Schakowsky: Tea parties 'despicable'

reply to post by Blaine91555


Blaine....I've 'tagged' you as 'Friend'....so I'll support, and listen, to your point of view. Obviously something you said encouraged me to feel this way.

AS TO this subject....I have no idea, not conversant on this Rep. Schakowsky. Illinois MAY be getting a bad rap, though (has for a long time...OK, sometimes well-deserved)...but we're talking about the Political 'system', not the People....

No one is immune (Sen. Larry Craig? Anyone?? Bueller????)

As to the 'Tea Parties'....clever, cute....got some MSM coverage (mostly from the 'network which shall not be named'!!!)

But, ultimately, seeing the placards and signs...really?

The way our Republic works is well-defined. We are NOT a Colony under the rule of the British Crown....not since 1779. WE are a Republic who determine our OWN fate....not beholden to any overseas entity (well, except China....oh no!!! Did I say that out loud?!?)

Point is....not only are we a 'Republic', we have this schizophrenic aspect of being a "Representational Democracy", as defined by the Constitution.

I've seen many threads lately, on ATS, bandying about these concepts.

We've all heard the 'former' Pres talking about "Spreading Democracy" around the World....OH!! The arrogance!!!!!

These so-called 'tea-parties' were occupied, for the most part, by people who just got riled up, by Fox News and the internet....instigated by fear and uncertaintity and fear (with a dash of subtle racism thrown in, don't deny it!)....who likely wouldn't know a 'Civics' class from a shop class....

AND....I include this woman, Schakowsky, in the category of "Not Getting IT!!!"

SHE is part of the 'elitist' problem that fuels the outrage that simmers, and is tapped into by OTHR elites as they struggle for dominance....all....ALL...at the expense of the people used as pawns in their 'game'.

So, after all of that, I come down to my point: The analogy of Chess.

If you want to play, and play to win, you must know how to out-smart and out-think.

If Chess is too difficult, then just fall back on a "Survivor" (CBS TV Show) concept...."OutLast", "OutThink", "OutPlay"....

This is NOT a diatribe intended to foment armed insurrections, or anything like that. It is simply a rational, intelligent description of what the World is like, today.

I have used analogies....to befit modern sensibilities...but the basics haven't changed for millenia.

reply to post by Blaine91555


Of course she did...

Somehow that didn't surprise me in the least. Which, if you think about it, is really very, very sad...

Originally posted by justsomeboreddude
How is it despicable or shameful that people in a free country protest anything. I dont remember anyone in the Bush administration saying the war protestors were despicable or shameful for protesting the war,even when they were burning Bush in effigy.

Any sane politician, politically sane anyway, would never make such a stupid comment. She has opened her mouth like a sewer hole against the people and you can be sure that this attitude extends to all other areas concerning the people and their rights.

These type see their power position in a personal light, not as a trust. She may not even have the brains to override or recognize her contempt. Worse, she may know it but doesn't care being so full of herself.

Originally posted by chise61
reply to post by schrodingers dog

 

Can you tell me specifically what government services i receive for the federal taxes that i am forced to pay ?

Oh you are so right unless you have had a federally funded abortion lately, are an illegal immigrant, or an employ of a federally baled out institution.

Originally posted by Blaine91555
reply to post by DrZERO

 

Imagine that

An elected official opposed to free speech and democracy

For some reason I find that funny if it did not scare me and make me want to cry.

I wonder how much Pork Obama gave her to take home. Hmmm, Ill have to check. He bought her with something I'm sure.

It would make a nice political cartoon which is something we could use a lot of in this war over the next few years.

She, dressed in one of those little monkey outfits with the neat hat, on a leash at the podium and Obama in the background playing the grinder.

Caption reads "Famous talking Monkey comments on Tea Party" or something.

Originally posted by schrodingers dog

Originally posted by DrZERO
The Federal Income Tax is an un-needed burden on a majority of households who watch 3 months worth of their income get looted by the Federal Government, only to have itbe handed over to the Privately Owned Federal Reserve as interest payments on the growing National Debt.

Mmm, indeed.

Yet I wonder how long the "teabaggers" would go before they started complaining at the lack of government services their taxes provide should they be withdrawn.

Just sayin' ...

[edit on 16 Apr 2009 by schrodingers dog]

I'm not sure that argument holds water. I can't speak to the USA, but I know here in Canada, all government services are payed for by excise and service taxes, while the income tax in it's entirety goes to pay down the National debt, which continues to grow. Not a particularly viable model, wouldn't you say?

Originally posted by schrodingers dogMmm, indeed.

Yet I wonder how long the "teabaggers" would go before they started complaining at the lack of government services their taxes provide should they be withdrawn.

Just sayin' ...

[edit on 16 Apr 2009 by schrodingers dog]

WHAT services?

I am not being facetious, I just don't know what services are provided to me by FEDERAL INCOME tax dollars.

[edit on 17-4-2009 by siouxm]

The only "despicable" thing I see is Schakowsky thinking people who use their right to protest and freedom of speech is despicable. All I see is taxes, more taxes and taxes upon taxes. You even get taxed after you die. Enough is enough and I'm all for the tea parties and tax rallies. Businesses are closing down and people are losing jobs and getting laid off. The economy is going down the tubes and people are mad as hell about it. Government is spending money we don't have and our next generation is going to pay for it. I don't see "government" closing down any of it's business. I don't see any layoffs in D.C. I don't see government sizing down. In fact they got a raise didn't they? The president buys a two thousands some dollar dog instead of saving one at the pound. Hell he won't even help out his own brother living in a hut. Promise after promise with no action is what we've gotten with these Presidents and politicians. People who care about the direction this country is going and disagree with it aren't "despicable", there Americans.

Originally posted by schrodingers dog

Originally posted by DrZERO
The Federal Income Tax is an un-needed burden on a majority of households who watch 3 months worth of their income get looted by the Federal Government, only to have itbe handed over to the Privately Owned Federal Reserve as interest payments on the growing National Debt.

Mmm, indeed.

Yet I wonder how long the "teabaggers" would go before they started complaining at the lack of government services their taxes provide should they be withdrawn.

Just sayin' ...

[edit on 16 Apr 2009 by schrodingers dog]

Analogy is cheap but I will:
I wonder how many of the clients on methadone would complain if the methadone clinic closed down...
But does that mean that methadone TASTES GREAT AND IS GOOD FOR YOU?

I fail to see how this is bashing Obama directly... I mean, weren't the bailouts originally part of Bush's plan? Isn't Obama just continuing it?


When recessions hit, there will always be those who protest against the governments taxation. It doesn't matter who is in power at the time, it doesn't matter how hard they try (or dont try), people will protest simply because they're out of work and the future looks beak.

Is it the fault of the government? It wasn't Bush nor Obama who caused the worlds financial collapse.


Let's face it, if governments got so far into controlling the economy that they could single-handedly prevent or cause a world collapse... you'd have something MUCH more real to protest about!

(Unfortunately I think a world order might just achieve that...
And it's THAT you should be focusing all this anger toward...
not this petty anger toward what you know ANY president would have done.)


Essentially, if the government doesn't bail anyone out and stands by and watches the depression coming (which seems to be what the tea-party protesters want)... people wouldn't just be rallying in protest, they'd be torching the white-house.

Sure, you might be right.
Retrospectively, it may have been better just to have let the companies collapse...

...but hindsight is 20/20, we don't have a time machine, and I guarantee you if the government stood by and did nothing, allot of unemployed angry people with nothing to do would be in the streets right now, making sure your commute to the job you still have is damn near impossible.


All in all, it's a "darned if you do, darned if you don't" scenario.

[edit on 17-4-2009 by johnsky]

They are so trying to hijack the movement the pro-liberty movement started and was growing with the Ron Paul movement... now the neo-con scum is trying to take it over.

Garofalo: Tea Party Goers Are Racists Who Hate Black President

"a bunch of teabagging rednecks," adding "this is about hating a black man in the White House. This is racism straight up."

See what they are trying to do and portraying it in the media? SEE?

If you're against the government robbing the people, you're a racist, republican neo-con, anarchist, redneck and terrorist. Now this whole BS is just waiting for Bush to support the tea parties... that would be the ultimate punch they could do to us.

This is just disgusting. America where free speech is frown upon.

It wasn't Bush nor Obama who caused the worlds financial collapse.

You're right, it's the FED. And Bush deficits. And Bush-Obama bailouts of the banks, and Obama's 2 trillions +++ deficit this year. And the 12.8 trillions given to the banks.

[edit on 17-4-2009 by Vitchilo]

Originally posted by schrodingers dog
Yet I wonder how long the "teabaggers" would go before they started complaining at the lack of government services their taxes provide should they be withdrawn.

Just sayin' ...

Teabaggers? I see you've swallowed the Democrat talking points hook, line and sinker.

Regardless, your argument is a strawman. The issue is not government services, it's profligate spending. They two do not have to go hand in hand.

reply to post by Vitchilo


Ahhhh...

Where would we be without folks like Janene Garafalo around to set us straight...what a tool.

How dare we disagree with policy decisions made by her saviour? Had Mr. McCain won, she'd have been right there with the protests.

Garafalo, and many of her ilk, are nothing short of hypocrites.

This coming from the wife of a crook?

She should be looking at the mirror, and her husband's dealings before she starts claiming that Americans peacefully protesting is despicable....

She is the despicable idiot who doesn't understand what freedom of speech is.

I'm sure someone has already stated it, but...

I never even though about how rude it was that these people were basically copying an important, proud, historical moment that was for the betterment of the entire nation. Like, even little kids know about the Boston Tea Party.

So now will they remember that more important event, or this ...propaganda... Fox-endorsed freakshow?

I don't think anyone would choose to use the historical events that form the basis of our nation for this crap. I mean, I wouldn't think they would. But they did.

I don't think we would want to use the example of the Boston Massacre for the benefit of illegal immigrant rights or something. I don't think we should have compared Lincoln to Obama. I don't think we should ever sign a bill the way we signed the Declaration Of Independence to make a statement.

I think this stuff is dumb.

Attending these "tea parties" is no great thing to be proud of, if you ask me. Considering the majority of them were largely drummed up and the campaigns to get them started created by corporate lobbyists in service to the Republican Party. Just one more deception meant to manipulate the masses into fighting against their own best interests.....

Here's a good article on the issue. Yes, I know it's at Huffington Post (a better, more reliable media source than ATS will ever be IMO), but if you have doubts, the columnist has links to all his sources highlighted in his article.

Am I a fan of the bailouts? Absolutely not. But I realize there is no perfect solution, at least nothing short of a complete and total re-boot on the American system starting with:

The re-introduction of Import Tariffs in the 10-20% range to discourage companies from sending their manufacturing overseas;

The elimination of offshore tax havens for the very rich;

100% publicly-funded elections for all levels of government (the ONLY way to get the real problem, uncontrolled lobbying and moneyed influence, out of Government forever);

The return and full-blown enforcement of the Sherman Anti-Trust Act (thus eliminating one of the other real problems we have--had Reagan and his successors not gutted this essential law, this situation would never have happened in the first place because these companies would never have been allowed to become large enough to hold our whole economy hostage--if a company is "Too Big to Fail" it's too big to be allowed to exist);

An immediate pullout from Iraq and Afghanistan and the closing of our military bases overseas, followed by a 50% (or more) reduction in our total military force by switching from the ridiculous Cold War theories of one-upsmanship and "force projection" to a truly defensive military posture--this, combined with an end to lobbying and a complete and full audit of our entire military budget and cancellation of projects we don't really need for our defense (like the world's largest open-water Navy) would spell the end of the Military-Industrial Complex as we know it and save us possibly trillions of dollars over the next ten years;

The introduction of a single-payer health care system to replace the current, bureaucracy-loaded, for-profit system we have now where insurance companies literally spend billions not only lobbying, but actively creating new ways to get away with denying coverage for their customers--not only are insurance companies not acting in their customers' or the Public's best interests, but their ever-inflating premiums to uphold their outrageous profit margins makes American businesses less competitive compared to the rest of the industrialized world where almost every other nation has a government-based health care system in place that takes care of every citizen as a right of citizenship rather than a privilege--GM pays more money from the sale of each vehicle they build for health care than they do for steel--eliminate this problem, and open up the floodgates of Profit. ONLY Government can make that possible.

Really, what it all boils down to is, we need to get over ourselves when it comes to how we see the world and our place in it. In America, everything, including your body and soul, has a price tag attached to it. When we decide, as a People, that some things just aren't meant to be reduced to a line item on an Excel spreadsheet and that neither is the Almighty Dollar the solution to happiness nor is life a race to see who can work themselves to an early grave the fastest, then we might actually start to get somewhere and truly start to perfect the "Great Experiment" that was the USA.

Sadly I don't see that happening anytime soon, because too many folks still have this idea in their heads that this is 1809 and not 2009. The frontier days are over, folks, and taxes are both a necessity to maintain a functional society and your Patriotic Duty.

How people who practically worship soldiers for giving their lives in service to this great country can throw such infantile fits because they're expected to chip in a few dollars to keep it running escapes me.

"I'd give my life but stay away from my money!"

Hm. Hard to figure that one out. Especially since 95% of Americans are seeing a net reduction in their taxes, thanks to Obama. Certainly the vast majority of the "Tea Party" attendees are.

And I keep hearing this crap about income taxes only paying on the National Debt. First, I've never seen concrete proof of this, only ramblings from the paranoid and/or people selling DVDs. I have, as yet, been unable to find a credible source. Anyone wish to provide one?

And even if it is true, what, exactly, do any of you propose in order to fix it, while maintaining our infrastructure and the stability of our Society?

Or do you see "society" itself as the problem?

Reading this thread, it looks like very few are used to being called things like "unAmerican" when they feel they have a legitimate grievance against the government. IMO they're used to calling others those names, not having them applied to themselves. Now the shoe is on the other foot and it's hard to not be the majority voice anymore.

The tea parties aren't "shameful," they are American citizens exercising their right to free speech.

But I do think they're misguided. If anyone on here remembers or has learned the history of the last Great Depression, president Herbert Hoover did exactly what the teapartiers want to do now: refused to provide any stimulus to the economy and cut way back on government spending. The result was an ever-deepening depression that eventually included over 1/3 of the nation's work force and lasted more than 10 years. The tent cities that sprang up as a result of the many who lost their homes were called "Hoovervilles" in his honor.

It took Franklin Roosevelt and his New Deal to set the country back on the road to recovery. That included a huge economic stimulus as well as government-funded jobs programs. It worked, though it took awhile to dig the country out of the deep pit it had dug for itself. Difficult as it may be for those who do not think a Democrat could ever do anything right, it did work.

What the present administration is doing--with the advice and counsel of some of the world's best economists--is what Roosevelt did. The rescue package may even now be too little too late, but it is what is desperately needed at this time. If the economy deteriorates further it will make it even harder to pay off the enormous debt we have already incurred.

Give the recovery a chance before pronouncing it dead.

[edit on 17-4-2009 by Sestias]

Ahhh double standards, don't you love them?

In 2004 I attended a protest against Bush and also attended a Kerry rally. I will say that almost everyone attending was very hateful of people that didn't think like them.

Fast forward to now; I've attended the tea party and the conservatives had little to say about liberals. They were very respectful and even separated themselves from those whom didn't understand what the tea parties are about. The counter protesters that showed up were also treated respectfully (I have video to prove it).

People, you need to understand this is not a left or right issue, its an American one. Unlike liberal protest, we are actually trying to come together on a cause that almost everyone would agree on if they knew the facts. Instead, the majority of liberals begin to label us as extremist and fanatics and the government itself seems to have joined that bandwagon.

To top it off, the far left is stretching the message and trying to confuse the American people by misconstruing the message the Tea Party is trying to get across. The message is about being fair to the American people and restoring the rights of the American people.

For those of you that are caught up in the Celebrity/Hollywood aspect that politics seems to have evolved into, you need to open your eyes and understand the government works for us. We will speak, and when the government chooses to ignore us, we will fire them.

These parties not only criticize Obama, but Bush too. So really do your research before you try and label us.

Originally posted by Sestias
Give the recovery a chance before pronouncing it dead.
[edit on 17-4-2009 by Sestias]

I'm also disgusted with the fact that Glenn Beck and his ilk so happily use Thomas Paine as a source and rallying point for these things.

Historical fact for you:

Thomas Paine was so liberal that were he alive today, he'd probably be labeled a Socialist.

Here's an excerpt from Thom Hartmann's radio show from Monday, where he speaks with historian Harvey Kaye about his new biography of Paine, and includes some points from Paine's own writings.

reply to post by Vitchilo


Vitchilo, what scares me is the link you provided to that hate-filled right-wing joke of a website.

IF this is the sort of sources that 'riled up' the tea party wannabes, then I feel for their sanity. Because it means that they are brain-washed.

Garafalo was excessive, but said the things most of us were thinking. She doesn't pull any punches....and most of it was meant to be satirical.

Olbermann too....the double entendre is just too easy not to miss a chance at some humorous jabs. C'mon!!! You know full well that Faux News does it all the time!!!

Did any FNC visuals of the events include footage of the many, many vile signs and placards being displayed at those 'parties'??

Like, the one depicting Pres. Obama in a Nazi uniform and a Hitler moustache!!! THIS is the mentality that is most frightening....these people are too easily manipulated by the PTB....even as they decry the 'elites', they don't even realize how they're being used.

Might I add, on that linked website, the misinformation regarding the bill to offer a choice for unionizing. The info was patently false, and is the misleading attempt by the big companies to muddy that topic..but, that's all I should say because it is not the discussion here...just an example to point out the biases....

*EDIT* and to Seagull, friend, I respectively disagree with your opinion on this particular issue...

[edit on 4/17/0909 by weedwhacker]