If your not outraged, you haven't been paying attention.

To My Friends:


Yesterday, the Republican Congress passed its 'Tax Bill' and the President is expected to sign it. It includes extending the tax breaks on capital gains (UNEARNED income) for TWO more years, but it contains a sop for the middle class - a moratorium for ONE year on the AMT. Granted, some middle class folks may benefit, especially on the sale of their home, but let's face it, capital gains are usually taken into consideration from the sale of stocks, bonds and antiques. Capital gains are a rich man's toy tax.

What's the AMT? The Alternative Minimum Tax is a tax vehicle implemented in 1969 during the Nixon Administration TO ENSURE THAT THE RICH PAID A MINIMUM TAX if they took advantage of every available loophole. It was implemented in 1969, 37 years ago. The problem is, the threshold has NEVER been risen as an ajustment for inflation. Back then, $75,000 was considered a high income. Today that's lower middle class. So, if you live in a state that has income taxes that can be deducted from your Federal Tax AND you have other deductions like children, you are forced to pay MORE tax on your EARNED income. So the GOP gave its 'base' - millionaires and billionaires, like Donald Trump and the Hollywood 'elite' another tax break for two years and the middle class only one. The AMT provision was thrown in so it wouldn't be TOO obvious.

The GOP extended it for just two years, until 2008, because it should RIGHTFULLY be worried about losing some power by then and if the Dems don't extend the capital gains tax again, they can be accused of being tax RAISERS. But Republicans never knock themselves out about eliminating the AMT or raising its thresholds so that it approaches its original intent. Nor do they ever talk about getting rid of taxes altogether. After all, somebody must pay the bills, so it might as well be YOU.

The Bush Administration doesn't think that the wealthy should TAKE RESPONSIBILITY and pony up their fair share of the Iraq War (which they lied about to get us in, lied about the strength of the insurgency, who was going to pay for it (their oil) or the price (now up to $400B) or the cost of the deficit (a record amount) or to help pay for the fixing of a broken health care system or anything else for that matter.

The irony of yesterday's action are as follows: They gave millionaires a tax cut for TWO years on UNEARNED income, while YOU got a ONE year moratorium on paying THEIR share by taxing your EARNED income. They just SCREWED you. Again. But hey, it'll be reported in the media as those tax cutting Republicans.

But nobody is talking about taxes today because it came out on a day that the Bush Administration threatened the phone service providers, under threat of loss of government contacts to hand over MILLIONS of innocent Americans' phone records and conversations. The fact that NONE OF IT is legal has unfazed GW Bush, because in HIS mind, it is a National Security Issue and Dubya will interpret events HIS way, regardless of how the law or the Constitution may weigh in.

This is a President, after all, who claims that HE can decide the fate of enemy combatants overseas, since our system of checks and balances doesn't apply offshore. He is a President who signs bills into law and then decides LATER if he'll abide by them if it decides later that 'National Security' is involved.

I thought conservatives were supposed to PROTECT us from an ever expanding instrusive government, not be the CAUSE of it. Conservatives like to tell us that we aren't ENTITLED to a job, or to health care, but we should be RESPONSIBLE for our own health and welfare, but they aren't responsible for protecting the privacy of law abiding citizens. Merely owning a phone is not sufficient cause for suspicion of terrorism. Do you believe Bush when he says there is no mining involved? If no mining is involved, then there is NO NEED for a phone database. Period!

You got to hand to Qwest Communications. They were the only provider to question the legality of the NSA request. The NSA was asked, did you check to see if this is legal? The answer came back as no, they didn't ask, because they suspected they would never get the approval for it. Both a conservative judge and even John Ashcroft doubted if it is legal. Is this the same conservative party that was against illegal immigration precisely because illegals flaunt American Law?

And what about Verizon and Sprint and all the rest? Do those little privacy sheets that they send you along with your bill have any meaning at all?

Another GOP Irony: Dick Cheney always points to Executive Privilege as to the dealings with Ken Lay and his Energy Commission MUST remain confidential, but you and I aren't extended the same courtesy. And you know that this won't just be used for tracking terrorists - it will used to track Democrats, liberals, gays, pacifists and critics of the Bush Administration.


Folks, this Administration is Evil. As Pogo once said, "We have met the enemy and it is US". In this case, the US is the Bush Administration. My blog has been viewed by the House of Representatives and now our phones are being tapped. Perhaps not directly, but information gathered today can be used against you tomorrow. As the Miranda Ruling states that information 'can and WILL be used against you in a court of law.

Abramoff scandals. Valerie Plame. The Party of Corruption. Ethics violations. Tom DeLay. Congressmen have their own 'airforce' of corporate jets where they can be wined, dined and cornered by lobbyists. And none of them are looking out for you, me or your families.


I call upon everyone to elect enough Democrats, Greens, Libertarians to take back the House and Senate, if for no other reason to break the hold of a one party state. We need to do this soon before the GOP has a chance to tinker with the Constitution and appoint Bush For Life on grounds of National Security. As James Madison once said, 'Those who sacrifice liberty for the sake of security deserve neither' is apropos here. The US has historically been a beacon of hope and freedom for the world. Don't let it become Haiti of the North. And any Democrat supporting this crap should be voted out as well.

I have been a frequent critic of the Bush Administration, but for the first time, I am openly calling for his impeachment and removal from office. It will send a message to George and Barbara Bush as well: No more Bushes in the White House. We've already seen what Jeb would be like - look at his interference in the Schiavo Family tragedy. I don't care if he converted to Catholicism or some other nephew Hablas en Espanol. Ronald Reagan mistrusted his own Vice President. And who pardoned Cap Weinberger in the 'other' scandal - Iran Contra? George Herbert Walker Bush. Neil Bush and the Savings and Loan scandals. Enough already! Remember, the GOP impeached Clinton for a lot less and none of his transgressions involved the loss of our freedoms. Once gone, you can't get them back.

What amazes me, is where is the outrage like last weeks march in favor of illegal immigrants? Enough of the Orwellian doublespeak. Enough of the veiled and sneaky attacks on the middle class, like the AMT. Where is the outrage now> Where is the Morality now? Let's get him out of office. Now.

This is a scandal ridden, lying, corrupt Administration that needs to be curbed. No wonder his approval rating is almost as low as Nixon's and the most famous scandal and look what happened to him. Will George Bush do the honorable thing and step down as well?

And you thought that Chris Daughtry being booted off of American Idol was bad - just think, the Bush Administration can tell you who you voted for.