E-mail updates
Follow on Twitter
Subscribe to RSSThe most important thing we learned this week: Pessimism has returned… The good news and bad news for Obama… The importance of Nevada, and Ensign’s resignation likely makes the Silver State even more important for 2011… The resignation’s effect on Heller vs. Berkley… Profiling this year’s likely ballot measure in Ohio… And “Meet the Press” this Sunday has Coburn, Conrad, Robinson, Brooks, Dunn, and Castellanos.
From Mark Murray, Ali Weinberg, and Carrie Dann
*** Pessimism returns: As President Obama returns today from his first multi-state events since filing for re-election, we learned several things this week. One, Obama will raise A LOT of money (he hit six different fundraisers in California, raking in millions for his campaign and the DNC). Two, he’s trying to wake up his Democratic base (“I don’t want you to lose sight of how much we’ve gotten done,” he said last night. “What we’ve done here has been historic, and we’re only a quarter of the way through”). Three, the power of the presidency is strong (given that Obama was able to fly to the West Coast on Air Force One and hold a town hall at Facebook). But the most important thing we learned this week was this: The country has become increasingly pessimistic.
*** Good news and bad news for Obama: Even though the stock market is up, unemployment is down, and economic growth continues, here are the results from the latest New York Times/CBS poll: “Capturing what appears to be an abrupt change in attitude, the survey shows that the number of Americans who think the economy is getting worse has jumped 13 percentage points in just one month… The dour public mood is dragging down ratings for both parties in Congress and for President Obama.” (Obama’s approval is at 46%-45%, at Congress’ disapproval is 75%.) Those pessimistic findings are similar to this week’s earlier Washington Post/ABC poll. Is all about rising gas prices? Did the news of S&P’s warning contribute? The good news if you’re Obama: Gas prices can quickly change, and he’s lucky that his re-election is still a year and a half away. The bad news: After plenty of signs of economic improvement over the past few months, the country remains in a sour mood.
*** Nevada, Nevada, Nevada: Nevada was already shaping up to be a must-watch state in 2012. After last year’s epic Reid-vs.-Angle Senate contest, Nevada remains a key presidential battleground (Obama winning NV, CO, and NM allows him to lose OH, VA, and NC and still win the presidency). It also could very well decide control of the Senate next year (if Dems win the race, it gives them a MUCH better chance of holding on to the chamber). But Sen. John Ensign’s (R) announcement that he was resigning his Senate seat, effective May 3, makes things even more interesting in the Silver State -- this year.
*** An important special election to watch: If Nevada Gov. Brian Sandoval (R), as expected, appoints GOP Congressman Dean Heller (who’s already running for Ensign’s seat) to fill the vacancy, that would trigger a special congressional election this year. And the race -- in a district that McCain narrowly won in 2008 -- would become an important messaging laboratory and possible bellwether for 2012. How is the Ryan budget plan playing with seniors? Is the Latino vote still strong for Democrats? By the way, Roll Call reports that Angle, who had already announced her intention to run for Heller’s congressional seat next year, would probably not be the GOP’s candidate in this special election. The reason: There would be no primaries for the special election, and the parties would be able to pick their nominees. “If the parties are ultimately allowed to choose their nominees, a high-ranking Nevada GOP source said there is ‘no way’ Angle would be tapped to be the party’s standard-bearer.”
*** And the effect on Heller vs. Berkley: As for the important 2012 contest for Ensign’s Senate seat, Heller being appointed fill the vacancy is probably a net-plus for him in a general-election race against Shelley Berkley (D). It would remove any danger of Heller receiving a credible primary challenge, and it would keep him away from casting more problematic House votes (like last week’s vote on Ryan’s budget). But as Kirsten Gillibrand and Michael Bennet know, getting appointed to the Senate isn’t without its political problems, though both Gillibrand and Bennet won their Senate contests last year. And the history of appointees winning or losing Senate races is mixed. However, the Heller-Berkley Senate race will probably hinge more than anything else on the outcome of the presidential contest. If Obama wins Nevada -- especially if he wins it as decisively as he did in ’08 -- that benefits Berkley. And if Obama loses, it helps Heller.
*** The races of 2011: The battle in Ohio: So the best race of 2011 would probably be the special congressional election to fill Heller’s seat. And perhaps the second-best race of ‘11 -- better than the gubernatorial contests in West Virginia, Kentucky, Mississippi, and certainly Louisiana – will be the likely ballot measure trying to overturn the anti-union legislation that Gov. John Kasich (R) signed into law last month. Today, the group trying to repeal the law, We are Ohio, begins its campaign to collect the 230,000-plus valid signatures (by June 30) needed to bring the measure to the ballot in November. Whether or not the law is overturned will be a good gauge of Ohio’s political environment and voter enthusiasm heading into next year’s presidential election.
*** Meet’s Sunday lineup: “Meet the Press” this Sunday interviews Sens. Tom Coburn (R) and Kent Conrad (D) -- both of whom are part of the so-called “Gang of Six” trying to find a bipartisan deficit solution -- as well as a roundtable consisting of Eugene Robinson, David Brooks, former Obama White House Communications Director Anita Dunn, and GOP strategist Alex Castellanos.
Countdown to NY-26 special election: 32 days
Countdown to Iowa GOP straw poll: 112 days
Countdown to Election Day 2011: 200 days
Countdown to the Iowa caucuses: 290 days
* Note: When the IA caucuses take place depends on whether other states move up
Click here to sign up for First Read emails.
Text FIRST to 622639, to sign up for First Read alerts to your mobile phone.
Check us out on Facebook and also on Twitter.
Leave a Comment:
Polls – Schmolls, we are about 120 days into the year (1/3 of the Congressional Year) and neither party (democrats or republicans) have presented a serious plan for reducing our deficit/debt. In fact all three current proposals add Trillions and Trillions of dollars to the deficit over the next decade. ALL of them do, so much for “Fiscal Responsibility”.
In my opinion we need serious discussions on ALL of the following:
MEDICARE and MEDICAID: It is true that Health Care Costs are one of the major if not the major drag on the deficit/debt. But the problems with Medicare and Medicaid are not the fault of the beneficiaries. Nobody on either side is addressing the real problem which is the costs of these programs. Yes, there is fraud, waste, mismanagement, redundancy and outdated programs in both that need to be eliminated. But eliminating these alone will not solve the problem in the long run any more than the Ryan Bill will.
In the Ryan Bill all they are doing is shifting the costs from the Federal Government to the elderly in the form of a “Voucher System” in the case of Medicare and in the case of Medicaid the Ryan Plan shifts the costs from the Federal Government to the States via a “Block Grant” which by the way has very little in the way of regulations on how that money may be used by the States. While on paper this does lower the deficit for the Federal Government it will destroy both Medicare and Medicaid as we know it. So that is not a valid option in my opinion, basically repealing Medicare and Medicaid to lower the deficit and throwing Millions and Millions out into the street to fend for themselves is a pretty hefty price to pay.
What both parties should be looking at are the cost drivers behind the scene. It is Health Insurance Companies, the Drug Companies and the Medical Product Manufactures that have limited competition and in some cases a Monopoly. Why is it that the very same drug costs a fraction of what we pay here in this country in Canada and Europe? Until we address this we cannot really lower costs to where we need them to be. But, destroying Medicare and Medicaid and calling it “Fiscally Responsible” is a lie and only serves the agenda of the GOP who has from day one wanted to repeal Medicare, Medicaid and Social Security.
DOD: This also has some serious problems with fraud and waste, especially at the contractor level. Outdated and unwanted programs needed to go like the replacement engines for the F-35 that the pentagon did not want or the floating Tank that did not float. Operations need to be consolidated and made more efficient, we do not need 5 Generals when 1 or 2 will do just fine, and the redundancy in the DOD need to be addressed. This can all be done without putting one service member in harms way. I would not support anything that puts our troops in harms way, period.
TAX REFORM: This has been long time coming and really needs to be done. The tax system needs to be made simpler (reducing overhead costs to administer), fair so all people are paying a fair share into the system (puts more money into the system – revenues). I was watching MSNBC and CNN last night and heard some interesting comments for discussion. Over 70% of the American people favor raising the taxes on the richest 2%. Now we all have been hearing this and I admit that the tax cut to the richest 2% should be rolled back. I have also said that I would not mind paying a little more if everybody paid a little more and the money was used properly to improve the economy and this country as a whole. I have no problem putting a little more in as long as everybody does no exceptions. I know the argument that they pay more in taxes than I do, well they make millions of dollars I do not. Dollar wise they do pay more but as an effective rate of their income they pay a much lower % than I do even though some make 1,000 times more than what I make (My family ATI for 2010 was a little over 100K). Our country was built on the premise that those that can afford more get to pay more for the good of the country.
SUBSIDIES: If corporations do not need them then they should not get them. The subsidies to Big Oil and Coal need to be stopped. These guys are making record profits and some do not even pay taxes or get refunds. This has to stop. The same is true with the abuse on Farm Subsidies as well. In many cases these subsidies are pure fraud and we are paying for it. Now, some industries may need a short term subsidy like new technology start ups for example.
WARS: We just have to get out of these and bring out troops home, period. Enough said on that one.
JOBS: What happened to the rhetoric that it is all about JOBS, JOBS, and JOBS? The GOP/TP ran their campaign on the slogan that they were going to create hundreds of thousands of jobs in this country, they were going to stimulate the economy and improve education. To date I have seen nothing of the sort happening. In fact to date just about everything coming out of the congress is doing just the opposite.
Creating an environment that promotes job creation is a must to lower the deficit/debt. This will generate more revenues for the Federal and State Governments. A win/win scenario. Creating jobs means more money pumped into the economy, which creates more jobs and more revenues on and on. Another win/win scenario.
NON-MILTARY DESCRITIONAL SPENDING: Probably the smallest chunk of change on the whole of things, but the one that is being disseminated the most. We do need to look at these as well and weed out those that provide no real value or are marginal at best. Not all of them are good programs and they do need to be addressed as part of putting everything on the table.
The point is spending cuts alone will not get us out of this mess. There just are not enough things to cut unless we totally shut down the government as we know it and each State becomes a fiefdom like the old feudal Europe. We will have States that have and those that do not. It would be funny if not so sad. Maybe a few centuries of the days of the feudal lords running around will wake us up and realize what really is at stake here. Our very way of life people.
While these are just my opinions, I know many on this board have good ideas and I would like to hear them today. What are your ideas on the half a dozen or so topics above? How would you solve those issues and make this country stronger. Two out of every three Americans think we are going the wrong way. You know, I suspect they are right.
Happy Earth Day
Lightning-Punctuated Bone-Chilling Facts
An ABC report shows that companies bearing Donald Trump’s name have declared bankruptcy four times, in 2001, 2002, 2004 and 2009. Trump explains it like a typical way of doing business.
Hello, is anybody home. Dump that chump. The only thing the Donald is capable of is driving America’s shores into the oceans.
Idaho Gov. Butch Otter Signs Executive Order That Will End Medicaid In His State
Sadly, Idaho Gov. Butch Otter (R) did not heed the attorney general’s warning. Although Otter vetoed a nullification bill attacking the ACA yesterday, he also issued an executive order which effectively forbids his state from participating in Medicaid as soon as the ACA goes into full effect.
In other words, in his zeal to strike a political blow again President Obama’s most important accomplishment, Otter has endangered the health of over more than 200,000 Idahoans and forced financial ruin upon his state.
http://thinkprogress.org/2011/04/21/butch-otter-ends-medicaid/
That’s awfully bright, scratch that I meam dull. Gov Otto has a bias toward President Obama so he punishes the needy and sick people andleaves the option of killing some of the terminally ill people in his state.
“What matters is not wealth, or status, or power, or fame – but rather, how well we have loved, and what small part we have played in bettering the lives of others.”
President Obama QUOTE
Comment from NYT comment section which clearly elucidates my stance about closet bigots who hide republican/t-bagger “it’s his policies I don’t like not his color…”
“As an European I find it WEIRD that Americans are still bickering about the birth-place of Obama. I also find it reprehensible that the country hasn't rallied around him as it normally does around a (white) president. It was one of the things I liked about the states- my president right or wrong - He's OUR leader. Now that's all gone.
The comments above about th GOP ring true - it's looking only to a FoxNews style - all flash and no substance. It could end up to be a cacocracy.”
http://community.nytimes.com/comments/www.nytimes.com/2011/04/22/us/politics/22republicans.html?sort=recommended
Nothing turns off bigots more than the intelligent, hard working Black man in the Oval Office.
Yes that is a bone-chilling unpleasant feeling; but it’s a fact. Our president wants peace, justice, and sanity (the true American way).
With A Stroke Of His Pen Obama Strikes Back At Citizens United
This means that all companies that sign contracts with the federal government will have to report on the personal political activities of their officers and directore. This would includeALL contributions, expenditures ot or on behalf of federal candidates, parties or party made by the bidding entity.
http://www.politicususa.com/en/obama-citizens-united
Thank you, Mr. President for all that you do DADT, financial Regulations, etc above all staying cool.
How’ bout that man offering to buy shots in a bar in exchange for prople to sign the petition for the recall of the Democrats in Wisconsin?
Republicans wouldn’t have a leg to stand on if it wasn’t for the Koch money.
Good luck to Wisconsin’s hand recount will be done in giving theKloppenburg campaign, Wisconsin, unions, the middle class,and , the USA a win hopefully.
Bev:
Morning a great post to end the week. The GOP/TP never stops. They will not be satisfied until every middle class American looses Health Care and is put on poverty row. They better be careful or some of their prime real estate will be used as cemeteries.
Bev, the Republican States of America will eventually be called the Sturmabteilung Bloc where there will no longer be Good Fridays or Christmas or Easter Bunnies.
There will be contorted and twisted Hounds of Baskerville running around seeking who they may devour. The landscape will be desolate and the skies will be dark.
There will be no children as the Child Catcher from Chitty Chitty Bang Bang scours what is left of the world capturing the children and torturing them with Old Failed Rock Anthems from the 70's.
Yippee.
OUCH!!!!
This is a NY Times poll so lefty liberals are required to believe it’s the truth. 70% of Americans believe the country is on the wrong track!!!! THAT’S an amazingly bad number for Barry. 80% of Americans think the economy is doing “fairly bad” or “very bad”!!!! THAT’S an even worse number for Barry. And his approval/disapproval numbers are dead even. That just speaks for itself.
BTW, apparently “radical” is the new “extreme”. After Chuck Schumer got busted revealing that he uses the word “extreme” as much as he can to describe anything Republican because he had been coached by “the caucus” to do so, they had to come up with a new code word. Barry has used “radical” several times in the last couple of days and Shemp Mathews has started using it on Wiffleball. I don’t watch the other MSNBC Stooges, but, my bet is that they got “the caucus” memo too.
BTW2, lefty liberals are always touting that they “think for themselves”. I’m gonna bet somebody told them to say that.
From Politico:
Poll suggests economic gloom
By: Jennifer Epstein
April 22, 2011 07:03 AM EDT
Americans are more pessimistic about the economy than they have been in more than two years, as gas prices soar, unemployment remains high and Washington battles it out over federal spending, a new poll suggests.
In a New York Times/CBS News poll released late Thursday, views of the path on which the country is headed are the worst they’ve been since just weeks after President Barack Obama took office in early 2009. Twenty-six percent of those surveyed said the country is on the right track, while 70 percent said it’s on the wrong one. In February 2009, 23 percent of those surveyed for a CBS poll said it was on the right track, while 68 percent said it was on the wrong one.
Eighty percent of those surveyed, meanwhile, said they think the economy is doing fairly or very bad, while 17 percent said it is fairly good and just 2 percent said it is very good.
As Americans’ confidence has tanked, so too have their views of their leaders.
Obama’s approval rating in the poll is 46 percent, while his disapproval is at 45 percent. When the last Times/CBS poll was conducted in mid-January during his surge in popularity following the shooting of Rep. Gabrielle Giffords (D-Ariz.), 49 percent of Americans approved of his job performance while 39 percent disapproved.
On the economy, though, Obama does worse. His approval rating on economic matters is at 38 percent, while approval is at 57 percent. That disapproval number is the highest it’s ever been for Obama; before this poll, its height was 54 percent in July 2010. He does similarly poorly on his handling of the federal budget deficit – 33 percent approve, while 59 percent disapprove.
LouisJ:
Morning, I agree. This just get worse every day wit these guys. They are digging their own grave and singing praise while they do it. Wait to they all find out that they are going to be the new residents.
USNDVR
I am trying to understand the driving force behind your comments. I am a Republican and I am also middle class. I do not want myself or any other middle class American to lose their health care or to end up on poverty row. I want all Americans to succeed and to prosper. Yes, I recognize that some will succeed more than others. This can be based on: drive, ambition, good luck or any number of things. Some will not succeed and there should be safety nets in place to make sure that people have help receiving the basic necessities of life to survive in these cases. I am more than willing to provide monitory support in the form of taxes and donations to help these people that fall into this category. If I am one of the lucky ones to prosper more than others, I plan to do more in the way of donations and I know that I will already have to pay a larger share of the tax burden. Seems fair to me.
Right Navy, a Republican Fairy Tale Ending. LMBO.
Gee Willikers
( :^\/)
This is for President Obama’s supporters. I found these lovely remarks that blackwaterdog posted on her website and I wanted to share with you all. She found these remarks over at the OFA website. Take a moment to look at the photos. The 1960’s were such a confusing heated time, what with the assassinations, the Vietnam War and fights for Civil Rights, for Equal Rights, etc.
Look at these photos. This is what came of all this. President Barack Obama. We did good in this Nation. Despite what Richard Nixon said about the “Silent Majority”, it was the young people who did the hard stuff in order to change a Nation. And they did. Black and White.
Barack Obama's grandparents benefited from the GI bill after World War 2. His grandparents got assistance from Social Security, etc. Barack Obama himself benefited with college loans, etc.
He wants people in this country to have access to the same programs he had growing up. He remembers.
http://blackwaterdog.wordpress.com/
“One of the things he said that stuck with me was that no matter if your family arrived by Ellis Island, slave ships or the Rio Grande, we can all move forward by working together on a common purpose. That really struck a chord with me. That we have all come here by different routes and yet we all love our country and can all find a way to bring out the best in each other. President Obama is the quintessential optimist. He believes in all of us.”
"And then came President Obama. When I see this man’s face I think of inordinate handsomeness and I think of nearly incomprehensible complexity. You just know that you are in the company not only of genius and compassion – the very best of human combinations – but also of humility. You can’t help but feel that he is at once one of us and yet so very, very extraordinary as to be one of the best Presidents in our living history. It’s his inarguable charm and intelligence and foresight and compassion and warmth and relatedness and the everyday sensibility and accessibility and genius that hits you. He does not sweat the small stuff. When President Obama was standing in front of me, I gave him a very big smile and said “hi!” and shook his hand and he looked at me for a few moments with the most beautiful warm smile and a look of, “do I know you?” and then we hugged. Yes, he is really the sweetest man, so very magnetic and he just emanates intelligence and kindness. I’ve seen him 4 times now and he looked different to me this time – older, wiser, more open and more engaging in a different sort of way. He is a bit grayer and I really noticed his freckles this time. But it’s his smile that is absolutely worth a million bucks. He is one of a kind. As I walked home in the drizzle and fog, I again realized without hesitation that I will always fight for him, I will always be grateful for him and his family, for all their sacrifice and for their wisdom. Always."
________________________________________________________________
President Obama: “What matters is not wealth, or status, or power, or fame – but rather, how well we have loved, and what small part we have played in bettering the lives of others.”
"The GOP wants to put every American into poverty so those people won't vote GOP ever again. Tell me: How is that smart strategy,..."
Smarts? REPUBLICANS??!!! LMAO!!!!!
Wow, sailor!!! Great post as usual!!! Way to go, my friend!!!
I agree on most of the points you make with only one or two minor changes. Instead of just raising the taxes on the richest 2%, we should just look to make the tax code simpler. Get rid of all the loopholes and deductions!!! Institute a flat tax of 10 or 15%, for example, and make sure everyone, regardless of income, pays their fair share. No deductions, no loopholes, no cheating, just a simple tax code.
For that matter, let's eliminate the IRS and whole filing thing!!! The money comes out of our paychecks anyway. Just have the government keep what they take and end this whole tax filing farce once and for all!!!
What other ideas does everyone have???
HAPPY EASTER!!!
That's not true at all. Take a look at the chart presented in the article below. You'll see that Obama Budget I, the one where he punted the deficit problem, continued the spending binge Obama was on. Obama Budget II, the one that he rolled out last week, the one with massive tax increases, didn't improve things much. The House plan, the Ryan plan, brings the government spending back in line.
There's your serious plan Navy Disabled.
Pat:
Great post. I enjoy your thoughtful comments. Have a great weekend. Go Bosox and Celtics.
I don't blame the public for being in a dour mood. All around the country the voters elected Tea Party Republicans because they promised to fix the budget, fix the economy, and get people working again. What have they spent their time working on?
Attacks on reproductive rights
Attacks on abortion rights
Attacks on union rights
Attacks on voting rights
A plan to increase economic activity by driving down wages and increasing unemployment
Attacks on Medicare and Medicaid
A budget that will make deficits worse for the next 10 years
The promise of an unending witch hunt looking for dirt on anyone remotely associated with President Obama, anyone in the Administration, or any Democrat
A House that only works part time, less than ever before
You could call the Republicans failures, but since all the evidence is there that they're just carrying out the plan Conservatives had before the election it's more accurate to call them liars.
http://online.wsj.com/article/SB10001424052748704071704576276584062512382.html?mod=WSJ_hp_MIDDLENexttoWhatsNewsTop
Agreed - Tax reform is a must. It should be simple and as noted above close loopholes. In fact closing loopholes is probably the first thing I would do before I raised rates. That does not mean that is the only thing, but I would be willing to try that first and see where it takes us. We can always tweak it later.
I do not know about getting rid of the IRS. We still would have people scamming the system anyway and we need somebody to chase them down and keep them on the up and up. If as a few have suggested they are ok with putting a little more in the system, as I also am, we then need to make sure that everybody does.
Good lord, Pat. Do you realize how like AMY you sound?
Try this: Standard & Poor's reduced the outlook on our debt. An incoherent Middle East policy, and a domestic drilling policy that reduced our output by 13%, has caused gas prices to skyrocket. The FEC is almost finished investigating the irregularities in the donations to the last campaign, ( which, by the way, was mostly big donors- not nickels and dimes), most economists see the economy slowing, rather than growing at an increased rate, oh, and just by the way, Obama is now touting a return of Pelosi to Speaker.
With all these givens, the media is going to have a very difficult time getting their candidate re elected.
@Joe in Albany
I see you write derogatively about the president and his policies and I agree with somethings about what you say about his policies, but as a retired military man and now I work as a DOD employee it rankles me every time you call him barry and blatantly disrespect the office of the President of the United States or the Commmander in Chief.
I am guessing that you never have been service memeber of the United States because you would know better in saying such things, at least in Public. Petty men like you think you can take away from the office the presidency by deriding his non-american name (not even going to say christian name), or like Limbaugh loves to call him tyrant Obama (I was in Iraq listening to AFN when I heard that).
If you do not have enough respect for President of the United States, his own citizen he has sworn to protect, that just gives the Hugo Chavez and Achmeninejad's of the world the right to say what they want to and get away with it. You undermine american society and it is wrong.
I know you do not care what I say, but think about that when you demean the president you are really bringing us all down.
JC &G
Nice post and thank you. I think we are pretty much on the same page. You said it a little better than I did. I agree.
Keith22:
Thank you for your service. Nice post and I agree about the constant disrespect from some. Funny because sometimes they make a comment I could live with then the name calling starts and I dismiss the whole thing.
Ed Schultz had a fascinating program last night with two men, one from Florida and one from Ohio. They have left the Republican Party after being life long Republicans. They looked dumbfounded at what the Republican Party has become.
They were ticked off. And there was nothing Michael Steele could say to them to make them feel any better about the party. What the GOP is doing to the middle class was beyond anything they could comprehend.
Their anger at Corporate America as well knew no bounds. Fascinating television. Their question: When did public employees become enemies of the GOP?
In 2010 oil production in the US was at its highest level since 2004. It was at its lowest level in 2008.
http://climateprogress.org/2011/03/09/drill-baby-drill-fails-oil-prices-soar-production-obama-barbour-blame/
Pessimism Returns?
I wasn't aware it ever left around here... who knew? ;o)
It's ALWAYS a miserable day in Teapublican Territory!
Land of the BLEAK and Home of the AFRAID!
Happy Earth Day!
Keeth22 -
Joe may not care what you say, but a lot more people on here do. Thanks for your comments this morning and please stop by again - respectful discussion is always a nice change of pace.
Pat although I cannot answer for the GOP, as a taxpayer in I tax huge exception to the public union negotiations and contracts. I see examples like Bell, Ca., and teachers retiring in NJ at 110% of their highest salary, which was over $100,000.
They took and took, and now there is no more for anyone.
We finally got a bright, talented, emotionally healthy President, with an admirable American story, a happy mother-in-law in his house, children we wouldn't mind our kids seeing as role models, and what happens? The Republicans trash him and trash him, with slander, insults "you lie!" and all manner of indignities, and you wonder why the country is pessimistic? I'll give you a hint: what happened on Good Friday 2011 years ago?
Keeth22:
Very well chosen words. Thank you for your respectful comments and thank you for your service.
Hey, Keeeeeeeeeth...Where were you when they were callin' Bush a nazi?
John B, Des Moines, IA
I don't blame the public for being in a dour mood. All around the country the voters elected Tea Party Republicans because they promised to fix the budget, fix the economy, and get people working again. What have they spent their time working on?
Wonderful post. You are right on the mark. Republicans lied to the public.
They campaigned on J-O-B-S. Instead of J-O-B-S we get government hostage taking, religious nonsense, and birthism!!!
Happy Easter
Both "Our President's" and Ryan's Bill add trillions of dollars to the deficit over the next decade. President Obama adds about 7.0 Trilliion. The Ryan Bill adds about 5.5 Trillion. That is a difference of about a 150 Billion per year. The difference is that under "Our Presidents" proposal Medicare and Medicaid will survive. Under the Ryan Bill Meicare and Medicaid goes away along with most of the other Social Programs. That is a fact.
In shifting the costs of Medicare and Medicaid to the elderly and the States does reduce the deficit, hence the difference of the 7.0T to 5.5T, but at the expense of Health Care for the elderly, disabled, poor, etc. This is a bait and switch. They bait the American people in claiming they are lower the defict and then switch out the costs to make it look like that is a fact. It does not solve the problem but only makes somebody else pay for, whomfor many, do not have the resources and hence millions and millions will be left to fend for themselves with NO Health Care.
and here's muffintop1, following the Republican agenda, bashing public school teachers. Just what the country needs! Let's demoralize teachers, the people charged with educating America's little drug addicted, promiscuous, ADHD ruffians. What's next: blaming returning soldiers for stealing our jobs?
Keeth22 - thanks for your post. Although we may not agree with the person in office, we should definitely respect that office the person holds. it is too bad that many of our detractors resort distorting names to what they deem as 'clever'.
Sorry, Navy-
The difference between $7 trillion and $5.5 trillion isn't $150 billion.
It's actually $1.5 trillion.
A subtle, but important difference.
Don't break it down into a per year figure.
It's only an attempt to minimize a substantial, real difference.
Not bashing Amy.
When I was in school in the 1950 we had excellent teachers. They were as dedicated tt he students as any teacher today.
Yet they made far less on an adjusted basis. And yet their students performed better in all subjects by a factor of 10. Money is not the answer, and my frustration with their compensation is not a "bash."
I notice you ignored the part about Bell. Every one of those people was a democrat and public employee.
Navy - As always, a great post. I agree with your points, but would like to add one more. Wall Street and Banking reform. Obama did promise us that, but we are no where closer to getting the regulatory reforms necessary to stabilize the economy and provide protections to the lower/middle classes. Inside Job is a great documentary that explains basically an engineered collapse designed to move financial wealth from the middle/lower class to the top 1%. Unless reforms are put into place to stop this redistribution of wealth, and stopping moves from the GOP/TP that support those types of strategies to unfold, we are, quite frankly, doomed. There is plenty of money available to solve issues with Medicare/Medicaid, the debt, and the nations budget gap issues. We do not have a spending problem, we have a distribution of wealth problem, with trillions going to the top 1% wealthy elite. It is fascinating to me that S&P can downgrade the credit worthiness of the USA, causing market disruptions, yet this is the same group that were paid billions to rate AIG triple A just days before there collapse, costing us billions in bailout money. Without banking/Wall Street reforms, any actions made to balance budgets and reduce deficits will be futile, as we will always be at the mercy of the next collapse and subsequent bailouts.
Pat, Boston, MA
Ed Schultz had a fascinating program last night with two men, one from Florida and one from Ohio. They have left the Republican Party after being life long Republicans. They looked dumbfounded at what the Republican Party has become.
You can bet they will lots more leaving now that they see they been used. Hollow Steele, what I say about Michael except that he is as empty as Jamaican steel drums?
He keeps getting played by the Republicans. The more they play him the more he reverberates pointless, GOP tALKING POINTS. He won more seats than any one and the GOP put him outside like a lawn jockey. Wake up Michael Steele. Dude, they don't want you, unless they can use you; they think you're a tool and a fool.
President Obama: "What matters is not wealth, or status, or power, or fame – but rather, how well we have loved, and what small part we have played in bettering the lives of others."
I see you and I were on the same page. I put that quote in my post #1.1 - Fri Apr 22, 2011 9:17 AM EDT
It is so beautiful to have a President who says what he means; and does what he says .
Happy Easter to you and the girls.
What he said in 2007, is not what he says now. In fact he SAID a lot of stuff - like ending the wars, closing Gitmo, no signing statements, wouldn't cut taxes.
But what he has done has been something altogether different - Gitmo pen, taxes cut, a new war started.
MB:
Read my post carefully (I put it up so you can see it) yes it is 1.5 Trillion over a decade (10 years) what is that per year? I said in my post that the difference is about 150 Billion per year. See above for the proof. If you multiple that by 10 you get 1500 Billion for the decade and since 1000 Billion = 1 Trillion I think my math was correct.
Stop try to put words in my mouth. You sir are a liar and a jerk to boot.
Feisty Redhead Roselle, IL
Pessimism Returns?
I wasn't aware it ever left around here... who knew? ;o)
It's ALWAYS a miserable day in Teapublican Territory!
Land of the BLEAK and Home of the AFRAID!
Happy Earth Day!
Good morning GF Happy Earth Day and Easter!
Yes Indeed, republic/ clowns are pessimistic every day; poor souls.
For sure FR must be miserable today. I can't blame them with all the b!tchin right wing wackos posting insults daily; especially Spanky with his relentless b!chin and gazillion asinine questions to the hosts.
Then the rest of his gang of fools& friends follow suit. I'm telling you pessimism is their joy.
muffintop1
I can't speak to whatever happened in Bell, CA, but I can tell you public school teachers in Maine make an average starting salary of $26, 643.00 and work up to an average of $40,737. The average pension of a public worker in Maine is $19,000, and thanks to our Republican state legislature and Tea Party Governor, these folks are contributing more towards their pension fund than you or I do towards Social Security. (Which Maine teachers cannot receive, because that would be double dipping.) From my point of view, scapegoating teachers for state budget problems is ludicrous.
Pat,
Pat,
What programs don't people have access to today?
College loans--still millions out there.
Social Security--well those today still have it, but won't be there for me more than likely--not without reform.
As of right now, there are still VA loans, USDA loans, FHA loans to purchase homes--which our President has said--"some people are better off renting".
Keith22,
Not that I always agree with people bashing the President--anyone on here has a 1st Amendment right to use whatever terminology they like, as long as they are not slanderous or libel.
I don't see you asking those on the left to stop their comments on John Boehner--always calling him the "weeper of the house" or other terms. This man also took an oath of office to protect and serve our constitution. Or is freedom of speech just something that liberals are allowed to do--not moderates or conservatives. Any and all federal employees, including our military take an oath to uphold the Constitution of the United States. Yet you complain about one person.
Does that make you a hero or a hypocrite?
Ron Indiana
Pat:
Great post. I enjoy your thoughtful comments. Have a great weekend.
I agree Pat is the voice of reason and one of the non-cantankerous adults posting here.
Go Bosox and Celtics
What can you say about the Pacers and the Bulls? (smiles)
From The Obama Diary:
Bob Cesca: One of the most often-overheard refrains from the Republican Party and its far-right base is that President Obama is the worst president in American history….
But what does this say about the men and women who are noticeably hesitant to officially announce their candidacies for the Republican nomination?
…At this juncture in the 2008 cycle, most of the major Democratic and Republican candidates were underway with their official campaigns…
…If what they’re all saying were true (its’ not), why are they so clearly afraid to run against President Obama: a president who they claim is some sort of gelatinous, terrorist, girlish, treasonous, Eurotrash socialist, gay, Kenyan constitutional usurper?
There are several reasons why the Republicans are dithering … First, Republican voters are more convinced about the wacky birth certificate thing than they are about their preference for a nominee…
…Economic growth is up, and has been steadily growing since the passage of the president’s recovery act. President Obama successfully appointed the first Hispanic female Supreme Court justice which invigorates a growing Hispanic demographic. Unemployment is slowly declining. The stock market is up, thus stabilizing 401(k)s and mutual funds owned by middle class Americans. And despite what the Republicans say, the president and the Democrats cut the deficit by $122 billion last year: the largest single-year decline in the deficit in American history. The list goes on and on. As soon as the Obama 2012 re-election campaign gets cranking on these accomplishments, the mostly unpopular Republican candidates will be almost totally neutered…
…There’s one last reason why the Republicans are so cautious about declaring their intentions. They’re cowards. And they’re self-debunking the mythology that modern Republicans are bold, brave “Reagan-ish” leaders. They’re cowards and so they’re moving at granny-speed rather than light-speed to run against the president – a real leader onto whom they’re projecting their dithering and indecisiveness.
Not that I’m complaining.
___________________________________________
I always thought Republicans were cowards. It's why they badmouth everybody they consider "below" them. It's because they themselves are about as low as you can get. They are selfish, with little regard for their fellow American citizens. So they ridicule them. It's what high school bullies used to do. Or should I say, grammar school bullies used to do.
Starve the poor but please please please protect me!!!!! Don't cut the defense budget. Please!!!!!!
Funny isn't it how Republican supporters were willing to see the poor and elderly go without health care. But now that social security is being targeted.
Well, they just won't have it.
Cowards. Zero integrity. Zero. If Social Security is saved, it will only be because of the President and the Democrats.
US Navy-
It is you that didn't read and comprehend MY post. Therefore...I won't call YOU a liar in this instance. And, I'll let others decide whether or not you're a jerk.
Your attempt to minimize a $1.5 trillion overall difference by breaking it down into a per-year number over 10 years is a laughable attempt to conceal the fact that President Obama's debt reduction "outline" falls far short of either the President's own debt commission plan or Rep. Ryan's plan in terms of effectiveness.
It's merely an amateurish attempt at sleight of hand...not to be taken seriously.
Similar to the President's initial 12-year debt reduction time window...that one didn't fly either.
Ron & Beverly, I have a sports bar directly across the street from my home. The first two Celtics games were quite quiet over there. No crowd. No anything. I was surprised. But there isn't a lot of confidence in this year's team. If we beat the Knicks, we have to face Miami. They're looking old.
I hope to see a great crowd over at the bar tonite. The joke going around is the Celtics have better closers than the Red Sox do. LoL.
Best of luck to all playoff teams-hockey & basketball.
muffintop1
What he said in 2007, is not what he says now. In fact he SAID a lot of stuff - like ending the wars, closing Gitmo, no signing statements, wouldn't cut taxes.
Oh my Goodness. Gitmo would be closed if Republicans hadn't stirred up hysteria from states not wanting Middle Eastern prisoners in their prisons. If our President had closed Gitmo, you'd be wailing about that.
Our President has recalled thousands of soldiers from Iraq, maybe you missed the news. He extended the tax cuts in a deal with the Republicans. You bet those taxes on the wealthy will rise during President Obama's second term.
Now, let's talk about what the Obama administration has done: repealed Don't Ask Don't Tell, so gay people in the military don't have to hide their identities, bailed out GM to keep America's automaker from going brankrupt and taking a whole region down with it, extended unemployment benefits to keep families afloat during the worst of the recession, inspired democratic uprisings in the Middle East, passed historic legislation to curb the excesses of the health insurance industry, so you and I don't lose our coverage when we get sick, and so that parents can insure their young adult children up to age 26, etc. You cannot argue with any of his achievments, he's one of the best President I've seen in my lifetime (hats off to Bill!)
To save it, you have to do something about it. What are Obama and the Democrats doing about it? Oh, sure, Obama talks a lot about it. Been doing so for 5 years or so. Talks about that it "Needs to be saved", just like he talks about the "Debt/deficit being a problem". But he offers no solutions. None. Paul Ryan has a plan to save Medicare. Where's Obama's and the Democrats plan? The Republicans have presented a plan for the debt/deficit. Where's Obama's and the Democrats plan? It doesn't exist.
Obama is great at the populist rhertoric, "Were gonna do something" says Obama. Oh yeah? When?
To all:
1
Judge not, that ye be not judged.
2
For with what judgment ye judge, ye shall be judged: and with what measure ye mete, it shall be measured to you again. Mk. 4.24
3
And why beholdest thou the mote that is in thy brother's eye, but considerest not the beam that is in thine own eye?
4
Or how wilt thou say to thy brother, Let me pull out the mote out of thine eye; and, behold, a beam is in thine own eye?
5
Thou hypocrite, first cast out the beam out of thine own eye; and then shalt thou see clearly to cast out the mote out of thy brother's eye.
Amy, thanks for an excellent response. It seems that some people will be unhappy with whatever the President does. And they will continue in ignorance of the facts. Sigh...
Bev in Chicago
If Trump is so good at bankruptcy, that make him the best candidate to follow Obama as the liar in chief and congress are taking the country into bankruptcy. Trump seems to have been able to still make a lot of money, maybe he can find a way to kept us from being a serf nation to China.
RevDevPS:
Good point I did not think of Financial Reform as well. Consider it added and thank you for bringing it to my attention.
Drop my more often you have a lot to say that needs saying.
Happy Easter
No matter how much we tax the rich, it will do no good if the tax loopholes are not closed up. They will just find another way to get around paying "their fair share" which is in actuality often zero.
Judge Joe:
I'm so sorry that this post was collapsed because it's the best laugh I've had all day.
A few weeks ago, conservatives like YOU were proclaiming that whatever uptick there was in the jobs picture was solely owing to the fact that Republicans took over the House in the fall elections, giving business renewed confidence.
Just a few days ago, Republicans were claiming a major victory by getting all those budget cuts as part of the deal to avoid the shutdown. That, you all told us, would surely be a stepping stone to turning the economy around.
And now you're claiming that it's President Obama's fault that there's still doom and gloom.
WHICH IS IT, JOE?
Speaks for itself, indeed. The only thing that speaks for itself is your inclination to twist facts to suit your own purposes on any particular day.
Res ipsa loquitur.
To Whom it May Concern:
Newsvine is acting flukey. My computer keeps telling me my Internet Explorer is closing the webpage, specifially when I go back to read comments, after posting my own.
Also, ever since they added the older/newer tabs (which I do not use) it's very hard to scroll up and down comments on the page. The page jerks, get's stuck, etc. Me no likey newsvine.
My favorite off-topic story of the day is about Scott Walker's second embarrassment in three months as governor over a nepotism-style hire of someone whose qualifications to do the job as register of deeds are questionable, at best, and who was chosen over other more experienced candidates.
http://www.jsonline.com/news/statepolitics/120331509.html
But maybe the best part of this story, which appears to be overlooked here, is that it's entirely possible that Walker's appointments manager violated federal law by rejecting the #1 candidate solely after learning that she had a bankruptcy in her background. In the article, they more or less admit it.
Yet another case that I wish would walk in my door.
A BIG ditto to Amy's comment, but it only happens on my PC at work, and not my MAC at home.
I see you write derogatively about the president and his policies and I agree with somethings about what you say about his policies, but as a retired military man and now I work as a DOD employee it rankles me every time you call him barry and blatantly disrespect the office of the President of the United States or the Commmander in Chief.
I know you do not care what I say, but think about that when you demean the president you are really bringing us all down.
______________________________________________________
Gee Keeth, do you feel the same way about the lefty liberals that spent 8 years calling GWB names and disrespecting his office?? I noticed some of the regular FR lefty liberals patting you on the back. Do you think any one of them didn't disrespect GWB by calling him "W" or "the Bushies" or far worse names?? What about the petulant childish behavior of the departing Clinton admin staff that removed th "w" kay from White House keyboards. Do you really think the regular FR lefty liberals didn't snicker about that one??
Sorry, payback's a bitch.
BTW, thank you FR lefty liberals for collapsing my post above. Just one more example of those famous words from Jack Nicholson in A Few Good Men: "The truth!! You can't handle the truth."
Navy,
Imagine closing the loopholes and deductions.
Our President had an earned income of $1.7 million last year.
He paid about $245,000 in taxes--about 27% of his earnings after deductions.
Now without deductions & loopholes--him being taxed at 17%.
He would have paid $289,000 in taxes at a lower rate--$24,000 more than he paid--almost as much as the $22,000 foreign Tax credit he got.
Seems simple to me. But the wealthy in congress will never go for it.
Good Grief!
That response is right up there with neener - neener - neener!
But... but... but... those mean old lefties do it to!
Sorry Joey - EPIC fail! ;o)
While you're at it, would you explain to us why POLITENESS drives you righties bat sh!t crazy?
Feisty,
When have you ever been polite?:)))))
Come on BigBear - you know I have my moments! ;o))
I still don't understand why, compliments & encouragement, are equivalent to a 4 letter word with the right?
A few weeks ago, conservatives like YOU were proclaiming that whatever uptick there was in the jobs picture was solely owing to the fact that Republicans took over the House in the fall elections, giving business renewed confidence.
Just a few days ago, Republicans were claiming a major victory by getting all those budget cuts as part of the deal to avoid the shutdown. That, you all told us, would surely be a stepping stone to turning the economy around.
And now you're claiming that it's President Obama's fault that there's still doom and gloom.
WHICH IS IT, JOE?
_________________________________________
I did say and do believe that divided govt after the 2010 election has given businesses renewed confidence to invest in expanding their businesses including hiring new employees. I never said it was the sole reason. Other things like the passing of the fears of an economic collapse also played a big part.
I never said the budget cuts were a "major victory" and avoiding a federal govt shutdown would "turn the economy around". The cuts were puny in the entire scheme of things with a $1.5 trillion deficit and we have survived federal govt shutdowns many times before.
If you go back and reread my post you will see that I'm not blaming Barry for the "gloom and doom". I'm only saying the numbers are bad for him. Fairly or unfairly, every President gets credit or blame for things ouside of his control.
As far as the collapse of my post, thanks and see the BTW to the other FR lefty liberals in #1.56.
As far as the Latin goes, I'm not one of those guys that gets a thrill from women talking dirty to me.
While you're at it, would you explain to us why POLITENESS drives you righties bat sh!t crazy?
__________________________________
THAT'S PRICELESS coming from the NASTY Redhead!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
HAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHA!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Keeth22
@Joe in Albany
If you do not have enough respect for President of the United States, his own citizen he has sworn to protect, that just gives the Hugo Chavez and Achmeninejad's of the world the right to say what they want to and get away with it. You undermine american society and it is wrong.
I know you do not care what I say, but think about that when you demean the president you are really bringing us all down.
Keeth22
That was so beautifully written it almost brought tears to my eyes. I hope Joe in Albany talks your heartfelt advice.
Joe if you do read this I want you to know I didn't like Bush's policies, but I tried my best to not give all the disrespect you constantly do. I was born in this country and am proud to see so many foreigners come here because of our values and freedoms.
If someone from another country would said something bad about Bush I would not allow it because this my country. As much as I disliked Bush's policies I always felt no one had the right to criticize our President.
To me it felt like someone was coming into my house and disrespecting me so why should I help them disrespect me.
Joe, evertime to you post a snide remark that is the help you give the rest of the world. people from all over read this.
Umm,
W and his campaign issued BUMPER stickers with just the W on them.
How is that offensive?
Chris, Cranbury(?)
I have mentioned several times this week that perhaps we need a 1/2% consumption tax - date certain, expiration set in stone in order to pay down the Chinese Express card (and other national debt holders) exclusively.
I am not a fan of VAT tax simply because it is complicated to administer; but this debt reduction thing might work,...
Joey demanding respect,...now THAT is priceless. Thank goodness it's Friday! We're cutting out early here,...hope FR is, too!
Big Bear The Obama's paid 4,53770.00 in taxes last for 2010 and gave 2,45075.00 to charity.
LOL, rough week for the lefties! you seem very tense and angry, maybe some rest over the weekend will help. So many words with so little value to the article was about (do you remember what the article is about?).
Being an indepentant, I can see NO difference in tatics between left and rightwing politicans; they both do what is in the best interest of themselves (how to get votes) at the expense of doing what is right. The American people will take the side of which gives them something, not really caring about what is right or wrong.
America is a reflection of its people, this can be good or bad.
Happy Earth Day, Happy Easter.
In God I trust
Feisty,
I know you have your moments.
I just know, what's good for the goose, is good for the gander.
4 letter words are easy for us conservative people to understand, and we know they are bad:) Remember we ain't very educated, according to some on here:O))))
Salt,
did I get my numbers backwards. I am sorry. Then he would have paid less in my scenario--but would have been easier to do.
But when you start figuring the total number of millionaires & others, it does come out to be more money for the federal government, in the long run. Because, most of the rich are at 16% according to MSN. Where as our President actually paid more than most at his level would have. I bet he skipped a bunch of deductions, so he could stay above 25%. JMO
But he was allowed to deduct 14% from his taxes for charity.
Opps. ran out of time Joe in Albany
Trying it again...
Joe, every time you post a snide remark about your President that is the help you give the rest of the world to disrespect our country. People from all over the world read this blog.
Believe me, what you do ain't pretty. It really makes US look bad.
So try and take keeth's advice. If you can't respect the President at least Respect yourself.
The pessimistic views of those polled in the East and Midwest probably has more to do with the weather than anything else. This very long winter has made everybody grouchy. Let's get a week of warm weather and sunshine and take the poll again.
Big Bear, I was just saying sometimes your a little off with the facts. Your point is understood, even though I can not benefit for the largeness of the tax breaks for the wealthy, I do support a break for charity.
MB:
I went back and reread your post and I was in error. I apologize for calling you a liar and an jerk. You are neither and in this instance it appears i am the jerk.
You did not lie, I misread the post and I do apologize as the mistake was mine not yours. I am sorry.
As much as I disliked Bush's policies I always felt no one had the right to criticize our President.
________________________________________________
Um, Bev, you might want to get out your copy of the Constitution and look up the First Amendment.
Hey Navy, are you still around?
I was hoping to engage you here for a minute. First of all, I am not a republican. I have never voted for a presidential candidate that has won. That being said here is what I want to discuss.
Most of your points are completely valid. Everything you mentioned are huge issues that need to be adressed by Congress/The President. But I feel like you, and not to the extent that Feisty and Bev do, spend a great deal of time trying to place the blame squarely on the repubs. shoulders for everything that is wrong. Certainly the Republicans have overreached and in my opinion are being far to obstinate and uncompromising. I mean let's face it, there are more than enough moderate democrats to make up the defection of TP freshman if they would just bring some more centrist bills to the floor of the House. Those bills would likely be signed by President Obama as well.
However, the republicans are not solely to blame for the problems and partisanship in the current political atmosphere. I have found that the favorite argument of posters on both sides of the politcal spectrum is "yeah, but your guy (fill in the blank) first/also! Politicians of both sides are constantly worried about how their vote will effect their ability to solicit campaign contributions in order to get re-elected.
Which brings me to my point. I did not see any mention of Campaign Finance Reform in your initial post. (If you mentioned it further on I apoligize, I wanted to respond) In my opinion, CF reform would go a long way to allowing lawmakers to adress many of the more important issues that may be politically toxic. I have some ideas on budget/entitlement/debt/deficit reduction, but they don't matter because the politicians will NEVER make reasonable changes that are agreeable for both sides of the aisle. Things will get far worse before they ever get better. If you don't have any response.... Oh well, it seems the hardest thing to find on this forum is people who will engage in honest discussion without getting defensive.
"He's a politician, He's not to be trusted." - Obi Wan Kenobi
Polls Schmolls! ha ha...you're right Navy Retired, polls don't count unless they are favorable to Obama. The stuff you, Bev and Feisty write is so ridiculous I don't know whether to laugh or throw up.
The American people are realizing what a fiscal mess we are in. I think this poll reflects their bleak outlook.
Navy-
Very gracious of you to say that...and this isn't the easiest venue in which to display grace.
I appreciate it, and will do my best to remember the decency of your gesture.
Thanks.
Really?! Pity that. ;-)
GeronimoJackson:
Thank you for your kind words and I totally agree with you on the CF. I also am 100% behind you in that this mess is not a one party show. Both have had their grubby little fingers in creating this mess. We no longer have the luxury of pointing fingers at the past, we need to concentrate on where we go from here. Very nice post thank you and you have a Happy Easter.
MB:
I thank you for pointing out my mistake. I will surely try not to do it again to you or anybody else. I did exactly the thing that I call others out on and I should have been called out for it as well. You have a great Easter.
Joey demanding respect,...
__________________________________
Clarabelle, where did you get that from?? I'm here only for the entertainment. And believe me the FR lefty liberals are very entertaining!! If you want to highlight a poster who craves respect, then you should look at the one that is always reposting her nasty collapsed posts and, who spends lots of time boot-licking and a$$-kissing the FR writers.
Beverly in Lala Land:........"It is so beautiful to have a President who says what he means; and does what he says."
Yeah, right !! This rhetoric is a complete distortion, falsehood, and a LIE. How about Mr. Obama's campaign speech:
Maybe Mr. Obama could get his White House Aides to pay their back taxes, along with other Congressional representatives and Federal WORKERS:
Or maybe Mr. Obama could explain why the Federal Government paid out improper payments of $ 125,000,000,000 in 2010:
Then, ask Mr. Obama why he meets with Trumka weekly and will not have sessions with some of this cabinet members:
Yep, he talks with a forked tongue and attempts to do what he wants.
The old campaign rhetoric "Obama is gonna pay for my gas, mortgage and 'letric" ain't going to cut the mustard anymore. His nes campaign slogan will be: "A FREE Chevy Volt for everyone who votes for me."
GeronimoJackson, I hope you don't mind if I chime in as well. I believe one of the biggest issues in our political system, and one which we spend precious little time actually addressing, is the money that floods our system.
You are correct, it's poisonous to the entire process, not one party or the other. Politicians are FORCED to spend huge blocks of time gathering funds for campaigning, which is time that would be better spent educating themselves and listening to their constituents.
To the extent that fundraising has become a substitute for listening to constituents it greatly distorts the process. Only those with the most money are heard, and it's reflected in legislation. It its most severe manifestations I have no trouble comparing it to bribery.
There is too much money in politics on both sides of the aisle. Unless we address Campaign Finance reform we will continue to have candidates that only serve special interests.
Thanks Navy. and Agreed John B.
I have to believe that some people get in the game from a guenuine wish to due their civic duty and represent their constituents, but the money required to do so soon colors their behavior and for many changes who they are actually representing.
Anyway, I do half day Fridays and it is (amazingly) a really nice day here in Oregon. Have a good weekend all. Happy Easter and all that.
Some comments
Excellent starting thread Navy. Very thoughtful. In answer, some things are simply appropriate. For example, Social Security Old Age. As earnings are far more than even a decade ago (with the exception, of course of those being paid minimum wage) removing the cap on which earnings contribute is simply a rational solution. The biggest difficulty facing SS is not really the "baby boomers". For the first time, we are facing substantial numbers of disabled children, in particular, children with autism. Without a substantial investment in early interventions and medical treatment, too many of them will be lifelong consumers of public support. Being involved in that epidemic, firsthand experience reveals states are trying every means possible to deny that early intervention and appropriate holistic medical care because they were unprepared for the numbers of those affected (the count, based on figures from 8 years ago is 1% of all children). While the projections on the baby boomers are in error (people do not live forever as the statistics seem to claim), this population is going to keep the need for services and support high. The Idaho governor signed an executive order eliminating Medicaid in the state of Idaho. How that plays out will be interesting. What the Obama plan did was prevent private insurance from dropping or excluding those children, and forces the insurance companies to pay a minimum percentage of premiums received on the payment of claims. For states trying to oppose the plan, and for those attempting to repeal it, it is the only thing at this time preventing the full burden of these children from falling on the taxpayer and/or their families and communities until someone figures out the trigger(s) for the condition.
Other comments: The Obama plan to reduce the deficit is a 12 year plan. Truncating that plan by any device in order to make a comparison to Ryan's is ridiculous. Its apples and oranges. Ryan makes no investment, Obama does. Fit Ryans plan into a 12 year timeline and see what the projections say for year 11 and 12 after 10 years of no investment in education, infrastructure and technology and an additional 2 years or senior poverty if one wants to have a 10 year comparison, then put them side by side.
The average senior "uses" about $12K per year in Medicare covered services. The average senior collects $13K in Social Security. A $5900 voucher under Ryan effectively decreases that seniors income to $6100. Anyone who thinks that average senior will find housing and independant living possible on $6100 is delusional. Anyone who thinks there is enough time between now and when that plan would become (theoretically) effective to make sufficient private investment to offset the difference is likewise out of touch with reality.
Small business start-ups. Small business is a major missing piece of the recovery, and it has nothing to do with taxes. The average age of aa small tech business owner is 39, the average age overall of small business owners is 50. Traditionally a startup is funded by an assortment of cashing out savings, equity & retirement funds, secured lending, informal family lending, angel investors, SBA financing and unsecured credit. ALL of those have been severely affected in this recession. Equity has disappeared, retirement funds have been slammed, unemployment - especially long term unemployment has hit the age group most likely to consider small business entrepreneurship harder than any other age group, Banking has raised the bar on who gets loans and angel funding (while just beginning to rebound) dropped dramatically. The small business owner pays both the personal and the employer share of Social Security and Medicare taxes. All of the GOP focus and Ryan's plan on eliminating that safety net has it's impact as well. Even if someone had the assets to take the plunge, weather 3 years until the profits show, the prospect of losing that security is having a dampening effect on even considering taking the risk. Add to the current stress of raising the cash, the greater loan to value ratio for commercial real estate being required because 40% of commercial property currently securing property loans is underwater. The taxes, taxes, taxes rhetoric the GOP is offering and the threat to the safety net will not stimulate business startups and is having a decided dampening effectand will continue to negatively impact new job growth. This is one area where government does have a role in creating new jobs. Watch where the GOP proposes making cuts in small business lending at the same time they ramble on about the cost of 1099s. Punching a key on a QuickBooks page to generate a 1099 costs nothing. Creating a plan to impoverish people in the age 50+ bracket will cost a bundle.
Have a good weekend all.
Gramma that is outstanding analysis. It isn't that the GOPTP favors business, it's that they favor BIG business. It isn't that they favor the comfortably well off, they favor the fabulously wealthy.
The avenue you described is traditionally one of the best means of upward mobility in America. Conservative policies have already significantly crimped that by favoring Wall Street over Main Street. Since the election they've upped the ante considerably and barely try to hide their war on the middle class.
On Second Thought...
Mixing Pessimism and Good Friday is a First Read way to end the week. Great!!
The only pessismism I ever see is how the media continuously sells Doom and Gloom and gets paid for it.
President Obama makes his case to Facebook. It’s incredible that his financial allies are willing to cooperate to make the country better. The Republicans, however, collude in the dark with their billionaire buds attempting to hurt America. What’s done in the dark will be brought to light.
I’m glad the president is willing to show his financially gifted peers how he would like for them to help with America’s investments and future. Having FB as a launch pad and as a means to communicate is a sign of innovation in the day of technology that will bring the world closed together.
Republicans would give their own mother away to be able to have a grounded relationship where they could operate out in the open without having to go behind America’s back to try and destroy her.
The Republican States of America looks like a smoldering ash of desolation with a Confederate Flag waving over a Yellow Flag spray painted with the words, “Don’t Tread On Me”.
Our growing America still has the Flag of the United States of America that has 50 stars and 13 stripes.
I think I will go with the latter.
United We Stand, Divided We Fall
Good Friday
President Obama makes his case to Facebook. It’s incredible that his financial allies are willing to cooperate to make the country better. The Republicans, however, collude in the dark with their billionaire buds attempting to hurt America. What’s done in the dark will be brought to light.
I’m glad the president is willing to show his financially gifted peers how he would like for them to help with America’s investments and future. Having FB as a launch pad and as a means to communicate is a sign of innovation in the day of technology that will bring the world closed together.
Republicans would give their own mother away to be able to have a grounded relationship where they could operate out in the open without having to go behind America’s back to try and destroy her.
The Republican States of America looks like a smoldering ash of desolation with a Confederate Flag waving over a Yellow Flag spray painted with the words, “Don’t Tread On Me”.
Our growing America still has the Flag of the United States of America that has 50 stars and 13 stripes.
I think I will go with the latter.
United We Stand, Divided We Fall
You do not suppose that pessimism stems, in part, from S&P downgrading the outlook on our debt, do you? As moody's has been warning for a year?
Or the disastrous Middle East policy, which, along with domestic drilling policy that reduced our output 13%, has caused gas prices to skyrocket?
Nah. Better to focus on his wonderfulness- just ignore those pesky details.
Oh, and what about the lack of a GOP challenger? See, if they thought he could be beaten, they would be running for the podium, right?
Wrong. It is just another example of the media love affair with Obama.
Usually, the first debate among candidates from the party out of power occurs in late January of the election year. This year, some nitwit decided it should be done in May of this year. Oops. No takers.
Anybody on this board care to guess when John Kerry announced his candidacy for the Democratic nomination?
September 2, 2003.
Ronald Reagan declared himself a candidate on November 13, 1979.
To be fair, Bob Dole declared on April 10, 1995. The winner for jumping the gun goes to Jimmy Carter- he declared in December of 1974- two years before the election.
The point is that the only thing unusual about this election cycle is Obama's starting his campaign this early, and the media's desire to continue to prop him by insisting that candidates declare on THEIR timetable.
Then again, the media loveliest with this president is so disgraceful, it is a wonder they still bother writing anything but "Obama wonderful. No negatives. Vote Obama", while wearing their team Obama tee shirts.
Does not seem to be helping him in the polls, however. Strange how reality keeps intruding into the fantasy, is it not?
Amy, enough with the comparing Obama to the real Messiah. Oh- and you got your dates wrong, too. He was not crucified just after He was born.
Nice job calling all school children drug addicted, promiscuous ADHD ruffians. I sure hope you do not have any children in your family that you are called on to care for- with that attitude, I would not allow you near my cats.
You might just want to go back and read my first post on April 7- wherein I detailed the economic conference I had attended in Italy. Just a few weeks later, S&P acted on the results of that conference.
Obama is a disaster as president. No amount of fan love can change that.
He never should have been elected in the first place.
oh heck, no joe, no bo, nj, I always assumed A.D. was after death, but I was wrong.
I am not wrong about this: President Barack Obama is one of the best Presidents in my lifetime and Republicans have slandered him and his family since year ONE of his presidency. This should have been a high point in American history, a gifted young President following one of the most unpopular, the First African American President, instead all we hear is birther nonesense and Tea Party hysteria. Negative, Negative, Negative!
Amy,
ITAH!
All you're doing is feeding the beast... from the sounds of her, she's ravished this morning!
No Joe, the President cannot control oil prices. The market does that. The solution is not to drill everywhere. How would YOU like a well in your back yard? Or a spill lapping at your doorstep?
As for the beginning of the Presidential race, various Republican candidates have been going at it since last year. I will agree that campaigning starts far too early, but if the race is starting and one wants to be in it...
Finally, if you're taliking media lovefests, why is it you fail to mention Palin? Or Trump?
Look at how quickly Conservatives are falling into a hysterical chant of "the chosen one", "messiah", and all the other ridiculous references to the false messiah meme they know so well.
What does it say about the failure of the GOPTP that they feel the need to terrify Evangelical Fundamentalist voters by renewing a ridiculous yarn about the President of the United States being the antichrist? http://o.bamapost.com/
Conservatives just don't believe they can compete on a level field of ideas and honest dialogue. Instead they find it necessary to frighten people, anger them, doing whatever is necessary to make voters too emotionally to think as reasonable adults.
oh heck, no joe, no bo, nj, I always assumed A.D. was after death, but I was wrong.
I am not wrong about this: President Barack Obama is one of the best Presidents in my lifetime and Republicans have slandered him and his family since year ONE of his presidency. This should have been a high point in American history, a gifted young President following one of the most unpopular, the First African American President, instead all we hear is birther nonesense and Tea Party hysteria. Negative, Negative, Negative!
#2.4 - Fri Apr 22, 2011 10:25 AM CDT
Amy:
What are you 19? We all understand that you love this man's dirty drawers but history has not been written on either of these POTUS you mention.
In 20yrs or so let's see if you will make that same statement.
JohnB:
PLEEZE......man that is some of the most exaggerated lefty upchukk I have ever read. You lefties tend to exaggerate a lot. Liberals take EVERYTHING to the extreme and your point man is fat azz Ed Shulze.
Amy,
I am pretty sure that Ronald Reagan, even though he tried to look young, followed the worst President in modern history. But you might be too young to know that. Only history will tell us where Bush 2 & Obama will rank. Depends upon how they clean up the history books.
Heck, there are some people that didn't think Hitler was that bad, until he invaded Poland.
BigBear JimmyCarter was not the worst president in modern history. That is a lie that has been propagated by the republican party. If the country had listen to Carter and developed a national energy policy and cut goverment spending, we would not be in the situation that we are today. I would say Nixon was the worst president of modern times.
Salt,
I lived through both of them. I personally measure a President by the income that I earn during their terms in office.
I started working in under Nixon--Made money
Under Carter--made some--but lost a lot.
Reagan--made more money
Bush 1--made more money
Clinton--made even more money
Bush 2--made money--but had to move to make more
Obama--making money--but had to move again to make it. But am in a happier place.
Salt,
I also get going way to fast, and the first number that pops into my head is what usually gets typed out. I try and double check my numbers/facts. The problem with my photographic memory is that it sees in 3D while I am only 1 dimensional.
Louis J, Obama has financial allies but the GOP has billionaire buddies? You're completely. I've seen some foolish things posted here but you are the king of stupidity. Who do you think spent $35800 a plate at Obama's fundraisers? He is in big bankers pockets. He's there boy-toy and does exactly what they tell him after he's done s*cking them off for millions of dollars.
Hey Louis J,
Ditto regarding the media. All they talk about is doom and gloom and trot out every Republican talking point. To hear them tell it, the world as we know it is coming to an end. Much progress has been made and we are on the right trajectory. You simply cannot undo the past eight years in 2.5 years. This recession was so deep it is going to take way more than even two terms of President Obama. The Republicans would have more credibility if they would just admit their part in this cluster instead of pretending it all happened as of January 20, 2009. And this birther crap is offensive to say the least.
He is a damn good president and I support him wholeheartedly-even if I do think he compromises too much with the Republicans-because when he does, they want more. That is no way to govern. But I understand why he does it-the more people who are better off, the better off we as a country will be. He is willing to compromise in his efforts to help the country. That is something the Republicans could learn from but I will not hold my breath.
He is a breath of fresh air. I support him 100%. PRESIDENT OBAMA 2012!!!!!!
BB
You'll appreciate this joke:
a dyslexic walks into a bra,...
Clara,
Love it.
Now if I could learn to take'em off. (The Bra's)
yeah, my husband thought this was as funny as I did and he 'ran' with it:
"Funny joke, Cross My Heart"
"Breast joke I've heard all day"
We are easily amused; but it was pretty funny. Some days just are.
"If we don't have a serious plan to tackle the debt and the deficit, that could actually end up being a bigger drag on the economy than anything else."
So said President Obama in California yesterday in response to a question about why the conversation in Washington seems to be focused on budget cutting and not job creation. Good grief, does this guy finally get it? Does he finally understand the linkage between getting our fiscal house in order and future economic growth? Does he finally understand that the Republican push for fiscal sanity is inextricably entwined with enabling better economic growth and the job creation that ensues from that growth?
Not likely. Because the president has also expressed his desire to maintain a "social compact" in this country. A "social compact" that requires us to continue spending massive amounts of dollars we don't have. Good grief again. Have you no shame, Mr President? Or is it that you just haven't figured out yet that in today's news game you can't make blatantly contradictory statements and get away with it. So when you stroke your spend-until-you-drop base in one breath then acknowledge the fiscally constrained box Republicans have put you in with the next breath, the folks take notice.
And what they notice is a standard politician who wants to be reelected. A man who has shifted into campaign mode and will say anything to suit his purposes of the moment. But you can't have it both ways Mr President. Because you're either for the austerity required by fiscal discipline, or you're for the continuation of the profligate spending of the welfare state. Which is it?
Let's see, Senator McCain is in Libya working a deal to bring peace to the country. Rep. Canton and Speaker Boehner are working on the debt ceiling legislation. Rep Ryan is working on the 2012 and beyond budgets. The Gang of Six in the Senate, 3 Democrats, 3 Republicans, are working on the fiscal problems of the country.
And Obama is cruising the west coast, campaigning and fundraising, telling people what they want to hear, not what they need to hear.
So who really works for the American people?
Not the GOP/TP, they work for the Koch Brothers, Karl Rove and the US Chamber of Commerce. Why do you think they are having meetings. They are planning their next move on how to overthrow democracy instead of making plans to create jobs, stimulate the economy or improve education.
The country has become increasingly pessimistic.
The Republicans have been ruling the airwaves with dire predictions of doom and gloom, spreading slanders on our current President and florid demagoguery about the need to dismantle Medicare, Medicaid and Social Security, for heavens sake. And we have one guy, ONE GUY, one Barack Obama, out there holding up the flag for optimism. What do you expect the country's mood to be?
Think he'd have that same optimism, if he had to personally pay for the gas going into his limo?
So true Navy.
Don't remember where I first heard it, but...
Republicans fall in line! .......blindly over the cliff!
Democrats fall in love! ......
...that said, "Practice Random Acts of Kindness"
I am pretty convinced that no one (Dem or Rep or the American people) is going to really address the country's fiscal train wreck until some outside force(s) give them no other choice. Essentially, it will take a crisis like the inability to sell (worthless) Treasury debt to fund our trillion dollar deficits. I have been diversifying my IRA accounts to non-US, non-European mutual funds to prepare for what I think could be an economic sh!tstorm that will make the last couple of years look like a summer picnic. When something like that happens it's going to be a contagion that will affect the global economy. The difference is that the western countries are going to take far longer to come back than the rest of the world. I hope it never happens, but, I don't see much in the foreseeable future that argues against it.
Today we are all Libyans?
Amy, there is a difference between what you call optimism and delusional thinking.
When the house is on fire, turning down the thermostat will NOT help.
If you have appendicitis, putting on a happy face will not save your life.
When the outlook on the country's debt has been downgraded due to delusional thinking, and gas prices are astronomical, the Middle East is in chaos, and the economic outlook is grim, no amount of happy talk will fix any of those things.
Reality. It bites.
He is an incompetent, Amy. You and a dwindling few continue to share his delusion that he is somehow successful. The rest of the cir try has woken up.
There is no serious plan on deficit reductions that does not include some tax increases and loop hole reform along with reductions to favorite sons programs(otherwise called Pork). The Ryan plan is not serious because it is a plan to reduce taxes for the rich and spending for the poor. It will not actually reduce the deficit. Any plan that goes beyond two years is a waste of time, because in twoyears the whole of government could be radically different. I do not think any plan beyond two years has a snow ball chance in hades of being fully implemented.
I suppose they are our proxy. After all we are funding their civil war at the moment.
Joe in Albany:
You may be right, that thought has crossed my mind. Lets hope not.
Happy Easter
Bill Fairfax VA:
The social compact that you sneer at is that the people will pay enough to enjoy living in a modern Western civilized society. The deficit was created by the Republicans' disastrous "starve the beast" strategy during Bush's years of misrule. Reversing them would go a long way to solve the problems. And as the employment picture improves, more people will be paying those odious taxes Repubs loath rather than collecting unemployment checks. And as much as the Repubs may hate and fear it, the employment picture is improving.
You may be right. One big reason you may be right is because the prevailing attitude of the public is "cut the budget" on the one hand but "don't cut my Medicare, etc" on the other hand. And one big reason that attitude prevails is because our leaders aren't doing a good enough job of explaining just how bad our problem is.
I like Ryan, he understands the problem and is trying to do the right thing. But he can come across as a policy wonk and those kind of people tend to put a lot of folks to sleep. Obama is a much better communicator, but he has chosen not to communicate the true depth of the problem.
So whenever I see the leftists around here chortle that polls show opposition to the austerity of the Ryan plan, I just roll my eyes. These dopes would rather all of us go down with the Titanic rather than having a competent captain steer us away from the iceberg.
JoAnnaSmith1:
Bush traveled around the country raising campaign money and trying to sell his scheme to privatize Social Security. Clinton traveled around the country to attend political events, too. Is there a different standard for presidents who happen to be black?
Bill
We've got a "captain" who prevented the Bush Great Recession from turning into the Bush Great Depression. That was a pretty big ice berg we missed. The real dopes are people who think that Ryan's alleged "plan" to cut the already low taxes on the rich yet again isn't going to steer us right back toward that ice berg.
Not this early, Houston, although you cannot be blamed for not knowing that.
As I recall, a little while ago, the writers of this blog were self-flagellating over people not knowing that HCR had NOT been repealed. Said it was their fault- they had not reported accurately or effectively on the status. I was actually surprised, and advised them to take that view of a lit of issues-
This "historic, unprecedented" jumping into re election campaign mode is a case in point.
Interesting point Houston. I wonder if Obama gets a pass on the Gas prices, Gitmo, wars and all the rest for that reason.
It really seems to be a different standard. Whatever the reason is, it really is a different standard.
True enough Houston, Obama is treated differently with respect to gas prices, campaigning, the wars, the debt/deficit, and the debt ceiling. With gas prices, the newsies had breathless and endless criticism of Bush when prices reached $4/gallon. Pelosi bitterly complained of "oilmen in the White House making profits from their oil buddies". Today, there is no focus on Obama lack of an energy plan. On campaigning, Bush at least campaigned in the year the election was held. It's April/2011 - 18 months from the election, and Obama is in full campaign mode. Bush took a beating, mostly from Obama on the wars. Since that time, Obama has continued the Iraq war, increased the Afghanistan war, and is escalating the war he started in Libya, the media ignores this to, all this coming from the Nobel Peace prize winner. On the debt/deficit, Obama says it's a problem, but does nothing but make plans for more of the same spending, the media ignores it. On the debt ceiling, as a Senator, Obama spoke harshly about raising it in 2006, but today as President wants a clean bill. The media ignores that too.
It's interesting that to the libbies, the standard of achievement is always Bush, who they claim is the "Worst President Ever". You'd think they'd ask more of Obama. I guess "Second Worst President Ever" is good enough for them.
So tell us Houston, you brought up race, does Obama get a pass because he's black?
Here we go again with the distortion that the Ryan plan wants to cut taxes for the rich. In fact, what Ryan is proposing is to cut ALL tax rates AND eliminate loophooles. It's called lowering the rates while broadening the base. And it's not a new idea, it's an idea that's been out there for a while and that has support from both Democrats and Republicans. But this idea must be too complicated for the more doltish leftists around here to understand. Either that, or they're deliberately lying. I wonder which it is.
There just isn't any reason to even consider the Republican budget seriously. Cutting the social safety net to pieces in order to fund yet another round of tax cuts tilted predominantly toward the wealthy and large corporate interests is unecessary, unproductive, unfair, and simply a nonstarter.
Well, I guess we'll all just have to wait for the Democrats budget.
Any day now . . . . . . . .
I am really tired of all this garbage of the ryan plan denying citizens of medicare. Who just put $6.7 billion back into medicare because his healh care plan took it away from seniors and all because his advisors said it would affect democrats in 2012 detrimentally. President Obama. Who while many in this country are suffering and we have a debt/deficit problem gives billions to libyan rebels and as of yet we are not even sure who they truly are, all in an attempt to get rid of Kaddafyi. Money that could go to reducing the debt/deficit. President Obama. Who started another worthless investigation into gas prices fraud and manipulation with Holder creating a task force (months down the road Holder will blame republican speculators and opec). Ironically he can't even stop the fraud and manipulation in his own administration but because this will affect his reelection he has to do it. President Obama. A few years ago when gas went up to and over $4 a gallon, everyone was all over President Bush blaming him for rising gas prices, yet when he left office it was down to around $2 a gallon depending on where you were. Maybe Obama should ask him what he did? Who didn't go and visit the devastation in North Carolina but elected to campaign and party on the west coast and Hollywood liberals. President Obama. Yet when Gov Blanco would not allow the feds into New Orleans after katrina who got the blame, President Bush. Yet no one in the media is even saying anything about his failure here in N.C. Who is preparing despite all the rhetoric against it is to put boots on the ground in Libya. How, I live in a town which houses one of the largest Marine Bases in the States, and the troops say they are getting ready for the possibility of Libya. President Obama. I agreed with his strike to get kaddafiy and that hasn't changed yet I don't want troops on the ground especially if they get caught in the middle between kaddafiy and the rebels. Who has kept most of President Bush's policies in place despite his railing against them, including wiretapping. President Obama. I read all the posts about CEO's getting huge salaries and bonus's and all the liberals complaining about that obscene amount of money going to these people and they blame republicans for being for the wealthy, yet wasn't there a PAY CZAR appointed by President Obama to curtail all this. Why hasn't he done his job or is it that the President and Democrats are going to reap campaign money for the 2012 election. You may not like Ryan's plan but hey isn't that part of the process to work on a plan make changes etc to come up with one that works for all. The president's plan is no better and saves considerably less than he stated in his campaign speech, does that then make him a liar, incompetent, confused or did he just add wrong, misspoke whatever. No matter what the left or the right argue about, the 2012 election will come down to an individual's pocketbook. If gas prices continue going up and economic growth starts to decline because no one can buy because of gas and food prices, who is going to get the blame, clue for liberals it won't be President Bush. President Obama and democrats and he will not win. Now if they go down and growth goes up his chances are considerably approved. Some people here don't think the polls matter yet if they were positive they would be touting them. USNDR you started early polls scmolls etc congratulations for using the Nancy Pelosi talking points, she pretty much used the same words in her statement.
Tea Party representative on the Daily Rundown first thing this morning, talk about pessimism!!
That Amy whatzhername talked fast and loose.......saying nothing but the talking points!
Blame the host for allowing the talking points.
Although if they were really going for hardcore pessimism, they would just pan the camera on the debt clock. Tick, tok.
 I think the olny way you are going to get a balanced budget is for us to elect more Tea Party politicians. Those can be Republicans or Blue Dog Democrats. I think the country is soured on the career politician model. We have a big chance to solve a lot of issues in 2012. A new President, Senators, Representatives will be a great start....   Vote for common sense in 2012!Â
74% of Teabaggers do not want Ryan to play around with "their" medicare. How does that make them different?
You always hear from the Republicans -Tea Baggers, that the American People have spoken. Then how come they don't listen?
Pat we are at the point where it doesnt matter "what we want". We need real politicians who can make spending descions based on the reality of "what we have". Forget about getting re-elected. I think the Tea party gives us the best chance for that....
Patrick Salt Lake City - Why do you insist on using such abusive and narrow-minded terms as "teabagger?" It is not productive and it pigeon-holes the liberal constituency as the most hateful and bigoted. It makes you look like some Southern '50's democrat.
Moderately Pleased & Perplexed
Maybe because Michelle Bachmann was dangling a tea bag when she congratulated New Hampshire for (not) being the site of the historic Revolutionary uprising that happened in Concord, Massachusetts? (Love her visual aids.)
Spending money we do not have. Like over a 150 Billion dollars a year for tax cuts (income, capital gains, and estate taxes) for the richest 2%. Like subsidies to big oil and coal costing 50+ Billion dollars. Are these the monies that you say we cannot afford??
Olny a Liberal considers the government not taxing some one an expense..... People Expenses are the money you spend. Revenue is the money you take in. Have you been nursing off the Government nipple so long you've forgotten how a budget really works? Like I said we need fresh politicians who no what expenses really are and respect where the revenue comes from...... VOTE FOR COMMONSENSE IN 2012!
Navy CANNOT be that stupid.
I assume he is an adult. I assume he functions in society. It would therefore be impossible for him not to know the difference between a tax and an expense.
Unless his only "income" is a government check of some form.
Very sad.
Navy Disabled is in fine form with his liberal talking points today.
Never under-estimate the inaneness of a liberal.
I can see him and people like him marching in the streets just like the people of Greece and Portugal . Crying Where are my entitlements? Why didnt someone else save for me? When will other countries bail us out so we can go on living like grass hoppers? Let's fix this country now. Again the Tea Party doesnt have to just be Republicans it can be Independents and Blue Dog Democrats. VOTE FOR COMMON SENSE CANDIDATES IN 2012!
I see the Queen of hate, JS1 is now on the scene.
USNDV
So if we actually taxed the rich the 150 Billion and taxed the "Oil" companies the 50 billion that you mention, do you believe that that extra 200 Billion will fix our financial problems? If I heard correctly, we are "TRILLIONS" in debt and we spend TRILLIONS more each year. For that matter, instead of just collecting the extra 200 Billion that you say the rich don't pay, let's double it and collect 400 Billion. Will the 400 Billion pay for 3.2 Trillion in deficit spending this year? I think we need to spend less.
US Navy, do not pay any attention to the steaming piles of hyperbole that you see below your post. If nothing else, we should be eliminating subsidies to industries that are making record profits. Why is that allowed to continue?
Pietro,
I agree with you about the subsidies. Why has the president or the Congress not done something about this? How much subsidies are we talking about? Will it be in the Trillions so we can pay off the debt?
Your right Pietro we need to eliminate alot of subsidies. In 2012 VOTE FOR COMMONSENSE POLITICIANS WHO WILL DO THAT FOR YOU..
Correction Job1 - JS1 is only a' rookie' in waiting!
The nut job from NJ retains the title of Queen of Hate!
At least for now... ;o)
Eliminate the subsidies and the entire "green" industry will immediately disappear. I am surprise Peitro you would advocate that, on "earth" day of all times.
GE - it brings good things to life while paying no taxes, a subsidy in and of itself.
Pietro, the easy answer to your question is that Immelt is a FOO- Friend of Obama- and, therefore, the recipient of preferential treatment.
It's amazing what GE did with a few million in payoffs to the right politicians. They parlayed that into billions in savings from not having to pay taxes because they bought favorable tax treatment. Now that is wise investing on their part.
The amazing part is GE really has fooled the Pietros of the world. They just love all the green stuff, but don't realize it literally steals from us.
JC in G - if we were REALLY serious about dealing with debt and deficits, that would be the easiest thing to put on the table. We are also NOT collecting about $1 BILLION in fees for mining and land rights. We have had the Defence Secretary states that he could cut $200 BILLION from his budget and still be able to operate. We have had the GAO say that we could save $200 BILLION by eliminating redundancies in Government.
I mean, if we were serious about cutting spending, why are we not looking to do the EASIEST things first? Without even trying, I have identified one half TRILLION dollars that we could be working on right now, without cuts to anything else.
So if a blogger like me can identify that kind of money for savings, why can't our elected officials?
The fact of the matter is this - we are NOT serious about cutting the budget. The GOPers and the Tea Partyers are more interested in regulating a woman's vagina that dealing with that is TRULY needed in our country today.
The 2 TRILLION in revenues from taxes should be at least 2.5 times that (that means tax breaks should be eliminated for the 2%, the tax code revamped, and the Corporate Tax receipts increased from the $800 BILLION now to at least $1.6 TRILLION) to be able to think about dealing with the deficit.
Eliminate the Department of Homeland Security and let the Airlines police their own damn planes. Eliminate the tax subsidies for Oil and Gas producers - it is not like they need a 'stimulus' now, since they are making record profits - in the BILLIONS - per quarter. I think that we need to have legislation that all excess revenues are used to pare down the deficit.
Period.
SO when are we going to start getting serious about our debt and deficits?
Big accusation, muffintop. How exactly does efficient utilization of natural resources "steal from us"?
Pietro, Keep in mind when we are talking about this Budget were talking about the government. They can't cut spending it's foreign to thier culture and beliefs. The olny way to make the government stop spending is for tax payers to stop funding. We need a leader in this country who will encourage healthy able bodied people to take care of them selves and plan for thier own future. I'm afraid all we have done the last 2 years is encourage more people to be dependent. 2 years unemployment, 26 year olds staying on thier parents health insurance etc. In 2012 we have a chance to fix America! LET"S DO IT!
What?! Are you serious?!
Pietro,
I think you started off with the right idea and then went south. First of all, 200 Billion plus 200 Billion plus 1 Billion = 401 Billion; about 20% short of your 1/2 Trillion total. The GAO study points out 80+ programs for improving teachers. If we were to follow their advice and cut even a single one of these programs, I fear the general outcry from the left would be "You are stealing from the education system! You just want all the kids to be kicked out of school!" Another part of the GAO study points out redundancies in military spending, we can't count these twice, so the 200 Billion from the DOD that you mentioned may not be accurate.
Then you threw in the red-herring about regulating vaginas. While this is an important social issue, it has very little to do with budget problems. The headlines I have been reading are about Ryan's budget, not about his vagina proposal.
Next you mentioned that the 2 Trillion in tax revenue should be 2.5 time that and you stated this could be accomplished by increasing taxes on the top 2% of taxpayers and doubling corporate taxes. Again these numbers do not add up. By quadrupling the taxes that the top 2% pay, we still don't get to the numbers you are talking about and 130% taxes for people making huge sums of money should seem a little unfair and impractical to even the most liberal. Pay more than you make?
As far as the Homeland security budget, by doing away with the Homeland security, one example is that the U.S. Coast Guard would not be funded at all. I agree that airline security should be funded by the industry itself, but Homeland Security does more than just pat people down at airports.
I still agree that subsidies for profitable oil and gas companies should be stopped. I don't know what these amount to, but any amount that the government (me and you) is giving to them seems ridiculous.
The final thought that I have that may be my own red herring relates to taxing businesses more in general. Many businesses that make a profit are publicly traded companies. Lots of 401k plans invest in these companies. I know that my 401k does. By limiting these companies ability to make a profit, the 401k plans will not grow. I plan on using my 401k money for retirement as I am pretty sure that there will not be much if any Social Security money for me to live on when I retire.
I believe that increasing the revenue to the government will help in some ways, but the bottom line is that the government needs to spend less money than it takes in. The idea that the government will simply take in more money to keep up with spending is crazy. In my life, if I were to get so far in debt as the government has, I could not resolve the problem by telling my employer they had to give me a raise, I would have to spend less.
Home land security is a new department created by a republican president. We had coast guard and all of the other agencies that now fall under homeland security before there was homeland security.
Salt Grass,
Is what you are saying:
A Republican president identified a need for the country and used the existing resources we had in place to streamline the process? Are you saying that Homeland Security in itself does not cost the government any more money because we were already funding each of the individual parts of the program?
The point was, by eliminating HS, we would not simply save all the money allocated to it. Do you disagree?
JC in G - fair enough. I should have put 'almost' in my post. As far as the $400 BILLION I was referring to, it was the $200 BILLION that Secretary Gates has identified that he could save in the Defence Budget. The Other $200 BILLION I was referring to was about redundancies in Government Agencies, which the GAO has published.
Agreed - that is why I put that in my post. We are SUPPOSED to be talking about the budget, but all we hear is everything BUT the budget. I, personally, am sick of hearing about how GOPers and Tea Partyers want to make 'defunding abortions' and repealing 'Roe v. Wade' a budget issue when we should be concentrating on dealing with the debt and the deficit.
Maybe I didn't word it correctly, but my point is that we are only taking in $2 TRILLION in Revenues (1.2 Trillion for income taxes and $800 Billion for Corporate taxes) and we should be taking in $5 TRILLION (or something close to that). The $800 BILLION we are taking in in Corporate taxes are too low; that amount should be on par with or more than the taxes collected from regular people. With that being said, the taxes collected from the regular people are at $1.2 TRILLION; I have NOT advocated that the rich pay 130% more in taxes, but they certainly do NOT deserve to pay less that everyone else (comparatively speaking). That $1.2 TRILLION figure, if there were no tax breaks, would probably rise to be about $1.7 TRILLION or so. If we can reform out tax code and make it equitable for all, and get the millions out of work back to work, I think we can attain the $5 TRILLION I posted.
I disagree. We had the Coast Guard funded as a part of the Defence Department before Homeland Security, and it probably should be refunded through the Defence budget. Homeland Security is a boondoggle that really doesn't protect the 'homeland' any more than what we had prior to 9/11.
I disagree. Companies know that there are fixed costs that are a part of doing business, and these costs are factored in to their expense and product structures. If the companies know up front that there is a cost to do business in the United States, and that cost is to be a good Corporate citizen and contribute to the welfare of the Country that your company is based in, then what is the problem? I am sure that the CEOs of the companies that are looking to maximize their profitability will do so and use whatever vehicles that are available to them. However, WE live here in America, and WE have to make sure that WE have a country that we can live in. By allowing Companies to suck all of the investment capital from this country, we are allowing the decline of THIS country. The companies wil pull up stakes and move when it it is advantageous for them; where are YOU and I going to go when there is no country left?
You really have no argument with me here ONCE we have reached sound financial footing. Until then, I want the Government to invest as much money as it can in things that will benefit America and AMERICANS. We had no problem taking $700 BILLION and pumping it into the banks so that they will not fail, so why do we have such a hard time pumping $700 BILLION into AMERICA to make sure America does not fail? The 'stimulus' did not do the job completely because 33% of it was tax cuts; so, in effect we pumped approximately $540 BILLION into the economy, even though most economists said that the number was too low. We are seeing that the economists were right - the recovery is tenative because we did not stimulate enough.
I appreciate your post, JC in G. Thanks for responding.
Obviously we have a difference of opinion in who is responsible for paying the tax bill. I can accept that we may never meet on this. We both believe that a growing economy is good for people as well as the government. We disagree on how to get there. I can live with that too.
I disagree that the Coast Guard used to be funded by the Defense Department; it was part of the Transportation Department. But I get your point. I also disagree that the Homeland Security department has done nothing. I have noticed that we have not had buildings blown up and/or thousands of civilians killed by Islamic extremist since the department was created. I think there are still Islamic extremist groups that would like to blow up our buildings and kill Americans if they could, and the the Homeland Security department has been responsible for some, if not all of that protection. It is pretty hard to prove what might have happened. Kinda like saying that "We saved a bunch of jobs that might have gone away."
Peitro, you and I are at pretty opposite ends of the political spectrum but we can find some common ground and discuss the issue in reasonable tones. Heck, we even agree on billions of savings we could make and billions more in tax revenue. Too bad our elected politicians can't do the same thing.
By the way, I am pro-life but think a woman should be able to choose what goes on inside her uterus or her vagina. I just don't want to pay for her mistakes, and I think we can agree that: "Oops, I got pregnant, so I need someone to pay for my abortion." is a mistake.
Have a great weekend
JC in G - I couldn't agree more. I guess this exchange goes to show you that we have more in common than we have differences. Too bad we are in an 'us v. them' mentality in this country.
You have a nice weekend as well.
LouisJ
Good Friday
President Obama makes his case to Facebook. It’s incredible that his financial allies are willing to cooperate to make the country better. The Republicans, however, collude in the dark with their billionaire buds attempting to hurt America. What’s done in the dark will be brought to light.
Happy Earth Day and Good Friday to you LouisJ
Wonderful, you post says it all!!!
The Lord said let there be light. It shinning through the muddy waters here in Usa
US Navy Disabled Veteran - Retired
Good morning Navy
Loved your post
Isn't it strange how we can liken Good Friday to the GOP/T-bagger and "Ryancare" and their draconian economic and social plans?
On Palm Sunday Christians celebrate the triumphal entry of Jesus Christ into Jerusalem, the week before his death and resurrection.
The GOP/T-bagger celebrated their mandate too as they rode a metaphorical donkey to Capital Hill.
Today the
GOP/ T-baggers want to crucify the middle class with "Ryancare", tax cuts for the rich, destroying the middle and poor working classes and union, government ownership of gays and women bodies, and slashing education and food for our children .
I am not familiar with the GOP seeking to take an ownership interest in gays. THat's a good one.
Please Mr. Trump run for President. Your Country needs you. (And so do the Democrats) LMAO.
Good morning Tom, and Amen to that.
This simple subhead nicely demonstrates one of my pet peeves with our current style of media coverage. Instead of news being relayed as bad or good for the COUNTRY, everything is covered in a crass and political fashion. And then, you wonder why we are all in a pessimistic mood? Really?
Everything that happens in the entire world can somehow be boiled down to "good or bad for "Obama"" . . . instead of the coverage of the BP oil spill being about how it happened, how to stop it, how to prevent it in the future, we got "Obama's Katrina", "Obama" wore the wrong tie in the wrong office and gave the wrong speech.
Every issue, we get this phony psychoanalysis of "Obama", and we are told how we feel about "Obama", using polls where no one ever asked us a damn thing.
I'm starting to think that really, there is no cure for it. News these days is basically a glorified gossip column. There is no real venue for reality based policy discussions, and probably not enough folks who would watch it if there were.
I am feeling pessimistic these days, but it isn't because of "Obama" . . . it is because I am watching my country trying to deal with very serious problems using very unserious approaches. And our current "both sides" style of political coverage gives weight to stuff that is just not weighty.
So we waste a lot of time repeating the same stuff over and over again, with the goal to confuse folks just enough that the will resist any change, even if it helps them.
And then we wonder why our country is falling behind on the world stage. Yeah, I know. . . it's "Obummer's" fault.
*sigh*
Nashville_fan
So we waste a lot of time repeating the same stuff over and over again, with the goal to confuse folks just enough that the will resist any change, even if it helps them.
And then we wonder why our country is falling behind on the world stage. Yeah, I know. . . it's "Obummer's" fault.
*sigh*
Yes ma'am *sigh* is right. H*ll Naw it can't be. The President is doing a good job.
With A Stroke Of His Pen Obama Strikes Back At Citizens United
This means that all companies that sign contracts with the federal government will have to report on the personal political activities of their officers and directore. This would include ALL contributions, expenditures to or on behalf of federal candidates, parties or party made by the bidding entity.
http://www.politicususa.com/en/obama-citizens-united
Thank you, Mr. President for all that you do DADT; financial reform. pell grants etc, above all for stay cool under immense pressure.
Oh oh oh oh Wonderful!!!
I would be remiss if I didn't wish you and the kids a good time with the Easter bunny
Happy Easter.
Great post Bev . . . I hope you have a very Happy Easter as well! :o)
When did the Daily Rundown last have a spokeperson from a liberal group on? Media Matters, Daily Kos? The Nation? Anyone?
You are free to change the channel. However the current narrative is what it is - taxes and budgets. Those groups you name are not credible on the current narrative. 2008 and 2009 are long behind us.
What's the Daily Rundown? Sounds like a Monster Truck that wants to run over the little guy by glorifying Republican Hedonism. With due respect to your post that is.
Muff. And the conservatives who gave the country worst recession since the great depression, are?
In my readings on Kos, Nation and other progressive sites they are not the ones talking about debt reduction. That's the tea party, which is why Rundown lead with a tea party rep.
We can certainly debate cause, but the fact is we are in a big debt hole. Something drastic will have to be done.
Republicans have discovered the debt hole they dug us! Call the AP!
You'd think they'd have noticed all that dirt flying upwards during eight years of invading Middle Eastern countries in search of Bin Laden.
The rich are getting richer the rest of us are getting poorer. How can this be good for America?
How sadly unoriginal. That refrain has been stated literally since the start. Take a look at greek and persian literature.
Muff. You obviously have no answer.
The is no answer. There will always be rich and there will always be poor.
But I didn't see your answer. Maybe I missed it.
You also missed my question, it was about the rich and everyone else, not just the poor. You can not believe the disintegration of the middle class is good for this country? Or do you?
It certainly is not, but there is little that can be done.
I just don't see everybody suddenly not shopping at WalMart anymore.
Plus NAFTA sure was not help, yet Obama just NAFTA'd more countries. Not helping.
Jesus had the answer...
Matthew 26:11
"The poor you will always have with you, but you will not always have me."
seems apropos...
Perhaps all you Liberals forget that Socialism and Communism have no Middle Classes.Remember Animal Farm?"All animals are equal but some animals are more equal than others".In it,workers have the equality of drone bees while the "elite".like Obama and Pelosi,libve in the Dachas,shop in the finest stores and don't have to stand in long lines to buy a loaf of bread.
Always having poor with us will never resolve us of the responsibility to treat them fairly.
Matthew 25:31-46;
31 “When the Son of Man comes in his glory, and all the angels with him, he will sit on his glorious throne. 32 All the nations will be gathered before him, and he will separate the people one from another as a shepherd separates the sheep from the goats. 33 He will put the sheep on his right and the goats on his left.
34 “Then the King will say to those on his right, ‘Come, you who are blessed by my Father; take your inheritance, the kingdom prepared for you since the creation of the world. 35 For I was hungry and you gave me something to eat, I was thirsty and you gave me something to drink, I was a stranger and you invited me in, 36 I needed clothes and you clothed me, I was sick and you looked after me, I was in prison and you came to visit me.’
37 “Then the righteous will answer him, ‘Lord, when did we see you hungry and feed you, or thirsty and give you something to drink? 38 When did we see you a stranger and invite you in, or needing clothes and clothe you? 39 When did we see you sick or in prison and go to visit you?’
40 “The King will reply, ‘Truly I tell you, whatever you did for one of the least of these brothers and sisters of mine, you did for me.’
41 “Then he will say to those on his left, ‘Depart from me, you who are cursed, into the eternal fire prepared for the devil and his angels. 42 For I was hungry and you gave me nothing to eat, I was thirsty and you gave me nothing to drink, 43 I was a stranger and you did not invite me in, I needed clothes and you did not clothe me, I was sick and in prison and you did not look after me.’
44 “They also will answer, ‘Lord, when did we see you hungry or thirsty or a stranger or needing clothes or sick or in prison, and did not help you?’
45 “He will reply, ‘Truly I tell you, whatever you did not do for one of the least of these, you did not do for me.’
46 “Then they will go away to eternal punishment, but the righteous to eternal life.”
The good laughs I get is when I read some of these so called conservative posts and soon discovery that these authors are truly out of touch with reality and lack some real serious knowledge on the topics at hand.
Many of these people on the right are not given any real tangible ideas from their base of what they would do to improve our country, if the far right gained complete control of our government. There stance is based on intolerance and in many cases a hate brought of by the real far right extremist, with no plans to run the country once they get elected, Their followers are so filled with lie-fed hatred they don't demand people in charge that has a plan to solve our countries problems, other than go back to the failed policies that damaged our country in the past, such as deeper tax cuts for the rich.
One simple fact that proves how out of touch the conservative are, is the large percentage of Republicans-Tea Baggers that believe that President Obama was born in another country.
Really, do you want these same people making policy for our country?
What Job1 said - just replace the word conservative with liberal.
But otherwise it was a very insightful post, because all conservatives are out of touch. Clearly.
Good things we have regular elections.
Job1. Ignorance on the part of of the republican base is what people like Trump and Palin count on. The sad part is the "liberal media" is complicit in keeping them ignorant.
Yes indeed Patrick.
"One simple fact that proves how out of touch the conservative are, is the large percentage of Republicans-Tea Baggers that believe that President Obama was born in another country."
One simple fact that proves how out of touch the left is, is the large percentage of those liberals who have no qualms about using a derisive crude sexual reference: "tea baggers".
This reflects badly, not on those Tea Party activists, but on the hateful Left.
Bob. Being offended is an art form perfected by conservatives. Once again, when I use the term Teabagger, It is to identify a particular political group, it has zero sexual connotation.
Stop the name calling of the President and calling Health reform, Obama care and I will stop calling the Tea Party, Tea Baggers.
If you treat the President with respect and stop the unfounded name calling, I'm sure his supporters will also lighten up. It works both ways.
LMAO! Good one Patrick! ;o)
The POUTRAGE from the right is hysterical!
Maybe if one of them had bothered to do some 'homework' they wouldn't be in this particular 'pickle'!
Generally I stay away from matters of faith on FR, but given the theme of today's post it bears mentioning that for followers of Jesus the world was never darker than it was on Good Friday.
Sometimes that's what it takes to make a change.
If these "BUMS" in congress/senate were serious this would have been done yrs ago ...
So Meet The Press is going to have a republican conservative and a democrat conservative on the show this Sunday? No need to record that sucker.
You really seem to be upset with NBC's choice of programming. Perhaps you should watch less television.
Your problem is going to be the rightward veer as gas goes up, deficits rise, and debt explodes. The shows, like Rundown this morning, are simply a reflection of the country's mood.
Is there something about exploitation by big business and speculative markets that would lead anyone to believe that Conservatism's love for Laissez-Faire economics is the answer?
Nice attempt at spin, muffintop.
A first thought or two for April 22nd - Earth Day:
"As we watch the sun go down, evening after evening, through the smog across the poisoned waters of our native earth, we must ask ourselves seriously whether we really wish some future universal historian on another planet to say about us: "With all their genius and with all their skill, they ran out of foresight and air and food and water and ideas," or, "They went on playing politics until their world collapsed around them."
Did someone just say that this past week? In response to discussion of defunding the EPA, perhaps? Or maybe it was from Al Gore's "Inconvenient Truth"? Nope - U Thant, former Secretary General of the United Nations, said that back in 1970 - talk about foresight.
On a lighter note, the next year, when he declared Earth Day to be an international celebration, he also said:
"May there only be peaceful and cheerful Earth Days to come for our beautiful Spaceship Earth as it continues to spin and circle in frigid space with its warm and fragile cargo of animate life.”
If we can't be peaceful and cheerful with each other today, could we at least do something kind for the planet we share?
JoAnne in PA
Your post is like a breath of fresh air on this blog today. Happy Spring! Happy Earth Day!
You libs seem just ignore the facts. The nasty truth is our government in the last 40 years has built an entitlement welfare state that now spend more on entitlements SS, Medicare, welfare, Medicaid, cell phones for the poor, education for illegals, food stamps, unemployment benefits and many many more give away programs, that we as a nation take in. In other words you morons this is un sustainable. We as a nation are being destroyed by electing officials because they will give us something. The public worker unions vote for libs because they will give them free health care and ridiculously high pensions. The poor will vote for libs cause the libs give them free food, health care education etc., this has been a systematic vote buying plot for decades.
 Now we have a dishonest president who is a product of welfare and entitlements, who thinks everyone, should now stop being a productive member of society and allow his huge government to take care of them. He is not the only president to be blamed for this he is just the worst. He has done more to accelerate the demise of America than any president in history. Having said all that, we as a broke nation what is the first part of his agenda, he spends billions paying back his unions, media friends and all those who got him elected and call it a stimulus. The next part of his agenda is to create the largest entitlement program on the planet Obamacare. Where the hell do you think he says is going to get the money to pay for this new give away, from the rich and large corporations.  What is he going to do when he finds out the rich and large corporations if taxed 100% can't pay for all his programs. If he tries this my fellow Americans, there will be no more rich people in America and there will be no more large corporations here either.
When that happens your President will have achieved his ultimate goal, the redesign of America into his new world order.
Governor Rick Perry, who at one point in 2009, said Texas had the right, and increasingly a good cause, to secede from the United States, has made a request for federal assistance to help Texas fight increasingly destructive wildfires.
Perry said: "I urge President Obama to approve our request quickly so Texans can continue receiving the resources and support they need as wildfires reman an ongoing threat."
Perry's request comes after several Emergency Disaster Proclamations, which the Texas governor began in December of last year, to deal with the severe threat of Texas wildfires. According to FEMA, Texas leads the list of states asking for federal aid to assist with declared disasters.
Continue reading on Examiner.com: Texas Governor Perry asks President Obama for federal assistance to fight fires - National Political Buzz | Examiner.com http://www.examiner.com/political-buzz-in-national/texas-governor-perry-asks-president-obama-for-federal-assistance-to-fight-fires#ixzz1KGKcQbFI
___________________________________________
Tyler Texas, this is for you if in fact you are from Texas.
Glad to see the government helping you guys out. You hypocrites. Screw everyone else, right?
Pat:
Very true post. They constantly trash "Our President" and the government and then they are first in line asking for help. Hypocrite does not even come close to describing their governor.
entitlement welfare state
...for CEO's of corporate America!
Did you know that the average American salary has declined to $33,000 a year from $33,400 of twenty years a go while average CEO salary has risen from $2.82 million to $11.8 million?
Well said, Amy. The GOPTP are the kings of socializing risk while privatizing profit.
...for CEO's of corporate America! Did you know that the average American salary has declined to $33,000 a year from $33,400 of twenty years a go while average CEO salary has risen from $2.82 million to $11.8 million?
Amy B. Correct me if I am wrong but did not President Obama appoint a PAY CZAR to stop this. Guess he failed on that czar.
US Navy Disabled Veteran - Retired
Pat:
Very true post. They constantly trash "Our President" and the government and then they are first in line asking for help. Hypocrite does not even come close to describing their governor.
and the President trashes the republicans and then has to ask for their help for the debt ceiling and more. Seems they are all hypocrites from both sides.
Scary czars, Daddy, scary czars!!
Thanks for the $4 gas, nObama
Did you thank Bush when it got this high?
Or, did you wait until after he crashed the world economy to reduce demand for gas?
It's a beautiful day in the neighborhood, a beautiful day for a neighbor, would you be mine? Won't you be mine?
Ah, it's a beautiful day here on the prairie. This is LAND RUN day in Oklahoma where we celebrate the opening of the unassigned lands to settlement in 1889. The radio stations are all playing the state song ("Oklahoma" of course from the musical of the same name) and we're enjoying a beautiful prairie Spring.
Warm, a little windy, and a chance of storms later. Isn't life wonderful?
Then I peak out the window onto the FIRST READ playground and a huge mud-fight is underway. Some children are crying. Some are chasing others with big globs of mud in their hands and a few naughty boys are peeing on each others legs. RSVP-5-Oh has collapsed and so has Joanna. Sigh. Some things never change.
But it's also Good Friday, payday, and the weekend, all good reasons to smile.
It's Spring and I'm just back from my deathbed so I'm not in the mood for mud today.
Just a couple of thoughts.
The Presidents poll numbers are down because gas prices are up (not his fault) and he is temporarily surrendering the field to the (Groucho) Marxists for the time being. (Remember, whatever it is, they're against it) Negativity is what they are good at and the poll numbers reflect that. It's nothing more than that. Don't get too invested in those numbers either way.
Trust me, I'm a doctor. Been there done that.
The GOP-ologists are all worked up because they still havn't found Mr. (or Ms.) Right. Wow, is that title on the money or what? So, they are prone to act out in frustration. Again, don't get too heavily invested in that either.
It's only about six hours till Coronna-time here on the prairie and I'm already chilled and ready. So, why not just kick back and relax.
Have a Happy Easter if you celebrate it and a safe and relaxing weekend.
Adios Amigos, Hasta luego.
The weakness we show to the world comes from the money people.They do major damage and get a way with it scott free.People of other countries see this and think what a weak society that only helps these people do it over and over again.We have military might but few brains.Those in public office are saying how weak we are and admit it.Get out of office and stop all the worthless words being said.
The use of AF One for these campaign matters is a joke. The cost of running that plane, crew, etc is enormous.Â
Â
Where was your POUTRAGE when 'W' and every OTHER President did the exact same thing?
Nevermind, I forgot, they're white!
Feisty,you're a racist.No one cares what a Presidents race is,just his or her ability to do the job.Obama has clearly demonstrated he is incapable of leading America.
Hope you don't mind if I don't take your word for it! ;o)
Ya Know - I'm Curious why AF One is all of a sudden an issue with the tea baggers?
When, like I said, EVERY other WHITE President has done it and there wasn't a peep out of you...
Coincidence? lol
Again with the race.You leftists just can't win an argument without bringing it up.How sad but I believe that's a side effect of needing Affirmative Action to get into college instead of SAT or ACT's.
Again with NO answer...
Typical! lol
Feisty:
Did you notice his/her answer referred to affirmative action? Is that not a backhanded racist slur.
Oh I caught that Navy! ;o)
Right now I'm enjoying the sound of *crickets* lol
The left can discuss it directly. Instead of by inference and innuendo.
The Birthers have proven that they are Racist. Why because President has a different name that sounds Un-American to them. Some will never except a Black man as President.
The large percentage of Republicans-Tea Baggers believe that President Obama was born in another country.
Really, do you want these same people making policy for our country?
It's fun to watch JoAnnaSmith and No Joe grasping.....grasping and their attempts to deflect and defending the indefensible. I wonder when they'll actually wake up to what the republicans are really up to and that it will destroy the middle and working class if we allow them to carry out their plans.
Look what happened when a few states let the republicans gain majority power and they gained the majority in the house. It only took a few weeks to find out the republican agenda has absolutely nothing to do with what they ran on, e.g., jobs and the economy, and every one of them lied and misinformed to get elected.
The fact is the republican draconian extreme radical middle class destroying agenda is exposed for all to see, an agenda that includes everything except governing, job creation and economic repair.
An agenda that includes cutting taxes an additional 10% for the wealthiest 2%; eliminating Medicare and Medicaid while eliminating all consumer protections in the AFA by repealing the AFA; limiting or eliminating woman's reproductive rights; witch hunts against Muslims; busting unions; cutting programs that benefit women, the middle class, working class and the poor; defunding public broadcasting; defunding Planned Parenthood; repealing laws about light bulbs; defending DOMA; declaring English as America’s official language; measures to reaffirm “In God We Trust” as the national motto; attacking AARP; cutting Social Security; cutting education; eliminating equal marriage rights for same-sex couples via a constitutional amendment; declaring financial martial law on cities and townships and taking over the elected government.
"Look what happened when a few states let the republicans gain majority power and they gained the majority in the house."
_____________________________________________________________________________________________________________
I don't know if your contentions/rant have merit but your characterization of "what happened" brings your credibility into question
The GOP flipped control of at least 19 state legislative chambers Tuesday, a result that gives the party a commanding redistricting edge.
That's quite a lot more than "a few", and the states didn't "let" them do anything, the voters in those states simply exercised their franchise as American citizens, nothing more, nothing less. We will have another round of elections in 2012, and you might or might not like those results better, but that's why we have elections.
http://thehill.com/blogs/ballot-box/house-races/127749-wins-in-state-houses-gives-gop-advantage-in-redistricting-process
babina:
This gets a vote. Great post and stop my more often. Would love to here more about your ideas.
I do have to say it's nice to see all the new bloggers expressing their dismay with the GOP. Despite what the "lame stream" media may be telling us, it does look like the tide is turning.
Obama/Biden 2012 Anyone would be better than the Donald.
or
Trump/Palin 2012 When two wrongs make a RIGHT!
Or try this one
Trump/Palin 2012 When two righties make it wrong
There's a joke in there somewhere and I"m going to keep trying until I find it. :-)
Have a nice weekend everybody.
skip Nicholson, Oklahoma City
How far as the approval rating for the House fallen since the Republican's won a majority of seats?
I do believe they will pop out in China soon.
Amy,
That made me laugh out loud. :-)
I had a vision of Trump popping out in China and lots of Chinese standing around looking amazed.
US Navy, I thank you for your service and appreciate your comment and invitation. I read your thoughtful, thorough and interesting posts often and consider it an honor you noticed mine. I will stop around and perhaps post more often. Again, I thank you.
Welcome to Stagflation. Gee, it really is Jimmy Carters second term. First high unemployment and now inflation. Inflation., using the reporting methodologies in place before 1980, hit an annual rate of 9.6 percent in February. http://www.cnbc.com/id/42551209
Meanwhile, IRS data shows that in 2008, the top 5 percent of earners -- households earning more than $160,000 -- accounted for about 59 percent of all federal income tax paid.
The next 45 percent -- solidly middle-class taxpayers earning between $33,000 and $160,000 -- account for about 39 percent of all personal income tax paid. So thats 98% paid by the top 50% of earners, with almost 60% being paid by the mere top 5% of earners. That's fair???
Look, you cannot tax or cut your way out of the deficit. You must grow the economy.
How to grow jobs, energy, the economy, remain competitive, and eliminate the deficit:
1. Legislatively remove the anti-trust exemption for insurance, The McCarran-Ferguson Act. Then Repeal Obamacare as unnecessary.
2.. Legislatively restrict the wetlands definition of "navigable waters of the United States" in the Clean Water Act.
3. Fund and begin construction of power generation and water supply projects necessary to meet future population and industrial demands.
4. Remove all geographic restrictions on oil and natural gas drilling, and use the power of federal money transfers to the States to prevent States and local governments from interfering with drilling.
5.. Remove environmental restrictions and environmental and social impact requirements for all infrastructure and utility construction for the next 10 years.
6.Cut Federal budget by 10% excluding defense, starting with those duplicative items identified in the 3/1/11 GAO report and Presidents Debt Commission, however, maintain current spending for infrastructure construction, repair and upgrade for the next 5 years. Repeal the Davis-Bacon Act.
7. Reduce corporate tax rates by 50%. Reduce Corporate tax rates by 70% on private utilities and transport companies.
8. Reinstitute significant tax and assistance payments for residential and commercial alternative energy instillations, particularly focusing on residential solar. Use Commerce Clause to force all electrical utilities to be reverse metering.onomy, remain competitive, and eliminate the deficit:
9. Subsidies the further development of electric and hybrid electric cars. Provide significant tax breaks and incentives for the purchase of same, particularly when combined with the purchase of a residential solar instillation within two years of one another. This is no longer a simple market issue, but one of national security as the time to substitution is longer than the economy can withstand when confronted with a supply side shock
10. Eliminate the Ethanol subsidy for any and all processes using foodstuffs. Redirect monies to nuclear and coal. Streamline regulation of new construction of nuclear power plants and provide incentives for same. Open Yucca Mountain as originally agreed.
11. Eliminate any power of the EPA to regulate Carbon.
12. Use the power of the Federal purse to eviscerate Kelo v. City of New London, 545 U.S. 469 (2005) and Tahoe-Sierra Preservation Council, Inc. v. Tahoe Regional Planning Agency, 535 U.S. 302 (2002),
13. Repeal the Community Reinvestment Act.
14. Hold congressional investigations into the roll of the Community Reinvestment Act, Freddie and Fannie in inflating demand and thus prices resulting in the collapse of the real estate market.
15. Build a wall embedded with sensors and toped with razor wire along both our borders, beginning with the southern one. In the name of national security remove all environmental restrictions and environmental and social impact requirements for the construction of same.
16 Pass legislation that all jurisdictions receiving federal monies of any sort are required to enforce all of the laws of the land, including enforcement of federal immigration laws.
17. Restrict the collective bargaining power of State civil service unions in line with the 1978 Federal Civil Service Reform Act
18. Scrap the tax code and adopt a flat-tax that will build the size of the pie (and thus tax revenues) for everyone instead of the Obama class warfare of trying to redistribute a shrinking one.
19. Revisit New York Times v. Sullivan and remove the "actual malice" requirement to improve the quality, objectivity and accuracy of media reporting,
The Real Unemployment Rate: 17.7 %
http://www.huffingtonpost.com/steve-clemons/real-unemployment-shows-u_b_843783.html
It's amazing to me the Republicans ran on creating jobs in the last election and have not passed 1 job creating bill.
pj,do you work directly for George Soros or just one of his sponsored websites?You guys get paid to post by the hour or piecework,by the post?What's the going rate to be a paid liberal scab poster anyway?
pj1776
It's amazing to me the Republicans ran on creating jobs in the last election and have not passed 1 job creating bill.
But, they passed their AMAZING tax cut compromise!!!!
In fact, that is the only thing they've done to my knowledge
LMAO failing to have a factual response IM posts drivel that we have heard so many times it is not worth attention
I can't understand why the 53 Billion is still being set aside in the Budget for High Speed Rail in limited markets.There is not one proposed East to West Coast high speed rail project planned and the only North to South is from New Orleans to Atlanta and up the East coast to Boston.Other than short jaunts like Milwaukee to Madison and Houston to Tulsa Oklahoma(LOL),the rest of the country is sheet out of luck.Scrap high speed rail until the economy improves.
We are just about the only country in the developed world without high speed rail service. I can travel though out Europe with ease and comfort. In this country it takes 5 hours to go from Baltimore to Richmond. About the same driving time during the day time hours. China's new trains travel at 250 mph. What is wrong with our technology.
LOL,comparing the size of Europes rail system to the huge size of the USA is ridiculous.High speed rail is great if you have the money to fund it.We don't,therefore it needs to be put on the back burner and held for a rosier economic time.Right now,Priority One has to be get the deficit in check and High Speed Rail is a luxury,not a neccessity.
Actually, the initial high speed rails in Europe were funded by governments and then taken over by private industry. All recent new high speed rails are private industry.
Fine,lets let private industry develop it here.The American taxpayer can't afford it.
Well, it's a great thing if social pessimism has returned. It means we're starting to use our critical intelligence more and we have the courage to wrestle with the harshness of this reality. When was the last time this happened? Perhaps about 1968. Wow, that's been a long, long time! Finally, we can put the Reagan/Clinton/Bush foolish optimism behind us and focus on drastic, crisis-inducing social change. Man, I feel excited. Don't you? Turns out there is more to life than shopping, spectator sports and 401K plans.
Unfortunately, our attention span is about the same as a 2 year old. Tomorrow they will be concerned about shopping and 401k's. Our sports are not that great anymore.