tullytown20

drprobus - "or an added "beer tax" to fund AA!"

Just for the record, AA is self supporting within its own membership. No government funds or outside contributions WHAT SO EVER.

Never forget ...... dogs have masters. Cats have staff

THE LOTTERY - A tax on stupid

Our fearless leader gave a speech last week at the Graham Road Elementary School in Falls Church, Virginia where he had a chat with about 30 6th grade students and he used his trusty teleprompter. (video at realclearpolitics)

The campaign continues.

Pitapita - The Republican victories in Virginia, New Jersey and Massachusetts were a rejection of liberal/progressive policies by the Democrats and the Obama Administration, not the result of inept campaigning and cyclical politics. The campaigns in those respective states were successful because the winning candidates provided an alternative to the liberal/progressive agenda that resonated with the people.

Voters reject the arrogance of liberal/progressives attempting to shove legislation down their throats. They are waking up to closed door meetings and the back room deals like "The Cornhusker Kickback", The Louisiana Purchase", tax exceptions for unions, just to name a few.

In the election of Brown versus Coakley - Don't blame the messenger being defeated, it was her message.

As to that favorite of your's - the 23rd. You asked Orange for a plausible explanation (1/20 - 5:57AM), I just thought I'd rehash what others had offered. And using your comments about Sarah Palin hurting the Hoffman campaign, I would imagine the same analogy works for Coakley and Obama.

Pitapita - So again with the 23rd and the Sarah Palin affect. (1/20 - 5:57AM) Just to refresh your memory several posters including myself offered a very plausible explanation. In case you missed it, try reading it again.

"You seem so obsessed with the New York 23 Congressional race, pointing out that a Democrat won the seat. But take a fair, objective analysis of that election. It was not a landslide victory for Owens, he won by a little over 3000 votes. Also consider that there were originally THREE candidates on the ballet, a Democrat, a RHINO Republican and a Conservative. The RHINO Republican drops out days before the election and then endorses the Democrat. De De, (aka RHINO) picked up a few thousand party line votes even thought she was no longer a candidate. A Hoffman/Owens race might have produced different results."

"As to the "Palin" affect for Hoffman. Let's compare the Obama affect for Democrats. Not too great for Mass, New Jersey or Virginia. The Dems lost big time."

Pitapita - You seem so obsessed with the New York 23 Congressional race, pointing out that a Democrat won the seat. But take a fair, objective analysis of that election. It was not a landslide victory for Owens, he won by a little over 3000 votes. Also consider that there were originally THREE candidates on the ballet, a Democrat, a RHINO Republican and a Conservative. The RHINO Republican drops out days before the election and then endorses the Democrat. De De, (aka RHINO) picked up a few thousand party line votes even thought she was no longer a candidate. A Hoffman/Owens race might have produced different results.

As to the "Palin" affect for Hoffman. Let's compare the Obama affect for Democrats. Not to great for Mass, New Jersey or Virginia. The Dems lost big time.

syrasouthern - Of course you "love" your President. You are being conditioned to become dependent on government handouts. Jump through government hoops and you get a reward. (tax breaks) Become a "public civil servant" and you get the so-called free money. (loans forgiven) When the government buys you.... they believe they own you.

If you really got an education you would know that the government has no money of it's own to lend. It belongs to taxpayers and someday those bills will need to be paid. Guess who will pay?

You shouldn't need much of an education to know the answer to that question.

So let me see if I have this straight, Johnson & Johnson paid tens of millions of dollars in kickbacks so nursing homes would put more patients on its blockbuster schizophrenia medicine and other drugs. Now Federal prosecutors have filed complaint against the drug manufacturer.

Obama and the Democrats have provided (kicked back) a $60 BILLION tax exemption for union members in the proposed so-called health care plan to gain the favor of union voters and that's called "compromise". Everybody else who has an employer provided health insurance plan equivalent to the union plans will pay a 40% tax on costs over $8900.

Maybe it's just me, but I don't see a difference.

Just another shinning example of government run bureaucracies. A guard leaves his post and it shuts down an airport.... missed opportunities to stop a crotch bomber that could have blown up a plane...... 60,000 state retirement checks lost in the U.S mail..... the list could go on.

Yet, wasn't it President Obama who once said, "Only government is able to solve today's problems"?

Sure give me a secure, warm fuzzy feeling inside.... kinda like hemorrhoids.

Keep in mind this is the same government format that is being proposed to oversee our health care. About 118 new government bureaucracies that will work to keep us healthy.

Yea..... like this display of competence really makes me feel secure.

OrangeFan2001 - Sept 17, 2009 - Washington Council of Governments' Transportation Policy Board approved a federal grant to help pay for $160 million in freight network improvements for rail giant CSX Transportation. (That's just for the Washington D.C. area.)

Oct, 1997 - Amtrak Reauthorization bill (H.R. 2247) -- American taxpayers to pay for multi-billion dollar railroad improvements for CSX Transportation (CSX). The legislation required the taxpayers to fund the bailout for the freight carriers.

And let's not forget the recent additional $13 BILLION in the stimulus package dedicated to railroads

I've got about another dozen examples of taxpayer money going to build and maintain private rail company tracks just on the east coast. It does not appear to be isolated instances for taxpayer funds going to pay for railroad tracks whether for freight or passenger service.

OrangeFan2001 - Those government subsidies for riders ARE IN ADDITION to the tax dollars that are used to maintain the rails.

Taxpayers ALREADY pay for rail construction and maintenance just like the cities, counties and states that pay for the construction and up-keep of local stations such as the one in Syracuse.

OswegoAtheist - Apparently you must NOT be a taxpayer since you said you are going to ride Amtrak on my dime. Happy is the liberal who feeds on the government dole. From your comment you must be another elite, intellectual government dependent.

13207 - Amtrak should be a wonderful way to travel because it's costing taxpayers a fortune. Nothing succeeds in DC like repeated and costly failure. 41 out of Amtrak's 44 routes lose money. The losses ranged from nearly $5 to $462 per passenger, depending upon the line and averaged $32 per passenger here in the Northeast Corridor. So that means that ever time you board Amtrak and pay your fare, you're also digging into the pocket of every taxpayers for an additional $32, so enjoy your ride.

Those government subsidies for riders are in addition to the tax dollars that are used to maintain the rails. There was an additional $13 BILLION in the stimulus package dedicated to rail travel and it is still a boondoggle.

So whether those trains are late or on time, it is another government sponsored entity still searching for success.

So, magus12, if I interrupt your idea of a FREE market related to the fairness doctrine, when presenting my company's benefits to prospective consumers, I should be required to provide the benefits of my competitor to my prospects.

Or, if the sales from my company far exceed the sales of my competitors, should I be required to provide financial support to keep competitors in existence.... all in the name of fairness?

It's revenues that keep business alive. Without it, I don't make money, can't pay bills or taxes and I can't pay my employees, so I need to do what is necessary to beat my competitors and stay in business. I do that by providing services and products that people want to buy.

Conservative broadcast sells. Business are willing to pay top dollars to advertise on those programs......BECAUSE PEOPLE LISTEN TO THEM. For those of you who believe there is a vacuum in liberal radio broadcast put YOUR own money into it. Don't reach into my pocket.

magus12,

Let's take a long hard look at what the so-called "fairness doctrine" could do if carried out to the fullest extent.

It would require.... by law... that all opinion broadcast would have to grant equal time to present opposing views. That means that.... again... by law.... any conservative commentator would have to provide time for a liberal as well as networks like Air America would have to provide equal time for Conservatives.

Then we have Al Gore's Earth time network that promotes environmentalism, etc. Does that mean they must provide equal time for global warming skeptics?

Plus, we have religious broadcasting networks like Mars Hill in Syracuse that presents Christian views. Under the "fairness doctrine" they would be REQUIRED to provide time for opposing view points, perhaps things like Sadism, witchcraft, atheism. etc.

I believe that somewhere in this thing we call the Constitution there is a section called the "Bill Of Rights". Our Founding Fathers DID NOT want to spell out what our "rights" are, but rather what government CANNOT do. First Amendment states, "Congress shall make no law respecting an establishment of religion, or prohibiting the free exercise thereof; or abridging the freedom of speech, or of the press; or the right of the people peaceably to assemble, and to petition the Government for a redress of grievances."

magus12 - "First Amendment guarantees only apply if you're a right-wing reactionary. And how dare anyone oppose?"

No outlet for opposing views? How about Air America, PBS, R. Maddow, C. Mathews, Keith O, Ed Shultz... just to name a few liberal commentators. However in the marketplace, none of these can seem to carry their own weight when it comes to broadcast revenues. As far as the marketplace of ideas is concerned.... these liberal talking heads are losers. In some instances a conservative commentator has a larger audience then the COMBINED audiences of the liberal commentators. Now, why do you think that is?

As to libs accusing some commentators of spreading "lies", isn't it a liberal approach that "truth" is not an absolute and can interrupted many ways. Besides... if you're going to accuse someone of lying, at least have the decency and fortitude to cite examples.

It never ceases to amaze me of the vitriol that spews from the keyboards of liberals when something happens to a conservative. Liberals, who consider themselves champions of tolerance, start with vile comments, some even wishing death to another human being. It's these same liberals who plead for open mindedness are quick to demand censorship for those who oppose their ideology.

For those who are so concerned about Rush's power and influence should remember that he DOES NOT have the authority to enact laws, raise your taxes, potentially fine or imprison you if you don't buy health, insurance.

However, an admitted pot smoking, crack head can and does have that authority with the stroke of a pen.

Rush is ONLY a conservative radio talk show personality, who, by the way, if you don't like to listen to what he has to say, turn off the radio. Of course, that may be too complicated for some to comprehend.

What is the difference between bird flu and swine flu?

For bird flu you need tweetment and for swine flu you need oinkment

Pitapita - Perhaps you should check your sources. The Obama administration is seriously considering sending some 90 Yemeni detainees now being held at Gitmo back to their country of origin.

As to the terrorists being held at Gitmo, these detainees were captured in combat situations outside the U.S. which is quite different than the situation with the shoe bomber, Reid. He was arrested on US. soil.

Also, sending the Gitmo prisoners to Illinois is far from a done deal. Congress is hedging on appropriating the money for the purchase and renovation of that prison and there is widespread resistance from the locals on housing terrorists in the state. It should also be noted that this proposed new home in Illinois for the prisoners is located about 20 miles from a nuclear power plant. That really makes for a great terrorist target.

As to these federal agencies being "entrenched" as you put it.... President Obama said that on the day he took office all of that would change. It will be a new and different government. Looks like that hopey, changie thing is really working out.

Let's not forget that our Homeland Security Chief, J. Nappy who said that the system is working, but all those failures to connect the dots were part of the Bush guidelines. It's been a year, honey, you sure had time to change them or was that Bush's fault, too?

Just heard that President Obama may appoint a airline terror threat czar to "brief" him daily on airline security.

Senator B. "Boxer" will also oversee the committee.

Another one of the wonderful government junkets paid for by us... U.S.

Maffei might have thought it was safer traveling in Afghanistan facing the Taliban rather than face his constituents here in Central New York. Then too, maybe he is delivering an apology letter for the Taliban from our President.

Just saying....................

Is this not the same Senator Max Baucus that, although separated from his wife, was sleeping around with a young member of his staff, who also accompanied him on a Senatorial junket , at taxpayers expense, to an exotic far away place?

I also believe he attempted to nominate this same "traveling" companion to a U.S. Attorney post.

If this had been a non-democrat/liberal, can you just imagine the repercussions in the press?

As to his condition on the Senate floor, he sure seemed under the influence of something and it certainly wasn't common sense. The man spent five minutes saying the same thing. "We tried to reach across the isle"

That reach was really tough when the doors of his meeting with Reid were closed, locked and guarded. That "transparency" thing is really working. (NOT)

Homeland Security Secretary Janet Napolitano, in an interview on CNN'S "State Of The Union" show Sunday had the gall to say that "THE SYSTEM WORKED", referring to the foiled attempt to blow up flight NWA flight 253. She also said the matter was handled "properly, correctly and effectively." According to authorities, the only reason this plane was not blown out of the sky was a faulty detonator on the bomb.

As to Napolitano's notion that Umar Farouk Abdulmuttalab was properly screened even though he was apparently permitted to board with enough explosive to bring down a plane and kill everyone on board and then to say, "THE SYSTEM WORKED", it would be laughable were it not so sickening.

3dsteve - 55 years ago when I got out of school, I went to work for my Uncle, a building contractor. One of the first things he told me was that the only way I would keep my job is if he was making money from my work. In other words.... I along with his other employees improved his bottom line.

Over half a century later, I maintain that same attitude with my own company. If I employ someone and they are not producing, why should I continue signing their paycheck?

I don't ask for tax breaks, special exceptions, etc. I just want employees who will produce quality work. Their performance is a reflection of me and my loyalty to my employees is reflected by their loyalty to the company. It's a system that's worked for all of us.

Pitapita You're right.... a lot of companies today do not look favorable to employees. But, look at the other side of the equation. Today there are more and more employees that could care less about their employers. All they want is a fat paycheck, big benefits with the least amount of work. As to quality craftsmanship, keep in mind that it's the employees who produce those inferior products and services and often when employers expect better performance, we're accused of being "slave drivers".

As to the Empire Zone fiasco, perhaps if New York State and the Federal government did not tax businesses to the hilt, then tax breaks would not be necessary. Chances are that with some current pending legislation, both state and federal, my company may be taxed out of existence.

To put it in simple terms... it just ain't worth it.

panther724 - Oh yea..... Micheal Moore is a good source to get unbiased, accurate and substantial information regarding the American health care system. (NOT!!!!) Plus, he sure doesn't remind me of a good poster boy for healthy living.

Besides, isn't this the same character that produced a movie defining and bashing the evils of capitalism but never mentioned it is that same capitalism that made him a multi-millionaire. Of course with his millions he well be able to circumvent the "new and improved" health care system.

Anyone remember that definition of a camel ? "It's a horse designed my Congress." The Senate version for health care "reform" proposes to set-up 118 NEW GOVERNMENT bureaucracies with THOUSANDS of new government employees, most of which WILL NOT have any medical expertise. Like.... that's going to be really good.

To cnytraveler - The video link you provided says it all. The true meaning of Christmas. To share the Good News about the birth of our Savior and spreading peace, joy and good will to all and that does not require money. Sometimes just sharing a smile with a stranger can change the world for that stranger, who really a friend you haven't met yet. That gathering at the Mall apparently brought a lot of smiles to a lot of people.

With that link to Charlie Brown, you brought a warm, friendly feeling to my heart.

Thank you

And to those who find problems with this little show they just may not have the creative ability to match such an event. Or perhaps, rather than participate and set examples, they would prefer to sit on their duffs and criticize others, telling them how they should conduct their affairs. It's kind of like some of these top environmental guru's telling us how we need to conserve while they jet around the world in private jets and use limousines around town.

So now the deception on Health care reform begins to see the light of day, only it might be too late.

For weeks Democrats argued that their Medicare cuts would both help finance the new health care legislation and extend the solvency of Medicare. However today the CBO (Congressional Budget Office) issued a memo explaining that the bill could do one OR the other, but NOT BOTH at the same time.

The savings to the HI (Medicare Hospital Insurance) trust fund under the PPACA (Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act) would be received by the government only once, so they cannot be set aside to pay for future Medicare spending and, at the same time, pay for current spending on other parts of the legislation or on other programs.

To describe the full amount of HI trust fund cuts as both improving the government’s ability to pay future Medicare benefits and financing new spending outside of Medicare would essentially DOUBLE-COUNT a large share of those savings and thus overstate the improvement in the government’s fiscal position.

As it stands, they've weakened the Medicare program substantially and increased deficits by nearly $300 billion. So much for deficit neutral.

Now the question is how many other booking tricks will we see in the future? Remember, there are over 2400 pages of the Senate bill to dissect. That's scary.

toro - You said that universal was stated in the Scriptures. "Luke 10:25-37 where a man asked what he must do to earn eternal life, and Jesus says he must love his neighbor as himself and then proceeds to give a parable about a good Samaritan who provided free health care to an injured man and then told him to do likewise."

If I read that piece of Scripture correctly it tells us that we have a responsibility as INDIVIDUALS to be benevolent to our fellow man. Christ says nothing about government caring for the Samaritan, in fact His attitude towards government and the ruling class is well known and it wasn't favorable. As to other religions touting universal health, I don't think they advocate government mandates. Besides, for those libs who use religion as a basis for universal health care, have they forgotten their favorite mantra about that "separation of church and state" thing. Can't have it both ways.

As to providing health services for people that are not covered, already there are over 10 million people who are eligible for services, but HAVE NOT MADE the effort to apply. There are over 8 million who can afford health insurance, but CHOOSE not to buy it. With the proposed legislation they will be fined and/or jailed. Like that's real American freedom.

And let's not forget that according to government estimates there will still be 20 million NOT COVERED.

As to Jesus forgiving sin..... He forgave sins. Everyone uses that approach, Christ forgave sins. What all to many people forget is what He added to the terms of forgiveness, "Now... go and sin NO MORE!"