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From Msnbc.com's Carrie Dann and Tom Curry
12:19 ET: After 80 minutes of questions, Obama's eighth press conference has concluded.
He took questions from 15 reporters. Here's a list of what he was asked about, per Msnbc.com's Mike Brunker.
(Several also referenced how the economic situation and the legislation passed by Congress over the last two years will impact the 2010 midterm elections)
Economy generally: 1 question
Small business bill/infrastructure spending plan/tax cuts: 2
Consumer protection agency: 1
Health care reform: 1
Fighting poverty: 1
Changing the culture of Washington: 1
Resentment of Islam/Quran and N.Y. mosque controversies: 3
Guantanamo/military tribunals for terror suspects: 1
Bin Laden/terror threat: 1
Mideast/Palestinian-Israeli peace talks: 2
Afghan corruption: 1
12:19 ET: Curry's context on the questions regarding civilian trials for terrorists:
Attorney General Eric Holder announced last fall that he planned to try 9/11 planner Khalid Sheikh Mohammed in a civilian court in New York.
Obama said today on a potential trial for KSM that he wants to “move this forward in a way that is consistent with our standard of due process, consistent with our Constitution.”
Holder has not announced any further plans for the trial.
Back in July Sen. Lindsey Graham pinged the attorney general on this, telling Holder, “In your testimony before the Senate Judiciary Committee on April 14, 2010, you stated that ‘New York is not off the table; as a potential trial venue, and that you expected to have a decision ‘in a number of weeks.’ However, months have gone by, and the Department of Justice has failed to reach a decision on where the perpetrators of the September 11 attacks will be tried.”
Back in April New York Sen. Charles Schumer, a Democrat who is up for re-election this year, said there is a consensus in New York that the KSM trial should not be held there. He added, "We know the administration is not going to hold the trial in New York. They should just say it already."
12:18 ET: There are Muslims serving in the armed forces, Obama says. "They are Americans. We honor their service."
12:17 ET: Obama said in August that "I will not comment on the wisdom of making the decision to put a mosque there," one day after he insisted that Muslims "have the same right to practice their religion as anyone else in this country," including "the right to build a place of worship and a community center on private property in lower Manhattan."
12:16 ET: "We've got to be clear about" the fact that we are not at war with Islam, Obama emphasizes.
"We need all the allies we can get."
12:14 ET: Religious freedom means "If you could build a church on a site, you could build a synagogue on a site, you could build a Hindu temple on a site, then you should be able to build a mosque on a site," Obama says.
12:12 ET: Next question: what would it say about this country if organizers were talked out of building an Islamic community center near the ground zero site?
12:10 ET: Back to tax cuts for a minute, here's a piece from Msnbc.com business writer Allison Linn on how the various proposals could affect you.
12:09 ET: Capturing or killing Osama Bin Laden remains "a high priority" of the administration, Obama says. He "has gone deep underground."
12:08 ET: Al Qaeda operatives still cite Guantanamo as a "talking point" and argument for attacking the U.S., Obama says.
One of his most vehement promises as a candidate was to close the prison; that pledge remains unfulfilled.
12:06 ET: Obama points out that the cost of holding detainees at Gitmo is "massively higher" than holding them at a supermax prison in the United States.
12:06 ET: Asked about the prosecution of terrorists, Obama says "the American justice system is strong enough," to convict terrorists ... We can do that. We've done it before."
12:04 ET: The president continues to take questions after the one-hour mark comes and goes.
12:02 ET: On the impending lapse of a moratorium on the building of settlements in areas disputed between Israel and Palestine, the president says "it makes sense to extend" the moratorium as peace talks continue.
He calls on Palestinian leader Abbas to show seriousness in negotiation with Israelis so as to help Israeli Prime Minister Netanyahu with his own political difficulties. If Abbas helps progress, then Netanyahu’s own internal politics “would be little bit easier” Obama said, so that he might extend the moratorium on settlements
The key for Abbas and Netanyahu is “how can they help the other to succeed” as opposed to making sure the other fails, he says.
11:59 ET: The public is split about whether the recent increase in troop levels in Afghanistan has improved the situation there. The latest NBC/WSJ poll showed that 27 percent thought the troop boost "made things better," 26 percent sayid "made things worse," and 36 percent believe that it's too soon to tell.
11:56 ET: Obama speaks about the difficulty of reducing violence in Afghanistan and the training of security forces, says "we've made progress" on addressing the issue of political corruption. "We have seen Afghan-led efforts that have gone after police commanders, significant business people," he says, but we are "a long way from where we need to be on that."
11:52 ET: Next question from the NYT: How can you lecture Karzai on corruption when many of the corrupt Afghan officials are receiving support from the United States? Also an additional question on Mideast peace.
11:47 ET: Curry notes that, in his pragmatic response to the question about the insurance reform bill, Obama just seemed to give a green light to Democratic congressional candidates who are running against his health care effort.
11:46 ET: "The most important anti-poverty effort is growing the economy," Obama says in response to a question about fighting poverty.
"I am constantly thinking about how do we create ladders for communities and individuals to climb into the middle class."
11:45 ET: What about the fact that some Democrats are running against health care, ABC asks.
Obama responds that every district is different and that each candidate responds to his or her would-be constituents. Each one must make the best possible argument in the midst of a difficult political environment. "That's how political races work."
11:43 ET: The president said “bending the cost curve is hard to do” on health care, says he will work to “Slowly bring down those costs.”
A report released this week by the staff of chief actuary of Medicare said provisions of health care law which take effect this and through 2013 are estimated to increase national health spending by $10.2 billion through 2013.
But major parts of the law – such as expansion of Medicare coverage – don’t take effect until 2014.
As a result of the coverage expansions, growth in national health spending is projected to be 9.2 percent in 2014, versus growth of 6.6 percent in 2014 that was expected prior to the enactment of health reform legislation.
For 2015–19, national health spending is now projected to increase 6.7 percent per year, slightly less than the 6.8 percent average annual growth rate projected in February 2010.
As a result of the new law, By 2019, the insured share of the population is projected to be 92.7 percent— about ten percentage points higher than projected prior to the health reform legislation. The number of uninsured will be reduced by 32.5 million.
11:41 ET: Asked about Florida pastor who has proposed burning copies of the Quran, Obama repeats his response to Good Morning America earlier this week, calling the idea "the best imaginable recruiting tool for al Qaeda." He says that burning a holy book is "contrary to what this nation stands for" and says that he must send a strong message that it would put American troops in harm's way.
"I hardly think we’re the ones who elevated this story," he says. "But it is in the age of the Internet something that can cause us profound damage around the world. So we have to take it seriously."
Obama refers to Pastor Jones as "the individual down in Florida" twice.
11:40 ET: On peace talks between Israel and Palestine, Obama says: "It is a risk worth taking because the alternative is a status quo that is unsustainable." He argues that a Israeli-Palestinian accord would help the U.S. deal with “Iran not willing to give up its nuclear program.”
"We're not just doing this to feel good," he adds.
11:39 ET: On the issue of "changing Washington" that Chuck Todd asked about, Msnbc.com's Tom Curry notes what Obama said as a candidate when he declared his candidacy in 2007: “What's stopped us is the failure of leadership, the smallness of our politics, the ease with which we're distracted by the petty and trivial, our chronic avoidance of tough decisions, our preference for scoring cheap political points instead of rolling up our sleeves and building a working consensus to tackle the big problems of America.”
11:35 ET: Obama clearly emphasized his Christian faith in his response to a question about Islam. But many Americans do not believe that he is Christian. In August, a Pew Research Center study found that 18 percent of Americans say Obama is a Muslim. That's up from 11 percent in March 2009.
More from Pew:
The view that Obama is a Muslim is more widespread among his political opponents than among his backers. Roughly a third of conservative Republicans (34%) say Obama is a Muslim, as do 30% of those who disapprove of Obama’s job performance. But even among many of his supporters and allies, less than half now say Obama is a Christian. Among Democrats, for instance, 46% say Obama is a Christian, down from 55% in March 2009.
The belief that Obama is a Muslim has increased most sharply among Republicans
(up 14 points since 2009), especially conservative Republicans (up 16 points). But the number of independents who say Obama is a Muslim has also increased significantly
(up eight points). There has been little change in the number of Democrats who say Obama is a Muslim, but fewer Democrats today say he is a Christian (down nine points since 2009).
11:34 ET: Obama answers that one of the things he admired the most about President Bush was that he was "crystal clear" that America was not at war with Islam after the attacks. He says he will do all he can "to remind the American people that we are one nation under God. And we might call that God different names, but we remain one nation."
He adds that he "relies heavily on my Christian faith."
11:33 ET: Next question from the Washington Post: Why is there still such suspicion of Islam, nine years after the September 11 attacks?
11:32 ET: Here's a little bit more context on the issue of extending the Bush tax cuts:
According to the Treasury Department the cost (in terms of revenues the government would not get) of extending all the 2001 and 2003 tax cuts for another two year would be $457 billion.
To put that number in perspective, the Congressional Budget Office currently estimates that the federal budget deficit for 2010 will be about $70 billion below last year’s total but will still exceed $1.3 trillion.
As a percentage of gross domestic product (GDP), this year’s deficit is expected to be the second-largest in the past 65 years: about 9.1 percent of GDP.
11:27 ET: Obama: "If you're asking why I haven't been able to create a greater spirit of cooperation?... That's fair. I'm as frustrated as anybody."
"When you take on tough issues ... where special interests are deeply entrenched ... you end up having a lot of big fights here in town. And it's messy. And it's frustrating." Obama says he had the option not to take on those issues (like health care and financial reform) but "that's not the kind of leadership" Americans wanted from their president.
11:26 ET: Before he arrived in Washington, Obama answers, policies were "skewed toward" special interests. He names the health care and financial regulatory bills as examples as his changes to that structure.
11:25 ET: NBC's Chuck Todd: "How have you changed Washington?"
11:24 ET: Bloomberg asks about Elizabeth Warren, whose name has been floated as the head of the new Consumer Financial Protection Agency but could face a difficult Senate confirmation.
"The idea for this agency was Elizabeth Warren's," he says. He'll "have an announcement soon about how we're going to move forward."
11:23 ET: Obama declines to call additional infrastructure spending "a second stimulus."
"There is no doubt that everything we’ve been trying to do is designed to stimulate growth and additional jobs in the economy," he says, adding that he has no problem with people saying he is trying to "stimulate growth and hiring."
11:21 ET: President says that Republican and Democrats "ususally agree on infrastructure."
11:19 ET: Third question comes from CBS. Chip Reid asks why the president waited until a "super-heated" midterm election season to unveil new economic proposals.
11:18 ET: "Let's give certainty to families out there that are having a tough time."
11:17 ET: Here's a little bit of background to Obama's response to the first question that the economy hasn't fully recovered. "We're not there," he said.
Last month, the unemployment rate was 9.6 percent. There were 14.9 million people unemployed.
In February of 2009 when Obama signed the Recovery Act (stimulus) into law, the unemployment rate was 8.1 percent and there were 12.5 million unemployed.
After 18 months, the employment situation is worse.
But non-partisan Congressional Budget Office says the economy would be in even worse shape today had the stimulus not been enacted.
The CBO estimated in a recent report that the stimulus has increased the number of jobs by at least 1.4 million in the current year and has cut the unemployment rate by as much as 1.8 percentage points.
11:16 ET: Obama says Republicans and Democrats agree that taxes on the middle class should be low. "Let's work on that."
11:14 ET: In his opening statement, Obama also spoke about his new infrastructure proposal, which he unveiled earlier this week. It would invest an initial $50 billion on roads, rails and runways.
Here is what he said in Milwaukee earlier this week: “It doesn’t do anybody any good when so many hardworking Americans have been idled for months, even years, at a time when there is so much of America that needs rebuilding.”
Here is what he said last year when he signed the stimulus bill in February 17, 2009:
"Because we know we can't build our economic future on the transportation and information networks of the past, we are remaking the American landscape with the largest new investment in our nation's infrastructure since Eisenhower built an Interstate Highway System in the 1950s. Because of this investment, nearly 400,000 men and women will go to work rebuilding our crumbling roads and bridges, repairing our faulty dams and levees, bringing critical broadband connections to businesses and homes in nearly every community in America, upgrading mass transit, building high-speed rail lines that will improve travel and commerce throughout our nation."
11:12 ET: The president calls GOP economic proposals "the exact policies that got us into this mess." He references NRCC chairman Pete Sessions' comment on Meet the Press that "We need to go back to the exact same agenda" from before the Obama presidency.
11:10 ET: First question comes from the Associated Press: How can the midterm elections not be a referendum on the economy and your handling of it?
Obama responds that, if the election is about policies -- those [from Democrats] that could move us forward or those [from Republicans] that led America into economic crisis -- "I think Democrats will do well."
11:09 ET: In his opening remarks, Obama references “tax cuts for millionaires” in the Bush administration. The 2001 tax law cut all income tax rates. Eleven Democratic senators joined 47 Republicans in voting for it in May 2001. Those rates expire at the end of this year.
Obama has proposed to allow the 2001 tax rates to expire for couples with income over $250,000 and others with income over $200,000.
11:09 ET: He urges Americans to "rekindle that spirit of unit and common purpose" that followed September 11.
11:07 ET: Obama says of Christina Romer, departing chairman of the Council of Economic Advisors: "Christie is brilliant, she is dedicated, she is part of the team that helped save this country from a recession." Formally announces Austan Goolsbee as her successor.
11:05 ET: Obama: "One thing we can do next week is end a month-long standoff on a small business bill .. that has been held up by a partisan minority." Retiring GOP Sen. George Voinovich of Ohio has said he will vote for cloture, potentially giving Democrats the 60 votes they need to break the filibuster. Obama praised him by name.
11:03 ET: Obama: "Even though the economy is growing again... the hole the recession left was huge. Progress has been painfully slow."
11:01 ET: Obama is now at the podium, says he will opens with comments addressing "our continuing efforts to dig ourselves out of this recession."
10:45 ET: President Obama will hold the eighth press conference of his presidency at 11a.m. ET, his first since late May. As First Read wrote this morning, he'll likely be asked to address his party's chances going into the final stretch of a difficult midterm election cycle, as well as the continuing controversy over the NYC Islamic community center and a Florida pastor's proposal to burn copies of the Quran. But front and center will be economic issues -- the president's plan for tax cuts, the stubbornly high unemployment rate, and the administration's new efforts to kick-start the economy. (He'll also announce that longtime economic advisor Austan Goolsbee will succeed Christina Romer as chairman of the Council of Economic Advisers.)
And one of the most interesting things to watch for will be if - and how - Obama characterizes his own presidency so far.
We'll be live-blogging the news conference here.
Press Secretary Robert Gibbs offered a preview of the president's press conference today on The Daily Rundown. Take a look, and keep refreshing First Read throughout the newser for breaking news and analysis from the political team.
Visit msnbc.com for breaking news, world news, and news about the economy
Leave a Comment:
I'm sure we will be getting some nasty remarks from the usual mindless suspects. They listen to the crap on Faux news and then print it here.
Don't forget the 'twit of the Tundra' and her tweets.. lol
Fiesty.
Don't forget the 'twit of the Tundra' and her tweets.. lol
__________________________________
Are you kidding? Or it could be because she is everything, because she is basically the Alpha and the Omega, the lipsticked Jesus, as she implies in her speeches to evangelicals and Teabaggers as depicted in the article.
http://wonkette.com/418467/long-sarah-palin-profile-long-sarah-paliny
I rather she tweet than listen to her whiny, harpy voice.
http://wonkette.com/420159/vanity-fairs-sarah-palin-story-is-totally-true-says-vanity-fair
beverly, I think you and you're lib friends are having a chicfest, when are you going to decide on your hairdo, and attire. Americans really want to know.
Regarding Palin - I do have to give her credit for coming out in opposition to the Qu'ran barbeque. I was genuinely, pleasantly surprised by that.
Ramboet-Looks like you got the mindless part covered quite nicely.
"They" can be so mean and petty...and they know who they are...:)
RAMBOET--------------- Well I see you have made your usual contribution to a meaningful discussion..
Don't you libtwits ever get tired of calling name and making snide remarks and generally proving you have nothing else to defend OBama with?
Idiots who bash Fox news and the left wing media have nothing to go on so they use the bashing game or the blame game. Stick to the issue morons. Obama states that we are not at war with Islam well what the hell do you people think that bomb us on 9-11? ISLAM EXTREMIST. The rest of the Islam world sure didn't protest or show any outrage when they attacked us. The Muslim(ISLAM) JUST STOOD SILENT!!! To me they are just as guilty as those who done this horrible act. I lost a love one and was there when 9-11 happened and will not forgive or forget. I am still waiting for Bin Laden head on a platter. I also feel that the Muslim world is protecting him because we still haven't killed him or captured him. If the Muslim world wants peace as they say they do then they need to hand over this sick B*&%$#d to us so he can face his crimes on America.
When you refer to "mindless suspects" I presume you mean those that voted to elect a person who never held a legitimate position nor served one day in the military,to the respective positions of Chief Executive and Commander-In Chief.
Cosceratives------------ Ignore anything the lib twits say at this point.
They see the Armageddon coming and they simply have way to stop it.
Continue to communicate with your elected legislators at least weekly, stuff their in boxes.
Tell them you want the insurance farce repealed, you want the criminal aliens out of your country and you want all of the churches and city governments who, have declared amnesty zones tried in federal court for aiding and abetting criminal aliens.
Try them under the RICO Statutes So that whe they are convicted we can take everything they own away from them as "ill gotten gains" and 10 years in the pen.
Remember the way the Mormon religion was forced to give up polygamy, talk to your legislators, if the Muslims are going to stay in our country they must publicly repudiate those portions of their
religion, that conflicts with the law.
Be sure you vote on Nov. 2nd, we want to remove all of the RINOS and dem lites we can, don't be araid to vote against a republican, if is some one like Collins or Snow or Brown, first we get back to a conservative party, we can always get rid of the dems, they always go to far and shoot themselves in the foot, just take a look at Obama.
Last, Let the lib twits babble on, they know they are about to get hammered, they know there is nothing they can do about it and they will tell any lie strtch any truth and generally, let the nation implode as long as Obam is ttrying to redistribute.
Laugh at them when they talk, all you have to is vote.
Soon the inept quasi socilaistic liar in the white house will be an obscure historical footnote.
@Ron-336003: That'd be anyone who threw a vote (myself included) towards George W. Bush then, right?
You wonder how Obama will characterize his presidency?
Last time, he gave himself a B+, because he hadn't passed HCR, remember?
I'm sure he thinks he deserves an A+ now. Humility is not his strong suit.
The voters, now, that's another question. Take a look at the polls and you see what grades they give him.
A solid F-as in failure.
NJNOBlow - kind of like georgie's grades? I gave him an F for being born.
Actually I'd still give President Obama a B+, I'd give him an A+ if he were more forceful with the repugnants, but then I do realize that not everyone enjoys heckling and calling out those idiots as much as I do.
no jo no clue,
intelligence is not your strong suit. i'll give you an F. a solid F.
i saw a poll that said you have no idea what you are talking about. 100% disapproval of your ability to understand simple concepts.
no no joe
You wonder how Obama will characterize his presidency?
Last time, he gave himself a B+, because he hadn't passed HCR, remember?
I'm sure he thinks he deserves an A+ now. Humility is not his strong suit.
The voters, now, that's another question. Take a look at the polls and you see what grades they give him.
A solid F-as in failure.
Oh well, it all depends on Fax-mussen polls of likely voters. Scott can ask if the sun doesn't shine; is it President Obama's fault? His imaginary voters will say yes. Rasmuseen chases unlikely voters with flakey opinion shaping nonsense to make his polls look good.
The voters, now, that's another question. Take a look at the polls and you see what grades they give him.
A solid F-as in failure.
Real people vote; Jo.
We know you prefer politicians who are clueless, stupid and liars who don't want to help the American people.
Dr. No: How can it be that you are totally clueless?
STS
Obama's been blowing smoke up our A@s since he was running for President and he continues to do so now. This speech was nothing more than a political maneuver on his part as it covered everything that he has been blasted for (Is he a Muslim ? He says christian - Build a Mosque at ground Zero ? he says we need religious tolerance - His new bill for the economy ? Republicans are blocking it ) you name it he covered his butt with a speech as he always has done and always will. He says we shouldn't let politics get in the way, but he has done nothing more than follow a political agenda since taking office and this new bill is more of the same. He throws out the tax cuts to billionaires just to make working Americans agree with him, he knows that makes them mad. But the Bush tax cuts were never about giving money to Billionaires and Rich Corporations, it was about allowing them to keep more money to invest, create businesses and expand their businesses of which all create jobs and allow us all to have more money to spend. If you give $500 dollars in a tax savings to all the underprivileged and all the middle class, it will never create the jobs that would result from less taxes to all corporations and rich investors. His new plan is close, but not good enough and it will fail as all his others have because they refuse to be business and investor friendly and without a clear playing field for big business and investors, they will cut back and business growth will stagnate. They are the movers and shakers (Big Business and Investors) that have and will fire up the economy, but Obama treats them as an enemy. As long as he continues to do that, it's going to be a long recession. Add that to his pending spree and inflation will follow.
Another Free phyciatric examination from our resident, Educator, Phycoligist(SP), Mathmitician & All around NOITALL !
Dr, Doom & Gloom!
Here's a quarter NJ, call the:
Waaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaambulance!
Uh Oh, RonH just put on his tinfoil hat and broke the "crazy" safety glass.
by the way, the bush tax cuts were based on trickle down economics. i realize they worked out so well and upon his departure from office, we had no debt and the economy was doing great. hello, mcfly.
The voters, now, that's another question. Take a look at the polls and you see what grades they give him
And what poles might that be? among the hundreds of people i know not one has been poled. That should tell you something...
uh, Darryl? if anybody you know gets 'poled', you should call the police.
As to who gets 'polled', if you took higher mathmatics, you would understand how polling works. Try going over to fivethirtyeight.com; maybe Nate Silver, (a democrat), can explain statistics to you. It might be worth a shot.
no joe:
I give the President an A++++++ for getting ANYTHING DONE with so many working to see him fail.
He is doing a GREAT JOB and YOU KNOW IT! :o)
And he is not bragging, he is TELLING THE TRUTH!
I didn't see most of the press conference, but my favorite question of what I did hear was the one about health reform not "bending the cost curve" yet from Jake Tapper.
Now I'm no economist, but doesn't a law have to like be implemented before it can effect the cost curve up or down?
I mean we live in a culture where if a law is passed today, it is expected to "bend the cost curve" tomorrow.
Like I said, A+ to President Obama for handling Washington-style foolishness with grace, class, and my favorite, intelligence.
BRAVO!
glen quagmire, Quahog, RI > What a moron you are, trickle down economics worked like a charm and I never have done better in my lifetime all through the Reagan, Bush Sr, Clinton (It started to slow under Clinton) and Bush Jr Presidencies. All Presidents up to Obama reaped the benefits of trickle down economics and it was the reason the economy came back after the horrible Carter presidency. Clinton was able to balance a budget because of trickle down economics and no real Wars and Disasters helped and he had no time to spend as he was in court fighting off the many allegations against him through most of his presidency. Bush Jr had too many wars going and too many Disasters and the Housing crash and Bad Mortgages broke the camels back. Keep in mind that it was the democrats that fought for the easy mortgage money (ACORN picketed banks, Obama was their lawyer at the time) and Clinton signed it. It was the easy lending and Americans over spending on credit that destroyed the economy. Congress was warned by McCain 2 years before the crash that the mortgages were a problem, but the democrat controlled congress didn't listen. And also, keep in mind that it was a democrat controlled Congress that approved Bush's spending and using politics to get money for their agenda during Bush's last two years as President before Obama. Democrats always like spending other people's money, they have in the past and are right now. They also like to throw the Tax around as they feel it is patriotic to pay taxes, while not paying their own until the get a government appointment. Stop watching MSNBC and maybe you'll learn something.
Nice how you Obama supporters can't give anything but insults to those who factually prove how much of a moron The Obama really is. All of his wasted stimulus have failed, hell lets do another. Tax cuts have proven effective, but we'll throw those out. Attacking the minority leader for not coming up with new ideas, like all of his new ideas: failure after failure. This idiot has increased the National debt more than it had been increased by all the presidents before him. (oops here you are going to ignore facts and try to blame Bush for our economy, sorry it was the democratic congress and senate during his presidency that did this to us..its fact) Under Bush we had job growth EVERY year and a unemployment of 4.5%. Obama gets in office and they can't even keep unemployment under 10% His Obamacare needed 3 years of taxes so it could actually be paid for, so Obama started it 2 years early, more liberal math of 1+1=3. Go on, keep supporting him it only makes you look more foolish than you already are.
Hmmm...nojoallblow.....Which arrogant, jerk off swaggered up to the press in a cute little jumpsuit and claimed "mission accomplished" with a smirk?? Selective memory got you again? I'll help ya. It was little man Bush. The little president who would...but didn't.
Okay, I have a question: Our friend No Jo says that no one knows anything about higher math with the exception of herself. Now, I will be the first to admit that math bores the snot out of me, but actually, understanding polling is not that difficult, nor does it require a strong math background. So, for all of you math wonks out there...compute the probability that No JO is the ONLY person in the world that has a strong math background? As to President Obama's time in office. He did what he said he would do. There are people who now have health coverage who had no access to it before. Troops are leaving Iraq, and our allies think better of us than they used to. I am quite happy with the start of his Presidency.
RonH - how is Obama's rhetoric different from other modern presidents? Presidents, like politicians, speak in generalities to appeal to a broad range of the general populace.
I'd still give the President a B+. I like the man, and I like the majority of his policies. He said he would change the culture in Washington, though. I haven't seen that yet. I also think he could be more forceful at times, though that is a liberal talking. Because the culture in Washington hasn't changed, he is hamstrung in that department.
RonH, you have no idea what you are talking about. maybe if you stopped watching Fox, you might learn something there spiffy. Nothing shows your own ignorance than throwing out the word ACORN and Bad Mortgage Loans. talk about the forest for the trees. that's it, focus on low end borrowers which accounted for a small amount of the bad loans and ignore the massive McMansions and the true Sub Prime garbage by Countrywide, New Century, etc... get a clue dope
By the way, any of you that didn't make money and do well since Ronald Reagan need to look in the mirror and then you will see who is to blame. Reagan set the ground work and opportunities were all around to do well, but yes unfortunately, you needed to go after them and yes it entailed a little hard work (Something many today do not want to do). I never did better in my lifetime and now that Obama is in I am on the verge of bankruptcy because it is his policies (mainly a political agenda) that have done nothing to fire up the economy. When treat Businesses and Wealthy People as an enemy just to get the working mans vote (That is the only reason) and threaten them with higher taxes (They pay more than we do now) and higher costs to do business (More regulations and Health care), the economy will stagnate as it has and will continue to. It is definitely his policies that caused this to last longer than it would have if he came into office and was business and investor friendly from day 1. His new plan will fail as it is also designed around a political agenda, money will go to all those money making green jobs (LOL) and Infrastructure (Union Jobs) and Companies that earn under 250,000 dollars (wow maybe a new job crated instead of 1000,s a large company could create). Obama has been president for almost 2 years now, blaming Bush is getting old.
Wheeeewwwwww! The Obama slurpers are out in full force today. I still see Bush bashers abound too. Say anything truthful about Obama and the slurpers start foaming at the mouth and immediately shoot out name calling and insults. I guess when that's the only ammunition available, firing hate filled barbs makes them feel better. I really love it when someone says something truthful about Obama, an immediate response is.. GEORGE BUSH... well, for the uninformed, George Bush is no longer president.
I clearly give Obama a solid F for failure. Obama gives himself an A+, but we both have our different grading scale. Obama feels he's working his agenda to throw America under the bus... ruin our economy, bring us to our knees and grow our government to the largest it has ever been. He is actually very proficient at doing what his agenda calls for. Taking over the private sector, controlling the banks, the mortgage industry and the hallmark health care system. I guess liberals/progressives want government controlling every aspect of their lives. Personally, I want government OUT of my life!
The more government is forced down my throat, the more profound the F I give Obama grows. I will never again buy a GM vehicle or a Chrysler vehicle. I will not use Fannie Mae or Freddie Mack for my mortgage... although the chances of not using them are dwindling each and every day. I suppose one day I'll simply have to rent. As far as government health care goes... I'm sure someday they will kill me off... then the liberals will be thankful that another conservative has kicked the bucket. Actually, the government controlled health care will kill liberals too... government has no loyalty to ideology.
Now all you Obama slurpers... the ones that support his every breath... I sincerely hope you are prepared for the future... the bleak broken economy, the piss poor health care you will receive and your paychecks... that's right, Obama is gonna take it. His lies are profound... you can bet the farm if he says he's not going to increase taxes on those making less than $250,000 per year, taxes will be increased. Do you really think he cares if he lies or not? I am simply amazed at the slurpers that actually believe him... oh by the way, I have a bridge in NYC for sale.. any takers? Bet if Obama said that, you would be reaching for your wallets.
"I was in junior high, d*ckhead." Actually, I was 6 at the end of his presidency, but who doesn't love a good Die Hard quote?
Just because your savior Rush and the rest of the rightards hope that he fails does not make that the case. I give him a B, the Party of No an incomplete because of their refusal to participate.
Al in Visalia CA - You give him a B? Of course you do. You are brainwashed into thinking that the republicans should just go along with the democrats on every issue. No matter how much the issue will cost your children and your grandchildren. Rush isn't my savior, but he makes a whole lot more sense than the HNIC (head narcisist in charge).
Maybe you think borrowing trillions of dollars is a good thing. Who do you think is going to pay that money back? Have you even given it one iota of consideration? I'll bet paying back the national debt to you, is someone elses problem. How enlightened! I know, you want government to do everything for you... at someone elses expense. These are the hallmarks of Obama's agenda. Do you have your hand opened wide so I can pay your expenses? Something tells me that personal responsibility and accountability is the other guys problem....
Brian - did you not believe debt was an issue a few years ago under W. Bush? Under Regan? Most of the deficit spending this year has to do with two things - the stimulus and lower tax revenue due to the recession. What would you do differently to address the issues of the economy?
Brianb, i am sure you were complaining about the debt for the entire decade it was going up. i thought so. what was that thing about accountability? i guess it came into fashion only recently. thanks for playing.
I'd give him high grades. He deserves them
I watched nearly all the press conference. Pres Obama gets an A+ for it; he has more knowledge in his little finger than most of the republicans and the press combined.
As others have said--A for all that he and the Congressional democrats have accomplished. They have passed more significant legislation than any Congress and President in a generation. The economy did not fall over the cliff, private industry is hiring, people are spending more. It isn't over yet but the signs of positive growth are there. Considering the republican Senate blockade (as Repub Voinovich called it)--everything that has been done is remarkable.
So Ron, you did well during reyguns time of errors? Well, I worked hard too, my husband and I both worked two jobs, the housing melt down this go round is nothing like the one under reygun (you know when johnny boy mccain ruined the S & L's), our mortgage rate went from 6 % to 25% in a matter of weeks with no warning! We did not file bankruptcy, we kept on working, yes, we were both under employed before it became a catch phrase in the jr nightmare, and we have not forgotten those days either, it was quite simple, if you were rich you got richer, if not you worked yourself to death and hoped to make it. We made it and then when President Clinton was in office began to do very well. We did not do as badly as some during jr's years, I for one never lost a dime in stocks - cause I took them all out in April 2001 (I never, ever invest in much of anything when repugnants are in power and it has prove to be a very profitable strategy for me and mine - you should try it) put them in muni bonds and am pretty happy with the return. as far as you being bankrupt right now - perhaps you should have not listened to that real estate agent who sold you a house you could not afford?
Anon Monster and Glen Quaigmire - You can bet your bippy I complained. I have even more reason to complain now since Obama has increased the country's debt by almost 4 fold. Don't you see an obvious problem with how much debt our country has to pay back? Or are you of the belief this country can afford to go bankrupt?
It doesn't matter what I'd do because I am a nobody. I have ideas but I am not privy to the multitude of books of our government. I certainly wouldn't have bailed out the banks or the auto makers. Things would have reset in their own time. Let the private sector take care of their own without government intervention. The government isn't the answer to all problems. If those companies went under, so be it.
Anon - the problem with this economy is mistrust. In our country, small businesses make up the majority of the commerce. A small business is one that has fewer than 500 employees. The reason there is so much unemployment is because small businesses have tightened their belt because they have no idea where the current administration is taking us. Why invest at this time in growing your business when the taxes are in flux just to end up paying the government more money in the end... Taxes take away the profitability a company counts on. When you have liberals running the show, historically they have been the ones that raise taxes. Do your research if you don't believe me.
I haven't met a liberal that will agree with me on this fact. Lowering taxes actually increases tax revenue. The logic escapes them. By lowering taxes, a company, or individual has more money to spend and what do people love to do? Spend money. It's the rapid movement of money that produces taxes. When money slows down, as it is now, the tax base decreases. Look at all the states that are near bankruptcy... California, New York, New Jersey, Massachuttets and several others. Most of them are liberal havens and state tax rates are so high, I can't even begin to imagine living on a decent salary, let alone a mediocre one. If you dispute this fact, take a look at states that collect no state income taxes. Florida for one is keeping to their budget. Tourism is down and they are still making it.
Jody, Iowa - you state that congress has passed more significant legislation than any Congress and President in a generation. Do tell me this: How much of that legislation was actually read by said congress? How much of said legislation did more harm to our way of life that hasn't crept to the top yet? Let me know how you feel about health care legislation when they clip a lot of money from your paycheck next year. Please don't stand there staring at your paycheck when they raise your taxes because the Bush tax cuts expire. When you have to forfeit your entertainment because buying food is more important... don't whine... since you support the government for passing such significant trash.
Union Baby - maybe you should be reminded that the housing melt down didn't occur until AFTER 2006. Tell me... what significant government change occurred in 2006. I'll bet it's something your anti-republican banter will not allow you to believe. So... I'll remind you.... The democrats took over Congress. You do know what Congress does don't you? I'll bet in your informed world you know that they are the spending arm of the government. So our economy started shrinking when they took control... the housing bubble burst under their fine leadership. Barney Frank and Chris Dodd, two wonderful democrats were in charge of lending money through Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac.... and they were telling everyone that those two institutions of immense value were doing just fine... until they crashed to the ground. So you blame Bush? Simply amazing how the truth alludes most liberals.
Obama hasn't increased the country's debt 4 fold. I assume the number you're stating comes from future deficit estimates. As the economy rebounds (slowly), tax revenue will increase as employment increases.
As for debt, it isn't a bad thing when used responsibly. It is responsible, for instance, to take out a loan to build something, and then for the users of that building (the general public) to repay that loan over the period in which it is used. I agree that our debt is fast approaching the point at which it becomes dangerous to our economic stability, but I don't blame that on current deficit spending. I think the stimulus would have been better if it had been larger and sans tax cuts, for instance. While it adds to the deficit, the theory behind it is sound, and backed by the CBO.
So you can dismiss others' ideas without having any of your own because you don't have access to the same information that the politicians you so despise do? To see a problem implies that you could correct it.
As for the bailouts, what of the jobs that would have been lost had we not bailed them out? What of the further economic turmoil we might have experienced?
I assume you're saying mistrust of the government and economic uncertainty are the same thing. There have been several recent articles showing that lack of demand is a far greater cause of the lack of business expansion, by about 2 to 1 over "uncertainty." Demand is the engine of the economy, and if it existed, businesses would expand despite whatever regulations, real or perceived, they might be facing.
That the bubble burst under a congress is not a proper indictment of congress, or either party. Neither is simply blaming Fannie and Freddy. Paulson expressed his confidence in the banking industry shortly before Lehman Brothers collapsed - is he alone to blame? You can place blame on everyone from market traders, whose insatiable demand for mortgage backed securities caused more and more risky home loans, to those that accepted ridiculous loans which they had no reason to believe they could repay, to, yes, Fannie and Freddy. It's amazing how the truth alludes those that are beholden to one "side" or another. Did I get the condescension right?
Brianb,
"maybe you should be reminded that the housing melt down didn't occur until AFTER 2006. Tell me... what significant government change occurred in 2006"
That is where you have no clue. those ticking time bombs (Sub Prime Loans) started during 2002 thru 2007 (earlier if you count derivatives via the creation of credit default swaps). it did not explode in our face until later.
i would quit while you are behind.
NJ. You know that humility is not the President's long suit based on ????
I remember being told by a college professor that if ever asked what grade a person thinks they should get, respond with a high mark. It is confidence, not lack of humility.
In case you missed my late response in the Thoughts post:
No Joe. Why would we do what you suggested? That person was not speaking a political thought to discuss but a personal view on a nonpolitical subject, and has a right to that opinion EVEN if NJNB thinks it horrible. Everyone grieves in different ways. Many 9/11 victims do not attend the ceremonies because it reopens the wounds; some have said they wished there were none. I do not judge them for failing to want to participate; it does not diminish their grief. Just because some prefer to move on does not make them any less human for doing so. We are all different.
You can say what you wish about President Obama, you can be as spiteful as you want; the words you write speak volumes about you but not about the President--I really do not care what you think.
President Obama's words mean a great deal to me and many other Americans, far more than you want to admit. I look forward to his words tomorrow, to the words of the First Lady and all the others who will be speaking.
Trying to expand checks and balances to our out of control corporations sending jobs overseas-A. Expanding jobs by giving tax cuts to small business instead of very wealthy-A. Ending abuse of private insurance companies-A. His policies help 95% of us. Big corporations have fought policies to in their own best interests which does not include regular folks. Tax cuts for middle class who have been hurt most over the last 8 yrs as the good jobs were sent overseas-A. What did the old Republican agenda do for us? Two wars not funded, tax cuts not funded and main creator of structural deficit. Encouraging people to mortage their homes and spend and the only jobs that resulted were low paying entry level jobs that disappeared when the deregulated Banks using housing crashed the economy. Deregulation and loss of consumer protection has hurt our economy and our country causing awful repercussions. Why can't we just talk like adults and discuss what is good for our country. We are coming out of a deep recession and I hope we can be adults.
Didn't I just get a belly-full of this dude all day yesterday, and the day before,...and.......
I swear, he's more in-your-face than another Hussein who had murals of himself nation-wide on every town's brick wall...statues erected, and daily balcony appearances. Feel like we have a state-run media with Obama re-enacting Jim Carrey in the Truman show.
The Beev - well I guess you really got tired of ole coke head george, now didn't ya?
obama also admitted to cocaine usage.
My condolences, Beev, upon learing your radios and television sets have had their channel selectors pilfered by persons unknown.
Forward Observer,
obama never claimed to be a republican and from the "family values party". thanks for paying attention.
And President Obama openly admitted his mistake, something georgie's ego would never let him do, regardless of his many and constant mistakes.
Admitting a mistake is one thing, not making more is another. Until this president gets business and investor friendly, we are in for a long recession and with their out of control spending, gear up for inflation which is not far behind. I've been around awhile through many presidencies and i have to say that even the Unions have more real work (work done with private business money, not government taxpayers money) when Republicans are in office, even if they feel the Republicans are unfriendly to them. Republicans have always been good for business and that is where the jobs are.
RonH, their spending is out of control? i got news for you, it's been out of control. welcome to the debt party about 9 years too late. thanks for paying attention though (cough). you have been around for a while? maybe too long. now hit that early bird special and spend your government social security.
BEEV----------- Yeah, the Liberal Network Conspiracy, had had his vapid face on Tv about 6 nights a week, since his poll numbers started dropping, trying to bail him out.
The meglomaniac, in the whte house, really, believesm he can talk a bird out of a bush.
He has lived off of rhetotc and Charisma, his entire life.
Unfortunately for him and the nation, he is in a job that demands results, there of course, he comes up woefully short.
The inept liar in the white house is simply is not concerned, about the economy, he talks the talk,
but, when actions and words differ, believe actions.
Say good by to all of the dems on Nov 1st, BO, a lot of them will be history on Nov. 2nd.
Quite telling, isn't it, that the people complaining about Obama being on TV are complaining about just that- his being on TV. Not WHAT he is SAYING on TV, just that he's on.
Hmmm.......issues must not be as important as WHO's talking about 'em.
NAH-------- We are just tired of looking at his vapid inane face.
We have always despised his impotent and valueless policies.
"that the people complaining about Obama being on TV are complaining about just that"
Not at all, but please your telling me there are "zero" issues dealing with international politics, trade, commerence, or national issues that are still in need of attention. Hmm last time I checked there was still an issue about a Marine Base in Japan, still issues with the NAFTA to include the Caribbean Islands, un-answered issues with national infrastructure (i.e. bridges and roads), air travel i.e. FAA. Yes some of these are Congressional issues, that is why both blundering what's his name V.P. and the Commander in Chief need to start cracking heads on both sides Dems and Rep.
Union-baby..... you said coke-head george, you need to be worried about crack head obama I dont think he ever quit smokeing it.you know they say once a crack head always a crack head.I think thats why he keeps makeing long drawn-out speeches for ever easy question he gets,you see crack took to many brain cells thats why he cant give a simple quick answer except for blameing bush every time he dont have a lot of time to think or he dont have a teleprompter.
Because answers to the questions facing an entire nation are simple and have one, complete and definite, answer? cah-mahn!
Truth hurts but why can't we talk. We all want what is best for us and need to look at facts and not use emotion to ruin our facts.
I praise the president for his efforts in trying to level the playing field. Too many wealthy folks have been getting a tax break while the middle and lower classes bear the brunt of high taxation. I personally am being raped by taxation at every juncture and its about time that the corporations and the wealthy start paying their fair share of the burden.Â
Agree with you totally JPFS52 - since those mega wealthy folks won't act right it is time someone made them. That is why we always have laws - when folks don't act right we have to make them and those folks have not acted right in ages.
Then why don't you ask yourself honestly WHAT has made the last 4 years so unbearable. Why those taxes from all areas have cost you so much money? Why have they risen? Can't blame Bush he wasn't in charge of Congress.....Blame Congress...their entitlements that are costing our local governments so much that they have to raise all state & local taxes.....The rich are paying their fair share of those taxes....so you can't say they aren't paying their fair share....The policies of this President and his adminstrations agenda are what is driving this bus into the ditch....The economy is bad...but it's worse and getting worse as we speak. The people are upset about what is happening now and what this administration is promising for the next few years....It will hurt our economy and families MORE......
It's still America, so you're both have the right to be wrong. Bottom line is the "wealthy" pay far more in taxes already. The lowest earners pay NO federal taxes as it is.
What we need to do is change the word "wealthy" to "Job creators" and maybe some people will realize how foolish it is to raise those taxes. Raising taxes of the job creators is no way to reduce unemployment.
People just get so wrapped up in the "Me" mentality that it's scary. A high wage earner pays probably 50x more in taxes than the person making $40K. Sure, it may be a lower percentage, but if you think about it fairly, it should be. A family of 4 uses mostly the same amount of federal/state resources, regardless of income. A flat tax would be more fair, as would a per person tax, but people don't really want fair. It's just talk.
Mark 2342948....very, very true...
jpfs52- its about time that the corporations and the wealthy start paying their fair share of the burden.
ARE YOU SERIOUS! Why is it so hard for you and others who have your mentality to realize that without the wealthy and big corporations you wouldn't even have a job or a middle class life. You would be standing in a soup line... giving coporations and the wealthy who run those corporations tax breaks allows them to hire you, insure you, and put food on your table. Don't condem the wealthy for being successful! In this Country, anyone could be labeled wealthy...you just have to put forth the effort! Middle classed being taxed to death isn't because of the wealthy getting tax breaks. IT IS BECAUSE OF THE HUGE PERCENT OF AMERICANS WHO SIT ON THEIR BUTTS AND CASH THEIR WELFARE AND FOOD STAMPS CHECKS WITH A SMILE ON THEIR FACE!
The rich of this country pay more taxes than you. But in a pure WELFARE mind, Democrats demonize them and demand they give more so they can spend it on stupid crap the American People don't want. IE, HCR and nothing on protecting Arizona.
It amazes me that you people follow this president so blindly and without revocation. You belittle people that don't agree with you and blame everything on Fox.
Some people want fox, and they also watch other news channels. It's funny though, Fox has shaped this adminabortion more than the will of the American people have. It seems to me every time we turn around the WH is doing something because it was going to break on Beck, O'Rielly or Hannity and they wanted to do something before it did.
Why? Maybe because the other obamabot media outlets wouldn't have reported it. Did you understand that sentance? WOULDN'T HAVE REPORTED IT. News Americans should know you wouldn't have known if it were not for Fox.
Any then you call people who watch Fox crazy with conspiracy theories. Hell, this administration is giving conspiracy theorists homework!!
When a president can comment on a mosque by ground zero and tell us it's freedom of religion and it is ok for it to be built there but fails to tell the Muslims of the world that buring a quran is freedom of speech in this country, we have a problem. Not that I agree with the Quran burning but he had the right to do it and EVERY SINGLE AMERICAN should have screamed that it was wrong, but he had the right to do it. Most left wingers just called him names as usual and blamed Fox News....
millerz
....The economy is bad...but it's worse and getting worse as we speak.....
Actually this is incorrect. There are plenty of markers indicating that many areas of our economy are making a slow, but still important, improvement. Is it slow, yes, painfully.....but our economic problems did NOT happen overnight...nor will they be fixed overnight.
Working people always despise the rich and I guess always will. I am not rich, but have been around long enough to know that I could have been and can be if I want to do the things it takes to get there. Remember Money isn't everything and many of the rich got there by taking risks, at the expense of losing marriages, family and friends, working and making money was all they worried about. Why do you or anyone else despise them ? Why should you look into their pockets ? they created jobs, made many other people wealthy, started hospitals, Charities and helped way more people than a poor man or average working American and almost all of them earned what they have on their own, the same way we can all do it in a free society, but many of us are just too tired, too lazy or never tried to do what they did. It was Businesses and Investors that created the jobs and oppertunities for all of us that have a job. Stop looking into other people's pockets, stop blaming people that have done well for themselves for your finances and wake up a realize that we all are free and can have all we need if we just stop blaming others and get out there and get it. Remember, You reap what YOU sow".
Patrick and company - you will never, ever in a million years convience me that the wealthy of this nation pay more taxes than any one else - heck those jokers would not stand for it, they would do what they usually do with everything else in life - they would and do cheat! When they can't cheat they just slip the money to the Caymans or Switzerland.
Perhaps you should ask your wealthy friends to buy you a TV that has all the channels on it?
ARE YOU SERIOUS! Why is it so hard for you and others who have your mentality to realize that without the wealthy and big corporations you wouldn't even have a job or a middle class life. You would be standing in a soup line..
And here we go! This is the type of crap that people have been spewing for year! Not true then! Not true now! If the rich left this country today guess what they would be replaced by, A whole new crop of rich people! Don't forget most of the rich were poor at one time. Further more the rich have enjoyed a great tax rate thanks to both Regan and Bush, While most of us have been slammed for years. Time to stop whining and pay your darn taxes!!!!
....just another capmpaign promise broken.
no new taxes for those making 250K or less a year. I guess if you spend, spend, spend you have to tax, tax, and tax more.
lol Patrick
"the blacks"?
Seriously?
Welcome to 2010, it's been a long nap, eh?
What I'm finding simply amazing Nash... is the more Democrats fight back the more the right wing nitwits are not even attempting to hide their bigotry & racism...
As painful as it is to watch - I'm all for letting them expose themselves as the ignorant tools they are!
Patrick does a mean impression of Archie Bunker that's for sure!
Patrick, you are correct, the rich do pay more actual $$$ out of pocket, but as a percentage of income the middle class bears the highest tax burden. The wealthy pay the lowest percentage of income in taxes. The working poor, which would include most of the people you deride for being on welfare, actually pay a greater percentage of their paltry income than the wealthy pay.
Why do you think there is such an outcry about a flat tax schedule? It's not the middle class who are opposed to a straight 15-20% flat tax, that would cut their tax burden in half. Its the wealthiest segment of society who oppose a flat tax.
Get a grip Patrick.
So, tell me, do you at least, have the grace to blush, when you type something like that?
Year 2007 47% of tax filers paid no tax.
People in the top 5% of income pais 92% of all personal income taxes.
There are enough of us we can get away with sc#ewing the rich, let's don't try to pretend there is anything fair about it.
Okay let's sc#ew them, but, at least have the moral fiber to stand up and admit, we are sc3ewing them
Johnny Boy, "Year 2007 47% of tax filers paid no tax" - that is a complete lie
and that's a garbage statistic. and your line is not true at all. they still pay taxes, state, local, etc...
also, tell us, how many of the 47% are retired?
glen,
Retired, unemployed, and not making enough money to qualify to pay income taxes.
Folks want to not pay you a living wage on one hand, and then complain that you aren't paying income taxes out of the other.
Ballsy.
GLEN--------- You aret the only liar in this conversation.
The 2007 statistic acanme from the IRS webs site, lib twit.
That information is available to any one who wants the truth as opposed to people that want to sc#ew the rich.
I have no idea how many are retired, I'm not a dem legislator, I haven't taken you to raise, look it up for your self, I'm not rich, I'm not going to do anything for you.
Like I said there are a lot more of us, we can get away with it, but at leat have the guts to admit we are sc#ewing the and not try to pretend there is anything fair about it..
Jeez, you want to act like it's okay t steal money from someone just because they have alot of it, go ahead, no skin off of my nose.
Don't try to make me pretend it's fair, I freely admit, we are sc#ewing them
Johnny Alford:
You have got to be kidding with your "poor mistreated rich people" rant, right?
The debate is about letting their taxes go up 3%, back to the rate they were at before President Bush gave them a tax cut with no way to pay for it.
This is not a punitive step, it is the end of the tax cuts that were designed to expire.
So nobody is taking anything from them. They will still be rich when it is all over.
So stop with your whining.
The only person getting screwed is us folks who actually work for their corporations that don't pay a living wage.
Get a grip on reality please.
Johnny Alford
You act like your numbers actually mean something. But the bottom 47% only have 1% of the wealth, BETWEEN them all. THERE'S NOT a TAX RATE FOR THAT
The top 5% has 99% of the wealth. THEY DON'T PAY ENOUGH TAXES
Do your math, johnny and quit whining. Obama CUT your taxes, two years ago, and you DON'T EVEN TALK ABOUT THAT
Johnny Boy,
it's FEDERAL TAX, not TAX you Repub TWIT
your statement was wrong and you were too stupid to understand the criticism the first time. This is your second. let's not get to a third.
Johnny again, nice try, but more voodoo math. The top 5% probably did pay 92% of the personal income tax paid in this country. But that was NOT a true reflection of their income.
It's just like saying THEY PAY MORE. Which is on the face of it is true. But the PERCENTAGE of their income that they pay is WELL BELOW the percentage of my income that I pay.
That is a fact. That's why they oppose the flat tax.
I would gladly pay a flat 20-25% tax...it would mean a 10% tax cut for me! AND if the wealthy paid the same 20-25% tax of THEIR income we could retire the national debt in less than a decade.
Cry me a river rich people, cry me a river.
Hmm, so what is the proper term today for people of color?
African Americans?
It changes so often I can't keep up.
Someone should tell the Congressional BLACK Caucus their name is an insult to African Americans.
Welcome to the 21st Century Feisty Redhead Roselle, IL
I hope someone ask what is being done right now to help the many americans out of work. Not what the plans are for the next few years or even after the useless elections.
Robert-736780 - I hope someone ask what is being done right now to help the many americans out of work.
REALLY? Stop looking to the GOVERNMENT to fix every so-called problem. I for one do not think there is a job problem. There is a "I don't want to work problem!" I think every american should investigate their Employment Classified Section of their newspaper and really look at the jobs available. I can tell you, in my state...Louisiana, their are hundreds of jobs, but the majority of the people who are unemployed do not want to work. THAT IS A FACT! If you were able to look at the years each welfare recipient has been on welfare, you would be in shock. Years, generation after generation on welfare because they can be! It's easier!
There is no job beneath anyone who wants to work. Convenient store clerks, waitress, dishwasher, carwash, pizza delivery, Laborer, etc., are all PAYING jobs. If one doesn't make enough for you, then get a second job. EARN YOUR OWN KEEP!!!! What has happened to the America where pride ran rampant?
Red White & Blue - I agree with you, there are lots of jobs out there, unfortunately those in upper management and the ceo's looking for work think they are too good to work them - and that is the problem. Too bad fellas, I've worked those jobs, good stepping stone to where I am today, builds good character, and can help put food on the table (don't care if you lose your beemer or mansion), and so many have been so under employed for so long there is no new complaint I care to listen to. Go to work, you just might like it!
Congratulations, I just nominated you for aisnine post of the day, you are to be congratualted, it is very difficult to have the asinine pst of the day, on First Read.
So tell us , how many CeoS and and people in upper management, do you think are turning down jobs.
And congratulations to you Johnny, I just nominated you for the "BIGGEST WASTE OF OXYGEN" award AND the annual "TOTAL BUFFOON" award. Geez, if you could just make a few more stupid remarks you'd be a shoe-in for both awards and a free nights lodging at the motel 6 of your choice.
Nighty night and don't let the bed bugs bite!
Robert, It's a good question and a fair one.
It's starting to become obvious that these jobs will not return to us... ever.
Unlike what the yokels are saying, here, it's pretty obvious that the government needs to play a part.
Obama's already said it, too: look for high-tech and energy development jobs to be added and look for a lot of work to be done on infrastructure- roads, bridges, rails- this country is so "19th century" there
...and please get rid of that freakin' gold shower curtain. OMG!! So glad to see the 'Stars and Stripes' again in our (the people own the White House - Presidents' are just renters) press room.
With all this "stimulus" over the term of your presidency, why are we are still at a mere 1% annualized GDP growth (at most!)? Wouldn't it be reasonable to say that this stimulus isn't doing anything? Why even bother "stimulating" the economy?
Just let the system reset itself and stop messing around with it. The uncertainty you are creating by messing with the system is FAR worse than what we would experience if the system were simply allowed to correct itself.
well said matt walks...you are correct...
Guess you'd rather see a negative growth number, then, for the GDP that we would be seeing without the stim?
Cool.
What growth???? how does repairing roads, bridges and cocaine studies help our GDP???? Got any FACTS state them.
FORWARD OBSERVER
What growth???? how does repairing roads, bridges and cocaine studies help our GDP???? Got any FACTS state them.
I can't believe you don't know people get wages for labor. Studies by government help the economy too; not to mention saving lives.
One Republican Senator Vanovich (sp) has told the truth maybe you could find out why he did and learn something.
Don't really give a big hoot about GDP - that talk is for bankers, accountants, and wall street investors. Repairing roads and infrasturcture is a wonderful skilled employment plan and I am not sure about you but I'm rather fond of driving on roads that do not have holes big enough to eat my car!
Economic systems don't reset themselves. Big shocks can make them collapse completely. Real economic systems (beyond neighbors bartering with one another) rely on effective government support and intervention when needed.
Then why are the rich and corporations sitting on more cash, let alone their hundreds of trillions in stock and money market shares, than ever before, while nearly half of us are below the poverty line and UNABLE to pay the taxes because the rich will NOT bring forth the jobs that are needed to bring us ALL out of poverty and into a real, working society again. Why are the banks not lending to small businesses that have been crying for the loans to put people back to work. Why are the rich and corporations making record profits STILL while the rest of us are in angst about how the economy is falling apart. Why are the Repubs blocking everything, and I mean EVERYTHING that the Dems do that could be bringing us out of the deep hole that the Repubs dug us into while they were in power. Why are so many voting against their own best interests when they back the Repubs.
Could it be the fear of change, could it be that those who are mightily wealthy feel threatened that they will be slightly less rich and have slightly less power if they actually hired people to work at real wages, which would allow the people to buy the very products and services that they work with actually Increasing their profits? Could it be that the old style power structures of greed, control and fear, based on war and inequality are scared that they will lose that absolute power that they have positioned themselves for decades to attain? Could it be the desperation of the Repubs for knowing that they have been destroying America and it is all coming to light be a motivator? Could it be that we have an Intelligent, Black Man who was voted in as President, who is actually working for the Good of EVERYBODY and not just the rich be a motivator of their extreme fear, smear, hate and obstruction techniques? Could it be that the forces that have denied us all the chance to have technology and science that could be cleaning up this world instead of polluting it worse just for greed and profit and total control have anything to do with the right wing control of most of the media be part of the reason that so many are scared and reacting in fear to the changes that need to happen?
Could it be that there is more profit in sensationalism, oil, hate, fear and wars of choice than there is in making sure that everyone can live well, happily and healthily?
Why does the right always have to descend to smear, fear and hate tactics to divide, conquer and destroy and never seems to have any NEW ideas on how to right the wrongs that we are facing while the left is working towards inclusiveness, health, the well being, equality and financial security of EVERYONE and have many ideas to implement this that keep being blocked by those on the right??
Ask yourself these questions and look at how the people here respond to these questions on a daily basis. Vote for progress and moving ahead into the 21st century, not going back to the dark ages like the right would have us do.
TRY asking your self if it copuld simply be the anti business administration that makes them feel anything they invest right now is likely to go down the tube.
I operate a small business, iw ill spend as little as possinle and hire as little as possible, until I feel like I can make money on the investment.
Jees, what you people are basically saying is," why isn't business taking chances , because we want them to?
Lib twits simply lose rationality, when things don't go their way.
B Honest....they hate the man. They hate him b/c....they just hate him...they don't need a reason. They put more energy into hating this black man than they do in coming up with any solutions, so therefore there's nothing left but to only spit out more irrational hate rhetoric. It's all become so predictable. And on cue. Let Obama show up anywhere, placing one foot in front of the other to walk from point A to point B and they turn rabid.
I listened to Obama and as usual I kept thinking...wow, a person with a brain, along with intelligence, along with integrity, along with fortitude and a vision for all people in this country. A president that I am not concerned about saying something stupid in another country. A president who actually knows something more than what some poll numbers of the hour say. A president who is not afraid to be hated by the ignorant, because he understands that they are ignorant and ignorance breeds fear and that fear is being used to defeat a political party, and that the agenda has nothing, absolutely nothing to do with the ignorant masses who fall into it because they are being duped into facilitating a fallen party who does not have the maturity to stand up and accept the mess they created...like a school yard bully who has to scare other weaker classmates into standing with them by instilling more fear. But the difference is that this is our country they're tearing apart and not a handful of 12 year olds.
I just have to believe that the vast majority of citizens that actually vote are also mature enough to think. Gotta believe that because the alternative is so stunningly depressing.
This guys changed washington...he changed it for the worse with his back room deals and bribes...dirty, dirty....
MarkWS
This guys changed washington...he changed it for the worse with his back room deals and bribes...dirty, dirty....
Georgie boy changed the dymanics of this country and the world with his dirty, dirty lies about WMDs (weapons of mass decpetion).
You are correct Beverly, georgie changed everything because he can't open his mouth without lying and doing everything he can to cover his base (the multi millionairs who care nothing about the working class Americans).
UnionCrybaby, Your're not too bright are you?
Who cares what that fool says anymore. When obama, and eric holder let the panthers at the polling station slide even after being found guilty I lost all hope in this admin.. Only idiots would vote on a bill they never read.
very true...
is it Forward Observer or your own Backside Observation? you seem to be talking out of it today. you are totally clueless.
No it's you that's clueless.
i know you are but what am i?
that's what you sound like there spiffy. a child's thoughts with a child's loud mouth.
He is weak... i gringe everytime he has a press conference...well...he only has them once in a blue moon because he does not have the option to use his teleprompter...
Yes those teleprompters got worn out by boy george. Good to see we have a president who does not need one and can still properly speak English.
Hey dude (I think), hate gets u no where very fast...nothing, nada, zilch!! Hate is a short time motivator, non inspirational, and brings out the fringe elements for a hot minute. But wait...there is good news! Hope is on the way!!! Hope, on the other hand is an easy sell. It brings LARGE groups of people together for the betterment of mankind plus, it brings forth their better angels. O yes...pheewww! Thanks God for Hope!
MarkWS
He is weak... i gringe everytime he has a press conference...well...he only has them once in a blue moon because he does not have the option to use his teleprompter..
What do you think Glenn Beck, Hannity, O'Reilly and the rest of the evil cabal are reading while they sit on their yellow, filthy , lying keisters? We know Sarah can't use a teleprompter she'd rather give US the hand jive.
Several weeks ago, the Democrats passed bill that was paid for. It was paid for by closing a tax loop hole which gave corporations a tax break for moving jobs overseas. The Republicans were angry that the loop hole was closed.
I have some questions that every Republican I have asked has ignored: how many jobs were sent overseas due to this bill? How much did it cost the American people? Why did it even exist?
Can you please explain exactly what the loop hole was and how it was a "tax break" for corporations...
This is how the dems work...hey guys, we are going to "reduce" your taxes from 45% to say 35%...that is costing the govt money, so be thankful and you "owe" us...
how does it "cost" the govt money when they are reducing the amount of money they "steal" from you in the first place...
guess what...it is not their money...
If you want a lot more information, I would suggest you ask the Republicans, since they are the ones that wrote it. From what I have been able to find out, it was allowing corporations to "write off" some of the costs of moving jobs overseas. It was a loop hole, because it was outside the tax code. It may have originated during the reign of the Messiah, Ronald Reagan, because he wanted to get rid of all unions, and that is what this bill was doing, paying corporations to move jobs, especially union jobs, overseas.
Don't like what the governments doing with your money? Fight the "socialism". Demand all highways, federal, state and local, and roads be closed. Shut down the water treatment plants. Disband all police and fire departments. And last but not least, shut down all sports, from racetracks to football stadiums, because most of these structures were built using public money.
Now, answer the frigging question!
C'mon, Marky Mark. Where's your answer? Or are you another one of those "Just say NO" brain-dead Repubbies?
Wow..... that speech really moved me he does understand.... He now has my vote back ! I had no idea the Republicans were holding up that many confirmations ! They are interfering with the peoples business !
Get back on the porch!!!.
Of course the republicans are interfering with the people's business, they always have and always will unless it benefits their wealthy base.
Interfering with the people's business. Lol, Not the business of the people, only the parasites and parasite enablers.
The conservative legislators are doing exactly, what we elected them to do, keep the inept quasi socialist liar in the white house from spending any more money and attemting to take this country farther down the parth to true socialism.
You call them the party of no, we call them the party of doing what we elected them to do.
You lib twits still don't get it, do you? You still think this is just one more election and even if you get thrown out, you'll do just like you always did, pick right up where you left off.
This time we ger rid of all the RINOS and dem lites, before we worry about the dems, first we get back to a true conservative party
Nah, not this time, you went to far, this time, we now understand, you will never stop. As soon as you get one parasite program in place, you will start right in on the next one.
First we get back to a conservative party, any conservative that plays footsies with the libs, is history.
Nov 2012, we ger rid of Obam, then repeal the insurance farce and all of the leech programs the dems have bought votes with over the years, they are going bye bye.
If you are a parasite that has lived off of the taxpayer, you are about to get hubgry.
still Bush's fault. time to move-on and grow a couple
Come on People, You have to give him an "A" ... he knows all of the answers because he gave his or I should say his "puppets" the questions they HAVE to ask him . Wouldn't you give yourself an "A" if you had the answers to the questions before hand....
What a joke his admin is...maybe if we took his Birth Certificate off of his forehead and started LOVING him the way the liberals who don't know anything but what he tells them, do.
Remember he is "transparent" so its just that Harry and Nancy aren't !!! LMAO ..
It doesn't seem very spontaneous. But it is so poorly rehearsed on both parts. I cannot believe the left (the only reporters whose questions are allowed) has such poor drama coaches. I can't believe no questions are being allowed from the right. I continue to listen, hoping for something other than what has become a cliche and up to now, this is a BS drama.
Aw Tom, we know you are still embarrased by george's unability to speak the English language. You should not complain, after all, every single event george hosted or managed to show his face at was staged and if you were not part of his base you were not allowed to speak or even to be in the room.
Remember how the Shrub misadministration gave press credentials to a gay prostitute so he could feed softball lines to the Shrub? Remember how hard it is to "... put food on your family ...".
The Republican Party - NO intention of helping the American people. And their supporters don't give a damn. They don't care about their fellow Americans who are hurting. They caused it and now are blaming the president, who is attempting, with one party, to correct course.
The GOP - Do Nothing Politicians. They get huge paychecks, tons of vacation time. And go on tv blaming President Obama even though they have not done one single thing to help this economy.
Not one thing.
President Obama isn't weak. It's the GOP and their supporters who are weak. Gutless.
...unless they happen to be retiring, Ohioan, and staring at their poll numbers, in which case it's all about how the nation is hurting and we should play nice.
aaaahh.... November will be a blood bath of epic proportions. Should put the death nail in the Dumbocrats for good :) Good Riddance
This Administration is mis-reading the economic data, on purpose. The calls for more "stimulus" is plain and simple, a "pay back" to the unions.
There is no demand issue out here. Real domestic purchases were up 4.9% in the 2nd quarter. And the worst unemployment is isolated to those state hardest hit by the housing bubble and subsequent collapse. Two-thirds of the states have jobless rates lower than the national average, which is an amalgamation of 3.6 percent unemployment in North Dakota and 13.1 percent in Michigan.
We can take a lesson from Germany's decision to cut spending. Germany's real output increased by a robust 9% in the 2nd quarter, compared to the anemic 1.6%. In a June op-ed, German Finance Minister Wolfgang Schäuble justified his government's decision to cut spending, citing "aversion to deficits and inflationary fears, ...".
A growing public sector simply swallows up the more productive private sector.
I say it's "Welcome Back, Carter" ...
Cicero
Rob, please go take a look at the stimulus breakdown. you have no idea what you are talking about.
Need to repeal the jones act
Glen, then isn't a dig on you, trust me. But have you taken your Nyquil Cold & AIDS today? And how's that airline job working out? :o
more of the same from obama. garbage in, garbage out. he has been saying the same thing over and over for 2 years now. i, for one, and really sick of him.
the golf guy
Agent Orange is that you?
So golfguy - you can imagine how very sick we all were of george & dick, now can't ya? And there is nobody who looks dumber than orangehead boehner.
Then just think how sick we were of the Shrub after eight years of nothing but the same lies over and over again! The Shrub wouldn't have known the truth if it crawled up his leg and bit him on the a$$. And none of him criminal minions were any smarter.
HOW original, you blamed Bush for it.
You forgot to say" you're a racist".
Well, I always have felt that, if I am going to blame someone for something, I should always blame the one responsible, so I blame the Shrub, who was responsible for allowing 9/11, lying us into a war and throwing open the doors of the treasury to the military contractors who wasted no time in looting it.
Who would you blame for it porta-john?
"HOW original, you blamed Bush for it."
the shoe fits...so, call a cop or something, will you?
no one here is saying the Republicans are not in the hands of big business, wharf rats. What we are saying is that Obama is certainly no better, in the hands of the NEA, CIO, CWA, etc. No one holds out a hand to you or me, and we're footing the bill.
Why would anyone believe him now?
Where is Boehner's press conference where he can tout all he has done by reaching across the aisle to help American families? Funny, the GOP don't have to answer to anyone, including their own supporters, who are perfectly happy with them doing nothing.
They only think money should go to the rich and wars. Forget infrastructure and education and health reform.
Sad but true Pat...
When did it become acceptable as an Americans to do NOTHING? Yet alone get rewarded for their lack of actions?
All the TALK of 'hard work' from the right wing nitwits is JUST that... speculation & innuendo!
When it comes to doing the heavy lifting and making unpopular decisions to move America forward it's the Democrats you can count on!
If living in fear & gloom is more your 'cup of tea' well then... by all means vote for the Party of NO!
Fools rant, fools rage, fools point fingers and fools never prevail! It would be wise if you developed some critical thinking skills and researched the history of our forefathers and this nation of American men and women who fought and died for your right to radically criticise and try to decimate her great heritage. My you listen less to the liberal, emotion stirring, whoa mongers and truth deceivers and employ the brain and heart God enabled you with, to seek out and find truth and uphold the same. It just may come to pass that you too will one day lose all your freedoms and then what shall be your reservoir of hope....Obama? The Liberal Left who promoted herd mentality and agreeing like lost sheep? Wake up now....do your homework...Find God and yield to Him, for whether or not you now believe, He is indeed still very much ALIVE and in total control of all of LIFE....and one day, this mirage of "men in control' will cease and where shall you be? I pray and hope, by then you will have been awakened, delivered from the fog which you now reside in, and have found The Way, The Truth and The Life....for it never ends, but these fallen ways of unregenerate men, shall one day SOON come to an end. May you not be in those numbers friend...for it was for you too, that Christ Died and He loves you with an eternal investment.
How do you know when the President and Dems are making progress in the public eye vs. the Repubs?
Just come to FR, and look at all the gnashing and wailing and innuendo and riddicule being tossed out with an increasing frequency and intensity! Reg'lar as clockwork.
so head off to your foxland blog, it is where you belong. Ready to buy that TV that gets all the channels yet?
We look at all of the lib channels first, then we go to Fox, to find out what the Obama networks didn't show.
Porta-John, you go to Faux Noise when you want lies, lies and more lies. That's all they do!
EGlide- you forgot teats. They do those, too- As often as they think they need to to keep the impotent old white dudes tuned in.
Republican supporters think that just because Rove and Cheney and Rumsfeld and GWB and Fox Propaganda have been lying for years, they assume President Obama is as well.
President Obama IS NOT Karl Rove or Dick Cheney or GWB.
you are correct...he is worse....guy is in way over his head...
That's not why we think he's lying. We know he's lying because we can see through his lies.
@Outof Ajob: Stunning powers of perception there. Did Bush ever lie?
Better question: did the Shrub ever tell the truth? The short answer is no!
EGlide, that's bull and you know it.
Ho-Lee Cow the BS meter just went off the scale.... obama the blind leader full of BS..
pre-existing conditions.... can you wreck your car and then get auto insurance????
hodaka
pre-existing conditions.... can you wreck your car and then get auto insurance????
Can you get serious? Update: A car is not human being. You may not want healthcare because you are selfishly being misled; but many others do.
The insurance companies do not return the money put into the pools so they can live luxurious lives. Meanwhile prices go up and people get sicker(btw, some diseases are communicable), people die, and the economy gets worst from having to default on their bills.
Insurance rates went up bogusly before helatlcare goes into effect. So these exploiters profit while people get sicker and die. Learn something useful.
You have no clue how insurance companies work now do you..... it is called the law of large numbers.
insurance companies do not control the cost of health care... in this country we spend over $4100 pre person on health care more than any other developed country on earth..
you must be one of those "with my hand out" types, you know let some else pay my way..
the only way insurance companies can raise the rates is get the approval of the State in witch the do business, and they have to raise all rates not just one persons...
Get you facts right stop letting the left tell you what to think.
Ummm speaking of clues Hodaka...
Below are the Top 10 Insurance CEO's Salaries for 2010:
http://www.stltoday.com/news/opinion/columns/the-platform/article_7c8df848-aca4-11df-9b5b-0017a4a78c22.html
http://sickforprofit.com/ceos/
Just every day working folks... riiiiiiiight!
BTW... I rely on the FACTS to tell me 'what to think'... not the right wing talking point 'flavor' of the day!
What these CEO's got paid for working... how dare they get paid..
hodaka1974
How dare they get paid obscene salaries - bonus's and stock options!
I mean... I just LOVE that my health care premiums have increased on average 22.6% over the last three years! While my salary has remained the same...
Like I keep saying... you just can't fix stupid (no matter what kind of insurance they have)! lol
@hodaka1974: Working? What? Are you kidding me?
Apparently your definition of work and mine are vastly different. I define working as actually doing your goddamn job, and doing it well.
The hell do you define it as?