Once per week, I consolidate comments I’d posted to recent articles appearing on Yahoo News. I share my views, written as if I actually were the US President. [I’m working on that.] The following were posted between July 18 and today, though appear below in no particular order. As is my usual custom, if I open with a quoted item, that’s from the article itself.
I hope you enjoy all 37 of these mini-essays/comments.
Posted on Yahoo! News
ONE:
After all is said and done, it will probably be shown that it would have been cheaper just to have simply given Greece the money.
Steven Searle for US President in 2012
“The whole world is watching a continent that gave us two world wars to show how finances should be properly managed. Say what?”
TWO:
[Presidential candidate Cain says community has right to block mosque construction.]
"Yes, they have the right to do that," Cain replied. They do? What right? Which amendment? Which statute?
“Our Constitution guarantees separation of church and state.” And what would Cain say if Jesus came down from the clouds and told Obama to step aside because He’s taking over? I would just love to see Cain bluster and fume, “But Hey-Soos, that would be unconstitutional.” And that’s exactly what Cain would say, right? If so, I could well imagine a new “mark of Cain” – a sandal-print impressed on his backside after He gets done kicking Cain’s butt.
“…this isn't an innocent mosque," Cain said. So Cain gets to decide which are/aren’t innocent? Actually, in his worldview, that’s easy enough to determine – there’s no such thing as an innocent mosque. As far as I’m concerned, it’s an “innocent mosque” unless it’s breaking the law. And Cain hasn’t, so far, uttered that blasphemy.
Steven Searle for US President in 2012
“Cain better go back to selling pizzas because his forays into politics and theology aren’t working out too well.”
THREE:
“Clinton appealed for India to project its influence eastward, toward China's backyard…”
That won’t be so easy for India, due to the possibility of "water" pressure - most of India's major rivers originate in Tibet. And Tibet is under China’s control. This is the big Achilles’ Heel of our overall foreign policy. If China decides to divert or dam those waters in any major way, this would threaten the lives of tens of millions of Indians. And there wouldn’t be anything India could do about it.
And we’re not about to do anything about it either, which is why we were so eager to help India further nuclearize itself. But that’s a fool’s game we’re trying to play, since India will never be in any shape to challenge China militarily. And India knows this. Clinton has no interest in that country, except as a useful tool to contain China. And the xenophobic Chinese know this, which of course will further endear us to their hearts.
Best advice for India? Find a way to desalinate ocean water. Also, instead of challenging China in its back yard, why not try to partner with Africa?
Steven Searle for US President in 2012
“Why does Clinton even bother to open her mouth publicly? Her comments would have been far more useful if privately offered.”
FOUR:
Even if Michele has migraines 24/7, she should still be considered for the presidency if she could at least offer a plan. But she hasn’t. She won’t. Because she can’t. End of story.
The basic flaw shared by all the candidates: “Elect me and everything will be alright.” Wrong – no one person can fix everything! Those who believe otherwise are suffering from a Saviour complex.
Steven Searle for US President in 2012
“Elect independents or (at the very least) vote against incumbents; that will start us in the right direction.”
FIVE:
And what would one man be able to do? Ron Paul believes in the Two Party System (which ain’t working), therefore he won’t be leading the charge to elect independents to office. So he’d be in no better shape than Obama is now.
Steven Searle for US President in 2012
“Belief in Ron Paul is pretty similar to beliefs in saviors and military strongmen.”
SIX:
[RE: High-end prostitution ring busted catering to rich, Wall-Streeters]
“People with nothing but money." How sad…actually, that would explain a lot.
Steven Searle for US President in 2012
“I have everything but money…and consider myself the richest man on the planet, bar none.”
SEVEN:
[Based on a recent story about Boehner walking out on Obama.]
“…[Obama] said he was willing to take sole responsibility for raising the debt ceiling.”
And did Boehner shoot back, “You do that and I will personally introduce a motion in the House to impeach you for usurping Congress’s authority?”
Steven Searle for US President in 2012
“Naw, I didn’t think so.”
“Naw, I didn’t think so.”
EIGHT:
“…[Senate] rules permit unlimited debate unless a supermajority votes to limit it.”
Senate rules? What about the Constitution that mandates equal representation in Congress? If a determined minority can prevent a measure from even being voted on, that measures dies. Therefore, that minority has more than its share of power. And yet, both parties indulge this blatantly unconstitutional Senate rule because, on occasion, it suits their purposes.
Steven Searle for US President in 2012
“The original reason for the filibuster was to avoid having too much democracy.”
NINE:
“All double eagle coins - some 445,500 were made - were to have been destroyed by 1937.”
If 10 of these coins are worth $75M, that would mean the entire original batch (445,500) would be worth 3.34 trillion dollars. Of course, “10 of these coins” are only “worth” $75M because of their rarity and represents what coin collectors would pay. And that has nothing to do with what the entire original batch [melted down long ago] would fetch on the current market. Still, it’s a nice thought: With a 3.34 trillion dollar windfall, we could have made a nice dent in our national debt.
Of course, the interesting question now is: If the US govt gets to keep these coins, would they be obligated to melt them down (per the 1937 order) or could they auction them off and reap a badly needed $75M?
Steven Searle for US President in 2012
“It would be a sin to melt them down.”
“It would be a sin to melt them down.”
TEN:
“… any agreement would have to have strict requirements that would guarantee Congress had to act.”
Such a guarantee isn’t possible, not in any meaningful sense. Unless they mean, “Congress has to meet to talk about it.” That’s not my idea of action.
“… the cuts to benefit programs such as Medicare and a tax overhaul are too complicated to undertake quickly and would have to wait up to a year to negotiate.”
Oh? Seems to me they whipped up the Patriot Act pretty quickly. They can act quickly when it suits them.
And yet, when the multi-billion dollar Mars probe “Curiosity” was funded, no one was saying, “We can’t afford this.” I’m saying it … we can’t afford this…cancel this mission now or…is it too much of a sacred cow. Problem is, people, we’ve got too many sacred cows.
Steven Searle for US President in 2012
“Elect me and I’ll show you how to properly wield an ax.”
“Elect me and I’ll show you how to properly wield an ax.”
ELEVEN:
I heard Roman Polanski wants Casey Anthony to star in his next movie: Rosemary’s Baby, Part II. He started feverishly scripting this as soon as he heard the “not guilty” verdict.
Steven Searle for US President in 2012
“Being famous isn’t all it’s cracked up to be.”
“Being famous isn’t all it’s cracked up to be.”
TWELVE:
Compare these two statements:
“If there were no vote in Congress and taxes rose automatically, then no politicians would have voted for higher taxes and no elected official would have broken his or her pledge” – Grover Norquist, NY Times, July 21, 2011.
[and]
That “pledge,” on Grover’s website, states, “I will…OPPOSE [my emphasis] any and all efforts to increase the marginal income tax rates for individuals and/or businesses…”
Just because (as in the first quote) “no politicians would have voted for higher taxes,” doesn’t mean they’d be keeping their pledge. The pledge obligates signers to “OPPOSE any and all efforts to increase.” News Flash for Grover: There is no such thing as taxes rising “automatically” – Congress is always free to block any automaticity.
Steven Searle for US President in 2012
“Grover should be wearing a bag over his head for waffling so badly.”
THIRTEEN:
[Israel refuses to apologize for 9 activists who died:]
“Activists say they were attacked first...”
They were attacked first, since Israel had no business boarding this ship in international waters. Such an act was nothing less than piracy.
Steven Searle for US President in 2012
“Being a Zionist means never having to say you’re sorry.”
“Being a Zionist means never having to say you’re sorry.”
FOURTEEN:
“… how the Treasury would notify [the Fed] on which checks would get cleared and which wouldn't…”
Really? This isn’t rocket science. Checks should get cleared on a “first come, first-served” basis. Once the money runs out, any other checks presented for payment should be returned, marked “Insufficient Funds” – including Congressmen’s paychecks. Then let the courts untangle all the resulting lawsuits.
Steven Searle for US President in 2012
“Anyone who knowingly writes such a bad check (and anyone who could do so, couldn't claim they didn't know so), should be jailed – just like any other common, ordinary citizen.”
FIFTEEN:
White House budget chief Jacob Lew told reporters at the Capitol that …"we've made clear revenues have to be included [as part of any deal]."
So that means if the GOP says “We’ll vote to increase the debt-ceiling but will not include any tax/revenue increase,” Obama would reject that?
Steven Searle for US President in 2012
“Doesn’t make sense. Obama could try for that extra revenue later. But he can’t wait past Aug. 2 for that borrowing increase without all hell breaking loose.”
SIXTEEN:
“…close to a third of the 47 Senate Republicans had signed a letter supportive of a fragile bipartisan plan…”
I see…and would those signers happen to be senators whose seats aren’t at stake in 2012? It’s easy to be “bipartisan” when not having to face the fury of the base. But it’s best to remember: These voters have long memories.
Steven Searle for US President in 2012
“Declare your independence by voting for Independents. Throw the bums out.”
SEVENTEEN:
“Speaker John Boehner [said it’s] "responsible to look at what Plan B would look like.”
He finished that sentence, under his breath, by adding, “but not to seriously consider it.”
Steven Searle for US President in 2012
“Boner already knew what Plan B looked like before it was up for a vote, so what’s his point in making this comment?”
EIGHTEEN:
[RE: article about House Foreign Affairs Committee Chairman Ileana Ros-Lehtinen]
“[Rep] Gary Ackerman said that the United States would effectively be pulling out in its own continent…”
For one thing, the Organization of American States covers more than one continent; for another, who says we own “it”?
Steven Searle for US President in 2012
“This committee’s Pubber chair is just trying to show her masculinity – to make up for what’s been lost by her party lately in deficit-increase talks.”
NINETEEN:
"But the [budget] plan's authors clearly hope it could serve as a template for a 'grand bargain' later in the year..."
Translation? "Let's kick the can down the road."
Steven Searle for US President in 2012
"I wouldn't mind so much if any of these leaders were actually honorable men."
TWENTY:
What do we need to know about the Gang of Six? They're nothing but a bunch of White, Male, "Party" animals who are in desperate need of being replaced by Independents. [NOTE: I'm a life-long resident of Illinois, and I still can't figure out why Durbin's in the Senate.]
Steven Searle for US President in 2012
"Declare your independence by voting for Independents."
"Declare your independence by voting for Independents."
TWENTY-ONE:
Big money isn't the same thing as smart money. But...if big money wants to flush its cash down the Governor Perry [for President] toilet, be my guest.
Steven Searle for US President in 2012
"In a bad economy, I guess big money is so desperate for something to invest in, they'll go for any longshot."
TWENTY-TWO:
Both Obama and Boehner need…to show their constituents how hard they are fighting for their priorities [before either the Pubbers cave in completely or Obama raises the debt ceiling by himself].”
Steven Searle for US President in 2012
“I know the public’s attention span is notoriously short but…is notoriously short but…is notoriously short…but..."
TWENTY-THREE:
The only kind of “flexibility” the Democrats want from the Pubbers is the ability to bend over so far backwards that the backs of their heads touch their heels.
Steven Searle for US President in 2012
“Next, the Dems will start giving orders like, ‘Roll over, play dead, speak (but only when spoken to).’”
TWENTY-FOUR:
“…with their work guaranteed a yes-or-no vote in the House or Senate.”
Which means, of course, this panel would be telling the Congress to “take it or leave it as a whole.” That is, no “line item” votes [or amendments] allowed. When YOUR Congressman surrenders his power-of-review that way, YOU lose.
Steven Searle for US President in 2012
“The kind of Independent Congress I envision would subject the entire budget – military included – to intense line-by-line scrutiny. And not just while the media is highly focused on a (so-called) emergency.”
TWENTY-FIVE:
“Obama said late Monday the two sides were ‘making progress.’”
THE two sides, you say? If we had only Independents in Congress, without any Dems/Pubs, we wouldn’t be talking about “two sides,” which are really warring factions itching for a greater share of the spoils. We’d be talking about a Great Assembly trying to put their heads together to come up with some answers.
Steven Searle for US President in 2012
“Declare your independence by voting for Independents.”
“Declare your independence by voting for Independents.”
TWENTY-SIX:
“The idea appears to be to allow tea party-backed GOP lawmakers to have the run of Congress this week…”
This has always been part of our larger problem – the power of senior members of Congress to grant to grant or deny access to the floor.
Steven Searle for US President in 2012
“The doctrine of one-man, one-vote should apply to Congress. Ditch the undemocratic, hierarchical committee system based on seniority.”
TWENTY-SEVEN:
“Tea party takes its turn?”
Whee, everybody gets a turn! Will everybody also get a gold star on their foreheads?
Steven Searle for US President in 2012
“Let’s entertain the rubes (aka, We-the-Sheeple) with a little Tea Party theater, shall we?”
TWENTY-EIGHT:
I would like to hear about BoA suffering this kind of loss because depositors decided to "vote" for a New Financial Order by putting their money into smaller, community banks. Can't say enough in favor of the power of the economic boycott.
Steven Searle for US President in 2012
"It doesn't matter what our Congressmen do; it matters what We-the-People do."
TWENTY-NINE:
Cut the military budget in half - problem solved. Why isn't anyone talking about that, not to mention our ill-advised wars which "everybody" thought (back in the day) that we could afford?
Steven Searle for US President in 2012
"No, I'm not kidding. Cut the military budget in half."
"No, I'm not kidding. Cut the military budget in half."
THIRTY:
Justafan responded to the post above by writing: “Excellent and well thought out solution. By projecting weakness to the enemies of our Country we should be able to preserve our way of life for our children and their children as well. If any nation or despot threatens us in the future we will simple have our community organizer, masquerading as President, apologize for America's sins and challenge them to a game of basketball. Ah, what a wonderful life.” To which I answered:
Justafan, We are “projecting weakness” – as you put it – by showing the world that we’re so terrified of every remote possibility of danger, we are willing to spend ourselves into bankruptcy in the name of overkill. That’s a far more accurate definition of “projecting weakness” than what you suggest. Didn’t Osama bin Laden say he’d beat us by bankrupting us? You gonna let him win by proving this point?
Steven Searle for US President in 2012
“Why aren’t any of our Congressmen talking about controlling our runaway military spending?”
THIRTY-ONE:
When the stuff hits the fan, I will not sell my loaf of bread for a pound of gold. Can't eat gold.
Steven Searle for US President in 2012
"I'm a huge bread fan, in all of its wonderful denominations - rye, wheat, corn, sour dough."
THIRTY-TWO:
Gold is only "real money" to those who are willing to accept it. BTW, why do you think the slang term for money is "bread?"
Steven Searle for US President in 2012
"Gold is hype, not really money (in spite of Ron Paul's blatherings to the contrary). All gold is really fool's gold."
THIRTY-THREE:
If Obama increases the debt limit without Congress, Michelle Bachmann will immediately file a motion to impeach. Forget the courts – they will be bypassed (one good turn deserves another, yes?).
The House will vote to impeach – but not right away. They will stretch this thing out with public meetings and floods of testimony. Not to mention lots of grandstanding speeches of denunciation. And the House will vote to impeach.
The Senate? Conventional wisdom says a Democratic-controlled Senate would vote “Not guilty.” But only at a price. The 3-ring circus of the House proceedings would whip up public sentiment so much, each Dem senator up for reelection would be hard put to defend Obama’s actions.
As for the 14th amendment stating, “the validity of the public debt … shall not be questioned”: The validity is not being questioned; the time and manner of debt repayment are at issue. Furthermore, Article I, Section 8 states: “The Congress shall have power to…pay the debts and provide for the…general welfare of the United States; to borrow money on the credit of the United States.”
As for the President, his main job as Chief Executive is to [dramatic pause] execute the will of the people as indicated by their elected representatives.
If Obama wants to invoke his Kingly powers without the consent of Congress, he couldn’t be doing the GOP any greater favor.
Steven Searle for US President in 2012
“Remember: An impeachable offense is whatever Congress deems it to be, a decision not reviewable by any court. And Obama knows this.”
THIRTY-FOUR:
The power of Congress to impeach is absolute and unreviewable. They can impeach Supreme Court justices if they want to - for any reason they want to (or, practically speaking, for no reason at all) - as well as Presidents. This power is the One Great Reason why Congress is the Constitutionally-recognized most powerful of the three branches. Forget all that horse manure they teach in schools about the checks-and-balances among three EQUAL branches. They are not equal, nor were ever intended to be.
Steven Searle for US President in 2012
“The only check on the power of Congress is We-the-People.”
“The only check on the power of Congress is We-the-People.”
THIRTY-FIVE:
"The message was simple and unambiguous and the same message we deliver in public -- Kaddafi must leave power…”
If it was “the same message we deliver in public,” then why was it necessary to have this meeting? Has the Rebel Council been given a message – along these lines: “Within 6 months after you oust Kaddafi, you must hold internationally-monitored elections?”
“But Kaddafi’s forces insisted that they had repulsed the assault.”
This should be easy enough to independently verify by means of aerial or satellite recon. But we all know those pix will never see the light of day. The Elite want We-the-People kept in the dark to the greatest extent possible. Otherwise, how can they lead us around by the nose?
Steven Searle for US President in 2012
“After this war ends, the governments of France and Britain will present a bill to their people to pay for replacing all those bombs they threw against Kaddafi. Certain things in this life are so predictable.”
THIRTY-SIX:
“…NATO's main priority, the war in Afghanistan.”
NATO’s main priority ought to be debt management, which can be assisted by ceasing its illegal and costly activities against Libya.
Steven Searle for US President in 2012
“The only reason NATO troops are in Afghanistan is to keep them battle-ready. And judging by how badly NATO is doing against Gadhafi, I can see why the Elite thinks this is necessary.”
THIRTY-SEVEN:
“Stock markets are almost certain to drop sharply.” [Yawn] Stocks are over-valued anyway.
“might actually make investors dump stocks and buy Treasury securities ..” If we don’t increase the debt ceiling, there won’t be any Treasury securities to buy, now would there?
“then you would start to see the basic underpinnings of the financial system come undone…” Is that so? Then our basic underpinnings aren’t very sturdy, are they? And you think they’ll get stronger over time if we keep increasing our borrowing limits but not cutting our spending?
Steven Searle for US President in 2012
“This article puts one thing very much front and center – we never could afford our illegal wars after all. Also, it’s way past time to cut our bloated military but…it’s funny how nobody’s talking about that.”
* * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *
Steven Searle for US President in 2012
Founder of The Independent Contractors’ Party
“Declare your independence by voting for Independents. Or, at the very least, vote out all incumbents.”
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