The Farm Bill, The Farm Bill, The Farm Bill. May 16, 2008
Posted by baxtersbrother2 in Fiscal, Just Ranting, Social Discourse, Tax Policy., US Government, Uncategorized.Tags: Farm Bill, Farmers, Farming, NYTimes, President Bush, Senate, US Congress
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Once every 5 years or so, there is a package from the US Congress that is commonly called “The Farm Bill.” Typically, the farm bill contains agricultural programs for the nations farmers and Food Stamp money for the nations hungry. As illustrated in the NYTimes, even though it is a bi-partisan bill, and almost veto-proof, President Bush should veto this bill. The present package is a $307 billion dollar package that is full of pork for very wealthy farmers who are benefiting from the Ethanol revolution and increases in Net income. In the fine details, there is tax breaks for racehouse breeders in Kentucky by Senator McConnell. They pay the farmers not to farm!! If they are farmers who do not farm, what are they?
Also:
- Continues to subsidize millionaires. Currently, all full-time farmers may be eligible for farm subsidies regardless of income (part-time farmers must earn less than $2.5 million annually). President Bush reasonably proposed limiting farm subsidies to those who earn less than $200,000 a year.
- It pays people to farm dirt or do not farm at all! Here is a article from The Washington Post.
- It goes to school nutrition programs which I think is great. However, many of the school programs are corporate run, and they are feeding the children garbage with sugar that is creating a bigger obesity crisis.
- Many of the farmers do not like the bill and believe that it is fraud. The Grand Island Independent reported the passage of the bill and how Senator Chuck Hagel voted against it. “We must reconnect our policy to its original purpose: providing a true safety net to real farmers when they need it most, while limiting government involvement in producers’ decisions,” Hagel said.
- Senator Chuck Hagel also said “It will continue to distort land valuations and inflate food prices, while jeopardizing our trade agreements,” he said. “We need a farm bill that significantly reforms our current policy. Agriculture is far too important to Nebraska and America for it to continue on such a misguided path.” As a person who has traveled thru Nebraska at 100 mph, I completely agree.
- Fewer than half of America’s farms benefit from our current farm policy and nearly 66 percent of farm payments go to only 10 percent of producers. It is unwise and wrong to continue these policies. The real farmers and taxpayers lose. The big guys win.
- The average food stamp receipts receives an average $1.10 per meal. That is it. At the local Safeway, you can barely buy a box of Mac and Cheese for that price.
Regardless of ones political philosophy, WE DESERVE BETTER!
California, and so goes the Nation.. May 15, 2008
Posted by baxtersbrother2 in Election 2008, Gay Rights, Uncategorized.Tags: California, California Supreme Court, Dick Cheney, Gay Marriage, President Bush, religious conservative, Senator Larry Craig, Ted Haggard, Wanda Sykes
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California Supreme Court acted wisely in overturning the “Same-Sex Marriage Ban.” All I got to say is “Right on.” It is an act of civil rights.
Here is the case.
Now the religious right says that it is desecrating marriage. I know many couples who “do not respect the sanctity of marriage.” MANY consider their marriage a piece of paper. Marriage is hard work. It is a union of two becoming one. That is it. Some may say that it is completely different. Gag me. Was Ted Haggard thinking of the sanctity of marriage when he was meeting up with his “male escort?” Was Senator Larry Craig when he was caught trying to pick-up someone in a mens room in Minneapolis? I do not want the governments coming in and saying that these people are better than these group of people.
Wanda Sykes says it best. Here is the video:
Though funny, she makes a point. It is incredible to me that so many people care about what two consenting adults do. If there are two people who love each other, respect each other, cherish each other, are monogamous, then what is wrong with them forming a committed relationship.
I do fear a backlash though. I do fear that some parties will use this as a sounding issue to divide the nation along similar lines as in 2004. President Bush used this as a wedge issue to divide the nation. I remember the twang “Marriage should be defined as between a man and woman.” There are many who believe that. However, in many Same Sex Marriage Bans, there is language that tries to also voids joint bank accounts, domestic partner benefits, leases, wills, etc that are between two people of the same sex as well. I fear that the language will be used again to spread fear and homophobia. The code that many conservatives were using was, “be afraid of the Gays.” This was just so hurtful. Even though I do not like Dick Cheney, he did say something and did something during the 2004 election that gained respect. He said: ”freedom means freedom for everyone” to enter ”into any kind of relationship they want to.” Read the quote again, I will wait……. Ready, This came from Dick Cheney, Dark Vader, hated by Liberals. He said this. And, quite frankly, as a political astute man, he may be onto something.
We can agree to disagree, but as Dick Cheney has said, Freedom means freedom for everyone.
Rush Limbaugh on Gas Prices May 14, 2008
Posted by baxtersbrother2 in Election 2008, Just Ranting, Social Discourse, The press, Uncategorized.Tags: Conservatives, Economy, Election 2008, Gas Prices, Hurricane Katrina, Just Ranting, Rush Limbaugh, Social Discourse, The 1990's, The press
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Ok, I thought that I would have a great title, but I will just say this: RUSH LIMBAUGH IS A BIG FAT LIAR!! Yes, Ladies & Gentleman, the most self-obsessed drug addict is on a role today. Though condesending, Keith Olbermann was on a role when he called him “Comedian Rush Limbaugh.” What is got me on a role, He said that:
“gas prices didn’t start going through the roof till [Democrats] took over the House in 2006″
Can you believe this crap? As a person whose employment was precarious over 4 years noticed that right after Katrina, gas prices soared. The Audio is on the Media Matters site. He was quoted as the most influencial conservative commentator. MANY of the Oil Rigs were destroyed by Hurricane Katrina! He just flat out lied, and believe in his own mind that he is right, and not only that, some of the comments, I am not going to put on my blog because it could be offensive.
Limbaugh was popular in the 1990’s but he is just yesterdays news. He has said the same crap over and over during his radio career in the same context ( Republicans, OK; Democrats: Evil).
People are in need to be just told the truth. That is all. That is it. No one has been as divisive as him and I can not believe that he is trying to divert blame. It is the same logic over and over again. There is no solution, no ideas on how to change, just ranting. He is not providing anything constructive.
Check this video out… May 14, 2008
Posted by baxtersbrother2 in Uncategorized.Tags: California, yachts
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A friend brought to my attention the following video that is quite on the mark…
Interesting… This is from The Courage Campaign.
Will Whites Vote for Obama and why do we need to still ask this question? May 13, 2008
Posted by baxtersbrother2 in Election 2008, Personal Growth, Race Relations, The press, Uncategorized.Tags: Barack Obama, Democrats, Edward Brooke, GOP, MLK, Obama, Political Correctness, Race, Race-bating, Relations, Reverend Wright, Willie Horton
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There is an article in The New Republic Magazine that addresses an issue that I personally think that society should not have as an issue. That is, “Will Whites Vote for Obama?” Why after all these years, do we need the divisions of race. Race issues have dominated this primary season and quite frankly, it has gotten old. Previously this blog has addressed this during the Reverand Wright issue and potential underlying issues of race-bating. here. here. & here. Now, many bloggers do not have a tribute page concerning Dr Martin Luther King on their blog: here, or know who Edward Brooke is besides what has been recently reported. It is a rarity to say the least.
There is enough blame to go around. However, the GOP has used racist tactics to scare voters during the 1988 Election (i.e. Willie Horton). Most recently tactics have been used in the Tenn Senate Race in 2006 against Rep Harold Ford. However, Democrats are just as guilty. They take advantage of their African American constituency by promising the world and failing to deliver. It is unforgettable when Toni Morrison called Pres. Bill Clinton “Our First Black President.” That is just as bad.
A dialogue needs to happen in this nation regarding race. A fine example of this was in the movie, “Guess Who’s Coming to Dinner.” Below is the original trailer.
Though old, I think that the point is well established here. Personally, I think that we need to just have a low tolerance for stupidity. Though many say that this is “Being Politically Correct.” The reason why I posted the “Guess Who’s Coming to Dinner.”trailer is to show where we were at 40 years ago in America. Though there has been decent strides, we still have to have to bring race into the conversation.
This is not an endorsement of Barack Obama. When this blogger votes, I will evaluate what I think is in the best interest of the nation. That is it. No extra issues. More Americans need to follow this pattern, otherwise, we will still have this debate in another 40 years.
Five Years of “Mission Accomplished” May 1, 2008
Posted by baxtersbrother2 in Election 2008, Iraq, Military, The press, US Government, Uncategorized.Tags: Associated Press, Bush, Iraq, Olbermann, War
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A sad anniversary, today is 5 years of “Mission Accomplished,” the symbol that shows the Bush Administration and the Iraq policy. I WILL ALWAYS SUPPORT OUR Troops, but I am confused about the stunt, Iraq and the relevance.
Here is the official White House comment from an Associated Press Video Feed about the Anniversary,
It is tragic that this is a devastating example of arrogance. The US Military deserves better. I just do not understand why We are there, and what we hoped to accomplish. I thought that we were against nation building and that is why I voted for President Bush 8 years ago. It saddens me to think of 9/11, but we have not evolved and moved forward. Military people are coming home shattered, and what do we show them? We do not take care of our veterans.
The surge is positive, but we have not really turned the corner. We have not held others accountable. We have not held the Iraqi’s accountable and accountable for their government. Keith Olbermann has a piece that illustrates some of the feeling that I am feeling. It is insightful ( which is a rarity for Keith Olbermann, or Pissy Oldermann).
We deserve answers and we deserve better.
Interesting Pondering of the Day April 22, 2008
Posted by baxtersbrother2 in Uncategorized.1 comment so far
I thought that I would take a break and try to be funny.; Here is an interesting thought…. Why do the women who drag these dudes onto Maury and they are told that the dudes are not the father, why do they run? Seriously. You have already denegrated yourself already on Worldwide TV ( Several More than once, one 17 times.). Seriously. See the video.
Why do they always do that? April 22, 2008
Posted by baxtersbrother2 in Election 2008, Misc, Uncategorized.Tags: , Barack Obama, Election 2008, Washington Post
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In Today’s Washington Post, E.J. Dionne asks If Obama is the Next JFK or Adlai Stevenson? Personally, I HATE when the media does this. The media said that John Kerry was the New JFK because of the initials. The media (conservative media) indicate that George W Bush is Ronald Reagan’s heir apparent. It is ridicious on several levels, because, we are idolizing fallen leaders while comparing them to current leaders. In many aspects, the media is creating an image of current leaders as fallen hero’s instead of who the current leaders are. Current political leaders need to be evaluated upon their leadership abilities, their resume, and how they can lead the nation.
This reminds me of 1992, where another individual, Bill Clinton, was described as JFK’s heir apparent. However, overall, this is not the case at all. Bill Clinton did not inspire us, he just re-defined what is is. After the Clinton Administration, Hillary Rodham Clinton was frequently compared to Eleanor Roosevelt. Now, Eleanor Roosevelt was not as polarizing a figure or as confrontational figure as Hillary Clinton. Hillary Clinton, in 2007, felt that she was entitled to the Democratic Nomination. I do not believe that Eleanor felt she was entitled to anything.
The point being made, is when current political figures, are compared and idolized as their heir apparent, we wind up being disappointed. We wonder how things never change but this always happens every 4 years.
Government in action…… April 14, 2008
Posted by baxtersbrother2 in Uncategorized.add a comment
This was forwarded from a colleague of mine from the Detroit Free Press. This is their city council. Government in Action…. You have got to see this video.
Obama and Wright, Why hasn’t this problem gone away yet? April 9, 2008
Posted by baxtersbrother2 in Uncategorized.2 comments
In today’s WSJ, Lanny Davis of the Clinton Administration Fame has an article that explains the Obama/Wright conterversey. I personally think that many have beat the story to death, but I did not see everything that was involved. The issue may reflect on Obama’s judgment. He did choose to attend these services. Now, do I think that the story was well balanced, no. Do I think that some may use the Wright issue for race baiting purposes? Yes. Do I think that Rev. Wright should be left alone to retire in peace? Yes. Now, faith is a personal virtue, and it is rather unfair that people are using things as an attack machine. We should realize that not everything a person of the cloth says is sacred. There have been comments that have been stated by Rev. Hagee whose endorsement was pined for by McCain. Of course, ( and my own personal favorite!) the The Jerry Fawell’s and Pat Robertsons. Sean Hannity actually could say with a straight face that the comments by Fawell and Robertson are acceptable ( Gays caused 9/11, etc) but it is near treasonous that Rev. Wright said some interesting comments. I do not understand sometimes.
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