Teabaggers

[Gravekeeper]

Aside from the fact they have no idea what teabagging means ( which amuses me I'll admit ), these people drive me crazy whenever I see them on TV. Godwin's Law aside, do they have any what they're actually talking about?

Hell, do any of you? Their very presence and argument confuses me. But than I don't get all my news from Fox. >.>

[Talon]

I'm pretty sure the term is a reference to the Boston Tea Party.

They claim to oppose Obama's spending and tax policy. But where were they during the election? Or the nightmare of the Bush years? They've just suddenly decided they hate gov't overspending in the last 6 months, and that's very convenient.

Oh yes, let's not forget Fox News. They were oh so happy to call anyone who spoke out against Bush traitors, but now they're suddenly in love with dissenters. Check out Jon Stewart mocking their hypocrisy.

[Gravekeeper]

Yea, I know that's the reference.....but they have taxation WITH representation now so isn't that point sort of moot?

As for Obama....didn't he cut taxes on 98% of Americans? I just don't understand what the hell they're talking about. As for the spending....it's called stimulus for a reason. If you just left the downward spiral alone you'd all be living on the streets at this point. Well, save your congressman.

The stimulus package is working. Even the Wall Street Journal admitted that. So what's the problem? ><

I'm just trying to figure out which world they live in and why it didn't exist when Bush or even Reagan was busy ramping up the debt.

[Lace Neil Singer]

Strange; when I saw this thread, I thought of something else entirely and wondered why you'd posted it in the politics section.

[Jason]

The stimulus package is working. Even the Wall Street Journal admitted that. So what's the problem? ><

Wrong....
Over 80% of the stimulus hasn't even been spent and won't be spent until 2011 and 2012.

[Pedersen]

Wrong....
Over 80% of the stimulus hasn't even been spent and won't be spent until 2011 and 2012.

Interesting. Something can't be considered working until all of the money has been spent on it? Why is that? Gravekeeper provided a source that stated that the stimulus package has already begun helping out the economy, and your sole contradiction is "Well, we haven't spent all the money yet. Just wait and see, it won't work."

I hope you have more to say than that.

As to the original point, I actually applaud the teabaggers. I think they're idiots, but I still applaud them. They feel they are not represented by this President and this congress. As such, they are expressing that feeling by recalling an historical event that, for many USians, is the defining moment at which we began expressing our discontent at the lack of representation we had in the British government.

So, idiots, but idiots who deserve applause for at least trying to make a difference, and for trying to make this country the way they want it to be. I wish I believed I could make a difference. If so, I'd be just much of a nut as the teabaggers, but in a different way.

[BroomJockey]

Wrong....
Over 80% of the stimulus hasn't even been spent and won't be spent until 2011 and 2012.

Fine. About 20% has been spent then. That's 1/5th. That's apparently enough progress for the Wall Street Journal. I'm throwing in with Pedersen, where's your source?


On GK's "amused" note, I often find it hilarious when internet and world-at-large cultures collide like that. Still, if you think about it, it tends to fit. After all, Halo's teabaggers tend to be douches.

[Greenday]

http://videocafe.crooksandliars.com/...otests-us-aint

Jon Stewart strikes again!

[Gravekeeper]

As to the original point, I actually applaud the teabaggers. I think they're idiots, but I still applaud them.

I'll applaud them when one of them actually picks up an American history book with supplemental studies in World War 2. I am terrified by the fact that I learned more about American history in Canadian public schools than they have in American public schools. -.-

After that maybe they can stop violating Godwin's Law.

Hell, if you really want to blow their minds: Point out the American economy historically does better under Democratic Presidents. That'll really fark with them. Of course they'll probably just call you a socialist commi and tell you Jesus hates you. >.>

[Jason]

SOURCE:

Heritage Foundataion and the CBO.



Also past experience:
FDR and the New Deal did not end the depression in the 30's, WWII did
During the 90's, Japan had several "stimulus" attempts to help. None of them worked.



I'll agree that stimulus money might start a brief spike in economic activity, but without long term changes, the stimulus won't help. Why spend 100s of Billions of dollars for a several month economic spike?!?

[Fashion Lad!]

As for Obama....didn't he cut taxes on 98% of Americans? I just don't understand what the hell they're talking about.

I'm just trying to figure out which world they live in and why it didn't exist when Bush or even Reagan was busy ramping up the debt.

You're right, President Obama did cut taxes on 98% of Americans. We see a little extra in each of our paychecks each week. It's not a lot at all. I can buy 1 extra album on iTunes a week, which about what it comes out to.

But! He will be raising taxes on everyone. Doesn't matter who you are. And I'm not talking about Health Care Reform which is supposed to be spending neutral. I'm talking about Cap and Trade.

I do believe that the teabaggers should've been protesting when President Bush was spending what they he did, but if you notice that the percentage of teabaggers are there are pretty much in-line with how many people still think President Bush was a great President.

But, maybe it's the fact that President Obama will be spending more than three times what President Bush spent in the same amount of time. According to Obama's own budget forecasts for the next 8 years, he will be spending more than Reagan, Bush Sr., Clinton and Bush Jr. combined.

Increased debt by (2008 Inflation Adjusted):
Reagan - $2,342 Billion
Bush Sr - $1,494 Billion
Clinton - $858 Billion
Bush Jr - $2,989 Billion
Obama - $9,979 Billion

(1,000 billion is 1 trillion.)

Obama's numbers are based on his budget forecasts. Now, like I said, they should've been mad when Bush was spending too. Those numbers that I have posted, are before Obama raised his own spending figures.

[Jason]

Another thing, 42 states lost jobs last month up from 27 in July....sure the stimulus is really working.

[Fashion Lad!]

The stimulus hasn't done what it promised to do. A lot of the jobs "saved" were short-term, temporary jobs and they didn't actually create any real revenue for anyone besides the people working the short-term, temporary jobs. And now a lot of those people are back to not working. In addition to that, we actually lost all the jobs President Obama said we were going to lose without the stimulus and then some.

[lordlundar]

They feel they are not represented by this President and this congress. As such, they are expressing that feeling by recalling an historical event that, for many USians, is the defining moment at which we began expressing our discontent at the lack of representation we had in the British government.

Unfortunately, this teabag movement isn't a case of people feeling they're not being represented. They are being told by FOX and other GOP pundits that they're being enslaved by the current administration (I really wish I was making that up) and gust following the other sheep. To date, there has not been an argument made by these people that isn't parroting a GOP media pundit.

[Fashion Lad!]

To date, there has not been an argument made by these people that isn't parroting a GOP media pundit.

Well, obviously. The GOP are their representatives. Like I said, they may be protesting cap & trade. But if the DNC is going to be so blind and ignore something like this then I think you should be thankful for some of those protesters.