Should we give the people’s money to the failed banks, and hope they don’t continue to fail?  Or, give the people’s money to the people, and know they will spend it, buy homes, pay off mortgages and debt?  Give the people the opportunity of really having the American dream.

This is from a comment on a post I did on the Bailout for The Care2 Election Blog.  It makes a lot more sense to me than what is being offered now.  What do you think?

From Care2 member Laura C…

Yes, we resent it and have good reason. Those in power taking high salaries from us are never made to pay. The following email some of you may have received. It is the best idea I’ve heard and should be sent to every congress person and the president.

Now here is the idea of how to save the economy ………

I’m against the $85,000,000,000.00 bailout of AIG.

Instead, I’m in favor of giving $85,000,000,000 to America in a ‘We Deserve It Dividend’.

To make the math simple, let’s assume there are 200,000,000 bonifide U.S. Citizens 18+.

Our population is about 301,000,000 +/- counting every man, woman and child. So 200,000,000 might be a fair stab at adults 18 and up.

So divide 200 million adults 18+ into $85 billon that equals $425,000.00.

My plan is to give $425,000 to every person 18+ as a ‘We Deserve It Dividend’.

Of course, it would NOT be tax free. So let’s assume a tax rate of 30%.

Every individual 18+ has to pay $127,500.00 in taxes. That sends $25,500,000,000 right back to Uncle Sam.

But it means that every adult 18+ has $297,500.00 in their pocket. A husband and wife has $595,000.00.

What would you do with $297,500.00 to $595,000.00 in your family?

Pay off your mortgage, housing crisis solved. Repay college loans, what a great boost to new grads Put away money for college, it’ll be there Save in a bank, create money to loan to entrepreneurs. Buy a new car, create jobs Invest in the market , capital drives growth.

Pay for your parent’s medical insurance, health care improves Enable Deadbeat Dads to come clean, or else

Remember this is for every adult U S Citizen 18+ including the folks who lost their jobs at Lehman Brothers and every other company that is cutting back. And of course, for those serving in our Armed Forces.

If we’re going to re-distribute wealth let’s really do it…instead of trickling out puny rebates.

If we’re going to do an $85 billion bailout, let’s bail out every adult U S Citizen 18+!

As for AIG liquidate it. Sell off its parts. Let American General go back to being American General. Sell off the real estate. Let the private sector bargain hunters cut it up and clean it up.

Here’s my rationale. We deserve it and AIG doesn’t.

Can you imagine the Coast-To-Coast Block Party!
How do you spell Economic Boom?

I trust my fellow adult Americans to know how to use the $85 Billion ‘We Deserve It Dividend’ more than I do the geniuses at AIG or in Washington DC.

And remember, The Birk plan only really costs $59.5 Billion because $25.5 Billion is returned instantly in taxes to Uncle Sam.
And all those who lost jobs when these companies folded will have a new financial beginning!!!!
Is there a better plan than this?????

And, this is what I think…

I was thinking the same thing. It not only would be better for the people of this country (both struggling and not)…But, it kick starts the economy almost immediately. It seems a total no brainer, AND it’s a guarantee election win for the person who suggests it. This money would trickle UP much faster than anything would ever trickle down (we know trickle down does not work).

There is no way the economy wouldn’t make a quick recovery with a plan like this. It’s a win win for the entire country. WHY DOESN’T ANYONE SEE THAT? Is it because of all the money given to politicians from financial institutions? That’s the only explanation I can think of. I’m so sick that our government is willing to use 800 Billion of our tax dollar for something that (I don’t care what they say) really doesn’t affect or help the average American. Invest in the people of this country.

This is the perfect opportunity for REAL CHANGE!!! Why is Obama not taking advantage of this opportunity to help the entire country? Why is he just following along with a Bush plan for the economy??? Why is he agreeing with McCain??? What kind of change is he really offering? I will vote for him…But, I am VERY disappointed in him.

WHAT DO YOU THINK?  With all this money, why can’t we bail out the people first, and let the people bail out the banks?

It’s infuriating that the McCain campaign is continuing to claim statements they make are true, when many have been confirmed to be untrue.   Deception to change your perception, is what the Republicans seem to do best, and it’s only proven to win them elections.  So why would they stop?   Even more troubling, is that this behavior has become an “acceptable” practice in politics.  Not necessarily acceptable to you and me, but acceptable to the media, which in turn leads to the deception of the American people.

From Washington Post…

“We have created a system where there is not a lot of shame in stretching the truth,” said Charlie Cook, editor of the nonpartisan Cook Political Report.

However, I’m discovering that the “real” truth isn’t in debunking the lies, it’s in seeing through the lies.

See…We have all fallen for a classic bait-and-switch here.  Clearly, if the media continues to chase down facts (that are purposefully misleading), then the McCain campaign successfully diverts attention away from the “real” issues.  Which is EXACTLY what they want to do (what they are doing).

Why is it that the only people who can see through this smoke-screen are comedians? Or, is it just that they are the only ones who are “allowed” to speak the truth? Isn’t that kinda backwards?

I applaud the McCain campaign…Announcing Palin the day after the Democratic Convention was pure genius, and keeping the media at bay by using Palin as a diversion is brilliant.   This campaign has successfully changed the election from being about the serious issues facing our country, to a popularity contest.  And sadly, the Obama campaign is failing to redirect the media off of Palin, and back to the issues (admittedly not an easy task).

I think Arianna Huffington has explained it best…

Sarah Palin a Trojan Horse?

Palin, and the circus she’s brought to town, are a bountiful collection of small lies deliberately designed to distract the country from one big truth: the havoc that George Bush and the Republican Party have wrought, and that John McCain is committed to continuing. Every second of this campaign not spent talking about the Republican Party’s record, and John McCain’s role in that record, is a victory for John McCain. Her critics like to say that Palin hasn’t accomplished anything. I disagree: in the space of ten days she’s succeeded in distracting the country from the horrific Bush record — and McCain’s complicity in it. My friends, that’s accomplishment we can believe in.

From On The Wall…

Arianna Huffington hits the moose’s — sorry, bull’s eye when she declares that Palin is a smoke screen, a Wizard-of-Oz display set up to divert attention from the real issues caused by eight years of disastrous, destructive, crazy policies.

OK.  This is going out to all of you in the main stream media (MSM).

YOU ARE BEING PLAYED!

YOU ARE BEING MANIPULATED BY THE MCCAIN CAMPAIGN!

PLEASE, WAKE-UP!

Please, don’t let this Palin Trojan Horse take you away from your obligation to educate the voting public about the ISSUES. Please, put your ratings aside, and do right by the American people.  If YOU do not get this election back on-topic, YOU do a disservice to all the people of this country.  There is very little time left, before the voting public will need to make a critical decision about the future of this country.  YOU have a responsibility to those people, do right by them.

Also See:Mary Mitchell – Palin Should Be A Laughingstock To All Feminists.

How do you feel about the way the media has been covering the election lately?  Are they giving enough attention to the issues?  Let me know what you think in comments.

From CNN and AP…

This Labor Day finds workers in worse shape than they’ve been in years, according to a scorecard released Monday by Rutgers University. In its first national labor scorecard, the Rutgers School of Management and Labor Relations said that more than 10 percent of Americans are unemployed, discouraged from seeking work or underemployed. That is a nearly 25 percent increase from one year earlier. Professor Douglas Kruse, a labor economist who created the scorecard, said that a sharp decline in the number of Americans able to find full-time jobs, along with growing consumer debt and health care costs, was a cause for concern.

Barack Obama’s Labor Day Message…

President Bush on Labor Day and The Economy Getting Better?

I could not find any speech or announcement from John McCain regarding Labor Day.

I did find this…

Here is a video clip of Lt. Governor John Cherry, who visited with members from various labor unions in Detroit on Labor Day.

Also See:

Union and Business Advicates Are Drawing Battle Lines

Daily Kos – Why Unions Matter

Unions Create Their Own Move-On

PA Labor Day:  The Employee Free Choice Act

What do you think?  Let me know in comments.

What I think:  Personally, I have told many people that I believed if Barack Obama did not pick Hillary as his VP, that John McCain would jump on the “historic election” bandwagon by putting a woman on his ticket.   However, I do not believe that by doing this he will get any more of the Hillary vote.  I do believe, that many Republican women will be fired-up by this, and turn out to vote for the first woman VP…Those women are not conserned with her ultra-conservative viewpoints, in fact, they will revel in it.

So, that’s what I think.  What do you think?  Check out the rest of this post, and let me know in comments.

Sarah Palin on energy, environment, and national security…

Sarah Palin seemed confused about the responsibilities of a VP…

Cafferty on Sarah Palin as VP…

Sarah Palin Acceptance Speech…

Sarah Palin interview for MTV…

Back in February, on Super Tuesday, MTV News Street Teamer Dani Carlson did a Flixwagon interview with Alaska Governor — and now presumptive Republican vice-presidential candidate — Sarah Palin, who had some interesting things to say about energy policy and the “party machinery.”

In this interview, Palin calls controversial Republican presidential hopeful Ron Paul “cool.” “He’s a good guy,” she added. “He’s so independent. He’s independent of the party machine. I’m like, ‘Right on, so am I.’ ”

Gov. Schwarzenegger on Sarah Palin for VP…

Now, what the bloggers are saying…

From Feministing…

So McCain has chosen Alaska Gov. Sarah Palin as his running mate. She’s young — 44 — and a self-described “hockey mom.” Because Palin is relatively unknown on the national level (she’s been governor since 2006, and before that was mayor of a town of 8,000 people), a lot of people are already identifying this as a ploy to snag the votes of disaffected Hillary Clinton supporters. I don’t know whether that’s true (my guess is yes), but it’s my sense that Hillary backers who don’t like Obama are not going to like a McCain/Palin ticket much better.

Let me say right off the bat that, overall, I think it’s great that Republicans have chosen to elevate a woman to this level — no matter what their motivations. I want to see more women of all parties involved in politics. But, as we stated over and over in the primaries, a politician’s gender isn’t everything. It’s merely one factor to be considered. And quite frankly, Palin’s political views suck.

First up, she’s super anti-choice. The forced-pregnancy crowd is thrilled today! (She recently had her fifth child, who has Down’s syndrome.) She’s against marriage equality and supports a federal gay-marriage ban, but has made sure to note that she “has gay friends.” Though she has signed on to same-sex partner benefits. She believes schools should teach creationism. She’s also pretty terrible on environmental issues, and is a huge advocate of drilling in the Alaska National Wildlife Refuge. Plus, she’s embroiled in a scandal…

From ParentDish…

It’s been a week of historical firsts in United States politics! Yesterday’s nomination of Barack Obama as the Democratic nominee marks the first time in U.S. history an African-American has been chosen to be a contender for the position of president of the United States.

And earlier today, John McCain made Sarah Palin, the governor of Alaska and mother of five, his choice for vice president. While Palin is not the first woman to be selected as a running mate, (that honor belongs to Geraldine Ferraro), she is the first to do it with a baby at home. Palin’s youngest son Trig is only ten months old!

The photogenic Palin has appeared in Vogue magazine, but she’s definitely not a wimpy woman. The Alaskan governor returned to work a mere three days after giving birth to Trig, and her hobbies include hunting and ice fishing (one of the most frigid and miserable ways I’ve ever spent an afternoon) and is facing the deployment of her oldest son to Iraq in September.

From The Huffington Post…

But is she ready to be commander-in-chief?

Unlike Barack Obama, whom McCain has so emphatically condemned as not-ready, Palin hasn’t run for or served in the Senate. Nor has she run for president, which would have required her to think through and take positions on critical issues from the war in Iraq to the war on terror, from Iran’s nuclear ambitions to the Russian incursion into Georgia, from the emerging power of China to the march of globalization. She hasn’t debated tough opponents a dozen or so times or faced aggressive, often downright hostile reporters on a daily basis. Talk about untested. Her slim record undermines one of McCain’s most effective arguments against Obama.

Clearly, McCain thinks Palin will help him among women, particularly those disaffected Hillary Clinton supporters who are having so much trouble “getting over it.” It just shows how clueless the McCain camp actually is. Unlike Clinton and Ferraro, Palin hasn’t been a strong national voice on women’s issues. She hasn’t been at the barricades, fighting for women’s health, equal pay, economic security. And she certainly hasn’t had anything to say about the national-security issues that are also important to women across the political spectrum. Does the McCain camp really expect pro-choice Democratic and independent women to be swayed by a sleight-of-gender?

From AlterNet…

So, McCain’s chosen Alaska’s 44 year-old Governor Sarah Palin — forced childbirth activist, creationist and former beauty queen — to be his running mate. Here’s what folks are saying …

Booman gives us some good background on Palin. She smoked pot but didn’t like it. She rides snowmobiles and does like it.

Elizabeth Benjamin notes the governer’s lack of experience and asks whether she’s going to be the next Dan Quayle.

Kos, noting that she’s a dedicated creationist — evolution’s just a theory, you know — points out the obvious: her role is to rally the white evangelical base.

Steve Benen — the ever-prolific and early-rising Steve Benen — has two posts up that are worth perusing. He thinks Palin is an extremely odd choice, given McCain’s strategy of emphasizing experience and calls the pick an act of desperation.

On HuffPo, they’re re-running a piece by Chris Kelly, who says Palin’s the next Dick Cheney because “she can look you in the eye and tell you black is white.”

Steve M. at No More Mister Nice Blog predicts a 180-degree turn from those disaffected “PUMAs” — Clinton dead-enders — who have been warning that the choice of any other woman as a running mate by anyone ever would be the worst sort of treachery to women everywhere.

From Kevin Drum – Mother Jones Blog…

Overall it was, of course, a great speech. The guy’s a natural. And that line about people the world over being “more impressed by the power of our example than by the example of our power”? Pure Bill.

From Paul Levinson…

Bill Clinton received minute after minute of thunderous applause when he walked out on stage – he deserved every bit of it. His speech was masterfully on target, explaining what Americans have lost under Bush, and why Obama and Biden are what’s needed to get it back and move forward. Clinton’s praise of Biden was especially meaningful, given that, on the basis of Bill’s irrefutable logic, Hillary might well have been chosen as VP candidate. It was pleasure to see Bill Clinton address a crowd again. As always, his intelligence and commitment shone brightly.

From Meaningful Distraction…

Bill was honest and plain spoken.  He broke our nation’s problems down with surgical precision, and very clearly said “Thanks, but no thanks” to four more years.

Money line, from a speech writing standpoint:

“People around the world have always been more impressed by the power of our example than by the example of our power.”

From The Swamp…

“In the end, my candidate didn’t win,” Clinton said of his wife, Sen. Hillary Clinton of New York. “But I’m very proud of the campaign she ran: she never quit on the people she stood up for, on the changes she pushed for, on the future she wants for all our children. And I’m grateful for the chance Chelsea and I had to tell Americans about the person we know and love.

“Like Hillary, I want all of you who supported her to vote for Barack Obama in November.

“Clearly, the job of the next president is to rebuild the American Dream and restore America’s standing in the world,” Clinton said. “Everything I learned in my eight years as president and in the work I’ve done since, in America and across the globe, has convinced me that Barack Obama is the man for this job.

From The Daily Dish…

Readers know my personal disdain for Bill Clinton. But longtime readers will also know I have always defended his solid centrist, smart record in office and defended him against his most over-reaching enemies. Tonight, I think, was one of the best speeches he has ever given. It was a direct, personal and powerful endorsement of Obama. But much, much more than that: it was a statesman-like assessment of where this country is and how desperately it needs a real change toward reform and retrenchment at home and restoration of diplomacy, wisdom and prudence abroad. Yes, he nailed it with this line:

“People around the world have always been more impressed by the power of our example than by the example of our power.”

So…What did you think about Bill Clinton’s speech?  Did he sell it?  Let me know what you think in comments.

From McClatchy Election 2008 Blog…

Remember the good old political convention days, when the roll call of the states was the highlight of the convention?
Good luck finding the roll call Wednesday.

A roll call is scheduled to begin at 4 p.m. MDT, dinner time back east. It’s not clear how many states will participate–even delegates aren’t being told.

This much is known: At some point, a Hillary Clinton supporter will move to nominate Barack Obama, probably unanimously, and that will be it.

Just don’t ask who will do it or when. No one really knows yet.

From Heidi Li’s…

Based on a review of a wide number of sources (some off the record, most on) here is my best understanding of what is taking place before the Convention is called to order today and the roll call held. Go here for the official schedule of the day. According to that schedule, the roll call will be held in the first hour of the first session of today, between 3 and 4 p.m. mountain time.

The schedule does not disclose what is happening this morning and early afternoon with the delegates. As best as I can judge, what is going on is that the delegates are being rounded up state by state for a caucus-like (?!?) process, headed by Obama campaign staff it seems. At these sessions delegates are being required to express their preference for Senator Clinton or Senator Obama, with the understanding that these preferences will then be disclosed on the floor of the convention.

From Washington Wire…

The vote will continue until all states have voted, or until a motion is put forward to give Obama the nomination by acclamation. Already, New Jersey has agreed to unanimously back Obama. Each delegation held informal vote counts at their daily breakfast meetings.

The Obama and Clinton camps are being mum on the exact proceedings—although everything on the convention floor is tightly scripted. But Democratic officials have expressed doubts all week that the full roll call vote would occur.

From MyDD…

I’m here at the Denver Convention Center where hundreds (thousands?) of Clinton delegates are lined up to see Hillary Clinton address them prior to today’s roll call vote. Earlier today delegates began casting ballots and, according to The AP, “Clinton delegates are moving toward Obama.”

A swell of Hillary Rodham Clinton delegates said they were casting their presidential nominating votes for Barack Obama on Wednesday, encouraged by her speech urging them to fall in line behind the party’s certain nominee.The delegates received their ballots at stage delegation breakfast meetings. A roll call vote was scheduled for later in the afternoon after brief nominating speeches for both Clinton and Obama. The former rivals negotiated a plan that would cut off the split roll call after a few states — perhaps by Clinton herself — in favor of acclamation for Obama.

Let me know what you think about the roll call vote in comments.  And I will update this post as needed.

Hillary Clinton’s Introductory Video…

Hillary Clinton’s speech at The Democratic National Convention…

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Rachel Maddow on Hillary Clinton…

David Gergen on Hillary’s Speech…

Hillary: Mission Accomplished…

Candy Crowley on Hillary Clinton’s Speech…

Passionate Hillary Delegate Talks About Her Convention Speech…

From Jeralyn at Talk Left…

The media is using superlatives to describe Hillary Clinton’s speech tonight.

The Republicans are saying she didn’t do anything to dispel the idea that Obama lacks the experience to lead the country.

I think it’s a great night for Democrats, but what will the final effect be?

Did Obama make the biggest mistake of his campaign by not choosing Hillary for his VP candidate? How many Democrats will sit the election out?

From Daily Kos…

I watched Hillary Clinton’s speech on c-span and was impressed as heck. She rallied her troops and told them in no uncertain terms that they’d be wrong to vote for anyone but Barack Obama. And she did it in inspirational fashion, as far as I can see.

From Let Us Talk…

Everything about Senator Clinton’s speech was pitch perfect. She was straight forward, to the point and compelling. She laid out issue by issue why she supports Obama and why we cannot let John McCain in the White House.

She made it clear that democrats have everything to lose if they did not go out and support Obama in full force. Hillary was sincere and passionate about her support for Senator Obama.

From Take Back The Flag…

It’s time to come together, right now. Barack Obama is my candidate, he’s Hillary Clinton’s candidate, and for all that is good in the world, he should be your candidate, and the next President of the United States of America.

Hillary Clinton, on four more years of Republicans in the White House with tax breaks for big oil, no healthcare for American families, and divisive politics and policies:  “No way, no how, no McCain.”

From Paul Levinson…

The best part of Hillary Clinton’s speech tonight was when she asked her supporters whether they had voted for her in the primaries, or voted for the people who needed her, whom she championed in her campaign. If the answer was the latter, Hillary continued, then you must vote for Barack Obama.

So…What did you think about Hillary’s speech?  Did she do what she needed to do?  Do you think her supporters will be convinced to vote for Obama?  Let me know what you think in comments.