To those of you who "choose a side" Left or right, conservative or liberal. YOU ARE WHATS DESTROYING FREEDOM. Have ANY of you read the federalist papers? Party politics opens us up to foreign influence. Choose an idea not a party.
It is important and wonderful that people express themselves here. It is equally important to realize that filtering through your own preconceptions is not seeing reality as it is. This cartoon is terrific. It is in the context of 1948. It is not about Christianity. It is not about race. This cartoon is simply a warning against those who would "take care of us", in return for our freedoms. It is a warning well taken, regardless of what Clinton, Bush, Obama, or FDR did in the past. There is no point in discussing the irrelevant. Given the context, this is about Communism and Socialism, not capitalism or cannibalism! Their motive is power, disguised as altruism. The only antidote is vigilance. Truth is simple. Look at this cartoon simply, and the truth of it pops out.
Obviously, you are impressed with your own self in pass said judgment on the views of many. No one died and left you the omnipotent one. Wish I had so much time on my hands to read, analyze and respond. Suggestion - get a job and do something productive.
Well put. Freedom is what matters most. With that - comes responsibilty. Those that wish to condemn a system that allows countless people to rise up from poverty to unimaginable levels of success are either bitter or unmotivated to make the most of this earthly existence. I'll take that system as a poor man any day to one that decides for me.
So many of these comments are pathetically off-track and going into foolish tangents. The groups were buyers (VOTERS - HELLO!) after they were told what they wanted to hear. They had their own selfish reasons, not understanding the consequences or reality of their decisions. They were looking for their "CHANGE". Their “what can the government do for me” CHANGE. WAKE UP AMERICA!
History repeats itself. There have always been Communist and anti-Americans in this country, even in 1948. I'd rather have seen a cartoon of Popeye and Bluto fighting over Oliveoil. Then Popeye could of whipped all of these panny wasted liberals in the butt.
Typical reaction to someone with an anti-populist viewpoint. John Q. interprets the Constitution as giving him the right to physically assault someone he disagrees with. Run for your life Mustache Man!!!
So sad to see people bitter about the future when we all have a say, that is except for the Republicans whom after the last years of administration proved they did not have the best idea's now the democrats are having their turn at proving there ideas are not very good as well, maybe John McCain was a good man after all. To use ideas from both sides to get the best results??????
I would not have been opposed to Obama as President and McCain as Vice President. This is the way it would have been if the voting laws had not been changed.
let us just do away with the two party system and vote for our officials on their own proven and visible merit and only limit those in office to a maximum of 6 years for potus and vpotus and 4 years for senators and 2 years for congressmen and then out the door never to be elected again this way the corruption has little time to compile before it once again gone
It isn't about Left or Right, it's about up or down. Our founding fathers used a totally different yard stick to measure the Government. It was not about Left/Socialism or Right/Fascism. It was about (Top or Up/Totalitarianism) and about (Down or Bottom/Anarchism). We are so busy arguing over who has, or should have, the power on the Left or on the Right that we are missing the bigger picture or question. How much power should the government have, period? It doesn't matter if the Right has all of the power or the Left has all of the power, too much power on either side leads to Totalitarianism. The power should be with "We The People" and not "Them The Few" in the Government. The pyramid is upside down now. Thomas Jefferson's idea of the Government was that of a necessary evil that should have powers somewhere just above Anarchism. Just enough power to protect the borders, coin the money and deliver the mail and that Was IT, nothing more! We seem to think that total power is OK as long as our guy is at the helm but what happens after we have created this machine and then the other guy gets behind the wheel and has the same power as our guy who is now out. The point is that the "Machine" should have never been built in the first place because no one should have that much power. The closer the power is to the people, the better. Let's all be a little bit more responsible with our own lives, families and futures and get the Government the hell out of our lives and families and let us worry about our own future. Have some pride people! Whatever the Government can give you it can take away tenfold.
This is nutty capitalism propaganda. Today, the government doesn't control capitalism, corporations control the government.
The only guy in the cartoon selling anything (ideas) gets violently beat by the dumb hick, the rich robber-baron, the union thug, and the sophist politician. They beat him for selling "ISM"s, even while this propaganda sells you CAPITAL-ISM?
Anyone who buys this crap is an idiot. In 1948 the rich man made 40 times what a worker made. Today it is 400 times as much as the average (40k/yr) and the disparity is growing. This is not economic justice, especially when the bankers get bonuses for driving our economy into a tailspin.
Capital-ism is a useful way to encourage COMPETITION, but today we have giant global companies that buy government secured monopolies. Halliburton, Exxon, Fox Media; these are the problems, they avoid competition, afraid of loosing their UNEARNED profits.
I have no problem whit a man making a good living by creating something of value, but what exactly are today's corporate CEOs creating? Nothing but the illusion of prosperity, mass propaganda, disguised monopolies that stifle completion and lock out the little guy, making everyone slaves or paupers.
Every time you spend a dollar you vote. Still, the aspirations of the short sighted and greedy are to become rich, and so they blindly follow the corporate few, and vote against their own best interest.
The solution is REGULATED Capitalism. First, guarantee that all citizens have their basic needs fulfilled; food, water, shelter, basic education, basic healthcare, basic transportation. Create a safety net so that all may live with dignity. Then limit interest rates on all loans to individuals to a maximum of 15%/year. No more usury, loan sharks, or economic slavery. Finally, any business that becomes 'too large to fail' is too large to exist, break it up into competing entities by geographic area, and force competition. THAT is true capitalism.
Finally, Corporations are legal entities, they have NO Right to POLITICAL SPEECH. NO Corporations should engage in POLITICAL SPEECH or Lobbying our political representatives. ONLY INDIVIDUAL Citizens have the RIGHT to Free Speech, and then only up to the campaign finance limits.
I'm surprised at the accusations being thrown around as to whose at fault. Yes Bush did have his part in our current demise, whoever let us not overlook a new threat from this new administration. It is time to stop the partisan bickering and get Congress to listen to "US" Joe Public and have them do the people's work not their own!
It is a GREAT idea - to unite against a government we don't believe in! But, as is proven simply by the comments left here, it cannot happen any time soon! Look at you all, professing to support the idea behind the cartoon - preservation of rights against government control - yet you talk of democrats, republicans, liberalists. Each of you pointing an accusatory finger at the other! It's no wonder the government does as it pleases, we couldn't stand shoulder to shoulder in a packed bathroom!!! And religion - leave it out of this!! Who cares where your neighbor worships or if they worship at all, because you are both going to the same court room when you file bankruptcy and standing in the same line for your new healthcare! Our government did not fail us -let me repeat that OUR GOVERNMENT DID NOT FAIL US!! It is merely doing what it has been allowed to do! It was us. WE FAILED OUR GOVERNMENT! When the writers of our constitution and bill of rights, the fathers of our government did what they did, it was not written for republicans or democrats or liberals or catholics or muslims or jews or blacks or whites or men or women but for "The People"! All inclusive, encompassing, country wide. They did not envision a future where their new government, born of their blood and the blood of their brothers, would be fought over like one piece of meat among dogs, each trying to undermine the other while at that very moment the enemy crept outside their walls. Our government was set up in such a way that as long as the people of our nation stood strong, it could never fall, it could never be turned into something else, something worse. So if our government is truly no longer ours, if it is truly becoming something else, IT IS OUR FAULT. When the people put the good of a political party over the good of the nation then the system begins to fail. When people organize their beliefs BASED on their party's beliefs the system begins to fail. When the common man squables with his neighbor while those in power laugh then the system fails. Focus on the big picture, a strong government supported by a strong nation where we strive towards the same goals of health, wealth, happiness, and cohesion. We are not democrats, republicans, or liberals first. We are Americans first!
No doubt, some good ideas. Problem is, they don’t have a snow-ball’s chance in hell of happening! If any of you are interested in why they won’t happen, watch these movies:
1. Freedom to Fascism, by Aaron Russo;
2. 9/11 Mysteries: Demolitions
and,
3. FALL OF THE REPUBLIC The Presidency of Barack H. Obama
The first two movies you can watch free at 3w’s free documentaries.org.
The Fall of the Republic you’ll have to buy until it’s posted somewhere to watch for free. Just google it.
Once you watch them, you’ll probably stop having these straw-man wrestling matches.
My comment? It’s funny how Thomas Jefferson said something like, “The beauty of the second amendment is that it won’t be needed until they come to take it away.”
But the hidden core issue is whether you’ll save your soul, and your luminous being, which will come, if you let God save it. It is a creation of incalculable worth, the luminous creature, which God did craft, and which he will punish you for destroying, if you don’t let him save it!
Which is, of course, the most bullet-proof logical reason for an Omnipotent Holy Perfect Just Loving Almighty God to send a soul to Hell for eternity.
Not letting God save your soul (by submitting to him) and your dormant luminous being is to walk hand in hand with the destroyer. That merits God’s eternal wrath. It’s a creature of incalculable worth, remember?
Don’t believe me? Bet what you want to lose.
This comment explored further in chapter 15 of, 7 Visitations from God, 12 Revelations from Heaven. Read FREE! At Smashwords.com or link through from my site.
Kevin Hofsas, Author
3 w’s, Mark My Words Publishing dot com.
P.S. What’s a luminous being? I clarify that somewhat in that non-fiction and also describe it in my SF&F, The Faith of Angels, mainly in the chapter titled, The Light. But if you need to swear on the Bible for proof like alleged leaders ala political, Jesus said, “Then shall the righteous shine forth as the SUN in the kingdom of their Father. He who has ears to hear, let him hear.
That means ‘her’ too, for you causalities of the public school system.
And politics? Didn’t I recommend several politically incorrect movies to start with?
Jim, obviously you have never heard of the Community Re-Investment Act. President Bush had nothing to do with enacting or signing it into law. I bet if you ask Rep. Barney Frank or Chris Dodd they may could give you some insight into the bill. Oh, they have probably forgotton about it like Barney did not know about the drug plants being grown at his partners house.
With all these " freedom robbers" out here worried about issues that are none of their business, only distracts from the major issues that honest government and we need to face. The first to use suicide bombs were the pro life activist group, followed by the Taliban.
At this point in time I see no difference in the christian fundamentalist movement from the Taliban, Skinheads and new neo nazi organizations pitting blame and doing dirt to people, creating more and more controls on our lives by harsher government. People placed in positions not by knowledge. Immigration, no background checks has allowed more intelligent gangs and criminals to live here also taxing the FBI and other law enforcement. Pot smokers become a danger to themselves and their families that are non violent, for life in prison while rapist murderers and child molesters are out in some place like Cleveland and let to kill, and they blame it on DRUGS. And we build prisons instead of providing jobs. And police are trained for a race wars covertly. Kind of hides the fact of job loss if you had to find a job for these non violent prisoners how would the job market look say 15 years ago and today.
Bin Laden and Bush were friends, the British Aristocrats that bankrupted the Great Britain, fled here for safety were not returned to England to be tried, thanks be to Bush, an aristocrat.
And I agree with Peterpica, FredMars, right man for the job, THE Grand Illusion.
Yes, this film was made in the middle of the "Red Scare" and it shows. But what you are all missing are the economic freedoms proposed by the film under capitalism. These freedoms are systematically being taken away from us by the unrestricted, global, free market. In 1948 the US and nearly all capitalist nations followed the theory of John Maynard Keynes who advised that social structures should be built by the state, and that when the market builds up an excess in capital, that the government should burn off this money in order to avoid an economic collapse. This was considered economic truth during the 40s, 50s, and 60s until we hit a period of sluggish growth and handed over all of our freedoms to corporate America via Ronald Reagan. Now we cannot strike or our jobs will be shipped overseas, now we can't appeal to the Supreme Court because corporations have the same civil rights that we do. This deliverance of complete power to big business has been deemed "neo-liberalism" or a return to the laissez-faire economics that ran us straight into the Great Depression. This brand of capitalism deepens the class divisions that had so many considering communism in the 1930s. EVERY president from Reagan on has been a staunch supporter of this exploitative policy, and Obama is no exception. If he was Keynesian in his economic theory (or communist to say the least) then the money spent by the government would be given to the people, not corporations. The fact that we are handing over billions of dollars to banks and automakers shows that Obama is no different than Reagan during the savings and loan crisis. The fact is that Japan has never recovered from their economic collapse because of the social protections and the quality of life that they afford their people. You have to be willing to exploit your citizens in a free-market, neo-liberal system to continue growth. That is why all of you flag-waving, conservative patriots (and all you free-market, bible-burning liberals) will be speaking Mandarin if you get your way. We reached the peak of our economic production in the 1960s and reached the peak of the debt-funded, credit card era of growth in the past decade. From here on out it will be an increasingly shrinking middle-class until we wake up and take back the power that corporate juggernauts have exacted from our elitist government.
One quote from Thomas Jefferson (a diest) "God who gave us life, gave us liberty. And can the liberties of a nation be felt secure when they have removed thier one firm foundation, a conviction in the minds of the people that these liberties are a gift from God and are not to be violated but with His wrath. Indeed I tremble for my country when I reflect that God is just and His justice cannot sleep forever."
Go to Washington DC and take a good look at the monuments and buildings, they have a story to tell about what our forefathers really thot about this country and God. It is written everywhere you look.
There was NOT, and is NOT any mention of "seperation of church and state" in the Constitution.
By the way, in regard to Thomas Jefferson, here is something he said:
"Christianity neither is, nor ever was, a part of the common law."
- Thomas Jefferson -
I happen to believe him. I am a Christian, and I also believe Jesus was in favor of the separation of church and state. The separation of church and state is NOT about the state disobeying God. It's about the state not trying to play god and to supplant God's authority.
"My kingdom is not of this world." (John 18:36)
"You are from below; I am from above. You are of this world; I am not of this world." (John 8:23)
The devil led him up to a high place and showed him in an instant all the kingdoms of the world. And he said to him, "I will give you all their authority and splendor, for it has been given to me, and I can give it to anyone I want to. So if you worship me, it will all be yours." Jesus answered, "It is written: `Worship the Lord your God and serve him only.'" (Luke 4:5–8)
After the people saw the miraculous sign that Jesus did, they began to say, "Surely this is the Prophet who is to come into the world." Jesus, knowing that they intended to come and make him king by force, withdrew again into the hills by himself. (John 6:14–15)
Someone in the crowd said to him, "Teacher, tell my brother to divide the inheritance with me." Jesus replied, "Man, who appointed me a judge or an arbiter between you?" (Luke 12:13–14)
When it was almost time for the Jewish Passover, Jesus went up to Jerusalem. In the temple courts he found men selling cattle, sheep and doves, and others sitting at tables exchanging money. So he made a whip out of cords, and drove all from the temple area, both sheep and cattle; he scattered the coins of the money changers and overturned their tables. To those who sold doves he said, "Get these out of here! How dare you turn my Father's house into a market!" (John 2:13–16)
"Show me the coin used for paying the tax." They brought him a denarius, and he asked them, "Whose portrait is this? And whose inscription?" "Caesar's," they replied. Then he said to them, "Give to Caesar what is Caesar's, and to God what is God's." When they heard this, they were amazed. So they left him and went away. (Matthew 22:19–22)
Jesus has made a number of references to make it clear that man's laws and God's law are different things. Christians are not to concern themselves so much with man's laws as with God's law. If you follow God's law, you will most certainly be OK with man's law. However, if you only follow man's law... there is no guarantee you are right with God.
If the state tries to play god... and enforces god's laws under threat of judgment, conviction, and punishment of man's earthly threats, God becomes supplanted by man. It displeases God. It eliminates God's grace and God's forgiveness.
The way to God is not through a godly government... but only through the Son, Jesus Christ. Jesus is not, and will never be, a senator or president. He is the King OF Kings.
Capitalism is not perfect. Granted. It is not supposed to be because it was not designed by anybody. It is a system that developed to allow each individual to produce without having an immediate objective (tribe, family, group) in view.
If you look at history. It is the only system that has allowed population growth together with satisfaction of personal needs and development of technology. Don't believe it? Just look at world population charts around the end of the 19th century and onwards.
ALL OTHER HISTORICAL ALTERNATIVES HAVE FAILED. Liberas point to the noble savage, commune with the environment etc. All OK, if you want about a million people to live in the American continent with a lifespan of some 30 years.
If we want to modify certain limited aspects of capitalism to address the common good, let's do it without penalizing the sucessful, the entrepreneur and the risk-taker. We cannot ever forget that it is the only system that has CREATED wealth.
Socialism is a ripoff ideology based on false equality (of results, not of opportunity) that can partially work while there is OTHER PEOPLES'S MONEY OR WEALTH to distribute. In the end, since it doesn't create wealth, it inevitably leads to absolute control and tiranny. Fascism and socialism? In the end, THEY LEAD TO THE SAME, the submission of the individual to the all-powerful, all-knowing state. Remember there weren't any Nazis, the movement was called National Socialism, telling, eh!
At the end, Stalin and Hitler regimes could only be distinguished by the big lie used to blind the masses (the evil capitalist here, the malevolent Jew there).
If you want to know socialism at work, take the time to listen to any of the millions of refugees from communist countries, from Russia to Vietnam, from Cuba to China that now live in the US. I am one.
For almost 50 years, the liberal barrage in the press has blinded Americans to what now they just start to see. WAKE UP AMERICA, BEFORE IT IS TOO LATE.
Love this video - but the ISM salesmen have now convinced Americans that producing "more" or consuming more is a "BAD THING". It some ways they have a point in that efficiency of production and consumption is commendable. Alas "central planning" for production and consumption has always come up far short of natural private capitalist competition (with perhaps s few guideposts for regulation of excess or abuse).
Bob, the 1st ammendment says there shall never be a "Church of the United States" like there was in England, and also guarentees freedom to exercise whatever faith you may have....that does NOT say anything about a seperation between the government and God....
The 10 commandments are written on the wall of the Supreme Court of the US, right behind the chief justice's seat.
The first Bible ever published in the US was ordered published by the congress of the US to be used in schools as text books.(It is called the Adkin Bible and is quite rare, but I've seen one and inside it says who published it and why.)
The Washinton Monument, in addition to many other Biblical references and Prayers to God, inscribed within it's walls, atop the alluminum cap, this granite and marble oblisk, the (forever) tallest building in Washington DC are two latin words: LAUS DEO. These are not insignificant words...thier height is over 550 feet tall. They are there as a message to the father of this nation....you may wonder what these words mean...simply "Praise be to God".
There are thousands of such examples of what our forefathers said and wrote...
Ben Franklin (also a diest) said at the 1st constitutional convention (81 years of age): " I have lived sir a long time and the longer I live the more convincing proofs I see of this truth, that God governs in the affairs of man. If a sparrow cannot fall to the ground without His notice, how can an empire rise without His aid." He went on to request that they begin each session of congress with prayer, and amazingly they have ever since then.
The first prayer in congress was a rambling 4 HOUR prayer with our forefathers kneeling,sitting and standing with thier heads bowed to the father of this nation. (there is a picture in Washington DC that depicts that first prayer, if it hasn't been distroyed for being politically incorrect)
I am talking about the history, the TRUE history of this nation.
More than 80% of the quotes of our forefathers came either directly or indirectly from the Bible.
You sound like someone from the "religious left".
I would guess that you probably embrace homosexuality under the guise of "loving thy neighbor" and abdocate the mass murder of unborn children under the idea of "choice". That child deserves the freedom and right to choose!
You may call yourself a Christian, but it isn't any brand of real Christianity that I have heard of... You like to quote verses of scripture to support your point of view...Anyone can take pieces of scripture and scew them to say what they want....Anyone that has studied the Bible knows that you study whole books to find their true content and not just a verse here and there.
You and other misguided and possibly brainwashed people, are one of the reasons that this country has become so morally bankrupt. Not to mention spiritually bereft.
I appreciate your judgment of me. It says more about you than it says of me.
I'm NOT saying that it is OK to sin against God. I am NOT saying that that the government should encourage people to sin against God. I am NOT saying that the government shouldn't encourage people to seek God.
All I am saying is that God gave man free will. God gave man the free will to commit sin. Therefore, government should give man the free will to commit sin as well. It will be for God to punish sinners, not man. For no man is without sin. The government is comprised of men, so even government is not without sin.
We are all brothers and sisters in Christ. While we should all hold each other accountable for our sins, this does not mean it is right to treat each other unequally due to our sins. If we do, we might as well suffer the same equal fates because we are all sinners.
If you feel that this is wrong, then please enlighten us as to how a government which measures people's sins, punishes some sinners and not others for their sins, is not without sin itself but is above its own punishment for these sins, and a government which does not allow people to freely seek and follow God using free-will, but to do so begrudgingly... not in fear of God's wrath... but in fear of mankind's wrath... how can such a government to be right with God?
If we are all brothers and sisters in Christ, how can we justify treating each other as if we are God and "everyone else" are our children who need punishment, yet no grace or forgiveness.
You seem to be focusing on only the Old Testament God and are completely tossing out the teachings of Jesus Christ.
You Bob, if I could be so bold as to draw a line between you and Faith, I'd have to say that Faith speaks from the Spirit, but You my friend, speak from the flesh.
Which in itself seems to be a contridiction, because on the surface, you appear to be 'demonstrating' more 'love' while Faith is obviously being more stern.
But then again, Jesus said we were to be held to a higher law now than in the old testament.
Why don't you try looking from God's eyes And the founding fathers? David Barton is a good place to start, and he was just on Charles Stanley. MAybe you could learn something from his sermon there.
I was thinking that Bob's last comment wasn't worth replying to, but I appreciate yours.
I hope he does take a look at Wallbuilders and David Barton. He may actually learn something...
Although from what I have seen of the religious left, they are stuck in their politically correct "love and grace" without any consiquence for their actions or lack there of.
That's correct. They are practicing works of the flesh. Neither does the flesh perceive the Spirit. Nor can the flesh serve God, because those that worship God must worship Him in Spirit and in truth.
As illustrated in the cartoon, we all to love to point the finger of blame at one party or the other. One thing is for certain we are not in 1948. Most of us cannot begin to wrap our arms around the magnitude or the current world issues. Just a quick look at the field of invention. They show a person creating the first automobile. Try to think of something mechanical that has never been invented before. Most inventions patented are chemical compounds. Manufacturing has been outsourced because it was cheaper to do so for the consumer. But consumer, you and I made those things and now have no job to purchase them. Even medical care is being outsource. The people with money keep getting more of it and we get laid off. Equally important make something new. How about solar panels. The Chinese are miles ahead of us in producing these. While we could compete in this effort, the oil industry lobbies against spending money on this and advertises it is a dead animal.
Bob, I agree with much of what you wrote regarding the so called "separation of Church & State". I also believe this: "If my people, which are called by my name, shall humble themselves, and pray, and seek my face, and turn from their wicked ways; then will I hear from heaven, and will forgive their sin, and will heal their land." 2 Chronicles 7 14
I believe it's not the business of the federal government to legislate morality, beyond that which is established in our Constitution and Bill of Rights.
If our land is to be healed that will begin when we, as a people, unite under God. Then we will elect more Godly men and women to lead this (hopefully, still) Constitutional Republic.
For anyone who has a problem with the 'God' idea, think of our nation's current trouble as lacking unity. I think it is imperative that we all learn to exchange conflicting ideas without the ire or animosity so often present in these discussions.
From what I've been reading here I would presume most of us desire the same basic things for our Nation. Our differences seem more along the lines of how these things may be achieved. We can find solutions through understanding one another and working from points of agreement. This cannot happen while we allow partisan rhetoric and dogma to undermine our mutual respect; we then remain divided by concentrating on the division.
We are watching this and worse being shoved down our throats by the administration and their lackeys. Trouble is this is happening so fast, a LOT had to be in place....what we see is frightening, wonder what we don't see....how would America feel then? Americans need to wake up, speak up, and relect NO ONE. If we don't NOW this is prophecy instead of warning. Every freedom is under assault by this president, every freedom will be usurped by his agenda and those of his handlers....we cannot give up any freedom, don't believe the press, they are part of the problem now. We need to reminded elected officials they can be unelected, for now, and do what we can to take this country back from the ISM--Socialism, Marxism, Communism...we are breaths away from no longer being a free society, no longer having property, no longer having rights...breaths away....are we going to stand up or become trapped by the ISMs. I choose to fight it.
I can never understand why people are motivated to support an ideology that favors the rich. Our governments job is to allow large corporation to grow and create legal monopolies ala Bill Gates and United Health. We actually live in a corporate fascist society and people need to stop drinking the rights kool-aid and wake up. The conservatives proposed a health care bill that would strip away all regulation in an effort to lower health insurance. This is simple give them less coverage and thus make more money. When our rights are truly represented in Washington, i.e., government for the people and by the people (not large corporate special interest) our small business sector will once again flourish.
The current president and his administration is what scares people today. This president doesn't know how to do anything except spend money, campaign, and make the American People angrier each and every day. He can't function without someone prompting him or making decisions for him. He's just a puppet. He should be impeached. Bush had allot to deal with and he handled it well. It's Obama that had made Bush the scape goat of everything that is wrong with this country. That's just plain B.S.. He wasn't our best president but he wasn't our worst either. Carter and Obama are the worst ever. Neither one of them knows their A** from a hole in the ground
Robert made more than a few mistakes in his comments were he stated "Here’s what I noticed.
1) The cartoon presupposes a Christian America (“To Mom it is church on Sunday morning”), leaving out all Jews, Muslims, and all other non-Christian faiths,
2) There is a backwards-hanging American flag (in the first minute, the blue star field is ALWAYS in the upper left)
3) It is sexist (the jury whistling at the woman on the stand)
Oh, yeah, anytime a people give up their civil liberties for a small measure of security, they gain neither liberty nor security."
In items #1 - I agree with what others have said to debunk Roberts comments. You are looking through tilted glasses Robert and only hear what you want to hear.
Item #2 - Are you daft? The flag is shown twice. Once starting at 23 seconds into the piece with the blue field in the upper left and the second time at 1:04 into the piece. The second time the flag is hanging properly with the field in the upper right as it has been turned from being displayed horizontally in #1 display to hanging vertically in the #2 display. If the blue field was in the upper left in the second view then it would have been displayed backwards.
Item #3 - At the time the cartoon was made it wasn't considered "Sexist" to whistle at a woman. It was only later when people had nothing else to do but find fault with everything done that they started looking at this as sexist. I know many women today who appreciate hearing a wolf whistle from a man, because they appreciate knowing men like how they look. It makes them feel better about themselves.
Face it Robert, you cannot look or listen to something without putting your bias into it. You are wrong on all three points you brought up.
The only smart thing you said was when you talked about giving up civil liberties. Look at how we have become such a nation of panty wastes we have become since they enacted so many gun regulations. Only the weak feel good when the masses are disabled from protecting themselves. We have made it so in many parts of this country that the POLICE are the only ones who can protect you. But the police are so busy protecting the rights of the criminals that the rest of the citizens are being murdered, raped and beaten while the police stand idly by.
Really, folks, what is happening on the political landscape is a façade. What's happening behind the facade is the implementation of a One World Government---and a dictatorial one at that. Want proof? Here’s the smelling salt: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eAaQNACwaLw The Obama Deception HQ Full length version
Or try this one on: The Fall of the Republic available at infowars.com
Want more? Go to freedocumentaries.org and watch 9/11 Mysteries: Demolitions.
For a snack watch Aaron Russo’s Freedom to Fascism.
So give your life to Jesus Christ, because only He can save your eternal soul, which you are stuck with. Sell out to Jesus. Meet Him, you will, though when you bend your knees, will it be out of Love or Terror?
In 1948 we were still a Christian nation and the Bible is what the founding fathers used and referenced when developing our founding documents and laws. It is appropriate and does not exclude other religions to talk about mom and family going to church...
We also weren't so anti American and "politically correct" in 1948...some women still think it is a compliment to be whistled at by a man.
I bought my gun when I figured out that Obada was going to be president, the hard part is finding ammunition...We need to arm ourselves for protection (probably against our own government)
We need to call our, so called, representatives (those elitist in Washington DC that have a golden fleece retirement and health care that no one else can get) and let them know that if they continue with the government takeover of this country (right now it's healthcare, but I'm sure that there is more to it) We will vote them out of their high and mighty offices.
(we should also put them on social security for retirement and see how fast they fix it)
We are still a Republic (not a democracy) and the government is answerable to We the People, we control them, not the other way around. Get mad and get active! Check out Americans for Prosperity or the Tea Party or the Patriotic Resistance....We need to take this country back!
To the guy who said many of the Founding Fathers weren't Christians. Better check your sources Pal. 29 of the 56 signers were ordained ministers and nearly all the rest proclaimed their Christian faith in their letters and proclamations. The two most prominent signers, Jefferson and Franklin were probably the most secular of all of them. Yet we all remember those two the most because of the liberal bent of the media writers. Wake up America!
Here's an "ism" for you - militarism...how come everyone that seems so concerned about the future of our country lately didn't stand up when we invaded Iraq on some sketchy claims of WMD..you're worried about out of control spending??? How much did that fiasco cost us? How about the freedom to talk on the telephone without fear of a warrantless wiretap?? Or the fear of being flown off to another country to be tortured without due process. Now that stuff is far scarier to me than trying to provide some folks health care.
See also 9/11 Mysteries: Demolitions at w w w free documentaries. o r g .
And on Youtube: The Obama Deception HQ Full length version
The opposite of scary though, is the reward God gives to those who come to Him. Ahem . . . for He is the great reward. Discover a little of what His indescribably awesome presence is like by reading 7 Visitations from God, 12 Revelations from Heaven. By me. w w w Mark My Words Publishing dot com.
To Sodaro, in 1948 it was a Christian society it didn't suppose anything. Maybe you missed the part of the cartoon where it said freedom of religion.
How is a bunch of men whistling at a woman sexist? So if I acknowledge a good looking woman, does that make me sexist? Furthermore, if a woman whistles at a good looking man does that make her sexist?
This was 1948! Before American's gave up their freedom like you see in the cartoon. So, something tells me people were not afraid to speak their minds or show their emotion. I believe you've been conditioned beyond return, so much that you scoff at the mention of God or the fact that normal men are attracted to women.
Amen, praise Jesus for the last thing that you said however.
"Anytime you give up your freedom for any measure of security, you gain neither freedom nor security."
BTW, it was one of our Christian founding fathers that said that. Amen.
Well we don't need the government to take care of us. This nation was made so we could take care of ourselves and that the people were the government. Obama is trying to take care of us but he can't do it. He's trying to do all these things he can't do.
Being in my 70s, I can say that I've seen this cartoon - I was in the fourth grade I believe. Way before Enron, and the VW and Honda invasion. It was way before corporate greed was institutionalized. Way before we became the police force for the world and invasion-happy. Shucks, it was way before the Civil Rights act, the Clean Air and Water Act, way before the Anti-hate Crime Acts, and even before the Voting Rights Act. We sure have messed things up. Gosh, I wish I could go back to 1948 - now them were the days. They had it together back then, "right?" Not like the naive folk who send this kind of "stuff" around.
Being in my 70s, I can say that I've seen this cartoon - I was in the fourth grade I believe. Way before Enron, and the VW and Honda invasion. It was way before corporate greed was institutionalized. Way before we became the police force for the world and invasion-happy. Shucks, it was way before the Civil Rights act, the Clean Air and Water Act, way before the Anti-hate Crime Acts, and even before the Voting Rights Act. We sure have messed things up. Gosh, I wish I could go back to 1948 - now them were the days. They had it together back then, "right?" Not like the naive folk who send this kind of "stuff" around.
Fox news is the best news station in america they always tell the truth. why does white house not like fox news? Because there sacred. Why? because they don't want people to know whats going on. Fox news does not tear the country down its trying to help it. watch Glenn beck at 5 0'clock he's very good.
FREEDOM from opressive governments is what this country was founded on! Remember, power corrupts and absolute power corrupts absolutely.
We are moving rapidly toward(if not arrived) at Government of the people, by the gorvermment for the government.
What is happening here now is what happened in Nazi Germany and communist Germany. the government printed more and more money until you needed a wheelbarrow full of deutchmarks to buy a loaf of bread - the baker threw out the deutchmarks and took the wheelbarrow for the bread.
why is it so complicated to understand that the government takes our HARD EARNED MONEY, uses most of it to feed itself under the guise of "taking care of those who can't take care of themselves". That's fine for those who are truly needy. However, this government is trying to control everything by taking more and more money through fees, assessments and taxation without representation.
What happens when those of us who produce more than we consume can not produce enough to support all those who consume more than they produce (politicians are at the top of that pile) as is anyone who is on the public dole because it is easier than working for a living. The cartoon is RIGHT ON.
The next step is to confiscate our guns. No guns, no resitance to socialism and marxism. Talk to someone who has lived under communist rule (East Germany) and they will tell you what transpired as the communists took over. The ONLY ones in the communist governments who lived well were the politicians. Everyone else was relegated to poverty. The people made believe that they worked and the government made believe that they paid them - nothing got done because there was absolutely no incentive.
It is slowley and insidiously devouring our freedom and if we do not stand up to it, our children and grandchildren will be living in a third world country ruled by a "ruling class" of politicians. Don't believe it? Read the history of the Soviet Union and othere communist and socialist countries. Time has proven that IT JUST DOESN"T WORK. WAKE UP!!
But . . . the evil of the current administration is more insidious that mere communism. It’s seeming ineptitude isn’t ineptitude—it’s a deliberate course set to destroy America. Nor is the current administration only at fault, but every administration that advanced the goals of the New World Order starting from the instituting of the Federal Reserve and the IRS. Why does our government continue to trash our Country? Because they want to. Why don’t they listen for the Love of God, to common sense? Because they WANT to trash the Country. You cannot easily subjugate a prosperous, well armed, educated people. And tyrants FEAR a well-armed populace. So destroy the value of their currency, (Begun in 1913 with the instituting of the Fed Res) disarm them (recycle criminals so they multiply, make lots of violence/murder movies and villainize firearms) and dumb down the school systems. Can we stop this down-ward trend? The only thing that will avail to save this nation is a widespread awakening to God.
Go to www.freedocumentaries.org Watch 9/11 Mysteries: Demolitions and, Freedom to Fascism, by Aaron Russo.
Then find "The Fall of the Republic" and watch that too. (infowars.com) It will put a lot of water under Glenn Beck. (Meaning he can't get super deep yet)
Adamant ignorance is a terrible and very common thing. If people would educate themselves at 2 or 3 news sources, we would all be a lot better off. Politicians who are not concerned with the welfare of the people would be history.
1) No religious bias. It does NOT presuppose a Christian religion, the image is of a Church as a single, well known symbol but the words are "The freedom to worship God in your own way." Let's not create conflict or bias where none is intended.
2) NOT true, otherwise the men that raised the FIRST flag on Iwo Jima were using a backwards American Flag.
3) While the depiction of a speedy trial seemed odd with the woman and the whistling jury, let's not condemn it in it's entirety as "sexist" because of this single instance. Doing so feeds the politically correct social justice nonsense that is infesting our judicial system like a cancer and eroding our civil liberties at a frightening pace. The idea of free speech covers ALL expression, even those expressions that don't make you feel all warm and fuzzy inside.
Wow. I am amazed at some of the posted comments. Some say they lament the loss of our freedoms, especially the ability to speak out. Yet they fail to recognize the diversity of the comments in this blog! Others laude Joe McCarthy – a hedonist who ruined many lives for political gain, and in the end was found out and humiliated. Some claim that the founding fathers were all Christian and forget that Jefferson, Franklin and many others not only were not Christian, but many complained about Christian hypocrisy. Some judge politicians saying that they are not Christians, when the Christ Himself warned about judgment, hypocrisy and logs in people’s eyes. Some look to the Cartoon as the golden day’s of our democracy when in fact in 1948 there were still people being lynched, women knew “their place,” most American’s suffered under one-sided labor laws, and police corruption and brutality was the norm. I could go on, but you get the point. Don’t look back and think that 1948 is as good as it gets – the best is yet to come. And to my Christian friends let me quote our leader, “ Give to Caesar what is Caesar’s, and to God what is Gods.” You have a job to do and that job is not to tear down your fellow man, but to be the salt of the earth – a light unto the world.
The world is blindly intoxicated from its drinking of "ism." We don't recognize that Americans, especially our children, are being force-fed at this moment, and congress is swallowing big doses and force feeding us.
We are drinking ISM!! And don't know it.
Stick with me. I think I can show you why I say this.
By 1948 the Communist Party in the world had grown huge and was having significant influence among American intelligentsia. They loved to sit in wine & cheese circles discussing the words of Karl Marx. Of special interest was Marx's intention to rid the world of all knowledge of God. If God does not exist anything is possible. Persons could be who they chose to be without restraint or guilt.
To remove God from the world, Marx saw that people must trust government, not God. He saw the need to separate the children from the parents. He advocated centralized schools for the reeducation of the masses.
This idea was picked up in America & pushed by John Dewey who could not risk being called a communist, so he and friends declared themselves "humanists" and in 1933 published their "Humanist Manifesto 1" which detailed how humanists would transform American education, media, entertainment and science to promote athiesm, naturalism, humanism, socialism. The main reason for centralizing the schools was to get them under control of elite educators and entertainers. He succeeded. Now for 4 generations in America children have been drinking "ism", now the core philosophy of public education.
Meanwhile (1940's)in Russia Stalin totalitarian enforcement of "ism" was systematically exterminating or re-educating all who would claim to believe in God, "the opiate of the people." In Germany Marx was being studied by the elites around Adolph Hitler who saw strong central government as the means of ethnic cleansing and reeducation. Hitler didn't primarily preach Marx's economics, but drank his athiesm and hostility to God and got Germany to drink. In China and Viet Nam, Korea and Central America nations were drinking "ism" and exporting. Even America taught and exported Ism in Fidel Castro.
Now I trace this to Obama:
By 1956 this film was shelved, and many people were actively selling "Ism." Marxist Humanism was firmly planted in the new Mercer Island High School in Seattle. Teachers Val Foubert and Jim Wichterman taught the students to reject traditional social norms and question authority. Wichterman had his class study “The Communist Manifesto,” and questioned the existence of God in his classes. Ann Dunham drank the "ism". Ann later went to Hawaii where she studied the Russian language and anthropology where she studied the atheist Margaret Meade. She was always active in discussion groups led by Marxists, some of whom became long time friends of the family and would play critical roles in times of crisis. Through her entire adult life Ann would attend or lead discussion groups often in her own home where her young son would hear his mother and others discuss the writings of Marx. He drank the "ism" and is now offering it to us, in mandatory doses.
Think about it! Do your own research.
Barak Obama is "ism". The "czars" are "ism" This health care is "ism"
And our "ism" peddling leader doesn't "get it" about terrorism. He is double minded! But that's another topic.
Too bad this film did not stay in circulation. To bad it is too little, too late.
Where have you people been for the last 8 years? Did you sleep through the Bush Administration. Are you totally unaware of the wiretaps, searched and detentions that occurred without warrants? Do you remember the Billions of dollars worth of contracts that were awarded to Halliburton, without any accountability or recourse?
To the gentleman that talks about the backwards flag, the blue field is on the left. But it must not ALWAYS be there. It is supposed to be "Leading the way" into the wind. People standing on opposite sides of the street during a parade would see the blue field on opposite sides of the flag. The key is that it be facing forward.
To Ann, who posted on 14-Oct. We have a Government "of the people, by the people and for the people", I'm proud that there is finally someone in the White House that is looking out for ALL Americans, not just the chosen few. If you call that Socialism, I can live with that.
To Esther, The Government must protect its people. If that means providing food or shelter, so be it. Very few religious groups have stepped forward to do so. Sometimes the government must step in to protect its citizens, even from themselves.
But do not forget, WE are the government. The people in office were elected by US, to represent US. Every election day, we have the power to throw them out of office should they fail to do so.
I've found that most, not all, but most of those that complain about government, don't even vote! In the most current election here, 16% of eligible voters voted! 16%, it's a disgrace. They'd rather complain than be a part of the government and accept some responsibility for it.
It took a very long time for us to get where we are today, good and bad, to expect things to change in 11 months is too naïve to discuss. Until Congress stops answering to its lobbyists and starts listening to the people, I don’t think President Obama will be able to get a lot done. Not for lack of effort, just lack of congressional will.
Chaney/Bush had the Republicans under control and could RAM things through with little effort. For President Obama, controlling the Democrats will be like herding cats.
So the message was to unite in a common goal. This countries Ills started a couple of admins ago and compounded from there. It looks like "ism" is working it's pitted all of you against each other thinking it's a political party thing. It's an American Citizen issue. I wonder what party our founding fathers belonged to when they fought for our freedoms. Oh, yeah I remember now. All of them. North, South, rich poor, black, white, educated, non-educated, farmer, city folk, etc. I guess we'll never wake up. Not with the dissent listed here.
It's really sad to read how partisan and petty so many people have become. It's not about Clinton or Bush or Obama, people! They were all in it for themselves anyway. It's about the United States of America -- the greatest nation in the history of the world. When did party become more imporant than country? Do we really want to trust our fate to folks like Nancy Pelosi or Harry Reid or Barney Frank or John Boehner or Mitch McConnell? They work for us, we don't work for them. We must take our country back. Remember:
You cannot help the poor by destroying the rich. You cannot strengthen the weak by weakening the strong. You cannot bring about prosperity by discouraging thrift. You cannot lift the wage earner up by pulling the wage payer down. You cannot further the brotherhood of man by inciting class hatred. You cannot build character and courage by taking away people's initiative and independence. You cannot help people permanently by doing for them, what they could and should do for themselves.
Obama has done nothing but put our country into the worst economic position since the great depression. Anyone who has studied economics will know that GDP is calculated by adding consumption of domestic products + Government spending + Investments+ Net exports. You can read the Wallstreet journal and see consumption is down, we import more than we export and government spending is through the roof. Which means investments will drop because of crowding out. The Government has spent so much money that loans for small businesses will become increasingly harder to obtain and capitalism is being traded for socialism. Obama and the democratic congress are driving this country down to hell! But it won't last. Truth will always win out and he will be exposed along with his scum bag friends who are using this country to enrich themselves at our expense. Lets hope he dies of lung cancer sooner than later.
THIS CARTOON IS WHY YOUR MOMS ALL TOLD YOU IF YOU WANT A FRIEND NEVER TALK ABOUT, POLITICS OR RELIGON,, IT MAKES US ALL LOOK STUPID IF YOU THINK THAT IS WRONG GO BACK AND READ SOME OF THESE BLOGS. BESIDES MOST PEOPLE DON'T VOTE FOR THE MAN JUST THE LETTER ON THE CARD. I BET IF YOU DID NOT GIVE PEOPLE A NAME OR PHOTO OF A CANIDATE, JUST THAT PERSONS CALL LETTER (R)(D)(I) EACH ONE WOULD GET VOTES. IF THEY THINK IM WRONG I WOULD LIKE TO SEE IT DONE. BESIDES WE SHOULD VOTE NEXT TIME FOR OUR FAVORITE ACTOR, ACTRESS, SPORTS COACH, SPORTS PLAYER, OR CARTOON CARICATURE, DON'T CHECK THE BOX STAND UP AND WRITE IT IN. THAT SHOULD SHOW THEM WE STILL HAVE THE POWER OF THE PEOPLE. (ALL STAND FOR PRESIDENT OF THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA BUGGS BUNNY)
I agree with most of what you said, although I do feel you're a bit paranoid for my taste. While I accept that mankind is inherently sinful and, as a result, we cannot trust men in power... at the same time, I don't recognize that men are really in power at all. Rather than being frightful, we just need to individually do what is right and have faith that God's will is being done.
One thing I do need to correct you on, as I made a similar mistake before. When there is talk about the flag being backwards, it has nothing to do with a flag that is flying. You need to check the video to see what the issue is. The flag is hanging on a WALL in a CLASSROOM. So, there is no way to see the back side of the flag.
The issue is that the flag is VERTICAL and not HORIZONTAL. Normally, this is fine. However, when the flag is hung vertically, it must be done such that the blue field is to the left. In the video, it is to the right.
Honestly, looking at it, I would never have known that it was hanging the wrong way. It required some research to determine this. My guess is that the animators did not do their research and thought everything was OK. I don't think it was some sort of conspiracy to intentionally hang the flag the wrong way.
The mistake you are making in trying to understand what I am saying, instead of assuming you already know what I am saying, is that you assume that if the law says something is not illegal, that it is OK with God.
Like I have said many times before, but which has been conveniently forgotten or ignored is this. Even if smoking pot were made LEGAL, I wouldn't do it. Even though adultery is already LEGAL, I wouldn't commit it. Even though hating your neighbor is LEGAL and hating your enemy is LEGAL, I would not do this.
You seem to think that what God wants His children to do... is play God with each other's lives. To distrust the wrath of God and assume that God is powerless in His resolve, and to take action when we think God is not doing a good enough job in punishing His sinful children.
My point is not that the government should only implement laws of God's loving side and disregard God's wrathful side. I'm simply saying that we need to recognize God's sovereignty and implement laws from the understanding that we are ALL God's children... we are ALL sinners... and we are ALL accountable to God, whether or not we are accountable to each other.
If we each try to play God by putting other people into power to smite our neighbors and our enemies because we know that God would or should smite them, we start playing God. We start supplanting God with people. We start fearing people more than God. God becomes less important in our lives and, instead, everyone focuses on the man-made-god-government.
This, I believe, is the most rebellious we could possibly be against God.
So, I say we treat each other as brothers and sisters. Not because God treats us as brothers and sisters because, instead, God is our Father. That we accept God as our Heavenly Father and that we should not assume His role. Instead, we should assume our role as sons and daughters of God. As such, we are brothers and sisters. We can set boundaries to be sure we are not infringing on each other's property rights... and rights of freedom... and not get in each other's way to seek our Heavenly Father.
If you really think that God wants each one of us to play god and implement his wrath on each other and disregard His forgiveness and grace or His sovereignty over us, then I will pray for you. I will pray that you seek further guidance regarding this topic with your church, your church members, with your pastors and priests, by consulting the Bible, and through prayer. Not by approaching the situation with a loaded question such as "Should homosexuals get married in a Christian Church and be seen in the same light as all others?"... but approaching the question with an open heart... "Should we be assuming the role of God and judge others based on their sins, and implement punishments enforceable by law against our fellow man, while disregarding our own sins and remaining above the law?"
@Max, "29 of the 56 signers were ordained ministers and NEARLY all the rest proclaimed their Christian faith in their letters and proclamations."
(emphasis, mine)
Hopefully you can see that this means we are not a Christian nation.
If 29 of the 56 signers were white, or NEARLY ALL signers were white, would you simply say "We are a white nation." and leave it at that?
If 29 of the 56 signers were male, or NEARLY ALL signers were male, would you simply say "We are a nation of men." and leave it at that?
If you're really headed down that line of thinking, then you must feel that all white men are superior to anyone who is non-white... or female. If you ARE in this way of thinking, then at least everyone else will have a better perspective as to what soapbox you are speaking from.
If you DON'T think like this... then it's also important to not say "We are a Christian nation" or "we are founded on Christianity" and then walk away, thinking that this automatically means that Christianity overrides anything else when it comes to law and order.
Either you believe that all men (and women) are created equal regardless of race, religion, etc... or you don't. You can't believe this, but then start using race or religion to prove your point about the laws of man.
"We The People" The citizens of the U.S.A. must have forgotten the most two famous phrases that this country was built on: WE THE PEOPLE and UNITED WE STAND. But instead of WE, it has been changed to ME and that is a shame. The people of this great country have let the few (the MEs) to take over. Yes WE may moan and groan about the things that are happening in this country but that is all WE do, NO ONE BANDS TOGETHER as in the beginning. The Gov't and big companies/industry use to be afraid of the people and now it's the other way around. We are afraid that if we don't do as the Gov't says, the Gov't will come down on us and who gave them that power, WE did, by doing nothing. Same way with big companies/industry, if we don't do as they say they will fire us--they're doing that anyway and sending the jobs elsewhere ( MOSTLY FOR GREED ). And again who is at fault--the WE. Oh by the way, when I say Gov't, I mean (Politicians, CIA, FBI, DEA, Homeland Security, Judges and Law Enforcement) all the way down to our states, cities and towns. The Gov't and big companies/industry are either shutting down or selling America off bit by bit and WE are letting them. Hell, the Gov't even lies to us and WE let them get away with that too, ie: J.F.K, Vietnam, Agent Orange, Watergate, Iraq, Gitmo Bay, Illegal Immigrants, The Big Bailout....shall I go on and that's just the Big Gov't.
Now WE do band together and march for causes like fighting Breast Cancer, Aids, M.D.S and Diabetes, just to name a few. So if WE can band together for these causes, then why can't WE band together to bring back the--WE THE PEOPLE and UNITED WE STAND---not only for the outside world to see but also for our Gov't and big companies/industry to see as well. These phrases were written to PROTECT and INSPIRE the CITIZENS of the U.S.A., not for the protection of the Gov't and big companies/industry.
Now, I have served in the U.S. Air Force and was willing to fight the enemy if needed for the FREEDOMS of the citizens of the U.S.A.--but now after posting this, I have to worry will Homeland Security come busting into my home without a warrant, because they can, and hall me off to Gitmo Bay as an enemy of the state. If they don't, I'm thinking about going to Mexico to become a citizen there and then sneak back into the U.S.A. to have everything just handed to me ( free health care, SSN, bank loans and pay no taxes..ect ) and if I break any laws while here --no prison time either--just get sent back to Mexico. I'm kidding about becoming a citizen of Mexico, making another point here.
LET'S PUT THE "WE" BACK INTO---"WE THE PEOPLE" and "UNITED WE STAND"
Just some another thoughts, why is it if the Gov't is hired by us (elected), then why do they get to set their own salaries--I've NEVER told them how much I'm willing to pay them --have you?? And why do they get to vote for their own pay raises--you don't get to tell your employer you just vote yourself a raise and get it --do you?? And when was the last time you got wined and dined by an outside source and changed your employers' policies to benefit that source ---I think never. So why do all these get to take place with our own employees (Gov't)?? Because we let it happen and it's a runaway Gov't. Oh, and when was the last time you took your employers' hard earn money and did some pork belly spending without their permission?? And one last thought--why is it that everyone in the elected Gov't is rich before they get into office---the golden rule--those that have the gold make the rules so they can keep the gold. When was the last ave. joe blow elected?? When we only had 13colonies....
nobody seems to get this. I don't believe the title "this seemed far fetched at the time' is accurate. I believe there were people in 1948 just like today hustling and bustling and pissy about our country and the direction it was going therefore they made this cartoon. The only thing to say about our country is nothing has really changed much other than the population and the accessibility of too much information. Our countrymen will always be in a bother about politics, taxes, and money. I don't understand how this cartoon is scary. If anything it's comforting to know these 'good guys' and bad guys in the cartoon have always existed. Nothings new, no need to talk about the 'good ol days' for it is just not wise. now go back to WORK. (me included)
The mistake all conservatives make is assuming that ISM guy can only be the government. But today you can't get a job, healthcare, or internet access today without signing away more rights then Communist russia ever asked for.
Big corporations want everyone afraid of government so that they can play divide and conquer. There is this fantasy that you could avoid this by working for or buying from some "other company" but every company does this. Your only choice in the US today is corporate domination or being a hermit in the woods somewhere.
This country was - in fact - founded on Judeo-Christian beliefs (whether or not the founding fathers were agnostic, aetheists or Christians), and yet Christianity is the only religion under attack in America. We have been forced to take Christ out of Christmas, prayer out of the classroom, the Ten Commandments out of the courthouses, and even the baby Jesus off the town square lawn - because the Supremee Court itself has awarded itself more power than our Founding Fathers intended, and proceeded to legislate instead of interpret our constitution. When was the last time you heard of a Jew, Muslim, Jehovah's Witness or Aetheist being discriminated against in legislation? You will see the day in America where the Christian's God has chosen to remove His influence; you're not going to find it as comforting as you might think.
"When was the last time you heard of a Jew, Muslim, Jehovah's Witness or Aetheist being discriminated against in legislation?"
We'll probably hear about this when a Star of David is erected in a courthouse, an Islamic Prayer is being recited in the classroom, or a Darwin fish logo is placed on the town square lawn during Easter.
When one of those things happen, I'm sure you'll also hear a cry for such things to be taken down, expecting our government to be neutral and to leave the choice of religion up to the individual.
Yep, we should put prayer back in the schools. As if it ever left... Show me a student who cares, and hasn't prepared for a test, and I'll show you someone who prays in school. (-: Seriously, students have a constitutional right to pray in school - period. My daughter started an organization in her high school she and her friends called, “SIP” – Students In Prayer. Fifty +/- students met ½ hour before school, sang a few songs, asked for prayer request and prayed until the bell rang. Yes, she did it right… She filled out the paper work and was recognized as a club, acquired the required faculty sponsor, and aggressively refused to have faculty impose any form of leadership. Some of her friends passed out little slips of paper with words of encouragement, and scripture. They wore Christian T-shirts, some carried a Bible. Every so often they would organize hundreds of students to hold hands and circle the flag at sunrise, singing, praying and welcoming the flag raising by singing the national anthem. She and others led prayer before school activities. They all did this without an in-your-face attitude, but with a humble and Christian attitude. All of these activities are protected by our constitution. Interesting, Bill Clinton when President sent every school in America guidelines about what schools could and could not do. The nuts cases only picked up on what can’t be done. Typical. What the schools cannot do is impose prayer on their charges. If we go back to mandatory pray we would have to do so in a constitutional, even-handed manor. My high school in the 50s required everyone to simultaneously recite the Lord’s Prayer with the intercom during homeroom. Nice you say? My school was about 25% Jewish. Hummmmm. So lets correct that and have mandatory even-handed prayer? I can hear the intercom now. Monday: “Students by sure to pick up your pray rugs before mandatory prayer in the direction of Mecca at 10 AM, Noon, and 2:00." Tuesday: "All students must wear flowers in their hair to honor our god of nature as prescribe by Druid law." Wednesday: "When entering the school be sure to spin all prayer bells as entering the halls in the best of Hindu tradition." Thursday: "Free prayer day – pray to whatever god you feel floats your boat." Friday: "Catholics, Lutherans, and Anglicans meet in the West Wing; all Protestants meet in the East Wing. Bingo to follow communion or whatever." Well, you get the idea. Be careful what you wish for – or rather, God protect us. You think this is far fetched? I do prison ministry and as you may know Wicca (Witchcraft) is a fast growing religion in prisons. In the prison I serve, the area set aside for Christian services is now stripped weekly of its cross and other symbols so that the Wicca group can erect their alter used in their service. Same deal for the Black Moslems. In our society, you cannot allow one, and deny the other. That is why so many school administrations are scared to death. The solution is right before us - let the children lead us! I say be bold, but not nutty. As mentioned above, you can be yeast and salt. Pray for guidance!
It is interesting that when it involves civil rights, health care, labor protection, and consumer protection conservatives want government out of the picture, but when it involves foisting their own convictions on others, as in who sleeps with whom, who marries whom, whether a woman who is raped can have an abortion, or whether the science of evolution can be taght in schools, the government has every right to step in and make intimate and personal choices for individuals.
For those who keep saying, "This country was founded on Christianity!" Please remember these few things: 1. How they practiced their faith and modern practice of faith is very, very different. 2. Those "Christians", had slaves, and women had little if no rights. 3.The "Christians" made deals with Indians, that basically took away their land. Finally and most importantly: 4. Some of those, "Christians" burned people at the stake or worse. I will get off my soap box now.
@ Bob, from Nov 12; Bob, I rebuke you. You are salt that has lost its savor. You are a white-washed wall. You are luke-warm, and as such, the LORD will spew you out of His mouth. You try to mix the world into the Gospel, but it doesn't mix---it becomes a toxic brew that causes nations to back-slide. I rebuke you Bob, and your false humanistic doctrine. The LORD's ministers are a flaming fire Psalm 104:4. His ministers are a flame of fire Hebrews 1:7. That's Old Covenant. That's New Covenant. Guess what? That never changes.
Kevin Hofsas, Author 7 Visitations from God, 12 Revelations from Heaven www.MarkMyWordsPublishing.com
Here is what I noticed. Even though this cartoon was discussing our freedoms as Americans, it did not accurately represent the population. There was only one non-Caucasian character in entire cartoon.
What does that tell you about the view that the cartoon creator had?
"The Most High God is sovereign over the kingdoms of men and gives them to anyone He wishes." Daniel 4:17, 25, 32 and Daniel 5:21
My point is this... that scripture, the Bible, noted in our own Smithsonian as the most accurate book ever penned, states that God appoints leaders of nations. I believe that He sometimes gives people exactly what they want. Even when the outcome is clearly going to ruin a nation. I believe He is drawing us to Him. The leaders of this country, and so many celebrities in the public eye, are so self-focused, so far from God that what we are experiencing as a nation is the natural result when a culture turns its back on God.
We can't solely put the blame on our government... it's also the the greedy, godless American voter that helped to put the recent administrations into office. We as a people are as much the problem as our elected officials.
God is drawing us to Him. We need to recognize who is sovereign over the kingdoms of men.
I need to clarify in case there are any mis-interpretations.
and so many celebrities in the public eye, are so self-focused
Our culture is so influenced by what they see celebrities and the rich doing, that a new "American Dream" has been developed. The lifestyles portrayed by those in the public eye are saying that money and power are to be pursued as goal of a successful life. What does scripture have to say about this?
2 Timothy 3:2-5 People will be lovers of themselves, lovers of money, boastful, proud, abusive, disobedient to their parents, ungrateful, unholy,
without love, unforgiving, slanderous, without self-control, brutal, not lovers of the good,
treacherous, rash, conceited, lovers of pleasure rather than lovers of God-
having a form of godliness but denying its power.
Scripture is clearly giving us a warning. In the last days, men would rather pursue good times than worship God.
Tommy, you are an idiot. You can hardly form a coherent sentence. It blows my mind to think that there are people who are still dumb enough to believe that Bush had anything to do with 9/11. Like him or not, you can't list that as a mistake that he made.
Let me first start by saying that those who believe this issue has anything to do with republican and or democratic view points and mistakes is gravely mistaken. It was pointed out that we are moving away from a blueprint set by the founders of this country, and that said blue print was founded on christian ideals and that "liberalists" have somehow ruined that plan and those ideals...to start not all of our fore fathers were in fact christian so stirke one, secondly no single group has ruined anything in this country and pointing fingers at any one group of like minded individuals is lazy and unfounded and is in reality exactly the sort of tactics that have brought us here, strike two. Third as a society weve allowed ourselves to fall into a trap that says you must pick a side of the politcal coin and agree with that side on a regular basis its your duty to argue with opposing view points because only you are correct, stirke three. Wake the fuck up everybody nobodys has been right on everything, and some would say anything for quite a while. Republicans complain about obamas election and clintons paving the way for the finacial collapse but at this point there best candidates to re take office in 2012 are...a woman who no longer participates in govt and spends time bashing and slandering the left on twitter, and the head of the party whos major accomplishment of late has been restructuring the party website. On the other hand yes obama has failed to live up to some of his promises, and the left dominated house and senate seem to have no plan of action at all. But the fact is thats our fault we elected these people, we allowed ourselves to be decieved. Those who claim everything obama is doing is wrong or that bush was a complete no load are both incorrect, bush got us through one of the toughest stretches in american history the first time wed ever been touched on our own soil, at the end i believe he took it to far and extended a war that need never have gone to the places and depths that it has. Obama has inspired not just our nation but the world around us, we contiually complain about our own country and rightfully so things do need to change but slinging around terms like socialism, and communism and refering to aspects of a universal health care bill as death oanels are fucking ridiculous. Socialism at its heart is not negative do some research secondly this country will never allow it self to reach a point of fundamental shift in philosphy without knowing that what were doing is for the greater good of our people. Capitalism is the greatest economic system in the world but only if the people make it that way, if we get off our asses and innovate create work together learn all things the video points out things that are not happening today as we get passed seemingly daily by another devolping or already devolped country, in nearly every category the judges the success of nation...especially a capitalist nation but guess what the majority of those countries are not capitalists. Its time to pull our heads out of our asses, knock off the fear, the lies, the prophghanda and tha bull shit and actually do what are...AMERICAN forefathers did and choose to take all view points into account and form not a more perfect union but simply a perfect union in the sense that the rights and opinions of all are protected and heard. But that starts with us forming more reasonable and honest opnions so turn of glen beck, ann coulter, and rush limbaugh, and mute bill maher, chris matthews, and racheal maddow. And form your own opinion based on whats not just best for you but for your neighbor, the one nextdoor, and the ones across the oceans. soemthing those of you who preach religion should be able to do very easily. And join the common sense party.
Our freedom is grounded in the love of God who has given us the power to avoid the bondage of sin.
For God so loved the world, that He gave His one and only Son that whosoever believes in him, should not perish, but have everlasting life! - John 3:16
This nation has been marching towards tyranny and dictatorship for a very long time. You will find it hard to believe but Abraham Lincoln took some of the first big steps in making the USA a Marxist country. He gave us the Draft (which is a violation of Liberty and Freedom), he illegally suspended habeas corpus (only Congress can do that), and forced the South into a war when he refused to withdraw federal troops from Fort Sumpter.
FRD, Bush Sr., Clinton, and Bush Jr. all played their parts in making the presidency increasingly more and more powerful. If you really look at things close you will begin to see that the Republican and Democrat parties are very much the same. Sure the GOP is "pro-life" and all that and the Dems lay claim to their beliefs, but when you look past the mask you see the same neo-Fascist/Marxist monster.
We all need to finally realize that people we have in power in the US right now will say ANYTHING to stay in power, and having that seat in the oval office or in congress is ALL they care about. They will say and do anything it takes. McCain said he would keep or troops in Iraq for 100 years or more if that's what it took, and Obama promised to pull them out very quickly after he took office. Of course the troops are still there. Funny how that sort of thing keeps on happening.
Don't be surprised if those troops never do come home, if the wars only get worse. Don't be surprised if the only reason those troops come home is because the government has ordered them to turn their guns on all of us.
The cartoon has its good points and so does many of the comments. What has been lacking in America from the very beginning right up to the present day, and is also seen in this blog is the lack of love. I don't care where your coming from or who you voted for one fact remains true, America's biggest problem is her lack of love.
I believe that Jesus was a man who communicated with God, and God was his Father. He tried to teach us that love is all we need, but we didn't believe then as we do not believe him now.
He is the motivation behind how I carry myself as a man. I believe in God and the word of Jesus, and you don't have to go to church to do this. I believe that love is all we need and love and forgiveness can conquer all of our problems and move us into a higher form of consciousness which I believe is our evolutional path. I do believe in miracles, but miracles can only be brought on by love.
This video was first made in response to Truman trying to give America the same health care options Europe was getting at the time, but was beaten back by idiotic right wing propaganda then, and now the same propaganda is being brought back...this video represents corporate interests, then and now..
For those that feel our government is out of control like most of us here then you'd be interested to know that the Continental Congress 2009 is presently in session!
“For over a decade, the We The People Foundation has championed an intensive, well-researched and coherent effort to hold the Government accountable for its escalating violations of fundamental Rights and the Constitution through use of the Right of the People to "petition the Government for a redress of grievances." Those ongoing abuses include violations of the Constitution's tax, money, war, general welfare, privacy and other clauses that are at the heart of the conditions that now plague our nation.”
“Continental Congress 2009 will take the process of holding Government accountable and restoring the Constitution to the next level by first creating a formal record of the vast violations of the Constitution and Individual Rights now suffered by the People. Next, the Congress will debate and decide upon a series of practical but strong "Civic Actions" the People may take in order to restore their Liberty.”
“The agenda for the CC2009 Assembly also provides for the development and adoption of formal "Remedial Instructions" to be served upon federal and state officials, in essence ordering them to cease and desist their official abuses and giving them formal Notice as to the "Civic Actions" of (peaceful) resistance the People may take, en masse, if those officials, yet again, choose to ignore the People's Petitions for Redress.”
Most of the CC2009 event can be viewed live each day at these links:
Do any of you even know the original purpose of this cartoon?? It was a propaganda piece against communism. This was made at a time when everyone was afraid that the Soviet Union would take over our country and impose communism on the US. It's not about the "evils" of providing quality health care for all of our citizens. It's not even about bailing out the rich at the expense of the middle class. It was made to scare everyone into believing that anyone who believes a government should see to the needs of it's citizens is evil and should be stopped. It's the forerunner of the McCarthy trials. Don't any of you read your history??
Whatever the original intent of the cartoon's creators, whether it was meant as anti-communist propaganda or as pro-corporation propaganda; it still manages to focus on the core value of America - Freedom. Individual people being free to live their live as THEY see fit, and not having government mandating this and that. A universal health-care system sounds great and looks like it'll even work...on paper....but actually put one into practice and things begin to fall apart. Let's take the Canadian system as an example, every Canadian who can afford it comes to America to see a doctor. Why? The wait lists in Canadian hospitals and clinics are too long for people to receive treatment at the time they need to receive it. The only significant advantage to the Canadian system is cheap medication. What advantage do you really have if you have guaranteed health-care, but no idea when you will even receive it?
However, even with all that said, there is strictly speaking no problem with the government providing such services (in most countries), so long as it is an OPTIONAL program and not mandatory. In the United States it becomes a Constitutional issue, in that the United States Government has NO Constitutional authority to create any kind of health-care system at all, nor does it have the authority to tax our wages (I forget the case, but the Supreme Court ruled that the 16th Amendment gives Congress no new tax power, ie does give them the power to tax our wages), they also do not have the authority to:
-Regulate the "education system" -Provide 'retirement insurance' in the form of the "Social Security System" -Regulate substance use, like the usage of marijuana, cigarettes, alcohol, etc. -Send US troops into combat with a Declaration of War from Congress (the War Powers Act is unconstitutional and therefore illegal) -To disarm American citizens under any circumstances (in the wake of hurricane Katrina many citizens of New Orleans were illegally disarmed) -To issue paper 'currency', the US government is authorized by the Constitution to only mind hard currency like silver and gold coins; and for good reason, the Founding Fathers experienced first-hand the dangers of paper fiat money ...the list goes on.
The US Government is in gross violation of the contract (US Constitution) between the several states under which said government was formed. There is a good reason the Constitution was written to limit the government, because authorize it would grow into the horrible beast that has now become after nearly 100 years of the American people letting their freedom slip little by little. The only problem with the Constitution is that it didn't limit the Government enough.
Please resist the hate and division being sown by both sides. This republic only works when we look for our common ground and build on it. That is the lesson at the end of the clip. If you want the freedom to do as you wish, other people must have the same freedoms for this republic to work. This is harder than you might think. If you want to pray to Christ in a government facility you need to be ready to let people pray to Allah as well. If you want to own a gun you may need to leave the decision between a doctor and a rape victim to the victim and her God. The government is either in our private lives or it is not. You cannot have government control only the people you do not agree with. We must work to respect the private lives of every citizen especially the ones we disagree with.
HOW MANY OF YOU, who "get" the point of this 1948 film, went to DC (11/5/09) to show the House that we want to KILL (the) HEALTH CARE bill? This is what's wrong with America today!
It takes a chuck out of our week to read/respond to blogs, email and watch TV on top of our real obligations of work, family, running kids to activities, PTA, or paying the bills. They rather we go through the motions of being good "pajama patriots" and less time actively doing something about it. We play right into their hands allowing them to distract us from understanding what is happening. We busy ourselves with new technology and wow over the latest cell phone apps, instead of organizing to remove the vermin from Local & National office.
WAKE UP AMERICA and get off your computers/Cell phones/TV's -- put those 20 hours a week to better use of your time and get politically involved. Better yet, RUN YOURSELF or support someone who is. It takes time, money and many volunteers. Unfortunately, we've been sitting on the sideline for too long, asleep at the wheel and look at the mess we've created as a result.
Remove these psychopaths from office and our lives!!! WE NEED LESS TALK . . . MORE ACTION NOW. You only have a few hours each day, put them to good use to save this country from the path the current Admin (Bush I, II/Clinton) is taking us.
I hear your patriotism in your voices. As the film highlighted, we must stand united and not let them divide us between rich or poor, between afro-american, cuban-american, italian-american, etc. or between jew, catholic, christian, atheist, mormon, baptist etc. or young and old . . . we are in a fight for the very way of life that has made this country a beacon for the oppressed.
If we can get men to the moon and back safely, we can figure this out. Houston we have a problem . . . Failure IS NOT an option!!!
But Lisette, I did vote to remove psychopaths from office last time and though we did a pretty good job, there is still work to be done! I would have removed more is I could, but there is always another election and I'll be there ballot in hand. It has been 61 years since the beginning of the Healthcare reform effort. If we live long enough, we actually could progress too match the more developed countries.
Most of you didn't even really listen to the moral of the story portrayed in this cartoon. "When ANYBODY (Democrats and Republicans included) preaches disunity, tries to pit one of us against the other through class warfare, race hatred, or religious intolerance, you know that person seeks to rob us of our freedom and destroy our very lives." Well spoken narrator! What administration has not sought out political favor through one of these means. Don't be so foolish! The Democrat / Republican duopoly was designed to divide and conquer and it has done so through EVERY single mean listed above. Get your head out of the sand, besides lip service, there is no difference between Democrats and Republicans. This country goes further down the tubes with ever successive president, Democrat or Republican. Your allegiance to said parties is nothing more than a product of indoctrination that we all receive through the controled education system and the corporate propaganda machine that is the mass media. Real change will only come when we realize that it is the individuals who sold the "ISM" to our paid for politicians many years ago, even before this cartoon was produced... The international banking families which control us through our very own monetary system. Destroy the FED and its ability to control our system from within (the IRS), and we might have a chance at true freedom. Face it, you own nothing and never have. It is all a farce. In 33' when our country basically declared bankrupcy, all ownership of land was turned over to the FED and you and I were assigned "Social Security" numbers as collateral and as holding on all assets in our possession on behalf of the U.S. government so the bankers would continue leasing us our own currency. You should really read your states title code. In GA 1-1-10 it states that all laws prior to '33 were repealed, the exception being the handful listed in that title. Every state has the same mandate in their title code. Check it out, we have not been sovereign since '33, when everything tangible in this nation was signed over to the FED in lieu of the national debt. So you go ahead and play their game, fight amongst yourselves which Republican/Democrat is right, the country will continue to get perpetually worse until you destroy the root of the problem. Oh and as far as this being a Christian Nation (laughs, I am a Christian by the way), you must not understand symbology or have even bothered researching the architecture in D.C. Our founders were mostly Freemasons, who specialize in crafting structures full of symbolism giving small details as to their real intent. If you understood the layout of the Washington Mall and the structures themselves, you would see that our founders revered Ancient Religions that frequently practised goddess worship... mostly the Egyptians and Romans/Greeks. I could go on and on.. you people should really become self aware, stop eating out of the elite's hands, and believing everything you see and hear from the propaganda machine. As Christians we are told to "test the spirits" how often do you really test or question them. Deceit is all around us, be wise to its ways. If you want to know the role of the occult in politics, google and read the publication "The Rainbow Swastika" it will change your life...
Victor I agree with your assessment of the previous leadership however that does not justify the lack of respect for the Constitution that this new government has, the lack of financial responsibility. We will not stand for our freedoms to be taken away and the vote will make sure that he serves no more than 4 years. By the way has anyone seen this man during Veterans day, not saluting the flag, yes I remember, he never did either during the campaign for office.
Hooray for Bernie he knows what capitalism is all about. Sure he's in prison. But show me the money. Can't wait for it to happen again. Deregulate or the Madhoff's of the world will go broke and the rest of us will follow. Give the banks and Wall Street free run I trust them to do what's right and necessary to make things better for...........
It's hilarious that everyone sees what they've been indoctrinated to see. The liberals see the "ism" seller as George Bush and the right-wing media. The conservatives see him as Obama and the left-wing media. Nobody is ready to recognize that THE "ISM" PITCHMAN IS US. You. Me. Anybody who has permanently aligned themselves with liberalism, conservatism, neo-conservatism, radicalism, capitalism or any other "ism."
The point of America is to be flexible in your ideas and to not let someone else do your thinking for you. If you believe as you believe because you've done the research, you've thought it through, then great. If you believe because Lou or Rush or some "opinion maker" tells you to, then you're just pitching another "ism." And America doesn't need any more of that.
You have to remember the times in which this video was made. Yes it may leave out some people but remember it said America is made up of all races, creeds and religions. That's what makes us GREAT. We need to make sure that we do not fall for the empty promises of our leaders, that we see through their smoke and mirrors. The only way this country will stay FREE is to repel any socialistic (ISM) ideas that they try to force on the American people.
Ann (near the top of the comments list)- "I am sorry for those who wrote a negative post about this carton, they missed the whole message of the carton. We live in a dark time with Peoples minds clouded with the sin of self. Our forefathers, who by the way where christians, build this nation with standards that today are according to all you liberalist have become obsolete. This country is headed for socialism or worse marxism. I wonder how all the liberalist will like our country then. GOOD LOOK WITH THAT!"
--Actually Ann it is a fallacy that all the Forefathers were Christian. Jefferson was a deist and fought long and hard to any mention of a Christian God out of the Declaration of Independence thus the word Creator was used and used in a manner that left it open to the individual. --We hold these truths to be self-evident, that all men are created equal, that they are endowed by their Creator with certain unalienable Rights, that among these are Life, Liberty, and the Pursuit of Happiness. That to secure these rights, Governments are instituted among Men, deriving their just powers from the consent of the governed.-- Whatever you might think of "Liberalists" they are the reason for so many of the things that keep you safe. The Food & Drug Admin is one that comes to mind. The Consumer Protection Agency is another. If it had been left to the likes of Pullman,Rockefeller,and the whole host of robber barons that so dominated the late 19th century, your father and grandfather would not have ever had a chance at a pension and a decent enough wage to own a home, the furniture that filled it(and might have passed down from one generation to another), or even a family car. A long time ago when the Republican Party was truly a reform party, they elected a man who saw labor/capital for what it was. Here's what he had to say,"Labor is prior to, and independent of, capital. Capital is only the fruit of labor, and could never have existed if labor had not first existed. Labor is the superior of capital, and deserves much the higher consideration." Abraham Lincoln said this on December 3, 1861 in his first annual address to Congress and at the time it was a very liberal view. I'm sorry that you fear that this country is headed to socialism or Marxism. Your fears, however, are very much unfounded. I get the feeling that you may be old enough to receive Social Security and/or Medicare. MY GOD!!!! what evil and vile social programs these are!!! I ask you, "Are they so evil and vile that you wish to return them and participate no longer?" Just a little something to think about.
Thomas Jefferson was a diest, so was Ben Franklin, but they believed in a supreme being and believed the Bible was the enerrant Word of God....
Show me the proof of your statement about Jefferson. (Jefferson was a deist and fought long and hard to any mention of a Christian God out of the Declaration of Independence)
Jefferson also said: "God who gave us life gave us liberty, and can the liberties of a nation be felt secure when we have removed thier one firm foundation, a conviction in the minds of the people that these liberties are a gift from God and are not to be violated but with His wrath. Indeed I tremble for my country when I reflect that God is just and His justice cannot sleep forever."
This quote was from the Virginia papers and can be found at his memorial in Washington DC....
People that don't know their history, especially the real history of this nation, never fail to amaze me at their stupidity.
BTW we ARE on a path to socialism. It's been happening for more than 20 years now. It just has been excellerated by the current administration.
Also, anyone that held office in the original 13 colonies had to swear a solom oath (it meant something back then) on the Bible, that they believed in God, and they believed the Bible was the ennerant Word of God.
Thus, anyone that held office DID believe in God. This country was founded on those principals! Check it out!
This cartoon seems to be a warning against the Bush administration that actually took away our freedoms, and gave hundreds of billions of dollars to big business. Thank goodness we now have an administration that has restored those freedoms, and puts people first.
I must point something out. You people...have no idea what you are talking about. WHAT FREEDOMS has Obama taken away? BUSH wire-tapped us warrantlessly. BUSH started the two wars (one, Afghanistan, being justified, and the other, Iraq, not). Bush kept us safe for eight years? 9/11 for one thing. Also, nothing has happened since Obama took office either. Strange, huh, considering apparently BUSH kept us safe. Also, for those of you talking about parties violating the constitution are flat out wrong, especially about the Democratic party. The Democratic party is keeping gun rights intact, even supporting them in many cases. They are huge proponents of the 1st amendment, and the rest of the Bill of Rights. Also, I would just like to point out that health care and education are constitutionally protected. The preamble says the following.
"We the people, in order to form a more perfect union, establish justice, ensure domestic tranquility, provide for the common defense, promote the general welfare and secure the blessings of liberty, for ourselves and our posterity, do ordain and establish this constitution for the United States of America."
PROMOTE THE GENERAL WELFARE! Obviously, promoting the general welfare means something different then than it does now. However, the general welfare now means health care, education, right to good standard of living, and protection in the workplace among many other things. The government exists to provide basic military and social support for a country. Basic social support means providing for the people. That is exactly what Obama is doing. Please, before you speak, REALLY know what the constitution says.
Name a government program that has worked:
1. Social Security 2. The military 3. The WPA 4. The interstate system 5. Medicare 6. Medicaid
It's a shame so many have watched this video and turned it into a debate. Didn't you get the message from the video?
Yeesh!
UNITED we stand.
There is no difference in any of the administrations. The policies don't change. They keep you fighting so that you don't realize how bad you're getting screwed!
The government won't be fixed until we all come together and DEMAND that they fix it.
Great debate and great discussion, and I happen to agree with a great many of them AND, I have a very simple solution. Make it a federal crime, punishable to the extreme to accept IN ANY FORM, donations, gifts, money or any other form of compensation over and above the set salary for all people involved in public office. You want to see a change, there it is. No more voting due to a guilty conscience, no more pressure, no more party politics. Why do you think the system originally worked? Lobbyist had NO MONEY! Public officials would be required to have transparent bank accounts. All the other problems this country has stem from this one problem. Obama owes the unions to the tune of $220 million. I'm sure every other member of congress and the senate owes someone somewhere too.
You say that President Obama owes the Union 220 million. Would you mind providing some documentation. People throw this kind of "stuff" around and they start quoting each other.
You are wrong about Jefferson. First, look up the Jefferson Bible and you will find that in "his" Bible he removed (marked, cut out, etc.) a large portion that he felt was in error. Second, he insisted on the wording on his gravestone that outlined what he considered his most important achievements ( www.mccullagh.org/image/13/thomas-jefferson-tombstone.html ). One was The Statute of Virginia for Religious Freedom. That Statute is very agnostic. However!!!! As a Christian I am warned in the Bible not to judge anyone for to do so puts my soul in harm's way. I think the President, as a person, should be considered worthy of a chance to work for the common good. Also, the Bible tells us that political leaders are in Office at God's will. Don't mess with God. And lastly, you are right about the inerrancy of the Bible, but you forget about all the harm that has been done by those who misinterpret the Bible. This is especially true for those who use the Word of God for their own purposes. And it is even truer that the Bible is used incorrectly when done so for political purpose. God is not amused. One more: thing, the very nature of calling ourselves Christians, obligates us to be thankful and compels us NOT to be cynical. Pass it on.
Sorry about the wholesale march to socialism. Actually, if you are so against socialism in any form I'm afraid you're too late. Please join with me to get rid of the following socialist programs:
Medicare Social Security Clear Water and Clean Air Acts National Federal Highways Unemployment Insurance Minimum Wage Child Labor Laws Civil Right Laws Public Schools Public Land Grant Universities Pubic Funded Hospital and Clinics Pure Food Acts National, State, and Local Environmental Laws
( Got to end here, running out of time. Just add anything that fits the public good that's also paid for by Government. Let me say, party affiliation does not make you a socialist. There are those who care about the people regardless of party affiliation. Actually, I think you are mixing up Socialism with Communism as most do, but that's another kettle of fish. )
I've read Many of these comments and very few have appropriately placed the blame: WE THE PEOPLE.
The cartoon is ageless for America and Americans. It warns against haphazardly giving away your freedoms or, worse yet, ALLOWING THEM TO BE TAKEN.
The latter is far worse.
Do you remember the Revolution and why American colonists went to war? They felt they, and their wishes, weren't being properly represented. But remember, even during the Revolution Americans weren't united. There were still Many Loyalists around.
What about The Civil War? No it wasn't about slavery. It was about federal vs. state laws & rights. Don't start with the "north vs south" bit either; you should check where the Maison-Dixon line Really lies.
AMERICANS have to DO for themselves. It's not someone else's responsibility to fix it.
If OUR history proves anything, WE have always been the ones to fix OUR problems.
Obviously it's not in our nature to always be united under the same ideas. But I am thankful that we can argue amongst ourselves.
Aren't you?
That is our American tradition, OUR LEGACY.
Frankly, the American government is no longer a tool of the people. It has turned the people into its tool to use and manipulate at will. It is a thing that has been GIVEN more power than it was ever intended to have.
That power has to be TAKEN BACK by the PEOPLE.
The government should never be governing itself - that idea above all others is what separated America from all nations when it was founded. It is what should continue to separate us from all other tyrannical institutions.
How do WE THE PEOPLE make Our Own Changes happen and take back Our American Legacy?
1) Forget the following words: Republican Democrat Religion Race Sex ...And while you're at it: Age. Age does not impart wisdom, after all.
2) Do YOUR OWN Research. Don't leave it to the news channels to relay it to you. They're worse than Congressmen. A non-American newspaper or group would be a good start; try BBC News.
3) Don't re-elect ANY representatives.
4) Think for yourself.
5) Think of who will pay for today's actions. It's most likely going to be You.
...And for the record, I have NO PARTY after my name. It's lovely to not get pandered to. You should try it, I think you'd like it too!
Right on Victor...it is amazing that every senior citizen who sat back and watched the last Regime do what they may is now an activist! I think they still long for the imagry in the 1948 cartoon..kent in Washington DC
All I can say is "Wake up America, read your Constitution" The more we let Obama run us into the ground and bow to other countries, the quicker we are headed for the nightmares in this cartoon. It scares me to death to see what my son may have to deal with one day. I want a FREE USA for him, not the place we are headed with this administration in power and its Socialist agenda.
All I can say is "Wake up America, read your Constitution" The more we let Obama run us into the ground and bow to other countries, the quicker we are headed for the nightmares in this cartoon. It scares me to death to see what my son may have to deal with one day. I want a FREE USA for him, not the place we are headed with this administration in power and its Socialist agenda.
It’s all right to be frightened and perfectly logical. However, I wouldn’t worry about President Obama taking anything from you. After all, the closest we have come to losing our freedom, since The War Between the States, was with the last administration (Bush, Jr. in case you forgot)… What you need to worry about is the enormous debt we owe China. If they call for the money we owe them it will take a barrel full of dollars to buy a loaf of bread. You also need to worry about our loss of manufacturing jobs, and tax evasion corporate mail-drops, to offshore sites. You need to worry about your loss of control of your own country to special interest groups and their lobbyist. You need to worry about misinformation and distortion from Fox News and Rush – where you obviously get your information. The President is the least of your worries. But go ahead and worry about him, it’ll help you forget the real problems. And, to really protect yourself, take a beginner language course in Chinese at your local community college.
You guys are obviously tainted by the mainstream liberal media. I have two college degrees, have an extensive background in politics. The only worry I have is that more people don't listen to Rush, Fox News, ect. It will be uneducated people like you that are easily lead that will be the down fall of the greatest nation on Earth. Oh and as far as China, who comes to the aid when things go wrong? We do. If we were to collect on all the debts we are owed, well, let's just say our economy wouldn't be going down hill so fast. President Bush did a wonderful job with the crap he was left from Clinton. Obama will institute his Socialist agenda, then you won't be able to spout your ignorant mess.
Amazing that the cartoon spouts the freedom of the US withonly white characters, when Blacks couldn't drink at water fountains in the South, were being lynched, went to segregated schools, Many people believed Italians all had links to the Mafia, Asians were limited in the ability to immigrate here, Hispanics couldn't go to many schools etc.
Well, I think I can match your credentials, but I have no need to get into a p---ing contest. But, please tell me who owes us money – we need to collect? Perhaps you would be interested in watching the movie, “IOUSA”. It is an award winning conservative documentary on our deficit economy. On the other hand, with all those degrees in economics and political history you most probably know it all.
Well, I think I can match your credentials, but I have no need to get into a p---ing contest. But, please tell me who owes us money – we need to collect? Perhaps you would be interested in watching the movie, “IOUSA”. It is an award winning conservative documentary on our deficit economy. On the other hand, with all those degrees in economics and political history you most probably know it all.
You are so right. I'm a Democrat and a progressive because I have done the research and make informed decisions. The fallacy of all that is that we have no idea where our information comes from, or where “they” get their information. So, we are stuck with our lifetime of indoctrination and the spectacles thereby provided. I don’t think anyone does, or says anything that they think is wrong. So, like you inferred, we walk our path crashing and thrashing. God help us.
- Lots of stereotypes here, even when the film speaks of diversity and harmony. There was a moment when the snake oil salesman, with dark skin but no accent, was called "foreign influence." Sheesh.
- This cartoon was about life in 1948, not far-fetched at all in speculating about 1984 and Big Brother. People get afraid and they visual what they don't want to happen. We should try to visualize what we do want. Not just for our own soul but for a better world all the way round.
- Pretty clever cartoon. Sophisticated in finding humor about current events. Sort of an early Onion, or Jon Stewart.
- Lots of stereotypes here, even when the film speaks of diversity and harmony. There was a moment when the snake oil salesman, with dark skin but no accent, was called "foreign influence." Sheesh.
- This cartoon was about life in 1948, not far-fetched at all in speculating about 1984 and Big Brother. People get afraid and they visual what they don't want to happen. We should try to visualize what we do want. Not just for our own soul but for a better world all the way round.
- Pretty clever cartoon. Sophisticated in finding humor about current events. Sort of an early Onion, or Jon Stewart.
It is apparent to me that the further this nation distances itself from a belief in Jesus Christ as our savior, the closer to hell on Earth we get. Quite simple actually. 1. 2Ch 7:14 If my people, which are called by my name, shall humble themselves, and pray, and seek my face, and turn from their wicked ways; then will I hear from heaven, and will forgive their sin, and will heal their land.
Each individual's walk with Jesus has nothing to do with the government. Jesus didn't ask us to use government for force people to walk with Him, He just asked for us individually to do so.
So, as long as the government never says you CAN'T believe in Jesus, there shouldn't be a problem. Anything after that fact is just confusing Jesus with the laws of man to govern things like land and personal property.
I thought the Cartoon was very rudimentary in it's creation and very broad and misleading with it's message.
There is no loss of freedom in this country or any other industrialized nation. The Unions are good for middle America. Without them you have what we have today where 1 percent of the population owns 95% of all America's wealth. We need fair labor laws and raise minimum wages to create a middle class. We need common sense regulation of the industries to promote competition and small business. We don't want Wall mart to be the only Department store around paying unlivable wages while the owners make billions on the backs of the underpaid workers either. Banks are ripping us off and no one is bashing them. Interest rates used to be regulated to 10% maximum. With deregulation n ow look at what we have gotten in return, 29.9% interest rates. No consumer protection laws leaves us all vulnerable to the banks whims. BUST UP THE LOBBYIST AND THEIR REVOLVING DOOR IN WASHINGTON. DEMAND PUBLIC FUNDING FOR ELECTIONS AND NO OUTSIDE CONTRIBUTIUONS!
@Joe Smith, I just watched the 30 min. condensed version of I.O.U.S.A. on youtube and just from that I must agree with you. Every citizen of this Nation needs this perspective to grasp the mess we are in and how we got here.
One definition of insanity is "doing the same thing over and over, and expecting different results." By that standard our federal government is crazy as a ****house rat, and has been for generations.
At this point, anyone who blames Obama, Bush, Clinton, etc... democrats or republicans past or present... while praising the political opposite, has not been paying attention. These Globalist Traitors are all playing on the same team, working to end our free, sovereign Constitutional Republic. And love 'em or hate 'em you gotta admit, they have one heckuva team!
I remember seeing this cartoon and others when I was a child. The attitudes portrayed in this cartoon are why people came to America. I am a first generation American. In order for my family to worship anything but the state they had to hide in the woods and when caught were imprisoned and tortured. This country has always been tolerant of all religions until the ACLU stuck it's nose in. Remember it is freedom of religion not freedom from religion. I don't care what religion you are you should stand up and fight for the freedom of your neighbors religion. Next they will come after your freedoms. Our administration today is the most crooked that this country has ever had. They care not about our rights. They are lining their pockets while stripping you of your rights and posessions. I would love to see a country as strong as it used to be stand up to them. When they try to force their form of national healthcare on you, and you have to pay for others to have abortions even though you are vehemently apposed to them that is wrong. Abortion is an elective procedure not related to a woman's health. If I have to pay for them to have an abortion then they should have to pay for me to have such things as liposuction or facelift. Neither one has anything to do with health they are both elective. Abortions are big business and they are making alot of money from it and that is the only reason they want to oppress women into thinking that it is ok and their only way to live. I say that everytime they try to impose something that is clearly against the majority we should simply say no, we won't pay. Can they really imprison the nation if we do not. In the meantime, I and others have been writing to our so called representatives. They have been informed that we are watching and the next election with contain their pink slips. Enough is enough. We are tired of our government breeding hate among the people.The season is Christmas not a holiday like any other. I do not celebrate Hanakuh, Kwanza, Ramadan, I am not a part of their religion. They have their right to worship as they will and I have mine. If you are not a christian then why would you hypocritically celebrate the birth of Christ? Yes, Virginia, Christmas is the celebration of the birth of Christ no matter how you try to repackage it. If you do not like that then do not celebrate it. I won't mess with your traditions and you don't mess with mine. The government owes no one a single dime to live on. If you want it bad enough then work for it. Capitalism is not a bad word. This is wht our country was built on. We don't care what other countries think of us as a nation. They don't have to live here. The only nations besides our own that count as far as their opinion is our allies. Nobama is quickly offending all the the nations that would ever help us if we needed them. He is making friends with the very nations that hate us for our way of life. They are the infadels who preach hate and violence and we have no need for them here. If they attack us here or overseas then they deserve our rath. I recently read a newspaper article from Europe. They refer to Nobama as President Pantiwaste. I never would have thought of that one but it is fitting. He is pushing unpopular and dangerous legislature through. if he had his way no one would read it just sign it like his no-stimulus trillion $ bill. If the people hadn't started screaming to their reps about their irresponsible actions in signing that without reading it then everything else that he tried would go through the same way. He is desparate now because he knows that we have figured him and his cronies out and that this time next year he will have a whole new congres not a bunch of yes men. Any government that is big enough to give you everything is big eough to take everything from you. Dont' ever forget that.
@Carie12: I just want to tell you I am glad your family decided to come to this country. The values you hold speak well for your parents and for you... and for the U.S.A.
I was sickened by your statements. 1st, the ACLU's whole purpose is protect and defend the US Constitution. Yes, they often times take on unpopular causes, and the causes most would agree with seldom hit the papers. Many attorneys belong to the ACLU and I think all of our Supreme Court Justices. They must be doing something right. If your parent’s had a viable equivalent to the ACLU in their country of origin they may not have had to flee.
Your flat out statement that the current administration is the “most crooked this country has ever had” could only come from someone who has not studied American history. Besides, where is your documentation that anything crooked is going on with the current administration? In a free country you can go to jail for slander. Slander is when you impugn someone’s character, truthfulness, etc. without documentation. Yep, celebrities and politicians are often considered fair game and unscrupulous folk have taken advantage of such. But one thing we like to do in the country is to respect our leaders – or at least we used to do so before Rush and others of his ilk. If you have “any” charges of crooked behavior concerning any politician, from your local mayor to the President, come forth with your documentation. I will be there with you at the impeachment proceedings. If not, then be a good American and debate issues, and refrain from un-American activities. Read the fable about killing the goose that laid the golden eye…
And, since you don’t cotton to the government paying or supporting anything, like the development of the Internet, then invent your own system of communication and leave ours alone…
Oh my many here are on the wrong and "lets blame somebody" track. Victor: I voted for Bush2, then not long after, turned against him for what he was doing. Stop the blame game and instead think what needs to be done to pull together. Sodaro: You are intent on every faith, race, etc being named. IS it not enough to say, as the video did, all faiths and races? Plus this started long long before Bush2. FDR was a federalist and others before him. Lincoln stomped on the constitution more than anyone. And look again at the video, the flag is correctly displayed throughout. The sexism you so dislike was a standard at the time and is a correct depiction of their current outlook, or would you have them alter history to suit today's culture? NOW is the time to admit that we the people got sloppy and did not watch those we elected. That was and still is the problem. We need to be well red on the constitution & articles so we know our rights and hold elected officials feet to that fire. It does no good to indulge in blame for it often angers others so much that they cannot listen. It is far better to look for a solution.
Interesting opinion on things. One of the things that struck me was the entrepreneurial theme about halfway through.
I've lost my reference, but there was a long-term study of entrepreneurs during Republican and Democratic administrations over the last 50 years or so. What was striking was that the dramatic, game-changing ideas nearly always came during Democratic administrations.
Cases in point, the auto industry and big oil. Republican administrations, many of whom had deep roots in the oil business, fought tooth and nail to avoid having increased fuel economy standards. They also had little interest in developing alternative energy solutions. You can judge for yourself whether those were good ideas or not.
The study characterized the Republican administrations as fiercely protecting the status quo and avoiding change. Another example is health care. This is a HUGE problem for the U.S. I don't think that they have the right solution yet, but what we currently have is unsustainable.
It was also interesting, at about the 8:29 mark, when it said "When anyone preaches disunity, tries to pit one of us against the other, through class warfare, race hatred, or religious intolerance, you know that person seeks to rob us of our freedom and destroy our very lives". How many Muslim/Mexican/Black bashing e-mails have you seen from the conservative right? I wonder what their take is on this part of the cartoon?
The United States of America is/should be/was a union of individually sovereign states bound by their acceptance and adherance to Our Constitution.
Our Constitution is the principal law against which all others must be justified. Its primary, revolutionary idea is that the governing power should allways reside decisively with the people.
If the people of California or Massatuchetts are OK with faggots, fine, I don't have to live there. The Fedaral Government has NO costitutional authority to either deny there deviance or insist I accept it. If the people of Mass. or Tenn. or any oa all States want central healthcare, they can have it. Washington D.C. has no constitutional authority to mandate it.
That so many have so willfully or coersivly drank the ISM oil is sad. But even if a majority of voters were to openly and knowingly agree to make America a NATIONALLY SOCIALIST nation we would need to first revoke the Constition. It is still the LAW wheather or not it is obeyed. The first question we need ask, while it is still our right to do so is, do we wish to be governed by rule of law or by the edict of a person or group.
If any of us are comfortable with the idea of someone else deciding what is best for you, like it or not, DO NOTHING here it comes.
You need not be a scolar to understand YOUR CONSTITUTION. You may however want to study it if your intent is to subvert it.
Liberty is the first gift of life and I will stand and die for it.
this guy even said...American like the health care system we have...so why change it? Why...because its not what Americans want...its what this addministration wants.
Well said! What's even more wonderful is that if you live in a different state than I am, I can just dismiss anything you say on the Internet, tell you that "You're saying it wrong." then vote exactly the opposite to how you feel. My vote counteracts your vote.
The AARP, ANA (American Nurses Association, the AMA (American Medical Association), and many other health care professional associations support this health reform bill. This is why I support health reform:
The Bill introduces the insurance industry, especially with the public option, to capitalism. Right now because that industry (the only other is professional baseball) is exempt from the anti-trust laws. They routinely fix prices: the cost of insurance, the amount paid for procedures, and the list of pre-existing reason to deny services. All of their figures are printed and shared industry wide.
The insurance companies research every client's past for pre-existing conditions (think broadly) and squirel this information away. If you have paid insurance for twenty years and you have a claim, they search their files. Bingo, no payment. No, they do not tell clients that they knew about the conditions back when you started the policy! You paid for nothing - ergo high profits.
The new bill will remove the insurance company from between you and your doctor. Procedures and treatment will be the sole responsibility of patients and their doctor. No longer will treatment depend on insurance approval. I think what the industry calls this is rationing…
It includes, for the first time, efficiencies in medical records, treatments, payments for preventative procedures, and yes, counseling - the death panels (-: This will provide better care, and at unit for unit comparisons, will save money. It will go a long way toward moving us up from a health care worldwide rank of 37th to something less embarrassing (World Health Organization sponsored research by the Harvard School of Public Health School.).
Change is difficult. Difficult is no reason not to change.
Gene, I see you drank their Koolade. Of COURSE the organizations you cite support this fiasco, they've been bought! They are in bed with the federal government and have been for years.
Time was, many years ago if you needed a pain killer you'd go to the local apothecary and buy whatever you needed over the counter. Of course if you thought you needed a doctor you'd go to a doctor. People lived, people died, and the world kept turning. But then doctors became more numerous and more sophisticated and formed the AMA (http://preview.tinyurl.com/8e3gkj). From its beginning this organization was not about caring for patients, but enriching doctors. This has not changed. And still people live, people die... but we do both at a much higher cost than before.
A similar indictment can be made of the AARP; its policies over the years clearly demonstrate it is not motivated by concern for the elderly but concern for their money. In this case it expects a windfall from sales of Medigap insurance coverage.
Just follow the money. Ask yourself why the bills being considered include little if any real tort reform, or open insurance competition across state lines. There are many unanswered questions about this thing.
But my biggest questions are these: first, what's the hurry to get it passed before anyone has time to really study it? Any time the government pulls a rush job like this you can bet there's something being hidden from us all. Don't you wonder why Barry and his buddies in Congress are in such a rush to pass this monstrosity when it won't go into effect for a couple of years?
But here's my biggest question: can somebody please lay a finger on that part of the Constitution granting the federal government power to control our healthcare? I've studied that grand document hundreds of times and have yet to see healthcare among the enumerated powers thus granted.
What’s the hurry? Take time to study it? You’ve got to be kidding. The concerted effort to reform health care has been going on for sixty-one years (61 years!). However, the first mention was by Teddy Roosevelt. I’m surprised the altruistic have had this much stamina. Sen. Kennedy devoted his entire political life fighting the health care industry. It is only one of two industries not subject to anti-trust laws. (Professional baseball being the other.) They fix prices, fix procedures, determine procedures, get between you and your doctor in the most intrusive ways – what they will and will not pay for, what procedures they’ll pay for and when they’ll pay for it – not to mention their delay tactics while the hurting suffer and often die. Good business practices?
I for one thing would like to introduce to the insurance companies the American capitalistic system. If they get special privileges due to their political and monetary power, then let them compete with a government sponsored program whose motivation is not profiting on people’s suffering. And, since the industry is the most profitable industry in our country, maybe its time they answer for their monopolistic exploitation.
The cruelest crime the insurance industry is guilty of is the selling of insurance, researching preexisting situations, taking your money for decades, and then when you have a claim, denying benefits due to the preexisting problems they knew about way beforehand.
Warren, you are right. Our constitution doesn’t say anything about providing health care. Nor does it say anything about Pure Food and Drugs, nor Clean Air and Water, nor National Parks, nor Civil Rights, nor National Highways.. I can name you many areas recently where our constitution has been trampled on; health care reform is not one of them. Note also that anytime you cash a Social Security check, take advantage of Medicare, drink a glass of pure clean water, or drive on one of our national highways and approve thereof, then you can be rightly labeled a Socialist. It always depends on whose ox is being gored.
You are correct, there have been efforts to 'reform' health care through government action for decades. You might also note many of them have been successful, and that most if not all were spearheaded by groups such as the AMA.
Our federal government has demonstrated time after time a profound ineptitude at managing anything. Invariably, special interest groups sell an idea to a few legislators, along with the proper spin (they hope) to convince citizens it is in our best interest.
The abuses you mention by the insurance companies and health care in general are a result of governmental mishandling and mis-regulation. These abuses could be addressed via Constitutional legislation without having to resort to a Liberty-limiting, Socialist structure.
As for the other Socialist government programs you mention, I don't approve of many of them. I am retired and drawing Social Security and enrolled in Medicare, but that doesn't mean I approve. What it means is the government is now grudgingly returning a little of the money it has been embezzling from me all my working life. Am I happy to see that check every month? You bet. Am I grateful to our benevolent government for returning what was already mine? Of course not! They had no right to take it in the first place.
Leftists need to understand: government produces NOTHING. Therefore it has nothing, except what it has managed to steal. It cannot provide anything to anyone without first taking it from someone. So if I earn ten dollars and the government takes two of them, it can spend those two bucks on something or someone. But wait! First it must pay government 'expenses', after which it might have $.75 to spend.
The reason government has become so expensive is over generations we have allowed it to assume powers never granted it in the Constitution. I believe it is well past time to roll these things back, to repeal every federal law lacking a solid Constitutional foundation. I realize this would have to be done gradually, but the best place to start is to demand our legislators immediately quit making such laws.
The scumbags took a solemn Oath of fidelity to our Constitution; to defy that oath is to aid and comfort the Enemy of this Republic. According to our Constitution this amounts to Treason:
"Treason against the United States, shall consist only in levying War against them, or in adhering to their Enemies, giving them Aid and Comfort. No Person shall be convicted of Treason unless on the Testimony of two Witnesses to the same overt Act, or on Confession in open Court.
The Congress shall have Power to declare the Punishment of Treason, but no Attainder of Treason shall work Corruption of Blood, or Forfeiture except during the Life of the Person attainted."
Joe, I want to be clear about something here: I am no Republican, and don't give a free pass to Bush or his daddy any more than I give one to Obama or Clinton. And ditto for the whole stable of Congress critters; if they fail to honor their Oath of office they are Traitors, pure and simple. They should be prosecuted to the fullest extent of the law.
I'd propose retaining an expert taxidermist to mount their heads on a board as a warning to others, but sadly I can find no Constitutional justification for that.
I know you are serious, but truthfully, I found your ideas lots of fun. I don't mean that the way it sounds. I get mad at government often myself. I don't think you really want the kind of lifestyle you and yours would inherit if we rolled back “all” the Federal programs. Being in my seventies, and having contributed to Social Security since I started contributing at age 13 bagging groceries, I know what you mean by them taking our money. I’ve been receiving SS now for some time, and being in good health, I think I may at least break even. Plus I’m neither forced to speak German or Japanese – though I not sure about Spanish. Anyway, we have it pretty good here in the US of A. Our greatest danger is the deficit, but I still feel optimistic.
I really am serious but find it imperative to keep a sense of humor about such things. I'm pleased to see you are amused, not offended.
I wouldn't want to roll back all federal programs, only those which fail to comport with our Constitution and Bill of Rights.
I realize, as did our Founders, circumstances will arise for which the Constitution does not provide. For that reason they provided the process by which it can be amended. They deliberately (and IMO, wisely) made this process a bit difficult to discourage such changes being made on a whim.
So, if the federal government believes it is justified in usurping a power other than those granted it by the Constitution, it must first persuade the States, and the People. There must be an amendment, otherwise whatever law it passes is meaningless.
This is essential if we are to remain a free, sovereign, Constitutional Republic. That is, a "government of Laws, not of Men".
I agree we have it pretty good here, for now. And I can almost agree our biggest problem is the deficit, except I see it as a major component of a larger problem. That problem is Globalism, a World Government, under which our Founding Documents will cease to exist.
I see every blow against our Constitution and every dollar of our National debt as pushing our Republic that much closer to its demise. And I see this: for generations various Presidents, Legislators and Judges have worked toward this end. They have served not the people who elected (or appointed) them, but an external force intent upon enslaving us all.
Those earlier Presidents and Congresses set up the shot; it falls to Obama to slam-dunk us, broken, disarmed and defeated, into the New World Order.
In the meantime Joe, I'll keep praying your optimism is warranted. I honestly don't believe I've ever wanted so badly to be wrong about anything in my life.
Unfortunately, our representatives HAVE served the people who elected (or appointed) them. The external force intent upon enslaving us all are the "majority".
The Representative Democracy in which we live in (yes, it's also a Republic) has one big flaw. The majority is in charge. Voting, choosing representatives, and making your voice be heard are all based on the majority. If the majority is a bunch of imbeciles holding torches and pitchforks and, for instance, saying that the rights of some people should be reduced because it would protect the "way of living" that the majority have been used to, then the minority must suffer and continue to speak their minds until they can change the minds of enough people to become the new majority.
Look around at the true majority. Watch the rallies. Watch the protesting. Watch the picketing. Those are the minority. The minority rarely get their way. So, their only recourse is to picket and gather together and protest. Their numbers don't win, so they make their voices louder and louder until they can change enough minds to become the majority.
This is both a blessing and a curse. It means two things:
1) No matter how poorly you think the government is doing, you always have a chance at getting your way if you get yourself heard.
2) No matter how happy you are with the government, you always have a chance to have that stripped away from you if you take it for granted.
So, while you view the world as a big conspiracy that is trying to strip the constitution right out from under our noses, the reality is that the constitution assumes that everyone is equal and that the majority rules.
Sorry for my error, it should have said: For those who keep saying, "This country was founded on Christianity!" Please remember these few things, How they practiced their faith and modern practice of faith is very, very different. Those "Christians", had slaves, and women had little if no rights. The "Christians" made deals with Indians, that basically took away their land. Finally and most importantly, Some of those, "Christians" burned people at the stake or worse. I will get off my soap box now.
I would like both of your 'takes' on a documentary titled: 9/11 Mysteries: Demolitions.
http://www.freedocumentaries.org/film.php?id=147
That's the link or go to www.freedocumentaries.org. and click on 9/11 Mysteries: Demolitions.
After you HONESTLY watch this movie, please explain how Building 7, with dozens of steel reinforced concrete columns, had a catostrophic failure. All steel reinforced concrete columns fail simultaneously. Magically.
Read between the lines, gentlemen.
Here is another documentary. This is far closer to the truth than anything you will be told from the network news or governement releases.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eAaQNACwaLw The Obama Deception HQ Full length version
"Fall of the Republic" is yet another informative documentary. Find it at inforwars.com.
What is the conclusion of the matter? A hell-bent international banking cartel intent on world domination has been working behind the scenes for longer than any of us have been alive.
The word of God says as much, (That's what's in that Bible that these Presidents solemnly swear alligence and protection to the Constitution on;) It tells us there is a time coming when an individual working with the banks will require everyone, great or small, to take a MARK on their foreheads or their hands, without which, no man can buy or sell. Not food, not Gas and not medication gentlemen.
My career as a home builder was destroyed by multitudes of illegal aliens who were freely let across our borders by these presidents who swore to protect them.
Why? Because these non-representatives are doing the bidding of the hidden rulers of the world. And our Constitution and Bill of Rights are just in their way.
Please watch the documentaries. Then fall to your knees and cry to God for mercy, salvation and justice!
Truth is truth. Facts are facts. Lies are lies. And Deception is deception.
Jesus is The Way, The Truth and The Life.
Have a good day, gentlemen. And have an Everlasting Life!
Kevin Hofsas, Author. 7 Visitations from God, 12 Revelations from Heaven. www.MarkMyWordsPublishing.com
Bob, you are not a Christian, or you would understand that God, yes, is ultimately in charge, however, we still have free will...we choose whether or not we are going to follow and become evil or not.
This world is filled with evil, its up to each of us to recognize it and FIGHT IT...just as this cartoon points out.
There are evil people currently in office...they are doing all that they can to destroy America and force us into becoming a dependent society...SOCIALIST nation.
You said, "There are evil people currently in office...they are doing all that they can to destroy America and force us into becoming a dependent society...SOCIALIST nation."
Tell me, what part of your character assassination is in anyway Christian? Character assassination was one of the things Jesus railed against. I paraphrase: You brood of vipers. You're like white washed tomes, all shiny and bright on the outside, but filthy and full of dead men's bones. His warning that you will be judged by the very standards you use to judge others seems not to frighten you. Not to mention the point about being salt and light, nor that salt that has lost its saltiness is of no use and is thrown out on the ground. So, my dear, choose to be a follower and a wholesome witness. You can have your opinions and political slant - but if you love this country, and our democracy, you might opt to cool your rhetoric.
Thomas Jefferson refutes using the general welfare clause to "provide for the general welfare" without enumerated powers (Article 1 Section 8):
"They are not to do anything they please to provide for the general welfare, but only to lay taxes for that purpose. To consider the latter phrase not as describing the purpose of the first, but as giving a distinct and independent power to do any act they please which may be good for the Union, would render all the preceding and subsequent enumerations of power completely USELESS. It would reduce the whole instrument to a single phrase, that of instituting a Congress with power to do whatever would be for the good of the United States; and as they would be the sole judges of the good or evil, it would be also a power to do whatever evil they please...certainly no such universal power was meant to be given them. It was intended to lace them up straightly within the enumerated powers and those without which, as means, these powers could not be carried into effect."
James Madison and others also renounced this misuse of the general welfare clause as well.
You named Federal Programs that "worked"...my response to those:
Name a government program that has worked:
1. Social Security
“Social Security will start paying out more in benefits than it collects in taxes in 2016, a year sooner than projected last year (2008), and the giant trust fund will be depleted by 2037, four years sooner, trustees reported.” - AP
2. Medicare
“Medicare is in even worse shape. The trustees said the program for hospital expenses will pay out more in benefits than it collects this year (2009), just as it did for the first time in 2008. The trustees project that the Medicare fund will be depleted by 2017, two years earlier than the date projected in last year’s report.” - AP
3. Medicaid
Medicaid is a joint federal-state program; each state operates its own Medicaid system. As much as 22% of a States revenue is used to fund Medicaid. To reduce this, Congress passed a law in 2008 to allow States to charge premiums or co-pays to Medicaid users. This may have resulted in the poor not being able to receive medical care.
4. The WPA
It is not a question of whether it worked or not…it is a question of Constitutionality. By Jefferson’s statement, it would not qualify as an “enumerated power”. From a cynical viewpoint, it was a great way for FDR to “buy” 8 million votes. (Hmmm, sounds like health care and amnesty for illegal aliens)
5 and 6. The Military & Interstate System
Finally, constitutionally “enumerated” powers! Well sort of…The Interstate system is owned, built, and operated by the states with substantial subsidy from the federal government. Its funding has been authorized under postal road “enumerated” powers.
The Military (Army and Navy) is “enumerated” as an authorized appropriation of public funding. I do wonder where the authority for an “Air Force” is granted, but that is another subject.
Wow, sad that they saw this coming that long ago and still nothing has been done to stop it. Thank you to the person who posted this clip so I can send it to many others. Happy Holidays and Merry CHRISTmas.
I am signing out of this blog because it is eating up too much of my time, I doubt anyone will be presuaded by anyone else anyway. That being the case, 'tis a waste of effort. People believe what they want to believe and it you try to stop their ascent up Mad Mountain, they will just double their effort.
I am signing out of this blog because it is eating up too much of my time, I doubt anyone will be presuaded by anyone else anyway. That being the case, 'tis a waste of effort. People believe what they want to believe and it you try to stop their ascent up Mad Mountain, they will just double their effort.
For those of you who like to blame the last administration for everything, keep in mind that George W. Bush inherited a recession, we were attacked on 9/11,an attack that was planned under Clinton,and despite fighting on 2 fronts, his deficit vs. GDP was only 2.4%, while Clintons was 3.6% and Obamas is 9.9%; more money went into the federal treasury than in the history of the US because of tax cuts; and, unemployment was 4.5%, less than the average of the last 40 years. He tried to put controls on the financial institutions almost 10 times and each time was rejected by Congress. It was not until the Democrats took over in 2006, thanks to the leftist media, that things really started to go downhill. But for people like Victor and others, it is always nice to blame the other side and unfortunately, some will keep believing it. It will take us decades to undo the damage that our Kenyan-born "president" is doing to this once great country.
This 1948 cartoon is about liberty. Which ISM is best suited as a tool to be used by a people guaranteed a Republican form of government to protect their liberties?
Wait, what the heck is Liberty?
Check out this short (8 minute) presentation entitled, "The Philosophy of Liberty" and then decide which ISM is best for the people of the united states.
This cartoon sends a message to the people, that message is that nothing has changed! The world itself has not changed, it is the people. First, God gave us all free will, then He gave us a choice, to do good or be bad. People have become money hungry, and all about what they can get from another. This is not love. If people would learn to help others and do it from their hearts and not with selfisness, things would be better. That cartoon showed how easy a person can deseive another into believing anything. Yet your life can be what you make it with the help of the Lord. Yet we can do nothing with out the strength of the Lord.
You are absolutly right W but if we dont stand up and fight for what we believe in we will loose it forever. We can’t lie down and expect God to do everything for us. "Thou salt not tempt the Lord thy God" God gave us free will
" 1 There is a time for everything,
and a season for every activity under heaven: 2 a time to be born and a time to die, a time to plant and a time to uproot,
3 a time to kill and a time to heal, a time to tear down and a time to build,
4 a time to weep and a time to laugh, a time to mourn and a time to dance,
5 a time to scatter stones and a time to gather them, a time to embrace and a time to refrain,
6 a time to search and a time to give up, a time to keep and a time to throw away,
7 a time to tear and a time to mend, a time to be silent and a time to speak,
8 a time to love and a time to hate, a time for war and a time for peace."
and if we willingly and knowingly give up our freedom and our liberty then God will honor our decision. We must stand up for our selves or loose all our freedoms forever.
This is what the cartoon is all about "Is life so dear, or peace so sweet, as to be purchased at the price of chains and slavery? Forbid it, Almighty God! I know not what course others may take; but as for me, give me liberty or give me death!" Patrick Henry, March 23, 1775.
To all you leftist liberals would you give total control over every aspect of your life to any one individual or group to decide what is best for you whether you agree with it or not. Are you really foolish enough to believe social dependency on the government will work? What reword do you think you are going to get out of destroying Liberty and capitalism? Do you lust for tyranny mass poverty, oppression, Censorship, and suppression, for all Americans including yourself? You think we already have those aspects here in America but you don’t realize what the true meaning of those words are. I challenge you to go to a communist country like Russia or China or India and I don’t mean look them up on the internet I mean fly there in person. Go to the slums and ask them what they think of there government.
Do you really want to give the majority of your hard earned money to your government. Taking money out of a rich mans pocket wont help poor people provide for their families. How many jobs do poor people provide? Socialism doesn’t work because you eventually run out of other people’s money. Would you put your blood sweat and tears into building a business if all your profit was taken from you and there was nothing you could do about it. I wouldn’t. Give a man a fish and you feed him for a day. Teach him how to fish and you feed him for a lifetime. Socialism is just giving a man a fish. It’s an endless bottomless pit with no hope of self-sustainability or success.
You say socialized healthcare is the answer though it is a FACT that it has failed in every country it has been tried in. So much so that people from those countries come to our country to get health care because there government is just letting them die. I know not what course others may take; but as for me and mine, give me liberty or give me death! "Give me liberty or give me death".
You communist liberals seem to think we are just going to throw up our hands bend over and except every unconstitutional demand our government makes. Well you can take your right to choose, no prayer in schools, clement change, acorn, aclu, change, sexism, socialism, cap and tax, bailouts, communism, gay rights, racism, feminism, and political correctness straight to hell. Unlike you WE WILL ALL STAND UP FIGHT AND DIE FOR OUR COUNTRY WHEN IT COMES TIME!!!!! And you better not be in the way when it does.
I read comments for about an hour and I have not read anything about any answers, only complaints and finger pointing. I believe we are in this economic mess for a few reasons and one is: corporations run this country, it doesn't really matter anymore who we vote for. Large corporations are for sending our jobs overseas, so they can make more money. This goes for ALL types of businesses in America. Also it does not help to buy foreign items (especially big ticket items like vehicles!). Example... I bought a pair of socks today that were a few dollars more than the ones made in China, they are wigwams and they were made in the USA. Besides supporting AMERICA, they are of way better quality! I wonder how many people complain about the economy and then jump in their foreign garbage vehicle and are so ignorant to the fact that you are part of the problem. That being said, I think we can fix this mess by: 1) Tax corporations that send work overseas to the point of no benefit for even sending it (I actually would tax them more than it would cost to have it done here!) 2) Tax foreign companies that want to sell their junk here (again, to the point where making it here would be a better option. Do you remember we used to make electronic stuff?). Especially the vehicles! (please hold comments about the vehicles, foreign vehicles put together here is not an excuse, they are sending profits and engineering overseas and that is way more than production costs) 3) LEGAL immigration is cool(must learn English though), illegals should have no benefits and should be deported asap. 4) I'm tired of lay-offs in the private sector, I'd like to see the government take pay-cuts and huge lay-offs. A big government is a bad one. Wherever there is money there will be greed and the government is where it's at now. 5) No more bailouts of any kind. I see America as a rowboat with a hole in it. The government thinks "bailing it out" will fix it. They need to plug that sticking hole and following the steps here should do it. 6) After the above two items are addressed, lower taxes on the working man! 7) This one isn't really a fix, but it couldn't hurt. The government needs to stop trying to please everyone! I'm really tired of the pansy cry babies always wanting to get their way about some insignificant problem THEY have! 8) This one is controversal, but it's my opinion... we should not have "set foot" on Iraq or any other American hating country. We should have "set bombs", many bombs on those American hating bastards. Might not be P.C., but who stinking cares, they certainly aren't P.C. It would have saved a ton of cash!
Sadly... I don't think any of the above will ever take place. I think the government is getting rich and fleecing our country at the same time. The result will be no middle class, we will have to lower ourselves to working for $3 an hour to compete with a third world country whose people live in mud huts and no electricity...
Please comment on how we can fix this mess and please do your part in helping our country and BUY AMERICAN, even though the government is hurting that cause.
Phil government run health care has not failed in every country it's been tried in. In fact 30+ other countries with government run care rank better than our system and it costs less.
http://www.photius.com/rankings/healthranks.html
Medicare works. People are happier with it than private insurance. It has some financial trouble because it only insures the highest risk groups. If we brought low risk groups into the mix like with the public option it's going to be sound.
WE the people have the power, the knowledge and the backbone to return the country to what it should be.
Certainly, if we could just find where we put all those things, we'd realize that this administration, as the past administrations are just following the same course that has been laid since people forgot that the price of freedom is not free.
Complaining about which one did what is not going to solve anything. They've all taken their chunk of our freedom, so saying one is worse than the other is rather fruitless.
What a treasure! Thanks for posting it. I was sorry to see so many misunderstanding the point being made, and disturbed by the Points made by Robert J. Sodaro; they were all Politically Correct by today's standards, but the weight of those standards are tilting this country and our culture into oblivion.
Thought provoking to be sure... its brought out the Best of the Left and the Best of the Right... and lots of us in the middle. my 2 cents? I lived the cold war in uniform at the border of east and west... the "ism's" on the other side... wow they are Not "Ism's" any more... wonder what it was that kept "my side" still alive while the "ism's" didnt survive... would it have been the nasty American Capitolist ??? the same one that...after restoring a "sense of freedom" to the world is apologizing "for our arogance" thru a president (yes not capatolized) bent on embracing the ideas that failed in those cold years that seperated an entire world
joemama you are a pinhead liar. I have herd and seen and talked in person with people from Europe and Canada and they don’t share your optimism. You are the crafty salesmen in that cartoon trying to pull the wool over our eyes and you deserve to be tarred and feathered in the street; if not worse. I don’t care how many websites you have. These days any one can manufacture a website to make anything sound good. There are websites out there that support Hitler and deny that the holocaust ever happened. If you think the health care is so great over there move over there. We wont miss you. Even if that death care bill goes through; me and mine WILL NOT CONFORME TO ANY REQUIERMENTS THEY DEMAND NOR WILL WE PAY ONE PENNY INTO IT. Mike12pt I’m with you all the way. If you want the answer to the problem with our health care system it is: us, yes us. This whole country has gone lawsuit crazy. I’ve seen people base their entire living suing for any and every dishonest reason they can think of. We need tort reform and we need it NOW! We also need to stop providing any health care fore illegal aliens what so ever. If you’re not a citizen of this country you don’t get our taxpayers money to pay for it. You pay your own way or you apply for citizenship get a job and pay taxes like the rest of us. No more free rides. Illegal aliens are not entitled to welfare benefits or any taxpayer’s money from any government program what so ever. We need to put employers who employ illegal aliens behind bars. Some company owners think its ok to avoid paying taxes. Well no more. You employ illegal you go to jail free. And don’t try to tell me they do the jobs we don’t want to because 17% of this country is standing in line for a job because they are about to file bankruptcy. Make people on welfare do 40 hours a week of community service. Make the IRS scrap the 44,000 page tax code and replace it with a 10% tax across the board regardless of stature.
Hey Phil, I understand that you would like to avoid any fact based discussion and just call me names and threaten me with violence instead. To some people that constitutes an argument.
Regardless it doesn't make you're preconcieved notions any more correct. It only makes you look like a violent fear mongerer.
I realize that you're deathly afraid of Americans having one more option to help them take care of their health that they can get even with pre-existing conditions and they won't be dropped from when they get sick. I imagine you probably even loath all the people on medicare that are happier with it than the seniors with private insurance.
But in the end facts are facts. The facts say that 30+ other countries have healthier citizens than the US does. Facts also say that the US spends more per person by far than those countries on healthcare.
So being more effective and efficient is probably not a concern of yours but to most Americans it is.
I know you would like to just scream "it's the best here" as if it were true without any evidence and hope everyone accepts that type of argument. I've also talked to many people from Europe and Canada and Mexico and they for the most part are really confused by the idea that if you have a health problem and don't have insurance that your out in the cold in the US.
The rankings I gave you are from the World Health Organization which is pretty reputable. You can read about them here:
So anyway I know you hate having another option for healthcare and probably despise anyone using Medicare but our citizens have health needs. Healthcare issues are actually the biggest threat to our lives.
If you don't want this threat addressed maybe you could move to some other country that doesn't address the needs of the people?
I just wanted to add to what joemama said. Most of the "complaints" from other countries whose healthcare system is run by the government don't complain about the fact that the health insurance is run by the government. The only complaint is that the doctors are run by the government.
The proposed healthcare overhaul in the U.S. will only give an option for health insurance that is government run, but will not chance the private nature of the doctors and hospitals.
So, the reality is, we're borrowing the GOOD parts of the healthcare system of other countries that people enjoy and sometimes take for granted, and we're leaving out the BAD parts. Then, to make it truly American, we're making it OPTIONAL within our existing system.
So, if you want to continue to rough it out with the existing system... or you think the existing system is the best in the world... then you keep supporting that system.
For those who have a different opinion, there will finally be more options.
If our existing system truly IS the best... this will become obvious after some time. The public option will fail... we'll all learn a lesson... and we'll move on.
OK pinheads bob and joemama and the rest of you communist liberals. You want facts you got it. Its time to go to school boys.
April 3, 2009 Single Payer: Why Government-Run Health Care Will Harm Both Patients and Doctors by Robert A. Book, Ph.D. WebMemo #2381 The key issue in the emerging national health care debate is the role of the federal government. While some Members of Congress favor a "single-payer" national health insurance system—"Medicare for all"—others, including President Obama, propose a new public plan, modeled after Medicare, to compete with private health plans in a national health insurance exchange.[1] Many independent experts expect a "crowd out" of existing private options and a rapid evolution toward a single payer system of national health insurance.[2] In either case, the federal government would amass greater power over the financing and delivery of medical services; it would also determine the benefits and medical procedures that Americans would get and the prices providers are paid for them. This concentration of government power over health care would have a profound impact on all Americans, especially members of the medical profession. Such government control would: Result in substantially lower payments to physicians and other health care providers compared to a multiple-payer system; Reduce the quality of care by limiting the ability of physicians to invest in advanced medical equipment that takes advantage of new technology; Limit access to care in the near term, as current physicians and other professionals retire earlier or otherwise leave the profession; Limit access to care even more substantially in the long term, as the prospect of lower lifetime earnings reduces the incentive for talented people to choose careers in health care; and Reduce the rate of medical progress, because fewer talented people receiving medical training decreases the supply of talented medical researchers.
Many physicians, quite reasonably frustrated by the cost and hassle of dealing with billing multiple insurance companies—not to mention the time lost appealing seemingly arbitrary denials of payment—often conclude that the solution lies in a "single-payer" system along the lines of a "Medicare for all" concept. A single payer—a government agency—would at a minimum eliminate the duplication of effort associated with signing on and maintaining relationships with multiple private insurance companies. It would standardize billing processes and coverage rules and perhaps even establish clearly defined rules to reduce the frequency of apparently arbitrary "downcoding" and denials of payment. What many fail to appreciate, however, is the extent to which the existence of multiple, competing payers prevents government payers such as Medicare from reducing their payment levels to much lower levels than prevail now. As it stands, a reduction in Medicare payment rates can induce physicians to drop Medicare patients and try to make their living from a higher percentage of (or even only) privately insured patients. This would inevitably result in reduced access to care for Medicare patients—and thus political pressure from those patients for increased Medicare payments to improve access. The Medicare Model If Medicare or something like it were the "single payer"—the sole purchaser of health care—no such pressure would exist. If the single payer established lower payment rates, by definition physicians could not drop out and make their living from other patients, because there wouldn't be any other patients.[3] The only alternative for a physician would be to cease the practice of medicine and either retire or find another profession. While this would certainly happen to some degree, a large percentage of physicians—who have invested many dollars and years of training in their practices—would be unable to find an alternative profession that is nearly as satisfying or as remunerative. The inevitable result would be much lower payment rates and lower income for physicians.[4] Patients would suffer as well, especially in the long run. Because fewer highly talented people would be willing to undergo the years of training (under difficult working conditions and low pay) to become physicians, patients would suffer decreased access to health care and longer wait times. Lower payments would mean that physicians would invest less in advanced medical equipment and would likely spend less time with each patient. In addition, with fewer people undergoing the training necessary to conduct medical research, new treatments and cures would be developed at a slower rate, costing many lives.
Medicare Payment Levels Medicare determines the level of its payments to physicians based on a complex formula involving crude estimates of the relative costs of providing different services,[5] annual adjustments based on estimates of demand for services, and growth in the Medicare population and the overall economy. The annual adjustment process is expressed in the "Sustainable Growth Rate" (SGR) rule[6] which attempts to constrain the growth in Medicare spending and "make up" for the differences between previous years' estimated and actual utilization. Each year since 1999, the SGR calculation has called for a reduction in the Medicare payment levels (a "negative update") for physician services, because actual use outstripped previous forecasts, and forecasted future utilization outstripped the growth rate of the Medicare population and gross domestic product (GDP). And each year, physicians' representatives have gone to Congress to argue that reducing payments will cause some physicians to drop out of the Medicare program, reducing elderly Americans' access to health care. Negative updates were allowed to go into effect in only three of the last 11 years—in the other eight years, after intensive lobbying from physician groups, Congress has intervened and passed legislation either freezing payments or providing a positive update.[7]
Competition Among Buyers The basis for the physicians' now-annual argument to Congress is that reducing Medicare payments will cause more physicians to drop Medicare patients and make their living from privately insured and self-paying patients only. Indeed, anecdotal evidence indicates that some physicians have already done so,[8] as Medicare payments are already significantly below those of private insurance by almost 20 percent for physician services overall and by 12 percent for primary care.[9] As if to demonstrate the effects of lower payments, in most states Medicaid payments are even lower than Medicare's, and far fewer physicians participate in Medicaid. Not surprisingly, states with relatively lower Medicaid payments compared to other states have lower rates of physician participation in Medicaid.[10]
Access Issues Physician advocacy groups make the reasonable—and believable—argument that every reduction in the Medicare payment rates will result in a further reduction in the number of physicians who find it worthwhile to take Medicare patients and instead try to make their living from patients with private payers. A survey found that in response to a proposed 10 percent cut in Medicare rates, 28 percent of physicians would stop accepting new Medicare patients, 8 percent would stop treating Medicare patients already under their care, and much higher percentages would discontinue nursing home visits, reduce available hours, or defer investment in medical and health IT equipment.[11] Obviously, this would not affect physicians in all specialties equally. Most pediatricians have very few if any Medicare patients[12] and would hardly be affected at all, but cardiologists and oncologists, for example, would be hit hard, since a large percentage of their potential patients are over age 65. The impact on nephrologists would be especially severe, because anyone with end-state renal disease is covered by Medicare regardless of age. Yet for every reduction in the payment level, a few more physicians would find it better to drop Medicare than to stay in. The absence of other payers would give the "single payer" the freedom to reduce payments far more than Medicare can in the presence of a large percentage of privately insured patients. The result would be substantially lower payments—the "single payer" would be a "stingy payer." Physicians' income would be substantially reduced. Indeed, in countries with single-payer health systems, the average income of physicians is substantially lower than in the United States. For example, physicians in the Britain and Canada have incomes more than 30 percent lower than their U.S. counterparts.[13] The existence of multiple private payers limits not only the ability of Medicare but also that of private payers themselves to reduce payment levels. Although physicians usually face "take it or leave it" contracts from insurance companies, and most physicians have little ability to actually negotiate, a health plan that sets payment rates too low will find that many physicians choose to "leave it." When enough physicians leave, patients have difficulty obtaining access to care and eventually leave the health plan. In order to continue to sell the health plan (either to individuals or to employers), the insurance company will have to increase payments to induce physicians to join. While this process is slow and imperfect compared to market mechanisms in other industries, it does limit the ability of plans to set arbitrarily low payment rates.[14] "Stingy Payer" Damages Future Generations as Well The establishment of a "single payer" health care system would inevitably result in lower payments for physician and other health care providers. The immediate effect of having a single ("stingy") payer would be lower incomes for physicians and a reduction in the supply of active physicians, thereby impairing access to health care for all patients. However, the result of "single/stingy payer" health care will not only be lower incomes for physicians now but reduced access and lower quality health care for future generations as well. Robert A. Book, Ph.D., is Senior Research Fellow in Health Economics in the Center for Data Analysis at The Heritage Foundation.
You boys seen to think that this is my first time around the block and you obviously don't know the difference between "violent fear mongerer" and a patriot, so here is the definition. "patriot: a person who vigorously supports their country and is prepared to defend it against enemies or detractors."It is your illegitimate president dictator; What do they call him in europe "president panty waist" who is the fear monger. he is the prince of lies and fear tactics but legally we can change that in 2010 when We The People take back our congress. We are not afraid of him any more then I am afraid of you.
You claim that I am afraid. Let me assure you I can and will take both of you on any time any place in any way shape or form. Be it debate, street fighting or anything in-between and beyond. Be warned you will be rolled. It is you that is afraid. It is you that is the deceiver, It is you who are the traders Afraid of We The People. Our sword is the constitution of the United States of America and its not made of paper.
We The People now have our eyes open and We The People can now see your deception and treason and guess what. WE ARE ANGRY!!! You are the treasonous element within this country parading around in sheep's clothing. We The People are now standing up by the masses to rise against you by any means necessary. Your fake smug intellectual attitude cant save you now. GET READY FOR HELL!!!
Phil is in support of every America-hating country in the world, because Phil hates America and the freedom it stands for.
If Phil were ever to become President, he would run the country the way he thinks it should be run instead of recognizing that it is a country of the people, by the people, for the people.
Phil is but one person, trying to act as all people.
Thankfully, with the way our governing system is designed, my vote always cancels out Phil's vote.
So, we have nothing to fear from Phil, no matter how much he uses fear and division and talk of fighting to spread his hate... rather than the message of hope and unity and love.
Bob who do you think your talking to. I guess you haven't herd about the tea parties, the millions of people that protested at the white house, your dictators plummeting poll numbers. pretty much all the polls indicate the majority of the people will not vote for your dictator come next election. Maybe you haven't herd since your one sided liberal media wont report it. Which by the way are dyeing off like flies because nobody believes them anymore. Are you really foolish enough to believe I am the only vote you have to worry about. Take a look around you. We The people aren't behind you. We have you surrounded. stand down or face the consequences. The tables are now turned; We the People Win, You Loose. Get Over It.
As for you saying I hate my country. Didn't you here me say Im a patriot. You better pray are paths never meet.
"We The people aren't behind you." "We have you surrounded." "stand down or face the consequences." "You better pray are paths never meet."
I can't imagine how you don't think you're a fear mongerer. If you believed in freedom of speech, you'd allow others to speak their mind without returning threats of violence. You sound like the perfect dictator, for those who want dictators, of course. I can see why you'd be upset that the person the majority voted for made it to office, because you clearly believe that "we the people" are only the people you agree with and side with.
I can hear the violins playing for you. Would you like a tissue. Is that the best you can do pinhead. I certainly expected more out of an intellectual.
I feel sorry for those who have no decent morals or princlple or was not raise to know the different between right or wrong as i try to live according to how i was raise from my family history i fine that this cartoon is so true a lot of truth in it and if we live and appreciated what our fore fathers has taught us this world would be so much better to live in they help us they left us things so that it may maintain for our good but caught up in self we had became very selfish and think only of a self today that's why so many of us is suffering with depression all kinds of illness ect. I hope that this cartoon open up each and every american eye as we may not see it we either see it now or see it later OH!!!! but we will see it.Bow now or bow later cause we all shall bow!!!!!! sharon v. young
2,055 comments:
«Oldest ‹Older 401 – 600 of 2055 Newer› Newest»To those of you who "choose a side" Left or right, conservative or liberal. YOU ARE WHATS DESTROYING FREEDOM. Have ANY of you read the federalist papers? Party politics opens us up to foreign influence. Choose an idea not a party.
Nice cartoon, loved it.
@ Cleveland Sandy, I loved your post, but wasn't sure if it was originally yours. If so, can I use it? lol
It is important and wonderful that people express themselves here. It is equally important to realize that filtering through your own preconceptions is not seeing reality as it is. This cartoon is terrific. It is in the context of 1948.
It is not about Christianity.
It is not about race.
This cartoon is simply a warning against those who would "take care of us", in return for our freedoms. It is a warning well taken, regardless of what Clinton, Bush, Obama, or FDR did in the past. There is no point in discussing the irrelevant. Given the context, this is about Communism and Socialism, not capitalism or cannibalism! Their motive is power, disguised as altruism. The only antidote is vigilance.
Truth is simple. Look at this cartoon simply, and the truth of it pops out.
Regnad Kcin -
Obviously, you are impressed with your own self in pass said judgment on the views of many. No one died and left you the omnipotent one. Wish I had so much time on my hands to read, analyze and respond.
Suggestion - get a job and do something productive.
Mike and Al -
Well put. Freedom is what matters most. With that - comes responsibilty. Those that wish to condemn a system that allows countless people to rise up from poverty to unimaginable levels of success are either bitter or unmotivated to make the most of this earthly existence. I'll take that system as a poor man any day to one that decides for me.
So many of these comments are pathetically off-track and going into foolish tangents. The groups were buyers (VOTERS - HELLO!) after they were told what they wanted to hear. They had their own selfish reasons, not understanding the consequences or reality of their decisions. They were looking for their "CHANGE". Their “what can the government do for me” CHANGE. WAKE UP AMERICA!
History repeats itself. There have always been Communist and anti-Americans in this country, even in 1948.
I'd rather have seen a cartoon of Popeye and Bluto fighting over Oliveoil. Then Popeye could of whipped all of these panny wasted liberals in the butt.
Typical reaction to someone with an anti-populist viewpoint. John Q. interprets the Constitution as giving him the right to physically assault someone he disagrees with. Run for your life Mustache Man!!!
@William,
Hahaha... well put.
Grab your pitchforks and torches... we've got some disagreein' to do!
So sad to see people bitter about the future when we all have a say, that is except for the Republicans whom after the last years of administration proved they did not have the best idea's now the democrats are having their turn at proving there ideas are not very good as well, maybe John McCain was a good man after all. To use ideas from both sides to get the best results??????
@James,
I would not have been opposed to Obama as President and McCain as Vice President. This is the way it would have been if the voting laws had not been changed.
let us just do away with the two party system and vote for our officials on their own proven and visible merit and only limit those in office to a maximum of 6 years for potus and vpotus and 4 years for senators and 2 years for congressmen and then out the door never to be elected again this way the corruption has little time to compile before it once again gone
The scariest part is how many viewers have completely missed the point...
@Limber Joe,
Hah. Everyone's so vain, they probably think this video isn't about them.
It isn't about Left or Right, it's about up or down. Our founding fathers used a totally different yard stick to measure the Government. It was not about Left/Socialism or Right/Fascism. It was about (Top or Up/Totalitarianism) and about (Down or Bottom/Anarchism). We are so busy arguing over who has, or should have, the power on the Left or on the Right that we are missing the bigger picture or question. How much power should the government have, period? It doesn't matter if the Right has all of the power or the Left has all of the power, too much power on either side leads to Totalitarianism. The power should be with "We The People" and not "Them The Few" in the Government. The pyramid is upside down now. Thomas Jefferson's idea of the Government was that of a necessary evil that should have powers somewhere just above Anarchism. Just enough power to protect the borders, coin the money and deliver the mail and that Was IT, nothing more! We seem to think that total power is OK as long as our guy is at the helm but what happens after we have created this machine and then the other guy gets behind the wheel and has the same power as our guy who is now out. The point is that the "Machine" should have never been built in the first place because no one should have that much power. The closer the power is to the people, the better. Let's all be a little bit more responsible with our own lives, families and futures and get the Government the hell out of our lives and families and let us worry about our own future. Have some pride people! Whatever the Government can give you it can take away tenfold.
Alleluia Daniel!!!
Beautifully said! Bravo!
That's a keeper :0)
This is nutty capitalism propaganda. Today, the government doesn't control capitalism, corporations control the government.
The only guy in the cartoon selling anything (ideas) gets violently beat by the dumb hick, the rich robber-baron, the union thug, and the sophist politician. They beat him for selling "ISM"s, even while this propaganda sells you CAPITAL-ISM?
Anyone who buys this crap is an idiot. In 1948 the rich man made 40 times what a worker made. Today it is 400 times as much as the average (40k/yr) and the disparity is growing. This is not economic justice, especially when the bankers get bonuses for driving our economy into a tailspin.
Capital-ism is a useful way to encourage COMPETITION, but today we have giant global companies that buy government secured monopolies. Halliburton, Exxon, Fox Media; these are the problems, they avoid competition, afraid of loosing their UNEARNED profits.
I have no problem whit a man making a good living by creating something of value, but what exactly are today's corporate CEOs creating? Nothing but the illusion of prosperity, mass propaganda, disguised monopolies that stifle completion and lock out the little guy, making everyone slaves or paupers.
Every time you spend a dollar you vote. Still, the aspirations of the short sighted and greedy are to become rich, and so they blindly follow the corporate few, and vote against their own best interest.
The solution is REGULATED Capitalism. First, guarantee that all citizens have their basic needs fulfilled; food, water, shelter, basic education, basic healthcare, basic transportation. Create a safety net so that all may live with dignity. Then limit interest rates on all loans to individuals to a maximum of 15%/year. No more usury, loan sharks, or economic slavery. Finally, any business that becomes 'too large to fail' is too large to exist, break it up into competing entities by geographic area, and force competition. THAT is true capitalism.
Finally, Corporations are legal entities, they have NO Right to POLITICAL SPEECH. NO Corporations should engage in POLITICAL SPEECH or Lobbying our political representatives. ONLY INDIVIDUAL Citizens have the RIGHT to Free Speech, and then only up to the campaign finance limits.
I'm surprised at the accusations being thrown around as to whose at fault. Yes Bush did have his part in our current demise, whoever let us not overlook a new threat from this new administration. It is time to stop the partisan bickering and get Congress to listen to "US" Joe Public and have them do the people's work not their own!
It is a GREAT idea - to unite against a government we don't believe in! But, as is proven simply by the comments left here, it cannot happen any time soon! Look at you all, professing to support the idea behind the cartoon - preservation of rights against government control - yet you talk of democrats, republicans, liberalists. Each of you pointing an accusatory finger at the other! It's no wonder the government does as it pleases, we couldn't stand shoulder to shoulder in a packed bathroom!!! And religion - leave it out of this!! Who cares where your neighbor worships or if they worship at all, because you are both going to the same court room when you file bankruptcy and standing in the same line for your new healthcare! Our government did not fail us -let me repeat that OUR GOVERNMENT DID NOT FAIL US!! It is merely doing what it has been allowed to do! It was us. WE FAILED OUR GOVERNMENT! When the writers of our constitution and bill of rights, the fathers of our government did what they did, it was not written for republicans or democrats or liberals or catholics or muslims or jews or blacks or whites or men or women but for "The People"! All inclusive, encompassing, country wide. They did not envision a future where their new government, born of their blood and the blood of their brothers, would be fought over like one piece of meat among dogs, each trying to undermine the other while at that very moment the enemy crept outside their walls. Our government was set up in such a way that as long as the people of our nation stood strong, it could never fall, it could never be turned into something else, something worse. So if our government is truly no longer ours, if it is truly becoming something else, IT IS OUR FAULT. When the people put the good of a political party over the good of the nation then the system begins to fail. When people organize their beliefs BASED on their party's beliefs the system begins to fail. When the common man squables with his neighbor while those in power laugh then the system fails. Focus on the big picture, a strong government supported by a strong nation where we strive towards the same goals of health, wealth, happiness, and cohesion. We are not democrats, republicans, or liberals first. We are Americans first!
No doubt, some good ideas. Problem is, they don’t have a snow-ball’s chance in hell of happening! If any of you are interested in why they won’t happen, watch these movies:
1. Freedom to Fascism, by Aaron Russo;
2. 9/11 Mysteries: Demolitions
and,
3. FALL OF THE REPUBLIC The Presidency of Barack H. Obama
The first two movies you can watch free at 3w’s free documentaries.org.
The Fall of the Republic you’ll have to buy until it’s posted somewhere to watch for free. Just google it.
Once you watch them, you’ll probably stop having these straw-man wrestling matches.
My comment? It’s funny how Thomas Jefferson said something like, “The beauty of the second amendment is that it won’t be needed until they come to take it away.”
But the hidden core issue is whether you’ll save your soul, and your luminous being, which will come, if you let God save it. It is a creation of incalculable worth, the luminous creature, which God did craft, and which he will punish you for destroying, if you don’t let him save it!
Which is, of course, the most bullet-proof logical reason for an Omnipotent Holy Perfect Just Loving Almighty God to send a soul to Hell for eternity.
Not letting God save your soul (by submitting to him) and your dormant luminous being is to walk hand in hand with the destroyer. That merits God’s eternal wrath. It’s a creature of incalculable worth, remember?
Don’t believe me? Bet what you want to lose.
This comment explored further in chapter 15 of, 7 Visitations from God, 12 Revelations from Heaven. Read FREE! At Smashwords.com or link through from my site.
Kevin Hofsas, Author
3 w’s, Mark My Words Publishing dot com.
P.S. What’s a luminous being? I clarify that somewhat in that non-fiction and also describe it in my SF&F, The Faith of Angels, mainly in the chapter titled, The Light.
But if you need to swear on the Bible for proof like alleged leaders ala political, Jesus said, “Then shall the righteous shine forth as the SUN in the kingdom of their Father. He who has ears to hear, let him hear.
That means ‘her’ too, for you causalities of the public school system.
And politics? Didn’t I recommend several politically incorrect movies to start with?
Jim, obviously you have never heard of the Community Re-Investment Act. President Bush had nothing to do with enacting or signing it into law. I bet if you ask Rep. Barney Frank or Chris Dodd they may could give you some insight into the bill. Oh, they have probably forgotton about it like Barney did not know about the drug plants being grown at his partners house.
With all these " freedom robbers" out here worried about issues that are none of their business, only distracts from the major issues that honest government and we need to face.
The first to use suicide bombs were the pro life activist group, followed by the Taliban.
At this point in time I see no difference in the christian fundamentalist movement from the Taliban, Skinheads and new neo nazi organizations pitting blame and doing dirt to people, creating more and more controls on our lives by harsher government. People placed in positions not by knowledge.
Immigration, no background checks has allowed more intelligent gangs and criminals to live here also taxing the FBI and other law enforcement. Pot smokers become a danger to themselves and their families that are non violent, for life in prison while rapist murderers and child molesters are out in some place like Cleveland and let to kill, and they blame it on DRUGS. And we build prisons instead of providing jobs. And police are trained for a race wars covertly.
Kind of hides the fact of job loss if you had to find a job for these non violent prisoners how would the job market look say 15 years ago and today.
Bin Laden and Bush were friends, the British Aristocrats that bankrupted the Great Britain, fled here for safety were not returned to England to be tried, thanks be to Bush, an aristocrat.
And I agree with Peterpica, FredMars, right man for the job, THE Grand Illusion.
Yes, this film was made in the middle of the "Red Scare" and it shows. But what you are all missing are the economic freedoms proposed by the film under capitalism. These freedoms are systematically being taken away from us by the unrestricted, global, free market. In 1948 the US and nearly all capitalist nations followed the theory of John Maynard Keynes who advised that social structures should be built by the state, and that when the market builds up an excess in capital, that the government should burn off this money in order to avoid an economic collapse. This was considered economic truth during the 40s, 50s, and 60s until we hit a period of sluggish growth and handed over all of our freedoms to corporate America via Ronald Reagan. Now we cannot strike or our jobs will be shipped overseas, now we can't appeal to the Supreme Court because corporations have the same civil rights that we do. This deliverance of complete power to big business has been deemed "neo-liberalism" or a return to the laissez-faire economics that ran us straight into the Great Depression. This brand of capitalism deepens the class divisions that had so many considering communism in the 1930s. EVERY president from Reagan on has been a staunch supporter of this exploitative policy, and Obama is no exception. If he was Keynesian in his economic theory (or communist to say the least) then the money spent by the government would be given to the people, not corporations. The fact that we are handing over billions of dollars to banks and automakers shows that Obama is no different than Reagan during the savings and loan crisis. The fact is that Japan has never recovered from their economic collapse because of the social protections and the quality of life that they afford their people. You have to be willing to exploit your citizens in a free-market, neo-liberal system to continue growth. That is why all of you flag-waving, conservative patriots (and all you free-market, bible-burning liberals) will be speaking Mandarin if you get your way. We reached the peak of our economic production in the 1960s and reached the peak of the debt-funded, credit card era of growth in the past decade. From here on out it will be an increasingly shrinking middle-class until we wake up and take back the power that corporate juggernauts have exacted from our elitist government.
One quote from Thomas Jefferson (a diest) "God who gave us life, gave us liberty. And can the liberties of a nation be felt secure when they have removed thier one firm foundation, a conviction in the minds of the people that these liberties are a gift from God and are not to be violated but with His wrath. Indeed I tremble for my country when I reflect that God is just and His justice cannot sleep forever."
Go to Washington DC and take a good look at the monuments and buildings, they have a story to tell about what our forefathers really thot about this country and God. It is written everywhere you look.
There was NOT, and is NOT any mention of "seperation of church and state" in the Constitution.
Great Cartoon, very appropriate for today.
"There was NOT, and is NOT any mention of 'seperation of church and state' in the Constitution."
"Congress shall make no law respecting an establishment of religion, or prohibiting the free exercise thereof..."
- The First Amendment to the United States Constitution -
Please try again.
By the way, in regard to Thomas Jefferson, here is something he said:
"Christianity neither is, nor ever was, a part of the common law."
- Thomas Jefferson -
I happen to believe him. I am a Christian, and I also believe Jesus was in favor of the separation of church and state. The separation of church and state is NOT about the state disobeying God. It's about the state not trying to play god and to supplant God's authority.
"My kingdom is not of this world." (John 18:36)
"You are from below; I am from above. You are of this world; I am not of this world." (John 8:23)
The devil led him up to a high place and showed him in an instant all the kingdoms of the world. And he said to him, "I will give you all their authority and splendor, for it has been given to me, and I can give it to anyone I want to. So if you worship me, it will all be yours." Jesus answered, "It is written: `Worship the Lord your God and serve him only.'" (Luke 4:5–8)
After the people saw the miraculous sign that Jesus did, they began to say, "Surely this is the Prophet who is to come into the world." Jesus, knowing that they intended to come and make him king by force, withdrew again into the hills by himself. (John 6:14–15)
Someone in the crowd said to him, "Teacher, tell my brother to divide the inheritance with me." Jesus replied, "Man, who appointed me a judge or an arbiter between you?" (Luke 12:13–14)
When it was almost time for the Jewish Passover, Jesus went up to Jerusalem. In the temple courts he found men selling cattle, sheep and doves, and others sitting at tables exchanging money. So he made a whip out of cords, and drove all from the temple area, both sheep and cattle; he scattered the coins of the money changers and overturned their tables. To those who sold doves he said, "Get these out of here! How dare you turn my Father's house into a market!" (John 2:13–16)
"Show me the coin used for paying the tax." They brought him a denarius, and he asked them, "Whose portrait is this? And whose inscription?" "Caesar's," they replied. Then he said to them, "Give to Caesar what is Caesar's, and to God what is God's." When they heard this, they were amazed. So they left him and went away. (Matthew 22:19–22)
Jesus has made a number of references to make it clear that man's laws and God's law are different things. Christians are not to concern themselves so much with man's laws as with God's law. If you follow God's law, you will most certainly be OK with man's law. However, if you only follow man's law... there is no guarantee you are right with God.
If the state tries to play god... and enforces god's laws under threat of judgment, conviction, and punishment of man's earthly threats, God becomes supplanted by man. It displeases God. It eliminates God's grace and God's forgiveness.
The way to God is not through a godly government... but only through the Son, Jesus Christ. Jesus is not, and will never be, a senator or president. He is the King OF Kings.
Capitalism is not perfect. Granted. It is not supposed to be because it was not designed by anybody. It is a system that developed to allow each individual to produce without having an immediate objective (tribe, family, group) in view.
If you look at history. It is the only system that has allowed population growth together with satisfaction of personal needs and development of technology.
Don't believe it? Just look at world population charts around the end of the 19th century and onwards.
ALL OTHER HISTORICAL ALTERNATIVES HAVE FAILED. Liberas point to the noble savage, commune with the environment etc. All OK, if you want about a million people to live in the American continent with a lifespan of some 30 years.
If we want to modify certain limited aspects of capitalism to address the common good, let's do it without penalizing the sucessful, the entrepreneur and the risk-taker. We cannot ever forget that it is the only system that has CREATED wealth.
Socialism is a ripoff ideology based on false equality (of results, not of opportunity) that can partially work while there is OTHER PEOPLES'S MONEY OR WEALTH to distribute. In the end, since it doesn't create wealth, it inevitably leads to absolute control and tiranny. Fascism and socialism? In the end, THEY LEAD TO THE SAME, the submission of the individual to the all-powerful, all-knowing state. Remember there weren't any Nazis, the movement was called National Socialism, telling, eh!
At the end, Stalin and Hitler regimes could only be distinguished by the big lie used to blind the masses (the evil capitalist here, the malevolent Jew there).
If you want to know socialism at work, take the time to listen to any of the millions of refugees from communist countries, from Russia to Vietnam, from Cuba to China that now live in the US. I am one.
For almost 50 years, the liberal barrage in the press has blinded Americans to what now they just start to see. WAKE UP AMERICA, BEFORE IT IS TOO LATE.
Love this video - but the ISM salesmen have now convinced Americans that producing "more" or consuming more is a "BAD THING". It some ways they have a point in that efficiency of production and consumption is commendable. Alas "central planning" for production and consumption has always come up far short of natural private capitalist competition (with perhaps s few guideposts for regulation of excess or abuse).
Bob,
the 1st ammendment says there shall never be a "Church of the United States" like there was in England, and also guarentees freedom to exercise whatever faith you may have....that does NOT say anything about a seperation between the government and God....
The 10 commandments are written on the wall of the Supreme Court of the US, right behind the chief justice's seat.
The first Bible ever published in the US was ordered published by the congress of the US to be used in schools as text books.(It is called the Adkin Bible and is quite rare, but I've seen one and inside it says who published it and why.)
The Washinton Monument, in addition to many other Biblical references and Prayers to God, inscribed within it's walls, atop the alluminum cap, this granite and marble oblisk, the (forever) tallest building in Washington DC are two latin words: LAUS DEO. These are not insignificant words...thier height is over 550 feet tall. They are there as a message to the father of this nation....you may wonder what these words mean...simply "Praise be to God".
There are thousands of such examples of what our forefathers said and wrote...
Ben Franklin (also a diest) said at the 1st constitutional convention (81 years of age): " I have lived sir a long time and the longer I live the more convincing proofs I see of this truth, that God governs in the affairs of man. If a sparrow cannot fall to the ground without His notice, how can an empire rise without His aid." He went on to request that they begin each session of congress with prayer, and amazingly they have ever since then.
The first prayer in congress was a rambling 4 HOUR prayer with our forefathers kneeling,sitting and standing with thier heads bowed to the father of this nation. (there is a picture in Washington DC that depicts that first prayer, if it hasn't been distroyed for being politically incorrect)
I am talking about the history, the TRUE history of this nation.
More than 80% of the quotes of our forefathers came either directly or indirectly from the Bible.
You sound like someone from the "religious left".
I would guess that you probably embrace homosexuality under the guise of "loving thy neighbor" and abdocate the mass murder of unborn children under the idea of "choice". That child deserves the freedom and right to choose!
You may call yourself a Christian, but it isn't any brand of real Christianity that I have heard of... You like to quote verses of scripture to support your point of view...Anyone can take pieces of scripture and scew them to say what they want....Anyone that has studied the Bible knows that you study whole books to find their true content and not just a verse here and there.
You and other misguided and possibly brainwashed people, are one of the reasons that this country has become so morally bankrupt. Not to mention spiritually bereft.
Way to go, Faith.
Anyone concerned about our Country should check this documentary out:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eAaQNACwaLw
Written title:
The Obama Deception HQ Full length version
Type it in the Youtube search box.
Hold on tight.
@Faith,
I appreciate your judgment of me. It says more about you than it says of me.
I'm NOT saying that it is OK to sin against God. I am NOT saying that that the government should encourage people to sin against God. I am NOT saying that the government shouldn't encourage people to seek God.
All I am saying is that God gave man free will. God gave man the free will to commit sin. Therefore, government should give man the free will to commit sin as well. It will be for God to punish sinners, not man. For no man is without sin. The government is comprised of men, so even government is not without sin.
We are all brothers and sisters in Christ. While we should all hold each other accountable for our sins, this does not mean it is right to treat each other unequally due to our sins. If we do, we might as well suffer the same equal fates because we are all sinners.
If you feel that this is wrong, then please enlighten us as to how a government which measures people's sins, punishes some sinners and not others for their sins, is not without sin itself but is above its own punishment for these sins, and a government which does not allow people to freely seek and follow God using free-will, but to do so begrudgingly... not in fear of God's wrath... but in fear of mankind's wrath... how can such a government to be right with God?
If we are all brothers and sisters in Christ, how can we justify treating each other as if we are God and "everyone else" are our children who need punishment, yet no grace or forgiveness.
You seem to be focusing on only the Old Testament God and are completely tossing out the teachings of Jesus Christ.
You Bob, if I could be so bold as to draw a line between you and Faith, I'd have to say that Faith speaks from the Spirit, but You my friend, speak from the flesh.
Which in itself seems to be a contridiction, because on the surface, you appear to be 'demonstrating' more 'love' while Faith is obviously being more stern.
But then again, Jesus said we were to be held to a higher law now than in the old testament.
Why don't you try looking from God's eyes And the founding fathers? David Barton is a good place to start, and he was just on Charles Stanley. MAybe you could learn something from his sermon there.
Kevin,
Thanks...
I was thinking that Bob's last comment wasn't worth replying to, but I appreciate yours.
I hope he does take a look at Wallbuilders and David Barton. He may actually learn something...
Although from what I have seen of the religious left, they are stuck in their politically correct "love and grace" without any consiquence for their actions or lack there of.
Faith,
That's correct. They are practicing works of the flesh. Neither does the flesh perceive the Spirit.
Nor can the flesh serve God, because those that worship God must worship Him in Spirit and in truth.
As illustrated in the cartoon, we all to love to point the finger of blame at one party or the other.
One thing is for certain we are not in 1948.
Most of us cannot begin to wrap our arms around the magnitude or the current world issues.
Just a quick look at the field of invention. They show a person creating the first automobile. Try to think of something mechanical that has never been invented before. Most inventions patented are chemical compounds. Manufacturing has been outsourced because it was cheaper to do so for the consumer. But consumer, you and I made those things and now have no job to purchase them. Even medical care is being outsource. The people with money keep getting more of it and we get laid off. Equally important make something new. How about solar panels. The Chinese are miles ahead of us in producing these. While we could compete in this effort, the oil industry lobbies against spending money on this and advertises it is a dead animal.
Bob, I agree with much of what you wrote regarding the so called "separation of Church & State". I also believe this:
"If my people, which are called by my name, shall humble themselves, and pray, and seek my face, and turn from their wicked ways; then will I hear from heaven, and will forgive their sin, and will heal their land." 2 Chronicles 7 14
I believe it's not the business of the federal government to legislate morality, beyond that which is established in our Constitution and Bill of Rights.
If our land is to be healed that will begin when we, as a people, unite under God. Then we will elect more Godly men and women to lead this (hopefully, still) Constitutional Republic.
For anyone who has a problem with the 'God' idea, think of our nation's current trouble as lacking unity. I think it is imperative that we all learn to exchange conflicting ideas without the ire or animosity so often present in these discussions.
From what I've been reading here I would presume most of us desire the same basic things for our Nation. Our differences seem more along the lines of how these things may be achieved. We can find solutions through understanding one another and working from points of agreement. This cannot happen while we allow partisan rhetoric and dogma to undermine our mutual respect; we then remain divided by concentrating on the division.
Wow! Thank God we still have guns. Liberals and guns are akin to garlic to a bloodsucker.
We are watching this and worse being shoved down our throats by the administration and their lackeys. Trouble is this is happening so fast, a LOT had to be in place....what we see is frightening, wonder what we don't see....how would America feel then? Americans need to wake up, speak up, and relect NO ONE. If we don't NOW this is prophecy instead of warning. Every freedom is under assault by this president, every freedom will be usurped by his agenda and those of his handlers....we cannot give up any freedom, don't believe the press, they are part of the problem now. We need to reminded elected officials they can be unelected, for now, and do what we can to take this country back from the ISM--Socialism, Marxism, Communism...we are breaths away from no longer being a free society, no longer having property, no longer having rights...breaths away....are we going to stand up or become trapped by the ISMs. I choose to fight it.
Glory Said...
Definition:
Liberal: You make it, we take it.
Conservative: You earn it, you own it.
Bob,
You're stupid. Anyone that voted for Obama cannot call themselves a real Christian!
Bob,
You're stupid. Anyone that voted for Obama cannot call themselves a real Christian!
Bob,
You're stupid. Anyone that voted for Obama cannot call themselves a real Christian!
I can never understand why people are motivated to support an ideology that favors the rich. Our governments job is to allow large corporation to grow and create legal monopolies ala Bill Gates and United Health. We actually live in a corporate fascist society and people need to stop drinking the rights kool-aid and wake up. The conservatives proposed a health care bill that would strip away all regulation in an effort to lower health insurance. This is simple give them less coverage and thus make more money. When our rights are truly represented in Washington, i.e., government for the people and by the people (not large corporate special interest) our small business sector will once again flourish.
The current president and his administration is what scares people today. This president doesn't know how to do anything except spend money, campaign, and make the American People angrier each and every day. He can't function without someone prompting him or making decisions for him. He's just a puppet. He should be impeached. Bush had allot to deal with and he handled it well. It's Obama that had made Bush the scape goat of everything that is wrong with this country. That's just plain B.S.. He wasn't our best president but he wasn't our worst either. Carter and Obama are the worst ever. Neither one of them knows their A** from a hole in the ground
Robert made more than a few mistakes in his comments were he stated "Here’s what I noticed.
1) The cartoon presupposes a Christian America (“To Mom it is church on Sunday morning”), leaving out all Jews, Muslims, and all other non-Christian faiths,
2) There is a backwards-hanging American flag (in the first minute, the blue star field is ALWAYS in the upper left)
3) It is sexist (the jury whistling at the woman on the stand)
Oh, yeah, anytime a people give up their civil liberties for a small measure of security, they gain neither liberty nor security."
In items #1 - I agree with what others have said to debunk Roberts comments. You are looking through tilted glasses Robert and only hear what you want to hear.
Item #2 - Are you daft? The flag is shown twice. Once starting at 23 seconds into the piece with the blue field in the upper left and the second time at 1:04 into the piece. The second time the flag is hanging properly with the field in the upper right as it has been turned from being displayed horizontally in #1 display to hanging vertically in the #2 display. If the blue field was in the upper left in the second view then it would have been displayed backwards.
Item #3 - At the time the cartoon was made it wasn't considered "Sexist" to whistle at a woman. It was only later when people had nothing else to do but find fault with everything done that they started looking at this as sexist. I know many women today who appreciate hearing a wolf whistle from a man, because they appreciate knowing men like how they look. It makes them feel better about themselves.
Face it Robert, you cannot look or listen to something without putting your bias into it. You are wrong on all three points you brought up.
The only smart thing you said was when you talked about giving up civil liberties. Look at how we have become such a nation of panty wastes we have become since they enacted so many gun regulations. Only the weak feel good when the masses are disabled from protecting themselves. We have made it so in many parts of this country that the POLICE are the only ones who can protect you. But the police are so busy protecting the rights of the criminals that the rest of the citizens are being murdered, raped and beaten while the police stand idly by.
Really, folks, what is happening on the political landscape is a façade. What's happening behind the facade is the implementation of a One World Government---and a dictatorial one at that. Want proof?
Here’s the smelling salt:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eAaQNACwaLw
The Obama Deception HQ Full length version
Or try this one on: The Fall of the Republic available at infowars.com
Want more? Go to freedocumentaries.org and watch 9/11 Mysteries: Demolitions.
For a snack watch Aaron Russo’s Freedom to Fascism.
So give your life to Jesus Christ, because only He can save your eternal soul, which you are stuck with. Sell out to Jesus. Meet Him, you will, though when you bend your knees, will it be out of Love or Terror?
You are right, LibertyAlways.
See my list in the other post for those movies. Which one's have you seen?
A Berger,
I agree.
In 1948 we were still a Christian nation and the Bible is what the founding fathers used and referenced when developing our founding documents and laws. It is appropriate and does not exclude other religions to talk about mom and family going to church...
We also weren't so anti American and "politically correct" in 1948...some women still think it is a compliment to be whistled at by a man.
I bought my gun when I figured out that Obada was going to be president, the hard part is finding ammunition...We need to arm ourselves for protection (probably against our own government)
We need to call our, so called, representatives (those elitist in Washington DC that have a golden fleece retirement and health care that no one else can get) and let them know that if they continue with the government takeover of this country (right now it's healthcare, but I'm sure that there is more to it) We will vote them out of their high and mighty offices.
(we should also put them on social security for retirement and see how fast they fix it)
We are still a Republic (not a democracy) and the government is answerable to We the People, we control them, not the other way around. Get mad and get active! Check out Americans for Prosperity or the Tea Party or the Patriotic Resistance....We need to take this country back!
What's even scarier than the cartoon are much of the comments afterward. There is no such thing as rights, there is only responsibility!
To the guy who said many of the Founding Fathers weren't Christians. Better check your sources Pal. 29 of the 56 signers were ordained ministers and nearly all the rest proclaimed their Christian faith in their letters and proclamations. The two most prominent signers, Jefferson and Franklin were probably the most secular of all of them. Yet we all remember those two the most because of the liberal bent of the media writers. Wake up America!
You want scary, watch "fall of the Republic" and tell me about scary. We have to take back our country now!
Here's an "ism" for you - militarism...how come everyone that seems so concerned about the future of our country lately didn't stand up when we invaded Iraq on some sketchy claims of WMD..you're worried about out of control spending??? How much did that fiasco cost us? How about the freedom to talk on the telephone without fear of a warrantless wiretap?? Or the fear of being flown off to another country to be tortured without due process. Now that stuff is far scarier to me than trying to provide some folks health care.
Roger that, sharkboy.
See also
9/11 Mysteries: Demolitions at w w w free documentaries. o r g .
And on Youtube:
The Obama Deception HQ Full length version
The opposite of scary though, is the reward God gives to those who come to Him. Ahem . . . for He is the great reward.
Discover a little of what His indescribably awesome presence is like by reading
7 Visitations from God,
12 Revelations from Heaven.
By me.
w w w Mark My Words Publishing dot com.
Kevin Hofsas, Author
I wouldn't BS you about a thing like that.
To Sodaro, in 1948 it was a Christian society it didn't suppose anything. Maybe you missed the part of the cartoon where it said freedom of religion.
How is a bunch of men whistling at a woman sexist? So if I acknowledge a good looking woman, does that make me sexist? Furthermore, if a woman whistles at a good looking man does that make her sexist?
This was 1948! Before American's gave up their freedom like you see in the cartoon. So, something tells me people were not afraid to speak their minds or show their emotion. I believe you've been conditioned beyond return, so much that you scoff at the mention of God or the fact that normal men are attracted to women.
Amen, praise Jesus for the last thing that you said however.
"Anytime you give up your freedom for any measure of security, you gain neither freedom nor security."
BTW, it was one of our Christian founding fathers that said that. Amen.
Well we don't need the government to take care of us. This nation was made so we could take care of ourselves and that the people were the government. Obama is trying to take care of us but he can't do it. He's trying to do all these things he can't do.
That salesman reminds me of the talking heads on Fox News. Always tearing the country down!
Being in my 70s, I can say that I've seen this cartoon - I was in the fourth grade I believe. Way before Enron, and the VW and Honda invasion. It was way before corporate greed was institutionalized. Way before we became the police force for the world and invasion-happy. Shucks, it was way before the Civil Rights act, the Clean Air and Water Act, way before the Anti-hate Crime Acts, and even before the Voting Rights Act. We sure have messed things up. Gosh, I wish I could go back to 1948 - now them were the days. They had it together back then, "right?" Not like the naive folk who send this kind of "stuff" around.
Being in my 70s, I can say that I've seen this cartoon - I was in the fourth grade I believe. Way before Enron, and the VW and Honda invasion. It was way before corporate greed was institutionalized. Way before we became the police force for the world and invasion-happy. Shucks, it was way before the Civil Rights act, the Clean Air and Water Act, way before the Anti-hate Crime Acts, and even before the Voting Rights Act. We sure have messed things up. Gosh, I wish I could go back to 1948 - now them were the days. They had it together back then, "right?" Not like the naive folk who send this kind of "stuff" around.
Fox news is the best news station in america they always tell the truth. why does white house not like fox news? Because there sacred. Why? because they don't want people to know whats going on. Fox news does not tear the country down its trying to help it. watch Glenn beck at 5 0'clock he's very good.
FREEDOM from opressive governments is what this country was founded on! Remember, power corrupts and absolute power corrupts absolutely.
We are moving rapidly toward(if not arrived) at Government of the people, by the gorvermment for the government.
What is happening here now is what happened in Nazi Germany and communist Germany. the government printed more and more money until you needed a wheelbarrow full of deutchmarks to buy a loaf of bread - the baker threw out the deutchmarks and took the wheelbarrow for the bread.
why is it so complicated to understand that the government takes our HARD EARNED MONEY, uses most of it to feed itself under the guise of "taking care of those who can't take care of themselves". That's fine for those who are truly needy.
However, this government is trying to control everything by taking more and more money through fees, assessments and taxation without representation.
What happens when those of us who produce more than we consume can not produce enough to support all those who consume more than they produce (politicians are at the top of that pile) as is anyone who is on the public dole because it is easier than working for a living.
The cartoon is RIGHT ON.
The next step is to confiscate our guns. No guns, no resitance to socialism and marxism. Talk to someone who has lived under communist rule (East Germany) and they will tell you what transpired as the communists took over. The ONLY ones in the communist governments who lived well were the politicians. Everyone else was relegated to poverty. The people made believe that they worked and the government made believe that they paid them - nothing got done because there was absolutely no incentive.
It is slowley and insidiously devouring our freedom and if we do not stand up to it, our children and grandchildren will be living in a third world country ruled by a "ruling class" of politicians. Don't believe it? Read the history of the Soviet Union and othere communist and socialist countries. Time has proven that IT JUST DOESN"T WORK. WAKE UP!!
Bravo BizGuru!
I wish I could have said it that well myself!
But . . . the evil of the current administration is more insidious that mere communism. It’s seeming ineptitude isn’t ineptitude—it’s a deliberate course set to destroy America. Nor is the current administration only at fault, but every administration that advanced the goals of the New World Order starting from the instituting of the Federal Reserve and the IRS.
Why does our government continue to trash our Country? Because they want to. Why don’t they listen for the Love of God, to common sense? Because they WANT to trash the Country.
You cannot easily subjugate a prosperous, well armed, educated people. And tyrants FEAR a well-armed populace. So destroy the value of their currency, (Begun in 1913 with the instituting of the Fed Res) disarm them (recycle criminals so they multiply, make lots of violence/murder movies and villainize firearms) and dumb down the school systems.
Can we stop this down-ward trend?
The only thing that will avail to save this nation is a widespread awakening to God.
Sandy,
Listen to Glenn Beck too! 9AM to 12 Noon.
Go to www.freedocumentaries.org
Watch 9/11 Mysteries: Demolitions
and,
Freedom to Fascism, by Aaron Russo.
Then find "The Fall of the Republic" and watch that too. (infowars.com)
It will put a lot of water under Glenn Beck. (Meaning he can't get super deep yet)
Adamant ignorance is a terrible and very common thing. If people would educate themselves at 2 or 3 news sources, we would all be a lot better off. Politicians who are not concerned with the welfare of the people would be history.
To: Robert J. Sodaro
1) No religious bias. It does NOT presuppose a Christian religion, the image is of a Church as a single, well known symbol but the words are "The freedom to worship God in your own way." Let's not create conflict or bias where none is intended.
2) NOT true, otherwise the men that raised the FIRST flag on Iwo Jima were using a backwards American Flag.
3) While the depiction of a speedy trial seemed odd with the woman and the whistling jury, let's not condemn it in it's entirety as "sexist" because of this single instance. Doing so feeds the politically correct social justice nonsense that is infesting our judicial system like a cancer and eroding our civil liberties at a frightening pace. The idea of free speech covers ALL expression, even those expressions that don't make you feel all warm and fuzzy inside.
Wow. I am amazed at some of the posted comments. Some say they lament the loss of our freedoms, especially the ability to speak out. Yet they fail to recognize the diversity of the comments in this blog! Others laude Joe McCarthy – a hedonist who ruined many lives for political gain, and in the end was found out and humiliated. Some claim that the founding fathers were all Christian and forget that Jefferson, Franklin and many others not only were not Christian, but many complained about Christian hypocrisy. Some judge politicians saying that they are not Christians, when the Christ Himself warned about judgment, hypocrisy and logs in people’s eyes. Some look to the Cartoon as the golden day’s of our democracy when in fact in 1948 there were still people being lynched, women knew “their place,” most American’s suffered under one-sided labor laws, and police corruption and brutality was the norm. I could go on, but you get the point. Don’t look back and think that 1948 is as good as it gets – the best is yet to come. And to my Christian friends let me quote our leader, “ Give to Caesar what is Caesar’s, and to God what is Gods.” You have a job to do and that job is not to tear down your fellow man, but to be the salt of the earth – a light unto the world.
The world is blindly intoxicated from its drinking of "ism." We don't recognize that Americans, especially our children, are being force-fed at this moment, and congress is swallowing big doses and force feeding us.
We are drinking ISM!! And don't know it.
Stick with me. I think I can show you why I say this.
By 1948 the Communist Party in the world had grown huge and was having significant influence among American intelligentsia. They loved to sit in wine & cheese circles discussing the words of Karl Marx. Of special interest was Marx's intention to rid the world of all knowledge of God. If God does not exist anything is possible. Persons could be who they chose to be without restraint or guilt.
To remove God from the world, Marx saw that people must trust government, not God. He saw the need to separate the children from the parents. He advocated centralized schools for the reeducation of the masses.
This idea was picked up in America & pushed by John Dewey who could not risk being called a communist, so he and friends declared themselves "humanists" and in 1933 published their "Humanist Manifesto 1" which detailed how humanists would transform American education, media, entertainment and science to promote athiesm, naturalism, humanism, socialism. The main reason for centralizing the schools was to get them under control of elite educators and entertainers. He succeeded. Now for 4 generations in America children have been drinking "ism", now the core philosophy of public education.
Meanwhile (1940's)in Russia Stalin totalitarian enforcement of "ism" was systematically exterminating or re-educating all who would claim to believe in God, "the opiate of the people." In Germany Marx was being studied by the elites around Adolph Hitler who saw strong central government as the means of ethnic cleansing and reeducation. Hitler didn't primarily preach Marx's economics, but drank his athiesm and hostility to God and got Germany to drink. In China and Viet Nam, Korea and Central America nations were drinking "ism" and exporting. Even America taught and exported Ism in Fidel Castro.
Now I trace this to Obama:
By 1956 this film was shelved, and many people were actively selling "Ism." Marxist Humanism was firmly planted in the new Mercer Island High School in Seattle. Teachers Val Foubert and Jim Wichterman taught the students to reject traditional social norms and question authority. Wichterman had his class study “The Communist Manifesto,” and questioned the existence of God in his classes. Ann Dunham drank the "ism". Ann later went to Hawaii where she studied the Russian language and anthropology where she studied the atheist Margaret Meade. She was always active in discussion groups led by Marxists, some of whom became long time friends of the family and would play critical roles in times of crisis. Through her entire adult life Ann would attend or lead discussion groups often in her own home where her young son would hear his mother and others discuss the writings of Marx. He drank the "ism" and is now offering it to us, in mandatory doses.
Think about it! Do your own research.
Barak Obama is "ism".
The "czars" are "ism"
This health care is "ism"
And our "ism" peddling leader doesn't "get it" about terrorism. He is double minded!
But that's another topic.
Too bad this film did not stay in circulation. To bad it is too little, too late.
Where have you people been for the last 8 years? Did you sleep through the Bush Administration. Are you totally unaware of the wiretaps, searched and detentions that occurred without warrants? Do you remember the Billions of dollars worth of contracts that were awarded to Halliburton, without any accountability or recourse?
To the gentleman that talks about the backwards flag, the blue field is on the left. But it must not ALWAYS be there. It is supposed to be "Leading the way" into the wind. People standing on opposite sides of the street during a parade would see the blue field on opposite sides of the flag. The key is that it be facing forward.
To Ann, who posted on 14-Oct. We have a Government "of the people, by the people and for the people", I'm proud that there is finally someone in the White House that is looking out for ALL Americans, not just the chosen few. If you call that Socialism, I can live with that.
To Esther, The Government must protect its people. If that means providing food or shelter, so be it. Very few religious groups have stepped forward to do so. Sometimes the government must step in to protect its citizens, even from themselves.
But do not forget, WE are the government. The people in office were elected by US, to represent US. Every election day, we have the power to throw them out of office should they fail to do so.
I've found that most, not all, but most of those that complain about government, don't even vote! In the most current election here, 16% of eligible voters voted! 16%, it's a disgrace. They'd rather complain than be a part of the government and accept some responsibility for it.
It took a very long time for us to get where we are today, good and bad, to expect things to change in 11 months is too naïve to discuss. Until Congress stops answering to its lobbyists and starts listening to the people, I don’t think President Obama will be able to get a lot done. Not for lack of effort, just lack of congressional will.
Chaney/Bush had the Republicans under control and could RAM things through with little effort. For President Obama, controlling the Democrats will be like herding cats.
So the message was to unite in a common goal. This countries Ills started a couple of admins ago and compounded from there. It looks like "ism" is working it's pitted all of you against each other thinking it's a political party thing. It's an American Citizen issue. I wonder what party our founding fathers belonged to when they fought for our freedoms. Oh, yeah I remember now. All of them. North, South, rich poor, black, white, educated, non-educated, farmer, city folk, etc. I guess we'll never wake up. Not with the dissent listed here.
It's really sad to read how partisan and petty so many people have become. It's not about Clinton or Bush or Obama, people! They were all in it for themselves anyway. It's about the United States of America -- the greatest nation in the history of the world. When did party become more imporant than country? Do we really want to trust our fate to folks like Nancy Pelosi or Harry Reid or Barney Frank or John Boehner or Mitch McConnell? They work for us, we don't work for them. We must take our country back. Remember:
You cannot help the poor by destroying the rich.
You cannot strengthen the weak by weakening the strong.
You cannot bring about prosperity by discouraging thrift.
You cannot lift the wage earner up by pulling the wage payer down.
You cannot further the brotherhood of man by inciting class hatred.
You cannot build character and courage by taking away people's initiative and independence.
You cannot help people permanently by doing for them, what they could and should do for themselves.
Amen.
Obama has done nothing but put our country into the worst economic position since the great depression. Anyone who has studied economics will know that GDP is calculated by adding consumption of domestic products + Government spending + Investments+ Net exports. You can read the Wallstreet journal and see consumption is down, we import more than we export and government spending is through the roof. Which means investments will drop because of crowding out. The Government has spent so much money that loans for small businesses will become increasingly harder to obtain and capitalism is being traded for socialism. Obama and the democratic congress are driving this country down to hell! But it won't last. Truth will always win out and he will be exposed along with his scum bag friends who are using this country to enrich themselves at our expense. Lets hope he dies of lung cancer sooner than later.
THIS CARTOON IS WHY YOUR MOMS ALL TOLD YOU IF YOU WANT A FRIEND NEVER TALK ABOUT, POLITICS OR RELIGON,, IT MAKES US ALL LOOK STUPID IF YOU THINK THAT IS WRONG GO BACK AND READ SOME OF THESE BLOGS. BESIDES MOST PEOPLE DON'T VOTE FOR THE MAN JUST THE LETTER ON THE CARD. I BET IF YOU DID NOT GIVE PEOPLE A NAME OR PHOTO OF A CANIDATE, JUST THAT PERSONS CALL LETTER (R)(D)(I) EACH ONE WOULD GET VOTES. IF THEY THINK IM WRONG I WOULD LIKE TO SEE IT DONE. BESIDES WE SHOULD VOTE NEXT TIME FOR OUR FAVORITE ACTOR, ACTRESS, SPORTS COACH, SPORTS PLAYER, OR CARTOON CARICATURE, DON'T CHECK THE BOX STAND UP AND WRITE IT IN. THAT SHOULD SHOW THEM WE STILL HAVE THE POWER OF THE PEOPLE. (ALL STAND FOR PRESIDENT OF THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA BUGGS BUNNY)
@Kringles,
I agree with most of what you said, although I do feel you're a bit paranoid for my taste. While I accept that mankind is inherently sinful and, as a result, we cannot trust men in power... at the same time, I don't recognize that men are really in power at all. Rather than being frightful, we just need to individually do what is right and have faith that God's will is being done.
One thing I do need to correct you on, as I made a similar mistake before. When there is talk about the flag being backwards, it has nothing to do with a flag that is flying. You need to check the video to see what the issue is. The flag is hanging on a WALL in a CLASSROOM. So, there is no way to see the back side of the flag.
The issue is that the flag is VERTICAL and not HORIZONTAL. Normally, this is fine. However, when the flag is hung vertically, it must be done such that the blue field is to the left. In the video, it is to the right.
Honestly, looking at it, I would never have known that it was hanging the wrong way. It required some research to determine this. My guess is that the animators did not do their research and thought everything was OK. I don't think it was some sort of conspiracy to intentionally hang the flag the wrong way.
@kevinhofsas, @Faith,
The mistake you are making in trying to understand what I am saying, instead of assuming you already know what I am saying, is that you assume that if the law says something is not illegal, that it is OK with God.
Like I have said many times before, but which has been conveniently forgotten or ignored is this. Even if smoking pot were made LEGAL, I wouldn't do it. Even though adultery is already LEGAL, I wouldn't commit it. Even though hating your neighbor is LEGAL and hating your enemy is LEGAL, I would not do this.
You seem to think that what God wants His children to do... is play God with each other's lives. To distrust the wrath of God and assume that God is powerless in His resolve, and to take action when we think God is not doing a good enough job in punishing His sinful children.
My point is not that the government should only implement laws of God's loving side and disregard God's wrathful side. I'm simply saying that we need to recognize God's sovereignty and implement laws from the understanding that we are ALL God's children... we are ALL sinners... and we are ALL accountable to God, whether or not we are accountable to each other.
If we each try to play God by putting other people into power to smite our neighbors and our enemies because we know that God would or should smite them, we start playing God. We start supplanting God with people. We start fearing people more than God. God becomes less important in our lives and, instead, everyone focuses on the man-made-god-government.
This, I believe, is the most rebellious we could possibly be against God.
So, I say we treat each other as brothers and sisters. Not because God treats us as brothers and sisters because, instead, God is our Father. That we accept God as our Heavenly Father and that we should not assume His role. Instead, we should assume our role as sons and daughters of God. As such, we are brothers and sisters. We can set boundaries to be sure we are not infringing on each other's property rights... and rights of freedom... and not get in each other's way to seek our Heavenly Father.
If you really think that God wants each one of us to play god and implement his wrath on each other and disregard His forgiveness and grace or His sovereignty over us, then I will pray for you. I will pray that you seek further guidance regarding this topic with your church, your church members, with your pastors and priests, by consulting the Bible, and through prayer. Not by approaching the situation with a loaded question such as "Should homosexuals get married in a Christian Church and be seen in the same light as all others?"... but approaching the question with an open heart... "Should we be assuming the role of God and judge others based on their sins, and implement punishments enforceable by law against our fellow man, while disregarding our own sins and remaining above the law?"
Genice said:
"Bob, You're stupid... [You] cannot call [yourself] a real Christian!"
Said the pot to the kettle.
@Max,
"29 of the 56 signers were ordained ministers and NEARLY all the rest proclaimed their Christian faith in their letters and proclamations."
(emphasis, mine)
Hopefully you can see that this means we are not a Christian nation.
If 29 of the 56 signers were white, or NEARLY ALL signers were white, would you simply say "We are a white nation." and leave it at that?
If 29 of the 56 signers were male, or NEARLY ALL signers were male, would you simply say "We are a nation of men." and leave it at that?
If you're really headed down that line of thinking, then you must feel that all white men are superior to anyone who is non-white... or female. If you ARE in this way of thinking, then at least everyone else will have a better perspective as to what soapbox you are speaking from.
If you DON'T think like this... then it's also important to not say "We are a Christian nation" or "we are founded on Christianity" and then walk away, thinking that this automatically means that Christianity overrides anything else when it comes to law and order.
Either you believe that all men (and women) are created equal regardless of race, religion, etc... or you don't. You can't believe this, but then start using race or religion to prove your point about the laws of man.
"We The People"
The citizens of the U.S.A. must have forgotten the most two famous phrases that this country was built on: WE THE PEOPLE and UNITED WE STAND. But instead of WE, it has been changed to ME and that is a shame. The people of this great country have let the few (the MEs) to take over. Yes WE may moan and groan about the things that are happening in this country but that is all WE do, NO ONE BANDS TOGETHER as in the beginning. The Gov't and big companies/industry use to be afraid of the people and now it's the other way around. We are afraid that if we don't do as the Gov't says, the Gov't will come down on us and who gave them that power, WE did, by doing nothing. Same way with big companies/industry, if we don't do as they say they will fire us--they're doing that anyway and sending the jobs elsewhere ( MOSTLY FOR GREED ). And again who is at fault--the WE. Oh by the way, when I say Gov't, I mean (Politicians, CIA, FBI, DEA, Homeland Security, Judges and Law Enforcement) all the way down to our states, cities and towns. The Gov't and big companies/industry are either shutting down or selling America off bit by bit and WE are letting them. Hell, the Gov't even lies to us and WE let them get away with that too, ie: J.F.K, Vietnam, Agent Orange, Watergate, Iraq, Gitmo Bay, Illegal Immigrants, The Big Bailout....shall I go on and that's just the Big Gov't.
Now WE do band together and march for causes like fighting Breast Cancer, Aids, M.D.S and Diabetes, just to name a few. So if WE can band together for these causes, then why can't WE band together to bring back the--WE THE PEOPLE and UNITED WE STAND---not only for the outside world to see but also for our Gov't and big companies/industry to see as well. These phrases were written to PROTECT and INSPIRE the CITIZENS of the U.S.A., not for the protection of the Gov't and big companies/industry.
Now, I have served in the U.S. Air Force and was willing to fight the enemy if needed for the FREEDOMS of the citizens of the U.S.A.--but now after posting this, I have to worry will Homeland Security come busting into my home without a warrant, because they can, and hall me off to Gitmo Bay as an enemy of the state. If they don't, I'm thinking about going to Mexico to become a citizen there and then sneak back into the U.S.A. to have everything just handed to me ( free health care, SSN, bank loans and pay no taxes..ect ) and if I break any laws while here --no prison time either--just get sent back to Mexico. I'm kidding about becoming a citizen of Mexico, making another point here.
LET'S PUT THE "WE" BACK INTO---"WE THE PEOPLE" and "UNITED WE STAND"
Just some another thoughts, why is it if the Gov't is hired by us (elected), then why do they get to set their own salaries--I've NEVER told them how much I'm willing to pay them --have you?? And why do they get to vote for their own pay raises--you don't get to tell your employer you just vote yourself a raise and get it --do you?? And when was the last time you got wined and dined by an outside source and changed your employers' policies to benefit that source ---I think never. So why do all these get to take place with our own employees (Gov't)?? Because we let it happen and it's a runaway Gov't. Oh, and when was the last time you took your employers' hard earn money and did some pork belly spending without their permission??
And one last thought--why is it that everyone in the elected Gov't is rich before they get into office---the golden rule--those that have the gold make the rules so they can keep the gold. When was the last ave. joe blow elected?? When we only had 13colonies....
nobody seems to get this. I don't believe the title "this seemed far fetched at the time' is accurate. I believe there were people in 1948 just like today hustling and bustling and pissy about our country and the direction it was going therefore they made this cartoon. The only thing to say about our country is nothing has really changed much other than the population and the accessibility of too much information. Our countrymen will always be in a bother about politics, taxes, and money. I don't understand how this cartoon is scary. If anything it's comforting to know these 'good guys' and bad guys in the cartoon have always existed. Nothings new, no need to talk about the 'good ol days' for it is just not wise. now go back to WORK. (me included)
The mistake all conservatives make is assuming that ISM guy can only be the government. But today you can't get a job, healthcare, or internet access today without signing away more rights then Communist russia ever asked for.
Big corporations want everyone afraid of government so that they can play divide and conquer. There is this fantasy that you could avoid this by working for or buying from some "other company" but every company does this. Your only choice in the US today is corporate domination or being a hermit in the woods somewhere.
This country was - in fact - founded on Judeo-Christian beliefs (whether or not the founding fathers were agnostic, aetheists or Christians), and yet Christianity is the only religion under attack in America. We have been forced to take Christ out of Christmas, prayer out of the classroom, the Ten Commandments out of the courthouses, and even the baby Jesus off the town square lawn - because the Supremee Court itself has awarded itself more power than our Founding Fathers intended, and proceeded to legislate instead of interpret our constitution. When was the last time you heard of a Jew, Muslim, Jehovah's Witness or Aetheist being discriminated against in legislation? You will see the day in America where the Christian's God has chosen to remove His influence; you're not going to find it as comforting as you might think.
@Wingnut,
"When was the last time you heard of a Jew, Muslim, Jehovah's Witness or Aetheist being discriminated against in legislation?"
We'll probably hear about this when a Star of David is erected in a courthouse, an Islamic Prayer is being recited in the classroom, or a Darwin fish logo is placed on the town square lawn during Easter.
When one of those things happen, I'm sure you'll also hear a cry for such things to be taken down, expecting our government to be neutral and to leave the choice of religion up to the individual.
To Wingnut:
Yep, we should put prayer back in the schools. As if it ever left... Show me a student who cares, and hasn't prepared for a test, and I'll show you someone who prays in school. (-: Seriously, students have a constitutional right to pray in school - period. My daughter started an organization in her high school she and her friends called, “SIP” – Students In Prayer. Fifty +/- students met ½ hour before school, sang a few songs, asked for prayer request and prayed until the bell rang. Yes, she did it right… She filled out the paper work and was recognized as a club, acquired the required faculty sponsor, and aggressively refused to have faculty impose any form of leadership. Some of her friends passed out little slips of paper with words of encouragement, and scripture. They wore Christian T-shirts, some carried a Bible. Every so often they would organize hundreds of students to hold hands and circle the flag at sunrise, singing, praying and welcoming the flag raising by singing the national anthem. She and others led prayer before school activities. They all did this without an in-your-face attitude, but with a humble and Christian attitude. All of these activities are protected by our constitution. Interesting, Bill Clinton when President sent every school in America guidelines about what schools could and could not do. The nuts cases only picked up on what can’t be done. Typical. What the schools cannot do is impose prayer on their charges. If we go back to mandatory pray we would have to do so in a constitutional, even-handed manor. My high school in the 50s required everyone to simultaneously recite the Lord’s Prayer with the intercom during homeroom. Nice you say? My school was about 25% Jewish. Hummmmm. So lets correct that and have mandatory even-handed prayer? I can hear the intercom now. Monday: “Students by sure to pick up your pray rugs before mandatory prayer in the direction of Mecca at 10 AM, Noon, and 2:00." Tuesday: "All students must wear flowers in their hair to honor our god of nature as prescribe by Druid law." Wednesday: "When entering the school be sure to spin all prayer bells as entering the halls in the best of Hindu tradition." Thursday: "Free prayer day – pray to whatever god you feel floats your boat." Friday: "Catholics, Lutherans, and Anglicans meet in the West Wing; all Protestants meet in the East Wing. Bingo to follow communion or whatever." Well, you get the idea. Be careful what you wish for – or rather, God protect us. You think this is far fetched? I do prison ministry and as you may know Wicca (Witchcraft) is a fast growing religion in prisons. In the prison I serve, the area set aside for Christian services is now stripped weekly of its cross and other symbols so that the Wicca group can erect their alter used in their service. Same deal for the Black Moslems. In our society, you cannot allow one, and deny the other. That is why so many school administrations are scared to death. The solution is right before us - let the children lead us! I say be bold, but not nutty. As mentioned above, you can be yeast and salt. Pray for guidance!
It is interesting that when it involves civil rights, health care, labor protection, and consumer protection conservatives want government out of the picture, but when it involves foisting their own convictions on others, as in who sleeps with whom, who marries whom, whether a woman who is raped can have an abortion, or whether the science of evolution can be taght in schools, the government has every right to step in and make intimate and personal choices for individuals.
For those who keep saying, "This country was founded on Christianity!" Please remember these few things: 1. How they practiced their faith and modern practice of faith is very, very different. 2. Those "Christians", had slaves, and women had little if no rights. 3.The "Christians" made deals with Indians, that basically took away their land. Finally and most importantly: 4. Some of those, "Christians" burned people at the stake or worse. I will get off my soap box now.
@ The Lafferty Family,
Thanks! that's the first LOL I've run over here!
Kevin Hofsas, Author
7 Visitations from God,
12 Revelation from Heaven.
www.MarkMyWordsPublishing.com
@ Zombiegirl13,
1. Error msg
2. Error msg
3. Error msg
4. Error msg
Okay, so if I call you a "Martain" everyone is supposed to believe it and say, "Oh, those Martains, they all make Errors?"
@ Joe Smith,
Nice Joe.
Kevin Hofsas, Author
7 Visitations from God,
12 Revelations from Heaven
www.MarkMyWordsPublishing.com
@ Bob, from Nov 12;
Bob, I rebuke you. You are salt that has lost its savor. You are a white-washed wall. You are luke-warm, and as such, the LORD will spew you out of His mouth.
You try to mix the world into the Gospel, but it doesn't mix---it becomes a toxic brew that causes nations to back-slide.
I rebuke you Bob, and your false humanistic doctrine. The LORD's ministers are a flaming fire Psalm 104:4. His ministers are a flame of fire Hebrews 1:7.
That's Old Covenant.
That's New Covenant.
Guess what?
That never changes.
Kevin Hofsas, Author
7 Visitations from God,
12 Revelations from Heaven
www.MarkMyWordsPublishing.com
Here is what I noticed. Even though this cartoon was discussing our freedoms as Americans, it did not accurately represent the population. There was only one non-Caucasian character in entire cartoon.
What does that tell you about the view that the cartoon creator had?
Its time to invoke the The CIA Assassination Proclamation and vote'em all out.
http://hi-caliber.blogspot.com/2009/07/assassinations.html
"The Most High God is sovereign over the kingdoms of men and gives them to anyone He wishes." Daniel 4:17, 25, 32 and Daniel 5:21
My point is this... that scripture, the Bible, noted in our own Smithsonian as the most accurate book ever penned, states that God appoints leaders of nations. I believe that He sometimes gives people exactly what they want. Even when the outcome is clearly going to ruin a nation. I believe He is drawing us to Him. The leaders of this country, and so many celebrities in the public eye, are so self-focused, so far from God that what we are experiencing as a nation is the natural result when a culture turns its back on God.
We can't solely put the blame on our government... it's also the the greedy, godless American voter that helped to put the recent administrations into office. We as a people are as much the problem as our elected officials.
God is drawing us to Him. We need to recognize who is sovereign over the kingdoms of men.
Tom
I need to clarify in case there are any mis-interpretations.
and so many celebrities in the public eye, are so self-focused
Our culture is so influenced by what they see celebrities and the rich doing, that a new "American Dream" has been developed. The lifestyles portrayed by those in the public eye are saying that money and power are to be pursued as goal of a successful life. What does scripture have to say about this?
2 Timothy 3:2-5
People will be lovers of themselves, lovers of money, boastful, proud, abusive, disobedient to their parents, ungrateful, unholy,
without love, unforgiving, slanderous, without self-control, brutal, not lovers of the good,
treacherous, rash, conceited, lovers of pleasure rather than lovers of God-
having a form of godliness but denying its power.
Scripture is clearly giving us a warning. In the last days, men would rather pursue good times than worship God.
We are so there.
Tom
Tommy, you are an idiot. You can hardly form a coherent sentence. It blows my mind to think that there are people who are still dumb enough to believe that Bush had anything to do with 9/11. Like him or not, you can't list that as a mistake that he made.
Let me first start by saying that those who believe this issue has anything to do with republican and or democratic view points and mistakes is gravely mistaken. It was pointed out that we are moving away from a blueprint set by the founders of this country, and that said blue print was founded on christian ideals and that "liberalists" have somehow ruined that plan and those ideals...to start not all of our fore fathers were in fact christian so stirke one, secondly no single group has ruined anything in this country and pointing fingers at any one group of like minded individuals is lazy and unfounded and is in reality exactly the sort of tactics that have brought us here, strike two. Third as a society weve allowed ourselves to fall into a trap that says you must pick a side of the politcal coin and agree with that side on a regular basis its your duty to argue with opposing view points because only you are correct, stirke three. Wake the fuck up everybody nobodys has been right on everything, and some would say anything for quite a while. Republicans complain about obamas election and clintons paving the way for the finacial collapse but at this point there best candidates to re take office in 2012 are...a woman who no longer participates in govt and spends time bashing and slandering the left on twitter, and the head of the party whos major accomplishment of late has been restructuring the party website. On the other hand yes obama has failed to live up to some of his promises, and the left dominated house and senate seem to have no plan of action at all. But the fact is thats our fault we elected these people, we allowed ourselves to be decieved. Those who claim everything obama is doing is wrong or that bush was a complete no load are both incorrect, bush got us through one of the toughest stretches in american history the first time wed ever been touched on our own soil, at the end i believe he took it to far and extended a war that need never have gone to the places and depths that it has. Obama has inspired not just our nation but the world around us, we contiually complain about our own country and rightfully so things do need to change but slinging around terms like socialism, and communism and refering to aspects of a universal health care bill as death oanels are fucking ridiculous. Socialism at its heart is not negative do some research secondly this country will never allow it self to reach a point of fundamental shift in philosphy without knowing that what were doing is for the greater good of our people. Capitalism is the greatest economic system in the world but only if the people make it that way, if we get off our asses and innovate create work together learn all things the video points out things that are not happening today as we get passed seemingly daily by another devolping or already devolped country, in nearly every category the judges the success of nation...especially a capitalist nation but guess what the majority of those countries are not capitalists. Its time to pull our heads out of our asses, knock off the fear, the lies, the prophghanda and tha bull shit and actually do what are...AMERICAN forefathers did and choose to take all view points into account and form not a more perfect union but simply a perfect union in the sense that the rights and opinions of all are protected and heard. But that starts with us forming more reasonable and honest opnions so turn of glen beck, ann coulter, and rush limbaugh, and mute bill maher, chris matthews, and racheal maddow. And form your own opinion based on whats not just best for you but for your neighbor, the one nextdoor, and the ones across the oceans. soemthing those of you who preach religion should be able to do very easily. And join the common sense party.
Our freedom is grounded in the love of God who has given us the power to avoid the bondage of sin.
For God so loved the world, that He gave His one and only Son that whosoever believes in him, should not perish, but have everlasting life! - John 3:16
This nation has been marching towards tyranny and dictatorship for a very long time. You will find it hard to believe but Abraham Lincoln took some of the first big steps in making the USA a Marxist country. He gave us the Draft (which is a violation of Liberty and Freedom), he illegally suspended habeas corpus (only Congress can do that), and forced the South into a war when he refused to withdraw federal troops from Fort Sumpter.
FRD, Bush Sr., Clinton, and Bush Jr. all played their parts in making the presidency increasingly more and more powerful. If you really look at things close you will begin to see that the Republican and Democrat parties are very much the same. Sure the GOP is "pro-life" and all that and the Dems lay claim to their beliefs, but when you look past the mask you see the same neo-Fascist/Marxist monster.
We all need to finally realize that people we have in power in the US right now will say ANYTHING to stay in power, and having that seat in the oval office or in congress is ALL they care about. They will say and do anything it takes. McCain said he would keep or troops in Iraq for 100 years or more if that's what it took, and Obama promised to pull them out very quickly after he took office. Of course the troops are still there. Funny how that sort of thing keeps on happening.
Don't be surprised if those troops never do come home, if the wars only get worse. Don't be surprised if the only reason those troops come home is because the government has ordered them to turn their guns on all of us.
This should be shown to all school children. They need to be reminded why The United States is the best country in the world.
The cartoon has its good points and so does many of the comments. What has been lacking in America from the very beginning right up to the present day, and is also seen in this blog is the lack of love. I don't care where your coming from or who you voted for one fact remains true, America's biggest problem is her lack of love.
I believe that Jesus was a man who communicated with God, and God was his Father. He tried to teach us that love is all we need, but we didn't believe then as we do not believe him now.
He is the motivation behind how I carry myself as a man. I believe in God and the word of Jesus, and you don't have to go to church to do this. I believe that love is all we need and love and forgiveness can conquer all of our problems and move us into a higher form of consciousness which I believe is our evolutional path. I do believe in miracles, but miracles can only be brought on by love.
This video was first made in response to Truman trying to give America the same health care options Europe was getting at the time, but was beaten back by idiotic right wing propaganda then, and now the same propaganda is being brought back...this video represents corporate interests, then and now..
For those that feel our government is out of control like most of us here then you'd be interested to know that the Continental Congress 2009 is presently in session!
“For over a decade, the We The People Foundation has championed an intensive, well-researched and coherent effort to hold the Government accountable for its escalating violations of fundamental Rights and the Constitution through use of the Right of the People to "petition the Government for a redress of grievances." Those ongoing abuses include violations of the Constitution's tax, money, war, general welfare, privacy and other clauses that are at the heart of the conditions that now plague our nation.”
“Continental Congress 2009 will take the process of holding Government accountable and restoring the Constitution to the next level by first creating a formal record of the vast violations of the Constitution and Individual Rights now suffered by the People. Next, the Congress will debate and decide upon a series of practical but strong "Civic Actions" the People may take in order to restore their Liberty.”
“The agenda for the CC2009 Assembly also provides for the development and adoption of formal "Remedial Instructions" to be served upon federal and state officials, in essence ordering them to cease and desist their official abuses and giving them formal Notice as to the "Civic Actions" of (peaceful) resistance the People may take, en masse, if those officials, yet again, choose to ignore the People's Petitions for Redress.”
Most of the CC2009 event can be viewed live each day at these links:
www.GiveMeLiberty.org/CC2009
or at www.CC2009.us
This is a historical moment ladies and gentlemen!
Check it out. They need funding too.
Do any of you even know the original purpose of this cartoon?? It was a propaganda piece against communism. This was made at a time when everyone was afraid that the Soviet Union would take over our country and impose communism on the US. It's not about the "evils" of providing quality health care for all of our citizens. It's not even about bailing out the rich at the expense of the middle class. It was made to scare everyone into believing that anyone who believes a government should see to the needs of it's citizens is evil and should be stopped. It's the forerunner of the McCarthy trials. Don't any of you read your history??
The Price of Freedom Is Eternal Viligance.
I'm not too fond of Viligance, myself. I think I'd prefer some Vigilance.
Whatever the original intent of the cartoon's creators, whether it was meant as anti-communist propaganda or as pro-corporation propaganda; it still manages to focus on the core value of America - Freedom. Individual people being free to live their live as THEY see fit, and not having government mandating this and that. A universal health-care system sounds great and looks like it'll even work...on paper....but actually put one into practice and things begin to fall apart. Let's take the Canadian system as an example, every Canadian who can afford it comes to America to see a doctor. Why? The wait lists in Canadian hospitals and clinics are too long for people to receive treatment at the time they need to receive it. The only significant advantage to the Canadian system is cheap medication. What advantage do you really have if you have guaranteed health-care, but no idea when you will even receive it?
However, even with all that said, there is strictly speaking no problem with the government providing such services (in most countries), so long as it is an OPTIONAL program and not mandatory. In the United States it becomes a Constitutional issue, in that the United States Government has NO Constitutional authority to create any kind of health-care system at all, nor does it have the authority to tax our wages (I forget the case, but the Supreme Court ruled that the 16th Amendment gives Congress no new tax power, ie does give them the power to tax our wages), they also do not have the authority to:
-Regulate the "education system"
-Provide 'retirement insurance' in the form of the "Social Security System"
-Regulate substance use, like the usage of marijuana, cigarettes, alcohol, etc.
-Send US troops into combat with a Declaration of War from Congress (the War Powers Act is unconstitutional and therefore illegal)
-To disarm American citizens under any circumstances (in the wake of hurricane Katrina many citizens of New Orleans were illegally disarmed)
-To issue paper 'currency', the US government is authorized by the Constitution to only mind hard currency like silver and gold coins; and for good reason, the Founding Fathers experienced first-hand the dangers of paper fiat money
...the list goes on.
The US Government is in gross violation of the contract (US Constitution) between the several states under which said government was formed. There is a good reason the Constitution was written to limit the government, because authorize it would grow into the horrible beast that has now become after nearly 100 years of the American people letting their freedom slip little by little. The only problem with the Constitution is that it didn't limit the Government enough.
It would take just two things to get this country back on track. TERM LIMITS and MAKE LOBBYING ILLEGAL.
Please resist the hate and division being sown by both sides. This republic only works when we look for our common ground and build on it. That is the lesson at the end of the clip. If you want the freedom to do as you wish, other people must have the same freedoms for this republic to work. This is harder than you might think. If you want to pray to Christ in a government facility you need to be ready to let people pray to Allah as well. If you want to own a gun you may need to leave the decision between a doctor and a rape victim to the victim and her God. The government is either in our private lives or it is not. You cannot have government control only the people you do not agree with. We must work to respect the private lives of every citizen especially the ones we disagree with.
HOW MANY OF YOU, who "get" the point of this 1948 film, went to DC (11/5/09) to show the House that we want to KILL (the) HEALTH CARE bill? This is what's wrong with America today!
It takes a chuck out of our week to read/respond to blogs, email and watch TV on top of our real obligations of work, family, running kids to activities, PTA, or paying the bills. They rather we go through the motions of being good "pajama patriots" and less time actively doing something about it. We play right into their hands allowing them to distract us from understanding what is happening. We busy ourselves with new technology and wow over the latest cell phone apps, instead of organizing to remove the vermin from Local & National office.
WAKE UP AMERICA and get off your computers/Cell phones/TV's -- put those 20 hours a week to better use of your time and get politically involved. Better yet, RUN YOURSELF or support someone who is. It takes time, money and many volunteers. Unfortunately, we've been sitting on the sideline for too long, asleep at the wheel and look at the mess we've created as a result.
Remove these psychopaths from office and our lives!!! WE NEED LESS TALK . . . MORE ACTION NOW. You only have a few hours each day, put them to good use to save this country from the path the current Admin (Bush I, II/Clinton) is taking us.
I hear your patriotism in your voices. As the film highlighted, we must stand united and not let them divide us between rich or poor, between afro-american, cuban-american, italian-american, etc. or between jew, catholic, christian, atheist, mormon, baptist etc. or young and old . . . we are in a fight for the very way of life that has made this country a beacon for the oppressed.
If we can get men to the moon and back safely, we can figure this out. Houston we have a problem . . . Failure IS NOT an option!!!
But Lisette, I did vote to remove psychopaths from office last time and though we did a pretty good job, there is still work to be done! I would have removed more is I could, but there is always another election and I'll be there ballot in hand. It has been 61 years since the beginning of the Healthcare reform effort. If we live long enough, we actually could progress too match the more developed countries.
Peace, Joe
Most of you didn't even really listen to the moral of the story portrayed in this cartoon. "When ANYBODY (Democrats and Republicans included) preaches disunity, tries to pit one of us against the other through class warfare, race hatred, or religious intolerance, you know that person seeks to rob us of our freedom and destroy our very lives." Well spoken narrator! What administration has not sought out political favor through one of these means. Don't be so foolish! The Democrat / Republican duopoly was designed to divide and conquer and it has done so through EVERY single mean listed above. Get your head out of the sand, besides lip service, there is no difference between Democrats and Republicans. This country goes further down the tubes with ever successive president, Democrat or Republican. Your allegiance to said parties is nothing more than a product of indoctrination that we all receive through the controled education system and the corporate propaganda machine that is the mass media. Real change will only come when we realize that it is the individuals who sold the "ISM" to our paid for politicians many years ago, even before this cartoon was produced... The international banking families which control us through our very own monetary system. Destroy the FED and its ability to control our system from within (the IRS), and we might have a chance at true freedom. Face it, you own nothing and never have. It is all a farce. In 33' when our country basically declared bankrupcy, all ownership of land was turned over to the FED and you and I were assigned "Social Security" numbers as collateral and as holding on all assets in our possession on behalf of the U.S. government so the bankers would continue leasing us our own currency. You should really read your states title code. In GA 1-1-10 it states that all laws prior to '33 were repealed, the exception being the handful listed in that title. Every state has the same mandate in their title code. Check it out, we have not been sovereign since '33, when everything tangible in this nation was signed over to the FED in lieu of the national debt. So you go ahead and play their game, fight amongst yourselves which Republican/Democrat is right, the country will continue to get perpetually worse until you destroy the root of the problem. Oh and as far as this being a Christian Nation (laughs, I am a Christian by the way), you must not understand symbology or have even bothered researching the architecture in D.C. Our founders were mostly Freemasons, who specialize in crafting structures full of symbolism giving small details as to their real intent. If you understood the layout of the Washington Mall and the structures themselves, you would see that our founders revered Ancient Religions that frequently practised goddess worship... mostly the Egyptians and Romans/Greeks. I could go on and on.. you people should really become self aware, stop eating out of the elite's hands, and believing everything you see and hear from the propaganda machine. As Christians we are told to "test the spirits" how often do you really test or question them. Deceit is all around us, be wise to its ways. If you want to know the role of the occult in politics, google and read the publication "The Rainbow Swastika" it will change your life...
IamaROC
I am an Independent person
I am a Moderate
and
I am Right of Center
IamaRoc "The new political party slogan
Victor I agree with your assessment of the previous leadership however that does not justify the lack of respect for the Constitution that this new government has, the lack of financial responsibility.
We will not stand for our freedoms to be taken away and the vote will make sure that he serves no more than 4 years.
By the way has anyone seen this man during Veterans day, not saluting the flag, yes I remember, he never did either during the campaign for office.
Hooray for Bernie he knows what capitalism is all about. Sure he's in prison. But show me the money. Can't wait for it to happen again. Deregulate or the Madhoff's of the world will go broke and the rest of us will follow. Give the banks and Wall Street free run I trust them to do what's right and necessary to make things better for...........
It's hilarious that everyone sees what they've been indoctrinated to see. The liberals see the "ism" seller as George Bush and the right-wing media. The conservatives see him as Obama and the left-wing media. Nobody is ready to recognize that THE "ISM" PITCHMAN IS US. You. Me. Anybody who has permanently aligned themselves with liberalism, conservatism, neo-conservatism, radicalism, capitalism or any other "ism."
The point of America is to be flexible in your ideas and to not let someone else do your thinking for you. If you believe as you believe because you've done the research, you've thought it through, then great. If you believe because Lou or Rush or some "opinion maker" tells you to, then you're just pitching another "ism." And America doesn't need any more of that.
You have to remember the times in which this video was made. Yes it may leave out some people but remember it said America is made up of all races, creeds and religions. That's what makes us GREAT. We need to make sure that we do not fall for the empty promises of our leaders, that we see through their smoke and mirrors. The only way this country will stay FREE is to repel any socialistic (ISM) ideas that they try to force on the American people.
Ann (near the top of the comments list)- "I am sorry for those who wrote a negative post about this carton, they missed the whole message of the carton. We live in a dark time with Peoples minds clouded with the sin of self. Our forefathers, who by the way where christians, build this nation with standards that today are according to all you liberalist have become obsolete. This country is headed for socialism or worse marxism. I wonder how all the liberalist will like our country then. GOOD LOOK WITH THAT!"
--Actually Ann it is a fallacy that all the Forefathers were Christian. Jefferson was a deist and fought long and hard to any mention of a Christian God out of the Declaration of Independence thus the word Creator was used and used in a manner that left it open to the individual.
--We hold these truths to be self-evident, that all men are created equal, that they are endowed by their Creator with certain unalienable Rights, that among these are Life, Liberty, and the Pursuit of Happiness. That to secure these rights, Governments are instituted among Men, deriving their just powers from the consent of the governed.--
Whatever you might think of "Liberalists" they are the reason for so many of the things that keep you safe. The Food & Drug Admin is one that comes to mind. The Consumer Protection Agency is another. If it had been left to the likes of Pullman,Rockefeller,and the whole host of robber barons that so dominated the late 19th century, your father and grandfather would not have ever had a chance at a pension and a decent enough wage to own a home, the furniture that filled it(and might have passed down from one generation to another), or even a family car.
A long time ago when the Republican Party was truly a reform party, they elected a man who saw labor/capital for what it was. Here's what he had to say,"Labor is prior to, and independent of, capital. Capital is only the fruit of labor, and could never have existed if labor had not first existed. Labor is the superior of capital, and deserves much the higher consideration." Abraham Lincoln said this on December 3, 1861 in his first annual address to Congress and at the time it was a very liberal view.
I'm sorry that you fear that this country is headed to socialism or Marxism. Your fears, however, are very much unfounded. I get the feeling that you may be old enough to receive Social Security and/or Medicare. MY GOD!!!! what evil and vile social programs these are!!! I ask you, "Are they so evil and vile that you wish to return them and participate no longer?"
Just a little something to think about.
to Porkchop common?
Thomas Jefferson was a diest, so was Ben Franklin, but they believed in a supreme being and believed the Bible was the enerrant Word of God....
Show me the proof of your statement about Jefferson. (Jefferson was a deist and fought long and hard to any mention of a Christian God out of the Declaration of Independence)
Jefferson also said: "God who gave us life gave us liberty, and can the liberties of a nation be felt secure when we have removed thier one firm foundation, a conviction in the minds of the people that these liberties are a gift from God and are not to be violated but with His wrath. Indeed I tremble for my country when I reflect that God is just and His justice cannot sleep forever."
This quote was from the Virginia papers and can be found at his memorial in Washington DC....
People that don't know their history, especially the real history of this nation, never fail to amaze me at their stupidity.
BTW we ARE on a path to socialism. It's been happening for more than 20 years now. It just has been excellerated by the current administration.
Also, anyone that held office in the original 13 colonies had to swear a solom oath (it meant something back then) on the Bible, that they believed in God, and they believed the Bible was the ennerant Word of God.
Thus, anyone that held office DID believe in God. This country was founded on those principals! Check it out!
This cartoon seems to be a warning against the Bush administration that actually took away our freedoms, and gave hundreds of billions of dollars to big business. Thank goodness we now have an administration that has restored those freedoms, and puts people first.
I must point something out. You people...have no idea what you are talking about. WHAT FREEDOMS has Obama taken away? BUSH wire-tapped us warrantlessly. BUSH started the two wars (one, Afghanistan, being justified, and the other, Iraq, not). Bush kept us safe for eight years? 9/11 for one thing. Also, nothing has happened since Obama took office either. Strange, huh, considering apparently BUSH kept us safe. Also, for those of you talking about parties violating the constitution are flat out wrong, especially about the Democratic party. The Democratic party is keeping gun rights intact, even supporting them in many cases. They are huge proponents of the 1st amendment, and the rest of the Bill of Rights. Also, I would just like to point out that health care and education are constitutionally protected. The preamble says the following.
"We the people, in order to form a more perfect union, establish justice, ensure domestic tranquility, provide for the common defense, promote the general welfare and secure the blessings of liberty, for ourselves and our posterity, do ordain and establish this constitution for the United States of America."
PROMOTE THE GENERAL WELFARE! Obviously, promoting the general welfare means something different then than it does now. However, the general welfare now means health care, education, right to good standard of living, and protection in the workplace among many other things. The government exists to provide basic military and social support for a country. Basic social support means providing for the people. That is exactly what Obama is doing. Please, before you speak, REALLY know what the constitution says.
Name a government program that has worked:
1. Social Security
2. The military
3. The WPA
4. The interstate system
5. Medicare
6. Medicaid
I could go on and on.
It's a shame so many have watched this video and turned it into a debate. Didn't you get the message from the video?
Yeesh!
UNITED we stand.
There is no difference in any of the administrations. The policies don't change. They keep you fighting so that you don't realize how bad you're getting screwed!
The government won't be fixed until we all come together and DEMAND that they fix it.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8Cz4vcQKWfA
Great debate and great discussion, and I happen to agree with a great many of them AND,
I have a very simple solution.
Make it a federal crime, punishable to the extreme to accept IN ANY FORM, donations, gifts, money or any other form of compensation over and above the set salary for all people involved in public office. You want to see a change, there it is. No more voting due to a guilty conscience, no more pressure, no more party politics. Why do you think the system originally worked? Lobbyist had NO MONEY! Public officials would be required to have transparent bank accounts.
All the other problems this country has stem from this one problem. Obama owes the unions to the tune of $220 million. I'm sure every other member of congress and the senate owes someone somewhere too.
NO MORE DONATIONS.
David,
You say that President Obama owes the Union 220 million. Would you mind providing some documentation. People throw this kind of "stuff" around and they start quoting each other.
Joe
Faith,
You are wrong about Jefferson. First, look up the Jefferson Bible and you will find that in "his" Bible he removed (marked, cut out, etc.) a large portion that he felt was in error. Second, he insisted on the wording on his gravestone that outlined what he considered his most important achievements ( www.mccullagh.org/image/13/thomas-jefferson-tombstone.html ). One was The Statute of Virginia for Religious Freedom. That Statute is very agnostic. However!!!! As a Christian I am warned in the Bible not to judge anyone for to do so puts my soul in harm's way. I think the President, as a person, should be considered worthy of a chance to work for the common good. Also, the Bible tells us that political leaders are in Office at God's will. Don't mess with God. And lastly, you are right about the inerrancy of the Bible, but you forget about all the harm that has been done by those who misinterpret the Bible. This is especially true for those who use the Word of God for their own purposes. And it is even truer that the Bible is used incorrectly when done so for political purpose. God is not amused. One more: thing, the very nature of calling ourselves Christians, obligates us to be thankful and compels us NOT to be cynical. Pass it on.
Keith,
Sorry about the wholesale march to socialism. Actually, if you are so against socialism in any form I'm afraid you're too late. Please join with me to get rid of the following socialist programs:
Medicare
Social Security
Clear Water and Clean Air Acts
National Federal Highways
Unemployment Insurance
Minimum Wage
Child Labor Laws
Civil Right Laws
Public Schools
Public Land Grant Universities
Pubic Funded Hospital and Clinics
Pure Food Acts
National, State, and Local Environmental Laws
( Got to end here, running out of time. Just add anything that fits the public good that's also paid for by Government. Let me say, party affiliation does not make you a socialist. There are those who care about the people regardless of party affiliation. Actually, I think you are mixing up Socialism with Communism as most do, but that's another kettle of fish. )
I've read Many of these comments and very few have appropriately placed the blame: WE THE PEOPLE.
The cartoon is ageless for America and Americans. It warns against haphazardly giving away your freedoms or, worse yet, ALLOWING THEM TO BE TAKEN.
The latter is far worse.
Do you remember the Revolution and why American colonists went to war? They felt they, and their wishes, weren't being properly represented. But remember, even during the Revolution Americans weren't united. There were still Many Loyalists around.
What about The Civil War? No it wasn't about slavery. It was about federal vs. state laws & rights. Don't start with the "north vs south" bit either; you should check where the Maison-Dixon line Really lies.
AMERICANS have to DO for themselves. It's not someone else's responsibility to fix it.
If OUR history proves anything, WE have always been the ones to fix OUR problems.
Obviously it's not in our nature to always be united under the same ideas. But I am thankful that we can argue amongst ourselves.
Aren't you?
That is our American tradition, OUR LEGACY.
Frankly, the American government is no longer a tool of the people. It has turned the people into its tool to use and manipulate at will. It is a thing that has been GIVEN more power than it was ever intended to have.
That power has to be TAKEN BACK by the PEOPLE.
The government should never be governing itself - that idea above all others is what separated America from all nations when it was founded. It is what should continue to separate us from all other tyrannical institutions.
How do WE THE PEOPLE make Our Own Changes happen and take back Our American Legacy?
1) Forget the following words:
Republican
Democrat
Religion
Race
Sex
...And while you're at it: Age.
Age does not impart wisdom, after all.
2) Do YOUR OWN Research.
Don't leave it to the news channels to relay it to you. They're worse than Congressmen. A non-American newspaper or group would be a good start; try BBC News.
3) Don't re-elect ANY representatives.
4) Think for yourself.
5) Think of who will pay for today's actions. It's most likely going to be You.
...And for the record, I have NO PARTY after my name. It's lovely to not get pandered to. You should try it, I think you'd like it too!
Right on Victor...it is amazing that every senior citizen who sat back and watched the last Regime do what they may is now an activist! I think they still long for the imagry in the 1948 cartoon..kent in Washington DC
All I can say is "Wake up America, read your Constitution" The more we let Obama run us into the ground and bow to other countries, the quicker we are headed for the nightmares in this cartoon.
It scares me to death to see what my son may have to deal with one day. I want a FREE USA for him, not the place we are headed with this administration in power and its Socialist agenda.
All I can say is "Wake up America, read your Constitution" The more we let Obama run us into the ground and bow to other countries, the quicker we are headed for the nightmares in this cartoon.
It scares me to death to see what my son may have to deal with one day. I want a FREE USA for him, not the place we are headed with this administration in power and its Socialist agenda.
Rick is wrong. PROVIDE for BOTH the common defense AND general welfare is found in Art. 1 Sec. 8 of the Constitution.
Redneck,
It’s all right to be frightened and perfectly logical. However, I wouldn’t worry about President Obama taking anything from you. After all, the closest we have come to losing our freedom, since The War Between the States, was with the last administration (Bush, Jr. in case you forgot)… What you need to worry about is the enormous debt we owe China. If they call for the money we owe them it will take a barrel full of dollars to buy a loaf of bread. You also need to worry about our loss of manufacturing jobs, and tax evasion corporate mail-drops, to offshore sites. You need to worry about your loss of control of your own country to special interest groups and their lobbyist. You need to worry about misinformation and distortion from Fox News and Rush – where you obviously get your information. The President is the least of your worries. But go ahead and worry about him, it’ll help you forget the real problems. And, to really protect yourself, take a beginner language course in Chinese at your local community college.
Hi, were from the government and we're here to help..Ha ha ha ha ha.
You guys are obviously tainted by the mainstream liberal media. I have two college degrees, have an extensive background in politics. The only worry I have is that more people don't listen to Rush, Fox News, ect. It will be uneducated people like you that are easily lead that will be the down fall of the greatest nation on Earth. Oh and as far as China, who comes to the aid when things go wrong? We do. If we were to collect on all the debts we are owed, well, let's just say our economy wouldn't be going down hill so fast.
President Bush did a wonderful job with the crap he was left from Clinton. Obama will institute his Socialist agenda, then you won't be able to spout your ignorant mess.
Amazing that the cartoon spouts the freedom of the US withonly white characters, when Blacks couldn't drink at water fountains in the South, were being lynched, went to segregated schools, Many people believed Italians all had links to the Mafia, Asians were limited in the ability to immigrate here, Hispanics couldn't go to many schools etc.
Redneck,
Well, I think I can match your credentials, but I have no need to get into a p---ing contest. But, please tell me who owes us money – we need to collect? Perhaps you would be interested in watching the movie, “IOUSA”. It is an award winning conservative documentary on our deficit economy. On the other hand, with all those degrees in economics and political history you most probably know it all.
Redneck,
Well, I think I can match your credentials, but I have no need to get into a p---ing contest. But, please tell me who owes us money – we need to collect? Perhaps you would be interested in watching the movie, “IOUSA”. It is an award winning conservative documentary on our deficit economy. On the other hand, with all those degrees in economics and political history you most probably know it all.
Resource Manager,
You are so right. I'm a Democrat and a progressive because I have done the research and make informed decisions. The fallacy of all that is that we have no idea where our information comes from, or where “they” get their information. So, we are stuck with our lifetime of indoctrination and the spectacles thereby provided. I don’t think anyone does, or says anything that they think is wrong. So, like you inferred, we walk our path crashing and thrashing. God help us.
You have two college degrees and you listen to Fox News?
Wow.
I have a lot less respect for colleges now.
- Lots of stereotypes here, even when the film speaks of diversity and harmony. There was a moment when the snake oil salesman, with dark skin but no accent, was called "foreign influence." Sheesh.
- This cartoon was about life in 1948, not far-fetched at all in speculating about 1984 and Big Brother. People get afraid and they visual what they don't want to happen. We should try to visualize what we do want. Not just for our own soul but for a better world all the way round.
- Pretty clever cartoon. Sophisticated in finding humor about current events. Sort of an early Onion, or Jon Stewart.
- Lots of stereotypes here, even when the film speaks of diversity and harmony. There was a moment when the snake oil salesman, with dark skin but no accent, was called "foreign influence." Sheesh.
- This cartoon was about life in 1948, not far-fetched at all in speculating about 1984 and Big Brother. People get afraid and they visual what they don't want to happen. We should try to visualize what we do want. Not just for our own soul but for a better world all the way round.
- Pretty clever cartoon. Sophisticated in finding humor about current events. Sort of an early Onion, or Jon Stewart.
It is apparent to me that the further this nation distances itself from a belief in Jesus Christ as our savior, the closer to hell on Earth we get.
Quite simple actually.
1. 2Ch 7:14
If my people, which are called by my name, shall humble themselves, and pray, and seek my face, and turn from their wicked ways; then will I hear from heaven, and will forgive their sin, and will heal their land.
@Brendon,
Each individual's walk with Jesus has nothing to do with the government. Jesus didn't ask us to use government for force people to walk with Him, He just asked for us individually to do so.
So, as long as the government never says you CAN'T believe in Jesus, there shouldn't be a problem. Anything after that fact is just confusing Jesus with the laws of man to govern things like land and personal property.
I thought the Cartoon was very rudimentary in it's creation and very broad and misleading with it's message.
There is no loss of freedom in this country or any other industrialized nation. The Unions are good for middle America. Without them you have what we have today where 1 percent of the population owns 95% of all America's wealth. We need fair labor laws and raise minimum wages to create a middle class.
We need common sense regulation of the industries to promote competition and small business.
We don't want Wall mart to be the only Department store around paying unlivable wages while the owners make billions on the backs of the underpaid workers either.
Banks are ripping us off and no one is bashing them. Interest rates used to be regulated to 10% maximum. With deregulation n ow look at what we have gotten in return, 29.9% interest rates. No consumer protection laws leaves us all vulnerable to the banks whims.
BUST UP THE LOBBYIST AND THEIR REVOLVING DOOR IN WASHINGTON. DEMAND PUBLIC FUNDING FOR ELECTIONS AND NO OUTSIDE CONTRIBUTIUONS!
EVERYBODY...
Everbody needs to watch the documentary, "IOUSA".
Nothing we can talk about is more important. You can downstream it on Netflix, or rent it.
@Joe Smith,
I just watched the 30 min. condensed version of I.O.U.S.A. on youtube and just from that I must agree with you. Every citizen of this Nation needs this perspective to grasp the mess we are in and how we got here.
One definition of insanity is "doing the same thing over and over, and expecting different results." By that standard our federal government is crazy as a ****house rat, and has been for generations.
At this point, anyone who blames Obama, Bush, Clinton, etc... democrats or republicans past or present... while praising the political opposite, has not been paying attention. These Globalist Traitors are all playing on the same team, working to end our free, sovereign Constitutional Republic. And love 'em or hate 'em you gotta admit, they have one heckuva team!
I remember seeing this cartoon and others when I was a child. The attitudes portrayed in this cartoon are why people came to America. I am a first generation American. In order for my family to worship anything but the state they had to hide in the woods and when caught were imprisoned and tortured. This country has always been tolerant of all religions until the ACLU stuck it's nose in. Remember it is freedom of religion not freedom from religion. I don't care what religion you are you should stand up and fight for the freedom of your neighbors religion. Next they will come after your freedoms.
Our administration today is the most crooked that this country has ever had. They care not about our rights. They are lining their pockets while stripping you of your rights and posessions. I would love to see a country as strong as it used to be stand up to them. When they try to force their form of national healthcare on you, and you have to pay for others to have abortions even though you are vehemently apposed to them that is wrong. Abortion is an elective procedure not related to a woman's health. If I have to pay for them to have an abortion then they should have to pay for me to have such things as liposuction or facelift. Neither one has anything to do with health they are both elective. Abortions are big business and they are making alot of money from it and that is the only reason they want to oppress women into thinking that it is ok and their only way to live.
I say that everytime they try to impose something that is clearly against the majority we should simply say no, we won't pay. Can they really imprison the nation if we do not.
In the meantime, I and others have been writing to our so called representatives. They have been informed that we are watching and the next election with contain their pink slips.
Enough is enough. We are tired of our government breeding hate among the people.The season is Christmas not a holiday like any other. I do not celebrate Hanakuh, Kwanza, Ramadan, I am not a part of their religion. They have their right to worship as they will and I have mine. If you are not a christian then why would you hypocritically celebrate the birth of Christ? Yes, Virginia, Christmas is the celebration of the birth of Christ no matter how you try to repackage it. If you do not like that then do not celebrate it. I won't mess with your traditions and you don't mess with mine.
The government owes no one a single dime to live on. If you want it bad enough then work for it. Capitalism is not a bad word. This is wht our country was built on. We don't care what other countries think of us as a nation. They don't have to live here. The only nations besides our own that count as far as their opinion is our allies. Nobama is quickly offending all the the nations that would ever help us if we needed them. He is making friends with the very nations that hate us for our way of life. They are the infadels who preach hate and violence and we have no need for them here. If they attack us here or overseas then they deserve our rath.
I recently read a newspaper article from Europe. They refer to Nobama as President Pantiwaste. I never would have thought of that one but it is fitting. He is pushing unpopular and dangerous legislature through. if he had his way no one would read it just sign it like his no-stimulus trillion $ bill. If the people hadn't started screaming to their reps about their irresponsible actions in signing that without reading it then everything else that he tried would go through the same way. He is desparate now because he knows that we have figured him and his cronies out and that this time next year he will have a whole new congres not a bunch of yes men.
Any government that is big enough to give you everything is big eough to take everything from you. Dont' ever forget that.
@Carie12:
I just want to tell you I am glad your family decided to come to this country. The values you hold speak well for your parents and for you... and for the U.S.A.
Carie12
I was sickened by your statements. 1st, the ACLU's whole purpose is protect and defend the US Constitution. Yes, they often times take on unpopular causes, and the causes most would agree with seldom hit the papers. Many attorneys belong to the ACLU and I think all of our Supreme Court Justices. They must be doing something right. If your parent’s had a viable equivalent to the ACLU in their country of origin they may not have had to flee.
Your flat out statement that the current administration is the “most crooked this country has ever had” could only come from someone who has not studied American history. Besides, where is your documentation that anything crooked is going on with the current administration? In a free country you can go to jail for slander. Slander is when you impugn someone’s character, truthfulness, etc. without documentation. Yep, celebrities and politicians are often considered fair game and unscrupulous folk have taken advantage of such. But one thing we like to do in the country is to respect our leaders – or at least we used to do so before Rush and others of his ilk. If you have “any” charges of crooked behavior concerning any politician, from your local mayor to the President, come forth with your documentation. I will be there with you at the impeachment proceedings. If not, then be a good American and debate issues, and refrain from un-American activities. Read the fable about killing the goose that laid the golden eye…
And, since you don’t cotton to the government paying or supporting anything, like the development of the Internet, then invent your own system of communication and leave ours alone…
Oh my many here are on the wrong and "lets blame somebody" track.
Victor: I voted for Bush2, then not long after, turned against him for what he was doing. Stop the blame game and instead think what needs to be done to pull together.
Sodaro: You are intent on every faith, race, etc being named. IS it not enough to say, as the video did, all faiths and races? Plus this started long long before Bush2. FDR was a federalist and others before him. Lincoln stomped on the constitution more than anyone. And look again at the video, the flag is correctly displayed throughout. The sexism you so dislike was a standard at the time and is a correct depiction of their current outlook, or would you have them alter history to suit today's culture?
NOW is the time to admit that we the people got sloppy and did not watch those we elected. That was and still is the problem. We need to be well red on the constitution & articles so we know our rights and hold elected officials feet to that fire.
It does no good to indulge in blame for it often angers others so much that they cannot listen. It is far better to look for a solution.
Interesting opinion on things. One of the things that struck me was the entrepreneurial theme about halfway through.
I've lost my reference, but there was a long-term study of entrepreneurs during Republican and Democratic administrations over the last 50 years or so.
What was striking was that the dramatic, game-changing ideas nearly always came during Democratic administrations.
Cases in point, the auto industry and big oil. Republican administrations, many of whom had deep roots in the oil business, fought tooth and nail to avoid having increased fuel economy standards. They also had little interest in developing alternative energy solutions. You can judge for yourself whether those were good ideas or not.
The study characterized the Republican administrations as fiercely protecting the status quo and avoiding change. Another example is health care. This is a HUGE problem for the U.S. I don't think that they have the right solution yet, but what we currently have is unsustainable.
It was also interesting, at about the 8:29 mark, when it said "When anyone preaches disunity, tries to pit one of us against the other, through class warfare, race hatred, or religious intolerance, you know that person seeks to rob us of our freedom and destroy our very lives". How many Muslim/Mexican/Black bashing e-mails have you seen from the conservative right? I wonder what their take is on this part of the cartoon?
The United States of America is/should be/was a union of individually sovereign states bound by their acceptance and adherance to Our Constitution.
Our Constitution is the principal law against which all others must be justified. Its primary, revolutionary idea is that the governing power should allways reside decisively with the people.
If the people of California or Massatuchetts are OK with faggots, fine, I don't have to live there. The Fedaral Government has NO costitutional authority to either deny there deviance or insist I accept it. If the people of Mass. or Tenn. or any oa all States want central healthcare, they can have it. Washington D.C. has no constitutional authority to mandate it.
That so many have so willfully or coersivly drank the ISM oil is sad.
But even if a majority of voters were to openly and knowingly agree to make America a NATIONALLY SOCIALIST nation we would need to first revoke the Constition. It is still the LAW wheather or not it is obeyed. The first question we need ask, while it is still our right to do so is, do we wish to be governed by rule of law or by the edict of a person or group.
If any of us are comfortable with the idea of someone else deciding what is best for you, like it or not, DO NOTHING here it comes.
You need not be a scolar to understand YOUR CONSTITUTION.
You may however want to study it if your intent is to subvert it.
Liberty is the first gift of life and I will stand and die for it.
this guy even said...American like the health care system we have...so why change it? Why...because its not what Americans want...its what this addministration wants.
@andrea,
Well said! What's even more wonderful is that if you live in a different state than I am, I can just dismiss anything you say on the Internet, tell you that "You're saying it wrong." then vote exactly the opposite to how you feel. My vote counteracts your vote.
Isn't the Republic grand?
Michael,
The AARP, ANA (American Nurses Association, the AMA (American Medical Association), and many other health care professional associations support this health reform bill. This is why I support health reform:
The Bill introduces the insurance industry, especially with the public option, to capitalism. Right now because that industry (the only other is professional baseball) is exempt from the anti-trust laws. They routinely fix prices: the cost of insurance, the amount paid for procedures, and the list of pre-existing reason to deny services. All of their figures are printed and shared industry wide.
The insurance companies research every client's past for pre-existing conditions (think broadly) and squirel this information away. If you have paid insurance for twenty years and you have a claim, they search their files. Bingo, no payment. No, they do not tell clients that they knew about the conditions back when you started the policy! You paid for nothing - ergo high profits.
The new bill will remove the insurance company from between you and your doctor. Procedures and treatment will be the sole responsibility of patients and their doctor. No longer will treatment depend on insurance approval. I think what the industry calls this is rationing…
It includes, for the first time, efficiencies in medical records, treatments, payments for preventative procedures, and yes, counseling - the death panels (-: This will provide better care, and at unit for unit comparisons, will save money. It will go a long way toward moving us up from a health care worldwide rank of 37th to something less embarrassing (World Health Organization sponsored research by the Harvard School of Public Health School.).
Change is difficult. Difficult is no reason not to change.
Gene, I see you drank their Koolade. Of COURSE the organizations you cite support this fiasco, they've been bought! They are in bed with the federal government and have been for years.
Time was, many years ago if you needed a pain killer you'd go to the local apothecary and buy whatever you needed over the counter. Of course if you thought you needed a doctor you'd go to a doctor. People lived, people died, and the world kept turning. But then doctors became more numerous and more sophisticated and formed the AMA (http://preview.tinyurl.com/8e3gkj). From its beginning this organization was not about caring for patients, but enriching doctors. This has not changed. And still people live, people die... but we do both at a much higher cost than before.
A similar indictment can be made of the AARP; its policies over the years clearly demonstrate it is not motivated by concern for the elderly but concern for their money. In this case it expects a windfall from sales of Medigap insurance coverage.
Just follow the money. Ask yourself why the bills being considered include little if any real tort reform, or open insurance competition across state lines. There are many unanswered questions about this thing.
But my biggest questions are these: first, what's the hurry to get it passed before anyone has time to really study it? Any time the government pulls a rush job like this you can bet there's something being hidden from us all. Don't you wonder why Barry and his buddies in Congress are in such a rush to pass this monstrosity when it won't go into effect for a couple of years?
But here's my biggest question: can somebody please lay a finger on that part of the Constitution granting the federal government power to control our healthcare? I've studied that grand document hundreds of times and have yet to see healthcare among the enumerated powers thus granted.
Warren,
What’s the hurry? Take time to study it? You’ve got to be kidding. The concerted effort to reform health care has been going on for sixty-one years (61 years!). However, the first mention was by Teddy Roosevelt. I’m surprised the altruistic have had this much stamina. Sen. Kennedy devoted his entire political life fighting the health care industry. It is only one of two industries not subject to anti-trust laws. (Professional baseball being the other.) They fix prices, fix procedures, determine procedures, get between you and your doctor in the most intrusive ways – what they will and will not pay for, what procedures they’ll pay for and when they’ll pay for it – not to mention their delay tactics while the hurting suffer and often die. Good business practices?
I for one thing would like to introduce to the insurance companies the American capitalistic system. If they get special privileges due to their political and monetary power, then let them compete with a government sponsored program whose motivation is not profiting on people’s suffering. And, since the industry is the most profitable industry in our country, maybe its time they answer for their monopolistic exploitation.
The cruelest crime the insurance industry is guilty of is the selling of insurance, researching preexisting situations, taking your money for decades, and then when you have a claim, denying benefits due to the preexisting problems they knew about way beforehand.
Warren, you are right. Our constitution doesn’t say anything about providing health care. Nor does it say anything about Pure Food and Drugs, nor Clean Air and Water, nor National Parks, nor Civil Rights, nor National Highways.. I can name you many areas recently where our constitution has been trampled on; health care reform is not one of them. Note also that anytime you cash a Social Security check, take advantage of Medicare, drink a glass of pure clean water, or drive on one of our national highways and approve thereof, then you can be rightly labeled a Socialist. It always depends on whose ox is being gored.
@Joe Smith,
You are correct, there have been efforts to 'reform' health care through government action for decades. You might also note many of them have been successful, and that most if not all were spearheaded by groups such as the AMA.
Our federal government has demonstrated time after time a profound ineptitude at managing anything. Invariably, special interest groups sell an idea to a few legislators, along with the proper spin (they hope) to convince citizens it is in our best interest.
The abuses you mention by the insurance companies and health care in general are a result of governmental mishandling and mis-regulation. These abuses could be addressed via Constitutional legislation without having to resort to a Liberty-limiting, Socialist structure.
As for the other Socialist government programs you mention, I don't approve of many of them. I am retired and drawing Social Security and enrolled in Medicare, but that doesn't mean I approve. What it means is the government is now grudgingly returning a little of the money it has been embezzling from me all my working life. Am I happy to see that check every month? You bet. Am I grateful to our benevolent government for returning what was already mine? Of course not! They had no right to take it in the first place.
Leftists need to understand: government produces NOTHING. Therefore it has nothing, except what it has managed to steal. It cannot provide anything to anyone without first taking it from someone. So if I earn ten dollars and the government takes two of them, it can spend those two bucks on something or someone. But wait! First it must pay government 'expenses', after which it might have $.75 to spend.
The reason government has become so expensive is over generations we have allowed it to assume powers never granted it in the Constitution. I believe it is well past time to roll these things back, to repeal every federal law lacking a solid Constitutional foundation. I realize this would have to be done gradually, but the best place to start is to demand our legislators immediately quit making such laws.
The scumbags took a solemn Oath of fidelity to our Constitution; to defy that oath is to aid and comfort the Enemy of this Republic. According to our Constitution this amounts to Treason:
"Treason against the United States, shall consist only in levying War against them, or in adhering to their Enemies, giving them Aid and Comfort. No Person shall be convicted of Treason unless on the Testimony of two Witnesses to the same overt Act, or on Confession in open Court.
The Congress shall have Power to declare the Punishment of Treason, but no Attainder of Treason shall work Corruption of Blood, or Forfeiture except during the Life of the Person attainted."
Joe, I want to be clear about something here: I am no Republican, and don't give a free pass to Bush or his daddy any more than I give one to Obama or Clinton. And ditto for the whole stable of Congress critters; if they fail to honor their Oath of office they are Traitors, pure and simple. They should be prosecuted to the fullest extent of the law.
I'd propose retaining an expert taxidermist to mount their heads on a board as a warning to others, but sadly I can find no Constitutional justification for that.
Warren,
I know you are serious, but truthfully, I found your ideas lots of fun. I don't mean that the way it sounds. I get mad at government often myself. I don't think you really want the kind of lifestyle you and yours would inherit if we rolled back “all” the Federal programs. Being in my seventies, and having contributed to Social Security since I started contributing at age 13 bagging groceries, I know what you mean by them taking our money. I’ve been receiving SS now for some time, and being in good health, I think I may at least break even. Plus I’m neither forced to speak German or Japanese – though I not sure about Spanish. Anyway, we have it pretty good here in the US of A. Our greatest danger is the deficit, but I still feel optimistic.
@Joe Smith,
I really am serious but find it imperative to keep a sense of humor about such things. I'm pleased to see you are amused, not offended.
I wouldn't want to roll back all federal programs, only those which fail to comport with our Constitution and Bill of Rights.
I realize, as did our Founders, circumstances will arise for which the Constitution does not provide. For that reason they provided the process by which it can be amended. They deliberately (and IMO, wisely) made this process a bit difficult to discourage such changes being made on a whim.
So, if the federal government believes it is justified in usurping a power other than those granted it by the Constitution, it must first persuade the States, and the People. There must be an amendment, otherwise whatever law it passes is meaningless.
This is essential if we are to remain a free, sovereign, Constitutional Republic. That is, a "government of Laws, not of Men".
I agree we have it pretty good here, for now. And I can almost agree our biggest problem is the deficit, except I see it as a major component of a larger problem. That problem is Globalism, a World Government, under which our Founding Documents will cease to exist.
I see every blow against our Constitution and every dollar of our National debt as pushing our Republic that much closer to its demise. And I see this: for generations various Presidents, Legislators and Judges have worked toward this end. They have served not the people who elected (or appointed) them, but an external force intent upon enslaving us all.
Those earlier Presidents and Congresses set up the shot; it falls to Obama to slam-dunk us, broken, disarmed and defeated, into the New World Order.
In the meantime Joe, I'll keep praying your optimism is warranted. I honestly don't believe I've ever wanted so badly to be wrong about anything in my life.
May God bless our Republic.
@Warren,
Unfortunately, our representatives HAVE served the people who elected (or appointed) them. The external force intent upon enslaving us all are the "majority".
The Representative Democracy in which we live in (yes, it's also a Republic) has one big flaw. The majority is in charge. Voting, choosing representatives, and making your voice be heard are all based on the majority. If the majority is a bunch of imbeciles holding torches and pitchforks and, for instance, saying that the rights of some people should be reduced because it would protect the "way of living" that the majority have been used to, then the minority must suffer and continue to speak their minds until they can change the minds of enough people to become the new majority.
Look around at the true majority. Watch the rallies. Watch the protesting. Watch the picketing. Those are the minority. The minority rarely get their way. So, their only recourse is to picket and gather together and protest. Their numbers don't win, so they make their voices louder and louder until they can change enough minds to become the majority.
This is both a blessing and a curse. It means two things:
1) No matter how poorly you think the government is doing, you always have a chance at getting your way if you get yourself heard.
2) No matter how happy you are with the government, you always have a chance to have that stripped away from you if you take it for granted.
So, while you view the world as a big conspiracy that is trying to strip the constitution right out from under our noses, the reality is that the constitution assumes that everyone is equal and that the majority rules.
Sorry for my error, it should have said: For those who keep saying, "This country was founded on Christianity!" Please remember these few things, How they practiced their faith and modern practice of faith is very, very different. Those "Christians", had slaves, and women had little if no rights. The "Christians" made deals with Indians, that basically took away their land. Finally and most importantly, Some of those, "Christians" burned people at the stake or worse. I will get off my soap box now.
@ Warren and
@ Joe;
Gentlemen,
I would like both of your 'takes' on a documentary titled: 9/11 Mysteries: Demolitions.
http://www.freedocumentaries.org/film.php?id=147
That's the link or go to www.freedocumentaries.org. and click on 9/11 Mysteries: Demolitions.
After you HONESTLY watch this movie, please explain how Building 7, with dozens of steel reinforced concrete columns, had a catostrophic failure. All steel reinforced concrete columns fail simultaneously. Magically.
Read between the lines, gentlemen.
Here is another documentary. This is far closer to the truth than anything you will be told from the network news or governement releases.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eAaQNACwaLw
The Obama Deception HQ Full length version
"Fall of the Republic" is yet another informative documentary. Find it at inforwars.com.
What is the conclusion of the matter? A hell-bent international banking cartel intent on world domination has been working behind the scenes for longer than any of us have been alive.
The word of God says as much, (That's what's in that Bible that these Presidents solemnly swear alligence and protection to the Constitution on;) It tells us there is a time coming when an individual working with the banks will require everyone, great or small, to take a MARK on their foreheads or their hands, without which, no man can buy or sell. Not food, not Gas and not medication gentlemen.
My career as a home builder was destroyed by multitudes of illegal aliens who were freely let across our borders by these presidents who swore to protect them.
Why? Because these non-representatives are doing the bidding of the hidden rulers of the world. And our Constitution and Bill of Rights are just in their way.
Please watch the documentaries. Then fall to your knees and cry to God for mercy, salvation and justice!
Truth is truth.
Facts are facts.
Lies are lies.
And Deception is deception.
Jesus is The Way, The Truth and The Life.
Have a good day, gentlemen. And have an Everlasting Life!
Kevin Hofsas, Author.
7 Visitations from God,
12 Revelations from Heaven.
www.MarkMyWordsPublishing.com
Bob, you are not a Christian, or you would understand that God, yes, is ultimately in charge, however, we still have free will...we choose whether or not we are going to follow and become evil or not.
This world is filled with evil, its up to each of us to recognize it and FIGHT IT...just as this cartoon points out.
There are evil people currently in office...they are doing all that they can to destroy America and force us into becoming a dependent society...SOCIALIST nation.
Its time for us to FIGHT IT!!!
Neat62
You said, "There are evil people currently in office...they are doing all that they can to destroy America and force us into becoming a dependent society...SOCIALIST nation."
Tell me, what part of your character assassination is in anyway Christian? Character assassination was one of the things Jesus railed against. I paraphrase: You brood of vipers. You're like white washed tomes, all shiny and bright on the outside, but filthy and full of dead men's bones. His warning that you will be judged by the very standards you use to judge others seems not to frighten you. Not to mention the point about being salt and light, nor that salt that has lost its saltiness is of no use and is thrown out on the ground. So, my dear, choose to be a follower and a wholesome witness. You can have your opinions and political slant - but if you love this country, and our democracy, you might opt to cool your rhetoric.
To Cyrus Shick: Constitution 101
Thomas Jefferson refutes using the general welfare clause to "provide for the general welfare" without enumerated powers (Article 1 Section 8):
"They are not to do anything they please to provide for the general welfare, but only to lay taxes for that purpose. To consider the latter phrase not as describing the purpose of the first, but as giving a distinct and independent power to do any act they please which may be good for the Union, would render all the preceding and subsequent enumerations of power completely USELESS. It would reduce the whole instrument to a single phrase, that of instituting a Congress with power to do whatever would be for the good of the United States; and as they would be the sole judges of the good or evil, it would be also a power to do whatever evil they please...certainly no such universal power was meant to be given them. It was intended to lace them up straightly within the enumerated powers and those without which, as means, these powers could not be carried into effect."
James Madison and others also renounced this misuse of the general welfare clause as well.
I humbly suggest you heed your own admonition.
To Cyris Shick:
You named Federal Programs that "worked"...my response to those:
Name a government program that has worked:
1. Social Security
“Social Security will start paying out more in benefits than it collects in taxes in 2016, a year sooner than projected last year (2008), and the giant trust fund will be depleted by 2037, four years sooner, trustees reported.” - AP
2. Medicare
“Medicare is in even worse shape. The trustees said the program for hospital expenses will pay out more in benefits than it collects this year (2009), just as it did for the first time in 2008. The trustees project that the Medicare fund will be depleted by 2017, two years earlier than the date projected in last year’s report.” - AP
3. Medicaid
Medicaid is a joint federal-state program; each state operates its own Medicaid system. As much as 22% of a States revenue is used to fund Medicaid. To reduce this, Congress passed a law in 2008 to allow States to charge premiums or co-pays to Medicaid users. This may have resulted in the poor not being able to receive medical care.
4. The WPA
It is not a question of whether it worked or not…it is a question of Constitutionality. By Jefferson’s statement, it would not qualify as an “enumerated power”. From a cynical viewpoint, it was a great way for FDR to “buy” 8 million votes. (Hmmm, sounds like health care and amnesty for illegal aliens)
5 and 6. The Military & Interstate System
Finally, constitutionally “enumerated” powers! Well sort of…The Interstate system is owned, built, and operated by the states with substantial subsidy from the federal government. Its funding has been authorized under postal road “enumerated” powers.
The Military (Army and Navy) is “enumerated” as an authorized appropriation of public funding. I do wonder where the authority for an “Air Force” is granted, but that is another subject.
And, as you said, I could go on and on.
Wow, sad that they saw this coming that long ago and still nothing has been done to stop it. Thank you to the person who posted this clip so I can send it to many others. Happy Holidays and Merry CHRISTmas.
Warren, God bless you also...
I am signing out of this blog because it is eating up too much of my time, I doubt anyone will be presuaded by anyone else anyway. That being the case, 'tis a waste of effort. People believe what they want to believe and it you try to stop their ascent up Mad Mountain, they will just double their effort.
God's peace, Joe
Warren, God bless you also...
I am signing out of this blog because it is eating up too much of my time, I doubt anyone will be presuaded by anyone else anyway. That being the case, 'tis a waste of effort. People believe what they want to believe and it you try to stop their ascent up Mad Mountain, they will just double their effort.
God's peace, Joe
For those of you who like to blame the last administration for everything, keep in mind that George W. Bush inherited a recession, we were attacked on 9/11,an attack that was planned under Clinton,and despite fighting on 2 fronts, his deficit vs. GDP was only 2.4%, while Clintons was 3.6% and Obamas is 9.9%; more money went into the federal treasury than in the history of the US because of tax cuts; and, unemployment was 4.5%, less than the average of the last 40 years. He tried to put controls on the financial institutions almost 10 times and each time was rejected by Congress. It was not until the Democrats took over in 2006, thanks to the leftist media, that things really started to go downhill. But for people like Victor and others, it is always nice to blame the other side and unfortunately, some will keep believing it. It will take us decades to undo the damage that our Kenyan-born "president" is doing to this once great country.
This 1948 cartoon is about liberty. Which ISM is best suited as a tool to be used by a people guaranteed a Republican form of government to protect their liberties?
Wait, what the heck is Liberty?
Check out this short (8 minute) presentation entitled, "The Philosophy of Liberty" and then decide which ISM is best for the people of the united states.
http://jonathangullible.com/mmedia/PhilosophyOfLiberty-english_music.swf
This cartoon sends a message to the people, that message is that nothing has changed! The world itself has not changed, it is the people.
First, God gave us all free will, then He gave us a choice, to do good or be bad.
People have become money hungry, and all about what they can get from another. This is not love.
If people would learn to help others and do it from their hearts and not with selfisness, things would be better.
That cartoon showed how easy a person can deseive another into believing anything. Yet your life can be what you make it with the help of the Lord. Yet we can do nothing with out the strength of the Lord.
You are absolutly right W but if we dont stand up and fight for what we believe in we will loose it forever. We can’t lie down and expect God to do everything for us. "Thou salt not tempt the Lord thy God" God gave us free will
" 1 There is a time for everything,
and a season for every activity under heaven:
2 a time to be born and a time to die,
a time to plant and a time to uproot,
3 a time to kill and a time to heal,
a time to tear down and a time to build,
4 a time to weep and a time to laugh,
a time to mourn and a time to dance,
5 a time to scatter stones and a time to gather them,
a time to embrace and a time to refrain,
6 a time to search and a time to give up,
a time to keep and a time to throw away,
7 a time to tear and a time to mend,
a time to be silent and a time to speak,
8 a time to love and a time to hate,
a time for war and a time for peace."
and if we willingly and knowingly give up our freedom and our liberty then God will honor our decision. We must stand up for our selves or loose all our freedoms forever.
This is what the cartoon is all about "Is life so dear, or peace so sweet, as to be purchased at the price of chains and slavery? Forbid it, Almighty God! I know not what course others may take; but as for me, give me liberty or give me death!"
Patrick Henry, March 23, 1775.
To all you leftist liberals would you give total control over every aspect of your life to any one individual or group to decide what is best for you whether you agree with it or not. Are you really foolish enough to believe social dependency on the government will work? What reword do you think you are going to get out of destroying Liberty and capitalism? Do you lust for tyranny mass poverty, oppression, Censorship, and suppression, for all Americans including yourself? You think we already have those aspects here in America but you don’t realize what the true meaning of those words are. I challenge you to go to a communist country like Russia or China or India and I don’t mean look them up on the internet I mean fly there in person. Go to the slums and ask them what they think of there government.
Do you really want to give the majority of your hard earned money to your government. Taking money out of a rich mans pocket wont help poor people provide for their families. How many jobs do poor people provide? Socialism doesn’t work because you eventually run out of other people’s money. Would you put your blood sweat and tears into building a business if all your profit was taken from you and there was nothing you could do about it. I wouldn’t. Give a man a fish and you feed him for a day. Teach him how to fish and you feed him for a lifetime. Socialism is just giving a man a fish. It’s an endless bottomless pit with no hope of self-sustainability or success.
You say socialized healthcare is the answer though it is a FACT that it has failed in every country it has been tried in. So much so that people from those countries come to our country to get health care because there government is just letting them die. I know not what course others may take; but as for me and mine, give me liberty or give me death! "Give me liberty or give me death".
You communist liberals seem to think we are just going to throw up our hands bend over and except every unconstitutional demand our government makes. Well you can take your right to choose, no prayer in schools, clement change, acorn, aclu, change, sexism, socialism, cap and tax, bailouts, communism, gay rights, racism, feminism, and political correctness straight to hell. Unlike you WE WILL ALL STAND UP FIGHT AND DIE FOR OUR COUNTRY WHEN IT COMES TIME!!!!! And you better not be in the way when it does.
I read comments for about an hour and I have not read anything about any answers, only complaints and finger pointing. I believe we are in this economic mess for a few reasons and one is: corporations run this country, it doesn't really matter anymore who we vote for. Large corporations are for sending our jobs overseas, so they can make more money. This goes for ALL types of businesses in America. Also it does not help to buy foreign items (especially big ticket items like vehicles!). Example... I bought a pair of socks today that were a few dollars more than the ones made in China, they are wigwams and they were made in the USA. Besides supporting AMERICA, they are of way better quality! I wonder how many people complain about the economy and then jump in their foreign garbage vehicle and are so ignorant to the fact that you are part of the problem. That being said, I think we can fix this mess by:
1) Tax corporations that send work overseas to the point of no benefit for even sending it (I actually would tax them more than it would cost to have it done here!)
2) Tax foreign companies that want to sell their junk here (again, to the point where making it here would be a better option. Do you remember we used to make electronic stuff?). Especially the vehicles! (please hold comments about the vehicles, foreign vehicles put together here is not an excuse, they are sending profits and engineering overseas and that is way more than production costs)
3) LEGAL immigration is cool(must learn English though), illegals should have no benefits and should be deported asap.
4) I'm tired of lay-offs in the private sector, I'd like to see the government take pay-cuts and huge lay-offs. A big government is a bad one. Wherever there is money there will be greed and the government is where it's at now.
5) No more bailouts of any kind. I see America as a rowboat with a hole in it. The government thinks "bailing it out" will fix it. They need to plug that sticking hole and following the steps here should do it.
6) After the above two items are addressed, lower taxes on the working man!
7) This one isn't really a fix, but it couldn't hurt. The government needs to stop trying to please everyone! I'm really tired of the pansy cry babies always wanting to get their way about some insignificant problem THEY have!
8) This one is controversal, but it's my opinion... we should not have "set foot" on Iraq or any other American hating country. We should have "set bombs", many bombs on those American hating bastards. Might not be P.C., but who stinking cares, they certainly aren't P.C. It would have saved a ton of cash!
Sadly... I don't think any of the above will ever take place. I think the government is getting rich and fleecing our country at the same time. The result will be no middle class, we will have to lower ourselves to working for $3 an hour to compete with a third world country whose people live in mud huts and no electricity...
Please comment on how we can fix this mess and please do your part in helping our country and BUY AMERICAN, even though the government is hurting that cause.
Phil government run health care has not failed in every country it's been tried in. In fact 30+ other countries with government run care rank better than our system and it costs less.
http://www.photius.com/rankings/healthranks.html
Medicare works. People are happier with it than private insurance. It has some financial trouble because it only insures the highest risk groups. If we brought low risk groups into the mix like with the public option it's going to be sound.
A lot of FEAR here without much logic behind it.
WE the people have the power, the knowledge and the backbone to return the country to what it should be.
Certainly, if we could just find where we put all those things, we'd realize that this administration, as the past administrations are just following the same course that has been laid since people forgot that the price of freedom is not free.
Complaining about which one did what is not going to solve anything. They've all taken their chunk of our freedom, so saying one is worse than the other is rather fruitless.
take a visit to http://ppjg.wordpress.com
Actions speak far louder than words.
GrannySue
What a treasure! Thanks for posting it. I was sorry to see so many misunderstanding the point being made, and disturbed by the Points made by Robert J. Sodaro; they were all Politically Correct by today's standards, but the weight of those standards are tilting this country and our culture into oblivion.
Thought provoking to be sure... its brought out the Best of the Left and the Best of the Right... and lots of us in the middle.
my 2 cents? I lived the cold war in uniform at the border of east and west... the "ism's" on the other side... wow they are Not "Ism's" any more... wonder what it was that kept "my side" still alive while the "ism's" didnt survive... would it have been the nasty American Capitolist ??? the same one that...after restoring a "sense of freedom" to the world is apologizing "for our arogance" thru a president (yes not capatolized) bent on embracing the ideas that failed in those cold years that seperated an entire world
joemama you are a pinhead liar. I have herd and seen and talked in person with people from Europe and Canada and they don’t share your optimism. You are the crafty salesmen in that cartoon trying to pull the wool over our eyes and you deserve to be tarred and feathered in the street; if not worse. I don’t care how many websites you have. These days any one can manufacture a website to make anything sound good. There are websites out there that support Hitler and deny that the holocaust ever happened. If you think the health care is so great over there move over there. We wont miss you. Even if that death care bill goes through; me and mine WILL NOT CONFORME TO ANY REQUIERMENTS THEY DEMAND NOR WILL WE PAY ONE PENNY INTO IT.
Mike12pt I’m with you all the way. If you want the answer to the problem with our health care system it is: us, yes us. This whole country has gone lawsuit crazy. I’ve seen people base their entire living suing for any and every dishonest reason they can think of. We need tort reform and we need it NOW! We also need to stop providing any health care fore illegal aliens what so ever. If you’re not a citizen of this country you don’t get our taxpayers money to pay for it. You pay your own way or you apply for citizenship get a job and pay taxes like the rest of us. No more free rides. Illegal aliens are not entitled to welfare benefits or any taxpayer’s money from any government program what so ever. We need to put employers who employ illegal aliens behind bars. Some company owners think its ok to avoid paying taxes. Well no more. You employ illegal you go to jail free. And don’t try to tell me they do the jobs we don’t want to because 17% of this country is standing in line for a job because they are about to file bankruptcy. Make people on welfare do 40 hours a week of community service. Make the IRS scrap the 44,000 page tax code and replace it with a 10% tax across the board regardless of stature.
Hey Phil, I understand that you would like to avoid any fact based discussion and just call me names and threaten me with violence instead. To some people that constitutes an argument.
Regardless it doesn't make you're preconcieved notions any more correct. It only makes you look like a violent fear mongerer.
I realize that you're deathly afraid of Americans having one more option to help them take care of their health that they can get even with pre-existing conditions and they won't be dropped from when they get sick. I imagine you probably even loath all the people on medicare that are happier with it than the seniors with private insurance.
But in the end facts are facts. The facts say that 30+ other countries have healthier citizens than the US does. Facts also say that the US spends more per person by far than those countries on healthcare.
So being more effective and efficient is probably not a concern of yours but to most Americans it is.
I know you would like to just scream "it's the best here" as if it were true without any evidence and hope everyone accepts that type of argument. I've also talked to many people from Europe and Canada and Mexico and they for the most part are really confused by the idea that if you have a health problem and don't have insurance that your out in the cold in the US.
The rankings I gave you are from the World Health Organization which is pretty reputable. You can read about them here:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/World_Health_Organization
So anyway I know you hate having another option for healthcare and probably despise anyone using Medicare but our citizens have health needs. Healthcare issues are actually the biggest threat to our lives.
If you don't want this threat addressed maybe you could move to some other country that doesn't address the needs of the people?
I just wanted to add to what joemama said. Most of the "complaints" from other countries whose healthcare system is run by the government don't complain about the fact that the health insurance is run by the government. The only complaint is that the doctors are run by the government.
The proposed healthcare overhaul in the U.S. will only give an option for health insurance that is government run, but will not chance the private nature of the doctors and hospitals.
So, the reality is, we're borrowing the GOOD parts of the healthcare system of other countries that people enjoy and sometimes take for granted, and we're leaving out the BAD parts. Then, to make it truly American, we're making it OPTIONAL within our existing system.
So, if you want to continue to rough it out with the existing system... or you think the existing system is the best in the world... then you keep supporting that system.
For those who have a different opinion, there will finally be more options.
If our existing system truly IS the best... this will become obvious after some time. The public option will fail... we'll all learn a lesson... and we'll move on.
OK pinheads bob and joemama and the rest of you communist liberals. You want facts you got it. Its time to go to school boys.
April 3, 2009
Single Payer: Why Government-Run Health Care Will Harm Both Patients and Doctors
by Robert A. Book, Ph.D.
WebMemo #2381
The key issue in the emerging national health care debate is the role of the federal government. While some Members of Congress favor a "single-payer" national health insurance system—"Medicare for all"—others, including President Obama, propose a new public plan, modeled after Medicare, to compete with private health plans in a national health insurance exchange.[1]
Many independent experts expect a "crowd out" of existing private options and a rapid evolution toward a single payer system of national health insurance.[2] In either case, the federal government would amass greater power over the financing and delivery of medical services; it would also determine the benefits and medical procedures that Americans would get and the prices providers are paid for them. This concentration of government power over health care would have a profound impact on all Americans, especially members of the medical profession.
Such government control would:
Result in substantially lower payments to physicians and other health care providers compared to a multiple-payer system;
Reduce the quality of care by limiting the ability of physicians to invest in advanced medical equipment that takes advantage of new technology;
Limit access to care in the near term, as current physicians and other professionals retire earlier or otherwise leave the profession;
Limit access to care even more substantially in the long term, as the prospect of lower lifetime earnings reduces the incentive for talented people to choose careers in health care; and
Reduce the rate of medical progress, because fewer talented people receiving medical training decreases the supply of talented medical researchers.
Doctors' Frustration
Many physicians, quite reasonably frustrated by the cost and hassle of dealing with billing multiple insurance companies—not to mention the time lost appealing seemingly arbitrary denials of payment—often conclude that the solution lies in a "single-payer" system along the lines of a "Medicare for all" concept. A single payer—a government agency—would at a minimum eliminate the duplication of effort associated with signing on and maintaining relationships with multiple private insurance companies. It would standardize billing processes and coverage rules and perhaps even establish clearly defined rules to reduce the frequency of apparently arbitrary "downcoding" and denials of payment.
What many fail to appreciate, however, is the extent to which the existence of multiple, competing payers prevents government payers such as Medicare from reducing their payment levels to much lower levels than prevail now. As it stands, a reduction in Medicare payment rates can induce physicians to drop Medicare patients and try to make their living from a higher percentage of (or even only) privately insured patients. This would inevitably result in reduced access to care for Medicare patients—and thus political pressure from those patients for increased Medicare payments to improve access.
The Medicare Model
If Medicare or something like it were the "single payer"—the sole purchaser of health care—no such pressure would exist. If the single payer established lower payment rates, by definition physicians could not drop out and make their living from other patients, because there wouldn't be any other patients.[3] The only alternative for a physician would be to cease the practice of medicine and either retire or find another profession. While this would certainly happen to some degree, a large percentage of physicians—who have invested many dollars and years of training in their practices—would be unable to find an alternative profession that is nearly as satisfying or as remunerative. The inevitable result would be much lower payment rates and lower income for physicians.[4]
Patients would suffer as well, especially in the long run. Because fewer highly talented people would be willing to undergo the years of training (under difficult working conditions and low pay) to become physicians, patients would suffer decreased access to health care and longer wait times. Lower payments would mean that physicians would invest less in advanced medical equipment and would likely spend less time with each patient. In addition, with fewer people undergoing the training necessary to conduct medical research, new treatments and cures would be developed at a slower rate, costing many lives.
Medicare Payment Levels
Medicare determines the level of its payments to physicians based on a complex formula involving crude estimates of the relative costs of providing different services,[5] annual adjustments based on estimates of demand for services, and growth in the Medicare population and the overall economy. The annual adjustment process is expressed in the "Sustainable Growth Rate" (SGR) rule[6] which attempts to constrain the growth in Medicare spending and "make up" for the differences between previous years' estimated and actual utilization.
Each year since 1999, the SGR calculation has called for a reduction in the Medicare payment levels (a "negative update") for physician services, because actual use outstripped previous forecasts, and forecasted future utilization outstripped the growth rate of the Medicare population and gross domestic product (GDP). And each year, physicians' representatives have gone to Congress to argue that reducing payments will cause some physicians to drop out of the Medicare program, reducing elderly Americans' access to health care. Negative updates were allowed to go into effect in only three of the last 11 years—in the other eight years, after intensive lobbying from physician groups, Congress has intervened and passed legislation either freezing payments or providing a positive update.[7]
Competition Among Buyers
The basis for the physicians' now-annual argument to Congress is that reducing Medicare payments will cause more physicians to drop Medicare patients and make their living from privately insured and self-paying patients only. Indeed, anecdotal evidence indicates that some physicians have already done so,[8] as Medicare payments are already significantly below those of private insurance by almost 20 percent for physician services overall and by 12 percent for primary care.[9]
As if to demonstrate the effects of lower payments, in most states Medicaid payments are even lower than Medicare's, and far fewer physicians participate in Medicaid. Not surprisingly, states with relatively lower Medicaid payments compared to other states have lower rates of physician participation in Medicaid.[10]
Access Issues
Physician advocacy groups make the reasonable—and believable—argument that every reduction in the Medicare payment rates will result in a further reduction in the number of physicians who find it worthwhile to take Medicare patients and instead try to make their living from patients with private payers. A survey found that in response to a proposed 10 percent cut in Medicare rates, 28 percent of physicians would stop accepting new Medicare patients, 8 percent would stop treating Medicare patients already under their care, and much higher percentages would discontinue nursing home visits, reduce available hours, or defer investment in medical and health IT equipment.[11]
Obviously, this would not affect physicians in all specialties equally. Most pediatricians have very few if any Medicare patients[12] and would hardly be affected at all, but cardiologists and oncologists, for example, would be hit hard, since a large percentage of their potential patients are over age 65. The impact on nephrologists would be especially severe, because anyone with end-state renal disease is covered by Medicare regardless of age. Yet for every reduction in the payment level, a few more physicians would find it better to drop Medicare than to stay in.
The absence of other payers would give the "single payer" the freedom to reduce payments far more than Medicare can in the presence of a large percentage of privately insured patients. The result would be substantially lower payments—the "single payer" would be a "stingy payer." Physicians' income would be substantially reduced. Indeed, in countries with single-payer health systems, the average income of physicians is substantially lower than in the United States. For example, physicians in the Britain and Canada have incomes more than 30 percent lower than their U.S. counterparts.[13]
The existence of multiple private payers limits not only the ability of Medicare but also that of private payers themselves to reduce payment levels. Although physicians usually face "take it or leave it" contracts from insurance companies, and most physicians have little ability to actually negotiate, a health plan that sets payment rates too low will find that many physicians choose to "leave it." When enough physicians leave, patients have difficulty obtaining access to care and eventually leave the health plan.
In order to continue to sell the health plan (either to individuals or to employers), the insurance company will have to increase payments to induce physicians to join. While this process is slow and imperfect compared to market mechanisms in other industries, it does limit the ability of plans to set arbitrarily low payment rates.[14]
"Stingy Payer" Damages Future Generations as Well
The establishment of a "single payer" health care system would inevitably result in lower payments for physician and other health care providers. The immediate effect of having a single ("stingy") payer would be lower incomes for physicians and a reduction in the supply of active physicians, thereby impairing access to health care for all patients. However, the result of "single/stingy payer" health care will not only be lower incomes for physicians now but reduced access and lower quality health care for future generations as well.
Robert A. Book, Ph.D., is Senior Research Fellow in Health Economics in the Center for Data Analysis at The Heritage Foundation.
You boys seen to think that this is my first time around the block and you obviously don't know the difference between "violent fear mongerer" and a patriot, so here is the definition. "patriot: a person who vigorously supports their country and is prepared to defend it against enemies or detractors."It is your illegitimate president dictator; What do they call him in europe "president panty waist" who is the fear monger. he is the prince of lies and fear tactics but legally we can change that in 2010 when We The People take back our congress. We are not afraid of him any more then I am afraid of you.
You claim that I am afraid. Let me assure you I can and will take both of you on any time any place in any way shape or form. Be it debate, street fighting or anything in-between and beyond. Be warned you will be rolled. It is you that is afraid. It is you that is the deceiver, It is you who are the traders Afraid of We The People. Our sword is the constitution of the United States of America and its not made of paper.
We The People now have our eyes open and We The People can now see your deception and treason and guess what. WE ARE ANGRY!!! You are the treasonous element within this country parading around in sheep's clothing. We The People are now standing up by the masses to rise against you by any means necessary. Your fake smug intellectual attitude cant save you now. GET READY FOR HELL!!!
When Phil was born, Jesus wept.
Phil is in support of every America-hating country in the world, because Phil hates America and the freedom it stands for.
If Phil were ever to become President, he would run the country the way he thinks it should be run instead of recognizing that it is a country of the people, by the people, for the people.
Phil is but one person, trying to act as all people.
Thankfully, with the way our governing system is designed, my vote always cancels out Phil's vote.
So, we have nothing to fear from Phil, no matter how much he uses fear and division and talk of fighting to spread his hate... rather than the message of hope and unity and love.
We're all in this together. Let's work together.
Bob who do you think your talking to. I guess you haven't herd about the tea parties, the millions of people that protested at the white house, your dictators plummeting poll numbers. pretty much all the polls indicate the majority of the people will not vote for your dictator come next election. Maybe you haven't herd since your one sided liberal media wont report it. Which by the way are dyeing off like flies because nobody believes them anymore. Are you really foolish enough to believe I am the only vote you have to worry about. Take a look around you. We The people aren't behind you. We have you surrounded. stand down or face the consequences. The tables are now turned; We the People Win, You Loose. Get Over It.
As for you saying I hate my country. Didn't you here me say Im a patriot. You better pray are paths never meet.
...you're, not your...
...heard, not herd...
...dictator's, not dictators...
...won't, not wont...
...dying, not dyeing...
...lose, not loose...
...hear, not here...
...I'm, not Im...
...our, not are...
I'm surprised you know how to read ballots.
"We The people aren't behind you."
"We have you surrounded."
"stand down or face the consequences."
"You better pray are paths never meet."
I can't imagine how you don't think you're a fear mongerer. If you believed in freedom of speech, you'd allow others to speak their mind without returning threats of violence. You sound like the perfect dictator, for those who want dictators, of course. I can see why you'd be upset that the person the majority voted for made it to office, because you clearly believe that "we the people" are only the people you agree with and side with.
I can hear the violins playing for you. Would you like a tissue. Is that the best you can do pinhead. I certainly expected more out of an intellectual.
I hope you have a Happy Thanksgiving, Phil!
Thanks, you to Bobby boy.
I feel sorry for those who have no decent morals or princlple or was not raise to know the different between right or wrong as i try to live according to how i was raise from my family history i fine that this cartoon is so true a lot of truth in it and if we live and appreciated what our fore fathers has taught us this world would be so much better to live in they help us they left us things so that it may maintain for our good but caught up in self we had became very selfish and think only of a self today that's why so many of us is suffering with depression all kinds of illness ect. I hope that this cartoon open up each and every american eye as we may not see it we either see it now or see it later OH!!!! but we will see it.Bow now or bow later cause we all shall bow!!!!!! sharon v. young
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