Right now we are watching the outright THEFT of $3 Trillion from the Social Security Trust Fund by the fanatic Republican elitists and their tea bagger allies. For years hard working Americans of ALL political stripes, from every state and territory, and ranging from the working poor to the well to do have created a massive trust fund to protect our Social Security benefits. The Trust Fund was meant to be available in times like these, when a recession causes receipts to fall short for a couple of years. It's money in the bank for a rainy day. Well, now it's a rainy day.
Last year the Old Age and Survivors programs, plus the Disability program ran a $46 billion deficit. For this year those programs are expected to run a $46 billion deficit. Next year the deficit will fall to about $20 billion. The $2,940 BILLION Trust Fund easily handles the shortfall! The temporary shortfall of $115 billion would not even dent our paid up trust fund. The interest paid into the fund alone covers the shortfall. So why is everyone in Washington screeching that Social Security is in crisis, in deficit, and in need of reform? Because the plan is to STEAL your Social Security Trust Fund to pay for more tax cuts for the very richest of Americans, the top 1/100th of 1%!
Right now our economy is in trouble (as we are all aware of). Tax revenues are dwarfed by expenditures. The Republicans, and especially the fanatical pawns of the ultra right calling themselves the "Tea Party" understand a very basic principle: we cannot afford to take the IOUs put into the Trust Fund and pay for benefits already earned without either cutting somewhere else or RAISING MORE REVENUE! To do so would merely be replacing the IOUs in the trust fund with more IOUs. The masters who created and paid for the "tea Party" realize we cannot afford to pay out those benefits to ordinary Americans who've already paid for them AND give a massive tax cut to the rich elite that runs/owns this country and its government. (Notice I did not say OUR government? Because this PROVES who has ALL our representatives in their pocket!)
If the pawns of the "Wall Street" billionaires can lie and convince us that Social Security is damaged, is welfare, and needs "reform", then they never need to pay back that deposit we have all accrued in the Social Security Trust Fund. In essence they will have stolen it, the same as if a landlord never pays back a $3 trillion security deposit through dishonesty! Instead of paying regular Americans the benefits they have EARNED AND ALREADY PAID FOR they can instead extend Bush's insane tax cut for the elite! Already the Republicans are slobbering over the prospect of stealing our money and offering it up to their masters in the form of even GREATER tax cuts for billionaires! This makes no sense economically as well as being completely unfair and corrupt!
The lie is that if we transfer the wealth from ordinary Americans to the rich elite they will create jobs with it. This is not just a demonstrable lie, but the exact OPPOSITE of the truth. The truth is that we are in a fix for two reasons. 1) The rich SPECULATED/GAMBLED with the Bush tax cuts by handing it over to hedge fund managers and their ilk on Wall Street, who if they invested it did so in CHINA and elsewhere. The Bush years, when we gave these massive tax cuts to the ultra-elitists- actually saw a LOSS of 10,000,000 jobs. 2) The problem in our economy is that the salaries and wages of ordinary Americans has SHRUNK under this corrupt government that screws over ordinary Americans and gets on their knees for the elite. This has meant purchasing power of the vast majority of decent Americans has actually gone DOWN tremendously. (We all realize this every time we go to the grocery or fill up at the pump!) By cutting Social Security and giving a massive tax giveaway to billionaire speculators we will further diminish the purchasing power of consumers while fueling the very speculative/corrupt practices that caused this "Free Market" Depression.
I say, call your representatives and tell them that you will NOT allow the theft of our social security trust fund to pay for the taxgiveaways to the billionaire elitist speculators who bribe them with "campaign contributions"! Tell them that ALL AMericans come before their paymasters, that PEOPLE are more important than their megacorporation overlords. Tell them that we will not stand by while they screw over our parents and grandparents by order of the corrupt elitists who own them lock, stock, and barrel!
Tuesday, July 26, 2011
Monday, July 11, 2011
Civil War Letter fr Samuel to William Hurst
Letter from Samuel Hurst to his son William
Dear William,
I once more seat myself at Capt. Adams' quarters, to inform you of my present condition. I am in a bad condition at this time by reason of a fall I got from a horse about 12 days ago, when on a scout, in Morgan County. My mare fell across a log heap, on fire, and broke two of my ribs and bruised my body badly. Although I stuck to the Company till I arrived at home on Stillwater, then I stopped two days with ten bodyguards and they then fetched me around by way of Irvine to Mt. Sterling. I am somewhat on the mend now; but very sore. My body is badly hurt; bit I hope not serious.
We killed old James Stamper and a ring leader of the Guerrillas by the name of Hamilton and took 19 prisoners besides; but one of them got away. I suppose the boys have given you the particulars in their letters heretofore.
You wish to know if Jackson is burnt. I say it is, in part. Your houses are in ashes and several more. You want to know if I am going to move my family from the mountains. I am sir, I am this day going to rent a farm near this place. I have the offer of two. I don't know which I will take; but I will have my family here shortly. I can't but recollect how my family and myself met and also how we parted and the respect the neighbors showed to me. Old Bill Trimble solicited me strong, to come back and live at home and he said he would get from 50 to 100 signers and send it to the Southern Headquarters and have it confirmed so that I should be protected for he said he also wanted me back to protect him. I told him that did not suit me, the hardest might fence off. I was going to take my family off and he might shift for himself. I made no compromises. Then he and Berry Trimble's wife asked me to spare Berry and let him come in and talk with me a little while. Berry was then laying out. I told them to fetch Berry in and I would not hurt him. Then they asked Daniel if he would, Daniel said he wouldn't; but Henry would not promise favorably, so Berry did not appear. Then Lieutenant Hendrickson told the Trimbles, that he was going back to Salyersville and he was going to send me home with 10 bodyguards with me and he wanted them to understand that if any on interrupted me or hurt me in any way whatever, on his return that he would kill 50 cecesses and if he could not find men enough he would make his number out in women and children and he would begin in Old Bill Trimble's house first. Old Trimble said good God Sam, stay with me till the Company returns for if any thing happens to you he will kill us every one. I went home and stayed two days and nights unhurt.
You wanted to know where Jim (a slave) was. I hired him the 1st of January to the Government to drive the wagon, at on dollar per day. At the end of the first month the wagons were given to the soldiers and they became teamsters and Jim was taken to wait upon the Colonel. When I get a little better I will fetch him home and keep him with me. As to Jack Frazier, he was not killed. The rest were killed as I stated to you; but Hiram Miller was the man killed in the place of Jack Frazier. As I am in so much misery I will come to a close. Write soon and I will do the same.
Your father,
Samuel H. Hurst
Note: The "Berry" Trimble referred to in the above letter was Asberry Trimble. He was killed at Hazel Green, October 15, 1864, by Ed Hensley. He was the father of South Trimble who was a member of Congress from the Ashland District of Kentucky and who served for many years as Clerk of the U.S. House of Representatives in Washington, D.C.
| Mt. Sterling, Kentucky February 11, 1864 |
Dear William,
I once more seat myself at Capt. Adams' quarters, to inform you of my present condition. I am in a bad condition at this time by reason of a fall I got from a horse about 12 days ago, when on a scout, in Morgan County. My mare fell across a log heap, on fire, and broke two of my ribs and bruised my body badly. Although I stuck to the Company till I arrived at home on Stillwater, then I stopped two days with ten bodyguards and they then fetched me around by way of Irvine to Mt. Sterling. I am somewhat on the mend now; but very sore. My body is badly hurt; bit I hope not serious.
We killed old James Stamper and a ring leader of the Guerrillas by the name of Hamilton and took 19 prisoners besides; but one of them got away. I suppose the boys have given you the particulars in their letters heretofore.
You wish to know if Jackson is burnt. I say it is, in part. Your houses are in ashes and several more. You want to know if I am going to move my family from the mountains. I am sir, I am this day going to rent a farm near this place. I have the offer of two. I don't know which I will take; but I will have my family here shortly. I can't but recollect how my family and myself met and also how we parted and the respect the neighbors showed to me. Old Bill Trimble solicited me strong, to come back and live at home and he said he would get from 50 to 100 signers and send it to the Southern Headquarters and have it confirmed so that I should be protected for he said he also wanted me back to protect him. I told him that did not suit me, the hardest might fence off. I was going to take my family off and he might shift for himself. I made no compromises. Then he and Berry Trimble's wife asked me to spare Berry and let him come in and talk with me a little while. Berry was then laying out. I told them to fetch Berry in and I would not hurt him. Then they asked Daniel if he would, Daniel said he wouldn't; but Henry would not promise favorably, so Berry did not appear. Then Lieutenant Hendrickson told the Trimbles, that he was going back to Salyersville and he was going to send me home with 10 bodyguards with me and he wanted them to understand that if any on interrupted me or hurt me in any way whatever, on his return that he would kill 50 cecesses and if he could not find men enough he would make his number out in women and children and he would begin in Old Bill Trimble's house first. Old Trimble said good God Sam, stay with me till the Company returns for if any thing happens to you he will kill us every one. I went home and stayed two days and nights unhurt.
You wanted to know where Jim (a slave) was. I hired him the 1st of January to the Government to drive the wagon, at on dollar per day. At the end of the first month the wagons were given to the soldiers and they became teamsters and Jim was taken to wait upon the Colonel. When I get a little better I will fetch him home and keep him with me. As to Jack Frazier, he was not killed. The rest were killed as I stated to you; but Hiram Miller was the man killed in the place of Jack Frazier. As I am in so much misery I will come to a close. Write soon and I will do the same.
Your father,
Samuel H. Hurst
Note: The "Berry" Trimble referred to in the above letter was Asberry Trimble. He was killed at Hazel Green, October 15, 1864, by Ed Hensley. He was the father of South Trimble who was a member of Congress from the Ashland District of Kentucky and who served for many years as Clerk of the U.S. House of Representatives in Washington, D.C.
Civil War letter from Henry C Hurst, Rebel Massacre of Morgan County boys.
Mt. Sterling, Kentucky
October 7, 1863
Dear Brother:
I received your letter yesterday and it gave me great pleasure to hear that you were well. I have not heard from father since Daniel wrote you; but I suppose he is on the mend.
There has been a terrible crime committed here and I will tell you about it. The Rebels ran into Camargo and caught Pleasant Martin, Asbury Nickell, a son of Spaniard Nickell, Charles Little, a son of Phillip Little, Reason Grayson and Robert Nickell. They took them to Sycamore bridge near Ticktown and lined them up and told them they were going to parole them. They had them cross their hands on their breasts, telling them they were about to administer the oath; but instead they placed their guns against them and fired. All were killed dead except Robert Nickell who was shot near the right nipple, the bullet came out about five inches lower in the back. He fell off into the creek and they fired three more shots at him, one bullet struck his arm. He played off dead and they left him. As soon as they left he managed to get to a man's house who came and let us know. We took him to Mt. Sterling and then chased the Rebels to James Gibbs' on the dry ridge, there they scattered and we lost them. I think Nickells will get well, the Dr. says he is now out of danger.
This same crowd after the killing at the bridge reached the home of Jacob Stephens, they took his pocket book with about $30.00 and shot him dead in his own home. They then went on and caught that man, Jenkins, who was shot so often. The treatment they gave him was much worse than death. They took all privileges from him that was allowed a man by nature and told him that if that did not kill him they would come back and finish the job.
You wanted to know if Salyers and I had completed our job of enrolling. We have done all we can do without an armed force to assist us. We finished all except some of the Sandy territory when the Rebels got after us and captured our papers that we had finished and we had to do all the work over. We started in again and have about the same amount done as before; but they ran us out. We have made application three times for men to aid us; but they have not arrived. We are ready any time we can get protection. I want to complete this work as soon as possible for my time will soon be out, then I intend to go to some other country. I have of my present enlistment one month and five days yet to serve. Cockerell has offered me a 1st Lieutenants place in his Company which might be better than working with the Home Guards.
Your Brother,
H.C. Hurst
October 7, 1863
Dear Brother:
I received your letter yesterday and it gave me great pleasure to hear that you were well. I have not heard from father since Daniel wrote you; but I suppose he is on the mend.
There has been a terrible crime committed here and I will tell you about it. The Rebels ran into Camargo and caught Pleasant Martin, Asbury Nickell, a son of Spaniard Nickell, Charles Little, a son of Phillip Little, Reason Grayson and Robert Nickell. They took them to Sycamore bridge near Ticktown and lined them up and told them they were going to parole them. They had them cross their hands on their breasts, telling them they were about to administer the oath; but instead they placed their guns against them and fired. All were killed dead except Robert Nickell who was shot near the right nipple, the bullet came out about five inches lower in the back. He fell off into the creek and they fired three more shots at him, one bullet struck his arm. He played off dead and they left him. As soon as they left he managed to get to a man's house who came and let us know. We took him to Mt. Sterling and then chased the Rebels to James Gibbs' on the dry ridge, there they scattered and we lost them. I think Nickells will get well, the Dr. says he is now out of danger.
This same crowd after the killing at the bridge reached the home of Jacob Stephens, they took his pocket book with about $30.00 and shot him dead in his own home. They then went on and caught that man, Jenkins, who was shot so often. The treatment they gave him was much worse than death. They took all privileges from him that was allowed a man by nature and told him that if that did not kill him they would come back and finish the job.
You wanted to know if Salyers and I had completed our job of enrolling. We have done all we can do without an armed force to assist us. We finished all except some of the Sandy territory when the Rebels got after us and captured our papers that we had finished and we had to do all the work over. We started in again and have about the same amount done as before; but they ran us out. We have made application three times for men to aid us; but they have not arrived. We are ready any time we can get protection. I want to complete this work as soon as possible for my time will soon be out, then I intend to go to some other country. I have of my present enlistment one month and five days yet to serve. Cockerell has offered me a 1st Lieutenants place in his Company which might be better than working with the Home Guards.
Your Brother,
H.C. Hurst
Wednesday, July 6, 2011
Atlanta Falcons Guilty Of Cruelty To Animals & Imprisoned
Well, when Michael Vick pleaded guilty to federal charges & served 21 months in prison, did we all allow ourselves to be befuddled by a lying headline like the one I posted above? The Atlanta Falcons Corporation was not guilty in the least of dogfighting. Still we let the corporate controlled media lie to us constantly about the nature of crime in America. It's even called "corporate crime" as if no real people are involved!
When eleven workers were murdered by oil company executives looking to maximize profits and earn monster bonuses we didn't hear a single name of one of the murderers. Instead all we got was "BP oil spill". When Wall Street, the real estate market, and the credit card industry nearly collapsed the world economy through fraudulent deals meant only to enhance short term profits that justified insane remuneration for criminals did we hear the name of a single person charged with the crimes they committed? Nope, instead the very teabagger real estate moghuls, mortgage brokers, CEOs, Wall Street gangsters, and political gamesters who nuked our economy get a monster trillion $$$ bailout, higher profits than ever, and absolute immunity from prosecution because "AIG" did it, or "IndyMac" did it, or "Lehman Brothers" did it. Well, if that's true then the Michael Vick case was an injustice to him. The Atlanta Falcons organization should have been fined a few thousand dollars and Mr Vick's name should never have been mentioned! Or just maybe we should name names and charge REAL criminals!
When eleven workers were murdered by oil company executives looking to maximize profits and earn monster bonuses we didn't hear a single name of one of the murderers. Instead all we got was "BP oil spill". When Wall Street, the real estate market, and the credit card industry nearly collapsed the world economy through fraudulent deals meant only to enhance short term profits that justified insane remuneration for criminals did we hear the name of a single person charged with the crimes they committed? Nope, instead the very teabagger real estate moghuls, mortgage brokers, CEOs, Wall Street gangsters, and political gamesters who nuked our economy get a monster trillion $$$ bailout, higher profits than ever, and absolute immunity from prosecution because "AIG" did it, or "IndyMac" did it, or "Lehman Brothers" did it. Well, if that's true then the Michael Vick case was an injustice to him. The Atlanta Falcons organization should have been fined a few thousand dollars and Mr Vick's name should never have been mentioned! Or just maybe we should name names and charge REAL criminals!
Tuesday, July 5, 2011
Propaganda and Seperation of Church & State
Once again I am COMPLETELY astounded by the right wing nutjobs who stupidly blither on about how our nation was founded by Christians & how our nation is falling apart because god is not in our schools. As always these wingnutz argue exactly AGAINST their own interests. Mostly this happens because this very vocal and moronic bunch of people do not have even the slightest understanding of the issue they rail on about. (but is this a surprise since they consistently blither without the slightest honest knowledge of any subject?)
Look, I would take up arms to protect the right of believers to believe. For me that is a fundamental right - freedom of thought - as important as freedom of speech and the right to peaceful assembly. What the nutjob right does not understand is that the kind of theocracy they advocate once existed in the USA and THEY WERE AGAINST IT!!!
many of the 13 original colonies were founded as RELIGIOUS colonies. Puritan Congregationalists ran Massachusetts and Connecticut, Episcopalians ruled Virginia & the Carolinas, Catholicism was supreme in Maryland, and the Quakers literally owned Pennsylvania. In most of these colonies & even after they became states in the United States people were FORCED to pay tithes to the established church whether they believed or not. In Virginia many of my forebearers fled NOT the tyranny of the government, but the tyranny of the CHURCH! These Baptists hated the established church, fought against the forced tithing to the aristocratic Episcopla/Anglican Church, and constantly moved out to the frontier to avoid the moneygrubbing church authorities who resorted even to condemning land to get their demanded religious taxes. But even my family - who have no memory of the past - babble on about putting "god" back in the government and our schools.
My question for my family & for everyone is this: Whose God? Do you want an America like the long gone America where a Baptist must move because he refuses to pay for a church he does not believe in? Do they want to be Pentecostal in a state where the Baptists look down on and oppress them? Do they want to live in a state where they cannot hold public office or even vote because they do not go to church, or because they belong to the wrong denomination? More importantly, do they want a state church to mandate that their children pray in school & write prayers that may well be offensive to them? This would all exist again in an America they insist upon.
Maybe now my family and others can understand that I am for freedom of religion and they are not. Maybe if they read this they can understand that I am the true "conservative" on this issue and that they are the ones who want more government invading what we believe & telling us what to think. For me, keep religion and government seperated. I do not trust ministers to run my government or my government to dictate my religion!
Look, I would take up arms to protect the right of believers to believe. For me that is a fundamental right - freedom of thought - as important as freedom of speech and the right to peaceful assembly. What the nutjob right does not understand is that the kind of theocracy they advocate once existed in the USA and THEY WERE AGAINST IT!!!
many of the 13 original colonies were founded as RELIGIOUS colonies. Puritan Congregationalists ran Massachusetts and Connecticut, Episcopalians ruled Virginia & the Carolinas, Catholicism was supreme in Maryland, and the Quakers literally owned Pennsylvania. In most of these colonies & even after they became states in the United States people were FORCED to pay tithes to the established church whether they believed or not. In Virginia many of my forebearers fled NOT the tyranny of the government, but the tyranny of the CHURCH! These Baptists hated the established church, fought against the forced tithing to the aristocratic Episcopla/Anglican Church, and constantly moved out to the frontier to avoid the moneygrubbing church authorities who resorted even to condemning land to get their demanded religious taxes. But even my family - who have no memory of the past - babble on about putting "god" back in the government and our schools.
My question for my family & for everyone is this: Whose God? Do you want an America like the long gone America where a Baptist must move because he refuses to pay for a church he does not believe in? Do they want to be Pentecostal in a state where the Baptists look down on and oppress them? Do they want to live in a state where they cannot hold public office or even vote because they do not go to church, or because they belong to the wrong denomination? More importantly, do they want a state church to mandate that their children pray in school & write prayers that may well be offensive to them? This would all exist again in an America they insist upon.
Maybe now my family and others can understand that I am for freedom of religion and they are not. Maybe if they read this they can understand that I am the true "conservative" on this issue and that they are the ones who want more government invading what we believe & telling us what to think. For me, keep religion and government seperated. I do not trust ministers to run my government or my government to dictate my religion!
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)