Death of a Democracy

[pm1469]

Scary Obituary

In 1887 Alexander Tyler, a Scottish history professor at the
University of Edinburgh, had this to say about the fall of the
Athenian Republic some 2,000 years prior: "A democracy is always
temporary in nature; it simply cannot exist as a permanent
form of government. A democracy will continue to exist up until
the time that voters discover that they can vote themselves generous
gifts from the public treasury. From that moment on, the majority
always votes for the candidates who promise the most benefits from
the public treasury, with the result that every democracy will finally
collapse over loose fiscal policy, (which is) always followed by a
dictatorship."

"The average age of the world's greatest civilizations from the
beginning of history, has been about 200 years. During those 200
years, these nations always progressed through the following sequence:

>From bondage to spiritual faith;
>From spiritual faith to great courage;
>From courage to liberty;
>From liberty to abundance;
>From abundance to complacency;
>From complacency to apathy;
>From apathy to dependence;
>From dependence back into bondage."
The Obituary follows:

Born 1776, Died 2012
It doesn't hurt to read this several times.
Professor Joseph Olson of Hamline University School of Law in
St. Paul, Minnesota, points out some interesting facts concerning
the last Presidential election:

Number of States won by: Obama: 19 McCain: 29
Square miles of land won by: Obama: 580,000 McCain: 2,427,000
Population of counties won by: Obama: 127 million McCain: 143 million
Murder rate per 100,000 residents in counties won by: Obama: 13.2 McCain: 2.1

Professor Olson adds: "In aggregate, the map of the territory
McCain won was mostly the land owned by the taxpaying citizens
of the country.

Obama territory mostly encompassed those citizens living in low
income tenements and living off various forms of government
welfare..."

Olson believes the United States is now somewhere between the
"complacency and apathy" phase of Professor Tyler's definition of
democracy, with some forty percent of the nation's population
already having reached the "governmental endency"

[Gizmo]

C'mon pm1469- that's a simplistic use of B.S. numbers, and both sides can play that game. Who gives a rats' arse how many square miles of territory McCain won? One of his big states was Alaska, which is 10x the size of most of the states in the Lower 48, and is very sparsely populated. What is that supposed to prove? Democracy isn't calibrated that way. To counter with "facts" of my own, the Republican red states are far and away the biggest recipients of welfare programs, and I could go on and on with stuff like that. Please stop already with this kind of superficial analysis, it doesn't address the root problem-- we're getting an equal opportunity screwing from both major parties, and the sooner we wake up to that, the better.

[Skulbone]

Some could argue that some of the largest welfare recipients are the "McCain" states with their oil, gas, coal and farmer subsidies. Welfare comes in all shapes and sizes and just changing the name doesn't make it any less of a handout.

[IkeFromNj]

We are not a Democracy Gizmo, we are a Republic.
Ike

[TPatcher'sSon]

Scary Obituary

In 1887 Alexander Tyler, a Scottish history professor at the
University of Edinburgh, had this to say about the fall of the
Athenian Republic some 2,000 years prior: "A democracy is always
temporary in nature; it simply cannot exist as a permanent
form of government. A democracy will continue to exist up until
the time that voters discover that they can vote themselves generous
gifts from the public treasury. From that moment on, the majority
always votes for the candidates who promise the most benefits from
the public treasury, with the result that every democracy will finally
collapse over loose fiscal policy, (which is) always followed by a
dictatorship."

"The average age of the world's greatest civilizations from the
beginning of history, has been about 200 years. During those 200
years, these nations always progressed through the following sequence:

>From bondage to spiritual faith;
>From spiritual faith to great courage;
>From courage to liberty;
>From liberty to abundance;
>From abundance to complacency;
>From complacency to apathy;
>From apathy to dependence;
>From dependence back into bondage."
The Obituary follows:

Born 1776, Died 2012
It doesn't hurt to read this several times.
Professor Joseph Olson of Hamline University School of Law in
St. Paul, Minnesota, points out some interesting facts concerning
the last Presidential election:

Number of States won by: Obama: 19 McCain: 29
Square miles of land won by: Obama: 580,000 McCain: 2,427,000
Population of counties won by: Obama: 127 million McCain: 143 million
Murder rate per 100,000 residents in counties won by: Obama: 13.2 McCain: 2.1

Professor Olson adds: "In aggregate, the map of the territory
McCain won was mostly the land owned by the taxpaying citizens
of the country.

Obama territory mostly encompassed those citizens living in low
income tenements and living off various forms of government
welfare..."

Olson believes the United States is now somewhere between the
"complacency and apathy" phase of Professor Tyler's definition of
democracy, with some forty percent of the nation's population
already having reached the "governmental endency"

PM

Great post. I was thinking simular thoughts when I heard a radio commercial that gloried and encouraged the use of food stamps as be cool. And the fact that 47% of the working population does not pay any income taxes is showing the truth to the position that we are headed for a dependency nation. As was said once the majority of the voters in a country figures out that they can vote themselves benefits, it is over for that country.

[Vzveteran]

PM

Great post. I was thinking simular thoughts when I heard a radio commercial that gloried and encouraged the use of food stamps as be cool. And the fact that 47% of the working population does not pay any income taxes is showing the truth to the position that we are headed for a dependency nation. As was said once the majority of the voters in a country figures out that they can vote themselves benefits, it is over for that country.

My Dad, WWII veteran, and imo a member of the Greatest generation of this Country, was the youngest of 13 kids. His parents never took a dime from anyone. Grandparents, Immigrants all, Ellis Island late 1800's. No welfare, nor any entitlements. My Dad had to leave school after graduating 8th grade, to go to work and help the family get by. Worked hard and sacrifices were made, so that his Children had a shot at the American dream. What ever happened to working hard and sacrificing for a better way of life? I was a field technician for many years and have seen it all. Welfare clients, babies in cribs covered with roaches, living in utter filth, but a 50in Tv and playstation with cable access, nice car in the driveway, and a hand out reaching for more. It all goes to pride and respect for one's self, not the color of one's skin, nor the environment one lives in.

[TPatcher'sSon]

Vz

God bless the greatest generation, and your Dad for his service to this nation. The country is in need of change of direction. It is not at all clear what we will become as a nation in the furture. It all depends on what each individual does to make a difference, and to change the direction away from dependency.

[Vzveteran]

Entitlements were meant to be a safety net, which I wholeheartedly agree with. Not a means of making a living. It's supposed to be subsistence level, and a support system until you get on your feet and get a job. Just like jail, it's not meant to be so comfortable, that you don't strive for a better way of life. Obama took out the job support program in welfare anyway. He also mandated, by fiot, the dream act, and will not enforce current immigration laws.

[Joseph Exline]

We are just one huge bird feeder for the world.Anyone who thinks we're not just isn't either paying attention or paying taxes.OR BOTH!



The problems we face today are there because the people who work for a living are outnumbered by those who vote for a living

This was written by a 21 yr. Old female who gets it. It's her future
she is worried about and this is how she feels about the social welfare big government state that she’s being forced to live in!

These Solutions are just common sense in her opinion.


This was in the Waco Tribune Herald; Waco, TX Nov 18, 2010

Put me in charge of food stamps. I'd get rid of Lone Star cards; no
Cash for Ding Dongs or Ho Ho's, just money for 50-pound bags of rice and beans, blocks of cheese and all the powdered milk you can haul away. If you want steak and frozen pizza, then get a job.

Put me in charge of Medicaid. The first thing I'd do is to get women Norplant birth control implants or tubal ligations. Then, we'll test recipients for drugs, alcohol, and nicotine and document all tattoos and piercings. If you want to reproduce or use drugs, alcohol, smoke or get tats and piercings, then get a job.

Put me in charge of government housing. Ever live in a military
Barracks?

You will maintain our property in a clean and good state of repair.
Your "home" will be subject to inspections anytime and possessions will be inventoried. If you want a plasma TV or Xbox 360, then get a Job and your own place.

In addition, you will either present a check stub from a job each week or you will report to a "government" job. It may be cleaning the roadways of trash, painting and repairing public housing, whatever we find for you. We will sell your 22 inch rims and low profile tires and your blasting stereo and speakers and put that money toward the good.

Before you write that I've violated someone's rights, realize that all of the above is voluntary. If you want our money, accept our rules...
Before you say that this would be "demeaning" and ruin their
"self-esteem," consider that it wasn't that long ago that taking someone else's money for doing absolutely nothing was demeaning and lowered self-esteem.

If we are expected to pay for other people's mistakes we should at
least attempt to make them learn from their bad choices. The current system rewards them for continuing to make bad choices.

AND while you are on Government subsistence, you no longer can VOTE! Yes that is correct. For you to vote would be a conflict of interest. You will voluntarily remove yourself from voting while you are receiving a Government welfare check. If you want to vote, then get a job.

Now, if you have the guts - PASS IT ON...


Donations and who to spend your money with

Political DONATIONS
This gives us something to think about and who to do business with!....


Shopping

Price Club/Costco donated $225K, 99% went to Democrats

Rite Aid donated $517K, 60% went to Democrats

Magla Products (Stanley tools, Mr. Clean) donated $22K, 100% went to Democrats

Warnaco (undergarments) donated $55K, 73% went to Democrats

Martha Stewart Living Omnimedia donated $153K, 99% went to Democrats

Estee Lauder donated $448K, 95% went to Democrats

Guess, Inc. donated $145K, 98% went to Democrats

Calvin Klein donated $78K, 100% went to Democrats

Liz Claiborne, Inc. donated $34K, 97% went to Democrats

Levi Straus donated $26K, 97% went to Democrats

Olan Mills donated $175K, 99% went to Democrats

Wal-Mart donated $467K, 97% went to Republicans

K-Mart donated $524K, 86% went to Republicans

Home Depot donated $298K, 89% went to Republicans

Target donated $226K, 70% went to Republicans

Circuit City Stores donated $261K, 95% went to Republicans

3M Co. donated $281K, 87% went to Republicans

Hallmark Cards donated $319K, 92% went to Republicans

Amway donated $391K, 100% Republicans

Kohler Co. (plumbing fixtures) donated $283K, 100% Republicans

B.F. Goodrich (tires) donated $215K, 97% went to Republicans

Proctor & Gamble donated $243K, 79% went to Republicans


Spirits

Southern Wine & Spirits donated $213K, 73% went to Democrats

Joseph E. Seagram’s & Sons (incl. beverage business + considerable media interests) donated $2M+, 67% went to Democrats

Gallo Winery donated $337K, 95% went to Democrats

Coors & Budweiser donated $174K, 92% went to Republicans

Brown-Forman Corp. (Southern Comfort, Jack Daniels, Bushmills, Korbel wines - as well as Lenox China, Dansk, Gorham Silver)donated $644 K -- 80% went to Republicans


Hungry?

Sonic Corporation donated $83K, 98% went to Democrats

Triarc Companies (Arby's, T.J. Cinnamon's, Pasta Connections)donated $112K, 96% went to Democrats

Pilgrim's Pride Corp. (chicken) donated $366K, 100% went to Republicans

Outback Steakhouse donated $641K, 95% went to Republicans

Tricon Global Restaurants (KFC, Pizza Hut, Taco Bell) donated $133K, 87% went to Republicans

Brinker International (Maggiano's, Brinker Cafe, Chili's, On the Border, Macaroni Grill, Crazymel's, Corner Baker, EatZis) donated $242K, 83% went to Republicans

Waffle House donated $279K, 100% went to Republicans

McDonald's Corp. donated $197K, 86% went to Republicans

Darden Restaurants (Red Lobster, Olive Garden, Smokey Bones, Bahama Breeze) donated $121K, 89% went to Republicans

Heinz Republicans $64,000 Democrats $21,300 !!!!! John Kerry's wife's company!!!

Traveling and/or dining

Hyatt Corporation donated $187K of which 80% went to Democrats

Marriott International $323K, 81% went to Republicans

Holiday Inns donated $38K, 71% went to Republicans









The percentage of each past president's cabinet who had worked in the private business sector prior to their appointment to the cabinet. You know what the private business sector is ... a real-life business, not a government job. Here are the percentages.



T. Roosevelt...........38%

Taft.........................40%

Wilson ....................52%

Harding....................49%

Coolidge..................48%

Hoover ...................42%

F. Roosevelt............50%

Truman....................50%

Eisenhower..............57%

Kennedy...................30%

Johnson....................47%

Nixon........................53%

Ford..........................42%

Carter.......................32%

Reagan.....................56%

GH Bush...................51%

Clinton ..................39%

GW Bush...................55%



And the winner is:



Obama............... 8%

[Vzveteran]

$1.5 billion per year, to the new Government of Egypt, the Muslim Brotherhood! Money that will no doubt be funneled to Al-Qaeda and every other rat with an AK 47, to kill our people.

[TPatcher'sSon]

Most of the things the President has done by executive order has been against the previous history of the nation. For example, the changes to the welfare work requirement is that the executive branch has nulified the majority passed congressional law which was signed by Bill Clinton. This with the other moves have bolstered the opinion that he does want a dependency nation, and is ignoring the Constitution with his zeal to change things by using executive order. Govenrment power is used to make a permanent underclass for the purposes of a voter base which illuminates the first post on this thread by PM.

[Vzveteran]

"We can't wait" and, "So where Congress won’t act, I will.” President Obama Oct 29, 2011

Rammed his agenda down the people's throat by any means necessary, because "it's the right thing to do" another Presidential quote.

On Carbon dioxide: So you won't pass cap and trade? Well I'll just make it a hazardous Gas, and thereby controlled by the EPA. Obama: "We'll bankrupt any new coal plants" I could go on and on!

[dave10]

We are just one huge bird feeder for the world.Anyone who thinks we're not just isn't either paying attention or paying taxes.OR BOTH!



The problems we face today are there because the people who work for a living are outnumbered by those who vote for a living

This was written by a 21 yr. Old female who gets it. It's her future
she is worried about and this is how she feels about the social welfare big government state that she’s being forced to live in!

These Solutions are just common sense in her opinion.


This was in the Waco Tribune Herald; Waco, TX Nov 18, 2010

Put me in charge of food stamps. I'd get rid of Lone Star cards; no
Cash for Ding Dongs or Ho Ho's, just money for 50-pound bags of rice and beans, blocks of cheese and all the powdered milk you can haul away. If you want steak and frozen pizza, then get a job.

Put me in charge of Medicaid. The first thing I'd do is to get women Norplant birth control implants or tubal ligations. Then, we'll test recipients for drugs, alcohol, and nicotine and document all tattoos and piercings. If you want to reproduce or use drugs, alcohol, smoke or get tats and piercings, then get a job.

Put me in charge of government housing. Ever live in a military
Barracks?

You will maintain our property in a clean and good state of repair.
Your "home" will be subject to inspections anytime and possessions will be inventoried. If you want a plasma TV or Xbox 360, then get a Job and your own place.

In addition, you will either present a check stub from a job each week or you will report to a "government" job. It may be cleaning the roadways of trash, painting and repairing public housing, whatever we find for you. We will sell your 22 inch rims and low profile tires and your blasting stereo and speakers and put that money toward the good.

Before you write that I've violated someone's rights, realize that all of the above is voluntary. If you want our money, accept our rules...
Before you say that this would be "demeaning" and ruin their
"self-esteem," consider that it wasn't that long ago that taking someone else's money for doing absolutely nothing was demeaning and lowered self-esteem.

If we are expected to pay for other people's mistakes we should at
least attempt to make them learn from their bad choices. The current system rewards them for continuing to make bad choices.

AND while you are on Government subsistence, you no longer can VOTE! Yes that is correct. For you to vote would be a conflict of interest. You will voluntarily remove yourself from voting while you are receiving a Government welfare check. If you want to vote, then get a job.

Now, if you have the guts - PASS IT ON...


Donations and who to spend your money with

Political DONATIONS
This gives us something to think about and who to do business with!....


Shopping

Price Club/Costco donated $225K, 99% went to Democrats

Rite Aid donated $517K, 60% went to Democrats

Magla Products (Stanley tools, Mr. Clean) donated $22K, 100% went to Democrats

Warnaco (undergarments) donated $55K, 73% went to Democrats

Martha Stewart Living Omnimedia donated $153K, 99% went to Democrats

Estee Lauder donated $448K, 95% went to Democrats

Guess, Inc. donated $145K, 98% went to Democrats

Calvin Klein donated $78K, 100% went to Democrats

Liz Claiborne, Inc. donated $34K, 97% went to Democrats

Levi Straus donated $26K, 97% went to Democrats

Olan Mills donated $175K, 99% went to Democrats

Wal-Mart donated $467K, 97% went to Republicans

K-Mart donated $524K, 86% went to Republicans

Home Depot donated $298K, 89% went to Republicans

Target donated $226K, 70% went to Republicans

Circuit City Stores donated $261K, 95% went to Republicans

3M Co. donated $281K, 87% went to Republicans

Hallmark Cards donated $319K, 92% went to Republicans

Amway donated $391K, 100% Republicans

Kohler Co. (plumbing fixtures) donated $283K, 100% Republicans

B.F. Goodrich (tires) donated $215K, 97% went to Republicans

Proctor & Gamble donated $243K, 79% went to Republicans


Spirits

Southern Wine & Spirits donated $213K, 73% went to Democrats

Joseph E. Seagram’s & Sons (incl. beverage business + considerable media interests) donated $2M+, 67% went to Democrats

Gallo Winery donated $337K, 95% went to Democrats

Coors & Budweiser donated $174K, 92% went to Republicans

Brown-Forman Corp. (Southern Comfort, Jack Daniels, Bushmills, Korbel wines - as well as Lenox China, Dansk, Gorham Silver)donated $644 K -- 80% went to Republicans


Hungry?

Sonic Corporation donated $83K, 98% went to Democrats

Triarc Companies (Arby's, T.J. Cinnamon's, Pasta Connections)donated $112K, 96% went to Democrats

Pilgrim's Pride Corp. (chicken) donated $366K, 100% went to Republicans

Outback Steakhouse donated $641K, 95% went to Republicans

Tricon Global Restaurants (KFC, Pizza Hut, Taco Bell) donated $133K, 87% went to Republicans

Brinker International (Maggiano's, Brinker Cafe, Chili's, On the Border, Macaroni Grill, Crazymel's, Corner Baker, EatZis) donated $242K, 83% went to Republicans

Waffle House donated $279K, 100% went to Republicans

McDonald's Corp. donated $197K, 86% went to Republicans

Darden Restaurants (Red Lobster, Olive Garden, Smokey Bones, Bahama Breeze) donated $121K, 89% went to Republicans

Heinz Republicans $64,000 Democrats $21,300 !!!!! John Kerry's wife's company!!!

Traveling and/or dining

Hyatt Corporation donated $187K of which 80% went to Democrats

Marriott International $323K, 81% went to Republicans

Holiday Inns donated $38K, 71% went to Republicans









The percentage of each past president's cabinet who had worked in the private business sector prior to their appointment to the cabinet. You know what the private business sector is ... a real-life business, not a government job. Here are the percentages.



T. Roosevelt...........38%

Taft.........................40%

Wilson ....................52%

Harding....................49%

Coolidge..................48%

Hoover ...................42%

F. Roosevelt............50%

Truman....................50%

Eisenhower..............57%

Kennedy...................30%

Johnson....................47%

Nixon........................53%

Ford..........................42%

Carter.......................32%

Reagan.....................56%

GH Bush...................51%

Clinton ..................39%

GW Bush...................55%



And the winner is:



Obama............... 8%

Lets run this young lady for president....

[Vzveteran]

We need the Keystone pipeline and tens of thousands of new jobs:


CNOOC to Buy Canadian Oil Company in US$15 Billion Deal | China Briefing News

Canadian oil has a new partner now, China. We need to get that pipeline built to Texas, and not to Vancouver, where it will be shipped to China to be sold back to us.

[Joseph Exline]

Another day in the life.


John G. is 63 years old and owns a small business. He's a life-long Republican and sees his dream of retiring next year has all but evaporated. With the stock market crashing and new taxes coming his way, John assumes now that he will work to his dying day.


John has a granddaughter. Ashley is a recent college grad. She drives a flashy hybrid car, wears all the latest fashions, and loves to go out to nightclubs and restaurants. Ashley campaigned hard for Barrack Obama. After the election she made sure her grandfather (and all other Republican family members) received a big I told-you-so earful on how the world is going to be a much better place now that her party is taking over.


Having lost both roommates, Ashley recently ran short of cash and cannot pay the rent (again) on her 3 bedroom townhouse... Like she has done many times in the past, she e-mailed her grandfather asking for some financial help.


Here is his reply:

Sweetheart, I received your request for assistance. Ashley, you know I love you dearly and I'm sympathetic to your financial plight. Unfortunately, times have changed. With the election of President Obama, your grandmother and I have had to set forth a bold new economic plan of our own...."The Ashley Economic Empowerment Plan." Let me explain.

Your grandmother and I are life-long, wage-earning tax payers. We have lived a comfortable life, as you know, but we have never had the fancier things like European vacations, luxury cars, etc... We have worked hard and were looking forward to retiring soon. But the plan has changed. Your president is raising our personal and business taxes significantly. He says it is so he can give our hard earned money to other people... Do you know what this means, Ashley? It means less for us, and we must cut back on many business and personal expenses.

You know the wonderful receptionist who worked in my office for more than 23 years? The one who always gave you candy when you came over to visit? I had to let her go last week. I can't afford to pay her salary and all of the government mandated taxes that go with having employees.... Your grandmother will now work 4 days a week to answer phones, take orders and handle the books. We will be closed on Fridays and will lose even more income.

I'm also very sorry to report that your cousin Frank will no longer be working summers in the warehouse. I called him at school this morning. He already knows about it and he's upset because he will have to give up skydiving and his yearly trip to Greenland to survey the polar bears.

That's just the business side of things. Some personal economic effects of Obama's new taxation policies include none other than you.You know very well that over the years your grandmother and I have given you thousands of dollars in cash, tuition assistance, food, housing, clothing, gifts, etc., etc. But by your vote, you have chosen to help others -- not at your expense -- but at our expense.

If you need money now sweetheart, I recommend you call 202-456-1111.

That is the direct phone number for the White House..

You can also contact the White House here:http://www.whitehouse.gov/CONTACT/%C2%A0;...


You yourself told me how foolish it is to vote Republican... You said Mr. Obama is going to be the 'People's President', and is going to help every American live a better life. Based on everything you've told me, along with all the promises we heard during the campaign, I'm sure Mr. Obama will be happy to transfer some stimulus money into your bank account. Have him call me for the account number which I memorized years ago.

Perhaps you can now understand what I've been saying all my life: Those who vote for a president should consider the impact on the nation as a whole, and not be just concerned with what they can get for themselves. What Obama supporters don't seem to realize is all of the money he is redistributing to illegal aliens and non-taxpaying Americans (the so-called "less fortunate") comes from tax-paying families.

Remember how you told me, "Only the richest of the rich will be affected"? Well guess what, honey? Because we own a business, your grandmother and I are now considered to be the richest of the rich. On paper, it might look that way, but in the real world, we are far from it..

As you said while campaigning for Obama, some people will have to carry more of the burden so all of America can prosper... You understand what that means, right? It means that raising taxes on productive people results in them having less money; less money for everything, including granddaughters.

I'm sorry, Ashley, but the well has run dry. The free lunches are over... I have no money to give you now. So, congratulations on your choice for "change." For future reference, I encourage you to try and add up the total value of the gifts and cash you have received from us, just since you went off to college, and compare it to what you expect to get from Mr. Obama over the next 4 (or 8) years. I have not kept track of it, Ashley. It has all truly been the gift of our hearts.

Remember, we love you dearly... but from now on you'll need to call the number mentioned above. Your "Savior" has the money we would have given to you. Just try and get it from him.

Good luck, sweetheart.

Love, Grandpa

[Gizmo]

The Keystone Pipeline is designed to be hooked up the Canadian tar sands. Enclosed is a photo of what that operation looks like. Another corporate rape job that will put even more $$ in the pocket of the 1%, and we the people will be left with the consequences.

http://goodcanadiankid.com/wp-conten...uction_Web.jpg

[Joseph Exline]

The Keystone Pipeline is designed to be hooked up the Canadian tar sands. Enclosed is a photo of what that operation looks like. Another corporate rape job that will put even more $$ in the pocket of the 1%, and we the people will be left with the consequences.

http://goodcanadiankid.com/wp-conten...uction_Web.jpg

I'll trust the Canadian Government to regulate the environmental concerns in Canada.However ,in the states we already have more than ample regulation of pipelines and pipeline construction,which would be what goes on with this project here.Creating jobs is key.And that's what the keystone pipeline would be doing.Not just the construction aspect,but all the resources ,materials,disposal,transport,equipment,training ,education ,clothing,ppe,safety,safety monitoring and inspection,and so on and so forth.
Not withstanding we would have to rely less on foreign,middle east oil.

[Joseph Exline]

The Keystone Pipeline is designed to be hooked up the Canadian tar sands. Enclosed is a photo of what that operation looks like. Another corporate rape job that will put even more $$ in the pocket of the 1%, and we the people will be left with the consequences.

http://goodcanadiankid.com/wp-conten...uction_Web.jpg

5. Pipelines Are Safest for Fuel Transport
The Obama administration has delayed approval of the Keystone XL pipeline bringing oil from Canada to the United States largely due to concerns over the safety and reliability of fuel pipelines.
But those concerns overlook the basic fact that oil and natural gas pipelines are far safer than other means of transport, including rail and road, according to a report from Diana Furchtgott-Roth, Senior Fellow at the Manhattan Institute.
“A review of safety and accident statistics provided by the U.S. Department of Transportation for the extensive network of existing U.S. pipelines — including many linked to Canada — clearly show that, in addition to enjoying a substantial cost advantage, pipelines result in fewer fatalities, injuries, and environmental damage than road and rail,” she observes.
“Americans are more likely to get struck by lightning than to be killed in a pipeline accident.”
America has 175,000 miles of onshore and offshore oil pipelines, and 321,000 miles of natural gas transmission and gathering pipelines. Gathering pipelines bring raw natural gas from the wellhead to the gas processing plant.
In addition, there are more than 2 million miles of natural gas distribution pipelines sending gas to businesses and consumers.
About 71 percent of crude oil and petroleum products are shipped by pipeline — 882 billion ton-miles in one recent year, according to the DOT. Tanker and barge traffic accounts for 22 percent, road accounts for 4 percent, and rail accounts for 3 percent.
“If safety and environmental damages in the transportation of oil and gas were proportionate to the volume of shipments, one would expect the vast majority of damages to occur on pipelines,” Furchtgott-Roth notes. “This paper finds the exact opposite. The majority of incidents occur on road and rail.”
Over a recent four-year period, rail had the highest rate of environmental incidents, 651 per billion ton-miles per year. Incidents include not only explosions or fires but also the release of five gallons or more of a hazardous liquid.
Road had 20 reported incidents per billion ton-miles per year, while natural gas pipelines had only 0.89 incidents per billion ton-miles per year and oil pipelines had just 0.61.
Pipelines were also responsible for far few fatalities and injuries — 2.4 fatalities and four injuries per year for oil lines, and one fatality and 6.2 injuries for gas lines. Road transport of oil and gas averaged 10.2 fatalities and 21.8 injuries per year, and rail averaged 2.4 deaths and 25.6 injuries.
“As America continues to ramp up production of oil and natural gas, our pipeline infrastructure becomes more important,” Furchtgott-Roth concludes. “America needs more pipelines — the safest way to move fuel.”

[ACTLongtime]

It's tough to find a job out there these days even for a well educated individual. Imagine those with little or lower level skills or education. It must be frustrating to work for minimum wage and notice that you still just cant make it. I think the entire system is broken and many at the bottom will be paying the price for ending up in that position. It's easy for people with good long time jobs and support systems to blame those less fortunate from the get go but the reality is most just have no clue what it must be like. I've seen those who take advantage and abuse the system and those who use it to make a life. But many just can't move out of poverty or lack many of the methods to make it. It is sad, but I have to hand it to those who can succeed. If you have financial success in life - congratulations, but let me also say.... Do what you can to help someone else in need or give someone an opportunity that will help them to succeed. If we all take this approach we can make a small difference in this world. Don't wait for the politicians because their agendas are much larger and for the masses as a whole.

[telecaster]

They sure get around in Texas. This copy and paste stuff leaves me pretty cold as much of what gets passed around makes little sense.

I did a search on "This was in the Waco Tribune Herald; Waco, TX Nov 18, 2010". I recommend everyone one do it. It's surprising how much happened that day.

Let me propose this: Before you copy something and paste it here or send it in an email to your thousand best friends, please read it first. Most of the writers wouldn't seem able to pass a basic civics class.

Every time I start reading about dictatorship, death of freedom, end of the country, etc. I have to start laughing. The original writer of whatever seems to have no knowledge of how the American form of government works.

For anyone that thinks they may need a refresher course I'm including a link.

If you REALLY want to pass on something of real significance, pass on education. We all need more of that.

American Civics | Khan Academy