Politics
State to State Redistribution
Jan 29th
Guest post and graphic by Johann Lall
I made this I made this map to show the reality of the federal government’s “wealth redistribution”.
The map/chart displays the ratio of federal dollars spent in a state to dollars collected in taxes. All federal spending is included. That is why, for example, Hawai’i gets $1.44 per $1 taxed– the state has a small population and is important militarily. Likewise, as the nation’s capital, the function of Washington DC is government, not industry, agriculture, or service, hence the $5.05 to $1 ratio.
Note that Texas is the only red state that gives more than it receives.
Of course all this redistribution isn’t bad and happens for a reason, but it’s worth noting, considering the political rhetoric about redistribution and socialism.
The reality of the federal government's "wealth redistribution".
Rod Blagojevich thinks he is Blacker than Barack Obama
Jan 11th
Former IL Gov Rod Blagojevich
Rod Blagojevich had an amazing 2009. He was impeached from the governorship of Illinois then made his now famous and cringe-worthy Letterman appearance. His hair was about the only thing keeping him famous in a year full of political scandals and honestly there are only so many hair jokes you can do before it gets old.
In his latest attempt at desperately trying to get publicity for his appearance on the new season of Celebrity Apprentice, he’s now targeting fellow Democrat Barack Obama in a new interview set to appear in Esquire’s February issue. The former governor who is currently awaiting trial on corruption charges is now saying where among other things he contends that coming from a working class family makes him ‘blacker’ than Barack Obama. (Fun Fact: Seven Illinois governors have been arrested, indicted or jailed on criminal charges.)
So back to our regularly scheduled personal train wreck, Blagojevich starts by taking aim at Obama’s public speaking.
“What the (expletive)? Everything he’s saying’s on the teleprompter.”
Wow … Rod two words for you … old news. How many times have we heard/seen Obama teleprompter jokes. Now that isn’t newsworthy but he then goes on to say …
“I’m blacker than Barack Obama. I shined shoes. I grew up in a five-room apartment. My father had a little laundromat in a black community not far from where we lived,” Blagojevich said. “I saw it all growing up.”
I wish I could lock Rod Blagojevich in a room with Ice Cube and see him say that. I understand he is trying to connect his lower class upbringing with an innate understanding of what its like to be black but I just don’t see it. Thankfully the interviewer avoided the trap of asking for an explanation or what he thought about Snap music and the OJ verdict.
In America, we have a media system (this blog included) that loves to take and republish these kinds of idiotic comments and as long as Rod continues to put out toxic waste, we’ll continue to swim in it.
Texas Governor’s Race Loses 2 Candidates
Dec 16th
Kinky Friedman (now running for Texas Commissioner of Agriculture)
Kinky Friedman was never going to be a contender in the 2010 Texas Gubernatorial race. With the emergence of Bill White and silky smooth Farouk Shami, there simply wasn’t enough room in the Democratic race to support a candidate … disliked by Texas Democrats.
Friedman ran as an independent in 2006 and many Democrats feel he took away much needed votes from Chris Bell (even then he still would have lost). His run this year was like Ralph Nader running for the Democratic presidential nomination but now that he’s running for Texas Commissioner of Agriculture … I think Texas Democrats might be a little more forgiving.
Larry Kilgore
Larry Kilgore makes Rick Perry look like Keith Olbermann.
Kilgore, dressed in starched blue jeans and a cowboy hat, drew some murmurs of disapproval when he launched into a rant against the U.S.
“I hate that flag up there,” Kilgore said pointing to the American flag flying over the Capitol. “I hate the United States government. … They’re an evil, corrupt government. They need to go. Sovereignty is not good enough. Secession is what we need!”
“We hate the United States!,” he said later in the speech. (SOURCE)
Kilgore has now endorsed Debra Medina … another secessionist.
Democrats (announced):
Bill White
Farouk “Silky Smooth” Shami
Republicans (announced):
Rick Perry
Kay Bailey Hutchison
Debra Medina
Can We Just Pass Something? Anything?
Dec 16th
Single payer option … gone
Medicare expansion … gone
Any idea what we’re actually keeping in this bill … gone
I like many Americans have grown tired of two things: The cost of health care and the continual battle over it. I just have one wish this Christmas and that wish is that something is finally passed.
I don’t care what we pass, in fact if someone just scribbles random lines on paper and draws a happy face and calls it the Healthcare Reform Act of 2009 … I’m perfectly content with signing that into law. Just put something in front of Obama to sign.
