There was an interesting thread about Manchurian Candidate's over in politics that I began to think about. President Obama doesn't appear to be all about himself or his own lofty goals, but on some level he is. He has his own agenda or somebody's agenda; this agenda is one in which he appears to be really caring and concerned about the poor and is appearing to play Robin hood, via stealing from the rich to give to the poorest of the poor, and probably the most unmotivated as well, if truth be told.
The cash for clunker program is now upgrading people's clunkers to brand new vehicles with nearly a five thousand dollar rebate from the government, while I'm STILL paying on my 2005 pick up for another three years. When I see these peeps driving by in their brand new, gas efficient freebies, I wonder at the thought that by the time I finish paying off my truck, it will be nearly a clunker. I could have really used that government rebate toward my pickup. I guess I'm just not poor enough though to be currently driving what they consider to be a clunker, so I'll just struggle on working and trying to earn enough to pay off my own vehicle without help from Uncle Sam and Obama, while the poor drive the brand new cars!
What's wrong with this picture, friends? 
Seems there are also some "income sensitive" repayment programs available since July 09' for those with serious student loan debt. One's payment, if one's income is low enough, is actually ZERO. I wonder who is actually getting stuck with that thousands and thousands of dollars of debt though, don't you? I mean if every single student who is poor can borrow nearly two hundred thousand dollars in student loans, but they aren't forced to repay that balance along with the interest, is it any wonder that our country is nearly on the rocks economically? Somebody is footing the bill out here and I'm beginning to understand who that is and why these people are pissed off, aggravated, and bitching about it.
It makes one wonder what else is going on behind the scenes that we're not aware of and whose paying for that. Gemini, over in Politics, has led us through some of these scenarios. It becomes clear after awhile that at least one half or more of the population is being responsible and paying for the other half that is not; this is a virtual Robin hood scenario going down and while I may actually end up benefiting personally from this Robin hood presidency of Obama's, on some level, I instinctively know that this isn't "right." It's not what I was taught growing up by my grandmother and grandfather about being responsible for myself and paying my own way.
I think it's interesting that some feel as if it's fine to take from the rich and give to the poor, and for the sick, infirmed, and disabled, I feel it's fine too -- but these aren't the only ones who are getting the free gifts and free ride, are they?
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dharmaseeker
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Aug 22 @ 11:39PM
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My wife and I were talking about that program today. The people who can afford to get the loans are the ones still working and have their cars paid off. Not exactly the ones who were most needy. We have a tank we need to unload but we're upside down on the note and no chance of a loan. Lovely.
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burnslikethesun
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Aug 22 @ 11:41PM
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What's wrong with this picture, friends? Find a need fill a need. You had no need.
Someone is seeming a little bit self fish don't ya think?
That brand new car or truck will have payments for at least three years even after the rebate.
Them student loans/ grants for people that could never have afforded it in the first place will come out making more money then they could have prior to go into college. They will in the long run have less needs them selves instead of sucking on the system as a way to survive. They will be paying back by the increase of income taxes that they never would have before.
These are not just quick fixes but long term solutions. Something the recent republicans have lost site of.
Good Christian with the help thy neighbor and all.
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southernlass
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Aug 22 @ 11:52PM
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Find a need fill a need. You had no need.
Someone is seeming a little bit self fish don't ya think?
That brand new car or truck will have payments for at least three years even after the rebate.
Selfish? I dunno about that. I'm looking at the fact that I'm working, sacrificing, and struggling to pay my debt and bills, while other people don't have to. Selfish? Well, let me ask you this... if we all decide to stop working, whose going to foot the bills for the ones who really need it? And when is the money tree going to stop raining down free money, Burns? You think the one half that keeps paying for the rest of the country will just keep on doing it forever?
Them student loans/ grants for people that could never have afforded it in the first place will come out making more money then they could have prior to go into college.
Oh, I don't think so! Not with this economy and with the unemployment rates still rising! I have a master's degree and haven't been able to find a PAYING internship yet in my field! You know how many unemployed there are with Master's degrees out there? And Bachelor degrees aren't worth the paper they are being printed on anymore. See they aren't "rare" anymore. With President Robin-hood at the wheel, everyone's going to have one.
They will in the long run have less needs them selves instead of sucking on the system as a way to survive. They will be paying back by the increase of income taxes that they never would have before.
I disagree yet again. If there aren't any jobs, how are they going to be paying back literally THOUSANDS of dollars? Well, I'll tell ya how -- they aren't.
These are not just quick fixes but long term solutions. Something the recent republicans have lost site of.
Good Christian with the help thy neighbor and all.
I'm all for helping my fellow man but this is just pure dee stupid, Burns; it's also downright irresponsible and foolish governing. Someone is going to have to pick up the tab for all of this debt and it looks like it's going to be your kids and their kids and their kids' kids. Are you okay with creating that kind of debt for your own future generations to try to struggle out from under? And what if they can't?
I can now see why the country's going to hell and the economy's in the shitter, excuse my french..
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Kentuck
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Aug 22 @ 11:57PM
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I will bite on this one. Most of the others on here are written by people who have other problems----such as die hard republicans, biogets, racism, and etc.
The cash for clunkers was a program designed to reduce the auto's inventory and to spur the manufacturing of more cars.
What does this do: More steel from the steel mils, more computer hardware, paint, rubber for seals, tires and yes higher insurance cost.
I disagree with the fact that it included people that were buying foriegn cars. Let that country spur the manufacture of it own cars
Ok some of you will say that the cars are made here--not really and the profit is taxed different. To me that was the worst part. I have 2 autos-(1995 chev and a 2002 Chev suv)--I have no desire to trade them in. But I did see the Chev Malibu and the Impella on the road today. They do look good.
to directly answer your blog--the cash for clunkers was designed to spur the manufacture of more American cars. A manufacturing process that touches all phases of the industry.
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southernlass
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Aug 23 @ 12:09AM
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Thanks for your thoughts on this, Kentuck.
And thank you for yours as well, Dharma.
You see, I don't think I would mind so much if the truly needy were benefitting but it's not even close to this that is happening. The needy are being lost in the shuffle, as per usual. Clunkerville wasn't well thought out, and I worry that this health care matter may be next and heaven help us then. We don't need anymore mistakes in governing. I don't think we can take many more mistakes as a nation.
And as for the student loans, well folks, that's one heck of a lot of debt. Add up over one hundred thousand dollars per student and maybe you'll get a clue of what I'm talking about. If these students don't find high paying jobs, how can they pay back that money?
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burnslikethesun
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Aug 23 @ 12:17AM
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Oh I don't think so. And that's half your problem.
Them students are working. It takes more then just a year to complete college. Buy then the economy will swing up wards again. Stop thinking so narrow sights, again I repeat, this isn't a quick fix, it IS a long term solution to a very big problem.
Lets take Mrs. Smith, 45 waitress. Two teenagers one pregnant and living at home. No way would Mrs. Smith be able to afford going to college on her own. Without education there is no chance for her to obtain the skills she would need to better herself. Mrs. Smith will stay ignorant and work her ass of til it breaks, the whole time sucking on the system to complete the ends to survive. 4 years later with college complete she is a nurse, making more the 13 bucks an hour but 40ish an hour. More ya make the more they take.
Lets look at Tommy, 29. Tommy comes from an uneducated family himself. And at the tender age of 21 her knocked up Betty Sue Lou. Tommy is a check out clerk at mini mart making $7.45 an hour, and drive his moms old 84 Chevy Blazer that at best gets 13 miles to the gallon at almost $3.00 a gallon. He has been driving this clunker for two years now, Better taking care of his kid, and shoveling more and more cash in the tuck, living up to his responsibilities the best he can. Tommy takes whatever he has left over from his pay check say, $20 and puts it away for his hope of someday going to college to better his live and that of his child. It will take Tommy 25 years before he can afford the first year alone. Tommy live 2 hours away from any community college. Now Tommy can take in that clunker and purchase a newer car that cost less to maintain and is able to afford to pay for the gas to drive that two hours to get to classes. Tommy will come out as a techq. that understand how to operate or put together wind power generators. The future looks good for Tommy, and his baby, and the people that would have been paying for his food stamps for the next ten years are no longer paying for Tommy.
Your Master degree is in what?
Perhaps less time on a signals site bad mouthing the good tings that Americans are doing to help one another out, you should be checking out Monster.com or something. Or hey, why not go back yourself and get that Doctorate? Or perhaps you need to be willing to relocate to another area that is hiring your field.
There are jobs, many of them. It all depends on who you are listening too.
As I understand it, the employment drop has eased. Slightly but is has eased. This is today, ya need to have a proper out look for tomorrow.
Is today's job market the same as last years, or the years before that? In time everything changes. What is going on today, will not be going on in our tomorrows.
Bushy jr, your hero, pushed program through after program through, without any plain to pay for it, adding greatly to our debt today. There are plans in place to pay, as well as what I just explained how it will partial pay for itself. Party blindness promotes narrow mindedness. Ya can trust me on that, I was once just like you.
Boy as a Christian, you sure like to keep your neighbors down huh? I say good for them.
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southernlass
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Aug 23 @ 12:31AM
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I'm an INDEPENDENT. I'm not a party player but I don't like what I'm seeing going on that's coming out of this administration. I didn't trust or particularly like the Bush one either though, just so we're on the same page about the matter.
I think it's a nice rosey picture you've got in mind and that's all well and fine, but you never did answer my question about how the loans are going to be paid back if the students who borrowed them can't find high enough paying jobs to make their one thousand dollar a month payments.
Currently they simply get to defer them till they're dead or pay a nominal payment that will barely take care of the interest accumulating each month.This has not been well thought through, Burns, and we can't blame it all on President Obama. I just can't believe the things that are going on in this country and how irresponsible our government is being. And no matter what you say, this is not FAIR to those who are supporting everybody else.
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burnslikethesun
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Aug 23 @ 1:24AM
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From your posting I would say ya lean right more then left.
nice and rosey is better then completely off.
You paint dead beats that expect free hand outs. That get something for nothing. You paint that this is the end of times and dooms day solutions.
Cough cough republican cough.
This is taking care of those today that will be forced to take care of us tomorrow.
I know what I say has no matter to you, what I say make ya want to slap me. Oh what I guess it just might matter after all.
Currently they simply get to defer them till they're dead if ya talking about schooling and not the cash for clunkers, then ya a WRONG COMPLETELY WRONG.
I am on said system, it was made very very very clear that after four months9about one semester, of completion or dropping out or falling below the required academic standards or not meeting the required credits, I will have to start paying back the loans. It is set up that way so not only do not have waste and un needed pressure, but keeps you on a proper time line to complete. No taking the year off mom to see Texas or travail Europe.
pay a nominal payment that will barely take care of the interest accumulating each month. Also incorrect. The Repayment structure that I was handed was much like all the others for student that receive loans else where. The true problem with these programs is that is running is peeps giving uniformed or misinform opinions,and then going on a tyrant about it.
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burnslikethesun
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Aug 23 @ 1:30AM
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*correction
The true problem with these programs is that isrunning is peeps been uniformed or misinform then opinions,and then going on a tyrant about it. The true problem with these programs is that is peeps are being giving uniformed or misinform information to form their opinions on them, and then set free to go on a tyrant about it.
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southernlass
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Aug 23 @ 1:35AM
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I'm sorry, but you're mistaken this time. I was just given notice by those that financed my personal student loans about the new programs that President Obama has signed into law in JULY of 09. Now you can celebrate because if you make a low wage, you don't ever have to pay your loans back. You just requalify for his zero payment option every year. Now don't tell me you're not just thrilled to pieces over it, because I know you are...
As I said, even I can benefit from it, but I can't help feeling guilt that this isn't the way it was supposed to be. I wasn't brought up like this. And someone is going to have to pay these bills, if we can't. Do you not get this? Who is going to pony up the dough if you can't make your payments down the road, and what about every other student out there whose not finding that pie in the sky job they were promised with their degree?
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southernlass
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Aug 23 @ 1:39AM
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Oh, and after you requalify for a zero payment, and your wages haven't improved in twenty years or some such, they DISMISS your loans. Now how the heck can this country afford to do that? Something really strange is going on .. and when it all sounds too good to be true, it is.
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ragtopcookie
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Aug 23 @ 2:17AM
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You two.......a couple of masterdebators.......  .........who will be proven wrong here.......  ......cookie
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lovestobake
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Aug 23 @ 2:21AM
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It is the welfare state mind set Obama and the crew have, and here is the proof. Google - welfare reform in the stimulas bill. All the Clinton welfare refrom act states is, if you are healthy, and there is a job available, the state will help you prepare, but; you have to take the job. In essence, help pitch in to pull some of your own weight. Buried in the stimulas package, Obama and the crew gutted this welfare reform. Yes, cause of the bad economy more people need help, but; as with unemployment payments extra money could have been provided for added welfare costs. The welfare reform act didn't have to be gutted to achieve this. This not only demoralizes hard working people ( as the bloger states ) but; promotes generational welfare, in effect hurting all and the country. Help your neighbors, yes, if they are trying to help themselves. It is now right wing to ask one to take a job and pitch in if you are healthy. If one is for this fine, but; again I say, do not tell me it isn's what is, a welfare state.
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southernlass
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Aug 23 @ 2:29AM
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This is taking care of those today that will be forced to take care of us tomorrow.
Well, I hope you're right about this, Burns, because if it works as you say then President Obama is doing the right thing, but it well could backfire too. It might have a better chance if he wasn't so determined to save the world, starting with the illegal immigrants that are taking many of our jobs here -- and no, I know it's not just him, McCain was the same way about it. These guys are different pieces of the same darn pie, do you see what I mean?
I don't know. I'm just getting a really bad feeling about all of this of late. And unemployment is rising in my state, in my county; I heard it on the news last night.
Now, I'm off to bed. I'll look forward to any further thoughts, if there are any, on this topic and try and address them when I return tomorrow at some point.
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southernlass
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Aug 23 @ 2:33AM
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Hi Bake, thanks for your thoughts, and you too, Cookie! Not sure whose winning in this country, if anyone, Cookster. And I agree with Bake that I think we're all going to be in for a rude awakening at some point when we have to pay our countries tab back.
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POPO
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Aug 23 @ 8:44AM
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The welfare reform act didn't have to be gutted to achieve this. This not only demoralizes hard working people ( as the bloger states ) but; promotes generational welfare, in effect hurting all and the country. Help your neighbors, yes, if they are trying to help themselves. It is now right wing to ask one to take a job and pitch in if you are healthy. If one is for this fine, but; again I say, do not tell me it isn's what is, a welfare state
Bake,
Excellent point my friend.... That's exactly what is happening, Hard working people are getting upset, because the programs in the stimulas bill as well as other governmental programs are not designed to stimulate the economy, but to secure votes from those who rather enjoy not working.40 to 50% of our incomes go to taxs in one form or another, Income tax, sales tax, gas tax, morgage tax, insurance tax, medical tax, food tax, highway tax, toll tax, air fare tax, utility tax, phone tax, cable tax, investment tax, DMV tax, auto tax, ciggerette tax, cigar tax, tax on service, tax on death, and on and on. It maybe closer to 60plus % tax on the income of the working people.
Of course those who reap the benefits from those who are working, support it, They feel entitled to it, many of them have never paid income taxs, some are even generational welfare and feel like those who work owe them a check, for food, housing, medical benefits, utilities, phones, cell phones, cars, Sadly often times the welfare money doesn't go to their needs it goes to their wants, DVD players, Drugs, Booze, Computers. Flat screen T.V.s cable, money for the Club, to get their groove on, and money to pay for their abortion (if the new baby won't yeild more money) I know a woman who has 4 kids 4 different daddy's and every month she gets someone to go buy food at the store with her welfare debit card, and they give her cash back, less the little bonus she pays them for doing it.  It happens all the time.
She can remember all the gossip and who's doing who, yet somehow can't remember who's the daddy's of her kids.  Different guys she meets at the club will stay with her for a few weeks or months until they steal her money or beat her up, then she's out looking for a new man.  This goes on all over our country. She will tell you in a heart beat she's entitled to the money because she can't work, you know because of the kids, she has to take care of, only 5 to 6 nites a week she's at the club. her kids call her Pam not Mom, and call her mother Mommy..
So all this feel good Bullschitt we read and hear about how we should take care of the poor, many are poor by choice, they don't want to work. They like the free ride, I'm concern about the disabled and the seniors, but those who are healthy and able to work, should be forced to earn they money not just lay around and get high waiting for their next check. Until there's a real Welfare Reform, these people will bleed the system dry, and laugh about it.Even have the Audasity to call those who are working and see it as Fraud, They call them Greedy, Un-caring, Heartless, Republicans, Racist, Bigots, Haters, Un-Patriotic, Isn't that amazing the hard working people in this nation who pay all these taxs are the bad guys. Alibama is the leader and endorser of this mentality, which is why so many of his loyal supporters are those who live off or profit off the backs of others.
The were 9,000 Pork projects in the stimulas bill, designed to give money to those who do nothing, and take from those who pay everything.Alibama couldn't even run a successful rebate program for cars, and he wants to take over Health Care..oops! Obama Care? what a joke. Dealers are still waiting for their money, it's a check, not a health care system. The Government has yet to run any program with success, without bankrupting it, the post office is on the way down, you can't send a letter without losing your azz, and you want to be in charge of my organs? This Moron is no Robin Hood, He's just a thug turning this country into one big Hood..
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SensualGemini
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Aug 23 @ 8:57AM
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...All I know, is that the most prolific poster for the handouts is a bit biased by the fact of their kids created out of wedlock are paid for by the taxpayer and has lived off of welfare for a good many years, but certainly has all the wonderful advice of why this free ride should never end.... yet has never paid a damn dime into the system to help anyone else.
...This clunker rebate was a total screw up from the beginning and no dealers around here would touch it, as the system would not work for them. They refused to release the title of the new one, until and if they received the money from the Feds.
...The concept was cool, as if you were upside down in a vehicle loan, that extra could certainly help to change the situation.
...No country and there have been several that have tried Socialism, but no country has ever survived it and with a $14 Trillion National debt by the end of 2010 and that is if the bailed out Fannie and Freddie does not require the $10 Trillion backed by the taxpayer for sub-prime loans, we still have $43 Trillion in public debt of IOU's to Social Security that went to the General fund by the Johnson administration.
...Britain was the last to try Socialism and without the US to help them, they were bankrupt. The question is, who is going to help us, when this house of cards collapses?
...Hang around and watch America crumble by the perpetual segregation imposed by 45 years of preferential treatment and now, the removal of all time limits for Welfare, while the ranks grow from an increasing unemployment rate that must compete with millions of illegal immigrants and exported jobs.
...And yet, government is still spending money like a drunken sailor on shore leave; money that is created out of thin air and dilutes every dollar previously held, including those in retirement accounts and yet, not one job has been created that was not government, which simply becomes an additional taxpayer burden.
...What the hell.... lets hurry up and fail, so we can do it right the next time.
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