Yes.. it was a VERY LOUD MESSAGE of "oh yeah, we forgot Republicans are COMPLETELY useless."

Well at least now maybe the R's will have to get down to the business of doing the people's business and say something other than "no." But then again, who am I kidding?

I would have thought maybe we could stop the name calling, making fun of people and insults after the election, but I was wrong. Feisty, if you want to make fun of people for crying on T.V. during an emotional time, you'll have to include:

1. President Obama

2. Dick Gephart

3. Jessie Jackson

4. Rahm Emanuel

Good to see the spirit of working together as Americans is alive and well.

Republicants and Demoncrats won....Americans lost again.

Fiesty Redhead, sounds to me me like you're a sore loser. You can't seem to get over the fact that the pendulum swing the other way. Obama chose to focus on other matters, and not the matters at hand. At least give the guy a chance.

At least give the guy a chance

Sorry no can do... he & the rest of the right wingers have been talking the talk & now it's TIME for them to walk the walk!

They gave President Obama ZERO chances and now the progressives will return the favor.

It's been 18 hours - where's those tax cuts they promised... where's all the JOBS they promised!

I've said for years that I'm tired of this country's instant gratification mindset and now that the voters have spoken I might as well jump on the band wagon!

You get back what you give...

Feisty and others are just showing the mentality of the left in power now. They do NOT want to work together, they just want to write their own bills and call people names who don't vote for them. That's not how bipartisanship & checks/balances work.

I'm very happy we have checks & balances restored. My only 2 wishes from last night were to sit Pelosi down and balance the votes so they have to work together. I'm so SICK of the left & their bickering & name calling. I feel like I'm babysitting bickering siblings every time one of them speaks.

And your last comment Feisty, that "instant gratification" crap was made up by the left. Ignoring the constituents, spending trillions at a time, and grabbing more from the bottom line of employers during 10% unemployment is what had to stop. Even that won't be instant, but at least it's putting a band-aid on the bleeding wound rather than poking it with a sharp stick.

Janet - at least they were SOBER!

And you forgot to include the KING of crocodile tears - Glenn Beck!

I know you didn't omit that on purpose right? ;0)

I just called for a WAAAAAAAMBULANCE for Feisty..

I know you hate it that the American people have rejected your Progressive Friends in Congress..

We Win.. YOU LOSE.. Yes i am gloating and laughing at you. and it makes me feel good to see you in such pain and Suffering..

Well the Republicans came out with a big win. So what. Now we all will find out if they can back it up with all that talk about we are for what the people of America whats. Talk is cheap now we want action. Action to help the unemployed keep their benefit's to help them try to keep their homes. More GOOD jobs to reduce unemployment. Until we have more GOOD jobs Republicans better not block the extension on the unemployment benefit's. Remember listen to the people that put you all in office. If the Republicans are willing to help and prove that they can help turn this mess around I am all for it. Less finger pointing and more results for the people of America. Just remember we the people gave you this JOB. I myself did not vote for the Republicans. So don't give me the chance to say ------I TOLD YOU SO AMERICA------- THE REPUBLICANS ARE NOT FOR THE MIDDLE CLASS / ONLY THE RICH AND THEMSELVES.

Libs like Feisty, Beverly, and Newday are exactly why last night happened.

The liberal elitist attitude of "everyone who doesn't think like me is stupid" is precisely the reason why the dems have lost the House (and damn near lost the Senate).

But I can guarantee you they will learn nothing from the experience. They'll just act like rabid animals who've been cornered because the electorate doesn't think Obama is the superman they think he is. Because no matter how it's spun, last night was a rejection by the majority of Obama's forced policies.

I pity people like that.

The only message American's sent (once again) is, 'look how stupid we are.' WHY is it that most American's can't see that it really doesn't matter whether they are Dem, Rep, Independent, etc.-- the truth is, ALL of these politician's and all those in government only care about THEMselves, THEIR wallets and THEIR bottom line-- NOT OURS!! To expect anything truly FOR THE PEOPLE is completely ridiculous. And if anything good does come about for the people, it's ONLY because there's something in it for them. Government is supposed to exist FOR the people, but in the last 100 years, it's the other way around. The rich get richer off the backs of the middle class, and those same politicians (along with the Fed) make sure the poor get poorer, and that separation between them and us grows exponentially. So in the end, it really doesn't matter who's President, and who controls the Senate or House, etc. It's all there if anyone would just LOOK AT IT FOR WHAT IT IS and stop whining. Remember, the people are only slaves for the elite, and they aren't going to do anything for anyone but themselves.

Yes i am gloating and laughing at you. and it makes me feel good to see you in such pain and Suffering..

Nothing says classy like you do Steve!

Maybe ED was right about the bread truck... lol

BTW: Hate to burst your little bubble... I'm not in any pain... I've actually been smiling all morning thanks to the results last night and mental midgets like you that can't even celebrate your win with a shred of dignity!

Janet:

You got that right! The Whiners are back. Even if the Democrats have done nothing and put this country in danger, they still think they accomplished much in the past 2 years?

What Accomplishments, getting the country in more debt, no jobs, no one except the wealthy with cash can buy homes, Foreclosures, etc. This country in 2 years have been busted up with our 2 year President and a Majority Dem Congress.

It's time for Change, so the naysayers must swallow their saliva, and cooperate. Misery is all that comes thru with your statements. You can't handle Winning in a Hurricane (Republicans)

Actually, nothing would make the complainers happy, because they are too busy all the time complaining.

"Man Up"!

Hahahahahahahahah.. Mental midget. LOL. .. This coming from You Feisty that Believed that the Democrats would keep the House of Representatives.. Even with all the Writing on the wall.. . you still were in Denile.. Hahahahahahahah. I am laughing at you..

Last night was a GREAT night for the American people. WE THE PEOPLE have spoken LOUDLY. The Democrats lost because they refused to listen to the American people. Do you remember the Health Care Town Hall meetings in summer of 09? The people said a loud NO then and no one listened. If the Dems had won,we'd be looking at a second stimulus. The people want a smaller, less regulation filled federal government. Nancy Pelosi and Harry Reid both smug this morning. I am proud to be a Tea Party Patriot and look forward with pride how our elected reps are going toget things back on track. To the Dems still remaining; you're more than welcome to join us.

Steve. Don't make me get out the Winnebago.

Id like to see what some of you idiots would do if there weren't party affiliations listed next to the candidates name. You may be left, you may be right...but if this country maintains its political course we're all going DOWN in the end.

I thinks it's put up or shut up for the Republicants. How short is our memory? Just 2 years and some change ago we had them in office and that was not a very good place to be. I think both sides should remember they represent the people not themselves or specail interests. What a sad place our AMERICA has become when our elected leaders have swung so far out of touch with what our country needs.

It amazes me that people think that just because the Republicans have won the majority in the house, it doesn't mean that they will be able to change anything. With a president that will go out of his way to obstruct the new majority and the will of the people will be seen as nothing more than a cheap shot. For all the grand standing that the Democrats did and all the power they had in their hands the first two years, they went on a course of ignoring a vast majority of Americans to please their elite friends. And it also is amusing that the people who have preached tolerance and cooperation are the ones now screaming about being the party of "No!" So you think two wrongs make a right?

Drowning,

.....the R's will have to get down to doing the people's business and say something other than "no."

Judging by the results of the election, it is apparent to everyone that the "R's" were doing the people's business by saying "no" to Obama's leftist agenda and performance.

Even you can see that, right?

"But then again, who am I kidding?"

Feisty,

Actually I used the presentation on the MSNBC website today, that lists all the men who have cried in public. Yes I did omit the Bushes because didn't want to hear your snide comments about them.

I've never seen Glenn Beck so wouldn't know if he crys or not, but will take your word that he does. He wasn't in the slide presentation.

Some petty people on these boards. It be funny if it werent so sad.

slimsignet

Libs like Feisty, Beverly, and Newday are exactly why last night happened

The liberal elitist attitude of "everyone who doesn't think like me is stupid" is precisely the reason why the dems have lost the House (and damn near lost the Senate).

Only repubs are able to take an education and vocabulary and turn it into a bad thing.

Only problem with your post is that if the majority of Americans are embracing this "stupid" factor - we are done for. be ready for Palin 2012 LOL!

http://www.psychologytoday.com/blog/the-scientific-fundamentalist/201003/why-liberals-are-more-intelligent-conservatives

Always trying to spin the facts, aren't you Boehner?

If the voters had really spoken LOUD, all of these races would have been roughly 80% to 20%. 50 something to 40 something is still close to the middle.

What it really says is that almost half of US aren't buying into the GOP's BS lie filled fear mongering rhetoric.

So Mike you are saying that all aren't equal? Just because some people don't possess an Ivy League education they are somehow less equal in your world? That is the beauty of this country...every person has a vote and a right to say what they want and what they want to believe in. Just because they don't believe in the same political viewpoint as you does not make them less equal. Some day you might realize that idea, or perhaps you might have missed that in your education.

I'm really surprised (NOT) that the GOP is yelling about a loud message....these are the same people who refused to admit that the last presidential election sent a 'loud message'?

Should the dems and the independents start complaining in 6 months that this election was a 'failed experiment' and that the elected officials haven't lived up to their campaign promises?

Here We Go....The GOP telling people what message we sent them. Speaking for us like they did under Bush's rule. I didn't send any message...so what the hell message is BoneyBoi talking about? I voted. I didn't vote Republican and now....now BoneyBoi is implying he reads minds? Whose? the trailor trash who voted for him? The unemployed in his state who blame everyone but him?

What a pathetic commentary on winning. BoneyBoi is all about winning and never about the will of the people. If he was, he had 8 years to do something about the mess Bush was creating. But BoneyBoi was too wound up looking at himself in the mirror to see the horror of their lack of oversight.

We all know what he means when he says arrogantly and absurdly that we "want smaller government"....Wall Street here we go....Lots and lots more money to play high risk games with. Not their money...ours. We know what he means by accountability....more of that national security BS that reins us in but never their thug vendors they pour billions of our tax dollars into.

Be very careful BoneyBoi....Smaller government doesn't mean you get to usurp majority rule or the constitution by doing what you thugs do best.....overrule those who voted for Obama and install a puppet president so you can rule from the back room.

Fiesty, What is it about the words majority and vote that you don't get? The same people that voted Oblamer in, have said through their vote, that they have seen enough! End of story! Ewent, pathetic as usual. What's the matter? Feelin like that free lunch is about to end and to make it worse ya might have to pay income tax ta boot if you do get a job?

"Smaller", "streamlined" gov't is great as long as it's doing its job of protecting and serving the American people...UNLIKE during Katrina, UNLIKE heeding warnings about 9/11, UNLIKE heeding whistleblower warnings about the mortgage and financial meltdowns, UNLIKE the way healthcare costs and premiums are now OUT of CONTROL. Too bad gov't was and has been asleep at the wheel during all those crises. Health Ins costs and premiums (the real reason local/state taxes are super high) will continue to soar under Repub leadership; so will your gasoline and energy costs. Yes, those Repubs have got some super ideas for making things better **sigh** .

jed233...In 2 years, you'll be living in a BoneyBoi Tent with all that money he plans to cut from your paycheck. Let's hear your mouth then Oh Grand Pubbah of Upper Butt Crack. If I lose my healthcare insurance because of another round of BoneyBoi increases....I will be the first to start a petition to impeach the Speaker of the House. And I won't have any problems get enough signatures...not with 43 million people who no longer have healthcare insurance. And NO>>>> I don't want any BS healthcare savings account. I already pay more than the base rate for that. You people are real Aholes who think you can force others to do your bidding.

I plan to never buy from big business for the next 2 years. Bank at my small local bank, use only cash and not spend a dime toward any man's healthcare or pension until he helps pay for mine. Why should I pay for BoneyBois when he doesn't give a fat's rat's ass if I live or die from lack of care?

Want to see how fast BoneyBoi loses his healthcare insurance, government pension and all it will take is 43 million signatures to get it passed.

ewent, I've seen your posts before and the only thing you seem to be good at is name calling and spewing your liberal trash. The repubs made the largest midterm gains in many years, mainly because people are tired of the liberal Obama agenda. Time to get off your high horse and instead of being part of the problem, maybe think about being part of the solution. And while there are many things I'd like to say to you, I refuse to bow to your level. So instead I'll ask that before condemning what the majority of people have asked for, why don't you give what is now a fair and balanced government a chance?

OK, now the Republicans can stop there wars to help our economy. Let's see how fast they

want to do that! And what about all that oil money they want to keep?

Dear Fiesty,

My little girl has a small stuffed doll. When you hold the doll one way, it is little red riding hood. When you turn it upside down, it becomes the big bad wolf. Fiesty you look like you are coming for granny. Sorry about last night. I was surprised to see you still posting today. Thought you would have been so upset that you would have self-combusted overnight.

Love,

Jimmy

It can only be hoped that Boehner was listening to his own words last night when he said this was a voter mandate to Washington that they hate big govt. If that was their mandate why would they put Republicans back in charge? I believe the voter mandate was that it is SICK of idiocy and if they provoke change often enough, perhaps they will eventually end up with candidates they can trust. big govt. + big business = Republicans. 8 more years of the Bush deal that put us where we are today. Don't be too self-congratualtory Repugs - you'll be out again in 2012 because you will be no better at creating jobs and fixing this economy.

Fiesty, you're right -- Boehner just took the blue ribbon for weeping from Glenn Beck -- hard to believe. And to think it is conservative women who tell the Dems to "man-up."

How did the Teapublicans do it?

Look at ratings for the FOX Political Organization, the proliferation of Glenn Beck books, the millions being raked in by Limbaugh, et al, and the daily viral Emails circulated among conservatives. You betcha they are loud, and they are crazy mad as a mama grizzly, and they are…terribly misinformed. The reason progressives are happy for Lisa Murkowski is because she proved this case in point. The true majority or "the people" are being circumvented by the far-right lies.

The Dem/Obama grass-roots operation better figure out how to compete with the right-wing propaganda machine if they want to stop the "hurricane," "shellacking," "blood bath" and all the other hyperbole in the media today. Also, has it ever occurred to anyone that the young and black Americans did not turn out to the polls because they are the ones hardest hit by the economy?

Let's hope Teapublicans will actually try to do something to help improve the economy. And I don't just mean helping businesses, I mean restoring the American Dream by creating GOOD PAYING JOBS and rebuilding of the middle class. I doubt conservatives have aptitude to succeed.

Restoring the American Dream is what Michelle Obama spoke of, this is the Dem's new bumper sticker, and this is what "the people" demand. Let's hope the Teapublicans don't destroy the improvements Dems have already made.

In the meantime, the Dems need to hold the line against gerrymandering. The GOP is notorious for this. Let's get legislation in all the states to prevent this underhanded, anti-democracy "strategery." I guess we can thank heaven they can't appoint Supreme Court justices too. But the 2012 campaign has begun…

Many of the seats have been narrowly won by each Party in each election. These can easily flip again in 2012. This included governors. The reason Dems are often governors even in "red" states is because they are better at governing. Many of the governorships could flip as well. But most of all is the presidency. The Teapublicans don't have a good candidate, and the so-called stars are too young with no name recognition. Progressives just need to be vigilant.

I wonder if Reid will want to remain the majority leader. Of course conservatives will always find a new villain. It's just their good versus evil Manichaean nature. The Dems do well to remove objects of right-wing demonization as quickly as possible (thus the end of ACORN, and Shirley Sharrod though both were innocent). It's a shame, but progressives are being catapulted by the propaganda and they must fight the fight.

richinmaine...I'm glad you pay attention to my post. I don't apologize. Sorry. And now for the facts. The Republicans won 238 seats. Democrats 183...That's a landslide? You're tired of an agenda only 21 months old? How on earth did you survive lies about WMDs, the mess of Katrina, the historic 17 record of unemployment and the 2008 Financial meltdown for 8 years? You know what I think? I think that the conservatives in this country are maniacal bullies who are only in it for win, win, win....just like the shaven-headed, gun toting, hemi engine freaks they all seem to be.

You conservatives love to dump your debts on the rest of us to pay for. And then, can't even manup to your own failed conservative policies. Enough with the Bully boy BS. No...I am not going to support the conservative high risk high roller gamblers on Wall Street. No...I don't want to live with endless wars that only make military industrialists richer than God while I pay for their wars. No...I am not going to exist just to make the wealthy elite wealthier...why? They don't have any more rights as Americans than I do. So much for your high holy conservative constitutionalists.

Now maybe the R's will do their jobs and get to work on trying to come together with the D's to run the Country instead of winjing and whining constantly. Lord knows that's all they've done for two years especially Mitch McConnell.

The message we heard should have had the caveat: THIS MESSAGE BROUGHT TO YOU BY THE MEDIA MEGA GIANTS, THE MEGA BILLIONAIRES CLUB, THE INTERNATIONAL CORPORATIONS.

This confusion and obstruction of what was actually a very good first 20 months into a new Presidency will forever be seen in history as a shameful moment in Republican history. They will have to live with FACTUAL data forever.

Feisty Redhead

Yep, you summed it up well.

I think its funny or mabe sad at how last week obama said we were the enemy and need to move to the back of the bus, but now that the people have spoken he wants us to all come together, sorry , but I hope we defund his healthcare and blow cap and trade away, I know he was counting on the millions he was to make if cap and trde passed, poor G.E. and lol at nBC, i dont think obama and the dems know how to tell the truth,love to see the idiots crieing for awhile although they will never admit obama was put to shame.

Northern, rural Maine gave LePage the govenorship. The rest of the state split the vote between the Independent and the Democrat. It's sad, really. Those people in the small Maine towns are really hurting and LePage gave voice to their rage. So, we will have a clown for a governor for the next four years. That's the way it goes.

Glad your pissed off today Amy.. it brings joy to my heart.....

I'm sure those rural areas feel the same about how you voted Amy. The ones who voted for the Independant think of you that way too. Your point of view isn't what the world revolves around.

Allen...Do Republicans always paint their phoney baloney scenes with such broad strokes? "All of the people" "What the people want"..."the ones who voted for the Independent".....excuse me but when did a small minority bunch of rabbler rouser non-entities get to speak for an entire country? YOu won the house but it wasn't a landslide. You won....that's all. It isn't canonization to sainthood of the order of the Brotherhood of Rat Faced Biggie Piggies.

Well Amy what has the great restaurant owner Baldacci brought you the last 8 years? Young people fleeing the state because of no opportunity, NBNA call center closed in Belfast, and I could go on & on.

Perhaps trying something new like a Republican governor will make a difference. Ya havent had one in years.

Maine needs to become more business friendly. That means fewer taxes for all.

Northern, rural Maine gave LePage the govenorship.

Wow, I'm surprised you didn't say "those stupid, red neck, hillbillies".

Once again, liberal Democrat elitism pokes its head up. (now you have to say this with a very snobby, smug accent) "Darling, if you live anywhere in Maine besides Portland, well than, you're just white trash".

Many people don't know or remember that Maine used to be a Republican state over 20 years ago. It wasn't until the liberal locusts invaded from Massachusetts, Vermont, Rhode Island and Connecticut that Maine turned Democrat and just look how that's turned out. 2nd largest welfare state in the nation. "Well we've destroyed our state financially with liberal and Democrat ideas, might as well go to Maine now".

It's no wonder young people are fleeing the state, which has little to offer career wise. I know that's why I left.

Would love to maybe move back one day, hopefully this is the fresh start Maine needs to turn things around.

There is NOTHING independent about the Tea Party candidates and we shall see very quickly how they will vote along STRICT party lines siding with only Republicans.

Brian, Your putting words into someone else's statement turns around her intent completely. How Republican of you.

BoneyBoi will spend his vacation getting a tan and repeating over and over: "let them eat cake, let them eat cake"....Meanwhile the people in Ohio have one of the highest jobless rates in the country and had for 8 years. Where the hell was BoneyBoi's messages from his own people of his state then? Now he is mind reading for the rest of us? I dont' think so pallie. Not going to happen.

That's all Republicans are good for....telling others what to do. Meanwhile, OH is still one of the states with the highest unemployment...which means they are one of the highest collectors of unemployment benefits or are they living in BoneyBoi tents already?

This is because Ohio who used to be 37 in state and business taxes is now 12th because of a democratic state congress, govenor and mayor (columbus and cleveland) . They like Obama somehow think that raising taxes "creates" business??? morons! Other states like Mass, michigan, california , new york who have high taxes and Union mentality are BROKE and are dragging the rest of the country with it.

I truly hope there is no financial help for theses states, let them stew in there own progressive stupidity!!!

Well, to make it simple for you Springbank, the republicans claim this is a referendum on Pres Obama; therefore, the voters only gave Pres Obama two years to fix the mess left him.

jody - more than just republicans make the referendum claim, ever wonder why many who supported obamas legislation aren't coming back?

...because Fallout: New Vegas was released last Friday and they therefore have better things to do?

ever wonder why many who supported obamas legislation aren't coming back?

more are "coming back" than aren't.

Im an independant who voted for President Obama. I voted Republican yesterday. I dont want the liberal agenda he was pushing. I want the moderate centrist that he campaigned on. My vote was to say - i dont like what your selling.

It was also saying i didnt like the democrats in NE ohio, but they retained power in the local level, dispite all the corruption charges. BUt it is nice to see Strickland go.

american. Don't kid yourself, it isn't about Pres Obama at all, and his supporters have not left him. Don't bother quoting the polls as proof because the polls said worse about Reagan and Clinton. This election was about frustration, and the economy.

Jody..

And Mostly President Obama.............

You guys keep forgetting that the Deomcrats have been in control of Congress for awhile. Since 2006. Many of the bank regulations that helped cause this mess were developed by the powerful democratic chairmen, like Chris Dodd and Charlie (the crook) Wrangle.

I voted for Obama in 2008 (largely because I didn't like Palin), but voted straight republican last night. Our debt has increased more than $2 trillion since Obama took over. The Dems ramrodded health care with little debate and some who didn't read it. They used a parliamentary trick to shove it down our throats. I think we need some form a healthcare, but not like that.

Yes, last night was a referendum on Obama's direction. And I agree with the comment above, if everyone really believes Obama is doing a fantastic job and moving this country in the right direction, where were his supporters last night?

Well, to make it simple for you Springbank, the republicans claim this is a referendum on Pres Obama; therefore, the voters only gave Pres Obama two years to fix the mess left him.

Convenient to leave out the unpopular Obamacare and 2 bailouts voted for by the Democrats in the last 4 years. That's like saying nothing Bush ever did while he was president matters, only that he was elected during a recession so everything he does just boils down to what he was handed.

Steve and Allen, - voters voted the way they did because of frustration. They will sweep the GOP out in 2012 for the same reason. The party of NO will get nothing done. They don't want to - just want to be obstructionists.

Hey Jody in Iowa. You represent all that is wrong with the Democratic party. You dismiss our votes as "out of frustration" or "they didn't understand all the good things Obama did." Why don't you just call us stupid while you're at it? We voted against big governement. We voted against Obama's bullying style of governance. We voted against Chicago style backroom deals. We voted against liberalism. But keep sending your message. It clearly confirms that the Democratic party is out of touch with the people.

Folks it wasn't really on Obama's agenda it was more on how much money special interest groups (like the USCofC) could dump during the elections to promote agendas that will defeat the American way of life. Most middle of the road Americans do not understand what has happened to them this cycle so in about 1 year when nothing happens we will see another swell of descent.

It's amazing......last night was a major referendum on Obama's policies, and his Democratic supporters were pretty much trounced nationwide.

Today, the libbies here today talk like the American people were too stupid to know what they were doing ! The reality is that U.S. citizens all across this great country voted against out-of-control spending, against Obamacare, against massive government growth...........

Reality smacks you in the face like a freight train.........and a lot of you still fail to comprehend what happened !!!! Your thinking is different from "mainstream USA" and you still think you are centrist !!

Here's reality for you: In 2012, the Democrats will lose the Senate. Obamacare will be repealed unless it has not already been over-turned by the Supreme Court.

William Watson-2189888

Hey Jody in Iowa. You represent all that is wrong with the Democratic party. You dismiss our votes as "out of frustration" or "they didn't understand all the good things Obama did." Why don't you just call us stupid while you're at it? We voted against big governement.

Is that the same government that grew almost exponentially in the 2000's under a repub pres and congress? And you voted them back in? LOL!

We voted against Obama's bullying style of governance.

LOL! You do know that every single president has done this to get his agenda done right? Did you forget they used to call Dick Cheney Lord Vadar?

We voted against Chicago style backroom deals.

Give me one example of when this happened and pork doesnt count. I like how you say you are sick of back room deals but mention nothing of waging a war done with backroom deals.

We voted against liberalism. But keep sending your message. It clearly confirms that the Democratic party is out of touch with the people.

And What? Repealing a law that separates investment banks from savings banks is "in touch" with American people? Growing government and spending by "fiscal conservatives" - is that in touch with the American people?

I hope Palin runs and wins in 2012. I hope we end up with a repub house and senate. You deserve what you get.

Well...if that is what the people vote for then so be it. And when did VP Cheney ever get elevated to president? Your rationale is faulty to say the least. The reason people voted the way they did is because President Obama campaigned on the promise of "CHANGE", and yet all we got was the same only it was the other party. More backroom deals and exlcusion of the other party is not unique to the Republicans...

Randy...I so agree with you. Until I see in black and white who pumped money into the elections and how many weren't even citizens, I won't believe this was a fair election without Big Money influence. Funny how in 2003, the Supreme Court was sooooo in favor of Mc-Cain Feingold just in time for the Bush elections and now 7 years later in time for 2010 and 2012 elections it is banned by the same neocons on the Supreme Court? Since when is law political?

Sorry, but the Federal Board of Elections needs to do its job and investigate how much money is coming into our elections from foreigners who have NO right to Freedom of Speech in our elections. If that law isn't put back into effect, al Qaeda could be donating to our elections and who'd know it. Anyone who thinks they have a right to an anonymous donation in a federal election is a jackass ...not an American. What have they got to hide?

Jim, where were you when the trillions were being rang up in the previous administration? Seriously, I want to know why you weren't out there protesting along with all your other buddies.

I remain unaffiliated because of the bickering between parties, we will never fix the problem if we can not learn to work together. When I vote, I vote for whom ever I feel best represents my views and values. The last few years it has felt more like voting for the lesser of the evils. Quite frankly I think it should be illegal to campaign through TV or radio adds. The mud slinging makes me want to puke, and I am bombarded with it for the durration of the campaign. I don't vote for mud slingers.

I woke up today and found George W. Bush is still not President. It's a good day.

Amy B. Yes, the world did not go flat overnight; TG we didn't wake up to Bush. It is a beautiful day. Keep up the great work President Obama, keep focusing on policy, not politics.

To hear people speak during the run-up to yesterday, you'd have thought the Ragnarok was nigh.

...shame really. I had to hang up my wolf-skin and battle-axe for another season. ;_;

Amy and Jody. Obama's done, cooked, stick a fork in it. Republicans control the House, the Governorships, and the Senate. Yes, the Democrats have more Senators but just watch how many of them, particularly the ones up for election in 2 years, no longer support Obama and start acting like Republicans. Quit blaming the mess on Bush. Obama's deficits in two years are greater than all of the Bush deficits in 8 years. Do you know anybody that got a job out of the $800 billion stimulus?

William Watson-2189888

Obama's deficits in two years are greater than all of the Bush deficits in 8 years.

Lies.

Amazing he can grow the debt when we just started Obamas budget this year.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/United_States_public_debt

And that type of misinformation and lies is how the repubs took the house.

Wonderful example here genius - I am screenshotting this for hysterics.

2/3 equals control - not 1/3....so the Democrats didn't lose control, they just lost the house - which ultimately means nothing will get done. There will be a continuation of the "party of no" by the Republicans - the Democrats will be too afraid to push the bills through that need to be. The house will push a conservative agenda that wont be able to pass through the senate and vice versa. Game over, America loses.

You know the real reasons we are in debt? Tax cuts for corporations. Tax cuts for the wealthy. Tax cuts for the middle class, and the biggest gorilla in the room that NO ONE has noticed....no war tax. How do you expect us to pay for a war? You will have to pay more taxes - or run the country into the ground. Its not SS, or Medicare/Medicaid, it's not food stamps or welfare - its under taxing and complete and utter incompetence when it comes to managing a country.

Soooo to everyone who says, cut taxes! Cut the size of government and we will be fine - must of slept through economics and their 8th grade civics classes. You can't wage war without asking the people to pay for it - both by fighting it and by paying taxes. Cutting taxes does not create jobs, nor does it spur economic growth - it just digs the hole deeper.....

Driveby...The Republicans never break a sweat if they don't have to. When they say smaller government, they mean privatize until the government is one huge corporation. When they say cut costs, they mean dump your benefits into the hands of the high risk high rollers on Wall Street. That's how Republicans cut costs...take your money and cut the losses of Wall Street cronies. I want to see them force me into an HSA...those things have had more money stolen out of them by employers than the Enron 401k.

@its-all-your-fault:

Great post. First common sense, intelligent post I have read on here so far.

I give the Repubs 30 days to show their business as usual tactics. Work with the Dems? Never happen. Repubs moto.... My way or the highway. Business as usual.

Amy, was that when the nurse drew back the curtains and said, "Time for your medicine sweetie"?

What of his agenda can actually be called an achievement is up to the history books to decide, not any one of us in the present moment.

"as Rachel Maddow reported..."

That's too much. Maddow is not a reporter. She is a twit with a forum to spew her opinions. How would you react if a Fox contributor blogged that Sean Hannity reported all of Bush's accomplishments?

Dummy.

What part of minority party and not in control of any of the branches do you not understand? Policy is written by the majority. Republicans could only propose items, but they couldn't even get to the floor without a Democrat approval.

Basically you're just confirming who the real party of no was. "NO we won't even DISCUSS what your constituents want".

McConnell: "Last night proved that choosing the president over your constituents is a mistake." Really? What does it say when you tell people that your primary goal is to make Obama a one-term president? Sounds like you are choosing politics and partisanship over your constituents...guess you are going to make the same mistake that hopefully will cost you and the rest of the Repubs' your jobs in 2012.

Repubs--Try something else for a change--like coming up with a plan to govern and ACTUALLY follow through with it versus spouting out nonsense and untrue soundbites that do our country (and your constituents) no good at all

Repubs still don't give concrete answers to questions like, "what cuts are you willing to make to shrink the deficit?" After 18 months of saying no to anything the Dems drafted their answer to the question is, "we'll be looking for those things in the next couple of months." What have they been doing for the last 18? Oh, that's right, they've been campaigning instead of governing. I don't always agree with Dems, but at least they try to get things done for the majority of US citizens. The Repubs seem to be all about campaigning and making sure Big Business has as few regulations as possible. How about we talk about term limits and campaign financing. there should not be 1 penny that flows into a political campaign without full disclosure. Let the American People see from where all the money is coming. Only then will we start to see who is actually in control of our politicians.

Pat in Boston. Come on. Using Rachel Maddow as a source for intelligent facts?

But when a question is asked and you fail to answer what was asked then the questioner actually become the one to cite not cut down.

Boehner declared that the people spoke loud and clear and he is obligated to listen. Has he forgotten that two years ago the people spoke loud and clear and he and his know-nothing colleagues have spent two years doing their best to thwart what that electorate wanted? What hypocites!

Through all this election there has not been one solution offered by those who were voted into the House. Not one. That to me is insane. Another insane thing, how can they be taken seriously after 8 years of out of control spending that they said nothing about?

Larry..I think that's what really POs me the most. That every single bill of this new adminstration was sliced and diced apart by Republicans who now will go for the jugular. They know where the cuts have to come from...Pork Barrel states below the Mason Dixon line. ...but..guess what? These are the Nouveau Riche Wealth Protectionists who'll go after all of the EPA laws that Bush watered down for 8 years so that businesses can pollute to their hearts content...and where exactly are the biggest polluter if not below the Mason Dixon line? See what I mean...they will go after all of the cuts in the Northeast but not touch the pork in the south. That's where gun running, Big Oil, Big Energy, Big Military industry are located. So we keep paying for the things these states won't. When these states get back in federal revenue nearly twice what your state is paying and your state is struggling to pay for infrastructure while they spend on roads, bridges, libraries and museum off your back, it's time to keep a sharp eye on which states are getting lavished and which aren't.

you would be lucky if your dem represented a third of the population. Independants represent far mor than either the republicans or democrats.

All opinions are just that, and after elections things can get heated from the supposed 'winners and losers' sides of debates, but for what it's worth, this is mine:

While people call themselves Democrat or Republican, this is done so mistakenly as neither 'party' is a sembelance of what they once were. Leaning values that we may have categorize us in our minds as being more A or B because it's our nature to label, or at least need classification. Some may completely, or mostly, agree with Bush era policies or Obama policies now and the various Congresses under both. Most are sorely disappointed with all, and have been with others, for decades now.

I believe the vast, vast majority of Americans are Independents with leaning values; socially and/or economically. ALL IN CONGRESS have been divisive; no cooperation, no gray areas and thus no representation of the overwhelming bulk of Americans will. We are given few, select options for candidates.... all the Donkephants are wealthy and well connected, all in bed with the same.... a supposed 'independent' Fed Reserve and the Best Minds in the economic realm, and yet.....

here we sit. Both 'parties', the best of the best being appointed to 'posts' by our 'representatives' we elect year after year, and here we sit. Most posters can, and have, rattled off common sensical points and ideas in a few sentences that would Greatly help turn things around, and still, as always..... here we sit and languish. Inappropriately using terms such as 'Democrat' and 'Republican'.

I posted this a day or two ago on another thread, but it more true now today. Here I go again!

Please forgive me Tyler for what I am about to do. :)

I just look at it this way, being one of those lazy dems you all seem to think are on welfare. Take it as you will, because I have no intelligence according to some on the right who post here.

If the repubs take the majority, I am going to mark my calendar, and when in less than two years, the utopia of perfection the right is "promising" us doesn't occur, I can go on Newsvine, and smear every single person who voted republican, whether moderate or far right, and even those who have an intelligent post, they will be morons right? Because life isn't perfect for me, and entire group of people, most of which may be very decent and wonderful Americans, are my new targets of hate and crap spewing out of my brain. Right? It works both ways right?

I can call people names, like moron, stupid, idiot, etc. I will be able to call others brainwashed, and tell them "for the love of God don't breed!" It will be completely acceptable right? It seems to be now.

That is how it has been for anyone who is a dem, because of course, every single one of us has 18 kids (I have one), no job (I have three..two of which are part time), we aren't raising our kids correctly, lay around all day and eat (I manage to run a household, two businesses, be the room mother to my daughter's class and keep my house clean, and have a happy loving 9 year old who isn't growing up narrow minded), and we are all stupid.

Yes, I would rather be a dem than a repub like my brother in law who is afraid to go out of the house because the likes of Beck and Limbaugh are telling him he is to be afraid every waking minute. He won't allow anyone to babysit his kids because every one of us will molest them. If you try and converse about your opinion, he tells you "I don't think we should talk about this again" even though his opinion is crammed down our throats.

It is going to be a short two years, so get started on Utopia on Wednesday folks!

Gee...Republicans only know how to tell others what they want. They are ignorant SOBs who bully their way through everything. There will be huge blowback if they restart their ruinous BS Bush created. No way can the working poor and middle class tolerate anymore of the "I'm A Wealthy American And Have More Rights Than You" BS.

ewent; this is a perfect example of my first post..... substitute 'Democrats' for 'Republicans', and you'd be equally correct. Clinton, Bush, Nixon, Obama, Reagan, Carter and all under these 'heads' of State....

Moderate ideologies and leanings for compromise to best all Americans have become me vs. you, A vs. B, black vs. white, Dems vs. Repubs, etc... . All the while, For Decades Now, NO legislation has been done toward American Businesses remaining in America with American Employees BEING employed at American Wages, yet Americans pay American prices for Corporo-Government profiteering being made utilizing third world wages overseas.

Instead of working together and compromising for the betterment and will of the Majority, many have become nothing more than adversaries and 'my way or the highway' thinking processes while the Cog that had been 'our representative' republic voice does as it will, no matter Whom's in Congress...

Talk about Boehner pulling a boner, eh?

Wasn't the first time; won't be the last.

And all this time I thought Biden made a good gaffer~

Jose Von Hussein is right -- the US hasn't had the "best health care system in the world" for a long time. We may have a few top-notch hospitals for those who can pay cash or have a great insurance plan, but for everyone else the outcomes are very different. Anyone who has lost a job, changed a job or moved knows what chaos there is, and anyone who has ever had to deal with an insurance company to get the promised coverage knows how hard that is. Rep. Boehner might want to challenge himself. Drop his publicly-funded coverage and apply through an insurer in Ohio and see how much they quote his premiums, his coverage, his ability to get treatment outside of Ohio while on that insurance.

Well Kate, you KNOW that Boehner is p*ssed because Congress is REQUIRED to buy their health coverage through the exchanges when they kick in. You KNOW he isn't liking that!

Gee, what a concept - Americans AND Congress can get the SAME health coverage. And the DEMS were the ones who did it! All with the health insurance marketing competing with non-profit entities.

Someone tell me how this is a bad thing...

I'm wondering when as a society we will stop looking at what someone said or did two years ago, (or more likely 10 years), or even 3 weeks ago and thinking that is the way they must always think. Why can't people change their minds or progress, or learn from past errors. Candidates do it all the time, "well 3 weeks ago, XXX said he was for XXX, now he says XXXX. No one ever stops to think that maybe the person did some additional research and thought "hey you know I was wrong, let me rethink my position." Maybe the Republicans will do some real soul-searching and work with the President in order to improve the country. Maybe the president will reach out for ideas instead of just repeating "I won" For our country, we can only hope they all decide to work together.

Or when the Republicans compromise with the democrats in both houses, and the president vetos the bill, the president will be the "Obstructionist"

You may be right but quoting a report from 2000 that WHO does not even produce now because of complexities does not make your case. Some of the criteria used to create these rankings are subjective and are obviously included so that the result is assured.

Again, from a subjective point of view would you rather require medical attention in

Columbia (22)

Saudi Arabia (26)

Morocco (29)

Chile (33)

Costa Rica (36)

or the USA in 37th place? I know my answer.

And yet, Alan -- medical tourism to Colombia and Costa Rica is a big deal now.

Nick Naylor: OK, let's say that you're defending chocolate, and I'm defending vanilla. Now if I were to say to you: 'Vanilla is the best flavour ice-cream', you'd say...
Joey Naylor: No, chocolate is.
Nick Naylor: Exactly, but you can't win that argument... so, I'll ask you: so you think chocolate is the end all and the all of ice-cream, do you?
Joey Naylor: It's the best ice-cream, I wouldn't order any other.
Nick Naylor: Oh! So it's all chocolate for you is it?
Joey Naylor: Yes, chocolate is all I need.
Nick Naylor: Well, I need more than chocolate, and for that matter I need more than vanilla. I believe that we need freedom. And choice when it comes to our ice-cream, and that Joey Naylor, that is the defintion of liberty.
Joey Naylor: But that's not what we're talking about
Nick Naylor: Ah! But that's what I'm talking about.
Joey Naylor: ...but you didn't prove that vanilla was the best...
Nick Naylor: I didn't have to. I proved that you're wrong, and if you're wrong I'm right.
Joey Naylor: But you still didn't convince me
Nick Naylor: It's that I'm not after you. I'm after them.

I agree with Jose. Unfortunately, politicians are skilled in the art of fallacious argument. Boehner would probably argue that the metric(s) used to rank HC systems are wrong. Our HC system gives, at least, the illusion of freedom, and that's all he needs.

And yet it is much bigger here....re Canadians

Yeah I lost count of how many times I've seen Americans I know fly to France for medical procedures.

Oh wait...I've NEVER seen that happen. The only ones I know of are people who flew to India for cosmetic surgery because it was cheaper and not even Obamacare would cover having voluntary surgery done.

Alan (with an "a") - yes, I would prefer treatment in several of those countries. People DO go to Costa Rica because it is less expensive, and the care is just as good. And some health insurers are considering REQUIRING you to go do other, less expensive countries to get your heart surgery, etc., done, because... it's CHEAPER (and just as good)!

Allen (with an "e") - Yes, just like I've lost count of how many times people actually fly to America for medical treatment, because it costs less than they're Oh-so-terrible care they're receiving in their homeland. Oh, that's right - cause that doesn't happen either, since BOTH of the things we're talking about only occur with RICH PEOPLE anyway!

And in case you're wondering (I'm sure you're not) most insurers don't cover cosmetic surgery except for medically necessary reasons either. And even most self-insured plans (vastly more liberal with what they will cover for procedures) which cover more than half of all Americans on private insurance, don't cover cosmetic procedures except when medically necessary either. But I'm sure you knew that already? I do, because I worked in the health insurance industry for 7 years and obtained my Managed Health Professional designation from the Health Insurance Association of America. Thanks for playing.

So Jose you like having choices? Good. So do I. By all means fly to Costa Rica for heart surgery. My choice is to stay here.

Yes, I like choices - like have the CHOICE of private OR publicly funded insurance. Like having the CHOICE of more than 3 large insurance companies in my state from which to choose to get insurance, but those are all we get. Like having the CHOICE to choose my doctor and not be forced into some HMO or PPO or POS network that the insurance company says will "save" money, but in fact, doesn't.

Yup, I sure do like choices; unfortunately, the insurance companies don't want to give me any.

Alan, people stay in their home country because it is faster, easier and near their home. Not becasue it is better or cheaper. US health care is more expensive but when you are bleeding you need to be close. When I nearly cut off my thumb I didn't have time to investigate what country would provide the best care or how much airfare would be. I needed the surgery and to be honest, it wasn't better. My thumb was fixed but after all the hassle I have had, I wonder if I should have just had it removed. The surgery was fine, dealing with the hospital was outrageous.

I laughed when I read that. Seriously, how out of touch can you be? By no means does everyone have to like or agree with the health care bill but to be unwilling to see that changes must be made in the current system is either incredibly naive or incredibly ignorant. I work in health care and I am in college to continue my work in the field and I can tell you that insurance companies and hospitals are NOT in place to work for patients and their well being. All they care about are ways to cut corners and make money any way they can. The majority of care providers (MDs, nurses, etc...) are in it for the right reasons and really care and want to make a difference but the government and hospitals make it damn near impossible to do our jobs the way we are trained to during our education. The politicians who so vehemently oppose health care and insurance reform are very fortunate to have the money to not have to worry or to have never had the miserable experience of dealing with our nation's health care system and all the bull$hit that goes along with it. It makes me sad that in the end the only people who really suffer are the patients.

Sorry for my dissertation here, I seriously could go on and on about this. There's so many things that people who don't work in the field or have never had to deal with the system don't understand.

MissAnnoyed, I'm not sure who you think is out of touch; I agree with what you said. I worked on the health insurance side for 7 years, and there was very little effort to cut costs. When renewal time came, it was, "Sorry, it's a 7% or 15% or 40% - deal with it" and if there was a health issue in the group, no other carrier would quote it, and the employer was stuck. I know that the hospital side is no better; I have several friends who are nurses, and they say the same thing as you.

Jose Hussein...Got two phone calls today from two HMO hawkers...Stand by...They ran scared last November at renewal time and jacked the cost of healthcare...Now that they now which side of the loaf their bread is buttered on...they are already talking huge healthcare cost increases because "they have to try to make up for the losses they expected from Obama's healthcare reform". Did you ever?

These are like the voracious feeders at the trough all shoving each other for that last bit of swill. And, they don't seem all that pleased if Republicans enforce a switch to Healthcare Savings Accounts either. That puts all the savings right into the hands of employers who make all the decisions on how and when you can use the money in the account. Smell bad to you? Ask anyone whose employer skanked them on their HSA and stole money to use for their "debts". The Rich Almighty don't have to pay their debts. They'll dump them on us. Just don't you dare try that.

So let me get this straight. The dems that controlled the House and Senate when Bush single handedly drove us off the cliff, didn't have anything to do with the mess created

The "near disaster" was on the Dems watch, congress holds the purse strings, the dems were put in charge in 06 because the republicans were spending like drunken sailors. Turns out it didn't take the dems but a few months to continue that tradition of spending like no tomorrow, and pushing their personal agendas that got them booted in 94. If the repubs spend like they did last time they were in charge, and belly up to the government trough like they did last time, they will be gone too.

riigggghhhttt - uhhh... you're wrong.

The Republicans passed two tax cuts in 2001 and 2003. That started the budgetary decline.

But there's more!

The Republicans (largely) voted to start TWO wars that they didn't raise taxes OR cut spending to pay for. Where is the money now? STILL IN THE DEFICIT! Not Democrats' fault, is it? Uh, no.

But there's more!

The Republicans passed Medicare Part D, again, without tax increases OR spending cuts, in a vote held open for three hours into the wee hours of the morning. It was the largest entitlement increase since Medicare, and where is the money coming from the pay for it? Oh yes - THE DEFICIT!

So see, even though Clinton handed Bush a 5 trillion SURPLUS in 2001, Bush handed Obama an 11.3 TRILLION DEFICIT.

And the health care reform act that Dems passed actually decreases the deficit.

So yes, there's the matter of the 800 billion stimulus - fair enough. But the explosion of debt occurred because of Republicans and George W. Bush's policies (wars, Med Pt. D, 2001/2003 tax cuts), NOT from all that much that Dems did.

But I'll give you this: You did a nice job of blaming Dems for it, and Dems didn't do themselves any favors by arguing very well against it.

Wow Jose, you can't even remember recent history.

The Budgetary declines started with tax cuts but more importantly INCREASED SPENDING.

But there's more

Didn't your heroes vote to go to those wars? YES it is as much their fault as anyone else that voted for it. So Uh YES

But there's more

Because the Republicans abused power, spent too much and didn't cover the deficit spending, That makes it OK now? They stole our children's future so that justifies it now?

Clintoin and the Repubs came to a consensus and we all won. That Surplus was squandered away by the Republicans AND the Dems. If you think only one party is to blame you are uneducated or completely biased.

The health care reform act that dems passed (without even trying to reach across the isle) actually decreases the deficit??? Absolutely and completely untrue according to the CBO and any other credible analysis of it.

"(the debt occured)...NOT from all that much that Dems did"...I'll give you this, you actually gave the dems a little bit of credit for the mess they helped create, they deverve that. Although, it is kinda like saying "she is a little bit pregnant"...

riiggghhttt, You were blaming the dems but when called on it you blamed the dems and repubs in the earlier administration. That seems a little strange. The repubs controlled both houses of congress from the last 2 years of Clinton to the last two of Bush. The Dems pushed Pay/go while in control under Clinton and the Repubs dumped it. The Repubs won on the idea of less income without explaining how to really cut spending both times they took power. They still haven't explained how they are going to really cut spending but plan to keep all the tax cuts. You can argue the cost of healthcare but that is small by comparison to what else is out there. Remember, they won't touch Social Security, they increased Medicare and Medicade is untouchable. What are they going to do?

Boner's crying because this is going to cut into his time on the golf course.

Hey riigggghhhht - you're wrong - AGAIN!!

CBO and JCT estimate that enacting both pieces of legislation—H.R. 3590 and thereconciliation proposal— would produce a net reduction in federal deficits of $138billion over the 2010–2019 period as result of changes in direct spending and revenue

From the ACTUAL CBO ESTIMATE: http://www.cbo.gov/ftpdocs/113xx/doc11355/hr4872.pdf

Perhaps YOU have forgotten recent history, my friend!

By the way, I agree with you that the "Budgetary declines started with tax cuts but more importantly INCREASED SPENDING" because that's EXACTLY WHAT I DETAILED THAT REPUBLICANS DID.

Medicare Part D INCREASED spending.

The wars INCREASED spending.

Thanks for playing!!

Joe, on the contrary, I said "the dems were put in charge in 06 because the republicans were spending like drunken sailors" Is that not clear enough blame for you?

The plan? I don't know but it seems those interested in changing the current plan (whatever that was/is) made their voice heard loud and clear. If there are not changes then I hope there will most assuredly be change again. I find it interesting that you extreme partisans are demanding a plan from the repubs when no one asked for a plan when we heard no specifics, just "hope and change" two years ago.

Jose Hussein...I must compliment you on your knowledge of the economy. Would that the Ahole Republicans had as much knowledge perhaps 8 million people wouldn't have been out of work by 2008 and the genius with the Harvard MBA wouldn't have left office with a Financial Meltdown on his watch.

Hmm Jose, guess you forgot about CBO's revised estimates after the bill was passed

http://blogs.abcnews.com/politicalpunch/2010/05/cbo-health-care-bill-will-cost-115-billion-more-than-previously-assessed.html

http://www.politico.com/news/stories/0510/37081.html

Again I ask; Because the Republicans abused power, spent too much and didn't cover the deficit spending, That makes it OK now? They stole our children's future so that justifies it now?

Thanks for playing? It ain't a game, this is real life. Some of us are tired of the dems AND repubs PLAYING with the future of our children.

Mm. I think you're half right - I'd opine that most major news outlets these days DO lean one way or the other politically, but I think your view that they love to chum the water is spot-on.

Sensationalism sells like nothing else~

Jody, the problem is that conservatives have bought into this "liberal media" myth so deeply, that ANY challenge to the GOP now will be the "LIBERAL MEDIA!" supposedly "hounding" them and what not. They've used that as a useful to foil to make it seem like the Dems got a pass from the media on everything, despite the near constant Tea Party rally coverage, Glenn Beck rally coverage, etc.

Anyone notice that Jon Stewart's rally drew 3x the number of people as Glenn Beck's? Any news outlets pound that message home for days? No? Didn't think so. Anyone notice that liberals/progressives had a rally that also attracted at least as many as Glenn Beck's rally? Anyone hear about that? No? Didn't think so.

The media isn't liberal. And except for Fox "News," they're not really conservative either. But they ARE corporate owned, and therefore are interested in PROFIT which is only generated by RATINGS. Ratings are generated not by actual "news" but by sensationalism and controversy. Slow news day? Generate some by teasing the audience with something that leads them to THINK something is sensational or controversial, then don't really point out that it's not.

The news is no longer really about "the news." It's about eyeballs, plain and simple.

Hah, you know, I was glad to see Stewart and Colbert's rallies attracted as many people as they did. I was hanging out in an art store with some bros this past weekend and learned they drew far, far more people than they planned to - it made me glee a little on the inside after all the bluster on Newsvine the week prior condemning viewers of the Daily Show and Colbert Report as aught else than lethargic, unmotivated stoners.

I think the success of those rallies demonstrated that a growing majority in this country really ARE sick of the hoopla and would prefer a sensible over a sensationalist approach to governance.

Jose, have you ever seen this before: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3Q2EPKKVrqI

Jody, I had much the same thought even before last night's results. To put it in a sports metaphor, the Republican leadership has spent the first half - the last two years - on offense. (I'm trying to refrain from any cracks about their "offensive line" and obviously, it's not working!) But now that the halftime show is over, it'll be interesting to see how well their defense holds up in the second half.

And to switch metaphors to ED's media chumming the water, I'm thinking of that line from "Jaws" about "I think we're going to need a bigger boat......"

Good points each of you added. Yes, the right will moan and groan about the liberal media, I have complained about the trivial nonsense they discuss, but the media will keep doing the same thing they always have since cable 24/7 began--chum the water and yes, we're going to need a bigger boat!

Boats? I've got a video for that, too:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=avaSdC0QOUM&ob=av3e

I agree ED. Unfortunately many dismissed the rallies as a liberal equivalent of Beck's rally because of Stewart's and Colbert's personal political views, and their target demos. It didn't help that the rallies served as an indictment of the sensationalism in our news outlets.

Tea baggers, radical war-mongering Christians, racists, bigots, sexists, and too many other names to listen are what I heard from the media. Yeah, that's not biased at all.

ED - hadn't seen that before; the JibJab guys are very good and usually spot-on..

It's an older animation, sure, but I find it relevant. Glad you enjoyed~ :D

John Boehner wants oversight of Congress.

He does?

Wasn't he passing out lobbyist checks on the House floor a few years ago?

You go Speaker Boehner! lol

You go Sarah Palin. I'm with you for the next 2 years.

Boehner might have said that but GOPer Darryl Issa was on MSNBC this morning demanding subpoena power and saying he expected Pres Obama to comply, he plans to investigate the Obama administration. Let the GOPer games begin, anyone who thinks they are not serious about destroying President Obama better take their blinders off.

so far I have not heard a single solution, or what part of the large federal government the GOP is so sure they are going to reduce. no mention of reducing military spending or Medicare. All I hear is "support the constitution" - yet no real answers to smaller government.

it's all the same story, and same result. Politics as usual, all talk, no action. same story, different day.

Jody, do you read your own words? You've got just as much attack dog style as the Republicans you criticize. And yes, we are out to get rid of Obama. But the point you miss is it is because his values are not the same as ours. We don't want big government (stimulus, healthcare, cap and trade, trillion $ deficits, public employee salaries and pensions). We don't want Chicago style politics (can't push his agenda through Congress so he implements it with the governement agencies: EPA, Justice Department, etc.) The man has an agenda that the American people decided last night was wrong. We gave him two years, didn't like what we saw, he didn't deliver the change he promised (Pelosi and Reid, give me a break), and quickly discovered that he is making thing worse. We couldn't vote him out of office but we could vote out his supporters.

Jody...So what we have hear is an attempt to overthrow the government. Isn't that treason? When you violate the constitutional right of majority rule shouldn't you be thrown in prison? Who are these bully Aholes? You know what I think? I think that the rabble rousers think they can take over and bully the rest of us. Let's see it happen. Ass kicking time ....Can't wait till they try it.

Allen...Omaha...Thank you. I thought I was the only picking up those bully boy vibes from BoneyBoi. The reality is that Boehner was one of the ones who looked the other way when Abramoff was selling his "wares" on the floor of Congress and BoneyBoi was one of the ones who like the Judas he is, denied any involvement. This is why the campaign donations have to be transparent.

Right now, no one knows for certain al Qaeda hasn't used operative to put laundered money into the elections. Until the Federal Board of Elections does its job and demands transparency from now on, all Chamber of Commerce money and campaign contributions are suspect.

Why don't they need to move left?

Because, as the liberals said in 2008, we won. Deal with it. As Obama said last week, get in the back of the bus. We own the keys now.

And what particular cliff do you plan to go hot-rodding off of this time, eh? ;p

Why don't they need to move left?

Because, to be blunt, Democrats' messaging SUCKS. If they had touted their successes, instead of running from them, they A) wouldn't have lost as badly as they did last night and B) the American public would be far better informed about things like:

The tax CUT they got from Obama (it was in the stimulus)
The credit card protections they got
The student loan reform that made BILLIONS more available to students for education
The LOWERED deficit due to the health care plan that will cover MILLIONS more people and help them start new businesses and create jobs

But who knows about that stuff? Almost no one. The NY Times ran a piece two weeks ago pointing out that only 8% of Americans knew that they got a tax cut under Obama. Most thought they got a tax increase, despite NO EVIDENCE that they ever actually got one.

That free-fall feeling back in 2007 was actually pretty cool. I guess we can look forward to that.

Oh, crap...but then we hit bottom again. I wonder how far we'll drop this time, and if recovery will even be an option.

Because, to be blunt, Democrats' messaging SUCKS. If they had touted their successes, instead of running from them, they A) wouldn't have lost as badly as they did last night and B) the American public would be far better informed about things like:

good post Jose, so true.

But who knows about that stuff? Almost no one. The NY Times ran a piece two weeks ago pointing out that only 8% of Americans knew that they got a tax cut under Obama. Most thought they got a tax increase, despite NO EVIDENCE that they ever actually got one.

But Fox News said Obama has increased taxes. Fox wouldn't lie, would they? Would they?!?

Fox wouldn't lie, would they? Would they?!?

Heh. Well, given that the donated $1,000,000 to the Republicans, I'm not sure I'd call that lying so much as bribing/corruption. But eh - I suppose that's all semantics now that the GOP has the House, bought and paid for by a foreign-owned company (that's right - Newscorp isn't an American company).

Some of you are so blinded by partizanship that you fail to notice the glaring hypocrisy in your own statments.

Media being liberal - it is. MSNBC just came out recently SAYING they were going to start marketing as liberal. Media today sucks- they dont report the news, they report their version of the news.

The whole - This group donated to this group. It works both ways. The Democrats got PLENTY of money from outside sources as well. The whole system stinks. But to sit there and ignorantly say "the republicans bought the election" is BS.

I know the liberals are sad and the conservatives are happy - but truefully - whatever - neither side give a damn about you. Im just happy we no longer have a 1 party system. I also hope the President updates his governing style a bit after this election and comes back to the center from the left.

The only difference between liberals and conservatives is which evils they are going to save us all from.

What? Credit card reform? Student loan reform? Really? Those were accomplishments? Lower deficits due to healthcare reform? You believe that? What about immigration? What about jobs? What about deficits and government borrowings? That's what we care about.

To Bozo the Clown:

Yes, Dems got money from outside groups. ALL OF IT WAS TRANSPARENT. Look up the FEC filings to see who donated to whom. Conservative groups? Not so much. Who funded "Crossroads GPS"? Who knows? Could be Communist China. Could be dictators in the Middle East. Could be Latin American thugs like Chavez. Fact is - we don't know!

And William - don't like the fact that credit card companies can't raise your rates? I guess you like going from teaser rates to 30% interest because they posted your payment one hour late. I don't. Most Americans don't. Maybe you're a credit card company CEO? Student loan reform - so, all the conservatives complain about WASTE in the government, and the government cuts out the middlemen, saving students - literally - BILLIONS of dollars. That's NOT reform? What planet are you from?!?!

And the CBO did state that the health care bill will lower the deficit:

CBO and JCT estimate that enacting both pieces of legislation—H.R. 3590 and thereconciliation proposal— would produce a net reduction in federal deficits of $138billion over the 2010–2019 period as result of changes in direct spending and revenue

http://www.cbo.gov/ftpdocs/113xx/doc11355/hr4872.pdf

Gosh, it must suck always being wrong. Maybe you should stop listening to the right wing propaganda, and do some actual research once in a while. THen when you regurgitate here on these boards, you'll have facts to back you up, instead of Fox "News" / Glenn Beck drivel.

"Gosh, it must suck always being wrong."

I guess you would know Jose...

http://blogs.abcnews.com/politicalpunch/2010/05/cbo-health-care-bill-will-cost-115-billion-more-than-previously-assessed.html

Jose Van Hussein - btw - im Bobo- Bozo is a different clown. He specializes in animal balloons- im more of pie to the face kinda clown.

"Yes, Dems got money from outside groups. ALL OF IT WAS TRANSPARENT. Look up the FEC filings to see who donated to whom. Conservative groups? Not so much. Who funded "Crossroads GPS"? Who knows? Could be Communist China. Could be dictators in the Middle East. Could be Latin American thugs like Chavez. Fact is - we don't know!"

Personally - i dont care. I dont care about who donates to what - i want to see the whole campaign finance blown up and redone. I know there are democrats that got money from undisclosed groups, i read a story on it (MSNBC) and saw a news article stating the same (that report was on CNN). Ill give that the republicans get more undisclosed money - but the dems get buckets of $ from the unions etc.

Im not saying that it doesnt need to be fixed - it does - but it would be a moot point if the people of this country spent a fraction of the energy whining about what is wrong research how people vote. Too many people just vote party lines, follow ads, or vote for who their work says to.

I see it as this. People need to take responsibility for their vote. Do the research, look at the canidates and how they have voted in the past at whatever level they were. People need to do their own double checking. We arent voting to decide what color to paint the family room, we are voting to decide the future of the country. If people cant be bothered to do their own research - be that time, laziness, indifference , whatever- thats on them. If people did their research, it wouldnt matter what money was spent on whom.

We, as a nation have become so lazy that we expect everything to be handed to us on a silver platter. Heck, how many instances are people signing contracts they never even read? Im not saying the campaign finance doesnt need to be reformed for the purpose of the whole nation - im saying i personally dont care. I dont think that any meaninful reform will actually happen - both parties benefit too much from $ from outside groups- be they disclosed or not disclosed - neither party will have the cajons to take that away - therefore- i have to rely on myself and research to decide how to vote. The fact that our electorate is horribly lazy is the problem, not that undisclosed $ is being used.

I do respect where your coming from - i just want to see the people take responsibility for their vote, or lack there of. And $$ for ads wouldnt matter if people cared about the process more and did their homework.

I am one of them old fools. Cutting Medicare, SS, the military, welfare, farm subsidies, ObamaCare, and everything else is fine with me. We need to make some hard choices, something that liberals aren't capable of.

Hey Road Warrior, if you think you you'll survive all those cuts, my hat is off to you. The reality is alot of senior citizens are not in the fininancial condition that I presume you to be in. Those people screwed themselves.

you forget the "old people" stopped facism from taking over all of europe, and likely any one of them could still kick your Liberal @ss. They knew what they were doing, and did it.

now go back to your chardonney and baked brie

I am one of them old fools. Cutting Medicare, SS, the military, welfare, farm subsidies, ObamaCare, and everything else is fine with me. We need to make some hard choices, something that liberals aren't capable of.

The Republican version of "hard choices" is cutting YOUR social security and Medicare while handing out bank bailouts and further tax cuts to the top 2%.

you forget the "old people" stopped facism from taking over all of europe, and likely any one of them could still kick your Liberal @ss.

most of the WWII veterans are dead, and the few that are alive are 80+. The "old people" of today are the offspring of those veterans, and they're just as spoiled as they claim Gen X'ers to be.

The "Old People" who stopped fascism did it only because the American Congress authorized the war, stepped up military funding, rationed goods and used our tax dollars. Would any Americans today accept rationing in order to pay for our military adventures? Would Americans today accept a military draft to send ALL eligible fighters overseas? Imagine Sen.-elect Rand Paul calling for a military draft or for rationing on meat, rubber, silk, eggs, etc. Very few Americans today of any political leaning are prepared to make personal sacrifices (use less gasoline? heat a home a few degrees cooler or air condition it a few degrees higher??? pay market rate for milk? eggs? cheese??!!

you forget the "old people" stopped facism from taking over all of europe, and likely any one of them could still kick your Liberal @ss.

remind us, who was President during WWII ?

mitchj - I prefer Pumpkin Head (from Maine) and hummus with cheese sticks - OMG awesome.

My dad fought, as did my father-in-law. They are both Democrats ... and still very much alive, as is my mom.

You seem to be bit closed minded and angry ... ah. You must be a teabagger.

My state voted for Democrats yesterday 100%, and against your party 100%, as well as against the teabagger ballot question that would have gutted our states economy.

wha wha

now go back to your chardonnay and baked brie

where's the proof that seniors came out in droves?? voting is still private so where to they get the stats? I didn't see one person over 60 at my polling place. I think this is just another example of setting up a certain group of people to blame. same old s...t.

Emme...That's more of the BS Republicans love to sling. Very few seniors voted Republican...Check the AARP website if you need proof. Most senior citizens can't afford to live like Pukie Snookie Pallizzi of the Beavis and Butthead Generation. Most seniors wouldn't vote Republican if they were hung by their toes because they know that the first thing Republicans are planning to attack is Social Security.

Next time you hear a Republican whine about wealth redistribution ask them if they have the raisins to collect a paycheck any senior earned in 1950. Hell, these overindulged snot nosed brats of the Daycare Generation can't wipe their own butts without Mommy's help until they are 40 year old kids.

But, they'll go all anti-senior who is tending to their grandkids for them and taking them in when they lose their jobs. Ratfaced brats do that sort of thing.

...breath-taking insight, there.

And just when we thought there was nothing left to say about last night, someone comes along and says it!

Okay, I'm sorry, AmericansAtWar - honestly. That's happened to a lot of us here. I hope you'll re-post whatever your thoughts were (even if I'd rather believe we aren't at war yet).

Remember, E.D.-

Democrats still control two out of three in the executive and legislative branches...the White House and the Senate.

This is now a government split down the middle...particularly when you consider the procedural rules surrounding the filibuster in the Senate.

Last night voters had an easy way to voice their displeasure with the nation's course because Democrats controlled everything...so they were held responsible for everything.

The consequences for the successes or failures of government going forward are likely going to be shared...it's not so easy to predict which party will most effectively leverage their slice of the power "pie".

For example...if the economy makes significant improvement between now and 2012, Republicans will claim credit based on their newly increased leadership role in the House, while Democrats will say that President Obama's economic policies were correct all along. If the economy doesn't improve significantly, both parties will likely be held accountable.

Voters did not hand sole authority to govern to Republicans...they simply decided to take sole authority to govern away from President Obama and Congressional Democrats.

And...not a moment too soon.

If, as is likely, the house votes to extend all the Bush tax rates who in the Senate will oppose it?

Precisely. Two years ago a Republican comeback was unlikely. Two years from now is a crapshoot.

No worries, MB, I agree with your assessment. Mind, I simply didn't like the implication that Republicans will sweep the rest of Congress in two years given how unpredictable politics have been in recent memory.

...barring increased incidences of hyperbole and name-calling, of course.

Unpaid-for tax cuts for the wealthy? I hope John Kerry would oppose it, as I would hope all on the Left would also. I wouldn't even care if the didn't extend any of the unpaid-for tax cuts, but I take care of myself and do not need the handouts that the right demands.

I think it depends less on the performance of Republicans in congress and more on the trajectory of the economy in two years. People credit and blame government for our economic situation, whether or not they had much to do with it. I'm not just talking about Obama. See Reagan in '84 and Clinton in '96.

There are really two issues: Neither major party should control all three houses. Second is that the public expects everything to change immediately. The depression took 10 years to clean up. This recession was nearly as bad and yet much of the stock market has come back in two years and employment is realatively steady although higher then most like (one should remember that in the late 70's unemployment was nearly the same).

Back to the first point. This recession is not like anything in recent memory. A student of history probably has more insight into this economy then most of the "wise" individuals we send to congress. After the depression several regulations were put in place to ensure it wouldn't happen again. From the early 80's until now those regulations were removed and guess what the same thing happens again. Hopefully, the amount of time it took to clean up the depression with not be what was required to clean up this recession.

We can't keep cutting taxes and ever expect to get out of debt. Taxes must go up, or we all go down....

For Atreides? For the glory of the Duke? ATOMICS?!!

Time for the cyanide capsules.

It's all about the tooth!

...and Patrick Stewart clutching a dog to his chest at the head of a battle charge.

when a pulitzerprize winning moron on msdnc uses the word tri-partisanship, it means there will be progress.

wait till the states start rejecting obamacare, as well as the redistricting implications, and electorial college ramifications.

now go back to your chardonney and baked brie

Brie is a damn fine cheese. Uncultured heathen!

But Mitch, we can post between our sips of chardonnay and nibbles of brie. It'll slow us down, sure, but we can manage it.

I thought insulting the president in time of war is treason. Has that changed since 2006?

yes, lets continue eliminate private ambition, hows that working out for ya?

no go back to your chardonney and baked brie

especially when the private sector just bought this election

Go back to your Budweiser and saltines?

MitchJ...yeah...gotta really be inspired by all that "ambition" Madoff, Ebbers, Kozlowski and the rest of the ambition Biggie Piggies showed when they stole fromt their own clients and employees. Gotta love how the slick little piggie Blankfein showed real chutzpah taking a huge salary increase after masterminding the downfall of his two biggest competitors and the entire double dealing with CDOs and his mastery of "synthetic techniques" to bet against mortgages Goldman Sachs approved. Love the smell of that hundred trillion in derivatives these Biggie Piggies are hoarding while the rest of the country pays off their debts for them?

LOL...Right...That's why the Koch billionaires were so hot to fund the Tea Party with Armey as lead man, right? Because the working poor and middle class have so much money to compete. Brainless....they name is Republican.

Gloria, if I have a medical issue, I'd stick by our healthcare system in a heartbeat.

CrashD, hope you can pay for it. I got screwed by the present healthcare system and I have insurance. Pretty good insurance at that.

Best health care system in the world?Hell old Barnyard there must of been out celebrating all night.

American Health Care: The Best in the World

Richard E. Ralston
September 19, 2006

In the run up to the November elections, as in most recent elections, we are hearing a lot about how America is supposedly suffering from bad health care. The debate is normally divided between those who want to wipe out the entire system and replace it with government micro-management of every detail of your health care, and those who want only to vastly increase government spending on what is left of "private" health care. Both usually ignore what is, or should be, unique about American health care—a foundation in individual rights and limited constitutional government. Usually, the argument carefully avoids this moral and political context entirely.

Rarely is the issue stated explicitly. One economist who writes regularly for the New York Times has stated that the only obstacles to universal health care are outmoded concepts of "ideology and personal choice." He is quite correct. Get rid of the ideas of individual rights and freedom of choice, and you remove all restraints on government power to rule individual lives. (That, itself, is an ideology.) Without this context, the debate is reduced to dueling pragmatists whose primary concern is who holds the reigns of political power. The result is a choice between Socialism and State Capitalism, neither of which offer much hope for health care.

One side of the debate is condescending toward the unique American system and most things American. They avoid American principles in their admiration for socialism and collectivism elsewhere. The argument runs that America is the only industrialized country without "national" (i.e., government) health care. They do not mention that we are also the only country founded on an ideology based on inalienable rights and the U.S. Constitution. The other side of the argument is too often represented by those who claim admiration for all things American, but are often more interested in getting political credit for paternalistic handouts than principles.

In the last forty years, the government share of health care spending in the United States has increased from under 10% to over 50%, while the remaining elements of the free market have fallen under increasing regulations. What is left is still the best in the world. Canadians, we are told, have a better system because they live longer than Americans. Are there other demographic factors involved—didn't they also live longer before they nationalized their heath care system? Is it a better system because, although some prescription drugs are sold at a lower price, many more are not available in Canada at all? Is it better because Canadians wait an average of 17 weeks for referral to a specialist? Is the fact that Canadians come to the United States to spend more than $1 billion a year on health care an indication that Canada has better health care? One wonders why this superior system resulted in the Canadian Supreme Court striking down the law forbidding private insurance "because access to a waiting list does not constitute access to health care." Why did the Canadian Medical Association recently elect as their new President a physician who owns an illegal private clinic in British Columbia if they think Canada has a better system? Significant new spending by the federal government in Canada does not seem to be having much impact on improving the situation.

Neither has huge additional spending on the National Health Service in Great Britain over the last seven years improved their health care. Two years ago, many British hospitals stopped providing heart bypass surgery to smokers. The waiting lists were so long that they wanted to give priority to non-smokers who responded better to surgery. Last year several regions stopped providing knee and hip replacements to overweight patients because their response to surgery was not as favorable as thin patients on the waiting lists. This year the British Medical Journal reports that physicians in the National Health Service are often no longer treating patients age 80 or over for strokes. These are examples of how government makes rationing decisions. Many patients in Great Britain who survive the waiting lists undoubtedly receive excellent care. Just don't smoke, gain weight or get old. British waiting lists have provided the world with one important service: they have given great impetus to the medical tourism industry, in countries like India, for British patients who would rather pay for surgery in India than endure a long wait for free surgery in Britain. This industry is now also providing Americans with cost-saving surgical options.

The German government is presently struggling to increase taxes to pay for their health care system. Many other governments are looking for reforms and taking a step back from their government health care monopolies.

Americans want to afford health care costs that have risen as the result of increasing longevity and new drugs and technology. But health care costs have also increased in tandem with federal government involvement and with state regulations such as insurance mandates. But the remaining free elements provide better care than foreign governments provide their citizens for a reason: freedom. Individual freedom and personal choice, rooted in American values, provide principled health care, moral health care, and the best health care. That is why it is the best in the world.

cgr...the operative word you are looking for is "monopoly". When banks are tied to HMOs and HMOs are tied to a handful of the biggest drug companies and the drug companies are tied to politicians, this is one dynastic monopoly that has to be broken. Down through US history, it has been proven that when any business grows too big to fail, it does and when it does it can't pays its debts and when it doesn't pay its debts...taxpayers do. Sorry, too too too much personal irresponsibility for my tastes.