Paul Ryan and the Class Warfare Death Knell

Paul Ryan's budget for 2012 is doable; however, he has chosen to place the brunt of the budget cuts on the backs of the lower classes while the rich remained untouched - which makes it totally unacceptable!

This is totally unfair to the people whom, in no way, are responsible for the current deficits. Were he to make an equitable adjustment to his budget proposal by placing the cuts totally on the backs of those that received the benefits from the past ten years, then I would see no reasons why it can't be implemented.

The two year extension of tax cuts just granted to the rich would, in and of itself, remove more than 1.4 trillion from the deficit prior to proposing his budget in the first two years.

What is it that makes Mr. Ryan and the GOP believe that this is the best way to reduce the deficit… inquiring minds want to know?

In a democracy, silence is not golden; it is condonance in the face of injustices; it is fear, where the thought of reprisal fosters control – Rodney A. Davis

Pat Toomey: How to Freeze the Debt Ceiling Without Risking Default - WSJ.com

The insanity of prophesying that the debt ceiling can be maintained by committing the United States to a path that may or may not work properly is beyond ludicrous - massive layoffs and cutbacks in government workers and programs.  You would think... but that theory may just work!

Senator Pat Toomey will very shortly introduce legislation that will, in effect, cut our decades long dependency of borrowing to cover the overspending that has been a integral part of the American economy for the last five decades - the Korean war veterans returning from the Korean conflict created a need to borrow and it has been the accepted thing to do every since.

Only a few months ago Britain embarked on this same surgical procedure with less than disastrous results!  The predictions by some that the British economy would collapse has not occurred, but the jury is still out, since the majority of the cuts won't occur until this time next year.

The Economist posted this article: So Far, so Good in which statistical data shows every indication that the policy is working, but as I said before, they have not gotten to the core of the new policy - massive layoffs and severe cuts in government spending.  The British plan is to make cuts equaling ten percent of the GDP over a four year period.  That is a significant reduction that would theoretically be the equivalent of cardiac arrest to an economy the size of Britain's, but contrary to 'the doom and gloom' that was predicted, the opposite is occurring.

Growth has been steadily improving for the last three quarters in direct contrast to predictions for Britain.  In summary, maybe the good Senator has it right and adopting  Britain's policy may be the right course for America as well.


In a democracy, silence is not golden; it is condonance in the face of injustices; it is fear, where the thought of reprisal fosters control – Rodney A. Davis

Obama Sucks!

I am sick and tired of clueless numbskulls walking around here shouting from the top of their lungs - Obama Sucks! Obviously, you loved the crap that Bush 43 shoved down your throw and you are looking for more! More job loses; larger deficit spending; more tax cuts for the rich; more nonsensical obstructionism on the part of the GOP; just more of anything that would lead to the eventual destruction of the United States of America.

Had America been paying attention from the beginning, we would not have entered Iraq. Bush's Father asked him... "what in hell's tarnation are you doing; do you have an exit strategy". He had no comment for his Father and his book should tell all - read it and find out just how much you were duped by the infamous duo of Bush/Cheney.

I, like many other veterans of Viet Nam who have a knowledge of nuclear weaponry, knew that Saddam had no WMDS. There never were any, but Bush 43 could do no wrong. There are many distinctions that Bush 43 will have as asterisks by his name... first President to enter two war fronts at the same time; first President to attack a foreign country without provocation; first President to 'give' tax cuts to the top one percent of the people at the expense of the working class and not pay for it; first President to spend over ten trillion dollars - more than any other President. I could go on, but you get the picture.

What I don't understand is that the legacy of Bush 43 is there for all to see - he ruined this country! Yet, you have those who would shout Obama sucks - why, because he stopped the job lost of seven hundred thousand per month, because he passed a comprehensive health care plan for all of America, or is it because he has done so much in two years with so little to work with because his predecessor gave it all away in dumbshit spending?

Bush 43 was handed a silver spoon by the Clinton Administration and he promptly used it to dig a hole for this country. You now have a decent President trying to bring America back and all I can heard is Obama sucks - well, if Obama sucks, then Bush 43 blew it!

In a democracy, silence is not golden; it is condonance in the face of injustices; it is fear, where the thought of reprisal fosters control – Rodney A. Davis

I Don’t Understand Why You think That Way

All of this week I have been trying to understand why the majority of the GOP base has taken the position that Obama isn’t doing enough to fix the situation in the Gulf of Mexico, the McChrystal fiasco, and our economy in general. Negative comments are being voiced at every turn with most of them based on lies and innuendos rather than the facts.

Lie and Innuendo number one – McChrystal had every right to get it off his chest regarding his relationship with the President, Vice-President, and others on how the war was going in Afghanistan – wrong! The Uniform code of Military Justice (UCMJ) has something to say about that.

ART. 88 - CONTEMPT TOWARD OFFICIALS

More of this Feature • UCMJ Menu • Punitive Articles of the UCMJ Join the Discussion Military Law Related Resources • Court Martials • Nonjudicial Punishment (Art 15) • Administrative Discharges • Military Lawyers From Other Guides • Crime & Punishment • Current Events: Law • Government • US Government Info Any commissioned officer who uses contemptuous words against the President, the Vice President, Congress, the Secretary of Defense, the Secretary of a military department, the Secretary of Transportation, or the Governor or legislature of any State, Territory, Commonwealth, or possession in which he is on duty or present shall be punished as a court-martial may direct. Note: For specific details concerning this offense, including elements of proof, maximum punishments, and detailed explanation, see Punitive Articles of the UCMJ What is even more frightening is these individuals are using public forums to express their misunderstanding of the facts in support of McChrystal… that the President is an egotistical immature boy for not manning up and taking a little criticism from one of his Generals.

What few of those voicing these skewed thoughts didn’t know is that McChrystal has been reprimanded on two previous occasions for the same offense – disrespecting the Civilian leadership of the United States, his bosses. On the first occasion, the President called him in for a ‘talk’ aboard Air Force One. The second occasion the President raked both Admiral Mullen and Defense Secretary Gates over the coals for McChrystal’s remarks. In other words, the egotistical immature boy President was trying to find the key to working with McChrystal with little success.

McChrystal has a history dating back to his days at West Point for being a person willing to push the envelope of his restraints on occasion after occasion – getting away with it because he Father was a General, and like McCain, these golden boys believe that they can do anything and get away with it. McChrystal will have the rest of his life to contemplate the folly of his ways.

The other issue that has been thrown against the wall on several occasions it this notion that the President is not doing enough to stop the oil spill in the Gulf of Mexico; that the President is not putting enough pressure on BP, nor is he using the Armed Forces to bring this thing under control.

Here are the facts with regard to what the President can and cannot do:

The Coast Guard has been assigned overall control of the operation of containment and stopping the oil that continues to gush from the ocean floor. Our Armed Forces are not capable of stopping an oil leak that is originating from a mile below the surface of the ocean. The use of military support to contain the flow of oil coming onto Louisiana’s beaches and marshlands was granted by the President early on, but to date those troops have not been used by the governor of Louisiana.

Congress ordered the appearance of all oil executives before it – we all saw what a mess that was. Each of the litigants claimed that the others were responsible for the current state of affairs leaving Congress to draw its own conclusions. It is certain to be a circus when the trials began to award damages and find those guilty of criminal negligence.

Finally, there is the scene where Congressman Barton actually apologizes to BP for having been shaken down by President Obama. Many have forgotten the Exxon Valdez and how Exxon eventually was able to reduce its financial responsibilities to a fraction of the actual damage that the fishing industry and the people of Alaska experienced. Obama’s attempt to insure that it never happens with this oil spill was met with accusations of a shakedown. If BP doesn’t pay for this oil spill, whom do you think will be footing the bill – certainly, you and I don’t have that kind of money, but BP sure does and they are at fault?

As a country, we Americans should find common ground within the realm of patriotism and work to achieve a common good for all Americans. It seems to me that the constant chatter that Obama does not have the wherewithal to do a better job as President than Bush has quite a few holes in it – Obama has managed to turn the corner on job losses from the neighborhood of seven hundred thousand a month to an increase in job production. The economy was spiraling out of control – it no longer is! It shouldn’t take the intelligence of a rocket scientist to see that Obama is doing the best job with what he was given to work with.

In a democracy, silence is not golden; it is condonance in the face of injustices; it is fear, where the thought of reprisal fosters control – Rodney A. Davis

Ancient Chinese Proverb

On today, of all days, I am reminded of an ancient Chinese proverb issued by the distinguish gentleman – Confucius, it goes like this... "It is better to be thought a fool, then to open ones mouth and remove all doubt".

People are demonstrating in the streets of every major city at the behest of those who are uninformed regarding the present tax structure that President Bush wrote for the people while he was in office. Lead by the GOP, people are holding ‘Tea Parties’ to protest an increase in taxes and the national debt.

Of course, FauxNews is at the head of the disorganized mob attempting to bring attention to what is simply a bogus lie…



If I understand it correctly, the protest is not so much against a raise in taxes as it is disenchantment with the Stimulus packages that have been put forth by the Bush and Obama administrations over the last six to seven months. If that is the case, we are simply witnessing a protest against an ideology that does not sit well with the right.

But, wait a moment and listen because the commentator is using the word ‘fascism’ to describe the motivation for the demonstration.

Fascism, as defined by Merriam-Webster is:

1often capitalized : a political philosophy, movement, or regime (as that of the Fascisti) that exalts nation and often race above the individual and that stands for a centralized autocratic government headed by a dictatorial leader, severe economic and social regimentation, and forcible suppression of opposition
2: a tendency toward or actual exercise of strong autocratic or dictatorial control (early instances of army fascism and brutality).

Is that what the Stimulus packages are all about? Surely we were closer to a dictatorial government under the Bush administration, but by his actions, Obama is attempting to lead us away from that form of government. So, what really is this national protest about? Let’s ask someone who should know… the average ‘Joe’ on the street.

‘Joe’ on the street was asked his reasons for demonstrating and he certainly made himself… errr clear! Well, maybe he didn’t. Let’s move down a little further and see what the next person has to share with us in the way of intelligent discourse on his/her position regarding this protest… Ohh! Look, there is Alan Keyes… Let’s get his views on the subject…


Well… that was certainly original and… different!

I have to tell you folks that with all of this crazy stuff going on here today… I wouldn’t drink the water if I were you! Until the next time… this is Rod Davis, your independent reporter on the street saying… better to not open your mouth and remove all doubt!

In a democracy, silence is not golden; it is condonance in the face of injustices; it is fear, where the thought of reprisal fosters control.

An Open Letter to FoxNews

I don't think that any of the opponents of the Stimulus Package are looking at this proposal in the same vein as they did when President Bush proposed the cutting of taxes and allocation of the 1.3 trillion surplus that was left by the Clinton administration. This Stimulus Package has been labeled 'socialistic', but the doling out of the surplus was considered to be the right thing to do - not socialism. Bare in mind that it was not the middle-class that received the bulk of the money; it was the rich - those making over one hundred fifty thousand dollars.

The Stimulus Package is supposed to generate jobs, put cash in the country's economy, and support small business. The size of it can be directly attributed to the delay in implementing the 'TARP' in a supervised manner. Henry Paulson did exactly what he said he wanted to do with that money with Congress and President Bush allowing that crime to go unpunished. Paulson stated before Congress that he wanted this money with the freedom to distribute it to whomever he deemed worthy without any over-sight. Even though he was told to give feedback to Congress, Mr. Paulson did exactly the opposite with Congress and George Bush looking on approvingly.



Now the Republican component of Congress wants to present a fiscally responsible profile after supporting, over ninety percent of the time, the Bush agenda when it came to spending with no restraint during Bush's term in office. While I have no qualms about the position of the Republican legislators, I question their resolve to constrain the efforts of President Obama when they didn't do so in time enough to have averted the current economical mess that we are experiencing. I question the blocking of this package by the Republican Congressional members without a constructive alternative that meets the needs of 'all' of America.

Closing Guantanamo is the right thing to do. They closed Abu Ghraib after what can surely be considered to have been the greatest embarrassment to the United States image, why not do the same with Guantanamo. Let me make myself clear, I don't want to see these detained people freed without some forethought. I believed that the Obama administration has done that. I believe that torture is not to be condoned under any circumstances - remember, what is done to American held prisoners can easily be done to our soldiers in the custody of the enemy. I believe that the delay in bringing the Guantanamo prisoners to trial has created an atmosphere of mistrust and injustice - yes, the inability to have brought these people to a speedy trial is the real mistake.

Lastly, I want to remind Fox News that despite your claims to being factual and bias-free, America does not see it that way. Bill O'Reilly, Glenn Beck, and the infamous Mr. Hannity set a poor example for fair practices in journalism. I value your ability to be among the leaders when it comes to breaking news; you rival CNN in that phase of broadcasting. However; your bias insistence in supporting the Republican agenda is nothing short of irresponsible and a detractor. FoxNews and its commentators aren't going to change, and I understand that. The nature of your agenda destines you for the same fate as the Republican Party - disfranchisement, if you can’t appeal to the new majority in America. The new America is a thinking public with none of the biases that can categorize by our past.


In a democracy, silence is not golden; it is condonance in the face of injustices; it is fear, where the thought of reprisal fosters control - Rodney A. Davis

McCain - McBush 4 more

Recenty, I listened to a speech by Senator McCain and came away thinking that the real issues that confront America were not addressed in the Senator’s speech.

He, by omission, has indicated that he intends to grant a free pass to big oil and big business with no relief for the little man. He maintains that he will keep in place the initiatives of the Bush Administration, initiatives that got us in the predicament that we currently are experiencing. If America was being interviewed by a ‘credit doctor’ to repair its credit, Senator McCain’s policies would be placed in the ‘round file’ so swiftly that they would catch on fire from the friction of air against the surface of the paper.

My Father told me that power, in the hands of an ignorant man, is the most dangerous thing in the world. This is not to say that the Senator is ignorant, but the adage does apply in this case. In applying that adage to the McCain way of thinking it simply means that we will painfully endure four more years of failed policies.

Like the man he intends to replace, he is exceedingly stubborn when forced to adjust to the changing political arena on the world playing field. We don’t want another war; we can’t afford another war. His posturing during the confrontation with Russia over Russia’s invasion of Georgia proves that he can’t present the united front that America will need in the future to prevent aggression with diplomacy first! He says that he hates war, but he has yet to demonstrate that position when it comes to interfacing with other world powers.

Senator McCain says he will fight for justice and equality for all, but is it all of big business, or will it be all of the people of America? We don't know. The McCain campaign continues to put forward lies and innuendos against their opponents instead of delivering a message that will give us some indication of the path in which his administration will take the country. When asked direct questions about his policies, he seems to wander off blabbering in a strange language things that we can't comprehend. The person that he has selected for his vice-president does the same thing... reference her responses to Katie Couric.

I wonder, personally, how long we will be reminded that the good Senator was a prisoner of war for five and a half years. Does he want us to apply to him the same advantage that is given veterans when they apply for governmental jobs? Or, does he want us to consider his military service as a pre-requisite for anyone seeking the office of President of the United States. If we are to judge McCain by the legacy of previous presidents that did not have any military service, his military service does not have validity in the selection of a president.

In the minds of those of us that are not easily fooled about the war in Iraq, the 'surge' was supposed to give the Iraqi Parliament the time to form a coalition that would support good government between the different sects. To say that the reduced violence in Iraq is a sign that the 'surge' is the reason that we are 'winning' in Iraq is pure unadulterated BS. The war is won when you can leave the occupied country (reference Japan) with a solid government in place that will endure – something the surge was suppose to facilitate. As we all know, there is no consummate government in place in Iraq that is governing for all of the people.

Inquiring minds want to know what you; Mr. McCain, will do about the economy, about getting us out of Iraq, and about health care...