Now we have to worry about Caterpillar leaving the country, evidently. Check out Congressman Aaron Schock’s interview on Neil Cavuto’s show:
Or, if you don’t want to watch the whole thing, here are the comments that concern me:
SCHOCK: What this bill will do is only speed up foreign competitors buying U.S. corporations. If the President likes Fiat owning Chrysler, and so many of these other foreign competitors gobbling up their U.S. competition because it makes more sense for them to be foreign companies. For the sake of Caterpillar, they only sell 30% of their goods here in our country. If they’re going to be double-taxed on the other 70%, why fly the American flag? […]
CAVUTO: Do you think Caterpillar’s going to bolt?
SCHOCK: I hope that companies like Caterpillar and their brothers and sisters like them around the country will help educate their members of Congress, will help educate their shareholders, and more importantly their employees of the devastating effect of the President’s tax policy, and that members of Congress will hear their phones ring, and ultimately we can kill it.
In other words, Cat should warn everyone that if the President’s tax policy passes, then Cat may leave the U.S. and become a foreign company. Personally, I’m not worried. Peorians ensured that Cat has “drive[n] deep stakes in this community” by passing that museum tax. Cat wouldn’t leave now that we’ve proven our love for them.
Let me try and get back on track here…
524,332 shares of Cat stock… if the price goes up $1, stay with me people…. his stock value goes up another $500,000. How much has it gone up since he started laying off people? Albout 15 dollars… that is 7.5 million dollars he has “earned” in just this year.
What do you think his number one priority is? That is right… getting people to buy CAT stock. Does he care about profits and losses, sales and revenues, labor costs or anything else? Of course, but only how it effects his stock value. Every little bit makes him stinkin’ richer and richer.
THAT is the reality of our economic system.
By “we” I mean Americans, not me and Jon. I like this debate with Jon. Although I’ll have to pick it up this evening…. Ciao!
Diane, we’re on the same page:
1. The point of the piece was to express concern.
2. We do want to get to the real root of the issues
3. I did not like his delivery, precisely because it does not help to get to #2
We can delve into why we think he’s going about it this way (future aspirations or whatever), but these types of partisan scare tactics are an impediment to fixing the problems. Schock is a thoughtful, intelligent person – I expect more from him.
Similarly, I would love to debate Hinton on 150’s adminstrator levels, but I would do it with facts and details. I wouldn’t use emotional pleas or jump right to the conclusion that everyone will just move to Dunlap. There should be a logical progression in the thought process. If there are 10 steps, we shouldn’t go from #4 straight to #10. (I’m trying to bring together my various posts:))
diane sez: “Sharon – What gets me is that if Schock doesn’t get in line with the Obama-maniacs …”
Yep you’re right, I should have said “Obama-maniacs” So we that voted for him are maniacs and because we voted for change, and not the same old McCain was bringing, everyone is maniacs? No wonder the Republican Party is meeting at Chuck E Cheese’s trying to reinvent themselves.
My vote for Obama was not only a vote for change, but a vote AGAINST Palin…. could you imagine !!!
And Diane called ME delusional?!?!?!?
Diane, when I see you support Schock for no other reason than he is a “wonderful” guy, I begin to question your state of mind. I spent a great deal of time on my first post…. If you weren’t a lady, I would call you a butt-head.
The Feds can garner an est. $190 billion in tax revenue over the next ten years by taxing U.S. corporate holdings ‘overseas’. YOU see this as a bad thing? Are you related to Schock?
FRUSTRATED –
Maybe I am the only one, but I am having trouble following your argument…
“Making it more costly for CAT to do business abroad will not have the effect of generating more jobs for U.S. citizens, but rather less.”
This sounds like typical Big Corporation/Republican Party fear mongering. When ever govt threatens to cut into corporate profits, the big companies immediately threten with layoffs, etc. This is blackmail pure and simple.
What bugs me is I had to DECLARE a case of wine I brought from Germany last summer!
You went to Germany? Where is that $5 bucks you owe me?
Why you stinking commie pinko bastard!
If you think I am going to support your political hi jinx comrade……..
Yes, having Palin a heartbeat away from the Presidency was scary to say the least. McCain would love to have that pick back but I guess those 28% that think we are on the wrong path must be right in the eyes of some here. I”ll stick with the majority myself. It doesn’t always work but at least I won’t go down alone and with the likes of Mitt Romney and Jeb Bush trying to re-invent the GOP, Id’ rather sail the Titanic.
Can any Schock supporter justify his vote on hate crimes or the SCHIP? SCHIP is critical to many children receiving health care. His vote on hate crimes should have been an easy vote for him!!!! I do not expect him to be a rubber stamp for Obama but would expect him to vote defending the young man who was dragged, beat, etc. He was among only a few who voted against it. Anyone ask him why. My attempts at contacting his office have been totally ignored by his staff. Anyone else have a hard time reaching him. He certainly has time to visit all the Fox News interviews!!!
Here is a chance to for Schock to show much he cares about his community – it is called HR 1064, it is an act called the Youth PROMISE Bill. PROMISE stands for Prison Reduction through Opportunities, Mentoring, Intervention, Support, and Education.
On February 13, 2009, a bipartisan group of lawmakers introduced H.R.1064 and S. 435, identical House and Senate bills to fund prevention and intervention programs that are comprehensive, community-centered and evidence-based efforts to combat gangs and youth violence. Read more about HR 1064 and how it can help our community here: http://emergepeoria.blogspot.com/2009/05/dear-congressman-shock-please-support.html
Diane: Do you think Congressman Schock can get behind something like this?
Emerge, I came, I read, I sent my letter!!!!
My former leader, Jim Owens, just got $20 million in shares? Wow. Think it would be declasse of me to call him and let him know that since laying me off two months ago, I have had my pay cut in half and will likely have to sell my little $80,000 house because I can no longer make the mortgage payments as my student loans are being refused for deferment? I’m living off the meager bonus Cat gave me right after I was laid off. It should be gone by the end of June. I’m really glad now I finished college so I could have job security.
Or maybe I should wait until my house and car are gone and, being a young female in Peoria, I’m stripping at Club Cabaret in order to survive. Perhaps Mr. Owens will stop in for a late night visit, and I can mention my predicament to him while stuffing the $20 bill he’s offering me into my g-string. Somehow, I don’t think my story would affect him.
Lastly, I’m also comforted by the news that Cat recently allowed museum guru Mark Johnson to retire WITH THE SEVERANCE PACKAGE THAT EVERYONE WAS TOLD HAD A DEADLINE OF JANUARY 22 TO TAKE, NO IFS, ANDS, OR BUTS. (Another case of the Cat good ol’ boy network taking care of themselves?)
I apologize if my bitterness has offended anyone but I don’t care if corporate tax legislation passes. Cat has always (and will always) do what they want to do – whether it be move, stay or screw over anyone in their way. Schock is in their pocket. They will bankroll his ride all the way to the White House, which will probably be repainted Caterpillar yellow because Tim Elder insisted on it.
Nobody votes for the bottom of the ticket. They vote for the top of the ticket.
BHO could have had osama bin laden on the ticket and he would still have won when he ran against any old white haired guy.
The Republican nominee could have had the Lincoln, or TR and he would still have lost because he was a poor candidate with a bad message.
Bitter – maybe you should refocus you energy. You are young and should be looking for other opportunities. Sell you house and move. Try something new. Maybe getting laid off is a sign that there is something else out there for you. Really! Get moving!
this link gives an example of how rich a person ca be and still claim the SCHIPS benefit.
The example is around 119000 per year if your income is in particular segments of the bill and based on earned versus unearned income categories. I would be a little concerned over those who want to make healthcare available to citizens who are perfectly able to buy their own healthcare program.
I would vote against this if i was asked to support it in the current administration of the program
http://www.bizzyblog.com/2007/10/10/schip-income-bidding-raised-100k-120k-hey-looks-like-the-skys-the-limit/
Frustrated….
That was your advice to ‘Bitter?’ You tell her to refocus her energy and move?
I GET IT NOW! You must be ‘FRUSTRATED’ because no one listens to you….?
Anyway, the last part of Bitter’s post made more sense than almost anything else posted on this thread [except my stuff of course].
Frustrated is right but I did admit I was still bitter! But unfortunately many young people getting laid off from Cat are not waiting around to be called back. They are leaving the Peoria area for better opportunities elsewhere. Many of my former colleagues have already relocated to Chicago. Also, those who were educated in the District 150 system and then left the area for college don’t return as there is nothing to return to. I was stupid enough to buy a house so am stuck here for a while.
How do we know who can afford health care! Someone could make 119,000 and still need help with health care for their children. Many families fighting cancer or other diseases have already had file banruptcy. One must know all the circumstances before knowing how you would vote. Many more are now receiving health care benefits instead of taking their children to an emergency room for care!!!
That is the attitude Bitter. Stuck for now, but not forever. Start visiting your friends and other contacts in Chicago. It is a great city that has a lot to offer. Work your network while you give yourself a chance to regroup and possibly sell your house.
Bitter – Don’t tell the men on this site that you strip for a living. They already have trouble sleeping. Seriously, though. Hang in there, girl. You are young and smart. Something tells me you will land on your feet.
New Voice – It was your second post, last few paragraphs that inspired me to call you delusional.
Diane, when I see you support Schock for no other reason than he is a “wonderful” guy
I can’t debate with you when you just make stuff up!
Diane: Do you think Congressman Schock can get behind something like this?
Emerge, you’ll have to ask him yourself. I believe you can schedule an appointment through his office. Tip: Don’t tell him that you rip on him on the blogs every chance you get and you might have a better chance.
Similarly, I would love to debate Hinton on 150’s adminstrator levels, but I would do it with facts and details.
Jon, don’t bother. His lips will move, but nothing that makes any sense will come out. Do get it on tape though if you get a chance.
kpower said, “Can any Schock supporter justify his vote on hate crimes or the SCHIP?”
I’m not a Schock supporter, but I agree with his vote on the hate crimes legislation. That legislation is clearly unconstitutional, since it would mandate unequal protection under the law. The whole classification of “hate crimes” should be eliminated. Additionally, the legislation is vague in its definition of exactly who is covered.
I don’t know enough about the SCHIP debate to posit an opinion.
I’m not a Schock supporter
What would be the practical implications of that statement – that anything he proposes you would disagree with?
http://www.outragethemovie.com/
Coming to theaters May 8th… We’ll see if it plays in Peoria
http://www.religiondispatches.org/blog/sexandgender/1379/religious_right_in_a_froth_over_hate_crimes_legislation/
This article explains why the religious right is against the hate crime bill, but also gives the other side.
Kpower,
If your point is, there is no reasonable income level ( that can be used to qualify) for schips then tell your senator or congressmen to let everyone be eligible for the program. The insurance plans by current employers will more than likely be reduced over time as benefits are increased to cover the groups.
Then you have a national healthcare sysytem that is envisioned by supporters of this bill.
Which is the goal from the very start of the program. Get the children into the sysytem and eventually the case will be made to include more and more of the public.
“Don’t tell him that you rip on him on the blogs every chance you get and you might have a better chance. ”
Translation: Tell him that you were at the Bush fundraiser and you think he’s the greatest thing since sliced bread and you might have a better chance.
Don’t forget to get down and kiss his ring too
Delving beyond the sound bites is a novel idea, such as C.J. did regarding the hate crime proposal. It’s difficult to believe that someone would actually change their view of any politician based on these superficial, water cooler-worthy morsels written here.
SCHIP now qualifies folks who are firmly in the middle class, and those who would otherwise opt for private insurance though their employment (though it wouldn’t be as generous as the government entitlement program). Also, it will be funded by smokers, most of whom are lower income.
The “tax haven” proposal, as initially contemplated, was a stone-cold job killer, which is why most politicians,even inveterate liberals, would not vote for it. America already has the highest marginal corporate tax rate in the developed world. American corporations only avoid what would be untenable double taxation through various legislative mechanisms. Strip those away for the sake of “elminating tax havens,” and watch how quickly every domestic corporation with an international subsidiary becomes an international corporation with a domestic subsidiary.
While these too are only brief summaries of the basis for opposition, at least be aware that there exists an opposing argument that doesn’t involve killing puppies and orphans.
Of course, it’s much easier to become rabid about what you read on a blog, bash Schock for being a Republican stooge, and in some cases, refuse to give up the “yeah, but what about Bush, Cheney, and the last eight years” schtick.
“Of course, it’s much easier to become rabid about what you read on a blog, bash Schock for being a Republican stooge, and in some cases, refuse to give up the “yeah, but what about Bush, Cheney, and the last eight years” schtick.”
Rewritten from another point of view:
“Of course, it’s much easier to become rabid about what you hear on the Rush Limbaugh and Sean Hannity show, bash any Democrat, and is some cases, refuse to give up the “it’s all Clinton’s, liberals, feminazis, drive-by media (insert any other Rushism here) fault” schtick.”
Mazr,
Good one.
Nontimendum,
Really though, aren’t we STILL feeling the effects of “Bush, Cheney, and the last eight years?” I think all of you [evil] Republicans are so eager to distance yourselves from the ‘George W.’ era, that you are completely deriding Obama’s policies… and he has only been in office how long…………………..?
Diane,
O.K. Fair enough, but you have to admit, watching Schock on T.V. is better than watching cartoons……………….
In response to “I’m not a Schock supporter…” you write,
“What would be the practical implications of that statement – that anything he proposes you would disagree with?”
On the other hand…you would AGREE with anything [everything] he proposes?
“I’m not a Schock supporter…”
…same as saying “I’m not a Hinton supporter”?
Mazr: Rewritten, perhaps, but certainly not to represent my point of view.
NV: I’m neither distancing myself from Bush, nor deriding Obama. I was simply surprised that someone would change their opinion of Schock because of wildly distorted blog comments such as he voted against equal pay for women, he voted against health insurance for kids, he supports tax havens for corporations, etc.
Point taken Non……all this rhetoric goes both ways on both sides of the aisle.
“why the religious right is against the hate crime bill,”
Well, most hate crime is fueled by religious dogma or, at the very least, camouflaged with religious rhetoric…. that might be one reason.