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A better-than-expected August jobs report? Even though the economy lost 54,000 jobs last month and the unemployment rate ticked up to 9.6%, private employers added 67,000 jobs. The New York Times: "The numbers for July were also revised, with 54,000 jobs lost, rather than the 131,000 in the initial estimate. And the private sector added 107,000 jobs, rather than 71,000. The overall number in June was revised to a loss of 175,000 jobs from 221,000."
President Obama is making remarks on the economy at 10:00 am ET.
Another round of stimulus (in the form of targeted tax cuts)? The Washington Post reports, "With just two months until the November elections, the White House is seriously weighing a package of business tax breaks - potentially worth hundreds of billions of dollars - to spur hiring and combat Republican charges that Democratic tax policies hurt small businesses... Among the options under consideration are a temporary payroll-tax holiday and a permanent extension of the now-expired research-and-development tax credit, which rewards companies that conduct research into new technologies within the United States."
Midterm news:
ARIZONA: Could Gov. Jan Brewer's (R) disastrous performance in Wednesday's debate have an impact in November? Check out this news report from the debate, as well Brewer's long pause.
ILLINOIS: Alexi Giannoulias (D) and Mark Kirk (R) are tied at 34% each in the state's Senate contest, per a new Chicago Tribune/WGN poll.
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On August 2, 1995, police officers raided a fenced compound of seven apartments in El Monte, California. They arrested eight operators of a clandestine garment sweatshop and freed 72 illegal Thai immigrants who had been forced to sew in virtual captivity. http://americanhistory.si.edu/sweatshops/intro/intro.htm
So we think as American's we've journeyed past the days of sweatshops and workhouses that were a fixture of the late 1800's and early 1900's? Not so much. Back then it wasn't just immigrants (legal or illegal) working in such deplorable conditions.
In those days the trend was away from almshouses and prisons toward workhouses where primarily unskilled labor (women and children) were forced by circumstances to "work" (slave) in horrific conditions. The primary advantage over almshouses was that the poor unfortunates were allowed to drag their weary bodies home to their shanties at night.
Is this what we want to return? Is this the meaning of "I want my country back!"? Apparently so, if we elect people like Sharon Angle who think that we've introduced a "lot of entitlement into our programs".
When you step into the ballot box in November, let your imagination soar to the end result of the policies proposed by the GOP and Tea Party. What will happen if the rich and corporations are allowed unfettered tax cuts, and no regulations to reign in their greed? Is that a country in which you wish to reside?
These are real possibilities, folks. There are REAL choices to be made in this election. GOP: Back to the future DEMS: Forward progress.
Great post Ginger. Thank you!!!!!!!
"We have so much room for improvement. Every aspect of our lives must be subjected to inventory...of how we are taking responsibility." Nancy Pelosi.
Meanwhile, John Boehner golfs and tells the rich CEO's to be patient until he becomes Speaker.
Bev, 1st ya havta know that Arizona is a retirement State, which gives the impression of older people living there. Most older folks(me included at 55), have momentary lapses of our Train of Thought. However, in her opening Statement, Gov. Brewer could'nt even remember her rehearsed lines, looked down towards her hands, "Pulled a Palin", & still hesitated. She said, she lowered the Budget & in her next breath, comes back with "She Balanced the Budget"
Constituents in Arizona, May give her a Pass on that aspect, But the Headless body issue, is'nt going away.
She's got some Splaining to do!
I traveled America back in June & out west, the heat is much different than what i'm used to hear in Rural Ky. Maybe, her brain has OverHeated!
Ginger, great post.
Here's something to think about as well America.
It appears the republicans in office and running for office want to "take their country back". That is all the way back to when blacks were refused service, asked to sit at the back of the bus, and forced to use separate restrooms (Rand Paul). Take us back to when there was no social security (Sharon Angle and a host of other republicans). Take us back to when there was no medicare for seniors (another host of republicans). "Death panels anyone? Careful Sharon, you might end up taking us back to when even women could'nt hold office or even vote. Back to trickle down economics of the Reagan years or even further when you did'nt even have to pay for labor (see slaves) ( sorry I forgot they bought and sold them) and possibly try to reinstate tax cut that are due to expire by law. (Why should they concern themselves with pesky little things like adhering to laws even passed by them). And apparently take us back to repealing the 14th amendment (another host of republicans). Hell, they might even try to take us back to the founding of this nation by doing away with first amendment (religious freedoms). I would like to think all Americans by now would have realized that "taking our country back" this far is just ludicrous, but reading some of these posts sure makes you whonder if they truely realize the consequences of their vote. But hay, at least the republicans are against gays, mosques, muslims, Obama, etc. You know. all that important stuff.
I'd also like to add that giving tax cuts to spur jobs is so unrealistic if you cannot spur demand. The idea (or ideology) that business is the only one's that start new business's is so far off the mark. Why would anyone spend more money on starting a business when there is not the demand yet for their services. It would make more sense to stimulate the economy by putting money in the hands of those who really need it, thus spending it faster and thus creating demand for products that business's need for expanding, profiting and hiring. It also appears that if business's (large and small) would at least make a an investment of 4% ( the size of the tax cut set to expire) so that it can be invested in Americans who need it the most would possibly increase the demand for their products, thus giving them the possibility to reap 30% return on that initial investment. However it appears that business only want to make more money by simply receiving tax cuts or forcing slave labor on the rest of us instead of actually increasing the demand for their products.
Your Dems and the Dem Party were the members of the KKK and it was they who put up the separation of races. You Dems always conveniently forget your history. Don't you?
Yeah, Juven, that's right, only technically they were called Dixiecrats and they were part of the 'Southern Strategy'. After the Civil Rights Amendment in 1963, they left our party with their panties in a knot and co-opted Lincoln's Party. Lincoln has been pretty much rolling in the tomb every since.
What you omitted Mark - is how much 'ground' Kirk has lost thanks to his 'little' embelleshments about his service record and teaching 'career'... lol
Totally off topic... but VERY news worthy!
Anita, Birmingham AL is okay & says HI to all her favorite progressives!
WHEW....
Oh thank, God Anita's Ok!! Glad you posted this Feisty!! Thanks for the update.
Thanks so much Feisty: Anita has been on my mind, and I have missed her. Please send my best wishes if you can.
President Obama created more jobs in 2010 alone than George W. Bush's presidency did over the entire eight years . See Rachel Maddow's bikini graph.
"President Obama created more jobs in 2010 alone than George W. Bush's presidencydid over the entire eight years . See Rachel Maddow's bikini graph." Beverly in Chicago
And people miss GWB? Too funny. And we have this idiot in Arizona talking about headless bodies. And she's leading in the polls! Beck is a drop out. Palin is a drop out. What on earth can they offer this country?
Hate and fear. That's it. And now Beck is talking about re-education camps i.e., universities. Amazing what can happen when you have Rupert Murdoch, an Australian, allowing this stuff to permeate throughout our country and these "speakers" sell out their souls for his money.
"They'll take food out of the mouths of children in order to give tax cuts to the wealthiest. (about Republicans)" Nancy Pelosi
Pat, Boston, MA
And people miss GWB? Too funny. And we have this idiot in Arizona talking about headless bodies. And she's leading in the polls! Beck is a drop out. Palin is a drop out. What on earth can they offer this country?
They're all too funny, Pat. I don't believe people miss Georgie Boy. It's just a propagation ploy. The more it's repeated the more people will believe. They did it with the President is a Muslim thing. They can not offer America anything but more devastion.
Glenn Beck is a lunatic. He misspelled “oligarchy”' on his black board jungle maze on his FOX Noise Show of Aug. 27, 2009.
Beck claimed he had deciphered a secret code that he said was proof President Obama was trying to create an 'Oligarhy. Pat, that is absolutely, positively crazy.
As an American, I hang my head in shame and disappointment that Beck’s orations should hinge on such absurdity. Worst, Tea baggers believe him. However, there is a glimmer of hope since Fox News has agreed to run a Media Matters for America ad pointing out the cable network’s parent company’s $1 million donation to the Republican Governors Association. $1,000,000. Hopefully, some of the hypnotized will be broken of their spell.
As Paul Sullivan of the veterans advocacy group Veterans for Common Sense said…“Let me put it to you politely. There’s lots of work for out of work politicians in Washington. Evidently, Jan Brewer, another nut, performance last night demonstrated she qualifies for that group.
I receive Media Matters newsletters. Regarding the Fox News ad--it seems they tried 3 times to get them to run it and Fox only agreed after another news organization called them out on it. I wonder who that was?
FR:
You know that the Republicans in Congress will block any legislation that would help the economy. They're counting on the economic misery of the American people to get themselves back into power, where they'll be free to do more damage to the economy. The one thing Republicans are really good at is destruction.
Accepting responsibility for your situation is the adult thing to do. The economy has been in the administration's hands for almost 2 years now, democrats have controlled congress since 2007. The administration has passed every piece of their primary economic recovery legislation.
The administration has fallen far short of their own revised goals and predictions for the past several months. The unfortunately named "recovery summer" was anything but. Raising expectations was a tactical error that will be a staple in republican campaign ads lampooning the claims made by the President and especially by Vice President Biden (500,000 jobs)
Blaming the minority is just silly. Which MAJOR piece of legislation have the minority been able to block that would have mitigated the current employment picture one bit?
If that is the case, and if you have a case to make it would help many democratic candidates in their election and/or reelection bids.
Dangerfield,
Those tax cuts set to expire by law have also been in place for two years as well as 40% additional tax cuts in the stimulus that conservatives had screamed for. So now for two years + we have over a trillion dollars in tax cuts that has done nothing to spur this economy and increase employment. Can we now, both republicans and democrats try something that targets the demand side of the equation?
It isn't just the legislation the minority (41 republicans) in the senate is able to block through the abuse of the fake filibuster. It is the ability to water down beneficial legislation to the point that it has little of the desired effect, through the threat of the fake filibuster. Eliminate the fake filibuster and we can restore this republic to what it should be.
Dangerfield:
Evidently, Dangerfield doesn't know what a "filibuster" is.
Tax credits to small businesses for one. Satisfied? Since Dangerfield is intent on blaming Obama for Republican misdeeds, probably not.
Blaming the minority IS JUST SILLY. It is and I stand by it.
"Evidently, Dangerfield doesn't know what a "filibuster" is"
And HOUSTON has a problem discerning what constitutes a major piece of legislation or how to reply in a civil fashion. You are always so uncivil in your smug and disparaging replies that it is obvious to me that you just use this forum to vent your frustrations...
Remember when you said I didn't know the meaning of ad hominem? That was just as funny and just as accurate. Also just as effective as a rebuttal.
First off, the correct terminology would be "apparently", as there is no indication by way of any "evidence" (ie I incorrectly defined or described said fillibuster. )
Houston also loves to use the tired tactic of telling folks what someone else is "intent" on...
Your antics don't add anything to a the discussion. Come back when you have something constructive to add, ok?
(Let me put it in Houston-speak for you)
Houston would like to blame the abject failure of the Obama administration to move the economy forward as they have been promising ,on anyone and anything they can, even me! lol
Have a great day!
The obstructionist party already seems to be in charge and have been since the election in 2008. Why don't they let these idiots filibuster their butts off and show the world what obstructionists they are. We let them off the hook and they don't have to show their idiotic reality to the citizens.
I'm certain that, after the November midterm elections, Senate Democrats will make every effort to eliminate the "fake filibuster", and will push hard for a change in Senate rules.
They're committed to doing the right thing, without regard to the consequences.
I'd even bet on it.
I can't wait.
Dangerfield:
Blaming Obama because he can't get legislation past Republican filibusterss is JUST SILLY, and standing by it just makes Dangerfield look silly.
That's just gibberish. It's not even a matter of evidence. Major legislation to help small business has died in tthe Senate because of Republican filibusters. That's not evidence; it's a FACT.
Yes, and you still don't. Mocking pompous and ludicrous claims, which is what I do when Dangerfield makes them is NOT an ad hominem attack. Here's Miriam Webster definition:
I answer the contentions Dangerfield makes with mockery, sarcasm, and FACTS. That's evidently an ad hominem attack, according to the Dangerfield Dictionary.
According to experts on the economy, INCLUDING John McCain's economic advisor Mark Zandi, Obama's stimuls package was a success. Like I said before, whom are we to believe: the experts or people who post to these message boards regurgitating claims made by Republican political hacks? Or is Dangerfield an esteemed expert on economics? If so, my sincere apologies. Otherwise, your tendentious assertions are just more pompous blather.
I REPEAT;
Which MAJOR piece of legislation have the minority been able to block that would have mitigated the current employment picture one bit?
If that is the case, and if you have a case to make it would help many democratic candidates in their election and/or reelection bids.
Nothing constructive from you and no case to make...
THIS one:
http://www.bloomberg.com/news/2010-07-29/senate-republicans-block-small-business-lending-bill-sought-by-democrats.html
Maybe Dangerfield in all his vast expertise doesn't consider this 12 billion dollar program (watered down badly in yet another naive Democratic attempt to get the support of Republican obsturctionists). But Chris Kersting, president of the Specialty Equipment Market Association would seem to disagree:
Or has Dangerfield been declared the final arbiter of what's major legislation and what's not? Looks to me like he's appealing to prejudices agains President Obama rather than intellect (what Miriam Webster defines as an ad hominem attack).
BTW: The Repubs also temporarily blocked emergency extensions of unemployment benefits, which they also succeeded in watering down before the bill was passed. There are numerous examples of similar obstructionism on just about every piece of legislation, but especially legislation that could help right the economy.
Someone please explain to me how Jan Brewer is so far ahead in the polls.
She's anti-immigrant. That's the only reason.
Charles Arlington Heights, IL
Someone please explain to me how Jan Brewer is so far ahead in the polls.
I am baffled too. After last night I think it may change.
FEMME FATALE, tongue in cheek, Governor Jan Brewer, WTH couldn't' attach beheadings on a whole race of people; neither could she utter pretentiously why she should be governor.
She had 13 seconds in her televised debate with Democrat Terry Goddard to get her act together to utter her, nonsense (beheadings, immigration reform, block Obama policies, job creation; rather I should say no job creation) so typically tea baggish and right wingish fear-mongering. Instead she giggled; I think it's fair to say we have another right wing fruit cake here. This appears to be true. If so, America has a lot to fear about these extreme right wing, fringe nut jobs.
According to new estimates by the Pew Hispanic Center, Mexican unauthorized population living in the United States has not changed significantly since 2007; but, the inflows from that country have fallen off sharply in recent years.
http://pewresearch.org/pubs/1714/annual-inflow-unauthorized-immigrants-united-states-decline
As Milbank noted, the Arizona Guardian checked that claim out and found no evidence of beheadings; Brewer's office did not respond to a request from the columnist for documentation for the beheading claim.
County coroners can't back Brewer beheadings claim
But officials with six county medical examiners offices in the state, including four from counties that border Mexico, say they have never heard of such attacks.
The Arizona Guardian contacted the coroners' offices in Yuma, Pima, Pinal, Maricopa, Santa Cruz and Cochise counties. All of them said they'd never investigated an immigration-related crime in which someone's head had been cut off within their respective jurisdictions.
http://www.arizonaguardian.com/azg/index.php?catid=937:campaigns-a-elections-fp&id=2201:county-coroners-cant-back-brewer-beheadings-claim&option=com_content&view=article
She is NOT anti immigrant. She is anti ILLEGAL immigrant
Bev: There you go again...using FACTS. Well done.
Charles Arlington Heights, IL
Someone please explain to me how Jan Brewer is so far ahead in the polls.
More people polled prefer her to her opponent?...:)
Hmmmm....Feisty IS Anita, isn't she?....weird...
I don't know why she is ahead in the polls but I know she is the only body without a head they have found in AZ.
Forest, as Larry the cable Guy would say:
Thats Funny, I don't care who you are!
Bev thinks this election cycle in Arizona will be about beheadings...
Sadly, that is no more ridiculous than most of what she posts.
"A better-than-expected August jobs report?" That says a LOT about lowered expectations at the end of "recovery summer" (The Beach Boys "endless summer" is STILL my fave summer disc)...
The economy is like a millstone around the democrat's collective necks right now, and there's no real hope for any significant improvement by election day...What to do?
(Not posting because this lousy news makes me happy, asking what can be done election-wise now that it is pretty much a given that unemployment will be far above 9% on election day.)
Locating a certain "community center" in the downtown area of my city is not very popular with the majority of us here...
"Two-thirds of New York City residents want a planned Muslim community center and mosque to be relocated to a less controversial site farther away from ground zero in Lower Manhattan, including many who describe themselves as supporters of the project, according to a New York Times poll."
http://www.nytimes.com/2010/09/03/nyregion/03poll.html?ref=todayspaper
I would be one of those who support the project, but feel the controversy alone should be reason enough for the developers to consider an alternate site.
Dangerfield
Stick to your support for the muslim center. It's racism and Fox that's driving the outrage.
BS
Where do you live in Manhattan?
If you don't;
Who are you to decide what is driving opposition to the center? You don't know what you're talking about. There are complex, myriad feelings, thoughts, emotions, and memories in play here for the MILLIONS affected that have nothing to do with xenophobia or some stupid cable news channel.
Dangerfield,
its all the democrats have left is to scream Racism, yet they get there News from a Station. MSNBC. that only Employs White Liberals to Host their programs.. These Hate mongering Liberals tell their Faithful followers that they Care for them but tell me. Where oh where are all the Minority Hosts on MSNBC,,,,,,, They Continue to keep the Minority in Financial Bondage all they while telling them they care.. Go figure..
Steve Baby,
I AM an independent/democrat and a "hate mongering liberal" to boot, so you are barking up the wrong tree...
85 percent of print journalists are lilly-white, that would be EVERYWHERE, CBS, ABC, NYT, WSJ, etc...
Dangerfield:
Yeah. You're not allowed to express an opinion on this message board unless you agree with Dangerfield.
Reality check.
The economy lost jobs each of the last three months.
As far as spin goes...
I recommend the Obama Administration stick with the tried and true.
"It could have been worse".
Mixed Bag,
Watch the news this morning. The President is giving a speach regarding the economy at 10. That is because all the figures have been adjusted favorably from the previous two months. Or just watch Fox News. I'm sure they'll find something to spin negatively.
Obama could be adding 500K jobs each month and they would state, "Not enough to compete with China, Japan and Germany".
If he killed Osama Bin Laden, they would say it should not take him a whole 20 months to get the job done. He's too slow!
If he found the fountain of youth, they would state "Great! Our healthcare costs will go up now since no one is dying".
"Obama could be adding 500K jobs each month and they would state, "Not enough to compete with China, Japan and Germany".
That's just silly;
Who are they? If the administration was adding 500,000 jobs a month, the republicans would have no argument. It is the FAILURE to achieve this goal that is the problem.
From June 2, 2010
"Vice President Joseph Biden predicted Wednesday night that the United States will add between 700,000 and 1.4 million workers to the list of the employed by year's end -- and in the process mute the administration's critics."
http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2010/06/02/biden-predicts-700k-to-14_n_598446.html
Would have silenced the critics, just like VP Biden said.
How do you spin the worst new and existing home sales numbers (since records have been kept) positively?
How do you spin three consecutive months of job losses positively?
How do you spin a rising, not falling, unemployment rate positively?
I mean, beyond "It could have been worse"?
I guess we're about to find out.
Hope it's better than "Recovery Summer"...
We don't try. No can compete with you, Mixed Bag, when it comes to spinning.
I see Republicans got some bad news today. The economy actually ADDED private sector jobs. That must really sting. Especially when they congregated on the steps of Lincoln Memorial to pray for Armageddon.
Be careful what you pray for, Repubs. You just MIGHT get it.
That basically what their rally was all about. I couldn't have said it any better, Clara.
I remember many many years ago a friend of mine kept after me to go to Church. So I finally relented, only because she was such a sweet sweet person. And lo and behold here was this pastor or whatever he was, talking about being stuck under his automobile earlier in the week. He said he just closed his eye, and prayed loudly up to Jesus, begging for Jesus to take him to heaven right now! He wanted to die. Here he was a married man with two small beautiful children. And I turned to my friend and said - okay, that's it. I'm outta here. LOL
"I see Republicans got some bad news today. The economy actually ADDED private sector jobs. That must really sting."
This us vs them stuff cracks me up...
The country got bad news today, all of us. That is one pathetic employment picture. Did you know that unemployment actually cuts across party lines? there are just as many conservatives and republicans out of work and desperately looking as there are democrats and liberals, and the idea that anyone would be happy with the way things are going is hard to understand...
Wowza Pat, I hadda similar experience this past Sunday. When my Mom(she'll be 80 in November) came to visit in July, she asked me if I would take her to the Church she went to, way back when, come August. They have Homecomeing the last weekend of every August, this was thier 73rd. So last weekend, I put on my Sunday best, which had'nt been out in Who knows when.
The Invited Pastor for the day Only told stories of growing up, tied into a few Bible Verses, for close to an Hour.
Needless to say, I was uncomfortable from the Moment I walked into the Service & was definitly relieved when he told everyone to get in line & Enjoy all the food that was brought.
janet-489369
She is NOT anti immigrant. She is anti ILLEGAL immigrant
I can prove, Janet, she is anti immigrant, pals arounds with Neo Nazis, and signed a bill written by Neo Nazis.
Need I mention she is also nuts based on the way she giggled in the camera yesterday after her 13 second brain freeze? What on earth caused that? She is crazy and anti immigrant.
Somebody needs to do an analysis on how much the public sector has grown under the stewardship of Obama and his enablers in Congress.
Hey Rob I agree, we should get rid of all public sector jobs such as, teachers, police, fireman, VA nurses and Dr.s, the army, navy, airforce, marines, coast guard, maintenance crews, post office, air traffic controllers etc. Did I miss any?
Dangerfield - Not sure that anything can be done legislatively. There is no time to push anything substantive through. I don't believe that more tax cuts will be an answer, though. The GOP has already stood against the small bank stimulus. Another derivative or name for that plan or something similar to it won't help it pass.
What to do? That is a good question. Beyond wishfull thinking, realistically the only thing the Democrats can do is promote their record. Highlight the good aspects of HCR, the Wall street regulation legislation and stress that without the stimulus things would have been worse. Try to boost some of the promising numbers in hiring? Highlight the things that the Dems tried with what the GOP has offered, which in my book is nothing.
Even for me its a tough sell, but who knows.
"Its always darkest before the dawn!" -Batman the Dark Knight.
Yellowdog-Mark D
"Beyond wishfull thinking, realistically the only thing the Democrats can do is promote their record."
Have you seen any democratic candidate where you live running "on" this administration's record? I am sorry to say that dog won't hunt...most are running away from "washington" and trying to make it on local issues. That's probably the best and maybe the only workable strategy.
Dangerfield - You are right the local Democrat candidates are running from Washington, but I think that is a mistake.
In Texas, Bill White didn't even have the courtesy, decency or guts to meet with Obama when he swung through a couple of weeks ago. He has also shied away from endorsing Washington policies.
Local issues won't cut it, everyone knows we have a fifteen billion dollar state deficit. Serious talks have to be had about instituting a state income tax. No amount of cutting state services or hiring freezes is going to address our deficit.
Democrats will lose in November, but they certainly will not win by acting like Republicans. No Texas republican is going to vote for Bill White because he says he disagrees with washington's policies. They will only alienate the party faithful. So the more democrats run from Washington the more they will get trounced.
"That dog won't hunt." - Sorry I'm a democrat, I don't hunt and I don't endorse D candidates who act like R's.
YD-Mark
Democratic and republican politicians are interchangeable in campaign mode IMO, it's only legislatively that they differ. Some dems will blur their affiliation, some will run against the "establishment" (always a winner) and many will simply tell you that their opponent SAYS they're for law and order, but they have 15 outstanding parking tickets etc...
Tip O'Neill said "all politics is local" and many will take that to heart (and hopefully to the bank) in November.
Democrats hunt...right now many of us are hunting for work...:)
Well speaking to your Us vs. Them mentality.
Hopefully ALL Job hunters find their quarry.
Haha...A fitting sentiment for Labor Day...and I really hate the "us vs them" thing ...I get it from both sides...:)
Rick,Ky
Bev, 1st ya havta know that Arizona is a retirement State, which gives the impression of older people living there. Most older folks(me included at 55), have momentary lapses of our Train of Thought. However, in her opening Statement, Gov. Brewer could'nt even remember her rehearsed lines, looked down towards her hands, "Pulled a Palin", & still hesitated. She said, she lowered the Budget & in her next breath, comes back with "She Balanced the Budget"
Yes, Ricky it's true of the momentary lapses; but how does she explain the giggling, lies, and not being able to read her notes?
I mean suffice it to say; the elderly don't want some one who forgets constantly. Especially, when it comes to let's say, signing bills into law. It's just not a good sign if Brewer is gonna continuously nod out in meetings and before the camera.
For the facts and no baloney, from MMFA
Will Fox report that the unemployment rate would be 11.4 percent without the stimulus?
September 03, 2010 11:40 am ET by Jeremy Holden
Fox News has gone to http://mediamatters.org/search/index?qstring=stimulus+failed&from=&to=&tags=&tags=fox_news_channel&tags=&tags=">great lengths to declare the stimulus bill a failure, often http://mediamatters.org/research/201008300089">complaining that the stimulus "failed to keep unemployment under 8 percent." What Fox is not saying, however, is that the recovery act successfully kept the unemployment rate from being far higher than it is right now.
This morning, the Bureau of Labor Statistics did not report that unemployment currently stood at 11.4 percent. They did not do so because the economic recovery act http://cbo.gov/ftpdocs/117xx/doc11706/08-24-ARRA.pdf#page=10">reduced unemployment by as much as 1.8 percent. That figure comes from the non-partisan Congressional Budget Office.
Independent analysts http://mediamatters.org/rd?to=http://www.whitehouse.gov/files/documents/cea_4th_arra_report.pdf#page=23">concur that more than 2 million workers would be unemployed but for the stimulus bill signed into law by President Obama and vehemently opposed by Congressional Republicans.
This is not to suggest that a http://www.bls.gov/news.release/empsit.nr0.htm">9.6 percent unemployment rate is cause for celebration. In fact, many economists have been http://mediamatters.org/research/201009010037">calling for additional stimulus for more than a year. But heading into Labor Day weekend, it is clear that the stimulus kept unemployment lower than it would have been, providing millions of jobs that otherwise would have disappeared.
Maybe that's why Fox relies on http://mediamatters.org/blog/201009010017">distorted economic data and http://mediamatters.org/research/201008300089">make believe economic contractions to make its case.
You need look only to the Republican trifecta of Beck, Brewer and Palin to see that, if left up to their own devices, they would prefer a Congress controlled by people who have no use for education. They represent a modern-day Republican party establishment that could set education and its value back hundreds of years. In other words, they view idiocy and ignorance as laudable virtues. Cue "Prune Hilda's" truly pregnant pause during the debate when she contradicted herself in whiplash speed in less than 20 seconds; Beck's dumb assertion about universities; Sarah's questionable degree allegedly earned between campus stops and beauty pageants. There you have it America: these are whom the Rethugs/Tea-thugs stand behind as the best and brightest of their lot. Aren't you just proud?!
And there's no difference between them and others seeking election (Paul, Angle, Buck, et al). Now that the disinfectant light has shown them up for what they truly are (dangerous ignoramuses) I guarantee they'll revert to the clam-up strategy until election day. Ah, yes, the new Republican strategy: Palinate (the art of one-way communicating); prevaricate (lie or mislead); alienate (escape futher scrutiny from serious media outlets through estrangement or hostility); celebrate (win despite non-disclosure).
If these kind of stands don't wake people up I don't know what will, fired up,ready to go against the dopes of nope. If we don't it's back to the stone ages. from the kos
AK-Sen: Joe Miller says no Social Security for you
by Joan McCarter
Thu Sep 02, 2010 at 02:36:26 PM PDT
At the risk of sounding too shrill about the extremism of the Republicans nominated to run for Senate this year, let's take a look at Alaska's Joe Miller
Miller, like Rand Paul before he was advised to keep his mouth shut, is saying out loud what the Republican ethos is. Returning "power back to the states" and limiting the "central" government (with that hint of creeping socialism) to its "enumerated powers" is the quiet fight in which the Republicans have been engaged since the New Deal. When I wrote that post about Paul, I included this from a 2004 post by DavidNYC:
That was in the context of Supreme Court nominations, but it's what Joe Miller is articulating as the conservative governing philosophy.
Excellent post, Jomamma! As I said in my post--there is a REAL choice this election and Seniors, the unemployed, the disabled, Teachers, Students, every...last...one of us...needs to think long and HARD about who NOT to vote for.
It's fine and dandy to rail on and on about the evils of government until you have to give up that which 1. keeps you in food and shelter 2. keeps you alive (healthcare) 3. keeps your children educated. If none of those things are important to you then vote for the GOP Tea Party. You'll be well on your way to bootstrapping it up.
The Choice is..............
Come November we will find out.. and i am fairly Certain that the liberals/democrats are not gonna be to happy............. Just saying..
dangerfield
Steve Baby,
I AM an independent/democrat and a "hate mongering liberal" to boot, so you are barking up the wrong tree...
Sorry dangerfield, but from your posts, you come across as leaning far right.
That says more about you than it does about me Frankie Baby, dontcha think?
What is says is it's easy for someone to sit in a basement somewhere in Ohio claiming to be whatever the 'flavor' of the day is...
It's much HARDER to walk the walk & talk the talk...
Dontcha think?
Dangerfield:
I think not. Everything I've seen that Dangerfield post is just regurgitated far-right Republican talking points. Maybe I've missed some that weren't, but they must be few and far between.
He likes me, he really likes me!!!
No, from your response, it tells me all I need to know about you.
Really, Feisty?
You should make a counter-offer to dangerfield to come over to your side, since you seem to be convinced that he's a paid GOP blogger.
You accused me of the same thing, and I assure you, in this economy...I'm tempted to consider any serious offer.
I'm curious to know what you would be willing to pay me to agree with you...compared to the nothing I get for being honest.
Seriously Mixed... I didn't have any idea that you be bought! ;0)
If that is the case... I have some nice shiney objects you might be interested in... or perhaps a full moon!
I'm flattered you still care... have a nice weekend!