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prospector
07-05-2010, 06:10 PM
Imagine 545 against 300,000,000 WE CAN WIN if We want it badly enough !














This is about as clear and easy to understand as it can be - read it!!












The article below is completely neutral, ...not anti- republican or democrat.

Charlie Reese, a retired reporter for the Orlando Sentinal has hit the naildirectly on the head, defining clearly who it is that, in the final analysis, mustassume responsibility for the judgements made that impact each one of us every day.

It's a short but good read. Worth the time. Worth remembering!

545 vs. 300,000,000

EVERY CITIZEN NEEDS TO READ THIS AND THINK ABOUT WHAT THIS JOURNALIST HAS SCRIPTED IN THIS MESSAGE. READ IT AND THEN REALLY THINK ABOUT OUR CURRENT POLITICAL DEBACLE.


Charley Reese has been a journalist for 49 years.



















545 PEOPLE--By Charlie Reese

Politicians are the only people in the world who create problems and then campaign against them..

Have you ever wondered, if both the Democrats and the Republicans are against deficits, WHY do we have deficits?

Have you ever wondered, if all the politicians are against inflation and high taxes, WHY do we have inflation and high taxes?

You and I don't propose a federal budget. The president does.

You and I don't have the Constitutional authority to vote on appropriations.. The House of Representatives does.

You and I don't write the tax code, Congress does.

You and I don't set fiscal policy, Congress does.

You and I don't control monetary policy, the Federal Reserve Bank does.

One hundred senators, 435 congressmen, one president, and nine Supreme Court justices equates to 545 human beings out of the 300 million are directly, legally, morally, and individually responsible for the domestic problems that plague this country.

I excluded the members of the Federal Reserve Board because that problem was created by the Congress. In 1913, Congress delegated its Constitutional duty to provide a sound currency to a federally chartered, but private, central bank.

I excluded all the special interests and lobbyists for a sound reason.. They have no legal authority. They have no ability to coerce a senator, a congressman, or a president to do one cotton-picking thing. I don't care if they offer a politician $1 million dollars in cash. The politician has the power to accept or reject it. No matter what the lobbyist promises, it is the legislator's responsibility to determine how he votes.

Those 545 human beings spend much of their energy convincing you that what they did is not their fault. They cooperate in this common con regardless of party.

What separates a politician from a normal human being is an excessive amount of gall. No normal human being would have the gall of a Speaker, who stood up and criticized the President for creating deficits..... The president can only propose a budget. He cannot force the Congress to accept it.

The Constitution, which is the supreme law of the land, gives sole responsibility to the House of Representatives for originating and approving appropriations and taxes. Who is the speaker of the House? Nancy Pelosi. She is the leader of the majority party. She and fellow House members, not the president, can approve any budget they want. If the president vetoes it, they can pass it over his veto if they agree to.

It seems inconceivable to me that a nation of 300 million cannot replace 545 people who stand convicted -- by present facts -- of incompetence and irresponsibility. I can't think of a single domestic problem that is not traceable directly to those 545 people. When you fully grasp the plain truth that 545 people exercise the power of the federal government, then it must follow that what exists is what they want to exist.

If the tax code is unfair, it's because they want it unfair.

If the budget is in the red, it's because they want it in the red.
If the Army & Marines are in IRAQ, it's because they want them in IRAQ.

If they do not receive social security but are on an elite retirement plan not available to the people, it's because they want it that way.

There are no insoluble government problems.

Do not let these 545 people shift the blame to bureaucrats, whom they hire and whose jobs they can abolish; to lobbyists, whose gifts and advice they can reject; to regulators, to whom they give the power to regulate and from whom they can take this powernot to mention czars. Above all, do not let them con you into the belief that there exists disembodied mystical forces like "the economy," "inflation," or "politics" that prevent them from doing what they take an oath to do..

Those 545 people, and they alone, are responsible.

They, and they alone, have the power.

They, and they alone, should be held accountable by the people who are their bosses.

Provided the voters have the gumption to manage their own employees.

We should vote all of them out of office and clean up their mess!

Charlie Reese is a former columnist of the Orlando Sentinel Newspaper.

What you do with this article now that you have read it.......... Is up to you.








This might be funny if it weren't so darned true.








Be sure to read all the way to the end:







Tax his land,






Tax his bed,






Tax the table,






At which he's fed.

Tax his tractor,






Tax his mule,






Teach him taxes






Are the rule.






Tax his work,
Tax his pay,
He works for peanuts
Anyway!

Tax his cow,
Tax his goat,
Tax his pants,
Tax his coat.







Tax his ties,
Tax his shirt,
Tax his work,
Tax his dirt.







Tax his tobacco,
Tax his drink,
Tax him if he
Tries to think.







Tax his cigars,
Tax his beers,
If he cries
Tax his tears.







Tax his car,
Tax his gas,
Find other ways
To tax his ass.







Tax all he has,Then let him know
That you won't be done
Till he has no dough.







When he screams and hollers,Then tax him some more,
Tax him till
He's good and sore.







Then tax his coffin,
Tax his grave,
Tax the sod in
Which he's laid.

Put these words
Upon his tomb,
'Taxes drove me
to my doom.'

When he's gone,
Do not relax,
Its time to apply
The inheritance tax.







Accounts Receivable Tax
Building Permit Tax
CDL license Tax
Cigarette Tax
Corporate Income Tax
Dog License Tax
Excise Taxes
Federal Income Tax
Federal Unemployment Tax (FUTA)
Fishing License Tax
Food License Tax
Fuel Permit Tax
Gasoline Tax (currently 44.75 cents per gallon)
Gross Receipts Tax
Hunting License Tax
Inheritance Tax
Inventory Tax
IRS Interest Charges IRS Penalties (tax on top of tax)
Liquor Tax
Luxury Taxes
Marriage License Tax
Medicare Tax
Personal Property Tax
Property Tax
Real Estate Tax
Service Charge Tax
Social Security Tax
Road Usage Tax
Recreational Vehicle Tax
Sales Tax
School Tax
State Income Tax
State Unemployment Tax (SUTA)
Telephone Federal Excise Tax
Telephone Federal Universal Service FeeTax
Telephone Federal, State and Local Surcharge Taxes
Telephone Minimum Usage Surcharge Tax
Telephone Recurring and Nonrecurring Charges Tax
Telephone State and Local Tax
Telephone Usage Charge Tax
Utility Taxes
Vehicle License Registration Tax
Vehicle Sales Tax
Watercraft Registration Tax
Well Permit Tax
Workers Compensation Tax







STILL THINK THIS IS FUNNY? Not one of these taxes existed 100 years ago, & our nation was the most prosperous in the world. We had absolutely no national debt, had the largest middle class in the world, and Mom stayed home to raise the kids.

What in the hell happened? Can you spell 'politicians?'

woodtoo
07-05-2010, 06:25 PM
Polititions their dancing in my head :bang:

mostpost
07-06-2010, 12:35 AM
http://www.snopes.com/politics/soapbox/reese.asp
Charley Reese did write an editorial substantially like what Prospector posted. But not exactly what prospector posted. I don't know Charley Reese, but I know when he wrote his editorial in the 1980's, Nancy Pelosi was not speaker of the House. I don't know Charley Reese but I am going to assume that he is not dumb enough to think members of Congress have some exclusive retirement plan for which they contribute nothing. (although I am sure some of you still think that and will continue to think it regardless of overwhelming evidence to the contrary) Congress has the same retirement plan I do, and every Federal employee has. They make contributions to that plan the same as I did; the same as every Federal employee does.

So, the editorial is correctly attributed and it is essentially what Reese wrote in the 1980s. The problem is...it's wrong. Congress is not the enemy. Congress is us. We elect our neighbors to represent us. Do these people magically become monsters once elected? Do they suddenly become overwhelmed with greed and avarice? I think not! Do they make bad judgements? Do they fail to understand the issues they are deciding? I think that is absolutely true. Are their individuals in Congress who are self serving and dishonest? Of course, but the institution is not.

Reese says that we have deficits because Congress votes for them. This statement is naive for two reasons. One, deficits are sometimes unavoidable because necesary programs must be continued for the common good. Two, while it is true that Congress must appropriate money the budget itself is the responsibility of the Executive branch. Congress can and does decide which items to approve and which to reject, but that is a complex process.

boxcar
07-06-2010, 11:20 AM
Charley Reese did write an editorial substantially like what Prospector posted.

The problem is...it's wrong. Congress is not the enemy.

I must ask: You don't believe there is such a thing as tyranny? Tyranny is what: A myth? A fairytale? A hoax?

Congress is us. We elect our neighbors to represent us.

Really? They didn't represent the majority of Americans when they rammed "heath care reform" down our gullets, did they? And when a large segment of people they "represent" don't agree with government policies, these holier-than-thou, sanctimonious, pompous, know-it-all, never-wrong, have-all-the-answers politicians don't waste any time demonizing and marginalizing these dissenters they "represent", do they? Nor is there any shortage whatsoever of arrogance on part of our "representatives", is there?

Do these people magically become monsters once elected? Do they suddenly become overwhelmed with greed and avarice? I think not!

Of course not. This only happens in the private sector. Only in the corporate world -- because let's face it...money ain't no big deal in the public sector, is it? Farthest thing from politicians' minds and hearts, isn't it? :rolleyes: That love of money thing only happens in the private sector, right? :rolleyes:

Do they make bad judgements? Do they fail to understand the issues they are deciding? I think that is absolutely true. Are their individuals in Congress who are self serving and dishonest? Of course, but the institution is not.

You are unbelievably gullible. "The institution" reminds me of the Pharisees of Jesus' day who were unbelievably corrupt and hypocritical. So much so, that he likened them to a whitewashed sepulcher full of stench-filled, rotting flesh and bones. Yes indeed...pretty and nice looking on the outside for the public to see, but unbelievably corrupt on the inside.

Boxcar

prospector
07-06-2010, 01:28 PM
i believe that this is a King George congress and must be replaced..period

mostpost
07-06-2010, 02:23 PM
I must ask: You don't believe there is such a thing as tyranny? Tyranny is what: A myth? A fairytale? A hoax?
Tyranny exists, but everything government does that you don't agree with is not tyranny. You've never lived under tyranny. You are cheapening the word by your use of it.

Really? They didn't represent the majority of Americans when they rammed "heath care reform" down our gullets, did they? And when a large segment of people they "represent" don't agree with government policies, these holier-than-thou, sanctimonious, pompous, know-it-all, never-wrong, have-all-the-answers politicians don't waste any time demonizing and marginalizing these dissenters they "represent", do they? Nor is there any shortage whatsoever of arrogance on part of our "representatives", is there?

The majority of Americans were and are in favor of health care reform. Much of the opposition to the version passed by Congress and signed into law was on the basis of it doesn't do enough. Much of it was based on ignorance and naivety. One of the pollsters did a study which showed a large increase in support when the different facets of the bill were explained and the untruths were corrected.
As for demonizing dissenters, pointing out that Tea Partiers do not have a close relationship with the facts is not demonizing.


Of course not. This only happens in the private sector. Only in the corporate world -- because let's face it...money ain't no big deal in the public sector, is it? Farthest thing from politicians' minds and hearts, isn't it? :rolleyes: That love of money thing only happens in the private sector, right? :rolleyes:
Corruption happens in all sectors, but being part of a sector does not mandate that you be corrupt. A vast majority of businessmen are honest and fair minded. A vast majority of our representatives are also. This does not mean they are right about everything

You are unbelievably gullible. "The institution" reminds me of the Pharisees of Jesus' day who were unbelievably corrupt and hypocritical. So much so, that he likened them to a whitewashed sepulcher full of stench-filled, rotting flesh and bones. Yes indeed...pretty and nice looking on the outside for the public to see, but unbelievably corrupt on the inside.

Boxcar
This last paragraph reveals your deep seated need to tear others down so you can feel important. Not a problem I have.

JustRalph
07-06-2010, 03:36 PM
Anyone who doesn't think the Greatest threat to this country is our own Congress has a screw loose.............over the last 20 yrs they have done more damage to the country than any foreign power

hcap
07-06-2010, 08:37 PM
This last paragraph reveals your deep seated need to tear others down so you can feel important. Not a problem I have.

holier-than-thou, sanctimonious, pompous, know-it-all, never-wrong, have-all-the-answers politicians don't waste any time demonizing and marginalizing these dissentersChange "politicians"to interner preacher and box has the beginnings of a dynamite autobiography

cj's dad
07-06-2010, 08:59 PM
Change "politicians"to interner preacher and box has the beginnings of a dynamite autobiography

When all else fails, name call !!

BTW - the word is internet !

hcap
07-06-2010, 09:12 PM
When all else fails, name call !!

BTW - the word is internet !You are neglecting all the times box has called me the spawn of satan . Or commie etc.

But you are right I take it back. Excuse me

sandpit
07-06-2010, 09:12 PM
Congress has the same retirement plan I do, and every Federal employee has. They make contributions to that plan the same as I did; the same as every Federal employee does.

The P.O. must put something in the water to make their employees believe this crap. Congress is so loaded with perks that nobody else gets that it is truly obscene.

1. Free haircuts and parking (on Capitol Hill, at Reagan Int'l and Dulles) -- simple, but did your PO have it's own taxpayer subsidized barber and valet?

2. Power to arbitrarily give themselves a raise without even voting on it.

3. Access to event tickets or any type as long as he pays the provider for said ticket. But the kicker is that he/she doesn't have to use his own money; it can be paid for with campaign funds.

4. Full paid week off for Memorial Day and Presidents' Day.

5. Inflation-indexed pension fund paid 80% by the taxpayers.

6. Health insurance 75% paid by taxpayers, life insurance 40%. Plus free outpatient care at military hospitals.

7. Free artwork to decorate their offices.

8. Keeping frequent flyer miles used on gov't travel for their own personal use.

9. Free gym and pool services.

10. Office and staff budgets that are so overboard that they are indescribable.

These are just a few of what is a very long list of legalized theivery by our representatives. Get back with us when you find ANY other gov't department that is living like this at their "job".



8.

JustRalph
07-06-2010, 11:07 PM
Don't forget this one.............

http://www.paceadvantage.com/forum/showthread.php?t=46512

The P.O. must put something in the water to make their employees believe this crap. Congress is so loaded with perks that nobody else gets that it is truly obscene.

1. Free haircuts and parking (on Capitol Hill, at Reagan Int'l and Dulles) -- simple, but did your PO have it's own taxpayer subsidized barber and valet?

2. Power to arbitrarily give themselves a raise without even voting on it.

3. Access to event tickets or any type as long as he pays the provider for said ticket. But the kicker is that he/she doesn't have to use his own money; it can be paid for with campaign funds.

4. Full paid week off for Memorial Day and Presidents' Day.

5. Inflation-indexed pension fund paid 80% by the taxpayers.

6. Health insurance 75% paid by taxpayers, life insurance 40%. Plus free outpatient care at military hospitals.

7. Free artwork to decorate their offices.

8. Keeping frequent flyer miles used on gov't travel for their own personal use.

9. Free gym and pool services.

10. Office and staff budgets that are so overboard that they are indescribable.

These are just a few of what is a very long list of legalized theivery by our representatives. Get back with us when you find ANY other gov't department that is living like this at their "job".



8.

mostpost
07-06-2010, 11:13 PM
The P.O. must put something in the water to make their employees believe this crap. Congress is so loaded with perks that nobody else gets that it is truly obscene.

1. Free haircuts and parking (on Capitol Hill, at Reagan Int'l and Dulles) -- simple, but did your PO have it's own taxpayer subsidized barber and valet?

2. Power to arbitrarily give themselves a raise without even voting on it.

3. Access to event tickets or any type as long as he pays the provider for said ticket. But the kicker is that he/she doesn't have to use his own money; it can be paid for with campaign funds.

4. Full paid week off for Memorial Day and Presidents' Day.

5. Inflation-indexed pension fund paid 80% by the taxpayers.

6. Health insurance 75% paid by taxpayers, life insurance 40%. Plus free outpatient care at military hospitals.

7. Free artwork to decorate their offices.

8. Keeping frequent flyer miles used on gov't travel for their own personal use.

9. Free gym and pool services.

10. Office and staff budgets that are so overboard that they are indescribable.

These are just a few of what is a very long list of legalized theivery by our representatives. Get back with us when you find ANY other gov't department that is living like this at their "job".



8.
1. Most people don't get free haircuts, but many people get free parking at their job. When you say free haircuts, do you mean a congressman can go to a high end salon and charge back a $440 haircut, or do you mean their is a congressional barber shop. I rather think the latter.

2. This is misleading at best, dishonest at worst. Congress must still vote to increase its base pay. They do get a COLA which is based on the COnsumer Price Index, the same as I do for my Social Security and pension. That is automatic unless they vote to refuse it. Which they have done seven times in twenty years.
3. So you're saying a Congressmen can go to see "Wicked" if he pays for the tickets. Shocking!!! I know someone else who can do that. ME!!!
4. You can not be serious! This is Congress. It's not the checker at the grocery store. These guys don't punch a clock. Congress may not be in session on these occasions, but that does not mean a congressman is not working.
5 & 6. Assuming your percentages are correct, SO? It's no different from a private pension plan where the employers pays a greater % than the employee.
7. I don't know what this means. Can a congressman go into an upscale art gallery and say "I'm a Congressman, give me that Renoir" More likely their is an art library from which he can choose something.
8 & 9. Got no problem with either one. Maybe a little problem with 8, no problem with 9.
10. You have no clue as to what is overboard and what is not. In any case all those budgets are set by law and based on the member's home district.

cj's dad
07-06-2010, 11:17 PM
Did you thank Robert Gibbs for your reply talking points ??

mostpost
07-06-2010, 11:25 PM
Don't forget this one.............

http://www.paceadvantage.com/forum/showthread.php?t=46512
Hope you are sitting down. I agree. To add insult to injury they apparently are not very good shoppers.
http://www.autoblog.com/2010/03/17/report-congressmen-spending-thousands-of-dollars-a-month-to-lea/

mostpost
07-06-2010, 11:28 PM
Did you thank Robert Gibbs for your reply talking points ??
Anything I post here is my opinion and mine alone. The facts which back that opinion up so cleverly come from a variety of sources.

Robert Goren
07-06-2010, 11:55 PM
Anyone who doesn't think the Greatest threat to this country is our own Congress has a screw loose.............over the last 20 yrs they have done more damage to the country than any foreign power When did they replace Islamic terrorists?:rolleyes:

sandpit
07-07-2010, 10:24 AM
1. Most people don't get free haircuts, but many people get free parking at their job. When you say free haircuts, do you mean a congressman can go to a high end salon and charge back a $440 haircut, or do you mean their is a congressional barber shop. I rather think the latter.

2 . This is misleading at best, dishonest at worst. Congress must still vote to increase its base pay. They do get a COLA which is based on the COnsumer Price Index, the same as I do for my Social Security and pension. That is automatic unless they vote to refuse it. Which they have done seven times in twenty years.
3. So you're saying a Congressmen can go to see "Wicked" if he pays for the tickets. Shocking!!! I know someone else who can do that. ME!!!
4 . You can not be serious! This is Congress. It's not the checker at the grocery store. These guys don't punch a clock. Congress may not be in session on these occasions, but that does not mean a congressman is not working.
5 & 6 . Assuming your percentages are correct, SO? It's no different from a private pension plan where the employers pays a greater % than the employee.
7 . I don't know what this means. Can a congressman go into an upscale art gallery and say "I'm a Congressman, give me that Renoir" More likely their is an art library from which he can choose something.
8 & 9. Got no problem with either one. Maybe a little problem with 8, no problem with 9.
10. You have no clue as to what is overboard and what is not. In any case all those budgets are set by law and based on the member's home district.

:1: . Nobody I know gets free prime parking spots at any International airport. These guys are public servants, not some prima donna actor or athlete that can pay for those kind of services.
:2: . So no matter how crappily they do there job, voila! pay increase.
:3: . Let me know the next time your PAC or friendly lobbyist reimburses you for your movie tickets.
:4: . For what these bums get paid BY US, which is a minimum of $174K, they should be working every day...but wait, you may be right, the more time they take off, the better off we are.
:5: & :6: . The general public can't get free medical care at military hospitals, can they? I did read an article by a former New Hampshire Rep. who did say that the gov't insurance program wasn't all that great, so you might be on to something here.
:7: . Yep, they have a place(s) to go for free office decor, just like every small businessman in America .:rolleyes:
:8: & :9: . Slight realization that you may be coming to your senses.:D
:10: . I have plenty of clue what I'm talking about. William Natcher, who was a KY Congressman for decades, until he died in 1994, never had an office staff of more than four, never missed a vote except when near death, and never took a $ from a lobbyist or a campaign contribution, and never made a political commercial during his entire career, yet managed to represent his people faithfully and without scandal. I'll venture to guess that there are less than :1: of the current Congress/Senate members that stand up to that kind of scrutiny.

skate
07-07-2010, 12:45 PM
Anyone who doesn't think the Greatest threat to this country is our own Congress has a screw loose.............over the last 20 yrs they have done more damage to the country than any foreign power


Make that 40 years, 10 more years that i know about and another 10 years for good measure.