1

Equal Protection... for Thee... but not for Me...

Because some Pigs are more equal than others..

2 End it, don't mend it.

3 While I admire Obama's intellect, I can't help but think he couldn't poor piss out of his boot if the directions were written on the heel.

4

This really bothers me. I work for a small business. I am willing to bet most of the readers work for a small business.

I think the definition of a small business if i remember correctly is under 500 employees.

It's already hard enough to compete with big  multinational corporations that use tax havens and can access dirt cheap labor, but now the government has gone too far.

Small businesses are the companies that are keeping Americans employed. Big businesses often are the companies moving jobs overseas.

 

Keep trying to crush and and see the unemployment rates skyrocket even further.

5 3 While I admire Obama's intellect. . .

Seriously? Because I've honestly never seen much evidence of said intellect.

6 This is basic socialist/fascist economics: Big Government+Big Labor+Big Business.

7 The major corporations have always been smart in that they push for more regulation knowing they can afford the additional expenses while their smaller competitors cannot. It was  not out of concern for the workers that Walmart, for example, supported higher minimum wages.

8 Read the rest of my comment Otis.

9 Economically, the high fixed costs of administrative compliance drive small firms to seek takeover by powerful larger firms whose deeper purses and better political contacts help them weather the storm.

That statement about bigger companies able to weather the storm because of "bigger purses" is a common fallacy. They have a larger cash flow and they are able to "hide" problems longer but in the end this kind of shit will kill them as well.

What big companies are able to do is bring in the big legal guns to figure out ways to get around the law and, as said, get political help.

As for the "definition" of small business, it depends on what federal law you are talking about. Some laws like OSHA start hitting you at 50 employees. Others hit at 100. Most of the more onerous ones are at 500.

Those are the only three break points I know. BTW, you will NEVER find any federal regulation or reg guide which will actually define "small business". That is one of those terms like middle class that every politicians uses a different definition on depending on whether they are talking welfare or taxes.

10 So what's the count on waivers lately? Last I heard there were 111, many of which were unions.  Surprise ! Surprise!

11
Obama's intellect?

He's wrong on every single issue.

12

As for the "definition" of small business, it depends on what federal law you are talking about. Some laws like OSHA start hitting you at 50 employees. Others hit at 100. Most of the more onerous ones are at 500.

Yeah, the generic definition is 500. I'm not sure if there is a definitive definition.

Obamacare kicks in for companies with 50 employees.  I can promise you there are a ton of companies out there with 49 employees who could hire many more, but won't because of the costs associated with going over the magic number of 50.

13 But we're getting the joys of finding out what's in it AFTER its fucking PASSED!!!  It's really shocking that there hasn't been an armed revolution to remove these assholes that are running this country....really.

If you hated GWB, I fail to see HOW the hell you can be happier with THESE fuckbags running the show.

14

That statement about bigger companies able to weather the storm because of "bigger purses" is a common fallacy. They have a larger cash flow and they are able to "hide" problems longer but in the end this kind of shit will kill them as well.

That's kinda the point i was making. No one can survive this permanently. However big companies can "weather the storm" until the most onerous parts of the laws are repealed and in the meantime they are able to purchase smaller companies at discounted prices because the smaller companies have no other option. It's either sell or take your chances and possible end up bankrupt.

15 In turn those big businesses give huge amounts of money to Obama, who then uses it to get reelected, then gives out more waivers for shit laws he passes, then gets even more money from big business hoping that he eats then last.

16 al, it's just that the rest of your comment doesn't follow logically from the part I quoted, at least not to me. I agree that intellectuals can lack common sense, but as you suggest, Obama's deficit seems more severe than just that. Where's the evidence of intellect?

17 @ Ben, #4: I own a small business - nine employees, all but one of whom were unemployed (so yes, I created or saved move jobs than the whole Obama administration did).  Since my employees may lose their health benefits if costs go up, I will be demanding a waiver.  What do you think my chances are?

18 17 That depends, when you heard me refer to my enemies and get a feeling I was talking about you? If so no chance in hell.

19 That statement about bigger companies able to weather the storm because of "bigger purses" is a common fallacy. They have a larger cash flow and they are able to "hide" problems longer but in the end this kind of shit will kill them as well.
Posted by: Vic at November 24, 2010 04:02 PM (e4sSD)

I disagree. Increased regulation will drive smaller competitors out of the market, allowing larger companies to increase prices. That's why they like regulation.

20 What do you think my chances are?

About the same as an internet video showing up with Barney Frank eating a pussy.

21 Statists have found that a small number of large corporations are easier to control than a large number of small businesses.

22 The ability of a large business to weather shit like this is dependent on the type of business.  Some businesses are labor intensive and their profits come from employing a lot of people who turn out a product for profit. 

Some buisnesses are hardware intensive. Their profit comes from a few employees operating machines to turn out a profit.

It is easy to see which one would get hit harder by this new law. This is a prime example of the type of government regulation that I keep telling Monty is what is killing U.S. businesses and driving them overseas.

The commiecrats always harp about the "excesses of capitalism" when this country has not had an actual capitalist economy in over a 100 years.

23 I disagree. Increased regulation will drive smaller competitors out of the market, allowing larger companies to increase prices. That's why they like regulation.

Posted by: CharlieBrown'sDildo ( NJConservative) at November 24, 2010 04:23 PM (LH6ir)

I don't know about that. I can't think of any business, big or small that likes pissing away money on regulatory paperwork or doing a higher volume of business with less profitability due to regulations.

24

Economically, the high fixed costs of administrative compliance drive small firms to seek takeover by powerful larger firms whose deeper purses and better political contacts help them weather the storm.

So, Ben, will you be joining Ace on the Google payroll?

25 Increased regulation will drive smaller competitors out of the market, allowing larger companies to increase prices. That's why they like regulation.

Not true in today's economy. While in the short term it will drive out smaller businesses first, most of small businesses are not in direct competition with the big ones. They usually carve out niche markets for specialty products.

As I said, the big businesses like to get "sweetheart" deals that exempt them and not their compeditors. If a small business and a large business are, in fact, making the same product, and both of them must abide by the same law equally. The small business will fail first due to lower cash flow. If the large business gets nothing changed they will fail later. If they try to raise their prices, they get some temporary relief but that will not last because Mexico and Korea don't have to provide all that Obamacare.

26 And it's going to get worse.  The congress over the years has given the executive branch of the gov. sweeping powers.  In case anyone has noticed, Toonces is a very vengeful individual and he is very pissed that the voters have basically rejected him in the last election.  In every way he can, he's going to make life as miserable as possible for the American people the next two years.  Mark my word on that.  This TSA thing is small potatoes compared to what he's got up his sleeve next.  Stand strong and be ready.  I want to have another Thanksgiving Day next year.

27 I offer as a prime example the one company that we have been harping about on here for days; GE.

GE is one of the largest companies in the U.S. Most of their low tech manufacturing has now been moved overseas. About the only thing left in this country is major industrial stuff like commercial electrical components and jet engines.

In addition, they have been at the federal feed bag for decades getting direct subsidies, write-offs , and other breaks. Most recently they got an actual bailout. If we were in a true capitalist nation they would have got nothing and they would have gone bankrupt years ago.

Of course if we were in a true capitalist country without government interference they may have done a lot better and not needed a bailout.

28 In every way he can, he's going to make life as miserable as possible for the American people the next two years.

How is that any different that the previous two years?

29 OT:  One of my courtroom opponents'  son had a zombie wedding at a zombie convention presided over by B movie actor extraordinaire Bruce Campbell of Evil Dead and Army of Darkness fame.  Here are the photos.

 And here is the invitation:

"This is your official invitation to Nate and Casey's Zombie Wedding, starring Bruce Campbell as the Minister of the Dead!
Details:
When: Oct. 30th at 4:00pm
Where: The Sky Church at the Experience Music Project in Seattle
What: We're tying the knot as the official Evil Dead Wedding at ZomBcon starring Bruce Campbell as the minister of the dead.
Why: because this is the wedding we have dreamed of.
Important stuff to know: You must be dressed as a zombie to get into the wedding, you do not need to purchase a ticket to ZomBcon to get into the wedding but would need one to attend other ZomBcon events. Reception following, details to come. RSVP if you want... or show up at 4 to make sure you get in.
Other note: We are flying by the seat of our pants on this one and might have missed people or you might get duplicate emails as I go through our lists... please pass this along to those who would want to know.
Also, we don't currently have a gift registry but plan to provide one soon.
More info to come,
Nate and Casey"

30 Posted by: lowandslow at November 24, 2010 04:29 PM (rplS1)

It's not the first choice of any company. But given the realities, they will support regulation because of the anti-competitive benefits.

Just look at the behemoths in America. They are so far up the government's ass, with huge staffs in DC, and lobbyists on their payrolls.

31 I guess the deficit is in my ability to be sarcastic. And now that I have to explain my lame joke, it has been rendered "not funny". I used the "while I admire Obama's intellect" as an opening because if you watch anyone in the media get ready to criticize Obama, they will first start out with a racism inoculation like "Gee, Obama is the smartest man in the history of the world, so I don't understand why he walked into that Olympics failure." I'll try better next time. Back to my cave.

32 This administration and the now-lame duck Congress has been an unmitigated disaster for this country. The problem? At best, three out of ten Americans even have the slightest clue (or care to) regarding what's happening and what's coming down the pike.

Posted by: Soap MacTavish at November 24, 2010 04:41 PM (vbh31)

 

The socialist indoctrination centers (public education system) has done it's job.  It's very frustrating to talk to anyone under the age of 45 anymore.  The ignorance of even the basics of civics, government, and economics is so widespread that I'm beginning to feel that the USA turned the corner to hard core socialism many years ago.  There may be no going back to the US Constitution.  I'm terribly afraid that the Great Experiment is over. 

33

Posted by: WalrusRex at November 24, 2010 04:41 PM (TVvXc)

I looked at a couple of those photos and all I can say is I'm glad I wasn't invited.

34 I'm beginning to feel that the USA turned the corner to hard core socialism many years ago.  There may be no going back to the US Constitution.  I'm terribly afraid that the Great Experiment is over. 

Posted by: Soona at November 24, 2010 04:54 PM (wTWS6)

On the other hand, you can still get bacon!

35 The government has a built in ratchet. It can go only one way. That is, bigger and more intrusive.

36

I don't know about that. I can't think of any business, big or small that likes pissing away money on regulatory paperwork...

I doubt they like actually doing the paperwork or paying for others to do it. But if it means your smaller competitors are squeezed out by compliance costs, well hell, that's just the cost of doing business.

Example: The big financial firms have been gaming the regulations for years, and while I didn't waste my time looking at the new FinReg deal, I don't need to. I know already they gamed the process to finally finish off the small firms.

37 ObamaCare is Barack Obama's way around the ban on a 'Bill of Attainder'.

Instead of singling out a group of people for punishment, Liberals simply blanket-punish everyone, and then give waivers to all their friends.

Everything works out the same.
.

38

On the other hand, you can still get bacon!

Well, there is still that.  But after just watching Cavuto, I know there's people working to deny us even bacon.

39

#3: While I admire Obama's intellect, I can't help but think he couldn't poor piss out of his boot if the directions were written on the heel.

This comment doesn't make any sense.

You don't wear boots while playing golf or basketball. I mean, why would President Obama have boots?

40

But we're getting the joys of finding out what's in it AFTER its fucking PASSED!!! 

I'm going to question the timing of the waivers. Not that I have a clue how soon after the bill passed that these waivers were granted, but I'm going to accuse the waivees of having some sort of advanced info or something.

Just for fun.

41

Economically, the high fixed costs of administrative compliance drive small firms to seek takeover by powerful larger firms whose deeper purses and better political contacts help them weather the storm.

So, Ben, will you be joining Ace on the Google payroll?

heh.I'm just a temp while the professionals are on vacation.

They feed me a thin cabbage soup which they pour through the grates above me while i sit in this cell typing.

 

42

@ Ben, #4: I own a small business - nine employees, all but one of whom were unemployed (so yes, I created or saved move jobs than the whole Obama administration did).  Since my employees may lose their health benefits if costs go up, I will be demanding a waiver.  What do you think my chances are?

slim. Does this affect you? I was under the impression it only affected companies with 50 or more employees. I don't know the details, that's the problem, no one seems to know the details.

43 It's already hard enough to compete with big  multinational corporations that use tax havens and can access dirt cheap labor, but now the government has gone too far.

They want to kill the middle class. That's the endgame.

We're using up too many resources. The ruling class has a solution--revert to a two class system: the upper class and the serfs.

44 We will crush Big Tonsil and take back Health Care for the people.

45

We're using up too many resources. The ruling class has a solution--revert to a two class system: the upper class and the serfs.

The elites and the flyovers.
The monarchy and the commoners.

The party members and the workers.

 

As old as civilization itself. 

46 It's been my job to evaluate people's intellect ( as demonstrated in their essays and discussion group answers ) , part time and then full since before most of you were born

Obama has at best a mediocre 'intellect':  He's the type of half-smart POS who borrows heavily from other people's ideas without giving them credit

He's a tool, not a craftsman; a passenger, not the pilot

( I have so many more of these,,,,,,,,, )

47

I looked at a couple of those photos and all I can say is I'm glad I wasn't invited.

Posted by: Ronster at November 24, 2010 04:55 PM (9q4PA)

You mean those people are dead to you.

48 Posted by: alppuccino at November 24, 2010 04:50 PM (RMplb)

I thought it was well done. Some of do have a sense of humor.

49 Big Rail fucking hates regulation. The Class I railroads were deregulated in 1980, drove smaller competitors out of the market, were allowed to set their prices, and we're all the better for it. Prior to the 1980 Staggers Act, carriers didn't set their prices; freight moved by rail was subject to tariffs. After Carter(!) signed the act, Class I railroads were able to compete for business. They steadily gobbled up the costly, inefficient shortline railroads, reducing the number of carriers involved in a through route and saving shippers money (with the attendant cost savings passed to customers and shareholders in value). The execs of the major railroads in America could fit in a large kitchen, and not a one of them favors regulation, not in the least. The notion that "smaller business is better business" is quaint but not always true.

50 alppuccino @33 - I getcha. That "piss out of a boot" aphorism was one of my (now-deceased) husband's favorites, and he used it a lot. I still crack up whenever I hear it.

51 Not true in today's economy. While in the short term it will drive out smaller businesses first, most of small businesses are not in direct competition with the big ones. They usually carve out niche markets for specialty products.

Posted by: Vic at November 24, 2010 04:33 PM (e4sSD)

Right. Niche markets like food and health care and landscaping and construction....

You are wrong about the separation in the economy. It is a continuum.

52 Posted by: International House of Pancakes at November 24, 2010 05:31 PM (3qItU)

Hey, I'm all for the destruction of a small business by the market. If you can't hang with the big boys, tough shit. But being driven out by government regulation is a different story.

53 It's been my job to evaluate people's intellect ( as demonstrated in their essays and discussion group answer

oHH! oHHH!  How am I doing? Do I sound smart?

What if I introduce my point like so?

Ahem...

Onomatopoetic-ally speaking ...

uhm... well, you know ... and so forth and thusly.

54 I'm a dick that way.

55 and moreover ...

56

Onomatopoetic-ally speaking ...

Oh, snap!

57 You are wrong about the separation in the economy. It is a continuum.

Posted by: CharlieBrown'sDildo ( NJConservative) at November 24, 2010 05:37 PM (LH6ir)

The small business I was talking about was manufacturing. If you read the later posts I wrote those businesses that you just talked about are all labor intensive and will get hit doubly hard by this law, assuming they are held to it.

58

 

Any pole showing Obamacare ticking up with poularity - be aware.  Don't buy it.  The way the pole questions are asked twists the outcome of the pole are they doing this?  You betcha they are.

People like the sound of the pre-exsisting condtition coverage, but they hate the rest of it, escpeally the individual mandate.  so the libs will play up the first part and continue to spin their poles in that direction.

 

59

Want to economy to surge? - repeal ObamaCare.

 

 

60

 

Must read:  In fact - Please make this a headline:

Harry's Union Payback.

Harry Reid plans Union pay back during lame duck session.  He will push nicley worded union pay back scheme that will cost tax payers more and dirve local budgets into the toilet - like Detroit.

 

RTWT!

 

 

61

 

http://tinyurl.com/2g25cty

62 yeah, it looks like his great plans for electronic snooping medical records aren't working out so well either.

63 #65 darn typo

it looks like his great plans for electronic snooping medical records aren't working out so well either.

64 hello everyone,im wholesale supplier  online

Welcome to our website   

=====   http://www.1shopping.us/    =======

accept paypal and free shipping

We need your support and trust!!!

Dear friends, please temporarily stop your footsteps

To our website Walk around A look at

Maybe you'll find happiness in your sight shopping heaven and earth

You'll find our price is more suitable for you.

And we shall be offer you free gift about MP4 if you more order.

=====   http://www.1shopping.us/   ========

65 Thanks for this great post it was very informative and helped me with my own project I am attempting to complete.If you have any other tips for Excel I would greatly appreciate it...you have a great way of laying out the solution!!

66 oh no ! why you post so great topic?