Topic: Someone "gets" it?

[TwoTired]

Someone sent me this E-mail and it really hits home.

A friend of mine and I had a conversation to start a new party. Not Democrat, Not Republican, Not Independent. It's called the "PISSED OFF PARTY".
This party is dedicated to vote every incumbent out of office in the next elections. If you're Democrat, vote Democrat. Just don't vote for the incumbent. If you're Republican, vote Republican. Just don't vote for the incumbent. We need to send a message to all politicians, that we're tired of their B.S. If the country votes out all the incumbents, the new incoming politicians will get the message. It's pretty simple. Nobody needs to change parties and lets face it, there's plenty of blame to spread around. A few good politicians will lose their job but they probably have better retirement and insurance then 95% of the American public. You've had to struggle for the last 5 years. Some of you have lost your job and may be working in some other sector just to feed your family. I guarantee you; none of them will suffer like this country has. If you like what's going on and think this is a bad idea, delete this. But if you're fed up and think this is a good idea, then pass this E-mail on.  If you really think this has legs then a website and a blog could help get the word out.

This should be read and understood by all Americans, Democrats, Republicans, EVERYONE!!

To All 535 voting members of the Legislature,
 
It is now official you are ALL corrupt morons:
The U.S. Post Service was established in 1775. You have had 234 years to get it right and it is broke.
Social Security was established in 1935. You have had 74 years to get it right and it is broke.
Fannie Mae was established in 1938. You have had 71 years to get it right and it is broke.
War on Poverty started in 1964. You have had 45 years to get it right; $1 trillion of our money is confiscated each year and transferred to "the poor" and they only want more.
Medicare and Medicaid were established in 1965. You have had 44 years to get it right and they are broke.
Freddie Mac was established in 1970. You have had 39 years to get it right and it is broke.
The Department of Energy was created in 1977 to lessen our dependence on foreign oil. It has ballooned to 16,000 employees with a budget of $24 billion a year and we import more oil than ever before. You had 32 years to get it right and it is an abysmal failure.
 
You have FAILED in every "government service" you have shoved down our throats while overspending our tax dollars

AND YOU WANT AMERICANS TO BELIEVE YOU CAN BE TRUSTED WITH A GOVERNMENT-RUN HEALTH CARE SYSTEM? IT'S NOT ABOUT THE NEED FOR GOOD HEALTH CARE; IT'S ABOUT TRUSTING THE GOVERNMENT TO RUN IT.

[CaféElite]

When will the weight be to much...  



The main issue on my list is the IRS... Grr.. GRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRR

[333]

I don't agree with much of what you've just said, But I'll keep my response to one issue.  The Post Office.

I assume you mean broken.  Unless I missed something in the news, it is doing just fine.  It takes not a single penny of tax money from our government.  It is totally self sufficient.  It is also the cheapest postal service in the world.  Where else in the world can you send a letter from one coast to the other for $.45?  And still cheaper in most cases over UPS and FedEx.

Now the disclaimer.  I do not, nor have I ever worked for the U.S. P.S..  Nor do I have any friends or relatives who work there, either.

[mlinder]

I don't think Lloyd wrote that.

He's reposting from an email.

I think we should abolish 'party' systems altogether. Run on your beliefs and promises.

[MCRider]

I don't agree with much of what you've just said, But I'll keep my response to one issue.  The Post Office.

I assume you mean broken.  Unless I missed something in the news, it is doing just fine.  It takes not a single penny of tax money from our government.  It is totally self sufficient.  It is also the cheapest postal service in the world.  Where else in the world can you send a letter from one coast to the other for $.45?  And still cheaper in most cases over UPS and FedEx.

Now the disclaimer.  I do not, nor have I ever worked for the U.S. P.S..  Nor do I have any friends or relatives who work there, either.

I assumed he meant "broke" meaning out of money which it is last i heard.

But speaking of the Post office, I was at a conference once with a speaker from USPS. He started with (very stern) "USPS is really criticized unfailry. I mean, its a real bargain to be able to send a letter from  here (Indy) to Chicago for 34 cents. (Old joke) That's about a penny a day, real cheap!"

At least he could laugh at himself.

[TwoTired]

I don't think Lloyd wrote that.

No, I didn't write it.  But, shooting the messenger is an age old tradition.

[Duke McDukiedook]

I have no beef with the USPS. They  mostly get my mail to me in a somewhat timely manner.

I have major beefs with the "Federal" Reserve and the government thug entity known as the IRS. They could both go away and this country would be a much better place for it.

All they do is prop up the corrupt MICC.
 

[Gordon]

No, I didn't write it.  But, shooting the messenger is an age old tradition.

"Shooting the messenger" doesn't really apply here.  When you pass along somebody else's beliefs in a manner which implies that you agree with them, the message becomes yours.  

[mlinder]

Gordon, I was implying that the grammatical errors weren't his, not that he didn't agree with it.

[TwoTired]

I don't agree with much of what you've just said, But I'll keep my response to one issue.  The Post Office.

I assume you mean broken. 

No, it says what it says and not want you wish it said.  It says broke, as in a money deficiency.

Unless I missed something in the news, it is doing just fine. 

I guess you missed that they reported a loss of $3.8 billion last year, despite a reduction of 40,000 full-time positions and other cost-cutting measures.

This loss was $1 billion more than the year before despite job cuts and other efforts designed to save billions of dollars.

http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2009/11/16/post-office-lost-38-billi_n_359646.html

It takes not a single penny of tax money from our government.  It is totally self sufficient. 

You consider operating at a loss, self sufficient?  They are most certainly NOT self sufficient,  Without the mandates, backing, and benefits from the US government, they could not remain in business.

It is also the cheapest postal service in the world.  Where else in the world can you send a letter from one coast to the other for $.45? 

"Cheap" has more than one connotation.

They get quite a bit of help from the Gubmint to keep those rates artificially low  (The taxpayer pays, though through a different vehicle):
the post office pays in advance for future retires costs.(this money is put on the in-side of the governments budget)  ((I read where this is also listed on both side of the USPS balance sheet, clever, eh?))
the post office process for FREE all congress's mail.
the post office process for free all election mail for our service members overseas.
the post office is the only business that must operate under a United states code and code of federal regulations (title 39 of both). This is in addition to the other codes that all business operate under.
Post office does not control its rate structure.

The USPS also gets special treatment by the government:
Special treatment #1 – Has exclusive access to U.S. mailboxes.
Special treatment #2 – Standard postal-owned vehicles do not require license plates.
Special treatment #3 – Privileged to sovereign immunity (may not be sued unless it has waived its immunity or consented to suit)
Special treatment #4 – Privileged to eminent domain powers (power to seize a citizen's private property, expropriate property, or seize a citizen's rights in property with due monetary compensation, but without the owner's consent)
Special treatment #5 – Powers to negotiate postal treaties with foreign nations
Special treatment #6 – Has exclusive legal right to deliver first-class and third-class mail.
Special treatment #7 – "Extremely Urgent" letters must cost either at least the greater of $3 or twice what First Class (or Priority) mail service would cost, or they must be delivered within strict time limits or otherwise lose value. They must be marked "EXTREMELY URGENT". Records of pick up and delivery must be maintained for Postal Service inspection if the time sensitive exception is being used.

So, the USPS is not a government agency by declaration, only.  In function, they are still a government controlled arm, with the same financial responsibility attitude as that of the US government.
...IMO

[mark]

....
AND YOU WANT AMERICANS TO BELIEVE YOU CAN BE TRUSTED WITH A GOVERNMENT-RUN HEALTH CARE SYSTEM? IT'S NOT ABOUT THE NEED FOR GOOD HEALTH CARE; IT'S ABOUT TRUSTING THE GOVERNMENT TO RUN IT.

got a point there... I'd trust Wall Street over D.C. any time.

 

[MCRider]

....
AND YOU WANT AMERICANS TO BELIEVE YOU CAN BE TRUSTED WITH A GOVERNMENT-RUN HEALTH CARE SYSTEM? IT'S NOT ABOUT THE NEED FOR GOOD HEALTH CARE; IT'S ABOUT TRUSTING THE GOVERNMENT TO RUN IT.

got a point there... I'd trust Wall Street over D.C. any time.

 

Not much of a choice.   

[Gordon]

Gordon, I was implying that the grammatical errors weren't his, not that he didn't agree with it.

Ah...  I think I "get" it now.

[BeSeeingYou]

A common and easily understood sentiment but it overlooks the real issue which is the huge amount of special interest money that washes through the political system.  It corrupts the whole system and the ones you elect to throw the bums out become the bums in short order regardless of party affiliation.  Maybe it will take term limits as they have so gerrymandered the districts that it can be hard to defeat many incumbents.  

[BobbyR]

I agree with the goals of the email. If you work along party lines you can do that only through the primary. Once the election is on, you vote your conscience. As Srust said the money has been flowing too freely and may Politicos were bought a long time ago and they support the special interests and not their constituents.

[Jerry Rxman Griffin aka MuthaF'er]

How about "The Anti-Party" party?! But then it couldn't be an actual "Party". OR maybe "The Common Sense Anti-Party Non-Party"!

[BobbyR]

How about "The Anti-Party" party?! But then it couldn't be an actual "Party". OR maybe "The Common Sense Anti-Party Non-Party"!

I hear ya Jerry, but, third parties never get much traction. What I like about this plan is working within the system to fix the system. There is an interesting turn of events going on in Mass for Ted Kennedy's seat. Could tip the balance of power.

[mark]

hoo-ray for gridlock.

[Roach Carver]

A common and easily understood sentiment but it overlooks the real issue which is the huge amount of special interest money that washes through the political system.  It corrupts the whole system and the ones you elect to throw the bums out become the bums in short order regardless of party affiliation.  Maybe it will take term limits as they have so gerrymandered the districts that it can be hard to defeat many incumbents.  

This is the main thing I like about this idea. If there is someone new after every election I think it might get cost prohibitive to line all of our elected officials pocket.

[333]

I can certainly see how processing mail for Congress and overseas service men and women is working out financially for the post office.  I know when I do stuff for free, I laugh all the way to the bank.  And I especially like it when I can't raise my rates.  And having to be regulated by The United States Code and The Code of Federal Regulations?  Duh!  It's not a business, it's an agency of the United States government.  All government agencies have to do that.  The Post Office just does it without tax money.

The USPS also gets special treatment by the government:
Special treatment #1 – Has exclusive access to U.S. mailboxes.
Special treatment #2 – Standard postal-owned vehicles do not require license plates.
Special treatment #3 – Privileged to sovereign immunity (may not be sued unless it has waived its immunity or consented to suit)
Special treatment #4 – Privileged to eminent domain powers (power to seize a citizen's private property, expropriate property, or seize a citizen's rights in property with due monetary compensation, but without the owner's consent)
Special treatment #5 – Powers to negotiate postal treaties with foreign nations
Special treatment #6 – Has exclusive legal right to deliver first-class and third-class mail.
Special treatment #7 – "Extremely Urgent" letters must cost either at least the greater of $3 or twice what First Class (or Priority) mail service would cost, or they must be delivered within strict time limits or otherwise lose value. They must be marked "EXTREMELY URGENT". Records of pick up and delivery must be maintained for Postal Service inspection if the time sensitive exception is being used.

#1  Do you really want unregulated use of where your bills are put?  This is to protect you and your mail.
#2  I really don't see the problem.  Not even half of the vehicles that carry mail fall under this policy.  The rest of the vehicles are owner/operator cars and trucks that do pay their fair share of those type of fees.  If you want to get mad at someone getting a free ride, why not be mad at all the foreign auto makers that get a free ride on state taxes and such for setting up a factory in the state with the best offer?  That's worth about 10 times what you're complaining about here.
#3 and 4  While I may have missed the news on the USPS's financial troubles, I certainly have not heard of anyone wanting to sue them, or of anyone who has had their property or rights to their property violated.  Now obviously, regarding lawsuits, I refer to real lawsuits, not like the woman who sued McDonalds when she bought hot coffee and then spilled it on herself, claiming that McDonalds was at fault.
#5  Who would you have this done by?  And have they done us wrong?  Again, I don't hear anyone complaining specifically about something they did wrong.
#6  Again, is this really a problem?  And how would you handle it?  De-regulation like the phone companies, so literally anyone could have access to your mail(and identity)?  And I can see how that would seriously hurt delivery times.
#7  Really?  Okay, lets say you get one of those traffic camera tickets.  And for some reason, it gets to you the day after it's due.(Everybody makes mistakes, nobody's perfect.)  But you're liable for any extra fines and fees.  Unless you can prove that the Post Office messed up.  That's where those records come in handy.  And it costs to keep those records.