Tonight I had occasion to take in The Other Guys, the new Ferrell and Wahlberg comedy. An amusing picture, but the animated end credits had me sit up and pay attention. They made me remember why I urged my congress persons to vote against the TARP bailout two long years ago.
As Cinema Blend puts it:
... The movie’s crime plot is wrapped around the notion of rich people ripping off the little guy and so when the closing credits rolled, instead of simply throwing the names of the cast and crew at you, The Other Guys steps down to explain the real-world economic collapse, in a way people can actually understand, using simple animation. ...
I sold my shares of Goldman Sachs way too soon ....
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31 comments:
So how do you feel about this administration bailing out unions, like the $26.1 BILLION of our money that is being forked over to teacher's unions. In light of the dismal returns we have seen from the TARP money, perhaps Pelosi proved herself to be worthy of those atrocious approval ratings that congress has.
Especially in this state where the teacher's unions have absolutely nothing to show for salaries ranked at the top nationwide. I know a few college professors and the level of education kids are graduating with is a crime.
But yeah, $26 billion should solve it. Because the $30 billion from the previous stimulus must not have been enough...
26 billion to help keep cops, teachers, and those low life fireman on the job, is a terrible idea. The evil that is rank in their socialist type careers should send all of us with our hair ablaze to our local government offices to protest.
Oh, and make it very clear that you conflate a 26 billion dollar workers stimulus from the Obama administration to keep people safe, and the trillion dollar tarp fund passed by the Bush administration to confuse people. We don't want anyone to know that all the bailouts have to happen because our philosophy is without merit, and has left our entire country bankrupt on every level.
So how do you feel about this administration bailing out unions, like the $26.1 BILLION of our money that is being forked over to teacher's unions.
The money's being given to teachers, anon. (As stated above.) You know, working folks? It's not going to teacher's unions, except indirectly. (But nice try.)
I have a big objection to TARP, and have since the beginning. I had strenuous objections to Geithner bailing out AIG bondholders at 100 cents on the dollar. But I don't have any objections to unemployment benefit extensions and state aid to keep cops, firefighters, nurses and school teachers working.
But I take it you do. Go look at the end credits of "The Other Guys" one more time, and educate yourself.
"But I don't have any objections to unemployment benefit extensions and state aid to keep cops, firefighters, nurses and school teachers working."
Of course you don't, because that's only real support the union members have.
Thanks for the great idea on how to make EASY money! Whoo-Hoo! I'm going to be RICH...RICH!!!
Now that I can see what NOT to do.
I had strenuous objections Geithner bailing out AIG bondholders at 100 cents on the dollar. "
Geithner??
But he works for the Obama administration and as the cross eyed and clueless 2nd poster pointed out, bailouts only happen when Bush is in office right?
Actually Timothy Geithner oversaw the use of $300 billion in TARP funds so this issue is YET ANOTHER one where the "Blame Bush" excuse is past its expiration date.
""But I don't have any objections to unemployment benefit extensions and state aid to keep cops, firefighters, nurses and school teachers working."
Thats not what the money was for.
After all many states still had $30 billion of the previous stimulus that has yet to be used and others already have fully funded payrolls for at least this year. Many states these states will receive funds even if their budgets are in the black.
Look at Arkansas. They have a fully funded teaching staff for the coming year, but the state will still receive up to $91 million for teaching jobs Illinois and West Virginia are still holding onto $670 million and $274 million of unspent stimulus money,
This "jobs bill" had a single purpose, to placate unions(like our broken teachers union here in CA) that have massive unsustainable benefit pension plans. That's why $10 billion of the bill's funding is allocated to education, and the money comes with strings that will multiply the benefits for this core Obama constituency.
The bill stipulates that federal funds must supplement, not replace, state spending on education. So even if there is responsible book keeping and the house is in order, that money is being spent. And in this recession we ALL have money to throw at the government right??
Way for the comments in here to get the facts wrong again and again and again. Let me cry a crocodile tear for the poor teachers unions that don't deliver on their end but expect us all to grace them with massive lifetime benefits.
Their time is coming.
http://tinyurl.com/23trquh
how does everyone feel about the largest tax hike in history---otherwise known as the Iraq War?
the bush economic debacle is in full swing now---and yes, it was his fault. Like being asleep at the wheel when terrorists attacked on 9/11, he was asleep at the wheel when he turned a $300 billion surplus left by President Clinton into a $900 billion deficit in less than 2 years.
Our President Obama is doing what he can, but he needs our help. God knows the corporate communists of the gNOp have proven what THEY can do (ruin the country and enlarge government during the bush administration more than any administration in history).
Just the facts, ma'am.
Way for the comments in here to get the facts wrong again and again and again. Let me cry a crocodile tear for the poor teachers unions that don't deliver on their end but expect us all to grace them with massive lifetime benefits.
Having once been a member of the CTA, I disagree with your position. I don't believe labor unions are the root of all evil. (Surprise!)
You might want to -- just for giggles -- use the Google machine and take a look at wealth distribution in the U.S. of A. You might notice that the concentration of wealth is about as high as it's ever been. (And you might be fine with this, but I'm not.)
And yeah. Geithner was a player in both the Bush and Obama administrations. (Hand in glove with Paulson; hand in glove with Summers) I don't particularly care for his stewardship in EITHER administration, but I never get "perfect" in my choice of Presidential teams. I get better and I get worse. (Or worse and worser, if you prefer.)
**how does everyone feel about the largest tax hike in history---otherwise known as the Iraq War?**
Okay, since you ask - I feel great. We won. We removed a dangerous dictator that invaded a neighboring country, supported terrorism, and planned to assassinate an American president, and that's just for starters. Iraq now has a chance to be a democracy in the heart of the place where Islamic fascism usually rules. Women there have the right to vote and maybe have some choice in their lives. Iraq is the one bright spot in the whole blighted area known as the Middle East.
Pity Obama hasn't the balls to push victory the way Bush did. He's letting Iran become a nuclear power. Well, that's certainly a change, but it sure doesn't look too hopeful...
"I feel great. We won."
HAHAAAHAHAHAHA...thanks for the laugh you clueless bastard!
Let us know when you get your iraq prize delivered on your mailbox.
I like the fact that you also mentioned democracy in there somewhere...cause, as we all know it was all about democracy.
Stop listening to Glenn Beck...he's a prick!
rufus
"Mission Accomplished."
No, we do NOT miss dick and bush. Nor does the world. And you are correct in saying their bungling of the economy and the uneccessary war is more than a little akin to a MASSIVE tax hike, the likes of which the U.S. has never seen.
The wars have to be paid for, but lame brained bush cut taxes for the richest 1% of Americans so they could farm jobs out overseas and set up offshore banks to avoid paying the VERY low taxes we have here in the U.S. (compared to the world).
Ignore these teabagged wingnuts---like most gNOp-er's they refuse to accept responsibility for their actions. They're the kind that would let child rapist Roman Polanski back into the U.S. because the crimes he committed were "a long time ago."
Nah--they'd rather have government intrude into our private lives by attempting to legislate morality. Or inhibiting competition/free market by giving all the goods to a handful of megacorporations (otherwise known, as stated above, as Corporate Communism.).
You might want to -- just for giggles -- use the Google machine and take a look at wealth distribution in the U.S. of A. You might notice that the concentration of wealth is about as high as it's ever been. (And you might be fine with this, but I'm not.)
On that note, this weekend's New York Times (of all sources) has an article highlighting the research of economists who note the correlation between periods of extreme income inequality and the economic collapses.
It might not be such a coincidence that the great depression happened at the moment when the top 1% in the U.S. received 24% of the nation's income, and the top 10% received 50% of the income. Which is virtually identical to the numbers in 2007.
But hey, the commenters above have convinced me that those numbers are false, and that the real problem is firefighters and nurses and police officers and teachers. How dare we do anything, like regulate financial markets, or support working people. Doesn't everyone realize yet that the super-rich got that way because they're morally superior?
To Anon 1, I genuinely want to know why it is that you are supporting an establishment that would work against your own best interest? Unless you are a well known Director or a lottery winner, I'm guessing you're like the rest of us, scrabbling over the very well paying jobs that still land us square in today's middle class but always one job away from no income at all? I voted for Obama but don't agree with most of his choices since he's taken office but if the Republicans have it their way, we'd all be in shanty towns while they live large profiting from our losses. Why are you routing for a class that you presumably don't belong to?(and if they have it their way, you never will)? I truly want to understand where you're coming from.
Not having seen the movie, but just watched the end credits refered to by the link, and following along with the responses in this thread, I have to say that the effect of the credits, which is what this is all about, are a continuim of the confusion. The responses are confused. The credits are confused. The animation is confusing. It takes away from the reading of the credits, of which the ending of the movie is about. You could do just as good if you had Hal Fishman come on (RIP) and tell you whats coming on the news next at 11, in which the credits themselves shrink down and roll at breakneck pace. The point of the animation is awesome, entertaining, but who would read the credits with all that going on. There has to be a balance, or, work the animation in somehow elsewhere. That said, love the back and forth between the Bushies and the O-boys. I have faith that this board shall always have fun things going on at any time.
"Today, after extraordinary costs, we are bringing the Iraq war to a responsible end. We will remove our combat brigades from Iraq by the end of next summer, and all of our troops by the end of 2011. That we are doing so is a testament to the character of the men and women in uniform. (Applause.) Thanks to their courage, grit and perseverance, we have given Iraqis a chance to shape their future, and we are successfully leaving Iraq to its people."
http://www.whitehouse.gov/the-press-office/remarks-president-address-nation-way-forward-afghanistan-and-pakistan
“I think America wins,” Biden told POLITICO in an end-of-trip interview at the ambassador’s residence in the sprawling U.S. Embassy complex. “I sound corny, but I think America gets credit here in the region. And I think everybody gets credit, from George Bush to [President Obama].
http://www.politico.com/news/stories/0710/39372.html#ixzz0xP8cMMRT
Hey Libtards,
Chew on this:
"War is an ugly thing, but not the ugliest of things. The decayed and degraded state of moral and patriotic feeling which thinks that nothing is worth war is much worse. The person who has nothing for which he is willing to fight, nothing which is more important than his own personal safety, is a miserable creature and has no chance of being free unless made and kept so by the exertions of better men than himself."
John Stuart Mill
And after you're done googling him to see who he is, you can suck on this:
"Many people mistake non-violence as compromise or avoidance of conflict. It is not. On the other hand, it is standing up for what is right (truth) and justice. Fighting a violent war is better than accepting injustice. So, really there is no contradiction in fighting a just war, and believing in non-violence. Both are duties to be carried out to preserve justice and truth."
Mahatma Gandhi
what's worse, "teabagged wingnuts" of FAKE teabagged wingnuts?
"Democrats on the Board of Commissioners are very concerned about allegations that an employee of the county party may have had a role in fraudulent Tea Party candidate filings."
Read More: http://2010electioninoaklandcounty.blogspot.com/2010/08/dem-commissioners-call-for-party.html
Hey muy macho anon at 11:38
why don't you put your money where your mouth is, and grab an m-15 and head over there yourself? or to Afghanistan for that matter? Instead of sitting there in your cozy chair in front of the computer? what a douche...
rufus
Ah, the reason I love this blog, educated, well-reasoned and honest debate.
Fools all...
"how does everyone feel about the largest tax hike in history---otherwise known as the Iraq War?"
what are you talking about?
according to this latest Congressional Budget Office report from August 2010, total spending on Iraq for 2003-2010 is $709 billion, and was $554 billion between 2003-2008 (while W. was el presidente)
see page 15, Box 1-3 "Funding for Operations in Iraq and Afghanistan and for Related Activities"
http://cbo.gov/ftpdocs/117xx/doc11705/08-18-Update.pdf
according to the same document, see pages 12&13 Box 1-2, ARRA (i.e. Obama's stimulus package) has cost $572 billion in 2 years (2009-2010) and is projected to cost $814 billion between 2009-2019.
not to say that $709 billion is not a LOT of money, but just to put this in perspective, $709 billion accounts for 3.2% of all federal spending between 2003-2010.
"largest tax hike in history"?
uh, no. or for you i should say "duh, no."
I love the people rallying to the defense of teacher's unions. Like they are pristine and untarnished entities... while living in Los Angeles.
Its amlost certain that these people defending them are ignorant of the fact that the LA Unified teachers union is calling for a boycott of the Los Angeles Times.
Why?
Because the LA Times published student test scores.
http://tinyurl.com/26nhn7o
Think about that for a moment. The teachers’ union places a higher value on keeping their members employed than they do on educating our children. When we pay them to do that.
As a frequent reader of the TAG blog love fest it is interesting to see that those who view themselves as right of center are now starting to post here - for years I have worked and lived in fear of bing "outed" as a fiscal conservative/socially liberal Republican who feels that bigger government meant small freedoms - seems I was not alone all along...
Here it is, the big self-flattering big lie from the conservative right being spoon fed to current tea-partyers: The opposite of "big government" (whatever that is), is "freedom." Blah blah "Constitution" blah blah "founding fathers" blah blah, "patriotism."
This is the truth: The opposite of "big government" is BIG CORPORATE. They want to function completely without regulations, taxes or restraints of any kind, wouldn't you? At least politicians are vulnerable to elections. Unrestrained corporate interests are vulnerable to nothing, and they are destroying the world's economy.
They had a perfect shill in Reagan, and now his heirs are carrying on the tradition.
And here comes the big self-flattering big lie from the liberal left that the conservative right is spoon feeding the current tea-partyers.
Cuz in this country, there can only be red or blue on any given issue right?
Saying that "BIG CORPORATE" is worse than "big government" is like saying gonorrhea is worse than herpes. They're both bad you simpleton. Take your partisan blinders off. There's PLENTY of blame to go around for what the problems are with this country. Failure to recognize this makes YOU a large part of the problem.
I'm a "simpleton" because I don't impose equanimity on every situation? Is that, in and of itself, evidence of sophistication?
Yes, in general, there are no absolute good guys and bad guys. Liberals can be inept or mis-guided. Conservatives can be genuine and sincere in their beliefs that their concepts of economic dynamics are ultimately beneficial to the country's growth and security. All public servants see themselves as heroic. The subject, however, is who is responsible for the state the country is in right now. Was it the government who created worthless derivatives and passed them off as as blue-chip investments? Was it the government who sent all of our jobs overseas, crippling the demand side of our economy? Is it the government hiding an astronomical amount of profits in overseas shelters, taking wealth out of the economy, or using international trade loopholes to avoid paying American corporate taxes altogether?
Big corporate feels no obligation toward the health of the country as a whole, or the quality of life of its citizens. Their only ethic is winning the competition with rival corporations, whatever it takes.
You can call that "freedom" if you like, but it's killing us.
actually, you SHOULD try to impose "equanimity" on every situation.
e·qua·nim·i·ty
–noun
mental or emotional stability or composure, esp. under tension or strain; calmness; equilibrium.
http://dictionary.reference.com/browse/equanimity
but i realize that's not exactly what you meant.
no, you are a simpleton because you think that BIG CORPORATE is more of a problem than big government. that's such a naive take on the world that i'd have to guess that you're just young and stupid. but if you're over thirty, clinging to that opinion just makes you stupid.
you do realize that our generous TAG pension and health plans largely depend on the financial success of BIG CORPORATE entertainment/media companies don't you? you do realize that when Steve Hulett suggests that for many TAG members it may be best to select a Vanguard Target Date Fund for their 401(k), that these funds invest heavily in the biggest multi-national "evil" BIG CORPORATE" corporations on the planet? and just where do you think the TAG pension itself invests all our money? assuming that you are a TAG member, how do live with the guilt?
another way to look at the problems that you list regarding corporations is that some/many of these things are the result of the government failing in its duty to oversee how corporations operate. if the government was doing it's job, maybe corporations would not get away with so much evil shite.
it might do you some good to do a little reading and research beyond the huffington post, howard zinn, and moveon.org (and, no, i'm not talking about fox news, glenn beck, or rush). challenge yourself. take one thing that you just know to be the "truth" and question it. seek out legitimate arguments, opinions, data, etc. that present an alternate view or interpretation of your "truth". you don't have to agree with any of it. but just think about it - it's not going to hurt you. at the end of this little mental exercise you may discover that even if your "truth" is one single perfect crystal of a thing, that crystal may have many different facets with each reflecting the world differently depending on the perspective of the viewer.
All in one breath? Perhaps I meant "equivalency," as if the two points of view were part of some abstract philosophical debate, or chess game.
And you, my British friend, might try to make an argument without the snobbery or the insults. (Anyone who disagrees with you is obviously intellectually inferior- not too egotistical, are we?).
The underlying topic, here, is the state of our economy and how it got that way. If government failed to oversee corporate misbehavior, it may be largely due to the erosion of regulations by corporate controlled politicians. The "evil" is simply greed and all that ensues when it gets out of control. The corporate controlled politicians justify their actions with a persistent and aggressive propaganda campaign mixing patriotism, and an elaborate economic myth conflating corporate greed with economic prosperity. This is a long standing American tradition, ("What's good for General Motors is good for America"). Look it up. While you are at it look up the Koch brothers, if you really want to see what we are up against.
Oh, by the way, I'm way over 30.
"Stupid."
Again, with the insults. Aside from disagreeing with you, which only insults your apparently enormous ego, I didn't do that once. What is that, some cheap way to win an argument.
None of your quotes and citations directly address my points. The first two actually support them. They are taken misleadingly out of context, particularly the Kucinich quote.
I never said that the Democrats were blameless. There is enough blame to go around. We are talking about principles here, not parties. (let's not mention that the TARP money was originally passed by Bush, as an emergency measure to try to rescue an economy that his party had fucked up).
The "Founding Fathers," so freely flaunted by Tea Party mutton heads, believed in the principle of "checks and balances." Originally, in a different world, in a different kind of economy, it was meant to apply to branches of government, but it can easily apply to economic dynamics as well. No accountability= abuse of power.
You are worse than stupid. You are delusional. Just being stubborn and pretentious doesn't make you right.
"I never said that the Democrats were blameless."
no, you said, from Tuesday, August 24, 2010 2:25:00 PM:
"Here it is, the big self-flattering big lie from the conservative right..."
"They had a perfect shill in Reagan, and now his heirs are carrying on the tradition"
please forgive me if i some how got the impression that you were just another knee-jerk simpleton conservative republican basher. i don't know how i could have ever thought that about you.
"None of your quotes and citations directly address my points. The first two actually support them."
i agree, the first two actually do support your points. and if they SUPPORT them, then they DO DIRECTLY ADDRESS your points don't they. referring back to your witless "conservative right" and "shill in Reagan" comments, it's good to see that you now seem to agree that the dems are just as knee deep in the shite as anyone else. so next time that you post, i'm sure you'll also callout obama and nancy and harry and barney and bubba et al for their considerable contributions to the shite sammy that we all have to munch on, right?
"They are taken misleadingly out of context, particularly the Kucinich quote."
oh, really? in what way? in your opinion, what is the missing context? i think it is particularly clear that kucinich was/is appalled that the DEMOCRAT controlled congress passed TARP. in case you need more context, go directly to kucinich's website:
http://economy.kucinich.us/index.php
"There is enough blame to go around. We are talking about principles here, not parties."
i love how you follow up this comment with some bush bashing - you just can't help jerking that knee can you? and then you say "...economy that his party had fucked up." Sounds like you're talking about parties, not principles.
look, it's pretty clear what color your politics are. and hey, if it works for you, then more power to you. but just don't be so shocked when you step out of your echo chamber and find delusional people like me calling you out for being such a tosser.
"Just being stubborn and pretentious doesn't make you right."
no, but it's pretty clear that it get's under your skin - which i find fookin' hilarious.
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