Where's the Outrage?

Below is the 1948 Republican convention platform position on the United Nations:

We believe in collective security against aggression and in behalf of justice and freedom. We shall support the United Nations as the world’s best hope in this direction, striving to strengthen it and promote its effective evolution and use. The United Nations should progressively establish international law…and be provided with the armed forced contemplated by the Charter.

What a difference 60 years makes. Imagine today’s Republicans discussing collective security, international law, and arming the United Nations.

Though none of this is to suggest that Republicans of yesteryear lacked a full compliment of Commie-hunting paranoids. Maybe though they were, for a brief moment, not fully in command of all the party.

The 1948 Republican convention was held in Philadelphia and nominated Governor Thomas E. Dewey of New York (below). Though Mr. Dewey began the campaign as the strong favorite, he was defeated by President Harry Truman.

Tags: Foreign Affairs, Party Politics by Neil Aquino
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One of my right-wing friends sent an email to me that lies about Senator Barack Obama’s stance on taxes. This would be interesting if one piece of this email were correct. Nothing that is written about Obama in this excerpt is even close to being correct.

Here’s the email:

Another reason to keep a socialist out of the White House. In fact, below is a reason to throw the entire Congress out on the street. Very few of them can be trusted.

DATA ON FUTURE TAXES (Spread the word…)

This is something you should be aware of so you don’t get blind-sided. This is really going to catch a lot of families off guard. It should make you worry.

Proposed changes in taxes after 2008 General election:

CAPITAL GAINS TAX
MCCAIN
0% on home sales up to $500,000 per home (couples) McCain does not propose any change in existing home sales income tax.

OBAMA
28% on profit from ALL home sales

How does this affect you?
If you sell your home and make a profit, you will pay 28% of your gain on taxes.

If you are heading toward retirement and would like to down-size your home or move into a retirement community, 28% of the money you make from your home will go to taxes. This proposal will adversely affect the elderly who are counting on the income from their homes as part of their retirement income.

From FactCheck.org:

Capital Gains Rate: It’s untrue that Obama is proposing a 28 percent capital gains tax rate. He said in an interview on CNBC that he favors raising the top rate on capital gains from its present 15 percent to 20 percent or more, but no higher than 28 percent. And as for a 28 percent rate, he added, “my guess would be it would be significantly lower than that.” Furthermore, he has said only couples making $250,000 or more (or, his policy advisers tell us, singles making more than $200,000) would pay the higher capital gains rate. That means the large majority of persons who pay capital gains taxes would see no increase at all. [Read more →]

Tags: Election 2008, Party Politics by ecthompson md
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We discuss current political events. What’s the deal with Brett Farve and why is ESPN following him around 24/7? With Danielle Tully of the ACLU, I discuss what’s going on with the FISA legislation. This is a don’t-miss interview. Great show. Enjoy.

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The Errington Thompson Show 8-2-08 [ 47:51 ] Play Now | Play in Popup | Download

Tags: Domestic Issues, Podcasts by ecthompson md
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I think that Senator John McCain has thrown in the towel. He continues to run yesterday’s campaign. His campaign was handing out tire gauges with Senator Barack Obama’s name on them, like that was Obama’s whole energy plan. As anyone who reads knows that Obama proposed a comprehensive energy plan that has at its heart the goal of eliminating our dependence on foreign oil. By the way, shouldn’t that be our goal?

Tags: Big Oil, Countdown, Election 2008 by ecthompson md
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Here is Asheville, North Carolina it was 94 degrees. It was hot. I called my mother, but she didn’t want to hear it. She lives in Dallas where they are melting– over 100 degrees for 11 straight days.

Tags: Domestic Issues, Environment by ecthompson md
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