Ned has been graciously asked his opinion on the "tax cuts" issue.
Ned believes that Obama is pandering to the lower upper classes to secure
their support by calling for extension of tax cuts to those making up to $250k. If he was really concerned with the people who are struggling in this country he'd immediately cut the military budget by 1/2 and use the proceeds ($400 billion or so) to rebuild this country's
infrastructure using American workers.
Having said all that, the Republicans, in their lickspittle sycophancy to the sneering plutocrats that despise them even as they greedily bask in
their adoration, are so far worse that they inhabit another philosophical solar system.
Ned Pepper's Outrages
Thursday, September 9, 2010
Our Conservative Republican Friends
In this election season, Ned has taken the liberty to revise and extend some of his earlier remarks concerning the positions of the two main political parties. Some have argued that the republicans are 'bereft of ideas.'
But if there is one thing that most Republicans have, it bloody well IS ideas. And what are those ideas? Led Ned enumerate some.
They are rabidly anti-science, denying the fact of human-induced climate change, and the fact of organic evolution.
They are rabidly pro-gun, supporting an unrestricted "right" to keep as many guns and as much ammo as one can. Apparently they never met a school massacre they didn't like.
They are rabidly anti-abortion, but when it comes to taking care of that life after birth, they usually couldn't care less.
They are rabidly pro-military, and support assassination campaigns and torture.
They are opposed to any kind of tax increase, except indirectly on the poorest and most vulnerable, and support slashing taxes for the rich and super rich, a policy that disgusts even many of the super-rich.
They oppose inheritance, or "Paris Hilton", taxes. We all know how well she turned out.
They oppose environmental legislation and support in general the elimination of the EPA.
They slavishly adore big business. In this, however, they are only slightly ahead of most Democrats, Ned regrets to say.
They are anti-social security. They've always hated it since Roosevelt rammed it through.
They oppose health care for all Americans.
They have managed to be all over the map on immigration: some support it, some support "amnesty", some oppose it, but all but the most marginalized support unceasing floods of immigrants.
They are generally pro-Israel and anti-Palestinian.
They support military intervention in any state peopled with persons of color, as long as their own children do not have to do any fighting.
In almost all things they exhibit a degree of sanctimonious hypocrisy that would literally gag the proverbial maggot.
(Now, Democrats often exhibit a degree of sanctimonious hypocrisy, let it be said, especially about our "brave" troops, immigration and Israel. Ned didn't just fall off the back of a turnip truck.)
They oppose "big government" unless it benefits their constituents. The farm-state folks and the "rugged individualists" in the West are the best examples.
They usually express their positions as a series of empty, meaningless platitudes and bromides, such as "lower taxes", "fewer regulations", "more freedom" and "smaller government."
And they often don't even understand the moral and intellectual bankruptcy of these positions.
But if there is one thing that most Republicans have, it bloody well IS ideas. And what are those ideas? Led Ned enumerate some.
They are rabidly anti-science, denying the fact of human-induced climate change, and the fact of organic evolution.
They are rabidly pro-gun, supporting an unrestricted "right" to keep as many guns and as much ammo as one can. Apparently they never met a school massacre they didn't like.
They are rabidly anti-abortion, but when it comes to taking care of that life after birth, they usually couldn't care less.
They are rabidly pro-military, and support assassination campaigns and torture.
They are opposed to any kind of tax increase, except indirectly on the poorest and most vulnerable, and support slashing taxes for the rich and super rich, a policy that disgusts even many of the super-rich.
They oppose inheritance, or "Paris Hilton", taxes. We all know how well she turned out.
They oppose environmental legislation and support in general the elimination of the EPA.
They slavishly adore big business. In this, however, they are only slightly ahead of most Democrats, Ned regrets to say.
They are anti-social security. They've always hated it since Roosevelt rammed it through.
They oppose health care for all Americans.
They have managed to be all over the map on immigration: some support it, some support "amnesty", some oppose it, but all but the most marginalized support unceasing floods of immigrants.
They are generally pro-Israel and anti-Palestinian.
They support military intervention in any state peopled with persons of color, as long as their own children do not have to do any fighting.
In almost all things they exhibit a degree of sanctimonious hypocrisy that would literally gag the proverbial maggot.
(Now, Democrats often exhibit a degree of sanctimonious hypocrisy, let it be said, especially about our "brave" troops, immigration and Israel. Ned didn't just fall off the back of a turnip truck.)
They oppose "big government" unless it benefits their constituents. The farm-state folks and the "rugged individualists" in the West are the best examples.
They usually express their positions as a series of empty, meaningless platitudes and bromides, such as "lower taxes", "fewer regulations", "more freedom" and "smaller government."
And they often don't even understand the moral and intellectual bankruptcy of these positions.
Wednesday, September 8, 2010
HEALTH FREAKS
Ned has been doing undercover work in Taos, New Mexico for a bit, and now has returned to post his report, which he assures will astound and amuse his faithful readers. One of his observations was that Americans are overwhelmingly fat and getting fatter; however, Ned's associates assured him that the fat persons he observed (with a sense of wonder, let it be said) were overwhelmingly Texans on vacation. He observed, however, that these fat persons were overwhelmingly health conscious. This conclusion was based not on their diet, which was ghastly and extremely unhealthy, consisting of fatty meats, fries and dessert. Nor their level of exercise, which was virtually nonexistent. No, this conclusion is based on his observation that virtually all of these obscenely fat people carried water bottles and were constantly sipping water, so as to avoid dehydration!
Is this a great country, or what?
Is this a great country, or what?
Saturday, September 4, 2010
From somewhere in northern new mexico
Ned has time for a short post from somewhere on U.S. 64, in which he enquires why some persons are not happy, fullfilled, or content unless they are annoying others. One example Ned has used in the past is pushy dog owners who believe it is the responsibility of the "public sector" as one such person opined in the Washington Post, to provide exercise areas, at taxpayer expense, so their dog can excrete far away from their own property. No, Ned does not refer to such antisocial persons today, but to motorcycle riders. Not any motorcycle rider, mind, but only those who insist on purchasing and operating "hogs" without mufflers or with Glass Paks, which emit ear-splitting noise. Ned was gently awakend by one of these individuals at 5.30 this morning, and relishes the event as yet another thread in life's rich tapestry. He will not go so far as those who insist such behavior is narcicisstic, outrageous, selfish and sociopathic, but will content himself with the gentle question that began today's enquiry.
Thursday, September 2, 2010
Fiorina-Boxer Debate!
The LAT reports today that Halfbright Fellow Carly Fiorina and Senator Barbara Boxer had their first debate of the election "season" last night east of San Francisco. The reference is http://www.latimes.com/news/local/la-me-senate-20100902,0,5476053.story.
Ned's followers will recall that Fiorina was the clear winner of the second Halfbright Fellow award, the first going to former "President" George Bush. Last night, Fiorina expressed her support for "less" government, "lower" taxes and "fewer" regulations, positions that Ned's readers will immediately spot as being comparative statements without any intellectual content or quantitative meaning, without the objects to which they are being compared being specified. So, her entire position consisted of nothing but meaningless platitudes. Boxer attacked Fiorina for firing and exporting 30,000 jobs to India and China (read, working Americans) during her brief tenure at computer giant HP. She was fired by the Board, with a golden handshake of $30 million and her OWN JET PLANE. This is the person the Republicans nominated to replace Boxer, who may not be the brightest bulb on the Christmas tree, but outshines an empty suit plutocrat like Fiorina by light-years. Of course, Fiorina is for extending the Bush tax cuts for the rich, as she stands to gain hugely by them.
For the edification of Ned's newer readers, he will reprint the awe-inspiring qualifications that won Fiorina the coveted Halfbright:
"CARLY FIORINA: The Republican face of pure political opportunism, Fiorina was not content with running HP into the ground and walking away with a $30 million buyout + her own jet plane. Why should she be, when any incompetent parvenu can run for office if they have enough money and enough designer clothes. Naturally she is running as a "lower taxes," "less government," "fewer regulations", and "personal responsibility" woman of the people, whose initial criticism of Barbara Boxer, her opponent, was her hairstyle. Ned also appreciates her dedication to "fighting for every job", after cutting 30,000 jobs at HP. Especially noteworthy to Ned is her penchant for referring to herself in the third person; to wit, "Carly believes strongly that every American should have access to quality, affordable health care."
Ned encourages his friends to follow these debates on C-SPAN if possible. Bon appetit!
Ned's followers will recall that Fiorina was the clear winner of the second Halfbright Fellow award, the first going to former "President" George Bush. Last night, Fiorina expressed her support for "less" government, "lower" taxes and "fewer" regulations, positions that Ned's readers will immediately spot as being comparative statements without any intellectual content or quantitative meaning, without the objects to which they are being compared being specified. So, her entire position consisted of nothing but meaningless platitudes. Boxer attacked Fiorina for firing and exporting 30,000 jobs to India and China (read, working Americans) during her brief tenure at computer giant HP. She was fired by the Board, with a golden handshake of $30 million and her OWN JET PLANE. This is the person the Republicans nominated to replace Boxer, who may not be the brightest bulb on the Christmas tree, but outshines an empty suit plutocrat like Fiorina by light-years. Of course, Fiorina is for extending the Bush tax cuts for the rich, as she stands to gain hugely by them.
For the edification of Ned's newer readers, he will reprint the awe-inspiring qualifications that won Fiorina the coveted Halfbright:
"CARLY FIORINA: The Republican face of pure political opportunism, Fiorina was not content with running HP into the ground and walking away with a $30 million buyout + her own jet plane. Why should she be, when any incompetent parvenu can run for office if they have enough money and enough designer clothes. Naturally she is running as a "lower taxes," "less government," "fewer regulations", and "personal responsibility" woman of the people, whose initial criticism of Barbara Boxer, her opponent, was her hairstyle. Ned also appreciates her dedication to "fighting for every job", after cutting 30,000 jobs at HP. Especially noteworthy to Ned is her penchant for referring to herself in the third person; to wit, "Carly believes strongly that every American should have access to quality, affordable health care."
Ned encourages his friends to follow these debates on C-SPAN if possible. Bon appetit!
A HEAVY HEART
Ned takes up his pen today with a heavy heart, crushed by the weight of "polls" that foretell a terror so fearsome no one dare say it's name, but it's signature would be Republican control of the House of Representatives and perhaps even the Senate. When Ned recalls the optimism with which many of his associates faced the new day of the Obama administration, he is deeply saddened by such news. However, it is an ill wind indeed that blows nobody any good. So, perhaps it is time to concede defeat. Because if Obama really had the intention to change the direction of this country he would have done these things differently:
* Have the Attorney General investigate whether any members of the Bush Regime should have been tried for War Crimes against Humanity.
This he didn't do, giving the clear message to any such group of felons in the future that they can get away with anything as long as it involves foreign wars without a draft.
* Pass a Single Payer Health Plan Plan immediately including all Americans, and issue all Americans a Health Card similar to a Medicare card. As it is now, we have the worst of all worlds. We have the semblance of a plan, run basically by "health insurance" companies for their profit and to enrich their arrogant plutocrat officials with filthy lucre at the public expense. We have a plan that no one understands, and that still leaves millions of Americans without health care. We have a plan that Senators, including Ned's own Ron Wyden, are calling for their states to be exempted from the requirement that all persons buy health care, which if agreed to will destroy the plan. What has happened is that the Obama crew has energized the Republicans and stirred up the know-nothings, who have come slithering out from under their rocks spitting venom, hatred, and thinly-concealed racial animosity. And they have accomplished nothing for it.
* Get this country out of Iraq and Afghanistan immediately. If 7 years is not enough time to secure "Iraqi Freedom" then let the Iraqis deal with it. Let the Kurds form their own homeland and let the Sunni and Shia fight out their mindless feuds from the 7th century about which of the Prophet's descendants should have succeeded Him. Use the money saved to help Americans get work.
* Reduce military (war) spending by 1/2 and use the funds to help the states save the hundreds of thousands of good-paying jobs lost when state tax revenues tanked as a result of the Bush mini-Depression. Study after study has shown that war spending creates fewer jobs for more money than any other kind of government spending, and it inevitably results in death and destruction.
* End this country's blind attachment to Israel At Any Cost in blood and treasure. It just encourages the extreme right in that country to increase settlements in the illegally occupied West Bank, which results in round after round of senseless killings like the recent murder of 4 Israeli "settlers."
Require the Israelis to pull back to the 1967 border, and leave the settlements intact for the Palestinians. Then, issue a guarantee of the sanctity of Israel's border and deal ruthlessly and quickly with any future terrorist attacks aimed against that country.
* Initiate talks with the Iranians to settle the long-standing grievances that that proud people have against the U.S. for meddling in their internal affairs for 50 years, beginning with the CIA-inspired murder of their Prime Minister in 1955.
Now, since the Obama people did none of these things, perhaps they deserve to be tossed out and a group of people take over who are characterized by breathtaking ignorance coupled with astonishing arrogance. Let them ignore climate change, and the views and wishes of 6 billion people. Let them "put God back in the U.S." Let them eviscerate the power of the federal government in every thing except the military. Let them install Queen Sarah as our new monarch. Let them eliminate taxes on the rich and turn the country over to the plutocrats. Perhaps they then can go to the back entrance of the gated communities every Sunday, after Cult worship sessions, where they can get free food handouts from the security guards, then return to a Sunday of free television--bread and circuses returns.
Then Ned can safely steal away to some safe haven and join the resistance...
* Have the Attorney General investigate whether any members of the Bush Regime should have been tried for War Crimes against Humanity.
This he didn't do, giving the clear message to any such group of felons in the future that they can get away with anything as long as it involves foreign wars without a draft.
* Pass a Single Payer Health Plan Plan immediately including all Americans, and issue all Americans a Health Card similar to a Medicare card. As it is now, we have the worst of all worlds. We have the semblance of a plan, run basically by "health insurance" companies for their profit and to enrich their arrogant plutocrat officials with filthy lucre at the public expense. We have a plan that no one understands, and that still leaves millions of Americans without health care. We have a plan that Senators, including Ned's own Ron Wyden, are calling for their states to be exempted from the requirement that all persons buy health care, which if agreed to will destroy the plan. What has happened is that the Obama crew has energized the Republicans and stirred up the know-nothings, who have come slithering out from under their rocks spitting venom, hatred, and thinly-concealed racial animosity. And they have accomplished nothing for it.
* Get this country out of Iraq and Afghanistan immediately. If 7 years is not enough time to secure "Iraqi Freedom" then let the Iraqis deal with it. Let the Kurds form their own homeland and let the Sunni and Shia fight out their mindless feuds from the 7th century about which of the Prophet's descendants should have succeeded Him. Use the money saved to help Americans get work.
* Reduce military (war) spending by 1/2 and use the funds to help the states save the hundreds of thousands of good-paying jobs lost when state tax revenues tanked as a result of the Bush mini-Depression. Study after study has shown that war spending creates fewer jobs for more money than any other kind of government spending, and it inevitably results in death and destruction.
* End this country's blind attachment to Israel At Any Cost in blood and treasure. It just encourages the extreme right in that country to increase settlements in the illegally occupied West Bank, which results in round after round of senseless killings like the recent murder of 4 Israeli "settlers."
Require the Israelis to pull back to the 1967 border, and leave the settlements intact for the Palestinians. Then, issue a guarantee of the sanctity of Israel's border and deal ruthlessly and quickly with any future terrorist attacks aimed against that country.
* Initiate talks with the Iranians to settle the long-standing grievances that that proud people have against the U.S. for meddling in their internal affairs for 50 years, beginning with the CIA-inspired murder of their Prime Minister in 1955.
Now, since the Obama people did none of these things, perhaps they deserve to be tossed out and a group of people take over who are characterized by breathtaking ignorance coupled with astonishing arrogance. Let them ignore climate change, and the views and wishes of 6 billion people. Let them "put God back in the U.S." Let them eviscerate the power of the federal government in every thing except the military. Let them install Queen Sarah as our new monarch. Let them eliminate taxes on the rich and turn the country over to the plutocrats. Perhaps they then can go to the back entrance of the gated communities every Sunday, after Cult worship sessions, where they can get free food handouts from the security guards, then return to a Sunday of free television--bread and circuses returns.
Then Ned can safely steal away to some safe haven and join the resistance...
Wednesday, September 1, 2010
Vacation
Ned plans to take advantage of a slow news weekend to slink off to Taos, NM on a free ticket from his friends at Delta. He hopes to interest Mrs Ned in some southwestern rugs and enjoy some art. He also looks forward to linking "up" with one of his more curmudgeonly friends of long standing. Combine this with a stop at the Gruet Sparkling Wine tasting room in Albuquerque, a visit to the Rio Grande Gorge, and a trip over to Bandelier National Monument, and one has the makings of a restful weekend, needed to recharge the batteries after doing battle with the forces of ignorance and malevolence.
Rest assured, however, that Ned will be posting from Taos if at all possible.
Rest assured, however, that Ned will be posting from Taos if at all possible.
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