Obama's not a perfect man; but who thinks any man is perfect?
When Bush instituted cut taxes in 2001 and 2003, most of us saw a nice $300 check (Weren't we taxed on it the following year?).
But, the tax cuts also included loopholes that benefited the wealthiest; especially the 1%. This reinforced what Jacob Hacker and Paul Pierson describe it in their book "Winner Take All": "engineered inequality". Using a chart, Hacker and Pierson demonstrate the extent of income wealth growth of the 1% by 256% compared to income wealth growth for the rest of us (the 99%, if you will) by 11%-55%.
Gordon Gecko's speech to "Buddy Boy" in the movie Wall Street: "We make the rules, pal. The news, war, peace, the price of paperclips". True story.
The word "fair" has been turned into a dirty word. I'm one of those who does not consider 'class-war' by the 99%; but by the 1%. It is not about envy on the part of the 99%, but it is about the greed of the 1%. In several efforts to reduce the deficit, when asked to contribute 0.56% in taxes (of which can truly be considered un-earned) they refused.
What are the 1% to do about Obama's promise to let the Bush tax cuts expire, and - if possible - revamp the tax code?
What else are oil magnates such as Koch Brothers and friends to do about Obama messing with their cash cow, while pushing hard for "clean energy" (another 'dirty' phrase), rather than for things like the XL Pipeline?
Despite denials, there are many who believe that Trans-Canada and Koch interests are closely intertwined.
The Perryman Group of Waco, Texas was hired by Trans-Canada and rates the jobs' figure at 20K. The fact that the company that did the study is based in Texas and was hired by the company that owns the pipeline should give pause. The U.S. State Department estimates that the pipeline would net about 5K to 6K jobs in America. An independent review by Cornell University Global Labor Institute puts the figure even less, at 500-1400 temporary
construction jobs.
Tar sands are the dirtiest stuff to be refined. After being chugged through our beautiful land, the refined oil will more than likely be shipped to the highest bidder; not necessarily to the American people that had their land's desecrated.
I invite everyone to educate themselves on tar sands. It's an eye-opening experience. You could start here: Tar Sands Basics http://ostseis.anl.gov/guide/tarsands/index.cfm and of course, Wikipedia: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Oil_sands
Question: Why is it so wrong to invest in wind and solar instead of more oil and gas? Simple answer: A lot more money for people who don't need it; but do want power.
So, if that explains the reasons for the 1%'s unfair treatment of Obama, what explains the everyday Joe and Jane who so fiercely defend those who have the least bit interest - or intent - in repaying that loyalty? Could these be the same Joe and Jane still looking for WMD?)
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