New GOP Plan Would Save Military From Sequestration by Cutting Social Security

Politics • Views: 22,548

WASHINGTON — A pair of House Republicans have a new bill that would spare the military from sequestration by cutting the Social Security benefits of many Americans who already experience painful federal budget cuts.

Reps. Jim Bridenstine (R-Okla.) and Doug Lamborn (R-Colo.) are introducing the Provide for the Common Defense Act on Tuesday. The legislation would cancel out the next two years of sequestration cuts for the Pentagon by putting a heavier burden on senior citizens and federal workers.

Specifically, the plan would change the way cost-of-living adjustments are calculated for Social Security, using a measurement called “chained CPI.” The result would be less money in the pockets of beneficiaries. It would also increase federal employee retirement contributions and means-test Medicare premiums. Critics of means-testing argue that such a change would undermine the popularity of the program, turning it into welfare for lower-income Americans.

“Washington has a spending problem, but incessantly and mindlessly cutting national security will not get us out of our fiscal mess,” said Lamborn in a statement. “President Obama must realize that out-of-control entitlement spending is drowning our country in debt. Our bill cancels national security sequestration for two years by enacting a few Obama-endorsed reforms that will actually produce over $300 billion in savings over ten years. Two-thirds of the savings will go toward debt reduction.”

More: New GOP Plan Would Save Military From Sequestration by Cutting Social Security

Jump to bottom

187 comments
1 BusyMonster  Tue, Dec 3, 2013 8:52:27am
“President Obama must realize that out-of-control entitlement spending is drowning our country in debt.

Excuse me, motherfucker, but I’m entitled to Social Security because it’s my fucking money, motherfucker. I paid into it, and if I’m going to take a cut to my SS benefits so YOU ASSHOLES can keep fellating the MIC, let’s get this shit over with now and cut it ALL IMMEDIATELY.

Then we’ll see who thinks military toys are more important than human beings.

2 Joanne  Tue, Dec 3, 2013 9:09:18am
Critics of means-testing argue that such a change would undermine the popularity of the program, turning it into welfare for lower-income Americans.

This. Exactly.

Means testing then turns it into an entitlement and not a benefit that everyone pays into. That then turns into those elderly OTHERS taking OUR elders’ money while these moochers are driving their equally elderly Cadillacs and viola! Elderly Welfare Queens! Get a job you 90 year old loafer!

3 Sol Berdinowitz  Tue, Dec 3, 2013 9:20:22am

Conservatives will have us believe that we can never spend enough money on defense, and most poiliticians will agree, especially if that money is being spent in their districts.

4 HappyWarrior  Tue, Dec 3, 2013 9:22:30am

These fuckers suck. Oh we spend too much on entitlements but don’t you dare touch the Defense budget. Fucking hypocrites. They’re not for small government at all. They’re for fuck you if you’re not a prison or defense spending.

5 Internet Tough Guy  Tue, Dec 3, 2013 9:24:32am

Please proceed, GOP.

6 kirkspencer  Tue, Dec 3, 2013 9:28:15am

So “incessantly and mindlessly cutting national security will not get us out of our fiscal mess,” but incessantly and mindlessly cutting social security and taxes will?

Idiots.

Lamborn actually approaches evil on this, by the way, but it’s sorta hidden.

In simple, Colorado State employees have a retirement fund: PERA. Because they pay into that they are exempt from paying into Social Security (and don’t get their pay calculated for SS benefits.)

While Lamborn was a state rep he worked very hard attempting to eliminate PERA. And no, there was no part of his bills that would have transferred all the PERA funds to SS for transfer of benefits for retirees. Just some grandfather clause stuff for those near or in retirement.

7 FemNaziBitch  Tue, Dec 3, 2013 9:30:09am

If the Defense Budget can be used to build the nation’s highways, I don’t see any reason we cannot find way to justify using it for “domestic tranquility”.

food, clothing, shelter, health care, IMHO all fall under “domestic tranquility”.

8 Dark_Falcon  Tue, Dec 3, 2013 9:34:24am

Neither of these two Congressmen is on the Budget Committee, but they are both on the House Armed Services Committee. Congressman Bridenstine is also a pilot in the Naval Reserves, flying the E2C Hawkeye

9 Targetpractice  Tue, Dec 3, 2013 9:36:00am

“Provide for the Common Defense Act” is missing three words, as in “Provide for the Common Defense Of Our Jobs Act.” Politicians from states heavily dependent on defense funding to make ends meet and provide jobs wanting to screw over the least-able to ensure their political futures.

Shocker.////

10 Dark_Falcon  Tue, Dec 3, 2013 9:37:10am

re: #7 FemNaziBitch

If the Defense Budget can be used to build the nation’s highways, I don’t see any reason we cannot find way to justify using it for “domestic tranquility”.

food, clothing, shelter, health care, IMHO all fall under “domestic tranquility”.

The highways have defense applications:

1: The rapid movement of lighter military forces (tanks have to move by train).

2: In most places, 1 mile out of a set number has to be straight. This was intended to allow the highways to be used as emergency military runways.

11 FemNaziBitch  Tue, Dec 3, 2013 9:38:29am

re: #10 Dark_Falcon

The highways have defense applications:

1: The rapid movement of lighter military forces (tanks have to move by train).

2: In most places, 1 mile out of a set number has to be straight. This was intended to allow the highways to be used as emergency military runways.

You remember the French Revolution?

12 lawhawk  Tue, Dec 3, 2013 9:39:45am

Means testing. That’s why Obamacare is as complex as it is. Instead of a single payer or other methodology, the ACA incorporated means testing for subsidies. The GOP is busy complaining about the complexity as part of their overall attack on the ACA, but they hope to extend means testing to every other part of the safety net, whether it’s needed or not.

The Chained CPI is another way to reduce spending over the long term on SS; it is expected to save money by reducing the amount of annual COLA increases. I’m not as opposed to this as others, but when the GOP is putting the burden of restored military sequestration cuts on Social Security recipients, I’d say that their priorities are all screwed up.

They bitch and moan about how the government is spending more than it can afford, all while chopping away at the safety net. This isn’t compassionate conservatism. It’s turning the back on everyone who isn’t rich - whether they know it or not.

I’m all for strong national defense. I want to make sure that we’ve got a well funded military, including health care funding for veterans such that their families don’t require SNAP for making ends meet. Congress seems to put priority on making sure that military gear is a jobs program for their districts, whether the military needs it or not (M1 tanks refurbs). The next generation of aircraft carrier is expected to reduce life-cycle costs over the current generation of carriers - both in material costs, as well as personnel costs as it requires fewer sailors to man). But for the cost of a single aircraft carrier (or a B-2 bomber or any other big-ticket appropriation in the military budget), you could replace hundreds of deficient bridges across the country, build new rail connections, and upgrade infrastructure to last into the next century - improving economic efficiencies and competitiveness.

Add to that the GOP’s steadfast refusal to increase taxes even a smidgen when every economist recognizes that cutting the budget deficit (long term) is impossible without a combination of cuts in spending and tax hikes.

But that ignores that the GOP itself ignores deficits when they’ve been in the White House (even calling them a good thing).

13 missliberties  Tue, Dec 3, 2013 9:40:26am

At least they are being honest. For once.

If they want to end medicare and social security then they should just say so.

My question is, in these times, when wages are low, expenses are high, 401K’s don’t seem to do the trick and the good old fashion pension plan for retirement is a relic of yore, why on earth would you gut the ONLY program that guarantees low wage earners retirement? They should increase social security not cut it.

14 darthstar  Tue, Dec 3, 2013 9:41:59am

So basically the Republicans have decided that they’re going to be dicks about everything no matter what. Please proceed.

15 Lord of the Pies  Tue, Dec 3, 2013 9:42:00am

re: #13 missliberties

At least they are being honest. For once.

If they want to end medicare and social security then they should just say so.

My question is, in these times, when wages are low, expenses are high, 401K’s don’t seem to do the trick and the good old fashion pension plan for retirement is a relic of yore, why on earth would you gut the ONLY program that guarantees low wage earners retirement? They should increase social security not cut it.

BECAUSE TEH WALTONS WANTS ALL TEH MONEYS!!!!!!

16 Targetpractice  Tue, Dec 3, 2013 9:43:57am

re: #14 darthstar

So basically the Republicans have decided that they’re going to be dicks about everything no matter what. Please proceed.

It’s a heaping hunk of red meat for their base and as well as an attempt to get the federal money tap turned back on for their constituents. For a party that moans constantly above overspending and takes it as an article of faith that the government can’t create jobs, they sure fight like mad to keep defense jobs funded back home.

17 darthstar  Tue, Dec 3, 2013 9:44:52am

YOUNG PEOPLE WON’T SIGN UP AND OBAMACARE WILL FAIL!

18 Dark_Falcon  Tue, Dec 3, 2013 9:45:00am

re: #11 FemNaziBitch

You remember the French Revolution?

You mean about how the king of France rung up huge debts and then bungled the meeting of the Estates General intended to solve the problem?

Yeah, I remember reading about that. It’s a lesson in planning and having the government live within its means.

It’s also the Comte de Grasse’s fault, since France had to replace the fleet he lost when Admiral Rodney kicked his derriere in 1782.

19 nines09  Tue, Dec 3, 2013 9:45:59am

I see the GOP Re-Branding is moving right along.

20 Lidane  Tue, Dec 3, 2013 9:46:18am

We spend more money on defense than the next dozen or so countries COMBINED, but the problem is with Social Security? Sure, that makes sense.

Please proceed, GOP.

21 AntonSirius  Tue, Dec 3, 2013 9:46:45am
President Obama must realize that out-of-control entitlement spending is drowning our country in debt.

Prove it, asshole. Show your work.

Oh wait, that’s right, you can’t because it’s just another zombie lie.

22 kirkspencer  Tue, Dec 3, 2013 9:47:56am

re: #10 Dark_Falcon

The highways have defense applications:

1: The rapid movement of lighter military forces (tanks have to move by train).

2: In most places, 1 mile out of a set number has to be straight. This was intended to allow the highways to be used as emergency military runways.

no, twice.

First. Highways have defense applications but it wasn’t just for ‘lighter’ military forces. Tanks can move along highways. The problem, particularly for the heavier systems, is that they tend to beat the crap out of the roads. On the other hand there are lowboy beds for trucks that can be used to carry tanks.

The real difference for highways for deployment and transport is that highways allow the entire force to move operationally - ie, more-or-less ready to engage. Train travel is a LOT cheaper, but it’s at the expense of requiring a disembark point at the destination. (No, not necessarily a station. Use soldiers with a lot of shovels to make a first ramp to unload a couple of engineering vehicles, use them to make a harder ramp for everything else, and unload anywhere but a swamp.)

second. The one straight mile story is a myth. It’s not there, it never was there.

23 darthstar  Tue, Dec 3, 2013 9:48:35am

re: #19 nines09

I see the GOP Re-Branding is moving right along.

They’ve gone from being assholes to dicks. Progress!

24 FemNaziBitch  Tue, Dec 3, 2013 9:49:45am

bbl

25 Lidane  Tue, Dec 3, 2013 9:50:02am

re: #19 nines09

I see the GOP Re-Branding is moving right along.

I’m amazed these guys didn’t also crib from Gov. LePage’s efforts to change child labor laws while they’re at it.

26 darthstar  Tue, Dec 3, 2013 9:50:30am

re: #22 kirkspencer

second. The one straight mile story is a myth. It’s not there, it never was there.

Though it could be argued that Interstate 5 in California is one big fucking runway.
//

27 HappyWarrior  Tue, Dec 3, 2013 9:51:24am

re: #25 Lidane

I’m amazed these guys didn’t also crib from Gov. LePage’s efforts to change child labor laws while they’re at it.

That’s a winning plan, GOP. Embrace child labor laws. I mean damn. I wonder if we’ll ever see a GOP elected official claim that the 13th amendment is unconstitutional.

28 Sol Berdinowitz  Tue, Dec 3, 2013 9:51:40am

re: #23 darthstar

They’ve gone from being assholes to dicks. Progress!

there’s three kinds of people

29 darthstar  Tue, Dec 3, 2013 9:52:29am
30 Dark_Falcon  Tue, Dec 3, 2013 9:52:45am

re: #22 kirkspencer

Actually, the M1 Abrams is too heavy for many highway bridges and overpasses.

I was already aware that tanks can move by highway if the road is built for it.
I was not, however, aware the one straight mile principal was a myth.

31 nines09  Tue, Dec 3, 2013 9:54:32am

re: #25 Lidane

Did a page on that last night. Stupefying.

32 HappyWarrior  Tue, Dec 3, 2013 9:54:38am

re: #29 darthstar

[Embedded content]

I think I lost a tenth of my IQ reading that. First he rambles about Obama being pro gay marriage, then bitches that you can benefit from ACA and be single, and then he concludes it by calling Obama, Ayatollah. The wingnut mind, how ever will we comprehend it.

33 Political Atheist  Tue, Dec 3, 2013 9:55:18am
34 nines09  Tue, Dec 3, 2013 9:55:57am

re: #23 darthstar

They’ve gone from being assholes to dicks. Progress!

Dicking their very own people along with the rest of us.

35 Decatur Deb  Tue, Dec 3, 2013 9:56:14am

Found a sixth reason to love Alabama—team loyalty.

Fan shot for not being sad about Alabama loss, witness says


newsday.com

36 Dark_Falcon  Tue, Dec 3, 2013 9:56:18am

re: #33 Political Atheist

this chart look right?
Image: 800px-U.S._Federal_Spending_-_FY_2011.png

Yeah, seems right.

37 Lord of the Pies  Tue, Dec 3, 2013 9:57:54am

re: #35 Decatur Deb

Found a sixth reason to love Alabama—team loyalty.

Fan shot for not being sad about Alabama loss, witness says

newsday.com

At the Huntsville Menorah Lighting, my son mentioned that the Maccabees victory over the Syrian Greeks was “like Auburn beating Alabama” and everyone was like “OH NO MAN”

38 HappyWarrior  Tue, Dec 3, 2013 9:57:56am

re: #35 Decatur Deb

Found a sixth reason to love Alabama—team loyalty.

Fan shot for not being sad about Alabama loss, witness says

newsday.com

Fucking tragic.

39 Decatur Deb  Tue, Dec 3, 2013 9:59:39am

re: #37 Pumpkin Pie Of Zion

At the Huntsville Menorah Lighting, my son mentioned that the Maccabees victory over the Syrian Greeks was “like Auburn beating Alabama” and everyone was like “OH NO MAN”

No wonder he wanted to be out of the state for a couple days.

40 Ian G.  Tue, Dec 3, 2013 10:00:14am

re: #32 HappyWarrior

I think I lost a tenth of my IQ reading that. First he rambles about Obama being pro gay marriage, then bitches that you can benefit from ACA and be single, and then he concludes it by calling Obama, Ayatollah. The wingnut mind, how ever will we comprehend it.

Don’t forget the misspelling of “marriage”. You can’t have a deranged teabagger rant without some spelling errors.

41 Decatur Deb  Tue, Dec 3, 2013 10:00:29am

re: #38 HappyWarrior

Fucking tragic.

Yeah. That too.

42 HappyWarrior  Tue, Dec 3, 2013 10:01:41am

re: #40 Ian G.

Don’t forget the misspelling of “marriage”. You can’t have a deranged teabagger rant without some spelling errors.

Heh true enough.

43 darthstar  Tue, Dec 3, 2013 10:02:53am
44 Dark_Falcon  Tue, Dec 3, 2013 10:04:01am

Meanwhile, the actual Budget Chairman for the House is making progress in his own quiet way, by negotiating with his Senate counterpart:

Paul Ryan, Patty Murray closer to budget deal

House and Senate negotiators are pushing to finalize a small-scale deal to set spending levels and replace sequester cuts for the next two years, a potential respite in the bitter budget wars consuming Congress.

The two congressional budget leaders — Rep. Paul Ryan (R-Wis.) and Sen. Patty Murray (D-Wash.) — are considering a plan that would give relief to some of the domestic and defense programs most burdened by the sequester through 2015 by replacing those cuts with budgetary savings in other areas, according to sources familiar with the negotiations. New revenue through fee increases — not tax hikes — is likely .

The emerging plan also would attempt to find a middle ground between overall federal spending levels sought by Ryan and Murray in their respective budget plans. Under one proposal still under consideration, overall discretionary spending levels would be set in the $1 trillion range for 2014, sources say. That’s an uptick from the $967 billion spending level under the Budget Control Act but lower than the $1.058 trillion level initially sought by Senate Democrats.

If the two sides agree to that approach, the increase in spending would be split about evenly between defense and nondefense spending, sources said. Roughly $80 billion of the sequester cuts would instead be shifted to other programs in the federal budget, but overall deficit reduction would remain unchanged.

45 darthstar  Tue, Dec 3, 2013 10:04:20am

I reversed Kennedy and Breyer, and missed the Gateway Arch…so I should have had 52.

46 Lord of the Pies  Tue, Dec 3, 2013 10:05:27am

Dumbest man on Teh Internets:
No Dim Jim, they’re banned because of their BIGOTED VIEWS.

47 Dr. Matt  Tue, Dec 3, 2013 10:06:13am

Cutting Social Security is thievery…simple as that. Social Security is a trust fund where people pay into and then receive their money back. To pretend SS is a hand-out or a scam or a free entitlement is proof that conservatives are absolutely clueless.

48 HappyWarrior  Tue, Dec 3, 2013 10:08:39am

re: #46 Pumpkin Pie Of Zion

Dumbest man on Teh Internets:
No Dim Jim, they’re banned because of their BIGOTED VIEWS.

[Embedded content]

Yeah because everyone who is pro-Israel is banned from England. It can’t possibly be that Geller and Spencer are anti-Muslim bigots. Stupid DimJim.

49 Feline Fearless Leader  Tue, Dec 3, 2013 10:09:21am

Oh look. The GOP/Democratic deal to erect a *serious* penalty across the board that would to make a fair budget deal more likely to be worked out. Congress chickens out and it hits. So now the GOP starts trying to save their favored things from the sequester piecemeal by stealing funding from their non-favored programs.

Indicator #42 that the Democrats have no reason to make a deal with the GOP House since they won’t even keep the deals they do make.

And if the GOP leadership has such control that they can get lockstep party line votes on bill after bill how come all of a sudden they have no control over these idiots? I think they will protest too much shortly.

50 darthstar  Tue, Dec 3, 2013 10:09:27am
51 Political Atheist  Tue, Dec 3, 2013 10:10:41am

re: #36 Dark_Falcon

Yeah, seems right.

And military spending comes under the sequestration, and social security is not. I think. I wonder is something like the post 2013 sequester is about right for balance.

52 Killgore Trout  Tue, Dec 3, 2013 10:11:03am

Update on Arafat’s non-poising death: Still dead, still not poisoned
Yasser Arafat ‘was not poisoned’ - leaked French report

53 Feline Fearless Leader  Tue, Dec 3, 2013 10:12:00am

re: #44 Dark_Falcon

Go ahead and keep deluding yourself D_F. This is Ryan still trying to get the Dems to “compromise” and give the GOP everything they want. Social program cuts, no military cuts, and no revenue increases. Shrinking the pie is not going to solve this.

54 Targetpractice  Tue, Dec 3, 2013 10:12:13am

re: #12 lawhawk

Wasn’t always the case. A century and a half ago, we had a Republican president who spurred the creation of a Transcontinental Railroad, linking the coasts and ushering in decades of growth. A century ago, we had a Republican president who busted trusts and created agencies that ensured the purity and safety of our food and drug supplies. Over half a century ago, we had a Republican president who acknowledged that defense spending is taking money away from those who truly need it and warned us about the confluence of political power and military spending. 40 years ago, we had a Republican president who acknowledged that government needs to step in when the “free market” fails to take action and created agencies that are largely responsible for our not living with carcinogenic water and toxic air.

“Trickle down” and other horseshit is a relatively recent blight upon a once honorable party.t

55 Dark_Falcon  Tue, Dec 3, 2013 10:14:25am

re: #43 darthstar

[Embedded content]

My own score was 58.

56 Sol Berdinowitz  Tue, Dec 3, 2013 10:14:43am

re: #54 Targetpractice

“Trickle down” and other horseshit is a relatively recent blight upon a once honorable party.t

I assume “other horseshit” includes rejection of modern science and economics when it conflicts with a literal interpretation of the Bible.

57 kirkspencer  Tue, Dec 3, 2013 10:14:48am

re: #30 Dark_Falcon

Actually, the M1 Abrams is too heavy for many highway bridges and overpasses.

I was already aware that tanks can move by highway if the road is built for it.
I was not, however, aware the one straight mile principal was a myth.

sigh. No, the highway does not have to be built for the tanks for them to move on it. Tanks move quite well on rutted terrain. The deal is that tanks have treads, and treads - unless you change all the pads for ‘road pads’ - cut into the surface. That damages the surface and makes repairs necessary sooner for normal wheeled traffic. The substrate construction of the interstate is more than enough to enable long-term use by tread vehicles - and many wheeled military vehicles which have tires purchased for rough terrain instead of smooth fast surfaces.

As to bridges, you’d be surprised. The rating for a bridge is based on a mix of factors that includes the same long-term use. Basically, if a HET (Heavy Equipment Transport) at high load can use the bridge or overpass, the tank could do so under its own power. And while there are a few exceptions the interstate was considered 100% for use back when I had to play at planning (in the 1990s) - the A2s aren’t that much heavier than the A1s were then.

58 HappyWarrior  Tue, Dec 3, 2013 10:14:58am

re: #54 Targetpractice

Wasn’t always the case. A century and a half ago, we had a Republican president who spurred the creation of a Transcontinental Railroad, linking the coasts and ushering in decades of growth. A century ago, we had a Republican president who busted trusts and created agencies that ensured the purity and safety of our food and drug supplies. Over half a century ago, we had a Republican president who acknowledged that defense spending is taking money away from those who truly need it and warned us about the confluence of political power and military spending. 40 years ago, we had a Republican president who acknowledged that government needs to step in when the “free market” fails to take action and created agencies that are largely responsible for our not living with carcinogenic water and toxic air.

“Trickle down” and other horseshit is a relatively recent blight upon a once honorable party.t

And that’s ultimately the GOP’s tragedy. They had visionary leaders like those ones you mention but instead of growing with the times, the GOP has devolved into a party that sounds more and more like the Southern faction of the Democratic Party pre-civil rights.

59 Targetpractice  Tue, Dec 3, 2013 10:15:18am

re: #56 Sol Berdinowitz

I assume “other horseshit” includes rejection of modern science and economics when it conflicts with a literal interpretation of the Bible.

Aye, the “Moral Majority” nuts who came in on the Reagan train.

60 Sol Berdinowitz  Tue, Dec 3, 2013 10:15:24am

re: #55 Dark_Falcon

My own score was 58.

I only got 41 but screw you, my vote is as good as yours.

/

61 Sol Berdinowitz  Tue, Dec 3, 2013 10:16:49am

re: #59 Targetpractice

Aye, the “Moral Majority” nuts who came in on the Reagan train.

They came in and felt betrayed by Regan who paid lip service to their “Christian values” but dumped them as soon as nancy’s astrologer said the moment was propitious.

Ever since then, they have been insinuating their people into all levels of government and administration.

62 Dark_Falcon  Tue, Dec 3, 2013 10:18:41am

re: #53 Feline Fearless Leader

Go ahead and keep deluding yourself D_F. This is Ryan still trying to get the Dems to “compromise” and give the GOP everything they want. Social program cuts, no military cuts, and no revenue increases. Shrinking the pie is not going to solve this.

Why do you think that? The proposed compromise doesn’t give either side ‘everything’.

What it would most crucially do is set the budget parameters for 2014-2015, allowing next year’s budget to actually have a chance of being done on time and letting government agencies know in advance what their funding levels would be.

63 Political Atheist  Tue, Dec 3, 2013 10:18:41am

Is the consensus that the sequestration cuts as applied to the military are not enough?

defense.gov

64 Dark_Falcon  Tue, Dec 3, 2013 10:20:07am

re: #57 kirkspencer

Point taken, but don’t sign at me like that. That’s a sure way to tick me off.

65 b.d.  Tue, Dec 3, 2013 10:20:49am

re: #43 darthstar

61

I should be on a coin or Mt. Rushmore or something

66 Ian G.  Tue, Dec 3, 2013 10:21:01am

re: #56 Sol Berdinowitz

I assume “other horseshit” includes rejection of modern science and economics when it conflicts with a literal interpretation of the Bible.

Not the economics part, since a literal interpretation of the Bible tells us that the rich go to hell. Funny how Jesus’ teachings on wealth go out the window with the right, while his non-teachings on gays are of paramount importance.

67 Targetpractice  Tue, Dec 3, 2013 10:21:22am

re: #62 Dark_Falcon

Why do you think that? The proposed compromise doesn’t give either side ‘everything’.

What it would most crucially do is set the budget parameters for 2014-2015, allowing next year’s budget to actually have a chance of being done on time and letting government agencies know in advance what their funding levels would be.

Youtube Video

68 Decatur Deb  Tue, Dec 3, 2013 10:22:00am

re: #63 Political Atheist

Is the consensus that the sequestration cuts as applied to the military are not enough?

defense.gov

Not enough to get the TPGOP to sit down and produce a reasonable budget compromise.

69 Lidane  Tue, Dec 3, 2013 10:23:19am

re: #67 Targetpractice

Seriously. This year’s budget fight led to a government shutdown because the GOP are less reasonable than the mullahs in Tehran. I’m supposed to believe that they’re going to get a budget done on time next year? ROFL.

70 Dark_Falcon  Tue, Dec 3, 2013 10:24:39am

re: #63 Political Atheist

Is the consensus that the sequestration cuts as applied to the military are not enough?

defense.gov

No, folks are just annoyed at what they see as a DERPy plan.

I’d remind the group once again that the ‘Common Defense Act’ bill is not supported by the House leadership and its chances of a floor vote are remote. It might pass the Armed Services Committee but it won’t pass the budget Committee while the chairman of that committee is in negotiations with the Senate. Paul Ryan is well aware that the Democrats would (justly) consider him to be negotiating in bad faith if he let that bill through his committee.

71 Lord of the Pies  Tue, Dec 3, 2013 10:24:58am

From the same fine folks who brought you the Housing Securities Failure:

The Rental Properties Security Scam.

72 Sol Berdinowitz  Tue, Dec 3, 2013 10:26:18am

re: #66 Ian G.

Not the economics part, since a literal interpretation of the Bible tells us that the rich go to hell. Funny how Jesus’ teachings on wealth go out the window with the right, while his non-teachings on gays are of paramount importance.

Not the supply-Side Jesus Literal interpretation that tells us that slaves should be obedient to their masters and be happy to work on weekends and holidays for a wage that they cannot live off of…

73 blueraven  Tue, Dec 3, 2013 10:27:08am

re: #55 Dark_Falcon

My own score was 58.

61

Mixed up a couple under the “excerpts from civic text” part

74 GlutenFreeJesus  Tue, Dec 3, 2013 10:27:45am

Notice how all other government programs are suggested for cuts besides military and their salaries…….

75 Targetpractice  Tue, Dec 3, 2013 10:27:56am

re: #69 Lidane

Seriously. This year’s budget fight led to a government shutdown because the GOP are less reasonable than the mullahs in Tehran. I’m supposed to believe that they’re going to get a budget done on time next year? ROFL.

Indeed, setting spending levels is pointless when one party says that we need a balanced budget that combines cuts with tax increases and the other says it will hold its breath until it turns blue if it’s not allowed to balance the budget in 10 years by gutting the social safety net.

76 Lord of the Pies  Tue, Dec 3, 2013 10:28:23am
77 RadicalModerate  Tue, Dec 3, 2013 10:30:24am

Here’s a novel idea on how to keep Social Security solvent for the next generation - it is a really simple solution too, and wouldn’t cause limitation of benefits on a single person.
Three words.

“Raise the cap”.

Currently, Social Security and its related benefits are taxed on only the first $117,000 of earnings. Raise that number to $200,000, raise the maximum benefit from $3000 for age 70 retirees by $500 - a little less for 62-65 year-olds. With all the tax cuts that Republicans have given to wage-earners over $250,000 over the past couple of decades, those wage earners above the $117K level wouldn’t see their effective tax move much at all with this solution either.

78 Dark_Falcon  Tue, Dec 3, 2013 10:31:41am

re: #71 Pumpkin Pie Of Zion

From the same fine folks who brought you the Housing Securities Failure:

The Rental Properties Security Scam.

It’s only a ‘scam’ if the securities aren’t properly set up, rated and sold.

Nah, I’m not gonna defend this one. Loan and payment-backed securities aren’t regulated as strongly as I think they should be. I’m not going to defend improperly regulated financial instruments.

79 Political Atheist  Tue, Dec 3, 2013 10:32:35am

re: #70 Dark_Falcon

I can’t even wrap my head around party politics and the budget. Setting aside whatever the GOP says for a moment-I can easily recall some changes to SS being thought rational at least in the abstract. Lifting the age. Means testing. Of course we spent too much (pre sequester) on the military, and probably at NSA/CIA too.

As an indy, I can see leaving much of the sequester cuts in place at the Pentagon. And looking at S/S from an economists and sociologists points of view. Or almost anything but tit for tat partisan.

80 Dr. Matt  Tue, Dec 3, 2013 10:33:01am

Off-topic: What happened to that poster (francis?….I think) that use to post daily letters to the POTUS?

81 Dark_Falcon  Tue, Dec 3, 2013 10:33:50am

re: #80 Dr. Matt

Off-topic: What happened to that poster (francis?….I think) that use to post daily letters to the POTUS?

He got his ass banned.

82 GunstarGreen  Tue, Dec 3, 2013 10:34:16am

You want to talk about entitlement spending?

Let’s talk about the completely unholy sums of money we’ve flushed down the toilet over new fighter jets that nobody wants or needs, with ridiculous multiple engine designs just to give some pork to The Great Orange’s district.

That’s what I call entitlement spending.

83 lawhawk  Tue, Dec 3, 2013 10:36:40am

re: #77 RadicalModerate

GOP wont ever go for it because that constitutes a tax hike to support one of the GOP’s biggest bugaboos - Social Security.

Never mind that the program would be solvent by increasing the cap to $250,000 or more with minimal adjustments to other portions of the program, or that the retirement age could be adjusted to take into account longer lifespans (industry sensitive), but the GOP wont go for anything that resembles a tax hike.

It’s why the Supreme Court’s decision to not take on the Amazon case (sales tax nexus) is a hard one for the GOP to swallow. It means that states can pursue similar taxing schemes on out-of-state sellers w/affiliates in state, in the hope of recapturing lost use tax revenues (taxes that the state should be collecting but don’t because buyers don’t self-report use tax obligations). Collecting sales tax is easier, and states are looking to fill budget holes.

Of course, states could address the tax issue by reducing the overall sales and use tax rate so that the use tax (or online sales tax) component is neutral revenue, versus a windfall, but that’s up to the states to figure out for themselves.

84 b_sharp  Tue, Dec 3, 2013 10:36:41am

re: #43 darthstar

[Embedded content]

It isn’t ‘smart’ enough it’s ‘learned’ enough.

85 Lidane  Tue, Dec 3, 2013 10:36:57am

re: #82 GunstarGreen

You want to talk about entitlement spending?

Let’s talk about the completely unholy sums of money we’ve flushed down the toilet over new fighter jets that nobody wants or needs, with ridiculous multiple engine designs just to give some pork to The Great Orange’s district.

That’s what I call entitlement spending.

THIS. Maybe if we listened to the Pentagon and cut all the programs they don’t want, don’t need, and which they consider bloated and obsolete, we might get somewhere.

86 Lidane  Tue, Dec 3, 2013 10:39:45am

Speaking of Sir John of Orange, he just hired McCain’s 2008 immigration policy chair:

87 Sol Berdinowitz  Tue, Dec 3, 2013 10:40:01am

re: #76 Pumpkin Pie Of Zion

WTFITS

[Embedded content]

Yes, it does not come from rich people because they are not paying enough in taxes. Remember, even a McDonald’s employee pays a higher percentage in payroll taxes than Mitt paid in 2010 and 2011.

88 Targetpractice  Tue, Dec 3, 2013 10:40:10am

re: #82 GunstarGreen

You want to talk about entitlement spending?

Let’s talk about the completely unholy sums of money we’ve flushed down the toilet over new fighter jets that nobody wants or needs, with ridiculous multiple engine designs just to give some pork to The Great Orange’s district.

That’s what I call entitlement spending.

Oh, there’s somebody who badly wants the new fighter jets: The Air Force. Even though the F-22s are hangar queens and the F-35 is a slow-rolling disaster, they still want them in the worst way. The Navy and Marines don’t, that’s funding that could be spent on programs designed around their needs and requirements, but the Air Force enjoys a huge presence in most of “Real ‘Murica,” courtesy of the Cold War, so they get first pick of the funding.

89 Sol Berdinowitz  Tue, Dec 3, 2013 10:40:45am

re: #85 Lidane

THIS. Maybe if we listened to the Pentagon and cut all the programs they don’t want, don’t need, and which they consider bloated and obsolete, we might get somewhere.

What does that have to do with how defense spending is planned and approved?

90 Dr. Matt  Tue, Dec 3, 2013 10:41:26am

There is no better way to make the GOP a permanent minority then by the GOP cutting social security since such cuts will ACTUALLY hurt people (unlike the ACA)….some of which vote GOP.

91 klys  Tue, Dec 3, 2013 10:43:07am

I like how we are supposed to assume the Republicans in the House are negotiating in good faith but not the Iranians.

/

92 darthstar  Tue, Dec 3, 2013 10:43:39am

BREAKING! JUSTIN BIEBER NAMED TIME’S PERSON OF THE YEAR!!!

93 Schadenboner  Tue, Dec 3, 2013 10:44:50am

and

TLDR: Turns out the complainant was a failed Conservative Party candidate for an assembly seat. Was this mentioned (on, of course, Fox)? Nope.

94 Lidane  Tue, Dec 3, 2013 10:45:21am

BTW, just so you know, it’s Tuesday there was a gunman on a college campus today.

95 b_sharp  Tue, Dec 3, 2013 10:47:17am

re: #43 darthstar

[Embedded content]

I got 33.

96 darthstar  Tue, Dec 3, 2013 10:47:24am

CNN asshole refreshes page while his application is processing, causing a ‘crash’…no, idiot, it just caused your session to get screwed up.

97 darthstar  Tue, Dec 3, 2013 10:48:08am

re: #95 b_sharp

I got 33.

That qualifies you to be a North American. :)

98 wrenchwench  Tue, Dec 3, 2013 10:48:26am

re: #81 Dark_Falcon

He got his ass banned.


Nope.

99 Targetpractice  Tue, Dec 3, 2013 10:48:30am

re: #93 Schadenboner

[Embedded content]

TLDR: Turns out the complainant was a failed Conservative Party candidate for an assembly seat. Was this mentioned (on, of course, Fox)? Nope.

The complaint amounted to a clerical error that got fixed before the story even went to Faux. But they still breathlessly reported it as though it were on-going and attributed it all to the ACA.

The smell of desperation is thick.

100 klys  Tue, Dec 3, 2013 10:49:10am

re: #98 wrenchwench


Nope.

He got flustered when we had the uptime problems and never came back.

Don’t say his name, we’d like to keep it that way.

101 Dark_Falcon  Tue, Dec 3, 2013 10:49:24am

re: #88 Targetpractice

Oh, there’s somebody who badly wants the new fighter jets: The Air Force. Even though the F-22s are hangar queens and the F-35 is a slow-rolling disaster, they still want them in the worst way. The Navy and Marines don’t, that’s funding that could be spent on programs designed around their needs and requirements, but the Air Force enjoys a huge presence in most of “Real ‘Murica,” courtesy of the Cold War, so they get first pick of the funding.

The F-35 is actually doing pretty well this year. South Korea is planning to buy it and Japan has already selected it.

And the USN? They’re already planning to deploy it.

102 b_sharp  Tue, Dec 3, 2013 10:49:30am

re: #92 darthstar

BREAKING! JUSTIN BIEBER NAMED TIME’S PERSON OF THE YEAR!!!

[Embedded content]

Seriously?

OMFG

103 HappyWarrior  Tue, Dec 3, 2013 10:49:42am

re: #98 wrenchwench


Nope.

Averages negative 6.5 downdings per post. Well done, francis, well done.

104 HappyWarrior  Tue, Dec 3, 2013 10:50:26am

re: #102 b_sharp

Seriously?

OMFG

No leading online polling but still.

105 Justanotherhuman  Tue, Dec 3, 2013 10:50:27am

re: #73 blueraven

61

Mixed up a couple under the “excerpts from civic text” part

58 here.

106 Political Atheist  Tue, Dec 3, 2013 10:51:07am

Our electrical grid has some very serious catching up to do or renewable sources like solar and wind are likely to crash it. LA Times reports-Caltech study. Paged.

107 Dark_Falcon  Tue, Dec 3, 2013 10:51:09am

re: #100 klys

He got flustered when we had the uptime problems and never came back.

Don’t say his name, we’d like to keep it that way.

Speak for yourself: I’d like him to come back and get clubbed. We’ve been too long without a good Troll Roast.

108 b_sharp  Tue, Dec 3, 2013 10:51:36am

re: #97 darthstar

That qualifies you to be a North American. :)

Yippee.

Oh, wait. I’m already North American.

109 makeitstop  Tue, Dec 3, 2013 10:51:55am

re: #96 darthstar

CNN asshole refreshes page while his application is processing, causing a ‘crash’…no, idiot, it just caused your session to get screwed up.

[Embedded content]

If I were a cynical man, I’d almost think that it wasn’t a ‘mistake’ at all.

110 Sol Berdinowitz  Tue, Dec 3, 2013 10:52:19am

re: #106 Political Atheist

Our electrical grid has some very serious catching up to do or renewable sources like solar and wind are likely to crash it. LA Times reports-Caltech study. Paged.

Germany is making its consumers pay to rebuild the grid so that private companies can move in and benefit from it.

111 wrenchwench  Tue, Dec 3, 2013 10:52:21am

re: #95 b_sharp

I got 33.

Oh good. I can beat a Canadian.

112 Charles Johnson  Tue, Dec 3, 2013 10:55:37am

re: #46 Pumpkin Pie Of Zion

And he misspells Geller’s name twice.

113 Targetpractice  Tue, Dec 3, 2013 10:56:02am

re: #101 Dark_Falcon

The F-35 is actually doing pretty well this year. South Korea is planning to buy it and Japan has already selected it.

And the USN? They’re already planning to deploy it.

Yeah, only a few years and billions over-budget, what’s not to love?////

Dark, face it, the F-35 is a dog. The program persists because Lockheed subcontracted it to every fucking state and because several of our allies have built their defense procurements around a plane that hasn’t even entered service. The Navy is being told to make the most of the shit sandwich it was handed because the DoD decided it only had enough money in the budget for the Air Force’s newest toy.

114 William Barnett-Lewis  Tue, Dec 3, 2013 10:56:03am

re: #101 Dark_Falcon

The F-35 is actually doing pretty well this year. South Korea is planning to buy it and Japan has already selected it.

And the USN? They’re already planning to deploy it.

I smell the sequel to the F7U “Gutless” Cutlass in the making. Hope it doesn’t kill as many aviators.

115 Dark_Falcon  Tue, Dec 3, 2013 10:56:18am

re: #110 Sol Berdinowitz

Germany is making its consumers pay to rebuild the grid so that private companies can move in and benefit from it.

Does that remind folks more of Solyndra or Enron?

116 Charles Johnson  Tue, Dec 3, 2013 10:56:23am

No, he misspells Geller’s name THREE times. Perfect.

117 GunstarGreen  Tue, Dec 3, 2013 10:57:11am

re: #96 darthstar

CNN asshole refreshes page while his application is processing, causing a ‘crash’…no, idiot, it just caused your session to get screwed up.

[Embedded content]

One of the hardest things for me lately has been listening to all of the ignorant bullshit that’s being passed off as ‘reporting’ on the tech side of the ACA website. As a person that programs for a living, the amount of flat-out wrong nonsense I keep hearing with regards to ‘crashes’ and ‘errors’ is infuriating. To say nothing of the completely preposterous ‘lines of code’ count they were citing.

118 klys  Tue, Dec 3, 2013 10:57:12am

re: #113 Targetpractice

RAH RAH RAH GO TEAM USA!

///

119 HappyWarrior  Tue, Dec 3, 2013 10:57:27am

54 on the sample citizenship test. Now hopefully I’m as good at tutoring for that test as I am taking it since I’m going to help my future sister in law become a citizen.

120 darthstar  Tue, Dec 3, 2013 10:57:56am

re: #109 makeitstop

If I were a cynical man, I’d almost think that it wasn’t a ‘mistake’ at all.

It’s called a demonstration. Here, let me fake a crash for the cameras.

121 Dark_Falcon  Tue, Dec 3, 2013 10:57:59am

re: #114 William Barnett-Lewis

I smell the sequel to the F7U “Gutless” Cutlass in the making. Hope it doesn’t kill as many aviators.

The F-35 is being better tested than the F7U. Whatever else is true, it won’t be that kind of widowmaker.

122 Lord of the Pies  Tue, Dec 3, 2013 10:58:15am

re: #92 darthstar

BREAKING! JUSTIN BIEBER NAMED TIME’S PERSON OF THE YEAR!!!

[Embedded content]

That’s a pic of Miley.

I know, I know it’s hard to tell them apart.

I’ll bet Ed Snowden is PISSED.

123 Sol Berdinowitz  Tue, Dec 3, 2013 10:58:30am

re: #115 Dark_Falcon

Does that remind more of Solyndra or Enron?

Neither, it is simply the lobbying power of the big energy companies here: RWE, Vattenfall, Eon, EnBW, etc.

124 wrenchwench  Tue, Dec 3, 2013 10:59:27am

re: #119 HappyWarrior

54 on the sample citizenship test. Now hopefully I’m as good at tutoring for that test as I am taking it since I’m going to help my future sister in law become a citizen.

I think it’s crazy that knowing what the Supreme Court Justices look like is part of the test.

/not just because I mixed up Breyer and Alito….

125 HappyWarrior  Tue, Dec 3, 2013 10:59:37am

re: #122 Pumpkin Pie Of Zion

That’s a pic of Miley.

I know, I know it’s hard to tell them apart.

I’ll bet Ed Snowden is PISSED.

Somewhere Glenn Greenwald is writing a story about how him and Snowden not winning Person of the Year is “proof” that TIME is part of the conspiracy against Eddie.

126 Charles Johnson  Tue, Dec 3, 2013 11:00:09am

These people are so incredibly dishonest it blows my mind sometimes. The email Geller published explicitly says that Spencer and her were NOT banned from Britain because of their pro-Israel views, and that this is not grounds for exclusion.

Freaking liars.

127 HappyWarrior  Tue, Dec 3, 2013 11:00:37am

re: #124 wrenchwench

I think it’s crazy that knowing what the Supreme Court Justices look like is part of the test.

/not just because I mixed up Breyer and Alito….

Right. I mean I understand having to know who the current justices are. I actually got all nine of those right.

128 HappyWarrior  Tue, Dec 3, 2013 11:01:10am

re: #126 Charles Johnson

These people are so incredibly dishonest it blows my mind sometimes. The email Geller published explicitly says that Spencer and her were NOT banned from Britain because of their pro-Israel views, and that this is not grounds for exclusion.

Freaking liars.

Professional wingnut victimhood in action.

129 Justanotherhuman  Tue, Dec 3, 2013 11:01:55am

Yes, indeed the apocalypse is upon us. For chrissakes—it really is a popularity poll, but I wouldn’t have thought that many 12 yr olds read Time.

Miley Cyrus Is Leading the TIME Person of the Year Poll With Two Days Left

thedailybeast.com

Or maybe there are just a lot of people with a 12 yr old mindset.

130 Dark_Falcon  Tue, Dec 3, 2013 11:02:14am

re: #124 wrenchwench

I think it’s crazy that knowing what the Supreme Court Justices look like is part of the test.

/not just because I mixed up Breyer and Alito….

I did the same thing, so don’t worry much about.

131 klys  Tue, Dec 3, 2013 11:02:42am

re: #129 Justanotherhuman

Yes, indeed the apocalypse is upon us. For chrissakes—it really is a popularity poll, but I wouldn’t have thought that many 12 yr olds read Time.

Miley Cyrus Is Leading the TIME Person of the Year Poll With Two Days Left

thedailybeast.com

Or maybe there are just a lot of people with a 12 yr old mindset.

If you’re going to make me choose between Snowden or Miley winning, I’m going to hold my nose, pick Miley, and go get drunk.

132 Lord of the Pies  Tue, Dec 3, 2013 11:03:02am

re: #129 Justanotherhuman

Yes, indeed the apocalypse is upon us. For chrissakes—it really is a popularity poll, but I wouldn’t have thought that many 12 yr olds read Time.

Miley Cyrus Is Leading the TIME Person of the Year Poll With Two Days Left

thedailybeast.com

Or maybe there are just a lot of people with a 12 yr old mindset.

It’s just an online poll, I don’t know if Time actually uses the results of that poll to name POTY.

Snowden still has a chance.

133 Lord of the Pies  Tue, Dec 3, 2013 11:03:38am

Actually I would vote for Miley over Hitler.

134 HappyWarrior  Tue, Dec 3, 2013 11:04:18am

re: #129 Justanotherhuman

Yes, indeed the apocalypse is upon us. For chrissakes—it really is a popularity poll, but I wouldn’t have thought that many 12 yr olds read Time.

Miley Cyrus Is Leading the TIME Person of the Year Poll With Two Days Left

thedailybeast.com

Or maybe there are just a lot of people with a 12 yr old mindset.

the Onion had a funny story where they said that Time was transitioning to more of an adult audience. That was one of those funny because it’s true things. You don’t get serious analysis in Time.

135 Justanotherhuman  Tue, Dec 3, 2013 11:04:44am

re: #131 klys

If you’re going to make me choose between Snowden or Miley winning, I’m going to hold my nose, pick Miley, and go get drunk.

No, I want Snowden to serve some time.

136 lawhawk  Tue, Dec 3, 2013 11:05:05am

re: #126 Charles Johnson

They’re counting on people not reading that far, and wont bother correcting their followers since that would undermine their victimhood mentality, even though they’re professional flame-throwers.

137 Targetpractice  Tue, Dec 3, 2013 11:05:06am

re: #129 Justanotherhuman

Yes, indeed the apocalypse is upon us. For chrissakes—it really is a popularity poll, but I wouldn’t have thought that many 12 yr olds read Time.

Miley Cyrus Is Leading the TIME Person of the Year Poll With Two Days Left

thedailybeast.com

Or maybe there are just a lot of people with a 12 yr old mindset.

TIME farms out its voting to Twitter, and no doubt will be shocked when the Internet shows how juvenile it is by voting a girl whose claim to fame in the past year has been making a public spectacle of herself as “Woman of the Year.”

Sounds to me like an exercise in passing the blame.

138 Kragar  Tue, Dec 3, 2013 11:05:17am
139 klys  Tue, Dec 3, 2013 11:05:28am

re: #135 Justanotherhuman

No, I want Snowden to serve some time.

I’d like to see him in jail too.

I am unclear how him winning the Time Person of the Year online poll is going to bring that about.

140 Kragar  Tue, Dec 3, 2013 11:06:47am

re: #139 klys

I’d like to see him in jail too.

I am unclear how him winning the Time Person of the Year online poll is going to bring that about.

We wait for him to claim the award then drop a net on him.

Done and done.

141 HappyWarrior  Tue, Dec 3, 2013 11:07:06am

Time Person of the Year doesn’t mean best person so I’d understand if Snowden won. Thing is though Snowden really hasn’t done jack to contribute to a real conversation about privacy issues. Rather, he’s fed paranoia and poisoned the well of discussion. Him and Greenwald both.

142 Lord of the Pies  Tue, Dec 3, 2013 11:07:19am

re: #140 Kragar

We wait for him to claim the award then drop a net on him.

Done and done.

Glenn will claim the award “for him.”

143 HappyWarrior  Tue, Dec 3, 2013 11:07:33am

re: #140 Kragar

We wait for him to claim the award then drop a net on him.

Done and done.

The C. Montegomery Burns Award of Excellence.

144 klys  Tue, Dec 3, 2013 11:07:34am

re: #140 Kragar

We wait for him to claim the award then drop a net on him.

Done and done.

Extra bonus points if the net also catches GG, who you know would show up to crash Snowden’s speech totally Kanye-style.

//

145 Kragar  Tue, Dec 3, 2013 11:07:52am

re: #142 Pumpkin Pie Of Zion

Glenn will claim the award “for him.”

We can still drop the net.

146 Dark_Falcon  Tue, Dec 3, 2013 11:08:07am

re: #131 klys

If you’re going to make me choose between Snowden or Miley winning, I’m going to hold my nose, pick Miley, and go get drunk.

No, it should be Snowden. Miley is just acting out, whereas Snowden actually did something of consequence. Yes those consequences have been all bad, but that’s irrelevant for purposes of selection as Person of the Year.

The term should hold its meaning, and that means the title should go to Snowden.

147 darthstar  Tue, Dec 3, 2013 11:08:53am

Oh, fuck yeah.

148 HappyWarrior  Tue, Dec 3, 2013 11:08:56am

re: #144 klys

Extra bonus points if the net also catches GG, who you know would show up to crash Snowden’s speech totally Kanye-style.

//

I’m gonna let you finish but I had the best whistleblowing of all time.

149 darthstar  Tue, Dec 3, 2013 11:09:17am

re: #122 Pumpkin Pie Of Zion

That’s a pic of Miley.

I know, I know it’s hard to tell them apart.

I’ll bet Ed Snowden is PISSED.

Ha! I’d forgotten all about him. Time for some tweets.

150 Ian G.  Tue, Dec 3, 2013 11:10:28am

re: #138 Kragar

That reminds me, how did Larry Klayman’s November 29th revolution go? I guess I slept through it…

151 darthstar  Tue, Dec 3, 2013 11:10:40am
152 klys  Tue, Dec 3, 2013 11:10:52am

re: #146 Dark_Falcon

I don’t believe in rewarding traitors. Period. And he would certainly feel that this is verification of what he did.

Miley serves as a perfectly good representation of the utter banality and idiocy that has come to serve as entertainment in this country, not to mention the overall general dumbing-down of our news that this is a BIG THING.

153 SpaceJesus  Tue, Dec 3, 2013 11:11:19am

The founding fathers loved nothing more than a permanent standing military

154 blueraven  Tue, Dec 3, 2013 11:12:08am

re: #146 Dark_Falcon

No, it should be Snowden. Miley is just acting out, whereas Snowden actually did something of consequence. Yes those consequences have been all bad, but that’s irrelevant for purposes of selection as Person of the Year.

The term should hold its meaning, and that means the title should go to Snowden.

I would much rather see Pope Francis as Person of the Year.
While he hasn’t changed church doctrine, he has certainly changed the focus of conversation.

155 Kragar  Tue, Dec 3, 2013 11:12:25am

re: #150 Ian G.

That reminds me, how did Larry Klayman’s November 29th revolution go? I guess I slept through it…

I assume the SHADOW GOVERNMENT is up and running and currently working on their master plan to oust The Tyrant as we speak.

In other words, bitching about Obama down at the Waffle House.

156 Ian G.  Tue, Dec 3, 2013 11:13:04am

re: #138 Kragar

Rush, a regular guest on Fox News, recently said that the president should face execution over his supposed plot to nuke America and argued that anyone who criticized Rush should be put in jail.

Um…..I really am not a regular at the fever swamps on the right (I let Charles wade in the swamps for me and read his recaps), but this “nuke America” thing is a new one to me.

Also, anyone who criticized the right should be jailed because “freedom”.

157 Backwoods_Sleuth  Tue, Dec 3, 2013 11:13:21am

re: #139 klys

I’d like to see him in jail too.

I am unclear how him winning the Time Person of the Year online poll is going to bring that about.

the same way RT TO INPEACH!!11!! works on teh twitterz.

158 William Barnett-Lewis  Tue, Dec 3, 2013 11:13:24am

re: #153 SpaceJesus

The founding fathers loved nothing more than a permanent standing military

Despite your sarc, the problem is that their solution to the cost and danger of a standing army has given us nothing but grief over 200 years.

159 klys  Tue, Dec 3, 2013 11:13:25am

re: #154 blueraven

I would much rather see Pope Francis as Person of the Year.
While he hasn’t changed church doctrine, he has certainly changed the focus of conversation.

I sincerely hope that the online poll doesn’t determine the actual winner, because like you I think there are so many worthier choices.

But if they’re deciding between Snowden and Miley, I’m backing Miley all the way.

160 SpaceJesus  Tue, Dec 3, 2013 11:13:38am

“We don’t want to win Florida ever again” - Basically the GOP

161 Dark_Falcon  Tue, Dec 3, 2013 11:14:15am

re: #152 klys

I don’t believe in rewarding traitors. Period. And he would certainly feel that this is verification of what he did.

Miley serves as a perfectly good representation of the utter banality and idiocy that has come to serve as entertainment in this country, not to mention the overall general dumbing-down of our news that this is a BIG THING.

I’d actually rather award the title to Putin over either of those two. He’s an asshole, but he has seriously influenced world events this year. And he’s not done yet. Time should give Vlad the title, them hammer him in their profile.

162 Kragar  Tue, Dec 3, 2013 11:14:51am

re: #158 William Barnett-Lewis

Despite your sarc, the problem is that their solution to the cost and danger of a standing army has given us nothing but grief over 200 years.

“We said well regulated, not everyone gets to own an anti-tank weapon.”

163 SpaceJesus  Tue, Dec 3, 2013 11:15:07am

re: #158 William Barnett-Lewis

So have most of the unnecessary wars we have been involved with

164 Targetpractice  Tue, Dec 3, 2013 11:15:10am

re: #146 Dark_Falcon

No, it should be Snowden. Miley is just acting out, whereas Snowden actually did something of consequence. Yes those consequences have been all bad, but that’s irrelevant for purposes of selection as Person of the Year.

The term should hold its meaning, and that means the title should go to Snowden.

That would have been like giving “Person of the Year” to Julius and Ethal Rosenberg.

165 HappyWarrior  Tue, Dec 3, 2013 11:17:02am

re: #154 blueraven

I would much rather see Pope Francis as Person of the Year.
While he hasn’t changed church doctrine, he has certainly changed the focus of conversation.

This would be my pick as well. I think DF makes a good point for Putin as well.

166 Schadenboner  Tue, Dec 3, 2013 11:17:19am

re: #164 Targetpractice

Or, indeed, Adolph Hitler?

…Oh wait.

167 Lidane  Tue, Dec 3, 2013 11:17:53am

re: #43 darthstar

I got a 57 on that test.

168 dog philosopher  Tue, Dec 3, 2013 11:18:26am

out-of-control entitlement spending

i’m also concerned about this out-of-control baby food budget undermining our spending on security systems and household firearms

after all, if an intruder gets in there might not be any baby left to feed, so lets get our priorities straight

169 Dr. Matt  Tue, Dec 3, 2013 11:19:13am

re: #154 blueraven

I would much rather see Pope Francis as Person of the Year.

BINGO

170 makeitstop  Tue, Dec 3, 2013 11:19:58am

re: #156 Ian G.

Um…..I really am not a regular at the fever swamps on the right (I let Charles wade in the swamps for me and read his recaps), but this “nuke America” thing is a new one to me.

Also, anyone who criticized the right should be jailed because “freedom”.

Short version: Iran deal was a diversion to distract from Obama’s plan to nuke the US and cause an EMP, which was thwarted by the military.

171 blueraven  Tue, Dec 3, 2013 11:21:46am

re: #165 HappyWarrior

This would be my pick as well. I think DF makes a good point for Putin as well.

Putin was it in 2007.
Of course one can be Time’s POY more than once.

172 darthstar  Tue, Dec 3, 2013 11:23:10am

re: #167 Lidane

I got a 57 on that test.

Oh, fuck all y’all with your high scores. :)

173 Targetpractice  Tue, Dec 3, 2013 11:23:31am

re: #171 blueraven

Putin was >it in 2007.
Of course one can be Time’s POY more than once.

President’s who have won reelection bids have traditionally been chosen, if not front-runners, for the spot.

174 Lidane  Tue, Dec 3, 2013 11:23:33am

re: #154 blueraven

I would much rather see Pope Francis as Person of the Year.
While he hasn’t changed church doctrine, he has certainly changed the focus of conversation.

I think that’s where Time Magazine will ultimately go.

This is just a reader poll, I think.

175 HappyWarrior  Tue, Dec 3, 2013 11:24:16am

re: #171 blueraven

Putin was >it in 2007.
Of course one can be Time’s POY more than once.

Right. You can make good arguments for both. I like Francis here though. He really has started a conversation in the RCC and you can tell he’s ruffled some feathers since the right has been playing the old anti-Catholic games of old times.

176 blueraven  Tue, Dec 3, 2013 11:26:01am

re: #174 Lidane

I think that’s where Time Magazine will ultimately go.

This is just a reader poll, I think.

I hope so!

177 Dark_Falcon  Tue, Dec 3, 2013 11:27:02am

re: #173 Targetpractice

President’s who have won reelection bids have traditionally been chosen, if not front-runners, for the spot.

Not this year. All due respect to Barack Obama, but Pope Francis and Vladimir Putin have affected the world more than he has this year.

178 Eclectic Cyborg  Tue, Dec 3, 2013 11:27:47am

I got 37, enough for Citizenship. I see that as a good thing because I will actually be taking the real thing in less than 2 years time.

179 klys  Tue, Dec 3, 2013 11:27:57am

re: #177 Dark_Falcon

Not this year. All due respect to Barack President Obama, but Pope Francis and Vladimir Putin have affected the world more than he has this year.

FTFY.

180 blueraven  Tue, Dec 3, 2013 11:28:07am

re: #177 Dark_Falcon

Not this year. All due respect to Barack Obama, but Pope Francis and Vladimir Putin have affected the world more than he has this year.

Obama was picked in 2008 and 2012

181 Targetpractice  Tue, Dec 3, 2013 11:28:42am

re: #180 blueraven

Obama was picked in 2008 and 2012

Ooops.

182 b_sharp  Tue, Dec 3, 2013 11:29:26am

re: #153 SpaceJesus

The founding fathers loved nothing more than a permanent standing military

Is it possible the founding fathers had no idea what the world would look like in the 21st century?

183 blueraven  Tue, Dec 3, 2013 11:31:03am

re: #180 blueraven

Obama was picked in 2008 and 2012

Here is a photo slideshow of covers

topics.time.com

184 GeneJockey  Tue, Dec 3, 2013 11:32:06am

re: #182 b_sharp

Is it possible the founding fathers had no idea what the world would look like in the 21st century?

Unpossible! The founding fathers were Gods among men! Their plan to govern an underpopulated 18th Century agrarian nation for the benefit of white male landowners must be followed today in our post-Industrial, pluralistic, information-based society!

185 Tigger2  Tue, Dec 3, 2013 12:43:12pm

re: #29 darthstar

[Embedded content]

What business is it of his who get married, damn if I dib’t want to get married I wouldn”t obamacare or not, stay the fuck out of my Life GOP.

186 b_sharp  Tue, Dec 3, 2013 1:27:58pm

re: #184 GeneJockey

Unpossible! The founding fathers were Gods among men! Their plan to govern an underpopulated 18th Century agrarian nation for the benefit of white male landowners must be followed today in our post-Industrial, pluralistic, information-based society!

That made me laugh.

187 Amory Blaine  Tue, Dec 3, 2013 6:05:26pm

I got 66 points BFD. If it doesn’t come with a pass to Canada it’s worthless to me.

:p


This article has been archived.
Comments are closed.

Jump to top

Create a PageThis is the LGF Pages posting bookmarklet. To use it, drag this button to your browser's bookmark bar, and title it 'LGF Pages' (or whatever you like). Then browse to a site you want to post, select some text on the page to use for a quote, click the bookmarklet, and the Pages posting window will appear with the title, text, and any embedded video or audio files already filled in, ready to go.
Or... you can just click this button to open the Pages posting window right away.
Last updated: 2023-04-04 11:11 am PDT
LGF User's Guide RSS Feeds

Help support Little Green Footballs!

Subscribe now for ad-free access!Register and sign in to a free LGF account before subscribing, and your ad-free access will be automatically enabled.

Donate with
PayPal
Cash.app
Recent PagesClick to refresh
Why Did More Than 1,000 People Die After Police Subdued Them With Force That Isn’t Meant to Kill? An investigation led by The Associated Press has found that, over a decade, more than 1,000 people died after police subdued them through physical holds, stun guns, body blows and other force not intended to be lethal. More: Why ...
Cheechako
Yesterday
Views: 35 • Comments: 0 • Rating: 0
A Closer Look at the Eastman State Bar DecisionTaking a few minutes away from work things to read through the Eastman decision. As I'm sure many of you know, Eastman was my law school con law professor. I knew him pretty well because I was also running in ...
KGxvi
Yesterday
Views: 89 • Comments: 1 • Rating: 1