The "U.S." Chamber of Commerce

Do you have any idea who Lewis Powell was? Or how his writings on behalf of the U.S. Chamber of Commerce and extremism have led to 'Citizens United' and the corporate control of our country and its government?

Did you know that "The Chamber" was behind efforts to delay and perhaps kill the 911 Responders Health Care Bill?

If not, watch this: http://www.youtube.com/user/thomhartmann#p/u/4/LQBWDiG9tNg

The American Empire is Collapsing .....

.... and AMERICANS are the LAST to know: http://www.alternet.org/story/149173/the_american_empire_is_collapsing%2C_and_americans_will_be_the_last_to_know

Dare Call it Sabotage?

(Personally, I call it TREASON.)

But, bookmark this article. When 'things' start to get real bad come back here to see the real cause:
http://www.ourfuture.org/blog-entry/2010114728/dare-call-it-sabotage

Corporate "Disinformation"

I have been shocked for several years now to see so many people who simply appear unable or unwilling to recognize that they are being used as unwitting 'tools' of the "Republican" party and the world's corporations. But FINALLY we now have a corporate whistle-blower, Wendell Potter, who worked at the highest levels of "Health Care" provider CIGNA (and Humana) whose job it was to help deceive Americans. Please slide the progress bar to minute 31 and listen to Mr. Potter as he describes how the tobacco, pharmaceutical and "health" care industries "Re-frame the Debate" with the intent to deceive and mislead Americans: http://www.democracynow.org/2010/11/23/the_fear_of_sicko_cigna_whistleblower

Republicans: POLITICS Above Everything

Remember Reagan's "Trust But Verify" in regard to the START treaties with the Russians? Well, Sen. John Kyl exposes himself and the Republicans as the traitors that they are: http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/26315908/#40245119

Lesson: NO price, no risk to our country is not worth paying IF it can be used to discredit Obama.

KERRY RIPS McCONNELL ON START: "Have you no shame!"
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cOThV9bkaUk&feature=player_embedded

Pin the Debt on the Donkey

Remember these facts when the subject of "our" country's debt is discussed. Please note the source of the assertions made: http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/26315908/#40225485

Forgetting About the SECRET Money Spent on the Nov. Election...

..... here is an INTERACTIVE (click on the purple circles) look at how much money was spent .... by whom and for whom:
http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-srv/politics/campaign/2010/spending/index.html

Note: the dollar amounts and sources are from filings made with the Federal Election Commission

HAVE YOU HEARD!

............. "Home of the Whopper": http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/26315908/ns/msnbc_tv-rachel_maddow_show/#40018314

The Facts on Foreign Money in the 2010 Campaign

POLITIFACT says this about FOREIGN money in the 2010 campaign: http://politifact.com/truth-o-meter/article/2010/oct/12/facts-chamber-foreign-money/

To which I say, do you --Politifact-- SERIOUSLY want to convey the idea that somehow Obama is misleading us in regard to foreign money? After all, you say he is only "half right" simply because we don't YET have proof of this money coming into this campaign. We're just now getting proof of 2008 & 2009 campaign donations in October of 2010!

PROOF is really hard to get because THAT IS THE POINT of SECRET donations from nameless, faceless people and corporations. NO PROOF! ("Gifted" to the U.S. via GW Bush and his Roberts' U.S. Supreme Court ruling in the "Citizens United" January 2010 case.)

Consider this: do you really think that an Indian or Chinese or Mexican company who stands to make millions or billions of dollars via the outsourcing of American jobs isn't funneling as much money into this campaign as it can in order to protect those dollars? ESPECIALLY if they could do so anonymously? Come on! Get real!

'CITIZENS UNITED' ...Corporations and Billionaires United

The stampede of anonymous, corporate, 'billionaire' (and likely foreign) money flowing into our political process has begun. Have you seen TV commercials slamming politicians from unknown, faceless, front organizations like AMERICAN FUTURE FUND and AMERICAN CROSSROADS, CROSSROADS GPS ... AMONGST MANY OTHERS (see posting from 10/14/10).

Check out these postings:

10/5/10: http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/3036677/ns/msnbc_tv-countdown_with_keith_olbermann/#39510761


10/14/10: Here are some of the mostly anonymous front groups ... and now ... some exposure on who is funding them. Thanks to Randi Rhodes for posting them!

• 60 Plus Association
• American Action Network & American Action Forum
• American Crossroads & Crossroads GPS
• American Future Fund
• Americans for Job Security
• Americans for New Leadership & Liberty.com
• Americans for Prosperity & Americans for Prosperity Foundation
• Club for Growth & Club for Growth Action
• U.S. Chamber of Commerce

Please note in the above: when you click on any of the front groups above you will be taken to an description of each group and where its ads are being shown for the 2010 election. You will also learn who its 'key players' are and where their thoughts and money interests lie.

10/22/10: "Super Pacs" http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/3036677/ns/msnbc_tv-countdown_with_keith_olbermann/#39804906

10/26/10: "Tea Party, Inc.": http://www.alternet.org/story/148598/tea_party_inc.%3A_the_big_money_and_powerful_elites_behind_the_right_wing%27s_latest_uprising

Money Laundering Plain & Simple......

....masquerading as politics today, in the "Republican" party. Nameless, faceless 'fronts' organizations channeling anonymous right-wing money in the attempt to deceive Americans into voting against their own best interests: http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/26315908/#39449958

The "Republican's" " A Pledge to America" Should .....

.... really be called their "Pledge to Finish Off America". (I credit radio host Norman Goldman http://www.normangoldman.com/blog/blog-details.asp?BID=146 for that accurate analysis.)

What is so astounding is the fact "Republicans" criticize and attack Obama and the Democrats on EVERY issue. For example, do you remember what the "Republicans" said regarding Obama's Stimulus? In case you don't check this out ... the "Republicans" actually ASKING for Stimulus dollars for their districts and states after publicly denouncing the program: ...http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/26315908/#39352649 . Apparently they believe that most of us are too lazy or stupid .......

But I digress.

The 9/23/10 release of the "Republican's" "A Pledge to America" was ACTUALLY written by an "Aide" to John Boehner .... a "former" lobbyist for some of the worst companies on the planet. Check this out: http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/26315908/#39336480

In Our Current Political "Environment", Why Is It ....

....that observably "low information", often low IQ people seem so DAMN sure of their positions?

Well, there is an answer. Two professors from Cornell University have studied the issue.

The phenomena, known as the Dunning-Krueger Effect can be summarized with the following:

The hypothesized phenomenon was tested in a series of experiments performed by Justin Kruger and David Dunning, then both of Cornell University.^[2][9] Kruger and Dunning noted earlier studies suggesting that ignorance of standards of performance is behind a great deal of incompetence. This pattern was seen in studies of skills as diverse as reading comprehension, operating a motor vehicle, and playing chess or tennis.

Kruger and Dunning proposed that, for a given skill, incompetent people will:

1. tend to overestimate their own level of skill;
2. fail to recognize genuine skill in others;
3. fail to recognize the extremity of their inadequacy;
4. recognize and acknowledge their own previous lack of skill, if they can be trained to substantially improve.

For more, I invite you to review: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Dunning%E2%80%93Kruger_effect

They're Baaaaack!

Frank Schaeffer, author of "Crazy For God" comes from the inner-m0st circles of the "Christian" movement and has exposed its true nature of simply being a FUNDRAISING machine.

http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/26315908/#39241133

The Middle Class is Disappearing in America And Here is the Proof

http://finance.yahoo.com/tech-ticker/the-u.s.-middle-class-is-being-wiped-out-here%27s-the-stats-to-prove-it-520657.html

Election 2010... 'Soft Target'... John Boehner

The "Republicans" are unveiling their strategy for the Mid-Term elections in 2010 which, in part, attacks Obama and all Democrats for the "Bailout" (... a Republican policy ...)

Check this out: http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/26315908/#39070276

Credit Where Credit is Due

Why did the U.S. invade Iraq? Maybe this refresher will bring back your memories:
http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/26315908/#38945080

Well, Iraq is really a basket case after over 7 years, $1,000,000,000, 000 and 4200 AMERICAN lives: http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/26315908/#38944964

Have You Heard!?!! Mexican Gangs Have Invaded Texas .... AND ....

9/1/10: Don't Get Mad, Get Even: Adding to my earlier post below:
http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/26315908/#38965161

FOLLOW THE MONEY!!!! (Heard that anywhere before?)


Phoenix Arizona is the #2 "Kidnapping Capitol" of the United States per Arizona's U.S. Senators McCain and Kyl!

Yea, well ..... maybe not. Check this out. It's called "Scare White People for Fun and Profit" and it clearly illustrates how people like me are being "played" ... on this and so many other sensitive issues: http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/26315908/#38530884

ACORN Update: Sex, Lies and Videotape

ACORN is now bankrupt and has disbanded, all on the "reporting" drummed 24/7 on FOX "News". Finally, some law-breaking activity is being revealed:
http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/26315908/#38215556

Deficts, Tax Cuts, Unemployment Benefits

Listen to what the "Republicans" are saying about reducing deficits, tax cuts and how to stimulate economic activity: http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/26315908/#38215520 . This is dramatically important to understand.

SHAMEFULL!

21 U.S. Senate "DEMOCRATS" voted on June 15, 2010 to PRESERVE giving $35,000,000,000 of YOUR tax money the oil companies ( check your state's Senators here: http://www.senate.gov/legislative/LIS/roll_call_lists/roll_call_vote_cfm.cfm?congress=111&session=2&vote=00187 ).

Right in the midst of the exposure of the lies and crimes of those same oil companies.

Film of BP's Oil Crime That You Will Never See on FOX ...or Other Mainstream Media

They ... BP ... and our government have been lying to us about the amount and scope of the crime perpetrated by BP. Check it out for yourself and draw your own conclusions: http://www.bpoilslick.blogspot.com/

Go through it a bit for yourself ...

Bobby Jindal and His Fellow Governors and the BP Spill

Gotta love these guys: http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/26315908/#37936742

Reagan vs. Obama

Please compare the 'accomplishments' of my son's namesake, Ronald Reagan, and Obama:
http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/26315908/#37937282

(Note: Obama has actually gotten some things done despite the crimes committed by our U.S. Senate against the people of the U.S. and the world.)

Glenn Beck ... Has "Nazi Turrets"....& Goldline

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oxEUjLHB-ek&NR=1

Quote from Karl Rove:

“As people do better, they start voting like Republicans - unless they have too much education and vote Democratic, which proves there can be too much of a good thing”

Caveat Emptor Dude!

"Even if he stands to make a buck at it, even your average used-car salesman won't sell some working father a car with wobbly brakes, then buy life insurance policies on that customer and his kids. But this is done almost as a matter of routine in the financial services industry, where the attitude after the inevitable pileup would be that that family was dumb for getting into the car in the first place. Caveat emptor, dude!"

You simply MUST read the entire article from a true American Hero, Matt Taibbi:
http://www.alternet.org/story/146611/taibbi%3A_the_lunatics_who_made_a_religion_out_of_greed_and_wrecked_the_economy__?page=entire

As the Middle Class Collapses and the American Poverty Rate Soars, the Economic Elite Have Never Had It Better [Audio & Transcript]

As the Middle Class Collapses and the American Poverty Rate Soars, the Economic Elite Have Never Had It Better [Audio & Transcript]

Ever Heard of the Koch Brothers? How About ....

....Americans for Prosperity? ... or the Cato Institute? The Cato Institute, you know, "The institute also serves as a loyal champion of corporate “rights.” Among its pet causes are the total privatization of Social Security, elimination of tobacco regulation and taxation, and shifting control of America’s water supplies into corporate hands (thus making our water just another market commodity to be bought and sold for profit)".

Well, today, April 14, 2010 I heard a great interview (www.thomhartmann.com) of former Texas Agricultural Commissioner Jim Hightower (www.hightowerlowdown.org) that put all of the pieces I had heard about the Koch brothers, the Cato Institute, the Heritage Foundation together into one (long but) enlightening explanation into Mr. Hightower's February 'Lowdown' entitled "Two multibillionaire brothers are remaking America for their own benefit .. How corporate money took over Washington--and created the mobs who rant against reform."

I brokedown and paid $10 to subscribe (for a year) to Mr. Hightower's (tax deductible) online newsletter just to see everything put together and I recommend you do the same. The quote above in regard to the Cato Institute is from Mr. Hightower.

If you are an avid Sarah Palin lover or hater, if you are a lover or hater of "Medicare for all", if you are a lover or hater of Wall Street then I would highly recommend you consider a subscription to Mr. Hightower's editorials. You will be fascinated or (repulsed) by who the puppeteers are and what they represent behind their veil of secrecy.

What If Glenn Beck & The Tea Partiers Ruled The Country?

Well, they pretty much do in UTAH ... and here is what it looks like:
http://www.alternet.org/story/146208/welcome_to_glenn_beck%27s_world%3A_what_if_the_tea_partiers_ruled_the_country?page=entire

Ever Wonder Where Karl Rove Came From?

Well, his 'no lie is not worth telling' method of 'Slash and Burn' "politics" came from a man named Lee Atwater. Whether you know that name or not we "owe" our current state of hate and lie filled, divisive, "politics" to "Mr." Atwater. Check him out here: http://www.boogiemanfilm.com/.
And here: http://www.boogiemanfilm.com/educational/comment-page-1/#comment-181

Unfair Trade With China Cost 2,400,000 U.S. Jobs

According to the Economic Policy Institute ( http://www.epi.org/pages/about_the_economic_policy_institute/ ) trade with China alone cost U.S. workers 2,400,000 jobs from 2001 to 2008: http://www.goiam.org/publications/pdfs/3_23_2010_epichina32310.pdf

(Yes, 29% of EPI's funding comes from Unions ... this is disclosed up-front. There are no secrets. 53% of their funding comes from, presumably, unbiased government grants. The rest comes from corporations and individuals.)

This is "IT" Folks .... If You AREN'T Stupid or Pridefully Ignorant ....

.... all the evidence (FACTS!), TOGETHER WITH supporting documentation for this incredible statement: "It has now become evident to a critical mass that the Republican and Democratic parties, along with all three branches of our government, have been bought off by a well-organized Economic Elite who are tactically destroying our way of life. The harsh truth is that 99 percent of the U.S. population no longer has political representation. The U.S. economy, government and tax system is now blatantly rigged against us."

While "Rush" is getting paid his $400,000,000 and "Hannity" is getting paid his $200,000,000 and "Beck" his $2,000,000 (what a bargain!)(to name just 3 of the HUNDREDS of bought-off shills) to LIE and DECEIVE you, this country is disintegrating.

By purposeful intent.

Here are the facts:
Part 1: http://www.alternet.org/economy/145667/
Part 2: http://www.alternet.org/story/145705
Part 3: http://www.alternet.org/module/printversion/145996

Any of the underlined words or phrases are click-able links that will give evidence for that link.

Further evidence and perspectives can be found in the postings below.

Obama's Economy..Obama's Big Sellout ... (to Goldman Sachs)

http://taibbi.rssoundingboard.com/matt-taibbi-on-obamas-economy

In “Obama’s Big Sellout”, Matt Taibbi argues that President Obama has packed his economic team with Wall Street insiders intent on turning the bailout into an all-out giveaway. Rather than keeping his progressive campaign advisers on board, Taibbi says Obama gave key economic positions in the White House to the very people who caused the economic crisis in the first place. Taibbi also points to the ties Obama’s appointees have to one main in particular: Bob Rubin, the former Goldman Sachs co-chairman who served as Treasury secretary under Bill Clinton.

Click above for Taibbi’s video breakdown of his argument in which he identifies the major players on Obama’s economic team, untangles the web that ties them to Rubin and points to how these relationships play into the financial “reforms” the Democrats are currently pushing through Congress.

Here is an "enjoyable" piece called "Goldman Sucks": http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7SFywA_LQuU&feature=player_embedded

Obama's Stimulus Bill ... No Jobs?

That's what our "Republican" "Friends" will tell you but here is what the CBO (Congressional Budget Office) says: http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20100223/ap_on_go_co/us_stimulus_jobs/print

For "Bob in San Diego" ....... Oh, The HYPOCRACY!

On Saturday mornings I often listen to a radio program called "Crashtalk". It's a great program because its host, Mike Harber, REALLY provides LOTs of valuable CONSUMER-DRIVEN information about the inner workings of the auto-repair business and EXPOSES the dishonesty of the auto-insurance industry. In fact, I have sent him two clients because I believe he is really doing a great job of not only repairing vehicles but also in helping people NOT get "had" by their own insurance company.

Recently, however, I have begun hearing many calls from one of Mike's SUPPORTERS, "Bob in San Diego," who RAILS against President Obama; openly proud of being a "Tea Bagger". Now, get this dichotomy: Bob seems to be trying to support auto-insurance industry reforms while doing all he can to discredit Obama and promote Glenn Beck!

What Bob (and perhaps Mike) have so far been unable to recognize is the fact that the dishonest and abusive auto-insurance industry ...that they both fight against ...is just one part of the multi-fasceted, corporate-driven, destruction of the very principles of honesty and fairness that they both say they support. AND, despite the shortcomings of Obama and the "Democrats" if the "Republicans" are able to continue deceiving the "Tea Baggers" and other well-meaning people, very soon Bob AND Mike will find their work outlawed. They will be put out of business. Just as Keith Olberman describes in the posting below "THIS ... Is Our Future". Please view it in entirety.

The "Republicans" have stirred up a tremendous amount of anger (that should be directed at themselves) ... in fact creating the "Tea Bag" movement ... and have somehow been able to divert that anger into an attack on Obama and his "SPENDING" .... yet watch their hypocracy: http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/26315908/#35322522

Here are 111 Republicans who voted against Obama's stimulus but now take credit for it ... http://thinkprogress.org/touting-recovery-opposed/

2/22/10: This from Bloomberg: http://www.bloomberg.com/apps/news?pid=20601109&sid=aPeLiub0jnQE&pos=10

Crashtalk: http://www.crashtalk.com/CrashTalk/CrashTalk.html . Try it. You'll like it .... IF you don't want to get "had" the next time you have an accident.

THIS ... Is Our Future

For my friends who consider themselves 'centrist' or even those who consider themselves 'conservatives' to any degree I ask you to PLEASE watch the following. I know it will be hard because you have all been propagandized into believing that Keith Olberman is some sort of "Leftist" "Radical". He isn't. Please watch and think about Keith's prophetic words. The 'Citizens United vs. FEC' decision by the Supreme Court was truly apocolyptic for our country. But, by the time it dawns on the conservatives that the 'Jig Is Up' for THEM too, it will all be too late: http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/3036677/vp/34985508#34985508

One of the ways to get involved: DontGetRolled.org

And You Thought Corporate Bribery of Our Entire Government Was Bad Before!

As the old saying goes, "You ain't seen nothin' yet!" Welcome to Mussolini's America.

Due of the JUDICIAL ACTIVISM of 5 right-wing, corporate, Republican-nominated, Supreme Court justices our country has officially become a FASCIST state ... as defined by the originator of that term, Benito Mussolini prior to WWII. Fascism means a condition where the interests of the goverment are defined by corporations. ((Dictionaries printed after 1987 have changed the definition of the term.)) ((This decision is so pernicious, in part, because our lives didn't change on January 21, 2010 like they did on 9/11. The sun still came up and went down. We didn't notice anything but, LIKE CANCER, the problem is growing and festering outside our daily awareness ...)) ((Our wimpy Dems are now calling it "Corpocracy"...))

Spearheaded by 'corporate-personhood' champion Chief Justice John Roberts, today's decision eliminates ALL ... ANY... governmental restrictions on corporations and their influencing (corrupting) of our politicians and government. Corporations can now pour any amount of money into our campaigns, politicians and elections under the guise of "free speech" because a corporation now has the same rights (and MORE!!!) as a "natural" person.

So, what good will your $10, $20, $50, $100, $1000 campaign donation do when your donations are drowned out by the BILLIONS of dollars from corporations? (Nothing!)

This "Citizens United vs. FEC" decision is better explained in the following: http://www.alternet.org/module/printversion/145322 Or, this video:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Dx81TeELcik&feature=player_embedded#

If people want to "be afraid, be VERY afraid!!" then this is a genuine reason to do so.

A TRULY SAD DAY FOR America ...

04Feb10: Congressman Alan Grayson needs help in curbing this Supreme Court Decision: http://motherjones.com/mojo/2010/01/grayson-courts-campaign-finance-decision-worst-dredd-scott

Is It OK With You If AMERICAN Prosecutors CREATE ....

and actually USE .... FALSE evidence IN COURT in order to convict?

If the answer isn't instantly and absolutely clear to you, here is something for you to consider:

http://mim.io/dae02?fe=1&pact=539789054.

To me, this practice is absolutly UN-American and contrary to everthing our Justice System is supposed to represent .... to us and the world.

I e-mailed, called, faxed and wrote President Obama. How about you?