Lou Dobbs: Dreaming or Self-Aggrandizing?

[livendive 8]

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NEW YORK (CNN) -- Pakistan's President, Gen. Pervez Musharraf, has carried out another coup to preserve the status quo, and the result has been violence and civil unrest. But chaos is hardly limited to Pakistan.

Some 100,000 Turkish troops are massed on Iraq's northern border eager to attack Kurdish rebels. Iran continues to defy the West in its pursuit of nuclear weapons, while supporting Shiite insurgents in Iraq. More of our troops have been killed this year in Iraq than in any year since the war began, and the war has now lasted longer than World War II. It is no coincidence that as instability and violence spreads through the Islamic world, and particularly in the Middle East, the price of crude oil is nearing $100 a barrel.

The United States also faces critical geopolitical and economic challenges from Russia and China, while the U.S. dollar plummets in world currency markets and our credit markets are racked by a trillion-dollar subprime-mortgage crisis and nearly 2 million home foreclosures.

And, yes, we have a president and a Congress who are held in not only disregard but also contempt by the American people. Not only are the poll ratings of both President Bush and this Congress at or near historic lows, but the vast majority of Americans also believe our great nation is headed in the wrong direction.

As I say in my new book -- Independents Day: Awakening the American Spirit -- the arrogance of our political leaders now threatens the future of our nation, and their elitist sense of entitlement has reached such heights that our leaders are now openly dismissive of the will of the people. Working men and women and their families are simply not being represented in Washington.

One year from now, we will have elected a new president. As eager as I am for that reality, I can't imagine any one of the current candidates for their party's nomination being chosen by the American people to lead this nation for the next four years. I believe the person elected a year from now will be an Independent populist, a man or woman who understands the genius of this country lies in the hearts and minds of its people and not in the prerogatives and power of its elites.

As I travel around the country, my feeling about the lack of true candidates is validated by those I talk with: They are not excited about the candidates seeking their party's nomination. The Democratic and Republican Parties have become merely opposite wings of the same bird, and it's the American people who are getting the bird as our elected officials serve their corporate masters and the special interest groups that dominate both parties.

Has anything really changed since the Democrats took office after the 2006 midterm elections? Has this Congress passed any real legislation aimed at helping this nation's middle class versus corporate America and the wealthiest among us?

Take, for example, the Senate Democrats who for some reason can't decide whether to close the hedge fund tax loophole that allows executives at private equity firms and hedge funds to pay a tax rate of only 15 percent on most of their income. Closing the loophole would be the best way to reform the alternative minimum tax and provide relief for millions of middle-class families, but these Senate Democrats are being guided by the almighty forces of campaign contributions and lobbying dollars. These Senate Democrats, like their Republican colleagues, are serving a few wealthy folks at the expense of our working men and women.

The presidential candidates on both sides of the aisle are fighting for campaign contributions and selling themselves to corporate America in the process, and we all know the end result of such practices. Corporate America is funneling money into both political parties, hedging their bets in the hopes that no matter which candidate is eventually elected, all their political bases are covered. Donating the maximum $2,300 contribution to two candidates whose ideologies are of direct contradiction is now commonplace.

The day will come soon when we'll have the opportunity to choose new leaders who understand and respect our independence and right of self-determination. We the people still possess the power to chart the course of our own destiny. I don't know who will win the next election, but I doubt that independent Americans will choose any one of the announced candidates now running.

More Americans than ever before are now identifying themselves as independents, and I hope millions of Americans in the day and weeks ahead will drop their party affiliation and become independents, refusing to be taken for granted by these two political parties and refusing to be taken for fools by the candidates they're putting forward.

I believe that independent Americans will demand a far better choice than any of the candidates now seeking their party's nomination. I believe next November's surprise will be the election of a man or woman of great character, vision and accomplishment, a candidate who has not yet entered the race.

Blues,
Dave

"I AM A PROFESSIONAL EXTREME ATHLETE!"
(drink Mountain Dew)

[kallend 2,106]

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Take, for example, the Senate Democrats who for some reason can't decide whether to close the hedge fund tax loophole that allows executives at private equity firms and hedge funds to pay a tax rate of only 15 percent on most of their income.

Indeed. I'd like to hear the justification from our right wing friends of why some of these fund managers making up to $100Million a year pay tax at around half the rate I do.

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The only sure way to survive a canopy collision is not to have one.

[AWL71 0]

I think he is dreaming but I hope the dream comes true. I agree with the basis of the article. My main concern, other than the lack of good candidates, is the fact that many people are clueless or don't give a damn about the political process. They are more concerned with about Monday Night Football or who got voted off of Dancing with The Stars. That scares me.

The most terrifying words in the English language are: I'm from the government and I'm here to help.

[livendive 8]

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Take, for example, the Senate Democrats who for some reason can't decide whether to close the hedge fund tax loophole that allows executives at private equity firms and hedge funds to pay a tax rate of only 15 percent on most of their income.

Indeed. I'd like to hear the justification from our right wing friends of why some of these fund managers making up to $100Million a year pay tax at around half the rate I do.

Don't sweat it. It'll trickle down eventually.

Blues,
Dave

"I AM A PROFESSIONAL EXTREME ATHLETE!"
(drink Mountain Dew)

[rehmwa 2]

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I believe that independent Americans will demand a far better choice than any of the candidates now seeking their party's nomination. I believe next November's surprise will be the election of a man or woman of great character, vision and accomplishment, a candidate who has not yet entered the race.

I agree with the first sentence only. We'll 'demand' better, but get the same ol', same ol'

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Driving is a one dimensional activity - a monkey can do it - being proud of your driving abilities is like being proud of being able to put on pants

[joedirt 0]

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Indeed. I'd like to hear the justification from our right wing friends of why some of these fund managers making up to $100Million a year pay tax at around half the rate I do.

It's a government experiment in "social darwinism". Anyone MAY live off passive income, not everyone can. Once they figure out why people spend their lives as working schmucks, they'll genetically weed them out, by sending them to china to work in factories. JP Morgan's brain was put on ice and he's directing it all from behind the curtain.

[mnealtx 0]

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Take, for example, the Senate Democrats who for some reason can't decide whether to close the hedge fund tax loophole that allows executives at private equity firms and hedge funds to pay a tax rate of only 15 percent on most of their income.

Indeed. I'd like to hear the justification from our right wing friends of why some of these fund managers making up to $100Million a year pay tax at around half the rate I do.

Itemized deductions - brought to you by BOTH sides of the aisle, tyvm.

Mike
I love you, Shannon and Jim.
POPS 9708 , SCR 14706

[lawrocket 3]

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Take, for example, the Senate Democrats who for some reason can't decide whether to close the hedge fund tax loophole that allows executives at private equity firms and hedge funds to pay a tax rate of only 15 percent on most of their income.

Indeed. I'd like to hear the justification from our right wing friends of why some of these fund managers making up to $100Million a year pay tax at around half the rate I do.

Not everyone can buy into hedge funds. You gotta have a lot of money and power - basically, a senator or congressperson.

But I can also see a justification of "hedge fund manager pays 15 million in taxes." Which can also be said as, "Hedge fund manager feeds 150,000 more people than you."

Tell, me, kallend, why is it fair that you should only pay the tax rate of a hedge fund manager? Shouldn't you be doing more to help your fellow man?

My wife is hotter than your wife.

[NCclimber 0]

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I'd like to hear the justification from our right wing friends of why some of these fund managers making up to $100Million a year pay tax at around half the rate I do.

Cite?

[masterblaster72 0]

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More Americans than ever before are now identifying themselves as independents, and I hope millions of Americans in the day and weeks ahead will drop their party affiliation and become independents, refusing to be taken for granted by these two political parties and refusing to be taken for fools by the candidates they're putting forward.

I believe that independent Americans will demand a far better choice than any of the candidates now seeking their party's nomination. I believe next November's surprise will be the election of a man or woman of great character, vision and accomplishment, a candidate who has not yet entered the race.

Yup, I think he's dreaming. But I think it's good to dream, and I like his dream and share it.

Lou Dobbs is a great journalist that others in the business should emulate. I'm going to his book signing tonight at Borders in Columbus Circle in Manhattan, pretty psyched about it.

Be humble, ask questions, listen, learn, follow the golden rule, talk when necessary, and know when to shut the fuck up.