I started watching Maher after reading all these posts on FB about what an awful person he is. Now I'm wondering who these people were watching. He's great!
+KrimsonVagus As a left winger, I agree with most of what he says, yes he can be an ass sometimes when putting his point across but I honestly find that really refreshing to see someone on the left be as politically incorrect as someone on the right.
MN Irwin RIGHT?! Whenever I hear about someone who is constantly criticized/hated by BOTH the right/conservatives AND left/liberals its almost a guarantee that I’ll end up liking/respecting them and they’re almost always an honest, logical, fair minded polemicist.
NYCAustinNYC Not necessarily true. Reagan and the Bushes never cracked open a bible in their lives. As long as you can shamelessly pay lip service to Christianity and pander to the religious right, you have a shot.
Adrian Lackey What makes you think "Reagan and the Bushes never cracked open a bible in their lives"? For you are the Religious Right not really Christians and also have never cracked open a Bible in their lives?
WHO KILLED THE COUNTRY? Who killed the country? "We," said the People-- "Standing idly by "While we watched it die. "We killed the country." Who clogged its lungs? "I," said the Factory-- "Spewing out my smoke "Till I heard it choke, "I clogged its lungs." Who warped its brain? "I," said the Network-- "With my shows designed "For a pre-school mind. "I warped its brain." Who pierced its heart? "I," said the Bank-- "Ruthlessly I bled it "With my easy credit. "I pierced its heart." Who heard it gasp? "I," said the Hospital-- "Once it got my bill, "It grew deathly ill. "I heard it gasp." Who struck it down? "I," said the Union-- "Like a blast of thunder, "Driving small firms under. "I struck it down." Who held the knife? "I," said the Court-- "Setting muggers free "When they copped a plea. "I held the knife." Who ignored its cry? "I," said the Congress-- "Once I got elected, "Problems I neglected. "I ignored its cry." Who broke its bones? "I," said the Conglomerate-- "Crushing competition "Worsened its condition. "I broke its bones." Who wrung its neck? "I," said the Slum-- "With the rope I knotted "While the cities rotted. "I wrung its neck." Who carried it off? "I," said the Auto-Maker-- "In my car I hauled it "Till the plant recalled it. "I carried it off." Who watched it drown? "I," said the Ad Agency-- "Hawking junk and trash "With a great big splash. "I watched it drown." Who spread the news? "I," said the Post Office-- "True, a month had passed. "Still, for me, that's fast. "I spread the news." Who called the morgue? "I," said the Phone Company-- "'Someone's died,' I said. "Then the line went dead. "I called the morgue." -- Frank Jacobs
The US is not a colonial empire like the UK or French were. The US is a new type of empire, an economic empire. US's military protects the economic interests of the USA. That is, the US military protects US corporations. The USA is the first empire spreading the influence of business corporations. Like any other empire, this costs a lot of money. Right now the USA is unable to pay for its own military needing to borrow money from other countries. If these other countries one day decide to stop lending money to the USA, the empire will collapse and that is what will happen one day, you can bet on that.
The war on drugs will not end for the simple fact it is an easy excuse to warehouse a large number of black men in the prison industrial complex not to mention the massive government agencies and corporations that have grown up around them. There is too much money in fighting drugs to let that go.
As far as the military is concerned, there is a value in doing the R&D for "next generation" weapons so that we can stay ahead of our enemies. However, if we just did the research, without actually manufacturing a lot of those advanced weapons, we could cut 100's of billions out of the spending. Of course, if we stopped invading and occupying so many countries, we would have a lot fewer enemies.
what enemies? this isn't the cold war. Russia isn't enough of a threat, neither is China, north Korea is contained, and noone in the middle east can sufficiently stand up against the USA
empires maintain their territories. they put their own in control of their colonies. they do not liberate those lands and encourage the local people to pursue their own destinies of freedom and democracy.
Fair point. America's version of empire is that the citizens pay the bills of having an empire, but do not reap the normal befits of having an empire like the citizens of Rome or Great Britain did. Sadly it would seem in practice it is companies like Haliburton that reap these benefits. :-( NOTE : In fairness our empire is being paid for with credit, that the Americans taxpayers will eventually have to pay for.
MrSERGEANT100 Not quite. According to the list on wikipedia... we have somewhere in the neighborhood of 300 "islands". en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_United_States_military_bases This artical is a little old but it does confirm this number : www.worldbulletin.net/?aType=haber&ArticleID=118686
MrSERGEANT100 my point is that empires administer their territories themselves. they do not encourage them to become independent. puerto rico, for example. offered statehood or independence but has so far refused either.
tsoytsikbal I believe and have argued that the American version of empire is far more moral then previous empires. Still if not an empire then what word is better to described this massive and expensive collection of military bases all across the globe?
As a millennial Democratic Capitalist-Socialist I want to see us cut bigger portions from These unnecessary wars, and stop working with Lockheed Martin etc. No more corporate welfare!
God bless you sir. We Americans occasionally need the history lesson from a citizen of a country that actually has history. I agree with your last statement in particular. I believe that the opposition to a multilateral world is coming mostly from those who would stand to lose their grip on economic power as a result. It isn't based on reason, just greed.
I agree with you in spirit. :-) China owns about 8% of all US debt. In fairness this total debt includes trust funds like SS, debt that the US government owes to its citizens. Of all foreign holders China owns about 25% of US debt.
How the Patriot Act has gutted the Bill of Rights. Please read Amendments before. 4th : The gov. can do warrantless searches (especially including the modern versions of "papers" email and telephones) without informing the property owner. No probable cause needs to be proved, no oath taken, and no limit to what can be searched or seized. 5th : No due process of law. 6th : No charges, trial, jury, witnesses, or counsel is required to be given years of imprisonment or the death penalty.
True. This "0.00001%" hypothetical tax rate was in response to the comment that : "Tax cuts always lead to more tax revenue" It was to show that absurdity in it.
Q: how did you manage to get those enemies in the first place? A: an aggressive foreign policy. Take it from a Canadian, diplomacy wins you more friends than the barrel of a gun. The gun just wins you fear, and then enemies.
Here is what is "wrong" with the Tea Party: It is well established that the law of Judicial Estoppel is sometimes referred to as the doctrine of preclusion of inconsistent positions and has historically applied to any official proceedings in order to prevent declarants or parties from ‘playing fast and loose’ with the Duty of Candor, Duty of Loyalty and Duty to Faithfully Uphold the United States Constitution while acting in an official capacity on behalf of the People [see, e.g., Jackson v. County of Los Angeles (1997) 60 Cal.App.4th 171, 181]. The law of Judicial Estoppel is the Founding Fathers’ mechanism to outlaw “flip flopping” on material facts, evidence and positions in order to maintain the integrity of the government, e.g., Judicial Estoppel precludes a party from gaining an advantage by taking one position [see, “strict construction of the Constitution is necessary and proper”- GOP], and then seeking a second advantage by taking an incompatible position in disputes involving the same set of operative facts [see, “the duty to strictly construe the plain meaning of the Equal Protection Clause PRECLUDES the GOP Congress from selective enforcement of Taxation, Immigration and Environmental Laws based on any particular person or voting base’ subjective or partisan will to the contrary’]. [see, Id.; Scripps Clinic v. Superior Court (2003) 108 Cal.App.4th 917, 943. Consequently, the GOP members of Congress has no apparent, much less actual, authority or “discretion” to draft “special bills” or “ghost written legislation” that purports to treat similarly situated citizens (i.e., whether U.S. born, Foreign national, U.S. Corporation or Foreign Corporation with “minimum contacts” here in our jurisdiction) DIFFERENTLY under the laws. True or False? Accordingly, since the GOP members of Congress have no apparent, much less actual, authority or “discretion” to draft “special bills” or “ghost written legislation” that purports to treat similarly situated citizens (i.e., whether U.S. born, Foreign national, U.S. Corporation or Foreign Corporation with “minimum contacts” here in our jurisdiction) differently under the laws by, inter alia, (1) purporting to “grant amnesty” to millions of Foreign nationals here in violation of U.S. immigration law; (2) “tax exemptions” to the most profitable U.S. Corporations; (3) “blanket immunity” to U.S./Foreign/Multinational Corporations; or (4) otherwise purport to “contract away” the right to access the Courts/”place undue burdens” to the fundamental right to vote/”pass invidious legislation”… WHY is the GOP WASTING TAXPAYER MONEY ON "AGENDAS" or UNLAWFUL "trade agreements" ("XL Pipeline or Trans-Pacific Partnership) or "mass amnesty" when EACH INSTANCE OF PROPOSED STATE ACTION VIOLATES THE EXPRESS REQUIREMENT OF DUE PROCESS OF LAW?How is the KNOWING and DELIBERATE REFUSAL to FOLLOW FEDERAL LAW when making official ADMISSIONS and proposing wholly unauthorized courses of State Action not require a Department of Justice investigation as to (1) WHERE THE MONEY IS COMING FROM IN THESE SUBVERSIVE MOVEMENTS and (2) what is the LEGAL AUTHORITY based on PRIOR SUPREME COURT PRECEDENT that these GOP declarants in PUBLIC OFFICE are RELYING ON when making SUBVERSIVE statements and/or advocating an UNLAWFUL course of action (e.g., “suing the Commander in Chief”)? Merely stating the proposition is an ACTIONABLE, TREASONOUS notion that serves no legitimate State Interest at all. As an officer of the Court, I would like the Independent Judiciary to take notice of the GOP ADMISSIONS that are wholly FRIVILOUS and UNCONSTITUTIONAL on their face. These statements are part of a larger CONSPIRACY to OBSTRUCT FEDERAL LAW. Yes or no? And, sorry, some drop out loser law school teacher "advising Congress with a 'road map' SHE MADE UP" does not “immunize” the GOP declarants’ own LIABILITY TO THE PEOPLE for BREACHES of DUTY to the CONSTITUTION that delineates the doctrine of ENUMERATED POWERS any more than the President of Halliburton, Dick Cheney, purporting to engage in such egregious SELF-DEALING via his “I-decree-that-I-am-immune-from-CERCLA” (i.e., “Halliburton Loophole”) would protect a Potentially Responsible Party under CERCLA. What, if CA suffers TRILLIONS in DAMAGES that FORESEEABLY RESULT from environmentally disastrous “fracking” from the GOP agenda to “frack first, ask questions of actual legality after” is going to be (drumroll, please) a “cost redistributed by the GOP onto the State the GOP ‘base’ is trying to BANKRUPT?” How is this NOT treasonous, if not CRIMINALLY NEGLIGENT given HUMAN LIVES will be affected and PROPERTY RIGHTS FORESEEABLY “taken” under the Due Process Clause of the 5th Amendment? True or False? The GOP cannot "deny" DUE PROCESS RIGHTS of the PEOPLE any more than it can shape our lives as if "Climate Change is a hoax." Sorry, folks. The LAW of JUDICIAL ESTOPPEL PRECLUDES the GOP from LYING about the “means/end” fit for proposed State Action, much less purporting to “rely” on a “roadmap” from a law school drop out as being, what, having ANY legal authority whatsoever. ENOUGH LAWLESSNESS and “paid for” chaos by FOREIGN MONEY DONORS illegally funneled via the “Koch Brothers”, et al. This is now illegal BRIBERY and CORRUPTION of the PEOPLE’s GOVERNMENT. What, the GOP can just “choose to collect taxes according to the highest bribe?” Legal or illegal? The GOP’s REFUSAL to FOLLOW THE CONSTITUTION has now become ACTIONABLE insofar it is going to DAMAGE the US Military, Diplomacy and ability to provide for the General Welfare. Sorry, the “Tax Plan” DOES NOT DO THAT and, as such, void ab initio because it touch and concerns FUNDAMENTAL RIGHTS. It is axiomatic that in every instance of official malfeasance by a fiduciary, it can be predicated on a single act or conspiracy to act, if there is a duty to the individual, class or organization complaining, the observance of which would have averted or avoided the injury. Palsgraf v. Long Island Railroad (1928) 248 N.Y. 339, citing West Virginia Central & P.R. Co. v. State 96 Md. 652. It is no coincidence that the INJURY complained of springs from the inextricable correlation of duty and foreseeability of harm. Id. The illimitable extent to which the GOP’s REFUSAL TO RAISE REVENUE (see, “shut down”) has harmed the State is dispositive on the issue of liability of the Speaker and, indeed, the GOP Congress itself. Pity the “paid-for” Media seems to believe the “poll numbers” or “market reaction today” are somehow probative to whether laws have been violated by the pre-meditated conspiracy to “shut down” the government by the Speaker, Grover Norquist and Foreign Money donors. You want to sue the Commander in Chief? How about the State holds you in contempt for crimes against the United States, Federalism and the rule of law? The longer the Department of Justice does nothing, the closer the wrongdoers can take the People and Nation towards peril under some wholly frivolous notion of “partisan politics” that is simply pronounced no different than a code for Foreign Thieves.
I'm glad we have smart, arrogant people like you to go around and call people dipshits. You make the world a better place. There should be more people like you.
Many of the restrictions from the Glass-Steagall act were nullified before its repeal. If the Glass-Steagall helped caused the housing bubble, why has no similar occurrences happened in places with universal banking systems like Germany?
That's exactly what I was hinting at with that comment, Chris, but thank you nonetheless for your response. Maybe you could explain in my place how other terms have been re-written/completely twisted in America, like democracy and socialism.
Many computer users run a modified version of the GNU system every day, without realizing it. Through a peculiar turn of events, the version of GNU which is widely used today is often called "Linux", and many of its users are not aware that it is basically the GNU system, developed by the GNU Project.
I agree with this video. Having US troops in other country is not only hurting economy but also diplomacy. Many nations are very bitter about US troops literally everywhere. Including the ones that are 'protected'.
Really it's inadequate, and antiquated. Also was never intended to be used to protect people's rights to bear crazy futuristic weapons the founding fathers had no idea would exist.
There's a difference between patriotism (proud of one's country for the good it does and willing to improve it where it might lack) and nationalism (proud of one's country no matter what it does and proclaiming it the greatest).
I completely agree and like the ending. We have an empire. In the 21st century. We make wars into hugely expensive things. We are advanced enough to not need to do that, and like BIll said we shouldn't be "fighting the Russians in 1978"
You are right I have no proof. That does not detract from the reality that SSI and Medicare are way too popular with the American people to ever be gotten away with. It also does not detract from the fact that Rand definition of morality is VERY different to what almost all Americans think the definition of morality is.
"Please don't tell me that you're a proponent of the ridiculous idea that the Constitution is a "living document."" Answer : Yes. Then again so was Thomas Jefferson.
Except it give you the perspective of war, how things work in real time on a battle field. Looking back 60-70 years later always easier to see a path, when its happening right now its different.
Answer to 2: It is perfectly moral for people in society to help others, provided that it's by their own choice and not forced by law or by others. Since man's basic tool of survival is reason, the use of his mind, then force, which negates reason, which substitutes an argument for a gun, then initiatory force needs to be extracted from all human relations. What is the source of my objective morality? Existence and the requirements of human life.
I checked out the wikipedia page "Canadian_chartered_bank_notes" and all it says is that it existed not how it worked. On the wikipedia page "Early_Canadian_banking_system" it says that Canadian banks could only do this by special permission of the government (British, New France, or after Confederation, Canada itself). These notes where denominated in GBP, CND, or both. Therefore they where in practice just like US personal checks. It is not correct to say that these bank had own currency.
I work 40 hours a week without a union, If I don't like a job, I quit. I have a pension...without a union. Norway isn't even close to the same country as the US is, comparing the two is ridiculous. Countries are lining up in Norway to drill because they let them! Drilling operations on federal land in the US are close to none. The US has stopped giving out offshore drilling permits. Alaska is untouchable because most of it is a national park. You can construe it as you like.
Yes, these banks were chartered, but the banknotes were backed by the banks' reserves and, unlike the GDP and CND, were not dependent on the governement's reserves, so effectively their own currencies. History_of_the_Canada_dollar#1821
True, the American investment banking system is high risk, considering they have to comply with CRA and do not have to worry about depositors, whose deposits are FDIC insured.
You do realize that the AMA and Congress regulates the supply of physicians, by establishing residency requirements, federal funding, and the approval of medical schools. So, in effect, we have a national healthcare system.
"Helping out the old with their medical bills does seem the moral thing, but this is subjective." 1) Who consitutes "the old?" What's the cutoff age? When does one become "old?" 2) Why is helping them with their medical bills moral? 3) Supposing that it is the moral thing to help old people with medical bills, why should one be moral? What is morality and what purpose does it serve? 4) If your position is subjective, then you view on morality is not objectively better than mine.
This man should be in the White house.I am English and as a Child the only place I wanted to visit was the USA. My late father was with the US army on D-day transporting US troops and he respected them because they were so humble. The US has sold it's people and jobs to China. The US use to make quality goods that we in England would buy.
I disagree with you wholeheartedly in regards to Military Soending. However, I think everyone Involved immediately thereafter The Military receives Taxpayers Money, May not be making the best decisions for The Military nor Be on the Up & UP. I’ll tell ya Bill, we could certainly use of the hardware and the brains from the end of The Cokd War. General Mattis always reminds everyone in his so er he’s and lectures that “You May say The War is over, but The Enemy always has a say.” The Cold War only ended for You America, and everyone else.. not Russia. … Nor did Vietnam, N. Korea, Nazi Germany, nor Iraq, Somalia, and especially not Afghanistan.
What we really need to do is cut, nay, eliminate entitlements. I'm talking Medicare, Medicaid and Social Security. Let's also trim defense by 50%, and do away with all subsidies (farm, corporations, welfare recipients, student loans, grants, foreign aid, green technology).
I do not understand this idea that taxes = stealing. Citizens vote in favor of a tax by voting for their representatives therefore making that tax not theft. After all, part of what makes theft wrong is that it involves a lack of free consent on the part of the victim. Taxes are the toll you pay to live in the society that has a government efficient enough to keep order and stability. History has many lessons about the instability created when wealth inequality becomes too great.
He made a subtle point that you missed. We are supposed to DEFEND ourselves if someone has the nerve to come to our country but us being an EMPIRE we go off and SEEK wars. That's offense not DEFENSE get it?
Yes, true. World War II was constant war crimes... which ended with the war crimes of the use of two nuclear weapons. Still the use of these nuclear weapons pale in comparison to other crimes against humanity which characterized this war.
true, I cannot think of any other big differences except on issues of trying to protect people from themselves. Like for example vice taxes on cigarettes and alcohol, or trying to ban soda sizes like in NYC.
I started watching Maher after reading all these posts on FB about what an awful person he is. Now I'm wondering who these people were watching. He's great!
+Mona Irwin thatll be the batshit right wingers who live on bullshit mountain
+Wz Tr Far left wingers hate him too. They think he's too politically incorrect. It's incredible how the most rational voices get the most hate
+KrimsonVagus As a left winger, I agree with most of what he says, yes he can be an ass sometimes when putting his point across but I honestly find that really refreshing to see someone on the left be as politically incorrect as someone on the right.
MN Irwin RIGHT?! Whenever I hear about someone who is constantly criticized/hated by BOTH the right/conservatives AND left/liberals its almost a guarantee that I’ll end up liking/respecting them and they’re almost always an honest, logical, fair minded polemicist.
Im not american so its not like i really care... But why isnt this guy the President of the USA already?
For starters, he's an atheist. No non Christian can become president. They can run, but they would have no chance.
Kevin15047
Sad, but true. :(
NYCAustinNYC Not necessarily true. Reagan and the Bushes never cracked open a bible in their lives. As long as you can shamelessly pay lip service to Christianity and pander to the religious right, you have a shot.
Adrian Lackey
What makes you think "Reagan and the Bushes never cracked open a bible in their lives"?
For you are the Religious Right not really Christians and also have never cracked open a Bible in their lives?
NYCAustinNYC The fact that they continually dodged the question to quote their favourite passage.
WHO KILLED THE COUNTRY?
Who killed the country?
"We," said the People--
"Standing idly by
"While we watched it die.
"We killed the country."
Who clogged its lungs?
"I," said the Factory--
"Spewing out my smoke
"Till I heard it choke,
"I clogged its lungs."
Who warped its brain?
"I," said the Network--
"With my shows designed
"For a pre-school mind.
"I warped its brain."
Who pierced its heart?
"I," said the Bank--
"Ruthlessly I bled it
"With my easy credit.
"I pierced its heart."
Who heard it gasp?
"I," said the Hospital--
"Once it got my bill,
"It grew deathly ill.
"I heard it gasp."
Who struck it down?
"I," said the Union--
"Like a blast of thunder,
"Driving small firms under.
"I struck it down."
Who held the knife?
"I," said the Court--
"Setting muggers free
"When they copped a plea.
"I held the knife."
Who ignored its cry?
"I," said the Congress--
"Once I got elected,
"Problems I neglected.
"I ignored its cry."
Who broke its bones?
"I," said the Conglomerate--
"Crushing competition
"Worsened its condition.
"I broke its bones."
Who wrung its neck?
"I," said the Slum--
"With the rope I knotted
"While the cities rotted.
"I wrung its neck."
Who carried it off?
"I," said the Auto-Maker--
"In my car I hauled it
"Till the plant recalled it.
"I carried it off."
Who watched it drown?
"I," said the Ad Agency--
"Hawking junk and trash
"With a great big splash.
"I watched it drown."
Who spread the news?
"I," said the Post Office--
"True, a month had passed.
"Still, for me, that's fast.
"I spread the news."
Who called the morgue?
"I," said the Phone Company--
"'Someone's died,' I said.
"Then the line went dead.
"I called the morgue."
-- Frank Jacobs
Wow that's intense
Sorry I didn't read this before!
OUTSTANDING!!
I am a poet / writer myself.
you inspire me!
I watch this at least once a year, usually more than that.
Great video, Bravo!
The early Tea Party was actually all about this too. Shame that the movement has just turned into a megaphone for the authoritarian right.
wait... getting a hand job won't clean my garage??
Just keep trying...
The US is not a colonial empire like the UK or French were. The US is a new type of empire, an economic empire. US's military protects the economic interests of the USA. That is, the US military protects US corporations. The USA is the first empire spreading the influence of business corporations. Like any other empire, this costs a lot of money. Right now the USA is unable to pay for its own military needing to borrow money from other countries. If these other countries one day decide to stop lending money to the USA, the empire will collapse and that is what will happen one day, you can bet on that.
Yes, I would agree. :-(
Not really. We have authority over them. They aren't giving us much. Most of our debt is from the US taxpayers. Not overseas. But Bill is right.
tkandme3
No... about half or more of the US national debt is because of our military expenses.
tkandme3
Cost Of Iraq & Afghanistan Wars Is Absolutely Staggering
Economic information from someone born in the year 1997 and people here upvote him. LOL
They also hate helping the American people cutting social programs like healthcare for women, education, etc.. you know the stuff that we really need.
The war on drugs will not end for the simple fact it is an easy excuse to warehouse a large number of black men in the prison industrial complex not to mention the massive government agencies and corporations that have grown up around them. There is too much money in fighting drugs to let that go.
SLRok Daily reminder that the 15th amendment allows slavery as punishment for crime. Slavery never ended in this country.
@@Gooberpatrol66 13th amendment. But your point is still accurate.
Europe can defend itself, there is no Soviet Union anymore ...
*Stares at Putin*
History lesson: Compare the following facts.
en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Warsaw_Pact
en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Soviet_Union
en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Russia
Commandelicious Defend from who? No one?
Akres Twotwotwo You got it ...
Commandelicious
I don't think you get it. Russia is trying to expand, and who knows what idea China might have in that direction?
More like one boat that serves us well and multiple boats just sitting in the storage unit...
A NEW AMERICA !!! SENATOR BERNIE SANDERS FOR PRESIDENT
Gimme a hand job and the garage will get cleaned for sure...........
Sham SJ Good one.
I love how he described American empire.
Right as you are, we still should take hold of responsibilities that have been left out long ago.
LIKE A BOSS!!!
As far as the military is concerned, there is a value in doing the R&D for "next generation" weapons so that we can stay ahead of our enemies. However, if we just did the research, without actually manufacturing a lot of those advanced weapons, we could cut 100's of billions out of the spending. Of course, if we stopped invading and occupying so many countries, we would have a lot fewer enemies.
what enemies? this isn't the cold war. Russia isn't enough of a threat, neither is China, north Korea is contained, and noone in the middle east can sufficiently stand up against the USA
I am Your Father You probably haven't heard of ISIS and Al-Qaeda.
wgaskill2 how awful, a small terrorist group. im talking about other countries.
5 years later... we are in the same deep shit with no sing of improvement.
Make that 8
Almost
I have also pondered over this exact question.
You're right, I'm damn sick of the rich getting free handouts.
New idea for Halloween scary costume?
good pick evie..like it
KOCH ROACH BROTHERS ? HELP SENATOR SANDERS STEP ON THEM !!! VOTE
empires maintain their territories. they put their own in control of their colonies. they do not liberate those lands and encourage the local people to pursue their own destinies of freedom and democracy.
Fair point.
America's version of empire is that the citizens pay the bills of having an empire, but do not reap the normal befits of having an empire like the citizens of Rome or Great Britain did.
Sadly it would seem in practice it is companies like Haliburton that reap these benefits. :-(
NOTE : In fairness our empire is being paid for with credit, that the Americans taxpayers will eventually have to pay for.
Correction: Empires HAVE territory. We have what half a dozen small islands, max?
MrSERGEANT100
Not quite.
According to the list on wikipedia... we have somewhere in the neighborhood of 300 "islands".
en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_United_States_military_bases
This artical is a little old but it does confirm this number :
www.worldbulletin.net/?aType=haber&ArticleID=118686
MrSERGEANT100 my point is that empires administer their territories themselves. they do not encourage them to become independent.
puerto rico, for example. offered statehood or independence but has so far refused either.
tsoytsikbal
I believe and have argued that the American version of empire is far more moral then previous empires. Still if not an empire then what word is better to described this massive and expensive collection of military bases all across the globe?
ill have to check that out thanks
As a millennial Democratic Capitalist-Socialist I want to see us cut bigger portions from These unnecessary wars, and stop working with Lockheed Martin etc. No more corporate welfare!
Wow, well said.
Very well said.
God bless you sir. We Americans occasionally need the history lesson from a citizen of a country that actually has history. I agree with your last statement in particular. I believe that the opposition to a multilateral world is coming mostly from those who would stand to lose their grip on economic power as a result. It isn't based on reason, just greed.
Who could resist a title like that?
I agree with you in spirit. :-)
China owns about 8% of all US debt. In fairness this total debt includes trust funds like SS, debt that the US government owes to its citizens.
Of all foreign holders China owns about 25% of US debt.
The only real problem with a deficit and the ensuing debt incurred by the gov’t is the possibility of inflation.
Anarchy is absolute liberty no matter how you slice it.
How the Patriot Act has gutted the Bill of Rights.
Please read Amendments before.
4th : The gov. can do warrantless searches (especially including the modern versions of "papers" email and telephones) without informing the property owner. No probable cause needs to be proved, no oath taken, and no limit to what can be searched or seized.
5th : No due process of law.
6th : No charges, trial, jury, witnesses, or counsel is required to be given years of imprisonment or the death penalty.
impressive, you sir, amazes me every time with this video, and comments you wrote back on this video.
Bill Maher for president!
I don't think anyone from Greece should be talking about our debt.
Back when Maher was good.
True. This "0.00001%" hypothetical tax rate was in response to the comment that :
"Tax cuts always lead to more tax revenue"
It was to show that absurdity in it.
So reducing tax rates to 1% or 0.00001% will lead to more tax revenue then now?
Q: how did you manage to get those enemies in the first place?
A: an aggressive foreign policy.
Take it from a Canadian, diplomacy wins you more friends than the barrel of a gun. The gun just wins you fear, and then enemies.
this is my very fave bill clip
Richard Clarke was probably laughing his ass off during this
How about when Bill has said that how the Patriot Act is being used is destroying the Bill of Rights?
Here is what is "wrong" with the Tea Party:
It is well established that the law of Judicial Estoppel is sometimes referred to as the doctrine of preclusion of inconsistent positions and has historically applied to any official proceedings in order to prevent declarants or parties from ‘playing fast and loose’ with the Duty of Candor, Duty of Loyalty and Duty to Faithfully Uphold the United States Constitution while acting in an official capacity on behalf of the People [see, e.g., Jackson v. County of Los Angeles (1997) 60 Cal.App.4th 171, 181]. The law of Judicial Estoppel is the Founding Fathers’ mechanism to outlaw “flip flopping” on material facts, evidence and positions in order to maintain the integrity of the government, e.g., Judicial Estoppel precludes a party from gaining an advantage by taking one position [see, “strict construction of the Constitution is necessary and proper”- GOP], and then seeking a second advantage by taking an incompatible position in disputes involving the same set of operative facts [see, “the duty to strictly construe the plain meaning of the Equal Protection Clause PRECLUDES the GOP Congress from selective enforcement of Taxation, Immigration and Environmental Laws based on any particular person or voting base’ subjective or partisan will to the contrary’]. [see, Id.; Scripps Clinic v. Superior Court (2003) 108 Cal.App.4th 917, 943. Consequently, the GOP members of Congress has no apparent, much less actual, authority or “discretion” to draft “special bills” or “ghost written legislation” that purports to treat similarly situated citizens (i.e., whether U.S. born, Foreign national, U.S. Corporation or Foreign Corporation with “minimum contacts” here in our jurisdiction) DIFFERENTLY under the laws.
True or False?
Accordingly, since the GOP members of Congress have no apparent, much less actual, authority or “discretion” to draft “special bills” or “ghost written legislation” that purports to treat similarly situated citizens (i.e., whether U.S. born, Foreign national, U.S. Corporation or Foreign Corporation with “minimum contacts” here in our jurisdiction) differently under the laws by, inter alia, (1) purporting to “grant amnesty” to millions of Foreign nationals here in violation of U.S. immigration law; (2) “tax exemptions” to the most profitable U.S. Corporations; (3) “blanket immunity” to U.S./Foreign/Multinational Corporations; or (4) otherwise purport to “contract away” the right to access the Courts/”place undue burdens” to the fundamental right to vote/”pass invidious legislation”… WHY is the GOP WASTING TAXPAYER MONEY ON "AGENDAS" or UNLAWFUL "trade agreements" ("XL Pipeline or Trans-Pacific Partnership) or "mass amnesty" when EACH INSTANCE OF PROPOSED STATE ACTION VIOLATES THE EXPRESS REQUIREMENT OF DUE PROCESS OF LAW?How is the KNOWING and DELIBERATE REFUSAL to FOLLOW FEDERAL LAW when making official ADMISSIONS and proposing wholly unauthorized courses of State Action not require a Department of Justice investigation as to (1) WHERE THE MONEY IS COMING FROM IN THESE SUBVERSIVE MOVEMENTS and (2) what is the LEGAL AUTHORITY based on PRIOR SUPREME COURT PRECEDENT that these GOP declarants in PUBLIC OFFICE are RELYING ON when making SUBVERSIVE statements and/or advocating an UNLAWFUL course of action (e.g., “suing the Commander in Chief”)?
Merely stating the proposition is an ACTIONABLE, TREASONOUS notion that serves no legitimate State Interest at all. As an officer of the Court, I would like the Independent Judiciary to take notice of the GOP ADMISSIONS that are wholly FRIVILOUS and UNCONSTITUTIONAL on their face. These statements are part of a larger CONSPIRACY to OBSTRUCT FEDERAL LAW.
Yes or no?
And, sorry, some drop out loser law school teacher "advising Congress with a 'road map' SHE MADE UP" does not “immunize” the GOP declarants’ own LIABILITY TO THE PEOPLE for BREACHES of DUTY to the CONSTITUTION that delineates the doctrine of ENUMERATED POWERS any more than the President of Halliburton, Dick Cheney, purporting to engage in such egregious SELF-DEALING via his “I-decree-that-I-am-immune-from-CERCLA” (i.e., “Halliburton Loophole”) would protect a Potentially Responsible Party under CERCLA. What, if CA suffers TRILLIONS in DAMAGES that FORESEEABLY RESULT from environmentally disastrous “fracking” from the GOP agenda to “frack first, ask questions of actual legality after” is going to be (drumroll, please) a “cost redistributed by the GOP onto the State the GOP ‘base’ is trying to BANKRUPT?” How is this NOT treasonous, if not CRIMINALLY NEGLIGENT given HUMAN LIVES will be affected and PROPERTY RIGHTS FORESEEABLY “taken” under the Due Process Clause of the 5th Amendment?
True or False?
The GOP cannot "deny" DUE PROCESS RIGHTS of the PEOPLE any more than it can shape our lives as if "Climate Change is a hoax."
Sorry, folks.
The LAW of JUDICIAL ESTOPPEL PRECLUDES the GOP from LYING about the “means/end” fit for proposed State Action, much less purporting to “rely” on a “roadmap” from a law school drop out as being, what, having ANY legal authority whatsoever. ENOUGH LAWLESSNESS and “paid for” chaos by FOREIGN MONEY DONORS illegally funneled via the “Koch Brothers”, et al. This is now illegal BRIBERY and CORRUPTION of the PEOPLE’s GOVERNMENT. What, the GOP can just “choose to collect taxes according to the highest bribe?”
Legal or illegal?
The GOP’s REFUSAL to FOLLOW THE CONSTITUTION has now become ACTIONABLE insofar it is going to DAMAGE the US Military, Diplomacy and ability to provide for the General Welfare. Sorry, the “Tax Plan” DOES NOT DO THAT and, as such, void ab initio because it touch and concerns FUNDAMENTAL RIGHTS. It is axiomatic that in every instance of official malfeasance by a fiduciary, it can be predicated on a single act or conspiracy to act, if there is a duty to the individual, class or organization complaining, the observance of which would have averted or avoided the injury. Palsgraf v. Long Island Railroad (1928) 248 N.Y. 339, citing West Virginia Central & P.R. Co. v. State 96 Md. 652. It is no coincidence that the INJURY complained of springs from the inextricable correlation of duty and foreseeability of harm. Id. The illimitable extent to which the GOP’s REFUSAL TO RAISE REVENUE (see, “shut down”) has harmed the State is dispositive on the issue of liability of the Speaker and, indeed, the GOP Congress itself. Pity the “paid-for” Media seems to believe the “poll numbers” or “market reaction today” are somehow probative to whether laws have been violated by the pre-meditated conspiracy to “shut down” the government by the Speaker, Grover Norquist and Foreign Money donors. You want to sue the Commander in Chief?
How about the State holds you in contempt for crimes against the United States, Federalism and the rule of law? The longer the Department of Justice does nothing, the closer the wrongdoers can take the People and Nation towards peril under some wholly frivolous notion of “partisan politics” that is simply pronounced no different than a code for Foreign Thieves.
No I am not from America and thatnk you for the clear answer.
After 8 years the defend budget has grown and still growing and the deficit climbing new height with no end in sight. Nothing has changed.
Yes,he IS a true comedian.....I also salute you Bill :)
If we cut our defense spending by half of the 15, we wouldn't be saving much because the last seven on the list don't spend much.
I'm glad we have smart, arrogant people like you to go around and call people dipshits. You make the world a better place. There should be more people like you.
Great video...thanks for uploading :D
At the time of Pearl Harbor, Hawaii was considered a part of America?
Bill Maher is a legend.
Germany and Japan are prime current examples of this.
Many of the restrictions from the Glass-Steagall act were nullified before its repeal. If the Glass-Steagall helped caused the housing bubble, why has no similar occurrences happened in places with universal banking systems like Germany?
Knowing how to use a thesaurus does not equate to intelligence. :-)
"Thinking that getting a hand job will clean your garage" XDXDXDXD
Military spending is nothing compared to entitlements.
The numbers are very clear on that fact.
That's exactly what I was hinting at with that comment, Chris, but thank you nonetheless for your response. Maybe you could explain in my place how other terms have been re-written/completely twisted in America, like democracy and socialism.
KING OF COMEDY RIGHT HERE YALL
It was William Vasquez, who I was responding to, that claimed that bit of sad silliness.
Many computer users run a modified version of the GNU system every day, without realizing it. Through a peculiar turn of events, the version of GNU which is widely used today is often called "Linux", and many of its users are not aware that it is basically the GNU system, developed by the GNU Project.
I love how the cameran man is trying to hold his giggles
Lets cut defense and welfare and give it to our Veterans!
I agree with this video. Having US troops in other country is not only hurting economy but also diplomacy. Many nations are very bitter about US troops literally everywhere. Including the ones that are 'protected'.
Yes, I stand corrected. Pearl Harbor was an attack, but not an invasion.
Really it's inadequate, and antiquated. Also was never intended to be used to protect people's rights to bear crazy futuristic weapons the founding fathers had no idea would exist.
Hahahahahaha, teabag.
The US is protecting me as a European? Oh, I didn't know that, but now that I do I feel much safer already.
There's a difference between patriotism (proud of one's country for the good it does and willing to improve it where it might lack) and nationalism (proud of one's country no matter what it does and proclaiming it the greatest).
GOD DAMN RIGHT BILL!!!
Bill Maher said it best about the Tea baggers.
I completely agree and like the ending. We have an empire. In the 21st century. We make wars into hugely expensive things. We are advanced enough to not need to do that, and like BIll said we shouldn't be "fighting the Russians in 1978"
"Freedom and democracy . . . depend on our empire"
No.
They.
Don't.
The hat was always way funnier than he ever was.
Empire huh,then who's emperor Palpatine?lol
+JOHN gallagher
You are stoned?
You are right I have no proof.
That does not detract from the reality that SSI and Medicare are way too popular with the American people to ever be gotten away with.
It also does not detract from the fact that Rand definition of morality is VERY different to what almost all Americans think the definition of morality is.
Technically Japan was a military dictatorship with a monarch as a figure head.
"Please don't tell me that you're a proponent of the ridiculous idea that the Constitution is a "living document.""
Answer : Yes. Then again so was Thomas Jefferson.
Except it give you the perspective of war, how things work in real time on a battle field. Looking back 60-70 years later always easier to see a path, when its happening right now its different.
Answer to 2: It is perfectly moral for people in society to help others, provided that it's by their own choice and not forced by law or by others. Since man's basic tool of survival is reason, the use of his mind, then force, which negates reason, which substitutes an argument for a gun, then initiatory force needs to be extracted from all human relations.
What is the source of my objective morality? Existence and the requirements of human life.
Oh, look - it's time to clean the garage
Simple the truth..
I checked out the wikipedia page "Canadian_chartered_bank_notes" and all it says is that it existed not how it worked.
On the wikipedia page "Early_Canadian_banking_system" it says that Canadian banks could only do this by special permission of the government (British, New France, or after Confederation, Canada itself).
These notes where denominated in GBP, CND, or both. Therefore they where in practice just like US personal checks. It is not correct to say that these bank had own currency.
I work 40 hours a week without a union, If I don't like a job, I quit. I have a pension...without a union.
Norway isn't even close to the same country as the US is, comparing the two is ridiculous. Countries are lining up in Norway to drill because they let them! Drilling operations on federal land in the US are close to none. The US has stopped giving out offshore drilling permits. Alaska is untouchable because most of it is a national park. You can construe it as you like.
And now one of the few things that Romney has taken a stance on is that he wants to increase military spending. :-(
Yes, these banks were chartered, but the banknotes were backed by the banks' reserves and, unlike the GDP and CND, were not dependent on the governement's reserves, so effectively their own currencies.
History_of_the_Canada_dollar#1821
True, the American investment banking system is high risk, considering they have to comply with CRA and do not have to worry about depositors, whose deposits are FDIC insured.
You do realize that the AMA and Congress regulates the supply of physicians, by establishing residency requirements, federal funding, and the approval of medical schools. So, in effect, we have a national healthcare system.
"Helping out the old with their medical bills does seem the moral thing, but this is subjective."
1) Who consitutes "the old?" What's the cutoff age? When does one become "old?"
2) Why is helping them with their medical bills moral?
3) Supposing that it is the moral thing to help old people with medical bills, why should one be moral? What is morality and what purpose does it serve?
4) If your position is subjective, then you view on morality is not objectively better than mine.
And so far none have yet risen that are capable and qualified to do so.
Indeed, that's what I mean. He states it as if it is a self-proving point, which it isn't.
That would be impossible, considering that the only candidate who said he was going to get rid of the Empire, got booed in one of the debates.
This man should be in the White house.I am English and as a Child the only place I wanted to visit was the USA. My late father was with the US army on D-day transporting US troops and he respected them because they were so humble. The US has sold it's people and jobs to China. The US use to make quality goods that we in England would buy.
I disagree with you wholeheartedly in regards to Military Soending.
However, I think everyone Involved immediately thereafter The Military receives Taxpayers Money, May not be making the best decisions for The Military nor Be on the Up & UP.
I’ll tell ya Bill, we could certainly use of the hardware and the brains from the end of The Cokd War.
General Mattis always reminds everyone in his so er he’s and lectures that “You May say The War is over, but The Enemy always has a say.”
The Cold War only ended for You America, and everyone else.. not Russia.
… Nor did Vietnam, N. Korea, Nazi Germany, nor Iraq, Somalia, and especially not Afghanistan.
What we really need to do is cut, nay, eliminate entitlements. I'm talking Medicare, Medicaid and Social Security. Let's also trim defense by 50%, and do away with all subsidies (farm, corporations, welfare recipients, student loans, grants, foreign aid, green technology).
awesome!!
I do not understand this idea that taxes = stealing.
Citizens vote in favor of a tax by voting for their representatives therefore making that tax not theft. After all, part of what makes theft wrong is that it involves a lack of free consent on the part of the victim.
Taxes are the toll you pay to live in the society that has a government efficient enough to keep order and stability.
History has many lessons about the instability created when wealth inequality becomes too great.
It seems like the crowd keeps on clapping a little at wrong times
He made a subtle point that you missed. We are supposed to DEFEND ourselves if someone has the nerve to come to our country but us being an EMPIRE we go off and SEEK wars. That's offense not DEFENSE get it?
Yes, true.
World War II was constant war crimes... which ended with the war crimes of the use of two nuclear weapons. Still the use of these nuclear weapons pale in comparison to other crimes against humanity which characterized this war.
true, I cannot think of any other big differences except on issues of trying to protect people from themselves. Like for example vice taxes on cigarettes and alcohol, or trying to ban soda sizes like in NYC.