Late Night Open Thread - The Duopoly F***S the People Edition
This is live coverage. These fuckers are really going to do it.
Gawd, this is unfrickingbelievable.
This is our political system at work, is this really what we want to continue with? Not me. This has got to change, this whole fucking system. Now if not sooner.
http://thehill.com/homenews/senate/362878-live-coverage-senate-holds-tax...
Check these articles from WSWS, nails it down on what's happening, like right now, late on a Friday night. Wow.
The US Senate tax bill: The financial oligarchy on the rampage
https://www.wsws.org/en/articles/2017/12/02/pers-d02.html
Senate races to pass Trump tax cut for corporate America
https://www.wsws.org/en/articles/2017/12/01/cuts-j01.html
Both parties are completely in on this. This should be enough evidence that this political system is dead to us.
Comments
The top article from WSWS just came out.
The Hill article is a live coverage right now.
HR 41 passed in Senate, 51-49. Bob Corker (TN),
who sponsored a bill to totally eliminate Medigap Insurance policies, voted 'Nay' with Dems.
Bill goes to conference to be reconciled with the House Bill.
Mollie
"Being deeply loved by someone gives you strength, while loving someone deeply gives you courage."--Lao Tzu
Everyone thinks they have the best dog, and none of them are wrong.
We don't pay our
taxes this year. Granted, if your taxes are taken out of your paycheck it's a bit more difficult, but when you do your own (or have them done by H&R or somebody - and it concludes you owe $12.15 (or $1200) don't pay that extra amount. I'm not paying a dime more than I paid last year, and neither should you. Time for another Tax Rebellion.
the little things you can do are more valuable than the giant things you can't! - @thanatokephaloides. On Twitter @wink1radio. (-2.1) All about building progressive media.
Increase your deductions as high as you can
Then don't pay them in April. If enough people do this, then the government will be short. This will probably accelerate their plans to gut social security and other programs, but they are going to do this anyway.
Did you notice that when Cantwell submitted an amendment to stop the drilling in ANWR Munchkin (D) voted against it.
This is totally bullshit kabuki theater. This article explains how both parties are working for this.
The US Senate tax bill: The financial oligarchy on the rampage
This has been in the works since the coup on FDR failed.
Prescott Bush wanted to bring fascism to the country and I'm betting that this is on the agenda next. Hell, aren't we there already?
The media was covering this all day, right? I mean what could be more important than this?
Now, whose farm are we planning on living on?
Which AIPAC/MIC/pharma/bank bought politician are you going to vote for? Don’t be surprised when nothing changes.
Voting is like driving with a toy steering wheel.
@snoopydawg Was over at ToP (why,
Was over at ToP (why, Oh why?), this is all because of racists.
And emails
And of course Russia. But just wait for democrats to take back congress (and they will) and they will fix this. Sigh.
I so badly wanted to remind them how that worked out for us in 2006 and during Obama's tenure. They refuse to see that this is because of his presidency. If he had tried to do something that would have helped main stream Americans, there is no way Trump would be president today. For me it's that simple.
Which AIPAC/MIC/pharma/bank bought politician are you going to vote for? Don’t be surprised when nothing changes.
Voting is like driving with a toy steering wheel.
How do we do that, Snoopy,
and not get sued by the IRS and hit with severe penalties, not get our property seized, or not get thrown in jail or other consequences. I'm sick and tired of paying the huge (huge for me) tax bill I have every year. We pay so much, yet are struggling every month. We have little to no savings. I'm all for not complying. After this travesty, we've got to do something, we've got to take action!
"The “jumpers” reminded us that one day we will all face only one choice and that is how we will die, not how we will live." Chris Hedges on 9/11
Good points, Wink. OTOH, the Feds have broad garnishment
powers--a possible consideration for folks who are still in the workforce.
For that matter, the Feds can garnish Social Security checks for student loans (I've read). So, I'm 'guessing' that it's possible that they can garnish a seniors' Social Security benefit for unpaid federal taxes. (But, I don't this for certain.)
Also, have to wonder if there wouldn't be some fairly negative repercussions for folks enrolled in a ACA plan (if they were to dodge paying federal taxes). At the least, they would probably lose eligibility for a tax subsidy/credit. And there 'could be' leverage over anyone in any of the federal health insurance programs.
Mollie
"Being deeply loved by someone gives you strength, while loving someone deeply gives you courage."--Lao Tzu
Everyone thinks they have the best dog, and none of them are wrong.
I've thought about that too.
They can't garnish if there's nothing TO garnish though (that they know about). Many people working under the table for cash probably don't have health insurance either, so there's that. Refuse to get another corporate minimum-wage job until things change. I'm already resigned to the fact that I've been working for packing peanuts my entire adult life so I'm probably going to get less than packing peanuts in SS IF I'm ever able to retire, and IF SS is still around by then, and IF I even live that long. That's a lot of IFs. But it's about all I can do. I already don't shop at Walmart and minimize big box stores and fast food as much as possible. No TV and no lamestream news sources in our house either. Ad blockers for the internet.
This shit is bananas.
Now more than ever...
[video:https://youtu.be/beweuMOVmBI]
"Obama promised transparency, but Assange is the one who brought it."
Vive la revolution
n/t
"Don't go back to sleep ... Don't go back to sleep ... Don't go back to sleep."
~Rumi
"If you want revolution, be it."
~Caitlin Johnstone
from WSWS article
I remember someone saying somewhere online years ago
[edit, because I mixed up those fricking wars]
that the US Independence war was nothing but a rebellion against taxes imposed on them. So, there will be a revolutionary war in the future. I wonder if I should be scared for or proud of my American friends or both for having the guts to fight.
It's easy to cheer you up, from far away, not being in direct danger for participating in the fight.
Sigh, Big AL, today I agree with you. It is 'by Gawd, unfrickingbelievable'.
Someone asked here, on which farm you will be living on. The unfrickingbelievable is that you can't buy a small farm anymore and live off it, at least not if you don't inherit one.
If people can't afford farms,
it's because they haven't chosen better ancestors. They should just keep pulling on their bootstraps. Or something.
"Obama promised transparency, but Assange is the one who brought it."
They're selling us a tale that it was "because slavery"
or some such discrediting of our ancestors, probably with an eye to undermining any repeat. Just another framing of "Rich man's war, poor man's fight".
Like most of the propagated myths about the American Revolution, it's neither true nor untrue - just enough fact to catapult the propaganda. Taxes weren't the whole story, slavery wasn't the whole story. It boils down to geography - the Colonies were close enough to England to exploit profitably, but just far enough away and with limited enough resources to make exploitation (usually) too much trouble to get too rapacious. They were left to themselves just enough to develop a healthy tradition of self-government (as one Downeaster memorably put it, "We had always governed ourselves and we always meant to. They weren't going to let us."), and being bossed from 3000 miles away didn't sit well with a lot of people. (There were exceptions, like the wag who said he preferred one tyrant 3000 miles away to 3000 tyrants a mile away - but on the whole the "Let us do it ourselves" attitude was fairly prevalent.)
There is no justice. There can be no peace.
one thing they really didn't like was having the English
parliament tell them they weren't allowed to go over the mountains and settle what is now the "heartland" -- Ohio, Michigan, Indiana, and points west -- at the expense of those who already lived there.
The earth is a multibillion-year-old sphere.
The Nazis killed millions of Jews.
On 9/11/01 a Boeing 757 (AA77) flew into the Pentagon.
AGCC is happening.
If you cannot accept these facts, I cannot fake an interest in any of your opinions.
That too, yes
There were a lot of reasons that all came together at the right time.
One factor that is almost never mentioned is that Britain and France had been at hot and cold war for centuries, and Britain had just grabbed off a couple of French territories, one north of British America and one halfway across the globe in southern Asia. The French were still steamed about this, and willing to do anything within reason to give the British Lion a bloody nose. Giving the rebellious Colonies a helping hand seemed like a good tit-for-tat.
There is no justice. There can be no peace.
This is all on her heinous and the DNC
without either one robbing us of Bernie
this bill would be nothing more than a
R's dream.
Now it's turned into amerika's nightmare
maybe the sheep will finally wake up.
I never knew that the term "Never Again" only pertained to
those born Jewish
"Antisemite used to be someone who didn't like Jews
now it's someone who Jews don't like"
Heard from Margaret Kimberley
I've been thinking. . .
My senator was one of those who voted against Bernie's amendment. It got me thinking that we need to remind these people that we know where they live. Maybe they need to be afraid of us to do the right thing.
Just saying.
Can't get rid of Warner till 2020
If then. But that gives us time to work up a ground game for a challenger.
There is no justice. There can be no peace.
Have you done that?
That's a question I have for the people reading this blog. What have people done relative to contacting our unrepresentatives?
Does anyone know of an effort to get a mass of people contacting Congress and Senate?
I'm thinking about preparing a message/letter to my congressional rep and two state senators. I'm thinking about giving that message/letter to other people I know and have them send it in under their names as well.
Is that something already being done? Is it something that people would participate in, would it help?
I think I'll write it first, then go from there. I could share it here and see what people think.
But we need a lot more than that.
I believe such things have been done in the recent past
For various issues. And people do appear to be interested in participating.
The problem I see is that most of these "contact your 'representatives'" efforts are organized via social media and don't require much effort. Meaning, I see things like "I signed this petition to impeach Trump and you can too!" type stuff. Slacktivism at its best.
Maybe, just maybe, a more traditional, thought-out, organized and truly participatory effort would make a difference. And maybe, just maybe, people are ready and willing to get involved. If this monstrosity isn't a tipping point, I don't know what is.
How about going after Herrera-Buetler?
Maybe as a model for going after others?
Herrera Beutler
There are a couple of Berniecrats who are running against Herrera Beutler. They declared shortly after she won the last election. However, the establishment Dems have now put someone in the race, too.
"Don't go back to sleep ... Don't go back to sleep ... Don't go back to sleep."
~Rumi
"If you want revolution, be it."
~Caitlin Johnstone
Maybe I should put my name in as an Indie.
What is it, $150.
I considered years ago before I became completely disenchanted with this political system. I'm willing to consider anything now, except the duopoly political parties.
We just need to make some waves somehow.
I emailed both Bernicrats about a month ago asking if they opposed imperialism, no reply from either.
Waves
We're going to make enough waves to create a tsunami.
The fact that the people of Vancouver, WA recently defeated the oil terminal project shows that there's hope yet for Herrera Beutler's congressional district.
"Don't go back to sleep ... Don't go back to sleep ... Don't go back to sleep."
~Rumi
"If you want revolution, be it."
~Caitlin Johnstone
I like a relay
to Capitol Hill. One city /town to the next, all the way to D.C. Pick up sigs at each stop, add to pages, then on to next town.
the little things you can do are more valuable than the giant things you can't! - @thanatokephaloides. On Twitter @wink1radio. (-2.1) All about building progressive media.
That's a good idea. Definitely.
Hmmm.
Or possibly a fifty state strategy also
with trips to each state capital.
This bill is radical in so many ways that
it amounts to a revolution, one won without bloodshed by the oligarchs.
"We'll know our disinformation program is complete when everything the American public believes is false." ---- William Casey, CIA Director, 1981
It is. The overall ramifications are incredible,
particularly compared to what we really need.
I've been having a back and forth with a Papa John's store owner regarding a boycott. I might write one on that but his argument was that he was in reality an independent local business owner. I went back to him that we're in a class war and unfortunately for him, "Papa" John Schnatter, the name on your store, is on the other side.
When he loses his customary business tax
deductions, he will close the doors. That is what I am facing.
I cannot make a living if this goes into effect as it is currently written.
My only close relative is my brother. He has leukemia. In the future, he will require chemo. If he can't get it, I expect to completely snap.
You will be reading about it in the news.
"We'll know our disinformation program is complete when everything the American public believes is false." ---- William Casey, CIA Director, 1981
Boycott the Chains, franchises,
especially fast food joints, Wally World. Let them all eat cake.
the little things you can do are more valuable than the giant things you can't! - @thanatokephaloides. On Twitter @wink1radio. (-2.1) All about building progressive media.
@Wink
YESSSSSS!!!!!! Please!!!!! Boycott all criminal and abusive corporations - preferably before it's claimed to be illegal to do so!
Psychopathy is not a political position, whether labeled 'conservatism', 'centrism' or 'left'.
A tin labeled 'coffee' may be a can of worms or pathology identified by a lack of empathy/willingness to harm others to achieve personal desires.
if he owns the store itself,
he has everything he needs to go independent, whenever his current franchise agreement expires. he's got all the gear, he's got the kitchen, he's got the employees. only thing he needs to do is invest in some different signage and start making good pizza instead of junk pizza.
The earth is a multibillion-year-old sphere.
The Nazis killed millions of Jews.
On 9/11/01 a Boeing 757 (AA77) flew into the Pentagon.
AGCC is happening.
If you cannot accept these facts, I cannot fake an interest in any of your opinions.
Good point,
I'll remind him of that.
Was and is.
"We can do anything we want to you slackers."
We now have ball, next move is ours.
We'll now see if 'muricans got the stomach.
the little things you can do are more valuable than the giant things you can't! - @thanatokephaloides. On Twitter @wink1radio. (-2.1) All about building progressive media.
Where was the mass outrage against this tax reform?
We just went 3rd World! I am so furious. If I wanted to live in Guatemala, I would have moved there. I didn't want it at my doorsteps.
"We'll know our disinformation program is complete when everything the American public believes is false." ---- William Casey, CIA Director, 1981
True, we did.
My two sisters, both in the $150 Large crowd (or more), though, were less than impressed over T-Day dinner. "we're gonna make out like gangsters!" "I'm So happy for you... " "we know... it sucks to be you."
They'll find out soon enough. They don't make That much money.
the little things you can do are more valuable than the giant things you can't! - @thanatokephaloides. On Twitter @wink1radio. (-2.1) All about building progressive media.
Remind them that if they aren't rich enough
any tax breaks that they get are only temporary. They sunset in so many years. I'm seeing this on my local news website too. "Yeah for me. I'm getting a tax cut!"
Which AIPAC/MIC/pharma/bank bought politician are you going to vote for? Don’t be surprised when nothing changes.
Voting is like driving with a toy steering wheel.
Exactly. Thanks! n/t
the little things you can do are more valuable than the giant things you can't! - @thanatokephaloides. On Twitter @wink1radio. (-2.1) All about building progressive media.
I wa just thinking of a title for an essay.
"To Trump supporters making less than 70K per Year, You're Fucking Stupid!"
Ya, I know. I'm just pissed off.
Dead nuts, though. n/t
the little things you can do are more valuable than the giant things you can't! - @thanatokephaloides. On Twitter @wink1radio. (-2.1) All about building progressive media.
As am I, BA
I'm sure that millions are as pissed as we are. This might get ugly.
Which AIPAC/MIC/pharma/bank bought politician are you going to vote for? Don’t be surprised when nothing changes.
Voting is like driving with a toy steering wheel.
It's the political system sd,
I'm convinced. If that isn't the number one priority, nothing will change.
Not just the election process, the whole thing. Did you see what happened last night, how it went down?
I'm afraid any other talk besides how to change this system is wasting time.
"How to Stop the Empire While Keeping Your Day Job"
An Occupy activist's one-man play, from 2012:
From Occupy the Empty Space political theater, "A theatrical show on Occupy, and activist-related issues featuring short 10-min plays and teach-ins. The event was held at Judson Memorial Church, NYC, March 18, 2012. please excuse the audio quality, this was filmed without advance planning."
"If I should ever die, God forbid, let this be my epitaph:
THE ONLY PROOF HE NEEDED
FOR THE EXISTENCE OF GOD
WAS MUSIC"
- Kurt Vonnegut
Great video.
He's really good, funny, heartfelt, honest. Stop buying crap you don't need - I am getting pretty good at this one now. I work from home and wear t-shirts and jeans, well sweats in the house, and the thought of shopping is just not fun but a chore now. I just don't want very much stuff anymore, what I want is security and a world where everyone has it.
I got invited to a Christmas party and that group loves to go cocktail wardrobe. Just yuck. I would like to see some of those people and do miss them but damn, we have almost nothing in common anymore. And I'm not real sure I trust myself not to open my big mouth and say something offensive....something true that they don't want to hear or even think about.
Only a fool lets someone else tell him who his enemy is. Assata Shakur
Had been meaning to watch his piece for some time, and liked it
too. Embodied the spirit of folks every which way that could be found at and around Occupy. For me the Occupy ethos was a great validation of things I had been doing piecemeal for a very long time but hadn't really put together as philosophical way of living.
Here's just one example of what I like to do when out shopping (something I resist with all my might, expect for food, books or records), for instance. Was at one of those big stupid box stores (which I absolutely loathe) with my partner and the two babies today buying a new shower head (a decision which I just glaze over about, I could care less). So when I'm there I always see it as an opportunity to attempt to wake up, or at least startle, the zombie shoppers. I can't help but go into a Bill Hicks-style "Go Back To Bed America" mode, walking through the aisles like some crazy guy just saying aloud in an official-sounding emcee voice, "Keep shopping people; it's your American civic duty", "Enjoy all these disposable items, made by child slave labor in SE Asia" "Wall St banks love it when we're in debt" "Let me buy more disposable junk to try to fill the void of my otherwise empty life."
I like to dis the season, year round. The only church you'll find me attending anymore is Rev. Billy's Church of Stop Shopping.
Consumerism is one of the top biggest problems. It's a collective cancer for so many reasons. For one thing, it's one of the main reason for imperialism (i.e. stolen resources, cheap labor).
There are some main guidelines I abide by to do my part. Absolutely essential is to make a concerted effort not to watch any advertising, which is just barraging us 24/7 in all ways (stop reading newspapers/magazines, watching tv, and if you do, literally avert your eyes from the ads). It's not difficult once you begin to get the hang of it. I also always try to buy things from a smaller operator than a franchise monopoly, whenever possible. Buy second hand clothes and other goods, as a matter of course. Would like to write an essay when I get some time.
I also wish I had more time to be more subversive. To do things like deface ads, scrawl graffiti that challenges the status quo, corporate domination, etc. I love the power of public messaging to hit back against these corporate cocksuckers (h/t to George Carlin for that favorite alliteration), such as Banksy and the Illuminator. My thinking is, if I have to live in such an odious world of non-stop advertising, then I can do some of my own. Which is why I almost never leave the house without a political shirt or button pinned on.
We need to take these C99 conversations to the public, doncha think?
"If I should ever die, God forbid, let this be my epitaph:
THE ONLY PROOF HE NEEDED
FOR THE EXISTENCE OF GOD
WAS MUSIC"
- Kurt Vonnegut
Yes, we do! n/t
the little things you can do are more valuable than the giant things you can't! - @thanatokephaloides. On Twitter @wink1radio. (-2.1) All about building progressive media.
LOL!
Oh man, I admire you for doing that in a store! How does your partner feel about that?! I spend as little time as I can in any store, including grocery. A new showerhead can save water though, so good thing to get one of those. Some of their stuff we need but a lot of it is just a waste.
Only a fool lets someone else tell him who his enemy is. Assata Shakur