E-mail updates
Follow on Twitter
Subscribe to RSS
The dynamic duo is back this week in our second edition of “Inside the Boiler Room.”
Thank you to Frank "Grimey" Grimes for submitting the question this week. We hope you enjoy the response.
Check back on Monday for Mark and Domenico's predictions for the midterm!
And don't forget to submit questions for next week's Boiler Room. Write questions below, post them on our Facebook page, or tweet it, to @NBCFirstRead or @mmurraypolitics or @DomenicoNBC.
Video was shot and edited by Alexandra Moe.
Leave a Comment:
For the sake of the American people, we can only hope that the tea-party's actions and words, will wake up the electorate to the extremisim of the right!
Because of tax "loop holes", wealthy Americans and Corporations pay very little to no taxes at all. That means that everyday, average Americans shoulder and carry the tax burden within our society. Is this fair? In reality, Loop holes are just another way for the wealthy to lie and cheat and get around the law. Should loopholes be legal in America? And, what does that teach us about shouldering our fair share and being responsible or not responsible? And why have we put up with this lying and cheating for so long? What are we going to do about it?
The Republican Party, pretends that they want to lower taxes for the American people but they know full well that the loopholes they created means that Corporations and wealthy Americans will escape from paying their fair share and that every-day Average Americans will Shoulder the tax burden. Is this fair?
The Republicans pretend they want jobs here in America. But because of loop holes thousands of jobs have moved to China and India. Why do they support these loopholes so that companies invest in China and India and not here in the United States? Again, is this fair? And, is this cheating? I know it cheats the American people. Everyone knows that to create jobs, you have to invest in America. America's infrastructure, schools, technology, high-speed rails, cities and towns. You cannot continue to cut and cut, and not put anything back, after awhile you will have nothing left at all but desolation and decay.
One current example of a destroyer is the Republican Governor of New Jersey, currently proud of cutting the budget (education and services) but he will not Fund the tunnel which would have created thousands of jobs for his state. To put something back, just not desolate the state.
The Pretenders, "mission" is to sell to the American people the \"bill of goods\" that we Need less government, after all, government will only get in the way of their fraudulent schemes and try to hold them accountable to people and not to corporations! Less Government, means No Regulations and no one to keep them from their dirty deeds.
They pretend they did not "bail" out Wall Street. But because of no regulations and policing, they already bailed out Wall Street! Thank God for those sensible government officials who realized that in order to save our economy the bail out was necessary or the whole economy would have collapsed, because Bush & Co. waited until the last minute, when they were ready to get out of dodge and the collapse was imminent, to tell the American people just how badly they had squandered our economy with phony and fraudulent real-estate deals and in funding the phony and unnecessary Iraq War!
If you vote Republican or if you do not vote at all on November 2nd, and in the future you still continue to carry the tax burden while the wealthy get tax breaks, again while paying no taxes, or if you find that your Social Security benefits will be tied to the stock market because of privatization,or if you find that your Unemployment Benefits are put on Freeze while your medical premiums are going up. If you continue to see that more jobs are shipped overseas, while our country decays from neglect and further delines into a third-world country, then you have no one to blame but yourself! Remember: They want to see Pres. Obama Fail, which really means we all fail!
verr well written and explained. i still hold the hope that american's when it comes to it, would still with the party and people that are working to improve this country. we are heading in the right direction, we need time to continue to work towards this and complete it.
Very well put!
The Tea Party didn't wake the electorate up. Obama woke the electorate up. The Tea Party seems to be trying to wake Washington up.
Tea Party/Extremism? Seems as many, if not more Americans identify themselves as Tea Partiers as liberal. By definition, doesn't that make liberals as extreme as Tea Partiers? 42% of Americans identify themselves as conservative, 38% as moderate and 20% liberal. BTW, it was much more evenly split 2 years ago. Who's "extreme" agenda do you think is responsible for the shift to the right? (Hint - It ain't the Tea Party.)
Tax loop holes? Dems and Repubs are equally complicit, which means that, at least for the moment, there are more rich Dem politicians protecting their money than any others. Raise the taxes on the rich? Where are the rich politicians (more of which are Dem by the way) going to hide their money? They write the laws and are as likely to do fix this on their own as they are as likely to vote themselves a pay cut, or make themselves part of the health care they force on us. I don't know, but it seems that is one of the things the Tea Party wants to wake America up about.
Jobs moving overseas? Been happening for years and years, why are all the FR libs incessantly hyperventilating over it now. Could it be that it has gotten much worse, more critical the last year? And who's economic policies would that be? (Hint - it ain't the Repubs/Tea Party)
"Everyone knows that to create jobs, you have to invest in America." And Obama's plan is to tax, tax, tax the private sector that does. Pretty stupid.
Infrastructure, schools, green technology, blah, blah. Wasn't that Obama's blah, blah a year and a trillion ago that hasn't nudged the big 9.6?
Obama said only big government could fix this mess. He failed. Big Government and Big Unions do not create jobs. The private sector creates jobs. Take money from the private sector to give to big government and big unions denies the private sector the money they need to create jobs and grow the economy.
Nothing new. It's what built this country.
Why can't you guys ever, ever figure it out?
And one last thing.
We don't "want to see Obama fail".
We are sick of watching him fail.
Hey Angellight
Why don't we just spend a gazillion dollars that we don't have on infrastructure? Your stupid remarks concerning the Governor of NJ show how little research you have done on this particular project. This is why government is failing. Lets create 6000 temporary jobs for 14B. What a deal. It's like the old joke. How do you become a millionaire in Israel. First start with 10 million....
NJ only was on the hook for cost over runs (re: The Big Dig, Boston), and the permanent jobs would have been created in NY, where the terminus of the tunnel would have to have been built. So I reiterate go do some research before you pontificate on subjects that you that you obviously know nothing about.
BTW What was the name of the project that was canceled?
Already have, are joe miller, s. angle, c odonnell, m. rubio republicans...No --the repubs just co-opted the baggers candidates..when their candidates lost to them!
.Which will not help in the Congress...Doubt that they will get in lockstep with likes of mconnell or boneher!
Alan, NJ
Newsflash but every construction job is a temporary job. Architects, engineers design the project perform construction observation and then go off and do another project. The construction company bids the jobs, does the work and moves on.
You are only as good or financially stable as your last job and the prospects of getting another one. You need to hustle to get your next project. The 6000 construction jobs is not something to be scoffed at. In the process of that work your general contractor will hire various subs, work alongside testing agencies and code officials, acquire material from outside vendors, bring in specialists for special construction methods required to complete the task. Add to this the service industries that will be postively affected during this construction. All of this will have a ripple and may in fact affect more than the six thousand stated.
Maybe what needs to be done is recommission a different design and get NY to pay for some of it or negotiate for some NJ permanent jobs ie. ticket booth operators, service personnel, train operators.
I'm sure we can agree that relying on an aging tunnel systems is not the best course of action.
Woo hoo!!! Thanks for picking my question guys. Excellent response. I shall now milk my temporary First Read celebrity status. Perhaps a book deal is in the offing! ;-)
WOWZAA Grimey!
Can I be the first to get your autograph? ;0)
Hope the kidlets have fun on Sunday!
PS: To Mark Murray - Is Tamaran Hall as hot in person as she is on TV? I've always been a big fan of hers since the days she spent in Chi-Town!
I also know she's a fellow Texan! ;0)
Well done Mr. Grimes.
Enjoy your celebrity status. Cheers~
Thanks guys! Feisty...the kids are all fired up. Course, so are the adults with several Halloween parties on Saturday night! ;-)
Good job Grimey you deserve the celebrity status. Speech speech.
Way to go Frank! Great question. Great response Mark and Domenico. Happy Holloween. Have a great weekend everyone.
Way to go Grimey----and to think we knew you before you became famous!
Great job Mr Grimes! The response shares my opinion.
Congrats Grimey!
Perhaps you can be the roving reporter for MSNBC and even get an interview with the evasive Angle!
Way to go, Grimey! Congratulations, that was a good question.
Great Question Grimey - sure hope it is true, and the I'm not a witch is not the only one hoping to win on a wing and a prayer.
Happy Halloween everyone, be safe, have fun, be kind to the children and be sure to teach them who the real devil is: the repugnants!
Feisty, maybe you should pose the question to Mark's wife/significant other. You're putting him in an awkward position.
One can only hope they at least wake up the moderate Republicans.
These people want to take us back to the end of the 19th century/beginning of the 20th when people died because they could not afford to see a doctor. People died of starvation because they could not find work. Senior citizens lived in poverty, despite working hard all of their lives, because they never made enough to save for their retirement. Senior citizens died because they could not afford to see a doctor. People died of diseases caused by poor sanitation, dirty drinking water and polluted air because there were no government regulations ensuring that there were sewers, clean drinking water and clean air. People died from faulty products and tainted food because there were no regulations mandating product and food safety. People died at work because there were no government mandated safety rules. People literally died at their workbench from exhaustion and malnutrition because they could not make enough to simply get enough to eat. Children died from malnutrition because their working parents could not make enough to properly feed them or get proper medical care. Etc., etc., etc.
If this is what these TEA Partiers and many of the Republicans want to 'take our country back' to, then I want no part of it.
P.S. Congratulations, Frank. You are a voice of reason from the right and greatly deserved to be listened to by the FR crew. Good choice FR.
Wonder what happens when moderate republicans decide to take "their party back." It happened before, Wm Buckley threw the John Birch Society out of the GOP--of course, the TP has welcomed them back.
Matthew:
What are you chasing your kool-aid with?
Oh, wait, you're chasing it with JodyJuice.
Weak, Richard, really weak. If you can't attack the message, attack the messenger, right, Richard? It took you over 8 hours to come up with something and this is it? Lame.
No, here's "weak" for someone who can't understand it's Friday afternoon:
Your "attack the messenger" riposte is old Matthew. If it's all you can come up with, then you're not exactly one to hold up as a standard.
And, if you can comprehend this, even a Friday afternoon smart-ass jest is meant to attack your frickin' message, not you, you ignorant ittle amoeba.
And that's an insult to amoebas.
Sorry, I'm at home now and have had a couple of FRIDAY afternoon/evening beers. But I still consider the setting appropriate for you.
Have a great weekend, Matthew.
Now, do you understand what attacking the messenger is?
You are a trip, Richard. You really have a stick up your a$$ for me, don't you. Why is that, Richard? Is it because you can't best me intellectually? Because you know I'm right? I'm guessing it's both.
They're already costing the GOP.
Already gone are Bob Bennett and Lisa Murkowski (though, of course, Murkowski is running her write-in campaign). A strong showing this year and who will be next?
- Olympia Snowe
- Dick Lugar
- Orrin Hatch
- Bob Corker
Looking out to 2014, the drum beat has started for Lindsey Graham...yes, Lindsey Graham now may not be conservative enough.
The Tea Partiers have been given the blessing of "Mama Grizzly" who became empowered by John McCain. At what point does the Republican caucus say, "thank you"?
DaNoid, I will do whatever it takes financially to see Mitch McConnell GONE when he comes up for re-election. If I have to travel to his state to knock on doors I will.
Whatever it takes. He is no good.
Knock, Knock
Who's there?
Hi, I'm Pat from Boston and I'm campaigning for
No, I predict that with a little meetin', a little greetin', a little sharing and some ground rules, the "Tea Partiers" and the current Republicans will get along just fine. Won't be any of that tail wagging the elephant. They're all just good ol' boys & girls dontcha know?
It's really interesting that DEMOCRATS, of all humanoids, seem to be defining election failure as the Republicans coming up one or two short of taking the Senate.
Suddenly it's conventional wisdom that the Tea Party will hurt Republicans, when they and the Republicans have blown the conventional wisdom completely out of the water.
Well... With evidence like this about the self proclaimed tea baggers I would pray that they DO hurt the Republican party.
Unless of course this is your cup of tea Richard...
http://www.facebook.com/l.php?u=http%3A%2F%2Fpoliticalhumor.about.com%2Flibrary%2Fbl-tea-party-signs.htm&h=9eee3
PS: I'm flattered that you copied my knock knock reference! ;0)
PPS: Grab a box of tissues before viewing as you will LAUGH until you CRY!
My God, Feisty, I had no IDEA that you invented knock knock jokes! Are you really that old because I've been hearing them since I was two or three, about the time I heard my first knocked-up joke, back in the Eisenhower administration, when unemployment was low and surpluses were real.
Sorry, someone else besides you will have to give me links to political humor. Besides, I keep a box of tissues handy for all of your posts. I hope to open it one day.
Wednesday, perhaps.
Say what you want Richard... your timing is impeccable...
As far as you not opening the link... I NEVER expected anything less...
But I'll say it again... I am humbled & flattered...
PS: I always suspected you kept a box of tissues handy BUT it has nothing to do with what's posted on FR! *happy whacking*
Yes, you are humbled.
Happy I could explain the obvious to you on the link thing. Remedial is just more appropriate for some people.
Flattery gets ALL the guys somewhere with you, doesn't it?
Be sure to keep your battery charged.
To quote Sonny & Cher... and the beat goes on... lol
Yes, and the Beatles said "She's A Woman". I don't see how either reference applies here.
I do have to admit that the guys make a good point that I have overlooked a bit. Yes, by selecting further right candidates in more moderate states, we (GOP) have lost any chance of winning them...and we've also put more states in play that should have been slam dunks. However, I did not take into account the enthusiasm being brought into this election by tea partiers. Their backing of GOP candidates may very well help tip the scales in some other districts. Overall, it might be a wash to a slight negative in my estimation. I think it can work in a midterm, but I'm not so sure how well it will play out in 2012. Guess we'll see.
Questions for next week (which will of course be AFTER the elections):
(I am assuming a GOP takeover of the House and more balance but not a takeover in the Senate)
With a split government for the next 2 years, who will stand to gain or lose the most depending on the state of the economy in 2012?
What was the most shocking Governor, Senate, and House result of the night?
You make a good point about TP enthusiasm getting republicans engaged again. But there is a flip side, the extreme views of many of these TPers has fired up the democrats, and probably has turned an lot of independent votes for GOP to a vote for the dem. I say that because Sarah Palin drove many of the right-leaning indies to the other side.
Tea baggers are now giving us a new America where a man can be allowed (a tea bagger republican) to publicly fight with a woman to the extent of knocking the woman down on the ground and even go as far as stepping on the woman's head with his boots just because he thinks he is stronger than the woman.
This is not a joke; it truly happened . A huge man caught on camera as he fights with a woman just because the woman is carrying a poster that his tea bagger candidate does not like !!!!! Shame on this strong man.
These are some of the things that Democrats do not entertain. Fighting with a woman is not acceptable in American society. Days when a man could just come up and exercise his muscles on a woman just because the woman's muscles are not as strong as his are long gone.
To make it worse; This man turned out to be Rand Paul's aide, doing this as Rand Paul himself watches.
The man who happen to be Rand Paul's aide has now released a statement saying they beat up the woman because they were trying to protect Rand Paul.
This is ridiculous. Protecting Rand Paul from a woman who is just peacefully expressing her 1st amendment right.
i hope the judge throws that chap in jail and i hope the lady sue him and rand paul. it was a shame watching that on tv. and it is a pattern of abuse by the tea party. joe buck, made remarks about a woman, miller handcuffs a reporter because he asked a question. now rand paul aide beat up a woman. there is no excuse for this and they should be made to pay. one way would be for rand paul to lose, next he gets sued by lady and the guy get thrown in jail.
more importantly women need to rise up. just look at the assault the tea party are planning to do to women. what give a man the right to tell a women what to do with her reproduction organs. it is would be like a woman tell me to get it clipped.
this is crazy, we should not be encouraging this tea party people. there is change to govt, but this is not change, it is straight going back to an ugly time.
Feisty
PS: To Mark Murray - Is Tamaran Hall as hot in person as she is on TV? I've always been a big fan of hers since the days she spent in Chi-Town!
My sons think she is so hot; Feisty.
Frank, I think it all depends on how much money the Tea Party spends is the answer.
Feisty, are you going to the get-out-the-vote rally with President Obama tommorow in Hyde Park at the Midway Plaisance Park? I am. hope you can make it. I'm sure it's gonna be wild and I hope to have fun. My husband and I had an apartment not too far away from the Midway Plaisance Park. S this is a really special rally for me.
http://www.polishnews.com/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=1725:president-obama-to-hold-moving-america-forward-rally-at-the-midway-in-chicago-il&catid=81:news-from-chicago-wiadomoci-z-chicago&Itemid=198
Hiya Bev!
I'm hoping to make it... logistics is proving to be a bit difficult!
But of course I'm gonna give it my BEST shot!
FIRED UP AND READY TO GO!!!!
In the Spring of 2009, when the Tea Party movement first appeared on the scene, the Republican Party was a demoralized, defeated political entity. There was a persistent narrative in the mainstream media that the GOP would not recover...that the nation's political paradigm had been forever changed, and that the GOP would henceforth be a marginalized regional party.
Only a year and a half later, it would now appear that Democrats are about to suffer a historic midterm defeat, and the Tea Party movement's energy in opposing the Obama Administration's agenda has served as a restorative for all conservatives and for the Republican Party in particular.
On balance, no objective political analyst can deny that the Tea Party has been instrumental in helping the Republican Party to recover from the severe setback of the 2008 general election.
More than any other single factor, except perhaps the Obama Administration's over-reaching, largely unpopular agenda...the Tea Party movement helped pull the GOP back from the political abyss and really, political oblivion.
That is the central achievement of the Tea Party movement...and, an impressive achievement it is.
Mixed bag - the unintended consequence of this 'achievement' is that 'energy' that the GOP is using to propel them in the direction that they are going right now is uncontrollable.
As an analogy - the Tea Party movement is like a rocket engine mounted on back and sides of a Chevy Nova with no 'OFF' switch. When the rocket engine starts up, things are controllable, but as the rocket engine reaches full thrust, there is no way to throttle back the power.
The point is this - the Tea Party movement is more rabid than the Conservatives can stand, but they are being used to butress the Democrats and for now, that short sighted goal is all that matters.
AFTER the midterms, how does the GOP plan on 'controlling' the uncontrollable?
You would think that the GOP would have learned its lesson with Sarah Palin. Sen. McCain unleashed her into the political scene and she did not follow the script that Sen. McCain had for her. She went off script and was more 'mavericky' than the maverick himself.
The GOP is making the SAME mistake. They are going for the 'noise factor' and are drowning out the Democrat's message with the 24/7 noise. So what happens when the elections are over? Do you think that the 'Tea Party' will all of a sudden SHUT UP and 'fall in line' like good Republicans?
Good luck with that.
Trust me just this once, Pietro-
If the GOP has to choose between returning to it's post-2008 election, pre-Tea Party movement state, or it's present day state, complete with the challenges posed in assimilating the Tea Party...of course, they'll choose the present day in a New York minute.
Who wouldn't, given the same choice?
Open your eyes, Pietro...can you still not see what's about to happen?
Really...?
Actually, Mixed Bag, I DO see what is about to happen.
Your question you asked me about what choice I would make - I would be looking LONG TERM - like Dr. Howard Dean did - and not short term, like the GOP leadership does and continues to do.
Long term thinking gets long term results.
Trust ME on this, Mixed Bag - the GOP will NOT be able to 'control' the Tea Party movement within the GOP. This short-sightedness is exactly what I am talking about, and I should not be surprised because the GOP leadership NEVER looks at anything long-term.
Just like how Sen. McCain unleashed the Palin 'bomb' on the electorate that we cannot get rid of, the Tea Party 'bomb' is about to be unleased on the electorate - if it is voted in on November 2nd.
With the sight of reporters being handcuffed at events in Alaska trying to get answers from Tea party candidate Joe Miller, to the stomping of a woman - by a man, no less - at a event by Rand Paul, the crazy talk about repealing the 14th Amendment and repealing Social Security, to the consistent running away from the press by ALL of the Tea Party candidates refusing to answer questions about what they plan to do in office - the electorate is waking up.
Will some of the GOP's brand of Tea Party people be elected? Possibly. How will the GOP handle them? We really don't know for sure.
My opinion - the GOP is about to open Pandora's box with the GOP's brand of Tea Partiers. We will see if the electorate is OK with that.
I'm predicting the so called "Tea Partiers" and other Republicans will get along just fine. So fine, in fact, that the slight Republican minority will look good to several remaining vulnerable Democrats as 2012 approaches.
I think you're relying on your personal perception of the Tea Party a little too much. It's not much different than Republicans who think that the pissed off uber liberals will abandon Obama.
Whatever, you are either over-estimating the Tea Party or completely misinterpreting other Republicans.
Richard, for the GOP's sake, I hope you are right and I am wrong.
However - the 'history' of what we are seeing here of the GOP style Tea Party does not bear witness to your assessment. When we have armed people at rallys, people 'arresting' and handcuffing reporters, and people 'stomping' detractors at rally - with NO condemnation from the GOP at all - then good luck at trying to 'reign in the craziness'.
I know you think that a lot of my 'personal' perceptions are driving my assessment. It possibly is, but I really do NOT see the GOP Style Tea Party 'shutting up' anytime soon.
I think what we fail to see here is that the Tea Party is not willing to compromise just to win a seat. My understadning is that Mike Castle was Republican in name only, and the Tea Party people were willing to elect who would best repesent them, regardless if it cost them the seat. I mean, what's the diffrence between Mike Castle and Chris Coons? Not much. So I find it interesting that people are dumping on the Tea Party because they were not willing to compromise in order to win at all costs. I wish that more or our electorate was wailling to put their votes where their mouth is.
There is no problem with being unwilling to compromise your personal beliefs in your personal life but Government and Legislation is not personal beliefs; an elected senator, or house member must represent ALL the people, not just those who agree with them. The probem is when unwilling to compromise is transferred to governing and government--the country cannot function without compromise, a meeting in the middle with some of both sides principles otherwise the principles held dear are simply words without a solution. We compromise in our lives every day when we decide we would like a new car but maybe we better wait; we compromise with co-workers to accomplish a project, we may think our idea is better but the goal is to finish the project. Life is full of compromises, we compromise with our spouse and our children, one cookie not two. Rigid ideology and an unwillingness to bend, not break, but bend accomplishes nothing.
Jody..your post is well said!!! Gone are the days when legislators, especially US Senators, debated the merits of a proposed piece of legislation, sat down amicably behind closed doors and came to compromises that benefited everyone - not just their side. That civility is long gone; drowned by partisan rhetoric. What goes around comes around, though, as evidenced by Newt Gingrich's attempt to hold the country hostage in 1994 by shutting down the government. It took the fortitude of President Clinton to call his bluff and keep the country going in the right direction!
Jeff Turner-
To echo Jody, the refusal to compromise to win an election is one thing, but it is something completely different when one refuses to compromise when governing. I for one am really curious to see how this next Congress plays out. If the Tea Party Candidates that win their election are as stubborn as they say they are going to be, we will see very little done in the next two years. On the other hand, if after getting to Capital Hill they begin to realize they will need at least some support from across the isle (especially if the Dems hold on to the Senate, which seems likely) and they begin to bend a little in order to pass legislation, will the people who elected them begin to turn on them as they did the establishment Republicans? I am not saying this in an attempt to impugn the intelligence of Tea Party supporters, but I think there is a certain level of naivity if they think they can stand by their principles 100% of the time and actually acheive anything on Capital Hill. The art of governing is the art of compromise, and the sooner this freshman class realizes that the more they will get done, but it may just end up costing them a re-election if their supporters fail to recognize the limits of what can be done when you refuse to compromise. I have a feeling we're about to see one of the most legislatively productive Congress's in recent history be replaced by one of the least. Whether that is a good thing or not is a matter of opinion.
Thanks for adding good points to my comment. My last phrase should have been: but failure to bend accomplishes nothing--either way, you got the point.
It has nothing to do with their determination to win their way and I applaud them for their gumption to stick it out without bending to the will of corporate american, etc. (if thats true). But the real problem is its more about the ideology that they stand for, really stand for, not the crap you read on their websites political agenda and their ability which most of these fools are lacking.
I actually like some of the tea parties ideas, lower taxes, more responsible government etc but many of the teabaggers are absolutely nuts and the candidates they choose are freaking crazy, out of their ever loving minds.
I'd love to back them, really I would, I think GOP is too far right and DNC is too far left and want a peoples government that stands for what the people want (as long as its not a social wedge issue like gay marriage), pending they are qualified and have more than just the WILL to lead (as it takes more than just WILL, to LEAD), but more importantly the "ABILITY" to lead.
A leader can lead and a follower can't - thats life! A follower with the Will to lead is simply a 'failed leader' who just hasn't failed YET. So in short, you can't elect a mentally unstable and/or incapable individual simply because he WANTS to be elected.
As for the nuttbaggers, most of them (not all, but most) are the extreme right fringes, ones who think and do things I'd rather not repeat or mention out of fear of being quoted out of context some day :) and so I have to say, I'm not affiliating myself with the political party that the KKK would be proud to call their own. sorry!
Jody:
What would happen if all of the Republicans, who represent all the people, compromised and voted the Democrat position, and in the interest of compromise the Democrats, who represent all the people, voted the Republican position? That would certainly be a setting aside of personal principles and beliefs.
What if they were split 50-50?
The Tea Party has already cost the GOP.
The price? Its soul.
I've said it many times before on here;
The repubs thought it would be a good idea to court the religious right for votes, then try to distance themsevs when the time was right. And it cost them. Have they learned anything? Seems like the correct answer is HELL no.
And, althought these teabaggers are pretty steeped in their religion, too, they are a lot more tenacious than the regular 'born again' variety of bible beliver that also votes. Good luck riding yourselves of these fleas, GOP. I think you fools will be looking for some 'hopey-changy' yourselves before very long.
But hey- you built it, you enjoy it.
That's right drive-by. Reagan began the courting of the religious right, by the time he left office, the conservative movement had split into three primary segments--each one fighting for power over the other and each one is angry at the other.
Drive-By:
I think the Tea Party is very much made up of the same people that made up the Religious Right. They have turned in one 'sacred' document, the Bible- for another- the Constitution. Never mind that some of their candidates know very little about what is actually IN the Constitution (read Christine O'Donnell). The narrative may have changed a little, but the overall message has remained the same: We don't like the direction this country is headed, and we want to go back to a time of greater personal liberty and less moral ambiguity. Of course these 'better times' that supposedly existed back in the day are really nothing more than a myth, but that hardly matters. The real conflict simply lies with them not being comfortable with change they don't agree with.
Good point, Jeff T. I can understand their conflict over change they don't agree with because I certainly didn't agree with a lot of Bush 43's policies. What troubles me is that many of these TP candidates seem to like only the parts of the Constitution with which they agree and when their side loses as in 2008, they threaten anarchy, they threaten to use 2nd amendment remedies as if the majority of the people who made the 2008 selection have no right to do so. Some of them want to repeal the 17th amendment, the one that gives us the right to choose our senators. That's not democracy, that's the powerful choosing our legislators to suit their ideas leaving the people to pay the bills.
The Tea Party has already cost the GOP.
The price? Its soul.
My impression of the GOP and tea baggers is they NEVER had a soul to begin with! ;0)
Or a brain either! lol
Is there ever anyone else in the room with you when you laugh out loud?
hrdhrhr
Silly Richard... of course there is... for starters it's you and your box of Kleenex!
Keep on WHACKING there Richard! Since the Mrs. is done with ya!
 Thank God for the Tea Party & the coming GOP landslide on Nov.2nd
Yep, thank God we can return those who drove the country into the ditch back to power only under a different party name. You can change the names in it but the tree remains the same.
The thing to remember when discussing this or almost any national election cycle in recent memory is that a great number of eligible voters choose not to vote. Therefore, the decisions being made FOR us, either by Democrats or Republicans (and by extension - Tea Party supporters) is made by a plurality of voters. When a party professes to have the "will of the people" behind it after an election - GW used the term "political capital" - what they truly have is the will of a majority of those who cast their ballots. Very often that means a majority of Americans DON'T support the victorious agenda, be it Democratic or Republican. In such a deomcratic society, it's a shame that more Americans don't exercise their right.
Good point. What seems different about elections since the early 1990's is that the losing side refuses to accept the majority voter decision. Boehner started complaining in early 2009 that the Obama admin was not listening to the "will of the people"--that's silly, the "will of the people" elected Pres Obama because of what he told them he would do and he has kept quite a number of those promises. In my view, it was Boehner and the GOP who refused to accept the "will of the people".
The GOP is going to win 70-80 House seats and maybe, unbelievably, even the Senate..and you liberal fools argue whether the Tea party is hurting Republicans?
I guess we will see, won't we?
You (GOP leadership) cannot control the GOP's brand of Tea Party now... what makes you think that you can control them IF you get control of Congress?
I guess you should be careful for what you wish for...
This is what the Tea Party does not want (new health care provisions already enacted):
Important consumer protections and a new Patient’s Bill of Rights that end some of the worst insurance company abuses.
New resources for states to help crack down on health insurance premium increases, protect consumers and develop health insurance exchanges where consumers will have the same health insurance choices as Members of Congress.
The establishment of the Pre-Existing Condition Insurance Plan to provide coverage to Americans who have been uninsured because of a pre-existing condition.
Launch of the Early Retiree Reinsurance Program to make it easier for businesses to provide coverage to retirees who are not eligible for Medicare.
Distribution of important information that will help small businesses claim the law’s small business tax credit.
Cost saving measures, including provisions that will make our system more efficient.
It is very sad that the tea party supports rich greedy people who don't want the middle class to have the same health care that they can afford.
I would like to know when the greedy republicans, whom represent no one except the rich, the upper middle class and big corporations, are going to admit they were wrong and start paying their fair share of taxes. I am tired of freeloading rich people stealing from the middle class and tiresd of their Bush "Welfare For The Rich" tax break programs.
If re distribution of wealth, means recovering stolen funds, money stolen from the middle class, them I am all for it!
I think there should be a law requiring every american citizen to vote in the national elections every two years.
Of course, if that was enacted, republicans would be against it and try to stop it because they know there are far more liberals than conservatives in this country and republicans would NEVER get back into power again LOL.
Toonces..Exactly! Why is it that during every national election, it the republicans trying to disenfranchise voters and scream for all sorts of obstacles to voting rights? They know that they are and always will be the minority party in America. I'm surprised the mama grizzly hasn't called for poll taxes and other restrictive measures to prevent the non-white, non-Christian public from voting.
I read an article by Robert A. Hall, a Marine Vietnam veteran who served five terms in the Massachusetts state senate. He called it “Tired at 63”. I found its message both sobering and disturbing. In response, I would like to offer my own thoughts. I’m 57 and I’m tired, too.
I’m tired of people who think free speech only applies to themselves and freedom of religion only applies to some religions. The constitution demands freedom for all, not some but all. I’m tired of people who constantly seek to divide us when our economic survival, as a nation, depends on our ability to work and live together. I’m tired of people who can’t seem to get past labels. We didn’t have a Texas president and we don’t have a black president. We had and have a president, period. I’m tired of people who want to “take back the country”. Take it back from whom? Americans of all races, religions and political parties have died on the battlefield to protect our freedoms. There is a reason why Abraham Lincoln said “a house divided cannot stand”.
I’m tired of people who refuse to understand the science behind climate change. These are the same folks who cannot grasp the need for higher and better education for our youth. Instead of looking for ways to improve the nation’s scores in mathematics and science, some of these people actually think colleges brainwash young adults, making them too liberal. Learning to think for yourself and question the world around you isn’t liberal, it’s mature.
I’m tired of people who think anybody can run for office. Important jobs always come with prerequisites. Doctors and lawyers have to complete many hours of schooling and then pass boards just to have the opportunity to practice. Police and fire fighters must pass rigorous training before they can wear the uniform. Shouldn’t the same apply for people who will essentially control our economic and political future. Being disappointed with the current group of senators and representatives is no reason to vote for someone wholly unprepared to legislate. If you’re disappointed with your roofer, you don’t hire your neighbor, who doesn’t know his way around a tool box, just because he thinks that all roofers are crooks. I was warned a long time ago not to cut off my nose to spite my face.
I’m tired of national news outlets deliberately slanting the news by half-truths, omissions and lies in order to manipulate the viewers into believing their point of view. If I had my way there would be an independent “watch dog” group, responsible for monitoring all these outlets, and they would have the power to break into the telecast to set the record straight and then fine the guilty parties.
I’m tired of people who think the government is always the problem and the answer to every problem is to end a government program. There certainly are a lot of problems these days. The banking industry, the health care system, the education system, social securlty, welfare and the tax structure all need repair but eliminating government programs that play into these is not a credible response. If your faucet leaks, you fix it, you don’t rip the sink out of the wall. I’m also tired of people exploiting these programs. If everyone did the right thing, we’d all be better for it. Scamming the system makes it harder for those, who truely need these services, and it makes everyone else feel they’ve been used.
I'm tired of political parties refusing to participate in the government, because they lost an election or don’t hold the majority, with no concern for the millions of Americans negatively affected by their political games. I’m tired of politicians who pandor to the extremes within their party. It gives voice to radical views that run contrary to the real idea of American freedom. It makes our country look weak to the world and puts our soldiers in more danger. Neither the extreme right or the extreme left represent most Americans. All the extremes ever give this country is slogans without solutions. They are a very vocal, small minority, a squeaky wheel, that, while it may be getting the grease, will surely cause the train to come off the tracks. Where does that leave us and our children?
Finally, I’m tired of folks who complain all the time but never take the time to vote.
Vote "R" TeaParty TeaBagger-ooooops,What Happened?we were'nt supposed to end up back in the ditch too ! ! ! Hope you don't have to realize that YOU thought you were "TO BIG TO FAIL".I'm afraid that's what's gonna happen to alot of people...Above all VOTE,but think real hard before you do.There can be long term consequences to You,Your Family and the nation ! Good Luck....
For the last four years, the Republicans have been obstructionists. They have had no vision nor interest in negotiating with the Democrats. The Republican agenda has been based totally on developing discontent and polarization. The Tea Party candidates within the Republican Party are single issue candidates. They want tax cuts but are clueless on how to achieve them. This election is devoid of public policy issues but instead is focused on self-interest.
The depths to which the liberal media has sunk...the Tea Party agenda, a return to small, manageable government and an end to the fat bloated hog that is today's Washington - i.e. a return to basic American values and fiscal responsibility - is seen as "extreme," while the road to serfdom as navigated by the Dems is seen as "mainstream." This is the la-la land that liberal journalists live in. Only 20% of Americans identify themselves as liberals. Over twice as many identify themselves as conservatives. The Tea Party agenda is far closer to what Americans want than the liberal agenda. And this is "extreme"? And for every Tea Party candidate who's a bit kooky, there's 10 Democrats who are absolutely bats in the bell crazy.
Today is the day of reckoning . Most important election in a life time. This is one for the history books. Enough is Enough. The silent majority take back America.
GOP landslide . Take back both House & Senate. GOP house gain take the over +75. In Senate watch for a big sweep including Paul , Reace, Toomey , O’Donnell , Miller , Angle , McMahon & Buck in big wins. “CRAZY CARL PALADINO “ WINS IN HISTORIC UPSET !!!! And if GOD really cares Schumer & Gill brand . Go Bye. Let hope so.
http://americaneedsmyhelp.blogspot.com