From “No New Taxes”:
I deplore this confiscatory tax aimed at whoever Congress is mad at today. Right now it’s AIG and Fannie Mae; later it will be Merrill and Citibank, and eventually it will be defense contractors, profiteering oil executives, or whomever the Congressional Dems single out as their whipping boy du jour.And of course, rolling this ex post tax out at the same time the Fed and Treasury are trying to encourage private investors to partner up with the government to get the credit markets moving again is insane. What investor needs the likely aggravation to follow? Who needs to be hauled in front of Barney Frank a year from now in order to be blasted as a profiteer who exploited our national crisis for his own profit, which Barney will then tax back? Who will be daft enough to come out of retirement as Liddy did to endure the abuse Liddy took?
If only we had some leaders in Washington.
Question: at what point do we become so overwhelmed by the sheer level of arrogance and ignorance that it becomes necessary to conclude that this simply must be destruction of the market system by design?
I mean, the level of incompetence is staggering. And, as Hannibal Lecter famously noted in a handwritten note to Agent Starling, “Clarice, doesn’t this random scattering of sites seem desperately random – like the elaborations of a bad liar?”
It’s beginning to seem that way.
Historic Presidency indeed! Only not for the reason most people anticipated.
Comment by Baracky The First on 3/19 @ 2:03 pm #
necessary to conclude that this simply must be destruction of the market system by design?
Do I seem concerned? Am I frowning? George Washington — just a guy in my neighborhood.
Comment by President Buffalo Bill on 3/19 @ 2:06 pm #
Face it, I won.
It puts the fucking taxes in the basket!
Comment by Gormless Worm on 3/19 @ 2:08 pm #
(snip)WASHINGTON, March 4 (Reuters) – U.S. oil and natural gas producing companies should not receive federal subsidies in the form of tax breaks because their businesses contribute to global warming, U.S. Treasury Secretary Timothy Geithner told Congress on Wednesday.(snip)
I do believe that our current administration has already voiced their displeasure to the engergy companies…
Comment by RR Ryan on 3/19 @ 2:11 pm #
Of course it’s by design. That’s why we retired and put everything in multiple savings accounts. The income investments still pay and we didn’t get wiped out by the Obama market surge. Er, plunge.
Comment by alppuccino on 3/19 @ 2:11 pm #
The congress is deserving of a rotten produce assault.
Comment by SGT Ted on 3/19 @ 2:11 pm #
Reminds me of how the Chinese Commies prosecute their business owners for “excessive profiteering” from time to time to keep the rest of the proles in line.
Comment by Will on 3/19 @ 2:16 pm #
It’s an end run if I’ve ever seen one. And it’s frightening.
Comment by JD on 3/19 @ 2:17 pm #
I was talking to BJ earlier, and it is no longer a false choice to wonder if it is incompetence or malice.
Comment by Jeffersonian on 3/19 @ 2:18 pm #
Comment by President Buffalo Bill on 3/19 @ 2:06 pm #
Face it, I won.
It puts the fucking taxes in the basket!
Post of the day!
Comment by Lost My Cookies on 3/19 @ 2:23 pm #
Astounding. 90% plus FICA 7.65 Medicare, state, local (NYC 4%).
I’d go Geitner and “forget” to pay it. Or get a good lawyer. There’s really no way that this can be legal. If it is, well then, I’ll have to move to a country with a more enlightened tax code, like Cuba.
Comment by jimw on 3/19 @ 2:26 pm #
“It puts the fucking taxes in the basket” is the comment of the century.
President Buffalo Bill…
There are no words worthy of this.
Comment by Lost My Cookies on 3/19 @ 2:27 pm #
God I hope these guys got their bonuses grossed up. I’d pay for that, I really would. That would be so great. And we know Geitner doesn’t know what “grossed-up” means. Right? Right?
Comment by Squid on 3/19 @ 2:30 pm #
If those wild and crazy guys from A-Q wanted to try a do-over on their plan to wipe out the Capitol, I’d sure be willing to look the other way…
Comment by mojo on 3/19 @ 2:34 pm #
Because he skins his humps.
Comment by JD on 3/19 @ 2:35 pm #
Squid – How can I get in touch with you? Trying to arrange a get-together in a couple weeks.
Comment by JHoward on 3/19 @ 2:37 pm #
Thank you, JG, thank you. We need to start judging by the acts on the ground, not what these looters appear to be kinda saying they might get around to considering on our behalf. Assuming the pricks had the right in the first place to engineer my life by the means they are, namely groceries and the roof over my head.
Comment by JHoward on 3/19 @ 2:37 pm #
Yep, judge it by its effects. The fucking Fed was ostensibly created to stop boom-bust cycles. Now it creates them and congress enriches its handlers and penalizes its enemies. We = dupes.
Shall we connect the dots now? I believe the timing reccomends we should.
Comment by anonymous comment joker on 3/19 @ 2:38 pm #
Thank you. Hit the tipjar and try the veal.
Comment by Fred on 3/19 @ 2:43 pm #
@President Buffalo Bill – awesome. Simply awesome.
Comment by RTO Trainer on 3/19 @ 2:55 pm #
It’s a Bill of Attainder. It’s unconstitutional.
Comment by RTO Trainer on 3/19 @ 2:56 pm #
If they get away with this, they’ll come for any income that they think anyone doesn’t need or deserve.
Comment by Sdferr on 3/19 @ 2:57 pm #
It always seems to boil down to a question of the one side thinking they “know” the price of everything and the other side knowing that there is just no fucking way.
Comment by Squid on 3/19 @ 2:59 pm #
So which is it? Congress is a bunch of scheming liars who know that this ex-post-facto nonsense won’t stand judicial scrutiny, or Congress is a bunch of scheming liars who really think they can yank back the money that was already promised to these other scheming liars? I mean, are they in cahoots with the scapegoats, or not? Does it even matter?
(JD — I just e-mailed your SBC addy.)
Comment by kelly on 3/19 @ 3:02 pm #
Comment by cranky-d on 3/19 @ 3:03 pm #
It still has to get through the senate. I think there’s a good chance that if it makes it past the senate, the president will make a big speech about how he would like to pass it, but that it’s unconstitutional (remember, he’s a constitutional scholar and all) so he has to veto it, thus demonstrating that he supports the constitution when we know that he does not.
Comment by cranky-d on 3/19 @ 3:04 pm #
In other words, it’s more political theater, because that is all he knows how to do. Governing is beyond his abilities.
Comment by SarahW on 3/19 @ 3:06 pm #
Of course it’s by design. But the fat girls go help the charming man load his furniture anyway.
Comment by Slartibartfast on 3/19 @ 3:06 pm #
I argued the Bill of Attainder elsewhere, and someone objected that those only apply to criminal acts. This is what I found on the subject, and it seems to say otherwise.
Comment by kelly on 3/19 @ 3:11 pm #
Congress is a criminal act.
Comment by Mr. Pink on 3/19 @ 3:17 pm #
I hope he fails yet again.
Comment by Carin on 3/19 @ 3:17 pm #
Question: at what point do we become so overwhelmed by the sheer level of arrogance and ignorance that it becomes necessary to conclude that this simply must be destruction of the market system by design?
According to my husband, that point was weeks ago.
Comment by dicentra on 3/19 @ 3:19 pm #
IIRC, this happened in Spain in the early 1800s. Napoleon’s rule was overthrown by the intelligencia and liberals. They were ecstatic to finally be able to Set Things Right, but their enormous incompetence drove things into the ditch pretty quickly.
Ah, yes. I just found it. El Trienio Liberal, the three liberal years, 1820-1823.
I don’t know if they’re trying to cause the chaos, but they’re certainly not trying not to. And chaos favors the “reformers” surely.
“Help us Obi-Wan Baracky! You’re our only hope!”
Comment by mcgruder on 3/19 @ 3:20 pm #
I am really, really begining to hate these guys.
Comment by Vermont Neighbor on 3/19 @ 3:21 pm #
Oh, it’s intent. That’s why half the country voted against him. If not a vote directly for Palin or McCain, it was because this slide to socialism was a given. Just seemed like it would take a couple years, not a few congressional work days.
And he sure pushed that photo-op Presidential luncheon up fast — well before inauguration day. Like he had to get that in the history books, regardless of the fact that “there’s only one president at a time.” Same as this little mission to destroy America.
But hey, Alinsky Ayers Day. Could make a nice little 3-day holiday for the schools.
Comment by Vermont Neighbor on 3/19 @ 3:26 pm #
“I think there’s a good chance that if it makes it past the senate, the president will make a big speech about how he would like to pass it, but that it’s unconstitutional (remember, he’s a constitutional scholar and all) so he has to veto it, thus demonstrating that he supports the constitution when we know that he does not.”
True. And it is time for him to hit to this side of the net. He likes to do that and seem all changey.
Comment by cranky-d on 3/19 @ 3:28 pm #
They are just really doing a lot of screwy things to see what they can get away with. The 2-day ban on selling spent shell casings to small companies doing reloading, which they have been doing for many years, is just one of the latest trial balloons.
It is not an accident, it is by design. They are going to see exactly what they can get away with. They are bent on remaking this country to their liking. I don’t think there can be any doubt any longer.
Comment by cranky-d on 3/19 @ 3:30 pm #
If I wasn’t clear, the ban caused such an uproar that they rescinded it. The ban would’ve raised the cost of ammunition by a large amount. If the cannot ban guns (which they are still trying to do), they’ll effectively ban ammo.
Comment by Ella on 3/19 @ 3:33 pm #
My rep put out a press release saying he supported “legislation so the American people get 100% of their money back from AIG bonuses,” and then voted against this bill. I guess he’s for the bill of attainder, just not this bill of attainder.
John Sullivan is a douche.
Pingback by Addendum: Chutzpah, Obama-style [Darleen Click] on 3/19 @ 3:35 pm #
[...] asks “…at what point do we become so overwhelmed by the sheer level of arrogance and [...]
Comment by Ella on 3/19 @ 3:42 pm #
I kinda feel bad about yelling at that intern for 10 minutes though. His press release said he supported it; the roll call vote said he voted against it.
Comment by RTO Trainer on 3/19 @ 3:42 pm #
Can’t prove it to me by what he’s said and done so far.
Comment by Mr. Pink on 3/19 @ 3:45 pm #
Is it just me or does freedom and liberty seem like too big of a burden for the American people anymore?
Comment by Jeffersonian on 3/19 @ 3:52 pm #
We’re begging for our chains, Mr. Pink, as long as they come with “free” health care and a never-ending string of reality shows.
Comment by Rusty on 3/19 @ 3:54 pm #
36
I talked about this before. They are going to require that the spent brass be shreaded before it is sold to the scrappers. This is going to do two things right away. 1 drive up the price of that caliber of ammunition. 2 create a black market for unshreaded military brass.
Currently 200 rounds of commercial 5.56 is going fpr $90.00 at Gander Mtn.
Comment by cranky-d on 3/19 @ 4:01 pm #
Rusty, they rescinded it. I heard about it yesterday. See here
Comment by geoffb on 3/19 @ 4:23 pm #
He has “skin in the game” but it was yours.
Comment by LTC John on 3/19 @ 5:46 pm #
I agree the Pres. Buffalo Bill comment was a keeper.
I hate to pin my hopes on The World’s Greatest Deliberative Body stopping this piece of garbage from passing…I have absolutely no faith that the President would veto it.
Comment by BobM. on 3/19 @ 6:18 pm #
“Question: at what point do we become so overwhelmed by the sheer level of arrogance and ignorance that it becomes necessary to conclude that this simply must be destruction of the market system by design?”
Ding! Ding! Ding!
We have a winner!!!
I’ve been thinking along those lines since about oh, about mid February or so. I was HOPE-ing that all those Clinton retreads in the new administration would sort of slow HIM down a bit, but I’ve had to CHANGE my opinion. But HE will put us to work and take us out of our comfort zones, or something like that. Yeah, it’s becoming clear to me how that’s gonna work out now…
Comment by pdbuttons on 3/19 @ 7:03 pm #
# 2
ha ha
sweet/very funny
hey senator/nice suit!
Comment by John Lynch on 3/19 @ 7:12 pm #
This is the government that wants to run our healthcare, that is close to running our banking system, that has eyes (or is it grubby mitts) on our energy industry, our international trade, our research programs, our education system, and through tax codes our personal income and wealth.
Great! There is nowhere to hide, nowhere to just mind your own business and hope to be left alone, nowhere to move your money and keep it safe.
Think anyone will notice?
Comment by geoffb on 3/19 @ 7:31 pm #
Only when the tumbrel driver comes to take them to “Carousel”.
Comment by Seth on 3/19 @ 7:50 pm #
Although we have moved past the point where it appears to be the intentional destruction of the market system, I don’t think we’ve moved past the point where the great majority of people can’t be appeased with bread and circuses.
I hate to say it, but have to call it as I see it.
Comment by Minorcan Maven on 3/19 @ 8:23 pm #
No doubt that it’s by stinkin’ design. I detest the whole gang BHO has surrounded himself with, but as much as I don’t like them, as much as say – Gibbs is a slob, etc…they are SHREWD. They are deliberate and purposeful. The greatest mistake (besides people who thought all December & January that he would lead from the center – what hogwash)is thinking they are stupid. Arrogant, bold and sloppy, but not stupid, oh how I wish!
I can’t believe, really truly believe – that there is such wide spread support to vote to do this unconstitutional reach back. THAT shocks me, I thought it would be harder to garner such support.
What we need to be more concerned about is WHY did 44 want us to focus on the AIG anger? To accomplish this type of constitutional violation for the sake of establishing precendent? To whip up an anticapitalism frency from the bread & circus “dole me, bro” mob? Or cover for something even worse that are missing?
Comment by Rusty on 3/19 @ 8:23 pm #
#45
Whew!
Comment by Minorcan Maven on 3/19 @ 8:24 pm #
Ooops! Should be anti-capitalism frenzy!
Comment by Pablo on 3/19 @ 8:32 pm #
Very, very nice. God bless angry mobs. Also, I’m down with “It puts the fucking taxes in the basket.” Someone’s gonna have to work pretty hard to wrest Comment of the Year from President Buffalo Bill.
Comment by baldilocks on 3/19 @ 9:11 pm #
He’s killing the country. I knew that’s what he wanted to do. It was obvious. It’s why I have seen little point in blooging since Election Day.
Comment by Cepik on 3/19 @ 9:28 pm #
Rusty@44
Check Midway and AIM Surplus, they beat that. And Cabela’s (on occasion) will too.
Comment by Cepik on 3/19 @ 9:30 pm #
Baldilocks,
I miss your posting, are you just taking a break?
Comment by Pablo on 3/19 @ 9:43 pm #
You should tell it, Juliette. Unless you think someone might get offended.
Comment by Merovign on 3/19 @ 10:33 pm #
This bunch of buffoons are trying so many end-runs around the law it’s like an ass marathon.
And it’s a bill of fucking attainder, the arguing on that one is so dense it’s almost impenetrable. The only arguments against it I’ve seen seem to rest on ignoring the stated intent of the authors – rather ironically.
I’m also going to shoot myself in the foot by recommending gunbroker for brass and, to an extent, ammo. It’s the eBay of guns. Now, to place some orders before y’all get there.
Also, here in the greater Sacramento Metropolitan Area, almost everyone is low on ammo. If you’re here, check out Wild Sports on Grenback – it’s the building that looks like it used to be a porn theater. Anyway, they’re full of ammo. The Gun Room had plenty last time I was there, but that was in December.
Back on topic; nuts.
Comment by Steve B on 3/20 @ 4:28 am #
“It puts the fucking taxes in the basket!”
Snorfle. Classic.
Comment by Rusty on 3/20 @ 4:44 am #
Cepic. I order spent military brass for reloading. There is usually some once fired National Match in with it. I,ll check out Gunbroker and the rest. I’m pretty well set up for .308, but could use some more .223, and 9mm and …………..