.
To me, it's the responsibility of a potential cabinet appointee to openly disclose any past faults that could be as used as unlawful fodder against a new president.

President Obama made an apology; for that I respect him. Yet as radical as this may seem, I find it unnecessary when the fault lies with Daschle and his unwillingness to follow the law and pay his taxes correctly the same way the rest of us do.

Justin's comments about the US tax code are true, but don't paint a picture of reality. It's not like Daschle sits at his kitchen table each year surrounded by tax forms---I'll bet any amount of money a man of his stature has an accountant (who was probably also left in the dark by Daschle's non-disclosure of total income) and does not do one single paper-pushing thing beyond dropping off his information at his accountant's office.

As for the new Treasury Secretary, I'm still seeing red over his confirmation despite history of tax evasion (Al Capone is screaming FOUL from the grave!). If the president were to make an apology, stripping this cabinet member of his post, and appointing someone new (and who paid his/her taxes--all of them!) here's one conservative Republican who will be first in line to support him heartily and cheer loudly.
(I promise, not all Repubs are obnoxious, party-first types. Principle and integrity matter to a lot of us. Same with Dems. It's just that the loudest self-interested ones from both sides get the most air/web time.)
Obama confuses his enemies 4:00pm on 31 Jan 2009 20. At 03:06am on 31 Jan 2009, AsaScot wrote:
Ahmadinejad is being aggressive to play to his hard line supporters but also in the hopes of getting the current US president to launch off into an 'axis of evil' type tirade. Ahmadinejad needs a hostile, bullying USA, by remaining calm and concillatory Obama undermines the Iranian presidnet far more effectively than all the threats of attack by his predecessor ever could.

I completely agree. In a sense, by responding with calm reason (not returning infantile and provocative jabs) President Obama is making Ahmadinejad quite irrelevant.
The case for brains in politics 12:32pm on 31 Jan 2009 #193 Ed:
I share your hope. President Obama's success means success for our nation. I genuinely hope for our President to succeed.(Disclaimer: I'm a conservative, mostly voting Republican, however my country comes before party---an enigma to my own and a nightmare for pollsters, I can assure you ;-)
Peace to you :-)

#196 bere54: I can only agree---very stupid! I just recently took the Amtrak from St. Louis to Chicago, then Chicago CTA train to my brother's house an hour west of Chicago where I then walked all of one block. It was fantastic! Perfectly comfortable, surprisingly on-time (given the fact that Amtrak must give way to freight trains and is dependably late on most occasions). I love to travel this way! My only problem was getting TO the St. Louis station, had to drive a car an hour to get there.......stupid!
National public rail system would be such an excellent answer to so much: Gas consumption, pollution, even less money on car insurance premiums in the wake of fewer drivers on the road, creation of so many jobs.
I just wonder if the American people can wrap their heads around such a long-term, complex project. Those that remember Eisenhower's Interstate project can remember and envision this new innovative solution, but I fear younger generations lack the patience and foresight to bring this to a funded reality in this I-want-results-now society we have. Still, we can hope (and call our elected officials!) :-)
The case for brains in politics 12:04pm on 30 Jan 2009 #188 yumadeb:

As a fellow midwesterner, I'm familiar with the term "Educated Idiot". My father uses it often and has his own definition: Extremely intelligent, but couldn't find his/her way out of an open cardboard box.

A mix of intellect and common sense is a rare thing, indeed. Adding the compassion of a heart? Where do we find such an elected official?
The case for brains in politics 11:47am on 30 Jan 2009 #136 bere54:

I see your point, truly I do. I guess I was expecting something that would stimulate the economy (for that amount of money) with impact more far-reaching.
20,000 laid-off Caterpillar workers are not going to be recalled for a possible crew of 10 people and 2 bulldozers to shovel out a few miles of dirt paths. I could certainly be wrong, but given the pork awards handed out from Congress in the past(both parties!) the ATV trails stink of someone getting their pet project funded.
As for the sod at the mall, I just see this as a frivolous waste of taxpayer dollars at this present economic time. After all, landscaping the mall is not a long-time permanent job. I doubt the landscape hirees will be on the job long enough to qualify for medical benefits.
Additionally, I do not sneer at ATV drivers or the recreational joy it brings them. To be honest, compared with the amount of vehicles on the roadways, I don't think a few ATVs are going to bring the planet to ruination by raising carbon levels.
My main point is where is the logic (or lack of) when it comes to deciding where 800B dollars will have the most impact for the most people?
Now we're learning about 150 million dollars included for honey bee insurance.

#134 Ed:
I would have liked to read your #123. Given your posts in the past, I can't imagine it being THAT controversial (moderators having a bad hair day, I guess). I take your point about new grass well. However, reality shows that---in the absense of national public transit convenient to more than metropolitan areas, we need substantial amounts of roads to get from here to there. In the absence of new roads being built, let's fix the crumbling pot-holed filled ones we have now. (In the midwest the snow will soon be melting and we'll be treated to the annual driving game of "Dodge the Craters or Pay the Mechanic".
With an olive branch, I'll ask suggest mall sod money, honey bee insurance, ATV trail improvements, etc.. going toward the infrastructure dollars needed to upgrade public transport? A real, efficient public rail system that would connect us all much like the Eisenhower road program of the '50s. THAT is a stimulus inclusion that I could cheer for. Large numbers of long term jobs, more cars off the roads, less fuel consumption, and fewer pot holes ;-)
The case for brains in politics 11:49am on 29 Jan 2009 91. At 7:41pm on 28 Jan 2009, bere54 wrote:
The Republicans are always against anything that does not favor the rich at the expense of everybody else. Just heard on the radio (NPR) that Obama agreed to take out the provision helping poor women afford contraceptives (this at the behest of those who are rabidly against abortion ??!). Interesting thing about the Republicans is that they are not the least bit shy when demanding goodies for the rich and denying the poor anything. They don't even have the grace to be embarrassed.

With respect, your comments do no justice as to why many are against the 800 Billion dollar stimulus package in its current form. This package, along with 800 Billion US dollars that taxpayers will be re-paying for decades to come, is supposed to STIMULATE the US economy: get money flowing again, create jobs, inspire banks to start lending some of that money they were handed in the LAST 700B stimulus package.

Contraceptives for poor women is a worthy investment, yes, but it does nothing to stimulate the economy, which is what we are being told this economic recovery package is all about.
Did NPR also report that money to put down new sod on the Washington mall was also taken out of the package? Does this mean that all Republicans are rabidly against the smell of freshly laid grass? What about the money still in the stimulus package for new ATV trails? How in the world is this supposed to stimulate the economy and create jobs that many Americans are hungry for at this moment?
The point is that this 800 Billion dollars is supposed to go for things that will stimulate the economy toward recovery and put people back to work. Federally funded contraceptives, new grass....these things should be considered in entirely different pieces of legislation. Trying to sneak things into massive spending bills which are unrelated to the primary purpose of the legislation causes many to see an angry red, not just Republicans.
Why no special election in Illinois? 12:48pm on 18 Dec 2008 Just read Justin's "a point noted by some of the local press."

Because I read Chicago newspapers (you can't get news on the Cubs and Bears living in St. Louis) and am familiar with the editorial boards of the Sun Times and Tribune, I will say that if the Sun Times is suggesting that Republicans might have a point about the need for a special election, Democrats should immediately take notice.
Why no special election in Illinois? 12:31pm on 18 Dec 2008 #38:
Jeebers,
Interesting idea, and not without merit. The current vacant seat was voted by the people of Illinois to be represented by a democrat. Fulfilling the remaining time for the senate seat by a democrat stands to reason.
Republicans may chafe at the idea, but your logic is sound. It also would open keep the idea of a special election, removing any tained suspicions of an appointed senate seat.
Why no special election in Illinois? 11:47am on 18 Dec 2008 #28: I agree, the governor does deserve a chance to explain himself. Personally, I look forward to the explanation of the comment that the senate seat is "(bleeping) golden" and that you just don't give away something like that for nothing.

While the comment is a snippet out of (presumably) more context, on the surface it appears to be a nail in a coffin.

Also looking forward to explanations on:

1) Money withheld in payment to children's hospital due to lack of hospital's CEO campaign contribution.
2) EVERYTHING regarding the Chicago tribune charges. With the Tribune's investigative resources, I don't see Blago being able to spin his actions toward innocence.

Regarding special election, it should be up to the people of Illinois to decide if they want it, as well as want to pay for it. After all, the money will come from the people and it is the people who elect who will represent them---or at least that's the way it's supposed to work.
Politics as usual in Illinois has been given a black eye, and this sense of entitlement in our elected officials needs to be stopped. Speaker of House Ed Madigan has his own agenda (tight fisted control of "as usual" Illinois politics), so his opposition to special election appears suspect.
The only credible option would be to let the voters of Illinois decide on their next Senator.

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