Playing For Keeps: Business Interests Strike Back At Republicans Opposed To Ex/Im Bank

I love this because it's clarifying.

Team GOP acts as if conservatives owe them their votes. "Why aren't you focusing on Democrats?" "Why do you want Hillary to win?" It never seems to occur to them that politics is transactional. If you don't deliver what I want, I won't deliver what you want and I'll go find someone who will. But even if I don't, you're out. Plain and simple. It's a version of Mutually Assured Destruction.

I've argued before conservatives need to take this kind of cold blooded approach to politics and stop pretending we're all on some team and have to stick together.

You know who gets this? Big business.

GE told Dallas business leaders in recent days it would look elsewhere for alternatives to its Connecticut home, said the people, who asked not to be identified because details aren’t public. They said GE cited some Texas lawmakers’ opposition to the U.S. Export-Import Bank, an important source of financing for some overseas sales.

GE isn't the only way turning the screws.

The National Association of Manufacturers (NAM) is indefinitely postponing a slate of political fundraisers for Republican candidates this fall, saying the influential business group must instead focus its resources on reauthorizing the embattled Export-Import Bank.
NAM's decision underscores frustration within the business community over GOP attacks on the 80-year-old bank, which helps finance private sector projects in overseas markets. The bank’s charter lapsed on June 30 and many conservatives oppose its renewal.
"We are postponing all political activity fundraising," said Ned Monroe, NAM senior vice president of external relations. "We had to prioritize away from political activity and back toward legislative activity."

Nice campaign you have their, be a shame if anything happened to it.

The GOP coalition isn't tied together by any shared ideology anymore.

So, if you're a small-government fiscal conservative, why should you give Republicans a pass for handing out YOUR money to big business?

Republicans will react to pressure. If the business groups are going to withhold money because it's in their interests to do so, then voters have to realize they will continue to get run over unless they are willing to withhold what they have to offer...activism and votes.

I don't envy Republican candidates and officeholders. This isnt an easy needle to thread but they wanted the job. Here it is.

For background on why the Ex/Im fight is important to small-government fiscal conservatives check out my talk with Dan Holler of Heritage Action.

Posted by: DrewM. at 10:37 AM

Comments

(Jump to bottom of comments)

1 Trans POWER!!!

Posted by: Caitlyn Jenner at August 31, 2015 10:38 AM (E5UB0)

2 2nd?

Posted by: Caitlyn Jenner at August 31, 2015 10:38 AM (E5UB0)

3 WHO WAS STOMPED?

Posted by: The Who Was Phone Guy at August 31, 2015 10:41 AM (vgIRn)

4 Welfare bad, Corporate welfare good.

Posted by: Jebbie '16! at August 31, 2015 10:41 AM (TxJGV)

5 ISIS has the right idea.

Just mint their own currency.

Posted by: Village Idiot's Apprentice at August 31, 2015 10:41 AM (VPLuQ)

6 Come the Revolution, the Banksters and Citizens of the World are going to need to run for their lives.

Posted by: Grump928(c) now with 25% more manliness at August 31, 2015 10:43 AM (evdj2)

7 Stompy stomp

Posted by: Vic at August 31, 2015 10:43 AM (t2KH5)

8 Big Business is the ally of SJWs and attempts to control speech and turn America into a third world shithole. Screw them.

Posted by: Bevel Lemelisk at August 31, 2015 10:44 AM (Oodza)

9 business folks that blindly stumble from next-quarter profit margin to next-quarter profit margin while supporting policies that cut the country's throat remind me of the Roman senators that buggered each other and let Goths take over Roman military duties...right up until the time the Goths rode in through the gates of Rome.

STUPID SHORT SIGHTED WILLFULLY IGNORANT COUNTRY CLUB DIPSHITS!!!!! AHHHHHHHHHHG!

sorry, had to get that out.

Posted by: Grad School Fool at August 31, 2015 10:44 AM (A9KzJ)

10 Team GOP acts as if conservatives owe them their votes.

Ahem.

This is where I will pimp my ranty mctwitterant.

https://storify.com/crl826/alex

Yuuuuge thanks to @chrisrlloyd who did the Storify without my even asking.

Oh. Hey. I should talk about Drew's post.

I have no problems with businesses putting the screws to politicians this way. I mean, that's how the crony capitalism game is played.

I may, possibly, if you squint, not be a huge fan of the game itself. Maybe.

Posted by: alexthechick - Yeah I give up at August 31, 2015 10:44 AM (mf5HN)

11 It never seems to occur to them that politics is ~~transnational~~ transactional.

While what got posted first has its truth, I think this is the word you were looking for...

Posted by: Brother Cavil, down with Eph 6:12-13 at August 31, 2015 10:44 AM (9krrF)

12 Steve Schmidt: Donald Trump 'emasculating' Jeb Bush

Steve Schmidt should know.
Afterall, he helped to emasculate John McCain while working as his senior campaign strategist and advisor to the 2008 presidential campaign.

... if it's so easy for Trump to emasculate Jeb Bush, why shouldn't we think that any Democrat, including "The Criminal," Hillary Clinton, couldn't do it too ?

Posted by: Paul "not a clue" Krugman at August 31, 2015 10:44 AM (e8kgV)

13 I manned the GOP table at my county fair (week ending Aug 1). The county includes the state capitol and is majority Dem. We had a straw poll, put a stone in the jar of your favorite GOP contender. Trump had 276 votes for 31% of the total, with Carson second at 121/14%. Interesting.

Posted by: Gouverneur Morris at August 31, 2015 10:44 AM (dQJCS)

14 Exim doesn't mater. It's a shiny object to distract from important issues. The republic survived with Exim and it'll do fine without it. No real voters care about exim.

Posted by: bjk at August 31, 2015 10:45 AM (x2rNW)

15 #TheCriminalHillaryClinton

Posted by: unlawful enemy combatant at August 31, 2015 10:45 AM (e8kgV)

16 Ex-Im's a bellwether, and that's why it's so important.

It's a pretty cheap cut, and a highly logical one. And if a politician can't do it, there's zero chance they'll cut anything.

Posted by: Chupacabras at August 31, 2015 10:45 AM (XiVKO)

17 You know who gets this? Big business.

But it is only a few businesses who have a pol in their back pocket. It is crony corruption at its worst and the politicians that are being attacked because they oppose corruption should call them out and demand they be prosecut4ed for bribery.

Posted by: Vic at August 31, 2015 10:46 AM (t2KH5)

18 So how do we describe our economy now? It's not free market capitalism, that's for certain. It's become a Frankenstein's monster of fascism/corporatism and socialism, with a little communism thrown in for flavor.

Posted by: Insomniac at August 31, 2015 10:46 AM (2Ojst)

19 ExIm, Medicaid. Free money. What's not to like?

Posted by: Fareed Zakariah at August 31, 2015 10:47 AM (W5DcG)

20 Big Business is the ally of SJWs and attempts to control speech and turn America into a third world shithole. Screw them.

Posted by: Bevel Lemelisk at August 31, 2015 10:44 AM (Oodza)

Zactly. The Social Justice Whores even got Walmart in on the action, who is now part of my own personal boycott.

Stay out of Texas then GE. And eat shit while you're at it.

Posted by: Blano at August 31, 2015 10:47 AM (w1ewr)

21 If Ex-Im weren't important, big business wouldn't be going to the mattresses over it.

It's worth taking just because it makes them mad.

Posted by: Bevel Lemelisk at August 31, 2015 10:47 AM (Oodza)

22 I will admit this kind of Economic stuff is not my forte, so i will bow to those Morons here who do know what they are talking about, except for that Lying POS

Posted by: Nevergiveup at August 31, 2015 10:47 AM (gf8BH)

23 Ace, by activism, do you also mean our need to stop spending our $$ with these mega-corps? Because we can withhold votes and support, but if we keep spending our dollars with these mega-corps that obviously don't have our interest in mind, it's all meaningless.

Posted by: heartofdarkness at August 31, 2015 10:48 AM (cXln4)

24 GE probably isn't worried about the light jobs and appliances I won't buy because of the wind turbines I buy and/or subsidize without my consent.

Posted by: fluffy at August 31, 2015 10:48 AM (2iV3X)

25 i will bow to those Morons here who do know what they are talking about, except for that Lying POS

That's not contradictory. Since Moolin Steele knows nothing about the subjects he expounds on.

Posted by: Grump928(c) now with 25% more manliness at August 31, 2015 10:49 AM (evdj2)

26 It needs to stay expired.

Posted by: The Great White Scotsman at August 31, 2015 10:49 AM (iONHu)

27 @Insomniac

I think it's corporatist with fascist leanings. The socialism and communism are the trailing indicators of the corporatism.

Posted by: Chupacabras at August 31, 2015 10:49 AM (XiVKO)

28 "We are postponing all political activity fundraising," said Ned Monroe,
NAM senior vice president of external relations. "We had to prioritize
away from political activity and back toward legislative activity.

Translation. ...back toward lobbying/bribery.

Posted by: Golfman at August 31, 2015 10:50 AM (fuUcA)

29
Russian jets in Syrian skies
Russia has begun its military intervention in Syria, deploying an aerial contingent to a permanent Syrian base, in order to launch attacks against ISIS and Islamist rebels; US stays silent.

Well can't disturb Fredo on his grand renaming tour

Posted by: Nevergiveup at August 31, 2015 10:50 AM (gf8BH)

30 Texas will survive without GE.

Posted by: Soona at August 31, 2015 10:52 AM (P25Hh)

31 Posted by: Chupacabras at August 31, 2015 10:45 AM (XiVKO)

This.

They have no balls at all and less shame.

Posted by: Golfman at August 31, 2015 10:52 AM (fuUcA)

32 Yes but abortion means Republicans can never win or something.

Posted by: blaster at August 31, 2015 10:52 AM (WQMJ4)

33 What ever happened to the leftist activists campaign against corporate welfare?

Oh, right. Only applies when there is a republican president like so many other issues : homelessness, unemployment, nukes, the anti war people, college tuition.

Posted by: Amos Grossback at August 31, 2015 10:52 AM (P8Jb5)

34
Doubts Cast on Reports of 'Nazi Gold' Train

Evidence that a 'treasure train' from Nazi-era Poland have been found is dubious at best, a local mayor reveals to reporters.

Posted by: Nevergiveup at August 31, 2015 10:52 AM (gf8BH)

35 Ace, by activism, do you also mean our need to stop spending our $$ with these mega-corps? Because we can withhold votes and support, but if we keep spending our dollars with these mega-corps that obviously don't have our interest in mind, it's all meaningless.

Posted by: heartofdarkness at August 31, 2015 10:48 AM (cXln4)

I believe we should absolutely not give these businesses our money whenever possible. I disagree that boycotts don't work. They might not always work, but they can have an effect.

Even if a boycott doesn't work, why give your money to people who hate you? I especially advocate this with Christians.

Unfortunately, it would require some kind of lifestyle change for almost everybody, and few are interested in such a change. Or too lazy to try.

Very few people want to quit going to Disneyland for example even though Disney is anti-American, anti-worker and anti-decency. Until that changes, nothing changes.

Posted by: Blano at August 31, 2015 10:53 AM (w1ewr)

36 I don't envy Republican candidates and officeholders. This isnt an easy needle to thread but they wanted the job. Here it is.
===========
To be fair, they didn't want the job--they wanted the perks, status and money.

If they wanted the "job," they wouldn't give two fucks about what big business wants. (There is no difference between big business and big government.)

I've long said the GOP needs to kick out big business as publicly and loudly as they kicked out the John Birchers.

The entire basis and support for why the Democrats always, always win the question of "cares about me" and, thus, keep winning elections starts and ends with the fact the the GOP is easily tarred as the big business party.

The Chamber of Commerce must be destroyed.

Posted by: RoyalOil at August 31, 2015 10:53 AM (ZvKdv)

37 The Russians are attacking ISIS? When we wont?

I don't know if this is good or bad.

Posted by: blaster at August 31, 2015 10:53 AM (WQMJ4)

38 Fuck GE and the horse they rode in on. These mother fuckers are sitting on hundreds of billions in assets, but they want the American people to fund their ventures overseas.

Fuck 'em, I say.. all of 'em. Start your own bank and rake in all the "profits" why don't ya? Ha!

Posted by: Chi-Town Jerry at August 31, 2015 10:53 AM (rEEK1)

39 Just because I think it's funny:

Iowntheworldreport is having a contest (ends 12:00 EST) for "rename a state park, monument" etc.
Some of the entries are quite good:

http://tinyurl.com/oq6dzyp

Posted by: FenelonSpoke at August 31, 2015 10:54 AM (OSs/l)

40 Yes .. there's no evidence of mountains of gold in our town. None at all. *shiftyeyes*

Posted by: Local Polish Officials at August 31, 2015 10:54 AM (evdj2)

41 33 What ever happened to the leftist activists campaign against corporate welfare?

Oh, right. Only applies when there is a republican president like so many other issues : homelessness, unemployment, nukes, the anti war people, college tuition.
Posted by: Amos Grossback at August 31, 2015 10:52 AM (P8Jb5)

It's an excellent point. There are a few true believers who will keep it up - especially anti-war groups - regardless of who's in the White House. But for some of these issues, like homelessness, they go from OMG THERE'S HOMELESS PEOPLE DYING IN THE GUTTERS EVERY NIGHT!!!!1!!!! under Reagan and Bush, to "what homeless people?" under Clinton.

Posted by: Insomniac at August 31, 2015 10:54 AM (2Ojst)

42 26 It needs to stay expired.

Posted by: The Great White Scotsman at August 31, 2015 10:49 AM (iONHu)

Is it actually expired? I thought there was a story that they were pretty much operating as Business as Usual while they wait for the Republicans in the Senate to figure out how to reauthorize it.

Posted by: buzzion at August 31, 2015 10:54 AM (zt+N6)

43 This is the equivalent of blacks rioting if they don't get their way.

Fuck 'em.

Posted by: Dack Thrombosis at August 31, 2015 10:55 AM (oFCZn)

44 Nazi Gold Train, Schrodinger's cat.
You have to open to box to find out what is inside it.

Posted by: Amos Grossback at August 31, 2015 10:56 AM (P8Jb5)

45 I'm pretty sure it's expired in the same way the debt limit hasn't been exceeded.

Posted by: Chupacabras at August 31, 2015 10:56 AM (XiVKO)

46 Eldest Kidlet just told me "Finney (the cockatiel) would like the world to know he says 'Choop!', and that he may be running for president."

Finney/Trump '16, why the hell not?

Posted by: Polliwog the 'Ette at August 31, 2015 10:56 AM (GDulk)

47 "Texas will survive without GE. "

No thank you.

Posted by: Ricardo Kill at August 31, 2015 10:57 AM (LA7Cm)

48 Hey, you people! Don't you know by now that big business and government are all the same today in America? And by government, I mean democrats AND republicans. So, we are just like Mexico where the cartels = the government, etc. No difference there or here, except we have the 'tools' to effect a change. Those poor Mexican bastards don't. Except for 22's and .38 supers. Maybe we should arm the ones here and send them back?

Posted by: Eromero at August 31, 2015 10:57 AM (go5uR)

49 I guess the "Vote GOP or go third party" issue is pretty much settled, then, huh?

Posted by: filbert at August 31, 2015 10:58 AM (JvPqF)

50 "I don't know if this is good or bad.

Left is right, up is down.....

Posted by: Ricardo Kill at August 31, 2015 10:58 AM (LA7Cm)

51 I've argued before conservatives need to take this kind of cold blooded approach to politics and stop pretending we're all on some team and have to stick together.

____________________________________________

Tell that to the resident trouser chaser, Gabriel Malor.

Posted by: NotCoach at August 31, 2015 10:59 AM (rsudF)

52 The export-import bank was established by executive order of FDR in 1934. If Republicans can not kill this Democrat crony program then they are worthless and do not care who knows it.

Posted by: Vic at August 31, 2015 10:59 AM (t2KH5)

53 This is why I've always laughed at the socially liberal fiscally conservative Republicans who sneered at the social cons and said the social cons were holding the GOP back:
The GOP is going to just as effective at reducing the size and scope of government as they were at defending traditional marriage for all the same reasons.

Posted by: gwelf at August 31, 2015 10:59 AM (TJ8HB)

54
Damn

forgot Al Capone's Vault.

Posted by: Amos Grossback at August 31, 2015 10:59 AM (P8Jb5)

55 44
Nazi Gold Train, Schrodinger's cat.

You have to open to box to find out what is inside it.

Posted by: Amos Grossback at August 31, 2015 10:56 AM (P8Jb5)

just like geraldo's al capone's vault.....

Posted by: phoenixgirl, i was born a rebel at August 31, 2015 10:59 AM (0O7c5)

56 I love the smell of free government money in the morning.

- Stand Up For Big Business Welfare!

Posted by: The Great _______ Snark at August 31, 2015 11:00 AM (fFIVI)

57 What ever happened to the leftist activists campaign against corporate welfare?
.
Posted by: Amos Grossback at August 31, 2015 10:52 AM (P8Jb5)

Remember the Battle Cry of the Rabid Partisan:

"It's Not Bad When WE Do It!!!"

Posted by: filbert at August 31, 2015 11:00 AM (JvPqF)

58 The National Association of Manufacturers, it should be noted is headed by John Engler, a former three term Governor of Michigan, who supposedly was a "conservative".

Engler's bio is instructive. First elected to the state legislature at age 22, befoe he'd even finished college, Engler was the quintessential professional politician. He moved to the state senate and then to the Governor's office. Along the way he collected a law degree from a local diploma mill, a wife, who herself was in the state House at the same time Engler was leading the state Senate, and then a second wife.

After nearly twenty years in the state legislature and twelve years as Governor, Engler at age 52 got his first adult job in the quasi private sector, leading NAM.

In short, Big Big Government has been Very Very good to NAM head the supposedky conservativeJohn Engler.

Posted by: Raspail at August 31, 2015 11:01 AM (Jof+L)

59 It's mental telepathy, I tell you.

Do you hear voices in your head?

I do.

Posted by: Amos Grossback at August 31, 2015 11:01 AM (P8Jb5)

60 Why sure I want money going to fund foreign economic ventures. We have all the money we could ever need here, everyone who wants a job has one and always has plenty of money. Our economy is in great shape, just ax any politician or journolist. There's no poverty or inflation at all. We're all just happy as clams.

Everything is coming up roses.

Posted by: BackwardsBoy at August 31, 2015 11:01 AM (LUgeY)

61 "The woman who knows her place never loses her position." -- DeSean Jackson

... somebody in the Eagles front office is laughing

Posted by: #TheCriminalHillaryClinton at August 31, 2015 11:01 AM (e8kgV)

62 I recommend you read all of atc's twitter thingie @10, but this bears particular repeating

Yeah, it's so sophisticated to lie and lie and lie and lie and lie and lie and then be shocked when taken to account for it

Posted by: Methos at August 31, 2015 11:02 AM (ZbV+0)

63 Corporate welfare is just as bad as Peggy Joseph's version.

Posted by: dogfish at August 31, 2015 11:03 AM (jWtyG)

64 BTW, the export-import bank is still handing existing loans but can not make new ones because of the lack of authorization.

I posted a link several months ago where a representative said they had enough exiting loans to go for years without reauthorization.

Posted by: Vic at August 31, 2015 11:03 AM (t2KH5)

65 63 Corporate welfare is just as bad as Peggy Joseph's version.
Posted by: dogfish at August 31, 2015 11:03 AM (jWtyG)

I coined this in another thread and happen to like it. These guys are the FSA in bespoke suits.

Posted by: Insomniac at August 31, 2015 11:03 AM (2Ojst)

66 Engler was the quintessential professional politician.

*swoon*

Posted by: flugelhornpater at August 31, 2015 11:04 AM (ZtFr+)

67 Where are the OWSers. Wasn't this one of their issues? You know, other than shitting on police cars.

Posted by: Soona at August 31, 2015 11:04 AM (P25Hh)

68 67 Where are the OWSers. Wasn't this one of their issues? You know, other than shitting on police cars.
Posted by: Soona at August 31, 2015 11:04 AM (P25Hh)

Soros pulled their funding and gave it to #blacklivesmatter.

Posted by: Insomniac at August 31, 2015 11:05 AM (2Ojst)

69 It takes money to win an election, but it also takes votes. Seems the pendulum has swung way too far toward the money.

Posted by: dogfish at August 31, 2015 11:05 AM (jWtyG)

70 10
Team GOP acts as if conservatives owe them their votes.

Ahem.

This is where I will pimp my ranty mctwitterant.

https://storify.com/crl826/alex

Yuuuuge thanks to @chrisrlloyd who did the Storify without my even asking.

Oh. Hey. I should talk about Drew's post.

I have no problems with businesses putting the screws to politicians
this way. I mean, that's how the crony capitalism game is played.

I may, possibly, if you squint, not be a huge fan of the game itself. Maybe.

Posted by: alexthechick - Yeah I give up at August 31, 2015 10:44 AM (mf5HN)
=================
New podcast this week?

Posted by: gwelf at August 31, 2015 11:05 AM (TJ8HB)

71 *swoon*

Posted by: flugelhornpater

Funny name.

Posted by: Moderate Salami, weeping for our dead Republic at August 31, 2015 11:06 AM (/Ho8c)

72 It's instructive that they don't bring this kind of force to bear when talking about lowering the corporate tax rate, isn't it?

Almost as if a high corporate rate doesn't hurt the big corporations and harms their smaller rivals...

Posted by: Chupacabras at August 31, 2015 11:07 AM (XiVKO)

73 GE probably isn't worried about the light jobs and appliances I won't buy because of the wind turbines I buy and/or subsidize without my consent.

Posted by: fluffy at August 31, 2015 10:48 AM (2iV3X)

GE is well-practised at sucking on the government tit. And Obama's dick.

Posted by: Alberta Oil Peon at August 31, 2015 11:07 AM (aRgrb)

74 Hillary "Chappaqua Shifty" Clinton.

Posted by: The Great _______ Snark at August 31, 2015 11:07 AM (fFIVI)

75 72 It's instructive that they don't bring this kind of force to bear when talking about lowering the corporate tax rate, isn't it?

Almost as if a high corporate rate doesn't hurt the big corporations and harms their smaller rivals...
Posted by: Chupacabras at August 31, 2015 11:07 AM (XiVKO)

I have no idea what you're talking about.

Posted by: Hundreds of thousands of pages of business regulations at August 31, 2015 11:08 AM (2Ojst)

76 Posted by: alexthechick - Yeah I give up

And...I totally read that as:

"Yeah I give it up"

And I must confess that got me just a little bit excited.

Posted by: Moderate Salami, weeping for our dead Republic at August 31, 2015 11:08 AM (/Ho8c)

77 >>> GE is well-practised at sucking on the government tit.

Call me Don Quixote. I hate fucking windmills.

Posted by: fluffy at August 31, 2015 11:08 AM (2iV3X)

78 77 >>> GE is well-practised at sucking on the government tit.

Call me Don Quixote. I hate fucking windmills.
Posted by: fluffy at August 31, 2015 11:08 AM (2iV3X)

So quit fuckin' 'em.

Posted by: Insomniac at August 31, 2015 11:09 AM (2Ojst)

79 Wow. Cop on Fox Business just asserted that cops enforce the rule of law in a democracy.

So people have no idea what the rule of law (namely the equal application, in particular to the government and those connected to it) is, they think it's just about order. God help us.

Posted by: Methos at August 31, 2015 11:09 AM (ZbV+0)

80 Posted by: Raspail at August 31, 2015 11:01 AM (Jof+L)

_____________________________________________

Speaking as a Michigander Engler did good for us as governor. He was preceded by Blanchard, and followed by Granholm. Awful bookends that make him look fantastic. He also liberalized Michigan gun laws. As a national candidate I would not be much interested in him; the same with our current governor Schneider. But for Michigan both are a decent fit considering our local politics.

Posted by: NotCoach at August 31, 2015 11:09 AM (rsudF)

81 See, this is the thing, though. The Republican Congress did what you anti Ex-Im Bank folks wanted. Now, if these folks are being put on the spot by GE, Boeing, and other companies that supported continuing the EIB, you need to be just as active in supporting those members of Congress.

You can't ask a politician to do what you want and then ignore what they want in return. Drew is accurate in calling this a transactional exchange. But, conservatives who opposed EIB re-authorization now have to honor their end of the bargain and stand up for those members. You can't just take your victory and go home, to leave them to twist in the wind now that they have given you want you wanted.

Because if you want them to do the next thing you want, you have to give them a reason to do so.

Posted by: trumpetdaddy at August 31, 2015 11:10 AM (ljZD2)

82 Seriously, I'm not sure when my thinking flipped on this, but these big behemoth multinationals need to be destroyed.

Preferably it would be by removing all impediments to competition, but realistically I have a bad feeling that it'll require a strongman.

Posted by: Chupacabras at August 31, 2015 11:10 AM (XiVKO)

83 "rename a state park, monument"

-
Old Faithful becomes the Mooch Ass Poofter.

Posted by: The Great _______ Snark at August 31, 2015 11:10 AM (fFIVI)

84 Call me Don Quixote. I hate fucking windmills.
Posted by: fluffy at August 31, 2015 11:08 AM (2iV3X)

So quit fuckin' 'em.
Posted by: Insomniac at August 31, 2015 11:09 AM (2Ojst)

Getting all those splinters out is a stone cold bitch, let me tell you.

Posted by: Sancho Panza at August 31, 2015 11:10 AM (JvPqF)

85 It never seems to occur to them that politics is ~~transnational~~ ~~transactional~~ transgendered.

Posted by: Caitlyn Jenner at August 31, 2015 11:11 AM (E5UB0)

86 Since when were big businesses Republican? They have always been fascist whores, using their influence with the political class to deny market access.

Posted by: Jean at August 31, 2015 11:12 AM (ztOda)

87 So people have no idea what the rule of law (namely the equal application, in particular to the government and those connected to it) is, they think it's just about order. God help us.
Posted by: Methos at August 31, 2015 11:09 AM (ZbV+0)

That attitude would explain, at least in part, why there is such a seeming proliferation of cops running roughshod over peoples' Constitutional rights. It's not about the rule of law, it's about what offends their sense of order and the respect they think they're entitled to.

Posted by: Insomniac at August 31, 2015 11:13 AM (2Ojst)

88 Seriously, I'm not sure when my thinking flipped on this, but these big behemoth multinationals need to be destroyed.

Preferably it would be by removing all impediments to competition, but realistically I have a bad feeling that it'll require a strongman.
Posted by: Chupacabras at August 31, 2015 11:10 AM (XiVKO)

I used to be an unrestricted free trader/free enterpriser.

But then I got older.

Power corrupts, etc., etc.

"Too big to fail" is too big to allow to exist.

There is a certain size, a certain market share, over which a corporation (or a government) must be broken up into smaller units, in order to preserve individual liberty.

This conclusion has pained me greatly to reach, but I think it is true, no less for big businesses than for big government.

Posted by: filbert at August 31, 2015 11:13 AM (JvPqF)

89 It's nice to think what would happen if republicans were like democrats, perhaps if a democrat (like Donald Trump?) ran the republican party. What would democrat-comparable tactics look like from the right?

You would lash out at GE. You would basically go to war with them over this, not because they made decision but because they went public with it to embarrass you. You would demagogue. You wouldn't give a fuck how the battle with GE turned out, you would just make it as savage and scorched earth as possible to set an example for any other company thinking about doing similar things.

You would come out and announce that GE were a bunch of greedy corporatist fatcats, didn't give a fuck about the American people, that they had already relocated most of their factories to China and Mexico destroying our blue collar economy, and now they were trying to bully and extort the American people, threatening us if we didn't give the already rich SOBs even more money they would move the rest of their plants to Mexico.

You would question their patriotism.

Then call for a boycott.

If this was done competently, probably GE would cave, move their factory to Texas and give up on the Ex-Im bank.

Posted by: Not Mitt Romney at August 31, 2015 11:14 AM (TULs6)

90 >>>GE told Dalls business leaders in recent days it would look elsewhere for alternatives to its Cnnecticut home...GE cited some Texas' lawmakers opposition to the US Import-Export bank

We are dealing with a similar problem in Utah. The largest convention in Utah is the Outdoor Expo, showcasing outdoor products. Brings millions to the state every year and enrichens SLC. They are threatening to leave the state entirely and go somewhere else if our governor/state legislature drops the public lands debate, where our state is trying to reclaim federal lands and turn them over to state jurisdiction.

They act as if the second we get the lands in question, we will immediately do all we can to ruin them. Cannot be trusted with them, when in fact outdoor tourism is one of the biggest moneymakers for the state. To destroy them would be slaying the golden goose, our governor is not that stupid.

They are threatening to move the Expo to Vegas. VEGAS. You cannot make this stuff up.

I say screw 'em. Don't let them hold a gun to our head and tell us how to run our state. If they want to go, go.

Posted by: LizLem at August 31, 2015 11:14 AM (hvf9s)

91 Well, let's not pretend that GE has been a big supporter of Republicans anyway.

Posted by: Burn the Witch at August 31, 2015 11:14 AM (Wckf4)

92 Because if you want them to do the next thing you want, you have to give them a reason to do so.

Sure, we'll vote for the ones that voted for America's interests next time.

Though I'd be more encouraged to if there were criminal prosecutions of those continuing the Ex-Im's activities now that its legal authority has expired.

Posted by: Methos at August 31, 2015 11:14 AM (ZbV+0)

93 Unfortunately, it would require some kind of lifestyle change for almost
everybody, and few are interested in such a change. Or too lazy to
try.

Very few people want to quit going to Disneyland for example even
though Disney is anti-American, anti-worker and anti-decency. Until
that changes, nothing changes.

Posted by: Blano at August 31, 2015 10:53 AM (w1ewr)

Sure, I get this. But then, what's the point of all the talk and frustration with our representatives? They're just doing publicly what we're doing publicly...our actions just aren't publicized, except in the company's annual reports. I mean, every time we buy from GE, aren't we voting the same way our reps are? Why get up in arms about our reps, when they're doing the exact same thing we're doing.

For example, I miss sports. A lot. But when ESPN gave the Ashe award to BJ over a Veteran, I gave up ESPN (and ABC). Sure, it'll be a long (quiet) college football season, but I won't support them. Period. Does it have an effect? Maybe not. But at least my conscience is clear.

Is it hard? Of course. But isn't it hypocrisy or insanity otherwise? (Doing the same thing over and over and expecting a change.) I mean, don't we need to change if we expect our reps to?

Posted by: heartofdarkness at August 31, 2015 11:15 AM (cXln4)

94 "Call me Don Quixote. I hate fucking windmills. "

I do too. Blighting the landscape. Not spinning because they're broke. Catching on fire.

Government subsidy horsesh!t.

Posted by: Ricardo Kill at August 31, 2015 11:15 AM (LA7Cm)

95 Seriously, I'm not sure when my thinking flipped on this, but these big behemoth multinationals need to be destroyed.

Preferably it would be by removing all impediments to competition, but realistically I have a bad feeling that it'll require a strongman.

Posted by: Chupacabras at August 31, 2015 11:10 AM (XiVKO)

My thinking on that changed within the past year, when I finally realized big business is all in with the Pathetic Left.

I had my suspicions for a while. RFRA, homo rights, Obama dick sucking, Muzzie loving, PC language, etc. etc. has pretty much killed it with me re: big business.

It would likely cause a recession to break them up and/or kill them off, but I'll take that tradeoff.

Posted by: Blano at August 31, 2015 11:16 AM (w1ewr)

96 Seriously, I'm not sure when my thinking flipped on this, but these big behemoth multinationals need to be destroyed.

Preferably
it would be by removing all impediments to competition, but
realistically I have a bad feeling that it'll require a strongman.

Global economic collapse would accomplish a lot of that. In which case, I have some good news for you.

Posted by: Methos at August 31, 2015 11:16 AM (ZbV+0)

97 They are threatening to move the Expo to Vegas. VEGAS. You cannot make this stuff up.

I say screw 'em. Don't let them hold a gun to our head and tell us how to run our state. If they want to go, go.
Posted by: LizLem at August 31, 2015 11:14 AM (hvf9s)

Because Nevada, especially southern Nevada, is such a garden state compared to Utah???

Wow. Just wow.

As DrewM says, that's how politics is played.

Our problem is too much politics in the first place.

Too. Much. Politics.

Posted by: filbert at August 31, 2015 11:16 AM (JvPqF)

98 2. An anti-Trump ad deluge after Labor Day?

It's no secret the Republican establishment is unnerved by Donald Trump and his lead in national and key state polls.

And now, after weeks of assuming his support would be fleeting, there is a debate about how to take aim at Trump -- and just who should finance such an effort.

CNN's Maeve Reston noted that most GOP strategists see risks in having the attacks come from the other candidates or their directly affiliated super PACs. So, she reports, there is conversation about what other group might raise money for anti-Trump TV ads.

"There are a lot of donors out there who see it as much too dangerous, obviously, for the candidates, or their allied super PACs, to go after Trump," said Reston. "So they're looking to more establishment PACs to potentially take him down in post-Labor Day ads."

... wasn't this kind of stuff what those "John Doe investigations" in Wisconsin were all about ?

Posted by: #TheCriminalHillaryClinton at August 31, 2015 11:16 AM (e8kgV)

99
Call me Don Quixote. I hate fucking windmills.
Posted by: fluffy at August 31, 2015 11:08 AM (2iV3X)

So quit fuckin' 'em.
Posted by: Insomniac at August 31, 2015 11:09 AM (2Ojst)

No, go ahead and keep doing it.

Posted by: The Chicken, The Toaster, and The Microwave-warmed Cantaloupe at August 31, 2015 11:16 AM (vgIRn)

100 83 "rename a state park, monument"

-
Old Faithful becomes the Mooch Ass Poofter.
Posted by: The Great _______ Snark at August 31, 2015 11:10 AM (fFIVI)

----------------------

Mt. Rushmore becomes the "Stoned White Dudes" National Park.

Posted by: Soona at August 31, 2015 11:17 AM (P25Hh)

101 Global economic collapse would accomplish a lot of that. In which case, I have some good news for you.
Posted by: Methos at August 31, 2015 11:16 AM (ZbV+0)

Working on it.

Posted by: Barack H. Obama at August 31, 2015 11:17 AM (JvPqF)

102 Posted by: trumpetdaddy at August 31, 2015 11:10 AM (ljZD2)

Uh-oh. Down to only 1344 RPM on the old tach. I warned you about greasing that giggling pin, but did you pay heed? Of course not.

Posted by: Alberta Oil Peon at August 31, 2015 11:17 AM (aRgrb)

103 Would that be the same GE who is so good at crony capitalism, that I paid more in business taxes than they did the last 5 years???

The same GE who LIVES off of government contracts???

We have the best Government Money can buy...

Posted by: BB Wolf at August 31, 2015 11:17 AM (qh617)

104 Whoops that sentence in #90 I meant to read:

They are threatening to leave the state entirely and go somewhere else UNLESS our governor/state legislature drops the public lands debate,

Posted by: LizLem at August 31, 2015 11:17 AM (hvf9s)

105 Trump saying good things about the Teaparty. Hummm. I like that.

Posted by: maddogg at August 31, 2015 11:18 AM (xWW96)

106 Yo!

Posted by: Yo! at August 31, 2015 11:18 AM (q+zA9)

107 AtC, best rant evah !

Posted by: sock_rat_eez at August 31, 2015 11:19 AM (go6ud)

108 Posted by: trumpetdaddy at August 31, 2015 11:10 AM (ljZD2)

That's precisely the argument that Drew's making, but don't let that stop your reactionary posting.

Posted by: Burn the Witch at August 31, 2015 11:19 AM (Wckf4)

109 There is a certain size, a certain market share, over which a corporation (or a government) must be broken up into smaller units, in order to preserve individual liberty. "

Ahem. "Corporations" (voluntary associations of individuals) can only (and yes, I mean only) reach that "size" (percentage of a given market) by the use of government.
It's called "fascism", and is a favorite of the Left since Jacobin times.

History is your friend.

Posted by: anon a mouse at August 31, 2015 11:19 AM (C9pBZ)

110 107 AtC, best rant evah !
Posted by: sock_rat_eez at August 31, 2015 11:19 AM (go6ud)

I must disagree. The ladybits rant still occupies the number one position in my view.

Posted by: Insomniac at August 31, 2015 11:20 AM (2Ojst)

111 Trump saying good things about the Teaparty. Hummm. I like that.
Posted by: maddogg at August 31, 2015 11:18 AM (xWW96)

Trump is playing to the crowd.

Honestly, I think his true political inclinations are that of the weathervane . . . whichever way he feels the wind blowing. I'm not sure that (other than the enormous ego--which at least he has the wit to temper somewhat by a sense of humor about it) Trump really has any solid core political philosophy.

Posted by: filbert at August 31, 2015 11:21 AM (JvPqF)

112 News from NYC, no settlement, Judge Berman will issue ruling in next day or two. And then the appeals start...

Posted by: Lincolntf at August 31, 2015 11:21 AM (2cS/G)

113 And that would be the same GE that underwrote Obama's campaigns.

Millions in free advertising on NBC.

Millions more in kickbacks and favors from Obama.

Fuck them.

We do not want them in Texas.

Posted by: RoyalOil at August 31, 2015 11:21 AM (ZvKdv)

114 GE told Dalls business leaders in recent days it would look elsewhere for alternatives to its Cnnecticut home...GE cited some Texas' lawmakers opposition to the US Import-Export bank"

Yeah. That really stopped XOM and Toyota from moving to Texas...

GE is the poster child for sucking up taxpayer's cash. F'em.

Posted by: anon a mouse at August 31, 2015 11:22 AM (C9pBZ)

115 Sure, I get this. But then, what's the point of all the talk and frustration with our representatives? They're just doing publicly what we're doing publicly...our actions just aren't publicized, except in the company's annual reports. I mean, every time we buy from GE, aren't we voting the same way our reps are? Why get up in arms about our reps, when they're doing the exact same thing we're doing.

For example, I miss sports. A lot. But when ESPN gave the Ashe award to BJ over a Veteran, I gave up ESPN (and ABC). Sure, it'll be a long (quiet) college football season, but I won't support them. Period. Does it have an effect? Maybe not. But at least my conscience is clear.

Is it hard? Of course. But isn't it hypocrisy or insanity otherwise? (Doing the same thing over and over and expecting a change.) I mean, don't we need to change if we expect our reps to?

Posted by: heartofdarkness at August 31, 2015 11:15 AM (cXln4)

You're absolutely right. I'm gonna miss football this season too. It IS hypocrisy otherwise, but peeps don't want to admit it.

Nearly everybody is caught up in bread and circuses. Sheesh all I hear from coworkers is Rangers, Cowboys, Cowboys, Cowboys, Cowboys, Longhorns, with the occasional Horned Frog thrown in.

The amount of money pissed away on football is incredible. And that's just one sport.

It's too "hard" of a lifestyle change to make for most people, Christians included. I'm trying at least.

I don't fly anymore because of the TSA goon squads. I refuse. My ass hurts about halfway into my annual 19 hour drive to Detroit, but it's still worth it to me.

Posted by: Blano at August 31, 2015 11:22 AM (w1ewr)

116 Don't.
Mess.

Posted by: Rick Tingles at August 31, 2015 11:23 AM (f4gh0)

117 There is a certain size, a certain market share, over which a corporation (or a government) must be broken up into smaller units, in order to preserve individual liberty. "

Ahem. "Corporations" (voluntary associations of individuals) can only (and yes, I mean only) reach that "size" (percentage of a given market) by the use of government.
It's called "fascism", and is a favorite of the Left since Jacobin times.

History is your friend.
Posted by: anon a mouse at August 31, 2015 11:19 AM (C9pBZ)

Oh, yes, I'm quite aware that we are currently living in a quasi-fascist "social democracy."

I am not particularly happy about this, mainly because history also teaches that these sorts of things are incredibly difficult to turn around without really, really, really bad things happening.

Posted by: filbert at August 31, 2015 11:23 AM (JvPqF)

118 An anti-Trump ad deluge after Labor Day?

Yeah, attack the guy running for Americans against the shodowy unaccountable foreign business interests in DC by running ads by shadowy unaccountable 'political' organizations no one has heard of and can be safely assumed to be foreign business interests.

I sense a further implosion upward in the polls coming.

Posted by: Methos at August 31, 2015 11:23 AM (ZbV+0)

119 Trump really has any solid core political philosophy.
Posted by: filbert at August 31, 2015 11:21 AM (JvPqF)

" Show Me The Money"!

Capitalism Baby, Capitalism!

Posted by: Nevergiveup at August 31, 2015 11:23 AM (gf8BH)

120 Fuck them.

We do not want them in Texas."

I'm good with that.

Posted by: anon a mouse at August 31, 2015 11:24 AM (C9pBZ)

121 >>We do not want them in Texas.

GE and Boeing get a lot of ink over the ExIm but there are a lot more companies using it than most think and most are not huge multi-nationals.

For example, which state has more money in play with ExIm other than Washington because of Boeing? That would be Texas. Gonna be interesting to see reactions when a lot of jobs get lost of ExIm goes down the tubes.

Posted by: JackStraw at August 31, 2015 11:24 AM (OGm46)

122 Oh, yes, I'm quite aware that we are currently living in a quasi-fascist "social democracy."

Where's the "quasi" part? We're in the full blown phase now.

Posted by: anon a mouse at August 31, 2015 11:25 AM (C9pBZ)

123 Frau Heather, Deutschland nicht gut

http://www.gatestoneinstitute.org/6423/germany-muslim-demographic

Posted by: Anna Puma at August 31, 2015 11:25 AM (49rjL)

124 Hugenormous Newd

Posted by: BunkerintheBurbs at August 31, 2015 11:26 AM (WDySP)

125 "rename a state park, monument"

Death Valley => Debt Valley

Posted by: Caitlyn Jenner at August 31, 2015 11:27 AM (E5UB0)

126 There is nothing wrong with Big Companies wanting things for their own benefit. And there is nothing wrong with contributing to Political PACs and Politicians, as long as those contributions are public knowledge. But that does NOT mean we have to give them there way. We, and the politicians, and the GOV can and should say "Ah no, Fuck You" when it's the right thing to do.

Posted by: Nevergiveup at August 31, 2015 11:27 AM (gf8BH)

127 If you want a change, something has to clear the bureaucrat's books.

Ultimately that comes down to a benevolent dictatorship, economic collapse, dissolution of whole departments, or revolution. Because politician's won't dissolve departments, nor even cut this trifle, the best we can hope for is that the bubble bursts after we've died peacefully in our beds.

Which may be a more doomy outlook than you'd get from Monty.

Posted by: Chupacabras at August 31, 2015 11:28 AM (XiVKO)

128 That would be Texas."

In fifteen years the XM has supported something like (going off memory here) 70 sales/projects in the petro field.

Whoopdef'ingdoo.

Posted by: anon a mouse at August 31, 2015 11:28 AM (C9pBZ)

129 Conservatives and the GOP needed to cut the cord from Big Business a long time ago, so I'm all for a battle like this.

There was an era where Big Business wanted the same things conservatives did, lower taxes, less regulation, and to simply be left alone. So it ade sense to band together.

But the "new" Big Business is basically an extension of Big Government. Think Fannie Mae or Freddie Mac, that's today's model for Big Business.

Republicans would do well at the ballot box striking a more populist tone anyway. Hell, it seems most Fortune 500 CEOs are aspiring SJWs anyway.

Posted by: Coolio at August 31, 2015 11:28 AM (/HKwL)

130 I'm pro-life, so that isn't this.

But, I'm damn tired of some Rep a-hole,

saying I'm super-duper against abortion but then doing nothing conservative at all in office, (including restrictions on abortion)-

but otherwise voting like a Dim when not engaging in Failure Theater. (Hellooooo, Rubio!)

It's like Kasich waving the "Christian" flag for endless gov't handouts.

We need to stop being moved to vote for such assholes and instead vote them out.

If you don't give us what we want, you need to leave the cozy environs of Washington DC.

McCain (and a few others) losing in a straight up primary contest would be a great bellwether for the rest of those turds.

Posted by: naturalfake at August 31, 2015 11:28 AM (0cMkb)

131 Where's the "quasi" part? We're in the full blown phase now.
Posted by: anon a mouse at August 31, 2015 11:25 AM (C9pBZ)

Potato, potahto.

Posted by: filbert at August 31, 2015 11:28 AM (JvPqF)

132 And I don't have it in me to talk about Trump today, so I'm just staying here.

Posted by: Chupacabras at August 31, 2015 11:29 AM (XiVKO)

133 For example, which state has more money in play with ExIm other than Washington because of Boeing? That would be Texas. Gonna be interesting to see reactions when a lot of jobs get lost of ExIm goes down the tubes.

Posted by: JackStraw at August 31, 2015 11:24 AM (OGm46)

If the loss of the ExIm Bank does result in massive job losses, that doesn't mean the ExIm bank was necessary; it means that the businesses affected were simply chasing those sweet gummint dollars, instead of competing properly.

Posted by: Alberta Oil Peon at August 31, 2015 11:29 AM (aRgrb)

134 So it's looks like the NFL is going for the whole enchilata and doubling down. Their gonna lose

Posted by: Nevergiveup at August 31, 2015 11:30 AM (gf8BH)

135 "That's precisely the argument that Drew's making, but don't let that stop your reactionary posting."

I believe that's exactly why I said I agreed with his use of the word "transactional."

Dial down the "reactionary posting," yourself, chief. Actually read what I wrote next time, mmmkay?

Posted by: trumpetdaddy at August 31, 2015 11:30 AM (ljZD2)

136 it means that the businesses affected were simply chasing those sweet gummint dollars"

The deuce, you say...

Posted by: Tyson's Corner, Virginia. at August 31, 2015 11:31 AM (C9pBZ)

137 Allan The Walking Dead Colmes defending Black lives matter? What a dope

Posted by: Nevergiveup at August 31, 2015 11:31 AM (gf8BH)

138 Since when is GE -- part owner of MSNBC - part of the GOP coalition?

As Jonah Goldberg pointed out, the notion that big business is conservative is a lie.

Posted by: blue at August 31, 2015 11:32 AM (iw3Dl)

139 I hope so, NGU. Goodell is a shitweasel.

Posted by: Lincolntf at August 31, 2015 11:33 AM (2cS/G)

140 Because if you want them to do the next thing you want, you have to give them a reason to do so.

Posted by: trumpetdaddy
==========
The whole point of this post, as you may not see it, is that the Team GOPe you're cheering for has most assuredly NOT given us voters a victory here as there is much doubt that the expiration may actually stick.

Rather, to put it another way: The Team GOPe made a minor feign to voters and now are seeking a better offer from big business.

"We barely moved in your direction this one time on this small issue. Now you better take trumpetdaddy's advice--you owe us your votes, time and treasure for life."

And all of us are over here with a whole stack of chits--promises they made over and over to us--we need cashed before we ever do anything for them again.

Posted by: RoyalOil at August 31, 2015 11:34 AM (ZvKdv)

141 >>In fifteen years the XM has supported something like (going off memory here) 70 sales/projects in the petro field.

ExIm claims 1,233 companies for a total of $22 billion. That's a tad more than 70 deals.

>>If the loss of the ExIm Bank does result in massive job losses, that doesn't mean the ExIm bank was necessary; it means that the businesses affected were simply chasing those sweet gummint dollars, instead of competing properly.

I would agree with you if there was one significant country in the world that doesn't provide a similar service to companies in their country. We don't have to like it but this is the world we live in. Boeing only has one significant competitor, Airbus, which basically is a bunch of European countries.

Like any government institution it definitely needs reform but I'm not sure ending it outright is going to be a fantastic idea for all businesses that export not just GE and Boeing.

Posted by: JackStraw at August 31, 2015 11:36 AM (OGm46)

142 105 Trump saying good things about the Teaparty. Hummm. I like that.
Posted by: maddogg

See, here's what pisses me off. Some people really do just want to be lied to.

Trump is on the record advocating big tax increases on the wealthy with his current campaign.

He's even in the past advocated a wealth tax, something even Obama would be scared shitless to talk about.

I thought the TEA Party stood for
Taxed
Enough
Already

At the very least, it was supposed to be a fiscal stand against big government.

I saw Trump on a segment with Sarah Palin and he wants to fund a massive infrastructure movement like rebuilding roads, bridges, airports in the US.
Basically, MASSIVE pork projects.

Posted by: Coolio at August 31, 2015 11:37 AM (/HKwL)

143 GE can stay where it is at.

We got Toyota.

Posted by: Rick Tingles at August 31, 2015 11:38 AM (f4gh0)

144 A few counterpoints:

NAM isn't an organization of big businesses. It includes both large and small manufacturers, and it's not dominated by large multinationals like GE. You might want to consider why NAM opposes doing away with ExIm: Because most of their members oppose it; because even small manufacturers benefit from it -- if it benefits Caterpillar, then it benefits all of the small companies that feed Caterpillar machined parts.

It's funny how, whenever we on the right decide to combat "corporate welfare", we go after one of the few things that help manufacturers trying to export. It's hard enough to survive in that game, believe me -- with all of the regulations and taxes that we have to deal with, that our competitors in the rest of the world don't. This one small sop offered to manufacturers? Crony capitalism.

But in the meantime, we'll allow price supports and tariffs that help farmers (even most of the food grown in the US is produced by huge factory farms and conglomerates). Even if that keeps food prices high for the rest of us. Or extractive industries (thus keeping the cost of energy and raw materials high for manufacturers.)

Posted by: Pastafarian at August 31, 2015 11:38 AM (LqrRo)

145 Posted in an ExIm Bank thread:

See, here's what pisses me off. Some people really do just want to be lied to.

Trump is on the record advocating big tax increases on the wealthy with his current campaign.
Posted by: Coolio at August 31, 2015 11:37 AM (/HKwL)
------------

Anyone want to show Coolio why this does not scan?

Posted by: Rick Tingles at August 31, 2015 11:41 AM (f4gh0)

146 I'm throwing my (considerable) support behind the Pander Bear Party. They told me EXACTLY what I wanted to hear.

Posted by: Turd Ferguson at August 31, 2015 11:44 AM (VAsIq)

147 144.

I will agree that conservatives could have picked a better target than the Ex/Im bank.

It sort of reminds me of Republicans like Paul Ryan or Christ Christie deciding Republicans were going to make their stand against Obama by advocating cutting MediCare. The most popular government entitlement that people actually pay into their whole lives and primarily benefits Republican, middle class voters.

MediCare needs fixing, but how about going after the Free Shit Army first?

Posted by: Coolio at August 31, 2015 11:44 AM (/HKwL)

148 If we are killing EXIM, what about OPIC

Posted by: Jean at August 31, 2015 11:46 AM (ztOda)

149 We'll balance the budget by cutting the military in half, and paying the remainder in silver dimes.

Posted by: Pon Raul at August 31, 2015 11:47 AM (VAsIq)

150 Anyone want to show Coolio why this does not scan?
Posted by: Rick Tingles

Explain it to me.

Trump also is on the record saying he doesn't want to cut a penny from any entitlement because he's going to make us so fabulously wealthy we won't have to make any cuts.

So we have a Republican wanting to raise taxes, raise government spending, and says we'll be so wealthy we won't need to reform crashing entitlements.

Look, if your only issue is building a wall with Mexico, then fine. I'm close to being there myself, I'm at the point where I think it is an existential issue, but I'm not going to pretend Trump is a Tea Party conservative.

Posted by: Coolio at August 31, 2015 11:48 AM (/HKwL)

151 Oddly, both GE and NAMI are based in Yankeeland. Fuck them with a rusty garden rake, then they will realize they love you.

Posted by: No Ways Tard at August 31, 2015 11:48 AM (oDCMR)

152 126 There is nothing wrong with Big Companies wanting things for their own benefit. And there is nothing wrong with contributing to Political PACs and Politicians, as long as those contributions are public knowledge. But that does NOT mean we have to give them there way. We, and the politicians, and the GOV can and should say "Ah no, Fuck You" when it's the right thing to do.

Posted by: Nevergiveup at August 31, 2015 11:27 AM (gf8BH)

Which will never happen as long as they're funneling billions of dollars to the pols.

Posted by: Dack Thrombosis at August 31, 2015 11:49 AM (oFCZn)

153 ace up

Posted by: Vic at August 31, 2015 11:51 AM (t2KH5)

154 "Nearly everybody is caught up in bread and circuses."

If you want to know why Obama has gotten away with so much, I think much of it is our culture of endless entertainment at our fingertips where people can just tune the world out and put themselves in an imaginary bubble. And to add insult to injury, most of that distraction has a specific political agenda. So we're being distracted and propagandized at the same time.

When it was 3 channels on, people were better at keeping the government in check.

Posted by: Coolio at August 31, 2015 11:56 AM (/HKwL)

155 My ass hurts about halfway into my annual 19 hour drive to Detroit, but it's still worth it to me.

Posted by: Blano at August 31, 2015 11:22 AM (w1ewr)

At least until you cross the Mississippi east, that's some beautiful country.

Posted by: heartofdarkness at August 31, 2015 11:57 AM (cXln4)

156 fuck off GE. Dallas is booming. and that pos frontloader you sold me needs a $5 part you won't sell, so fuck off again.

Posted by: X at August 31, 2015 11:59 AM (xGNLA)

157 Explain it to me.

Trump also is on the record saying he doesn't want to cut a penny from any entitlement because he's going to make us so fabulously wealthy we won't have to make any cuts.

So we have a Republican wanting to raise taxes, raise government spending, and says we'll be so wealthy we won't need to reform crashing entitlements.

Posted by: Coolio at August 31, 2015 11:48 AM (/HKwL)

Read: List of signers of the Obergefells amicus.
Read: Any industry report on hospitals, medicine, health insurance about how everyone is getting on board with the ACA gravy train.
Read: Several conservative thinkers (ie, Kurt Schlicter) have argued for increased taxes on these organizations that campaign heavily for ... wait for it ... increased taxes (think Bloomberg, Soros, etc).

They are not your friends. They are your social masters.

Posted by: Rick Tingles at August 31, 2015 12:00 PM (f4gh0)

158 Point out the Kelo ruling. Let GE in under these conditions and GE will run out all other competitors and have their shills confiscate your property.

Posted by: theTruth at August 31, 2015 12:04 PM (CzhL0)

159
"There are a lot of donors out there who see it as much too
dangerous, obviously, for the candidates, or their allied super PACs, to
go after Trump," said Reston. "So they're looking to more establishment
PACs to potentially take him down in post-Labor Day ads."
============
Because they think we're too stupid to know they (Team GOPe) are really funding the attacks?

Sure. Go with that.

They will start donating to Hillary rather than see Trump win.

TDS is real.

Posted by: RoyalOil at August 31, 2015 12:06 PM (ZvKdv)

160 ExIm claims 1,233 companies for a total of $22 billion"

A quick check shows 78 deals in 15 years. Heck of a job there, bunky.

Posted by: That chicken joke again... at August 31, 2015 12:12 PM (C9pBZ)

161 Nice blog you have their

Posted by: el guapo at August 31, 2015 12:13 PM (nv/wN)

162 ExIm claims 1,233 companies for a total of $22 billion. That's a tad more than 70 deals.

Posted by: JackStraw at August 31, 2015 11:36 AM (OGm46)

$22 billion is practically chump change to big business these days.

Hell, if all $22 billion was here in Texas and it was all lost, this place would still survive just fine.

And if big business can't figure out how to come up with that $22 billion on their own, maybe they shouldn't be in business, period.

Posted by: Blano at August 31, 2015 12:16 PM (w1ewr)

163 My ass hurts about halfway into my annual 19 hour drive to Detroit, but it's still worth it to me.

Posted by: Blano at August 31, 2015 11:22 AM (w1ewr)

At least until you cross the Mississippi east, that's some beautiful country.

Posted by: heartofdarkness at August 31, 2015 11:57 AM (cXln4)

It sure is. I really enjoy that part of the trip.

Plus once you get on I-55 outside of Memphis and head north, everybody drives like a bat out of hell.

Posted by: Blano at August 31, 2015 12:18 PM (w1ewr)

164 Game theory has established that tit for tat is the best long term strategy for transactional interactions when defection is an option.

When the GOP screws us over, we should screw them back.

Posted by: West at August 31, 2015 12:19 PM (GjeLd)

165 And then maybe we can cut off our nose, to spite our face. That will show that stupid FACEe. (Face-establishment.)

What's that? You oppose cutting off our nose? Facecuck! Cuck-face!

Posted by: Pastafarian at August 31, 2015 12:27 PM (LqrRo)

166 I've argued before
conservatives need to take this kind of cold blooded approach to
politics and stop pretending we're all on some team and have to stick
together.

So, like the Mike Castle affair.

Posted by: typo dynamofo at August 31, 2015 12:32 PM (i7JE3)

167 >>A quick check shows 78 deals in 15 years. Heck of a job there, bunky.

Take a longer search, bunky.

>Between 2007 and 2014 the bank helped 1629 Texas exporters sell about 26 billion in goods more than half of these were small businesses

http://tinyurl.com/on634ky

>>Hell, if all $22 billion was here in Texas and it was all lost, this place would still survive just fine.

>>And if big business can't figure out how to come up with that $22 billion on their own, maybe they shouldn't be in business, period.

As I just noted, it was all in Texas. And the majority of companies are small businesses. My small company uses their export insurance, which we pay for, so the idea that it is only huge multi-nationals using ExIm is just wrong.

Posted by: JackStraw at August 31, 2015 01:06 PM (OGm46)

168 Like any government institution it definitely needs
reform but I'm not sure ending it outright is going to be a fantastic
idea for all businesses that export not just GE and Boeing.

Posted by: JackStraw at August 31, 2015 11:36 AM (OGm46)

Our Government has no business making loans to companies with taxpayer dollars... that is what capital markets are for. If companies cannot compete without money taken at gunpoint from unwilling investors (the American taxpayers) then they shouldn't be in business at all.

At least bank robbers and muggers are honest about their theft.

Posted by: redbanzai at August 31, 2015 01:11 PM (OrI3J)

169 >>Our Government has no business making loans to companies with taxpayer dollars... that is what capital markets are for. If companies cannot compete without money taken at gunpoint from unwilling investors (the American taxpayers) then they shouldn't be in business at all.

That's a fine position to take as long as you realize that virtually every other major exporting country in the world offers these services and more to their companies and doing away with it will put American manufacturers at a district disadvantage when competing overseas.

It's fine to be pure as the driven snow but I don't think a lot of people really understand what doing away with it entirely means.

Posted by: JackStraw at August 31, 2015 01:15 PM (OGm46)

170 Take a longer search, bunky.

You should. You're contradicting yourself, and I got that from Ex's own site.

Texas exported just under 300 Billion in goods and services last year...

So why do we need to fund a Federal program that can't even touch ten percent of that in over half a decade again?

Yeah.

Posted by: anon a mouse at August 31, 2015 01:40 PM (C9pBZ)

171 "...virtually every other major exporting country in the world offers these services..." Aww Mom. All the cool kids are doing it. If you must have Government action then USA can file a complaint with WTO. Or pass tariffs. Why should taxpayers subsidize exports? Because it benefits someone you like? Which exports? How about sugar or milk.

Posted by: theTruth at August 31, 2015 01:57 PM (1uTkE)

172 >>So why do we need to fund a Federal program that can't even touch ten percent of that in over half a decade again?

I didn't contradict myself at all. A huge percentage of Texas' exports are not surprisingly oil and gas products which according to the ExIm website they don't even finance so your numbers are off.

I said that Texas was right behind Washington state in the support they get from ExIm. Nobody disputes this because it's true.

Who will be effected is a number of companies that make product for oil production and sell those products overseas.

You might not think that's important but I bet there are more than a couple conservatives sitting in Texas who do.

Yeah.

Posted by: JackStraw at August 31, 2015 02:07 PM (OGm46)

173 clearly, rubio is the most conservative pres candidate. if you and chuck schumer both have the same immigration policy of course you're the most conservative /sarc

Posted by: nora at August 31, 2015 02:08 PM (RGgMp)

174 theTruth at August 31, 2015 01:57 PM (1uTkE)

Nice snark. Do you even know what the ExIm does or are you just trying to be one of the cool kids?

PS. Ronald Reagan was a big supporters of the ExIm, RINO that he was.

Posted by: JackStraw at August 31, 2015 02:10 PM (OGm46)

175 18 So how do we describe our economy now? It's not free market capitalism, that's for certain. It's become a Frankenstein's monster of fascism/corporatism and socialism, with a little communism thrown in for flavor.

Frankenstein actually had several monsters. The titular one was actually made of hotdogs. One of the lesser known monsters is the entity now known as John Boehner, Speaker of the House. He is actually made from an unholy alchemical mixture of twinkies and cheetohs. (Dr Frankenstein actually invented both and were a secret delicacy of the rich for centuries).

Posted by: AdamPM at August 31, 2015 02:33 PM (nkNmj)

176 @48: "So, we are just like Mexico where the cartels = the government, etc. No
difference there or here, except we have the 'tools' to effect a change.
Those poor Mexican bastards don't."

Neither have the will, so it's a moot point.

Posted by: Fa Cube Itches at August 31, 2015 05:48 PM (amQXf)

177 It is almost as if money trumps principle.
Watch "The Middle ". Possibly the most conservative show ever made.

Posted by: June Shelton at August 31, 2015 09:57 PM (jWM0L)

178 I'm a small government conservative. And I run a small business. One where ExIm can help lower my risk doing business overseas. Specifically protect me from non-payment and other issues.

ExIm is like an insurance policy, but one that no private insurer would issue. I know, I looked.

Its not a boondoggle. Its not a scam. Its actually not a waste of money. It helps ease my fears of shipping things and not getting paid for it. By effectively issuing me an insurance policy against non-payment.

Since there are no takers for this sort of policy (again, as far as I know, and I've looked, feel free to leave links if I am wrong) in the private sector, my choices are a) don't sell overseas, b) take larger risks (without appropriate compensation for the risks). Since I am a small business person, and the orders we deal with tie up capital that I need to pay my team, I look to this as a source of liquidity and a safety net.

That is, this is one of the extremely small number of things that the government does right. I'd much rather do this in the private sector, and I've looked at doing hedges (and derivatives) against payment/non-payment on the market. This would be an internationalized credit default swap (CDS), and we all know how well those worked out in the past.

Look, there are some large business idiots whom take advantage of the stupid legislators writing their complex laws with really dumb side effects. I get that.

But there are small fry like me, whom have teams under 50 but more than 10, whom would not be able to successfully sell overseas without some of the protection that this provides.

That is, this is not a bad thing, and making sure that smaller companies can use it as compared to bigger companies seems like a simple fix.

Seriously, this is not a boondoggle. This is not free money. I pay for this insurance. Its insurance against being screwed over by a foreign entity. And it provides some measure of liquidity if we fulfill our end of things.

From my perspective, ExIm is good, and defunding it is wrong. Fix it? Sure. Prevent GE and others from abusing it. And lets fix the H1B issue, and a few other things while we are at it. End the H1B program, as it provides effectively indentured servitude for participants. It distorts markets. ExIm doesn't.

Posted by: Bender Rodriguez at August 31, 2015 10:15 PM (80GjT)

179 I should note that before ExIm, we were screwed over in a number of transactions in India and South America. Now, not so much. But then again, we've gotten much smarter and leverage more powerful tools. ExIm included.

Posted by: Bender Rodriguez at August 31, 2015 10:17 PM (80GjT)

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