"Unthinking drones"... ?

[98valk]

from Stansberry & Associates;

Yes, we certainly enjoyed our week's vacation from our vocation as money-grubbing scribblers. However, not even the peaceful sounds of the ocean lapping against Miami Beach could prevent our ears from assault by three of the stupidest comments ever made by sentient human beings. Unfortunately these statements were made by no less than the Secretary of State, the Speaker of the House, and the CEO of a major U.S. corporation. In today's Digest, I'll debunk your faith in humanity... but you might find yourself laughing. Sometimes it's all you can do when faced with the enormity of the problems facing our country and the ignominy of our leadership.

 Let me begin with Hillary Clinton. God bless her. Has there ever been a more unfortunate woman in history? She wasn't qualified to pick a spouse, let alone run the foreign affairs of the United States. And now this... Let history record that economics has never entered her mind. Hillary was comparing the United States to Brazil recently when she said: "Brazil has the highest tax-to-GDP rate in the Western Hemisphere and guess what – it's growing like crazy."

She was implying that if we raised tax rates on the rich, our economy would improve. And just to remind the audience of exactly what she meant, she began her talk by pointing out a theme that's growing in popularity in Washington these days: "The rich aren't paying their fair share," she said. Never mind the fact that the "rich" pay for the vast majority of government and roughly 50% of American citizens pay no federal income tax at all. What Hillary either didn't know or didn't care to mention was the highest income tax rate in Brazil is 27.5% – even lower than the Reagan-era rates her husband jacked up. Compared to the 43% rates "the rich" will be paying this January, Brazil seems like a tax haven for wealthy Americans.

 It's hard to believe Hillary could be so woefully ignorant of the real lesson the Brazil economy demonstrates: Lower rates of tax generate far more revenue (as a % of GDP) than do steeply progressive rates like we have in the United States. The reason is utterly simple and intuitive to every person who has ever had a real job: Nobody likes to give half his paycheck to the government. As any economist (liberal or conservative) would tell you, steeply progressive taxes result in lower economic growth, higher unemployment, and vastly more tax avoidance. When will the Democratic party cease its attempts to capitalize on class demagoguery and adopt sensible economic policies?

 Washington D.C. is the Daytona 500 of uselessness, ignorance, and vaingloriousness. You can imagine it as a giant toilet bowl, with all of the politicians racing into the sewer. There's Hillary, sitting right on the pole – far in the lead. I never imagined someone could overtake her on the race to the bottom. But I seriously underestimated the mind-blowing ignorance of Nancy Pelosi...

 On July 1, Pelosi proclaimed in a weekly press briefing that the best way to stimulate the economy was to extend unemployment benefits – beyond the two-year limit. "It injects demand into the economy... It creates jobs faster than almost any other initiative you can name."

 Silence. There's nothing but stunned silence. And the growing realization that these people (our leaders) have no idea what they're doing...

 Pelosi is the daughter of a congressman. She went to college in Washington D.C., interning for senators. She married out of college and raised five children. Then, in 1987, she won a special election in California's Eighth District, where only 15% of the voters are registered Republicans. It is probably the "safest" Democratic seat in Congress.

In short, Pelosi has spent her entire life in government – sitting in a guaranteed seat. She has never run a business, held a regular job, or employed anyone in her entire life (actually her husband owns businesses and uses her inside info and law passage to profit. CA). I'm sure she believes what she said – that the government should simply support everyone and doing so is the quickest way to improve the economy. It is all she knows. As she said: "It's impossible to think of a situation where we would have a country that would say we're not going to have unemployment benefits."

 Actually, Nancy... until 1935 there was no federal role whatsoever in unemployment benefits. Such arrangements were organized voluntarily by trade associations and unions – and were self-funded. It didn't occur to Americans that they ought to be responsible for someone else's unemployment insurance until Franklin Delano Roosevelt showed how the newly expanded electorate had changed politics in America forever. Campaigning with the explicit promise to rob your neighbors was good politics. And it has been ever since. The irony is, such policies have now become so mainstream that politicians like Pelosi don't even remember where they came from or their party's role in creating them. Nor do the politicians yet understand that believing in these ideas – that everyone can live at the expense of their neighbors – will lead to a catastrophic financial collapse, a situation that' s well underway right now.

 It's hard to make money based on the dumb things politicians say. But what about when the CEO of a large, publicly traded company says something that's so glaringly stupid you begin to question not only his competence, but his sanity? Ah... that's much easier.

On Barnes & Noble's recent quarterly conference call, the company's chairman, Leonard Riggio, said his firm's new digital ebook – the Nook – would actually lead to an increase in store traffic. That's insane. The ability to buy books instantly over wireless networks at vastly lower prices than hardback has been gutting Barnes and Noble's same-store sales figures. And with both Apple and Amazon competing in the digital book space, Barnes & Noble's ability to make a profit selling digital books is in serious doubt.

The stock fell 20% – in one day – following Riggio's comments.

[Chrisj CMA]

"unthinking drones" now if that isint sugar coating it!  I totally agree about how useless these clowns are from "president" obama through his cabinet to all the house and senate.....useless!

I know some of you will balk when I say I heard this on Glenn Beck, but run this logic through your wee brain and see if it doenst make sense.

What were the 1920's called?  Yep!  The roaring 20's because things were on the mend.  The problem is the progressives, like Hilary (self proclaimed progressive) have rewritten history....they dont want us to remember that just before the roaring 20's was the DEPRESSION of 1920 and it was fixed ushering in the roaring 20's by...get this, its rocket science here  SHRINKING THE FEDERAL GOVERNMENT, CUTTING SPENDING AND REDUCING TAXES.  Wow, such a bizzarre concept.....see if thats how the past would be taught and remembered then this spend spend spend and tax our way to prosperity wouldnt hold any water.

Flame away...........I wont argue, because if you are still behind a man that will stand with Mexico in a law suit against our own country (AZ), and a man who will purposely kill almost half a million jobs by imposing an unecessary drilling embargo in the gulf in a time when we cant afford job loss because he ran up trillions in debt........and supports racist, voter fraud and voter intimidation and will do nothing to stop it.......than Im sorry youre foolish

[Jess from VA]

Washington D.C. is the Daytona 500 of uselessness, ignorance, and vaingloriousness. You can imagine it as a giant toilet bowl, with all of the politicians racing into the sewer. There's Hillary, sitting right on the pole far in the lead. I never imagined someone could overtake her on the race to the bottom. But I seriously underestimated the mind-blowing ignorance of Nancy Pelosi...

Silence. There's nothing but stunned silence. And the growing realization that these people (our leaders) have no idea what they're doing...

Nor do the politicians yet understand that believing in these ideas that everyone can live at the expense of their neighbors will lead to a catastrophic financial collapse, a situation that' s well underway right now.

Truer words were never spoken....................

[TearlessTom]

I am speechless, to bad they aren't!

[x]

CA, the subject of your post fits you to a T!  Drone on!

[TearlessTom]

CA, the subject of your post fits you to a T!  Drone on!

Is there a way I can BLOCK se's comments. I really don't care to hear anything the A.H. has to say.

Any comments on the US from someoone who does not live here or pay taxes here are null and void.

And yes se I am HAPPYto make your list I think I will be in good company!!!!

[RoadKill]

CA, the subject of your post fits you to a T!  Drone on!

Is there a way I can BLOCK se's comments. I really don't care to hear anything the A.H. has to say.

Any comments on the US from someoone who does not live here or pay taxes here are null and void.

And yes se I am HAPPYto make your list I think I will be in good company!!!!

We need him to encourage the other Non-thinking Obama lovers to leave this country while their mentality destroys it. Pretty smart if you ask me..It's safer . Liberal MORONS set that big eared time bomb in the Oval office and S.E. knew enough to run for cover before it all explodes.

You either stand and fight...OR RUN ! His choice is obvious,now if he would take some of the others with him........

[TearlessTom]

hummm. Good point, I didn't think of that. They can form a Commune of Kool Aid Drinking Drones.  aka the  C.K.D.D
Still it really irks me for those who have nothing at stake to be sooooo self righteous and indignant.

You would think that if he actually rides a Valk he would have some redeeming qualities but nope can't find any.!

[RoadKill]

hummm. Good point, I didn't think of that. They can form a Commune of Kool Aid Drinkers.  aka the C.K.D.D

Still it really irks me for those who have nothing at stake to be sooooo self righteous and indignant.

You would think that if he actually rides a Valk he would have some redeeming qualities but nope can't find any.!

C.K.D.D ! ! LMAO 

What Irks me MORE are the ones with every thing at stake that are too ignorant (in their own comfortable,sheltered little world) to see that they are going to be responsible when the welfare bubble BURSTS. They are either dumb enough to believe it can be sustained forever or so selfish that they dont care. As long as they can  put off the inevitable so long they dont have to see it. 

[Scanner]

"unthinking drones" now if that isint sugar coating it!  I totally agree about how useless these clowns are from "president" obama through his cabinet to all the house and senate.....useless!

I know some of you will balk when I say I heard this on Glenn Beck, but run this logic through your wee brain and see if it doenst make sense.

What were the 1920's called?  Yep!  The roaring 20's because things were on the mend.  The problem is the progressives, like Hilary (self proclaimed progressive) have rewritten history....they dont want us to remember that just before the roaring 20's was the DEPRESSION of 1920 and it was fixed ushering in the roaring 20's by...get this, its rocket science here  SHRINKING THE FEDERAL GOVERNMENT, CUTTING SPENDING AND REDUCING TAXES.  Wow, such a bizzarre concept.....see if thats how the past would be taught and remembered then this spend spend spend and tax our way to prosperity wouldnt hold any water.

Flame away...........I wont argue, because if you are still behind a man that will stand with Mexico in a law suit against our own country (AZ), and a man who will purposely kill almost half a million jobs by imposing an unecessary drilling embargo in the gulf in a time when we cant afford job loss because he ran up trillions in debt........and supports racist, voter fraud and voter intimidation and will do nothing to stop it.......than Im sorry youre foolish

Hey Chris, so how did them roaring 20's end up working out?

[PAVALKER]

from Stansberry & Associates;

Never mind the fact that the "rich" pay for the vast majority of government and roughly 50% of American citizens pay no federal income tax at all.

I wouldn't argue or disagree with majority of the quoted text.... but this one "fact" caught my eye and I think I will raise the BS flag on it.  I seriously doubt the "rich" pay for the vast majority of government...... unless it is meant to infer that they bribe and buy the vast majority of government officials...  And what about this "fact" of roughly 50% of the American citizens pay no federal income tax at all????  How rough of a figure is that and where is that even documented.???   I think the author just might be confused by the term "American Citizens" and meant to say "population", and the population would then include those non citizen illegal person types who do not pay taxes yet reap government benefits....   Just my observation and opinion.....  

[Doc Moose]

On Barnes & Noble's recent quarterly conference call, the company's chairman, Leonard Riggio, said his firm's new digital ebook “ the Nook “ would actually lead to an increase in store traffic. That's insane. The ability to buy books instantly over wireless networks at vastly lower prices than hardback has been gutting Barnes and Noble's same-store sales figures. And with both Apple and Amazon competing in the digital book space, Barnes & Noble's ability to make a profit selling digital books is in serious doubt.

Gain on  one end and lose on the other?  Probably a gain in store traffic as people check out the "Nook".  (SO has one, loves it.)  Riggio's comments may be insane looking at first, but he may be dumb like a fox.
It may get people reading more (just not the inane posts on forum boards    lol ).  Not all new books are available as digital ebooks at first. (i.e. the Harry Potter series - and it never will be an ebook according to the author.)  It's kind of like DVD movie releases: Hardback, then paperback & ebooks last. 
From what I saw in the reviews, feature for feature, B&N may have hit a home run with the "Nook".  It's very much like the IPad, etc. but it's main emphasis is on text for reading.  (Yes, you can do email and surf the net with it.)
If it gets people reading more, there is an increased chance that they'll be in the bookstore sooner or later.  Prolly want that free offer of Starbucks coffee if they bring their Nook into B&N! 

Sorry to digress from the politico bickering.

[98valk]

On Barnes & Noble's recent quarterly conference call, the company's chairman, Leonard Riggio, said his firm's new digital ebook “ the Nook “ would actually lead to an increase in store traffic. That's insane. The ability to buy books instantly over wireless networks at vastly lower prices than hardback has been gutting Barnes and Noble's same-store sales figures. And with both Apple and Amazon competing in the digital book space, Barnes & Noble's ability to make a profit selling digital books is in serious doubt.

Gain on  one end and lose on the other?  Probably a gain in store traffic as people check out the "Nook".  (SO has one, loves it.)  Riggio's comments may be insane looking at first, but he may be dumb like a fox.
It may get people reading more (just not the inane posts on forum boards    lol ).  Not all new books are available as digital ebooks at first. (i.e. the Harry Potter series - and it never will be an ebook according to the author.)  It's kind of like DVD movie releases: Hardback, then paperback & ebooks last. 
From what I saw in the reviews, feature for feature, B&N may have hit a home run with the "Nook".  It's very much like the IPad, etc. but it's main emphasis is on text for reading.  (Yes, you can do email and surf the net with it.)
If it gets people reading more, there is an increased chance that they'll be in the bookstore sooner or later.  Prolly want that free offer of Starbucks coffee if they bring their Nook into B&N! 

Sorry to digress from the politico bickering.

why do u leave off the part where the stock dropped 20% after his comments?

[Serk]

Is there a way I can BLOCK se's comments. I really don't care to hear anything the A.H. has to say.

Remind me to bug the admins after Inzane - http://www.valkyrieforum.com/bbs/index.php/topic,17928.0.html

They said they'd be willing to install that feature, but to let them deal with pulling off Inzane first...

PAVALKER -

The latest data show that a big portion of the federal income tax burden is shoul­dered by a small group of the very richest Americans. The wealthiest 1 percent of the population earn 19 per­cent of the income but pay 37 percent of the income tax. The top 10 percent pay 68 percent of the tab. Meanwhile, the bottom 50 percent—those below the median income level—now earn 13 percent of the income but pay just 3 percent of the taxes. These are proportions of the income tax alone and don’t include payroll taxes for Social Security and Medicare.

Source - http://www.american.com/archive/2007/november-december-magazine-contents/guess-who-really-pays-the-taxes

[TearlessTom]

Is there a way I can BLOCK se's comments. I really don't care to hear anything the A.H. has to say.

Remind me to bug the admins after Inzane - http://www.valkyrieforum.com/bbs/index.php/topic,17928.0.html

They said they'd be willing to install that feature, but to let them deal with pulling off Inzane first...

PAVALKER -

Awesome, I will kick in some too if needed. It would be worth it not to hear/read some / one of the posters BS. I would be happy to be oblivious to his remarks.

[Walküre]

And what about this "fact" of roughly 50% of the American citizens pay no federal income tax at all????  How rough of a figure is that and where is that even documented.???   I think the author just might be confused by the term "American Citizens" and meant to say "population", and the population would then include those non citizen illegal person types who do not pay taxes yet reap government benefits....   Just my observation and opinion.....  

I really didn't want to get in this dogfight, but having spent 25 years in So Cal, and on the border, one thing that a lot of people don't realize, and I rarely see mentioned, is that a LOT of illegals, work for legitimate companies, and either lie, or make up social security numbers, and forge documents. On those people, taxes ARE taken out. And, again, a LOT of those people, never claim tax refunds. I'm not making ANY judgement, on any of this, except to point out, that there are a number of undocumented's, that DO pay taxes, and end up paying more than they would have, as a citizen that claims a refund...I don't have ANY numbers, or anything, just know first-hand knowledge, that it happens.

http://www.bvonmoney.com/2010/03/05/irs-1-3-billion-unclaimed-tax-refunds/

[Tropic traveler]

Inquiring minds do want to know.....  If raising taxes is a good thing can any supporters of higher taxes name one country that has taxed itself into prosperity?
The drones want to know.

[Scanner]

Inquiring minds do want to know.....  If raising taxes is a good thing can any supporters of higher taxes name one country that has taxed itself into prosperity?
The drones want to know.

hmmm...guess I missed the claim about higher taxes bring "prosperity".  I do know that cutting taxes (federal income) and then maxing out the national credit card like the repubs did just adds to the debt.  And now the interest on that debt is becoming our #1 expenditure.

But don't worry, you may have noticed your refund was larger than expected?  That's because Obama actually cut your taxes if you make less than 250K.  That's what 30% of his stimulus was - tax cuts.  Due to the near economic collapse Bush left us with, tax cuts and stimulus are required.  But tax cuts for the middle and lower class, not for the top, because the working people inject that money right back into the economy.

[RoadKill]

And what about this "fact" of roughly 50% of the American citizens pay no federal income tax at all????  How rough of a figure is that and where is that even documented.???   I think the author just might be confused by the term "American Citizens" and meant to say "population", and the population would then include those non citizen illegal person types who do not pay taxes yet reap government benefits....   Just my observation and opinion.....  

I really didn't want to get in this dogfight, but having spent 25 years in So Cal, and on the border, one thing that a lot of people don't realize, and I rarely see mentioned, is that a LOT of illegals, work for legitimate companies, and either lie, or make up social security numbers, and forge documents. On those people, taxes ARE taken out. And, again, a LOT of those people, never claim tax refunds. I'm not making ANY judgement, on any of this, except to point out, that there are a number of undocumented's, that DO pay taxes, and end up paying more than they would have, as a citizen that claims a refund...I don't have ANY numbers, or anything, just know first-hand knowledge, that it happens.

http://www.bvonmoney.com/2010/03/05/irs-1-3-billion-unclaimed-tax-refunds/

That is an EXCELLENT point,one I have heard before with out numbers to support it but one would be foolish to believe it doesnt happen. It would also foolish of them to claim any more than the minimum deductions.

If I pay some taxes,lie about everything else,forge some documents and use some dead persons social security number.....then I wont have to follow the law of the land either? Does that mean I get welfare on top of my legitimate paycheck ?  I can just keep forging different identities every time I get a criminal record as long as I pay off the Govt. with some tax withholdings ?  SWEET ! ! Sign me up! Will I have to forge a Mexican birth certificate before I forge an American one? What if I am from Kenya?

[Billy]

I think I just got bitten by a radioactive spyder. I'll let everyone know in a few days. This may be the answer to all our problems. 

[Doc Moose]

CA ExhaustCoatings
"why do u leave off the part where the stock dropped 20% after his comments?"

Didn't think it important to my reply as it was off topic to the politico banter. 

[RoadKill]

I think I just got bitten by a radioactive spyder. I'll let everyone know in a few days. This may be the answer to all our problems. 

Just drink the "kool-aid" . It will counter act any physical or mental improvements.

just dont overdose or you may have delusions of Obama ,possibly register democrat,denounce your country,expect EVERYTHING for NOTHING,think that spending more per month than you make saves you money and can grow your bank account,using the toaster in the shower is 'OK' because it didn't say not to on the box and if you have an erection lasting more than 4 hrs...... call every one you know to brag about it!