by Ripley
Sometimes, a guy gets to thinking - and he wonders, 'What's the point? Why do I keep struggling? Why do I even bother?' But I think I've found a solution, brothers and sisters.
America, like every bunch of people on a color coordinated map, has its ups and downs - that's not a surprise. But these last seven years... fuck, man! can you even wrap your head around this near-decade of bullshit we've had to deal with? But we've been looking at it all wrong. You see, it's not about America or 'us' or 'the people' - it's about a tiny cadre of people with means and power.
You're probably thinking, 'Hey, Rip - that's not news! We knew that!' But, as I said, I have a solution. And it's oh, so simple. See, we were so concerned with Democracy and Rule of Law and Humanity, that we thought we mattered. But that's just silly, because only a very select few actually matter. So, the obvious solution to America's dilemma is this:
Mr. Bush and Mr. Cheney, could you please provide America with a list of the people who matter to you? It's a little embarrassing, but some of us have been working and raising families and trying to realize the American Dream, only to find out that - who knew? - our lives don't really mean anything. Evidently, you have a special connection with the Universe that tells you which families matter. Hey, you're in charge and you make the rules, Top Guns!
But... but! it would be nice to know. It would mean a lot to us pedestrians and plebs if you would just tell us that we're not important, because then we could stop. We could give up the American Dream and our hopes and efforts, our parents' sacrifices, our teachers' guidance. We could give it all up.
All we ask from you is The List. The list of people that you've deemed worthy of America's opportunities and grace. I promise you that once we've seen The List, 99% of us won't know what the hell we're doing here. And, really, that's what you want, isn't it?
You've bankrupted our nation, you've destroyed a nation that posed no threat to us, you've decimated the Constitution and buggered Democracy to a fare thee well... C'mon, there's only three months left. Would it be so hard to finally let us know where we stand? You're powerful men - surely, someone could jot down a list and let America know who really, really matters.
We've worked and sweat and dreamed and struggled... We deserve The List, at least... right?
[Update] - Are you ready for a good old fashioned mind fuck? via TPM
Also, according to the Journal, finance industry lobbyists are already giving orders to Republican hill staffers not to allow any meaningful reforms or protections for taxpayers. So, just the money. No strings attached.
House Republican staffers met with roughly 15 lobbyists Friday afternoon, whose message to lawmakers was clear: Don't load the legislation up with provisions not directly related to the crisis, or regulatory measures the industry has long opposed.
"We're opposed to adding provisions that will affect [or] undermine the deal substantively," said Scott Talbott, senior vice president of government affairs at the Financial Services Roundtable, whose members include the nation's largest banks, securities firms and insurers.
A deal killer for the group: a proposal that would grant bankruptcy judges new powers to lower the principal, interest rate or both on a mortgage as part of a bankruptcy proceeding.
Read Thers' previous post, then start some gentle stretching exercises for your dialing and typing fingers. This shit cannot stand, people.
Rip -