Letter from Canada that should be published EVERYWHERE!

[napi21]

https://www.dailykos.com/story/2014/11/11/1343931/-Another-Open-Letter-To-Americans-About-Midterms-This-Time-From-Canada-This-One-Hurts?detail=emailclassic


Many of us Canadians are confused by the U.S. midterm elections. Consider, right now in America, corporate profits are at record highs, the country's adding 200,000 jobs per month, unemployment is below 6%, U.S. gross national product growth is the best of the Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development (OECD) countries. The dollar is at its strongest levels in years, the stock market is near record highs, gasoline prices are falling, there's no inflation, interest rates are the lowest in 30 years, U.S. oil imports are declining, U.S. oil production is rapidly increasing, the deficit is rapidly declining, and the wealthy are still making astonishing amounts of money.

America is leading the world once again and respected internationally — in sharp contrast to the Bush years. Obama brought soldiers home from Iraq and killed Osama bin Laden.

So, Americans vote for the party that got you into the mess that Obama just dug you out of? This defies reason.

When you are done with Obama, could you send him our way?

Richard Brunt

Victoria, British Columbia


I'd like to see this letter printed on Page one of all, US newspapers, the cover of the news mags, and the home page of all the political web sites. Richard said the truth better than I've seen or heard it phrased before. Everybody needs to read it and THINK!

[3catwoman3]

1. Damn right!

Excellent summary. Many of us here in the US don't understand it either.

When President Obama suggested mandatory voting a few weeks ago, someone here opined that this would be a good way to suppress Repbulican't turnout - "President Obama wants me to vote? Hell, no! I'm sitting this one out."

[erronis]

16. Most US plods don't wan't to know shite about what's happening

In Canada, in the world, in science, in medicine. They are interested in their entertainment, general comfort, kids that don't bug them too much, air-conditioning, nice car.

Unfortunately, the US Way seems to continue to infect our fine neighbors. You finally got a PM that matches our ex-W for RW stupidity. Your government grabbed hold of the Texan bullnuts and decided that raping the environment for tar sand oil export was worth every little bit of ecological depredation.

Still, every time I cross the border into Canada (or most other countries), I let loose a big sigh and realize that there are other ways of living rationally - and that other countries have other ways of making life a mess.

[Andy823]

2. Exactly [phone] nt

[Romulox]

3. Our economy is not back to where it was in 2008.

The banks were "made whole" as this President's first priority in office, and the people are still waiting.

[napi21]

4. What did you have in 2008 that you don't have now?

I can tell you I was in pretty nasty financial shape, my son was unemployed, and hundres of thousands of people were being layed off each month. things are a LOT BETTER now.

[LibDemAlways]

14. In 2008 my husband had a good job that he had held

for 20 years. He had a good salary and great benefits. In 2010 he lost that job when the company eliminated his division. After 6 months he finally located another position at a 40% pay cut and with sub-par benefits. That job went away when that company went under last year. He subsequently scrambled and found a similar position with the same sucky salary and even worse benefits. So, in answer to your question, what we had in 2008 was a bigger income and better job-related benefits. I know there are millions in a similar boat who lost a lot when the economy tanked and have never fully recovered.

[wryter2000]

7. I got help with HARP

Because of Bush, my house lost over half of its value, and my mortgage was under water. Despite that, I was able to refinance at a low rate because of Obama's HARP. That gave me an extra $400/month. No, it's not Koch brothers money, but it sure helped. Now I have equity in the house again, and if I had to, I could sell it.

[whereisjustice]

5. How about we send you TPP instead?

[navarth]

8. +1, sadly.

[840high]

13. good idea

[world wide wally]

6. He apparently doesn't watch Fox News

[Augiedog]

9. And on the 8th day...

Obama remade the world in every bodies best vision! And still some complained.

[House of Roberts]

10. They don't understand one thing.

Every time our national debt got to 100% of GDP in the past, the wealthy were forced to pay off the debt. This time, they are determined to make the poor and working class pay the debt instead. The Republican Party is wholly dedicated to this endeavor.

[erronis]

18. Huh? Any info to support your statement?

Every time our national debt got to 100% of GDP in the past, the wealthy were forced to pay off the debt.

That's really interesting but I'm guessing it is more Point-Of-View than historical.

[House of Roberts]

19. After WW2 the debt was over 100% of GDP

and the top tax rate was 91% until 1964. We're there again, and the top rate is well below half that, with most wealth paying the capital gains rate at 20-24%.

[erronis]

20. OK - thanks. Too bad this is just an income tax that the wealthy don't have to worry about

While capital gains was probably much higher than it is now, I'm guessing that a lot of truly wealthy people didn't need to declare income from investments that were hidden outside of the normal IRS reporting system.

And even now, the truly wealthy can take payments for "services rendered" in lots of non-trackable benefits.

If we discount totally the trickle-down meme that has been a favorite of various economists and presidential advisors is there any reason to not tax any income at the same progressive rates?

Accumulated wealth is a bit harder to get at except as inheritance taxes (upon transfer) or as a small percentage of wealth declared.

[hifiguy]

11. Apart from the bit about unemployment

(I wouldn't expect the average Canadian to know that it's really 10-15% when underemployment and those who have given p hope of ever finding another job are included) he makes a hell of a point.

[Tierra_y_Libertad]

12. “In individuals, insanity is rare; but in groups, parties, nations, and epochs it is the rule.”

“In individuals, insanity is rare; but in groups, parties, nations, and epochs it is the rule.”
― Friedrich Nietzsche

[stonecutter357]

15. K&R!

[kairos12]

17. But, Benghazi.

[freshwest]

24. It will never end until the GOP loses majority. It's their new Starr Chamber. If HRC...

And that is an IF, still, as even Bill says, IF she wins the nomination, IF she wins the general...

Gets into office, they'll be talking the same things they did a score of years ago. Unless the House and Senate are cleansed of the GOP/ Koch filth.

[kentuck]

21. I suspect this is all true...

But why haven't 80% of the working people benefited in their standard of living, also?

http://www.epi.org/publication/raising-americas-pay/

[druidity33]

22. and why is it

that most of the college graduates i know are working in restaurants or retail stores? I don't know anyone with Savings or Retirement funds. NOT ONE.

[kentuck]

23. It's a problem.

You are right. And it doesn't do any good for us to stick our heads in the sand and pretend otherwise.

[napi21]

26. Mostly because the many of the GOOD PAYING jobs have been outsourced.

I don't recall the # now, but the number of mfg. companies that have moved out of the country just between 2000 & 2008 is extremely high! When the Dems tried to pass legislation to eliminate the tax loophole for a business to move their operation overseas, the Pubs shot it down very forcefully.

I honestly can't see any fix to any of this until the Pubbies are forced into the minority again...FOR A VERY LONG TIME!

[Dont call me Shirley]

25. Over 90% of all economic gains have gone to top 1%, most of us have stayed the same or gotten

worse financially, since the 2008 crash.

Obama has done good things, and some not so good things. He has not deserved the constant bashing and fierce opposition he has received.

No TPP!

[awoke_in_2003]

27. "There's no inflation"

That is where I call BS. if you think there is no inflation, you haven't shopped for groceries in years (or are an elected official who doesn't stoop to such levels as to shop for themselves)

[akbacchus_BC]

29. You are too funny! I would take President Obama any day. But am not trading my hero

Mr. Jean Chretien. He was smart and did not fall into the trap with Bush and the invasion of Iraq. However, we still have have mini bush in the likes of Harper, piece a shit not going away! Hope the NDP will get rid of that piece of asshole soon!

[TBF]

30. Hmm - no mention of economic inequality -

I guess that little tidbit doesn't concern Richard Brunt.