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Sorry, I was wrong about #OccupyWallStreet

October 5, 2011 Leave a comment

I dismissed this in the same way I dismissed the riots in the United Kingdom. I thought, yeah ok, there will be some protests and at best maybe there may be some in depth papers covering this simple stat which is part of what is getting people to the streets

I thought that they would be ridiculed. They were. It strengthened them. I thought that they NYPD police abuse was the end of their movement. It only gained them strength and support. I thought that the 700 arrests would destroy them. It drove students in to their willing arms.

There are no riots. There is no criminality to allow the upper 1% to simply dismiss them as criminals.

They represent ordinary people who are crying – enough is enough. Why should they face the pain of “austerity” when the very criminals who caused the collapse of the economy are rewarded?

The media first ignored #OccupyWallStreet. Now they are at the frontline. Soon they will be claiming credit, while misrepresenting the people who are speaking out.

Already Republicants are calling it “class warfare” because the 99% are now saying enough is enough.

An old message now

The 1% went one step too far.

Now they are having to fight back through the media. Of course, it is worth remembering only a few months ago every Republican Presidential candidate parroted the GOP line that they were the ones fighting crony capitalism.

Now watch the live stream

Categories: Banking, Democracy, Economy, Employment rights, Environment, Presidential Election 2012, Public sector reform, UK Politics, US Politics

The hypocrisy of the right.

September 7, 2011 Leave a comment
Categories: Birthers, Breibart, Congressional elections, Cons-Lie, Democracy, racists say such stupid things, Stupid politicians, Stupid Republicans, Tea Party, Tea Party Terrorists

“My Fellow Americans”

August 31, 2011 3 comments

What have Muslims ever done for America?

If you followed that link to an old diary of mine, you will know Muslim Americans have contributed massively to the culture of the USA. If you listen to hate radio, you will fear Muslim Americans.

This video was produced as a response to the massacre in Norway. It happened in Europe but the roots of much of that hate that led to a massacre of innocents were fostered in the US.

We can either allow a campaign of hate to continue, which only leads to horrific outcomes or we can say no to the likes of Pamela Geller and Robert Spencer.

It is up to all of us to stand up against hate. With thanks to My Fellow American.

Categories: Congressional elections, Democracy, EDL, Europe, Hate crimes, Islamophobia, UK Politics, US Politics

This is what “austerity measures” do.

August 18, 2011 5 comments

Nations choose to adopt policies that force their public into austerity.

The number of people unemployed in the UK rose by 38,000 to 2.49 million in the three months to June.

This took the jobless rate from 7.7% to 7.9%,the Office for National Statistics said.

The number of people claiming Jobseeker’s Allowance also rose, by 37,100 in July to 1.56 million, its biggest increase since May 2009.


http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/business-14555264

Of course, throwing thousands of public sector workers out of a job and squeezing the ridiculously low welfare benefits of the poorest were always going to lead to more jobs, well maybe if you had swallowed some serious drugs during your economics lessons as a Bullingdon Clubber. After all a riot is acceptable if you can throw the cash back at the place you trashed.

The official figures also showed that between April and June:

  • The youth unemployment rate rose to 20.2%, up from 20% in the quarter to March
  • There were 949,000 16 to 24-year-olds without work, a rise of 15,000
  • The number of unemployed men increased by 18,000 to 1.45 million
  • The level of unemployed women rose by 21,000 to 1.05 million – the highest figure since May 1988
  • The number of employees working part-time because they could not find a full-time job increased by 83,000 to 1.26 million – the highest figure since comparable records began in 1992
  • The unemployment rate remained the highest in the north-east of England, at 10%
  • The south-east of England still had the lowest rate of unemployment, with a rate of 5.8%
  • The unemployment rate in Scotland was unchanged at 7.7%, in Wales it jumped to 8.4%, and in Northern Ireland it crept up to 7.3%
  • Average weekly earnings, including bonuses, were 2.6% higher than a year ago
Just to add to the last point, inflation is nearing 5%.

Meanwhile, in the Countries that decided not to starve their poor, the economy is rebounding very nicely, thank you very much.

Categories: Banking, BRIC Nations, Coalition government, Congress, Cons-Lie, Conservative, Democracy, Democratic Party, Economy, Employment rights, Europe, Liberal Democrat, News, President Barack Obama, Republicans, Stupid MP's, Stupid politicians, Tax and taxation, UK Politics

Bronze age Mutant Ninja Turtle…… “Tax the Rich”.

August 11, 2011 1 comment
Many Republican candidates are, in fact, holding fast to the no-new-taxes position that Bush embraced and then abandoned, even as they try to portray themselves as friends of senior citizens and the disadvantaged. Others are sounding more and more like populist Democrats. ‘Unlike some folks around here, I think everyone should pay their fair share, including the rich,’ Sen. Mitch McConnell, R-Ky., says in a campaign ad

More hypocrisy, of course it is a Republican:

A twist of untraditional Republicanism is added to McConnell’s message when he says, ‘Unlike some folks around here, I think everyone should pay their fair share, including the rich. We need to protect seniors from Medicare cuts too,’” wrote Roll Call reporter Steve Lilienthal. “After proclaiming his independence from the President and Congressional leaders, McConnell reassures voters that he will back a ‘fair deal for the working families of Kentucky.’” <”Democrats Flood Airwaves Charging GOP Party of Rich,” Roll Call, 11/5/1990


http://thinkprogress.org/economy/2011/08/10/293153/mcco…
 /

Iron Age Mutant Ninja Turtle.:

What I can pretty certainly say to the American people, the chances of any kind of tax increase passing with this, with the appointees that John Boehner and I are going to put on there, are pretty low,”


Loser in a half sell

Categories: Birthers, Congressional elections, Cons-Lie, Democracy, Economy, Employment rights, Hillbuzz, Presidential Election 2012, Public sector reform, Racism, racists say such stupid things, Stupid politicians, Stupid Republicans, Tax and taxation, Tea Party, Tea Party Terrorists, US Politics

The Republican Party is offically the political wing of a terrorist network.

August 4, 2011 1 comment

As stocks nose-dive after the US voluntarily decided to follow the path of Portugal, Ireland, Greece and Spain, the Leader of the Political wing of the Tea Party Terrorists admitted he was nothing more than a hostage taker.

“I think some of our members may have thought the default issue was a hostage you might take a chance at shooting,” he said. “Most of us didn’t think that. What we did learn is this — it’s a hostage that’s worth ransoming. And it focuses the Congress on something that must be done.”

McConnell also stated that he “could imagine doing this again.” In other words, expect the Republican Party to play the part of hostage taking terrorists every time the debt ceiling needs to be raised. And every time the future of America is at stake. This shows how little the Republican Party cares about America and the American people. So next time the right-wing proclaims their love for America, remember that they were willing and are always willing to shoot America in the head for political gain.


http://www.addictinginfo.org/2011/08/04/mitch-mcconnell…
 /

For the millions of people who will now (in many cases again) face unemployment FUCK YOU VERY MUCH. To the TeaBaggers who think cutting jobs creates more jobs – I hope yours is first and I really do hope the government does get out of YOUR medicaid first.

Categories: Banking, Birthers, Breibart, Cons-Lie, Democracy, Economy, Fox News, GOP Primaries, Presidential Election 2012, Public sector reform, racists say such stupid things, Sarah Palin, Stupid Republicans, Tax and taxation, Tea Party, Tea Party Terrorists, US Politics

While real incomes for ordinary people fell 15%, 1473 of the $1m+ per year earners paid NO US income tax

August 4, 2011 3 comments

Ordinary families have much lower salaries and pay a much greater share of their income as tax for fewer government services.

Average income in 2009 was at its lowest level since 1997 when it was $54,265 in 2009 dollars, just $18 less than in 2009. The data come from annual Statistics of Income tables that were updated Wednesday.

The average tax rate was 11.4 percent, up from 10.5 percent in 2007, the Internal Revenue Service data showed
While the very richest paid nothing.

No income tax was paid by 1,470 of the 235,413 taxpayers earning $1 million or more in 2009, compared with the 959 taxpayers with million-dollar-plus incomes who paid no income taxes in 2007.

Categories: Banking, Coalition government, Congressional elections, Cons-Lie, Crime, Democracy, Economy, Employment rights, Tax and taxation, Tea Party, Tea Party Terrorists, UK Politics, US Politics

When the left sleeps the right wins

August 3, 2011 Leave a comment

The Tea Party protested in support of cuts. There was no answer from the left in America. The largest protest group in the US, with the exception of Wisconsin is the Tea Party, campaigning for their own redundancy notices.

When the Tories attacked social security in the UK there was no protest, sure the middle class and rich protested against student fees (which actually benefit the poorest) but welfare, nowhere.

Austerity budgets lead to more austerity. The great plan for Europe was to ride the wave of a resurgent US and a growing China. Say goodbye to the idea of a resurgent US.

The only budget that would have actually started to cut into the US National Debt would have been that proposed by the Progressive Caucus. It still makes that passed by the right wing UK look “far left” (UK top rate taxes of 50% and a partial removal of the National Insurance (Social Security cap). It was however completely ignored in media debates. The left was represented by the “middle”, that of President Obama. The right was the Tea Party and the middle was somewhere in between the two. A position far more right wing than anything Bush could have proposed.

We can not and should not blame the President for this. The message from November was clear from those selling that message. Cuts are wanted. That is the message that was sent to the President. That is the message Washington heard. That is the message the IMF and the Credit Agencies are forcing down the throat of European Nations.

We scream only at our own side. There has been no effective answer to the right.

There are real alternatives to austerity. Germany reduced their working week. Everyone took a hit but few became unemployed. They are now booming. They have no need to cut their social programmes and they have absolutely no desire to cut their social programmes to bail out Nations who did not do what they did.

In our great Anglo-American Economy, the richest 1% have had their incomes grow massively while those at the bottom are being forced to pay. The top end market for house prices in London has never been higher. The bottom end has collapsed because ordinary people can not get mortgages. Who paid to bail out the banks to save the wealth of the top? Ordinary every day workers.

An Empire died 20 years ago because they gave a higher priority to military spending than spending on their own people. Another Empire is now coming to an end.

Categories: Afghanistan, Banking, Birthers, Breibart, BRIC Nations, Coalition government, Congressional elections, Cons-Lie, Conservative, Democracy, Democratic Party, Economy, Employment rights, Europe, Military, President Barack Obama, Republicans, Stupid Republicans, Tax and taxation, Tea Party, Tea Party Terrorists, UK Politics, US Politics

This is why America cannot have nice things

August 2, 2011 2 comments

(or even semi crappy underfunded things that at least provide a basic service)

LIEBERMAN: I want to indicate today to my colleagues that Senator Coburn and I are working again on a bipartisan proposal to secure Social Security over the long term, we hope to have that done in time. To also forward to the special committee for their consideration. So, bottom line, we can’t protect these entitlements and also have the national defense we need to protect us in a dangerous world while we’re at war with Islamist extremists who attacked us on 9/11 and will be for a long time to come.

Sorry grannies, we need 1000 of your pensions to buy another missile. Keep on working, the war machine needs your social security.

Categories: Afghanistan, Birthers, Cons-Lie, Democracy, Democratic Party, Economy, Fox News, Islamophobia, President Barack Obama, Presidential Election 2012, Public sector reform, Republicans, Senate, Tax and taxation, Tea Party, Tea Party Terrorists, US Politics

Oh Mr Murdoch, what a tangled web we weave as we set out to deceive

July 19, 2011 3 comments


http://www.businessweek.com/europe/graphic-news-corps-tangled-web-07142011-gfx.html

This is not the fall of the British, Australian or US governments. It is something better. It is their final break from the clutches of the Murdoch empire. No longer will Murdoch be able to dictate the agenda of these governments, no longer will he be able to
blackmail or threaten the Leaders of the main political parties in those Countries.

Imagine how Blair would be viewed without the ugliness of the Iraq war.
Imagine if the Murdoch press had no ability to push the Swift-Boaters.
Imagine if Fox had no ability to push the creation of “The Tea Party”, the only protest group in the World campaigning for cuts in government spending.
Imagine a congress free from the threats of the Murdoch press.

Imagine no more.

Being associated with Murdoch is now a poison. His empire may not be bust, News Corp and News International are massively profitable but they are now impotent. This impotence is likely to be the best result for democracy since universal franchise. We may even see the rise of sensible Republicans as a result.

Categories: Crime, Democracy, Fox News, Presidential Election 2012, Stupid MP's, Stupid politicians, UK Politics, US Politics
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