Republicans' 'liberal' attacks on Democrats losing their sting

The Count wrote:

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That doofus is sniffing glue again. Marginal tax rates range from 31-53% in Sweden.

Gee. They have only one tax in Sweden?

How enlightened.

Maybe I can convince the California legislature that we don't Income Tax, Sales Tax, Property Tax, Excise Tax, Telephone Tax, Gasoline Tax, Global Warming Tax, Estate Tax, Transaction Tax, and the "Have We Missed Anything" Tax.

The Respected Doofinator

The Respected Doofinator wrote:

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I believe it was Bjorn Borg who left Sweden because the incremental tax rate on his tennis winnings exceeded 100%.
http://rspruk.blogspot.com/2007/04/sweden-to-...
The Respected Doofinator

Your link trumpets the fact that Sweden and most of the EU has dropped the wealth tax (oh those lucky millionaires!,) yet you point to it as if it were in effect. So Bjorn Borg left Sweden. Wow. Most choose to stay and many more would like to live there.
A simple-minded argument such as yours focuses on the high tax rates while ignoring the obvious benefits of such a system. I'm not saying that this type of democracy is perfect-there is no such thing as the perfect political system-but what's so wrong with it?
from wikipedia...

"Sweden is an export-oriented market economy featuring a modern distribution system, excellent internal and external communications, and a skilled labour force. Timber, hydropower, and iron ore constitute the resource base of an economy heavily oriented toward foreign trade. Sweden's engineering sector accounts for 50% of output and exports. Telecommunications, the automotive industry and the pharmaceutical industries are also of great importance. Agriculture accounts for 2 percent of GDP and employment.
The 20 largest Sweden-registered companies by turnover in 2007 were Volvo, Ericsson, Vattenfall, Skanska, Sony Ericsson Mobile Communications AB, Svenska Cellulosa Aktiebolaget, Electrolux, Volvo Personvagnar, TeliaSonera, Sandvik, Scania, ICA, Hennes & Mauritz, Nordea, Preem, Atlas Copco, Securitas, Nordstjernan, and SKF.[45] Sweden's industry is overwhelmingly in private control; unlike some other industrialized Western countries, such as Austria and Italy, publicly owned enterprises were always of minor importance.

(cont.)

Some 4.5 million residents are working, out of which around a third with tertiary education. GDP per hour worked is the world's 9th highest at 31 USD in 2006, compared to 22 USD in Spain and 35 USD in United States.[46] According to OECD, deregulation, globalization, and technology sector growth have been key productivity drivers.[46] GDP per hour worked is growing 2½ per cent a year for the economy as a whole and trade-terms-balanced productivity growth 2%.[46] Sweden is a world leader in privatized pensions and pension funding problems are relatively small compared to many other Western European countries.[47] Swedish labor market has become more flexible, but it still has some widely acknowledged problems.[46] The typical worker receives only 40% of his income after the tax wedge. The slowly declining overall taxation, 51.1% of GDP in 2007, is still nearly double of that in the United States or Ireland. State and municipal bureaucrats amount to a third of Swedish workforce, multiple times the proportion in many other countries. Overall, GDP growth has been fast since reforms in the early 1990s, especially in manufacturing.[48]
World Economic Forum 2008 competitiveness index ranks Sweden 4th most competitive, behind Denmark.[49] The Index of Economic Freedom 2008 ranks Sweden the 27th most free out of 162 countries, or 14th out of 41 European countries.[50] Sweden ranked 9th in the IMD Competitiveness Yearbook 2008, scoring high in private sector efficiency.[51] According to the book, The Flight of the Creative Class, by the U.S. economist, Professor Richard Florida of George Mason University, Sweden is ranked as having the best creativity in Europe for business and is predicted to become a talent magnet for the world’s most purposeful workers. The book compiled an index to measure the kind of creativity it claims is most useful to business — talent, technology and tolerance.[52]
Swedes have rejected the euro in a popular vote and Sweden maintains its own currency, the Swedish krona (SEK). The Swedish Riksbank—founded in 1668 and thus making it the oldest central bank in the world — is currently focusing on price stability with its inflation target of 2%. According to Economic Survey of Sweden 2007 by OECD, the average inflation in Sweden has been one of the lowest among European countries since the mid-1990s, largely because of deregulation and quick utilization of globalization.[46]
The largest trade flows are with Germany, United States, Norway, United Kingdom, Denmark, and Finland."
Your one-dimensional argument says that high taxes are a bad thing. When you factor in the value of one of the world's highest life expectancies, a world-class universal educational and health care system, the finest eldercare system in the world, a very low crime rate, a robust economy, and a guaranteed government pension for everyone, you are left quibbling over trivia.

The Audacity of Death

Wall Street Journal: By DANIEL ALLOTT
June 5, 2008

According to Barack Obama, Gianna Jessen shouldn't exist.

Miss Jessen is an exquisite example of what antiabortion advocates call a "survivor." Well into her third trimester of pregnancy, Gianna's biological mother was injected with a saline solution intended to induce a chemical abortion at a Los Angeles County abortion center. Eighteen hours later, and precious minutes before the abortionist's arrival, Gianna emerged. Premature and with severe injuries that resulted in cerebral palsy. But alive.

Had the abortionist been present at her birth, Gianna would have been killed, perhaps by suffocation. As it was, a startled nurse called an ambulance, and Gianna was rushed to a nearby hospital, where, weighing just two pounds, she was placed in an incubator, then, months later, in foster care.

Gianna survived then, and thrives now, because, as she told me recently with a laugh, "I guess I don't die easy." Which is what the abortionist might have thought as he signed his victim's birth certificate. Gianna's medical records state that she was "born during saline abortion."

As an Illinois state senator, Barack Obama twice opposed legislation to define as "persons" babies who survive late-term abortions. Babies like Gianna. Mr. Obama said in a speech on the Illinois Senate floor that he could not accept that babies wholly emerged from their mother's wombs are "persons," and thus deserving of equal protection under the Constitution's 14th Amendment.

A federal version on the same legislation passed the Senate unanimously and with the support of all but 15 members of the House. Gianna was present when President Bush signed the Born Alive Infants Protection Act in 2002.

When I asked Gianna to reflect on Mr. Obama's candidacy, she paused, then said, "I really hope the American people will have their eyes wide open and choose to be discerning.... He is extreme, extreme, extreme."

Blasphemy wrote:

The Audacity of Death
Wall Street Journal: By DANIEL ALLOTT
June 5, 2008
According to Barack Obama, Gianna Jessen shouldn't exist.
Miss Jessen is an exquisite example of what antiabortion advocates call a "survivor." Well into her third trimester of pregnancy, Gianna's biological mother was injected with a saline solution intended to induce a chemical abortion at a Los Angeles County abortion center. Eighteen hours later, and precious minutes before the abortionist's arrival, Gianna emerged. Premature and with severe injuries that resulted in cerebral palsy. But alive.
Had the abortionist been present at her birth, Gianna would have been killed, perhaps by suffocation. As it was, a startled nurse called an ambulance, and Gianna was rushed to a nearby hospital, where, weighing just two pounds, she was placed in an incubator, then, months later, in foster care.
Gianna survived then, and thrives now, because, as she told me recently with a laugh, "I guess I don't die easy." Which is what the abortionist might have thought as he signed his victim's birth certificate. Gianna's medical records state that she was "born during saline abortion."
As an Illinois state senator, Barack Obama twice opposed legislation to define as "persons" babies who survive late-term abortions. Babies like Gianna. Mr. Obama said in a speech on the Illinois Senate floor that he could not accept that babies wholly emerged from their mother's wombs are "persons," and thus deserving of equal protection under the Constitution's 14th Amendment.
A federal version on the same legislation passed the Senate unanimously and with the support of all but 15 members of the House. Gianna was present when President Bush signed the Born Alive Infants Protection Act in 2002.
When I asked Gianna to reflect on Mr. Obama's candidacy, she paused, then said, "I really hope the American people will have their eyes wide open and choose to be discerning.... He is extreme, extreme, extreme."

What the bill actually says: www.religioustolerance.org/abo_aliv.htm - 63k
"The title of the Bill is "To protect infants who are born alive." It does not accomplish this directly. Rather, it defines that any embryo, fetus or newborn who is "born alive" is a human person. Once it is considered a person, it is protected from harm by other, existing, laws.
The bill contains only two main sub-sections: The first defines the words 'person','human being','child', and 'individual', as including "every infant member of the species homo sapiens who is born alive at any stage of development." Although the term "infant" normally refers to a newborn baby, here its meaning is extended to also include a fertilized ovum, pre-embryo, embryo and fetus.(cont.)

The second explains the term "born alive." As defined for a
"... member of the species homo sapiens,[it] means the complete expulsion or extraction from its mother of that member, at any stage of development, who after such expulsion or extraction breathes or has a beating heart, pulsation of the umbilical cord, or definite movement of voluntary muscles, regardless of whether the umbilical cord has been cut, and regardless of whether the expulsion or extraction occurs as a result of natural or induced labor, cesarean section, or induced abortion." 3
The second definition was derived from "a model definition of 'live birth' that was promulgated by the World Health Organization in 1950 and is, with minor variations, currently codified in 30 States and the District of Columbia." 4 When the bill became law, it was the first time that the personhood of a "born- alive" member of the human race was codified in federal legislation.
"Embryology textbooks say that the heartbeat begins [in a human embryo] at 18 to 22 days after fertilization." 1 Thus, the law could theoretically apply to an embryo only three weeks after fertilization and a few days into pregnancy: i.e. a few days after the embryo attaches itself to the wall of the uterus. This is only barely into the first trimester."
This is a bunch of political pandering. What is accomplished and who is protected by awarding "person" status to an ovum, a pre-embryo, an embryo, or a fetus under 22 weeks of age? They all have zero chance of survival. It's just a pitiful attempt at appeasement and demonization. It's great that this woman was able to survive (she was third tri-mester, remeber?) and has agreed to be a shill for anti-abortion zealots, but it has nothing to do with Obama.

The Count wrote:

The second explains the term "born alive." As defined for a
"... member of the species homo sapiens,[it] means the complete expulsion or extraction from its mother of that member, at any stage of development, who after such expulsion or extraction breathes or has a beating heart, pulsation of the umbilical cord, or definite movement of voluntary muscles, regardless of whether the umbilical cord has been cut, and regardless of whether the expulsion or extraction occurs as a result of natural or induced labor, cesarean section, or induced abortion." 3
The second definition was derived from "a model definition of 'live birth' that was promulgated by the World Health Organization in 1950 and is, with minor variations, currently codified in 30 States and the District of Columbia." 4 When the bill became law, it was the first time that the personhood of a "born- alive" member of the human race was codified in federal legislation.
"Embryology textbooks say that the heartbeat begins [in a human embryo] at 18 to 22 days after fertilization." 1 Thus, the law could theoretically apply to an embryo only three weeks after fertilization and a few days into pregnancy: i.e. a few days after the embryo attaches itself to the wall of the uterus. This is only barely into the first trimester."
This is a bunch of political pandering. What is accomplished and who is protected by awarding "person" status to an ovum, a pre-embryo, an embryo, or a fetus under 22 weeks of age? They all have zero chance of survival. It's just a pitiful attempt at appeasement and demonization. It's great that this woman was able to survive (she was third tri-mester, remeber?) and has agreed to be a shill for anti-abortion zealots, but it has nothing to do with Obama.

I take it that, like Obama, you have no problem murdering these innocent babies who survive a botched abortion attempt. Tell me, oh compassionate one, could you be the person who suffocates a live baby laying on a birthing table?

The Count wrote:

The second explains the term "born alive." As defined for a
"... member of the species homo sapiens,[it] means the complete expulsion or extraction from its mother of that member, at any stage of development, who after such expulsion or extraction breathes or has a beating heart, pulsation of the umbilical cord, or definite movement of voluntary muscles, regardless of whether the umbilical cord has been cut, and regardless of whether the expulsion or extraction occurs as a result of natural or induced labor, cesarean section, or induced abortion." 3
The second definition was derived from "a model definition of 'live birth' that was promulgated by the World Health Organization in 1950 and is, with minor variations, currently codified in 30 States and the District of Columbia." 4 When the bill became law, it was the first time that the personhood of a "born- alive" member of the human race was codified in federal legislation.
"Embryology textbooks say that the heartbeat begins [in a human embryo] at 18 to 22 days after fertilization." 1 Thus, the law could theoretically apply to an embryo only three weeks after fertilization and a few days into pregnancy: i.e. a few days after the embryo attaches itself to the wall of the uterus. This is only barely into the first trimester."
This is a bunch of political pandering. What is accomplished and who is protected by awarding "person" status to an ovum, a pre-embryo, an embryo, or a fetus under 22 weeks of age? They all have zero chance of survival. It's just a pitiful attempt at appeasement and demonization. It's great that this woman was able to survive (she was third tri-mester, remeber?) and has agreed to be a shill for anti-abortion zealots, but it has nothing to do with Obama.

By the way, oh compassionate one, please explain to me why Obama was the only State Senator, Republican or Democrat, who voted against this bill. Were they all wrong, and only your Messiah was correct?

BUSH NEO-CONS DESTROYED THE REPUBLICAN PARTY

WALL STREET AGAINST REPUBLICANS IN 2008

Affluent industries get behind Dem candidates
http://tinyurl.com/25zy8k
WASHINGTON Democrats seeking the White House are raising significantly more money than Republicans this year from the industries that provide the most cash to presidential contenders — including Wall Street executives who traditionally have given to the GOP, a campaign-finance analysis shows.
The major Democratic candidates have collected nearly $81 million from the employees and political action committees of the 20 employment sectors that contributed the most money during the first six months of the year, according to a USA TODAY analysis of data compiled by the non-profit Center for Responsive Politics. In contrast, Republicans raised $47 million.
Overall, Democrats have raised more money than GOP candidates in 15 of the top 20 sectors, ranging from law firms to insurance companies.
The industries where Republicans have an advantage include accounting and manufacturing, but not Wall Street.
http://www.usatoday.com/news/politics/electio...

GOP cancer: Party could lose 20 more seats
May 14, 2008 / http://tinyurl.com/6gueqc
The Republican defeat in Tuesday's special election in Mississippi, in a deeply conservative district where, in an average year, Democrats cannot even compete, was a clear sign that the GOP has the political equivalent of cancer that has spread throughout the body. Many House GOP operatives are privately predicting that the party could easily lose up to 20 seats this fall.

Combined with the 30 seats that the GOP lost in 2006, that would leave the party facing a 70-vote deficit against Democrats in the House -- a state of powerlessness reminiscent of Republicans' long wilderness years in the 1960s and '70s.
http://news.yahoo.com/s/politico/20080515/pl_...

Blasphemy wrote:

The Audacity of Death

And Hopelessness. NOBAMA '08

The Count wrote:

It's great that this woman was able to survive (she was third tri-mester, remeber?) and has agreed to be a shill for anti-abortion zealots, but it has nothing to do with Obama.

Dear No A-Count:

Dream on. It has everything to do with O-blah-blah and the ideology of the Left.

What Americans realize -- and the drones of the Left relentlessly but futilely try to obscure -- is that the Left is capable of making a high-sounding promise and then completely abandoning it merely be changing a definition.

The Left promises to uphold the Constitution and protect "life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness" -- and then changes the definition of a person to exclude INFANTS BORN ALIVE.

The left promises to protect the right to bear arms -- and then changes the definition of "arms" to exclude ASSAULT RIFLES, ASSAULT PISTOLS, ASSAULT BOWS AND ARROWS, ASSAULT STICKS, ASSAULT ROCKS, and ASSAULT BEAN BAGS.

The Left lies. The Left can NEVER be trusted.

The Respected Doofinator

Pdamerica org wrote:

BUSH NEO-CONS DESTROYED THE REPUBLICAN PARTY
WALL STREET AGAINST REPUBLICANS IN 2008
Affluent industries get behind Dem candidates

You again.

You've posted this dreck many times before.

It's SPAM.

Cease and desist or start packing your all purpose tooth and toilet bowl brush for an extended stay in SPAMMER hell.

The Respected Doofinator

The Count wrote:

This is a bunch of political pandering. What is accomplished and who is protected by awarding "person" status to an ovum, a pre-embryo, an embryo, or a fetus under 22 weeks of age? They all have zero chance of survival. It's just a pitiful attempt at appeasement and demonization. It's great that this woman was able to survive (she was third tri-mester, remeber?) and has agreed to be a shill for anti-abortion zealots, but it has nothing to do with Obama.

Mr. No A-Count:

There are smart Leftists, and there are dumb Leftists who have been told, in some wierd Leftist practical joke, that they are really smart.

Bad news: you're one of the dumb ones.

The Respected Doofinator

The Respected Doofinator wrote:

<quoted text>
Dear No A-Count:
Dream on. It has everything to do with O-blah-blah and the ideology of the Left.
What Americans realize -- and the drones of the Left relentlessly but futilely try to obscure -- is that the Left is capable of making a high-sounding promise and then completely abandoning it merely be changing a definition.
The Left promises to uphold the Constitution and protect "life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness" -- and then changes the definition of a person to exclude INFANTS BORN ALIVE.
The left promises to protect the right to bear arms -- and then changes the definition of "arms" to exclude ASSAULT RIFLES, ASSAULT PISTOLS, ASSAULT BOWS AND ARROWS, ASSAULT STICKS, ASSAULT ROCKS, and ASSAULT BEAN BAGS.
The Left lies. The Left can NEVER be trusted.
The Respected Doofinator

It's the Right that has changed the definition of what constitues an "infant", which now includes the gleam in your mother's eye. I hope you and that "well-regulated militia" you belong to keep up the drilling and marching and such...watch out for beanbags and make sure those buttons are shiny!

Remember this...you're living in your own personal Bizarro World, where cars have square tires.

Blasphemy wrote:

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I take it that, like Obama, you have no problem murdering these innocent babies who survive a botched abortion attempt. Tell me, oh compassionate one, could you be the person who suffocates a live baby laying on a birthing table?

I take it that, like Goebbels, you have no problem with trying to smear your targets with the most vile nonsense you can muster. You project the hatred that rages inside of you quite well.

Blasphemy wrote:

<quoted text>
By the way, oh compassionate one, please explain to me why Obama was the only State Senator, Republican or Democrat, who voted against this bill. Were they all wrong, and only your Messiah was correct?

I have no messiah. They were all wrong.

The Count wrote:

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I have no messiah. They were all wrong.

Spoken like an authentic nihilist.

There is no reality except what is inside of your skull.

There is no morality except what you see in the mirror.

And, somewhow, you expect the world to take you seriously.

When nihilists talk to each other on nihilist discussion forums, what do they talk about?

"My nothing is more absurd and meaningless than your nothing"?

The Respected Doofinator

The Count wrote:

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I take it that, like Goebbels, you have no problem with trying to smear your targets with the most vile nonsense you can muster. You project the hatred that rages inside of you quite well.

Like many Obama cultists, you obviously did not read my post and the articles linked before you made your inane criticism. Doesn't it get boring being so ordinary?

The Count wrote:

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I have no messiah. They were all wrong.

They were all wrong? Your master would be proud. You have now officially surrendered all of your independent judgment.

Blasphemy wrote:

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They were all wrong? Your master would be proud. You have now officially surrendered all of your independent judgment.

Are you kidding? That moron has no judgement you can rely on. His boy is BLACK, That is all that matters to him.