Patriotism has its limits

Forbes Magazine published its annual list of the richest 400 people in America. Bill Gates topped the list again. The Koch brothers and three Walton (Wal-Mart) heirs are in the top 10. The view from on top is: What recession? Most of them made money last year -- 12% on average. These 400 have $1.5 trillion at their disposal.



At a recent GOP prez. debate the candidates took questions posed to them through YouTube. One of the questions came from Stephen Hill, a gay soldier in Iraq. He asked, "[D]o you intend to circumvent progress that’s been made for gay and lesbian soldiers in the military?" A few people in the audience booed. Santorum got the question and essentially said of course he will. This generated a great deal of talk on gay news blogs because (1) none of the candidates gave any indication that booing was inappropriate, (2) Santorum didn't thank the soldier for his service, (3) it was a full day before Santorum said anything about the booing (he claimed he didn't hear it), (4) the continued silence of the other candidates indicates their approval. Strange, they weren't falling over each other to thank the soldier, even later. Patriotism has its limits. Imagine if, during a Dem debate, a soldier was booed.



Elizabeth Warren set up the Consumer Protection Agency, but the GOP blocked her from running it. She has since announced her candidacy for the Mass. senate seat Scott Brown holds (and Ted Kennedy held). In this video she takes on the "class warfare" claim that John Boehner and other GOP members began spouting when Obama announced his Warren Buffet Rule that the rich should pay a tax rate higher than the average middle class rate. It is 2 minutes long.