Comments on: Can’t tax our way out of this situation

By: James E.

James E. — Wed, 13 Feb 2013 04:57:01 +0000

Gosh Paddy, I have no idea what you mean? Perhaps you can explain it to all of us. But, remember that may be children here so keep it PG.

By: Paddy O'furniture

Paddy O'furniture — Wed, 13 Feb 2013 04:33:04 +0000

I thought it had been soaked in another kind of intoxicant.

By: James E.

James E. — Wed, 13 Feb 2013 01:05:01 +0000

Paddy, I notice your mention of cigars. Bet lots of people have forgotten that — can’t beat a cigar that has been soaked in brandy.

By: Paddy O'furniture

Paddy O'furniture — Tue, 12 Feb 2013 21:36:58 +0000

James, I think Ted has probably moved beyond his voluntary incontinence but for your sake, when I see him, I’ll wonder about it. After all, when I see Bill, I still wonder if he’s doing interns under his desk. And as far as his cigars…well that’s another thing. -Okay Phil, put the barf trough away for now. We’re done.

By: Phil Veerkamp

Phil Veerkamp — Tue, 12 Feb 2013 20:55:39 +0000

OK – - – the barff trough is coming out early . . .

By: Paddy O'furniture

Paddy O'furniture — Tue, 12 Feb 2013 20:46:25 +0000

It’s disgusting indeed James. And bad hygiene too. But Bill’s no better. Ted’s bodily excretions stayed in his drawers; Bill’s ended up all over Monica (sorry ladies). Ted was a dumb, indiscriminate kid (about the same age as Monica, another dumb indiscriminate kid), Bill was old enuf no know better. Disgusting an different kind of way.

By: James E.

James E. — Tue, 12 Feb 2013 20:30:02 +0000

Paddy, please, don’t try it — your wife and family won’t like it.

By: James E.

James E. — Tue, 12 Feb 2013 20:27:57 +0000

Paddy, yes Clinton was superior when compared to going to the bathroom in your pants for a week. I didn’t mind Ted not wanting to go to Vietnam — lots didn’t, but please, how about bad knees, anal cysts, et al. To poop and urinate in your pants for a week puts Ted at the top of the list of really disgusting draft dodgers. Just try to imagine pooping and urinating in your pants for a week — puts a different perspective on it, doesn’t it. When you see him at the event tonight, look at him and wonder if he’s using the bathroom now or is he still using his pants.

By: Paddy O'furniture

Paddy O'furniture — Tue, 12 Feb 2013 20:03:03 +0000

Oh yes, James, I’m certain that Monica’s ex-boyfriend was indeed a vastly morally superior specimen. :^)

By: Phil Veerkamp

Phil Veerkamp — Tue, 12 Feb 2013 20:02:41 +0000

Colonel, I "snopes'd" your Nugent slander . . . oops! . . . true Nugent anecdote . . . gag me!!! . . . BYE BYE, TED!

By: James E.

James E. — Tue, 12 Feb 2013 19:53:35 +0000

Paddy, yes, same group. But, Clinton doesn’t love to shoot and kill things, nor did Clinton go to the bathroom in his pants for a week. Same, but vastly different.

By: James E.

James E. — Tue, 12 Feb 2013 19:49:32 +0000

ADDED: Believe the Executive Order is quite common — In fact, FDR signed an Executive Order on my birthday in 1937. In recent times, President
George Bush signed a bunch of them too. As did Clinton, senior Bush, Reagan, Carter, et al.

By: Paddy O'furniture

Paddy O'furniture — Tue, 12 Feb 2013 19:46:33 +0000

Why James, are you claiming Terrible Ted was something of a draft dodger? Does that put him in the same club as Monica’s ex-boyfriend (whom you no doubt voted for-twice)?

By: James E.

James E. — Tue, 12 Feb 2013 19:43:25 +0000

R.J., correct me if I’m wrong but I believe other presidents have used Executive Orders. And, maybe he wouldn’t have to go around Congress if Congress would do their jobs. But, who am I to say, I’m just a liberal in the land of Tea/Republicans.

By: R.J. Carter

R.J. Carter — Tue, 12 Feb 2013 19:28:37 +0000

With already over 40 Executive orders to King Obama’s credit, I can’t wait to hear how he plans on by-passing congress again in his State of the Union Speech tonight….Among other things, I’m expecting yet another stab at our 2nd Amendment….

By: James E.

James E. — Tue, 12 Feb 2013 19:19:51 +0000

Ted Nugent loves shooting and killing things. Well, not always. When he had a chance in the 60s, he declined by going to the bathroom in his pants for a week. Good thing I wasn’t in command of the recruiting station, as I would have asked the Sergeant Major to give him a steel brush NCO shower. Once completed, I would have welcomed Ted into the United States Army with the comment, “Good try, Private Nugent.” But, I wasn’t, so Ted weaseled out and is now a Tea Party hero and patriot. What a manly man he is.

By: Phil Veerkamp

Phil Veerkamp — Tue, 12 Feb 2013 19:07:32 +0000

perhaps POTUS will promise relief in this area . . . LINK - Sir David Attenborough Accused Of ‘Ignoring Gay Animals’ In BBC Documentaries - Dr. Brett Mills, head of media studies at the UK’s University of East Anglia, said that while he doubts Sir David was deliberately ignoring homosexuality in the animal kingdom, he has nevertheless identified three shows that perpetuate the fallacy that animal relationships are predominantly heterosexual. - hmmmmm - - - University of East Anglia - - - - seems familiar

By: Paddy O'furniture

Paddy O'furniture — Tue, 12 Feb 2013 19:05:36 +0000

James, I don’t think Ted would do something that stupid. Alec Baldwin might though…

By: Paddy O'furniture

Paddy O'furniture — Tue, 12 Feb 2013 19:03:53 +0000

There you go Phil, we can all overeat and then purge like they did in the Roman days, except we won’t have to stick our fingers down our throats as the voice of our Dear Leader will be sufficient. Lots of fun!

By: Evelyn

Evelyn — Tue, 12 Feb 2013 18:59:33 +0000

I would if I could but I can’t.

By: Phil Veerkamp

Phil Veerkamp — Tue, 12 Feb 2013 18:45:32 +0000

come on over, Paddy. I’ll have a large barff trough in the middle of the living room . . . you too Evelyn . . . James?

By: James E.

James E. — Tue, 12 Feb 2013 18:45:10 +0000

Paddy, I had a dream about Ted Nugent at the SOTU speech. In the middle of it, Ted jumps up, pulls out a fake pistol and yells at the president to suck on it. The Secret Service drop him with one head shot. Both sides of the aisle go crazy trying to get out of the chamber. Several are trampled and sadly die. Now, as to whether to watch it tonight, I won’t. I always watch for the executive summary on the late night news. Saves a bunch of time.

By: Paddy O'furniture

Paddy O'furniture — Tue, 12 Feb 2013 18:37:06 +0000

Trying to decide if I will watch the SOTU Address tonite, but I’m not sure if I have the stomach for it. I know what one can do to inDUCE vomiting, but what does one do when one anticipates vomiting and wishes to prevent it? Should I have saltines and 7UP for dinner? Actually, I wouldn’t even bother were it not for Ted Nugent’s presence there. I’m sure he’ll be a gentleman, but the post Address interview with the Nuge might make it all worth watching.

By: Phil Veerkamp

Phil Veerkamp — Tue, 12 Feb 2013 03:56:32 +0000

Oh, BTW – nuclear test in N. Korea tonight and Iranian connection . . . $hit happens.

By: Phil Veerkamp

Phil Veerkamp — Tue, 12 Feb 2013 03:53:16 +0000

Thx, Colonel!

By: James E.

James E. — Tue, 12 Feb 2013 03:49:35 +0000

Oh, Phil — looks like you’re tougher. It was the milking cows that tipped it over in your favor.

By: Phil Veerkamp

Phil Veerkamp — Tue, 12 Feb 2013 03:09:08 +0000

Sure. Whatever. And then there was the time back on the farm when I got up at 3:30 AM, milked cows, changed sprinklers, fed, cleaned the milk barn, unloaded 25 ton of Nevada alfalfa, went deer hunting, killed a forked horn, dressed it, fed again, milked in the evening, changed sprinklers, delivered a breach calf, cleared the placenta, pumped the amniotic fluid out and breathed life in through one nostril, then went to the Coloma Club and sang “Bess From The IRS”. Who’s tougher?

By: James E.

James E. — Tue, 12 Feb 2013 02:43:20 +0000

Phil, I watched every minute of it. Watching it was easier than attacking an entire NVA Division.
The general called me in and took me to a map showing a NVA Division coming in from Laos. The general said, “Take your Air Cavalry Troop up there and attack them.” So, we flew up there, got on line facing the West, pulled up the nose of our aircraft, slowed to 60 knots, and all together expended all our ordnance. Mission accomplished — back to the club by 1600 for beers. So, you can see. Watching that video was easy.

By: Phil Veerkamp

Phil Veerkamp — Tue, 12 Feb 2013 02:34:29 +0000

Paddy, is James fibbing? Do you think he REALLY watched the video – all of it? If so then he’s tougher than I gave him credit for.

By: Paddy O'furniture

Paddy O'furniture — Tue, 12 Feb 2013 02:27:20 +0000

Isaiah 45:7 “I form the light, and create darkness: I make peace, and create evil: I the LORD do all these things”. Hmmm, darkness and evil. Yes, indeed, if He can do that, He can also create a liberal.

By: James E.

James E. — Tue, 12 Feb 2013 01:44:29 +0000

Phil, I watched it and can only agree — Thank God God made a liberal. Otherwise we would live in a cruel, cruel society. So, everyone, give God a big hand because he/she knows what’s right and good.

By: Phil Veerkamp

Phil Veerkamp — Mon, 11 Feb 2013 22:47:37 +0000

just for James - - - - LINK - So God Made A Liberal... . - - - others, feel free!

By: James E.

James E. — Mon, 11 Feb 2013 19:48:48 +0000

Mr. MacKenzie, a Steering Committee recommendation is acceptable to me as a start in understanding how this could be accomplished. See, I’m not unreasonable. As for Representative McClintock, I said it was my opinion as I believe he serves only the Tea Party and I have to doubt whether the Tea Party is the majority in El Dorado County.

By: Kirk MacKenzie

Kirk MacKenzie — Mon, 11 Feb 2013 19:38:56 +0000

James E. — I doubt your sincerity in wanting high confidence in the data before voting out a representative when you called for the ouster of Rep. McClintock based on no data at all. However, your question will need to be answered and I’ll take a shot at it, with the caveat that what will be used will be based on recommendations from a steering committee and not on my thoughts alone. Social media, telephone polling, and door-to-door polling are all available and capable of producing data with a high rate of confidence. I doubt that will satisfy you, but that’s okay with me.

By: James E.

James E. — Mon, 11 Feb 2013 17:45:38 +0000

I want to comment on the Post Office — In the Constitution — Article I, Section 8, Clause 7. As we have all heard, the Post Office is in financial trouble. Why? They are required to fund their retirement obligations for 75 years in the future in the next 10 years (since 2006, I believe). This unique requirement was passed by Congress. As it is the only government entity required to fund 75 in the next 10 perhaps we can speculate why: Bleed the Post Office dry to bankruptcy, privatize it (FedEx, UPS???) and crush one more union. The Post Office, per the Constitution, is required to deliver your letter anywhere in the United States for the current stamp price of less than half a dollar — not the case with FedEx, UPS, or any new faux private post office that Capitalism might provide. Yet, no one seems concerned, and that includes Democrats in Congress. Strange, very strange.

By: James E.

James E. — Mon, 11 Feb 2013 17:30:58 +0000

Mr. MacKenzie, I want to have high confidence in the data, if I’m going to run an official out of office over his failure to act on the preferences of the electorate. But, tell me how exactly how I can determine the preferences of the majority at any level of confidence. Guess we could put a coffee can down at the Bell Tower and people could put their preferences on a little slip of paper and drop it in. Couple of questions: How long would we leave the coffee can there and guess we would only know the preferences of those dropping in the slips, so no way we could say their preferences were the majority. So, again, educate us in the details in determining majority voter preferences. If you fail to answer or divert, guess we are back to it’s a great theory, but impossible to implement.

By: Catherine

Catherine — Mon, 11 Feb 2013 16:23:34 +0000

It’s harsh of you to label Jefferson a pedophile. I’d go with robust opportunist, or maybe high sense of entitlement.

By: Catherine

Catherine — Mon, 11 Feb 2013 16:21:21 +0000

I’m no Kerry fan, so I was surprised, too.

By: Paddy O'furniture

Paddy O'furniture — Mon, 11 Feb 2013 16:18:38 +0000

And I never heard that Heinz-Kerry was a pedophile, but I guess it’s possible.

By: Paddy O'furniture

Paddy O'furniture — Mon, 11 Feb 2013 16:16:11 +0000

John Kerry similar to Jefferson. Now THAT’s durned funny, right there.

By: Catherine

Catherine — Mon, 11 Feb 2013 14:14:54 +0000

I’m in Costa Rica, about 100 yards from Ollie’s Folly, and while on vacation, I’ve been reading Meacham’s book on Jefferson. I recommend it. If the man were alive today he’d bear a surprising resemblance to none other than John Kerry. (Well, except for the part about bedding the enslaved 14-year-old half-sister of his wife…) Such similar issues in politics, debt, calcification of arguments… A good read!

By: Kirk MacKenzie

Kirk MacKenzie — Mon, 11 Feb 2013 14:13:40 +0000

James E. — “.01 confidence”? How did you decide on that precision as being “good enough”?

By: James E.

James E. — Mon, 11 Feb 2013 07:33:12 +0000

Mr. MacKenzie, it’s my opinion, but there is no way to prove or disprove it as I have no idea how to determine the preferences in El Dorado County. Perhaps you could enlighten me and us all. No, I’m not going to walk door to door and visit every home in the county asking for their preferences — especially given a certain percentage will not be truthful (plus those who wouldn’t answer the door) which would taint any data I might compile. So, ball in your court again, as it is your theory and therefore you must, after all this time, have all the procedures necessary to determine majority preferences at an
.01 confidence level. P.S. Isn’t it intuitive that Representative McClintock represents only the Tea Party. He constantly appears at Tea Party events — not once to a Republican or Democratic event. Guess he only has time for his posse.

By: Kirk MacKenzie

Kirk MacKenzie — Mon, 11 Feb 2013 03:47:33 +0000

James E. — It’s your assertion, you prove it. I was planning to start smaller and closer to home. I live in supervisor district III. That’s where I plan to start.

By: James E.

James E. — Mon, 11 Feb 2013 03:37:01 +0000

Mr. MacKenzie, find out the preferences of the majority and get back to me. You may find that the majority do not believe McClintock is representing their preferences and, in fact,
he is representing only the preferences of the Tea Party. Let us know as soon as you have the data — and, yes, we have been going around and around on this for about the past three years, and I suspect we will continue for the next three years.

By: Kirk MacKenzie

Kirk MacKenzie — Mon, 11 Feb 2013 03:26:58 +0000

James E. — President Obama spent less than Governor Romney. The data I’ve seen shows money is a threshold thing (ie it buys competitiveness) but not elections. As for Representative McClintock only representing the Tea Party…what data do you have to back that up? How do you know he isn’t representing the preferences of the majority of his constituents? We don’t, AND THAT’S THE POINT.

By: James E.

James E. — Mon, 11 Feb 2013 01:55:56 +0000

Mr. MacKenzie, as Evelyn indicates money does buy votes. You can try to bend a politician to your will and oust him/her from office if they don’t serve your preferences — but the politician with the most money will buy the votes needed to win.
But, if you insist, how about bending Representative McClintock to your will — given he only represents the Tea Party we need to get rid of him.

By: Evelyn

Evelyn — Mon, 11 Feb 2013 00:10:57 +0000

Yep, taking a stand would be important, Kirk. But that won’t happen here in the Comments section of the Mountain Democrat!!!

By: Evelyn

Evelyn — Mon, 11 Feb 2013 00:07:38 +0000

What DOES money buy? (1) It pays for staggeringly expensive campaigns, which most ordinary folks could not afford on their own. (2) It pays for the PR (think “advertising”, a REAL truth telling exercise). (3) It pays for access via lobbyists. (Sorry, but Joe Public doesn’t have that kind of money). (4) It pays people to KEEP THEIR MOUTHS SHUT at critical junctures. (5) It has been known to buy elections (and please don’t tell me THAT doesn’t happen). Aside from these simple examples, money really isn’t all that important.

By: Kirk MacKenzie

Kirk MacKenzie — Sun, 10 Feb 2013 23:59:48 +0000

Evelyn — What gives me hope? The simple answer is: I’m a romantic by nature. I believe the founders were uniquely qualified to create a system of government that works for the people. I believe we finally have the ability to implement that system the way they envisioned. I also believe we have no choice — either we make our stand now or we will soon be subjected to truly oppressive tyranny at the hands of the political/industrial complex.