Motives of politicians are typically to help themselves. Notice how Obama left Unions off of his special interest bring it on list? Could it be because they contributed huge amounts of money to his campaign? Just a thought.
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Other related messages found in our database States' rights is a critical cornerstone of American government.
The country's forefathers were very worried about a federal government that accumulated power that could never be checked. In order to prevent this from happening, all power was to remain in the hands of the states except those SPECIFICALLY granted to the federal government by the Constitution.
There is reason to be gravely concerned that the current administration does not understand, or does not support, this fundamental federalist principle. Under the guise of "dealing with the economic crisis", there has been an enormous power grab, not only in the realm of state rights, but into the private sector of the economy as well. Even many who voted for the current administration are becoming concerned about this.
There's something seriously amiss in Washington, and that "something" is beginning to look like a wholesale rejection of the fundamental principles that have never served us perfectly, but have served us well and made this nation the envy of every other.
According to the AMERICAN PEOPLE...
...Obama IS the best man.
So this is all about religion? Even though Obama is Christian? No wonder you're all so loopy.
Tell me: Have you ever watched a Super Bowl and seen HAPPY PEOPLE before?
Are football players the Anti-Christ, as well?
I, for one, do NOT "worship" Obama. He's not a god. He's a human being.
If anyone is the "Anti-Christ," it's BUSH!
You of all people are un-American....
You and those like you are the problem with this country. You are so stuck with a party, you don't even care what happens to your country. Since all parties were represented at the protests, it certainly speaks volumes that Americans in general are already fed up with the government as it is being run at this moment. And it didn't take long to get a real eye opener about this president and how little he thinks of this country. He is un-American; he made his little world tour (vacation) and set about bashing this country over and over, making apologies like some little butt kissing sissy, and bowing to his Muslim leader. Even the democrats have been embarrased about this. If he is so apologetic about this country, he should pack his crap up and go live with his Muslim brothers in Indonesia or Kenya, wherever, just not here!
You don't see other country leaders standing on this soil or anywhere making excuses and apologizing for their country, regardless, because it is their duty to stand up for their country..... something Obama never did and the reason has always been obvious to me..... first, he is NOT an American nor is he Christian. He was raised Muslim in a Muslim country with no loyalty to the U.S. whatsoever, just as his family in Indonesia had absolutely no loyalty to the U.S.,and why should they; after all, it is not their country.
Now, he's done there kissing the backside of Chavez, who ironically just a few weeks ago, called Obama an IDI@T!!
Obama. He knows the American people
want to see a debate between the two people who are running for president, one of whom will inheret a BIG MESS. McCain hasn't worried about voting for anything in a looonnnngggg time. This is all a ploy, and he GOTCHA! Teehee.
Safety of American People
What a joke, we are not talking about what the world thinks of us...we are talking about keeping the American people safe; me you, my children, your children, our grandchildren, my mother, father and sisters, my husband, my husband's family. Do you think I give 2 cents about what the world thinks of us if we don't keep our own people safe? You are a moron.
Safety of American People
What a joke, we are not talking about what the world thinks of us...we are talking about keeping the American people safe; me you, my children, your children, our grandchildren, my mother, father and sisters, my husband, my husband's family. Do you think I give 2 cents about what the world thinks of us if we don't keep our own people safe? You are a moron.
Who's selling out the American People?
More Proof Republicans Are Selling Out America: Non Partisan Congressional Research Service Told GOP That Government Spending and Middle Class Tax Cuts Offered The Best Stimulus Bang For The Buck.
How Do You Know Republicans Are Playing Partisan Politics On The Stimulus?
When Wikileaks gets its hands on all the findings from the Congressional Research Service, which provides secret research documents to Congress (secret so that reports are outside public scrutiny and therefor free of partisan politics). Within those CRS findings are reports which indicate that both government spending is a more effective stimulus than tax cuts, and that tax cuts to lower income individuals is more effective than middle and upper class tax cuts.
Congressional Republicans have been almost exclusively advocating upper and middle class tax cuts and against stimulus spending.
Let it never be said that the GOP lets facts, research, or informed opinion gets in the way of dated, partisan dogma. So much for "country first," the Republicans are more worried about the mid-term elections than they are about helping the American people.
PROVIDENCE, R.I. -- Walter Soehnge is a retired Texas schoolteacher who traveled north with his wife, Deana, saw summer change to fall in Rhode Island and decided this was a place to stay for a while.
So the Soehnges live in Scituate now and Walter sometimes has breakfast at the Gentleman Farmer in Scituate Village, where he has passed the test and become a regular despite an accent that is definitely not local.
And it was there, at his usual table last week, that he told me that he was madder than a panther with kerosene on his tail.
He says things like that. Texas does leave its mark on a man.
What got him so upset might seem trivial to some people who have learned to accept small infringements on their freedom as just part of the way things are in this age of terror-fed paranoia. It's that everything changed after 9/11 thing.
But not Walter.
We're a product of the '60s, he said. We believe government should be way away from us in that regard.
He was referring to the recent decision by him and his wife to be responsible, to do the kind of thing that just about anyone would say makes good, solid financial sense.
They paid down some debt. The balance on their JCPenney Platinum MasterCard had gotten to an unhealthy level. So they sent in a large payment, a check for $6,522.
And an alarm went off. A red flag went up. The Soehnges' behavior was found questionable.
And all they did was pay down their debt. They didn't call a suspected terrorist on their cell phone. They didn't try to sneak a machine gun through customs.
They just paid a hefty chunk of their credit card balance. And they learned how frighteningly wide the net of suspicion has been cast.
After sending in the check, they checked online to see if their account had been duly credited. They learned that the check had arrived, but the amount available for credit on their account hadn't changed.
So Deana Soehnge called the credit-card company. Then Walter called.
When you mess with my money, I want to know why, he said.
They both learned the same astounding piece of information about the little things that can set the threat sensors to beeping and blinking.
They were told, as they moved up the managerial ladder at the call center, that the amount they had sent in was much larger than their normal monthly payment. And if the increase hits a certain percentage higher than that normal payment, Homeland Security has to be notified. And the money doesn't move until the threat alert is lifted.
Walter called television stations, the American Civil Liberties Union and me. And he went on the Internet to see what he could learn. He learned about changes in something called the Bank Privacy Act.
The more I'm on, the scarier it gets, he said. It's scary how easily someone in Homeland Security can get permission to spy.
Eventually, his and his wife's money was freed up. The Soehnges were apparently found not to be promoting global terrorism under the guise of paying a credit-card bill. They never did learn how a large credit card payment can pose a security threat.
But the experience has been a reminder that a small piece of privacy has been surrendered. Walter Soehnge, who says he holds solid, middle-of-the-road American beliefs, worries about rights being lost.
If it can happen to me, it can happen to others, he said.
(Bob Kerr is a columnist for The Providence Journal. E-mail bkerr@projo.com.)
(Distributed by Scripps Howard News Service, www.shns.com.)
is it our government's job to make the world's people happy?
nm
Ask the American people who they hold responsible.
nm
Yep. And I will certainly abide by what the american people choose....
be it obama or McCain. But I know one thing...I won't have been a part of putting Obama or anymore Democrats in government. No way. No how. Happy voting!
Nice contradiction to the American people...
you need to scrimp and save, fall behind on your mortgage, be one step away from unemployment, but he$$ yeah, we are throwing an inauguration that will be the most expensive ever. Sheeple, he does not care about you, your tears of joy, your love for him...he is a typical politician, out for himself. You are all playing right into his hands. The dumbing down of America is in full swing; scam them, keep them happy and adoring us and we can do whatever we want to them with their blessing, just keep up the hope and change mantra.
It serves big business, not the American people
And I could care less about a "check." I am more concerned with job creation. If you think that big business has our best interests in mind, look again, who benefitted from the big bank bailout? Certainly not the populace. Speculators are driving up the cost of gas again. McCain, who admitted he knows little about economics, has no business drawing up a plan he knows nothing about.
Republicans Insult the American People
Republicans Insult American People
by Aimee Franc
Right before Obama was elected, Republicans decided to "bailout" the banking industry. It was a socialistic move. But they didn't care because they knew Obama would be elected and that he would eventually take the fallout for it. People like those from Fox News wanted to make sure they continuously got that word "socialism" out there. Now that Obama is President (for only 3 weeks now) Obama is completely to blame for this entire economic mess. Fox news this morning just can't stop talking about it. Fox news acts like the economy is just a joke and Obama is just trying to be a fear monger. They laugh at Timothy Geithner. They laugh about the United States failing. Republicans in fact do want us to fail so that they can be reelected. Now does that sound patriotic to you? Do they really think the American people are that ignorant? Apparently some must be and I'm sure they'll be posting below.
In his address to Congress last month, President Barack Obama called on lawmakers to expand federally funded national service opportunities.
“To encourage a renewed spirit of national service for this and future generations, I ask this Congress to send me the bipartisan legislation that bears the name of Sen. Orrin Hatch as well as an American who has never stopped asking what he can do for his country — Sen. Edward Kennedy,” the president said.
Democrats say they may be able to respond to that call by the end of this month.
The Senate is working on the Kennedy/Hatch Serve America Act of 2008, and the House is working on a similar bill, called the Generations Invigorating Volunteering and Education (GIVE) Act.
Do you think Bush committed perjury with the American people?
or is that just "business as usual" to go to war without any truth whatsoever. Hmmm....perjury.... out and out lies.... how far do you want to go with the truth? Perjury versus death......I take perjury, thank you very much. By the way, when, if ever, do you think Bush will ever have to tell the truth, or is just a waste of time asking for the truth as someone else posted he will be out of office soon, so let him go....yada yada yada. But I will say that the Dems have to get their backs up and get on him big time.....so tired of lie after lie after humungous lie from this admin, and I couldn't be happier that he will be leaving, if we are still the United States of America as I knew it when I was growing up... that United States of America is long gone thanks to liars like Bush and his ilk. Perjury....hmmm.
OBAMA WON, the American people have spoken loudly
hahaha
Calling people "un-American" simply because they
nm
Information on only 1/3 of people wanted American Revolution SM
History Channel. Those figures are based on evidence collected by historians from the surviving documents of the era and are, at best, "guess-timates". Loyalties changed according to which side held a particular territory. If you were a farmer or local merchant and wanted to keep your property (or just stay alive), you signed an oath to King George or the Continental Congress or both if necessary.
I was just surprised by it and wanted to dig further. This is just one more nasty side to war, another reason why I'm against it. I am sorry if it offends you. I am distressed that it gets little US media coverage, just like so much of the nasty aspects of war that it seems our government dosen't elaborate on, dismiss, hide, or what have you because it makes it easier to justify their stance on war if they don't actually have to look at it.
It's not the soldiers I worry about, it's the ones giving the orders to the soldiers that I don't have much trust in doing the right thing.
I don't believe it proper for us as Americans to pass such harsh judgment of other's culture. Is it not possible that these children who are at risk are at risk because the war has left them that way?
I do not believe that "re-educating" them will have any lasting effect. This paragraph sums it up pretty good I think:
"What is wrong with this picture? First, it should be obvious that it is not the job of the U.S. government to tell people what version of Islam to embrace on pain of permanent incarceration. As long as people are not committing or fomenting acts of violence, it is not our role to pressure them into changing their faith. When did it become acceptable to set religious conversion of any kind as the price that frightened people must pay for their freedom?"
Is it not possible that when it is said and done that it won't actually have the opposite effect?
We are no better. We let thousands of our children go hungry and without health care every day. The largest growing population of homeless in America are children. What does that say about us? Would that justify foreign governments to come here and investigate us because we are allowing it to happen? Our own children turn to violence. They fall prey to gangs every day and commit horrendous crimes. So in essence, we ARE allowing our children to turn to violence and crime. What kind of morals and integrity do we have?
AFP – US President Barack Obama speaks at Goettge Memorial Field House in Camp Lejeune Marine Corps Base, North …
WASHINGTON – President Barack Obama challenged the nation's vested interests to a legislative duel Saturday, saying he will fight to change health care, energy and education in dramatic ways that will upset the status quo.
"The system we have now might work for the powerful and well-connected interests that have run Washington for far too long," Obama said in his weekly radio and video address. "But I don't. I work for the American people."
He said the ambitious budget plan he presented Thursday will help millions of people, but only if Congress overcomes resistance from deep-pocket lobbies.
"I know these steps won't sit well with the special interests and lobbyists who are invested in the old way of doing business, and I know they're gearing up for a fight," Obama said, using tough-guy language reminiscent of his predecessor, George W. Bush. "My message to them is this: So am I."
The bring-it-on tone underscored Obama's combative side as he prepares for a drawn-out battle over his tax and spending proposals. Sometimes he uses more conciliatory language and stresses the need for bipartisanship. Often he favors lofty, inspirational phrases.
On Saturday, he was a full-throated populist, casting himself as the people's champion confronting special interest groups that care more about themselves and the wealthy than about the average American.
Some analysts say Obama's proposals are almost radical. But he said all of them were included in his campaign promises. "It is the change the American people voted for in November," he said.
Nonetheless, he said, well-financed interest groups will fight back furiously.
Insurance companies will dislike having "to bid competitively to continue offering Medicare coverage, but that's how we'll help preserve and protect Medicare and lower health care costs," the president said. "I know that banks and big student lenders won't like the idea that we're ending their huge taxpayer subsidies, but that's how we'll save taxpayers nearly $50 billion and make college more affordable. I know that oil and gas companies won't like us ending nearly $30 billion in tax breaks, but that's how we'll help fund a renewable energy economy."
Passing the budget, even with a Democratic-controlled Congress, "won't be easy," Obama said. "Because it represents real and dramatic change, it also represents a threat to the status quo in Washington."
Obama also promoted his economic proposals in a video message to a group meeting in Los Angeles on "the state of the black union."
"We have done more in these past 30 days to bring about progressive change than we have in the past many years," the president in remarks the White House released in advance. "We are closing the gap between the nation we are and the nation we can be by implementing policies that will speed our recovery and build a foundation for lasting prosperity and opportunity."
Congressional Republicans continued to bash Obama's spending proposals and his projection of a $1.75 trillion deficit this year.
Almost every day brings another "multibillion-dollar government spending plan being proposed or even worse, passed," said Sen. Richard Burr, R-N.C., who gave the GOP's weekly address.
He said Obama is pushing "the single largest increase in federal spending in the history of the United States, while driving the deficit to levels that were once thought impossible."
Read into it what you please, because that is what always happens:
Obama challenges lobbyists to legislative duel
AFP – US President Barack Obama speaks at Goettge Memorial Field House in Camp Lejeune Marine Corps Base, North … WASHINGTON – President Barack Obama challenged the nation's vested interests to a legislative duel Saturday, saying he will fight to change health care, energy and education in dramatic ways that will upset the status quo.
"The system we have now might work for the powerful and well-connected interests that have run Washington for far too long," Obama said in his weekly radio and video address. "But I don't. I work for the American people."
He said the ambitious budget plan he presented Thursday will help millions of people, but only if Congress overcomes resistance from deep-pocket lobbies.
"I know these steps won't sit well with the special interests and lobbyists who are invested in the old way of doing business, and I know they're gearing up for a fight," Obama said, using tough-guy language reminiscent of his predecessor, George W. Bush. "My message to them is this: So am I."
The bring-it-on tone underscored Obama's combative side as he prepares for a drawn-out battle over his tax and spending proposals. Sometimes he uses more conciliatory language and stresses the need for bipartisanship. Often he favors lofty, inspirational phrases.
On Saturday, he was a full-throated populist, casting himself as the people's champion confronting special interest groups that care more about themselves and the wealthy than about the average American.
Some analysts say Obama's proposals are almost radical. But he said all of them were included in his campaign promises. "It is the change the American people voted for in November," he said.
Nonetheless, he said, well-financed interest groups will fight back furiously.
Insurance companies will dislike having "to bid competitively to continue offering Medicare coverage, but that's how we'll help preserve and protect Medicare and lower health care costs," the president said. "I know that banks and big student lenders won't like the idea that we're ending their huge taxpayer subsidies, but that's how we'll save taxpayers nearly $50 billion and make college more affordable. I know that oil and gas companies won't like us ending nearly $30 billion in tax breaks, but that's how we'll help fund a renewable energy economy."
Passing the budget, even with a Democratic-controlled Congress, "won't be easy," Obama said. "Because it represents real and dramatic change, it also represents a threat to the status quo in Washington."
Obama also promoted his economic proposals in a video message to a group meeting in Los Angeles on "the state of the black union."
"We have done more in these past 30 days to bring about progressive change than we have in the past many years," the president in remarks the White House released in advance. "We are closing the gap between the nation we are and the nation we can be by implementing policies that will speed our recovery and build a foundation for lasting prosperity and opportunity."
Congressional Republicans continued to bash Obama's spending proposals and his projection of a $1.75 trillion deficit this year.
Almost every day brings another "multibillion-dollar government spending plan being proposed or even worse, passed," said Sen. Richard Burr, R-N.C., who gave the GOP's weekly address.
He said Obama is pushing "the single largest increase in federal spending in the history of the United States, while driving the deficit to levels that were once thought impossible."
Really good post, we all know he will be under a magnifying glass, and all his motives and ideals,,,
will be questioned, debated, and scrutinized more than any other president. He has only been in office a week and look at all the criticism/second-guessing etc that is going on....folks tend to forget that the last time we were in a real depression of this magnitude, FDR did not turn it around overnight, took most of his first three terms, and then some, and then WWII actually acted as economic stimulus for this country (very bad way to boost domestic economics!). But if we are looking at things unbiased and just know human nature, yes, he will be held to a higher standard, but I personally believe that this man can definitely uphold that standard and supercede it, just my own observations of his intellect and insight. Thanks for posting the article!
I was brought up Buy American made products, keep American jobs.
Always bought American made cars and bought products from companies where my family was employed. Now look at America? We are definitely connected all around the world.
My feeling? Obama states he wants to start from the poor upward. Not the other way around like it has been for quite awhile. That to me does not necessarily mean just in America, but around the world by taking the poorest countries and working upward so America's pay wages and everything else will be so low and comparable to the poorest countries. After all, we are now connected together.
Cannot wait to see what will happen with the Swine flu this fall with the second wave and what it will do to the economy of all the countries combined at once.
Any child born to American parents is an American -
I am sorry, but I respectfully disagree with you - any child born to American parents is an American even if they are born overseas. The birth has to be registered with the United States, but they are still an American even if they are born in the foreign hospital.
I have 2 cousins who were born in Japan and they have no problems at all being "American".
They don't want to run the government...
You are exactly right. And that is twisted beyond belief in my opinion. That has absolutely nothing to do with protecting this country or what is best for the country as a whole. It is personal, and like you said, revenge. I wish every state in the nation would do a recall of senators and reps if they start down that road, though I doubt that would ever happen. I saw another post that likened it to fiddling while Rome is burning. They just really do not have a clue. Not a clue.
You bet the government could come up...
with the money to fund the rest. It's called raising taxes, the Democratic mantra. What would Jesus do? I have no doubt that Jesus would say it was the responsibility of parents to take care of their children, for one. I am sure he would also say that a country that murders millions of babies every year has bigger problems than free health care. I am thinking it would be hard to take you seriously. But that is just me.
Don't get me wrong. I think the rest of us should take care of those who truly cannot take care of themselves. I just do not believe this qualifies. Instead of making the hard choices, trying to cut costs, finding better ways to make health care more affordable by tax cuts for those who pay health care premiums, etc., the Democrats want to do what they do so well...dangle something "free" in faces of people at election time. Clinton promised it, and what they came up with was socialized medicine, which went nowhere, thank God. Democrats just want to add entitlement after entitlement, tax us into oblivion and keep us tied to the government apron strings. Otherwise they would look at solutions like tax cuts for those who pay their insurance premiums. But..oh wait. You don't want that. Because you have to pay the premiums to get the tax break, and you don't want to pay the premiums. Pardon me if I don't want to fund that logic.
Truly destitute people, yes, those truly in need we should do everything we can to help them and do. A family of 4 making 80K is not destitute.
How about this. If you want on SCHIP, you have to sign a paper acknowledging they are going to take an additional 3% in income tax on you from now on to offset it. In return you get your "free" health care for your children. No taxes raised on anyone else, including smokers (and no I don't smoke, but I don't think it is any worse asking smokers to pay for expansion of the program if you are not willing to pay for it yourself, after all, you are going to be a user of it).
That sounds like a fine idea to me. Oh, and raise income taxes on all Democrats 3%. That should cover it. Expand the program, users and Democrats pay for it. Sounds like a plan to me. Don't know what you make, but it would surely come to less than $12K a year.
Run that one by your Democratic congressman.
Have a good night!
so let the government tell us??
Sorry, I want less government intervention, not more, in my life.
How do you think the government will
continue to spend when they can't collect taxes to spend because most people don't have jobs and are in need of welfare????? SOOOOO okay, let's keep fighting about party affiliation. *IF* Obama is elected I sure hope he turns out to be the modern day FDR.
Government
When a president decides to buy banks, they call that FASCISM. This is exactly what Bush has done.
Why do you not have a problem with that?
Are all of you so rich that you don't know what the middle class is going through these days? This country is in a shambles, and people are suffering through no fault of their own.
It's HIGH TIME the plight of the middle class is acknowledged and some help offered.
This "trickle-down" theory is NOT working, and it's time to employ the "trickle-UP" theory.
They are doing all they can to make THEIR life comfortable. As long as they are getting paid and their pockets are getting filled with money......that is all they care about. We can't trust our government. Look at what trusting the government has done to us so far. Our economy is in shambles and the government wants to blow over 800 billion dollars again. This isn't going to fix our economy. It is just going to raise government spending and leave an even bigger deficit than we already had for our grandchildren. This stimulus package is a joke. I am totally against it!
What I want to know is why can't the government start something that would charge companies who outsource production to other countries? Let them open up a factory in another country but they have to pay a huge tax or something to do it. Make it to where it isn't a good financial decision so we can keep the jobs we have now and create more. That would help us MTs out as well. What is the point of creating jobs in our country if companies can still up and leave to go to other countries? Seriously....what is made in America? Even foreign cars like Honda who have factories here in America.....that money still doesn't go to the US. I know it employes Americans but the majority of the money there still goes out of the country. I want American made goods made by Americans. I also think people hiring illegal aliens should be penalized and fined heavily for doing so. That would stop that crap too.
take your money, just like my money, and put it into a package where it gives money to this group and that group and this group over here and just hope that they use that money wisely and that it helps the people who need help? Like I said before....that worked out swell when we gave money to the banks.
I don't want my money to go for irresponsible people either but you know what....it is and it will. You all talk about how everyone should have healthcare and how government should fund healthcare, through taxpayer money, so everyone is insured. Yet you refuse to give money so people can keep their houses? Yes, some were irresponsible and were just plain dumb in their decisions and yet some just got a raw deal during this tough time and got dragged down.
You all talk about conservatives flipping sides when a handout comes along but it sounds to me like all these liberals want to help others out until it comes time to give that help. Healthcare for all paid by taxpayers. You may not have a home and your kids may not have a warm bed to sleep in....but hey....you got healthcare.....whoooopppeee!
This is nothing more than a quick road to total government control of everyone.
Just for arguments sake, they get the stupid "permit." That is nothing but money for the county. The county doesn't care about all these rules and neither do the neighbors. If the folks get their permit and things are the same and don't change.....same amount of people, every week, etc etc, don't you think somebody will find something else to complain about regarding this group?
This is a bunch of nonsense and Christian persecution that Jesus himself said would happen in the last days. Wake up.
Not exactly. The government is getting
100 cartons since 2005, not 1981.
So they don't have to pretend to say anything. They've got documentation from the vendors.
PROVIDENCE, R.I. -- Walter Soehnge is a retired Texas schoolteacher who traveled north with his wife, Deana, saw summer change to fall in Rhode Island and decided this was a place to stay for a while.
So the Soehnges live in Scituate now and Walter sometimes has breakfast at the Gentleman Farmer in Scituate Village, where he has passed the test and become a regular despite an accent that is definitely not local.
And it was there, at his usual table last week, that he told me that he was madder than a panther with kerosene on his tail.
He says things like that. Texas does leave its mark on a man.
What got him so upset might seem trivial to some people who have learned to accept small infringements on their freedom as just part of the way things are in this age of terror-fed paranoia. It's that everything changed after 9/11 thing.
But not Walter.
We're a product of the '60s, he said. We believe government should be way away from us in that regard.
He was referring to the recent decision by him and his wife to be responsible, to do the kind of thing that just about anyone would say makes good, solid financial sense.
They paid down some debt. The balance on their JCPenney Platinum MasterCard had gotten to an unhealthy level. So they sent in a large payment, a check for $6,522.
And an alarm went off. A red flag went up. The Soehnges' behavior was found questionable.
And all they did was pay down their debt. They didn't call a suspected terrorist on their cell phone. They didn't try to sneak a machine gun through customs.
They just paid a hefty chunk of their credit card balance. And they learned how frighteningly wide the net of suspicion has been cast.
After sending in the check, they checked online to see if their account had been duly credited. They learned that the check had arrived, but the amount available for credit on their account hadn't changed.
So Deana Soehnge called the credit-card company. Then Walter called.
When you mess with my money, I want to know why, he said.
They both learned the same astounding piece of information about the little things that can set the threat sensors to beeping and blinking.
They were told, as they moved up the managerial ladder at the call center, that the amount they had sent in was much larger than their normal monthly payment. And if the increase hits a certain percentage higher than that normal payment, Homeland Security has to be notified. And the money doesn't move until the threat alert is lifted.
Walter called television stations, the American Civil Liberties Union and me. And he went on the Internet to see what he could learn. He learned about changes in something called the Bank Privacy Act.
The more I'm on, the scarier it gets, he said. It's scary how easily someone in Homeland Security can get permission to spy.
Eventually, his and his wife's money was freed up. The Soehnges were apparently found not to be promoting global terrorism under the guise of paying a credit-card bill. They never did learn how a large credit card payment can pose a security threat.
But the experience has been a reminder that a small piece of privacy has been surrendered. Walter Soehnge, who says he holds solid, middle-of-the-road American beliefs, worries about rights being lost.
If it can happen to me, it can happen to others, he said.
(Bob Kerr is a columnist for The Providence Journal. E-mail bkerr@projo.com.)
(Distributed by Scripps Howard News Service, www.shns.com.) Hmm, I would say most do not trust government.sm
Fear and paranoia are a given, they instill it in us 24/7. Viewership of MSM outlets is way down, so I guess Fox would be #1 with just Bush supporters. I want truth and accountability from the media and our elected officials period. I dumped the Republican party because we are not getting truth or accountability. I will vote for the first candidate that does something about it.
I still don't believe government-controlled...
or provided insurance is the answer. Just today read article about how a bunch of women from Canada who had problem pregnancies had to come to the US to have their babies because of the socialized medicine in Canada because...news flash...you can't put a pregnant woman on a waiting list for treatment because babies are born when babies want to be born...and that is what happens when the government administrates health care. Waiting lists...substandard care...and on and on and on. The VA is a government administered health program...go ahead and tell me THAT works. We need to come up with a better plan than socialized medicine...like prioritizing social spending. If you really want to insure all kids, then give their parents a big tax break for insuring them themselves...don't extend entitlements higher and higher up the income ladder. Sorry, but that makes no sense to me. When the troops come home and the war is over, you can talk about that money then. It is nonstarter while we still have troops in combat, no matter who sent them or why (and by the way, it was not George Bush personally, it was your duly elected Congress). We have to fund them while they are in combat. I don't think even the most liberal (no matter what the definition is) would be for withdrawing funding while we still have men and women in combat.
I don't think the government owes me a job
I just don't understand why they go out of their way to send our jobs overseas. The government's job is to protect and serve the American people - not the people of other countries. They need to work for US. The same goes for businesses. If they start ditching American workers for cheaper overseas labor, then who is going to buy all of their products? Americans won't have the money because we'll be jobless!
Yes, but the government shouldn't be
encouraging companies to outsource either. Our country has way messed up priorities when the only people making big bucks are entertainers and greedy CEOs. Meanwhile, we've got unemployed people and poverty. Hey, let's send our money, our technology and our private data to a country that HATES us.
And put in the hands of government?
No thanks. Every time government manages social programs it fails miserably.
The (unregulated) free market is the best way to handle health care another other things.
The problem now is government has their hands too much into the pot with regulation via the insurance companies. You think it's bad now wait until the government has sole control.
Name 1 things Government does well?
1. The post office? Waited in line lately for stamps or to mail a package?
2. Waited in line to renew drivers licence lately?
Compettion is what drives prices down, not mandates form the government
Is that all you got? I think the fact that she can run a government....
which she has been doing, and well too...and still cook for her kids (let the chef go when she was elected), travels on her own dime (got rid of the state jet)...and still have time to see her kids' hockey games is nothing to sneeze at. She does not have to do one to the exclusion of the other. You sound jealous and snippy. Geez.
government controls
the VA system and I know from experience how well that works!!! NOT!! The VA physicians who dealt with my father diagnosed him with an umbilical hernia that turned out to be a huge tumor and he died two weeks later!! He waited for months and months to even get in for a consult through the VA system and that never did happen, as I took him to a local ER and that same day they diagnosed him with end stage colon cancer. He had seen several physicians within the VA system for years. With the government controlling THAT and then they want to control MY healthcare as well? ARE YOU KIDDING ME???? I may have to pay for my insurance but at least I get better healthcare than if the government steps in. I'm so tired of people whining about what the government owes them!! How about people doing for themselves? Everyone goes through hardship. BOOHOO!! I have myself and ya know what???? I got back on my feet by HARD WORK!!! Don't hear me all crying about what the government owes me!!
People need to WAKE UP!!! We all need to take responsibility for ourselves and help who we choose when we choose, not because the government is taking money out of our pockets and telling us who we will help.
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