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Will Rahm Emanuel run for Chicago mayor?... The timing for a key staff departure -- right now -- isn’t ideal for the White House… Naming possible replacements… The progressive campaign against Rahm… Obama to oppose extending Bush tax cuts for the wealthy in Cleveland at 2:10 pm ET… Perception vs. reality on the stimulus… As we told you, live by the Gallup tracking, die by the Gallup tracking… Castle learns the Murkowski lesson… And previewing FL-22.
*** Mayor Rahm? With Chicago Mayor Richard Daley’s announcement that he won’t be seeking re-election next year, White House Chief of Staff Rahm Emanuel has made no secret about his desire to be Chicago mayor, telling Charlie Rose in April that it’s “always been an aspiration of mine.” And he did nothing to tamp down the speculation when he released this statement yesterday: "While Mayor Daley surprised me today with his decision to not run for reelection, I have never been surprised by his leadership, dedication and tireless work on behalf of the city and the people of Chicago." If Rahm wanted to tamp down the speculation because he was leaning against running, he would have done so. What’s more, he can leave on his own terms and do so without embarrassing himself or the president. Rarely do chiefs of staff get to do that. Jim Baker may have been the last one to pull that off.
*** Awful timing for the White House: That said, the timing is awful. The last thing this White House needs right now is internal uncertainty. Was a staff change inevitable next year? Of course. Ideally, however, the orderly President Obama would have wanted it done smoothly and seamlessly; that would have made sense for the start of his re-election campaign. Chicago political veterans tell First Read that Rahm knows he has to make a decision sooner rather than later. While the filing deadline is after the midterms (Nov. 22, 2010), he can't afford to wait to get in or other candidates will fill the vacuum. The key constituency groups in Chicago will give Rahm some time, but not more than a few weeks.
*** Palace intrigue time: So who replaces Rahm if he decides to run? It is a total Washington outsider (Mike Bloomberg, GM’s Ed Whitacre)? A former insider (Tom Daschle, John Podesta, Leon Panetta)? A politician with a business background (Mark Warner)? Someone who won’t rock the boat, gets along with everyone, and is already on the senior staff (Ron Klain, Phil Schiliro, Tom Donilon)? Or what about a Republican (Ken Duberstein, Ray LaHood)? Remember, despite his Chicago ties, Rahm was an outsider to Team Obama, and he certainly had his share of disagreements with staff and the president. We'll learn a lot more about Obama if this job becomes vacant as the early betting suggests. On TODAY, White House adviser David Axelrod said there are plenty of folks in the White House ready to fill “the breech.” Is that a hint the replacement could come from the current team? Sure sounds like it, and keep this in mind: The four people in the West Wing who will have the most influence on the president about the next chief of staff are: Rahm, Axelrod, Gibbs, and VP Biden.
*** Progressives vs. Rahm: A final point to make here: This liberal/progressive campaign against Rahm has been one of the more bizarre developments we've seen. How they separate him from the president is laughable. Don't they realize that by claiming Rahm is so bad but Obama is so good, they are insinuating that the president is someone run by his staff and that it's demeaning their own president? It's ludicrous. Obama brought in Rahm because he didn't want to make the mistake Carter, Bush 41, and Clinton all made, by bringing in inexperienced non-Washington hands and then seeing them get rolled by Congress. For better or worse, Rahm did his job -- which was manage legislation and get it passed. In that respect, he’s been as effective as any White House chief of staff since Baker. Of course, don't forget: Progressives have been upset with Rahm since his days of running the DCCC in 2006.
*** Obama to oppose extending the Bush tax cuts for the wealthy: At 2:10 pm ET today, Obama delivers a speech in Cleveland, OH, where he will propose some business tax cuts to help spur the economy. Per the New York Times, the president also is expected to announce his opposition to extending the Bush tax cuts for families making more than $250,000. “Mr. Obama’s opposition to allowing the high-end tax cuts to remain in place for even another year or two would be the signal many Congressional Democrats have been awaiting as they prepare for a showdown with Republicans on the issue and ends speculation that the White House might be open to an extension. Democrats say only the president can rally wavering lawmakers who, amid the party’s weakened poll numbers, feel increasingly vulnerable to Republican attacks if they let the top rates lapse at the end of this year as scheduled.” Is this a line in the sand, or the start of the negotiations that end up leading to a, say, one-year extension of the top tax rates, while making the middle class tax rates permanent? That would force this debate into next year, which would end up being ONLY about tax cuts for the wealthy.
*** Perception vs. reality: That the White House doesn’t want to even suggest that the business tax cuts President Obama is proposing today are part of a second stimulus is yet another sign how the original $787 billion stimulus was a failure -- of perception. In our new NBC/WSJ poll, 30% said the stimulus made things better, 30% said it made things worse, and another 30% said it’s too soon to tell. But the reality is different: The nonpartisan Congressional Budget Office recently estimated that the stimulus raised GDP between 1.7% and 4.5% in the second quarter of 2010; it lowered the unemployment rate between 0.7 and 1.8 percentage points; and it increased employment between 1.4 million and 3.3 million. In addition, two prominent economists have argued that the stimulus and other actions “probably averted what could have been called Great Depression 2.0.”
*** Caveat emptor, Part 2: Last week, when Gallup showed Republicans with a whopping 10-point lead in the generic ballot among registered voters (51%-41%), we cautioned: Live by the Gallup tracking poll, die by the Gallup tracking poll. Lo and behold, this week’s tracking now has Democrats tied with Republicans (46%-46%). Amazing how wild the swings continue to be with Gallup. Once again, we urge extreme caution.
*** Learning the Murkowski lesson: This new TV ad by Delaware Senate front-runner Mike Castle is yet more evidence that Castle, as well as national Republicans, learned from last month’s surprise in Alaska, where virtually-unknown Joe Miller beat incumbent Sen. Lisa Murkowski. The lesson: If you’re an incumbent or the established-backed candidate in this political environment, you have to disqualify your outsider primary opponent -- or else. This Castle TV ad hits primary opponent Christine O’Donnell for not paying back taxes, for defaulting on her mortgage, and for running up a big campaign debt and not paying vendors and staff. “Say hello to Christine O’Donnell,” the ad concludes.
*** 75 House races to watch: FL-22: The Democratic nominee is two-term incumbent Ron Klein, while the GOP nominee is Lt. Col. (retired) Allen West, who challenged Klein in ’08 but lost. In 2008, Obama won 52% in this district, and Kerry won 53% in ’04. As of Aug. 24, Klein had $2.5 million in the bank, versus $4 million for West. Klein voted for the stimulus, cap-and-trade, and health care. Cook rates the district as Lean Democrat, and Rothenberg has it Democrat Favored.
*** More midterm news: In Florida, Dem gubernatorial nominee Alex Sink has a new TV ad that, while not running away from Obama, doesn’t exactly embrace him… In Ohio’s Senate contest, Lee Fisher (D) has a new TV ad whacking Rob Portman (R)… And in Wisconsin’s Senate race, Ron Johnson (R) is airing a TV ad that grinds away at incumbent Sen. Russ Feingold’s maverick reputation, calling him a “career politician” and a party-line Democrat,” Politico writes.
Countdown to DC, MD. MA, NH, NY, RI, and WI primaries: 6 days
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Countdown to Election Day 2010: 55 days
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Tolerance of Bad Behavior
When does the tolerance level for bad behavior become high enough for the Republican Party leaders to say enough?
Although bad behavior among politicians is as old as the hills, the past few years has really seen it raised to a level never before reached on an everyday basis. Starting during the 2008 election we have seen the following:
When Sarah Palin started on the national stage, she raised a few hackles with her nasty diatribes on then Sen. Barack Obama, questioning his loyalty to the country, spreading divisiveness with half truths wrapped in racial overtones……No GOP leader said enough
When Rush Limbaugh said after the Inauguration, “I want the President to fail”, there was no outcry, a couple of Republicans who criticized him were hastily walking their words back….No GOP leader said enough
When Rep. Joe Wilson cried out during a special address to Congress, “you lie” ……No GOP leader said enough
When Rep. Michelle Bachman calls the President anti-American and wraps herself in the Tea Party philosophy and gleefully encourages their ugly side…..No GOP leader said enough
When Fox, masquerading as a news outlet, allows and encourages its employees to undermine and insult the President in so many egregious ways…..No GOP leader says enough
Now, we have this lunatic Pastor Jones in Gainesville, Fl planning a Koran burning……NO GOP leader says enough
There are so many examples, it would take all day to list them and they continue everyday on state and local levels, publishing home addresses of those one disagrees with, mentioning using the 2nd amendment to resolve issues.
When will enough be enough?
When, if the leaders don’t show the way, will the followers say enough, no more will I be identified with lies, hypocrisy, racism, greed and hate.
The craven silence of the leaders of the Republican is sickening and cowardly.
Remember this lack of leadership when you go to the polls in November, remember this tolerance for bad behavior diminishes all of us.
GBM;
Great post. Continuing with your thoughts is my opinion on some of the things going on.
Over the past few days I have watched several of President Obama’s speeches about his Infrastructure Bill, an R&D Bill and the Jobs Bill. All these bills are geared toward increasing jobs, providing much needed capital for small businesses and cutting taxes for small businesses. These are also programs that Republicans have campaign on that they support only to vote against them. This is hypocrisy and I began to wonder how the media is going to spin these speeches. Are they going to give our President credit for what he has done, Equal Pay, HCR, Financial Reform, etc., or are they going to continue with the same; “bash Obama agenda”.
Right out of the gate, as posted on ThinkProgress and The Nation, "If we've learned anything from the past 18 months, it's that we can't spend our way to prosperity," Boehner said – most economists disagree with that position as per WSJ, WP, NYT etc all have articles on this. He referred to the new bill as a bailout, trying to play on the fear (hate) of America by relating it to Wall Street. We all know the fallacy in that one. Everything is a bailout to this guy. Creating jobs is now a bailout just like he called the State Aid bill. Then he claimed it was an extension of the failed stimulus bill. Problem there is that most economists (republican and democrats) agree the stimulus bill was not a failure.
This is what the media picked up on, not what these bills will do to create jobs, but instead continues to play on the fears and insecurity of the people to further divide this country into those that have and those that do not.
As November approaches we are going to see more playing on the fear, hate and anger of the people and the insecurity that it breeds. The media are going to milk this to push the agenda of the republicans which is to destroy the middle class and redistribute the money and power to the richest 2% at the expense of the 98%. That is what the republicans want to do. They are not the party for the people, they are the 2% Party.
We continue to see this every day on Main Street Media (MSM). We are now seeing these bulling and cowardly acts on this board. Karl Rove’s plan is if you have no new ideas, cannot defend the ones you have, shut up. You cannot be accused of something if you say nothing. Just look at Brewer and Angle’s recent run away tactics and the agenda of the republicans to not answer questions and give no specifics when questioned by MTP, etc. The only time they do respond is when they are in a scripted setting where they (the politician) writes the questions.
We are now seeing these bully and cowardice tactics filter onto this board. FR was established as an outlet to share ideas and have an intelligent and civil discussion by BOTH democrats and republicans. It has degenerated, in some cases, to name calling, racial slurs, outright lying etc. People that have no new ideas or cannot defend the ones they have are resorting to the cowardice and bully antics of voting the post off this board. Not because their content has violated any rules but just because those few do not agree with the message just like MSM ignores to positive and pushes the negatives.
Many of them get restored only after we ask for them to be reviewed. In some cases the bullies and cowards get their hands slapped for doing it. More often than not, they escape and their posts seem to continue, even the ones that do violate the rules.
I saw a case yesterday where a poster was voted off and accused of plagiarism. The post, as I remember it, did have the name of the Author and the date. Two different fonts used to separate the material. It was apparent that it was a copy and paste of ideas and the author was giving credit, which by the way we all do here and I have no problem with that at all, but I knew what it was in reading it. If there was a line that was being crossed this individual should have been warned about the oversight and told what to do to correct it or it should just have been deleted by the monitor and an e-mail sent to the poster of his mistake. He/She should not have been labeled as he/she was any more that Ms. Sherrod deserved to be labeled a racist a few months ago by the MSM. This is being a bully and coward to do such things and this exactly what a few on this board are doing by flagging posts they disagree with that do not violate any rules.
This childish behavior needs to stop as it does not help any of us. Let’s just discuss the ideas and facts as we know them.
Excellent thoughts Gingerbread Mamma - I was thinking the exact same thing last night on my drive home from the office.
The only other thing I would add (because it's drives me crazee) is that NOT a one of them outside of John McCain back in 2008 have come out and said directly that President Obama in NOT a Muslim...
The snide... 'to the best of my knowledge' allusion is nothing more than bullsh!t!!!
The righties KNOW he's not Muslim but play to the stuck on stupid base!
And that is Despicable!
GM
The Rethugs say they have new ideas....yeah right!!!! Same ideas but with a twist. Hopefully they think no one will catch on.
Do they think we are that stupid.
Good Morning Navy, your post is terrific and add so much to mine. Great minds think alike! Following the happenings of yesterday, these tactics need to have the light of day shone on them, it is bullying and I hate bullies. They are cowards looking to push their agenda. NO, No, and No again.
And what, pray tell, does the above comments have to do with the article?........nothing.......just had to get started bashing the republicans early today.
You libs are going down in November......you know it.......that's why you are so hateful and scared.
Desperation is not a good cologne.
Nothing like the smell of 'irony' first thing in the morning! ;0)))
That's really all the Left has left proud. They have no results they can point to that are positive. Their signature "successes", ObamaCare and Wall Street Reform, are not even mentioned in any of their campaigns. All their stimulus bills, as predicted, stimulated nothing. So now it's back to bashing Bush, talking about cars in ditches, and lies/threats of the "Evil Republicans" taking away Social Security.
The Democratic Party is crumbling before our very eyes. Quite a difference then what it was 20 months ago.
Great post US Navy...always love to read your thoughts for the day!!!
All Boehner is thinking now is where do we start on repealing. He just has that little twinkle in his eyes!!! Ya know like.... can't wait.
The righties KNOW he's not Muslim but play to the stuck on stupid base!
Couldn't agree with you more!!!!
Have a great day Feisty!!!
USNavy-I don't think it was plagiarism. Tyler pointed out that, in order to reprint the entire article, the poster needed permission. He advised posting a line or two, then the link to the original article.
I believe that it is a legal issue-that MSNBC could face stiff penalties for allowing that kind of post. Yes, I know it was done all the time in the old format, but it was probably an issue their legal department was concerned about then. In fact, perhaps it was one of the reasons for the new format-just guessing.
It'll take a while to get used to all the new rules, but I do believe that this format is far superior to the old.
Fiesty, you are right, there are so many opportunities, almost every day, for any GOP 'leader' to show some honor and denounce these actions and statements. Nothing but silence, which implies approval and consent to keep on the same as usual.
Your posting is SPOT on Gingerbread Momma!
Interesting that you chose to speak on "Burn a Koran Day", I too was thinking of that this morning. I keep wondering where the complaints are that "you have a 1st Amendment right to do that, but it's insensitive so you shouldn't." It's really a statement of the values of the Conservative Movement. The majority of all Americans including the unchurched view themselves as Christians, yet Conservatives insist we're some sort of endangered species. In doing so they stand up for the powerful, not the weak.
That's a pattern throughout. By insisting tax cuts for the top 2% even if not getting them means 98% will do without they are standing on the side of the rich. By insisting that Muslims have a right to worship but shouldn't anyway they stand on the side of the powerful. By apologizing to BP for any inconvenience THEIR oil spill might have caused them they stand on the side of corporations. By insisting that welfare for corporations is required but a hand up for those down on their luck is "economic slavery" they bow to their masters.
By doing ALL of that it weakens our democracy. It gives rights to the rich and corporate entities that the rest of us don't have. It strengthens the strong, weakens the weak, and so weakens our Republic. You can always depend on Conservatives to cater to power. It's the core of their movement.
Cudo's to you, GBM, Where are the GOP leaders?
There are NONE! Yet if you listen to or read what is comeing from the 13% MSM rating, they've No answer to that question either. Rush has been quite, maybe sulking because Beck stole his IDIOT mantle from him.Ultimatly, Murdoch is the GOP Leader, with a helping hand from the Koch brother's, with a helping hand from a Saudi businessman.
Minority Leader is a Title, the leadership comes from the Individual holding That position.
Now, I wanna get to this little GREEN Star thingy, that someone in a DumbA$$ery position, came up with.This is the kinda things that Kindergarten, 1st grader's & 2nd Graders, look forward to, not GrownUp Adults. O Boy, I got 5 votes, Give me a Star, or as some would have it, I got 5 denials, so the Community brought its collective weight down on me & i Collapsed under the pressure of 5 people, who did'nt like what I had to say. Got a Tissue!
These Powers that be, could'nt Think beyond 5, so when something is CBC, the whole dern thing goes up in Smoke. Hurry someone call 911, no wait, some Religous fanatic & his merryband of 50 followers are Gonna Burn Korans on that day.
Such Idiocy all around, i'll just stay here in Rural Ky & Collapse under the weight of the Comedy all this brings.
You Betcha!
Gingerbread Mamma
Tolerance of Bad Behavior
Indeed that is the impression the Right Wing Nutjobs are giving the world. It's like a youtube video played over and over of "Americans Behaving Badly". And it's real. Thus far, the right is so into denial about their despicable behavior and how its affect is notably so.
Please forgive me ya'll for the one sentence I didn't edit probably. It should read...
The media ignored progressive economists' statements during the stimulus debate that the package was too small, and have since promoted the falsehood that the stimulus failed.
But, Ya'll got the message anyhow.
Anita,
Good to see you back girlfriend. I really missed your voice.
NoJo;
I agree in part. This appears to be a thin line that was crossed and MSNBC is probally CYA. I objected to they public calling out. I would have rather seen the post just deleted and the poster get an e-mail from the monitor explaing the reason. Just my opinion.
I read your post most days and you appear to agree that this flagging crap is not in our best interest and sometimes just wrong. I thank you for that and have a great day.
@Gingerbread Mamma: The terrifying thing, as I witnessed on this board before the Labor Day break, is that there are many on the right who now defend the complete and utter lack of leadership from the Republicans as though it's a good thing. There are calls to the (and I'm paraphrasing here) 'ingenuity of the common man' which - although noble in tone - is little other than an abstraction and smokescreen meant to instill actionless pride while otherwise obfuscating the issues.
It's as though the country is facing down a more vainglorious, modern-day version of the Know-Nothings; that or the endless Stewardship of Denethor II.
@John B.: So very, very true. Voted up.
Why do you think the Republicans have such low approval ratings?
Their behaviour has not gone unnoticed by the general public. Republicans are not held in high regard these days.
Unfortunately, their leaders are banking on this being a "change election" based on high unemployment, and continued upheaval from this disasterous decade. They gin up the hate, fear and discontent with lies, slander and misinformation in order to "roil the waters" and cause a sea change.
Unfortunately, it might work for Republican candidates, but it will not help America. We have to stop them. That means every man jack of a Democrat must get out and vote (and bring a friend).
Great post Gingerbread Mama . . . I have been wondering about that for years myself . . . sometimes I wonder if folks even know about half of this stuff . . . there is such a disconnect . . . perhaps that is why the GOP peddles fear so much . . . it usually trumps common sense.
Nash, there's a line from GONY that seems strangely poignant in the current political climate:
"You can always pay one half of the poor to kill the other half."
The electorate will not remember this craven, cowardly act because they have been brainwashed by the lunatic fringe on the right into believing that if they could just get a tax cut, fire the Dems in November and the President in 2012 all will be right with the world. No more deficits, no more debt, no more unemployemnt, no more out of control spending,no more wars, etc.
If you don't believe it, just ask John Boehner.
Yeah, but Sheila? I get the impression a lot of people felt that way in 2008.
Yawn ,, Ladies and Gentlemen there is nothing to see here just the usual Liberal Bashing session,
The same liberals staying on a Sinking Ship while trying to convince Each other that they are right and everyone else is wrong, They are not going to change anyones mind here on PMSNBC, but hey it gives them a place to Spew their Anger, I come here for the Good laughs,
Stop wasting the oxygen, Steve .
I wish for once the Leftist 'breakfast club' would stick to the main topic of the first read. But if bashing the republicans isn't the topic they don't have much to do...Pathetic really that they just start spouting off talking points which of course they accuse anyone who disagrees with them of doing.
So back to the MAIN topic. I wouldn't want Rahm as mayor, but other names being thrown out there immediately aren't much better. Jesse Jr and is it Alderman Gutierrez? Its like choosing if you want to be shot in the back of the head, the right temple or the left temple. No republican stands a chance, so......
And at least with Daley in there I knew it was the machine, I knew it was crooked and I expected it. Now... who knows
@CJS-1051766: Where the discussion leads, so we go. I can't help that I come in after the free-for-all's been on for an hour and any point I have to make about the article'd be pushed to page four or five.
Besides, the hell do you say to this topic? What is there to say, really? What word comes to mind other than "cronyism?"
Sometimes you have to make your own fun.
You lib twits, still don't get it, do you?
We are through being polite, civil and politically correct.
That is how we got to this quasi socialistic administartion.
Now when you live of the backs of taxpayers, you will be called a parasite.
When you attempt to help the parasites get more, you will be called a parasite enabler.
When you start yelling racist, the answer will be, yeaah, so? Wolf, wolf, wolf.
We should have started calling you out 50 years ago, when Kennedy started the first parasite programs.
When you bash america, as the libs love to do, we will call you out, your party is over.
@Johnny Alford: Here's what your post sounded like to me:
"HURF DURF BLURF FURF SHURF FUH-FUH-FUH-FUH-FUH-FUH-FUH LUUUUBBBBBBBBYYYYYYYYYYYYYY'S!!!!"
You should really get that communication impediment checked out, Johnny. Can't stand a digital drooler!
We are through being polite, civil and politically correct.
*******************************************
lolwut?
I missed something while I was gone? Puppies and rainbows and singing happy songs, I suppose?
Do you have any solutions Johnny, or just accusations and threats? You see Johnny, Democrats and Liberals are tired of being told to shut up, sit down, and go along because we're getting in the way of our betters. So I repeat;
Do you have any solutions Johnny, or just accusations and threats?
GREAT Posts on here by Navy Vet, Gingerbread Ma-ma and many other progressive thinkers, and then we have the GOP folks like Lil' Johnny Alford doing his best Quiet Riot impersonation of "We're Not Going to Take It" rants, and he cannot even get his own GOP rhetoric right.
Johnny if you wish to criticize social programs the place to start is FDR, not JFK, IF you are going to be a sheep and use the BECK and LIMBAUGH talking points get them right. You may want to stand closer to the radio OR better yet open a history book? Books are not just for burning, and if you would bother to open one that was not written by Anne Koulter you might learn something? JUST don't read to much OR you may become one of us liberal educated elites, and stop using your mother's native language of "wolf, wolf, wolf"
Sorry to hear you feel the GOP needs to lose that loving feeling to be "polite, civil, and politically correct". WE liberals will certainly miss all that love and kindness from the GOP we have enjoyed over the past 20 years!!!
Thanks again for letting us know the gloves are off, and good luck putting your Palin in 2012 sticker on the back of your car!!! I hear she is including installation instructions with the bumper stickers to assist special needs folks like yourself.
The Real Story is about the Failure of the Democrats and The Obama, as you can tell the posters here always try and switch the subject from what is actually the headlines.. Democrats will find out the Majority of the American Public are Thru with you..
No longer will we put up with the lies and distortion that you wish to shove down our Throats. Come November of 2010 you will find out what the American people think of you. We no longer wish to give our Hard Earned Money to Support 7 percent of the people that belong to Unions. You have allowed your Union Leaders to blow your money you allowed them to spend your Retirement and now expect the American Tax Payer to bail you out. We Say No more... your Free ride on the American public is over..
What we have here is a train wreck. Move along, nothing to see here. Obama's men (and women) are jumping ship at an alarming rate. Libs ignore the 10% unemployment and the lackluster growth in the economy. What is needed is new faces and new plans in Washington. Obama is done, take the trash out in November. All of his lies and distortions will not save him now. Now, as a repub, I will tell you dem scum what needs to be done: make the Bush tax cuts permanent; cut corporate taxes; repeal ObamaCare; cut the federal budget back to 2006 levels; reduce federal employment by 20%; Obama, Pelosi and Reid should resign. There, put that in your pipe and smoke it.
Yeah you Greeks are great with economic matters!!!
ALL your brilliant ideas AND Corporate Welfare put us where we are today. Genius, the recession started in December of 2007.
The President is extending the tax cuts to those that need them.
AND before you start the GOP whine of how these CUTS will impact small businesses, only 2.5% of US small busniesses will be impacted.
Time to Show some Courage:
First Read called it a GOP Tidal Wave. Some pundits call it a hurricane, but unsure whether it is a category 1 or category 5. John Boehner sees himself as the “Speaker in Waiting”. Pundits and politicians alike are basing their comments on recent polling.
Conventional Wisdom could be right. Gloom and doom could be waiting for the Democrats on November 3rd; but there are three things I know for sure. 1) CW is right only about half the time 2) A lot can happen in the next seven weeks and 3) Poll numbers change.
Now I doubt the Democrats will pull out massive victories in November, but they can minimize their loses. The first thing all Democratic candidates must do is stand tall and proud for working on behalf of the middle class. Many Democrats have been frightened by the Republicans and shamed into believing that their vote for healthcare, the stimulus package, and financial reform was a mistake. Let’s be clear: to vote for domestic improvements is an act of courage and will be rewarded!
All Democratic candidates must go on the offensive. Let’s talk about JOBS. Republicans say the Democrats have not done enough to solve the unemployment problems. The FACTS are that the Republicans voted NO to provide 15 billion dollars to start small business growth. Republicans voted NO to provide unemployment insurance for the jobless. Republicans plan to vote NO opposing the 50 billion infrastructure plan to improve roads, rail and airways, and provide JOBS.
Everyday President Obama is working to improve our economy and increase the number of jobs. And everyday Fox news and the Republican echo chamber is OPPOSING JOB CREATION. It is time for Democrat candidates and supporters to show some courage and shout from the roof-tops that THEY are the ones trying to solve America’s problems, but there is only opposition coming from Republicans. Republicans have no idea how to solve the nation’s problems; they are only interested in power and control. If the Republicans gain control, that guarantees that nothing will be done to solve joblessness, and domestic issues.
Note to Tyler: The pale blue print is hard to read. When FR changes font and color, I/we will stop using bold. For us, it is a readability issue.
Agreed Ron... Tidal Wave???
Hardly... it's going to be more like the 'trickle down' the GNOPEE is so enamored with..
If I was John Boner I wouldn't be measuring for drapes just yet...
Ron;
Very good points, could not say them better. President Obama has laid out two new foundations to create jobs. The infrastructure Bill to address the almost 3 Trillion Dollars needed to improve the roads, railways and runways. The transportation Industry claims that each Billion spent will create 35,000 good paying jobs. The R&D Bill that will allow businesses to deduct 100% of the capital costs.
Both of these ideas have been championed by Republicans in the past as per Rachael Maddow last night. Lets see if the republicans will continue to play political games with the live of the American people and try to stop these as they have virtually stopped every bill that has anything to do with creating jobs.
Will they continue to be the 2% Party or will they step up and help the Middle Class.
Great Post Ron, we have only heard from the oppposition loudmouths, people are just beginning to pay attention. Time will tell
So, let's see what we've got for the democrats to run on:
HCR? They can't run away fast enough. There is actually a DNC approved list of talking points-or non-talking points- on how not to campaign on HCR. So, that's a loser.
ARRA? We're not calling it 'stimulous' anymore-perhaps if we change the name, no one will know what we are talking about. Oh, yeah, most people did not want it, and, when it did not work, more people were against it. So, now Obama has a 'new' plan-MORE of the same. Hmmm-so, if upwards of $800billion did not work, maybe another hundred or so billion will do the trick!
Right. It's like throwing an anchor to a drowning man.
When even Russ Feingold will not appear with Obama, you know the tide has turned. However, the shrinking band of Obama worshippers simply cannot comprehend the fact.
Turns out Obama was right about one thing; when he told a congressional delegation that the difference between now and 1994 was "you've got me," he spoke the truth. Democratic losses will be far greater than '94. This isn't just a wave, this is a tidal wave.
In this country, if you attempt to rule without the consent of the governed, you pay for it with your career.
On another note-I'll be off for most of the rest of the day. My computer needs to be 'de-fragged'. I have no idea how frags get into my computer, but it is time to get them out. Therefore, the 'comsterminator' needs time to do its work. Cheers!
Gingerbread Mama, US Navy, Ron, Feisty -- excellent posts.
Plus want every else is in the Senate. Still they want to put them back in. After all that we have been through.
My checking account can't handle the Rethugs anymore!!!!
Please republicans...keep saying NO to stupidity.
Democrats in congress passed a bill last month to provide 20 billion to save teachers jobs. How many jobs were saved? I guarantee you it wasn't the 100,000 they promised....and the unemployment rate went UP.
Same with the $174 billion passed late last year....same with the 800 or so billion spent a couple years ago. Now we're going to shovel another 50 billion in and THIS time it's going to create jobs even though the trillion or so congress has spent so far hasn't?
Notice it's for infrastructure and roads jobs....UNIONS!
Way to keep paying off your constituants Obama while the rest of the country falters.
Ron one real quick question.... The $15 billion that the Republicans voted no to....where is that money coming from again?
Oh thats right..... from Uncle China...or we will just print it...
Thnk that might be a small part of the reason many dont want Washington to pass anything? Because we don't want to be even farther in debt than we are currently?
I have a question.... do Liberals honestly believe that money grows on trees? Or do you realize that for every bailot bill that President Obama and the Democrats pass that that money will have to come from somewhere? And that somewhere is our wallets...
You cant squeeze water out of a rock.
If there is no more money to be given out shouldnt that tell Washington to stop spending money?
Heard a fascinating conversation a day or two ago on our local Liberal talk show. It was a lengthy back and forth with a true Libertarian, someone who doesn't think the government should do ANYTHING. "What about the roads you drove on to get to work?" "Someone will do it, the government can only screw it up." "What about the fire department." "Private fire services could do it better and cheaper."
That's how profoundly miseducated a lot of people have become thanks to the Conservative PR campaign. Somehow we're convinced that essential services can be provided better AND cheaper AND the providers will earn a tidy profit. Funny how real world examples of privatization don't work nearly that well, but the "true believers" insist it's because they're TOO regulated, not that the concept simply doesn't work.
When I was a teen I was big into science fiction and read all the works of Robert Heinlein. His characters tended to be set in a dystopian world in which lawlessness prevailed and private citizens had to wage combat with gangs of highwaymen whenever they traveled. Fortunately they tended to be wealthy so they could afford armored cars, guards, and fortified compounds. There was no government of note but the rich lived lavishly and luxuriously.
Todays rich want us to be "free" to live in a similar underworld, one where they are "free" to do whatever they want and if we don't like it we're "free" to scrabble for some other subsistence-level job, maybe hope the next place we move to is less polluted than where we are now, and if our food is poisonous, drugs ineffective, or doctor incompetent will Caveat Emptor. I refuse to live in that world, I'll fight for something better. That's why I take my inspiration for people who had some consideration for their fellow man, people more like FDR. http://www.fdrheritage.org/bill_of_rights.htm
Perhaps Red Green said it best; "We're all in this together."
Larry: Yes, I believe money grows on trees! Now are you happy?
STS
LMAO Ron... I have one in my back yard that's in full bloom at the moment... ;0)
Amazing that Larry fails to mention the BORROWING from the Chinese that will continue to maintain the Bush Tax Cuts though... Go FIGURE!
You're right... STS...
While I don't see any jobs being created by either party for people who need them RIGHT NOW,instead of 2-4 years down the road,maybe we could create some government job openings by getting rid of people with over 2 terms in office(both parties). Sure, that jogging path being built in a couple of years will be a great way for the newly homeless to get to their homes in the parks because of no jobs right now.That new overpass on the freeway in 2 years will be a great place to live while waiting for a job.While both parties a patting themselves on the back and pointing the finger at each other for doing nothing for the CURRENT unemployed middle class,we really need some kind of incentives for the small business people to start hiring. Myself and others I know have tried the small mom&pop welding shop,carpentry shop,auto painting shop. We can't run the shops IN THIS COUNTRY without jumping through way too many state and local hoops.Whether it's a zoning, tax, environmental,or just having to compete with the low quality stuff the Chinese kids make.One party talks about Main street,and puts it on hold for 2-4 years,and the other party is worshipping Palin. This countries middle America/Main street/Little guy/Joe the Plumber/and other skilled American labor are waiting for ALL of the politicians to get their heads out of their ass and LEAD / FOLLOW / OR GET OUT OF THE WAY.....
Justwonderin - the reason why we are having the problems that you so eloquently articulated is because we have NEGLECTED the things we NEEDED for at least 8 years now. We should have INVESTED in our well-being; we did not. We squandered that good-will and money on a nation-building exercise that is only now being looked at with some sort of scrutiny.
What I am saying is that the last administration was asleep at the switch when they should have been looking forward and preparing the country for that time. Now we are BEHIND where we should be as a nation and this is why it takes 2-4 years for the help to get to Main Street.
President Obama is already looking forward; this is why he is putting through this $50 BILLION infrastructure bill that the GOP wants to kill. The President would also like to have more Green Energy initiatives, but th eGOP has been successful in blocking those - for now. The President would like us to get OFF of the oil teat and create NEW energy, but the GOP has mired the process down enough that it has been put on hold.
justwonderin, THIS is why we SHOULD want a smart, VISIONARY person in the White House.
Its too bad that some of us don't.
YOU lib ytwitsa are functionally delusional.
You simply look at the evidence and deny it.
Okay go ahead, we'll find out shortly.
Pietro, agreed,the last guy at the big address f**ked up. I voted for him the first time, wanted a change the second term, NEITHER side had anything intelligent to offer. Didn't have anyone to vote for. This time,I had high hopes for a fresh, intelligent sounding man, and he had no credible opposition.So the past is the past,get over it.Thank you Electoral College....God knows who they'll appoint next time. Bad fiscal policies/overburdening environmental policies on small business/lack of vision and support from past and present long- career politicians,bad trade agreements have hurt the country's small business's that do a hell of alot of the hiring. Excuses from BOTH PARTIES are not helping.If a politician has been in office for any part of the past 10 years,excuses go out the door. They have had the opportunity to correct the problem and have not. Now onto Clean-Green Energy......here's 2 examples of what green energy is up against;....The same Green Dems and Green Repubs who tout green energy are doing their damndest to keep a workable windfarm from being constructed 2 miles off the Jersey coast....."it will negativly affect tourism".....(both parties reps AGREED on that). 2 miles out! Most people can't see 2 miles out. Solar panels with a city's worth of output were installed at LAX......oops...can't use them ...representatives from BOTH parties said feeder lines needed to get the power to the city were an eyesore....(not in my backyard syndrome). I have a small windmill IN my backyard.It works, helps,probably won't pay for itself for another 20 years, but a small American business installed it. ..They're out of business now due to over-regulation,and zoning restrictions.So government needs to stop talking out of both sides of their mouths.............as do a whole lot of "us and them" whiners.Time to move on,and look for job incentives now,and with any luck,these jobs will still be there in 2-4 years no matter who is in office.
Ahh, ADD in full bloom on the right today. Several have complained that any post that wasn't about the Rahm story was off topic.
But wait!
There was more than just the Rahm story in the article but you had to read past the headline to know that.
Obstructionism
Per Sam Stein: If Majority Leader Harry Reid (D-NV) were to cancel all recesses on August 1 and require the Senate to work 24 hours a day, seven days a week, doing nothing but considering judicial nominees, the last nominee would not be confirmed until well into autumn--and that's assuming that the Senate passed no bills, confirmed no other nominees, and took up no other matters for this entire period!
102 out of 854 judgeships are vacant (12%) and of those vacancies 47 have been labeled emergencies by the judiciary because of heavy caseloads.
Press Secretary Robert Gibbs offered only a well-trodden denunciation of the GOP's tactics.
"We have seen a lack of any sort of cooperation in moving a number of these nominees along," (only 17 have been passed out of committee)
http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2010/09/07/obama-left-largely-helple_n_707859.html
Senate rules allow for 30 hours of debate for each judicial appointment and by doing the math for just the emergency judgeships that comes to 1400 hours or 58 days if the Senate debates 24/7.
Remember Congress is only in session from September 13 to October 8 when they break for the midterm elections (36 days). After that it is the lame duck session.
Meanwhile the case backload in the circuit and district courts continue to pile up delaying justice for Americans and businesses across the country.
Dennis, well said, and the Congress does not come back til next week. Great job if you can find it, four weeks vacation paid by us and when they return, they wont do anything, and then leave again to campaign for reelection.
Is it any wonder they will lie, cheat and claw their way to keep their cushy jobs. We are the fools for letting them live these lives with with little or no accountability.
The party of NO continues. Add this to the 300 bills they are holding hostage and we wonder why nothing is getting done.
President Obama continues to try to create jobs, 2 new foundations laid this week, both were championed by Republicans in the past. I suspect they will try and filibuster these as well or just stop them period. And it will not be because of ideology. It will be because a democratic President, namely President Obama, is trying to push them through and the 2% Party cannot have President Obama creating good bills for the Middle Class. It would not look good the Republicans if he does.
They (the Republicans) will continue their obstruction agenda and put the cost on the backs of the middle class because that is what they want, to destroy the middle class.
Dennis, great post. It is hard to believe that republicans feel that a functioning judicial system in this country is unnecessary. I would applaud Harry Reid if he did exactly as you suggest--no breaks until every nominee gets his/her hearing and is voted up or down.
Dennis great post!
The senate may be the most broken, and un-American thing in America,....Minority rules!!!!
Harry Reid will do Nothing! Mitch McConnel has stonewalled Harry, because he's WEAK.
Maybe the best thing is for the Senate to lose a few DINO'S, so we can get a Real Leader(Chuck Shumer) in there, that won't be Bullied, like Harry Reid, is so easily done.
If anyone needs any further proof that Harry is Weak, he can't put away his oppenent Sharon Angle.
Thats WEAK !
One final thought on Rahm leaving, Go, so President Obama can get his Team in there, Not Team Clinton!
You Betcha!
One of the fascinating things about the Conservative war on the judiciary is that over 70% of Federal judges were appointed by Republicans. In spite of that we get these constant attacks about "activist judges." The reality is that "judicial activism" is whatever Conservatives want it to be. There isn't really any consistency of thought or principle, it's whatever will best serve the elites.
I'm glad someone else noticed that, John.
You bet, offer us Posts from the Huffington Time we all know them to be an hones indisputale source of knowledge.
Snicker
Any interest in making a counterargument Johnny? Otherwise you're just taking up bandwidth.
John, STS. It sounds like ocrumo/SamboLambo/Jeff-<some number I don't remember>/??? has picked up a new ID.
Tyler, please look into this Johnny Alford guy. Thanks.
LOL... I was thinking the same thing Matthew!!!
The illiterate rants and continuing provocation are not too difficult to spot... lol
Ya whack one troll and two more pop up!
The dems posting on the board today, remind me a bit like sheep. So lost - and don't even realize it. When you blindly follow another person, and espouse their thoughts as your own - as a sheep, you don't realize how you sound (empty rhetoric) and how you appear (not capable of creating your own thoughts).
I'll tell you why I don't blindly follow a man who doesn't have a bit of business sense. We are beholden to countries who hate us. And we are to believe that NOW Mr. Obama has seen the light, had an epipany - and NOW knows where to put the money (we will borrow) to create jobs.
Speaking of job creation...the sheep in Mr. Obama's fold NOW believe him when he says this is and has always been the most important part of his agenda the past year and a half.
Obama has made screwing the American people an art form.
One last thought (for this post at least)...to the person who thinks republicans don't want to pay their share...while I'm not a republican (I do know quite a few), and have to say they are hard-working and feel pretty much the way I NOW do...don't mind paying our share, just don't want to pay mine AND yours too.
Well, it looks like yesterday’s Barry plan to grow the economy is not going to do much, if anything, just like the original $862 billion Porkulus bill, and all the Son of Porkulus bills since then.
I’m looking forward to Barry’s “Today’s Idea”.
Only 54 more Barry’s “Today’s Idea” shopping days until Election Day!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Excerpts from MSNBC.com:
WASHINGTON — President Barack Obama's new stimulus plan directs government assistance to some of the strongest parts of the economy without solving the biggest problem: finding work for the 14.9 million unemployed.
The three main ideas he plans to introduce Wednesday — $50 billion in infrastructure spending plus two sets of business tax incentives — could provide a modest burst of activity in a slow-growing economy.
The infrastructure plan — the most likely of the three proposals to generate a significant number of jobs — may face a particular fierce challenge in Congress.
Republicans and some deficit-hawk Democrats have repeatedly blocked spending packages for fear of adding to an already large budget gap.
The timing also looks challenging with only about a month left before lawmakers leave to prepare for November elections.
But there is reason to doubt whether the business incentives will do much to close the jobs gap.
Tax writeoffs for plant and equipment investment may not generate much new activity because there is plenty of unused factory space available. Capacity usage was 7 percentage points below normal as of July, according to Federal Reserve data.
The third idea, research and development tax breaks, is a recycled policy proposal that is normally renewed every year and therefore unlikely to spark a major new wave of investment. And it would likely benefit larger companies far more than the small businesses that remain reluctant to hire.
And if the Republicans re-gain control they intend to do what again Joe? I mean obviously Obama's plan won't work so what is that Republican fix-all that's going to put everyone back to work? Do tell Joe.
Joe, let's hear a plan. Let's hear a proposal from you - I've tried to get one out of neo-conservatives before to no avail. Perhaps you've got some ideas we could listen to, something other than the talking points you posted.
Joe I'm back, I had to go fetch pen and paper so I can record the Republican's "Holy Grail" on how to save the United States of America, I await the plan of the wise Republicans Joe, I only have about 400 sheets of paper so just hit the high spots for me. Anytime you are ready Joe go ahead
Guys your wasting your time Joe isn't going to give you any republican ideas they don't have any, that has been obvious for two years. All him and the republicans have is hoping that America fails so they can win it's all about winning for them not what they can do for America.
...suddenly I'm filled with weltschmerz.
Let's start with:
Step 1. Dems admit they are powerless over their federal govt deficit spending compulsion and the financial life of the country has become unmanageable.
Once you admit to the Dems have got a problem, we can proceed to Step 2.
Ready to face up to your problem??
Shame the Republicans aren't proposing any solutions, Joe. I might be inclined to listen were it so.
What motivates you, really? Can you honestly say you actually care about the future of the country? I don't get that impression from anything you ever say here: insofar as I can tell, all you care about is seeing your party holding the reins of power.
Forgive the hyperbole, but I can't much imagine you'd so much as bat an eye if the Republicans were grilling Hispanic babies at backyard barbecues just so long as they held a majority in both Houses and a sitting executive.
In my mind I have this picture of Joe with the wide-eyed look of a deer caught in the headlights. He is shaking and sweat is running down his forehead. Running through his mind is: "Oh no! They're asking questions! They want me to give some ideas or a plan? What do I do now?!?!"
No, Joe, the question is not what the Democrats need to do, it's about what the Republican's plans are.
Try again there, Sparky.
Spoken like a true dragon gourmet.
Matt, care to take Step 1 above so we can proceed to step 2??
C'mon, it's easy:
"Hi, my name is Matt and I'm a compulsive Dem federal govt deficit spendaholic."
...so no plan there, John, I see.
Par for the course.
On two separate occasions within the past two months, Governor Rick Perry of Texas requested a meeting with President Obama to discuss ideas on border security and was turned down both times. Now, I'm not saying Gov Perry has the solution, but what if he did? There is no one listening.
You cannot offer up ideas to people who have closed eyes and ears.
There is a great divide in our country and in particular Washington DC right now, the greatest that I can recall in my 50 years and, if you recall, this president was to be the one who united us. It's not happening and, if you are honest with yourself, you cannot put all of the blame on the republicans.
just my thoughts - can you provide a citation of Gov. Perry being turned down by President Obama?
I would like to see WHY the president turned down the Gov. Perry.
If you recall, the President, when he we was elected, wanted to united all of us ("... There are no Red States; no Blue States; just the UNITED States...') but it seems that the Republicans and the Tea Party People don't want us to be united nor do they want to work with the President. The past 21 months have shown us that in vivid colour.
THAT I can blame on the Republicans.
So, you want a plan? OK, beause you have such a bizarre name, I'm gonna give you a freebie without even admitting:
"Hi, my name is Exodite and I'm a compulsive Dem federal govt deficit spendaholic."
How about you take a look at the 54 page plan requested by the Barry admin. and delivered to the WH on June 21, 2010 by the Business Roundtable. the first paragraph of which is:
As a followâup to your request to both Business Roundtable and The Business Council for examples of pending legislation and regulations that have a dampening effect on economic growth and job creation, we surveyed our membership to get their views. Attached are an Executive Summary and detailed description of what they see as government initiatives that will cause slower rather than faster growth.
You can find it at businessroundtable.com
I'm guessing the Barry admin is using the report as a paperweight or to temporarily fill in for a broken leg on the couch in Rahm's office. Here's what i predict as your (or Matt's) response will be: "Same old, same old, Republican talking points" or some dismissive BS like that.
But, you asked for a plan and I gave you a plan. Sucks to be you.
Just as we thought, Joe has nothing to contribute. No plan and not even an intelligent reply as to why he can not provide that which he says he has.
No sale, Joe. It is on you to explain the Republican plan.
You still don't get it, do you, Joe. The 'plan' you refer to is not a plan. It is a criticism of what is being proposed. So, no, Joe, you still have not provided a plan.
Joe: Congrats on ignoring mine and everyone else's request for a thoughtful contribution. I'm enamored of your ability to slam your meat-hooks across a keyboard whilst face-planting repeatedly on your desk - quite the admirable skill there! Apparently it's a much higher priority to act like a special ed. kid for you than offering an actual counter-argument and proposal to something you take issue with.
Also, thank you for trying to assert that I'm somehow uncritical of the Democrats' plan or that I'm a Democrat. It's always cute when the mentally miniscule try mash the complex into easily-understood Booleans.
So...once again, to the broader (and hopefully!) more intelligible neo-conservative population: any bright ideas?
just my thoughts-375664
If Gov. Perry makes good on his threats of secession unless President Obama does what Perry wants, the president may have to worry about securing the border between Texas and the United States to keep us Texans from trying to sneak back into America where the density of the lunatic population is at least somewhat less than in Tex.
On two separate occasions within the past two months, Governor Rick Perry of Texas requested a meeting with President Obama to discuss ideas on border security and was turned down both times. Now, I'm not saying Gov Perry has the solution, but what if he did? There is no one listening.
*********************************************************************
"Screw you, you socialist bastard. I hate you so damn much that I'm gonna point out that my state can pull out of this damned country whenever we feel like it. Kiss my ass! I hope you die!!!
By the way, I want to talk to you about something important... Thursday at 1 good for you?"
You don't like the brand of crazy we have down in Houston, Houston?
Exodie Dragon:
Actually, Houston is a lot less crazy than the rest of the state. Did you know that Houston has the first gay mayor (Anise Parker) of any big city in the country?
Considering I voted for her, yes.
LOL!!! EXACTLY as predicted.
Are you voting up your own comments, Joe?
Joe, the way you babble, any chance you have some Palin in you?
Could it be we have a pa-pa grizzly with lip stick?
And there you have it, folks. Joe concedes without offering anything except criticisms. Not one idea, not one positive point, not one policy proposal, in other words: nothing.
Yes, sheep are dumb animals.
I'm no Einstein, in fact - I don't have a degree in Economics (I do have one in accounting)...so I'll give you sheep a mini-accounting lesson (I can see you either didn't take basic accounting in college, or you skipped that day).
1. You can't spend more than you bring in. This is an accounting issue.
2. If you are tempted to spend more than you bring in, please read number 1 again. DUH!
You want ideas to create jobs? Again, I'm not an Economist...but something tells me that you have to make it a smart move for business' to create jobs. Now, hmmm, what could that be? DUH! Tax breaks. Oh, but you say - it is too late...our jobs have already been sent to country XYZ. Hmmm, what could we do to make that NOT as attractive to a business? Do you get where I'm going?
A little common sense and good business smarts go a long ways. Why, I'll bet I could even come up with a few more ideas for a couple of other issues that Obama doesn't have a grasp on...
You are right, Prof-1231703, you are no economist. Stick to accounting.
And Prof, the Democrats have been trying for over a year and a half to repeal the tax breaks that reward businesses for shipping jobs overseas. The Conservatives would like to prove that benefit for the Captains of Industry that fund their campaigns.
The Party of No.
Twice during the Bush administration, republicans passed legislation which allowed business to deduct from their taxes 20% of investments in equipment and research and development. Senator Grassley currently has two bills in the senate which would increase this to 50%.
This would be helpful to business, create jobs and provide incentives for research and development into better products and methods.
President Obama proposed that the tax breaks for equipment (through 2011) and research and development (permanently) be increased to 100% deductability. It is business friendly, it is right up the GOP's alley. One would think the republicans would be jumping for joy because 100% is 50% more than Grassley proposes. Senate Minority Leader, Mitch McConnell responded to President Obama's proposal by saying, "any of President Obama's proposals should be met with skepticism." So much for Country First.
Whether it is infrastructure spending, tax breaks for business, health care reform--if President Obama is for it, the Party of No suddenly is against it. This is true even when they were strong supporters of it in the past. I have reached the conclusion that for any legislation to pass--the democrats and President Obama should reverse roles with republicans, let them write it, speak against the legislation, filibuster their efforts, and then pull a reverse GOPer--vote for it.
Jody:
Words of truth. The republicans agenda has been from day one to make President Obama fail. They are doing everything they can to fulfill that agenda. Virtually every bill that the President sets forth they filibuster or gut major provisions. They will then say he failed completely ignoring the fact that they, the republican party, are the very ones that failed America.
Their obstructionism and support of the top 2% of the richest, Wall Street, Big Business, No regulations, etc., is designed to destroy the middle class. These are the very people that created this Country, not the CEO's of Wall Street. It is the middle class that keeps America running, in spite of the obstructionism of the republicans.
Good Morning Jody: Excellent post, as well as being factually accurate.
Jody well said, and thank you for the kind words up earlier. It mystifies me why people will vote against their own best interest. A vote it a very precious right, and why so many are willing to vote in people who do not have their best interests and the country's wellbeing at heart is troubling. It seems their hatred of all things Democrat is paramount in their decisions....it is certainly not a well considered reasonable decision.
Jody,
The repubs have been working hard to memorize a two letter response NO!!!
It may be awhile before they master a three letter word YES!!!
So true. Jody I've been watching Grassley pretty closely as well since he's the "local guy" and it's gotten to the point where Iowans are really starting to notice his tendency to say one thing and do another. Compromise is lost on the Republican Party. They have no intention of compromising, just criticizing and crippling. For their wealthy masters it's all or nothing.
Navy Vet
I just wanted to repost this exchange I had with Suzy that started yesterday about the Bush tax cuts . . . it highlights the commonly held view by many conservatives that 50% of Americans are freeloaders because they don’t pay income taxes . . . I think that this is a very misleading and wrong conclusion to reach . . . how can you pay income taxes when you are not earning enough income to pay?
________________________________________________________
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When you raise the minimim wage to a livable level, then Wendy's Value Menu will be $5 per item instead of just $1 (and every other reasonably priced commodity supported by minimum wage workers). As the cost of living goes up to support accross the board livable minimum wages, more people in the 'middle class' will find themselves at the poverty level.
That's what's happening to our society now - the rich are getting richer and the poor, poorer and the middle class is disappearing altogether. My guess is that Suzy isn't earning $200K (that's her boss's salary - she's probably lucky if she gets 1/4 of that) so she's voting against her own self interests by supporting the Bush tax cuts for the wealthy.
Proof is in the number of jobs that the Bush tax cuts created - NEGATIVE 2,000,000!
Last thought...I was in a restaurant having lunch and overheard a couple of guys talking about how they 'never got a job from a poor person!' But I just wonder when was the last time they flipped a hamburger for a living.
Interesting thoughs Ursula . . . I'd just add one point about the Wendy's "value menu" . . . another choice would be for the CEO class in this country to reduce their compensation from "super-over-the-top-crazy" to just "crazy" . . . if they raise the price of their average burgers to above average prices . . . folks might just rediscover how quickly a ground beef patty cooks at home! ;o)
Ursula,
If you assume that 125,000 jobs need to be created every month just to keep up with population growth then during the Bush Administration there should have been 12 million jobs created and according to the Bureau of Labor less than 3 million were created. I see that as a net loss of 9 million jobs.
Guess it is easier for Suzy to blame the working poor for being poor rather than look at exactly why they are the working poor. It is easier to blame the poor than to find a solution. Many work more than one job and have families to feed, rent to pay, transportation costs. These are the waitresses, the hotel maids, the janitors, the housekeepers, store clerks, the short-order cooks; these are the minimum wage earners. They DO pay taxes in the form of state sales taxes, local option sales taxes, gasoline taxes, payroll taxes, state income taxes just as everyone else does. They simply do not make enough money to pay federal income tax. Everyone of those workers would gladly pay federal income tax if it meant they would earn a living wage.
Conservatives without conscience and definitely without the ability to see beyond what FOX, Limbaugh, the Tea Partiers, the Palins tell them.
Dennis,
I heard 2 million somewhere and that sounded like a lot but I certainly don't disagree with your calculations. It's just pathetic that we could end up with the same strategy after the midterms and middle class folks like Suzy are lining up for a place in the ditch!
And by the same measure with Obama, I see that as a net loss of 5 million jobs so far. Of course, again by this measure, Bush lost 9 million jobs in 96 months, Obama has lost over half that amount in 19 months.
Ignoring the Great Recession to take the blame from Bush and place it on Obama accomplishes exactly what? Bush created 3 million jobs in 8 years--he lost jobs starting in Dec 2007. It continued into the new administration but the economic collapse happened on Bush's watch. Spin is a miracle worker for the right--if they spin long enough, they find a way to blame Pres Obama even when the facts prove otherwise.
And we have you Republicans to thank JoAnnSmith.
Well said Jody. The recession doesn't fit the narrative though, so it's important to pretend it doesn't exist, or at least not prior to January 2009. If we start an argument based on Reason the Conservative PR campaign against the President falls to pieces.
And yet JoAnnaSmith - we still had Bush's tax cuts all along - why didn't the trickle, trickle?? Wasn't this supposed to help all of us? Oh that's right, they let the corporations sell our jobs overseas. So do we have to wait all over for that trickle??? Trickle down economy - VOODOO economy.
BUILDING ON FAITH
By FEISAL ABDUL RAUF/NEW YORK TIMES
“President Obama and Mayor Michael Bloomberg both spoke out in support of our project. As I traveled overseas, I saw firsthand how their words and actions made a tremendous impact on the Muslim street and on Muslim leaders. It was striking: a Christian president and a Jewish mayor of New York supporting the rights of Muslims. Their statements sent a powerful message about what America stands for, and will be remembered as a milestone in improving American-Muslim relations. How better to commemorate 9/11 than to urge our fellow Muslims, fellow Christians and fellow Jews to follow the fundamental common impulse of our great faith traditions?”
____________
Berlin, Germany - May 10, 1933 - An event unseen since the Middle Ages occurs as German students from universities formerly regarded as among the finest in the world, gather in Berlin and other German cities to burn books with "unGerman" ideas. Books by Freud, Einstein, Thomas Mann, Jack London, H.G. Wells and many others go up in flames as they give the Nazi salute. In Berlin, Nazi Propaganda Minister Joseph Goebbels gave a speech to the students, stating...
"...The era of extreme Jewish intellectualism is now at an end. The breakthrough of the German revolution has again cleared the way on the German path...The future German man will not just be a man of books, but a man of character. It is to this end that we want to educate you. As a young person, to already have the courage to face the pitiless glare, to overcome the fear of death, and to regain respect for death - this is the task of this young generation. And thus you do well in this midnight hour to commit to the flames the evil spirit of the past. This is a strong, great and symbolic deed - a deed which should document the following for the world to know - Here the intellectual foundation of the November (Democratic) Republic is sinking to the ground, but from this wreckage the phoenix of a new spirit will triumphantly rise..."
___________
GAINESVILLE, Fla. — The leader of a small Florida church that espouses anti-Islam philosophy said today he was determined to go through with his plan to burn copies of the Quran on Sept. 11, despite pressure from the White House, religious leaders and others to call it off.
"We are still determined to it, yes," the Rev. Terry Jones told the CBS Early Show.
Jones says he has received more than 100 death threats and has started wearing a .40-caliber pistol strapped to his hip since announcing his plan to burn the book Muslims consider the word of God and insist be treated with the utmost respect. The 58-year-old minister proclaimed in July that he would stage "International Burn-a-Quran Day." Supporters have been mailing copies of the holy text to his Gainesville church of about 50 followers to be incinerated in a bonfire on Saturday to mark the ninth anniversary of the 9/11 attacks. Gen. David Petraeus took the rare step of a military leader taking a position on a domestic matter when he warned in an e-mail to the Associated Press that "images of the burning of a Quran would undoubtedly be used by extremists in Afghanistan — and around the world — to inflame public opinion and incite violence." Jones responded that he is also concerned but is "wondering, 'When do we stop?'" He refused to cancel the protest at his Dove World Outreach Center but said he was still praying about it.
___________
Rev. Jones, take a trip to Berlin and visit the site where this tragic book burning occurred. Remember that incident? An incident that we all were truly troubled by as we learned about this incident growing up. We could hardly believe that such a thing happened. Do you know what the real lesson was though? How easy it is to manipulate people with hate and fear towards people deemed to be “different”. How easy it is to turn economic downturns into book burning. Just like that. Even here in America. It’s simpler to get people to hate than it is to get people to come together as One Nation.
Think Progress: Speaking to a gathering of American Muslims last night, Secretary of State Hillary Clinton condemned the planned Quran burning as a “disrespectful, disgraceful act.” Attorney General Eric Holder told a private gathering of religious leaders that the idea is “idiotic and dangerous.”
Thank you Hillary Clinton.
“We have just enough religion to make us hate, but not enough to make us love one another.” Jonathan Swift
This is my simple religion. There is no need for temples; no need for complicated philosophy. Our own brain, our own heart is our temple; the philosophy is kindness. ~Dalai Lama
One Nation Rally – October 2, 2010 – Washington DC
Pat: As a historian and scholar, you must be appauled at the notion of burning books! This minister comes from the dark/middle ages and wants to join the Crusades. How pathetic is that?
Excellent, Pat. History should teach us lessons but too many ignore what it taught.
Pat, what if the MSM just called this guy exactly what he is - a hate filled, religious zealot, goofball looking for his 15 minutes of fame - and walked away. No one covers this 'book burning', NO MEDIA, NONE...
Nothing to see here, folks - just idiots wanting attention... We don't have to give it to them.
Back in the 60's it was 'What if they threw a War and no one came?'...
Ron, when we were growing up, things like this just didn't happen here in America. This country is becoming less and less sophisticated and more and more all about hyperbole. Cable did that. Radio did that. They love to point fingers. It results in ratings. And sooner or later this spills over into the general public.
They would like the decent and open minded in this country to become a minority. Well, it's not going to happen. Limbaugh. Palin. Bachmann. Hannity.
These are ignorant people. They are entitled to say whatever they want. What they cannot do is have a role in decision making in our government. Here's hoping the mean spirited finger pointing candidates on the ballot lose in November.
They haven't a clue about anything other than how to incite hatred. A great and proud country this does not make.
One of the great strengths of the United States is... we have a very large Christian population - we do not consider ourselves a Christian nation or a Jewish nation or a Muslim nation. We consider ourselves a nation of citizens who are bound by ideals and a set of values.
Barack Obama
Pat;
Excellent post today for mid week. This is a very bad idea in that it sends the worst message possible to the world. We are a country that was built on Freedom of Speech and Religious Freedom. This book burning makes us look like hypocrites.
It will make NO difference to those that hate us that a small misguided group is doing this, they will attribute this to all Americans.
This world is getting wackier every day and crap like this will make it worst. Seems we are taking one step forward and two back sometimes, and the price for this stupid racist act may be in lives of Americans.
I wonder if the Rev. thinks of that?
I can understand that the conservatives believe their in their faith and that they despise the radical Muslims, such as those involved with 9/11. I think we can all agree that those people are offensive to us all. However, what about the everyday, non-radical Muslims for whom the Quran is a book as holy to them as the bible is to the Christian conservatives? Is burning their sacred book likely to make them think positively towards Christianity? Maybe that isn't their goal. And how about General Petreus asking them not to do this? Do his words carry no weight?
@Mr. Navy: I highly doubt Terry Jones is thinking about the broader implications of what he and his organization will do come the 11th. You're talking about someone who's demonstrated himself to be concerned with one thing and one thing only - petty vengeance. This is a manifestation of paranoia and I'm loathe to consider the very real possibility that grander acts of this caliber will continue in the years ahead.
Pat good post, I was hoping the burning the Koran would come up today on FR.
This guy, Terry Jones, is dangerous, and working against our stated position that we are NOT at war with Islam!
Where are the Republican leaders ? George W.Bush said to his credit that we were not at war with Islam, we are at war with extremists, terrorists, well this so called reverend is an extremist!!
This "book burning" will start a fire that not go out!
Cat got your tongue now George, why the silence??? Somebody with some influence with this reverend should speak up, and he named GWB 2weeks ago on the Chris Matthews show as that person. Do the right thing and condemn this book burning, the clock is running out.
I've sat back and watched over the past 7 years a good friend of my daughter, who is Muslim. At first I thought the family was very mainstream, very American, but then I started seeing the signs. Small ones at first. There was abuse in the family, directed only at the women. Husband beating wife, brother beating sister. I listened to her cry and tell me she feared for her life. I offered my home as a place of refuge. On two separate occasions, she was very close to taking me up on my offer, but never did. She would get the call from her Mom or Dad who said they were sorry and everything would be different. They told her they wanted the American dream for her - they lied.
She was recently taken on a trip with her family to the Middle East. She told my daughter she was going to have a surgery to make her a virgin. Again, I offered a place of refuge, only to be told she had to do what her parents thought best for her.
Upon returning from the trip, she announces she is getting married. She told my daughter not to tell me. I sat my daughter down and explained to her that this girl knows that I have her number and I know exactly what is going on. This is why she did not want me to know she was getting married. My daughter repeated that to her friend, who went silent.
Here is a girl who is brilliant and has a chance at real happiness and a real future, but her faith, the faith of her family has taken over. She will marry this man (it is an arranged marriage) and will live in the Middle East. She will live her life out under Sharia law.
Here was a girl that was as American as you or I, but that was on the surface. She succumbed to what Islam is all about - control over women. You can put your head in the sand and say we are not at war with Islam and that it is a tolerant religion and people. I've seen it first hand. It's not pretty, it's not tolerant. This girl got too Americanized and because of it, she is being punished. She boasts about being happy and says everything is wonderful and will never say anything bad about what is happening, but will go silent when confronted by someone who knows her, knows the history.
It makes me sad and angry. There is absolutely nothing I can do. She is a grown woman and has chosen to go along with the charade, just like a lot of Americans.
Pat, I think you are participating in "revisionist" history...you may not be a Christian, and you may believe some revisionist history about our founding fathers. I will grant you that our founding fathers were human and therefore not perfect.
However, to say that our great nation was not founded on Christian principles and those beliefs that created those principles - would be an ignorant statement.
Prof-1231703, stick to something you know, accounting. You are obviously no historian.
I am a Christian, but you're still wrong, Prof. If our nation is so dependent upon Christian principles why does Article 6 Section 3 of the Constitution state "no religious test shall ever be required as a qualification to any office or public trust under the United States."
Why on 1/1/1802 did Thomas Jefferson assure the Danbury Baptist Church that the Establishment Clause was created specifically to create a "WALL" between church and state?
Why did Baptist Minister Rev. Isaac Backus say in 1773 ""church and state are separate, the effects are happy, and they do not at all interfere with each other: but where they have been confounded together, no tongue nor pen can fully describe the mischiefs that have ensued.""
Why does the Treaty of Tripoli from 1797 state "As the Government of the United States of America is not, in any sense, founded on the Christian religion; as it has in itself no character of enmity against the laws, religion, or tranquillity, of Musselmen; and as the said States never have entered into any war or act of hostility against any Mehomitan nation, it is declared by the parties that no pretext arising from religious opinions shall ever produce an interruption of the harmony existing between the two countries."
In a report just released by voter turnout expert Curtis Gans of American University, it appears that Republicans showed up to vote in this year's primaries in greater numbers than did Democrats. This is the first time that's happened since 1930.
Wow...lowest Democratic vs Republican voter turnout in 80 years.
It would appear that President Obama does, indeed have voters "fired up, ready to go"...
Unfortunately for the Democratic Party...
Those voters are Republicans.
Republicans turned out in record numbers to cast their primary votes because there were so many Tea Party challengers for incumbent seats. It was all about which candidate was conservative enough. There were few democratic primary challenges to incumbents.
Jody, Iowa-
First time in 80 years, Jody.
80 years.
Some would call that "historic".
"This is the first time that's happened since 1930."
And, pray tell, what happened in 1930? How did that turn out for the Republicans?
Here is where I'd like to recommend a book I've been reading by Andrew Cohen called Nothing to Fear: the First One Hundred Days of the Roosevelt Administration. I confess, I knew very little about Hoover, the stock market crash of 1929, and the Great Depression that followed, until I read this book. I am just astonished to learn of the parallels between those times and ours. The Republican talking points today are just the same as they were in 1930!
Republicans called Roosevelt a Socialist for setting up Unemployment Insurance, Social Security and Medicare for the elderly. His Secretary of Labor, a Congregationalist from an old New England family, who pushed through child labor laws and worker safety regulations, was "accused" of being a Russian Jew. She had to produce the obstetrician who delivered her to prove she was native born! It's just astonishing.
I don't think we need to refer to G.W.Bush to fight the Republicans, just bring up Herbert Hoover!
Amy-
It would appear that, with each passing day, blaming Bush for everything is becoming less and less effective...it may, in fact, be starting to have an effect other than the desired one.
So...you might as well try to make a living bashing Herbert Hoover.
Mixed Bag,
There is no need to "blame Bush" . . .Bush is to blame.
And Dick Cheney.
And the compliant corporate media.
And the willfully ignorant.
In that order.
@Amy: Even the past century of our history has a great deal to teach us about the modern day - as quick as people are to point the finger at this or that President of recent memory as the "worst" ever, there are plenty of men over the course of the nation's existence who've fumbled the ball in ways we wouldn't believe.
And then there are people like Mixed Bag, who either willingly ignore points or lack the capacity to digest anything apart from the slop shoveled down their throats by modern media.
Respectfully, Nashville-
You've missed my point. My comments have been in the context of the outcome of the upcoming midterm elections.
Voters blamed Bush and the Republicans in November 2008, and gave Democrats control of the White House and both Houses of Congress. And honestly...I can't blame the voters. Surely you're aware that many, many conservatives were unhappy with President Bush and the Republicans? I'm guessing the final outcome in 2008 wasn't unrelated to that.
But, that was then...and this is now.
Like it or not, Nashville...most of the electorate has moved on.
The midterms will be about President Obama, and the Democratic Party's performance since the last election.
Perhaps we'll just have to disagree about whether attempting to make this midterm election about the last Administration is a viable campaign strategy...it certainly wouldn't be the first time we've come down on opposite sides, would it?
It's amazing how republicans find something they like and they jump all over it and spin it day after day. But I guess when you don't have anything good to talk about you jump on what ever you can. The general election will determine the final vote count, and I personally think the general will show the primaries vote count didn't mean anything. Just another feel good moment for the republicans, and they need all the feel good moments they can get because the general will be a downer for the republicans.
E.D.-
Might I suggest that you read the study I cited by Mr. Gans at American University before you dismiss it...and proceed directly to an assault on me personally?
MB
Mixed Bag:
I see your point, and Americans are well within their rights to rehire Republicans if they want.
But Bush is still to blame for the mess we find ourselves in, even if America chooses to ignore that fact.
So I guess we actually agree . . . see, miracles do happen! :o)
@Mixed Bag: Point taken.
And why exactly would it be relevant to us that more right wingers showed up to engage in red on red violence than left wingers showed up to engage in blue on blue violence? That is sort of like adopting the nonsense notion that since Lisa Murkowski was voted down in Alaska, the left wing should be wringing its hands.
We don't particularly care who shows up to your primaries or in how many numbers. That's why, you know, they are YOUR primaries.
Hi, Michael-
Welcome back, sunshine.
Nothing to say?
Figured.
Don't be silly, Michael...
You know full well that I always have something to say.
On the substance of your comment...I would simply suggest that Mr. Gans of American University undertook his extensive study because, as I suspect that most political scientists would, he feels that state primary election turnout ahead of a general election offers at least some indication of who might turn out for that general election, and why.
The fact that you and your associates (you did say "we") don't particularly care to know doesn't change that, does it, Michael?
So it's official...
In a 193-page internal report on the Deep Horizion disaster in the Gulf, BP stood and proudly...
...PROUDLY...
...pointed a finger at Transocean and Halliburton and said, "They did it!"
They, of course, were able to determine what happened without an inspection of the blowout preventer from the well. That piece was just raised from the water on Saturday and nobody's had a chance to perform a thorough inspection of the part but, hey, why let that little detail interfere with your ability to blame somebody else?
No surprise with BP's findings--it was an accident caused by poor judgement of all 3 firms according to BP. Fortunately, the Government and others are also doing independent investigations.
I'll wait for the government's report before making a judgment. Having worked within the industry, I can tell you right away that an analysis of the kind BP has released is often tailored with executive input to mitigate damage.
Of course they did DN. That was the strategy from the very first days when their spokesmen went before the press to say "Needless to say we'll take full responsibility for EVERYTHING FOR WHICH WE ARE LIABLE." The plan even then was to limit liability as much as possible and potentially even declare bankruptcy to get out from under their rightful obligations.
Of course Republicans would have to apologize for putting them through that.
Yeah! That's what Chicago needs! To continue to be run by liberals! They've done such a great job with it so far. Kind of like Baltimore mayor, Martin O'Malley oversaw that city's descent into chaos and the liberal fools here elected him governor. Now he's running the state into the ground. What's next, the White House?
Chicago is so screwed up from lib dominance that, the other day, GANG MEMBERS called a press conference to complain that they are being diserespected by the police! Yes folks, you heard that right. Criminals whining because they are being treated like criminals.
Speaking of which...Kudos to the LAPD for gunning down a violent, drunk, knife-wielding illegal alien the other day. And now, thousands of illegals are rioting in protest. Want to stop the riots, L.A? Get off your PC high horse, surround the crowd, and start asking for papers.
CU Farley
Chicago is so screwed up from lib dominance that, the other day, GANG MEMBERS called a press conference to complain that they are being diserespected by the police! Yes folks, you heard that right. Criminals whining because they are being treated like criminals.
so i guess chicago has been screwed up for the last 60 years. because thats how long we have had lids running the city.
farley talk about something you know about, and chicago is not something you know about. For your info, farley chicago has done some really great things with mayor daley in charge.
they sold the lease for the skyway(toll road to indiana) for 3 billion dollars. that mean chicago only collects from that road and they don't have to maintain it. the money is in escrow and the city draws on it every year, he is trying to privitize to airports, alot of city services. the city is cleaner than ever, the building boom we just had was fuelded by tax breaks(funny for a liberal city to give tax breaks)
the gangs crying last week was because the police chief met and told them that there life is going to be hell unless they stop the violence. the mayor, and aldeman agree and the supercrack down has begun.
farley i would put where your from upagainst chicago and i know i will win.
WHERE ARE YOU FROM, SINCE YOU KNOW SOOOO MUCH ABOUT MY CITY.
As we approach the meat of the campaign season, it is heartening to see that two important themes have emerged on the board;
1-Vehemently protesting to the moderator to restore collapsed comments
2- The time honored practice of finger-pointing.
The Koran burning in Fla. is such an embarrassment to everything this country stands for, and a testament to the very freedom of religion they seem to be against. Let's hope that somehow it can be averted and this guy and his hate-speech vanish forever.
Whoever it was who said "let's get over 9/11-get over yourself. It is like saying "get over the 4th of July, Pearl harbor day, etc...we will and we always should memorialize these dates to honor the dead and to remember that our freedoms are not FREE, but that they have come at a dear cost....
Looks like the dreaded Bush tax cuts will remain, as they have been successfully framed as tax increases...and that's a surprise. I was sure that the administration would hold fast on that campaign promise, and would gladly pay the revised amount myself.
Study: Democratic turnout for primaries lowest in 80 years
For the first time since 1930, more Republican voters showed up to vote in statewide primaries this year than Democrats -- another sign of the huge challenges facing President Obama's party in this year's elections.
The new figures come from a just-released report by voter turnout expert Curtis Gans of American University.
http://content.usatoday.com/communities/onpolitics/post/2010/09/american-university-expert-democratic-turnout-lowest-in-80-years/1
But Gallup has the parties tied at 46 after having the republicans up by as much as 10 points in the past 2 weeks. Does this say more about the political climate or this pollster's methods?
Jim Lerher and political editor David Chalian on the most recent polls on PBS, or as some here have called them FOX NEWS...
DAVID CHALIAN: You and I have looked all year long at sort of this volatility, almost anger, actually, that exists inside the electorate. Take a look at these numbers, because this is fascinating when you look at it through history. Today, 78 percent of respondents say they are dissatisfied or angry with government and how government works, vs. 22 percent who are satisfied or enthusiastic.
Compare that, Jim, to November 1994. You remember, Bill Clinton was president, Newt Gingrich, the Republican revolution and the takeover of the House of Representatives. You are seeing more dissatisfaction and anger in the electorate now than you did when Republicans won 54 seats and took over the House."
" ...And that's why, in Kwame's piece, when you saw likely voters, how they plan to vote, 53 percent say a Republican; 40 percent say a Democrat.
That 13 percent gap, Jim, is the largest since 1981, when The Washington Post and ABC News began that poll.
http://www.pbs.org/newshour/bb/politics/july-dec10/taxes_09-07.html
Interesting post dangerfied . . . thanks for the info.
The tax cuts are not going to be extended, even though the corporate media is working desperately to create the impression that they "must be".
It ain't happening . . . because we can't afford it.
So now the Democrats are FOR the Bush tax cuts! My, my, how things have changed. Democrats have been beating the drum for two years over having the Bush tax cuts expire, calling them the source of everything evil in the country. Now, at the moment of truth, the Democrats are FOR extending, and in some cases making permanent, the Bush tax cuts!! All that whining and crying by the Left that the Bush tax cuts caused the explosion of the national debt? That means nothing now. Even if Obama and the Democrats extend/make-permanent the tax cuts for those making under $250,000/year, that means it will cost the government $3.1 trillion in tax revenue over ten years, as opposed to extending the tax breaks for all where that would cost $3.8 trillion over ten years. That's a $700,000 billion difference, or $70 billion a year. $70 billion is about what Obama wants to spend in additional deficit spending every 3-4 weeks, so it's really nothing at all.
So Liberals, what Obama and the Democrats are admitting is that higher taxes cause slower growth, higher taxes cause job losses, higher taxes cause recessions, higher taxes cause more pain and suffering for the middle class. Nice to see you've figured it out.
It's going to be so much fun watching Nancy Pelosi on the floor of the House and Harry Reid on the floor of the Senate giving speeches in favor of the Bush tax cuts. It certainly will be a sight to see.
"The tax cuts are not going to be extended, even though the corporate media is working desperately to create the impression that they "must be"."
Well thanks for the heads-up Nash! So that's a done-deal? I gotta stop believing what I read on Fox News, I mean Huffington post-same diff, right? they're all the CORPORATE MEDIA to you now...
Your request is being processed...
Dems Likely To Extend Bush Tax Cuts
A small but growing number of moderate Democrats are balking at boosting taxes on the rich. Many face electorates that recoil at the mention of any tax increase. Some represent areas that are loaded with wealthier taxpayers. Further, some incumbent senators who don't face voters this fall are reluctant to increase taxes on anyone while the economy remains sluggish."
http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2010/09/01/democrats-unlikely-to-rep_n_702631.html
From The Hill...or as it is also known, Fox News...
"Democratic leaders have repeatedly stated that Bush tax cuts benefiting the middle-class would be extended while tax cuts for the wealthy would expire on schedule at the end of the year.
But the weakened economic recovery has a growing number of rank-in-file Democrats calling for the extension of all the Bush tax cuts, for at least for one year.
If that call continues to grow, Democratic leaders might have to agree to a compromise, several sources have told The Hill."
http://thehill.com/blogs/on-the-money/domestic-taxes/117609-camp-backs-boehner-in-calling-to-extend-bush-tax-cuts
We will listen to the speech...
Well, apparently Obama hasn't gotten that message Nash: http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/us_obama
Story says Obama has "unwavering opposition to the Bush tax cuts", well except for the cuts below people making $250,000 a year, which happens to be 82% of the cuts. So Obama is saying we can't afford 100% of the Bush tax cuts, but we can indeed afford 82% of the Bush tax cuts.
I doubt even Gibbs can spin this story from Obama to the point that it makes any sense.
dangerfield:
I know that all of the media is owned by corporations, which is my point.
Corprorations are how many rich people generate their money, and rich people don't want to pay their taxes (thus the off shore accounts, tax loopholes, and fear campaign to convince Americans that their taxes are being raised, when in fact, the generous tax discount that the rich have been enjoying is expiring as it was designed to do . . . all sales come to an end . . . so this really isn't such a difficult concept to grasp).
JoAnna:
President Obama campaigned on tax cuts for the middle class, which is the majority of this country, so you attempt to create a disconnect has pretty much failed.
No spin required.
P.S. I for one say let ALL the Bush tax cuts expire . . . interesting that the party of phony deficity hawks disagrees . . . by their fruits you will know them.
Dangerfield wrote:
Dangerfield, we rarely agree, but we do in this case. This action is NOT smart, and it seems to me that if the General in charge of the war in Afghanistan has taken notice of this, then you can be sure that EVERY Muslim in the world has as well.
How would this person like it if some Muslims somewhere decided to burn Bibles?
This is a DANGEROUS and RECKLESS course that this 'church' is taking. Once they let the Genie out of the bottle, it will be HARD to contain the damage.
Pietro-
This pastor's planned Koran-burning event is reprehensible and irresponsible.
I can't imagine that any responsible person of any political persuasion would approve.
So the current Democrat/Obama line is that they are against only 18% of the Bush tax cuts and they are just fine with the other 82% of those cuts. That is amazing news. So all this while Obama and the Democrats have been blaming the bad economy on those tax cuts only to have them end up supporting nearly all of them. So the "Deficit Hawks" of the Democratic party really don't exist now, do they?
Any "logic" the Democrats are spewing to explain this Nash is starting to look like a pretzel.
Wonders never cease.
JoAnna,
I had forgotten how you like to keep typing the same thing over and over again to have the last word.
82% of America is being squeezed by falling wages and rising expenses.
82% of Americans are living check to check, as long as their job is not eliminated.
82% of America is looking for a lifeline to survive the tidal waves that keep coming from casino captilaism.
You can't justify the tax cuts for the rich, so you attempt to change the subject to "What about everyobody else?"
You are making my dismissal finger very itchy.
Have a nice day.
JoAnna. Your point is what? Hardly pretzel logic to extend the Bush tax cuts for the middle class in a Great Recession, that's good economic policy; both parties support it; extending them for those who do not need it (2% richest) is supported by only one party--GOP. Republicans become deficit hawks only when they are not in power. They have consistently cut taxes and spent more since Ronald Reagan started the practice. That's not a democratic talking point, it is simply fact. STS
Joanna, didn't I already point out to you that you can't support the economy of the federal government by only taxing 150 million people who make $35,000 a year or less?
Who do you think that 18% affects?
Do you just allow what people say to you to ricochet off your skull? C'mon, girl. I try to keep in mind what I read from other posters and news sources but you seem to prefer taking a page out of the Palin playbook.
How could this happen on Obama's watch? Mr. Social Justice himself, Barack H. Obama, was going to eliminate all of these pains by applying the force of Big Government to the cheaters on Wall Street, the liars in Corporate America, and lazy Republican fat-cats. His Keynesian economics was going to "prime the pump" with demand-side economics. Shovels-ready jobs would be produced by the millions, the middle class would be saved. And the national debt, well, who cares about that.
So, how'd all that work out Nash? Maybe Obama should just raise the minimum wage and call it a day.
Dismiss all you want Nash. The American people will be using their "dismissal finger" come this November. Schools out for the Democrats Nash.
JoAnna,
Perhaps you could give the President an ENTIRE TERM before you judge his success or failure.
Geez.
Nash JoAnn got her talking points from Fox and she can't vary from them or she'll get slapped on the hand.
Nash: Granted, it's best to wait until a Presidential term is complete and some time has passed to accurately determine the successes and failures.
But Joanna (surprisingly!) has a good point - the flap over those 'shovel-ready' jobs and the implication of a revived WPA or CCC-like organization galvanized a lot of the electorate in 2008. When that pipe-dream drifted off into the ether and everyone woke up to reality, the consequences were as lasting as Bush's 'Mission Accomplished' blunder.
I too, for what it's worth, favor ending ALL the tax cuts. I'm tired of hearing whining and moaning about deficits. This is the quickest and easiest way to lower them. They will be lowered to a Clinton era level. If you remember, everyone was doing well then.
I do not beleive the tax cuts will slow growth. If these businesses are worth their salt, they will adapt. Or fall to the wayside.
I will gladly pay higher tax to reduce these deficits.
On another note: Joanna, a couple weeks ago we were arguing about the tax cuts that expand the deficit, You would NOT admit this fact. I'm glad to see you have sen the light.
Notice that you wouldn't adhere to the tax cuts add to deficits mantra until you perceived they were being pushed by Obama. (I really hope this does not happen, I will write the WH and local congress to voice my opinion against extending these cuts)
This fact alone shows that Joanna would sell her own soul if the devil were a Republican.
Exodite Dragon:
First I want to say I really enjoy your posts, so thanks for joining the fray here at First Read.
Second, I want to say that one thing I find odd about Americans (and I am including myself in this observation), is that we want things done FAST and we want them done RIGHT, but it is very difficult to accomplish these two objectives at once.
One of the big problems that is always attributed to the government is that it is "wasteful". So, if extra time is taken to judge the worthiness of projects or determine the best use of dollars, the immediate crticism then instantly morphs to "What is taking so long?"
Same phenomena with the oil spill, everyone wanted to know why the government did not have millions of miles of boom already sitting by the shore line, just in case a spill happened.
But if such a safety net had been in place, I have no doubt the criticism would have been "Why is all this money being wasted on boom? We can't use this much boom . . . it's pork barrel spending!"
There is always something to complain about and there is always room for improvement, but I think an imperfect implementation of SOMETHING is better than the PERFECT implentation of nothing.
President Obama is trying to make changes, learning from his mistakes, and continuing to search for solutions.
I just don't know what more we could expect from a HUMAN President.
You think he'll last that long Nash? The man seems a bit dispirited as of late. He probably needs a vacation.
@Joanna, I know today is a right loss for what I'm about to suggest, but I want you to attempt something tomorrow: when you wake up and look in the mirror, I want you to repeat this to yourself:
"Today, when I get online, I will do my best to not be a vapid drone and to not ham-fist derpily across the keyboard."
@Nash, thank you for the appreciation! It's well received.
To your post, I agree that we should anticipate and expect error on the behalf of our leadership, I do. But I have to say that Obama's lack of overall experience (political and otherwise) is proving to be as much of a hindrance as Bush's was - if you'll recall, he was barely into his second term as Texas' governor when he was elevated to the Oval Office with no experience other than owning the Rangers and having worked (poorly!) within the oil industry.
Likewise, Obama's greenhorn Senator status and marginal experience in the private sector has caused him, I think, to operate more on ideology than reality. I will say again that Bush did exactly the same: he followed his principles and beliefs because he lacked an appropriate history to draw upon.
Obama's infectious optimism during the campaign enticed a much broader swathe of the electorate than Bush could've ever hoped to: not just because of the differences in the message, but the circumstances surrounding each election. That said, Obama from the beginning had a great deal more to lose than Bush did, and I think one of the most overlooked causes of the current political divide and voter pessimism is the loss of belief in the current President's Messianic quality.
My point it this - should we expect things to happen perfectly with Hollywood haste? No, we shouldn't. But we have a generation of 'leadership' on both sides of the aisle that tries to create the impression that such a thing can be achieved, leveling the idea upon us and playing up our hopes - or alternatively, our nightmares. We buy into it and then become disillusioned when it falls apart around us.
It's hard to break that kind of thinking once it's begun, and it's hard not to blame the most prominent politicos even if we haven't blamed ourselves. We're getting a little too into one of Ray Bradbury's short stories: charisma and perceived dynamism have supplanted wisdom and experience as the preferred qualities in a prospective leader.
I'd rather have someone older, someone seasoned and someone of practical mind campaigning for the executive office than someone who looks good shirtless on the inside of Ebony, or someone who can ride an ATV across the hill country.
"I'd rather have someone older, someone seasoned and someone of practical mind campaigning for the executive office than someone who looks good shirtless on the inside of Ebony, or someone who can ride an ATV across the hill country." - Exodite Dragon
--------------------------------------
Can we have both?
lol
P.S. I think many Americans would have preferred a more "experienced" candidate, but alas we didn't get that choice, did we? John McCain proved that he was not quite up to the challenge.
While I agree that President Obama was not an old political hand, I can't think of much that anyone would have/ could have done differently considering the hand that he was dealt. . . hopefully he puts his on-the-job experience to good use in the coming months!
Nashville, I think your point is well taken when it comes to a short attention span, but I also think we've been trained that way. The Conservative narrative requires that there be no time for thought. If we take time to think we might realize that having vast amounts of boom in a warehouse is socializing risk by making the public responsible for BPs cleanup. We might recall that BP has a history of repeated environmental carelessness. We might ask if the regulatory apparatus is really up to the task. We might inform ourselves that the MMS personnel asleep at the admittedly inadequate switch were Bush appointees. We might demand to know that the technology is actually adequate to make drilling in deep water safe.
The important thing is that Conservatives have something to complain about. As long as they're raising questions about SOMETHING, preferably fabricated, and constantly changing the question of the moment, people don't have time to think of a proper response. That's when they slip in a "solution" that always helps the powerful at the expense of the weak. Like responding to food poisoning with a self-report system that's resulted in the recall of half a BILLION eggs.
The "economy of the federal government". Now there is an interesting phraseology. Looks like that economy is a bit over-drawn ED. It's maxed out it's credit card as it were. And all that spending by that government economy has resulted in what again? Nearly 10% unemployment, 25% underemployment, 1 in 6 people on government assistance, 1.6% GDP, and trillion and half dollar deficits. Nice work Liberals. Nice work.
So tax "The Rich" all you want ED. See where that gets you. It won't get you anywhere near a balanced budget, less one that reduces the debt. You could tax "The Rich" at a 95% rate, and you still would not clear out the current deficit.
Every hear of cutting government spending ED? That might work.
What!? So you're telling all of us that McCain would have done the same things Obama has done? How can that be? All during the campaign in 2008 we were told by the MSM, the Liberals, and the Obama campaign that Obama was something special. He was smart. He was cool. He could bring people together. He could think through complex problems and come up with the right answers. He could get the job done. We were also told by MSM, the Liberals, and the Obama campaign that McCain was too old, was a Bush clone, wasn't exactly smart, was a Washington Insider, and was a hot head reactionary.
And now you're telling us McCain would have done the same things Obama had done? You're telling us there is no difference between the two men?
A lot sure does change in 20 months.
Regarding the 'phraseology' - my under-employed ass hasn't had it's daily infusion of drip-brewed Folger's death-in-a-cup. Sue me.
Derp-derp, Joanna. Didn't we go over this last week? Why do you keep trying to tell me things I either already know, or insinuate things I don't stand for?
...holy @!$%#. Was that...something resembling the beginning of an idea? Crap, quick! QUICK! Don't lose it Joanna, tell me more! What should we cut? How much should we cut? Could we lower taxes across the board dependent upon what we cut? Might we have to raise taxes in the short term to get a balanced budget? If we cut some programs could we divert federal dollars to job training and placement? Maybe more incentives for certification courses or college loans and grants?!!
C'MON. YOU'RE ALMOST THERE. YOU VERY NEARLY STARTED PROPOSING SOMETHING! DON'T CUT IT OFF WITH SARCASTIC COMMENTS! C'MON, JOANNA!!
JoAnna:
Believe whatever helps you sleep at night, mmmmkay? ;o)
It's fun to watch them snap. You get that distinct 'ping' sound, and then they go off on their little rants.
Underemployed you say ED? You can thank Obama for that.
I've discussed what to cut quite a bit ED. It's your job to go look it up, or pay attention.
Christ, Joanna, you're really a lost cause, aren't you?
All else aside, E.D.-
Switching to caps was a bad move.
Game...set...match.
http://www.perrspectives.com/blog/archives/001955.htm
The facts speak for themselves . . . the tax cuts have to go . . . as they were designed to do.
And I will say it again, I would rather for my taxes go back up to the rate the were in the Clinton Administration than keep the top tax bracket at its current rate and continue exploding the deficit. I mean, folks in my tax bracket didn't get that big of a break to start with, so I'd be fine to give it back.
Excellent, factual post Nashville.
It's amazing how the republicans don't want to pay to keep our country moving foreword, they would rather have mayhem in the streets than pay their fair share to keep our country safe.
Falsehoods
I doubt if republicans will embrace those particulars. In fact, John Boehner, "the man who thinks he will be speaker of the house come January 2011 through a tsunami coup de grace along with, Cantor , Mitch McConnell other Republican leaders moreover, Tea Baggers, dismiss the accomplishment of the current resident in the Oval Office, President Barack Hussein Obama. If the President says fish live in water The Party of “NO” would still say “NO”, no they don’t. Somehow those in the Party of “NO” and Tea Baggers liken government spending on things like infrastructure and education investment not “Good” and to be that scary word a Stimulus; in effect a Stimulus II.
Now, if you think about it you’ll see the media largely
These people who ascribe to the “NOPE” formula chirp complaints that diminish spending for unemployment benefits and food stamps. While we're on the subject, unemployment benefits and food stamps put money into hands of those who will spend it immediately on necessities which is short term. Yet, they speak of spurring the economy “NOW”.
64 % of American voter respondents overwhelmingly said lowering unemployment is more important than reducing the federal budget deficit, according to a Quinnipiac University poll conducted July 13-19 -10. 58 % of Republicans also thought reducing unemployment was more important, despite accusations of President Barack Obama's administration expanding the deficit through overspending.
http://www.reuters.com/article/idUSTRE66L4Q520100722
Republicans Suddenly Wanna Be Change Agents.
First, Republicans need to learn that money is not speech, and that human beings, not corporations, are persons entitled to constitutional rights. Republicans have front groups, and flacks about the country endeavoring to influence public policy, more than ever about the economy, the environment, health, and human rights.The grassrootspressure group Americans for Prosperity (AFP), that actively fought health care reform, boasts"our citizen activists" are "the heart and soul" of the organization. So AFP wants the public and the media to believe. But an exhaustive report in the August 30, 2010 issue of The New Yorker magazine, shows that the heart and soul behind AFP are really the oil billionaire brothers David and Charles Koch of Koch Industries, whose privately-owned oil enterprise has made them among the richest men in America. In addition to petroleum interests, the Kochs also own a host of familiar products like Brawny paper towels, Dixie cups, Georgia-Pacific lumber, Stainmaster carpet and Lycra. Their massive combined wealth makes them the third richest people in the country, behind only Bill Gates and Warren Buffett, who are better known to the public. The Kochs have intentionally obscured their involvement on the American political scene through the creation of an elaborate network of front groups, think tanks, foundations and astroturf organizations, but the public is quickly getting to know the Koch brothers better.
http://www.prwatch.org/node/9396
Definitely, the influence of huskers like the Koch Brothers have had a gargantuan influence in our pockets and lives. These naysayers say they want to help people and save the world. Yet, they were roadblocks in saving people with and with out insurance from dying.
Last Night Keith did a piece on how an insurance company contributed to the death of an 8 yr old cancer patient. These are the real DEATH PANELS.
Not what Sarah Palin, her frozen tundra highness tweeted about death Panels. Likewise with Glenn Beck.
Contrary to what many Tea Baggers claim Glenn Beck has no staggering brainpower. Glenn Beck’s speech is bizarre and unintelligible. the psychotic , hallucinatory beliefs of Glenn Beck reveal that Glenn Beck is missing while inarticulate as the best description one could give just like the tundra queen. It would be better to say, since he has so many delusions, such as Financial Advisor for America, World Historian, Professor, Sage, American Mystic, Prophet, Mediator, Workshop leader, American Liberator and Astronaut, to name just a few; easily anyone can call Glenn Beck what one really sees, a Disassociate Personality. Just like Sybil Glenn Beck has many, many, alter ego. Only Glenn Beck can go from America to the Planet Mars in a second.
gnored progressive economists' statements during the stimulus debate that the package was too small, and have since promoted the falsehood that the stimulus failed.
What you will see if the Republicans and Tea baggers have their way is "tax cut bills for the very rich" and cuts in Social Security, , but no laws to protect miners and refinery workers, no extensions of unemployment benefits, no job creation bills.
polls that spending on such priorities is far more politically/electorally popular than devoting more money to corporate tax cuts or to deficit reduction. way to prime the economy in the short term and the long term. Should
Read more: Study: Unemployment would be 16% without stimulus - Denver Business Journal
A Passage of Light
Ignorance and intolerance are the sad norm now and that is melting pot of the right wing nut jut jobs. I consider myself to be spiritual rather religious. I think the silent right should be shouting top of their lungs do not burn what this frightening hack calls just a book. Dhh the Quran is holy to Muslims. Some how I don’t think God wants this frightening hack preacher in the uncontrollable fire of starting WWIII with the terrorist world.
Unfortunately, this hack has a following, no one on the right is speaking out and he has a CHURCH!! The talking heads should be speaking out about not supporting this consummate fire. May the light touch spirit and cleanse this preacher’s soul. What he prososes in my opinion, is an act of the devil.
Change is the mood of the electorate, so it only became natural for the Conservative PR campaign to steal the language of change even though they intend to do exactly as they have--serve the upper class. That's why it's important for Liberals to remember that tactic and not relinquish the language. It's important to remember that "change" is not "doing what we've been doing for most of the past 30 years." Words and phrases are just another field of war for the Republicans. In our quest to be "reasonable" we must never forget that. In fact we must remember that even the word "reasonable" has been twisted to mean "whatever Conservatives want." http://www.washingtonmonthly.com/archives/individual/2010_08/025065.php
Yesterday, Chuck Todd got me all scared on Brian William's broadcast, talking about the Democrats' bad polling numbers. How come he didn't mention the little "misperception problem" we have regarding the stimulus, then, when he was intoning the right direction/wrong direction polling? Shouldn't the broader public be informed that the stimulus WORKED and a Depression was OVERTED? Why save that nugget for us political junkies, who are already pretty well informed?
We have major problems with news broadcasting in this country. And I say this as a fan of Mr. Todd, Mr. Williams and David Gregory.
Amy you are so right.
It is infuriating that the media persists in pretending that up is down and right is wrong just because "some say" it, even when all the evidence points in the opposite direction.
Some things aren't debatable, and the effectiveness of the stimulus bill is one of them. Going from losing a million jobs A MONTH to positive job growth, even if it is weak growth, is a MAJOR ACCOMPLISHMENT even if no one wants to acknowledge it.
And the reason why the stimulus was needed in the first place - gross financial mismanagement and fairy tale conservative thinking - is another.
And not one conservative has come up with a reasonable explanation of why tax cuts don't have to be paid for but any measure to help working class folks does.
And fortunately for them, the media in this country will never require them to.
Amy, they are truly driving the message and not reporting without opinion.
Anyone who thinks otherwise is not paying attention or dont care. There is nothing more upsetting to me, than to listen to these so called highly paid journalists, ask leading questions and not offer a question from the distaff side. They may as well be shills for the GOP......all of them fail at their jobs. There is no objectivity in anything they do, I find it is better to read, but for many that is not possible, in this sound byte world of today, and consequently, we have too many uninformed voters who exercise their franchise, based on a lies, half truths etc. and their own emotions, not for their best interests.
Amy--I think part of the problem is the 24/7 news cycle we now live in--the media has to have a story to tell every day and they want dramatic headlines to drive the story so they come up with a new narrative every day. "Stimulus didn't work" is a better headline than "Stimulus worked but could have worked better but Congress (due to blue dog Dems in the Sen. and lack of Republican cooperation) wouldn't vote a larger, more effective stimulus"
Steeler Fan:
Excellent summary of the facts. And it takes less than 78 seconds to say it. Mr. Bag says it's "despicable" to spend less than 78 seconds on a major story. How despicable is it that "mainstream" journalists spend zero seconds on telling the truth about the stimulus package?
I had similar thoughts, Amy, watching last night. Gloom and doom brought to us by the press. No wonder the American people are pessimistic--they rarely hear the good news, the accomplishments of Pres Obama and dems but instead are fed a steady, daily dose of negativity.
But negativity, hate, lies are better for ratings than the truth. And that's what journalism has become, it's all about ratings and money the truth be damned.
More from PBS...
DAVID CHALIAN: Oh, without a doubt, Jim, because, as you know, when you look at polls, the numbers tell you something, but, more importantly, the trends tell you the story. Take a look. When voters are asked which party do you trust more to handle the economy, which, as you know, is the number-one issue, today, 42 percent say the Democrats, 40 percent say the Republicans. They're basically splitting that vote.
But look at where it was just a month ago in July. Republicans, only 34 percent of Americans said that they trusted them. They increased six points in trust to handle the most important issue in just a month. That -- and that is a trend that has been going now for about a year now, that Democrats are losing ground on that key trust on the major number-one issue."
http://www.pbs.org/newshour/bb/politics/july-dec10/taxes_09-07.html
So what is happening here? Why such a precipitous drop? Will the president's infrastructure plan be seen as a political ploy because of the timing? Is it a serious proposal or political device?
dangerfield,
What is happeing here is that America hears the Republicans saying that the President sucks and they hear Democrats saying that the President sucks and they believe.
Pretty simple.
I guess we can appreciate President Obama better once President Romney gets the next economic bubble all blowed up.
So based on your analysis;
America is a country of mindless sheep who were herded to vote for the president over the republican challenger by the corporate media, but scant months later those same sheep (the american people who voted for the president) have been herded by the same corporate media to believe he "sucks" (your term) ?
What pray tell is the corporate media's agenda? why did they do such a rapid 180?
Does your hypothesis make sense?
The American people, the American voter, deserve a little more credit than that. They deserve the same credit you gave them when you surely praised US for electing the president.
dangerfield,
The one point you leave out of your analysis is that during the election, you didn't have a large segment of the Democratic Party working against the President on the daily.
See the difference?
I never said that anyone was a sheep, I said that when you repeat a message enough . . . like Obama sux say . . . it eventually starts to be believed.
Especially when our current "media" structure is more focused on polls and talking points than realistic causes and proven effects.
I mean, you yourself say that "independents" are going to vote Republican to "punish" the Democrats, although I don't see how playing musical chairs with public office and enacting the same policies that don't work again and again proves much.
But hey, I could be wrong.
You know Nash, if you get enough people saying the President sucks, then maybe he sucks.
Pretty simple.
But WHY Nash?
What changed in the past 18 months? Why did the corporate media and the DEMOCRATIC PARTY(!!!) turn against the president? That is what you're saying.
So the DEMOCRATIC PARTY is working against the president? Who? Which democrats specifically?
Do you mean that the democrats running for office?
Who says that
"...our current "media" structure is more focused on polls and talking points than realistic causes and proven effects."
When did our current media structure happen? After the president was elected? Was the president ELECTED based on polls and talking points?
So the democratic president and the democratic administration who are doing a great job are in danger of losing their majorities because of the DEMOCRATIC PARTY and a corporate media hell bent on destroying the very people and party they supported less than two years ago?
Does that really make sense to you?
Hey, you very well could...
It's amazing how fast all those "smart voters", the voters that elected Obama and all those Democrats to Congress, suddenly got so stupid. In two years time no less.
The education system of the country is to blame. And Bush is too.
Those trying to survive on Obama Island are now getting their feet wet with the rising tide. Or maybe it's global warming that is causing the island to flood. Or, maybe it's sinking. Probably all of them. I blame Bush.
dangerfield,
First of all, I want to say, thanks for coming back, I missed you.
Now to your questions:
I think that folks bash the President for lots of reasons, and I really don't have a problem with that.
Here is what I do have a problem with: using lies and misinformation to attack the President.
You cannot deny that there has been a tremendous amount of misinformation spread about the President and his policies.
The sole purpose of this is to confuse people and give them a sense of exasperation - and it works.
I fault the media for parroting lies instead of debunking lies.
When you combine the disinformation campaign with legitamate crticism, you get an overwhelmingly negative portrayal of the President and his policies, no conspiracy required.
So it really is not a partisan issue, it is a truth issue in my opinion.
I am not saying that there is an evil plot to destroy the President (but of course there is), I am saying that folks who tell lies face no consequece in our current political system and are often rewarded for their efforts.
And that's just sad, no matter who the President is.
I've said it before, and I'll say it again - it's not about President Obama.
It's about what works and what doesn't, but we have very little discussion about that.
It's all nontroversies all the time to keep the electorate discouraged, distrustful, and angry.
And that's my professional opinion! ;o)
I wonder why Peter Orszag changed his mind, and now advocates extension of the Bush tax cuts for all taxpayers for two years?
This is a guy who is not only a Democrat...he was President Obama's Director of Management and Budget, for heavenssake...
Does he really, honestly believe that it's not a good idea to raise taxes in this economy...?
What's his REAL motive here...what's his angle?
C'mon...the guy sounds just like a Republican.
JoAnna,
Over 40% of the American people are on the island with me! ;o)
As a matter of fact, everytime I look up, I see you, so it would seem that you are on the island as well, you closet Obama lover you!
Maintaining ratings. Media corporations are still corporations first and foremost. Their primary responsibilities do not lie in informing the public. They lie in generating advertising revenue for the shareholders of the company. Simply put: The president became boring after he was elected.
Supporting him, therefore, assuming that companies like CNN could ever have been said to have been 'supporting' him, as evidenced by them not excoriating him to the extent that Fox News did. At least, that is as close as I can ever get to a rational explanation from the right wing regarding, the more centrist news organizations' 'support' of the candidate during the election. Well, that and the fact that they asked Sarah Palin such mindbending questions as 'What do you read?' during interviews, demonstrating their clear bias for those opposing her during the campaign.
Nevertheless, the narrative of candidate Obama was interesting. The reality of president Obama was dull, especially in the middle of an atmosphere of national malaise caused by a national recession that was going to linger no matter what action was taken.
Hence, Fox news as the 'anti-Obama' news agency immediately had the upper hand ratings-wise and the following months demonstrated that as the 'anti-right wing' news organization, MSNBC, began to slip in the ratings as people attempted to go back to their normal lives in a growing atmosphere of national hysteria, led by the tea party fanatic and their shrill cries of wanting their country back. The Media latched onto these people, because no matter how moronic it was for anyone to start a revolution after having only been out of power for 24 minutes and 32 seconds, it at least was something other than, 'well, the economy still sucks today' to talk about.
At that point, it became the fashion to bash the president because the president became boring. He did dumb things like propose actual proposals instead of simply bitch about everything. He didn't talk about how angry he was all the time and took inordinate amounts of time to gather data when making decisions about whether to escalate ongoing conflicts or proposed that we allow the people investigating situations do their jobs rather than immediately jumping into the fray and declaring something.
Because the one valuable lesson we learned from the 8 years prior is that dumb impulsiveness is actually 'decisiveness' and waiting before acting in ignorance is 'uncertainty in the face of crisis.'
With someone that dull at the helm and the need to service the shareholders, what was the media to do?
Of course they would go where the money is. They aren't stupid. The money, right now, lies in being critical to the administration. I usually turn on one or more of the news programs for about 15 minutes every morning before I drive into work. Every day for the past six months, the story has been about how lousy this election is going to be for the democrats. Every day. Without fail.
They call polls whose numbers change at best a percentage point or two from week to week 'news.' Hey, I understand that this election is going to be lousy for democrats. I understood it last year after the summer of endless whine from the right wingers. I understood it from the moment the birthers started their bull@!$%#. I understood it from the moment Limbaugh said what he did right after the election.
This is not news to me. But if you cannot look at the obvious and tell me that leading with the same non-story about Americans 'feelings' EVERY day is not driving the narrative, then you aren't nearly as smart as I think you are.
"You cannot deny that there has been a tremendous amount of misinformation spread about the President and his policies."
allow me to take a page from your book..
Don't tell me what I can and cannot deny as I make up my own mind based on the FACTS.
I don't think there has been any more "misinformation" (and again this is your characterization) than any other administration. Ask the ardent supporters of Presidents Clinton and even the dreaded W. Characterization and re-framing are part and parcel of the political process. Jefferson, primarily through the writings of James Madison did it to John Adams during his administration 200 years ago.
The sole purpose of this is to confuse people and give them a sense of exasperation - and it works.
I fault the media for parroting lies instead of debunking lies.
The meme of blaming the media for their lack of journalistic ethics vis a vis this administration would hold water if it had been a theme here before the president's approval ratings began their decline, or if it had been said about the previous administration.
Calling actual events in the news "nontraversy" has become a common theme here too. This seems to mean a controversial topic that the administration has fumbled or that the "community" would like to ignore.
It's the same corporate media now...WHY have they turned against the administration they supported 2 years ago? Couldn't it have something to do with ACTUAL events?
Orszag sounds like he was the voice of reason inside the Obama White House, and that's probably why he isn't there anymore. Romer was just naive and stuck to the dogma that deficit spending would fix everything, but she too at least saw that raising taxes isn't a good idea if you want businesses to be successful. Both are now gone for their troubles as the Obama economic team continues to tact to the Left.
Tack to the left, JSmith. Tack. It was originally a sailing term that referred to changing the facing of the bow of a ship.
Michael Thompson:
That was one of the most excellent posts I have ever read here at First Read - well done!
dangerfield:
You say you make up your mind based on the facts and then you present no facts. Ironic, no?
You keep asserting that the media "supported" President Obama . . . how do you support that assertion? I guess you went into a coma during the Reverend Wright debacle. Or Michelle Obama not loving her country. Or President Obama not wearing a flag pin. Of calling then Senator Obama "presumptuous" for daring to express opinions about U.S. policy while running for President. Or the the whole "birther" conspiracy. Or openly questioning why the President doesn't have a church. These things don't really sound like "support" to me . . . so I wonder what you are talking about.
As I have told you before, I am not trying to convince you of anything, I am sharing my opinion.
Take it or leave it.
Michael Thompson, Charlotte, NC
The NewsHour and PBS are after RATINGS? or the approval of CONSERVATIVES? Does anyone really believe that?
In at least three of your posts, you specified 'corporate' media.
I don't include PBS in that group. PBS by and large has generally attempted to remain as blandly boring as they have always been in the coverage of everything. As far as it goes, I doubt they are really looking for the approval of anyone, let alone any specific group, however PBS is largely run by academics, which means they are going to write their stories from the viewpoints of academic journalists, (if there really is such a thing left in this country).
I was answering the questions you asked, not, apparently, the questions you would have preferred to ask.
Mike Thompson: Tack to the left, JSmith. Tack. It was originally a sailing term that referred to changing the facing of the bow of a ship
Thank you ever so much Mike for the correction. And I am currently in the market for a staffer to help me with my other posts, you know proofreading, light filing, and the such. Are you interested? It would go in the "Job Created" category.
Let me know hon.
Not really, no. I just told you because I honestly didn't know whether you knew the difference.
Do you constantly see me correct typos and spelling mistakes? No. I don't.
-shrugs-
Oh, well. Cling to the sarcasm and remain stubbornly ignorant instead of choosing to learn anything.
Well Mike, you seem the serious sort. So rather then focus on the misuse of a word like you did, why don't you share your wisdom with all of us on the subject at hand. Just why is Orszag jumping ship with Obama and advocating the extension of the tax cuts? Certainly a serious person like yourself will have some deep knowledge of the subject and an opinion that will impress the local intellects.
Looking forward to your learned response.
Or, you can go around looking for misused words on the blog and show how superior you are to others by correcting them. Your choice.
I have no idea what his motivations are. The only thing I can share with you regarding the tax cuts is my personal opinion of what would happen if they were extended or not, which is not much in the short term. If they are extended, then nothing essentially changes and the recession continues. If they are not extended, then nothing essentially changes and the recession continues and the right wing has yet another thing to whine and complain about.
So I suppose in his way, he might be trying to protect the administration from another rash of crap, but that is all speculation.
I don't really spend a bunch of time talking about tax cuts and so forth because I acknowledge that the Reagan tax cuts were effective for their time, but I think the Bush tax cuts essentially failed in their purpose because the recession they were designed the combat was very light and the lower the nominal tax rate already is when you implement the cut, the less impact the cut empirically has.
In that respect, if further tax cuts were to happen at this point in time, the effect would be negligible. The reason that there are no jobs has nothing to do with tax rates. It has to do with the pricing scale of this nation and the fact that a wage earner in this nation who is considered to be at or near the poverty line is in fact among the top 7% of wage earners on the planet. That means that it is INHERENTLY more cost effective for businesses to do business almost anywhere else because, no matter what, wages are going to be lower there.
Our only real hope as a society was to keep everything essentially in-house. However, there were people in the past who held the mistaken belief that a society could function with nothing more than a service economy. However, in order to keep the society propped up and the pricing scale of the nation intact, the lower level wage earner MUST be in the top 7% of wage earners in the world. Otherwise, the entire thing comes crashing down because the free market demands that something that is worth $0.32 in New Delhi CAN'T be worth $18.32 in New York with equalization.
And that equalization spells good things for India, but not so good things for our standard of living here. THAT is essentially what the right wing is asking for with their constant demands for free market capitalism. You are demanding that the free market equalize the global economy, which means in a nutshell that this nation loses.
And loses huge.
Mike. Then we agree. Tax cut or no tax cut, in the short term, it really means nothing. Increasing taxes will slightly reduce the deficit by something less then anything that would matter. Extending the cuts will keep the deficit about the same. In the long term it does make a difference, it is a part of the solution, but anyone that says that tax rates are the only or the main mechanism for creating/destroying jobs is not being honest. There are hundredsof factors that cause the job engines to perform, or not. Hanging them all on the tax rates is at best disingenuous.
Can the country survive as being a service provider? I think yes. Looking at the software industry as an example. Certainly India and China took much of that segment of industry away from the US, but as those countries advance, the gap between the cost of doing business there compared to here is narrowing considerably
You write of equalization, and I guess I see it from the other side of the coin. The Left of this country wants to make the country into just another cookie cutter generic country by eliminating risk and making sure that everyone is equal. Not just equal access, but equal results. We see that with the recent health care bill. Will more people be covered by that legislation? Yes. Will the quality of care be better? No. Will it make for innovation and improvements in medical care? No. It will be cookie cutter, one size fits all, generic, and poor quality medical care. But we'll all have access.
Free market capitalism works, but only if we allow the innovators of the country to stay ahead of the game by creating new and better ways of doing things. In a stagnant economy, we're not seeing that R&D. We saw that in the '90s with the tech revolution. Possibly the same can happen with Green Technology, but that is a tougher problem to crack.
And if we limit the amount of regulations and taxes on Americans, that's when we win.
JS1, you're distorting again. Orszag's opinion is that it would be BETTER to get just the tax cuts on the lower 98% of tax payers, but Republicans might FORCE him to give up the deficit reduction that should be coming from the other 2%.
It's OK, we understand the Conservative narrative has trouble with facts.
Michael Thompson, Charlotte, NC
In at least three of your posts, you specified 'corporate media'...
If you read the the thread you'd see that I was simply quoting Nash's assertion that you then piggybacked.
and she praised your post,
Nashville_fan
Michael Thompson:
That was one of the most excellent posts I have ever read here at First Read - well done!
...so you should at least afford her the courtesy of reading hers......
And just for the record . . . I ain't taking the Rahm bait.
Who cares.
I'm with you Nash, in the scheme of things, this is not worthy of our attention. Just another manufactured piece of 'news' by so called journalists, better known as a distraction.
Oh but the media will be all over this Rahm story that's what they do best tabloid news. Truth and facts don't matter in the news cycle anymore, not sense Tim Russert, that's when media went off the rails.
It looks like my criticism of First Read people was premature on the Gallup poll, since they did give prominent mention to the new results showing a tie between Repubs and Dems, with reasonable caveats about any of these polls. But other reporters do seem to be ignoring the new poll after hyping the earlier one showing a 10 point lead for Republicans:
http://www.washingtonmonthly.com/archives/individual/2010_09/025567.php
What is a White House Chief of Staff?
According to Wikipedia, a White House Chief of Staff (COS) is the President's pre-eminent assistant and confidante. The position has changed and developed over the years to reflect a growing White House staff and an expanded executive branch. Today's version of the COS position became permanent under President Nixon.
Wikipedia further outlines that "the roles of the Chief of Staff are both managerial and advisory and can include the following:
* Select key White House staff and supervise them
* Structure the White House staff system
* Control the flow of people into the Oval Office
* Manage the flow of information
* Protect the interests of the President
* Negotiate with Congress...and [other]...political groups to implement the President's agenda"
The average tenure of a White House COS is 2.5 years. If Rahm Emmanuel leaves his position, he will have served a term of average length. Most COS's are former politicians and many continue their political pursuits when they leave the job. For example, Nixon's COS Alexander Haig became Reagan's Secretary of State. Donald Rumsfeld was a Ford COS who became Secretary of Defense. Dick Cheney was also a Ford COS...and well, we all know what he became.
If Rahm Emmanuel leaves to pursue his dream of becoming the Mayor of Chicago it will be a loss to President Obama, but there are many who are well-qualified to step into the position of the "President's son-of-a-*****," as one of Nixon's COS's, H.R. Haldeman, was known.
Chiefs of Staff come and go every few years and the Presidency and America survive and move on. Whatever Rahm Emmanuel decides to do, let's offer him all the best wishes to him in his pursuits.
test
Houston-
Maybe Cillizza wasn't impressed.
Yesterday, his employer, The Washington Post, released its own poll showing Republicans with a 13 pt generic congressional edge.
Or maybe he's more impressed by the overall trend in the generic numbers.
Mixed Bag;
I see that you left the Huffington Post for a while...or are you jumping between both sites spreading your nonsense?
I'm a little surprised that you saw me at HuffPo...I rarely post there.
Thanks for the attention anyway, Anita...
Mixed Bag is a MASTER at defending or decrying a nuanced point.
He is the best I have ever seen at doing that.
Mixed bag, there you are - a nice word about your posts from me.
Precisely my observation...BUT YOU POST THERE...right?
Pietro-
Your kind words are gratefully acknowledged in the spirit that they were offered,
Can we agree that First Read is often in need of a little subtlety...and nuance?
Mixed bag -
we can agree on that, although that sort of subtlety get trampled on quite often here at FR. Maybe after the Midterms we can argue a nuanced point of your choosing.
Possibly, Pietro-
But First Read is already a pretty negative environment, and the trendline isn't suggesting improvement just around the corner...just the opposite, really.
The post-midterm landscape is likely to be much worse than the present one in terms of the relative civility here.
I believe there are going to be lots of angry...no, make that angrier bloggers.
Further, I don't see a whole lot of willingness to accept even the possibility of a substantial change in the current composition of Congress, despite what the smartest handicappers are suggesting.
Actually, mixed bag, the atmosphere here on FR is pretty good compared with other blogs that I have seen. Most of the other blogs are heavily skewered right or left; some that I have been on are 90+% negative with lots of name calling.
I can appreciate a person that can argue a nuanced point, although i don't always agree. The trick is RECOGNISING that you are arguing a nuanced point; I believe that is what gets you into heated arguments sometimes with other postes on here.
You can thank me later for letting everyone know that's what you do.
Your assertion(s) about the midterm election are, in my opinion, too early to call. It seems that the media has taken sides, and with all of the 'misinformation' it is hard to tell which side will prevail. I can tell you this though - no matter what happens during the midterms, the country will move along. We may not move forward, but this 'event' will go down in history and people will go on about their business.
During the campaign, it looked bad for President Obama right up until the end when he got the most electoral votes to become President. The GOP smear machine was in FULL gear during the WHOLE campaign, and a lot of what they were saying were lies.
Many Americans breathed a sigh of relief and felt that their hard work will FINALLY bear some fruit. Well, it has, but things are so messed up it will take more effort on the part of the populace.
So, I would not be so quick to call the midterms for the Republicans. The actions of the Tea Party people and the Republicans are being noticed by many and I cannot say that people are pleased.
However, the mere fact that two posters on here I challenged would rather see gridlock was a bit surprising, but given the mood of the country, CHANGE is something that most people cannot handle very well. Why not just STOP for a minute to catch your breath, correct?
Finally, note that I try and give the people who I am talking about their due. I did not call the Tea Party People 'Teabaggers' and I am careful to put the proper respectful title (like President, Gov. or Rep) when I am addressing a political person, even if I do not like their politics.
That is my way of maintaining some modicum of civility, even in the heat of battle. I do not 'hate' my adversaries when I post, as sometimes my most vaunted enemies come up with things that I actually agree with and can support.
We will cross swords again someday, Mixed bag.
I am looking forward to it.
Obama has had several occasions when he could have stood up for what's right, for the people, but he chose not to, the Healthcare Reform Legislation is one example that still pisses me off, he and everyone that worked on that bill knew that without a Strong Public Option they had nothing but a bill that mandates that people purchase insurance from a corrupt industry, no competition, no way to control costs, and he signed it into law without a peep, he should have vetoed it and told Congress to send a decent bill back to him, we would have been better off and it would have shown some backbone. He is soon going to be faced with a similar dilemma, the Congress is going to try and extend the Bush tax cuts for the wealthiest, I guarantee it, and he best man up and reject that idea very forcefully, stand his ground and do the right thing, if he does the people will rally behind him and the Dems come November, if he just signs off on an extension of the cuts for the wealthy the Dem's will pay a high price come November.
w bush - I see that you haven't figured out what President Obama does with his initiatives. let's break this down a bit:
You have to understand that in this environment, the American people are NOT ready for or will accept a LOT of change at once. The President gets this, and has instituted the HCR law incrementally. There are two tactics that I recognised when he did this.
One was that The President acknowledged the resistance against RAPID change, and staggered the implementation of this law over a period of years. The benefits: people could digest the part that is to be implemented and determine how that can be applied to their lives. This is why you are seeing polls show that people actually LIKE the HCR bill after the fact. People can understand what works for them and can make the appropriate adjustments.
The second was more political. Since the HCR law is being implemented incrementally, it is increasingly difficult for the GOP to repeal the law. How can you repeal a law that hasn't been enacted yet? HCR is basically structured as a bunch of 'little' laws, so trying to repeal all of the 'little' laws would encompass a lot of time and effort with little or no return. This is why the GOP has whined about 'repeal', but they will NEVER be able to do it. Their supporters complain that this law was 'rammed down their throats'. t is kinda hard to 'ram down' something that hasn't been enacted yet, destroying that argument.
The other item that you are complaining about is the lack of a Public Option. W bush, here is the gist of the situation - you do NOT play your BEST cards in the beginning of a negotiation. HCR is a negotiation that will be ongoing for years to come. The GOP had their chance, and now they have locked themselves out of that negotiation.
The skinny dude with Big ears wins. Again. This is akin to a big size 12 bootprint on their butts that is clear enough for everyone to see. That dude with the big ears in the White House kicked GOP butt so hard that the GOP's children feel it.
What President Obama did was hold back his hole card. he set up HCR like he did with the PROVISO that the insurance companies will behave themselves and do the right thing. As we can see, the insurance companies are basically telling President Obama to go DO himself.
If things get particularly bad, then all the President has to do is to introduce a bill that will enact the Public option. At that point, the general public will be FED UP with insurance companies enough to apply pressure to their Congresscritters to vote for some relief.
The skinny dude with big ears has outsmarted the GOP. Again.
If there is nothing else you should recognise, it that this President uses two things to make his agenda count. They are: Timing and Patience.
You see Patience when he is setting the stage for the things he wants. For example, I am not too concerned about the GOP blocking the $50 BILLION infrastructure bill. Why? This President is patient, and is using this bill to bludgeon the GOP over the head, and they don't even realise it. The President knows that this bill will generate MILLIONS of jobs; the GOP knows it too.
You see timing when new initiatives are introduced. I will use the $50 BILLION infrastructure bill again as an example. Why is the President introducing this bill now? I submit there are two reasons - one, he wants to highlight the obstructionism of the GOP before the November election. Two, he wants to set the stage for beating the GOP over the head by saying that the jobs are there to be had but th GOP is blocking the bill, creating a groundswell of resentment against the GOP and support for his agenda.
You really need to look beyond the obvious. You are upset because the Public Option was not put through at first. What do you think would have happened if he did? Would the Public Option be as STRONG as it is now (as an alternative) if that was put on the table right away?
I don't think so.
As a person who voted for President Obama, I am in constant awe in his ability to think through these situations and present them in such a manner that it simultaneously HELPS Americans and BLOCKS the GOP resistance at the same time. What we are seeing is a MASTERFUL performance by a really intelligent President that DESERVED the Nobel Peace Prize, in my opinion.
It is funny that OTHERS around the world recognise talent when they see it, but Americans do not (want to). Americans are LUCKY that they have President Obama.
Even if they don't recognise it.
Excellent post Pietro!
I believe when we look back on this time in our history, we are going to be even more impressed than we are now.
President Obama had done a MASTERFUL job, which is the primary reason those opposed to him are becoming more and more hysterical and unhinged. . . they cannot win based on the merits of their arguments . . . or as the old saying goes . . . "If you can't dazzle 'em with brilliance, baffle 'em with bullsh!t" . . . we are getting a bumper crop of bullsh!t from the Republlican Party right now . . . hard to believe they are gonna be able to hide the stench for another 8 weeks! ;o)
First Thoughts. With all of the problems this country has, the important political topics preceding Thoughts, Obama's additional job creating recommendations, Cleveland speech, the democrats plan for November, and as I suspected--today the media's primary focus is on Rahm Emmanuel which will have minimal impact on anyone or anything including the White House. We wonder why President Obama's message gets lost in the DC bubble--this is why.
Jody, it seems to me that the Rahm story is more about reporters' gossip around coffee than anything else. It's insider stuff that has little or nothing to do with the rest of us out in "flyover country."
Gail, I agree completely--they love gossip. The media creates a controversy where none should exist.
I agree, Jody & Gail--catnip for the press corps and possibly for those of us who are political junkies but not really important to the rest of the country. Those who support President Obama will expect him to name a new chief of staff to get the job done and those who don't support the President Obama won't like whoever the chief of staff is anyway.
MSNBC, CNN, FOX and all the other media outlets are trying to put tabloid magazines out of business. It's cheaper to watch it than to buy a magazine. I wonder if Todd and the rest of the so called journalist thought when they were in college they'd be doing tabloid news.
Chicago deserves Rahm..., much more than the rest of us do...
Good morning everyone!
Tax Cuts
The tax cuts to the wealthiest does nothing for our economy in actuality it is as lopsided as and elephant towering over a mouse. President Obama "should" continue his stance in allowing the tax cuts to expire. To hell with them-- those tax cuts only served to "separate the classes" and God knows that we don't need a continuation of Bush policies in those regards; after all...the separation of classes was his primary intention when our economy was dismantled.
Perception vs. reality on the stimulus
Since we're all aware that politics is "perception" and the stimulus has been politicized and dissected by the media and pundits because we all know full well that the stimulus saved many faltering state budgets. Jobs that would have been lost (teachers, Fireman, law enforcement, social programs) and those shovel ready projects (that benefited my city).
The temporary jobs of the census workers were even proof that the stimulus is working jump started our economy. The problem still lies in the fact that we are in a DEPRESSION. Not a RECESSION there is a frigging difference in the damn delivery of this reality.
How many times have we heard the word "recession" used by the media over the years? We did suffer a "slight slow down" in the economy; we suffered a total colapse! The stimulus is working.
Gallup Tracking
Polls are pure BS and media driven political puppets. Good, bad or indifferent...they are pure BS.
Have a great day everyone...be back later
Been busy taking care of a little other business this morning so I'm running late to the party but I just had to get on here and tell the Birmingham ace how glad I am to see her and to see that she has rejoined us. Lifts a 10 lb weight off my heart. Day without Anita is like a day without sunshine on the Hill
You said it IR. How are things on your Hill this fine day, I say your Hill, least anyone just popping in here think the reference is to the infamous layabout area in DC.
Good to see you here, hope your day is just dandy. I will be out and about today.
Mixed Bag:
I'm not impressed with reporters pretendig to be impartial that bias their news coverage in sneaky ways like Clilliza did.
And it's kind of ironic that Bag is defending Cillizza for giving ZERO mention to the new Gallup poll after he smeared Rachel Maddow as "despicable" for not giving the story about the census worker's death the alotted number of seconds he deems acceptable, even though she and Howard Dean reported all the salient facts needed to reach the conclusion that the census worker's apparent murder by anti-government extremists was in fact a suicide.
So tell me, bag, how "despicable" is not covering a story at all after new facts indicate that the original conclusion hyped the week before is invalid?
Houston-
Still a bit tender, I see...you have to let it go.
And anyway, Houston...I'm not the issue here.
Don't make First Read so inhospitable to dissent.
Cillizza still has time...I'm sure he'll get around to it.
Bag:
I'm not making FR inhospitable to dissent. I'm just making it (I hope) a little less hospitable to hypocrisy, like attacking one journalist for spending "only" 78 seconds on a story after the facts led to a different conclusion and defending another journalist for not covering a story at all. That's pure hypocrisy. And what's worse, Maddow is not supposed to be an "impartial" journalist; she's an advocate for progressive causes. But Cillizza IS supposed to be impartial, but it's only a false pretense of impartiality and he's misleading his readers with a pro-GOP slant.
Careful, Houston...you've already conceded that you were premature in your criticism of First Read's handling of Gallup's latest data.
Cut Cillizza a little slack.
Chris Cillizza, at his Washington Post blog "The Fix", has posted a lengthy analysis of Gallup's most recent generic congressional polling....if anyone's interested.