10 REASONS NOT TO VOTE REPUBLICAN.

1. NO TERRORIST ATTACKS ON US SOIL have occurred because it has so far not been necessary for Dick to mount any. Al-quada ain’t gonna – they got what they wanted anyway.

2. IT’S THE ECONOMY, STUPID, that is going down the drain. You are in hock. It is impossible to prosecute a war and lower taxes and not lose money.

3.A STEADY 4.6% UNEMPLOYMENT does not take into account a host of other factors like the amount of the labour force in jail, underemployment, and people that have fallen off the rolls. A more realistic figure is around at least 13%. 3 million jobs lost since 2000.

4. THE DOW, BABY, is a casino like all the others. The small punters loose. The rich get richer.

5. HIGHER WAGES for who? Beware the word ‘average’. The only real gains in wages for the bottom 60% since 1979 were made in the late ‘90s.

6. AMERICAN PRODUCTIVITY may or may not be up, but the profits from those gains, made by the workers, are not being shared with them. The rich are richer.

7. GAS PRICES HAVE PLUNGED because it’s the ELECTION, stupid! And down from WHERE since the war started?

8. THE DEFLATING DEFICIT is being paid for by the poor in reduced spending. Bush turned a $237 bil surplus into an $8.5 trillion deficit and now he gets PRAISE for lowering it?

9. THE PRESCRIPTION DRUGS PROGRAM ROCKS for the banks accounts of Big Pharma, some of Bush’s biggest backers. ‘You gotta dance’ says George, ‘with them that brung ya’ and he does. It’s a con.

10. THE SCOTUS is loaded with reactionary bigots. What happened to ‘governing for everybody’? Why should yours be the on;y voice? If it’s not unconstitutional it is certainly immoral The FFs are spinning in their grave.

5 Good Reasons to Vote Democrat:

1. A WEAKER AMERICA is guaranteed under with the Patriot Act. A scared and cowed country is nothing to be proud of. Missile Defense is a waste of money. Torture doesn’t work. Diplomacy will win the day when the grown-ups take over.

2. CUT AND RUN or stay and die and THEN ‘cut and run?’ ‘Cut and run’ is a misnomer for the obvious fact the US presence in Iraq is exacerbating the situation. Insurgents operate with the approval of a majority of Iraqis. Until the US leaves this will continue. More will die. There are other ways of fixing this than ‘Spend and die’.

3. HIGHER TAXES for those that can afford it are good sense. Anyway, not renewing tax cuts is not raising taxes, it’s just pulling the brakes on the gravy train.

4. TWO YEARS OF POLITICAL INFIGHTING is the price the Repubs have to pay for such a diabolical job. Pprosecute those suckers but good! Personal responsibility, remember?

5. NO PLAN has been forthcoming from the Repubs, so we can only expect more of the same. Dems do have a plan but the Repubs just haven’t read it. Or can’t. Anyway, the first plan is undo all the damage of the last 6 years. That’ll keep ‘em busy!



Cheers

Elroy
Elroy | 10.28.06 - 12:48 am | #

Elroy -

Man, you are SO predictable! I just won $1 from my wife on a bet that you would do EXACTLY what you just did. I feel like Geppetto!...just don't trip on those strings, ma boy!

Ya know, it cracks me up to read criticisms of the American economy from someone on the other side of the world who doesn't even live it. All you know is what you read and hear...and I can just imagine what your favorite sources for American "news" are. You might just be one of a dozen who watches Keith Olberman on MSNBC? Or one of a few score who click on Wolfe Blitzer of the Commy News Net?

No, don't tell me....I might win another bet!

Sayyyyyy...what are YOU paying for gas down in Australia, matey? Oop...I see that you get to pay MORE for that petrol than I do. Hmmmm....

Hey, maybe I'll take my winnings and go buy 1/2 gallon of gas!

Cheerio...T
Timmer ~ Righting America | Homepage | 10.28.06 - 2:03 am | #

I prefer the term ‘consistent’ but anyway, it’s nice to know that I am the subject of breakfast conversation in sunny Mare’land! My fame is slowly spreading! And as Oscar once quipped, ‘There is one thing worse than being talked about, and that is NOT being talked about!’

Timmer, I am consistent in my Modus Operandi for a myriad of reasons. I thought, and still think, it was best to mimic your erratic cribbings as closely as possible so as to not only employ a format with which you would be familiar but to avoid any accusations of sinning by omission. Furthermore, as I know you get a kick out of it, I can pretty much be sure that by this method I can get you to ingest information you would otherwise ignore. By any means necessary! NOW who’s fooling who?

I might be on the other side of the world, but hey! Guess what! I’ve got a broadband connection and I’m gonna use it! Anyhoo, I wasn’t aware that living in one country precluded one from commenting on affairs of another; I mean, if that’s the case, what is the US doing in Iraq? How dare it criticise the internal politics of a sovereign nation state when it doesn’t even live them? Huh? Well?

I read and hear plenty. I have relations there. We are the 51st state. We couldn’t ignore even if we wanted too.

You want to know my sources for American news? The O’Reilly Factor and Hannity & Colmes and then, as an antidote, the Newshour with Jim Lehrer. Righting America. Democratic Underground. Newsmax. Greg Palast. Fair and balanced enough for you?

Hope I didn’t lose you your $1!

And as for petrol prices, don’t tell me I have to explain World Parity Pricing to you! Anyway, our Government doesn’t subsidise petrol prices like yours does; they’ve got this bee in their bonnet about some ‘free market’ or some such. Still, the oil companies make up for any lost subsidies.

Now you know my secrets. Ah, well. I couldn’t leave y’all gloating now, could I

Cheers

Elroy
Elroy | 10.28.06 - 8:13 am | #

Timmer:

You're preaching to the converted. I'm rooting for the GOP, you know that to be true! (LOL).

May the best charlatan win...
Gert | Homepage | 10.28.06 - 3:53 pm | #

Elroy -

Well, it wasn't exaclty over breakfast, but believe that if it makes you feel better little buddy!

Your M.O. of reusing formatting is also unoriginal...cuz you do it so much. (yawn)

A broadband connection? Does that mean that you know what it's like to live anywhere just 'cuz you can use Google? And for the 156th time, I am not telling you what you can and cannot comment on, but at least be honest about it matey. I have no idea what it's like to live in Ozzy Land, but can find all kinds of wacky facts about it.

Yeah, I imagine you watch O'Reilly every night. Hey, you could be the most ridiculous item of the day! (just kidding, buckaroo!).

Australia is the 51st state...CRIKEY! Ya reckon? I thought that was Canada?
Timmer | Homepage | 10.28.06 - 7:42 pm | #

NOT over breakfast? Then where, I wonder? Ooh-er, Missus! A little pillow-talk, mayhaps? Has Elroy entered the realm of the boudoir? Could be Elroy the topic of sweet post-coitial nothings? May I’d best not go there...

If my M.O. of reusing your formats is ‘unoriginal...cuz [I] do it so much’ (What? All of four times, is it?) then by your logic it was original to start with. Anyway, I find it highly effective and quite time-efficient (that should appeal to the time-and -motion study man that lurks in each Republican), and, BTW, I’ve never seen anyone else do it, certainly not as CONSISTENTLY, so that does make it quite original.

And since when was originality a criteria for internet useage? If it were, a good deal of RW blogs would be headed south. Including yours. (How IS Newsmax today?)

A broadband connection does indeed allow me to to find out all kinds of wacky facts (Doncha just HATE that word? Facts?) about the USA (As does BO’R, H&C, The NH etc), like the state of your economy and all other stats. I even double check them to find out who is spinning what, where the vested interests are etc.

For the 156th time, you ARE telling me what I can and cannot comment on, but listen; I do not have to live in a cardboard box on the streets of Detroit to understand the phenomenon of urban blight and mass unemployment. Why cannot you not grasp the concept of abstraction? Maybe because it is a little to abstract for you? Put me right where you think my arguments have erred, certainly, but don’t tell me I have no right to make them based on my geographical orientation. Locationist!

I’m not being dishonest about anything. I don’t necessarily KNOW what it is like to live in the USA, but I imagine it is like living here, but worse. You’re not that special. Every country on the planet thinks it has some sort of ‘manifest destiny’; they are called ‘creation myths’ and can be used to spectacular effect in mobilising a nation state (see: the Roman Empire, the Third Reich etc). But in the end, its all just propaganda. Ever got the feeling you’ve been had?

If you want to discuss ‘Ozzyland’, bring it on. I promise to discuss the issues, not your qualifications for doing so. And no, I don’t watch BO’R every night; I watch him every morning. And Guess what? the more I watch him, the more I disagree. But it is one of my life’s ambitions to be the most ridiculous item of the day – it would prove I’m doing something right.

There seems to be a three-way contest for the dubious honour of being the 51st state of the USA between Canadia, Australia and the Brits. Canadia has the geographical advantage, the Brits have the inside running for old time’s sakes (and what a sweet little irony it would be for y’all), but when it come to sucking up, CRICKEY! Us Aussies lead the way!

Cheers

Elroy
Elroy | 10.29.06 - 1:38 am | #

Elroy -

Yeah...best not to go there matey.

And if you must know, I had read your comments to my wife (once...as we had a good laugh) and this time when I was writing the article she came by and asked something like "So, do you think that liberal nutjob from Australia is going to use the same format and change it" I said "yep." We bet a buck...as we do on lots of silly little things in life.

The thing about originality is this: Yes, I use (and cite) material from others, but I always check to see that I agree with it and, if not, make as many adjustments as necessary. I guess what I am saying about you is, you seem to think it is funny when you turn a format around...and it is. Maybe the first and second time.

And even if it wasn't for that, your very first line was enough for most any reader to say to themselves "oh, okay...another conspiracy wacko" and stop reading your comments.

"NO TERRORIST ATTACKS ON US SOIL have occurred because it has so far not been necessary for Dick to mount any. Al-quada ain’t gonna – they got what they wanted anyway."

So maybe AFTER dinner then.

So I am consistent. And funny, according to you (and your wife). Good. Thank you. I DO think it rather droll to turn your posts into a stick to beat you with, first second, third time...I’m having fun. Is that OK? But unoriginal? Hmmm.

You may use material from others but you only seem to cite one source. I’m glad you check to see if you agree with it – so you should! There would be little point in publishing it otherwise. But I hope you are not inferring that I do not check and agree with what I write?

My very first line may be a little contentious, but I would like to make four points.

1). It is fallacious to assert that the WOT has prevented any attacks; it seems to me that the the thwarted ‘plans’ have been wildly exaggerated for political purposes.

2). I have a small magic pebble that protects me from attacks by Bengal Tigers. As I have not been attacked by Bengal Tigers, the pebble is obviously working. Likewise the WOT.

3). I believe I asked you some questions on this subject which you have still not answered, to whit:

A. Have you seen the smoke from the fire?
B. Have you seen pictures of people looking out of the impact zone?
C. Have you heard or read the transcript of the firemen who made it to the impact zone?

Your silence is deafening.

4. I am not alone. Are there really THAT many wacko nut-jobs out there? Learned professors willing to put their reputations on the line? Are they ALL nuts?

Big Bill’s "most ridiculous item of the day" is generally Big Bill, unless Michelle or Ann have dropped by to lob a few ad hominems over the barricades. Ah, Bill – what a uniter!

As we are a frantically willing member of the COW, it’s a shame that Australian politics do not interest you but, being of the dominant culture, americans are able to ignore the rest of the world. The rest of the world, however, do not have the luxury of ignoring you.

And that IS a good example of how we differ. I'm not sure that I have NO idea what it is to be an American; I, too, live in English speaking capitalist ‘democracy’ currently governed by a cabal of vested interests and opportunistic, fear-mongering reactionaries.

You may call Americanism ‘self-reliance’ and ‘confidence’, but that just sounds like you chug-a-lug the creation-myth Kool-aid by the keg.

The USA, as viewed from the outside, does come across as arrogant and disdainful, and what I will never get is that you just don’t seem to care (deeper sigh).

Cheers

Elroy
Elroy | 10.29.06 - 6:05 pm | #

Elroy's comments can be dismissed.

Great post, Timmer. Great reasons. NO one can honestly refute them, although as Elroy is an example, there is no shortage of liberal spin. Ingrates!
Amy Proctor | Homepage | 11.03.06 - 12:10 am | #

'Elroy's comment's can be dismissed'. Is that it? Wow! That's some sophisticated rhetoric, Amy!
Dismissed by who? And why? That is yet another problem with conservatives: THEY REFUSE TO DISCUSS THE ISSUES!

You say that 'No-one can honestly refute' Timmer's reasons, but when someone does honesty refute them you say that those arguments can be 'dismissed' as 'spin'! Unbelievable! You obviously do not understand the basic concepts of discourse and debate. If you want to 'dismiss' my comments, you have to say WHY, Amy! You have to PROVE me wrong, or at least try, otherwise your opinion is worthless.

Somewhere along the line, legitimate dissent and alternative points of view became 'spin'. Well, that maybe a handy conceit for conservatives but it is intellectually lazy, if not dishonest. It enables conservatives to ignore any arguments against their position without, or so they feel, the need to engage those arguments in a honest manner.

Of course, the best spinners are the Repubs, but their base does not/cannot/WILL not recognise that. Consequently, they think that the Iraq war is going just peachy, the economy is simply fabulous, the WOT has kept the boogy-man at bay and any opinion to the contrary is, again, spin.

But this is not the case. We on the left say that you are being spun and you claim that WE are doing the spinning, but here's the difference between us: we on the left are willing to discuss the issues, to point out WHERE you are being spun, to show the hard evidence that PROVES it, but conservatives are not. Why? Is it possibly because you can't?

Conservatives just reject critisism out of hand, which leads to great frustration and the understandable belief that conservatives are just not capable of Fair and Balanced™ debate, and rely on the recieved 'wisdom' that they get from Bill, Sean, Rush, Ann, Michelle,et al. Sticking your head in the sand maybe an effective short-term stratagy for keeping reality at bay, Amy, but one day it will come back to bite y'all. Maybe even today.

So grow up, Amy. This is the real world, with real issues, real debates and real problems that will never be solved by the simplistic platitudes and theoretical blatherings that passes for the right's political philosophy. The world's problems, Amy, much as you might hate to admit it, are NOT black and white, and if you approach them as if they are you are doomed to fail.

So argue, Amy. Argue on the merits of your position and the weaknesses of mine. SHOW me where I am wrong. Or shut up. 'Elroy's comment's can be dismissed'? Oh dear! You've GOT do better than that!

Looking forward to discussing them issues!

Cheers

Elroy
Elroy | 11.07.06 - 7:34 pm | #