Friday/weekend open line
The time to acquire presents grows short — only two weekends left.
They say that time seems to go by faster the older you get. And it does.
Here’s your open line.
December 11, 2009
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Ronald Reagan inherited a deep recession from the Carter administration. President Reagan cut taxes, and the resulting 25-year economic growth cycle produced 35 million new jobs and increased government revenues by almost 30 percent — the largest peacetime economic expansion in history.
Comment by kevin — December 11, 2009 @ 8:57 am
When I was young seems like Christmas wouldn’t come soon enough now that I am old it seems like it’s here every six months now that’a fast.
Comment by mj — December 11, 2009 @ 10:08 am
What have you been smoking?
Comment by Infidel — December 11, 2009 @ 10:14 am
Yes what have you been smoking, Do we forget that the amount of money it took to build up military then to out pace the Russians ? Yes good came from it like the Berlin wall and fall from Commuism. But the taxpayer paid the price. Thanks to President Bill Clinton, the National Budget was finally brought back in the black. Then the Bushes messed it all up for generations to come. Get off the Republican Acid its making you Hallucinate.
Comment by rleonidash — December 11, 2009 @ 10:36 am
i’m not even going to get into this debate because i’ve done so too many times over the years and it never produces fruitful results. instead, i’ll just say that what the nation needs right now is actual solutions, not Democrats and Republicans going around parroting their party’s spin-laden talking points.
You all have a nice weekend spinning things to make a party look good as opposed to brainstorming what will make this country function well.
Comment by Follow the White Lines on the Road — December 11, 2009 @ 11:04 am
Hey Tim(Mcallister)–If you’re out there–go to AJC.com for Mike Luckovich’s Dec. 11th cartoon.
Comment by north star — December 11, 2009 @ 12:36 pm
Is anyone willing to sign a petition that states that ALL elected officials must past a drug/alcohol screen before they are sworn in? I was just wondering because you have to pass both in order to be employed by the city/county and why should those who are making the decisions with lots of taxpayers $$$ be any different. Think about it…………………..
Comment by casper returns — December 11, 2009 @ 2:11 pm
Amen, Follow. Lots of words, no action. I recently read an article indicating that blame is contageous. Our nation does not rise or fall without our concent. Partisan criticism is the cop out for the lack of a workable solution. No one wants to look at things from a new perspective or work together for the good of all. Greed has got to go!
Comment by Ironwood — December 11, 2009 @ 3:34 pm
” Kevin ”
He also created the biggest deficit in this country’s history. More than all the other Presidents combined.
Comment by Skeeter — December 11, 2009 @ 3:35 pm
You are right Skeeter Obama has created the largest deficit in history. Not sure how many times I must remind you children that the Republicans controlled the both house of congress when wild willy was in office, and they not wild Bill brought our country into the black. The downside was they got drunk on their power and spent like drunken sailors for the next 6 years. The last 2 years of Bush the country was tired of it, and we voted in Dems who said they were going to fix things, they have not and its time to give them the boot.
Comment by kevin — December 11, 2009 @ 4:05 pm
The problem, Kevin, is that the GOP has not produced a strong enough candidate as of yet…mostly Donkeys in Elephant clothing.
Comment by How so? — December 11, 2009 @ 10:46 pm
so what about drug screens for local politicians? Do you think any would resign on the spot if they had to “pee”? That is too funny!!! unless your the one “peeing”!!
Comment by casper returns — December 11, 2009 @ 11:22 pm
James you need not be sorry as I think that our system in the USA works just fine. We the people have the right to send any of these jokers home if they do not listen to us.
Perhaps you are not concerned that Blacks have been hit twice as hard as whites during this recession, this troubles me . The leaders of the Black Caucus have been sending Obama letters demanding he do something about this problem. If the promised land is welfare then you my friend are correct.
Comment by kevin — December 12, 2009 @ 12:30 am
How So — You are 100% correct.
Comment by kevin — December 12, 2009 @ 12:30 am
Kevin, you don’t want to get involved with James = Ira.
He was banned from the board once, and I’m sure he is on his way out again – just under another name.
Comment by Interesting — December 12, 2009 @ 7:40 am
#7 – Casper – I think that drug test should be required. They do work for the city/county.
Yes, how does one go about getting that on the books?
Comment by Interesting — December 12, 2009 @ 7:41 am
Interesting: Probably have a difficult time with that–wouldn’t the City Council have to vote for or against?
Comment by north star — December 12, 2009 @ 9:35 am
We will not buy anything thing this christmas. We chose to donate to/volunteer at a shelter, adopt a soldier, and spend Christmas at a nursing home. That is our family’s gift back. My children actually thought of the idea. They understand that they are so much better off than others.
Comment by GET IT STRAIGHT! — December 12, 2009 @ 9:53 am
Democrats perpetuate the dependence on welfare. How sad for those who want to pull their own weight but are unable to do so, because it makes more financial sense for them to sit back and accept a handout. This, along with other issues, is going to absolutely cripple this country. This plantation mentality needs to stop. People talk about powerful white men in the GOP – well, you need to look to your Democrats who are happy to line their own coffers and pursue their power-seeking agendas at the expense of the poor as well as the working middle class.
Comment by Daunen — December 12, 2009 @ 10:57 am
Hey…maybe the lazy folks who get free lunch for their kids at school can donate their free lunches to the homeless….oh wait…why would they want to waste the (my) tax payer’s money like that? *rolling eyes*
Comment by snoopdawg67 — December 12, 2009 @ 7:54 pm
Tim–That should have read the Dec. 10th Luckovich cartoon.
Comment by north star — December 12, 2009 @ 9:24 pm
How so?..#11…you are exactly right.
AKA RINOS.
also agree with Daunen..
and guess what?
even white lines!
lots of fighting, no real solutions that make sense, just more money thrown around that only digs us deeper in the hole, and regulations that will damage the economy even more.
We need better people in Congress.
I’m watching a challenger for Barbara Boxer’s senate seat. She’s smart, sensible, and has common sense solutions.
Please watch Sean Hannity Sunday night. He will be re-running a Town Hall with people who lost friends and relatives in 9/11. Really is worth watching. Not the usual Hannity shill. He lets the people talk.
Comment by ziggy — December 13, 2009 @ 2:22 am
The challenger to Barbara Boxer is Carly Fiorina.
Comment by ziggy — December 13, 2009 @ 2:28 am
Ok some of you seem to forget who advocated for “Welfare to Work program”, Bill Clinton, a Democrat. Also why do you always generalize and assume that All people on welfare are lazy, want a hand-out and just do not want to go to work. Iam very close to military families through my children and sadly I can tell you that vets and in some cases active miltary get help, (WIC/food stamps). Also that “plantation mentality comment” is offensive, and yes I am white. Considering when you look at the nations’ total amount of welfare recipients, whites make up the majority membership. Before you start ranting, I’m sure there are people who take advantage of the system and probably some generationally who do not even know how to get out of it. But to assume all of us “democrats” want to keep people down, lazy and not working and using MY taxpayers money is a ridiculous statement.
I also have to say that I try to be respectful and open minded when I read the opinions of people here. I also know that politics has created a great divide between people of different opinions but this blog lately has been awful. Due to the fact that Christmas is less than two weeks from now I am going off for awhile and wish a Very Merry Christmas to all. I hope you have a wonderful time with your love ones and the spirit of this season brings kind and loving thoughts to you.
Comment by live it — December 13, 2009 @ 9:56 am
“When I were a lad, Momma would send me down to t’corner store wi’ a
dollar, and I’d come back wi’ five pounds o’ potatoes, two loaves o’
bread, three pints o’ milk, a pound o’ cheese, a packet o’ tea, an’ ‘alf
a dozen eggs. Yer can’t do that now.
Too many damm security cameras.”
Comment by Randy — December 13, 2009 @ 12:20 pm
By plantation mentality, I mean those who perpetuate oppression. What is welfare except a type of oppression, especially in the cases of those who DO want to work, but can’t because taking the handout makes more sense? Oppression isn’t a color. Why don’t you read my post again before you start lumping all of us bloggers in one pot? And while you’re at it, check out Mason Weaver. He’a an African-American author who can tell you all about the plantation mentality. Here’s his book…”It’s OK to Leave the Plantation : The New Underground Railroad”.
Comment by Daunen — December 13, 2009 @ 12:28 pm
Daunan..you’re wasting your time trying to make a point that is always misconstrued to be racist or some other evil intent that people so easily take offense about without deeper thought. If people can’t see that the welfare system has destroyed the social and economic fabric of this country, and is oppressive ..they are blind and in denial.
Does that mean we shouldn’t help people when they’re down? No.
Unless you are old, sick, or disabled..welfare shouldn’t be a lifestyle. Which it is…
and if you don’t think there is an agenda to it…you’re just not seeing what’s right in front of you.
I’m tired of this argument, too…this back and forth blame game.
when will people get the idea that it is the CONGRESS that spends the money? and the lobbyists who bought their souls?
We’ve been had.
They are laughing all the way to the bank.
Comment by ziggy — December 14, 2009 @ 12:18 am
Jason…
HAPPY HANUKKAH!
Comment by ziggy — December 14, 2009 @ 12:21 am
We are so excited about Christmas this year. As a family we decided that Christmas is for the children and we agreed to just buy for the kids and to not go overboard. And with that we are so excited to just spend time together and watch the kids have a blast in Christmas morning.
Besides there is not one material thing that I could want beside the pictures of my boys and my neices and nephews at Christmas.
And with that. Merry Christmas and Happy Hanakkuh to each and everyone one of you.
Comment by Melissa — December 14, 2009 @ 1:21 am
4. rleonidash: A little clarification for you: 1) Obama, Reid and Pelosi have spent more this year on pork for their friends, many times over, than the Iraq War has cost. 2)Clinton did not do anything to ameliorate the budget — give thanks to his Republican Congress for that. 3) Just so, the economy was humming along nicely until the Democrats got control of Congress in 2006. The big cause of the housing/economic meltdown, of course, as everybody knows, is traced back to Jimmy Carter and his CRA, exacerbated by Clinton. Bush tried to head this off but was blocked by the Democrat Congress.
Comment by oxford observer — December 14, 2009 @ 7:44 am
They will never admit that, Oxford Observer!
Comment by Interesting — December 14, 2009 @ 8:43 am
WE sure wont, because it was,the Reagan, both Bushes,that pulled America down. The spending now is due to 8 years of W spy control on America. He did nothing for this country accept get us into two wars. The economy was run by republicans that got us into bad banks, Enron etc. This is why the the losers became losers and will remain losers (Republican party) probably until the end of the decade. Seriously who have you got that can do a better job, Palin, Huckabee, the New Jersey clown,don’t make me laugh. They might as well go on with Dancing with the Stars.
Comment by rleonidash — December 14, 2009 @ 10:28 am
And Obama? And Clinton?
Saviors of the universe!!!! LOL
Comment by Interesting — December 14, 2009 @ 12:54 pm
Ziggy, you are so right on. I’m crying “Uncle” and spending my time on something more productive – like gather some goods for the Salvation Army. You know, Shakespeare nearly got it right…”First, we kill all the lawyers.” This SHOULD have been, “First, we kill all the politicians.” LOL Hope you and all the other HIH bloggers have a wonderful and Blessed Christmas! And Happy Hanukkah (dreidel, dreidel, dreidel, I made it out of clay…)! I may have been raised Penecostal Holiness, but I sure do love the dreidel song!
Comment by Daunen — December 14, 2009 @ 1:07 pm
Shakespeare was ahead of his time…
nowadays…most politicans are also lawyers..
2 for 1..
Oxford Observer makes excellent points, as usual.
rleon you drink too much Kool Aid.
don’t want to let facts get in the way.
no point in arguing with someone who is so one sided.
a reminder…don’t forget who Clinton’s advisor was..
Dick Morris.
and Newt Gringrich.
another book suggestion..
“How the Left Swiftboated America”…John Gibson.
Comment by ziggy — December 15, 2009 @ 12:10 am
Daunen…
and when it’s dry and ready..
then dreidal we shall play.
LOL
Comment by ziggy — December 15, 2009 @ 12:18 am
The left right nonsense means everyone loses . Clinton balanced the budget and paid down debt with the help of the internet bubble and raising the SS benefit age . All but 2 Republican Senators voted against the SS increase and Al Gore the vice pres. at the time broke the tie in the Senate . So no the Republicans did not balance the budget . They helped by keeping spending low but the ingienuity of small business made all this possible , not any political party . Gramm , Leach , Bliley act Made the banks too big to fail and was wholly supported by Clinton and especially Larry Summers who is also in the Obama economic team . Gramm and Mccain also fought hard to stop any Regulation of the Futures market which allowed the financial nonsense that crashed the economy . Holding any politicians solely responsible for the banks dropping there standards for loaning money is ridiculous . They chose to do this because the saw a way to package and sell these loans over and over again . The banks standards hit rock bottom in 2005 , no credit checks , no job confirmation , no income confirmation . Hopfully we can see it for what it is instead of always blaming one side or the other . The bankers and the fund managers found creative ways to rip people off and they did . Since they are the most powerful lobby they will continue to do this until we lose this left right nonsense and demand an end to the bankers controlling the Country .
How many times has your mortgage been sold ? IE Your payment goes to a different bank than you signed your mortgage with .
WAKE UP PEOPLE
Comment by Tim — December 15, 2009 @ 9:04 am
Ah, creative financing. If I recall, back when I was a teen–it was very difficult to obtain a mortgage–bankers were very cautious.
Over the years each mortgage I have had has been sold. I have never been happy about that.
Comment by north star — December 15, 2009 @ 9:34 am
Tim…I think all the presidents tried to do some good, and all did some wrong…it’s ridiculous to blame, or even praise. a president in most cases..or even one party.
it’s far too complicated for that.
Good or bad policies often don’t start having effect till years later. and whoever is in office when those effects start being felt, gets the praise or blame.
It’s just too complex for the regular person to follow.
but you are right-on about the mortgage thing.
alot of those lenders knew the buyers couldn’t afford that loan, but packaged it up with others..some good ones, some sub-primes, and sold the package…and contaminated the whole system.
Fanny and Freddie were in the thick of it..but so were some of the most “respectable” banks..
not to mention those derivatives and other complex investment instruments that make your head spin trying to figure them out.
don’t you think there is something wrong with the way mortgages are figured anyway?
so much of the payment going to interest, and so little to principle.
let’s say you have a 30 year mortgage on a house.
and you pay on it for ten years…you’ve most likely paid almost all of the principle back…(less interest, taxes, and insurance) but you still owe only slightly less of the original principle and have 20 more years to go!
You end up paying 2 1/2-3 times more then the original principle by the time you’re done..
and even if you sell the house after 10 years..you still have to pay almost all of the original principle.
Now THAT’S “creative financing”.
Comment by ziggy — December 17, 2009 @ 12:10 am
HEY SNOOPDOGG67 ….how did a discussion about christmas turn into putting people down because maybe they can’t afford to buy the lunch everyday at school?? i know some people who are using welfare don’t need it, but that dosen’t mean EVERYONE whose kids get free lunch, are abusing the system, since u have so much money then why don’t u donate it to some of the people and help them so they can pay for their kids lunches?? my hubby works everyday, sometimes 50 hours a week, we have three kids, and still all it does is pay the bills, we live paycheck to paycheck, light bill is 500.00, then it’s car payment, phone, insurance, etc… instead of putting people down why not help them since u are so perfect and rich?? since when did christmas turn into a time of racism and greed?? please people grow up and stop throwing your money in everyone’s faces!! go to a school and donate your money for lunches so maybe the people who do work and don’t lay around on their butts who still can’t afford to buy lunch everyday for their kids will not have to use the free lunch?? you can’t assume that everyone on welfare is abusing the system, i guarantee you run your mouth on here and u probably getting 600.00 a month in food stamps every month, i have to make 280.00 feed a family of five!! shut ur mouth about stuff you don’t know about others please!!!!!!
Comment by lovin life!! — December 18, 2009 @ 9:07 am
I SEE NOW ALOT OF PEOPLE WHO POST ON HERE, (NOT EVERYONE) BUT SOME OF THEM, ARE JUST RACIST, RICH, AND ARE FULL OF GREED!! HOPE GOD MAKES YOU PAY ONE DAY.. YOU POST AND PUT PEOPLE DOWN, YOU TALK LIKE U ARE ALL HIGH AND MIGHTY, PERFECT, I GUARANTEE NOBODY EVEN HELPS CHARITY, I AM NOT RICH BUT I DONATE ALL I CAN TO HELP PEOPLE!! BUT THAT DOSENT’ MEAN I AM GONNA COME ON HIH AND PUT PEOPLE DOWN BECAUSE THEY CAN’T AFFORD TO. HENDERSON IS FULL OF RACISTS.. MUCH OF THEM WHITE, IT’S NOT THE BLACKS THAT ARE RACIST ITS THE WHITES MORE NOW… JUST BECAUSE YOU HAVE TO HAVE HELP FROM SOCIAL SERVICES DOSEN’T MAKE U LESS OF A PERSON, AND BECAUSE U DON’T NEED THE HELP DOSEN’T MAKE U BETTER THAN ANYONE THAT DOES!!! I AM SO SICK OF THIS GOING ON AND I AM JUST GONNA LEAVE THIS SITE ALONE!! I AM SICK AND TIRED OF READING RACIST COMMENTS AND NOT SAYIN ANYTHING, IT’S BLACKS AND WHITES THAT USE WELFARE BUT TO MOST PEOPLE ON HERE IT DONT MATTER, TO THEM YOU ARE TRASH AND NO GOOD IF YOU ARE ON WELFARE, IT’S SICK AND DISGUSTING, AND I AM SO GLAD THESE RICH PEOPLE ARE GONNA HAVE TO PAY FOR THE INSURANCE OF THOSE WHO CAN’T AFFORD IT, AND I HOPE THAT OBAMA TAXES THEM TO DEATH!!! GO OBAMA, MAYBE SOMEONE NEEDS TO MAKE THIS A NON-RACIST SITE AND MORE PEOPLE WILL PARTICIPATE
Comment by lovin life — December 18, 2009 @ 9:14 am
lovin life seems to be an oxymoronic name for someone with so much hatred
Comment by wow — December 18, 2009 @ 10:24 am
many people think the problem in henderson is the young folk. read this blog listen to town talk and you will discover the real snakes. same folk hiding under rocks behind blogs and mikes.sore losers. this new year must bring better.
Comment by calypso — December 18, 2009 @ 10:34 am
#41 – Loving Life. I was so glad to see you are going to leave this site alone.
Bye, Bye.
Comment by Interesting — December 18, 2009 @ 12:55 pm