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Related: Editorials & Other Articles, Issue Forums, Alliance Forums, Region ForumsLetter from Canada that should be published EVERYWHERE!
https://www.dailykos.com/story/2014/11/11/1343931/-Another-Open-Letter-To-Americans-About-Midterms-This-Time-From-Canada-This-One-Hurts?detail=emailclassicMany of us Canadians are confused by the U.S. midterm elections. Consider, right now in America, corporate profits are at record highs, the country's adding 200,000 jobs per month, unemployment is below 6%, U.S. gross national product growth is the best of the Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development (OECD) countries. The dollar is at its strongest levels in years, the stock market is near record highs, gasoline prices are falling, there's no inflation, interest rates are the lowest in 30 years, U.S. oil imports are declining, U.S. oil production is rapidly increasing, the deficit is rapidly declining, and the wealthy are still making astonishing amounts of money.
America is leading the world once again and respected internationally in sharp contrast to the Bush years. Obama brought soldiers home from Iraq and killed Osama bin Laden.
So, Americans vote for the party that got you into the mess that Obama just dug you out of? This defies reason.
When you are done with Obama, could you send him our way?
Richard Brunt
Victoria, British Columbia
I'd like to see this letter printed on Page one of all, US newspapers, the cover of the news mags, and the home page of all the political web sites. Richard said the truth better than I've seen or heard it phrased before. Everybody needs to read it and THINK!
3catwoman3
(24,109 posts)Excellent summary. Many of us here in the US don't understand it either.
When President Obama suggested mandatory voting a few weeks ago, someone here opined that this would be a good way to suppress Repbulican't turnout - "President Obama wants me to vote? Hell, no! I'm sitting this one out."
erronis
(15,460 posts)In Canada, in the world, in science, in medicine. They are interested in their entertainment, general comfort, kids that don't bug them too much, air-conditioning, nice car.
Unfortunately, the US Way seems to continue to infect our fine neighbors. You finally got a PM that matches our ex-W for RW stupidity. Your government grabbed hold of the Texan bullnuts and decided that raping the environment for tar sand oil export was worth every little bit of ecological depredation.
Still, every time I cross the border into Canada (or most other countries), I let loose a big sigh and realize that there are other ways of living rationally - and that other countries have other ways of making life a mess.
Andy823
(11,495 posts)Romulox
(25,960 posts)The banks were "made whole" as this President's first priority in office, and the people are still waiting.
napi21
(45,806 posts)I can tell you I was in pretty nasty financial shape, my son was unemployed, and hundres of thousands of people were being layed off each month. things are a LOT BETTER now.
LibDemAlways
(15,139 posts)for 20 years. He had a good salary and great benefits. In 2010 he lost that job when the company eliminated his division. After 6 months he finally located another position at a 40% pay cut and with sub-par benefits. That job went away when that company went under last year. He subsequently scrambled and found a similar position with the same sucky salary and even worse benefits. So, in answer to your question, what we had in 2008 was a bigger income and better job-related benefits. I know there are millions in a similar boat who lost a lot when the economy tanked and have never fully recovered.
wryter2000
(46,130 posts)Because of Bush, my house lost over half of its value, and my mortgage was under water. Despite that, I was able to refinance at a low rate because of Obama's HARP. That gave me an extra $400/month. No, it's not Koch brothers money, but it sure helped. Now I have equity in the house again, and if I had to, I could sell it.
whereisjustice
(2,941 posts)navarth
(5,927 posts)840high
(17,196 posts)world wide wally
(21,760 posts)Augiedog
(2,549 posts)Obama remade the world in every bodies best vision! And still some complained.
House of Roberts
(5,197 posts)Every time our national debt got to 100% of GDP in the past, the wealthy were forced to pay off the debt. This time, they are determined to make the poor and working class pay the debt instead. The Republican Party is wholly dedicated to this endeavor.
erronis
(15,460 posts)That's really interesting but I'm guessing it is more Point-Of-View than historical.
House of Roberts
(5,197 posts)and the top tax rate was 91% until 1964. We're there again, and the top rate is well below half that, with most wealth paying the capital gains rate at 20-24%.
erronis
(15,460 posts)While capital gains was probably much higher than it is now, I'm guessing that a lot of truly wealthy people didn't need to declare income from investments that were hidden outside of the normal IRS reporting system.
And even now, the truly wealthy can take payments for "services rendered" in lots of non-trackable benefits.
If we discount totally the trickle-down meme that has been a favorite of various economists and presidential advisors is there any reason to not tax any income at the same progressive rates?
Accumulated wealth is a bit harder to get at except as inheritance taxes (upon transfer) or as a small percentage of wealth declared.
hifiguy
(33,688 posts)(I wouldn't expect the average Canadian to know that it's really 10-15% when underemployment and those who have given p hope of ever finding another job are included) he makes a hell of a point.
Tierra_y_Libertad
(50,414 posts)― Friedrich Nietzsche
stonecutter357
(12,698 posts)kairos12
(12,896 posts)freshwest
(53,661 posts)And that is an IF, still, as even Bill says, IF she wins the nomination, IF she wins the general...
Gets into office, they'll be talking the same things they did a score of years ago. Unless the House and Senate are cleansed of the GOP/ Koch filth.
kentuck
(111,111 posts)But why haven't 80% of the working people benefited in their standard of living, also?
http://www.epi.org/publication/raising-americas-pay/
druidity33
(6,452 posts)that most of the college graduates i know are working in restaurants or retail stores? I don't know anyone with Savings or Retirement funds. NOT ONE.
kentuck
(111,111 posts)You are right. And it doesn't do any good for us to stick our heads in the sand and pretend otherwise.
napi21
(45,806 posts)I don't recall the # now, but the number of mfg. companies that have moved out of the country just between 2000 & 2008 is extremely high! When the Dems tried to pass legislation to eliminate the tax loophole for a business to move their operation overseas, the Pubs shot it down very forcefully.
I honestly can't see any fix to any of this until the Pubbies are forced into the minority again...FOR A VERY LONG TIME!
Dont call me Shirley
(10,998 posts)worse financially, since the 2008 crash.
Obama has done good things, and some not so good things. He has not deserved the constant bashing and fierce opposition he has received.
No TPP!
awoke_in_2003
(34,582 posts)That is where I call BS. if you think there is no inflation, you haven't shopped for groceries in years (or are an elected official who doesn't stoop to such levels as to shop for themselves)
Response to napi21 (Original post)
tblue37 This message was self-deleted by its author.
akbacchus_BC
(5,704 posts)Mr. Jean Chretien. He was smart and did not fall into the trap with Bush and the invasion of Iraq. However, we still have have mini bush in the likes of Harper, piece a shit not going away! Hope the NDP will get rid of that piece of asshole soon!
TBF
(32,139 posts)I guess that little tidbit doesn't concern Richard Brunt.