What Reganomics has accomplished.

Top hats and tails
From this weeks Economist

An ongoing study of income distribution found that the richest 1% in America took 19% of national income last year, their biggest share since 1928. The top 10% of earners held a record 48.2%. During the recovery between 2009 and 2012 real family incomes rose by an average of 4.6%, though this was skewed by a 31.4% increase for the top 1%. For the other 99% incomes rose by just 0.4%. See article

Yeah. It’s fully rigged. They own the shop.
Our Representatives are no longer democratically representing “us”. Whatever “us” means anymore.
And you’re goddarned right! Reagan! That’s when the whole show went back up for sale since the Gilded Age.
Look at these momos playing theater with their new bank regulations.
It’s a friggin’ joke!! Kabuki Theater. Half the electorate is tied up in BS wedge issues.
Lower-to moderate middle class morons who don’t even know they are voting against their own interests.

The kicker is that some of the people who’ve been harmed the most helped them do it. Knuckleheads can’t see that they’re being manipulated by a right-wing propaganda machine that turns them against the government, which is the only institution with any power to prevent capitalist excesses.
So I agree with Gary and add that the problem is also Reagan culture, which says that government is part of the problem. People who think Reagan was a great president elect politicians who keep the government either at bay or in service to corporate and other right-wing interests, then they can’t figure out why government doesn’t serve them and is so corrupt. I hate to use the word “stupid” but it does come to mind.

The kicker is that some of the people who've been harmed the most helped them do it. Knuckleheads can't see that they're being manipulated by a right-wing propaganda machine that turns them against the government, which is the only institution with any power to prevent capitalist excesses. So I agree with Gary and add that the problem is also Reagan culture, which says that government is part of the problem. People who think Reagan was a great president elect politicians who keep the government either at bay or in service to corporate and other right-wing interests, then they can't figure out why government doesn't serve them and is so corrupt. I hate to use the word "stupid" but it does come to mind.[/ But Reaganomics does serve the wealthy and powerful very well. That's why it survives. People further down the food chain assume they'll be at the top one day and they are voting to protect what they see as their future wealth.
The kicker is that some of the people who've been harmed the most helped them do it. Knuckleheads can't see that they're being manipulated by a right-wing propaganda machine that turns them against the government, which is the only institution with any power to prevent capitalist excesses. So I agree with Gary and add that the problem is also Reagan culture, which says that government is part of the problem. People who think Reagan was a great president elect politicians who keep the government either at bay or in service to corporate and other right-wing interests, then they can't figure out why government doesn't serve them and is so corrupt. I hate to use the word "stupid" but it does come to mind.
Excellent point. And not only does the propaganda machine turn them against government, it turns them against the media (avenue of education...sometimes) and liberals, who tend to want to help them (it's a We society, not a Me society). You have to admit though, the right wing powers are brilliant.
The kicker is that some of the people who've been harmed the most helped them do it. Knuckleheads can't see that they're being manipulated by a right-wing propaganda machine that turns them against the government, which is the only institution with any power to prevent capitalist excesses. So I agree with Gary and add that the problem is also Reagan culture, which says that government is part of the problem. People who think Reagan was a great president elect politicians who keep the government either at bay or in service to corporate and other right-wing interests, then they can't figure out why government doesn't serve them and is so corrupt. I hate to use the word "stupid" but it does come to mind.
Excellent point. And not only does the propaganda machine turn them against government, it turns them against the media (avenue of education...sometimes) and liberals, who tend to want to help them (it's a We society, not a Me society). You have to admit though, the right wing powers are brilliant. Not only brilliant, but have the funds to push their agenda!
The kicker is that some of the people who've been harmed the most helped them do it. Knuckleheads can't see that they're being manipulated by a right-wing propaganda machine that turns them against the government, which is the only institution with any power to prevent capitalist excesses. So I agree with Gary and add that the problem is also Reagan culture, which says that government is part of the problem. People who think Reagan was a great president elect politicians who keep the government either at bay or in service to corporate and other right-wing interests, then they can't figure out why government doesn't serve them and is so corrupt. I hate to use the word "stupid" but it does come to mind.
Excellent point. And not only does the propaganda machine turn them against government, it turns them against the media (avenue of education...sometimes) and liberals, who tend to want to help them (it's a We society, not a Me society). You have to admit though, the right wing powers are brilliant. Brilliant isn't the word that would come to my mind. Machiavellian, underhanded, deceitful, unscrupulous, disgraceful, immoral, dishonest, devious, disreputable, evil, wicked, villainous, cutthroat, amoral, unconscionable, unethical, unprincipled, or dishonorable, would all be more descriptive--and closer to the truth.

Where is the threat of creeping Communism when you need it? (Fears of the spread of Communism helped moderate right wing political agendas when our nation was faced with this level of income and wealth inequalities during the early 20th century.)

Where is the threat of creeping Communism when you need it? (Fears of the spread of Communism helped moderate right wing political agendas when our nation was faced with this level of income and wealth inequalities during the early 20th century.)
They MODERATED them? Do you mean "moderated" as in the HUAC hearings and the blacklists?
Where is the threat of creeping Communism when you need it? (Fears of the spread of Communism helped moderate right wing political agendas when our nation was faced with this level of income and wealth inequalities during the early 20th century.)
They MODERATED them? Do you mean "moderated" as in the HUAC hearings and the blacklists? It is true that since WWII, right wingers have used the fear of Communism to promote their goals. In the early 20th century, however, progressive agendas such as anti trust measures and reforms to placate unions were put in place. I think, these sorts of reforms would not have been viable without the upper echelon capitalists' fears of violent social turmoil that seemed imminent.
Where is the threat of creeping Communism when you need it? (Fears of the spread of Communism helped moderate right wing political agendas when our nation was faced with this level of income and wealth inequalities during the early 20th century.)
They MODERATED them? Do you mean "moderated" as in the HUAC hearings and the blacklists? It is true that since WWII, right wingers have used the fear of Communism to promote their goals. In the early 20th century, however, progressive agendas such as anti trust measures and reforms to placate unions were put in place. I think, these sorts of reforms would not have been viable without the upper echelon capitalists' fears of violent social turmoil that seemed imminent. I don't know, they don't seem particularly fearful to me.
The kicker is that some of the people who've been harmed the most helped them do it. Knuckleheads can't see that they're being manipulated by a right-wing propaganda machine that turns them against the government, which is the only institution with any power to prevent capitalist excesses. So I agree with Gary and add that the problem is also Reagan culture, which says that government is part of the problem. People who think Reagan was a great president elect politicians who keep the government either at bay or in service to corporate and other right-wing interests, then they can't figure out why government doesn't serve them and is so corrupt. I hate to use the word "stupid" but it does come to mind.
Excellent point. And not only does the propaganda machine turn them against government, it turns them against the media (avenue of education...sometimes) and liberals, who tend to want to help them (it's a We society, not a Me society). You have to admit though, the right wing powers are brilliant. Brilliant isn't the word that would come to my mind. Macchiaveliian, underhanded, deceitful, unscrupulous, disgraceful, immoral, dishonest, devious, disreputable, evil, wicked, villainous, cutthroat, immoral, unconscionable, unethical, unprincipled, or dishonorable, would all be more descriptive--and closer to the truth. Those too, basically your average ends-justify-the-means Christian ;)

Tim B

Where is the threat of creeping Communism when you need it? (Fears of the spread of Communism helped moderate right wing political agendas when our nation was faced with this level of income and wealth inequalities during the early 20th century.)
That is a major part of the US political mess currently. With no outside enemies to unite us, the politicians have to create conflict within the country to get elected.
Where is the threat of creeping Communism when you need it? (Fears of the spread of Communism helped moderate right wing political agendas when our nation was faced with this level of income and wealth inequalities during the early 20th century.)
They MODERATED them? Do you mean "moderated" as in the HUAC hearings and the blacklists? It is true that since WWII, right wingers have used the fear of Communism to promote their goals. In the early 20th century, however, progressive agendas such as anti trust measures and reforms to placate unions were put in place. I think, these sorts of reforms would not have been viable without the upper echelon capitalists' fears of violent social turmoil that seemed imminent. I don't know, they don't seem particularly fearful to me. Not to you, as you are reality based. But IMO the average delusional Tea Partier mindset, is scared poop-less of Obama turning us into a Socialist country (and they are thereby motivated to actively oppose their own self interests and actively support completely unrestrained Capitalism (which should actually be feared). What I think that we should fear is the strong undercurrent in our political system that seeks to destroy rational restraints on capitalism and to destroy social safety net programs. As I think this undercurrent, if successful, will inevitably lead to violent civil unrest, as broad violent civil unrest may be seen as necessary to re-establish a sane and just government.
Tim B
Where is the threat of creeping Communism when you need it? (Fears of the spread of Communism helped moderate right wing political agendas when our nation was faced with this level of income and wealth inequalities during the early 20th century.)
That is a major part of the US political mess currently. With no outside enemies to unite us, the politicians have to create conflict within the country to get elected.
That reminds me of Reagan's seeming pining for an extraterrestrial invasion, as he believed that this would unite the world against a common foe. (We were united briefly against Al Qaeda, for a short time after 9/11. But George W screwed that pooch, by his erroneously justified and insanely inadequate invasion of Iraq.)
Where is the threat of creeping Communism when you need it? (Fears of the spread of Communism helped moderate right wing political agendas when our nation was faced with this level of income and wealth inequalities during the early 20th century.)
They MODERATED them? Do you mean "moderated" as in the HUAC hearings and the blacklists? It is true that since WWII, right wingers have used the fear of Communism to promote their goals. In the early 20th century, however, progressive agendas such as anti trust measures and reforms to placate unions were put in place. I think, these sorts of reforms would not have been viable without the upper echelon capitalists' fears of violent social turmoil that seemed imminent. I don't know, they don't seem particularly fearful to me. Not to you, as you are reality based. But IMO the average delusional Tea Partier mindset, is scared poop-less of Obama turning us into a Socialist country (and they are thereby motivated to actively oppose their own self interests and actively support completely unrestrained Capitalism (which should actually be feared). What I think that we should fear is the strong undercurrent in our political system that seeks to destroy rational restraints on capitalism and to destroy social safety net programs. As I think this undercurrent, if successful, will inevitably lead to violent civil unrest, as broad violent civil unrest may be seen as necessary to re-establish a sane and just government. Yes, I agree. The problem is getting them to see it. I fear they won't until it's too late. Even then, I'm not so sure most will get it. Lois
Not to you, as you are reality based. But IMO the average delusional Tea Partier mindset, is scared poop-less of Obama turning us into a Socialist country (and they are thereby motivated to actively oppose their own self interests and actively support completely unrestrained Capitalism (which should actually be feared).
The tea party folks also mindlessly equate liberalism/progressivism with socialism. Wonder why? ;-) Why, communism's not so bad! Not much to fear, really! :-)
What I think that we should fear is the strong undercurrent in our political system that seeks to destroy rational restraints on capitalism and to destroy social safety net programs.
So you're saying the idea is not to reform the safety net to make it 1) fiscally solvent and 2) more tied to self-responsibility and the market? You do realize that our entitlement programs are steering us toward financial ruin, right? The CBO released a report earlier this month reiterating the point. I can provide the URL if needed.
As I think this undercurrent, if successful, will inevitably lead to violent civil unrest, as broad violent civil unrest may be seen as necessary to re-establish a sane and just government.
There are factions to the political left openly encouraging civil unrest, mostly of the nonviolent sort so far. And at the same time acting like they're outraged that people suggest they're advocating a class war. But they're advocating class warfare, aren't they?

Bryan, I haven’t seen your posts in a long time.
Class warfare has been going on for some time. The victims of the war, mostly are just not aware of it. The uber-rich are kicking the ass of the under-classes. There is no “trickle down”, only “suck it up”.
Is it a good idea to reform the safety net system by defunding Obamacare, while offering nothing in its place? Sure. If you’re filthy rich and have the means to pay unlimited amounts of money on your personal healthcare, on the off chance you should need to.
As far as governmental financial insolvency, how about a progressive tax that actually collects a high percentage of income from all who make more than a quarter of a million a year.
Or how about a flat tax, with no income tax? Let’s say a 5% annual flat tax of everyone’s Net Worth that exceeds a quarter of a million. .
And regarding factions advocating civil unrest, I would not be surprised if there are right wing factions advocating violent civil actions. They tend to be the ones with the guns.
Communism does not scare me. But it seems to not be economically viable over the long haul. However, I believe it would be preferable to unrestrained Capitalism.

Oh yes, and the Tea Partiers delusion lies not so much in likening liberalism/progressivism to Socialism. Their delusion lies in their unfounded and unassailable belief that anything approaching Socialism is evil and will most definitely lead us to ruin.

Oh yes, and the Tea Partiers delusion lies not so much in likening liberalism/progressivism to Socialism. Their delusion lies in their unfounded and unassailable belief that anything approaching Socialism is evil and will most definitely lead us to ruin.
However that is just their reactionary belief based upon what they are told. What they have been fed. The Tea Party is the best example of people being used by feeding them fear propaganda. Unfortunately they are a segment of the population who is rightly disgusted with the lack of democratic representation we get from our Congress and Leaders. However they lack the cohesion, and intelligence to focus that disgust and anger towards concrete and evidence based realities such as income disparity, and the indestructible hold that lobbyists and corporate entities have on our politicians. It is obvious that their grassroots frustration was hijacked and turned into a corporate, reactionary shill machine. Patently Obvious!