Rick Santorum: Gospel of Inequality

[Odysseus]

I did not know anything about this candidate and wanted to see why he would be any competition for Mitt Romney. I have never heard his speeches but he seemed pretty reasonable and down to earth. This op-ed casts a different light on him.

http://www.nytimes.com/2012/02/18/opinion/blow-santorum-exalts-inequality.html?src=me&ref=general

Also last week, he suggested that liberals and the president were leading religious people into oppression and even beheadings. I kid you not. Santorum said: “They are taking faith and crushing it. Why? When you marginalize faith in America, when you remove the pillar of God-given rights, then what’s left is the French Revolution. What’s left is a government that gives you rights. What’s left are no unalienable rights. What’s left is a government that will tell you who you are, what you’ll do and when you’ll do it. What’s left in France became the guillotine.”

Yet for Santorum to champion income inequality in Detroit, of all places, is still incredibly tone-deaf.

Detroit has the highest poverty rate of any big city in America, according to data provided by Andrew A. Beveridge, a demographer at Queens College. Among the more than 70 cities with populations over 250,000, Detroit’s poverty rate topped the list at a whopping 37.6 percent, more than twice the national poverty rate. And according to the Census Bureau, median household income in Detroit from 2006-10 was just $28,357, which was only 55 percent of the overall U.S. median household income over that time.

[Odysseus]

http://www.nytimes.com/2012/02/17/opinion/krugman-moochers-against-welfare.html?src=ISMR_AP_LO_MST_FB

I like Paul Krugman. If you look at Santorum and the whole RNC agenda I kind of wonder where all the business minded Republicans have gone?

Now, there’s no mystery about red-state reliance on government programs. These states are relatively poor, which means both that people have fewer sources of income other than safety-net programs and that more of them qualify for “means-tested” programs such as Medicaid.

By the way, the same logic explains why there has been a jump in dependency since 2008. Contrary to what Mr. Santorum and Mr. Romney suggest, Mr. Obama has not radically expanded the safety net. Rather, the dire state of the economy has reduced incomes and made more people eligible for benefits, especially unemployment benefits. Basically, the safety net is the same, but more people are falling into it.

[Odysseus]

http://thinkprogress.org/lgbt/2012/01/04/397355/rick-santorums-top-10-most-outrageous-campaign-statements/?mobile=nc

Insurers should discriminate against insurers with pre conditions?
Obama should oppose abortion because he's black?

[Odysseus]

How Rick Santorum ripped off America's Veteran's

http://motherjones.com/politics/2012/01/how-rick-santorum-ripped-off-american-military-veterans

Like any good presidential candidate, Rick Santorum heaps praise on America's soldiers and veterans. He's pledged to "make veterans a high priority" if elected president, adding, "This is not a Republican issue, this is not a Democratic issue, it is an American issue." But as a US senator, Santorum engineered a controversial land deal that robbed the military's top veterans' home of tens of millions of dollars and worsened the deteriorating conditions at the facility.

The Armed Forces Retirement Home, which is run by the Department of Defense, bills itself as the "premier home for military retirees and veterans." The facility sprawls across 272 acres high on a hill in northern Washington, DC, near the Petworth neighborhood. The nearly 600 veterans who now live there enjoy panoramic views of the city—the Washington monument and US Capitol to the south, the Shrine of the Immaculate Conception to the east. At its peak, more than 2,000 veterans of World Wars I and II, the Korean War, and the Vietnam War lived at the Home.

But with the rise of the smaller all-volunteer military, the Home began to run into serious financial problems. It was clear that one of its primary sources of revenue—a 50-cent deduction from the paychecks of active-duty servicemembers—wasn't enough to keep the Home operating fully. In the 1990s, the Home scrambled to find ways to avoid insolvency, trimming its staff by 24 percent and reducing its vet population by 800. Still, the money problems began to show, with its older historic facilities slipping into disrepair and decay. To grapple with its worsening shortfall, officials running the Home eyed a valuable, 49-acre piece of land worth $49 million as a potential financial lifeline.

[Rohirrim]

There is a reason the voters who know Santorum best, the people of Pennsylvania, sent him packing with the worst defeat of an incumbent Senator in history.

[Paladin]

Santorum is a total moron. Irrationality has no boundaries for that nutjob.





(This message was typed without the aid of Mrs. TOG's nipples.)

[Rohirrim]

Santorum is a total moron. Irrationality has no boundaries for that nutjob.





(This message was typed without the aid of Mrs. TOG's nipples.)

Which is why I hope he wins the nomination. ;D

[Tombstone RJ]

http://www.nytimes.com/2012/02/17/opinion/krugman-moochers-against-welfare.html?src=ISMR_AP_LO_MST_FB

I like Paul Krugman. If you look at Santorum and the whole RNC agenda I kind of wonder where all the business minded Republicans have gone?

Now, there’s no mystery about red-state reliance on government programs. These states are relatively poor, which means both that people have fewer sources of income other than safety-net programs and that more of them qualify for “means-tested” programs such as Medicaid.

By the way, the same logic explains why there has been a jump in dependency since 2008. Contrary to what Mr. Santorum and Mr. Romney suggest, Mr. Obama has not radically expanded the safety net. Rather, the dire state of the economy has reduced incomes and made more people eligible for benefits, especially unemployment benefits. Basically, the safety net is the same, but more people are falling into it.


Krugman is an asshat. Sorry, he just is. If you want to look at the difference between red states and blue states look at just two: Texas as opposed to California.

That right there is a very fair comparison. Paul Krugman likes to hear himself talk, but the reality is he's not objective, he's not unbiased and his opinions are the product of a very liberal/progressive agenda IMHO.

[alkemical]

Santorum believes in a theocracy.... maybe he should go live in the desert and talk about 'the great satan'.

[Tombstone RJ]

Santorum believes in a theocracy.... maybe he should go live in the desert and talk about 'the great satan'.

All I know is he's catholic. If he get's elected to the presidency he'll be the second catholic in the white house, the first being JFK.

[Odysseus]

Krugman is an asshat. Sorry, he just is. If you want to look at the difference between red states and blue states look at just two: Texas as opposed to California.

That right there is a very fair comparison. Paul Krugman likes to hear himself talk, but the reality is he's not objective, he's not unbiased and his opinions are the product of a very liberal/progressive agenda IMHO.

Who is the opposite of Krugman that you like? I don't know of any of these guys that is unbiased.

I did not know that Santorum was Catholic. The Christian right seems to like him quite a bit over Mitt. Christians, of late, seem more interested in being doctrinally correct than spiritually holy. If you don't want an abortion then don't get one. If you don't want a gun then don't buy one. Why does the Right demand putting church over state?

The thing that is troubling about this election is that none of the candidates gets what really happened in 2008 or what is driving that to happen again. Our whole national focus needs to be re-directed not perpetuated. I don't get why, nationally, we are so stupid.

[Rohirrim]

Who is the opposite of Krugman that you like? I don't know of any of these guys that is unbiased.

I did not know that Santorum was Catholic. The Christian right seems to like him quite a bit over Mitt. Christians, of late, seem more interested in being doctrinally correct than spiritually holy. If you don't want an abortion then don't get one. If you don't want a gun then don't buy one. Why does the Right demand putting church over state?

The thing that is troubling about this election is that none of the candidates gets what really happened in 2008 or what is driving that to happen again. Our whole national focus needs to be re-directed not perpetuated. I don't get why, nationally, we are so stupid.

Many Americans know what's going on. They're powerless to stop it. Corporations run the country. There can be no better proof than this latest economic disaster. Who caused it? Who profited? Who came out unscathed? Who lost everything? Who had the equity in their homes drained? Who went to jail over the biggest scam in history? Who was indicted? Who funded the reversal of Glass-Steagle? Who profited? Who funded the dismantling of FDR's New Deal? Who is still funding it? Answer those questions and you answer the bigger question.

[Odysseus]

Many Americans know what's going on. They're powerless to stop it. Corporations run the country. There can be no better proof than this latest economic disaster. Who caused it? Who profited? Who came out unscathed? Who lost everything? Who had the equity in their homes drained? Who went to jail over the biggest scam in history? Who was indicted? Who funded the reversal of Glass-Steagle? Who profited? Who funded the dismantling of FDR's New Deal? Who is still funding it? Answer those questions and you answer the bigger question.

If American's got smarter about what really is happening maybe they can educate the people who want to stay elected. What really caused the economic disaster was emerging markets and China raising the basic prices of commodities. (http://www.huffingtonpost.com/james-grundvig/commodities-arms-race-ame_b_1277500.html) This created the largest pay cut in modern history combined with a hidden cost that business bears.

We need a new New Deal where Americans get back in the saddle and we ramp up our trading "alliance" with China and avoid this huge brick wall that will impact our finances worst than 2008.

The banksters benefited from the destruction of failing policies. Instead of remembering why the policies were put in place anyway they were marked as arcane and the looting of America was legalized.

The whole focus of government is to broker fair play. Why can't we bring our government back in control of corporations? It falls to the people to make sure the truth stay front and center.

[Tombstone RJ]

Who is the opposite of Krugman that you like? I don't know of any of these guys that is unbiased.

I did not know that Santorum was Catholic. The Christian right seems to like him quite a bit over Mitt. Christians, of late, seem more interested in being doctrinally correct than spiritually holy. If you don't want an abortion then don't get one. If you don't want a gun then don't buy one. Why does the Right demand putting church over state?

The thing that is troubling about this election is that none of the candidates gets what really happened in 2008 or what is driving that to happen again. Our whole national focus needs to be re-directed not perpetuated. I don't get why, nationally, we are so stupid.

I'll take Ron Pauls opinion over Krugman. Yah, I know Krugman is an academic economist with a wall full of degrees from ivy league schools, but his opinions lack common sense and is way to politically slanted.

Fact is DC is corrupt. It's bought and paid for by wall street and big business. The first step to getting DC on the right track is to put a leader in the white house who can't be bought. Ron Paul is that guy.

[Odysseus]

I'll take Ron Pauls opinion over Krugman. Yah, I know Krugman is an academic economist with a wall full of degrees from ivy league schools, but his opinions lack common sense and is way to politically slanted.

Fact is DC is corrupt. It's bought and paid for by wall street and big business. The first step to getting DC on the right track is to put a leader in the white house who can't be bought. Ron Paul is that guy.

I don't think Krugman is corrupt. I think he makes valid points. I don't think Ron Paul is corrupt. I don't agree with his positions and don't think most American's realize what he is really asking for.

Ron Paul can't be bought but he can't be reasoned with either. Some of the positions he is taking leave very little room for compromise. He will either win big or destroy us all.

The funny problem with Ron Paul is eventually what he wants to happen will happen because the corruption in Washington and the short sighted desire to be re-elected has created a process where we are incapable of thinking long term. Ron Paul thinks long term and wants to bring back free market but nobody I know can answer the question "at what cost?"

[pricejj]

Krugman's rants promote Keynesian idealogy and Socialist opression, these types of policies not only failed, but bankrupted the western world.. Krugman is twisted, and culpable for continuing to propagate usurious policies which are the destruction of men and nations.

[Rohirrim]

Krugman's rants promoting Keynesian idealogy and Socialist opression, have not only failed, but bankrupted the entire western world.. Krugman is twisted, and culpable for continuing to propagate usurious policies which are the destruction of men and nations.

:rofl:

[alkemical]

I don't think Krugman is corrupt. I think he makes valid points. I don't think Ron Paul is corrupt. I don't agree with his positions and don't think most American's realize what he is really asking for.

Ron Paul can't be bought but he can't be reasoned with either. Some of the positions he is taking leave very little room for compromise. He will either win big or destroy us all.

The funny problem with Ron Paul is eventually what he wants to happen will happen because the corruption in Washington and the short sighted desire to be re-elected has created a process where we are incapable of thinking long term. Ron Paul thinks long term and wants to bring back free market but nobody I know can answer the question "at what cost?"

You know, for the first time in my life - i see how...rudderless things are at times.

[alkemical]

Many Americans know what's going on. They're powerless to stop it. Corporations run the country. There can be no better proof than this latest economic disaster. Who caused it? Who profited? Who came out unscathed? Who lost everything? Who had the equity in their homes drained? Who went to jail over the biggest scam in history? Who was indicted? Who funded the reversal of Glass-Steagle? Who profited? Who funded the dismantling of FDR's New Deal? Who is still funding it? Answer those questions and you answer the bigger question.

Most Americans don't understand what's going on, beyond whom is telling them what is going on.

[alkemical]

All I know is he's catholic. If he get's elected to the presidency he'll be the second catholic in the white house, the first being JFK.

You should learn more about him, he's part of the problem.

[Odysseus]

You know, for the first time in my life - i see how...rudderless things are at times.

Americans talk about zombie apocalypse as if we were not the zombies.

[alkemical]

It's so weird living here. there are times when i have to fight the infection.

[Odysseus]

It's so weird living here. there are times when i have to fight the infection.

I think anyone that has any intelligence right now is shrieking in agony pretty much anytime you read the news. Really? BOHICA? FUBAR?

I wish the situation were reversed where it was painful to be stupid. Right now it is a stupid people's renaissance. There should a stupid people REN CEN complete with RNC and DNC costumes. You can come dressed a tea party person showing all so obvious integrity or come dressed as an occupy radical complete with posters and pre slept in sleeping bag. Narcotics are optional.

Weeee! Look at me! I am Rick Insanitorium! Weeeee!

[alkemical]

I think anyone that has any intelligence right now is shrieking in agony pretty much anytime you read the news. Really? BOHICA? FUBAR?

I wish the situation were reversed where it was painful to be stupid. Right now it is a stupid people's renaissance. There should a stupid people REN CEN complete with RNC and DNC costumes. You can come dressed a tea party person showing all so obvious integrity or come dressed as an occupy radical complete with posters and pre slept in sleeping bag. Narcotics are optional.

Weeee! Look at me! I am Rick Insanitorium! Weeeee!

:ha:

Come on, be a capitalist! Drugs have the best margin. :)

Don't forget to charge for a $30 ticket @ the door & $7 beers. It's the best way to party.