Tomorrow is Election Day and it looks like the Republican/Tea Party will take control of the House and the Democrats will maintain the Senate.

We know that the Republican/Tea Party has vowed to stop President Obama – Period. McConnell says their goal is to make President Obama a one Term President, Boehner says he will not comprise period. So what is in store for this country over the next two years?

Total Gridlock. Nothing that President Obama initiates will see the light of day. The Republican/Tea Party will be spending the next 2 years trying to;

One: Repeal Health Care Reform and Financial Reform

Two: Continue to create jobs for China and India

Three: Push Tax Cuts for the Richest 2% and make the Middle Class pay for it

Four: Reduce the regulations on Big Business so more employee will be killed and/or maimed in the name of Greed and Power, limit their responsibility and accountability to the American People

Five: Increase the flow of uncontrolled and undisclosed money into the political arena, using this election as proof to many that they can delivery the White House in 2012. US Chamber of Commerce and “Special Interest Groups” will take over our political system.

Six: Hold countless hearings using the subpoena power

What they will not do in the next two years is;

One: Lower the deficit/national debt

Two: Create Jobs in the United States

Three: Improve Education

Four: Improve our Infrastructure

Five: Help the Middle Class get back on their feet.

We have just taking another step in the direction of an Oligarchy/Dictatorship where we will have a class based society controlled by the “so called” elite.

Now, the Republican/Tea Party will have the ball for the next 2 years. Let’s see if they really are going to do what they said they would. I doubt it. Things are going to get a lot worst. And we have nobody to blame but ourselves. We allowed Greed and Power to replace Democracy and we are going to pay the price and it is very hard to reverse that trend.

Exactly this month two years ago, the bailouts were passed after a near crash of our entire financial and economic system:
http://seattlepi.com/national/381680_bailout04.html

"We all know that we are in the midst of a financial crisis," House Republican leader John Boehner of Ohio said shortly before casting his vote for a massive government intervention in private capital markets that was unthinkable only a month ago....

With the economy on the brink and elections looming, Congress approved an unprecedented $700 billion government bailout of the battered financial industry on Friday and sent it to President Bush who quickly signed it....

Treasury Secretary Henry Paulson pledged to begin using his new authority quickly, and Federal Reserve Chairman Ben Bernanke said the central bank would work closely with the administration."

THE TEABAGGERS IN ANGER OVER THE BAILOUT PROMPTLY RETURNED BOEHNER BACK TO POWER IN TWO YEARS IN REWARD FOR THE VOTE AND FOR THE ADMINISTRATION'S PROPOSAL OF IT.

Fellow travelers:

Tomorrow is truly going to tell us who we are. Do we think government is a bad thing, or do we think it is a good thing? The framers must have thought it was a good thing, because they created it, something Teabaggers seem to forget. Regardless, this is about Democrats and Republicans.

Democrats have given us Adam Powell, hardly a paragon of virtue; Dan Rostenkowski, imprisoned for mail fraud; Charlie Rangel, apparently unclear on the law, William Jefferson who gives new meaning to $90,000 in cold cash.

Republicans have given us the likes of David Vitter, Larry Craig, and John Ensign, who parrot "family values" but don't practice them. They gave us Duke Cunningham, and we gave him prison for accepting bribes; Tom DeLay heads off to court this very day.

Truly, we can no longer argue about the corrupting influence of money on our governing bodies. There is no denying that they have been corrupted beyond words. We are not talking about electing the lesser of two evils, but whether it is possible to be any more evil than they are.

However, there is hope. WE are that hope. Once upon a time, Republicans generally represented a conservative view; not this perverted nonsense that is based on situational ethics, expedience, and unswerving loyalty to dogma. Once upon a time Democrats represented a liberal view; not this perverted nonsense that embraces feel-good policies, unquestioning tolerance of clearly questionable behavior, and the creation of a panoply of excuses for failure.

I am going to contend that a liberal point of view is really what we want. I am also going to contend that we must accept a conservative view, that there is no such thing as a free lunch. That said, I ask you to consider the following, which I have borrowed from a friend.

Your day starts at 6:00 AM. You fill your coffee pot with good, clean water which is there because a liberal fought for minimum water quality standards. You take your meds. They're safe of course because some liberal fought to insure their safety and that they work as advertised. All but $10.00 of your meds are paid for by your employer's medical plan because union workers fought their employers for paid medical insurance, and now, you have that insurance, too.

Your breakfast is bacon and eggs. They're safe to eat because some liberal fought for laws to regulate the meat packing industry. You take your shower knowing that your soap and shampoo are properly labeled with every ingredient and the amount of its contents, because some liberal fought for your right to know what you're putting on your body.

You step outside. The air is clean because some tree-hugging liberal fought for laws to stop industries from polluting our air. At work, you have a good job with excellent pay, medical benefits, retirement, paid holidays, and vacation because some liberal union members fought and died for those working standards. Your employer does so because he doesn't want his employees to call the union. If you're hurt on the job or become unemployed, you have workers' compensation or unemployment, because some liberal didn't think you should lose your home because of your temporary misfortune.

Your bank account is federally insured by the FSLIC or FDIC because some liberal wanted to protect your money from unscrupulous bankers who ruined the banking system before the depression, and are still trying to do it today. You have to pay your Fannie Mae or F.H.A.-underwritten mortgage and your below market-rate federal student loan because some stupid liberal decided that you AND the government profit if you are educated and earn more money over your lifetime.

This evening, you will drive to your Dad's farm in the country on the Federal Interstate Highway system. Your car is among the safest in the world because some liberal fought for car safety standards. You are the third generation to live in the house financed by the Farmers Home Administration because bankers didn't want to make rural loans. The house didn't have electricity until some big government liberal stuck his nose where it didn't belong and demanded rural electrification.

You are happy to see your dad who is now retired. He lives on Social Security and his union pension because some liberal made sure he could take care of himself in retirement. He has Medicare, a program conceived by liberals to insure his health.

On the way home, you tune in to Rush Limbaugh, who is spitting mad. Damned liberals! What we need is a party of responsible legislators who will take all that away.

Vote tomorrow. The choice is yours.

Independent Redneck,

*Stands and applauds!*

You really have a way with words . . . and you nailed it for sure. . . sooner or later folks are going to have to deal with the reality of the situation . . . our democracy is no longer representative . . . unless you have enough money to be represented. Everything else is, as you say . . . lol . . . a poll dancing hootchie cootchie show.

Entertaining but unsustainable.

IR, One of the mantras of business is to "manage by the numbers." That means that you do what makes your business better, stop doing what makes it worse. The numbers tell you that, everything else just gets in the way. Your numbers show that the majority of the voters are about to ignore the numbers and vote on emotion instead. I find it ironic that the party of "run government like a business" works so hard to get people to get the American people to run their business the worst possible way--emotionally. The numbers you show us make the "why" obvious. The CEO class will easily recognize that Conservatives DO run government by the numbers. Numbers that favor the top 2% at the expense of everyone else. Ironic, isn't it?

USN, hold on to those predictions. It'll be interesting to see just how many of those you can point to later on and verify their accuracy.

Waitress, 3 slabs of disillusionment, one order of self-pity, and a side of bitter for our Liberal friends this morning.

Brilliant as always David: my prediction? An election will be held. People will vote. It will go one way or the other. As amused as I am by the right wing predictions of how we will react to what happens, we will react this way: it is what it is. We will continue to work for the country's good no matter the outcome. If the Republicans make inroads, it just makes it that much harder. But, ultimately, good always triumphs over evil, and we will find our way regardless.

JoAnnaSmith1

"Waitress, 3 slabs of disillusionment, one order of self-pity, and a side of bitter for our Liberal friends this morning."

What? NO bowl of hot, steamin' 'telepromters, smothered in birth-certificate gravy' sprinkled with a generous helping of 'commie-bits'??

You said it JoAnna..........WOW

I thought the tea-party was a fringe group not to be acknowledged. Now they are all the libs can talk about.....and blame.

People are getting pretty testy around here. It is actually kinda sad. I like to banter with these guys but the thumping they are going to take tomorrow kinda takes the fun out of it.

I might even vote dem tomorrow to lesson the beating.

Independent Redneck Va.

Great post;

President Obama is good for capitalism; contrary to what Tea Baggers think.

He gave the insurance companies 300 million customers; if bailed out the banks. I'm sure Tea Baggers are too blind to see the effect the it would have had on the economy if he didn't

Chrysler Group is investing $600 million in its Belvidere, Ill., assembly plant, where it is expected to build a new generation of Fiat-based vehicles.

http://www.chicagobusiness.com/article/20101028/NEWS05/101029884/chrysler-spending-600m-on-belvidere-factory-to-build-fiat-based

Last month, the National Bureau of Economic Research's official business cycle-dating committee told the country that the recession had ended in the second quarter of 2009. This was, undoubtedly, the correct call. The economy is showing positive growth, which is what defines the end of a recession.

http://www.guardian.co.uk/commentisfree/cifamerica/2010/oct/29/us-growth-2-unemployment

Things could have better if the Republicans would have just co-operated and given the President a chance. I don't understand why Tea Baggers expect instant gratification in less than 2 years.

MSNBC needs to take some real polls..or at least stop sugar-coating the results. 75% of the population understands the country is going in the wrong direction, not 60%.

"The number of Americans who say things are going badly in the country, at 75 percent, is higher than it has been on the eve of any midterm election since the question was first asked in the mid-1970s,"

http://www.cnn.com/2010/POLITICS/11/01/poll.election/index.html?hpt=C1

*** More of a referendum on Pelosi? Yet tomorrow’s midterm elections are shaping up to be more about Speaker Nancy Pelosi and congressional Democrats than about Obama.

Well, well, look who is getting thrown under the bus! Looks like Nancy will have to be the fall-"guy" for this years loses by the Democrats. Her, and Harry. Nancy and Harry passed the spending bills, the ObamaCare bills, the so called financial reform bill, all with their back room deals and 1-vote margins.

But who again signed the bills into law? Well, President Dude himself, President Barack "Yes We Can, . . . but . . . . " Obama!

Make no mistake FR, this is a referendum on Obama.

Morning you'll and fine one it is too. Glad to see all up and about especially J.Richter. Been to long there my friend. JoAnna you and I had this conversation about dancing with ugly partners a couple of months ago. If you made a such a poor dance partner then why would you think that I'd let you spoil my breakfast now with some of your foolishness.

It is time to stop voting people into office strictly on social issues. Right now the most important isssue is JOBS, JOBS and more JOBS. Republicans and Democrats should be warned that if they are elected tomorrow and the economy does not improved, they will be voted out of congress. The anger in this country is based on people losing their ability to support themselves. Most people do not want to depend on government, but have to because employment is being outsourced to other countries. This is not due to taxes but because the American worker expects more than a poverty wage. I was taught that the American Civil war ended slavery, but the reality is that we all became slaves to corporate governance. I am tried of the pundits saying if they do not have bread let them eat cake.

As you point out, IR----the Republicans get us into messes and then the Democrats get us out of them. The thanks they get for this is for the Republicans to return to office after spending their time out of office villifying the Democrats. My concern is that each time it happens, the economic mess is worse and one day the Democrats won't be able to pull us out of it.

This time I don't put all the blame on the Republicans--they had help from blue dog Democrats who cared more about their corporate masters than about their country and solving the problems we face. No wonder people have no confidence in Congress.

All of the false claims above telling people what it is I want from our gov't as a Tea Party supporter are enough to drive an independant to vote straight line Republican. If the best campaigning the left can come up with are slanderous lies about what I want, I want no representative like that in office. I kept waiting on the left to make their own house cleaning party, but they chose to just start name calling and making derogatory claims about the Tea Party & never took it serious. Independants had no choice if they didn't like Obama policies. The logic of the left in dealing with the Tea Party failed.

Look, the Democrats quit being Democrats a long time ago. It used to be a party worthy of split ticket voting and cherry picking the best representatives from both sides. The hate has to stop and logic must be applied at some point. This isn't a high school pep rally for "yay our team! The other side sucks!". This is about electing the reprsentatives who will steer this nation either off the chasm or back onto the path that once made us a proud nation.

Boy you liberals are just downright delusional. This is America and the opportunities have always been there if you want to work for it, but I know for you work is a four letter word! Even the poorest here are much better off with their cell phones and big screen TVs than most other countries. This is the best country on earth, and now will continue to be so despite the dude who goes around appologizing and bowing and calling US the enemy.

Steeler Fan;

I think you hit it right on the head again. The problem lies with both the republicans and some democrats as well, especially the "Blue Dogs" and a few others.

The Republican/Tea Party will overthrow the House. Now we will see if they are going to govern like they were elected to do, or continue with their plan of destroying America by doing nothing to move us forward.

Lets see how many new jobs they create for Americans HERE in the USA not China, India, etc. How much are they going to reduce the deficit (and the National Debt), How will they improve our education system and infrastructure. Tax cuts for the real Small Businesses, not Bechtel, Chicago Tribune, Fortune 1000 companies, Hedge Fund Companies etc. All things they campaign on as being important. America wil be watching and they will have the same 2 years as they gave President Obama. Lets see in 2012 what their record will be.

IS tomorrows Midterm a referendum on Obama, Pelosi, or simply how fear can make average people act like crazies at the Tea Party freakshow?

Perhaps it is a referendum on our nation and that we are officially The Land of the Free and the Home of the Stupid.

D'oh!!!

50% of Tea Party supporters say that one of their top-two messages would be to return to the principles of the U.S. Constitution

Yet they don't seem to know much ABOUT the US Constitution. Or principle.

I find one thing you liberals do not want to face; MOST, if not all of those new Democrats were voted into Congress due to straight party voting. Obama was at the top of the ticket and therefore a lot of them benefitted. They have to run alone this time in Republican leaning districts.

US Navy Disabled Veteran - Retired "Total Gridlock. Nothing that President Obama initiates will see the light of day."

Not much will "change". Obama didn't initiate anything in his first 2 years anyway - He left it to Pelosi to do all of the initiatives so he could stay 'aloof'. Actually, the last time the Republicans took over Congress under a Democratic President (1994 elections), we had budget SURPLUSES, great economic growth and job creation, and much needed welfare reform.

Unfortunately, Pelosi has driven the Democrats off of a cliff - Even though the danger was evident to everyone, she had the car in D at full speed.

J. Richter

Too bad the 'financial reform' totally ignored the real problem that caused the financial meltdown - Fannie Mae & Freddie Mac, which Bush called for reforming dozens of times over all of his 8 years, but was shot down by the Democrats (Barney Frank and Chris Dodd).

Feisty Redhead Roselle, IL

You might want to have plenty of alcohol available for Tuesday night to drown your sorrows.

To all of the liberals - How's that "Hope and Change" working out for you when you had a huge advantage in the House and a filibuster proof Senate?

Public Option on health care - NOPE.

Close GITMO - NOPE.

Stop illegal Patriot Act surveillance - NOPE.

'Comprehensive' Immigration Reform - NOPE.

Do away with DADT - NOPE - In fact Obama appealed the ruling doing away with it.

End the wars - NOPE - Actually he 'doubled down' in Afghanistan.

Turned the economy around - NOPE.

Civilian trials for terrorists - NOPE.

Etc. etc. etc.

Your 'Once in a lifetime' advantage is about to disappear. I will have a drink tonight too Feisty, but mine will be a celebration of a return to sanity.

In fact, maybe that's why Stewart's "Return to Sanity" Rally was such a success - perhaps they were celebrating the impending firing of Pelosi and a 'RETURN TO SANITY'.

lol

Will somebody please explain why the voters are expected to flock to the GOP in Tuesday's election if the Republican brand is so damaged?

Are these people mentally challenged? A rationale, sane, and average intelligence individual would not vote for a "damaged" candidate just because the media says you should because it a midterm election and this is how it's always done.

Huh!

If this is a referendum on our current political environment (democrats and republicans alike), and I think it is, the next two years will be dynamic. The republican/tea party will now have to put up or shut up. We have heard the rhetoric and now it is time to deliver on that rhetoric. The American people are saying we want results NOW. The republican/tea party has two years to perform.

Let's see if they do a better job in the next two years or is it going to be a rehash of the GW Bush Administration?

Only time will tell.

@Beverley in Chicago.

Your wrong Obama is bad for capitalism so was Bush's Tarp and his stimulus. In the capitalism I believe in if you have an idea for a product or a service to fill in some niche you should be allow to pursue it. If you succeed you make money, expand your operations, hire more people, and give the government some of your profits through tax. If your product sucks and can't handle competition then you go out of business period. The government should not be in the job of picking winners and losers, especially when there big multi million companies they should be responsible for themselves.

Harold Myerson, plain and simple you are an idiot. During Carters years, you couldn't buy a good job. Like under Democrats today, there are barely any jobs available. Yet in the 80's and the Republican controlled Congress of the Clinton administration, there were jobs galore. That is the effect of the Reagan Administrations trickle down economics and the tax breaks to the rich, which provided pages and pages of newspaper ads in the help wanted sections. Until the Democrats took control of Congress in 2006, there were still jobs out there. you want a hootchie cootchie show, watch the video on youtube that shows the Black Caucus and other Democrats,screaming against regulation of the housing market proposed by Bush and McCain!

The Job market was so good that people were going after education in the health,industrial and computer industries in technical colleges and College Degrees in business. Now there is barely any incentive for those degrees.

We need fiscal responsibility and to stop attacking the rich in this country! They are the glue of capitalism and that is the system that truly works for everyone. Reagan even had the Social Security System in better condition until Clinton raided the surplus money that Reagans tax on SS provided.

Clinton convinced Congress that a 15 year projection based on Reganomics would create money enough to pay back Social Security by using treasury bonds. Then Clinton bragged about his surplus and American Democrats bought it along with half the Republicans.

For this Social Security Payers are suffering today with the threat of losing their benefits. For this, there is really no money for social programs. Obama is spending our tax dollars by the trillions but I have really seen no more help at all for welfare reciepients. You want to explain that Mr Myerson?

I had an interesting experience recently. One that shows the difference between a free thinking motivated entrepeneur and the majority of other people. My son and two of his friends decided to rake the pine straw in my yard and bag it to sell. I told them it was a great idea (for obvious reasons). They agreed to meet in the afternoon and start raking. My son and one of his friends were waiting for the third person to show up the very first weekend and they started throwing the football around. When the third person showed up they all started raking. The next weekend the previous third person showed a little early and started raking before the other two came. When my son got there he stood and waited for the other person to show up, the other guy kept raking. When the third showed up they both started helping. This went on for several weeks and the third guy was the only one that had the initiative to start without the other two. At that moment I knew who's idea it was to start this in the first place. I asked the boys who's idea it was to start this project. They said (predictably) they all thought of it together. I told them to think about it, someone had to think of it first. After further thought they all three agreed it was the third guys idea originally and they had quickly agreed start with him. The boy with the vision had more motivation than the others. He had a vision and he was determined to make it work. He is still raking the pine straw and making money. The other two have stopped. The third guy sells to several stores and is making decent money. He hires help occasionally and my son says he works too hard. I can see where this is going and I told my son he needs to keep an eye on his friend because he is going to succeed one day. I am a little embarrassed because I've been raising a Democrat. I have since stopped doing so much for my son and making him stand on his own two feet. He is getting better. I am determined to teach him the power of "I can" and not wait around for "we can". To his credit, my son has never said he deserves some of the money his friend is now making. I believe there is hope for my son.

Democrats and republicans need a change, we have too many issues to continue to fight over ideologies. The GWB admin had 6 years of republican support and 8 years of liberal spending. We need both parties to reduce spending and work together, for the better of the majority. FIX not FIGHT.

Sheila, MD "Will somebody please explain why the voters are expected to flock to the GOP in Tuesday's election if the Republican brand is so damaged?"

If they 'flock to the GOP', perhaps the liberal FR premise that the 'Republican brand is so damaged' is wrong. Don't believe everything you read in the liberal press.

j wesley, you need to do some research. The web site chicagoteaparty.com was registered 6 months before Santelli's famous rant about how important it is to let ordinary people suffer the consequences of the recession while protecting the monied interests. realchicagoteaparty.com first showed content at almost the same time that Santelli was screeching. Less than 24 hours later everyone on the Right from Drudge to Hannity was touting this as a popular uprising and multiple organizations already in existence were promoting events.

Anyone who thinks the Tea Party was spontaneous and leaderless is being taken for a ride.

http://crooksandliars.com/john-amato/rick-santellis-rant-was-coordinated-eff

http://www.alternet.org/media/129523

http://politicalchili.com/2010/03/origins-of-the-tea-party-movement%E2%80%94part-iiia/

http://www.americaforpurchase.com/republicans/right-wing-tea-party-movement-planned-months-ago/

Obviously the Democratic party is clueless. 2006 they didn't want to expose to the light of day the criminality in the Government, illegal wars, lying to the public, billions in cash missing, warrentless wiretps, or torture. Obama in 2008 said he was going to do stuff that he didn't do, sooo Dems are pissed because we care if we get lied to and manipulated, there goes your base Mr. President, hows that bi-partisanshippy thingy workin' fer yah? You are about to see how real politics works, impeachment off the table? I think not. The right may be uncaring, greedy warmongers but they sure as @!$%# know how to get things done, or not done. Dems were worried about being seen during Bush years as obstructionists, remember that word? Well as you can see the American public doesn't really care as the Repubs were the most obstructionist in 100 years and they are making gains this cycle. Get ready folks you are about to hear the word Obstructionist 200 times a day on Fox and CNN if the Dems try to slow down the Righties one iota. As far as subpoenas go, when the right are called to testify they don't, remmeber Karl Rove et al.? Well watch kiddies this is how Congress exerts power, listen for lots of references to "rule of law" and watch them parade Dem after Dem under oath. It's absolutely sickening, watch and learn you @!$%#ing retards!!! This is how power is used! I am this close to never voting again, because Democrats may be caring , helpful and honest but they are also weak, spineless and scared. I for one am sick of being the weak, sorry ass excuse of a party that just wants to be liked by everyone. Well Dems, Righties hate you, they would shoot you down in the street if they could and you are like a puppy that gets beat and keeps coming back for more with a happy tail and sad brown eyes. Man up Dems you are @!$%#ing pathetic.

j.wesley........................you do realize this site, blog, whatever you want to call it, is for the libs. Same ones posting their elitism doctrine and congratulating each other. Your post will fall on deaf ears or they will label you a racist. You will be wasting your thoughts here.

Well stated and those who disagreed in this thread with this sensible well thought-out post showed their shallowness and ingonrance. Well stated sir.

The main post at the top of this thread shows, "Intelligence knows there is more to anything and everything that you already know" it "you" are willing to realize and explore things instead of being a slave to someone else's uninvestigated statement...be cause they SOUND good enough.

Jim3123,

Thank you. Great post, beats the entire Colbert/Stewart's Rally for Sanity.

Beverly, I thank you for your comment. I doubt you intended to make the point you did. If Obama is good for capitalism, as you say, then your liberal allies in this forum are demonstrably wrong that electing Republicans is tantamount to selling out to corporate America. I think you are both wrong. Obama has been good for crony capitalism, and if that is what you meant then I would agree. TARP, and other bailouts of that type, are always antithetical to free-market capitalism, and while you may think they have succeeded I think you could not be more wrong.

But this depends on one's definition of success, no? I think our country was made great because a major underlying principle on which it was founded was that failure would have consequences for those responsible. TARP transferred this responsibility and risk to you, and to me. Did it stop a financial free fall? Only if you don't comprehend basic economics. And yes, I know, many economists say it was necessary. But we are in political circles when it comes to this conclusion. If asked which way we'd find the floor fastest, and clear out un- or under-performing assets fastest, I doubt there is an economist alive that would argue for TARP. Or the stimulus. Both of which have serious, but largely unseen by voters, consequences that will be paid for over the many coming generations.

Maybe you think it is okay, or even good, to steal money from your unborn heirs in order to bail out yourself for the stupid choices you have made, like the Community Reinvestment Act, but I think this makes us The Most Immoral Generation. The gift from the founders was the gift that we could chart our OWN destiny, not that we could encumber our heirs without their permission.

Republicans, I am sad to say, have not done well, though they have easily done better than Democrats. But this is like saying you own the tallest building in Topeka. Big deal. And, because the GOP has failed to take this nearly once-in-a-lifetime election opportunity to persuade voters that CONSTITUTIONAL government will always produce greater happiness and prosperity than crony capitalism, I am not sure this election is a "change" election as FR seems to believe. We'll see, I suppose. But so long as people like you vote to steal someone else's money so that you can have it nothing in DC will much improve.

This election will tell all of the progressive/liberals what we have been saying all along. Your ideas can't win at the voting booth. The only time you guys get your way is through the liberal courts. The majority of Americans will speak tomorrow. You might want to try and listen for once.

Redneck,

I was wondering about your numbers in the above column, then I realized where you got them, the Washington Post.

I just couldn't figure out the wonderful average income in 1950.

According to the Social Security Administration online, the average salary in 1951 was a mere $2799.16, and with 2 couples working I find it hard to:

"average income of Americans in the bottom 90 percent was growing, too -- from $17,719 in 1950 to $30,941 in 1980"

Also according to the Social Security Administration online, the average salary in 1980 was $12,513.46, and even with 2 people working, their annual income would not be $30K.

So someone at the Washington Post and their Tax companies must be doing something with the numbers, because they just don't add up.

So here are some numbers that actually come from Government, which so many on here love to talk about. These are the AVERAGE SALARIES AND BENEFITS per wage earner.

1951--$2799.16

1960--$4007.12 a 30% increase in salaries & benefits over 9 years

1970--$6186.24 a 35% increase in salaries & benefits over 10 years--or about $218.00 more a year

1980--$12,513.46 a 51% increase in salaries & benefits over 10 years--or about $633.00 more a year

1990--$21027.98 a 40% increase in salaries & benefits over 10 years--or about $851.00 more a year

2000--$32154.82 a 35% increase in salaries & benefits over 10 years--or about $1113.00 more a year

2009--$40,934.93 a 21% increase in salaries & benefits over 9 years--or about $976.00 more a year

I know all you folks out there don't like numbers, and will say that we have to adjust for inflation, well according to multiple sources on the internet, including Oregon State University, the AVERAGE inflation rate from 1950 to 2010 is about 3.75 to 3.85% depending upon with calculator you use.

Using the DollarTimes.com inflation calculator, a person that makes the 1951 average salary ($2799.16) would have the same buying power in 2010 as someone making $24,179.03
. The AVERAGE annual inflation rate over those years was 3.72%. Now you can blame anyone you want to for the state of the economy--all of Washington IMO. But I believe anyone can turn the numbers in their favor. But it does surprise me that Salaries increased by some 40% while Reagan was in office, and actually only went up 35% while Clinton was in office 8 out of 10 years during the 90's.

And I do realize, that the average salaries did go up, yet not very high, only 21% for most of the Bush 2 years and Obama's 2 years. But they did go up during these trying times. And 2010 isn't over yet, so we won't know the average salary at least until April 2011.

What country or political system would you prefer to see implemented in this country? Cuba is laying off 500,000. The Europeans are trying to pare back the welfare state as quickly as possible. Our jobs will continue to flow to places where the standard of living is lower. Class struggle is not productive. Keynesian economics is disatrous. We need to dismantle the system that has been ruling this country for the last 97 years.

I think the point is being missed by those on the right. What's good for billionaires is what this election is about, and you're a fool if you believe otherwise.

Billionaires are pouring their money into these elections. They're not doing it to jump-start our economy, the're doing it to to line their pockets - again, and at your expense.

Sad thing is, I'll be right and will have the written proof right here - and you can bet your Red-State a$$ that I'll be right here in two years chopping Tea Party candidates off at the knees when it comes to listing their accomplishments - as there won't be any. THAT is a guarantee.

Why do you think billionaires found and financially backed the least intelligent, most extremely ideological and least communicative people they could to find?

It's like the shell game, where the walnut shells are moved around the table and the con man asks you to pick the shell that contains the pea - but you never will, because you were deceived into believing that it was actually under one of them - it's not.

And while you're busy arguing about gay marriage and abortion and illegal immigration and nazis and socialists and marxist-leninist commies, they're picking your pocket.

You took your eye off the pea, and you're about to pay for it, America.

Fiesty - When you said "what a bunch of LOSERS", you were speaking of democrats weren't you? Things probably aren't going to go the way you might like tomorrow but I will say a prayer for you.

Get real Rick - the dems are outspending the right this time.

FR: The upcoming challenge for Boehner and McConnell: While independents in the poll say they want the parties to work together, the Tea Party doesn’t.

Well, that won't be hard for Boehner and McConnell to follow the Tea Party marching orders, it's what they have done all along. My only consolation is watch out McConnell and Boehner, they will be coming for you!

BB, it states in IR's original comment that all figures are stated in 2008 dollars.

JH - we'll see in two years. It's obvious from evidence provided by the angry right that not only is ignorance incurable it's untreatable too.

Thank you for a breath of sanity in this crazy election year! I already voted Democrat! Too many are uninformed, misinformed or guided by fear and anger bought by large corporate interests and large non- independant corporate media......

I saw a post here in relation to inflation...

One thing I remember was when a bottle of soda (Like Coke or Pepsi) went from 10 cents to 15 cents practically overnight and a bunch of us kids were going around joking, "Just think, we can joke with our grandchildren that we can remember when a Coke was only 25 cents"

We thought this was an extremely funny joke because, of course, a Coke was nowhere near 25 cents in price having just gone from 10 to 15 cents.

This was somewhere around he first part of the 1970's. Now that bottle of Coke is what, around $1.50 or TEN times the increased price in the early 70's.

When quoting wage increases please keep in mind what things cost now compared to then.

My parents bought a brand new 1970 Chevy Impala right of the new car lot for $1999.00 less than 2000 dollars.

What a dollar would buy in the past...or statistical number on inflation are useful but not necessarily the whole reality depending on their accuracy and the purpose the creator of them had in creating them.

John B,

His numbers still don't add up. Even at 2008 numbers, the inflation rate of 3.80%, people making $2799.16 in 1950 would have the buying power of $23, 516. For one person working.

It is the Washington Post that is trying to use the numbers in their own way to make it look like the economy is always terrible. But since 1950, the average salary & benefits of Americans has gone up, at least by 20% per decade. While inflation over the same amount of years has averaged about 3.75 to 3.85%.

I am not saying that times are not hard, but the media, any media makes numbers to fit their cause. Do we want higher salaries and better benefits, heck yes, just not government run salaries and benefits. There comes a time when we shouldn't expect the government to wipe our noses for us. And that is what I think many people want to get away from, that this forum calls Tea Partiers. Corporations and Unions have been swaying government for decades, nothing is going to stop that on both sides.

The President has been deriding Republicans of not being cooperative, but he has been seen over and over again not listening to anyone or anybody that didn't hold his same views; telling Republicans they can "ride in the back" and during the Health Care debate there was not room for compromise. What about suing Arizona for trying to enforce the law? Why!? Is this the new politics that the President was talking about when he campaigned? That is why he is behind in the polls, and that is why I'm anxious to vote; the enormous debt is just part of it.

By the way, about the same time as that 10 Cent "Coke/Pepsi" I worked the summer in the watermelon fields for 50 cents an hour.

That would make a 40 hour week worth about 20 dollar wouldn't it??

Number can be altered...my info comes from living and remembering it....and are not Embellished.

Big Bear Sorry I had to step out for a few. I think that John B has answered some of the question. Now that being said as an old guy that learned economic policy and taxation policy before Reagan I am always going to hold a different impression than some other folks like yourself. There is little doubt in my mind that the Reagan Revolution hasn't been good for the middle class cause I know what things were like before and after. Now that being said rather than getting into all the nuts and bolts here and some back and forth that's going to be lost in the cacophony and because I have seen you consistantly be a pretty resonable fellow I would like to hold the thought till next week when things have settled down some. I'll put the same thing up next Monday and you and I and some of the other folks like Anon and John B. can see if we can't work out a place to meet in the middle. What do you say?

Response to Harold Meyerson's article:

As Mark Twain said, "There are three kinds of lies. There are lies. There are damn lies, and there are statistics."

You say income to the poorest 90% of Americans rose from 1950-1980 from $17,700 to $30,900. I'm sorry, but that is too hard to believe, as the median family income in 1950 was around $8,000 and the median family income in 1980 was around $21,000. That's for all Americans. So if the wealthy's wealth grew from 1950-1980, how come the median family income was half of what the BOTTOM 90% made in 1950, but 2/3rds in 1980? Not to mention the fact that the bottom 90% made more than the median family income. Also, the flatline from 1980-2008 also ignores the BLS data that median family income in 2008 was close to $50,000, and the avg. full time salary about $40,000.

It also denies what I and virtually all of my friends have personally experienced. I graduated from law school in 1981 and was one of the lucky ones to land a job, making $12,000 a year. I worked my way up the corporate ladder, and became execuvtive VP of the largest title insurance company in the state (2nd largest in the country), making $80,000 a year in 1989. Per the BLS I was in the top 50% of wage earners in 1981, and the top 10% in 1989; per the state bar, it was the 40th percentile in '81 and the 80th percentile in '89. The rest of my professional career has flirted with the $100-150K range in income, always placing me in the top 10% of wage earners. But the last two years has seen my income drop to $30,000 a year, putting me in the bottom half of earners. This short bio reveals two things: (1) people travel up and down the pay scale, and (2) per the BLS, the numbers in Meyerson's article are manipulated.

Meyerson also bounces around from "real" dollars to "actual" dollars, which have different meanings, even though they sound similar.

Lastly, inflation was a very real factor from 1965-1981, jumping in some instances as high as 15% but averaging about 10%. Since then, we've had an average of about 3% a year inflation.

Concerned Intellectual,

Was that a 20 ounce drink back in 1970, a 12 ounce bottle, or 12 ounce can. We'll I don't think, if I recall, that we had a lot of 20 oz bottles back in 1970. And I really feel bad for you if you are spending $1.50 per 12 oz can today. They have these things called 6 packs, 12 packs, or even cases to buy canned drinks. Now I know everyone has heard about them. Yesterday I purchased 24 cans of Dr Pepper at Target, it was $6 for the case. So when I divide the number of drinks in a case (24) into that $6. I am purchasing those drinks for--wait get this--.25 cents a drink. Now if you want to get technical, they were probably each about .26 cents when you add the tax.

And in 1970, a $2000 car, or $1999, would be about 1/3 of the AVERAGE annual salary from 1970.

Taken in today's dollars, you can get a new car, be it not a great car, for around 13-15K, And according to the Social Security Administration, that would about 1/3 of the AVERAGE annual salary of 2009. Lower on the low end car, higher on the high end car.

according to an analysis of tax data by economists Thomas Piketty and Emmanuel Saez. Btw B.B. that is the source for the figures not the Washington Post. Don't have the link readily available but you can check them if you'd like they were published. The Washington post is linked up there because that is the source for Mr Meyerson's op- ed in which those figures were used. I 'm just trying to follow the rules and if I lead you astray my apologies.

They have been able to distance themselves from Bush’s presidency. Only 34% believe the GOP would return to Bush’s economic policies if they regain Congress, while 58% say they would bring different ideas.

Land of the stupid indeed. Thags are going to be differnet from the Bush days?? Really? Who is Senate majority leader? And what was is voting record during the Bush Administration?? Do really think good Old McConnell is going to change his ways? And what about Boehner do you really think that guy is going to get all fisically responsible all the sudden? Come on, both of these clowns have been on the record saying you don't need to pay for tax cuts because they pay for themselves. Because that worked SO well the first time when they voted for Bush's tax cuts (twice) while blowing billions on two wars and of course Medicare Part D or the Prescription Drug plan, or as I call it Big Pharma's Bush provided bail out. If you think those two are going to be any different just because some crazy old people, yes you Tea Party person, then you're delusional.

Bigbear that was a 16 ounce bottle in the 1970's...6 packs were the norm at the time and around that time they came up with the 8 pack...

of course you also didn't throw the bottle away like we wastefully do now...it had a 2 cent deposit (Which You could deduct from the price when doing you math...and this went to 5 cents then 10 cents about the time of the increase of the soda from 10 cent to 15 cents...the refundable deposit that is...10 of the 15 cents chaged was refunded when you brought back the bottle...C?) so go refigure and deduct the bottle deposit from the numbers....hmmm?

Maybe we should go back to a deposit on the bottles instead of wastefully filling our landfills with them...?

One last figure for you guys...Gasoline…at the same time I was speaking of the gas stations were having "Gas Wars" (trying to lower their price ever lower to compete with the other gas stations in the area for customers) the lowest I remember seeing it go was 21 cents!! Average was 27 cents!!

Use this and the above information to get a true view of inflation…hmmm?

Well, that won't be hard for Boehner and McConnell to follow the Tea Party marching orders, it's what they have done all along. My only consolation is watch out McConnell and Boehner, they will be coming for you!

Good point Cathy! McConnell had a rough time in his last election, it might his turn to go in two years if he can't produce for both the Tea Party and the independents.

Every cloud does have a silver lining!! I can see all the "Ditch Mitch" signs from here.

Feisty Redhead Roselle, IL Comment collapsed by the community

There was no better way for the progressives to have spent the final weekend before the election than how the John Stewart/Stephen Colbert rally symbolized ALL of America!

Crowd estimates are upwards of 200K range with diversity abound! It wasn’t a bunch of angry thugs squealing about how their country has somehow been taken from them!

See attached link for some of the signs to prove my allegation:

http://www.facebook.com/l.php?u=http%3A%2F%2Fpoliticalhumor.about.com%2Flibrary%2Fbl-tea-party-signs.htm&h=24386

Watching the rally gave me hope that maybe the whole country actually hasn’t gone stark raving mad and afraid of their own shadows!

This is it America… we’re down to 4^th and long and it’s up to you to vote Democratic to keep this country moving forward and not allow the Republicans & tea baggers to take it back ...................You'll need to cut this collapsing mess out. I don't care if you like or you don't. As far as I'm concerned if nobody is threatening bodily harm to somebody else I want to hear it even if you don't.

Concerned Intellectual,

Yes in the 70's pepsi did come out with the first 16 oz bottled drinks, and in 1936, they were the first to come out with the 12 oz bottled drink. Advertising that you got over twice as much drink for your nickel. Of course today, that same price is .02 cents per ounce, considering that is what it cost me yesterday.

The funny thing is, everyone is so worried what will happen after tomorrow. Well, for one, I will still go to work, take care of my family, and then go to sleep--I have already voted. I voted for the best candidate, that represented my personal views, I don't vote party lines, because that would make me have tunnel vision, I am always try to be open to new ideas.

As for Teapartiers wanting to start following the constitution again, I can see their point. We have had Presidents who are using the Executive Privileges to run the country, our congress allows Presidents to wage war, and I thought they were the ones that declared that, and we have federal judges legislating from the bench, instead of interrupting the Constitution as it is written. You can complain all you want about the Tea Party, but I would bet, 85-90% of those people are doing this on their own, no corporate backing, they just want to be involved, which I think is a great thing.

I don't expect the Reps to pick up as many House seats as the media is predicting, I would say, they might get a small majority, maybe pick up 4 seats in Senate. I do think, IMO, that Harry Reid is gone though.

As I always say ... So let's suppose it's all true. The GOP wins big and we move forward into 2011? What do I think then???

1) I think the Republican establishment better get it's head out of it's butt that it was using for over spending over 3 of the last 5 years.

2) I think the Democrat Party might re-think it's governing from the left position. It has't worked any of the last four times they tried it. Maybe a loss will get their attention!

3) I know the Tea Party will be watching ... because they are the middle and independent voters, albiet conservative in principle.

I hope and I pray we've all learned a little over the last four years. I look at 2010 election as "... not the end, or the begining of the end, but the end of the begining" - Winston Churchill

People are smarter than the media! You wonder why the lefties (and the Progressive Repubs) hate the Tea Party? Because the Tea Party IS the Electorate!

What the article really means in regard to The Tea Party and “fervor” and “intensity,” is “extremism” and the three V’s of “volume, vitriol and violence. “ As for the message of returning to the principles of the constitution, our country has always adhered to the constitution and this is just a right-wing media myth. It’s a shame folks would waste their vote over something nonexistent.

We’ve already known that all the Tea Party candidates are running as Republican, so it’s no surprise to see that 85% will vote Republican. Let’s start a contest for a new name for the GOP. Let’s see, Reteapartisan? That’s too hard to pronounce. Repubaggers? Or just Teapublicans. Suggestions welcome.

From the article: “Only 34% believe the GOP would return to Bush’s economic policies if they regain Congress, while 58% say they would bring different ideas.”

I’d like to hear from conservatives what they think will be different – And please spare us the sound bites, and provide a reply with substance (detailed plan). Because, “we the people” will demand a real and viable plan to restore the American Dream for everyone, not just the rich. Oh, and we expect this to be done in two years.

Game on Ron!!! Thanks for keeping track. Ok..here goes nothing:

House: Republicans net 53 seats.

Senate: Republican get to 49.

Individual Senate Races:

Florida: Rubio (R) (Side note: At a H'ween party last night, we had an interesting group of people probably 60/40 GOP / Dem...most of the Dems were voting Crist over Meek) This one will be a bit closer than the polls.

WV: Manchin (D) wins

IL: Kirk (R) wins

PA: Toomey (R) wins

OH: Portman (R) wins

WI: Johnson (R) wins

NV: Angle (R) wins in what I consider a bit of an upset. (Going with what my 2 cousins living in NV are telling me)

CA: Boxer (D) wins by at least 5.

MO: Blount (R) wins

DE: This is a shoo-in, but I say this one isn't within 15 points.

AK: I think this might be the toughest to call. I think Miller (R) wins.

CO: Buck (R) wins

WA: Murray (D) wins - Rossi is close yet again but doesn't pull it off.

Governors races: OK admittedly, I'm really only following one of these and that's Florida. I really don't know on this one. I'm voting for Scott, but admittedly, Sink's ads have been pretty effective. This is less than 2 points either way and I'm going with Scott.

OK Ron...did I miss anything. (This one's for you...Colts 31, Texans 21 tonight)

Ron,

I'm not too good with "predictions", but because its you . . . I'll say this much:

Come Wednesday morning, you are going to hear a LOUD SHRIEK from the punditocracy when they realize that Speaker Peolsi's term at the top did not end as predicted!

Oh what a wonderful sound that will be! :o)

I'm going to leave the crytal ball up to you two but on a side note that was funnier than hell...

I had a trick or treater come to my door last night dressed as the Rent is TOO damn high guy! He couldn't have been more than 7 or 8 and I laughed until I cried! ;0)))

Nash...if the Dems keep the House, I'll eat a few plates of crow in your honor . ;-)

Frank:

You are a numbers guy as well as an excellent writer. Some of these close Senate races will really be close. Funny, you picked the Republican and I picked the Democrat. On the close races we will not know the winner until Wednesday morning...or longer.

Feisty...that is hysterical. It's off topic, but I went to a Halloween party Saturday night and the coolest costume there was a guy who was dressed as a magnet with a bunch of little baby chickens glued to the ends of the magnet...yes...a chick magnet.

Mark, Domenico, and the rest...are you guys going to be releasing any predictions? Just curious.

Ron: If your 750 votes in the NV Senate race is correct, that may not be over until July! LOL!

Frank,

I am hoping to serve you that crow with a nice tall glass of koolaid . . . or maybe I'll just drink it myself if your predictions come true! lol

That's too funny Frank! I imagine he won the contest if there was one?

Dare I ask what you went as... ? lol

My prediction is that if the Republicans screw up this chance there will be a third party in 2012.

Alan:

Interesting prediction. My sense is the Republicans will continue to be obstructionists and "screw up this chance". So will the Tea Party be the third party in 2012? Could be, depending on the fight between Palin and Romney.

I would look for something akin to the Regan Democrats and North-East Republicans. Bloomberg in NYC would be the model. Fiscal Responsibility and Social Liberal. The bumper sticker

"Stay out of my pocketbook and out of bedroom"

Other than that watch out for Chris Christie in 2012.

Did you see this article by Rober Samuelson? Basically its why high speed trains are uneconomical in this country. We have too many homes and businesses in the suburbs. Of course its an opinion.

http://www.realclearpolitics.com/articles/2010/11/01/high-speed_pork_107785.html

I hope Ron is correct and Grimey is wrong but tomorrow will tell us. One thing I know for sure is that many of our fellow citizens on either side of the aisle will not value their precious right to vote and will sit at home. This will give a disproportionate power to highly motivated folks on the fringe. And before the folks on the right start in, I would say the same thing if the situations were reversed. I never understand it when people don't vote---so many brave people have fought and died for that right.

My favorite trick-or-treater last night was a little girl dressed up as Flo from the Progressive insurance commercials. She had it all going on!

Ron---hope your Colts do better on the national stage than my Steelers!

One of the more interesting predictions going around is that enough of the new Republicans want out of Afghanistan and that they would combine with the more liberal Democrats left in the house to end the war. If this happens then I would see this as one of the more constructive actions from the new house. It reduces spending and gets us out of an endless conflict. (Not that I don't think we'll get hit again...damn you UPS).

The other part of this is do you think there is a credible challenger on the left to President Obama if he decides to continue the war? Hillary Clinton is not viable but what would happen if Russ Feingold decides to be an anti-war candidate?

Alan, NJ:

My prediction is that if the Republicans screw up this chance there will be a third party in 2012.

I think that Alan, NJ is correct this assessment. The reason why I think that is because the GOP's verson of the Tea Party will split and ultimately destroy the GOP as we know it. We already see this happening as the 'establishment' GOP is trying to tell Sarah Palin to sit down and SHUT UP about 2012. Somehow, I do not see this happening and there will be a bigger rift in the GOP STARTING from today.

What's even worse is that the GOP cannot control the passions and energy of the GOP's version of the Tea Party. They THINK they can, but they cannot in reality. Saw this on Meet the Press yesterday, where the GOP leadership is 'behind Republican Candidate Joe Miller 100%', but could not articulate their support of him. If the Republicans DO succeed in taking overthe House, they will be beseiged in their governance by intra-party infighting.

Here's my prediction: America loses.

Which means it's not too soon to start thinking about 2012!

Coming soon to a Congress near you: Government of the few, by the few, and for the few.

This is not the party of Lincoln.

Nothing like the opinions of amatuer politician pollsters.

There is more money picking the ponies and less horse sh!t too...

Ron Indiana "Mid-term elections are tomorrow and it’s time to make some predictions"

Senate = Republicans - 49, Democrats 49, Independents 2.

House = Republicans pick up 63 seats.

Governors = Republicans - 32, Democrats - 18.

I would just like to say two things...

#1 - All these polls always come out just before an election telling you how it's going to play out... I can honestly say that neither I, nor ANYONE I KNOW, has ever been asked to participate in a poll... who exactly IS answering these poll questions? Have any of YOU ever participated in a major election poll?

#2 - If you want a third party, it should NOT be the Teapartiers... They are at their core, basically just farther right, overly passionate Republicans... A (more widely recognized) third party should be the LIBERTARIAN Party... http://www.lp.org/platform ... If the founding fathers could magically be alive today (after getting over the initial disgust with seeing what has evolved from their vision) they would align themselves with the Libertarians... it holds the truest ideals to their original vision.... "Minimum Governmet, Maximum Freedom".

Steeler Fan, not all of us who are highly motivated to vote are on the fringe. I'm actually finding it entirely offensive how many people try to push that on us, actually...

If I could find me a nice 3rd party candidate with fiscally conservative and socially liberal views I'd be thrilled to vote for him or her. But instead I'm left with a choice between the liberals best friend, Feingold, and the new guy, Johnson, no 3rd option. So I, like many other regular main street types, am left with a decision- which part do I believe is more important, the fiscal side or the social side. For me, it's an easy decision- it's always going to be the fiscal side. Social policy tends to sort itself out, often more easily without the "help" of the politicians. So for this cycle, I'm voting for the new guy. I've seen what the old one has done for the last 18 years and I think it's time for change. In many respects, I think that's a good approach in general. Washington needs some new blood. I'd love to see the new guy win whether he's democrat or republican. Shake things up, bring in folks who haven't gone native and see if we can't effect some real change in DC. But don't think for a second that because I'm fired up and ready to cast my ballot tomorrow that I am also part of the lunatic fringe. They're just more interesting as far as the media is concerned so they get the air time. Most of us are not them...

Pietro/Ron

I do agree with your assessment that the Tea Party could split the Republicans. It seems that there is real class warfare between Regan Democrats, Ross Perot supporters and other blue collar/middle class people and the country club establishment. This issues to me are:

What happens if the country club crowd alienates the Tea Party? Do they form a right-center party focused fiscal responsibility (and ignore social issues), led by someone like Ron Paul, or do they become rabble rousers led by someone like Sarah Palin? I think it will tend to be closer to Perot's movement in that they will draw more from the Republicans than the Democrats, but that will also depend on where President Obama is in 2012. If he continues to be on the left, and aligns with the house Democrats after the election then I see movement from the Democrats as well. If he moves to the center like President Clinton in 1995 then he can win easily by splitting the vote as Clinton did in 1996.

Oops.

Governors = Republicans - 32, Democrats - 17, Independents - 1 (R.I.).

It would appear for the Republicans that, in the words of Mark Twain, "Reports of my death have been greatly exaggerated".

What an interesting round of posts. I certainly agree that after this election, the congressional gridlock is only going to infuriate and disaffect more voters. And I'll go along with the probability of a third party in 2012, most probably at largely GOP expense. What kind of ideology that party might espouse is almost unpredictable - like the ad hoc third party behind Pat Buchanan, there's a bit of everything likely without a shared concensus except to "throw the bums out!" The question will also be, WHO can effectively articulate a third-party ideology?

And if, as so many seem to expect, the economy is still lackluster, then just about all bets are off for the Presidency, too.

The article that brought us all around the table this morning pins the donkey's tale on Nancy Pelosi - who has been demonized by the GOP for the entire decade. Seems as if later this week the person who needs to take a very, very strong stand is President Obama, laying out first an aggressive plan for the lame duck session, and a series of clear and positive challenges for the next Congress. If he does so, then the agenda will be his, against which the right wing will have to justify its actions before the public. Obama could avoid becoming smeared with the charge of inaction that almost certainly is going to accrue to a divided and immovable Congress.

Overall, I see the GOP taking between 43 and 50 House seats, net, and missing in the Senate by at least 2 - a Democratic majority at 52 - 48. It's more than possible that Sharron Angle will fall short, and I wish but don't expect Michelle Bachmann to lose. The Colorado race still looks dead even; it will depend on the Southern and rural turnout whether Buck wins.

Election Day weather all over the country is going to be a critical factor. In every thight race, if the weather is bad, expect the Democrat to lose.

Oh, and Jerry Brown's going back to the California state house, too, while Alex Sink sinks Ron Scott's money boat in Florida.

Suzy----you are not the person I had in mind when I wrote of "fringe"----you are the person I wish there were more of---wants more from government, wants better candidates and isn't thrilled with the options. I agree with you----wish there were better options and a third party choice. But at least you are going to go to the polls and vote for someone. So many people won't---some because they are disappointed in the options but many more just won't care.

V...

Perhaps a Liberal Democrat Party would be viable, since the "Bluedog Democrats" kept the liberal Democrats from realizing their dreams with total control of everything, including a filibuster proof Senate.

By the way - the liberals hoping for a 'miracle' shouldn't hold their breaths, because the undecideds usually break for the Party out of power.

ROY WILSON-336103

V...

Perhaps a Liberal Democrat Party would be viable,

I really have no interest in dems... lib or blue.... or repubs... tea or decaf....

I agree with the platforms of the Libertarian party... which is much nicer than being forced into a party by default, simply because you are ideologically repulsed by the opposing party.

I only recently really discovered them.... I was pleasantly surpised, because I expected the Libertarian party to be some fringe Ross Perot type view of the world.

take 5 mins of your time, and read their platform...

http://www.lp.org/platform

You may be pleasantly surprised as well...

Hmm, interesting. I guess my predictions are pretty similar. Dems will keep Senate by small margin, 52 - 48, but I think the Repubs will gain 57 seats in the house.

And Frank, you're right about the Senate race in FL. I'm a 20 something, African-American, female, liberal and I'm voting for Crist. Though I think because of the split between Crist and Meek, Rubio will win, I'd rather "waste" my vote then not cast one.

I think the race between Sink and Scott will be too close for me to call.

SteelerFan, since I'm originally from Louisiana I have to say this: Who Dat! :)

And Ron, since I graduated from high school in Indiana I must also say: Go Horse! I'm sad to see Evan Bayh retire now. I liked him.

Why do folks keep believing that Republicans are "fiscally conservative" when they are the ones who keep running up the deficit?

http://zfacts.com/p/318.html

"This graph shows what happened since Oct. 1, 1981, the day Reagan started his first budget. It was horrible. The $3.4 Trillion in Reagan-Bush debt kept collecting interest and grew to $8.2 Trillion today. Clinton, Bush II and Obama are not to blame for that interest, and without it, Clinton would have paid off most of the $1 Trillion WWII debt that Reagan scared us with to get elected. And Bush II (and his supply siders) would have run up only $3.8 Trillion. (Why $12T? Not $9.2T?)

Before the supply siders, Dems and Repubs brought the debt down relative to our income in 27 out of 35 years. The supply siders (with Reagan and the Bushes) raised it 20 out of 20 years. That's no accident.
The Supply-Sider's Hoax: Bush-I called it voodoo economics (but he got stuck with it). Their "theory" is that cutting taxes for the super rich will encourage them to work so much harder and make so much more money that they will pay more taxes, even though their tax rate went down. Well the voodoo didn't work in 20 out of 20 years. And now they want to try it again. And they've scared America again about the debt. It's easier now that they've run it through the roof."

The deficit was created by the LIE that unfunded tax cuts grow the economy.

It doesn't work. Never has.

So other than this LIE, what is the evidence that Republicans are fiscally conservative?

Sunrise: I like your moniker and what you have to say. Keep posting...And once a Hoosier, always a Hoosier. Thanks for supporting the horseshoes.

And Steeler Fan: It was a hard fought game. You can be proud of those Steelers.

Predictions of a third party are ridiculous. There cannot and will not ever be a viable and sustainable third party. Eventually a third party gets absorbed into whichever party they cannabalize, and we're once again back to a two-party system. The main reason is simple; we have thoughts from one half of our brain, and feelings from the other. Republicans motivations are more left-brained thought-based, Democrats motivations are more right-brained feelings-based.

There is no third option and never will be simply because our brains aren't divided into thirds. There is never a third option.

Rick's Real

Predictions of a third party are ridiculous. There cannot and will not ever be a viable and sustainable third party.

The Libertarian party started in one persons home in 1971 by disillusioned repubs and dems...
Today... nationwide, there are 157 Libertarians holding elected office...
In 2008, more than 15 million votes were cast for Libertarian candidates around the nation.

The main reason is simple; we have thoughts from one half of our brain, and feelings from the other. Republicans motivations are more left-brained thought-based, Democrats motivations are more right-brained feelings-based.

Well... hey, at least you're not oversimplifying, and generalizing this idea right?
No need to discuss issues and policies, and agendas anymore...
if you think more than you feel, just vote repub...
if you feel more than you think, just vote dem...
wow... that's a lot easier than having to look at issues, and make decisions for myself... thanks!

There is no third option and never will be simply because our brains aren't divided into thirds. There is never a third option.

So... you can never make a decision that has more than two choices then? Because your brain isn't set up for that kind of process? You must get seriously befuddled when looking at a menu... or food shopping, with all those different brands of soap, or cereal...

Your assertion that Dems are 100% emotional, and Repubs are 100% cerebral, is crazy enough...
But to think they each party has monopolized 50% of our brains, and left nothing for a new party to appeal to is asinine...

I think the Libertarian platforms appeal to BOTH my intellect, and my emotions...
Ye gods!!! It has me using both sides of my brain simultaneously!!!
Allowing me to make BALANCED thoughts and judgements on issues!!
And even more amazing it does so on COMMON SENSE levels.

No wonder it is hard for people to accept...
Common sense and balance seems so alien in the world of politics...

ron - my prediction is that close votes will be decided by the oversea military votes. Or has this issue of late deliveries been resolved?

V...

Your assertion that Dems are 100% emotional, and Repubs are 100% cerebral, is crazy enough...
But to think they each party has monopolized 50% of our brains, and left nothing for a new party to appeal to is asinine...

Talk about oversimplifying! WHERE did I assert that? This is what I wrote, and I stand by it:

Republicans motivations are more left-brained thought-based, Democrats motivations are more right-brained feelings-based.

More does not mean 100%, it means slightly more than 50%, which is how so many elections seem to be going these days.

Standing by this hypothesis, I'd estimate that you're quite a bit more than 51% full of s#*t.

Ah, the gloating begins even before the election. Already you're ignoring the most important question unspoken above. What are you going to do next?

"Given the GOP’s low standing, McInturff says Republicans would have a very short leash with the public if they end up controlling Congress."

Hint: "Finish the job in 2012" isn't one of your choices. You'll have no choice to do that if you don't do something constructive immediately. What will that be?

The Liberals are standing there dumbstruck today, well, except for the lashing out. "How can this be?!" they bellow. The Conservatives were supposed to be a regional party, out of power for a generation! At least that's what the secular bible of the Left, the New York Times, said not even a year ago. So what happened?

What happened is the Republicans knew Obama's Keynesian economics would fail (it always does), and they voted against it. If they had voted for it, the Democrats would be saying "See, they agreed with us, they're idiots too!" But the Republicans didn't agree with the Democrats now did they? And now look where that's got them.

I guess Obama is no longer the "Cool Kid".

As you can see, JS1 has no answer to my question. Without that the new "permanent Republican majority" will be as short-lived as the last one.

What constructive actions will the new Republicans take once they assume their seats in the new Congress?

Interesting Johnny B all of sudden wants answers when he and his ilk couldn't have cared less about them two years ago.

Newly coined Liberal mantra: "Yes We Can, . . . but . . . . ."

JoAnna:

Good morning! Did you enjoy the Sanity Rally over the weekend? I hear fear lost! :o)

I've been asking what constructive action Conservatives would take all along. I'm still asking and you still can't answer.

What constructive actions will the new Republicans take once they assume their seats in the new Congress?

JoAnna Smith:

More of your standard fare; nothing of substance and schoolyard taunts. However, I am not going to miss a chance to call you out for an outright lie.

Keynesian Economics have NEVER failed. That is because they have NEVER been put into practice. NEVER. This is simply another of your talking points that has no foundation.

You can check this out as I have provided a link. However, be aware that being in possession of facts may cause an adverse reaction. http://www.american.com/archive/2009/february-2009/taking-the-name-of-lord-keynes-in-vain

David walker is typical of all liberal democrats- living in a delusional world where, once policies fail, they are not the policies implemented. I will not waste a tutorial on you, because it will not penetrate the pretty pink smoke of your delusions, but everyone else with a grasp of reality understands that Keynesian theories are behind the collapse of the PIIGS, the economic downward spiral of the rest of Europe, as well as the high unemployment and stagnant economy here at home.

Kind of plays in to the results of NBC's poll. Sure, people want what you characterize as more change- because the change they got was not the change they voted for in 2008. I said at the time, and will reiterate, that people voted for the second coming of Bill Clinton- but got, instead, the second coming of Jimmy Carter, albeit, without the common sense. He, at least, had been a governor.

These polls were predictable to anyone with half an ounce of sense. People wanted "change"; well, the aftermath of a car wreck is change. Unfortunately, not enough people questioned what change Obama would bring to this country. Now that they see it, up close and personal, they are rejecting it in droves.

The media was complicity in this destruction. They were too caught up in euphoria to be more than paid propagandists during the campaign. Perhaps they will dust off a copy of the journalists canon of ethics- but I doubt it will happen before we have a republican president.

I'm with John B here-

JoAnna: OK, I'll eat crow and whatever else the GOPTP is offering up Wed. morning. I'll bend over, and take an 'I told you so' whipping from you and anyone else, and admit the Dems lost that day. BUT- in return, I expect YOU to list the constructive actions your newfound leadership is putting in place for the benefit of the country. OK........ GO:

@JohnB,

It's not always what someone WILL DO that matters. Sometimes what a person or group DOESN'T DO can be just as effective.

no joe:

We are not afraid.

We do not believe your irrational rantings.

We have noticed that you talk alot, but don't say much.

We are the change that we have been waiting for. We reject and denouce your negativity.

Love and kisses,

"We The People"

No joe:

I provided a link that clearly shows Keynesian theory has never been implemented. Obviously you have not taken the time to avail yourself of the facts. Wow! There's a first.

Challenge: Name one country - just one - that has ever implemented Keynesian theory. Just one.

Oh yeah, if all liberal Democrats were like me, they would be unaffiliated, just like me. Don't you wish conclusion-jumping were an Olympic event? You'd be the odds-on favorite for the gold.

Right2Choose,

Are you referring to the Republicans who have sat on their hands and dithered for the last 21 months? It sure doesn't seem to be about what THEY HAVEN'T done.

I really don't think Roy Blunt is going to win this one tomorrow. I know, color me delusional. His negatives are FAR greater than his positives. If I am right on this, that seat is a Take Away.

Just like Alaska, Grimey, I love ya' buddy; but have you not seen Miller FALLING like a lead balloon in Alaska? No way he wins this one. But we will NOT know until Friday at the earliest on that contest. Write in Votes will be contested and we will watch another Franken/Coleman debacle unfold.

I think you are wishful thinking on the Toomey race, too, Grimes. I could be wrong; but I don't think I am.

Nash, if we were complete morons, we'd 'refudiate' no jo's negativity; but alas, that would take some lobotomies all around.

John B, do you know what the term "hijacking a thread" means? You threw a question in below the original post then just keep repeating that nobody is answering you. They're answering the original post.

To answer your question, if you had watched ANY non liberal media, you'd know the answer by now. Hint - it's not all the reasons given by the liberals in the first thread above unless you're just an uneducated liberal throwing around hypothetical "fear tactics" without any basis whatsoever.

#1 on the agenda though will be making sure the REPRESENTATIVES realized the shot over the bow and will be campaigned against and replaced every 4 years if they ever ignore their constituents again. The Democrats have been the biggest offenders of this over the last 2 years, but the Tea Party did hold true to their word and rallied against offenders on the Republican ticket as well.

I could write a book on issues beyond #1, but I'm not going to. It's up to you to research media from all angles to come up with your own conclusions. As the saying goes, lack of planning on your part does not constitute an emergency on mine. It's a baited question to ask someone to summarize what the Republicans plan to do so that you can cherry pick pieces and find liberal counter links. Just look up the whole story.

Clara...

I absolutely could be wrong. Just projecting based on polls and gut feeling. Hey, I'm willing to admit I'm an amateur at this. ;-)

Bottom line...as Ron said, lots of close races that may not be decided for a while.

As for Alaska...I honestly think that's the toughest one to project. I said Miller because the last poll in the race PPP(D) I believe still showed him winning and I am a bit hesitant to ever pick a write-in candidate. Tough call there admittedly.

Pennsylvania...that race has definitely been tightening, but I just have a gut feeling on that one. We shall see.

Clara,

I'm talking about NOT shoving a healthcare bill, of which a vast majority of Americans DON'T want, down their throats. Granted our healthcare system does need to be reformed but it goes against all common sense for those in Congress to pass a bill when they have no idea what's in it. What was it Nancy Pelosi, your Senate Majority Leader said prior to its passage, "“But we have to pass the bill so that you can find out what is in it, away from the fog of the controversy." Are you kidding me!? Pass a bill BEFORE you know what's in it?

I'm talking about NOT passing a financial reform bill that does NOTHING to reign in Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac, the two biggest reasons we're in the economic crisis we're in and who were defended by your liberal representative Barney Frank, who now wants to abolish them, when the Republicans tried to gain tighter regulations on them in '01 and '03.

I like many progressives will stand by my beliefs and the President heading into 2012 as the GOP trys to determine their beliefs.

JoAnna be careful only drunks and fools use the racial term keynesian economics.

2010 midterms mean one thing- George W. Bush Policies live!!!

Bottom line is that the Republican/Tea Party will have two years come January to turn this country around.

They campaigned on Reducing the deficit, creating jobs here in America, improving the infrastructure, education, transparency, tax cuts for real small businesses (not the fortune 1000), etc.

Lets see come 2012 how well they do with these promises. This is what America wants. They do not want House Hearings, Jobs overseas, a crumbling infrastructure, eroding education and they want full disclosure on who is trying the buy America. Now the republican/tea party have their chance to deliver.

America will have a chance to grade them in 2 years. Should be interesting.

D. W. Portugal. Ireland. Italy. Greece. Spain. France. Germany. The United Kingdom. The United States.

Go to your nearest community college and run past the first Econ teacher you find the idea that Keynesian theory has never been implemented.

You will get laughed out of the building.

Posting as a source another delusional know nothing does little to bolster your case, by the way.

And just because you have never registered in a political party does nothing to make you other than what you are-a liberal. Ashamed of it, are you? By the way, referring to the left wing posters on this board as "fellow travelers" kind of undermines your non affiliated status, doncha think?

Joe- Glad you like the sound of “House Minority Leader Nancy Pelosi”.

Personally I would prefer the sound of "the late Rush Limbaugh" or "the recently deceased Glenn Beck".

John B., the conservatives cannot answer your question, because they have NO constructive actions.

Boehner has said his number one goal is to repeal all of the programs put in place. McConnell has said his number one goal is to end the President's time in office by 2012. Neither mention doing anything to help the American people. No improvements in helath care, education, infrastructure, mortgages, job loss, banking reform, tax reform, environmental causes... Nothing. Just petty hate...

And these are the people we want running our government? How sad.

We are deep in debt and yet look how much money has been spent on the campaign. By both sides. And the conservatives propose to spend even more dismantling the government. And STILL there is nothing for the American people. Even less than before.

How terribly sad...

Allen, I do listen to Glenn Beck, Sean Hannity, and even Michael Savage on occasion. I catch Mike Huckabee's radio bit nearly every day as well, so I do listen to non-Liberal media. Is "shot across the bow" a policy position? If not then no one has yet answered my question;

What constructive actions will the new Republicans take once they assume their seats in the new Congress?

Now if I'd left the word "constructive" out of my question this would qualify;

"It's a baited question to ask someone to summarize what the Republicans plan to do so that you can cherry pick pieces and find liberal counter links"

In other words don't make public any plans, the voters won't be able to pin you to them. Conservatives will no longer have that option if they take Congress. I do appreciate your honesty about how the Conservative Movement operates. To summarize what the American people will expect;

What constructive actions will the new Republicans take once they assume their seats in the new Congress?

John B,

What a senseless question to ask, "What constructive actions will the new Republicans take once they assume their seats in the new Congress?"

It's the type of defensive question that liberals ask when they know their party hasn't done anything constructive to date and so they try to throw the monkey on their opponents back. Being constructive for a liberal isn't the same as being constructive for a conservative.

I don't think Democrats and/or liberals can be too proud of the "constructive" actions they've "achieved" to date.

No joe:

Of course, you will be good enough to provide the dates Keynesian theory was implemented, won't you?

Do remember, Keynes' theory includes collecting taxes in the "fat years", so to speak. When was that in the United States. When was that anywhere?

I can't say that I'm surprised that you would dismiss anyone who disagrees with your incorrect interpretation of Keynes' theories as delusional. However, you can go to any number of sources for a description of "Keynesian Economics" by typing in a search block - are you ready for this? - "Keynesian Economics". Of course, based on your incorrect interpretation, you will find them ALL to be delusional.

I don't know what would lead you you to conclude that I have never been affiliated with a political party, however, as I noted, facts are not a necessary component of your conclusions. Neither do I understand how you arrive at the conclusion that when I write "Fellow Travelers", I am referring to left-wing posters. After all, you read the post didn't you?

No joe, you are a most confusing and confused person.

The American Public is not ready for their plan. That is why they have not revealed their plan. Because they desire to be elected.

Which party promises that if they can only move from minority to majority status they can quickly fix all our problems? If you believe that claim OR wish to verify its legitimacy the natural question then becomes;

"What constructive actions will the new Republicans take once they assume their seats in the new Congress?"

Still no one has even attempted to answer.

John B.

The answer is reduce federal spending, bring the yearly Federal Deficit down, enforce the current immigration laws, repeal the unconstitional provisions of HCR. Repeal NAFTA and all treaties that hurt the US labor market.

If these things continue to not be addressed as the same as they are not done now. Then I will not vote for or support the incumbents.

The results of this election are related to the issues of the Dude-in-Chief. Nancy Pelosi is a conduit for obtaining those results that President Dude desires, taking her marching orders directly from this man.

Will Nancy be thrown under the bus by President Dude? No, she will be removed from her title by the voters, who will make changes in the House. having lost her Speaker position, will she retire rather than return to the ranks of the masses of House reps?

I enjoy hearing the various spins from MSNBC and the liberals on the site are entertaining as well. But polls change when the person in the voting booth makes his/her mark on the ballot. Speculate all you want to, but it will be interesting on Nov.3rd.

http://www.gop.gov/solutions

There. You may not like them but there are some plans (made public). Now when the Republicans in the house pass bills that Obama won't sign, will you call him an obstructionist too?

Truth is, until there is real compromise between the two parties, there is no progress. They are both stonewalling and both obstructing for there own good, not ours.

Everyone can continue repeating the talking points you hear on tv. All of the Democrats ideas can't be bad and all of the republican ideas can't be bad. COMPROMISE!!!! Stop the nonsensical name calling.

Frankusa: Those are talking points, not plans. How are you planning to get any of those talking points accomplished? The Republicans can't get any of that done in the next two years.

OK, so according to this the plan is to;

Roll back on-defense discretionary spending to 2008 levels, saving .00015% of the total budget.

Not increase taxes.

Change the depreciation schedule on commercial real estate.

Reduce unemployment taxes by $56 per worker per year.

Reduce taxes on foreign profits earned by US corporations.

Reduce taxes on business some more.

Reduce taxes some more.

Reduce taxes some more.

A tax break for new home buyers.--but only those who pass a minimum down payment threshold.

Reduce taxes for government contractors.

Encourage insurance companies to insure those with preexisting conditions instead of banning the clauses as the Democrats have done.

Forbid spurious insurance recision as the Democrats have already done.

Tell people they should live a healthier life if they want lower insurance premiums.

Allow dependents to stay on their parents until the age of 25, as opposed to 26, as Democrats have already done.

Spend less money, without saying how.

More tax reductions for the wealthy and corporations.

Reduce funding for education by $6B.

Drill for oil on currently embargoed lands.

Tax reductions for the energy industry.

Tax reductions for investors.

Reduce requirements that pensions be fully funded.

Reduce regulatory oversight of the banking industry.

Investigate the Federal Reserve and all other government entities involved in the banking system.

Allow Credit Rating Agencies to operate without government oversight.

Thanks for letting us know where to find the plan.

us navy - you said, with some confusion as to intent.

"This is what America wants. They do not want House Hearings, Jobs overseas, a crumbling infrastructure, eroding education and they want full disclosure on who is trying the buy America. Now the republican/tea party have their chance to deliver."

My observations are:

I don't want house hearings that rehash past discussions, we already know what is wrong. How about solutions!

oversea jobs. fact of life, ain't coming back. America has to produce a product that the emerging markets want at price they and americans are willing to pay.

A crumbling infrastructure. Who does? In Iowa, there are only 2 seasons, winter and road construction

eroding education? Again who does? However we have already shown that throwing money at it, reduced class size and allowing disruptive student behavior hasn't worked. BTW why do kids need cell phones in school?

Full disclosure on who is buying america. Pie in the sky concept as neither the republicans or democrats will allow it. Best bet would be to just limit total spending by the candidates.Incumbants get less to spend than the wannabes. No, I don't mean taxpayer dollars should fund the campaigns.

US Navy Disabled Veteran - Retired

Abraham Lincoln in 1864—“I see in the near future a crisis approaching that unnerves me and causes me to tremble for the safety of my country. …corporations have been enthroned and an era of corruption in high places will follow, and the money power of the country will endeavor to prolong its reign by working upon the prejudices of the people until all wealth is aggregated in a few hands and the Republic is destroyed.” (1864)

Great post Navy

Abraham Lincoln is probably turning over in his grave. This Republican Party is nothing like it was when Abraham Lincoln was alive.

U.S. Navy:

That Abraham Lincoln quote is like a prophecy from the grave.

Chilling.

Wow, who could have predicted that "corporate personhood" would lead to intimidation of employees and legislators purchased wholesale as a means of increasing corporate profits? Only anyone who's actually been paying attention for the last 30 years, or has studied the history of the robber barons, or has even thought through the logical progression of such an act.

Wise man, Abraham Lincoln. Where are the republicans like him today? They've enthroned Corporations and sold America to the highest bidder.

And from another great Republican, and one of the best Presidents in our history: Theodore Roosevelt. TR gave a speech that was afterward called "The New Nationalism". It is so predictive of later history, it is a joy to read. In it, TR pretty much spells out everyone's duties in the Nation. It was called "dangerous" by the right wing nuts of the day, the country always seems rife with them: Quoting TR: "Ruin for our democracy will be inevitable if our national life brings us nothing better than swollen fortunes for a few." Pretty much what is going on today with the goals of the Republican party and their corporate masters at the fore, wouldn't you say?

@US Navy,

First, I commend you for your service, dedication, and sacrifice to your country and countrymen. Thank you for all you've done for us.

As for the McDonald's issue you mention above you fail to note that it was ONE independent McDonald's business owner that printed the pamphlet and gave it to HIS employees, NOT the McDonald's Corporation as you make it out to be. I doubt that few, if any of your liberal supporters, even bothered to read the post to notice your egregious error.

Obviously, President Lincoln was a poor prophet. The near future has come and gone, and yet the Republic remains intact. Doom and gloom is the staple of politicians and pundits and has been since time immemorial. There has always been and always will be crime and corruption among the wealthy, just as there always has been and always will be crime and corruption among the poor. To believe otherwise, or to believe that these are the worst of times, is pure foolishness.

Every generation believes that the world is changing for the worse. Every generation believes that the generation that follows lacks the morals and character that they have. Every young generation believes that the generation before them is stifling and antiquated.

Corporations and the wealthy come and go. And, in the end, their power is limited. Yet, the politicians will pit us one against the other, to suit their own ends. It is like the magician who has learned the art of misdirection - if you are too busy looking elsewhere, you will never see what they are actually doing.

Ol' Abe was smart as a whip, he would have jettisoned the TPers from the get go and told the latest crew of "Republicans" to go buy a whole box full of clues! This is supposed to be a DEMOCRACY, where it is One PERSON One Vote, not A Corporatocracy where the board decides who gets all of the Campaign funds for the election and thus the loudest voice in the media. Jon Stewart had it right, the media, in general, has let America down, instead of telling the facts and letting us decide they have gone and made the story itself out of whole cloth, weaving lies with distractions and leaving out the actual pertinent information entirely. Every 'reporter' has become their own editorialist and the real stories have gone by the wayside for the moneymaking sideshows of hatred, extremism, excitement and division. The real stories of how we got here and when it happened have been glossed over or lost entirely.

America has been sold out by the corporate media to the extremely wealthy minority who are doing their level best to make sure that nothing, NOTHING, impedes their extreme profit taking. Not reality, not prudence nor even long term viability for their corporations, but the profits of NOW and This Quarter are the only things that they can see. The media have blown a molehill, the TPers, into a mountain of rage sold on lies and distortions so as to line their OWN pockets at the cost of the Nation itself and it is the Public who will pay the costs.

Luckily, a great many people, as evidenced by the turnout at this weekend's rally has shown, actually can see this plainly for what it is and it is my hope that it has emboldened and woken up enough people that they will get out and Vote for what is truly right: The Betterment of America for ALL of us, not just Those-Too-Rich-To-Fail at the very top.

I don't get people who complain there are no jobs then demonize the corporations and "rich" employers. Are you wanting to go back to a barter system or something?

As for the "prophecy", I really wish people would use snopes more often. That one has been declared fake since 2007. http://www.snopes.com/quotes/lincoln.asp

People are too easily "brainwashed" into reading something on the internet & just forwarding it to everyone as fact. This seems to hold especially true in hate based political statements. So, once again, the liberals are rallying behind a false statement & basing their votes on it...sigh. All it took was a really fast google search using about 8 words from the quote.

This quote came up 20 years after his death and was a topic of debate on moving to the gold standard. The quote itself holds true today if you look at the purchase of the world gold reserves by China and the 4 billion borrowed per day by the current administration from China. You can't pin that on Republicans, but you can try to spin it I guess. Apparently it works on some people.

Allen:

Thanks for the snopes link and the info.

However, I don't think that the authorship of the quote changes the fact that the sentiment it expresses is true.

I find it curious that you seize upon the authorship of a quote as "proof" that "liberals" are rallying behind a "false statement".

The statement is true, regardless of who the author may be.

It is ironic in the highest that in a country that believes there are death panels in the health care law, that a tax cut is a tax hike, and that the same policies that destroyed our economy will now fix it, it is the authorship of a quote that you find to be persuasive.

Corporations are now "people" with "rights". They can purchase candidates and elections anonymously. They can purchase media outlets. They can decide who receives medical treatments and who doesn't.

Whoever wrote the quote hit the nail on the head.

I'm not against corporations, I work for one. I am against corporations actively sending our jobs overseas http://www.commondreams.org/video/2010/10/15-0 while using anonymous funding to buy legislators more to their liking. http://thinkprogress.org/2010/10/22/more-corporate-chamber/ Where do you stand on that?

I'm against corporations which pay wages so low that public assistance to stay above the poverty line. I resent my tax dollars subsidizing their "Low, Low Prices." Where do you stand on that?

I resent that the CEO class has lined their pockets at the expense of their fellow countrymen. http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/38935053/ns/business-us_business/ Where do you stand on that?

Why does only a local franchise of McDonald's actions on this surprise you Navy Vet? Really? Now tell me what is different about that when you consider the AFL/CIO or any other union, 'DEMANDING' their members vote Democratic ticket only? I haven't been a member of that self serving Union for many years, yet I still get their dogma in the mail. I didn't do it when I was a member, and I certainly won't do it now! I vote for the person and I don’t plan on voting for anyone trying to get re-elected from either party. They are all equally guilty of the mess we are in. The same will be true of that Canton Ohio McDonald's staff.

As for the change I would like to see in the next two years is our President restraining himself from apologizing for the USA when he visits other regimes. How about; ‘Things were bad in the past folks, but the USA isn’t the only one to blame. Now, how can we move forward to better current relations? Oh, you just want our money? Well … go print more of your own at the toilet paper factory. The free check handout days ended for me on November 2^nd, 2010.’

IAMPGA, I was in a union for 27 years and never once did anyone ever force me to or demanded I do anything against my will. I was never forced to vote for or support any particular candidates. I barely attended union meetings. I don't consider receiving a piece of mail from any candidate or organization as forcing me or telling me what to do. If it was I would not know what to do since there is mail every single day from a multitude of candidates on both sides. A waste of money, trees and my time since I don't base my vote on what pieces of mail say. I know that proven failed republican polices are what got us into this recession and will continue to vote accordingly.

President Obama has not apologized to anyone. You are making a fool out of yourself.

Righttochoose.

NOT the McDonald's Corporation as you make it out to be. I doubt that few, if any of your liberal supporters, even bothered to read the post to notice your egregious error.

You are so busy being a critic that you choose not to read. Now whose error is egregious?

U.S.Navy had this in his piece........But this election season, a local McDonald’s franchise in Canton, Ohio is telling employees how to keep the company happy: vote Republican”.

I was born in 1947 at the best of times and am most grateful I got this great Country just for being born in a good mother's womb and had a good man for a father.

Most of my youth and young adulthood Repubs where mostly good honest men with good sense except for John Birchers.

My mother and father weren't anything like the Republican party today and they would vote against these guys. The last Republican I supported was Nixon and that cured me.

Fletch2,

The sentence you're referring to was an excerpt from the actual story. What I'm referring to is USNavy's own personal statement, "And now we a (sic) proof of a major US Company trying to intimidate their employees to vote Republican on Nov. 2. How this for a “Happy Meal”?".

There's no proof whatsoever in that story that a major US company (in this case, McDonald's) was trying to intimidate (his word) the employees. It was one independent owner who was at fault yet USNavy makes it out to sound as if McDonalds corporate knew and condoned the actions.

And one independent owner doing that makes it better exactly how...?

And you think unions have not been telling people how to vote for as long as they existed? You sir are a fool to even mention that with the hypocrisythat is the democrat way. It cuts both ways so if it is not right for McDonald's it is not right for unions.

newday,

Who's saying anything is better or if any of it is good? I don't agree with the independent owners actions anymore than I agree with the misrepresentation that USNavy made.

If you are a minimum wage earner, and you get your paycheck from McDonald's, in a building that says McDonald's and your name tag says McDonald's do you think that worker understood that it was the local owner?

newday,

In typical liberal fashion you seem to pose the idea that the workers at McDonald's are too stupid to understand how they get paid. Although it has no bearing on the misrepresentation that USNavy made I'll go on to say that I'll give them the benefit of the doubt and say that most, if not all of the employees understand that their location is owned by a franchisee and they are therefore paid by that franchisee.

That is a HUGE supposition, but as soon as it went out in a McDonalds, the corporation had a problem. As they well knew since they tried to disavow it immediately.

newday,

I'd contend that it's a HUGE supposition on your part to insinuate the workers were too stupid to understand how they got paid because they were minimum wage earners who wore McDonald's uniforms.

The reason McDonald's corporate immediately disavowed it (if indeed they did) is because they knew it was both wrong and illegal which supports my first argument that it WASN'T a major US company (McDonald's) that provided the pamphlets to the employees as USNavy misrepresented it to be. It isn't as difficult to understand as you're making it out to be.

And I disagree. If it comes in a McDonalds building to a McDonalds employee, I think a reasonable person would interpret it to be from McDonalds. Doesn't matter, McDonalds was rightfully worried about it. I am not calling them stupid, you are. At any rate, I hope the employer gets nailed over it, he deserves it. And he would not get my business again.

But the FACT is, it's NOT from McDonald's corporate, regardless of what a reasonable person or even an unreasonable person might interpret it to be.

At what point did I ever even hint at them being stupid. Between the two of us I was the one giving them the benefit of the doubt in knowing from whom their checks come. Another typical liberal twist.

I agree with you on one point. If indeed the owner broke any laws he should have his day in court.

Sorry you are wrong. I think a reasonable person would interpret it just the way I said they would. Which is why McDonald's is in such a hurry to get the news out that they had nothing to do with it. On the face of it, the franchise holder did nothing to distance McDonald's from it initially. This is exactly why when I had 3 businesses, I would not allow the United Way to come in to coerce employees into giving. There is much risk that an employee will assume that I am joining in that coercion and will give out of fear for their jobs. People are capable of making those decisions away from places of employment.

Does that change the fact that an employer attempted to instruct his employees how to vote?

Dano,

Who is spewing hate and garbage?

Macopco does bear some of the responsibility. When you have a franchise there are certain rules you have to adhere to since you are using the corporate name. There are no distinctions between corporate and franchise in marketing. The franchise fees buys the owner the right to function as a corporate store.

The owner is in fear of loosing his franchises, so he is backpedaling. Macopco is making sure they give a public "we had nothing to do with it".

Facts; McDonald's corp does have liabilities attached, since they still have certain amount of responsibility for anyone paying to use their name. The franchisee can lose his stores at any time to the corporation, if the corporate rules are not followed. There are no signs under the golden arches claiming it's a privately owned store. Even the color of paint used on the building have to be approved by Macopco.

As for Navy's comments. Judges read the second 1&1/2 line paragraph and did not take the time to read the entire piece before passing judgment. Just pay attention to the small paragraph you can criticize. He refers to the original article but it does not count, since that would be reasonable.

If a Democrat wins FOX NOISE will complain it as being voter fraud.

I think you have the party actions completely backwards. There hasn't been an election in the last 10 yrs that wasn't claimed to be fraudulent by the Democrats if it didn't go the way they thought it was supposed to. Bush 2000, Bush 2004, Iran, Afghanistan, Scott Brown, etc.

Beverly,

The reason most liberals embrace socialism over capitalism is that with socialism those who don't pull their weight don't have to suffer the consequences.

LouisJ

I have never in all my days heard such a reckless message of destroy AMERICA just to keep the nation in the DARK AGE of the early 20^th century where minorities had to sit in the back of the bus, drink from separate water fountains, go to different schools... this is the AMERICA they know and want to revert to. Vote NO to this... I, for once, say NO.

The Rent!

Would be To Damn High!!

And the Tea must have TOO DAMN LSD in it. All that confusion, panic, psychosis, and anxiety sure seems like it. Wait, that can't be they'd have flash back of the Bushes and St. Raygun. They're just nuts not hallucinating.

It's coffer and cream time.

Best Sanity Rally sign: The RANT is too dam* high!

Wow, you know absolutely nothing about the agenda of the Tea Party. Are you really that gullible to fall for every slanderous ranting about those who don't vote the way you do?

I have never in all my days heard such a reckless message of destroy AMERICA just to keep the nation in the DARK AGE of the early 20^th century where minorities had to sit in the back of the bus, drink from separate water fountains, go to different schools

I take extreme offense to this comment. It is in no way true and just creates white noise with the race card when there are people truly victimized by racism who can't be heard over people like you. Condi Rice & Colin Powell were belittled, demonized, and hated by the left for 8 years & the right stood behind them. How in the world do you not see that as racism if you think others are racist who don't even behave that badly?

Therefore you must believe there's an answer to the question;

"What constructive actions will the new Republicans take once they assume their seats in the new Congress?"

What is the answer?

I know that the TEA Drinkers I have witnessed have been about painting anyone that is non-white as non-american. They treat anyone non-white as lesser, they treat anyone that is not in the TEA Party as non-American... Twist it however you want, the TEA Party has shown its true face...

If I attended a rally, it would be no different than what is on television, a lot of shouting, yelling and confused babble.

Louis,

I will not waste a lot of space trying to show you what Tea Party followers stand for. But no, we do not stand in the way of anyone wanting to succeed. We believe in the rights of individuals to prosper under a free democracy. We are not believers in big government spending or inequality in taxation.

If you feel we want things to go back to the way they were, you are mistaken. We want more freedom to make choices, instead of being led by the nose by government to the trough.

We have people of all colors, of all political affiliations, of all religions, that stand in our ranks. Unlike the Democrats or the republicans, we do not want power. We want freedom.

I agree with you 100%. The democrats are always quick to use the word "racism" when they are not getting their own way. We just have to ignore them. As the saying goes " empty vessels make the most noise". Need I say more?

As arrogant as that post was liz, we use the term racism to mean racism. As in: the "teabaggers" are proponents or tribalism, and a subheading of tribalism is racism.

I will not waste a lot of space trying to show you what Tea Party followers stand for. But no, we do not stand in the way of anyone wanting to succeed. We believe in the rights of individuals to prosper under a free democracy. We are not believers in big government spending or inequality in taxation.

Randy Thomas, you really SHOULD waste the space because there are so many 'factions' of the Tea Party. From your post, I surmise that you are not a part of the GOP version of the Tea Party.

THERE IS A DIFFERENCE in Tea Parties!!

The bottom line is this - the GOP variety of Tea Party is what most people identify the Tea Party as being - boisterous, obnoxious, loud, surly and wacky. The REAL Tea Party people were just fed up with using taxpayer money for Federal Bailouts and the waste in the Federal budget(s) - something that was attributed to Republicans more than Democrats. Since the GOP STOLE the 'Tea Party' brand, you will have to distingush yourselves somehow from the din of the 24/7 GOP Tea party noise machine.

SO, Randy, tell us what kind of Tea Partyer you are.

Real easy, Pietro

I am an American, who follows the Tea Party and what it stands for.

I do not know if you know your American history, but this is a simple reminder. When American patriots threw the tea into Boston Harbor to protest new taxes on the tea, they were making a statement. That had became to be known as the Boston TEA PARTY!. The patriots had reached the boiling point and had decided that the government in place at that time was not working and they wanted to change the path it was heading down. To take it one step more, they did not necessarily have a better plan, but they did not like the one in place at that time.

WE ARE NOT THE GOP TEA PARTY! WE ARE NOT THE DEMOCRATIC PARTY TEA PARTY! THERE IS NOT ANY SUCH THING, OTHER THAN THE TEA PARTY!

Was that simple enough for you, or for any other uneducated person, to understand.

OK, only 80% of Tea Partiers are Republicans. Another 6% are independent Conservatives.

We have both kinds of music, Country AND Western.

Allen,

Please post a link or a reference to Condi Rice or Collin Powell being belittled or demonized....

JohnB

Not real sure where your head has been this past decade or so, but there are not many Conservatives serving in Congress right now. They are either Democratic Liberals (better known as complete hypocrites) or Republican RINO's. If you do not know what a RINO is, your head has obviously been up one of those cow's asses you milk.

If the political group I affiliate with is made up of real conservatives, then I have reached my goal of becoming affiliated with a group that will make America strong again.

We do not depend on union thugs to lead us by the nose to vote like mindless sheep. We do not depend on government cronies to send us welfare or provide us housing. We can survive on our own, with minimal government involvement. That is the way we became financially strong, and until we get back to our conservative values, and put people in Congress with those same values, we will continue to slide down that slippery slope.

If you are happy with the status quo, more power to you. Just make sure you get out of our way as we continue to roll, with our ultimate goal in getting the excrement in Washington thrown out and putting real Americans back in power.

I predict that your negativity will not be reciprocated.

Nice try though. :o)

Don't forget. Pat from Boston will be explaining that we are a nation of nazis if the election doesn't go her way.

I've predicted all year that Republicans will gain seats. The party in power virtually always loses seats in Congress during the midterms. The party in power always loses seats during an economic downturn. Only the magnitude of losses has ever been in question.

What constructive actions will the new, Conservative House majority take?

Okay I’ve got a few that seems appropriate for this train of thought.

Come Wednesday morning the sun is going to continue to come up in the east.

Not one of the problems that have bedeviled all of use for the last two years will be solved nor will they have somehow mysteriously disappeared.

No matter who wins or loses a lot of folks that follow First Read are going to be treated to two more years of folks like you, Joe and Chuckles coming around and telling us to beware of those ugly 'isms that seem to have risen their ugly heads In January two years ago.

Come Wednesday morning I’ll bet you are going to find out that I’m pretty close.

JVP2;

If you would bother to read the posts above instead of just posting you would have seen i did make my prediction. Nice try.

Every one needs to remember, after the election tomorrow if we elect republicans, when we start loosing 600,000 jobs month again there is no going back, there is no do overs in elections. We'll be stuck loosing 600,000 jobs a month for at least 24 months. Think about it that's 14 million more jobs lost.

Mo,

So your prediction is that we will start losing an additional 200,000 jobs a month as soon as the Republicans take over? And what exactly is it that would cause that to happen? Supposedly, nothing at all will change, since all I have heard for the past two years is that no jobs legislation was able to pass because the Republicans kept saying NO. Perhaps it would be the legislation they are going to force through - nope, they won't be able to do that since Obama can veto anything they send him. In fact, there is very little that is likely to change, so what prompts your predicitions of doom and gloom other than partisanship?

Mo-1852032

Every one needs to remember, after the election tomorrow if we elect republicans, when we start loosing 600,000 jobs month again there is no going back

Well at least the left is starting to reach conclusions about the actual job function of Congress is correctly. How many years was it that Senate and Congress had full control and it was still the President's fault?

I have to disagree though. This administration, under full Democrat control of house & senate, only handed out hundreds of billions to CEOs in the form of bailouts - twice. It didn't work. Instead of questioning what the Republicans will do, explain what these same Democrats would do differently if re-elected.

Jody- did you see the 60 Minutes segment on the folks in Newton that lost all those Maytag jobs to Mexico? Why did the jobs have to go to Mexico? So the me-firsters could have even MORE money for themselves. l

Wonder how many Newtonians will be voting for more Corporate America First instead of Country First candidates this year? My guess is- too damned many of 'em.

Wow, wish I'd seen that one, I live 45 minutes from Newton and have season tickets there at the race track. The story isn't just about the Maytag jobs disappearing in a corporate takeover. The "replacement" jobs that went into that building were at least party telemarketing jobs that paid a fraction of the solid, middle class wages formerly housed there. That's the legacy of Conservative economics. Good jobs replaced by subsistence-level jobs, then none at all.

one sentence

There are a thousand reasons not to vote for a Democrat.

An answer which does nothing whatsoever for the people of Newton, IA or any other American town.

Whatever happens Tuesday, happens--this country either continues moving forward or decides to step backward to again

The fact that the Democrats in power seem to think we're actually moving forward is just weird. Is that what you call what we've undergone since 2007? I don't.

Vote democrat: 1) if you don't want a future of economic crashes and bubbles

Too young to remember the Clinton years in the .com bubble burst, housing bubble burst, and exodus of jobs to China?

2) if you want health insurance that helps you and not shareholders and CEOs

Well that is something I want, but the bill they gave us with supermajority doesn't do that. It simply forces everyone to purchase insurance from those same CEOs, inflates shareholder profit, and did nothing to regulate pricing for high risk policy holders.

3) if you want American public education to improve not be eliminated

Cite source. I seriously doubt the Republican candidates are running on the platform of eliminating public education. That's just ludicrous.

4) if you believe that deficits do matter and that this country's economy cannot thrive and grow on tax cuts alone

The tax cuts the Democrats voted for and voted to extend again? Or maybe you're referring to the massive deficit growth since 2007 with out of control spending?

5) if you care about earth and the environment, if you believe that renewable wind and solar energy must be part of our future, if you believe in clean water and air

Sorry, but both parties are behind that. Bush put more $$ into renewable energy research than Obama. Texas voted to put in wind farms. California (under Arnold) put in solar panel & wind generator fields. The list goes on. That's an old talking point that has no merit. It used to be one of the reasons I voted split ticket when it was closer to the truth.

6) if you don't want a future where elections are bought by the highest anonymous bidder

Um, wasn't it a Democrat trying to sell the Senate seat that was recently facing trial?

7) if you want jobs and work to stay and be created in the USA;

If this fact alone were true I would be much more inclined to vote split ticket again. 2 yrs of supermajority & 4 yrs of holding house & senate and the Democrats never even addressed this issue.

8) if you believe that wealth does not trickle down from above but flows upward because a strong, middle class is essential to a strong economy

If you aren't receiving your trickle down paycheck, there are agencies you can use to report them. It's illegal. If you're just looking for a way to cure the jealousy of those who made more of themselves than you by forcing them to hand you something for nothing, you're the problem, not the solution.

9) if you believe business requires regulation to protect people from greed and corruption

Again, untrue. Bush tried to regulate Fannie/Freddie and the Democrats said no. Both parties are in favor of regulation, but they do it to different extents. One wants to regulate where there are problems and the other wants thousands of redundant regulations whether they are needed or not. Just look at gun control laws if you need an example.

10) if you believe social security is a safety net and not a Wall Street poker game

"There is no social security crisis". Look up where that quote came from. The right are the ones yelling that it's only a safety net and the left (at least most of the vocal ones on newsvine) seem to believe it's a retirement fund you should be fully dependant on.

11) if you believe that Americans should not surrender our government to corporations

Both parties are guilty of that. NAFTA & China Free Trade are prime examples. Neither were in the best interest of the working class.

12) if you believe that those who have, have a moral obligation to help those who have not with a hand up

I believe you're describing the church groups and volunteer groups that the left keeps demonizing.

13) if you believe in all of the Constitution, not just some parts of it

Hell yeah. Let's start with the commerce clause and the legality of forced purchase of services. Next let's move on to the part where REPRESENTATIVES are supposed to REPRESENT their constituents.

14) if you support worker and workplace safety

Um, how is this an issue in your mind? Are there Republicans running on the issue that workplaces are too safe? Weird.

15) if you believe war should always be a last resort and not pre-emptive

What were the president's name & party in power when Korea and Vietnam wars were declared? How about every other war in US history prior to the first gulf war? Are you claiming Obama would declare war if he had Republican controlled congress & senate? Another weird one.

16) if you support a living wage

I'm not sure what you mean there. The wages were just fine and regulated with minimum wage laws prior to the gov't allowing CEOs to send the jobs overseas and lower the pay wage to zero. I see nothing being done with Democrats even when they had supermajority. If you mean all of the people who slacked off during school & ignored people saying you had to study hard to make something of themselves and think they should just get an automatic cut from those who worked hard, I disagree.

17) if you believe that good government means both sides working together, compromising to solve problems trumps working solely to ensure the opposition is a one-term presidency

This one made me laugh. Do you not even recall the closed door meetings where half the country's representatives weren't even invited by the decision of Pelosi, Reid, and Obama? How about all of the name calling and divisionist statements made by those 3?

Seriously, if you want to vote Democrat, it's your right. Just open your mind to facts beyond the liberal propaganda. You'll find both parties are composed of unique human beings and not just a bunch of evil clones who ALL *insert really bad thought here from media commentator*.

Allen 968499. You, sir, have taken every word and parsed it into GOP think. Unlike you, who insist that only the republican view is the right view, I have an open mind and one other thing, I write with facts on my side--you only need to listen to the GOP/TP candidates to find the truth in my comments. I was a republican until Ronald Reagan turned me into a democrat--why did that happen? Because I paid attention to what he did as opposed to what he said; I paid attention to the soaring debt, the fact that he turned the US into a debtor nation, opposed environmental controls, ignored HIV/AIDS while thousands died, GREW government, did NOT cut spending, and cut taxes mostly for the rich. Those policies are what GOPers believe today; they didn't work for Reagan, they didn't work for Bush 41 and they most certainly didn't work for Bush 43. But keep on truckin' in your mythological GOP world--the fiscally responsible, deficits don't matter, and tax cuts solve everything.

As for your accusation that Pres Obama, Pelosi and Reid are the namecallers--that doesn't even pass the smell test. It is the right wing of this country that has done the namecalling, it is from their lips that hate drips daily.

jody, iowa - you need to reread all of your posts, open minded you are not.

I like your post Sam . . . alot!

It seems to me . . . tomorrow we are going to find out that the term "likely voter" has a new definition!

The "corporate people" can no longer count on money, misinformation, and malaise to win elections . . . Tuesday can't get here fast enough . . . it's put up or shut up time! :o)

Sam, I love your enthusiasm and so hope you're right, but just to tame the wild neo-cons, can you cite the source of your data?

If the gov't wants to fund pet projects with taxpayer $$ so much, I really wish they'd just get it over with and have a centralized computer based polling and voting system. 1 vote per verified account utilizing Social Security #s & age. Even presidential primaries should all be digital, done from home, and all on the same day. By the time the remaining presidential candidates get to some regions, their first choice is usually already eliminated from the ballot.

They should have monthly polls for each state's representatives to check the pulse of their constituents with and an automated constituency score that drops when they vote against the majority. I'm so sick of politician lies about what they are or are not in favor of or how they voted. Fill in a form of what you favor (choice, guns, deficit, taxes, etc) and have the list of candidates show you who the best fit is or whether the guy you voted for is doing what he said he was going to do.

Hey, come on! They got a real, live, actual witch running for office this time! I bet if she gets elected, she can cast a spell or two and fix everything!

Just so you understand me, I believe that Rush Limbaugh is a flaming idiot and havent listened to him in over 10 years. But for you to make an entire post ranting against him is missing the point.

What country are you in that has a president "working around the clock trying to fix the economy"? It sure as hell isn't this one. For the past two years, the president has taken numerous vacations, played many games of golf, flown over to europe to try and get the olympics in chicago, and to tell third world countries that we are going to give away money to them for "green initiatives" and of course spent a lions share of his time campagning. He made promises about "transparency" and refused to show white house visitor's logs. He promised "bi-partisanship" and locked out the republicans with health care. He promised to reduce pork and then signed the 2009 budget that was made during Bush's time without bothering to change it and then he signed ARRA without bothering to read it and allowed corporate execs to continue taking thier big bonuses (remember the AIG outrage?). He signed health care without bothing to read it after congress passed it without knowing what was in it. He said that cops "acted stupidly" without even bothering to get the facts of the case. He slammed the supreme court for thier position on campaign financing, yet him and his democrats are using it. three seperate times that I can remember he has stated that jobs are his priority, yet he and congress have done everything to DISCOURAGE job creation.

He has NOT done ANYTHING to fix the economy and neither has congress. My votes are to show them the door. If the republicans take the majority tomorrow, they have two years to get their @!$%# straight and start fixing the problems of the past 20 years or so, or I'll show them the door too in 2012.

Those asking what the repubs are going to do if they take congress, I dont know what they are going to do. these elections have not been run on what a candidate is going to do for us, they have been run as a series of smear campaigns on both sides. I had to look at what their past records are to see what they MIGHT do once they are in office. In some cases, not having a past record at all was better than what the incumbent had.

Dear Are you Awake yet:

President Obama hasn't done anymore campaigning or taken any more vacations than any other President.

He did reach out to Republicans and many of the ideas in the health reform bill originated with Republicans.

The White House visitor logs are available to be viewed.

Chicago is an American city and getting the Olympics is stimulating for America's economy.

Your entire post is just one untruth after another. How about you verify some of this stuff before you swallow it hook, line and sinker.

P.S. The President tried to stop the AIG bonuses, but of course, he is not KING.

President Obama has taken far fewer vacations that Bush did and worked a whole lot harder in two years than Bush did in four. You have a right to not like OUR president but not a right to your version of facts.

Sadly, the "corporate people" have already voted . . . and the American people lost.

ACORN...you were supposed to cry ACORN!

ACORN! ACORN! The Dems have acorns for brains!

In Chicago. Already voted. Several times.

"In Chicago. Already voted. Several times."

Would that be, once as an individual (like you and me), once again as an employee of a company, once again as a stockholder of the company, once again as a board member of the company, once again as an office holder of the company.....Etc??

CU Farley

DON'T FORGET TO VOTE TOMORROW!!!!!!

If thousands of dead Democrats in Chicago can do it, you can too!

But, Tea Baggers claim fraud because they don't how to vote; CU; and they need bullies to take them to the polls.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=thh6EG1aD7Q

Don't forget all the voter suppression the GOPTP IS DOING.

Phony board of elections flier tells BLACK Virginia Democrats to vote on November 5.

http://thinkprogress.org/2008/10/27/phony-va-election-flier/

Conservative Ad Tells Latinos Not to Vote in Congressional Elections

http://washingtonindependent.com/101037/ad-tells-latinos-not-to-vote-in-congressional-elections

tea baggers in Wisconsin use "caging" practice, letters are sent to targeted voters to intimidate them by saying they have to call a number and verify their information or they will be removed from voter roll

http://www.peoplesworld.org/wisconsin-gop-plots-vote-suppression/

GOP Candidate’s Claims That Mexicans Are Being Bused In To Vote Dismissed By AZ Secretary Of State

http://thinkprogress.org/2010/10/29/arizona-voter-fraud/

McCain supporters heckle early voters.

http://thinkprogress.org/2008/10/20/mccain-heckle/

Republicans lie about Chicago and the fruad has nothing on the Democratcs.

FYI: there is no more ACORN.

Very civic-minded, CU. I wish that all Republican-affiliated groups felt the same as opposed to actively urging segments of the population to stay away from the polls on election day. http://www.theatlanticwire.com/features/view/feature/Nevadas-Latinos-Urged-Dont-Vote-2339

The real "bloodbath" will come after Tuesday's election as Democrats assess the damage and begin to allocate the blame for their astonishing reversal of fortune.

Kinda like in 2006 when the GOP did the same. We just never learn, do we?

It is interesting how often we are told what we think and what we expect in this country.

Kind of creepy.

It is interesting how often we are told what we think and what we expect in this country.

Agreed. It's amazing how many horrible things I apparently think simply because I don't like the policies of Obama, Reid, & Pelosi. Apparently I want sick people to die slowly, black to sit in the back of the bus again, Grandma to lose her income, I'm a racist, I'm a sexist, somehow I only watch Fox News & still manage to comment on msnbc articles, etc. I've never heard such hateful & intollerant comments in my life honestly.

Allen,

I hate to tell you this, but this ain't about you. So take your personal pity party elsewhere, okay?

This is about grown up folk who want to solve our nation's problems and not just pontificate and posture about them.

Now either you are part of the problem, or you are a part of the solution.

So far, most of the posts that I have read from you are about how very "offended" and "upset" you are about this and that.

Get in line, Allen, we all got something to complain about, okay?

Nobody every groveled their way out of a recession.

Perhaps you should pay more attention to the "corporate people" that are controlling every aspect of your life, but they are successfully diverting your attention and getting you all worked up about the "the guvment" not doing this and that . . . the same "guvment" that the "corporate people" own and operate.

Does that offend you Allen? Or do you still believe that the sweet lil' corporations just want to create jobs but mean old Obama is making them feel all "uncertain"?

Being offended is the least of your problems.

i have said it before - politicians only think to the next election and how much pork they can add to a bill.

Lol, Nash-

We've already heard you repeatedly (in a moving, actually heartrending fashion) howl with rage at an electorate that is poised to reject President Obama (along with his agenda), and the Democratic Party in general.

Really, Nash...

ALLEN is taking all of this too personally?

Seriously...?

What about you?

"Can't see the forest for the trees" is a phrase intended to describe the mindset of folks exactly like YOU, Nashville_fan.

I can't wait for your rationalization of the outcome of the midterms...

That ought to be absolutely priceless.

But, nevertheless well worth the cost...

If only as a study in hypocrisy.

Mixed Bag:

Last time I checked, I don't come on here every day "offended" about some inconsequential BS.

At the end of the day, it is about what is true and what isn't true.

What does work and what doesn't work.

Not some throw away line in a Presidential interview or whether or not "tea party patriots" are racists.

Who cares.

"At the end of the day, it is about what is true and what isn't true."

Absolutely.

That's why it's not inconsequential when an entire political movement is unfairly and inaccurately described as racist in nature.

The same reverence for the truth should apply when assessing the motives and beliefs of individuals as well.

You could easily get it all wrong otherwise, Nash.

Mixed Bag,

I have never characterized all members of the Tea Party Movement as racist. They have brought that label upon themselves by the company they choose to keep, which is their right.

My point is, I don't really care how they feel about "race".

At this point, we need realistic solutions to problems, not talking points based on half truths and a big blind spot about how we got in the predicament we find ourselves in.

So don't tell me out of one side of your mouth you are for "fiscal responsibility" and then out of the other tell me that we HAVE to maintain unpaid for tax cuts for billionaires.

Makes me wonder if you mean what you say, or if you are saying what you think folks want to hear.

I dressed as Paul The Truther and the little kids all threw balled-up wads of tinfoil at me.

Real grown up...keep it classy.

Steve:

Spoken like a true conservative. Not giving to children, keeping all the candy for yourself. Me first every time and on all things.

i got to keep all the Candy for myself...

Typical right wing nut... I got mine...screw YOU!

These two wouldn't know class if it kicked them in the a@@!

There was this one kid who was running around to all the houses in a fantastic costume, absolutely PACKING his bag with candy because he was working doubletime and harder than the other kids. I told him "why don't you take all that candy you have and distribute it equally among all the other kids?" He said "I'm dressed as a ninja, not Barack Obama."

BOOOOOO....................

Halloween is really a training ground for indoctrinating future lefty liberal Dems by making children think it's perfectly OK to go up to other people's houses and hold out their hands demanding free candy in return for not doing something nasty to them if they don't cough up the free goodies.

Joe,

I'm sorry your childhood sucked!

Da Noid,

From the looks of it, it wasn't just his childhood. His adolescence is pretty rotten, too!

Reading the teababbers posts on here about Halloween just shows how hate full they can really be. Even to children, they probably even kick their dog on the way out just for fun.

actually. I dressed my Dog up as Mo... and that really sealed the Deal,

Mo:

You sure claim to know a lot.

How in the hell do you know who is a frikken teapartier on a damn blog? YOU DON'T!

You need a job.

You were that little punk in school that hung around with all of the girls because you were too soft to hang with the fellas.

Doggie protection Services just showed up at my House.. They wanted to know if it was true that i actually dressed my Dog up as a Liberal... They told me if i had that would be Abuse.. and they would have to take my Dog away for counciling..... When my Dog came up and gave them all doggie kisses and dropped his ball at their Feet wanting to play Fetch.. They Realized he was going to be ok...

Good Morning Bev!

Don't encourage her will ya...?

She hasn't had a coherant thought yet... and it's not about to change any time in the near future! ;0)

"coherant"??

Weren't you berating someone the other day about getting "aquainted" (sic) with the spell check feature??

HAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHA!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

perhaps, perhaps not.

And best of all, JoAnn- those damned homosexuals will be denied basic, human rights- just like God wants. (Funny guy, that God. Has all that power, but relies on tea baggers to put it in motion for Him....)

Funny you should mention them. My guess is that their bullying of America on the issue of redefining marriage to suit their purposes (when the public, by vote, rejects their position 100% of the time and they keep running to liberal judges to impose it on us, they are clearly - and hypocritically - bullying America) has done as much damage to the democrats as any other issue.

Yeah, the same way the American people were bullied into allowing blacks and women to vote, sign contracts, and own property. Our society still hasn't recovered from those atrocities.

By the way, just as in those earlier instances of enforced inequality this issue is a lot closer to 50/50 than opponents are willing to admit, with the momentum going against you. http://www.gallup.com/poll/128291/Americans-Opposition-Gay-Marriage-Eases-Slightly.aspx

I guess you're the only misinformed voter.

Just because people don't vote Democrat, does not mean they are misinformed.

Have you ever thought that maybe people ARE voting for what is best for THEM personally?

InTheMiddle

Just because people don't vote Democrat, does not mean they are misinformed.

As usual, InTheMiddle is dishonestly pretending that I said something I didn't say. The 52% of the people who believe Obama raised their taxes and the 40% who believe Palin's death panel lies ARE misinformed, and the votes they cast based on misinformation are going to have a disastrous result for them and for the rest of the country.

YOU ARE an enemy. An enemy of the Constitution. Of education. Of human decency. Of common sense.

You may prevail. But only briefly.

I am not an enemy, particularly of the Constitution, nor of education, human decency or common sense. And I resent your characterizing me as such. You, yankee, have the right to disagree just as much as I do, without being called an enemy of anything.

Really Judy? The Republicans have had absolutely NO problem calling people traitors that disagreed with their lying us into war. By the way, quit listening to Glen Beck, it shows. If you are interested in truth perhaps you can Google what was actually said. Or would that get in the way of your hate?

The point, Judy, is that many of the righties continue, ad nauseum, to classify those on the left as enemies and people who "hate America".

Tell me, do you hold them to the same standard?

Judy-350847:

I deeply resent being called an "enemy" by our 'fearless leader' (LOL - more like FEARFUL), as well as being told to go to the back of the bus.

One thing I deeply resent is people telling despicable lies like the one you just told. The president has never used the word "enemy" to describe his political opponents or words that imply they are enemies. It's the Republicans who have repeatedly attacked the president as an enemy of the people by calling him a "tyrant," claiming he has some sinister secret plan to impose Shariah law on America, and other offensive nonsense.

Houston!

The other LIE is the 'back of the bus' LEAP that Beck and Hannity made. It proves that they wouldn't understand a metaphor if it bit them on the ass.

We can ALL see where Judy is getting her 'infromation'. So sad to see another wasted opportunity for enlightenment. Parrots are a dime a dozen in Faux News Land. The only thing endangered are the critical thinkers who reach their own conclusions based on an analysis of FACTS. Wherever would they find that if they are plugged into the FAUX teat 24-7?

Houston,

That is total BS. Obama just the other day stated "do not let the enemy win this election".

You may not have heard it on MSNBC but he did say it. Matter off fact he has said it many times.

In a radio interview that aired on Univision on Monday, Mr. Obama sought to assure Hispanics that he would push an immigration overhaul after the midterm elections, despite fierce Republican opposition.

“If Latinos sit out the election instead of saying, ‘We’re gonna punish our enemies and we’re gonna reward our friends who stand with us on issues that are important to us,’ if they don’t see that kind of upsurge in voting in this election, then I think it’s gonna be harder and that’s why I think it’s so important that people focus on voting on November 2.”

Referring specifically to Republicans such as Senator John McCain, who are stressing border security and supporting strict immigration laws like Arizona’s anti-illegal immigration measure, Mr. Obama said, “Those aren’t the kinds of folks who represent our core American values.”

via Liberal Hot Air.

Wow!

Judy, amazing how EVERYthing you have just said is a misquote. You really should read the original text in context before you post.

InTheMiddle:

That is total BS. Obama just the other day stated "do not let the enemy win this election".

I just checked InTheMiddle's claim on Google. The result was:

Your search - "do not let the enemy win this election" Obama - did not match any documents.

And when he mentioned "enemies", he was talking about the enemies of Latinos, such as the racists that put together Sharron Angle's smear ad showing Mexicans sneaking through a hole in the border fence to get big welfare checks from the goverment. He wasn't talking about his own political opponents.

Man you can sugarcoat it all you want, but HE DID SAY IT.

You can spin and spin and call conservatives stupid all you want but, HE DID SAY IT.

Further more you didn't look up jack, because if you google "Obama calls conservatives the enemy" a thousand different reports come up.

Now go sit back down.

Now I understand your malfunction Tex. You only read the headlines.

Hey I thought you people watched the return to Sanity or were there.......you all seemed so moved by this but ALL of these comments show that you didn't hear a word that was said!

InTheMiddle:

Further more you didn't look up jack, because if you google "Obama calls conservatives the enemy" a thousand different reports come up.

Obama did NOT call conservtives "the enemy." He was clearly referring to the fact that most Latinos view anti-Latino demagogues as enemies. Presumably, not all conservatives are demagogues who exploit racial animosity for political gain. Take John McCain, for instance, who championed sensible immigration reform -- before he flip-flopped into to his current race-baiting position to appease the rabid right.

Here's something fun: Let's see if poor no jo can come up with a source supporting what she claims about Obama, or Lincoln for that matter. Or is it all just personal attack with you NJ?

no joe, no bo, nj

Sure, Lincoln was a wise man. It should be noted that he never believed that the pure force of his magnificent personality would cause this country's enemies to abandon their aggression toward us.

Unlike, say, Obama.

No No Jo all blow since the Repubulicans have called the President a Marxist, socialist, communist, Hitler, pimp, anti- Christ, clandestine Muslim terrorist, minstrel, witch doctor, monkey, joker, anti- colonial Kenyan, and an empty suit; amongst other things; what else could they be but enemies? In my opinion the President is correct.

What nojonobo doesn't seem to comprehend is that Lincoln was the most reviled and hated of all US presidents while he was alive, even more hated than Barack Obama. As nojonobo mgith recall, he was hated so intensely that the states that are now the Republicans' base rose up in a treasonous armed rebellion against his presidency, causing the deaths of more Americans than in any other war.

Despite what pinheads like Sharron Angle say, I doubt that the Confederates' unfortunate use of their misperceiveded "2nd Amendment rights" is likely to be repeated. People like nojonobo may have an obsessive hatred for Obama that rivals the hatred that the Southerners slave drivers had for Lincoln, but most rightwing extremists are at least bright enough not to want to meet the same fate as their Confederate predecessors.

What a JOKE!

No Joe. I've said it before, not a day goes by that does not contain a negative comment about President Obama. The problem No Joe is that it is you who seems to think you are a magnificent personality, it is you with the ego problem. Tiresome, simply tiresome tinged with the envy factor.

Judy:

It seems you have been infected with several right wing radio talking points. I'm sorry.

You are prepared to subject our economy to the same voodoo economics that led us to the edge of a cliff, and you think that by doing so, you will teach "Democrats a lesson".

Hope that works out for you.

(If you really think the election is about "arrogance" and "enemies", well then the anonymous corporate people really did get quite a return on their investment.)

If you are going to blindly, or knowingly, support a party whose main purpose is to sabotage the middle-class and subvert the Constitution, you deserve to be referred to as an "enemy" of the majority of the people of this country.

Oh dear, nashville, you definitely have a problem in reading, and understanding, the entire tone of a posting. I stated I voted for Obama in 2008, but DID NOT plan on the overwhelming arrogance of a leader who chooses to call those who disagree with his position "enemies". I did NOT say this election is about arrogance and enemies. I stated I DON'T LIKE being called an "enemy" because I disagree, and that someone who labels me as such is arrogant to the extreme, disregarding any divergent opinion as coming from an enemy or worthy of "back of the bus" comments.

It is true that all candidates say they are going to "fight" for us. That begs the question, "Fight whom?"

The opponent, the ones on the other side, the rivals, the enemies.

As far as getting to the back of the bus, well that is just plain funny. That is not where you are being sent, its where you chose to go and where you have been stting the last two years.

Judy:

President Obama did not call you an enemy. What is it about what the President said that made you see yourself?

Like I said, you have been infected by right wing talking points.

Instead of voting based on "issues", you vote based on some media manufactured drivel.

And that is your constitutional right.

What a waste.

Yes.. I beleive she has been listening to MSNBC way to much and realized that that they are spewing is Drivel.

Obama said.. we need to reward our friends and punish our Enemies.. now tell us there Nashville.. who exactly was Obama talking about.......

We Understand that you wish to Make people believe Obama didnt use the Word "Enemy" when talking about voters in this country. Perhaps thats the type of Drivel she is tired of listening too...

Hmmm, friends and enemies seems pretty vague.

Steve,

If you hear the word enemy and feel like you are who is being referred too, then I will take your word for it.

Actually, Steve, read the quote.

Obama did not say it. He quoted the Latino vote as saying it. It may be too nuanced for someone to understand if they are going in with a closed mind and cherry picking words and phrases.

But we all owe it to ourselves to work with the truth, not lies.

What are you talking about? Who said it if he didn't? The imaginary being call "vote"?

You are spinning your azz off.

Man don't come on here make a clown out of yourself. Don't say that to anyone else.

Man don't come on here make a clown out of yourself.

We already have enough clowns around here... with ITM being in a tight race for the #1 SPOT! lmao...

ltcommander thinks we're not being sent to the back. Here's Obama's comment: "We don't mind the Republicans joining us. They can come for a ride, but they gotta sit in back." Now is that or is that not being told to sit in the back if you're Republican? And he can't decide who rides in his imaginery car - it's the people's car; not his! He also said he'll be in daily hand-to-hand combat if the Repubs take over. Maybe he'll stand at the door of his imaginery Obamamobile and fight the Repubs to keep them out of the car. What an arrogant child this president is!

I know this wills sorely disturb your Glen Beck inspired rant, but Obama finished by saying that the American People would be in the front seat. Funny how that is always missed by the challenged.

You know it NDD.... amazing how they've learned to cut & pastethe portions they think will bolster their position... tsk... tsk!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Z3pXAIJFK3g

here is what i have to say about sitting in the back

In a radio interview that aired Monday on Univision, President Obama chided Latinos who "sit out the election instead of saying, 'We're gonna punish our enemies and we're gonna reward our friends who stand with us on issues that are important to us.' " Quite a uniter, urging Hispanics to go to the polls to exact political revenge on their enemies - presumably, for example, the near-60 percent of Americans who support the new Arizona immigration law.

Sure looks as if Conservatives consider Latinos to be their enemies. If that weren't the case why would the GOP be telling Latinos to stay home and not vote?