"Oh, isn't it awful about the Bush economy?"
"Quiet! Barbra's about to sing."
In case you are wondering where Barack Obama will be today, here's a news flash. Tonight, Obama will be in Beverly Hills attending a dinner and songfest hosted by none other than Barbra Streisand. Actually, the proper name for this event is fundraiser.
And talk about funds! Tonight's extravaganza will be a $28,500-a-plate affair that is expected to raise 9 million dollars for Obama's campaign. And no-I don't think there will be any "fat-cat" Republicans or oil barons present. Just common folks, you know.
Surely, the Great Man will stand up and say a few words to the humble masses gathered. Surely, Ms Streisand will sing a few ditties interspersed with some profanity-laced tirades against McCain and Palin. Maybe we will hear words of concern for the poor economy in between gulps of foie gras washed down with bottles of French champagne
And as you read all about this masked ball in tomorrow's papers (if they choose to publicize it), remember all the words you have heard over the years about the rich Republicans and the Democrats being the party of the common people. Maybe you will be spurred to look into who the richest people in Congress really are (they are virtually all millionaires).
And if you are interested in tickets, don't ask me. Call Ticketmaster.
"People...people who need people......"
Aw shaddup!!
13 comments:
Gah! I do hate that "people who need people" song.
However, I think it's unfair to criticize either candidate for having fundraisers. Both candidates do it; John McCain has had similar events all over the country, and even in London. And that's okay. Don't criticize one candidate for something the other candidate does, too! Campaigns require money; we may question the choice of entertainment (Streisand?! bleh!) but let's not make it the main issue.
If we really want to criticize where the candidates get their money, what about the fact that Obama is the only one who doesn't take a cent fron lobbyists? Not a cent! I find that pretty admirable. McCain, on the other hand, has several lobbyists working in the top levels of his campaign.
Or, if you want to talk about the "party of the people," let's look directly at the issues. Independent tax analysts have determined that Obama's plan calls for larger total tax cuts for those who make under $250,000, and it also calls for tax hikes for very wealthy Americans! McCain offers tax cuts for the middle class too... totalling almost as much as Obama's, in fact. But unlike Obama, he offers tax cuts for those very wealthy Americans. I'm a middle-class voter, and it seems to me like Obama's more on my side.
Anonymous,
I point this out not because Republicans don't have their fat cat donors, rather because the Dems are always portraying themselves as the party of the common man.
And if you think that Obama is not going to raise your taxes, I have a bridge that would look great next to your coffee table. It's the old bromide-raise txes on the rich. After all, who cares about the rich? Well, who decides who is rich? What about small businesses? Its easy to call for taxing the big corporations, but all you are doing is hurting employers. Who do you think provides all the jobs? Calif is a great example. Businesses are leaving Calif in droves due to the taxes and regulations. They take their wealth and jobs with them. And I am not just talking about major corporations. I am talikng about small businesses.
Obama is actually anti-business and probably much more so than he wants us to know.
Obama is a socialist. If you believe in socialism, then he is your guy. If its welfare or govt assistance you need, vote for Obama. But don't delude yourself into thinking he is going to lower your taxes. That is not something that socialists do.
Is it really even true that Democrats raise taxes more often than Republicans? I'd like to see some actual figures to back this up.
I'm old enough to remember, "Read my lips - No new taxes!"
Little did we know that he was saying "No gnu taxes." Lucky for me, as my family raised wildebeests.
Lance,
You do live in California, right? Not far from Sacramento, as I recall. Do you not know who people like Don Perata and Fabian Nunez are?
Yes, Geo Bush the elder broke his promise not to raise taxes, and of course, the Dem Congress broke its promise to him not to raise spending. Anyway, raising taxes cost Bush his base of support among Republicans. That and Ross Perot doomed him.
One huge reason the Republicans lost control of Congress is that they broke their promise to cut spending and the growth of govt.
Well, it seems to be that if Democrats are "tax and spend" then Republicans are "spend and spend and keep on spending."
Oh boy, here we go again with the "Obama is a socialist" baloney. Gary, you just make yourself look really ignorant when you say things like that. You obviously have ZERO knowledge of what the word "socialist" even means, so please show some dignity and quit using it.
And the anonymous poster is correct. Every independent report that has come out has shown that Obama's proposed tax cuts will benefit MORE Americans than McCain's. But you wouldn't want the facts to get in the way of your pre-determined conclusions now, would ya?
Lance,
Yes. The problem is that government cannot stop itself from spending and growing-growing and spending.
Bryan,
I suspect that to you Obama is some kind of middle of the roader because you are a self-described socialist. Maybe it would help if you identified the model of socialism you ascribe to. Is it Soviet style socialism, or Swedish style or what?
I think you also give too much faith to Obama for being in the middle. I think that he is much farther to the left than he wants to admit. As for his "proposed" tax cuts, do some research on politician proposals. They are just talk.
Well Gary, that is exactly why I used the word "proposed" it's not a guarantee that either candidate is going to make good on those proposals in the end.
Based on Obama's record, it's fairly easy to say that he is a centrist with a slight left-leaning bent. What evidence do you have to base your apparent hunches about Obama? I am guessing none. Maybe you're like Stephen Colbert and follow your "gut."
I could say I think McCain is farther to the right than he really wants to admit. He is secretly a fascist and a Nazi. Gee, making up baseless and outrageous claims is fun!
Bryan,
I can only wish that McCain were farther to the right-not a Nazi or fascist, mind you.
Rather than argue about what Obama is, I think it is more about where we come from (you and I). You obviously consider yourself to the left of Obama, and I am to the right of Obama. That, however, does not make him a centrist.
I like Barbra Streisand and the song "People", and what is wrong with her supporting Obama and having a fundraising for him? McCain has Sylvester Stallone and Chuck Norris on his side. Real brains.
And have you heard G.W.Bush sing "Green Grass of Home", go to "Youtube" and you'll find out what real "Let'm eat cake" attitute is.
Ingrid,
Ah yes, "The Green Green Grass of Home" Brings back memories of Erlangen.
There is nothing wrong with the fundraiser. I was just poking fun at the party that calls Republicans "fat cats". Yes, Barbra S is a great singer. But that's as far as it goes.
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