I give up

[Goliath]

This was the title of Jon Stewart's opening segment in wednesday's episode of 'The Daily Show'. And I join him, in giving up. Giving up on politics, giving up the notion that someday things are going to change for the better, giving up on the idea that somehow we can make a difference.

Why? Because a bill was just voted down to give health insurance to those who risked their lives on 9/11 to look for survivors in the rubble of the Twin Towers. And it was voted down because it would increase taxes... for multibillion dollar corporations that try to avoid taxes through mailboxes on the Cayman Islands.

A two-third majority was needed for this bill, where nomally half of the votes suffice. This measure was proposed by... the Democrats. Why? Because otherwise the Republicans would amend the bill to make sure illegal immigrants would get none of the money. The Democrats wouldn't want to vote those amendments down, because that would "make them look bad in an election year".

And so, I, like Jon Stewart, give up. I've never seen him so serious and so angry. Ever. Please watch this episode. Even if you don't care about politics, even if you think the show is not your kind of humor. If only, just do it for me. I wept when I saw this. Yes, *me*. Seriously. I did.

http://www.thedailyshow.com/watch/wed-a ... nders-bill

[Super Aurora]

I thought this thread was about giving up trying to argue with Disney Duster.

Misleading title is misleading

[Flanger-Hanger]

Saw that today and thought it was stupid too. Just what was the amount required for the tax per individual?

[Margos]

Wow, Goliath... That actually was really powerful. Man, Jon is funny, but he's really, really good at putting his point across. This whole freakin' thing is riduculous.

I did kinda LOL at how true that fake ad at the end of the segment was:
"The Republicans are such f***ing assholes!"
"And the Democrats are such F***ing pussies!"
"What do we do!?"
"Call your representative, and tell them they're just f***ing terrible."

[Lazario]

Well... if we can recognize how wrong what's going on is, we still have a shot at at least trying to start fixing things.

That's the only real problem we got. Not coming to an agreement amongst ourselves to prove that at least someone can- despite all the worthless, ratshit politicians we pay obscenely and at this point need as much as a hole in our head. (Correction: another hole)

[Goliath]

Wow, Goliath... That actually was really powerful. Man, Jon is funny, but he's really, really good at putting his point across. This whole freakin' thing is riduculous.

It is, isn't? I'm glad you watched it. When I saw Rep. Anthony Weiner (D-NY) going mad at the House floor, it really got to me. I don't know why.

I thought about the 9/11 'first responders'. I mean, they risked their lives to help people and now they're in bad health because of it --but the very same people who always use "9/11" for political reasons now don't want to help them. You know, people often say I'm a cynic, but actually *that* is cynical.

And at the same time, it was good to see that there are indeed still *some* politicians with a conscience, like Weiner. There's too little of them. (Kucinich, Grayson, Sanders and Whitehouse are the only ones I can think of right now.)

Have you also seen the second segment of the show? I should've mentioned that in my first post. That was about two Lebanese soldiers, a Lebanese journalist and an Israeli soldier getting killed... ... over a tree. There was a tree on the border of Israel en Lebanon and the Israeli's wanted to chop it down because it blocked a camera, but the Lebanese claimed it was on their territory. A gunfight ensued. Four people dead. Over a tree.

Can you let that sink in? I give up.

Here's the *entire* part with Weiner. I wish somebody in Dutch parliament would have enough courage to speak up like this. I have to laugh when he yells in anger, but still continues to say: "the gentleman". That's being angry in a polite way.

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[Duckburger]

Well I watched it.

That was deplorable, to say the least. Jon handled it great, he was funny while also being really serious, and showed that he actually cared. But, those FOX News and CNN representatives. WOW! Stupidity has reached a new level. That blonde FOX fem-bot should never reproduce for the sake of mankind.

And it seems like you need to be corrupt to apply for a job as a politician. As a result, the US congress is one big pile of corrupted fools, who can't be bothered to give a damn. America, a land full of heroes... but sadly they're all dying of lung cancer, bronchitis and emphysema.

Thanks for posting though, I actually had no idea this was going on right now. I just can't (or don't want to) believe that moral issues like this are being decided - based on the financial prosperity of corporate companies, including pharmaceutical companies, which is kind of ironic.

/soapbox-mode off.

[ajmrowland]

[Lazario]

Well I watched it. That was deplorable, to say the least. Jon handled it great, he was funny while also being really serious, and showed that he actually cared. But, those FOX News and CNN representatives. WOW! That blonde FOX fem-bot should never reproduce for the sake of mankind.

Agreed.

Stupidity has reached a new level.

Oh, I don't think so. This is the same old kind of stupid, it's just that now this is an issue that touches everyone. So... to put it bluntly and crudely; only rich people are spineless enough to be able to tell us that it's wrong- giving this aid to the 9/11 workers.

I'm gay, so, I actually know what it's like to listen to articulate people talk on TV and know they haven't got a working brain cell in their head. We hear it all the time.

I just can't (or don't want to) believe that moral issues like this are being decided - based on the financial prosperity of corporate companies, including pharmaceutical companies, which is kind of ironic.

They obviously see their financial well-being as being affected by this issue. Trouble is, they don't care about us and we can't know what it's like to be one of them. So, the cycle continues.

[milojthatch]

I saw the bit and read the article about this before I saw the show. Just remember, it is always darkest before the dawn.

[Goliath]

That blonde FOX fem-bot should never reproduce for the sake of mankind.

That is Dana Perino, who served as the press secretary of the Bush White House. (Could you tell?)

Thanks for posting though, I actually had no idea this was going on right now.

Thank you for watching.

I just can't (or don't want to) believe that moral issues like this are being decided - based on the financial prosperity of corporate companies, including pharmaceutical companies, which is kind of ironic.

Welcome to the world of politics. It's the same almost everywhere in the world. And the few who don't want to participate in these cynical games, are demonised or ridiculed in the media. Power and greed always trumps morals and principles. (Just watch the formation of the new Dutch cabinet.)

Okay, I'll step down from my soapbox, too. But not before I've complimented Jon Stewart and his team once again. The writing, delivery and timing are excellent. I especially like how he shows he's really angry. He's not playing a role here. It doesn't happen often. He's not angry every night, like, say, Keith Olbermann (who I happen to like). That makes the effect much stronger.

But power and greed and corruptible seed
Seem to be all that there is
- Bob Dylan, 'Blind Willie McTell' (1983)

[Maerj]

That's pretty lame of them. It would be cool if someone could make a billboard or some kind of big ad campaign showing what's going on here. People need to take back their government, methinks.

[ajmrowland]

I admit, I enjoy a little Jon Stewart, but this has to be the angriest I've seen him yet.

[milojthatch]

That's pretty lame of them. It would be cool if someone could make a billboard or some kind of big ad campaign showing what's going on here. People need to take back their government, methinks.

That's what the Tea Party claims they want to do. And I'd agree that something does need to be done. BUT, where they go wrong is how they want to change it. A shake up of Washington must come from wisdom and intelligences. Maybe this is a sad commentary of other government in this Planet, but even with as bad as it is in the US, we still have the best. What if we have some big take over as some in the Tea Party have suggested, others carried away, that a more violent, "civil war" type approach need to be what has to happen? How many would need to die for that to happen? Are we ready to accept the possibilities that it would not be a very fast fight and could turn our nation into little more then a third world nation? How do we know the kind of government that would replace the current one would really be much better, and maybe not worse?

The point is, some serious thought has to be put into play by all Americans. The Constitution needs to be our base, but not our final answer. It wasn't meant for that, just merely to give us a skeleton to frame our government on. And most important, we have to put away the emotion we may feel about whatever issue. The 9/11 bill Jon Stewart was talking about very much is an example of legislation that pulls on the heart strings. While I agree with him, we can't let emotion direct our actions. Because we'll not be any better if we do.

America is a great country, but she may be facing her greatest challenges yet. But I believe she can make it past, all hope is not lost.

[dvdjunkie]

How about if enough people remember this little item and when it comes to voting, you don't vote for that representative who voted against this bill. The power in the VOTE!!! people, you need to remember this.

That is one problem that most people have, they don't like something, and raise their voice to be heard, and the only was it is going to be heard is at election time when you don't vote for that particular person.

Our right to vote is not a privilege, it is a RIGHT!!! Use it wisely and we won't have idiots that supposedly represent us.

[Lazario]

How about if enough people remember this little item and when it comes to voting, you don't vote for that representative who voted against this bill. The power in the VOTE!!! people, you need to remember this.

That is one problem that most people have, they don't like something, and raise their voice to be heard, and the only was it is going to be heard is at election time when you don't vote for that particular person.

Our right to vote is not a privilege, it is a RIGHT!!! Use it wisely and we won't have idiots that supposedly represent us.

Oh, that's no good... unless we create some kind of organization that advertises who we're voting for and exactly why we didn't vote for the other person.

We gotta be so groovy now, and finally get together. "Reach out in the darkness and you may find a frehhhhhnd."

[Goliath]

That's what the Tea Party claims they want to do.

Those are the same people who sat on their asses for 8 years when Bush shredded the Constitution, violated numeral national and international laws, and took away the rights of suspects and detainees, including American citizens. Now they found the 'Tea Party' because they think their taxes are rising, while they're decreasing for 95% of households under Obama. Prominent Tea Partiers include Rush Limbaugh, Glenn Beck, Michelle Bachmann and Sarah Palin.

It's not a coincidence the 'movement' was founded after the first black president was elected.

Maybe this is a sad commentary of other government in this Planet, but even with as bad as it is in the US, we still have the best.

That's a delusion the media want to sell to you. Your politicians are bought off. They spend half their time on the phone, begging for campaign donations to big corporations and lobbyists... and they want something in return. The Supreme Court recently decided there can't be a limit to donations a corporation can make. That has effectively removed the few, tiny obstacles there were to prevent the country from becoming an olicharchy.

I'm very ashamed about the current crop of politicians in The Netherlands and I'm afraid what the new cabinet will unleash unto us, but at least our members of parliament aren't bought off, because we have very strict limitations on donations, and we have public funding of campaigns. At least there's a more even level playing field over here.

What about the demonised and ridiculed governments of Latin-America? They're lifting millions of people out of poverty; their economies are booming despite a global recession; hundred of thousands of jobs are created; hundred of thousands of people are learning to read and write or have access to higher education, for the first time in history. All that and fair elections too.

What if we have some big take over as some in the Tea Party have suggested, others carried away, that a more violent, "civil war" type approach need to be what has to happen?

Before anything can change, three things have to happen:

1. Campaign finance reform. Make sure politicians don't have to spend half their time begging for campaign money anymore.

2. Break up the media monopolies. Nobody is going to want to change the status quo when they're not properly informed. Currently, nobody is. The media are controlled by four or five multinational corporations with their own agendas.

3. Break up the two-party system. As long as voters have no viable third option, they will continue to vote for the same people who continue to fuck things up.

[Duckburger]

Humorously enough, one of those conglomerates is the very one we all discuss here on a daily basis. Though obviously it's not concerning the subsidaries that are being discussed here, but still.

I believe the media is controlled for the most part by Time-Warner (CNN), Viacom (CBS), NBC-Universal (MSNBC), News Corporation (FOX News) and The Walt Disney Company (ABC News).

And of course none come without their own respective film studio(s), news paper/magazine outlets and television networks to push more of their own agenda.

[Goliath]

Jon Stewart has been following this story. He has brought it up quite a few times in recent weeks. Even if he was just briefly mentioning it, it's clear this ia an important issue to him and he won't let it go. Monday night, he did an extended follow-up to this issue. Again, like the first segment, it blew me away. What's different from most of his parts, it's really obvious how angry he personally is about this. And he should be. Everybody should be. Republicans have taken advantage of 9/11 every step of the way, but now they won't give health benefits to 9/11 first responders?

http://www.thedailyshow.com/watch/mon-d ... k-congress

[jpanimation]

3. Break up the two-party system. As long as voters have no viable third option, they will continue to vote for the same people who continue to fuck things up.

And in comes the Libertarian Party, who just can't compete with all the advertising the corporate owned parties can afford. It's a shame, because people aren't aware that there is another more viable option. Both of the corporate owned parties pay good money to paint Libertarians as anarchist and extremists, to scare off any possible voters, when it's actually dead center of the political spectrum.