Charles Grassley: We Shouldn't Blame Greed Any More Than You'd Blame Gravity
By Heather Thursday Jun 18, 2009 6:07pmYou can view this video right here by getting the latest version of Flash Player!
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Charles Grassley is starting to sound as incoherent during his television interviews as he does in his Tweets. Grassley doesn't think we need more regulation. We just need more transparency. Yeah, that's going to make the finace companies behave. And when asked if the banks are in any position to protest if they're not going to make as much money, Grassley comes back with this:
Greed is human nature. We shouldn't blame greed any more than you'd blame gravity when a plane has an accident and goes down.
I'm sorry Senator, but I think we can blame greed for the mess we're in. Greed and the unwillingness of the government to put a check on it.
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Here is a list of elected people taking payoffs to cheat the American people and the amounts of bribes being taken. This is just from health care and insurance.
It is mind boggling to think how much these people are taking from others!
Arlen Specter (R-D- PA- $4,026,933)
Max Baucus (DLC- MT- $2,833,731)
Mitch McConnell (R-KY- $2,758,468)
And when you just go right to Big Insurance, the non-presidential candidates who got the biggest legalized bribes were the 7 senators who have been tasked with the job of killing single-payer:
Ben Nelson (DLC-NE- $1,196,799)
Max Baucus (DLC- MT- $1,184,113)
Joe Lieberman (DLC- CT- $1,036,302)
Arlen Specter (R-D- PA- $1,035,530)
Chuck Schumer (D-NY- $981,400)
Mitch McConnell (R-KY- $929,207)
Chuck Grassley (R-IA- $884,724)
We need to investigate and prosecute these criminals now. Severe jail terms are in order for these criminals!
power to decriminalize their own activities, they would probably make it legal to accept bribes from wealthy special interests, and then act against the interests of the people. hmmmm
from a tall building, I'll be sure to tell him he shouldn't blame gravity any more than he'd blame greed.
But you make an interesting point. The rock wouldn't have dropped from the tall building on its own, unless you put it there. Likewise, the bankers and insurance companies wouldn't have been so greedy if there wasn't so much money out there.
Yeah, that's it, blame the money. If there wasn't so much money, there wouldn't be so much greed.
That makes so much sense.
I need a beer.
Bankers have the power to create money out of almost nothing. It's called "Credit." The other way of making more money is to print it.
I tend to blame gravity for a lot of things...
And what of those of us who manage to control our greed for the good of others, or society as a whole?
It's like saying not to blame sex predators for their crimes, as it's just their nature...
Speaking of which ..... just read on Huffo that the FBI found kiddie porn on the Holocaust Museum Killers computer. Which should bring to a halt any speculation that he's not a republican. As for Grassley-Skeevosa!
Did they also find country music?
Just when I thought a republican couldn't make a bigger ass of themselves in public. What a fucking moron.
This would be exhibit "A" in political ads if I were running against this idiot.
If we could harness republican stupidity and put it to some sort of good use, all of our problems would be solved overnight!
Charity and peace?
Everyone knows a whore will say and do anything for money.
(from above) Chuck Grassley (R-IA- $884,724)
880K compared to 4 billion. Chuck is cheap.
According to Wikipedia, Grassley is a member of a Christian group called "The Family." The Family organizes the National Prayer Breakfast.
One of the 7 deadly sins that Christians try to avoid is GREED. Wikipedia also quotes St. Thomas Aquinas, stating that greed is "a sin against God, just as all mortal sins, in as much as man condemns things eternal for the sake of temporal things."
My, my Senator Grassley. Are you going to hell because of your stance on greed?
And, I do like his oh so timely and callous analogy of planes going down...hasn't he heard about Air France?
What he says isn't necessarily at odds with Christianity. He says "Greed is human nature". In other words, to sin is human. And it is my understanding that in Christianity man is a sinner.
He never says greed is good or greed is ok. Just that its human nature.
War and murder are also human nature.
One doesn't embrace the sin just because it is human nature. One fights against it. One tries to avoid it and, failing that, asks forgiveness, tries to do better and takes responsibility. One doesn't just say, "Oh well, it's human nature."
Yes, you're right. War and murder appear to be human nature. How does stating that imply you embrace it? I never heard him say greed is good. Accepting that it exists is entirely different from embracing it.
Thou shall not covent thy neighbor's wife.
And I never said that he said "greed is good." He does seem to be implicitly accepting of it, though, doesn't he? If you don't think so, then what do you think his point actually is? Just to casually inform us that it exists and is human nature? No, he seems to be acting as an apologist for the idea.
I think he was just saying greed is a part of our world. And that it is futile to try and change that. You regulate behavior, not motivation, and greed is a motivation. When greed drives people to do "bad" things, then you try and stop them from doing those things. He does seem to accept greed, but as I said before, accepting does not necessarily mean embracing it.
Is he an apologist for greedy bankers? Perhaps. I think he makes sense in this clip, but if he were trying to deflect criticism away from banks he would probably say the same thing, so its hard to tell.
Man is a sinner, but a "true" Christian is required to follow the example of Jesus. Exactly the opposite of what these people do.
Jesus was a loving hippie. Not a hateful,greed filled asshole.
I love that!
Jesus also was a liberal!
You bet your buttocks he was. If in fact he did exist. But the point is the ideal of Jesus. Which all the so called Christians say the follow but never do.
Ah.... I love the smell of hypocrisy in the morning.
A long haired socialist too! He also wasn't fond of the money changers. How the modern republican party can think they have anything in common with jesus is beyond me.
All of that hell fire damnation judgement stuff is from the Old Testament, which Louis Black Poignantly points out "is not their book."
God-Jesus will heal the believers according to the Bible. Only fake Christians need public healthcare plans, such as Congress.
Would be the first to crucify Jesus had he exist today.
Which would explain why some Jews were very quick to do the same.
... Christianity, passing the buck since year 0. "It is never your fault when you are God's chosen people" (tm)
to judge everyone by his own, obviously flawed standards? It may be HIS basic nature... it does not automatically follow that it is therefore EVERYONE'S basic nature.
And even if it was, as a poster pointed out way back there at the beginning, some of us... actually I like to think most of us... manage to keep it under control to some degree and therefore do have a right to blame rampant and unfettered greed for a large part of the ills this country is suffering through.
Of course he would say that.
The greed lobby is probably among his largest donors.
perhaps grassley would accept my
gift of a five fingered chocolate fist
in his dark area as a welcomed indication
of deserved gratitude for his continued
IGNORANCE OR inyourass.
As we know Repukes are not interested in evolution which is seen by there wish not to evolve. F*&^you Jack, I've got mine, is all they think about; society in general....not so much.
what he says is that transparency is needed first. And once that is in place and you can see what is going on, THEN they will look at whether more regulation is warranted.
And as far as the greed comment goes, my interpretation of what he was trying to say was that it was pointless to focus on eliminating greed. Greed will always be there. Now that doesn't mean that we have to tolerate it and ignore it, but we must accept that it is a factor of the world we live in if we want to fix this mess.
I agree. Part of the problem is always the advantage people who scheme to skirt regulation have over those who regulate them. In finance there should be a simple rule of thumb for regulation. If you can't explain to me what you're doing or you're not sure what your doing yourself, you can't do it.
I am not that big of a person. I prefer to strongly dislike those who display this facet of human nature. I do not want or trust them to make laws and use their influence to determine how I have to live. I think you are reading way more into this idiot's statement than is actually there. What good is transparency if you cannot regulate the behavior that is revealed by it? Huh?
... it is like asking the FOX what his intentions are while he is en route to the hen house. If you think he is going to let you know how he intends to eat some chickens to your face, you are either naive or stupid (pick one).
As for the spin regardless "greed" I am sorry, but using the same logic: people have always murder each other, it is part of human nature, we must accept it and move along. Right?
What's really depressing is that for the last 8 years (at least) the foxes have been looking right at us, telling us how they're going to eat our chickens, eating our chickens, then asking us when we're going to get more chickens.
It's time to start putting up the fox fences again.
Having regulation without transparency is like having a set of laws and a blind police force. If they can't see what's going on then they can't enforce those laws. If you don't have transparency then how would you even know if those companies were even abiding by them.
Transparency is just the first step. Once we know what is going on, then we would know whether the problem was that there were insufficient regulations or if the regulations that were in place were not being enforced.
As for your greed comment, first of all, using murder is not using the same logic. Murder is an action, anger is the emotion. Murder is often driven by anger, just as stealing and ripping people off is driven by greed. All I was saying was that things like anger and greed will always be human nature, and I accept the fact that they will be present. That does not mean I embrace them or ignore them. Whether people act on them is of more interest to me. Bankers will always be greedy - they will always try to make more and more money. Now you can try and change their nature or you can design the rules to account for this greed.
Amen brother.
Transparency only means we get to see ourselves being raped and have a public record of it. Me, I'd just rather not be raped.
I think the whole point of transparency is that people thought that if we knew what was going on, we could do something about it. However, that has not at all proven to be the case unless you're one of the unfortunate criminal types who critically fails to be rich or powerful.
on Charles Grassley's airline.
Sounds like someone has been reading Atlas Shrugged.
They LIVE Atlas Shrugged.
*
Yes, because it's so factual and realistic.
Greed is NOT "human nature," it is capitalist pig nature.
Greed is one of the worst problems America is facing. Because of greed corporations are polluting the environment. Greed is the reason a teenager would shoot another kid so he can take their (fill in the blank). Greed is the reason why America has a minimum wage instead of a living wage. Greed is why the medical insurance companies deny medical care, and why big pharma wants medical marijuana illegal. Greed is responsible for the destruction of families, friendships, communities, churches, and nations.
Isn't GREED considered a vice by The Church? One of the Seven Deadly Sins, no less.
Boy, they REALLY don't like it that voters are beginning to focus on the Egregious, Rapacious GREED that's inherent in their policies.
*
we need more transparency.
Sorry guys, he's right. It's actually a good analogy:
Without gravity we would all dissipate into space, so we need it, but on the other hand it will kill us if our parachute doesn't open, or our plane loses a wing.
Greed is not the issue. Greed is what makes a capitalist system work (and these days that includes just about everyone, even China and Russia).
BUT greed needs to be checked, and this needs to be done evenly, so there is an even playing field.
Our problem was greed run amock: A belief in the unfettered free market and its ability to check itself. Greenspan really believed (as Ayn Rand did) that companies' self-interest would keep them from harming themselves and the system.
So we deregulated, and whatever regulation we kept we didn't enforce (either on purpose or because of gross mismanagement in the last admin).
Lack of sound regulation and policy allowed fraud in subprime applications to become toxic assets, trading not backed with reserves in the 50-trillion derivative contracts market (i.e. gambling) to bring down Lehman and AIG, oil prices to nearly triple in one year (driven largely by speculators) to push our auto industry over the edge, and health insurers to deny coverage and double rates in 10 years, leaving 40 million uncovered and bankrupting millions of paying customers.
There is nothing wrong with wanting to make a buck. But we (through our government) must set the rules, specify the limits, create the failsafe mechanisms.
Greed causes those within and without a company/system to step all over each other to attain more and more and more. That is their self-interest.
It also causes entrepreneurs to work through the night (innovating) to IPO and start another venture, investors to analyze thoroughly to get the best returns (allocating capital efficiently), and companies to seek growth by delivering the best product (competing). It's all self-interest!
Same as in sports: Every player SHOULD want to do their best and get a title. And even after they get that title they of course should want another. And after multiple they should want to break the record for the most titles. That makes sports fun to watch. What would be wrong is to not have clear rules, or transparency (how about no instant-replay) or to allow some players to break them (and they try constantly -- how many whistles in one basketball game?).
It's interesting how in sports winning the most gives you glory, while in business it makes you a greedy asshole. They are both zero-sum games: Every time you beat someone on the court you are making them less successful, even ending their careers
If you don't want stagnant wages for the working class while the Henry Kravitzes of the world enjoy their 10 villas then tax them more and invest that in education and infrastructure! The real crime lately is how little the top earners are paying. 37% is little by historical standards (above 70% in some years). Tax cuts for the wealthy is why we have crowded and crumbling schools and why the working class can't get better jobs while ceding the gruntwork to the Chinese
You're right they step all over each other... that's why we should regulate.
Yes, the crisis proves they were wrong. Amazingly, Greenspan has pretty much admitted he was (i.e. 'flaw in the system'). I wish at least some other Republicans did too.
IMHO greed is much more likely to push someone to take credit for your invention than to inspire a truly talented person to work on something he/she enjoys.
And desire does not equal greed. Greed is when you take things too far - you know, crushing people in the process.
Gravity is a law of nature. It is the same everywhere. We have no control over it, all we can do is respect it for our own good.
Greed is not a nature of law. The few greedhead bastards who never get enough are far different from many other people. We can control the desire for greed.
Bad analogy.
"The few greedhead bastards who never get enough"
Who gets to define who these 'few' are? Is Warren Buffet since he has 50 billion in the bank, even though he's lived in the same modest house for 40 years? Is it your friend who's done well with his company and is moving to a big mansion with a pool? Is it you for simply wanting a raise?
I mean we all want more. So who gets to decide exactly how much more we are allowed to get without being 'greedy bastards'?
It is ridiculous to discourage ambition and success. It's what drives growth and innovation!
I don't blame anyone for doing well. However I do blame those that push back against higher taxes right now (and this doesn't include Warren for example).
The wealthy should be picking up a much larger portion of the burden, and that extra money should fund education and social services (healthcare, childcare) so others that are smart, innovative and hard-working can be successful too.
... stealing a couple million bucks, is.
Not a hard concept to understand, really... unless you are siding with the greedy, then all you need is some good old time intellectual dishonesty.
Such an odd construct. Where do you draw the line between "free market capitalism" and the abuse that arises from that? What is the difference between greed and "free market capitalism"? It's a moral question in my opinion.
I don't see it as a moral question that should be answered by someone.
Instead it is simply the result of a constant give-and-take between the free market and regulators (our elected officials that represent us).
If we had proper regulation, a functioning campaign finance system (that doesn't indenture our legislators to corporate lobbyists), and informative media, this constant struggle would protect us from excesses without removing the incentives.
The focus should be in robust regulation, campaign finance reform and fixing our media circus (this last one is already happening thanks to the internet, blogging, etc.)
But simply put, is that not the same as regulating "greed", which is a moral concept?
I guess IMO framing it that way predisposes solutions that are arbitrary and limit the individual: Greedy is wanting to make more than X, or increase your income more than X, or wanting a X that costs more than X, or having more than X houses.
Whereas the regulatory mechanism allows to set societal objectives: No systemic risk, no harmful pollutants, no discrimination (e.g. no denying coverage for pre-existing conditions).
And then within those constrains (and with thorough enforcement), may the best man win!
94% marginal tax rates after the first $5,000,000. That would solve the greed, wealth distribution, and our bankrupt government problems, all with one stone.
Gravity has limits -and laws.
What an asshole.
Incoherent gobbledygook.
I believe this link is apropos.
This is a good representation of the moral bankruptcy of the repugnant party. Greed is not good and these twisted bastards' lizard brains will never understand that.
So if we can't blame greed for a FINANCIAL crisis then what the hell do we blame? Every reason you could give for it goes straight back to the roots of greed. Comparing greed which is a controllable impulse (I would prefer controlling it through regulation though, since greedy people like him see no issue with stepping on everyone to get what they want)to a force of nature such as gravity is the dumbest thing just about anyone has ever said in the history of human kind.
If you are on the take to health insurance companies and hedge fund companies, you cant blame greed for anything. Understood?
Understood.
... hypocrisy, stupidity and self-interest in our elected officials since they seem as well entrenched as gravity.
hmmmm... not the most popular name around here after the recent display of callousness toward 9 year-olds.
Wouldn't you rather be a 60 minute man anyway?
I can tell you with certainty, sitting here on my ATP rating, we certainly do go to great lengths to regulate the effects of the unrelenting force of greed out of air commerce. If we didn't, we'd have airliners crashing like banks - and for the same reason. Stringent maintenance and pilot training requirements are not protections against gravity - they're protections against corporate greed. The demonstrated effectiveness of regulations in combating greed in air commerce (and mines, nuclear plants, etc.) is a very good argument FOR imposing similarly strict regulations on banks and financial institutions, and in fact seems to be a good way to point out how absurd it is that we even consider doing otherwise.
well said. And sadly, true.
Why in the world would you try to appeal to our better nature or try to set up a system that rewards people who heed their better nature? Better to just accept the fact that we are a bunch of brainless animals who only want to gorge ourselves on Mammon.
It's _so_ post-Reagan where the Republican party runs on basically the Satanist/Anarchist platform. If you look at history, there are a lot of things that are human nature: murder, rape, adultery, torture, war, slavery. Now, with the moral guidance of the Rethugs, "It's all good!" The genius of Karl Rove was to infiltrate the churches, the only place where Americans discuss morality. What better way to unleash hell on earth?
"With or without religion, good people can behave well and bad people can do evil; but for good people to do evil—that takes religion."
Transparency will do nothing to check systemic risk. That is what the fed to do, i.e. monitor systemic risk.
Grassley would know this if his first reaction to any Obama proposal weren't "NO!"
"Greed is human nature. We shouldn't blame greed any more than you'd blame gravity when a plane has an accident and goes down."
Airplanes are designed to defy gravity.
The fact that one occasionally crashes doesn't mean we should stop designing better aircraft.
Good economic sense includes regulations designed to check market shattering boundless greed.
Anyway,no: don't "blame greed".
Blame those "acting out of greed" by throwing their rapacious self serving asses in jail.
And your observation has great merit, I believe! I hosted that thought as well and upon reflection, with regard to "human nature"... I (Broke it down) sorry :) It was "not" my intention to discredit Greed + human nature, I believe that combination to be true nature; hence human will power. Thanx
The reason a plane goes down, can be both... human nature [and or] Mother nature. Kinda like that terrible crash near Buffalo, NY; last Xmas, or like the planes that hit the towers on 9-11 or even if we built a bad plane, as you mentioned that could not cope w/gravity. "From a natural perspective"
As far as your opinion, "The fact that one occasionally crashes doesn't mean we should stop designing better aircraft." Bingo! √
I was just getting ready to compose my views and I was excited too see my thoughts precede me! Simply stated; you took some of; my thoughts and or words right out of my "digital mouth"! Thanks... and standby ;)
PS. I ask you or anyone else for that matter, to review the following... and add other views to discredit or maybe complement my views as "ysb" normally does. It's kinda like an, self help exorcise!(pun intended)
Note: Not so much, as to my theories,(allegations)... as to my premises.
I welcome the know it all's, as well; accordingly, maybe even more so? ;)
Truth critic. You get it.
Thanks for the response TC.
I see your statement
"The reason a plane goes down, can be both... human nature [and or] Mother nature."
In terms of what is unforeseeable (the sudden skyrocketing price of Oil)and what is preventable(credit default swaps etc.)
There is a big difference between all out greed and healthy speculation and investment.Reasonable regulations amount to simple common sense.
In the Middle Ages the Market was expected to operate within the boundaries of Society at large.
Now we live in an era where Society is compelled to bend to the (increasingly rapacious)whims of the Market.
Say what?
is human nature also. Will the government accommodate me when I do it in public?
♥, I know we have many "Laws"... but I'll assume their must be at least one that pertains to... "Jerking Off in public"
I understand... you must be tired? ;)
What an idiot. And the people from the great state of Indiana send this idiot back to Washington to represent THEM. Nice job.
Nation of morons.
...upside the head.
This smug bastard is one.
Is Grassley such a programed parrot of Luntz and the GOP that he doesn't recognize that GREED IS A CHOICE, gravity is not. Oh, my bad. He is Republican so to him greed is not a choice, it is standard. It is basically due to greed that we find our contry in such a sorry state. Thanks Ronnie, Dick, W, Karl, Frank, Madoff, etc. and a hearty thanks to all you deluded Americans watching Fox and following Rush, who continue to vote for these cretins. Do you really think they give a damn about you? If so, how do they show it? By living in gated communities to keep you away from them? By being hypocrites in everything they do? Just keep drinking the Koolaid and stay fearful like good little lemmings.
"Religion is for people who don't understand Science!"
That could be the reason?...
"Science keeps on producing while religion keeps on promising"
Amended: May you rest in peace... Sir Isaac Newton :)
Greed is a choice, just as rape is a choice. Its basic premise is contempt for others.
"What I agree with" "more than" "I disagree with"...
Basically could mean → → → "I want all your votes" ;)
"One main disagreement would be, having the FED be kind of a [Super regulatory agency]".
Mr Grassley's aformentioned opinion or belief, if I may say so; sounds oddly enough, similar to the plight of our earliest settlers, known as, the Plymouth Colony; the colony, established in 1620 in present-day Plymouth, Massachusetts.
On a side note... I won first prize during a fishing tournament in Plymouth, on board a charter boat by the name of Cap-N-Jack's, while on vacation there... in 1977 or thereabouts, not 1620. :P While most folks were letting their lines drag off the ocean floor and ended up catchin Sand-shark(s), my bobbing strategy effectually allowed me to hook the two largest "COD'S" ;)
They were issuing 3 monetary prizes, for the largest Cod fish caught and though I had the top two, I only received one $25 award, though I vaguely remember, I may have been given... as extra credit, a button or something else, emblazoned with the Company logo, an anchor I believe, I can't quite recall. The $15 and $10 awards, were in reality, given to the 3rd and 4th biggest anglers, accordingly. In hindsight, me, my Brother and two Nephews, came to the conclusion, that I should have slipped them one of my fish, prior to the end of the tournament. Though, we were merely kids and weren't thinking on such a grand scale at the time! ;)
My comparative material follows... Kinda close analogy, no?
The core of the group that would come to be known as the Pilgrims (known as the Pilgrim Fathers in the United States) were brought together by a common belief in the ideas promoted by Richard Clyfton, parson at All Saints' Parish Church in Babworth, West Retford, Nottinghamshire, between 1586 and 1605. This congregation held Separatist beliefs comparable to nonconforming movements (i.e., groups not in communion with the Church of England) led by Henry Barrowe, John Greenwood and Robert Browne.
I must not forget the founder of my home state... "Roger Williams" and his related ideology, as it pertains to the aformentioned comparison... That's all :)
Why do some of the admirers or dissenters of our former President... George W. Bush... not to be confused with, George Washington Bush ;) refer to him as King George? Was it related to a certain core fundamental ideology? Why the link to King George, when there were so many former tyrant(s) he could be compared too? Just a simple name association thing?... I would say not, remember... words have meanings! Just ask the Prop 8 people.
PS. Don't forget, everyone thinks they're right... and they are! At least until they change their minds and act accordingly.
we shouldn't blame Sen. John Ensign for his affair with his aide, since thinking with one's wanker is natural.
If one gets all their ideas from their privates... I would suggest maybe, that they work in the porn business. :)
I would simply see if he broke any contracts before passing judgment.
Amended: And that would include; any contracts he may have had with his God.
My wanker, for example has a mind of it's own. can't do a thing with it.
Is greed for someone like grassley (the only reason he got into government, like all republicans ) is great for the rich. But just don't any of you working class fuck tards try it!
Understand it's allright for a corporate ceo to make millions even if he kills millions in the process.
But you union people wanting to have health care for your family or a place to nice place to live is just totally out of reason!
Really people it is way past time we took to the streets and cleaned the cesspool that is washington out!
We need to flush turds like grassley, mcconnell,baccus,pence,hokestra,boner, into the sewer where they belong.
Here is a list of elected people taking payoffs to cheat the American people and the amounts of bribes being taken. This is just from health care and insurance.
It is mind boggling to think how much these people are taking from others!
Arlen Specter (R-D- PA- $4,026,933)
Max Baucus (DLC- MT- $2,833,731)
Mitch McConnell (R-KY- $2,758,468)
And when you just go right to Big Insurance, the non-presidential candidates who got the biggest legalized bribes were the 7 senators who have been tasked with the job of killing single-payer:
Ben Nelson (DLC-NE- $1,196,799)
Max Baucus (DLC- MT- $1,184,113)
Joe Lieberman (DLC- CT- $1,036,302)
Arlen Specter (R-D- PA- $1,035,530)
Chuck Schumer (D-NY- $981,400)
Mitch McConnell (R-KY- $929,207)
Chuck Grassley (R-IA- $884,724)
We need to investigate and prosecute these criminals now. Severe jail terms are in order for these criminals!
I noticed you referenced, Blue Dog Senator, "Ben Nelson (DLC-NE- $1,196,799)". Where you aware of his secretive Family?
"The Family is, in its own words, an “invisible” association, though its membership has always consisted mostly of public men. Senators Don Nickles (R., Okla.), Charles Grassley (R., Iowa), Pete Domenici (R., N.Mex.), John Ensign (R., Nev.),"
And Oh yeah... Bill Nelson (D., Fla.), it's an old story...
→ → →[ http://www.harpers.org/archive/2003/03/0079525 ] √
We DON'T blame gravity when a plane crashes. We blame the negligent mechanic or as in a majority of cases, the blame is put on 'pilot error'.
in addition to the human failings you list. Thanks
Amended: after reviewing the clip, I understand your point and a fine one it was, I must say! Please consider my question a complement, in hindsight. √
The republicans, under the influence of big-moneyed interests and the religious right, have turned greed into a Christian virtue. All the major religions condemn greed and the usury that comes with it. Even common sense comes down against greed. But leave it to the republicans to greed into an admirable quality.
I don't understand why his constituents do see that they are being punked by this whore for the insurance lobby.
The DNC should plaster Iowa with ads about how much money this asshole has taken from the industry.
there's little hope for the U.S. I looked up Grassley's bio: still in power at 75 years old, five kids, and he even admits to being a member of "The Family." We're screwed.
In general, greed could be likened to gravity since all possess it to some extent. However, if greed can be proven, as it seems it has in our present economic condition, than it is relevant.
One could liken envy to gravity, but that doesn't stop the conservaturds from accusing others of it.
A point or two of distinction:
Human beings have a dual nature, our human and our animal natures. Greed isn't part of our human nature. Rising above greed is an act of becoming human, of moving toward a fuller expression of our human nature. Surrendering to greed is is an act of indulging and sinking into our animal nature. Doing either one is the result of making a choice.
There are only 3 things anybody can do in life, Senator: Regress, stagnate or progress. When we regress, it is because we have chosen to indulge our animal natures, have chosen the easy way out and the paths of least resistance. We can stagnate, stuck in the mud going nowhere living what eventually becomes a form of non-living. Or we can progress, by becoming engaged in the struggle to become something more than what we were when we came into the world.
To rationalize or dismess and excuse unworthy impulses and acts as being the inevitable, and therefore acceptable, consequence of "human nature" is to indulge in one of the deepest self-serving, self-deceptions that exists in the human repertoire. That you, at your advanced age have as yet failed to recognize or acknowledge such a point is blameworthy on your part. The only thing you do by publicly making such an excuse is proclaim to the world the state of your own degradation and the corrupt condition of your own being, did you but know it.
Senator, don't try to excuse yourself from the corrupt and unworthy choices you have made in your life by claiming that your repeated choices to embrace and enhance your own animal nature, at the expense of your higher human nature, is a consequence of powers that you had no ability to resist. Your choices have corrupted you and degraded you. The resulting taint of your own being is not vitrue: it's corruption and degradation.
Senator Grassley, if you had any sense, if you weren't so blissfully unburdened by conscience or a sense of shame as you apparently are, you'ld be mortified to show your face in public. You've really made quite the pathetic thing of yourself.
I'd like to say, YAHOO! Paul, that was awesome! ♥
It has a truthful flavor to it.
√ Thanks again
...when I was made aware of this fact of life.
Alright, so I mentioned it. ;) Badda Bing, Badda Bang
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taught me as a child and others have spoke of.
I think we as a people owe it to each other.
And as we evolve on this little marble called earth, it just seems... well, just! You know what I mean, I'm sure! As always, thanks for your time.
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That's awesome...Bravo Paul, Bravo!
!
So is ANGER you fascist fuck!
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jPj-8_wOZcA
Poor analogy there, Chuck. Pilot training, maintenance procedures, keeping flight and maintenance logs, stringent certification of new airplanes. Flying is one of the most highly regulated activities we have! We don't blame gravity when a flight goes down. There are rigorous investigations and if necessary, we blame the people who circumvented the regulations. And if an unforeseen problem comes up, we REGULATE IT!
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MU4q-ZGo_kw
I laugh whenever another terribly stupid, Koolaid drinking, Reslug gets before the camera and makes a complete ASS of himself because he doesnt have a clue what the hell he is bleating.
Can't blame the rapist... lust is a basic human impulse, required for the propagation of the species!
OK, now I see this has been cited earlier. Just sayin'.
The biggest class action suit in the history of class action suits will be, dropped, at Gravity's doorstep.
Its high time Gravity be held accountable for all the slips and falls!
Gravity has limits -and laws: Unlike republican hypocrisy, greed, and contempt for anyone
not paying for the campaign contributions.
Yes Mr. Gassley, Greed is as inherent as gravity -in your world.
We (American Citizen Taxpayers) pay this (All These) shit-hole's health care.
That really needs to end.
having been raised a catholic though no longer am, i was taught of the very specific thoughts, church laws, dogmas, etc about greed and usury. mr. grassley purports to be a christian. well, if he holds views like this [and we know of all the others he holds too] he will be going to his hell.
while doing everything in his power to keep the hell that the rest of us are going through every day real and hurtful.
i have long believed that if Jesus were alive today, the last thing he would be is a christian!
Yeah, he'd be all:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0pgodXOvx1c&fe...
I had to email Senator Grassley. The text follows.
Have you heard of the 7 Deadly Sins?
One of them is greed:
Greed is the desire for material wealth or gain, ignoring the realm of the spiritual. It is also called Avarice or Covetousness.
You can see the rest at:
http://www.deadlysins.com/sins/
I also believe that Usury is considered a sin. In the Old Testament the Prophet Ezekiel called it an "abominable thing" right up there with rape and murder.
Think about it.
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