BusinessReport.com

Posted by LiberatedTiger on August 26, 2008 at 11 a.m. (Suggest removal)

Phil Gramm couldn't have said it any better.

Posted by hkanders on August 26, 2008 at 1:53 p.m. (Suggest removal)

Let me make sure I understand.

I have no right to expect more from my government or my economy unless I live in a country with the equivalent of:

- An 18-percent illiteracy rate;

- A 38-percent rate of adult HIV/AIDS infection;

- A 40-percent unemployment rate; and

- 69 percent of its population living below the poverty line

If I live in a country even marginally more advantaged than Swaziland then I just need to shut up and quit whining, even if my company just cut my health benefits, putting affordable health care out of reach (even if nobody I love is at death's door as we speak).

Or, if my employer just sold my pension plan out from under me, making it more likely that I will have to work until I am in my mid-70s.

Or, if my government's anti-free-market support of Big Oil means gas prices keep going up and my disposable income keeps going down.

Even with all of that, if I am fortunate enough live in a country with more than one airport with a paved runway, I should just shut my yap and count my blessings.

Okay, Rolf, thanks for the pep talk. Who says conservatism doesn't have the cure for what ails us?

You really need to fire Phil Gramm as your ghost writer, Rolf. He's not doing you any favors.

Posted by LiberatedTiger on August 26, 2008 at 2:18 p.m. (Suggest removal)

I see the not-so-subtle difference between "whining" and "speaking up" so I agree that whining gets us nowhere. Whining by definition is self-pity and not very productive at all. Sure, there are a lot of inequities in this world, but if anyone thinks that there is very much difference between Republican and Democrat politicians (not the voters necessarily, but the elected leaders), they are woefully mistaken. Just about all of them are elitist multi-millionaires and greatly out of touch with the general public. Who else could take off 19 months from a job spending millions to wander around the country spouting how great they are.

My advice to people (that will listen to me) is to make sure whatever you do you take care of yourself and your family and loved-ones and do not become dependant on the government for hand-outs.

Rolfe, there was one group of well-to-doers that you left out. The ones who made their fortunes the truly old-fashioned way (many of whom became politicians). They inherited it from Mommy and Daddy!

Posted by surfdog1958 on August 26, 2008 at 10:46 p.m. (Suggest removal)

Workers of the World, Unite!

Posted by fourx5 on August 26, 2008 at 11:49 p.m. (Suggest removal)

You're right, Rolfe. We should give more tax breaks to the $500k+ club so that what is left of the middle class can enjoy the prosperity and freedom that comes from cutting the grass for them after we get laid off.

Cindy and John McCain are only worth $100 million or so - all of it either inherited or married into - and the Obamas both worked their way through law school. Barack made his relatively modest money by writing a very well received book (which wasn't "dumped" by conservative book clubs to inflate sales figures) and hard work as a lawyer and U.S. Representative. Now tell me again - who is the elitist?

Seriously - we don't live in Swaziland - we live in the United States - a country that has acquiesced to spending $3 trillion tax dollars on "bringing democracy" to Iraq. We used to be a place where individual liberties were treasured, but after seven years of "booga booga" terror alerts, the populace seems like so many scared little girls, ready to give up anything to be told that they are "safe".

Just curious - what were you doing in Swaziland? Was it another economic development junket for the Baton Rouge area? Or a safari?

Posted by fourx5 on August 26, 2008 at 11:50 p.m. (Suggest removal)

One other tangential question, Rolfe: what do you think of Bush and Maliki's timetable for withdrawal from Iraq? Were you against the withdrawal before you were against it? Please explain.

Posted by fourx5 on August 26, 2008 at 11:55 p.m. (Suggest removal)

"My advice to people (that will listen to me) is to make sure whatever you do you take care of yourself and your family and loved-ones and do not become dependant on the government for hand-outs."

Nice advice. Ever lost your job and gotten sick after working your behind of to keep up with soaring gas prices because there's no reasonable alternative to getting to work?

The path to desperation in the United States has gotten steeper under Republicans. I can't wait until we're back to the pre-New Deal days, when we can all pick and thumb our way to the west coast to pick lettuce. At least then we will have some hope of discouraging illegal immigrants from crossing the border to take the jobs no one else will work.

Posted by LiberatedTiger on August 27, 2008 at 8:43 a.m. (Suggest removal)

Fourx5, No, I have never been without some form of paid employment since I was 11 years old making $1.75/hr (anyone remember Fun Fair Park?). What is your point? Ever heard of Aflac? It's great and cheap. I am a business owner now and a chunk of my money goes into a state fund to pay you when you lose your job (unempoyment taxes). In my experience, the benefits are such that there are many people who'd rather collect this than go to work. Unbelievable, huh?

When even the poorest of our society still can afford the luxuries of cable TV and cell phones, things ain't so bad.

Posted by fourx5 on August 28, 2008 at 1:18 a.m. (Suggest removal)

My point, LiberatedTiger, is that if you were laid off and unable to find work, you wouldn't be able to afford even AFLAC. Please let me know when you can find comprehensive health coverage for $60.00 a month - without your employer picking up most of the tab.

Perhaps never having been unemployed, you don't realize that unemployment benefits run out after 26 weeks. What would happen then?

It's clear you think that people who don't work choose not to. That may be true in some cases - but not in most cases. And buying food while keeping a roof over you and your family's head certainly ranks higher than cable TV - but saving that $60.00 a month won't get you good health insurance, pay your mortgage, or fulfill any other Republitarian fantasies about 'personal responsibility'.

Rolfe's had it good all his life; he's got friends in big business and makes his living by telling half truths and accusing people of 'whining' when they tell the truth about people Rolfe wouldn't bother to speak to, detailing problems Rolfe's never had. As far as I'm concerned, he's not qualified to talk about the problems of the working poor.

Posted by LiberatedTiger on August 28, 2008 at 9:07 a.m. (Suggest removal)

OK, so let me get this straight. Is six months not long enough to find employment? How long should it be? If I recall it was Clinton that tightened up the welfare system afterall. He realized (rightly so) that people become a victim of the system - for generations! And, if someone was truly laid off (and not fired for misconduct which is common) and had any skills at all, they could find work within six months.

I'll bet your and J.R.'s fancy wine on that too!! Just don't use foodstamps to buy it please.

Seriously fourx5, you sound like a very compassionate person and we probably agree more than you might choose to believe. I just think there are a lot of people that take someone's compassion and become too dependent on it. To their ultimate detriment.

Life is not easy, but there is no country where hard work is more rewarded than the good ole USA, even today. Hell that was the Demo's message at the convention the other night. I agree with you that there are some very extreme cases where individuals are dealt more than their share of problems, but that was my exact point in my original blog entry. That's when family and personal relationships and churches step in. That's what matters most in the end. The destruction of the whole-family unit in our society complicates this.

I guess I didn't express myself very well earlier, but my view is that expecting the government to solve or pay for your individual problems is not right. Not necessarily because I don't want to pay for your problems, but because the government does a lousy job of it and wastes too much money.

Posted by mike on August 28, 2008 at 1:07 p.m. (Suggest removal)

Wow, yet again Rolfe knows better than us and the Founding Fathers all put together. Thank God that Jefferson, Hamilton, Adams and the rest didn't think like Rolfe. "Quit complaining about Mother England - we have it great. If you don't like living in the Colonies, go to Russia!" Yes, that would have been great.

And don't think that we don't catch the subtle racism of your choice of Swaziland (in Africa) as opposed to some other country facing difficulties. Can't let everyone forget that Obama 'doesn't look like us!'

Posted by Devin on August 28, 2008 at 2:11 p.m. (Suggest removal)

Not all wealthy and connected parents like Rolfe. Those carried by mom and dad shouldn't throw stones.

Posted by Devin on August 28, 2008 at 2:21 p.m. (Suggest removal)

I guess I shouldn't be so envious Rolfe's mom and dad helped him get connected in town. I apologize for my complaint and am now moving to Swaziland. Perhaps hard work alone will be sufficient there. Hey Rolfe, how thin is the air on that self-righteous mountaintop?

Posted by Diva on August 28, 2008 at 2:47 p.m. (Suggest removal)

It's very easy to sit back in a leather chair in a well appointed spacious office and make pronouncements like this. Consider the column in yesterday's Advocate that stated that Baton Rouge has a 25% poverty rate. Astoundingly high; we should be ashamed!

Consider this too, from the Center for American Progress: "the economic disparities between African Americans and white Americans are still stark. In 2007, based on annual median income, black men "earned less than three-quarters of what white men earned" while "black women made 87 percent of what white women made." According to new census numbers, "inflation-adjusted median incomes of black and Hispanic households rose last year for the first time since 1999," but African-Americans still 'had the lowest median household income in the country' at $33,916. In 2007, the unemployment rate for African-Americans was 8.3 percent, which is 'more than twice the white unemployment rate.' In census numbers released earlier this week, African-Americans once again had the highest poverty rate in America 24.5 percent."

Closet and instutional racism is alive and well in every corner of this country; not just here in the Deep South. Not everyone has the ability - and yes, luck - to get by.

Consider the health insurance crisis, which right-wingers think is non-existent. My sister, a white, middle class, educated, hard working wife, mother and teacher died of cancer three years ago. She had health insurance which paid for her treatment. Before she died, though, she had reached the million dollar cap on her health insurance. Her husband was in the process of making her Medicaid-eligible when she died. They, and this is true of most people who have health insurance, were not aware of the million dollar cap. According to you and other hard-hearted conservatives, that would have been their problem. Society owed them nothing; right? They paid taxes and they paid health insurance premiums. Too bad, though, huh? I guess they would have been whiners if they had had no other options like Medicaid. Other progressive countries provide universal health care coverage for their citizens. We should do the same.

Right-wingers seem to forget that government is US - WE THE PEOPLE. It's not some foreign entity intent on doing us harm. Taxes are the pool into which we contribute to help each other (and yes, ourselves, sometimes). Sure, there are sponges; there always are, always have been and always will be. Weed them out, but don't lump all people in need together into "them" while the rest of us, "we," deserve everything simply because we were lucky from birth.

I'm happy to pay taxes if it means good government services and help for those who need it. Corporations are in it for a profit. Government is not a corporation and should not be run like a business, nor should it farm out its services to private companies needing to make a profit.

You're just lucky. So am I. But I have eyes, ears and a heart.

Posted by lifepainter on August 28, 2008 at 2:47 p.m. (Suggest removal)

To answer the above question, Rolfe was in Swaziland on a mission trip. I've known Rolfe for many years, and he is far from self-righteous. Rolfe is extremely compassionate and willing to help anyone who needs it, which is exactly why he went to Swaziland. While in Swaziland, he helped out with Aids orphans at a new church site HPC established recently. These kids who have been left to fend for themselves and are heads of their households at very young ages. These kids have nothing, not even hope. Which is something that every American has. We at least, have the opportunity to make a living, or hope that one day we may, and if not, at least the government helps out. It is because of people like Rolfe, that those kids received their one meal a day. I believe if everyone went on a mission trip in their lifetime, they would never complain again. I have been guilty myself of complaining that sometimes, things aren't fair. But I try my hardest not to, especially after hearing stories from people like Rolfe of what they've seen and heard in other countries. As for me, I definitely thank God that I was born and raised in America, where there is plenty of opportunity, unlike Swaziland, where all they care about is getting fed once a day, if they're lucky.

Posted by elvis on August 28, 2008 at 3 p.m. (Suggest removal)

Wow, I recall the days, not so long ago, when you couldn't pick up the Business Report without Rolfe McCollister "whining" about Gov. Blanco and her staff.

Posted by Devin on August 28, 2008 at 4:26 p.m. (Suggest removal)

Who at the Business Report calls themselves "lifepainter"? Is that you Rolfe? Why would anyone doubt that Rolfe has compassion for the orphans of Swaziland?

Posted by ConcernedLady on August 28, 2008 at 6:29 p.m. (Suggest removal)

Obviously, Mr. McCollister's column was meant to stir up some partisan controversy. What no one on this blog seems to have noticed is that he talked about the whining of regular people at the Democratic convention. If these were war veterans at the Republican convention, would it be okay for them to discuss their personal experiences and concerns? Or would that be whining, too? Reminds me of the bad old days during Viet Nam when they would tell people to "love it or leave it."

Posted by dojhaffe225 on August 28, 2008 at 10:48 p.m. (Suggest removal)

I've personally known Rolfe for many years too... he is a good man. I know that his trip to Swaziland came from a desire within his heart to help those less fortunate. I am, however, deeply disappointed to hear him refer to struggling Americans---Americans that he could never identify with because they are from a realm completely different from his own---as whiners. I like to think of them as citizens hoping for and working toward a better life.

Posted by minnola on August 28, 2008 at 11:07 p.m. (Suggest removal)

I have also been to Swaziland very recently (in July), as well as four other countries in Sub-Saharan Africa, including several visits to remote, rural areas. I think that your stereotypical portrayal of Swaziland, and really by implication many other parts of Africa, as dismal is flawed. While the people that I have had the opportunity to meet in rural villages throughout these countries often face extreme challenges, often without adequate institutional support, the strength of community, family, and tradition is certainly something from which countries around the world can learn. It is through these means that the daily challenges are often overcome. These are not places to be “thanking God” that we don’t live in but places from which we can learn many lessons. And, as a globalized world, we should see the challenges of Swaziland and all other countries as our own. You may not see it everyday, but the global issues of poverty, HIV, and lack of access to education are things that affect everyone in our world, including Americans.

In my visits to Africa, I have also met many very hardworking people. In Uganda, I met mothers who were constructing a two mile road using hoes, shovels, and pick axes with their babies tied to their backs. And, yet, these hardworking women were still facing serious problems of hunger, inadequate household income, and lack of access to health care – some of the same things poor families in the United States face every day. Their success was not tied to their level of hard work but to many external factors beyond these women’s control (their government, the physical environment around them, their status in society). And, that is what families in the United States face every day - social and physical environments that contribute to poverty that are beyond their own direct control. We are not truly a land of equal opportunity, as our environments are not truly equal. Would you say that a student who is educated in a school system that ranks 49th in the nation has equal opportunity as one who is educated in a system ranked 1st? You put the entire burden of success on the individual. It is a responsibility for not only the individual but for our government and our society as a whole.

Posted by coach on August 29, 2008 at midnight (Suggest removal)

No doubt that every one of us are thankful we live in America. Also true that good health makes a positive difference in our lives.

Blaming people that have it rough on their choices or the choices of their parents seems out of character coming from a publisher who spends an inordinate amount of time calling out politicians for their actions that negatively affect the residents of our parish.

When you spoke out about the injustices against Chancellor Sean O'Keefe, was that his fault? His parents? Do your rules apply to him? What about the folks of Swaziland?

Talk is cheap. We are living in troubled times. You supported a mayor that has raised our taxes and fees over and over. Now he wants to raise them again. Is it possible that people such as yourself could share a small part of the blame for some of the rough times residents of our parish are experiencing?

How about this guy? Though given adequate food, clothing and shelter he tried to hang himself twice. He was beaten, not given proper medical treatment for his injuries, had two broken arms and one broken leg. He was forced to listen to loud music constantly and forced to watch his friends murdered. I would say he had it rough. It was not his fault, nor his parents. Fortunately he survived his overwhelming depression and mistreatment by others with the power over him. He still fights against injustices. Thank God! That man is John McCain.

Posted by LiberatedTiger on August 29, 2008 at 8:35 a.m. (Suggest removal)

The responses have moved so far away from the original message of the commentary that it has become ridiculously partisan. I suggest everyone read it again and ignore some of the responses (even mine!).

I too had a knee jerk response to the article but to personally attack the writer damages the seriousness of your opinion. I think most would agree that we have it pretty good here in the US when compared with the rest of the world. Opportunities for the pursuit of happiness (however you define it) are everywhere and we should be thankful for it.

Posted by mike on August 29, 2008 at 1:08 p.m. (Suggest removal)

Yes LiberatedTiger, we do in fact have it great in this country. I love it and thank God that I was arbitrarily lucky enough to be born here. But that doesn't mean I don't always want it to improve. That is the real American Way. Read your history. This nation was founded by "Whiners" as Rolfey would call them.

The Declaration of Independence reads: "Governments are instituted among Men, deriving their just powers from the consent of the governed, — That whenever any Form of Government becomes destructive of these ends, it is the Right of the People to alter or to abolish it, and to institute new Government, laying its foundation on such principles and organizing its powers in such form, as to them shall seem most likely to effect their Safety and Happiness. Prudence, indeed, will dictate that Governments long established should not be changed for light and transient causes; and accordingly all experience hath shewn that mankind are more disposed to suffer, while evils are sufferable than to right themselves by abolishing the forms to which they are accustomed. But when a long train of abuses and usurpations, pursuing invariably the same Object evinces a design to reduce them under absolute Despotism, it is their right, it is their duty, to throw off such Government, and to provide new Guards for their future security."

The principle laid out here is that it is our "DUTY" to take action when government goes awry. Not sit back in inaction. So to your point, this comment goes DIRECTLY to what he is stating. This is the profound problem in this nation. It has so catered to the wealthy that this group - of which Rolfe is entrenched - has no need, and actually is frightened of the prospect of change. They are there to keep us entrenched. And the fact that 95 out of 100 Americans could not tell you what I just quoted above is why were are too complacent. But Rolfe would have us even more complacent so that we don't threaten the structure of wealth that he holds.

Sincerely, Major Whiner.

Posted by fourx5 on August 30, 2008 at 12:39 a.m. (Suggest removal)

Rolfe is a big believer in the "ownership society" as evidenced in his disdain of whiners. What's the ownership society? I think last night's speech in Denver laid it out nicely:

"For over two decades, he's subscribed to that old, discredited Republican philosophy - give more and more to those with the most and hope that prosperity trickles down to everyone else. In Washington, they call this the Ownership Society, but what it really means is - you're on your own. Out of work? Tough luck. No health care? The market will fix it. Born into poverty? Pull yourself up by your own bootstraps - even if you don't have boots. You're on your own.

Well it's time for them [Republicans] to own their failure."

Rolfe wouldn't know where to find his bootstraps if he hadn't been born into money - and that's what makes this commentary so sickening.

Posted by mge on August 30, 2008 at 12:02 p.m. (Suggest removal)

Not Rolfe's finest hour. And I assume he has never complained about high taxes in this country, because there are many countries with higher taxes.

Posted by surfdog1958 on August 31, 2008 at 3:59 a.m. (Suggest removal)

Why does virtually every other nation besides the US celebrate the Haymarket massacre in Chicago (workers demanding an eight-hour day) as May Day, while we use a totally unrelated date we now call "Labor Day"? The obvious answer is that our government chose to sweep that milestone in workers' rights history under the rug, like so many other proud moments in American history (Matewan, for example). It is pretty sad that the rest of the world celebrates a day when American workers in Chicago demanded a little justice and were mowed down a la Kent State. Shame on you Rolfe, and shame on a system that sweeps the true events of history under the rug. You guys just think the Cold War is over. Kruschev was right and you are just too stupid too realize it.

Posted by surfdog1958 on August 31, 2008 at 4:01 a.m. (Suggest removal)

That's too stupid TO realize it.

Posted by surfdog1958 on August 31, 2008 at 4:04 a.m. (Suggest removal)

I admit I'm trying to make you change your diaper, but don't think it can't happen in America. Workers are very angry.

Posted by surfdog1958 on August 31, 2008 at 4:20 a.m. (Suggest removal)

I might add that Islamic terrorism should be the least of your worries. Conservatives never cease to amaze me with their inability to gage the dissatisfaction of the working class. You can blacklist me, you can try me in a Kangaroo court for treason and put me to death (Julius and Ethel Rosenberg), but I will die knowing that I stood up for my rights as an American. Does anybody remember democracy?

Posted by surfdog1958 on August 31, 2008 at 6:50 a.m. (Suggest removal)

I'd like to add that I contributed my last unemployment check to the Obama campaign, and it thrills me to no end that my former employer helped to pay for it. I know who they are rooting for, the rich man who can't even remember how many houses he owns. I know that my vote won't count, not in Livingston Parish, not in Louisiana. How many houses do you own, Rolfe?

Posted by surfdog1958 on August 31, 2008 at 7 a.m. (Suggest removal)

Too many White Russians, maybe?

Posted by surfdog1958 on August 31, 2008 at 7:04 a.m. (Suggest removal)

Me, not you, Rolfe ;)

Posted by surfdog1958 on August 31, 2008 at 9:03 a.m. (Suggest removal)

JR: Feel free to remove any comments you want. I stand by my views, but would probably express them differently on a better day. Waiting for the hurricane, you know.

Posted by surfdog1958 on September 12, 2008 at 2:46 a.m. (Suggest removal)

Mike: I was obviously not very sober when I posted my many rambling anti-establishment comments on the eve of Hurricane Gustav, but now that I am somewhat more sober, I really appreciate your referenced quote from the Declaration of Independence. In fact, I like it so much that I'm going to use it to comment on the Al-Jazeera interview with author Howard Zinn, where he says the US is "in need of rebellion". This part of the Declaration of Independence should be a lesson to every American about what it really means to be patriotic. Blindly waving the flag with a Nazi-like "my country, right or wrong" mentality is not at all what our founding fathers had in mind. Since you're one of the few Americans who seem to know anything about American history, I'd like to get your opinion on an alleged James Madison quote I found on a questionable website. Like many Americans these days, I get my news from a variety of international sources. Russian sites like The St. Petersburg Times and the Moscow Times generally mirror Western media, while Pravda is still very anti-American, as if it is still controlled by the old Communist Party of the Soviet Union. (Let's just say I'm a little skeptical of anything I read on Pravda.) The following quote, however, was attributed to President James Madison on the Pravda website, and I would love to know if it is an actual quote or just propaganda on the part of Pravda. Here is what the article said in a nutshell: James Madison, fourth President of the United States and "Father of the Constitution", said two centuries ago, "We are free today substantially, but the day will come when our Republic will be an impossibility. ... A Republic cannot stand upon bayonets, and when the day comes when the wealth of the nation will be in the hands of a few, then we must rely upon the wisdom of the best elements in the country to readjust the laws of the nation to the changed conditions" [End of Pravda excerpt]. I find it intriguing that James Madison was President of the United States from 1809-1817 and Karl Marx wasn't born until 1819. If this quote can be verified, it is possible and even likely that Karl Marx got at least some of his inspiration from President Madison. I asked someone at James Madison University to research this for me, thinking they would be the ultimate authority, but they never replied. Was the Fourth President of the United States a Socialist? Has our government tried to hide this fact from us, as they have tried to hide so many other things in our history? Who exactly are "we the people"?

Posted by surfdog1958 on September 16, 2008 at 4:53 a.m. (Suggest removal)

[From douglasdrenkow.com] Starting on a very pragmatic level, James Madison argued: "The most common and durable source of faction has been the various and unequal distribution of property." "The regulation of these various and interfering interests forms the principle task of modern legislation." "The appointment of taxes on the various descriptions of property is an act which seems to require the most exact impartiality." "Justice is the [desired] end of government." Although his support for the Constitution demonstrated faith in the ability of the democratic-republic to be created to live up to this awesome responsibility, Madison also uttered this ominous prophecy: "We are free today substantially, but the day will come when our Republic will be an impossibility. It will be an impossibility because wealth will be concentrated in the hands of a few. A Republic cannot stand upon bayonets, and when the day comes, when the wealth of the nation will be in the hands of a few, then we must rely upon the wisdom of the best elements in the country to readjust the laws of the nation to the changed conditions." (For example, see Amendment 16, establishing a progressive federal income tax) In short, even the "Father of the Constitution" acknowledged the need for the Supreme Law of the Land to continue to be a living document, not just some dusty relic of a time long past.

Posted by surfdog1958 on October 22, 2008 at 1:48 a.m. (Suggest removal)

And now for something completely different...a positive story about America from, believe it or not, Al-Jazeera: http://english.aljazeera.net/programmes/...