...Or We Becoming a 3rd World Country???

OK, I'm cribbing this from Murdoch's latest Goy Toy (WSJ) and I'd sincerely suggest that you head over there to read the whole story, but according to them and the IRS:

"The wealthiest 1% of Americans earned 21.2% of all income in 2005... That is up sharply from 19% in 2004 and surpasses the previous high of 20.8% set in 2000 at the peak of the previous bull market in stocks.

"The bottom 50% earned 12.8% of all income, down from 13.4% in 2004 and a bit less than their 13% share in 2000."

Keep that figure for the lowest 50% in mind the next time you hear some overpaid Fox Noise Reader prattle on about how the top 1% paid 90% of the taxes in this country.

Like Aunt Mary used to say, "The rich get richer and the poor get children."

And our thanks to Senator Clinton, Murdoch's choice for president, for acting out our rage.

...Or Could Debtors' Prisons be the Answer??

Cheney Outlines New "Security for
American Mortgage Borrowers Initiative"

Vice President Cheney this morning announced a new initiative to "aid those made homeless because they defaulted on their mortgages." In a major speech to an association of mortgage lenders, the VP announced a program to provide free housing and "three squares" a day to Americans whose homes were foreclosed on by members of the banking and loan industries.

Under the S.A.M.B.I. program, adult members of families who lose their homes will be provided with compulsory housing at state-run institutions and facilities for periods of time from one to 20 years, depending on how much they owed the lending institution at the time of their default. "We have yet to work out the details," Cheney said, "but we're thinking in the neighborhood of one year for each unit of $50,000 lost by the lender." While being housed, these adults will be offered the opportunity to reduce the balance of their debts by working at tasks assigned by the facility at the prevailing minimum wage. Those who decline the opportunity to work could find their sentences extended indefinitely. "These people obviously lacked the discipline required to function effectively in our society," Cheney explained, "and this will be an excellent chance for them to learn that discipline."

Minor children of defaulters would be enrolled in "excellent residential education facilities" designed to teach them "vocational skills that will prepare them for their roles the future global economy." Among the examples offered by the Vice President were environment recovery efforts in formerly military and industrial tracts, variable and seasonal agricultural harvest skills, meat processing professions with an emphasis on animal intake activities, and a variety of domestic personal service disciplines.

The Vice President summed up the initiative this way, "This is the logical next step after our No Child Left Behind and our bankruptcy reforms. It is the very essence of compassionate conservatism."

... Or Should MSNBC Be Calling This Program "Morning Joke"??

...Is this the REAL Romney?? Or IS THERE a real Romney?

... Or Is There Some Symbolism Goin' On Here?

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Rumor has it Barack Obama's response was "I feel Bill's pain," or not.

... Or Is Something Missing Here?

OK. What do these states have in common?

Arizona
Connecticutt
California
Illinois
Maryland
New Hampshire
New Jersey
New York
Washington



All Democratic governors? Nope. All went for Kerry in 2004? Nope. Democratic majorities in state legislatures? Nope. They're the states that have thus far indicated their intentions to sue the Bush administration over stealth rules changes that force states to strip some recipients of the State Children's Health Insurance Program (SCHIP) from the rolls. This is in addition to the Decisioner in Chief's unconscionable veto of an expansion of the program.

The question of the hour, day, week is why isn't Oregon on that list. Why aren't 41 other states?

...Or does this give Dancing with the Stars new depth?

The Portland Trailblazers' newkid Channing Frye (left) and terminally hot Jason Przybilla seem confused about who's supposed to lead in this shot from the daily Oregonian.

The possible captions are dazzling...