Connecting You to Your Community
Lodi, California •

Indexes

February 8th, 2010
February 6th, 2010
February 5th, 2010
February 4th, 2010
February 3rd, 2010
February 2nd, 2010
February 1st, 2010
ADVERTISEMENT

Do I have this stimulus stuff right?

We are all deep in debt, so we need to borrow more money?


Thursday, February 5, 2009 6:08 AM PST

I must confess. I simply do not understand modern government economics. Take the stimulus package, for example.

If I were unfortunate enough to lose my job, would the solution be to spend a trillion dollars in funds I do not have? If I went much deeper into debt, would this increase my chances of being employed? What if I charged $200 million on a credit card for condoms, as the government wanted to do?

The thinking in Congress seems quite confused. First, they get angry at banks for making irresponsible loans. Then they give these same guys billions to cover bad-lending practices. Now they get angry at the same banks again, because they won't lend to the same irresponsible people with the same irresponsible terms! I just don't get it.

Why does the government give failing banks $250 billion with no accountability?

There must be a lot of Swiss bank accounts growing by leaps and bounds out there.

Why do some financial institutions get to buy other banks with taxpayer money? How about remodeling CEO offices with tax contributions from Joe the steelworker? What about purchasing corporate jets — courtesy of Sally the waitress?

And why is the government telling manufacturers what types of cars to build? They MUST average 35 MPG? That will amount to a vehicle being nothing more than a modified Vespa scooter! If people wanted this type of ride, they'd be buying them now instead of F-150s and Tahoes. I can't think of a better way to kill Detroit and jobs than to force companies to build cars nobody wants. Can you?

They tell us they want "energy independence." How do we get "independence" if we won't drill for oil, won't drill offshore (let the Chinese and Cubans have it instead), won't use shale oil, won't use our abundant supplies of natural gas, won't build new refineries and won't use nuclear power or coal? If the sun and wind can't power my Blackberry, how are they going to run my Suburban?

They say we're going to create 3.67 million jobs with borrowed money. But each one of these jobs will cost $217,000 each. If the average job created pays $40,000 annually, where does the other $177,000 go?

And who is going to loan us such fantastic financial sums? People say it's the Chinese. However, my guess is we owe them too much already. Hey, would YOU lend us money? What if we are arrogant enough to just print it? That can only lead to massive inflation. That's what happened in every other country that tried this solution. A loaf of bread could cost $500 by 2020 or sooner.

There are also those who say in order to avoid massive inflation, the average American family will have to pay an additional $10,520 in taxes. But since only 70 percent of American families pay any income tax, a bill of $13,676 will need to be presented to those who do. I guess I'd better start saving now, using the next stimulus check.

And finally, they haven't begun to talk about how we are going to pay for massive deficits accumulating in Medicare and Social Security.

I'll admit I'm old school and don't understand any of this. They say hope and change are here, so I guess I'll just have to trust those who are running the show. By the way, can anyone out there lend me $200 for a cup of coffee?

Steve Hansen is a Lodi writer and satirist.

Reader Feedback

Lodian wrote on Feb 16, 2009 6:29 PM:

" Brian wrote on Feb 16, 2009 5:56 PM:
" This isn't woth the abuse anymore. I'll go now. Bye yall. I won't be back.

Lodian, one last thing. GO F%$# YOURSELF!

BOY THAT FELT GOOD!!!

TOODALLOO "

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

Brian: Is this what you mean by trying to have a civil debate? I guess we now get to play the handle game and see who can first spot your new handle. I have a few names you might consider as you reinvent yourself. (chuckle) "

Lodian wrote on Feb 16, 2009 1:31 PM:

" Brian: You don't have a sense of humor so how would you know when something is said "tongue in cheek"? Besides, who (in their right mind) uses abortion as their subject of comedy? I'd say someone that is pretty darn sick. And one more thing, Mr. Sicko, why in the world would you think that it is only a liberal person that would seek an abortion? Where do you get your information, Brian? ...oh wait... never mind. Did Savage tell you this information? Geez... you are just another nUtJoB. "

Brian wrote on Feb 14, 2009 10:59 PM:

" dyan wrote on Feb 14, 2009 8:15 AM:

" Why do I get blamed by Lodian if liberals want to eliminate themselves through abortion? "

-Because Lodian wants to blame others for not being able to make a good enough case for the proponents of abortion to stop what they are doing.
Although this may not be true, now that I've introduced this I'm confident Lodian may consider it just to be spiteful. "

Brian wrote on Feb 14, 2009 10:32 PM:

" dyan wrote:
I SUPPORT abortion. Why? Because most people who get abortions are white liberal women. This means they will wipe themselves out in less than 50 years. "

-It's tongue in cheek Lodian. "

Lodian wrote on Feb 14, 2009 10:23 PM:

" dyan wrote " Actually, Len you are wrong about my views. I SUPPORT abortion. Why? Because most people who get abortions are white liberal women. This means they will wipe themselves out in less than 50 years. " "

Lodian wrote on Feb 14, 2009 10:07 AM:

" Brian wrote on Feb 13, 2009 7:21 PM:

" Lodian wrote on Feb 13, 2009 12:17 PM:

" Brian: You may think abortion is a joke and enjoy such twisted comments, but I do not.

Lodian, you make twisted comments all the time. And yours aren't tongue in cheek as dyan's. That's the difference between you and dyan. Shall we explore some of the whopper comments you have made? I'm confident yours outnumber mine alone by 100 to 1. "


Bring it on Dockter! LOL! "

Lodian wrote on Feb 14, 2009 10:05 AM:

" dyan wrote on Feb 8, 2009 9:15 AM:
" It's good liberals love abortion. That means there will be less of them in the future. " "

dyan wrote on Feb 14, 2009 8:15 AM:

" Why do I get blamed by Lodian if liberals want to eliminate themselves through abortion? "

Brian wrote on Feb 13, 2009 7:21 PM:

" Lodian wrote on Feb 13, 2009 12:17 PM:

" Brian: You may think abortion is a joke and enjoy such twisted comments, but I do not.

Lodian, you make twisted comments all the time. And yours aren't tongue in cheek as dyan's. That's the difference between you and dyan. Shall we explore some of the whopper comments you have made? I'm confident yours outnumber mine alone by 100 to 1. "

Brian wrote on Feb 13, 2009 7:16 PM:

" Lodian, Abortion was originally euginecs. Margaret Sanger led this drive to eliminate Blacks through abortion. Most Planned Parenthood buildings are in poor parts of town.
Mrs. Sanger was into population control.
Now, if you still feel dyan makes light of abortion then you're trying to make her out to be evil and I don't think any of us should tolerate your proposterous allegations of her. I will defend her and if you don't like it, that's tough. Now, you can make stupid, idiotic claims that I am somehow in cahoots with dyan. If you think you can
twist me around your little finger and manipulate, I invite you to an in person conversation when I visit Lodi.
Bring it on if you think you're such a hot shot. "

Lodian wrote on Feb 13, 2009 12:17 PM:

" Brian: You may think abortion is a joke and enjoy such twisted comments, but I do not. dyan has made such comments on many occasions and I called her on this one. She always backpedals, just like you, when cornered about her own words. Her words are not a joke. She meant what she said. When pressed, she bails. It's odd how you took over the fight for dyan. And, Brian, you are the very last one on these blogs to tell anyone what anything "means". "

Brian wrote on Feb 13, 2009 6:59 AM:

" " dyan wrote on Feb 8, 2009 9:15 AM:
"Brian: It's good liberals love abortion. That means there will be less of them in the future."

Lodian wrote:
You and dyan support abortion to be rid of a certain segment of society. You both share the same racist views and would like to rid the world of the people that are not exactly like you.

-Not only does Lodian not realize she was the one implying liberals are a race, she also still doesn't realize
dyan was pulling her leg. "

Brian wrote on Feb 13, 2009 6:50 AM:

" " dyan wrote on Feb 8, 2009 9:15 AM:
"Brian: It's good liberals love abortion. That means there will be less of them in the future."

Lodian, this statement is tongue in cheek.

Here let me help you...

This phrase clearly alludes to the facial expression created by putting one's tongue in one's cheek. This induces a wink (go on - try it), which has long been an indication that what is being said is to be taken with a pinch of salt. It may have been used to suppress laughter. 'Tongue in cheek' is the antithesis of the later phrase - 'with a straight face'. "

Lodian wrote on Feb 12, 2009 10:21 PM:

" Brian wrote "...the Obama honeymoon is over and we have to get down to business and the fantasy is over."

Brian: What fantasy did you have about President Obama? "

Lodian wrote on Feb 12, 2009 10:18 PM:

" dyan wrote on Feb 8, 2009 9:15 AM:
"It's good liberals love abortion. That means there will be less of them in the future." "

Lodian wrote on Feb 12, 2009 10:17 PM:

" Ahhh... so much material, so little time. "

Lodian wrote on Feb 12, 2009 10:16 PM:

" Brian wrote "I'll let you pick the subjects just to give you some advantage."

Brian: That would be great since all you seem to be able to do is talk about hostess cakes. "

Lodian wrote on Feb 12, 2009 10:15 PM:

" Brian wrote "Bring your husband, and I'll bring my wife and we'll see how long you two last against my wife and I."

Brian: Sorry, my husband and I wouldn't be interested in such a thing. "

Lodian wrote on Feb 12, 2009 10:12 PM:

" Brian wrote "I still haven't gotten a reply from you regarding how you think a liberal is a race."

Brian: You're the racist and since you think liberal is a race you'll have to explain it yourself. "

Brian wrote on Feb 12, 2009 6:32 PM:

" Lodian wrote:
You and dyan support abortion to be rid of a certain segment of society. You both share the same racist views and would like to rid the world of the people that are not exactly like you.

-I don't believe Lodian actually believes this about us. But if she wants to continue to fantasize about something so dispicable I won't stand in her way. And I won't stand in her way in her belif that Obama is not a Socialist EVEN when Newsweek Magazine
(a very liberal publication) puts on their cover page that the stimulus package is pure Socialism. It doesn't take a genius to see Obama for what he is. Even liberals are starting to listen to what most conservatives are saying about Mr. B.O. I'm not too sure what to say about Lodian. Her gut feelings and her instincts should be telling her the same given her conservative values. But, evidently she hasn't figured out the Obama honeymoon is over and we have to get down to business and the fantasy is over. "

Brian wrote on Feb 12, 2009 6:18 PM:

" Lodian, You really are in over your head on so many occasions here on these bloggs. I still haven't gotten a reply from you regarding how you think a liberal is a race. Obviously, if we were to sit down in person and have a conversation you would make a fool out of yourself if you were to behave as you do in these bloggs. Bring your husband, and I'll bring my wife and we'll see how long you two last against my wife and I. I'll let you pick the subjects just to give you some advantage. "

Lodian wrote on Feb 12, 2009 3:16 PM:

" What's a lib? "

dyan wrote on Feb 12, 2009 2:31 PM:

" The last lib who asked that question thought PBS was a cable news channel. "

Lodian wrote on Feb 12, 2009 11:31 AM:

" Who is Bill O'Reilly? "

dyan wrote on Feb 12, 2009 11:24 AM:

" Lodian: Rest your case on facts, not Bill O'Reilly lines. "

Lodian wrote on Feb 12, 2009 9:34 AM:

" Brian wrote "Lodian, go back to your hostess cakes."

Brian: Is this the only "irritant" you can come up with? What's your issue with Hostess cakes anyway? LOL! Geez, dude, grow some. "

Lodian wrote on Feb 12, 2009 9:26 AM:

" dyan and Brian: Keep spinning. I rest my case. LOL! "

Leonard wrote on Feb 12, 2009 7:39 AM:

" Brian wrote on Feb 12, 2009 7:09 AM:

So, since you say you cannot be a liberal because you are against abortion yet it is not only conservatives who are against abortion...See where I'm going?


There are plenty of pro choice conservatives.

They just aren't allowed to speak at Republican Conventions. "

Brian wrote on Feb 12, 2009 7:09 AM:

" Lodian wrote:
Also, I cannot be labeled as a liberal and I am not in favor of abortion.

Lodian, No one is saying All liberals are in favor of abortion. You seem to be a little sensitive here. If you actually believe Dyan and I seriously advocate liberals to abort as much as they want so us conservatives don't have to deal with them anymore, all that sugar from those hostess cakes is clogging your brain. And if we did want this to happen, how is it racist? And let me remind you that, indeed, not all liberals are advocates of abortion. Stats do show that a larger percentage of liberals do tend to be advocates for abortion, though. So, since you say you cannot be a liberal because you are against abortion yet it is not only conservatives who are against abortion...See where I'm going? "

Brian wrote on Feb 12, 2009 6:54 AM:

" I see Lodian has nothing better to do
than apply her skill of being an irritant. The only way she can win an argument is to try to marginalize that person she is arguing with. So far it isn't working.

Lodian, go back to your hostess cakes. "

dyan wrote on Feb 11, 2009 4:29 PM:

" I guess to be liked by a lib, I have to present myself much more as a victim. "

dyan wrote on Feb 11, 2009 4:28 PM:

" The libs attack with a full-press court! I rest my case. "

Lodian wrote on Feb 11, 2009 3:47 PM:

" dyan's daily routine...

1. Put on the blinders. ($12.99)
2. Attack others online that aren't extreme nut-jobs like self. ($9.99)
3. Denial.... priceless

dyan spins self in circles so as to remain as "dizzy" as possible.... a thrilling pastime she enjoys without the alcohol.

* Add alcohol and dyan becomes Brian! LOL!!!!!! "

Lodian wrote on Feb 11, 2009 3:36 PM:

" dyan wrote "When the data is fantasy, attack the messenger!"


HOLY COW! dyan, you're spinning yourself in circles again. Do you even know what you are talking about? What data is false and what messenger is being attacked? What message? Geez... go take a nap or something. (nUtCaSe) "

dyan wrote on Feb 11, 2009 3:19 PM:

" Liberal rule # 1. When the data is fantasy, attack the messenger! "

wtf wrote on Feb 11, 2009 9:23 AM:

" Lodian, I think you're right....I wouldn't be so kind as to say dyan spins in circles - though the picture you paint is apt ;) - I think she's an idiot! LOL!

She writes some lame post to my post to her asking if it's on NBC. What a dolt! In my post to her on on Feb 10, 2009 6:30 AM it **says** it's on NBC.

Not only does this woman post nonsense; she obviously can't ***read*** either! LOL! "

Lodian wrote on Feb 10, 2009 7:44 PM:

" dyan wrote "Lodian: So what's wrong with liberals eliminating themselves?"


Poor dyan.... Do you spin in circles just so you can make yourself dizzy? LOL! "

dyan wrote on Feb 10, 2009 7:14 PM:

" Of course it was NBC. How did I ever guess? "

dyan wrote on Feb 10, 2009 7:13 PM:

" Lodian: So what's wrong with liberals eliminating themselves? "

dyan wrote on Feb 10, 2009 7:12 PM:

" OOOOh, the "nightly news." Now there's a credible source! Was it NBC? "

Lodian wrote on Feb 10, 2009 10:18 AM:

" Brian: You are wrong, again. This is happening all too often with you, Brian.

You and dyan support abortion so there will be fewer liberal people in the future. No tables were turned on dyan as her comments were short, simple and clear... just like your frequent racist comments. And dyan has made these same comments in the past.

You and dyan support abortion to be rid of a certain segment of society. You both share the same racist views and would like to rid the world of the people that are not exactly like you.

Why would you think that it is only a liberal person that would advocate, or have, an abortion? Check the stats, Brian. Your conservative friends are in the same doctors office for the same procedure.

Also, I cannot be labeled as a liberal and I am not in favor of abortion. "

wtf wrote on Feb 10, 2009 9:51 AM:

" Something like this solar panel plant was what I was thinking of when I had said that rather than a new housing development or another shopping mall, the land might be used for green manufacturing.

Putting in housing and a shopping center at Reynolds Ranch is like putting the cart before the horse. It will turn Lodi into nothing more than a bedroom community for surrounding areas and will ultimately hurt the town.

Blue Cross is there; what we need for the town are more jobs **then** more housing and shopping. "

wtf wrote on Feb 10, 2009 6:34 AM:

" Basically, the news story was about the "new" face of manufacturing and, believe me, we, as a country, **need** new manufacturing with its attendant good paying jobs. "

wtf wrote on Feb 10, 2009 6:30 AM:

" This is for dyan:

On Feb 6, 2009 10:34 AM I posted a link regarding a disappearing battery and on Feb 6, 2009 4:53 PM I posted a link to "Who Killed the Electric Car?" which you had called "nonsense" in your post on Feb 6, 2009 7:42 PM.

Apparently this "nonsense" was picked up by the nightly news. Below is a link to an NBC Nightly News clip from last night, Feb. 9, 2009, if the entire page comes in, click on the video called "Running on Sunshine" - this is the solar sheet Stan Ovshinsky was talking about in the video of him I linked to; he is also its inventor.

http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/3032619/#29108377 "

dyan wrote on Feb 9, 2009 8:22 PM:

" Brian: For the record, I am a "she." "

Brian wrote on Feb 9, 2009 6:58 PM:

" Lodian wrote on Feb 8, 2009 10:45 PM:

" dyan wrote on Feb 8, 2009 9:15 AM:
"Brian: It's good liberals love abortion. That means there will be less of them in the future."

dyan: Your excitement in support of abortion is disturbing. "

Lodian, isn't the whole case for abortion is there will be less people in the future? Being the good liberal that you are and a proponent of abortion, trying to turn the tables on Dyan that he is a proponent too and not recognize his last sentence as somewhat sarcastic and truthfull all at the same time, when was it that you flip flopped on your position on abortion? Since he is not a proponent of abortion, and he understands there are those who will demand abortion, it seems to me he can count on liberals to advocate abortion and there is pretty much nothing he do to prevent them from doing so. "

aragon59 wrote on Feb 9, 2009 4:55 PM:

" Thanks for confessing that you do not understand "modern government economics." Understand this: Reagan- style trickle-down (or voodoo)economics has failed the nation. In the last thirty years all the biggies have fallen: GM and the domestic auto industry, airlines, banking, etc. The stimulus will create some jobs and not add 10,000.00 to my tax bill. Re-do the fuzzy math. "

danielH wrote on Feb 9, 2009 12:35 PM:

" wtf: In order to use Kennedy's processes, one must separate themselves from the strawman party, by filing the declaration in the public domain, at the Secretary of State office.

when you are listening, keep in mind that this domain is available to people who make the separation. "

danielH wrote on Feb 9, 2009 12:30 PM:

" wtf: I saw Ron Paul, and the graph. Interesting. Thank you.

I am also delighted that you are interested in the Sam Kennedy reference I gave you.

to save time, be advised that the advertisements go in 3-minutes blocks. There are a lot of advertisements, and if you skip each one of them, I think you can get your 2-hour block of time down to about 1:25

The broadcaset will reveal that you are on the wrong side of the rabbit hole.

Sam Kennedy has a lot of controversy, but your listening to the broadcast will reveal a panorama of what's going on. "

wtf wrote on Feb 9, 2009 9:43 AM:

" danielh, I'll set aside a block of time to listen since it looks like it's a two hour time slot. Looks interesting :)

Here's Ron Paul's take on the Senate Stimulus "Compromise"

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1grSrasToHI

Manufacturing, which has been primarily outsourced, would help the U.S. economy immensely along with bringing our troops home. The following graph is kind of scary. Look at the trend of how many people work for the government versus how many work in manufacturing, that which made America great and falls within the private sector.

http://fabiusmaximus.wordpress.com/2009/01/20/milestone/ "

Lodian wrote on Feb 8, 2009 10:45 PM:

" dyan wrote on Feb 8, 2009 9:15 AM:
"Brian: It's good liberals love abortion. That means there will be less of them in the future."

dyan: Your excitement in support of abortion is disturbing. "

danielH wrote on Feb 8, 2009 9:34 PM:

" wtf: Let's see if you can figure out this bombshell:

At

http://www.republicbroadcasting.org/index.php?cmd=archives.month&ProgramID=23&year=9&month=2&backURL=index.php%253Fcmd%253Darchives.getyear%2526ProgramID%253D23%26year%3D9%26backURL%3Dindex.php%253Fcmd%253Darchives

download Feb 8, Hours 1, 2

I guarantee you've never heard anything like this ever. "

dyan wrote on Feb 8, 2009 9:00 PM:

" And visa versa I'm sure, Oh great one.
The best way for a young liberal to become a conservative is to have a real income-producing private sector job and then watch Congress and the Peoples Republic of CA steal half of it for pork. "

Leonard wrote on Feb 8, 2009 5:09 PM:

" dyan wrote on Feb 8, 2009 9:15 AM:
" Brian: It's good liberals love abortion. That means there will be less of them in the future.


The big problem with that theory is the fact that the children of conservative parents often become liberals.

The smart ones, at least. "

wtf wrote on Feb 8, 2009 1:07 PM:

" dyan wrote: "If what you say is true, why don't the Chinese just steal it like they do everything else?"

dyan, that was a pointless question and not relevant to this discussion. "

loadeye wrote on Feb 8, 2009 11:42 AM:

" dyan, I thought Walmart and the Walton's owned China? And what makes you say liberals are the cause of your neocon's problems? "

dyan wrote on Feb 8, 2009 9:39 AM:

" Last blog referring to "wtf." "

dyan wrote on Feb 8, 2009 9:38 AM:

" If what you say is true, why don't the Chinese just steal it like they do everything else? "

dyan wrote on Feb 8, 2009 9:15 AM:

" Brian: It's good liberals love abortion. That means there will be less of them in the future. "

dyan wrote on Feb 8, 2009 9:13 AM:

" Voter: Dreamland must be where you are the happiest. Sweden basically produces nothing. There two main industries, Volvo and Saab are owned by Ford and General Motors. They have a 102% income tax bracket. That's right 102%!! Compare that to Ireland with the taxes have been cut to 12% and business is growing and prospering. "

Brian wrote on Feb 7, 2009 3:37 PM:

" wtf wrote:
God forbid if anyone had free electricity!

-George Friedman of Stratfor.com has a new book out called "The Next 100 Years". One of things he talks about is the ability of getting endless electricity from huge solar collectors orbitting the earth and then transferring it down using microwave
transmission. I wonder how many inventions the oil caopanies own that have kept this from happening sooner? "

Brian wrote on Feb 7, 2009 3:29 PM:

" wtf, There is a new electric and diesel locomotive that can go over 400 miles on 1 gallon of diesel. It just goes to show how the oil companies vested interest has kept electric technology from being applied in the automobile industry. "

wtf wrote on Feb 7, 2009 3:26 PM:

" danielh wrote: "I have been studying the subject of creation of money as debt for 1 year, and that has been intensive research and study."

So you know that our fiat money are nothing more than promissory notes and, going a step further, each "bill" is a miniature contract. "

wtf wrote on Feb 7, 2009 3:23 PM:

" sam wrote: "we gave $40 billion to AIG under Bush with his bailout....What the F%&k are we doing????"

Good question, sam. But remember, it's not WE that are doing anything. The American taxpayer was quite vocal in opposing Bush's bailout and it was CON-gress that blew us off and did what they wanted.

And it looks like they plan on going their merry way and blow us (the taxpayers) off again. "

wtf wrote on Feb 7, 2009 3:19 PM:

" (cont.)

This is just a variation on a theme of what happened to someone I know personally. A friend of mine was involved in what's called the "Waveberg" it was a form of creating energy out of the swells of the ocean.

The final product was perfected and the owner had his patent bought by PG&E which turned around and shelved it. Same thing happened to Nikola Tesla and Wardencliff Tower.

JP Morgan quite funding Tesla's experiments when he (Morgan) found he couldn't meter the energy output from Wardencliff. God forbid if anyone had free electricity! "

wtf wrote on Feb 7, 2009 3:17 PM:

" dyan wrote: "If GM had advanced battery technology, they would use it is a second to save their sorry butts."

You're wrong on this point, dyan. GM purposely did not use Stan Ovshinsky's battery in the beginning and used an inferior product so they could say an electric car was not feasible.

When the superior battery was finally used, Chevron-Texaco bought up controlling interest in the company owned by GM - and we've all seen the financial difficulties GM's experienced lately, so chances are they sold eagerly.

What did Chevron-Texaco do with that technology? They shelved it because it was a threat to their 45 BILLION dollar profits on oil.

(cont.) "

Brian wrote on Feb 7, 2009 3:13 PM:

" Well, I'm sorry. I did say that. Overall, I think we as a nation do tend to be very conservative here. I feel our conservative values do tend to be the cornerstone of this nation. Liberalism wasn't always what it currently tends to be. That being said,
I am probably a conservative with some liberal tendancies. Presently, my overall political standing is conservative. Until we get back to When liberalism was not so fringe I want to keep a safe distance from any of those views. "

voter wrote on Feb 7, 2009 3:01 PM:

" Brian wrote on Feb 7, 2009 2:02 PM:
" We've all seen what the falling birthrate here
has contributed to our dependence on immigrants with the traditional midset of large families to fill the gap that's left from a liberal POV that small families are better. "

You said it, Brian. I am not trying to imply anything. I am only trying to confirm your position. "

wtf wrote on Feb 7, 2009 2:55 PM:

" danielh here's a link to alternative energy, including the battery mentioned. The video gets interesting about 37 minutes into it.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2DYxoacwuxg "

Brian wrote on Feb 7, 2009 2:44 PM:

" voter wrote on Feb 7, 2009 2:26 PM:

" Brian, you claimed that it is "a liberal POV that small families are better.

Where did I say that?????????

I said liberals tend to advocate abortion more. What facts do you have that liberals have smaller families than conservatives, overall, because they think smaller families are better?
Actually, What are you implying? Do you feel conservatives don't understand that, given their financial status, they aren't capable enough to determine how many children they can afford as liberals, in general? "

Brian wrote on Feb 7, 2009 2:35 PM:

" voter, How is it ridiculous to say that it is a fact that the European countries
birthrate staring falling long before the U.S. Birthrate did? And it still hadsn't rebounded to it's original numbers, overall. I just goes to show that it is conservatsm that is the foundation of the U.S., overall. Because if liberalism was the foundation of this country, overall. there would be far less children. "

voter wrote on Feb 7, 2009 2:26 PM:

" Brian, you claimed that it is "a liberal POV that small families are better." I'm not putting words in your mouth. That's what you said. "

Brian wrote on Feb 7, 2009 2:24 PM:

" I don't recall saying traditional families are only conservative. Don't put words in my mouth. Actually, the consensus is that liberals tend to advocate abortion more. Does this mean that ALL liberals are pro-abortion? Not at all. I would also argue thst large families do not necessarily mean they are conservative. "

voter wrote on Feb 7, 2009 2:24 PM:

" Brian, the US has a higher abortion rate than Sweden. And I have to laugh at your notion of a "European mindset". Have you even been to Europe? Do you have any European friends? Your statement is just ridiculous. "

Brian wrote on Feb 7, 2009 2:17 PM:

" voter wrote on Feb 7, 2009 2:06 PM:

" So, Brian, how many children should a good conservative family produce? Just curious. "

I have two. For now, that's enough for me. The jist of this matter is there is this mindset that having a family, in general, in Europe, is not politicly correct. This has spread over here. Thank God we haven't adapted the 25 percent abortion rate as Sweden has. "

voter wrote on Feb 7, 2009 2:15 PM:

" Answer the question, Brian. You seem to think that small families are bad and "liberal". How many children should a patriotic American couple produce? "

Brian wrote on Feb 7, 2009 2:11 PM:

" Since the Swedish abortion laws were liberalized in the 1970s, the annual number of abortions has been quite steady at around 33,000. Thus, every fourth pregnancy is terminated through an abortion.

I would hope this isn't something the Swedes are proud of. "

voter wrote on Feb 7, 2009 2:06 PM:

" So, Brian, how many children should a good conservative family produce? Just curious. "

Brian wrote on Feb 7, 2009 2:02 PM:

" Voter fails to mention that Sweden has one of the highest rates of single people in the world and a very low birthrate. They sure do need a higher life expectancy their. Not to many children coming along to repalce an aging workforce. Their philosophy of an almost zero birthrate makes them highly dependent on immigration. We've all seen what the falling birthrate here
has contributed to our dependence on immigrants with the traditional midset of large families to fill the gap that's left from a liberal POV that small families are better. "

voter wrote on Feb 7, 2009 1:33 PM:

" dyan, I guess you will be surprised to find out that Sweden has consistently ranked as having one of the highest standards of living in the world. Life expectancy is high and unemployment is very low. Their economy is one of the most stable in the world--in good shape at this time of crisis. "

dyan wrote on Feb 7, 2009 8:29 AM:

" I want to apologize to my grandchildren
for being part of a generation that is so stupid, they think massive pork barrel spending is going to save a credit-crunched economy. If this worked, Sweden would be a power house economy. "

danielh wrote on Feb 7, 2009 12:09 AM:

" wtf: The Fed is not the whole story. I have been studying the subject of creation of money as debt for 1 year, and that has been intensive research and study.

If you look at your Federal Reserve Notes which you use if you are a US citizen, you can see that indeed there are two signatures on them. The signature on the right is the creditor, and on the left, the debtor.

Only living souls can use their signature to create money, not US citizens. Remember: the US citizen is a fictitious entity. It is deceased.

Living men and women who believe they are a US citizen need to have promissory notes pushed in front of them by financial institutions and jails.

However, if a living soul understands how to create a document without showing any issuance from a US citizen or other corporation, then this man or woman can create money.

[I am deleting here what I wrote about what is in your mailbox.] "

danielh wrote on Feb 6, 2009 11:54 PM:

" wtf: I agree: One very important root of evil in America is the Federal Reserve.

I am impressed that Ron Paul is sponsoring a bill to terminate the Federal Reserve. This would end a lot of problems; however, I think in Europe the bankers have won every war, and I think two US presidents were assassinated when they threatened to eliminate the bank. "

edumacation wrote on Feb 6, 2009 9:55 PM:

" I have an idea to make EVERYONE rich! Lets follow the lead of the Lodi Association of Realtors, lets all go out and buy houses, any houses, because we ALL know that house prices ALWAYS go up and NEVER go down. We are only in a real estate "cyclical price correction" whic happens to be the largest since the great depression, but as house prices keep dropping for the next 5-6 years, remember what an opportunity it is to own MORE property. The road to riches is through a positive attitude and optimism about imagining your self to riches via late night "get rich quick" TV real estate gurus. Use Other Peoples Money -OPM to make your millions by buying now and waiting, and waiting and waiting. You may never be able to eat your house, but look how important you will feel about yourself. "

sam wrote on Feb 6, 2009 8:13 PM:

" wtf, we gave $40 billion to AIG under Bush with his bailout. Today it came out that with their assets they were only worth $14 billion.

That is so stupid. This bailout thing is nuts.

Just my opinion... no attacks on anyone. Just an observation. What the F%&k are we doing???? "

dyan wrote on Feb 6, 2009 7:42 PM:

" wtf: You don't buy that "who killed the electric car nonsense," do you? If GM had advanced battery technology, they would use it is a second to save their sorry butts. "

dyan wrote on Feb 6, 2009 7:36 PM:

" Speaking of "slander" Leonard - isn't that the pot calling the kettle black? "

wtf wrote on Feb 6, 2009 4:53 PM:

" There's an entire section in the film "Who Killed the Electric Car?" that I put the link up at 10:34 AM today that covers this battery.

You'd have to watch the film to fully understand this. "

wtf wrote on Feb 6, 2009 4:51 PM:

" danielh, yes, I realize that when one signs a loan document, it is their signature that creates the money "out of thin air"

You should watch the video "Money As Debt" it's on YouTube.

And Ron Paul **does** understand all of this which is why he has a House Resolution to End the Fed.

H.R. 833

http://www.lewrockwell.com/paul/paul504.html

When you speak of the signature being so important to the "creation" of money, danielh, you're referring to Fractional Reserve Banking. I urge you to watch the video on YouTube. It's in five parts. "

danielH wrote on Feb 6, 2009 3:50 PM:

" Batteries? From where does energy come to charge the batteries? "

danielH wrote on Feb 6, 2009 3:49 PM:

" wtf: Have you ever realized how financial institutions are so eager to receive your signature?

Have you ever wondered what they are going to do with it?

What happened was the bank officers put these signatures into the photocopy machine, to generate $460 Trillion in fraudulent notes, and these notes are being called. "

danielH wrote on Feb 6, 2009 3:46 PM:

" wtf: I am really sticking my neck out for this one: Whereas I agree that Ron Paul is the most sensible member of congress, when his performance is measured by the popular understanding for money, there is something missing here.

More specifically, Ron Paul's understanding is limited within the scope of money being created through Federal Reserve as approved by Congress, which is elected by the people.

What's missing in this presumed definition of the creation of money is the power and the importance of the "signature" from the living human being.

I put quotes on "signature" because a true signature is one which is given with full disclosure, and full understanding.

People don't know that when they put down their autograph on a document, their autograph purported to be a signature, they are creating money. "

danielH wrote on Feb 6, 2009 3:41 PM:

" wtf: Yes, the ink on the surface of the birth certificate is the strawman...

More specifically, it is the name of a foreign trust which was established when the mother submits an Application for Live Birth.

In a hospital, I don't think that a newborn child can escape without there being an Application for Live Birth.

The "Marriage license" is an invisible 3-party contract between the MAN, the WOMAN, and THE STATE OF CALIFORNIA, whereby the mother agrees to submit an Application for Live Birth to register the proceeds of the fictitious marriage, if the "marriage" produces capital (a baby). "

Leonard wrote on Feb 6, 2009 10:49 AM:

" dyan wrote on Feb 6, 2009 10:01 AM:

" How does giving banks $250 billion without accountability put one person back to work?


Ask George W. He gave a hell of a lot more than that. "

Leonard wrote on Feb 6, 2009 10:48 AM:

" I will not be completely surprised if my previous post is deleted. Hansen seems to be something of a sacred cow at the LNS for reasons that entirely escape me.

Still, I think I said what needs to be said. "

Leonard wrote on Feb 6, 2009 10:46 AM:

" Stella wrote on Feb 5, 2009 9:14 AM:

" Steve, it would be nice to read one of your articles where instead of saying "I don't know anything about this but here is my completely uninformed opinion, and if you disagree with me, you're an idiot"


And Stella hits that nail right on its pointy little head.

If Steve Hansen really knows as little as he claims to, why does the LNS persist in wasting ink on his uninformed nonsense. This question is particularly relevant after the blatant ignorance he displayed in last weeks column on global warming left the paper exposed to obvious charges of libel.

There was a time when each town had its own village idiot and, judging by Hansen's own description of his range of knowledge I think he would be ideal for that position but, given the attributes that most people expect from a newspaper columnist, I think the time has come for him to admit that he is fundamentally unsuited for a position that requires a minimal familiarity with the facts. "

wtf wrote on Feb 6, 2009 10:34 AM:

" Batteries just aren't good enough to power cars and free households from dependence on oil companies and electrical utilities, right?

Wrong.

The battery problem has been largely solved and not just in theory, but in production.

Then GM bought its way in as a condition for using the battery in its cars.

Then it sold its share in the company to Chevron.

And now the battery is gone.

http://www.brasschecktv.com/page/553.html

Who Killed the Electric Car? Entire video

http://video.google.com/videoplay?docid=-2548496593303272917&ei=87KKSeeNF4eGjALw36nGCw&q=who+killed+the+electric+car

And we just recently "bailed out" GM so they could keep their work force? Then why did they have so many lay offs right after they got the money?

http://abcnews.go.com/Politics/Business/Story?id=6494698&page=1

http://www.modbee.com/business/story/577799.html "

wtf wrote on Feb 6, 2009 10:19 AM:

" I present this not as a suggestion, but as a warning. Because the present course this nation is on of robbing the poor to give to the rich has only one possible outcome.

http://whatreallyhappened.com/WRHARTICLES/jubilee.php "

wtf wrote on Feb 6, 2009 10:18 AM:

" Now, many (the lenders) will scream that this harms the lenders who in good faith loaned money to the US Government. But stop and think for a moment. The vast majority fo that money borrowed by the government did not come out of anyone's pockets. It was printed up, out of thin air, by the Federal reserve. I am not kidding you; that is where the Federal reserve gets the money they loan to the government at interest. They just print it up, or type the numbers into a computer somewhere. It is imaginary money. So is the interest owed on that imaginary money. Yet We The People, ordered to repay that debt, are not allowed to print the money up as we need it. We must work, provide physical labor, in exchange for that paper money demanded by the government and the bankers. "

wtf wrote on Feb 6, 2009 10:18 AM:

" Where is the Jubilee for the American people? While common sense and morality says that we should honor those debts we willingly undertake ourselves, what of the debts created for us without our permission by a government which has been so reckless in their borrowing? The debt-burden of the US Government upon the people is so great that even the President cannot find anyone for his staff who is not in arrears on their taxes. The TV networks surge with commercials for tax resolution services.

So, time for a jubilee. Just wipe it all out. It doesn't exist any more. "

wtf wrote on Feb 6, 2009 10:09 AM:

" It won't, dyan. Unfortunately, despite all the "talk" about helping those who actually create value in society (the middle class workers); it seems like it will be business as usual for the crooks at the helm.

The following link has a very good article; but even better are the comments below the article.

http://atheonews.blogspot.com/2009/02/why-global-business-elite-feel-no.html "

dyan wrote on Feb 6, 2009 10:01 AM:

" How does giving banks $250 billion without accountability put one person back to work? "

wtf wrote on Feb 6, 2009 9:51 AM:

" The following quote is by George Washington (Father of our country) and is what Ron Paul advocates; the warning issued by George Washington is exactly what is occurring right now in the U.S. and ties right in with Bush Senior's idea of making us a 'service' (slave) economy.

"Let me now warn you in the most solemn manner. Observe good faith and justice toward all nations. Cultivate peace and harmony with all. The Nation which indulges toward another an habitual hatred or an habitual fondness is in some degree a slave. It is a slave to its animosity or to its affection, either of which is sufficient to lead it astray from its duty and its interest."

President George Washington, Farewell Address, 1796 "

wtf wrote on Feb 6, 2009 9:29 AM:

" T&C and dyan, you're both absolutely right. Giving money to these bloodsuckers is not helping Americans "get back to work"

Hopefully, some tax and other "restrictions" by the government will be eased so that MANUFACTURING comes back to the U.S.

Manufacturing is where a lot of good paying jobs are and is what made America great. Then Bush Sr. decided he wanted a "service" (read: SLAVE economy) and all our good paying jobs went overseas, and this is where you're right on the money, DanielH, because of our manufacturing being "outsourced" or jobs here filled with H1B visa holders instead of Americans, our "servant" economy functioned because the money went round and round, think of a flushing toilet. "

Giovanina wrote on Feb 6, 2009 9:27 AM:

" First, don't give money to California because it couldn't run a lemonade stand at a profit. It would run the lemonade stand by hiring illegal aliens, and giving those illegal aliens free benefits and healthcare. "

wtf wrote on Feb 6, 2009 9:26 AM:

" Regarding Ron Paul, I take your comments to heart, DanielH; but to me, he's still one of the most sensible people in Congress at this time and I happen to like what he has to say. ;) "

wtf wrote on Feb 6, 2009 9:24 AM:

" DanielH wrote: "When I say that I am NOT a US citizen, it is because I know that I am not composed of ink."

You're speaking of the Strawman, right? "

dyan wrote on Feb 6, 2009 9:21 AM:

" How does $300 million in condoms put one person back to work? "

T & C wrote on Feb 6, 2009 8:49 AM:

" How does BILLIONS of dollars to the BANKS put one single laid off worker in America, BACK TO WORK? "

T & C wrote on Feb 6, 2009 8:46 AM:

" In my opinion $2 Billion dollars given to Each State "SOLELY" for the purpose of Creating Jobs, in the fields with the HIGHEST Unemployment, CLOSELY Monitored to "Stop those in control of the funds from "Skimming off the top" would have but hundreds of thousands of folks to work. I DO NOT SEE how the 900 Plus Billion dollars about to be spent will in reality PUT anyone to work. If highways are to be rebuilt, Experienced Construction workers will be the only ones hired! Every other unemployed person is screwed! The stimulus plan will NOT be as transparent as they say, because when millions or billions are flowing thru your hands, the temptation to play the "Nutshell game" and SKIM off "Your share" is too great! Its human nature to be greedy! "

DanielH wrote on Feb 6, 2009 7:48 AM:

" wtf: Citizens are statutory. The US citizen exists as ink on the surface of the birth certificate.

A living man or woman cannot be composed of ink on the surface of a paper.

When I say that I am NOT a US citizen, it is because I know that I am not composed of ink. "

DanielH wrote on Feb 6, 2009 7:46 AM:

" wtf: In a few brief words, I offer this explanation:

God created Man. Therefore, Man serves God, and it is impossible for vice versa.

Man created Government. This means that living men and women can accept the constitutional oath of the president. This is an oath to serve the people. Government does not serve Man.

Since Man created Government, it is incorrect to think that Man is responsible to serve the Government that it created.

Government created citizens (at the 14th amendment). Citizens are created BY government, TO SERVE government.

A citizen cannot accept the constitutional oath of the president, or the statutory oath of office of other government officials.

A living man or woman CAN accept these. "

DanielH wrote on Feb 6, 2009 7:33 AM:

" wtf: I see you're on-line. Between you and me, I would change to "Caution" with Ron Paul. I know he is the most important leader for US citizens, but I insist that a remedy cannot be found as a US citizen.

I noticed Ron Paul used the word "liberty." This is a US Navy military term. In other words, I suspect he supports the same Admiralty Law game that has plagued America ever since the Civil War, and he is playing the same game as everyone else. "

DanielH wrote on Feb 6, 2009 7:29 AM:

" Does anyone understand that there is no real money in circulation?

All US Citizens are playing monopoly, with a really big playing board.

Banks exchange credits for debits, and whenever they do a debit, they adjust the books to show a reduction in liability.

Whenever they do a credit, they show an increase in liability. "

wtf wrote on Feb 6, 2009 7:27 AM:

" You are so right, DanielH, which is why Ron Paul has the solution (which CON-gress, as usual, is not listening to)

Cures for Our Economic Disease

http://www.house.gov/htbin/blog_inc?BLOG,tx14_paul,blog,999,All,Item%20not%20found,ID=090202_2647,TEMPLATE=postingdetail.shtml "

DanielH wrote on Feb 6, 2009 7:26 AM:

" Our mortgage promissory notes were put into the photocopy machine, generating $460 Trillion in fraudulent notes, on bank stationary. These were sold outside the jurisdiction of the Securities Exchange Commission. Now, foreign investors are realizing that these are bad notes, and they are calling them. Since these are on bank stationary, the banks are responsible for them, but they don't have the money.

This isn't any different than someone getting a really good photocopy machine to copy the Federal Reserve Notes *.

[* What's Federal Reserve Notes? Look in your wallet!

I've been experimenting to see if people know what are the green papers in their wallet and cash register. I ask cashiers, "Do you accept Federal Reserve Notes. Almost always, the answer is, "No."] "

DanielH wrote on Feb 6, 2009 7:19 AM:

" Does anyone understand that citizens are contracted to pay for the American bankruptcy, and in return, the federal govt gives us all the benefit-privileges that we are so happy to receive?

If someone can understand this, they can understand all of politics, without any outstanding questions left unexplained.

Bail-out goes to big bankers. "

wtf wrote on Feb 5, 2009 8:30 PM:

" http://desertpeace.wordpress.com/2009/02/05/obamatoon-of-the-day/ "

wtf wrote on Feb 5, 2009 2:35 PM:

" It was Austrian Economics that predicted the mess we're in now; Keynesian Economics will only dig us in deeper.

http://austrianeconomists.typepad.com/

http://mises.org/ "

dyan wrote on Feb 5, 2009 12:03 PM:

" Does he have a part in that book about $300 million for condoms? "

Stella wrote on Feb 5, 2009 10:20 AM:

" Dyan, it's never been fully tested, so it's unknown whether it will work, but the theory is well-vetted and respected. There was a great piece on the theory and Keynes' colorful life in last week's This American Life. "

dyan wrote on Feb 5, 2009 10:14 AM:

" Does it work? "

Stella wrote on Feb 5, 2009 9:14 AM:

" Steve, it's called Keynesian economics, and it's been around since the 30s. It would be nice to read one of your articles where instead of saying "I don't know anything about this but here is my completely uninformed opinion, and if you disagree with me, you're an idiot" you would write something along the lines of "I didn't know anything about this SO I READ A BOOK OR TWO, AND DID SOME ONLINE RESEARCH, and here is what I found." "

Comments on this story are now closed.