Obama, Biden task force on middle class

Holcomb R., Florida — Fri, 30 Jan 2009 18:44:42 GMT

More window dressing from the celebrity President.

Obama, Biden task force on middle class

Mossie — Fri, 30 Jan 2009 18:46:48 GMT

Barack should give Joe something he can handle. Maybe start Joe out on keeping the gardens around the White House watered.

Obama, Biden task force on middle class

Nashville_fan — Fri, 30 Jan 2009 18:47:19 GMT

So you can type "Vice President Cheney" but "President Obama" and "Vice President Biden" still eludes you.

Mmmmmm kay.

Obama, Biden task force on middle class

CK - Miami — Fri, 30 Jan 2009 18:48:44 GMT

Joe Biden: "This task force, I might add, which coming out of the Vice President's Office will be a bit unique, will be fully transparent -- totally transparent,"

How long before this statement becomes a lie? I give it a week. Joe will be signing waivers as fast as Obama is signing them to get his lobbyists on his staff.

Obama, Biden task force on middle class

Sherry Russell, Annapolis, MD — Fri, 30 Jan 2009 18:49:13 GMT

I questioning of opponents of "pork" in the stimulus package, I have yet to hear anyone ask how many high school seniors will be looking for jobs in September if Pell Grants are not included; and how many university (those freshman English profs who have to teach at several schools to make a living wage)will be looking for unemployment compensation. From an already laid-off instructor.

Obama, Biden task force on middle class

Jack Webb — Fri, 30 Jan 2009 18:49:40 GMT

Wow, they got a web site. That is so cool.

Obama, Biden task force on middle class

Eric, Salinas, CA — Fri, 30 Jan 2009 18:50:23 GMT

Yeah First Read now we're cooking with gas with a great story about the Dream Team of middle class economic recovery! Finally we have a new team in DC who will help the middle class instead of trashing them and outsourcing their jobs to China. I was so jazzed watching Barack sign three new executive orders wiping away the garbage of the bushwhacker in one fell stroke of the mighty pen without a single negative vote from the repugnant ones.

I am so enjoying watching Andrea Mitchell hold up her "Steele Democrat" sign that she got from good old Tim Russert. I am so laughing that even from the grave Tim can strike terror into the black hearts of the repugnant ones. Better believe that if Steele gets selected as RNC chair he will never live down his trying to run as a closet Democrat.

I can't wait to hear what idiotic denouncements come down from Mount Lushmore when the Obese Obtuse One finds out a closet Democrat is running the RNC. I'm so grateful for Countdown and Keith Olbermann keeping us Liberals and Democrats advised of the nonsense spewing forth from Mount Lushmore, well besides frantic calls for more Viagra!

Prison for rove!

Obama, Biden task force on middle class

Ron Indiana — Fri, 30 Jan 2009 18:52:40 GMT

Earlier, President Obama said Vice President Biden would be the middle class czar. Politically smart? Yes, Economically Smart? Yes. That is the centerist position.

Some will say that is just another bunch of meetings, but it is also true that such meetings are where new ideas are generated. The challenge is always implementing new ideas. With President Obama's focus on responsibility, I expect these will not be "whining" sessions, but a forum for new ideas. Clearly the GOP is moving further behind in the new idea race.

Obama, Biden task force on middle class

nuanced — Fri, 30 Jan 2009 18:53:13 GMT

Like it or not, the strong American middle class was created by the labor movement. Organized labor can help restore the middle class but it won't be enough unless the monopoly powers on the corporate side are reigned in.

Obama, Biden task force on middle class

Palomino — Fri, 30 Jan 2009 18:53:42 GMT

Let me get this straight. Obama and Biden are self-proclaimed "champions" of labor and middle class?

This is the most outrageous, pompous display of arrogant visions of grandeur that I've witnessed.
Even Slick Willie wasn't as self-absorbed as our Prez and his VP. They could be Frasier and Niles Crane, taking credtit for everything and then the wall falls in on them. Clearly Obama and his personal stooge, Biden, belong on some shrinks couch.
Man, what gall.

Obama, Biden task force on middle class

Moon Dawg — Fri, 30 Jan 2009 18:57:13 GMT

Clearly the agenda is in order ... to raise the lower class to become the middle class, paid for by the middle class. Oh yeah, more freebees for the lame and lazy who don't and won't work for a living.

Obama is out for his own crowd and race. That just became real clear if it wasn't clear before.

Obama, Biden task force on middle class

Anna Molly — Fri, 30 Jan 2009 19:01:02 GMT

Republicans ought to be asking why there should be such a thing as a "task force" to find ways to help the middle class. After all, wasn't cutting taxes for the wealthy, busting unions, slashing pay and benefits, eliminating pensions, destroying retirement accounts, and gutting education funding enough stimulus for the middle class?

Pick yourselves up and get going, you slackers.

Obama, Biden task force on middle class

Buyer for Auto Company in MI — Fri, 30 Jan 2009 19:01:20 GMT

The unions are part of the reason why American auto companies are not competitive and they are sourcing everything overseas for cheaper labor or else sourcing to non-union suppliers in the states.

Obama, Biden task force on middle class

Bailey Quarters, Twin Cities, Mn — Fri, 30 Jan 2009 19:09:29 GMT

This story is just for you Eric in Salinas! It's well known that as the middle class goes, so goes America.

Obama, Biden task force on middle class

Anna Molly — Fri, 30 Jan 2009 19:10:49 GMT

Buyer ~ Instead of lobbying for bailout money, maybe your bosses should be lobbying for regulations that will even the playing field by lifting other workers up, not tearing down Detroit autoworkers.

By the way, you're so vain you probably think my last post was serious. It wasn't. Except for the second sentence. That's what republicans have done. Are you proud of that? And how did it work?

Obama, Biden task force on middle class

Martin Rossely, NY — Fri, 30 Jan 2009 19:13:35 GMT

I'm really hoping Obama raises taxes to 70% on everyone. We simply don't pay enough for the common good of the country. The government knows better then us mere mortals on how to spend the money. I put my complete trust in Obama, one of the most accomplished and smartest people I'm ever known.

Yes We Can!

Obama, Biden task force on middle class

Couldn't Have Said it Better — Fri, 30 Jan 2009 19:16:46 GMT

Obama, Biden task force on middle class

Kaye MacFarlane Brigham City, Utah 84302 — Fri, 30 Jan 2009 19:19:48 GMT

LABOR (Unions) is NOT the answer!!!!! Look at what the unions have done for the Auto Industry. Granted, Management has been less than stellar, but the costs mandated by the Labor Unions has been, in my opinion, almost criminal and caused the down fall of the American Auto Industry. Just Look at salary costs, outrageous benefits, and the entitlements. Look at what the Union fees cost the individual employee, the company, and ultimately the general public as the costs are pushed outward onto the end cost of the product.

Labor Unions may have been good in the beginning, but employees have now become sophisticated and envolved in company growth and management. In most cases, company Managers, including top Management have learned that employees are the backbone of the company's success and have learned that the employee needs must be supported. Labor Unions, in many incidents, subvert the coming together of employees and management at a great expense to all.

In my forty-plus years of employment, I have seen all sides of the issues and know that the old ways ARE NOT THE BEST.

Obama, Biden task force on middle class

jawillie, Philadelphia, PA. — Fri, 30 Jan 2009 19:22:46 GMT

The new administration has managed to dig up the deep dark secret that the Bush administration has kept hidden for the past 8 years. THERE IS ACTUALLY A MIDDLE CLASS IN AMERICA!

In catering to his "base" of super-rich fat cats through war profiteering, deregulation, tax-breaks, and all other manner of sneaky, slimy, tactics, Bush left the middle class to its own devices to either sink or swim. Every two years he'd throw out the word "terrorism" or "national security" in order to keep the populace in line, but beyond keeping himself in office, he had very little use for the middle class. Indeed, he held a rather subduded but obvious disdain for it. Hopefully this task force of President Obama's is not just a flash and show photo-op. I plan on visiting the website often to make sure.

Oh, btw, followers of Lord Limbaugh. I'm still waiting for someone to tell me what page of the stimulus package the information on funds to ACORN is on. I haven't found it yet. C'mon. I mean you've obviously read the thing, didn't you?

Day 10 of 100
http://jawillie.blog.com

Obama, Biden task force on middle class

Mike Nashua NH — Fri, 30 Jan 2009 19:29:56 GMT

This is one of the problems I have with Democrats, they're very divisive and how they attend to their constituents. There is always talk of class, race, religion, gender and sexual orientation. In cases like this it's always the sainted poor and middle class against the evil rich. I am for the United States of America, not the divided states of America.

Obama, Biden task force on middle class

C A, Tuscaloosa, AL — Fri, 30 Jan 2009 19:38:51 GMT

Obama and Biden may as well take on the role of Champions of the middle class. I mean the Republicans had the chance but instead gave the middle class several right crosses and upper cuts trying their damndest to knock them below the poverty level as well. The job of Champion is open and I'm glad Obama and Biden have decided to take it on. To bad but the Republicans have been retired to the gym locker room where they now mop the floors and clean the latrine stalls.

Obama, Biden task force on middle class

Luigi, MD — Fri, 30 Jan 2009 19:40:43 GMT

Correct me if I'm wrong. Wasn't VP Biden supposed to cover Foriegn Affairs because P Obama had limited experience.

Obama, Biden task force on middle class

Midge Baker, Prescott, AZ — Fri, 30 Jan 2009 19:47:03 GMT

Moon Dawg said:

"Oh yeah, more freebees for the lame and lazy who don't and won't work for a living."

According to the US Census Bureau, for families earning below 100% of the POVERTY level (All Races), those who no member who worked at all last year number only 26.4%. That means 73.6% of the poor families had at least one person who DID work at least a portion of last year.

According to the Los Angeles Homeless Services Coalition the United States Homeless Statistics (for 2008):
* 3.5 million people (1.35 million of whom are children) will experience homelessness in a given year.
* Children under the age of 18 account for 39% of the homeless population. 42% of these are under the age of 5.
* 43% of the homeless population are women; 40% of these women are unaccompanied. 22% of homeless women claim domestic abuse as reason for homelessness. 25% of these claim to have been abused within the past year.
* Families with children comprise 33% of the homeless population.
* Vets constitute 40% of the homeless population.
* 1 in every 5 homeless persons has a severe or persistent mental illness.
* 25% of the homeless nationwide are employed.

As the economy worsens and more lose their jobs, these percentages will increase.

So let's dispense with the "lazy, stupid, non-productive, unworthy poor" myths, shall we?

Obama, Biden task force on middle class

Mike, Nashua NH — Fri, 30 Jan 2009 19:56:37 GMT

It seems like the record is skipping. I see the same post over and over again, "President Obama? Why isn't it President Obama", or as it's coming across I'll hold my breath till you say President Obama.

I believe the protocol is to Refer to the individual in the opening line by their office and name, and further references are open to other variations, Mr./Ms., full name, or first and last name, he, she. If you stick with the title through out it gets a little unwieldily for the person speaking, or writing.

In the past President Bush has been referred to as W. or Dubyah. President Clinton as Billy boy, or Bubba.

Obama, Biden task force on middle class

Rachel Edison, Elkhart, — Fri, 30 Jan 2009 21:15:49 GMT

What a bunch of lies and for all of you that are buying it, I've got some houses to sell you!

Obama stinks, and I voted for the clown. It's going down as my big mistake. Sorry America. He is the liar we thought he was.

Obama, Biden task force on middle class

eagle1776 — Fri, 30 Jan 2009 21:32:38 GMT

So unions are bad huh! Do you realize that without unions your workday would be longer? How does 10 to 12 hours sound? How about working 6.5 days a week? If you run a small business chances are your don't have union employees but many of your customers have benefitted by union wages. Even those who have never been in a union. Non-union companies must remain competitive or have no employees. Those employees both union and non-union have disposable income to shop in your store. If they were paid near slave wages they wouldn't be able to buy much least of all what you are selling or what some of your customers are selling. Those who do business with you who sell to others make money off those who have the money to buy what they are selling so they can afford to buy what you are selling. It is all linked together.

Thank you Midge Baker, Prescott, AZ for making things clear. Unfortunately closed minds will never see what you are saying as they don't want to. Lord Limbaugh has not given them permission to listen to anyone but him. They listen and regurgitate every syllable of his "wisdom".

Correct me if I'm wrong. Wasn't VP Biden supposed to cover Foriegn Affairs because P Obama had limited experience.
Luigi, MD (Sent Friday, January 30, 2009 2:40 PM)

Some of VP Biden's duties include Foreign Affairs but with a very capable Secretary of State he isn't needed as much there right now. VP Biden will go where the President sends him and help President Obama with whatever needs to be done. A team which is 1000% better than McCain and that silly Sarah of Wasilly, Ak.

Anyway, it is good to see an Administration that actually gives a damn about the middle class. I am not expecting miricles but any movement is better than the backward or stagnation of the past 8 years.

Obama, Biden task force on middle class

Dennis Housepian, Fresno, CA — Fri, 30 Jan 2009 22:46:53 GMT

Brilliant idea, Congress and our new Pres. are on the road to doing all they can to make it harder for US businesses survive and compete on the world market. They act like every business is a GM or Mobile Oil. The brush they are using is WAY TO BROAD and it is going to stifle growth not encourage it. Should learn from our past.