Posted by
CyberMom on Monday, September 01, 2008 4:25:38 PM
It's time for the Barack Obama miracle hour. In this (third) article in this series, we'll take a fairly thorough look into how this amazing man will reform the country and bring us peace so that we can all live happily ever after...
Yes - that was sarcasm. Just in case you missed it - go back and re-read it, thanks!
In New York, in September of this year, Mr. Obama said the following:
“I believe that America's free market has been the engine of America's great progress. It's created a prosperity that is the envy of the world. It's led to a standard of living unmatched in history. And it has provided great rewards to the innovators and risk-takers who have made America a beacon for science, and technology, and discovery…We are all in this together. From CEOs to shareholders, from financiers to factory workers, we all have a stake in each other's success because the more Americans prosper, the more America prospers.”
First - thank goodness he clarified that our free market has lead to our progrress. I'd hate to think it's a war-driven, all-powerful nature to build bigger and better weapons of mass destruction..... hmmm? Envy of the world... his dad is from Nigeria, right? I'm pretty sure in Nigeria, they might have some envy. Of course, 60% of the other world thinks we're idiots and 2% is trying to kill us and 10% wants us to stay away. Not sure that amounts to envy. Wasn't it Nixon who said America should be respected? That the loss of that respect is what needs to be regained? Not sure Nixon was so concerned about televisions and cars as a sign of success, but family, integrity and freedom. As far as our standards of living - let us make no mistake on what that means (even if Barack is clueless): that is a personal choice. Setting one's standards higher and higher is based on a system of greed, wealth and corruption. Not entirely sure if he meant that - or if he really is that crude. Of course, you might be lead to believe he DID mean that when you realize the risk-takers that made us a beacon for science and yadda yadda are not Americans. In fact, the majority are other countries. So, to that regard, he is right - they have benefited tremendsouly. But, of course, all of us Americans are in the same boat together. Obama, the politicans and the elite wealthy are on the upper part of the Titanic with access to the life rafts, and the rest of us are shoved in holes in the bottom of the ship unaware of the locking doors waiting to prevent us from being able to flee as well. And, while Obama lists CEOs down to financiers and then is kind enough to include factory workers - which includes upper management, this does NOT include (again) the rest of us on the bottom of the boat who make up the labor force of America upon whose shoulders the others in that list - stand. And, I'm not too sure about that last line. Let's see, Forbes has the largest list ever of billionaires in the U.S.A., and yet, we are at the highest unemployment and poverty rates, ever. Somehow - I don't really see the focus of money as a way of life having done us much good - but let's see what else he offers:
Fortunately, Obama has determined what the problem with the economy is, today:
Wages are Stagnant as Prices Rise: While wages remain flat, the costs of basic necessities are increasing. The cost of in-state college tuition has grown 35 percent over the past five years. Health care costs have risen four times faster than wages over the past six years. And the personal savings rate is now the lowest it's been since the Great Depression.
FACT: So, essentially, what he could have - or SHOULD have said is: The cost of living is increasing while wages, are not. Pretty sure, this is right on the money.
Tax Cuts for Wealthy Instead of Middle Class: The Bush tax cuts give those who earn over $1 million dollars a tax cut nearly 160 times greater than that received by middle-income Americans. At the same time, this administration has refused to tackle health care, education and housing in a manner that benefits the middle class.
FACT: Ah, see now, in my last article, I was wrong. Obama didn't want to give the wealthy bigger tax cuts than the poor, he wanted to make the tax cuts uneven across the board. While the wealthy receive a greater margin, it's because they make MORE money. But, that's okay... we can ignore this for now. There does need to be more equality. Of course, we've seen no change in health care reform - in this, or the PREVIOUS administration, education OR housing. And, for whom? That's right - the middle class. Isn't that indicative of where Obama was at BEFORE he began running? I wonder - would we benefit MORE from someone who was in the poor class, so that way, we can ALL benefit? But no - forge the poor - they aren't part of the problem, they're the dirt to clean up later. The rich are the problem - although his new plan is... well... you'll see:
Enact a Windfall Profits Tax to Provide a $1,000 Emergency Energy Rebate to American Families:Barack Obama will enact a windfall profits tax on excessive oil company profits to give American families an immediate $1,000 emergency energy rebate to help families pay rising bills. This relief would be a down payment on Obama's long-term plan to provide middle-class families with at least $1,000 per year in permanent tax relief.
FACT: NOBODY READS what this man has to say - otherwise, someone would have tried to eat him by now. An immediate, $1000 emergency rebate - to THOSE who qualify by cutting into oil companies, increasing gas prices and doing nothing to control the rising prices offered by power companies who can now pocket their $1000 bucks and raise prices, hiding behind the rebate. And, of course - this rebate - which isn't really to us - as it is a TAX to help jumpstart the economy (um, really - is anyone home out there?), is part of the down payment to the GOVERNMENT to build a long-term fund to make a $1000 kicker. Betcha the rich aren't going to fund this - so I guess that leaves.. the middle class, who will then, be essentially, getting nothing for giving the same amount, and the poor who will lose overall.
Provide $50 billion to Jumpstart the Economy and Prevent 1 Million Americans from Losing Their Jobs: This relief would include a $25 billion State Growth Fund to prevent state and local cuts in health, education, housing, and heating assistance or counterproductive increases in property taxes, tolls or fees. Obama’s relief plan will also include $25 billion in a Jobs and Growth Fund to prevent cutbacks in road and bridge maintenance and fund school repair - all to save more than 1 million jobs in danger of being cut.
FACT: YOU NEED TO READ THIS CAREFULLY. $50 billion - in MORE taxes. half goes to states - that's $20 billion (no - NOT $25 once Federal overhead is accounted for), to 50 states, meaning $4 billion per state. Is that the issue in health, education, housing, assistance or added property taxes? Nope. That will touch the tip of most icebergs, property taxes will still rise along with this tax - and we're really in trouble. But - there's hope! The other $25 billion is to prevent job cuts to.. um... what? Road and bridge maintenance and school repair? Isn't the Department of Transportation, a government funded business in charge of roads and bridges? So - it's saving the government money - costing us and saving jobs for government employees - not us? Wow - segregation has reached an all-time high. How about shool repairs? I'm pretty sure, that's not the biggest of issues - but funding chidlren always makes people look good. Of course - that's USING children for personal gain - but he's a candidate for President, so it's okay, right? After that $20 billion is broken down with a heavy side going to the government, the schools will see a little, and prevailing wage jobs will see a lot. Thank goodness we ALL work for the road department and are in commercial construction!
Obama will cut income taxes by $1,000 for working families to offset the payroll tax they pay.
FACT: Forgetting the losses from his health care program - that income tax money has to come from somewhere. So - the other classes pay for it. How AWESOME! This isn't a kicker, either - don't be fooled. This is a reduction in the amount you have to pay - if you're a 'working,' family and qualify, not a middle class family with special conditions... hmmm?
Provide a Tax Cut for Working Families: Obama will restore fairness to the tax code and provide 150 million workers the tax relief they need. Obama will create a new "Making Work Pay" tax credit of up to $500 per person, or $1,000 per working family. The "Making Work Pay" tax credit will completely eliminate income taxes for 10 million Americans.
FACT: 150 million americans getting the tax relief they need versus 10 million americans not paying income tax DOESN'T COMPUTE. I have no more to say on this - if you can't read this and see the problem - you're too rich, too dumb - a government official - or something else I won't say because it's too crude!
Eliminate Income Taxes for Seniors Making Less than $50,000: Barack Obama will eliminate all income taxation of seniors making less than $50,000 per year. This proposal will eliminate income taxes for 7 million seniors and provide these seniors with an average savings of $1,400 each year. Under the Obama plan, 27 million American seniors will also not need to file an income tax return.
FACT: Obama is a SAINT! After all, we know about ALL THOSE old folks who are making bank on their social security! WOOHOO! Wait, um - no they aren't! And, where in the heck does this money come from? Well, I see - it will eliminate taxes for 7 million seniors. So, out of the 85 million + seniors in the country - 7 million just got a complete break. Guess he was thinking of his parents for this one! Of course, 27 million other seniors won't need to file a tax return because they're so dang poor, he'll finally quit draining them into impoverishment. Now, those bed-ridden seniors in homes who can't move can finally quit eating only pudding and not what the other get because their money won't go to feed the government! I wonder though - without taxing the middle class, or seniors.. where is all this money coming from? Let's move on, shall we?
Simplify Tax Filings for Middle Class Americans: Obama will dramatically simplify tax filings so that millions of Americans will be able to do their taxes in less than five minutes. Obama will ensure that the IRS uses the information it already gets from banks and employers to give taxpayers the option of pre-filled tax forms to verify, sign and return. Experts estimate that the Obama proposal will save Americans up to 200 million total hours of work and aggravation and up to $2 billion in tax preparer fees.
FACT: Barack Obama is from Mars - because he doesn't operate within the functionality of reality that is EARTH! No - no - we are NOT being mean here. We are being factual. We are NOT saying that we will move to a simplified form - we will move to a pre-filled out form by the IRS - who operates in sheer perfection and without ANY error, via his new on-line, electronic filing system that stays under one, singular, government control and monitors all communications, to save us up to 200 million total hours of the aggravation cause by whom... the IRS and their current system of complicating everything and messing it all up. Thank goodness, those people that have been paying out $2 billion in tax preparer fees won't have to anymore. From now on, the tax accountants are going to be without jobs, not part of the job-saving program and you won't get to take advantage of every possible deduction or out you have for the government to take what THEY want. (of course.. 200 million total hours is spread across 220 million adults, meaning less than 1 hour per person - to give up complete control the savior - Obama-son!)
Fight for Fair Trade: Obama will fight for a trade policy that opens up foreign markets to support good American jobs. He will use trade agreements to spread good labor and environmental standards around the world and stand firm against agreements like the Central American Free Trade Agreement that fail to live up to those important benchmarks. Obama will also pressure the World Trade Organization to enforce trade agreements and stop countries from continuing unfair government subsidies to foreign exporters and nontariff barriers on U.S. exports.
FACT: Good American jobs - abroad? How is this an economy issue if he is spreading labor and environmental standards around the world? Oh, I see - we won't buy from those really cheap-o countries that use forced labor! HA HA! We'll spend tax payer money to ignore them, increase the cost of goods by bringins it here to America and then increase taxes again to fight for our overseas trade and force our way into other countries. That's liberalism and Democracy for you in its purest form! Well, that is - if liberalism and Democracy looked more like Communism and an empire.
Improve Transition Assistance: To help all workers adapt to a rapidly changing economy, Obama would update the existing system of Trade Adjustment Assistance by extending it to service industries, creating flexible education accounts to help workers retrain, and providing retraining assistance for workers in sectors of the economy vulnerable to dislocation before they lose their jobs.
FACT: If you aren't reading this and you find yourself standing in the street unemployed - too late. Did you understand this? His new plan WILL cause tens of millions of Americans to become vulnerable to lost jobs. We fix this by retraining everybody for all the jobs we're going to eliminate. That should only require an additional $120 billion or so - thank goodness the tax breaks will exempt certain classes....
End Tax Breaks for Companies that Send Jobs Overseas: Barack Obama believes that companies should not get billions of dollars in tax deductions for moving their operations overseas. Obama will also fight to ensure that public contracts are awarded to companies that are committed to American workers.
FACT: Wouldn't it be neat to live in a world where the government was stupid enough to send away American jobs, and then, try to rectify it by no longer offering them 'tax breaks.' I'm sure that will hurt.. um.. nobody. And thank goodness there are going to be public contracts to American only countries. That's the way to ensure that an elite, select group, just as it is now, continues to get those contracts.
Invest in our Next Generation Innovators and Job Creators: Obama will create an Advanced Manufacturing Fund to identify and invest in the most compelling advanced manufacturing strategies. The Fund will have a peer-review selection and award process based on the Michigan 21st Century Jobs Fund, a state-level initiative that has awarded over $125 million to Michigan businesses with the most innovative proposals to create new products and new jobs in the state.
FACT: Sorry charlie, unless you're one of the 'cool,' guys in the green sector - this doesn't mean you. Don't get excited.
Invest In A Clean Energy Economy And Create 5 Million New Green Jobs: Obama will invest $150 billion over 10 years to advance the next generation of biofuels and fuel infrastructure, accelerate the commercialization of plug-in hybrids, promote development of commercial scale renewable energy, invest in low emissions coal plants, and begin transition to a new digital electricity grid. The plan will also invest in America's highly-skilled manufacturing workforce and manufacturing centers to ensure that American workers have the skills and tools they need to pioneer the first wave of green technologies that will be in high demand throughout the world.
FACT: Money doesn't drop magically from the sky. $150 BILLION? For biofuels? Folks - I'm in that industry - and the government spends globs of money on research, time, research, time, research, and then when it comes down to it - um, sometimes a project or two. And, what kind of research? Let's see - the renewable energies industry is already solid - so, maybe we should check and see if wood burns in a fire place more effeciently than out in the open. Think that sounds stupid? Don't. Several states have funded this research with YOUR tax dollars ALREADY! Hybrids. Well - solve the gas crises by supporting an industry of $56,000+ cars that only the higher middle class can afford, give them to the government, forge the rest of the country, and, oh yeah - the electric companies make bank on a new grid that we DON'T need. And, of course - again - no dude, this isn't you. You have to be the HIGHLY skilled workforce to get the added training to create green technologies for the... wait... world? What about helping America? Something's strange...
Create New Job Training Programs for Clean Technologies: The Obama plan will increase funding for federal workforce training programs and direct these programs to incorporate green technologies training, such as advanced manufacturing and weatherization training, into their efforts to help Americans find and retain stable, high-paying jobs. Obama will also create an energy-focused youth jobs program to invest in disconnected and disadvantaged youth.
FACT: Whenever you see some neat, new idea that includes 'Youth,' beware! This is using our sympathies for children for his gain - meaning that his efforts aren't completely on the up and up. Let's see - a federal workforce.... not public... hmm... green technologies to be incorporated, not focused on - meaning government controlled power companies... for the public to find and retain stable, high paying jobs. But, aren't government jobs funded by the public? How does ... that ... work? No public jobs - no gvt. jobs?
Barack Obama believes that it is critically important for the United States to rebuild its national transportation infrastructure – its highways, bridges, roads, ports, air, and train systems – to strengthen user safety, bolster our long-term competitiveness and ensure our economy continues to grow.
FACT: These are government jobs. This is money for the government. This does not improve our safety. These tasks are multi billion to multi trillion dollar tasks. Here's the goofy part - this ensures our economy grows because of rebuilding all the roads? Um.. what? why? Aren't we constantly maintaining them now? How does this bolster 'our' competitiveness? With whom? Who are we competing with - not fully knowing who 'we' are in the first place - that new roads will make us better than them? What happens if we win? If we lose? Make no mistake - I have researched this topic - and it will cost us severely. Try to look up the maglev train projects - for instance, in the Pacific Northwest - and see how many hundreds of billions this takes for one state. Then, you'll get the tip of the iceberg.
Barack Obama will increase federal support for research, technology and innovation for companies and universities so that American families can lead the world in creating new advanced jobs and products.
FACT: YES! More money for more college students to find neat, new ways of doing things. Not too many new ways that the worker at McDonalds can serve that burger though. I suppose they won't mind paying for this though...
Invest in the Sciences: Barack Obama supports doubling federal funding for basic research and changing the posture of our federal government from being one of the most anti-science administrations in American history to one that embraces science and technology. This will foster home-grown innovation, help ensure the competitiveness of US technology-based businesses, and ensure that 21st century jobs can and will grow in America.
FACT: Let me tell you this is a bald-face lie. We are not anti-science. Our colleges are doing awesome. We do NOT support the little guy who may or may not have a good idea. Back-yard inventors, the kinds that have REALLY changed this nation, are being pushed away. This is because of federal policy. His increase in business funding - does NOT fix this, offer an education that will get these companies to listen to the back yard inventors and is VERY dangerous. It takes money for what will be known as black-box projects that we will never see. Conspiracy? no - it actually says otherwise if you read it carefully.
Deploy Next-Generation Broadband: Barack Obama believes we can get broadband to every community in America through a combination of reform of the Universal Service Fund, better use of the nation's wireless spectrum, promotion of next-generation facilities, technologies and applications, and new tax and loan incentives.
FACT: This is expensive. Broadband really isn't the problem - the problem is that the government plans on doing this by taking full control of a centralized location for this. After all - how do you think his health care reform package, centralizing the nation's medical information would otherwise, be supported? Better use of the wireless spectrum? Well - that WOULD be nice. But, spending more money or giving cause for companies like Sprint to build new technology buildings means that its already garbage customer service - GETS WORSE!
Provide Tax Relief for Small Businesses and Start Up Companies: Barack Obama will eliminate all capital gains taxes on start-up and small businesses to encourage innovation and job creation. Obama will also support small business owners by providing a $500 “Making Work Pay” tax credit to almost every worker in America. Self-employed small business owners pay both the employee and the employer side of the payroll tax, and this measure will reduce the burdens of this double taxation
FACT: Now the middle class is getting $1000 per person for those involved in this. But, Obama has finally fixed the double taxation issue! Now - the employee and business no longer BOTH pay on payroll taxes! The business alone pays BOTH their share and the employee's share! Wait.. hold up, maybe I'm wrong here, but something seems amiss. If both taxes are still being paid, isn't that.. double taxation - still? I wonder.. if Barack said one of the problems is stagnant wage increases, how businesses will be able to increase wages if their paying BOTH taxes? I also wonder - if wages won't be forcibly dropped after 3 years of this program? Think it's still cool to vote for Barack Obama?
IT'S DOWNRIGHT DANGEROUS TO EVERYONE.
Create a National Network of Public-Private Business Incubators: Barack Obama will support entrepreneurship and spur job growth by creating a national network of public-private business incubators. Business incubators facilitate the critical work of entrepreneurs in creating start-up companies. Obama will invest $250 million per year to increase the number and size of incubators in disadvantaged communities throughout the country.
FACT: Don't be confused by the word incubators - it really does mean middle man that supports the government, and has limited funds to the entrepreneurs. That $250 million a year - isn't for the entrepreneurs - re read it - it's for the middle men. Sheesh. This is too stupid to have even said! What's wrong with this man?
Obama will strengthen the ability of workers to organize unions. He will fight for passage of the Employee Free Choice Act. Obama will ensure that his labor appointees support workers' rights and will work to ban the permanent replacement of striking workers. Obama will also increase the minimum wage and index it to inflation to ensure it rises every year.
FACT: Now we're really hitting the nail on the head! More unions! YES - that SO HELPED THIS COUNTRY the first time the government did this. Of course.. what it did, was help us into tremendous debt and unemployment. Wanna know more? Go ask Lee Iacoca! What an idiot. We need to abolish unions that belong to say (for example) - the police workforce, that SUCK OUR POCKETS dry with too many cops - too many dirty cops and a nation in fear! Go unions. I thought he was a liberal? I thought he was intelligent and knew .. oh.. maybe .. SOMETHING about history! How about this - quit screwing us with union garbage - taking MORE from our wages, and create workplace laws that WORK - and governing authorities that FUNCTION! Oh yeah - and he'll increase the minimum wage. Thank goodness for all those businesses paying both theirs and their employees payroll taxes.
Still gonna vote? Then you're a college student with the I.Q. of a squirrel and you're more into what's cool, than what works.
Obama will crack down on fraudulent brokers and lenders. He will also make sure homebuyers have honest and complete information about their mortgage options, and he will give a tax credit to all middle-class homeowners.
FACT: Usually, only the middle class can afford to buy homes - so this, again, REALLY dumps on the poor. I wonder, how a democrat who supports welfare, made it this far without his party burning him? Oh yes - honest and complete information about mortgage options? I see - so - don't lie, show them that if they don't pay, they're screwed. Um, so - what's different? The government sets the rates and can control it - so DO something right, don't displace the blame!
Create a Universal Mortgage Credit: Obama will create a 10 percent universal mortgage credit to provide homeowners who do not itemize tax relief. This credit will provide an average of $500 to 10 million homeowners, the majority of whom earn less than $50,000 per year.
FACT: Sounds neat, until you realize the credit of $500 million comes out of other pockets. But, ONLY to those who accept the IRS pre-filled out tax sheet you sign and agree to - not those who seek to itemize their tax relief and not pay exorbitant taxes.
Obama will establish a five-star rating system so that every consumer knows the risk involved in every credit card. He also will establish a Credit Card Bill of Rights to stop credit card companies from exploiting consumers with unfair practices.
FACT: Obama doesn't have credit card debt, lest he not say something this stupid. Sorry to be so upset folks, but there's no nice way to say this. So - now, credit card companies have to list the risks... you mean.. all that small writing no one reads and an additional 50 sheets of paper in the mail and 20 minutes on the phone for the operator to read through the fine print? Okay.. pointless.. but whatever. Ah, a bill of rights.. .let's see that work!
Establish a Credit Card Bill of Rights to Protect Consumers: Obama will create a Credit Card Bill of Rights to protect consumers. The Obama plan will:
- Ban Unilateral Changes
- Apply Interest Rate Increases Only to Future Debt
- Prohibit Interest on Fees
- Prohibit "Universal Defaults"
- Require Prompt and Fair Crediting of Cardholder Payments
FACT: This is the FIRST good thing I've read. Unfortunately, it doesn't cap the ceiling on interest which will now increase - thus the laws on disclosure. See how that works? At least there's no interest on fees... only the money you owe - so expect that to be higher. It wasn't that issue which was hurting the people in the first place, it was the fees. This no longer seems to be so awesome, but still - decent.
Cap Outlandish Interest Rates on Payday Loans and Improve Disclosure: Obama supports extending a 36 percent interest cap to all Americans. Obama will require lenders to provide clear and simplified information about loan fees, payments and penalties, which is why he'll require lenders to provide this information during the application process.
FACT: Inclusive in this is a plan to stop all those unscrupulous lenders that lead to bankruptcy. Thank goodness 36% is the cap - cause, after all, owing $100 bucks means I only owe an additional $36, the first month. Then the next. Then the next. - um, somehow - at a $200,000 home loan - this doesn't seem to belong in the bankruptcy assitance programs but the 'another way to help business and take from the people' section!
Obama will double funding for after-school programs, expand the Family Medical Leave Act, provide low-income families with a refundable tax credit to help with their child-care expenses, and encourage flexible work schedules.
FACT: We need it, we have it, we have it, and it exists. Hmm... wow - this was.. pointless?
In conclusion:
Complain about the rich and how Bush did nothing about their tax breaks - and then do nothing as well. Get upset and give the middle class more tax breaks to make it more 'fair.' DON'T do anything for the poor, because we need money to keep coming in from somewhere. Increase jobs and spending (and thus taxation for everyone), but make it for only an elite group. Encourage more honesty in lending by spending MORE billions of dollars of tax money, but do nothing to assist with lending or housing using that same money. Encourage unions, higher wages, more time off, but somehow make this equate to businesses being able to afford it with 'tax cuts.'
Essentially - he's acting half Republican, but screwing it up by being a Democrat - and we see why bi-partisan matters should be handled by two, separate parties, not one idiot... er, um, person! His goals are as realistic and effective as the term 'quality television....!'
Next article: Education. He has a lot of good ideas, has addressed failures in the previous programs (like no child left behind) - but are these goals realistic?