Comments for Donkey Desperation at http://www.theind.com , comment 1 to 24 out of 20 comments http://www.theind.com Wed, 22 May 2013 09:13:38 +0100 FeedCreator 1.7.3 http://www.theind.com/cover-story/7712-donkey-desperation#comment-14583 "don't label me", "Reagan raised taxes", Republicans this, everything is distortions, all news is wrong, and only Resident understands anything....typical. You forget, Resident -- we weren't talking about Reagan, we were talking about Louisiana Democrats. None of this has anything to do with Republicans or Reagan. A classic example of Resident's conversation creep. And what's wrong with labels? That's what language is all about--using words to discuss concepts. I think it's more than just labels. I think you just abhor certainty of any type, on any subject. - ragin_cajun Mon, 07 Feb 2011 23:37:22 +0100 http://www.theind.com/cover-story/7712-donkey-desperation#comment-14526 ragin, one way in which ATR contorts is by calling penalties "tax hikes," such as the penalty for not buying health insurance beginning in 2014. And again, I'm against the mandate. But I guess in 2014-2018 there will be a couple of real tax hikes (such as the "Cadillac Plan" tax; the tanning tax is just around the corner!). "Is that a Libertarian streak I detect in your prose?" I am opposed to the welfare/warfare state that has been foisted upon us in a bipartisan manner. The warfare state needs no explanation, but the welfare state includes not only fostering dependency on those who are able to work but the gigantic amount of corporate welfare. If you want to call it Libertarian, that's fine. Ron Paul speaks of Libertarianism and I agree with much of what he says. I continue to hope that you break free from the constraint of labels. It does wonders for complex and logical discussions. Soop, you sure are trying hard to put a label on me. I understand that the chattering class on infotainment television/radio creates such a desire. I'm sure that there is SOMETHING I agree with in every Congressman's political philosophy. Maybe this will illustrate my point. Reagan raised taxes 11 times, including the largest corporate tax hike. He also grew government with the VA. What shall we call him? ragin, shall we say that Roemer and Durel and co. tax and spend and grow government like Reagan, who so many call conservative? - Resident Fri, 04 Feb 2011 19:27:06 +0100 http://www.theind.com/cover-story/7712-donkey-desperation#comment-14504 Obamacare is full of tax hikes, .... "tan tax" ------------------------- Obama supported the tan tax because he didn't need one. Since only pastie face Republicans need tans. Hence, the tax is blatant discrimination. - Monkey Business Fri, 04 Feb 2011 09:14:08 +0100 http://www.theind.com/cover-story/7712-donkey-desperation#comment-14502 Resident, As the resurrected ragin pointed out, there are increases in overall taxes. Obama is just smart enough to guise it in other terms than just the raising of income tax rates. Smart. Just like the left at some point decided they could never outlaw the 2nd amendment but they could try to make gun ownership so onerous it acts as an effective ban. Same thing with the lifting of the drilling moratorium. The only persons who would deny my accusations regarding the intent of the Democrats/left is a Democrat or leftie. Because you guys have a long history of trying to convince voters you are something other than what you are -- that's the only way you guys get elected. Like the Big O railing against the Bush deficits - which implied to most voters the Big O was against them. But in practice, he must have been thinking Bush was an amateur on that subject. All the best, Soop - Soop. Fri, 04 Feb 2011 06:10:23 +0100 http://www.theind.com/cover-story/7712-donkey-desperation#comment-14476 Resident -- I mischaracterized nothing. You issued a challenge to " name one instance where taxes have been raised since Obama took office." So I did. Obamacare is full of tax hikes, not contortions. And the "tan tax" would be a HUGE deal if a White Republican President signed into law a tax passed by a Republican Congress on goods or services consumed only by people of color. But, hey, nice to see you, too.......even with your aversion to documented facts and your haphazard reading comprehension...:) Seriously, though....I don't see anything new in a bunch of Democrats changing their party affiliation to get elected. It's news because it's happening right now, and I don't blame Jeremy for writing about it, but it's been going on in this state forever. If you see a Republican elected to office in Louisiana, you're hallucinating--he's not a Republican. Buddy Roemer, Mike Foster, Joey Durel, Mike Michot....all these big LA Republicans are ex-Dem's. So it's no wonder that they get elected and tax and spend and grow government like Democrats. Deep inside, that's what they are. Quick question, though. You say "Democrats and Republicans are BOTH guilty of government intrusion and perpetuating the welfare state" -- as though you're against these things. Is that a Libertarian streak I detect in your prose? I have to say, I'm impressed. - ragin_cajun Thu, 03 Feb 2011 15:04:08 +0100 http://www.theind.com/cover-story/7712-donkey-desperation#comment-14467 Nice to see you, ragin, although your mischaracterizations are still in full swing. The best you could do were articles from Feb. 2009 and July 2010 attempting to predict tax hikes? In any case, most of the content is now irrelevant because they assumed the Bush tax cuts would expire, which did not happen. There is another part of one article on "Obamacare" attempting to contort various provisions into the moniker of tax hikes. But hey, if you want to consider a "tanning tax" something of significance, go for it. Here's a CURRENT article about the tax cut extension. Oh, and we even got another tax break with the 2011 payroll tax holiday. Gee, that's two significant tax cuts under Obama. Of course, I'd prefer that the income tax be abolished along with the Federal Reserve, but these tinkerings by the party establishments serve to keep the masses distracted. http://www.timesleader.com/AbingtonJournal/news/Bush-era_tax_cuts_live_on_Sound_Finance_With_Eric_Weinberg_02-01-2011.html So yes, I did feel compelled to point out "more taxes" cliche did not apply (at least not yet), and I really wanted to point out that Democrats and Republicans are BOTH guilty of government intrusion and perpetuating the welfare state. Glad to see your business doing well, although I'm amused that you believe we're going to get fiscal responsibility or that we have a free and open market. - Resident Thu, 03 Feb 2011 13:45:14 +0100 http://www.theind.com/cover-story/7712-donkey-desperation#comment-14464 :) touche! - ragin_cajun Thu, 03 Feb 2011 12:48:56 +0100 http://www.theind.com/cover-story/7712-donkey-desperation#comment-14463 I'm not sure it's fiscal responsibility you're catching a whiff of from Washington, ragin, but your voice is welcome here. - Walter Pierce Thu, 03 Feb 2011 12:28:33 +0100 http://www.theind.com/cover-story/7712-donkey-desperation#comment-14462 Nah, don't worry Walter. My civil liberties weren't trampled by the right-wing cabal secretly posing as Federal Law Enforcement agents enforcing our nation's anti-terrorism laws...:) Nor has my health taken a downturn requiring Federal assistance lest my family starve, or my wife be forced to choose between "buying food for my young children or paying for medical care". Nah, I've actually just been working way too hard the last few months. You see, Walter, the mere whiff of fiscal responsibility in Washington has spiked the economy and generated higher demand for my services on what's left of our free and open market...:) Seriously, though. Thanks for the kind words. I'm glad to see this forum creates friendships as well as demagoguery and ideological strife. It's easy to miss that in the heat of the argument. - ragin_cajun Thu, 03 Feb 2011 12:22:19 +0100 http://www.theind.com/cover-story/7712-donkey-desperation#comment-14459 Dang, ragin, have you been in jail or laid up with a bulging disc? We ain't seen you in a month! I was beginning to worry. Welcome back. - Walter Pierce Thu, 03 Feb 2011 11:15:38 +0100 http://www.theind.com/cover-story/7712-donkey-desperation#comment-14458 Resident -- Well written, but poorly thought out--as usual. If your " point is not to defend the Democrats", then why did you? This article, and Soop's comment on it, is about Democrats, not Repbulicans. At least until YOU brought them up. The "absurd rhetoric" on THIS page starts just after the first apperance of "written by Resident", after your circular logic and bold hypocrisy. If you're so tired of the "miserable two-party charade", then why did you so eagerly START it with your comments? Jeesshhhh!!!! "On taxes, name one instance where taxes have been raised since Obama took office" OK, I will. Here's 2 links, one from Americans for Tax Reform, and another from ABC News' Jake Tapper in case you think ATR is too "partisan". If you think Jake Tapper is a partisan hack, or his facts are incorrect, then take it up with ABC News. Personally, I think YOUR facts are wrong. http://www.atr.org/six-months-untilbr-largest-tax-hikes-a5171# http://blogs.abcnews.com/politicalpunch/2009/02/obamas-budget-a.html - ragin_cajun Thu, 03 Feb 2011 11:06:51 +0100 http://www.theind.com/cover-story/7712-donkey-desperation#comment-14452 Soop Um, no, that's not my take on things. I just wanted to point out that you, like the partisan hacks on radio and cable infotainment, are saying things that ARE NOT ACTUALLY TRUE. But don't worry, I know the Democrat talking heads do the same thing. It's just that right now, the right-wingers are shouting louder. Let's not forget the establishment media who enables this grand charade with constant coverage of Partisan Talking Points of the Day. I'll leave it at that because the article is more about local politics. - Resident Thu, 03 Feb 2011 07:49:18 +0100 http://www.theind.com/cover-story/7712-donkey-desperation#comment-14450 The apparent decline of the Democratic Party in Louisiana is bad news for the State. We need a strong, two party system. - cocodrie man Thu, 03 Feb 2011 06:48:42 +0100 http://www.theind.com/cover-story/7712-donkey-desperation#comment-14444 Ok Resident ... then this must be it .. Democrats are doing poorly because they have lowered taxes, cut government bureaucracy, cutback entitlements and are cranking up drilling too fast in the Gulf ... that is your take on things? If so, add your post as yet another example of why people generally think Democrats/progressives/whatever are completely out of touch these days. All the best, Soop PS to TDP ... you are correct the pendulum swings. Or at least that it can swing. But it usually swings when a political party co-ops middle positions to attract more voters. I don't think the left of the Dem Party is willing to do that. And that co-opting is usually forged by the moderate wing of a party. If all your moderates are fleeing, instead of staying and fighting, then that doesn't bode well for any swings in the near future. S - Soop. Wed, 02 Feb 2011 23:03:17 +0100 http://www.theind.com/cover-story/7712-donkey-desperation#comment-14442 Resident, that is the best picture i have ever seen, you paint the two partys as one and the same, on the same track to nowhere . When will people open up their eyes and realize that the two partys have forever caused them to be at odds on every issue, while disguising their one and the same agenda, and that is to get filty rich and to aid their campaign sponsors to garner the spoils of every war they initiate for the benefit of the partys. - NORTHSIDIAN SHOTGUN Wed, 02 Feb 2011 22:21:36 +0100 http://www.theind.com/cover-story/7712-donkey-desperation#comment-14439 written by MollyBloom "Lady Gagme, it's not just an ass, but a kickin' ass. Just wait and see!" ------------------------- I think you are correct. Especially in the last Federal election, when the ass was really kicked. Or as Mubarak Obama said "a shellacking." - Lady Gagme Wed, 02 Feb 2011 21:27:22 +0100 http://www.theind.com/cover-story/7712-donkey-desperation#comment-14435 Dr. Saddow: You're right: there is no bonus left in calling yourself a Democrat. NOT RIGHT NOW. But eventually the Republicans start to make mistakes (expanding government, overspending, the occasional scandal). When you are in the majority, there are no small mistakes. And, when a party is in the minority, they tend to unite against a common enemy: when they are in the majority, they fight among themselves over the perks of power and, as a result, become divided and weakened against a united opposition. That is why no single party can maintain a majority in D.C. for very long. - TDP Wed, 02 Feb 2011 17:30:03 +0100 http://www.theind.com/cover-story/7712-donkey-desperation#comment-14434 Actually, if you look at the legislators who recently switched, only Ellington was a real outlier (see for the most recent year http://laleglog.blogspot.com/2010/07/legislative-regular-session-rankings.html). What this article fails to bring out is the real reason somewhat conservative/reform legislators are starting to switch is there is no bonus left in calling yourself a Democrat. Because of the state's yellow dog history with voters, legisaltors have had a tendency to call themselves Democrats (especially to attract black voters) while voting more to the right. But the label had been trending negatively, and the past two years in Washington basically administered the coup de grace to it. Now there's nothing to be gained by sticking with it. And, Jeremy's running late here; see http://jeffsadow.blogspot.com/2011/02/caldwell-switch-underscores-declining.html. - Jeffrey Sadow Wed, 02 Feb 2011 16:47:20 +0100 http://www.theind.com/cover-story/7712-donkey-desperation#comment-14433 TDP, exactly. We swing back and forth between two parties that have slightly different approaches to the same thing. The rhetoric gets more creative and the tactics get more crafty, but the sooner we realize that both party establishments are selling us snake oil from the same bottle, the better off we'll be. - Resident Wed, 02 Feb 2011 16:39:55 +0100 http://www.theind.com/cover-story/7712-donkey-desperation#comment-14431 Actually, this is probably the BEST time to be a Democrat. And I am speaking as a Republican who has watched politics for over a decade now. Think about it. I don't now if we are at the Republican apex yet, but if not, we soon will be. And no party stays in power forever. Jindal is likely to win a second term, but three straight Republican governors in a row I think will be nearly impossible to achieve. Unlike, Soop and Resident, I am not naive enough to think it's about ideology. It is, purely and simply, about the fickleness of voters. Republicans are running the show now and at some point, the voters will want change, if for no other reason than being fickle. Also, there's that near-universal rule that Louisiaina trends away from Washington: when D.C. is blue, LA is red and vice versa. - TDP Wed, 02 Feb 2011 14:45:43 +0100