I've Been in Hibernation, And When I Emerged . . .

[Scott Rosen]

I was a Democrat.

Bankruptcy "reform"

Terry Schiavo

Social in-Security

Medicare's lack of prescription coverage

More, bigger government

Stem cell research

Abortion rights

********

I perceive a theme. Punish the vulnerable. Exploit the weak. Hurt the middle class. Strengthen the monied interests who donate to reelection campaigns. Promote right-wing ideology over individual rights.

I think the only inititive that has any chance of improving the world is Iraq. Domestically, we are in deep doo doo.

[Don Olney]

Welcome back!


Originally posted by Scott Rosen:
Domestically, we are in deep doo doo.And so are the Yankees. ;)

[Norman Bernstein]

You might be riding a wave, Scott... I think there's a palpable 'feel' around that the GOP may have gone just a few steps too far lately, and the signs of an incipient backlash are fairly clear. While polls don't always mean much, they DO gauge public sentiment... and in a number of high profile cases (Schiavo, fillibusters, Social Security, ethics committes), it's pretty obvious that public sentiment is NOT turning in favor of the Republicans.

I suspect that, just as the Democrats needed to move towards the center to be responsive to public sentiment, so do the Republicans. Some GOP types think they can solifify their base by appealing to the rightmost fringes of thier flock... but I think history has shown that Americans have more of a tendency towards moderation, and away from extremism of the left OR right. Just my opinion, though... I could be wrong (like Dennis Miller is fond of saying!)

[Scott Rosen]

Norm, I think you're right. The Republicans have gotten way too much power. The balance, the need to compromise, is no longer there.

If the election were held today, I'd vote for Hillary Clinton over George Bush. If it were Ted Kennedy for the Dems, then it would be a toss-up.

I traded my Ford for a Honda. That's my energy policy at a micro level.

[NormMessinger]

I always knew you were basicly a good guy Scott. smile.gif

[MJC]

I think the only inititive that has any chance of improving the world is Iraq. As one democrat (the people's small d) to another, I'd urge you to rethink this belief as well.

[brad9798]

Sounds to me like the reps. will be takinga bite of your income with the BK reform ... ;)

[RichKrough]

certainly has been a winter of discontent for some of us
The pedulum of politics always swings to the extreme but eventually it does come back to the middle. We went a bit too far left and now we have gone too far right. But there are a good number of Republicans who see the bigger picture and are beginning to break rank. My bet is this Social Security Overhaul is going to lose big in congress since anyone who votes for it will have a big target on his back for the 2006 congressional elections.

[Scott Rosen]

Originally posted by brad9798:
Sounds to me like the reps. will be takinga bite of your income with the BK reform ... ;) Quite the contrary. ;) This bill will make more money for bankruptcy lawyers.

It used to cost a consumer not more than $1,000 or so to get debt counselling and file a Chapter 7. Now, if the consumer doesn't qualify for relief, he will have to pay many thousands of dollar to fend off multiple lawsuits attachments, garnishments and collection efforts that could follow him for life. The Bankruptcy process has become a lot more complicated for all but the poorest individuals. That means it will take more lawyer and court time to process each case. That means more legal fees and costs.

Yet the consumer credit companies are still free to push easy credit on even the most irresponsible people, and charge unlimited rates. I had a client who was paying 25% on one of her credit cards. At that rate, she never would have been able to get out of the hole. Under the new law, she would not have qualified for Chapter 7. If she wanted bankruptcy protection, it would have cost her a lot more money, and she would have had to use three years of her disposable income paying back her credit cards. The only way should could have afforded the legal costs would have been to borrow even more money.

[High C]

Scott, I've read and enjoyed many of your posts, but I was surprised when I first learned that you were a Republican.

Sounds like you've found a better fit, and may it work out well for you.

[imported_Dutch]

ya know i was in hibernation onct, and when i came to i was naked and horny

[ 04-29-2005, 09:44 PM: Message edited by: Dutch ]

[brad9798]

Thus, the winky, Scott!

I was just being a smarta$$.

Brad

[PatCox]

Hey Norman, speaking of that unprincipled bellwhether, Dennis Miller, I consider his recent swing away from the conservative line to be one of the biggest signs that there may indeed be a change in the weather brewing. (By the way, my shepherd freinds tell me a "whether" is a castrated sheep, he he).

For the last few years, Miller has been trying to revive his moribund career by positioning himself as an (inevitably oxymoronic) "conservative comedian."

But there he was on The Daily Show last week, sucking up to Jon Stewart and shamelessly backtracking: "I was never a republican, I was always a libertarian."

[PatCox]

Hey Scott, you see the provisions of the Bill that make the debtor's attorney personally vouch for the ability of the debtor to pay any re-affirmed debts, actually making the lawyer a guarantor? And the provision stating that the lawyer must personally certify that accuracy of all financial information in the schedules, making the lawyer liable for attorneys fees and sanctions should any item listed in the schedules later, after litigation, be found erroneous?

It looked to me like they were trying to terrorize lawyers away from taking on the risk. Of course, I do know bankruptcy judges, I always enjoyed the close relations between bench and bar, and I am inclined to think the judges will interpret these provisions such as to minimize the threat. Which is a good thing.

[ 04-29-2005, 03:14 PM: Message edited by: PatCox ]

[Norman Bernstein]

PatCox, I think Dennis Miller is a pretty funny and talented guy, even though he's made lots of political statements that I think are absurd. I don't rate comedians on the basis of thier politics. Bill Maher is a very funny guy, too, but I suspect he'd be funny regardless of his left wing slant. Jon Stewart may be the best of the bunch... you KNOW he's the left side of the centerline, but his targets are equal opportunity... and he makes some pretty good points through his comedy.

So, whether Dennis Miller backs away from some of his conservative diatribe or not, I really don't care. I'll continue to watch him, and agree or disagree with his politics on a case-by-case basis. I'm ALWAYS willing to be open-minded, even if I do have strong convictions.

[Victor]

Anyone remember the crowing of the right over Bush's 3% margin of victory? How the Democrats are in the slough of despond for the next hundred years and have to redefine their message if they ever want to win another election and all that crap? How soon we forget. The right's faux morality may have fooled enough people to win the election, but it didn't take long for their true colors to emerge - all the Democrats really had to do was sit back and wait.

Shades of Gingrich, 96.

[Bruce Taylor]

Good to see you back, Scott...you've been a bit of an ivory-billed woodpecker around here.

[Leon m]

Originally posted by Scott Rosen:
If the election were held today, I'd vote for Hillary Clinton over George Bush.

I traded my Ford for a Honda. That's my energy policy at a micro level.Welcome to the light. ;)

[John of Phoenix]

Welcome to the Dark Side.

[Chris Coose]

Glad to see you back Scott.

[Domesticated_Mr. Know It All]

So....get anything done on your boat?
Any photos? :D

[BrianW]

Anyone remember the crowing of the right over Bush's 3% margin of victory?No, but I still remember the whining from the losers and I remember the large number of predictions here that Kerry was going to win. smile.gif

[Victor]

Actually you're right, there was quite a bit of whining. If I felt like it I could C&P some of the Coulterish articles about how the Republicans have a mandate, how the Democrats are doomed, etc., etc., ad nauseum. There's always another election.

[patito]

If you'd vote for Hillary Clinton over George W. Bush, friend, you were NEVER a Republican.

[Memphis Mike]

I disagree with the previous poster. If you'd vote for Hillary over George W, you're a thinking man. Thinking and weighing is good. smile.gif

-Sue

[Ed Harrow]

Originally posted by patito:
If you'd vote for Hillary Clinton over George W. Bush, ...Over George? Ya mean, like, Hillary on top? ROTF

Scott, we really missed you in Mystic.