A VC - Latest Comments in Throw The Bums Out

Re: Throw The Bums Out

Allan — Wed, 09 Dec 2009 12:48:13 -0000

I know many people dissatisfied with our "representatives". With the large majority of them being lawyers (I think), what's surprising that they've muddied-up the waters with legalese in every thousand-page bill to benefit themselves and their FINANCIAL supporters (aka big business/etc.).
Many constituents are unhappy with who's in Congress. But we have, long-ago, lost our will to stand up to these jerks. For just a few instances: (1) They have fully-paid health care & they can't (won't?) find their way to make things better for those they represent. (2) I'd like to have a job where I can give myself pay raises (while millions of their constituents are unemployed! (3) WHEN did "they" change the reporting of the "Unemployment Figures" to only include those unemployed who are receiving Unemployment Benefits - and not everyone who's exhausted those benefits & ARE "unemployed"? (4) How can anyone defend our limited 2-party system when "the richest country in the world" has lost it's way - including things like cutting programs which used to support things for the good of the people and country? (5) They continue to build bridges to nowhere & fund other projects simply to divert money into their own areas to "prove" they are doing something good for their constituents. While Interstate bridges (aka federal routes) cave in & kill people. (6) How can they face anyone (except themselves, their bloated staff & co-cronies)???

Re: Throw The Bums Out

Charlie F — Thu, 26 Nov 2009 09:00:30 -0000

I am so very tired of politicians wasting MY hard earned money. I think that the time is right for an American Style Revolution. When elected Officials come up for reelection they should be shown the DOOR. I do not care if they are of any particular Political party. They need to learn that they work for US the People who pay in the millions and millions of tax dollars every year. They are there as Public servents, Not to serve their own personal interests. I have One thing to say to all who read this. When election time comes around in 2010 vote for any candidate who is not an incumbent. Yes, I know that it will take 6 long years to clean out the Senate. I think those who come up for election in 2012 will take note if the entire House is Booted out the door.

Re: Throw The Bums Out

derrinyet — Thu, 12 Nov 2009 01:01:21 -0000

The Pew Research Center has just released some stats on this anti-incumbent sentiment:

http://people-press.org/rep...

Re: Throw The Bums Out

COMRADITY — Sat, 07 Nov 2009 13:27:41 -0000

"..unskilled Mexican immigrants (and their descendants) tend to consume more in government resources than they pay in taxes." I'm sure there is truth to what you are saying, since unskilled laborers of any heritage probably consume more gov't resources than they pay in taxes. It would be a shame if people, who are scanning these comments, failed to pick up the "unskilled" qualification and assumed you were referring to US Hispanics, in general.

And I looked at a topline press release of the Telles and Ortiz study findings. http://newsroom.ucla.edu/po...
Too bad California Mexican Americans are not getting more government resources when it comes to education. Lack of education appears to be the reason 3rd and 4th generation Mexican Americans in California do not continue to advance at the same rate 2nd generation does. Is this the fault of the Mexican Americans? Hardly. We all know that Proposition 13 froze property taxes and reduced funding for California's education system. This research suggests that even these schools are good enough to help 2nd generation kids learn to read, speak english, and basic math. Beyond that, for example, preparing for advanced education, these schools are not doing the job. Unfortunately, Mexican American parents assume that the school officials and educators know better than they. Because in Mexico, educators are a highly respected class. So unlike better educated Americans (who don't perceive educators with such high esteem - especially in the California public school system) who get involved in the school administration to get what their kid needs, Mexican American parents assume the American schools are as good or better than in Mexico.

Finally, education has absolutely no relationship to the penetration and use of mobile phones. In fact, a global macro view of the numbers might even suggest a reverse relationship.

Re: Throw The Bums Out

Dave Pinsen — Fri, 06 Nov 2009 18:22:54 -0000

"The implication is that the immigrant is undocumented solely to avoid paying taxes."

Where are you getting that from? I never claimed that. What I claimed (and what is the case) is that unskilled Mexican immigrants (and their descendants) tend to consume more in government resources than they pay in taxes.

""Earlier this year, Forrester Research said Hispanic Gen Y consumers 18-28 are "outpacing" their non-Hispanic peers in the amount of mobile activity and use of features in which they engage."

Yeah, that refutes academic research by Telles and Ortiz (and others) showing that fourth generation Mexican Americans remain poorer and less educated than average Americans.

I agree with you on the ID cards -- at least they should be required if you want to vote or work in this country.

Re: Throw The Bums Out

WA — Fri, 06 Nov 2009 14:00:20 -0000

Seems it was not good to be part of the incumbent majority in the last election either. It is no longer a question of party politics, is it? An elected official is only as good as the times perhaps?

Re: Throw The Bums Out

Robert Moss — Fri, 06 Nov 2009 13:56:36 -0000

Like your blog. Especially politics, and socio-economic issues.

Follow me @themrrobert - I'd love to be a part of your community!

My blog isn't as complete as yours yet, but it's where I'm trying to go.

Re: Throw The Bums Out

Guest — Fri, 06 Nov 2009 11:58:40 -0000

Well said!

Re: Throw The Bums Out

COMRADITY — Fri, 06 Nov 2009 08:09:04 -0000

Hold the phone! Using a statistic like out of wedlock childbirth to question the integrity of the family values of the US Latino community is distorting the whole picture. Yes, US Hispanics aspire to US style big expensive weddings in addition to maintaining their strong family values. They are also more likely to save and not go into debt to pay for their dreams.

I also suggest it would be counterproductive to assume that US Hispanics are poorer than the average HH. As this article points out http://bit.ly/4fbJyo, many US Latino media companies (disclosure: we have an interest in one ebeisbol.com) anxiously await the 2010 Census. We have data and anecdotal evidence that this market has the potential to contribute significantly to economic growth. For example:
"Earlier this year, Forrester Research said Hispanic Gen Y consumers 18-28 are "outpacing" their non-Hispanic peers in the amount of mobile activity and use of features in which they engage. Those young Hispanics are also more interested in technology; Forrester found 72 percent of them said it is important, compared to 44 percent of non-Hispanics."

Finally, I think the whole undocumented immigrant and taxes debate is very short-sighted. The implication is that the immigrant is undocumented solely to avoid paying taxes. That's just a very non-productive place to start a discussion about what to do.

Since US Latinos are even more important proportionately, to the younger employed social security payer, they are a critical source of tax revenues for the social security program which has a disproportionate number of older people spending relative to the younger people paying in.

Finally, for security reasons and tax base reasons, I do not understand why the US does not require an identity card for every person over 18. Other countries do.

Re: Throw The Bums Out

kidmercury — Fri, 06 Nov 2009 07:21:44 -0000

hey marko,

i hear what you are saying in many regards. in fact, what i am hoping and working towards, is a world where blog stars are all using their own currency, and thus are competing amongst each other to get users locked into using their currency. right now, you are pretty much locked into your currency; as much as i hate being trapped into using the US dollar, that is my only recourse really, as i cannot just leave and go to another country, too unfeasible. but if i can simply switch to another blog network, that's a lot easier. these currencies will affect offline transactions too, as they can be put on debit cards and such. there are already ATMs in europe where you can withdraw virtual currency.

so the virtual economies will have to compete for users, and will offer them more and more perks (i.e. "all parents who pay their rent in virtual currency get to send their kids to school for free at the free school run by the virtual bank"). in this way the virtual economies/governments disrupt the "real world" economies/governments. this also creates a world where we have big and honest government -- big because they are run like businesses and will often have expansionist ambitions, honest because the free market keeps them that way.

at least that is the world i want, which i think would be the blissful union of big government perks and small government liberty that you're talking about.

but until we have the ability to easily switch currencies -- meaning until the central bankers have to start competing for me -- i favor limited government. when you're locked into a political economy, big government has proven itself time and time again to be dangerous, perhaps the most dangerous of all.

at least that is my two cents. i am glad we are having these types of conversations, that is in my opinion the first and most crucial step for getting real change for all of us.

Re: Throw The Bums Out

kidmercury — Fri, 06 Nov 2009 07:10:12 -0000

there was no income tax prior to the 16th amendment, which never was fully ratified, hence making the income tax unconstitutional. taxes on corporations can pay for everything government is supposed to provide.

Re: Throw The Bums Out

Dave Pinsen — Fri, 06 Nov 2009 02:24:41 -0000

Ah, sorry about screwing up the hyperlink there. If I weren't a guest and had editing ability, I'd fisx it.

Re: Throw The Bums Out

Dave Pinsen — Fri, 06 Nov 2009 02:23:48 -0000

"Count me amongst those who favor completing the fence and sealing off our borders. Completely."

Fair enough, JLM, but the most effective way to enforce our immigration laws is at the employer level. We already do that with white collar employers, as I noted elsewhere in this thread.

"I must confess to very much liking Hispanics in general and illegals in particular. I can't help liking a guy who is willing to risk life and limb to get a tough job."

I share your feelings, and your empathy for hardworking immigrants, legal or otherwise, but the facts lead me to different conclusions. Telles and Ortiz aren't anti-Hispanic either. But the facts they found from their research are that descendants of Mexican immigrants tend to remain much poorer and less educated than the majority population, even after four generations.

"There is absolutely no reason that an entrepreneurial, hardworking, God fearing, strong family segment of our society should be ceded to the Democrats."

Re strong families, Heather Mac Donald of the City Journal, drawing on CDC numbers, noted,

"Forty-five percent of all Hispanic births occur outside of marriage, compared with 24 percent of white births and 15 percent of Asian births."

Any group that remains poorer than average and contains a minority of net income tax payers will vote for the party that promises to tax you to give more benefits to the poor and lower earners. It's in their economic interests to do so. Cultural factors are secondary. Many African American have cultural/religious differences with Democratic elites, and yet African American are the most reliable Democratic voters. There are plenty of churchgoers in the African American community, but not so many Republicans.

Re: Throw The Bums Out

ShanaC — Thu, 05 Nov 2009 23:11:03 -0000

Parts of the night are neutral. THis is from someone who likes walking in the night.

And maybe power is not unlimited. Woody, we were both brought in religious schooling enviroments. "God is king of kings"

We are dithering in Afiganistan. IS our power as a nation basically a pyramidal one of human power? Or is it something more. I wonder so much about this. How do you go about and build an institution. I've bowed before the Western Wall in Jerusalem- does this make me part of an institution that has really lasted, or has it radicaly changed since it's first inceptions as I'm aware of it. How does it related to company building? The Built to Last concept. I mean, there are companies out there, I think, that are over 100, 200 years old. Can we get to 1000? Is that even possible? For me that's a sign of real power.

It isn't even about Dark or Light, or objective. It's about lasting impact on human life. Tim Burner-Lee will be forgotten to the sands of time. So will I. The Internet, hopefully, will not. That's power.

Re: Throw The Bums Out

Guest — Thu, 05 Nov 2009 21:00:30 -0000

Fred has got it right, I think.
Also, the commenters who bash the electorate are a bit harsh, IMO. Of course, the collective wisdom is not always the best, but at the same time you have to marvel at how often the voters get it right, despite the fog of spin, misinformation, posturing and outright lies.

There are amazing things happen in the past two elections:

1. You can't buy elections. Rich self-funded douchebags like Romney and Corzine lost to underfunded opponents.
2. Substance beats prejudice: a mulato named Barak Hussein Obama is a President
3. Crazies make noise but don't get votes: Beck/Limbaugh supported Hoffman delivers NY-23 to Democrats for the first time since the nineteenth century.

These things speak great for the American Voter...

Re: Throw The Bums Out

JLM — Thu, 05 Nov 2009 18:54:02 -0000

No, actually you have misread my sentiment completely. If you review what I have said I initiated the conversation by saying ---

"Before one even begins to confront immigration, it is necessary to acknowledge that immigration laws have never worked in the history of our country. Ever."

Count me amongst those who favor completing the fence and sealing off our borders. Completely.

I must confess to very much liking Hispanics in general and illegals in particular. I can't help liking a guy who is willing to risk life and limb to get a tough job. It is the closet liberal part of my makeup.

I see something fundamentally unfair about my immigrant family looking down its nose at somebody else's more recently arrived immigrant family.

I see a man not how he enters our country but rather what he does after he is here and I admire greatly the skilled craftsmen in our country who entered illegally with no skills but learned useful skills.

The political implications will have to fend for themselves but I can also say that the notion that Hispanics will become knee jerk Democrats is not true. George W Bush --- who speaks very good Spanish --- went to the Valley and Corpus Christi and garnered about 45% of the Hispanic vote.

There is absolutely no reason that an entrepreneurial, hardworking, God fearing, strong family segment of our society should be ceded to the Democrats.

Remember that "cognitive dissonance" implies some discomfort about seemingly contrary thoughts or beliefs. I have absolutely no problem embracing the opposite sides of many, many issues with not an iota of discomfort. My middle name is "cognitive dissonance".

Re: Throw The Bums Out

Guest — Thu, 05 Nov 2009 16:53:23 -0000

About the money I don't intent to create a new currency. I just want people to pool money for causes and claims they deem worthy. See the money as a volunatary tax paid to get the service people want, if they want it.

Re: Throw The Bums Out

Guest — Thu, 05 Nov 2009 16:49:37 -0000

The proof provided by the detective has to be approved by the community.

Re: Throw The Bums Out

thewalrus — Thu, 05 Nov 2009 16:43:10 -0000

kid. i agree with so much of what you say but come at it from the totally opposite end of the spectrum. to me there is no difference between libertarianism and anarchy...and to me thats not progress, thats regressing back to cavemen. Call me a red, but i'm all for paying taxes that support key public goods as i believe we all benefit from equal access to services such as schools, hospitals, roads, drinking water, etc. If the next generation isn't afforded an equal starting point, what will the future hold? I want change, but I don't want pure darwinistic individualism.

i think the biggest problem is apathy at an individual level. people seem to think, i can't improve things so i'll just take what i can get while i can get it.....the justification for actions becomes a negative reinforcing loop. Unfortunately, I find it hard to believe that many (not all) people who call out crooks on wall street or in gov't would be doing the exact same thing if they had the opportunity. This is the fundamental reason why there is no real change.....it isn't being lived and breathed on an individual (micro) level.....in short, we need to drop the victim, and screw your neighbor, mentality. Note: not pointing this at you at all. I also see you as an extreme optimist and not a doomsdayer...I'm just generalizing about what I observe more widely.

democracy arose over monarchy because decentralized systems always win over more centralized systems. i strongly believe if the web remains a truly 'open' platform it will be the catayst that leads to to more efficient, transparent and decentralized methods of people-driven government. from representative democracy to a more direct democracy. I think this will incoporate many of the libertarian goals, but I would like to see these combined with very strong communal/public/social elements as well (ex. I would rather pay taxes to accountable institutions for a hospital than dress up in tuxedo, drink champagne and write a cheque at a fundraiser....but thats just me). And like you say....take things back to the original spirit and principles of the constitution.

I wrote this quickly so I know you can shoot holes all over this but my main point is that individualism can't be the end-goal, and that forms of collective government can (read: must be) improved upon. Word.

And big kudos to fred for having the courage to post this....really not afraid to open the kimono :)

Re: Throw The Bums Out

ShanaC — Thu, 05 Nov 2009 16:38:19 -0000

I would disagree- I think one of the reason we are not purchasing with a bazillion currencies is that is not effecient. One of the reasons we basically have national currencies is national pride, but it's a small fraction of actual purchases.

I think it would actually be the most effecient sitaution if there was a unified internet currency. Everyone used the same thing. Same exepreince. Transfers easily. You know what is going to happen. Think og your first credit card transaction on the internet. Very hard pyschologically. Now that everone does it, very easy. Should be the same with internet money. It will be a lot easier if some countries fall, others get bigger (not too bigger) and we manage systemic risk- but all use the same money.

Re: Throw The Bums Out

ShanaC — Thu, 05 Nov 2009 16:32:49 -0000

There is no transparency in this system- how do I know this detective isn't going to do what he wants.

Re: Throw The Bums Out

Dave Pinsen — Thu, 05 Nov 2009 14:50:34 -0000

JLM,

If memory serves, elsewhere in this thread you were complaining about your tax burden. Here you seem fairly sanguine about the importation of unskilled immigrants, who, research shows, tend to consume more in government resources than they pay in taxes. Further, when they become amnestied (or when their American-born kids turn 18) they will vote to increase your tax burden -- you know most of them aren't going to be joining the Club for Growth, right? There seems to be some cognitive dissonance at work here.

Re: Throw The Bums Out

kidmercury — Thu, 05 Nov 2009 12:09:52 -0000

completely off topic, dave, but if you can be persuaded to upload an avatar, that would be great. all the cool kids do it, you don't want to be left out, do you????

if you need me to design a 9/11 truth avatar for you, just holla.

Re: Throw The Bums Out

Dan Lewis — Thu, 05 Nov 2009 12:01:37 -0000

Not explicitly, but not-so-subtly either.

It certainly didn't help, as Christie rebuffed it in a tactful way.

Re: Throw The Bums Out

Guest — Thu, 05 Nov 2009 11:59:53 -0000

Mercury Kid, sorry I read your post a bit too fast: Yes, the goal would be to allow everyone to suggest their own reputation system and to allow everyone to pick the one they like the most. They indicate their preferences with money (used to change the world or parts of it according to their preferred reputation system).

What I am describing is a free market with low entry barriers and lots of competitors. In a free market, people are never irrational (unless they somehow make decisions against their own will). The irrationality I want to solve is that free voting allows people to lobby for crazy policy to be paid for by others, not to stop them from financing those policies themselves (because people can spend their money any way they wish).

Anti freedom voters gaining power by using only their (and not taxpayers) money in a free market is as likely as car haters raising so much money in a free market to stop everyone from producing and buying cars. Not going to happen, unless is self selected little communities of car haters (who feel so strong about it they want to move together for it).