Interesting and very ironic that this program is being promoted at this time when the country is starting to see signs of something so similiar starting to happen this very day....Everyday the media is reporting another major bank failure. Rignt now the FDIC can bail these banks out, but how long will it be before some other entity is required to bail out the FDIC.
If our politicians and greedy corporations don't get their heads out of their underside we will be in another one soon........
NewBuffalo: Yes, it is all about the greedy corporations and politicians... and it has nothing to do with lack of personal accountability or financial responsibility. Blame the big, nameless entities instead of looking at our own spending or even who we elect into office.
The distribution of wealth in America is very similar to the days before the depression. Maybe we can change that by electing progressives willing to challege the right wing that has dominated politics for far too long. Then again todays paper has Satish Mohan whining that Amherst deserves more county sales tax revenue, at the expense of Buffalo, so maybe not.
BECKER....Get with it. you can elect millionaire #1 or #2 for president. what a choice, neither has interest in the common man only large corporations that line the campaign pocket book. Corporations close plants here due to the pressure put on the people in office to make these unfair trade deals with places like china. The government bailing out financial institutions comes from the taxpayer, that is you and me.
Has there been a time when the distribution of wealth was different than it is today? Was there a time in the history where all were equally wealthy? I would think that the depression was the closest we came to equality in wealth distribution and that was a time when we were all poor and suffering. Just a thought.
Heathersmiles, the Depression was NOT a time when the US came closest to equality in wealth distribution. It was actually the impetus for changes in economic policy that fostered the middle class. Roosevelt's WPA program alone put thousands to work, so they could begin to afford what was being produced. It can be argued that the period of the 1930s through 1980s was actually a bubble because it was a period in US history when economic policy encouraged the prospects for a middle class. Certainly, the American dream is a more distant reality for more people.
"I am not the champion of lost causes, but the champion of causes not yet won." - Norman Thomas
Well this pretty mucsums up the ultra-liberal mentality of the BRO readers. Norman Thomas, a man who that the ACLU was too conservative for his blood. I think a better quotation to cite would be: "The American people will never knowingly adopt socialism, but under the name of liberalism, they will adopt every fragment of the socialist program until one day America will be a socialist nation without ever knowing how it happened."
that sounds like the agenda of the hard left, too bad it is a failed proposition economically. This might just be the thing that drives us into a depression. Not corporate policies that keep people employed, but the blind devotion to reducing everything to the lowest common denominator in the name of social equality and justice.
wow Becker, did you get into the chili peppers again? I guess nobody likes a presidential history joke. its just like thanksgiving at my parents house all over again.
and your pronouncements are not quite accurate since basically all of Europe (and most of the world) has some sort of mixed socialist economy. and to some degree all of the world does - including the U.S.
Becker, I understood that al-alo was having a bit of fun. I do have to ask, though, which corporate policies are keeping people employed right now? It may be helpful to distribute this information to IndyMac, General Motors, Ford, Chrysler, Bear-Stearns, Steve & Barry's, Starbuck's, Wilson's Leather, Lillian Vernon, The Gap, etc.
I'd really like to see an exhibit more narrowly focused on Buffalo during the Depression. While these iconic images from the dust bowl region have been amply promulgated, Those from Buffalo would give us a deeper look into the things about this city that changed dramatically as well as those that hardly changed at all. The story of Buffalo during these times is well worth telling.
I wonder if during the Great Depression if corporate CEO'S got paid millions as people were laid off and companies went bankrupt....I think NOT...something is VERY WRONG today.....GREED......
Becker- "Failed proposition economically"? Are you refering to the last 8 years of right wing control? The "hard left" has never been in power but we can see the dramatic results of allowing the hard right agenda to dominate our nation.
The Great Depression WAS NOT caused by the top X% controlling most of the wealth. The working and middle classes were doing just fine in the 1920's. This is what caused it:
1) The virtual outlawing of immigration in the 1920's, during a time when the country needed it desperately. 2) Smoot Hawley Tariff in 1930 brought world trade to a halt. 3) Hoover and Congress raised top tax rates to 65%. 4) Federal Reserve raised interest rates when the economy was slowing.
Without 1, 2, 3, and 4, the Crash of 1929 would have been led to nothing more than a recession (by mid-1930 the market had gained back half its losses). Blame the stupid politicians then, and blame the stupid politicians now for causing the mortgage crisis and the energy crisis.
Rubygreta, I agree with your points regarding the causes of the depression, but wealth distribution at the time of the depression was imbalanced. The following is a section from Roosevelt's 1932 democratic nomination address:
'In the years before 1929 we know that this country had completed a vast cycle of building and inflation; for ten years we expanded on the theory of repairing the wastes of the War, but actually expanding far beyond that, and also beyond our natural and normal growth. Now it is worth remembering, and the cold figures of finance prove it, that during that time there was little or no drop in the prices that the consumer had to pay, although those same figures proved that the cost of production fell very greatly; corporate profit resulting from this period was enormous; at the same time little of that profit was devoted to the reduction of prices. The consumer was forgotten. Very little of it went into increased wages; the worker was forgotten, and by no means an adequate proportion was even paid out in dividends—the stockholder was forgotten.'
There has been an extraordinary concentration of wealth at the top end of the food chain in the US for the past thirty years. The economic distribution looks far more like Latin America today than it did in 1980.
Long before the Depression there was serious unrest regarding income distribution. McKinley was assassinated in Buffalo by an Anarchist, which at the time was a movement to break the wealthiest classes' stranglehold on society's distribution of wealth. Teddy Roosevelt was very liberal for his day, breaking up trusts, taxing the rich, passing worker protections, fighting the cozy relationship industrial giants enjoyed with his predecessor.
Technically speaking, fire and police and military protection are examples of socialism that most of us are fine with (we all pay to supply these services for the common good). Our payment for most roads, schools, courts, et al are examples of socialism. Anti slavery laws, child labor protection laws, work place safety laws are all aspects of socialist interference with unfettered free markets. Most of us would be appalled by a world without any socialist policies protecting the common good.
Americans like to think of things in terms of black and white. Keep it real simple. Socialism: bad. Free Market: good. Real simple goes down easy for those troubled by the effort of thinking. Problem is, simple thinking begets simpletons. And failure. See: current occupants, executive branch.
Good point Biniszkiewicz, Its about balance and fairness, something we have not seen for some time. Few would advocate for a strict socialist state but we need to protect citizens from the excess of capitalism. Greed is a powerful force and unfettered "free" markets have a record of inflicting great pain on the majority for the profit of a few.
Bill Gates is worth 50 billion dollars. If Bill Gates did not exist would the poor be better off? Of course not.
Socialist brainwashing in the schools has taken its toll on too many posters here.
Bill Gates' father and Warren Buffet have said repeatedly that the tax rate on the ultra-rich is too low. Have they been brainwashed?
Socialist brainwashing? which school has that program? Sorry rubygreta but the schools tend to be on the conservative side, evolution and birth control are even watered down to placate the vocal right wing minority.
Democrats and Republicans can be faulted for the current state of the economy. Neither of the presidential candidates wants to admit that the US is facing an era of health care rationing, reduced Social Security benefits, and higher taxes on the wealthy. The Concord Coalition has been discussing these issues since the early 1990s and, based on information from the GAO itself, they forecast a very challenging future.
We can debate and pontificate for hours on end over who or what caused the "Great Depression", but the fact of the matter is that the "Middle Classes" are swiftly being eliminated in this country, there is no doubt about it....There are some very interesting documentaries online that explain in great detail why this is happening...http://video.google.com/videoplay?docid=70668650671711857&q=&hl=en
PaulBuffalo- I agree, Democrats and Republicans can both be faulted for the current state of the economy, but don't be polite, Republicans deserve to take credit for the past 8 years of peace and prosperity.
Buffet is the biggest fraud going. If he thinks he has been undertaxed all these years, why doesn't he write a check out tomorrow to the US Treasuary for 10 billion dollars. He'll still have 40 billion to play with
NO ONE IN BUFFALO HAS TO REMEMBER THE DEPRESSION BECAUSE THE DEPRESSION NEVER LEFT BUFFALO....
50% OF THE PEOPLE LEFT 50% OF THE HOUSING IS DEMOLISHED AND REMAINS UNBUILT 50% OF THE CITY IS DEMOLISHED AND REMAINS UNBUILT 75% OF THE INDUSTRY & BUSINESS IS DEMOLISHED AND REMAINS UNBUILT
THE DEPRESSION NEVER LEFT....THE ONLY DIFFERENCE IS THAT THE REST OF THE NATION HAS DESCENDED TO THE LEVEL OF BUFFALO INSTEAD OF BUFFALO RISING OUT OF DEPRESSION
Rubygreta, you raised some interesting initial points regarding the depression, so why are you sidetracking into a rant about socialism? I agree that politicians should accept some of the blame regarding the mortgage crisis. However, I reside near Countrywide's massive corporate headquarters and their downfall was simply because they got greedy and extended mortgages to folks who would never qualify for them. Their bank, Indymac, is now being investigated for fraud. It's another case of greed. Although many folks on Wall Street complain about the Sarbanes-Oxley legislation -- a measure that requires honest financial reporting under penalty of arrest -- it has actually helped to limit the difficulties that are occurring presently.
I agree with Biniszkiewicz' statements above. We don't live in an black/white world. The US is a blend of so many viewpoints and philosophies. The many challenges that confront our country must reach beyond mere political rhetoric and any one doctrine.
Anyone catch that special on PBS the other day, about how Communist Russia collapsed because it went through both rapid and radical Economic & Political changes, but 10 years prior (1979) China did the same thing only it didn't want to give up having all the power over the people? (Not sure what it was called, it was on late on Tuesday) It's quite interesting that all our stuff is made over there now, along with most of our jobs and the fact that China has a growing capitalistic/consumeristic population. Basically the special was straight to the point, giving you the REAL HISTORY of why we are in this predicament. It's not all about oil people. It is about cocky politicians, greedy banks (and wealthy/greedy persons who own the banks) and that we think we're the greatest got damn country in the god damn world. I wouldn't be surprised to see the wealthiest persons in the world swoop in and buy up whatever smaller time banks that are left in this country, just like how they did back during the depression. P.S. It's interesting to see people who lived through the Great Depression, my grandpa did, he's still alive and kicking and I've never seen that man waist an ounce of food.
"blackrocklifer - The "hard left" has never been in power"....and for good reason, Americans enjoy prosperity, capitalism, and keeping all that they earn.
I'm new to the political scheme so here are my questions. Are California and New York considered Left states? Highest taxes in the country, medicaid, all the programs for the extremely low to low income and the ideas on immigration? Recently trying to give illegals a license. California debating putting drinking fountains in the desert for the illegals running over? California its illegal to ask for identification to see if someone is a border jumper or an actual citizen? These are simple questions that I have wondered? Maybe someone can tell me where I fall on this scale. I believe people have lost the mentality of working hard for the things you need. People look to much to the government for help. (example SSI, and welfare, medicaid) I believe that people should get some help from the government but not to the extreme it is in New York where everyone is buddy buddy and should be helped out. I feel that some of these programs are what is hurting are government. If we didn't have to spend the money on some of these programs I feel that the government would have more money for education and the important things. Also the people who make a career out of medicaid and welfare would realize that they wont be able to have a kid every 3 yrs to keep the benefits and will actually have to work. Please don't hate me or give me all 1 star ratings, I am just wondering where I fall and I read some of the posts by some of you and you seem well informed on politics. Thank you.
Jolopy, I agree that you should look up Ron Paul, too. I think he was the most enlightened Republican candidate. However, the Republican establishment wanted nothing to do with Ron Paul because he advocated removal of overseas US military bases. Republicans will gladly cut social programs, but they balk at cutting defense. If social programs are to be cut, I see no reason why defense spending should not also be cut accordingly.
I appreciate your sincerity, Jalopy, as you're thinking about these issues. As I mentioned previously, I would recommend the Concord Coalition, a respected bipartisan group that has been reporting on the US deficit and the national debt since the early 1990s.
TonyArmani, you actually keep all that you earn? Would you be interested in sharing how you achieve your tax-free lifestyle with BRO readers and the IRS?
TonyArmani- Some Americans "enjoy prosperity" but many WORKING AMERICANS struggle to pay the bills. This country made great progress in building a strong middle class by SHARING the wealth and closing the gap between rich and poor. Ronald Reagan began the attack on working people and George Bush has pretty much completed the job. The Democrats (and Bill Clinton) didn't try very hard to stop this so maybe its time to give the left a try.
brl - next time you drive through the east side seeing people "sharing" your money smoking crack and playing dice, or drive down the highway watching the union working crew laugh on a half hour coffee break, you can think back to the great sharing idea...
1. Yes, sharing is bad.
2. Anybody who thinks that any aspect of our government reflects the "hard left" is delusional. The most prominent person who might possibly be considered "hard left" is probably Ralph Nader. He's a good activist, and if you've survived a serious car crash, you may owe him your life, but he's not very influential in the grand scheme.
tonyarmani- I was refering to WORKING PEOPLE getting their fair share, but when I drive down that highway I do think of how my tax dollars are wasted subsidizing the 990 so the more affluent can get home to East Amherst.
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