9/12 tea party in D.C.

[Mraughh]

Just curious if anyone went today. I went to the one here at the Colorado capital today with a couple friends. We were told at the event that there were approx. 1.5 million protesters who showed up at the D.C. one which is a bit different than the Post reported.

http://www.denverpost.com/ci_13323410

WASHINGTON—Tens of thousands of protesters fed up with government spending marched to the U.S. Capitol on Saturday, showing their disdain for the president's health care plan with slogans such as "Obamacare makes me sick" and "I'm not your ATM."

The line of protesters clogged several blocks near capitol, according to the D.C. Homeland Security and Emergency Management Agency. Demonstrators chanted "enough, enough" and "We the People." Others yelled "You lie, you lie!" and "Pelosi has to go," referring to House Speaker Nancy Pelosi, D-Calif.

Throngs of people waved U.S. flags and held signs reading "Go Green Recycle Congress" and "I'm Not Your ATM." Men wore colonial costumes as they listened to speakers who warned of "judgment day"—Election Day 2010.

Other signs—reflecting the growing intensity of the health care debate—depicted President Barack Obama with the signature mustache of Nazi dictator Adolf Hitler. Many made reference to Obama as a socialist or communist, and another imposed his face on that of the villainous Joker from "Batman."

Richard Brigle, 57, a Vietnam War veteran and former Teamster, came from Paw Paw, Mich. He said health care needs to be reformed—but not according to Obama's plan.

"My grandkids are going to be paying for this. It's going to cost too much money that we don't have," he said while marching, bracing himself with a wooden cane as he walked.

FreedomWorks Foundation, a conservative organization led by former House Majority Leader Dick Armey, organized several groups from across the country for what they billed as a "March on Washington."

Organizers say they built on momentum from the April "tea party" demonstrations held nationwide to protest tax policies, along with growing resentment over the economic stimulus packages and bank bailouts.

Armey and other speakers directed their ire at Pelosi—Armey took a photo, telling the crowd he wanted to be able to prove to her they were there.

"If it's necessary, we'll come back here next year," he said.

Many protesters said they paid their own way to the event—an ethic they believe should be applied to the government. They say unchecked spending on things like a government-run health insurance option could increase inflation and lead to economic ruin.

Terri Hall, 45, of Starke, Fla., said she felt compelled to become political for the first time this year because she was upset by government spending.

"Our government has lost sight of the powers they were granted," she said. She added that the deficit spending was out of control, and said she thought it was putting the country at risk.

Race also became an issue when a black Republican leader denounced African-American politicians that she said had an "affinity" for socialism.

"I'm outraged prominent black politicians use the race card" to cover up their failed policies, said Deneen Borelli.

Lawmakers also supported the rally. Rep. Mike Pence, chairman of the House Republican Conference, said Americans want health care reform but they don't want a government takeover.

"Republicans, Democrats and independents are stepping up and demanding we put our fiscal house in order," Pence, of Indiana, told The Associated Press.

"I think the overriding message after years of borrowing, spending and bailouts is enough is enough."

Rep. Tom Price, R-Ga., and Sen. Jim DeMint, R-S.C., also spoke at the rally. DeMint said he'd had enough of "Alice in Wonderland" politicians promising more programs at the risk of financial disaster.

"The president has warned us if we disagree with him he's going to call us out," DeMint said. "Well, Mr. President, we are out."

Norman Kennedy, 64, of Charleston, S.C., said he wants to send a message to federal lawmakers that America is "deeply in debt." He said though he'd like everyone to have free health care, he said there's no money to pay for it.

"We want change and we're going to get change," Kennedy said. "I want to see fiscal responsibility and if that means changing Congress that will be a means to that end."

Other sponsors of the rally include the Heartland Institute, Americans for Tax Reform and the Ayn Rand Center for Individuals Rights. Other scheduled speakers included actor Stephen Baldwin and C. Boyden Gray, who worked under the administration of George H.W. Bush.

[RetPara]

No one showed up.... the pictures proved it....

http://ow.ly/p73V

[jane]

Were there many in Colorado? I'm going to a local one.

[jane]

No one showed up.... the pictures proved it....

http://ow.ly/p73V


Wow. Thank you for posting this.

[grog18b]

Doesn't matter how many people were there. They were all crazy, nuts, who cling to their religion and guns, and now, apparently want to cling to their money too.

Statement from the Administration... "Bush was bad. No further comment."

[Bravo Five Romeo]

Doesn't matter how many people were there. They were all crazy, nuts, who cling to their religion and guns, and now, apparently want to cling to their money too.
Not all of them.

But there are always some extremist nuts that show up to these things.
I bet I know one network that won't be showing these pictures from today's rally.

http://twitpic.com/show/large/hhlw1

http://twitpic.com/show/large/hhlk6

http://twitpic.com/show/large/hh0vl

http://twitpic.com/show/large/hhu64

[jane]

Not all of them.

But there are always some extremist nuts that show up to these things.
I bet I know one network that won't be showing these pictures from today's rally.

http://twitpic.com/show/large/hhlw1



Yeah, but isn't the blond hot?
Which network wouldn't show the pix from today's rally?
And you're right about extremist nuts. I've had some experience with the "purple shirted Nazis" who are SEIU.

[Looon]

I bet I know one network that won't be showing these pictures from today's rally.

Yeah, and I bet all the other networks didn't even cover it. And they didn't because I looked.

[Mraughh]

Were there many in Colorado? I'm going to a local one.

I'd guesstimate 500ish showed up this morning. They're holding a candlelight vigil at 5pm also. Denver is a liberal stronghold along with being a sanctuary city so it don't surprise me that so few showed up. There's a parade downtown tomorrow to celebrate Mexico's independence day.....:confused: si habla espanol amiga? :biggrin:

[Kay]

I need one of these shirts:

http://twitpic.com/show/thumb/hhkrn

[Steve83]

Not all of them.

But there are always some extremist nuts that show up to these things.
I bet I know one network that won't be showing these pictures from today's rally.



You are smart enough to know that there will be some signs like that.

Distasteful, but why dignify them?

[stanpunjabTrini]

I see everything from Obama is still a Muslim, he was born in Indonesia, something about Muslim Aliens (from Mexico, I guess), Hollywood and skankho's signboard to Nazi references! Where is the real hate? and the real issues?
God Bless America who gives us the right to picket!

[Parajuevos]

The people of America are speaking up and the momentum is building.

We don't want trillion dollar deficits.

We don't want socialized medicine.

We don't want anymore communist "Czars" put in charge of programs and departments that affect our lives.

Those of us, who don't break out in hives, at the mention of the word "work," want to keep capitalism. We reject this administrations attempt to march us down the path to socialism.

Attention leftists: We are here and we aren't going away. Get use to us. You have never heard our voices before but you will never shut us up, ever again. Your attempts at intimidation are a thing of the past. We are shoving back and if you don't step aside, we will steam roll right over the top of you.

You can call us racists, Nazis, bigots, thugs, rednecks, fishy people or anything else you choose. Your politics of finger pointing and blaming others are not resonating with the majority anymore. We are tired of your con game and your Saul Alinsky type tactics. The gig is up. Your day has passed. You're finished and we will prove it in 2010 and again in 2012.

Look around you, lefty. Look at how many people are showing up at tea parties and demonstrations around the country.

Marginalize us if you must but when you finally get your head out of the sand or, in some cases, out of your asses you will find that "Centrist America" has spoken and sent you and your socialist compatriots to hell.

You have had your last hurrah.

[Silverbullet]

Pic from traffic camera.

9224

[Silverbullet]

Yeah, and I bet all the other networks didn't even cover it. And they didn't because I looked.

Exactly. He just wanted to post the pics of the lunatic fringe.

[Blackjack78]

Not all of them.

But there are always some extremist nuts that show up to these things.
I bet I know one network that won't be showing these pictures from today's rally.

http://twitpic.com/show/large/hhlw1

http://twitpic.com/show/large/hhlk6

http://twitpic.com/show/large/hh0vl

http://twitpic.com/show/large/hhu64

Come on bro, those signs are are benign compared to signs at George W Bush protests. I didn't see one sign that said to kill the present POTUS. I have seen many that said to kill Bush. http://newsbusters.org/blogs/noel-sheppard/2009/08/20/media-didnt-care-about-protest-signs-threatening-bush I've seen worse at the RNC protests in our fair city.

[Parajuevos]

Come on bro, those signs are are benign compared to signs at George W Bush protests. I didn't see one sign that said to kill the present POTUS. I have seen many that said to kill Bush. http://newsbusters.org/blogs/noel-sheppard/2009/08/20/media-didnt-care-about-protest-signs-threatening-bush I've seen worse at the RNC protests in our fair city.

Excellent post.

The left is good at dishing it out but they cry giant crocodile tears when just one kook, from the opposing side, has the audacity to come up with a sign that is as stupid as the majority of their signs.

As a cop, like you, I can attest to the infantile and imbecilic behavior of the leftist idiots, at the scores of demonstrations that I have policed, with their moronic hey, hey, ho, ho chants, their childish costumes and props and the booger eating nerdish behavior that they display. In short, they make me want to puke.

[txb&b]

The people of America are speaking up and the momentum is building.

We don't want trillion dollar deficits.

We don't want socialized medicine.

We don't want anymore communist "Czars" put in charge of programs and departments that affect our lives.

Those of us, who don't break out in hives, at the mention of the word "work," want to keep capitalism. We reject this administrations attempt to march us down the path to socialism.

Attention leftists: We are here and we aren't going away. Get use to us. You have never heard our voices before but you will never shut us up, ever again. Your attempts at intimidation are a thing of the past. We are shoving back and if you don't step aside, we will steam roll right over the top of you.

You can call us racists, Nazis, bigots, thugs, rednecks, fishy people or anything else you choose. Your politics of finger pointing and blaming others are not resonating with the majority anymore. We are tired of your con game and your Saul Alinsky type tactics. The gig is up. Your day has passed. You're finished and we will prove it in 2010 and again in 2012.

Look around you, lefty. Look at how many people are showing up at tea parties and demonstrations around the country.

Marginalize us if you must but when you finally get your head out of the sand or, in some cases, out of your asses you will find that "Centrist America" has spoken and sent you and your socialist compatriots to hell.

You have had your last hurrah.

Well said.


I will give the current administration and congress credit for one thing - they've encouraged the silent majority to be silent and apathetic no longer.

[Mraughh]

Excellent post.

The left is good at dishing it out but they cry giant crocodile tears when just one kook, from the opposing side, has the audacity to come up with a sign that is as stupid as the majority of their signs.

As a cop, like you, I can attest to the infantile and imbecilic behavior of the leftist idiots, at the scores of demonstrations that I have policed, with their moronic hey, hey, ho, ho chants, their childish costumes and props and the booger eating nerdish behavior that they display. In short, they make me want to puke.

you aren't kidding bro. The atmosphere in Denver was like a family gathering, kids having a good time, people cheering. None of the crazy shit the libs like to do. The two Colorado state troopers I saw who were doing bike patrol were stopped and thanked for their service and had their hands shaken by proud Americans numerous times. How many times do you see that at a lefty rally? :biggrin:

[tip001]

The people of America are speaking up and the momentum is building.

We don't want trillion dollar deficits.

We don't want socialized medicine.

We don't want anymore communist "Czars" put in charge of programs and departments that affect our lives.

Those of us, who don't break out in hives, at the mention of the word "work," want to keep capitalism. We reject this administrations attempt to march us down the path to socialism.

Attention leftists: We are here and we aren't going away. Get use to us. You have never heard our voices before but you will never shut us up, ever again. Your attempts at intimidation are a thing of the past. We are shoving back and if you don't step aside, we will steam roll right over the top of you.

You can call us racists, Nazis, bigots, thugs, rednecks, fishy people or anything else you choose. Your politics of finger pointing and blaming others are not resonating with the majority anymore. We are tired of your con game and your Saul Alinsky type tactics. The gig is up. Your day has passed. You're finished and we will prove it in 2010 and again in 2012.

Look around you, lefty. Look at how many people are showing up at tea parties and demonstrations around the country.

Marginalize us if you must but when you finally get your head out of the sand or, in some cases, out of your asses you will find that "Centrist America" has spoken and sent you and your socialist compatriots to hell.

You have had your last hurrah.

Well stated.

The rally in DC touched on the points you stated above. The crowd was massive and fired up.

[sabasarge]

here's a look:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-VMXz6xGeqc

[Kay]

The people of America are speaking up and the momentum is building.

We don't want trillion dollar deficits.

We don't want socialized medicine.

We don't want anymore communist "Czars" put in charge of programs and departments that affect our lives.

Those of us, who don't break out in hives, at the mention of the word "work," want to keep capitalism. We reject this administrations attempt to march us down the path to socialism.

Attention leftists: We are here and we aren't going away. Get use to us. You have never heard our voices before but you will never shut us up, ever again. Your attempts at intimidation are a thing of the past. We are shoving back and if you don't step aside, we will steam roll right over the top of you.

You can call us racists, Nazis, bigots, thugs, rednecks, fishy people or anything else you choose. Your politics of finger pointing and blaming others are not resonating with the majority anymore. We are tired of your con game and your Saul Alinsky type tactics. The gig is up. Your day has passed. You're finished and we will prove it in 2010 and again in 2012.

Look around you, lefty. Look at how many people are showing up at tea parties and demonstrations around the country.

Marginalize us if you must but when you finally get your head out of the sand or, in some cases, out of your asses you will find that "Centrist America" has spoken and sent you and your socialist compatriots to hell.

You have had your last hurrah.

That should be a letter to the editor in all major newspapers - a most excellent post.

[18Dwife]

The people of America are speaking up and the momentum is building.

We don't want trillion dollar deficits.

We don't want socialized medicine.

We don't want anymore communist "Czars" put in charge of programs and departments that affect our lives.

Those of us, who don't break out in hives, at the mention of the word "work," want to keep capitalism. We reject this administrations attempt to march us down the path to socialism.

Attention leftists: We are here and we aren't going away. Get use to us. You have never heard our voices before but you will never shut us up, ever again. Your attempts at intimidation are a thing of the past. We are shoving back and if you don't step aside, we will steam roll right over the top of you.

You can call us racists, Nazis, bigots, thugs, rednecks, fishy people or anything else you choose. Your politics of finger pointing and blaming others are not resonating with the majority anymore. We are tired of your con game and your Saul Alinsky type tactics. The gig is up. Your day has passed. You're finished and we will prove it in 2010 and again in 2012.

Look around you, lefty. Look at how many people are showing up at tea parties and demonstrations around the country.

Marginalize us if you must but when you finally get your head out of the sand or, in some cases, out of your asses you will find that "Centrist America" has spoken and sent you and your socialist compatriots to hell.

You have had your last hurrah.




You are THE AWESOME :cool:

[JRB11]

The people did speak out, last Nov. Obama, the commie muslim libtard et al, laid out his vision to the voters, and he kicked ass. The people bitching the most are the ones who really wanted health care reform, an end to the Iraq war, and a new strategery in AFghan., and he isn't getting the job done. You guys are in for a tough 8 years. I suggest lots of pepto bismal, and rolaids. :biggrin:

[Kay]

http://i77.photobucket.com/albums/j52/kaycrawford/ParajuevosforPOTUS-1.jpg?t=1252809944

[Greenhat]

The people did speak out, last Nov. Obama, the commie muslim libtard et al, laid out his vision to the voters, and he kicked ass.

He did?

Popular vote:
Obama - McCain
69,457,000 - 59,934,814

That's 52.9% of the votes cast. He beat the worst candidate the Republicans have put forward in 30 years, but he certainly didn't "kick ass".

Electoral vote:
Obama - McCain
365 - 173

If he'd really kicked ass, the electoral count would be more like that of Ronald Reagan in 1984

Reagan - Mondale
524 - 13

[grog18b]

Not all of them.



That was sarcasm bro... Hot blond though. :smile:

I figured the MSM would either try to paint all those people as nuts, by doing just what you did, and show the loonie sign holders, or as they decided to do, not even cover the event.

The MSM does not care at ALL what the American people think, or how the American people feel. They are used to controlling that, as evidenced by the last election, and the 24/7 Obama channel months before the election on my Dish Network TV, and all the pro-OB news coverage, and the minimizing of people like Wright.

The MSM helped get OB elected. They wanted him bad. He is their choice, and they will continue to portray him in as positive a light as they can. They KNOW they control the thinking of a large segment of the American people.

They can "mis-speak" as much and as often as they want, and no one ever calls them on it. They choose what is "news" and what is reportable. They decided not to show that there is a very large, and growing number of people, that are NOT happy with the way things are going.

This large a demonstration was held in DC, and I heard about it here, on SOCNET, and no where else. Hmmmmmmm... Did it really happen? MSM does not want you to know about it, and after a week or so, it will be forgotten, because the MSM does not care to make the American people aware.

Now let 100 crazy PETA fuckers show up in DC, and every news media outlet in the area will be drooling over the chance to get exclusives...

[JRB11]

OK, maybe he kicked a little ass??:smile: McCain was weak, but he was the best the R's could muster. The R's are in a tail spin, which is why their base is out and mad as hell. On the other hand, the D's seem like they are committing a slow suicide, which is pretty much business as usual.

[Believeraz]

Pic from traffic camera.

9224

The media is describing it as "tens of thousands". DC Fire estimated 70-80k. That seems significantly underblown. Has anyone seen the US Park Police estimates? They're usually good at headcounts.

[Bravo Five Romeo]

Come on bro, those signs are are benign compared to signs at George W Bush protests. I didn't see one sign that said to kill the present POTUS. I have seen many that said to kill Bush. http://newsbusters.org/blogs/noel-sheppard/2009/08/20/media-didnt-care-about-protest-signs-threatening-bush I've seen worse at the RNC protests in our fair city.Oh, I agree.
I was simply responding to Grog, who suggested that the protesters will be painted as crazy nuts. He was being sarcastic, but he was absolutely right.

I found those four pictures quickly.
I'm sure if I dig more, i could find some crazier shit.

Don't get me wrong... I know the crazies don't represent the majority of the protesters.
I understand that they are a small minority.
But I'm trying to make a point.
And that is that as long as the crazies show up at protests, even just a few, it allows those against the protesters to lump them together and marginalize and dismiss them.

And the biased media (left or right) will cherry pick the images they best want to show.
For example, FOX will do their best to not show the crazies, and MSNBC will do their best to only show the crazies.

This is the way it's always been with protests.
When there were protests against President Bush, if the right wing chose to cover the protests, they made sure to show the wackos in the crowd... the flag burners and 9/11 truthers

Now that it's the right wing protesting, the left wing will be sure to only show the wackos in the crowd to marginalize and dismiss their movement.

A lot of the people who show up at protests (left or right) that carry extremist signs are doing more to hurt their cause and help their opposition than they can imagine.
The purpse of a protest/demonstration isn't just to feel good about yourself and vent your anger...
The purpose is to draw attention to your cause and get the administration to listen and, more importantly, get more members of the public on your side.

Members of the public who are starting to come around to your way of thinking get turned off quickly if you carry a crazy sign.

[Massgrunt]

Members of the public who are starting to come around to your way of thinking get turned off quickly if you carry a crazy sign.
Absolutely. I am totally against "us" on the right sinking to the level of the opposition. It depresses me to see some of the shit that people I know and respect will believe, spout, and forward in stupid emails. I don't want to see childish name calling anywhere near an important event like this.

And oh yeah, I could totally believe some of those people were plants. Not saying they are and God knows we have our nuts too, but if they were I wouldn't be surprised at all.

[jane]

Pic from traffic camera.

9224

The left has been saying that pix like that are from another march-not yesterday. Glad you have said differently. I wonder if the flag at half staff was flying during the "other" marches.

[grog18b]

Saw the protest coverage on HLN this morning...

I was not disappointed in the mass media's attempt to steer thinking.

The "critics" now say that the protest was racist.

They asked where all these "concerned people" were when (here it comes) BUSH passed the Patriot Act, and when BUSH spent all that money...

So, the opposition plan of attack?

Call all those protesters racists, and blame BUSH.

What a surprise. :rolleyes:

[cb88]

Not all of them.

But there are always some extremist nuts that show up to these things.
I bet I know one network that won't be showing these pictures from today's rally.


Wow, B5R -- your memory is SHORT -- remember these????


http://images.search.yahoo.com/search/images;_ylt=A0WTb_pb.KxKu_gAVZaJzbkF?p=bush+protes t+signs&fr=yfp-t-701&ei=utf-8&x=wrt

[Mraughh]

http://i77.photobucket.com/albums/j52/kaycrawford/ParajuevosforPOTUS-1.jpg?t=1252809944

ROFL thats just awesome :biggrin:

[Grand58742]

The media is describing it as "tens of thousands". DC Fire estimated 70-80k. That seems significantly underblown. Has anyone seen the US Park Police estimates? They're usually good at headcounts.

I've seen numbers ranging from tens of thousands to upwards of 2 million

http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/worldnews/article-1213056/Up-million-march-US-Capitol-protest-Obamas-spending-tea-party-demonstration.html

So my guess would be somewhere in between...

[Bravo Five Romeo]

Wow, B5R -- your memory is SHORT -- remember these????


http://images.search.yahoo.com/search/images;_ylt=A0WTb_pb.KxKu_gAVZaJzbkF?p=bush+protes t+signs&fr=yfp-t-701&ei=utf-8&x=wrtMy memory is not short at all and I certainly never said that demonstrations from the left didn't have their extremists too.
Quite the opposite. I wrote how they had plenty of extremists at their demonstrations as well.
In fact, speaking of short memory, if you scan just four posts up from your post, you'll see that I was talking about how the extremists on the left and on the right hurt their causes

[Spinner]

Aside from some of the crazy stuff I heard people saying on TV (and I'm sure NBC was pretty selective, because everything they broadcast from the crowd was edited to sound nuts), that definitely was a pretty good sized crowd.

Based on some of the traffic camera stills I saw, I'd have to say it went well beyond the "10s of thousands" that the networks were reporting. Who cares if there were about 100 different agendas bringing them altogether?

And Massgrunt hit the nail on the head as far as people planting themselves in the crowd and putting on an act to draw attention to themselves. Which is cool, a little shit stirring is part of the package.

[past]

We don't want anymore communist "Czars" put in charge of programs and departments that affect our lives.


In what almost seems like an almost prototypical example of recent rhetoric regarding President Obama, teabaggers have failed to realize the most basic historical facts, i.e., the communists Obama purportedly exemplifies eradicated the czars very quickly.

[Parajuevos]

In what almost seems like an almost prototypical example of recent rhetoric regarding President Obama, teabaggers have failed to realize the most basic historical facts, i.e., the communists Obama purportedly exemplifies eradicated the czars very quickly.

Yes the, "the communists Obama purportedly exemplifies" did eradicate the Czars and the the Bolsheviks, who you refer to and possibly admire, brought communism to Russia. We don't want it here. Thankyou for your input and give my best to your left wing professors.

[Bravo Five Romeo]

Yes they did and the the Bolsheviks, who you refer to, brought communism to Russia. We don't want it here. Thankyou for your input.So then shouldn't you be protecting the czars? :biggrin:

[Parajuevos]

So then shouldn't you be protecting the czars? :biggrin:

Hey, when I come to New York I'll argue with you beer for beer and shot for shot. Who ever is left standing wins and you better bring your lunch. :biggrin:

[KidA]

If they don't want trillions in deficits where were they the past 8 years?


Shit I live here and didn't even realize this was happening.

[Looon]

If they don't want trillions in deficits where were they the past 8 years?

Just because they didn't march on D.C. during the Bush years does not mean that they didn't like what was happening. It's reached a boiling point.

Bush did some things that I liked, but he also did a shitload of stuff I hate him and his presidency for.

Bush started this TARP BS and Obama just continued it. This POTUS decided to take it to the next level though. Fuck them both for their spending.......

They both have used scare tactics to get their agenda's passed.

Quit pointing fingers at the Bush Administration and start pointing them at Pres. Obama. He's earned it too..........

[TJ2JM1783]

Not all of them.

http://twitpic.com/show/large/hhlw1

I have been to a Tea Party. I find the signs you posted offensive and irritating as hell. But, you have to admit, when President Obama created the online snitching email address flag@whitehouse.gov, MOST of us with any history knowledge thought, what's next - Congressional Hearings on Unamerican Activities? And, hearings based on Obama's and Pelosi's revolving definitions?

The lack of acceptance of this administration to understand that government is of service to the people, and perhaps they should LISTEN to the voice of the American, is galvanizing middle America. I am all for Americans reasserting their power. As such, I have to realize that not all of it is going to be in the manner I would find most attractive or beneficial.

I was embarrassed by the signs, you were perhaps gleeful? Hmmm. Life is full of contradictions I guess.

[TJ2JM1783]

If they don't want trillions in deficits where were they the past 8 years?


Maybe we should ask the press? In 2008 there were 4 network news stories on the Fannie Mae and Freddie disaster, a disaster which has effected every aspect of the financial industry, and not only in this country. Perhaps the American has become too reliant on "information" from the press. They assumed they would get some news, by way of opinion or facts. SOMETHING. Either way, I do not see your average citizen going to their computer to research, or asking their congressman, what's up with Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac? While a do not support a relaxed or lazy constituency, on this issue I give the American a bye.

Fannie Mae was created by FDR in 1938, Freddie Mac in 1970 (Nixon), and in 2003 (two years after becoming President) Bush tried to regulate both entities. In 2006, Bush signed the bond rating industry law (I mean how WRONG were Moody's, Standard & Poor's and Fitch). However, the SEC is still attached to the Big Three. The Big Three are and were as wrong as anything I have seen.

While the national debt is very concerning (my understanding it has been around since 1969, although the run-up started in 1942), nonetheless, in my opinion, the American is more concerned (and perhaps better understands) about the ever increasing public sector ownership versus the private sector ownership. What is the current private sector contribution to GDP, at 55.3%? So we have 5.4% until we reach a public sector owned majority/contribution?

(It is understood that national debt and public ownership are related.)

JMO

[smp52]

Regardless of the President in power, Congress is the one that authorizes all the spending. While Presidents like to take credit (and they'll get the blame as well for that reason) for "fixing" things, Congress has quietly funded this crack habit to the tune of trillions (Repubs and Dems). The President can veto for sure and Congress could actually make the right choice, but neither have in decades to actually make a meaningful impact.

Nothing will stop this spiral until the shit really hits the fan. The economy sucks, but in now way is the pain strong enough to push for a libertarian type alignment of the economy. Institutional inertia is too heavy. Our only way for the last 50 years has been to earn more to keep everything afloat. Earn and consume more. This last year has seen crony capitalism grow as well. Private industry backstopped by the government isn't free market. While I think this article doesn't hit the nail on the head (reforms within government, not just heaping it on Wall Street) (http://www.nytimes.com/2009/09/12/business/12change.html?_r=2), this quote does stand out:

Simon Johnson, a professor at the Sloan School of Management at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology and former chief economist of the International Monetary Fund, said that the seeds of another collapse had already sprouted. If major banks are allowed to keep making bets that are ultimately backed by taxpayer guarantees, they will return to the practices that led them to underwrite trillions of dollars in bad loans, Professor Johnson said.

“They will run up big risks, they will fail again, they will hit us for a big check,” he predicted.

[Greenhat]

While the national debt is very concerning (my understanding it has been around since 1969, although the run-up started in 1942),

The last time the United States was out of debt, Andrew Jackson was President.

[OldSwabbie]

My CEO's wife and 12 year old son went to the rally this weekend. She said it was fantastic and very well ordered. I thought it was great that she was able to take their son so he could experience this. Our CEO was saying that the cleanup was alot less with this group than when they had the inauguration in Januray. The official Capitol Police estimates were 1.6 million... WOW.

[Silverbullet]

Originally Posted by KidA
If they don't want trillions in deficits where were they the past 8 years?

If my count is correct you've posted this same post or something eerily similar to it a few times since the new president came in office. It seems to be your go to post.......

Each time you've received pretty much the same answer.

People complained about deficits for the last 8 yrs. Most of those people are the ones who are now marching in the streets around the country. These people expected their elected representatives to listen to them in prior times.

They now know they can't trust them and they're taking action into their own hands.

Not all deficit spending is bad even though based on previous posts I suspect you think it is. I won't go into that but I have a copy of Economics for Dummies you can borrow if you want to read up on it. (That's not an insult. I actually have the book. It's a good read.)

For just about 7 years we had historically low unemployment rates and a thriving market. We'd probably still be humming along, except for the normal economic curves, if it wasn't for Freddie/Fannie, etc...The current administration can only wish for that.

When the last president decided to initiate a bail out and use TARP, it was the more right leaning members of this site who raised the biggest stink. It was the wrong move for that administration just like some other spending initiatives were wrong moves.

The current president has obligated generations of Americans, who are presently still children, to debt and inflation by his spending and his off target estimates of what it would take to right the markets, housing, jobs and all his other predictions.

Just like the quickest way to get out of a hole is to stop digging, the quickest way to get out of debt is not to spend more money or start new gov't run programs.

For the umpteenth time, gov't produces no capital other than paper. When gov't produces paper money that is not the result of capitalistic Americans efforts, then you have worthless currency that will just drive up inflation to record heights just like the president has driven up the national debt to record heights.

[Greenhat]

For the umpteenth time, gov't produces no capital other than paper. When gov't produces paper money that is not the result of capitalistic Americans efforts, then you have worthless currency that will just drive up inflation to record heights just like the president has driven up the national debt to record heights.

Pretty much the key there.

[TJ2JM1783]

The last time the United States was out of debt, Andrew Jackson was President.

Thank you. I misstated.

An increase in the national debt has been steady (yearly) since 1969, although the run-up started in 1942.

And many say Andrew Jackson was a bad president. ;)

[Shadow]

...Yeah, but isn't the blond hot?...

Um, no; no she's not. :p

[Gypsy]

Some pictures and commentary from the event. Some of these signs are great. :biggrin:

http://www.lookingattheleft.com/2009/09/conservative-woodstock-rocks-the-capital/

Americans flooded D.C. in what people in the crowd were calling “a conservative Woodstock”. Like the liberal Woodstock of the ’60s, thousands were rumored stranded on freeways. Some walked in to DC, ditching their cars and busses. I walked with a 5 deep 6 block long column of protesters from Pennsylvania who had walked miles from where they had to leave their busses. Networks including Fox News continued through the time I’m writing this at 8 p.m. local Eastern time reporting that “tens of thousands” showed up. Whasup with that? When will we get some reliable reporting out of the corporate media types? UPDATE: Two days later, there is still no conclusive count of the participants. Michelle Malkin’s site goes over the whole issue on a post linked at the end of this article.Protesters flooded Washington today in what people in the crowd are calling “a conservative Woodstock”. Like the liberal Woodstock of the ’60s, thousands were rumored stranded on freeways. Some walked in to DC, ditching their cars and busses. I walked with a 5 deep 6 block long column of protesters from Pennsylvania who told me they had walked miles from where they were forced by gridlock to leave their busses. Networks including Fox News continued through the time I’m writing this at 8 p.m. local Eastern time reporting that “tens of thousands” showed up. What is up with that? When will we get some reliable reporting out of the corporate media types? UPDATE: Two days later, there is still no conclusive count of the participants. Michelle Malkin’s site goes over the whole issue on a post linked at the end of this article.

This event had been promoted as a taxpayer “tea party” but the crowd’s concerns were wide ranging, from outrage at the corrupt ACORN activists and Obama’s socialist cadre known as Czars, to Obama’s naked untruthfulness. Protesters also displayed signs mocking Nancy Pelosi and Harry Reid for smearing the grassroots movement as “astroturfers” and an “angry mob”.

[podunk18D]

Looking at these photos I can't help be reminded of the saying: "Never underestimate the power of stupid people in large groups." These probably were the same groups vilifying dissenters during the last administration. Intellect is a gift and mankinds greatest tool. It's criminal that so few use it.

[Gypsy]

I doubt it, besides this wasn't simply a "republican" event. :rolleyes:

[KidA]

Americans flooded D.C. in what people in the crowd were calling “a conservative Woodstock”. Like the liberal Woodstock of the ’60s, thousands were rumored stranded on freeways. Some walked in to DC, ditching their cars and busses. .

I'm sorry but that's absolute bullshit, whomever wrote it.

I was in Richmond Friday night at my dad's and drove back to DC on Saturday, the day of the "protests", and then left DC to go to Baltimore for a funeral.

I drove straight into DC from I-95 South at noon on Saturday and encountered zero traffic. Not even a slow down. When I left DC I saw no traffic and that was around 1:30 pm on Saturday.

I don't really care how many were there or not, I don't understand this driving need to prove there were millions there or not. But the outright lying of busses and cars being stranded and people walking miles to make sure they got there is bullshit. Didn't happen. And that's what pisses me off - people disseminating incorrect, doctored, elaborated, or lying statements to try to prove their point.

[Looon]

I don't really care how many were there or not, I don't understand this driving need to prove there were millions there or not. But the outright lying of busses and cars being stranded and people walking miles to make sure they got there is bullshit. Didn't happen. And that's what pisses me off - people disseminating incorrect, doctored, elaborated, or lying statements to try to prove their point.
Sure, but both sides do it.

I wasn't there, but based on comparable photos, there were just as many protesters on that lawn as there was during the inauguration. Estimates of the inauguration were around 1.2 million.

Estimates always vary from person to person.

I can guarantee though, that SOME people parked quite a distance from the event and walked to avoid traffic.

[KidA]

I can guarantee though, that SOME people parked quite a distance from the event and walked to avoid traffic.

Am sure they did since there's no parking near where they were other than street parking, and if they had a permit to march they would have blocked off the street parking, so anyone there would have had to park and walk ;)