September 8, 2011

Obama: "But there has always been another thread running throughout our history – a belief that we are all connected..."

That's the line in the President's speech (PDF) that made me cry out loud. Here's the whole sequence, in which he purports to define who we are:
In fact, this larger notion that the only thing we can do to restore prosperity is just dismantle government, refund everyone’s money, let everyone write their own rules, and tell everyone they’re on their own – that’s not who we are. That’s not the story of America.

Yes, we are rugged individualists. Yes, we are strong and self-reliant. And it has been the drive and initiative of our workers and entrepreneurs that has made this economy the engine and envy of the world.

But there has always been another thread running throughout our history – a belief that we are all connected; and that there are some things we can only do together, as a nation.
What bothered me so much? It was the belief that we are all connected. The idea of the collective. We are one, and the one is the government.

214 comments:

1 – 200 of 214   Newer›   Newest»
Rick Caird said...

We are the Borg. Resistance is futile.

Holmes said...

It was a defense of his ideology and an attempt to weave that through history to purport that it is consistent with that history and our national character. It was, in short, pathetic.

Sofa King said...

I believe the term he is looking for is Volksgemeinschaft.

Oso Negro said...

Resist the forced collectivism!

Carol_Herman said...

As long as you're not plain vanilla.

Was anybody listening?

How much money did he ask for, that's all I want to know.

Did they ask him any science questions?

chuck said...

Oh, come on Anne, put on those pink jack boots and join the parade.

garage mahal said...

What bothered me so much? It was the belief that we are all connected.

Obama is on your brain.

Carol_Herman said...

Man, this shit is passing for political debate, huh?

Anonymous said...

At the K-street super consultant shindig, it was clear that the POTUS Obama speech was a grand slam (that sent the ball to the moon). The GOP is finished.

"Pass the bill NOW."

If the GOP fails to act, then the voters will vote them out.

If the GOP help to pass, then Obama gets 60% victory in 2012.

What should the GOP do? Hint: Go to another country.

A. Shmendrik said...

Whud you mean we, keemosabe?

BJM said...

Captain Clueless fires more blanks.

Astro said...

@Rick Caird -- My thought, too, but soon it may be 'Resistance is feudal'.

Jason said...

Obama wouldn't know a true rugged individualist if one bit him on the ass.

Paul said...

"We must all hang together or we will, uh, go in debt to our eyeballs.

He speaks socialism, nothing more, nothing less.

How can you be for 'rugged individualism' and being for 'strong and self-reliant' and saying 'initiative of our workers and say it's the 'entrepreneurs make us great' yet here he wants everyone to, what, fork over every dime to finance his theory on now to get the economy back up? Wants us to 'sacrifice'.

Funny thing is, he is a millionaire himself but won't turn over HIS money to finance his own ideas. Obama sure won't sacrifice anything himself.

Lewis Wetzel said...

Obama once taught constitutional law. Why can't he explain the constitutional origin of his theory of connectedness & how it gives him access to the wallets of generations yet unborn?
Unless it's all bullshit he made up because it sounds good?

roesch-voltaire said...

Of course we are connected-- just look at how the evens of 9/11 have touched us all and drawn us to defend the country,but it is stretch to claim that means we are a collective-- really- And many of us are connected to the Packers, who scored quickly and just picked up a fumble, but does that mean we cheese heads are a collective?

Unknown said...

E Pluribus unum

We the people

Do these phrases mean anything to you?

Tubby Z said...

My stuff is your stuff and your stuff is my stuff.

Except I don't have any stuff.

Lewis Wetzel said...

Yeah, what is this talk about sacrifice? What is the quid pro quo those who sacrifice can expect to receive?

Automatic_Wing said...

In fact, this larger notion that the only thing we can do to restore prosperity is just dismantle government, refund everyone’s money, let everyone write their own rules, and tell everyone they’re on their own – that’s not who we are.

He kicked the shit out of that strawman, didn't he? Makes me wonder if he doesn't comment here on occasion.

bagoh20 said...

Government disconnects us.

I have yet to have even one of the many welfare recipients I support come by the house for coffee. Coffee can be purchased with food stamps can't it? I have my own coffee even, but no one ever visits. Will any of them show up at my funeral? If I go broke, will they help me like I helped them?

Hell, nobody even came by to get the money. They just demanded that I send it, or I'd go to jail. Not my idea of a connection with my countrymen. Thanks government.

Rob said...

You are getting there, Althouse. You and Megan McArdle will one day see the light and realize that the leadership of the Democrats believe wholeheartedly that a few bright people can make rules that will create a utopia.

Sprezzatura said...

"What bothered me so much? It was the belief that we are all connected."

Where is the Obama who is ready to relegate the cons in the back seat? The Obama who is ready to gun down the knife wielding cons? Where is this Obama that Althouse yearns for? Where is the Divider in Chief, that Althouse seeks?

Sounds like it's time for a new post:

How BHO lost me (Althouse) when he falsely claimed "that there are somethings we can only do together, as a nation."

DADvocate said...

We are all connected, but not in the way Obama wants or purports we are.

Those three paragraphs are pure bullshit. Nobody, except a few whacko anarchists, want to dismantle government. No sane person is saying refund everyone's money. No one is saying let everyone write their own rules and tell everyone they're on their own.

Pure bullshit, which betrays a lack of seriousness in Obama's speech. We are on our own. This jackwagon (Thank you, R. Lee Ermey) isn't going to help anyone.

Shouting Thomas said...

Who has argued to "dismantle government?"

Talk about a straw man!

$14 trillion in debt and a federal government that is 25% or more of GDP!

I've heard this argument over and over as a condemnation of the Tea Party. Attempting to stop the tsunami of debt and spending under Obama = dismantling government.

What a load of crap!

Ambrose said...

The extreme straw men - present in all of the President's speeches - is what annoys me the most.

"this larger notion that the only thing we can do to restore prosperity is just dismantle government, refund everyone’s money, let everyone write their own rules, and tell everyone they’re on their own"

Right, according to conservatives, that's the "ONLY" thing we can do. Nobody is advocating that. Why would he offer that as the alternative to his DOA proposal?

The Crack Emcee said...

"But there has always been another thread running throughout our history – a belief that we are all connected..."

I wish you would call a spade a spade:

Everybody wave to Oprah. And say "hello" to NewAge:

It's the same message you'll find at Burning Man.

How many hints/clues/flat-out statements do you need before you can admit this is, still, a cult?

I'm Full of Soup said...

You cried out loud? in shock ? or due to sadness? or what?

Big Mike said...

@Maguro, it's called the fallacy of the excluded middle. According to him the only alternative to the status quo is to dismantle government, refund everyone's money and let everyone write their own rules. It can only be either-or in his silly world.

Rob said...

My stuff is your stuff, your stuff is my stuff, from the State of Utah, to the New York Islands...(California and Nevada are broke, ergo they have no stuff to share.)

edutcher said...

I'm sure all those pioneers who would move a couple of hundred miles when they saw another man's smoke would be glad to know how connected they were.

And the Constitution was written to connect us all to the government.

You really get the idea this guy doesn't understand this country even a little.

Seeing Red said...

According to him the only alternative to the status quo is to dismantle government, refund everyone's money and let everyone write their own rules. It can only be either-or in his silly world.




Firing 1 gov worker and/or sending back to the taxpayer 1 extra dollar is dismantling government.

Irene said...

Community organizer.

bagoh20 said...

So if this still born bill is not passed, we have to dismantle the government? I wasn't suggesting that Mr. President, but OK. It's is more logical than thinking the path we're on will work. Lets get started.

Lewis Wetzel said...

I'm gonna get me one o' them jobs as a bullet-train pilot!
Woo-hoo! Watch out, here I come! Woo-hoo!

Sprezzatura said...

Cons quick action is needed I've discovered more collective insanity.

Rally TPers! Rally!!!!!111!@@W1QS!!!

"I pledge allegiance to the Flag of the United States of America and to the Republic for which it stands, one nation, under God, indivisible, with liberty and justice for all."

ONE NATION!

Or WORSE: INDIVISIBLE

Outrageous Collective PLEDGE.

Cons will not stand for this.

Michael Haz said...

"...there are some things we can only do together, as a nation."

Like pay for the all shit I want.

Shanna said...

Weird.

First he tries to sell this stupid idea that republicans/etc just want to dismantle the govt, which obviously isn't true at all, and then he goes all creepy new ager on us.

Is he just f'ing with the religious folks by alluding to the new world order stuff or was that simply an unfortunate choice of phrase?

Roux said...

@bagoh20....No they're not going to come by and have coffee. They're either on the front porch with a pounder or drinkin' at the local bar.

CB said...

What an angry, hectoring speech. The only thing missing was a Howard Dean "Hee-yah!" at the end.

Seeing Red said...

But there has always been another thread running throughout our history – a belief that we are all connected; and that there are some things we can only do together, as a nation.


No really big programs or taxes until the 1900s?


I seem to recall some ancient text mentioning defense, general welfare?

Seeing Red said...

So if this still born bill is not passed, we have to dismantle the government?

I thought that was raising the debt ceiling?

bagoh20 said...

Look Barry, I'd like to join your club, but you're telling me I got to pay most of the bills and that dude over there carrying my TV out the window gets a check every month from the club? I don't know. Who runs this thing?

Rob said...

This clip needs to be shown over and over, not that the President would ever get the joke:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jF_yLodI1CQ

Anonymous said...

It was a moving speech. I felt moved. Moved to action.

As I moved, and moved over to Althouse, I, Like Althouse, felt sorry for Obama as I wrote this.

Kinda feel like Sarah Palin just crashed my wedding, ate my cake, stole my future...

Andrew Sullivan probably agrees.

God Bless Unions.

Unknown said...

"...this larger notion that the only thing we can do to restore prosperity is just dismantle government, refund everyone’s money, let everyone write their own rules, and tell everyone they’re on their own..."

Uh? Give you a trillion to name the person who said that. TOTUS excepted.

m stone said...

E Pluribus unum

We the people


Not really. It translates "out of many, one," which speaks to unity, but not a collective, lockstep unity.

garage mahal said...

We can't do ANYTHING, and we are NOT the UNITED States! Oh no no no no! We're just States.

Smilin' Jack said...

We are one, and the one is the government.

One neck, ready for one leash.

CB said...

I reject the idea that we need to ask people to choose between their jobs
and their safety. I reject the argument that says for the economy to grow, we
have to roll back protections that ban hidden fees by credit card companies, or
rules that keep our kids from being exposed to mercury, or laws that prevent the
health insurance industry from shortchanging patients.


For the economy to grow, we have to repeal laws that protect children from mercury? Who in the world has ever made this argument.

Strawman, beaten to a pulp

Bart Hall (Kansas, USA) said...

Apart from my family and friends, the only connection I have to others is when they hand me money for something I produce and they want.

Wanna spread the wealth around? Offer a product or service that someone with money wants.

I am so desperately tired of this little ... boy ... President, an affirmative action pipsqueak who had it all handed to him at every step of the way, purporting to speak for "Americans."

Calvin Coolidge said, upon his retirement, "We draw our Presidents from the people...I came from them. I wish to be one of them again."

Therein lies Barack Obama's desperate, insoluble problem: he is an arrogant, urban, intellectual idealogue, utterly apart from the vast majority of Americans other than those who share his idealogy, his urban focus, his faculty-lounge mentality, or some aspects of his skin color.

No matter how hard Obama may attempt to twist language, he is more profoundly NOT connected to the American people than any President since Wilson (1913-19).

Anonymous said...

Bush II was infamous for saying "you're either with us or you're with the enemy"-- that's essentially the same thing, isn't it?

But when Bush said that, the conservatives ate it up. I guess those on the Right are okay with us all being one, and the one being the government, so long as a Republican is in charge.

Shouting Thomas said...

We can do some things, garbage:

1. Stop suppressing domestic oil, gas and coal production. End the ban on Gulf oil drilling.

2. End the racial and sexual quotas. Let employers hire without the government bean counters in their faces.

3. End the green scam. It's just another corrupt kickback scheme for Democratic Party contributors.

4. Enforce immigration laws like an angry dog.

You see, the things that can be done that would actually produce positive change cannot be done by Obama. That's the problem.

sorepaw said...
This comment has been removed by the author.
Simon said...

What bothers me isn't so much the connectedness part as what immediately preceded it: A President who won't stop hectoring us about how playing politics is sordid dismissed his opponents as unamerican. Did you see that? He attempted to define America as it was until Roosevelt launched the entitlement culture as as alien to "us." Makes you wonder who this "us" is, huh?

m stone said...

Do you ever, ever have a lucid moment and say to yourself: we are hopelessly on the wrong track, pandering to the wrong interests and totally lacking competent leadership?

"I will not go the party line any longer.

Ever?

ws4whgfb said...

I wish they would stop making policy based on philosophy and start basing it on empirical data.

TWM said...

"Bush II was infamous for saying "you're either with us or you're with the enemy"-- that's essentially the same thing, isn't it?"

You sure you're quoting Bush? Sounds like Hoffa to me.

Anonymous said...

My Mormon ancestors got run out of Missouri, run out of Illinois, and finally decided they had to go to the Rockey mountains to keep from getting run out again.

Ten years later the Federal Government in the form of Johnson's Army was back at the Mormons telling them what for.

Is this the thread Obama was mentioning?

edutcher said...

Julie forgets the number of people with GodZero gets smaller by the day.

We, the people, are telling him he's with us or agin' us and he's saying agin'.

Simon said...

Funny how that line harmonizes with Biden's comments earlier in the week: The President says that conservative beliefs are alien to America, and his running mate says that those union guys have to resist the barbarians—alients—at the gate.

Amazingly, he has actually inverted reality. He has attempted to define the city wall as protecting everyone else from the barbarians within.

sorepaw said...
This comment has been removed by the author.
Rose said...

His speech was pathetic. Revolting. No, Dowd's word, "repugnant." Do it RIGHT NOW! RIGHT NOW. RIGHT NOW. Pass it quick or we're all going to die. RIGHT NOW. And one of the most disjointed speeches yet. Did he throw the kitchen sink in there? I think I saw one - was it pink or harvest gold? RIGHT NOW!

It's all he knows. He is a paper candidate.

So sad and pathetic, in the end.

Captcha: dignest (what he wasn't)

Bart Hall (Kansas, USA) said...

Obama reminds me of nothing so much as the totally dysfunctional marriage in which one partner says,
"What you earn is ours, and what I earn is mine."

Simon said...

Terry said...
"Obama once taught constitutional law. Why can't he explain the constitutional origin of his theory of connectedness & how it gives him access to the wallets of generations yet unborn?"

It's a theory of society, a theory of culture. Why would it originate in the Constitution, a legal document?

Sprezzatura said...

TPers will not capitulate to this united states fallacy.

TPers pack your bags and move to Somalia, where a united gov won't bother you.

Live Free Or Die, in Somalia.

P.S.
Somalia Bonus: That assault weapon and ever-present concern about killer thugs will really come in handy!

Anonymous said...

This was Obama's kickoff campaign 2012 speech. He's drawn the line. Government is the answer, according to him. But look at how government is failing all around us. It's amazing. He is doubling down on stupid.

Shouting Thomas said...

And, garbage, I forgot, here's the most important thing we can do:

5. Repeal Obamacare.

David said...

World's Greatest Orator takes on straw man.

What else can you say.

It's bullshit. He's gotten away with it his whole life.

Why not keep it up.

Cedarford said...

Lamar63 said...
E Pluribus unum

We the people

Do these phrases mean anything to you?

===================
From many, one. Which makes Obama more correct that Althouse - though I get the "truthiness" of her position. The need for "connectedness", all oars pulling in the same direction - does not apply to every matter - nor does it mean that Government is the natural place to tell every American what matters require connectness and in what direction all the oars must pull towards.

U Pluribus Unam also has a direct Roman symbol..the bundle of sticks bound together..symbol of Roman Justice, Authority, Strength. One stick is easy to break. Together, difficult to impossible. The Fascia. Which of course was abused by those Fascist groups that saw government as coordinating all "connectedness", telling all now made one what to do.

But it is still essential to sometimes establish connectiveness and direction. Not go with corrosive MultiKulti or freedom!!! to the point of disconnected anarchy. Even in America. That is why the Fascia is also an American symbol, used on some government seals and on the back of the US dime.

Automatic_Wing said...

TPers pack your bags and move to Somalia, where a united gov won't bother you.

More strawmen. Yawn. Don't you have anything better than this?

sorepaw said...
This comment has been removed by the author.
Simon said...

m stone said...
"E Pluribus unum … It translates 'out of many, one,' which speaks to unity, but not a collective, lockstep unity."

And it was, in any event,referring to the many states from which one new nation was forged. To claim it as a collectivist's creed is astonishingly ahistorical.

By the way, Obama is right: We are all connected, cf. MT 22:36-37. But that says nothing about our political order and the obligations we choose to impose through the proxy of the state.

Anonymous said...

"You are getting there, Althouse."

I don't think that the Prof. is there yet but a slight zig and zag might be detectable.....maybe.

AST said...

And that's why we're no longer independent. And when we're no longer independent, we're no longer free.

We should recognize our dependence on God and his providence, but government is not God.

sorepaw said...
This comment has been removed by the author.
ken in tx said...

This speech seems to be all about a bill Obama is going to send to congress. Henry Ford is supposed to have said that no one ever made a reputation out of what he was going to do. Wait and see what comes of this.

wdnelson93 said...

posted by a friend today (G. is her husband and is in real estate):

G. is working with a client who told him that he was given an 80% raise in pay by the Federal government to come to Alaska as an anti-oil attorney.
What??? Just a couple of weeks ago I heard Ken Salazar, Secretary of the Interior, say that Obama supports oil drilling in Alaska.
Something doesn't add up... You don't think Obama says one thing and does another... do you?

Simon said...

sorepaw said...
"The Pledge of Allegiance was written by a socialist."

So was "Do They Know It's Christmas"; dubious origin should certainly examine something more closely, but it doesn't inherently devalue it.

"'Under God' was inserted by a panicked Congress at the height of the Cold War."

And?

"H. L. Mencken considered an official cult of the American flag to be deeply un-American."

And?

"Some Conservatives may swell with pride over the Pledge of Allegiance. (Those who do ought to review its history.)"

I have, and I still do. If libertarians don't, they ought to hang their heads in shame—not least because no country on earth more closely approaches the libertarian ideal.

traditionalguy said...

We are all one...so turn in all money and property by tomorrow and the the money will be shared equally after a 99% cut taken off the top by the Demo-Mob.

Sprezzatura said...

Maguro,

Why so gruff? W/ your cute green helmet and intimidating stare, you could probably be running the place in a month.

Are you also ready to sign up w/ Althouse and sorepaw in the fight against the collective Pledge?


And, lookout TPers, I've unearthed an devastatingly collective document.

"We the People of the United States, in Order to form a more perfect Union, establish Justice, insure domestic Tranquility, provide for the common defence, promote the general Welfare, and secure the Blessings of Liberty to ourselves and our Posterity, do ordain and establish this Constitution for the United States of America."

WE No NO. no we, only ME.

UNION. Terrible. No COLLECTIVE UNION

And, what's w/ all of these things that supposedly are to be done by this collective union? Althouse et. al. know that WE THE PEOPLE ARE NOT ONE UNITED ENTITY, AKA COLLECTIVE.

Shame.

TPers, to the boats!! Destination Somalia!!!!

Joe Biden, America's Putin said...

The collective left. No thanks.

Anonymous said...

Blah, blah, blah. The "connectedness" is also fundamental to explaining America's collective guilt for all of the oppression and evil in the world.

Shouting Thomas said...

pb&j,

The Union referred to is a union of states.

You do know this, don't you?

Joe Biden, America's Putin said...

Obama always comes back to the collective. He's a collectivist through and through. Again - no thanks.
And it's alwasy this false choice. We can't have a government that works for us and allows us freedom. No. We must have the kind of government the left want: government control/all of the time.

Jose_K said...

Sure you are, ask Hoffa

I'm Full of Soup said...

OT but whoever the Brewers have in center field tonight really sucks. He plays like he is surprised the ball does not go wherever he goes.

I'm Full of Soup said...

Dismantle government? Shoot, I am still waiting for Prez Obama to go through the federal budget line by line which he promised in his campaign.

Sprezzatura said...

Exactly ST,

TPers need to escape from this Collective of states.

I've got some spare PFDs, for the journey. How many do you need for your family*.

Boat People 2011!!!!




*Clarification: Please don't mistakenly assume that I'll give you some PFDs free of charge. I'm saying that I'll wait until the TPers have bought up all in-stock PFDs (as they prep for the journey), and then I'll sell you my old ones at an absurdly high price, thereby maximizing my profit. Me the Me.

Trooper York said...

Lucky for me that I didn't see one minute of the Jug Eared Jesus speech.

We had a very sucessful party on "Fashion Night Out" where boutiques all over the country celebrated fashion by being open late and having parties and special events.

Include me out of your collective there Mao.

Peano said...

...this larger notion that the only thing we can do to restore prosperity is just dismantle government, refund everyone’s money, let everyone write their own rules, and tell everyone they’re on their own...

Barack Obama doesn't have an honest bone is his body. Not one.

Mark said...

"I have yet to have even one of the many welfare recipients I support come by the house for coffee."

That's kind of the point.

The "welfare state" is really meant to subvert all the social pressures that come with "village" living. Things like caring for your neighbors, building mutually-supportive communities; you know, local solutions to local problems.

Then Hillary! had the audacity to actually have ghost-written a book called "It Takes a Village" to further promote policies that actually destroy villages.

So no, bagoh20, you don't know poor people whom might drop by for coffee. Poverty is now a disease. To be treated by professionals. And even though said professionals have in the last 80 years have shown zero ability to treat the disease, they're credentialed so you don't have to worry about it.

I'm Full of Soup said...

Just called a niece to caution to her to be careful this weekend due to terrorist threat [she lives in NYC]. When we spoke, she was sitting in a Starbucks studying her organic chemistry since she is geting ready to go to nursing school after getting a BS in Biology.

She and other young people like her know how to do the right thing to prepare for a hopefully fruitful life. The collective mindset doesn't help people like her. Obama is uninformed as to how people succeed and prosper. He is very stubborn and pretty dopey.

J said...
This comment has been removed by the author.
J said...

Wow Shouting Psychotic & Co, now turn their attention to the Federalist papers, States rights, the US-con., and the Gott-given right to have their own meth lab.

ZZzzzzzzzzz. States rights people lost, A-tards. That's what the...Civil war was about

Lewis Wetzel said...

Shouting Thomas wrote:
"The Union referred to is a union of states."
Weird, isn't it? I've known this since about the fifth grade.
I guess PB&J is kind of an idiot.

garage mahal said...

"We the People of the United States, in Order to form a more perfect Union, establish Justice, insure domestic Tranquility, provide for the common defence, promote the general Welfare, and secure the Blessings of Liberty to ourselves and our Posterity, do ordain and establish this Constitution for the United States of America."

We? United? Common? Union? JUSTICE???? Insure? Tranquility? General Welfare? Who the hell wrote this fucking crap anyway? Some commie at MSNBC?

Somebody get a Code Red out to Althouse!

Shouting Thomas said...

pj&b,

You really didn't understand the difference between a statement that refers to a Union of states, as opposed to a collective of people, did you?

The founding fathers deliberately created a Union of states, and deliberately limited the power of voters to act collectively on a national level.

Trooper York said...

What's the matter garage. Are you tired of the Packers already?

I'm Full of Soup said...

I talked to a freind today who is mentoring a kid who is now playing for a major college sports team as a true freshman. I asked what he was going to major in and the friend suggested he should take sociology. I replied "bullshit- in that major, he will only be brainwashed that people can't succeed without govt and the rich are all born with silver spoons in their mouth. I said tell him to saty away from those bullshit majors."

Anonymous said...

Just for the record, the history through which the thread runs does include the 99% of our history in which we did not run any car companies together, as a nation. So the inference that anyone who does not want us to go on running car companies together, as a nation, is ipso facto trying to break that thread is a bit on the weak side.

Kirby Olson said...

He should read Locke and SMith, and throw away the Keynes.

MnMark said...

The only way we're connected in this country any more is we're all under the power of the government.

There is no "American people" anymore. The liberal project to destroy the traditional American identity in favor of multiculturalism and "diversity" has left us a bunch of competing peoples struggling for control.

We were starting to approach being a people in the early 60s when immigration had been shut off for 40 years. Then Ted Kennedy and his kind threw the door open to the Third World and the path to national dissolution was set.

I'm not part of Obama's people. He's not part of mine. He's just a smooth talking empty suit who gullible, starry-eyed white liberals got into office so they could congratulate themselves on how unracist they are. His appeals to "connectedness" are a bad joke.

Shouting Thomas said...

You don't get it either, do you, garbage?

The founding fathers deliberately created a Union of states. That Union of states, in many ways, deliberately prevented the voters from acting collectively on a national level.

You've dramatically misinterpreted that quote. Because you do not understand the structure of a republican government. The preservation of the power of the individual states was of overriding importance to the founding fathers.

Why do you suppose this was done?

I'm Full of Soup said...

Yeah Garage, "general welfare" in a living, breathing Constitution certainly means anything libruls want it to mean.

garage mahal said...

What's the matter garage. Are you tired of the Packers already?

Fuck no! Halftime.

And it'[s over. Bye

sorepaw said...
This comment has been removed by the author.
DADvocate said...

more perfect Union

What do you think they meant by "more perfect Union?" It sure as hell wasn't collectivism.

secure the Blessings of Liberty to ourselves and our Posterity,

Instead of slavery to the state. Somehow you don't seem to concerned about liberty. Liberty was what the Revolutionary War was about.

Henry said...

What a strange, distasteful speech.

It's important to face down the yellow peril. Did anyone else pick that up? Obama compares the U.S. unfavorably (in 2 very wacky ways) to 2 other countries:

China (And now we’re going to sit back and watch China build newer airports and faster railroads?)

South Korea (But while they’re adding
teachers in places like South Korea, we’re laying them off in droves
)

China's high speed rail is a fiasco.

Our skies are the most congested in the
world
because we're so damn rich.

The average class size in South Korea is 36.

* * *

I actually think Congress should pass the whole thing. It's peanuts in comparison to our real problems and it would be interesting to see how Obama spins when targeted tax cuts and shovel ready projects continue to fail. And it does contain some good ideas.

Unknown said...

He really doesn't understand. The sooner we return him to community organizing, the better for all concerned. Of course, Michelle will never accept that. He will spend the rest of his life raising money to pay for her vacations.

Sprezzatura said...

ST,


HA HA HA.

You got my point.

It was Althouse (and many of her commenters) who went nuts reading stuff into BHO's words that weren't there.

It seems that for many of you this nuttiness is only objectionable when I'm applying it to non-BHO text.

If you folks were not being total hacks, not a single one of you would object to: " we are all connected; and that there are some things we can only do together, as a nation." But many of you can't rise above your hackery. It's impossible anytime BHO is involved.

Sad.

But true.

sorepaw said...
This comment has been removed by the author.
WestVirginiaRebel said...

We are a diverse collection of people-not a Collective.

Obama's speech: Do what I want, blame Republicans, tax the rich.

J said...

Why A-tards did Madison & Hamilton create the Electoral College--ie the Senate-- AND the Supreme court,instead of just allowing pure majority rule, which would have been far more advantageous to States rights factions in the early days? Wait--don't worry yr ugly little heads about it--jus make things worse



itz a gawd-givven raht , goldangit

Shouting Thomas said...

You just descended into total incoherence, pb&j.

Althouse, if you remember, used to be an Obama partisan. Wouldn't be surprised if she votes for him again.

She's certainly a supporter of the quota systems. In fact, she refuses to even call them "quota systems."

I expect raving and incoherence from J. You've equalled him here.

edutcher said...

sorepaw said...

More idiocy from pbandj.

"I pledge allegiance to the Flag of the United States of America and to the Republic for which it stands, one nation, under God, indivisible, with liberty and justice for all."

The Pledge of Allegiance was written by a socialist.

"Under God" was inserted by a panicked Congress at the height of the Cold War.

H. L. Mencken considered an official cult of the American flag to be deeply un-American.

Some Conservatives may swell with pride over the Pledge of Allegiance. (Those who do ought to review its history.)

Libertarians don't.


Libertarians also side with the Lefties a lot.

And their root doctrine, by Ayn Rand, is called Selfishness.

(yeah, I know, objectivism, but Ayn's big thing is selfishness)

Jimmy said...

The man is dangerous. Unfortunatley Senator McCain was not much of an option.

Trooper York said...

Beers at Lambeau field $7.00
Tickets for the game $125.00
Parking $15.00

Garage going off the internet to watch the game....priceless.

JAL said...

workers

Not citizens.

Barf.

He. Can. Not. Fathom. what this wonder that America is.

J said...

Shouting Tweek-tard, yr certificate in Harley transmission repair doesn't mean jack online. You're a blithering, illiterate idiot, even too stupid for like Ayn Rand's sophistries much less Jefferson & Co. Maybe go back to yr Fingerhut site, dreck.

I'm Full of Soup said...

Henry - I agree Repubs should pass it. In the grand scheme of our insolvency, it's a mere bag of shells and they can view it as a goodbye gift for Prez Obama. Plus, what would he say in his next speech if they pass it? He would not be able to blame Congress.

ampersand said...

Yes we are all connected. Now please form a circle so the guy on the end can get it.

Leland said...

Understand about the live blogging, thanks for the speedy commentary.

Mark said...
This comment has been removed by the author.
Mark said...

Why A-tards did Madison & Hamilton create the Electoral College--ie the Senate-- AND the Supreme court,instead of just allowing pure majority rule, which would have been far more advantageous to States rights factions in the early days?

This is a serious question? "Majority Rule" would have given, say, New York the ability to dictate policy in, say, South Carolina. In what world would that have been "far more advantageous to States rights factions"?

(This is the trouble with an Axelrod campaign. The talking points go out, but the parrots' brains end up taking them to disadvantageous places.)

Shouting Thomas said...

Trooper, I just did the math from your figures. Minimum $11,000,000 receipts for one game. Probably much more when you really figure the concessions. How much is the TV money?

The NFL is one hell of a fucking money machine!

And, in general, they con the taxpayers into coughing up the money for the stadiums!

J said...

It's a deep one, Markie. See Federalist #10-- that is, once you get that GED completed. (hint: the electoral college prevents a pure popular vote, joto)

plainjane said...

That's a Chinese red thread:
“An invisible red thread connects those destined to meet regardless of time, place or circumstance. The thread may stretch or tangle but never break.” -Ancient Chinese Belief

Michael said...

J. Finally a question. The rich guys knew that in a
Pure demiocracy the rabble always vote to take the money from those who have eaned it. Always. And tonight we see who would like to lead that mob.

Shouting Thomas said...

You know, J, I've been thinking about getting a certificate in Harley transmission repair.

That would certainly stimulate the economy, wouldn't it?

You got something against Harley transmission repair?

cold pizza said...

Community Borganizer. -cp

wv: "porde" and porme, too!

Kansas City said...

Reactions to speeches are so subjective. I did not have any problem with the connected line. It seems that we have been connected, or largely connected, on some important things (perhaps not the same things, or not as many, as Obama thinks).

The strawmen drive me crazy. It really is deception and he repeatedly and effortlessly relies upon them. It is a real character flaw, little better than an outright lie.

Shouting Thomas said...

My new iPad is great!

I can watch the game on TV and induce J into spitting and cursing!

Taking a little time away from whacking off, J? Light up that pipe, little guy, wipe the spittle off your pajamas, and screech away!

When you really get pissed off, you come over to my blog and lay a turd. Missed you, little boy.

Kansas City said...

In fact, I thought the speech was okay, mildly annoying with the pass this bill mantra (apparently setting up a campaign theme) and weak in substance, but not unpleasant to listen to.

I really think there is something about Obama's voice that causes a positive reaction in people.

I'm Full of Soup said...

The NFL makes money?

traditionalguy said...

Seriously, King Obama and Michelle told everyone that he plans to tear down the USA and rebuild it as a community of subjects made into serfs living in a pre-industrial, returned to nature Continent.

At his very core, Obama sees the lower North American area as stolen property taken away by force from administration under a British/Roman Army by the insufferable Scots-Irish Rebel Army lead by George Washington.

He wants to restore us to our place under the world's governing powers.

And incidentally Obama also wants to exterminate upstart Israel.

All of this will require a collapse of the American Dollar and disbanding the Military.

Should we gracefully surrender to Obama's lies?

I'm Full of Soup said...

Garbage- thank your lucky hammers and sickles that you have one thing left that works - the Packers. Cause everything else you support is going to shit.

Hagar said...

And it still bugs me that no one has yet told him that the labels do not say "Made in America;" they say "Made in USA."

A small thing, but indicative.

B said...

pbAndjFellowRepublican, it would appear that you saw and heard something tonight that has you running scared.

what might that have been?

J said...

Mikey--yeah, and back in the day, the rabble were...state rights types, pro-slavery libertarians, even though nominally Democrats (in the south). That's one reason the Federalists/Republicans wanted controls on the Congress--ie the SC. Who cares--the point is, Obama's words are not so far from traditional Repub.--say..Lincoln.

Now back to the Fingerhut channel

I'm Full of Soup said...

Hagar:
I was thinking just yesterday that in the 1950's even kids like me [I was born in 1952] used to make fun of anything that said "Made in Japan".

It's almost hard to believe how the Japanese turned that around.

J said...

Hey Shouting Segway---you'd do well to shut your mouth, wicca scum. As Ive told you before. You're no macho man--you're a dried up old scooter scumbag. You'd be gone in a manner of seconds. Got that yet, trash?

Lewis Wetzel said...

I am glad that J embraces with both arms the sentiments of Federalist 10!

The diversity in the faculties of men, from which the rights of property originate, is not less an insuperable obstacle to a uniformity of interests. The protection of these faculties is the first object of government. From the protection of different and unequal faculties of acquiring property, the possession of different degrees and kinds of property immediately results; and from the influence of these on the sentiments and views of the respective proprietors, ensues a division of the society into different interests and parties.

KCFleming said...

"...a belief that we are all connected; and that there are some things we can only do together, as a nation"

“Isn’t it pretty to think so?”

B said...

This is the trouble with an Axelrod campaign. The talking points go out, but the parrots' brains end up taking them to disadvantageous places.

Well put.

Simon said...

sorepaw said...
"Simon, You've noticed, I hope, that the Pledge of Allegiance never refers to states. It's just 'one nation ... indivisible.'"

We're back to "And?"

Are you seriously contending that the Pledge of Allegiance is antifederalist?

We are one nation, indivisible, under God. That nation comprises "an indestructible Union, composed of indestructible States," as Chief Justice Chase said in language quoted by then-Justice Rehnquist in Fry v. US, and I couldn't put it better myself.

J said...

In fact we're coming for your hard drive and yr gear, scooter filth.You got that Tommy? Eh? Yr buh bye--and yr little messages to yr fellow j-os and new palsies--all evidence.

Shanna said...

The "welfare state" is really meant to subvert all the social pressures that come with "village" living. Things like caring for your neighbors, building mutually-supportive communities; you know, local solutions to local problems.

Yeah. And when you are helping your neighbor out, you actually know them. When you know who you are helping you can decide that Bob or Sally may just be a lazy sob who needs to get a job and that you aren't giving them a dime vs. someone else who actually is just having a hard time who you feel happy about helping. You take that function away from the community and you have no one qualified to judge who really needs the help.

Simon said...

Mark said...
"Why A-tards did Madison & Hamilton create the Electoral College--ie the Senate-- AND the Supreme court,instead of just allowing pure majority rule, which would have been far more advantageous to States rights factions in the early days?"

Could you translate this into English for the benefit of those of us who are sober? The electoral college isn't the Senate (that's what "i.e." means: id est, "that is to say"). And

retroimage said...

The comment that struck me was "What kind of country would this be if this chamber had voted down Social Security or Medicare just because it violated some rigid idea about what government could or could not do?"

I find it unsettling that the President seems to think we can be flacid when it comes to the Constitution.

http://theaverageamericanblog.wordpress.com/

Mark said...

J, Federalist #10 in no way supports your assertation that a pure democracy would have been in the interests of States Rights advocates. You, friend, are pulling stuff out of your ass that you didn't eat, and one has to wonder how it got there.

My guess is you're getting paid by the comment. Whoever is paying you should re-evaluate the cost-benefit analysis of having you on the payroll.

Mark said...

Simon, I most certainly did NOT say that. You mis-attributed J's spewing to me.

Mike said...

The man is full of more manure than an organic fertilizer factory.

Collective my bleeding backside. I'm a thorough going mongrel American. First ancestors showed up in Virginia in ~1610. Huguenot ancestors came in 1695 because they couldn't get along in France. Other ancestors fought against the British in 1777-82. Others were in California with Fremont in the 1840s. Up the Chisholm Trail with the early herds. Ancestors fought on both sides in the Civil War.

The common characteristics of all them were a restless spirit, an itch to move and not a heck of a lot of regard for the opinion of others.

I've got a lot of that, and I'm sure as heck not a member of The Bamster's "collective".

Anonymous said...

Tonight there are tears of rivers across the land, thanks to POTUS Obama's grand-slam-to-moon speech and no-response from the GOP.

Cry, cry, and cry through Nov. 2012.

Simon said...

Mark said...
"Simon, I most certainly did NOT say that. You mis-attributed J's spewing to me."

Apologies indeed!

Anonymous said...

Why not just take the 300 billion and give us each about $750? It would do more good/less harm.

J said...

I never claimed Madison was liberal. But he wasn't a states rights types, at least in the Fed papers--the Constitutional rights (including those to property ) were not a matter of a vote. That's the point.

But discussion's impossible when peasants are shrieking .

Lewis Wetzel said...

"I never claimed Madison was liberal."
You don't even know what the term 'liberal' meant in Madison's time.
You are a stupid fuck.
Maybe you should play Doom2 instead of commenting? I hope that I am being helpful!

J said...

Markie the invisible Teabug-- you don't know jack about the Federalist papers. The Feds. are against the states rights people. Just leave it at that until you get yr GED (now, perp---trace time).

NotWhoIUsedtoBe said...

Sure, there's more to humans than each individuals. Conservatives have been saying that for a very long time. Starting with families society is made up of links between people.

But it isn't the government. Government is a necessary evil to handle problems that smaller groups can't solve. It's not society, it's not family, and it doesn't love you.

Chip S. said...

And it still bugs me that no one has yet told him that the labels do not say "Made in America;" they say "Made in USA."

It may have been a subliminal homage to the movie that inspired the book that launched his career.

JAL said...

because it violated some rigid idea about what government could or could not do?

Now where would that rigid idea come from?

He certainly seems to disrespect our Constitution.

(Amazing how "rigid" his opposition is, isn't it!)

A thing of beauty.

wv mentl
wv is tempting me

Lewis Wetzel said...

More from Fed #10:
The influence of factious leaders may kindle a flame within their particular States, but will be unable to spread a general conflagration through the other States. A religious sect may degenerate into a political faction in a part of the Confederacy; but the variety of sects dispersed over the entire face of it must secure the national councils against any danger from that source. A rage for paper money, for an abolition of debts, for an equal division of property, or for any other improper or wicked project, will be less apt to pervade the whole body of the Union than a particular member of it; in the same proportion as such a malady is more likely to taint a particular county or district, than an entire State.
Yep, no states rights there!

JAL said...

Plouffe just said on Nightline that the President was channeling the American people.

Just thought you ought to know.

Sprezzatura said...

"The strawmen drive me crazy."

What do you folks think woulld happen if the TPers in Congress (e.g. Bachman) got their way on the debt ceiling vote? The gov borrows 41 cents for every dollar it spends. What exactly happens when, overnight, the federal government contracts by 41%, And, beyond the direct impact of nearly half of the government no longer working, what happens to financial markets? How does this create a feedback loop that worsens the financial status of the US gov and US citizens? Do the impacts stop at 41% of the gov?

TPers like Bachman are idiots. Dangerous idiots, If they were given the opportunity to govern by their so-called principles (e.g. an overnight 41% cut in the federal gov) we'd be finished w/in a month. Good for the POTUS for calling them out.

I'm Full of Soup said...

ALH:

What are you sugesting? That indviduals spend their money on whatever they want to spend it on? Are you some kind of govt hating anarchist?

Ralph L said...

Mark, many of us have learned to scroll on by J's comments. Better italicize or put his crap in quotes so we know it isn't yours, if you feel you must feed the troll.

Synova said...

The text of my Greek Mythology class (written by my Greek Mythology prof) said that the eagle symbolized Zeus and that this was a common symbol for a ruler, one example of which is how the eagle symbolizes the US government.

*sigh*

Synova said...

I'm not sure "straw man" is exactly right, but it's rather convenient that he doesn't identify the source of the "larger notion".

Apparently there is a large cadre of anarchists lurking about.

Sprezzatura said...

And further, I'm sure that Althosue, who has repeatedly suggested it's a bad idea for Romney to be to harshly criticized by other GOPers, thinks that a Bachman style instantaneous cut of 41% is insane, and Althouse probably thinks/hopes that someone like Romney would never go along w/ such.

But, at the same time Althouse gets riled up and works to deflect focusing on the insanity of the Bachman TPers if BHO fires warning bells (or whatever it was Palin said) about the extreme views of some of these TPers in Congress, who are already able to influence policy. And, w/ the cover provided by Althouse-type thinking, we are supposed to sit back and pretend that the real concern is that BHO is about to usher in some sort of Communist Collective, when he said absolutely nothing of the sort.

In other words, we are to ignore the nuts who are pushing insane policies in Congress, and instead we are advised to focus on BS lies about what BHO said.

Lame.

Scott M said...

Hmm. Wonder where this,

But as the plan of the convention aims only at a partial union or consolidation, the State governments would clearly retain all the rights of sovereignty which they before had, and which were not, by that act, EXCLUSIVELY delegated to the United States.

came from...

Anonymous said...

But there has always been another thread running throughout our history – a belief that we are all connected; and that there are some things we can only do together, as a nation.

One People!

One Nation!

One Leader!

North Dallas Thirty said...

What exactly happens when, overnight, the federal government contracts by 41%,

Suddenly, 41% of the 25% of GDP that the government is consuming is pushed back into the private market.

Let's see, an immediate increase of over 10% of the total value of GDP available immediately to private citizens, companies, and investors.

Talk about an overnight economic boom.

That's what Barack Obama and his supporters like you don't get, pbAndJ. You don't understand where government money comes from because you don't pay taxes. You never see the consequences of overspending. You are like children whose parents pay all their bills, whining and screaming about how selfish and mean Mommy and Daddy are because they won't buy you the new toy you want.

North Dallas Thirty said...

Also, we should remember what the ideal of pbAndJ is, as beautifully illustrated here.

See, that's what pbAndJ and Barack Obama mean when they start babbling on about how we are all connected.

They don't want to work. They don't want to contribute. They want to sit and play adult baby all day and have the rest of us pay their bills.

That's all this is about -- the fact that pbAndJ and his Barack Obama are moochers.

Alex said...

Of course we are connected...

Meaning socialism of course.

Alex said...

But, at the same time Althouse gets riled up and works to deflect focusing on the insanity of the Bachman TPers

You have no credibility when you spew hateful crap like this.

Hyphenated American said...

"What do you folks think woulld happen if the TPers in Congress (e.g. Bachman) got their way on the debt ceiling vote? The gov borrows 41 cents for every dollar it spends. What exactly happens when, overnight, the federal government contracts by 41%"

Yap. That would be like complete and utter chaos and blood on the streets. If we cut federal budget by the amount of 2011 deficit, our spending would be same as it was in 2003, just 8 year ago. Imagine the horror!

Hyphenated American said...

"What exactly happens when, overnight, the federal government contracts by 41%, And, beyond the direct impact of nearly half of the government no longer working, what happens to financial markets? "

Well, US somehow survived spending this amount in 2003. I believe we can somehow survive it in 2011.

rcommal said...

What do you mean, "cry out loud"? What a non-specific thing to say. Given that, why bother.

J said...

"Terry" it's obviously a bit too complex for you --Mad. the Federalist (haven't quite got around to googling that have you) is arging about dangers of faction..and the need for a strong central govt. Not states rights. Maybe stick to like finishing yr LVN joto.

rcommal said...

Always note what tags are not appended to a post. Hint, hint.

Brian Brown said...

pbAndjFellowRepublican said...


TPers like Bachman are idiots. Dangerous idiots, If they were given the opportunity to govern by their so-called principles (e.g. an overnight 41% cut in the federal gov) we'd be finished w/in a month.


Actually, you're an idiot (and economic illiterate) and due to policies you support we're already "finished"

Clown

test said...

I lose more respect for Obama every time he rants that we have to get past playing politics while playing politics himself.

He's an idiot.

Unknown said...

"Government is just another word for the things we do together... with the money you give us at gunpoint."

Synova said...

Jim Treacher is brilliant.

The Dude said...

That speech was as impressive as I assumed it would be.

WV: retrod - this thing is rigged.

SPImmortal said...

"Terry" it's obviously a bit too complex for you --Mad. the Federalist (haven't quite got around to googling that have you) is arging about dangers of faction..and the need for a strong central govt. Not states rights. Maybe stick to like finishing yr LVN joto.

------------

Actually the passage he quoted says the exact opposite, too bad you can't understand a fucking thing you read:

but the variety of sects dispersed over the entire face of it must secure the national councils against any danger from that source. A rage for paper money, "for an abolition of debts, for an equal division of property, or for any other improper or wicked project, will be less apt to pervade the whole body of the Union than a particular member of it; in the same proportion as such a malady is more likely to taint a particular county or district, than an entire State."

That is actually an argument in favor of factionalism as a natural check against centralization of power.

It cannot be stressed enough what a mentally ill retard you are.

Mick said...

Obama is certainly not "one of us". He was born British, of a Communist British subject father. He was raised and influenced ny foreign Muslims and avowed Communists. He freely associated w/ American terrorists, and other assorted rats den of America hating Jihadists and Communists. Yet the brilliant "law prof" voted for him, even though he is not a natural born Citizen, and not eligible.

Simon said...

North Dallas Thirty said...
"[pbAndjFellowRepublican asked 'What exactly happens when, overnight, the federal government contracts by 41%'] Suddenly, 41% of the 25% of GDP that the government is consuming is pushed back into the private market. Let's see, an immediate increase of over 10% of the total value of GDP available immediately to private citizens, companies, and investors. Talk about an overnight economic boom. ¶ That's what Barack Obama and his supporters like you don't get, pbAndJ. You don't understand where government money comes from because you don't pay taxes. You never see the consequences of overspending. You are like children whose parents pay all their bills, whining and screaming about how selfish and mean Mommy and Daddy are because they won't buy you the new toy you want."

I not only join this reply, but do so in forma specifica.

[I don't do that very often. This one was very much worth it.]

John henry said...

J,

the reason for the Electoral College was because the president is elected by *states* not by citizens.

There is no provision in the US Constitution for any citizen to vote for anything. The first election in which all the Electoral College were elected by state residents rather than chosen by legislature or other means was 1844 (1848?)

There is an indirect requirement that states hold elections for Representatives, later extended to Senators in the 16th Amendment.

But even that is indirect. It is only required if state legislatures are elected and there is no US Constitutional requirement for that.

We are the United *STATES* of America. Not the United Counties, Provinces, Regions or other division.

Review the meaning of the word "state". It meant then, and still means today, a sovereign nation or country.

It is one of the things that makes the USA unique. It is one of the things that makes it work so well.

John Henry

Kirby Olson said...

The Cincinnati bridge that he wants to rebuild must be a metaphor for how we are all connected -- esp. the people in battleground states such as Ohio -- to his bid to be reelected.

John henry said...

Someone commented on the phrase "A more perfect union"

I had never paid much attention to this before. I thought it was just some flowery language.

I am currently reading Jefferson Davis "History of the Confederate States" @1885(Free Kindle download)

The first section discussing slavery is interesting but pretty creepy. The second section is about the right to secession and discusses the political history of the USA, the Constitution and the preceding Articles of Confederation.

I had always thought that the Constitution was a do-over, starting fresh.

Davis says that the original articles were never nullified. Rather, the Constitution superseded them.

He specifically discusses the "more perfect union" phrase in some depth. What he says is that we already had a "union" (Confederation)that all the independent states (remember the definition of "state") had agreed to.

That union had some problems. The Constitutional Convention was to fix those problems and make the union "more perfect"

Not just pretty language, in other words. It was in there and that way for a specific reason. At least according to Davis who seems fairly convincing on this.

It is a pretty good book. I recommend.

John Henry

John henry said...

For some reason the old US Dime popped into my mind. The silver one that will still buy a gallon of gas.

This was a fascist coin. Literally. Look at the image here:

http://images.sodahead.com/polls/000950602/130105fasces11_answer_5_xlarge.jpeg

The main image on the back is a "fasces" of sticks. This is the same concept that Mussolini took his name "Fascism" from.

His concept was that we individuals were like the bundle of sticks in a fasces.

John Henry

Mick said...

John said,

"The main image on the back is a "fasces" of sticks. This is the same concept that Mussolini took his name "Fascism" from".


Aren't bundles of sticks also called "fags".

Sprezzatura said...

See BHO's concerns about folks who want to dismantle the gov are justified.

Not only are there the TPers like Bachman who are already influencing legislation in Congress, but Althouse has collect some of these ideologues in her own threads.

They think that the net effect of an overnight cut of 41% of the federal government would be that everything in our country continues as usual, except that the Chinese et. al. (the gov's creditors) would redirect all of their near-0% lending to American businesses instead of the government, and then these businesses would happily absorb this flood of debt, thereby........[at this point this scenario is so mind numbingly stupid that I can't bring myself to restate the financial nirvana that these fools beleive would result from the us gov implementing an overnight cut of 41%].

John henry said...

Mick asked:

"Aren't bundles of sticks also called "fags"."

"Faggots" actually.

You made me wonder about the root so I just looked it up in the Book of Knowledge

It stems from the same Latin roots as "fascist"

So are you saying that gays are fascists?



John Henry

Joe Schmoe said...

The connectedness thing may rub the wrong way, but it's pretty immaterial to the speech. The real rub for me is Obama's constant cries for rising above partisan politics. Translation: my policy is so shitty that I can't even get my own party to support it, so show a brother some love. I'm throwing every piece of spaghetti I have at the wall and NOTHING IS STICKING!

Postpartisanship was the farthest thing from his mind during the health care debate. It's clear from his speeches that Obama doesn't even like bipartisanship, as his wildly socialist ideas get pulverized during the legislative process. I like the ugly, bruising battles of Congress and think it's a necessary check on presidential fiat. Obama thinks they are a nuisance. He doesn't get America and he never will.

John henry said...

BTW:

Just kidding about the gays/fascists quip.

John Henry

Joe Schmoe said...

It pains me to say this, but America's Politico's 15 minutes are over. When you have such a simple schtick going, you have to use it sparingly. And you have to stick to the schtick! Sorry AP; you don't make me laugh anymore.

Joe Schmoe said...

Mick asked:

"Aren't bundles of sticks also called "fags"."

The British refer to cigarettes as fags.

If Elton John ever asks you for a fag, you'll have to ask him to be more specific.

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