Grover "Let's Drown Government in the Bath Tub" Norquist has a simple explanation for why Social Security should be privatized, and it has precious little to do with increasing anyone's retirement income.
Mr. Norquist probably doesn't care that Social Security is a defined benefits insurance plan, what he does care about (and has cared deeply since 1999) is that Social Security is a government program that allows workers to have lives independently of their corporate masters.
And, he's been on this same message since 1999.
Examples and comments below.
The good guys are the people of the Snohomish County Public Utility District. When the Utility decided not to pay into the sinkhole of Enron's bankruptcy the boys in Houston filed suit to collect for their outrageous energy contracts. Snohomish fought back, and asked for tapes they presumed would document the dastardly deeds of Kenny Boy and Mr. Skilling. There are two issues raised below the fold that ought to make some lawmakers think about what happens when the power companies have the power. And, a third issue comes from the fact that federal regulators saw no reason to review the tapes initially, and then objected when the little power-company-that-could demanded to see them.
see Washington Post
Some additional information and discussion about the article below the fold.
The extended entry contains some information about the connections between USA Next, Shirley & Banister Public Relations, The Carmen Group, the Republican National Committee, and the Committee on the Present Danger. There aren't any definitive answers here, but there are a couple of questions:
Are the same techniques used to attempt to put a gloss on the anti-democratic regime in Kazakhstan being attempted to sell current administration policies on Social Security?
Because the same firms and personnel are involved can it be reasonably assumed that when members of different subgroups of the right wing seek to advance their agenda they will use those techniques, however negative, that have worked for them in the past?
Where have we heard the name "Benjamin Ginsberg" before? And, lo and behold that name ties in with LaCivita through Progress for America a 501c Republican group. LaCivita also ties in with Tony Feather and Elizabeth Dole. The results of some 'googling' in the extended copy.
This may have been noticed before, but I am continually amazed by the the Bushite capacity for "Rewarding Bad Behavior."
In the Houston Chronicle take a look at the report about the reassignment of the ambassador who insisted that the CPA sign the outrageously high priced oil contract with KBR/Kuwaiti subcontractor.
Jones became embroiled in the ruckus over Houston-based Hallilburton's work in Iraq last year, when a Dec. 2, 2003,e-mail he apparently wrote first surfaced.
In that e-mail, Jones insisted Houston subsidiary KBR hire a Kuwaiti firm, Altanmia Commercial Marketing Co., to truck fuel into Iraq from Kuwait.
" ... Tell KBR to get off their butts and conclude deals with Kuwait NOW," the e-mail read. "Tell them we want a deal done with Altanmia within 24 hours and don't take any excuses. If Amb. Bremer hears that KBR is still dragging its feet, he will be livid."
Was the ambassador called home for a carpet session? No, he has been reassigned to Iraq.
Since the early days of the Propagannon Investigation this blog has provided some excellent examples of research, analysis, and constructive criticism. There seem to be two lines of thought coming from this (1) the vast right wing conspiracy theory; and (2) the Mayberry Machiavelli concept. What I'm suggesting below in the extended entry box is that the current investigation of the antics of the Bush administration may demonstrate elements of both.
I'm not sure how to add to the Spiderleaf/Susan diaries on Propagannon, so I'll combine some information that came up on the Open Thread last night, and hope that these comments add up to something of value to their endeavors.
First, Volvo Liberal pointed out that Talon-News is owned by EndeavorMedia, which didn't exist until Monday.
Second, Hail Ripley added that GOPUSA, which was connected to Talon, is also connected to "Campaign Secrets" and "CampaignTips.com" which are in turn run by Republican operative Mark Montini.
Third, Mark Montini is connected to the Council for National Policy, as one who attended the 1998 Tysons Corner convention in 1998; and, he's listed as a major player in Republican National Committee leadership seminars by the National Federation of Republican Women. Also present at the Tysons Corner meeting was Morton Blackwell, of "Purple Heart Band-Aid" fame.
I hope I'm not breaking any rules here, but I've put the collection of comments from last night in the extended copy box to collect them all in one place.
This is an unabashed plug for OMBWatch, which in concise prose sets out exactly why the President's projections for deficit reduction are pure smoke and mirrors. (some sample cherry picked quotes below in the extended copy)
For those who've not already taken advantage of the information and features of this site, one of the features I like is that you can e-mail articles directly, just like most of the major corporate media sites.
The AFL-CIO online newsletter this week noted that Edward Jones Investment company hosted a seminar for its representatives about how to "sell" privatized Social Security account to its customers; and, noted that Edward Jones was also the self same brokerage house fined heavily for misdeeds.
There is nothing new in this diary. However, there is a list of the brokerage firms that have paid heavy fines and settlements, especially those included in the historic $1.4 billion settlement, for mismanagement and misleading investment advice.
Below are the brokerages who have paid heavy fines and settlements during the past four years. Remember, these are the brokerage houses and investment banks that will be overseen by an SEC staff which will have fewer resources available to it in 2006 than in the President's 2005 budget request.
Are these the folks we want handling privatized Social Security accounts? Rogues List Below
A discussion of Republican "hype" last night made me think of "The Great Gatsby" and thinking about Gatsby led to some musing about a comparison of the GOP today, and the rhetoric of the Twenties. "The past is a foreign country," and the radical wing of the Republican Party wants very much to expatriate itself to that place, eighty years ago, in the 1920's. Or, at least go to the 1920's they want to remember, clouded by nostalgia and cloaked in a cover of selective memory. I did some quick online research for comparisons on Anti-modern, fundamentalism and Corporate power and unbridled capitalism. Then I glanced briefly at some of the events of the 1920's that the GOP has selected to forget.
The exploitationists of the Bush administration should be cheering today as a timber company announced its plans to begin logging in the area of the Biscuit Fire. At first glance the Administration's plan sounds good--"clean out the burned area." However, such plans are typical of the "slash now, pay later" mind set of Bush and his minions.
Take a look at the stories in Yahoo News about the "salvage operation". And, the information available about timber 'snags' and their uses.
What seems to be happening is a pattern, that's manifested itself in other realms: (1) create a crisis and then offer to solve it; (2) use euphemism to hide intent; and (3) ignore all scientific or informed advice contrary to The Plan. Details and some analysis below.
"The Forest Service is at it again." From the Toiyabe Trails (Sierra Club)Feb-Mar 2005 newspaper, Sally Miller (Wilderness Society) warns that "The Humboldt-Toiyabe National Forest announced in late November that it is considering opening part or all of the proposed Hoover Wilderness Addition near Sonora Pass to snowmobiles."
Why? Because the snowmobile gangs have already trespassed. In short, once the snowmobile gangs have laid down tracks and chased wildlife to their hearts content, the Forest Service is willing to let them stay. This seems almost tantamount to having a burglar enter your home, and because he's already there you would be required to feed and house him.
How did this happen? What does the Forest Service propose to do? What can conservationists do to stop this? Please Read below the fold.
First I read that radical Christianists are becoming even more embolden in their intolerance of those with divergent opinions. Now, according to the story on Yahoo men are supposed to emulate Braveheart, and other cinematic warriors to return to their 'protectorate roles.'
Excuse me, but have I missed something? Perhaps the last forty years? If this isn't one of the worst forms of "self help" advice I've ever read, it's certain well within the top ten.
My reasons below the fold:
The allies of polluters in the Bush Administration are seeking two "reforms" that are potentially harmful any of us who think we need clean water to drink and oxygen to breathe.
In the extended copy I've inserted information from this morning's e-mail about Bush plans to lower the standards for Clean Water, and plans to cut the public (and the scientific community) out of discussions concerning the use of our national forests.
There is also a link for further information and sample letters.
Hearing Republicans complain about "scandalous behavior" as in Pelosi's payment of a fine for campaign funds, or asking did Hillary Clinton's finance manager report properly, is getting tiresome. These allegations are microscopic in comparison to the record compiled by Darrell Issa in the 49th District in California.
One might think that after being tossed from the gubernatorial race, in tears, that the Congressman had changed his ways? Not so. Below the fold is a reminder from the Byron campaign of the Congressman's shady background, and information about his attempt to "help" Qualcomm in Iraq. My assumption is that the information from the Byron Campaign is not going to be on the Internet in summary form forever, and that the more places that contain this information the better.
Democrats and other progressives in the 49th perhaps need to start looking for solid, reputable, candidates for the 2006 election, because frankly, Mr. Issa's record is questionable at best. How questionable is recorded below in the extended copy.
The text in the extended copy is from an e-mail I received today from one of my senators concerning Social Security.
Note: Nowhere in the message does he use the term "privatization." The new buzzword is "Modernization." I expect we'll be hearing this new 'frame' from the right wing in the next round of Social Security debates.
There is also the "demographics" argument, in which he offers statistics with no sources or analysis.
His third, equally unsubstantiated, claim is that retirees will have more money because of private investment. The fact that all three of these arguments are faulty (if not downright lies) isn't stopping the GOP from sticking to its message.
One of the preferred GOP tactics in public discourse is to "Equate the Un-Equatable." For example: Should one Democratic Party support group register one ineligible voter, that is somehow equal to GOP attempts to suppress voting in an entire neighborhood. If one Democrat accepts more campaign funds than allowed, then this somehow excuses GOP manipulation of Texas campaign finance laws. There are, however, some things that don't add up so neatly. If the GOP is called upon to "put it's money where it's mouth is," then it becomes readily obvious that the money and the mouth do not inhabit the same body.
The Houston Chronicle has been keeping up with the Enron Case, even as the rest of the corporate media wallowed in the Michael Jackson and Scott Peterson sensationalism. 2005 could be an interesting year as the Bush Administration nominates Alberto Gonzales, who billed Enron for legal work as late as 1994, to be Attorney General. Below the fold are some snips from the Chronicle's coverage of the case, beginning with the note that Gonzales "may want to recuse himself from the Enron Prosecution."
If ever a case clearly demonstrates that the Republican Party is NOT the party of real moral values, this is it, and the 'train is about to reach the station in 2005.' Is it any wonder that the Bush administration is pounding it's controversial "reform" of Social Security at the moment? Or, creating other diversions?
