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Subscribe to RSSMcConnell to double down on his my-top-priority-is-to-defeat-Obama comment… He'll also call for repeal of health care, though the midterms didn't produce a mandate on the law... From the “thumping” in ’06 to the “shellacking” in ’10… The GOP ideological food fight begins… Unfinished business in WA, AK, MN, and CT… Dudley concedes to Kitzhaber in Oregon… And the 10 undecided House races.
*** McConnell doubles down: Twenty-four hours after Speaker-to-be Boehner and President Obama talked about the need to work together, Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell is taking a different tack. In a speech to be delivered at 11:00 am ET in DC, NBC’s Ken Strickland reports, McConnell will defend his statement that defeating President Obama in 2012 is his top priority -- a comment that drew criticism from Democrats, especially with unemployment near 10%. "Some have said it was indelicate of me to suggest that our top political priority over the next two years should be to deny President Obama a second term in office," McConnell is expected to say, according to excerpts of today’s speech. "But the fact is, if our primary legislative goals are to repeal and replace the health spending bill; to end the bailouts; cut spending; and shrink the size and scope of government, the only way to do all these things it is to put someone in the White House who won't veto any of these things."
*** No mandate on health care: On health care, McConnell will say that Republicans should propose and vote on a "straight repeal, repeatedly." He'll also say House Republicans should use their new majority to deny funding implementation of the law. That, of course, would lead to potential gridlock in the Senate. In the national exit poll, 47% said they wanted to keep the health law in place or expand it; 48% of those who voted said they wanted to repeal it. So the midterms weren’t a mandate for anyone's position on health care. The public is divided -- right down the middle.
*** From “thumping” to “shellacking”: Four years ago, after his party lost control of Congress, George W. Bush declared in a press conference that his party had taken a “thumping.” (But he issued this qualifier: “If you look at race by race, it was close. The cumulative effect, however, was not too close.”) Yesterday, at his own press conference after his party’s midterm defeats, Barack Obama stated the Democratic Party suffered a “shellacking.” Obama, though, was more introspective than his predecessor (whose book interview with Matt Lauer will dominate American politics next week). "This is something,” Obama said, “that I think every president needs to go through, because … the responsibilities of this office are so enormous … and in the rush of activity sometimes we lose track of … the ways that we connected with folks that got us here in the first place." Obama, like Bush did in ’06, also took some responsibility for the defeats. "It underscores for me that I've got to do a better job, just like everybody else in Washington does."
*** GOP food fight: Remember when we said that the GOP Senate losses in Colorado, Delaware, and Nevada would only spark a pragmatist-vs.-purist fight within the Republican Party? Well, here we go… Politico says that "a bloc of prominent senators and operatives said party purists like Sarah Palin and Sen. Jim DeMint (R-S.C.) had foolishly pushed nominees too conservative to win in politically competitive states. Movement conservatives pointed the finger right back at the establishment, accusing the National Republican Senatorial Committee of squandering millions on a California race that wasn’t close at the expense of offering additional aid in places like Colorado, Nevada and Washington state." The tension will be highest between DeMint and a newly-re-elected Lisa Murkowski, should she win. Speaking of DeMint, in an interview with National Journal, don't miss these two items: 1) DeMint said the only 2012er he's talked to since Tuesday was Mitt Romney who phoned him to congratulate him; 2) DeMint said he doesn't foresee a need in changing the Senate GOP leadership team but added, "Any leadership changes would be a year or two down the road." That a subtle threat to the current Senate GOP leadership team? You be the judge.
*** Unfinished business: In the unfinished Senate contest in Washington state, Sen. Patty Murray (D) widened her lead yesterday, “riding a Democratic surge in King County that is looking increasingly difficult for Rossi to overcome,” the Seattle Times reports… In Alaska, the counting of the write-in ballots -- which exceed the vote tally Joe Miller (R) received -- will begin next week… In Oregon’s gubernatorial race, former NBA player Chris Dudley (R) conceded, giving the race to former Gov. John Kitzhaber (D)… In Minnesota’s gubernatorial race, it looks like the state is headed for another recount, although Mark Dayton (D) leads Tom Emmer by nearly 9,000 votes (compared to Norm Coleman’s 762-vote lead after Election Day in ’08). And get this: Outgoing Gov. (and likely GOP presidential wannabe) Tim Pawlenty says he will serve until the new governor is sworn in, even if that’s after his term ends on Jan. 3.
*** Confusion in Connecticut: Yet the craziest undecided race is the one for Connecticut governor. Yesterday, state Secretary of State Susan Bysiewicz declared Dan Malloy (D) the unofficial winner by about 3,100 votes. The AP later withdrew its call of Malloy as the winner now with opponent Tom Foley (R) leading Malloy by some 8,000 votes with all but 1.5% of precincts reporting, the Hartford Courant says. (However, per our editorial screen, 11% of the total vote is still out.) And both candidates are declaring victory.
*** The uncalled House races: Republicans are at currently +60 in House races, and that gain could get to in the neighborhood of +63 when all the votes are finally counted (and recounted). There are 10 races still yet to be decided. Republicans lead in three of those -- CA-20, IL-8, and TX-27. All three are pretty big surprises. Most forecasters would have picked CA-11 -- which is almost certainly headed for a recount -- as the top GOP pick-up opportunity in the state. CA-11 is the closest race right now, with incumbent Jerry McNerney (D) up by just 121 votes out of about 164,000 votes (with 100% of precincts reporting). The next closest are: WA-2, where incumbent Rick Larsen (D) is up 502 votes out of 195,000 (71% in); IL-8, with incumbent Melissa Bean (D) down 553 votes out of 194,000 (100% in); KY-6, with incumbent Ben Chandler up just 600 votes out of 239,000 (100% in); TX-27, with incumbent Solomon Ortiz down 799 votes out of 101,000 (100% in); and in VA-11, freshman Rep. Jerry Connolly (D) is up by 920 votes out of 220,000. By the way, Rep. Bob Etheridge (D), who the AP says lost to Renee Ellmers (R), has NOT conceded. The margin is 1,646 votes; that's after Etheridge cut the margin by 500+ votes in late counts added Wednesday.
*** The full list: As far as the UNCALLED races, here's our the full list (in order of likely GOP takeover):
-- CA-20: 100% in; Vidak (R) up 51-49 or 1,823 votes of 63K
-- IL-8: 100% in Walsh (R) up 49-48 or 559 votes of 194K
-- TX-27: 100% in; Farenthold (R) up 48-47, or 799 votes of 101K
-- CA-11: 100% in; 47-47 McNerney (D) up by just 121 votes of 164K
-- WA-2: 71% in; 50-50 Larsen (D) up 502 out of 195K
-- KY-6: 100% in; 50-50 Chandler (D) up 600 votes of 140K
-- VA-11: 100% in; 49-49 Connolly (D) up 920 votes out of 222K
-- AZ-8: 100% in; Giffords (D) up 49-48, or 2,349 votes of 239K
-- AZ-7: 100% in; Grijalva (D) up 49-46, or about 4,083 votes of 121K
-- NY-25: 96% in; Maffei (D) up 51-49, or 2,196 votes of 189K
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Here we go again for another round of the media fawning over the Republithugs like Mitchell McConMan like he has the answer when all he has been is the problem like the rest of the Whackadoodles from the "Pinkies Up" TEA Drinkers.
Now we have to listen for the next two years about what they believe will happen in the next two years. We’ll hear daily that a new poll will predict this and indicate that only to rebuff any measures that were set the day before. We'll hear daily how the Republithugs have a plan but don't care to share it. We'll hear over the next two years about Sarah Palin the Witless and how she is the leader of a leaderless bunch of Whackadoodles.
The next two years of listening to every referendum on the Harvard scholar that sits in the White House as if he went to a small community college and was a par GPA student. We’ll have to listen to the witty pundits create scenarios that would be better policy than what President Obama has offered.
In the world of media, hindsight is 20/20 – a perfect world you might say…
But there are some of us that actually think about the long term positives of policy that the president presents and are willing to tough it out and pay our taxes having no grudge as to how it will impact our lives.
Any spin on any measure is catnip to a certain few that find it too exhausting to think for their own self. Republithug TEA Drinkers need the daily narrative to vent about how they feel that an intelligent black man has shaped the realm of politics to make the world a mean and nasty place to live in, not realizing that the policies has benefitted them and the prosperity for the country and democracy.
Well, the media attempted to shape the midterm elections but failed. If the media succeeded then the Senate would be under Republithug control.
I look forward to a calm president under the pressure of the media. He is ten paces in front as they try to keep up. Even being transparent, they still do not get it.
The results are in and the republican/tea party now controls the House with a margin larger than the Democrats had for the last 2 years. The Democrats still control the Senate with a slimmer margin than before. The number one issue as reported by the exit polls was the “Economy”.
The republican/tea party now has the opportunity to repair the “Economy”. I find it ironic that these are the very same people that broke it in the first place. The mismanagement and corruption of the GW Bush Administration lead to the worst depression since the great depression and we are to believe that they will fix it now.
Well, they do have an advantage that President Obama never had.
First: President Obama has stopped the bleeding of over 700K jobs per month that he faced when he was sworn into office and in fact has saved (according to CBO, CBPP, etc) 1.4 – 3.5 Million Jobs and added another 700K new private sector jobs. While not great, the numbers are positive and have been since Jan 201o, even when you take into consideration that the republican party has opposed every Job Creation Bill proposed by President Obama.
Second: The economy is growing, albeit slowly, the numbers are still in the black (positive). At the end of December 2008, the DOW was under 8800, as of this writing it is over 11,100.
Third: President has started the Draw Down the troops from Iraq.
So, republicans, some of the heavy lifting has been done for you. We moved the ball downfield for you; will you put the ball into the end zone now that you have it?
America is watching!!
Following last night’s election, over 100 freshmen Republican/Tea Party elected representatives will be in the 112th Congress. These people come from multiple backgrounds, but they are united by their extreme right wing conservative ideology.
ThinkProgress has a report on their site on what these 100 freshman stand for candidate by candidate.
Here is a snapshot of the GOP Class of 2010’s extremists as reported by ThinkProgress yesterday, URL attached:
“ENVIRONMENT”
- 50% deny the existence of manmade climate change
- 86% are opposed to any climate change legislation that increases government revenue
“IMMIGRATION”
- 39% have already declared their intention to end the 14th Amendment’s guarantee of birthright citizenship
- 32% want to reduce legal immigration
“TAXES/SPENDING”
- 91% have sworn to never allow an income tax increase on any individual or business – regardless of deficits or war
- 79% have pledged to permanently repeal the estate tax
-
Go to: http://thinkprogress.org/2010/11/03/gop-frosh-class/ for a complete list of the 100+ republican/tea party freshman and where each on stands on these issues and others.
I watched the President’s post election speech and I am confused. What is it about McConnell vowing that his agenda for the next two years is to make him (President Obama) a one term President and Boehner’s pledge not to compromise with him (President Obama) does he not understand. Again, several times he offered the preverbal “Olive Branch” to those across the aisle. Please Mr. President stop it, they do not want to help us, period. They have drawn the line in the sand with their comments, so let it go and move on, please. The Tea Party hopped aboard as well saying they would love to work with our President when he thinks like them. There an idea.
This country has officially come to a standstill until the children running this country decide to stop the crap and get back to doing the work we elected them to do. When did we forget that these people work for us, Not the Corporations and Special Interest Groups, but for us people. Until that changes we will continue to decline toward a third rate nation. We were once the greatest nation on the planet. We were the leaders in manufacturing, technology, education and freedom. No one could dispute that. Today it is open to debate.
For example see the NBC report by M. Isikoff / R. Gardella: http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/39995283/ns/politics-decision_2010/
"A tightly coordinated effort by outside Republican groups, spearheaded by Karl Rove and fueled by tens of millions of dollars in contributions from Wall Street hedge fund moguls and other wealthy donors, helped secure big GOP midterm victories Tuesday, according to campaign spending figures and Republican fundraising insiders”.
Todayis November 4, 2010, 733 days to the 2012 elections and America is Watching.
LouisJ
Any spin on any measure is catnip to a certain few that find it too exhausting to think for their own self. Republithug TEA Drinkers need the daily narrative to vent about how they feel that an intelligent black man has shaped the realm of politics to make the world a mean and nasty place to live in, not realizing that the policies has benefitted them and the prosperity for the country and democracy.
Excellent points to wake up the sleepy eyed drones. it's time for the Republithug TEA Drinkers to learn to read and think for themselves. If they can get the bigoty of AA who graduated cum laude as opposed to bimbos who could barely finish college, they'd learn something.
Good Morning All.
LouisJ, good post, it is the same old BS just different day. The media are the biggest problem we have, they are the drivers of the message, and ALL of them are the same. They pick the narratives and pump it out 24/7 with their own personal slant. It doesn't take long for the repetitions to get programed into the minds of voters who are not skilled in critical thinking and have built in prejudices of varying varieties.
They need to pass legislation during the lame duck session... the Republithugs have their sleeves rolled up only to obstruct more and more. The president would do well to just focus on job creation, free trade and energy. Get these items squared away and move on. The Republithugs will have to set their own agenda and get on their knees to beg the president to do something to make them look competent.
I could care less what they do for they have done nothing and have stated they are willing to continue to do nothing.
If they can get past the bigoty of AA who graduated cum laude as opposed to bimbos who could barely finish college, they'd learn something.
Yes, excellent post. I read until the first childish name twist then stop. Did you say anything useful?
leaderless bunch of Whackadoodles.
To funny the same Whackadoodles that elected President Obama, except then they were the wise voters now that they have REJECTED the policies of the President, they are Whackadoodles.
That is a good laugh to start the day.
Excellent points about the media and the 24/7 cable catnip...
I was appalled at the garbage the corporate puppets (Lauer, Viera, Gotcha Gregory & Chuck Todd) were pumping out on the Today Show earlier.
The chatter about the Presidents demeanor yesterday was ridiculous at BEST!
Of course if President Obama had been upbeat then they would have been TELLING ME the exact opposite!
I don't need any journalist or pundit to interpret body language for me as I'm more than capable of forming my OWN opinion!
Their job is to REPORT the NEWS... NOT tell me how I should or shouldn't feel!
Feisty:
Maybe it's getting time to write an open letter to Gregory and Todd and and advise them to do their job, which is REPORT the NEWS. Just wondering, when was the last time either of them did some real investigative reporting? Maybe back in college.
Blah blah blah.
Everyone in Washington needs to shut up, work together, and get things fixed.
We're tired of the in-fighting.
Amen Louis.
The so-called liberal media has been shaping the midterm elections since about April, 2009. They drove the story line that best suited ratings--the controversial, the crazy; slice and dice, predict, parse and whatever else it took to undo the good that was being accomplished by President Obama. What part did they play in failing to discuss the good in health care reform and instead repeated the republican talking points that were NOT in the legislation. The media failed again just as it failed to hold Bush's feet to the fire during the Iraq war lead up--where were they then, who was asking the tough questions, who was skeptical about what Bush/Cheney and staff were telling the people. This time, they failed because they spent their time creating controversy instead of reporting truth, why talk about the quick response of the WH to the BP oil spill when they could discuss if the President was angry enough or why did he not wear casual clothes when visiting the Gulf. Not all journalists failed, many investigated and wrote the reality but their voices were lost in the din of nonsense.
Here's a thought for the 24/7 media straight from the TPers mouths--Man up, do your jobs and your jobs are not to create a story where none exists; your job is/was to report the GOP Senate blockade, your job is/was to tell the people about the abuse of the filibuster, your job is/was to report on the masses of money from anonymous sources, to discuss the impact of that on our elections; your job is to report the facts, the truth and not spend time on the trivial and the negative.
I am not saying everything is the media's fault because it is not but it is time for the media to behave more responsibly and report actual stories not created ones. America and the media needs a good dose of Woodward, Bernstein, and Walter Cronkhite.
Ron / Feisty...
I did not see the segment on the Today Show that you are referencing, so forgive me for speaking from a position of ignorance here. What exactly did they say? And given that Mr. Todd's position is on-air "political analyst" shouldn't that mean that he should interject his interpretations into his segments? I ask this mostly out of curiousity as to your opinions on the difference between a reporter and an analyst when it comes to politics. Thanks!
US Navy Vet, I'm with you. The President needs to toughen up and stop his concilation with the Republicans. They don't want your hand Mr. President! Can't you hear them? McConnell's #1 goal is to get you out of office, but he doesn't say who he wants in your place. This is utter nonsense.
McConnell is coming off disgruntled and mean spirit. I wish I had a voodoo doll, I would stick pins in him every single day hoping for a heart attack. There's a rumor out there that he's an alcoholic. He looks it too.
The best that can happen is that the Tparty and the regular Republicans get into a squabbling match. You get the feeling that the Repubs didn't hear the vote by the people -- they want Congress to work with the President and get things done!
Ron Indiana
Feisty:
Maybe it's getting time to write an open letter to Gregory and Todd and and advise them to do their job, which is REPORT the NEWS. Just wondering, when was the last time either of them did some real investigative reporting? Maybe back in college.
________________________________
Don't forget to CC your beloved Keith, Rachel and Lawrence on that memo.
you must be one of those free loaders i have to support and for whom i am tired of supporting!
Tell me about it Ron!
Listening to what's passing as news these days is enough to make ya gag!
They expect the news to fall into their laps and when that doesn't happen then they sit there and ask the most ridiculous gotcha questions in the hope of tripping the guest up!
For instance this whole 200 million dollar a day BS about President Obama's trip to Indonesia... As of last night I couldn't find any CREDIBLE source on the web to confirm or deny it... but it sure has taken legsin the minds of those in the right wing blagosphere...
Why isn't one of these so-called journalists actually doing their job and investigating this rumor rather than telling ME how contrite the President was at his news conference yesterday? I've got eyes of my own and will form my own judgement!
And there you have it. McConnell, who in my never to be humble opinion has never had ANY interest in the American Public, has made it job one to do what? Improve the economy? Improve the ability of Americans to secure jobs? Stop the outsourcing of jobs? No, to defeat a President that was elected by the people that McConnell is supposed to serve. Instead of an immediate offer to sit down and find out where areas of agreement are....he, in his childish revenge mode says...."I want to make Obama a one term President. McConnell, have a care. If you believe that this election was a mandate for Republicans to continue their selling of America to their corporate masters, you may have a HUGE surprise coming. If you, McConnell and your group of merry bandits have any interest in America or her people, your first effort should be to pass Disclosure to limit the damage that the Corporate owned Supreme Court did with the Citizens United decision. Only then can you be said to be patriots, and demonstrate your commitment to country ahead of party. We will be watching.
See, my problem here is that instead of appreciating the opportunity to make things right across the board, McConnell's goal is to make Obama a 1 term President. WTF is wrong with him and others of this mindset? He has just clearly outlined his plans for all of us over the next 2 years: NOTHING! He is hellbent on squabbling, nitpicking, name calling and not even open to TRYING to fix all our problems, which BTW did not just happen overnight or in the last 2 years. That aside, SHAME ON ALL OF THEM, Dems, Reps, and all for being so narrowminded and childish that none of us can expect anything good to happen because it's already clear from McConnell as well as wingnut Jim DeMint, here in SC, that there will be no cooperation. Didn't they learn that in any business meeting/venture if you don't keep your mind and heart open, you're done before you start! It's not them who will suffer, its US... What a buncha morons.... they should all be ashamed...
Mitch McConnell is simply following the orders of his corporate masters. They want less government so they can squeeze more work out of their employees without having to worry about all those pesky laws protecting workers and the environment. Nothing new in this. What is interesting is how the Tea Party and mainstream Republicans will get along in the House. Most likely there will be a Republican/Tea Party civil war and President Obama will be re-elected in 2012.
My thoughts on this Grimey is that regardless what Chuck Todd's title is I don't want to be told what I should think.
I want the cold hard facts and NOT someone dissecting someones emotions. With the historic win by the Republicans Tuesday night... what purpose is served by saying the President look defeated?
Hell... who wouldn't?
The media no longer supplies the news... what they do is almost subliminally tell us what we SHOULD be thinking...
But hey... I've always been a rebel! ;0)
Just a thought on the Lame Duck Session.
Strategically, there are at least two very important subjects that should be a Democratic priority: 1. Make any positive changes in Heath Insurance Reform, and close the subject for the next Congress; and 2. Campaign finance reform.
The finance reform absolutely is necessary, but don't expect anything like that to get past the GOP in the next two years. But passing measures about disclosure and other limits that might survive a Supreme Court test are clearly in the Democrats' best interest - as well as the nation's.
As for Mitch McConnell, his big mouth has caused him trouble before. He's promising gridlock, and he will eat his words before too long as fed-up voters of all persuasions respond in anger.
After four years Dems begged for more time. I think youll need more than two days before you can judge what the repubs are gonna do. We'll see if the repubs are gonna listen to the people after what happen to them in 06 and 08 then the dems on tuesday. And in 2012 if still a circus in D.C. if sure they will be ousted.
Im conservative on most issues but have voted dem many times. Its really time for both parties to work together. To sit and say one side is always right is wrong.
Why all the attacks guys. I was real proud yesterday because for the most part everyone was civil to one another. The dems for the most part were gracious in their loss and the republicans didn't rub it in too much.
Ron, Navy, Bev and feisty immediately go on the attack. I am proud of President Obama's remarks. He realizes govt. is not doing everything right, dems and repubs, and wants to start fresh and move this country forward.
Surely we can give them some time. One day after the elections and the repubs are children, bigots and whacadoodles. You guys say the repubs do not want to work with the Pres. We say the Pres does not want to work with us....he said...she said. To get respect you have to give respect. I think both sides are guilty of not respecting the other. Ron, Navy, Nash....I respect your all's opinion. I would like for you to respect mine. As I said yesterday, I am sure we all want what is best for the country just disagree on how to accomplish that.
Pretty sure calling us republicans, bigots, racist, warmongers, thieves, liars and wingnuts is not going to help your cause. I would say that showed up yesterday.
This has been the election where the old addage of being careful what you wish for is going to come home to roost. It'll be very interesting to see what the American people think a year from now...
Speaking of journalists... ;0)
SHOUT OUT to Mark Murray for the outstanding job you did last night on the Rachel show!
No emotions... No telling me what I should be thinking... Nothing but facts about Tuesday nights election!
Gotcha Gregory has GOT TO GO...
Give Mark Murray his OWN SHOW!
McConnell's first job is to find out why the PUB's couldn't deliver Reids head on a stake given the absolutely perfect storm of opportunity they had to get it done.....
EPIC FAIL MITCH.....
Feisty, the "cold hard fact" is that Obama did look defeated in his press conference. Why not, he was defeated? You seem to want cold hard facts to be filtered to only show those that you agree with. Free speech is a byitch?
Ok, all the sore losers come out now. these are the ones that blame the Republican for all the world woes, they forget that the Dems controlled the house and the senate for the last 4 years, and they are the ones that screwed this up. Get a grip, George W is gone, nothing he did could have been done without the tact approval of the congress, so get over it and start being part of the solution and not the problem!
Kste;
Pretty hard not to make an opinion on what the republicans are going to do when as late as yesterday McConnell renews his vow to make President Obama a one term President, he will be speaking on this again later today, Boehner says he will not compromise and the Tea Party rep says they will work with President Obama when he thinks like them.
I think the handwriting is on the wall and none of it is any good for America, especially the Middle Class.
I dont' agree with the statement, but come on guys. You can't have your head so far up the left that you haven't seen them doing the same thing for 2 yrs now. Name calling, closed door meetings, we won, etc are almost daily rantings from the Democrat elect. I'm sick of business as usual and you guys need to clean up your act as much as McConnell. Remember, it takes 2 to tango.
Somehow this "Harvard scholar" managed to graduate without knowing that the United States has 50 states -- not 60 as this Idiot-in-Chief thinks. See http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EpGH02DtIws where B.S. said he'd traveled to 57 states in 15 months, "with one left to go", not counting Alaska and Hawaii! Funny how this colossal example of ignorance by this "Harvard scholar" was overlooked, while the media headlined George W.'s every goofas. Barry Soereto is an affirmative action baby. He may be exceptional for a black man, but for a white he's just average or even below-average for the circles he's running in.
FR...I can certainly understand why you'd feel that way.
On a separate note, the next election is going to be very interesting. If the economy is still sputtering, well, we've got divided government...does the electorate throw everyone out? Blame the President's party? Blame the GOP led House? Who knows? If the economy does well, do all incumbents benefit? Just the President? The GOP House? With one party rule, it's pretty simple to predict the general direction of an election in relation to the state of the economy. But with a split Congress...it's gonna be a wild 2 years.
good thought ron indiana, let us all jump on the media because they don't always report in favor of yours, fiesty, navy, louis, beverlry,jody iowas et. al. view points. Sorry to burst your little bubble pal.
Rather surprised you didn't specifically include fox in your comment.
I imagine that your closed and narrow minded little group are yourselvesexperts on investigative reporting that solidified itself in objectivity on the gossip and putdown rag you rated so highly in high school.
I am rather surprised that you all don't whine about sprained wrists and broken arms as you slap each other and your own backs congratulating yourselves on your lack of original thought provoking comments. I must say that at least beverly has the kohonas to post links (however much spin she uses to support her opinions),
I guess that left wing no-nuts know how to go to many "first read" boards to get their daily dose of misinformation as they know that you and company will rarely post on boards that encourage any semblance of discourse on the topic at hand.
This opinion will post at approximately 10:37 AM on Nov 4 2010, wonder how long it will take you to collapse it ?
The daily message will be that the Republithugs will work on the behalf of the American People when they have clearly said they would not. The daily message will be that President Obama is not passing productive legislation when he has passed more productive legislation than any other president.
Listen my Republithug friends, if you allow other people to think for you, you will stay in your narrow minded attitudes and poison your children with these same attitudes while the rest of us help to usher in the age of innovation and progressive legislations.
Free your minds and stop being a slave to your corporate master's programming. I challenge any conservative that is on the Socialist, Marxist, Liberal, blah, blah, blah, blah, blah, blah trip to stand up and confront the "enemy" known as Bigotry, Class Warfare and Cultural Deficiency to say "NO" to your dependency on that kind of TEA. It's not about you being Taxed Enough Already, since a large portion is just above poverty level incomes. It's about cultural diversity and the lack of understanding it. I'm not saying you all feel that way but when you allow it to be the "Clear" message, then you collude to it.
Think for yourselves and speak against this behavior.
I'm sure once the Republithugs collapse the comment, MSNBC won't restore it simply based on the fact I am right.
Where you go to school is over rated. It is who the person is that matters. McConnel is a boob but there are so many more on both sides of the aisle who's only concern is for personal power and party power. Things have to change.
Proud Republican:
With one exception, I seldom call fellow bloggers children, bigots, or whacadoes. Today's posts are clean. Navy is expressing his position without name calling. Do you really want to take Tyler's job and be our new censor. I thought not.
Frank:
Your point is well taken. Todd is an analysis and not a reporter. Maybe it is not his job to do investigative reporting. But Chuck has a history of inserting personal opinions into his analysis. My reference to an open letter relates to a time when he went well over the line by name-calling our President. To my knowledge, since then he has toned it down. Perhaps the open letter to thousands of people who read HIS website made an impression.
That was before Darryl Issa announced plans for an unending witch hunt for dirt on the Obama Administration and McConnell announced his first priority, above all others, is defeat for Democrats.
Sorry about that Conservatives, you get what you give. When you announce you're approaching government as a political fight to the death expect the same.
My advice Grimey... is we better fasten our seatbelts and stock up on the Margarita's ;0)
DNV,
First,
The President may have stopped the bleeding with a band aid, but it hasn't helped. And besides, you gave him an extra 200K jobs, when the CBO said 1.4 to 3.3 million, they don't even know, because they really don't know what jobs were saved or created. And as of June 2010, this President was down 3.1 million jobs since January 20th of 2009.
Second,
I will agree that the economy does seem to be growing, even though slowly. That is a good thing, we can both agree on, yet again today, 457,000 people filed for unemployment, up 20K from last week. And we keep growing those private sector jobs at what 60K a month. Still too many people unemployed. No shovel ready projects working, but by goodness, Christmas stuff is already being sold in the stores. I wish we would pass a law not allowing Christmas stuff to be sold until after Thanksgiving. JMO
Third,
I am glad that our troops are coming home. I wish they all were. I know we need defense, and I wish we would capture or kill OBL, it should have been done by now. But any trooper home is a good thing.
As for your other statement.
50% don't believe in climate change, while 50% do. Seems like an even split on that one.
86% don't believe in climate change to produce government revenue. Now what would the government do with revenue, that's right, spend it, because they believe in spending. Now, I could compromise, if all the money coming in from cleaning up the climate went back into climate change agencies, therefore paying for itself. Making itself sufficient of more tax payer money.
Immigration,
That is a tough one. I understand people wanting to have a better life, I myself strive for that daily. People crossing the border, illegally, having children, to say they are Americans, well, I am kind of split on that one. As the law goes, we should follow it. If the amendment is amended (get that in a sentence often?) then it would be the people's decision. But I doubt it will happen. I can see where people would want to lower legal immigration, especially in economic down turns. But legal immigration is not the problem in my eyes, its illegal immigration that should be tackled, we should follow the laws of the land, we should cut off federal funding to so called "sanctuary cities". I have no problem with people immigrating to the United States, legally, because my relatives did it. But they did it legally, their signatures are at Ellis Island.
And as for taxes. Well I don't think that anyone should have their taxes raised until our government learns what a balanced budget is. They should have to cut areas, reduce spending, and learn to live within their means, just as we have to. If they cut all they can, quit giving to pet projects, then we can work to reform the tax code, which that alone would provide more than enough money to help reduce the budget. As for estate taxes, why should my children have to pay a tax on something that I leave them. That is not fair to them. Now, once they get any monies left to them, they invest that money and earn income, then they should have to pay taxes. But not taxes because I died and left them the family farm. That is intrusive to have a special what I would call a "death" tax. They are already going to have to pay the property taxes, the state taxes, and federal income taxes, why a special tax? Just don't understand, do they think I am taking my money with me.
Of course some of you probably think that all conservatives take it with them, that way they can pay off heaven, so they don't go to the Devil:)
I'd agree with Proud Republican's comment... and Ron... the same argument that has been used countless times here to define the Tea Party and GOP as racists or bigots is applicable here. A portion of you would argue that the actions of a few define the entire group and thus justified your label that way - and when go further in justification by putting forth that not expelling these elements was additional proof.
Ron Indiana
I mention the above and point this out because the two situations are similar... you don't have to read many of your fellow posters comments to see the attacks Proud is mentioning and commenting on... and while you may not be engaged in the activity - the act is coming from your "group". It would be a great credit to your character if rather than bashing Proud as trying to "censor" or ignoring the hypocrisy involved here - that you would perhaps call out the people who are continuing to be divisive and partisan.
Excellent observation!! Despite what both parties seem to think a majority of Americans want both parties to want is, wait for it, ...CHANGE! Opps, I said it, now I'm going to flamed for being a "liberal".
Yea, I know there are party purists on both sides that only want their party in control and only want their agenda passed, no compromise, period. However it appears despite want FOX PAC and MSNBC PAC think, the majority of Americans just want this sh!t fixed. And they want both parties to work together. As for good old Mitch, my senior senator: Mitch, you had a tough election last time time in 2008, keep messing around and doing NOTHING to help the state of Kentucky. Most of Kentucky may vote Republician, however as you remember in 2008 it was close, real close, and if even if we are mostly Republician down here, we also aren't quite a stupid as you think we are. Keep doing nothing and appear to only be concerned with politics and see where that gets you. The state you are supposed to represent can not take another 2 years of you playing ploitics and doing nothing to help the people. I think they might remember that come 2012. Maybe you'll reach your goal and Obama will be a one term President. but YOU might not in be around in Washington to see it.
Good luck ignoring us Mitch. You may not be paying attention to us, but we're paying attention to you. Remember Mitch the tea Party here in Ky doesn't really trust you, which is why the guy you picked to fill Bunning's seat lost and Rand got the nomination. Keep ignoring us Kentuckians and see how that works out for you. Remember Kentucky is watching Mitch. Do something, because I don't think doing nothing is going to work for you.
Make Obama a one term President?
Sounds like step 1 to getting the economy back on track.
With Democrats still controlling the Senate, it'll be tough, but way to go guys!
Millions of small business owners are depending on you!
FR....Done and done! ;-)
SmallGov:
"Millions of small business owners are depending on you!"
Small Business Owners got a Bush Tax Break ( 6 years), then Got an Obama Tax Break (18 months). When are they going to create those jobs we keep hearing about?
Just asking...
We'll get right on that when your side is held to the same standards...
Remember you get back what you give...
How very mature of you Feisty. Perhaps treating people on an individual basis rather than automaticly stereotyping them is the root of the problem here - do you know that racists have the same exact mental picture and thought process in justifying their actions?
Proud simply came out and asked why all the attacks and name calling. Claiming to hate partisan politics and divisiveness is great... but turning around and helping continue and perpetuate it is utter hypocrisy. If Mitch wants to push the mentality this blog infers - then he'll bear the consequences of it because I think the vote yesterday wasn't a vote for Republican agenda ... it certainly wasn't for Obama's... I think it was a vote that showed that we want representation of us and not party lines aka partisan politics.
OH...NOW I've got it...
Democrats are responsible for a group...
And Republicans are to be treated on an individual basis...
Yeah... M'kay! lmao
Creative Fiesty... I never said anything of the sort. My sentiment about stereotyping is not limited to you or liberals alone... as I've often commented to you about making assumptions, this one in regards to me is wrong again.
Proud got trounced over making a very bland statement - and I see that as unfortunate considering that at this point (one party not holding sole control of everything) the inability to listen, compromise, or even discuss things serves nobody. Whichever political party that takes the genuine high road and sincerely attempts to reach across the aisle will ultimately be the victor in 2012. If you continue operating with your current mindset Fiesty... you will be doing yourself a disservice... it puts you on par with the mentaliy of Mitch.
That is the point you are missing... and continuing to blanket things with stereotypes doesn't help. The election has forced a split that will punish the divisive and partisan political game players in office now... Democrats and Republicans alike.
Wasn't the whole point of this election to let Congress know that we want them to work together!!!!????!!!! I don't get how McConnell and Boehner can be so stupid as to continue the same track. GET A CLUE PEOPLE!!
"calling us republicans, bigots, racist, warmongers, thieves, liars and wing nuts is not going to help your cause. I would say that showed up yesterday".
This is so true! people don't want to hear the Truth if they did there wouldn't things like fox news
Sorry RatPoisen... but those were your exact words that I copied & pasted from above...
No creativity necessary... as it's all there in plain old black & white!
... Creative was in reference to your interpretation and the subsequent assumption Fiesty, and I felt that was pretty clear when I called you out on it and then clearly stated that I don't condone stereotyping regardless of their political beliefs.
Find for me in black and white text where I have written that I want GOP or Democrats to be held to different standards or moral expectations Fiesty, you won't find it, hence you've made an incorrect assumption. Hopefully you'll recognize that and attempt to stop spinning this to avoid admitting the error - it's okay, we all are subject to mistakes, me included - so don't let it bother you... there are far more pertinent topics... like: whether or not the GOP will indeed follow through in the House with their claim of being willing to work with Obama in places (this is important and dangerous for the GOP's future) where there are areas for compromise.
McConnell needs to shut up, stop the partisan bickering, and get to work doing the right things to fix the country.
Libs need to shut up, stop their partisan whining and their blame game.
RatPoison - Let's leave it with we agree to disagree... there are many times on when blogging that things get lost in the translation...
So I apologize if I misread you and this happened to be one of those times.
I do appreciate your civil discourse... and who knows maybe one day we will find some common ground!
Peace! V
Fair enough Feisty... no harm, no foul.
Obama inherited a super enormous, massive massive, multi- faceted MESS when he took office!!! Bush messed up almost every area of our country!!!
A lot of people don't realize that Bush did 8 years worth of "VERY SERIOUS DEEP WOUND" damage to this country!! Deep wounds take a long time to heal! Don't expect Obama or anybody else to fix things in a year or two. Our government works slow. It will take at least 8 years, minimum, to fix the massive, extensive damage that Bush did, and get us back to the peace,prosperity and good times we had when Clinton was in office!
When Clinton ruled we had peace, prosperity and good times!
When Bush ruled we had war, financial disaster and bad times!
No matter what ANYBODY says, that's what will be in the History books!..... Clinton good. Bush bad. Period, end of story!
I believe that if Bush would have stayed in office for another four years, the United States could have fallen apart and could have possibly ceased to exist as we know it!!
If Clinton would have remained in office, I believe 9-11 never would have occured, and we would not have gone to war with Iraq, and we wouldn't be in this HUGE mess we're in now!!!
Oh, and how could we possibly have any money for health care when Bush and Cheney spent all our money on the war in Iraq so they could get all the oil and gas for themselves and their company, Halliburton, which got a no bid contract for all the oil even before the first shot was fired!!
Bush and Cheney were both in the oil and gas business before they got elected, while they were in office,and both are presently in the oil and gas business. They never gave a damn about our country! They were, and are, only in it for the oil, gas and money!
You're damn right I'm talkin about Bush and Cheney now!! They did NOTHING to help our heath care system! That's why Obama has to take such drastic measures now, cause Bush and Cheney totally screwed up our health system, our banks, our real estate, our stock market, our immigration, our Food & Drug Administration, our educational system, our medical research, our alternative energy development, our reputation, etc, etc, etc......................
Bush and Cheney together wouldn't make one pimple on Obama's ass!! They should both be locked up!!! And they both should be sued for all the billions they're making from all that blood oil and gas!
Other countries are building windmills offshore instead of drilling and polluting!
Now Bush and Cheney's Halliburton is drilling for gas in the U.S. and is polluting everybody's ground water here!! First they changed the laws while they were in office so they, (Halliburton), are exempt from The Clean Air Act, The Clean Water Act, The Safe Drinking Water Act, The Superfund, etc!! Two very ""HIDEOUS MONSTERS"" right there!!
The people get what they deserve! You elected Bush and let him stay in office- so suffer!!
You elected this new batch of so called religious Republicans- so suffer some more now!!
YER GITTIN "EXACTLY" WHAT YOU DESERVE HERE!!! REAL!
You CANNOT expect Obama or anyone else to fix all of Bush's massive, extensive, serious, far reaching, deep wound damage in a couple of years!!! Our government works slow. There's NO quick fix in this case. It will take at least 8 years for ANYBODY to get our country back on track!! To be fair, you can only judge Obama after 8 years, NOT NOW!!! So far I think Obama is doin a real good job getting our country back on track!!
The "Media" shaped Obama ..... Now the " PEOPLE " have spoken .. not the Media not the lobbyist, not the money this one was about the PEOPLE and how they feel , and they certainly let it be known ... just because you think you are right ( or in your case left ) does not mean you are right !
Matt:
But the people is "feed" by the media. If you're democrat you will go for MSNBC, if you're republican you will go for FOX.
The issue is that the "media" here is another Corporation whose main objective is to make MONEY and be profitable for their stockholders or investors. The truth and the news??? Well that's not their business. They don't care as long as they keep you attached to their "network".
So is all about MONEY, not real news or journalism, no media Corporation (that includes FOX) is interested in the real news. If opposing Obama is profitable, they will do it 24/7/365. If supporting Obama is profitable they will do it too.
Those media "moguls" in both sides of the aisle exists because they feed the anger or the expectation of the people just to make more MONEY.
Sadly, journalism, as We, Americans, envisioned, died the day that BIG BUSINESS starts buying "networks".
Well thought out, and you give us something to think about, Martin. Wish I could figure out what the cure is.
Faulty Math And Reasoning
Fear and confusion swept over the electorate to cause Americans to vote against their own interests. John Boehner and Mitch McConnell say they want the President to work with the voices of the people.
First of all, I maintain John Boehner and Mitch McConnell are so wrong. Americans responded to the voices of Chamber of Commerce, Glenn Beck, Karl Rove’s American Crossroad millionaires, and the infamous Koch Brother billionaires. Yet, Meg Whitman and Linda McMahon spent fortunes and lost.
Does this not attest to reason people don’t like being bought?
If republicans want to represent the voices of the people; then repealing healthcare and impeaching the President should not be 1!! Jobs should be.
62% v 19%
18 Voted AGAINST health care reform, and LOST:
2 Voted AGAINST health care reform, and WON:
2 Voted AGAINST health care reform, and WON:
1 Referendum AGAINST individual mandate FAILED:
12 won and 12
I forgot to mention the Chamber of Commerce is paying Glenn Beck to sing praises about the CoC.Beck. This is really strange since Beck is asking his working class viewers to give their wages back to their employers.
Taxes cuts to the very people who exploit Americans is unreasonable. The Chamber of Commerce luches an Anti-Obama campaign; how about an Anti-Chamber of commerce campaign to disclose and keep track of foreign money.-. I think that would be most appropriate.
I can’t believe Americans act like they have been “living in a vacuum ” as I said before the President was good for capitalism. Timothy Egan of NYT reinforced by belief. “For no matter your view of President Obama, he effectively saved capitalism. And for that, he paid a terrible political price.”
But markets, though forward-looking, are not considered accurate measurements of the economy, and the Great Recession skewed the Bush numbers. O.K. How about looking at the big financial institutions that keep the motors of capitalism running — banks and auto companies?
The banking system was resuscitated by $700 billion in bailouts started by Bush (a fact unknown by a majority of Americans), and finished by Obama, with help from the Federal Reserve. It worked.
http://opinionator.blogs.nytimes.com/2010/11/02/how-obama-saved-capitalism-and-lost-the-midterms/?src=me&ref=general
We affectionately have called GM “Government Motors” The label “Government Motors” quickly stuck, evoking images of clunky committee-built cars that burned banknotes instead of petrol—all run by what Sarah Palin might call the socialist-in-chief.
An apology is due to Barack Obama: his takeover of GM could have gone horribly wrong, but it has not.
http:/www.cbo.gov/ftpdocs/107xx/doc10781/11-30-Premiums.pdf">http://www.cbo.gov/ftpdocs/107xx/doc10781/11-30-Premiums.pdf">http://www.economist.com/node/16846494/comments%20Health%20care%20holding%20down%20costs:%20http://www.cbo.gov/ftpdocs/107xx/doc10781/11-30-Premiums.pdf
http://www.cbo.gov/ftpdocs/107xx/doc10781/11-30-Premiums.pdf">
How blind it is to not see the ripple effect it would have been to the economy. Fist of all, people would have jobless, businees who supply goods and services to the GM would have faltered, and the auto coverage industry would have been lessened.
Good Morning Bev: Excellent post.
You are correct that the government's takeover of GM could have sour, but it did not. GM and Ford have returned from intensive care and doing quite well. Clearly a statement that our President does not want socialism or anything like that. He wants Capitalism with controls on greed.
Bev:
Excellent post this morning. We are entering a very trying time for this Nation. Some very tough decisions will be needed. I saw on Chuck Todd this AM that McConnell is going to double down on his vow to make President Obama a one term President. There is not going to be help for this country coming from the right. They will continue to tie this country up in political knots trying to position themselves for an overthrow of President Obama in 2012. They will continue with the lies and undisclosed campaign money (both foreign and domestic) to buy the election.
We are in more trouble now than we were several days ago and it is going to get worst.
The US Chamber of Commerce and the other "Special Interest Groups" are already gearing up for 2012. Our President better start to understand that he is going to have to go this alone. No help coming from the republican/tea part at all. Big Business and Wall Street will continue to influence our political freedom. We will loose if this is allowed to continue. Too many people sat on their arses this election cycle and now it is time to pay the piper.
Navy:
We are in more trouble now than we were several days ago and it is going to get worst. I'm afraid you are right about this. My crystal ball says Two more years of Gridlock. That is not what the American people voted for...more gridlock.
Ron Indiana
Thank you Ron,
My intent is to get people to think objectively rather through the prisms of phobias. Yes, it's true our President does not want socialism or anything like that. He wants Capitalism with controls on greed. However, most Tea Baggers and the right can think that way; thanks to Frank Luntz and his invention of "government take over".
When something goes wrong like a Katrina, BP, samonella then they want the government invention.
Ron, Ford did not take a bailout, they've done just fine on their own thank you. And this president, could have instead of dismantling 2/3 of our domestic auto industry to push the mafia shakedown cap and traitor bill suggested the makers go to a 4 day work week. He could have that is, were he not busy kneeling before the unions. Beverly. It is the job of government to secure our borders and respond to disasters. Presidents of both parties caused this mess, and amplified it. It is not however that government's place to suckle a lazy rabble. We got some new blood. Perhaps they will succeed in an even bigger dem bloodletting next time around.
Mitch McConnell is simply following the orders of his corporate masters. They want less government so they can squeeze more work out of their employees without having to worry about all those pesky laws protecting workers and the environment. Nothing new in this. What is interesting is how the Tea Party and mainstream Republicans will get along in the House. Most likely there will be a Republican/Tea Party civil war and President Obama will be re-elected in 2012.
I can say I voted for grid lock. Both parties are over spending and can't get their heads out of their asses. I would rather see them both swing in the breeze and not cause any more damage. How many more freedoms do we need to lose to Bush and Obama before people wake up and stop voting the party line? I am not talking about the HCR bill, or any other idiocy like that removing freedoms, but more like Obama's assassination policies and the Patriot Act.
Since I mention HCR though, we need good health care reform, not the corporate handout that has suddenly been leaving people with no insurance for the next two years until other provisions kick in. That thing was a good idea gone bad, and it was the Democrats fault all the way there. They knew that they lacked support but they blamed the Republicans for all the spineless concessions they made. The thing is a mess and frankly needs to be repealed and a clean collective single payer system encompassing the medi-systems, SCHIP, and all the other bandaids into a simple and effective system.
And they all need to be budget friendly or we don't do it. I am sick of watching our debt grow so corporations can suck off government welfare. Bunch of neo-cons screaming for an end to welfare as they push for more government handouts to weapons manufacturers and crop subsidies. Heaven forbid we build a thorium reactor instead of researching a new missile system.
McConnel is the next stooge that needs to go if he thinks that we turned over the government to the GOP just to watch them pull the same crap that got them booted in 2006. Democrats paid the price for following their lead in 2010. Time to change the game plan.
Re-Post
The cowards are back again.
The results are in and the republican/tea party now controls the House with a margin larger than the Democrats had for the last 2 years. The Democrats still control the Senate with a slimmer margin than before. The number one issue as reported by the exit polls was the “Economy”.
The republican/tea party now has the opportunity to repair the “Economy”. I find it ironic that these are the very same people that broke it in the first place. The mismanagement and corruption of the GW Bush Administration lead to the worst depression since the great depression and we are to believe that they will fix it now.
Well, they do have an advantage that President Obama never had.
First: President Obama has stopped the bleeding of over 700K jobs per month that he faced when he was sworn into office and in fact has saved (according to CBO, CBPP, etc) 1.4 – 3.5 Million Jobs and added another 700K new private sector jobs. While not great, the numbers are positive and have been since Jan 201o, even when you take into consideration that the republican party has opposed every Job Creation Bill proposed by President Obama.
Second: The economy is growing, albeit slowly, the numbers are still in the black (positive). At the end of December 2008, the DOW was under 8800, as of this writing it is over 11,100.
Third: President has started the Draw Down the troops from Iraq.
So, republicans, some of the heavy lifting has been done for you. We moved the ball downfield for you; will you put the ball into the end zone now that you have it?
America is watching!!
Following last night’s election, over 100 freshmen Republican/Tea Party elected representatives will be in the 112th Congress. These people come from multiple backgrounds, but they are united by their extreme right wing conservative ideology.
ThinkProgress has a report on their site on what these 100 freshman stand for candidate by candidate.
Here is a snapshot of the GOP Class of 2010’s extremists as reported by ThinkProgress yesterday, URL attached:
“ENVIRONMENT”
- 50% deny the existence of manmade climate change
- 86% are opposed to any climate change legislation that increases government revenue
“IMMIGRATION”
- 39% have already declared their intention to end the 14th Amendment’s guarantee of birthright citizenship
- 32% want to reduce legal immigration
“TAXES/SPENDING”
- 91% have sworn to never allow an income tax increase on any individual or business – regardless of deficits or war
- 79% have pledged to permanently repeal the estate tax
-
Go to: http://thinkprogress.org/2010/11/03/gop-frosh-class/ for a complete list of the 100+ republican/tea party freshman and where each on stands on these issues and others.
I watched the President’s post election speech and I am confused. What is it about McConnell vowing that his agenda for the next two years is to make him (President Obama) a one term President and Boehner’s pledge not to compromise with him (President Obama) does he not understand. Again, several times he offered the preverbal “Olive Branch” to those across the aisle. Please Mr. President stop it, they do not want to help us, period. They have drawn the line in the sand with their comments, so let it go and move on, please. The Tea Party hopped aboard as well saying they would love to work with our President when he thinks like them. There an idea.
This country has officially come to a standstill until the children running this country decide to stop the crap and get back to doing the work we elected them to do. When did we forget that these people work for us, Not the Corporations and Special Interest Groups, but for us people. Until that changes we will continue to decline toward a third rate nation. We were once the greatest nation on the planet. We were the leaders in manufacturing, technology, education and freedom. No one could dispute that. Today it is open to debate.
For example see the NBC report by M. Isikoff / R. Gardella: http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/39995283/ns/politics-decision_2010/
“A tightly coordinated effort by outside Republican groups, spearheaded by Karl Rove and fueled by tens of millions of dollars in contributions from Wall Street hedge fund moguls and other wealthy donors, helped secure big GOP midterm victories Tuesday, according to campaign spending figures and Republican fundraising insiders”.
Today is November 4, 2010, 733 days to the 2012 elections and America is Watching.
Had gas not gone to $4 a gallon you would not be talking about GM, right?
I laugh because I know gas will never get above $3 a gallon. Why? Try it and see if the economy won't go into a depression. The thing rightwingers don't understand is that most Americans take two family members working to make ends meet. If young, the wife just works to pay day care and barely makes enought o foor her gas bill.
Now, double the price of gas and that increases the prices at WalMart and utilities and thus no new cars are sold.
Letting GM and AIG and the banks fail would indeed brought us to a real depression of which we would have spend a decade getting out of..look at how long we are in this recession. I hear a lot of bold talk about we needed a depression..really? So dumb. In the 1929 depression people suffered a lifetime and most never recovered psychologically. Uncle Joe still put his money in a matress for decades after 1929.
Most of you right wing big talkers have zero clue about the consequences of which you speak.
I have bought Ford trucks and Gm cars only. I used to lecture those that bought imports. Never again will I buy a GM product. NEVER
Robin Steele:
Please reread my comment. I stated that GM and Ford returned from intensive care. I did not say or imply that Ford took federal money. It is a true statement that all three auto companies were in big trouble.
STTS
Ron Indiana,
FORD did not take any bailout money. GM was the automaker who took money and now we no longer have Pontiac. Thats right lets keep making the Unions rich while all of their workers suffer. That cash for clunkers worked out real well huh?????
NO ONE NEEDS TO APLOGISE TO THIS POS President. HE needs to apoligise by resigning as the President and slither back to Chicago or Kenya.
Beverly, I noticed you love to use the term "teabagger". I was treated to the question "Daddy, what is a teabagger" yesterday from my 10 year old son after he had overheard the term at school.
Just to be clear, I'm going to define it for you so you can think about it when posting on public blogs...
Teabagging: The act of squatting, naked, over another persons face while dangling your genitals in that persons mouth.
I want to thank you and others for introducing this term to our school children. Real classy.
Robin--you would not know to mad or believe anything if our Republican Senators and Representatives were not making idiotic statements to make you vote for them. They know what they say is a lie, but, you the electorate, rewarded them for bad behavior. They do not care about anyone in this country but themselves and their cocktail buddies. YOU gave them what they wanted, so they will continue to destroy this country.
Government take over of health care -- is a total lie. The Republicans put in the amendment to fine people if they didn't have insurance. The original bill did not contain that provision. The Democrats wanted the Public Option so people could get insurance when the BILLION DOLLAR insurance companies turned them down. This bill wasn't to take over Health CARE, it was a reigning in of Health INSURANCE. From what insurance companies spent on lobbying and advertising, MILLIONS of people could have had medical expenses paid.
The Government shouldn't choose which business to save and which business to let fail -- another lie. Congress has voted for 50 YEARS to give money that WOULD NOT BE PAID BACK to all sorts of businesses--farming, dairy, ethanol producers, sheep farmers, savings and loan banks, etc etc.
IF ANYONE is trying to make government BIGGER, it IS THE REPUBLICANS. They want government to be more intrusive. They want government to dictate who has freedoms in this country and who does not. According to the Republicans, ONLY CORPORATIONS have freedoms and BILLION DOLLAR votes while THE PEOPLE do not.
The Deficit would take care of itself IF PEOPLE WERE WORKING. Obviously, our Congress needs to be required to take a few Economics courses AND they should be required to pass a Standard High School test on the Constitution.
usa is great:
Apparently your reading skills are no better than Robin Steele's. I said Ford returned from intensive care. I did not say they took federal money.
After reading 2.12 and 2.13 who's surprised that the real goal of the Republican Party is to destroy two party government once and for all?
Historians will not look back kindly on this time when the GOP cynically decided to mainstream crazy.
You need to read up on exactly why Pontiac is now gone. Hint, it's due to bad management and not Obama. Most of the brands being shed today are due to the bad management that occurred over the last few decades.
Ok, everyone, it's time to cool down and get to work. And most of all, stop using what started off being a public forum to express ideas and well thought out opinions (presumably based on accurate research so that the poster knows what s/he is talking about) as a tawdry and trite middle-school chat room.
The Repubs won the House. The Dems held the Senate. When the mid-terms in 94 gave Clinton a wake-up call, he used it to his advantage. We hope that Pres Obama does the same. All eyes are now on the Repubs to make good all the promises and prognostications they've bandied about for the last 2 years. Let's see how many new jobs they create, how vastly they reduce the national deficit, how small businesses and all businesses are now going to thrive like ant colonies. And most of all that they accomplish all of this in only 2 years as they brazenly proclaim they will do. By the time the 2012 presidential elections roll around, there will doubtlessly be several million very disgruntled voters who will swing back to the Obama camp. Another very good thing that happened two days ago was that a number of entrenched career politicians lost. I view this as a very good thing, and it doesn't matter what party they are from, we sorely need term limitation legislation for all congressional members. No one has any business being in these jobs 25 or 35 years. Finally, if our great Repub role model McConnell is any indication of how the next 2 years will go they are off to one helluva start! You go, Mitchy Man!
Dear Sumguy: Your criticism of Beverly is misplaced. It was the "teabaggers" that coined that term for themselves. I find it appropriate. They cannot have the names of heroes, so one cannot use Tea Party to reference a group who shares none of the characteristics of the people at Boston Harbor, one of whom, was an ancestor of mine. I will continue to give them the exact respect they deserve by using the name they picked.
The mere fact that the statement "Our top priority is to make Obama a one term president"exists shows newly elected GOP is only looking out for their corporate donors. The top priority is to fix the broken economy. Period! Its an damn Absolute, get America ...the working class people ...not rich corporations, hedge fund managers, Wall Street moguls...back to work and look after our concerns. Save our jobs, homes, and families. Save Our America! Please!
I KNOW I speak for millions of small business owners when I say: Sounds like a plan!
Getting rid of this joker in the White House is Step 1 in getting the economy back on track!
Maybe then we can afford to hire back all of the employees wh essentially voted themselves OUT OF A JOB, in 2008.
McConnell is such a tool. Geezus... didn't his mom ever let him know that some things are better left unsaid? Especially obvious ones. Hacks reside on both sides of the aisle, but I'd like to see a little diplomatic discourse going on. Any buffoon can say "you suck", it takes maturity to use a voice of reason and find some area of agreement.
Just when you think you've given the GOP a chance to prove themselves, a neanderthal like McConnell acts like a friggin' petulant child in front of everyone. If you want to be seen as "better" than the other side, you don't act like the other side and make excuses for it.
Some of the GOP aren't even in their chairs yet, and they're already nauseating.
@newdayDAWNING10 ...Of course, you are wrong. The Tea Party came up with the name "Tea Party" to describe their movement. The term "Teabagger" is a derogatory term coined by angry Liberals. I have no problem with not liking the Teaparty (I am not a follower), but the use of that term in a political discussion nothing but teen age, locker room, childish nonsense. Grow up.
Is it any surprise to anyone that the pub's want to make the president a one term president? Really??? OMG! Who knew?!
Would this "epiphany" be any different than the dem's wanting to make any republican president a one term president? Why is this news?
The real news is that the pub's have the house now. I suppose they will have to put up or shut up now and start answering how they would actually DO things. Considering the big hoopla over repealing HC, it would appear that they will be putting all of their efforts in the very beginning into undoing the thing that our president spent all of his efforts in the very beginning getting started.
In other words, the economy and other immediately important things will once again be neglected for an entire year (or more) in order to make a political mark in history and statement. Meanwhile, the rest of the country will be "sucking hind tit", as they say.
Hooray for us! Man, I wish I was a wealthy (insulated) politician (worthless sack of sh1t) in DC (District of Corruption). Unfortunately, I have to work for a living...
In amove that's sure to make lefty liberals heads spin like Linda Blair's in The Exorcist, CNBC is reporting that the WH has indicated Barry is open to extending the Bush tax cuts for everyone.
Gee, wouldn't that make them the "Obama tax cuts"??
When I said this election would result in a very entertaining two years, I never would have guessed the mirth would start two days after the election.
LOL!!!
Sorry, Sumguy, the facts are against you. The "teabaggers" coined that name when they were sending tea bags to govt. officials and wearing them. The reason it is appropriate is that it is a graphic demonstration of how truly ignorant they are. I will continue to call them the name they picked. That is my right.
justiceprincess
You left off one promise the republicans have been saying: REPEAL HEALTH CARE REFORM. I think they have a mandate on that. The economy and jobs will follow. The original intent of reforming health care in this country was to get the cost down. The democrats failed on that intent. Start over.
Why do our politicians act like bullies on a playground? This is pathetic. On both sides of the aisle we have douche bags that are incapable of putting their selfish pride to the side and actually making decisions that are best for America instead of whats best for their party and it's future in American politics. I say screw just impeaching the President, impeach all of them and let Microsoft's CEO and board of directors run the country.
It's scary to think americans are being fed the scare tactics that come from Fox News, and worst yet, they believe it. This election shows that ignorance & short term memory are affecting this country. I've heard people blaming Obama for the current economic situation, like this happened in just 2 years, or as if this mess could be fixed in 2 years. The war and the greed of corporate America ruined this country, our medical system is worst that some countries in South America, the middle class is shrinking, we are poorer and have less options of catching up financially. Some people are in such financial mess and blame everybody but themselves for it, we have no concept of being responsible for our own decisions, we want less intervention but then whine for the government to help us.
Remember what happened in Argentina in the early 90's? if people continue to followe this pattern, we will become the same mess that Argentina did.
"It's hard to kill a Cockroach" AHAHAHAH What wonderful line. But Folks don't forget that Reid won because of the tea partier, Reid would have packed his stuff by now if it wasn't for tea bagger. Remember that most tea bagger candidates only won in the south or solid red states. Ran Paul won in the redneck Kentucky and they call it "Big victory for tea party" LOL....... A MONKEY will still win in that state or any other solid red states as long as it has "R" on its back. Try take on Midwest, West Coast, or North East and come up with a win and I'll call that a big victory for the tea party. Most of the Red that won in Midwest, West Coast or North East are not tea partiers, they are Republican GOP and I support them.
@Sumguy - Given all the derogatory terms used to describe liberals by the tea baggers and dirty Republicans, they have more than earned that label. f 'em
Still disgusting, however funny for this reason alone: They gave themselves that name untill they learned how it's currently defined in today's culture, then they got angry and blamed the "liberal media" for the name they gave to themselves. Blaming Bev and the other on here who use it is like blaming Obama for TARP. (I know that probably just confused a whole bunch of FOX viewers, but what the heck, maybe they'll turn off the TV and do some research.)
Ever the optimist aren't I?
So, you're willing to sit around for two years and do nothing to improve the ecomony? How's that going to work for your "small business"? You can afford 2 more years of zero or negitive growth in the ecomony and your business? If that's the case then either, A: you are complete marketing genius. B: you have found a recession proof business. C: you were already wealthy and can afford to stay in business in a recession. D: to quote some guy named Joe: "You Lie!"
Bev,
First of all, I maintain John Boehner and Mitch McConnell are so wrong. Americans responded to the voices of Chamber of Commerce, Glenn Beck, Karl Rove’s American Crossroad millionaires, and the infamous Koch Brother billionaires. Yet, Meg Whitman and Linda McMahon spent fortunes and lost.
I think that the people told Washington to do their job, if not you're out of a job. You can blame the advertising if you want, but still the public voted to oust the idiots in Washington. And if they can't get the job done, another round of idiots will be voted out.
And besides, as I mentioned yesterday, maybe you should clean up your own house, considering that Obama's old Senate seat is now republican for at least 6 years. That alone should be devastating in Illinois.
Bev: I agree -- the GOP needs to concentrate on getting things done for the middle class and NOT on impeaching our president or repealing healthcare. According to the polls, 47% WANT the healthcare bill to remain (with some tweeking) and 48% want it repealed. It's a close race, and the GOP needs to adhere to the wishes of the people and not their party lines. I'm scared that they will cause a gridlock in both houses and NOTHING will get done. If that happens, it'll be their jobs that will be on the line in 2012, NOT the Democrats! Again, we need McConnell to focus on the economy, on getting jobs, etc., and NOT on getting rid of the president. What a waste of time!! The GOP needs to do what the PEOPLE want and not what the PARTY wants!! They have been sore losers ever since President Obama won; they just want to keep up that status, and it isn't going to get anything accomplished for you and I....the middle class. It's a scary time, and I don't think things are now going to get better with them in power.
"It's hard to kill a Cockroach" AHAHAHAH What wonderful line. But Folks don't forget that Reid won because of the tea partier, Reid would have packed his stuff by now if it wasn't for tea bagger. Remember that most tea bagger candidates only won in the south or solid red states. Ran Paul won in the redneck Kentucky and they call it "Big victory for tea party" LOL....... A MONKEY will still win in that state or any other solid red states as long as it has "R" on its back. Try take on Midwest, West Coast, or North East and come up with a win and I'll call that a big victory for the tea party. Most of the Red that won in Midwest, West Coast or North East are not tea partiers, they are Republican GOP and I support them
We now see what we are in for during the next two years. No attempt to fix the economy; create jobs; get people back to work; just the party of NO trying to reek more havoc. So those of you who voted for the GOP - hope you're happy with the mess you've gotten us into.
Nope sorry guy, teabaggers is the name they came up back when they got their start by sending tea bags to washington and wearing them on their hats on the rallys. I first heard on that bastion of Liberal media FOX News, so it has to be true. And don't say anything bad about FOX News others wise all the liberals on here will be really angry!
Beverly, Joe, and Disabled US Navey veteran ...
The exact quote is:
The president could, if he were not so committed to his left wing approach to gevernance, recognize that there was a very large statement made in the election. He COULD move the the center like Bill Clinton did and become a moderate. That would enhance his re-electability (which right now is pretty dismal). But I just don't see that in his character. He's in the situation he's in precisely BECAUSE the electorate (as opposed to George Soros) disagree with him.
And yes we all are counting the days to 2012 and watching!
"McConnell is such a tool".........yet, Pelosi was a what, genius? buwhahaha.
Listen, kids, don't be such poor losers. The truth is, the "left" had the past 2 years with TOTAL control of our government. No excuse time, is what it was. What did they accomplish? An electorate, that wanted them out on a rail. No, they've failed the American people, and the American people decided that they wanted what they were promised; CHANGE.
Last I checked, that's exactly what we just got. Now, our President can at least say he accomplished one of his campaign goals: he brought about much needed change. It so happens that 'change' was needed on Capital Hill.
And please, stop believing everything the 'liberal media' has to tell you. Reread this entire story WITHOUT your blinders on and you'll see the smattering of an agenda. This story was written a specific way to guarantee an outcome. The sad thing is, based on the responses so far, there really are people that are too ignorant to think for themselves. WE the people, went to polls and ran your boys & girls off the playground. WE did so, because they were doing a horrible job. Two years from now, if the Repubs are doing just as poorly, you'll be given the same opportunity then.
It took 18 months for BO to even talk to McConnell and he never talked to Boehner. That's what I call real Presidential co-operation.. Then, he tells the GOP to get to the back of the bus and refers to us as his enemies. Yeah, this guy's real 1st class. Presidents may talk about kicking ass in private, but you don't say it publicly. Until he gets away from that my way or no way policy, there will still be problems. Then, there's F bomb Biden who walks around with his foot in his mouth most all day long. McConnell wants him out just as badly as he wants the Repubs out. So, it's even. We told BO what we thought of his policies yesterday. Let's see if he heard it.
Great posts Beverly! You make many valid and indisputable points.
SmallGov...YOU are whats wrong with this country in a nutshell...YOU and your likes are the epitome of greed and selfishness! Its all about YOUR bottom line. I'll bet when things got bad, YOU didn't alter your lifestyle or take some of the financial hit. No, instead, YOU laid off your employees so YOU could maintain. I'm really sick and tired of hearing about the poor small business owners and their plight with the economy. When I was in the military we had a credo, "Lead, follow, or get the hell out of the way". I believe its time for some of you to "get the hell out of the way"! There are plenty of people out there waiting in line to grab your market share of business, so quit whining and let a good and fair business manager take over. Do the right thing, YOU take some of the hit and hire some people back!
As for Mitch McConnel...its very simple...F*** you and the horse you rode in on!
@newdayDAWNING10 I think we both know that even if a Tea Partier told people to "Tea bag" a senator, meaning to send a tea bag with a letter. The derogatory and disgusting liberal use of the term is just childish and demeaning. Following your logic it would be OK to refer to black people using the "N" word just because they use it themselves as a term of endearment.
They meant it one way, you are twisting it another, and it's getting repeated by grade school children. Please don't play stupid, although I'm starting to think that's a foregone conclusion in this case.
Other food for thought....a "Teabagger" is the person in the delivering position, wouldn't that make you the person receiving? You may want to rethink your use of the term.
Well to the newly elected Republican party, you repeal everything and accomplish nothing as always, you would destroy the policy set into motion the destruction of our way of life. Thus you may bring down the country in such a way that the American people will turn on you as I will. Your not going to change the way we live by your back stabbing ways. The elected official of today are for themselves only and they will cut off the people you are here to serve and serve your evil and vial self instead. And Palin will never become President, and there is not one person in governemnt today who is not tainted by companies money. I hate the way our government acts when a election is done.
This is American. I love how the people of our society are more open to negotiations than our leaders. I would hope our leaders read this and take some advice on how negotiations are done. But that being said there to busy digging up dirt for the next election.
Maybe a new amendment should be made to spank the career politicians when they forget to represent the interest of those who put them there. A public one that there pants are pulled down and they are humiliated. This would let them know how the people who put them there feel.
I wonder what the GOP was working on for the past two years, were they at all concerned about the American people, Don't think so, they were fixated on making Obama fail and that was all that they were concerned with, now what makes anyone think they will change now ....... What a joke of a political party, all they do is sit on their asses, people that voted for them will learn the hard way I guess .....
"President Obama talked about the need to work together, Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell is taking a different tack."
Sen McConnell needs to be replaced by another Senator as the minority leader; we didn't vote Republican just to have him be obstinate.
you are amazing. after 8 years of driving our economy into a recession changes are made to bring it back and after 2 years of those you think that with full control of the government there was enough power to turn it completely around?
This is was just stupid republican rhetoric. In the mean time the health insurance executives continue to make money hand over fist undeservedly and no does anything to get it under control. The only thing wrong with the health care overhaul is that the public option was removed. The insurance industry and the legal industry in this nation are the only two industries in this country that make outrageous profits and return nothing to their customers and people with your attitude are the cause.
WAKE UP and quit giving all these thieves money.
Can I get some help in the Obama agenda: Somber and reflective article?
There is some very offensive langage there.
It is not now and never was about the American people. It has always been about partisan politics and preventing Obama from doing anything. People are just plain stupid for believing the lies. If they don't get smart by 2012, God help us.
I just don't understand how reasonable people can even think this nonsense.
As if the financial crisis wasn't written in stone after the housing crisis, which was built from 2001 to 2006 and started crumbling in early 2007. The Recession was IN THE CARDS by 2006/2007 and there really wasn't any escaping it. Yet somehow people want to lump all the blame at the feet of the Democrats who didn't take the house until 2007 and the White House/Senate until 2009 (No, the D's did not take the senate in 2007, they would have needed a vote from Lieberman which was NOT going to happen). The D's did not have any real power until AFTER the crisis had already happened, yet American's are blaming them for CAUSING it. WTF?
Do the D's deserve some blame, of course! But should they get MORE than the party that held all the power while the crisis was being manufactured? Hell no!
And if tuesday was any indication, the countries already forget EVERYTHING that happened prior to 2007. The D's deserved to lose on tuesday for being weak, shameful, and corporatist sell-outs, but make no mistake, the Republicans have no interest in solving our problems....
Sorry, Sumguy, the one twisting the meaning is you. The "teabaggers" picked their name. It is appropriate given their level of knowledge of anything including the Constitution. They made a happy choice that tells us exactly what and who they are. Who are you to quarrel with what they know about themselves? My point stands. You have a problem with the name, take it up with the "teabaggers". They know themselves better than you seem to.
republiCON=Weapons of Mass Destruction
Excellent post, Bev. Rebuttal is on point!
"He wants capitalism with controls on greed." Ron Indiana; perfectly written.
Bev.... Excellent Post. The last thing we need is political games. They play this constant political chess game. Every move is designed to secure their party in office not on what is best for America and it's citizens. People are fed up and angry. They better learn to work together and move us forward or they will be out in two years as well. We should no longer be tolerant of this kind of behavior.
There should never be a one party government.
"Republicans are responsible for every ill that has ever befallen mankind. Blah, blah, blah."
Do the dems on here ever do anything besides coming here and posting the same crap to the same people so they can get the same "I completely agree with you" reply?
Apparently not.
Sumguy keeps perpetuating the myth that "teabagger" was first used by those dastardly liberals as a derogatory term.
Sorry, sir, but you are flat-assed wrong, and it's not surprising when one sees the polls that show what the typical far-right-winger can't grasp or the patently stupid crap they believe and subscribe to.
As proof, here are the news articles describing the precise moment the teabaggers decided to Google their self-proclaimed name. But, like the high school girl that brags about being a slut, you're now upset that the name stuck.
First, I found the article by Andy Borowitz, but he's a humorist, so I let it pass. But, like Stewart and Colbert, it turns out that Borowitz uses the truth and makes a joke out of it (unlike The Onion that completely fabricates its stories):
Note the quote by Tracy Klugian...:
http://www.examiner.com/hollywood-culture-in-national/sarah-palin-teabagger-pals-seeking-new-name-after-doing-google-search-and-catching-on-to-slang
Here's a confirmation that teabaggers first used the term referring to themselves:
http://www.rawstory.com/rs/2010/05/nro-admmits-wing-coined-teabaggers/
The NRO is the National Review Online -a right wing publication. The article has a link to their story. And here's a chronology of events and the name teabagger. Please note:
"September 10 [2009]
"Badges with the message 'Proud to be a Tea Bagger' are still on sale at Tea Party events, according to an article written later in the year."
http://theweek.com/article/index/202620/the-evolution-of-the-word-tea-bagger
And for those of you that claim teabaggers aren't stupid racists, here's a pic of the Head Teabagger--Dale Robertson--holding a sign that says it all:
http://www.pensitoreview.com/2010/01/04/photo-shows-top-tea-bagger-holding-sign-with-n-word-which-he-misspelled/
Now, sir: please go look in a mirror and scream your pedantic "grow up!" Quit blaming those villianous "liberals" for every problem that comes along (your whining about what you were asked by a ten year old was just precious!). The liberals didn't start this, no matter how many times you stamp your little feet and claim otherwise.
Additionally, please have a clue when you post next time, or someone may mistake you for a lemming that quotes the latest talking point without thinking. (Notice that I said "please." Wouldn't want you to get your panties in a knot and claim I hurt your precious feelbads by being rude.)
DrowningGrover...Great post! Most people don't know and understand the timeline of this economic tragedy because they don't understand fiscal economics. Thanks!
Didi, all that tells me is that 47% of those polled still don't understand what is actually in the bill versus what they were told is in the bill.
No prexisting condition? Guaranteed to issue? Coverage for everyone! Awesome! this is a great bill!
No funding, taxed on what your employer pays toward your healthcare as income, medicare rationing, mandatory purchase of insurance, skyrocketing premiums for everyone, government takeover of student loans, government access to your bank accounts....oh and forget about getting coverage through your employer and having him pay toward it anymore...that's going away too (unless you work for one of the democratic babies like the government, ACORN or a union who got exemptions).
Oops....did Pelosi, Obama and Reid forget to address the increasing cost of care? Tort Reform? The cost of prescription drugs? The spike in the cost of medical equipment?
They absolutely didn't forget. They bent to the pharmaceutical companies and the trial lawyers.
If this law was so good for the American people, why did it have to get passed in the middle of the night before anyone could read what was in it on an obscure legislative trick? Why did it only pass after the President had multiple closed door meetings with his own party members? How much pork got put into it to buy those votes?
Please people, take the time to actually do some significant research. Look at both sides of the debate on this bill (and don't go to Fox for the other side - check out the American Medical Association, the National Federation for Independent Business, just find a source that outlines what the objections are in a fair manner). I have read the bill, read opinions on both sides, and did the math.
This bill was rushed, poorly thought out and the long term ramifications in means of debt and care are devastating. I agree we need to address the high cost of both healthcare and health insurance, but this bill does neither. In fact it exacerbates the situation and will drive the costs UP!
The fact that Obama refuses to listen to anyone on this and that he will veto any changes is the main reason he has to go in 2012 before the full effects of this terrible bill are felt nationally.
Don't believe me? Two provisions have gone in so far...(1) waiver of prexisting conditions on children under 18 - result: Insurance carriers have discontinued offering child only policies and (2) unlimited lifetime limits - result: 20+% increase in rates.
This trend of adverse reaction will continue as the heftier parts of the bill are enacted over the next 3 years.
I wish you were correct in saying this, but unfortunately the American idiots voted FOR this, not against it. They allowed fear and lies and billion dollar orginizations (both foreign and domestic) to corrupt this election.
There is a fictional character in a favorite book of mine that tells the main character "People are stupid. They are willing to believe a lie because they fear it is true, or because they want it to be true." ~Terry Goodkind, "The Sword of Truth"
All of the good points that have been made here have been mocked by conservatives that have retorted those very points. I wonder if that is because they find the truth to be funny, since they live a lie on a daily basis.
OK GOP. You got your way.
NOW,....show us something real. Make a positive difference FOR THE PEOPLE.
Do it.
No more talking. The stage is yours. Work your magic. You have our attention. You have the whole world's attention.
Can you give us some timeline of when things will improve ?
I know that a lot of countries believed in the actions being taken by our president Barack Obama.
Can you give us even a rough outline of the things that you will actually do that will make a real world difference FOR THE PEOPLE ?
Time will tell. We will all see the truth one way or the other. The whole world will recount the history of what came after this historic "REFERENDUM".
Our eyes and ears are open. Show the American public (and the world) what the wise and responsible GOP will do with the power given to them BY THE PEOPLE.
When we see what the GOP has actually done the with their power it will all be made clear.
The truth about the GOP will soon be seen BY THE PEOPLE.
We are waiting - wise and benificent GOP.
Shape the America that the world will see,....relative to the line of horse @!$%# that you talk.
It's your move.
to Sumguy, your child already had this term out there available to his/her ears, if your kid plays any FPS (first person shooter) games like halo or call of duty i can garentee that they have heard it b4 this. it is a commonly practiced method to instill shame to people who you have just killed in game. However if you are a good parent and do not let your 10 year old play games that they have no bussiness playing in the first place, then you have noone else to blame for your child hearing and asking about this term than the teabaggers themselves. They gave themselves this name which made it more widely used and available for your child to hear.
The Tea Party is a bunch of small minded creeps. I'm conservative and I call them teabagger; they've certainly earned it. Spare me the "omg my poor little angel had to hear this evil liberal word." What a load of crap.
And if you think that the shift in power will really "change" anything here, you're dead wrong, it pays all these people to keep things the way they are. While you all agrue talking points and issues they've fed you. McConnell said what he said because he knows it's what the extremes on the right want to hear. Grow up.
Having a middle-schooler repeat 'teabagger' is better than what my 6 year old repeats - 'those f**king liberal idiots'.
ed911
can you tell me why America owes an apology to barak obama ? he after all took it upon himself to go on his world apology tour and disrespect America and her citizens . wasn't it barak obama who told voters to " vote against their enemies " ? A GOOD president would seek to unite the nation not polarize it . you are right an apology is in line ...... to the American people
First of all, it's President Barack Obama; respect the title. Next Americans like you should apologize for the lies, hate, and bigotry.
Why didn't you righties ask Bush to apologize for kissing Saudi prince, tap dancing to the Saudi prince, or walking around hand in hand with the Saudi prince?
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QRhDzpJV2TM&feature=fvw
FYI: President Barack Obama is not the first president to bow. George Washington bowed.
President Richard Nixon, a Republican, can be seen in a Life magazine photo from 1971 bowing to Akihito's father, Emperor Hirohito.
President Richard M. Nixon's historic visit to China a rather deep bow to Mao Zedong.
Georgie was obeisant too in my opinion since he bent his head to kiss the prince
Why don't you chill out. Go suck on a slurpee.
MSNBC’s feisty redhead, Ed Schultz, of the Mr. Ed Show delivered the laughs last night, just as expected. He was “fired up”, calling out Barry to “fight the righties”. Even going so far as to say “If you don’t fight them, then you are just Jimmy Carter!!” I fell of my couch because I was laughing so hard at that one!! (Talk about ROTFLMAO!!!)
Next up was the Rev. Al who tried to talk Mr. Ed down off the ledge. You know the world has gone completely bonkers when the Rev. Al is a voice of reason!!!! The Rev. even closed with a statement that he was happy that he could participate in an “intervention” with Mr. Ed.
But, by far, the funniest line was from Las Vegas radio talk show host Heidi Harris who, when asked about Harry Reid’s election victory, responded “It’s hard to kill a cockroach.”
HAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHA!!!!!
Thanks for the entertaining laughs Mr. Ed. Keep up the good work.
Joe in Albany
MSNBC's feisty redhead, Ed Schultz, of the Mr. Ed Show delivered the laughs last night, just as expected. He was "fired up", calling out Barry to "fight the righties". Even going so far as to say "If you don't fight them, then you are just Jimmy Carter!!" I fell of my couch because I was laughing so hard at that one!! (Talk about ROTFLMAO!!!)
HEEHEEE
You're too funny, Ed was only doing what he always does. That is keep the eyes on the prize.
Don't forget the President is thinking while people like you are sleeping and smirking. The President gave you people a doggie bone to lick. He's exposing the hypocrisy and obstructionism of you repukes.
Actually Bev, Mr. Ed is "too funny". That's why I watch him.
As far as licking bones and "repukes": SUCKS to be a "REFUDIATED" lefty liberal like you these days.
HAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHA!!!!!!!!!
Obama's news conference showed one thing and one thing only: He just does not get it. He has no more a clue regarding his responsibilities and limitations than did Ms.Palin. Tenacity is an admirable trait, arrogant obstinence is not. This guy once described himself as a mutt. Well I would concur, and my guess is that it's a poodle / pit-bull mix, the only way to get him off your leg is a. punt or b. microwave.
Joe, on this one I have to agree... Ed Shultz has totally gone over the edge. I enjoyed listening to him when he first appeared as a guest, but since he's had his own show, it's gone downhill daily.
He is the epitome of what's wrong with our politics. I'll rate him with Rush, without the following.
Joe -
Your such a loser. It's people with your and your Repug cronies mentality that's taking this great Country down. Congratulations, hope you and your ilk are proud of yourselves.
Robin Steele
Tenacity is an admirable trait, arrogant obstinence is not. This guy once described himself as a mutt. Well I would concur, and my guess is that it's a poodle / pit-bull mix, the only way to get him off your leg is a. punt or b. microwave.
So then what does that make Silly Sarah? The GOP is blaming her persistent, arrogance, and lack of brains for their losses?
Speaking of animals , Sarah Palin, the screecher, is delusional and admits to thinking of herself as animals such as a grizzly bear and sometimes a pit bull. A-n-n-n-d she has been referred to as DoDo Bird.
Sarah Palin recieved the 2008 Rubber Dodo Award.
http://www.biologicaldiversity.org/news/press_releases/2008/palin-09-17-2008.html
That's tragic too since the DoDo is extinct because the DoDo bird was a dumb animal.
Now you'll have to get a job California Tom and have to move out of your parents basement.
HAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHA
Say, Joe, why do you think you're doing anyone any good by publicly shaming yourself? If you're setting yourself up as a role model I think it's backfired. Stay home, and take good care of Albany for us, will you?
very good robin steele---- so far you are the only one that truly gets it. if obama is allowed to hang out for another term, the will of the people will be as stifled as they have been. ms.palin obviously has much higher limitations than the mutt that needs microwaved, so the country can move forward.
Great. The Republicans won. And they are taunting the Democrats to be good losers. But they cannot even be good winners. Is THIS the way you "help" the country?! I don't think so.
Hey Tom hows that California Liberal crap working for you? I am sorry all you stoners didn't get your legal pot passed. Who knows maybe you will wake up and see that you guys are broke. We need to stop all funding to all the states that don't have a balanced budget and let them figure it out on there own
California Tom: If YOUR "California" name wasn't enough to discredit anything you say, YOUR inabilty to spell the word YOU'RE does the job.
iceprincess: You sound like YOU'RE a big Mr. Ed fan. Sucks to be you.
"It's hard to kill a Cockroach" AHAHAHAH What wonderful line. But Folks don't forget that Reid won because of the tea partier, Reid would have packed his stuff by now if it wasn't for tea bagger. Remember that most tea bagger candidates only won in the south or solid red states. Ran Paul won in the redneck Kentucky and they call it "Big victory for tea party" LOL....... A MONKEY will still win in that state or any other solid red states as long as it has "R" on its back. Try take on Midwest, West Coast, or North East and come up with a win and I'll call that a big victory for the tea party. Most of the Red that won in Midwest, West Coast or North East are not tea partiers, they are Republican GOP and I support them
Joe in Albany -
Yesterday, a number of liberals on here (myself included) willingly played along with your game about eating crow in the interest of good sportsmanship, fairness, some much-needed humor, and being generous enough to allow you to, well, "crow" about your party's victory. I believe IR in VA went so far as to compliment you on your sense of humor and express hope that it was a good sign for the ability of both sides to get along just a bit better in the future.
Today, I see you're back to "Sucks to be you".
So much for good sportsmanship.....
JoAnne, I use that only when the circumstance are appropriate and the iceprincess's comments to me called for it.
44101a... No one said that the number one priority is to re-elect Obama. The number one priority is for both parties to put their ego's aside and work together as they are paid to do. Their constant finger pointing and blame game seems to be the only game they play. This is not advancing us. While they play their stupid games we are losing America.
Enough is enough. People are sick of this.
Dear Mr. Mitch McConnell,
I think you are very much like a cockroach here in Kentucky as well, just like Mr. Reid. You have been in the Senate far too long and for the life of me I never understand why my fellow Kentuckians keep re-electing you. I voted Republican this election, but NO, Mr. McConnell, YOU are not what I voted for, nor your ideas. You would serve yourself and your party well if you just SHUT THE HELL up and let John Boehner or Marco Rubio do the talking, you opportunistic fame monger . I guess you are proof that the sun really can shine on the same dog's ass more than once...UGH. We want a balance of power so the politicians will start listening to the people they serve, and after only two days you are already acting like you haven't heard a thing??? Keep it up, Mr. McConnell, and you'll be out on your dog's ass too.
A humbled Obama looks to compromise
Let's all work together, he asks after the midterm election rout by GOP
FREE PRESS NEWS SERVICES
Read more: A humbled Obama looks to compromise | freep.com | Detroit Free Press http://www.freep.com/article/20101104/NEWS15/11040493/0/business#ixzz14JGqKM6y
Take Your Olive Branch and Shove It, Democrats
By Michelle Malkin | November 03, 2010 | 16:01
Read more: http://www.newsbusters.org/blogs/michelle-malkin/2010/11/03/take-your-olive-branch-and-shove-it-democrats#ixzz14JJE5kd3
Republican Conference Chairman Mike Pence (R-IN) vowing “no compromise” and Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell saying his first priority with a larger GOP caucus would be to beat President Obama in 2012
Appearing on CNN’s State of the Union yesterday, RNC Chairman Michael Steele echoed this obstructionist pledge.
From The Hill:
"This is not a time for compromise, and I can tell you that we will not compromise on our principles," Boehner said during an appearance on conservative Sean Hannity's radio show.
"I love Judd Gregg, but maybe he doesn't get it," Boehner said Wednesday in a rebuke to Gregg, the top Republican on budget issues in the Senate who's set to retire at the end of his term in January. "We're going to do everything — and I mean everything we can do — to kill it, stop it, slow it down, whatever we can."
Boehner did open the door to working with Obama, though he said it would have to be on Republicans' terms. "To the extent the president wants to work with us, in terms of our goals," the Ohio Republican explained, "we'd welcome his involvement."
______________________________________________________
As the fog of all the electioneering dissipates things are becoming a little clearer for me. Why here we all were running around thinking that we were trying to get us a some folks that would help We the People get us around that big old rock wedged in the path to the future so we could all go back to work and rest comfortably of an evening in the serenity of knowing that we had put in a good days and maybe have a job to get up and go to in the morning bright and early. It wasn’t about that at all was it?
Kind of looks like to me that we listened to all that rhetoric and a bunch of folks spent a whole bunch of money so somebody could go down and have Webster’s redefine “compromise”
Must be the new program to put folks back to work. Printing company is going to have to hire some folks to work the presses and box up and ship all those revised Dictionaries out the door. Might help some but I don’t think the printer’s have enough presses to keep enough folks busy to tick that 9.6 down more than a point or two. Course I guess if you look at it you could say that every little bit helps. Just can’t quite figure out where in my budget that I can find enough discretionary income to buy me a new copy.
Good Morning IR: Excellent as usual.
I've always believed it takes two to have a conversation and two to cooperate. It looks like our President is willing, but the other party wants the country to fail. Obstruction is the name of their game. When Republicans are in power, they do nothing to help the middle class, when they are not in power, they obstruct. No movement is their plan to govern.
Ron;
How true. The republican/tea party has drawn the line in the sand. They are not going to do anything to help America in the next two years. I have seen several articles that claim this is their design (agenda) moving forward. The theory is that if they can destroy Middle America they will win in 2012.
If this week is any indication, they may very well be correct. People will be angrier, more fearful and totally irrational. Not a good combination to make intelligent decisions.
We still do not have a clue as to what their plan is. Oh, we have the same rhetoric they have been spouting the last two years, but when asked for the specifics, no response. Now why is that?? President Obama is telling America what he wants to do and how, why can't these republicans tell us what they are going to do?
I have my suspects.
America is watching and time will tell.
Michelle Malkin is obviously one of the "Perpetual Pundit Conflicterators" that Jon Stewart spoke about at the rally on Saturday.
She didn't cause the problems but she keeps them from getting solved. Somone in the political arena needs to start acting like an adult and she's obviously not it.
Independent Redneck Va.
Take Your Olive Branch and Shove It, Democrats
It's great you've shown another reason not to believe the righties;IR.
I read it yesterday and was so appalled the "Culture of Corruption' author would have the audacity to be so partisan an antagonistic.
I've never been a fan of this anchor baby. To me she is the bitter platypus mouth for Fox Noise's Shuck Hannity show put their to increase hate, lies and smear for the minions who believe FOX.
The very fact that all Republicans are still saying "no" is an excellent time for the President to expose their forget unwillingness. But, it's shown me over and over again and again they don't want to govern. So I think the President and Democrats; not DINOs, should forgetdabout them and move this country forward.
Louis J, US Navy, Beverly, IR, excellent thoughts you've presented today. I cannot understand how republicans were elected when they did not present a coherent plan of action except the same, tired Reagan policies put on steroids by Bush 43.
You are right, Jody. You obviously don't have the ability to understand, so why should anyone bother trying? Excuse me for trying.
NEITHER the democrats nor republicans have the right mindset yet. None of them are thinking of the American people that elected them. None of them "get it." We the People want JOBS. We the People want SECURITY and SAFE BORDERS. We the People do NOT want trillions in debt handed down to future generations. We the People want America to be FIRST in the minds of our elected officials, and to KNOW they are doing everything in their power to help it's citizens. This nit-picking and finger pointing is useless and a waste of time. MOVE ON and FIX things. Stop trying to blame ANYONE and just MAKE IT BETTER. My CHILDREN listen better than any one of our current 'leaders.' Shame on all of them. Shame.
Republicans view working with democrats as selling your soul to the devil.
Besides, all that stuff you want, try doing all that with "a fiscal straight jacket" of lower taxes. Its damn near impossible.
Anytime I see people thinking the government is the solution to a problem, I think how did we get here? Usually a government program was the cause. Now more government is the solution? Try this, ask for a dollar and give the person 50 cents for their dollar and see how that works out for you?That's what the Federal Government does. What can a new House Majority do; first stop cap and trade ( raises costs of production you pay more ), second keep the tax code the same, third tackle health care reform (replace with portability, favorable tax treatment, purchase across state lines) lastly stop Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac. This is a pro consumer plan that does not add to government intrusion or cost. Lower taxes does not add to the deficit only spending does.
If you allow health insurance to sell across state lines, they will do the same thing the gangster banksters did, go to a state for their headquarters that allows them to charge you any amount for insurance and allow them to deny your claim any time they want to. That's why the banks have all this authority and charge the loan shark rates, because they incorporate in states that allow them to do it. Only state regs are preserving some consumer protection for average citizens, you allow health insurance companies to do that, bend over even more. As for the tax code, we were promised by the Bushies that the tax cuts for the wealthy would spur job growth, the Bush administration created had the worst job creation since Hoover, at the cost of the largest deficits in history. In fact, of the total national debt of the United States, 3/4 of it is from three Presidents, Reagan and the two Bushes And in spite of the recession the deficit under Obama was less than under Bush, and we're not losing 750, 000 jobs a month anymore.
James-546734
Republicans view working with democrats as selling your soul to the devil.
Besides, all that stuff you want, try doing all that with "a fiscal straight jacket" of lower taxes. Its damn near impossible.
You are so right; James.
NJMOM-990262
NEITHER the democrats nor republicans have the right mindset yet. None of them are thinking of the American people that elected them. None of them "get it." We the People want JOBS. We the People want SECURITY and SAFE BORDERS. We the People do NOT want trillions in debt handed down to future generations
You're half right; NJMOM
The President and the democrats not DINOS or republicans gave jobs.
The massive U.S. stimulus package put millions of people to work and boosted national output by hundreds of billions of dollars in the second quarter, the nonpartisan Congressional Budget Office said
http://www.reuters.com/article/idUSTRE67N55X20100824
Businesses want customers, not tax cuts. A business hires the right number of employees to meet demand. Having extra cash does not cause a business to hire, but a business that has a demand for what it does will find the money to hire
http://www.ourfuture.org/blog-entry/2010104007/its-lack-demand-stupid
The healthcare law which repubs wants to repeal reduces the deficit by $138 billion over 10 years and by $1.2 trillion over 20 years and gives the insurance companies 32 million customers.
http://wonkroom.thinkprogress.org/2010/03/18/new-cbo-score/
why would repubs want to repeal policies that allows children up to 26 yrs stay on their policies, not deny pre-existing conditions[ you do know its insurance companies not the government which denies service when you need it ?], limit increasing policies, right know without insurance companies are going up on their rates to exploit you before the law takes effect.
The U.S. has been deporting more immigrants under the Obama administration than during the enforcement peak of the Bush years, as agents have increased the pursuit of immigrants with criminal records.
http://www.orlandosentinel.com/news/os-immigration-enforcement-deportatio20101025,0,5659338.story
BTW: Senora Jan Brewer racist "papers please" law may be going to court because private prison companies "had a plan, a new business model to lock up illegal immigrants which became private prison companies which became the AZ immigration law. Thus, making a profit by any means necessary; namely brown people documented or undocumented. Ahhh, crime pays; huh particularly where Senora Jan Brewer is involved?
http://www.salon.com/news/politics/war_room/2010/10/28/prison_industry_arizona_law
IR: The Republicans have caused more problems in the past 2 years by their "NO" mentality than anything President Obama has done. Maybe he hasn't gone about it correctly in getting them to compromise, but he's tried in his own way. They are DETERMINED to get him out of office so that they can go back to funding their rich corporate cronies and to hell with you and I. My hope is that people will see this after 2 more years of their filibustering, tail dragging, etc. It took us MANY years to get to the sad place that we're in today....it's amazing that the GOP thinks that President Obama should have gotten us out of it in a short 2 years. Well, we'll see how far they go in the next 2 years, but I'm not holding my breath. They are still determined to do everything possible to make the current administration look bad....even at the expense of the lower and middle class. Apparently, we don't have the money to support their campaigns and the big corporations do -- so who do you think will benefit the most????
Absolutely correct Irishradical, and thanks for pointing it out. The "sell insurance across state lines" model is exactly the model that credit card issuers use. How'd that work out for the consumers?
Dasvet. Your world is an odd one. I do not understand how any voter would not ask their candidates tough questions, would not demand to know what their plan is, how they plan to implement it. But you see, that is because I think for myself and expect the candidates I support to be clear in their beliefs--telling me they'll cut spending without telling me exactly what they plan to cut isn't good enough, telling me they'll cut taxes without saying whose taxes isn't good enough, telling me they want small government without telling me what they plan to eliminate and what they plan to keep isn't good enough. I do, however, understand that voters such as you, apparently do not care about the details--if their party says it, it is ok. I am a democrat, a liberal because their ideology lines up with mine; however, I do not agree with everything they say or do just because they say or do it.
Where were all these vows of "togetherness" when the Democrats had the majority in both houses? I remember a sound bite from 2007 that said "the election is over, we won!" I might be taking that out of context but I believe the attitude in Congress has been "we don't need you, you are dismissed!"
The dems and pubs absolutely need to compromise and work together. If that can not be accomplished, there needs to be another house cleaning party in 2012.
The sun rose again today, people are at work, children in school. The shellacking was higher than some mid term elections but normal to every presidency especially those dealing with recessions. The higher numbers reflect the Great Recession. Contrary to what the right was saying yesterday--the election was not a referendum on President Obama; only 37% of voters said it was and that is roughly representative of the size of the GOP/TP. The majority of those who voted said it was about the economy.
Will the republicans do anything from now until January or even in January? That remains to be seen but judging from their statements yesterday--the change they claim is nothing but the same failed policies of Reagan's voodoo economics and Bush's expansion of those voodoo economics--give the biggest boost to the wealthy and let that trickle down to the rest; give big oil and coal, Wall Street and the powerful a free hand to steal and plunder the taxpayer. How'd that work out for America?
As for Mitch McConnell, how disgusting. The American people are hurting, the GOP claims to be in touch with the people yet their plan for the next two years is to ensure President Obama is a one-term president. I realize that political parties do this but to state it clearly to the people, even if it is to the right wing is just irresponsible stupidity. Careful McConnell, voters will toss your side out as quickly as they did the democrats if your side focuses on politics and power not people and the economy.
I saw another clip of the interview with former President Bush. Once again, I was reminded of a smart man who didn't give a damn, whose priorities and regrets are astonishingly shallow. This morning the sun rose and as someone said yesterday, I thanked God that Bush isn't president any more.
Good Morning Jody:
The Republicans now believe that being oppostional is a winning strategy. I firmly believe that ignoring America's problems and kicking the can down the road until something becomes a crisis will not win the hearts and minds of the electorate in 2012. But if they want to double down and do double nothing. Go for it. Gridlock is not a strategy to govern.
jody;
The republican agenda is the same as it was before they took over the House. NOTHING. They are convinced that if they can weaken or even destroy the middle class they will win in 2012. This is their goal and has been for the last 2 years.
There was a time when the U.S.A. was the shinning star in the World. We were first in manufacturing, technology, education and freedoms. This is no longer true. We have been replaced by China, Japan and India in manufacturing and technology. Our education in math and science barely ranks in the top 20 now. Freedoms - we now have people who disagree with somebody, beating them up and putting them in the hospital, handcuffing them and taken away to the steel chateau. I find this repugnant at best.
We have the republican party that basically declared war on the Democrats and anybody else that disagrees with them. Did not President Bush say something about this? You were either with him or against him, and if you were against him you were labeled as an _________— - What does that make them (the republican/teaparty)?
If there is no Middle Class, there in NO AMERICA.
Can this slide toward a third world country be stopped. I still think so, but the American people need to get involved. That means they need to be asking the hard questions and demanding answers. Do not let MSM think for you, or tell you how you should think. Stand up.
Amen, Jody. I find it illustrative when Bush was asked by Matt Lauer about his biggest regret in office, he did not mention the disasters that he was responsible for: 9/11, the failure to aid citizens after Katrina, lying us into war, no, his regret? Kanye West called him a racist. It makes a reasonable person wonder about Bush's disconnect from reality.
I will probably watch the interview with Bush just to hear what he has to say but seeing clips the last few days, the cowboy attitude, he was testy and the shallow thinking is astonishing--and the ever present smart-alec smirk. I think my aversion to Sarah Palin is related to Bush--they are remarkably similar, incurious, shallow, selfish--neither can pronouce the word "nuclear".
US Navy -- You say American People need to get involved... we need to stand up. How? To Who? We aren't really heard. Our elected officials SAY what is needed to be said to win, then turn around once elected and do NOTHING. How do we combat this?
I for one am DISGUSTED by the two-party establishment. There will never be bi-partisanship and we will always be faced with the same cyclical economic issues we have seen for generations. Rise and fall, no matter which party holds the house or senate. However I am in no position that I can see to CHANGE IT. No "reasonable persons" are running for any offices. None of us can afford to! We certainly can't lead an armed revolt-- who would we stand against? Every single elected official? Hardly possible...
What can we do to FIX THIS??? I don't have an answer - I don't have any suggestions... just frustration and hopes that someone out there can help, and that I can support him or her do it.
Allow me, NJMom -- The first thing you can do is contact MoveOn.Org. They have done astonishing things over the last 8 or 9 years simply by working on the grass-roots level. They do all their organizing online, and it saves huge amounts of money. They have local groups that organize rallys, fund-raisers, get out the vote campaigns, etc. I was in one of their temporary call centers when they had their campaign to make 6 million phone calls prior to the mid-terms of 2006. And unbelievably, they were successful with this! Because of those calls, they helped to put a lot of Dems into office in 06. That is what I call change and making a difference. MoveOn has NEVER accepted a single dollar from a corporation or a special interest group. They survive solely on donations from their 3 million members. Donations like I give, $15 here, maybe $20 there. Pay them a visit at www.MoveOn.org. You will be impressed. Their sister organization is Avaaz.org, which does exactly the same kind of work, but globally. And do not ever forget what the great Howard Zinn said. Democracy does not happen in Wash DC, or in the Capitol building or any state houses or court houses. It happens on the streets, with ordinary citizens working hard to make changes. That's Democracy. Good Luck, you should be a great asset to any bona fide grass-roots movement.
They have to say it was "A referrendam on Obama". Its another distraction away from what it really is... The People want their jobs back, they want to make money again! But the GOP has to call it something else because they don't have any intentions on helping the working class people. They dont know how without alienating their financial base. They only have plans to help the big corporations and bankers and moguls. Thats their base, always has been always will be. They just hide behind "conservative values" and "damn the evil liberals". Founding Fathers were the "evil liberals" 235 years ago, with their liberal ideas of fairness and freedoms and liberty.
When the House returns all of the defeated members return also it is called a lame duck session. We still have a Madame Speaker until January of 2011 then the shift takes place. The only thing the new incoming majority can do now is lay out their plans and see how receptive the public is to them.
NJMOM;
I hear you and I have the same frustrations. The political machine is broken. It has been stolen by Big Business and the Special Interest Groups on both sides. As long as Greed and Power is the goal of our elected officials this will continue to be hard times for all America. I wish I had some answers myself, other than throwing them all out, stop the undisclosed money and start over. No multi-millionaires need apply. They have not a clue about Middle Class America.
NJ Mom, I will add my voice to what has been said above. MoveOn is an excellent way to be involved.
The election in 2008 was won at the grass roots level. The election on Tuesday was lost in part because the grass roots interest was lost. We have to make this work again.
Stay involved, in any way, no matter how small. Read, learn, talk, make phone calls, contribute what you can in any form - money or time.
Jody:
Your condescending attitude toward people that are not as articulate as others is one of the reasons Democrats had their clocks cleaned the other day. Being articulate does not relate to being smart. I know a lot of real ARTICULATE BS'ers that can create a following like no other. I also know a lot of people that are considered simple by your definition that has more sense than Harvard graduates.
Your little smirky names that you call Bush still does not diminish what he has accomplished in life. If you believe you are smarter than this man, run for POTUS. Let us all see how far you get. I guess a person is shallow because he says " I aint going" insted of " I'm not going", both mean the same and give the same result.
I guess a person is incurious because he can care less about what someone in Mass thinks about Texas. Just because someone think Sports Illustrated is a more interesting read than a 5000 page book about John Adams does not make them incurious.
Have you ever thought that maybe people from different parts of the country have different dialects, so words do not sound the same? People from the South sound a lot different than northern ARTICULATE folk.
Bush is brushing all of his haters off his shoulders and laughing all the way to the bank. That is what the smirk is about.....lol......Bush is doing the damn thing and there is nothing you can do about it.
You know how shallow and empty the spoiled frat boy Bush is when he says the worst moment of his Presidency was when he was criticized by Kanye West. Hey Sociopath, you mean that that was worse than September 11th, when you, after being specifically warned about an attack, sat reading "MY PET GOAT" while 3000 people died. How about American citizens dying in a American city while you played air guitar during Katrina. How about the moment when you were told that the American economy was collapsing and thousands of Americans were losing their jobs, and the worst moment was Kanye West. Then he has the gall to say what he misses most about being President is being pampered, hell he's been pampered all his life.
In the Middle. Interesting approach but sorry, it doesn't work. I have never called Bush anything but his name, nor have I ever called Palin anything but her name; you have never read a post of mine in which I put down a FR poster for being inarticulate as you put it or for misspelled words or grammar, nor do I call people names. My opinion of Bush and Palin is my perception based on their own words, they are incurious and that is not derogatory, it simply means they make no effort to learn beyond what they choose to learn, they do not ask questions to get answers, they do not probe before making a decision or a statement. Many authors described Pres Bush with that term. Also note that I said Bush was smart but I added that he just didn't care. BTW, he does smirk--I didn't make that term up nor am I the first to use it but he smirks when he's uncomfortable or defensive and neither he or Palin make an effort to pronounce "nuclear" as anything other than nucular--that's incurious and unwilling to make the effort.
Am I allowed to refer to Sarah Palin by her official title, "Princess Dumbass of the Northwoods"?
So, we "threw the bums out", only to get new ones?
Meet the new boss, same as the old boss?
I would think that Republicans proving that they can govern, via helping the middle class, lowering the unemployment rate, fixing the home forclosure "tsunami", etc. etc. would have the ultimate result of putting the candidate of their choice into the WH in 2012.
I could be a coffeefilter (opposite of teabagger), and go rabid and say his comments are tantatmount to treason and anti-American...but then, I would be just like everyone on the other side of the political spectrum who said that, complete with Hitler moustache tagging and demands for birth certificates, and proof of Christianity.
Maybe we should elect leaders from now on who actually want to and care about our country, instead of their own agendas, special interests, retirements, consultant packages, etc.?
That would be change I could believe in, if only yes we could.
Values - American Values
I thought there was a fascinating interview last night with Lawrence O’Donnell and Adam Green, activist. This man should be in President Obama’s White House. I have not always agreed with Mr. Green’s tactics, but I admire him a great deal. He doesn’t go on tv moaning and whining. He doesn’t just go after President Obama and the Democrats and Republicans for attention. He is a man who goes out there and does the heavy lifting on the ground for not liberal policies, not progressive policies – just decent humane policies, for all.
And as Laurence Lewis wrote on DKos this morning, the liberals weren’t rejected on Tuesday. How could they be? No liberal policies were passed.
Adam Green said he doesn’t mind being called a liberal, but that he was a conservative moderate as well. As am I. And I got to thinking. What does Adam Green believe in? What is he out there fighting for? Just liberal legislation? No.
He's fighting for American values. And it’s a shame he has to fight so hard to get someone’s attention in Washington DC. He has it right. This has nothing to do with liberal, progressive, moderate, conservative legislation. He's looking for legislation that will help every single American in our nation, regardless of party.
Growing up the people I always admired were the anti-war protestors during Vietnam. The hippies I didn’t care for. I didn’t know what they were about. I never cared for the drugs or all that back then. But the anti-war protestors I admired. The civil rights marchers I admired. Women who had to go out and fight for equal rights, etc. How can you not admire them?
And I admire Adam Green. Hats off as well to Michael Moore.
Perhaps it’s time to start marching again for American values? The fact is, no one is listening right now. And whining and b!itching gets no one anywhere.
President Obama, we are happy you are our President. But you have become an insider, and that’s not what we wanted when we elected you. People need jobs. This should priority #1. Now. Forget the politics. Get people working.
Btw, there is already work on the ground here to unseat Scott Brown. Get goin' America.
“We are not afraid to entrust the American people with unpleasant facts, foreign ideas, alien philosophies, and competitive values. For a nation that is afraid to let its people judge the truth and falsehood in an open market is a nation that is afraid of its people.” John Fitzgerald Kennedy
Good Morning Pat:
Good to see you expressing our values. I too am happy Obama is our President...and you are right that he needs to listen to people outside the beltway. Creating jobs is job One. That should be his new mantra.
As far as Scott Brown goes, the Tea Party no longer likes him, and the Democrats what to defeat him. Looks like he is all dressed up and no place to go.
Good morning Pat;
You are correct. Concepts like honor, valor, morals and ethics have been deleted from our society to be replaced by Greed, Power, Lies and Deceit.
This is not good for America and it will lead to our mutual self destruction unless we act, and act soon.
Hi Ron, hope you're doing well.
The #1 reason I was drawn to Barack Obama was his stance against the Iraq War. My #2 reason was I wanted to see him do something with these once vibrant cities and towns that have become ghost towns.
I don't know the answers. I don't pretend to. But I want to see some progress. I want to see people feel good about their lives again. We have all learned a lesson about debt and the idea that we can have it all.
We can't have it all. Nor do we want it all. We just want to see a once again vibrant America with decent wages.
Without the exploitation from the greedy.
In other words - We want our country back. Where we look out for each other. And inspire each other. Where everyone is treated with equality and respect.
Perhaps as Americans we can all play a role in doing something good for each other. Instead of constantly berating each other.
Good morning to you as well US Navy. Keep writing. You are such a valued poster here.
Pat, Boston, MA
President Obama, we are happy you are our President. But you have become an insider, and that’s not what we wanted when we elected you. People need jobs. This should priority #1. Now. Forget the politics. Get people working.
Excellent Pat.
Your post validates exactly what I've said...
If republicans want to represent the voices of the people; then repealing healthcare and impeaching the President should not be 1!! Jobs should be.
#2 - Thu Nov 4, 2010 9:17 AM EDT
So if that's # 1 with America why is Boehnor and Mitchell not implenmenting jobs. Hmmm smacks of 3 things to me; power, greed and obstruction i.e. make the Prez 1 term and do nothing but it instead of the peoples' business. I can't let that happen
Thank you Beverly. I hope people will remember that our governor, Deval Patrick was re-elected against all odds, not because he took the low road. But because he took the high road. His ads said he knew people in MA were hurting. But he continued to say that people all across our nation were hurting.
Politics is local. Keep Rove out. He knows nor cares nothing about my state or your state or anyone's state. Don't let him come in in 2012 and attempt to firebomb the airways with lies. Listen to your own governors, your own Senators and Mayors. Listen to what they have to say and what they are doing to make things better.
Karl Rove hasn't a clue how to fix anything. It is always left up to us to fix what he breaks. Year after year after year.
And if the GOP don't help President Obama with jobs, they are done in 2012. It's a presidential year. More people will be voting. And most people in this country are Democrats.
They are not tea baggers (who in truth, they are republicans in disguise). When McCain won his primary, I knew the teabaggers were NOT going after the GOP establishment. They were always going after President Obama.
It only took one day to get back to the same ol same ol, griping and bitching over which "party" won or is better. The first words out of each and every one of these goons should have been about the economy, jobs, and immigrants who are bringing things down. Instead they just put another dog in the pony show and try to fight to "win". Don't these people know who they work for? Until they do something important for us they will all get voted out again. Don't they ever think that we just voted for the best person? NO, it's always about the party this the party that. I hope all the best choices in the next round are independant and people will start voting all these crooked old cronies out.
Don, don't you remember one half of our government decided to say NO to everything? Did they push their rich CEO's to hire people when they were collecting their money from them? No. The subject never came up.
The GOP did nothing. Zero. President Obama has tried working with them and corporate America. They aren't interested in hiring people. They're interested in no taxes and shipping jobs overseas and no regulations. It's been going on for decades.
The wealthy just bought an election, instead of hiring people. Now the GOP have to answer not to us, but to their rich benefactors.
That's how far down our democracy has gone down.
Good Morning Pat, as always great post. I congratulate you and the good people of the Commonwealth of Massachusetts for reelecting Duval Patrick, his win was a bright light on a dark night especially as he had many challengers. I sent him a note of congratulations, well done. Same goes for Lincoln Chaffee in Rhode Island, he is a good man too. His win as an independent and former moderate Republican was a testimony to his strenght of character.
Pat, Boston, thank you for a great post!
It inspires me to continue to speak out for what the country can and should be. Despite those who would confuse the issues.
I know someone didn't just say that MOST of America is Democrat.........
I don't know what America you live in.
This country is Center-Right whether you want to accept it or not.
Liberalism constantly gets rejected. It not only lost nationally but the vast majority of state houses and governorships are Republican now and re-districting is coming in 2012.
Center right? Clinton wins twice. Gore wins the popular vote. Kerry probably won except he didn't fight the results. Barack Obama won and will most likely win again.
This country is not center right. Get over yourselves. Most people in this country are Democrats. They get painted as libs, and every single obnoxious name you can think up. But they're just people with families who are trying to stay ahead. And they want equality for all.
There is nothing liberal about them. They're just Americans. Who want to take pride in America.
btw, the unions helped Senator Reid and our Governor Deval Patrick. Working people. That's why the GOP despise them. They organize to help good candidates.
And someone I'm seeing on tv a lot and really admire a lot - Al Sharpton. He is honest, passionate and cares deeply about this country.
Karl Rove just buys what he needs.
Thanks Texas millionaires. You bought off the plumbers who broke into the Watergate in '72.
Gingerbread and fielden: Thank you. People are counting us out. We're not out. We need to all get on the same page leading up to 2012. The Republican Party did nothing while in office except run up huge over the top deficits. Shipped jobs over seas. Started a war in a country we had no business being in. They're trying to take away the importance of education. And on and on and on.
We've seen their policies and their results. It's unAmerican.
The GOP do not share Democratic values. We need to make that very very clear. President Obama needs to make this clear.
Crystal clear.
it is time to retire mcconnell, start the investigations of him asap. people want to the government to work for them not for their political ambitions. and if mcconnell wants to repeal health care then start with his and the rest of congress. after all big money awarded the party of no for two years of nothing. let the big money supplement their health care
A few days late, but friends just sent me pictures of some of the signs they saw at Jon Stewart's Rally to Restore Sanity over the weekend. My favorites:
"What Do We Want? Moderation! When Do We Want It? In A Reasonable Time Frame....."
"MARCH TO KEEP BEER ALIVE (oop, wait - wrong rally)"
"The Founding Fathers Fathered Anchor Babies"
"Don't Tread On Anybody - It Hurts!" (with stick figure of a guy with his foot on a woman's head)
"______— Are Comparable to Nazis:
a. Democrats
b. Republicans
c. Presidents I Dislike
d. People I Dislike
e. Nazi's" - (with a big red check mark here)
And my very favoritest sign?
"I Support Barack "Who's Sane" Obama!"
I'm thinking maybe this rally needs to be an annual event - until the day when hopefully we no longer need it.
I love that last one! I'm going to use it when someone shows up here and starts spouting about our "secretely Islamic" President.
The Nazi one made me snicker a bit.
I really, really wanted to attend the rally, but wound up being stuck in Pittsburgh over the Halloween weekend.
ED - I really, really wanted to go, too - got all set the night before (Metro map, comforatable shoes, etc.) then with everything else that's been going on in my life lately, the alarm went off the next morning and I couldn't even move, let alone get up and drive two hours each way. I still regret missing it.
By the way, speaking of being tired.....I kept having these really weird dreams all last night - something about John Boehner and mermaids and Andy Samberg and T-Pain on a yacht and some guy (was that you?) making copies at Kinko's and it was all kind of.....how can I put this......explicit? Thanks for the laugh yesterday!
I'm right beside you, Joanne. Perhaps we can talk Jon and Stephen into doing this annually. And it should definitely happen every year right before the election. (Or, since I'm sure it was extremely expensive to stage, maybe every 2 yrs, right at election time?) One of my favorite signs was "Make Awkward Sexual Advances, Not War" Thanks!
My pleasure, JoAnne. The only aim I've got is to spread the laughs~
Don, I realize the Tea Party is a novelty now, but the whole Beckian psychodrama is nothing but the crazy rantings of the John Birch Society, discredited 50 years ago and resurrected in an attempt to find something that sounds novel.
JoAnne, loved that last one, like JohnB I will 'steal' that for future reference. Glad you had a good time there, wish I could have gone there too.
I Love that last one:) here's another to add to the list;
republiCONS=Weapons of Mass Destruction
Due to Lack of Big Government intervention, big business outsourced hundreds of thousands of jobs to China and India! Due to lack of regulation, Big Business sold hundreds of thousands of toxic real estate, also to China and India. There is so much confusion that no one knows who really owns these mortgages and yet they claim Big Business can do a better job of taking care of the people and they want no Government interference! Amazing!
It's amazing to me the "fickleness" of the American people to go back and elect these GOP operatives that brought this country to the brink of ruin and catastrophe. Haven't they suffered enough? The GOP Party is obviously a group for big business and corporations and Not a group for the People! They are not even for small businesses, though they pretend to be. If they were for small business, then why are there so many large Wal-marts, Lowes, Home Depots, so that the small mom and pop operations are squeezed out of business. Democrats even have to fight the GOP to get them to extend UE benefits when needed, especially when GOP know that the jobs are just not here anymore due to their policies of outsourcing good jobs to China and India and not only the Jobs but Mortgages were sold to China and India also, that is why no one knows who owns these toxic mortgages.
GOP claim they want jobs, but to create jobs, one must investment in America and her infrastructure which by the way, creates jobs, jobs, jobs! Does anyone in the GOP Party have a heart or compassion for anyone or anything other than big business?
It further amazes me that our soon to be Speaker, John Boehner, Proudly stood side by side with a Nazi sympathizer, Ohio's Congressional Candidate, Rich Lott, who wears a Nazi uniform on the week-ends, a symbolism for "white supremacy" and one of our most darkest times on this planet, was not more criticized by the media!
I feel sorry for average Americans who continue to shoulder the tax burdens because the wealthy and big Corporations pay very little or no taxes at all due to tax loopholes, which is just another way of lying and cheating and getting over on the American people. If the American people want more money in their wallets, than they should go about getting the wealthy to pay their fair share once again.
And yes, we need Government!
Angellight;
Thank you for your post and shinning your light on your ideas. I agree and you may be the angel of reason.
We need a Roosevelt-style WPA and CCC. Put people to work and rebuild our deteriorating infrastructure. It's a win-win!
Or, maybe give a tax incentive to big corporations to hire people.
I'm not sure what the answer is, but I'm pretty sure it's not tax breaks for the top 1% of the population.
Angel: Standing O!
Is this the same big government whose regulators were watching porn on their computers during the financial meltdown of 2008?
Is this the same big government that passed a stimulus bill claiming it was for "shovel ready jobs" when there were none, and then used it to re-pave local roads that didn't need it? 700B+ of stimulus and I'll bet you can't name one large infrastructure project that has a purpose and a ROI value.
BTW As you demonize business, who do you work for? The benevolent big government? If so, just remember who pays your wages. I work in the private sector and I remember who pays mine every day.....and its not the company....its the customer.
The regulators were appointed by people who don't believe in government, the Bushies. We're not losing 750,000 any more, partly due to the stimulus bill. There are no customers, we've ignored our domestic market for 30 years, and it's been killing us. Our infrastructure is the worst in the industrialized and it's killing us and just as the government helped build the railroads and the interstate highway system, it has to do it again with high-speed rail, and improving and updating our highways and electrical grid. Our health insurance system has terrible outcomes and is so expensive it hurts start-ups. Businesses in other countries don't have to worry about health care costs.
Alan, I will demonize big business every single day. I work for one of the largest investment firms in the country, one that was recently bought by one of the largest banks in the country. Both received bailouts, ensuring the stability of both companies, and saving 330,000 jobs in the meantime. I'm personally still with a job because of that bailout (as is my husband). The bank/investment company, however, I have no good will toward. They are why the economy is where it is.
As far as "repaving local roads that didn't need it", well, you obviously haven't driven much in the Dallas/Fort Worth area. We have three major highways currently being built and/or expanded in thanks WHOLLY to the stimulus. Roads that over 2 million people drive on each way to work. I'd say that's a pretty good purpose and ROI already.
@IrishRadical
"Our infrastructure is the worst in the industrialized and it's killing us"
You have obviously never been to Ireland. Kerry to Dublin.....4 Hours (under 200 mile)
@shiny
I'm personally still with a job because of that bailout
So the government is still paying your wages? I'm guessing BOA and ML
So you'd be happier if shiny was out of work, since you don't like the government bailing out companies, you'd be content if more people were out of work, and there was even less demand than there is now. That'll help the economy a lot, more unemployment, more people not buying products. Repeat and rinse, I don't care who provides the jobs or how, as long as they pay enough money for families to survive, prosper and be upwardly mobile, if it has to be the government then so be it, I'll be happy to be taxed for that but not to pay off the rich for shipping jobs overseas. I'll be happy to be taxed for infrastructure improvement that provides jobs and makes it easier to do business. Apropos to that compare a small, semi-industrialized country like Ireland to the U.S. is almost beyond stupid.
Why should "we, the people" continue to pay the salaries of members of Congress who don't do their jobs? Why not take a page from Alaska's Joe Miller and make the salaries of each state's Congressional representatives come from the state government? That way, "we, the people" will have a more direct interest in the work our "employee" does, and will be more motivated to get them to act and be productive.
Kate, brilliant!
On the daily Rundown Chuck finely admitted that election was not anti incumbent since many of the "Tea Party" republicans who won Tuesday night were former members of congress. This whole movement was a crock from the beginning, Sold to Americans by the "liberal media"
The Republican Party has laid down their hand. They'll continue to whine about compromise and working across the aisle at the same time they refuse to do so. They'll tell a public that wants results NOW they're sorry, they overpromised and can only get results years from now.
The Conservative Movement has laid down their hand. They're cranking up the machinery of personal destruction as we speak, preparing unending hearings, witch hunts at a time the public desperately needs someone to do something for THEM. US, that should read, as we're all suffering from an economy that now will be further damaged by Conservatives running amuck, willing to serve us a heaping helping of the uncertainty they've complained about for almost 2 years.
Meanwhile the Chamber of Commerce is already raising anonymous contributions to complete their takeover of the political process and hand it over to the 2%. The election was 2 days ago and already the GOPTP is making it clear they don't see politics as a search for common ground. They see it as a fight to the death that will only end in one party rule with themselves as the victors.
Too bad.
John B:
Your comments reminded me that when President Obama (I think in his State of the Union address) disagreed with the Supreme Court's position and indicated that this ruling would allow foreign money to enter the election system, Judge Alito shook his head NO. Clearly money is being laundered by the CoC and the President was correct. You are spot-on. The system for electing government officials is now being corrupted.
By "clearly" you mean there is proof?
If they aren't, why are they working so hard to hide the sources of money being used to buy Republican politicians?
The Chamber of Commerce is abiding by current law. In this country, guilt must be proven with evidence. Innocence doesn't have to be proven.
Here are the top contributors to Barak Obama in 2008. Ron, I would like you to prove that none of this money came from abroad. I'll accept links as proof.
BTW Should I be suspicious that student loans were reformed and that the UOC was a top contributor? Could be payback!
University of California
$1,591,395
Goldman Sachs
$994,795
Harvard University
$854,747
Microsoft Corp
$833,617
Google Inc
$803,436
Citigroup Inc
$701,290
JPMorgan Chase & Co
$695,132
Time Warner
$590,084
Sidley Austin LLP
$588,598
Stanford University
$586,557
National Amusements Inc
$551,683
UBS AG
$543,219
Wilmerhale Llp
$542,618
Skadden, Arps et al
$530,839
IBM Corp
$528,822
Columbia University
$528,302
Morgan Stanley
$514,881
General Electric
$499,130
US Government
$494,820
OK, we get it. The Republican/Tea Party believes that anonymous funding of campaigns by deep pocket donors is somehow acceptable in a democracy. It was illegal until the Conservative bloc of the Supreme Court legalized it under the insane concept that money is speech. Money is bribery, and the Republican/Tea party believes in taking bribes.
None of which changes the fact that 84% of Americans believe that anonymous funding is inherently wrong and corrosive to our system of government.
Alan, Glad you listed Obama's donors, you can't list the Republican donors for this campaign because they're secret, and that's the point.
johnb - your non partisan link justifying your 84% and that the democrats haven't done the same.
irishradical - the devil is in the details alans numbers came from 2008 and the scotus decision was when??
 to vote
I find it rather strange that the folks complaing the loudest about the bad economy are those who are buying expensive houses (at rock bottom prices and bragging about it), driving brand new vehicles and hunker SUV's, and taking expensive vacations. What have they got to complain about? Not much except maybe, just maybe their conscious is finally kicking in and they are realizing that greed is not becomming - naw, never happen, they do enjoy their greed, yes indeed they do.
And somehow, in spite of the strapped budgets and worries over the lives of their children and grandchildren, they had extra money to send to Sharron Angle!
Wanting the best for yourself and your family is NOT greed. In fact what you call greed fostered the greatest economy this world has ever seen. You seem to be mixed up, Onion Baby..
TN -- what on earth do you base this statement on?? I couldn't complain more about the economy! I have a too-small house in NJ and wish to God we could afford to let my 14 year old Ford give up the ghost. My family hasn't EVER been on a vacation that didn't include the phrase "Day Trip" from the house. Thanks to cuts in pay for both my husband and myself, and then my layoff, I see no changes in the near or even distant future. Please keep ridiculous broad generalizations (which, btw, have no relevant bearing to the rest of the posts or the article) to a minimum.
and the unions got their extra money they contributed from who? Union bosses? LOL!
Start the cutting by cutting your own tax payer salary in half, pay the entire cost of your health insurance that you receive for life. Get out the checkbook and pay for the three trillion dollar war that is going to pay for itself. If we have to live within our means, than the people with the $ will have to pay for it. The rest of us don't have the extra $ hanging around. Give us another patriotic saying, a folksy one.
Not a bad start. Put term limits in the Constitution. Repeal Congress' ability to structure its own pay and then peg their pay to the median US income (around $44,390). Hey, if it's good enough for Social Security (COLA tied to economic factors) it's good enough for Congress. Pass intense campaign finance reform and drain as much money out of system as possible so people who really want to serve the public can get elected instead of greedy bastards.
Thats a good idea. Or require that no one currently in Congress can benefit from the pay increases they vote for.
janet - I believe it is already stated that pay raises are not to take place until the next election cycle.
term limits would be good as well as changing the election cycle/term of house members from 2 years to 4. Too much time spent on reelection campaigning ever two years. Congressmen have only from Jan 2011 to mid 2012 to create legislation before the emphasise turns to re-election.
ELECT ONLY INDEPENDENTS IN 2012.
Let's clean out every candidate in 2012 starting with McConnell. Get rid of the Tea Bag Party, Republican, and Democrat. If you run under any of those party names, you won't be elected. Go back and represent the people as an American and the needs of your communities... TRY voting based on what your majority tells you how they want you to vote. Not for your own personal gain.
I watched thAt press conference yesterday, and was struck by what Obama said, and did not say. He was 'humbled' by the results. Okay. Did he understand the message?
I do not think so.
In a sober tone, he continued the themes of the campaign, which were, the electorate was to stupid, or paralyzed by fear, to understand the good he had done. Does that sound like he is planning to follow Clinton's path?
He talks about compromise, but it is clear that he has no intention of compromising. By the way, guys, the AP poll you cite as evidence that the country is split on HCR is only ONE of the polls out there. MCClTchy, not exactly one with a republican house effect, found that closer to sixty per cent wanted repeal. Rasmussen found the same percentage for repeal.it will come up for a vote, and, if repeal fails, congress sill certainly defund the bureaucracies necessary for it's implementation. If it has to be left to the courts, so be it. Democrats deliberately left out a severance clause, so if the mandates are found to be unconstitutional, the whole ball of wax goes down in flames.
Still nom mention of the cost of Obama's latest excellent adventure? Two hundred million a day for ten days, for a grand total of two BILLION dollars. How about a little reporting, including what other president's have spent on like trips? I understand why you ignored this, say, last week- democrats did not need any more bad news - but what is stopping you now?
I guess paid propagandists do not function as professional journalists. Too bad. The Founders gave you constitutionally protected status, for which you have no regard. I cannot help but wonder, though, if it ever bothers you that unpaid bloggers do more to uncover the news that those with press credentials. It would certainly bother me.
Joe
I guess you didn't hear the other side say that they have no intention of compromising and that if the President wants to come over to "Their way of thinking" that he is welcome. How about they get off their lazy asses and do something productive for the citizens of this country? They have not effectively communicated any positive proposals to get the economy out of this funk other than to use the same stale line of tax cuts, discretionary spending cuts (with no specifics), and repeal, repeal, repeal. Show me what they are for and not against, show me what their plans for affecting positive change in our lives now that they hold a majority in the House. One other blogger reported that we should give them time, they just got elected, BS, they have had time to formulate ideas during the campaign cycle. If they cannot effectively enunciate those ideas, they really are empty suits who still want to spout party line garbage while they drag the US down with them. I sincerely hope that they are willing to compromise because if they do not, it is they who will quickly be escorted from their current self placed pedestal. The electorate asked for new ideas not the same garbage that they pushed on us from 2000-2006 that got us in the rut that we are in now.
It is PRESIDENT Obama. Denying him the title of office he earned will not change that. Whether or not you like the President, he has taken steps in the direction he said he would to get our country back on track. Whether you agree with his agenda or not, neither President Obama nor the President in 2012 (if it is not President Obama) will be able to solve our fiscal problems without a lot of individual pain -- you will have to pay more taxes or your granddaughter will. It's that simple.
...alright, Chris, so what does that tell you? Joe's point is valid and so is yours. The problem lies with the culture of our political system. We have two groups trying to one-up the other with no regard for anything save how it affects each of their respective images.
I fear the only hope we have is for change to come at the point of a sword rather than that of a pen.
the other side did not say that they would not compromise...mcconnell said it. Boehmer has said he wants to work with the president. And it certainly isn't like the dems worked with the repubs over the past two years, is it?
Tell us NJNB... How does it feel to be caught in yet another one of your lies?
You Mumbai fantasy has officially been DEBUNKED!
Did you happen to read where the article refers to common sense?
http://factcheck.org/2010/11/ask-factcheck-trip-to-mumbai/
Is the third time a charm? ;0)
Sparklystar: SERIOUSLY?!
McConnell has said he would not compromise. Boehner has said that he will repeal everything the President has done. The Tea Party wants to dismantle the government.
And it is the Republicans who have blocked nearly EVERY bill, proposal, initiative put before them for the past two years and beyond.
>And it certainly isn't like the dems worked with the repubs over the past two years, is it?
They worked with any Republican that was willing to talk with them. There were jsut very few. And the few that did usually found a reason to vote no anyway. Their strategy worked to get them elected this time, but I'm pretty sure they have a very short leash with the public. They better produce or else. If they keep focusing on distractions rather than the economy, they will get tossed out quick.
No one's reporting on it because the claim comes from one, unverified source, from a foreign nation) and the claim is ridiculously absurd. In fact, the numbers being tossed around are higher than the cost of the wars for the same amount of time. Again absurd.
Joe, this is the final straw between you and I. I have spent a couple of years trying to see your point of view, to understand and learn from the political differences between you and I.
You pushing this baseless story, obviously without doing any indepnedent research of your own, puts you into the 'defeat Obama at all costs. Integrity be damned!' sect.
I hope you and Joanna live happily ever after.
And for inquiring minds:
http://factcheck.org/2010/11/ask-factcheck-trip-to-mumbai/
So, I go to Fiesty's link, and am struck by the fact that factcheck says they have " not found a credible source to rebut the figure" , but, they still do not think it is true.
Oh, and the White House says it is inflated, but will not release the figures because of " security concerns".
So we are supposed to believe that enemies of this country can figure out security arrangements based on the cost? How brilliant of them. If that is true, we are doomed.
But, of course, it is not.
So, unless and until somebody in the media comes up with a figure that can be backed up by facts and not "it has to be inflated", I guess I will go with the government figures from the officials who ARE willing to speak up. They happen to be the hosts of this little expedition. And they rented him the hotel.
Keep that tin foil hat strapped on tight there NJNB...
Funny you skimmed right over the reference to common sense... not that I would expect anything less from you!
NONSENSE if much more your cup of tea...
No Jo, you people really can't help yourselves, can you?!
Here's what FactCheck REALLY says
Do you people have special scrambled decoder rings or something?! Get the facts straight!
Â
Â
OK, now that the GOP is in control of the house and Boehner says it's time for change. Well...let's see if this holds up and the GOP can walk the walk, not just talk the talk. The GOP has two years to make this change or we might see the Democrats back in both the house and the senate. Let's see how you do GOP in the next two years....the clock is ticking.Â
old 4th - actually the (R & D) have less than two years (jan 2011 to mid 2012 at best) as 2012 is a presidential election year. Really seems to be time for an amendment to the constitution for a 4 year term in the house as well as term limits for both the senate and house. What is good for the president should also be good for them.
It really sickens me to see headlines like "Republicans Stragegize on How to Stop Obama" ....and other such dribble. I thought our politicians were supposed to be working "for the good of the American prople"? Instead, all they concentrate on is which party has the power! This speaks volumes about eliminating the two party system. We need you people to work together, not against each other! The other night I heard a quote that we are "The United States of Amnesia". This has never been so true! We never learn.
Given what Obama and his like-mided radical politicians have done the last 2/4 years, I'd say stopping Obama initiatives would be the best way to get America back on the road towards economic recovery. First things and the most basic things first.
If you move into a dirty apartment that is infested with rats who are crapping up the place, are going to clean up first or get rid of the rats (and source of the crap) first?
And I bet you live in a gated community with inheritance money to live off of..... you @!$%#! Continue to embrace your fears of "the minorities taking over the U.S" and contribute to the U.S becoming a third world country. Good work!!!!!!!!!
GW, When your car has broken down and it is a blown tire, you replace that tire. Obama is that blown tire! No amount of bs from the left alters the fact that Obama is the front end of a movement to nationalize the private sector, therefore it is proper for those who don't like his agenda, to work to make him a one-termer. I just hope the country can survive until November, 2012, to get rid of him. His total ineptness at leadership of this country is appaling, but, in retrospect, how could Obama be expected to be successful with his totally inexperienced background as a community organizer?
What exactly has been privatized?
Not the banks.
Not the insurance companies.
Not the energy companies.
Not the auto industry, unless you want to say that Reagan nationalized Chrysler in the 1980s.
Another Conservative lie.
If the Repubs focus on getting rid of the prez for the next two years, that will be the main reason they lose next time. The Republican party is not popular (less popular than the Dems by most polls and much less popular than the President). They have been given a chance to see if they can govern and help solve the country's problems. If they focus on the wrong things, they get tossed out next time.
The big swings we've been seeing lately aren't because the country loves one party or the other - it is the country thrashing about trying to find something that works. The politicians have to decide whether to be part of the solution or part of the problem. So far, McConnel is choosing the latter.
johnb perhaps you don't understand the difference between "private sector" and "privatised", as it is 18.4 is rather lame and misleading.
Sorry, I posted without proofreading. Should have read "what exactly has been nationalized?"
What exactly has been nationalized? NOTHING
What a NON Story headline. of COURSE McConnell wants Obama to be a one term president. McConnel is a republican, and wants a republican president. Democrats wanted GWB, Reagan, etc, to be one term presidents. They're DEMOCRATS - that's what parties do - they want one of their own in the executive branch.
More and more, MSNBC is for peccerheds
Of course he WANTS Obama to be a one-term president. But, as a Senator, it is his responsibility not to destroy our country in the process. He has a moral obligation to put the welfare of Americans ahead of partisan politics. If he's not willing to accept that responsibility, he should resign and go work for Fox as a news commentator.
If Obama (or anyone else) comes up with good ideas to fix our economy and healthcare system, he should explore them with an open mind, not reject them simply because they might make Obama look good. Oil companies are accused of suppressing alternative energy advances. I wonder what Republicans are suppressing in order to make Obama look bad.
There are Republicans whose job it is to ensure that one of their own wins in 2012, Republican party officials concerned with elections and re-elections. McConnell's job is to be a legislator. He has made it clear he's more interested in election politics.
Find me a quote from Tom Daschle after the 2002 elections saying that he wanted Bush to be a 1 term president.
barry - nj - what rubish and how soon you forget the crap your beloved president and democratic party have done against their opposite numbers. So nice to see how you and other democrat supporters are trying to turn the democratic party into one of negativism.
So you and your buddies have lost the ability to pass legislation without opposition from the conservatives. Big deal! Now we get a chance to see if both parties can work for bipartisanship for legislation that will encourage economic growth. Up until january 2011 liberal and conservative comments will be lame. What transpires from January on will be relevent.
Really? Getting someone out of office is a priority of our elected officials? Does he not see that there are bigger issues than nursing a personal vendetta to accomplish? Look around, McConnell......this country has issues and your attitude is what got us in this mess.
There it is in a nut shell!!!!! The "do nothing "GOP is now going to DO something! They are going to do whatever it takes to get Obama out of office! How about the job you were sent there to do? Of course you can spin that to mean THE PEOPLE want you to get rid of Obama. You're not after the Dems, you're after OBAMA! How much can you hate? There is no work, no economy, trouble on our borders, and people without health care, so, you are going after a MAN! The man you should have gone after was BUSH!
Um, did you somehow read the election results as a validation of Obama's agenda? Cause, I have to tell you, that was not the message the electorate was sending.
I said, over a year ago, that this mid term was going to make 1994 look like a cakewalk.
When I can read the electorate better than the president, there is something wrong with the thinking in the White House.
I am so upset with the hate that continues in our country's political system. In our election of Obama
we took a big step in showing what America could do. I am amazed that so many people who are not
even at a middle class level still support some of the R politicians backed by soooo much money. It is destroying our middle class. I am proud to see that California was not totally bought out by money. Meg Whitman could have solved the states problems with just the money she spent on trying to be elected.
So you speak for an electorate now? A Republican "wave" is what happened, and clearly a lot of people are unhappy with the direction they perceive our country is going in.
But to say that the tens of millions that voted, voted for one reason is wrong. I despise the word "mandate" when used in regard to elections as well.
People want change, and they want it now. The economy is turning, but hasn't turned quickly enough. I think that is why so many are angry. They look at their balanced checkbooks and wonder why the U.S. is running a deficit. A person's checkbook and the government's finances, of course, are not the same thing, and the economy doesn't turn on a dime. I would argue that some of the anger is misguided and comes from impatience and/or ignorance (from both sides of the aisle).
That isn't to say that some people didn't vote out of spite for "Obama's policies," whatever you think they are. I just don't appreciate the news-narrative that the whole of the electorate voted for one reason. I voted with far more passion for propositions than for people; I think the process is the problem with government, and the people we send there aren't currently looking to change that it seems.
So this is the great GOP plan for the people. Dems, Reps, Tea Partiers, Leftists and Rightiasts are all the same. Just power hungry, egotistical, philandering, pieces of excrement. Then again, why would someone from an inbread state like Kentucky have any grasp on reality. What a deuche.
I see this is where all the Libs gather to share their newfound despair ... it's funny reading all of these posts. But the bottom line is, the Libs are VERY happy now that focus can be removed from the 2 years of permanently devastating Obama policies, and continued economic struggle can be blamed on Republican control of House. But if some ecomomic turnaround does occur (I don't see how it can any time soon given all the damage done and that still has yet to be enacted) I'm sure it will be because of Obama policies enacted in 09-10 ... you extreme libs are a piece of work and quite entertaining.
I'm glad that you are so full of yourself and your great republican idols. I challenge you to find any 5th grader who is not more intelligent than GW and the answer to that is why we find ourselves where we are right now. Now that the "Great" State of Texas has re-elected Gov Perry can you please secede now and save the rest of us from your idiocy, you are dragging the nations average IQ down as we speak.
Sure, we'll secede - and take a quarter of America's economic output with us.
Not near as funny as red neck Republicans in red Gulf states with no jobs caused by BP and big oil's incompetence. hahahhaha Like Wiley Coyote or the Three Stooges Drill for Oil. BOOMMMM!
Sttexan........to those whom much is given, much is expected....so man up!
chris1563272 - it will surprise you that many 4th -5th graders are probably even smarter than obama as well.
They haven't learned how to lie or spin information like the politicians have or you yourself have.
gingerbread - seems that sttexan has, what is your excuse??
'Cause you have better better credentials than a Harvard education, editor of the law review, and working as a Constitutional Law professor?
It would be worth it. Go.
john b - the pedigree you suggest are hardly the qualifications for an effective leader. We have just seen how well his leadership skills have played out to the general populace. Perhaps the following link will better illustrate this:
http://www.newsweek.com/2010/09/12/fineman-what-went-wrong-for-obama-and-the-dems.html?GT1=43002ml
My, my, fielden! So eager to see the nation splinter and fracture - aren't you a good little Confederate? ;p
Tell me, do you also hate black people? 8D
One pundit's opinion, american.
Here we go is right. Here we go - nowhere - fast. The Republican snookered the Tea Party to play directly into their hands. Lifetime politicians like McConnell are now in a better position to hold America hostage by doing nothing but naysaying. You will see gridlock like never before, and it couldn't come at a worse time.
They have come up with nothing the last ten years, and they will continue to do nothing. Meanwhile, the housing market is in shambles, job creation is tepid, and unrest grows.
They don't give a damn about anything but themselves, and they are far worse than the liberals they decry.
Makes me sick how "bought" the public is by fox news....what is the matter with you people? Can you honestly believe that this refusal to do anything but bring the president down is good for the country?
I cant wait until you all choke on your teabags, too bad the rest of us have to go along for the ride.
You do know you are on MSNBC don't you????
And yes, stopping the obama agenda is the best strategy for America...
The message was loud and clear if you didn't notice the elections this week...
Yes, the message was loud and clear. It was a referendum on the economy. http://dailycaller.com/2010/11/02/exit-poll-economy-dominates-voters-worries/
Too bad Conservatives heard "It was a call to destroy Barack Obama and the Democratic Party" instead of "Fix the economy."
John B. With 17 new controlled Republican state legislatures, ten new Republican governors, 60 new Republican house members and 6 new Senate Republicans I don't disagree that the election was about the economy. The face of the economy is Obama. The healthcare bill is opposed by many states. These state legislatures and governors are saying the Feds have dumped the cost of the healthcare bill on the states or put another way, the state governments cannot afford the healthcare. Neither can those who are working and getting a paycheck in the private sector. Healthcare bill unfolds over several years, each year it is more onerous for the individual and the states. Quite honestly, I think the Senate made up of Democrats and Republicans will pass a healthcare bill recall and over ride an Obama veto.
Not enough people saw this coming, John. I did.
No compromise. To hell with America is the Republican message. Fix problems? Get people back to work? Fix housing? No. Start campaigning for 2010.
Ridiculous. And they call the other side partisan.
I think you meant 2012! and I am almost convinced that not a single Democrat is making any plans whatsover accordingly.
Starderup, I think you got it right. The way the right is talking still, it appears to me, as an outside observer, that the most important thing on their agenda is to get rid of Obama.
If true, I feel bad for ordinary people in your country because things are just going to get worse. Especially if the health care plan gets repealed. It might not be the greatest plan ever, but it's 100% better than what some forty million folks had before.
I doubt the health care system of any country in the world is perfect. They have to be tinkered and improved and changed always, but man, I sure would not like to live in a country that doesn't provide health care for it's citizens.
Anyway, good luck to the US now, it looks like you're gonna need luck because some of those new politicians.....whoa, scary. And the old farts who are still there are probably going to be mainly concerned with just keeping their jobs in the next election. Screw the country.