State of the Union by Carl Moore
- November 09, 2009
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Speed Bump by Dave Coverly
Stone Soup by Jan EliotAbout State of the Union
State of the Union is the result of a self-professed "fallen liberal’s" journey from radical socialism to conversative cartooning. Combining startling caricatures with a sly sense of humor and a sharp eye for satire, this innovative new strip will be sure to tickle your funnybone while making you think.
© 2009 Creators Syndicate - All Rights Reserved.
Comments (38) Jump to Comments Form
scottfreitas
said,
17 days ago
Valid point. How many people get hired by “the poor”? How many jobs are created by “the poor?” And since “the poor” (I am using the Demoncrat Party definition of “poor”, of course) pay no federal income taxes, how much of the 2009 $3 trillion federal budget was funded by “the poor?”
I’m quite literally “poor”, myself. Yet I get no government check or “assistance” of any type, pay all my own bills out of my meager wages, and vote GOP because I know that all the Demoncrats ever due is drag more people down to MY income level, rather than raise anyone up…
The cartoon’s main point can not be cheered enough. There is no such thing as “trickle-up” economics. Cutting the taxes of people who pay no taxes accomplishes nothing.
Leftists are such fools they refuse to come to grips with such obvious facts as Carl Moore points out on an almost daily basis.
No doubt Thomas Jefferson would be profoundly disappointed that in today’s America there are no truths which are self-evident, because the Left has so dumbed-down and corrupted our education system…
Edcole1961 said, 17 days ago
Actually, this cartoon is completely wrong. The rich generally make their money by the poor, working and middle classes buying their products. If money is to retain value, it has to circulate.
The two main ways that money goes from the rich to the non-rich are taxes and wages. By eliminating jobs in this country, then paying less to outsource, the rich have cut the circulation off, and hurt everybody, even themselves. Of course, the poor and working classes are hit much harder. Cutting taxes for the rich only made things worse.
When too much money stays in the hands of the rich, it cuts off the process of circulation, and threatens the very system that made them rich in the first place. This is basic Economics 101. Unfortunately, those extremely greedy rich tend to ignore this fact, and hope that someone else solves the circulation problem.
When the poor, working and middle classes have a bit more money, it does indeed “trickle up” to the owners of the stores they shop in and the goods manufacturers of the products they buy with their extra money. When the rich have more money, they tend to add it to their investment portfolios, since they already have all the goods they want, so the other classes get no benefit out of it. This is the very simple reason why tax cuts for the rich have always led to an economic downturn. It’s time for the non-rich to finally realize that the rich have been conning them when they claim that giving the rich more money somehow benefits anyone but the rich.
sablebrush5 said, 17 days ago
Whatever the Obamians call their attempts to take us back to prosperity, it isn’t working. In fact, the way to prosperity pretty much means doing the opposite of what Obama, Summers, Geithner et al, are doing - lower taxes, don’t raise them; cut spending, don’t pile on record-breaking spending programs; support the dollar by raising interest rates; fewer regulations, not more; encourage and support free trade, not protectionism; cut our corporate tax rate which is already one of the highest in the world; cut the capital-gains tax rate; encourage businessmen, entrepreneurs and, yes, corporations, don’t demonize them; less government intrusion in our daily lives, not more.
Do these things and you create an economic and business climate that incentivizes investment, innovation, business start-ups, etc., all of which are the engines of job creation, Obama’s greatest obstacle to a successful presidency. But, of course, he won’t do these things. He will do - and is doing - the opposite. He can’t help himself. He’s a big-government Democrat, exactly what we don’t need at this moment in our history.
Obama is a good guy and I wish him well. But, tragically, he’s riding a horse that’s going back to the 1970s, a time of run away inflation, economic stagnation and high unemployment.
scottfreitas
said,
17 days ago
Hey edcole: the cartoon is not “completely wrong”, and you bleeep sure didn’t type even one word to refute my points about “the poor” NOT creating jobs, NOT hiring people, NOT paying salaries, NOT paying federal income taxes etc
The only valid points you DID make were ruined by your false notion that the private sector eliminated jobs, outsourced, etc when it fact it was GOVERNMENT–aka corrupt, greedy, economically illiterate POLITICIANS–who weakened America by embracing the Orwellian-titled “Free Trade” garbage.
Our Founders recognized that tariffs on foreign goods were a healthy thing for both American prosperity and american independence. The USA became the manufacturing giant in the world precisely because it made products in America, using American workers, geared primarily at American consumers. It did not and would not have become great by building factories in China, Mexico, etc and forcing Americans to try and compete with what are essentially slave wages.
I have never agreed with the modern-day GOP’s attitude towards both “free trade” (which is NOT free trade, but instead a license for foreigners to bleed America dry while enriching themselves enormously) and multi-national corporations.
America can no longer build all the necessary components needed to supply its military, and is woefully incapable of constructing electronics components period.
Here we are, living in a high-tech computer age, and America makes virtually none of the components needed to make even the simplest of machines WORK.
If China or some other belligerent power ever manages, by whatever means, to bully / blockade/ bargain with just a handful of mostly Asian countries, it could then start a war against us knowing that we would very quickly run out of the parts needed to keep our military, economy, and infrastructure functional.
We are fools beyond all measure to allow ourselves to grow so dependent upon overseas nations that we will be unable to supply our own needs in a time of warfare or other emergency..
Lewreader
said,
17 days ago
The “rich”:
SAVE–Jobs
INVEST–Jobs
SPEND–Jobs
One might note the “Middle Class”:
SAVE–banks–Jobs
INVEST–401 K–Jobs
SPEND-our homes–Jobs
Who is missing from this wonderful job creation
GOVERNMENT:
SAVE?
INVEST?
SPEND–taxes–inflation, deficit, oh yeah, taxes
The government that governs best governs least
raceme97 said, 17 days ago
I find it ironic how the liberals slam the rich when the reality is the Democrat party is controled by the greedy mega-rich. The Kennedys, the Rockefellers, Gates and Buffett are all part of the elitist Democrats. The Democrats are the ones preying on the poor, the illiterate, the elderly and weak minded. The Conservative movement is about the entrepreneur and the individual’s right to succeed or fail. The Democrats greatest hypocrisy is their constant blocking of any kind of tort reform. The reason most companies move jobs overseas or stop producing in the U.S. involves the constant threat of lawsuits and ridiculus liabilty claims.
LibrarianInTraining said, 17 days ago
Edcole, I agree that we need to keep jobs in America. This is the only way any economic system is going to work.
The rich own businesses, hire the lower and middle classes and pay them. They, in turn, purchase things from businesses owned by the wealthy. It’s all a well balanced cycle.
But taking care of “the poor” was never the government’s job. It was the church’s. Sadly, that started getting phased out due to hypocritical Christians, and anti-religious governments in the end of the 1800s.
And so, caring for the “poor, widows, and orphans” which had been the job of the church for over a millennium became the job of Uncle Sam, who had to increase taxes to fund programs to care for “the poor”.
If only we could get everyone’s jobs back where they belong: the church caring for the poor, and American jobs being worked by American employees.
harleyquinn
said,
17 days ago
Our Community Organizer in Chief believe in Trickle down. Trickle down from good government jobs from the stimulus bill. One if passed right now because there is a crisis will keep the unemployment in the 8%.
How is that hope and change going for you?
harleyquinn
said,
17 days ago
You want jobs?
Try the FAIR TAX!
WaitingMan
said,
17 days ago
Definition of trickle-down economics: The rich get to urinate on everyone else.
davesmithsit said, 17 days ago
people who have a point pound it! poeple who dont pound the table! show me one poor person who ever hired anyone!
Jae'da
said,
17 days ago
“If only we could get everyone’s jobs back where they belong: the church caring for the poor”
Ian Valenzuela
said,
17 days ago
Wealth always flows up, unless the people regulate the upper class. Robber barons, slavery, fiefdoms, dynasties, monopolies, the Church, insurance companies, all examples where the wealth created by labor moves up the chain to people who did NOTHING to earn it.
someone_different said, 17 days ago
Once again Carl Moore has his head placed in an antonomically impossible location.You want an example of successful trickle up economics,look to Henry Ford,When he started building the Model T he began paying his worked what was about twice the going rate,his thinking was that I pay my people enough to live on with a reasonable amount left they can afford to buy my products,the more they buy the more I have to make,the workers have steady employment,I have steady sales and a steady profit.I seemed to work very well for Ford .Without the workers there is no profit,and with out employers there is no income,both are dependant on each other
harleyquinn
said,
17 days ago
Maybe he is talking about trickle up poverty where in Ian ans someones view the workers created and controlled the jobs Ford made possible. Oh wait that is not what happened that is what happened to GM.
someone_different said, 17 days ago
harleyquinn and friends, you really need to start using you thinking abilities abit better.Sure Ford created the jobs,and with out smart people like Ford there wouldn’t be much of an ecomony,but as Herny knew with out the workers he ain’t got nothing but a good idea.You start a company and build it up you are entiled to your profits and your toys ,but do not forget that you are as dependant on a work force to build your company as they are on you to create and manage it well.The current thinking that the people at the top deserve what ever they can bleed out out the company and to hell the the peons is one of the reasons we are in this current mess.As an employee wether it is CEO or janitor you are not entiltled to unlimmited income or benifits.As a CEO it seems you are entitled to a bonus and stock option,why are not the workers and those on the lower rungs entilted to the same options?.and before you start off again with out putting your brain into gear, I own business and I have employees,so I know what I’m talking about, do you?
mroberts88 said, 17 days ago
someone_different is right. Without the workers, there are no jobs, and vice versa.
jae, not every church or christian is like that.
harleyquinn
said,
17 days ago
“are entiled to your profits and your toys ,but do not forget that you are as dependant on a work force to build your company as they are on you to create and manage it well.The current thinking that the people at the top deserve what ever they can bleed out out the company ”
Tell that to Obama who keeps hiring Communist and Maxis and he thinks it is his role to bleed out the company for the good of the Country.
harleyquinn
said,
17 days ago
Oh and Someone, I am thinking and I have backed a plan. a simple one.
FAIR TAX!
tell me as a owner of a business is the IRS your friend?
Alphauno said, 17 days ago
Henry Ford didn’t pay for health care, retirement (also for survivors), 85% of wages when people were laid off, have workers who skip days working with full pay, have workers who file bogus worker’s compensation claims, or have workers protected from getting fired when they deserve so.
Henry Ford is rolling in his grave like he’s on a spit!
Even if a CEO makes one dollar a YEAR off each employee, that’s over $1.5 million dollars! Can you sit there and say it’s the greed of the CEO? Ridiculous.
DavidDow said, 17 days ago
Lew, the government creates jobs, invests in lots of industries (creating & maintaining more jobs), & spends both usefully (education) & foolishly (invasions).
I agree with you about government: However, when we still have a government run by big business, and when we still have a terribly inegalitarian society, then we are hardly ready for anarchy. You have to read the next sentence after “…governs least.” “And when men are ready for it, that is the government they will have.”
jack75287 said, 17 days ago
There was a time when you made less then $3000 dollars in this country you paid no taxes at all. That was way back in the 50’s or something. The problem with is, it never really changed. I don’t know what it is now it may have been raised. Still $3000 then was a lot more money then it is today a person could live on $3000. Maybe not well but still live. If trickle down is to work the laws need to be set to allow it to trickle down.
Both parties have dropped the ball on this one. The taxes for less then $3000 a year I doubt could cover its own cost to manage going through the IRS.
Fairportfan2
said,
17 days ago
jack75287: In the 50s (well, the early 50s) you could live quite well on $3000/year. My parents bought a new two-bedroom house with a finishable attic in a suburban Cleveland neighbourhood for $5000 in 1952 0r so. Last i checked on line, that house had most recently sold for over $150,000.
To everyone else: Those so enamoured of telling us how great “trickle down” economics is might want to check on the origin of the term.
Hint: It’s from a speech by Harry Truman.
ChukLitl
said,
16 days ago
Re: harleyquinn
I’ll believe in the “fair tax” when you remove the cap on Social Security taxes. As self employed working poor, I was paying 15%. I’d be surprised if any major CEO is paying a 15th of a %.
Re: LibrarianInTraining
It wasn’t just the churches caring for “poor, widows, and orphans.” It was Masons, Elks, Eagles, Moose, etc., & it’s always been good business for the Mafia & Hezbolah to get “the masses” on their side.
tipitim said, 16 days ago
i know a really rich guy who says, “money’s like poop, it floats”
jack75287 said, 16 days ago
Fairportfan2
I don’t believe I was telling anyone enamoured with anything. I was trying to make a point. I made it clear I did not know the exact date.
harleyquinn
said,
16 days ago
ChuckLitl
In order for the Fair Tax to work 1st the 16th will be repealed! No more taxing income. That 15% is gone.
ChukLitl
said,
16 days ago
Your repeal the 16th goes with scott’s. The founders intent was to fund government through tarriffs. So far so good. Ask a Mexican corn farmer or French shepherd how fair “free trade” is.
But the 15% I was talking about was Social Security, not income tax. Employers pay half, employees pay half, the self employed pay both halves. Over the cap, the more you make the smaller the real % gets. Not even close to a “fair tax.”
johndh123 said, 16 days ago
Edcole
”..When the poor, working and middle classes have a bit more money, it does indeed “trickle up” to the owners of the stores they shop in and the goods manufacturers of the products they buy with their extra money….”
Nice concept but wrong. Ed, you are not accounting for inflation. That is to say, if you pay more for something for that ‘extra’ cash ‘kicking around’ you are receiving nothing more of value for the extra money. That is simply inflationary, and ultimately the only beneficiary is government. One oft used term is ‘Supply and Demand’ which I have found to remain true. If the demand for any product (or service for that matter) remains high, the price for the same will stay high. If the price becomes prohibitive, even if in demand, products/services will drop. (An example is crabs in the state of Maryland. Some years the harvest is meager, commanding high prices. Other years the ‘crabbers’ lament that their catches are great but the prices are dreadfully low.) I think it would be reasonable to assume if the government were in control of the aspects of health coverage, of course the price would be stable (right?, my friends on the left) What you can rest assured, is that the quality of service, ie waiting for the services of a specialist say, will suffer.
jmworacle said, 16 days ago
“Trickle Up” economics benefit the “eliete” in such “workers paradises” such as Cuba……………..
ChukLitl
said,
16 days ago
“Supply & demand?” During the UFW grape boycott a good bottle of California wine was about $15. With the unions pacified, there’s a glut on the market & the same quality runs around $7, even though sodas are 3 times higher, meat is 6 times higher & gas is 9 times higher. Before the recent “adjustment” in real estate, my house was up there with gas, now it’s closer to meat.
“Too big to fail?” Tell it to the dinosaurs. It’s not capitalism. Neither is “just trying to make a buck.” That’s what the counterfeiter said. Capitalism is value for value. If your workers made your company $1million, they deserve a million, not the CEO. If the CEO made a million, without the workers value added, it’s counterfeit & he belongs in jail.
sablebrush5 said, 16 days ago
Off the subject. Regarding Pelosi getting ObamaCare passed in the House - this is the best letter-to-the-editor I’ve seen:
“Let me get this straight. We’re going to pass a health care plan written by a committee whose head says he doesn’t understand it, passed by a Congress that hasn’t read it but whose members exempt themselves from it, signed by a president who also hasn’t read it (and who smokes), with funding administered by a Treasury chief who didn’t pay his taxes, overseen by a surgeon general who is obese, and financed by a country that’s nearly broke. What possibly could go wrong?”
johndh123 said, 16 days ago
ChukLitl
Unsure of what you said, but I assume you disagreed with my take on ‘supply and demand’. You made my very point when you mentioned your house is now worth less than say, one year ago? Dare I suggest there are PLENTY (supply) houses now available, but the demand is much less with loan defaults. I will agree that a CEO making money while not instrumental in the process should not get compensated richly; and for the sake of discussion, should be removed from Chief Operating Officer for incompetence. Belonging in jail for being a criminal, yes; belonging in jail for being inept, nah my friend.
I think these blogs are unnecessarily filled with rants about the ‘corporate’ monster; to suggest that ALL corporations are these behemoths that are unseen, yet control the economy, etc etc and blah blah. 75% to 80% of our economy is powered by SMALL business. It may surprise you that I am no champion of the Board of Directors of ANY large business, but the problem my friends lies with our politicans who will jump on board with a flawed treaty as NAFTA. Of COURSE we all want lower prices, but I suggest we allowed our industries to leave the US without the requirement of the new host countries to follow the same stringent ecological impact laws, for instance, that we enjoy in the US. The spin put out when NAFTA was being pushed, was that they would require these countries to comply with our set of ‘rules’ ‘down the road’ (my choice of words but it was posed essentially the same way) Thus, we have parceled out more and more of our manufacturing base for the blessing of ‘low prices’. Here we are, getting cheaper goods, but only being able to afford cheaper goods anyway, since our manufacturing base has been eroded.
Ronshua
said,
16 days ago
Executive Order 11051 specifies the responsibility of the Office of Emergency Planning and gives authorization to put all Executive Orders into effect in times of increased international tensions and economic or financial crisis.
http://www.fas.org/irp/offdocs/eo/index.html
Check out ……. Executive Order 112919
ChukLitl
said,
16 days ago
johndh123; Not a disagreement, I think. My home value is closer to reality, now. If I wanted to flip, it might hurt, but I live here. The bubble might need deflating a little more. The “too big to fail” dinosaurs, though, need to collapse. It sux if you work for them, but it frees up a workforce that could be used to in–source labor under my other arguments.
Jae'da
said,
16 days ago
“jae, not every church or christian is like that.”
johndh123 said, 16 days ago
ChukLitl said, about 12 hours ago
“johndh123; Not a disagreement, I think…..”
I understand ChukLiti. I am in the same boat as you with the deflated housing market. I cannot tell you the number of times I said…”If I had only sold my house six months earlier…” ~laughs~
johndh123 said, 16 days ago
sablebrush
absolutely beautiful~!