The Real State of the Union
Wow! More hope, less change. It sounded like a campaign speech. Where’s the beef?
Tepid at best and mostly more of the same piled higher and deeper. Four years ago he promised to change the very way Washington does business and remake politics itself.
Well, I’ll have to admit that he succeeded beyond my wildest expectations. It’s just that I had something different in mind. Two words: Citizens United.
Last night he said, “Tonight, I want to speak about how we move forward, and lay out a blueprint for an economy that’s built to last – an economy built on American manufacturing, American energy, skills for American workers, and a renewal of American values.”
I’m all for that, I guess. Yes, we need a massive infrastructure rebuilding program, but the House won’t allow it. Remember the jobs bill? It had a tiny infrastructure component and didn’t pass.
Obama also said, “In the last 22 months, businesses have created more than three million jobs.”
Don’t confuse that with a net gain of jobs; it didn’t even come close to offsetting the number of jobs lost during the same period.
New unemployment claims averaged well over one million per month and during the same period, and the Obama administration issued over three million foreign worker visas, over half of them permanent.
He says we need to revive manufacturing.
Again, he is right that we should be producing our own goods. The problem is that manufacturing companies based in the United States no longer have any special loyalty to the country itself. They are global profiteers who make a fortune from child labor and lax regulation in the third world. They don’t care whether Americans have jobs or not.
Even in those cases of a good corporate citizen willing to accept lower profits, the transition would take years and be an extraordinary capital expense for most. It may be too late to return to a manufacturing economy.
It’s a great idea, but is it doable? Last year in his State of the Nation speech, Obama said we need a “Sputnik moment.”
I got the analogy, but it wasn’t a good one.
October 4, 1957, the American people were taken completely by surprise as Russia launched Sputnik into orbit. I was only nine years old at the time, but I remember the reactions. Stunned humiliation that the “Russkies” would beat us into space, combined with a liberal dose of mass hysteria brought about by the sudden realization of our extreme vulnerability.
Now, I long for a return to the fifties as much as anyone, but it ain’t happening. We are stuck out here in 2012, and there is no way back. Our problems will not be solved by trying to retreat to fantasy land.
We have 2012 problems the likes of which we have never had before, and the solutions of the past are no solution at all. That kind of thinking got us where we are.
We need ten million jobs right now and two million more over each of the next five years. It is so simple. No jobs, no recovery. Slow job growth just gets us deeper in the hole at a slower rate. We need something so big and bold that it becomes known as the “shock and awe” of the war on recession.
But, it isn’t as though the Republicans have any new ideas either. House speaker John Boehner said on Fox News Sunday, “The regulatory nightmare that’s coming out of Washington is serving as a wet blanket over our economy. We need to work to fundamentally change our tax code.”
What regulations?
The biggest corporations simply ignore the few scant regulations placed on them and routinely flaunt even the most basic principles of law abiding. They cheat, they steal, and they lie. Corporations completely control the regulatory process. They lobby for the laws they want and the repeal of those they don’t want, and they always get their way.
No enforcement.
The enforcement officers are former members of the companies they regulate, and they return there when there government work is done.
Slap on the wrist justice.
And, when the rare inquiry occurs, the perpetrators pay a small vigorish on their ill-gotten gains, and keep the rest without ever even admitting guilt.
They don’t pay taxes they get corporate welfare.
Tax payers subsidize the most profitable companies in America. They already have negative tax liability through all of the corporate welfare they receive.
Then, the IRS ignores the top tax cheats and fries a lot of smaller fish instead. What a stench.
So, while Boehner argues for the elite to be above the law while paying no taxes, it doesn’t seem like a job creator or a good way for a country to do business.
I think American companies and wealthy individuals do owe something to America for their success. As Americans, they do have the same responsibilities as the rest of us.
Until they accept that, we are a nation in a state of extreme peril.
George W. Mantor
The Real Estate Professor
Founder, American Foreclosure Resistance Movement
http://www.realtown.com/
“First they ignore you, then they ridicule you, then they fight you, then you win.” — Mahatma Gandhi
~
4closureFraud.org
This article was no doubt written by someone who has never been anything above a minor player in a corporation. No doubt, there have been and are some big corporations that have wrestled hard to secure their very existences, but,, for the vast majority of “corporations” life is nighmare from one day to the next. I have personally owned, or been a partner, in several corporations that, directly because of our good and gracious government, are no longer in business.
These were “corporations” that were, at least in their beginnings, trying hard to do the right things. They were hiring people who were happy and loving their work. They were earning a (not-respectable) 5% of income. (So, no one could really complain, well, perhaps their stockholders could.) They were great neighbors. They spent most of thier dollars in their respective communities. But, all the while, they had to look over their shoulders at crazy regulations that seemed to continuously flow in from outer space.
The first place such crazy regulations would come from was the IRS. Accelerated Cost Recovery System (of depreciation). The 1986 Tax Reform Act. The Modified Accelerated Cost Recovery System. Then from OSHA. came other lunatic regulations – one person in the world is injured (more than likely from his own negligence) and everyone’s systems must be changed – at considerable cost. Then from financial regulators. Then from State and local agencies. To say that there are no regulations coming at businesses – in a continual stream – is nonsense.
My now-deceased attorney used to say, That the best “regulation” is the “least regulation.” He went on, Just do the right thing and you won’t need to be “regulated.” Well, we tried that. Now, the businesses are out of business. The happy employees are unhappy unemployeds. The corollary businesses, those that sold to or supported these business – are either gone, as well, or in finincial difficulty. Does the article writer want documentation?
Sorry, but there may be a few corporations that embody “bad,” but, most do not – in any way, shape, or form. Like our beaten-down and struggling homeowners, these “corporations” faced fear daily. Some days passed by with little or no harmful regulations, others, well not so good.
Joe…What the real players…the moneyed elite want is a ONE WORLD GOVERNMENT…which will consist of One Private Corporate Global Government….that is why we are seeing global fascism…the joining of Government and Wall Street Multinationals trying their damnedest to oppress the people..They want no sovereign nations..a One World Currency backed by Vatican gold… which will lead to the microchip in the hand…..This is all being acheived by mass deception. The head of this tyrannical fascist dictatorship…? All roads lead to Rome..!
The United States of America should immediately remove itself from the U.N./FEDERAL RESERVE!…and restore the U.S. CONSTITUTION to its Original form…issue U.S. BANK NOTES BACKED BY NATURAL RESOURCE REVENUES LIKE NATURAL GAS….NOT CURRENCY BACKED BY DEBT AND FRAUD…..We need ANOTHER BOSTON TEA PARTY/Revolution by the people….! The GLOBALISTS all need to be thrown out…and that includes…Obama..I don’t see a candidate running for President that does not have a Global view for America….That is extremely dangerous..! We are truly at the threshold of Global Tyranny! The American people are standing at the gates of hell because of the politicians…None of this could have ever been possible if the Politicians were doing their jobs..Throw the traitors out…We need a good Third party candidate…ban electronic voting…write in paper ballots counted by all of us American Citizens…publicly…!..I like Eliot Spitzer…any suggestions?
The PEOPLES BANK OF NATURAL GAS…THE ROAD TO FREEDOM.!!!!.IT WOULD GENERATE ENOUGH REVENUE TO FUND OUR MONETARY SYSTEM…REVENUE FLOW WOULD FUND OUR OWN HEALTHCARE AND PAY ALL FALSE DEBT BACK TO THE TYRANY..!!! IT WOULD CREATE MILLIONS OF NEW BUSINESSES FROM THAT REVENUE FLOW!!!….
The same natural gas we heat our homes with..the same way that is done..not by fracking like the robbers of our wealth steal it by ….it can be done by natural extraction..!
We don’t need the rich mans gold to back our own currency..it has already been proven credit based currency is a failure..we have plenty of natural gas to put the entire country on the road to prosperity and financial freedom..A nation in debt or dependant on other nations resources is not free.! Solar and wind power as well..those are free and natural resources that can put America back on the track to independence..! The revenue flow from natural resources can fund and pay for everything and create massive wealth for all..not just 2% of the population…!
@Ivent – I watched the utube videos cia. I believe they cover it all up. Really sickening how wide spread perversion is. It is a shame Gunderson died last July. You know that solar, sun and gas technology has been kept surpressed so that we would be dependent on the middle east as well as utility companies and oil companies fat bank accounts. If we put a man on the moon how many years ago, I know damn good and well that we could find cheap fuel and energy sources. It is all orchestrated and all about big bucks. There is no concern for fellow humans or for our environment. Money Money and Mo Money.
If we take off the blinders the answers to all of our problems are in nature. Most people do not see what is right in front of them..God gave us everything we need to prosper..We were warned never to lust for the richmans gold..!
We allowed them to enslave us with their debt..it has to stop!
Right on Katheryn..! Did you see the Ted Gunderson video where his friends blow the whistle he was arsenic poisoned..? Gotta see that one..!
Obama is the one they put in place to usher in their Global totalitarian tyranny…! The devils who are in on this plan are all through Congress/the Senate…all branches of Government …! There is no division there…they are all playing for the same New World Order team or Congress would have impeached Obama a long time ago..! It is all an evil charade ….the election..a hoax..! If the puppet Masters get their way the next President either Obama or the other one..will usher in the New World Order..even Ron Paul talks the good talk but I heard he cant be trusted either …he is a member of the Freemasons via the John Birch Society…Who the heck knows anymore?.I heard he wants to shut down the FED and declare America broke and usher in the one world currency.!.Is it true?…I am not a psychic..I wish!!! One thing for sure is the politicians are all dirtbag liars or we would not be here..! If we really had a choice mine would be Joe the Plumber for President…and his cabinet would be his friends and neighbors and Congress and the Senate would be all of us…everyday people..! We would abolish the tyranny and go back to real money backed by natural gas…! The White House would be the peoples house and all homeowners would be mortgage free! NO MORE BANK DEBT..EVER..All loans backed by our most plentiful resource revenue..natural gas…!
The thieves couldn’t steal natural gas..like gold and silver…and if they did…. the bastards would blow themselves up..!
Damn …. Ivent … YOU are one of my Heros … on a lighter side .. Natural Gas … Really? I guess the only gas we have now is the gas coming from the asses of our Politicians and it won’t burn to the point of lighting someones ass on fire to get them started either. It just stinks to high heaven.
Love ya here in the State of Unjustice Arizona!
LOL.Wayne.! So true! With the gas and wind coming out of all the politicians we would have all of the power we need for the next hundred years! I heard on RT News Thom Hartman that currency can be backed by anything …it doesn’t have to be gold or silver…So I was thinking …..we need our own currency and the crooked politicians cant be trusted with physical gold and silver…What is our largest natural resource…? Natural Gas…! It is valuable and plentiful and can create a massive revenue flow …It was just a thought…maybe that could create millions of needed good paying jobs and revenue! The answers to our problems arent going to come from the crooks who robbed us.. They want to make us poor and dependant and keep us all down….! Thanks for the nice compliment! Love you guys in AZ too!
Hmm. A $3,000 tax credit to refinance. Do we have any math geeks here? Let’s assume that the average “responsible” refier is in the 25% tax bracket (I’m pulling numbers out my a$$). Their current mortgage balance is $150,000. They refi and end up adding the roughly (depending on your state) $15,000 in the disclosed fees and closing costs you pay to do this refi thus making your mortgage balance $165,000. You get a lower interest rate, however, the interest is the main tax (deduction) taken. I will admit I am no math whizz, but, really now. Who are they trying to fool, and, once again I would ask, our president to define (responsible). Unfortunately for me, I was once a “responsible” person until Fraudsters of America threw me into the “unresponsible” category.
P.S…Wayne..Gotta love Jan Brewer! Shes got spunk..! I love that..!
I don’t know about her politics in regards to homeowners but I like the way she did not back down to Obama yesterday..! That was gutsy!
upsetting to hear the prez suggest a $3k tax credit to refinance. is it because they can’t find the NOTE? sounds like another scam in the wings.
There are no notes….!
therefore there are no mortgages….you cant be a stranger to the mortgage…if that were the case anyone could copy a note and say they owe them money…That is the principle of property law….you must prove standing in order to take someones home away…they cant!
It did sound as if Obama was suggesting a $3k tax credit to refinance….. but listen to his words more carefully!
He said that was for “RESPONSIBLE” homeowners. That’s code for “only those who have NOT fallen behind on their mortgage payments”. No matter the reason that the homeowner has fallen behind (illness, death of a spouse, unemployment which is likely an indirect result of the bank fraud that crashed our economy); no matter the homeowner’s personal circumstance (families with small children, senior citizens, etc), President Obama’s message, is that those homeowners are IRRESPONSIBLE and can all “go to Hell!”.
President Obama also talked of a new effort to investigate bank fraud. How strange that seems when all reports say he has been putting a full court press on the state AG’s to settle with the banks, granting them immunity for mortgage fraud.
Forget all the words. Judge the man by his actions.
George Carlin had it right. He said the country is run by big business. He said politicians only exist so that we THINK we have a choice. No matter how we vote, Republican or Democrat, we’re essentially getting the same thing, a country that has been co-opted by big business.
The vast amount of media coverage about the presidential race is tantamount to going to the sandwich shop and spending hours deciding if you’d like to order a hero, a hoagie or a sub. When all is said and done you’ll get the same thing!
Our one and only chance for survival is to get money out of politics. Until this happens every politician and every decision they make will go to the highest bidder.
The Real State of the Union is clear…..Satan has hijacked the Country!
Send in the exorcist…!
Not a bad idea. Reporters interviewing any of these horrible people should keep a little holy water handy and in the course of the interview sprinkle some on them and see what happens. Wouldn’t that make for an interesting news piece!
For sure Katheryn..if people don’t believe there are satanists running the world they should watch the you tube video interviews with Ted Gunderson..esp.the one entitled..THE CIA AND SATANISM..IT IS GUARANTEED TO MAKE YOU VOMIT…!
@ Ivent
I very interested in seeing that and plan to view it later. I need to find my holy water first. LOL
Ted Gunderson was an FBI AGENT GOVT WHISTLEBLOWER…HE WAS A TRUE AMERICAN PATRIOT!!!
Oh so true Katheryn..! We may need gallons of it…My Irish Catholic Grandma warned credit is the devils work..I think if she were alive today she would agree Satan has even infiltrated everything..even the Catholic Church..!
My Gramdma was so intuitive and wise ..She told me everything changed when they changed the mass..How right she was..! Vatican Council II…1962..changed the mass..that was the beginning of this evil plan we are all living…My dad told me this evil plan went into high gear after they assassinated JFK..now the truth is in plain sight..Satan’s time is short..the truth will set us free..!