Travelling France

Question:

>> He’s already > started his run for the nomination in 2008 by hooking up with groups > such as TheAmericanCause and trying to launch a new isolationist magazine. > Heh, heh, heh, . . . .   You don’t know what you’re writing about.

That’s a matter of opinion, and that’s what politics is all about. > Buchanan > and his sister, Bay, CREATED theamericancause!! They also have large > inputs to TheAmericanConservative publication. > And, I don’t need to see your list. I’ve read almost everything he has

In other words, please don’t confuse me with the facts. > If you had a better appreciate of global politics you would NEVER use the > word "Isolationist" in referring to Pat Buchanan.

More opinion, and a prime example of how one can confuse the man and the message. Buchanan won 0.4% of the popular vote in 2000, behind Nader’s 2.7%. Face it, Buchanan and his philosophy are losers, and always will be. > There are an infinite > number of levels between "Isolationism" and the naive dancing to the "Global > Village" bongo-drums tune. Buchanan’s philosophy lies at a moderate and > sensible level between the extremes; exactly the level we will need to > attain to retain our sovereignty and our status as a leader of nations (but > NOT some sort of global empire ruled by someone with a grand "messiah" > complex!).

Buchanan’s philosophy lies at the extreme and totally whacko level; you’re confusing the man and the message again. > Buchanan may be a bit "aged" to make the run in 2008.  But, I cannot but > believe there are many other intelligent, insightful, patriotic, > potentially-great Statesmen out there in our land that could serve as his > descendant.

One would fervently hope that *anyone* other than Buchanan would carry the Reform Party’s message to the voters. > I could well be that the U.S. Citizenry (legal citizens & voters one and > all) are finally waking up to what the major parties have done to our > beloved nation. But (IMHO) TIME is not on our side. Let us hope that

 > something good can happen with the 2008 election. Amen, as long as the standard-bearer is NOT Patrick Buchanan. > And, thanks for your wishes for our good fortune. You will be with us when > you fully appreciate what is at stake.

I fully appreciate NOW what is at stake. You yet again confuse the man and the message.

Response:

> Nothing in there about "isolationism". You are strictly paranoic! Take > your meds and sleep it off.

Yawn. Oh, yawn! Think I’ll take a nap. The Great Betrayal : How American Sovereignty and Social Justice Are Being Sacrificed to the Gods of the Global Economy, by Patrick J. Buchanan  From Amazon.com: The Great Betrayal is an economic manifesto that promotes what Buchanan calls "economic nationalism." Buchanan offers a protectionist political agenda — one that many modern conservatives may not like, but one that Buchanan says puts him in the fine tradition of Washington, Lincoln, and Theodore Roosevelt. A forceful polemic challenging elite economic opinion.  From The Atlantic Monthly: Despite its one-sided arguments and hyperbolic claims, The Great Betrayal ought to stir discussion of alternatives to the free-market internationalist status quo. Contrary to the best hopes of its advocates, the status quo has not extinguished the flames of nationalism but may actually be feeding them.  From Booklist: The once (and future?) maverick presidential candidate puts his best foot forward in a clear and cogent argument for protective tariffs and against doctrinaire free trade. His recipe is to reinstitute the system of tariffs that, as he shows in a long and entertaining as well as instructive historical aside, helped crucially in building U.S. wealth and power. Such a conservatism puts him in step with the likes of Ralph Nader, Jesse Jackson, and AFL-CIO president John Sweeney — as Sweeney himself has noted.  From Kirkus Reviews: Whatever ones politics, it is impossible not to marvel at Buchanan’s energy, individuality, and certainty about the world. The unique thing about Buchanan is not that he defies labeling, but rather that so many borderline oxymoronic labels apply: populist Republican partisan; strident nostalgic nationalist; social conservative intent on stirring things up. Buchanan begins with a harangue about free traders killing America, follows with a protectionist’s history of America, and concludes with recent events that indicate the forces of good may yet triumph over the evil of free trade. This seems to be the culture war Buchanan wants to fight and where he toys with moving beyond strong arguments to demagogic rhetoric. Inspiring and infuriating.  From Commentary: That Buchanan’s ideas are problematic is putting things mildly. There is, for one thing, the unmistakable whiff of conspiracy-mongering in his analyses. His account of the global economic order is stocked with pointed references to such nemeses of the hard Right as "one-worlders," the Council on Foreign Relations, and the Trilateral Commission. Buchanan seems blind to the fact that countries (including most notably Japan) that have followed the course he advocates for the U.S., (resisting participation in the liberalized global marketplace), have recently been suffering stagflation, high unemployment, and slow economic growth, while the U.S., blandly indifferent to his advice, has prospered. All in all, Buchanan’s promise that tariffs are the key to a golden economic age is tantamount to consumer fraud.  From The Nation: … a hard-edged volume loaded with populist invective to back up policies that cannot be dismissed as the usual pap … His work-in-progress populism is riddled with inconsistencies …. Still, of all the loudmouths on the political scene, Buchanan poses the most trenchant questions.  From The Manchester Union Leader: Pat Buchanan has written a nationalist manifesto, a ringing call to arms, a declaration of war on the globalists even in his own party…. The Great Betrayal: How American Sovereignty and Social Justice Are Being Sacrificed to the Gods of the Global Economy is vintage Buchanan, full of the cut-and-thrust we’ve come to expect from "Pitchfork Pat," the populist Prophet of Protectionism. http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/product-description/0316115185/ref=d…

Response:

 > Wake up and try to become a little more familiar with the man who you so > admire. Follows a few excerpts from the Reform Party platform:

I don’t need to go there.    I know what is there. > It doesn’t take ultra-sophisticated interpretation of the words to > recognize their ambition for economic isolationism.

Nothing in there about "isolationism".  You are strictly paranoic!   Take your meds and sleep it off. platform do you not favor?   Let us discuss one or two or more of them. Compare it to either the GOP or the DEM platform (if you can find them). McDave

Response:

> Show me ONE example in his writings or in his interviews wherein he urges > "isolation" (economic/trade/scientific, etc.) from the other > nations/societies of this world.

OK, try this one: The Great Betrayal : How American Sovereignty and Social Justice Are Being Sacrificed to the Gods of the Global Economy, by Patrick J. Buchanan  From Amazon.com: The Great Betrayal is an economic manifesto that promotes what Buchanan calls "economic nationalism." Buchanan offers a protectionist political agenda — one that many modern conservatives may not like, but one that Buchanan says puts him in the fine tradition of Washington, Lincoln, and Theodore Roosevelt. A forceful polemic challenging elite economic opinion.  From The Atlantic Monthly: Despite its one-sided arguments and hyperbolic claims, The Great Betrayal ought to stir discussion of alternatives to the free-market internationalist status quo. Contrary to the best hopes of its advocates, the status quo has not extinguished the flames of nationalism but may actually be feeding them.  From Booklist: The once (and future?) maverick presidential candidate puts his best foot forward in a clear and cogent argument for protective tariffs and against doctrinaire free trade. His recipe is to reinstitute the system of tariffs that, as he shows in a long and entertaining as well as instructive historical aside, helped crucially in building U.S. wealth and power. Such a conservatism puts him in step with the likes of Ralph Nader, Jesse Jackson, and AFL-CIO president John Sweeney — as Sweeney himself has noted.  From Kirkus Reviews: Whatever ones politics, it is impossible not to marvel at Buchanan’s energy, individuality, and certainty about the world. The unique thing about Buchanan is not that he defies labeling, but rather that so many borderline oxymoronic labels apply: populist Republican partisan; strident nostalgic nationalist; social conservative intent on stirring things up. Buchanan begins with a harangue about free traders killing America, follows with a protectionist’s history of America, and concludes with recent events that indicate the forces of good may yet triumph over the evil of free trade. This seems to be the culture war Buchanan wants to fight and where he toys with moving beyond strong arguments to demagogic rhetoric. Inspiring and infuriating.  From Commentary: That Buchanan’s ideas are problematic is putting things mildly. There is, for one thing, the unmistakable whiff of conspiracy-mongering in his analyses. His account of the global economic order is stocked with pointed references to such nemeses of the hard Right as "one-worlders," the Council on Foreign Relations, and the Trilateral Commission. Buchanan seems blind to the fact that countries (including most notably Japan) that have followed the course he advocates for the U.S., (resisting participation in the liberalized global marketplace), have recently been suffering stagflation, high unemployment, and slow economic growth, while the U.S., blandly indifferent to his advice, has prospered. All in all, Buchanan’s promise that tariffs are the key to a golden economic age is tantamount to consumer fraud.  From The Nation: … a hard-edged volume loaded with populist invective to back up policies that cannot be dismissed as the usual pap … His work-in-progress populism is riddled with inconsistencies …. Still, of all the loudmouths on the political scene, Buchanan poses the most trenchant questions.  From The Manchester Union Leader: Pat Buchanan has written a nationalist manifesto, a ringing call to arms, a declaration of war on the globalists even in his own party…. The Great Betrayal: How American Sovereignty and Social Justice Are Being Sacrificed to the Gods of the Global Economy is vintage Buchanan, full of the cut-and-thrust we’ve come to expect from "Pitchfork Pat," the populist Prophet of Protectionism. http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/product-description/0316115185/ref=d…

Response:

– Hide quoted text — Show quoted text -> Dear Dave, > What do you expect from the Federal Gov’t? How would you suggest the > Feds go about fufilling your expectations? > Sincerely > Cochon Capitaliste > Dear Cappy; > "Fulfilling my expectations"  is certainly an odd way to frame your > question. > But, it is easily answered. > Until we as a people (legal citizens/voters all) can send some wise, > intelligent, strong, and insightful, LEADERS down to the Washington, D.C., > I do NOT expect the Fed. to do much of anything to correct the major ills > of > our nation.   The carelessness, laziness, of the Fed. and their sellout to > global corporations and foreign interests are the reasons we are into this > mess. > Foreign lobbies have spent around $1 Billion in Washington over the past > few > years.     That money was VERY WELL SPENT from their standpoint.

Your reply it seems puts the entire problem in perspective.  You are expressing your opinion on what has to be done, and of course there are others who would strongly disagree with your opinion, and some may believe that your solution is the absolutely wrong solution.  So, we are left with the question what is really the "right" path to take, or is there really a "right"path.

Response:

– Hide quoted text — Show quoted text ->> Dear Dave, >> What do you expect from the Federal Gov’t? How would you suggest the >> Feds go about fufilling your expectations? >> Sincerely >> Cochon Capitaliste > Dear Cappy; > "Fulfilling my expectations"  is certainly an odd way to frame your > question. > But, it is easily answered. > Until we as a people (legal citizens/voters all) can send some wise, > intelligent, strong, and insightful, LEADERS down to the Washington, D.C., > I do NOT expect the Fed. to do much of anything to correct the major ills > of > our nation.   The carelessness, laziness, of the Fed. and their sellout to > global corporations and foreign interests are the reasons we are into this > mess. > Foreign lobbies have spent around $1 Billion in Washington over the past > few > years.     That money was VERY WELL SPENT from their standpoint. > Your reply it seems puts the entire problem in perspective.  You are > expressing your opinion on what has to be done, and of course there are > others who would strongly disagree with your opinion, and some may believe > that your solution is the absolutely wrong solution.  So, we are left with > the question what is really the "right" path to take, or is there really a > "right"path.

Jerry; Well, when this "Wrong" path we trod becomes so tortuous, tedious, disastrous, and financially calamitous, as to cause MAJOR unrest among our legal citizens, then as some point along the way a decision will be made to give some serious thought to any other path that holds a reasonable promise of success in maintaining the prestige and sovereignty of our beloved nation.   ANY path that can insure these things will be the "Right" path. Check out ol’ Pat and Bay and their "theamericancause".    You’ll be glad you did. http://www.theamericancause.org/ God Bless America, McDave

Response:

<snipped> I notice that you in no way addressed your gross error that I pointed out. Buchanan is NOT the extreme isolationist you conjure him up to Show me ONE example in his writings or in his interviews wherein he urges "isolation" (economic/trade/scientific, etc.) from the other nations/societies of this world.   What he does strongly recommend is equal rights for the U.S. of A. in ALL our foreign agreements and treaties. You write of "confusion".    Yes, you probably have a personal grudge against him.   As a result you are confusing your petty grudge with the well being of your homeland !!!   Wake up and fly right  !! McDave in Maryland "A Faire Lande of Pleasant Living"

Response:

> . . . you are confusing your petty grudge with the well > being of your homeland !!!   Wake up and fly right  !!

Wake up and try to become a little more familiar with the man who you so admire. Follows a few excerpts from the Reform Party platform: http://www.reformparty.org/platform.htm It doesn’t take ultra-sophisticated interpretation of the words to recognize their ambition for economic isolationism. Isolationism never has worked and never will work, anywhere in the world. Buchanan and the Reform Party are merely quaint kooks. Even though their message may on some subjects resonate favorably with some, their total program is nothing but a recipe for disaster. Reform Party of the USA Issues Committee Final Report as approved by the 2003 RPUSA Convention (October 10, 2003) from Valli Sharpe-Geisler, Issues Committee Chair A)   Trade/Jobs We believe workers should be encouraged to organize and practice collective bargaining. We oppose the efforts to relocate American jobs offshore. We stand for the promotion of higher wage jobs. C)   Corporate Oversight – General          1)   Congress shall fulfill their Constitutional oversight obligation to insure that citizens are not subject to predatory practices by Interstate and international corporations.          2)   Disallow corporate exploitation of offshore tax havens used to evade US taxes.          3)   Expand whistle blower protection and expand the scope of the False Claims Act to provide "bounty provisions" for whistle blowers and watchdogs who report financial crimes.          4)   The United States government should be more proactive in opposing mergers of large corporations and in restructuring those that have achieved an excessively controlling position. E)  Immigration Although we cherish and honor America’s proud immigrant history and traditions, we must recognize the reality that today our nation is no longer an unsettled frontier.  Immigration levels have risen to well over a million a year and the US Census Bureau projects, at this level, the population to exceed 400 million in less than fifty years. The Reform Party supports:          (1) Banning the mass importation of temporary foreign workers via the abuse of the H1-B and the L-1 programs whose impact is to hold down the wages, working conditions and incomes of American workers, both immigrant and native-born alike.          (2) A temporary Freeze on all immigration, except for spouses and minor children of US citizens until the these are assimilated.          (3) Authorizations and appropriations necessary to secure our borders by unitizing technologies that enhance our border patrol and enforcement of US immigration laws.          (4)Use of the National Guard or any branch of armed forces to help secure and patrol our borders.          (5)  Employers shall be legally liable for insuring that foreign workers produce appropriate documentation allowing foreign workers to live and work in the United States   Employers shall be legally liable for the public and private direct and indirect costs associated with non-legal immigrants.          (6) A national campaign to assimilate new immigrants and allow them to fully participate in American life by teaching and requiring new immigrants to learn English, American history, government, American tradition and values.          (7)  A Constitutional Amendment that will not give automatic citizenship to children born on US soil to parents OTHER THAN legal citizens of the US.          (8)  No national, state or local government assistance of any kind for education, Social Security, Medicare or Medicaid shall be provided for anyone that is not a legal alien or US citizen.          (9)  The United States Government automatically expel any immigrant found to be illegal. Industry Standards: American companies or their subsidiaries that operate internationally should comply with United States Standards for Safety, Environmental, and child labor laws at all facilities.          2a)  Foreign entities operating within the United States must comply with all national, state, and local laws as they apply.          2b)   Stiff penalties should be levied against corporations convicted of routinely violating clean air or water standards.          2c)  All present and future trade agreements should be tied to preserving favorable environmental standards. G)   Foreign Policy Objectives The Reform Party of the United States insists on a foreign policy consistent with the purpose of our federal government as indicated in the preamble of our Constitution.  To that end, we believe that the following are necessary components of a sound foreign policy for the United States. 2)   Nonintervention In the words of John Quincy Adams, "Wherever the standard of freedom and independence has been or shall be unfurled, there will her [America's] heart, her benedictions, and her prayers be. But she goes not abroad in search of monsters to destroy."          2a)  We respect the sovereignty of all nations, and reject the belief that the United States should use its military power to engage in nation-building.          2b)  The United States should not be the policeman of the world.          2c)   The United States should no longer support foreign despots who utilize torture, murder and genocide to control their people.  Rather than supporting these regimes we should utilize pressure through international cooperation, including volunteer boycotts. 5)  Trade and Foreign Policy Technology is a key component of national power.  It is the bedrock of our economy, and helps us maintain a military second to none.          5a)  To prevent advanced technologies from being obtained by foreign powers, considerations of national security shall be paramount in the formulation of our trade policies and in the conduct of our trade affairs.          5b)  Substantial penalties, civil and/or criminal, must be imposed upon any corporation or government entity, to include those personally responsible, found to jeopardize national security as a result of technology transfer or other actions.

Response:

> My question was why focus only on foreign lobbies?  Is your position > that anything a domestic lobby lobbies for is a good thing simply by > virtue of being domestic?  Are bribery and extortion in the interests > of domestic groups/corporations OK?

I wouldn’t say they are all OK.   But I’d always prefer them to foreign lobbies. > I’d also be interested in knowing how you’d separate them.  Isn’t it > possible that the Four Leaf Clover Growers Association could be in > cahoots with the French four leaf clover growers?  Or that the largest > four leaf clover producer and purveyor in this country could be > primarily owned by a Japanese company?    Emily

All legal lobbies of our Fed.Gov. must register as such and must state who/what they represent.     It is certainly not a perfect process but the law was passed expressly for the purpose of separating domestic influence from the influence of foreign powers who would like nothing better than the disintigration of the U.S. of A…… But, you are right.   It is a confused process.   That is why it is ESSENTIAL that we vote in some people for whom political power is NOT a way to create a financial dynasty for themselves and their offspring for the next century but, rather, to keep our country intact, powerful, and respected around the world. Public office should NOT be something that one does for 50 years!   Term limits would be a fine approach to improving our leadership qualities but I doubt we will ever see it because Congress, itself, must approve it. . . . McDave

Response:

> What makes you think that our "leaders" are not selected by an intelligent > and insightful ruling circle? That is not you and me, that is people like > Sam Wyly, Rupert Murdoch, H. Ross Perot, Sam Richardson, and so on. Their > interests are not your interests. So far as I can tell, our "leaders" serve > them, not us, and serve them well.   Do you imagine that you and I select

our  > leaders by casting our votes between watching one stupid sit-com and the  > next? We take the time out > between sit-coms to vote, and that does it?

I don’t watch sit-coms.  I don’t know how you decide upon a leader to vote for but I decide after reading their books, their statements, and watching interviews on TV.   Their interests may not be my interests (or your interests) but at least I can try to make that determination if they can get their name on a ballot.  > > Foreign lobbies have spent around $1 Billion in Washington over the past > few years.     That money was VERY WELL SPENT from their standpoint. > Indeed. And you spent how much to get the leaders you want?  Hap

I spend as much as I can with my limited resources.   I try to influence those around me in a modest way as often as I can and in every way I can (I think I could convince you).. Our nation has not always, until recently, been a plutocracy; in the past we have had a large number of powerful leaders which had only modest wealth. And—– if enough citizens (legal citizens) could combine their modest resources, they can have a substantial influence.   Public Citizen and other such groups have had a bit of success and gained some influence by that means.   Successful or not, we should NEVER give up.   Have you ever heard the saying, "Government of, by, and for, the PEOPLE "  ? ANY politician caught associating, even in a casual/informal way,  with foreign lobbies, should be recalled, publicly shunned, and forced to work for 15 years in the field of sewer maintenance.   Out government is NOT like the government of Mexico!    (YET.) McDave

Response:

Dear Cappy Porker; "Mess".    Not referring to myself.    I am in excellent shape for the shape I’m in (old/decrepit/semi-senile).   I’m well armed, skinny, and have a full tank of gasoline.  Now that is true happiness! My oh my,  it does sound as it you have found a real paradise on Earth there in the outskirts of gay Paree!   Does the sun really hold up until you are ready for it to set?   Now that is really something. But — I’d advise against too much traveling about.   Once you’ve been to all the tourist traps around the globe and realize that the people and the "things" are just the same here as there, you might become disillusioned. Also, you can catch any number of infectious plagues travelling about like that.  Also, airline travel nowadays is an awkward and tedious scenario. (You don’t have your own jet aircraft, do you?).    So, with a nice back yard and warm sunshine like you must have there in France, I’m surprised you’d want to go ANYWHERE. McDave in Maryland "A Faire Lande of Pleasant Living"

– Hide quoted text — Show quoted text -> Dear McDave, > I don’t know what kind of "mess" you find yourself. I may be fat and > dumb, but I’m happy. France is not Maryland but it is very, very nice > and there are much worse places to live; for example, imagine living > next door to some of the jerks who post messages in soc.retirement! I > used to live in Silver Springs, MD a long time ago right next to Rock > Creek Park. Here, just east of Paris, the sun doesn’t set in the > summertime until after 10PM, we get some snow in the winter, but not > much, and right now there are flowers all over the place. I see lots of > young married couples with lots of kids. My wife’s two sons each have > three. We just spent all of August on the French and Italian Riviera, > we got nice and tan and ate very well. Copenhagen, Berlin, Vienna, > London and Poznan are not very far from Paris so we will probably just > lock the door to the apartment and take the train to one of those > places for a long weekend this fall. We will probably visit New York > City around Christmas. The US seems very far away, probably because it > is. > Cochon Capitaliste

Response:

> He’s already > started his run for the nomination in 2008 by hooking up with groups > such as TheAmericanCause and trying to launch a new isolationist magazine.

Heh, heh, heh, . . . .   You don’t know what you’re writing about.  Buchanan and his sister, Bay, CREATED theamericancause!!   They also have large inputs to TheAmericanConservative publication. And, I don’t need to see your list.   I’ve read almost everything he has If you had a better appreciate of global politics you would NEVER use the word "Isolationist" in referring to Pat Buchanan.    There are an infinite number of levels between "Isolationism" and the naive dancing to the "Global Village" bongo-drums tune.    Buchanan’s philosophy lies at a moderate and sensible level between the extremes; exactly the level we will need to attain to retain our sovereignty and our status as a leader of nations (but NOT some sort of global empire ruled by someone with a grand "messiah" complex!). Buchanan may be a bit "aged" to make the run in 2008.  But, I cannot but believe there are many other intelligent, insightful, patriotic, potentially-great Statesmen out there in our land that could serve as his descendant. I could well be that the U.S. Citizenry (legal citizens & voters one and all) are finally waking up to what the major parties have done to our beloved nation. But (IMHO) TIME is not on our side.    Let us hope that something good can happen with the 2008 election. And, thanks for your wishes for our good fortune.   You will be with us when you fully appreciate what is at stake. McDave

Response:

Dear Dave, What do you expect from the Federal Gov’t? How would you suggest the Feds go about fufilling your expectations? Sincerely Cochon Capitaliste

Response:

> Dear Dave, > What do you expect from the Federal Gov’t? How would you suggest the > Feds go about fufilling your expectations? > Sincerely > Cochon Capitaliste

Dear Cappy; "Fulfilling my expectations"  is certainly an odd way to frame your question. But, it is easily answered. Until we as a people (legal citizens/voters all) can send some wise, intelligent, strong, and insightful, LEADERS down to the Washington, D.C., I do NOT expect the Fed. to do much of anything to correct the major ills of our nation.   The carelessness, laziness, of the Fed. and their sellout to global corporations and foreign interests are the reasons we are into this mess. Foreign lobbies have spent around $1 Billion in Washington over the past few years.     That money was VERY WELL SPENT from their standpoint. McDave

Response:

Dear McDave, I don’t know what kind of "mess" you find yourself. I may be fat and dumb, but I’m happy. France is not Maryland but it is very, very nice and there are much worse places to live; for example, imagine living next door to some of the jerks who post messages in soc.retirement! I used to live in Silver Springs, MD a long time ago right next to Rock Creek Park. Here, just east of Paris, the sun doesn’t set in the summertime until after 10PM, we get some snow in the winter, but not much, and right now there are flowers all over the place. I see lots of young married couples with lots of kids. My wife’s two sons each have three. We just spent all of August on the French and Italian Riviera, we got nice and tan and ate very well. Copenhagen, Berlin, Vienna, London and Poznan are not very far from Paris so we will probably just lock the door to the apartment and take the train to one of those places for a long weekend this fall. We will probably visit New York City around Christmas. The US seems very far away, probably because it is. Cochon Capitaliste

Response:

 > The thing that bothers me most is Buchanan’s isolationism. I am not   > convinced that in this day and time the U.S.A. can build a fence    > around the country and prevent any goods or people from coming in or  > going out, as he says he would do to solve all our problems. > If you were to read extensively, you’d know that the philosophy of > TheAmericanCause offers more to solve these many problems than any other of > the prominent movements. The Dem and GOP outfits have chosen to ignore > them. They will address them in no serious way. That is sad indeed. > Read more of Buchanan’s books and articles and you will be convinced.

I judge Buchanan by his own words, not the mud his ‘enemies’ sling. Although he’s been remarkably quiet the past few years, he was almost ubiqitous when he was running as the Reform Party candidate during the 2000 election. My opinion of him (and his ilk) was formed watching his performance on discussion panels and when giving speeches. He’s already started his run for the nomination in 2008 by hooking up with groups such as TheAmericanCause and trying to launch a new isolationist magazine. If you would like to read Buchanan’s own words, I would suggest that you check out http://www.buchanan.org/000-p-articles.html. Of course, as with all politicians, some sophisticated analysis of his words is required to understand fully what he is saying. Buchanan was an isolationist AmericaFirster in 2000, and he hasn’t changed his attitude. Good luck in 2008.

Response:

 > The two major parties no longer represent the best interests of the > Middle-class, Working, Legal, citizens of our beloved land.   They are owned > by global corporations and foreign interests.   It is time for MAJOR, repeat > MAJOR, changes.

The thing that bothers me most is Buchanan’s isolationism. I am not convinced that in this day and time the U.S.A. can build a fence around the country and prevent any goods or people from coming in or going out, as he says he would do to solve all our problems. The global system exists and is expanding and improving every day. I have great trouble visualizing how we would "drop out" of that system and go it completely alone.

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– Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – >  > The two major parties no longer represent the best interests of the > Middle-class, Working, Legal, citizens of our beloved land.   They are owned > by global corporations and foreign interests.   It is time for MAJOR, repeat > MAJOR, changes. > The thing that bothers me most is Buchanan’s isolationism. I am not > convinced that in this day and time the U.S.A. can build a fence around > the country and prevent any goods or people from coming in or going out, > as he says he would do to solve all our problems. > The global system exists and is expanding and improving every day. I > have great trouble visualizing how we would "drop out" of that system > and go it completely alone.

John, I think you entirely miss Buchanan’s intent when he calls for "America FIRST".    In no place in his writings or talk will you hear "isolation". That is a word that his enemies use to denigrate him. He is for trade policies that are balanced; NOT TILTED to favor the Chinese and other countries that use child labor and slavery to compete. No way his intent is to "drop out".    Far from it!! But, we cannot cannot go on having the annual deficits and trade imbalances that we have had for a decade or more; actually the neo-Cons and Reagan started it, and the Dems. were too dumb to realize what was happening and here we are. Eight $Trillion in debt; debt increasingly owned by foreign interests. That must stop or we will end up with inflation that will make the one in Germany in the 1920’s seem as child’s play. We are fast losing many of the features that  hold our culture together in this nation.   Our language is one of them.   Our religion (Judeo/Christian) is another. Our public school system teaching common societal/cultural features is another. We have no offcial/controlled geographical borders. Our people will save nothing.   They want instant gratification.   They want the government to give them anything they want from womb to tomb.   They do not want to be self reliant.   They want "gimme’, gimme’, gimme’, and then gimme’ some mo’.  The word goes out around the world; why do you think 70 percent of the world’s population wants to come here and take advantage of our naive welfare policies  ???   But, it’s all done with borrowed money and that means eventually the borrowed chickens will "Come Home To Roost" ! If you were to read extensively, you’d know that the philosophy of TheAmericanCause offers more to solve these many problems than any other of the prominent movements.   The Dem and GOP outfits have chosen to ignore them.   They will address them in no serious way.   That is sad indeed. Read more of Buchanan’s books and articles and you will be convinced. McDave

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> It’s increasingly difficult to get wise, intelligent, strong, and > insightful leaders when only the super squeaky clean who’ve never > committed the slightest blunder can hope to survive the nomination and > election process. > Emily

Boy, I’ll second that. The Honorables are so busy trying to sink their enemy’s battleship that I’m frankly amazed that so many ‘good’ people voluntarily subject themselves to the process. Can’t help but wonder how soon it becomes not just difficult, but impossible to get wise, intelligent, strong and insightful leaders to willingly subject themselves to the mudslinging. For every political hack like the ex-FEMA guy, there are dozens, if not hundreds, of real leaders who’ve survived the process and are doing their jobs well.

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– Hide quoted text — Show quoted text ->> Dear Dave, >> What do you expect from the Federal Gov’t? How would you suggest the >> Feds go about fufilling your expectations? >> Sincerely >> Cochon Capitaliste >Dear Cappy; >"Fulfilling my expectations"  is certainly an odd way to frame your >question. >But, it is easily answered. >Until we as a people (legal citizens/voters all) can send some wise, >intelligent, strong, and insightful, LEADERS down to the Washington, D.C., >I do NOT expect the Fed. to do much of anything to correct the major ills of >our nation.   The carelessness, laziness, of the Fed. and their sellout to >global corporations and foreign interests are the reasons we are into this >mess. > It’s increasingly difficult to get wise, intelligent, strong, and > insightful leaders when only the super squeaky clean who’ve never > committed the slightest blunder can hope to survive the nomination and > election process. >Foreign lobbies have spent around $1 Billion in Washington over the past few >years.     That money was VERY WELL SPENT from their standpoint. > Why focus only on foreign lobbies?  The ones representing domestic > interests appear to be getting plenty for their money, too. > Emily

You MUST BE JESTING!!    Squeaky clean?????   Take a good look at what the two major parties nominated last time around !!   Slightest blunder?—-John Kerry was one continuous blunder from birth onward!  <chuckle> Well, there is a WORLD of difference between domestic lobbies and foreign lobbies.  Special interests, wealth, production, business, looking out for our legal citizens WITHIN our beloved nation is one thing; that is the reason lobbying is allowed at all.   But, lobbying/bribing/extortion in the interest of foreign powers/entities is an ALTOGETHER different thing.   I McDave

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– Hide quoted text — Show quoted text -> Dear Dave, > What do you expect from the Federal Gov’t? How would you suggest the > Feds go about fufilling your expectations? > Sincerely > Cochon Capitaliste > Dear Cappy; > "Fulfilling my expectations"  is certainly an odd way to frame your > question. > But, it is easily answered. > Until we as a people (legal citizens/voters all) can send some wise, > intelligent, strong, and insightful, LEADERS down to the Washington, D.C., > I do NOT expect the Fed. to do much of anything to correct the major ills > of > our nation.   The carelessness, laziness, of the Fed. and their sellout to > global corporations and foreign interests are the reasons we are into this > mess.

What makes you think that our "leaders" are not selected by an intelligent and insightful ruling circle? That is not you and me, that is people like Sam Wyly, Rupert Murdoch, H. Ross Perot, Sam Richardson, and so on. Their interests are not your interests. So far as I can tell, our "leaders" serve them, not us, and serve them well. Do you imagine that you and I select our leaders by casting our votes between watching one stupid sit-com and the next? We take the time out between sit-coms to vote, and that does it? > Foreign lobbies have spent around $1 Billion in Washington over the past > few > years.     That money was VERY WELL SPENT from their standpoint.

Indeed. And you spent how much to get the leaders you want? Hap

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Amen, Bro.   !!!

– Hide quoted text — Show quoted text -> Interested in the 2008 election?   Go to the site below.  Down a short > ways from the top you will find an underlined heading "Lou Dobbs > Interviews Pat Buchanan" .     Click on it and you can download a > short video with their comments on what will be needed in 2008. > They are both so correct.   The two major parties no longer represent > the best interests of the Middle-class, Working, Legal, citizens of > our beloved land.   They are owned by global corporations and foreign > interests.   It is time for MAJOR, repeat MAJOR, changes.       Time > to wake up ! > http://www.theamericancause.org/ > God Bless the U.S. of A. > McDave in Maryland "A Faire Lande of Pleasant Living" > And the transition started over 50 years ago. > If some good people would really want a change instead of talking about all > the problems they would read up on this matter. > Pats’ site is a good place for that as he is not a radical, only a good > American. > — > "A free people ought not only to be armed and disciplined, but they should > have sufficient arms and ammunition to maintain a status of independence > from any who might attempt to abuse them, which would include their own > government." – George Washington

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No, Jerry.    Actually, it may be TOO LATE   !!! Take a peek at that web site. It is ALL AMERICAN  and issues pure and valid and trustworthy information !! McDave

– Hide quoted text — Show quoted text -> Not really….way too early. > Interested in the 2008 election?   Go to the site below.  Down a short > ways > from the top you will find an underlined heading "Lou Dobbs Interviews Pat > Buchanan" .     Click on it and you can download a short video with their > comments on what will be needed in 2008.     They are both so correct. > The > two major parties no longer represent the best interests of the > Middle-class, Working, Legal, citizens of our beloved land.   They are > owned > by global corporations and foreign interests.   It is time for MAJOR, > repeat > MAJOR, changes.       Time to wake up ! > http://www.theamericancause.org/ > God Bless the U.S. of A. > McDave in Maryland "A Faire Lande of Pleasant Living"

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Not really….way too early.

– Hide quoted text — Show quoted text -> Interested in the 2008 election?   Go to the site below.  Down a short > ways > from the top you will find an underlined heading "Lou Dobbs Interviews Pat > Buchanan" .     Click on it and you can download a short video with their > comments on what will be needed in 2008.     They are both so correct. > The > two major parties no longer represent the best interests of the > Middle-class, Working, Legal, citizens of our beloved land.   They are > owned > by global corporations and foreign interests.   It is time for MAJOR, > repeat > MAJOR, changes.       Time to wake up ! > http://www.theamericancause.org/ > God Bless the U.S. of A. > McDave in Maryland "A Faire Lande of Pleasant Living"

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Interested in the 2008 election?   Go to the site below.  Down a short ways from the top you will find an underlined heading "Lou Dobbs Interviews Pat Buchanan" .     Click on it and you can download a short video with their comments on what will be needed in 2008.     They are both so correct.   The two major parties no longer represent the best interests of the Middle-class, Working, Legal, citizens of our beloved land.   They are owned by global corporations and foreign interests.   It is time for MAJOR, repeat MAJOR, changes.       Time to wake up ! http://www.theamericancause.org/ God Bless the U.S. of A. McDave in Maryland "A Faire Lande of Pleasant Living"

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