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zappaisgod
horrid asshole


Registered: 02/11/04
Posts: 81,741
Loc: Fractallife's gym
Last seen: 7 years, 7 months
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Quote:
fireworks_god said: Nonsense, you never confirmed that bet. I said I'd take it, but we never made it. The only person I made a bet with is willshire, and that bet is not over yet.
I figured that's how it would go. Send a tenner to the Shroomery.
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fireworks_god
Sexy.Butt.McDanger



Registered: 03/12/02
Posts: 24,855
Loc: Pandurn
Last seen: 1 year, 12 days
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Re: The Blueprint For Change [Re: zappaisgod]
#8021074 - 02/14/08 05:00 AM (15 years, 11 months ago) |
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I can't remember how much mine was for Willshire, but I'll definitely throw an extra $10 to the Shroomery when McCain gets the nomination, just since it is a close call on whether there was a bet. I swear to god, they had his picture HUGE all over Newsweek, and I think he'll sweep the nomination for the ugliest motherfucker alive contest.... hand those covers out to the Muslims to put the fear of Allah in them...
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If I should die this very moment I wouldn't fear For I've never known completeness Like being here Wrapped in the warmth of you Loving every breath of you
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lonestar2004
Live to party,work to affordit.



Registered: 10/03/04
Posts: 8,978
Loc: South Texas
Last seen: 12 years, 9 months
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Quote:
fireworks_god said: Everyone knows how much Obama talks about change, but I think that a lot of people wonder what ideas he actually stands for. You'll notice how he won't really talk about them too much during his campaign, and you'll also notice that he is on the track towards winning. I predicted the three state sweep that happened on Saturday, and the fact that he took a good win from Hillary in Maine is demonstrating just how powerful his campaign has become while Hillary's is ripping apart. Obama also seems to have more support from his party, with such prominent leaders as Tom Daschle supporting him and speaking to the rest of his party on Obama's behalf, to John Kerrey campaigning for him in Maine, etc.
Anyways, I thought I'd share with all of you The Blueprint For Change. It is a comprehensive presentation of what Obama feels the issues this country is facing are, his solutions that he will implement (with support of a Democratic-controlled Congress that feels a renewed sense of purpose from his leadership), and his record in supporting these solutions.
I thought I'd share here some of the ones that I found very interesting. If I cannot have someone like Ron Paul who will dramatically restrain and reduce the federal government, having someone who is capable of making the government something that respects the rights of humans, makes the government more transparent, wise, efficent, and more open to participation by the people (through the Internet), and acts in their interests, and not the interests of securing profits for corporations, is just fine by me, and probably even better than no government at all.
Quote:
THE PROBLEM
Lobbyists Write National Policies
For example, Vice President Dick Cheney’s Energy Task Force of oil and gas lobbyists met secretly to develop national energy policy.
Secrecy Dominates Government Actions
The Bush administration has ignored public disclosure rules and has invoked a legal tool known as the ‘state secrets’ privilege more than any other previous administration to get cases thrown out of civil court.
Wasteful Spending is Out of Control
The current administration has abused its power by handing out contracts without competition to its politically connected friends and supporters. These abuses cost taxpayers billions of dollars each year.
BARACK OBAMA’s Plan
Shine Light on Washington Lobbying
Centralize Ethics and Lobbying Information for Voters: Obama will create a centralized Internet database of lobbying reports, ethics records, and campaign finance filings in a searchable, sortable and downloadable format.
Require Independent Monitoring of Lobbying Laws and Ethics Rules: Obama will use the power of the presidency to fight for an independent watchdog agency to oversee the investigation of congressional ethics violations so that the public can be assured that ethics complaints will be investigated.
Support Campaign Finance Reform: Obama supports public financing of campaigns combined with free television and radio time as a way to reduce the influence of moneyed special interests. Obama introduced public financing legislation in the Illinois State Senate, and is the only 2008 candidate to have sponsored Senator Russ Feingold’s (D-WI) tough bill to reform the presidential public financing system.
Shine the Light on Federal Contracts, Tax Breaks and Earmarks Create a Public “Contracts and Influence” Database: As president, Obama will create a “contracts and influence” database that will disclose how much federal contractors spend on lobbying, and what contracts they are getting and how well they complete them.
Expose Special Interest Tax Breaks to Public Scrutiny: Barack Obama will ensure that any tax breaks for corporate recipients – or tax earmarks – are also publicly available on the Internet in an easily searchable format.
End Abuse of No-Bid Contracts: Barack Obama will end abuse of no-bid contracts by requiring that nearly all contract orders over $25,000 be competitively awarded.
Sunlight Before Signing: Too often bills are rushed through Congress and to the president before the public has the opportunity to review them. As president, Obama will not sign any non-emergency bill without giving the American public an opportunity to review and comment on the White House website for five days.
Shine Light on Earmarks and Pork Barrel Spending: Obama’s Transparency and Integrity in Earmarks Act will shed light on all earmarks by disclosing the name of the legislator who asked for each earmark, along with a written justification, 72 hours before they can be approved by the full Senate.
Bring Americans Back into their Government
Hold 21st Century Fireside Chats: Obama will bring democracy and policy directly to the people by requiring his Cabinet officials to have periodic national broadband townhall meetings to discuss issues before their agencies.
Make White House Communications Public: Obama will amend executive orders to ensure that communications about regulatory policymaking between persons outside government and all White House staff are disclosed to the public.
Conduct Regulatory Agency Business in Public: Obama will require his appointees who lead the executive branch departments and rulemaking agencies to conduct the significant business of the agency in public, so that any citizen can watch these debates in person or on the Internet.
Release Presidential Records: Obama will nullify the Bush attempts to make the timely release of presidential records more difficult.
Free the Executive Branch from Special Interest Influence
Close the Revolving Door on Former and Future Employers: No political appointees in an Obama administration will be permitted to work on regulations or contracts directly and substantially related to their prior employer for two years. And no political appointee will be able to lobby the executive branch after leaving government service during the remainder of the administration.
Free Career Officials from the Influence of Politics: Obama will issue an executive order asking all new hires at the agencies to sign a form affirming that no political appointee offered them the job solely on the basis of political affiliation or contribution.
Reform the Political Appointee Process: FEMA Director Michael Brown was not qualified to head the agency, and the result was a disaster for the people of the Gulf Coast. But in an Obama administration, every official will have to rise to the standard of proven excellence in the agency’s mission.
OBAMA’S RECORD
Federal Ethics Reform
Obama and Senator Feingold (D-WI) took on both parties and proposed ethics legislation that was described as the “gold standard” for reform. It was because of their leadership that ending subsidized corporate jet travel, mandating disclosure of lobbyists’ bundling of contributions, and enacting strong new restrictions of lobbyist-sponsored trips became part of the final ethics bill that was signed into law. The Washington Post wrote in an editorial, “The final package is the strongest ethics legislation to emerge from Congress yet.”
Google for Government
Americans have the right to know how their tax dollars are spent, but that information has been hidden from public view for too long. That’s why Barack Obama and Senator Tom Coburn (R-OK) passed a law to create a Google-like search engine to allow regular people to track federal grants, contracts, earmarks, and loans online. The Chicago Sun-Times wrote, “It would enable the public to see where federal money goes and how it is spent. It’s a brilliant idea.”
Illinois Reform
In 1998, Obama joined forces with former U.S. Sen. Paul Simon (D-IL) to pass the toughest campaign finance law in Illinois history. The legislation banned the personal use of campaign money by Illinois legislators and banned most gifts from lobbyists. Before the law was passed, one organization ranked Illinois worst among 50 states for its campaign finance regulations.
A High Standard
Unlike other candidates Obama’s campaign refuses to accept contributions from Washington lobbyists and political action committees.
How does that sound for an ethical government? Obama's the man.

Obama has already broken that MAJOR campaign promise just few days into his presidency! (he had to waive his own rules not to hire any lobbyists for his administration.)
Obama waives lobbying rules for Lynn
The decision of the Administration to impose an additional set of requirements, and then waive them for this nominee, does not change the standards to which we hold all nominees," Levin said.
Lynn was a registered lobbyist until early 2008 and his nomination raised some eyebrows even before the executive order on ethics that Obama issued Wednesday, because it contradicted the new president’s pledge not to let lobbyists in his administration.
According to Raytheon’s lobbying disclosure forms, Lynn was part of a team that lobbied on a wide range of defense-related issues, including force protection, electronics, intelligence and missile defense.
It would be difficult for Lynn, if he is confirmed, to avoid involvement in issues regarding his former company and the programs in which it is participating because Raytheon is one of the largest defense contractors, with contracts in many major weapons programs. $$$$$$$$$
http://thehill.com/leading-the-news/groups-urge-senate-to-reject-lynn-2009-01-23.html
-------------------- America's debt problem is a "sign of leadership failure" We have "reckless fiscal policies" America has a debt problem and a failure of leadership. Americans deserve better Barack Obama
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Redstorm
Prince of Bugs




Registered: 10/08/02
Posts: 44,175
Last seen: 3 months, 10 days
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Wow, that's definitely not good. Any Obama supporters have a response to this?
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Prisoner#1
Even Dumber ThanAdvertized!


Registered: 01/22/03
Posts: 193,665
Loc: Pvt. Pubfag NutSuck
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Re: The Blueprint For Change [Re: Redstorm]
#9685347 - 01/26/09 08:59 PM (15 years, 5 days ago) |
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The Obama can do no wrong
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Falcon91Wolvrn03
Stranger



Registered: 03/16/05
Posts: 32,557
Loc: California, US
Last seen: 4 months, 21 days
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Re: The Blueprint For Change [Re: Redstorm]
#9685475 - 01/26/09 09:19 PM (15 years, 5 days ago) |
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It sounds like a bad move. I don't understand it.
-------------------- I am in a minority on the shroomery, as I frequently defend the opposing side when they have a point about something or when my side make believes something about them. I also attack my side if I think they're wrong. People here get very confused by that and think it means I prefer the other side.
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TGRR
Horrible Bastard


Registered: 05/22/07
Posts: 2,084
Last seen: 12 years, 6 days
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Re: The Blueprint For Change [Re: Redstorm]
#9685845 - 01/26/09 10:04 PM (15 years, 5 days ago) |
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Quote:
Redstorm said: Wow, that's definitely not good. Any Obama supporters have a response to this?
Not really a supporter, but I have a response:

MEET THE NEW BOSS, SAME AS THE OLD BOSS!
WHEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEE!
-------------------- What can we do to help you stop screaming? Official Mr Shoebat lackey.
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lonestar2004
Live to party,work to affordit.



Registered: 10/03/04
Posts: 8,978
Loc: South Texas
Last seen: 12 years, 9 months
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Re: The Blueprint For Change [Re: TGRR]
#9685860 - 01/26/09 10:05 PM (15 years, 5 days ago) |
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thats fucking creepy!
-------------------- America's debt problem is a "sign of leadership failure" We have "reckless fiscal policies" America has a debt problem and a failure of leadership. Americans deserve better Barack Obama
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TGRR
Horrible Bastard


Registered: 05/22/07
Posts: 2,084
Last seen: 12 years, 6 days
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Quote:
lonestar2004 said: thats fucking creepy!
You'll get used to it. Oh, yes.
-------------------- What can we do to help you stop screaming? Official Mr Shoebat lackey.
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Madtowntripper
Sun-Beams out of Cucumbers



Registered: 03/06/03
Posts: 21,287
Loc: The Ocean of Notions
Last seen: 5 months, 23 days
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Re: The Blueprint For Change [Re: Redstorm]
#9687777 - 01/27/09 10:11 AM (15 years, 4 days ago) |
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Quote:
Redstorm said: Wow, that's definitely not good. Any Obama supporters have a response to this?
Obviously I am in disagreement with this. If this guy had so much contact with Raytheon that he is going to have to recuse himself from any decisions involving that company, which does something like 15% of the business with the US military, I don't even see how he can effectively do his job. I would not be surprised to see this appointment withdrawn if it doesn't look like he'll be confirmed.
But you have to wonder as to the train of thought that made B-Rock think this guy was a good choice in the first place; I certainly don't understand it.
However, as I've said here many times, politics is compromise. While I am a Democrat, and will remain so, I don't toe the party line on many issues. I certainly will not defend everything our new President does, nor endorse all of his policies. I'm not sold on either the efficacy or the necessity of this trillion-dollar bailout, or this continuing to rain bombs down upon civilians in Afghanistan, although in the end I think that war needs to be fought.
So no, I won't stick up for everything Barack does. But I do believe he will do a good job, and in the end, we agree on more than we disagree on. I unequivocally support his moves towards closing Gitmo and increasing transparency in the government, and I think his XO from yesterday allowing individual states to set their own pollution standards is a great first step in creating greater energy independence and reducing wastefulness.
I think people should realize that he's never been President before, he's been on the job less than a week, and how many of us have not stumbled in our first few days at a new job? I think people should let him grow into the office for a few months before they pronounce everything he has done, will do, or is in the process of doing an absolute failure. Despite the breathless shrieking of the media our entire American way of life is not going to come crashing to the ground in the next few months.
He has my patience.
-------------------- After one comes, through contact with it's administrators, no longer to cherish greatly the law as a remedy in abuses, then the bottle becomes a sovereign means of direct action. If you cannot throw it at least you can always drink out of it. - Ernest Hemingway If it is life that you feel you are missing I can tell you where to find it. In the law courts, in business, in government. There is nothing occurring in the streets. Nothing but a dumbshow composed of the helpless and the impotent. -Cormac MacCarthy He who learns must suffer. And even in our sleep pain that cannot forget falls drop by drop upon the heart, and in our own despair, against our will, comes wisdom to us by the awful grace of God. - Aeschylus
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Virus_with_Shoes
Pastor of Muppets



Registered: 01/25/07
Posts: 3,707
Loc: Zuid-Holland, Nederland
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This is a great link that shows the Obama administration's track record on campaign promises. I'll definitely be checking it from time to time. http://politifact.com/truth-o-meter/promises/
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lonestar2004
Live to party,work to affordit.



Registered: 10/03/04
Posts: 8,978
Loc: South Texas
Last seen: 12 years, 9 months
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Good Post Madtown 
But ya know i wont give Obama any "patience"
Peace
Lonestar
-------------------- America's debt problem is a "sign of leadership failure" We have "reckless fiscal policies" America has a debt problem and a failure of leadership. Americans deserve better Barack Obama
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THE KRAT BARON
one-eyed willie
Registered: 07/08/03
Posts: 42,409
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Quote:
lonestar2004 said:

Obama has already broken that MAJOR campaign promise just few days into his presidency! (he had to waive his own rules not to hire any lobbyists for his administration.)
Obama waives lobbying rules for Lynn
The decision of the Administration to impose an additional set of requirements, and then waive them for this nominee, does not change the standards to which we hold all nominees," Levin said.
Lynn was a registered lobbyist until early 2008 and his nomination raised some eyebrows even before the executive order on ethics that Obama issued Wednesday, because it contradicted the new president’s pledge not to let lobbyists in his administration.
According to Raytheon’s lobbying disclosure forms, Lynn was part of a team that lobbied on a wide range of defense-related issues, including force protection, electronics, intelligence and missile defense.
It would be difficult for Lynn, if he is confirmed, to avoid involvement in issues regarding his former company and the programs in which it is participating because Raytheon is one of the largest defense contractors, with contracts in many major weapons programs. $$$$$$$$$
http://thehill.com/leading-the-news/groups-urge-senate-to-reject-lynn-2009-01-23.html

He's off to quite the start isn't he? 
-------------------- m00nshine is currently vacationing in Maui. Rumor has it he got rolled by drunken natives and is currently prostituting himself in order to pay for airfare back to the mainland but he's having trouble juggling a hairon addiction. He won't be back for a long while.
Edited by matt (01/28/09 03:59 PM)
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