I am starting this topic so those of us on the progressive side can discuss and respond to the most discussed topics of the day and how we should respond to them.
Sometimes I get really pissed that we try to discuss a topic and we're assaulted with rhetoric and innuendo before we can come up with a well-thought out response,and we end up on the defensive. I'm hoping we can discuss the latest topics and some of the older topics that keep popping up and formulate appropriate responses on how to deal with them without having to wait until we are trapped and forced on the defensive.
anybody agree?

Me--I agree with you philathome. Thank you Sheriff--this is a wonderful idea.

thanks,LindyLou-I want us to be able to use this forum for constructive uses;to discuss issues and find answers.
not referring to the other posters as 'poo-poo heads'.If the conservative forum wants to waste bandwidth,at least they have their own forum to do it in.

This is the intent. I still encourage everyone to post in the General Section ... since that is where the action will be. If you see something stupid in the Conservative Section (and vice-versa by righty friends), feel free to discuss it >.....IN THE GENERAL SECTION, with a new thread. Just stay out of each respective areas. I know, I know, easier said then done.

I think this is great-we each need a place to discuss issues with our like-minded participants away from where we can be distracted.I will still post mostly in the general section;but I'll gain insight and wisdom from my compatriots here.

It's pretty funny over there. It reminds me of a 6th grade prom--no one knows what to say at one of these things.

maybe they're waiting for someone to send them some talking points.

Good subjects might include as follows:

1. Government support, regulation, and structuring of large scale offshore energy farms for the production of Hydrogen. Farms incorporating Hydrogen factories over, tidal pools, wind and water turbines, wave/buoy systems. Solar and wind are on there way and though I'm not opposed to investment to accelerate the installation they don't need the large scale involvement envisioned above. Direction would be to ensure a sound and more distributed energy grid.

The Midwest and congress are Hyped up on switch grass, bio diesel, and ethanol feed farms. It seems to me however the traditional petroleum processing industry is the big lobby here. Archer Daniels Midlands and others are ok to push their vertical and horizontally diversified corporate plans forward. The future looks to require all hands on deck so to speak. They fall again two a lower tier of need on the federal investment scheme. They don't need with the exception of the quest for the Holy Grail of multi-capable digester bug, enzyeme, or bacterium R&D monies. The technology, plan, and want are in place. The carbon based problems remain and speek further to the need to direct investment into the Hydrogen future.

Hydrogen could give us a new industry to lead with as an export, as a source of good science and jobs as well as position this country with a dangerously high fuel to people ratio better on the green credits as the world moves on.

2. Corporate restructuring is needed as windfall profit tax just won't do the job. A restructure that for one limits profits is a better choice. My preference would be to set a ratio limit on the remuneration relationship between board members/executive pay packages and that of hourly workers. This plan is good for the workers, the stock holders as well as the country. Only the amoral CEO's and the like acting as the fox in the hen house would object. A plan of this type makes the two camps mutually dependent on each other. A good start might be to rework the petroleum, pharmaceutical, and media industries.

If this type of win win redirection is not done we could be forced into radical move like those made previously by the French to nationalize industry or should I say whats left of it.

3. Health care, single payer system administered by the Federal government to relieve industrial burdens, insure all, and increase the efficiency in many ways of medical delivery.

4. Publicly financed elections would take much of the evil lobby out of government. Couple this with a more transparent legislative process.

5. Simplification across the board is what will stimulate confidence in the markets, effiecencies in everyhting, and better the system as a whole. ONE AREA OF MAJOR CONCERN HOWEVER IS CHINA AND TRADE. The titans of industry promised great markets, when all they really saw was cheap labor. They bought the Republican congress primarily and got the USA to allow entry into the WTO on a promise we would be better able to correct them/regulate them. The truth is The United states was the target market. The Chinese only want and accept our best technology, our industrial infrastructure that was taken from us along with corporate investment. The government still acts like a communist state of times gone by. In that I mean they are very much a one way street. They show no respect for intellectual property rights
and for the most part provide only lip service on issues of great concern. The imbalance of male to females that is evolving may have unsettling ramifications around the globe.

The Japanese model has been much fairer and more honorable. The invested in factories here that kept folks working at better wages than service jobs. On balance it not only doesn't work it should be acted on like a cancer.

Well there's a few talking points. Time is pressing so I'll bid yee farewell.


All the Best, BE Well, Be Strong, and Have Some Fun


Tom J. Flaherty

On the above post of mine about China I did not mean to be totally one sided. Thank you China for finally about six or seven years late asserting yourself and bringing the multi party/six party talks back on track with the North Korean nuclear situation. Further the majority of United States Citizens are in a state of alarm after the actions of this administration, against not only our own people but those of the world and good people of noble truth telling ways. We have strongly began the democratic corrective process. This system is the one for the world. Much has been learned as to how for power can go. This is more so in a closed/controlled government like China's. Please, China persue a more democratic form. One that is transparent to the world, supports the equality of it's people. It must be transparent and available to all and structured for the whole and not for unlimited wealth and power by the elite.

Wishing China well, Wishing the USA well, and WISHING US BOTH WELL

Tom J. Flaherty

Good idea, phil! I know one topic I'd like to discuss among lefties, including input from some of the law experts that frequent this board, is our chance of REVERSING (i.e., repealing) some of the most destructive legislation this administration and its rubber-stamp congress have forced on us. This includes the Patriot Acts, the Military Commissions Act (torture act), the illegal spy program, and the most recent Animal Enterprise Terrorism Act. It seems to me that the action of "taking our country back" MUST include reversing these anti-Constitutional acts and programs...

Another I'd like to see discussed without a lot of "noise" from the right, is what the best course is for getting the hell out of Iraq....

Great idea phil...so I'll begin by giving my comment on todays political news........the ISG reposrt was released today and it is very disconcerting........I know of some...one right off the bat who should be very angry about the fidings of this survey group...and that is Rep. John Murtha. He did after all say befire any of this survey stuff even had a name.....that the troops in Iraq should be redeployed...and anly a support group should be left to help the Iraqis...that this so called "war"which is really an occupation...can only be solved if that is the correct word through political diplomatic means and militarily............so once again THANKS John Murtha for your insight!...We need more persons with the "fire in the belly" to speak out...loudly and often to not allow Bush to continue to shirk his responsibilities at the expense of this country.