Blog Archives

The VA and Obamacare

6/16/2014

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In this episode we'll look at:

Oil and rich fat cats in America
How easy it is to buy a congressman
Why oil companies need to buy congressmen
The new Domino Effect
Eventual Universal Healthcare
Why rich people are scared of Obamacare but poor people aren't
Betraying American principles.

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Thoughts on Energizing Democratic Voters in Montana

6/15/2014

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I'm not real excited about John Walsh. I bet you're not either. Yep, we've got problems.

So what are we going to do? Mope about and dry our eyes, looking for a contender in 2020?

Hell no! We'll get out there and get that man elected, damn it, because the alternative is far too worse to write about here.

Saturday, June 14, 2014 debate between Montana Senate Candidates. From Left: John Walsh (D), Steve Daines (R), Roger Roots (Libertarian) Click for full Missoulian article.

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Fuck Iraq

6/13/2014

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In this episode we'll look at:

Iraq

The desire of Republicans to go back to Iraq;
My desire that we don't;
Why Iraq is not important;
Why I don't care about people in Iraq;
The futility of fighting wars for the rich.

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Thursday Headlines Nationally and in Montana

6/12/2014

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In this episode we'll take a look at:

Local news stories in Missoula, Montana;
The Democratic Party choosing candidates before the primary;
Problems with Missoula City Council;
Problems in Iraq;

Lots of other shit I got worked up about and now can't remember.

Kurdish Troops Ready for Offensive, NY Times

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Close Guantanamo, Pay for College

6/11/2014

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In this episode we'll look at the following:

Closing Guantanamo Bay

779 Prisoners since 2001 104, or 16.9%, have fought Americans again
70% of Americans want Guantanamo open, according to 2012 Pew Research Poll
9 have died in the prison 6, from suicide
$2.7 million/year/prisoner

In Montana we pay $35,040/year/prisoner University in Montana and America

$8,893/year for college in state
$30,094/year private school
$22,203/year out of state at public school

Cost of incarceration vs. Cost of Education

Opportunity Costs

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New Student Loan Laws Signed by Obama and Montana Students

6/10/2014

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In this episode we’ll take a look at the new legislation signed by Obama yesterday, and how this might impact your student loans. (It won't really, since it doesn't go into effect until December, 2015).

We’ll also look at my loans ($17,000) and how I can try to get my monthly payments ($306) reduced. The keyword here is try.

Email from the University Alumni Association;
My Student Loan Debt (2:30);
President Obama's Student Loan Law (4:30);
Principle vs. Interest and the Impossibility of Savings (6:00);
Credible.com (7:40);
68% of 2008 grads have debt;
My income is $21,705 less than average (9:45);
My student loan debt is 2 times lower than average;
My student loans average out to 5% interest (10:20);
The Power of Free Pizza (11:00);
The average student loan interest rate is 3.9% (13:00);
Credit Scores and Their Value and Websites that Want to Help (13:30);
692 is the Average Credit Score in America;
Credit Scores tell banks and other lenders that you like to pay interest;
The futility of trying to contact the Student Assistance Foundation (20:00);
If you have student loans you’re still screwed as ever (23:30).

Obama signing legislation on June 9, 2014. Rates are capped at 10% of monthly salary and take effect December, 2015. (Click for NPR Article)

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The American Economic Model - Buy Crap You Don't Need

6/10/2014

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In this episode we'll discuss the following topics:

Catering to Job Creators in Missoula (1:07);
Our Reliance on Low-Income Jobs (2:05);
Convincing People in Politics and in Business (4:00);
The Inability to Move Ahead Socially with Poor Jobs (5:00);
Social Media Advertising (7:45);
Producing Crap You Don't Need...In China! (9:20);
Social Media in Politics and Buying (10:05);
Social Media and The Young Gun Republicans in Montana (10:50).

Missoula Mayor John Engen and Developers, from Missoulian (Click for Story)

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A Simple Democratic Strategy for Passing the Affordable Care Act in Montana: Compromise

6/9/2014

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In this episode we’ll discuss the following topics and issues in Montana and American politics:

Who is Listening?
Jim Keane and Montana Term Limits (2:15);
Lack of Experience with Term Limits
Abuse of Power without Term Limits (3:30);
Child Abuse and Neglect in Montana (5:20);
Essential Services in Montana (6:50);
Planned Parenthood and Essential Services in Montana (8:50);
Democratic Strategies for Passing the ACA in Montana (11:00);
8 Million Signed-up for Affordable Care Act (12:40);
36,000 Signed-up in Montana
The Politics of Compromise and Mike Mansfield (13:50).

Mike Mansfield Portrait, 1978

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The Senate and House Races and Progressive Politics in Montana

6/9/2014

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In this episode we'll explore:

The 2014 US Senate Races
Walsh vs. Daines (4:45);
Should Politicians Dance? (6:30);
Montana GOP Convention, June 19-21 (8:30);
GOP and Women Voters (9:45);
The 2014 US House Races (10:25);
The 17th Amendment and Direct Election of Senators (11:00);
William Jennings Bryan and Progressive Politics (12:10);
Why the Winners of Those Races Do Not Matter to You (14:00);
The Failure of Representative Government (14:40);

William Jennings Bryan in 1896

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A Lack of Leadership and Ideas with the Montana Democrats

6/8/2014

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In this episode we explore:

Montana's Brian Schweitzer and his quest for the Presidency against Hillary Clinton;
Heir Apparents in Politics Nationally and in Montana (5:18);
Offending Someone's Political Sensibilities (8:35);
The Fear of Losing in Politics (9:50);
Lack of New Ideas in Politics (11:31);
Reliance on Old Ideas in Politics (12:35);
The Copper Telegraph Wire and Electric Light Revolution of the 1870s to 80s (13:00);
Coal in Montana and Changing Technologies (17:00).