No way Ryan could have won with the Ryan Bill hanging around his neck. 80% of the people do not want Medicare or Medicaid repealed. They want the 2% to pay their fair share in taxes not less. He would represent just about everything that America does not want. He better worry about keeping his current seat.

I don't know Ryan's district stats, so it may be that he will survive a re-election challenge, but overall, Wisconsin doesn't look to be such a friendly place any more for the far right.

People keep forgetting how small the Tea Party really is. It has less than one-eighth of the seats in the House, and about one-fifth of the GOP membership. In the 2010 elections, while 22% of voters said their ballots were influenced by the Tea Party, 56% said they didn't care about the Tea Party at all. And the polls since have sustained that breakdown.

Ryan knows how to read the numbers, too - at least, those related to political prospects. His figures for his budget proposal are all skewed badly, he doesn't know his backside from a hole in the ground, in that respect. But the polling most assuredly showed him he was not in the game for U.S. Senate next year.

With Thompson in the Senate race on the Republican side, this all but guarantees the seat going from the Democrats to the Republicans in 2012. The "sleeping giant" the Liberals keep babbling about in Wisconsin just went into a terminal coma.

Dead men don't walk. he's got his BILL, an albatross, wrapped around his neck. poor ryan, the evil that men do........

Feisty,

Ryan is another Walker...the GOP/Tea party trots out these unknowns because they don't have the balls to stand up and propose these radical ideas for themselves.

The GOP/Tea party is feeding their own to the wolves.

My guess is Ryan could not win in a state-wide election and I'm doubting if he can win in his own district. As for Thompson, it's a toss-up. Depends on who the Democrats run.

With Thompson in the Senate race on the Republican side, this all but guarantees the seat going from the Democrats to the Republicans in 2012.

Question: How does Thompson plan on washing off the stench of "Bush Administration" from himself?

bob-1805084

Take the demagogue god himself, Obama - he is a millionaire and doesn't pay his share. Obama made $1.7 million and paid not the 35%, but 27%!

.................................................................

Look up itemized deductions on Wikipedia...they reduce your marginal tax rate and thus the amount of taxes you pay. Both he and his wife donated the proceeds from their books to charity both this year and last and had a huge carry forward credit. These "loopholes" are available to every taxpayer in America and have been for a very, very long time. He paid his fair share with no CPA tricks.

Ron, Ryan won his district by more than 2/3 of the vote total in November. In the last 4 elections his smallest margin was 62%. His stripes have not changed. The people who vote for him like what they see. There are many more of us who would LOVE the chance to vote for him in a statewide race. But I suspect Ryan is happy with the senior leadership role he holds in the house- better launch point for an eventual presidential bid than being the junior Senator from WI.

JoannaSmith1, do you live in Wisconsin? Do you know much about Gov. Thompson? He started the BadgerCare program that Gov. Walker wants to dismantle. He is 70 years old. He was popular in his day, he's part of the Bush wing of the GOP. He is no longer relevant to the Wisconsin GOP, dominated as it is by the Walker crowd. More than likely, it will be a state Rep. or Senator from the southeast part of the state who will run.

Now this is some funny STUFF! lol

Send in the clowns...

Yesterday, Newt Gingrich made his first trip to Iowa. From the looks of it, he did not receive a warm reception. Shortly after his arrival he was confronted by a Republican voter who was quite upset that Gingrich described the GOP budget plan as “right-wing social engineering” and “radical.”

Voter: Speaker Gingrich, what you just did to Paul Ryan is unforgivable.

Gingrich: I didn’t do anything to Paul Ryan!

Voter: Yes, you did. You undercut him and his allies in the house.

Gingrich: No, I –

Voter: You’re an embarrassment to our party.

Gingrich: I’m sorry you feel that way.

Voter: Why don’t you get out before you make a bigger fool of yourself.

Remarkably, the entire confrontation occurred while Gingrich and the voter were shaking hands. Watch it:

http://thinkprogress.org/2011/05/17/gingrich-fool/

*popcorn* time! ;o)

Feisty:

...and the hits just keep on coming...

Ryan is very concerned about the debt, that is all we hear from republican's.

Even a 5th grader can do the math on across the board tax cut's seeing the

transfer of wealth at 100 to 1. ( average for millionaire's)

Supply side, trickle down, Voodoo economics whatever you call it, lie after lie

by Fox news and Republican's.

Ira,

Again ..... did you refute anything?

GE's tax return was the electronic equivalent to 2,400 pages. The largest company in the world owed no taxes - actually qualified for a refund!

It was all legal, same loopholes that are available to any company, right?

What was your point?

I saw that clip and thought it was funny !

bob-1805084..

First my friend, stick to the topic. You were talking about Obama and, yes, I did answer you, fully and completely.

Want to talk about GE....

There are tax credits available to ALL companies for research and development..R&D. To spur innovation the IRS allows R&D costs to be deducted. Otherwise, who would invest billions for new products if they could never make their money back on them. Yes Bob...the R&D credits are available to all and REDUCE the tax liability of the company. It's easy to say they paid zero when you don't understand why or if you do try to make it seem they are cheating. They are the largest manufacturer in the world and they stay that way by inventing and patenting new products for a wide variety od industries.

Question: How does Thompson plan on washing off the stench of "Bush Administration" from himself?

Guess he can use the playbook Mitch Daniels used in Indiana. I think he got elected.

Not long after the Ryan budget was first proposed, several news analyses, later quoted widely in posts here, showed that the figures in the plan do not add up. Those discussion went into detail about the sources of Ryan's figures, and blew the budget assumptions apart.

Ryan's plan was exposed as a FAKE budget that actually adds trillions to the deficits in coming years, and would not achieve a "balance" for about 60 years!

But the massive chopping of public institutions and programs involved instead read like the ultra-right and Libertarian "wish list" compiled since the FDR Administration.

The Ryan budget, frankly, is an ideological instrument, not a serious effort to deal with the nation's fiscal issues.

There are better, more serious proposal available from the Democrats. That's the problem here - the rigid ideologues will NOT be parted from their "purity" in order to really attend to the nation's business.

Feisty- better pop up an extra batch o' that corn- nothing better than eating popcorn (and the old maids in the bottom of the bowl), unless it's watching Repubilcans eating their own.

Checking on some of my Wisconsin sources, I'm hearing that Doyle or Feingold could beat Thompson. What say you Anna Molly?

Nobody pays 35%. There are 6 buckets that your taxable income must pass through starting at 10% tax and ending at 35%. This blending of all 6 rates means that the highest rate of 35% can never be achieved, period.

What the President made and what his taxable income really is are two different animals. As noted above he is entitled to a variety of tax deductions etc that will yield his net taxable income that will than pass through the 6 separate calculations which gives the effective rate which will never be 35%

(and the old maids in the bottom of the bowl),

Now, why did you have to go and drag JS1 into the conversation? lol

...and the hits just keep on coming...

You just have to roll with it baby...

GE has displayed an uncanny ability to loose tons of money in the U.S. ($6.5 billion loss in 2009), and make lots of money overseas (a $4.3 billion gain). They play this game by putting costs in high-tax countries and profits in low-tax countries. GE can also defer taxes on that overseas income indefinitely.

GE has $84 billion in overseas income parked indefinitely outside the U.S.

Gingrich calls this clever - why can't every average Taxpayer be "clever" as well?

How about taxing companies on domestic operations?

Bob,

Lower tax rate that brings in more revenue.

Why is this so difficult for you kids to understand?

If you bring in more tax revenues, you are in effect raising taxes, in the guise of lowering taxes. I thought in the same sentence Ryan talks about corporations paying too much taxes... then why does he want to raise taxes (in effect, closing loop-holes would do that).

But knowing republicans, we know that they are simply just trying to transfer tax burden to the poor...afterall, if corporations are taxed less as Ryan proposes, someone has to pick up the slack... or entitlements would need to get slashed. You can't eat your cake and have it republicans....i.e. you can't say we are lowering taxes and in the same breath say you will bring in more tax revenues... do they believe their constituents are that dumb? scratch that... they do.

Hey Ira,

I never said Obama cheated, I merely pointed out his hypocrisy.

Obama said the rich need to pay more, has even said something along the lines of "people like me need to pay more" ...... but - he didn't...... didn't even pay the 35% yet wants to push it to 38%.

Big deal, just another 3% his CPAs will find a way to not pay. Sheez ....... that is the purpose of CPAs.

Actually, GE like other corporations puts their profitable operations in low tax countries and their less profitable operations in high tax countries. They simply pay the lowest tax rate where they can and reap the biggest write-offs where they can.

Bottomline

UH OH!

These 'poor' guys are breaking their ankles coming out of the gate!

This won't go down well with the baggers & birthers... LMAO!

And while politicos predict that Thompson will enter the race as a front-runner, his moderate positions may give pause to conservative activists in the state:

– SUPPORTED THE INDIVIDUAL HEALTH MANDATE: During a symposium in Orlando in September 2008, Thompson said, “Just like people are required to have car insurance, they could be required to have health insurance.” In 2009, he walked back his support saying, “I’m not opposed to it, I just don’t think it’s the most practical way.” [Miami Herald, 3/23/2010; YouTube, 2/03/2009]

– SAID GOP SHOULDN’T PURSUE REPEALING HEALTH LAW: “When it’s all said and done, you’re not going to be able to repeal health care because President Obama is not going to sign it,” Thompson said during an appearance on CNBC in 2010. “And they don’t have enough votes to override a veto, so why push a cart uphill when you know it’s not going to be able to get to the top?” [CNBC, 11/02/2010]

– PROMOTES SECTIONS OF HEALTH LAW: “The Affordable Care Act gives great discretion to the CMS Administrator to experiment with alternative payment systems. CMS has created an “innovation center” and is looking for ideas,” Thompson wrote just last month. [Huffington Post, 4/20/2011]

– OPPOSES REP. PAUL RYAN’S (R-WI) MEDICARE PLAN: “Simply cutting Medicare isn’t the answer by any means. Instead, let’s focus on the most effective fiscal path forward with the least amount of impact on millions of seniors, their families and our broader economy. In other words, reform Medicare, don’t cut it,” Thompson wrote in April. [Huffington Post, 4/20/2011]

– DEVELOPED STATE’S MEDICAID PROGRAM: As governor in the 1990s, Thompson helped develop BadgerCare into one of the country’s most innovative and generous Medicaid program. [NPR, 2/23/2011]

http://thinkprogress.org/2011/05/17/thompson-individual-mandate/

Anyone need an antacid?

It didn't take long. Thompson is planning to run. It's unknown whether Feingold or Doyle will beat him.

So sad really - taxation is such a key to almost all of the topics we discuss, yet so many are just flat clueless.

bob-1805084..

Actually, GE like other corporations puts their profitable operations in low tax countries and their less profitable operations in high tax countries. They simply pay the lowest tax rate where they can and reap the biggest write-offs where they can.

..............................................................................

Actually Bob, GE is a US Corp and pays US taxes...

GE is a multinational conglomerate headquartered in Fairfield, Connecticut. Its New York main offices are located at 30 Rockefeller Plaza in Rockefeller Center, known as the GE Building.

With respect to Obama he paid his fair share. Did you want him to pay MORE than the tax code mandated? Why would he or for that matter anyone.

...and yes...Your entire post was an accusation that he cheated.

Still want to move the goal line or post total inaccuracies?

I think you are spot on Suzy. I'd rather have him in a leadership role in the House rather than a Jr. Senator.

So Suzy how is it looking up in Wisc. - the sleeping giant of labor unions awake, or asleep like with Prosser's re-election?

And really Ron, Feingold just got smoked by a newbie. Why in earth would he run again? Maybe if Prosser had lost and the unions folks had some momentum, but that's just not the case.

bob-1805084

Take the demagogue god himself, Obama - he is a millionaire and doesn't pay his share. Obama made $1.7 million and paid not the 35%, but 27%!

How about your stupid statement? Since the President made the proposal that means he too would be included in the rich whose taxes would go up; right Spanky?

Ah Ira - yes that is exactly the libbie lament. They want us to pay more than the code allows. They just do not want to do so themselves.

Ira having you around is going to be very helpful in these discussions. We can discuss the IRC, the legislative intent behind the particular codes and all kinds of fun stuff that just gets glossed over around here. I've tried in the past to talk about specific code sections, but alas, no one wanted to play along.

I mean come on, you think Feisty or bev has ever depreciated anything, filed a schedule C, or even seen a K-1?

Of course not.

The tax code is a mess. I think we can all agree on that. Even if we don't agree on the details.

I don't see how Obama's 3% is in any way similar to the enormous sum refunded to GE. Regardless of what R&D they did, regardless of what loopholes they exploited. Especially when we are continually told that supporting business and giving breaks to business "trickles down" to us. I don't see it.

Talk about hypocrisy...

Spanky..

Wow...you mean a real discussion that doesn't involve Alzheimer's disease? Never going to happen here. Fum, Fun, Fun.

BTW...that was a GOPer wanting Obama to pay more than the code allows.

Have a good day Spanky.

fielden if GE or any other company appropriately claims a deduction, exemption or depreciation, is that a "loophole?" Are they exploiting something, or are they complying with the law?

Take it up with those who write and are in charge of the tax code, not the taxpayers.

fielden...

The tax code is a mess. I think we can all agree on that. Even if we don't agree on the details.

.............................................................

That doesn't mean GE broke a single law when they filed their Corporate return. It may not be fair but it surely legal.

If you think that there's a snowballs chance in Texas that the code can be fixed you're crazy. Want to fix the code? Flat tax on corporations and individuals. EVERYONE pays the same. No deductions, no loopholes. If you remember, Goldwater proposed it in 1964.

Feisty,

I would really like to hear your ideas for cutting the deficit. I have been visiting this site for about a year now, and have never once heard you offer a plan for any of the country's problems.

I am for doing away with Obama's tax cuts for the wealthy. Cutting defense, and am for reducing farm and oil subsidies. I am also for raising the social security age, (except for manual laborers) and also for raising the 106,000. cap. I am also for the complete restructure of welfare and drug testing must be implemented for ALL welfare recipients.

I told you what I'm for, I'm sure you will find fault with it, BUT WHEN will you tell people what you are for, uhmmmmmmmmmmmmm? You always seem to find a find a way to make fun of people, and call them nasty names, but don't you have any ideas for saving the country?

IRA - I understand that it was bob, and you are certainly correct about Obama paying the appropriate amount - the lawful amount, but to bob's point I cite you to fielden, and all the libbies around here. You know- all this drivel about "fair share" and such.

Bottom line is for them is something they call "fair share." Now I have no idea what that is, but do understand they want us [and that includes you my New York lawyer friend] to pay more.

Now to me fair share is paying the legally required amount. Having you here, a bonifide tax lawyer is going to help wreck their little memes. They like you. Plus you tend to use facts, and reference the IRC so it not like they can refute anything you say.

Oh and don't worry - it's First Read, so the discussion will always be steered to silly crap - like Trump, Backmann, and of course Palin.

Oh no Ira - not the dreaded flat tax.

How coould that possibly be fair? You and me paying the same rate as Feisty and Bev.?

You are just being ridiculous.

I would really like to hear your ideas for cutting the deficit. I have been visiting this site for about a year now, and have never once heard you offer a plan for any of the country's problems.

Well then, you clearly haven't been paying attention!

You can click on my profile and you will see what I've proposed.

Funny thing is, I agree with you on the tax cuts, defense & subsidies...

I told you what I'm for, I'm sure you will find fault with it,

You really should give up playing the victim card janet, it's not a good look for you... ;o)

bob

Your criticism of President Obama not paying 35% of his income in taxes illustrates your lack of knowledge about the tax code.

• The 35% rate applies to the amount that exceeds $250,000. Therefore, the first $250K is taxed at a lower rate.
• Personal deductions such as mortgage interest, other taxes, medical expenses, donations to charity, etc., plus personal exemptions, are subtracted before any tax is levied.
• Capital gains investment income is taxed at a maximum rate of 15%

The fact is that most people in President Obama's tax bracket pay much less than 27% of their total income for taxes. Warren Buffet, the second richest person in the country has often said that he pays a lower tax rate than his secretary.

Ira,

I think Obama is an incompetent POS. Honest enough for you?

I did not say anywhere that he cheated on his taxes. Even an incompetent POS can get a CPA to reduce his taxes.

I thought you weren't as stupid as Feisty and Bev. Hopefully you are just having a bad day.

Anyway, my brain is starting to leak out my ear due to this mindless moronic conversation. Maybe we should resume this tommorrow.

Spanky-

This is going to be another bad day. I have to agree with you again.

You agree on the Flat Tax?

bob-1805084..

Deal...tomorrow.

BTW...this is ALL politics and NOTHING personal.

Even Spanky and JS1 and I can agree sometimes.

Feisty,

The reason I said that is you ALWAYS find fault with something that anyone says whom doesn't agree with you 100%. You are a very mean spirited person and as I have said before about you on this site, you only show how truely uneducated you must be, by calling people names and making fun of them. The Representative's correct title is Representative Ryan NOT Eddie Munster.

Of course the flat tax. Only way to take all the political crap out of the system, which is why it'll never, ever happen.

I wonder if we'll get anything here at FR on 1. the debt ceiling we hit yesterday, or 2. the fact that all those waivers just went to Pelosi's district?

See, like the IRC, the health care law and waiver system now favors certain employers against other employers that have to compete, but will now have to shoulder higher insurance costs.

But yet none of the libbies around here will even bat an eye.

The Representative's correct title is Representative Ryan NOT Eddie Munster.

WELL, I guess you sure TOLD me! LMAO!

BTW: You might want to check the vote totals before commenting on how many people are in agreement with your assessment & SAVE the liberal blog site BS, you're here aren't you?

Take the demagogue god himself, Obama - he is a millionaire and doesn't pay his share. Obama made $1.7 million and paid not the 35%, but 27%!

No one who is at the 35% tax level actually pays 35%. The ones that do have terrible accounts doing their taxes.

Too many loopholes ! no one pays what they are really supposed to - well...no one who knows what they are doing pays what they are supposed to.

I agree...FIX THIS FIRST BEFORE YOU MESS WITH MY BENEFITS !

And "yes"... this will be a "tax increase". Live with it

Spanky-..

There was a topic on the debt ceiling earlier today. No one posted to it...I did. It's not what you think though but look at it.

With respect to the healthcare laws favoring certain employers...I assume you mean small business owners. Spanky, that would have to be one hell of a small business to fall within the HCR provisions. Remember there is both a revenue and number of employee requirement. The deli owner at the corner is NOT going to be affected...unless it's the Stage Deli in NY. You need to try their pastrami.

Please...I know you do this for effect but stop with the libbies stuff. You're way smarter than that.

@Bob

First you need to get out your calculator. President Obama filed a return on 1.7 Million. He paid taxes over $470,000. Therefore, that is 35%. Why doncha' just sometime ever really use your brain! All you do is spout anti-Obama rhetoric.

As to us being polite to the Republicans at Town Halls, gee, I don't remember them pushing politeness and not hollering at Town Halls when the Health Care Reform bill was being talked about. If anything they prodded their constituents to go to those town halls and scream their guts out. Senator Grassley (who should certainly be leader of his party) stood at town halls and lied that it would "pull the plug on grandma". So astute! Joe Wilson at a joint meeting called the President a liar. Joe "you lie" Wilson will go down in infamy, yet he is one of your leadership. So astute! Democrats are tired of turning the other cheek, of being bullied, so Mr. Ryan, you get yours now - and from your very own party and your very own Republican constituents. How's them apples?

Mr. Ryan said, "we have led, where others have not".

A line for those of us hoping for a little bit -any kind -a glimmer, a speck, a snowflake, a quantum unit of reality or relative truth from R elected officials.

First they are both Republican...................not to popular in the Dairy State right now.

when thee tea party bussed people from town hall meeting to town hall meeting for the purpose of shouting down democrats there was no out cry from the republican leadership now that it happens to republicans the outraged constituents are called thugs and told to leave meetings .. only in america

@Spanky, Bob numbers, Fiesty others: I too think a true revenue tax would solve a myriad of problems. Like you, Spanky, I don't think it will ever happen. There are too many vested interests in making sure that the I got mine (hidden away at subparagraph (c)(iii)(A)(2) of code section 43(b) as amended by the omnibus reconciliation act of 2003) crowd never has there's taken away.

The few who pay nothing or actually get refunds from the government will prevent any meaningful reform of the tax code.

Some real advantages to tax code reform in the nature of a flat revenue tax would be to require government to encourage positive growth in the economy and to make cuts when revenues fall.

Ryan knows he can't win the Senate and I'm sure has fears for his Congressional seat. He flat out lied on Good Morning America. When asked how his townhall meetings went last time home, he said, "They went just great!" Yeah, great when he had to sneak out the back door for fear the angry crowd would get a hold of him. My oldest son, is on the board of directors of United Wisconsin, helping lead the recall of Walker, and there will be a lot of money coming into Wis. from numerous nat'l. orgs. We aren't taking this crap laying down anymore. Every Rethug. in Wis., watch your back, we're coming for you! And the voter turnout will be much higher come 2012. The people slept through the last election, they are not sleeping anymore! They are pissed and they are taking their state back!

Ursula-279622

I think Ryan tested the waters at his town halls and figured a bird in the hand was worth two in the bush!

Ryan like the rest of the T-baggers and "carnival barkers" know; especially now with monstrosity he called healthcare, he cannot win on hardly any issue. The economy is coming back slowly and people having Obamacare know it works

Maybe Paul Ryan is going to run for the Presidency? I think the Republicans are looking for a "White Knight," good looking far righter, and he certainly fits the bill.

Ryan had the gall recently to proclaim that his recent town hall meetings were completely satisfactory. He literally LIED about the events - and last night, Chris Matthews called him on it.

Interestingly, with the hard right ideologues demanding absolute "purity," Ryan's budget proposal is forcing more moderate Republicans to reluctantaly toe the line. As a result, the Ryan budget has become the GOP and Tea Party "poison pill," and as long as the TP factions - small as they are - hold sway, then the GOP is doomed next year.

Couldn't happen to a more deserving bunch.

Rep. Ryan is much beloved in his district, but a statewide Senate election is a different matter, and I think Rep. Ryan can see that clearly. He would be giving up a sure thing for a very unsure run. This is not the year for a Rep. Ryan agenda across the entire state of Wisconsin.

John was it a few disgruntles or a mass of digruntles? It's hard to tell with the media, they can make a few look pretty signficant or a lot seem pretty insignificant if they want to.

I have two filters for all media.

One is for the person in favor of the subject or opinion - I put on the filter that eliminates the over glossy positives I'm being deluged with and make sure I hear someone not in favor of this subject or position.

The other is for the person who is not in favor of the subject. I filter out the negative language I'm being deluged with and make sure I hear someone in favor of the subject or position.

Sticking with one side or the other is like being stuck in a mud puddle. If you ever wander out, you might discover dry ground and find out that is much better than the murky mud.

Ryan is a total loser and a clown. Ryan is a little WORM like scott walker and their bill's was a mission to destroy the middle class. I have no respect for them.

You raise an interesing quesiton, there, RVZ.

It reminds me of the "Obama wants to destroy the country" statement. IF the country is destroyed, what's in it for him? Re election? Nope. A better and clean, safe place for his children to grow up in? Nope. A better place for him to make a decent living in? Nope.

I have to ask: What's in it for Obama to 'destroy America' as I hear so many right-wing talk show folks claim??

Interesting question, RVZ. But the facts don't support your argument.

Felden:

The man is not arguing anything. He asked a question. You just immediately went after him because he doesn't tow the ideological line YOU think he should. That is the what You are getting at with your response.

Felden:

"The man is not arguing anything. He asked a question. You just immediately went after him because he doesn't tow the ideological line YOU think he should. That is the what You are getting at with your response."

And YOUR response to Felden is.......???

I just intentionally voted for an RVZ post. I think the rapture IS tomorrow.

very funny stuff there, RVZ.

Ryan is, and will continue to be, our financial watchdog in the House for many years to come. We applaud his efforts and will use his outline as a guide to begin the really deep cuts in spending needed.

Edward: LOL, I haven't laughed so hard in a long time. Keep up the jokes.

"people having obamacare know it works"? i thought it didn't start for four or five years, wtf? over that's it keep drinking the water in the windy city.

I'd bet Feingold feels he has a better shot at the Governor's house after Walker is recalled. Not sure that he'd feel inclined to run for the Senate again, though I could be wrong. We won't know until the race officially kicks off!

I agree, Feingold would make an outstanding governor. The problem is who do the democrats have to replace Sen Kohl with?

Good morning, Grimey:

I bet Feingold runs...he'll gain back his popularity now that the GOP's true motives have surfaced.

Word on the street here is Feingold, Jim Doyle (our illustrious former governor) and Tom Barret (Milwaukee Mayor, lost to Walker in the governor's race) as the democratic front runners. There have been a couple other names floated around but I suspect the field of 3 will be the race.

Its going to be an interesting race. Kohl's seat seemed like a lost cause for Team Elephant for a long time and given Johnson's recent upset of Feingold there's a good chance a virtual unknown could enter from either side and shake things up in the state. I love a good open seat race.

Suzy: Thanks for the comment. I'm hearing similar comments all the way down here in Southern Indiana. BTW, isn't Thompson somewhere in his 70's. Wonder if he has that fire in his belly to run again? Just askin.

Its a pretty legit question Ron. There was a lot of speculation on Thompson running for Feingold's seat last year and he didn't want to bite. Got us a virtual unknown who mounted a surprisingly successful campaign for a seat we didn't think we'd win so at this point it's still anyone's guess what will happen. I think that Thompson holds a lot of name recognition which seems to be a big thing in WI politics- if you aren't known in Dane and Milwaukee counties you don't stand much chance in the southern part of the state but if you are a Dane or Milwaukee co. politician you don't stand much of a chance in the northern part of the state. Makes things terrible interesting to say the least!

Suzy: FYI Just read on Think Progress that Thompson is planning to run.

Stop exaggerating......... Are you from Wisc.?

I am from Wisconsin and remember that Tommy Thompson left Governor Doyle a $3.2 billion budget deficit.

Just to remind those outside Wisconsin, Tommy ran up this deficit while Republicans controlled Wisconsin.

Many states voted for Republicans in 2010 out of frustration with the slow recovery and interest in given the opposition a shot at improving things.

Oh boy. In Maine, we are seeing exactly what the Republican ideology looks like in practive. Monday, the Republican controlled majority passed a health insurance reform bill that was a valentine to the insurance industry. The woman in charge of regulating the industry in Maine promptly resigned. This bill allows insurance companies to charge three times as much for seniors' coverage and drops the requirement for in-network providers being with in an hour's drive for the insured. The upshot will be higher premiums for the elderly and those in the rural areas (ironically, those voters most likely to support Republicans.) The Republicans are banking on these changes lowering premiums for younger people, but there is no proof that this will work because they pushed the bill through so fast the appropriations committee didn't get a chance to produce the figures to support it. (The chairman of the appropriation committee, a much respected Republican, promptly resigned. (but he was talked into staying.)

Governor LePage will, of course, sign this bill, and then when it becomes clear the only result will be to raise the insurance companies profits, Maine will go solid blue in 2012. You heard it here first.

and that is a big surprise? how many electoral votes do the Moose get? NC and Fla will be the crucial states in 2012.

Sue:

[Paul Ryan has fed at the public trough for over half of his adult life]

http://www.politicususa.com/en/paul-ryan-social-security

and.........So what? This is the career path HE chose. You have the same opportunity in America.

I'm quite sure most of those clowns in the Congress on both sides have lived off of the Govt. tit most of their lives. The U.S. Senate looks like a senior citizens home.

Middle - Don't know your political leaning, just guessing your a righty, but Ryan has been elected to 7 terms in the HR, doesn't that make him a career politician. I always hear those on the right rant and rave, retire the bums, hopefully his constituents follow through and show him the door.

Seattle Sue - Paul Ryan will be well taken care of by "The Heritage Foundation" That's were failed Republicans go like John Bolton, Liz Cheney, etc to get their living expenses paid for, then there's always Faux News They all take care of their own, by the way the Heritage Foundation gave Ryan the blueprint for his "kill Medicare" plan

We all know the great majority of citizens want Medicare changed so it's no longer a guaranteed entitlement program.

You got something to back up that bullsh!t?

This is what I found:

Most Americans oppose the big spending cuts that many in Washington see as necessary to bring down the budget deficit, a new poll suggests, but they do support one idea for deficit reduction that President Barack Obama has pushed for years — raising taxes on the rich.

Only small slivers of the group of Americans surveyed for a Washington Post/ABC News poll released Wednesday said they support cuts to Medicare and Medicaid — 21 percent and 30 percent, respectively — and cuts to defense spending get the support of 42 percent of those surveyed. Seventy-eight percent of Americans are opposed to Medicare cuts, while 69 percent are opposed to Medicaid cuts

Read more: http://www.politico.com/news/stories/0411/53455.html#ixzz1McRtZsxo

I would hardly call 21% a VAST majority!

The Repubs think only the Repubs are "real" Americans so when they use the term "vast majority of Americans" they actually mean the people immediately surrounding themselves.

"vast majority of Americans" is at the top of the list of typical GOP talking points.

That is an assinine statement if I ever heard one.

EVERYTIME a Democrat speaks; the first words are "The AMERICAN PEOPLE". If you think it is a joke; listen to the next one speak. You see even in this room.

No One can claim they know what the American people like or want. The only actual Americans a person can co-sign with are those in their little inner circle.

Say what?

Miscalculation - Clearly Ryan realizes his chances of winning a Senate seat is zilch, zero and nada. Surely, there needs to be changes to Medicare, so as to save it. The "vast majority" aren't for gutting or calling for its demise. Get real!

Middle - Asinine, you've got covered. If your reading comprehension skills would or could improve, you would see all Democrats don't use "the American people. As to your contention that no one can know the American people wants, may I suggest - check the polls, they provide a snapshot of the current preferences of the people. Try it and be informed, if your like me, you won't always like the results but you can hope the next poll will be more to your liking.

Are you just being sarcastic, or tongue-in-cheek? Hope so.

Social legislation seems to be destroying itself quite handily. Seems to me what Ryan is trying to do is propose ways to reform the beast so that the safety net continues for ALL Americans, not just the current retirees and baby boomers who will join them over the next 20 years. And it's a damned sight better than the democrat's proposal of dead silence on the subject. Not necessarily the right course but when it's the only proposal on the table I have to credit Ryan for at least being willing to put his political neck on the line and do SOMETHING

From what I have seen of the resent town hall meetings, it would be a good time to recall Ryan and remove him from office. He has spent enough time on the government's tit. It is time he finds himself a real job.

It's ironic Ryan depended on his father's social security death benefits as a teen ager. Funny how Republicans view entitlements differently when it benefits them and not that worthless person down the street.

a kid who lost his father is different than an adult popping out kid after kid and living off the govt. How about Obama's aunt in Boston, drawing medical disability and she is not even a US citizen, wtf? over

How about Obama's aunt in Boston, drawing medical disability...how about Sarah Palin's daughter popping out a little b______?

how about Sarah Palin's daughter popping out a little b______?

Then being rewarded handsomely for NOT practicing 'abstinence only'?

Like Mother like daughter in that dysfunctional klan...

It has been the policy of the Republicans since Reagan to "Starve the Beast"

"Starving the beast" is a fiscal-political strategy of some American conservatives^[

to create or increase existing budget deficits via tax cuts to force future reductions in the size of government

This policy has been defined by most Economists as the most pernicious policy.

It always been the aim of the Republicans to dismantle all Social Policies, no surprise there.

"Republicans insist that the deficit must be eliminated, but they’re not willing either to raise taxes or to support cuts in any major government programs. And they’re not willing to participate in serious bipartisan discussions, either, because that might force them to explain their plan — and there isn’t any plan, except to regain power."

It sounds as though you are describing the health care reform act: it is BOLD. Let's take what is good, fix what needs fixing and continue to innovate. Simple.

BOLD like the outline of a coloring book. Sadly, impractical and illogical also come to mind.

End the TAX SALE began by W and CUT Defense spending FIRST. Then we can talk about reducing 'entitlements'; but Medicare should be OFF the table in this particular go around.

Sorry to throw the live grenade into the room. The you go first has to stop or nothing will get done. A comprehensive compromise of give and take must happen. Taxes must rise and spending must be cut. Of course this sounds easy, but only be looking at the whole picture can we get our financial house in order. Shared sacrifice is the only logical way to succeed. Faulting me for not giving, explicit proposals, is your right, but I don't have a seat at the table and quite frankly its not my job. Go Congress!

nonsense.

If taxes are raised to offset any spending cuts, (during this Obama recession no less), then what's the point?? When does the national debt start coming down??

Anybody??

AAron, the problem with this forty something is that he bought Ayn Rand's bible - Alan Greenspan knelt at her feet - did you know that? Paul makes his staffers read Ayn Rand - her mantra is objectivism - however - Helen Mirren did a great movie and expose' of her life - I outgrew her at twenty - Paul Ryan has delusions of grandeur - if Ayn Rand was alive today she would find him totally lacking - in intellect

P.S later in life she was collecting Social Security and Medicare albeit under her secretary's name - isn't that illegal

But the idiot went on FAUX and said "oh no, it was most civil and cooperative and cordial" and he went on to babble about how they all know we have to do something and were glad he is doing what he is doing.........is he nuts? Does he not know he was on candid camera?

[I dont understand why the republicans give them such a voice.]

The GOP used the Tea Party to get votes..plain and simple. The GOP has realized that the Tea Party is nothing but a boat anchor around their necks. The Republicans sold their soul to the Tea Party, and they are going to be dragged down until they can cut the cord.

Best thing that ever happened to the Democrats.

Gods way of saying thank you to the people who care about others the Liberals

This for Suzy Suzy - Medicare is the best managed health care program with only 3% going for overhead whereas private insurance companies experience a 20 to 30% overhead - so answer me you want Senior citizens to pay how much more?

The government needs to get smaller not larger.

You are right. It is time to cut the size of our military and the spending that goes along with it!!

You're right, LEGGS...this country is just now starting to come out of recession and we can ill afford to have more Repulicans like Ryan in the Senate. The policies of the Bush/Cheney Administration nearly ruined this country's great middle-class, and Ryan wants to continue to give more money to the oil companies and the top 3% at the expense of the middle-class. WAKE UP...STOP WATCHING FIXED NEWS...AND STOP VOTING AGAINST YOUR OWN SELF-INTERESTS!!!!

Minan-

I agree to a point, but better yet. Let them get paid for their services around the world. Every country that we are providing the service of protection for, let them pay us in sted of us turning around & giving them money. We would be able to keep our Military strong and it would be self supporting.

Higgi

Starting to come out of a recession????? You better wake up and look around. I am in the DC area, which is probably one of the better areas, as for unemployment. Due to the fact that there are so many Big Gov Contracts. That will run out shortly. Very few Private sector businesses have blossomed.

Just for you to keep in you thoughts, wait until August and then you can re-think your statement. If you are correct, you can pat yourself on the back, but if not you need to change YOUR way of thinking.

As for picking sides of the gov, I do not like what any of them are doing. But we need to make CUTS....

Leggs, I assume you also wanna do away with Homeland Security Dept. that was created under Bush/Cheney ? Free market principals applied evenly assume the Airline industry can Provide their Own security, Right?

I really wouldn't consider Ron Paul a freshface...usually when you stick your nose against your party mantra....most of your ideas are silences OR never reported on.

Alot of Ron Paul's financial ideas are aligned with the Tea Party...however some of his view on social issues are fairly extreme. I'm more likely to support someone who actually LIKES sticking it to the international bankers as opposed other presidential candidates who like taking it up the a$$ from the international globalists.

umm, stoptheinsanity2010,

I am pretty sure b dune was using sarcasm throughout that little post. Thompson is a Bush Admin retread.

Newt Gingrich is a fresh new face with fresh new ideas? You must be very young.

Talontbo.

...and I answered his absurd GE remarks also...see post above.

He'll move the goal posts again...watch.

So why aren't we talking about the great news of President Obama allowing almost unfettered drilling in the Gulf and Alaska? Its great news and it should drive the price of gas down.

Well said Gary!!!!

Gary,

He may be honest but he is an honest idiot. It reported last week that the American society paid the lowest taxes since WWII. Now who are the Conservatives trying to fool this time?

Paul Ryan's math is simply wrong. Too many economic professors across the country in 1000's of universities and private companies and the CBO all have agreed that Ryan's economic plan will grow the deficit to 4 to 5 time and more than what it currently is. Ryan is simply not a math genius and he has not identified his sources of calculations to have an economic and mathematical discussion over his economic equations.

I am a 30 year practicing Mechanical Engineering graduate and some of my hobbies are Calculus, Statics & Dynamics calculations, etc. I generally will solve about 5 to 10 equations a night just for the challenge. I like to work with my hands around my tool shop and my home. I say this to say that it is hard for me to accept a monetary plan without knowing the equations and the economic model he is using. I trust our colleges and economic professionals when they all come to the same agreement. I don't trust Paul Ryan because, like a person that cheats on a test, he is not showing his mathematical argument(s).

You should not accept his voodoo math by simple word of mouth and a bright smile.

Paul Ryan thinks that we are idiots and an idiot is one that anything can be said to and that someone is expected to believe it. I am not an idiot; the Conservatives will be idiots if they don't challenge him to prove his math.

Ryan may be looking at the White House - may I suggest the tour buses that go by closest he will get