Have you seen these commercials?

[Geo]

Have you guys seen any of the commercials for the American Issues Project?

They look and feel like negative campaign ads by a 527 group. This one starts out as if it is an attack on nonpartisan government spending but it becomes apparent that it is really an attack on Obama and "Congressional liberals". It even manages to throw in Jesus. I saw it run on CNN last night (of all places) and it kinda pissed me off.

YouTube - American Issues Project: "Every Single Day"

 

[woodworker]

Quote from video - "the American people really don't care."



Unfortunately, I think that sums it up to a certain extent. We get angry and bicker amongst ourselves, but accomplish nothing.

 

[Geo]

Quote from video - "the American people really don't care."

Unfortunately, I think that sums it up to a certain extent. We get angry and bicker amongst ourselves, but accomplish nothing.

The quote of course is referring to the American people not caring about pork/earmarks. This is true, IMHO.

But while earmarks are wasteful, they are not the problem. If the American people didn't care about earmarks but did care about the spending they are attached to then we would be better equipped to solve our problems.

 

[Bob]

kill all televisions....now!!!!!

 

[30ashopper]

The quote of course is referring to the American people not caring about pork/earmarks. This is true, IMHO.

But while earmarks are wasteful, they are not the problem. If the American people didn't care about earmarks but did care about the spending they are attached to then we would be better equipped to solve our problems.

All spending is the issue if it involves spending money we don't have. Washington's record on that is about as bad as can be. Look at a graph of Washington's annual deficit since about 1960, smooth over negative growth during the two asset bubbles we've had, and you realize, man, things are bad. Obama is accelerating the rate to the downside, which is pretty scary considering how much Bush spent that we didn't have.

 

[Lynnie]

One again?! A multi-quote attempt.

Quote from video - "the American people really don't care."

Everyone I know cares!


Unfortunately, I think that sums it up to a certain extent. We get angry and bicker amongst ourselves, but accomplish nothing.

I've been known to say, "If you don't vote or pay taxes, you can't biotch!" Write a letter to the powers that be. You're just one person, but if we all flood them with letters expressing our positions on this, that and the other thing, they will listen. We are the ones who hire them.......put in your letter, "Fire the coach!" Maybe they'll get it.

The quote of course is referring to the American people not caring about pork/earmarks. This is true, IMHO.

But while earmarks are wasteful, they are not the problem. If the American people didn't care about earmarks but did care about the spending they are attached to then we would be better equipped to solve our problems.

Most do care about them, but I think what we as a nation are beginning to see is that with an 11,000 page document/bill, they rely on their interns to tell them what's in the bill. They need more time to decipher and be allowed a line item veto.

kill all televisions....now!!!!!

Ditto, my friend! Ditto!!

 

[Geo]

All spending is the issue if it involves spending money we don't have. Washington's record on that is about as bad as as can be. Look at a graph of Washington's annual deficit since about 1960, smooth over negative growth during the two asset bubbles we've had, and you realize, man, things are bad. Obama is accelerating things to the downside, which is pretty scary considering how much Bush spent that we didn't have.

I totally agree. But the media is setting the agenda such that Joe Sixpack is PO'd about AIG bonuses and such. That would be like someone coaching my wife to overlook the $500 strip club charge on my credit card statement but to instead become outraged that I wasted our money by hitting the drive thru on the way home...

 

[30ashopper]

I totally agree. But the media is setting the agenda such that Joe Sixpack is PO'd about AIG bonuses and such. That would be like someone coaching my wife to overlook the $500 strip club charge on my credit card statement but to instead become outraged that I wasted our money by hitting the drive thru on the way home...

I agree that the main street media is oblivious (what else is new) but I don't think you can blame them for our inability to grasp what's going on. In the end, we'll only have ourselves to blame.

 

[Lynnie]

I totally agree. But the media is setting the agenda such that Joe Sixpack is PO'd about AIG bonuses and such. That would be like someone coaching my wife to overlook the $500 strip club charge on my credit card statement but to instead become outraged that I wasted our money by hitting the drive thru on the way home...

You're probably right, Geo. But, my disdain with this is a different perspective.

We gave AIG billions last summer and they spent $500K in S. CA at a resort rewarding their executives, directors, etc. A couple of months later, they spent $100K in the UK on a fancy hunting trip.

They need more money now to stay afloat. And, now, $170MM on retention bonuses. Each time, they said, "It was already planned." And, we forgave it. I think we are tired of forgiving it. Somewhere there wasn't full disclosure either from AIG to our gov't or from our gov't to us.

These are small amounts in the big picture certainly; however, it's the abuse that we are shocked about.

I stated in another thread - can't remember which, that I've been forced to close my business. A friend will close his and another friend will most likely close hers in 90 days. We were fiscally responsible. How do I get a bail out? And, I don't even need that much?

Yesterday, my GF told me, she's closing the end of May. Got an email from my other friend just this morning that he will close and roll under another larger company's umbrella. None of us will be making the money that we worked so hard to make and build great reputations for ourselves and our respective companies. Again, we aren't bitter. Now, we are all playing the juggling game. We are having to shift finances, watch retirements funds dwindle and due to my industry, I can't, CANNOT have derogatory credit - which means, I can't just walk away from an investment because it's upside down. I can if I choose to suck it up and change industries.

But, when will it stop? When will the abuse of money stop to these corporations? It will stop when the American People have had enough and let our gov't at all levels know.

Why not bail out the small business which keep the eocnomy flowing?

I think this mess will worsen over the next 12 months. Hold on to your hats! Or, whatever you have left to hold on to! ;-)

 

[Geo]

I agree that the main street media is oblivious (what else is new) but I don't think you can blame them for our inability to grasp what's going on. In the end, we'll only have ourselves to blame.

Agree in general about personal accountability. That said- media studies prove that media agenda setting determines what we think (or at least what we think about).